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“Cassie—”
“No,” she said, holding up her hand. “I’m not finished. After Emily was born, Derek left. She was barely two months old. He left me a note and was just...gone. It seems the sexy wife he once knew was no longer there for him, so, in turn, his cheating and the divorce were my fault. I know now that he was a coward and I’m glad he’s gone because I never want Emily to see me settle for someone who treats me like I’m not worth everything.
“I want my daughter to see a worthy example of how love should be,” she went on, cursing her eyes for misting up. “I want her to see that love does exist. My parents had it, and I will find it. But I won’t be played for a fool while I wait for love to come into my life.”
Ian swallowed, his eyes never leaving hers as he scooted closer. He wasn’t stupid; he could put the pieces together and know she’d assumed the worst about his dinner meeting with Lily.
“I didn’t play you for a fool, Cassie.” His tone was light as he settled his hand over both of hers, which were still clasped together in her lap. “I have never lied to a woman and I’ve never pretended to be something I wasn’t.”
With a deep sigh, Cassie shook her head. “Forget I said anything. I mean, it’s not like we’re committed to each other,” she said as she got to her feet.
But Ian jumped right up with her and gripped her shoulders before she could turn from him.
“Do you seriously think for one second that I believe you’re so laid-back about the idea of me seeing you and another woman?” he demanded. “I had a business meeting with Lily. I told you I’ve wanted to sign her to my agency for months. She’s the main reason I came to the set and why I’m staying so long.”
Cassie’s eyes widened, but he didn’t give her a chance to speak. He needed her to know she didn’t come in second...and she should never have to.
“I spent the entire evening trying to win her over, outlining every detail of the contract and all the perks of having me as her agent.” Ian loosened his grip as he stepped closer to Cassie and slid his hands up to frame her face. “But the entire evening, I was thinking of you. Wondering what you were doing, how long it would be until I could see you again.”
Her shoulders relaxed and her face softened as she kept those stunning baby blues locked on his. The hope he saw in her eyes nearly melted him on the spot. He knew she wanted to trust. He knew she’d been burned once and he completely understood that need, the yearning for that solid foundation.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Cassie’s lids lowered as she shook her head before she raised her gaze to his once more. “I don’t want to be that woman. I seriously have no hold on you, Ian. You’ve promised me nothing and I don’t expect you to check in.”
Ian kissed her gently, then rested his forehead against hers. A soft shudder rippled through her and Ian wanted nothing more than to reassure her everything would be all right.
But how could he, when he knew he wasn’t staying? How could they move forward with emotions overtaking them both?
“I hate what he did to me,” she whispered, reaching up to clasp his wrists as he continued to cup her face. “I hate that I’ve turned bitter. That’s not who I want to be.”
Ian eased back and tipped her face up to his. “That’s not who you are. You’re not bitter. You’re cautious and nobody blames you. You not only have yourself to think of—you have Emily, too.”
Cassie’s sweet smile never failed to squeeze his heart, and Ian had no clue how a man could leave behind a wife and child. Ian wouldn’t mind getting ahold of Cassie’s ex. He obviously was no man, but a coward. Selfishly, Ian was glad Derek was out of the picture. If the man could throw away his family so easily, he wasn’t worthy.
“What’s that look for?” she asked. “You’re very intense all of a sudden.”
He had to be honest because she was worth everything he had inside him.
“Where is this going?” he asked. “I care about you, Cassie. More than I thought I would, and I think we need to discuss what’s happening between us.”
A soft laugh escaped her. “You sound like a woman.”
Ian smiled with a shrug. “I assure you I’ve never said this to anyone else, but I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Cassie nodded and a shield came over her eyes as if she was already steeling herself. “Honestly, I don’t know. I care for you, too. I question myself because I’m still so scarred from the divorce and I told myself I wouldn’t get involved again. Yet, here we are and I can’t stop myself.”
