“Oh, I’ve noticed.” He yanked the dress down until it puddled at her feet, leaving her bare to him. “And that’s precisely why I want that light on.”
Her body trembled beneath his. No way did he want her questioning her gorgeous curves or the fact that he wanted the hell out of her.
Without a word he shucked off his pants and boxer briefs and tossed them aside.
Her eyes drank him in, causing the same effect as if she’d touched his entire body with her bare hands. Dying to touch her, to run his fingers along her curves, Ian snaked his arms around her waist and tugged her against him.
“As much as I want to explore that sexy body of yours, I’m hanging on by a thread here,” he admitted as his mouth slammed down onto hers.
Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck. Their damp bodies molded together from torso to thigh, and she felt so perfect against him.
Perfect? No, she couldn’t be perfect for him. Perfect for right now, which was all either of them was after.
They were simply taking advantage of the moment...of the sexual attraction that had enveloped them since she’d literally fallen into his arms only a few days ago.
Ian gripped her waist and lifted her.
“Ian, don’t—”
“Shh,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’ve got you.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “What about a condom? Do you have that, too?”
Condom, yes. They needed a condom. His mind had been on the subtle moans escaping from her lips and getting those curves beneath his hands.
He eased her down his body and went to his jeans, where he pulled a condom from his wallet and in record time had it on.
When he turned back to her, he fully expected her to have her arms wrapped around her waist, maybe even be biting her lip out of nerves. But what he saw was a secure woman, hands on her hips, head tilted and a naughty grin on her face.
“Your confidence is sexy,” he told her as he came back to her.
“You make me feel sexy.”
Yeah, she wasn’t a Hollywood size zero. Cassie Barrington was more old-school Hollywood starlet. She was a natural, stunning, vibrant woman, and now that she’d agreed to leave the light on, he could fully appreciate the beauty she was.
And when she reached for him and nearly wrapped herself around him as she claimed his mouth, her sexy status soared even higher.
Damn, he wasn’t going to make it through this night.
Ian backed her against the wall and lifted her once again. This time her legs went around his waist and he had no control. None. The second he’d shucked that dress off her he’d been holding on by that proverbial thin thread.
Ian took her, causing her body to bow back, and her head tilted, eyes closed as she groaned once again.
As their hips moved together, Ian took the opportunity to kiss his way across her shoulders and the column of her throat before taking her face between his palms and claiming her mouth.
Sweat slick between them, the air around them grew even hotter as Cassie gripped his bare shoulders. Her nails bit into his skin; her heels dug into his back.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
She tore her mouth from his. “Ian, I—”
Yeah, he knew. He was right there with her as her body stilled, trembled. Following her over the edge, watching her face as she succumbed to the passion was one of the most erotic moments of his life.
Her body slid down his and he was pretty sure she would’ve collapsed to the floor had he not been leaning against her. He needed to lean into her or he’d be a puddle, too.
And the night had just begun.
* * *
Cassie slid back into her dress, ignoring the panties. Why bother with modesty at this point?
She may not live in Hollywood, but she’d put on one hell of an acting display. Ian thought her confident? She’d played along simply because she secretly wanted to be that wanton, take-charge woman, that woman who claimed what she wanted. And if he thought she was so comfortable with her body in this situation, then who was she to tell him different?
She’d been meek in her marriage, not a sex goddess in any way. But the way Ian had looked at her, touched her, was nothing like she’d ever experienced.
How could a man she’d known only a handful of days provide so much self-assurance? He’d awakened something within her she hadn’t even known existed.
Cassie was certainly not used to one-night stands or flings, but she couldn’t regret what had just happened. A virtual stranger had just given her one of the greatest gifts...self-esteem. Not too long ago she’d thought she’d never have that back, but right now, with her body still tingling from his talented hands and lips, Cassie knew without a doubt that she was better than the husband who had left her for another woman.
She’d just scooped up her discarded panties from the floor when Ian placed his hands around her waist and tugged her back against his bare chest.
“How’s that age thing now?” he asked, nipping her ear. “Any complaints about how young I am?”
Laughing, Cassie shook her head. “You certainly know what you’re doing.”
His lips trailed over her neck. “I’m not done, either.”
Oh, mercy. Her entire body shivered as she let her head fall back against his shoulder, enjoying the kisses he sprinkled across her heated skin.
“I’m not sure why you put this dress back on,” he told her between kisses. “It’s so hot in here and all.”
Yes, yes, it is.
Cassie turned in his arms, noticing he was still completely naked. Those ripped muscles beneath taut, tanned skin begged for her touch.
“I didn’t get to appreciate all of this a moment ago, before you attacked me,” she told him, trailing her fingertips along his biceps and across his pecs.
“Appreciate me all you want,” he told her with a crooked grin. “But let it be known, I didn’t attack. You ordered me to strip, so I believe you started this.”
Cassie playfully smacked his chest. “Who started what? You were the one who propositioned me in the stables.”
“How’s a man supposed to react when a sexy woman falls into his arms?”
