Somewhere Along the Way (8 page)

She beat both of her fists on his chest in frustration, then grabbed the front of his shirt, went up on her tiptoes, and kissed him boldly, wantonly on the mouth. “One more week. That’s all you get. I can’t give you more than that.”

Yet,
Luke thought, but kept it to himself. Instead, with all the pent up emotion within him, he kissed her. She kissed him back hungrily, and her baking didn’t get done until early the next morning.

“I need your advice,” Cassie said into her cell phone as she paced the floor of her bedroom two mornings later.

“Okay, okay, calm down. What happened?” Bonnie asked urgently.

Cassie waved at the collection of dresses she’d strewn across her bed even though she knew Bonnie couldn’t see them. “I should have said no.”

“To what?” Bonnie asked again, sounding like she would have shaken Cassie if she’d been in the same room.

“To a date with Luke today. He said he wanted to take me somewhere and said I should wear something nice. I don’t know what that means. I don’t go anywhere. I don’t have fancy dresses.” Cassie sat on the edge of her bed. “I’m going to tell him I feel sick because that’s not a lie.”

“Stop,” Bonnie said firmly. “You do have nice dresses; I’ve seen you in them. Maybe they aren’t designer brands, but men don’t care about that. I would come over, but I promised I’d wait at the restaurant for the plumber who’s supposed to fix the back sink that’s always leaking. Go turn on your laptop so we can Skype. I’ll hop on the computer in the office.”

Cassie turned on her laptop and felt even more ridiculous when she was face to face with her friend. “I’m sorry to bother you with this, Bonnie.”

“Are you kidding? I love this stuff. Do you have a little black dress?”

Cassie put the laptop down on her bureau and returned to hold up a dress in front of the camera. “Like this?”

Bonnie shook her head. “Something without a turtleneck and long sleeves.”

“I have a blue dress I used to wear when I’d go out dancing. I don’t even know if it still fits me.” Cassie held up the dress for inspection. “Isn’t it too cold to wear something like this?”

“Trust me, I doubt you’ll be outside long.” Bonnie looked it over critically. “I have to see it on you.”

Cassie moved away from the camera eye, stepped out of her robe, and into the dress. She reluctantly walked back in front of the laptop. The dress felt shorter and tighter, and it didn’t cover nearly as much of her cleavage as she remembered. “I don’t think it fits anymore.”

“Turn around.” Bonnie made an evaluative sound. “Are you wearing underwear?”

Cassie blushed. “Of course.”

“You need to wear a thong under a dress like that.”

“I don’t own any.”

“Then go commando.”

Cassie shook her head. “No way.”

Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Which would you rather do? Look like you’re wearing your grandmother’s undies because that dress shows everything, or wear nothing and possibly give Luke a thrill on the way home?”

Cassie turned in front of her bedroom mirror and grimaced at the very obvious panty lines she saw. “I guess you’re right.”

“I am. That’s the dress you should wear on your date. You look amazing.”

Cassie stepped out of her underwear and gave her backside another look in the mirror. “I don’t know if I’m sexy enough for it.”

Bonnie waved a finger at Cassie. “A woman is as sexy as she feels. Own it, and you’ll rock it.”

Cassie nodded and made a soft affirmation to herself. “Own it.”

“What are you planning to do with your hair?”

Cassie usually threw it back in a ponytail. She shrugged. “Down?”

“Definitely. And shoes?”

Cassie held up a strappy pair tentatively. “These?”

“Perfect.”

Cassie put on the shoes and spun in front of the mirror. “I think I can do this.”

“I know you can. Cassie, Luke already likes you. You’re going to turn him on just by showing up. Don’t worry.”

Cassie walked over to the laptop and bent down in front of it. “If you were here I would hug you, Bonnie. You have no idea how much better I feel.”

Bonnie looked over her shoulder and said, “That’s what friends are for, Cassie. Anytime. Hey, I think I hear the plumber knocking on the door. I have to run. Good luck, and tell me all about it when you get back.”

Cassie closed the laptop with one hand and straightened. She felt silly being worried about going out on a date with Luke after she’d spent over a week sleeping with him. But this was something new. This took them out of her home and into the actual world. Somehow that made what they were doing feel real, and that scared her.

Real relationships hurt when they end.

And don’t fool yourself, Cassie, this is going to end.

She carefully applied makeup and blew out her hair until it shone in thick, long waves down her back. She chose small, simple gold earrings and left her neck bare. Better to have nothing there than something that looked cheap.

