Learning To Fly

by Melissa Snark

  She shied from him even though he hadn’t advanced at all. “I’m fine. I’m sorry for acting like an idiot.”

  Kyle’s hand dropped. His gut wrenched and his jaw worked. He took a step back to give her plenty of room. “Would you still like to go eat?”

  Cassie’s tight shoulders slumped and she loosened her death grip on her purse. “Yes, please.”

  She took the lead down the stairs. Kyle waited for three seconds, and then followed her at a safe distance. His chivalrous instincts screamed bloody murder, but without a clear threat, he had nothing to protect her from.

  The walk to the restaurant took less than fifteen minutes. They made it in silence, and he mourned the easy camaraderie they’d shared a few minutes before. Cassie walked beside him, but several feet separated them. He noted her fastidious effort to avoid any contact, and it saddened him.

  “This is it.” He indicated the entrance of a wharf with shops and dining establishments lining both sides. Catchem specialized in a variety of tasty seafood dishes and had his favorite beer on tap. The restaurant sat on the end of the pier overlooking the water and boasted spectacular views.

  Cassie cast a quick glance in the direction he indicated, and then entered the restaurant. A maître d’ greeted them and showed them to a table overlooking the water. They ordered from the luncheon menu, and thankfully, conversation got off to an awkward start and then picked up speed as the meal progressed.

  “Thank you for driving me today. I really do appreciate it.” She lingered over her meal, moving more food around than she had eaten. He watched her and took her lack of appetite as further evidence that something was wrong. She had not eaten lunch or snacked all day, and her breakfast had been insubstantial.

  “Do you know how to drive or do you simply choose not to?” Kyle signaled their server to clear the table, using the action to conceal his concern.

  “Oh, I know how, I just don’t own a car.” Cassie offered him a quick smile, probably picking up on something amiss in his manner despite his best efforts. “Don’t look so perplexed! San Francisco has plenty of public transportation.”

  “I visit once a month or so, usually on business.” Their waiter cleared their plates, removing his real cause for worry. Maybe later he’d make a subtle suggestion to Shelly. No one applied motherly pressure with such effectiveness as the diminutive Irish housekeeper.

  Kyle’s sharp eyes spotted a dark dot in the water. He indicated with his right hand. “Look, there’s an otter.”

  Cassie’s head turned and she uttered an appreciative gasp. “Oh, how cute. I wish we were closer.”

  “If I’d been thinking, I’d have brought along some binoculars,” he said.

  Their corner table afforded a breathtaking vista of the bay. Brown and green kelp beds dominated the water’s surface as the setting sun hung fat and orange on the western horizon. In the distance, a pair of bright yellow kayaks bobbed upon the swelling waves. Sea birds and sea lions dotted rocky outcroppings like lazy cats.

  “Are they uncommon? I know they’re endangered.”

  “Not too uncommon, at least not in this area. I’ve had them come up to me while scuba diving but you’re not supposed to approach them.” His gaze lingered on her profile, caressing the side of her face where wisps of hair brushed her skin.

  “You should check out the aquarium while you’re here. There are several sea otters on exhibit,” Kyle said, aware that he was close to offering to take her. Once he crossed the line between professional and personal, their working relationship might become irretrievable. It made him think twice. But then she smiled at him and his logical reasons for maintaining the distinction vanished.

  “I’d like that.” Cassie looked at him with green eyes, the beginning of trust in her gaze.

  “I’ll take you.” Kyle made the promise before reason could intercede. He polished off the rest of his beer and waved down their server.

  “Would you like your check, sir?” the server asked.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Did you get a hold of the client today?” Cassie asked, in an obvious attempt to change the conversation to a less personal topic.

  “Yes, I spoke with Mrs. Lassant earlier. I’ve arranged for you to visit the build site tomorrow morning to start the preliminary sketches.”

  “Tomorrow morning it is then.”

  The check arrived and they both reached for it at the same time. Kyle’s hand got there first and he moved it out of her reach. A faint air of deviltry surrounded him; she blushed once she realized what they’d done.

