The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (16 page)

He pulled her to her feet "Fortunately, you can teach me."

* * *

He was a smooth dancer, his energy raw, his movements compelling. Cassie felt herself following his lead and coming under his spell. She fought it.

"Now, it's your turn to relax," he whispered.

She glared up at him. "I thought you said you couldn't dance."

He fingered a loose tendril around her face. "I can't."

"Then what do you call this?"

"Foreplay."

Her gaze fell.

A man tapped Drake on the shoulder. "Do you think I could cut in here?"

"Sure," Drake said. "If you think you can dance with broken legs." He spun Cassie away.

She stared at him openmouthed, then said, "That was uncalled for and downright rude!"

"Don't lecture me," he softly warned. "I'm not in a good mood."

She turned away. The night was a bigger mess than she could have imagined. Not only had the other women not impressed him, but he probably thought she had used him. Though she'd never see him again, she didn't want him to hate her. "Drake, I was only trying to help," she said, desperate to explain. "I thought—"

"I know what you thought and you were wrong."

She stopped dancing. "Let's leave. You probably can't stand the sight of me."

"Cassie, shut up and move. I'll drag you across the floor if I have to."

"You wouldn't be able to."

The corner of his mouth quirked in challenge. "Try me."

She began to move. In his current mood she wouldn't trust him not to do something. "No."

After a while she heard him make a low grumble in his throat that was eerily close to a growl. Its cause came up to them.

"Hey, babe," Kevin said. He gestured to Drake with a jerk of his chin. "Is this your latest?"

Drake let go of Cassie so abruptly, she staggered back. He turned to Kevin, his voice low but dangerous. "Cassie is not a babe, chick, or hon. Nor is she one of your call girls to pick up and fondle when you feel like it. Now I don't mind her having male friends that treat her with respect, but the next time you mistake her for one of your bimbos, even if she is foolish enough to find herself alone with you in a Jacuzzi as tempting as a money-filled wallet, you'll be kissing my fist. Understood?"

Kevin's jaw twitched in anger, but when he spoke his voice was humble. "Understood. Sorry, Cassie, I didn't mean to embarrass you."

Cassie smiled. "It's—"

"Apology accepted," Drake interrupted. He took her hand and walked away.

"What was that for?" she asked as he handed his ticket to the valet. "Kevin has always—"

"Treated you like a stupid idiot put on this earth for his enjoyment? You deserve better than that. And I'll make sure you get it."

The man was too serious, that was his biggest fault. She knew that Kevin didn't mean anything by his behavior, he called everyone babe or something similar. Cassie thought it best not to talk Drake out of his strange sullen mood. She did not know what to say and he didn't look in the mood for the "Let's still be friends" speech. She also did not want to distract him as he drove through the city like a participant in the Indy 500. Buildings and traffic lights blurred past her like some futuristic ride at an amusement park. Drake gripped the steering wheel occasionally loosening his grip to change gears with unnecessary vigor. He seemed oblivious of how fast they were going.

When he finally turned into an underground parking garage, Cassie let a sigh of relief escape her, pleased that they had arrived safely and that she hadn't heard the siren of a police car in the distance. But as he slid into a parking space she remembered she didn't have underground parking.

"Wait a minute, this isn't my place," she said, getting out of the car.

He turned on his car alarm. "No, it's mine."

"This is not a good idea."

He flashed a bland smile over the hood of his car. "Funny, I felt the same way about your party, but I went anyway." He grasped her elbow and led her to the building. "Come on."

Cassie chewed her lower lip and hummed a song while going up the elevator, then tapped a beat on her leg as he put the key in the lock. Drake paused with his hand on the door. "I don't have any ex-girlfriends hanging on my walls, so relax."

She nodded. The request was illogical. It was like asking an unanesthetized patient to lie still while coming at the person with a giant metal object.

He opened the door to reveal an expensive, beautifully decorated condominium, which afforded a spectacular view of the city lights.

"You have a very kind benefactress," she said, impressed. "Do you think I could do her any favors?"

He took her purse and placed it on the table. "Yes. Make me happy."

"Sorry, that's not one of my talents." She stared at a glass bowl. "So, what do you do for a living?"

