Chasing Cassidy

by D. Kelly

  As he leads me past the kitchen, he points down the hall. “That’s another guest room down there, but I’m dying to show you the master bedroom. Come this way.” With a gentle tug on my arm, he races up the stairs with me right behind him.

  At the top of the stairs, he takes a right and walks me down the hall, proceeds to open two double doors, and waves me inside.

  This isn’t just a bedroom—it’s a suite all on its own. I’m stunned silent, it’s gorgeous; I don’t even know what to say. Zack flashes me a small smile, knowing I’m overwhelmed. He stands behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and bends down to whisper in my ear.

  “Originally, it was a living room and a bar and while I kept the bar, I thought you’d appreciate a library a lot more than a living room. And since I know how much time you’d spend in a library, I figured combining it with a home office would give us the opportunity to spend time together even if we’re occupied with other things.”

  “It’s amazing, Zack.” It truly is amazing. There are wall to wall bookcases lining the back wall, all hand-carved and polished to a shine. Hundreds of books line the shelves but there’s a vast variety of them—great classics, children’s books, poetry, and of course, the latest in mommy porn.

  When I see the romance—mommy porn, as he calls it—I turn around and give him a quizzical look. He’s actually blushing as he shrugs his shoulders. “I just ordered one of everything on your Kindle.” Now it’s my turn to blush. No wonder the romance novels take up most of the shelf space. I’m a sucker for a book with a happily ever after and that can almost always be found in a romance novel.

  With his finger, he tilts my chin up so I’m looking directly into his beautiful green eyes. “Cassidy, I don’t care what you read as long as you’re living out your happily ever after with me. But I wouldn’t be opposed to acting out any of the scenes from your favorite books. Just tell me what they are, or if you’re too shy, pop a post it on that bad boy and leave it out for me. I’ll make sure the place you find adventure isn’t just within the pages of your books.”

  Holy hell.

  Standing on my tip toes, I wrap my arms around his neck and try to pull him down for a kiss but he pulls away.

  “Not yet, babe. We have to finish the tour first. Then we can move on to our first activity.”

  I’m pouting but he’s smiling and pulling me along into the next room. The master bedroom is filled with pictures of the two of us. They’re on the dressers, the wall, and the nightstand. I guess filled is an overstatement but there are at least six framed photos.

  “I was really hoping you didn’t come up here last night. It might have blown the cover story if you did.”

  “You could say that.” I’m laughing as I take in the room. Again, the floor to ceiling windows with the spectacular ocean view are incredible and the focal point of the room. The bed is in the center of the room and it’s circular and facing the ocean. I’ve never slept in a circular bed before but it’s massive and could easily sleep at least six people.

  He leads me through one more set of doors. On the left and right of the hall there are closets, both massive. They look like luxury dressing rooms in a bridal shop, they’re so huge. I’ve never been the kind of girl who’s into clothes and shoes the way some are. I don’t think my current wardrobe could take up even a tenth of this space.

  “If anything, it’s a reason to go shopping. I wouldn’t even be opposed if it was filled with lingerie and stilettos.”

  Hmm, he may be on to something there. Zack has never really cared about my clothing but he does tend to enjoy what is underneath my clothes. The lacier and silkier, the better.

  “I’ll even reciprocate,” he says with a devious grin. “I’ll fill my closet with shirts just like this one.”

  Bastard. He knows that’s my favorite shirt because it shows off his ink and clings to his muscular body in a delicious way. But as much as I’d love to see him in shirts like this one all the time, why fill a closet that’s only going to be used a few times a year?

  “What are you thinking? I can see the wheels turning in your head.”

  Why does he know me so well?

  “Just that it’s pointless to fill a closet with clothes when we’ll hardly be here to wear them.”

  Zack leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms and legs. He’s so sexy when he’s casually relaxed like he is now.

  “It doesn’t have to be a vacation house, Cassidy. I was completely serious when I said we could move here.”

