Laws of Attraction

LAWS OF ATTRACTION

by

STEPHANIE MORRIS

Published by CLASS ACT BOOKS PO Box 726 Lusk, WY 82225-0726 www.classactbooks.com

Copyright 2010 by Stephanie Morris Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-935048-58-9 1-935048-58-9

Credits Cover Artist: Bev Haynes Editor: Jewel Adams Copy Editor: Bev Haynes Printed in the United States of America

LAWS OF ATTRACTION Cassandra Edwards has always planned to have it all—a successful career, a wonderful man and a great family. She thinks she is well on her way to accomplishing her goals until her fiancé takes his ring back. She is stunned, disappointed and hurt but realizes some of her dreams are still obtainable even without a good man by her side to do it with. When she meets Mark Courtlandt, one of her brother’s friends, everything changes. Cassandra Edwards realizes that past hurts in a prior relationship are what have sent her off down this determined path. Knowing a casual relationship with Cassandra will never do, he sets out to show her that when it comes to the laws of attraction she can’t fight what is meant to be.

DEDICATION To Lydia, Sherece, Renee and my other readers. Thank you for your support, the feedback and the laughs. I always appreciate your support.

Laws of Attraction

CHAPTER 1 I don’t know if I am ready for this. Cassandra Edwards turned to the side and stuffed a pillow under her shirt. She tried to picture herself pregnant in the mirror. Was the image she saw in the mirror an accurate one? Would she be plagued by morning sickness, stretch marks, both? Truth was she didn’t care. She wanted a baby. During this past year she had achieved a number of her goals. First by venturing out and starting up her own financial consulting business. Second, by moving from Atlanta, Georgia back to her hometown of Oakland, California. She was going to rebuild her life, starting with the new home she had purchased. Living in Atlanta for the past fourteen years had been fun and rewarding. She earned a great education, but now she was ready for a family. Something in her gut told her that she would find it if she went home. Due to the economy, her financial consulting excelled. Her reputation was good enough for her to have clients all over the United States. Ironically a lot of her clients were in California, so it always gave her a reason to travel home to see her family. Not that she didn’t love her family they were very good loving people. The last few years just left her feeling empty after visits. Her parents were blissfully married, going on their thirty-six year anniversary. Troy, her younger brother, happily married to 6

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Lesley, with three adorable boys, was a successful sports agent, and great at what he did. Sometimes she felt left out when she measured his contentment and success, but not for much longer. With everything she’d accomplished, now she could turn her attention to the final stage of her plan. She still needed to get a few things in place before making her most sought-after dream a reality. And that is to have a child on her own without the added strain of marriage. A permanent hookup with someone is not what she wanted, not even a teeny-tiny bit. Nor was she looking for a longterm lover. Not after what she had just been through. A short term one could handle the task quite nicely, if one existed. She was also choosy. She decided very early in her plans that not just any man would do. She desired for it to be someone with all the qualities she wanted to pass on to her offspring. He toned to be handsome, intelligent, caring, healthy and well-off. Definitely prosperous; after all, wealth was her business. And with those “must have” qualifications entrenched deep in her mind, she could think of only one way to choose a man who met her criteria. She didn’t care about all of the possible negatives or difficulties that could come along with being a single parent. She wanted this. Not too long ago she thought she could have it all, without such extreme measures. The only problem being her age and the only man that would have been eligible to father her child was on his way to marrying another woman. In all reality Spencer hadn’t been the one for her. Their passionless two-year relationship served as evidence. Catching him in the arms of another woman’s arms confirmed it as well. In hindsight, Spencer proved to be a security blanket. She’d 7

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thought of Spencer as someone dependable and predictable until six months ago. So had she, but not anymore. Cassandra jumped guiltily when her cell phone rang. Removing the pillow from beneath her shirt she reached for her cell phone. Looking at the caller ID she smiled when she saw the name. “Checking up on me already, Troy?” Her brother’s laugh traveled across the line. “As usual, Cassie, but I know that you would rather it be me than mom.” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You are right about that.” “Where are you?” “I stopped in Reno for the night. I plan to drive in to Sacramento tomorrow, stay the night there, then I will drive into Oakland on Saturday.” She heard her brother thinking. “So that will put you here sometime in the afternoon?” She smiled. “If all goes according to plan can you be at the house by noon? The moving truck is scheduled to arrive by then and I might not be there by then.” “Sure. I will also bring a few guys with me to help you unpack the boxes.” She sighed in relief. “Thanks a lot. I will need all of the help I can get. The movers are only going to unload the truck and place the stuff inside the house.” She laughed. “I am grateful for any extra help.” She placed the pillow back on the bed glad her brother was going to help her out. She dreaded the idea of having to do it all by herself. “Well I don’t want to keep you. I need to put the boys in bed. I’m sure you want to get an early start.” She hated the fact brother knew her so well. Still, she believed in being prepared. 8

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“Give me a call when you start out in the morning and tomorrow night when you reach Sacramento.” “I will. Tell Lora and the boys I said hello.” Cassandra smiled as her brother relayed the message. She smiled when she heard the boys reply. “I looked forward to seeing all of you in a few days.” “We look forward to seeing you as well. Drive safely and I will see you Saturday.” “I will.” “Love you Cassandra.” A smiled came to her face at her brother’s sentiment. “I love you Troy. Good night.” “Sleep tight.” She disconnected the call and smiled. Seeing that her battery was low, she connected her cell phone to her charger, and plugged it into the wall. She sat down on the edge of the bed, mulling over the decision whether she was going to take a shower in the morning, rather than taking one before she went to bed. Yawning, she made the decision to take one in the morning. A hot shower with the combination of a strong cup of coffee would ensure she would make it to Sacramento in time. ~*~ Cassandra smiled as she pulled up in front of the home she had bought. This was the home that she wanted to raise a child in. The house was lovely. She had a great view of San Francisco, the bay, and the hills. Looking in the rearview mirror she saw her realtor, Lisa pulled up. Getting out of the car Cassandra greeted her, and she began to fidget nervously as she waited for the key. Once it was placed in her hands, she fought to keep from running up the steps. She opened the front door and she couldn’t fight her broad smile as she stepped inside. The changes and improvements, she requested to be done on 9

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the house, were completed. Lisa gave her the final walk through. The last task was to sign the last of the papers Lisa brought for her. Once Lisa was gone, Cassandra did a little dance before heading back into the kitchen. She loved the granite slab design of her counter tops. Running her hand over the island a smile came to her face. This was it. She made her way into the spacious dining room. Exiting the dining room she made her way back to the kitchen and went into the living room. Opening the patio door she took a deep breath, then turned her face up to the sun. It felt good. Taking another deep breath she closed the door, before stepping back inside. Making her way back through the living room she walked down the hall. The set up of the house met all of her requirements. There was one bedroom and bathroom that were going to be the guest room and bath. She made her way up the stairs to the second level. There were three more rooms upstairs. One was the master bedroom. The other was going to be made into an office, and the last would be the baby’s room. She went into that room. Closing her eyes she could picture a beautiful little girl. The image of a little girl with blue eyes and curly brown hair came to mind so vividly her eyes popped open. Since her eyes were light brown and she was African American she had no idea where the blue eyes were going to come from. Maybe she would find a blue-eyed donor. In the end no matter what colored eyes, hair, nor the sex of her baby really mattered. As long as her baby was healthy she would be satisfied. Stepping out of the room she left the door open. The next door led to the extra bathroom. Across the hall was the room she would set up her office in and next to it was her bedroom. Walking in she smiled. It was much bigger than she thought it would 10

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be and definitely bigger than her room in her old house in Atlanta. The king size bed she splurged on was going to be the perfect addition. She danced to her bathroom. This was the one place she would be spending a lot of time. Everything was marble. The duel sink, the toilet, the floor of the shower stall and most importantly the Jacuzzi tub. She had plans to test it out tonight. Looking down at her watch she smiled. Fifteen minutes until her stuff arrived and she was sure Troy would be pulling up soon. Heading back down stairs, she grabbed her car keys and the garage door opener, before heading out to her car, pressing the button that opened the garage door. She pulled her car inside, letting the door back down once she was inside. She pulled the overnight bags out and took them into the house with her. She just set the bags down in her kitchen, when her cell phone rang. She sighed hoping it wasn’t a client. Most knew of them knew she was moving today, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t call. A glance at the phone screen told her it was Troy so she answered. “Hello little brother.” “Hey. Have you made it into town yet?” She groaned inwardly hitting herself in the forehead for forgetting the promise she made to her brother. “Yes I have. Sorry I didn’t call you, I got side tracked.” She heard the smile in Troy’s voice when he replied. “It is okay. You have to forget to do something— sometime. Have the mover’s made it yet?” She rolled her eyes wishing that her brother could see her. “No they haven’t.” “Good. We are about ten minutes away. We just left 11

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Mark’s house.” “Oh, okay. That is fine. I will see you in a little while.” She disconnected the call and took her bags up the stairs to her room. Unpacking her toiletries, she sat them on the bathroom counter. When she finished she picked up the empty bag and the other containing clothes and placed them in her walk in closet. The doorbell rang and she made her way downstairs. Looking through the peephole, she saw it was the movers. After giving them a few general instructions she stepped back and let them get to work. She propped the front doors open and stepped outside. The movers began with the boxes. They had just gone inside with the first when Troy’s SUV pulled up followed by another. Troy didn’t have the vehicle shut off before Kevin, Michael, and Zander hopped out of the vehicle. “Aunt Cassie,” they cried out in unison. A smile spread across her mouth. She knelt and extended her arms, laughing as they almost knocked her over. Her nephews had definitely grown since she last saw them. It was amazing how things changed from one month to another. “Okay boys let your aunt breathe.” The three rascals snuck in another squeeze before moving back. She and Lora embraced before Troy swept her up into arms. Her grip on her brother was just as tight as his was on her. He swung her around and she laughed. When he stood her on her feet she placed a sisterly kiss on his cheek. “It is good to see you.” “You too.” When he pulled back she saw five tall and strong men standing behind her brother. “Are these the guys that are 12

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here to help?” Troy nodded and began introducing the guys that he had brought along. There was Falcon who wasn’t really her type. The fact he wore a wedding ring only confirmed it for her. Chandler was introduced to her next. He looked to be more of her typed than Falcon, but a wedding ring surrounded his finger as well. Introduction to Chad came after that and even though there wasn’t a ring on his finger physically he didn’t attract her. Tyson followed and he was more her type than Chandler but his wedding band dashed her hopes. She might be going the right route by finding an anonymous donor. The first three men she met where either not her type or attached. Not a good start. It made her wonder if all of the decent men in California were taken. Tyson stepped aside and her breath caught in her throat. The man standing before her was breathtakingly attractive. “This is Mark.” He held out his hand. Luckily it was the left. What was even better was the lack of a wedding ring. It gave her hope. The instant the words left her mouth she realized what she was saying. She wasn’t looking for a man…just a baby. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she murmured. Mark smiled and she was certain that her heart stopped in mid beat. “The pleasure is mine.” It took everything that she had to force herself to remove her hand from his and turned her attention to Troy before she got herself in trouble. She wanted to strip off her clothes and jump him, from a mere handshake. Clearing her throat she smiled at her brother. “The movers have started unloading the truck. I requested that they put the boxes and furniture into the incorrect room. It should make things a lot easier.” 13

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Troy nodded. “Okay then, we can hang back until they finish unloading the truck. After that you can tell us what you would like done.” She gasped in a mocking fashion. “You are going to let me tell you what to do willingly?” Troy chuckled. “Enjoy it while you can.” Lora shook her head before stepping forward. ”Do you have your grocery list ready?” Cassandra gave her sister-in-law a puzzled look. “I finished it last night.” Troy groaned and pulled out his wallet. He handed at least a hundred dollars if not more to Lora who pocketed the money. “If you give it to me. I will go grocery shopping for you courtesy of your brother.” She finally caught on and laughed. “Made another bet against me Troy?” “Yes I did. I’m sure I will learn one day.” She shook her head. “Everyone come on in. I don’t have anywhere for you guys to sit yet, but feel free to check out the house while the movers finish unloading.” She led the way into the house. Once every one was situated, she headed for her car in the garage. Her purse was still in the glove compartment, a bad habit she was trying to break. She reached in and pulled out her grocery list. When she handed it to Lora, she told her to add beer and a few more snack items to the list for the guys. After that Lora was out the door with the list. Several minutes later, the movers finished unloading the truck. With a sincere thank you she tipped the movers before sending them off. Turning around, she faced the six guys and three boys that were going to be working for her the next several hours. She convinced Troy and Falcon to put her bed together. Mark and Chad were assigned to 14

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rearranging any furniture that needed to be moved. She asked Chandler to assemble the equipment in the office. Tyson was responsible for setting up the bed and furniture in the downstairs guest bedroom. She gave her nephews towels to dust and clean with. It kept them preoccupied while she went upstairs. She directed Troy and Falcon in setting up her room. Once they had it together, she sent them to organize the other guest room, then went to her office. Mark and Chandler were there. She showed them where she wanted her desk set up, as well as her bookshelves, once she had the room arranged like she wanted it she left the men to arrange the items and assemble everything that needed to be assembled. She went back downstairs and checked on the boys. She smiled as she watched her nephews. It was so hard to believe that the boys were growing up. She could still remember holding each of them for the first time. It felt like yesterday, but looking at them now she knew that it wasn’t. Her nephews reminded her of Troy and herself growing up. Three years separated her and her brother. There were only two years separating the boys. Michael was the oldest at the age of eight. Lora and Troy were getting ready to celebrate their eleventh year of marriage. Troy married Lora in his early twenties yet neither one of them had regretted the decision. She had always held out hope to find a man that was as good to her as Troy was to Lora. Her experience with Spencer made her hope dwindle. Exhaling deeply, she tried to push aside the hurtful memories of the disastrous relationship she’d shared with Spencer. A connection, that in the beginning she thought might lead to something similar to what her brother and his wife, along with their parents had. Unfortunately her 15

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relationship with Spencer had fizzled out, or rather imploded, the reason why she decided to focus on her second dream instead—children. After making sure the boys were okay and didn’t need anything she went back upstairs to her office. She began to unpack her books. Half an hour later she was finished. Just as she was getting ready to start hooking up the computer the doorbell rang. Looking out of the window she saw it was Lora. Running down the stairs she answered the door, calling to the men to come and help with the groceries in the house. Relationship Lora helped Cassandra put away the groceries before going to help her sons dust and clean. Cassandra rubbed her hands together in anticipation because she was going to have the chance to break her new stove in. Cooking was one of her favorite hobbies. She was always trying out or coming up with a new recipe. First she had to locate the pots and pans she needed to cook with. Not to mention the dishes she would need to serve her guests. Once she had all of the dishes out of the box and put away, she broke down the boxes. Twenty minutes later she started pasta and broccoli boiling and chicken browning. She began cutting up Parmesan for her Alfredo sauce. Smiling to herself she began to hum. She was glad for all of the help that she received today. Things went a lot smoother because of it. Now all she had to do was get the blue-eyed stranger she met today out of her mind. She didn’t come all this way to be distracted by an attractive man…unless he was willing to father her child.

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CHAPTER 2 “Oh Lord woman, are you sure you are in the right business?” Cassandra smiled at Chad’s compliment. “I am positive, cooking is just a hobby for me.” A popular hobby for her and her hips bared witness to it. She loved her figure and cherished it, but if she were keeping it real, her butt was her biggest problem area. That was the one area of her body she had to keep in mind when she brought clothes and when she ate. For instance, the large piece of garlic bread she had on her plate would call for an hour aerobic workout instead of her normal thirty minutes. Fortunately for her, she always seemed to run into men who liked a woman with a nice and shapely bottom. The shorts she had on right now we’re very modest. They stopped a few inches above her knees, but she still caught Chad stirring a few times. Unfortunately, she hadn’t caught Mark staring at her. Hopefully it was just the fact he was too gentlemanly to do so. The skin on the back of her neck began to tingle and she looked up. For a brief moment Mark’s eyes met her. He winked at her before turning his attention back to Tyson. She felt her heart flutter at the simple gesture and she shook her head. She was too interested in him, but any doubt she held in whether Mark was interested in her or not, had just been confirmed. Now she just wondered if she could get him to act on it. From bits and pieces of the 17

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conversation that she caught Mark owned a restaurant that her brother frequented. Falcon and Chad were old clients of her brother’s and Chandler and Tyson were friends of Mark. From what she could gather, the two men worked for Mark. It seemed as if Mark and Troy had a good friendship, and it might make things more difficult for her. Even though that may be the case something told her she still might be able to convince Mark to help her achieve her goal. Physically he was everything she looked for in a man. He met her height requirement and she liked that the most. She was a tall woman so she liked for her men to be taller than her. With Mark standing at least three maybe four inches over six feet his height definitely put in him the running. He was also in good shape. Which more than likely meant he was healthy. The way his t-shirt and jeans fit him, let her know he had all of the right muscles in the right places. His complexion was nice, bronze enough to let her know his tan was natural, not artificial. From the conversation they had, she could tell he was intelligent— smart enough to own his own business. Adding to his financial responsibility score. He was everything she looked for while thumbing through the donor information she received, but hadn’t been satisfied with. Now the only thing she had to do was convince Mark to donate his sperm. At this point she did not care how he chose to donate it as long as he did so. That was a strange thing to contemplate considering the fact that she was trying to take an unobtrusive route. Still, she hadn’t found a suitable donor from the sperm bank and the entire process was getting taxing. After speaking with her doctor, the option to find her own suitable donor was given to her. All she had to do was convince the person of her choice to provide a sperm donation. 18

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She shuddered. It sounded so impersonal when it was put like that, but it was how she wanted it to be. She had come to the realization that she probably wasn’t going to find a man to marry and settle down with. It didn’t mean she couldn’t have the family she wanted. The adoption avenue had already been taken and it had been a dead end. Even as financially stable and responsible as she was. Trying to adopt a child, as a single person was hard. Now she was left with the choice of going with what the sperm bank offered or finding a willing donor. Mark was a very qualified donor in her opinion. She had an appointment with her fertility specialist in two weeks. According to the past three months of monitoring she completed with her physician’s help, her basal body temperature should be just right for her to conceive at that time. Right now her hormones seemed to be out of control. She shook her head to clear it. If she didn’t bring herself back to the present situation at hand, she was going to look like an imbecile. She had a houseful of guest yet she was focused on trying to find a sperm donor to impregnate her. Her attention went to Lora who was doting on her sons. A quick glance around the table told her that everyone was content. She wasn’t. Not completely. But it would come in time. She had a wonderful house that she was looking forward to making into a home. The rooms in the house were set up like she wanted them to be. The only thing she really had to do was hang up her collectibles, photos, and certificates. A few boxes were left but she would have those unpacked in no time. Lora already promised to come over and help her with that. Her parents, Troy and the boys were also supposed to come over tomorrow for a late lunch as well. Then hopefully she would have a peaceful week after that. 19

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She was stuffed. Standing up she picked up her plate and took it to the sink. Turning back to look at her full dining room, she asked everyone if they needed anything else. Everyone replied they were fine. With that settled she unloaded the dishwasher, putting up the dishes she had loaded into it earlier, after cooking. When it was empty she began reloading it with the dirty dishes. Everyone began bringing their plates over to her. A small smile spread across her mouth when Mark pitched in to start helping her. She didn’t bother telling him not to worry about it, because she wanted his help…in more ways than he could even imagine. He rinsed the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. And she admired his hands in what she hoped was a non-obvious fashion. She quickly realized she was going to get herself in trouble if she kept it up. She went back to the stove and picked up the two pots that still had a little food in them. Emptying the leftovers in containers she handed the pots to Mark. He washed them and she placed the containers in the refrigerator. There was quite a bit of food leftover at least enough to feed her lunch or dinner for the next two days. That was fine by her because it meant that was less she had to cook. She would cook tomorrow for her parents. Then rest of the week would be an alteration of leftovers. Speaking of which, she had no idea as to what she was going to cook for her parents, but she could give that more thought after her company left. Once the kitchen was clean, the guys made her do another walk through of the house to make sure she was satisfied with the location of everything. When she confirmed that she was happy with everything, they began filing out of the house. She thanked them for all of their assistance, and they thanked her for the meal and the beer. 20

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Troy thanked them for the favor as well. She watched the men pile into the SUV and drive off. It wasn’t until the headlights disappeared down the hill that she realized she didn’t have any way to contact Mark. She needed to know what he thought of her plan before her appointment date, that way she would know if she needed to cancel the appointment or keep it. If she didn’t have a set donor by then there wouldn’t be much of a choice. Stepping back inside of her house she closed the door and smiled. She would work on Lora for the information. Mark probably wouldn’t be too surprised if she stopped by his restaurant to grab a bite to eat. However, he might be surprised to hear her improper proposal. Turning around she faced her brother, sister-in-law, and three sleepy nephews. “Thank you guys for all of your help.” Lora embraced her in a hug. “You are welcome. What time would you like for me to come by tomorrow?” “Ten is fine.” Lora nodded and stepped back. Troy stepped toward her holding a sleeping Kevin. “Try not to work my wife too hard tomorrow.” She smiled. “I will save that for you.” “Well the boys and I won’t be by as early, but we will be here before noon.” She gave her brother a look, thinking he just volunteered at the last moment because he didn’t want to be stuck alone with the three boys all day, although, she really couldn’t blame her brother. All three of them at once could be a handful. She gave him a hug and kissed Kevin on the cheek. “Okay then. I will see you guys tomorrow.” Troy frowned. “When are they coming by to install 21

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the house alarm?” She smiled. She liked when Troy tried to be her protector. “First thing Monday morning and before you ask I will be fine until then.” She placed a kiss on Michael and Zander’s cheek before embracing them. A short while later she stood in the middle of her living room by herself. Glancing down at her watch she saw it was still early although it felt late. Her body would have to get used to the time change. She did a little stretch and debated on whether to make a pot of coffee of not. Once she was pregnant, her caffeine consumption would have to cease to exist. Walking toward one of the boxes in the corner she decided against the coffee. She was only going to take an hour to unpack a few more things in the living room and maybe a few things in her bedroom. Bending down she opened the box and got to work. An hour later she looked around the room and grinned. There was only one box that still held photos in it, but she was going to place those on the wall in the hallway downstairs. Pushing it back into the corner, she turned off the lights, and made her way her way up the stairs to her bedroom. She was glad she packed an extra outfit in her overnight bag. It meant she wouldn’t have to wrestle with unpacking clothes until tomorrow morning. She walked into bathroom, a smile of anticipation on her face as she sat her bag down and walked over to the tub. She turned the water on testing the temperature before plugging the drain. It was her first night in her house and she planned on breaking the oversized spa tub in quickly. Standing up she stripped before sliding into the tub. Once the water reached the level she wanted she turned off the faucet. Reaching over she flipped the switch that turned on the jets and moaned out loud. Her smile widened. She was 22

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definitely going to have some fun in this tub. ~*~ Mark shook his head as he walked into his house. He deactivated the alarm as he closed the door. Sometimes he wondered if his friends were grown men or little boys. The ride home from Cassandra’s house had been interesting. She had Tyson contemplating divorce based on her culinary skills. Chandler was considering divorce based on her curvaceous hips. Mark had put an end to all of their contemplations by informing them that he would tell their wives of their husband’s wishes. His statement seemed to remind the guys of how lucky all of them already were. They had wonderful wives that always took care of them. Hopefully he would get lucky in that way himself one day. He thought he came close one time with his ex-girlfriend, Tracey, but it everything screeched to an abrupt halt when he walked in on her and what was probably one of her numerous lovers. It had not taken him long to toss the both of them out of his house. Naked. That had been about a year ago. Ever since then his plans for getting involved with another woman went on hold, at least until tonight. Seeing Cassandra today had packed a punch. The pictures of her that he saw via Troy hadn’t done her any justice. Her light brown eyes were much more expressive. Her medium length black hair had been up in a ponytail, emphasizing her smooth skin, a breathtaking mahogany color. The added combination of a make-up free face made her look to be in her twenties instead of her actual thirty-four. The fact that she was half a head-length short of being eye-to-eye with him was attractive to him as well. As much as he hated to admit it, she had a nice body. It was the kind of body he was weak for. She had nice shapely breasts, a narrow waist, shapely legs, and a 23

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rear end that he was a sucker for. She only added to her desirability by being able to cook. Her luscious mouth also captivated him. Time seemed to stop when she smiled. She was definitely the woman that he could see himself married to as well as the mother of his children. He headed down the hallway and up the stairs to his bedroom. His only dilemma with Cassandra was she was the sister of his friend. If he were to get involved with her, he would want to make sure it would be okay with Troy. He knew from experience that men were protective about their sisters. He would be if she were his sister even though she looked more than capable of taking care of herself. The bottom line was he wanted to settle down and have a family. At his age he was getting to the point that if he waited any longer, he might not be able to do all of the things that he wanted to do with his children. He wanted to be very active in his children’s life. To be at an age where he would be able to do so. He entered his bedroom, placed his keys on the dresser, and sat down to take off his shoes. He wondered if he stood a chance with Cassandra. Sure she had been nice to him, but she had been nice to all of the guys. She was a very hospitable person. He had a feeling that overall she was genuinely a nice person. The spark in her eyes told him she could stand her ground if she needed to as well. He definitely wanted to get to know her. Hopefully she would like to get to know him as well. He stood and made his way to the bathroom before getting undressed. He tossed his clothes into the hamper before turning on the water for his shower. The busy season was starting for the sandwich shop, and it would be a good time to see if she could deal with his schedule during the busy season. He would have to be sure to invite her down to the sandwich bistro. They were going into the 24

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fifth year of Courtlandt’s Bistro being open. He would have never guessed an idea that he and his brother’s came up with while having a few drinks would turn out to be successful. Courtlandt’s was a sandwich, salad, and soup café. He loved helping to run the business. The fact that he and his brothers built a restaurant from the ground up made him feel worthwhile. Whoever he became involved with had to be able to accept the business as part of their relationship. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be in the same sense that Tracy had been interested. Opening the glass door he stepped inside and under the spray of the showerheads. The warm water felt good on his body. He wondered what Cassandra was doing. An image of her in her spa tub popped into his head. His body automatically began to react to the image. He turned the temperature down to cold and willed the thought away. Once his body obeyed he turned the temperature of the water back up and bathed quickly. When he was finished he turned the water off and stepped out of the stall, before wrapping a towel around his waist and throwing a smaller one around his shoulders to keep his hair from dripping all over the place. It was longer than he normally kept it. He needed to make plans to have it cut next week. He reached his dresser he pulled out a pair of boxer briefs and toweled off before putting them on. Up until this exact moment he hadn’t realized how tired he was. He crawled into bed, sliding underneath the sheets. It was in his turn to open the restaurant tomorrow and he hoped helping Cassandra today wouldn’t come back to bite him. He and his brothers took turns opening the restaurant. Even though each of them brought their own specialty to the table, they all worked together to get the job done. He 25

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had to admit he didn’t know what they would do without Gavin. Gavin was the youngest of his brothers. He was the chef, and had a way with coming up with new recipes. They only started out with fifteen items on the menu now they were up to thirty-two. Gavin was always coming up with something new to add to the menu. Most, if not all, of the recipes sold as soon as they were added to the menu. Without Gavin things may be a little bit harder and more expensive to come by. Without the four of them coming together a lot of things might be that way. The only thing he had a hard time accepting was the popularity. He wasn’t a person that liked the spotlight. They had been receiving a lot of it lately. Whenever it occurred, he normally threw Jeffery into the mix. His younger brother enjoyed the attention, plus as a marketing and advertising manager it was his specialty. Either way he and his brothers were more successful than they ever dreamed of being. Now he wanted someone to share his success with. It was time that the other rooms in his house became occupied. Closing his eyes, he could see an adorable little girl and boy running through the foyer to greet him every day that he walked through the door. His eyes flew open when he imagined it being Cassandra’s food that he would smell when he walked into the kitchen. He was moving way too fast in his thoughts. At this rate she would run out the door screaming. Still, he was thirty-seven fast approaching thirty-eight. Time was passing by a lot faster than he thought it would. He would call his mother for advice. She was a wise woman and her direction always seemed to be accurate. It led him in the direction he wanted and needed to be in. He reached for the remote control to turn on the television. 26

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Hopefully there would be something on that would keep his attention until he became sleepy. As usual he ended up finding a sports show. The highlight reel about the upcoming pre-season game between the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers next weekend caught his attention. He became bored when the anchors started arguing about irrelevant stats and flipped to the local news channel. Even though the news was depressing to him on occasion he liked to try to keep up with things that were going on in the world. If there was one thing he disliked in life it was being ill informed of what was going on around him. He also despised anyone who was not truthful even more. It made him wonder what Cassandra’s pet peeves were. He was interested in getting to know her and wondered what it would take to convince her to take a chance in getting to know him. She didn’t seem like a spontaneous kind of person. From the interaction that he had witnessed between Troy and Lora today, Cassandra was a person that planned what she was going to do before she did it. Luckily he knew that would benefit him in his approach to her. He definitely planned to approach her and soon.

