Sudden Seduction, A

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  She opened the door into the waiting room and stopped short. Tim stood beside the receptionist’s desk. The woman hadn’t arrived. Was he waiting for her? Maybe he planned to leave a message and duck out again.

  Cassie sucked in a breath. Matt’s assessment of Tim leaped into her thoughts and spread across her tongue.

  “You’re a fool.” Her voice contained slivers of ice.

  He whirled. “Cassie, it just happened. She’s pregnant.”

  “And you were so deep in lust you forgot how to prevent the event?”

  “She said she was on the pill.”

  Cassie laughed. “How many times did you tell me double was the rule? My opinion of you hasn’t changed.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “We’re doing nothing. I cancelled the church. I let people know the wedding is off. You’ll learn how to be a husband and a father.” She slipped past him. The time with Matt had given her the courage to face Tim.

  “Don’t you care?”

  His gall astonished her. “I was hurt and angry. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

  “I—I.”

  “Don’t bother to find an excuse and don’t worry about me. I’ll survive and prosper.”

  “Cassie.” He reached for her.

  She stepped away. “I’ll pack the things you left at the apartment and bring them here.” She smiled. “The doorman at the apartments knows not to let you in.”

  His gaping mouth surprised her. Had he thought—of course he had believed she would continue to see him.

  He grasped her arm. “Rhonda was right. You don’t love me.”

  “Just a minute.” She shook off his hand. “Don’t talk about love or even caring. I wasn’t sleeping with another man. Right now I’m angry at myself for wasting five years waiting for the right time—one that would never come.”

  “How soon will you be leaving the practice?”

  “I’m not. I like working here. I like living in the area. It’s home. I can work with you but I won’t pick up your slack. No more making your hospital rounds, taking your night calls or seeing patients when you overbook courtesy of our office nurse. She’s out of a job.”

  “You can’t fire her.”

  “She was hired by us since we’re only associates of the practice. I can stop paying my share. If you choose you can pay her in full. Go ahead but she’ll have nothing to do with my patients.”

  “She said you’d seek revenge.”

  “Call it that if the words make you feel better.” His sputtered demands dwindled to silence. She entered her office, closed the door. She laughed. That felt good.

  The intercom buzzed. “Dr. Moore here.”

  Dr. Evans chuckled. “I’m proud of you. Meeting in the conference room in five.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Be prepared for questions about your plans.”

  “I’ve one answer. I’m staying.”

  “Even if you must work with Tim.”

  “Even then. One thing though. I won’t continue to pick up after him.” Cassie reached for the white lab coat and her stethoscope.

  “Good. Just stay calm when the shouting starts.”

  Cassie drew a deep breath. No matter what was said in the conference room she would hold her ground.

  Chapter Five

  Matt arrived at work twenty minutes before Jules was due. He opened the box of doughnuts he’d purchased at the bakery across the street from the office, took one and sipped coffee. A tap on the door interrupted his enjoyment of his morning routine. “Enter.”

  Jules strode in. He placed a folder on the desk. After selecting two of the pastries and the other coffee he sat across from Matt. He inhaled the steam rising from the container. “Thanks.

  “What news?” Matt asked.

  “Let me enjoy this first.” Jules bit a doughnut and sipped before putting the cup down. “Heaven.”

  “Tell.”

  “Had to traipse all over the tri-state area before tracking down the woman the lawyers mentioned.”

  “Where is she? When can we meet? Is she willing to sell?” Matt wiped his fingers on a napkin.

  Jules looked up. “She’s not the owner.”

  “Then who is?”

  “Her daughter. The woman’s away and will return on Saturday. We’re lucky though.”

  Matt leaned forward. “How so?”

  “Until the Smiton attorneys received a will from a London firm they had no idea the owner was dead or that he had a child.”

  Matt gritted his teeth. “Are these lawyers sure this isn’t a scam?”

  “The London firm is reliable.”