“Yes, naturally that’s what most people would do,” she said, rolling her eyes.
Ian reached down, cupped her backside and widened his sexy smile. “I’m glad this little incident happened with the lock.”
Cassie had to admit she was, too. There was no way she would’ve been able to focus on work with all her emotions fluttering around inside her. Now hopefully she wouldn’t have to worry about this overwhelming physical attraction to Ian. They’d had sex, gotten it out of their systems and could move on.
His body stirred against hers. Okay, maybe they hadn’t gotten it out of their systems.
“We still have hours before anyone will find us.” He started backing her up again. “I have so many ideas to fill the time.”
The backs of Cassie’s thighs hit the edge of an old table. Ian wasted no time hoisting her up onto the smooth wooden surface.
“Do you have more condoms?” she asked.
His heavy-lidded gaze combined with that Cheshire-cat smile had her quivering before he even spoke.
“I may be out of condoms, but not out of ways to pleasure you.”
And when he proceeded to show her, Cassie was suddenly in no hurry for daylight to come.
Six
Unable to sleep for appreciating the feel of this sexy woman tangled all around him on the old chaise, Ian smoothed a hand down Cassie’s bare back. Trailing down the dip in her waist, up over the curve of her hip had his body stirring again.
What on earth was he doing? Sex was one thing, but to lie awake most of the night rehashing it over and over in his head like some lovesick fool was, well...for fools. Not that he was any expert on relationships.
His mother was gearing up to divorce husband number four, no doubt with number five waiting in the wings, and his father... Ian sighed.
His father probably wasn’t even capable of love. Ian hadn’t spoken to his father in years and rarely talked with his mother. He had nothing to say to either and it was obvious both of his parents were battling their own issues that didn’t include him.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ian didn’t do relationships.
He was great at his job, however, and what he wanted was to take his client roster to the next level. Lily Beaumont was the key.
Yet here he was, getting involved with Cassie Barrington. And, yes, they’d just had sex, but during the moments in between their intimacy, he’d gotten a brief glimpse of a playful, confident woman and he couldn’t deny he liked what he saw.
The sound of a car door jarred him from his thoughts. He eased out from beneath Cassie’s warm, lush body and moved over to the small window that faced the side of the house.
Tessa and Grant had arrived. He didn’t know if he wanted to call for their attention or crawl back over to Cassie and give her a proper good-morning wake-up.
But their night was over, and he had responsibilities. He honestly had no clue how she’d react once she woke up. Would she regret what they’d done? Would she want more and expect some sort of relationship?
Ian gave the window a tug and it rose slowly with a groan.
“Hey,” he yelled down. “Up here.”
Tessa and Grant both looked around and Ian eased his arm out to wave. “We’re locked in the attic,” he called.
“Ian?” Grant shouted. “What on earth? We’ll be right up.”
Of course, now it dawned on him that both he and Cassie were as naked as the day they were born, and he turned around to see her already getting up. Shame that he hadn’t ignored the rescue party and gone with his original idea of waking her, especially now that she was covering that made-for-sex body.
“Was that Tessa and Grant?” she asked, tugging on her jeans from the previous day.
“Uh-huh.” He pulled on his own clothes, trying to keep his eyes off her as she wrestled into her bra.
Several moments later, the door below creaked open and Ian rushed over to the top of the stairs to see Tessa.
“We’ll be right down,” he told her, hoping to save Cassie some time to finish dressing.
He didn’t know if she wanted it public knowledge that they’d slept together. This was all her call. He was much more comfortable with a fling than he figured she was. Plus this was her home, her family, and the last thing he wanted to do was put her in an awkward position.
“Who’s up there with you?” Tessa asked, her brows drawn together.
“Your sister.”
Tessa smiled. “Really? Well, we’ll meet you all down in the kitchen. Take your time.”
Once she walked away, Ian glanced up to Cassie, who was wearing a lovely shade of red over her neck and face.
“I tried,” he defended, holding out his hands. “But I’d say your sister knows.”
Cassie nodded. “That’s okay. Tessa won’t say anything.”
Okay, maybe he hadn’t wanted a relationship, but her statement hit a nerve. Seconds ago he’d thought he was fine with a fling and she wasn’t, but perhaps he’d had that scenario backward.
“Is that what we’re going to do? Keep this quiet?”
Smoothing her tousled hair away from her face, Cassie eyed him from across the room and sighed. “I don’t know. This is all new to me. Can we just go downstairs and talk later?”
The voice of reason had him nodding. He didn’t want to analyze what had happened too much. They both needed to concentrate on their jobs. After all, he had a mission and she was in the middle of the biggest racing season of her life.
Cassie started to ease by him when he stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. Her eyes went wide, then dropped to his mouth. Why was he doing this?
Quit stalling and let her go.
But he needed one more taste before their night officially came to an end.
He shoved his hands into her hair, tilting her head as he closed the distance between them. “Before you go,” he whispered as his mouth slid across hers.
