Single Man Meets Single Mum
Jules Bennett
“Ian, I can’t … I just met you.”
“You’re attracted to me,” Ian insisted.
“That doesn’t mean I should act on it,” Cassie replied. “You’re only here for a short time. We can’t just … you know.”
“Have sex?”
Oh, mercy. The words were out now. Dear Lord. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had sex before—she had a baby for crying out loud—but, “Acting on sexual attraction isn’t something I normally do.”
Ian stepped forward, and stopped when Cassie held up a hand. “Don’t. I can’t think when you’re touching me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “You would.”
“See? You know me already.”
“You’re going to have to keep your hands to yourself.” “You’re no fun.”
Without a word, Ian closed the gap between them. He brought his mouth close to hers. “A woman who kisses like you, who responds to my touch without hesitation, has pent-up passion that needs to be released.”
His lips barely brushed hers. “Come find me when you’re ready.”
***
Single Man Meets Single Mum is part of the No.1 bestselling series from Mills & Boon
Desire™ : Billionaires & Babies: Powerful men … wrapped around their babies’ little fingers.
Single Man
Meets Single Mum
Jules Bennett
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
National bestselling author JULES BENNETT’S love of storytelling started when she would get in trouble as a child and would tell her parents her imaginary friends were to blame. Since then, her vivid imagination has taken her down a path she’d only dreamed of. And after twelve years of owning and working in salons, she hung up her shears to write full-time.
Jules doesn’t just write Happily Ever After—she lives it. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jules and her hubby have two little girls who keep them smiling. She loves to hear from readers! Contact her at authorjules@gmail.com (mailto:authorjules@gmail.com), visit her website, www.julesbennett.com (http://www.julesbennett.com), where you can sign up for her newsletter, or send her a letter at PO Box 396, Minford, OH 45653, USA. You can also follow her on Twitter and join her Facebook fan page.
To Jill, Amy and Inez.
I love you three more than the frozen yogurt we devour.
Thanks for the road trip and all the laughs.
May we have many, many more!
Contents
Cover (#ufb1ea787-81ea-5339-9f10-d14d36b6c786)
Introduction (#u00ea646d-4125-5d40-ae0b-52835fd63953)
Title Page (#u7b8c73ad-8576-5497-97e7-2b7c21b59930)
About the Author (#u74495ca8-99f6-5514-b6cd-d0edd8f72f7c)
Dedication (#u78e32c87-9eaf-584f-8494-355fcd8f68bf)
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
One (#udab38ae7-a8bd-5af6-81af-1c5ee66fcd91)
Oomph!
Out of nowhere, Ian Shaffer had his arms full of woman. Curvy, petite woman. A mass of silky red hair half covered her face, and as she shoved the wayward strands back to look up, Ian was met with the most intriguing set of blue eyes he’d ever seen.
“You okay?” he asked, in no hurry to let her down.
He’d taken one step into the stables at Stony Ridge Acres and this beauty had literally fallen into his arms. Talk about perfect timing.
The delicate hand against his shoulder pushed gently, but he didn’t budge. How could he, when all those curves felt perfect against his body and she was still trembling?
He may not know much about the horse industry, but women... Yeah, he knew women really well.
“Thank you for catching me.”
Her low, husky voice washed over him, making him even more thankful he’d come to this movie set to see to his client’s needs in person...and to hopefully sign another actress to his growing roster of A-listers.
Most agents didn’t visit movie sets as regularly as he did, but he sure as hell wasn’t missing the opportunity to keep Max Ford happy and allow prospective client Lily Beaumont to witness just what a kick-ass, hands-on agent he was. Given his young age, the fact that he was known as a shark in the industry happened to be good for business.
Ian glanced to the ladder that stretched up into the loft of the spacious stables. His eyes narrowed in on the rung that hung vertically, the culprit of the lady’s fall.
“Looks like your ladder needs repairing,” he told her, looking back to those big, expressive blue eyes.
“I’ve been meaning to fix it,” she told him, studying his face, his mouth. “You know, you can let me down now.”
Yeah, he was probably freaking her out by keeping her in his clutches. But that didn’t stop him from easing her down slowly, allowing her body to glide against his.
Hey, he may be there to concentrate on work, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the samplings of a tempting woman when an opportunity presented itself.
Keeping his hand on her arm, Ian allowed his gaze to sweep down her body. He justified the touch by telling himself he was looking for signs of injury, but in all honesty, he simply wanted to get a better look. If this was what they called taking in the local scenery, then sign him up.
“Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked.
“Just my pride.” Stepping back, forcing his hand to fall away, she brushed her fingers down her button-up plaid shirt. “I’m Cassie Barrington. And you are?”
He held out his hand. “Ian Shaffer. I’m Max Ford’s agent.”
And if all went well, he’d be signing Max’s costar Lily, too. There was no way he’d let her go to his rival agency without one hell of a fight first. And then maybe his very unimpressed father would see that Ian had become a success. He was a top agent in L.A. and not just hanging out at parties with women for a living. He’d become a powerful man in the industry.
Though the parties and women were a nice added bonus, Ian enjoyed stepping away from the glamour to be on set with his clients. And it was that extra touch that made him so successful. Between forging connections with producers and getting to know the writers and actors better, he could place his clients in the roles best suited to them.
The role Max was playing was perfect for him. The top actor was portraying the dynamic Damon Barrington, famous horse owner and former jockey. And for Ian, escaping L.A.’s hustle and bustle to spend time on a prestigious Virginia horse farm was a nice change of pace.
“Oh, Max mentioned you’d be coming. Sorry for falling on you.” Her brows drew together as she gave him a quick assessment. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Ian shoved his hands into his pockets, offering her a smile. She could assess him anytime she wanted. “Not at all,” he assured her. “I rather enjoyed the greeting.”
Her chin tilted just enough to show defiance. “I don’t make a habit of being clumsy...or throwing myself at men.”
“That a fact?” he asked, trying not to laugh. “Such a shame.”
“Do you make a habit of hitting on women?” she asked.
Unable to resist the gauntlet she’d thrown before him, Ian took a step forward, pleased when her eyes widened and she had to tip her head up to hold his gaze.
“Actually, no. But I’m making an exception in your case.”
“Aren’t I lucky?” Her tone told him she felt anything but. “Max should be in his trailer. His name is on the outside, and I believe another trailer was recently brought in for you.”
Apparently she was in a hurry for him to be on his way—which only made him want to stay longer. Finding someone who didn’t care about his Hollywood status, someone who wasn’t impressed with his power and money, was a refreshing change. The fact that someone was curvy, wore jeans as though they were made to mold those curves and had expressive baby blues was the icing on the proverbial cake.
“So you’re the trainer and your sister is the famous jockey?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
The warm late-spring sun beat against his back as it came through the wide doors of the stable. Summer blockbuster season was just around the corner and, hopefully, once the film wrapped and he’d signed Lily, his agency would still be on top. His ex-partner-turned-rival would no longer be an issue.
He’d started working for an agency right out of college, thanks to a referral from a professor he’d impressed, but some lucky breaks and smart business sense had had him quickly moving to open his own. Unfortunately, he’d taken on a partner who had stabbed him in the back and secretly wooed most of their clients in the hopes they’d work exclusively with him in a new venture.
For the sake of his pride, he had to win Lily over and get her under contract. But how could his mind be on business with this voluptuous distraction before him?
“You’ve done your homework,” she commented. “I’m impressed you know about me and my sister and our different roles.”
“I do my research. You could say I’m pretty hands-on as an agent.”