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CHAPTER 3 Cassandra’s hand shot out and she slapped around blindly until she found her phone. “I am up. I am up,” she mumbled into the phone. “You had better be. I have been standing out here ringing the doorbell and knocking for twenty minutes now.” She sat up straight up in the bed her eyes opening wide. She looked at the clock and cursed. “I am sorry Lora. Give me a second and I will be downstairs.” She disconnected the call swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her feet had barely touched the carpet before she was rushing out of her bedroom. She took the stairs two at a time, proud that she wasn’t breathing hard when she reached the bottom. Swinging the door open she smiled at her sister-in-law before stepping back. “Come in. I apologize for leaving you outside for so long. I overslept.” Lora smiled shaking her head. “I can see that. Did you have a late night Cassie?” She shook her head before closing the front door and leading the way to the kitchen. “I am going to make some coffee. Would you like some?” Lora followed her taking a seat at the small table in her kitchen. “Sure I will have one cup.” She set the coffee to brew before joining Lora at the table. She dropped her head onto it with a groan. 28

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“I must have been more tired than I thought.” That plus the fact she was sleeping in her own comfortable bed had been a dangerous combination. “Well from the looks of things you were busy after we left.” “I was but it didn’t take me long once my main distraction was gone.” Lora gave her a puzzled look. “What distraction?” She leaned back smiling mischievously. “Actually the question should be who.” Lora’s eyebrows widened. “Who?” “Mark.” A smile came to Lora’s face and she laughed. “Yes, he is cute and I think the two of you would be good together.” Cassandra shook her head at her sister-in-law. “I’m not interested in dating him. I only want him to impregnate me.” Lora’s eyes widened and she began to choke. “Do the two of you already know each other?” Cassandra shook her head. “I have never seen him before yesterday. That is why I need you to tell me as much as you can about him.” Lora shook her head. “I don’t know too much about him for the exception that he is co-owner of Courtlandt’s Bistro with his brothers, and he and Troy have been friends now for about three years.” “Is he dating anyone?” Lora shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard of anyone since Tracey and that was a while ago” Cassandra frowned. “Do you think that race would be an issue?” “What do you mean?” She shook her head. “I mean the fact that I’m black 29

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and he is white.” Lora shook her head. “I don’t see why it would be. One thing that I do know about Mark is that he wouldn’t be bothered by your ethnicity. He is a very open minded person. I have never seen him treat Troy unjustly.” She smiled. “Good then my plan should work.” Lora became worried. “What plan?” Cassandra sat back in her chair and took a deep breath. She might as well test out her idea on Lora. Lora was good at keeping her secrets and always gave her good advice. “I am going to have a baby.” Her sister-in-law looked like she was going to faint. She watched as Lora gave her a once over, obviously looking for any changes indicating she was with a child. Her eyes finally came back to Cassandra’s “Who is the father?” She laughed rolled her eyes. “No one yet. Otherwise I wouldn’t be looking for Mark to impregnate me.” Lora shook her head. “You threw me for a loop. I’m not thinking straight. I still don’t think I understand what you are trying to say.” She tilted her head to the side and smiled. Her poor sister-in-law looked like she was going to fall to the floor any moment. “I want to have a baby,” she stated slowly. Lora stood up abruptly and began to pace while mumbling to herself. Finally she stopped and looked at Cassandra. “Are you serious?” Lora laughed. “Of course you are serious. You are one of the most serious people that I know.” Lora stopped in mid-step. “What brought this on?” Cassandra heard the coffee pot turn off and she stood 30

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up and walked over to the cabinet. She pulled down two cups but Lora stopped her. “I changed my mind. I don’t think my nerves can take it right now.” Cassandra smiled and poured herself a cup of coffee. She took the first sip and moaned in pleasure. This was the one thing she didn’t know how she was going to do without once she became pregnant. She loved coffee. “I don’t know how you can drink that stuff black. Then again, that is probably what is affecting your rationale right now.” Cassandra laughed. “As long as I have been drinking coffee this way, I would think it would have affected me before now if it was going to.” Lora retook her seat at the table. Cassandra took another sip of her coffee before walking over to join her. Lora was quiet for a moment as if she were trying to collect her thoughts. “Where did this come from?” Cassandra shrugged. “I have always wanted a family, but it is getting to the point where I am almost too old to have children. Forty is knocking on the door. I want at least two children by then.” Lora placed a hand to her chest. “You can’t be serious.” Cassandra smile “But I am. I am serious enough to set up an appointment for the sperm bank, not to mention my fertility specialist.” She became concerned when Lora became pale. “Oh God. You are serious about this.” She reached across the table and patted her sister-inlaws hand reassuringly. “Yes I am.” Lora seemed to be at a loss for words. Not wanting to shock Lora into a state where she wouldn’t be helpful, 31

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Cassandra took one last drink of coffee. Plus, there was the fact that she didn’t want Troy to get wind of what was going on. If he did her parents would soon find out and that would make things a lot more difficult than they already were. “Tell you what. Let’s finish putting things up and we can talk about this later.” Lora nodded slowly almost in a dazed like state of mind. “Yes let’s do that.” Cassandra couldn’t fight the anxiety of leaving her coffee behind. She took another drink of her coffee finishing it off. Lora shook her head as she poured herself another cup before walking into the living room. Lora stood up and followed her. Cassandra showed her what she had done so far. Once she was up to speed they moved on to the dining room. Cassandra told Lora what she had in mind as she finished her second cup of coffee. Once they figured out how to put the plan into action, Cassandra sat her coffee cup aside and they began working. With the both of them working together they put the china into the china cabinet and set the table for dinner. They made small talk, but the baby subject didn’t come back up. She knew they would get back to it sooner or later. The two of them continued to work diligently. An hour later they had the dining room together. The last box in the living room empty, they stood there surveying their work. “Thanks for all of your help.” Lora smiled. “You’re welcome. What are we going to do next?” “Nothing. The only thing that I have left to do is straighten up my room and hang up a few clothes.” “When you do want to get started on lunch?” 32

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Cassandra looked at the clock on the wall. “Well we have twenty minutes until the boys and Troy arrive. Mom and dad won’t be here until two or so. I say we get started as soon as I change and make myself decent.” Lora nodded her agreement and Cassandra headed upstairs. She went into her walk in closet before reaching for one of the garment bags she hung in the closet. She chose a lavender colored dress that was casual and comfortable, two of the things she was going for. Thirty minutes later she swept back downstairs and headed into the kitchen. She expected the doorbell to ring any moment, but she was going to try to get as much done as possible. Lora assisted her and they began working on lunch. The doorbell didn’t ring until they were well into food preparation, signaling that Troy and the boys were there. Their arrival slowed preparations down but Cassandra managed to pull the roast out of the oven just as her parents rang her doorbell. She couldn’t get the oven mitts off quick enough. Crazy as it seemed she was really excited to see her parents. By the time she made it into the living room Troy had opened the front door. She made a beeline for her parents embracing them happily. It was good to see both of them. She loved them dearly. “It is so good to have you home,” her mom whispered as she embraced her tightly. “It is good to be home.” Once everyone was situated she gave her parents a quick tour of the house before hustling everyone into the dining room. She didn’t want the food to get cold. Her father made a toast with the wine that Troy brought before they dug into the food. It brought a smile to Cassandra’s face sitting at the table having dinner with her family was just like old times. This was one thing she had missed 33

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sharing with her family. In the end the dinner went by too quick. Her parents left a short time after. Lora stayed to help her clean up, before Troy rounded her and the boys up. Lora made her promise that the two of them would talk later. Cassandra imagined it would be about the conversation she and Lora started earlier, but didn’t finish. She locked up and made her way upstairs. After changing into a tank top and cotton shorts for comfort, then went back downstairs to the family room. She turned on the television, settling in to watch a show or two. Then she would go to bed. She found King Arthur staring Clive Owens and had to fight the urge to drool. The man was sexy beyond words. She was only a few minutes into the movie when she thought she heard the chime of her doorbell. Muting the television she waited to see if her ears were playing tricks on her. When the bell reverberated through the house again, she put the remote aside. She had no idea who could be at her door. She stood and made her way to the front door. It wasn’t late but she wasn’t expecting anyone. “Who is it,” she called out as she neared it. “Mark Courtlandt.” She automatically swung the front door open and he frowned. “Did you check to make sure it was me?” Her eyebrows rose at his question. “Is that the reason you came over?” When his frown deepened she rolled her eyes before answering his question. “I heard your voice.” The frown lifted some but not all the way. Shaking her head she smiled and stepped back. “Well this is a pleasant surprise, Mark. Would you like to come in?” He nodded and stepped inside. “I apologize for coming over unannounced. I’m not interrupting am I?” She shook her head as she closed the door and locked 34

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it. “You’re not.” She gave him a quick glance and had to fight a smile at his expression. He looked as if he were about to swallow his tongue. She did smile as she turned around to lead the way to the family room. Her state of dress or rather undress seemed to be affecting him. She was actually wearing a decent pair of boy shorts and a t-shirt. She was willing to admit that the length of the shirt didn’t hide much. When she sat down on the couch, she could swear she heard him sigh in relief, but when she looked up his expression was neutral and he remained standing. She gave him a puzzled look before motioning for him to have a seat. “Please have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?” She saw a quick grimace cross his face and frowned. “No thank you.” She nodded slowly trying to figure out what his problem was. Who ever came over to someone’s house and refused to sit down? “So what brings you by?” Mark smiled. “You are a woman who is direct and straight to the point. I like that in a woman and I guess it is only fair I return the favor. So, Cassandra, you are the reason that I came by.” Her eyebrows rose. “Please call me Cassie. Only my parent’s call me Cassandra.” She studied him, waiting for him to continue what he was going to say, but he remained silent. “Do you care to elaborate on your statement?” He smiled. “To be honest, I think you are very attractive and I would be interested in taking you out sometime.” She looked at him in surprise. It had been the last 35

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thing she expected him to say. “Do you make it a habit to go over to a stranger’s house and ask them out?” He laughed. “No I don’t. Believe it or not, I don’t have the time to.” She crossed her arms across her chest, intrigued by their statement. “But you made the time for me?” He nodded. “Yes I did. I think that you are worth it.” She watched him carefully not sure what to say for the exception of what she felt. “What if I tell you I have never dated outside of my race before?” It was true. She never had dated outside of her race. Not that she wasn’t open to the idea; it never crossed her mind. Which was why she had been shocked at the image of the child she had seen yesterday. Sitting here looking at Mark the image wasn’t so shocking now. He shrugged. “I would say there is a first time for everything.” She gave him an inquisitive look. “Have you ever dated outside of your race before? He nodded. “I have. I like to consider myself an equal opportunity dater.” She observed him, finding his response very interesting. What else didn’t she know about him? She planned to find out. A slow smile spread across her face. “What if I told you I was only interested in having a baby?” She knew it had been the wrong thing to say as soon as the words exited her mouth. Mark’s body language changed and he stood up abruptly. “I would say I was no longer interested.” He turned and headed toward the door. His reaction shocked her long enough for her to allow him to make it to her front door. She was up and off the couch in a flash. “Mark wait.” 36

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She grabbed his arm and her touch made him pause. “That came out wrong.” His eyebrows rose telling her the statement didn’t have the calming effect that it should have had on him. His words confirmed it. “Did it now? Well I must say you sounded pretty sure to me.” She sighed heavily. This wasn’t going the way she planned. She had been planning what she was going to say to Mark, since she decided to approach him about her plan. For some strange reason the words she rehearsed went straight out the window as soon as she opened her front door. Hopefully she could get things back to where she wanted them to be. “Will you give me a chance to explain?” She almost panicked when it took him a few minutes to decide if he wanted to retake his seat or not. He exhaled heavily but remained standing. “Okay, explain the statement to me.” “I would be more than happy to, but please sit down while I explain?” She gave him a pleading look figuring the further she had him away from the door the longer it would take him to escape. He gave her a long look as if he were going to decline. “That depends on whether you will keep your hands to yourself.” She pretended to think about it before smiling at him. It was amusing to know the thought of her touch made him nervous. She teased him but in a tasteful way. “How about I promise to keep them above the waist?” His laugh surprised her but she liked it. “You are something else.” She gave him a demure look. “I would like to think so.” She led the way back to the sofa in the living room. 37

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When they were both seated again she turned off the television and turned to face him. “Can I ask you something personal?” “Sure,” he replied with a lack of hesitation that surprised her. “Do you have a girlfriend?” His eyebrows rose again. “No.” “Are you seeing anyone?” He smiled and she had an inkling she wasn’t asking him the questions he thought she would. She was asking him important questions that she needed answers to. “Are you seeing anyone I would have to worry about after this next question I’m about to ask you?” He leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees. “If there were any woman that you would remotely have to be worried about, I wouldn’t be here. But now that you ask my mother can be scary at times.” She laughed. “Good then I will repeat my earlier question, but I will explain why.” She leaned back on the couch as if to settle in. “The reason I asked you if you would mind if I wanted a baby is because I need someone to get me pregnant.” Cassandra could tell that it took Mark a second to comprehend what she said, but once he did he made a move to stand up. She reached over and stopped him. He was looking at her as if she had lost her mind. It was a possibility that she had. She originally went into this plan wanting to keep everything anonymous, so much for that idea. “Let me get this straight. You not only want me to have sex with you I am supposed to get you pregnant as well?” When it was put like that, even she had to pause and think about it herself. It did sound strange when it was 38

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said aloud. Even so, it was what she wanted. “Well, technically you don’t have to have sex with me, I just need your sperm.” His eyes widened and all of a sudden he began to laugh. “Did the guys put you up to this?” She gave him a look of confusion as she shook her head. “No.” “My brothers?” Her eyebrows furrowed together. “I don’t know them.” His laughter died off once he seemed to realize she was telling the truth. “You are serious aren’t you?” She nodded. “I’m the most serious person around, or so I have been told.” He closed his eyes. “This is the last thing I expected to happen when I made the decision to come over.” Then his eyes popped open. “Does Troy know about this?” She came up on her knees and gave him a threatening look and he blinked. “No and you had better not breathe a word about this to him either.” He held up his hands in surrender. “And I would like to keep on breathing so you don’t have to worry about me saying a word. I wouldn’t want to get into a discussion with your brother on this subject. But you have to think about this. Think about what you are asking. I mean Troy will find out eventually.” Mark shrugged his shoulders. “Besides if you have to keep this hidden is it really worth doing?” She wanted to stick her tongue out him but refrained from the childish action. He already seemed to see her as a half crazed woman. “And what makes you such an expert on this subject?” He smiled. “I’m not. I couldn’t be, but if you have to keep something of this magnitude from your family what 39

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does that mean?” She sighed heavily. “I think this may be the reason why I wanted an anonymous donor. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about all of these questions.” He laughed at the statement. “No, I just think you have never been presented with the opportunity so you haven’t had to think about it. Just like I wonder how much thought you have given to having a baby by yourself.” A sad look came into her eyes. “I have given it a lot of thought. I am thirty-four years old.” One corner of her mouth tilted upward. “I can’t find a good dependable man, or at least I could not find one. If it makes you feel any better, I am willing to draw up paperwork to state I won’t hold you financially responsible. I won’t ask you for anything.” He shook his head. “I’m sure I should be flattered, but I’m not. You need a person to father your child and you chose me? A man you hardly know?” “Yes. I know my brother well enough to know that he only hangs around good people. Plus the information I do know about you indicates you are a good guy.” She gave him a wary look. “So it is either you or a complete stranger from the sperm bank.” His eyes widened. “The sperm bank?” She nodded. “I have an appointment set up for two weeks from now.” He shook his head. “You have to cancel.” Her head tilted to the side again. “Excuse me?” Cassandra closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She must be insane to have entertained such a thought. Most women didn’t go around asking complete strangers to get them pregnant. It was the reason why sperm banks were anonymous. She was brought out of her musings when he spoke. 40

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“I will agree to your proposal if you agree to mine.” She tried to tamper down her excitement. His condition could be one she wasn’t willing to agree to. Taking a calming breath she smiled giving him a direct stare. “Which is?” “I won’t be an anonymous donor. You have to agree to get to know me. Let me take you out and show you a good time. Allow me to treat you like a man should treat a woman.” Her smiled faded slowly. That wasn’t what she wanted. She would have to get involved with him on a level in which she didn’t want to. Shaking her head she frowned. “No, I don’t want that.” This time it was his head that tilted to the side. He gave her an inquisitive smile. “Just a moment ago it sounded like you did, but you gave up because you couldn’t find the right man.” He paused. “But in your own words I am. I won’t be an unnamed sperm donor, Cassandra. If I agree to your terms, you must agree to mine. If you have a child, our child, I would expect shared custody. The best way for us to do so is to be together in a relationship.” She could have rolled onto the floor and threw a temper tantrum. He had left her speechless by taking her own words and using them against her. Not too many people could get away with doing it. She was so distracted this time he was able to stand up without resistance from her. She looked up at him, trying to compose herself. “What if we aren’t well-suited, Mark?” “Excuse me?” The corners of her mouth tilted upward into a smile. Apparently he found the idea ridiculous. “What if we aren’t well-matched? How do we know we are even compatible to each other? That we’ll be able to get 41

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along?” He chuckled softly. “Trust me. We’ll get along just fine.” “How can you be so sure?” “Because I am.” She didn’t want to tell him she didn’t believe him. But she had been around long enough to figure out that being attracted to a person didn’t mean there would be compatibility. Still, curiosity ate at her. “Show me.” Cassandra enjoyed a challenge, which was one of the reasons she was accomplished at what she did. She wondered if Mark was the same. Would he accept her dare? His expression told her he was considering it. Suddenly he released a long, slow breath as he pulled her into his embrace. The impact of his embrace almost stole her ability to breathe. “I won’t dare to proclaim to be an authority on sexual chemistry,” he said in a low, husky tone. “But I’m confident this will remove any uncertainty in your mind on whether or not we will be compatible.” He cupped the back of her neck and lowered his mouth to hers. Her heart hammered hard in her chest the instant their mouths touched. And when their tongues began mating with a passion that shook every nerve in her body, she had to fight the urge to break the link for fear of losing control. At that second she wasn’t conscious of anything but the feel of his tongue stroking hers, the sensation of hers stroking his, the rush of sensations flooding and overpowering her. She was also cognizant of the fire stirring within her and of the way her body was beginning to throb. When he slowly pulled back, their lips grudgingly separating, she felt a great sense of loss. He cleared his throat. “Cassandra,” he said softly, 42

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drawing her name out in a low tone as he eased away from her mouth. “Do you still think we aren’t compatible?” She fought to free her brain, as well as her body from the web of desire he pushed her into, as he studied her. Her lips felt as though they had been meticulously kissed. The man possessed what had to be the sweetest mouth she ever sampled, savored, or consumed. Her reaction to him was unlike anything she had ever experienced. She was having a hard time remembering her name. From the impassioned look in his eyes, he was just as affected by the kiss as she was. Regardless, there was no way she could lie to this man. To pretend like his kiss hadn’t just made her forget her name for a brief period. “No,” she finally responded, dragging in a deep breath. “I can say without any doubt that there is chemistry between us. But it takes more than—” She trailed off when she realized what she was getting ready to say. At least he was a good sport and didn’t rub it in. Instead he pulled back and held out his hand to her. “Come with me.” She took his hand and he led her into the kitchen before stopping in front of the refrigerator. He reached for the marker that wrote on the dry erase board. When he finished writing, two numbers were there. “This is my cell phone and home number.” He attached the marker back to the board, then turned and pulled her into his arms again. His mouth came down on hers and in an instant he held her captive with the second most passionate kiss of her life. What was even more shocking was she was receiving it from a man she wouldn’t have considered to be a likely candidate a few months ago. When he lifted his head she felt boneless. 43

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“This is only a part of what we could have, but know this. If you want my baby you have to want me as well.” He gave her a charming smile. “Not just physically either. I won’t give you my sperm and walk away or just play part-time dad. I want all or nothing. Take it or leave it. Call me when you have made your decision.” Without another word he turned and walked out of the kitchen. She lost track of time between the end of his kiss and the sound of the front door closing. When she did manage to pull herself together it was only to go back into the living room turn off the lights and headed straight up the stairs to her bedroom. She crawled underneath the covers on her bed, closing her eyes. The feeling of being overwhelmed kept her from having the ability to think rationally. There was nothing rational about this entire day, nothing at all. What she needed as a full night of sleep and a clear head, so she was going to figure out how to proceed because one thing was certain. After the kiss she just shared with Mark there was no way she couldn’t.

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CHAPTER 4 Cassandra paced the living room as she waited for Lora to arrive. She was thinking about the kiss she and Mark shared. A full night of sleep still hadn’t erased the memory from her mind. She had a feeling nothing ever would. She rejected the idea that she might have gotten in over her head. She had known from the moment she met Mark, that he was the embodiment of a sexy male, a test to any woman’s hormones and a heap of heart racing testosterone. The instant she decided she wanted him to father her child, there was no doubt in her mind that he could give her what she wanted. What she hadn’t counted on was his lack of cooperation without conditions. Reasonable conditions when she really thought about it. Terms she couldn’t hate him for. He wanted to be a responsible parent. What person in their right mind wouldn’t want that? A woman who wanted to have a baby on her own, without the potential complication of male involvement. He definitely threw a wrench in her plans. She outlined her lips with her tongue, still feeling, tasting him there. She hadn’t contemplated on not being in control of the situation with him, but if his kiss had lasted any longer than it had, she would have lost it. Entirely. She had been kissed before, numerous times, but she never considered or remembered the occasions as being so memorable. Kissing was kissing. Mouths touching. Lips savoring. Tongues mating. But what she shared last night with Mark 45

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was every bit of that and more. She hadn’t expected the surge of desire that spread throughout every part of her body at the same time that her insides began a slow meltdown under intense passion. She wished she could state her reaction had been the consequence of restless energy being uncapped or the discharge of pent up sexual tension. What Mark did was place an all-out attack on her senses, each one of them, and it would take her some time to recuperate from the tingling charge of want she still felt. It was yearning of a degree that had never plagued her body before. Even now she could envision his hands on her, caressing her naked skin, his lips devouring every inch of her eager body and their bodies connecting in the most primal way known to man. There was no doubt in her mind that when and if they shared a bed they would set the sheets on fire. She jumped when the doorbell rang, not realizing how lost in her thoughts she had been. She walked over to the door excitedly and stepped back letting Lora inside. Right now she needed a second opinion. She needed someone rational to talk to and her mother was not a suitable choice right now. Hopefully Lora wouldn’t make her regret this decision. She was confused enough as it was. Closing the door she turned and led the way to the living room. “Would you like something to drink?” “Any wine or beer left?” Cassandra turned on her heel and gave her sister-inlaw an incredulous look. “I won’t be sending you home intoxicated.” Lora looked like she wanted to argue the point but didn’t. Instead she sighed heavily. “In that case I will take any juice you have.” Cassandra smiled. “Good choice.” 46

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She went into the kitchen and poured a glass of grapefruit juice for the both of them. She took both glasses back into the living room and took a seat beside her sister-in-law. Lora reached for the cup and smiled. “I didn’t think I was going to have the chance to talk to you so soon.” The corner of Cassandra’s mouth curled upward. “We probably wouldn’t be if I hadn’t had such an eventful night after everyone left.” Lora’s eyes widened. “Are you sure I can’t have a glass of wine or a beer?” Cassandra shook her head. If it was one thing she knew for sure it was that Lora couldn’t hold her liquor. She wasn’t going to be held responsible for the outcome if Lora got a hold of alcohol. “Absolutely not beside it wasn’t really bad. Mark showed up unannounced after everyone left and I told him about my plan to get pregnant. Unfortunately, he turned me down, stating he won’t give me what I want unless I give him what he wants.” Lora’s eyebrows rose. “Which is?” “Everything. He won’t settle for just donating his sperm. He wants a real relationship and he wants to be around full-time.” Lora laughed. “You have met your match.” Cassandra sighed dejectedly not wanting to agree with the obvious. But the truth existed whether she wanted it to or not. Lora sighed. “I just can’t believe the fact that you want a baby.” Her eyebrows rose. “This is coming from the mother of my three nephews?” Lora waved her hand erratically. “You know I love being a mother, but knowing what I know I would never 47

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suggest that anyone voluntarily try to raise a child on their own.” She leaned forward and placed her hand on Cassandra’s leg. “And believe me when I say I’m not just saying that to discourage you. I know it wouldn’t work.” She laughed. “You know me too well.” Lora gave her a dry look. “Yes I do and I am here for you regardless of what happens. But do you really think he’s going to agree to do it?” Cassandra heard the doubt in her sister-in-laws voice. She couldn’t blame Lora for her uncertainty. It wasn’t that Lora was being negative. She was just being pragmatic. Most people would find this entire idea illogical. And what Cassandra was posing to Mark was highly irrational. Cassandra had some of her own doubts with the added complications Mark was imposing. Still, she was sure Mark would agree to her proposal if she gave into his. “Cassandra?” Lora didn’t need to reiterate the question for Cassandra to reply. She knew what Lora wanted to know. “The strange thing is, I think he would agree to it. At least he said he would. He put the ball back in my court. Telling me to call him when I made my mind up about what I wanted to do. In some ways, I think he believes I have lost my mind and this is a test of sorts. I guess I will find out as soon as I call him.” Lora remained quiet and Cassandra watch the emotions play out over her face. Taking a deep breath, Cassandra asked the question she had been dying to ask about Mark. “So what do you think about me giving Mark a chance at what he is proposing?” Lora smiled. “When I really think about it, I feel he can be good for you. Give him a chance to prove it. Who knows you might get a husband and a baby out of the deal.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Besides it is the only 48

