“She did a fantastic job. I read all your Dad’s novels. He’s a fantastic writer just like Grandma Cassie.”
“I saw Cassie when I was visiting Dad and Mom a couple months ago. She’s doing well and has a new boyfriend. He’s CEO of a corporation there.”
“I haven’t seen her since Grandfather died. She’s never come back home since then.”
Barret caught the sadness in her voice and grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go down and talk on the couch. After I kiss you, that is.”
Staranna ran down the steps with him and dropped her bag on the floor beside the sofa. She turned and looked at Barret. “Do you remember the time you kissed me when we were about eight years old?”
“How could I forget?” He reached out and drew her close to gaze into her beautiful blue-gray eyes.
“Do you remember what you said then?”
“I said one day I was going to grow up and kiss you right. And that time has come,” he said, leaning down and capturing her lips in a kiss that soon deepened to a firestorm of passion. When he tore his mouth from hers, he gazed into the passion-filled eyes that took his breath away. They looked like a blue sky with darkening gray storm clouds mixed in. “Will you stay?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have to call home or anything?”
“I told mother I had met someone. She was worried at first, but then I told her it was someone I had known long ago and I knew I had found the man who would love me like I wanted to be loved. She didn’t ask any more questions, but just said to call her in a couple days.”
Barret pulled her over to the sofa and pulled her down into his arms. He embraced her tightly and held her to him. “I may have to leave before the two days are up, but I will always come back. Do you mind staying here by yourself at times?”
“Heavens, no. I would like to get some things from home to occupy me, and I didn’t bring enough clothes. Well, all I brought was my swim suit.”
Barret laughed. “Well, why don’t you go get it on and we’ll go for a swim? I remember how much you love the water. Then we’ll have a cookout and run out and do some shopping for whatever you need or whatever your heart desires.”
Staranna leaned down and kissed him. “All I want is to be loved by you. First things first,” she said, and captured his mouth with hers.
“You’ve always had it,” Barret breathed against her sweet mouth. She was like honey and sunshine, and with the things he has seen in his line of work, he needed that. Besides, she would be safe here. He’d make sure of it. He didn’t trust Danzi one bit.
