Page 7 of Risky Move

“Trying to defeat my dear friend insomnia.” She realized her body still pressed against him. Her camisole and sleep shorts were not suitable for mixed company—Gah! If he turns the light on, he’ll see everything.

Tom tightened his arms around her. “You okay?”

“As soon as my heart stops banging against my chest.” She tried to ignore the goosebumps and hoped he didn’t notice the sparks that coursed through her wherever her body touched his.

She didn’t know how it happened and would wonder later if she had initiated contact. Suddenly his lips found hers, and she ignored the warning siren blasting her ears. His kiss was unlike any Cassie had ever received and caught in a rush of sensations, time stood still.

She moaned a protest when Tom pulled back. They spoke simultaneously.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“I didn’t mean to…”

“…I’ll just go back to my room,” Cassie said.

“No, I’ll go to the apartment.”

They realized at the same instant that neither had broken contact. Cassie pulled her arms away from his solid chest and shivered when Tom dropped his hands and stepped back. Her eyes had adjusted to the dark, and she saw him gazing at her body.

“Cassie, I was out of line. Are you okay?”

Cassie self-consciously crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m fine, don’t worry about it. Sometimes things just happen.”

She caught the smile hinting at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah…that was…” He shrugged as he gently brushed his hand against her cheek. “I apologize, Cassie. That was inexcusable on so many levels.”

Cassie blurted her reply without thinking. “Do you hear me complaining?”

Tom pressed his lips against her forehead as he chuckled. “This can’t happen again.”

He turned to leave. Cassie touched her lips as memories of the kiss flooded through her.No one’s ever kissed me like that…Guess I’ve never kissed a “real” man.

She knew that nothing would ease her insomnia. Cassie turned and hurried to her room.If she couldn’t sleep, she’d just relive that kiss repeatedly.

* * *

Tom splashed cold water on his face.What were you thinking? Or not thinking? That should never have happened. It’s like she cast a spell over me, and I acted by instinct. So wrong, but holding her felt just right.

No excuse. I know better…she’s the twins’ nanny…Lauren’s niece…I can’t even think about her that way. What if Andrew or Caryn had come to the kitchen? I wasn’t aware of anything except how good she feels in my arms. Potential disaster…but that kiss? Very much worth the risk.

He headed to his bathroom, knowing he’d need a long, icy shower before he’d get any sleep.

* * *

Even though neither ever mentioned “the kiss,” its memory hung in the air between them. Cassie held no expectation that Tom would ever think about her as more than Lauren’s niece. Still, her imagination trumped reality whenever they found themselves together. In her alternate universe, Cassie and Tom crossed the line between friends and romance.Tom gets me…in the short time we’ve spent together, he understands me…doesn’t treat me like a kid. He brightens my day just by entering a room, and when he looks at me with that sexy smirk, he doesn’t even realize that my heart does this little flip. I can see why Lauren thinks of him as her big brother. I would, too, if I didn’t feel these tingly sensations whenever his hand brushes against mine or need to catch my breath every time I see him. Conveniently, his “friend” Katie didn’t exist in that universe.

5

The following weeks sped by with a frenzy of celebrations for the Suns’ Stanley Cup Championship. Cassie’s heart swelled with pride when Caryn and Andrew trusted her with the twins as they took part in the many city and state festivities. She sat in the VIP section for the massive parade in Tampa when Andrew and Caryn took the twins with them in the convertible. She didn’t know any of the other VIPs, but felt a kinship with them when she saw family and new friends pass before them.

Both Dave and Andrew gave her championship T-shirts and hats, and Cassie started her own collection of Stanley Cup pins. Dave gave her the puck from one goal he scored, and Lauren supplied the case inscribed with the date.

“Do you know when Dave gets his day with the Cup?” Cassie asked Lauren, referring to the tradition that allowed each member of the team to take the Cup anywhere he wished for twenty-four hours.

“Not yet. Everything’s too crazy right now with the ‘Stand Up To Bullies’ kick-off event next week. And after that, our Greek Islands cruise.” Lauren’s green eyes took on a dreamy look as she thought about the upcoming vacation with Dave.

“Color me envious,” Cassie teased. “Is there anything I can do to help you with that?” The Tampa Suns’ Cyber Bullying Awareness initiative had planned a public kick-off. Lauren agreed to address the consequences of rumors and nastiness, drawing upon her own recent experiences.

Cassie’s mind replayed the devastation Lauren experienced only a few months ago. Her aunt’s privacy and questionable decisions as a teen had become the target of a viral harassment campaign. Tears pricked Cassie’s eyes as she thought of all the hateful posts and hashtags attacking Lauren…most lies from anonymous cowards who enjoyed spreading vicious rumors just because she and Dave were a couple.

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