Page 41 of Finding Forgiveness
I narrow my eyes when a smile tugs at her lips. As soon as I remove my hand from her foot, she drags herself up onto her elbows. “Why did you stop?”
“Are we going to hash this out, or are you going to keep avoiding the matter at hand?”
“Fine,” she says with a sigh. “Put your hands back on me first.”
That request has all the blood in my body rushing straight to my dick.
I reach for one of the cushions—placing it on my lap for obvious reasons—propping her feet on top. “FYI, I put the five thousand dollars back into your account today.”
She gasps. “What? How?”
“I asked Jaz which bank you used to open your new account. When court broke for lunch, I went there and charmed the teller and she gave me your account details … the rest is history.”
I roll my lips when she releases a cute little growl. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“What, charmed the teller? She was at least fifty, Cass, relax.”
“No, put the money in my account.”
“Too bad, so sad.”
“How old are you, five?”
“Deal with it, Princess.”
“For that, you can do my other foot when you’re done.”
“Fine. Lay back and relax.”
I had every intention of doing both feet, and I’m certainly not going to complain about getting a free pass to touch her. I continue to work my magic, but by the time I move to the other foot, she’s sound asleep.Poor thing.
She’s really grasped this whole working gig, and I’m incredibly proud of her, but I also worry that she’s going to burn herself out.
She mentioned she’s been doing a lot of private pole lessons with the strippers—on top of her regular classes—which I honestly don’t mind. As long as she doesn’t pull the same stunt Jacinta did, by filling in for one of them at the strip club, we won’t have an issue. I’m drawing the line at that.
I gently lift her legs so I can slide out from underneath them. Standing, I stare down at her for longer than what you might call appropriate. But this is one time I’m able to get my fill without worrying about being caught, so I’m taking it. I find myself smiling as I lean down and brush back a loose strand of hair from her forehead. She’s so damn beautiful, and I’ll never tire of looking at her.
Bending slightly, I effortlessly lift her into my arms, and when she snuggles into me, something inside my chest cracks. Having her here is both a blessing and a curse, because it’s hard to be friends with someone you’re madly in love with. But I realised something when I saw her lying in that hospital bed: regardless of our circumstances, I want her in my life any way I can have her. Certain people make the world better just by being in it. She’s one of them.
Chapter13
Cassie
Iwake to my phone vibrating on the bedside table. I blindly reach for it, not even bothering to look at who it was. “Hello,” I croak.
“It’s been a month, Cassandra. I thought you would’ve tired of your life of poverty by now, and come running back with your tail between your legs.”
The moment I hear her voice, the panic starts. I bolt upright as I struggle to get air into my lungs and stare down at the screen through squinted eyes … the call is coming from my father’s number. I blocked her arse, just like he’d told me to, and I don’t answer any calls from numbers I don’t recognise. I should’ve known she’d resort to something like this.
I’ve been dreading the day I’d have to converse with this woman again. Despite how good my new life has been without her in it, there’s been a part deep inside me that’s still struggling. Because in my heart I knew this day would eventually come. My mother has too much to lose by setting me free.
You never fully realise how toxic some people are until you breathe fresher air.
“I’m not living in poverty,” I say with a shaky voice. I hate how she makes me feel. “I have a job now. I’m earning my own money.”
“Hah,” she scoffs. “And how long will that last? You’re useless … we both know it. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world sees it.” I bow my head as my throat clogs. Some people bring you down just by being them. That is what my mother does to me … her darkness is always trying to steal my light. “I’m going to book you a flight for later today. You’re coming home, and I don’t want to hear another word about it. Be grateful I’m giving you a second chance, because you certainly don’t deserve one after the shame you’ve brought upon this family.”
“I don’t want to go back to Melbourne, I’m happy here.”
