Casson could hardly concentrate after that, taking in her little black dress from its slanted neckline to where it ended above her knees. Her legs were stunning in silky hose, and those shoes... His pulse couldn’t help but race.
He heard Jake ask him a question twice, and forced himself to focus. Casson thanked Jake when the interview was over, and then the photographer asked to take some photos of Casson with the paintings.
“We want Casson next to the Cassons,” he joked.
The gallery owner paused as they reached the group, and thanked the guests in advance for graciously waiting while the media did their job. Casson tried to catch Justine’s eye, but she was deliberately keeping her gaze on one of the paintings. He stood in the center of the display, with paintings on either side of him, and patiently did what the photographer suggested.
“How about one with some of the guests?” Casson suggested, and placed himself impulsively next to Justine.
She looked up from the painting and raised her eyebrows at him with a what do you think you’re doing? expression. Just then the photographer began to snap some pictures. Justine turned toward Ken at the first click, and Casson took the split-second opportunity to place his hand around Justine’s waist and press her closer to him.
Another snap and Ken gave him a wink and a thumbs-up before sauntering off with Jake toward a large group at the Franklin Carmichael display.
Justine strode off in the opposite direction.
Casson quickly caught up.
“Why did you do that?” Justine muttered, glancing from him to all the people who were looking their way, and then back at him.
Even with a frown she was gorgeous. “Because I wanted my photo taken next to a beautiful woman,” he said. “You look amazing, Justine.” His eyes swept over her and he couldn’t help smiling. “I was hoping you would come.”
“Why?” Justine stared at him accusingly. “So you could make me feel guilty for not wanting to sell Winter’s Haven when it’s for such a good cause?”
Casson’s smile faded. “I had no intention of making you feel guilty,” he said quietly.
“Well, I do,” Justine said, her voice wavering. “I—I wish you had told me from the beginning that your resort was to be a non-profit venture to help kids with cancer, and not for your own personal gain.”
“You were dead-set against my proposal from the beginning,” Casson reminded her. “I wanted to show you the plans, remember? I drove over to your place, but you weren’t ready to see them or to hear me out...”
He moved to let someone go by.
“So I decided I needed to wait for the right time. I wasn’t sure how long it would take, but I knew I had to try to find the opportunity to do so. And that’s why I booked myself into Winter’s Haven.”
Casson looked over Justine’s head at the crowd.
“Look, we can’t talk here. Let’s go outside. I know where there’s a private exit.”
He led Justine through a series of hallways to a door that he made sure stayed open a crack using his car keys. They walked out into a private courtyard with a view of the bay. The water was lapping gently against the rocky shore and a couple of seagulls swooped high above.
Casson stopped and gently took hold of Justine’s elbow. “I wanted to tell you I don’t know how many times,” he said gruffly. “But the idea of talking about Franklin to you made me feel...too vulnerable.”
He looked into Justine’s eyes and knew he owed her complete honesty.
“I grew up suppressing the truth that my parents—my mother especially—were so devastated with losing Franklin that they forgot...forgot they had another son who was still alive.”
He took a deep breath.
“They forgot that I was devastated too. I didn’t show it, I guess. I tried to be the perfect son for them, so as not to cause them anymore grief, but being perfect wasn’t enough to get them to really notice me. Don’t get me wrong. I had a nice home, plenty of food, a great education. I didn’t want for anything like that. What I wanted most was something that died inside of them when Franklin died.”
Casson felt the backs of his eyes prickling.
“And maybe because of that I never knew if I had the capacity to really love somebody other than Franklin.”
“You love Andy and Ronnie.”
“Yes, I do. And this resort is for Andy’s sake, too.” He heard his voice waver. “I wasn’t able to do anything for Franklin, but I can help Andy and other children like him...”
He took Justine’s hands and covered them with his.
“I came to Winter’s Haven with one thought in mind, and then I found myself falling in love.”
“It’s not hard to fall in love with Winter’s Haven.”
“I meant with you, Miss Winter.”
Casson realized that Justine’s eyes were welling up too.
“I was waiting until I felt I could trust you with my feelings, Justine. Until I felt that you wouldn’t be indifferent.”
“Oh, Cass...” Justine wrapped her arms around him, pressing her head against his chest.
Casson felt something let go inside him. Those two words she had uttered told him everything.
He lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze. “When I found out about the property issue I intended to offer you some options—whether you wanted to sell or not. But something made me hold back. I eventually realized that the better option was to forget about trying to get you to sell, and focus instead on starting with a smaller resort on the Russells’ main property. I planned to offer you a position as manager of Franklin’s Resort, and then you could still manage Winter’s Haven. At least I wouldn’t lose you.”
He gazed at Justine, and what he saw in her eyes made his heart leap.
“You won’t lose me, Casson,” she replied breathlessly.
Her eyes were shimmering as he pressed her closer to him. He kissed her gently, and as her lips moved to respond he deepened the kiss until they were both enflamed.
With ragged breathing, he pulled away reluctantly. “The banquet will be starting any minute,” he said ruefully. “And I have to get myself under control.” He took Justine’s hand. “Come and join me. I’ll have them add another place setting at my table.”
