Love With A Stranger (35 page)

“I have a feeling we’re both going to be fine, Cass, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Peter, for everything you’ve done for me.”

“At least we’ll part as good friends; that’s worth something, right?”

“Yes, it is. I’m glad we had the chance to get to know each
other.”
You’ll learn what I mean after we settle up, you snake in the grass!

“So am I, Cass. Now, let’s change the subject to happy talk. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“I’m going to Linda’s church in the morning and spending the afternoon with her tomorrow. I would invite you to come along, but she might think I’m trying to initiate a romance between you two, and that wouldn’t be wise.”

“You’re right. Well, have a good time.”

“I will,” she responded, knowing it was Jason she would be seeing.

On Sunday morning, Cass and Jason arrived at church in separate vehicles; she preceded him by a few minutes. After he entered, he pretended to sight her and, following a casual greeting, asked if he could sit with her. She smiled and moved over on the pew. They chatted in whispers as if they were nothing more than old friends. When the service began, they shared a hymnal, then listened to the pastor’s sermon.

Afterward, he spoke with friends and she, with new acquaintances. They got into their cars and drove to Jason’s home where they concealed hers in his garage, changed into casual clothes, and went to a close-by marina.

Aboard his thirty-five-foot cabin cruiser,
J’s Prescription,
they ate a picnic lunch which he had purchased along the way before heading down the Frederica River, through the St. Simons Sound, and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Jason chose a slow speed that would prevent a rough ride, heading his boat northeastward into the incoming wind. They traveled for a while without talking, only enjoying being together. Cass sat beside him and exchanged smiles with him
every few minutes. A moderate breeze played through their hair, but they were shielded from the harsh rays of sun by a fiberglass canopy. They saw other recreational crafts and a few ships in the distance, but none came close to their position, as Jason intended.

“This is wonderful, Cass” he finally said. “A placid sea, a clear day, a warm sun, a pleasant breeze, refreshments below in the galley, and the woman I love beside me.”

“It’s perfect, Jason. I wonder how long we can continue to use Linda as our alibi for these little trysts before we’re exposed.”

“She’s a good friend to us for providing one when needed. I’ll have to thank her, and I’d like to see her find a special man to love and marry.”

Cass didn’t mention Linda’s attraction to his son, but thought it would be amusing if her friend and nurse became her daughterin-law. She also decided not to mention her talk with Peter yesterday until later, as she didn’t want talk about Tom or his son to intrude on and spoil their serene afternoon together.

They were about five miles out to sea with the lush coastline and towering lighthouse on St. Simons Island still visible to the naked eye when Jason cut off the engine to allow them to drift while they relaxed and talked. As an experienced and knowledgeable sportsman, he knew the gentle wind and tide would very slowly push them back toward the shore in a few hours.

“Ahoy, mate, how about we head below for a refreshing drink?”

“Sounds good to me, Captain,” she said and followed his lead.

“Watch your head on that hatch; she has a low beam.”

In the mini-kitchen area, her gaze scanned the cabinets’
contents. “This is a well-stocked galley, Captain. Do you entertain here often?”

Jason chuckled and glanced at her as he opened a bottle of wine. “Not the kind of entertaining you mean. I purchased this sleek beauty after my divorce. The only people who’ve been aboard are friends of mine, mostly fishermen. If you’re interested in becoming my only crew member, I’ll sign you up today.”

“Where’s the dotted line?” she quipped and laughed.

“Right here,” he said, motioning to his lips.

She kissed him and jested, “Seaman Grantham reporting for duty.”

“Duty, eh? In that case, I’ll have to come up with a list of them.”

“Just don’t include scrubbing the deck; that would ruin my nails.”

“Don’t worry, mate, that’s not how I want to use your time, energy, and talents. I’m sure I can put them to much better use with other chores. This wine isn’t chilled, so I’ll have to toss in a couple of ice cubes.”

“That’s fine with me.”

He handed her a glass of Far Niente, a California white Chardonnay bottled in ’93 in the Napa Valley. He tapped his glass to hers and toasted, “To our first voyage together and to the best mate a man could find.”

Cass smiled again and said, “To the best captain in the world.”

Instead of confining themselves in the eating booth, they stood in the middle of a rather spacious cabin. The windows were open on both sides, so a nice air current flowed through the area. The spring weather was balmy; the location was quiet except for the sounds of mild waves lapping against the hull, the cries of various sea birds, and ice clicking against their glasses as they drank. Their surroundings were romantic, secluded, and tranquil.

