Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books

by Florella Grant

  Anthony led the way to the back deck where the table was set. Cassandra couldn't take her eyes off it. He pulled a chair out for her and then sat opposite. She grabbed the carafe and poured two cups of coffee. Anthony knew she preferred chai, but he couldn't find any. Cassandra didn't seem to mind.

  They ate pancakes and bacon, the only meat he could find in the freezer, in the morning sun. Birds were singing in the distance, but Anthony listened to the sound of crickets near the water. "Do you like to fish?" he asked her, but thought it was a stupid question to ask a rich girl.

  Cassandra wiggled her nose, just like he expected her to answer. "No, why?"

  "Dinner," he told her. He figured since they were out on the lake for a day or two, they might as well take advantage of it. "You eat it, right?"

  Cassandra laughed again, this time he joined her. "Yes, but I don't know how to cook it."

  They finished breakfast and cleaned up. Cassandra reclined on an Adirondack chair as Anthony snooped around for fishing gear. He found two poles and laid them on the deck. She shook her head and read a book. He stepped off the deck and moved rocks around. After a few minutes, he had collected a handful of worms.

  Anthony dangled one in front of Cassandra and she screeched. As he got closer, she covered her face with her hands and tried to move away. "Come on," he teased her. "It's just a worm."

  "It's disgusting," she snapped at him, but he laughed.

  He reached for her hand and pulled her off the chair. She wanted to read but he couldn't leave her alone. She reluctantly followed him down a path toward the water. Cassandra sat on the ground while he stood. The worm wiggled as Anthony stabbed it with the hook. "You're gonna have to get a little closer," he said to Cassandra.

  "Oh, no," she said, and shook her head. Her chestnut hair landed on her shoulder. "I'll watch."

  He took her hands and brought her up to her feet. He knew she didn't know what she was missing and, he wanted to be the one who introduced her to new things. Anthony placed the rod in her hand and stood close behind her as he showed her how to hold it. He felt her skin against his as he held her hand in place. She faced him and grinned, like she knew what he thought. Anthony helped her cast the line into the water.

  The line flew out. "Great," he told her. "Now keep it there. Stay still."

  Anthony tended to his pole. He could barely hook it before she got excited. "Something is happening," she gleamed.

  Cassandra's pole arched, and she almost dropped it. Anthony ran and stood behind her. Her hair blew in his nose and blood rushed south again. They stood close as he reached his arms around her to help her control her fishing pole. "Feels like a big one," Anthony said.

  "It sure does," she replied.

  Chapter 13

  ANTHONY FILLETED THE fish as Cassandra gathered towels for their swim. She glanced at him and could have sworn she saw a pout on his face. It wasn't her fault she’d caught more fish than him, she thought. She never thought she'd like to fish but couldn't contain her excitement every time she caught one. He smirked when Cassandra caught her fifth and said they had enough.

  The sun beat down on her as she opened a can of soda and watched him clean the fish and was glad he didn't make her help. "Do you want one?" she asked, lifting the can.

  "When I'm done," he told her without looking up.

  When he was on the last fish, Cassandra walked inside to grab another can. She looked at the landline and thought about her father. He must have wondered where she was, she thought. Cassandra picked up the receiver and placed her finger on the first button. Anthony's hand collapsed on hers and forced her to put the phone down. He growled as he yanked the cord out of the wall.

  "I wanted my father to know I'm not hurt."

  Anthony grabbed the drink and pushed her onto the deck. "Do you ever think?" He yelled and all of a sudden, Cassandra felt like his captive again. "They have the phone line bugged."

  "How do you know?" she couldn't help but ask. Cassandra hadn't seen him that angry since he told her the truth.

  He grunted and grabbed the towels she laid on the table. Cassandra followed his quick steps to the dock. He paused half way and his face softened as he looked at her. She tried to keep up. "Cassandra, they're trained assassins. Trust me, they know everything there is about you."

  "I'm sorry," she told him. She wanted them to relax again, like they had been doing all morning.

