“Just in time. You take a man's breath away, Cassie,” he says, reaching a handout.
Her reaction is instant, she puts her hand in his and smiles back. Her body reacts to his before her mind can stop her. “Thank you, Mr. Rivers. I wondered where you had gone.”
“You aren’t the only one with secrets. Would you do me the honor of having dinner with me?” he asks.
“I would be delighted.” They laugh and enter to elevator heading back to their room.
Alone in the elevator, Dalton looks at her and smiles, “Cassandra, tonight will you trust in me and just believe? Believe that for just this moment, all your troubles are gone?” He asks softly cupping her face in his hand.
“I thought you wanted answers, Dalton?” she asks with a serious look.
“Tomorrow comes soon enough, Cassie. Will you be with me tonight? Without reservations, worry or doubt? Trust that just for tonight we belong to each other?”
What damage can come from believing she asks herself, her hand touches his and answers lovingly, “I will.”
He leans down and claims the kiss, he has been dreaming about. Her mouth is hot and his lips, demanding, and Cassie finds she doesn't want to fight her need for him. His hands move to her hips, pulling her closer and she kisses him back meeting his tongue the moment he invades her mouth. She savors the taste of him, sweet and rough, and he pours through her soul washing away the aching loneliness. For this moment she is his, and they belong to the intensity raging between them.
Dalton is the first to realize the elevator has stopped. He tears his mouth from hers wishing they were alone, but excited for the evening ahead. Passion heats his gaze, and he growls at her, “Damn, you taste like heaven, Cassie.”
“You shouldn’t kiss me like that, Dalton. I don’t know what game ...” He backs her into the corner, ignoring those waiting outside the elevator.
“No games, Cassandra. I don’t like games. I want you, but I will behave for the rest of the night. I promise. Forgive me.” He turns away not waiting for an answer and exits the elevator.
Cassie follows unable to speak. The intensity of her feelings for him is that of a woman, not the young girl she was with her husband, Jim. Dalton reaches out and takes her hand, tugging her along down the hallway past their room.
“Dalton, our room is that way. Where are we going?” He doesn’t answer. He keeps walking to the end of the hall where the porter, Mr. Astor waits.
Mr. Astor waits, holding a single white rose. He smiles at Cassie and offers her the flower, then holds the door open. Dalton steps through and Cassie follows nervously. She decides not to read the porter. Life loses some of its magic if you know everything that is coming.
Dalton leads the way up a candlelit stairway, lined with porters each holding a single rose. By the time she reaches the rooftop deck, she is holding fifteen white roses and struggling to hold back tears.
The view from the deck is stunning. San Francisco is lit with a gentle radiance. Overhead the stars sparkle and glisten dancing in the atmosphere above. An outdoor fireplace glows, crackling and popping providing the warmth they need. Cassie turns in awe and sees a table set for two. A waiter stands awaiting their orders.
“Dalton, this is too much!” I don’t deserve this kind of treatment, her soul screams. Tears spill and he walks forward, cupping her face. He wipes her tears and whispers,
“Remember your promise, Cassie. For tonight, no worries, thoughts, or fears. Just us.”
“How can I say no to you?” She wonders.
He plucks a champagne glass from a tray and offers her one. “A toast to new beginning’s and dreams coming true.”
Chapter 9
Aiden Daniels slams his empty shot glass down on the dusty bar and flips a silver coin down. He pushes through the swinging doors and heads for his horse, just as a stranger rides into town. The man slows his horse and looks around before heading to the sheriff’s office.
Strangers are always trouble as far as Aiden is concerned. His brown eyes glare daggers into the back of the two men when they exit the office. Sheriff George Bower saddles his horse, and the stranger joins him riding out of town.
Aiden walks into the sheriff's office looking for answers. Willow Bower greets Aiden with a hesitant smile. “What can I help you with, Mr. Daniels?” she asks. Everyone in town fears the Daniel's family. They hold power and no one can stand up to them.
“The stranger, who is he? What did he want?” he demands glaring at the older woman.
“He's a surveyor from San Francisco, and he was looking for the Wolfe Ranch. How's your daddy doing?” she asks, trying to change the subject.
“What’s a surveyor from the city doing here, Willow? Lord the whole town knows you are a busy body,” he says, ignoring her question. “Answer me!” he says, slamming his fist on the desk.
Rage flushes her cheeks, and she jumps to her feet. “That's a terrible thing to say to me! Your Mama would…”
The slap sends her flying back into the wall. She holds her hand up to her face and weeps against the floor. “Answer the question woman!”
“Cassandra Wolfe sold the deed of Wolfe Ranch to the bank in San Francisco! They are surveying the land to see what it's worth,” she sobs out from the floor.
Fury pulses through
