Part 20 (1/2)

From b.r.e.a.s.t.s to thighs, his hard, naked body covered her. She could feel his erection against her belly, his warm, fast breath. Pus.h.i.+ng all probable consequences aside, she reached for him. ”Yes.”

THEY'D FALLEN ASLEEP. Exhausted, Emma slept like the dead and woke with Casey propped on an elbow beside her, smiling. B.B. was splayed over their legs.

”He snuck in about a half hour ago.”

Emma stretched up to peer at the dog. As if he felt her awareness, he rolled to his back and looked at her upside down. Casey chuckled and reached down to scratch his throat.

”I can see this might turn tricky. Maybe I should get another cot and set it up at the other end of the porch.”

”Wouldn't work,” Emma informed him. ”He'd still crawl up here. He's too used to sleeping with me.”

”He got dirt and leaves in the bed, but at least he's dry. And he didn't complain at having me here.”

”He likes you.” Emma stroked Casey's shoulder. ”I like you, too.”

”Yeah?” His slow smile warmed her heart. ”Well, I'll have to remember this combination, huh?”

”What combination?”

”Great s.e.x and a little rest.”

Laughing, Emma stretched and said, ”The s.e.x was incredible, and I did need the rest.” She peeked at him. ”But do you think you can add food in there somewhere?”

”Whatever it takes to keep you happy.”

If this was a dream, Emma thought, she didn't want to wake up. Casey was so attentive, constantly touching her, kissing her. Sharing details of her mother's sickness hadn't been nearly as painful as she'd feared, because Casey had shared some of himself in return. And best of all, he had no complaints about her dog. Every other man she'd dated had resented B.B.'s interference a which had made them very dispensable. But not Casey. Rather than scold the dog, he'd made room for him and even given him affectionate pats. But then when had Casey ever been like other guys?

After they got dressed, she finally got a tour of the little run-down cabin. It needed some repairs, no doubt about that, but it was still quaint, boasting a stone fireplace currently blackened from use, a minuscule bathroom a which she made use of a and a tiny kitchenette that even had running water. Other than the bathroom being sectioned off, it was all one open room.

Casey showed her where he'd like to erect a gazebo, where he'd clear an area for a picnic table and perhaps a shelter. The charm of the cabin would definitely be the seclusion and the surrounding nature. Casey promised to bring her there often, and Emma already looked forward to the return.

A few minutes later, after Casey insisted on covering her in sunscreen with excruciating, and exciting, attention to detail, they took the boat out again in search of food. First, Casey pulled in to the boat dock with the intention of getting hot dogs and chips. He changed his mind when, seconds after they'd docked, Lois and Kristin, along with a contingent of friends, converged on him. They'd docked their own boat and had been in the process of restocking their drinks and snacks.

It wasn't unusual to run into people on the lake. As Casey had told Damon, people used their boats almost as much as their cars. But to see the two women together...well, that boggled Emma's mind. Her luck couldn't be that bad. She caught Casey's apologetic shrug, prompting her to ask, ”They're friends?”

”Everyone knows everyone else around here, babe, you know that.”

”But...they both want you!”

That made him laugh, and shake his head at her. ”I told you I work with Kristin, and Lois is a or rather was a a friend.”

Apparently, he was still annoyed with Lois for her sniping remarks at the hospital. Emma tried to ignore both women as they sent her baleful looks while moving in on Casey. It wasn't easy. They wore tiny bikinis, gorgeous tans, and they were all too ready to play touchy-feely with Casey.

Because of the men who'd accompanied Lois and Kristin, Emma was grateful that she'd put her cover-up back on. They were being nice enough about it, only barely looking, but judging by their curious attention, she a.s.sumed Lois had already clued them in to her ident.i.ty.

Casually polite, Casey spoke with the women while ga.s.sing up the boat. Two of the men, dressed only in snug trunks, walked around the dock to Emma's side. B.B. gave a low growl of warning, alerting Casey to their approach.

One of the young men knelt down, which brought him closer to eye level with Emma. He grinned at her with what looked to be real pleasure. ”Emma, I'd heard you were back. It's good to see you again.”

Her dark gla.s.ses s.h.i.+elded her eyes and gave her a false sense of privacy. ”Thanks. I'm sorry...do I know you?”

Chagrin added color to his already tanned face. ”You don't remember me?”

”Should I?”

He ribbed his friend and they both laughed. ”Naw, I guess not. It was a long time ago.”

His friend added, ”And you have lost some hair.”

They laughed, and the first man held out his hand. ”Gary William.”

The name jogged her memory, causing Emma to look closer. True, he had a bit of a receding hairline, but he was still quite handsome. And still built like a linebacker... ”I remember now. You played football for the school.”

”That'd be me.”

”Sorry about that. I'm not real good with faces anymore.” She and Gary had had a short-lived...thing. She wouldn't call him a boyfriend, and they hadn't officially dated. But if he expected her to be embarra.s.sed, he'd be disappointed.

He kept the handshake brief and merely polite, surprising her. ”So.” He gave her the once-over. ”You look terrific. How've you been?”

Relaxing, Emma said, ”Good. And yourself?”

”Real good. You in town for long?”

”A few weeks maybe.” Or months. She just didn't know yet.

”That's great.” He glanced at Casey, then back to her with casual interest. ”Catching up with old friends?” At her nod, he said, ”Perfect. We're all going waterskiing. Want to join us? It'll give you a chance to get reacquainted with everyone.”

Emma barely had her mouth open to make her excuses when Casey started the boat's powerful motor, making conversation more difficult. The men backed up. Emma turned and saw that Casey, too, wore his gla.s.ses a and a very false smile.

”Sorry, Gary. We've already got plans. Maybe some other time?” And he put the boat in reverse before Gary could offer any alternatives.

A little stunned at their hasty retreat, Emma waved to the men bidding her a fast farewell. Once they were several yards out in the lake, she said, ”That was rather abrupt.”

”He was about to ask you out. As to that, if he finds out where you're staying, he'll probably call.”

Suffering faint disappointment at Casey's att.i.tude, Emma raised an eyebrow. ”You mean he'll expect to jump back into...old times.”

Though his gla.s.ses hid his eyes, there was no mistaking Casey's annoyance. ”No, d.a.m.n it. I meant he and every other guy who looks at you will notice what an attractive woman you are and hope to get closer. Reacquainting himself is just an excuse.”

”Oh.” Emma felt small for projecting her own thoughts onto him. ”Sorry.”

”As to that, I'd appreciate it if you'd quit putting words into my mouth, okay?”

To give him his due, she winced theatrically. ”Okay, I'll try.”

”And while we're on the subject, I'd like us to come to an understanding.”