Blink of an Eye (2 page)

That thought made up his mind. He could ignore her comment, finish his coffee and pie and go home to the comfortable, lonely bungalow he’d bought there three years ago on an infrequent trip home. Yeah, right. He’d take his chances on the lovely café owner and just see where things led.

“I may be younger in years, but not up here.” He tapped the temple next to his wasted eye.

The cup of coffee in Cassidy’s hand shook, sloshing scalding liquid over the side. “Oh shit. You heard?” She looked slightly embarrassed.

“Yeah. I thought about letting it go, but figured what the hell? So, Cassidy, what the hell?”

Chapter Two

Cassidy leant back against the cool tile wall, studying Scott with fresh eyes. She’d felt the sexual tension humming between them. Hell, it had sent a bolt of electricity straight from her hand to every body part that made her a woman.

The question of the day was whether she was going to do anything about it.

Yeah, she was at least ten years older than he was, but did it really matter? She wasn’t going to be one of those women who pissed and moaned about age differences, not when the attraction hung in the air as thick and cloying as the storm around them. Besides, it was only a one-nighter, so any reservations she might have were moot.

She let a full, wide smile bloom across her lips.

What the hell? Indeed. She wouldn’t mind playing Mrs Robinson for a night to this beautiful, wounded man. She’d indulged in liaisons since Brian’s death almost twelve years ago, but nothing as opulent as the promise zinging in the air between them. Besides, she seriously doubted Scott was the clingy type to make things uncomfortable afterward. Yeah, this could be what both of them needed. She didn’t know what Scott’s demons were, and at this point didn’t particularly care. Any talking they were going to do could take place over breakfast.

“So, exactly what did you have in mind?”

He gaped at her for a fraction of a second and his expression took on a distinctly wolfish cast.

“Guess it all depends,” he drawled lazily.

Cassidy could actually feel the physical sensation of his focus on her mouth. She licked her lips without thinking and felt a heady rush of power as his features tightened and his blue eye went stormy.

“Hmmm,” she purred, “depends on what?”

Scott pushed his plate and cup aside and leant forward, forearms on the countertop. His expression was deadly earnest. “Depends on whether you’re teasing me or not.”

Cassidy laughed. “I’m not much into games. Never have been. So what do you say, Scott?”

He pushed back and watched her with an expression far too old for his years. “What’s the catch?”

She threw her hands up in sudden frustration. She didn’t mind going after what she wanted, but a quickie wasn’t worth this kind of effort. “Oh hell. Never mind. Finish up your coffee and pie.” She’d begun to spin towards the back counter when he stopped her, his hand lightly gripping her wrist. Her heartbeat sped into a gallop at his simple touch.

“I don’t think so, darlin’.” His voice was throaty, sensual. “I don’t play either.”

Cassidy turned slowly, then gulped. If she’d thought he was sexy before, she’d been dead wrong. Now he fairly oozed testosterone.

“I just like to know where I stand.” He released her wrist, settled his fingers onto her pulse point and stroked lightly, sending shivers up her spine. A delicious tension curled in her loins.

“Is that right?” Her tone matched his and it felt as if the temperature in the room had shot up ten degrees. “Well, so do I.” Their eyes met and Cassidy saw this could be far more than a simple, steamy liaison, if she allowed it.

“I don’t know about you,” she continued calmly, even as her inner voice was screaming,
If that’s what he’s doing to you by touching your wrist, think of what will happen when he lays those fine hands on the rest of you!
“I’m not enough of an exhibitionist to drop down here on the café floor.”

Her comment brought another slow, sultry smile that nearly had her knees buckling. “Oh, I totally agree. What we’re going to do isn’t a spectator sport.”

Cassidy let out a long breath and pulled her arm free, snagging the keys from the cash register drawer. Rounding the corner of the counter, she locked the front door and flipped over the ‘Open’ sign, feeling his gaze on her the entire time. His scrutiny made her hotter, and more ready than ever.

