past.
Besides, I find that hard to believe."
"It's the truth. You set me on fire." He paused.
"Unfortunately for me, that fire never burned out." His voice had grown
low and harsh.
"That evening was a mistake, Austin."
"Okay, I'll concede that. You were eighteen, and I was thirty-two, which
was not good, not to mention the other reasons. But it happened, and we can't pretend it didn't. Nor can we deny that we both enjoyed it."
"I've never denied that," she said without looking at him.
"And you can't deny we've enjoyed making love since then, either."
"No, I can't."
"So why are you fighting what we feel?"
"And just what is that?" she asked before she thought.
"Lust?"
"Is that what you think?"
"I don't know what I think anymore."
"Well, I sure as hell know what / think. I feel a whole helluva lot more than lust for you, and I don't want to stop seeing you or sleeping with you."
"Even if there's no future?"
His face lost its color.
"I won't accept that."
"I can't make commitments, Austin," she whispered, feeling a sadness
that was like death stealing over her.
"In my heart, I think that's what you're asking for."
"I'm willing to give you all the time you need."
"I can't think about anything until Lester's out of our life," she said,
unable to meet his eyes for fear he would see that she was lying.
"I can handle Lester," Austin said with cold and calm assurance.
"That's part of the problem. If I became involved with you, that could
make the situation worse."
"That bastard shouldn't be allowed to ruin the rest of your life and Tyler's.
He's already done enough damage as it is."
"And he's still doing it. Take Tyler's disappearance. We both know he's
the one who instigated it."
Austin didn't respond, but she saw him stiffen and a fierce look come over his face. A warning bell went off ' in her head.
"You know something you're not telling me."
"No, I don't." "Yes, you do," she said flatly.
"I can take it, whatever it is."
"I followed Lester to their campsite in the woods."
"That wasn't smart." If anything had happened to him. She shuddered.
"I did it anyway."
"And?" She could barely get the tiny word out, so afraid was she of what
was coming.
"Toddlers were standing in a straight line, guns clutched in their hands, aiming at a target."
"Dear Lord in heaven," Cassie wheezed.
"Now you know why he must never get his hands on Tyler again."
"I have to tell you, that sight turned my blood to ice, and it was all I
could do not to storm that camp and jerk Lester's heart out--that is, if he has one."
"You stay away from him, you hear?"
"I can't promise that, Cassie."
"Yes, you can, dammit. I'll kill him myself if he comes near Tyler again."
"Despite the kidnapping incident, you've decided not to leave?"
Cassie lifted her head definitely.
"That's right. But I can't let my guard down for a minute, especially
with Daddy thinking Lester's a changed man."
"It's only a matter of time until James sees the light. If need be, it'll be my pleasure to expedite that happening."
"You leave Daddy to me, as well."
Austin let out an expletive.
"I've told you more than once that I don't want your help."
"Well, that's too damn bad."
For a long time neither spoke. In the distance, they could see Tyler and
hear his laughter.
"You can't run roughshod over me, Austin, not when it comes to my family
or the hotel."
' "Ah, I was just wondering when we were going to get around to the other sore spot between us."
"I'm still against buying that land."
"Well, I'm not."
Cassie tightened her lips to keep from crying. She knew she shouldn't
have come here. She had capitulated for Tyler's sake. But it had been a big mistake that was growing bigger by the second.
"It's time you took us home."
Austin got to his feet. Refusing to have him looming over her, she also scrambled up. They stood facing each other in an explosive silence brought on by the way his eyes roamed over her.
"Whatever lie you're feeding yourself, you just keep right on. Sooner or later, though, judgment day's coming. You're mine, Cassie. You always have been, and you always will be."
"Stop it!"
"All I have to do is pull you against me and you'd be begging me to take you."