  “How old is this child? Where was it born? Why is this woman the guardian?”

  Jules laughed. “The one I’m waiting for isn’t the guardian. The heir may be a year or two younger than you. There was no marriage. The mother and daughter have the same name. The child was adopted by her step-father so the last name wasn’t Smiton or Thomas.”

  Matt’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s her name?”

  “Cassandra Moore. I haven’t learned where she is. I’ve started a country wide search but when the mother returns I’ll have an address. A few days shouldn’t matter.”

  Matt’s hands clenched. For a second his brain failed to wrap around Jules’s words. Cassandra Moore. Why hadn’t he questioned Jules on Saturday for details? Except the wedding reception wasn’t the time or place. He raised his head.

  “Are you sure this heiress is Cassandra Moore?” Matt grinned. He knew where she was. Didn’t matter about the phone number. He could find her. “I think I know her.”

  Jules arched a brown. “As in—“

  “Do not go there. If she’s the right one my problems are solved.” Not just for the house but for the way his cock leaped to attention every time he thought about her. He shifted in the chair.

  “Tell me and I’ll settle things.”

  Matt shook his head. “I’ve got this covered.”

  “Do you want me to speak to the mother?” Jules asked.

  “Put it on hold for now.” Matt opened the bottom drawer of his desk and palmed some necessary supplies. If he was going to see Cassie he had to be prepared. “Talk to you later.” He shoved his hand in a trousers’ pocket and strode to the door.

  “Where are you going?” Jules asked.

  “To see a woman about a house.” Matt paused at the secretary’s desk. “I’ll be away for a day or two. Refer any questions to my assistant. If he can’t solve them leave a voice message.”

  “But—“

  “Matt.”

  “Are you sure you want me to drop my search?”

  His secretary’s, his sister’s and Jules’s voices followed Matt as he bounded down the stairs to the parking garage. He drove to his apartment, packed a few clothes and left. He whistled random notes as he drove. Once out of the city he could make time. He would be in Cassie’s bed by mid-afternoon.

  After wending his way across the bridge he hit the road north. Four and a half hours later he reached the cabin. The door was locked. He peered in the windows and saw no sign anyone was there. With a groan he slumped against the porch rail and considered what to do.

  Maybe she’d gone to town for lunch and shopping. He dashed to the car and headed to the diner. Her car wasn’t in the parking lot. The waitress remembered him and Cassie from Sunday morning. Cassie hadn’t been in since then.

  Matt ordered a burger, fries and coffee. While he ate he planned the next move in his quest. Outside he tried to call Jules. No service even here. Nothing to do but return to the city. He would call Cassie from there.

  By the time he reached the apartment exhaustion threatened to send him to sleep. He ordered pizza and settled on the couch to call. He searched his directory and smacked himself on the forehead. He’d forgotten to ask for her number.

  I’ll call.

  I’d like that.

  Other urges had risen and he never thought to ask for the numbe
r to place in his directory. What now? How was she listed? A lot of women used an initial or a man’s name. He punched information. “Cassandra Moore or C. Moore.” The next question arrived. He couldn’t answer since he didn’t know where she lived.

  A computer search would help but in his haste he’d left his laptop at the office. He could run over and let himself in but he was too tired. Tomorrow would be soon enough to continue the search.

  Food arrived. He grabbed a beer and turned on the television. Two slices and a beer later he closed his eyes to rest them. He woke to an informational, staggered to bed and slept until morning. After showering and shaving he drove to the office. Armed with coffee and doughnuts he rode the elevator and logged on to continue the search.

  First her name. Several dozen appeared on the screen along with a box asking about other spellings. There were too many to search each one. His brow wrinkled. He knew she was a cardiologist and he figured she’d have her office near a big hospital in the city. So he refined the search and added C. Moore and New York City. There were three but none had MD after their name.

  “Damn!” His frustrated shout brought one of his sisters from her office next door into his.

