by KyAnn Waters
“Oh sorry. Of course.” She handed him one of the pillows. “You need a blanket, too.” She started to pull at the down-filled comforter.
He shook his head. There are more in the closet. I’ll get one. “Goodnight, Cassie.”
She mumbled something, rolled over and burrowed beneath the covers.
Chapter Ten
Cassie lay awake, aware of the noises Trent made. Not snoring, but groans and mumbles. She wasn’t sure if he dreamed or not. Moonlight streamed into the room. If she turned, she could see him, but she didn’t want him to know she lay awake. When she’d stepped out of the bathroom and saw the broad expanse of his tanned chest, the trim waist, and the downy hair that disappeared into his kilt, she’d nearly choked on her tongue. She groaned inwardly. Was she actually getting wet? God, he was too handsome for words.
She carefully stretched her legs trying not to make a sound. The scent of his cologne clung to the pillow. Dear Lord, give her strength. It was going to be difficult enough keeping an in-name-only marriage secret. How would keep secret a real marriage she’d consummated? Could she look Father Victor in the eye and lie in order to get an annulment?
Cassie started at a thump. Trent cursed. Her heartbeat jolted into rapid rhythm. What the hell was going on? She resisted the urge to turn toward him. Covers rustled, followed by another curse then an exasperated sigh.
Cassie remained still, trying to fall asleep, but the words ‘I do,’ spoken by her, played over and over in her mind. Married. She’d been taught that marriage was sacred—and forever. She was a modern woman and no saint, and she couldn’t exactly say she regretted their business deal. Still, it was weird.
Another rustle of his covers and she tensed. What would she do if Trent crawled into bed with her? Kick him out! That would be a complete violation of their agreement, and really would make her a whore. On the other hand, if they’d met under normal circumstances, if she’d been a guest at one of his parties, perhaps, she could have invited him to dinner, then another dinner and another, and then she would have invited him back to her place where she would have let him crawl into bed with her.
She’d had those large hands on her wrists, arms, the small of her back when they’d danced. What would they feel like sliding around her waist, up her stomach to her breasts and across her nipples? A tremor rippled through her. Warm, his lips would be warm when he dipped his head to take a marble-hard areola into his mouth. The juncture between her legs tightened. Sweet God in heaven, his easy touch could bring her to orgasm. His weight on her, pressing her into the mattress, his cock hard against her sex, then probing, pushing, stretching—Cassie jumped when Trent muttered something.
She held her breath, heart hammering against her ribs. Had she inadvertently moaned? Oh, she would never live it down if he guessed her thoughts. Silence followed and Cassie slowly released her breath. By all that was unholy, she’d lost her mind. If she—
Her phone rang.
Cassie bolted upright. The tone was muffled. Her purse. She threw back the covers. Where had she left her purse? She turned, unable to home in on the location. Then it sounded again, near the window. Doris must have put it on the desk when she moved her things into Trent’s room. Cassie hurried the four paces to the desk. Moonlight illuminated the desktop. She grabbed the purse then started to open it. No! The ring would blare once out of the purse.
She started for the bathroom, then thought better of passing Trent and turned right toward the walk-in closet. Cassie reached the closet, stepped inside, then eased the door closed. Her heart pounded. Who was calling her this time of night? She pulled the phone from the purse, then froze at sight of Antonio Bionchi’s number flashing on the screen. Her mother had set Cassie up on one blind date with the guy and he acted like they were engaged. He’d called four times in the last week. This is what she got for ignoring his calls. Cassie turned off the ringer, slumped against the clothes and released a breath. God was punishing her.
Keeping her life with Trent separate from her real life might not be as easy as she thought. Thought? She hadn’t given the matter much thought. Tomorrow, she had to call her family and— The phone vibrated in her hand. Her cousin Sophia’s number displayed in the screen. Cassie stared for two heartbeats before realizing that Antonio must have called Sophia when she hadn’t picked up. Cassie’s mother and Antonio’s mother attended the same church bingo group and Sophia had met him several times at mass.
Cassie hit the accept button and pressed the phone to her ear. “That asshole called you, didn’t he?”
“He’s not an asshole, Cassie. He’s smitten with you. It’s a compliment. The guy is gorgeous.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “We went on one date. Sophia, we had nothing to talk about, he speaks very little English.”
“Think of all the fun you’ll have teaching him anatomy.”
“I’m not interested and I resent your interference.”
Sophia laughed. “I answer to a higher authority than you.”
Cassie groaned. “Mom.”
“You got it.
“I’ll deal with Mom.”
Sophia laughed again. “I’d like to see that.”
The door burst open and the overhead light flared to life. Cassie blinked against the sudden intrusion, then took a startled step back. Trent stood in the doorway.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“Is that a man’s voice?” Sophia said.
Cassie stared at Trent. He wore only boxer briefs. His eyes were dazed slightly, as if he’d woken suddenly and his hair—oh god, that adorably mussed hair was too cute. Don’t look at his legs, don’t look at his legs, she mentally repeated. How could a man possibly have such perfect tanned legs that seemed to go on forever? God really was testing her.
“What’s wrong, Cassie?” he said.
