Something to Talk About(28)

"That's my girl," Dave said, enveloping her in a bear hug, nearly crushing her with his ferocity. "I knew I could count on you, Casey."

Smiling bravely, she stepped out of Dave's office and straight into a wall of solid muscle.

Rip grabbed her shoulders to steady her. "Hey, sweetheart. Did ya miss me?"

Stunned, she looked up into his amused eyes. Red-rimmed eyes. His face was lined and a little haggard. Poor baby was still under the weather. Mustering what was left of her backbone, she leveled a glare at him. If she was lucky, he would run screaming from that look. Stronger men had.

"Speak of the devil," Dave's voice boomed from behind Casey. "I'm glad you're here. We were just talking about you."

"Oh, yeah? And what conclusions did you come to?" Rip asked, with a wink at Casey. "If Casey had anything to say, it couldn't have been good."

"As a matter of fact, it wasn't."

Casey cringed hoping Dave wouldn't go into detail, but her hopes were dashed when he continued.

"I talked Casey out of quitting the show on account of you."

Casey noted with curiosity that Rip's grin appeared forced as he turned to Dave. "Really?"

"Yeah." Dave gave Rip a narrow-eyed look. "So for the sake of the station, I want you two to have a nice long talk and work out your differences. Please, follow me."

Dave ushered them into the hallway and down to the War Room. Throwing the door open, he stepped aside and waved them in.

"You two stay in here until you figure this thing out. I've got a station to run, and I don't need two adults arguing like children." Dave backed out of the room with one last parting comment. "Don't come out until you reach some kind of agreement about how you're going to get along." 





15





The soft snick of the door as it closed behind them echoed in the silence that followed Dave's order. Rip watched Casey walk around the conference room putting the length of the table between them. What had happened in the past two days to put the wariness back into her eyes? He'd sure as hell missed her.

His gaze swept over her, his heart gladdened by the sight. She wore a cream-colored blouse that echoed the same pale shade of her smooth complexion. Navy slacks hugged the rounded little butt that had been keeping him awake at night.

When she turned to face him, her tongue darted out to lick her lips nervously, drawing his eyes to her pink mouth.

Maybe she was right to be wary. Every muscle in his body corded tightly, ready for action.

"This is silly," Casey said. The rest of her words came in a feverish rush. "Dave's probably back in his office now. Let's just leave. He won't know the difference. I'm sure you have work to catch up on, too."

Rip leaned his back against the door, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't going anywhere. Neither was she. They had all the time in the world. He was going to get to the bottom of her sudden revolt. "What's the matter, Casey? Afraid to be alone with me?" he taunted.

"Of course not." Her chin jutted upwards.

Her posture reminded him of the children's tale of Little Red Riding Hood, and he smothered a grin. The angle of her chin challenged him. The better to kiss you, my dear. His inner wolf was ready to pounce. "Why do you want to quit the show now?"

Casey looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I can see we'll be stuck in this room a long time if you aren't willing to discuss what's eating you."

She shrugged. "Then leave."

"No, the boss man wants us to talk, so let's talk."

"Go ahead then, I'm listening."

He smirked and shook his head, feigning regret. "Nice try. I'm not the one trying to squirrel out of our deal. Why do you want out?"

"Look. We knew from the start this wasn't going to work."

"Casey, quit hedging," he warned. "Out with it."

"Are you kidding?" her voice rose, while her fists clenched at her sides. "You tie me up in knots!"

Not the answer he expected. The naked truth of her confession and the ragged edge to her voice cut like a knife through his watchful repose. Pulling away from the door, he stepped toward her.

Her eyes widened, but her feet remained planted.

She knows I'd hunt her down. Good. Look out, Little Red Riding Hood. Here comes the big, bad wolf.



Casey watched him approach, large and totally overwhelming to every one of her senses. The look of determination on his face told her he wasn't giving up easily. Secretly, she was relieved, while alarm thrilled through her. When he drew near, she raised an arm to halt him, but her hand met the solid muscle of his chest. "You can stop right there."

