His-And-Hers Family Read Online Free Page A

really ours, but Mr. Jenks doesn’t care that we swim there. He’s too old to go swimming anymore, and—”
    Blake’s low chuckle stopped the flow of words.
    “Did I say something funny?” she asked, all too conscious that she didn’t know how to act with someone this sophisticated.
    “No, I just never heard anybody talk that long without taking a breath.”
    Cassie clasped her hands together, knowing her chatter was a habit that increased with nerves. She was glad of the darkness that hid the sudden warmth in her cheeks. He must think she was a fool. “I’m sure you haven’t.”
    “I didn’t mean that unkindly. No guarding each carefully chosen word, or gauging its effect. It’s refreshing.” He propped one long leg against the railing, pulling the material of his fine slacks taut. Apparently, there was muscle beneath that smooth exterior. Plenty of muscle.
    Cassie tore her eyes away, then searched his expression suspiciously, but saw only relaxed amusement, no cynicism. “No offense taken. I do speak my mind.” She gestured to indicate the wide, quiet street, the soft glow of lights in neighboring homes. “Not much point trying to hide anything. Here everybody knows your secrets. Pretending they don’t exist wouldn’t last the blink of a firefly.”
    “Firefly? Are there still fireflies? I thought they’d disappeared after civilization crowded them out.”
    “Not here. Guess there’s not that much civilization.”
    “Or too many people, you mean. Like in L.A.”
    “I wouldn’t know about that. I’ve never been to California.”
    “You mean you’re one of the few people in America who never had California fever?”
    She shrugged. “Nope. But I have got fireflies.”
    They shared an unexpected smile.
    Too aware of the shared moment, the slash of white teeth against his sensual lips, Cassie glanced away, turning to the refuge of darkness to hide the unexpected flutter she felt. Considering how long it had been since she even acknowledged that there was another sex in the species, she was surprised to recognize the quick flare of attraction. Must be the moon, the night air, enhancing the mystery of the sophisticated stranger whose long, lean body stretched against her railing.
    At that moment, two fireflies sparked in front of them, lighting the darkness briefly before they flew away.
    “I can’t believe tit,” Blake murmured. “This whole place is like stepping back in time.”
    Cassie heard the change in his voice. It had stayed authoritative and brisk until now. She liked the change, found it easier to be herself when he didn’t sound so intimidating. “When I was a kid, we caught fireflies in jelly jars. We’d punch airholes in the lid so they wouldn’t croak. Then they’d light up like a lantern when the jar was full.” She smiled, unable to resist teasing him. “Could be why there’s a shortage of firefties where you live. Lots more kids in the big city—and maybe they forgot about the airholes.”
    He chuckled again, his voice scraping beads of awareness over her skin. “Could be. More likely the fireflies got tired of the smog.” He looked down the quiet streets. “This seems like a great place to grow up.”
    Cassie felt a familiar pang, then forced it away. “It was. I like knowing my children are safe, happy.”
    “You never thought about going anywhere else?”
    The pang deepened, and she purposely shifted the questioning away from herself. “How about you, Mr. Matthews? Did you ever want to live someplace besides the big city?”
    “Almost everybody in L.A. thinks about retreating to the middle of nowhere. But I know I’d enjoy it for a few days and then I’d go nuts.”
    Cassie laughed softly. “Then Twin Corners will probably send you around the bend.”
    “I won’t be around long enough to let it. Once the deal closes, I’ll be gone.”
    Of course he would. And he could take his disturbing effect along with him . She shook her head to clear it, pushing her