“Sleep with any guy you meet.” He curled her hair around his fingers and brushed his thumb over the strands. “I think I figured that out about you from the get-go.”
She grasped his hand, trying to show him she appreciated his understanding. “I’m glad you get it. Some guys don’t.”
“I’m not some guy. Besides, I said I wouldn’t pressure you tonight. Not that there wouldn’t be a next time.”
Pleasure and a warm sense of gratitude washed over her. “I’m very glad to hear that,” she said, wanting him to understand that no for now didn’t necessarily mean no for good. “Because I never said I couldn’t be persuaded.”
* * *
Derek didn’t sleep well. In part because he had a raging hard-on that not even his hand helped abate, but also because the woman he desired slept a wall away. Early the next morning, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, planning to head out and take Oscar for his morning walk. But as he brushed his teeth and got ready, he couldn’t stop going over the events of last night.
Cassie had been a revelation. There was an innate sweetness about her he’d never experienced before. Despite how he’d all but snarled at her when she’d asked about his parents, she had been genuinely sorry for him and caring about his loss. Which made her a nicer person than he was, that was for damned sure.
And watching her come apart in his arms affected him more than any experience he’d had before. And that threw him, making the fact that Oscar had interrupted what would have come after, namely him stripping off his clothes and burying himself deep inside her wet heat, a good thing. Something they both would have regretted come morning.
Another reason she stood out to him. She wasn’t eager to jump into his bed. To sleep with a billionaire. To use him for his money. And he sensed her lack of greed had little to do with her having money of her own. She was just that genuine a person.
Which didn’t make his waffling feelings toward her easy to deal with. Nor did it help his conscience. Especially since she’d admitted to being betrayed in the past. He didn’t want to hurt her too, but he still wanted to acquire her father’s company and run it into the ground. He just felt more guilt about it now.
With his mind heavy, he quietly made his way to the family room, where Oscar slept if he chose not to join Derek in his bed. The dog bed was empty. Which meant there was only one place the traitor could be.
In the room where Cassie slept.
He ran a hand through his hair, debating whether to knock or open the door and let the dog slide through. It sounded quiet, so he turned the knob and glanced in. Sunlight began to stream through the slats in the window shades, casting a golden glow on Cassie’s brown hair. She slept on.
As for Oscar, instead of bounding toward him as Derek expected, the dog lay tangled around Cassie’s feet.
“Come on,” Derek whispered roughly.
Oscar raised his head and whined. Hell. If Derek were wrapped around Cassie, he wouldn’t want to leave either. But the dog needed his morning walk or he’d pee on the floor when he finally got his lazy ass out of bed.
Derek shook the leash in his hand. No luck.
He padded into the room, wearing only socks on his feet, trying to remain quiet. “Oscar, come,” he tried again, using his stern indoor voice.
“Derek?” Cassie murmured, pulling herself up against the pillows, taking the comforter with her.
One glance told him why. Her shoulders were bare beneath the covers, and when he guessed what was underneath, his mouth went dry. If he’d thought about the fact that she was naked next door, he wouldn’t have made it through the night.
“Sorry. Need to walk the dog.” He leaned over and hooked the leash onto Oscar’s collar, at which point Oscar rolled over onto his back, making himself dead weight.
Stupid shit. Derek couldn’t help but laugh.
“He likes me,” she said on a giggle.
He wasn’t the only one, Derek thought. A few more tugs and Oscar grumbled his way off the bed. “I’ll be back in a little while. I’ll bring up muffins too.”
She treated him to a grateful smile. “Thank you. And thanks for the toothbrush and everything in the bathroom last night.”
He nodded. “Maybe next time you’ll find all the necessities in my room,” he said, then pulled on the leash and headed out of the room before she could reply.
Chapter Five
Cassie waited until Derek left the room before falling back against the pillows and closing her eyes. Staying alone here had been difficult last night, especially after she’d peeled off her clothing and climbed into bed naked. Well, with her panties on, but no way was she sleeping in a bra. Ouch. But knowing Derek was next door and she was in here with barely a stitch of clothes made it difficult to stick to her resolve to get to know him better before sleeping with him.
She’d persevered … until he’d shown up in her room this morning, unshaven, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, looking sexy as hell while he tried to wrangle his dog for a walk. He wasn’t the billionaire the world wanted to know better, he was a damned fine-looking man she wanted to know intimately.
She blew out a harsh breath, climbed out of bed, and got ready for the day. By the time she walked into the kitchen, Derek had returned. They ate muffins and coffee, a blessing to her rumbling stomach.
“Did the weather clear up?” she asked.
He nodded. “The sun is shining and the roads are clear. Can I give you a ride back home?”