Somewhere Along the Way

by Ruth Cardello

  Yes, she told herself firmly and made her way to her own room. One-night stands are like midnight fridge binges. You’re hungry, it’s there, and if you indulge you will regret it in the morning.

  Even if it’s good. She closed the door of her bedroom and leaned back against it. And it would be. I bet it would be fucking amazing.

  I need to stop swearing now that I might be a mother.

  A mother.

  Shit.

  I could be pregnant. This is bad. He can’t stay here another night.

  Cassie pushed off from the door, stepped out of her shoes, and pulled her dress up over her head. She hung it on a hook beside the bathroom and shuffled inside. She dropped her bra into the hamper inside the bathroom. Her nightgown wasn’t on the back of the door where she expected it to be. She shivered and looked around in frustration. I need to get back to normal.

  Heading into the bedroom, she spotted her nightgown on a chair near her closet just as the lights flickered and went out. No. No. No.

  Without giving her eyes time to adjust to the darkness, Cassie rushed across the room and tripped over an ottoman she’d forgotten was there. In just her panties, she fell to the floor with a loud thud. A string of profanity flew from her mouth as she checked if all her limbs were still intact before easing herself up onto her knees.

  “Cassie? Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she said in a rush, praying she’d locked her door.

  “I heard a crash.”

  Cassie stood and tried to remember if there was anything else between where she was standing and her nightgown. “I’m fine.” Unable to remember if she’d locked her door, Cassie scrambled for something to cover up with. “Go back to your room. I just need a minute.” She followed the edge of her bed with her hand, knowing she was almost there when she felt the edge of the nightstand. She stubbed her toe on its leg, hunched over in pain, and knocked over a small glass lamp. The sound of it shattering on the wood floorboards echoed through the room. She couldn’t see where the glass was, and she was barefoot. Double shit.

  “Did something just break in there?” He sounded genuinely concerned.

  “It sounds that way.” She stepped onto the chair and steadied herself, trying to remember where she’d left her slippers.

  Luke opened the bedroom door. “Where are you?”

  “I’m in the corner of the room, but don’t come over here. There’s glass all over the floor.”

  “I have my shoes on.”

  “I’m not dressed.”

  “Oh,” he said, his voice suddenly deeper than usual. “Not at all?”

  “Not enough. So stay right where you are.” Cassie felt around behind her for her nightgown. When her hand finally closed on it, she whipped it up over her head and slid it on. “Thank God.”

  “Why does that sound like you found clothes?”

  The amused disappointment in his voice brought a reluctant smile to Cassie’s lips. “Because I did. I’m serious about the glass, though. Do you have a flashlight?”

  “Usually I use my cell phone, but since I bought one of the really smart ones, it’s where it always is—charging.”

  “We can use the light on mine. If you walk straight into the room it’s on the bureau.”

  “I could simply carry you over the glass.”

  “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Because we both know where it would lead?” When Cassie didn’t say anything, Luke continued, “We may have just met, but I know you feel it, too. Whatever this is. Why deny it? We’re both adults. We’re alone. There’s nothing wrong with cutting loose for a change. Aren’t you tired of always doing the right thing?”

  His voice was deep and seductive. A battle raged within Cassie. She wanted to tell him to get out. She wanted to invite him to stay. She whispered, “No.”

  “Ever wonder who you’d be if you didn’t always do the right thing?”

  If another man had asked that, Cassie would have thought it was a line. Instead, there was something touching about the way he asked the question. Luke seemed like a man at a crossroads in his life. Cassie told herself whatever he was going through was none of her business. She’d barely figured herself out. She didn’t have the answers he needed. Still, it was impossible not to wonder what had brought him to a place where he would ask such a question. She answered him honestly. “Unfortunately, I know exactly who I would be, and I’m not that person anymore.”

  A beam of light shone in her direction as he turned on her phone. He studied her face for a long moment. The earlier playfulness was gone. “I won’t pretend I don’t want you.”

