Chasing Shadows (Shadows 2)

Simon noticed me shivering and he took the coat I had grabbed before he dragged me off, not having time to put it on. Despite his obvious anger, he took my bag and put it on the ground, and then gently helped me put on my coat. I stood there, waiting for him to either explode or provide an explanation for his behavior, but he said nothing, just watching me.

I was surprised when he pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me under my unzipped coat. I tried to hold my body stiff, angry at his behavior, but soon I felt myself softening, relaxing in his embrace. I returned the hug, melting into him. The last thing I wanted to do was fight with Simon.

"Simon, please." My voice was muffled against his coat. "I love you. Please don't make this harder than it already is. You know why I'm getting close to Neal."

Simon exhaled harshly. His voice was guttural when he spoke. "I know, Caitlin. But the thought of losing you—it makes me crazy."

I leaned back so that I could look up at Simon. His eyes were desolate as he looked down at me. "I'll be careful. Besides, Neal's vardoger hasn't overtaken him yet, so he's not dangerous."

"I'm not just talking about losing you because he's dangerous, although God knows that's a concern. I don't want to lose you to him. He can give you things that I can never—"

Simon cut himself off, burying his face in my neck as he tightened his arms around me. I was confused by his words.

"He has nothing that you can't give me. All I want is your love. Only you can give me that."

I felt the tension slowly drain from Simon's body. He slowly kissed my neck, working his way up to my ear. I shuddered when he nipped my earlobe with his teeth and then gently sucked on it. "I can only bear this if you promise not to see him without me there," he whispered.

"Okay, I promise." I readily gave into him because it wasn't worth his anguish. Initially, I had thought it would make it easier if Simon wasn't around when I saw Neal since he seemed to see him as competition, but now I realized that it made it much worse for Simon. I silently berated myself for my denseness in

not realizing that earlier.

Simon cradled my head between his hands and looked at me, his eyes full of love. He kissed me gently before pulling back. "Let's go back to my apartment."

He took my hand, gently this time, and led me away.

"What about my class? You have class now too!"

"The last thing I want to think about right now is class." Simon's gaze on me was heated and I felt my pulse quicken in response. Thoughts of class scattered from my head as we hurried back to his place.

Unfortunately, we had forgotten about Kendra. She bounded towards us with glee when we stepped inside Simon's apartment.

"You're back early!"

Despite my own disappointment, I had to stifle a laugh at Simon's look of frustration when he saw his sister. He sighed in resignation as Kendra bombarded us with questions.

"What should we do now? I've been so bored! Grant had to go to class after I ate lunch with him so I've just been sitting here. Are we going out tonight? What are we doing for dinner?"

Simon fielded Kendra's questions and I suggested that they come over for dinner tonight.

"Why don't I bring over some takeout to your place tonight? You must be tired of always cooking."

I was warmed by Simon's consideration but I shook my head. "It's okay, I don't mind. It makes me happy to cook for everyone." I leaned up and kissed him softly. "Especially you."

Simon's eyes gleamed and he pulled me closer but I glanced at Kendra self-consciously. She didn't seem the least bit bothered by Simon and me getting close, but I cleared my throat, pushing Simon away. Simon cocked an eyebrow but then just smiled wryly.

"What do you want to do before dinner, Kendra?" I asked. "It's up to you."

"Let's go to the mall!" she exclaimed.

"Again?" Simon groaned. "Kendra, you just went to the mall yesterday with Sarah. You can go to the mall anytime at home."

"Simon," Kendra said slowly, as if he wasn't very smart. "It's a different mall than the one back home. Plus, I saw some things I wanted yesterday that I didn't get."

"It's okay, Simon," I said, laughing. "I can take her."

Simon wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. "Well, I guess it'll be okay as long as you're there. Maybe I can convince you to try on some things for me." He waggled his eyebrows at me suggestively.

I smacked Simon on the chest, mortified by his comment in front of his sister. It seemed to be too much for her as well because she clapped her hands over her ears.