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  True to form, Chloe had captivated yet another male. Cass realised she had a real heartbreaker on her hands and smiled indulgently at her daughter.

  "I hardly realise you and James are here most of the time. Until you start up that damn electric saw...” She grimaced and smiled ruefully.

  She liked Richard. He was a gentleman, as well as a gentle man. They had become friends over the last few weeks. The discovery that he was very well read, in spite of his occupation, and shared with her his love of Keats and Wordsworth, had cemented an unusual, but relaxed and entirely unexpected camaraderie.

  "So, how do you like your new deck? Was it worth all the noise and the dust?"

  He and James had finished the deck that afternoon and it was being duly christened. After swallowing one quick beer, James had left, in typical surfie fashion, to catch a last few waves before dark.

  The crash of the surf rumbled over them, muted by distance, but the air was still heavy with the tang of salt from the onshore breeze. As autumn took hold, the days were getting cooler and shorter, and soon it would be too chilly to sit out on the deck in the afternoon and wait for the sun to do down.

  "Two weeks isn't long, and the mess has been worth it, don't you think?” She nodded at the view as she spoke.

  "I'll miss it, that's for sure. And I think I'll miss you, too. You're a wonderful woman, Cass. Jake's a lucky man."

  "You're just saying that because you want another beer.” She found it easy to joke with Richard, to be in his company. In a lot of ways, he reminded her of her father. The sort of man who didn't have to be macho to be masculine, a capable man who made a woman feel safe, secure. A man any woman would be lucky to have.

  Through conversations with him each night after they finished, she had discovered he was divorced, but attached. She'd met his “lady friend” as he insisted on calling her, when she had dropped by last week to pick him up while his truck was being serviced. And she was like him—quiet, confident, with a smile for Richard that lit up her face. The affection between them was obvious.

  "No, one beer is enough. I'd better get going before Jake arrives and finds me lounging around. Don't want him thinking I'm moving in on his turf.” He winked at her and laughed, grabbing her hand playfully but made no move to get up.

  "It's nice out here, isn't it.” She settled back further in her seat and sighed.

  "It sure is. Makes it hard to leave..."

  * * * *

  Hearing voices at the back of the house, Jake let himself in. He had noticed Richard's truck still parked on the grassy verge and wanted to find out how much longer he would be. With any luck, Cassie should be able to have her house back to herself in a week or ten days. He had a surprise planned for her that hadn't been included in the renovations she asked for. The rusty old heater was getting the boot. The restoration of the beautiful old fireplace was the last item on Jake's list. But he wanted it to be a surprise for her. He had plans for that fireplace during the coming winter, plans he was hoping would put that sexy smile on her face.

  With a grin, he walked through the house. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Cassie and Richard out on the deck. Like a punch to the gut, he took in the sight of Richard holding Cassie's hand.

  A surge of possessiveness and jealousy powered through him, its strength surprising him. Just the thought of another man touching her made his body coil.

  "...get going before Jake arrives and finds me lounging around. Don't want him thinking I'm moving in on his turf."

  You're damn right, Richard. Get your fucking hands of my woman. He moved quickly then, out to the deck. Chloe caught sight of him before he reached them, her face lighting up with excitement as she clambered down off Richard's lap.

  "Uncle Jake!” Squealing, she launched herself at him.

  "How's my girl?” He scooped her up and hugged her to him, feeling her arms cling tight around his neck.

  He walked over to Cassie, damned pleased to notice that Richard's hand was back where it should be. Determined to mark his territory so that the message would be clear, he squatted down beside Cassie and kissed her, intimately. “Hey, darlin',” he said when he finally broke away. “Miss me?"

  "What about me?” a little voice asked in his ear. “Where's mine?"

  Jake laughed, the tension in his body easing. “That is a ‘mummy’ kiss. You, little darlin', get an Eskimo one,” he said, rubbing noses with her and grinning.

  "Well, I'd better hit the road. I'll leave you two lovebirds to your own devices.” Richard stood and motioned for Cass's empty bottle.

