Page 30 of Reaching His Heart (The Sartoris 3)

“All right. Talk to you later.”

Solette disconnected the call, not feeling any better about her decision. All she knew was that she needed to convince Joe Sr. to wait a little longer so she could be sure. If such a thing was even possible.

Chapter 11

Cason sat back in his chair and turned away from the canes he used. The two of them were custom crafted and looked pretty decent. They cost a good sum since Ezio had arranged to have them designed and imported from their mother country.

Cason conserved his energy tonight. He could walk with the help of the canes for a good length of time, but he intended to stand up with Solette. The party Romy arranged was in his honor, something Cason had given his oldest brother an earful about. Foreword thinking on Romy’s part had also led to him arranging the gathering at a ballroom away from the mansion so guests who weren’t normally invited to their home could attend. Not that security hadn’t vetted every single guest of course.

Solette stood near one of the serving tables talking to Shakarri and Sonya. His sister-in-law and Solette seemed to get along well. Cason took in the dress Solette wore, a modest white one with a simple neckline that showed just a hint of cleavage to whet his appetite. The soft material moved with her curves and flowed gently when she walked. His first thought when he had seen her in the dress was that she looked like an angel, and then he came to his senses.

In contrast, Bambi’s dress was hardly there. She left little to the imagination. Cason had always liked that about her, the confidence in her beauty, the passion she displayed when they were lovers. She’d always been willing to try whatever popped into his head. Yet, tonight, his gaze kept slipping back to Solette. Why the heck did she have to look so vulnerable? Even him with his legs not back to one hundred percent strength and his face still a tad bit puffy after the surgery, he felt something rise inside when he looked at Solette. It irritated him.

Well, never mind. He would enjoy doing exactly what he had been fantasizing about for months now. Cason searched for his brothers and found Romy staring a hole into the back of Sonya’s head. He had the feeling she was ignoring him. Ezio held court with several suits. His brother never turned off business mode unless Shakarri wrangled him.

The music turned to something softer, and Bambi appeared at his side and leaned over so he could get a good look down her dress. He gave her the satisfaction of looking, but surprisingly, nothing stirred within.

“You shouldn’t be alone on your night, Cason honey. Should I sit on your lap so we can have a little fun?” She giggled in her high-pitched way. “Or we could sneak off to go back to the mansion. No one will notice.”

He blocked her when she seemed about to make good on the first offer. “You’re saying no one at the party my brothers threw for me would notice if I was here or not?”

She gasped. “No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Cason stood and leaned heavy for a moment on his canes. Yes, he had plenty of strength to do what he wanted.

Bambi smothered a squeal of delight. “So we are getting out of here.”

“No.” He didn’t explain anything else but stepped around her and headed across the room. In a short while, he stopped behind Solette. She hadn’t seen him coming, but his sister-in-law did. The speculation in her gaze wasn’t lost on him, but again, he wasn’t in the mood to explain himself. “Dance with me.”

Solette jumped and whirled around. She tilted her head back, exposing a slender neck he’d enjoyed with nips and caresses months ago. He often wondered if her warm skin tasted as good as he recalled. Her wide eyes showed how nervous she was, not at all relaxed in an environment he was used to, but Cason wondered if it had to do with something else—or someone else.

“What?” she murmured.

Her lips captured his attention, and he repeated his demand while studying them. He felt more than saw her tremble. Bingo, exactly what he had wanted. Now to feel her in his arms.

“Cason, you—”

“What?” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m too weak to dance? Is that how you see me?”

“No, of course not.”

“Come. I’ve been saving my energy, and this song is perfect.” He led the way and expected her to follow. When he turned around, she stood before him, sending furtive glances to the left and right. He grinned and let go of one of the canes. Just as it swayed to fall, one of the attendants caught it and whisked it away out of sight. “There’s the little mouse I know and…”

She swallowed. “And?”

“…I’m intent on capturing her.” To demonstrate his plan, he reached out and dragged her to him. Their bodies touched, and a thrill flashed through his system. Her curves fit him even though she was so much smaller. She almost curled backward over his arm, an attempt to put space between them. He showed her with his expression how futile her efforts were and how much he liked the chase.

Her full lips parted. “You’re just playing games with me, Cason. I’m not a toy.”

“All women are toys.”

She gasped. “You can’t mean that.”

“Can’t I?”

“You’re saying it for shock value. I’m not feeding into it.”

“Ah, I see.”

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