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way you are going to be able to have his baby and we both know you want him to be the father. It is in your eyes.” As much as Cassandra wanted to deny and refute everything Lora just said she couldn’t. What she didn’t voice aloud was this was starting to become about more than just having a baby. She wanted Mark so badly she could taste it. What woman in her right mind wouldn’t want him? Mark was very attractive. He had intelligence as well as common sense and he would challenge her when she needed to be. Besides if things didn’t work out she could also go with plan B. It might take her a little longer to find a suitable donor but if she had to, she would do it. She was going to have her baby, one way or another. “You’re right, Lora. But I am nervous. This isn’t what I expected. After my relationship with Spencer, I gave up on relationships. But I am willing to give it a chance with Mark. I just don’t know if he will be ready to impregnate me within two weeks which is the ideal time for me according to my fertility chart.” Lora gave her a reassuring look. “I think you are making the right choice. Don’t rush into anything. Contrary to what you think, you have time. You don’t have to rush to get pregnant.” Cassandra took a deep breath. This was a very interesting situation and as far as she was concerned she had just taken the biggest risk of her life. Lora leaned forward in her chair. “So what are you going to do next?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Figure out what I am going to say to Mark when I give him a call.” Lora shook her head. “Whatever you do be honest. It is evident Mark appreciates it.” She knew Lora was right in that aspect. An hour later Lora was leaving and she was dialing Mark’s number. He 49

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answered on the third ring and his voice sounded gruff. She realized she had awakened him. “Hi Mark this is Cassie. I didn’t mean to wake you.” She heard him stretch and clear his throat. “It is okay. Talking to you is better than taking a nap.” She smiled. “Are you sure?” He replied without hesitation. “Yes I am. I’m just taking a little nap before I go into the restaurant this evening.” “Okay then, I won’t keep you long.” Mark seemed like the kind of guy that worked hard, but he also seemed like he played just as hard. She had a feeling he wouldn’t have problem balancing himself between the two. Wanting to keep her promise to Mark she told him her main reason for calling. “I just wanted to let you know I have come to a decision,” she stated softly. She could tell she had his attention now because he exhaled softly. “Is that so? Well, what brought this on?” She could hear the smile in his voice and had to laugh herself. “Let’s just say I received three convincing speeches and I don’t need a fourth to decide what I am going to do?” “And just what is it that you have decided you are going to do?” She took a deep breath before replying. The answer she was going to give was going to change a lot of things. Yet this was a decision she knew she would regret if she didn’t go for it. With that in mind she continued with what she was going to say. “I am going to agree to your terms and give your way a chance.” Mark remained silent and she was left to wonder what he was thinking. To grow nervous over why it was taking him so long to agree to something he had been an 50

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advocate for? Had he changed his mind already? She opened her mouth to ask him what he was thinking when he released a pent up breath. “So do you have a targeted date you would like to be pregnant by?” She remained silent for a moment wondering if this was some sort of dream. Was this really happening or was she still lying in bed snuggled under her covers dreaming? “Cassie?” She blinked when he called her name and knew she wasn’t dreaming. Her dreams never came through with such clarity. She cleared her throat before speaking. “Well, I have an appointment set up with my fertility specialist two weeks from now. It would be the best time for me to conceive.” He made a sound that she was sure was shock. “That soon, huh?” She stifled a sigh and closed her eyes. “Yes.” “Do you think we can get to really know each other in such a short amount of time?” Her heart constricted when she opened her mouth to answer. She had to be truthful. Even though she knew it would lead to a result she didn’t want. “No.” “Are you willing to wait?” She opened her eyes. “For how long?” “Would it matter?” “Yes. I want two kids before I’m forty. I would like them spaced out at least three years apart but I will settle for two.” He chuckled. “Well then, let me rephrase my question. How long are you willing to wait?” “I have to be honest, Mark. I don’t want to wait long. I want a baby. It is the one thing I am certain of.” “Why did you approach me?” 51

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She exhaled heavily. “Because I am almost out of options. As you know, I’m single. I could have a onenight stand but it isn’t worth the health risk. The sperm bank seemed like the best option. Only the selection of donors is less than desirable. Before I met you, I thought I was going to run out of options.” “So, you don’t have any aversions to sex?” Cassandra gasped then choked. “What?” “I had to ask.” “No, I don’t have any aversions to sex. Do you?” “No I don’t. I also don’t have any issues with what you are proposing. I want a wife and children. However, I want to get to know that woman before it happens.” She heard shuffling sounds from his end of the line. She sighed with dejection. It felt like she had waited long enough for her dream to become a reality. Yet, if she didn’t take Mark up on his offer, chances were she would have to wait longer. Either way, she knew she wouldn’t be keeping her appointment in two weeks. Still, she had to try one more time. “I think we already know most of what we need to know about each other.” The statement wasn’t true in the least, but she was desperate. There were probably things he wanted to know about her. She was just as inquisitive herself, and it was growing the more she talked to him. She wanted to know more about the man he was. He didn’t seem the sort to intentionally shirk his responsibilities. She paused when she realized that was the extent of her knowledge about him. It was clear that she had a lot to learn about Mark. If things were going to go as she planned she needed to move quickly. “I don’t believe you but I plan to remedy that. Nothing would do it quicker than a crash course in getting to know me and vice versa. I also know just where to 52

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start.” Mark’s statement gave her pause. She didn’t know what it meant but she knew it was a loaded promise. He answered her next question before she could ask it. “Are you willing to spend an entire Saturday—maybe the entire weekend with me?” She hesitated. “The one coming up?” “Yes.” She tried to keep the surprise she felt out of her voice but failed miserable. An entire weekend? That was moving faster than she expected. She closed her eyes and bit back laughter when she realized the irony of her thought. After her proposition she had the nerve to think he was moving fast. She shook her head wondering if her breakup with Spencer had affected her mind more than she originally thought. She gave herself a second to think about what he just proposed. In all reality she knew she was going to do it. Not wanting to make him think that she was uncertain, even though she was, she responded instinctively. “Okay I am willing to do that.” She could hear the smile in his voice when he responded. “Good. I will come and pick you up Saturday morning at nine. We will go have breakfast then the rest will be a surprise.” “I don’t like surprises,” she mumbled. She really didn’t like them. Most of the surprises she received weren’t good ones. And the last one she received had been a whopper so she could do without surprises for a while. Mark laughed. “Somehow I think you will like the one’s I have in store for you.” She rolled her eyes. “It is unlikely, but we shall see.” There was a brief pause before he spoke again. “What 53

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are the chances of me seeing you again before Saturday?” She smiled. “Not very good. I leave for Beverly Hills for work tomorrow and I won’t be back until Friday night.” He smiled and she heard it in his voice when he replied. “Well be prepared to tell me all about yourself when you return. There is a lot I want to know about you.” She sighed, wondering what spending the weekend with him would be like. Whatever the outcome, she had to be brave enough to participate in it if she wanted her baby. “That is fine. There are a few more things I want to ask you about myself.” He exhaled softly. “Whatever you want to know I am an open book.” “Something told me that would be your response.” He laughed. “Maybe you do know all there is to know about me.” She shook her head at the amusement in his voice. “Well I don’t want to keep you any longer. I know you said you wanted to rest but I will talk to you as soon as I return home.” “How about you give me a call a little later tonight? I’m sure I will need the distraction.” She paused. Surprised by his suggestion. “Are you sure?” “Positive.” “Okay. I will let you go for now but I will call you later before I go to bed if it isn’t too late for you.” “It would be perfect.” She smiled. “Good. I will talk to you later.” “Until then.” She had just hung up the phone when it rang again. Looking at the caller ID she smiled before answering. 54

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“How may I help you Lora?” Lora groaned. “Don’t be coy with me woman. How did it go?” Cassandra smiled. “My, my, you are impatient.” “Cassandra,” she replied, her tone full of warning. Cassandra chuckled. “It went okay. Mark and I will be spending this weekend together to get to know each other better.” Lora paused. “How much better?” She laughed at Lora’s tone. “At this point it is up in the air, but my guess is that we are going to be doing a lot of talking.” She could practically hear the wheels turning in Lora’s head. “The last time I heard they didn’t call that talking.” She snickered at Lora’s comment, somewhat surprised by Lora’s response. Her sister-in-law was normally reserved. Then again, so was she. It was probably the reason Lora was so shocked by her decision. But she wanted a baby and if a good man came along with that baby she wasn’t going to complain “As a matter of fact Troy and I…” She gasped in shock cutting her sister-in-law off. “Lora, I don’t want to hear it.” The last thing she wanted to know was details about her brother’s sex life. It was already hard enough to know he had one. “Come to think of it, Troy does do a lot of talking when he…” She groaned in agony. “Lora, please I don’t need the details. I have gone this far in life without knowing the particulars and I would love to keep it that way.” Her sister-in-law’s laughter traveled through the phone line and Cassandra shook her head. It was the only 55

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appropriate response she could come up with. Lora finally reigned in her amusement. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Just give me a call and let me know how things go.” It was her turn to laugh. “Somehow I have a feeling you will call me before I have the chance to call you.” Lora didn’t bother to deny the fact. “You are right but we can still pretend.” They both chortled but when the laughter died down Lora became serious. “So when are you going to tell your parents and Troy about this?” Cassandra sighed knowing it was inevitable. She had to tell her family about her plans. Showing up nine months pregnant and yelling surprise wasn’t an option. “If everything goes okay between Mark and myself this weekend. I will have dinner at my place soon and let everyone know. All going as planned, I will be pregnant within the next few months.” “Can I bring the video camera?” Cassandra laughed before she could stop herself. “No you can’t bring the video camera. This event will probably be memorable enough without proof.” Lora made a sound of disappointment. “What if I tell you I will sit on the same side of the room that you and Mark are sitting on?” Cassandra rolled her eyes. She had the impression that eleven years of marriage to Troy was starting to affect Lora. “And how in the world would that make a difference?” “I would be risking my camera and myself for the sake of memories.” She groaned inwardly at Lora’s irrational logic. “Keep it up, Lora and I am going to hang up on you. I promise.” 56

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Lora chuckled. “I am sorry I just can’t help myself. We haven’t had this much excitement around here in a long time.” Cassandra made a non-committal sound. “Well if you keep this up I will guarantee to cut you off as an inside source.” Lora laughed again. “Okay I promise to be good. Tell you what. I promise not to call you the rest of this week or weekend if you promise to tell me all the juicy details at lunch on Monday.” “It is a deal.” She was always game when Lora offered lunch because it was going to be a good one. With the deal made, Cassandra said goodbye to her sister-in-law and hung up the phone. She went upstairs to her office to make sure everything was in order for her trip. Her desktop was already up and waiting on her. The first thing she did was check on all of her reservations. Even though Beverly Hills was a reasonable trip in driving distance she still had chosen to fly. Frankly she had done enough driving in the last few days to last her for a while. Everything concerning her flights looked good. Satisfied with her travel arrangements she shut down her desktop computer. Anything else she needed to do could be done on her laptop during her flight. She made her way down the hallway to her bedroom. It didn’t take her long to pack. It never did because she was used to packing for business trips. She took her main suitcase downstairs and sat it by the door. She headed back upstairs to her room and headed straight for the shower undressing as she went. Unfortunately, she had already fallen in love with her spa tub. It had been her main mode of bathing the last three days. She also noticed she had been sleeping very well the 57

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last few days as well. Turning on the water, she set it to her desired temperature, before stepping into the oversized tub. She sat down, a relaxing moan slipping from between her lips. When the water was at the level she wanted, she turned off the water and turned on the jets. She closed her eyes in pleasure and mentally went over her itinerary for the rest of the week. It was going to be a busy week, but two of the clients that she was going to consult with were two of her highest paying clients. So it would be worth it. Even so she was going to have her hands full. The Moton’s had a nasty habit of being reckless spenders. She loved her job because she helped her customers. Her specialties included taxes, investment strategies and pension plans. She did her job very well or she wouldn’t be in business. The Rosenzweig’s were easier to deal with, because she had been working with them three years going on four. Regardless of how busy she was going to be this weekend, she was going to enjoy herself, and make sure her clients walked away with the sound financial advice they were coming to her for. ~*~ “Tell me what you think about this?” Mark looked up as Gavin came into the office with a plate in his hand. “What am I trying?” “A bacon avocado sandwich on wheat bread and a chicken avocado club. I am thinking of adding both of them to the menu before the month is out, for a weekly special.” Mark took the plate from his brother. There was hardly any recipe that his younger brother came up with, that didn’t turn into successful addition to the menu. While some recipes flopped, and were quickly removed, with something better put in its place. But more often than 58

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not specials ended up with a permanent home on the menu. Mark looked down at the plate in front of him. The appearance of the sandwiches looked good. By sight alone, he would be tempted to buy it. He picked up the bacon avocado sandwich first and took a bite. A smile instantly came to his face. “This is good. This is very good. Is it applewood bacon?” Gavin nodded. “It is.” Mark sat the sandwich down and picked up the other. Taking a bite of it he found it was just as good as the other sandwich. “I like both of them a lot. Have you tried them on Jeff and Brian?” Gavin shook his head. “No, not yet.” “Well you need to. Both of these sandwiches get my vote, but if there is a tie I will break it. I also want to try to get one of those on the menu by this weekend if at all possible.” Gavin nodded with a smile. “Sounds good to me. It shouldn’t be too hard. We have most of the items for both sandwiches on hand.” Gavin turned to leave the room and Mark stood up. “Did you need something else?” Mark shook his head. “I’m going to get me some soup, pickles, and soda. I might as well have dinner since I’m not getting that much done here.” “Who is she?” He gave his younger brother a quizzical look at the surprising question. Yet, his brother was very intuitive so the question shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Still it was unexpected. “What do you mean?” Gavin’s smile only widened. “It has to be a woman. You haven’t stopped smiling since you walked in the door 59

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earlier.” Mark chuckled not realizing that his excitement was so obvious. There was also no way he could hide his excitement about going out with Cassandra this weekend. The last time he could remember being this excited over a woman it was Tracey. Unfortunately, the relationship with her hadn’t turned out well. Tracey led him to believe that she was a woman she didn’t come close to being. He knew it was something Cassandra wouldn’t do. She couldn’t. The way Troy spoke of his sister to him, Mark believed she was a good woman. From what he could tell of his own personal experience with her, it was true. She had repaid everyone that helped her move, by providing snacks, and a home cooked meal that rivaled his mother’s. He could tell she was very hospitable and truly cared about the feelings of others. He glanced up as Gavin cleared his throat and realized he’d become lost in his thoughts. His younger brother’s expression told him he still awaited an answer to his question. “Well her name is Cassandra and if all goes well you will meet her this weekend.” Gavin smiled. “Cool. Well if she puts a smile on your face I like her.” Mark watched his brother leave his office, somewhat shocked at what he told his brother so easily. He dated Tracey for a year before he thought of bringing her around. Yet everything was different with Cassandra. Something was there, but he couldn’t tell exactly what it was. He knew he had to go about everything in a different way with Cassandra. There was vulnerability there beneath her determined demeanor. Beneath her strong appearance he caught just a glimpse of it when she propositioned him. He could recall 60

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hearing Troy talk about a breakup between Cassandra and her boyfriend several months ago but he didn’t know any details. However he was familiar with painful breakups and what they could do to a person. From what he could tell, he and Cassandra seemed to have a lot in common. The most important thing was she was at a point in her life where she was ready to marry and start a family. Being raised in the family that he had, it was something that was important to him. He could see Cassandra fitting into the mix perfectly. He exhaled heavily when he realized he was getting ahead of himself. It still hadn’t been determined how well-suited he and Cassandra were for each other. However, he planned to find out. He was going to take it this slow, at least as slow as he could. Cassandra didn’t seem to be in any mood to wait. If all went well between the two of them, he couldn’t think of a reason to. His parent’s would be thrilled to finally have grandkids. They hadn’t pushed for any, but he saw how his parent’s melted anytime a child was near. When they were at the restaurant they spent more time at tables that children sat at. His parent’s would make great grandparents. He sighed before heading toward the front of the café and greeted Chad and Tyson. He grabbed a clean bowl and filled it with vegetable soup. The vegetable soup was his favorite of the ones currently on the menu. He grabbed a few pickles and a cup for soda. Once he had everything that he wanted he headed back to the office. Unfortunately, he hadn’t accomplished too much this evening. His mind had been on Cassandra since he had gotten off the phone with her this afternoon. He liked her a lot and looked forward to spending the weekend with her. It was going to be his chance to prove to her that he was the man she was looking for. 61

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He was getting too old to try to stay in the dating game and he didn’t want to be like Jeffery. His younger brother was a flirt even when he wasn’t trying to be. It could be a headache sometimes, but for the most part there hadn’t been any major blow- ups. Mark did notice there seemed to be a higher number of single female patrons when Jeff worked the front of the restaurant. It was times like those that he stood back and watched Jeff personally check on each of them, making sure they were happy with their selection. Jeffery worked miracles with marketing and advertising. They were also at a point where they needed to hire more people. First because they needed the help and second because they wanted to back away from the bistro some. Have a little extra time to enjoy life. When it came to hiring, they had pretty good luck. They had dedicated workers who would go over and beyond to make sure the restaurant was successful. Still, there had been a few employees that hadn’t made it. Pamela had been their recent termination. The poor woman had a lapse of brain function anytime Jeff came around. It got to the point that she would forget important things that could have the bistro shut down for code violations. They had no choice but to let her go. Vicki had been worse. A whole days worth of broccoli cheese soup had been tainted due to her infatuation with his brother. It wouldn’t have been as bad if she hadn’t continued to make the error three days in a row. Jeffery felt so bad that he offered to give his brothers his share of the bistro and walk away. Mark wouldn’t hear of it. It was one of the only times he saw his brother show remorse because of his playboy reputation. Jeffery tried his best to tone down his appeal, but it wasn’t possible. 62

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Instead Jeffery put his talent to use and brought major business to the café. The one thing Mark or his brothers didn’t have to worry about was Jeffery making an error that would jeopardize the restaurant. They all worked hard to build it. It was important to all of them. For some strange reason he had a feeling that Cassandra was going to enjoy the company of Jeffery. She was going to like being in the company of his entire family. He sighed heavily. If he didn’t find a way to get her off of his mind, he wasn’t going to get any work done. He didn’t like to have unproductive days, even if it was for a good reason. Since it was obvious he wasn’t going to get anything done for the next half hour, he took the time to finish his dinner. He was half way finished when his cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID he smiled when he saw Cassandra’s name. He took a deep calming breath to collect him before answering. He had to try to play it cool. No matter how much he wanted her. “Hello.” Wow. He sounded calmer than he felt. “Hi Mark, how are you?” His smiled widened at the sound of her voice. “I’m fine. What are you up to?” She sighed. “Nothing really. I just took a shower. Now I am lying in bed. What are you doing?” He chuckled. “I’m thinking about you and eating dinner.” She laughed. “I ate the rest of the leftover chicken and broccoli earlier.” “Well I’m eating vegetable soup and two new sandwich recipes that Gavin came up with.” She made a sound of pleasure that made his stomach tighten. He could think of another instance where he would like to hear her make it. It was a struggle not to become aroused by the idea. 63

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“Sounds good.” He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “It is.” There was an awkward moment of silence before she spoke again. “Well I just wanted to give you a call and tell you good night.” He asked her a question he had thought about since he found out she would be traveling. “I didn’t ask you earlier if you need a ride to the airport.” He heard her quick intake of breath. “It is very sweet of you to offer. I already have a shuttle scheduled to pick me up both ways.” “Okay then. If you change your mind just let me know.” He heard her hesitate as if she would. Instead she talked to him a few more minutes before saying good night and disconnecting the call. Mark sighed heavily wondering how hard it was going to be to get behind the wall that she erected . It wasn’t going to be easy. But he had to if they were going to go through with her proposal. He meant every word he said about not being just a sperm donor or part-time father. It was a scenario he wouldn’t allow to play out. He finished his dinner. And even though it took him a few minutes, he finally got all of the work that he needed to get done, finished. It was a good thing too, because the last thing he planned on doing this weekend was working more than a few hours…at least at the bistro.

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CHAPTER 5 Cassandra walked into her house and dropped her bags by the front door. She was exhausted from her trip. It had been everything she expected and more. She trudged up the stairs, changed into her pajamas and fell into bed. There had been all out war with the Moton’s. Anneliese and Wesley were irresponsible spenders and she had to battle them on several issues. Anneliese was seven months pregnant and they already had three-year-old Hali. They owned a very successful and profitable restaurant in Hollywood. Still, as she tried to explain to them nothing in this economy was safe and they had to be prepared. The Moton’s needed her advice on how to handle their finances…all of her client’s did or they wouldn’t come to her. She was glad the Moton’s had made major improvements since the last time she consulted with them. Even so, they weren’t all the way there yet. On the other hand she was very proud of Fred and Francesca Rosenzweig. Their spa was world-renowned but their spending habits had been atrocious when she first began working with them. They had two children Kelsey and Kasey fraternal twins who were fast approaching the age of five. The kids were the main reason the couple came to her for advice on their retirement plan. They also wanted to come up with a good way to save up for the twin’s college expenses. She could remember their first expense report they had sent her. The 65

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report had almost given her a heart attack. Thankfully the couple was right on track. However, the trip had been pretty exhausting overall. Yawning she closed her eyes and wished for a good night’s sleep. It was a good night’s sleep. So much so, she overslept. The sound of her cell phone awoke her. She flipped it open unconscious of her movement. “Five more minutes,” she mumbled into it. “You have already taken an extra ten.” Her eyes popped open and she sat up. “Oh My God.” She was starting to pick up a bad habit of answering her phone in her sleep. Somehow she managed to sleep through her alarm, or at least hit the snooze button several times. Hell, she couldn’t remember if she had even set the damned thing. The time indicated on the clock let her know that she had indeed overslept. “Mark. I overslept.” His husky chuckled traveled over the line. “So I see.” “Give me a minute and I will be downstairs.” She hung up the cell phone and jumped out of bed. Racing into the bathroom, she gasped when she spotted her morning reflection in the mirror. Horrible didn’t even begin to describe the way she looked. This was not the impression she wanted to make. He would have plenty of time to see how wild and untamed she looked in the morning. She brushed her teeth before splashing a little water on her face. Grabbing her hairbrush she brushed her feral mane back into a ponytail. Her flight back had lasted longer than she had expected due to weather delays from the plane coming in. She didn’t leave Beverly Hills until midnight. By the time she walked into her house it was almost three in the morning and she had been so exhausted, she fell into bed, barely having enough energy to change. She 66

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dried the excess water off of her face before heading out of her bedroom and half ran downstairs. When she reached the front door she took a deep breath and smiled. She opened the door and her heart automatically skipped a beat at the sight of Mark. He stood on the other side of her door looking extremely sexy. Stepping inside the house he swept her up into his arms. His lips came down on hers briefly and she was glad she had brushed her teeth. There was nothing like a case of morning breath to potentially turn off a man she was getting to know. “Good morning.” He murmured. He kicked the door closed with his foot and she smiled. “It is now. I am sorry that I overslept.” He shifted her in his arms and amazingly held her up with one arm while he locked the door. Mark was a nice sized man, but she was also a nice sized woman. “You have no reason to apologize. I have done it a few times myself. Besides you had a good reason for oversleeping.” He let go of her, allowing her to slide down until she was standing on her own two feet. She automatically missed his touch. She called him throughout her trip just to talk to him. Especially when she sat in her hotel room bored. It was also the reason why he knew she got in late. She had called him right before she boarded her flight to let him know she was on her way home. “So how was your overall trip?” She shot him an amused look. “Interesting but let me get ready. I will tell you about it on the way to breakfast.” He nodded. “Okay we can do that.” She led him into the living room. “Make yourself at home and give me a few minutes to get ready.” With him settled, she dashed back upstairs. Cassandra leaned back against the door the moment she 67

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shut it behind her and breathed in a deep, shaky breath. How in the world was she supposed to get through breakfast when Mark emanated so much temptation? And he knew exactly what he was doing to her. She didn’t have to be convinced that he was a man who knew how to please a woman in bed. She had a feeling he was just as virile. It probably wouldn’t take her long to get pregnant at all and have fun while doing it. There was no doubt in her mind that he would please her. And just thinking about the level of satisfaction she would receive made her weak in the knees. When she thought her unsteady legs could sustain her, she moved away from the door toward the dresser. What she needed more than anything right now was a cold shower. Grabbing a bra and a pair of panties out of the drawer, she headed for the bathroom. Hopefully the shower would cool her off or she was likely to need a pair of refresher panties before breakfast was over. She made good on her promise, getting ready in what was world record time for her. When she returned downstairs he let out a low whistle before getting up to take the small purse out of her hands. “You look beautiful.” She smiled doing a slow circle for him. “Thank you.” She loved her peach mist colored silk chiffon dress. It was her favorite dress stopping a few inches above the knee. The straps were wide enough that she didn’t have to fumble with a strapless bra. Her hair was pulled back with peach colored clips. A peach colored beaded necklace hung from around her neck with the matching earrings dangled from her ears. She had finished the outfit with simple low-heeled sandals. She smiled when Mark inhaled her scent appreciatively. “You smell good as well.” 68

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She tilted her head to the side studying him for a moment. He seemed to pay a lot of attention to small things. Things Spencer hadn’t noticed in the time she dated him. She tried to recall if there was ever a time when Spencer had complimented her on her aroma. With Mark standing in front of her, none of it seemed to matter. The corners of her mouth curled upward. “Thank you again. It is a new fragrance I picked up in Beverly Hills.” “Are you ready,” he asked as he picked up her overnight bag. She nodded. “If you are.” He indicated that he was and she led the way toward the front door. She paused to active the security alarm. It was a very nice alarm system, worth every penny she had spent. A smile appeared on her face when he reached around her and opened the door, once she had. She locked the door from the inside before stepping out and closing the door. It was her turn to whistle. The man had good taste in vehicles. A very nice, expensive SUV sat in her driveway. She knew that it was because one of her clients had one. He definitely wasn’t as cheap as Spencer. Being a financial consultant, she believed in monetary responsibility, but not to the point of being a tightwad. Another point for Mark. “Nice. Very nice.” He smiled before going to the passenger side and opening the door for her. Once she slid in, he closed the door. She watched him place her bags in the cargo area in the rearview mirror. Admiring the wonderful view. The man was absolutely delectable. He walked around to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel. She studied him in silence as they drove. Her mouth curved upward when she saw they were heading for Jack London Square. He found a place for them to park before sliding out of the driver’s seat. She waited as he came around to her 69

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side and opened her door. He was even a gentleman. How was she going to be able to resist him? There must be something wrong with him. A reason as to why she should go through with her proposed plan. If there was, she was having a hard time finding it right now. She allowed him to lead the way into Café Di Bartolo. She could have jumped up and clicked her heels. The café had a cup of coffee to die for. They were seated quickly. When he asked her what she wanted to drink, coffee tumble out of her mouth, followed by water. He gave her that heart-stopping smile again, before placing the order for her. They also ended up with croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, and ham. She told him about her trip while they waited for their food and he listened with interest. True interest. It was something else she never received from Spencer. It made her wonder what all she had gone without, while she wasted her time on Spencer. An hour later she was so stuffed, she was struggling to make it back to the SUV. She was tempted to ask Mark for a piggy back ride but there was no way her dress would keep her decent. Besides, she was a grown woman. Mature women didn’t do that sort of thing did they? Then again they didn’t ask a complete stranger to father their child either. They finally made it to his SUV and she sighed in relief. He laughed as if knowing what her thoughts were. Evidently he did since his next comment hit the nail on the head. “How about we head over to Broadway and go to the Farmer’s Market?” It would be an easy stroll to help her food settle. She nodded and he went around to the driver’s side and got in. Minutes later he was finding a place to park. She had missed the Farmer’s Market. Yes, they had them in 70

