Page 17 of Blind Date With a Cop
“I think it’s hilarious. And please tell me about the penis cookies.”
“Oh, shut up.” She turns away, but her shoulders are shaking with laughter.
I step up behind her, tugging her against my chest, towel and all. “Hey.” She tilts her head just enough for me to brush my lips over her temple. “If this is what it’s like to be with you? Surprise guests, cookies, and you? I’ll take it. Every damn day of the year.”
Her breath catches. She turns in my arms, her green eyes searching mine.
“Are you real?” she asks.
“Yes,” I murmur against her mouth. “I’m real. And I’m all yours.”
She kisses me back, “All of you?”
“All of me.”
She tugs at my towel, letting it fall to the floor. “Then I want more of you.” She smiles at me sweetly, tossing her towel on top of mine.
My heart soars as her eyes drill into my soul.
I’ve never belonged to anyone before. But with Cassie, I don’t just belong—I’m exactly where I was always meant to be.
Chapter Thirteen
Cassie
Rene stirs her iced tea with a straw, watching me with that sly smile that means she’s about to force me to tell her everything.
“Girl, I’ve never seen you this happy. Spill your secrets.”
I laugh, setting my fork down on my salad plate. “What’s there to spill?”
“There’s a ton to spill. It was my dress, wasn’t it? It changed everything for you.”
“It’s my dress now,” I sigh. “And yes, he liked it, so you’re never getting it back. But Blake and I, we’re umm…just having some fun together.”
“Fun?” She arches a brow. “Honey, I’ve known you for a long time. Fun looks different on you. You’re practically glowing.”
She’s right. I can feel it—the way my heart does little flips just thinking about him. “Well,” I admit, lowering my voice, “he’s been off duty the last two weeks, so we’ve been taking these little trips. He took me to Bisbee and brought along a full set of painting supplies for me. He set them up like it was nothing, soI could paint while he walked around town. No one’s ever done anything like that for me before.”
Rene props her chin on her hand, grinning like a fool. “He knows what makes your heart happy.”
“He sure does. Do you know what else he did?” I can’t hold back the giddy laugh, “he dragged me into this amazing art studio and somehow talked the owner into looking at a few of my pieces. The owner took them on consignment. And guess what? They sold! Every single one of them. Not only that, but the store owner called me this morning asking for more!”
Her squeal draws looks from half of the diners. “Cass! That’s huge! You’ve dreamed of this forever.”
“I know.” My chest swells just saying it. “If it keeps up, I might actually be able to save enough to open my own gallery one day.”
She reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. “I think it’s wonderful! You’re so talented. I think everyone should see your art.”
“You’re biased.”
“Maybe,” she shrugs. “But it’s also true. Not only are you a great artist, you’re also one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. It’s nice to see everything falling into place for you.”
Warmth floods me.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were in love.”
My stomach flips. I glance down at my salad, terrified to say it out loud. “I…” My throat works around the lump. “I…umm…oh for heaven’s sake, I’m just gonna say it. I do think I’ve fallen in love with him, Rene. But it scares me to death. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks. It’s not normal to fall in love so fast.”