  Anthony put the towels and his drink down. Cassandra's mouth watered as he pulled his shirt over his head. She wanted an excuse to touch him as the devil in her came to life. He didn't notice her step closer to him, or see her hands stretch out to push him. Splash! Cassandra didn't think of the consequences beforehand.

  Anthony resurfaced, and she buckled over in laughter. "Oh, game on, girl." He laughed as he pulled himself up the ladder. Cassandra realized she was in trouble and ran down the dock. Anthony caught her and lifted her up in the air. She begged him to stop. "Please don't," she panted.

  His wet body held her tight and Cassandra wrapped her arms around his neck, assuming he couldn't throw her. "You're nothing but trouble." He chuckled. "And troubled girls need a lesson about cold water."

  There was no time to plead her case. He jumped with her in his arms. "Oh. Em. Gee. The water is freezing." Cassandra squealed when she came up for air. His hands let go of her and they swam to the shore. She tried to stand up, but he pulled her back in.

  Cassandra shivered in the waist-high water. Anthony splashed her, and she covered her face from his wrath. He wrapped his hands around her hips and lifted her in the air before tossing her back under water.

  She came up gasping for air as he laughed. Anthony stood close to her. "You didn't give me a chance to take my shirt off." Cassandra crossed her arms and struggled with the wet T-shirt. Anthony leaned in to help her and her nipples perked up. There was no way she could hide them. Anthony grinned. His warm hands slid across her back and pulled her close to him. Cassandra hoped he'd kiss her. She leaned her head back and stretched her neck, expecting his lips on hers.

  "That's what you get for pushing me," Anthony said, as he submerged her in the water.

  An hour passed, and they still swam. The sun burned on their skin, causing the water to feel good instead of cold. Cassandra pulled herself up onto the dock and plopped down on the wood. "I need a drink," she said. Anthony followed and sat beside her.

  He took her can and swallowed the rest of it. Cassandra attempted to protest, but he leaned back and she fell onto his chest. Her pulse raged as he reached up and pulled her closer. Cassandra studied his face and admired the way the sun sparkled in his blue eyes.

  His hand crept up her thigh, his grip hard. He adjusted her until she was on top of him. Cassandra leaned down and his mouth met hers. This time, she knew he wanted her as bad as she wanted him. Cassandra opened for him and Anthony's tongue explored the depths of her.

  He flipped her and leaned over her. Cassandra's legs wrapped around his waist as his hand held hers above her head. Her lips trailed to his ear and traced his lobes. She felt him press into her and she breathlessly quivered. He ran his lips over her face and made his way down her neck.

  Cassandra shifted below him as he nibbled on her bikini top, bringing the fabric down with his teeth, and exposed her breast. Anthony arched his back then circled her nipple. "Anthony," she cried out with pleasure. He didn't stop, just repeated the same pattern on the other breast.

  Cassandra's hands were still above her and she couldn't break free. "Shhh." He breathed into her ear. The hand that wasn't holding hers moved and slid down her torso. Cassandra never felt more alive. He touched every inch of her side, sending chills down her spine.

  Anthony rubbed her inner thigh as her legs spread further apart. He rested his forehead on hers and kissed her as he fumbled with her bathing suit bottoms. The strings were easy to untie, leaving Cassandra naked beneath him.

  He flicked his thumb against her nub and the sky above them changed from blue to pink
and orange, she thought. He stretched a finger along Cassandra's already moist folds and weighed his mouth harder on hers. Cassandra's ass lifted off the dock as Anthony's magical finger slipped deep inside of her.

  Cassandra's hands grabbed onto Anthony's shoulders as soon as he released them. He twisted his fingers inside of her and she saw stars in the daytime. Her lips attacked his neck and then kissed him all over his torso. Cassandra felt her foot sliding up his leg, opening further for him.

  "Ready for another lesson?" he panted. Sweat dripped off him and melted on her skin. Her body scorched and desired all he offered. She smiled and nodded, words were momentarily foreign to her.

