Page 73 of Risky Move

Cassie slipped her arms around his neck, taking a moment to catch her breath. “So fun! I call shark next time.”

“No way I’m playing the minnow…maybe barracuda?” He felt her legs wrap around his waist, and then Cassie rested her head against his shoulder.

“Barracuda works for me. You didn’t give me a chance to catch my breath.”

“Then, I never would catch you. So, what’s the prize, minnow?”

“Me?”

“Perfect.” He boosted her up in his arms, then walked up the slope to the pool deck. “Time for dessert.”

* * *

After setting her on her feet, Tom grabbed some towels. He folded one around Cassie, then wrapped another around his waist. “Cold?”

“Just a bit.” Cassie reached for a towel to dry her hair. “Maybe a tad nervous.”

Tom stepped back so he could see her eyes. “This isn’t your first time?”

She shook her head. “I had two ‘boyfriends.’ Crappy relationships, both of them.” She looked toward the window. “So attentive and sweet—until we had sex. Then, neither one thought to take me out for an evening. Just interested in sex.” She met Tom’s eyes. “I should have known better after my first ended the ‘relationship’ a week later. Sometimes I’m a slow learner. Or horrible in bed.”

Tom noted her embarrassed expression. “Highly doubt that, princess. There’s a difference between sex and making love. You deserve much better than casual sex.”

Cassie’s laugh sounded forced. “Actually, my mother always told me that the only thing guys want is sex. So, I had low expectations…thought that was the norm. If I’d ever talked about those ‘boyfriends’ with her, the first thing she’d say was ‘I told you so.’”

Tom gently brushed her hair away from her face. “That’snotthe norm, Cassie. Unfortunately, some guys are selfish pricks.” He hooked a finger below her chin and teased her eyes into looking at him. “You call the shots here. I’m good with cuddling if that’s what you want…I’m not expecting anything.”

He saw the sudden mischief transform her expression. “Maybe I’m expecting more than cuddling, doctor.”

Tom slipped the towel from her shoulders. “We can arrange that.” He walked her back toward the bed as they enjoyed a leisurely kiss. When her legs hit the side of the bed, he fell on the mattress, pulling her beside him. “Can’t believe we’re home alone,” he murmured against her lips.

“We need to make the most of this private time.” Cassie ran her fingers through his thick hair, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.

“Yes. Every. Single. Second.”

* * *

Both overslept. Tom awoke first, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed his suspicions—it was well past Andrew and Caryn’s expected arrival time. He pulled on his gym shorts and grabbed a shirt from the drawer and slipped it over his head.

“Where are you going?”

Tom sat beside Cassie on the bed. “Nowhere, sweet. We overslept…Checking to see if Andrew and family arrived home.”

“Crap! I wanted everything perfect for them.” She nodded toward her still-damp clothes draped over a chair. “I have nothing to wear.”

Tom kissed her forehead. “Go, take a shower. I’ll check things out and grab some clothes for you.”

39

Suddenly the house regained its usual hectic pace—heightened by the twins’ latest achievement. They took their first steps while both sets of grandparents had gathered at Caryn and Andrew’s townhome.

“Daredevil Danny was the first—no surprise,” Caryn told Cassie. “But Jenna was right behind him. Best Christmas gift they could give their grandparents.”

“I can’t wait to see them in action,” Cassie said as she helped fold the toddlers’ clothes. “Lots of new outfits?”

“Their grandparents spoiled them—and us—with enough clothes that we won’t need to wash more than once a week. Thankfully, most are larger sizes that they can grow into.”

Cassie held up coordinated outfits. “I love these. The overalls are so cute!”

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