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She opened the door wearing a long blue robe, her expression relaxed and happy. “Oh, you’ve brought Jack!” She lifted the cat and cuddled him before he jumped down to sprawl in front of the small fireplace.

“Are you overwhelmed by all the newness?” Cameron asked.

“Not yet. Naomi is amazing!” She opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in. “I loved the way she kept saying that I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want to do, after so many years of doing only what I needed to survive. After talking with Naomi, I’m thinking seriously about what it will mean to live a female life.”

“Female Tremaynes are an independent lot, as you’ll learn as you meet more of them. You’ll see there are many possibilities.” He laughed. “And they’ll give you a wide variety of opinions.”

“I like the idea of having female friends after living so many years in a masculine world.” She gave him a slanting glance. “One female experience I’ve not had …” She fell silent, and her cheeks colored.

“As I said, the females of the family will help you in any way you want,” he said encouragingly.

Casey hesitated, then blurted out, “I’ve never been kissed!”

He felt as if he’d been kicked in the solar plexus. He drew a deep breath. “That can be taken care of, if you really wish it.”

“I do.” Her gaze was half shy and half hopeful.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her toward him. “You’re sure?”

“Quite.”

He bent his head and pressed his lips gently to hers. He liked that she was tall. Easy to kiss.

She gave a soft sigh and pressed closer. Sparks cascaded through him and he encircled her with his arms. She leaned into him, her warm lips opening under his, her hands starting to knead his back.

Though she was slim, she had feminine curves in all the right places. After long, dizzying moments, he pulled back and said raggedly, “You’re doing very well at embracing your feminine side.”

“Thank you. I’m liking it!” she said, eyes shining as they separated. “I’m reminding myself to take one step at a time.”

“That’s wise.” He reminded himself that he also needed wisdom. “There is a very real attraction between us, but it’s best we act on it slowly.”

She made a face. “I know you’re right. Unfortunately.”

He caught her right hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “Sleep well, my lady. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

He left her room while he still had the sense to do so, but the sweet smile she’d given him lingered in his mind.

CHAPTER 11

Casey slept well with Gentleman Jack purring on her pillow. She woke when a distant clock struck six times. She stretched her limbs under the blankets. She felt so safe! It was similar to the way she felt when Jamie took her in as a hungry, frightened waif. He had given her love and survival. Now she was being given a whole new life in a houseful of gifted people. She didn’t have to hide anymore.

Dreamily she allowed herself to think about Cameron, and her thoughts thrilled her to the tips of her toes. Was it because he was the first man who had ever kissed her, or was it Cameron himself? Some of both, she thought, but mostly it was Cameron. His warmth, his intelligence, his kindness … and his beautiful strong male body.

Her imagination created a vivid image of him in her bed, both of them naked so that they were pressed skin to skin. He was kissing her again and heat burned through every fiber of her body. She pulsed against him, wanting more and with a fairly good idea of what more meant.

She reached to draw him closer—and fell out of the bed onto the carpeted floor. The impact and the cold air jarred her to full wakefulness. Good lord, she was going mad! She scrambled to her feet and crossed the room to freshen the coal fire, then dived under the warm bed covers again. From his place on the top of the pillow, Gentleman Jack patted her head with one paw, then returned to his rest.

She buried her face in her pillow, feeling an absurd desire to giggle. She hadn’t giggled since she’d been thrown from her home as a child, but she was feeling deliciously mischievous. Clearing her mind, she systematically relaxed all her muscles, starting with her feet and working her way up her body.

She was halfway asleep when Cam returned to her mind. She was dozing on her side when she imagined him lying down behind her, his arm around her waist, his breath against her hair. Before, she’d dreamed of passion. This time she dreamed of tenderness, which was perhaps even better.

Was he thinking about her as much as she was thinking about him? Surely not. Cameron was a man of the world, one who was very relaxed around females. But she was allowed to keep thinking of him. And she did as she drifted back into sleep.

She dozed until sounds of the household stirring made her decide it was time to get up. As she stood and stretched, Gentleman Jack did the same, then jumped from the bed and padded over to the shallow box of sand that had been tucked discreetly into a corner. Tremayne House was as hospitable to cats as to people. How had she gotten lucky enough to be here?

Since she still had only her male clothing, she dressed in that, but when she looked in the mirror, she realized that she looked different. More feminine. She was changing, and it reflected in her expression.

She made her way down to the ground floor and followed the delicious scent of food toward the back of the house. She reached the breakfast room to find Gwyn, Rhys, and Cameron serving themselves from heated food dishes laid out on a sideboard. Cam looked up with a smile. “Shall I pour you a mug of tea?”