“How about joining me for a burger at the tavern? Claire is heading into St. Cloud to see her dad tonight. It’s bingo night so she’d taking him to the mall.”
That was puzzling. “What?”
Jake shook his head. “Long story, but suffice it to say the guy isn’t allowed to gamble. Ever.”
She’d just bet there was a story there but Cassie was no Lettie. She wouldn’t pry.
“A burger sounds good.”
Jake put his arm around her shoulders. “Then let’s go. Ty’s waiting in the bar.”
She skidded to a stop, her stomach dropping to her toes. “Ty will be there?”
“Yeah.” Jake faced her. “We get together a couple of times a week. Why?”
How could she tell her brother that she and Ty had a moment earlier today? Okay, a couple of moments. That strong body. Those warm, hazel eyes. Those dimples. Lettie was right. The man was fine.
“It’s nothing.” She waved a hand. “I like Ty.”
Jake chuckled and they started walking again.
“You like him, huh?”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Don’t start. I got an earful from Lettie Fairfax this afternoon, thanks.”
“Lettie speaks her mind, sis. She also never misses a trick.”
Cassie didn’t say anything more about Ty or Lettie or tricks. She was going to hit the ladies’ room before heading into the tavern, though.
A girl should spruce herself up when she was meeting her brother’s friend for dinner, right?
***
Ty ran his fingers over the beer bottle, catching the condensation on the label. He’d checked on his mother after work and she seemed to be doing pretty well today. He was thinking about staying out at the tent-cabin tonight. It would make his morning a little bit easier to take. He had a few tours scheduled for tomorrow and Rick wanted him to pop into the Sales Center to speak to a group of potential sales associates he was considering bringing on. Ty was up for anything to promote the development. Cypress was his home now.
He’d grown up in St. Cloud, and he never forgave himself for heading up to Gainesville for college despite the degree that gave him his living today. He’d left his sister Tracy to her own devices. Partly as a defense mechanism, though. Their father was the only one she’d ever listened to and she flat-out rejected everything Ty ever suggested.
The redneck teens she’d hung around with in high school had grown up to be hard-drinking bullies. She’d gone from one abusive relationship to another before falling in with Hank. She must have been drawn to him because he was older. Their father died while Ty was in University of Florida earning his undergrad. Lung cancer that came as a shock since the man never smoked a cigarette in his life. Tracy had been only fourteen.
He took one last drag on his beer and drained the bottle. He hadn’t given himself the luxury of thinking about that dark time in a while. Why the hell he was tonight, he couldn’t guess.
“Hey, man.”
Ty turned his head to smile in Jake’s direction. “Hey.”
Jake settled on the stool beside him. “Good Monday?”
“Pretty good.”
“How’s your mom doing?”
Jake knew his mother had her good days and bad. Ty had confided in him one night over beers right here in the tavern, actually. He never shared the reality of Tracy’s death and the mess she’d left behind, though. Just that they watched her little girl occasionally. It was a sore subject for him, since he felt like such a failure every time he had to take Riley back to her father’s place.
“She’s pretty good, thanks,” Ty said. “Feeling stronger. Lately, anyway.”
Jake raised a hand to the bartender to order a beer, and then nodded. “That’s good. We have a guest joining us tonight, if that’s okay.”
Ty was pretty easy-going, so he just shrugged. “Sure. Who’s—?”
His breath caught as he saw Cassie walking toward them. Whoa. She’d let her hair down from her ponytail and brushed it, apparently. Her dark waves fell over her shoulders and a couple more shirt buttons were undone than when he’d seen her last. On Tammy, such a look might have appeared calculated but on Cassie she just looked fresh and natural, with a glow in her cheeks and her lips a glossy pink.
“Cassie, over here,” Jake called.
She smiled and Ty felt that earlier punch to the gut move downward. He shifted on his stool. It wouldn’t do to sport wood with the girl’s brother sitting next to him.
“Hey, Ty,” she said.
