Page 79 of Her Rugged Guardian

“You don’t understand. No one will ever touch you again.” Great. I’d really turned into a barbarian. It almost surprised me how possessive I felt about her, but the feeling was something I couldn’t ignore. “So tell me about him and what happened.”

“Only if you promise not to catch a flight to DC and kill him.”

“I ain’t promising anything, sweetheart.” I smiled, but my statement wasn’t necessarily far from the truth.

She sighed, scrunching up her face. “Stephen was a womanizer and a bully, which was something I didn’t see at first. He enjoyed wining and dining me, which I fell for like an idiot. When I realized his true personality, I was in too deep to the relationship. We were living together by that point in his place. When he asked me to marry him, I said yes. After we wereengaged, things started to get dicey. Relationships aren’t easy and I know that but when it turned out I was the only one willing to work on it, I became bitchy in his opinion. That led him into infidelity, which he blamed me for of course. On the night I found him in bed with a friend of mine, I’d also learned about my mother’s death. Things got ugly between us so I called off the engagement and left, which meant I had nowhere to go. Jessica was a godsend. Two days later after a conversation with my mother’s attorney, I made plans on coming here. Peachy, huh?”

“Jesus. What a fucking asshole. Maybe I should catch a flight.”

“Oh, he can be and no, you aren’t. He’s very powerful in DC, the kind of guy who usually gets what he wants.”

“Do you think that scares me?”

“Jake. Stop it. You wanted to hear the story so I’m telling you. He was happy the relationship ended. He has a stunning blonde on his arm at all times, someone who will kowtow to his needs. That’s dandy with me. I wasn’t interested in being his arm candy and that was part of the problem for him. After I learned what he did, I ended the relationship.”

“But you’re fine with being my arm candy.” In gazing into her eyes, I could tell she was ready to move on with her life. I only hoped I was.

“That remains to be seen.” She blew me a kiss, still swaying to the music. “Enough about him. Do you have any night clubs in Depoe Bay?”

“Why?”

“Because I love to go dancing.”

“I have two left feet. I don’t think two pool halls and a family friendly bar count, huh?”

“Ugh.” Cass wrinkled her nose. “I guess I’ll have to put in a dance floor at the winery.”

I took another sip of my drink, enjoying just watching her. When she slid from the chair, heading toward the railing overlooking the ocean, she continued dancing, lost in the music. It was impossible to keep my eyes off her, the way she commanded the entire patio. There wasn’t a single man who wasn’t hungering to take what belonged to me.

Whether she truly could belong to me wasn’t something I was willing to think about tonight. I’d move into her place, even on a temporary basis, until the killer was found, or I managed to hunt down the asshole responsible for threatening her. My money was on Malcolm, whether he made the phone calls or hired someone. With everything she’d told me about Jeremy’s less than stellar visit, I’d win the bet I made to myself easily.

I took another sip of my drink. The small band playing inside switched the music from jazz to something even softer, a song I knew. When one of the guys started to sing, Cassandra swayed her hips more seductively. My cock pressed tightly against my jeans, enough so I my chest was tight. I rose to a standing position, moving behind her. When I placed my hands on her hips, she took a deep and very audible breath.

“The Lady in Red,” she cooed. “One of my favorite songs.”

“You just happen to be my lady in red.”

“You’re very possessive.”

“You have no idea.”

I moved with her, sliding my hands down her hips to her thighs, digging my fingers in. Everything about her was seductive, a beautiful reminder of everything I’d ignored for far too long. I nuzzled my face into the nape of her neck, drinking in her incredible exotic perfume. My balls were aching, the need to feel her naked body against mine becoming a powerful aphrodisiac.

She pushed herself away from the railing, turning around to face me. The moon was already making an appearance as if rising from the ocean waters, the backdrop everything that romance was made of. Having her in my arms could make a hardcore man like me believe in love.

As she slipped her arms around my neck, she tried to take the lead. I lifted a single eyebrow and she purred in response. When I pressed one hand against the small of her back, guiding her away from the railing, she shimmied her hips back and forth. Together we were able to block out the rest of the world, only the music and the moment mattering. I’d never been one for this kind of thing, but with her, everything and anything was possible.

Her breathing remained ragged, her eyes never blinking and in those moments as the beautiful song continued, I allowed myself to be lost in the moment and the woman. She tangled her fingers in my hair, pursing her lips as I lowered my head.

There were no words to say, no need for any. At least not right now. Having her in my arms felt right, as if I’d been waiting for my Cinnamon Girl to come along my entire life. The moment the song ended, she rose onto her tiptoes and I brushed my lips across hers.

Within seconds, several people outside clapped in appreciation.

She laughed softly and I didn’t need any light to know her cheeks were turning red. “I thought you had two left feet.”

“I do. Trust me.”

“I do trust you. More than you know.” She backed away but I took her hand, leading her to the table. “I’m going to freshen up.”

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