Cassie had always been a voracious reader, but had never considered herself the book club type. For her, reading was a private pleasure, enjoyed in bits of precious leisure time here and there. For the short time she and fellow architect Mark Shapiro had dated, she’d barely had time to read her mail, much less an entire book.
But after Mark had unceremoniously dumped her, she was suddenly left with a lot of free time. Sagging under a battered ego, she’d tucked in many a chilly night with a good book to keep her company. And in the process, she’d rediscovered her love of reading. The Red Tote Book Club had come along at the perfect time for Cassie. The camaraderie over discussing classic erotic novels made her feel connected again…and the naughty content between the covers made her feel feminine again.
But the dare from Gabrielle, for the members to put words into action, had caught her by surprise.
And Cassie was still reeling over the fact that she’d been the first person in the group to pipe up and accept the challenge.
Mark’s face had popped into her mind immediately, along with his parting words…
Sorry, Cassie—I think you’re a great girl, but…I guess we’re just not that into each other. Something’s missing…
Meaning, she didn’t turn him on.
His brush-off had blindsided her, left her flat-footed and speechless. Partly because she’d attributed Mark’s friendly hugs and chaste good-night kisses to the behavior of a classic southern gentleman. She’d been content to let things simmer while they got to know each other.
Meanwhile, Mark had apparently mistaken her lack of sexual initiative for disinterest.
And when he’d broken up with her, she hadn’t known how to tell him that, in fact, she lay awake every night thinking about the two of them intertwined. She’d been more attracted to Mark than any man she’d ever dated, but she’d held back because Mark was such a catch and she hadn’t wanted to mess things up by coming across as promiscuous or desperate. Besides, they were in the same industry. Even in a city the size of Atlanta their paths still crossed occasionally and they had mutual acquaintances in the field of architecture. She had a reputation to uphold.
On the other hand, she missed Mark—missed his tilting smile and his zest for life. She’d agonized over approaching him and suggesting they give their relationship another chance. After all, they enjoyed each other’s company and had much in common. They’d shared great conversations over meals they prepared together and during long hikes. But when Mark had looked at her with desire, it had left her so tongue-tied, she could only look away or change the subject. In hindsight, she hadn’t given him any reason to think they would light up the sheets.
So many times since their abrupt goodbye Cassie had wondered how she could change Mark’s perception of her, and now, Gabrielle had just offered her the framework.
“Earth to Cassie.”
Cassie blinked to find fellow book club member Wendy waving a hand in front of her face. “Sorry—did I miss something?”
Their leader, Gabrielle, gave her an indulgent smile. “I was saying that since you spoke up first, you must already have a man in mind.”
“I do,” Cassie murmured, glancing around at the other women. They gathered in a forgotten room of the library, in low lighting and comfortable chairs. In the center of the table were decadent foodstuffs they’d each contributed to share—fruit, chocolate, pastries.
“Does that mean you’re willing to go first?” Gabrielle asked.
Cassie took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yes, I’ll go first.”
“Excellent. Can you tell us more about this man you want to seduce?” Gabrielle prodded gently.
Cassie hesitated. “I don’t want to get into specifics, but he’s someone I used to date. I was half in love with him and I always thought we deserved another chance.”
“Why did you break up?” Page Sharpe, a shy auburn-haired woman spoke tentatively, as if she didn’t expect Cassie to answer her.
Cassie shifted in her chair. “I might have given off some wrong signals. I believe he thought I wasn’t interested in…sex.”
“But you were?” Jacqueline Mays asked. The woman’s pale, anxious expression, intimated that she knew a thing or two about repression.
“Oh, absolutely,” Cassie, said, fanning her hot face.
The women all laughed, as if they were surprised she had admitted it. Did she really present such a dull exterior to the world?
“What kept you from letting him know you were attracted to him?” Wendy asked. The furrow in her brow indicated that she might have more than just a passing interest in Cassie’s answer.
Cassie took another drink of wine while she considered the question. “My older sister was promiscuous. I guess I erred in the other direction. I want sex to mean something. But with this guy, I guess I hesitated too long and missed my chance.”
“It’s never too long to wait if it’s right for you,” Gabrielle assured her. “What makes you think you’re ready now?”
“Distance has given me perspective,” she said. “And the books we’ve read and shared in this room have made me realize that wanting sex is natural and healthy.”
“And fun,” added Wendy, licking chocolate off her fingers.
All the women laughed.
“Is there a particular book we’ve read you think might help you approach this man about giving your relationship another chance?” Gabrielle asked.
Cassie nodded. “Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence.”
“A wonderful book,” Gabrielle agreed, and the others chorused their approval. “But why Lady Chatterley’s Lover?”
“I guess because Connie was proactive about changing her love life,” Cassie offered.
“You mean, her sex life,” Carol Snow, the loner of the group, said.
“Yes,” Cassie agreed. “She saw Mellors, the groundskeeper, and she went after him. I suppose that’s what I need to do.”
“And do you have a plan for seducing your man?” Jacqueline asked.
Cassie bit her lip. “Not yet.”
“Connie met Mellors while walking through the forest,” Page ventured. “Is there a place where you can accidently-on-purpose run into your former boyfriend?”
A smile curved Cassie’s mouth. She’d seen the firm that Mark worked for listed as a competitor bidding for a job her firm was also bidding on. “I can think of a few reasons for our paths to cross.”
“That’s a start,” Gabrielle agreed, then addressed the group. “What kinds of things can Cassie borrow from Connie Chatterley’s behavior to help guide her?”
“Connie made herself available to Mellors,” Jacqueline said. “She went out of her way to let him know she was open to a physical relationship. She sought him out.”
“Good. What else?”
“The fact that their relationship was secretive seemed to heighten the experience for both of them,” Wendy offered.
Jacqueline nodded. “Men, especially, enjoy the adrenaline kick they get from doing something that seems forbidden.”
“So take him by surprise,” Page