“Apparently you’re hands-on with everything.”
Oh, that was such a loaded statement—one he wouldn’t mind exploring if he had the time. His eyes held hers as he closed the gap between them. The pulse at the base of her throat quickened and her breath caught as she stared, unblinking, at him.
Damn work responsibilities. But surely a little flirting, hell, even a fling, would make this an even more riveting trip.
“Everything,” he whispered. “Let me know if you ever want an experience.”
When her gaze dropped to his mouth again, Ian resisted the urge to grab her, to taste her. There would be plenty of time for...anything she was willing to give. Besides, wasn’t the chase half the fun?
“I think you know where my trailer is.”
And because he’d probably crossed some sort of moral, ethical boundary, Ian turned and walked from the barn, leaving her with her mouth open.
Well, this was already the most exciting movie set he’d ever visited and he hadn’t even seen his client yet.
* * *
Cassie tightened her grip on MacDuff’s lead line. He was still new, still skittish, but she was working with him every single day and he was showing improvement. Every now and then he’d let her father, Damon Barrington, ride him, but he had a touch that every horse seemed to love.
At least MacDuff had quit trying to run from her. Now, if she could just get him to understand her silent commands that he had to mimic her pace and direction when they walked.
Her work with MacDuff and the other horses was just one of the many issues that had ended her marriage. Derek had wanted her to stop spending so much time with the “strays” she brought in. He’d insisted she stop trying to save every animal, especially when she’d become pregnant.
Cassie would never stop trying to save animals...especially since she hadn’t been able to save her marriage. Her husband had obviously loved women and liquor more than her and their baby. His loss, but the pain still cut deep.
She focused on the line, holding it tight and trying to keep up with the routine because she was running a tad behind now.
Of course, she’d been thrown off her game already this morning after falling into the arms of that handsome, bedroom-eyed stranger. For a split second she’d wanted to revel in the strength with which he held her, but then reality had slapped her in the face, reminding her that she’d fallen for a smooth talker once. Married him, had his child and hadn’t seen him since.
Well, except when he’d shown up for the divorce proceedings, mistress in tow. As if that busty bleach blonde would ever play stepmom to Cassie’s precious baby. Hell. No.
Cassie swore she’d never let another man play her for a fool again, and she sure as hell wouldn’t get swept away by another pretty smile and sultry touch.
Unfortunately, when she’d fallen into Ian’s arms, she’d forgotten all about that speech she’d given herself when her husband had left. How could she have a coherent thought when such strong arms were holding her flush against a taut body? No woman would blame her for the lapse in judgment.
But no more. Cassie had her daughter to consider now.
With sweet Emily just turning one, Cassie knew she’d definitely gotten the best part of her marriage, and if Derek didn’t want to see their baby, he was the one missing out.
So, no more sexy men who thought they were God’s magnificent gift to this world. Although Cassie had to admit, even if just to herself, that her insides had tingled at Ian’s touch. He’d been so strong, had smelled so...manly and had looked in her eyes as if she truly was a beautiful, desirable woman.
She hadn’t felt anything but frumpy and still a bit pudgy since having Emily. The extra weight that refused to go away coupled with her husband leaving her for another woman were damaging blows to her self-esteem. Yet, Ian had held her with ease, which wasn’t helping her ignore the potency of the mesmerizing man.
Getting swept away by another handsome man with sultry eyes and a powerful presence wouldn’t do her any good. She had to concentrate on helping her sister, Tessa, win her way to the Triple Crown. They’d worked side by side nearly their entire lives, always with the dream of being Triple Crown winners like their father. And here they were, about to make history, and Cassie couldn’t be more excited.
When Cassie had been too far along with her pregnancy, her father had stepped up to train Tessa. This racing dynasty truly was a family affair.
One race down, two to go.
The fact that the Barrington estate had been turned into a film set was icing on the cake. A script surrounding her father’s legacy, legendary racing and past winning streak had piqued the interest of Hollywood A-listers, and, suddenly, the horse farm was all abuzz with lighting, sound guys, extras and security.
Cassie actually loved seeing her father’s life played out by Max Ford, the handsome, newly married actor. And playing the role of her late mother was beautiful Southern belle and it-girl Lily Beaumont. So far the two were doing an amazing job, and Cassie couldn’t wait to see the final product.
To cap off the racing season, Cassie was moving full throttle toward opening her own riding school for handicapped children. Since having her own child, Cassie wanted to slow down, and she’d always had a soft spot for kids anyway...something she’d thought she and her ex had in common.
Launching the school would be one more step in the healing process. So now she just needed to keep saving up—she wouldn’t dream of asking her father or anyone else for money—to get it off the ground.
“Daydreaming?”
Keeping a firm grip on the lead line, Cassie glanced over her shoulder to see Tessa moving toward her in slow, cautious steps. MacDuff really did get treated with kid gloves by everyone until he learned they were his friends.
“Maybe just a little,” Cassie admitted, gently pulling MacDuff into a soft trot. “Give me just a few minutes and we’ll get to work.”
Tessa shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “I’d rather hear what has my big sister so distracted this morning.”
Cassie rolled her eyes at Tessa’s smirk and quirked brow. She led MacDuff forward a few steps, stopped and moved back a few steps, pleased when the stallion kept up with her exact number and didn’t try to fight her.
He was learning. Finally.
“I’m always amazed at how broken they seem to be,” Tessa said softly. “You have this patience and gentleness. It’s almost as if they know you’re determined to help them.”
“That’s because I am.” Cassie reached up to MacDuff’s neck, offering him praise. “He’s just misunderstood and nobody wanted to work properly with him.”
“He was abused.”
Cassie swallowed as she led MacDuff back to the stables. The thought of someone beating him because he hadn’t had the right training sickened her. She’d known he’d been abused on some level, simply because of how he’d arrived all wide-eyed and nervous and then threw Tessa the first time she’d mounted him. But the second any horse, rescued or not, stepped onto Stony Ridge Acres, they were treated like royalty. No matter their heritage. Yes, they bred prizewinning horses and bought from a long lineage of winners, but it wasn’t always about the win.... It was about the love and care of the animal. And since Stony Ridge was a massive farm, they could take in those strays Cassie had a soft spot for.
She’d always loved watching the trainers her father had for his horses. Years ago, female trainers had been frowned upon, but her father had insisted women were more gentle and less competitive by nature than men, thus producing better-tempered horses—and winners.
“You didn’t happen to see a certain new hunk on the set this morning, did you?” Tessa asked as she pulled out the tack box and helped to brush MacDuff.
Cassie eyed her sister over the horse’s back. “Aren’t you engaged?”
“I’m not dead, Cass.” Tessa brushed in large circular strokes. “I’ll take your lack of answering to mean you did see him.”
Saw him, fell into his arms, got lost in those sexy eyes that could make a woman forget she’d been burned...and maybe reveled in that powerful hold a tad too long.
“Even you have to admit he’s one attractive man,” Tessa went on.
“I can admit that, yes.” Cassie switched from the currycomb to the dandy brush. “I may have had an incident this morning involving that loose rung on the ladder to the loft and Mr. Shaffer.”
Tessa stepped around MacDuff’s head, dropped the brush into the tack box and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, spill it. You know his name and you said ‘incident.’ I want all the details.”
Cassie laughed. “It’s no big deal, Tess. I fell off the ladder. Ian happened to be there, and he caught me.”
“Oh, so we’ve gone from Mr. Shaffer to Ian.”
