9 Ways to Fall in Love

by Caroline Clemmons

  Brad stood and gestured toward Quin. “We've used Destiny's Desire as a safe location before. Quin's been a big help."

  Quin nodded and shrugged off the compliment, so Brad continued.

  "We weren't the only ones watching the goings on in Cougar Hills. The Drug Enforcement Agency has their finger on the pulse of everything there, too. Somehow your father got to a low level DEA employee and leveraged your real home address from him. Clayton went ballistic when he heard that little tidbit, let me tell you."

  Brad grinned, a wicked little smirk, and Cassie responded with her own grin. She pictured Clayton, so assured and self-confident, in control of every situation. He ran his elite security company with an iron fist. Nothing got by him when it came to his operations and the safety of his clients. On the rare instances it happened, his roar could be heard for miles. To say he had a temper was an understatement of mammoth proportions.

  "The Feds worked the case and while evidence was slow in coming, they'd pieced together enough of a case to arrest the bastard. Then, puff, he was in the wind without a trace."

  Jake strode forward, both hands shoving Brad hard, pushing him back several steps.

  "You son of a bitch." He balled his hand into a fist, cocking back his arm. Cassie grabbed it, latched onto his side to keep him from throwing the punch. His tall body shook with suppressed rage and she found herself patting his jacket sleeve. She had to get him calm before this entire situation exploded around her.

  "Jake, relax, everything is okay."

  "Okay? Everything sure the hell is not okay. Cass, they’re using you as bait, drawing a madman straight into your path. What if something goes wrong?" He raised a hand, gently running his fingertips along the side of her face, a fine tremor running through his hand. Oblivious to the other two men in the room, Cassie leaned into his touch, her eyes closed, savoring the feel of Jake touching her again. No one's touch had ever moved her the way his did, made her feel alive and special.

  “We’ll get through this, Jake. It can finally be over, everything the bastard took from me—from us—it’ll all be done. I can live again without his threats looming over my head. I’ll be safe. My mom can have a life, a real life, for the first time. She deserves this. I’m willing, hell, I’m eager, to see him brought to justice, made to pay for every evil thing he’s done.”

  Jake stared at Brad one more time before turning to confront Quin.

  “I want your word she’ll be safe.”

  “I give you my solemn oath, Jacob Michael Stone, I will protect each person in this cabin with the same zeal and fervor shown by Opa.”

  Shock rocked through Jake at the familiar name from his grandmother's stories, realizing Chase sent him a message with words only he’d understand. He needed to be on his toes. Things were coming to a head, and all hell was about to let lose.

  "I need to get back to the lodge, make sure everything's in place for when Daniels and Baxter arrive." Quin pulled a SAT phone from inside his jacket and handed it to Brad.

  "Cell service is lousy here at the cabin, spotty at the best of times. Keep this and call if you need anything. I'm one on speed dial." Quin walked over and took both of Cassie's hands in his.

  "Keep an eye on Jake. He's wound pretty tight, having everything sprung on him at once."

  "I will." Cassie whispered to Quin, her gaze straying to Brad as he stored the SAT phone in his jacket pocket before stacking their supplies and her backpack by the front door.

  "Catch my father. We can't let him hurt anybody else again."

  "One way or another, Cassie, this is your father's last day as a free man. Everything will be over tomorrow, you'll see."

  Quin walked to the door, opened it before saying, "A moment, Brad, before I leave?" Brad followed Quin onto the cabin's porch, leaving Jake and Cassie alone inside.

  A few minutes of uncomfortable silence filled the cabin, Jake and Cassie looking everywhere but at each other. The whole situation was awkward and Jake knew they needed to finish their interrupted conversation from earlier, he just didn't want to do it with Brad in the same room.

  Minutes passed and Brad walked back into the cabin without Quin.

  "Cassie, can I talk to you a minute? Outside?"

  Perplexed she joined him on the cabin's porch, the overhang protecting them from the snow that continued falling.

  "Darlin', I'm gonna head back to the lodge with Quin."

  "What? No, you can't. What about my father?"