  “What’s up? Allie asked. “Where were you yesterday?”

  “On a fool’s errand. Go away. I need to find a phone number and the net’s not cooperating.”

  Allie moved to his side. “Cassandra Moore, as in the girl who went to school with us. The nerd a year or two older than Megan and me?”

  “She’s not a nerd.”

  The look on Allie’s face would have been priceless, except he was the object of her speculation. “Have you seen her lately? Where? Is that why you raced away from Mark’s reception?”

  “It’s not what you think. She’s the owner of the Smiton house. I need to find her so I can buy the property.” He wasn’t about to mention other needs.

  “What’s she like?”

  “Tall, auburn hair, green eyes, great body.” The words sped from his tongue before he could stop. He halted before he added the other words hovering in his thoughts. Best sex I’ve had ever.

  Laughter bubbled from his sister. “So what’s the problem?”

  “She doesn’t live in the city. She’s a cardiologist so I thought she’d live here near of the hospitals in the city.”

  Allie leaned on the desk. “There are other hospitals and places to practice medicine. She could commute.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “She could live in Jersey, Connecticut or even upstate.”

  He groaned. The parameters of the search expanded. He logged off and grabbed the phone. There was a solution. By the weekend Jules would know. Matt groaned. He had promised to call Cassie and for her to save the weekend with him.

  Allie walked to the door. “Let me know if I can help.” She waved. “You’re next.”

  Problem was he wasn’t sure he could deny the prediction.

  * * * *

  On Tuesday Cassie left the office at five thirty. This afternoon she’d been officially made a partner. Tim hadn’t. He had picked up the things she’d packed including the gaudy engagement ring. Once again he’d tried to explain his actions in such a way as to place the blame on her. She had ignored his tale.

  Rhonda hadn’t bothered to report to work. Cassie had been thankful to miss another confrontation.

  Tim’s parting remark had hurt. He and Rhonda were using the plane tickets for Hawaii. Since he had paid for them Cassie couldn’t protest. She had cancelled the hotel reservations and failed to tell him. If he forgot to confirm the reservations the problem was his.

  Instead of driving to the apartment complex she parked in the town lot and paid for several hours. Her first stop was the Peek-a-boo Boutique for a celebratory purchase. A smug thought warmed her. She was a partner. Tim had six months to prove himself.

  Cassie paused outside the shop. She wished she had a friend close by to offer congrats. Unfortunately her friends were scattered across the country where they had settled after medical school and residencies. Her workaholic ways and Tim’s needs had hindered making other friendships. She would have to wait until Saturday when her mother and Ben to return from Europe to share her news.

  She opened the door of the shop. Soft music played. A floral scent filled the air. Displays of underwear were artfully displayed throughout the room. Cassie wasn’t sure where to begin.

  A blonde woman stood at the counter. She held a sheer white bra and bikini set decorated with sapphire butterflies almost the color of Matt’s eyes.

  Cassie paused beside a rack of thongs and bras. She’d never worn one but after the time with Matt she decided a set or two would inspire him. Not that he needed inspiration. A soft smile curved her lips. Would he call today? Would there be a message on her answering machine when she reached home.

  The blonde turned. “Oh my god, you’re Cassandra Moore.”

  “I am.” Cassie knew the blonde was one of Matt’s sisters. Not just the hair and eyes told of their relationship. The woman was a female version of Matt.

  “You’re one of the Blakefield sisters. Sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

  “Allie. What are you doing in town?" A smile speaking of a secret appeared.

  "I live in the apartment complex on the river.”

  “So do I. With Greg, my fiancé. Megan and Steve split their time between here and the city. Did Matt tell you about the wedding?”

  “Yours or the one he escaped.”

  “Mine.”

  “A double ceremony, right?”

  “Yes.”

  How much did Allie know about the weekend? Cassie was afraid to ask. She looked up. “He said he hated weddings.”

