Page 79 of Risky Move

“Do you realize what you’re doing to me?”

“The same thing you’re doing to me? Making me feel all tingly,” Cassie said. Tom carefully turned onto his back, his hand holding her in place.

“Masseuse extraordinaire.” His cinnamon eyes sparked as she shifted again. “You do realize you’re not relaxing me now?”

“Seriously?” Cassie pretended innocence. “The lavender soothes me, makes me feel so…”

Tom cut her off as he pulled her to him and claimed her mouth. “…seductive?” He deepened the kiss. “Have your way with me, Ms. Johnson.”

Cassie ran her fingers against his lips. “Oh, I intend to, Dr. Chadwick.”

They both laughed at the twins’ impeccable sense of timing when Daniel, then Jenna fussed. “Time out,” Tom said.

Cassie slid to her feet and held her hand out. “Just a short rain check.”

42

Cassie awoke before Tom and carefully slipped from the bed and took the monitor with her. She expected the twins to awaken shortly and hoped to shower while she had the time.

Jenna and Daniel sat in their highchairs, tossing Cheerios when Tom emerged from his apartment a while later.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked as he kissed Cassie’s cheek.

“I wanted you to get some extra sleep…at least until I got our munchkins fed.” She handed him the plates with diced bananas and one of Caryn’s muffins. “Please give them this while I get their milk.”

“Don’t we look domestic?” Tom winked after Cassie placed the sippy cups on the trays.

“We survived our first night alone with the twins.”

“Piece of cake. But I’m not telling Caryn,” Tom said. “They could go away some weekend.”

“Highly unlikely. I’m not sure who’s more protective of Danny and Jenna.” Cassie pulled back a chair and sat at the table. “Any news on Andrew?”

“Just spoke with Dan. He’s sending him home but won’t clear Andrew to play until he sees him in forty-eight hours.” Tom opened the refrigerator and looked at the contents.

“So, you can’t clear him?”

“Nope, I’m out of that line of fire. How hungry are you? I can make pancakes. Or an omelet? Scrambled eggs?”

“All the above?” Cassie said with a giggle. “I’ll eat anything you cook.” She caught a chunk of banana Daniel threw at her. “Does Caryn have their car to drive home? Do we need to get it from the arena?”

“Rogers and Peterson took care of that last night. Pretty sure Caryn will check in soon.”

“Surprised she hasn’t.” Cassie laughed as she looked at the assortment of foods that peppered the floor. “Hope she doesn’t walk in before I can clean the floor. She manages breakfast so much better than me.”

“You mean ‘us,’” Tom corrected. “Takes two of us to do what she does.” He cracked eggs into a bowl. “But between you and me, I think we’ll have everything ship-shape before they get back.”

* * *

Tom heard Caryn and Andrew’s return home as he prepared to go to work. Tempted to walk out his private entrance rather than risk another confrontation, he grabbed his keys and walked to the main living area. He heard Caryn laughing in the nursery with Cassie as the twins babbled excitedly. Andrew leaned against the counter, his eyes shut against the bright sunlight streaming through the windows.

“You want to sit?”

Andrew shook his head, then rubbed his hand across his face. Tom guessed that he hadn’t slept and was most likely dealing with a significant headache.

“Can I get you anything?”

Andrew glanced at him, his eyes revealing nothing. “I’m good.”

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