Prequel - "New Summer Love"

This snippet tells the story of how Rafael Collins, from "Love & Brimstone," meets his wife, Cassandra. So this would be a prequel that takes place before the novel. This was written in response to an author challenge for the Amira Press Says blog.
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Rafael stared through the brush at the wonder before him. Gorgeous, simply breathtaking. Long, red hair and stunning green eyes, milky skin and a beautiful, curvy body he would love to hold. Her clothes were piled on the rocks by the bank; she was skinny-dipping in the cool creek.

Unable to resist, he walked down the trail and sat next to her clothes and waited. When she finally turned and saw him there, she jumped and sank into the water. The glimpse he’d gotten of her front was just as lovely as he imagined.

“I beg your pardon, sir, but you need to leave.”

He smiled, his playful blue eyes twinkling. “Why should I? I love the view.”

She studied him for a moment, and there was more than wariness in her green eyes.

There was recognition.

“If you’re going to stare, you might as well tell me your name,” she said.

He grinned. “Rafael Collins. And you?”

“Cassandra Croyton.” She stood there, only her flesh from the chin up visible in the water. “Are you going to stare at me all day, or will you let me get my clothes?”

“Oh, don’t let me stop you from coming out.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

He felt more than a familiar throbbing start between his legs–he felt something blossom within his soul. “I’d love it, my sweet lady.”

She watched him. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“I don’t usually travel this far north. I needed to check on a landholding for my cousin. Perhaps you know him? Matthias Hawthorne.”

Her face changed. Something flashed through her eyes, and she stepped back. “You’re one too, aren’t you?”

What warmth he’d sensed from her was gone in a flash, and as hot as the June day was, he felt a decided chill settle around her. “One what?”

She shook her head. “I’m not one to speak it.”

He stood. “Sorry I disturbed your bathing, m’lady.” He turned to go.

“Wait.”

Something in her voice stopped him. He turned.

“But…you’re here and it’s the middle of the day, the sun’s out,” she said.

He nodded. “So I see. Do you have a specific reason for that observation?”

She studied him, and as her green eyes traveled his body he felt himself harden. He wanted her. He wouldn’t force her, he wouldn’t overtake her.

But he wanted her.

Cassandra finally spoke again. “Do you have a place to stay for the night? There are highway men between here and your destination. It’s not safe.”

From the tone of her voice he knew it was a lie. “You aren’t worried about me. And if anyone should worry, it would be them, believe me.”

She’d moved a little closer, but she was still deep within the water, concealing the most beautiful parts of her body from his appraising gaze. Finally, “No,” she whispered.

He stepped down to the water’s edge and watched her. “What do you think I am?” he quietly asked.

“What do you think I am?” she whispered in reply.

He smiled, sending out a probe. He watched her eyes, noticed she jumped as she felt his careful mental caress. “I think you’re a very talented, beautiful woman,” he said.

“You probably have women all over.”

He shook his head. “No. I have not married yet, not for lack of some wenches trying their best.”

That coaxed a smile from her beautiful full lips. “Are you calling me a wench, sir?”

“That would be the last thing I’d call someone as beautiful as you.

They stared at each other for another long moment before she stood and stepped from the water. He fought the urge to take her into his arms and lick every inch of her flesh.

“We all have secrets, don’t we, Rafael?”

He nodded. “We do.”

She put her arms around him, kissing him, and then he carefully folded her body against him, his hands skimming down her smooth, damp back to gently cup her cheeks. “I’m willing to hold your secrets, if you’re willing to hold mine – and me,” she whispered.

He nuzzled her neck, feeling something inside his heart and soul lift up in a way it never had. He closed his eyes, deeply inhaling her scent, sensing her pulse throbbing in her veins just below her flesh. “You have my soul forever, Cassandra.”