Page 68 of The Perfect Melody

My only intention when I left the house this morning was to show Cassie one of my favourite local walks and to keep my attraction to her in check. Then, with one conversation, she obliterated every excuse I had for not pursuing something with her, leaving behind only the truth—that I want her. After that, I saw no reason to hide how I feel. She doesn’t need her job at Bowman’s—not in the way I thought she did—and she’s thinking of staying in Pine Grove. That means far more to me than itshould so early on, but I no longer care about should. I’m going all in with Cassie St. James.

Gesturing for her to go in front of me, I follow Cassie across the threshold and close the door with a soft thud. As I bend to unlace my boots, she kicks off her trainers, then waits for me, an expectant look on her face.

Swallowing around the thick lump of nerves in my throat, I ask, “Would you like a tour?”

With an indulgent smile, Cassie steps closer, slowly unzipping her borrowed coat. “Later. I’m more interested in exploring you at the minute.” She hesitates, pausing with the zip halfway undone, uncertainty creeping into her eyes. “Unless that’s not why you asked me here?”

Truthfully, I’m not sure why I invited her here. All I know is that I wasn’t ready for my time with Cassie to be over. Our newfound dynamic is like a seedling in need of care and attention for it to thrive. Sending her back to the B&B after everything we did in the bus shelter didn’t feel right. I want her here with me, in my space. It’s been a long time since I felt the desire to be close to anyone like this, and now that I’ve had a taste of it, I want to be as close to Cassie as possible. Did I invite her over for sex? No—or at least notjustfor sex, although I won’t say no to that if it’s what she wants. I invited her here because I want more of the budding connection between us, of the intimacy that I only feel comfortable sharing with her. If that leads to sex, I’ll hardly be disappointed, but whatever we share goes way beyond lust, and I need her to know that.

“I want to be close to you in whatever way you’re comfortable with,” I reply.

Cassie reaches up to stroke my cheek. “You’re such a secret softie. Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” she teases fondly. “We’re both soaked through,” she gestures to my rain-soaked clothes. “How would you feel about a shower to warm up?”

“With you?” I clarify.

“Yeah. Then I’m going to borrow one of your many flannel shirts and we’re going to snuggle.”

I feel a grin take over my face. “I’m pretty sure you already have one of my shirts, but I don’t mind you stealing another.”

Her cheeks flush bright red. Considering she’s so self-assured, it’s surprisingly easy to make her blush. “I—” Before Cassie knows what’s hit her, I’ve scooped her up and tossed her over my shoulder.

“Austin!” She yelps then dissolves into laughter. “Put me down.” Her hands slap at my back as she warns, “I swear to God, if you drop me before I get to see you naked?—”

“Relax. I’m not going to drop you,” I reply, already making my way up the stairs. “Although this would be a lot easier if you stopped wriggling.”

She huffs. “I take it this is a yes to the shower then?” she asks in a wry tone.

“It’s a hell yes,” I confirm, lightly kicking open the bathroom door before setting her back on her feet.

Cassie grips my forearms for support while she regains her equilibrium, then tugs at the front of my t-shirt to pull me close enough for a kiss. “Turn on the water,” she instructs, lips brushing against mine. Dazed, it takes her light shove against my chest to spur me into action.

I open the glass shower door and twist the tap until hot water cascades from the head. The sound of a zip lowering slices through the patter of running water, grabbing my attention. I turn just in time to see Cassie slip my jacket from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. My breath catches. While I saw plenty of her in the bus shelter, watching her strip here in my home hits different and I eagerly drink in the sight of her.

There’s nothing overtly sexy about her plain black bra, yet the sight of Cassie shirtless in my bathroom turns me on morethan any fancy lingerie ever has. Despite the confidence her bold move suggests, a rosy blush spreads over her cheeks and chest.

“You’re beautiful.”

Her blush intensifies, but that doesn’t stop her from sassing me back. “Are you talking to me or my boobs?”

“Aren’t you the one who said if I saw your breasts they’d better be all I’m thinking about?” I tease.

Rolling her eyes, she pushes down her leggings. I damn near swallow my tongue as she steps out of them.

“Are you going to stand there staring, or are you going to join me?”

Needing no further encouragement, I hastily take off my t-shirt and jeans, enjoying the weight of her gaze on my body. As I kick away the damp denim and my socks, Cassie steps closer.

“Can I?” she asks, her hand centimetres from my chest.

I nod. “Consider this blanket permission to touch me wherever you want, whenever you want.” Her delicate hand gently explores my torso, and a soft sigh parts my lips. Desire-filled baby-blue eyes meet mine as she leans in to place a light kiss on my chest. While I keep myself fit, I’d describe my build as sturdy rather than the defined abs you see on TV. It’s not something I’m self-conscious about, but I can’t deny that it feels good having Cassie show such appreciation for my body just the way it is.

With one hand at the dip of her waist, I tug her closer, using the other to tilt her chin up so I can steal another kiss. The feel of her soft lips on mine is something I’m quickly growing addicted to. Steam hangs thick in the air as our tongues languidly tangle together. Neither of us is in any hurry, content to stay like this, but eventually the practical side of me surfaces.

“We’re going to run out of hot water if we’re not careful,” I say between kisses.

Cassie sighs, dropping her forehead to my chest. “You’re right.” With one hand she reaches behind her back to unclasp her bra. Before I know it, she’s completely naked and stepping inside the shower.

With an expectant look, she holds the glass door open for me. “Are you coming?”