His hair was messy like he had run his hand through it a million times. His shirt was wrinkled and disheveled like he had taken it off, crumpled it in a ball only to scoop it off the floor and put it back on. His biceps stretched the sleeves as he reached for an upper shelf and she silently watched him, soaking up all his muscular goodness.
He was so consumed in what he was doing he didn’t hear her move across the room until she was feet away from the bar. He turned around his eyes lightening, concern and relief fighting it out across his features as he stared at her.
“Cassie,” he said and went to step toward her but stopped. “What are you doing here?” he asked, swallowing his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.”
She held her hand up and his eyes widened. “You’re bleeding,” he said, coming out from behind the bar and taking her hand in his.
“It’s nothing.” She wiped her hands on her pant legs, realizing the knees of her jeans were ripped and stained with blood spots.
“What the hell happened to you? He didn’t come back, did he?”
Mason’s features tensed, his eyes wild as his attention turned toward the door.
She reached up, grabbing his face and forcing his face to hers, but he wouldn’t look at her. “Please, Mason. Look at me.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before that beautiful shade of green was staring down at her. “I had to see you, so I borrowed Terry’s bike. I’m not as good as I thought I was.”
“How are you joking right now?”
“Because that’s what we do and I don’t want Dylan to take that from us not when he’s taken so much else from me. I’m okay just a few bumps.”
His finger ran down the curve of her neck where Dylan’s hands had tried to squeeze the life out of her. “He hurt you.”
“It’ll heal and he can’t hurt me anymore.”
“Matt said he’ll be away for a long time.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry,” she blurted, and as the words came out so did the tears. Every emotion she had sucked up and pushed down bubbled to the surface and exploded.
He took her in his arms and held her close, running soothing strokes up and down her back.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said.
But she did, and he needed to understand that. She wasn’t this perfect creature he believed her to be. She made mistakes and sometimes she was wrong and she was woman enough to admit that.
“No,” she said, pulling back and swiping at the pesky tears. “I do. I shouldn’t have let you walk away.”
“I lost control,” he admitted. “I saw him choking you, and I felt like he was squeezing the life out of me. I would have killed him if Matt didn’t show up and you deserve someone better than that.”
She laughed because he was so ridiculous. He had no idea how he was the only person she needed. How if she died tomorrow her only regret would be that they didn’t have enough time together.
“I don’t care what I deserve,” she said, running her fingers through his hair and fixing the messy spikes. “All I want is you.”
“Are you sure?” he asked even after everything he was still making sure she had complete control of everything. He was kind and considerate, sexy and could turn her on with a single glance. He was everything to her and more. She didn’t need to be sure. Every part of her already knew the answer.
“Do you trust me?”
“You know I do.”
“Then trust me when I tell you that I’m in love with you and I only want you.”
He laughed then crashed his lips to hers, not holding back, taking as much as she was willing to give and she was willing to give him everything.
He pulled back resting his forehead on hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “We’re not going to do this. It doesn’t matter when you got there.”
“He could’ve killed you.”
“But he didn’t. For the first time in my life, I fought back.”
“You kicked his ass,” Mason said and she laughed.
“I tried. There was a point when I didn’t think I had it in me then I thought about you. I wasn’t ready to leave you.”
He pulled her close wrapping his arms around her neck, and kissing her head.
When he let her go, she looked back into his eyes. “Dylan is in jail, and now I can finally put the past behind me where it belongs and I can start living for the future with you if that’s what you want?” He had always made things about her, giving her the choice, giving her the power, but she didn’t want it right now.
Right now, she wanted to know that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. That when he thought about the future he pictured her by his side, making beer and maybe even making babies. She wanted it all, but only if he wanted it, too.
“Are you kidding?” he said, moving her back against the bar his beautiful green eyes darkening with lust and desire. “You are my future.”
“Kiss me,” she said and he didn’t waste a moment, crashing his lips to hers and kissing her into sweet oblivion.
Falling in love was the last thing she expected when she stumbled on the small town of Red Maple Falls, but that’s exactly what she did. With the land, the people, and most of all this sexy, kind man who showed her not just how to love others, but how to love herself.
THE END
Thank you for reading! Mason and Cassie’s story wasn’t an easy one to write, but in the end, I absolutely adored the both of them and their journey toward their happily ever after. I hope you enjoyed their story!
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~Keep reading for an excerpt from Catching Cooper
(Book 4) in the Red Maple Falls series~
A sexy travel blogger and a single mom can't evade love in this small-town romance
Catching Cooper
A Red Maple Falls Novel
Chapter 1
Cooper Hayes was bored. The itch inside him to take off was craving its next adventure. It was like this invisible rope, relentlessly tugging and refusing to leave him alone.
