Reunited in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 8)

by Cindy Kirk

  “Congratulations. I knew you could do it.”

  She lifted her face to his, her eyes sparkling like amethysts in the afternoon sunlight. “Thank you for your faith in me.”

  His heart suddenly squeezed tight in his chest. The intensity of the emotion welling inside Krew took him by surprise. It wasn’t just desire he felt when he looked into those blue-green eyes, it went deeper.

  This woman had captured his heart.

  The certainty of it punched like a fist.

  She’d chewed off the lipstick she’d put on this morning. Still, her lips were as plump and red as the strawberries he loved, and they called to him in a primitive way.

  He should look away.

  She should look away.

  Instead, her breaths came in intoxicating little puffs, and his desire surged. But he was determined to not respond in the heat of the moment, giving her time to back off if she wanted to.

  Cassie might have stared at him wide-eyed as his gaze traveled slowly over her face, but there was a knowing gleam in those beautiful eyes. He swore he could see his own desire reflected in her blue depths.

  He bent his head and kissed her softly on the mouth, then leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m incredibly proud of you. I got you a congratulatory gift.”

  “You did?”

  “If you’re going to show homes in Wisconsin, you need to be prepared.” Krew reached into what passed for a backseat in his sports car and handed her the beautifully wrapped package with a big silver bow.

  “This is lovely.” Cassie fingered the bow, her gaze firmly fixed on him. “What’s in it?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  She hesitated. “This is a loading zone. We shouldn’t—”

  “No one else wants this spot.” Even if they did, Krew wanted to be stationary when she opened his gift.

  “When did you get this?”

  “I went shopping while you were taking your test. I’ll have you know I picked this out myself.”

  “That makes it even more special.” With trembling fingers, she carefully removed the wrapping paper, then opened the box from one of the finest women’s stores in Green Bay. “Oh, Krew.”

  She pulled the charcoal-colored coat out of the tissue and stroked the fabric. “It even feels warm.”

  “It’s alpaca, so it should keep you plenty warm. I told the clerk you were tall and slender, and she recommended this tailored cut.”

  “It’s beautiful…and way too expensive.” With a sigh, she laid the coat back into the box. “I couldn’t accept—”

  “Take the coat, Cassie.” There was a hint of desperation in Krew’s tone. “Please. For me.”

  Her fingers returned to the soft fabric. “I would look pretty snazzy showing homes wearing this coat.”

  He grinned. “Extremely snazzy.”

  “Thank you.” Her gaze met his, and when she spoke, it was like a vow. “I’ll think of you every time I put it on.”

  “That’s the plan.” Slowly, he lowered his head and covered her mouth again, kissing her with a slow thoroughness that left them both vibrating with desire.

  It was crazy how, after all these years, the taste of her, the way her mouth moved so innocently under his, the way she made the blood burn in his veins was so familiar.

  As they kissed, she caressed the back of his neck, twining her fingers in his hair as if they had all the time in the world.

  Krew realized that, while they might not have forever, they had today. There was no real rush. Not like there had been that night on the beach.

  Krew tucked a stray silky curl behind her ear and caught the faint scent of vanilla. Did she have any idea the power she had over him?

  He was determined to take his time, wanting to savor this moment, but when she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, a smoldering heat flared through him.

  “There’s a hotel a couple of blocks from here.” The words came out on a husky rasp as need gripped his body.

  The second he spoke, he wanted to take back the words.

  “I-”

  Krew didn’t have a chance to get anything more out, before she pulled his head down and gave him a ferocious kiss.

  Dazed and breathing hard, she pulled back. “I want you.”

  He cupped her face with one hand and gazed into her eyes. “I want you more.”

  She shook her head, a smile on her lips that were already swollen from his kisses. “What was that thing your coach used to say?”

  He cocked his head, not following.

  “Sometimes you have to move forward.”

  The words finally clicked. “Push forward.”

  “Let’s push forward.”

  “You’re sure?”

  The look she shot him fried every brain cell he possessed. He didn’t ask again.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When Cassie walked into the recently restored downtown hotel, holding hands with Krew, part of her wondered what in the heck she was doing. The other part wished they were already in a room.

  Stepping to the desk, Krew flashed his heart-stopping smile at the woman behind the gleaming wooden counter. “We’d like a suite.”

  Cassie’s heart danced against her rib cage. The thought of being with Krew—naked with Krew—had her feeling woozy.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but our suites are fully booked.”

  To her credit, the pretty blonde in the crisp navy suit appeared contrite.

  Cassie attempted to step back and make a break for the door, but Krew’s hand, now on her arm, held her in place.

  Unlike her, he didn’t appear to have any intention of leaving.

  “Is the manager available?” Krew might have worded it as a question, but it sounded more like a summons to Cassie.

  It must have sounded that way to the blonde, because she smiled brightly. “I’ll get him for you.”

  “We don’t have to—” Cassie began in a hushed whisper, but she stopped speaking when a balding man in a dark pinstripe suit hurried over.

  “I understand there’s—” The manager paused as recognition lit his eyes. With a broad smile, the man rounded the desk and moved to Krew, his hand extended. “Krew Slattery. It’s an honor to have you stay with us this evening.”

