Casson turned then and she started, realizing how intently she had been staring at him.
“Of course we can be civil.”
He eyed her for a moment, then left his position at the window to sit down next to her on the love seat. Justine drummed a quiet beat on the arm of the seat, wondering why his eyes were glittering so devilishly. Was the room getting darker, or was it just her imagination?
What they needed was more illumination, she decided, and was about to turn on the other table lamp when a deafening series of thunderclaps shattered her thoughts. Instinctively she swiveled toward Casson, both palms landing flat against his chest. Luna yelped and scampered around the room, barking and panting.
Casson clasped her shoulders. Simultaneously horrified and shocked at her reaction—and his—she stared at him wordlessly, unable to wrench herself away. The rise and fall of his chest as he breathed made her shiver. While his eyes remained fixed on hers, his arms slid around to encircle her back.
Casson’s face was suddenly closer, his eyes intense, and Justine felt herself quiver. His lips made contact with hers and involuntarily she closed her eyes. His arms tightened around her and his kiss deepened. Justine felt her lips open as if they had a mind of their own. His gentle exploration ignited sparks of desire along her nerve-endings.
As if he could sense her powerlessness to tear herself away, Casson guided her hands from his chest to the back of his neck. He pressed Justine tightly to him. She responded hungrily, caught in the moment. When she felt the intensity of his kiss diminish she opened her eyes. He pulled slightly away from her, his eyes searing hers, and with a muffled groan lowered his face to nuzzle her neck.
Justine froze, her pulse pounding as erratically as the raindrops beating relentlessly against the window panes. What were they doing? How could she have allowed her emotions to get out of control like that? She didn’t even like this man, nor what he intended to do with his properties, and yet here she was, allowing him to be so intimate with her—as if they were a couple.
Casson must have felt her stiffening. He straightened and let her arms fall from around his neck. “That was a mistake,” she said as steadily as she could, avoiding his gaze. “You’d better go.”
She shifted away from him and crossed her arms and legs.
“Don’t you want to know what I had to tell you?”
Justine looked at him in bewilderment, and then recalled his earlier words.
“After checking in on my store, I was about to officially start my holidays and head out to Winter’s Haven when I spotted you in the paneling department.”
Justine frowned. “Why were you heading out to Winter’s Haven?” She looked at him pointedly. “You didn’t actually think there was a chance that I’d change my mind about selling, did you? I told you before—I’m not interested in any proposal you have to make.”
Casson’s mouth lifted at one corner. “Perhaps you’ll change your mind before my stay here is over,” he said calmly, stroking his beard.
“That will never happen, believe—” She broke off, her eyes narrowing warily. “What do you mean, your stay here?”
“I plan to spend a week of my holiday at Winter’s Haven. I’d like to see first-hand how things are run here.”
“That’s impossible.” She gave him a frosty smile. “All twelve cottages are booked to the end of the summer.”
Casson stood up lithely. “Just wait here a minute. I’ll go check my clothes.”
Justine watched him leave the room. Luna bolted after him and he turned, caught Justine’s eye, and said, “Go back, Luna. Go lie down.”
He winked at Justine and left the room.
Luna padded back and plunked herself down by Justine’s feet. Despite her annoyance with Casson, Justine couldn’t help being charmed by his big, friendly, generally well-behaved dog.
“Did you enjoy my muffin, you big cutie?” She laughed, patting Luna on the head, and Luna responded with a noisy yawn and rolled to one side. “Oh, now you want a belly rub, do you?” She smiled, leaning forward. “It’s obvious your master spoils you.”
“She deserves spoiling.”
Casson’s voice was behind her.
“Her original owner wasn’t so nice to her. He left her on the side of the road and took off. Before I could drive up to the spot she was gone. I found her wandering in the woods. Fur all covered with burrs. She was barely a year old.”
“Oh...poor baby.”
Justine felt tears stinging her eyes. She blinked rapidly, but a few slipped down. Luna sat up and immediately licked her on the cheek.
Not wanting Casson to know how emotional she felt, Justine laughed and said, “Well, maybe I might just give you another muffin, Miss Luna.”
“You’d better not,” Casson advised. “Muffins are not part of her diet.”
He stood across from her. He had changed back into his jeans and T-shirt, but his jacket was in his hands. He flung it on the arm of the couch and then reached into the pocket of his jeans. He held out a key that looked all too familiar to Justine.
She blinked. “Where did you get that?” she demanded. She could see the number engraved on it. The number one. For Cottage Number One—the cottage closest to her house. Justine stood up and reached for it. Casson’s reaction was quick. He drew back his arm, leaving Justine grasping at thin air.
“How did you get that key? The Elliots are renting that cottage.”
“They were,” he corrected.
“But—”
“Let me explain,” he interjected smoothly. “While I was waiting in the restaurant for you a couple of weeks ago I met the Elliots. Talking to them gave me the idea of renting one of your cottages. I made them an offer they couldn’t refuse—an all-expenses-paid round-trip anywhere in the world in exchange for their cottage for a week.” He smiled. “My timing was perfect. They had recently received an invitation from friends in Greece and declined, since they couldn’t afford it. Needless to say, they jumped at my offer.”