  Anthony reached down and held himself. She could feel his knuckles rub against her stomach as he aimed his hard dick in her direction. He teased her for a few minutes. Cassandra took a deep breath and tossed her head. Between the hot sun and his sexuality, she was at a loss. "Oh God, yes," she answered.

  He pushed forward and tore into Cassandra. She gasped for air as his fingers gripped her ass harder than before. "Holy shit, Cassandra. Are you a virgin?"

  "I was," She answered, her body mixed with agony and pleasure. "There's more than one reason for a girl to be on birth control."

  Anthony froze and looked down. She wanted his sex and he needed to know that. She smiled and reached up to kiss him again. He held her tight and pulled her to his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt you. It will feel much better really soon."

  "I'm ok," she assured him.

  Anthony rocked himself. His hardness inched deeper into her. A whirlwind of emotions raced through Cassandra, causing her body to react to him. He put his hand on her hip and guided her to rock with him. Cassandra raised her bottom again and followed his lead.

  The pain lessened a few minutes later. Anthony sucked on her nipple again as she ran her hand up and down his back. He moaned in delight and Cassandra hoped he wouldn't finish. She never wanted the moment to end.

  He couldn't control himself and she felt him shake. Anthony thrusted hard, causing Cassandra more pain. His body convulsed as he squeezed her ass. "I'm gonna come," he told her. A hot fire burned inside of her. Cassandra's head hit the dock. She wanted more, much more.

  Chapter 14

  ANTHONY DIDN'T REGRET a thing after having sex with Cassandra. He knew it wasn't just lust, there was something else about her that captivated him. He'd been locked up for years, and in some strange way, so had she, only she didn't realize it. Anthony had been a prisoner of the state while she'd been a prisoner of her father. Cassandra's father shipped her off to boarding schools across the world, away from her loved ones, and that alone determined Anthony's thoughts on her freedom.

  Although they had come from complete different backgrounds, he could tell that she understood him and saw him for who he truly was. Sure, he thought, she'd been difficult, but her soul called to him. Anthony already decided he would claim her when the rocky road ahead of them calmed. He wanted her, in every way, and he knew she'd accept him.

  The boss would have a conniption fit when he found out about their affair. Anthony's job was to protect her, to hide her from the men who wanted to kill her, and when the true culprits were caught, he'd get a pardon for his crimes.

  As he fried the morning's catch, Cassandra swayed in front of him. Anthony grinned at her flirtatious body language, but cursed himself for being stupid and careless. It wasn't the sex he cursed himself about, but he took her right out on the dock where they could have been targets like sitting ducks.

  She set the table and microwaved a bag of frozen vegetables. There wasn't much food in the house, but they weren't starving. As Anthony placed the fish on a serving dish, Cassandra wrapped her arms around him from behind and cupped his groin. "Not now," he complained and pushed her away. Blood rushed to the area, but he needed to be on guard to protect her. Cassandra batted her eyelashes and looked down. She looked hurt and he couldn't handle upsetting her. He reached for her hand and pulled her close to him. "It's not that I don't want you. I just need to be more careful. They're still out there and I won't let anything happen to you."

  Cassandra rested her head on his shoulder for a second, then reached up and kissed his cheek. "You once told me I'd be begging you to fuck me senseless, and you were right. I get it though and appreciate it." He squeezed her tight and kissed her forehead. "Just know, I'm not done begging yet." They both laughed, then continued preparing for dinner.

  The flip phone vibrated on the counter and Cassandra threw him a concerned look as he leaped forward to answer it. "Yeah," he said.

  "You need to leave now," the boss informed him. "Their plane just landed." He huffed, sounding annoyed like someone didn't report to him fast enough. "If that's not bad enough, FBI agents down in Mexico didn't find you on that plane and they now assume you're still in the area."

  "Holy shit," Anthony shouted. He turned his back to Cassandra and looked out the glass door as he spoke. "Where should we go?"

  "There's an abandoned warehouse," the boss told him and gave him the address and directions. "I think we might need to revert to Plan B. This will all be over soon, and I have men working on the arrangements now."

