Page 73 of Growing Into Love

“No, I haven’t,” I say.

“Don’t insult me, I was there when she texted you last night, remember? If you’re just going to keep going back to her, Jaz, then I can’t do this. I won’t be second place to anyone. I’ve wanted you for too long. I won’t share you.”

“Cass,” I say gently. I take out my phone and show her Theresa’s text thread. It’s one long string of texts from her side only, growing more insistent, begging for me to call her. “Sure, she’s been texting me,” I say. “She’s been texting me a lot in fact. But I haven’t responded. Actually, I have no interest in speaking with Theresa or ever seeing her again.”

Cass’s mouth falls open in an adorable expression of surprise.

“I know everyone wonders why I keep letting her back into my life,” I say. “I think it’s because I’ve been so lonely. I’m no good with women. My words get stuck. I’ve got no game. I work all hours, I make no money. I always felt lucky that anyone wanted me at all. And I thought Theresa and I were going to be together forever. I’ve been holding onto the person she used to be, or the person I thought she was, like if I wished hard enough, she’d be the one. But she was never the right person anyway. The right person has been sitting in front of me all along.”

I take Cass’s hand in mine and brush my thumb over her knuckles. Cass’s gaze is fiery bright. Her eyes sparkle and she bites her lip in that way that makes my cock stiffen. Then she leans forward and pokes me hard in the chest.

“Ow,” I say. “What was that for?”

“Just making sure you’re real.”

“I’m real.”

“This isn’t a dream?”

“No.”

“It would be a lovely dream. I’ve had lots of dreams about you but none as real as this.”

“Cass.” I feel heady, like I’ve drunk the nectar of the gods instead of two pints. “This isn’t a dream.” I lean down and kiss the back of her hand. “I was such a fool,” I whisper. “To take so long to see you this way.”

“Nobody’s perfect,” she says with that cheeky grin.

I chuckle then glance at the bed. “It’s going to be hard to sleep with you in this bed and not touch you.”

“Tell me about it. Stupid Windy Acres and their stupid rules.”

I have a brief image of taking Cass here and now, stripping the clothes from her lithe body and sinking my cock deep inside her. Just the thought makes my teeth ache and my thighs prickle.

“It’s only one more night after tonight,” I say.

“Feels like forever.”

“First things first,” I say. “You’ve got to beat Nigella and win the Grand Prix. She needs to pay for trying to fuck with us this whole time.”

Cass’s grin widens. “Yes, she does.”

I yank her forward and wrap her in my arms. She snuggles against my chest and the relief at holding her this way is indescribable. I feel more than just blissfully happy—I feel whole.

“Every time she tries to get in your head, I want you to remember this one thing,” I murmur in her ear.

“What’s that?”

“As soon as this competition is over, and the rules don’t apply anymore, I’m taking you back to this room…” I pause for dramatic effect.

“And?” Cass whispers breathlessly.

“And I’m going to make you wetter than you’ve ever been before. I’m going to fuck you until you forget your own name,” I growl, echoing the words from her text.

Cass gasps, then squeezes me tight.

I squeeze her back, never wanting to let her go.

TWENTY-ONE

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