Justine gaped at him. “I can’t believe this. They would have said something to me about it. It’s against the rules to let someone else stay in their cottage without asking me or Mandy first. And I make the final decision.”
Another infuriatingly smug smile. “I made them promise not to say anything. I told them I wanted to surprise my very good friend with a visit...and a proposal.”
Justine’s stomach muscles tightened. Her anger had been growing with his every word, and at this revelation she exploded. “A proposal? You had them believe you were going to propose to me?” She glared at him, her hands on her hips. “You had it all planned, didn’t you? How dare you manipulate my customers to get what you want? You had no right to use the Elliots that way, for your own advantage.”
“Would you have rented out a cottage to me if I had consulted you first?”
His voice was calm, which infuriated her all the more.
“Certainly not! I don’t rent out to devious, untrustworthy, manipulative... Oh, what’s the use?” She threw her hands up in the air. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Casson chuckled. “I’ve been called many things by women—mostly positive, I might add—but ‘old dog’ is a new one for me.” His eyes blazed down at her. “Could you be more specific as to the breed?”
“Don’t try to be funny, Mr. Forrester, and make light of this. I’m not amused.” She stuck out her hand. “The only decent thing for you to do is to give me back the key. Besides, you now own the properties on either side of me. Why don’t you stay on one of them to carry out your surveillance tactics?”
“You make me sound like a spy,” he countered wryly. “I admit you have a good point, Miss Winter, but although I now own the properties I can’t really observe the way things are run at Winter’s Haven unless I’m actually here. Day and night. I thought it fair to at least te
ll you before settling in.”
“Fair?” She filled her lungs with air and let it out in a rush.
“Look, all I want is a week to see how this place operates.” His eyes narrowed speculatively. “You never know—the experience might even change my mind about going ahead with a large-scale venture. I may find that a smaller operation is more in keeping with the balance of nature in this area...”
“I have no guarantee that you will change your mind,” Justine retorted, “and I refuse to be subjected to your scrutiny for any length of time. Your tactics are futile. I have no intentions of selling to you. Ever. Now, give me the key, please. My hand is getting tired.” She glowered at him. “What you did may have negative legal implications—which, I assure you, I will look into if you do not return my key.”
“There’s nothing illegal about what I did and you know it,” he said, putting the key back in his jeans pocket. He glanced out the bay window. “I see the rain has stopped for the time being so, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take advantage of your dining facilities...”
He turned to leave.
“Won’t you join me, Miss Winter?”
Justine was sure her face was aflame. “No, thank you,” she replied icily, her blue-gray eyes flashing a warning at him. He was pushing her too far. If he didn’t soon leave she would throw...throw the remaining muffin or a cushion at him.
“See you later then,” he said with a slight nod. “Come on, Luna, I’ll take you to your new digs. I don’t believe you’re allowed in the diner.” When he opened the door to the porch, he called out, “Thank you for taking us in. Luna and I enjoyed the muffins...and your company.”
Justine swiveled around with a retort on the tip of her tongue, but he was already out the door. Deflated, she sank back down on the love seat.
* * *
Casson felt like letting out a boyish cheer as he left Justine’s place. Step one, accomplished! The rain had diminished to a soft drizzle, which he barely noticed as he opened the side door of his pickup truck. Luna jumped in happily, turning several times in her spot until sinking down, her big brown eyes looking at him expectantly.
Casson grinned and gave her several pats on her rump. “I suppose I should thank you for your part in this, Luna Lu.”
Luna gave a soft bark. Casson laughed and reached into his pocket.
“I may not have Miss Winter in the palm of my hand, but it sure felt good having her in my lap.”
And tasting her lips.
It was the last thing he’d expected to happen between them. He hadn’t planned it, but he couldn’t say he regretted it. How could he regret the feel of those soft, pliant lips against his? The way they’d opened to him, let him in deeper? The feel of her under that thin T-shirt, pressed against him so tightly? A mistake, she’d called it. But he had felt the electricity between them as she withdrew.
He wondered if she suspected he was using his masculine wiles to influence her and weaken her resolve about refusing to sell. That was not his intention, but he doubted she would believe him if he attempted to explain. So of course he had feigned indifference at her withdrawal, and proceeded to explain why he wanted to stay at Winter’s Haven.
He drove back to the Russell house—his house now—and set down his briefcase on the kitchen table. He pulled out a thick folder containing the deeds to his new properties. Now that he was actually on the main property he wanted to examine the maps and surveyors’ documents again. He wanted to become familiar with every curve, corner and contour of his land and shoreline.
Even on paper, the Russell and Winter properties occupied an impressive stretch of the Georgian Bay shoreline. The Russells had cleared very little of this property—just enough to snake a path through the dense forest and construct their home on the main parcel and a small cottage on the second one.
Casson peered closely at the map showing the zoning of the adjoining properties. He examined the boundaries of Winter’s Haven. It was obvious the Winters had also endeavored to maintain the rugged features of their property. Even though they had eventually added twelve cottages to the land, and an office/diner, they, too, were built with minimal clearing and, like the Russell property, sat further back from the shoreline.
