Authors: Paige Cameron
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Reclaim Their Love [Wyoming Warriors 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (2 page)
“I hope the next time isn’t better. I don’t think I could handle it,” he said.
Cassandra rolled to the side of the bed and got up. She grabbed her shirt and pulled it on. The hem came to the top of her thighs, covering the most delectable parts.
“You shouldn’t assume there will be a next time.”
He stared at her. “What? You enjoyed what we did.”
“Yes. We were both overcome with memories of another time. I have no idea what I want, or if I will ever decide to marry. Don’t make assumptions about me.”
* * * *
His beautiful body moved gracefully up and out of her bed. When he turned and faced her, her breath caught. Handsome, tanned and muscled, how could any woman resist him? He raked his longer-than-normal brown hair off his forehead.
“What was this?” He pointed to the bed. “A fun fling?”
“I’m not sure. You took over and I just followed.” She shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex. You were hungry. I was too. We had a good time. Just don’t make too much of it.”
She forced herself to turn and walk into her tiny bathroom. After she shut the door, she got into the tub and turned on the shower above, letting cold water pour over her hot body. Maybe that would cool her desire for a man she dared not encourage. She picked up the soap and quickly finished her bath.
When she opened the door and went into her bedroom, he was gone. The bed was made. He’d put her jeans and panties on the chair.
In the living room the quiet echoed around her. He’d locked the door after him. She buried her face in her hands. The words she’d said were the hardest she’d ever had to say. But she had no choice. She had a problem that had to be taken care of before committing herself to anyone. If Nick or Lang knew, they’d be determined to protect her. They’d be sure that no one could hurt them. She wasn’t taking a chance.
The problem was hers. She hadn’t intended to see Nick or Lang until she knew for certain she’d escaped the man she feared. Or he’d lost interest in pursuing her. No way was she involving anyone else in a situation that she could have avoided if she’d just returned home sooner. Especially not the two men she’d left behind, and who she thought she might still love.
Chapter Two
“I thought I might find you here,” Nick sauntered into the large house he and Lang had recently finished building. “Still working on the little details? I told you everything is perfect. It’s just for us.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not stopping until I’m satisfied.” Lang stepped back and viewed the fancy woodwork he’d done around the top of the kitchen cabinets. “And I think I’m finally done.”
Nick threw himself into one of the two chairs they’d recently bought. “Are we going to ask Rae to do the rest of the furnishing and decorating?”
“Yeah. She has a good eye for what suits the person.”
“I think it goes along with her ability to see someone with all her senses.” Nick stared out the huge window that brought in sunlight to the living room and loft above.
“You’re out of sorts. The visit didn’t go well?”
“Seemed to until the end, when she basically showed me out the door after we had mind-blowing sex.”
“Maybe it wasn’t mind blowing to her?” Lang grinned at his best friend.
“Hell yes it was. She couldn’t hide her response now any better than she did ten years ago. But something is bothering her.” He noted the grin left Lang’s face and was replaced with the stoic look he often wore to hide emotion.
“Doesn’t sound like she’s changed much in the ten years she’s been gone.” Lang turned his back and went to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. “Let’s go to the cabin and cook our dinner. I’m making rounds again later tonight.”
The men walked out side by side. Lang went to his truck and Nick to his. Nick glanced across the hood. “Working twenty-three hours a day isn’t going to get her out of your system. You said you smelled her scent at the wedding. We’ve never gotten her out of our minds or hearts. But this time we won’t let her get away. She’s ours and we’re going to reclaim her.”
“And if she doesn’t want us?”
“For shame, when have we ever been unable to convince a woman they wanted us?”
“Ten years ago, when she left us high and dry.”
Lang’s dry tone masked the ache Nick knew he was feeling. Hell, he felt it, too. They’d found the one woman for them, and still she resisted admitting the truth. She loved them. He’d tasted, smelled, touched her need, her hunger to let go and be theirs. What was holding her back this time? Irritated with Lang’s comment and his own thoughts, Nick slammed his truck door shut and drove fast down the two-lane road toward the central part of the ranch where they had their cabin. In his rearview mirror, he saw Lang following.
Rae was crossing the road to go to the leader’s ranch house when they turned onto the main road. Nick pulled his truck to the side and stopped. Rae walked to his open window.
“You must have been out to see your new house. I visited yesterday. It’s really beautiful,” Rae said.
“We like it. But it needs some decorating and furniture. We thought you might take on the job for us.”
Lang had stopped and walked over to join them. “For pay,” he added. “You always want to make it a gift. You’re talented. You need to start treating your work as a business.”
“I don’t know. I’ve thought about it, but I’m frequently gone on jobs with Mitch and the crew.”
“Well start with us. We’re hiring you.” Nick flashed his convincing smile at her.
