Page 15 of Unsure in Love

Pinning her wrists above her head, I told her, “When I said one night, I meant all night.”

* * *

As soon as my eyes opened, I did a quick survey of my surroundings out of habit. Taking in the strange room, I processed. I was in Cass’ bed. Pulling in a breath, I sat up. Last night had to have been the most active night I’d had in a while. Cass’s sexual appetite matched mine, and we went at it on just about every surface of her apartment.

It hit me that I’d gotten so caught up in her that I forgot to use condoms a couple of times. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I sighed. I’d never lost my head like that before. Strangely, I didn’t feel an ounce of panic. What was supposed to be a one-night stand felt way too natural for it to remain that. I wanted to see Cass again, but I wasn’t sure how we’d make it work with me all the way in New York. Keeping in touch was a start.

“What the hell am I doing?”

Since when was I this guy? Usually, I'd already be gone—made a run for it in the wee hours of the morning just to avoid the awkward morning after.

I spotted my clothes folded on an armchair and moved to it. There was no sign of my hot and wild bed partner. Getting dressed, I decided to shower when I got back to Comfort Oak Inn. I’d have to see Tessa and act like I didn’t fuck her sister in every known position last night. That would be a bit awkward.

I was confused when I ventured out of the bedroom and still no sign of Cass. What the hell? There was no way she’d pull a me on me and disappear before I woke up, right? I’d lost track of the number of times I pulled that shit. Maybe karma had come full circle to bite me in the ass. But we were at her place. My confusion cleared when I heard movement behind the door beside the bedroom. It was the bathroom. I knew because we’d had hot shower sex in there not too long ago.

Glancing at my watch, I blew out a breath. I couldn’t even stick around to have a proper chat. I’d miss my flight. Knocking on the door, I waited.

“Damian?”

Leaning against the wall, I smiled. “Of course. Did you sleep with someone else last night?”

Her nervous laughter made me frown.

“Just a sec,” she called.

I heard shuffling then a thump followed by a curse. The door swung open, revealing a harried-looking Cass. She blew her disheveled hair out of her face and stared at me as if I was a new species she just discovered.

Studying her flushed face, I asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Great. Um… so you’re leaving?”

I shoved my hands into my pocket, feeling like something had gone wrong because what was with her case of jitters? The Cass I met at the rehearsal dinner, who I chatted with last night, was a very cool kitten. “Yes. I have to get back to the inn and get my things together. Don’t want to miss my flight.” But what was more important? Being on time for my flight or spending a little more time with the one woman I’d connected with? “Although…”

Her eyes flew up to meet mine. “What?”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I struggled to get the words out. This scenario just wasn’t a thing for me, ever. “I don’t have to go back to New York today.”

Her eyes widened and that put a dent in my otherwise rock-solid confidence. She already didn’t seem pleased about me sticking around. “Sure you do,” she said. I lifted an eyebrow, and she hurriedly explained, “I mean… you can’t… Why would you want to stick around Oakland? It isn’t like Nic will be here. He’ll be away on his honeymoon.”

I gawked at her. Was she for real? “Nic is my buddy and all, but I wasn’t suggesting staying another day for him.”

Cass nibbled on her lower lip and just stared at me.

What was happening here? I was usually smoother than this. Combining my fingers through my hair, I rocked back on my heels. “I thought I could head home tomorrow instead. You know, so we can talk a little more, maybe have breakfast… and dinner.” I shrugged. “Exchange numbers and—”

“Oh, my God. No! I mean… we said one night…”

Abort mission, idiot! My subconscious begged.

Still, like the fool my logical self called me, I pressed. “We did. Look, Cass, I like you. I’m not saying we should date or anything.” My breath escaped in a whoosh. I was crashing and burning here. “But I’d like to hear from you again, maybe see you.”

The suggestion seemed to throw Cass into a panic. I was so confused and embarrassed.

She shoved a hand through her hair, clutched the lapels of her robe tighter, and stared at me with horror.

“Or not,” I murmured.

“No, it’s not that… Damian…” she groaned. “No. Okay? Just no. I don’t do…” She waved a hand between us. “This.”

---