Cassie's Choice (12 page)

Riley rolled onto his side, lifted her leg over his hip and faced her. “Anything you might like to share?” he asked, his grin wicked enough to give Cassie goose bumps.

He was just so tempting, she wanted to gobble him up. Unfortunately, that would have to wait, because as she’d watched Riley napping, Cassie had also realised he hadn’t eaten anything all day. Neither had she, for that matter and if she were hungry then Riley must be famished.

“Maybe later, but first I think I need to feed you, my sweet. You haven’t had anything to eat all day.” Poor choice of words Cassie realised the moment they had left her mouth and she felt her cheeks heat as a result.

“You’re blushing, it’s so cute. And I know why—pretty sure you fed me quite nicely just an hour or so ago.”

“Stop it, you know what I mean. Food! What do you feel like?”

Again another poor choice of words and Riley confirmed her thought by playfully squeezing her boob. “I’ve got what I feel like right here,” he added just before leaning down and taking her nipple into his mouth.

As wonderful as it felt to have Riley’s mouth on her breast, Cassie really needed to eat and this was made clear when her tummy grumbled loudly. “Oops! Sorry about that, but my stomach is overruling my libido. Come on, studly, let me rustle up some food.”

They climbed out of bed, Cassie grabbing Riley’s discarded shirt before he did and pulling it over her head. “Dibs on this one.”

“Feel free to wear my clothes anytime you like, I love seeing you in them,” Riley replied as he pulled on his jeans, neglecting to do up the fly.

It took everything in Cassie’s power not to drool at the sight of him like that. Those ridges and hollows she so loved on full display and a slight glimpse of pubic hair to boot. She dragged her gaze from him and focused on walking to her kitchen, not acknowledging the knowing grin he wore on his handsome face.
So I enjoy looking, sue me.

It was an incredibly hard task knowing that Riley was following close behind within touching range. How could she possibly be horny again? They had been at each other for hours.
Because it’s Riley, silly, and you have wanted this, him, for so long
, the ever helpful voice in her head replied. “You’re a bloody genius,” she answered, once again speaking aloud when she hadn’t meant to.

“Did you just call me a genius? First
studly
and now this, I’ll be getting a big head if you’re not careful.” Riley had wrapped his arms around Cassie’s waist as he spoke gently pushing her up against the kitchen cupboard. She could feel the hard line of his penis against her lower back.

“Oh, my God, you really are a stud. I can feel you, you’re hard again. But no, I’m the genius, I was talking to myself. Now move back or I will never get anything done,” she said as she pushed her backside against him. His groan as he moved made her smile. She knew that it would be a tease to push against him like that, but sometimes being playful was fun.

Chapter Fifteen

They finally decided on ordering a pizza and, as they waited for the delivery, made love again on the sofa, well, actually over the sofa, with Cassie leaning forward against the pillows, Riley having dropped his jeans and lifted the shirt she wore as he entered her from behind. It was hard and fast, his powerful body slamming against hers wildly as they came in unison.

Spent and exhausted, they collapsed together, bodies intertwined, and talked. The pizza arrived, they ate and talked some more, speaking more in depth and with honesty as to why each had agreed to the ménage. Cassie confessed that she had felt sick over her behaviour, how she had only agreed to go through with it thinking that Riley would be by her side the whole time and she could pretend it was always his hands touching her. His body making love to her.

Riley apologised again for leaving her that night, for putting her in that position in the first place. Cassie demanded he hold her just as responsible for getting them involved in that night.

They spoke of their future, their slight age difference. In agreement, that the few years between them had had no significant impact on their relationship. Riley explained to Cassie why he’d known at such a young age that she was the one he wanted to share his life with. He cited the fact that his sister Caitlin had only been twenty-one when she’d first met Brodie, that love had blossomed fast and that the couple were still very much in love years later. He also spoke of his childhood and how he’d always felt more mature than his peers. How he was forced to grow up quickly when the death of his parents had thrust Caitlin and him into a world with only each other for support.

It was early evening when Riley realised that he had to work the next day. The Jets had a home game, the last before the finals began.