  "You got much longer, Rich?"

  "Nah. Two weeks should see it done."

  "What about that other ... em ... job I asked you to do?"

  "One day—max. It's all organised. Don't worry. Night, you three."

  Jake waited until Richard had gone before taking his seat. He was still getting over the possessive feelings the sight of Richard and Cassie together had stirred. He had to do something about his relationship with her soon before he went nuts. No way was he going to risk some other guy coming along and spoiling the best thing that had ever happened to him.

  Because he loved her. It was really quite simple. The only thing holding him back from telling her was that he just wasn't sure how strong her feelings were for him. But not telling her was killing him. He got the feeling Cassie wasn't ready to hear how he felt. Oh, she was loving and it seemed like she wanted him around, but she always seemed to be holding back a bit, and until he had figured out why, he didn't want to push.

  Chloe curled up in his lap like a little kitten, and with one arm around her, he picked up Cass's hand with his free one and kissed it. He was bewildered to notice her eyes were glassy when he looked up at her, watching him intently.

  "What's up, darlin?"

  "Nothing. Just happy."

  "You sure?"

  "Yeah, I'm sure.” And then she smiled at him.

  "Well, that's good, because I'm happy too.” But even as he said the words, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right...

  A cool gust blew up, making Chloe shiver.

  "C'mon, sugar. Time to get you inside."

  "It's bath time, anyway,” Cass shook her head in bemusement as Chloe tore off in the direction of the bathroom. As she moved to follow, Cass stopped and turned to Jake. “Don't go."

  "I won't."

  He watched the unconscious sway of her hips as she walked away and frowned. It was insane to be thinking the thoughts he was thinking so soon after one divorce, but he wanted to marry her. Soon. Sooner than soon. And Chloe needed a father. He'd love her like his own. Hell, he already did. But how to get Cassie to see that?

  Soon the sound of water running was followed by the splash of Chloe climbing in. Cass reappeared a few moments later and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  "You're very quiet tonight."

  He slid his arms around her and squeezed her, inhaling the soft scent of flowers in her hair. “I have to go away, Cassie."

  She looked up at him quickly, her eyes searching his for his meaning.

  "Not for long. Only three weeks. Two, if I really push the guys.” Damn, the last thing he wanted to do was go. He had quoted on the job in Melbourne after his divorce, weeks before things had heated up with Cassie, never realising the direction his life would suddenly take. He couldn't pass it up, though.

  "Oh.” Her face fell and he hugged her tighter. “When?"

  "Soon."

  "How soon is soon, Jake?"

  "Two days. The materials and the guys will be ready by then. I'm sorry, darlin'. I wish I didn't have to go."

  "No, it's all right. I understand. I'll just miss you..."

  "You better.” He said it teasingly, trying to get a smile out of her, which failed, and his own thoughts turned serious too. “I'll be thinking about you every second I'm gone, darlin'.” She looked up at him, eyes glassy and his heart clenched inside his chest. He just wanted to hold
on and never let go. “Baby, can I stay tonight?"

  "Oh, Jake.” Two tears finally tumbled over the tip of her lashes, trailing quickly down her face, followed by two more. “I wish you'd stay every night. I hate sleeping without you, waking up alone."

  He knew that feeling well. If he had his way, they'd never spend another night apart for the rest of their lives. “Maybe you and I should talk about changing things when I get back. Hmmm? I think it's time, don't you?” His lips rested on her silky hair and he sat contentedly with her in his arms.

  * * * *

  Wednesday. D-day. Departure day. Jake didn't know how he was going to get through the next three weeks. Richard and James hadn't arrived yet, a fact he was grateful for. He had lain awake most of the night, dreading the morning, knowing he wouldn't be there that night, or many nights following.

  "I'd better go...” Cass's voice was tight. “Chloe's in the car and school...” The words dried up.

