She smiled at him softly. “Way better than okay.”
“Yeah, me too.” He kissed her one last time. “It’s getting late. We’ve got work to do tomorrow.”
Cassidy just nodded.
For a while he’d been able to set his troubles aside and enjoy the evening. He’d thought of nothing but Cassidy and how much he wanted her. Now his worries were back full force.
Was Malcolm Vaughn behind his father’s murder? And if he was, how the hell did they prove it?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cassidy started the day with a faint headache. A little too much champagne. But what a romantic night it had been. Romantic andhot. Her face heated at the memory of what had happened in Beau’s garage. She loved sex with him. No man had ever made her feel the way he did. She had a feeling no man ever would.
It was dangerous to let herself be drawn in any deeper, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
It was late morning when she showered and dressed in the bedroom next to his. For the first time, it occurred to her today was February third—the anniversary of her mother’s death. With everything that had been happening, somehow the date had slipped her mind.
Despair settled over her. She hated this day. No matter how bright it started out, she couldn’t avoid the sadness that grew hour by hour as her mind filled with memories of the warm, loving woman who had raised her.
For the last six years, on this day, she had gone to the cemetery to put flowers on her mother’s grave. Being there gave her time to remember the way things were when they were a family, the joys they had shared. It gave her time toappreciate all the things her mother had done for her, a way to feel closer to her mom.
She headed for the study. Beau was sitting at his desk when she walked in. His eyes swung to hers and heated. He was thinking about last night and for an instant, she thought of it, too.
But darker memories swept in and her smile slowly faded. Beau must have noticed because the heat dimmed in his eyes and concern replaced it.
“You okay?”
She smoothed a hand over the stretch jeans she had put on with a V-necked sweater. “Not a good day for me, I’m afraid. Six years ago today, my mother died.”
Beau rose from behind his desk and walked toward her. “I’m sorry, baby. I know how that feels.” He wrapped her in his arms, lending his warmth and strength.
“Sarah was sick for most of my senior year in college,” he said, surprising her. “She died in June, right after graduation. It’s been thirteen years, but I still remember how I felt the day she died.”
Cassidy slid her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. Beau had never brought up Sarah before. She told herself it was a good sign. “Sarah had cancer, right? Just like my mother.”
She could feel the movement as he nodded. “She fought it. We both believed she could beat it, but in the end she lost the battle.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It gets easier as the years pass. Sometimes I forget for weeks at a time. Then it all comes back and it’s like it happened yesterday.”
She hung on to him a little longer, wishing she could make him forget, knowing he never would. Just like she would never forget the six months she had nursed her mother before she’d passed away.
Cassidy let him go. “I always drive out to the cemetery, put some flowers on Mom’s grave. Since my car’s in the shop, I was hoping you might let me borrow the BMW.”
“You want me to go with you?”
She shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather go by myself.”
“I understand that. I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you take the Lamborghini? That might cheer you up a little.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? The cemetery is a ways out of the city. Are you sure it would be okay?”
“You’ve driven it before. The trip’ll do you good.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “I’m driving the Lambo! I’m cheered up just thinking about it.”
He chuckled, eased back, and softly kissed her. “The keys are on the hook in the garage. Go visit your mom. Do whatever else you need to do. I’ve got some catching up to do at the office. I’ll meet you here later.”