  Perched high on the chair in the corner of her room, Cassie tried not to look as ridiculous as she felt. “We all want things we can’t have, Luke. You’re on vacation. You made a pass at me. I turned you down. You find that exciting. But it doesn’t change that you’ll be back in New York before you know it, and if I say yes, I’ll be some woman you slept with on your trip to Ohio. I don’t want that.”

  “I could—”

  “You said that before. Stay for what—another day? A week? Then what? You don’t get to come into my life and mess it up; do you hear me?”

  In the darkness behind the stream of light, his face was hidden from her view. “I would never—”

  Wrapping her arms around her waist, Cassie said, “Don’t say it. I’ve heard it too many times. I can’t risk it again. Not now. Not when I’m finally happy.”

  Luke walked over to Cassie and handed her the cell phone. He stood in front of the chair with a torn expression on his face. “Someone hurt you, Cassie, but it wasn’t me.”

  She met his eyes cautiously.

  He held out his hand to her. “I will carry you across the glass, and you will let me.”

  She didn’t move. “How do I know . . .?” Her voice trailed away, leaving an unspoken question hanging between them. How do I know I can trust you?

  “You know.”

  She put a hand on his shoulder, and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the door of her room. As he walked, the glass crunched beneath his shoes. At the door, he stepped out of his shoes and lowered her to the floor. The light on her phone went off, and they were standing in the dark once again. Within the intimate circle of his arms, she felt his arousal against her stomach and shivered. Conflicting emotions swirled within her. He’d said he wanted her and was sporting impressive evidence that he did. She knew she should be worried, but she felt oddly safe within the circle of his strong arms.

  She hoped her excitement wasn’t as obvious as his. She knew she should pull away, but she was getting wet even as she mentally recounted the many reasons she couldn’t sleep with him that night.

  “Do you have flashlights?” he asked, his voice sounding a little strangled.

  She coughed nervously at the double meaning. “No.”

  “Candles? How about a generator?”

  “I have candles downstairs. I meant to buy a generator, but . . .”

  “Without power, will the heat work?”

  “No.” It wasn’t something that felt like an impending problem, given her skin was on fire everywhere it contacted Luke’s muscular body. She told herself it was time to turn her phone light back on, but there was something unreal, almost dreamlike, about standing in the dark together. “But we can make a fire.”

  He tensed against her, groaned, then took one of her hands in his. “Let’s go find those candles and build a fire before I change my mind and take you right here on the stairs.”

  And I’d let you, Cassie thought. She turned her phone light on and illuminated the stairs, careful not to look up at Luke. “There are blankets and pillows downstairs. We can pull two couches close to the fire. It’ll be fine.”

  Even in the dark, Cassie felt his eyes on her face. “Cassie, I heard what you said earlier. Nothing will happen between us . . . tonight.”

  There was so much Cassie wanted to say. She wanted to explain to him if they had met years before she
might have spent the night in his arms. God knows, if she’d met him in her early twenties she wouldn’t have thought twice about being with him. But she’d chosen a different path, and in her mind, a better one.

  She caught herself before she placed a hand on her stomach. It was a path she might not be on alone anymore. Which was more than enough reason to say no to Luke.

  She opened her mouth, about to regurgitate some of her story to him, but when she met his eyes the words fell away. He was looking down at her with a protective, possessive expression that shook her. What would it be like to belong to man like that? Even if it were only for a night.

  I’ll never know.

  Cassie squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

  He continued to look down at her, then the boyish smile that had melted her defenses earlier returned, and he said, “Come on, Cupcake, let’s go build that fire.”

  He led the way down the main stairs, and despite everything Cassie told herself, she knew she would probably have followed him right back to his room if that had been his choice. She couldn’t say yes to him, but she was equally unable to say no.

