by Bella Andre
* * *
Flynn knew Cassie had work to do, but that didn’t make it any easier to force himself to leave. He was just walking out of her workshop when Beth texted to let him know Ruby had gone down for her nap a little early, if he wanted to take some extra time to work on his screenplay this morning.
Knowing it wasn’t going to write itself, he headed back to the library for a second writing session. And as he opened his laptop, he could hardly believe it had been only a few hours ago that he had been sitting in this same chair.
It felt like his entire world had changed since then.
He loved Cassie.
And she loved him back.
Four weeks ago, he would have said that was impossible. He would have been certain that he could never trust anyone enough to let love either in or out. Even when Ruby had instantly vaulted over all his walls, he’d assumed it was because she was a defenseless baby. But then Cassie had followed her over, proving that love had found him not once, but twice.
Reading over the words he’d written that morning, he knew in his gut that he was finally on the right track. Ready to tell the truth not only to Ruby, and Cassie, and Ethan Sullivan, but to the whole world.
He put his fingers on the keyboard and let the words come.
For Joe, walking into Cassie’s house is like walking into a dream.
It’s clean, for starters. It also smells so good, like all of Joe’s favorite things to eat have just come out of the oven. Around the kitchen table, her brothers and sisters are playing and laughing. There is even a dog, a fluffy brown one who runs over and drops a ball at Joe’s feet when they walk in.
“Everyone, this is Joe,” Cassie calls out. She tells him her siblings’ names, but he is so overwhelmed he knows he’ll never remember them. “And this is my mom.”
A light is shining behind Cassie’s mom, so that when she smiles at him, she looks like an angel. “Hello, Joe. I’m so glad you could come home to play with Cassie today.” She gestures to their sopping-wet clothes. “Looks like you two got caught in the rainstorm.”
“It was fun!” Cassie laughs as she tells her mother, “We danced through the puddles all the way home.”
He’s never danced before, especially not in the rain, aiming for who could make the biggest splashes in the puddles on the sidewalk.
“We’ll show you our dance!” Cassie says.
Before Joe knows it, Cassie has grabbed his hands and is dancing with him in a circle, and he can’t keep from laughing. She is so happy that she makes him feel happy too. Her mom claps her hands in time with their dance, even though they are making a mess on the floor.
“What talent you two have,” she praises them when they finally tire out.
“I’m going to change into something dry,” Cassie tells Joe. “Mom can find you something to wear, right, Mom?”
Cassie’s mom nods. “Cassie’s brothers have plenty of shirts and pants that should fit you, Joe. What do you say I get them for you while I dry your clothes?”
Joe is embarrassed by how dirty he is—not just his clothes, but his whole body. It’s just that he doesn’t have hot water where he lives, and it is so cold at night under just a dirty sheet that he doesn’t want to get even colder by getting into an ice-cold bath.
As though she can read his mind, Cassie’s mother says, “In fact, maybe it would be nice to warm up in the shower before changing?”
He nods, not sure he can trust his voice. But he wants to make sure she knows that he appreciates how nice she is, so he says, “Thanks,” even though it comes out kind of shaky.
“When you’re both dry again,” she adds, “I’ll have snacks ready for you.”
He feels his lip wobble then. No one has ever been this kind to him. Only today, with Cassie and her mom, has he ever felt like he mattered to anyone.
Fortunately, before Cassie’s mom can see him cry, she leads the way toward the bathroom. He knows Cassie’s siblings must be wondering what his deal is, but they don’t stop what they’re doing to stare. He’ll have to face them and their questions soon, but Cassie will be with him by then.
Knowing she will make everything okay with her smiles, and her laughter, he finds himself wondering: If he spends enough time with her, can he learn how to be that happy too?
* * *
That evening, after cooking dinner, giving Ruby a bath, reading her a book, then tucking her into her crib, Cassie and Flynn closed her bedroom door while she hummed softly to herself as she settled in for the night.
“Is there anything as good as cuddling with a warm, sleepy baby after she’s had a bath?” Cassie asked.
Flynn drew her into his arms. “Only one thing I can think of.” He breathed in Cassie’s sweet scent as he kissed her.
“Mmm, you’re right,” she agreed. “In fact, since we’re talking about baths, what do you think about getting into one with me?”
Considering he’d had more than one fantasy about Cassie in the clawfoot bathtub, he was most definitely up for it. “What I think is that it’s going to be one of the highlights of my life so far.”
Taking his hand, she led him into the bathroom, pausing only to grab protection from her bedside table. She turned on the taps, and as the tub filled, he started to undress her. His hands weren’t quite steady as he drew her shirt over her head and tossed it to the tiled floor, then unzipped her jeans and helped her step out of them. Her bra and panties came off next.
“Gorgeous.” He couldn’t get his fill of looking at her. Nor could he be the slightest bit patient to have her as he lifted her into his arms with no warning, making her laugh as she wound her arms around his neck to hold on.
He lowered her into the tub, then ripped off his own clothes and was in the water with her sixty seconds later. Sitting against the far end of the tub, he floated her body over him so that she was straddling his hips.