“He’s Max’s agent and apparently visits his clients’ film sets. We exchanged names,” Cassie defended herself. “Seemed like the thing to do since he was holding me.”
“I love where this story is going.” Tessa all but beamed as she clasped her hands together.
Laughing, Cassie tossed her brush aside, as well. “No story. That was pretty much it.”
“Honey, you haven’t even mentioned a man’s name since you know who left and—” Tessa held up a hand when Cassie tried to intervene “—your face seemed to brighten up a bit when you said his name.”
“It did not,” Cassie protested.
Tessa’s smile softened. “If you want to argue, that’s fine. But he’s hot, you finally showed a spark of life about a man and I’m clinging to hope that you haven’t given up on finding love. Or, for heaven’s sake, at least allowing yourself a fling.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and patted MacDuff’s side. “Just because this romance business is working for you doesn’t mean it will for me. I tried that once—it didn’t last. Besides, I have no time for love or even a date between training with you and Emily.”
“There’s always time. And, romance aside, have a good time. A little romp with a sexy stranger might be just what you need,” Tessa said with a naughty smile. “Aren’t you the one who forced me to take a few days off last month? You have to make time for yourself.”
Cassie had conspired with Tessa’s now fiancé, producer Grant Carter, to whisk Tessa away during her training and the filming of the movie. Grant had wanted to get Tessa far from the limelight, the stress and the demands of their busy schedules, and Cassie had been all too happy to help because her sister needed a break.
Tess had found the right man, but Cassie seriously doubted there was a “right man” for her. All she required was someone who loved her and didn’t mind her smelling like horses more often than not, someone who would offer stability in her life, make her feel desirable and love her daughter. Was that too tall of an order?
“I’m not looking for a fling,” Cassie insisted, even though she’d pretty much already envisioned a steamy affair with Ian.
Tessa raised a brow. “Maybe a fling is looking for you.”
“I just met the man. I’m sure he’s not going to be around me that much anyway, so there’s very little chance of seduction. Sorry to burst your bubble.”
“Maybe you should show Ian around the estate,” Tessa suggested as she went to grab a blanket and saddle for her racing horse, Don Pedro.
Cassie sighed, closing the gate to MacDuff’s stall. “I don’t want to show him around. Max is his client—he can do it.”
“Max is going to be busy filming the scene with Lily down by the pond. I want to make sure we’re there to see that taping.”
Cassie smiled and nodded in agreement. She loved watching the two actors get into character, loved watching her father’s reaction to reliving his life through the eyes of a director, and there was no way she’d miss such a monumental scene. This was the scene where Max would propose to Lily. The replay of such a special moment in her parents’ lives was something she had to witness.
“I’ll make sure we’re done here about the time shooting starts,” Cassie assured her sister. “All the more reason I don’t have time to show Ian around.”
“Now, that’s a shame.”
Cassie and Tessa both turned to see the man in question. And just like with their earlier encounter, the mere sight of him caused a flutter to fill her belly. Of course, now she couldn’t blame the sensation on the scare from the fall...only the scare from the enticing man.
“I’d like to have a look around the grounds if you have time,” he said, looking directly into her eyes, seeming to not even notice Tessa.
Cassie settled her hands on her hips, cursing herself when his gaze followed her movements. Great, now she’d drawn his attention to her hips...not an area a woman wanted a man looking.
“I thought you went to see Max,” Cassie said, refusing to acknowledge his request.
“I saw him for a brief moment to let him know I was here. He actually was talking with Grant and Lily.”
Cassie cast a glance at her sister, whose face had split into a very wide grin. Darn her.
With a gracefulness that would’ve pleased their late mother, Tessa turned, extended her hand and smiled. “I’m Tessa Barrington, Cassie’s sister. We’re so glad to have you here at the farm.”
Ian shook Tessa’s hand as the two exchanged pleasantries. He finally settled his gaze back on Cassie. Did those eyes have some magical power? Seriously, why did she have to feel a jolt every single time he looked at her?
“Go ahead and show Ian around, Cassie. I’m fine here.”
If Cassie could’ve reached out and strangled her sister with the lead line she so would have, but then Ian would be a witness.
“It will have to be tomorrow or later this evening.” No, she wasn’t too busy right now, but she wouldn’t allow Mr. Hollywood Hotshot to hold any control over her. “I’ll come find you when I’m ready.”
“Well, I’m going to walk Don Pedro out,” Tessa said. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ian. Cass, I’ll see you later.”
Great, now they were alone. Cassie would definitely kill her sister for that little stunt.
Ian stepped closer, and Cassie held her ground. This was her property and no matter how charming, how sexy and how...
Damn, he smelled good. She lost all train of thought; Ian’s masculine scent was enough to render her mind blank. How long had it been since she’d been with a man, felt his touch?
Too long. So why did this man with an inflated ego turn her on? Could she not attract the right kind of guy just once?
“I can wait till tomorrow,” he told her. His eyes searched her face as a hint of a smile played around his lips. “I’m a pretty patient man.”
Placing a hand on his chest to stop him may have been a mistake. A jolt of awareness tingled up her arm. The strength, the chiseled pecs beneath her palm... Yeah, she was very aware of the sexiness that encompassed Ian Shaffer.
“I appreciate the fact you’re taking the time to use your charm on me, but I’m too busy for games. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m a lot older than you.”
Ian shrugged. “Age hadn’t entered my mind.”
Cassie laughed. “I’m pretty sure I know what entered your mind.”
He stepped forward again, giving her no choice but to back up until the gate to a stall stopped her. Ian put one hand on either side of her head, blocking her.
“Then I’m sure you’re aware I find you attractive.” His eyes dropped to her mouth, then traveled back up. “I can’t wait for that tour, Cassie.”
He pushed off the stall and walked out of the stable. When was the last time a man had caught her attention, inspired her sexual desire so fast? The danger of falling into lust scared her to death.
But she had to be realistic. There was nothing special about her. And if she did allow herself to act on these very new, very powerful emotions, she highly doubted he’d remember her name in a few months.
No way could she succumb to his charms.
Two (#udab38ae7-a8bd-5af6-81af-1c5ee66fcd91)
Cassie’s parents had been married nearly twenty years when her mother was killed suddenly in a car accident. She’d always admired the love her parents had for each other, always wanted a marriage like that for herself.
Unfortunately, a happy, loving marriage wasn’t in the cards for her. And hindsight was a harsh slap in the face because Cassie realized she’d probably married Derek too quickly.
She’d craved the love her parents had had and thought for sure Derek—the Barringtons’ onetime groom—had the same outlook on marriage.... As in, it was long-term and between only two people.
How could she trust her feelings for a man again? Cassie swiped the tear from her cheek as she headed back toward the stable. The sun was slowly sinking behind the hills surrounding the estate. Spring was gradually turning into summer, giving the evenings just a bit more light.
The day’s filming was complete and the scene she’d just witnessed had left her raw and hopeful all at the same time.
Max Ford and Lily Beaumont had beautifully reenacted Cassie’s parents’ proposal. Cassie had heard stories, had seen pictures of her parents’ early love. But to witness that moment in person... Cassie had no words for how precious the experience had been.
She’d stood with Tessa off to the side, and even with the directors and producers stopping and starting and rearranging in the middle of the scene, the moment had captured her heart.
Added to that, each time she’d glanced at Ian, his gaze had been on hers. He hadn’t even bothered trying to hide the heat that lurked in those dark, heavy-lidded eyes. Thankfully, at one point he’d slid on his aviator shades, but his dominating presence still captured her attention...and her hormones.
