“That’s the one.” A pensive look remained on his face. “I think I owe you an explanation.”
“Why?”
“Because I was kissing you and then a pregnant woman who I’m sure you figured out shared a past with me shows up. It didn’t make me look good.”
“You didn’t—don’t—owe me an explanation.” No matter how much she wanted to hear one.
“Maybe not, but I’d like to give you one anyway. The baby isn’t mine. I haven’t seen Freya in over a year. She was my girlfriend when we were teenagers. I asked her to be my wife the night before I left for basic training.”
“Now I understand the look on her husband’s face.” It had been jealousy.
Lyle nodded. “Yeah, I’m not his favorite person, I imagine. But he has nothing to worry about. It’s been over for a long time.”
“What happened?” Cass hissed in dismay. “I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s not my business.”
He finally met her look. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to have any secrets from you.”
What was he saying? That sounded too much like he wanted a relationship more intimate than friendship. Their kisses had certainly been a step beyond mere friends.
“I received the classic ‘Dear John’ letter. By the time I was able to come home months later she was already married.”
Cass placed her hand over his hand resting on the table. She had been right. He did need to talk. “I’m sorry that happened to you. You deserved better.”
He turned over his hand and held hers. “It was a rotten feeling at the time but far better than marrying the wrong person.”
She couldn’t disagree with him, but it must have been a horribly painful experience. To feel so helpless. She knew that all feeling too well. In too many areas of her life.
“It took me some time, but I realized that we would never have made it. Ours was a young immature love and an engagement based on me leaving, not on something lasting. I promised myself that the next time I asked a woman to marry me, we would both be mature enough to know what we were doing, and that we understood what real love is.” He let go of her hand.
“Enough of this serious talk. Here I am dragging up my long-gone past while your tea is getting cold.”
Cass took a sip from her mug. “I knew something big had gone on between the two of you. I just wasn’t sure what. Her husband made a point of making it clear where she belonged.”
“I noticed that as well. I hope she’s happy. My mother said this is her second child.” He bit into a cookie.
“I must admit I was curious. In fact, half of the reason I came tonight was that I thought you might need to talk. You helped me by listening so I thought I could return the favor.”
He gave her a thoughtful look then grinned. “I see. And here I was thinking you wanted to spend more time with me.”
Just like that Lyle had changed the atmosphere. He knew how to ease a tense situation.
She returned his smile. “Please don’t let anyone tell you that you lack an ego.”
His grin turned suggestive, causing her middle to quiver. “I’m not sure that was a compliment, but I’m going to choose to take it that way.”
Cass huffed in humor. “Does anything keep you down long?”
“I try to keep a positive outlook where I can. I learned long ago that life was easier that way. How do you see the glass? Half full or half empty?”
She winced in her mind. Most of her life she would have said half full but right now she wasn’t sure she could. “Can I get back to you on that?”
Lyle watched her far too closely for comfort. “Sure. I just want you to know that I’m here for you.”
“Thanks. I know I showed up at the castle with a chip on my shoulder. I’m trying to do better.”
“From all I’ve heard, you are.”
Cass pushed away from the table. “I should be going.”
“Do you have to? Stay awhile and I’ll walk you back later.” His face was hopeful.
She ought to leave. Hadn’t she already stepped over the line by coming here? Yet she did want to remain longer. “I guess I could.”
“Great. Would you like to watch TV, play chess or maybe do a puzzle?”
She blinked and laughed. “Wow, you know how to show a woman a wild time.”
He carried their mugs to the sink. “What can I say? Most of my excitement comes from accidents. I’m not planning one to impress you.”
“I’ll be more than happy to settle for a puzzle. I haven’t done one of those in a long time.” That seemed like a safe enough activity.
“During the winter months I keep one going all the time. It’s in the living room. Go on in and see what you can do. I’ll be in after I finish here.” He turned to the sink.
Cass did as he suggested. A fire was burning. She found the table with the puzzle laid out on it behind the sofa. It had to have been there the other night but she had been so out of it she hadn’t noticed. The puzzle was a picture of a lioness and her cub. A difficult one at best. She sat in the chair, adjusting the lamp over the table to shine it where she wanted it.
Lyle entered to find Cass sitting in his chair at his puzzle table. Something about the sight seemed right. She looked like she belonged, fit in his world.
Her head remained lowered. The glow of the fire reflected off her hair. He longed to brush his hand across it. Test its softness. Pulling another chair close, he joined her.
“So this is how you spend your evenings?” She picked a piece up and tried it. It didn’t fit. She put it down and went for another.
“Not every evening.” He wished Cass would put as much energy into getting to know him as she was into working on the puzzle. Was he really that desperate for a woman? No, it was more about the sensations Cass stirred in him. Sensations that had lain dormant for a long time. The same ones he’d been afraid to show for so long.
“I would think a hot young doctor would be too busy with the ladies at the pub to spend time doing puzzles.” She put a piece in and made a tiny sound of joy, and it sparked something in him.
What would it be like to kiss her again? That thought was all it took to set his blood humming. How would she react if he tried to kiss her right now? Would she push him away or tug him closer, like she had at the shop? He had to stop these runaway thoughts.
