The Boy and His Ribbon (The Ribbon Duet, #1)(53)

I knew what she felt because I felt it, too.

Cassie fascinated me in all the wrong ways, from her curves and skin and smell. But she also terrified me because she had a habit of popping up from nowhere or hanging around longer than comfortable.

For two kids who’d adopted the forest purely because it was away from humans, it took a lot of adjusting and acceptance. I’d always thought Della would be the more adaptable one in that respect, but it turned out, she was a master at holding grudges and staying aloof.

“He doesn’t hog the bed.” Her pretty little chin came up, blue eyes almost as dark as her ribbon with challenge. “Go away.”

Cassie giggled. “Feisty wee thing, isn’t she?” She glanced at me. “Aren’t you afraid you’re going to wake up one morning with your fingers and toes nibbled on thanks to her tiny teeth?”

Della stepped forward, dragging me with her. “I’d never bite him. But I’d bite you.”

“I’d bite you back.” Cassie leaned on the doorframe, completely unfussed. Brown hair slung over one shoulder, thick boots and tight jeans barely visible under the long puffer jacket zipped tight against the cold. “I’ve heard little girls are tasty treats.” Her eyes flashed to mine with a lick of her lips.

For some reason, my ears twitched at the way her voice lowered, and I swore an invitation echoed behind her joke.

Della looked as if she’d happily murder her. “You can’t eat me. Ren won’t let you. He loves me.” She looked up, her eyes wide and wild, her cheeks pink with worry. “You do still love me…right?”

And once again, she successfully cracked open my ribs and ripped out my heart. Cassie was no longer relevant as I dropped to one knee and clutched Della close. With my face buried in her sweet-smelling neck, I murmured, “I will always love you, Della Ribbon. Until the day I die and even past that.”

She threw her arms around me, trembling in a way that hinted she acted brave and brattish, but really, her fear was deep-seated and hurting her. I needed to spend more time with her. She should accompany me while I worked. We were so used to being in each other’s pockets that this new dynamic wasn’t acceptable.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered into my ear. “Can we leave now? I’m ready to go.”

I stroked her back. “We can’t leave. It’s still too cold, and I like you alive and not covered in snow.”

“I could be an ice princess.” She pulled away, rubbing at the quick glisten of tears on her cheek. “I’d keep you warm, you’d see.”

I chuckled, climbing back to my feet and tugging her ponytail. “With your temper, you would keep me warm from fighting with you.”

A smile appeared, barely there and still unsure thanks to Cassie invading our privacy, but at least whatever terror had clutched her was gone.

“Can I say something?” Cassie asked, pushing off from the doorframe and entering our bedroom uninvited.

I arched an eyebrow as she came closer, doing my best to assess her threat while very aware she was my boss’s daughter. “What?”

“Not to you.” She pointed at Della. “To her.”

Della squared her shoulders, her blonde hair rippling with resentment. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“You sure about that?” Cassie closed the distance then sat on her haunches in front of her. “Do you know what day it is today?”

“The day we can leave?”

“No, not yet, I’m afraid.” Cassie shook her head. “That will be a sad day to say goodbye, not a happy day. For me, anyway.” She flashed me a look, and once again, her tone thickened and eyes shot a message I didn’t understand. The moment was gone as fast as it’d happened as she turned back to Della. “Today is much better than that. Want to know why?”

Despite herself, Della asked, “Why?”

“Because today isn’t a normal work day. Ren doesn’t have chores, and you don’t have to stay in here all day.”

“Why not?” Her eyebrows scrunched together. “It’s not a Sunday. Ren works every day but Sunday.”

“Not today, he doesn’t.”

I shuffled on the spot, fighting two polarizing emotions. One, I couldn’t stop the warmth spreading through my chest at Cassie treating Della so kindly. I still hadn’t made up my mind about her as a person, but the fact she spoke to Della as intelligent and not an idiot layered her with more than just physical appeal. And two, I struggled with the possession in my gut. The snaking, hissing knowledge that with every word she spoke, she cracked Della’s coldness and made her interact.

She was making me share her, and I both loved and loathed it.

“Why not today?” Della wedged the toe of her sneaker into the threadbare carpet. “Tell me.”

Cassie grinned. “Because today is Christmas!” Clapping her hands, she lost the sensual way she normally moved and acted like Della did when I agreed to tell her a new story. Excitement glowed on her face, making her so damn pretty that I had to move away to hide the evidence of my interest.

I had no idea what she was so upbeat about, but if it made her this attractive, I would have to avoid it at all costs. Strange heat bubbled in my belly. My lips tingled for something. Those frustrating, hated desires whenever I looked at dirty magazines returned in full force.