Justine looked at him tenderly and shook her head. “No; this is your night, Casson. You need to focus on what you need to say. For Franklin’s sake...and for kids like Andy.” She planted a soft kiss on his lips. “I’ll be waiting for you back home, Cass. With Luna-Lu.”
He watched her walk away, his heart bursting, and then, with a lightness he couldn’t remember feeling in a long time, he headed to the banquet room.
CHAPTER TWENTY
JUSTINE LEFT THE Stockey Centre with a sensation of wonder that made her whole body feel buoyant. She replayed Casson’s words constantly in her head while driving home.
I found myself falling in love... With you, Miss Winter.
He loved her.
And his honesty tonight had made her anger and hurt disappear. Her humiliation at being used—gone! Casson loved her, body and soul, and she loved him the same way. And trusted him.
But maybe she hadn’t told him in so many words.
Well, she would make up for it tonight.
Her heart had broken when he’d told her about his parents. She could only imagine how lonely he must have felt. Growing up in the shadow of his brother’s death. Craving the attention and love of his parents, whose grief had stunted any relationship they could have had with their remaining son.
Thank goodness Casson hadn’t taken the dark path to get noticed. Fallen in with the wrong crowd. Justine’s heart swelled with pride, thinking of how Casson had studied and worked hard to make something of himself. And if he had gone unnoticed in his youth, he was certainly making up for it now.
How could she ha
ve ever lumped Casson and Robert into the same category? Who they were at their core was as different as dawn from dusk. Robert had acted in ways to satisfy his own ego, to benefit himself. Casson had been driven only by a selfless desire to use the resources he had to help children with cancer and to support their parents as well. And it wasn’t a fleeting desire, but a lifelong intention. To honor his brother’s memory.
Maybe she would have realized all this earlier, been open to Casson’s vulnerability, if Robert’s deception and her resulting distrust of him and other men hadn’t influenced her judgment...
After leaving Casson, Justine had gone to take a peek at the A. J. Casson painting in the silent auction room. She’d been curious to see what Casson had so generously donated to help boost his venture.
A security guard had stood at the entrance, and Justine had passed him in order to get to the center of the room, where the painting was being displayed. A few other people had been standing around, gazing at the large oil painting on canvas and murmuring to themselves. The other invited patrons must have already left to attend the banquet, she’d thought.
Storm on the Bay was breathtaking. A dark sky was streaked with indigo, gold and red, and the swirling waters reflected the colors like cut glass. On the hilltops, pines swayed in every direction, their distinctive Muskoka shape instantly recognizable.
Justine had almost gasped when she’d read that bidding was set to begin at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But this was a prime piece of work by a member of the Group of Seven.
As the guests had bustled about, Justine had heard an elderly woman saying to her husband, “Imagine Casson Forrester doing all this to help children with cancer, in honor of his little brother. Now, that’s my idea of a true Canadian hero!”
Smiling, Justine had taken her leave. And now here she was, in the driveway of Cottage Number One. With her master key, she let herself in.
Luna’s affectionate welcome almost brought her to tears. She took Luna out for a break, made sure she had enough fresh water, and gave her a treat.
“Just for being my BFF,” she said, and laughed, giving her a pat.
Justine went into the bedroom. The T-shirt was still on the bed, but it wasn’t folded the way she had left it. A flash of electricity surged through her as she imagined Casson picking it up when he got back earlier. Justine shivered as she slipped the T-shirt over her body and breathed in the lingering scent of Casson’s cologne. Desire coiled throughout her as she thought about how Casson looked tonight, in a tailored black suit and maroon tie...
With a contentedness and anticipation she had never felt before, Justine snuggled into the bed. She started when Luna suddenly nudged the door open and bounded on top of the bed.
“Okay...for a little while, Luna-Lu.” She chuckled, rubbing Luna behind the ears. “Until your papa comes home.”
She dimmed the lamp on the night table and closed her eyes, happily imagining everything that might happen after Casson walked in the door...
* * *
Justine felt the bed vibrating and blinked in confusion. Luna had jumped off the bed and Justine turned over to see Casson framed in the doorway, gorgeous and grinning, his black suit jacket draped over one arm and his maroon tie loosened.
She positioned herself on her elbows and flashed him a wide smile. “How did it go, Mr. Forrest?”
As Casson strode toward her he took off his tie and flung his jacket on top of her clothes on the chair. And then he was sitting next to her, his eyes gleaming.
“A resounding success, Miss Wintry. The final bid for Storm on the Bay was a whopping nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
Justine felt like crying and shouting with joy at the same time. She started to speak, but stopped when she felt her lips tremble. Her brow crinkled and a tear slid down her cheek.
“What’s this?” Casson leaned forward and gently wiped her cheek.
He gazed at her so tenderly that Justine wanted to melt in his arms. She shifted to a sitting position and put her hands on his chest.
“I’m just happy for you,” she said, fiddling idly with his cufflinks. “And for all the kids who are going to be able to stay at the resort one day. I... I thought about what you said before, Cass, and...and I will gladly accept your offer to manage Franklin’s Resort.”
