"Wow," Anya said. "That sounds amazing."
"It would be great exposure for Ninety-Two," Mia said. "You're not going to turn it down, are you?"
"I told Spencer I'd think about it and get back to him tomorrow."
"What does it entail?" Amelia asked. "How much media will be at the restaurant? You do have your clients to think about and you don't want them to be inconvenienced."
"Yeah, I thought about that. Spencer said it's one day and they're out."
Amelia nodded. "That's not bad. And Mia's right about the exposure. If they're going to feature you and the restaurant, you can't go wrong."
"It is basically free publicity, right?" his mother asked.
"Yeah, I think so."
"I say go for it," his dad said. "If your PR guy says it's a good deal, then he wouldn't steer you wrong."
"No, he wouldn't. Spencer said this is a good network deal. There's no money in it, of course, just free publicity for the restaurant."
"You don't need the money," Tucker said. "But the opportunity to drive more business to Ninety-Two would be great."
"I agree with Tucker," Barrett said. "I can't see how this is a bad deal any way you look at it, Flynn."
"Yeah. I'll think about it tonight, but I'm leaning toward saying yes. They'll have to film when I'm in town, so I can oversee it."
"Of course they would," Amelia said. "Since you'd be one of the features anyway. And hopefully Ken will be back in charge by then as well so he could be there."
"Yes. I'd like that."
"How exciting," Anya said. "I'd get to see your restaurant on TV."
"You are welcome to come out and see the restaurant in person any time you want. I'm sorry you weren't available for the grand opening."
Anya grimaced. "Yeah. School. Ugh. I hated missing it."
"You need to have Grant and Katrina bring you out."
"I do, don't I? Part of my culinary education."
Katrina rolled her eyes. "You think anything and everything is part of your culinary education."
"I know, isn't it great? That's because no matter where you go, there's food. Isn't that right, Amelia?"
Amelia nodded. "She's got you there, I'm afraid."
"Yeah, she's already hitting us up for Paris," Grant said. "Since she's of legal drinking age there, she wants to sample the food and the wine."
"You're a wise young woman, Anya."
"Quit encouraging her, Amelia," Grant said.
Amelia laughed. "Sorry."
"Though I do have a shoot there in the spring," Katrina said. "And maybe if it's during Anya's spring break . . ."
Anya's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Really."
"Hey, that means I get to go, too," Leo said.
Grant nodded. "We'll all go."
"Well, now I want to go to Paris," Amelia said. "I haven't been in years."
She looked over at Flynn.
"Don't look at me. I'm just over here digesting."
She laughed. "Okay, fine. We'll talk about Paris some other time. But I'm making a mental note."
He swept his hand over her hair. "You do that."
The thought of spending some time alone with Amelia in Paris had definite appeal. Flynn had never been there, but he knew she'd enjoy it.
And he'd enjoy anything she loved.
His heart was in deep with this woman, something that was becoming more and more clear to him every minute he spent with her. He'd been trying to take things slowly with her, given her reluctance to even enter a relationship. But maybe it was time to step it up a bit and see how she reacted.
Because he was definitely ready for the next step in their relationship.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Flynn did his run early the next morning before Amelia was even awake. They'd both stayed up long into the night with the family playing poker, a Thanksgiving night tradition.
Tucker had won all the chips, the bastard. Flynn was certain he'd cheated.
He'd run toward the main house and was about to take the turn to head back to the guesthouse when he saw his mother step out onto the porch with her cup of coffee, so he stopped and walked toward her.
"Sweaty again, I see," his mom said.
He huffed out a few breaths and nodded, then walked back and forth in front of the porch so he wouldn't stiffen up.
"Want some juice or a tall glass of water, or are you going to head back to the guesthouse?"
"I'll take some water, please."
She set her coffee on the table. "I'll be right back."
He stretched, did a slow jog back and forth down the walkway for a few seconds until his mom showed up with his water then headed up the steps and took the glass from her.