"I thought I explained that to you."

Cassie sat down, relieved that he still had the ability to joke. "You must be very good."

"You'll find out soon enough. Would you like a drink?"

"No." She'd had enough food and drink for one evening. She was sure her dress was stretched to its limit. If she breathed too hard, it would burst into pieces.

"Okay." He sat down next to her. "Let's get a few things clear." He tossed his jacket on the back of the couch and rolled up his sleeves. "You seem to have the impression that I like playing games." His magnetic gaze held her captive. "I don't."

"I never—"

Drake pressed a finger against her lips. "I've given you a chance to explain and now I deserve a chance to respond." He gently tugged her shawl off her shoulders and placed it next to him. "I obviously have not made myself clear, but tonight I intend to."

Any reply Cassie had was thoroughly kissed from her mouth. She had expected an angry, punishing kiss that would repel her as Kevin's had, but she was wrong. The engaging touch of his impatient lips sent a shock wave through her entire body. She met the current of desire willingly, unable to deny herself this sorcerer whose very eyes drowned her in a pool of pleasure. She grabbed the lapels of his shirt and brought him close, feeling his hard body against hers. He smelled like the night—musky, cool, and mysterious.

"You taste better every time," he whispered.

"It's my specialty." She licked his lower lip.

"Why did you fight this so long? I should shake you for refusing us this."

"You can shake me later. I like what you're doing right now."

"The bedroom," he muttered against her mouth. He did not want to take her on the couch, although at the present moment that was a distinct possibility.

They stumbled toward the bedroom, leaving various articles of clothing in their wake as they eagerly undressed each other. Drake hooked his foot behind her and Cassie fell backward onto the bed; he covered her like a monsoon—reckless and consuming. She wrapped her arms around him, placing kisses on his shoulders and neck while his hands caressed her body like a gentle wind finding its way through a forest—light, searching, arousing. She felt the expanse of his back, her fingers roaming like a river over his muscles. His skin was hot, seeming to imprint itself on hers, claiming her for the night and other nights to follow. The hair on his chest sent soft, thrilling currents of desire as they brushed against her breasts.

Cassie closed her eyes, captivated under his spell, for as the night progressed she felt beautiful—her body was not a temple of shame, but something this man worshipped with his zealous mouth and his greedy hands. No amount of words could have convinced her as his body had.

As quickly as the pleasure came, fear followed, filling her with doubt. What if she disappointed him? What if Timothy had been right about her lack of sexuality?

"Drake?" she asked in a hurried whisper.

"Hmm," he grunted, spreading her legs open with his knee.

"I may not be good at this."

The tremble in her voice caught his attention. The moonlight reflected in her eyes. They were big and full of apprehension. He rubbed his knuckles against her chin. "You'll be fine."

"How do you know?"

"A man does not have to drink an entire bottle of wine to know it's excellent. A sniff or simple sip will do." He slowly let his tongue trail a warm, wet path up her neck; her toes curled. "And from what I've just tasted, I know you'll be delicious. I want you to trust me. I'll take care of everything." He pressed a tiny kiss on her forehead. "I'll be right back."

She swallowed and nodded.

He disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Cassie to hope that the night would be good as he so confidently predicted it would be.

"Ready for me?" He turned on the lights.

Cassie buried herself in the covers. "Are you crazy! Turn them off!"

Startled by her outburst, he did so. "What's wrong with you?"

"I just want the lights off."

"Why?" he asked, bewildered.

"Do you want me or not?"

"You know I want you." He lifted the covers, slipped in beside her, and held one breast, teasing the nipple until it became hard. "I just wanted to see you, love. Is that wrong?"

Yes.
"No. I guess not."

His lips touched her nipple with tantalizing tenderness. "Next time then."

She arched her body, feeling the moisture increase between her legs. She rubbed her body against his. "Isn't this good enough?"

"Yes." The mere feel of her filled him with dangerously possessive thoughts. He did not and would not share her with anyone. Kevin would do well not to tamper again with what wasn't his.

