Free A New York Love Story by Cassie Rocca Page A

prepared to see a teasing look, but on the contrary, she saw only what she thought was
sincere admiration
.
    With a sense of relief, she stared out of the window. “This is my personal tradition. I always wear this particular dress for the Christmas tree lighting. I know it’s not a great dress and it’s maybe a bit ridiculous, but I’m convinced it brings me good luck.”
    Cade interrupted her. “I just said that it’s a beautiful dress. Why do you always have to read a negative hidden meaning in my words?”
    â€œI guess it’s an old habit. I grew up with lots of little ironic comments and jokes, so I’ve learned how to anticipate them… but now, don’t talk! It starts in fifteen seconds!”
    Cade came over and stood behind her. He placed his hands on the window sill and imprisoned her between his arms. “Do you have any other traditions we need to observe?” Now he was teasing her.
    Of course he had moved to have a better view of the tree, but Clover was holding her breath, feeling him so close. “Yes! usually I make a wish before the tree is lit, so let me concentrate.”
    Yet she was too distracted by the heat of his body to concentrate on anything. She tried to stay absolutely still. But when the crowd began to count the last five numbers in unison, she abandoned herself to the general excitement. She closed her eyes, felt Cade’s warm scent enveloping her and instinctively made her secret wish.
    I wish that at least once in my life a man like this would want me.
    â€œThree, two, one… Wow!” Clover shouted, her eyes shining like a child’s.
    Cade was looking at her face instead of the tree. He found it much more interesting. He saw the myriad of lights reflected in Clover’s eyes and could feel her genuine joy.
    Honestly – when he had offered to drive her to Rockefeller Plaza he wasn’t entranced by all those descriptions of the Christmas spirit, etc. etc. But now he began to feel the contagious excitement surrounding him.
    When Clover turned and impulsively hugged him, he returned her embrace, as if he had known her forever.
    She whispered, “Thank you.”
    â€œNo, thank
you
!” he answered sincerely. It had been a long time since he had spent an evening like this.
    Cade felt every curve of her delicate body through the soft fabric of her dress. What started as tenderness transformed itself into something different, something more intimate and sensual. Since their first encounter, he had admired the fine features of her face, her big expressive eyes and sweet dimples, yet he hadn’t realized how much of a
woman
she was. Now her full breasts against his chest, that mass of silky hair brushing his cheek, and her spicy scent, provoked a series of perturbing thoughts. Her warm breath on his neck gave him shivers.
    She must have felt his body’s reaction, because she suddenly moved away. She turned back towards the window and said, “I’m sorry. This moment always moves me.”
    â€œDon’t apologize… I was pretty moved too.” he said in a slightly suggestive tone.
    She seemed to want to laugh now, and Cade immediately relaxed. It was much easier to deal with her when she wasn’t embarrassed.
    He was so accustomed to women’s sexual availability that he almost didn’t feel emotions any more when in contact with a female body. But Clover had re-awakened his male instincts.
    â€œWould you like to stay here for the rest of the concert?” he asked.
    Clover looked at the square… “No, I think I’ve seen everything I wanted to. We can go now, although it’s a pity to leave this room, after all the money you paid for it!”
    â€œWe could use it in a different way…” Cade, amused at Clover’s suspicious look, added, “I’m beginning to feel hungry, and you?” he was looking deeply into her eyes.
    Clover crossed her arms.