The sight of his sculpted torso sent a ripple of pure desire through her body. As he set the items down on the kitchen counter she felt her cheeks burning. She patted Luna and then turned around slowly, hoping Casson had gone to change, but he was still standing across from her, one hand on the back of a chair and the other on his hip.
“I suppose I should go and get decent,” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting. “I’ll be right back.”
“Um...well, since Ronnie and Andy aren’t here you can have the soup and muffins yourself...” Justine said, trying hard to keep her eyes on his face.
“I don’t think so,” he drawled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “We can have the muffins with coffee. As for the soup—we can share it later. If you haven’t already made supper plans.”
He started to walk away, and then paused to look back at her.
“Since you’re here now, we might as well have that meeting I was talking about yesterday. But I think you’ll be much more receptive to what I have to tell you if I put some clothes on.” He grinned. “It’s so much more professional than just wearing a towel and Rose Rapture.”
Justine felt her cheeks flaming. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as he strode away, and her eyes took in every detail from his damp, curling dark hair to his muscled neck and sculpted arms and shoulders. And the firm slope to the small of his back...
As the door clicked shut Justine snapped out of her stupor and took a deep breath. She wiped her brow. It was a hot one today, but she felt even hotter inside—especially after seeing Casson half naked. Again, she wished she had thought to phone him instead of just showing up at his door...
She wondered what exactly he had to show her. He seemed to think it could sway her in some way. She couldn’t help feeling apprehensive. Too much had happened since Casson had set foot at Winter’s Haven, and somehow she had an uneasy feeling that he had something up his sleeve. Something that might tip the scales in his favor.
Justine braced herself. She had no intention of letting him weaken her resolve. No matter what he presented her with, she would turn it down.
“Hey, make yourself at home.” Casson chuckled, coming out of his room with a large brown envelope in his hand. He had changed into a black T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans with a couple of worn-through spots above the knees.
Justine wished he didn’t have to look so damned sexy. She pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat down while Casson poured coffee into two mugs. He set out the milk and then, sitting down across from her, helped himself to a muffin.
“Mmm.” He nodded. “Thanks for breakfast.” He pushed the container toward her.
“I had one earlier, thanks.”
She stared pointedly at the envelope beside him. Casson had tried to hand her this very envelope before, when he had first come to her house. He had said it was a development proposal drafted by an architect friend of his, and had suggested that she at least give the plan and drawings a glance. He obviously thought that whatever was in the envelope might dispel her doubts about his venture.
Well, she still had doubts. Only she supposed she could let him at least show her his plans.
Casson set his mug down. “Look, Justine, do you have plans this afternoon?”
“Wh-why?” Justine shifted uncomfortably.
“It might take some time to go over the details.”
“I can’t imagine there will be much to discuss,” she said, “so don’t get your hopes up.” She didn’t want Casson to think that there was even the slightest chance she would change her mind about selling.
His eyes blazed into hers and his mouth curved slightly. “A man can always hope,” he drawled. “Well?”
“Well, what?” She tossed her head.
“Are you free this afternoon?”
“I will be after you show me what’s in the envelope. I’ll have a few minutes. But then I have to run a quick errand before relieving Mandy. She’s off early today to go to a wedding.”
“Mmm...” Casson rubbed his chin. “I need more than a few minutes.” He tapped his fingers on the table top. “Why don’t we leave the envelope till later this evening? Do you have time to go out for lunch? My treat.” He smiled crookedly. “To thank you for your kindness to Andy.”
Justine felt a slow flush creep over her cheeks. “That’s not necessary.”
“Look, Justine...” He set his elbows on the table and leaned closer, his gaze becoming serious. “A lot has happened for both of us in the last couple of days. Let’s forget about the sale and everything else for a while and just enjoy an hour. Away from work, away from worry. What do you say?” His eyebrows lifted.
Justine examined his face for the slightest sign of insincerity and couldn’t find one. She glanced at the time on her phone. “I’m sorry. I don’t even have an hour.”
Darn, if only she had brought the soup over earlier...
“Thanks for the offer, though.”
Flushing, Justine averted her gaze and patted Luna before leaving. She resisted the temptation of looking back as she walked toward her car.
As she pulled out of the driveway she glanced in her rearview mirror. Casson was in the doorway, watching her...
* * *
Casson rubbed his chin as Justine drove off. He was disappointed that his impromptu offer hadn’t worked out, but there was still tonight to look forward to.
Justine’s expression when she’d told him not to get his hopes up had been so different from when she’d had first arrived at the door, when she’d tried not to show that she was glancing at his body... He had caught a spark of something in those blue-gray depths then. Something that made him wonder if there was a current below the surface, a fuse that just needed to be lit.
No matter how much Justine tried to show otherwise, Casson felt deep in his gut that she wasn’t immune to him. Maybe at first, when she’d fallen into his lap and they’d kissed, it might have been just physical for both of them, but after their evening around the campfire he’d sensed there was something deeper. He had felt it. It had been as if she were seeing him with new eyes.
