Chapter Twelve
“Is this going to be payback for the boat?”
Cassie couldn’t help the shudder that started at her scalp and ran all the way to her toenails. It’d been a few days since the trip that had alternately terrified and thrilled her, but apparently her body wasn’t about to forget that she couldn’t swim and had put herself at risk. She chuckled. “Payback? That’s a rather negative way to frame something that I think is going to be very good for you.”
Taryn grinned wickedly. “You’re very good for me. We could stay here for the next few hours instead.”
“Are you scared of what I’ve arranged?” Cassie took Taryn’s leather jacket from her and placed it on a wall hook.
“Pah. I know we haven’t spent that much time together, but you should know by now that word isn’t in my vocabulary.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and indicated for Taryn to follow her to the kitchen. “You’re so macho.”
Taryn winked. “I’m trying to keep my stunt-rider persona in place. What would people think if they suspected I got scared?”
“I don’t carewhatother people think.” Cassie took two flasks from a cupboard and filled them with filtered water from the fridge.
Taryn shrugged. “I have to. But since you’re unimpressed with my bravado, I should probably tell you that I think fear is healthy. A little fear means you don’t get complacent. Complacency leads to mistakes, and they can be fatal.”
Cassie pinched Taryn’s cheek. “Ah, look at you, showing me you’re human. And I was almost convinced you really were fearless.”
“Well, I don’t have anyfearsas such, especially not illogical ones, like spiders. Being respectful that something you’re doing could kill you isn’t the same as being fearful.”
She’d had this conversation with Rachel; Taryn’s occupation shouldn’t bother her, because this was short-term and there was no emotional investment. So she didn’t respond. “Did you bring something comfortable to wear?”
Taryn lifted her backpack, and Cassie twitched at the way her muscle tensed as she did.
“Yes, and I’m incredibly suspicious.” She lowered her bag again. “But if you’re going to keep looking at me like that, I have to repeat my earlier suggestion that we just stay here, and you can explore whatever feelings are arising in response to my body.”
She tensed deliberately this time, and Cassie laughed. “Since this sex we’re having is centered on me receiving, I need time to rest.”
Taryn pouted and turned away. She began to wander around the living room. “Have you just moved in?”
Cassie put the bottles in her bag and watched Taryn move around her space, almost tiptoeing as if she was afraid to break something. “Why would you think that?”
Taryn gestured around the room. “Because it feels like a show home. Everything’s so clean and white…and perfectly in place. No family photos. No vacation fridge magnets.” She ran her fingers over the six-foot high metal sculpture of two women entwined like two trees. “Apart from this; this feels like a piece you actually chose for the place.”
“That’s a Jamie Nelson original. But I didn’t choose it; I had it commissioned.” She joined Taryn at the piece and touched it gently. “A friend I went to medical school with sent me photos of an exhibition he went to in Boston. The artwork was so stunning, but it was completely sold out. I got in touch with the artist directly and described what I wanted. And this is what she came up with.” This sculpture was her favorite thing in the whole apartment, and when she was close to it, it brought out strong emotions. Usually it was a sense of loneliness or longing, but today, she was having a more sexual response. Due to Taryn’s proximity, no doubt. And Taryn was right about the lack of personality in her apartment. Even if she hadn’t quite gotten around to being so blunt, it was certainly what she was hinting around the edges of.
“It’s beautiful,” Taryn said. “It must’ve cost a fortune.”
Cassie shook her head. “Not as much as you might think. She only believes in people paying what they think her art is worth.”
“Really?” Taryn didn’t look convinced. “That seems like she might be taken advantage of.”
Cassie laughed. “I’ve heard that her wife ensures that doesn’t happen. And for commissions, you tell her how much you’d like to spend, and she creates something commensurate with that number.” She stared at the sculpture; she almost always saw something new or slightly different every time she really took the time to look at it. “I still think I got a steal.” She pulled her gaze from the piece and concentrated on Taryn. “But to go back to your original question, I haven’t just moved in. I like clean lines and no clutter. It’s just who I am.” She shrugged then glanced at her watch. “You need to change so we can get going. If we’re late, they won’t let us in.”
After Taryn had done the fastest wardrobe change Cassie had ever seen, she led the way out of her apartment and down to the garage. Taryn got her bike and parked it in the visitor spot that was unusually free, then she joined Cassie in her car. Cassie pulled out and headed toward her local gym. It wasn’t far at all, but it was way too far to walk to in the stifling July heat.
“I feel like I might be under-dressed for the theater.”
Cassie glanced at Taryn and smiled, enjoying keeping her guessing. “Who said we were going to the theater?”
“Nobody. I’m grasping at straws because you’re being so cloak and dagger. But that’s the only place I can think of that won’t allow latecomers.” Taryn leaned back in the passenger seat and stretched out.
Cassie risked a look at Taryn’s long, mostly naked and delightfully muscled legs and briefly questioned her desire to take her to BodyBalance instead of just working her out in the bedroom. But they’d get to that after, without a doubt. She pulled into the strip mall parking lot, and they got out of the car.
Taryn took both their bags. “I’m not having my nails painted.” She pointed to the salon Cassie had parked directly outside.
