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He waited.
When she buried her face in his shoulder, he tightened his embrace. “Honey. It’s okay. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.” He meant it. He wanted her and, God help him, he wanted to keep her.
“We were arguing about Mom and … money and stuff, and she … Out of the blue, she brought up our dad. He died seven years ago.”
Mike slid his arms around her waist and lifted her onto his lap. Long strands of hair hung in her face. He shoved them out of the way.
“She went on to gloat and tell me that Dad called her the night before he died. He said I was drunk and came to his hospital room and upset him.”
If he had her sister here, he’d ring her spiteful neck.
Cassie swiped the tears on her cheek. Mike pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“I remember that night. I went with some of the teachers to dinner. I had one glass of wine.”
“Your sister made that up. For whatever small-minded reason, she wanted to hurt you.”
Cassie burrowed into him. God, he wished he could take away her pain. Undo the confrontation. She unburdened her soul, ripping his guts right along with hers. “I loved my father. We didn’t agree on everything, but I respected him. I joked with him, no one else did. My sister is picking at anything she can to upset me.”
Her lips quivered into his neck as she spoke. The woman had no idea what her fingers toying with his chest hair did to him. Yes, he desired her, but he cherished her. Cassie owned his heart. He was damn thankful he was the one holding her. Thankful he was the one comforting her.
“Keep your good memories of him, Cassie. Put what your sister said out of your mind.” Mike could only assume Cassie and her sister were strung out over their mom’s surgery. Stress made people behave irrationally. He’d seen it firsthand after responding to many 911 calls.
If it wasn’t worry or release of built up tension, then her sister was one real piece of work. He couldn’t imagine anyone attacking Cassie. She was the most sensible woman he’d ever met. A lot of fun, too.
He never had a sibling. Still, it didn’t seem right to fight in your mother’s hospital room. Sounded like Cassie’s sister had some real issues.
“Thank you,” she said cuddling deeper into his chest. “Thank you for being here. Thank you for coming when I called.”
Holding her tight, he tried showing her without words how he felt. Her clinging was sending some serious signals prompting urges of desire. Triggering the impulse to turn her on his lap and drive himself into her heat. Like he had last night.
But for now, he’d hold her.
“Anytime.”
Every time.
All the time.
It amazed him how much he meant those words—with a passion bordering insanity. Fierce possessiveness, violent protectiveness, savage yearning—feelings beyond any he’d imagined.
He was in way over his head.
***
Mike figured he spent so much time thinking about Cassie he might as well be with her. And he wanted to do something nice. She deserved nice after the scene with her sister. He’d asked Cassie on another date and she’d accepted.
He’d been doing a lot of thinking about what he wanted lately. What did he want?
A woman who’d accept him. Accept his job. Accept the fact that he would never quit. Fighting fires was in his blood. Whether the adrenaline rush or the need to protect and save, when the siren went off, his instincts kicked in. His training took over and he did what needed to be done. Second thoughts could get a man killed. When Mike charged into a burning building, the only thing on his mind was search and protect.
Wishes and fantasies were not for him. He lived in the real world. A world where his profession presented risk. Women wanted their man safe and be a good provider. A three-piece suit would choke him. He loved what he did and he wouldn’t give it up for any woman.
But he couldn’t resist Cassie. The woman drew him, grabbed him by the gut. Maybe this thing would blow up in his face, but he planned to enjoy her for as long as he could.
Fresh from the shower, Mike lathered his face with shaving cream. Before he picked up his razor, the phone rang. He grabbed a cloth, slung the linen around his neck and tightened the towel dangling around his hips while he strode into his room.
“Mike here.”
