by Sable Hunter
Cassie glanced over. “Meet Sassy and Patience, my roommates and bosses.”
He walked to the door and knelt down to stare at the curious pets. “Do you want them to come in?”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” As soon as he opened the door, they shot in like bullets. “The little rascals even sleep with me.”
“Lucky animals,” Bowie muttered. He picked up the cat with one hand and patted the dog with the other. “You’ll have to come meet my girls and guys.”
There were many ways of defining sexy and Bowie met every qualification. But when she saw him being gentle with her animals, she felt her heart melt. “I’d like that,” she whispered.
“Me too.” He was beyond serious. “I enjoy you. Can I see you again? Will you spend some time with me, Cassie?” As they’d visited, Bowie had memorized her smile, the way her eyes lit up and the dimple in her cheek. He’d also seen the way her nipples hardened when she’d become excited. And he had excited her, he could tell. Several times he had touched her, casually or looked into her eyes, or winked at her. He’d watched the blush rise on her chest till it swept up her cheeks. And her breasts had swelled, they wanted to be touched which just excited the hell out of him.
But as he waited, she gave him her answer without saying a word. He could see it in her face. The answer was going to be some form of the word no.
“Of course, I’d love to be your friend. I enjoyed today more than you’ll ever know.” She nodded her head and all of that blonde bounty moved with her.
He reached over and lifted her chin. “Friends?”
She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. He still held her face, but now his thumb was caressing her chin.
“Could we be friends, Bowie?”
“Yea, I think I’d like that.” Just friends. Was he crazy? Right now his body was clamoring for more than friendship. But Cassie was special, probably the most special woman he’d ever met. And he couldn’t afford to hurt her. So Bowie Travis Malone needed to get his head on straight. Maybe friendship was the best place to start.
“Good.” Simultaneously Cassie felt both relief and a disappointment which flooded her soul. Relief because this meant she’d see him again and he wouldn’t pressure her for things she couldn’t give him. And disappointment because, for some unfathomable reason, she wanted him to want her. How confusing was that?
“So, when’s our next date?” He said the words flippantly, but he meant them. Bowie had every intention of treating this woman with every respect and consideration she was due.
“I could cook dinner for us on Friday night, if you’re free. Seven?”
A myriad of emotions crossed her face. He could almost read them—hope, despair, disbelief and a wistfulness which was almost palatable.
“What can I bring?”
“An appetite,” she offered with a smile.
“That goes without saying.” Even as he agreed with her, Bowie knew he had to figure this thing out with Cassie fast. Because the appetite he had in mind had nothing to do with food.
* * *
The few days till Friday passed swiftly. Cassie accomplished everything she’d needed to do, made all of her deadlines, went to the grocery store, and cleaned her house. She couldn’t help it. Cassie was so excited she couldn’t stand it. Bowie was coming to dinner and she had gone all out! She’d prepared a roasted herbed turkey breast, homemade rolls, sweet potato casserole—even a German chocolate cake. “I hope he comes hungry,” she told Sassy and Patience as they waited for their part of the turkey. “Don’t worry, I’ll share with you. I always do.”
She hadn’t heard from Bowie but she hadn’t expected to. It wasn’t like they were going out or anything. To pass the time she had done a few extra things for herself, a little pampering. A pale pink coat of polish now graced all ten fingers and all ten toes. Her skin was silky, soft and fragrant from a lotion she’d made herself. Venturing out into the world of soy lotions, soaps, and lip balms promised to add to her income. And the samples she hoarded for herself weren’t bad either.