Up close, he towered over her. Every feminine chromosome in every cell in her body took note of the masculine scent of his skin, the maleness of his lightly furred arms, and the square, implacable set of his jaw.

"I just want the truth, Casey. Do you want out because you can't stand the sight of me? Or are you fighting yourself?"



       
         
       
        

"Of all the unmitigated gall," she scoffed, dropping her hand from his chest. "Your ego knows no bounds."

"Then why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not." She cursed the tremor in her voice that belied her words.

He took another step forward.

She took a step backward but stopped when her bottom met the edge of the table. She raised her hand again. "Don't."

"Don't what? I'm just a dumb jock, you'll have to spell it out for me."

"Don't...kiss me."

"Was that, 'Don't kiss me' or 'Don't. Kiss me.'" His words purred, as he lowered his face toward hers.

Casey grasped the edge of the table behind her, her legs suddenly as wobbly as warm Jell-O. "You...you shouldn't?"

"Why? You want it as badly as I do. Is it because Ferret wouldn't like it?"

"It's none of his business. And his name is Ferrence."

"That's awfully accommodating of your fiancé."

"He's not."

"Accommodating?"

"My fiancé." She drew in a deep breath. "Anymore."

He froze. His gaze drilled into hers. "Did I have anything to do with that?"

Afraid that telling him might not have been a wise tactical move, a frown creased the skin between her brows. "You place too much importance on yourself," she said defiantly.

"I'll make you forget his kisses," he promised, his voice a deep, resonant rumble.

She trembled, tempted beyond her experience. One last attempt to salvage sanity, she demurred, "But Dave-"

"Won't interrupt. There's nothing stopping us now. Is there, Casey?"

Weakly, she shook her head. Releasing her death grip on the table, she lifted a hand to seek the strength of the broad chest that stretched endlessly before her eyes.

Neither spoke. His expression was unreadable, but she saw his jaw tense and his nostrils flare. The dull thump of her heart was so loud, he surely heard it, too. An answering drumbeat thudded beneath her palm. Unable to stop herself, her hand pressed against his chest to capture the rhythm.

Rip looked down at the small hand that caressed him. No doubt about-she'd squeezed him. She could see a predatory light flare in his eyes.

Heat rose up her neck, and she swayed toward him.

His hands fisted along his sides as if to resist reaching out to take her into his arms.

If he touched her now, Casey would come apart. She swallowed hard on the moan rising up her throat.

Instead of taking her into his arms, he dropped his gaze and stared at the rapid rise and fall of her small breasts. 

Casey's skin tingled, and her nipples puckered. Holy crap. She was so aware of his every move, from the muscle tick in his jaw to the way his breathing became more ragged. All he had to do was crook a finger and she'd fall into his arms.



Rip clenched his teeth and reminded himself where he was...and of the need to prove to Casey his suitability as a mate. Although her body certainly seemed receptive to persuasion, he knew he had to woo her mind. If he didn't take the time to appeal to the cerebral part of Casey, once her passion was appeased, her sensibilities would cause her to regret her lapse of control.

They were supposed to be talking, but he couldn't pry himself away from the tantalizing scent of her hair and skin. His arms brushed lightly against her sides. Grasping the table behind her, he caged her within his embrace, assuring his hands were safely occupied. "Oh, sweet Casey." What were they supposed to talk about? He couldn't think past the lush fullness of her mouth. What he wouldn't give to taste her.

Her lids lowered, and her lips rose to his.

Groaning inwardly, he cursed his luck. Now she wanted him. "Casey!" Frustration made his voice harsh.

Startled blue eyes met his-questioning.

"We're supposed to come up with the breast way to solve-"

"Huh?" She shoved at his chest. "The what way?"

Rip frowned, his brain fogged by the lust building inside. What had he said? "Ah hell." He lowered his mouth to those perfect, luscious lips. The world faded into the background leaving him and Casey as the center of the universe.

He deepened the kiss until they both came up gasping for air. Trailing kisses down the side of her neck, he nuzzled aside the collar of her blouse. He tasted heaven in the skin of her creamy shoulder.