Her voice was a little husky and it scratched over him in the best way. “Hey.”
Jake looked between the two of them when they both grew quiet, and then smiled crookedly. “Riveting. Let’s go eat.”
Ty eyed his friend. Jake seemed to sense something but he wasn’t one to pry. He knew that from the first time the guys met and that impression had only grown in the months since.
“I’m starving,” Ty said.
“Me, too,” Cassie put in.
Jake grabbed his beer bottle and took the lead as they headed for one of the round tables dotting the interior of the tavern. The place was decorated much like an English pub, which should have felt strange but it worked given the stuffy pretention available over in the Clubhouse. It was a nice counterpoint.
As they neared a table set near the fireplace that dominated one wall, Ty pulled out a chair for her. Cassie looked at him in surprise, and then dipped her head with a smile. Jeez, what kind of jackasses had she been dating if she didn’t expect a guy to hold out her chair?
Jake just shot him an even look and Ty quickly took his own seat. A server appeared and brought them glasses of water. Ty ordered another beer and Cassie asked for a glass of pinot.
After the server left, Jake grabbed the menus set in a holder on the table.
“The burgers are great here,” Jake said. “I assume you eat meat, sis?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes, and I’m starving.”
Ty couldn’t seem to think of a damn thing to say as she sipped at her water. She licked her luscious lips and his mouth suddenly went dry. Covering his reaction, he drank some of his own water.
“I would have thought you were a vegan or something,” Ty said.
Cassie shook her head. “No. I like meat.”
Her words put an image in his head that had no business being there. Thankfully, the server returned and they all ordered their meals.
He managed to keep his mind on his rather excellent burger as the three of them ate. Ty brought up the new addition to the adventure course, which kept Jake talking and his sister listening.
“You have to give it a try, Cassie,” Jake said.
She snorted, an adorable sound that made her blush a little. “Not on a bet, bro.”
“It’s not so scary,” Ty put in. “I’ve run it all.”
Her pretty blue eyes ran over his body and her gaze made his skin sizzle. “You’re a daredevil like my brother, I take it?”
Ty grinned. “Maybe a little.”
She sipped at her glass of wine. “I shouldn’t be surprised, since you’re an animal-tamer.”
“He’s amazing, Cass,” Jake said. “I call him the gator whisperer.”
Ty felt his cheeks heat. “You just have to know how to handle them. That’s all.”
Cassie’s eyes sparkled at him and he wondered just what she was thinking. Her little pink tongue peeked out again, running over her full lips, and he shifted in his chair. Taking a drag of his beer, he turned his focus to the dormant fireplace at her back.
The three of them hung around a little bit after they finished eating. Ty nursed his beer, more than happy to linger in her company. And Jake’s too, of course. He peeled a bit of the label off his beer as he admitted at least to himself that this had everything to do with Cassie and nothing to do with Jake. He wouldn’t tell his friend he was stripping the paper off the bottle in response to any sexual frustration he was feeling. Nope.
“Harmony told me you
live out in the tent thing?” Cassie folded her arms and leaned toward Ty. “How is that?”
“It’s a tent-cabin,” Jake said. “It’s pretty comfortable, right Ty? Wired for electricity and running water. Gorgeous setting.”
“Nice and quiet, too,” Ty said.
Cassie nodded, but she looked skeptical. “Isn’t it a little…primitive?”
Ty leaned forward, coming as close to her as he could manage with the round table between them. “You’ll have to come out and see it sometime. Judge for yourself.”
Her lips parted and he wondered what she was going to say. Would she refuse? Think he was too much of an outdoor guy, given that she was clearly an indoor girl? He read the interest in her eyes, though. Just what was he doing, anyway? Offering her a tour of his place in front of her brother? Real nice.
“Dessert?” Jake said at last.
“None for me,” Cassie said. “I wouldn’t mind another glass of wine, though.”
Ty nodded and signaled for the server.
