Chapter Forty-One
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C assie woke to the feel of a big, warm hand and equally warm lips moving down the length of her bare back. She smiled, sighed, and gave herself up to the man who had changed her life and stolen her heart.
It was Sunday morning. Neither of them had anything pressing left to do or take care of. Any remaining danger had ended abruptly two weeks ago with Isaacs’ arrest.
He had been denied bail and was in jail awaiting trial.
She would have to testify against him, but that wouldn’t be for months, and she had made up her mind not to think about him.
Now it was just a matter of dealing with the ongoing legal and insurance ramifications from the fire during these last few weeks before she returned to work.
But she wasn’t doing any of that today. Today was just for her and Tristan.
He knew exactly what got her going and made her body hum. Within minutes she was wet and aching for him. A few minutes after that, she was desperate for him to quit teasing her and get her off.
Tristan was clearly not in the mood to be rushed, however. He made her wait. Took his time arousing her, drawing it out until she went from urging him to impatiently demanding he make her come.
A deep, soft chuckle vibrated against her nape. “So greedy,” he murmured.
His weight kept her anchored on her stomach beneath him, right arm tucked around her hips. His hand wedged between her thighs, providing the external stimulation to her clit that drove her wild.
“Tristaaaan,” she whined, unsure if she was threatening or pleading.
“Shhh.” When he entered her from behind, she caught her breath. The position made him feel impossibly huge inside her. Being trapped beneath his weight heightened the feeling of vulnerability, her inability to move. Him making her relinquish control sent a hot thrill through her.
His hips began to move. He thrust in and out of her, working her core expertly, hitting exactly the right spot with the perfect amount of force.
It didn’t take her long to get there. He had her so worked up, his angle and tempo so perfect as he stroked her, the wet sound of each thrust unbearably erotic.
She called his name on a plaintive cry, gripped the fitted sheet in her fists and started coming, her inner muscles clenching around him. Against the curve of her shoulder Tristan groaned low in his throat and followed, thrusting deep and burying his face in her neck.
Breathing hard, she moaned and went limp beneath him. “Good morning to you too.”
He nuzzled that soft, sensitive curve, his stubble rasping pleasantly over her skin, raising goosebumps. “Morning. You looked so sweet and sexy in your sleep, I couldn’t help myself.”
A smile curved her mouth. “You’re addicted to me.”
“Completely.” He kissed the side of her neck, eased off her and rolled her onto her side in front of him before tucking her firmly into the curve of his body. He wrapped his right arm around her ribs, the left one bound in a sling against her back. “Wanna get up now?”
“Not even a little. You?”
“Nope.” He snuggled in closer, yawned, and in a shockingly short amount of time was asleep again, his breathing deep and even.
She didn’t know how he did it. Actually resented him for it a little. He must have learned it while he was in the military. But the chaos of the weeks leading up to now was finally behind them, and they both deserved to rest.
To try and save himself with a plea bargain, Commissioner Isaacs had cut a deal and named the others involved in the shooting plot and the attack on Tristan.
They had all been arrested and were awaiting trial.
Her house had already been levelled, and the new foundation was going in late next week.
When the rebuild was finished and the house was staged, she was going to put it on the market.
Tristan wanted her to move in with him permanently, and she loved it here with him.
The late October wind gusted around the edge of the building, making a slight moaning sound along the eaves.
Last night’s storm was starting to ease.
The condo was quiet and solid around them.
The bed was soft and cozy. She was warm and satisfied, and having Tristan wrapped around her made her feel safe on a level she’d never experienced before.
Her eyelids grew heavy. She let them fall. Listened to the sound of the wind and Tristan’s breathing as they lulled her back to sleep.
When she woke up next, three hours had passed, and she was alone. She checked her phone on the nightstand. Saw a message from Tristan.
Sun’s out. Get ready and meet me down at the café. Give me an ETA.
She responded that she would be twenty minutes and got up. After a shower she changed into lined leggings, boots, and a thick, peacock blue tunic-length sweater.