He had caught her expression when he was with Andy, too; it had seemed softer, relaxed, approving. But of course there was a limit to her approval. She was far from approving of his intentions regarding Winter’s Haven.
But maybe that would change tonight.
His initial plan was to show her the architect’s drawings and then suggest she sell him Winter’s Haven with the proviso that she would manage his new resort. If she accepted his offer he would agree to delay renovations or construction until he had a deeper understanding of the unique features of the huge parcel of land that comprised both the Russell properties and Winter’s Haven.
Justine would be a great asset, and he was sure that eventually she would see that what he was planning would not be to the detriment of the landscape, but an enhancement—with the most important consequence being its benefit to kids like Andy, and their parent or parents, who deserved some pampering after dealing with the heartbreak of a cancer diagnosis and treatment for their child.
And then he would show her the deed.
She would be shocked, perhaps even angry, but it had to be done. Justine had the right to know. And maybe the knowledge that he owned part of Winter’s Haven already might just sway her into considering selling...
If Justine still balked after that he would pull out his ace: a considerable increase in his initial price offer and, if she agreed to it, an offer for her to continue to live in the house rent-free for as long as she was managing Franklin’s Resort.
Casson closed the door. It was too bad their fishing trip today was a bust. Andy would have loved it. He checked the time on his cell phone and wondered how Andy was doing. His stomach twisted at the memory of Andy moaning, his face contorted and pale.
Grabbing his pho
ne, he sent Ronnie a text.
Ronnie responded quickly, saying that Andy was resting and his temperature had stabilized. She thanked him for everything and promised to visit him again when Andy got the go-ahead from his specialist in Toronto.
The pot sitting on the counter caught his eye. The chicken soup Justine had made for a sick little boy she hardly knew.
His heart swelled.
She’s a keeper, an inner voice told him as he placed the pot in the fridge.
“Time for a swim,” he called out to Luna, and she bounded after him.
He could do with a splash in the bay.
* * *
Afterwards, Casson stretched out on a chaise lounge, and Luna plunked herself down next to him. He reached out and stroked her back. Much as he loved his dog, he thought about how nice it would be to have Justine lying next to him...
He propped himself on his side and looked out at the bay, a blue sheet twinkling with diamonds under the sunny sky. He could hardly believe that in two days his Franklin & Casson on the Bay exhibition would open.
Before he’d left home to take possession of the Russells’ properties he had checked with all his contacts to ensure that everything was in place for the event. The paintings would be kept in a secure depository until the day before the opening. Lighting was adjusted. Security was arranged. Responses from the invited patrons verified. Media presence confirmed. An adjoining room had been prepared for the silent auction. The banquet courses were finalized.
All this had been delegated to a committee he had carefully chosen almost a year earlier. They were all prepared, as was he.
There was only one thing he hadn’t planned or even considered up to now...and that was bringing a date.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
JUSTINE LOOKED UP to see Mandy walking toward her. She hadn’t even heard her car in the driveway.
“Nice cut and style,” she said. “But what are you doing back here?”
“I left the wedding card on the desk. Here it is.” Mandy peered at her with a slight frown. “Hey, why did you look so glum when I first walked in? Like you lost your best friend...”
Justine sighed and told her about Andy and his illness, and how Casson and Ronnie had rushed him to the hospital...
“Poor little fellow,” Mandy said. “I hope it turns out to be nothing serious...” She sat on a corner of the desk. “My goodness, there seems to be a lot of drama around Casson Forrester. And not only at Winter’s Haven.”
“What do you mean?” Justine frowned.
“While I was waiting for my hairdresser to call me over I checked out the public bulletin board. There was a poster about an event that Casson’s putting on at the Stockey Centre. It’s being sponsored by his company, Forrest Hardware. I can’t believe neither of us heard about it before.”
“What kind of event? A home show?”
Mandy chuckled. “No, it has nothing to do with lumber or building. It’s an art exhibition—two of the Group of Seven artists. Some of their most famous works will be on display for a week, and there’s also a silent auction for one of the paintings on opening night, and an invitation-only fund-raising banquet.”
Justine’s mind raced.
Casson had never mentioned an exhibition when he was telling her about the Franklin painting...or had she forgotten?
No, she wouldn’t have forgotten something like that.
And why hadn’t he mentioned it at all today?
“When is this happening?” Justine tried to keep her voice steady, thinking about Casson’s brother and his connection with Mirror Lake.
“All next week. Why? Do you want to go?” Mandy raised her eyebrows. “It starts on Monday night. Two days from now.” She sighed dramatically. “I can’t believe this guy. Not only is he gorgeous and successful—oh, and did I mention gorgeous?” She laughed. “He’s also a devoted godfather and a patron of the arts. I’ve checked all the boxes under ‘Man of Your Dreams.’ She glanced slyly at Justine. “Except maybe the categories of ‘great cook’ and ‘even better lover.’”
