Swept Away (The Escape Series Novellas Book 1) Read online

  Sam sort of half-smiled and then played with the pen he stole from Cassie’s desk. “Ah, that was just an excuse really.”

  Cassie leaned back on her desk. Yep, she was right. “What is it that you really want, Sam?”

  Sam was just about to tell her when over his shoulder he felt someone at the back of him. He turned around and saw the janitor in the doorway. His presence made him feel ill at ease and he stiffened up and said, “If you see Dylan, let him know that his suspension from football practice has been lifted.”

  Cassie was just about to say something clever when she spotted Wyatt at her doorway. Her mouth closed while she looked him in the eye. The intensity she expected--having felt it before, but the anger? Why was he so displeased? She could tell he was not amused and instantly walked away from Sam. Was Wyatt trying to claim his territory?

  Men…

  Cassie watched Sam leave when she motioned for Wyatt to enter so she could close the door behind them.

  A few moments pass when Cassie finally let go, “Well, hello again.”

  Wyatt stepped further into her office. “Hello yourself.”

  Leaning up against the filing cabinet, Cassie tried to disguise her wanting him and hid her hands behind her back. “Where’ve you been?”

  Wyatt did the same and leaned up against the wall on the opposite side of her. “Around.”

  Cassie shook her head and swallowed the captivation she held for him, “Did you need something?”

  Wyatt let go a sensual grin. “Yes,” he said, gruffly. “But something tells me I’m not going to get it so easily this time around.”

  Cassie shook her head and then collected herself. She walked back over and sat down behind her desk. “Listen Wyatt,” she said, scanning over paperwork on her desk. “About the other day.”

  Wyatt stepped away from the wall, “That was wrong of me, I know.”

  Cassie shut her mouth and decided to swallow the blame. Allowed him to take the lead. “I was wondering...”

  “You did nothing wrong,” Wyatt said, cutting her off. He took a step closer to her desk and then leaned down with both hands. “It was me...all me.”

  Cassie watched with curious eyes as he raised his hand to his heart as if to paint himself sincere. Should she believe him? She had nothing to lose. His appeal was overwhelming, she was so incredibly attracted to the man, he could have said the earth was made of peanut butter and she would have turned to jelly. “How about we go on a real date?”

  Wyatt stiffened up. “A date?”

  Alarm bells went off in Cassie’s head. “Yes, a date. You do date, don’t you?”

  Wyatt let go an intoxicating smile, “Sometimes. On occasion...no, ya--sometimes.”

  Cassie blinked back her surprise. “Bad idea?”

  Wyatt was about to head out the door when he stopped short of opening it. “Friday night?”

  Cassie licked her lips at the thought. A date! “What about Friday night?” She asked, teasing.

  “Cassie Monerrez, are you free Friday night?” Wyatt asked, acting a little coy himself.

  Cassie blinked and then gave him a grin full of teeth. “Why yes, Wyatt Zander, I am free Friday night.”

  ◆◆◆

  Cassie had never been more nervous!

  Even though he’s already seen her naked, now she was entering that next step--after sex--getting to know someone, emotionally.

  What a backwards turn of events. Would he like her for her? She wasn’t going to change for any man, that’s for sure. She was too old to play that changing game and she truly hoped he was too. She really did like him. And even though she knew some of his back story she was still curious on why he chose to become a janitor instead of going back to the professional world.

  She already knew what to expect in bed, so now that that was out of the way, could she get to know what was on the inside? He seemed so mysterious to her she just couldn’t stand it. Weird too that she could read him so well. Like she had known him forever. Her soul’s mate.

  “Kendra!”

  Cassie was getting ready and was scrambling with changing outfits. “Kendra!”

  Her daughter casually walked into view. They were in Cassie’s bedroom and Cassie had been running in and out of the closet throwing dresses, slacks, jeans and tops onto her bed. A big, messy pile.

  “What? I’m chatting with Toby,” Kendra protested, walking over to feel one of her mother’s velvet jackets.

  “What should I wear?” Cassie asked her daughter, jogging over to her closet once more and pulling out skirts.

