by Jaci Burton
Leo was currently talking to Flynn, who was gesturing about ... something.
Football related, was her guess, and she didn't want to interrupt, since it looked like Leo was paying rapt attention and was in very good hands.
She realized as she made the circle back to the bar that she'd emptied her wineglass.
So she refilled it, and just in time, because Easton's brother--which one was he?
Elijah. That was the one. He clinked his glass to get everyone's attention.
"I wanted to take a moment to wish my brother a very happy birthday. He's not the oldest, so we can't give him a hard time about that. But I can say that he's a great brother, a damn fine husband, according to Lydia, and since I've been around him all these years, I can tell you he is one hell of a good father. He's lived a rich, happy life and has had monumental success over the years.
"Here's to a lot more years, Easton. Happy birthday."
Everyone cheered and clinked glasses. Easton raised his glass and drank.
Then Grant stood.
"I wanted to take another minute to say a few words, since for some reason I was elected to speak."
"Because you have the biggest mouth," Tucker said.
There were some laughs to that, and Grant glared at his brother.
"Anyway, I want to tell you all how we kids admire and respect our parents. We weren't exactly the easiest of children."
That got him a lot of laughter, and a couple of coughs from his parents.
"There were several fights among us and maybe a little more than the average amount of bloodshed, but that's what you get when you have four boys. Fortunately, they had Mia, and she might not want to admit it, but she threw herself in there and scrapped with us. It was a lot of fun for us, and a lot of headaches for Mom and Dad, who handled us with toughness, and a hell of a lot of love.
"Our lives have been blessed because of the parents we had. We all agree we're the luckiest kids ever, thanks to our parents, and that's because we were raised in a house filled with love.
"Everyone, I invite you to toast to love. Happy anniversary to Easton and Lydia Cassidy."
Katrina blinked back tears. Their gazes met as they raised their glasses.
While everyone was busy giving congratulations to Grant's parents, she made her way over to Grant.
"Beautiful toast," she said.
He shrugged. "I'm not much of a public speaker. I just said what was in my heart about my parents."
"You did good."
He swept his knuckles across her cheek, swiping away a tear that had escaped. "Thanks."
Someone turned on music, a slow song, and a makeshift dance floor cleared in the middle of the living room. Grant's dad swept his mom up and the two of them swayed together. Grant put his arm around Katrina as the two of them watched his parents, who clearly only had eyes for each other.
"It must be wonderful to see your parents so happy with each other after all these years," she said.
"Yeah. Kind of sickening how much they love each other."
She nudged into him. "It's sweet."
When Easton bent Lydia over and gave her a passionate kiss at the end of the dance, Grant shook his head. "Those two should get a room."
Katrina laughed. "Can you imagine that with your spouse? That kind of passion after thirty years of marriage? To know the person you married still wanted you that much would be amazing."
He turned to her, his hands sweeping down her arms to grasp her hands. "I can't imagine any man you marry wouldn't lust after you until his dying day."
She stared at him. "Do you always have the perfect thing to say?"
"Uh, no. Why?"
"I don't know. It seems you always say the right words to a woman."
His lips curved. "Trust me, it hasn't always been that way. Maybe I just have the right words to say to you."
She didn't know what to say in answer to that, and his parents came over and pulled them onto the dance floor for a fast song. Soon, the floor was crowded with people all hopping up and down. Her sister and Mia joined in. Even Flynn and Barrett had dragged Leo onto the floor, though Katrina couldn't help but laugh at her brother's attempts at dancing.
At least he was having fun.
The music slowed and all that was left was couples. Grant pulled her into his arms, their gazes met, and she connected to him, to the music, their bodies touching. There were other couples on the floor, but Katrina could only see and feel Grant.
Their heads were touching, and he whispered in her ear.
"Speaking of people who should get a room."
"Yes. We definitely should. And soon."
She loved the feel of his body against hers. She felt his heartbeat, the heat of him, and wanted nothing more than to be alone with him.
She tilted her head back and searched his face, saw more than just lust there.
Tonight, though, she was in oblivion and reveled in the warmth and desire mirrored in his eyes. All her feelings wrapped around her like a cocoon. She felt safe.
She felt loved. She felt love.
She waited for the panic, the worry. But it never came. Not now, not when this amazing man held her so close.
She was going with it tonight.
She'd worry about the mix of her feelings tomorrow.
Or if she was lucky, maybe the wine would cloud her memory and tomorrow she wouldn't remember these emotions at all.
TWENTY-NINE
THE PARTY WOUND DOWN AROUND MIDNIGHT, AND Grant helped escort people to their cars and made sure the older folks found their way off the property.
Once the place was cleared out, he made his way back to the ranch to find Katrina in deep conversation with his sister. His parents had already gone up to bed, and his brothers were off in a corner of the living room talking.
"See you all for breakfast," he said.
"Yeah, early, because I have to catch a flight," Barrett said.
Grant nodded, then headed over to Katrina, who looked up at him and smiled.
She looked tired.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes." She grasped Mia's hand. "Thank you. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Sure. Good night, you two."
