“Do you think he’ll let you go?”
The question surprised Cassie. “Of course he will. Why wouldn’t he?”
“The man shows all the symptoms of someone who has it bad.”
“You’re mistaken,” Cassie told her sister. “He likes me well enough, and I’m convenient, but I don’t fool myself into thinking he wants more.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short. I don’t think Ryan is going to give you up as easily as you think. You’re everything he could possibly want in a woman. You’re intelligent, you’re funny, you’re great with kids, and I’m going to assume the sex is amazing.”
Cassie ducked her head and nodded. “I like it.”
“Then he would be a fool to lose you and Ryan isn’t a fool.”
Cassie looked at Chloe. “I don’t think he wants to love me—or anyone.”
“People don’t always get a choice in the matter. Sometimes love just happens. Don’t be so quick to write him off. I agree that if nothing changes, you have to stick to your plan.” Chloe gave her sister a quick hug. “I admire your ability to stand up for what you believe. I’ll support you in any way I can. But don’t be surprised if things start to happen. Ryan is confused right now, but I’m betting he’s going to get it figured out in time.”
“I can barely stand to think about that,” Cassie said. “I want to hope, but I’m so afraid he’s going to let me go. I know I’ll survive without him, but I would rather not.”
“Have faith. You’re due for some good fortune.”
Cassie smiled. “You’re right. And if nothing else, there’s always the nightgown. It’s practically my twenty-fifth birthday. Maybe I’ll dream about someone wonderful.”
She rose to her feet and went to check on dinner. Chloe changed the subject, but Cassie was still thinking about Ryan. It was nearly her birthday and she would wear the nightgown, hoping the family legend would work for her. But in her heart of hearts the only man she wanted to dream about, the only man she wanted to be with, was Ryan.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THEY CALLED OUT their last goodbyes and closed the door behind their guests. Cassie gave Ryan a big smile. “That was a lot of fun. Thanks for suggesting we invite my sister and Arizona for dinner.”
Without thinking, he put his arm around her and pulled her close. “You’re welcome. I had a good time, too.”
Cassie slipped easily into his embrace. She was warm and willing as she leaned against him. Already he could feel the passion igniting inside of him. He didn’t have to be around her very long before he found himself wanting her. He kissed the top of her head, then led them both up the stairs.
“I’m really enjoying Chloe’s pregnancy,” Cassie was saying. “It’s a first time for both of us. I like hearing about all the details without actually experiencing it.”
“Preparation for when it’s your turn?”
“Something like that.”
He tensed slightly. It was the perfect opening for her. Now she could casually mention something about the future, or ask if he wanted a child of his own. But she didn’t. Instead she walked down the hall and checked on Sasha.
Ryan trailed after her. If Cassie were a different kind of woman, he might think that she was playing a game with him. Except that wasn’t her style. She was simply being herself. She could talk about Chloe’s pregnancy, or her future life, or any number of potentially awkward topics and not give it a moment’s thought. She’d told him what she wanted from him and she wasn’t pushing for anything more.
As she disappeared into the darkness of his niece’s room, Ryan stopped in the center of the hall. Maybe the reason Cassie wasn’t pushing for more with him was because she didn’t want more. Maybe she wasn’t interested in him for more than something temporary.
He was glad he was standing there alone because he was sure he had a stunned look on his face. All this time he’d been worried about her coming on to him when in fact she might not find him the least bit desirable. Oh, sure, she was willing to sleep with him, but was he the kind of man a woman like her would want to marry? He had no history of making relationships work. At first he hadn’t wanted anything to do with his niece. While he and Cassie got along, and he was reasonably confident that she liked him, liking wasn’t the same as respecting…or loving.
Cassie stepped back into the hall. “She’s fine. Sleeping like the angel she is.” She walked up and wrapped her arms around his waist. “What about you, Ryan? Are you tired or would you like some company?”