She turned, and ran smack-dab into him.
Damn, he’s quiet
, was her first thought, followed quickly by a toe-curling rush of desire as they stood under the fluorescent lights of the coffee shop, toe to toe, chest to chest, eye to eye. The strong, muscular planes of his chest pressed against her breasts, and she felt her nipples peak and harden, already anticipating more, so much more.

His lips covered hers in a simple, searing kiss that incinerated any subconscious reservations she might have harboured. She moaned, deep and low, and opened her mouth, swiping her tongue across his lips, hungry for the taste of him. He echoed her groan and leaned in to claim her mouth, meeting her stroke for stroke. This was no ‘what the hell?’ kiss… It was a primal claim to which she happily surrendered. Never mind the fact that his touch rocked more than her world—it jump-started the heart she’d long thought dead. He cupped her ass with his hands, bringing her up against his erection in a hard, swift move.

A loud clap of thunder brought her to her senses. She pulled away and breathed, “Remember, no spectators.”

Scott released her with a shaky laugh. “You’re right. So…where do we go from here?”

Cassidy realised he was asking two questions—if they would continue, and, if so, where.

She tipped a grin at him. “No fear. Follow me.”

Bemused, Scott followed her. He was horny as hell, but he couldn’t help reflecting on the oddity—he was accustomed to being the leader. The fact that he would never again assume that role was a bitter pill to swallow. He absently touched the rough cotton eye patch.

Nothing would ever be the same.

He shook his head. What in the hell was he moaning about? He was about to get lucky with a seriously hot woman, which was more than he’d done since eleventh September.

He homed in on the ass swaying so temptingly in front of him as he followed her through the back of the diner. Cassidy walked through the storage room and opened what Scott assumed was the back door. Instead, it led into yet another part of the building, something she’d converted into a spacious, airy living area.

She swept a hand out. “Welcome to my home, however humble it might be.” She toed off her shoes, dropped her keys on the coffee table and turned to him. “So, where were we?”

Scott kicked the door shut and pulled her into his arms. “Right about here, I think.” He crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue tangling with hers as he filled his palm with a perfect breast. Her nipple hardened beneath his hand and she moaned just as she had before, sending a rush to his already rock-hard cock.

She tasted rich, all woman, and her flavour went straight to his head like a shot of tequila.

He pulled her deeper into his embrace, moulding her body to his as he began to grind against her slowly. She mimicked his motion, rubbing against his groin with fluid abandon. Her response galvanised him, making his heart thump hard in his chest. He’d never been with a woman who gave as good as she got. It was exhilarating to think she would have no problem taking the lead.

Stepping back, he broke their kiss long enough to run a finger over the swell of her breast, then circle a taut nipple through the silky material of her shirt and bra, watching as her eyes clouded and a visible tremor swept through her.

“You’re beautiful,” he breathed, sliding his hand down her ribs to the indentation of her waist, before resting it on her hip.

She traced his lips with her fingers. “So are you.”

He laughed, a breathless huff of sound, the serious gleam in her eyes proving her sincerity.

“No one’s ever described me as beautiful.”

“Well, you are.” She smiled, looped a finger into the waistband of his jeans and pulled. “C’mon.”

Chapter Three

Cassidy pulled Scott into the bedroom, anticipation fluttering in her belly. She’d never done anything like this before with a complete stranger, but it felt right…more than right. It seemed almost destined that this gorgeous young man had walked into her business on a stormy night and swept her off her feet. Who was she to bemoan such a gift? It almost made her wish she’d scanned her horoscope this morning, so she would have known a delightful evening was in store.

She turned on the corner light, bathing the room in a soft glow. Scott stood in the doorway, clearly assessing the room with one thorough sweep. Tacit approval lit his face, and she was glad she’d taken the time to make the bedroom her sanctuary. This room, with its jewel-toned pillows, comforter and curtains, all covered in voluptuous silk and satin, made for a soothing, sensual retreat. The bed was the crowning touch, a huge king-sized tester, elevated so you actually had to pull yourself up to sit on it.

His attention shifted to her and turned primal in a flash. Desire shuddered through her as he approved her body with the same appreciation he’d given the room. Thorough, complete, absolute attentiveness. And tonight it was all hers.

