Page 32 of Lucifer's Hounds

I let out a sigh of relief. Club I can handle. A wife? Not so much. I sit up on the couch, silently processing what he said. Now I can get that thought out of my head. Cass approaches the couch and offers me a hand up. I take it and Cass pulls me into his arms. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and opens YouTube and music bursts from the speakers.

“Tender Years?” I ask, my smile back with a vengeance.

“Yes ma’am. May I have this dance?” he asks, pulling me in close.

“Of course.”

I rest my head on his chest and wrap my arms around his neck. I’m still in the same clothes I wore to work last night, I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet, and Ireallywant to shower, but none of that matters. All that’s relevant right now is the fact that Cass isn’t married and I’m in his arms once again.

Cass leads me across the room and spins me in circles, making me laugh when he nearly drops me.

“Well, good morning to you, too,” I whisper, my head back in its rightful place on his chest while we dance slowly again.

“I had to see you first thing this morning. You’re doing something to me that I can’t explain. I’ve never wanted to be around someone as much as I want to be around you. You intrigue me and make me feel alive.”

“Then stop disappearing so much, or at least let me know when you’re done with club shit so I can talk to you or see you if I’m not working.”

“Ahem.” A voice sounds from the doorway. Scott is standing there, arms crossed, staring at us.

“Can I help you?” Cass and I say simultaneously. We burst out laughing, which in turn makes Scott laugh.

“I need to talk to you about the pipes in the corner that you wanted us to change,” Scott says, talking directly to Cass.

“Give me just a minute, please,” Cass says. Scott nods and walks out the door.

“I want to see where this goes. No titles, no bullshit. Just you and me, figuring whatever this is out together. Are you in?”

I look up at him, unsure if I’m dreaming or if this is really happening.

“Abso-fuckin-lutely,” I smile, then tip-toe to kiss him. His hand lightly brushes my cheek, sending butterflies flapping in my stomach.

“Sounds like I’m needed up front,” he whispers.

“I know.” I sigh, pointing to the doorway.

Cass walks out and my stomach growls. Curiosity gets the best of me, so I walk to the front of the bar. The only two people here are Cass and Scott. It is only eight in the morning and the bar doesn’t open until noon.

“Hey. Did either of you happen to bring food?” I ask. They both stare at me and smile.

“What?” I ask, then catch a glimpse of my reflection in the new mirrors behind the bar. “Oh…” My hair is poking up in ten different directions. Laughing at my own silly reflection, I try to pat down the wild hairs. I finally get it under control and when I turn back a round, Cass and Scott are still staring at me.

“Are y’all going to answer my question or are you just going to let me wonder and starve in the process?” I ask, my hands on my hips.

“There’s donuts over there.” Scott points to the end of the bar. I rush over and grab two, as if they are going to disappear before I could get any.

“Oh, thank you. There is a god,” I say, stuffing a donut in my mouth. Cass and Scott stand in the corner of the bar talking and pointing around at the different changes for a few minutes. Once they finish their conversation, Cass walks over to where I’m sitting at the bar with my half-eaten donuts.

“I have to get out of here, I was supposed to be at the office twenty minutes ago.” He kisses my cheek and with that he’s gone again.

I walk into the bathroom and start the shower. The air in the building feels less energetic knowing that Cass isn’t here. I get dressed and rush out the door, or I try to. Scott stops me just as I am about to walk out.

“Hey, what are you doing?” he asks.

“Honestly, it’s none of your business. I don’t have to work today, therefore I don’t have to be here,” I stomp around him, but he’s bigger and faster than me. He steps in front of me again.

“Whoa, I was just asking. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You’re good. I’m sorry, I don’t know what my problem is lately. I’ve got a lot going on in my head.”

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