Wyatt“You can stay here as long as you need,” Wyatt promised Cassie.She sat on the couch with her feet curled up underneath her like a cat. He handed her a cup of iced tea that she carefully sipped on. Cold drinks seemed to be favored in Arizona, no matter the season.“Thank you,” she told him with a small smile.“Do you need anything?” Wyatt asked, taking a seat next to her on the couch. He made sure to give her an appropriate amount of room. “I can send someone out to get you a toothbrush and anything else you might need.”She smiled up at him. “I stopped and picked up some essentials on my way here. Luckily, the paparazzi don't know where I shop yet. I still had my suitcase from the trip in my car, so I have some clothes if I can use your laundry machine.”“Of course. Maria will be happy to clean them for you.”“Maria?” A hint of jealousy crossed her face, and it gave hope to Wyatt's heart.“My housekeeper,” he quickly explained. “She makes sure everything is taken care of for me
WyattWyatt hated being back in the public eye.He hated knowing that if he looked out the window, someone might photograph him. He hated that he couldn't just go to the grocery store without bodyguards. Heck, he couldn't even go get the mail without Thor or Odin watching his back.He missed his simple life on the island. He missed the freedom of anonymity. He missed talking to strangers without them knowing his entire life because they'd read his Wikipedia entry.But he loved having Cassie.Cassie made it all worth it. To wake up and find her sleeping in his bed or sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, was like living in a dream. Time didn't matter when they were together. He would suddenly find that the sun had set and the only thing they'd done all day was snuggle and talk about their favorite jobs growing up.He found that they really could just talk for hours, or that they could simply sit in comfortable silence. Just being near her felt right, like a missing part of him
Cassie“Have fun,” Wyatt said as the SUV came to a halt. “I'll see you at the ball.”Cassie nodded, kissed him on the cheek, and got out of the car.In front of her was the most expensive salon in the state. She'd heard amazing things about the services, but she'd never even tried to book anything. She couldn't seem to justify spending that much money on just a haircut. Since her hair was usually pulled back for work, it never seemed to matter who cut it.She swallowed hard and stepped inside. Tranquility washed over her like water, just by stepping through the door. The soft sound of water, the smell of clean linens, and welcoming, comfortable-looking furniture all greeted her.“Ms. Turner?” the woman at the front desk asked. She smiled when Cassie nodded. “We're so glad you're here. If you follow me, I'll take you to your private room."Cassie had never heard of a private room for a haircut before, but she happily followed the woman into a beautiful room with hardwood floors. A sing
CassieCassie bounced her knees with excitement and just a little bit of nervousness as the SUV drove up to the ball. The hotel looked like a castle as they approached, and Cassie couldn't help but stare out the window.She'd been here once before for a conference. The hotel was a legend with eight pools, two golf courses, spa, and stunning mountain views. The ballroom was the biggest in the state and usually booked out for months. She'd peeked into the rooms during the conference, and the hotel manager in her had fallen in love.This was bigger than anything she wanted to run. While she enjoyed working at a major hotel, she preferred a more intimate experience. She liked interacting with guests and making the experience personal to them. That was hard to do in a huge hotel.Still, she loved this hotel. It was like going to Disneyland. It was a chance to see how things were done on a bigger scale with a larger budget. Cassie's hotel only held business events, so getting to see a socia
Cassie“Look who I found on my way in,” Lorna announced as they arrived at the table. “I'm so glad I found her. Otherwise, I would have been sitting at the wrong table all night. Here's where the party is, right?”Lorna wore a poison-apple-green skin-tight dress. The mermaid tail flared out at the knee, but the rest was practically painted onto Lorna's body, highlighting her trim figure. While stylish, it was also loud and over the top, much like Lorna.Brianna smiled weakly.“You sit next to Kyle, and I'll sit at this spot here,” Lorna said, practically pushing Brianna at Kyle. Lorna took the empty seat next to Wyatt.Cassie tried not to bristle. She decided not to let her anger and jealousy rise to the surface. She could be the bigger person. Tonight was for charity after all.“Brianna, I'm sure Cassie wants to catch up with you. Trade me seats?” Wyatt asked, looking innocently at Brianna.“Sure.” Brianna hopped up, and the two switched seats. Cassie felt a surge of smug pleasure at
CassieApplause filled the room. Lorna sauntered from the table and up to the stage to get her certificate. She posed for the camera, flaunting her curves and wealth as they praised her for her generous donation to charity.Only it wasn't generous. It was selfish and cruel. Cassie could have dealt with just about anyone else winning a date with Wyatt. But Lorna?Cassie wanted to punch her in the face.Wyatt hoped down from the stage and came back to the table. Lorna tried to follow him, but she was diverted to follow Olive to write the check for the date. At least Cassie got a bit of satisfaction from the annoyed look on Lorna's face as she was forced to hang back.“We'll think of something,” Brianna promised. “Let me talk with Janessa. We'll come up with a plan. It'll be okay.”The sentiment was sweet, but Cassie knew there wasn't much her friends could do for her. Brianna gave her a quick hug and then got up and went to sit next to Janessa to hopefully plot something out.“I'm so so
Wyatt“Well, other than the auction fiasco, I think the night was a success,” Wyatt announced, kicking off his shoes at the door of his apartment.Cassie followed him in, adding her heels to his shoes. He liked the way they looked tumbled together.“I had fun,” Cassie said, walking into the kitchen and pouring a glass of water. She grinned at him. “Thank you for inviting me. I don't know if I want to do it again, but once was fun. It was definitely different.”“You want to live the billionaire lifestyle all the time now?” he asked, loosening his jacket and tie.“Hell no.” She shook her head. “I'm exhausted mentally, and I didn't have to do anything. All those people? I just want to curl up with you and not move for a week. My brain is totally and completely fried.”He thought about asking her to come to the islands. Now was the perfect time, only... she just said her brain was fried. Asking a huge decision right now was going to end poorly.Maybe he was just afraid of rejection, or pe
WyattThe ride to the restaurant didn't take long, but Wyatt moped the whole way there. He knew it was childish and that he was a full grown man, but since no one but Thor would see him, he pouted.When the car door opened to get out though, he wore a polite smile.Lorna was waiting for him at the table. She wore a tiny black dress that showed massive amounts of cleavage and left little to the imagination. Wyatt had to admit that she was very beautiful, but he much preferred Cassie's simple but elegant style. He liked having something left to the imagination.“Hi, Wyatt.” Her voice was low and breathy. She stood up sensually and stepped toward him.“Hello, Lorna,” he greeted her. He held out his hand and made it a point that he was shaking her hand, not giving a hug.She stared at his hand for a moment and then shook it with a surprised smile. “How professional.”He was a perfect gentleman. He had a plan to get through this. He pulled out her chair and helped her sit before going to h