“Come with me tomorrow, Cass. I can get you a seat in the stand or in the box with the other wives. Whatever you want, just come with me. I want the world to know we are together. I can come and visit you throughout the day—it will help me concentrate on what needs doing. Otherwise I don’t think I will be able to leave here.”

It only took Cassie a few seconds to make up her mind. Of course she would go with him. For starters, Cassie needed to see Pippa and she would be working at the game. Cassie needed to kick her butt for telling Riley about the stupid online dating thing then hug her. Without Pippa’s interference they may never have sorted through all the misunderstandings and fears that had kept them apart.

The other reason Cassie wanted to go to the game was she could hardly wait to see the reaction Riley would get over his bleached hair. He seemed to have forgotten all about it. Even though her original view was that Riley needed to rid himself of the ridiculous dye job quick smart, she was starting to think it was a good punishment for the years he had stayed away from her.

“I will on one condition,” she said, not able to stop her mouth from forming into a grin. “You leave your hair as it is…at least for tomorrow.”

“Shit! I forgot all about that.” Riley groaned as he ran his fingers through his new, bright platinum shade. “The boys will crucify me.”

“Yeah, I know!” she said and laughed.

“So, you think this is funny then?” Riley replied in a deadpanned voice. “Why don’t I really give you something to laugh about?”

He grabbed at her, stretching Cassie’s arms out above her head, pinning her hands together in one of his. “I think I remember you as being a bit ticklish…”

“Please no, I’m sorry for laughing, but you have to admit you do look a bit silly.”

It probably wasn’t much of a plea adding he looked silly to the end, but Cassie was having too much fun to worry. The thought of Riley’s hands on her skin was not a hardship in her view. It was just so nice to feel happy again, at finally sorting through their problems, getting to the bottom of all the issues that had driven them apart. Sure they had work to do—being in a relationship took effort on both sides—but Cassie knew that she and Riley would make it. If the two years they had just spent being miserable and unable to forget the other were any indication then this love between them was not fleeting. It was as solid as rock and she intended to never let that feeling erode.

Chapter Sixteen

“What on earth happened to you, Red? Or should that be
Snowy
now?”

Riley had only just walked into the tunnel under the grandstand, needing to check all was in order before the day’s game, but of course Rook would be the first person he ran into. “Yeah, have your fun, buddy, but it felt real good as your wife rubbed this colour through my hair, Pip’s pretty hands massaging my scalp.”

Riley could give as well as he got and he knew what pushed Rook’s buttons. He also understood why. Jealous reactions that had driven him away from Cassie were just a normal male response, one that Rook reacted to, often. Riley had seen Rook bristle up when a guy approached Pippa. He’d taken satisfaction in being the reason Rook grimaced frequently. Had watched JT saunter over to Mandy when some poor fella had tried to engage her in a polite and innocent conversation. He wasn’t as bad as either of those two, Riley decided. He didn’t mind Cassie holding a conversation with another male—
Well, as long as it doesn’t go on for too long,
he quickly amended.

Rook grimaced again, but Riley had reason to believe it was more about his new blond colouring than over Pippa having laid hands on him.

“Note to self, Rook man,” Rook said. “Don’t let that good wife of yours anywhere near your hair. My God, Riley, you look ridiculous. Please tell me this is some fund-raising exercise and you aren’t seriously considering anyone else taking part?” Rook added with a look of horror.

“No, nothing like that. It was for a much better cause,” Riley began to explain. “It’s a long story. I’m surprised Pippa didn’t tell you. I was trying to get Cassie to speak to me and she’d mentioned that redheads weren’t on her list of favourite people.”

“I hope it worked. ‘Cause damn it’s a huge effort, Riles.”

Riley smiled at Rook’s remark.
It sure did,
he thought, as he reminisced on the way Cassie had taken his cock into her mouth just that morning. He’d woken to find her lying between his legs, her lips inches from his morning erection. No sooner had his eyes opened than she had pounced on him. The resulting orgasm as her talented hands and mouth worked him over was still fresh in his mind.