Casson stared at one of the more detailed zoning maps. He shuffled through the folder and pulled out an older document. He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully as he compared them. He was no zoning expert, but he was certain there was a discrepancy in the documents. The older one showed the adjoining properties before any structures had been built. The document showing the addition of the properties revealed something that made him start.
Why hadn’t this been brought to his attention? Had the realtor even been aware of it?
Casson knew that both structures had been built in the fifties, and evidently had been beautifully maintained, with occasional renovations, but one thing he hadn’t known was the way a section of the Winter home had been erected on a slice of land that clearly belonged to the Russells.
Casson let out a deep breath. Justine’s place was sitting partially on his property.
He was certain she had absolutely no knowledge of this. Her parents probably didn’t either. Or if they did they hadn’t revealed it to Justine. It might have been an oversight that the Russells had dismissed, given that they owned so much land. And they had been the best of friends with the Winters. Mr. Winter had said as much, when he and Casson had first discussed the potential sale of Winter’s Haven.
Casson drummed his fingers on the smooth surface of the table. He wasn’t sure he wanted to share his findings with his new neighbor. Not just yet. But he would write a letter to Justine and wait for the appropriate time to give it to her.
He pulled out his laptop and quickly typed it up, ending with an invitation to meet him and discuss options. He was glad he had brought his portable printer with him—a habit, since he did so much travelling. After printing out a copy, he placed the letter and the other documents in an envelope and into his briefcase, along with his laptop.
Casson looked around. There would be time enough to enjoy his new place after a week at Winter’s Haven.
With a feeling of anticipation for the week ahead, Casson grabbed his briefcase and the one piece of luggage that he had packed the night before. Heading out to his truck with Luna, he began to whistle.
He couldn’t wait to settle in to Cottage Number One.
CHAPTER FOUR
NONE OF THE cottagers were in the diner yet. Justine glanced at the board indicating the special of the day—turkey cranberry burgers with arugula salad—and helped herself to a cup of coffee before sitting at one of the tables by the window. Mandy was still in the office, on the phone with a booking. Justine had waited for a bit, anxious to tell her what Casson Forrester had had the nerve to do, but Mandy had waved her away, indicating she would join her when she was done.
Justine sipped her coffee and looked out at the bay. The sky was a slate of gray, ruffled with layers of low cloud. She thought about Casson Forrester settling in to Cottage Number One and felt a shiver run through her body.
She replayed earlier events in her mind—from her realization that the jerk following her was Casson, to his barging into her home with Luna and the deafening series of thunderclaps that had caused her to end up in Casson’s arms. The last thing she had ever imagined when he’d first strode into the office was that she’d be thoroughly kissed by him in her own home...and that she’d thoroughly enjoy it.
She wasn’t sure how long she had sat frozen on the love seat after Casson had left. She’d felt like she had been tossed about in a whirlwind, and had had to let her brain and body restore its calm and balance. Her feelings had alternated between fury at being manipulated and helplessness. She’d pondered calling a local police officer she knew, who had breakfast regularly in the diner. But what could he do, really? Perhaps she needed to consult a lawy
er to see if there was a way of getting Casson Forrester off her property...
Do you really want him off your property?
Justine started at the tiny inner voice that had popped into her mind. To be honest with herself, if Casson had been renting a cottage for a week or more, without any intention to take over, she would have been happy—thrilled would be more accurate. After all, who wouldn’t want to have the pleasure of looking at such a fine specimen of a man for any length of time? Despite the fact that she had been duped by Robert, she wasn’t so jaded that she could ignore the presence of someone as handsome as Casson.
But the fact of the matter was that Casson had an ulterior motive in staying at Winter’s Haven. And even if he had kissed her it was her property he wanted, not her.
“Hey, Justine. What are you dreaming about?” Mandy smiled and sat down across from her.
Justine snapped out of her thoughts and took a deep breath. “Remember Casson Forrester, who was here last week?”
Mandy’s eyes widened. “Mr. Gorgeous, you mean? The hunk I wish they’d name an ice cream flavor after?”
“Mandy! You’re engaged, remember?” Justine couldn’t help laughing.
“I’m engaged—not blind!”
“Well, Mr. Forrester has just finagled his way into staying at Winter’s Haven. He wants to observe how things are run up close. I guess he figures he’ll find a way to convince me to sell. He’s staying in Cottage Number One for a week.”
Justine paused, watching Mandy’s face wrinkle in confusion. She clearly had no idea of the transaction between Casson and the Elliots.
“What? How can that be? The Elliots are in there!”
Justine explained, then sat back, crossing her arms. “Now, what should we do? Call Constable Phil? A lawyer?”
“Geez...” Mandy’s brows furrowed. “Do we want to complicate things? Other than being hot, Casson Forrester seems pretty harmless. Ambitious, maybe, but not dangerous. Look, you’re not going to sell, so why don’t you just let him enjoy the cottage and in a week’s time you can kiss him goodbye!”
Swept Away by the Enigmatic Tycoon Page 5