Grant didn't know what Katrina and his sister had been talking about. He didn't need to know. He liked that she'd bonded with Mia, though, and with his mom.
It was important to him in ways he hadn't had a minute to sit down and think about yet. He wasn't going to do it tonight, either, not when she was giving him a look that told him she was as ready to leave as he was.
They got in the car and drove to the house. He opened the door and she walked in, but he left the light off.
"I can't see," she said.
"We don't need to see." He shut the door and drew her close. "We just need to feel."
He captured her lips in the kiss he'd been dying to take all night. She met his kiss with fervor, sliding her hands along his shoulders, then along his neck and upward, her nails in his scalp.
His passion rose with her touch. He backed her against the door, pressing into her, letting her feel how fast she could ignite him. Her answer was a whimper, her body arching against his.
He'd spent all night watching her. They hadn't had much time together, but every time he'd searched the room, he caught sight of the way she tilted her head when she was listening to someone talk. And all he could think about was kissing that spot on her neck. Or he'd hear her laugh and he'd search out the sound so he could hear it again.
It was like she was a part of him now, embedded in his senses, and he couldn't get enough of her.
He turned her around and unzipped her dress, letting it slide down over her hips, admiring every curve as his hands followed. He took off her bra. Her panties were next, and then she was naked. He knew her body well now, and let his hands roam over her breasts, cupping them, letting his fingers tease until her nipples were tight points, her breasts straining against his hands as he fit his body aga
inst hers, rubbing his cock against her butt as she moaned against him.
He flipped her around again and shed his clothes, grabbing the condom he'd stuck in the pocket of his shorts. He put it on, sliding his hands between her legs to caress her sex, rub the tight knot of her clit until she lifted.
"Make me come," she whispered, leaning into him. "Make me come, Grant."
There was nothing that gave him greater pleasure than feeling Katrina coming apart against his hand. He slid his fingers inside her, using the heel of his hand to brush her clit. Her body gripped his fingers as she released, quaking against him as she dug her nails into his skin.
It was hot as hell, not being able to see her. All he could do was feel, touch, and breathe in the scent of sex.
He flipped her around and pushed her against the door, kicked her legs apart and entered her from behind, once again filling his hands with her breasts as he drove deep.
Her pussy latched onto his cock, a tight sheath of quaking sex that made him close his eyes. For a few seconds, he only wanted to feel her, listen to her gasps, and slide his thumbs over her nipples.
He laid his chin against her shoulder. "You and I fit perfectly together, Katrina. No one will ever do this to you like I can."
He had no idea why he'd said that to her. Maybe because he knew she'd had no one else. Maybe because for some reason, tonight he felt possessive of her.
She was his. She always had been, and always would be. The thought of another man having her made his blood boil.
He drove into her, sliding his hand down to rub her clit. He wanted to make her come again. And again. Until she wanted no one else but him.
Ever.
She laid her head against his shoulder and cried out, tightening around him with another climax. He pumped hard and fast into her and released, groaning as he came in hard, rhythmic spasms that made his legs shake. He palmed the door for support as he rode it out, giving everything he had until he had nothing left.
He fought for breath, for sanity, for some clarity to the thoughts that had grabbed hold of him while he'd been making love to Katrina.
He wasn't a possessive man. He didn't have those kind of caveman ideas about women.
Until Katrina.
What the hell was wrong with him, anyway?
They disengaged and he turned her around, cupped her jaw and kissed her. He meant to make it light and easy, but it ended up strong, passionate, igniting his fire all over again.
By the time they made it upstairs and he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed, Katrina was in bed, naked.
He pulled her toward him, intending to turn out the lights and go right to sleep.
But she turned to him, and there was something in her eyes, something he couldn't define.
He rolled over and kissed her, that passion he'd felt downstairs still not extinguished. She climbed on top of him and it was Katrina who reached into his nightstand for a condom, rolled it onto his erection and rode them both to another blistering orgasm.
Finally, they collapsed together and she fell asleep.
But he lay there for a while after, staring at the ceiling while he stroked her back.
Maybe it was because this time at the ranch, where he had her all to himself, was coming to an end. Maybe he knew Katrina and the kids would be heading back to New York soon, and his season was gearing up to start. He'd be busy.
Then what was going to happen between them? And how did he really feel? He hadn't taken the time to sort out his feelings for her. Or maybe he hadn't allowed himself to admit them.
Maybe it was time to do a little soul-searching. On both their sides.
THIRTY
KATRINA AND GRANT HAD TO GET UP EARLY THE NEXT morning. He wanted to say good-bye to his brothers, and Lydia had told her she was making a super early morning breakfast.
Katrina was used to early calls, so it wasn't a big deal for her, though her head was a bit fuzzy from all the wine she'd consumed the night before. She felt better after taking a shower, though, and she headed straight for the coffeepot when they arrived at the main house.
"I had a wonderful time at the party last night," she said to Lydia in the dining room after she'd taken a couple sips of coffee.
"It was a fun party, wasn't it?" Lydia said, cradling a cup of coffee in her own hands. "More people came than I expected. And I got to enjoy it more than I thought, since the kids surprised me with the catering."
