Page 90 of Moonshine Kiss
“Not you.You,” I said, drilling a finger into Bowie’s shoulder.
I didn’t wait to see if he’d follow. I pushed my way outside onto the deck off the kitchen. It was dark now and cold, but my seething anger kept me warm.
“Cass, honey, you’re gonna freeze to death out here,” Bowie said, sliding the door closed behind him.
“What are youdoing here?” I demanded.
He took me in his arms and pulled me up against his chest. “There, that’s better,” he said, whispering against my hair.
I hated how much better it was. He was so warm and steady. Dang it. Teenage Cassidy would have melted into a puddle over this. But I was Late-Twenties Cassidy, and she was made of sterner stuff.
“Bowie,” I said, in a warning tone. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m showing you how nice it would be if we were together.”
“What are you talking about?”
We were swaying side to side as if slow dancing to music that no one else could hear.
“All we have is a past of what-ifs. I’m trying to show you what it’ll be like if you’ll just say yes.”
“Dinner with my parents?” I asked.
“I’m showing you how well I get on with my future in-laws.”
I stepped on his foot.
“You aren’t letting me catch my breath,” I told him. “And you sure as hell aren’t taking my concerns about being connected to you seriously!”
He pulled back a bit to look at me. “I know it’s not fair. I know I’m pressuring you after years of nothing but space. And I know it seems like I’m asking you to choose me over your job. But that’s not the case. I haven’t proven myself yet. All I’m asking is for a chance to prove that I will be good to you. That I’ll be the partner in life you want. That I won’t let you down.”
“How?” I asked stubbornly. “How can I give you your shot and still keep my job? How can we date and not have the entire town know every damn thing?”How can I trust you?
“Same way your Dad doesn’t know we host secret town meetings. We may be a town of blabbermouths, but we know when to keep our mouths shut. You think anyone here feels any loyalty to that clown Connelly?”
I shook my head. “It’s too big of a risk. He’s throwing accusations at me like impeding an investigation.”
“What if we keep it secret?” Bowie asked.
“How in the hell would we do that?”It was ridiculous. Appalling. And yet…
“We live in the same house,” he said with that boyish grin. “I think we can come up with a way to make it work. I’m asking for a chance, not a choice. Not yet. I’d never ask you to give up your career, Cass. I hope you know that.”
His gray eyes were earnest, and Late-Twenties Cassidy was dumb enough to believe him.
“Why is everything such a mess right now?” I demanded. “Why doesn’t anything make sense?”
“I’ll tell you one thing that does make sense,” Bowie said, lowering his lips to mine.
Oh, Lordy.That sparked a fire in me all right. My cheeks were cold, and my mouth was being consumed by flames. I didn’t have the ability to do anything but kiss him back. I pressed myself up against him, and he held me tight as we ravaged each other’s mouths.
It was too much. And not enough.
I could feel a pulse between my legs as he hardened against my stomach.
My feelings for him were so complicated. But one thing was always crystal clear. I wanted Bowie naked and sweating and growling my name in my ear.Could I give myself that and not lose anything? My job? My heart?
His hands skimmed down my sides, stroking over the curves of my breasts.