Focus on the puzzle, he told himself. Concentrate on finding that one missing piece. Maybe if he did that, he’d forget the sweet smell of Cass’s hair moving just inches from him, or the breathiness of her voice when she spoke or the soft touch of her hand as it brushed his when they both tried to fit a piece into the same space.
Minutes ticked by, the longing in him growing, groaning with the seconds. To stop himself from reaching for Cass, Lyle stood and went to the fireplace, using the need to put another log on the fire as an excuse. With his back to the warmth, he watched her. She truly was striking. Every fiber of his being was on alert for the least hint of encouragement.
Cass looked up. “Hey, are you going to leave all of this to me? This is such a great picture.”
“I like the one I’m seeing.” His gaze met hers and held.
Cass’s head dipped to the side as if she was making a decision. Moments ticked by as they watched each other.
Lyle cleared his throat. “Cass, I’ve been thinking of little else but kissing you again. If you don’t want that to happen then it might be better if you go.”
She blinked. “Go?”
Lyle chuckled softly as he stepped toward her. “Or stay? That’s up to you.” When Lyle reached her, he lifted a strand of her hair and let it drift through his fingers. He didn’t miss the hitch in her breath.
Taking her by the shoulders, he brought her to her feet and against him. The chair turned over with a bang but neither of them gave it any notice. His lips found h
ers. They were as soft and pliable and welcoming as he remembered.
There was no uncertainty on Cass’s part this time. Her arms circled his neck, pulling his head closer as he took the kiss deeper. She moaned low, wiggling against him and sending his desire into orbit. Her mouth opened without his request and her tongue eagerly met his in a sensual dance.
With his desire for her increasing by the second, he buried his fingers in her hair. Cass gripped his shoulders as his mouth left hers to leave kisses along her jaw and up to her ear. She did a super-sexy wriggle against his taut length when he planted a kiss behind her ear.
Cass cupped the side of his head and guided his mouth back to hers, then kissed him deeply. His body throbbed in appreciation. Cass ran her hand over his chest and down to his beltline. There she pulled his sweater up and his shirt out of his pants. Seconds later his skin rippled with the pleasure of her hand moving over it.
Lyle had to touch her, all of her. He lifted Cass to the back of the sofa and stepped between her legs. Finding the edge of her sweater, he stripped it from her and let it drop to the floor. He kissed her temple. “I’ve dreamed of doing this for so long.”
“You have?” Her whispered words held a note of wonder.
He looked into her eyes. “I have.”
The smile that lit her eyes and curved her mouth was suggestive and stimulating, promising delights to come. Excitement set his blood on fire.
Cass reached for his sweater and started to remove it. He stepped back just enough to whip it off. As she balanced on the sofa back, her hands went to the bottom button of his shirt. She unfastened each one with astonishing speed, pushing the material to either side, exposing his chest.
When she licked her lips, he was almost undone. Only with self-control that he wasn’t aware he possessed did he manage not to flip her over on the cushions of the sofa and have his way. But Cass deserved better than that. She was someone who merited the best he could offer, and he vowed she would receive it. He cared too much about her for their joining to be anything less.
Lyle watched her face as her index finger traveled across his chest, around his nipples, then followed the line of hair disappearing beneath his pants. She let that naughty finger dip inside his waistband and tugged him to her. Her eyes were wide, questioning.
He found her lips again. When she pushed his shirt off his shoulders, he finished removing it without his mouth leaving hers. More than once he’d seen the fire in Cass. Her intensity for life was momentarily banked but he hadn’t been prepared for this profound craving to explore her passion. He wanted, needed, to see more of her, touch more of her, to experience all of Cass.
Pulling her shirt up, he ran his hand over the smoothness of her back until he found the edge of her bra and followed it around to her breast. His hand covered it. She stilled. Her breathing had turned into panting. Satisfaction filled him when just the brush of his thumb made her nipple harden, pushing against the material of the bra. He quickly found the back clasp and released the barrier. Pushing it away, he caressed her skin until he found her breasts once more. Cupping one, he judged its weight. Perfect.
Cass leaned back slightly against his arm. Her eyelids were half-closed and her lips swollen from his kisses. She was gorgeous. Stunning. Her lips parted. Heat shot through him. He pushed her shirt out of the way and covered her nipple with his mouth. Cass moaned. Her fingers ran through his hair as she held him close.
He twirled his tongue, teasing her nipple until it stood high. Cass made a crooning sound. When it turned to a coo, Lyle’s heart sored. Pleased with himself, he moved to the other breast. As he achieved the same results his desire matched hers. Holding her securely around the waist with one arm, he leaned her back to view the full landscape. Cass lying out before him was beautiful scenery to behold. Eyes satisfied, his mouth feasted on her full breasts until she forcibly pulled his lips to hers.
As her flesh meshed with his, the aching in his body became raw pain. He pulled away, helping her to sit up straight. He steadied her with his hands on her waist. “Cass, are you sure you want to do this? Do you want to go upstairs? You decide.”