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Atlanta, but this one represented comfort and familiarity. It was a nice place to pick up fresh vegetables, breads, and cheese. She also bought some handmade jewelry and pottery from the sellers at the market whenever she came in the past. Mark took her hand in his. They began making their way down Broadway. She liked the feel of his hand surrounding hers. The simple gesture made her feel protected, appreciated. They did more looking than shopping, but she ended up purchasing a clay pot she knew her mother would love and some Asiago cheese for Troy. At the last minute she picked up some seven-grain artisan bread that she liked. Mark only bought eggplants. She almost flinched at the sight but controlled herself. Eggplants weren’t her favorite vegetable to say the least. By the time they made it back to his SUV, she was ready for a nap. When she climbed inside she saw why. They had spent a little under two hours at the market. She placed her head on the headrest and closed her eyes. It was going to be a struggle to stay awake during the journey to his home. She hoped he didn’t live far. “This is a very nice vehicle,” she stated when he got in on the driver’s side. She saw him smiled. “I am glad you think so.” He drove in the direction of his house and she wondered if she was going to like it. He seemed to have good taste in everything else. The thought made her pause. He had his own home so he was obviously established. The problem was she had just purchased one herself. How would it work out if this did become serious between them? Would she have to give up her brand new home? Was he prepared to give up his? She knew it would be feasible for them to have a child together and have two separate households. But deep down she knew if 71

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they were together it wouldn’t make sense. It only made sense that they raise their child in the same household. Besides, she was certain he wouldn’t agree to it. She paused at the thought closing her eyes and leaning back against the headrest. She was already making reference to the child as being theirs. It became hard to breathe when another thought crossed her mind. Would he want to get married? She stifled a sigh realizing this could become more complicated than she originally thought it could. Issues that frightened her, but she could avoid them. They were issues she had been willing to consider with Spencer. Why not contemplate them with Mark? Several minutes later they reached his home. She felt him shut off the engine but her eyes remained closed. It had been a long day. Between that and her business trip, she was worn out. She was actually close to falling asleep. It was going to be hard to convince her body to cooperate long enough for her to make it inside the home. Mark called her name softly, touching the side of her face as he did so. She leaned into his touch before slowly opening her eyes, looking directly into his. She didn’t resist as he leaned over to place a kiss on her lips. When he pulled back a short time later, she sat up. She looked outside the window to break away from the intensity of his gaze. She couldn’t stop her mouth from dropping open at the sight before her. “Is this your house?” He laughed. “Yes it is.” She was out of the SUV in a flash. It took her a few minutes to take the whole house in. Or rather she should say the mansion because the house definitely looked like one. She turned on her heel giving him a skeptical look. “You live here by yourself?” He nodded. “For the exception of family and friends 72

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who come over and stay on occasion, I stay here by myself.” Opening the door to the cargo area, he pulled out all of the bags, and led the way up the stairs, leading to the entrance of his house. He opened the door and deactivated the alarm. Cassandra was still speechless. The first glance of the inside seemed to be just as magnificent of the outside. He looked over at her and chuckled. “Tell you what, let me put everything away, then I will give you a tour.” She nodded slowly, still in a daze at the sight before her. Half of her attention went to him as he sat her bag of clothes on the couch before continuing on into the kitchen. She followed him, trying to take in everything. It was almost overwhelming. He put away the food they had purchased at the market. The clay pot sat on the counter. She would have to figure out a place to put it so it wouldn’t be in the way for the next few days. With everything put away, Mark offered her his hand. She took it and he began to give her a tour of him home. He started with the kitchen since they were already in it. She ran her hands over the island, jealousy surging through her. If she had one like this she would never leave it. Her kitchen was similar but not as spectacular. He had a wet bar and lots more space. He made a half circle going into the dining room. She had never seen a table so long in a house before. It looked like it belonged in a castle. It was probably necessary though because between his family and friends there wasn’t any space left at the table. The fact that there were two of the same exact tables made it seem even more unreal. They retraced their steps and he took her back through the kitchen, but he kept going straight taking her 73

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into his formal living room. Pictures of his family lined the walls and sat over the fireplace. She was curious, noticing he and his brothers favored each a lot in the looks department but there were subtle differences. He kept walking and led her into another living room. This was his casual living room and it had a very masculine feel to it. “This is my favorite room because it leads to the back yard.” She stood aside while he moved the blinds aside, before opening the door. A gasp escaped her before she could stop it. She loved the set up of his back yard. The pool was massive along with the Jacuzzi nestled next to it. The patio seemed to extend out endlessly and it was partially covered. Several patio tables line the patio as well as a massive barbeque grill. It was a nice place to have a party or a simple gathering. The amazing thing was that there was still a lot of space. He pulled her back inside. “Let me show you something really incredible.” She looked at him with wide eyes. “What you have shown me so far isn’t?” He smiled and pulled her back into the living room. Shutting the patio door he led her past the fireplace where another glass door sat. He opened the door and led her into another back yard. It wasn’t as big and nothing sat in it. The question must have shown in her face. “This is the back yard I hope my kids will play in one day. There will be a swing set, sand pit, and anything else they want.” She brought her hand to her mouth. The main reason was it meant Mark had given thought to having a family way before he met her. The second reason was because he seemed to want to raise any kids he had there. That gave 74

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her pause. She didn’t know if she was willing to give up the home she just purchased. It took her so long to find it. The house was perfect for her. The anxiety she felt gave her pause. Did this mean she wasn’t ready to have a child like she originally thought she was, or did it mean she wasn’t ready to have a baby with him? Yet, for some strange reason she felt calm about the entire situation. She didn’t feel the need to worry about having a child with Mark. Somehow she just knew it was going to happen and when it did it would all work out. They were both intelligent and rational people. “What do you think?” She turned and looked at him. “I think it is a wonderful idea.” He nodded. “Good, let’s finish with our tour than we can talk.” By the time he pulled her into the last room, she knew her reference to his home as being a mansion was very accurate. The house had seven rooms and six-in-ahalf bathrooms. Seven bedrooms? The man would never run out of space. She laughed to herself when she thought about his bedroom. What she knew for certain was that her bedroom would fit into her his about two-in-a half times. She wasn’t even going to mention his bathroom. It was mind-boggling. He looked down at his watch. “We have three hours to kill. What would you like to do up until then?” She gave him a mischievous grin before responding. “Sleep.” He laughed and shook his head. She knew it was the last thing he had expected her to suggest. But she was tired. So exhausted she was having a hard time putting together a rational thought. From past experience she knew she needed to rest and soon. Otherwise she might 75

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start drooling. She was grateful when he nodded. “Okay. We can go back to the living room get your things, bring them up to the bedroom, then we can take a nap.” She nodded agreeing to the plan and followed him back through the house. Her goal was to not get lost if she was navigating his house by herself, so she tried to memorize the layout. When they reached her bags in the living room she was certain she did a good job. They went back to his bedroom. He showed her the closet and dresser she could use. Both were completely empty. She knew if she moved in with him it would probably be hers indefinitely. The thought shocked her. She just bought her house. Yet she was already contemplating giving it up, and over a closet space. What was wrong with her? She was moving entirely too fast into this entire situation. Maybe this was the reason she chose the sperm bank in the first place. She definitely wouldn’t have to worry about giving up her home, not to mention potential custody issues. She didn’t think about the complications of the relationship aspect. Closing her eyes, she tried to take a deep calming breath. This was a scary scenario. She didn’t think she would feel so comfortable about all of this so quickly. It was six months before she had stayed an entire night with Spencer. Another six before she allowed him to use space at her apartment. Yet, here she was putting her cloths in the personal space of a man she had only known for a week. Not to mention spending the entire weekend with him. Opening her eyes, she tried not to panic at the seriousness of everything. She wanted this and she wanted it with Mark. That was the reason she approached him, but it also scared the heck out of her. This was why she 76

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never acted impulsively. She was a strong woman, yet she was standing here, nearly shaking like a leaf. She just had to be calm and everything would be okay. She put her clothes away feeling as if she were staying the rest of her life, not just one night, although she was starting to want to stay longer. The more time she spent him, the more natural things would probably seem. It already felt as if she had known Mark a lot longer than a week just by having breakfast and spending time with him in Jack London Square. She learned a lot of things about him like the fact that he was a big fan of the Oakland Raiders. He also had an uncanny way of making her laugh and relax. His favorite color was green. His favorite fruit was oranges and the list went on. She knew he had been tested for sexually transmitted diseases, as she had, after each of their last relationships because of the infidelity of their prior partners. They both had a clean bill of health and took hygiene seriously. He in turn learned a lot about her as well. Almost everything there was to know except for her history with Spencer. She wasn’t ready to go there yet. At some point she knew she would have to. It would just help if it weren’t this weekend. There was already a lot on her mind. She planned to enjoy herself for the rest of the day, like she did this morning, and go from there. There was nothing on her agenda that would keep her from being able to spend the weekend with him, because she left her weekend open as soon as he made the suggestion last week. She placed her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. She opened her bag and her eyes widened when she realized she didn’t pack anything to sleep in. The nightgown she was supposed to have packed, was still sitting on the edge of the bed. In her haste to get ready she 77

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must have missed it. She groaned in embarrassment. “What’s wrong?” She looked at Mark and hoped her panic didn’t show in her expression. His concern was thoughtful, but she could imagine what he was going to think when she told him her dilemma. “I forgot to pack something to sleep in.” The look that appeared on his face almost made her back up. She had never seen an expression of such blatant desire. When he finally spoke, she held her breath in anticipation of what he was going to say. “I would love to say that is a bad thing but I don’t see how it is.” She felt heat traveling up her neck and was glad for her dark skin tone because it would hide most of her embarrassment. Still she brought her hand up to her throat and tried to face him with more bravado than she felt. “I normally don’t sleep in the nude.” She blinked in surprise at how sturdy her voice was because inside she was trembling. She considered herself to be a sexually confident woman, but his gaze made her wonder just how much she really knew. “With a body like yours I think you should.” She stared at him for a moment realizing he was going to challenge her in every way that she hoped he would. “You haven’t seen enough of my body to make that decision.” His eyes darkened so much that eyes, which were normally, light blue were darkening to a hue she couldn’t describe. “Trust me, Cassie, I have seen enough of your body to know there is nothing but perfection underneath your dress. Flawlessness I can’t wait to explore every inch of.” She felt her thighs tremble and desire surged through 78

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her so strongly that one touch from him might be all it would take. He stared at her another moment, his eyes roaming her body. For a short time, she thought he was going to make good on his promise. She quelled her sigh of disappointment as he turned away. Dropping her face into her hands, she willed her desire to go away. Mark made a noise and when she looked up he was heading in her direction with a T-shirt. She took it from him, trying to disguise the trembling in her hand. Never could she recall being this affected. “If you need some privacy feel free to use the bathroom.” She nodded and placed the shirt on the bed. “Thank you.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed she slipped her sandals off before putting them in a spot she wouldn’t trip over trying to get out of bed if she needed to. The way her thighs were still quivering, it just might happen. Standing back up she reached for her zipper. When she reached the halfway mark the straps began to slide off her shoulders. She heard Mark’s sharp intake of breath. “Lord woman.” Turning her head to the side, she looked at him over her shoulder. Her gaze met his. Heat flared up in his eyes and he closed them briefly. When he reopened his eyes he moved toward her. She closed her own eyes when he stopped behind her. His hands came up and gripped her shoulders. He pulled her into him wrapping his arms around her middle. “You feel good in my arms.” She leaned her head back against his chest and closed her eyes. It felt good to be in his arms. As turned on as she was, she felt comforted. She lifted her head when he pulled away from her. He turned her around before 79

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reaching behind her. She stood perfectly still as he undid the zipper the rest of the way. His eyes didn’t leave hers, even when her dress fell around her ankles. He leaned closer to her, but instead of pushing her back onto the bed, he reached behind her. When he straightened, he had his T-shirt in his hand. He helped her into the shirt, not uttering one word the entire time. Pulling her close again, he placed a brief kiss on her forehead before stepping away. He drew back the covers and she climbed in, when he indicated for her to do so. She watched as he walked around to the other side of the bed. He sat down and took off his shoes and placed them aside before pulling his shirt over his head. His rippling muscles should have caught her attention, but she was distracted by something else. She frowned slightly as she continued to study him. “You cut your hair.” He turned and faced her before smiling. “Yes I did. Not much though. I normally don’t let my hair get as long as it was.” She reached out and touched it. It was still curly like it had been when she had first seen him, but not as much. His hair felt as nice and soft as it looked. When she pulled her hand back, he stood up and unbuttoned his jeans. It was her turn to inhale sharply. The man had a nice butt. Heck he had a nice body period. One that looked like it required an everyday weight workout to maintain. He placed his clothes aside in a neat stack before turning to join her in the bed. Her eyes widened. The front was just as impressive, if not more than the back. He slid into the bed beside her and she smiled. “Are we actually going to sleep?” He nodded. “Yes we are. I think we both need a nap right now.” Just when she went to contradict him she yawned. 80

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Her body was starting to shut down. She wasn’t going to be able to stay awake much longer. “I guess you are right,” she murmured after she finished yawning. Rolling onto her side she closed her eyes. He pulled her back into his body and she smiled. His erection was very obvious—very impressive. The fact that he was aroused but didn’t act upon the urge only improved his image in her eyes. Something about being in his arms gave her a sense of comfort to the extent that she fell asleep within minutes of closing her eyes.

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CHAPTER 6 He knew the exact moment she fell asleep. Her breathing deepened and she relaxed completely in his arms. She was a good woman. A lot of things he wanted in a woman, he was finding in her. Still, he wanted to know what she was keeping from him. Looking into her eyes told him there was more to her wanting to have a baby than what she had told him. He planned on finding out what it was. The last thing he wanted was for their relationship to end up like his and Tracey’s. Cassandra was nothing like Tracey as far as personality and goals. To be truthful, Tracey and Cassandra were nothing alike. But their relationship had started out with Tracey having secrets and it eventually put an end to their relationship. If he and Cassandra were going to be together, he wanted to know for sure that she was willing to put it all on the line to make it work out between them. He looked down as she shifted in his arms. Her hand came up and stopped right over his heart. The gesture was soothing to him. So much so, he had to blink at the image that appeared in his mind. The image of Cassandra pregnant, in his embrace with his hand on her round stomach appeared so vividly; he had to look down 82

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to make sure that it wasn’t reality. He laughed at himself when he saw it wasn’t. It was definitely time for him to go to sleep. He was delirious. Also the sooner he went to sleep, the sooner he would be able to show Cassandra her surprise. Something told him her response would be one he would never forget. He closed his eyes and it didn’t take him long to fall asleep, but he didn’t sleep long. He came awake slowly, noticing that he and Cassandra were in the same position they had fallen asleep in. She was beautiful. He also couldn’t help but notice how relaxed she looked. A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand told him, he had slept longer than he thought. He almost hated to wake her, because he knew she hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep last night, but they didn’t have long to get ready for tonight. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. “Cassie, it is time to get up.” She moaned and rolled over, before placing the pillow over her head. Mark laughed but it still didn’t rouse her. “I can see how you can oversleep now. You sleep like a rock.” He enjoyed watching her sleep, but he needed to wake her up. He would like to be at the restaurant at least an hour or two before the dinner rush. His entire family was going to be there so that they could meet Cassandra. Actually his entire family was going to be there to run Courtlandt’s but seeing Cassandra was a big part of it. He wanted to let her know who he was as a person as a whole so that she knew what she was getting herself into. She would get to spend uninterrupted time with his entire family. If she was still standing by the end of the visit she was the one for him. His family was known to get a little out of hand at times, but they always enjoyed themselves 83

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and they were friendly. He called her name again in his normal tone of voice. She stirred again but she didn’t wake up. Shaking his head, he wondered if he was going to have to be the one who got up in the middle of the night when the kids needed attention. Deep down, something told him he wouldn’t have to. He moved closer to her leaning down so that his mouth was directly next to her ear. “Wake up sleepy head. It is time to practice baby making.” He smiled when her eyes popped open instantly. “What?” she mumbled sleepily. He slapped her on her rear end playfully loving the way it contoured to his hand. Her body was magnificent and he couldn’t wait to explore every inch of it. “I said it’s time to get up woman. We have a little over an hour to get ready.” She rolled over to face him. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. He felt lucky to have a woman like her interested in him. “Where are we going?” He winked. “It’s a surprise.” She rolled her eyes and he smiled at her obvious displeasure of another surprise. He had a feeling she wasn’t going to be as happy about this surprise as she was about the one he had for her this morning. “If you don’t tell me where we are going how am I supposed to know what to wear?” He gave her a look to let her know he wasn’t going to fall for her scheme. “I didn’t tell you where we were going this morning, but you still managed to look very beautiful.” “You told me we were going to breakfast so I had an idea…” He laughed as he sat up and shook his head. She was 84

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good but he was better. He knew she would haggle him until she got the answer she was looking for, but he wasn’t going to give it to her. He had an idea of how she would react if she knew the plan before hand. “I tell you what. We are going to dinner so wear something like what you had on this morning and you will be just fine.” She huffed impatiently and he smiled before getting out of bed. “You can use my bathroom. I will use the one down the hall.” “We can share your bathroom. I don’t take up that much space.” He had no idea what made her suggest the idea, but she did and he was okay with it. Yes, he had shared the bathroom with Tracy but it had been more mechanical than anything. She looked at him when he laughed at the thought of using the words mechanical to describe anything in his relationship. That should have been a clue. He turned his attention back to her and he gave her a once over. “Yes it looks like we will both fit just fine,” he replied teasingly. He automatically ducked after he said it. A pillow landed behind him grazing his back as it went. He straightened up with his eyebrows raised. The pillow had been right on target. “Good throw.” She was still standing by the bed and gave him a mock bow. “Thank you. I had plenty of practice on Troy as we were growing up.” He laughed before turning around and heading into the bathroom. By the time she made it herself, he was inside and had the shower going full stream. He watched her placed her toiletry bag on the counter and pulled out the items she needed. He had to wipe his expression of 85

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surprise off his face, as she undressed quickly, before reaching back inside the bag she pulled out her loofah sponge and clipped her hair up onto the top of her head. She reached for the shower door then stepped inside. He was facing her. Waiting for her. He pulled her close to him and gave her a kiss that left her breathless. “So are we saving time or water,” she questioned when he pulled back. He gave her a wicked smile; glad she decided to join him in the shower. Now that he had her naked and wet it was going to be a while before he released her. “Neither.” Cassandra laughed at his answer. It stayed with her until she fell breathlessly out of the shower twenty minutes later. Her skin was wrinkled yet flushed. It was going to take a ton of lotion to get make herself presentable before they walked out the door. Luckily Francesca and Fred had supplied her with one of their rejuvenating skin creams before she left. She wrapped the towel around her body as she made her way back into the bedroom. When he joined her several minutes later, she had already put on her undergarments. The more she had on around him the better. “Do all of your panties and bra’s match?” She smiled shaking her head. “No, but most of them do.” She looked up at him and almost swallowed her tongue. He had the towel wrapped around his waist, but his body still glistened with water. Broad shoulders gave way to a muscular chest, tapered waist, and abs she could scrub clothes on. Her gaze made its way to his feet. He even had nice feet. If she had known the men in California were made like this, she would have ventured this way a long time ago. Then again, even in the short time since she had been back home, she realized Mark was one of a 86

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kind. She closed her eyes before counting to ten to keep from throwing down her towel and snatching his off. These thoughts had never crossed her mind with Spencer. She could never recall a time when she fought her hormones to keep her hands off of him. Maybe in the beginning but that phase hadn’t lasted long. Then again Spencer didn’t have a body anything like Mark’s. It was taking everything she had to keep from attacking Mark. Maybe it was why the lovemaking had been mediocre with Spencer. She knew it wasn’t going to be that way with Mark. As a matter of fact, it was probably going to be so hot, both of them were going to get scorched. She could still feel the signs of arousal in her body and tried to clear her head before she got into trouble. After putting the skin cream away, she wiped the excess on the towel before going to the closet and pulling her heart print halter style dress out of the closet. The dress was white with red hearts and went very well with her red open toe, ankle wrap sandals that she wore with it. It was normally reserved for Valentine’s Day but this was just as good of an occasion as any. She untied the material around the neck of the dress before she stepped into it and pulled it up into place. When she was finished she walked over to the mirror, to make certain her bra wasn’t showing. After everything was found to be satisfactory, she sat back down on the bed. She slid her feet into her sandals, then began to wrap the laces up her calves tying a dainty little bow to the back. Looking over at Mark she paused. He was getting dressed but his eyes were on her. “Why are you looking at me like that?” 87

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He smiled his secretive smile. “You will find out later I promise.” She wanted to stump her foot in frustration because she wasn’t used to being kept in the dark. She also wasn’t used to people not telling her what the plan was. Everyone knew she liked to know exactly what she was going to do. Spencer had always told her exactly what to expect. Then again that is probably why the relationship almost bored her to tears. Mark was doing a good job of keeping her on edge. She had ways of making him talk, but a glance at him told her she didn’t want to use them. Their first time together wouldn’t be rushed. Instead she decided to trust him and concentrated on getting completely ready. The last thing she did was her make-up. She laughed. The word make-up was a far stretch from what she really did. There was a container of blush, a tube of lip-gloss, two tubes of lipstick, and a compact of foundation for the days she felt like going all out. However she took pride in her appearance. It made her feel better. Tonight she was going to keep it light. Giving herself one last glance in the mirror again, she smiled. She was happy with the end result. Gathering up her bag she headed back into the bedroom. Mark was sitting on the bed tying the laces on his shoes. The man looked good in a dress shirt and pants. Then again he looked good in anything and probably even better in nothing. For a full minute Cassandra was speechless, too awed to form any kind of coherent words. It was hard to believe that this was the man with whom, until several days ago, she had no idea even existed. Now they were potentially about to share a lot more than two people who had known each other for such a short amount of time, typically would. She knew she should considering slowing down, 88

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should suggest to him to slow down, but she wouldn’t. The more she thought about the idea of sharing a child with Mark, the more she wanted it. Her heart raced, as she stood fixed in place. Mark, however, seemed rather at ease, unerringly calm, as he finished getting ready. “I take it you had a nice nap?” She blinked upon realizing he spoke. She glanced across the room at him and felt a sweet longing assault her body. The man was simply stunning and emanated a level of sensuality that should be forbidden. He was wearing an expensive tailored shirt with a pair of dark slacks. He was tall and lean. His shoulders were broad and his hips narrow. What a body! She didn’t want to think about that same body, naked and in bed with her, flesh to flesh. Not now. They wouldn’t make it out of the house if she did. “Cassandra?” It was then she realized she hadn’t answered his question. She pulled in a rather shaky sigh. “Yes, I did. I needed a little extra after my late night. What about you?” He stood beside the bed. His shoulders and his feet were braced apart, again making her even more aware of what a gorgeous man he was and what a fine body he had. He was in great shape and she would indubitably find out just how great later on tonight. “The same. I’m pretty well rested.” Cassandra swallowed. Was he giving her a warning? His expression was hard to make out and she couldn’t tell by his eyes what he was thinking. She needed to get out of here before she lost total control. Walking over to her overnight bag she put her toiletry bag inside of it before picking up her purse. “I will wait for you downstairs.” He nodded and she went downstairs. She made her way to the second living room he had given her a tour of 89

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and sat down on the couch. Her gaze went to the patio door that led out into the yard where their kids would play. She placed her purse aside and walked toward the door. It was going to be a nice refuge. She could imagine a log cabin or a castle, maybe both, one for the boys and one for the girls. That gave her pause since she was talking about having multiple children. Mark still hadn’t given her a time frame on when he would like to start trying. If time and age only allowed for one child she would be disappointed but she would deal with it. Either way she was going to enjoy it whenever the time came along. She turned away from the door and smiled. There was a shelf she had been too preoccupied earlier to pay attention to. It had several frames with photos on it. She stepped closer to the shelf and chuckled. The frames held pictures of what she could only assume were his family and friends. She recognized a picture of Mark and Troy with their heads together working on putting a bike together. If she wasn’t mistaken it was Kevin’s bike. He rode it as much as he could. Seeing the picture made her smile and wonder about all of the gadgets and toys that would need to be put together in the future. The thought reminded her that they hadn’t had their conversation about children earlier. Maybe they could have it on the way to wherever it was they were going. It just might prove to be the distraction she needed. She looked closer at the pictures, slowly able to determine Mark’s family. There was a recent picture of his parents. She was able to tell by his father’s statue and hair. Mark had his mother’s eyes as well as her smile. All three of his brothers had their mother’s eyes and smile. “Are you ready to go?” Turning to look at Mark, she smiled. He looked like 90

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he had walked right off the cover of a magazine. “Yes I am handsome.” She walked toward him and he offered his hand to her. He drew her toward the garage and she gasped. The man had three vehicles in his garage. He had the SUV he drove earlier. It was parked next to a midsized luxury sedan and a sporty looking car. Just how much money did Mark and his brother’s make? Earlier he told her that he invested as well and her fingers were itching to look at his portfolio. Not because she wanted to know how much money he had, but because she was turned on by a man who knew how to manage his finances wisely. He pulled her from her thoughts as he led the way to the sedan. She was starting to realize there were many sides to Mark. The most surprising thing was she wanted to get to know all of those sides. Deep down she was still a little indecisive about how involved she wanted to get with Mark. She knew any decision she made from here on out would be an important one. He opened the door and she slid into a leather seat. When he went around to his side she watched him, unable to take her eyes off of him. Wondering if it was healthy to want a person as much as she wanted him. He slid behind the wheel and the combination of his state of dress and his being behind the wheel almost made her want to see what he was made of right there. Instead she reached for her seat belt and fastened it. The engine purred to life and he let the garage up before backing out of the driveway. She was silent for a moment, just sitting back enjoying the scenery as they drove by. It was distraction she needed. Her mind went blank of everything except for where they were going. “The suspense is killing you isn’t it?” She looked over at him and saw that he was smiling. 91

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She rolled her eyes at him. “You know it is. I don’t know why you even asked.” She heard him laugh before his hand reach out and enclose itself around hers. He brought it to his lips and placed a kiss on it. She felt the gesture all the way to her toes and had to fight back a moan of pleasure. “Tell me something about your life in Atlanta.” She shrugged her shoulders. “In all reality I didn’t realize how boring and simple it was until now. All I did was work.” “Why is that?” She knew the answer without even having to think about it. “I didn’t have a reason not to.” His smiled widened as he looked over at her giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Hopefully I can change that.” “You already have,” she told him. During the entire trip her thoughts kept drifting to him. It was the first time she mixed thoughts of pleasure with business. The Moton’s and the Rosenzweig’s had found it interesting for her to do business with a smile on her face the entire time, but neither couple questioned it. They just kept watching her with gazes of intrigue. If they met Mark, there would be no doubt as to why. “Tell me about your life out here in California?” He laughed. “Well, I can tell you work is fun for me, but my family makes my life even better. My family is a riot. Although, they can be a little rambunctious.” Mark paused as they came to a busy intersection that required all of his attention. “I am the oldest of four boys. We are all talented and business oriented in our own way. Jeffery handles our marketing and advertising. He is probably the most people oriented person out of all of us.” Mark smiled. “Too much sometimes. Brian is our 92

