One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 87
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One Summer Evening Part 87

"To stay at the hotel if you will, but that's all. Don't try to make anissue of this."

An issue. God, Austin wondered how he had ever become friends with thispompous air bag He would like nothing better than to deflate James byblurting out how he and Cassie had made hot love since she had returned.He refrained, but not because he was a decent man. He didn't feel decentat all. What went on between him and Cassie was simply none of James'sbusiness.

Austin wanted his son in his life, and that was the only issue. Hewouldn't settle for anything less.

When Austin kept his silence, James asked, "Do we have a deal, for oldtimes' sake? Old friends' sake, if you will?"

"You know your way out, James."

Irritation flickered in James's eyes.

"I won't ever forgive you if you don't comply with my wishes."

"Do you think I give a shit about your wishes? I don't. Nor do I give ashit if you forgive me. I'm the one who's been hung out to dry all theseyears. She denied me my son, dammit!"

"I knew it was a waste of time to come here." Bitterness colored James' tone.

"You're right about that. You're still my friend, James, and always willbe--if you want to be. But you can't tell me what to do when it comes tomy life." Repressed anger tightened Austin's mouth.

"Now, I suggest you leave before this conversation deteriorates anyfurther."

"Stay away from her, Austin."

"Goodbye, James.

James let out a long breath but didn't say anything. Instead, he wheeledaround and stomped out the door.

Austin's curses filled the air as he grabbed his shoes and walked outthe back door. An hour later, he let himself into the farmhouse, feelingas if he'd been beaten to a pulp with a bat.

What better time to get stinking drunk? he thought, headed for thekitchen, only to stop in his tracks.

To hell with it. By hightailing it to the farm, all he had done wastrade the location of his misery. He was going to do what he should havedone a week ago-- confront Cassie, even though he had no clear plan or solution in mind.

The bottom line was that he wanted his son, but he wanted Cassie, too.

He practically ran to the front door, then out it, only to stop in his tracks.

Cassie was standing on the porch. For a second he couldn't say a word.

"Where were you going?" Cassie asked in a halting tone.

"To see you."

She looked taken aback, but he couldn't read what lay behind her eyes.

"Why?" she asked.

"Why did you come here?" he countered, stalling for time, trying to keep

from jerking her into his arms.

She leaned her head to one side, but her gaze remained centered on him.

"To see you."

"Why?" He finally got to say that word to her.

"To talk."

Austin rubbed the back of his neck.

"This is a night for surprises.

Before I came here, your daddy paid me a visit."

"I don't have to ask what he wanted."

"So, does his opinion count?"

"No."

Austin sucked in his breath, then let it out slowly. Dare he read more

into this visit than was there? With her in front of him, in the flesh,looking at him with love--yes, that was love, he would swear to it--inher eyes, the answer was a resounding yes.

Then why was he standing there like an idiot, afraid to move or speak?Was he afraid he was dreaming, that she was a figment of hisimagination?

"Cassie." He didn't recognize his own voice. The word sounded as if it came from someone's else's mouth.

"What?" Her voice sounded odd, too.

"Am I reading your eyes right?"

She smiled.

"If you're reading love in them, then yes."

His heart leapt with untold joy.

"Then get your sweet ass over here."

Whooping with joy, she ran straight in his arms. At the same time hekissed her long and hard, he swung her around until they were bothdizzy.

At last he put her down, then looked into her eyes. "I will always loveyou."

"And I will always love you," she whispered in the same husky tone,tears shining in her eyes.

Without saying another word, Austin picked her up again and carried herinside, slamming the door shut behind him with his bare foot.

Epilogue Six months later I don't think I'll ever get enough of you."

"Mmm, I hope not," Cassie murmured in a breathless tone, as Austin wassuckling one breast, then the other.

Dawn was breaking at the farm, jump-starting what promised to be acolder than usual winter's day. They were snuggled together in bed, thecovers thrown back as they had been making love off and on throughoutthe night.

The smoldering embers from the fireplace in the bedroom had kept them warm.

In fact, Cassie was hot, but that feeling didn't have anything to dowith the room temperature. Austin only had to come near her and she wasin heat.

"How long have we been married now?" he asked, moving his tongue downher naked body, not stopping until he poked the tip in her navel.

She moaned, then dug her fingers into his thick hair. "Six months, butyou know that." She moaned again as his lips moved lower and found itstarget.

"Ohhh, Austin," she cried, her climax coming hard and quick.

When it was over, he lifted his head and looked at her, a satisfiedexpression on his face.

"I love it when you make that certain little sound. It tells me you'reabout to come."

"Sometimes I think I'm going to come and you haven't even touched me."

"That's music to my ears, darling'," he drawled.

"Turn over," she ordered, her voice still slightly dazed.

"Turnabout's fair play."

Once he was on his back, Cassie leaned over and took him in her mouth.He reached around and cupped her buttocks, then squeezed as if the sweetagony she was bringing him was too much to endure.

"I want to be inside you," he said, panting.

"It's time we made another baby."

Cassie's pulse went wild as he lifted her onto him. His full hardness

rose like a spear high inside her. She bent slightly, enough for him tosurround both her breasts with his big hands and hold on to them whileshe rode him hard and fast.

Once their cries rang out simultaneously, Cassie collapsed on top of him.

Then he eased out of her and repositioned them so they were once again facing each other.

Austin smoothed her damp hair off her forehead and smiled at her.

"I.

love you, Mrs. McGuire."

"No more than I love you, Mr. McGuire."

He chuckled.

"Think we accomplished our goal?"

"It's the right time of the month, so that's entirely possible."

"Would you mind?"

"I'd love another baby."

He frowned.

"You don't think it'd be too soon?"

"Are you thinking about Tyler?"

"Yes."

"He wouldn't mind. He's too happy and secure in our love for anything to

matter."

Austin lay on his back, crossed his hands behind his head and stared at

the ceiling, a contented look on his face. Besides their lovemaking, she knew what had put it there.

One week ago, Austin's adoption of Tyler had become final. But for them

it had been real for a long time already. The day they got married, Tyler had looked up at Austin and said, "Does this mean now you're my daddy?"