“I’m gonna take off, then.” Jake took out his phone and a grin tugged his lips up at one corner. Ty had no trouble guessing who the text was from. “Claire should be back in a little while.” He looked over at his sister. “I hate to drag you away, Cassie.”
Her brow furrowed a little and Ty made a snap decision.
“I can take Cassie back to Rick’s,” he said.
“Thanks, man.” Jake stood, and then reached for his wallet.
“It’s on me this time,” Ty said.
“Thanks again.” Jake brushed a kiss on his sister’s cheek. “See you soon, sis. And don’t worry. You’ll do much better tomorrow.”
Cassie smiled up at her brother and Ty could see the affection between them. They were a lot alike, her and this brother. She was more reserved, though. A little bit like Rick that way. She was holding herself back. Why, he couldn’t guess.
“Work was rough today, huh?” he asked her after Jake left.
She sipped her wine, and then carefully placed the glass back on the table. “I have no clue, Ty. I told you I’ve never had a job before.”
That still floored him. “Just do your best.”
A kind of sadness came into her eyes and she sighed. “I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“That my best just isn’t good enough.”
She wore her emotions on her face and he wondered if she knew that.
“Come out to my place tonight.” She quirked a brow, so he let a smile play on his lips. “Just for a little while. Check out the view. Listen to the sounds of nature and nothing else.”
She brushed her hair back from her face and nodded. “Okay, Ty. You’re on.”
Chapter 5
Ty drove away from the center of Cypress Corners, bound for his tent-cabin place. Cassie surprised herself with her quick agreement to his suggestion. She was aware of at least one reason she’d wanted to come out to the lakeshore with him tonight, though. She really didn’t want to go home to Rick and Harmony’s yet. And what better distraction was there than a hot guy with a gorgeous smile?
“The far lakeshore was going to be developed a couple of years ago but they’ve moved on to other parts of the property,” Ty told her, throwing a smile her way. “Good for me, right?”
“Harmony used to live out here,” Cassie said. “Then Jake.”
“Yep. I like it. I usually stay a couple of nights in the village but most nights I stay out here.”
She wondered why that was so. Did he have a girlfriend down here? Did he have commitments beyond his job? She so didn’t do commitments of any kind.
She wasn’t going to pry into his life, either. She was only in Cypress for a limited time, not that she knew exactly how long that would be. Playing around with Ty would make her time here more than fun. She could guess that from the heat between them from the start. He didn’t seem like the type of guy who played, though.
Falling silent, she just sat in his truck as he piloted them down a winding dirt road. It wound through towering trees and she could see the full moon sparkling on the lake as they drew closer to it. The setting looked like something out of a postcard. Wild and beautiful and very serene. She’d never seen anything like it. Not when she’d been bouncing around Europe and not when she’d stayed at nearly every posh resort she could find to lose herself.
She couldn’t help but lean closer to the windshield, her eyes taking in every detail that revealed itself. “Oh, it’s pretty out here.”
Ty made a sound of agreement. “Here it is.”
She squinted and could just make out a small cabin-like shape as they drew closer. A light came on, it must have been motion-sensitive, and she could see a sweet little building tucked between the tall trees. It did look like it was half tent half cabin, so now its name made sense to her.
Pulling the truck to a stop, he waited a beat and then faced her. “We’re here.”
She suddenly felt safe and cozy in his truck. Like she didn’t want to leave. His scent was fresh and strong and she wanted to wrap herself in him. There was danger here too, though. This man was very tempting and to more than her sanity.
Thankfully, Ty got out and walked around to her side of the truck. He opened her door and she smiled up at him.
“Ever the gentleman.” She grabbed her bag and stepped out. “A girl could get used to this.”
He shrugged, stretching the shoulders of his close-fitting Henley. “My mother raised me right.”
She laughed. “You’re a puzzle, Ty.”
He waved her ahead of him with a smile. “Nah, Cassie. I’m easy.”