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accountant, but trust me, his personality doesn’t fit the profession. He just likes to pretend like it does. As a complete stranger if you get more than five words out of him you are doing good. But after you get him warmed up, it’s hard to stop him from talking.” His smile widened. “Last but not least there is Gavin. He is our chef and has been since he was a little kid. Gavin was the one in the kitchen helping my mom, learning everything he could from her. He took his passion to culinary school.” Mark sighed. “Sometimes I feel guilty about keeping him at the restaurant, but Gavin loves it and wouldn’t go anywhere else even if I tried to make him. Gavin is probably the friendliest, yet the shyest out of all of us. He prefers to stay in the kitchen if he can.” He laughed. “If we have a customer that does complain, between Gavin and Jeffery the customer will walk away happy. In some cases they keep coming back.” She chuckled. “You and your brothers sound like a handful.” He winked at her. “There are times when we are.” She shook her head and he saw it. “What is it?” She sighed. “Just wondering if you are really as perfect as you seem.” He grinned. “So you think I’m perfect?” She rolled her eyes at his ego before shrugging her shoulders. “Right now I do. But I’m sure I will find a chink or two in that armor of yours.” His smile widened. “Would you like for me to tell you what they are, or would you like to guess?” She would have replied but they reached their destination and her eyes narrowed. They were pulling into the parking lot of a short row of restaurants. She was 93

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struck at how nice the outside of the businesses looked. They even had several tables out front that patron’s seemed to take advantage of on the nice cool day. She looked over at him and became alarmed at his body language. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “What is going on?” He smiled. “Forever suspicious aren’t you?” She had never been this close to screaming out loud as a grown woman. By some miracle she was able to bite her tongue and remain silent as Mark got out of the car. He went around to her side before opening the door. He helped her out of the car then reached into the back seat and pulled out his briefcase. She stared at the bag suspiciously wondering what he was up to. He turned and looked at her but she didn’t move. Her mind was racing a mile a minute. Why was he bringing a briefcase to dinner? Did he have something he wanted to discuss with her? Had he drawn up a contract of sorts? She had no idea what to think. “Are you coming, Cassie?” Her throat constricted, leaving her unable to speak. What was she supposed to say when she wasn’t sure she wanted to be on the receiving end of this surprise? She sucked in a deep breath and looked up at him. “Have you changed your mind?” Utter surprise appeared within his expression. “Of course not. It is the exact opposite. If you come with me you will find out exactly how much.” The sincerity in his features told her she didn’t have to worry. She released a pent up breath and reached for his hand. He led her to the entrance of one of the bistros. She froze when she realized it was his restaurant. He grip was stronger and he managed to get her inside before she could back peddle. This was not the sort of surprise she 94

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suspected. As soon as they entered the café, it became clear to her that whatever was going on, it had been planned. He introduced her to some of the staff. They were nice people and she could see why Courtlandt’s was successful as it was. He finally pulled her away and led her through the kitchen and her heart stood still. She stood face-to-face with all of the people she had seen in pictures less than half an hour ago. She pulled him back out the door on impulse. When Mark turned to look at her he was smiling. She groaned. “Please don’t tell me this is your surprise.” He nodded, his expression full of mischief. “I’m afraid so.” She shook her head. “And you wondered why I only wanted your sperm.” Laughter came from behind the door and her eyes widened. They could hear everything she was saying. Suddenly her eyes narrowed and she reached around him to push open the door. “If you don’t mind this is a private conversation.” The laughter on the inside of the room died, but the laughter behind her started. She closed the door again and turned to face the man who was currently driving her insane. “I don’t see what’s so funny about this.” When he didn’t stop laughing she rolled her eyes in frustration and held out her hand. “Give me the keys please.” Mark shook his head and sat his briefcase down. She saw him making a conscious effort to control his laughter. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms. She resisted at first but finally went. His voice was low when he spoke. “I am sorry to surprise you like this but I knew you 95

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wouldn’t agree if I came right out and told you.” She rolled her eyes giving him an exasperated look. “You are right. Don’t you think meeting your family is a little serious especially this early on?” His eyebrows rose. Even she realized the irony of her statement. She had asked him to father her child in less than twenty-four hours of meeting him. Could it get more serious than that? He pressed a light kiss on her forehead. “We are on a time limit in case you have forgotten? I wanted to make sure you feel comfortable with my family before I impregnate you.” She almost growled at his rational. She knew he was very close to his family, but he was taking her words and using them against her. It got under her skin. “You could have warned me so I could have time to prepare.’ He shook his head. “I didn’t want that. I want you to be yourself.” She shivered at the intense look he gave her. It felt as if he were trying to stare into her soul. “Never feel you have to be something you aren’t around my family or me. You are who you are and that will never change.” She dropped her head against his chest. If only she had known how serious Mark had been when he said he wanted a package deal. The scarier thing was that as nervous as she was it still didn’t make her want to call this off. She was just a little out of her element. Lifting her head she looked up at him. “Tell me one thing.” He smiled. “Okay.” “Are there any more surprises?” She panicked when he remained silent for a moment. Her stomach dropped when he spoke. “You are going to 96

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be spending the next four or five hours with my family.” He paused again. “Most of it will be you yourself.” She couldn’t help it when the room began to spin. When Mark called her name it sounded far away. She wasn’t even completely aware when she gave way in a dead faint.

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CHAPTER 7 Cassandra moaned and pushed away from Mark. She never fainted in her life until now. With her luck his family probably thought she was already pregnant. She hoped it was a topic that didn’t come up tonight. She was embarrassed enough that they overheard her statement. Now she had to top it off by fainting. She felt dizzy again just thinking about it. “I am fine,” she muttered as he leaned closer to her. The truth was it felt nice to be in his arms and she didn’t want him to let her go but she knew she was holding him up. He confessed there was a little work he needed to complete because he had been too distracted last night to finish it. She also knew his family was waiting impatiently to talk to her. “Okay then. We might as well get this over with.” He gave her the intense stare he was becoming infamous for before nodding. She pursed her lips for a quick kiss and he obliged her. He picked up the brief case again before pushing the door open. She walked back into the kitchen behind Mark, feeling as if she was facing the firing squad head on. The only way she could handle this situation was without fear, even if she was shaking like a freaking leaf on the inside. She rubbed her hands together in anticipation that she really was feeling. “Okay, we all know what we are here for, so who would like to be interrogated first?” 98

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While everyone was in shock of her boldness, Brian took advantage smiling and stepping forward. “I will volunteer to go first.” She smiled when she remembered what Mark told her about him. Deep down she was glad that he volunteered it would put her somewhat at ease. Her eyes found Mark’s and he winked at her. Stepping forward she locked arms with him. “Let’s go out into the sitting area. It looks like we might have some privacy out there.” Brian laughed as they walked out of the kitchen. “I like your sense of humor. You will need one with our family.” They found an empty table and he pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. The man she was looking at was very similar in looks to Mark. She had discovered that by looking at the photos earlier, but seeing the men in person only emphasized the point. From what she had seen, Brian had short hair and was thinner in build. He had a thin goatee. Brian must have liked her because he said more than five words to her. What she liked about him was they had a real conversation. He told her as much about himself as she told him about herself. The conversation was detailed but didn’t last long, because Jeffery walked over and insisted that it was his turn. She hugged Brian and thanked him for the conversation. When Jeffery sat down she knew she was in for it. He was definitely the right man for the marketing and advertising. He could probably talk the average person into buying their own car back. Not that she was the average person. Physically he was probably the closest in resemblance to Mark but there were still a lot of differences. She was amused by his charming personality. It was easy to see it came naturally for him. It was in his system and it was inevitable. He was a good man with a 99

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sense of humor that kept her laughing. She liked Jeff. Dennis came up to the table next and she felt her first true round of nervousness. She had been with Spencer for a year, before she had been introduced to his family. It had been difficult to impress his family. Spencer had even insisted she bring along her portfolio. At the time she had laughed because she thought he had been kidding. But it turned out he had been serious. Talking to Mr. Courtlandt she didn’t feel that pressure at all. She felt like she could truly be herself and it put her at ease. She was also able to see where the Mark and Jeffery got their sense of humor. Unfortunately she lost hers when Sally came up to the table. She had it back a moment later but the conversation soon turned serious. There was only one question she really had for Mark’s mother. “What do you think about your son dating a black woman?” Sally only smiled. “My son has dated outside of his race before. We live in California and have lived here all of our lives. We have come across people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter to any of us that you are of a different race than my son. What does matter is that you are a good woman of good character.” Sally patted her hand reassuringly. “From what I can tell you are. So I will leave you to my last son and I look forward to seeing you again.” Sally stood up and embraced her and Cassandra could not fight her need to smile. Never would she have guessed she would be hugging Mark’s mother and truly feeling like a part of his family. Gavin was the last to come out and meet her. He looked tired but he was smiling. “It is nice to meet you. I hope I don’t seem rushed, but I have to get the kitchen ready for the dinner rush.” She nodded as she studied. Gavin’s hair was a little 100

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longer than Brian’s but not long enough to curl like Mark’s. He was also long and lanky looking. She would have easily figured him to be an Olympic swimmer instead of a chef. “I understand and I won’t keep you.” By the time she finished talking to Gavin, she realized all of the Courtlandt men were similar in personalities as well. They all had an infectious sense of humor. Even Gavin. Dennis and Sally were also a riot. She could see why Mark and his brother’s were so well rounded. What surprised her was that a woman hadn’t snatched any of them up. It wasn’t from the lack of trying because business had picked up, and a lot of the patrons were women. Jeffery and Brian were the most popular. If Mark had been up front, he would probably be just as popular. Even Gavin had a woman approach him on his way back to the kitchen. He was so oblivious to it that it was unreal. She could also see why it would be hard for a woman to snatch the men up. The amount of time and effort the guys put into running a sandwich bistro was amazing to her. It would probably also be hard for them to find a woman actually interested in them as a person, not just a successful business man to take them on their next shopping spree. She exhaled heavily. Interrogating the Courtlandt’s had been exhausting but it wasn’t enough to curb her hunger. Mark had Gavin make her a bacon avocado club sandwich and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup. Her stomach grumbled as Mark sat the food in front of her. He sat down next to her. “Are you enjoying yourself?” Leaning over she gave him a kiss on the lips. “Yes I am. I’m glad that I had the chance to meet your family.” He smiled. “I’m glad you are enjoying yourself. I’m 101

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about finished with the paperwork I need to get done. As soon as I do we can go.” “Take your time. I’m not in any rush.” She bit into the delicious looking sandwich and closed her eyes in pleasure. “Lord have mercy this is good. This is really good.” Mark laughed. “I always say anything Gavin touches usually is.” She gave him a curious look. “How in the world does Gavin stay as skinny as he is with food like this around him?” Mark smiled. “Good genetics and he runs around the kitchen instead of walking.” She laughed and they both looked up as Sally and Dennis came over to the table. Sally leaned down to give her son a kiss on the cheek. “Your father and I are getting ready to leave.” Mark frowned at his parent’s before returning his mother’s kiss. “You aren’t going back to Alameda tonight are you?” “No we are going to stay at Brian’s tonight. We will leave tomorrow evening after we stop by here for lunch.” Cassandra had been surprised that his parents had moved away from Oakland. Their claim was the need to be out of the bustle of the fast moving city. Dennis and Sally were retired and wanted to enjoy it. She watched as Mark embraced his father before his parents took turns embracing Cassandra. Sally looked her in the eye. “We officially give you our seal of approval.” Mark shook his head but Cassandra smiled. She didn’t care that she had it or not. Just like she hadn’t really cared with Spencer’s parents. It bothered her in the beginning not having it. In the end she realized it hadn’t 102

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mattered. She was in the relationship with Spencer, although it had made her relationship with him more difficult. She felt Spencer’s parents had intentionally interfered making their relationship more difficult than it should have been. She now realized the relationship had more problems than it had been worth. Still, it felt good to have the Courtlandt’s approval. She hadn’t known how important their approval was until she received it. The Courtlandt’s were good people. Evidently it had also been the statement, Mark had been waiting for as well. He looked over at her and winked. Brian appeared at the table a moment later, before escorting Sally and Dennis out to their car. Jeffery appeared at the table seconds after they left. He sat down at the table next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder. The first thing she noticed was his touch didn’t make her tingle like Mark’s. “So are you sure that you are dating the right brother?” She gave him her most convincing look. “Definitely.” Jeffery’s laughter stayed with her until he entered the kitchen. Mark looked over at her and shook his head. “Sometimes I think mom dropped him more times than she cares to admit.” She laughed as she took another bite of her sandwich. “I think you might be right.” He gave her another kiss on the lips before stealing a bite of her sandwich. “I need to finish work as soon as I can so we can go.” She nodded again watching him walk away as she finished her sandwich and soup. Staking her dishes on her tray, she picked it up, but Jeffery took it out of her hands. She smiled at him. “Thank you and could you do me a favor.” 103

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He gave her one of his charismatic winks. “Anything for you.” “Could you make your brother something to go? Maybe a sandwich he likes and some soup.” Jeffery nodded. “I can do that for you.” She watched Mark closely enough to know he hadn’t eaten anything. He was going to regret it as soon as they arrived home. Jeff walked away from her and she retook her seat, watching the patrons come and go during the busy rush. The setup of Courtlandt’s was interesting. The customer’s would stand in line and place their order. While their order was being made they could find a table to sit at. A person could choose a sandwich on the menu, or they could create their own sandwich with optional items on the menu. They could add a salad or soup to the sandwich. Or a person could order combination special of all three. The line was never ending and each sandwich looked very appealing. A moment later Jeffery brought a sack over and handed it to her. “That is vegetable soup, a club sandwich, and several pickle spears.” She gave Jeffery a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you very much.” He smiled. “Actually I am sure my brother will be thanking you since he didn’t have anything to eat.” “I noticed which is why I ordered this for him.” Jeffery stared at her with wonder for a moment. “My brother is lucky to have you.” Before she could respond, he walked away and she spent the rest of the dinner rush watching patrons come in, wondering just how long a dinner rush could last. By the time it started to wind down Mark reappeared. His smile was for her alone. Her heart fluttered at his nearness. The man made her want to give him everything she had. It was 104

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an impulse she never experienced before. She was drawn into his embrace like she had always belonged there. She truly felt that she did. “Well I see you have finished your food.” She nodded. “Yes I have.” He waited for her to gather up her stuff. When he saw the bag bearing the Courtlandt logo in her hand he smiled. “What’s in the bag?” She winked at him. “It is a surprise.” His smile widened as he informed his brother that they were getting ready to leave. Gavin was the last to embrace her. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Cassie and we hope to see a lot more of you.” She returned the sentiment before following Mark out of Courtlandt’s. He opened the door and she slid into his car. A few minutes later he was pulling out of the parking lot and heading towards his home. She glanced at the clock and grimaced at the time. It was a lot later than she had originally thought. The time she had spent with the Courtlandt’s had been very fun and interesting. She wasn’t embarrassed to say she was looking forward to doing it again. Glancing over at Mark she smiled. “I am glad you took me to meet your family tonight.” He returned the smile. “I am glad you enjoyed yourself.” It slipped a little when he saw the expression on her face. She was glad to see she could make him nervous as well. “What are you thinking?” She gave him a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing, except that it will be your turn next weekend.” He grimaced and she laughed. “Oh come on. It won’t be that bad. Besides you have two advantages I didn’t 105

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have.” “Oh no. It is not that. I look forward to meeting your parents. It is Troy I’m worried about.” She rolled her eyes. “I will handle Troy. He doesn’t have room to say much of anything.” He smiled. “Well I should be able to get away to have dinner next weekend.” She shifted in her seat so she could look at him. “Would it be better if we have it during the week?” He nodded. “Wednesday or Thursday would be much better for me.” She contemplated the idea before nodding. “I think we can do that. I don’t have any business out of town so I should be able to pull it together.” It could work for her as well. She would call her parents and Troy tomorrow afternoon to find out what their plans were for Wednesday or Thursday night. She was certain having dinner during the week would not be a problem. The boys didn’t have any sporting events going on right now, so it shouldn’t interfere with any sort of practice. She looked over at him. “I will call my family tomorrow and let you know what the decision is.” He nodded. “That is fine, just let me know and I will be there.” She sat back and studied him the rest of the drive to his house. It was almost complete silent. It was if the both of them were engrossed in their own thoughts. He pulled into the garage and shut off the engine. She laughed when he let out a wide jaw yawn. “Tired?” His laughter joined hers. “My mind is, but not my body. I am hoping you will join me in the spa tub for a warm soak.” “Sounds relaxing.” 106

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They climbed out of his car and she followed him inside the house. She tried to picture what it would be like to come home and pull her car into the garage every night. The thought brought a smile to her face. She watched as he pulled his briefcase out of the back seat. “Do you need any help carrying that? It looks a little heavy?” He smiled, giving her a mock growl, playfully slapping her on her rear end. She felt a jolt of desire all the way to her toes. “Get inside woman.” She turned around and gave him a lecherous look. “You know I like it when you talk dirty.” He laughed as he followed her into the house. Once he had deactivated the alarm he closed the door. She followed him through the kitchen, pausing briefly to sit his brief case on the counter. “Do you want anything to eat?” She laughed rolling her eyes. “Believe it or not I’m not on a feeding schedule.” His laughter joined hers. “That isn’t what I meant. I just want to make sure you have everything you want before we relax and get comfortable.” “Well thank you, but I’m still full from the sandwich and soup I had earlier.” She smiled. “But I did bring you something because I know that you were busy working.” She made him have a seat at the table while she heated up his soup. When everything was ready she sat it in front of him before sitting next to him at the table. He looked down at the food before him and smiled at her. “How did you manage to do this?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s just say I had a little assistance.” 107

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He kissed her before digging into the food. She watched him, allowing him to give her a bite of his food. He entertained her with stories of growing up in the Courtlandt household and she found the experience to be comforting. She and Spencer had rarely, if ever, eaten dinner together, unless it was at a restaurant. Even then it had been for show. There had been corporate events he had needed to attend, so she went with him. But she couldn’t ever recall a time when she had sat down at a table with Spencer and had a conversation like the one that she was having with Mark. She realized over the past few days a lot of things with Spencer hadn’t been what they should have. She wondered why she stayed with him so long. What made it even worse was she wondered if she would still be with Spencer if he hadn’t informed her that he found another woman to spend his life with. She didn’t want to think about the answer to the question. Instead she focused on the conversation she was having with Mark. He finished his food then cleaned up his mess. When he took her hand in his, she gave his a brief squeeze, before letting him lead her up the stairs to his bedroom. She smiled as he headed straight to the bathroom. He turned on the water, then set the temperature on a tub that made hers look like a regular sized tub. He began to undress and the instinct to help him kicked in. It felt like Christmas was coming early. What a gift she had to unwrap. Her hands came up to undo his tie, followed by the buttons on his shirt. She tugged the ends of the shirt out of his pants, brushing her hands against his stomach and chest in the process. He had a very nice body. One she wouldn’t mind touching anytime. Her hands reached for his belt and undid it, before unfastening the snap on his pants. His breath hissed out from between 108

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clinched teeth as she eased down his zipper. “Can you move a little faster?” She smiled wickedly before shaking her head. “We have all night as far as I am concerned.” He smiled as his pants fell down around his ankles. “That is more like it.” She knelt in front of him removing his shoes and socks before sitting back on her hunches. She looked up at him, her eyes stopping briefly at the obvious erection that was close to bursting out of his boxer briefs. It was going to be an interesting evening. Mark reached out and she let him pull her to her feet. He stepped out of the puddle of his discarded clothes before turning her away from him. “Your skin is so lovely,” he whispered as he trailed his hands up her arms. She shivered at his touch. Once his hands reached her neck, he untied the material holding her dress up. The dress slipped downward, stopping once it reached her hips. With one small tug it pooled around her ankles. A groan of pain equivalent to one of an animal in pain escaped him. “Where did you say you shopped for your underwear again?” She gave him a sassy look over her shoulder, before bending over to turn off the water. When she straightened again somehow their bodies had made their way closer to each other. “I never said.” His laughter came out on a puff of air. “You look so good in them. I almost hate to take them off but I would hate to get them wet.” She looked at him with every ounce of passion she had surging through her veins. “Too late.” Mark pulled Cassandra into his arms fighting the will of his body. Right now he wanted nothing more than to 109

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pull her down on the floor and have his way with her. He had already decided against that. This was their first time together and he wanted her in his bed before he entered her body. On the other hand foreplay was fair play. He brought his hands up her back and undid the snap of her bra. Her panties and his boxers followed next. He lifted her up in his arms and carefully stepped into the tub. The water was at the perfect level. He sat down with her in his lap and flipped the switch that controlled the jets. A moan escaped both of them and she buried her face in the crock of his neck. He receded further into the water. It felt so good. “I think I might like your tub better than mine.” He smiled. “I am a big fan of this tub myself. It has come in handy after hard workouts as well as hard days at work.” A smile appeared face. “I wondered how your body came to be in such magnificent shape.” He looked down at her. “I am glad you like it.” She gave him a coy look. “I haven’t made that determination yet, since I haven’t had the chance to give a full body inspection.” He placed his hands behind his head. “I am ready whenever you are.” He watched as she moved back and her eyes never left his but her hands explored every inch of his body that she could. The contrast of her skin against his was a turn on to him. Finally she moved back and smiled. He gave her a questioning look. “So what do you think?” “You feel a little warm?” His smile widened. “Do I now?” She nodded. “Have you been feeling sick lately?” “Just a little.” She tapped her chin quizzically. “I think I have just 110

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the prescription that you need.” Before he could ask what it was, she lowered her lips to his in what was to be the beginning of a passionate kiss. It wasn’t long before he took over it. His tongue touched the corner of her mouth and she quivered against him. Her mouth opened wider in response and his tongue slipped in the recess of her mouth. It didn’t take much for him to coax her tongue into joining his in a game of teasing and probing. She shivered in his arms and he loved the feel of her reaction to his mouth against hers. Her body strained to get closer to his and he groaned, more than willing to accommodate her. “As much as I would like to stay in here a little longer we need a bed or we might drown in this thing.” She started to move away from him but he shook his head. “Stay right here.” Her eyebrows rose but she did as he asked. He liked that about her. She knew when to push him and when to give in. With her in his arms he turned off the jets and pulled the plug out of the drain. The water began to drain out of the tub and he tightened his arms around her. He stood up with her and she reached for a drying towel. “How much do you bench press?” He looked at her in puzzlement. Wondering what would make her ask such a strange question. As soon as he realized why she could be asking he gave her a wicked grin as he stepped out of the tub. “I will show you later.” She shook her head but held on while he carried her into his bedroom. He finally sat her on her feet and starting drying her off. The amazing thing was she seemed to become more aroused by the simple task. Her nipples pebbled before his eyes. He quickly set the towel aside and replaced it with his hands. His palms cupped her 111

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breasts. They felt heavy and he looked up when she shuddered. She bit her lip and he smiled. When his fingers found the sensitive tips she sucked in a hot breath before bringing her own hands up to his chest, drawing him into the pleasure that she was enjoying. He groaned and brought his lips down on her again. His head came right back up knowing he couldn’t hold off any longer and he looked deep into her eyes. “This time is going to be a little fast but I promise I will make it up to you. Tell me you are ready for me.” She looked deep into his eyes and he saw an identical passion that he was sure matched his. “I’m more than ready.” He wanted to give her one more chance to make sure this was what she wanted. Both of their lives could change after this point. “Are you sure you want to do this? We could possibly make a baby.” She smiled. “I know we will.” “You seem certain that you will get pregnant,” he said, privately smiling to himself and thinking he was just as confident she would get pregnant. He wanted her and as far as he was concerned that said it all. Heat had been running through every part of his body since he stopped by her home to pick her up earlier. It wasn’t easy now sharing such personal space with her, especially when they were both completely undressed. “I don’t have any reason to doubt that I will be able to,” she said. “I’ve been under a my doctor’s care so I know I have a clean bill of health and have no indicators as to why I shouldn’t be able to have a child. I’ve been tracking ovulation, to help me identify the best time to conceive. So I have to be honest with you if we do this now, it is just for us. It isn’t the right time for me to get pregnant.” 112

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He studied her feature’s somewhat surprised by her admission and what it meant. If she slept with him, it would be for pure pleasure. “And you have no problem sleeping with me even though we won’t make a baby?” He watched her lips tilt into a confident smile. “No, I don’t.” Those words let loose the passion he had been holding back. He picked her up into his arms again and laid her on the bed. She stared deep into his eyes as he came up over her. He reached her moist entrance and he saw she had been true to her words. The sensation of him sliding deep into her was almost too much for him to handle. He was inside of a woman without protection for the first time in his life. They probably should use protection at least the first few times but the truth was he wanted to see her swollen with his child. It was a foreign feeling for him, but he wanted it so badly he could taste it. He knew she felt the same otherwise she wouldn’t have propositioned him. Although the feel of him sliding in and out of her combined with the sensation of her wrapping her legs around his waist leaving him with the inability to really worry about it. “Oh God,” she whispered and he felt her body begin to tighten, the first signs of an impending orgasm. He could see the passion etched in her face. She was going to go over the edge any moment now and he was going to follow close behind her. As soon as the thought entered his mind he felt the first climactic squeeze of her body around his. That was all it took. His body strained toward hers both riding out the power passion taking over both of them. She threw her head back crying out his name and he answered her with a groan. The pleasure seemed never ending. He only hoped that he had enough 113

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energy to pleasure her again because one time wasn’t enough. The way he felt right now, he knew he would never be able to get enough of her.

