Page 45 of Match My Fall
Anight in the city would be fun, but reality was returning. “Ineed to get back forPaige.Thorneis dropping her off at seven.”
“Iunderstand,”Valenreplied. “I’dlove to meet her one day.”
“Maybe.”Iexhaled. “She’snot used to me dating.I’mnot used to me dating.”Iscrunched my nose. “Wait, are we dating?”
Helaughed. “Iguess so.”
Iarched my brows. “Youguessso?”
“Yes.”Heleaned forward and kissed me. “Officiallydating—if you’d like that.”
Warmthspread to my toes. “I’dlike that a lot.”Iblinked, the logistics creeping in. “Wait, how can we date?Welive in different states.”
“Cassandra,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Iknow we’ve only known each other a short time, but there’s something here.”Hemotioned between us. “Idon’t know what to call it, butIdo knowIwant to see you again.Howeverwe manage that works for me.Areyou going back to work tomorrow morning?”
“Yes.”
“Howabout we start with the next step?CanItake you to dinner tomorrow?”
Ismiled and warmth spread through me. “Yes.”Ifurrowed my brows. “Wait,I’dneed to get a babysitter.”Irubbed my forehead. “No,Ican’t do that.Ihaven’t seenPaigeall weekend.”
“Ifyou’re comfortable with the idea, bringPaige.”
Ibit my lower lip. “I’llthink about it.”
* * *
WhenThornearrivedwithPaigethat evening,Igreeted her with a warm hug. “Haveyou taken a bath yet?”
“No.Iwill now.”Shedashed into the bathroom, closed the door, and the sound of running water followed.
Itried to keep the conversation short, soThornewould go, but he stepped inside my living room.Hisnostrils flared as his gaze roamed around.
“Whowas here?” he asked, his voice cold.
Hemust have scentedValen’spresence.Thornehated shifters.
Thornehated most anyone who wasn’t fae like him.I’mnot sure why he ever was with a witch and had a child with me.Maybehis hatred of others rose as he grew older.Icertainly don’t thinkIwould have been with him back when we were young hadIknown how much darkness poisoned his mind.
“It’snone of your concern,”Isaid, trying to keep my tone even.
“Itis most definitely my concern if it involves the house where my daughter lives,” he snapped.Hecocked his head and his gaze narrowed before he fixed a hard stare back at me. “Awolf shifter?”
Instead,Itried counting to five beforeIlet him rile me up and this situation escalated into an argument.
Thorneonly paused long enough for me to get to three. “Youcan’t trust shifters,” he emphasized, his voice full of disgust.
Myanger rose. “Youcan’t judge someone you haven’t met.”
“Iknow what they’re like.They’reanimals,Cassandra.”
Ipursed my lips, biting back a retort about howValenwas indeed an animal in bed.Raisingmy chin,Isaid, “You’venever met him.”
“Oh, it’s ahim?”Thorneechoed, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Idon’t wanthimaround my daughter.”
Clenchingmy jaw,Istruggled to keep my temper in check. “Idon’t want my daughter around someone with such prejudices against other.”Ikept my voice low soPaigewouldn’t hear her parents fighting.Thatwas one thing that worried me about her spending time with her father.Whoknew what poison he spewed about others into her young mind?
Thornesnorted. “Prejudices?Youknow damn well what kind of creatures they are.Dangerousand unpredictable.”
