He was slime, he told himself. Lower than slime. He was the single-celled creature that slime fed on. Because even though it was wrong, even though he was violating fifteen different kinds of moral conduct, he liked that she turned him on. Being around Cassie reminded Ryan that he was alive.
* * *
“THAT ONE,” Sasha said as she pointed at the candy. “This one, too.”
Ryan obligingly picked up the two pieces of candy in question and dropped them into the small, clear plastic bag decorated with grinning pumpkins. “She’s a tyrant,” he complained good-naturedly.
“You’re the one who told her she could pick what to put into the bags,” Cassie reminded him as she slid ghost-shaped sugar cookies onto the cooling rack. “Don’t come crying to me, now.”
“I know. How many of these bags do we need to do?”
She settled the last of the cookies in place, then put the empty sheet into the sink. After removing the oven mitts from her hands, she crossed to the kitchen table.
It had been a very good few days, Cassie thought happily. Ryan had responded well to her suggestion that he spend more time with his niece. They were getting to know each other and finding pleasure in each other’s company. On a personal level this meant she also spent more time with the man, but she wasn’t about to comment on that. Despite her crush, she knew that Sasha was the important one around here.
She counted the filled plastic bags. “You’ve done eighteen. We need twenty-four.” She bent down and hugged the toddler. “Are you helping?”
Sasha nodded, then pointed at Ryan. “Work!” she commanded.
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am. Gee, give the woman a little power and she’s ready to take over the world.”
“Must be genetic,” Cassie said casually, then laughed and jumped back when Ryan glanced at her sharply.
“Are you saying I’m a tyrant?” he asked, his gaze narrow in mock anger.
“I’ve heard bits of your phone calls, when I’ve brought you dinner,” she said. “You like ordering people around. I think it’s in the blood.”
“Did you hear that?” he asked Sasha. “She’s called us bossy. I don’t think that’s true. Just because we know what’s best for everyone. Right?”
Sasha blinked a couple of times, then planted her hands on her hips and looked at Cassie. “Right!”
“I’ve been outvoted. Fine. I’ll start making the icing for the cookies.”
As she collected ingredients, she had to hold in a sigh of contentment. Sasha and Ryan were doing great. She was thrilled that he’d offered to stay in the kitchen after dinner and help with the Halloween bags needed for the party at Sasha’s school. She ignored the fact that his actions played into her private fantasy that this was all actually real. It wasn’t, of course. It was play, and as long as she didn’t forget what was going on, she was allowed to enjoy pretending for as long as the situation lasted.
Abruptly, Ryan pushed back his chair and rose. “I’ve got work in my office,” he said without warning and left.
“Unk Ryan?” Sasha slid off the seat onto her feet and started after him. “Unk Ryan? Back! More work.”
Cassie put down the bowl she’d been holding and hurried to the toddler. She caught up with her in the hallway. Sasha stood staring at her uncle’s closed office door.
“He’s busy,” Cassie said quietly. “He’ll help us again tomorrow.” She glanced at her watch. It was nearly bedtime. “Let’s go give you a bath, then I’ll read you two stories.”
For a second Sasha’s lower lip quivered and Cassie was afraid she wasn’t going to allow herself to be distracted. But she finally held out her hand and Cassie led her away.
Two hours later it was Cassie’s turn to pause outside Ryan’s closed door, but unlike his niece, she knocked once, then entered. Ryan stood in front of the window, staring out into the darkness of the night.
There were several lamps on in the room and they reflected in the glass, creating a mirror effect. She could see his face, the pained expression and his closed eyes.
She hesitated, not sure what to say.
“I’m sorry,” he told her, his voice tight.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I had to leave. I’ll explain it to Sasha tomorrow.” He opened his eyes and met her gaze in the window. “Is she all right?”
She nodded. “She’s asleep. I told her you were busy.”
“Thanks.”
He looked away as if expecting her to leave.
“What happened?” she repeated.
“I’m fine.”