As time crept by, she became nervous. What if he didn’t show? What if he’d changed his mind? She watched the clock like a hawk. The hands seemed to move so slowly. Cassie knew it was just nerves. Why did Bowie coming or not mean so much to her? She picked at the hem of her dress absentmindedly. The weather had been cool. The holidays were almost upon her and she’d been mega busy just trying to fill orders. But knowing Bowie was a part of her life, no matter how small, meant the world to her. Pitiful though it might be, she pulled her chair over to the window and watched the road…
CHAPTER THREE
Bowie was driving like a bat out of hell. What a lousy time to lose his damn cell phone! It seemed like he couldn’t keep up with that thing to save his life, maybe he ought to wear it on a bicycle chain around his neck. He’d been at the hospital visiting Jessie and Jacob, checking on the baby and the family. He tried to keep in close touch with them, always anxious for any news on Aron. It wasn’t that he’d forgotten the dinner at Cassie’s, he’d just let time get away from him. And now…now she probably thought he’d stood her up.
The drive from the Verde encampment to Cassie’s house didn’t take but about fifteen minutes but he was coming from Kerrville instead of Bandera. Where they lived, there were by far more cows than people and the roads were two-lane with a very narrow shoulder. Unless he was passing pasture land, the tree line was only a few yards off the road. Depending on the time of day, shadows could completely encompass the highway as it was sheltered so closely by the big oaks and pecans which grew near.
The Sever place was on a dirt road. Three mailboxes announced the turnoff. All he could think about was how far she lived away from town. He never liked to see a woman living alone, much less one as young and beautiful as Cassie—and as vulnerable. As soon as he turned onto the gravel road, he had to slow down. It wasn’t wide enough for two cars to pass unless you pulled over into the ditch somewhat. The first house he passed didn’t look lived in and the second had two old people making their way from the car to the porch. One was using a walker. They reminded him of sweet old folks at a nursing home, each trying to help the other. Now, he was feeling really worried. If Cassie needed something or someone quickly, these neighbors wouldn’t be any help.
Driving around a wide curve, he came to the Sever farm, or what was left of it. Most of the ranches and farms in the area had been sectioned off and sold and this one was no different. He could tell that the fields had once been planted in hay, but now were lying fallow. Bowie slowed down as he saw a pair of guineas run across the road. He smiled. It had been a long time since he’d seen any of the plump black and white birds. They were raised for their eggs, usually, but if one wanted to eat them they were all dark-meat like a duck. Guineas also made good guard dogs and would rid a property of snakes quicker than you could say Jack Robinson. Seeing that Cassie had those birds around made him feel a bit better.
When he parked beneath a stately magnolia, the red dachshund came running over to greet him, followed by the tabby cat. The dog didn’t bark, he danced, threw his head back and made the breed’s peculiar crowing noise. It was a happy sound and made Bowie chuckle. “Hey, fella. Do you remember me?” He leaned down to pet them both and discovered they had collars with their names engraved on them just like Western belts, complete with little silver conchos. “Hey, Sassy.” The cat was just as demanding, rubbing on his leg. “And your name is Patience, I like that.” Before he could rise, he heard the front door screen screech open.
“Bowie?” Cassie was so relieved she could cry. He was over a half hour late. Hurriedly she wiped her eyes. She didn’t want him to know she’d been crying.
Cassie’s soft Southern drawl sent shivers of desire down his body. Bowie actually felt chill bumps rise along his arms and on the back of his neck. Never, never had he reacted in this way to a woman before. In fact, he didn’t have many women friends except for the McCoy wives, their girlfriends and Presley Love,
Zane’s fiancé. He was close to Presley. They shared a secret, but it was his to tell. So Bowie dated casually, he just didn’t get involved. “Hey.” He stood up and looked toward her. “Forgive me, Cassie. I’m so sorry I’m late. I was visiting friends at the hospital and lost track of time.” He gave her a mischievous smile. “Jacob, my best buddy, has a little boy. He’s my namesake and I’m his godfather. Little Bowie is one of the cutest kids you can imagine. When he smiles, he has the two cutest dimples.” Bowie pointed at his face. “He just melts my heart.” For two or three heartbeats, she just stared at him shyly, then she smiled—brilliantly. Her face was the most beautiful sight he’d ever beheld.
Bowie’s description of his godchild and the joy he seemed to take in him just further convinced her he was a man among men. “I thought—”
“I know what you thought and I can’t tell you how bad I feel. The McCoy family has been going through so much. The baby has to have surgery, he was born with valve problems in his heart.”