“I know I’m supposed to be better with words than this, but you really are gorgeous, Cassie.”
“So are you.” She traced one fingertip down the deep line between his abs. A teasing glint lit her eyes. “My Hollywood hunk.” She could barely get the words out without giggling.
“Call me that again,” he teased back, “and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Her eyes lit even further at his challenge. “My.” She licked her lips. “Hollywood.” She lowered her mouth to barely a breath from his. “Hunk.”
He crushed her lips to his at the same time that he rocked his hips against hers, both of them gasping as her slick heat covered him. With his hands on her hips, he rotated her over him, water splashing around them as she drove him even crazier by rubbing her breasts over his chest.
The last thing he wanted was to pull away, but if he didn’t put on protection in the next couple of seconds, Ruby might end up with a little brother or sister really soon. And though Flynn was surprised to realize that didn’t sound at all bad, he would never make a huge life decision like that for Cassie without her consent.
After quickly putting on the condom, he threaded his hands into her hair, looked into her eyes, and said, “I love you.” And then he showed her just how much he meant it with every stroke of his body inside of hers, with every caress of his hands over her slick skin, with every brush of his lips over hers.
As she arched back so that he could lave her breasts, he slid one of his hands between her thighs to intensify her pleasure. And as he watched her come apart, his name on her lips, he realized his dreams had all come true…and not a single one of those dreams had anything to do with the false pleasures of Hollywood or fame or the awards circuit.
Only the pure joy he felt in Cassie’s arms.
* * *
Tucked up in bed together, Cassie had her head on Flynn’s chest as he stroked the soft skin of her lower back.
“Thank you for the best day of my life,” she murmured, her voice still pleasure-soaked and a little sleepy.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You t
ook the words right out of my mouth.”
Cassie had already given him more than he’d ever dreamed of. Her faith. Her laughter. Her love.
And yet…
He couldn’t stop worrying that one wrong move on his part was all it would take to lose her.
She scooted up so that she could see his face in the moonlight. “I can read minds, you know.” Though she spoke with a smile, he knew she was concerned. “Mostly because I’m pretty sure you’re feeling the same way I am right now.”
He wound a lock of her hair around his finger. He’d never done this—lain in bed talking, wanting to know all about the woman he was with. “What are you feeling?”
“So much love.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “But also a little fear. Not because I’m worried that you don’t love me,” she said before a bolt of panic could nail him in the center of his chest, “but because I’ve never cared this much about anything or anyone. If anything happened to you or Ruby…” The words choked up in her throat. “I never knew it could be the best day—and the scariest—simultaneously.”
“How am I the one who makes my living with words, when you’re the one who always says things best?” He drew her closer, her curves soft and perfect against his body as he finally admitted, “I’m terrified.”
It helped to know he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. That even someone as steady, as solid as Cassie could have a hard time finding her footing when the world shifted beneath her.
“Tonight when we were brushing our teeth,” he continued, “I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. I’ve never grinned like a fool while flossing. It’s like you’re rubbing off on me, in all the best ways. Not just in how happy you are, but how strong. Because only someone as strong as you can always find a reason to smile. To have the courage to put her heart on the line each and every day. To create so much beauty all around her.”
“I’m learning from you too,” she told him. “Learning how to fight for what I love. Learning how to keep moving forward even when it might seem easier to give up. Learning how to build a relationship that will last.” She smiled before adding, “Not to mention learning how much fun it is to see you smile and hear you laugh—especially when we’re making love.”
“You’re not the only one who loves that.” In one quick move, she was on her back and he was levered over her.
She was already laughing by the time he nibbled the spot on her collarbone that he’d learned was ticklish. Soon, their laughter gave way to gasps and moans of pleasure as they surrendered to their desperate craving for each other, yet again. And when Cassie tumbled over the edge, Flynn went tumbling with her into sweet pleasure—and a startling sense of peace.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“You doing okay?” Cassie asked. “We can always go home if you’re missing Ruby too much.”
They’d been on the road for three hours, driving from Bar Harbor to Portland. Flynn had kept his phone on the dashboard in case Beth texted. The only messages that had come in, thankfully, were pictures of Ruby giggling with the dog and then playing drums with a spatula and a set of pots.
“I would never ask you to miss the awards ceremony,” he replied as he pulled into valet parking in front of the hotel.
Cassie bit her lip. “What if I’m missing Ruby too much?”
He put the car in Park, then turned to put his hand on her cheek. “I love that you miss her as much as I do. But she’s going to have the time of her life with your parents and siblings and Kevin while we’re gone.” He gave her a knowing smile as he added, “And you’re not getting out of tonight that easily.”
She sighed. “Have I mentioned how much I hate standing up in front of a bunch of people?” Regardless of who won, at the end of the ceremony, all of the finalists would be called up to the stage in recognition of their achievements. She was already sweating just thinking about being in the spotlight.
“From your stories of the toasts and speeches you’ve given at Sullivan reunions and weddings and birthday parties and baby showers, it sounds like standing up in front of a bunch of people is exactly what you’ve been doing your whole life.”
“It doesn’t make me nervous if I’m related to them.”