  They stood looking at each other, their gazes locked as the minutes ticked by, and then in three steps he was in front of her, invading her space, her face in his hands. Looking deep into her eyes, he hungrily lowered his mouth to hers, moving over it urgently as he tasted her, feeling her mouth open under his, and then sliding his tongue between her parted lips to seek out her hers, plundering possessively, sucking her breath into his mouth as he fought to quell the need that rose inside.

  Reluctantly he broke the kiss. Their breathing was ragged and uneven; he held her away from him, taking in the trembling, swollen lips.

  "When I get back, you and I are going to talk, Cassie. You got that?” His voice was hoarse with emotion.

  She nodded at him mutely. Grabbing her briefcase from the chair, he walked her to the car, opening the door for her as she got in. He leaned on the door, his eyes at the same level as hers. “I meant what I said.” And then leaned in for one more kiss—a soft, sensual touch—before stepping back and letting her drive away.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A rosebud lay across her pillow. Under that was a folded note. The handwriting was familiar and her tummy fluttered. Jake. With a quick inhale of the heady fragrance of the rose, she ripped the stiff flap of the envelope open and pulled out the note within:

  Cassie,

  I wanted there to be some reminder of me here when you got home tonight, and as I can't be there, this note will have to do.

  But when I get back, we have to have a serious talk, darlin'. I think you know what I'm referring to. We can't run away from this any longer.

  So, when you slide into bed tonight, picture me holding you, because that's what I'll be doing Friday night.

  Love, Jake.

  Love, Jake. She was absurdly happy, for the space of about four heartbeats. Then reality came crashing back in on her. We can't run away from this any longer ... Oh, God! Did he know? And if he knew, why hadn't he said something? What if he was waiting for her to confess? The guilt settled heavy in her gut. Holding the note tight to her chest, she shut her eyes and remembered the kiss this morning before he'd left for Melbourne. The way her whole world had tilted and dipped. The moment when she had finally understood just how deeply she was in love with him.

  * * * *

  "What's that?” Rachael nodded at the note Cass was clutching.

  "It's from Jake. He left it for me to find when I got home."

  "And what? Is it a Dear Jane, or something?"

  "Nooo.” Wordlessly, she handed it to Rach who scanned it rapidly.

  "You still haven't told him, have you?"

  Cass looked over at Rachael to see a frown on her face. “I've tried.” Even to her own ears, her response sounded weak.

  "Jeez, Cass. From what you're telling me, and this...” she flashed the note in the air, “...Jake is about ready to bring more than a spare toothbrush and a clean pair of underpants. The guy is serious."

  "I know. But I've tried a few times, Rach. Something or someone always comes up. You think I like keeping this from him?” Her voice rose in her frustration.

  "Okay, okay. Settle down. When he gets back, then. Just do it."

  "What if he already knows? The note..."

  "Stop guessing and ... Just. Do. It."

  "Yeah, I know."

  "What time does he get in?"

  "1:30 tomorrow."

  "Good luck, girlfriend."

  Good luck. She had a feeling that a whole bunch of leprechauns doing a merry jig around a paddock of four leaf clovers wouldn't be enough...

  * * * *

  "Whoa! Hold on just a minute everyone.” Cass tried to call out above the rising noise of students preparing to leave for lunch. “Don't forget, I need those essays on ‘The Significance of Gender...’ by Friday,” she yelled above the hubbub. “You know how much I look forward to marking them during the holidays.” There was a smattering of laughs at that. “And Stephen,” she turned to a shy looking twenty-year-old sitting in the front row, “no more 10,000 words essays from you, or you get to come and organise my office."

  There were a few cheers at that comment and Stephen grinned good-naturedly. The state of her office was well known to her students. It was best described as semi-organised chaos. At worst? Well, she didn't want to go there. She turned to her bag, lifting books and papers and slipping them inside for the journey back to said messy office, ready to dump them in and run so she could hightail it home to get ready for Jake's arrival.

  "Professor Grant?"

  "Yes, Amy?” She lifted her head from her desk to see a few of her female students grinning at her and looked at them curiously.

