Page 34 of Finding Forgiveness
I’m not sure if that was an innocent comment or a sexual innuendo, but my cock seems to think it was the latter. It still has vivid memories of sliding between those luscious bee-stung lips of hers.
There is so much I could say to that, but it’s dangerous territory, so I reach for one of the wrapped burgers, placing it on her plate. I grab some fries and a hotdog, adding them as well. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got a bit of everything.”
“Thank you,” she says, scooting her chair closer to the table. Cass stares down at her plate but makes no move to pick anything up.
“Problem?”
“No. I was just thinking the old me would be having an internal meltdown about the calories she was about to consume, but this new improved working version needs her sustenance if she’s going to conquer the world.”
That statement has me grinning. I pick up my beer and hold it in front of her. “I guess that calls for a toast.” She picks up her beer bottle and clinks it against mine. “To conquering the world,” I say.
“To conquering the world.”
“I’m proud of you, Cass.” She bows her head, and that sweet little smile of hers tugs at her lips. When I see a pink hue form on her cheeks, I place my finger under her chin and raise her face to meet mine. “You’ve got this,” I say with confidence, because one day she’ll discover just how fierce and strong she actually is. She may not realise it right now, but she can’t hold back that fire within because her passion burns stronger than her fears. “Onwards and upwards.”
“Onwards and upwards,” she repeats.
Cassie’s been living here for over a week now, and I’ve barely seen her. We’re like ships passing in the night. I do my nine-to-five, and she works until late at the dance studio, so even when my day’s finished, she’s not here. In a way, it makes it easier because keeping my hands off her has become a constant struggle, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t missed her.
I’m loosening my tie as I exit the lift when it stops on our floor. I’ve been in court all day, so I’m feeling mentally exhausted. I was planning on heading to the gym tonight, but I can’t be bothered going now.
I can hear an annoying alarm sounding from somewhere. It must be coming from another apartment, which is one of the major downfalls in a building like this. When you share adjoining walls, there isn’t much privacy.
Digging into the pocket of my suit trousers, I fish out my keys. As I’m unlocking the door, I realise that the noise is coming from inside.
Turning the key, I hastily push it open. I smell the smoke before I see it. It’s billowing through the opening in the kitchen.What the fuck.
I drop my briefcase and rush in that direction. “Cass,” I call out. I don’t even know if she’s home, but her safety is the first thing that comes to mind.
“I’m in here,” she shouts back.
My long strides morph into a run before my brain has even registered what it’s doing.
“Shit,” I say when I round the corner and see Cassie holding a flaming frypan in her hand through the smoky haze. She turns towards the sink and reaches for the tap. “Stop,” I yell over the incessant noise of the smoke alarm. I quickly close the distance between us and take the pan from her hand. “Water will make it worse.”
“Are you nuts? Water puts out fires, you dick … even I know that much.”
She tries to reach for the pan again, so I turn away from her and place it back on the stovetop. We don’t have a fire blanket or an extinguisher in the apartment. I’m pretty sure there’s one somewhere in the corridor on this floor, but I’ve never really paid much attention.
“Water is the worst thing you can put on an oil fire, Cass. I need something to smother the flame. Do you know where the lids for the pots and pans are kept?”
It might seem like a stupid question since this is my place, but I don’t cook … ever. My mum was the one who bought all the kitchen stuff and unpacked it. Plates, cups, coffee mugs, and cutlery are my limit.
“No, I don’t,” she says over a cough.
I frantically start pulling open the drawers and cupboards, but not only has the smoke gotten worse, hindering my sight, it’s stinging my eyes and making them water.
“You need to get out of here, Cass. Leave the apartment. Maybe alert the neighbours on your way out of the building, in case this goes pear-shaped.”
“I’m not leaving you, Con … this is all my fault.”
I turn and grasp her shoulders. “Go, please.”
“No!”
Fuck this woman is stubborn. Any other time I’d throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here myself, but I need to deal with this fire before it spreads.
I blow out a long breath which morphs into a cough, there’s no time to argue. “Help me find a lid then.” Thankfully, between the two of us, we managed to locate them. I grab hold of the largest one and place it on top of the pan to smother the flame. “Open the windows.”
