perfectly proportioned nose, and once again locked onto the heart-stopping intensity of his breathtaking eyes.
A rebellious thrill zipped through her body. She saw his mouth move. Unfortunately, the âweeeeeeeâ ringing in her head drowned out his words. âIâm sorry. What did you say?â
An understated smile wavered on his lips. âWhat happened to your mother?â
âOh.â Just what Cassie neededâa reality check to keep her curly red head squarely on her sensible shoulders. âShe died four years ago from end-stage liver disease.â
âIt must have been difficult,â Brice said softly.
âI managed.â Caring for an alcoholic parent for most of her young life had been the difficult part. Imogeneâs death had broken Cassieâs heart. It also came as a relief, because it gave Cassie a chance at a new life.
âIf I had known you then, I wouldâve helped. If you need anything now, let me know.â
Cassie found his sincerity disturbing. âThanks, but I can take care of myself. I always have.â
Soon Briceâs calf muscles relaxed beneath her practiced fingers, and she worked her way down to the sole of his foot, which garnered a contented sigh from him. âDonât move,â she told him. âIâm not finished.â
In the kitchen, Cassie soaped her hands, wishing the hot water could wash away the ridiculous tingle that coursed through her whenever she met Briceâs gaze. She wanted to put duct tape over his stellar smile.
She fanned herself to ward off the shameless desire to learn what being a woman meant. After all, there was a naked man in her bed.
Oh, no. Not going there.
She could barely handle a fantasy. The real thing just might end her.
âCas? Is everything okay in there?â
Only if spontaneous combustion was a normal reaction to his presence.
âUh, yeah! Iâll be there in a minute.â She splashed cold water on her face. I am not my hormones!
She toted the rosemary-infused towel into the bedroom. Every move Cassie made wrapping his leg, Briceâs sizzling gaze followed. Climbing into the freezer suddenly seemed a logical thing to do.
âThanks, Cas.â The huskiness in his voice electrified nerves in parts of her body that only he had managed to activate. âFor everything.â
âYouâre welcome.â She didnât dare look at him. His smile might be devastating, but his eyes could outright slay her.
* * *
A wet heat worked its way through Briceâs leg muscles and seeped into the bones. With Cassieâs scent to soothe him and the pain in his leg melting away, maybe heâd finally succumb to a decent nightâs rest.
She tucked a dry towel over the hot, damp one around his calf. Her hands stilled, except for her thumbs worrying the edge of the pillow propped beneath his leg. Her eyes lifted to his face. âI should take the couch. I donât want to bump you during the night.â
âFine,â he answered, challenging her with his gaze.
She rolled her bottom lip between two front teeth spaced a tiny bit farther apart than the others. He counted on that little bit of uncertainty to accomplish what he wanted. Her in bed, next to him.
âOh, all right.â The lights went out, and Cassie eased beneath the covers.
God, he could hardly resist touching her. Stripping her bare. Inhaling every inch of her skin. Burying his face between her thighs to imprint not only her scent in his nose but also her taste on his tongue.
Heâd noticed how hot and bothered she became while massaging his leg. Heâd almost yanked the sheet off himself so she could stalk up the mattress to ride him hard, fast and into tomorrow.
He didnât because of the conflicting emotions that marred her pretty little face. She probably thought boinking her employersâ son would get her in trouble.
Likely it would, but not for the reason she