Page 95 of Finding Forgiveness
“I don’t have a choice, my life as I knew it is ruined.”
I roll my lips. “It’s not ruined, Princess.”
“It is! I just showed my boss’s husband my tits. I have to quit my job … I’ll never be able to show my face in public again. The only choice I have is to move away,” she rambles. “I know Martha will take me in. I can spend the rest of my days living in obscurity on the farm.”
We’ve returned to Mudgee three times for a secluded weekend away. That place has grown on me, or maybe it’s just because Cass loves it there. The first time we flew down to collect Cassie’s car—the plane was small, and the turbulence was a nightmare. I wasn’t a fan. It was a quick fifty-minute trip, but it’s not something I’d do again in a hurry.
We’re back to driving, but we leave straight after work on Fridays. It’s late when we get there, but this way we get to spend all of Saturday and most of Sunday at the farm. We are planning an extended stay after Christmas since the courts close down until mid-January. Martha is always happy to see us and has said we’re welcome to come whenever we like.
My hands move to cup Cassie’s face, tilting it back so I can make eye contact. Her cheeks are now as red as her lips, so I lean in and brush her mouth with mine before saying, “You are not leaving.”
“I can’t stay.”
“So what if Logan saw your tits?” To be honest, the caveman inside me isn’t happy about that fact either, but if I make a big deal about it, she’ll only feel worse. “I’m sure he’s seen plenty in his lifetime.”
“Not mine though. He must think I’m a dirty hoe,” she says, choking on her words.
“I can guarantee he doesn’t think you’re a hoe.”
“I was facing the door, Connor, in full view … leaning against the wall all seductively in only this,” she says, running her hand up and down her body, “My leg was propped up and not only was I licking the neck of the beer bottle, I was tweaking one of my nipples,” she screeches.
Fuck.
The imagery she just described has my cock twitching in my trousers. “Can we do a re-enactment tomorrow afternoon?”
“No,” she yells, punching me in the stomach. “My hoe days are over! Done and dusted.”
I hastily pull her face into my chest, then rest my chin on her head. I’m struggling not to laugh. I feel her pain, I do. It may sound insensitive, but I can’t help but be amused by her antics. I find her dramatics completely adorable.
“Logan is still out there; he came to go over things with you before we fly to Melbourne for the court case.”
She takes a step back and pushes on my chest. “I can’t go out there … I’ll never be able to look that man in the eye again. My life is over, finished … kaput.”
“Princess,” I say, reaching for her again. “Your life is not kaput. The girls you teach pole to, flash their tits for a living.”
“To strangers, not their lawyer … their family friend. He’s probably going to sue me for sexual harassment.”
“He’s not.”
“Well, emotional turmoil at the very least. I probably scarred him for the rest of his life.”
I reach into her suitcase and pull out one of the bras sitting on top. She just stands there as I slide one of her arms into it, followed by the other. When I’m done, I reach around the back of her so I can clasp it.
“He’s not going to sue you and you didn’t scar him.” I place a soft kiss on her forehead before taking a step backwards. “Have you seen your body? I can guarantee nobody would be damaged from seeing you naked, Cass. Get dressed, and come out when you’re done.” Her face is void of any emotion as I retreat a few more steps. I see her eyes flicker in the direction of the window a few times, like she’s planning her escape. “We’re on the seventh floor … don’t even think about it.”
I don’t turn away from her until I reach the doorway.
When I re-enter the main room, Logan looks just as mortified as my fiancée did. “I’m so sorry,” he says.
“Don’t be. It was just one of those unfortunate things. I didn’t tell her you were coming, she’s horrified, poor thing. She was packing her suitcase ready to flee when I went in there. She says she has to quit her job at the studio because her boss’s husband saw her tits, before leaving town.”
His lips quirk, and so do mine. “Should I go?”
“No. Do you want a beer?”
“Ten minutes ago, I would’ve said no, but I think I need one now.”
I’ll be eternally grateful that I had the beer bottle held up to my mouth—which managed to hide my amusement—when Cass came out of the room a few minutes later. Despite the fact we’re currently experiencing a heatwave here in Sydney, she was wearing one of my hoodies—which drowned her petite frame—jeans tucked into her long boots, a scarf wrapped around her neck numerous times, and a beanie pulled low on her head.
