I put my papers aside when I see how much these thoughts distresses her. I reach for her and hold her close to comfort her.
“You are mine now and I am not letting you go, ever, Cassie,” I tell her. “I protect what is mine, no matter what. You don’t have to worry about anyone at work or anything bad happening to your career. I promise”
I mean those words and hope that they ease her mind.
I can’t tell if my promise worked, but she nods and picks her book up again.
I kiss her cheek softly and go back to work.
I can tell by her expression that she thinks I am joking when I say that I will protect her in every way, whether that means quitting my job or marrying her, but I’m not.
I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. My feelings for her grow stronger each day. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe and keep her with me.
She sticks close to me for the rest of the day, until at night we curl up in bed together and watch a movie.
From the way she smiles at me, I know we both feel satisfied and happy in each other’s arms.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter 9
Matt
The next morning, I wake up happy and in a great mood. After a quick shower, I decide to put off work for a while. She wasn’t in bed when I woke up, and I need to see her again. I walk out of my room and go down the hall to hers.
The door is already open, so I go inside looking for her. I want cuddles and sex, but she isn’t there.
I’m a little disappointed, but I decide to be patient and wait. I look around the room. I like how she fixed it up with her things. The fact that she made herself comfortable here makes me happy.
An open notebook on her dresser catches my attention. I’m about to look away when I see my name written on the paper. I walk over and pick it up.
I read through it and my heart drops. My blood turns cold in my veins. I sit on the edge of her bed with the notebook. I read through everything again, starting with the title “Reasons being with Matt is a bad idea.”
My mouth and throat go dry as my eyes jump to a note she scrawled at the bottom of the page.
“Being with him might be fine for fun but not for anything permanent.” I close the notebook angrily and slam it down on the dresser. After all we did and shared, after everything I promised her, how could she write those things about me?
I guess I was wrong about the emotions and connection that I thought we had. I feel so hurt and betrayed. I need to get out of here; I don’t want to think of her right now.
I go to my room and change into my sweats. I need to go outside for a run. I run as hard as I can, my feet pounding into the ground.
I breathe the fresh air deep into my lungs. I run the entire expanse of my property two times. After completing the double circuit, I stop to take a breath and think.
I can’t believe that, after being a player my whole life and not wanting commitment, as soon as I find who I thought was my one true love, I discover that she is that critical of me and just wants a fling. Is this a joke or some kind of karma?
I shake my head and try to push away the crushed feelings and hurt. I start running again, this time back to the house. It’s almost evening now.
As I run, I tell myself that I need to leave her alone. It’s obviously not going to work between us. I only want someone who really wants to be with me. I realize now that that is the type of person that I need in my life.
After reading her notebook, I’m convinced she is the exact opposite of that type of person. It’s sad that I ever thought she was.
As I reach the house, I realize running didn’t help as much as I thought it would. I still feel crushed. I tell myself that I need to get over it and move on. I reach the front door and walk inside. I see her sitting on the couch, and I don’t know how to react to her. I look away from her and kick off my shoes.
I hear her jump and ask worriedly, “Where have you been? Are you alright?”
I look at her and everything comes out.
“Why do you care? I thought you’d be happy I was gone for a while, since I’m so tall and intimidating?” I ask.