Free Four Nights to Forever by Jennifer Lohmann Page A

cocoon of the shower, but Doug’s smile and self-assurance kept any sense of Holy shit, what have I done?! at bay—though the Holy shit, look who I’ve done! was fierce.
    When they were dressed and out in the kitchen, they each picked up their wineglasses and Cassie took her place at the stove.
    “So what’s for dinner?” he asked. He was standing close enough for her to feel his presence, but not so close that he restricted her movement. Hell, after that shower, she would probably be able to feel his presence if he were on the other side of the Wasatch Front. “And how can I help?”
    “Pasta Arrabiata for dinner—pasta with garlic, tomatoes, and chili—plus a salad. If you could put on a pot of water for the penne, that would be great.”
    “Sounds good.” He dug around in the cabinets for a pot, and his voice carried over the sound of water pouring out of the spout as he filled the one he found. Strong. Like his grip had felt as he’d made her come with his fingers.
    She turned her attention back to the oil that was warming in the pan before he could see her flush. Or before she abandoned caution—and dinner—for a roll in the hay. God, one solid orgasm by a man who knew his way around a clitoris and she was plotting her life five orgasms into the future. This must have been what Karen meant when she’d advised Cassie to think about herself for a change.
    Movement out of the corner of her eye jolted her from her lustful and self-congratulatory thoughts. Doug put the pot on the stove, turned on the heat, and then put the lid on the pot with a flourish. “Done.” He nodded his head to the pan where she had added crushed cloves of garlic and a couple of whole chilies. “And it looks fancy.”
    “It only looks fancy. It’s actually pretty easy. But it does taste good.” Cassie had decided to make the pasta dish simply because she and Karen had planned to make it, but now it fit her mood. Red, spicy, and rich. Lusty, even. Add it with the full-bodied red wine that coated her throat, and it was a perfect pre-sex meal. Or post-sex meal.
    “Your face is turning the color of those tomatoes. Is there something special about this dish I should know?”
    Determined not to brush off her desires, she took another sip of garnet courage in a glass. “Should know?” She shrugged. “I can’t believe you’re here, in my condo. I can’t believe I asked you and I can’t believe you came.” The wine from another sip slid down her throat. “And that I came . . . And am going to come again.” A couple more sips of wine were all it took for her to giggle at her words.
    Doug raised an eyebrow at her. “So we’re not playing gin rummy after dinner?” he asked, all playful innocence. “Do I need to keep a careful eye on my virtue?”
    She laughed as she set her glass on the countertop. “Virtue is banned from this condo for the night. Maybe for the rest of the week.”
    His smile was slow, confident, and easy. “I can get behind that.” Then his expression sobered, and she picked up her wineglass and took a quick sip before he could ask his serious question. “Why me? Why now?”
    Honesty bubbled up like the sauce when she gave it a hard stir. She didn’t pretend not to understand what he was asking. “Maybe something to prove to myself. You heard what Karen said yesterday. If I had gone back to Massachusetts, I’d have driven to my daughter’s college apartment, bought her and her roommate groceries, and cooked them food. Except they’re not even there. It’s spring break and Samantha is with her dad. And I’m here, trying not to call her every day. So I don’t know what I’d have done back in Framingham. But I’m not taking care of someone else. I’m taking care of me. And it’s probably unfair to you, but you’re proof that I can take care of me.”
    She didn’t mention her birthday; she didn’t really want him to know. Sometime between the time he’d walked through the condo door and when