He had travelled to seventy-four countries over the past seven years, chronicling his experiences and becoming a popular travel blogger and social media sensation. But he had grown tired of the constant on-the-go and being away from his family, so he’d come back home to the small town of Red Maple Falls.
But being home was a reminder of why he’d left. His days were monotonous, and while he loved kayaking with his oldest brother, Matt, and helping his other brother and best friend, Mason get his brewery up and running, after almost nine months he couldn’t ignore the itch. Which was why he volunteered to man the cash register at his very pregnant sister-in-law’s bakery while she was home on doctor ordered bedrest—he was desperate to occupy his mind. Even wrote a book after Mason suggested it, putting his travels and experiences onto paper. Even bigger, he managed to snag an agent within a couple months of querying. But now that he had finished the book and was waiting on editors at publishing houses to get back to his agent, he was growing restless again.
The pull to find his next big venture was strong, but he couldn’t leave now. Not when his big brother was about to become a dad. He wanted to meet the little guy who would be arriving any day now. At least they all hoped so; Shay was going to snap, and they’d be dealing with his brother’s murder instead of the birth of Cooper’s nephew.
Shay looked like she was smuggling a beach ball beneath her shirt and was growing impatient while Matt was losing his mind with worry. His constant freak outs were driving his poor wife insane. While it was entertaining, it still wasn’t enough to scratch the itch and that made Cooper feel guilty.
Red Maple Falls, the town he was born and raised and absolutely loved wasn’t enough. His family wasn’t enough. No matter how many people he met, how many ruins he explored, he was always looking toward what was next. He was looking for the thing that made him feel complete.
The bell above the bakery door chimed, and Cooper pushed off the counter, plastering on his famous smile—the same smile that got him out of countless predicaments and scored him free room and board across the world.
“How can I help you today?” he asked as two perfect onyx stones caught his own eyes. Her lip tilted slightly as she approached the counter, long black hair in waves bouncing on her shoulders. Cooper always had a high appreciation of the opposite sex, and this woman was no exception.
She pointed a long finger at the display case. He noted the lack of nail polish which made him think either she couldn’t be bothered with the glitz and glam or she simply didn’t have the time. She also wasn’t wearing a ring, which, in his eyes, signified an invitation to flirt.
“I’ll take a blueberry muffin,” she said without hesitation.
“A woman who knows what she wants,” he said, and her eyebrow arched but not in the way he’d hoped. She looked at him with disdain, like he was a joke, and she was waiting for the punch-line. He was usually quick-witted, but he suddenly forgot how to form complete sentences.
“You know... You want...” He mentally smacked himself for losing his cool. He’d seen millions of women around the world, bedded too many to remember, yet this woman with her sinfully dark eyes and silky long hair who barely gave him a second glance had him tongue-tied. He smiled at his idiocy then took a deep breath and tried again. “Most people come in here and take an hour to decide. You knew exactly what you wanted without even glancing at any of the other pastries or cupcakes.”
“I come here every Monday, and every Monday I get the blueberry muffin. To go, please.”
“Coming right up.” He grabbed one of the light pink paper bags with the bakery logo—a cupcake with a hot pink and black striped baking cup and Sweet Dreams Bakery written in girly font above—and placed the muffin inside. He slid it across the counter to her, and she already had the exact amount due in her hand.
“Why Monday?” he asked as he entered the information into the cash register as slowly as he could.
“It’s my treat for getting through another week.”
He took the money, pausing as their fingers touched. “Why not Friday, then?”
“A week consists of seven days,” she said matter-of-factly. “Wouldn’t want to celebrate prematurely.”
“Yes, but the weekend is for relaxing and having fun. You look like you could use a little fun.”
He smiled, but she didn’t. He imagined his hand would turn to ice if he touched her face right now.
“Some people don’t get days off.”
“That’s no way to live.”
“I don’t remember paying extra for your opinion.” There was venom in her tone, but that never deterred Cooper before.
He held his hands up in mock surrender. “Sorry. What I was trying to say, and failing miserably at, is I’d love to take you out sometime. Show you there’s nothing wrong with a little fun.”
He waited for the flutter of eyelashes, the slight blush filling her cheeks that all the girls got when he asked them out, but it never came. “No thanks.”
Taken aback, he didn’t hide his shock. “Wow, you don’t beat around the bush.”
Her gaze lifted to his, the two dark stones showing no sign of emotion. “Why would I do that?”
“Because it can soften the blow.”
“I prefer to rip the Band-aid off. No reason to drag it out.”
“I can appreciate that approach.”
Her eyebrow lifted in what he could only assume was doubt. “Can you?”
No matter what he did, she wouldn’t even give him an inch. “I feel like we should start over.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m getting the feeling you don’t like me based on preconceived notions. If you look beyond my devilish good looks and charming personality, I’m not a bad guy.”