I’m ready.

Well, as ready as I’ll ever be.

She picked up a matching clutch purse and stepped out of her bedroom. Luke was already in the hall. He was in a nice suit that reminded her of the first day she’d met him. Sophisticated. Expensive. From a completely different world than she was. She raised her chin and repeated Bonnie’s words in her head.
Own it, and you’ll rock it.
She walked confidently toward Luke. “You look nice.”

A smile tugged at his lips. It was the sexy smile she was familiar with, which was usually followed by him sharing a naughty idea.
Or two.
“You look almost too good to take out, Cupcake.”

Still not sure she wanted to go, she said softly, “We don’t have to go anywhere.”

He closed the distance between them and gave her a short, sweet kiss that shook her as deeply as any they had shared. “We do. You work hard. You deserve to be pampered. Come on, let me spoil you today.”

She laced her fingers with his. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Do you have any problem flying in a small plane?”

Cassie’s eyes rounded. “Not that I know of.”

His smile widened. “Then no. I want to surprise you.”

“You told me to pack a small bag, so I canceled my orders for tomorrow and the next day. I didn’t know what time we’d be back.”

He stopped halfway down the stairs and pushed her back against the banister for a deep kiss. “I like the way you think.” One of his hands ran up her bare thigh and beneath the back hem of her dress. When he encountered the bare skin of her ass, he gave it a healthy squeeze then raised his head and growled, “I
really
like the way you think.” He brought his other hand around, cupping her ass in his strong hands. He groaned. “We need to leave now while I can still walk.”

Knowing she had the power to push him out of control was an aphrodisiac like none other. Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, loving the desire she saw flaring in his eyes. “You’re right, we don’t want to be late for whatever you have planned.”

He groaned and began to kiss her neck deliciously. Cassie arched against him. He lifted her up in his strong arms, carried her back into her bedroom, and laid her out on her bed. With a sexy chuckle he said, “They’ll hold the plane.”

***

Two hours later, an overnight bag hastily packed and carried on, Luke and Cassie were seated side by side in a single-engine Cessna 206 as it circled a private airstrip adjacent to endless rows of grape vines, trimmed short and blanketed in snow. “Welcome to the Blue Heart Vineyard, named after a diamond desired by the wife of the previous owner. They never had children. Possibly because the wealthy man gave his wife one hundred eighty acres of wine country instead of the thirty-carat rock Harry Winston was selling at the time.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“I’ll tell Noah you like the place. He and his wife bought it about three years ago. You’ll like JoAnne. She was shy when we first met her, but she’s come around.”

“We?”

While appreciating the view out the window and reminiscing, he absently answered Cassie. He’d told himself he would go to see Noah’s new place as soon as things slowed down at work and with his family. Three years had passed. The realization weighed on Luke’s mood. “I was there the night Noah met her. He dragged me to a dreadfully boring charity garden party his mother was hosting. I was supposed to be his excuse to leave early. Then he saw JoAnne and the rest is history. They’ve been inseparable since. I haven’t seen them much since they left New York, but I still consider them two of my closest friends.”

“Oh, my God,” Cassie said softly as the plane descended to the airfield below.

It was then Luke heard the distress in Cassie’s voice. He turned and noticed Cassie had gone pale and took her hand in his. “Landing in a small plane can be a little unnerving in the beginning, but it’s perfectly safe.”

She chewed her bottom lip, her eyes wide with worry. “You didn’t tell me we were visiting friends of yours.”

Was she worried what they’d think of her? Luke bent, gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “Don’t worry, Cassie, they’ll love you.”

Cassie shook her head back and forth in strong denial, then she blurted, “You don’t understand.”

The level of her concern was unexpected. He’d chosen to bring Cassie to meet his friends because he’d wanted to demonstrate to her she was more than a casual vacation hook-up. He’d assumed she’d be pleased. He wasn’t sure how to interpret her reaction. Anyone who could run a bed and breakfast would surely not be shy when meeting new people. “I don’t.”

She looked away from him as if debating how honest she wanted to be with him. She turned back to him and blurted, “I’m still not wearing underwear. I didn’t even bring any. It was so much fun before, and I thought we’d be alone. I can’t meet your friends like this.”

The plane touched down on the runway with a series of soft bumps. Luke tried, but couldn’t contain his amusement. Cassie’s admission was both enchantingly innocent and so hot he was sporting another hard-on. It was a condition he was becoming accustomed to around Cassie. She looked so embarrassed that he laughed out loud, and laughed harder when she frowned and smacked him on the arm.

