Page 73 of Freeing the Wild
Cassie tips my hat before turning to head inside.
“Oh, and I’m stronger than you think, Cowboy,” she calls behind her before shutting the door.I smirk and turn to make my way down her steps.
Thing is, I never doubted her strength.But when I’m around her, I really fucking question my own.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Cassie
I have the fastest shower I can, being very careful not to wet my hair.There is no time for drying this mop in thirty minutes and I’d rather not have icicles for strands.As the water washes away Haden’s intoxicating scent, I try to understand what happened last night—my emotions, our connection, our similarities.The way he worshipped me.The way his navy eyes filled with lust when I peeled off every piece of clothing in front of him.The dirty things he said to me that I never expected from the kind of man that lets you cry on his shoulder until you run out of tears after he washes your hair.
I know by the time I step out of the shower that I’ve never experienced feelings like this before.Not even close.After we were together the first time, and I couldn’t forget him, I told myself it was just because there was unfinished business between us.But now I know better.The truth is: I justlikeHaden.A lot.
I like that he has a quiet masculinity but a caring heart.I like that he takes whatever I throw at him and gives it right back.I also like that he’s offered me the kind of sexual awakening I could only dream of.
I check the time after I pull on some warm clothes, a hat andmittens.I have five minutes before we need to leave, so I sit down on the couch, pull out my notebook that I’ve already almost filled since arriving here, and jot down all the thoughts and feelings swirling in my head about Haden.About me, about us.
Just like they expect my mistakes are my own,
Finding out what I want, by giving away what I don’t.
That last shot of bourbon, it went straight to my head.
I’m stuck on this crowded floor, when I should go home,
But all I want is your lips, your hands and your bed.
I never wanted to be your first date,
I don’t care about roses or the bells of any chapel.
I don’t need to be your first kiss, that’s fine.
But don’t go belonging to anyone else, let me be your last kiss,
And please, baby be mine.
All that I want is that place to surrender,
A safe space to land.To go through it together,
One place at a time.One space at a time,
Don’t go belonging to anyone else, let me be your last kiss,
and please, baby be mine.
I’m deep in thought when a knocking at the door makes me jump.
“Shit,” I mutter as I stuff the notebook under the coffee table and fly out the door to meet Haden.
As we drive to the rescue ranch, I take notes on my phone instead.Haden doesn’t ask me what I’m doing.He just lets me write while Johnny Cash croons to us.I smile as I stuff my phone in my pocket when we arrive at Penny Lane.I can’t get the lyrics out fast enough.Haden turns to me as he cuts the engine.He takes a second to look at me before placing his heavypalm on my thigh.The warmth and steadiness of it sinks right through me.
“You okay, Princess?”
I nod and smile up at him.“Yeah.I am.”
He leans in and grips my face before the pads of his fingers sift through my hair and he kisses me.The butterflies take flight in my stomach with the scent of him and the scuff of his mustache against my lips.