"Thanks." He took several deep swallows of water, then set it down on the table and took a seat next to his mom.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your run."
"You didn't. And I'll finish it on the way back."
"Okay." Mom sipped her coffee, quiet as always.
"We had fun last night. And all day yesterday."
"Did you? That's good. I like Amelia, Flynn."
He'd wondered how his mom felt about Amelia. They seemed to get along well, but he'd wanted more details, her specific thoughts about him and Amelia together. It was one of the reasons he'd stopped this morning to talk to her. He hadn't had a chance to get her alone yesterday with the whole family around. He valued his mom's opinion and he wanted to get her take on Amelia.
"Do you?"
"Yes, I do. But you know, my opinion--anyone's opinion, shouldn't matter to you. How do you feel about her?"
He dragged in a deep breath, then let it out. "I'm crazy about her. I think I've been crazy about her since the moment I met her."
That made her smile. "I can see why. She's smart, talented, funny, and she clearly feels the same about you."
"Does she? I'm not sure. She holds her emotions deep inside. She had a rough go of it during her marriage. The guy treated her badly."
Mom frowned. "She told me she was divorced, but she didn't get into details. He didn't abuse her, did he?"
Flynn shook his head. "No, not physically, anyway. But he didn't trust her, accused her of things she didn't do. So she put all of her love and trust in this guy, gave her heart to him, and he stomped all over it."
"And now she's reluctant to give her heart again. That's understandable."
"Yeah. I've given her space and I haven't told her how I feel."
She looked over at him. "And how do you feel?"
"I'm in love with her, Mom." Saying the words out loud were a shock to him. But as soon as he said them, he knew they were true. It felt right.
She laid her hand on his arm. "That's so good to hear. And also terrifying. Because if she doesn't reciprocate your feelings, she could break your heart."
"I think she feels the same way I do. But I want to approach her cautiously."
His mother's lips curved. "Like a scared cat?"
He smiled, too. "Something like that. I'm not in any hurry. It took me a long time to find her. She's worth waiting for."
"I hope you're right. I don't want either of you to be hurt. I especially don't want you to be hurt. You're my firstborn. You've always looked out for your siblings, making sure they were the ones who took the right road in life. But there was never anyone to look out for you."
He took her hand. "You're wrong about that. There was you--and Dad. I never felt like I was alone."
Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I hoped you always felt like you could come to us--to me, with anything. That you could talk to me about anything that concerned you."
He held up his glass of water. "Why do you think I'm sitting here with you now?"
She laughed. "I love you, Flynn."
"I love you, too, Mom."
They sat there together for a few more minutes, then his dad showed up with a cup of coffee. He talked to his dad for a few minutes about his parents' plans to buy up the adjacent land
, which sounded like a really good deal.
Then he got up, kissed his mom on the cheek and started his run back to the guesthouse.
By the time he got there, Amelia was awake and drinking a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. He grabbed another glass of water, downed it in a few swallows then went over and brushed his lips across hers.
She smiled up at him. "You were up early this morning."
"Yeah. I wanted to get my run in before you got up."
"The bed was cold and lonely without you in it."
Exactly what he needed to hear.
"I guess we could go warm it up again."
"Do you have time before the family football game this morning?"
He cocked a brow. "Did you seriously just ask me to decide between sex with you and football with my family?"
"I guess I did."
"There is no decision. Let's get naked."
She smiled a wicked smile at him, set her coffee cup down, stood up, pulled off her tank top and shimmied out of her pants.
And now she was naked. In the kitchen.
His cock roared to life, hard and throbbing. He jerked his T-shirt over his head, toed off his tennis shoes and pulled off his socks, then shrugged out of his sweats and dragged his boxer briefs off.
All the while, he watched as his girlfriend sipped coffee naked.
"I don't know that I've ever seen anyone get out of their clothes so fast," she said.