Justine’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m serious. He’s single, you’re single, and now that you’ve found out that Ronnie’s his cousin you should grab your chance while he’s on your property, for heaven’s sakes.” She gave Justine’s shoulder a gentle punch. “I think you’d make a great couple.”
“I think it takes a little more than that to make a couple, Mandy,” she scoffed, returning the soft punch. “And, besides, he wants my property—not me.”
Mandy walked away, shrugging.
Before the door closed behind her Justine called out sheepishly, “What did you say the name of the event was?”
“Franklin & Casson on the Bay.”
* * *
Later, after closing the office, Justine went home and changed into a sky blue bikini. It was too humid to do anything but go for a refreshing swim.
Walking down to the beach, Justine couldn’t stop thinking about Casson. About his exhibition and what he had told her about his brother Franklin, and what he hadn’t told her. The fact that he was a patron of the arts just added to the data she had been unconsciously accumulating about him from the time he had stepped foot on her property.
There was quite an accumulation of physical data. She had to admit that when she wasn’t involved with desk matters or the cottagers at Winter’s Haven her brain kept summoning up images of Casson. They flicked through her memory as if she were looking through a photo gallery online: Casson in a tailored suit, his dark chestnut eyes glinting at her; Casson sitting in his Mustang convertible; Casson by the campfire and Casson walking through the door with a towel around his hips. Images that circulated constantly in her head.
The emotional data took up just as much space. The knowledge of his relationship with his brother. His congenial manner with Mandy and Melody and the cottagers in the diner. His kindness and caring toward Andy and Ronnie. His love for his dog. His appreciation for art. His entrepreneurial drive and success in building the Forrest Hardware chain.
But there was so much more that she wanted to know...
What had she filled her thoughts with before Casson walked into her life?
Whoa, there, she chided herself. He had walked onto her property, not into her life.
That realization sobered her. Besides his showing a typical male physical reaction to her on occasion, she couldn’t delude herself into thinking that Casson Forrester had any emotional intentions or feelings toward her. Sure, he had shown some consideration, even kindness and concern, but...
But what? an inner voice prompted.
But she wanted more.
Justine bit her lip. Yes, she couldn’t deny it to herself any longer. Casson had sparked something within her, and she couldn’t control what it was igniting throughout her entire being—not only physically, but emotionally as well. She wanted him. Despite all her conflicting feelings about his ploys to get her to sell, she wanted Casson to want her more than he wanted Winter’s Haven.
But it wasn’t that simple.
Or was it?
The sudden urge to go and see Casson stopped Justine in her tracks. He had mentioned something about sharing the chicken soup...
She ran back up to the house, slipped on a pair of yellow cotton shorts and a shirt patterned with yellow daisies over her bikini.
Maybe she needed to show Casson Forrester that she was interested. Besides throwing herself into his arms—which was what she wished she could do—she had to come up with something to see if he was interested too.
And then maybe eventually she’d have the nerve to reveal the fact that she was falling in love with him.
* * *
Casson thought about going to the diner before supper. The swim in the bay had revitalized him, and he wanted to chat with the
other cottagers and get a feel for what they liked about Winter’s Haven and the area. This was his opportunity to discover what features to keep and what could be changed or added in future.
If Justine sold to him.
This last thought jolted him. Before, he had always thought in terms of when Justine sold to him.
Why the sudden uncertainty?
He brushed off any remaining beach sand from his feet and Luna’s fur, hung his towel to dry on the outside line and entered the cottage. His gaze settled on the pot on the counter. Maybe he should scrap his idea about going to the diner now in case Justine decided to come over a little early...
While Luna was happily devouring her supper Casson went to his room and changed into a white T-shirt and khaki shorts. Whistling, he returned to the kitchen to check the soup, the aroma making his mouth water. He heard his phone ring from his bedroom and sprinted to get it, expecting it to be Ronnie.
His stomach twisted with the thought that Andy’s condition might have worsened. But his phone didn’t show any caller ID. He frowned.
“Hello?”
“Hello, this is Justine...”
Casson’s stomach did a flip. “Hi.”
“I—I thought I’d give you a call before coming to knock at your door,” she said. “I have some time if you want to show me whatever it is you have to show me...”
Yes!
“Oh, well, a call wasn’t necessary. You could have just come to the door.”
He heard her clearing her throat. “Well... I just wanted to make sure you were...you weren’t...”
He suddenly got it. She didn’t want to come unannounced to the door and find him half-undressed again. The thought made him want to laugh, but he restrained himself.
“I’m fully clothed and I’m just heating up your soup,” he said. “I was hoping you’d join me.”
“Okay... I wouldn’t want it to go to waste. And then we can talk.”
Swept Away by the Enigmatic Tycoon Page 12