  “Zack, you have your job and I have mine. We can’t move here.” Even though living here and away from everyone else could be as close to heaven on earth as we could get.

  “Why not? We’ve got enough money to never have to work. But before you chastise me, hear me out. I’m a lawyer and I can work anywhere. I can open my own practice, stay with Stafford Investments and work remotely, or give it up all together. You’re a teacher. You can find a job here or we can open a school and put some of our money to good use. There’s nothing tying us down to living in California. Not one single thing.”

  Wow, he’s completely serious, but the voice nagging in the back of my head is repeating over and over that Priscilla would blame me for the ultimate failure of Zack’s career.

  Instead of continuing this discussion, I flash him a smile. “Show me the rest of our house.” I’m rewarded with a huge smile as he takes my hand in his. The hall opens into a massive bathroom.

  “Don’t worry, all the windows upstairs are tinted, no one can see inside.”

  That’s a relief since the shower and tub are up against the giant windows. There are double sinks, a separate toilet area, a Jacuzzi tub big enough for four people, and a separate walk-in shower complete with waterfall heads just like the guest bathroom downstairs. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know all this is ours.

  “Ready to see the rest?” Nodding, I follow along behind him, wondering how much more there could possibly be.

  “Each of the bedrooms has its own bathroom. There’s the extra bathroom downstairs you used this morning and then this one right here, which is virtually identical to the one downstairs.”

  As he swings the door open, I can immediately tell it is indeed almost identical.

  “This right here is the upstairs laundry room,” he says as he opens the door. We approach the first door in the hallway but he pulls me past it for the second time, leading me to the opposite side of the hall.

  “Why aren’t we going in that other room?” I ask, stopping as I try and pull him back to the room we just passed.

  “Patience. We’re saving the best for last.”

  The first door he opens down this hall is a game room. It’s got a pinball machine, a poker table, and a pool table. There are also darts on the wall and a bar along the backside of the room. It’s huge and it’s definitely a room that will get a lot of use between Zack and Nick.

  As he leads the way across the room, he opens a hutch to reveal gaming consoles and a flat screen TV mounted inside. Yup, definitely a man’s playground.

  “I’m going to teach you how to play pool in here and I’m really looking forward to it.” The tone of his voice is seductive but the glimmer in his eyes is predatory. I’m not sure I’ve ever been as turned on as I am right now. He’s been denying me all morning.

  “You know I’m horrible at pool.”

  “I do, but I also know I’m an excellent teacher and with the proper guidance you’ll be a pro, guiding sticks and sinking balls in no time.”

  There’s no doubt in my mind he’s getting me worked up on purpose. After releasing a deep breath, I turn out of the room and head for the next door. It’s another bedroom.

  “The next three rooms are all bedrooms. Guest rooms for now but hopefully, one day soon they’ll be occupied by our kids.”

  One by one, I open the doors and peek in. So that makes… damn, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two laundry rooms, a gym, a game room, kitchen, formal living area, and the
mystery room. Not to mention, the library/office in the master.

  “Zack, I don’t know what to say. This house is amazing. I can’t believe you did this all on your own. The furniture, colors, everything is something I would have chosen myself.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I’ll be honest, I was beyond hesitant buying a house without you and then decorating it myself. Rylee actually convinced me to do it and she helped me pick everything out. Between the two of us, I think we know your tastes pretty well.”

  The tone of his voice is soft, hesitant, and for the first time in a long time, I realize he’s nervous about something. Reaching out for his hand, I lace my fingers with his. “I don’t just like it, Zack, I love it. Thank you.” I’m rewarded with a brilliant, heart-stopping smile. It never ceases to amaze me that I can put a smile like that on his face. Come to think of it, I’m the only one who can elicit that kind of smile from him. My pulse races with that realization. Why hadn’t I realized it before?

  “So can I see the secret room now?” I’m dying to see what is inside of that door.

  “Absolutely, come on.”

