Remember When by A. D. Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

the camera up and flipped it over. “That's a keeper,” she announced.
     
    “Why don't you play anymore, Daddy?” Charlie asked, her tiny voice pulling me out of the beautiful memory.
    I sighed, looking over at the piano that sat untouched for the last two and a half years. “I don't know, baby. I guess I've just been too busy.”
    She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “Will you play for me tonight?” she pleaded.
    I looked over at the clock on the mantle, my gut churning with upset, and then back down at her apologetically. “It's already past your bedtime tonight, sweetie. But, how about we make a date for tomorrow after dinner?”
    “Yes! Okay!” she agreed animatedly as she bounded off the couch and rushed toward the stairs.
    I followed her to her room and watched as she climbed under her purple comforter and pulled it up under her chin. I moved to her bedside and knelt down, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
    “Are you tucked in tight enough?” I asked only to have her nod her reply. “All right, sleep tight, Charlie. I love you.”
    “Love you, too, Daddy,” she responded as I moved to the door. She snatched up her stuffed kitten from behind her and snuggled down further into the blankets. I flicked off her lights and pulled the door closed most of the way before heading back downstairs. Being just past eight-thirty, I wasn't ready to turn in, plus I still had to wait for Cassie to get home.
    I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine. As I stood at the island, I eyed the sleek, black baby grand that stood in the far corner and took a drink before heading toward the regal, abandoned instrument. I placed my wine glass on the top of the piano and lifted the fallboard. Eyeing the keys nervously, I took a deep breath and reached out. My fingers gently ghosted over them, familiarizing myself with the smooth surface. Then, without thinking, my fingers pressed down and began to dance fluidly over the ivory, causing melodies to fill the house completely.
    As the music took control, I closed my eyes and got lost in the same memory from earlier.
     
    Cassie set the camera back down and tilted her head upward and pressed her lips to mine firmly. The music stopped instantly as I lifted my hands and twisted my fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck, deepening our kiss. With a soft moan against my mouth, Cassie twisted her body closer to mine.
    I broke our embrace and scooped her up in my arms, quickly carrying her upstairs to our room where I set her on the bed and pulled her shirt over her head. She began to unbutton my jeans as I pulled my shirt off. With my pants pooled around my ankles, I stepped out of them and leaned forward, capturing her lips once more. As I moved forward, Cassie reclined down onto the bed, and, with one hand, I unfastened her pants and helped her remove them before I hovered over her near naked body.
    I pressed my body into hers and she hitched her legs up around my waist as we molded together. Twisting her body, she successfully rolled us over until she was straddling me, and her lips created a delicious trail down my neck and chest while her hair fell in a curtain around her face, tickling my skin on her descent. She continued kissing her way down my body until she was standing at my feet.
    I propped myself up on my elbows and looked at her with confusion. “Where do you think you're going?”
    With a seductive smile, she tucked her hair behind her ears and leaned back over me, kissing me sweetly. “To take my pill before I forget.”
    I sat up as she stood again and I grabbed her hand, pulling her across my lap and kissing at the hollow below her ear. “Well, what if we didn't worry about it,” I whispered huskily, nipping her earlobe gently and moving my hand up her inner thigh.
    She pressed her hands to my chest, pushing me back slightly, and laughed. “Funny.”
    With an arched eyebrow, I attempted to read her expression. “Why is that funny?