“What about Brant? He’s a criminal, you know.”
“He’s deceased, ma’am. He was killed by the assailant before we could detain both of them.”
She was crying on the other end of the phone. “Was my daughter involved in something illegal? Is that why she hasn’t come home?”
“That’s the reason why I’m calling. Ever since her boyfriend was killed I’ve been looking out for Cassie. She’s been renting a room in a house I own, and as much as I enjoy having her around, I know she belongs home with her family.”
“I can be on the first flight out.”
“That’s not necessary. We’re already en-route. We’re a day out. There’s just one thing you need to know before we meet.”
“What?”
“Cassie doesn’t know I’m bringing her home. She’s stubborn, as I’m sure you already know. Against her wishes, I planned a cross country trip in hopes I could reunite her with you and your husband. She’s been through a lot.”
“Where should we meet?” She was anxious, which made me feel like I was doing the right thing. Cassie wasn’t a piece of property. She wasn’t a lost puppy. I couldn’t expect her to run to them with open arms. There were issues they needed to address first.
“How about Ashville, say noon the day after tomorrow? We’ll be traveling by car, so I’ll need an extra day to make it there.” It killed me to set a time when I knew she would come to hate me. It was like someone coming up and telling you when you were going to die. “I’ll be staying at the Comfort Inn Biltmore West. I’ll bring her to the lobby.”
“Thank you, Mr. Campbell. You don’t know how good it is to hear my baby is coming home. We’ve been so worried.”
“It’s my job, ma’am. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I hung up, the knots in my stomach were worse. After the time we’d share I couldn’t fathom the outcome of my betrayal. I wanted to tell Cassie; to give her a heads up, but what good would it do? She wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
After the call, being around Cassie had become extremely difficult. I didn’t mean to withdraw and make her suspect something was wrong, but she obviously knew me better than I assumed. “You’ve been in a mood tonight. What’s going on with you? Are you homesick?” She wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed me softly with her full, pouty lips. “Is there anything I can do to distract you?”
She was the distraction, that’s for sure. I needed to get her out of my system before I was wanted for abducting her and taking her back to Vegas with me. “I can think of several ways you can make that happen.”
She looked down and fished her hand into the front of my pants. “I think you need to let me handle your problem,” she said while moving in to run her tongue over my lips. Her cold hands grazed over my cock, sending a shiver throughout my entire body. I didn’t pull away though. Nothing was going to keep me from being with her again. I didn’t even care if the building was on fire. We were staying in our room until we were finished. Time was precious in our situation and I didn’t want to waste it fighting or worrying about what couldn’t be undone. “I’ve been thinking about this all day, Logan.”
We’d been standing by the window looking out at the snowcapped mountains. The room had been silent. I was doing my best, holding myself together while struggling with my ability to hide my feelings. Cassie had been right. Something was happening between us; something I hadn’t allowed myself to see. At home, back when we were only being cordial with one another, I’d always envisioned what it would be like to have her, I knew there was always a slight possibility.
Her hand gripped my dick. She moved it up and down for a few seconds before deciding my pants were getting in the way. I felt them loosen and fall to the floor at my feet. She lowered her body, only stopping when she was sitting on her knees. I ran my hand through her hair to keep it from blocking my view. I needed to memorize the way she looked with her lips surrounding my stiff cock. As her saliva lubricated my shaft, I could hear a swishing sound with the vibration of her own moans enhancing the act. Cassie took her time, licking and then sucking. She’d take breaks and tease me with her tongue, then go back to sucking while massaging my balls. Right when I was about to blow, I moved her away, pulled her to stand, and twisted her around. It took me a matter of seconds to bend her over the bed, expose her ass, and take her from behind. My pace was vigorous, and after a couple minutes, I was filling her with my release.
Then she fell asleep, leaving me to my own thoughts. A while later, I went to sit on the other bed so I could watch her sleep from afar. It was unlikely we’d have time in the morning to divulge in more lovemaking. This was all we were going to get.
When I climbed back into the bed beside her, she turned and nestled her body perfectly against mine. As warm as it felt to hold her, I couldn’t let go. Cassie would never be a woman I had a fast affair with. Her essence would haunt me, and while she was busy getting her life back together, I feared mine was about to fall apart. I’d been so close to having something of my own; someone to finally care for me, just as much as I wanted to do for her, but I was throwing it all away. If she was the one for me it was already too late. Whatever we could have been was over before it started. I’d never know what it would be like to fall in love with her. I’d never know what it was like to share my life with her.
It was devastating, and reminded me of the pain I’d experienced when I knew I didn’t have a family to go home to.
Chapter 31
Logan
We’d been driving for what felt forever, only stopping for bathroom breaks and food. Her head leaned up against my body, her feet hanging out the open window. Originally we were going to stop in Kentucky, but I asked if we could do it on the way back instead, knowing she wasn’t going to be with me then anyway. I hoped once she got settled, her big family would all come to welcome her home. She had a lot of catching up to do, after she got over the initial shock of being back.
This quiet time between us was both peaceful and unsettling. I ran my hand over her knee and imagined what it would have been like if we were headed home together to reap the benefits of our new relationship. Aside from the huge amount of sex we’d be having, I could also appreciate the sentiment of knowing I had someone to come home to.
Now nearing my thirties, I worried my time to find a woman and start a family was wearing thin. Cassie was still young, not that her age would defer me from wanting things. I hardly every thought about our age difference or the fact that she’d experienced so much in a little amount of time.
What sucked worse was knowing without a doubt that if we had more time I know I’d fall completely in love with her. We’d lived together long enough to learn each other’s quirks. She was used to my schedule, and didn’t mind doing the things at home I never could find the time for. She didn’t just clean and cook. Cassie made the house feel like a home. Her little touches seemed to brighten the place up. I tried not to picture a couple months from now, because I knew a thick layer of dust would cover every surface. Our cabinets would be bare, and the refrigerator would have several containers of mystery items neither Charlie or I would want to open.
Cassie adjusted in her seat, sitting up when we hit the North Carolina state line. “I never thought I’d be coming back here.”
“How does it make you feel?”
“I’m glad it’s with you.” She laced her hand in mine. “I’d be in bad shape if I had to see my parents.”
I clenched my jaw and stared forward at the road, hoping she didn’t look over and see the lament in my eyes. “Home is where your heart lies.” I said it because I assumed she’d know I was talking about her family.