The Garrisons: Cassie, Adam & Brooke: Stranded with the Tempting Stranger

“Sounds like she was pretty brazen.”

His jaw tightened. “Yes, she was.”

When they reached the end of the shore they stopped and looked out at the ocean. Standing beside her Brandon could feel Cassie’s heat, and even with the scent of the sea he inhaled her fragrance. He allowed the rest of his senses to appreciate her presence, being with her at this time and place.

She turned and flashed him a brilliant smile. “The sunset is beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and so are you.”

She lowered her head as if to consider his words. She then looked back at him. “Are you always this complimentary with women?”

“No, not always.”

“Then I should feel special.”

“Only because you are.”

She turned and pressed her lithe body against his aroused one, and he was tempted to lower his head and connect to the lips she was so eagerly offering him. Instead he stepped back and said, “I think it’s time for me to leave and go back to the hotel now.”

He saw the questions in her eyes and really wasn’t surprised when she asked, “Why, Brandon?”

He understood her reason for asking. But there was no way he could be completely honest with her. “I don’t think we’re ready for that step yet,” he murmured softly, moving forward to pull her in his arms.

She leaned back and looked at him as her lips curved into a smile. “Are you talking for yourself or for me?”

He ignored the underlying challenge in her words. “I’m trying to be a gentleman and speak for the both of us.”

“I’m a grown woman, Brandon. I can speak and think for myself.”

He looked down at her, studied her eyes and saw the deep rooted stubbornness glaring in them. “I know that, but I want you to trust me to know what’s best for the both of us right now.”

She paused then said, “All right, but only on one condition.”

He raised a dark brow. “And what condition is that?”

“That we have dinner again tomorrow night.”

It was on the tip of Brandon’s tongue to tell her that he was thinking seriously about returning to Miami tomorrow. Parker and Stephen would know soon enough that his mission hadn’t been accomplished. The thought of spending time with Cassie one more night over dinner was something he couldn’t pass up. But then, he would give her an out by suggesting a place she probably wouldn’t go along with.

“Dinner will be fine as long as we can dine at the hotel,” he said.

He was surprised when she nodded and said, “All right.”

Brandon nodded. “Come on, let’s go back.”

When they reached the terrace he stopped and turned to her. “And I might have to go back to the States on Thursday. Something has come up that needs my attention.”

He could see the disappointment in her face and it almost weakened his resolve.

“I understand. I’m a businesswoman, so I know how things can come up when you least expect them to … or want them to.”

He eased down in the wicker chair to put back on his shoes and socks. He waited and then said, “I’m looking forward to having dinner with you tomorrow.”

“So am I.”

He glanced up at her, intrigued by the eagerness in the tone of her voice, and wondered if perhaps she was plotting his downfall. He wanted her with a fierce passion and it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge.

Brandon stood, knowing it was best for him to leave now. Hanging around could result in more damage than good. “Will you walk me to the door?”

He reached for her hand and she didn’t resist in giving it to him. When they reached her front door he gazed at her, thinking he wouldn’t be forgetting her for a long time. “Thanks again for a beautiful evening and a very delicious dinner.”

The smile that appeared on her face was genuine. “You are welcome.” And then she leaned up on tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow, Brandon. Please leave a note at the front desk regarding where you want us to meet and when.”

Brandon held her gaze for a moment, and then nodded before turning to walk down the walkway to his car.

Five

Brandon glanced at the table that sat in the middle of the floor. Room service had done an outstanding job of making sure his orders were followed. He wanted Cassie to see the brilliantly set table the moment she arrived.

He had tried contacting Parker earlier today to let him know his trip hadn’t revealed anything about Cassie that they didn’t already know. He shook his head, thinking that he stood corrected on that. There was a lot about her that he knew now that he hadn’t known before, but as far as he was concerned it was all good, definitely nothing that could be used against her.

Parker’s secretary had told him that his friend had taken a couple of days off to take his wife Anna to New York for shopping and a Broadway show, and wouldn’t be returning until the beginning of next week. Brandon couldn’t help but smile every time he thought about how the former Anna Cross had captured the heart of the man who had been one of Miami’s most eligible bachelors and most prominent businessman.

He turned at the sound of the knock on the door and quickly crossed the room. As he’d expected, she was on time. He opened the door to find Cassie standing there, and smiled easily. As usual she looked good. Tonight her hair was hanging around her shoulders. He studied her face and could tell she was wearing very little makeup, which was all that was needed since she had such natural beauty.

His gaze slid down her body. She was no longer wearing the business suit he had seen her in earlier that day when he had caught a glimpse of her before she had stepped into an elevator. Instead she had changed into a flowing, slinky animal-print dress that hugged at the hips before streaming down her figure. A matching jacket was thrown over her arm. A pair of black leather boots were on her feet, but how far up her legs they went he couldn’t tell due to the tea-length of her dress. He knew she was wearing the boots more for a fashion statement than for the weather.

“May I come in?”

He pulled his gaze back to her face and returned her smile. “Yes, by all means.”

Her fragrance filled his nostrils when she strolled by him and after closing the door he stood there and stared at her with his hands shoved in the pockets of his trousers. He had placed them there so he wouldn’t be tempted to reach out and pull her into his arms. That temptation was becoming a habit.

“You look nice,” he couldn’t help but say because she did look nice, so nice that he felt the fingers inside his pockets beginning to tingle.

“Thank you. And you look nice yourself.”

When he lifted a skeptical brow he saw her smile widen, and then she said, “You do look nice. I thought that the first time I saw you.”

“That night on the beach?”

“No, that day you checked in to the hotel. I happened to notice you and immediately knew by the way you were dressed that you were an American businessman.”

He nodded, not wanting to get in to all the other things that he was, especially when his conscience was getting pinched. He decided to change the subject. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“I am.” She glanced around and saw the table. “They’ve delivered already?”

Freeing his hands from his pockets, he moved away from the door to cross the room to where she stood. “No, they’ve just set up everything. I didn’t want to take the chance of ordering something you didn’t like.”