  “Thank you.” Krew swept the lobby with one hand, encompassing the glimmering chandelier, mosaic tile floors and arched windows. “You’ve got a beautiful place here. This will be my first stay here since the team had the celebration in the ballroom.”

  “A lovely event. Your MVP award was well deserved.” The manager rubbed his hands together. “What seems to be the problem?”

  The blonde shifted from one foot to the other, the perky smile still on her face. Still, Cassie could see that the dynamic she witnessed between the two men had her worried.

  “No problem.” Krew’s easy smile was back. “I was hoping you’d have a suite available.”

  “Of course.” The manager turned to the blonde. “Put Mr. Slattery and his guest in the VIP suite on ten.”

  “Thank you,” Krew glanced down at the man’s nametag, “Harold.”

  “Always a pleasure to host one of the team.” The man’s eyes glittered with curiosity. “I hear you may be making the switch to the coaching staff.”

  Krew lowered his voice to a confidential whisper. “It’s definitely something I’m considering. Let’s keep that just between the two of us.”

  Harold beamed and made a zipping motion across his lips. He turned back to the blonde and held out his hand for an ornate metal key. “Gillian, please have a bottle of champagne sent up to the suite. My compliments.”

  “Yes, sir.” Gillian’s gaze shifted from Krew to Cassie.

  Cassie saw her puzzlement. It was obvious she couldn’t figure out what the gorgeous sports star was doing with someone like her. The truth was, Cassie was having difficulty figuring that out, too.

  On the elevator ride to the tenth floor, Cassie forgot her reservations when Krew pulled her to him f
or a scorching kiss. By the time the door opened, she wanted him with every fiber of her being.

  The kisses continued as they walked down the carpeted hall to the door to suite ten.

  Cassie thought it sweet that it took Krew three tries to get the key in the lock. Once he did, they tumbled inside, the kisses growing more urgent by the second.

  In this moment, her blood was on fire, the way it had been that first night. She’d never experienced this all-out longing for anyone since that time. If it wasn’t flat-out crazy, she’d think a cosmic connection existed between them.

  Her coat was on the floor and his had just dropped beside it when a knock sounded at the door.

  Krew cursed. “The champagne.”

  “Just a minute,” Cassie called out when the knock sounded again.

  Her breath came hard and fast, and her knees felt as shaky as a newborn colt’s, but Cassie covered the few steps to the door, opening it only slightly.

  A young man dressed in black pants and a spotless white shirt stood beside a cart. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver ice bucket, as well as a tray of assorted cheeses and fruits.

  “I—” Cassie began. “We—”

  “I’ve got this.” Krew, back in control for the moment, opened the door wider. “Please, come in.”

  Cassie glanced at the floor, but in the mere seconds it had taken her to open the door, Krew had picked their coats up and draped them over the sofa.

  “Where would you like me to put this, sir?” the young man asked.

  “By the window would be fine.”

  Once the cart was placed in position, the man removed the wrapping over the fruit and cheeses and inclined his head. “Would you like me to uncork the champagne?”

  “Not necessary. I can do that.”

  “Very well, sir.” The man, who couldn’t have been much older than Dakota, offered a polite smile to Cassie, then to Krew. “Enjoy your evening.”

  Krew walked the man to the door, pressed a large bill into his hand, then shut and locked the door.

  The interruption had given Cassie time to think. She moved to the window and stared out over downtown Green Bay. “Is this wise?”

  Krew didn’t immediately answer. Instead, his arms slid around her from behind.

  Perhaps she should have pulled away. It would certainly be easier to think when his strong arms weren’t holding her close. She could feel the heat of his body all the way to her core.

  “I’m so afraid of making a mistake.” The words tumbled out before Cassie could stop them. “I told myself I wouldn’t get involved with a man, but this isn’t really getting involved, is it?”

  “This is whatever you want it to be.” His lips brushed against her hair. “At its heart, this is a celebration of you, of what you accomplished today. We can order up dinner, enjoy the champagne and fruit and talk. We don’t even have to take off our clothes.”

  Cassie laughed. “Shedding my clothes as quickly as possible was the only thing on my mind a few minutes ago.”

  Krew turned her in his arms so they faced each other. “As frustrated as I was at the interruption, I think it was a good thing.”

  “You do?”

  “I don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for.” With gentle fingers, he pushed back a strand of her hair and studied her face, his eyes dark with need. “I know how you feel about getting involved with anyone at this point in your life.”

  “Have you really accepted the coaching position?”

  Surprise had his eyes widening. “You want to talk about my career now?”

  She could see the moment he understood.

  He expelled a breath. “Yes, I’ll be returning to the team in a coaching capacity after the first of the year.”

  Okay, Cassie thought, they had that covered. This wouldn’t be a relationship. He would be gone, and this, whatever it was, would be over--after the holidays.

  The thought didn’t make her as relieved as she’d thought it would, but she pushed forward.

  “When we return to Good Hope, this,” she waved her hand vaguely in the air, “won’t continue.”

  “Are you referring to the sex?” he asked in a measured tone, “or our friendship?”