She laughed. “All right. And since you say it’s business I’ll give you an estimate after I do my plans. I’m going to be expensive.”
Both men laughed. “I think we can afford you.” They waved good-bye as they got in their trucks and drove home.
“I’ll cook dinner,” Nick said as they walked into the cabin.
“Yeah, right. It’s real hard to warm up those ribs Tessa cooked for us.” Lang waved and went on down the hall to his room.
Nick put the ribs in the oven to warm and took out fresh vegetables to cook. He liked working in the kitchen. Some of his best ideas came to him while he cooked. If he hadn’t studied architecture, he thought he might have been a chef.
He was convinced Cassie had a problem she didn’t want to share, and that was preventing her from committing to him and Lang. She’d responded fully to him until the end. What had brought the abrupt change?
Lang came back and joined Nick in the kitchen. He opened a bottle of merlot and poured them both a glass.
“I can see you’ve been deep in thought. Are we expecting company?”
“No, why?” Nick raised his head and looked at him.
Lang motioned to the salad bowl. “That’s enough for four people, not two.”
Nick had to laugh. “Guess you’re right. My thoughts did get away with me, but I have an idea.”
“Feed me first.” Lang sat at the kitchen table.
“We really need to get married,” Nick said. “We’re beginning to sound like an old married couple.” He brought the salad, bowls, and silverware to the table and joined Lang.
Lang ate several bites then put his fork down. “All right, I can’t stand you staring at me while I eat. Go ahead. What’s the idea?”
“To get Rae to invite Cassie to help with decorating the house. She and Cassie used to be good friends, and Cassie has a flair for design and color. We’ll ask Rae not to tell her whose house it is.”
“And you think she won’t know when she walks in?”
“Probably, but hopefully that will hook her to be involved.”
“I always knew you were devious, but it’s a good idea.”
* * * *
Rae peeked in the shop window. She wasn’t sure why she’d let Nick and Lang talk her into their plan. But she did like Cassie, and Nick and Lang were two of her favorite people. The shop looked empty. A good time to visit. As she stepped inside a bell over the door rang. Cassie glanced up from her work and smiled.
“Rae, I haven’t seen you since I’ve been back.”
“Mitch has kept me busy on assignments. I just returned a few days ago.”
“You look wonderful.”
“So do you. With your hair in that ponytail you still look eighteen.”
“I have good genes, but inside, I don’t feel that young. Thank goodness. I was an idiot back then.”
Rae wandered around the shop. “I like it.” She stopped at the counter where Cassie’s jewelry sparkled in the light. “You’re very talented.” Rae gazed across at Cass. “I’d never expected you to come back to Lovettville, much less open a shop with unique jewelry and Native American artifacts and paintings.”
Cassie laughed. “Neither did I. But life takes you on different twists and turns.”
“I’d love to hear the story sometime.”
“You may be one of the few people I’d be willing to tell.”
“Actually, I had two reasons to come see you today. One was to welcome you back, although I’m a little late for that. The other is to ask you to help me with a job.”
“A job?”
“I’m considering starting a decorating business. You know, both decorating and furnishing houses or apartments. I have a knack for it, and have been doing some minor jobs for free. This next one is for pay, and it’s a whole house.”
Cassie wrinkled her forehead. “I don’t see where I fit in.”
“We talked in the past about doing this type of work together. You have a great sense for color and arrangement. I’d like you to be my partner in this first venture.”
“My business keeps me pretty busy, and I take Mom to the city every other week for her treatments.”
“Perhaps while you wait for her you could scout out some pictures or pieces of furniture, that sort of thing?”
“I do have a lady that helps me in the shop when I have to be gone. She’d like more hours.” Cassie shrugged. “It might be fun this one time. I can’t commit for any more than that.”
“Good enough. After one time I’ll have you convinced. I need someone to handle the business when I’m away on assignment. This could work out perfect for all of us.”
“My assistant, Cindy, will be pleased. When do we start?”
“Can you get away this afternoon?”
“Let me call Cindy. Just give me a moment.” Cassie went to the phone and dialed.
Rae went back to the jewelry. She noticed Cassie had made several more bracelets similar to the ones she’d done for Ellen to give to Jack and Sahale after their wedding. One particular bracelet caught Rae’s eye. It was done in white gold, with gold and black stones intertwined around the eternity sign. She swallowed around the lump in her throat.
“You have the look my customers get when I’m sure I’ve got a sale.” Cassie’s teasing voice brought Rae back to the present.
“I like that one.” She pointed to the bracelet she’d been studying. “How much?”
“I’ll let you have it at cost—”
“No. I want to pay what you’d charge any customer.”
Cassie stared at her for a second. “Six hundred and fifty dollars.”
“That sounds like less than its value.”
“I give family and close friends a twenty percent discount, so shoot me.”
Rae laughed. “All right, I’ll take it.”