To his alarm and disappointment, she pulled her shirt down over the mesmerizing view. Just as he let go of her waist so she could move away she said in a soft sexy voice, “I’ve always wanted to see your bedroom.”
Lyle grinned. “Always, is it? I like the idea of that.” He offered his hand, palm up. “Then let me give you a tour.”
* * *
Cass floated more than walked up the narrow stairs behind Lyle. His firm hand clasping hers reassured her of his desire. She didn’t want that to ever wane.
Even so, this impulsive decision to share Lyle’s bed was reckless and far out of character. Yet this newfound freedom was intensely exciting. Anticipation tingled along every nerve. Lyle’s touch, his smell, the flames of desire in his eyes all drew her to him. Being with him made her feel wonderful. Made her forget her losses. Dream of the gains. She wanted these precious moments and as long as he was willing to create them, she would take all he offered.
Tomorrow she would worry about the repercussions.
Right now, she was going to enjoy feeling, being alive as never before and leave her fear and hurt outside in the cold.
Lyle’s bare back was wide, solid and strong. He was everything she needed in life right now. Was she using him? Maybe, but she would see to it he received as good as he gave. Because of him she had remembered how to give and felt whole for the first time in weeks.
At the top of the stairs he turned right down a small hallway and entered a dark room. Not letting go of her hand, he continued to lead her across the floor. Her socked feet sank into a plush rug seconds before a click heralded light. A lamp sat on a small wooden table beside a large impressive bed. The dark headboard almost reached the ceiling while the matching footboard rose a few feet above the mattress. A quilt in browns and tans covered it.
Lyle turned to her. “Are you still sure you want this?”
Cass cherished his thoughtfulness. She cupped one of his cheeks. “Oh, yes.” Going up on her toes, she kissed him.
That was all the invitation he seemed to require. Pulling her tight against him, Lyle tumbled with her to the bed. She winced.
Lyle said a harsh word under his breath. Raising himself so that he could see her, he asked. “Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry.” He made a move to leave her.
She pulled him back. “Just a little tender. But I’m all right. How about kissing me?”
Lyle smiled. “With pleasure.” His lips found hers.
As he kissed her his hands explored and caressed her waist and hips before lightly trailing between her legs. By the time they pulled apart, her center beat like a drum keeping rhythm with their heavy breathing.
Lyle rolled to his side, supported his head in his hand, and studied her. His other hand went to the hem of her shirt and beneath it. She shivered when his fingers found skin and skimmed along it. His heated gaze met hers. “Shh... I want to see all of you.”
She looked away. “I have scars from the accident...”
Lyle’s lips found hers briefly. “Even those. They’re part of who you are now. The amazing person you are.”
Cass had never thought of them like that. Her fear had been that they would be one more turn-off for men. She tried to relax as Lyle pushed her shirt and bra up, exposing her breasts. When he wanted to remove her shirt, she lifted off the bed enough for him to do so.
“More beautiful than I imagined.”
She studied him in wonder. He’d been thinking about her, imagining her without clothes? The revelation was like a balm to her battered emotions.
Lyle gave her a gentle kiss before moving to one breast, then the other. “So sweet.” He rotated her so he could see the injury on her arm then gently kissed the area. “I’m so sorry you were hurt.”
Mome
nts later his hand moved to the button of her pants and undid it. It took him no time to find the aching need at her center and slide a finger inside. She squirmed. Instead of giving her the relief she yearned for, his caress heightened her burning need.
“Lyle...” she crooned. Her gaze met his.
He kissed her deeply and continued his ministrations. Stopping, he tugged at her pants. Cass lifted her hips, assisting him in the process before kicking them to the floor. Lyle ran his hand along her right thigh. He paused over the puckered skin, then leaned toward it.
She shifted away. “Don’t. It’s so ugly.”
“Shh... Nothing about you is ugly.”
Lyle lightly kissed the area then his mouth moved to hers as his nimble finger entered her again. As it teased, his tongue mimicked the erotic dance.
Cass forgot everything but the sensation Lyle was creating in her. Cass’s body tightened as the longing built, pleading for release. When she reached the limits of her endurance her body took over as if leaving her behind. She closed her eyes, flexed her back and tightened her legs around his hand, slipping into the land of wonder and delight that Lyle had built just for her.
Lyle’s kisses gentled. He gave her one quick peck before he left her. Cass opened her eyelids just enough to see him shuck his pants in one swift movement. He stood strong and proud. Her breath caught in her throat at the beauty before her. She had caused this reaction in him. With that knowledge came a sense of amazement and power. Lyle obviously wanted her as much as she did him. He opened the drawer on the bedside table and removed a package, tore it open and rolled the condom on. Stepping to the bed, he looked down at her.
Cass opened her arms. Lyle came to her and she pulled him close. Her legs opened and he entered her slowly. She accepted all of him, but just barely. He eased out of her snug core, then plunged in again. Taking his head in both hands, Cass brought his mouth to hers. She loved kissing him. Loved how he made her feel—happy and healthy once again. Lyle increased his pace. The friction grew, building on itself. That growling need she’d known before returned with a vengeance.
Highland Doc's Christmas Rescue Page 10