“That is a man’s voice,” Sophia cried. “No wonder you didn’t want to talk to Antonio.” Sophia’s whoop blared through the phone. “You’re with another man.”
Trent’s eyes jerked onto the phone and Cassie realized she’d pulled it from her ear.
“Antonio?” Trent repeated.
Cassie jammed the phone to her ear. “I’m working, Sophia. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Working, my ass,” Sophia said before Cassie could hit the end call button.
Trent frowned. “What’s going on?”
“I-I’m sorry I woke you,” she blurted. “My cell phone rang.” She extended it as if it wasn’t obvious what she was talking about. “My cousin called.” It wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the whole truth.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “Oh, yeah, sorry. Big family, remember? One of them is always calling.”
“It’s after midnight.”
She shrugged. “That’s family.”
“Okay.” He started to turn away, then stopped. “Are you going to stay in the closet?”
“Oh, of course not.”
He didn’t move and she realized he was waiting for her to come back into the room. Please, please, please move, she telepathed, but he didn’t. She drew her arms close to her body, determined not to touch him, and willed her legs to remain steady as she walked past him. Cassie released a breath and continued toward the bed. The closet light went out and she stopped, blind in the sudden darkness. She blinked in an effort to adjust her eyes to the moonlit room and edged forward. Warm fingers closed around her arm and she started.
“Come on.” Trent urged her forward.
They took three steps and her eyes adjusted enough to discern the bed. Trent released her and the side of her arm brushed his—what, ribs, belly? Cassie swallowed and scrambled into bed. She set the phone on the nightstand, her attention on Trent as he padded back to the couch.
He abruptly stopped. “You sure everything is okay?”
“Sure, why wouldn’t it be?” She gave thanks her voice sounded strong.
“I just wanted to be sure you don’t have any regrets
.”
Regrets? She had plenty. But she knew what he meant. “Honestly, Trent, in my family, a call from a family member is not a momentous occasion.”
“Who’s Antonio?”
“What do you have, Vulcan hearing?” she muttered.
“Something like that.”
He waited and she realized he expected an answer. “He’s a guy my mother set me up with.”
“You didn’t tell me you were involved with anyone,” Trent said.
“Because I’m not. He was a blind date. We went out once.”
“A guy you went out with once called you at two in the morning?” he demanded.
“You said it was a little after midnight.”
“Here in Colorado,” he said. “In Miami, it’s after two.”
Dammit. He would notice that. “He’s from Italy. He may still be on Italian time.
Trent laughed. “That’s one of the lamest excuses I’ve ever heard for a late call.”
“Too bad,” Cassie said, and dragged the blanket over her head.
Cassie started awake, surprised by the sun that streamed through the windows. She blinked the digital clock on the nightstand into focus. 6:15. She sat up and draped her legs over the side of the bed.
And saw Trent.
He lay on the floor, the blanket bunched under his back and a pillow tucked beneath his head. One arm lay across his face while the other rested on the flat plain of his stomach.
Cassie bit her lip. He didn’t look comfortable, but he did look beautiful. She couldn’t look last night when he was awake. Now, however, she could look all she wanted. Muscles defined the smooth angles of his chest. Dark hair circled his flat nipples, bisected his corded abdominals and disappeared into the waistband of his gray boxer briefs. The gray fabric confined the rigid length and thickness of his morning erection. God help her. What had she done to deserve this torture?
She slipped from the bed, grabbed slacks and a shirt from the closet, then carefully opened the dresser drawer, withdrew panties and a bra and turned. She was never going to get the image of Trent lying sprawled on the floor in nothing but those tight underwear out of her head—which meant she would get little sleep. Those legs and that—
“Are you getting a good enough look?”
Cassie jumped at the sound of Trent’s voice, then squeaked at sight of his open eyes. She whirled and raced for the bathroom. Cassie slammed the door shut and backed up several paces, half expecting the door to open. Silence followed. She stared at the door. How would she face him after he caught her staring at his nearly naked body? Oh, this was so bad.
Twenty minutes later, Cassie had showered and dressed and was desperate for coffee.
She opened the bathroom door and peeked into the bedroom. Trent’s blanket draped the foot of the bed, his pillow lay next to hers, but he was gone. She released a breath and found her way to the kitchen. The scent of fresh brewed coffee drew her to the counter. Teacups and saucers sat on the counter. She poured a cup and sipped. The hot brew flowed across her tongue. For a moment she felt like herself.
“Morning, Cassie.” Meg entered and poured herself coffee.
Cassie smiled. Was it a good morning? She couldn’t be sure yet. She would get some work done, let Maryanne know that she wouldn’t be back until Wednesday.
“I just spoke with Trent,” Meg said. “He’s in his office.”
“Thanks.” If she was lucky, he would stay there all day. She headed back to Trent’s bedroom.
By the time she’d returned to the room, the bed had been made and her satchel rested on the desk near the window. She went to the desk then paused and stared out the window. A fresh covering of powdered snow glistened like tiny jewels on the ground and pines. She could sit at this desk and work for hours without growing tired of the scene. Cassie placed her cup on the desk and set up her laptop, then went to work.