“Oh, I see how it is,” Rook said and chuckled. “Judging by the glazed look that just appeared on your face I’m betting everything worked out just fine. I knew I was right. You two have had a thing for each other for years. I could never understand why you upped and left in the first place. Good to see you worked it out. But, Riles, get rid of that colour, mate. I may not be a big fan of the
ranga,
but blond is just not your thing.”

Riley could still hear Rook’s laughter as he went through the players’ door to the change rooms. A million miles away, still lost in thought over the morning’s events, he walked straight into Brodie, Caitlin standing by his side.

“Making a habit of running me over, son? I’m a pretty big bloke, hard to miss. I think you may need to get your eyes checked if this keeps happening.” As per usual Brodie also gave Riley a friendly but heavy-handed thump on the shoulder. “So, is this a new fashion thing I’ve missed the memo on?” Brodie asked sounding amused.

Riley gave his sister a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Hi, sis, good to see you, and before you ask as well, the hair is a long story. But it was worth it and I will be going back to my original colour first chance I get.”

Caitlin returned his hug, the top of her head just reaching Riley’s chin. He could still remember the moment he’d grown taller than his big sister, but it still felt funny her being so much smaller than him, especially since she had been his protector and parent figure for so long. Riley had these two to thank for so much in his life and he wanted them to be the first to know he and Cassie were back together. Without Brodie’s sage advice, it might not have happened.

“I wanted you both to know that Cassandra Davies and I are back together and I should warn you that we plan to make it a permanent thing. I love her, always have.”

It was all a bit
shmultzy
and delivered in the worst possible place, under a footy stand, but Riley meant every word. He just hoped his sister would approve. Her tendency to worry over him had not abated just because he stood taller than her.

“Congratulations, son, I couldn’t be happier. Glad you sorted it all out,” Brodie said, extending his hand in Riley’s direction so they could shake on the news. “I need to get into the coaching room. Riley, why don’t you fill Cait in on your recent worries? Take my wife to her seat for me while you chat. Honey, I will see you after the game. I love you.”

As was the norm, the kiss Brodie and Caitlin shared made Riley feel awkward. It was always like that between the two of them. Passionate. Made you want to give the couple some privacy. Then it was over and Brodie was striding away.

“So, brother dear, why don’t you fill me in on what’s been going on in your life? Might I add it’s about time and I really like Cassie? I think you make a great couple. I’ve been very worried about her.”

Caitlin always knew what was going on around her, her caring personality winning her many friends. It was just like her to worry over Cassie. And Riley loved that about his sister. She truly was a remarkable woman and one he tried hard to make proud of him. The conversation he was about to have with her would be hard, but deep down Riley knew Caitlin would understand and support him. She, like Brodie, would try to shoulder the blame for not noticing the struggle he’d had after the assault. It was who she was. It was up to Riley to convince her that everything was going to be okay. And it would, he would, because Riley knew his life was about to move into a brand new chapter. With Cassie by his side.

* * * *

Cassie was sat in the wives’ box when she noticed Riley enter, accompanied by Caitlin. She had spent the time chatting with Mandy Thomson and Emily Andrews while they all waited for the game to begin. Emily was filling Cassie in on all the gossip about her brother Dylan and Sarah Flynn, the Jets social media manager. It looked like the couple had worked out their differences as well. Cassie was pleased to hear the news. She hadn’t mentioned anything about her and Riley’s reunion yet—the women were used to seeing Cassie in the wives’ area. It was where she sat when she came to the games with Pippa and Rook. The other Jets players’ wives and partners never made her feel unwelcome—they were such a friendly group.

Mandy had only just mentioned her concern over Caitlin’s late arrival. Usually the wives were seated for at least forty minutes prior to a game—Mandy and Caitlin, being the coaches’ wives, often even earlier. Cassie had known at once the reason behind Caitlin’s delay, but had not commented on it. The thought that Riley had told his sister they were back together was unsettling. Her stomach began to churn. What if Caitlin disapproved of their relationship? While Riley was a grown man, Cassie understood that he held his sister in high regard and would be torn if there was any tension between them all.