How could a man she’d known only a handful of days provide so much self-assurance? He’d awakened something within her she hadn’t even known existed.
Cassie was certainly not used to one-night stands or flings, but she couldn’t regret what had just happened. A virtual stranger had just given her one of the greatest gifts...self-esteem. Not too long ago she’d thought she’d never have that back, but right now, with her body still tingling from his talented hands and lips, Cassie knew without a doubt that she was better than the husband who had left her for another woman.
She’d just scooped up her discarded panties from the floor when Ian placed his hands around her waist and tugged her back against his bare chest.
“How’s that age thing now?” he asked, nipping her ear. “Any complaints about how young I am?”
Laughing, Cassie shook her head. “You certainly know what you’re doing.”
His lips trailed over her neck. “I’m not done, either.”
Oh, mercy. Her entire body shivered as she let her head fall back against his shoulder, enjoying the kisses he sprinkled across her heated skin.
“I’m not sure why you put this dress back on,” he told her between kisses. “It’s so hot in here and all.”
Yes, yes, it is.
Cassie turned in his arms, noticing he was still completely naked. Those ripped muscles beneath taut, tanned skin begged for her touch.
“I didn’t get to appreciate all of this a moment ago, before you attacked me,” she told him, trailing her fingertips along his biceps and across his pecs.
“Appreciate me all you want,” he told her with a crooked grin. “But let it be known, I didn’t attack. You ordered me to strip, so I believe you started this.”
Cassie playfully smacked his chest. “Who started what? You were the one who propositioned me in the stables.”
“How’s a man supposed to react when a sexy woman falls into his arms?”
“Yes, naturally that’s what most people would do,” she said, rolling her eyes.
Ian reached down, cupped her backside and widened his sexy smile. “I’m glad this little incident happened with the lock.”
Cassie had to admit she was, too. There was no way she would’ve been able to focus on work with all her emotions fluttering around inside her. Now hopefully she wouldn’t have to worry about this overwhelming physical attraction to Ian. They’d had sex, gotten it out of their systems and could move on.
His body stirred against hers. Okay, maybe they hadn’t gotten it out of their systems.
“We still have hours before anyone will find us.” He started backing her up again. “I have so many ideas to fill the time.”
The backs of Cassie’s thighs hit the edge of an old table. Ian wasted no time hoisting her up onto the smooth wooden surface.
“Do you have more condoms?” she asked.
His heavy-lidded gaze combined with that Cheshire-cat smile had her quivering before he even spoke.
“I may be out of condoms, but not out of ways to pleasure you.”
And when he proceeded to show her, Cassie was suddenly in no hurry for daylight to come.
Six
Unable to sleep for appreciating the feel of this sexy woman tangled all around him on the old chaise, Ian smoothed a hand down Cassie’s bare back. Trailing down the dip in her waist, up over the curve of her hip had his body stirring again.
What on earth was he doing? Sex was one thing, but to lie awake most of the night rehashing it over and over in his head like some lovesick fool was, well...for fools. Not that he was any expert on relationships.
His mother was gearing up to divorce husband number four, no doubt with number five waiting in the wings, and his father... Ian sighed. His father probably wasn’t even capable of love. Ian hadn’t spoken to his father in years and rarely talked with his mother. He had nothing to say to either and it was obvious both of his parents were battling their own issues that didn’t include him.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ian didn’t do relationships.
He was great at his job, however, and what he wanted was to take his client roster to the next level. Lily Beaumont was the key.
Yet here he was, getting involved with Cassie Barrington. And, yes, they’d just had sex, but during the moments in between their intimacy, he’d gotten a brief glimpse of a playful, confident woman and he couldn’t deny he liked what he saw.
The sound of a car door jarred him from his thoughts. He eased out from beneath Cassie’s warm, lush body and moved over to the small window that faced the side of the house.
Tessa and Grant had arrived. He didn’t know if he wanted to call for their attention or crawl back over to Cassie and give her a proper good-morning wake-up.