There went those lustful emotions again. She couldn’t afford to get swept away by a sexy body and killer smile. Lust was the evil that had overtaken her once before and look where that had gotten her. Oh, she didn’t regret her marriage because she had Emily, but the pain from the rejection and having her love blatantly thrown back in her face was humiliating. Who wanted to be rejected?
Cassie reached the stable, intending to work with MacDuff again, but her eyes moved up to the rung of the ladder that still hung vertically.
She’d meant to mention the problem to Nash, the new groom, but between the emotional shoot and a certain hot agent plaguing her mind, she’d simply forgotten. Besides, he’d been so busy today cleaning out all the stalls, she really hated to add to his list.
Her father took pride in his stables, always making sure everything looked pristine and perfect. Cassie would bite the bullet and fix the ladder herself. At least working on something would keep her mind off Ian...hopefully. Her tendency to fix things and have everything in her life make sense would have to be satisfied with just this piece of wood for now. The Ian issue—and she feared he was fast becoming an issue—would have to wait.
She grabbed the hammer and several long nails from the toolbox in the equipment room. She shoved the nails in her back pocket and held on to the hammer as she climbed the ladder that stretched to the loft of the stable.
The setting sun cast a soft glow into the structure. Horses neighed, stomped hooves and rustled in their stalls. The sounds, the smells—none of it ever got old. Cassie loved her life here and she looked forward to bringing her daughter up in such a beautiful, serene environment.
During her four years of marriage, she’d been away from the estate. Even though she and Derek had lived only ten minutes away, it just wasn’t the same as being on the grounds. Cassie loved living in the cottage, being with the horses and knowing her family was all right here helping with her emotional recovery.
With her tears mostly dry, Cassie sniffed. Crying had never been her thing. Anger fit more into her life, especially since she’d been abandoned only two months after giving birth. Tears hadn’t brought her cheating husband back, not that she’d wanted him after the fact, and tears certainly weren’t helping her raise her daughter or move on like the strong mother she needed to be.
Halfway up the ladder, she eyed the broken rung, then carefully slid it back into place. Widening her stance as far as she could to balance her body while holding the hammer, she reached around into her back pocket for a nail.
“I can help you with that.”
Cassie glanced over her shoulder to see Ian at the base of the ladder, his watchful gaze raking over her body. Great. She had red-rimmed eyes and a red-tipped nose, she was sure. She was not a pretty crier. She always got the snot-running, red-splotchy-face and puffy-eyes look.
Cassie slid a nail out and turned back around to place it against the wood. “I’ve got it, but thanks.”
She knew he hadn’t left, but Cassie didn’t say anything else as she worked quickly and repaired the rung. With a hefty tug on the wood, she made sure it was securely in place before she started her descent. Just as she’d gotten to the last rung, Ian moved his hard body against hers, trapping her between the ladder and a most impressive chest. Her body was perfectly aligned with his, causing ripples of heat to slide through her. They were both fully dressed, but the sensations spiraling through her had never occurred before, even when she’d been completely naked with her ex.
Yeah, she was doomed where this sexy stranger was concerned.
Cassie swallowed, closed her eyes. Ian made her aware of just how feminine she was. When was the last time she’d felt desirable? Was it so wrong to want a man to find her attractive? After being married to someone who kept looking elsewhere for his desires to be fulfilled, Cassie knew she was probably grasping at any attention at this point.
She also knew she didn’t care—not when his body was so hard, so perfectly perfect against hers. Not when his soft, warm breath tickled the side of her neck, and not when his masculine aroma enveloped her.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
Ian slid his arms up to align with hers, his hands covering hers on the wood. “I saw you walking this way. You looked upset.”
No. He didn’t care. He couldn’t. Not this soon and not about her. Sexual desires were clouding his mind...and hers, too, apparently, because she was enjoying the heat of his body a little too much.
What man would follow a woman into a stable just because she looked upset? No. He’d followed her for one reason and one reason only. A reason she certainly didn’t think she was ready for.
“I’m fine,” she lied.
Ian nuzzled her hair. Oh...when he did that she forgot all arguments about why being attracted to someone so full of himself was wrong. Her mind completely voided out any pep talks she’d given in regard to steering clear of lustful feelings and attractive charmers.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, Cassie.” His soft voice slid over her body, reinforcing those tremors that were becoming the norm where he was concerned. “I tried to ignore this pull I have toward you, but it was damn hard when I saw you during the shoot. How do you do that to a guy?”
Um...she had no clue. Power over men had certainly never been something she’d mastered. If it had, she’d still be married.
“Ian, we just met and...”
He used one hand and slid the hammer from her grasp, letting it fall to the concrete floor with a loud thud.
“And I’m older than you,” she continued. “I’m thirty-four. You can’t even be thirty.”
With an arm around her waist, he hauled her off the ladder and spun her around until she faced him—their mouths inches apart.
“I’m twenty-nine, and I assure you I’m old enough to not only know what I want, but to act on it.”
His mouth came down on hers, hard, fast, hungry. Cassie didn’t have time to think or refuse because her body was already melting into his.
The passion pouring from him stirred her desire even more as she gripped his thick biceps. Giving in to just a few seconds of bliss wouldn’t hurt.
And when Ian’s mouth traveled from her mouth down the column of her throat, Cassie tipped her head back as her breath caught. What was he doing to her? A full-on body attack. His mouth may be in one spot, but Cassie could feel every inch of her body tingling and wanting more.
Wait...this wasn’t right. She couldn’t do this.
Pushing him away, Cassie slid her hand up over the exposed skin peeking out of her shirt...the skin his mouth had just explored.
“Ian, I can’t... We can’t...” Words were useless because her mind was telling her one thing and her body was telling her another. “I just met you.”
“You’re attracted to me.”
She couldn’t deny the statement. “That doesn’t mean I should act on it. I don’t just go around kissing strangers.”
“After you learned my name this morning, I was no longer a stranger.”
Those dark eyes held her gaze. Even without a word the man exuded power, control. Derek had been so laid-back, so uncaring about everything that this was quite a change.
And Cassie would be lying if she didn’t admit the fact that Ian was the polar opposite of her ex turned her on even more.
“You’re only here for a short time,” she went on, crossing her arms over her chest. “We can’t just...you know.”
“Have sex?” he asked, quirking a brow.
Oh, mercy. The words were now out, hovering in the air, and from the smirk on his face, she was the only one feeling awkward at this moment.
“Yes, that.” Dear Lord. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had sex before; she’d had a baby, for crying out loud. But she couldn’t discuss something like that with him. Now she felt foolish and juvenile. “Acting on sexual attraction isn’t something I normally do.”
That was an understatement, considering she’d had sex with one man and that had been her husband. What if she did throw caution to the wind? What if she had some sordid affair?
Seriously? Was she contemplating that? She was a mother—a mother to a little girl. What kind of example was she?
“You’re thinking too hard.” Ian started to step forward, but he stopped when Cassie held up a hand.
“Don’t. I can’t think when you’re touching me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “You would.”
“See? You know me already.”
One of them had to think rationally. Apparently it would be her. She maneuvered around him toward the opening of the stable.
“You’re going to have to keep your hands and your mouth to yourself.”
Those tempting lips curved into a smile. “You’re no fun.”
“I don’t have time for fun, Ian.”
And more than likely he was the proverbial good time back in L.A. She could easily see him hopping from one party to the next, beautiful women draped over his arm, falling into his bed.
Cassie flicked the main switch to light up the pathways between the stalls. The brightness from the antique horseshoe-style chandeliers put a screeching halt to any romantic ambience that had been lurking in the darkening stable.