  “I’ll get it,” he said.

  Cassie shook her head. “We should go Dutch.”

  “I invited you to lunch and we talked about business.”

  She rolled her eyes heavenward. “For a whole two minutes.”

  He extracted his wallet and passed his card and the check back to the server. “Tell you what. Next time, you can take me out to dinner.”

  With obvious reluctance, she sighed but accepted. “Okay, I’m buying next time…”

  So, there would be a next time. Kyle suppressed a smirk as he watched the light of realization dawn in her eyes. Her brow drew together and she eyed him, no doubt noting his smug air even though he endeavored not to gloat.

  “Do you like Italian?” Cassie asked, conceding the field to him with a smile.

  “Love it.” He paid and they prepared to leave. He pulled out her chair and offered his arm, leaving the choice up to her. After a second of hesitation, her hand settled upon his forearm, a tentative touch but the first sign of true trust.

  Chapter Four

  The two-lane seaside road followed the often treacherous curves of the land, but offered spectacular views and breathtaking drop-offs. Kyle dropped his hand to the gear shift and eased the sports car into third gear. The western sky was ablaze with red and orange, and it was no accident that he had chosen to take the long way home.

  When Cassie’s fingers brushed the back of his hand in a tentative caress, it was its own reward. He knew it was no accident when she lingered and stroked from knuckle to wrist and back again. He sucked in a deep breath and his entire body reacted to the sweet strawberry scent of her hair as she leaned in close. His heart beat double-time, sweat broke out across his upper lip, and his pants grew uncomfortable.

  “What should I wear to the site tomorrow?” she asked in a husky voice.

  As little as possible. Kyle bit his tongue and concentrated hard on not driving off the road. “Long sleeves, pants, a hat if you have one,” he said. “And plenty of sunblock. It’s on the beach.”

  “It sounds wonderful.” Her fingertip rubbed a circle on the back of his forearm. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  How would she react to being asked to show up to work in a bikini? Better not risk it. “I wish I could go with you,” he said with a smile, glancing sideways at her. Maybe a little too suggestive, because she blushed.

  Then, regrettably, they were home. The convertible executed a smooth turn onto the round driveway in front of the house and he parked in the detached garage. The sleek sports car came to a silent halt and the engine idled at a purr before he removed the key from the ignition. Beside him, Cassie muffled another yawn beneath her hand, one of many, and he added exhaustion to the list of symptoms underlying her anxiety.

  Kyle popped the trunk and she joined him at the back of the vehicle. They both loaded their arms with shopping bags, but even with two of them, it was quite a haul.

  Her soft laughter accompanied the quiet thunk of the trunk closing. “I guess I really went to town, huh?”

  Kyle smiled. “I hope you have everything you need for a while.”

  “I managed to run into that pharmacy, so yes, I should be.” Her gaze wavered but she didn’t look away this time. It went unsaid but acknowledged between them that he was aware of the circumstances of her abrupt arrival at his doorstep, if not the exact reasons behind her lack of luggage. He counted it as a plus that they seemed
to have moved past pretending that nothing was wrong. He hoped she would trust him with the rest soon.

  “Let’s head inside,” he said, waiting for Cassie to take the lead, and then followed her inside through the side door of the house that opened into the media room.

  The tension between them increased, building with each step closer to the stairwell. By the time they reached the door of her room, Kyle felt ready to burst from his skin. His thoughts were a muddy mixture of desire and doubt. Arousal coiled in his gut, and he throbbed with unbearable need, craving the taste of her lips, the touch of her hand, the heat of her body. His conscience whispered for him to be careful, a tiny voice drowned out beneath the din of conflicting emotions.

  Cassie pushed open the door and dropped her packages within, then accepted those he carried. The second set of bags joined the first on the floor of her room. She turned to face him, placed her back against the door frame, and tilted her head back to gaze into his eyes. Thanks to her unusual height, mere inches separated their mouths.

