Free Embezzled Love by Ginger Simpson Page A

position and threw back the covers. The chill from the morning shivered through her as she dangled her feet over the bed's edge, curling her toes into the warmth of the carpet. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand.
    Needing a shower to clear the cobwebs from her brain, she ambled into the bathroom. Memories of the previous evening's unpleasantness crept into her mind. Maybe Evan would call today and tell her he was on his way home. She needed to hear something positive.
    She stripped, turned on the faucet, and waited for the water to warm. Adjusting the stream to a pleasant and inviting temperature, she stepped into the shower and ducked her head beneath the pulsing spray. Invigorating rivulets ran down her cheeks, between her breasts and over her abdomen. Frank and Alaine had said some horrible things about Evan. With any luck, the lather circling the drain would pull away doubts about the man she adored.
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    Evan called from a service station in Flagstaff to let Cassie know he was on his way home. His news gave her an excuse to leave work early in order to be home to meet him. She hadn't yet given him a key, but that was part of the surprise celebration she had planned. Her make-up perfect, her hair loose like Evan liked it, and clad in jeans and t-shirt, she curled on the sofa and waited.
    She stared at the television, but her mind drifted. Somewhere in the mental fog, she heard Dr. Phil's saying, "This is going to be a life-changing day."
    God, she hoped not. She liked things the way they were, at least before Alaine and Frank butted in. She sat straight and buried her face in her palms. How in the world would she broach the subject of Evan's past? Did she even want to?
    An engine rumbled in the driveway, and Cassie rushed to the window. Her eyes widened. Evan couldn't possibly be the driver of the beat up old truck she saw. A black hat emerged, proving her wrong. She suppressed her disappointment, feeling somewhat shallow. Why did what he drove matter? He was home; that was the important thing.
    She raced to the door and met him. "Hi, sweetheart. Boy, am I glad to see you."
    Evan dropped his suitcase in the doorway and embraced her. "Hey, baby." His warm breath tingled across her throat and sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm glad to be here. I missed you something fierce.
    He trailed his lips up to her ear and nibbled her lobe.
    "Mmm." Breathless, she melted against him. "Oh, that feels, go—."
    His lips claimed her mouth. She welcomed his probing tongue, molding against him and enjoying the feel of his hardened member pressing thorough his jeans.
    A motorcycle roared down the street, and Cassie opened one eye. The front door stood ajar, but she managed to kick it shut without interrupting their kiss. The neighbors didn't need to know her business. The intrusion of her siblings into her private matters was bad enough.
    Evan waltzed her toward the stairs, their mouths still latched together. At the bottom step, he leaned away. "How about we go up to the bedroom so I can fulfill the promise I made when I left?" His eyelashes fluttered in a humorous attempt at sexiness.
    "And just what promise would that be?" She colored her tone with coyness.
    "You remember. I can tell by the gleam in your eyes you want me as much as I want you."
    No use denying her feelings. She did want him…wanted more kisses, to feel him inside her…to be lost in his embrace. More than anything she wanted to revel in the moment and forget all the bad thoughts that lingered in the back of her mind.
    She batted her eyes and smiled. "Oh, that promise."
     
    * * *
     
    Shielding her naked body, Cassie pulled the blanket up and waited for her heartbeat to slow from an all-encompassing orgasm. Nestled beneath soft fleece in the coolness of the bedroom, her pulse rate soon matched the drowsiness that shrouded her. The ecstasy she enjoyed with Evan grew more intense each time they made love, but modesty still