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CHAPTER 8 Cassandra fidgeted nervously. She was waiting for everyone to show up to her place for dinner, including Mark. Wednesday night turned out to be a good evening for her to invite everyone over for dinner. She jumped a foot into the air when the doorbell rang. Placing a hand to her chest, she half walked, half ran to answer the door. Mark was standing on the other side and she smiled in relief, trying to erase the strained look off her face. She must not have been successful, for he stepped inside the house and closed the door before pulling her into his arms. “Rough day?” She melted into his embrace and sighed heavily. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” He pulled back and rubbed her arms soothingly. “Everything is going to be fine.” She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Uptight didn’t even begin to describe how she felt. She never thought she would be this nervous about introducing a man to her family. He gave her a reassuring look but it had the opposite effect. She was somewhat upset that he seemed to be okay and relaxed with the entire situation while she was so nervous that she was about to come out of her skin “Do you need help getting anything ready?” She shook her head. Her nerves had been in such an 115

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uproar, she had to stay busy to keep from going crazy. The doorbell rang again and she jumped. He laughed and took her hand in his. He pulled her close to him and stared deep into her eyes. “Take a deep breath.” She did as he instructed and could actually feel herself relax a little. “Good.” He turned and opened the door. A smiling Lora and surprised Troy stood on the other side of the door. Mark took over inviting her brother and sister-inlaw inside the house. She was more than happy to allow him to do so because Troy’s expression worried her. She greeted Lora and her brother and that seemed to bring Troy out of his stupor. “I know this may sound like a strange question but what the hell is going on here?” She jumped in before Mark or Lora could say anything off the wall and peak Troy irritation more. “Mark is…” The doorbell pealed again saving having to explain and she turned to open the door but Lora beat her to it. “Mom, Dad.” Lora embraced Elaine and George before stepping aside. She stepped forward to embrace her parents. “Hi Mom, hi Dad.” She pulled Mark forward smiling. “I would like for you to meet Mark. Mark, I would like for you to meet my parents Elaine and George Edwards.” Mark made her relax as he greeted her parents. He truly was the perfect gentleman and took control of the entire situation. It was enough to calm her nerves to the point that she could think rationally. Even so, she had to keep from making eye contact with Troy. The expression on his face 116

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said it all. He knew something was up and he wasn’t happy at all. He was only a few moments way from steam billowing from his ears. This could quickly get out of hand but as long as her parents were present she knew her brother would hold on to his temper. She led everyone to the dining room. Once everyone was seated she had Mark uncork on the wine. When everyone had a glass she tapped her own. “May I have everyone’s attention?” All eyes turned her way and she took a deep breath. “I asked everyone to come over this evening because I have met someone who means a lot to me and I wanted you guys to meet him.” She looked over at Mark then back at her family. Troy glared at the two of them. “And just how long has this been going on?” She exchanged a worried look with Lora who reached out to touch Troy’s arm. “Troy, Cassandra is old enough to know what she wants, and remember how my brothers felt about you in the beginning.” Cassandra watched warily as Troy looked at Lora who was given him a kind but pointed look. Troy sighed heavily and began to relax a little. Cassandra felt her level of anxiety go down slightly but it didn’t completely go away. Finally, Troy looked at her and she tried to smile but was sure it was more of a grimace. Still she was going to be honest with him. “Mark and I realized we were attracted to each other about five minutes after you introduced us.” Her brother’s eyebrows rose and she heard Lora make a soft sound. Troy released a deep breath. “And you two are serious about this?” Mark nodded. “Yes we are.” Troy was silent for a moment before nodding. “Then 117

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I would say congratulations are in order.” He raised his glass. “To Mark and Cassandra.” Cassandra’s stomach sank. It was the last response she had expected from him considering the looks he had been giving her since he had arrived, but she would take it for now. She would much rather have the openly upset Troy. At least she knew the worse was probably over. This however, wasn’t over by a long shot. Looking over at Mark she gave him a warning look and he nodded his understanding. Everyone repeated the toast before touching glasses and taking a drink. “Now, don’t forget I have a few clients that are defensive and offensive players in the NFL. Let’s make sure I don’t have to call in any personal favors.” She gave her brother an alarmed looked, while Mark only laughed. Mark took her hand in his and placed a kiss on the back of it. She had to fight a shiver at the intimate touch. “I have no intentions of hurting your sister. You have my word on it.” She noticed her parents were quiet and looked over at them. “Mom, Dad, what do you think?” Her parents looked at each other as if having a silent discussion by reading each other’s minds. Finally, her father winked and her mother smiled. They both turned to look at her. “We are okay with it. Mark is a nice guy. He seems to have a lot more life in him than that other one and your smile is reaching your eyes for a change. We assume Mark is the reason behind that. If he is a keeper.” She shook her head at her parents. They were eccentric in the way they came to a conclusion, although deep down she was pleased with their opinion. This had only been the first step but it was mostly a good one. She 118

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knew it was going to take a little time for Troy to get used to the idea. He was probably only upset because she was his sister and Mark was his friend. She knew very well that Troy was aware of the fact that Mark was a good guy. Otherwise he wouldn’t have brought Mark to her house. Not wanting to ruin dinner with her depressing thoughts she sighed softly and tried to smile. “Would you like to serve dinner now?” It took her a moment to comprehend what Mark was asking her. She nodded and scooted her chair back from the table. “Will you help me?” He nodded. “Yes I will.” As soon as they were in the kitchen Mark pulled her into his embrace. “Relax Cassie. Troy will be fine. I will talk to him.” She had been close to relaxing before he made the statement. Pulling back she gave him a worried look. “Not without me you won’t.” Mark smiled. “Troy is rational when he is calm. Let’s give him a few days then I will talk to him alone. It is something I need to do anyway with us being friends.” Cassandra closed her eyes before resting her head against his solid chest. This wasn’t going the way she planned at all. Mark’s hand came down and cupped her chin. He lifted her head until she was looking at him. His expression was reassuring. She gave him a small smile. “Everything will be fine. I promise.” He sealed the promise with a kiss before pulling back. “Now let’s have dinner.” Cassandra nodded and watched as he picked up the meatloaf, knowing she had done the right thing by propositioning Mark. She was thankful the rest of dinner went off without a problem. It gave her the opportunity to observe Mark with her family. Now she understood why 119

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he had wanted to observe her with his family. He was the man she had been looking for. Now she was starting to wonder if she was enough for him. According to Spencer she hadn’t been good enough, which is why he was engaged to another woman within a month of ending his relationship with her. Did she have enough going for herself to convince Mark to put a ring on her finger? Sure he mentioned being a package deal if she had his child. But marriage hadn’t been mentioned specifically. “Thank you for dinner dear. Once again you have outdone yourself.” She smiled and embraced her mother than her father. “Thank you. Drive safe.” “We will.” She watched her parents leave before turning her attention to Troy and Lora. “I hope you guys enjoyed the meal as well.” Lora embraced her first. “Of course. I prefer your cooking over my own any day.” “So do I,” Troy added teasing his wife. The comment earned Troy an elbow to the ribs, but he still managed to embrace his sister. “Thank you for inviting us.” She pulled back and looked at her brother. “Do you mean that?” Her brother studied her for a moment. “I mean it. Mom and Dad are right. You are happy and that is what I want.” He paused glancing at Mark over her head before looking back at her. “This may take some getting used to, but I won’t interfere unless I’m given reason to.” She kissed her brother on the cheek before stepping back her heart feeling a lot lighter. “Thank you Troy.” Her brother smiled before extending his hand to 120

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Mark. “You two try not to have too much fun tonight.” Lora grabbed a hold of her husband’s arm before he got carried away. “Good night you two.” She watched her sister-in-law half drag half walk her brother to their vehicle. She closed the door and turned to look at Mark. His arms surrounded her before she could blink. When his lips came toward hers she didn’t resist. She had been looking forward to another one of his kisses all night. He pulled back leaving her breathless. “So what did you think?” She gave him a dazed look still reeling from his kiss. “About what?” He laughed. “About dinner with your family?” She nodded slowly trying to collect her thoughts. His kisses had that effect on her. “I think that it went well. Troy didn’t blow up. I think it will take him some time to get used to us, but once he does everything will be okay.” Mark nodded. “So do I.” He took her hands in his locking her front door with his free one. “How late can you stay up?” She smiled. “I don’t have to work, so as late as I want if it means you will be here?” There was no pressing work she had lined up for tomorrow. That would come all next week. “Good. Let’s clean up, then we can relax.” He led the way to the kitchen and began loading the dishwasher while she put the leftovers into different containers. Within minutes they had the kitchen clean. He looked over at her and winked. “Good teamwork.” She chuckled. His sense of humor was so corny at times that it was amusing. “Thanks. You didn’t do so bad yourself.” “Now we can think about that fun Troy warned us not to have.” 121

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She tilted her head to the side her expression blank. “What did you think Troy had in mind when he advised us not to?” As she expected Mark’s expression became heated and she smiled. He surprised her when he stepped away from her instead of coming closer. “I have a few ideas but first I need to run out to the car and get something. I should have brought it in earlier but I was anxious to see you.” She looked at him in surprise. It had only been a few days since they had last seen each other. But his words did send a warm feeling through her. “Okay.” She called his name as he made it to the front door. “You can pull your car into the garage if you want.” She hoped he would get the point she was making. If he pulled his car into the garage he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He nodded, taking her up on the offer. She headed for the garage while he headed for the front door. Her stress over tonight left her with tense muscles. She knew exactly how she wanted to unwind. ~*~ Mark took care to lock the door before he stepped out of the house. He whistled to himself as he made his way to his car. Tonight had gone very well with Cassandra’s family. For a brief moment he thought he might have to fight Troy but all had turned out well. It still remained to be seen when he had a private conversation with Troy. Their friendship was established enough that he wanted to let him know what his intentions were toward Cassie. If he had a sister he would want the same. He climbed into his vehicle and pulled into the driveway. Cassandra was standing inside the garage waiting for him to pull in. Once he did she let the garage door down. He shut off the engine and climbed out of his SUV, hoping it hadn’t 122

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been presumptuous of him to bring an overnight bag. Based on the comment she made to him on his way out the door, he was certain he hadn’t. Swinging the bag onto his shoulder he walked toward her, taking in every inch of her. She looked absolutely breathtaking tonight. He wasn’t sure if he had told her yet, but he planned on it. She took extra care in her appearance tonight. It was the first time he saw her with her hair down and curled around her face. He liked it. She also happened to be wearing his favorite color and he was sure that it wasn’t a coincidence. She had taken care to learn a lot of his favorites. The plaid green knit dress stopped just above her knees, but it fit her figure in all the right places. She wore low-heel sandals and topped the outfit off with dangling green earrings and a matching necklace. As much as Cassandra liked to color coordinate, he was willing to bet that her underwear were green as well. He liked that about her. When he reached her, he placed a passionate kiss on her lips that was a lot briefer than he would have liked for it to be.He pulled back and read the question in her eyes. “I’m apologizing for not telling you before now how beautiful you look this evening.” She smiled and stepped inside of her kitchen. “Thank you.” Once he was in the kitchen she closed the door and locked it. She leaned against the door before turning to look at him. “So would you like to watch a movie or do something else?” His eyebrows rose at the suggestive tone in her voice at the mentioning of something else. He already knew which one he was choosing. He was certain that she did too from the look in her eyes. Without saying a word, she took his hand in hers and led him up the stairs. They 123

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entered her bedroom where he sat his bag on the floor. He turned her around and pulled her into his arms. “Do you want to use protection tonight?” Her eyebrows furrowed together in the cutest expression he had every seen. “Are you having second thoughts about having a baby?” He shook his head. “No. I just wanted to make sure you still wanted to go through with this right now.” She nodded without hesitation. “Yes I do and without protection.” “Okay then.” He lifted her up into his arms and carried her toward the bed. When they reached it he sat her on her feet and stepped back. Closing his eyes he tried to imagine her round and swollen with his child. He had seen both Tyson and Chandler’s wives through all stages of pregnancy, but for some reason he knew it was going to be different for him. One thing he knew for certain was he wanted to be there for all of it. He couldn’t resist touching Cassandra. Her body drew his hands to her like a magnet. When he lowered his head her arms slid up around his neck. She went up on tiptoe to meet him halfway. The woman was a good kisser. It never seemed to fail that her lips would render him senseless. His hands came up and undid the zipper on the back of her dress without breaking the kiss he slid the dress off her shoulders and down over her waist until it slid to the floor. She clung to him as he lifted once more, before laying her on the bed. A moan fell from her lips when he ended the kiss. Her eyes met his as he left the bed. When they did break eye contact, it was so his eyes could roam her body. She was beautiful. This past weekend hadn’t gone like he planned. It seemed like their lovemaking had been rushed due to their 124

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desire overtaking them. Both of them left so exhausted Saturday night; by the time they woke for round two of lovemaking, the late hour put their plans on hold. He had to go into the restaurant. On Sunday they woke shortly after noon, he barely made it to work with a few minutes to spare. He didn’t regret inviting her to spend the weekend with him while he worked because his schedule was something she would have to get used to, being involved with him. Still, he wished there’d been more time for them together. Now was his time to make up for it. He reached for her and pulled her to the edge of the bed. His eyes met hers again as he pushed her discarded items aside. When he sank to his knees, her eyes fluttered close. Her body told him she knew what was coming. The first touch of his lips pulled a deep moan of pleasure from her. Her hands clutched the spread in tight fists. With just a few strokes of his tongue, the muscles in her thighs began to tighten. He knew it wouldn’t be long before she climaxed. He gave her a long slow lick with his tongue that had her arching upward, saying his name around a hiss of breath. He pushed her higher and higher until she finally fell over. She screamed out her pleasure, his name on the end of it. It was a sound that drove Mark to keep going. He managed to hold onto her thrashing hips enjoying her cries of passion. She flew up over the edge one more time, but she began struggling to get away from his onslaught of pleasure, telling him it was too much. He kept resisting her efforts to resist the pleasure he was giving her. Instead he kept pushing her closer and closer to the edge again. He was rewarded for his persistence when her body stiffened as her head jerked back. She shouted his name before her body convulsed 125

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deeply. Her body became pliant in his hands and he smiled to himself. He loved giving her pleasure. She was greedy for it even when she didn’t want to be. When he came up over her he was naked and she was still fighting to catch her breath. He moved the both of them to the center of the bed before entering her. They both moaned at the smooth friction. He closed his eyes at the feel of her body contracting rhythmically around him signaling her body was still trying to recover. He began to thrust, focusing on keeping his body in check. This time was going to be good for the both of them. It was a struggle to hold onto his reign of control because her body felt so good surrounding his. Sliding his hands under her hips he switched the angle. The move caused her to cry out in pleasure. Her body seemed to be straining for another release. Before now he would have thought it was impossible. He knew from a very candid conversation with her that she was normally wrung out after two orgasms. But as her hands came up and gripped his shoulders he knew she wasn’t done and neither was he. He looked down and his eyes met hers. The passion that he saw there almost made him smile. Suddenly her eyes widened. “Mark, I think I’m going to come again.” His eyes darkened. “Then come for me.” He thrust deeper, his hips moving faster. She shrieked and arched deeply into his body, hers milking his as she did. He dropped his face into the crook of her neck, growling his pleasure as her body pulled him over the edge. Several minutes later when he could summon enough strength to lift his head, he looked down at Cassandra. Even with her honeyed skin tone he could tell her face was flushed and she was breathing as heavily as he was. 126

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“Are you okay?” “Yes,” she managed to whisper before closing her eyes. He moved to the side pulling her with him. She shuddered and he tightened his arms around her. What they just shared could only be described as explosive. As cliché as it sounded, it had never been like this for him with any other woman. Keeping her close to him, he managed to maneuver them until they were under the covers. She shivered again and he looked down at her. She looked well loved, with heavy lidded eyes and flushed cheeks. He ran his hands soothingly up and down her back. She trembled at his touch. “Are you sure you are okay?” She nodded against his chest. “I’m fine.” He closed his eyes and smiled. His muscles were still twitching themselves. The experience they had just shared had been highly volatile. When they came together things just seemed to ignite between them. He looked down when he heard her breathing change. A smiled came to his face when he saw she had fallen asleep. The funny thing was as tired as he was physically, mentally his brain was still going a mile a minute. It was going to be an interesting week. He wanted to invite her to the restaurant with him throughout the week but it wouldn’t work out because he knew the rest of the week would be busy for her. Either way he figured that they would see each other before the week was out. If they didn’t, it wouldn’t matter. She was his for the weekend. According to her fertility schedule, she should be ovulating—if she wasn’t pregnant already. He looked down again as she emitted a soft snore and he smiled. She was worn out and rightly so. The weekend started out with her meeting his family. Tonight he met hers, although 127

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Troy and Lora didn’t count. He didn’t know which meeting she felt more nervous about. Luckily all went well. Closing his eyes, he tried to relax and let sleep come. He needed to be well rested for the rest of the week that he had coming up.

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CHAPTER 9 “Come on, Cassie, we are going to be late.” Cassandra walked into the room just as Mark finished speaking. She shook her head at him. “No we are going to be right on time. Especially with you driving.” He laughed as he led her out to his car. “You know you have been making a lot of jokes about my driving skills.” She gave him and amused look. “What can I say? You have a lead foot.” He could only laugh again because the statement was true. She had come to the conclusion that was the reason he had a sports car in his garage. He got in on the driver’s side and backed out of the garage. “So, are you ready for a good football game?” She nodded. “Yes I am.” However, if she were honest she would tell him what she would like to be doing even more. She was ovulating but he refused to spend the entire weekend in bed. She knew enough about reproduction to know it only took once. Then again, how could they explain to Troy why they were turning down tickets to watch Mark’s favorite team play? It would give her a chance to see if her brother meant to keep the promise he made. Good thing she liked football. She was glad Troy invited the both of them to 129

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football game of two of his clients. Her brother enjoyed his job as a sports agent and he made a good living at it. Danny and Ryan both played for the Oakland Raiders and they were going out to support them. She hadn’t met Danny but she did meet Ryan a few times. He was a decent guy with a bright future ahead of him. Mark drove them to Oakland’s Coliseum Complex with a few minutes to spare. She smiled when she saw Troy and Lora pulling up at the same time. Mark opened her door for her and she stepped out to greet her brother and sister-in-law before accepting the pass she would need to get in to the Coliseum. Troy led the way into the entrance and up to the suite they were going to be sitting in. They walked in just in time to see the Raiders win the coin toss and elect to receive the ball. After a good kickoff return Ryan took the field as quarterback. The first snap told her that he was in his element. A few seconds later she cursed as a player took a cheap shot at Jake. He had thrown the ball but the defensive player still hit him. The referee threw a flag but it still wasn’t good enough in her opinion. Her heart rose in her throat when Ryan didn’t get up. It was her brother’s turn to cuss. After several more moments and help from the team trainers Ryan finally got up and walked off the field under his own power. She sighed in relief and Mark squeezed her shoulders. “He is okay.” She smiled at him. “Yeah but that still doesn’t make the cheap shot any better.” Ryan only sat out for two plays, but was back in for the next play throwing a touchdown in the process. She smiled as Danny came in on defense and put a hit on the Seahawks quarterback that was perfectly legal and a make-up for the one that had been put on Ryan. The result 130

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was a fumble that the Raiders recovered. When half time rolled around the Raiders were up twenty-one to fourteen. “Are you hungry?” She looked at Mark and nodded. Truth was, up until now, she had been so into the game, she forgot about food. He stood up and she followed him to the table of food that had been set up for them and made her plate. “So how are you enjoying the game so far?” She smiled. “It is a good game. I think the Raiders have a good chance of making it into the post season this year.” “Of course they do. Two of my clients are on the team.” Troy added as he walked up. She laughed at her brother’s lack of modesty. He could be a handful sometimes. There had been times over the years when she had wanted to kill him and others when she wanted to hug him for everything he did for her. She was glad he was truly receptive to her dating Mark. It meant a lot to her. Her brother and Spencer hadn’t gotten along well at all. She could count on one hand how many times she had brought Spencer to California with her in the two years they had been together. The time spent with her family when he was around become so uncomfortable it upset her. Thankfully that time was over. They sat back down to eat and she and Troy began to relive some of the events from their childhood. “Do you remember the time you let me shave your head with the razor blade?” Mark choked on the food that he had just taken a bite of and Lora laughed. Mark set his plate down. “This I have to hear.” Cassandra grinned. “In high school I specialized in cosmetology for an elective. I decided to experiment on Troy. Troy was gullible and Michael Jordan was popular 131

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at the time so Troy had been all for it.” She could barely get through the rest of the story due to her laughing. “By the time I was through, Troy had so many bald and uneven spots in his head, Mom had to take him to the barber shop to fix it.” She watch Mark struggle to control his laughter but couldn’t. Troy tried to be upset at the fact that she was telling the story but he had to laugh himself. “Needless to say Troy never let me come near him again with another razor blade.” Mark looked over at Troy. “If you had I would have suggested you have your head checked.” Troy chuckled. “I ought to do that anyway. It was not the only thing I fell for when it came to Cassandra talking me into doing something.” “Oh yes,” Lora interjected. “Tell him about the dress.” The look that appeared on Mark’s face was priceless and Cassandra rushed to explain. She had to protect her brother’s pride. “Troy was only six and I decided he would look cute in a dress. So I put him in one.” Her eyes widened in alarm when Mark closed his eyes and his face turned red. He began to laugh to the point he had to get up and walk away. His laughter was infectious and even though he seemed to try to control it he couldn’t. Troy was a good sport through it all, until he remembered a picture of him in the dress was floating around. They were still laughing amongst themselves when the game resumed. When the Raiders won the game the excitement was still there but for a different reason. She enjoyed herself with Mark. The last two weeks had been eye opening to her. She had more fun with him than she ever had with Spencer. Mark enjoyed life, wanted her to enjoy it as well. 132

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He put emphasis on making sure she was having fun. Mark also liked her for who she was and didn’t want to change anything about her. He accepted all of her imperfections. Mark slipped his arm around her waist as he led the way back to the car. She hugged Troy and Lora before thanking them for inviting them to the game. “I love you and drive safely.” Her brother embraced her back just as tightly. “I love you too.” She stood back as Mark said goodbye to Lora and Troy before he led her to his car. He opened the door and waited for her to slide in. Thankfully the drive home was short. She couldn’t wait to get him in bed. After today she knew without a doubt that she wanted a baby Mark. She wanted to be with him. He chuckled as she rushed him of the stairs, but all remnants of laughter died off the instant they reached his bedroom. Cassandra gazed up at Mark, drawn to the intensity of his light blue eyes. They were eyes that accentuated what was to come. He desired her. She craved him. She was his for the taking. He was hers. Still, she pulled away. He looked at her with open puzzlement. “What is it?” She shook her head. “Nothing. I just need to take a shower. Are you going to take a shower with me?” The corners of his mouth curled upward. “Sounds like great idea but after we make love. I want you just the way you are right now.” Mark’s suggestion made Cassandra’s stomach pitch in heated lust. A throbbing started at the juncture of her thighs. She cleared her throat to swallow the lump that formed there. “I want you too.” He gave her a smile that intensified that ache in her 133

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body. Mark stared at her in that way that always got to her, making her hot all over, as his gaze moved up and down her body. Lord, help me, I’m in trouble, she thought. “Do you have any idea how much I want you?” She saw the heat in his eyes, felt the hunger and longing in them. She was no novice at being wanted by a man, but this was the first time she could actually feel the strength of a man’s passion. And what was so amazing was she wanted him just as much. “Just as much as I want you,” she said softly. “Come closer, Cassie. I need to touch you. See you,” he murmured in a husky tone. There were a mere few feet from each other. She was well within his reach but he seemed to be seeking permission of some sort. As if he were still testing her to make sure this was what she wanted. She was more than sure. There was nothing more she wanted from him than to touch her. To kiss her. She didn’t have any reservations with any of it. She was looking forward to it. Her lips were still tingling from their last encounter. It was even more momentous for her to know they might create a life together. She stepped closer to him, trying not to focus on what they were about to do and finding it hard not to do so. He didn’t say anything; he just continued to look at her, especially her mouth. And the more he stared the more her lips tingled for him to taste them. “I’m going to enjoy trying to make a baby with you,” he said, as he reached out and turned her slowly. She stood still as he undid the zipper to her dress. The material fell forward, with her letting it ease over her shoulders. The dress finally pooled around her ankles and he emitted a pained sound. She barely had time to step out 134

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of the fallen material before he turned her around and drew her back into his embrace. She opened her mouth to speak, but any words she had to say were forced to wait when he inserted his tongue inside. At that moment she forgot about everything else apart from what his mouth was doing to hers. She would even go so far as to say he was a connoisseur in the art of kissing. She’d been kissed before but never like this. Automatically, she slanted her head to get more of the pleasure. If this was what he wanted to give her for coming closer, she had no complaints. She could stand here like this all night if he wanted. His effect on her was mind-blowing. Her body was aching all over. He had her panties getting wet. She couldn’t get enough of him. He released her mouth way before she was ready for him to. They were standing so close, their lips scant inches apart, as if ready to go at it again, consume each other senseless, when she discovered the kiss wasn’t the only way he planned to touch her. “You have beautiful breasts.” She watched his hand caress her nipples as he spoke. Her thighs tightened and warmth began to spread between her legs. She hoped he planned to touch her there as well. His fingers continued to pluck over the hardened peaks of both breasts, like she was a string instrument. Another shiver, this one of pleasure, ran up her spine. What on earth was he doing to her? “Mark…” “Just relax, close your eyes and feel my touch, Cassandra.” He slid the straps of her bra over her shoulders and she lost the ability to speak in anticipation of what was to come. She did what he asked and the moment her eyelids shut she felt his tongue dart out and capture a tight bud, 135

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flickering over it, tasting her before closing in and taking it fully into his mouth. Passion, the kind she only knew with him, devoured her insides as she felt his mouth on her breasts, tasting, teasing and corrupting with her in a talented way that belonged solely to him. He feasted on one and then the other, almost sapping her of her senses, her sanity and her self-control. “You also have a beautiful stomach,” he whispered with a warm breath before placing another kiss there. And when his mouth found the indention of her stomach and begin placing kisses all around it, she became lost within a siege of sensations that had her conceding to pleasure of the most sensual kind. She inhaled deeply when she felt his fingers touch her breasts again, joining his hands in erotic assault. At that instant her mind seemed to turn to pulp. He cupped her breasts in his hands and began passionately caressing them, letting the tips of his fingers rub gently across her pebbled nipples. And then he whispered a few more telling her how much he loved making love to her body and just what being inside her did to him each and every time he was there. She wondered if he would still feel the same when she was round with a child. His words were making her succumb to emotions she was trying to control and didn’t want to feel. They were also causing another deep hunger to take place inside her. He met her gaze and the heat she saw in the depths of his blue eyes made her a lost cause. At that moment she wanted to make love to him and she didn’t care if they conceived a child tonight or not. It would just be all the more reason for her to keep coming back to experience this mind-altering pleasure. He lowered his mouth to her breasts and sucked a 136

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hardened tip into his mouth. Then his tongue went to work like a man starved for the taste of her. She responded with a soft moan and reached out and submerged her fingers in his hair to hold his head to her, experiencing a heated collapse of all her senses. Her stomach began quaking with a need that was as powerful as anything she’d ever felt. She let out a deep, shocked moan when he suddenly slipped a warm hand between her legs. Sliding underneath her panties, he dipped his fingers in her sensitive flesh. Blood pounded in her ears when he began stroking her intimately. She wasn’t sure what was pushing her over the brink the fastest, his mouth, his fingers, or a combination of both. She released a soft sigh when he deepened the kiss at the same time he increased the rhythm of the stroke of his fingers. He was showing no mercy. She tightened her grip on his head and cried out his name when a quiver of enormous magnitude crashed through her, shaking her to the core. She squeezed her eyes shut when everything in the room seemed to come bearing down on her. She could hardly stand and her mind was void of any cognizant thought except the powerful bliss ripping through her. When he finally released her it took a few moments to get her mind back in functioning order. He was potent in ways she never knew was possible. She was boneless as he picked her and placed her in the bed, before joining her. When he moved away from her she was unsure of what to expect. Then she felt the warmth of his breath move lower, and she held still, knowing what he was about to do. By now she should have grown accustomed to him kissing and caressing her there, but she wasn’t. It couldn’t be helped. He had a skill with his tongue whenever he went down on her that she 137

