How Cassie Got Her Grind Back by Heather Rainier Page B

frustrated-sounding sigh. “I wonder if Grace or Charity’s ‘hey-let’s-start-a-ménage’ conversations with their men were this awkward.” She put her hand over her lips as a giggle escaped her, but she kept a serious face.
    Samson raised an eyebrow at his brother. “I figured you would’ve told her how you feel in the car.”
    Ivan shrugged. “We were getting to that. Cassie, did you have any idea how I felt about you when we were in high school?” He’d carried the torch this long it was worth seeing the matter through.
    She looked down at her hands and eventually nodded. “About the middle of our sophomore year, I realized something was happening. We didn’t see each other over Christmas vacation, and…I expected to miss Samson. Vacation was nearly over, and I was excited about going back to school…so I could see both of you. And I grasped what was between us was more than friendship. You were so careful around me, and for a long time, I wasn’t sure if it was just me. How my father would react was always a worry, and of course, I didn’t want to do or say anything that would hurt this big guy.”
    She reached up and caressed Samson’s chest with the back of her hand in a gesture so casual it could’ve been something she did every day. Ivan hoped that meant she was seriously considering what they were saying. She beckoned to Samson, and his eyes twinkled as he leaned close so she could whisper in his ear. He chuckled and met her gaze. “I wouldn’t be offended at all. That was the point of this conversation.”
    Looking encouraged, she nodded, and then she riveted her gaze on Ivan and arched a brow. “I often wondered if you kissed as good as your brother.”

Chapter Seven
     
    “Well, honey, I think it’s time you found out, don’t you?” Ivan’s inviting smile gave her the courage to slide her hand around the back of his head, tickling her fingertips with the short hairs there, and draw him close to her.
    The scent of the Scotch whiskey he’d been sipping swirled in her head as she shared a breath with him before their lips joined. She’d always wondered if the attraction was simply because he resembled his brother but no, oh no. Where Samson was firm and solid, pressing into her until she tilted her head to drink in his kiss, Ivan was teasing, drawing her to him. She felt the smile forming on his lips as she leaned against him, her breasts brushing against his chest, hardening her nipples. His soft groan vibrated against her lips as he wrapped his arm around her, like before on the dance floor, trapping her against him until he was ready to let her go.
    Her pussy throbbed with insistent need as he tilted his head and pulled back only a few millimeters so she could draw a quick breath. Then he rubbed his lower lip against hers and caught the sensitive flesh between his teeth in a gentle but possessive manner. Sliding his warm fingers into her hair at the base of her skull, he lightly massaged the tight muscles there as he kissed her once more, frazzling her senses until she grew dizzy and clung to him. As if that was his goal, he smiled once more as he withdrew just far enough to gaze into her eyes.
    She blinked, and then realized she was practically in his lap. A nearby giggle drew her attention, and she realized Bunny and Joseph Hazelle were standing next to Samson. Bunny had her hand over her mouth.
    Joseph took Cassie’s hand when she offered it and cupped it between his in his usual, and slightly formal, greeting. “Cassie, you’re looking very well. I see Samson managed to get back into your good graces. Ivan, it’s good to see you again.” It didn’t seem to faze Joseph that she’d just been involved in a lip-lock with Samson’s brother.
    Hello? Mister Tall, Dark, and Dominating has probably seen it all.
    Cassie blinked again and then pointed between Ivan and Joseph. “You two know each other?”
    Ivan nodded as he shook Joseph’s hand. “Yes, I joined Samson and Joseph