He knew what he wanted...to be with Cassie. But at what cost?
“Hey, Dad, can you text Cassie and ask her if she can come over to help me with this social studies homework?”
“Cassie’s busy tonight,” he said, opening the fridge and taking out two cans of soda.
“Doing what?” Kaia looked shocked as she glanced up from her homework, as though Cassie didn’t have a life of her own.
Tank could understand. He too had taken Cassie and her schedule for granted over the years. There was so much he was regretting about their previous one-sided relationship. “Her father is back in town and they are having a family dinner together.”
Kaia pouted. “But she promised she’d help. This assignment is due tomorrow.”
“I can help.”
“You’re no good at this stuff. Cass always helps.”
Right. She did. And yet, since Montana was in town, his little girl had given Cassie the cold shoulder, unless she needed something from her...like now.
He sat and ran a hand through his beard, choosing his words carefully. Kaia wasn’t at fault for taking advantage of Cassie, he was. He’d allowed it. He’d done it himself. “Well, I think we can figure it out.”
“It’s due tomorrow and I haven’t even started it.”
Whose fault was that? “I’ll help. But maybe next time, you should start working as soon as the work is assigned.” He couldn’t be hard on her right now. She’d had a lot going on lately. They both did. Normally, he kept on top of her school assignments better too.
“Cassie was supposed to loan me some pictures of the different places she’s traveled, though.”
“We will find some online.” He reached for his laptop on the table and opened a search engine. “Okay. What are we looking for?”
Kaia pushed her assignment away and folded her arms. “They won’t be as good as the ones Cassie has. I’d rather wait for her. Do you know when she’ll be done with dinner?”
Tank’s teeth clenched. “Cassie is busy. In fact, I’m sure she’s often busy, but she agrees to help you because she cares about you.” It was unlike his daughter not to realize that and be appreciative.
“Obviously not enough to remember that this assignment is worth twenty percent of my grade,” she mumbled.
“Hey!” Tank said, a little too loud.
His daughter’s eyes widened.
He took a deep breath. “Sorry to raise my voice, but that’s enough of the attitude. Cassie must have forgotten. And this family dinner is important. It’s the only time she’ll get to see her dad before he and her mom move to Point Hope. I’m sure she would be here helping you under any other circumstances. You know that too.”
Kaia nodded, immediately embarrassed. “You’re right. I was being selfish. Family is important.”
“It is, and Cassie hasn’t seen her dad for a long time.”
“He went away when she was a kid, right?”
“Yes. He had some problems he needed to work through, help he needed...” He didn’t want to get into it in too much detail with Kaia. Over the years, she’d put together the bits and pieces she’d overheard about Cass’s dad.
“Like Mom,” she said, staring thoughtfully at her pencil.
“Something like that—yes.” It wasn’t exactly the same, but in a way she was right. Both parents had needed to go away in order to come back stronger, for any chance of being a good parent.
“You know, I never realized that Cassie and I had so much in common,” Kaia said.
“Yeah, I guess you do.” He reached across the table and bopped her on the nose. There was his sweet, understanding little girl...
“And you know... Cassie never thought her parents would get back together either,” she said slyly with a pointed look at him. “But now they have.”
Oh, fuck my life.
* * *
CASSIE HURRIED DOWN Main Street, dodging puddles on the sidewalk and careful not to wipe out on her heels. She’d forgotten about Kaia’s social studies assignment.
Please let her still be awake.
It was just after nine...
Her cell phone battery had picked the worst time to die during dinner, so she couldn’t even text to let Tank and Kaia know she would be stopping by. She’d left the restaurant as soon as she’d remembered and hurried home for the photos she’d promised Kaia. Luckily, she’d dug them out the week before and had been waiting for the little girl to start the assignment.
But she hadn’t asked her for them... Shit, maybe she hadn’t needed Cassie’s help after all.
Out of breath, she knocked on Tank’s door.
The light in the hallway came on, illuminating his shape through the window, and her heart raced even faster. Would her body ever not react to the sight of him? In five years, her attraction had only grown stronger and since being with him, she was helpless against the overwhelming emotions she’d fought hard to suppress for so long.
“Hey...” he said, surprised and happy to see her.
“Hi. Is Kaia still awake? I completely forgot about the social studies project,” she said, entering the house and struggling to catch her breath. “Dad’s arrival caught me completely off guard today. I don’t even know if she still needs my help or not...”
“Hey, hey... Don’t worry. We understand.”
Cassie nodded, her heart rate slowing. “Is she still awake?”
“Just went to bed about ten minutes ago.”
“Damn it. Sorry, Tank...”
He smiled, touching her shoulder. “Don’t stress about it. I know a thing or two about geography and Google images might not match Cassie Reynolds’s quality of photographs, but we figured it out. Besides, it was her assignment.”
True, but... “Yes, I know. I just feel bad for bailing on her.”