  “I wanted to thank you. Today was wonderful.” The breathless quality of her voice seduced Kyle, drawing him in. Cassie trembled upon his approach, watching him with wide eyes. She beckoned to him, summoning him with her magic, his alluring siren.

  “You’re welcome. I had a good time too.” He got close enough to feel the warmth her skin threw and inhaled her scent. Their breath mingled, hot and moist, a tantalizing temptation. His gaze locked on her luscious mouth, lips red and full, made for kissing.

  Cassie’s lashes lowered and her head tilted back, an almost imperceptible shift, but an offering. Kyle accepted and shifted forward. His lips brushed hers feather soft. He savored the barest taste, and then he pulled back. “Red, is this okay?”

  “Oh yes. I just…need to go slow.” Her lashes swept up and then down, conveying her innate shyness.

  “We can go as slow as you need.” He knew she needed his assurance that he wouldn’t push. She wasn’t timid, but rather frightened, like one of the injured wild creatures that came into his care.

  Her hand rose and her fingers brushed aside a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “We’re supposed to start working together tomorrow.”

  He offered her a crooked smile. “I don’t know how much work I’ll actually be getting done since this is all I’ve been able to think about since the moment we met.”

  She grinned. “Really. So you were thinking about this while I was dangling from that cliff?”

  “Maybe not right that second. But as soon as I had you in my lap…” The rest of his teasing words were lost when she boosted herself a couple inches, closing the gap between them. Her hands slid around his neck and she clung to his shoulders. She kissed him full on the mouth, lips soft and pliable.

  ****

  The impact of that first real kiss put Cassie into a tailspin. She couldn’t believe her audacity, taking unprecedented liberties with Kyle. He took no more than she offered, and the steady union of their mouths sent her emotions wildcatting. Her knees grew weak and an aching wetness between her thighs made her squirm.

  The kiss broke softly. He still wasn’t pressing for more, but rather leaving the decision up to her. No other approach could have been more right, and some of her fearful tension unraveled.

  “Cassie, what do you want?” Passion roughened his voice. Kyle’s hand sought the back of her head, fingers entangling in her curly tresses. His other arm encircled her waist. Uncertainty crept upon her again, because nothing had prepared her for the acuity of her own desire. Abruptly, years of celibacy left her mired in moist heat, awful emptiness in her loins, a craving for penetration. She wanted his—egad, her mind went straight to the gutter and dredged up cock—erm, man parts. Oh yes, she wanted him bad.

  “Kyle, I just…I need…” More. She mouthed the word against his lips. She surged against him so her breasts rubbed against his chest, her thighs banged into his legs. Her hands supplicated, massaging the corded muscles of his broad shoulders.

  He sucked in a sharp breath. Without warning, a switch flipped. Kyle’s arms tightened about Cassie, holding her to him, and the kiss intensified, rougher and hotter. Her lips parted and the tip of his tongue penetrated her mouth, the barest flicker. He tasted of salt and spice. Just a hint of beer peppered his breath, rich and frothy, intoxicating. He was so much bigger than her, and unexpected fear jolted her when he pinned her against the wall. It was too much too fast.

  She panicked, not terrified shrieking or an irrational desire to escape, but heart racing, short of breath, fear. Her hands flattened against his shoulders and she shoved him back. The kiss broke and a strangled cry escaped her lips. Her resistance must have penetrated his passionate haze because he released her immediately. Stumbling, Cassie retreated into the bedroom. Her hands groped for support until she finally found the edge of the dresser, and then she clung to it. To her intense mortification, tears threatened. Her throat closed up and her chest hurt.

  He stared at her in bewilderment. “Are you playing me?”

  “No, no, never,” she denied. How could she blame him for thinking the worst? She’d encouraged him to be more passionate, and then she’d rejected him. Any man would have been justified in thinking her hot and cold responses to be nothing more than a game.

  “Oh, God, I’m so sorry, Kyle.” She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. “It got out of control. Too much, too fast. I’m sorry.”