  “Let me tell Toby to hold on, I’ll be right back,” Kendra explained, running out the bedroom door.

  Cassie stood beside her bed and eyed the mound of clothes she had disassembled on her comforter. Red, blue, maroon, yellow, fuchsia, purple, even some green. What does she wear?!

  Cassie pulled out a floral print and put it up against her body.

  Kendra walked back into her bedroom and screamed, “No! Put that down. No roses, mom.”

  Cassie frowned at the bouquet print and put it back down. “How about stripes?” She asked, grabbing a nice pin-striped black and red top.

  “That’s a maybe,” Kendra said, fishing through her mother’s clothes. “So, what’s this guy like anyhoo? Is he old-fashioned, hip, casual...what?”

  Cassie thought about it for a moment. Wyatt was a professional moon-lighting as a janitor. “Casual?”

  Kendra gazed around the many outfits, “Simple shirt, jean jacket, and a long skirt. Makes you look taller.”

  Cassie smirked, “Thanks.”

  “What’s his name anyhoo?” Kendra asked, pulling out a nice white shirt and tossing it to her mom. “You wouldn’t be acting like a spaz if you didn’t already like him.”

  Cassie smiled inwardly. Little did she know! “Wyatt,” she said in a soft voice. She then walked over to her closet and pulled out her denim jacket. “This one?”

  “Ya, I like that one.”

  Cassie nodded her head she did too and then continued, “His name is Wyatt Zander and no, I didn’t meet him on Tinder.”

  Kendra plopped herself onto her mother’s bed. “Oh, thank God.”

  Cassie laughed, “Why?”

  “Mom, that app is slimy.”

  “In what way?”

  “It’s gross mom. You can never meet decent guys.”

  Again, Cassie laughed. “And how do you know that?”

  Kendra shrugged her shoulders, “Toby’s older sister Beth is on Tinder. And she’s always complaining that every guy she meets either wants to sleep with her or see her boobs.”

  Cassie rolled her eyes, “Ya, I’ve come across a few of those myself.”

  Kendra brought a silky top up to her shoulders to see if it fit her. “So, where did you meet this Wyatt Zander?”

  Cassie stopped in mid-dress. She walked over to her jewelry box and pulled out a few hooped earrings. “These?” She asked, bringing them up to her ears.

  “Perfect,” Kendra said, smiling.

  “I met him at work.”

  Kendra tilted her head. “He’s a teacher? Which one?” She asked, getting excited suddenly.

  Cassie knew full well both her kids attended Regal High. Kendra was a freshman, while her son Tristan was a senior. They would both know every teacher in the school, so it would be of no use to fake one. “He’s not a teacher hon.”

  Kendra giggled, “Okay...does he work in the office like you do?”

  “No hon,” Cassie said plainly, zipping up her skirt. “How do I look?”

  Kendra smiled, “Beautiful mom.”

  “Thanks hon,” Cassie smiled back turning around to look at herself in the mirror. “He’s a janitor,” Cassie explained rotating back around to watch Kendra’s smile drop.

  Chapter Ten

  Wyatt drove a Ford F150 Super Cab.

  Cassie didn’t think much of it, but she knew for a fact that the truck was more on the expensive end. Last year, Damon bought a truck and
did some extensive research on what features this truck had compared to that one and he purchased his Ford without the extra seats in the back. How could a janitor afford such a costly vehicle?

  She was dying to ask him but held off. Right now, the zeal in his eyes were intense. Cassie tried for force herself to look away, she was so drawn to him. She was happy to see him in another outfit other than the basic beige coveralls the janitors were forced to wear at work. Wyatt was dressed in some nice jeans, a light gray shirt with a darker gray sports jacket. Fashionably impressive for one who picks up trash all day. Did she mention his hair was loose?! Oh my, Cassie loved his hair! Dark, long and curly. She couldn’t wait to run her fingers through it.

  “Keep your eyes on the road,” she giggled, holding onto the truck’s arm rest trying to resist the urge to feel those curls.

  Wyatt grinned and look straight forward. They were driving out of town. More like remote. He had wanted to take her to this restaurant he knew of that was off the beaten path. The sun had already gone down and the road that they were on barely had any street lamps to illuminate the highway.