“I think you’ve given me plenty to base my opinion on.”
“Ouch.” This woman was insufferable and somehow immune to his charm. He pulled out all the stops and not a single smile. To say he was intrigued would be the understatement of the century.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her stoic expression softening. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude.”
“Hey, you said it.”
“I can admit when I’m in the wrong. I just can’t have dinner with you. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Maybe a little of both.” Her voice softened, and he could detect the faintest touch of sorrow.
“Because you don’t have time for fun?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, I’ll keep the invitation open. If you ever find the time, let me know.”
“It’s unlikely.”
“We need to work on your sugarcoating. Don’t say ‘unlikely.’ Say, ‘we’ll see.’”
“Okay then. We’ll see.” She smiled, and the slight curve of her lips brightened up her entire face, transforming her into an entirely different person—someone who looked warm and friendly, who would jump on the chance for a good time.
He handed her the receipt, figuring he’d stalled long enough. “I’m Cooper by the way. Shay’s world travelling brother-in-law.”
“The one who showed up late to the wedding?”
He laughed. “The one who wasn’t even going to make the wedding but flew halfway across the world and made everyone cry by showing up.”
“Do you always like to steal people’s thunder?”
“You go straight for the jugular.”
She shrugged. “How is Shay doing?”
“Good, but I’m more concerned about my brother’s health. I think if he doesn’t lay off a little, she’s going to cause physical harm, and I can’t say I blame her.”
“At least she has someone who cares that much about her. She’s lucky.”
“I’m sure she’ll realize that one day. After she pops the kid out and her ankles don’t look like tree stumps anymore.”
“Please don’t say that to her.”
“Are you crazy? I like everything intact, thank you very much. Besides one wrong word and she’s either seething or crying.”
“Pregnancy hormones are no joke.”
“Apparently.”
“When you do see her, tell her I asked about her.”
“I could do that, but I would need to know your name.”
“Sarah Kramer.”
“Well, Sarah Kramer, it has been a pleasure. Although, I’m pretty sure you insulted me more than once.”
“More than once,” she said, that rare smile showing up and spreading wider than before.
“I really hope you find time in your busy schedule to let me take you to dinner. I can guarantee you won’t regret it.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” She didn’t elaborate, just took her bag with the blueberry muffin and walked out the door without as much a glance back in his direction.
***
Cooper pulled up to Matt and Shay’s house and grabbed the pastry box filled with a variety of the current offerings at the bakery. As he was about to head to the front door, he spotted his brother out on the deck overlooking the lake, so Cooper detoured.
“Hey,” he said as he walked up the steps, noticing the beer in his brother’s hand. His fingers were wrapped around the bottle tightly, his knuckles practically white. If he held on any tighter, the bottle would shatter into a million pieces just like Matt’s patience. The thought made Cooper laugh.
“What are you laughing at?” Matt asked as he took a swig from the bottle.
“Did Shay put you in time out?”
Matt’s lip curled. “I just asked her if she needed anything, and she tol
d me if I didn’t leave her alone she would give me something to worry about.”
Cooper stifled a laugh the best he could. “I’d listen to her if I was you.”
“Why the hell do you think I’m out here?” Matt took another swig from his beer. At this rate, Mason would have to make a special delivery.
“Why the hell are you here anyway?”
Cooper held up the pastry box. “Your wife requested a few things. I’m guessing that sweet tooth has really kicked into overdrive.”
Matt shook his head then took another sip of his beer as he settled back into his chair. “She doesn’t want to eat them; she wants to taste them.”
“Not following.”
“She can’t be at the bakery to control everything so she’s bringing the bakery to her.”
Realization dawned on Cooper, and he had to give Shay credit for her sneaky creativity. “So basically, I’m an accomplice to her spying on how Louise is doing.”
“Exactly. Now let’s just hope the lime to sugar ratio in the key lime pie cupcake is right or I might have to handcuff her to the bed.”
“Sounds kinky.”
“Trust me there is no kink going on in this house.”
Cooper snorted. “Won’t let you touch her, huh?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“That’s a yes.”
“I tell her she’s beautiful, she tells me I’m a liar because ‘how could I find a whale attractive?’”
“She’s never seen a whale in person. Beautiful creatures.”
“I don’t care about the fucking whales or if she feels like one. She could be the size of the whole damn state, and I wouldn’t care.” Matt ran a hand through his hair, the tension obvious in the straining veins of his arms. “She’s carrying my child, and while she looks in the mirror and sees the weight gain and the swelling, all I see is the beauty of it.”
“Have you told her that?”
“What’s the point? She won’t listen.”
“Then make her.”
Matt choked on a laugh. “Have you met my wife? Five-foot-nothing brunette who thrives on not listening to me?”
Moments with Mason (A Red Maple Falls Novel, #3) Page 18