She melted into him as she returned the kiss. Her hands gripped his wrists as he held on to her. As much as Ian wanted her naked once again, he knew that was not an option.
Easing back, he smiled when her eyes took a moment to open. He released her, and, without a word, she walked by him and down the stairs.
And like some nostalgic sap, he glanced around the attic and smiled. This was definitely his favorite place on the estate.
Ian met up with Cassie in the kitchen. As soon as he entered the open room, he took in several things at once.
Tessa and Grant were seated at the bar, where Linda was serving cinnamon rolls. Both Tessa and Grant were eyeing Ian with knowing grins on their faces.
But it was Cassie, yet again, who captured his attention.
The woman he’d spent the night with was currently squatting down in front of a little girl with soft blond curls. The little girl looked nothing like Cassie, but the interaction didn’t lie. The way she clung to Cassie, Cassie’s sweet smile and laughter as she kissed her—it all had a sickening feeling settling deep in his gut.
“And who’s this?” he asked, hoping it was Linda’s grandchild or something because he knew Tessa and Grant had no children.
Coming to her feet with the little girl wrapped in her arms, Cassie still wore that vibrant smile as she turned to face him. “This is my daughter, Emily.”
All eyes were on Ian. Granted, they were watching him because of the unspoken fact that he and Cassie had spent the night together, but they couldn’t know the turmoil that flooded him. Cassie had a child and hadn’t told him.
Not that they’d played the getting-to-know-you game before they’d shed their clothes, but wasn’t that something that would come up?
Cassie’s smile faded as Ian remained silent. Her protective hands held Emily close to her chest.
“Why don’t you have some breakfast?” Linda asked, breaking the silence.
His eyes darted to her, then back to Cassie, who still watched him with a questioning look. Tessa and Grant had yet to move as they also took in the unfolding scene.
“I have things to do,” he said as he walked by Cassie, ignoring the hurt in her eyes, and out the back door.
He couldn’t stay in there another second. Rage filled him at the idea that Cassie had kept such a vital part of her life a secret. Was she the mother who pawned her kid off on other people so she could go have a good time? She’d been so confident, so eager to please him last night. Perhaps he was just the latest in a long line of men she threaded into her web.
No, he hadn’t wanted anything beyond sex. And he sure as hell didn’t want to discover that the woman he’d spent the night with was manipulative and selfish, looking for attention...just like his mother.
* * *
Humiliation flooded her.
The look of utter shock layered with anger had consumed Ian when she’d announced Emily was her daughter.
“Cass?”
Swallowing the hurt, Cassie turned to see her sister watching her. Because this awkward moment didn’t need any more fuel added to the fire, Cassie smiled.
“Thanks for watching her last night,” Cassie said as she held Emily with one arm and grabbed the overnight bag off the counter. “I need to go change and then I’ll meet you at the stables.”
“Cassie.” Tessa slid from the stool and crossed to her. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
Blue eyes stared back at her and Cassie wanted nothing more than to sit and cry, but feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t accomplish anything. She’d tried that when Derek had left her.
“I just want to go feed Emily and change.” Cassie blinked back the burn of tears. “I’ll meet you in an hour.”
“Leave Emily here,” Linda said. “I’m keeping her today anyway. Do what you need to do. I’ll make sure she’s fed.”
As much as Cas
sie wanted to keep Emily with her, she knew it was silly. She’d just have to put her in her crib with toys while she grabbed a shower.
“All right,” she conceded, dropping the bag back onto the counter and easing Emily into the wooden high chair next to the wide granite island. “Thanks, guys.”
Barely keeping it together, she started for the door. When Tessa called her name again, Cassie raised a hand and waved her off. She just wanted to be alone for a minute, to compose herself.
How could she be so naive? Of course some big-city bachelor would be turned off by kids, but to act so repulsed by the fact made her flat-out angry.
She’d sworn when Derek had left she wouldn’t allow herself to get hurt again. So, what did she do? Sleep with the first man who showed her any kind of affection.
Seriously, she thought she had more self-respect than that.
More angry at herself now, Cassie marched across the Barrington estate to her cottage next to the stables. Swatting at her damp cheeks, she squinted against the bright early-morning sun.
And because of the light in her eyes she didn’t see Ian until she was in the shadow of her house. There he stood, resting against one of the porch posts as if he belonged there.
“Don’t you have a client who needs your attention?” she asked, not stopping as she brushed past him and slid her key from her pocket to let herself in.
When she tried to close the door behind her, Ian’s muscular arm shot out and his hand gripped the edge.
Those dark eyes leveled hers as she reined in her tears. No way would she let him see just how upset she truly was.
Tension crackled between them as Ian stood on the threshold, making no move to come in or leave.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“I want to know why you didn’t tell me you had a daughter.”
“Do you have kids?” she retorted.
He blinked. “No.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t?”
“It never came up.”
She threw her arms out. “Exactly. We didn’t discuss too much personal stuff before...”
Single Man Meets Single Mom Page 5
