Free Claiming His Brother's Baby by Helen Lacey Page B

He should have ensured they had a place to live and were financially secure.
    “I think I’ll get some rest,” she murmured as she placed the mug down and stood. “Thank you again for everything you’ve done for Oliver...and for me. I know this probably isn’t what you expected to be doing when you made the decision to return to Crystal Point. I’m very grateful for your concern and kindness.”
    Tanner stared at her and a heavy sensation uncurled in his chest. She had a way of doing that to him. It made him feel weak...almost vulnerable. And it gave her a power over him he was certain she didn’t know she possessed.
    “Good night, Cassie,” he said and got to his feet. “Let me know if you need anything.”
    What I need is a cold shower...
    Even in her silly pajamas and nightgown, with her hair mussed and slippers on her feet, she was beautiful and sexy and warmed his blood. No other woman had ever had quite the same effect on his libido. Sure, he’d dated several women over the years...but Cassie Duncan stirred him like no one else ever had. He’d fought it for years, convincing himself that she loved his brother and his own feelings were of little consequence. But sometimes, like the way her blue eyes watched him when she thought he wasn’t looking, Tanner couldn’t help wondering if she regarded him as more than Doug’s brother. More than Oliver’s uncle.
    Don’t be an ass.
    Of course it was stupid. And wrong. She’d borne his brother’s child. She was clearly still in love with Doug. She’d made it clear that she didn’t really want him in her life.
    So get moving and take that cold shower.
    “Good night,” he said again, firmer this time so he could galvanize himself into action and get away from her. “I’ll lock up.”
    She nodded and left the room. Once he was alone Tanner let out a long breath, flicked off the lights and waited until he heard her bedroom door close before he walked from the room and checked that all the windows and doors were locked around the house. Once he was done he moved down the hallway and headed for the bathroom. He took a shower and turned in around nine, spending the next couple of hours staring at the ceiling in between getting up to check on Oliver. By midnight he’d had enough. He pulled on jeans and a shirt and made his way to the kitchen.
    A soft glow illuminated down the hall and when he rounded the doorway he noticed the light above the stovetop was on. Cassie was sitting at the kitchen table, a mug cradled between her hands. She’d changed into gray sweats and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
    “Hey,” he said easily, despite the inexplicable tightness that filled his chest. “Couldn’t sleep?”
    She shook her head. “No. You?”
    Tanner nodded and remained in the doorway. “Lingering jet lag, I guess.”
    “And with looking after Oliver you haven’t exactly had a chance to sleep it off, right?”
    He shrugged. “It’ll work itself out. You, on the other hand, should be resting.”
    “I think I’ve slept enough for both of us,” she said through a brittle smile. “I had a shower to freshen up and didn’t feel tired, so I thought I’d have some green tea and sit for a while,” she said and sighed. “I was thinking about Doug.”
    Of course she was. Tanner didn’t doubt that his brother was on her mind most days and nights. “Then I’ll leave you—”
    “Do you know the details about what happened?” she asked unexpectedly, cutting him off.
    Tanner stilled. “Details?”
    “About the incident.”
    “You mean how he was killed?” he queried.
    She nodded. “You’re his official next of kin so I figured you had the details. I know he was on some covert mission and that he and two other members of his squad were killed by a sniper...but that’s all I know. Since I wasn’t listed as family it’s been almost impossible to get information. I know you got the army to forward his belongings here, but did you know this house