  “He would say that.” Allie joined Cassie at the thong display. “Where did the two of you meet? He was vague.”

  “Guess he didn’t tell you about the accident.”

  “What accident? Where? When?”

  “On Saturday during that awful rain storm. He ran his bike into a deer that turned into a tree near the cabin where I was staying.”

  Allie shook her head. “We warned him about the storm. He said he wouldn’t melt.”

  “That part was true.” Cassie found a deep green set. “He was lucky he didn’t break a few bones.”

  Allie lifted a pale green set with dark green leaves embroidered on the bra. “Try these.” She returned to the search. “Have dinner with me so we can get reacquainted.”

  “Wouldn’t I be intruding? I’m sure your fiancé expects you.”

  “Not tonight. You’ll save me from eating alone. Greg owns Five Cuisines and he’s working the evening shift.”

  “I’ve heard about the restaurant but I’ve never eaten there.”

  Allie lifted a teddy from a hanger. “Then join me. There’s usually an empty table or two. I’ve a dozen questions for you.”

  “I may not answer.” Cassie wasn’t sure this was a wise decision but she had questions of her own.

  Allie handed her the teddy. “Let me help you shop. With your coloring you’re an easy one to shop for.”

  “Lead on.” Cassie carried the selections to the counter.

  Before they left the shop she had spent several hundred dollars. The owner leaned on the counter. “Great choices. If you want any special effects I have some in the back.”

  Cassie nearly asked about edible bikinis but refrained. She didn’t think Matt’s sister needed any more ammunition for speculation. She added several scented and flavored lotions and oils to the purchase. She turned to Allie. “You’re a bad influence.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Cassie walked with Allie to her car and unloaded the packages and to add time to the meter. At the restaurant the hostess escorted them to the French room. Since Allie knew the menu Cassie let her order.

  A handsome dark-haired man brought their dessert. Allie stepped into his arms. “Greg, Cassie Moore’s the one Matt ran into on Saturday. He never mentioned running into a tree."

 
; “He wouldn’t,” Greg said. “Don’t rag him too much.”

  “I won’t.” Allie sat. “I have other plans.”

  “I’ll bet you do.” Greg tapped her nose. “Don’t let her lead you into trouble, Cassie.”

  “I won’t.”

  Allie grinned. “Not where my plan leads.”

  Greg turned away. “Cassie, nice to meet you. Sure hope to see you again.”

  “You will,” Allie said. “She lives at the apartments.’

  After finishing the almond flavored crème Brule they went to the car. At the apartment Allie got out while Cassie parked. When she reached the foyer Allie waited.

  “Come in for coffee. I have some questions.” Allie winked. “Also some info on my brother.”

  “I can’t stay long. Tomorrow’s my day to make early rounds at the hospital.’

  “Matt said you’re a cardiologist. You must know a lot about mending hearts.”

  Cassie laughed. “As long as they belong to patients and have a problem I can treat.”

  “Maybe you can fix Matt’s.”

  “Not unless he calls.”

  Allie opened the door of the ground floor apartment. “He forgot to ask for your number.”

  Cassie gasped. So he had. Did that mean she should call him? She decided to wait a day or two especially since his sister knew where she lived.

  Over coffee laced with chocolate liquor Allie weaseled most of the story of the weekend. Cassie recited the dramatic toast.

  “Are you looking for revenge?”

  Cassie shook her head. “His marriage to Rhonda and not being made a partner are revenge enough.” She rose. “Been fun but I have to leave.”

  “Are you free tomorrow evening?”

  “On call and never know when I have to leave.”

  “Thursday?”

  “Can do. I’m off on Friday.” She looked away so Allie wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. Friday was the day that would have been spent preparing for Saturday’s wedding.

  “Come by at six thirty for drinks. I’ll invite Matt.”

  “Sounds good.” Cassie carried her packages to the elevator. She liked Allie but would the friendship die when she and Matt parted?