A soft knock sounded. She twisted and looked over her shoulder as the door opened.
Trent entered and strode to the desk. “Good morning.”
Embarrassment sent butterflies skittering across the insides of her tummy. To her relief, Trent didn’t act as if he’d caught her ogling him only an hour ago.
She smiled. “Hi.”
“What are you doing up here?”
“Getting some work done.”
Whiskers shadowed his jaw. “Did you have breakfast?”
She lifted her coffee cup. “This is my usual. How’s James?”
“Still sleeping. It’s a bit early for him, and he was up later last night than usual.”
“Is he all right? Did I tire him out too much last night? Darn it, I should have insisted he go to bed earlier.”
Trent chuckled. “I doubt anyone could have kept him in bed even with chains.” His expression softened. “I haven’t seen him that happy in too long.”
“I’m glad. He was telling some interesting stories.”
“Interesting stories?” Trent groaned. “Oh no, you don’t mean…”
Cassie nodded. “He was telling stories about you when you were younger.”
Trent leaned his backside on the edge of the desk and folded his arms over his chest. “Do I need to apologize for something?”
She laughed. “Not unless you intend to raid my panty drawer and hang panties on the trees in front of my window.”
“I was young when I did that,” he replied.
Cassie lifted a brow. “Twenty-four.”
“Granddad told you that, too, did he?”
She nodded, trying to hide the smile that pulled at her mouth.
“Would you buy that boys will be boys?” Trent asked.
She grimaced. “I have four brothers. I’ve seen it all.”
Trent threw his head back and laughed. Cassie’s heart warmed at the deep rich sound.
“Tell your brothers I said thanks,” he said.
“He also told the story of how you pulled your friend out of the ice when he fell through.”
To Cassie’s surprise—and delight—Trent actually blushed. “I was sixteen, too young and stupid to know better than to jump in after her.”
“I know a lot of sixteen-year-olds who wouldn’t have jumped in,” Cassie said. “I’d say, you just didn’t stop to consider the danger.”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“He’s very proud of you.”
Trent eyes clouded over. “I worked hard to make him proud.”
“You really love him.”
Trent gave a sheepish smile. “Corny, I know.”
Cassie laid a hand on his arm. “No. It’s not. Your devotion is touching.” She withdrew her hand. “You have no idea how many men are turned off by my large family.”
“Why?”
“Why? Last night is a perfect example. You found me in your closet talking to my cousin after midnight.”
“You made it sound like it wasn’t that late,” he said.
She shrugged. “I didn’t want you angry that you’d been woken up by a phone call from my family.”
His expression turned serious. “Cassie, I will never be angry by a phone call from your family, no matter the time, day or night.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Thanks. Do you have anything planned with your grandfather today?”
Trent shook his head. “Just relax and hang out. When he gets up, we’ll have lunch. I usually read to him before dinner.”
“What are you reading? Tom Clancy, David Baldacci or do you delve into the darker worlds of Clive Barker or Dean Koontz?”
His eyes twinkled. “Would you think any less of me if I told you we were reading Wuthering Heights?
Cassie regarded him. “You did read Wuthering Heights, didn’t you?”
He nodded. “We finished it three days ago.”
“What did you think of it?” she asked. “
“I appreciated it much more than I did in high school.”
She grimaced. “I know what you mean.”
He straightened from the desk. “I
’ve got to get some work done. Why don’t you join me in my office? This desk is comfortable writing a letter or two but that chair will have your back aching inside of an hour.”
She’d noticed. “I don’t want to disturb you.”
“You won’t.”
Cassie nodded. “Okay.” She closed her laptop and unplugged it, then reached for the coffee.
“Leave the coffee,” he said. “I’ll have Doris bring up a fresh pot.”
She rose and followed him from the room.
Once in the office, Trent nodded to a small desk located in front of the window that overlooked the mountain. ‘Will this do?” he asked
“You can’t go wrong with any of the views here,” she said.
“Give me a minute and I’ll get office chair.”
He left and Cassie meandered to the bookcase located on the left wall. She lifted a small antique frame from the middle shelf. Because of the age of the picture, the black and white patina and the fashion of the man and woman in the picture, she guessed these must be Trent’s grandparents when they were married. The woman’s dress, traditional and very conservative, had a high lace neckline. Cassie set the picture back on the shelf and picked up the frame next to it. The little boy propped on the man’s shoulders had to be Trent. The familiar amber eyes, the full mouth.
Trent appeared, pushing an office chair. “I was four in that picture,” he said as he parked the chair in front of the small desk.
Cassie replaced the frame. “I didn’t mean to snoop.”
He crossed to her. “It’s okay. That was the last picture taken of my parents. We were on holiday in Morocco. The following morning, they were killed in a car accident.”
Cassie started. She had no idea what to say. “I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Sadly, most of my memories of them are in photographs. I remember my mother singing Gaelic lullabies to me. I only remember the melody. Grandfather knows the songs, but I think it hurts too much to remember.” Trent sighed. “He’s given me all he has over the years.”
She nodded. “You’re lucky. You might not have a big family, but what you have is special.”