When she turned back around, Ian had his hands on his narrow hips, his focus still locked on her. There was a hunger in his eyes she’d never seen from any man before.
Without a word, he closed the gap between them. Cassie’s heart had just started to settle, but now it picked back up again. She should’ve known better than to think the intense moment would pass.
Ian framed her face with his hands and brought his mouth to within a fraction of an inch of hers. “A woman who kisses, who responds to my touch without hesitation, has pent-up passion that needs to be released.”
His lips barely brushed hers. “Come find me when you’re ready.”
Ian walked around her, leaving her still surrounded by that masculine scent, his arousing words and the tingling from his touch still on her lips.
She’d known the man twelve hours. There was no way she could handle him being on the grounds for two more months. She was a woman—a woman with needs.
And a part of her wondered just what would happen if she allowed herself to put those needs first for once.
Three (#udab38ae7-a8bd-5af6-81af-1c5ee66fcd91)
Two days had passed since she’d been up close and personal with Ian, but Cassie was more than aware of his quiet, yet dominating, presence on the estate. She’d seen him from a distance as he talked with Max. She’d found out she’d just missed him on the set of one scene she’d gone to watch, but she refused to admit she was wondering about his schedule, about when she’d see him again. Feel his body against hers.
She refused to fall for another man who set her hormones into overdrive, so where did that leave her? Considering a fling?
Groaning, she made her way from the stables to the main house. The sun was making its descent behind the mountains and Emily was at her weekly sleepover with Tessa and Grant. After witnessing the shooting of the engagement scene over the past couple of days, Cassie was feeling more and more nostalgic.
She missed her mother with each passing day; seeing Rose’s life depicted in the film had Cassie wanting to feel closer to her. And with Emily away for the night, this was the perfect opportunity to reminisce and head up to the attic, where all her mother’s things were stored.
Rose’s unexpected death had shaken up the family in ways they’d never even imagined. As teen girls, Tessa and Cassie had really taken it hard, but they’d all been there for each other, forming an even stronger bond. But Cassie still ached for her mother’s sweet smile, her encouraging words and her patient guidance.
Because right now she truly wanted a mother’s advice. Ian had her completely tied in knots. When he’d left her in the stables two days ago, Cassie had never felt so torn, so conflicted in her life. And he hadn’t approached her since. What was up with that? Had he changed his mind? Had he decided she wasn’t worth the trouble?
Why was she even worried about this anyway? No doubt Ian was used to those flawless women who had been surgically perfected. More than likely Cassie’s extra pounds and shapelier curves were not what Ian was looking for in a...fling? What was he doing exactly with his flirting? Where had he expected this to go?
Never mind. He’d thrown out the word sex like nothing. Cassie knew exactly where he was headed with his flirting.
Leaving the attic door propped open, Cassie headed up the narrow wooden staircase. At the top she flicked on the small light that was so soft, it really only set off a glow on one wall. But that was the wall where her mother’s boxes were stacked.
In the silence of the evening, Cassie was all alone with her thoughts, her memories. She pulled the lid off the first bin and choked back tears.
How could anyone’s life, especially that of her beautiful, loving, vivacious mother, be condensed to a few boxes? All the memories, all the smiles, all the comfort Rose Barrington had offered to the world...all gone. Only tangible items remained stored neatly in plastic bins.
Cassie couldn’t help but smile. Her very organized mother wouldn’t have had it any other way.
After going through pictures from her parents’ simple, elegant wedding day, Cassie knew the wedding dress was around. Tessa actually planned on wearing it for her upcoming vows, and Cassie couldn’t wait to see her baby sister in their mother’s gown. Just that image was enough to have her tearing up again.
This film was certainly wreaking havoc on her emotions, that was for sure.
Cassie kept searching through storage bins, looking for a box or a folded garment bag. Would the crew need to duplicate that dress for the wedding scene? More than likely they’d already researched pictures to find inspiration for the costumes, just as they had for the settings.
Cassie had been itching for a chance to look through the old photos again herself.
Moving from the bins, Cassie went and looked inside the narrow antique wardrobe, where she discovered a white garment bag. Slowly unzipping, so as not to tear the precious material inside, Cassie peeled back the bag and pulled out the classy gown she’d been hunting for.
The dress had been preserved so that the cream-colored material was still perfect. Tessa would be just as beautiful a bride as their mother had been.
Cassie had thought about wearing it for her own wedding, but her ex had insisted on getting married at the courthouse. She should’ve known then that he wasn’t the one. Not that there was anything wrong with a small civil ceremony, but Derek had known she’d always wanted a wedding in the small church where her parents had married. She’d wanted the lacy gown, the rice in her hair as they ran to their awaiting car...the special wedding night.
None of those young-girl dreams had come true.
Unable to resist, Cassie stripped from her jeans, boots, button-up and bra and pulled on the strapless floor-length dress. A straight cut with lace overlay may be simple to some, but the design was perfect to Cassie.
Smoothing a hand down the snug bodice, Cassie went to the antique mirror in the corner. If she fell in love one day—real love this time—maybe she could wear it. Wouldn’t that be a beautiful tradition? Rose, Tessa and Cassie all wearing the same gown. Perhaps if the material held up and the gown was well preserved again, little Emily would one day walk down the aisle wearing the dress her grandmother had.
If it weren’t for baby weight, the frock would fit perfectly. Unfortunately, right now her boobs threatened to spill out the top and lace was definitely not a forgiving material, so her curves were very...prominent.
Behind her, the attic door clicked. Cassie turned, her hand to her beating heart as footsteps sounded up the stairs. No time to cover up all her goods, so she kept her hand in place over her generous cleavage.
“Hello?” she called.
Ian rounded the landing and froze. He took in her state of dress—or undress, really—of course zeroing in on where her hand had settled.
So much for her evening of reminiscing. Could fate be any more mocking? Dangling this sexy stranger in her face when she knew full well that nothing could or should happen?
“What are you doing?” she asked, keeping her hand in place and trying to remain calm. Kind of hard when she was on display and just the sight of the man had her heart accelerating.
“I wanted to apologize for the other day,” he told her, coming up the last couple of steps. “I never force myself on a woman, and I didn’t want you to have that impression of me. But if I’m going to be here any length of time, and I am, we need to clear the air.”
Clear the air? Cassie sighed and prayed because she had a sinking feeling they may be there for a while.
“Well, now’s the perfect time because if that door latched all the way, we’re locked in here.”
Ian drew his brows together. “Locked in?”
“The door locks from the outside. That’s why I had left it standing open.”
Pulling up the hem of the dress with one hand and trying to keep the bodice up with the other, she moved around him down the steps and tugged on the handle. She leaned her forehead against the door and groaned.
“I didn’t know,” he murmured behind her.
Cassie turned and looked up the steps to see Ian looking menacing and dangerous—in that sexy way only he could—standing at the top. His muscles filled out his long-sleeved T, those wide shoulders stretching the material, and his dark jeans fit his narrow hips beautifully.
She knew firsthand exactly how that body felt against hers. Knew just how well he could kiss a woman into forgetting her morals.
In a house this size, with only her father living here and his bedroom on the first floor, no one would hear them yell until morning, when they could open the small window and catch someone’s attention.
Risking another full-body glance at Ian, Cassie knew she was in big, big trouble. Her attraction to him was the strongest she’d ever felt toward a man. But it wasn’t so much the level of heat between them that scared her; it was the quick onset of it. It felt as if she had no control over her own reaction. She’d been helplessly drawn to this intriguing man. How could she trust her emotions right now? He was honestly the first man to find her desirable since her ex. Was he just a sexy diversion or were her feelings more in-depth than that?