He stepped forward until he was an arm’s length away and reached out to gently trace the logo on her T-shirt.

“I’ve gotta say, I’ve never seen a better advertisement.”

Her nipples tightened almost painfully under his ghost-touch and breathing became an effort as wet heat flooded her pussy.

“What are you doing to me?” she whispered as he circled her nipple with his finger, then closed the distance between them and pulled her shirt over her head. He dipped his head and suckled her through the transparent lace of her bra.

He paused long enough to answer, “Shhh. Enjoy.” The storm of emotion and desire she saw in his eye almost dropped her to her knees.

Switching breasts, he palmed the peak he had abandoned, squeezing and plumping and sucking until she had to grab his shoulders to stay upright.

She raked his shoulders with her nails as her legs trembled. She’d never felt so turned on like this in her life. “Scott, stop. God, I’ve got to sit down.”

“Hmmm,” he hummed against her breast, giving one last nip and squeeze before he straightened. Sweat sheened his face and the outline of his hard, ready cock strained against the faded blue jeans. Knowing she was responsible for bringing him to life sent a thrill through her. She licked her lips, anticipating more of the same, and suddenly her strength was back.

She grasped the hem of his shirt and drew it over his head, mindful of his eye. His exquisitely defined muscles bunched with coiled tension when she ran a trailing caress down the middle of his lightly furred chest. She circled the indentation of his belly button and traced sculpted six-pack abs before settling on the steel tab of his jeans.

He came alive, no longer content to let her set the pace, and hauled her against him. His lips crushed hers, tongue swiping inside her mouth with voluptuous, worshipful strokes in a kiss that consumed her. She sagged against him, circling his tapered waist with her arms and pulled him close.

He was an inferno, scorching through her clothes as his kiss boiled her blood.

He boosted her up onto the silk comforter and covered her with his body, snuggling in tight between her thighs, thrusting against her until her pussy wept. She kneaded his ass, whimpering as skin met skin for the first time.

He trailed his mouth down her torso, placing whisper-soft kisses on her stomach, dipping a tongue into her navel before moving up, skimming his hands up her ribs. He flicked the front closure of her bra open and palmed her breasts, latching onto one with his talented mouth.

God, the sensation was incredible, and doubly so because making love was something she did so rarely. As she arched up into him, sheer, primal lightning shot through her, from her nipples to her core straight down to her feet. She curled her toes as he sat up and looked at her with pure male appreciation that had her gasping breath stuttering to a halt.

“What are you doing to me?” She knew she was repeating herself, but damn!

When was the last time a man had looked at her like that? Maybe never, and her heart swelled in a way it shouldn’t. She pushed the feeling aside forcefully. She would enjoy this, and she’d make sure he did too.

“Exactly what we both want. What we both need.” He scanned her in one long sweep, male satisfaction evident.

Scott drank in the sight of her. He didn’t ever remember being this hungry for a woman, hell, this hungry for anything. Not even on those long, lonely, cold nights bivouacked with a Marine battalion in Tora Bora.

Cassidy was long and lean, with a generous body that swelled and dipped in all the right places.

She surprised him by jack-knifing into a sitting position, running her hands over his chest, kneading his pecs, tweaking his nipples. He drew in a tortured gasp. Damn, he’d never even realised he liked that. What else would the delectable Cassidy show him about his own body? How could a woman he’d met less than twenty minutes ago sense the things that would turn him on?

“God, do that again,” he breathed.

She gave him a wicked smile and pinched harder, leant forward and laved away the petite pain with dainty licks and nips. His cock hardened even more, threatening to burst through the soft, faded material of his jeans.

Now. He needed her underneath him right this second. He stood, vision greying for a moment before coming into sharp focus. It wasn’t vertigo, it was the fact that every stray drop of blood was in his dick.

He toed off his shoes and shucked his pants, hanging on to his wallet, watching her as she propped up on her elbows and looked him over with a feminine awareness that made his heart beat in double time.

“Protection?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, her casual attitude belied by the tremble of her lips and the enticing jiggle of her breasts as she inhaled and exhaled in quick little bursts.