  “Where are we going anyways?” Cassie asked, looking out the window. She could hardly see lights off in the distance.

  Wyatt cocked his head, “It’s a surprise.”

  Cassie smiled inwardly and was relaxed until they went off road and the bumpy road startled her as they drove in between the trees. She wasn’t going to panic until she knew her surroundings were unsafe. But it was quite the opposite.

  The forest and trees suddenly became dense and out in front of her was nothing but the blackness of night...then the twinkling of stars...millions of them. Were they on a cliff? It was a magnificent view.

  “Where are we?” Cassie asked, bewildered.

  Wyatt stopped the truck and clocked back the brake. Leaning back casually on the seat he said, “This is my thinking spot. I like to come here sometimes to clear my head.”

  Cassie continued to look out in front of her, “It’s beautiful here, where exactly are we?”

  “My grandparents ranch,” Wyatt explained, lifting the armrest and scooting over to sit next to her.

  Cassie watched him as he reduced the space between them. In a hushed voice she whispered, “And where is that?”

  “Ojai,” he whispered back, circling his eyes around her face.

  “Oh,” Cassie softly said, taking in the seduction. “What about dinner?”

  “We will,” he let go, laying his hand on her shoulder and caressing it.

  Cassie smiled, “Is that the ocean? Do I hear waves?”

  Wyatt laughed, “Nothing gets by you.”

  Cassie laughed as well, “Waves make me excited.”

  Sparks suddenly fly. The ambience was too romantic by far.

  Wyatt licked his lips, “What else does?”

  Cassie leaned in close to him, intending on kissing him but held off. “You.”

  Wyatt sloped forward and kissed her softly on the lips.

  Soft tender touches soon turned uncontrolled and wild. The warmth of his body, his arms all around her, his tongue in her mouth, dancing, hungry, passionate and on fire.

  He broke away from her mouth, “Wanna go in the back? It’s more comfortable, you can lie down.”

  Cassie opened her eyes; her body was aflame. “Anywhere,” she barely got out. “I don’t care.”

  Wyatt opened the door and then guided her into his backseat. Once inside, Cassie took the lead and straddled his torso. Her hands took hold of his silky nutbrown hair and she finally ran her fingers through his curls. His hands had a mind of their own and freely roamed her backside, the small of her back and then her butt and hips.

  All at once she discarded her jacket and began unbuttoning her shirt to expose her bra when Wyatt leaned down and kissed her bared skin. Leaning her head back in fever, Wyatt brought down the straps to her bra and his mouth engulfed one of her breasts, sucking, licking, while both hands massaged, squeezed and nipped. Her body was inflamed, and she couldn’t take much more when she lifted her skirt and felt one of his hands searching for sex between her thighs.

  Hot and bothered, he rubbed and rubbed until she felt her body about to peak. And just when she was on the pinnacle of satisfaction, his thick invasion surprised and delighted her and instinctively, she pushed and pressed into the pleasure ultimately yelping out her climax.

  “Omigod,” she said, breathing heavily, “That was amazing.”

  Wyatt continued to hold her on him. “You’re amazing,” he gruffly said, kissing the side of her neck.

  Cassie relished the afterglow. Her entire body tingled, then she thought about the mess. That’s twice she’s had sex with him without a condom, what the hell was she thinking?! “Do you have a towel back here?”

  Wyatt ignored her question and continued to kiss and lick the side of her neck until his trail of touches reached down towards her breasts again. “I love your tits,” he said in a low voice.

  Cassie snickered. “Thanks, they were worth the money.”

  “So natural,” he praised again, cupping one breast and licking her nipple. The tip of his tongue swirled around the hardened edge then engulfed it wholly causing Cassie to stir.

  He was hard again, she could feel it instantly and Cassie had wanted to get off him earlier but now only wanted to thrust forward. Lazy impulses were at once taken over by the primal urge to bear down and squeeze, press and incite, and kiss that mouth. She grabbed his face still at her breasts and brought his mouth up to her tongue. The making out only intensified the sex and Cassie cried out for a second time.