Golden autumn sunlight filled the kitchen as she passed it on her way to the door, where she put on a puffer vest and a tweed newsboy hat with a little black leather flower on the side.
Bristol had bought it for her. At first she’d worn it grudgingly, thinking the flower was ridiculous feminine overkill, but it had quickly grown on her, and now she wore it with everything.
She messaged Tristan. On my way down. See you in five.
Outside, she was greeted by a crisp, sapphire blue sky and a carpet of multi-colored leaves covering the lawn and sidewalks. The sweet, earthy scent of them drifted up with each step.
She paused a moment to savor everything. This was her favorite time of year. Tomorrow night, Carly was coming for a sleepover. They were going to carve pumpkins and take her shopping for a Halloween costume.
She’d never thought she wanted to be a mother. But watching Tristan with Carly made her go all soft inside, and it got her thinking. He would be an amazing dad. Would never walk out on her or their child. Maybe having a baby was a possibility for her after all. She wasn’t sure yet.
Although she did know that she was tired of limiting herself because of her past. Now that she had a real partner, someone she could count on, the possibilities were endless.
Tucking her hands in her pockets, she started down the hill, pulling in a deep breath of the cool, salt-tinged air. The feeling of peace and contentment that washed through her shocked her.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this relaxed and carefree. And knowing a certain, gorgeous, caring and dependable man was waiting for her at the bottom of the hill had her heart beating faster.
She spotted him from halfway down the hill, the autumn sunshine setting his auburn hair aglow. He stood on the corner with his back to her, talking to someone. Ivy and Shae.
He turned when they noticed her, and the smile he gave her spread a big one across her own face.
She kept wanting to pinch herself. For so long, she’d convinced herself that he had some hidden, major personality defects that would sabotage any chance of a relationship with him.
Now she recognized that she’d been living in fear of more hurt and rejection.
A learned response. A sort of protective mechanism to keep him at arm’s length.
No one was perfect, least of all her. Everyone had issues and flaws of some sort. But now she knew the truth about Tristan’s character. He was steady. Reliable. He loved fiercely, both her and his family.
To her, each of those traits were all treasures beyond measure.
“Morning,” she called out. Their relationship hadn’t been a secret for long.
All of Crimson Point knew about them by the time they’d returned from Vegas.
Although she suspected Ryder and the others at CPS had already figured it out long before that.
They were fine with it, but she and Tristan likely wouldn’t be working on jobs together anymore.
“Is it still morning?” Ivy pulled the sleeve of her coat back to check her watch. “Yeah, I guess it is. Five minutes to spare.” Her smile was pure mischief. “Had trouble getting out of bed today, did we? Both had a late start for some reason.”
Shae made a strangled sound. “Ivy...”
Ivy grinned. “Nah, you both deserve it. Got any plans today?”
“Nothing major,” Tristan said. “Thought we’d take it easy, have a long walk on the beach, then do lunch, go home and watch a movie, and then we’ve got a family dinner tonight at Gav and Autumn’s.
” He lifted his right arm when she stepped up to him and wrapped it around her shoulders, tucking her in close to him.
She loved it when he did that. Physically showing her how much she meant to him, but without any ego or sense of ownership involved. He used affection out of love, not insecurity.
“Nice,” Ivy said.
“You doing anything fun?” Cassie asked them.
“Her sister Kiyomi and brother-in-law Marcus are flying in from England tonight,” Shae said, eyes shining. “I’m super excited to meet them.”
“I’ll bet. Wouldn’t mind meeting them either,” she added.
“Yeah? Okay, we’ll have you guys over this week then,” Ivy said, putting her hands into her coat pockets. “So, I hear Isaacs is being charged with the works and is looking at a life sentence.”
Cassie cocked her head. She’d only been informed of that last night by the FBI. “I’d ask how you know that, but I feel like it would spoil the magic of you.”
Ivy laughed softly. “Nah, there’s plenty more magic where that came from. Anyway, glad to hear it, and we’ll let you guys get on with your lazy day. It sounds awesome.”