  Once Zack opens the door, I jump up and down excitedly. It’s a home theatre and there are about a dozen movie theater seats. The big, luxurious kind and there are two movie theatre style couches, as well. On one wall, there is a massive amount of DVDs and on the other wall is a concession stand with any kind of theatre candy you could imagine, a popcorn popper, and a drink cooler.

  Zack and I love movies and have spent many nights curled up together, watching some of our favorites. There is a stack of movies on the counter by the popcorn popper so I take a look at the titles. How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, American Wedding, and My Girl.

  “Our first date? You’re recreating our first date?” Of course he is. If there is one thing in this world Zachary Stafford is, it’s a hopeless romantic.

  “Is that okay?”

  I bite my bottom lip and nod my head. “It’s more than okay.”

  “We’re bypassing the chairs, though. I want you on that couch right there,” he says, pointing to the one on the left. While I take my seat, he loads up from the concession stand and brings me a backpack.

  I can’t help but laugh; he’s really treating this seriously. “Miss Pope, if I remember correctly, this theatre didn’t stock your favorite things back in 2003 but they do now.” Smiling, he hands me the backpack. In 2003 we were in his parents’ theatre room, watching these movies, and there was no concession stand so we brought our own.

  Inside the backpack I find Red Vines, Raisinets, Peanut M&M’s, Kettle Corn, and a few bottles of water. How did I get so lucky to be the one he gave his heart to? Zack comes and sits next to me but he’s careful to keep about a foot of distance between us. I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. This is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.

  He picks up a remote from the side of the couch and at the push of a button, the lights dim and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days begins. Soon enough, we’re both engrossed in the movie and passing snacks back and forth.

  When the movie gets to the point where Kate Hudson flees the party, Zack scoots closer to me and bridges the foot long gap that has been between us the entire movie. And a few minutes later when she leaves in the cab for her new job, Zack’s arm slowly and somewhat awkwardly makes its way around my shoulders.

  Inside I’m giggling at his perfect recreation but on the outside, I sigh in contentment and lean my head on his shoulder just like I did that summer day.

  “Are you ready for the next one?” he asks once the movie ends.

  “Yes, and Zack?”

  “Yes, Cassidy?”

  “Thank You.” My words are whispered and barely audible but he heard me.

  “For what, babe?” His husky tone floods my body with need for this amazing man.

  “Just for being you,” I reply honestly and am immediately rewarded with a panty-dropping smile.

  American Wedding is up next and we spend the next two hours laughing so hard we’re almost crying. Toward the end of the movie, while they are exchanging their vows, Zack leans over and brushes his lips across mine.

  Our first kiss.

  Again.

  I still feel the same tingles I felt that day. It’s as if my body instinctively knows Zack is my home. I explained the tingles to Rylee, and she told me a few days later—after thinking about it—she thought it meant Zack was my one and only. Her theory is since she’s never had tingles, and they’re all I’ve ever known since our first kiss, that must mean she still hasn’t met her one true love yet but that I had. She was excited to no end because not only did that mean I could have my happily ever after, but we’d also truly be sisters.

  I remember feeling bad for her because I couldn’t imagine kissing anyone and not having the tingles. They flood my every sense and lift me up on an unbelievable high.

  My body is craving so much more than the perfect tender kisses Zack is giving me right now, but I know there’s a method to his madness. As he pulls away, he utters the words I knew would come but they make my heart skip a beat all the same.

  “Cassidy, will you be my girlfriend?” Oh, dear Lord, I think he officially won the most swoon worthy man in the world with those six words uttered in the most sinful voice I’ve ever heard. This is it, the beginning of righting my wrongs. He’s giving us the opportunity for a fresh start—one built on love and trust.

  I want this with him more than anything in the world, and this time I’m going to prove it to him. I have to stop being the girl who is afraid to open her heart. I have to stop giving my dad’s words so much power over me. That man has continually hurt me for as long as I can remember and Zack has always been the one to save me. The one to heal me when no one else even knew I was broken.

