She fights me as I take her in my arms, but I won't let go.
I hold her wrists tightly in one hand, and she doesn't have a chance. I hold the small of her back, pressing her closer to me as I murmur soothingly into her hair. And pretty soon, her shakiness turns from anger to sadness, and she falls apart in my arms.
"Cassidy, darlin’," I whisper against her hair as she begins to sob softly. "What's wrong? Tell me, baby."
She all but falls to the floor, and I catch her at the last second, gathering her in my arms. I walk us over to the couch and pull her into my lap. She curls up like a little kid and it fucking breaks my heart to see how vulnerable she is.
"Talk to me," I beg her, not sure how to help her.
I've never been there for a girl. I never even had a friend of the opposite sex. My philosophy is fuck ’em, then leave ’em. But with Cassidy, it's all fucked up. I know I shouldn't get involved, but I want to help her.
"I'm scared," she murmurs against my chest, her breath hot on my shirtless body.
"What are you scared of, darlin’?" I ask, stroking her hair.
She's quiet for a long time, but I don't stop my stroking motions. She'll speak when she's ready to tell me what's going on in that pretty little head of hers.
"That you will leave me," she admits, sniffling a little. And that small confession all but breaks my heart in two.
"Why would I do that, Cassidy?" I ask her, kissing the top of her head soothingly. She makes an attempt to break my embrace, but it makes me hold her tighter.
"Let go," she says.
"I won't." I clutch her closer, unwilling to let her go. "Do you hear me, Cassidy? I won't let go."
She melts into my arms, those small few words all she needed to hear. And it makes me hurt for her, knowing she's been let down and has come to expect the worst of people.
"Cassidy," I say. "I'll always be here." I'm surprising myself, but for some reason I can't stop talking. "I'll do what you want. Always."
She gives a tired smile, and it makes me feel much better.
I hold her in my arms for a while, feeling her growing stronger with each moment that passes. Finally, she looks at me with those big green eyes full of wonder. She's so special. So beautiful.
And I'm so fucked.
"Thank you," she whispers, reaching for my head and pulling me down, crushing our lips together in a kiss full of promises.
As I let myself go, tasting those sweet lips, I soon realize I'm done for. Because this girl next to me right now… She might be it for me.
Chapter thirteen
CASSIDY
I don't know what's happening to me. It's like someone flipped a switch inside my head, making my personality change in an instant.
Suddenly, I don't feel the need to bitch and moan. I don't need to curse with every sentence I say. It's not a compulsion anymore, but instead – a choice. And it feels so good.
The last few days have been the best of my life.
It's been all about Dom. Dom and me. The start of our story together.
I know this bliss won't last for ever. Our parents are planning on returning tomorrow, and we're enjoying our last moments together.
Despite the amazing, loved feeling, there's an underlying guilt at the pit of my stomach. Every time I laugh, I think about what I'm doing and just how wrong this is.
I guess when you know you can't tell your parents about your new boyfriend you have a problem... And mine is even bigger, because we share a set of parents now. I'm already dreading the conversation, which I know will have to happen sooner or later.
It's been a short few days, but I would never trade them for anything. Because this is the happiest I've ever been – waking up in Dom's arms. Falling asleep in his embrace. Eating the food he's made for me, even trying to cook myself. Spending all day at the pool, swimming in the cold water, kissing with abandon.
Today, Susie called me to ask where I've been. I'm pretty sure she knows what's going on, because I was an absolute giggling fool on the phone. She wants to go to the carnival, which is in town today, and I made Dom promise he'd come with us.
I get ready in the evening, wanting to look pretty for the last night we have together, without our parents. I put on a new dress mother dearest got for me before I left. It's a pretty, flimsy, emerald green dress made of silk that apparently goes well with my hair. I put my hair in a half-up style and add some wedges to go with the dress. I know I'm overdressed, but I want this night to be extra special.