##Chapter 58: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveI'm about to climb into bed when there's a knock on my dorm room door.I nearly jump out of my skin before a deep voice says from the other side, "Cassidy? Are you in there?"That's all it takes for me to fly to the door and yank it open. "Cole!"Before he can open his mouth, I hurtle myself into his outstretched arms. After everything that happened tonight at the party, I just want to burrow against his chest and stay there forever. I don't want him to ever let me go. We hold each other for a handful of silent moments before he pulls away just enough to search my eyes in the darkness."What happened to you? Where did you disappear to?" He barely sucks in a breath before rapid-firing another question at me. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I couldn't find you?" The relief of moments ago gives way to anger. It brims in his whiskey-colored eyes. "I looked everywhere. And Brooklyn didn't know what happened to you, either.
##Chapter: 59Book Two: Don't LeaveMy eyelids feather closed as I arch into his warm palm, wanting to feel his fingers slide inside me. I need him to relieve the throbbing pressure building deep within me. When he doesn't make a move, I arch, pushing against him."Say it, Cassidy.""Only you," I whimper. "You're the only one who gets to fuck me."As soon as the words escape, he slides two thick digits inside, stroking my wet heat until I'm mindless with the need he has stoked to life within me.He swirls his finger across my slit before murmuring, "Your pussy belongs to me.""Yes," I moan. At this point, I would agree to just about anything, and he knows it. My hips gyrate against him, seeking release.His fingers still as he leans down and presses a kiss against my mouth. "Oh no, you don't. Not like this. When you come, I want to feel you pulsing and throbbing around me."I groan when he drags his fingers from me.A devilish smile spreads across his handsome face, making him
##Chapter 60: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveOnce we've both spent ourselves, all that can be heard in my darkened room is the sound of our ragged breathing. He lowers his face to the delicate hollow of my neck so that his warm breath can feather across my skin. His heart pounds, racing against mine.I press a tender kiss against the side of his face before he rolls away and grabs a Kleenex off the table beside my bed. He slides the condom off his softening length, wrapping it up, and disposing of it in the trash can by my desk. And then he's back, settling against me on the twin bed. His bigger body takes up most of the space as I drape myself across him, sifting my fingers through the dark sprinkle of hair smattered across his chest.Have I felt this kind of contentment?It's not a question that needs answering.His fingers comb rhythmically through my hair.After a handful of quiet moment, he says, "I was really worried when I couldn't find you. I hate that you left the party w
##Chapter 61: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveI gulp down a fresh burst of nerves. "Is it too late to cancel?"Cole squeezes my hand as his gaze darts to mine in the close confines of his Mustang.His eyes fill with humor. "You don't have anything to worry about. They're going to love you." He gives me another squeeze as if that alone is enough to reassure me.It's not."I promise," he adds.I nibble my lower lip before blurting, "And what if they don't?"At the moment, all I can imagine is his mom and stepdad hating me. Jackie's admittance about having lunch with Cole's mother snakes its way through my head before nesting in a place that makes it is impossible to evict it from. She's probably hoping her son will get back together with his high school girlfriend.Are Jackie and his mother still close?The question gnaws away at me.Unaware of the dark thoughts swirling through my head, Cole says, "Then I'll probably end up dumping you."My wide gaze swings to his. A smile simmers
##Chapter 62: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveI shift my attention away from the room as an older man who looks to be about fifty or so, walks into the foyer. A heartfelt smile curves his lips upward, and it instantly eases my frazzled nerves as he stretches out a hand for me to shake."Hi, you must be Cassidy. It's nice to meet you. I'm Thomas. We're so pleased you were able to join us for dinner."He pumps my hand so enthusiastically that I'm unable to stop the small smile from creeping its way across my face. A moment later, he turns to Cole and claps him warmly on the back.Cole's gaze darts around before settling on his stepfather. "Where's Mom?" His brows draw together. "Is she here?"Thomas runs a hand through his thinning gray hair. "She was called into work about thirty minutes ago. But you know your mother, she had everything prepared ahead of time or we'd be ordering a pizza. Everything is in the oven and should be ready in an hour or so. I would imagine that she'l
##Chapter 63: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveUnable to sit still for another second, I shoot out of my seat. The conversation screeches to an abrupt halt as three startled gazes settle on me.It takes effort to pull my lips into an anemic-looking smile. "I, ah, need to use the bathroom.""It's through the kitchen and to the right," Thomas directs.I force myself to take deep, calming breaths before releasing them back into the atmosphere.A mirthless laugh gurgles up inside, because here I am, using Dr. Thompson's breathing techniques in her own house.It's just too much.Finding the bathroom, I lock the door and rush to the sink before running the tap and splashing a handful of cold water onto my face. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, all the while continuing to inhale and exhale.This is crazy.And when I say crazy what I really mean is totally fucked up.How can I possibly continue seeing Cole when his mother knows every ugly detail about my life? She knows how I fell apart under
##Chapter 64: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveMy feet stutter to a stop as my breath catches at the back of my throat. My heart thumps a painful beat as I watch my dad stare down at his phone. He must be texting, or emailing, or something. Even though I've arrived at the restaurant early, he beat me here and is already seated at a table.I've been a nervous wreck all day in anticipation of this dinner. This is the first time since failing out of school last year that my dad and I are going to sit down to talk. And I failed out last December. It's now November.That's eleven months of radio silence.Apparently, when I failed out, I not only destroyed my own aspirations and dreams, but my father's as well. He always wanted me to play Division I hockey at a prestigious East Coast college. I had been poised to make both of our dreams come true until the pressure, stress, and rigorousness of my course load, coupled with the intense level of play, had been too much for me to handle.An
##Chapter 65: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveHis guarded expression crumbles as he sucks in a quick breath before saying in a rush, "I know you are. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry for how I handled the situation." With a shrug, he glances away. "Maybe I pushed you too hard. Or pushed you into playing a sport you didn't want to. I just don't know anymore..." A hint of a smile lifts his lips. "I used to think I had all the answers, now I realize that I don't have any of them. Raising children is a humbling experience."A thick sheen of tears fills my eyes as I shake my head. "No, Dad. I wanted to play hockey. I loved playing." I loved being out on the ice. I felt at home in a freezing cold rink. I still do. So many of my childhood memories are centered around the ice. Hard-fought wins. Crushing defeats. Time spent with my dad. I wouldn't trade any of those memories. They mean too much to me.My experience growing up wasn't a perfect one, but it's mine. And it's wh