  "That's why I'm going back. Quin has everything in place at Destiny's Desire. I’ll be there when your father and Baxter get there. Clayton's made arrangements with the DEA; they'll be here with one phone call. The minute your father makes one move toward you, he'll be arrested and in federal custody." Brad reached out and tweaked the tip of Cassie's nose and she swatted at his hand, missing.

  "Something could go wrong, Brad. You don't know my father—he's evil."

  "Evil doesn't always win, babe."

  Cassie's laugh rang hollow. "Really? Forgive me if I don't see it that way. My father is a vicious monster—and he always wins. Always!"

  "You have the 9mm with you?"

  "Damn straight. It's in my backpack."

  "Good."

  Brad reached up and tugged Cassie's knit cap snugly down on her dark hair, cupping her cheeks in his hands.

  "Nothing's gonna go wrong if I have anything to say about it. Nothing. But on the one-in-a-million chance your father gets past me and Quin, Cass, you don't hesitate. Shoot to kill. You understand me? Don't confront him, don't question him. Empty every damn bullet in that 9mm straight into his chest. Got it?"

  Cassie inhaled a long slow breath, exhaling on a sigh. "Got it."

  "I'm also going back to the lodge to give you and Stone some time together. Talk to him, babe, work things out. It's obvious the man loves you. Hell, he's itched to punch me at least half a dozen times, and he barely knows me." Brad laughed.

  "Cassie, you deserve to be happy. You've got a second chance—don't let your father steal that away from you again. Speak from your heart and listen to him. Grab onto love with both hands and hold on tight. Most people don't get a do-over. Don't screw it up."

  Reaching into his jacket, Brad pulled out the SAT phone and handed it to Cassie.

  "Keep this close and if you need anything, call Quin. Speed dial 1. He'll find me."

  Leaning forward, Cassie brushed a kiss against Brad's cheek.

  "Love you, big brother."

  "Love you too. Now get in there to your man before he comes out and tries to hit me. I'd hate to give him a beat down in front of his woman."

  Chuckling, Brad stepped off the porch and Cassie watched him until he disappeared into the dense tree line. She walked back into the cabin. Jake knelt next to the fireplace, stirring the flames with an iron poker. His brow rose when she closed the door behind her.

  "Where's Brad?"

  "He's gone back to Destiny's Desire with Quin." She held up the SAT phone. "They left this so we can keep in touch if we need anything." Laying the phone on top her backpack, she walked father into the living room and perched on the edge of the couch.

  Jake straightened and sat beside her.

  "Do you want to talk?" Cassie whispered the question, her eyes glued to her hands in her lap.

  Jake's finger tilted her chin and her lifted her gaze and she met the fire blazing in his blue eyes.

  "No, Cassie, we'll talk later. Much later."

  Jake leaned forward and took Cassie's mouth in a devouring kiss. Winding her arms around Jake's neck and pulling him closer, Cassie silently agreed. Talking was overrated.

  Chapter 11

  Baxter leaned against the car, waiting for his boss to finish his “important” phone call. Daniels hadn't wanted to use his cellphone, instead insisting on finding a pay phone. Like one of those was easy to find. Finding a functioning pay phone in the middle of bloody nowhere—that had been nearly impossible.

  So here he stood, cooling his heels
while Daniels contacted his little snitch with the feds, making sure his precious runaway daughter still frolicked in the snow at some damn lodge in the Colorado Mountains. He pushed his cowboy hat back on the crown of his head, rubbing a hand across his eyes. He was tired. Tired of all the lies, tired of Daniels’ blackmail. One lousy mistake and he'd paid for it the last seven bloody years.

  This had to end. Once Daniels dealt with his runaway daughter, he was done. Finished. He'd socked away more than enough money over the years. He could retire while still a relatively young man. Mexico sounded ideal—fabulous beaches, pretty senoritas, and lots of tequila. Just the thing he needed to forget the blight his life had become.