  ***

  A short while later, Luke lay back on a couch in Cassie’s living room and tucked the blankets around himself in frustration. He looked across at Cassie who was bending over in front of the fire, placing another log onto it. He would have offered to do it himself, but each time she stood in front of it, the firelight made her nightgown transparent, and as he was discovering, he was only human.

  He doubted a single one of his brothers would have spent the night on one couch if the woman they desired was on the other. I told her nothing would happen tonight.

  Why?

  Because I’m a nice guy.

  And nice guys don’t get . . .

  Returning to the other couch he had pushed beside his, Cassie crawled beneath the covers. He’d placed the furniture so he and Cassie were at an angle, not only to be warmed by the fire, but also to see each other. She tucked a hand beneath her head, watching him as the sexual tension between them became almost unbearable. “Tell me about your life in New York.”

  Her request took Luke by surprise. He’d been asked the question a hundred times, but usually it was part of a tedious conversation. What is it like to be from such a wealthy family? Do you really work? Why? “What would you like to know?”

  “I know it’s none of my business, but . . .”

  Luke propped himself up onto one elbow. No matter what she asked, he wanted to answer. She wanted to know him better. He certainly wanted to know her. All of her. Intimately. Repeatedly. Then once again until they were both too exhausted to continue. “Ask me anything.”

  She searched his face before answering. “I’m curious about your brothers. You said they don’t get along. If they’re anything like you, I can’t imagine that.”

  Her interest seemed sincere, and it occurred to him she probably had no idea he came from an immensely wealthy family. There was no reason for her to know. His family was well-known in New York, but he doubted many out in Ohio knew of them. It was refreshing to simply be looked upon as a man and not a doctor who chose his own schedule because he’d donated a wing to the hospital. “My oldest brother, Gio, has been the head of the family ever since my father died. Honestly, probably before then. Some people think he’s stern, but he sees himself as our protector. He always has. My next brother, Nick, is the exact opposite. Or, at least, he was for a very long time. He’s coming around. You’d like him. He could charm candy from a baby. And he’s hilarious. My youngest brother, Max, is a true independent soul. Tracking him down is practically a family pastime.”

  “They don’t sound so awful.”

  Luke frowned. “Did I say they were?”

  “You said they were exhausting.”

  Nodding, Luke said, “I did, didn’t I? They can be. Gather them together for more than five minutes, and sometimes I feel like a lion trainer trying to keep the peace.”

  Cassie tucked a curl behind her ear. “How do you think they’d describe you?”

  Luke didn’t want to answer that. He knew. They’d told him often enough. Finally, he said, “Unrealistically optimistic. It’s not a label most surgeons wear proudly.”

  “I’d guess not. But it’s probably a good trait for a brother to have.”

  As lost as he felt, Cassie’s version of him was more than a little appealing. She had a way of taking what he least liked about himself and making it sound normal, if not admirable. Luke fluffed his pillow then flopped down onto it, looking up at the ceiling. “I’m coming to the conclusion it’s not a good trait in any situation.” He turned his head so he could see Cassie. “What about you? You said you don’t have family. Was there an accident?”

  Cassie pulled the blanket tighter around herself. She closed her eyes. “No. Sorry, Luke. Can we talk in the morning? I’m tired.”

  So, she didn’t want to discuss her family. It made him even more curious. He knew next to nothing about her except she’d moved from Detroit a couple years ago and started a new life in Defiance. Even though her eyes were firmly shut, he knew she was still awake. “There is nothing you could say that would shock me, Cassie. Or make me like you less.”

  Cassie punched her pillow and rolled away from him. “Said like a man who has never spent a day in hell. Goodnight.”

  Luke wanted to apologize. He wanted to ask her a hundred questions, but he covered his eyes with his arm and told himself to go to sleep.

  Hell came in many forms. Emotional. Physical. Combinations of both.

  He had no right to ask her to describe hers if he was unwilling to share his.

  Not yet.

