was one large bedroom. She stepped inside onto plush green carpet. Side windows faced the forest. To the front of the bedroom, she walked past two big closets on either side and into a huge bath with a sunken tub and an enormous shower. Windows faced an enclosed garden.
Going back into the bedroom she passed another smaller, two-sided fireplace, one side opening to the bedroom and the other to a small sitting room facing the mountains. A door led outside to a wide veranda.
“I’m jealous,” Rae said. “If you don’t marry them, I may just to get this magnificent house.” She gazed across at Cassie. “Any ideas on how to decorate and furnish the place?”
“Oh yes. I’ve dreamed of doing this for many years. Next week when I go to the city, I’ll start looking for furnishings and such.”
“Good.” They walked back out to the living room. “Let’s sit in these two chairs and discuss our ideas. I told them I’d present them with a plan and a bill.” She grinned at Cassie. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Cassie glanced around her. It would be, if it didn’t break her heart.
Chapter Three
They were so engrossed in discussing various ideas, neither heard the back door quietly open. Cassie sensed his eyes on her and caught his scent. She raised her head and looked into wintry-gray eyes. Her heart throbbed, and heat rushed through her veins.
Her mouth went dry.
“I haven’t seen you in a long time, Cassie.” His words slid inside her, smooth and luxurious like a warm sip of cognac. He strolled into the living room. “Do you like the house?”
“I love it. You all used the design Nick and I made together.”
“We did.”
“And all the fancy, carved woodwork is your special contribution,” she added.
“I like to work with my hands.”
Cassie glanced at his tanned hands holding his gloves. Briefly, a picture of those hands touching her, caressing her skin, molding her breasts, sent an ache straight to her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched with desire, and moisture pooled in her panties. His eyes darkened. He was aware of the feelings he’d aroused.
“Rae, shouldn’t we be heading back? I’m sure Cindy must be ready to go home.”
“Sure.” Rae gathered her papers. “I’ll get back with you soon, Lang.”
“No rush. We’ve waited this long. We can wait a little longer,” he said and stared across at Cassie. Her face heated. She forced herself to turn and walk out behind Rae. Her body was screaming, “stay.” She wanted to walk up to him, wrap her arms and legs around him, and never let go.
Lang’s words stopped her at the door. “I can save Rae the trouble of driving you into town. I haven’t seen your shop yet.”
She stopped in the doorway, caught between the desire to run away and her need to face Lang. His footsteps rang across the floor, bringing him right behind her. She breathed in his wonderful scent, musky and male.
“Haven’t you run enough?”
Her body no longer listened to her mind. She leaned back against his warm frame. Rae looked at them, smiled, waved, and went to her car. They stood and watched her drive off. Lang had opened Cassie’s coat and placed his hands on her breasts. He bent to kiss the side of her neck. Her heart beat almost uncontrollably fast as his thumbs rubbed across her pebbled nipples through her thin blouse and bra. His teeth nibbled on her earlobe as a spark of sheer pleasure shot up her spine.
“Haven’t you missed this?” His soft voice blew across her ear. “I have.”
He stepped back with her and, reaching around, closed the door. Turning her, he cupped her face and just stared.
“So many nights, I visualized your face in front me, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to love you or hate you.” Anger flashed briefly in the depths of his eyes. They darkened like gray clouds before a storm.
“I imagined this, finally having you in my arms. And still a part of me wants to throw you away.”
“Why don’t you?” She