Page 6 of Risky Move

“Thank you—I smell like a soaked diaper.” She handed Jenna to him after he had settled in the rocker with Daniel. She watched them before she left the room.Does he have any idea how extremely hot he looks holding the twins?Her heart melted watching him settle the babies, each tucked into an arm.Such a big guy with those babies—they looked so tiny in his arms.Tom glanced at her, and Cassie’s cheeks reddened. He’d caught her gawking. “Eh…I’ll change and be back in a minute.”

“Take your time. Now that they’ve settled down, I hesitate to move them to their cribs.” His eyes held hers for a long moment, and Cassie realized he’d enjoyed catching her staring. She broke eye contact and hurried from the nursery before she made an inane comment.

* * *

Tom and Cassie placed the exhausted babies in their cribs when sleep overcame their whimpers. She turned on the monitor and grabbed the receiver before following Tom to the great room.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Cassie asked as Tom picked up the TV remote and navigated to the Suns game in progress.

“Something cold with caffeine.”

“Sure you don’t want a beer?”

Tom turned to look at Cassie’s eyebrows raised in question and a teasing expression across her face.Does she know how adorable she looks?“As good as that sounds, I can’t take a chance when I’m on call. But don’t let me stop you—you earned one tonight.”

Cassie pulled two Cokes from the refrigerator. “Not when I’m caring for the twins. Besides, one beer puts me to sleep.” She grabbed a bag of pretzels and settled on the couch.

“Thanks,” Tom said and then pointed to the pretzels. “Dinner?”

Cassie laughed as she opened the bag and held it toward him. “Maybe.”

Tom sat on the couch, careful to leave a space between them. “Your first time solo with Jen and Danny?”

“For dinner, bath, and bedtime. I didn’t expect them to protest so vocally when they realized Caryn wasn’t here.” Tom watched Cassie shake her head with a wry smile. “But I’m so glad she went to the game. I promised her I could handle everything.”

“You did, and you kept your cool even when Danny sprayed you, and both tested the sound barrier.”

Cassie popped a pretzel in her mouth and chewed it before sipping her Coke. “With a timely assist from you.”

“Nah, you had everything under control. Did you babysit much in Vancouver?” Tom turned to face her.

“Sure, but my brother, Taylor, is the only infant I’ve cared for before now.” Cassie glanced away before eating another pretzel. “My dad’s son with his new wife.”

Something in her tone caused Tom to hesitate to ask another question. Cassie had turned her attention to the TV as the teams skated out to begin the second period. “Is Taylor as much of a prankster as Danny?”

Cassie giggled. “Well, today’s not the first time a sweet little baby boy aimed his pistol at me.” Her shoulders relaxed and Cassie leaned back against the soft leather. “As far as volume goes, I’d say all three have great lungs.”

“No wonder you stayed calm.” Tom stood and retrieved a large bowl from a cabinet. He emptied the bag of pretzels into it. “Can I get you a sandwich?”

“Not now, thanks. Don’t miss the game.” She met his eyes. “I’m a huge Suns fan—ever since Lauren introduced me to Dave, and he got traded here. Before, it was Blues all the way. I tend toward vocal while watching the games, so please stop me if I get too loud. Don’t want to disturb my munchkins.”

* * *

A week later, Cassie awoke before dawn and glanced at the clock.Only two a.m.? Crap, I might not fall back asleep.Cassie had occasional bouts with insomnia, but not since she’d moved to Tampa. She knew if she allowed herself to play “what if,” she could give up on sleep. She thought of the sleep medicine her doctor had prescribed in Vancouver.If I take it now, I might not wake up at five. At least not in a coherent state. Time to go with Plan B—warm decaf tea or milk.

Cassie crept from her room and held her breath as she tip-toed past Caryn and Andrew’s bedroom, and then the nursery. She didn’t turn on a light for fear she’d wake someone, and the new moon added no extra illumination. Cassie navigated the great room from memory, guided by the kitchen’s night light. With only several feet to reach the kitchen, she blinked her eyes—the semi-darkness caused her vision to blur. She shut her eyes and moved toward the kitchen, reaching to touch the counter.

Cassie didn’t expect to collide with someone else in the dark. She bit back her urge to scream—intruder?—when hands gripped her shoulders, preventing her from tripping.

“Cassie?”

“Tom?” Cassie croaked as she clutched the hard body that had just smashed into hers. “I thought someone had broken in.” She caught her breath and stepped closer, and Tom’s arms closed around her.

“No burglar.” His voice carried a hint of amusement.

Cassie exhaled a sigh of relief and took a deep breath. “What are you doing here?”

“I just came home. You?”

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