Earlier tonight she’d flirted with the idea of a fling, but now the reality of being trapped with Ian made her heart flutter and nerves dance in her belly.
Her gaze met his. Crackling tension vibrated between them in the soft glow and the silence.
And Cassie had all night to decide what to do with all her attraction and the hungry look in Ian’s eyes...
* * *
Ian stared down at Cassie, struck by those creamy exposed shoulders, that poured-on, vintage-style wedding gown molded to her sweet curves. From his vantage point, he could see even more of her very exposed breasts and most impressive cleavage—even though she was trying her hardest to keep gravity from taking over the top of that dress.
Mercy. Being straight in front of her had been torture, but this angle offered a much more interesting, gut-clenching view. Not that he was complaining.
Being stuck in an attic with Cassie would be no hardship because he’d caught a glimpse of the passion she held beneath her vulnerability. And there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that her war with herself stemmed from some past hurt.
Cassie attempted to cross her arms over her breasts, which only tortured him further, because she failed to cover the goods and actually ended up offering him an even more enticing view. Was she doing this as punishment?
“Text Max and have him come to the main house and ring the doorbell. Dad won’t be in bed yet.”
Ian shook his head. “Sorry. I only came over to apologize to you, so I left my phone in my trailer to charge.”
Groaning, Cassie tipped her head back against the door and closed her eyes. “This isn’t happening to me,” she muttered. “This cannot be happening.”
Ian had to smile. Of all the scenarios he’d envisioned on his short walk from his trailer to the main house, he hadn’t once thought of being stuck for hours with someone so sexy, so unexpected, and wearing a wedding dress to boot.
This couldn’t have been scripted any worse...or better, depending on the point of view.
Cassie lifted the dress and stomped back up the steps, her shoulder slamming into him as she stormed by.
“Wipe that smirk off your face, Ian. Nothing about this is comical.”
“Can’t you call someone with your phone?” he asked, turning to face her.
Cassie propped her hands on her hips. “No. I came up here to be alone, to think.”
Damn, she was even sexier when she was angry. But getting too wrapped up with Cassie Barrington was a dangerous move. She wasn’t a fling type of girl and he’d pushed too hard in the stables. Had she given in to his blatant advances, he knew she would’ve regretted it later.
He needed to do the right thing and keep his hands off her. He was here for two main purposes: keep Max happy and sign Lily so she didn’t go to his rival. Period.
But his hormones didn’t get the memo, because the more he was around Cassie, the more alluring and sexy she became. Of course, now that he’d seen a sample, he had to admit, he wanted to see more. That dress... Yeah, she looked like a 1950s pinup. Sexy as hell, with all the right curves and none of that stick-thin, anorexic nonsense, and she was even hotter with a slight flush from anger.
For the past two days he’d seen her working with her sister, training the horses and driving him unbelievably mad with the way her lush body filled out a pair of jeans. He’d seriously had to get his damn hormones in check and then approach her with a much-needed apology for his Neanderthal tendencies.
But now that he was here, those hormones were front and center once again, overriding all common sense and rational thoughts.
“How did you know I was up here?” she asked. “I figured all the crew was either in their trailers or back at the hotel.”
“I ran into Grant on my way to your cottage. He told me you were here. As I was coming in the back door, your cook, Linda, was going out for the night and she said you mentioned coming to the attic.”
“You came all this way just to apologize? I’m sure you would’ve seen me tomorrow.”
Ian shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “True, but I knew too many people would be around tomorrow. I assumed you wouldn’t want to discuss this in front of an audience. Besides, I think we need to address this spark between us and figure out what to do with it since I’ll be here several weeks.”
Cassie threw her hands in the air. “Could you at least turn around so I can put my clothes back on?”
His eyes traveled down her body, darting to the pile of clothes behind her, zeroing in on the leopard-print bra lying on top.
“Sure,” he said, trying to get the visual of her in that leopard bra out of his mind before he went insane.
Fate may have landed him up here with the sassy, sexy Ms. Barrington, and fate also provided a window directly in front of him, where he was afforded a glorious view of Cassie’s reflection as she changed. Of course, that made him a bit of a jerk, but no man with air in his lungs would look away from that enticing view. This evening just kept getting better and better.
Cassie would probably die before she asked for help with the zipper, so he didn’t offer. And she didn’t have any trouble. As the dress slid down her body, Ian’s knees nearly buckled.
Lush didn’t even begin to describe her. Her full breasts, rounded belly and the slight flare of her hips were a lethal combination.
“As I was saying,” he went on, cursing his voice when it cracked like that of an adolescent. “I realize that neither of us was prepared for the instant physical attraction—”
“You’re delusional,” she muttered as she tugged her jeans up over her hips and matching bikini panties.
“But just because I find you sexy as hell doesn’t mean I can’t control myself.”
Her hands froze on her back as she fastened her bra. Apparently his words had struck a chord. She glanced up and caught his gaze in the reflection. Busted.
“Seriously?” she asked with a half laugh. “Why did you even turn around?”
“I didn’t know the window was there.” That was the truth.
“And you weren’t going to say anything?”
Ian spun around—no point in being subtle now. “I’m a guy. What do you think?”
Rolling her eyes, Cassie shrugged into her shirt and buttoned it up with jerky, hurried motions.
Fighting the urge to cross the room and undress her again, Ian slid his hands into his pockets and met her gaze.
“You are stunning,” he told her, suddenly feeling the need to drive that point home. “I’m not sure why that statement caught you off guard.”
Most women in Hollywood would pause at such a comment, try to deny it in order to hear more pretty words in a vain attempt to boost their own egos, but Ian knew Cassie was different. She truly didn’t believe she was beautiful, and he had a feeling all that insecurity circled back to whatever the basis was for her vulnerability.
Damn, he didn’t have time to delve into distressed damsels. But there was a desire in him, something primal, almost possessive that made him want to dig deeper, to uncover more of Cassie Barrington. And not just physically.
That revelation alone scared the hell out of him.
“I don’t need to be charmed, Ian.” She propped her hands on her hips. “We’re stuck up here and lying or trying to make me want you isn’t going to work.”
“I don’t lie, Cassie.” When she quirked a brow, he merely shrugged. “I find you sexy. Any man would be insane or blind not to.”
Cassie shook her head. After zipping the dress into a white garment bag, she headed over to a storage box and popped off the lid. She flopped down on the floor, crossing her legs and offering him the view of her back.
He waited for her to say something, but she seemed to have dismissed him or was so wrapped up in the memories of the photos she was pulling out, she just didn’t care that he was there.
“You ever look at a picture and remember that moment so well, you can actually feel it?” she asked, her soft voice carrying across the room.
Ian took that as his invitation to join her. He closed the distance between them, taking a seat directly beside her. Cassie held a picture. A young girl, he presumed it was her, sat atop a horse, and a dark-haired beauty, who he assumed was her mother, held the lead line.
“That was my first horse,” she told him, her eyes still on the picture. “I’d always ridden with Dad and helped him around the stables, but this one was all mine. I’d picked him out at auction and Mom and Dad told me I had to care for him all by myself.”
Ian looked at the image of a young Cassie. “How old were you?”
“Eight. But I knew as soon as I saw him that I’d want him. He was skittish and shied away from the men, but when I approached him, against my father’s advice, he came right to me and actually nuzzled my neck.”
