A Cache of Trouble: A Cassidy Callahan Novel. Kelly Rysten

invisible something above caught my attention. A noise? A movement? There were some disadvantages to being constantly in tune to my surroundings. I filed it away as harmless, hoping the distraction hadn’t brought binoculars.

      “What is it, Cass?”

      “Nothing, nothing we need to worry about anyway.”

      His hands, those wonderful hands drew me back.

      “Are you ready to go back upstairs?”

      I glanced at the balcony and busted out laughing, quickly stifling the noise.

      “What?” Rusty asked, wondering what could be so funny under the circumstances.

      “The ladder is gone,” I answered still laughing quietly. “I thought I heard something.”

      He looked.

      “Cody!” he whispered loudly.

      I looked more closely, it wasn’t gone, it was very carefully left just out of reach. We weren’t stranded completely.

      “It’s okay,” I said, “we can get it back. He was only trying to have some fun.”

      “I’ll kill him,” Rusty said.

      “No, no you won’t, that’s what he expects. You won’t go storming after him. It’s not that big a deal. Leave it to me.”

      “Not a big deal? Now you’ll never come out here with me at night again.”

      “Voyeuristic little brothers are not what I was worried about. I think it’s funny.” I found the rescue hook on the back wall of the yard and tried to hook the ladder. Rusty took it from me and tried, too. He had an extra foot or two of reach, but it didn’t help. “I think you’re going to have to boost me up,” I suggested.

      I stood in Rusty’s cupped hands and he boosted me up over his head. I almost cracked up again as I thought about the view he was getting. I hooked the ladder and started pulling.

      “Too bad my hands are busy,” Rusty quipped.

      I laughed, “If the top of the rope comes down too, then you can kill him.”

      I pulled the ladder down and Rusty lowered me, my breast brushing against his cheek on the way down. We were both laughing as we started up the rope ladder. I remembered our clothes left by the side of the pool and dashed back for them. Rusty checked the attic to make sure we really were alone and we tumbled back onto the mattress, laughing at our predicament.

      “Now where were we? Oh ya, I remember. I was right about here. And, let’s see, my hands were busy so that only leaves…”

      Oh, yeah, whatever he had in mind was fine with me. It sure felt good, gentle flicks sending pleasure every which way until I could hardly stand it anymore, then those tantalizing hands. Oh wow, my back arched as the feelings took over everything. It was like being tumbled in the surf except it was good. Instead of water it was electrifying sensations rolling over me. I reached for him, a lifeline in the sea of feeling and he came to me all kisses and the sensations rolled over me again. He rejoiced in it, feeling me be alive and in love. The worry was erased and all the cares in the world fell away for just a moment while everything was just us.

Chapter 6

      We awoke late the next morning, but it seemed like this household wasn’t in a hurry to get going. I took my time getting ready, putting on make-up and curling my hair. I wore my best jeans and a spaghetti strapped top. The straps were decorated with beads that crossed in the back and made me feel cute.

      Coffee was brewing when we came downstairs.

      “I’m still going to kill him,” Rusty said.

      “No, don’t do that. It’ll be more fun to see what happens if you don’t.”

      “Why?”

      “You just have to wait for the right timing. I’ll take care of it. What were you planning on doing today?” I asked, trying to plan my response to Cody.

      “Shopping.”

      “Does it involve swinging by downtown?”