Page 87 of Growing Into Love

And I want to be somewhere quiet with Cass.

Cass reaches across the table and takes my hand, her eyes full of understanding.

“Just one more thing,” she says. “Rooftop bar.”

We go to a hotel in Soho that Isla recommended. The rooftop is much more comfortable and much less high than the Empire State Building—Cass and I get martinis, like she wanted, and watch boats drift past on the Hudson River. She breathes in deeply and lifts her face to the sun.

“This was a perfect day,” she says. Then her expression turns sheepish. “But I’m glad we’re not staying the night in the city. It’s quite a lot, isn’t it? I’m exhausted and we haven’t done anything except eat and shop!”

“I know,” I say, relieved she feels the same. We finish our drinks and get back in the town car for the last time today. Cass gives Jim the address to the Thorn and Rose, Isla’s bed and breakfast, and texts Isla to let her know we’re on our way. Then we settle back in our seats and watch the city pass us by. Soon, we’re out of New York and driving down a pleasant, tree-lined highway. After about an hour, Jim takes an exit and we merge onto a large, rural road lined with farms and vineyards.

“Oh!” Cass gasps, sitting up. She glances over at me. “This is really more our style isn’t it.”

I nod and take her hand, twining my fingers through hers. “At least you can tick New York off your bucket list.”

“We’re here,” Jim says as we drive up to an enormous white house with a famer’s porch. A picket fence covered in rosebushes lines the expansive front lawn and there are rocking chairs on the porch as well as a swing covered in cushions. Isla comes bursting through the front door as Jim gets our bags.

“Hi!” she squeals. “Here let me help with those.” She grabs Cass’s bag. “Oh my god, I saw on the Windy Acres website that you won the Grand Prix! Grace was so excited. Come in, come in!”

We follow her into a pleasant foyer, a modern chandelier hanging overhead, a soft woven rug on the wood floor. To my left is a large common area and to my right is the dining room. It reminds me a bit of the Inn at Oak Hill, except instead of teak paneling and antique chairs, everything is cream and beige with summery accents. Isla leads us upstairs.

“Here’s your room,” she says, opening a door with a blue scallop shell hanging on it. Everything is mauve and periwinkle. There’s an enormous king-size bed and a couch with blue cushions behind a marble coffee table. A large bay window looks out onto a sprawling lawn that leads down to a glittering bay dotted with sailboats.

“That’s Magnolia Bay,” she says. “Make yourselves at home. I got you a reservation at Everton Estate for five-thirty, so you’ve got about half an hour.”

“Where’s Grace?” Cass asks.

“She’s at Shady Glen,” Isla says. “That’s the animal sanctuary next door.”

Cass’s eyes pop. “Can we go there too?”

“Of course! Just come meet me downstairs when you’re ready and we’ll head over before I take you to the tasting.” She closes the door behind her and Cass flops down onto the bed.

“Wow,” she says. “I love this place.”

“It is lovely,” I agree, coming to lie down next to her. I stroke her cheek with my fingertips and she shivers. “But not as lovely as you.”

Her mouth quirks. “Didn’t know you had a cheeseball side.”

“Me neither. I’m learning lots of things about myself this week.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Such as…”

“Well.” I tick the list off on my fingers. “I can be a substitute trainer in a pinch. I’m afraid of heights. I love Georgian food. And…” I trace the curve of her neck and lean down to kiss the dip at her throat. “I’m falling for the most incredible woman.”

Cass’s breath catches. “Really?” she says, and her voice trembles.

“Really,” I say. I kiss a tender line up her neck to nibble at her earlobe. She arches her back and I skim my nose across her cheekbone.

“I’m falling for you too,” she whispers, her eyes full of vulnerability. She reaches up to cup my face in her hand. “I’ve been falling for a long time. Feels more like I’m finally landing with you.”

I slant my mouth over hers. The kiss is soft, but with the promise of something deeper. Just as my cock begins to stir, Cass sits up.

“If I keep kissing you, we’ll never make it to the sanctuary,” she says. “I’d really like to see the animals.”

My chest aches. Her love of animals is one of my favorite things about her.

“Okay, fine,” I say, with an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose I can be patient.”

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