Ian listened to her, refusing to let himself fall into her sea of emotions. He’d noticed her and Tessa holding hands at the shoot, tears swimming in both of their eyes.
“I’ve never ridden a horse,” he admitted.
Cassie dropped the picture back into the bin and turned to stare at him. “Seriously? We’ll have to rectify that while you’re here.”
Ian laughed. “I wasn’t asking for an invitation. Just stating a fact.”
She turned a bit more to face him, her thigh rubbing against his. Did she have a clue that she was playing with fire? She may be older than him, but something told him she wasn’t necessarily more experienced.
Arrogance had him believing they weren’t on a level playing field. He had plenty he wanted to show her.
“I love teaching people how to ride,” she went on, oblivious to his thoughts. “It’s such an exhilarating experience.”
Cassie’s wide smile lit up her entire face. The room had a soft glow from the single-bulb sconce on the wall and Ian could resist those full lips for only so long...especially now that he knew exactly how they tasted.
Without warning, he slid his hands through her hair and captured her lips. She opened freely, just like when they’d been in the stables.
Ian tipped her head, taking the kiss deeper. He wanted more, so much more. He wanted to feel her hands on him as he explored her mouth, relishing her taste, but she didn’t touch him. Maybe she did know how to play this age-old game of catch and release.
Easing back, Ian took in her swollen lips, her heavy lids and flushed cheeks and smiled. “Actually, that’s an exhilarating experience.”
And God help them both because between the interlude in the stables and that kiss, he had the whole night to think about how this sexual chemistry would play out.
The real question was: Could he make it all night without finding out?
Four (#udab38ae7-a8bd-5af6-81af-1c5ee66fcd91)
Cassie jumped to her feet, instantly feeling the chill without Ian’s powerful touch. The man was beyond potent and he damn well knew it.
“You seriously think because we’re locked in here and we kissed a few times that I’ll just have sex with you?” Cassie ran a shaky hand through her hair, cursing her nerves for overtaking her as fast as those heated kisses had. “I don’t know what lifestyle you lead in L.A., but that’s not how I work.”
Ian stared up at her, desire still lurking in those dark-as-sin eyes. “Are you denying you were just as involved in those kisses as I was?”
“You had your hands all over me,” she threw back. “Just because I like kissing doesn’t mean I always use it as a stepping-stone for sex. I technically just met you, for crying out loud. I don’t know anything about you.”
Moving as slowly as a panther hunting its prey, Ian came to his feet and crossed to her. “You know how quick you respond to my touch, you know how your heartbeat quickens when you wonder what my next move will be and you know you’re fighting this pull between us.”
Cassie raised a brow, trying for her best bored look. “That has nothing to do with Ian Shaffer. That’s all chemistry.”
“So you don’t deny you want me?” he asked with a smirk.
Crossing her arms and taking a step back, Cassie narrowed her eyes. “Drop the ego down a notch. You just proved how very little we know about each other. You may sleep with virtual strangers, but I don’t.”
Ian laughed, throwing his arms in the air. “Okay. What do you want to know?”
“Are you married?”
Shock slid over his face. “Hell no. Never plan to be.”
Commitment issues? Lovely. Hadn’t she just gotten out of a relationship with a man of the same nature?
On the other hand, Ian wasn’t cheating on a wife back in California. That was at least one mark in his favor. Okay, the toe-curling kisses were major positive points in his favor, but she’d never confess that out loud. And she wasn’t actually looking to jump back into another relationship anyway.
“No girlfriend?” she asked.
“Would I be all over you if I did?”
Cassie shrugged. “Some guys wouldn’t care.”
That heated gaze glided over her and was just as effective as a lover’s touch. Her body trembled.
“I’m not like a lot of other guys.”
He was powerful, sexy and wanted in her pants. Yeah, he was just like some guys.
With a sigh, Cassie laughed. “I can’t believe this,” she muttered more to herself than to Ian. “I’m actually playing twenty questions because I want to have sex.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t care a bit to answer a hundred questions if you’re considering sex.”
Lord have mercy, it was hot up there. Not just because of the ridiculous way her body responded to this charmer, but literally. The heat in the attic was stifling.
Cassie unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt, exposing her cleavage area, but she needed air. She rolled her sleeves up and caught Ian’s eyes taking in her actions.
“Don’t get excited there, hotshot. I’m just trying to cool off.”
Sweat trickled between her shoulder blades and she so wished she’d at least pulled her hair up earlier. There had to be something up here. As she started to look around in boxes for a rubber band of any type, she tried not to think of Ian and if he had sweat on the taut muscles beneath his shirt.
Okay, that mental blocker was broken because all she could see was glistening bronzed skin. And while she hadn’t seen him without a shirt, she had a very good imagination.
“Can I help you find something?” he asked.
Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she caught his smirk as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I just need something to pull my hair up. I’m sweating.”
There, that should douse his oversexed status a little. What man found a sweaty woman attractive? And she was pretty sure her wavy red hair was starting to look like Bozo the Clown’s after a motorcycle ride...sans helmet. She lifted the flap off a box in the far corner and shuffled things around in her hunt.
“So, why is an agent needed on a film set?” she asked, truly wondering but also wanting to keep his mind on work—which was what he should be doing anyway.
“Max is one of my top clients.” Ian unbuttoned his shirt halfway. “I often visit my clients on set to make sure they’re taken care of. And with this being a very impressive script and plot, I knew I had to be here. I’ve actually blocked off a good bit of time to spend at Stony Ridge.”
And wasn’t that just the news she needed to hear? Mr. Tall, Dark and Tempting would be spending “a good bit of time” here. Just what her very inactive sexual life needed...temptation.
“Yes,” she shouted as she grabbed a rubber band off a stack of school papers from her primary days.
“Max is a great guy, from what I’ve seen.” After pulling her hair into a knot on top of her head, she turned to Ian. “He and Lily are doing an amazing job, too. Lily seems like a sweetheart.”
Nodding his agreement, Ian rested a hip against an old dresser. “She’s rare in the industry. L.A. hasn’t jaded her or sucked the goodness out of her. She had a rough patch with a scandal at the start of her career, but she’s overcome it. She’s a rare gem.”
“And I’m sure you’ve tried to get her into bed.”
Rich laughter filled the space. The fact he was mocking her only ticked Cassie off more. But, if she were honest, she was ticked at herself for wanting him.
“I’ve never slept with Lily,” he told her, a grin still spread across his handsome face. “I’ve never even tried to. I’m actually hoping to sign her to my agency. I respect my clients and they respect me. This business is too risky and too exposed for anything like that to remain a secret. There are no secrets in Hollywood.”
“Is that all that’s stopped you? The fact that people could find out?”
Ian straightened to his full height and took a step toward her. Great. She’d awoken the sex beast again.
“What stopped me,” he said as he took slow steps toward her, “was the fact that, yes, she’s beautiful, but I’m not attracted to her. Added to that, I want a professional relationship with her, not a sexual one. If I want a woman in my bed, she won’t be on my client list. Plain and simple.”
He’d come close enough that Cassie had to tip her head back. Thankfully, he hadn’t touched her. Too much more touching—or, heaven forbid, kissing—and she feared her self-control would be totally shot.
Cassie swiped a hand over her damp neck. “Is everything a business strategy with you?”
“Not at all. Right now, I’m not thinking anything about business.”
The way his eyes held hers, as if she was the only person that mattered right now, made her wonder...
She may be naive and she was certainly still recovering from Derek walking out on her, but what would a fling hurt? Tessa had even verbally expressed Cassie’s thoughts on the matter. She’d married for “love,” or so she’d thought. Hell, she’d even saved herself for marriage and look how that had turned out.
