Rhett’s fingers continued working their magic. Everything fled from Cassie’s mind, how horrible things had been, how she had blown the ideal job, how she’d screwed up Rhett’s image with the public. He blurred before her as her breathing came in rapid spurts.
And then she became unhinged. Cassie pushed against him as her control broke and wave after wave of pleasure swept through her. His mouth eagerly sought hers and she poured herself into the kiss. He released her wrists and they fell limply beside her.
She shook her head. “You better hold me up, Corrigan, because I’ve got nothing left.”
Rhett smiled. “That’s what you think. We’re just getting started.”
“Turn around,” he ordered quietly as he sat back on the commode and pulled her into his lap. His arms wrapped protectively around her, drawing her near, nibbling on her ear.
He continued whispering into her ear what he was going to do to her when they got home. His words made her blush.
“You are coming home with me, Cassie. I won’t take no for an answer.”
She had no intentions of contradicting him.
He gave her one last kiss. “First we honor our obligation to Ken and attend his party. No protests.” Rhett smoothed her hair, which had come undone and cascaded around her shoulders. “We won’t stay long. I promise. We’ve got a busy night ahead of us.”
Cassie nodded, having no willpower at the moment. He could have said they were headed for Timbuktu and she would have followed him without question. Rhett pushed her up and let them out of the stall. Ever the gentleman, he reached down to hand her the clutch before he took her hand and pulled her toward the door.
“Wait.” Cassie tried to clear her head. “The press doesn’t need to see me with you, Rhett. That would be the kiss of death.”
He clutched her hand. “The press needs to get used to seeing you with me, babe. You aren’t going anywhere. Neither am I.”
“No.” She pulled her hand away. “They already think I came between you and Randi. I don’t want to give them a thing.”
“The Randi thing’ll blow over. She’ll latch on to someone else even richer and more famous than I am. That’s how women like her operate. I’m simply a stepping stone to her final destiny.”
“The media has said such awful things about you,” she protested.
“They’ll say a few more. About you, too. But our friends and family know us. Their feelings toward us won’t change.”
Rhett took her hands in his. He lifted them to his lips and kissed the knuckles of each gently. “My feelings won’t change either, Cassie. I had no idea how crazy I was about you until I couldn’t find you.”
He pulled her to him. “I’m not going to let that happen again. Ever.” Rhett kissed her, sealing his promise.
Cassie kissed him back, wondering how things had gotten so tangled and how Rhett effortlessly loosened all the knots separating them. She knew they were in for some stormy times in the near future but, right now, he’d placed her on top of the world.
Rhett broke the kiss. “Come on. We don’t want to miss out on Ken’s celebration.”
“I’d hate to disappoint him or Melanie.”
He smiled. “The sooner we make an appearance at Pomodoro, the sooner we can get home to that chocolate syrup and whipped cream I was talking about.”
Cassie fired right back. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Nah. Just the ones whose panties I tear off.” Rhett slipped a hand into his pocket and triumphantly waved around the night’s prize before he returned them to their hiding place.
His hand reached around and squeezed her ass. “I’ll be thinking about you being naked under this spectacular dress.”
Cassie pushed his hand aside and glanced worriedly in the mirror.
“You look amazing.”
She rolled her eyes. “Easy for you to say.” She whipped out a brush and ran it through her hair a few times. If any paparazzi still waited, she would not be photographed with bedhead hair.
Rhett took her hand as she finished and hustled her from the ladies’ room. Cassie was relieved they didn’t run into anyone coming in as they left. She didn’t quite know how she would explain the hottest man on the planet’s presence in the ladies’ room.
As they cut through the lobby, she heard the doors open and voices chattering. The movie must have ended. A crowd engulfed her and Rhett. He waved at a few people and sauntered out the doors.
As Cassie expected, a smattering of fans had remained outside, while photographers were ready to ambush again. She tried to pull her hand from his but he only tightened his grip.
“Showtime,” he grinned. “Put a sexy smile on that’ll make people wonder what we’ve been up to and let’s go kick some ass.”
She followed Rhett’s lead. A reporter from a local station thrust a microphone in their pathway.
“Rhett Corrigan. Good to see you out and not at home crying over Randal James. Who’s the lucky lady tonight?”
“This is Cassie Carroll. She’s a good friend of the Camerons and we’re headed to their party. Excuse us.”
He hustled them down the red carpet, only getting stopped once more.
A flirtatious reporter with a mane of blonde hair tossed it around as she asked, “Who’s your flavor of the month, Rhett? Is she better than Randi?”
“I’m not one to kiss and tell, Monica, but Cassie Carroll and I are on our first date—and there’ll be many more to come. It didn’t take me long to figure out that Cassie has more integrity in her pinkie than most women in Hollywood possess in a lifetime.”
Rhett turned and gave her an adoring look. “And she’s got sensational legs,” he quipped, leaving the reporter speechless as he whisked her off to a waiting limo parked two blocks away.
“You like my legs?” Cassie asked.
“Yup. The best I’ve seen.” He gave her a wolfish smile. “And the best I’ll taste.”
She felt the blush tinge her cheeks.
“Evening, Mr. Corrigan.”
“Hey, Johnny. This is Cassie Carroll.”
Johnny tipped his cap as he swept the door open. “Evening to you, too, Miss Carroll. You still headed to Mr. Cameron’s party, sir?”
“You bet. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Rhett climbed in after her and the driver closed the door. He sat across from her. “I don’t trust myself sitting next to you,” he admitted. “Pomodoro is only three minutes from here. Having three sisters, I know you’ll want to primp a little before going in.”
She nodded and took out her compact. “At least my lipstick held up. Melanie gave me something that must be industrial strength. With all that kissing, it still stayed on. All I need is a little gloss.”
Cassie smoothed the gloss from the tube across her lips. “My hair is another matter. There’s no way I can get it back into that up-do. Especially since all the pins are still on the floor of the restroom stall.”
“I’m glad.” Rhett leaned over and played with a curl. “I like it down better. Your hair is a real turn-on for me.”
Cassie eyed Rhett. “Did you know it was me when you sat down in the dark?”