“You didn’t bail. You had a family thing come up.”
“Was she upset?”
“No.” He paused. “Actually, she had a revelation. She realized that maybe she often took you for granted. She felt bad about that.” He took a step forward.
Cassie shook her head. “No, I love helping her...”
“She knows that. But we both realize that in the past we relied on you for so much and that wasn’t fair to you.”
Cassie swallowed hard. Great. She let Kaia down once and now they were trying to let her down easy. Sugarcoating the fact that they didn’t need her around as much anymore. Her chest constricted.
“Tank... I’m not sure that all of this...you and me... I think Kaia isn’t ready for this yet.” She was panicking in the worst way. She was in love with Tank, but she also loved him and Kaia, and loving people meant doing what was best for them. Maybe Montana was what was best for them...being a family again. The way Kaia wanted.
He studied her. “What’s happening here? I thought we were both on the same page. Moving forward. Being together. It’s what we both want.”
“I know...but you just said yourself that Kaia doesn’t really need me as much now.”
He laughed. “That’s what you got from that? Hell, no, that’s not what I meant. What I was trying to say is that we were both being assholes—expecting so much from you and not giving close to enough in return. We were being selfish and that needs to change. We want to offer you as much as you’ve been giving us.”
“Really? But I thought Kaia was wanting you and Montana...” Had the little girl had a change of heart? Had Tank told her about them? Her hope rose.
“She still does.”
Hope plummeted.
“But that’s why I think we need to tell her about us. Right away.” Tank stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “There’s no point in hiding the truth from her. Everyone around town shouldn’t know before her.”
Cassie sank into his arms. “You sure?”
“Yes.
” He pulled away and bent low at the knees to kiss her.
All the stress of her day melted away. His lips were so soft and inviting, and in his strong arms was the only place in the world she wanted to be.
Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt herself lifted from the ground. He headed down the hall and she looked at him. “Are you sure about this? Kaia’s home,” she whispered as they passed the little girl’s room. “We should probably tell her about us first...”
“She sleeps like a log and I’ll make sure we’re up before she is.” Tank kissed her again and any and all arguments died on her lips.
She was desperate for him. Emotionally exhausted, but physically awakened, she needed to be with him right now.
Tank carried her into the bedroom and softly closed the door behind him. He set her down in front of him and unzipped her jacket, lowering it over her shoulders.
She slid her arms out and reached for the base of her sweater, pulling it off over her head.
Tank reached for her face again, pulling her into him for a long, torturous kiss that had her body tingling with desire. She wanted him. He wanted her. All of her worry over whether or not they were doing the right thing evaporated. She raised his T-shirt up over his stomach and chest, and he raised his arms into the air.
She stood on tiptoe in her heels, but still couldn’t reach high enough. “You’re too tall.”
He grinned as he lowered his arms out in front of him to allow her to remove the shirt. She tossed it aside and went for his belt. Suddenly, she couldn’t get him out of his clothes fast enough.
She unbuckled the belt and tore it from around his waist. Her fingers fumbled for his button and zipper. He took over, removing the jeans at lightning speed and kicking them across the room.
Cassie slipped out of her heels and removed her own dress pants, then led the way to his bed. Sitting on the edge, she climbed backward until she reached the pillows, then lay back, staring at him as he removed his underwear and tossed them aside.
He was hard already. How on earth had they been successful at curbing their intense attraction to one another for so long? They certainly couldn’t now.
She wouldn’t think about the missed opportunities or lost time. It really hadn’t been. Without the physical all those years, their connection had deepened, strengthened, in every other way...which made sex with him that much better now.
And they had the rest of their lives to discover even more truths about how deep their connection was.
Tank climbed onto the bed and lay next to her. “I’m glad you came over.”
“Me too,” she said, shivering as he trailed his fingers lightly across her stomach.
“I really am sorry about the other night...dinner...”
“I got the flowers,” she said. “And I was never upset with you.”
He grinned. “So that murderous look you shot me from the truck...”
“Okay, so maybe I was a little upset.”
“Well, let me make it up to you.” He slid a hand beneath the waistband of her underwear and she opened her thighs as his fingers crept lower and lower. Tickling and teasing, they inched toward her opening, which was already desperate for his touch.
His gaze locked with hers and she reached for him, drawing his mouth to hers as his fingers stroked along the folds of her vagina.
Her entire body trembled, wanting him. Her tongue slipped between his lips and he hungrily devoured her, their tongues frantically exploring one another.
His fingers dipped inside her body and she felt herself tighten around them. She could come so easily with just a simple touch from him. The affection and trust they had for one another made giving all of herself to him so easy. Loving Tank was easy.
She traced the shape of his abs as she moved lower to wrap her hand around his cock, so hard and big. Her breathing grew more labored, just at the thought of him inside her. She had nothing to worry about with him...she was safe.