“This isn’t funny.”

He wiped tears of mirth from beneath his eyes. “Cassie, you have no idea how good it feels to be with you.”

She glowered at him for a moment more, then a corner of her mouth turned up with a reluctant smile. “You could at least pretend to sympathize.”

He tried to look contrite but gave up and simply grinned down at her. “The one I feel badly for is me. How am I going to concentrate on anything but you now with that image in my head?”

“You knew I was commando back at my house.”

“I know, and look what happened there.”

They shared a long look at the heated memory. He pulled her to him for a brief kiss. “Seriously, if you’re not comfortable we can leave now and come back. But say it now because I believe they’re heading down the walkway to meet us.”

Cassie glanced out the window of the small plane to confirm what he’d said. “We can’t leave now. What would they think?”

Luke turned Cassie so she was looking at him again. “I don’t care what they think. I care how you feel. Are we staying or going?”

She made a face at him and said, “I don’t mind meeting your friends. I just don’t want—”

“Them to see your assets,” Luke finished and chuckled again.

She waved a finger at him. “You will pay for this.”

He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “We’ll see. Noah said we could use his guesthouse. I’m confident I can win your forgiveness there.” He slid one hand up the bare expanse of her thigh to the hem of her dress. “I’ll apologize all night long if you want, Cupcake. Would you like that? I’ll—”

The side of the plane opened, and a cold gust of air whipped into the cabin. Cassie gasped and clamped her knees together. “Man, that’s cold.”

Luke barked out another laugh and helped her to her feet. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt as lighthearted and free. If she’d honestly been upset, he would have turned the plane around and left, but he was glad they were staying. Bringing Cassie to meet Noah and JoAnne felt right, just as being with Cassie felt right. It was a simple truth that Luke was beginning to question less and less.

“Would you like me to take your coat, ma’am?” a man in a dark blue suit asked Cassie.

“No, thank you, I’ll keep it on,” Cassie answered. She glanced at Luke who was handing his coat to a member of the staff and silently dared him to say a word.

Cassie had only spoken a few words of greeting to JoAnne when she’d met her out by the plane, but she could understand why Luke’s friend had fallen for her so quickly. She was stunning. Perfectly tailored in woolen pants and a delicate matching sweater, JoAnne was intimidatingly put together and sophisticated. She wore her jet-black hair in a sassy, modern bob, which complemented her delicate features and mocha complexion. Everything about her screamed cultured elegance, but her smile was openly friendly and sincere.

Cassie took several deep, calming breaths.

JoAnne’s husband, Noah, was a tall man, with beautifully dark skin and jet-black eyes. He was dressed in dark gray trousers and a sweater Cassie guessed had cost more than any dress she’d ever owned. He carried himself with an easy confidence that likely came from being born with money.
I don’t belong here.

Still, it was hard not to like Luke’s friends, especially after seeing the heartwarming hug Noah had exchanged with Luke. They were two men who had known each other long enough to consider themselves family.

Luke had brought Cassie forward and introduced her simply as, “This is Cassie Daiver.”

Cassie’s head had spun with questions. Luke had said it as if he’d mentioned her to them already. She wanted to know what he’d told them. While at the same time, she wasn’t sure she did.

They’d quickly made their way to the main house to get out of the frigid weather. Now that they were all gathered inside, Cassie couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate the beauty of their home. She was fairly certain her entire bed and breakfast could have fit in the main foyer. A beautifully ornate staircase curved off to one side, accented with paintings Cassie guessed were originals.

There was nothing tacky about the home, but it sent a clear message. Luke’s friends were wealthier than anyone Cassie had ever encountered.

Questions bubbled within Cassie, undermining her confidence.
What would these people think of me if they knew how I grew up? I probably still make less each year than their house staff. Would they care if they knew?
She thought about the dress she was wearing and how little it had cost and was even more reluctant to remove her coat.

“Are you cold?” JoAnne asked in a sweet tone.

“No,” Cassie answered honestly, then cursed herself for jumping on that reason to retain her coat. “I mean, it’s my fault if I am. I didn’t dress appropriately.”

“I noticed,” JoAnne said with a small smile.

Cassie swallowed hard. “You did?”

