Page 68 of Risky Move

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By late afternoon, both felt the effects of the heat and sensory overload. Tom took a phone call as he watched Cassie sit on a bench in the shade, sipping a bottle of cool water.She didn’t exaggerate—she never flinched on the roller coaster-type rides, physical or digitally enhanced.Her laugh captivated him…as did everything about the girl with rainbows in her hair.We’ll come back to Universal with all those mega-coasters. Soon.

He wandered toward her after returning the phone to his pocket.

“Work?” Cassie offered her water bottle when he sat beside her.

“Nah, just Andrew letting us know they’ve arrived safely in Toronto—quiet time at Caryn’s townhouse near the university.”

“Everything okay so far?” she asked

“Charmed the grandparents, of course. Luckily Caryn realizes when they are on the verge of a meltdown, so they retreated to the condo.”

“Snow on the ground?”

Tom laughed. “On the ground, falling from the sky—Toronto’s supposed to get about a foot by tomorrow.”

Cassie shivered and leaned against him. “I’m sure it’s beautiful, but right now, I’ll take a pink flamingo Christmas.” She laughed, and Tom could see the specks of green in her sparkling eyes. “That’s how I’d decorate my Christmas tree.”

“With pink flamingos?”

“You bet, plus shells, starfish, Nemo—maybe pastel sparkling lights. Not too tacky?”

“Sounds perfect to me. When in Florida…”

“Oh! Definitely add Suns ornaments too.” Cassie giggled. “Can you imagine?”

Tom slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. “A friend at work has a condo just outside the park. We could stop there. Cool off, freshen up, maybe take a nap?”

“Mm…sounds perfect. My kingdom for a shower.”

“No kingdom necessary, Princess Cassie. I have the gate pass and the key. Showers are complimentary.”

Cassie reached to kiss his cheek. “Perfect idea…perfect day.”

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Refreshed by the shower and comfortable in jeans and a turquoise tank, Cassie wandered around the condo as she waited for Tom to change. A recliner in the main room called to her…she curled up on the soft leather and pulled her feet under her.Heaven. This whole day’s magical. Wish we could stay longer. So much more to see. Perfect if we could stay until tomorrow, but my hunky prince most likely has to report for his shift early…Am I imagining this connection between us? So sudden and almost overpowering.

Too quick? You just don’t go from friends to…this much more…overnight, right? Though my feelings have developed over a long time. Never dreamed Tom might want more than friendship. Talk about going from zero-to-sixty in seconds…He can’t think about me the way I do him. No worries that he might lead me on or pull a “Cam-style” move. He’s not that kind of guy…a gentleman. But I wouldn’t say, “No,” if he wants more than a kiss. Not likely.

She fell into a light sleep and awakened with a start when Tom perched on the edge of the chair. He gathered her into his arms as he slipped into the seat with her. His hair still damp from the shower, Tom had dressed only in his jeans.

“You looked so enchanting, I couldn’t stop for my shirt,” he said as he peppered her cheeks and neck with light kisses. Cassie saw the devilish gleam in his eyes and directed his mouth toward hers. She met him halfway and couldn’t resist pressing her hands against his chest, her fingers tracing the solid wall of muscles. Cassie wanted to lose herself in his arms, the kiss overwhelming her senses.

Aching to press her skin against his, Cassie struggled to pull off her shirt. Tom finally moved her hands and slipped it over her head. Cassie moaned quietly when flesh met flesh. Tom kissed his way across her cheek and then discovered a place behind Cassie’s ear that caused her to arch her back and wrap her arms around his chest. He playfully nipped her earlobe, and Cassie shook her hair to the side to give him better access to her neck. Her hands traced his spine until his jeans stopped her progress. She playfully slipped her fingers beneath the waistband.

“Cassie.” His tone uttered a warning.

“Hmm?” Her lips sought his, lost in emotion. Tom lifted her, and suddenly she was straddling his lap. Each time his hand grazed her flesh, lightning flashed through her body, straight to her core. Never had her body responded this way. She ached for more.

Tom pulled away; his darkened cinnamon eyes slowly skimmed her body. “So beautiful,” he murmured. Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers traced her bare flesh, stopping at the edge of her jeans. He hooked fingers inside the low-cut waist and pulled her against him and then wrapped his arms around her. “Princess Cassie, what will I do with you?”

“Anything my handsome prince desires,” Cassie purred.

He cupped her face tenderly in his hands. “You know we need to slow down.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

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