didn't want
you assigned to this case. That I
wouldn't be responsible if anything happened to you. Did they listen, no? Tonight is proof you can't handle this
assignment.”
Cassidy's doe
like eyes examined average features twisted from anger. As if Dan’s straight, dishwater blonde hair
was as disgruntled as he was, strands breaking free from their normal groomed
state fell haphazardly across his forehead. Even knowing his lecture came from fear for her safety; his over
protective tendency pissed her off.
Never before had
Cassidy been treated like a wimp by her father or brother's, from day one they
taught self-preservation believing strongly in their motto that women should be
capable of taking care of themselves. Though she never doubted for one second how much they loved her, growing
up four against one wasn't easy. They'd
“whipped her into shape,” she always bragged, prepared her for life’s
challenges, one of them, Dan.
Tonight, Cassidy
was too tired to argue, as usual, she wouldn't get anywhere anyway. At once, she remembered how relieved she was
when three years ago Dan accepted a transfer from New York to L.A. From the moment, they met, with a capital
“S,” seduction was his agenda, trying everything known to humankind to get her
into bed. Too dense to understand, in
doing so, Dan succeeded in convincing her he believed the brain of a woman was
located between her legs and that controlling it was possible if once given the
opportunity to occupy the same space.
Although Dan was
more than satisfactory looking, intelligent, with a fair amount of muscles,
Cassidy labeled him an egotistical sex manic with an attitude toward women that
needed adjustment. Watching his
melodramatic movements, right this minute, she couldn’t help but think how
she'd love to be the one to twist a knot in his tail.
Accustomed to his
ranting and raving, Cassidy waited until he turned his back to steal into the
bedroom. A couple of quick tugs removed
her costume replaced just as quickly by a favorite oversized tee. She was turning toward the bathroom when she
came against Dan's broad chest a thud that scrambled her thoughts. Made furious by his audacity she wondered,
how long he’d been there, how much he saw, and what right did he have to enter
her private space.
“Get out. Get out of here this minute,” she
demanded. “I'm tired. I don't need this
shit. I don't need your lecture. I'm more than qualified for this job and,
dammit, you know it.”
Standing
motionless with admiration drooling from his mouth, hands coming to Cassidy’s
neck smoothed over her slight shoulders in a calming gesture, a liberty that
made matters worse. “God, you're
beautiful, even more so when you're angry. What you wore tonight did nothing for you. But I can honestly say I've never seen a tee
shirt look so damn inviting.”
Cassidy was all
too aware of the bed behind them, the desire dulling Dan's eyes, regrets of,
ever dating him, ever allowing him to kiss her, and fondle her burst to the
surface. Dan was never going to accept
that their brief affair was over, never.
Yet, thinking
back, Dan was always the perfect gentleman, never taking more than she was
willing to give, which wasn't much. At
first, the fact that he was ten years her senior seemed to be the security
Cassidy needed. Now she wondered if, he
was aroused, if he was thinking about sex.
God, what was
wrong with her? What was she
thinking? That was the problem, she
wasn't. She was too damn tired,
miserable and had had enough. “I'll give you ten seconds to remove your hands
and get out of my apartment. If you
don't, I swear I'll break every bone in your body,” directives said so quietly
so confidently Cassidy surprised even herself.
Before moving
back, Dan's lips found her