  “Tell me what’s wrong?”

  The ghost hand crushing her throat stopped her from speaking. Cassie shook her head hard and dropped her gaze, head tilting forward to allow her to hide behind a curtain of hair. “Please don’t be angry,” she said. “This whole mess is my fault. I know better than to get this close to a man. No matter how much I want to…”

  ****

  Her words, the pleading tone, caused Kyle to take a step back. The very insinuation that he might react with anger, that she owed him an apology for denying him, that she felt the need to ask for forgiveness… In a flash, all of the pieces came together. He recalled her reaction to his unexpected presence on the bluff, the same in the garage. The way she had avoided physical contact and acted leery of being alone with him. Abruptly, it all made sense.

  He felt sick.

  “Someone hurt you. Who?” Her naked pain tore him up inside. He could only imagine what she must have endured to cringe with such obvious terror.

  Her head jerked up, and her expression betrayed her surprise. Then she closed up. Frustration mounting, he watched her erect the walls to keep him out, severing the tenuous emotional connection they had forged. She shook her head. “I can’t talk about this with you. I’m sorry.”

  His arm raised, hand open. “I would never hurt you. Let me help.”

  Cassie folded her arms across her chest and gazed at him with a tear streaked face. “You can’t help me. No one can. Please, go. I need to be alone.”

  Repeated rejection was like being slapped. Kyle’s breath escaped in a forced expulsion, and he turned away and went out the door. His clenched fists and controlled demeanor belied his inner turmoil. He wanted nothing more than to pound the wall and shout at the top of his lungs.

  He shut her bedroom door behind him with a smooth tug and a quiet click. He stood in the hallway for a long time, motionless, as his emotions rolled. When he calmed down enough to know what to do, he wasn’t any more relaxed, only determined.

  He went looking for his brother.

  ****

  The next morning, Cassie peered into the kitchen before she entered on reluctant feet. The circles under her eyes were darker than ever thanks to another night spent tossing and turning. She dreaded the prospect of facing Kyle and Shelly across the breakfast table, and yet she really had no other choice. Hiding in her bedroom was not an option.

  “Kyle…” His name began and ended on an uncertain note, then died on Cassie’s lips. Her gaze locked on the firearm holster he wore strapped across his torso. She had little familiarity with gun
s, but she knew enough to recognize a large caliber handgun.

  The man before her turned to look at her with eyes void of expression and his white teeth flashed a smile. He possessed all the rugged beauty of a glacier, but also the coolness. “Good morning.”

  “You’re not Kyle.” Her statement held absolute certainty. She stared hard at the man who looked enough like Kyle from the rear that she had assumed his identity. Right up until she caught sight of those hard eyes. They were the exact same shade of tawny brown, but lacking in compassion.

  “I’m Kieran.” He inclined his head in a nod.

  She remained rooted where she stood, noticing more differences. His brown hair was shorter than Kyle’s, cropped in a military cut. A lateral scar ran across his throat, crossing the jugular. Cassie’s gaze riveted upon it and she shuddered, imagining what it would take to survive such an injury.

  He endured her inspection without speaking. Life as an identical twin probably accustomed one to such things. Self-conscious about staring, she tore her eyes from his throat to conduct a cursory check of his clothing. He wore a long-sleeve gray shirt, tight-fitting blue jeans, and black boots.

  “Kieran, put on your jacket. You’re scaring the poor woman to death,” Shelly said. Her scolding voice rang out across the kitchen with authority. “Besides, I’ve told you once if I’ve told you a thousand times—no guns at the table!”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kieran smirked, tongue-in-cheek, and reached for a black leather jacket slung across the back of a kitchen chair. He pulled it on, concealing the weapon.

  “Don’t take that cheeky tone with me, mister.” In a whirl of motion, Shelly disappeared into the walk-in pantry, leaving Cassie alone with Kieran.

  “You must be Cassandra Claeys. Kyle spoke of you.” He offered his hand.