There they are. The exact words I think I needed to hear. It’s been such an unsafe world for Cassidy, with her father leaving, the brutal attack she survived leaving its indelible mark for the entire world to see.
“I want to be that safe haven for you.” I land my lips to hers. “I’m always here for you, Cassidy—always.”
Cassidy and I indulge in a long, heated kiss, her tongue mingling with mine, hungry and greedy, as if they had just been introduced. I reach over and pull a condom from my pants, and she takes it from me, opening it with her teeth while those beautiful eyes laugh with approval. It’s a rare moment not to catch Cassidy with extreme joy in her heart. That’s one of the things I like about her best. Her happiness is buoyant, unstoppable, and best of all, it’s contagious.
Cassidy wraps her legs around my waist and slips down slowly over me with her eyelids partially closed, her mouth opened as she struggles to catch her next breath.
“Shit.” My head tips back as she falls hard onto my body.
Cassidy and I heat that water up a hundred times hotter than it has ever been before.
Together, we’re building something that can last, something buoyant and unstoppable, something I’m hoping is highly contagious just between the two of us. I think we’re getting close to bringing this home, making it official, sharing that magical word that is about to change everything. There’s no way I’m bringing her to Piper’s party to give my little firecracker of a sister a chance to ruin things between us with her hot-headed emotions. Nope. The longer I can keep Cassidy to myself the better. Besides, she turned a little green when meeting just two of my friends. Meeting a cast of thousands will be far too overwhelming.
I want to protect Cassidy from everything.
I love this girl right here.
Yes, I do.
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Mr. Right
Cassidy
Bright and early Saturday morning, the day of Princess Piper’s birthday, I get a text from Marley about that interview I’ve been trying to schedule for the last two weeks. It’s for an assignment, but really I just want to pick the ever-loving heck out of her business-minded brain. I love that Hollow Brook is brimming with independent strong women, and that they’re successful in their very own business, makes them that much more of a role model.
Sorry, but if you can swing by this evening about five, it would be perfect. I know Piper mentioned she was meeting up with Owen and her friends at the Black Bear. I swear this will only take 15 minutes. Plus, this way Wyatt can wish her a happy birthday. He’s a bit under the weather, so it works out great.
“Check this out.” I flash my phone to Piper, and she openly frowns.
“That’s fine. At least I’ll get a hug from my big bro on my big day. And then, we can get to the Black Bear, and you can finally meet Cade.”
My girl parts clench, because Lord Almighty, my parts and I are well-acquainted with every last thing that boy is packing.
“Sounds like it’s going to be a lot of f-u-n!” And I am suddenly feeling s-i-c-k. I’m pretty sure her birthday isn’t the right time to let her know I’ve been yanking both her chain and her brother’s—literally—for the last few months. I might just have a quick “dizzy spell” and take off to see Caila instead. I could sure use her no-nonsense advice right about now. Caila would never have gotten herself into such a twisted pickle. I can’t believe I’ve let it get this far. I feel like such an ass. They’ll both hate me once they realize what I’ve done. I’m a pariah, a witch, a real life predator that saw what I was after and chomped down on it with my greedy little teeth. I’m a man-eater, and the man I’ve eaten alive—tasty as his hot buns have been—is my best friend’s brother. How exactly did I think this was going to end other than in disaster? Certainly, there is no good way around this. If I had any balls at all, I’d show up at the Black Bear tonight. Thankfully, I’m a lady, through and through, and I’ve decided to opt for a more reasonable solution—run.
“It’s not going to be f-u-n.” Piper does a mediocre imitation of me, and I twist my hand in the air, letting her know it’s so-so. Every now and again, when she gets good and irritated, she gives it a go. She’s done it so much so that I’ve actually started rating her. She’s not bad, but she hasn’t shown improvement in a good long while. I think once she discovers the truth about who I’m bedding, her irritation will propel her imitation of me to an Oscar-worthy caliber. “Owen says Cade is dating some girl, but he wouldn’t tell me who. I bet anything it’s that two-timing ex of his.”
A nervous giggle scratches at my throat. Good God, Piper is ready to bust me a new one, well, not me per se, the so-called ex. Who knows? Maybe Piper would be relieved to find it’s me playing with her brother’s plumbing and not some old girlfriend who once jerked him around.
“She’s been after him for months. It’s like she’s stalking him.”
My antenna goes up. “Stalking?”