He moaned against her mouth as she stroked the length of him. Up and down, slowly at first, then faster as his own fingers picked up their pace, moving in and out of her body.
Her legs spread even further and he dared to dip another finger inside. The tightness and pleasure had her pumping him harder now. She craved release already.
He broke away slightly, panting as she felt him harden even more under her touch. “Cassie, you’re killing me... I was hoping to make this last,” he whispered.
“Okay, let’s slow things down a little,” she said as she experienced the first warming sensations of orgasm along her inner thighs. It felt so good. Slowing the rippling effect that continued to build throughout her body was nearly impossible.
She rolled him onto his back and lifted her body to straddle him. His hands gripped her hips as she lowered her body to his. The feel of his penis against her wetness had her swallowing hard. This wasn’t helping to slow things at all. She wanted him inside her right now.
“I’m so close, Cass,” he said, sitting up and burying his head between her breasts. The warmth of his breath against her skin sent shivers throughout her core.
“Condom...” she whispered. “Quick.”
Tank reached into the bedside drawer and retrieved one. Ripping it open, he handed it to her.
Cassie slowly rolled it down over him, marveling at the size of his erection. “Where do you even find these big enough?” she whispered.
Tank laughed. “You already have me naked. You don’t have to continue stroking my ego.” He flipped them so that he was on top. Holding his weight on his arms, he wedged himself between her legs.
The tip of him pressed against her opening, and Cassie wrapped her hands around his biceps as she lifted her hips and took the length of him inside her body. Damn, the sheer size of him made everything that much more intense. “Make love to me, Tank,” she whispered, her gaze locked with his.
The intensity in his expression as he started to rock his hips, plunging deeper and deeper inside her, left no room for doubt about how he felt for her. They hadn’t said the words to one another, but Cassie felt his love, she could see it, feel it...
She stared into his eyes as he thrust faster and harder. Their gazes locked and held as the friction between their bodies grew more and more intense. She was so close. She held him tighter as she fought to control the urge to cry out.
Tank lowered his face and drowned a moan of his own in her hair as he plunged deeper. His fingers tangled in the pillow and she heard his breath catch as his body trembled above her. “Shit, Cassie...” he whispered.
She arched her back and rocked her hips forward, her own orgasm erupting. She bit her lip in an effort to restrain her pleasure as her head fell back against the pillow.
Tank collapsed next to her a second later and stared at the ceiling, as though trying to catch his breath and gather his surroundings... She knew the feeling. She still pulsated where his penis had filled her, and a euphoric feeling had her floating.
“Holy hell, Cass...”
She rolled to her side, draping one leg over his. “Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
She slapped him playfully. “I meant for what you said before...about wanting to tell Kaia about us.” She knew that would be a big step for him...for them.
“She deserves to know.”
“I really am sorry I wasn’t here to help her tonight.”
“She understood.” Tank pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “Your family dinner went well?”
“Really well. Dad looks great. I hope he can stay on the right track.”
“Me too.” Tank trailed his fingers up and down her arm. “And Reed? He was cool?”
“I’ve never seen him so...complete. Dad was a missing piece for him for so long.”
Tank squeezed her tight. “Families come in all differen
t shapes...the key is making everything fit.”
Cassie nodded, as her eyes drifted closed. She hoped they could make all the pieces of their relationship fit somehow, because now that she was in Tank’s arms, she never wanted to let go.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
HE DID NOT wake up before Kaia.
Tank was in the middle of the best dream of his life when the sound of Kaia’s scream had his eyes snapping open.
The scene in front of him moved as if in slow motion, but happened in milliseconds.
“What is going on?” Kaia asked, still looking horrified, glancing between him and Cassie. Tank jumped out of bed and hurried after Kaia as she left the room and ran down the hallway.
“Cassie came by after you went to bed last night to help you with your homework.” Damn, that sounded so lame.
“It was a social studies assignment, not sex ed! What the hell, Dad?”
“Hey, watch your language!”
“Hey, how about putting on some more clothes?” she yelled, slamming her bedroom door.
Tank hesitated...then marched back into the bedroom.
“Shit, shit, shit,” Cassie was muttering, sitting up and reaching for her discarded clothes on the floor.
“Sorry... I forgot to set my phone alarm,” Tank said, reaching for his own jeans and T-shirt. It was inside out, but he pulled it on anyway.
“I’ll get dressed quickly and leave,” Cassie said, yanking her sweater on.
“No. You don’t have to. We will all sit down and discuss this.” Did he sound calm? Because he was absolutely fucking terrified by the idea, but he’d told Cassie the night before that they needed to tell Kaia the truth about them right away in order to move forward.
Of course this wasn’t the way he’d envisioned it happening, but here they were...
“Are you sure? Maybe you should talk to her first...?”
Under an Alaskan Sky Page 24