JoAnne pointed to Cassie’s feet. “As soon as I saw your strappy pumps I guessed Luke didn’t tell you where he was taking you. Poor thing. He probably thought he was being romantic, but what he actually did was make you traipse through the snow practically barefoot. Men.” She looked Cassie over from head to toe. “I’m shorter than you are, but if you’d like to borrow anything warmer than what you have on, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Cassie choked back a nervous laugh. There was no way she was asking for the one item she regretted not wearing the most. “Thank you. I wore a sleeveless dress. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

JoAnne called out softly, “Mia, please bring in a tray of coffee and tea.” Then she turned and spoke to the Noah and Luke who were happily catching up. “Why don’t we move into the library? Noah, have Brimlow make a fire. We don’t want to freeze our friends out of wanting to go on your tour.”

“Good idea,” Noah said before waving over the man who had taken their coats. “We’ll be in the library, Brimlow.”

“Yes, sir,” the man answered as he headed into the room and began to prepare the fireplace.

The atmosphere was formal and more than a little intimidating.

JoAnne led the way to a circle of chairs beside a large fireplace. She waved for Cassie to choose one and sat in the one beside her. Within moments there was a hearty blaze of logs burning with a tray of warm beverages and desserts laid out for the two couples.

Luke stood with Noah on one side of the fireplace. “Do you remember what we used to do at your grandmother’s house?”

Noah wrinkled his nose. “You mean throw whatever we didn’t want to eat into the fire and hope no one would notice?”

“You didn’t,” JoAnne said in amused reprimand.

Luke laughed. “It was Noah’s idea. He hated anything with mushrooms, and his grandmother’s chef loved to hide them in the most unlikely dishes.”

Noah joined him in laughing at the memory. “I believe it was the time I threw a large cut of lamb that Grandmother demanded I clean the ashes out myself.”

“You made such a mess, Manny started stashing food for us out of pity for the house staff.” Luke walked over and sank into the chair beside Cassie. “Manny was Noah’s male nanny. How old were you when your parents finally let him go, Noah? Twenty?”

JoAnne leaned toward Cassie with a huge smile spreading across her face. “I love when these two get together. I always learn something new about my husband. Noah, did you really have the same nanny for twenty years? My mother worried I’d get overly attached if any of mine stayed too long. I always envied the children who were close to theirs.”

Noah winked at Cassie. “I’m on my best behavior today because you’re the first woman Luke has brought around for us to meet, but don’t worry, I have plenty of good stories to share with you.”

Luke took one of Cassie’s hands in his as if it were the most natural thing to do, and those gorgeous dark eyes danced with amusement as he said, “Don’t believe a word he says, Cassie.”

Cassie was torn with how she felt. On one hand, she couldn’t relate at all to their shared experiences. But, strangely, she didn’t feel as out of place as she would have thought she would. Luke’s friends were welcoming her into their circle.

After asking Cassie if she’d like some, JoAnne poured Cassie a cup of coffee and handed it to her. “Are you originally from Ohio, Cassie? I lived in this area when I was young, but then my family moved to New York. Moving back here was the best gift Noah has ever given me.”

Cassie hesitated before answering. She met Luke’s eyes and saw nothing but encouragement there. “I grew up in Michigan. Actually, Detroit, Michigan. I live in Defiance, Ohio, now.” Cassie held her breath. A thousand possible awkward questions they could ask circled in her mind. She told herself it didn’t matter what Luke’s friends thought of her.

JoAnne’s expression didn’t change. She handed her husband a cup of coffee and said, “Luke mentioned that you own a bed and breakfast. I knew I would like you the moment I heard that. It takes a special kind of person to deal with the public. We give tours in the summer, and I get so nervous I forget everything I’m supposed to say.” She laid a hand on her forehead softly in embarrassment. “I’ve had people ask me if it’s my first day on the job.”

With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Noah said, “Don’t worry, sweetheart, so far only one person has suggested I fire you.”

JoAnne arched her head back and laughed at Noah. “And what did you tell them?”

The smile he gave her was mischievous. “I told her the truth. Your job is secure, only because I’m sleeping with you.”

JoAnne waved a hand in the air. “Did you really say that? I hope you also mentioned we’re married.”

“How would that have been fun?” Noah asked comically.

JoAnne playfully swatted the air in his direction.

Cassie laughed softly at the warm exchange.

JoAnne met Cassie’s eyes and said with mock sternness, “Cassie, don’t encourage him.”

Noah went to stand behind his wife, put a hand on both of her shoulders, and kissed the top of his wife’s head. “If you’re actually cross with me, perhaps we can make up later.”