Cassie’s heart lurched. “Oh, no. Will he be okay?”
“If prayer has anything to do with it, yes, he will.” He went on to tell her about Aron being missing and how involved he’d been. “I’m close to the family, any problem they have is also mine.”
“They’re lucky to have you, Bowie. So, Jacob named his little boy after you?”
“Yea, he says it’s because I’m in his best friend, but I don’t think that’s the main reason. It all stems back to a bet he lost when we were in college. Jacob was one of the biggest guys on the football team and he could bench press four hundred pounds. They called him Texas Torque. Hell, he practiced lifting weights by picking up calves in those bull-dogging events he used to compete in all the time. Once, he was bragging and I just got enough. I told him I would bench press more weight than he could.” Bowie snorted. “I didn’t think I could do it, but I was gonna try. He told me if I won, he’d give me his first born child. Of course, we were joking, but I beat him with four hundred twenty-five pounds. So, I didn’t get Bowie when he was born, but he was named after me.”
“I like that.” She wasn’t surprised he was. Bowie looked super strong. The more she learned about him, the better she liked him. Cassie realized she was in serious trouble—it would be easy to fall head over heels for this guy.
His eyes ran over her, from the top of her silky hair to the small feet which sat so primly on the footrests. What was it about her? He had to forcibly make himself stand still. The pull to go to her, pick her up and cradle her against him was almost a physical ache. Seeing her smile, he began to move toward her. “Am I still welcome?”
“Of course, I’m very glad to see you. Please come in.” She held on to the door facing and maneuvered the chair backward. “I heard about Mr. McCoy on the news. This must be terrible for his wife and family.”
“It is, but they stick together. Libby’s strong but she’s expecting twins, so this has been especially difficult for her.” He could tell Cassie was nervous. Her voice was shaking the tiniest bit and her delicate porcelain cheeks were turning a most becoming shade of pink. Following her into the house, he was immediately met by tantalizing aromas. “Everything smells great. I’m starving.”
“Well, please sit. The food’s ready.” She only had to get a few things out of the warmer and put them on the table. He came to help her, taking the hot things out of her hands. Bowie was protective.
The table was all prepared so they sat down. “After supper, I want you to take a short ride with me, there’s something I want to show you.”
A thrill shot through Cassie. “Go somewhere together?” Like on a date? “Where?”
Bowie knew she would enjoy his surprise. “Just wait. You’ll find out.”
She filled his plate to the brim and Bowie ate like it was going out of style. “This is delicious,” he bragged. “You’re a very good cook.”
Cassie beamed. “Thank you.”
Bowie tried to be good, Lord knows he did. But he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. “I’ve been thinking of stuff we can do together…as friends, you know.” Most of the things he’d been imagining were done horizontally in a bed, but he was trying to be good here.
“Really?” Cassie sipped her tea. She tried to crack a joke. “Dancing’s out, obviously.”
“Not necessarily.” Bowie waved his fork around. “You just have to have faith in me.”
His kindness made her want to cry. She knew there were many things Bowie could have been doing on a Friday night instead of sitting with her. Usually men avoided her like the plague after they realized she was crippled. But if Bowie was put off by her, he should’ve been up for an Oscar because all she could see on his face was happiness. “I do have faith in you,” she said with every confidence. “Someday some woman is going to be very blessed to have you, Mr. Malone.”
Bowie laughed. “I’ve heard otherwise, believe me.”
The idea of him with another woman was like a knife slicing through her heart. But if they were going to be friends, she’d have to get over those emotions. Even though the words tasted like gall in her mouth, she offered, “If you need anyone to vouch for you, I’ll be happy to. My friend Cordelia just broke up with her boyfriend, maybe you’d like for me to set you up. She was the gorgeous brunette from the bar. We were celebrating her birthday.”
Cassie volunteering to set him up didn’t sit well with Bowie. “I think I’ve pretty well got my hands full with you, Miss Cassie-for-short.” Not waiting for her to argue, he plunged on. “How about a movie? Better yet, dinner and a movie?”