"I was incentivized by a hot, naked woman in the kitchen."
She put down her coffee mug, came over to him and wrapped her hand around his cock, stroking it with a firm grip. "I had a hot sexy dream last night about you and me in the kitchen."
His brows shot up. "You did?" His cock tightened. "You know you're going to have to tell me about it. Preferably while I'm inside of you."
"Yes. I woke up wet and ready for you. Sadly, you were gone."
"Now I'm really sorry I went for that early run."
"Oh, that's okay. I just rubbed my pussy and thought about you."
"Christ." He swept his hand around the nape of her neck and put his mouth over hers in a hard, demanding, passionate kiss that made her moan. She flicked her tongue against his, then sucked it, which made him groan against her lips.
She pulled away. "I'm ready for you, Flynn. Hot and wet and ready for you to fuck me on the kitchen counter." She reached over and pulled out a condom packet from a nearby drawer.
"You are ready."
"I told you--I had this dream."
While he put on the condom, she inched up onto the counter. "You gave it to me hard here. Really hard."
He scooped his hand under her butt and she wrapped her legs around his hips while he entered her, driving into her with one fierce thrust. She gasped and raked her nails down across his shoulder.
"Like this?" He powered in, then out, then drove in harder.
She lifted her gaze to his, her eyes all hot passion. "Yes, exactly like that."
It was fast and furious, both of them panting as he shoved his cock in and out of her, making sure to grind against her clit with his body.
Amelia dug her nails into his arms and lifted against him, her pussy tightening around him with each thrust of his cock.
"Oh, yes, yes, just like this," she said, tilting her head back to look at him. "That's going to make me come. Fuck me faster."
He did, and she exploded around him with waves of contractions that unraveled him. He climaxed with her, taking her mouth as he spurted inside of her with a furious rush of violent pulses that made him feel light-headed.
For a while, there was only the sound of both of them breathing heavily. Amelia ran her fingers down his arms.
"I need a shower," she said.
"Me, too. But I think I'll hold off until after the football game."
He hoisted her off the counter and set her on her feet. She grabbed on to him, lifted up on her toes and kissed him.
When she pulled back, she smiled. "You made my dream come true, Flynn."
His heart did a strange leap against his chest. "Glad to hear that."
"I'm off to shower. I'll be right back."
"Okay."
He watched her walk away, enjoying the view of her very fine ass as she disappeared down the hall.
She'd taken his breath away. And his heart, too.
Damn.
TWENTY-EIGHT
It was obvious that the Cassidys took their football very seriously.
Amelia expected a lackadaisical football game, kind of half-assing it, maybe more like touch or flag football.
Oh, no. This was no-holds-barred, might-as-well-be-a-real-game kind of football with tackling in the dirt and everything.
Neighbors had showed up as well, so it was clearly some kind of annual event. Some young guys, some not so young and some in between, so they'd fielded two entire teams.
After they'd had breakfast, Lydia had already started to prepare lunch. There were leftovers from yesterday, along with a ham and some steaks Lydia said they were going to throw on the grill. Lydia was also making potato salad. They'd all pitched in and some of the neighbors brought food, too.
Amelia had met a lot of people and she'd never remember all their names, but now she sat outside in a chair next to Mia, who explained to her that the Cassidy Thanksgiving football game had started out small, but had quickly become an annual event.
"At first it was just the family. Then a few of the guys' friends wandered over. Then some neighbors. Before long, we had fielded enough players that we had teams."
"Obviously it's a serious thing."
"You have no idea."
"You even have team shirts. Green and white. This is like . . . an actual game."
Mia laughed. "All thanks to my dad. I think he misses playing, so this is his chance to get back in the game. He quarterbacks for the green team, of course, and Grant for the white team. Then they do schoolyard picks for the rest."