“I promise I won’t ravage you if you’d like to take something off,” he told her with a naughty grin. “I’m sure your shirt will be long enough to cover things if you need to get out of those jeans. If not, I’ve seen naked women before.”
Yeah? Well, not this naked woman, and with that last bit of baby weight still hanging on for dear life, she most definitely wasn’t comfortable enough with her body to flaunt it. Even if she did indulge in a fling with the sexy agent—and she couldn’t believe she was seriously considering such a thing—she wasn’t going to make the catch so easy for him. What fun would that be?
Deciding to teach him a lesson, Cassie reached up and patted the side of his face. “You’re so sweet to sacrifice yourself that way.”
Cassie knew her mother had a box of old clothes up here. Perhaps something could be used to cool her off and make Ian squirm just a bit more.
As she went toward the area with the clothing boxes, she opted to keep Ian talking.
“So, tell me more about Lily.” Cassie pulled the lid off an oblong box and nearly wept with relief at the colorful summer dresses inside. “She’s very striking and has a strong resemblance to my mother.”
“When this film came across my desk, I knew I wanted Max to try for it and I was sincerely hoping they paired him with Lily. This role was made for her. She’s already got that Southern-belle charm your mother had, according to everyone on set. Lily has the sweet little twang in her voice like all of you Barringtons do.”
Cassie turned, clutching a simple strapless cotton dress to her chest. “I do not have a twang.”
Ian quirked a brow. “It’s actually even more prominent when you get ticked. Very cute and sexy.”
Rolling her eyes, Cassie turned back to the box and placed the lid back on. “I’m going to change. Could you try not to stare at me through the reflection again?”
Ian shrugged one broad shoulder. “I promise.”
Cassie waited for him to turn around or move, but he just sat there smiling. Damn that man. Now that she’d reminded him he’d seen her pretty much naked, Cassie had no doubt she’d just thrown gasoline on the fire.
“Aren’t you going to turn around?” she finally asked.
“Oh, when you just said not to look at you through the reflection, I assumed you wanted to let me in on the full viewing.”
“I didn’t want to let you into this room...let alone treat you to a viewing.”
Cassie resisted the urge to kiss that smirk off his face. He knew he was getting to her, and she wondered just how much longer she’d deny it to herself.
“I’ll move, then,” she told him, stomping to the other end of the attic behind a tall stack of boxes. “And don’t you follow me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He chuckled. “But you’re just putting off the inevitable, you know.”
She quickly wrestled out of her clothes and yanked the strapless dress up over her heated body. Her bare arms and legs cooled instantly.
“I’m not putting anything off,” she informed him as she came back around the boxes. “I know your type, Ian. Sex shouldn’t just be a way to pass the time. It should mean something, and the couple should have feelings for each other.”
“Oh, I feel something for you. And I plan on making you feel something, too.”
Why did her body have to respond to him? And why did she always have to be so goody-goody all the time?
She didn’t even have the ability to make him squirm. No wonder her husband had left her for another woman.
“I’m not sure what put that look on your face, but I hope it wasn’t me.”
Cassie drew her attention back to Ian, who had now moved in closer and was very much in her personal space. His dark eyes stared at her mouth and Cassie really tried to remember why she was putting up such a fight.
Had her husband ever looked at her like this? As though he was so turned on that all that mattered was the two of them? Had he ever made her tingle like this or feel so feminine and sexy?
No to all the above.
Cassie swallowed. If she was really going to do this, she needed to be in control. She’d been dominated enough in her marriage and right now she wanted something totally different. She wanted sex and she wanted Ian.
Mustering up all her courage, Cassie looked up at him with a wide smile and said, “Strip.”
Five (#udab38ae7-a8bd-5af6-81af-1c5ee66fcd91)
It wasn’t often Ian was shocked—he did live in Hollywood, after all. But that one word that had just slid from Cassie’s lips truly took his breath and left him utterly speechless.
“Excuse me?”
Raising a brow, she crossed her arms as if she dared him to refuse. “I said strip. You want this, fine. But on my terms.”
“I don’t do sex with rules.”
Cassie shrugged. “I don’t do flings, but here we both are, stepping outside of our comfort zones.”
Damn, she was hot. He never would’ve guessed the shy, quiet sister had this vixen streak. Of course, she admitted she was stepping outside her comfort zone, so perhaps this was all new territory. He had to hand it to her—she was doing a spectacular job. But he couldn’t let her have all the control.
Reaching behind his neck, Ian fisted his shirt and tugged it off, flinging it to the side. Hands on his hips, he offered a grin.
“Now you.”
Cassie laughed. “You’re not done yet.”
“No, but I’m ahead of you.” He met her gaze, the silent challenge thrown down between them. “I’m waiting.”
Even though her eyes never left his, he didn’t miss the way her hands shook as she reached beneath the dress and pulled her panties down her bare legs.
Just that simple piece of silk lying discarded at her feet had his pulse racing, his body responding.
She quirked a brow again, as if waiting for him to proceed.
Without hesitation he toed off his shoes and ripped off his socks. “Looks like you’re down to only one garment now,” he told her, taking in the strapless dress she’d donned.
And it was about to get a whole hell of a lot hotter in here.
She eyed the lamp across the room and started for it.
“No,” he told her. “Leave it on.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she met his stare. “Trust me when I say you’ll want that off.”
“And why is that?”
Turning fully to face him, she pointed to her body. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not one of those Hollywood types who starve themselves for the sake of being ultrathin.”
Crossing the narrow space between them, Ian ran both his hands up her bare arms and tucked his fingers in the elastic of the top of the dress, causing her arms to fall to her side.
“Oh, I’ve noticed.” He yanked the dress down until it puddled at her feet, leaving her bare to him. “And that’s precisely why I want that light on.”
Her body trembled beneath his. No way did he want her questioning her gorgeous curves or the fact that he wanted the hell out of her.
Without a word he shucked off his pants and boxer briefs and tossed them aside.
Her eyes drank him in, causing the same effect as if she’d touched his entire body with her bare hands. Dying to touch her, to run his fingers along her curves, Ian snaked his arms around her waist and tugged her against him.
“As much as I want to explore that sexy body of yours, I’m hanging on by a thread here,” he admitted as his mouth slammed down onto hers.
Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck. Their damp bodies molded together from torso to thigh, and she felt so perfect against him.
Perfect? No, she couldn’t be perfect for him. Perfect for right now, which was all either of them was after.
They were simply taking advantage of the moment...of the sexual attraction that had enveloped them since she’d literally fallen into his arms only a few days ago.
Ian gripped her waist and lifted her.
“Ian, don’t—”
“Shh,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’ve got you.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “What about a condom? Do you have that, too?”
Condom, yes. They needed a condom. His mind had been on the subtle moans escaping from her lips and getting those curves beneath his hands.
He eased her down his body and went to his jeans, where he pulled a condom from his wallet and in record time had it on.
When he turned back to her, he fully expected her to have her arms wrapped around her waist, maybe even be biting her lip out of nerves. But what he saw was a secure woman, hands on her hips, head tilted and a naughty grin on her face.
“Your confidence is sexy,” he told her as he came back to her.
“You make me feel sexy.”
Yeah, she wasn’t a Hollywood size zero. Cassie Barrington was more old-school Hollywood starlet. She was a natural, stunning, vibrant woman, and now that she’d agreed to leave the light on, he could fully appreciate the beauty she was.
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