  He straightened as Daniels stomped across the parking spaces of the rundown excuse for a convenience store. A big man, tall and large boned, he made an imposing figure on his calmest days. In one of his towering rages? Baxter didn't like being anywhere near Daniels when that happened. Most of the good people of Cougar Hills never saw Dr. Daniels when his drinking got the better of him. Whenever that happened, somebody got hurt. Baxter made damn sure it wasn't him.

  "She's there. Place is called Destiny's Desire. It's some fancy spa resort or ski lodge or some crap like that. Just a few more hours and I'll be reunited with the traitorous bitch." Baxter winced at the force of the slamming door. It rocked the car as Daniels took his wrath out on the rental car. What the hell do I care? It's his rental—let him explain the damages.

  "What are you waiting for, idiot? Drive." Daniels tugged a half-empty bottle of whiskey from his inner jacket pocket and Baxter flinched at the large swig the good doctor swilled. No, old man, he thought. Not now. You can't get drunk now. I'm not cleaning up your messes any more.

  "Is that wise right now?" At Daniels glare Baxter slumped deeper into the driver's seat. Anger tinged with a taint of madness stared at him from the passenger sea. Baxter couldn’t summon the gumption to stand up to Daniels. He never had—some things never changed.

  "What're you gonna do when we get to this Destiny's Desire place? I doubt she'll welcome you with open arms. How are we gonna handle this?"

  "There is only one thing I want from my girl. Just one. I know where my wife is now . . . and I'll personally take care of her. But first I need Cassie. The little bitch stole my watch. I need it back! Once I have it, I'll finish the job I started the day she and her sorry excuse for a mother ran off." Maniacal laughter filled the car.

  "I'm gonna kill her."

  Baxter stomped down on the accelerator and the car jolted forward out of the parking lot. The sooner this was over, the better, then he'd get away from Daniels and be free to live his own life away from the blackmail and threats and being under that bastard's thumb once and for all. In the back of his mind he wondered, though, if there really was anywhere far enough to get away from the crazy son of a bitch sitting next to him. Damn, he hoped so or his life was over. Permanently.

  Chapter 12

  Quin stood in the doorway of his office and stared at the beautiful woman perched on the edge of his desk. Long white-blonde hair cascaded in lush curls across her shoulders and down her back, nearly touching the polished wood. She lounged there, her long legs crossed at the knees, feet encased in sinful stiletto heels, at least 4 inches high, a deep vivid scarlet red. They matched the short skirt of the business suit she wore, showcasing her glorious figure.

  The last time he'd seen her she'd been draped in a sky blue Grecian gown, edged with white trim, one smooth shoulder bare, all that glorious hair piled in a riot of curls atop her head.

  She ran a nail file across one fingernail, glanced at it before meeting his gaze.

  "Took you long enough to get here." Her husky voice held a slight accent, though he'd never been able to discern exactly where she called home.

  "You've been a very bad boy. The aunts are not happy." The "aunts" was her pet name for The Fates, the puppet-masters who mercilessly pulled his strings, and had for nearly a millennia.

  "I'm doing exactly what The Fates requested I do. Jake Stone is here. Cassie Daniels is here. They've been brought together, just as The Fates decreed."

  "Not exactly. You were supposed to bring them together one time—once—then make sure they go their separate ways. The future of Cassie was foretold and it does not include Jake Stone." Merena uncurled her lithe form from the corner of his desk and sauntered across the carpeted floor to stand in front of Quin. She lightly ran a scarlet-tipped finger against his lips. He grabbed it none too gently stopping her taunt.

  "I followed my instructions precisely, as I always do. I made sure Jake caught a glimpse of Cassie on his arrival. Made sure they connected again."

  Merena shook her head. "Their feelings about the past haven't been resolved, though. Jake was supposed to leave before word of Cassie's father’s arrival. What happened?"

  "Dr. Daniels and his sidekick moved up the timetable, left Texas early. Cassie needed to be away from Destiny's Desire when they arrive—you know this." Quin stepped around Merena and walked over to the fireplace. How much does she know? I can't let her screw this up. They deserve their happy ever after, regardless of what The Fates decreed.