  "I think you have a visitor.” Amy nodded over to the door.

  Cass looked up to see Jake, looking entirely too delicious in jeans and a tight, white t-shirt, leaning up against the door jamb, arms casually crossed over his muscular chest wearing that grin that was a combination of sexy and cheeky. It happened every time she saw him ... that same mad flutter in her chest.

  "He yours?"

  Cass didn't miss the look of appreciation in Amy's eyes and chuckled to herself. “God, I hope so.” She smiled, her heart doing a little cha cha cha just at the sight of him.

  "I think he's waiting for something, Professor.” Trish leaned over the desk conspiratorially. “I wouldn't make him wait too long if I were you."

  A flush rose up her cheeks as she walked towards him. The blush deepened to a full body tint when he slipped an arm around her and pulled her up against him for a deep, hard, possessive kiss.

  The sound of whistles and cat calls filtered through to even her fogged brain and she nipped his bottom lip lightly to get him to release her, leaving her flushed and panting.

  "Jake!” She pushed at him in mock annoyance.

  "It's been a week. What can I say? I couldn't wait, darlin'.” He grinned down at her, chuckling at some of the comments coming from behind her.

  "I think you'd better take me home before my reputation it totally shot to ribbons."

  "I'll try, but I can't promise we'll get there without three or four stops along the way. I'm feeling a bit hungry...” His wolfish grin didn't hide the fact that food was the last thing on his mind.

  "You drive, then.” With a wink, she handed him her keys. “We'll get there faster."

  * * * *

  Cass wasn't the only one glad to see Jake. Chloe was overjoyed to see both Cass and Jake at school to pick her up. Although she was less than impressed a little later when she was shunted off to Uncle Larry's and Auntie Debbie's for the night, and wasted no time in making her feelings felt. This was one time, though, that Cass was putting her foot down and herself first. With some quick thinking on Jake's part, Chloe was consoled with the offer of a trip to the zoo the next day to see Max's relatives. Tonight, Cass needed Jake all to herself, and for one night she intended to make sure there were no interruptions.

  Jake fortunately agreed, because after they'd dropped Chloe off and come back home, they were barely inside the door before he was stripping, or rather, rip
ping her clothes off and making a three course meal out of her body. Cass didn't care. She was all for jumping straight to the main course and to hell with the appetisers.

  She was wet and ready. The drive home from her brother's had been spent with Cass's legs open while Jake drove with one hand on the wheel and the other one stroking her pussy. The heated look he sent her when he slipped his fingers under the elastic of her lacy panties nearly undid her completely. Likely she would find nail gouges in the vinyl of her car interior where she had been gripping, trying not to come all over his fingers and cause an accident.

  It was too much for Jake, though. As they stumbled into the bedroom, after shedding her clothes as they went, he paused just long enough to slip down the zipper on his fly before nudging her facedown on the bed and driving inside her in one hard thrust that made her see stars.

  The first wave of tremors was somewhere in the vicinity of a fifty-megatonne bomb going off. The aftershocks went on for hours.

  Waking some time past midnight after a much needed doze, she lay back and watched Jake wake, stretching sleepily. It was like watching a cat stretch, something dangerous and feline that made her pussy clench all over again, and she swallowed as the sheet slipped a little lower, displaying a hint of light, curly hair trailing down his abs below the sheet. She watched, unable to tear her eyes away, as said sheet started to rise like a magician's trick.

  "He's happy to see you.” Jake grinned at her, wide awake now, watching her scrutiny of him with a cocked eyebrow. His eyes took on that deep, ocean-blue colour they did when she knew he was very aroused. “I'm happy to see you.” The sound came out deep and husky, and she knew that sleep had nothing to do with it. “Come here."

  His eyes held hers like a magnet, and unable to tear hers away, her pulse started to race as she slid over the sheets to nestle within his arms. What really mattered was that he was home again, and the sight of him lying there, tousled and ready, his big, mouth-watering and deliciously naked body under the sheet waiting for her, was way too tempting.