“In that case, instead of pretending they’re all in their underwear while you’re giving your acceptance speech, pretend they’re long-lost Sullivans.”
She laughed. “Honestly, there are so many of us all over the world that it isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility.”
The valet kept a discreet distance until Cassie opened her door. Jumping to service, he said, “Welcome to The Press Hotel. I will take care of your bags if you would like to go inside to check in.”
Cassie had stayed at the boutique hotel once before, and she loved the rich history of the building in the Old Port district. “This building used to house the offices and printing plant of the Portland Press Herald,” she told Flynn as they walked hand in hand through the elegant entry. “In fact, I read that one of the rooms has a fully restored 1925 Royal typewriter in it.” If she hadn’t become a candy confectioner, she very well might have been an antique specialist. Typewriters had always been a particular favorite.
“You don’t see many buildings like this in California,” he noted. “Everywhere I’ve been in Maine, there’s such a sense of history.”
She squeezed his hand, understanding everything he wasn’t saying. Given that he’d left a small town for one of the biggest cities in the world, it meant so much to her that he had chosen to put down roots in another small town. Unlike in Los Angeles, he would never be able to disappear on a busy downtown street in Maine. Even Portland, while considerably bigger than Bar Harbor, was still tiny by Hollywood standards.
“Hello,” she said to the woman behind the check-in desk. “I have a room reserved for one night under the name Cassie Sullivan.”
“Welcome, Ms. Sullivan and—” The women did a double take when she looked at Flynn, not managing to cover her surprised reaction at coming face-to-face with a Hollywood celebrity.
But though Cassie could feel him stiffen, he didn’t back away from the promise he’d made to stand by her side—and to face whatever fallout came from revealing that he had left Hollywood for Maine.
“Flynn Stewart.”
Clearly flustered, the woman gave him a tremulous smile. “Mr. Stewart, sir, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Both of you.” The woman’s fingers fumbled slightly on her keyboard as she pulled up their information on her screen. “I’m so pleased to see that the two of you have reserved the Penthouse Suite.”
“I’m sorry,” Cassie said with a shake of her head, “you must have my reservation mixed up with another visitor. I booked a standard room with a king bed.”
“According to my records, you have been upgraded to our most exquisite suite of rooms. Your bags have already been sent up. I also see in the notes that you are a finalist for tonight’s awards.” She smiled as she handed Cassie the key to the Penthouse Suite. “Congratulations and best of luck. And please let us know if there is anything at all that we can do for you.”
Cassie waited until they were alone in the elevator before asking Flynn, “Did you do that for us?”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “You deserve the best—and I intend to give it to you.”
“You don’t have to give me anything but yourself. But I’m not going to lie and say this isn’t a really nice surprise.”
She kissed him then and was still kissing him when the elevator opened on the seventh floor. A floor that had only one suite—theirs.
The surprises weren’t over yet, because when she opened the door, she found champagne on ice and several gorgeous bouquets of her favorite flowers decorating the suite. “Oh Flynn…you are such a romantic.”
She was about to kiss him again—and not stop this time—when she saw the antique typewriter she had mentioned to him only a few minutes ago. She read the note next to it out loud. “We hope the panoramic v
iews of Portland from the seventh floor or the journalism-rich history of the building inspire a letter, a poem, or short story during your time at The Press Hotel.” She grinned at Flynn. “Are you feeling inspired?”
“When I’m with you, always.”
Though he hadn’t told her anything about the new screenplay he was working on, she hoped it was true. Telling stories might have been a way to escape his past, but creativity was vital to Cassie’s happiness in the present, and she knew the same went for Flynn.
Continuing their tour of the suite, they walked out on the rooftop patio, which had great views of the Old Port, the harbor, the surrounding islands, and the Atlantic Ocean.
“This is beautiful.”
“Beyond beautiful,” Flynn agreed.
When she realized he was looking at her rather than the view, she put her arms around him. “How about we go inside so that I can show you how much I appreciate all your thoughtful, romantic gestures? We should have just enough time before we need to get ready for the awards ceremony.”
“Or we could save time by starting right here, right now.” He lowered his mouth to the curve of her neck, nibbling on her sensitive skin.
“And risk indecent exposure?” She’d never contemplated doing something so risqué before.
“No one will see anything more than a couple kissing on a rooftop,” he promised her. “Do you trust me, Cassie?”
She shivered, and not because it was cold. “Yes.” She wrapped her arms tighter around him. “I trust you. With everything.”
As though her response lit a fire inside of him, he crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her breathless. By the time he broke their kiss, he’d moved them to the outdoor couch.
Drawing her down to sit with him so that they were facing each other, he made sure his body blocked hers from any clear sight lines. If anyone looked out a window toward the rooftop terrace, they would see little more than Flynn’s broad back.
“I’m glad you wore a dress today,” he murmured as he slowly bunched the fabric in his hands.
The light stroke of his fingertips on her thighs as he drew her dress higher made it impossible for her not to respond. She could only focus on the delicious sensation of his touch and the warmth of his breath on her skin as he pressed kisses from her earlobe to her collarbone.
