Cassie (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #3) (8 page)

“Man, that’s harsh.”

Cassie shrugged. “It’s what I’d become. In hindsight I probably should’ve stayed, but my life was too messed up already, and I was scared. HRDC had been out to the house a few times that year. I didn’t want to be taken away, even though it sucked being at home.” She took another sip of her tea. “Better to leave when it was my choice, although, it really wasn’t ‘my’ choice.”

Caleb scratched the stubble on his chin. He’d seen enough cases like this not to be surprised about the broken home. The scenario was like all the others, except for how her teacher, Mr. Carson, had been killed. The circumstances of his death is what had initially intrigued Caleb, and eventually spurred him to take the job. Now that his curiosity had been somewhat sated, he found himself going where he shouldn’t. He was starting to care.

“I’ve tried to be angry with her,” Cassie continued. “But it never stuck. Dad’s death broke her. It broke us. I’m actually surprised she lasted as long as she did with the amount of alcohol she was drinking.”

“Sorry all of that bad shit happened to you.”

“Me too,” Cassie said. “But I’m tired of running. I’d like to stay in one place for a while, and away from monsters. Even if that place has to be in jail.”

Prison had its own monsters, but nothing like the creature Caleb had smashed into with the car. He was tempted to lock himself up with her, if it would rid him of the memory. “I get that.”

They finished their dinner, and Caleb stretched. “I’ve got to hit the can before we find a place to stay.”

“Me too,” Cassie said. “You sure we should stay though?”

Caleb rubbed his eyes. “I’m pretty wiped out, and you don’t look much better than I feel. No offense.”

Cassie waved a hand. “You’re right.” She looked out the window. “And the weather isn’t getting any better.”

“Meet you at the car.”

Cassie nodded.

Caleb did his thing in the boy’s room, and then moseyed out to the entrance. He didn’t go outside, it was too freakin’ cold, but he stayed near the door, and scanned the street for trouble. The monster was the main thing on his mind, though he knew other bounty hunters were out there. The warrant on Cassie’s head was pretty hefty. Caleb himself had been tempted by less.
What am I doing? I can’t turn her in
. Part of him hoped she would just run. Then he wouldn’t have to deal with the conflict, the emotions, and all that shit that comes along with caring for someone.

Cassie stepped out of the ladies’ room, and walked toward him.

Caleb let out a breath he hadn’t realize he’d been holding. He opened the door for her, and they both got in the car, as quickly as they could.

“Sorry about your door,” Cassie said, her breath floated over the dash. She rubbed her arms furiously.

“Just a dent. Easily fixed.” Caleb started the car to let the engine run.

“I should have known you’d have a tracking device on this car. It’s a cherry ride.”

“You know about cars?”

“I used to.”

“Used to?” Caleb raised a brow. “What does that mean?”

“My dad loved cars. He had a 1963 Buick he’d work on in the garage. I used to ‘help’ him with it.”

Caleb laughed, “No shit?”

“I would hand him tools, and bring him water when he was thirsty. He even made me my very own creeper, so I could roll under the car with him.”

“You’re just full of surprises,” Caleb shook his head.
Great, another reason to like her.

He brought up hotels in the area on the screen in his dash. There was a Traveler’s Lodge not far from them. “Looks like a winner.” He put the car in gear, and cruised a couple of blocks to the hotel. The buildings were single story and of an older construction. But, when they got checked into the room, it was spacious and clean. Along with the low price, the room turned out to be a good deal.

“I think I could sleep for two days straight,” Caleb mumbled, as he sat on one of the two queen sized beds. “I don’t think I’ve slept in like, thirty-six hours.”

“Go ahead, I’m good,” Cassie said. “I promise not to steal your car again.”

Caleb had to laugh at that as he laid down, but the mirth didn’t last long as he passed out almost immediately. He dreamed of how foolish he was acting, and how this girl was going to take him for the sucker he was. Then the tingling started. That burning touch that drove him mad with desire. He moaned as the warm electrical pulsing traveled through his body.

Caleb jolted awake. “What the fuck?”

Cassie sat beside him on the bed. Her hair was wet, like she’d taken a shower. She jerked her hand away. “I’m sorry, I just... I wanted to test something.”

Caleb rubbed his chest. His shirt had been untucked, and rolled up to his neck. He could feel the faint surge from where she had been touching him. “What’s with that tingling...”

Cassie’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she shook her head slowly. “You feel it too? I thought there was something wrong with me. What do you think it is?”

“You’re the one with the superpowers,” Caleb blurted, still not awake. “How am I supposed to know? I’m just happy I’m not going nuts.”

Cassie shrugged, “Me too.”

Caleb noticed that she was wearing one of his shirts, and not much else. Her nipples were quite pronounced against the soft fabric. He swallowed, and tore his gaze away. “Sorry we haven’t stopped to get you a change of clothes.”

“It’s okay,” Cassie answered. “I got this out of your car. Hope you don’t mind.”

“No, that’s fine.” Caleb risked a glance at her. She hadn’t moved off the bed. He couldn’t help but wonder what her hair felt like when it was wet, or remember how soft her skin had been under his hands that night in his Mustang. He closed his eyes to try and slow his breathing.
Keep cool, man. Don’t screw things up more than you already have
.

The tingling suddenly returned, as Cassie touched his stomach.

Caleb snapped his eyes open. What little control he’d managed to regain slipped away. “What are you doing?”