"You should be able to enjoy your parties. Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen all night?"
"I never mind that part. I like to cook for my guests. But I freely admit to having no complaints about being freed from the kitchen last night."
Everyone showed up for breakfast, including--and quite surprisingly--her brother and sister, who looked awake and happy to be there.
"How come you're not this alert when I have to wake you up early in the morning?" she asked Leo.
Leo shrugged. "I guess because you're not Easton Cassidy."
She laughed at his honest answer. "So I should drag Easton back to New York with us and he can be your personal alarm clock once school starts?"
Easton came over and put his arm around her shoulders. "You won't have a problem with him in the future, Katrina. He's promised me he's getting up early every morning and hitting the gym before school so he can put some muscle on. I've also promised him that I'm going to talk to his high school football coach."
Katrina looked at Leo. "Is that right?"
"Yup. I promised. I've got college to think about, and only a few years to impress potential colleges."
"He's welcome to come out here in the summers. I run a few summer programs for high school kids. We'll get him college ready in no time. Once I have a chat with the high school football coach and get him on the team, we'll have him college bound in no time."
"That's awfully nice of you, Easton. But shouldn't he make the team only if he's qualified?"
"Pfft. He's more than qualified. He survived a football game with all the Cassidy boys. Name one kid on your high school team who could do that, Leo."
Leo smartly stayed mute.
Easton cracked a smile. "See? Coach and I will have a chat."
"Best not to argue with Dad when he has an idea in his head," Flynn said, popping his head into the dining room. "And Mom says breakfast is ready."
Breakfast was a feast of eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash browns, and fruit. After two cups of coffee, Katrina realized she was starving. She had a few minutes to talk to Anya while they ate. Or, rather, listen to Mia and Anya talk.
"So you'll come out for a campus visit during your fall break?" Mia asked. "I think you'll love the programs at UT."
"I plan to," Anya said. "I'm really excited about it. I've already looked at their curriculum and I think this is something I want to do. Plus, there's a culinary school in Dallas I'd like to take a look at as well."
Katrina ate her meal silently. Easton was taking care of Leo, and Mia seemingly had Anya's college trajectory in hand.
Not that she was complaining.
It appeared the Cassidys had it covered.
This was what it was like to have a family--a support system--other people to help out. She'd been on her own for so long, had done everything herself for her entire adult life, that she didn't know what to make of other people doing things for and with the kids.
It made her happy, but it was a little unnerving. She didn't want the kids to fall in love with this family, to get used to having other people in their lives who might not always be there. They were connected to the Cassidys by a very thin line, and only through her relationship with Grant.
What was going to happen when she and Grant weren't connected anymore? It was going to sever Leo's tie with Easton, and Anya's tie with Mia.
It sounded so awful to think it, but it was a reality she was going to have to address sooner rather than later.
These people were amazing. Kind and warm and wonderful, accepting her and Leo and An
ya as if they belonged to them.
The problem was, they didn't. She was realistic enough to know that. Last night she'd been in sweet oblivion. This morning she was a lot more clearheaded. And no amount of wine, lovemaking, and sweet words were going to make her forget this reality.
But the kids? The kids were going to be hurt when she and Grant walked away from each other, and suddenly he--and his family--weren't in their lives anymore.
She had a lot to think about. And a lot to talk to Grant about.
But not now, because after breakfast they helped Lydia clean up, then Barrett, Tucker, and Flynn had to leave.
"We have all your schedules. Tucker, we'll be at your game on the fifteenth," Lydia said. "And the series you're playing against Houston and Dallas."
"Can't wait to see you again," he said, giving his mom a kiss on the cheek.
"I'll be in touch," Barrett said. "And you know I'll pop down to stay when I play Dallas."
"Here, too," Flynn said.
"I'll be seeing all of you soon enough," Grant said, then hugged his brothers.
One by one they all hugged Katrina as well.
"We like you," Tucker said to her. "We don't know what you see in Grant, since we think he's ugly, but we like you anyway."
She laughed, then said her good-byes.
She headed over to the house to pack, so Grant would have some time alone with his parents.
She was going to miss them all, and felt a tug in her heart.
She'd fallen in love with his family. It wasn't just going to hurt the kids when the ties were cut to his family. It was going to hurt her as well.
As she started putting things back in her suitcase, she paused, the realization smacking her, hard.
She hadn't just fallen in love with Grant's family. She'd fallen in love with Grant. That's why all of this had been so difficult. Why the prospect of the kids getting close to his family was so difficult.
She loved him. He was hot, sexy, gorgeous, but her feelings for him went so far beyond simple chemistry.
He was also kind and funny and smart and honorable. He loved his family and he was so good to hers.
And she had no idea what to do with all these feelings.
Did he even feel the same? He might, or he might not. To him, this might just be a fun interlude. Or he might love her.
Either way, it was a disaster. She wasn't ready for a relationship. She might never be ready for one. She had spent her whole life remembering her father, how many times he'd told her mother he loved her. How many times he'd told Katrina he loved her and how he'd always be there for her.