Amelia looked over the teams as they all put their shirts on. Flynn and Barrett were on Grant's team. Tucker was on Easton's team. Two of Easton's brothers, Elijah and Eddie, were on his team. His other brother, Eldon, was on Grant's team.
"They don't really pick by favorites, do they?" Amelia asked.
"Nah. They just switch it up every year. For example, last year Flynn and Barrett were on Dad's team and Tucker was on Grant's. So this year they swapped. Same with all the family friends and neighbors. Dad and Grant know exactly who was on whose team last year and they just swap. And whoever got picked first last year? They get chosen last this year. That way no one gets their feelings hurt."
"I see. And it keeps things fair that way."
"Right. It's just for fun. Until they start playing. Then it's no-holds-barred, at least to a certain extent. Flynn, Barrett and Grant have games this weekend and everyone knows that. No one wants them to get hurt."
Amelia looked over at Flynn, who had hiked up his sweats and was currently getting ready for his dad's team to have the ball.
"I don't know. Flynn looks like he's tougher than a lot of these guys here. And Barrett looks huge and mean, too."
"Oh, they are. And they know it. Which is why they all gang up on these guys."
Amelia laughed. "Should I be concerned for Flynn's safety?"
"No. Like I said, they'll go after him, but no one wants him to get hurt. They root for him every weekend."
Before she knew it, Easton had hiked the ball. She held her breath as Flynn rushed off the line. He was covered by a swarm of tall, farmhand-type boys who were about ten years younger than he was, and taken to the ground. She was certain Flynn was at the bottom of that pile.
People were cheering, Amelia had no idea where the ball was or who had it because she was concentrating on that Flynn pile. And when they all got up, there was Flynn, laughing, taking the hand that was extended to him by one of the boys.
"Your ass is mine next time, Bennett."
One of the kids, tall and muscular, sho
t Flynn a smirk. "Good luck trying, Cassidy."
Then it all started over again. This time Flynn got the best of the kid, shoving him out of the way and getting so close to his father that Amelia thought for sure Flynn was going to pile drive Easton right into the ground. But Flynn only grabbed his father around his middle, then the play was blown dead.
Easton patted Flynn on the head. "Do it just like that this weekend, kid."
Flynn grinned. "You know I will."
Amelia must have held her breath for the entire hour the game was played, until Lydia said it was time for lunch.
Then everyone filed into the house, hands and faces were washed and plates were loaded with food. The guys, of course, piled their plates high, no doubt having worked up appetites with all that game play.
Flynn threw an arm around her shoulders. "So, what did you think?"
"I think you're all crazy. But it was so much fun to watch."
"Watch? Oh, no. Second half we bring the women in."
She laughed. "I don't think so."
"He's not kidding," Aubry said. "They're much gentler when we play."
Amelia looked from Aubry to Flynn, who nodded. "We really are. And if someone gets hurt, we have a doctor on board."
"This is true," Aubry said, taking a bite of potato salad. "Providing you don't lay the doctor flat."
"Would we do that?" Tucker asked.
"Given half a chance, yes." Aubry cast a shifty look toward Tucker.
Amelia made sure to stock up on protein over lunch. She was certain she was going to need it.
"I'm not sure what position I'm going to be any good at," she said as she and Flynn sat outside at one of the picnic tables and ate.
He leaned over and whispered to her, "You're excellent at every position you've played with me."
She laughed, then nudged her shoulder against his. "I meant football."
"Oh, did you? My bad."
After lunch they realigned the teams with women included. Lydia begged off claiming a bad knee, but otherwise, all the other women were on board.
Amelia found herself playing wide receiver, hoping she could actually catch the ball if it was thrown at her. She was also on the same team as Tucker and Easton, which meant she was playing against Flynn. She was determined to ignore his presence, because the last thing she wanted was Flynn tackling her.
Unless it was in the bedroom.
She lined up in her position. She was told this was a running play, so she wouldn't get the ball. All she had to do was block Mia, who was playing for the other team.