“I just want to feel good for a little awhile,” she breathed. “I want to get away from all the pain and fear.” Her chest started to heave, showing off more of her hardened nipples. Her hand slid up his belly to rub his chest.

He couldn’t take it anymore. He snatched hold of her wrist, and pulled her down on top of him. He kissed her, taking two handfuls of her hair. Her lips were on fire, and pressed roughly against his. The sensual tingling cascaded through him.

Cassie broke the kiss, pushing herself up. She yanked the shirt over her head, and threw it aside. Her body, perfect in its nakedness, swayed teasingly back and forth.

Caleb sat up, and cupped her breasts, taking one of them into his mouth. She moaned in delight, and tore at his clothes, as he sucked and rubbed her hard nipples. His hands strayed to her back, and continued down to grip her round ass.

His shirt was ripped away, but his pants were still on, restraining his arousal. He flipped Cassie over onto her back, and stood to free himself. Her hands brushed against his hips, sparking the tingle once more, as she helped him out of his jeans. Once free, he eased down on top of her, raising her arms over her head.

The look in her eyes was one of pure desire. Her legs spread, as she thrust her hips toward him. “Do it!”

He slid into her.

She was so warm and smooth, he almost came right then. Gritting his teeth, Caleb fought the urge to climax. Regaining mastery of himself, he gyrated his hips, driving deeper into her core. She joined his rhythm, and suddenly yelled out her orgasm, while clawing at the headboard. He continued his strong pace, fighting off the insatiable need to come. He brought her to climax a second time, and then a third. He wasn’t sure how much more he could handle, the desire to release was so great.

Cassie growled, narrowing her eyes at him. She ripped her hands free, and grabbed his shoulders, driving her nails into his skin. He hardly noticed. All he was conscious of was the pulsing in his hardness.

She began to grind her hips, building up speed with each rotation.

He finally lost control. “I’m coming!”

His words only spurred her into a greater gyrating frenzy. His eyes fluttered, as he released his passion, but Cassie continued to grind until there was nothing left of him.

He collapsed beside her in a panting, useless heap. “You’ve done me in.”

“I certainly hope not,” she replied, breathing heavily. “I’m far from done with you.”

Caleb laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll need a moment to recharge.”

“I suppose that’s okay, but only a moment.” She snuggled up next to him.

He kissed the top of her head, and ran his fingers along her back, enjoying the slight tingle of her soft skin. As wonderful as he felt in that moment, he couldn’t help but think how much he’d screwed things up this time.

C
assie cracked an eye open as she yawned. The sheets were in total disarray, and there wasn’t a pillow in site. Caleb’s arm was curled around her waist, and he snored softly into the back of her head. She smiled, and stretched her sore muscles. She’d never had non-stop sex like that before, and combined with the now familiar tingling when they touched, she was convinced that it didn’t get any better than last night. Remembering the contact high between them, she realized almost the entirety of her back was pressed against Caleb at the moment, and the shockwaves from that contact, were starting to make her nipples harden. She slipped out from under his arm, careful not to wake him, and rolled out of bed. The lack of his touch was almost painful, but she needed a break from the marathon sexercise they’d been having.

She found a shirt on the way to the bathroom, and pulled it over her head. The toilet seat was cold on her backside, but it helped extinguish some of the heat that had built up from touching Caleb. Once relieved, she hopped in the shower, and basked in its warmth for god knows how long. She could have spent all day in there, but grudgingly got out anyway. Cassie looked into the mirror, as she dried her hair with a towel. Some color had returned to her cheeks, and a tiny smirk twisted the corner of her mouth that she couldn’t make go away. She was happier than she’d been in a long time.

I just hope it was as good for him as it was for me
. He hadn’t complained or anything, but how many men would complain about a willing partner? She didn’t want him to think she was doing this to get out of going back to Canada. She didn’t care about that anymore. Well, that wasn’t necessarily true. But, she wasn’t going to stress about it anymore. Whichever way that scenario ended up playing out, she’d deal with it. The thing that bothered her the most was that she might not see Caleb again, and after last night, that’d be a cryin’ shame.

Cassie took a deep breath.
Enjoy the moment a little before you crap all over it
. Last night had been nothing short of fantastic, and she’d be damned if she was going to spoil it by thinking about shit that hadn’t happened yet. Instead, she focused her thoughts on Caleb’s gorgeous body. How he smelled like warm summer rain, and that he made her feel like she was on fire from the inside out when they touched. She’d never felt anything even remotely close to that before. Definitely not normal, but at least he’d felt it too.
That has to be good, right?

She decided to count it as a win.

“You okay?” Caleb asked, finally stirring.

Cassie turned from her reflection. “Yeah. A little sore though.”

He chuckled, “Me too.”

“Bathroom’s all yours.”

Caleb crawled out from under the sheets, and mumbled, “Thanks,” as he slumbered past her.

He was still dressed in only his birthday suit, and too groggy to notice Cassie ogling him, but that didn’t bother her in the slightest. She continued to eye his nicely rounded ass, until the door closed.

Cassie took a deep breath to clear the sex out of her brain.
Time to get moving
. She finished getting dressed, and grabbed Caleb’s keys. The cold was just as brutal as it had been yesterday, but the wind wasn’t nearly as bad. She was forced to chip ice away from the keyhole again. Thankfully, no monsters attacked her this time.