“This is a cozy cruiser, Jason. Do you ever spend the night aboard?”

“I haven’t yet, but it would be fun with you. We could anchor near one of the smaller islands, perhaps Little St. Simons or Egg Island. We could cook in the galley or on the shore, swim, fish, and do whatever comes up,” he said with a grin as he drifted his fingers over one of her shoulders, as both were bare in a strapless sundress. He leaned forward and trailed kisses from one shoulder joint to her collarbone.

As his mouth headed up her neck, Cass glanced past him to the bunk. Though the craft’s swaying was mild, she replied, “With the way the boat is rocking, wouldn’t we roll off that narrow bed and crash to the floor?”

Jason nibbled at her earlobe and murmured, “I don’t know; I guess that’s something we’ll have to find out.”

Cass quivered with desire and teased, “Ah, yes, you’re the man who likes sharing adventures and solving mysteries.”

He fused his blue gaze with her brown one. “That’s me all right.”

After he kissed her long and deep, he said, “I want to make love to you, Cass; I have since the moment I saw you this morning. How about we test your theory over there?” he suggested, nodding toward the bunk.

Consumed with suspense and anticipation, she told him, “I’m ready and willing. But what happens if we drift ashore while the captain’s busy?”

“We won’t; I know these waters. We’d be back on deck long before we could reach the shoreline.”

“What if a friend spies
J’s Prescription
and comes to visit?”

“Nobody will board this craft without permission, and we’ll hear them coming. I’ll even lock us in for privacy. Unless this makes you nervous.”

“No, but keep your ears open anyway.”

He stroked her cheek. “I can’t make that promise, because
when I’m with you, I go blind and deaf and lose my wits completely.”

“I know what you mean, Doc; I seem to suffer from those same symptoms when I’m with you. Perhaps I need a skilled physician to examine me and give me proper treatment for them.”

“I’m the perfect man for that job. These are registered healers.”

Cass glanced at his hands as he held them up and yearned to have them touching her all over her body. “Are you finished with your drink?”

“Yep. I have another and better thirst to slake, one for you.”

She took his glass and set both in the galley sink. As she did so, she noticed he locked the hatch. Then he met her near the inviting bunk.

Jason pulled Cass into his arms and kissed her. He relished the taste of her unrestrained response. She was the most exciting and alluring woman he had ever known. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her in and out of bed. He adored the soft and warm feel of her skin. He loved her flavor and scent. His heart felt so full of emotion that he wondered if it could burst with joy. She was perfect for him.

Cass looped her arms around his neck and guided her fingers into his sun-lightened mane to draw his head closer. She loved his kisses. His strong and gentle hands stroked her arms and back, making her aware of every inch of her yearning body. Her tongue played with his at the same time his hands tugged down her elastic-topped dress, then cupped her breasts and kneaded her nipples. Heat and tingles raced over her flesh.

Jason separated his mouth from hers, bent down and took turns swirling his tongue around her taut nipples and sucking them into his mouth. He pleasured her in that manner for a few breathless minutes before his lips traveled slowly down her rib cage and navel, and across her flat stomach. As he advanced toward his target, his fingers eased her dress and
panties lower and lower until Cass stepped out of the two items. He slid the garments beneath his knees to cushion them against the hard deck. He spread kisses over her hipbones and abdomen before his hands nudged her legs apart. He kissed and nibbled a path along her smooth inner thighs before his fingers invaded her thatch of brown hair and his questing mouth found its goal. He grasped her buttocks and pressed her body forward. His tongue flicked and swirled around her nub of delight. His lips suckled upon it, then he teethed it gently, aware of her growing arousal.

Cass trembled and moaned in ecstasy. She thrilled to the magic of his deft tongue and talented hands. She sighed in bliss as the peak hardened and pulsed under his masterful touch. There was a quickening in her stomach and a sweet tension building in her loins. “I’m going to melt into the floor,” she murmured. “My knees are weak and my legs feel like jelly.”

“Lie down, my love,” he suggested, his hands clasping her waist to draw her down to the bunk.