She stepped up onto the small wooden porch, stopping in front of the door. Ty joined her, and then unlocked and opened the door for her.
“Like Jake said, it’s not much.”
“It’s not much but it’s home?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
She stepped in as he flicked on a light. Her mouth fell open as she glimpsed the interior. There was a big bed with a black iron head and footboard sporting a crisp taupe comforter. Several pillows were piled on the bed, but there wasn’t a ruffle in the place. A rag rug in muted colors covered the wide-plank floor, an unexpectedly cozy touch.
“Harmony lived here? Their house is so pretty and this is…”
“A little too manly?”
“I was going to say plain.”
Ty shut the door and turned to her. “Jake managed to undo a little bit of the shabby-chic vibe Harmony had left behind before moving into Claire’s for good. I moved in my own stuff when I came here to stay. Kept the rug, though. And the bed.”
She wandered around, touching the iron footboard, the deceptively-soft comforter.
“This bed is pretty nice. I would have kept it, too.”
She nearly bit her tongue. Why was she playing with this guy? Talking about his bed? He might be fun to flirt with but he just wasn’t that kind of guy. She was sure of it.
Beside the bed was a nightstand and a squat dresser with a small mirror on top. There was a tiny desk set against the bare wood framing the interior, and what might be called a kitchen in the other corner. It had a free-standing sink, a small fridge and a wooden table with two chairs.
“You live out here?”
“Most of the time, yes.”
She looked around the one room. “Where’s the bathroom?”
He chuckled. “Out back. Just a short walk. There’s a shower, too.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Your bathroom, your shower, is outside?”
“It’s all running water, Cassie. Not an outhouse or anything.”
She shivered. “Still.”
He shrugged. “I wear boots when I go out there. Besides, I know where to step.”
She settled down on the side of the bed. “You’re not like any guy I’ve ever known, Ty.”
He came closer, and for a second she thought he was going to sit in the chair near the little desk.
To her surprise, he sat down right beside her. His thigh was strong against her leg.
“You’re different, too,” he said.
“Oh?” She blinked up at him. “Have a lot of girls out here, do you?”
He dipped his head but she could see his dimples as he smiled. “Nope.”
“So tell me, then. Why do you sometimes live out here and sometimes in the village?”
His mouth thinned, and then he took a breath. “My mother lives with me. She has fibromyalgia and has her good days and bad.”
“I’m sorry.” She was at a loss regarding his revelation. “That’s a lot of responsibility.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” he murmured, staring down at the floor.
She reached out and placed her hand on his. “Animal-tamer? A good son? You’re too good to be true.”
He lifted his head, his hazel eyes dark. Intense. “I’m no choirboy, Cassie.”
Heat washed over her as his gaze dropped to her lips. “Ty.”
He brought his face close to hers. “Damn, I want to kiss you.”
She lifted her hand to place her palm against his cheek. His skin was warm and his jaw was bristled with stubble. “Kiss me, Ty.”
He did, turning slightly to pull her up against him. His body was hard. Hot. Pressing up against his chest, her skin began to tingle. Opening her mouth, she welcomed his tongue when he took control of the kiss.
His big hands moved down to her butt and he turned to pin her underneath him. Her skirt rode up a little, and one of his hands stroked the back of her thigh.
“Cassie,” he rumbled, his mouth against her throat. “You smell so damn good.”
She murmured something, she wasn’t sure what, and then ran her fingers through his hair as he began to kiss his way down the front of her. Cradling his head, she gasped when he dipped his tongue between her breasts.
“Ty…”
He brought up a hand and cupped one breast, kneading and fondling until her nipples were so tight she ached. Pulling one of the lace cups aside, he palmed her bare breast. Moaning, she arched toward him and was rewarded when he brought that kissable mouth to her breast and suckled.
He was a busy boy and he certainly knew what he was doing. His fingers slipped up and under her panties and she moaned again. Two fingers stretched her, and she felt the tickling of something she’d rarely experienced. She was so close she could hardly breathe.
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