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just couldn’t control, deny or resist. After all the pleasure she just experienced, she wondered how she would be able to handle this. She didn’t know if she could take her body splintering in a million pieces again. She opened her eyes to tell him but all she saw was his head, down between her legs and she could only close her eyes the moment his tongue snaked over her sensitive flesh. Instinctively, her body came up off the bed and he grabbed her hips, holding her to his mouth as he consumed her with a sense of hunger that left her gasping for breath. She closed her eyes as sensations tore into her body once again. She reached out for him, held his head in place, urging him to go deeper, and he did, as his wickedly talented and seductive tongue continued nonstop, her fingers sunk into his hair as he continued to ply long, deep, drugging kisses into her. “Oh, Mark, don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she cried out over and over as a powerful throb overtook her. And then she felt it, some part of her that his tongue touched, that sent her over the threshold, shattering her in two and making her cry out yet again at the top of her lungs. Slowly, calculatingly, he continued to bequeath the intimate kiss on her as she felt waves of heated pleasures float all through her, and she continued to writhe beneath his mouth. She felt herself losing awareness, and moaned his name, begging him to stop. She tugged him upward, until he covered her body with his and took her mouth, allowing her to taste herself on his tongue. When he lifted his mouth from hers, their gazes locked and she felt the heat of his desire all the way to her toes. It affected her the most at the center of her legs, an ache that was about to get satisfied again. She watched as he slid off the bed and took a step 138

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back. He leaned over and began removing his shoes and socks. Straightening, he took off his shirt to expose his muscular chest. Her mouth went completely dry. How could a man be so sexy? She let her eyes roam over his body taking in every inch of his firm and defined body. Her eyes trailed downward, where the sprinkle of hair seemed to take a low path toward his waist, even lower toward his… “Cassandra?” She shifted her gaze from his chest to his eyes. “Yes?” She’d been caught staring but she didn’t care. With a body like his a person would have to have the restraint of a saint to not look. He chuckled and tossed the shirt aside; he then went for the zipper of his trousers. Her breath held as he slowly eased it down and while doing so he kept his gaze fixed firmly on hers. When he lowered his pants, along with his briefs, to the floor, her gaze shifted and went directly to his midsection, then lower. There it lingered while taking in the magnificence of his manhood, the vastness of his erection that emphasized the degree of his arousal. He was big, thick and hard. And there was no doubt in her mind to the degree of his need. Or hers. She wanted to reach out and touch him, hold his hard, warm flesh in her hands. Slide her fingers all over it and feel its texture, its strength and its heat. Her gaze shifted to his face. As if he read her thoughts, he gave her a slow smile before moving his completely naked body toward the bed. Cassandra inhaled a deep breath and whispered his name the moment he placed one knee on the bed and reached for her. She rose up and went into his arms willingly, without haste, and the moment he leaned over and captured her mouth, she knew she was a goner. His 139

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mouth was hotter than before. It ignited every cell in her body, causing low groans to circulate in her throat, get caught in her lungs. Then his mouth became demanding, excruciatingly dominant in a way that made her stomach clench. And when he suddenly pulled back, she inhaled deeply before lifting her gaze to his. He didn’t say anything; instead he stared down at the skimpy underwear that left more of her hidden from him. “Before now I never had a favorite color, but I have to say I am becoming very fond of pink.” He murmured the words against her throat, seconds before she felt the gentle nip of his teeth, the lap of his tongue and the sucking on the soft skin of her neck. She gasped at the light sting and she knew what he had just done. He had put his brand there. It was unnecessary. She was his, passion mark or not. If all went as planned, he would make her a mother giving her the ultimate brand. “You’re exquisite.” His words, spoken as a deep growl from his throat, had her lifting her face up to his. The heated desire in the gaze looking back at her made her heart thump that much faster in her chest. And when he reached out and ran his fingers from the top of her shoulders down to the peaks of her breasts, she swallowed deeply, trying not to ignite from his touch alone. His touch was smooth and slow, as if he would not be hurried, and when he reached her nipples, he took his fingertips and gently stroked each hardened bud with a skill and a purpose that blasted intense hunger through her. Then he leaned down and his tongue outlined each tip, before taking them in his mouth one at a time and gently sucking on them the way their child would. 140

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And with each tug she felt the intensity of her need for him in the center of her legs. “Mark!” He reached down and his hands found the sensitive spot between her legs. She was hot, wet and ready. And there was that infuriating ache that she needed him to take away. Intense emotions were ripping into her and generating an unrefined need she never felt before. “It is an honor to give you my baby,” he rasped near her ear. Mark’s words, both heartfelt and confident, nearly took her breath away. But she didn’t have time to think about that when his masculine physique towered over her, every perfectly formed muscle. She looked up into his eyes, locked in his gaze the moment he gripped her hips and raised them to him. Then he entered her. It was a joining so majestic, so complete that it almost brought tears to her eyes. Her body automatically gave in to him, stretched for him. And when he began moving, it had her trembling inside. Heat flared within her, taking over her mind and body with an intensity that shook her to the core. But Mark didn’t let up. He meticulously increased the tempo, increased the pace. Holding her body motionless beneath his, he began pumping into her nonstop with domineering deliberation, undying precision. Cassandra’s body was suddenly hit with something parallel to an electrical shock and she felt her muscles clenching, tightening. She pulled him deeper inside of her when waves of pleasure devoured her body. The exact moment she came, he did, as well, and she heard Mark’s deep, throaty roar and felt his hot release spurt to her womb. He bucked inside her again at the same time she felt the warmth of his breath on her lips sheer 141

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seconds before he took her mouth with a desire that sent her over the edge yet again. Sensations undulated through her body when she was thrown into yet another orgasm and felt intense pleasure consume every part of her. ~*~ Mark felt himself drifting back down to earth after having soared to the stars and beyond. He felt as if he’d had an out-of-body experience. There had never been a time when he’d made love to a woman and had been left feeling that way. He lay there transfixed, drained and completely satisfied. But still, that didn’t keep him from wondering what the hell had happened. Why even now, when Cassandra was trying hard to catch her own breath, he wanted to make love to her again, set off into another explosion. How had it come to this? Maybe it had been the urgency she had shown when she pulled him up the stairs. Or it could have been the fact that the last time he’d made love to a woman had been almost a year ago. And just possibly, it could have been the way she exploded in his arms every time he set out to give her pleasure. He knew any number of things could have raised his need for her to a degree that even after a mind-numbing orgasm, he was still and refusing to disengage his body from hers. That was the strangest thing of all. Never had he made love to a woman and not wanted to come out of her afterward. But with Cassandra, he liked the thought they were still intimately joined. “I think time just stood still.” He moved to let his gaze rest on her eyes. An incredulous look glazed their depths with that observation. “You might be right,” he admitted, feeling his erection harden even more as he spoke. She was going to 142

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wear him out. “My vision is still blurred.” And that wasn’t a lie, not even close to a mild exaggeration. He then ran his eyes over the rest of her, his vision slowly coming back into focus. She was lying on her side facing him; her naked skin a darker hue against the sharp whiteness of the cover. Her breasts were full and firm, her stomach taut and flat. He wondered if she were truly okay with the changes that were bound to come to her figure. It wouldn’t bother him in the least. His erection grew even more in response to the thought. A condition he couldn’t hide with the way her body was locked to his. If it bothered her, she wasn’t complaining aloud. He should let her go. Separate his body from hers but he couldn’t. Even now what was so vibrantly clear in his mind was the exact moment he’d reached his climax with her, while thrusting into her continually, liking the way her private muscles had compressed taut around him, clasping him in their grip, draining everything out of him and— “You haven’t gone down, Mark.” Her voice sliced through his thoughts. Then with full awareness of what was taking place, he shifted against her, keeping her in an unchanging position beneath him. “I know,” he said huskily, powerless to prevent what was about to occur yet again. He heard her draw in an uneven breath and he watched as her eyes darken to the point where he could barely see the long lashes covering them. But he was able to make out the expression on her face. There was something about seeing the look of an aroused woman, especially a totally naked one. He reached out and ran the tip of his finger around her navel. His touch didn’t alter when he heard the spiky change in her breathing pattern or when he felt the slight trembling 143

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of her body beneath his. “You can’t be ready to do this again so soon?” she asked softly, barely able to articulate any of the words. Hearing the disbelief in her voice captivated him even more. He figured he could show her better than tell her. Leaning forward, he came within inches of her lips. “I am very much ready and I plan to show you just how much,” he stated softly as he caressed the flat planes of her stomach with his fingertips. “I still haven’t recovered from the last time. I’m not sure I can move,” she whispered, closing her eyes on a throaty sigh. “Then don’t move. Just let me take care of you.” And then he began moving, agonizingly slow, deep inside her, gradually withdrawing, then filling her again, deeper still in a relaxing, precise thrusting motion. He felt sensations blister through the both of them from such a long, drawn-out and leisure lovemaking. “Open your eyes, Cassandra,” he whispered in a raspy voice, as he continued to thrust slowly in and out of her, relishing each and every time he did so. He watched as she did what he asked, met her gaze mere seconds before he leaned closer and took her mouth. The stroke of his tongue with hers was as slow and calculated as the joining of their bodies—coursing forward, withdrawing and then rushing forward again. Mark lowered his head and kissed Cassandra at the same time he slowly continued moving in and out of her. He could feel his erection increasing inside her with each tender thrust he took. She suddenly pulled her mouth away from him. “Mark!” He felt her muscles tighten around him and clench him in a firm grip. Her body began to quake 144

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uncontrollably. Sensations began erupting through him, drawing out his own sweltering release. He felt the full brunt of their orgasm in every part of his body. “Cassandra,” he said in a harsh groan before leaning over and kissing her while simultaneously releasing his life-creating essence inside of her. She stared up at him, as if understanding the significance of what he was doing. The possibility that she was insightful enough to comprehend his thoughts had an indescribable effect on him. For a short time, he just stared at her, feeling the heated flush of their joined bodies. It was nothing short of pure, unrefined sexual gratification. And as he eased his body to lie beside her, still not ready to pull out of her, he looked forward to the next time they would make love whether they made a baby or not.

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CHAPTER 10 “I’m coming,” she shouted loud enough to be heard throughout the house. Cassandra had no idea who could be banging on her door at this time of the morning. She had just returned home a little under half an hour ago from her trip to Miami. Her clients definitely made the trip unforgettable. Then again, it had been an interesting two-week and a half period. She’d moved non-stop visiting three major cities in three states in the last twelve days. That also happened to be the number of days that passed since she’d seen Mark. She had never thought she could miss a person so much. But she missed him. She knew he had been busy as well with the restaurant because Gavin came up with three more sandwiches and another soup for the menu. According to Mark, Jeffery did his job by unleashing an excellent marketing plan. They talked on the phone whenever they got the chance. They were still learning a lot each other. She felt as if she knew most if not all of his likes and dislikes when it came to a lot of things. His favorite home cooked item was meatloaf and she planned on making it for him as soon as she could. Another thing she noticed was that talking to him on the phone was different than talking to him in person. She was able to actually process what he was saying. A lot of the times when she was with him she was distracted by 146

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his strong presence. This trip, her distraction had been for a different reason. As much as she tried not to think about it, there was pending business she needed to take care of. Starting with a pregnancy test. It took all her self-control to stay focused on her clients when she wanted to rush out and make the purchase. A test she could have taken a few days ago but decided to wait. She wanted Mark with her when she took it and he wanted to be there as well. The subject had only come up once during her business trip. What irked her was Mark seemed to be calmer about the entire situation than she was. It wouldn’t matter for too much longer. She was going to the drug store as soon as possible. Reaching the bottom of the stairs she headed toward the front door. She swung the door opening without thinking to ask who it was. A gasp escaped her lips. “You know you really shouldn’t open the door without asking who it is first.” She ignored Mark’s comment mainly because she was too busy calling his name and jumping up. He caught her dutifully but a handsome frown was still on his face. She knew that the thought of her opening the door so trustingly worried him. He warned her about it numerous times. “I take it you are happy to see me.” She pulled back and looked at him as if he lost his mind. “Yes I missed you. Did you think I wouldn’t?” He smiled. “No. I just needed the boost to my ego so I thought I would ask.” She chuckled under her breath and shook her head. “What are you doing here?” He gave her one of his heart stopping smiles. “I received your message saying you would be back in town 147

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later than you thought but I couldn’t wait until a reasonable hour to see you.” She grumbled in a good-natured manner. “I wish I had known that. My house is junky.” He laughed. “Well then, I guess it is a good thing I came by to see you and not the house.” She rolled her eyes. “Ha, ha. Very funny.” Shrugging his shoulders he stepped over threshold and closed the door with his foot. “I try my best.” “You do realize your bag is still outside?” He smiled as he looked down at her. “Yes I do, but I didn’t want the entire neighborhood to see me doing this.” Before she could blink Mark lowered his lips to hers. When he raised his head moments later they were both breathless. She had to clear her throat several times before she could speak. It really was a shock to see him. They weren’t supposed to meet up until later because she had a lunchtime appointment with a client before her business was completely wrapped up. She hoped to get a few more hours of sleep, but with him standing in front of her rest didn’t seem all so important. “How about you bring your bag inside and we go upstairs and finish this?” He let her down and she turned and opened the door. Stepping outside she picked up his bag and brought it back in the house before closing and locking the door. She was supposed to be focused on a pregnancy test but it would have to wait. It had been twelve long days since she felt his touch. They were both long overdue. What difference would a few more hours make? He took the bag from her and took her hand in his. They made their way upstairs quickly. By the time they made it to her bedroom both of them were over their limit. Mark had both of them stripped naked by the time they got to the bed. She loved how he was able to gage her 148

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level of need. “You know you are becoming very good at undressing me.” He remained silent, but he winked at her before sitting down on the edge of the bed. He pulled her onto his lap finding hers briefly in the process. “I missed you,” he stated simply while lifting her up and positioning her so that she straddled his muscular thighs. She clung to his neck holding on as her world tilted. His hands came around cupping her bottom. A moan escaped her lips as he kneaded each firm muscle. Shivers raced through her, heating her blood. Somehow, Mark discovered her rear end was an erogenous zone and he used it to his advantage. His lips covered hers again, making her lose train of all thought. She squirmed to get closer to him, gasping when his hand slid in between her thighs. With a little maneuvering one of his fingers found her and slipped inside. Her body automatically tightened around it but soon relaxed and allowed him passage. “Oh Cassie, you are so wet. You are always ready for me aren’t you?” She bit her lip not really trusting herself to have the capability of speaking. Her body gave him the answer he needed. She whimpered when he removed his hand but he didn’t seem to be finished. “Wrap your legs around me.” Her eyes widened. Surely he didn’t expect for them to be able to do it like this. One look into his eyes told her he did. She wrapped her legs around his lean waist. He took her mouth in another heated kiss. When his hands found her breasts, she arched into him in response. Her nipples hardened instantly. She moaned, not sure if she was going to be able to last long enough for him to enter him. 149

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He had very talented hands, even a more talented mouth. Every place on her body seemed to become a hot spot when he touched it. Man, she had to have him. She assisted him in his struggle to uncover all of the parts they would need for him to be able to slide deep within her. When she finally reached inside his pants and drew his erection out. He shifted away from her but she struggled to hold him close, until she realized what he was doing. She relaxed and allowed him to lift her. Her breath caught on a gasp as he lowered her hips and raised his hips in the same motion. This position confirmed just how well endowed he was. He moved his hips, sending a wave of pleasure through her, drawing another whimper of desire from her throat. She cried out his name when he lifted his hips and pulled hers down, pushing himself even deeper within her. It should have been impossible for him to go any deeper, yet he seemed to be managing the feat very well. He thrust into her again, holding her hips immobile. He held her so tight she had no choice but to receive his thrust and her pleasure fully. She groaned at the gratification he had swarming through her body. She began to clutch at him, not really sure if she was trying to get closer or push him away. “Mark...it is too much.” He shook his head. “It’s not enough.” She didn’t have a chance to reply for he took her mouth savagely. His grip on her butt tightened and his thrust deepened. She was going to have bruises in places she wouldn’t be able to explain if anyone saw them. Her body felt as if it were on fire. She was going to burst into flames any moment. And no later than the thought crossed her mind, she did, sobbing his name as her body convulsed in satisfaction. She pulled him over 150

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the edge with her, making his movements more desperate. A hoarse scream erupted from her throat before she fell limp against him. Between her lack of sleep last night and the way he just drained her, she couldn’t move. She didn’t know how Mark did it but he summoned enough strength to move her beneath the covers. She watched him undress from beneath half mask eyelids. Yes, she must have been way more exhausted than she thought. Closing her eyes she told her herself that she could rest for a few moments. Subconsciously, she felt Mark crawl into the bed beside her. She didn’t recall falling asleep, but she must have. The next time she opened her eyes it was to a room full of sunlight. He shifted slightly and Cassandra bolted upright. “What time is it?” She half crawled, half scrambled over Mark to get to the phone realizing that he hadn’t been awake until she sat up. Reaching for her cell phone she groaned when she saw the time. “Oh crap,” she exclaimed before dialing her client’s number. She tried to take a deep calming breath so she wouldn’t sound so panicked. Joyce answered quickly. Cassandra spoke with a contrite tone. “Joyce I am running a little behind. I will need to delay about an hour. Is that okay?” Cassandra sighed appreciatively apologizing profusely. “That is perfect. Thank you and again I apologize.” She hung up the phone and realized she was still sprawled over Mark. He was smiling at her. “Good morning. Did I cause you to over sleep?” She gave him an amused look. He knew as well as she, that he was the cause. Still, Mark arriving on her doorstep had been just what she needed. However, it had 151

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also been what caused her to oversleep and run late for the appointment this morning. Shaking her head and clearing her throat she made herself wipe all lascivious thoughts from her mind. The last thing she needed to do was get side tracked. She looked him square in the eye. “As a matter of fact yes you did. Now I have to rush to get ready to meet a client.” He grabbed her by the ankle as she went to get out of bed. She let out a shriek as he pulled her back into the bed next to him. “Mark, I really do need to get ready.” He only gave her a sexy smile and she gave him a pleading look. “No, I really need to get ready.” The wicked gleam in his eye told her he had no intention of paying attention to her. He pulled her underneath him and her eyes widened when she felt his erection. “Mark, no.”

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CHAPTER 11 If Mark heard what she was saying, he chose to ignore her. Cassandra’s breath quickened at the way Mark was looking at her. The look he was giving her made her skin tingle. She knew she wasn’t going to get out of this bed without making love to him one more time. She was going to be so late. Yet the thought of making love with him sent hot blood rushing through her veins. If she were going to be late, she might as well make it worthwhile. She swallowed deeply as she met his gaze. Emotions swirled within her at the desire he wasn’t trying to hide in his eyes. He leaned his face closer to hers. “I want you, Cassie.” She felt sizzling heat flow through her veins. “I want you too, Mark. Sometimes I’m frightened by just how much.” He gave her a sexy smile. “Yeah, I know how you feel. It almost seems surreal.” He murmured as he shifted closer to her. He was still dressed himself. Having crawled in beside her after their early morning romp. In spite of it, she could feel the hard length of his sex pressed against her. She quickly realized the vast size of his erection. It was jutting out hard against her bottom. She placed her arm around his neck, wanting to pull him closer but he resisted. She went to protest but he touched her, making her complaint obsolete. The warmth of his touch on her 153

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skin sent shivers down her spine. He then leaned closer and gently dropped his head in the center of her chest and brushed a kiss there. Then she felt a flick of his tongue and a lick in that very spot. She could feel the area between her legs getting wet. So easily and just that quick. He suddenly shifted positions and she felt herself gently being pushed further into the soft mattress with him looming over her. The next time he moved, it was away from her and onto his knees. His movement was so smooth, looking effortless, graceful. Cassandra couldn’t control the heat from suffusing her body when Mark’s gaze roamed over her nakedness. And as she stared at him she saw his eyes darken even more and detected the exact moment his breathing changed. He lifted his gaze and looked at her. “You are like a drug, Cassie and I am becoming addicted.” She paused mentally as she took in what he’d said. Would his addiction last? She had infatuated Spencer in the beginning, as well, but it hadn’t lasted. The idea made her nervous. The more time she spent with him, the more attracted she became to him, on more levels than she ever thought possible. She shouldn’t have given into him so easily. They really hadn’t made any ground rules. She hadn’t been able to see beyond anything besides the baby she knew he could give her. Now her heart was at risk. A consequence she hadn’t planned on in the least. But now, she knew she had no choice but to deal with it. And she would as soon as she was dressed again. Any thoughts were suddenly snatched from Cassandra’s mind when she felt Mark’s fingers settle between her legs. She recalled what had happened the last time he had touched her there. With the proficiency of his fingers, it wasn’t long before he had her entire body trembling. There was no doubt in her mind that his 154

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intimate touch was being branded on her brain. Sensations were pulsating through her and she dug her teeth into her lower lip to stop from crying out. She met his gaze and saw the heated lust that darkened his eyes and knew they had to be a mirror of hers. He was deliberately teasing her feminine core, making her want him to the point where she was almost ready to plead. “You’re extremely wet, Cassandra,” he said in a low, throaty voice as he continued to stroke her with expert precision. “Do you know what I want to do?” Come deep inside of her, she hoped. Now. He was looking at her expectantly since he had asked her a question. Was he really waiting for an answer? She doubted her mind could form coherent words to give him one. Instead she pushed herself to speak, “No, what do you want to do?” “Devour you.” When he lowered his head between her legs it hit her that he hadn’t been asking for consent. He was taking what he wanted. And when his tongue flicked out and gave her that first intimate touch, she felt boneless; bliss of the most passionate kind trickled through her pores. “Mark.” She closed her eyes on a blissful sigh as he continued to kiss her in the most intimate way a man could. Even while part of her mind was telling her to resist him—to reach out and tug his head up—the only thing she could do was reach out and grab hold of his head to hold it in place. But the reality of it was that it didn’t look as though he planned to go anywhere anytime soon. He was assaulting her with meticulous, leisurely strokes of his tongue, relentless in his actions. And she was brazenly enjoying it. She became aware of the quiver 155

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that raced through her body, and his tongue explored deeper, becoming more demanding, greedier. She let out an intense moan from deep within her throat. Her hands holding his head tightened as if to draw him closer and he continued going at her as if her taste was something he just had to have. Her body detonated, seemingly into a thousand pieces, and she let out a high-pitched scream as deep fulfillment seared through her. She realized his hold on her was just as tight as her hold on him. He had a firm grip on her thighs, not intending to let her go anyplace until he’d gotten his fill, and that thought sent her over the edge again. Never in her life had anything happened to her like this before. Not only this time, but all those other times with Mark. This just wasn’t normal for her and she wondered if it would have been normal for any woman. She finally felt her body floating back to earth when Mark lifted his mouth from her. He raised his head to stare down at her while licking his lips in the process, and the gesture was so erotic she reached out and pulled his mouth to hers. She tasted herself on his lips, his tongue, leaving her with no doubt of how intense his intimate kiss had been. His manly aroma mixed with hers, teasing her nostrils and her stomach began to quiver. Moments later, he leaned back and met her gaze and the look she saw in his eyes let her know there wouldn’t be time for any small talk. The idea of that made her pulse leap, her heartbeat fast and furious in her chest. Then he began removing the rest of his clothes, taking his time as though he had all the time in the world. When he was completely naked, his gaze moved over her, taking its time and lingering on every inch of her. Cassandra swallowed, there was no way she would tell 156

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him how she felt at this very moment. What was between them was an agreement, one as personal as it could get; however, things were supposed to remain unemotional. At least that had been her plan. But it seemed whenever they came together like this, things were as emotional as they could get. He shifted closer to her and there was no denying that he was aroused, she noted. His manhood was huge, resting between the juncture of her thighs. The size of him no longer bothered her as it had that first night. Her body had been able to adjust to take him. He interrupted her thoughts when he gathered her close before rolling until she was on top of him. She stared at him with open curiosity. “I want to try something different,” he stated huskily. She slanted her head to the side and met his gaze. “What?” “I want you on top. I want you to ride me.” Her brows furrowed together. “But I already have. We did that this morning.” He shook his head. “Not like you are going to now. I want to watch you take your pleasure from me.” When he put it like that, how could she argue? In all reality, she liked being on top because it was a position she could get the most pleasure from. It placed her in a control. She understood what Mark was doing. For the most part, every time they made love, he had dominated. Overwhelming her with pleasure she had no choice but to take. This was a chance for her to turn the tables on him, but still get her satisfaction in return. A part of her wasn’t sure she was ready for what he was asking. It would add another piece to the equation that she hadn’t counted on. She had a tendency to let herself go when she was on top. Something in her seemed 157

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to become unleashed and she lost control. Toward the end of her relationship with Spencer, it was a position he wouldn’t even allow. How would Mark respond? She had to fight hard to hold on to her self-control. Just being here with him, sitting naked in the middle of the bed, staring into blueness of his eyes was shaking her world, hurling her into an arena of emotions and feelings she hadn’t counted on, nor was primed for. He was unshaven and the mass of hair on his head was tousled, mainly from her fingers. Her gaze raked over his face and her breathing quickened when her eyes lowered to move across his manly chest and then down past his waist to his huge manhood that was fully erect in a bed of dark curly hair. And she knew at that moment that yes, she would ride him. The need to do so had become a throbbing in her belly. There was no other position that could remove it and a great quantity of rising excitement filled her entire being. “Cassandra?” She moved her gaze back up to his face. She saw the intensity in the darkening pupils staring straight at her. She felt the heat and the intoxicating force of his sexuality. It was dictatorial, domineering and dangerous, and it was reaching out to her, touching her in some of the most private places. Instead of giving him an answer, she eased toward him and reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She studied his lips and thought his mouth was enticement at its finest. Their mouths connected immediately and she began drowning in his heat the moment their tongues connected. And knowing just where their kiss would lead, kicked a response in her that went beyond anything she’d ever experienced before. 158

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She wanted him. Her arms grabbed hold of his shoulders and she felt his muscles tighten beneath her fingertips. She felt his manhood in the juncture of her legs and it was a struggle not to lower her body onto it. However, temptation made her lean down and take a swipe of his lips with her tongue. His sharp intake of breath made her smile. “Are you sure you want me on top? I sort of lose control when I am,” she informed him softly. He continued to look at her and lifted a brow. “And?” She chuckled. “Just wanted to give you fair warning. I don’t plan to take it easy on you.” She saw the way his eyes darkened. She felt the way his hard length seemed to thicken beneath her. Then suddenly he gripped her hips and lifted them enough to position his shaft at the opening of her womanly core. She felt the tip of its head right there. “Do your best,” he said in a strained voice, lowering her hips downward to inch inside her. She felt the heat of him, big and thick, as it entered her, stretching her body again to accommodate its presence. He continued to lower her onto him and she could barely breathe at the feeling of him filling her so completely. She felt the exact moment he lifted the lower part of his body off the bed to drive into her to the hilt. Wanting to keep her promise, she rose then lowered her hips, smiling when he growled from deep in his throat. She planned to make him cry out in pleasure before it was all over. ~*~ “So what did Mark say?” Cassandra shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing yet. I haven’t told him.” Lora’s mouth dropped open so far that it almost 159

