Cassie's Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

want to challenge me with?" She raised her eyebrows. "Maybe I should challenge you."
    Rangi didn't say anything for several seconds. Or was it longer. It seemed Melanie could have brought the bill in the time his eyes gazed at her without moving.
    She started to feel uncomfortable. But before she could ask again, he squeezed her fingers.
    He broke out the extra wide smile she now knew meant he was going to poke fun.
    "You want to challenge me, Cassandra?"
    She tossed her curls. If he could challenge her, she'd give it back.
    "All right. You can," he said. "Let's go." He stood, and indicated she should too.
    "We're going?"
    "Dinner is over, surely?"
    Sometimes she felt like shaking him. She was not a toy to drag about and play with when you wanted.
    She confronted him across the dishes.
    "Tell me what's happening now," she said, a distinctive Australian whine appearing in her voice.
    "Now?"
    She nodded, suddenly fearful of what might be written on the invitation she'd just thrown him.
    "Now you come with me."
    He couldn't do that; he couldn't decide for her when and where. She should tell him she didn't like that plan.
    Her problem was: she did. The Cassie that soaked up his embraces and wanted more of them quite liked the thought of going home with him. It wouldn't have mattered who'd brought up the idea. And Cassie that had dreamed and played on the way to sleep last night thinking about his muscular chest wanted to go home with him too.
    But she knew it was too soon, that she wasn't ready to be overwhelmed.
    However, s he couldn't debate it; he'd walked away! He'd turned for the door and was talking with Stephen. She saw his hand stretch out towards her, indicating hers was to dock in it.
    There wasn't anything else to do. She already wore his underwear. She was going home with him.

 
    Manipulation
     
    A mile of floor separated them. She started the journey, each step an echo of her increasing commitment to follow him. Her heart seemed to thump loudly in her chest.
    Rangi's slim figure had turned away from her, appearing fully engaged with Stephen. As she drew closer, she started to hear their conversation, something about painting.
    But she knew he focused on her; his fingers beckoned her and s he came, drawn in as on a line. He pulled her close, and kissed her lightly.
    "It was lovely to meet you again," said Stephen. "I look forward to seeing your birds."
    Cassie smiled. "The fish was exquisite. I'm pleased Rangi brought me here."
    She felt his hand caress her fingers, teasing, barely-touching them, but the storm of sensation they brought tore her focus from his uncle.
    With pressure on her back, Rangi indicated she should precede him, and she walked out to the entrance, knowing his gaze was drinking in every flex of her ass. And she knew she had a nice ass.
    H e stopped at the desk and spoke to Melanie.
    His challenge under the wharf had been startling and sudden. She wanted to prick his confidence with something equally in-your-face. But it couldn't be something she couldn't do, because inevitably she'd have to match him.
    Cassie flicked her eyes to where Rangi leaned on the desk, as Melanie laughed. She didn't know his weak points yet, and she needed something to take that smile off. He didn't really know her. He claimed to. She could challenge him about that.
    Or could she? Her confidence started to sag. It had been dumb to suggest she wanted to challenge him. She started to wonder how she could wriggle out of it.
    She remembered her bag. She had to 'go home' with him to retrieve that, but she could tell him she'd decided to take an early night. She could play that card. Get-out-of-jail.
    Logically , she could. If she remembered to, when he came close and sucked her soul tight to him with his paua-colored eyes.
    She wouldn't remember anything under his gaze, she knew.
    Rangi was quite different from Pete, or anyone else she'd been involved with. He didn't seem to care if she liked him or not. She'd come to Marsden