His hand skimmed across her belly. He loved the fullness of her form, the rolls and curves. He loved her softness and the comfort it offered. Tonight he had wanted to teach her a lesson, but the lesson had been his to learn. He realized how deep his feelings for Cassie had become. The knowledge brought a painful vulnerability coupled with a frisson of fear. It coursed through him as he entered her. He briefly shut his eyes, gathering his control. It was dangerous to desire a woman this much. It made a man weak. He couldn't afford to be weak.

He felt her tighten around him, her silken walls a sanctuary, and slowly his fear subsided. She wanted him. He was where he should be. There was no need for dominance or surrender. She knew she belonged to him and that he would take care of her.

He kissed her throat, hating the darkness around them. He wished he could see her. But the night kept her a mystery, reminding him that she was still out of reach. That he still had to prove himself so she would trust him.

He groaned as her lips trailed a wet path of kisses across his shoulder, pushing aside all his thoughts. They disappeared when she flicked her tongue against the sensitive skin behind his ear. He lost his battle with control and succumbed to his passion.

Cassie welcomed it. Tonight her wizard worked his sorcery. Never had ecstasy felt this tangible. It overwhelmed her body and mind. His ardor surprised her, but she was not afraid. He was a man of fire who shouldn't have such a disdain for love. His beliefs were a contradiction to his very nature. He was meant to love and be loved. But she wouldn't think of such things. Now she would enjoy the magic of being in his arms.

Under the cloak of night, their souls met, clinging to each other even as their love making ended.

"Drake?" a small voice asked beneath him.

"Hmm?" he grumbled, his body limp with pleasure.

"Can I breathe now?"

"What?"

"I love the feel of you, but you weigh a ton."

"Oh, sorry." He rolled off her, pulling her to fit into the curve of his body. "How's that?"

Cassie took a deep breath as though she'd just avoided suffocation. "It will do," she said primly. She felt him chuckle.

She traced a line from his ear to his jaw. The moonlight polished his skin a silky onyx. She let her hand glide down his arm. "You're a wonder."

"Why?" His voice was heavy with masculine triumph.

"Because you're a gentleman masquerading as a rogue."

"And you're a wench masquerading as a lady. Ow!" This because she punched him. "It was a compliment."

"Then you should work on them."

She tried to move away, but he wouldn't release her. "You can be angry with me close as well as far," he said, trapping her with one leg.

She nipped him on the shoulder. "You're a beast."

"Waiting to be tamed by Beauty."

"She isn't here. Let me go and I'll get her for you."

He laughed and Cassie admitted she did like the sound of his laughter. It was warm, inviting, and real. But what had just happened between them? What did this mean? "Drake?"

"Go to sleep, Cassie."

"But—"

"We can talk tomorrow."

With that sleepy promise, she finally allowed herself to relax against him, letting herself drift off to sleep. Holding her close, Drake fell asleep a few moments after.

* * *

When Cassie woke, the moonlight danced around her head at a dizzying pace, and for a moment she tried to figure out where she was—why her body ached as if it had been squeezed through a grinder. She felt a solid arm shift around her waist and remembered where she was and the night of lovemaking. Unfortunately, the memory was cut short when her stomach clenched and a wave of nausea hit her. She stumbled into the bathroom—unable to marvel at its elegance and impressive size—and lunged toward the toilet before she embarrassed herself. Her head felt as if an anvil had struck it and her entire body screamed in pain.

She raised herself to the sink and splashed her face with cold water, trying to combat the heat that consumed her like a desert summer. Another wave of nausea hit and she doubled over the toilet again. Once the nausea subsided, she rested her head against the rim and struggled to think of what to do next. She knew she had to leave. Whatever was wrong with her, she didn't want Drake to see. Timothy hated to see her sick and she wouldn't have Drake looking at her with the same disgust in his eyes.

She quickly changed into her dress, tears streaming down her face due to the pain that accompanied every movement. She called a cab and wrote Drake a note explaining that an emergency had occurred. She left it on the coffee table, then crawled toward the door, which seemed to move and shift every time she thought she was getting closer. She shut her eyes and held her head for a moment, hoping her stomach wouldn't rebel if she tried to make a mad dash to the door. However, one attempt to stand proved her legs refused to cooperate. She shut her eyes once again, gathering her strength. When she opened them, two powerful legs stood in her path.