  “Yes.” My answer is strong and I’m so proud of myself. This is going to be the first step I take to a new life. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

  He places his hands on my cheeks and brushes his lips against mine again. So softly and so lovingly.

  As he pulls away, he smirks and I know this was a small but huge victory for him. I’m sure he was worried after the wedding that I’d say no. I’m making a personal vow to myself never to say no to this man again.

  “Next one?”

  I look up and realize the credits are rolling on the movie. I was lost in my own thoughts for a bit. When I don’t answer right away, he looks at me with a thoughtful expression. “Lunch first instead?”

  Pulling out the pack of Red Vines, I pass him a few. “We’ve got lunch right here,” I reply and reach in for the Raisinets, as well.

  “Alright, junk food for lunch it is.” He shakes his head, laughs, and starts the movie. I’m not fooled, though; I know Zack would eat junk food for lunch daily if he could. Besides, if you’re going to watch My Girl you need comfort food and tissues. Lots of tissues. As if reading my mind, Zack bends over and slides a box of tissues out from under the couch.

  This was never Zack’s favorite movie but I love it. Even though I’m quickly sucked into the story, I can feel his eyes on me every so often. When Thomas gets stung by the bees, my tears begin to fall. After the first few tears fall, Zack reaches over and cups my face in his hands, gently wiping away my tears with his fingers.

  “Cassidy,” he whispers as his mouth descends onto mine and I open for him immediately just like I did all those years ago. With the first small stroke of his tongue, I’m flooded with the memory of what it was like to touch him intimately like this the first time. Back then I was terrified I’d be a bad kisser, but it was amazing. It’s even better now. And those tingles… they’re like fireworks right now.

  When he pulls away, his forehead meets mine and I breathe him in. Zack always smells so incredible, like a combination of man and spice with a touch of fresh breeze. If I could bottle his scent and sell it, I’d be richer than him. A strange thought comes to mind when I think about money and Zack notices.

  “W
hat are you thinking about? You look really perplexed.”

  I pull my head away from his and ask him the suddenly troubling question, “Do you think your mom always knew I would back out of the wedding at some point?”

  With a raised eyebrow, he responds, “I’m not sure but somehow I don’t think so. Why?”

  “This is going to sound so silly but I just realized nobody ever had me sign a pre-nup. She’d have to have assumed the wedding would never happen. I guess my actions were pretty predictable.”

  “You’re anything but predictable, but so is my mother. A pre-nup was brought up by my attorney when the trust fund kicked in years ago. My dad and I pushed it aside, saying we’d deal with it when the time came. But my mother made an offhanded comment that if I was marrying you, there would be no need. She might not be our biggest fan but she loves you, Cassidy, and she knows you’d never take advantage of us.”

  I’m not sure what to think of that statement at all.

  “It’s hard to reconcile, isn’t it? I’m not my mother’s biggest advocate right now. Far from it, in fact. Especially since we’re only here right now because she wouldn’t stop interfering in our lives. Even so, she adores you, Cassidy. Think about the endless shopping trips, salon trips, dance prep, vacations… do you really think she would have let that happen, let alone encouraged them, if she disliked you?”

  No, it’s not true. She doesn’t love me; she barely tolerates me.

  “It’s too much of a contradiction, Zack. Why bond and encourage my friendship with Ry and let us date with only occasional interference all through high school, even college, only to spend the last three years since we became engaged trying to convince me I’m not good enough for you? What happened?”

  When Zack thinks hard, he has this adorable habit of rubbing the bottom of his chin a bit. He never even realizes he does it but it’s his tell, so to speak. “Honestly, I don’t know. From my perspective, I knew you two butted heads and I knew she ‘encouraged’ me to see who else could be out there for me, but I chalked it up to harmless, overbearing mothering. Maybe she thought it was a high school thing we would grow out of but…”