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dragged the ground. “Don’t you think you ought to tell him?” She nodded and she would once she got over the disappointment herself. She and Lora were sitting at Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop sharing a sundae. They were talking about interesting things that had happened to each other over the last two weeks. The topic right now seemed to be the fact that she found out yesterday she wasn’t pregnant. She didn’t know what went wrong. Everything was right for her to get pregnant but it hadn’t happened. This morning she woke with every intention to take the pregnancy test, still sitting on her bathroom counter. But she had been awakened by menstrual cramps and a quick trip to the bathroom confirmed it. The pregnancy test that she planned to take was still under the cabinet in her bathroom. She felt so disappointed it had been hard for her to get up this morning. She hadn’t told Mark but it was because she was more let down than anything else. It also brought a lot of other things to the surface that she wasn’t ready to deal with, but had no choice right now. She sighed before looking up at Lora. “We are supposed to have dinner tonight. I will tell him then.” Lora reached out and patted Cassandra’s hand in sympathy. “I’m sorry.” Cassandra smiled sadly. “So am I.” They enjoyed a few more spoonfuls of their ice cream in silence before Cassandra spoke. “I think I’m in love with him, Lora.” Lora smiled, not looking the least shocked by the statement. “I know. The question is what do you plan to do about it?” Cassandra laughed. “I was hoping I could convince him to put a ring on my finger but now I’m even nervous about that.” 160

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Lora looked at her with surprise. “Why?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Sometimes I think that it is only a matter of time before he starts to realize I’m not perfect like Spencer did.” Lora shook her head. “There is no way Mark would be that stupid. He can’t expect you to be perfect. If he was irrational to think so, I would let Troy beat him up.” She laughed so hard at her sister-in-law that she almost snorted. Even though she meant what she said it still felt funny to picture Troy and Mark locked in a fistfight. It was even funnier to think of Mark wanting to put a ring on her hand. She hadn’t gone into this situation expecting to fall for Mark this fast, but she did, and now she was going to deal with it the best way she knew how. One thing she knew for sure was that Mark was everything she ever wanted in a man. But she would be the first to admit she had a lot of unresolved issues to settle. Issues Mark wasn’t even aware of yet. Problems that could cause chaos between Mark and her if she didn’t take care of them. She looked up as Lora shrugged her shoulders. “I think you two are good together. You shouldn’t have to work too hard to convince him. If you do he isn’t worth being with.” She shook her head at her sister-in-law her mind drifting back to knowing she wasn’t pregnant. Her plan had been to take the pregnancy test tonight when Mark came over to take her to dinner. Her reasoning had been it might give them something to celebrate. So much for her plan. There was no need to take it now. Luckily she wouldn’t have time to dwell on it too long. The rest of this week was free but next week was going to be another busy one. She was going to be in San Antonio, then New York next week consulting with two clients. 161

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On the other hand, it was a little upsetting because it meant that she wouldn’t get to spend as much time as she wanted to with Mark. Talk about where they would go from here. What their next step would be. Unfortunately it couldn’t be helped. “What do the two of you have planned for tonight?” She shrugged her shoulders because right now. Mark was going to surprise her, the way he always did. If he wanted to go out after she told him the news. No, she would wait. There was no need to ruin dinner for him. “To be truthful I don’t know and almost don’t care. As soon as I get home I will be taking a nap. I’m worn out.” Lora laughed. “Is Mark wearing you out?” Cassandra cut her eyes at Lora comment knowing exactly where she was trying to go with the statement. “As well as my clients. But not being pregnant is really disappointing, Lora because I should be. I did everything right.” Lora reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Try not to stress yourself out. You just have to decide if you are going to try again. If so, speak with your physician and research what could have happened.” Lora smiled at her. “But you will be okay. I know you are going to throw yourself into work until you feel better.” Cassandra smiled at how well her sister-in-law knew her. This was a busy time of the year for her because they were getting into the last quarter of the fiscal year. A lot of her clients did their major spending this quarter and the beginning of the fourth. It was her responsibility to make sure that they didn’t damage their finances by doing so. Lora shot her a look of warning. “Well, make sure you get some rest.” She exhaled softly. “I will. I’m so tired that as soon as I get home I am going to get up under the bed.” 162

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Lora laughed and shook her head. “Don’t do that. You already sleep like a rock.” That statement gave her pause. She had to admit she was a heavy sleeper especially if she was tired. “Do you think it will change once I have a baby?” Lora gave her an amused look. “I’m going to be totally honest. If you think that you are tired right now you haven’t seen anything yet but.” Lora sighed. “Schedule is key. The sooner you can get the baby on a program the better. Otherwise you will never get any sleep.” Lora laughed. “Which brings me to another thing. You won’t sleep over your baby’s cry. It will become such a habit to listen for your baby you might not sleep even when the baby is. I can still recall getting up checking on Zander even when he didn’t cry. I was a little more seasoned with Kevin so my nerves weren’t as bad.” Cassandra smiled. “Even though that is the case, I’m sure Troy didn’t let you suffer by yourself.” Her sister-in-law smiled. “You are right. There were several times when the boys woke up in the middle of the night when Troy was up and moving before I was even awake.” Cassandra knew her brother loved his wife and his sons. He had been a part of the reason why she started to crave a family of her own. As insane as it sounded she looked forward to waking up in the middle of the night. The thought of holding her child against her body to comfort or soothe him or her was one that brought a smiled to her face. She blinked as Lora snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Earth of Cassandra. Good grief woman, you do need to sleep. Let me get you home.” Cassandra sighed heavily. “I’m sorry Lora. I just have a lot on my mind.” 163

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“That is an understatement,” Lora scoffed. “I know you are disappointed about not being pregnant just make sure you make Mark aware of what you are feeling. Let him be there for you and you be there for him in return.” She nodded and stood up to help Lora clean up their mess. They made their way toward Lora vehicle and Cassandra was glad she hadn’t been the one to drive. Right now she felt like she could fall asleep any minute. She was so drained. The first thing on her priority list was to start sleeping better. By the time Lora pulled up in front of Cassandra’s house she was almost asleep. Leaning over she gave her sister-in-law a hug before jumping out of the car and heading inside. She turned off the house alarm and sighed in relief. Now she had to make the tough decision of whether she wanted to sleep on the couch or travel up the stairs and take a nap in her comfortable bed. The bed won out and she summoned enough energy to trudge up the stairs. She dropped her purse onto the dresser and undressed quickly before collapsing on her bed. Within minutes she drifted off into a deep sleep. When she awoke a little over an hour later there was a small smile on her face. She stretched before sitting up feeling a little better now that she was more rested. Earlier it had just seemed as if the lack of sleep and the disappointment of not being with Mark’s child had caught up with her. That and the thousands of emotions she had running through her. The combination of both had been tiring. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a T-shirt. Even thought she was home alone she wasn’t going to walk around in her underwear. Thinking about all the unexpected company she had been having lately she decided to put on 164

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a pair of shorts as well. There was no telling who could show up on her doorstep. Reaching inside her purse she grabbed her cell phone. Flipping the phone open she saw she didn’t miss any phone calls and sighed in relief. She had enough work to do as it was. Closing the phone she walked out of her bedroom and down the hall to her office. Booting up her desktop. She pulled up Gretchen and Gerald’s file. Within the hour she analyzed the couple’s assets along with their liabilities and cash flow. She looked at their insurance coverage and tax status before looking at their financial objectives. Cassandra took all the information into consideration. Once everything was evaluated she began working on a plan to implement the changes that would need to be made to help the Green’s to meet and even exceeded their financial goals. She gave her plan a once over and smiled. Financial planning was in her blood and she was good at it. She was starting to see an increase in clients because of word of mouth and she was enjoying it. All of the clients she was going to consult with next week were new. Word of mouth had been good for her business. Francesco and Fred referred her to the Green’s exactly one year ago. Based on the report she just put together, the Green’s weren’t bad at managing their finances, but they were still going to be impressed at the figure that showed the amount of money she was going to help them save. After saving the final corrections she closed the report out and placed it aside. She reached for the Rodgers information. After five minutes of looking at their information Cassandra closed her eyes and groaned. She was going to have her work cut out for her with the Rodgers, but she did it once, she could do it again. Hopefully it wouldn’t be 165

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as difficult to get the Rodgers to conform. She gave the entire file a glance before closing it. It would take at least another eight hours of sleep before she could focus on the file. Maybe more, but either way she wasn’t going to give herself a headache before her date with Mark. She wanted to be able to focus on him and nothing but him. It was something that never seemed to be a problem before. He had a way of capturing her attention as soon as he arrived. She just hoped that she was captivating him as much as he was captivating her. Because once he found out she wasn’t pregnant she wasn’t sure what his reaction was going to be.

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CHAPTER 12 “Are you okay?” Cassandra looked up at Mark and smiled. “Yes I am.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “You have been quiet all evening.” She pushed the plate that sat in front of her away and sighed. They were supposed to be having a nice quiet dinner at Kincaid’s Bayhouse but her brain was too busy racing. So much for focusing on nothing but him. “You are right and it’s because I have something I need to tell you.” A look of concern crossed his face and he took a deep breath. “I’m not pregnant.” His eyebrows rose. “Are you certain?” She nodded. “Yes, I started yesterday.” He was quiet for a moment. “Are you okay?” She smiled sadly and shook her head. “To be honest, no I’m not. I know I want to have a baby but I didn’t think I would be this disappointed if it didn’t happen the first time around.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I’m disappointed too but there is a bright side.” She gave him a puzzled look. “I get to have you to myself a little longer and we get to keep trying.” She tried to stifle her laughed but failed. “You would like that idea?” He studied her for a moment and she tried not fidget. His eyes were after an answer she wasn’t sure she had. 167

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“Do you want to keep trying?” She sighed heavily, more in relief than anything else, before nodding. It was tough to accept not being pregnant, especially if they kept trying and it didn’t happen. Yet she wanted a baby and she wanted that baby with Mark. No matter how long it took if he was willing. Looking up at him she gave a brief nod. “Yes, I want to keep trying.” He stared at her for another long moment and she prayed he didn’t ask any more questions. She was already in a delicate state. If the conversation became too heavy, she might break. “Are you finished eating?” She nodded. “To be truthful I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with. However, I would like to take this with me in case I get hungry later.” She watched as he raised his hand to signal their waiter and within minutes her leftover food was boxed up and their check paid. He guided her out of the restaurant and to his car. They arrived at her house a short while later. He escorted her up the walkway to her porch. She unlocked the door and led the way inside before disabling the alarm. Mark closed the door for her and she headed into the kitchen to put away her leftovers. She needed the time away from him to clear her head. With the trip she had ahead of her, she would have even more, good thing, because right now, she needed time and space to think, to figure everything out. Her involvement with Mark had become a lot more complicated than she expected. The plan wasn’t going the way she thought it would. When she turned around, he was entering the kitchen. She slipped off her shoes and leaned against the counter. “Are you in love with me?” Her eyes widened. She couldn’t have been more 168

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stunned at Mark’s question. Where had it come from? The expression on his face told her he was serious in his questioning. It still threw her off. She blinked several times before responding. “Excuse me?” “I asked you if you are in love with me?” Her mind went back to her lunch date with Lora. Sure she told her sister-in-law she was falling in love with Mark, but for some reason admitting it aloud to him was a lot more difficult than she thought it would be. Not knowing how he felt about her didn’t help the situation at all. “I need an answer to my question Cassie because I know I love you.” Her mouth dropped open. The man had to be a mind reader. And did he just admit that he was in love with her? She made her way over to the kitchen table on shaky legs. This was all happening way too fast. She had only been expecting a simple dinner. When she looked up at him, she almost wished she hadn’t. He had that intense stare and she had a feeling that there was about to be trouble. He stepped closer to her. “Why do you want to have a baby with me? Better yet, would you have talked to me if you hadn’t wanted one?” She put her hands up defensively. He was coming at her from too many angles and she wasn’t prepared for any of them. Her brain felt like it had turned to mush. “I need an answer, Cassie. I need to—” “Stop it. Just stop it! Why are you asking me all of these questions?” He made his way across the kitchen until he was standing directly in front of her. “Because I want to know. I need to know.” He knelt in front of her. She didn’t resist when he took her hands in his, but she shook her head. “I don’t 169

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know. This is a lot for me to take in right now.” Mark looked at her, his expression full of disbelief, but she was being honest. Right now she had a thousand thoughts running through her mind. She wasn’t sure if she loved Mark or not. She cared about him and she wanted a future with him but she wasn’t positive that it was love. The situation became more bizarre when he smiled. “Well, let me give you my take on things. You love me. Or at you are at least at a point where you think you might be. I can see it in your eyes.” Her eyes widened, but the denial stuck in her throat giving him time to continue. “What bothers me is you won’t admit it. Might even be holding yourself back to avoid it all the way around. Who made you so afraid to give all of yourself to me?” She remained silent but tears began to well up in her eyes. He was hitting the nail on the head with every single word and it was frightening. She took a deep breath refusing to cry. He only smiled. “You know it really is a little insulting that you thought I would go back on my word.” She shook her head in confusion. He had her thoughts running all over the place. So much so, she could not keep up with them. “What are you talking about?” He gave her a frustrated look. “The fact that you were hoping I would get you pregnant, then change my mind about being with you, and run off, not helping you to raise our child.” She gasped at the thought and shook her head. “I wasn’t hoping that at all.” He smiled again but it was void of humor. “Yes you were. Who made you think so lowly of men? What is his name?” She shook her head. “I have no idea what you are 170

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talking about.” She was lying through her teeth and his expression told her he knew it. Her head began to pound. She was starting to feel panicked. She dropped her face into her hands and tried to figure out a way to regain control of the situation. But it would be impossible right now with her incapable of forming one rational thought. “Tell me his name, Cassie.” She stood up abruptly. Frustration was starting to affect her and it wasn’t good. That normally led to anger in her and she didn’t need to be angry. It wasn’t a pretty sight. If Mark thought Troy could be something when he was angry, he was a breath away from finding out it ran in the family. She gave him a warning look. “I said I don’t know what you are talking about,” she muttered through clenched teeth. “Now can we talk about something else? Please!” “Tell me his name,” he repeated in a quiet voice. She stomped her foot and growled in frustration. “Stop it, Spencer. Just stop it okay. I said that I-” He looked at her with a mixture of puzzlement and shock, so she stopped in mid-sentence. “What is it now?” “Mark.” It was her turn to look puzzled. “What?” “My name is Mark. You called me Spencer.” She was certain her expression as horrified as she felt. She brought her palm to her mouth. Her knees gave out and she fell back into the chair. What had she done? She had messed up. What she had just was unforgivable. There was no way to get around this. Her eyes were sad when she looked up at him. “Go.” He shook his head. “Not until we…” She was back on her feet in a flash. “Go! I want you to go, Mark. Just leave!” 171

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She saw his hands clench into fist. He was going to fight her against this. She took a deep breath and waited…prepared to do battle. “I will leave for now, but you owe me an answer, Cassie. I deserve one. Call me when you are ready to talk.” Without another word he turned and left. A moment later she heard the front door close. She tuned and sat back down at the table. Laying her head on the table she closed her eyes and tried her best not to cry. She failed miserably. The tears began to flow freely. She managed to cry herself to sleep. A few hours later she awoke and felt horrible. Standing up, she slowly made her way out of the kitchen and up the stairs. She would have never guessed that the evening would turn out like it had. When she entered her bedroom she walked over to the edge of the bed. Her heart felt like it was going to fall out of her chest. Mark had been so right in his assumptions it was painful. She knew now there were definite answers she needed as well. Answers she didn’t currently have but needed if she wanted to work things out with Mark. That was probably one of the only things she was certain of right now. She wanted a solid future with Mark and she planned to have one. ~*~ Cassandra slowed her car down as she pulled into her driveway. It had been a very long week but it had been one of the most self-fulfilling weeks. Her fight with Mark had prompted an impromptu trip to Atlanta. She had called Spencer and they had been able to meet up and have a very meaningful conversation. Both of them walked away with a better understanding of each other as well as what had gone wrong in their relationship. He had also matured a lot since the last time she had seen him. 172

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Most importantly he had moved on and right now it seemed as if she hadn’t but she planned on it. She learned a lot about herself in that short amount of time. From Atlanta she had flown up to New York and met with her new clients. All went well with her trip and she now had new clients to add to the ones that she already had. Ever since last night she had began to mentally prepare herself for what lay ahead of her when she returned home. Evidently she wasn’t going to have enough time to prepare because she had company. She had spotted the tinted SUV parked by the curb in front of her house, three houses back. Stopping in front of the garage door she shut off the engine. She stepped out of the car and waited for the person inside the vehicle to step out. It surprised her when three doors on the vehicle opened simultaneously. She smiled when Gavin, Jeffery, and Brian appeared. The smile slipped a little when Mark didn’t get out of the vehicle, but she hadn’t really expected him to. He was probably at the restaurant especially since he had three brothers on the loose. She had contemplated the thought of going by Courtlandt’s Bistro, but she hadn’t been brave enough to stop by the restaurant. The main reason was she hadn’t talked to Mark since he walked out of her house after their heated argument. In all reality, the things she wanted to say to him she needed to say face-to-face. She made her way to the trunk of her car and unloaded her suitcases. The trio of men footsteps grew louder behind her. She turned to face them. “Hey guys.” Jeffery leaned over and whispered loudly to Brian. “She is smiling and she spoke to us, so I guess that is a good sign.” 173

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Brian only shook his head and stepped forward to embrace her. “Hi, Cassie. How was your trip?” She wished it was Mark asking her the question but she smiled. “It was good. Thank you for asking.” Brian picked up one of her suitcases before heading toward her house. Gavin greeted her next by kissing her on the cheek, before grabbing a suitcase himself. Jeffery picked up her overnight bag then locked arms with her. They made their way to her porch, Gavin and Brian stepping to the side to make room for her. She opened her front door and stepped inside before disabling her alarm. The three Courtlandt men followed her inside. She led the way her to the living room and they sat her bags down next to the couch. She turned and looked at the three men expectantly. Wanting to get to the bottom of their strange behavior. “So what brings the three of you here today?” Jeffery waggled his eyebrows. “Divine intervention.” His statement earned him an elbow and a glare from Brian. “You aren’t helping the situation.” Gavin laughed. “Jeff, will you cut it out? We are here on a mission?” Her eyebrows rose at that statement. “And what would that mission be?” Brian was the one to answer the question. “To bring you to Courtlandt’s with us.” Gavin nodded before jumping in. “Even though Mark won’t confirm it for us, we know the two of you had a falling out of some sort.” Jeffery picked up the rest. “And since our brother has the patience of a saint, we thought we should intervene before irreconcilable damage occurs.” She folded her arms across her chest fighting back her laughter. She was going to enjoy being a part of this family, but she had to make her future brother in laws 174

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worry a little first. “What makes you think we’re interested in making up?” Brian exhaled with frustration. “Because Mark loves you. And if you are the woman we think you are, you love him just as much.” She paused for a moment letting them worry a little longer before unfolding her arms and patted Brian on his cheek. “Well then, I guess it is a good thing I am that woman huh?” Jeffery laughed. “There was never any doubt in my mind.” Gavin gave her his best pleading look. It was adorable. “So will you go with us to Courtlandt’s and surprise Mark?” Her eyes widened. “He doesn’t know the three of you are here?” Brian shook his head. “No. We snuck away using a lame excuse. Jeff actually has the day off. So he didn’t need one. However, he is going to work for Mark, so our big brother won’t have an excuse not to leave. Even Mom and Dad are in on the plan.” It was touching to her that the three men would go through all of this trouble just to make sure she and Mark were given the chance to work things out. She wasn’t going to ruin it for them by telling them she planned to contact Mark anyway. Even with his instruction to call him, what she needed to say shouldn’t be said over the phone. Still she had to close her eyes and shake her head. “You know Mark is going to kill you guys.” Gavin shook his head. “I have a feeling this is one time he will thank us for meddling.” She couldn’t help but laugh. Excitement flowed through her veins. She was looking forward to seeing 175

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Mark. The last week had been rough without him. She knew she had a lot to explain but she was willing to do it. She had to. “How long do I have to get ready?” Brian looked down at his watch. “We should have already been back so the quicker you can get ready, the better.” “Okay you guys make yourselves at home.” She turned and made a mad dash up the stairs to her bedroom as she gave the instruction. She closed the door before dropping her purse on the dresser. Walking over to her closet she began flipping madly through her clothes. The first item she picked was her favorite pair of dark blue boot cut denim jeans. She chose an ice blue flyaway baby doll top that went great with the pants. Her plan was to make it hard for Mark to say no, if he had any inclination to. With the biggest task taken care of she made her way into the bathroom. She clipped her hair up before stepping into the shower. Five minutes later she was stepping out. She wrapped a towel around her body before plugging in her curling iron. Excitement raced through her veins. She couldn’t wait to see Mark. The corner of her mouth tilted upward as she sat down on the bed and began putting lotion on her skin. It had been a long week and she had literally thought of him at least once every single day. She sat the lotion aside and quickly got dressed. If all went as planned this evening she and Mark were going to be together for a long time to come. She stopped to check her reflection in the mirror. Satisfied with her look, she turned off the light in the bathroom grabbed her purse before heading out of the room. As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs she heard a low wolf whistle. Brian stepped forward. “I hope our brother realizes 176

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how lucky he is.” She smiled before kissing his cheek. “If he doesn’t know now he will by the end of the night.” Gavin was the one to lock arms with her this time. “Are you ready to go?” She nodded. “Just let me set my alarm.” They all made their way to the front door and she set the alarm. She made her way toward her car but Gavin stopped her. “How about you ride with us?” She gave him a puzzled look. “Just in case Mark does get upset about our surprise. At least we can make him feel guilty enough to make him give you a ride home. You may have another opportunity that way.” She laughed at Brian’s reasoning but knew that if anyone knew Mark it would be his brother’s. “If you think that is what we need to do, then we will do that. Just let me pull my car into the garage then we can leave.” She walked over to her car and pulled it into the garage. By the time she made it to the SUV, Jeffery was standing beside the vehicle holding the door open. She slid inside and once he was sure she settled he closed the door before running around to the other side to get in. Brian was behind the wheel and drove to Courtlandt’s. Gavin whipped out his cell phone. “Hey Mom, we’re here. Where is Mark? Good. Keep him there we are on our way in. Cassie is with us.” Cassandra smiled to herself, feeling like she was a part of some sort of covert operation. Jeff hung up the cell phone and stepped out before opening her door. She took a deep breath before stepping outside the vehicle hoping she was doing the right thing. They all made their way inside Courtlandt’s. It was busy and her nervousness dissipated some. She didn’t 177

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want to cause a scene but she would if she had to. The smile that was on Dennis face when they walked in was reassuring. If she doubted the Courtlandt’s liked her before now she couldn’t after this. Dennis stepped forward to embrace her. “Good to see my sons didn’t have to make good on the threat of hog tying you.” She turned to look at the three men who had done everything in their power to get her there. They gave her sheepish looks. Gavin gave her an apologetic shrug. “Believe me when I say what our mother threatened was worse.” Dennis leaned down before whispering in her ear. “If you haven’t already figured it out yet, Mark and I are the only sane ones in this family.” She laughed. “Well hopefully I will be another addition.” He winked at her. “I like the way you think, but we need to get you to the back. My wife can only keep my son distracted for so long.” “You are right.” They all headed for the kitchen and she took a deep breath trying to calm remainder of her nerves. Dennis squeezed her hand reassuringly. It was a good thing too because as soon as the door was swung open Mark and Sally stood there. Time seemed to stand still. Dennis released her hand but she didn’t even notice. She only had eyes for Mark. His eyes met hers and an atomic bomb could have exploded and she wouldn’t have noticed. That was probably the reason she wasn’t aware of the rest of the Courtlandt’s leaving the kitchen. Brian’s last act was to give her a nudge. It was one good enough to send her into his arms. That was all that it took. She wasn’t sure whose 178

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lips found who’s but it didn’t matter to her. When he finally lifted his head she was breathless. “I have missed you.” His smiled was heart stopping. “I missed you too.” He gave her a puzzled look. “I am surprised to see you’re here.” She smiled. “I probably wouldn’t be if it hadn’t been for your brothers.” His eyebrows rose. He didn’t seem to be sure of what to make of revelation. Her smile faded as her eyes met his again. “We need to talk.” He nodded. “I know. Do you have any plans for later?” She sighed softly. “None, unless they involve you.” He gave a quick look around. “I don’t think this is a good place to talk. Do you want to meet at my place or yours?” She gave him a small smile. “Yours, but I was hoping we could talk before then.” “When is a good time for you?” She gave him a hopeful look. “I was hoping we could talk right now. Jeff said he would stay for you. He smiled. “You all had this well planned out. She shook her head. “I am an innocent bystander. I planned to call you as soon as I was settled in so we could talk but your family beat me to it. They ambushed me as soon as I pulled into the driveway.” He laughed. “In that case, I say we need to go ahead and leave. They are probably straining to listen as we speak.” She stayed behind and watched him talk to his brothers before gathering up his things. Sally pulled her to the side before embracing her. “It is good to see you again.” 179

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She smiled. “It is good to see you again as well.” Sally gave her a long understanding look before speaking. “Just be honest with him. Mark is a very perceptive man.” She nodded knowing Sally spoke wisely. There were things she needed to tell Mark. Things he had to know for their relationship to move forward. He walked up beside her and placed his arm around her waist, smiling down at her. “Are you ready?” She looked at him and nodded. After saying goodbye to everyone she followed him out of Courtlandt’s. The drive to his house was a quiet one. She studied his profile in the car and knew this was the man she would let have her heart willingly. He pulled into his driveway and into the garage. They made their way inside the house with her following him. She allowed him to lead her to the casual living room and sat on the couch beside him. He looked over at her and smiled. “How was your trip?” She smiled. “It was good. Went a lot better than I thought it would.” Her smile faded a little and she exhaled heavily knowing this was going to be the tough part. “I left for my trip a little early. I went to Atlanta to talk to Spencer.” He gave her a puzzled look. “How did that go for you?” She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. “I learned I had doubts in my mind that were put there, but they didn’t belong.” She sighed. “My relationship with Spencer was good…or at least I thought it was. Still, I never felt as though I measured up. His parents made me feel incompetent and in certain ways Spencer did as well. He would often complain that I bored him. Watching him openly flirt with other women in front 180

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of me didn’t help.” She gave him a poignant glance. “Basically, Spencer wore my self-esteem down and I didn’t even realize it. I guess that is why I was so eager to have a baby on my own without the complications of a relationship.” She gave him a small smile. “My conversation with Spencer helped me a lot. I also learned a lot, like the fact that my break up with Spencer affected me more than I thought.” She paused. “I also know without a doubt that I am madly in love with you.” Mark didn’t respond verbally but a slow smile spread across his face so she kept going. “I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I want lots of babies.” He laughed before pulling her onto his lap. His lips came down on hers briefly. When he lifted his head they were both breathless. “I love you too. Just promise me from this point forward you will come to me. Tell me how you feel. Lean on me if you need to. I will be there for you if you let me and I know you will do the same.” She nodded before lowering her head. “I love you, Mark,” she murmured before her lips touched his again. She planned to take him upstairs and show him just how much.

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MEET THE AUTHOR Stephanie Morris resides in Fort Worth, Texas. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, dancing, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. In Stephanie’s opinion, there is nothing like curling up with a good book that you can’t put down, and she is addicted to writing them. Stephanie can be contacted on MySpace at www.myspace.com/stephaniemorrisbooks or http://www.stephaniemorris.webs.com/

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