“Sounds good to me,” Cassie admitted as a tingle made its way down her spine. Friends went to movies with one another, right? She might be handicapped but she wasn’t dead. She felt things. Right now one of those things was shock. Over the years she’d manufactured some defense mechanisms to help herself cope. And one of those ploys was teasing. She flirted and teased when she had the chance, much like she’d done with Bowie when he first approached her in the bar. But until now…no guy had taken her up on it. Frankly, Cassie didn’t know what to make of it. Bowie was so good-looking. He was as handsome as any Hollywood leading man. Sculpted features, tall, dark hair and more muscles than she knew what to do with—but she’d like to try. Since she’d met him, Cassie had poked around on the internet and asked around town and found out everything she could about Bowie. He was respected by the men, lauded for his charitable efforts and coveted by every female in a fifty mile radius. And yet, he was sitting here with her!
Bowie’s gaze fell to her mouth. Her lower lip was trembling and she kept chewing on it. He was tempted to offer to nibble it for her. It seemed like a job he could handle.
Cassie was not immune. She was staring at his mouth also. There was not one feminine thing about the man, but his lips were beautiful, smooth and imminently kissable. At the moment, one corner of his was turning up slightly, like he was about to break out in a grin.
“I’m sure we’ll come up with more…creative things to do,” Bowie promised. They were exchanging stares from eyes to mouth, from eyes to mouth.
If by creative he meant hot, blinding kisses and hands running over smooth skin, she was all for it. Whoa! What was she doing? “Why are you wasting time with me, Bowie? Do you feel sorry for me?” She asked the question before she thought. Never again would she get out of her wheelchair and sit at a table when she was in public. It was false advertising. None of this should have ever happened. It was her fault. She should’ve made sure Bowie saw the wheelchair right off. It was time to call a halt to this before someone got hurt—namely her. Her legs might not function but her heart could be easily broken. There had to be some face-saving way out of this. “Bowie, I don’t think—”
“Dammit!” Bowie stood up.
He was leaving. Cassie bowed her head and wiped her hands on her dress. It was for the best. Then, she looked up and got a big surprise. Lord, the man could move fast. One moment he was sitting about three feet away, the next
he was crouched by her chair and had his hand cupped around Cassie’s cheek. “You’re wrong. There is a need.” Gently, firmly, with predatory grace, he lowered his head until their lips almost touched.
He could feel her tremble beneath his touch. God help, she was beautiful. If Bowie was right, it had been a long time since she’d kissed a man. Her eyes widened, as if she didn’t quite know what to expect. Cassie watched his every move. Sweet Jesus, he needed to do this just right. “I want this so much. I’m aching for your kiss. Do you want me?”
Did she want him? Was he kidding? She was certain all he saw when he looked at her was the chair. And here he was telling her that he ached for her kiss? Could she believe him? Bowie was so aware of her. The smooth curve of her face, the long luscious locks of hair which framed her body like Rapunzel and breasts so lush and perfect he had to fight himself to keep from touching them to see if they were as soft as they appeared. He wanted her. Simple. Just like the first time he’d seen her, he wanted her so much the need made him weak. Moving closer to her, he asked her again. The uncertainty in her eyes hurt Bowie. “You have me on a slow burn, baby. Do you want me, Cassie?”
“Desperately,” she breathed.
He drew closer, taking control, holding her face as he slanted his lips across hers. She trembled, her breath hitching, nervous and gasping for air. Bowie gave her what she needed, sharing his breath as he leaned nearer, deepening the kiss. Perfect. That was all he could think. She was absolutely perfect and so sweet. Currents of electricity swept through his body. Any reservations he’d harbored were forgotten for the moment. Her mouth was addictive and her seeming innocence an irresistible attraction. His hunger drove him to dip his tongue into the honeyed recesses of her mouth. Velvet. Tenderly he rubbed his lips over hers, licking, teasing, coaxing Cassie to trust him enough to kiss him back.