  Anthony knew what Plan B was, but knew it was best not to mention it to Cassandra. She wouldn't understand and now that she tugged on his heartstrings, he wasn't sure he wanted to continue with the plan. He didn't have a choice but to agree. "On it," he choked on the words. "I'll alert you when we get there." Anthony flipped the phone closed and shoved it in his pockets.

  "What's happening?" she questioned.

  "We don't have much time. Grab something to throw this food into, gather as many things as you can in five minutes—food, toiletries, blankets."

  Cassandra dropped to her knees and fumbled through plastic ware in the cupboard. "Are we going back to the basement?"

  Anthony ran into the garage to grab her phone and came back seconds later. "No, although I'm not sure of the new place's condition so we'll take as many things as we can, but we have to hurry."

  While she went off to gather belongings, Anthony turned her cell phone on and checked her GPS. Everything checked out. He left the phone on and shoved it underneath the couch. Cassandra walked by with two garbage bags full of necessities. "What are you doing?"

  "They'll be here soon," he informed her. He could see the bewilderment look on her face and continued. "Don't ask me how I know, instincts I guess. But, when they track your cell phone, they'll think you're here and will waste time searching the property. It'll give us a little time to get away."

  Anthony grabbed the bags with one hand, and her with the other. They raced out to the garage and Cassandra opened the car door. "No, wait. I don't think anyone will look for this car," he said, pointing to the BMW. He threw the bags in the trunk while Cassandra ran back inside the house for the keys. When she returned, they jumped in and backed out of the garage. A remote control inside the Beamer shut the door after them.

  He drove down the secluded road and within minutes, heard tires crunching on the gravel. "Son of a bitch," he screamed and pointed to headlights in the distance. "There they are."

  Cassandra cried. Anthony made a wide turn down a service road and did a U-turn to face the main road. He turned the lights off on the car, but kept it idling, waiting for their escape. Sure enough, a large black van sped past headed toward the lake house.

  "Who are they?" she breathed, as if they could hear her.

  "I don't know," Anthony answered. "But, I don't plan on finding out." As soon as he knew the coast was clear, he put the car in drive and took off. He prayed the detour he set up would work for a little while.

  "I let myself forget," Cassandra bawled. "Being at the lake house was like being on vacation. But, they're back and trying to kill me."

  "Not gonna happen," Anthony said, and he meant it. They arrived at an abandoned warehouse and Cassandra glanced around as they pulled into a back alleyway. Anthony could see the disappointment in her face as if she thought
Plan B would be nicer than the basement. He frowned when he thought about it. The boss discussed Plan B with him while he was still in prison. It wasn't anything luxurious, quite the opposite, and he knew the outcome would put a damper on their newfound relationship.

  They each grabbed a bag, along with the pillows and blankets, and snuck into the building. Anthony flipped a switch but there wasn't any electricity. She stood close to him. Anthony found an office with a large broken window. It would provide a little light, just like the night before. He tried to smile, knowing they could get through this.

  Cassandra shrugged. "Not as dirty as before," she said sarcastically as she ran her finger along the abandoned furniture. Living on the run had become her new way of life and she grew used to it.

  Anthony admired her cooperation. She didn't fight or try to get away from him. She got it now, he thought to himself. He pulled her close and kissed her. "I'm hungry," he said as their mouths separated.

  She laid blankets on the floor, then opened the fish container. The stench burned their noses, but they ate it anyway. It hadn't been more than a few hours since he cooked it. Anthony reached into the bag for a can of soda for them to share. He didn't know how long they'd be there and he wanted to make sure their supplies lasted.

  After swallowing some food, he reached into his pocket for the flip phone and texted the boss. We're safe in the warehouse.

  -Alright. I'll be in touch.

  Chapter 15

  ONCE AGAIN, FEAR CONSUMED Cassandra's mind. The bad guys were hot on their heels and she knew it. She pushed her food around the paper plate and choked on her emotions. Anthony reached over and held her hand. Cassandra knew if it weren't for him, she'd go crazy. More than ever, she craved her medication, but understood why she couldn't have it. That girl was gone, somehow, she had changed, and it scared her shitless.