Page 58 of Country Charm

“I see, I was going to say…” Monica keeps one hand on her hip and brings her other slender hand under her chin. She carefully studies me, but quickly making sure not to linger. “It would have really knocked me on my ass to see you tied down to one man.” She chuckles to herself, but the sound is like nails on a chalkboard.

“It wouldn’t be too crazy.” I stiffen and my own wordscome out gruffer than I intended. Cassidy gives my hand another squeeze and rubs her thumb against my hand.

“Hunter’s right, who knows what the future holds.” She shrugs.

“Oh? So, you are off the market?” Monica says snidely.

“Um, well no, but that isn’t to say the idea of me being off the market is so crazy that one couldn’t believe it.” Cassidy’s hand and tone are firm. Her strong will turns me on, the way she stands with her back straighter and her shoulders strong yet comfortable.

Monica laughs louder this time. “No, I mean anyone would believe it. You’re one hell of a catch! I’m just saying, I couldn’t. Birds of a feather, you and I.” She winks at me, it’s overdone and tacky. I have to will myself not to roll my eyes like a child.

“Yeah yeah, well we really need to get back to looking for Hunter’s things. It was good seeing you.” Cassidy never lets go of my hand as she gives the girl a quick, light one-armed hug.

“Yes, and I’ll text you soon so we can have a more formal catch-up. A night on the town would be so good.” Monica looks over her shoulder at me one more time before walking away and out of the building.

Cassidy’s shoulders relax and her hand in mine suddenly feels more delicate.

“Okay! Let’s do some shopping.” Immediately she has regained her composure, and she’s back to being comfortable and carefree. “I have a couple of favorite little places in here, too!”

Back at Cassidy’s apartment, we are drying off after a quick tryst in the shower. We had gotten sweaty loading and tying the furniture down in the back of my truck. Plus, a little dirty after she picked an arrangement of plants for my porch, along with some other trinkets for in the house. To be honest everything fit my taste, masculine but charming. As soon as she found something, she would quickly state where it should go in my house, and I could picture it perfectly.

I was slightly surprised at her ability to remember what my home looked like in such great detail since she didn’t spend much time in it. That didn’t seem to matter though, she had an impression of it in her mind. I liked her design ideas; it would give my place the charm it sincerely lacked.

After slipping into a pair of jeans, I reach into my duffle for a shirt but find the surprise I brought for Cassidy. She’s still in the bathroom finishing her post-shower face routine. It was always so baffling to me why women went through so much work with cosmetics. I’ve used the same soap practically my whole life and never had an issue. No matter though, Cassidy barely wears any makeup, and her skin is flawless, so whatever she’s doing it’s working.

I walk down the hall with the item behind my back. Peeking into the bathroom, I see the light and fan on, but she’s nowhere to be found. I venture to the living room and find her, body wrapped in a towel and her hair wrapped in another, sitting on the couch… reading. She doesn’t stop to look up at me, she’s lost in her own little world.

She looks perfect—her bare shoulders, her silky skin dewy from lotion. Her brows scrunch a little as she’s focused but not enough to be considered a scowl. Her legs are bent with her elbows propped on top of them. She holds the book in one hand and chews her other thumb, captivated.

Next to her on the coffee table is a small stack of books.Must be this week’s readings.I walk up quietly and set the book I was holding behind my back on the top of the pile.

Cassidy blinks a few times, and her thumb drops from her mouth.

“Oh Hunter, sorry… I was letting the lotion dry before putting my oils on. I guess I got carried away.” She turns to look at what I’ve set down and her eyes widen. I smile and I see a light within them spark. “What is that?” she gently inquires.

“I told you I had a surprise for you.”

Cassidy’s delicate hands reach out and open the old spine.

“Hunter, is this your mother’s?” I laugh at her question.

“I wouldn’t dare touch one of her books. I’d like to keep all my fingers.”

“This is a first edition ofEmma.” She handles it like glass, turning the pages carefully as if they will break in her hold.

“It is, I had it overnighted so it would be here in time for this weekend. Do you like it?” I sit down in the leather chair and watch her look over her new treasure.

“I do not.” She shuts the book gently and her bold eyes look into mine. They’re fierce, like the scales of a dragon. Green. Unyielding. Beautiful. Powerful.

I’m surprised, to say the least. I thought for sure this would be the kind of gift she would appreciate. I feel my shoulders drop a little, causing hers to rise.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Cassidy

First edition.

Jane Austen.

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