  Chapter Four

  Cassie woke to the morning sunlight; the room was warm even though the fire had gone out. Power must have returned sometime during the night. She walked to the window and pushed back the blue curtains. A path to her front door had been cleared. She walked through her small kitchen. From the window, she saw the back path had also been cleared.

  Luke’s coat was hanging by the door, and there were gloves on the kitchen table he must have worn while he shoveled. He was back inside, but where was he?

  Cassie put a pot of coffee on, then called the restaurants that had open orders for the cupcakes. Two were closed because of the weather. One was open.

  “We have everyone busy shoveling us out. Could you drop them off to us?” asked Bonnie Duvall, the owner of one of busiest coffee shops in town. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, had been the first in town to put in an order from Cassie’s Creations. There wasn’t much Cassie wouldn’t do for them.

  “Absolutely. How soon do you need them?” The storm had ended. Her street looked passable, if not yet clear.

  “Before eleven?”

  “See you then,” Cassie said. She checked the time on her phone. She had just enough time to shower, pack up her SUV, and make the delivery. She went to the closet to grab a dustpan and broom, but it was missing. Figures. Everything got confused yesterday, but I’ll put it all back in order today.

  Cassie stepped into her snow boots and decided they were also anti-glass boots until she located the dustpan. She headed up to the second floor of the house. Luke’s door was open, and Cassie thought she heard the sound of his voice inside, but she didn’t let herself stop. She raced into her room, closed the door behind her, and locked it. No surprises today. No mooning at him. Yesterday was the result of an extremely emotional day for both of us. I’m sure he’s just as relieved as I am that nothing happened last night.

  Cassie looked around her bedroom and realized the glass from the night before had been cleaned up. The broom and dustpan were leaning against the wall near a small wastebasket. Cassie’s eyes misted. She wasn’t used to being taken care of. Tilly offered her help now and then, but that was different. She was a friend. Luke was . . . nothing.

  And leaving.

  So what if he picked up a little glass?

  Shoveled for me?

  M
en will do anything to get into a woman’s bed. They turn on the charm until they get what they want. Then, wham, they’re gone.

  She gave herself a stern look in her bathroom mirror. Your days of being naïve are over. Let it go. Let him go. Don’t do this to yourself.

  She took a short, hot shower, blew her hair dry, and threw on jeans and a blouse. She considered putting on makeup but stopped herself. It’s better if he doesn’t find me attractive. He needs to leave. Today.

  Squaring her shoulders, she walked out of her bedroom with the intention of telling him she’d prepare a quick breakfast for him, but he’d have to eat alone because she had a delivery to make. She’d write up his bill, give him directions to the airport or a local hotel. And that would be the end of it.

  Her resolve wavered when she saw him in the hallway. He was dressed in jeans as well, with a dark blue T-shirt that clung to his muscular chest in the sexiest way. His easy smile almost sent her scurrying back to her room. “Morning, Cupcake.”

  Unable to take her eyes off him, Cassie waved toward the stairs absently. “I have a delivery to make.”

  “I’ll go with you,” he said and strode over to where she was.

  Cassie swallowed hard. “You stay and eat breakfast. I have to go.” She couldn’t focus when he was so close. He smelled of soap and a light aftershave that made her want to lean in closer.

  He slid a hand beneath the hair on the nape of her neck and pulled her forward a step. Without a word, he gently claimed her lips. Cassie was too shocked to respond at first. She put a hand up between them, then gave herself over to the pleasure of his mouth on hers. Of the beat of his heart against her hand. He broke off the kiss before it deepened and brought his hands to her waist as if to pull her fully against him. “That and a coffee is all I need . . . for now.”

  “Cassie,” Tilly’s voice rang through the house. “Are you here? I saw your car outside.”

  Neither Cassie nor Luke moved at first, frozen like two guilty children. Cassie whispered, “That’s my neighbor, Tilly. She has a key.”

  Luke gave her a sexy smile that brought a flush to her cheeks. “Good to know.”