Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Blake
The morning sun slices through the blinds, painting stripes across Cassie’s bare shoulder where she lies tangled in the sheets. My whole damn world feels rearranged after last night. I thought I knew passion before, but nothing touches what I found in her arms.
She stirs, her lashes fluttering open, and the soft, drowsy smile she gives me hits me hard.
“Good morning,” she whispers, voice rough with sleep.
I roll onto my side to kiss her, “Morning, beautiful. Are you hungry?”
“Starved,” she sighs. “First, I need a shower.”
“Then you shall shower,” I jump out of bed, scoop her into my arms, and carry her into the bathroom.
“What are you doing?” She giggles.
“Taking care of my girl,” I kiss the tip of her nose before setting her down on a fluffy bathmat.
“You’re spoiling me, and I like it,” she reaches behind the shower curtain, turning the water on. Then she crooks her finger my way as she steps into the tub. “Come on, Officer Donovan.”
We stand under the warm water, billows of steam rising around us.
She presses my back to the tile, then sinks to her knees.
Her hand wraps around my erection until it reaches the base.
With slow, easy pressure, she glides her hand up and down the length of me until my knees are shaking.
When she looks up at me and slowly drags her tongue across the swollen crown—I could die a happy man.
She sucks the head into her mouth, teasing me with her slick tongue.
My hips flex, moans pour out of me as I brace my hands against the wall. She licks and sucks, swirling her tongue until I can’t take it anymore. I snatch her against my chest, “Legs around my waist, baby. This isn’t going to take long.”
She licks her way into my mouth as my hips fly like pistons. When Cassie moans into my mouth, I sink my fingers into her hips, gasping as I erupt in hot, wild pulses.
“That’s one hell of a way to start the morning,” I smile against her neck.
“Did you like it?” she whispers.
“Like it?” I set her down, tip her chin up, pressing a soft kiss to her mouth. “I loved it.”
“Good,” she tips her head under the water. “I’ll get better if you let me practice.”
“You can practice on me anytime you want,” I smile. “I’m all yours. And trust me, babe, you don’t need to practice. That was perfection.”
She gives me a wicked grin, “But practice makes perfect.” She slathers my chest with soap.
Grinning like fools, we wash each other.
By the time we wrap towels around ourselves, my stomach’s growling.
“I make a mean omelet,” She winks.
“Maybe I should taste you first,” I slide my hand under her towel.
“No, no, no!” She giggles, “We really do need to eat something.” She runs out of the bathroom.
I chase her down the hall. “You are criminally sexy in that towel. Illegal, even. I should arrest you.”
She laughs, glancing over her shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Baby, I’m dead serious,” I growl, making a grab for her. “I’m gonna charge you with indecent exposure. Intent to kill me with temptation—”
Just as I snag the edge of her towel, ready to rip it off her and tackle her to the floor, we turn the corner and freeze.
Sitting primly on the couch are Nan, Clara, and Cassie’s grandmother, all three of them with purses clutched to their laps and smiles wide enough to split their faces.
“Morning,” Nan says brightly.
“Good morning,” Cassie’s grandmother echoes, her eyes twinkling.
Clara lifts a bakery box. “We’re delivering cookies to the book club members. We thought we’d bring you a dozen.”
Cassie makes a strangled noise beside me, her cheeks flaming red. I can feel my own ears burning.
“Umm…” she clears her throat, “I’m not a member of the book club.”
“Of course you are, dear.”
“No, Gran,” she shakes her head. “I’m not.”
“Well, you are now,” Nan’s grin widens. “It’s nice to see you two having such a fun morning.”
I want to back out of the living room, but I can’t leave Cassie alone. So, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world to stand in front of elderly women naked, I tighten the towel around my waist and smile. “Good morning, ladies. This is a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Cassie mumbles. “This is an ambush.”
“Oh, sweetheart, this is no such thing. Don’t be embarrassed,” Gran waves her hand, “It’s been a bit since I’ve been chased by a handsome man, but I do remember it’s a wonderful way to start your day.”
“Gran,” Cassie rolls her eyes. “You’re only supposed to use the key I gave you for an emergency. Delivering cookies is not an emergency. And please don’t tell me they’re more of your crazy penis cookies.”
“Penis cookies?” I choke back a laugh. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“These women aren’t as innocent as you think they are.” Cassie huffs.
“Well, we should get going and let you two enjoy the rest of your morning,” Clara says as she gets to her feet, setting the box of cookies on the coffee table. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, honey,” she smiles at Cassie. “But these are just plain old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies.”
Nan elbows Clara in the side. “I told you this blind date would work.”
Gran blows Cassie a kiss. “I’ll call tomorrow, dear. Nice to see you again, Blake.”
“Nice to see you, too.” I wave.
The three of them bustle to the door, chattering like crows. Nan calls over her shoulder, “Cassie, tell your friends about our book club. We’ll set them up on blind dates, too! We meet every Friday night, rain or shine.”
The door clicks shut.
Cassie tosses her hands in the air. “By noon, the entire town of Love Canyon is going to know they’ve seen you naked.”
I can’t help it—I laugh. Hard.
She glares. “It’s not funny.”
“I think it’s hilarious. And please tell me about the penis cookies.”
“Oh, shut up.” She turns away, but her shoulders are shaking with laughter.
I step up behind her, tugging her against my chest, towel and all. “Hey.” She tilts her head just enough for me to brush my lips over her temple. “If this is what it’s like to be with you? Surprise guests, cookies, and you? I’ll take it. Every damn day of the year.”
Her breath catches. She turns in my arms, her green eyes searching mine.
“Are you real?” she asks.
“Yes,” I murmur against her mouth. “I’m real. And I’m all yours.”
She kisses me back, “All of you?”
“All of me.”
She tugs at my towel, letting it fall to the floor. “Then I want more of you.” She smiles at me sweetly, tossing her towel on top of mine.
My heart soars as her eyes drill into my soul.
I’ve never belonged to anyone before. But with Cassie, I don’t just belong—I’m exactly where I was always meant to be.