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.She’d vowed to steer clear of troubled men and Jake Griffin was first on that list.Cassie knew he’d never let her in, never put her above his list of priorities.Yet, being held in his arms, having his body so close, had a way of making her forget everything in her head.“Jake, maybe this isn’t a good idea.”“I’ve got you, Cassie.There’s nothing to be afraid of.”He’s got her.That was everything to be afraid of.Seven“Normally, I eat in the kitchen, but Marie thought since you’re the invited guest, we should do it up nice in here,” John T.stated.Cassie glanced around at the austere dining room.The room was dark with stately elegance that Cassie thought didn’t quite fit the rest of the house.Deep-red velvet curtains, walnut oak crown molding and the most intimidating furniture Cassie had ever seen made up the bulk of the large room.She was seated to the right of John T.and there were seven empty chairs around the table, with the exception of one other place setting.Cassie assumed that had to be for Jake.“You want the truth, John T?” Cassie had to force his first name out.In her mind, he was still Mr.Anderson, her staunch employer.There was interest in his dark eyes.“Always.”“This is…nice.But this room is nearly bigger than my old apartment in Los Angeles.I’d rather have our meal in the kitchen, too.”John T.cracked an iota of a smile.He stood and grabbed both their plates.“Well, let’s go.”Five minutes later, and much to Marie’s dismay, she and John T.had plates of food in front of them in the bright, cheerful kitchen.They began their meal with a glass of red wine.“Make a toast, Cassie,” he ordered, and she was starting to believe John T.’s bark was much worse than his bite.She lifted her glass.“To new beginnings,” she said, and they put their glasses together before taking a sip.“Ah, if only I could go back,” he said softly.“Back?”John T.nodded.“We don’t get the luxury of second chances, do we?”“Boy, I sure wouldn’t mind a second chance or two,” she admitted.He waved her off.“You? You’re a young, intelligent woman, Cassie.You haven’t begun to live yet.But me, I’ve made a lifetime of mistakes.And I’m afraid I’m paying the price.” With a shrug, his rigid demeanor melted away and Cassie saw regret enter his eyes.“Maybe it’s what I deserve.”Cassie sipped her wine.“You’re a success, John T.You have a wonderful house and the ranch is…well, Jake took me on a tour today.I’m impressed with all you’ve done here.”“Jake, huh? Tell me.Is he treating you all right?”More than all right, Cassie wouldn’t announce.They’d been together for two hours this afternoon, riding his stallion, viewing the land.Every time they’d dismounted to stretch their legs or to catch a better view of the grazing animals, they fought their attraction to each other.Like a magnet, Cassie felt drawn to Jake and her instincts told her he’d felt the strong pull, too.They’d almost kissed, Jake coming up from behind as they stood in a tall meadow amid a blue sky, the surroundings quietly serenaded by rustling leaves and the flap of their clothes against the breeze.Cassie had come to her senses and stepped away, out of his reach, hoping to break the mood, to keep Jake from taking more of her heart.“Jake is treating me just fine.”“That’s good.As you might have guessed, he and I don’t see eye-to-eye on much of anything.”Cassie remained quiet.She’d been curious about their relationship, or rather what seemed more like their estrangement, but she’d never pry.She’d let John T.do all the talking and listen to as much as he was willing to share.“It goes way back.I’ve made my share of mistakes with that boy, I’ll admit.I’ll even say, I didn’t treat him fairly, but I was in a hard place.I’d been a rodeo rider myself.Not a calf roper, like Jake, but I wrestled steers.Never did make it to the championship, but, I had the ladies lining up, anyway.I met Jake’s mother at the rodeo one day
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