Cass obeyed his husky command and reclined on the soft surface. When he parted her thighs wider, she felt no shame, modesty, or inhibitions with this man she loved. He pleasured her in wild abandonment before his finger slipped within her; she moaned and thrashed as the sensations drove her wild. Soon, she could control herself no longer and was washed away in the powerful waves of passion. She writhed and cried out her rapture as she drew every drop of splendor from that new experience with him. “Surely I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

Jason peeled off his garments in a hurry and joined her as he refuted, “Not yet, my ravishing mate, but I’ll give it another try.” He pulled her into his embrace where he kissed and fondled her to arouse her again.

Cass captured sleek strands of his tawny hair and twirled them around her fingers. She responded to his slow, seductive kisses and caresses. Within minutes, there was not a spot on her that did not burn or quiver with pleasure. She was nestled
in his strong embrace as his hands wandered over her, then as his deft lips fastened to a breast and tantalized its nipple to pointed eagerness, she gasped in passionate longing. She wanted, needed, and loved this man with her heart and soul. She was amazed he could enflame her to such a high degree so soon after satisfying her.

Jason had reached a near feverish level himself. She was caressing his shoulders, arms, and back with light but stimulating gestures. He ached to bury himself inside of her, but he didn’t want to rush. He wanted this to be the most gratifying and memorable lovemaking session she had ever known, as it was for him. His fingers stroked the shiny and thick waves of her brown hair as he brushed kisses over her face and throat. He loved feeling her naked flesh in contact with his.

Searing heat stormed Cass’s body. She had to feel Jason inside her. She couldn’t wait a moment longer. When Jason moved atop her, she wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him closer to entice him to enter her. Their lips tantalized and their tongues teased as he slid the tip of his erection into her, paused a moment to draw a deep and needed breath for renewed restraint, then thrust further past her delicate folds until it seemed he’d reached her very core.

Cass trailed her fingers over the flexible muscles of his back near his waist. She felt those in his- lithe buttocks repeatedly contract with each passionate thrust. She clung to him, almost ravishing his mouth as she refused to allow him to withdraw for any length of time.

Jason wished their lovemaking could go on forever but he felt his restraint begin to slip at Cass’s enthusiastic responses. When he felt her stiffen and heard her gasp for air, he knew she was in the early throes of sweet release. He let himself join her in a burst of supreme pleasure.

As they each came back to earth, they cuddled quietly, enjoying the aftermath of their loving.

Finally, Jason looked over at her and grinned. “I want to
thank you for never showing me any mercy, woman. It gets better every time.”

“You’re right, as impossible as that seems. I love you, Jason.”

“I love you, Cass. I thank God we met last October, or we might not be together today. We could both still be alone and miserable if you hadn’t come to that play.”

“I really believe in destiny and fate; and we were destined for each other. In a strange way, we shouldn’t curse our mistakes because they got us to meet. If I hadn’t married Tom, I wouldn’t be living on Sea Island; and if you hadn’t married and divorced Brenda, you wouldn’t have been single and alone that night at the Ritz Theater.”

Jason pondered her words, then said, “You’re right. It’s as if we were being led through a dark maze to find each other at the sunny end.”

“Oh, Jason, it feels wonderful to be happy again.”
To feel whole and clean again.
She sighed peacefully and stroked his bare chest.

“I can hardly wait until you agree to marry me, woman. Maybe that will be sooner than you think with Inez’s help.”

Cass propped up and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Jason told her about his talk with her ex-housekeeper yesterday.

As he made his shocking revelation, Cass bolted up on the bed. “Surely you didn’t! Please tell me you’re teasing.”

“What’s wrong, love? Maybe she’s the ace we need up our sleeve to force Peter to settle with you so we won’t have to wait so long to marry.”

“It could ruin everything, Jason. I made a deal with Peter last night for a pay-off.” She related their conversation to him. “If Inez tells him about our suspicions, he could reneg on it. Then we’re right back where we started, either losing a fortune or waiting for Tom’s timetable to be met.”

“She won’t tell him, Cass; she’s afraid of him, and I think
she was tempted by my offer. I honestly expect her to call me and accept it.”

“You don’t know Inez like I do; she fears nothing and no one. And you’re forgetting how much she detests me; she’d like nothing better than to spite me. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to blackmail Peter for more than you offered her now that she realizes how valuable his secrets are.”

“I’m sorry, love. I never dreamed you and Peter would make a bargain this quickly. I thought I was being helpful. I hoped it would be a nice surprise, but I can see I shouldn’t have interfered.”