  “Do you consider me a friend?”

  He slowly nodded, and she saw the question in his eyes.

  “I consider you a friend, too.” She chewed on her bottom lip for several long seconds. “We could still be friends, just not, you know…”

  “Sleep together.”

  “Right.” She gave a decisive nod.

  “Why is that?”

  “You know why.” Frustration edged her voice. Why was he making this so hard?

  Needing to put some distance between them, Cassie crossed to the sofa and dropped down.

  The move ended up being pointless when he took a seat beside her.

  “If I knew,” he told her, “I wouldn’t have asked.”

  Cassie blew out a breath, familiar shame splashing over her like dirty water. “My reputation in Good Hope is in the gutter.”

  Why, after all this time, did saying the words still hurt so much?

  “You think being with me will make you look bad.” A muscle in his jaw jumped.

  “No.” She flung out her hands in frustration. “I’m trying to rise above my past, to get people in Good Hope to see me in a different light.”

  “You think if they find out we’re involved physically—”

  “They’ll roll their eyes and think, ‘Same song, different man.’” Just saying the words brought an ache to Cassie’s heart, because she knew what existed between her and Krew was different. That didn’t change the fact that when he returned to Green Bay, she’d be left to not only deal with the gossip, but to piece together the shattered bits of her heart.

  “Then if this afternoon is all we have, it will have to be enough.”

  But I want more.

  Like a willful child who suddenly finds herself deprived of her greatest wish, Cassie was seized with the desire to stomp her foot. Which was ridiculous, considering Krew was giving her everything she asked for, everything she said she wanted.

  She’d have his body, but not his heart.

  Just like before.

  “Cass?”

  He spoke her name in a tone as soft as a caress.

  “I don’t want champagne. Or fruit.” She angled toward him and looped her arms around his neck. “I just want you.”

  Krew’s eyes darkened. Without saying a word—or perhaps in answer—he planted kisses along her jawline.

  She arched back, giving him greater access, then jerked straight up, nearly clipping him on the chin. “Do you have protection?”

  He smiled and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Absolutely.”

  “Enough?”

  As he pulled her close, she felt a chuckle, warm and deep, rumble through his chest. “Yes.”

  “We’re going to take this real slow.” He nuzzled her neck. “There’s no reason to rush.”

  His lips roamed over her face and neck, stopping to linger on her mouth.

  Cassie’s blood began to hum.

  This time, she wouldn’t be an inept participant. She would focus on his pleasure, too.

  When his lips covered hers, she opened her mouth, pressing more tightly against him, sliding her fingers inside the collar of his shirt.

  By the time they came up for air, every inch of her body tingled. Cassie wanted more and she wanted it now.

  She began unbuttoning his shirt.

  Bemused, he watched her trembling fingers struggle. “Do you want me naked?”

  She nodded, narrowing her gaze on a particularly obstinate button.

  “Sweetheart, you only had to say the word.” He stood, and in seconds he wore only navy boxers.

  Cassie’s mouth went dry as she drank in his physical perfection. The broad shoulders, the lean hips and the muscular legs covered in a light dusting of hair. She frowned. “You’re not
naked.”

  “I’m closer than you are.” He pulled her to her feet, and the scent of his shampoo, soap and cologne had her heart rate going into overdrive.

  His fingers moved to the top button on her blouse.

  “I can undress myself.” She gazed into his eyes and made no move to push his hands away.

  “I know, but I’ve been wanting to do this since I first saw you.” He made quick work of the shirt, sliding it off her shoulders and gazing appreciatively at her lace demi-bra. Her navy pants were dispensed to the floor in short order.

  He stepped back to study her, and Cassie was tempted to cover her belly with her hands. She supposed the slight pooch was unavoidable after four pregnancies, but she wished she could be perfect for him.

  “You’re gorgeous.” The assessing gleam in his eyes was tempered by humor. “You’re also overdressed.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, right.”

  “May I point out that you have two pieces of clothing on while I only have one?”

  Cassie could see where this was headed. Excitement skittered up her spine.

  “Do you want to pick which item to discard?” He cocked his head, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Or shall I choose?”

  Cassie brought a finger to her lips and pretended to think. “You pick.”

  Pleasure blanketed his face, along with a wicked grin. He stepped even closer.

  Her heart hammered so loudly, she wondered if he could hear.

  With one flick of his fingers, the front closure of her bra opened. Her breasts weren’t large, more like tangerines than melons, but the flare in Krew’s eyes said he liked what he saw.

  Cassie’s breath came in short puffs, and her nipples, now free from restraint, formed hard little points. She ached for his touch.

  He kept her waiting, kissing her long and deep and with such passion, it was as if she’d never been kissed before. The feel of the hard length of him pressed against her had her knees going weak.

  Just when Cassie wondered how much longer those weakened knees could hold her, Krew took her trembling hand in his large one and led her into the other room.

  The bed, massive with at least ten pillows propped against the headboard, had Cassie’s pulse quickening.

  “I’d like to just kiss for a while,” he said as he brought the hand he held to his mouth and placed a moist kiss in her palm before lifting his eyes to hers. “If that’s okay with you?”