Luke barked out a laugh. “Oh, how marriage has tamed you, Noah.”

Noah raised his head and looked pointedly back and forth between Luke and Cassie. “Laugh all you want, Luke; I have a feeling we’ll soon see what it does to you.”

Luke’s mouth opened, then shut without saying a word.

Cassie’s hand shook so hard she spilled coffee on her jacket. She dabbed at it with a napkin, while avoiding meeting Luke’s or anyone else’s eyes as she did.

No one spoke for a few long moments, then JoAnne suggested cheerfully, “Noah, how about we give them a tour of the winery now?”

***

Later that night, Luke hugged a naked Cassie to his side beneath the thick plush blankets of the vineyard’s guesthouse. Her eyes were closed, although he knew she wasn’t asleep. Her breathing was deep and relaxed, and her lips were slightly curled in sated pleasure. He kissed her forehead gently, and her smile widened. “See, not having underwear worked out for the best after all.”

She rubbed her hand over his chest softly. “I’m too relaxed right now to be able to argue that point with you.”

He chuckled. “Imagine how relaxed you would have been if you’d taken more than a sip of that ice wine. I think I’d like you tipsy.”

Cassie tipped her head back and opened her eyes lazily. “You have a one-track mind.”

“Only with you,” he said, realizing how true it was. He’d been with other women and enjoyed it, but if someone had told him that sex could get better the more you had it with the same person, he wouldn’t have believed it. Familiarity led to a deeper comfort, not normally this fiery connection that exploded every time he touched Cassie.

She kissed his shoulder. “I want to believe that.”

He cupped her face with one hand. “I’ve never lied to you, Cupcake, and I never will. I grew up in a house of secrets and half-truths. I have no tolerance for either.”

She tensed against him. “Sometimes people hold things back because there’s no reason to burden the other person with it.”

He knew she meant well, but he didn’t need her to defend his family. Just the thought of the drama that waited for him back in New York was enough to threaten his good mood. “I haven’t found that to be the case, but let’s talk about happier things. Noah and JoAnne really like you.”

Cassie looked as if she was about to say something important, then changed her mind. The smile on her face appeared strained for a moment. Luke cursed himself for allowing his frustration to take away from what was otherwise a wonderful night.

She laid her head back on his chest with a sigh. “Your friends are great. And the way they talk about their winery . . . it’s hard to believe they’ve been doing this for such a short time.”

“They found something they were both passionate about. My only regret is that it took me so long to come out to see them. This is the happiest I’ve seen either of them.”

Cassie closed her eyes again and let out a shaky breath. “It’s obvious how much they mean to you.”

“They do,” Luke said as he tried to put his feelings into words. “It was important to me that you meet them and they meet you.”

Cassie shuddered against Luke, but she kept her eyes firmly shut. Luke traced his hand up one of her arms and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking today, Cassie.”

Her eyes shot open at that. “Don’t say it, Luke.”

He pulled her tighter against him. “Why does the idea of anything developing between us scare you so much? When I watched my friends together today and saw how happy they were with each other, I asked myself if I’d ever been like that with anyone. The answer was yes—you. When I’m with you, Cassie, I don’t think about everything in my life that’s wrong. I’m myself, but different. You make me laugh. You make me think. I don’t want to imagine a night without you in my bed. There. I’ve said it. I don’t want to put an end date on what we have.” Cassie’s eyes burned with an emotion he couldn’t understand. She looked cornered by his declaration, and he suddenly felt like a boy who grabbed a part of a sandcastle only to feel it slip away between his fingers. “Talk to me, Cupcake.”

Her hand fisted on his chest. “You don’t get to change the rules in the middle of the game.”

Luke frowned. “I’m not playing a game. Are you?”

She brought her hand up to her temple and gave it a nervous tap. “No, of course not. That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

Tears misted her eyes. “I’ve always considered myself a brave person, but when it comes to you . . .”

He kissed her lips, stopping her from saying more. “It’s okay, Cassie. I won’t rush you. I just want you to know that my side of this is decided. I’m not going anywhere.”

Her visible nervousness brought out his protective side. He rubbed her back and murmured for her to go to sleep. Meanwhile, he told himself to do the same before he made all sorts of ridiculously premature declarations.

She was a wreck just because he’d suggested he wanted to stick around.

How would she react if he told her the truth—he was falling completely, irreversibly, in love with her?