It did. Just the possibility of having a lazy day alone with Tristan felt awesome. “Enjoy your visit with your sister. Bye.” They hugged, then Tristan handed her a to-go cup from Whale’s Tale.
“Up for a walk on the beach?” he asked.
“Sure. What’s in the bag?” Something fattening and delicious, she hoped.
“You’ll see in a bit.”
He tucked the bag under his arm, laced his fingers through hers, and they crossed Front Street.
The beach was practically empty as they walked along the edge of the damp band of beach yards from where the rollers slid across the sand.
Her hat protected her ears from the cold wind. It had died down to sharp gusts now.
She sipped her chai latte and lost herself in the moment.
Tristan’s hand was warm around hers, his quiet, solid presence setting her mind and body at ease while the roar of the surf filled the air.
She felt safe. She felt completely free and filled with excitement about her brand-new life stretching out before her.
Tristan glanced down at her, gave her a quizzical grin when he saw she was smiling. “What?”
“I’m just happy. Unbelievably happy.”
His expression changed, growing serious. He stopped walking and drew her to him, surrounding her in a one-armed hug. “Me too. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
Lord, the man was gorgeous. Got her heart pounding without even trying. He didn’t often talk about his feelings, but when he did, it was always profound. “I’m glad.”
“There’s one thing that would make me even happier.”
She frowned, his cryptic tone throwing her. “What?”
His arm eased from around her. He held her gaze, his expression so intense as he slowly sank to one knee before her.
For a moment, she told herself she was dreaming or at least imagining things. But she held her breath, pulse drumming in her ears as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
She gasped. Was this really happening?
He flicked the lid open to reveal a ring. She barely glanced at it, her eyes shooting back to his. It is. This is happening.
“Will you marry me, Cass?”
Her hand flew to her mouth. She blinked as tears rushed to her eyes. She wanted to ask him if he was sure, held the words back because she didn’t want to spoil the moment, and besides, she could see everything she needed to know in his face.
He loved her. Unconditionally, flaws and all. And he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
“Yes,” she choked out, dropping to her knees in front of him and throwing her arms around his broad shoulders. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He expelled a hard breath and crushed her to him. “I love you so much.”
“Love you too.” She wiped at her eyes, pulled back and grabbed the box from his hand. “Let me see it.” The center stone was a round amethyst, with a small diamond on each side of it where it met the delicate, white gold band.
Her birth stone. He’d bought her a dainty, perfect ring made with her birthstone.
She pressed her lips together for a moment. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, completely overcome. “Put it on me, quick.” She stuck out her left hand, waited impatiently while he grinned and plucked it from its velvet bed to slide it onto her ring finger.
She only had a moment to admire the sight of it sparkling in the sunshine before he went and made her heart roll over in her chest by bending his head and pressing a kiss to her knuckle just above the band.
Cassie took his face in her hands and kissed him, pouring the depths of her heart, the very essence of her soul into it. When she eased back, the unwavering love in his eyes made her teary all over again. “How long have you been planning this?”
“Since Vegas.”
That surprised her. They’d briefly talked about the idea of marriage that night, but she hadn’t realized he’d been so serious. And she’d also been drunk. “Does Gav know?”
“No. I thought about telling him, but I wanted to make sure this was a surprise for everyone.”
She grinned. “Oh, it will be. I’m gonna call Bristol and my mom because they’d kill me if I didn’t, but I’ll swear them to secrecy. Don’t say anything to your family yet—I want to see their reactions when they notice the ring tonight.” She couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces.
“You ready to take them all on permanently? I love them like crazy, and I know they can be a lot, but they’re part of the package.”
“It’s an amazing package. The best one I’ve ever received.” She looped her arms around his neck. The knees of her leggings were soaked. People walking past them were staring. Let them. All she cared about was the man in front of her, and the promise of their future shining in his eyes.
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “So that’s another yes?”
She gave him a solemn nod, felt a calming warmth settle deep inside her. “I’m ready.”