  "Quin, this isn't the path set forth by the aunts. Cassie's confrontation with her father isn't preordained to happen like this. We both know how it ends. Jake's not supposed to be here." Merena walked over to stand beside him, placing her hand gently on his sleeve. He couldn't stop himself from looking at her, surprised by the compassion displayed on her beautiful face.

  "I'd change things if I could. Seven years of loving someone you can't be with . . . they deserve some happiness." Merena's softly voiced words surprised him. Usually she was a pit bull, once she dug her teeth into something, there was no changing her course, no stopping her. When The Fates made a decree, Merena always made sure it was fulfilled. Was she softening a bit?

  "Would you, Mer? Happily ever after rarely comes without a cost." A truth Quin had learned the hard way through personal experience. Merena stared into the fire dancing about the logs, the wood popping and sparking. She seemed lonely, something Quin couldn't remember ever seeing in her before.

  "Believe it or not, I have a heart. Love should triumph. It just so rarely does."

  "What if you could make a difference, though? Would you, even if it meant defying The Fates?" Quin softly voiced the question. He stared into the fire instead of at her, giving her a chance to decide. The biggest question was could he trust her? It was a huge risk. If she sided with her aunts, his hands were tied, metaphorically and probably literally before things came to a head.

  She drew in a long sighing breath, exhaling slowly before she turned to face him.

  "The aunts are going to kill me after this." The corner of her lip tugged up in a mocking smile.

  "What can I do to help?"

  Quin laughed, grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the door.

  "I'll tell you on the way."

  Chapter 13

  Is this really happening?

  Cassie ran her fingertips tentatively across Jake's chest, her hands flattening against the material of his shirt. His muscles tensed under her touch and she started pulling her hand back. He reached up and caught it, placed the palm flat over his heart. The rapid beat belied his calm exterior. The fire blazing in his eyes left no doubt—he wanted her. Maybe not with the same intensity she felt, she didn't think it was possible to desire someone, to want someone so much it ached, but she did. She needed him and she meant to have him.

  Time slowed, each second frozen as she memorized his face. Each feature etched in her brain so she'd have the memory of this moment to cling to when everything went to hell. And it would. She knew her father better than anyone else except her mother, and deep in her soul realized this was her last chance, her last moment to grab a brief interlude of happiness. One night, this was all they'd have, all she might ever have. With tomorrow's dawning, everything changed. She'd face her father's wrath, end his domination of her life once and for a
ll. But tonight she'd spend in the arms of the man she loved. The man who held her heart and soul in the palm of his hands, always had and always would.

  Leaning in, she brushed her lips against the hollow of his throat, inhaled his scent. She wanted to imprint his essence into her core, soak him into her very pores. Her mouth trailed along the column of his neck to the open collar of the shirt. The tip of her tongue slid between her lips to taste his skin, the warm masculine aura a sensory reminder of the boy she'd left behind combined with the man standing before her. Without conscious thought her fingers eased each button free, one after the next, spreading kisses in the wake of the material that parted exposing his muscled chest. When the last button slipped free, she pushed the material over his shoulders and down his arms, slow movements meant to arouse and tease, hiding the desperation gripping her.

  The shirt fell free of his hands to pool on the floor, joining the sweater he'd abandoned earlier. Bare-chested he stood before her, his hooded gaze watching her every move, waiting to follow her lead. This night was hers, seven years overdue, and she had no intention of wasting even one minute of their time together. Hands reached blindly downward, her eyes never leaving his, grabbed the hem of her sweater and inched it up and off over her head, flinging it to the ground, leaving her clad from the waist up only in a black-and-red bra. The lacy confection barely contained her breasts, the mounds filling out the cups above the ski pants and boots she still wore.

  Jake groaned and reached for her and she willingly went into his arms. Her lips met his in a kiss frantic with burning need and passion. Desire pooled low in her stomach as dampness soaked her panties. Her hands slid up around his neck, the fingers of one hand spearing upward into his hair, urging his head closer to her, deepening the kiss. The taste of him went straight to her core, a remembered delight from so many years past, but a delicacy she knew surely could become addictive if she let it.