The Spinster's Club

Cass: Ten

"So, my friends and I are in terrible ruts."

"What ruts?"

"Oh, personal and professional. We felt we were going stale. So we set ourselves some challenges. Four to be precise."

"And how many have you accomplished?"

"If you'd asked me this morning I'd have said MAYbe two. An hour ago I was back to zero, but I'm going to count this afternoon's bike ride class that one. And that's it so far. All I've managed to achieve is one lousy challenge out of four. I can' t really take the credit for that one either since it was your idea to take the bike out anyway."

She sounded so woebegone that Urs pulled her even closer, wanting to give her some comfort, some reassurance, something of himself. At this rate he'd be wanting to give her the moon and the stars too. "I'm pleased I could help then. What do you plan to do about the other three challenges?"

"The first one was a change of appearance and the second was to strive for a promotion or something like that. The third was to do something you've never done before, such as ride a motorbike." She snorted. "The least said about the first two, the better. Let's just say I should never have worn that power suit for my job interview."

"I like what you're wearing now. I didn't mind the scrubs either."

Cass could feel his breath against the back of her neck, making the little hairs stand up on end. She tried to focus on her story again, but it was a struggle to keep her thoughts straight. She sat forward a little. "Anyway I was applying for a senior position in the department, but it seems my skill set is..." she raised her hands to make air inverted commas. "...just a little too specialised."

"I don't understand." He settled his arms around her a little more comfortably and he rested his cheek on her hair. His voice rumbled down her neck. She shivered and it had nothing to do with the cold.

"I work with mothers and babies and it's quite a specialised field, so if I want to get ahead, I have to choose. Either I move somewhere that has a large maternity hospital – or I stay here and keep doing what I'm doing or become a supervisor in another area. That's what my boss told me earlier, anyway."

"Which explains your distraction this afternoon?"

"Pretty much. She called me into her office after you left. She wanted to discuss my options. She said I was still the best applicant – amazingly – despite the power suit debacle - and that she would offer it to me if I really wanted it. But then she surprised me. She said she thought I would be wasted in it."

"Wow , that's some boss."

"Yeah, I guess she is. So now I have to make up my mind. Do I stay or do I go? And if I stay, is it simply because I'm too frightened to try something new?"

"Or maybe you're just stuck in a rut?"

"Exactly. I need to decide what I really want to do AND work out if what's keeping me here is well, enough." Cass' heart sank at the thought of leaving behind Romy and Amy. But hadn't Cece done it without a backward look? Maybe she break those ties too. It's not as though I'd never see them again.

Urs voice broke through her thoughts. "There's a big world out there with lots to see and do..."

She shook her head. "I'm such a chicken. I should be more like you. Go where and when the mood takes me. Take to the open road! Be as free as a bird."

He laughed. "Just because I have a motorcycle, doesn't mean I haven't put down roots. I DO have a home, you know."

She turned in his arms. Funny, she'd never thought of him having roots. He'd seemed so free. Clearly she'd made some big assumptions. "Tell me about your home."

Urs was silent for a moment. He wanted to tell Cass about his award winning pole house with the amazing ocean views that he'd designed and built himself. He wanted to tell her about the successful architectural firm he'd built in order to break his father's hold over him, but he was reluctant to break the spell of this magical twilight here overlooking the mountains. Cass had opened up to him freely and without any expectations and he was fairly sure she liked him just the way he was. This girl was special. Maybe Jools HAD been right to throw them together.

"Before I do that, what if I were to tell you that there is a brand new maternity hospital under construction VERY close to where I live?"

"How many beds?" she asked eagerly, half turning in his arms to meet his gaze in the fading light.

For the life of him he couldn't remember. "Umm. More than here anyway."

She cocked her head to the side. "So, ARE you telling me that?"

"I think I am, yes." Then, with his heart thumping, he lowered his mouth and he kissed her.

As far as kisses went, it started out very satisfactorily and improved from there. She tasted of coffee and pate – and she was fully committed from the first touch of their lips. Her arms snaked around his neck she held on tight - as though she couldn't get enough of him. Their tongues duelled and their breath mixed and she made a little sound that was a cross between a groan and a sigh – and it was probably the sexiest thing he'd ever heard in his life. He didn't want it to end. He could kiss this woman forever and die a happy man.

But of course it did end – although he couldn't say how long they'd been there except that the moon has now risen behind them. With her fitting neatly in his arms, he murmured against her cheek. "I should take you back to town. It's getting late."

She pulled back reluctantly. "I suppose you could." She bit her lip and smiled up at him. "You could come back to my place though. I haven't told you about challenge number four yet." Then she did something he wasn't expecting, she winked.

Urs needed a moment to catch up. The blood hadn't quite returned to his brain yet. "This challenge? Will I like it?"

"I certainly hope so." and she pulled him towards the bike. "Let's get out of here."