Casson took her hand and slipped it underneath his shirt. The feel of his chest muscles and the beating of his heart made her pulse leap. She gazed into his eyes while he undid the rest of his buttons. And then, with a groan, he removed his shirt and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her with a passion that matched hers.
They fell back onto the bed, and Justine savored the firmness of his lips on hers. She ran her fingers through his hair and cupped the back of his head as his kiss deepened. She shivered as he kissed a path down her neck, sending flickers of heat through her. He stopped suddenly, and Justine’s eyes flew open.
She watched in bewilderment as he got off the bed and began to kneel down on the rug beside the bed.
“Skedaddle, Luna,” he ordered, and with a low grumble Luna got up and padded out of the room.
And there he was, on one knee, bare-chested, hair tousled from her touch, looking at her with those sexy, intense tiger eyes.
“What about my other offer?” he said huskily.
Justine frowned. What other offer had he made?
“I don’t understand...”
Casson’s eyes glinted. “The offer to be my wife.”
He brought her hands up to kiss them, his gaze locking with hers.
“I love you, Miss Winter, and I would be honored if you’d accept my proposal to spend the rest of your life with me. I promise I won’t pressure you about selling. Winter’s Haven is yours, and I respect that. I’d be happy to develop only the Russell properties—my properties—for Franklin’s Resort.”
Justine breathed deeply, her heart ready to burst. “I rather think Winter and Forrester go hand in hand, don’t you? Maybe we could change Winter’s Haven to Winter’s Forrest Haven. As for the offer to be your wife...” Her voice softened. “I accept, Mr. Forrester. And I love you.”
She pulled at his hands and a smile spread across her face.
“Now, get up here, Cass, and let’s seal the deal!”
EPILOGUE
CASSON LEANED BACK on the love seat with his arm around Justine. His wife. They had dimmed the lights and were gazing at the twinkling colored lights on the Christmas tree. Tinsel glittered from every tip, and the vintage Christmas ornaments that Justine had bought added to the brilliance.
He sniffed the air appreciatively. Justine had stuffed a turkey, and the aroma of it roasting, along with root vegetables and stuffing, was making his mouth water.
Ronnie and Andy would be arriving soon, to share their Christmas Eve dinner and to stay for a few days. Andy had been given a clean bill of health five months earlier, and had started to look more robust. His hair had grown in nice and thick, too.
Casson smiled. He couldn’t wait to take him snowshoeing and ice-fishing. And skating on the bay. He had had a section cleared off for Andy to enjoy, with the new skates and helmet he would be giving him for Christmas, among the other things Ronnie had said Andy was wishing for.
Mandy and her fiancé were also on their way. They had set their wedding date for September, and were happily making plans. Justine’s mom and dad were currently enjoying the heat in Australia, but had promised they would return to Winter’s Haven in time for the baby’s birth.
Casson put one hand on Justine’s tummy and suddenly had a feeling of déjà-vu.
He had visualized this moment before...
His eyes sought Justine’s—as blue-gray as the sky—and he gave a soft laugh.
“What’s so funny, Cass?”
“I just remembered that I imagined a moment like this some time ago—wh
en you were roasting marshmallows with Andy...”
She pursed her lips and he couldn’t resist leaning forward to kiss her. Thoroughly.
When they drew apart, he saw that her eyes had misted.
“You and knowing we are going to have this baby are the best Christmas presents I could have ever hoped for or dreamed of,” he murmured, stroking her head. “And when he or she is born in the summer, before the grand opening of Franklin’s Resort, I’ll be the happiest dad and man alive.”
“Whether it’s a boy or a girl?” She flashed him a grin.
“Whether it’s a boy or a girl,” he said solemnly, bringing her hand to his lips.
“We’ll have to think about some names...” She cuddled up against him, placing her hand over his heart.
“Look, Justine!” He suddenly pointed toward the bay window. “A blue jay in the closest spruce tree.”
He took her hand and led her to the window.
* * *
Justine caught her breath. “It’s like a snow globe,” she murmured. “How magical.”
The snowflakes had been drifting down gently since early morning, and the evergreens were now padded with a soft quilt. The blue jay flitted from bough to bough, emitting its shrill cry and scattering snow like fairy dust. Its color was even more brilliant than usual against the dazzling white backdrop.
“How about Jay?” Casson said suddenly.
Justine’s brow wrinkled as she gazed up at him.
“Jay...if it’s a boy?”
Justine cocked her head at him. “I had a favorite doll called Amy. I was going to suggest Amy if it’s a girl...”
The blue jay flew directly past the bay window.
Casson took both her hands, his tawny eyes blazing into hers. “I’ve got it! How about Amy Jay if it’s a girl?”
Justine’s heart flipped as she realized what Casson was getting at. “A. J.,” she whispered. “Oh, Cass, what a perfect name. I think Franklin would have approved.” She placed a hand on her belly. “I have a feeling it’ll be a girl...”
Swept Away by the Enigmatic Tycoon Page 16
