Cassie (The Mitchell/Healy Family #7)(51)

I had to hurry in the bathroom and pray she didn’t follow. It was so ridiculous. At nearly thirty years old I couldn’t begin to rationalize with my own decisions. Suddenly doing the right things seemed worse than inflicting gut-wrenching pain on myself.

I turned the water on, letting the jacuzzi fill while I undressed. I started to lock the door, but figured Cassie would come to her senses and realize she wasn’t ready to dive into something so spontaneous. I’d no sooner climbed in the tub when I saw the door opening. I think I knew she was naked even before I turned to look in her direction. I was in shock, while she seemed confident. “Mind if I join you?”

She started to step in with me, and I only had a few seconds to get out of there before my body wouldn’t let me. She was too damn perfect, down to her curves and the shape of two supple breasts. I was in awe of her, making it impossible to focus. Not realizing what I was doing, I stood, revealing everything I had to her curious stare. She smiled, but only for the time it took me to grab a towel and hold it over my package. “We shouldn’t do this, Cassie. It’s not a good idea.”

They were words I’d regret for the rest of my life, yet I was determined to do right by this girl, even if it made her feel like she wasn’t good enough. It was better than leaving her angry and broken when our trip finally came to an end, which was happening sooner than I wanted it to.

“I don’t understand,” she whined. “I thought we liked each other.”

“It’s not appropriate. It’s best if we remain friends, Cassie. It’s best for both of us.”

She wasn’t taking no for an answer, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be able to continue rejecting her.





Chapter 27


Cassie


It was unbelievable. Had I gotten the wrong signs? Was I really hearing him correctly? I was standing before him without any clothes, prepared to give myself to him completely and he was rejecting my offer.



“You don’t want this, Cassie.” He was backing away, clinging to the towel wrapped around his still steaming rock-hard physique. I was ashamed at myself for not seeing it before. I’d been blinded by life’s troubles for far too long.

“Don’t tell me what I want, Logan. I’m tired of pretending it will get better on it’s own. I know I’m in control now.” I bit down on my lip and took a step forward, closing the distance between us.

He squinted as a half-smile formed over his face. “I can’t be your distraction. I’m here to help you, not drag you down a darker path. My life isn’t easy. I wish it were simple, but I have my own demons to battle.”

“For once, maybe we shouldn’t think about tomorrow. Maybe you could pretend all we have is tonight. I need this. Don’t deny me a moment of happiness. Please. Don’t make me beg for it.”

He wouldn’t speak.



“Is it because I’m not good enough for you?”

“Not good enough? No! It’s nothing like that. You’re more than good enough. Don’t even think that.”

“I don’t know what else I’m supposed to think. We obviously like being around each other. I’m having a blast with you. You keep sending me mixed signals, and even though I know we’re communicating, we’re avoiding this topic like it’s a deadly disease. What gives? Are you worried I won’t respect you when it’s over?”

“I’m worried you’ll hate me, Cassie. I wish you could understand.”

“I’m not as fragile as you think.”

“You’ve been through a lot lately. You say you’re okay, but what if this makes you feel worse?”

I almost laughed. “Are you serious? I thought sex was fun, especially when two people are attracted to each other. Is that it? Am I not your type?”

He shook his head and let out a sigh. “You are so much my type it scares me. Everything about you screams for me to want you. It’s taking all of my willpower to protect you from the pain I know I’ll bring you.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Nothing you could do would make me feel that way. You’ve been a godsend.”

“You must have low standards. Stop putting me on some pedestal. I’m just a regular guy who makes mistakes like the rest of them.”

“No. You’re different. You care. I wasn’t sure before, but now I am. When I’m with you all my problems seem to fade away. Don’t deny me from experiencing what it would be like to know you completely. I need this, Logan. I’m not pushing myself on you to cover up some past I want to forget. I’m just tired of denying what’s right in front of me.”



He was standing before me, giving much thought to what I’d suggested. Then the towel dropped. “Come here.”

I almost couldn’t move. I was too shocked to let my body comprehend what he’d just ordered. Had he given into me that fast?

It took me two steps to make it to him, and when I did his lips were on mine. Parts of me came alive, and nothing existed in the world except for us. His tongue moved with precision, caressing mine as they mingled and meshed. His hand was in my hair, keeping me as close as possible. Our kiss continued to intensify, as we stood naked and exposed. My hands slipped over his wet chest, slithering their way to his muscular pectorals then up to his shoulders and finally around his strong neck. He was taller than me, but had leaned over to make it easy for me to be able to reach him. I ran my hands through his hair as we both pulled back to take a breather.