Page 40 of Fractured Rhythm

Chapter 10

Jamie:Why did Eve bite the apple?

Cassie:I don’t know.

Jamie:Because it was sweeter than Adam’s banana.

Cassie:That’s just so wrong!

Jamie:Miss you, Cas.

Cassie:Miss you, too.

CASSIE

What the hellwas I doing? I scrambled to sit up so I could get off of Bash’s chest. After reminiscing, it’d been completely natural to fall asleep on him, like we’d done so many times a lifetime ago. Comfort in his arms shouldn’t exist anymore, but I would be lying to myself if I said it didn’t.

“Sorry, that can’t be comfortable,” I said, moving to the corner of the sofa where he wasn’t half-sprawled out. He shifted to sit up, raking a hand through his too short hair.

“Don’t move on my account. You know I can never resist snuggling up with you, Cas,” he said, and heat darted through my body.

“Knock it off, Bash,” I said, trying to rein in my traitorous body. Yes, he’d been exactly what I needed today, but that shouldn’t mean anything.

Damn wishy-washy brain.

It didn’t mean anything.

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it and frowned.

“Something wrong?”

“I’m supposed to meet the guys in twenty at a bar uptown to toast to Jamie. I know they invited you and you said no, but are you sure you don’t want to hang out with us?”

“Look at me.” I gestured down at myself. “I’m a total mess. I didn’t even shower today.”

“I’m looking at you.”

His eyes darkened. That was never good for my common sense.

“Stop. You know what I mean.”

“Yeah. And who cares that you aren’t showered? Come hang out with us.”

“I think I’m going to stay in. That was my plan. You guys have fun. Have a drink for me and for Jamie,” I said, pain blooming in my chest again.

“Cas. I will stay here if you want me to. Hell, I’d rather stay here with you.”

His words wrapped around me, and I wanted to cave.

“No. You need to go be with the band. You should be together right now,” I said. “Thank you for this. For today. I know I said I didn’t want anyone around, but this helped.”

“Any time you need me you just have to call,” he said, following me to the door.

Right before I opened the door, he pulled me against him, his arms banding around me in a hug. My arms threaded through his, linking at the base of his back, and I rested my head on his chest, loving the feel of his heart racing against my ear.

He ran one of his hands lightly up and down my spine. It was comforting but also sparked pure need within me, and I looked up at him. His eyes were dark, the heat spiraling between us, but he didn’t move, except to continue running his hand along my back. I placed my palms on his chest, stood up on my tiptoes, and let all common sense escape me as I pressed my lips to his.

He continued to hold still until I moved my hands up his chest and linked them at his nape.

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