  After hearing Cassie, Wyatt grabbed at her buttocks and lifted her up and down on him and howled himself.

  Chapter Eleven

  The restaurant that he promised to take to her was by the ocean and Cassie loved every minute of the ambiance. Unbelievable that she hadn’t been there before, Cassie was in awe of all the outdoor seating above the rocks and overlooking the ocean.

  Gazing out towards the nighttime sea, Cassie took in the salty air and the way she felt sedated. Gratified was more like it. “How long have you been coming here?”

  Wyatt began cutting his steak, “I grew up here.”

  Cassie turned towards him now. She was about to enter that realm of ‘relationship’. “So, you’re from Ojai?”

  “Ventura,” he calmly confessed, bringing up a piece of meat and eating it.

  “Nice,” Cassie said, stabbing one of her shrimps and eating that. “It’s really nice here.”

  Wyatt smiled before asking, “And where are you from originally?”

  “I grew up in the valley,” Cassie admitted, scooping up some of her grilled vegetables.

  “You have kids?”

  Cassie smiled inwardly. This was more like it… “Yes, I have three, you?”

  Wyatt raised an eyebrow. “Three? How old?”

  Cassie chewed the food in her mouth before saying, “Noah is twenty and goes to Oregon State. Tristan is seventeen and my baby, Kendra is fifteen.”

  Wyatt’s eyes bug out. “My daughter is five,” he spat out laughing. “Wow, I can’t believe you have adult children.”

  Cassie sipped at her white wine, “I got married young. And you?”

  Wyatt grabbed at his beer and took a chug. “I’ve been divorced now for five years.”

  Cassie gazed out towards the ocean again. The waves had generated a nice sea breeze that swirled up the rocks and towards them in a mist. She savored the briny smells. “So, you got divorced when your daughter was first born?”

  Wyatt grinned and squirmed in his chair. He paused before saying, “Something like that.”

  Cassie tilted her head. “Wyatt, I really like you.”

  Wyatt grabbed at his beer again. “I really like you too Cassie.”

  Cassie gazed up at the clear nighttime sky and moon before saying, “I would never hurt you.”

  Wyatt scooted in his chair again. “I get it. I do,” he suddenly said, a bit unea
sy. “There’s just a lot you don’t know.”

  Cassie looked around at all the other patrons at the restaurant. “Well, we have all night.”

  He began to cut another piece of meat from his steak. “I just wanna have some fun.”

  He didn’t like talking about himself, especially about his past, she quickly learned. She already knew that he came from that professional background and she didn’t quite know how to bring that touchy subject up. “Me too,” she ended up saying. “What’s your daughter's name?”

  “Jennifer.”

  “Cute name.”

  “After Lopez,” Wyatt quipped, “My ex is a fan.”

  Cassie’s smile grew thin. She wasn’t allowed to talk about the past and she was starting to pick and choose her words now. So much for feeling comfortable. “How long were you married?”

  “How long were you married?” He asked, throwing the question right back at her.

  Cassie took another sip of her wine. She was gonna chip away at his icy demeanor one flake at a time. She really did want to keep seeing him. “Nearly twenty-one years.”

  “Ten years,” he quickly let out.

  Cassie smiled. “See, that wasn’t so hard to do.”

  Wyatt looked at her oddly, “Twenty-one?”

  “Twenty-one,” she affirmed.

  “Wow.” Wyatt grabbed his beer and drank the rest of it. He turned perturbed suddenly. “I love Jennifer,” he swiftly said. “But her mother is royal bitch.”

  Cassie closed her mouth. “I understand,” she said, gazing out towards the ocean and then back at him. “I have friends who have had painful divorces. No one has a friendly divorce.”

  “I don’t like talking about her.”

  Cassie shook her head, “We’re not. I’m just trying to get to know you.”

  “You’re not jealous?”

  Cassie tilted her head. “No, why?”

  “Because all the women I’ve dated lately were all jealous of my relationship with my ex.”

  Cassie was taken back. WTH?! Why would his dates be jealous? WHO was his wife?! “I have kids too,” she gently said, “All men I date will have to be understanding to that as well.”