Iget why she is mad. I really shouldn’t have almost kissed her. That seemed to really fuck with her. And then the way I acted when that guy was talking to her. I got the same vibe from him that Jayme and I exude: pure Dom energy. When I saw that skeezy-looking mother fucker with his hands on her, it pissed me off. But when she did her adorable laugh that makes her nose crinkle, my jaw was clenched so hard I thought a tooth would chip. He completely entranced her. She was playfully looking up at him, licking and biting her lower lip. My heart was pumping so loudly it was drowning out the sounds of the bar. She should be looking at me like that, not him.
When he bent down to whisper in her ear and her whole body tensed up, I fucking lost it. I thought he was going to try to kiss her, and that was not about to happen. Who knew what kind of manipulative shit he was spewing in her ear. That’s why I had to rip her away from him when I did. That’s what I keep telling myself to justify my behavior.
I really don’t know why it is bothering me so much. Seeing him caressing her hand and lower back made me want to rush over and claim her as mine. To take her home and ruin her for other men. That’s what seeing another Dom with his hands on what’s mine does to me. But she’s not mine. I have never felt this burning desire to be with her like I do now. What the hell is she doing to me? She has always just been Cassie, my best friend. But now, it feels like something more. Ever since the airport, I felt this pull toward her that had never been there before. It isconfusing the fuck out of me. I wish Jayme were here. Then we could find a club around here, and I could get Cassie out of my head. Prove to myself that it is just because I have missed her and nothing else. Yeah, that’s all I need. A good fuck, and I’ll be back to my usual self.
I can still feel the anger radiating off of her as we eat our dinner in silence. I don’t think I have ever seen this much of her anger directed towards me before. Damn, is it hot? I give her a tilted smile when she glances over at me. She rolls her eyes and goes back to hardly touching her food. Oh, how I want to punish her for being such a fucking brat! Tie her to my bed. A few lashes with a riding crop or maybe some edging torture. That would straighten her attitude out quickly.
The food here is delicious, which is a nice distraction from the hard-on I’m dealing with after picturing punishing her. They have a “roll what you get” burger menu. Each category has a list of ingredients, and you roll a different die to see what you get. I ended up getting a double cheeseburger on a cheddar pretzel bun. Topped with bacon jam, mushrooms, provolone cheese, fried onions, and their house-made BBQ sauce. You can also roll for your side, which I ended up with mac and cheese. Cassie ended up with a cheeseburger on the house brioche bun. Topped with bacon, a fried egg, hot honey, and cheddar cheese, with a side of garlic fries and a spicy aioli. Both meals were great rolls, in my opinion. It was too bad that I had to ruin the evening with my possessive attitude.
11. Cassie
It was almost entirely silent as we ate our dinner. The burgers were fantastic, though; I just wish I were in a better mood so I could enjoy it. I am so annoyed at Lucian right now. He embarrassed the fuck out of me in front of Alec. I hope he still texts me and Lucian hasn’t scared him off. Fucking caveman mentality, I swear. I hate this right now, though. I just got him back in my life and the first night he is here, we get into a fight. I’ve got to try to cut some of this tension.
"Did you meet new friends over there?" I ask him. I seem to have startled him out of some deep thought.
"Yeah, a few different people. Jayme was the main one. He is the boss’s son, so he has all the hookups over there. We would go out almost every weekend, mostly to the clubs.” He says, flagging the waitress down for another round of drinks.
"Ah! That explains why you were practically nonexistent on Saturdays and Sundays. Hanging out with your new best friend.” I joke.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Hopefully, you can meet him one day. You would like him." He actually looks down as if he is ashamed.
“It’s OK. You were just making the most of your time over there. It's confusing because you never used to like going to clubs, especially every weekend. Oh well, people change. So, what else did you guys do? Did you meet anyone special while you were out there?” I can’t help but notice the subtle tick of his jaw at that question.
“Just hung out, played video games. He showed me a lot of fun stuff while I was there. No, no one special. I went out on dates and other stuff, but nope, no one special. What about you, Cass? What have you been doing to occupy your time?” Damn, that was a quick change of focus. I study him for a moment. He has always been a shit liar, and right now, he can’t even look me in the eye. What secrets are you keeping, Lucian?
“Just our D&D Friday nights, still doing photo editing for Cosmo. I’m also taking some online classes toward photography so I can hopefully get a promotion to work on shoots instead of just editing. Not much is new. I have been going out a bit on the weekends as well.” I choose not to elaborate. “Oh, I have also been kind of seeing someone. Nothing serious; it’s just a fling, I guess.”
*Crack*
The slight sound of the glass fracturing causes me to shoot my eyes at his hand. His jaw is tense, and the whisky glass is being crushed by his fist, threatening to shatter. Why does he look like he wants to choke someone?
“It’s nothing serious, though.” I have to try to backtrack and get him to calm down. “I just went on a few dates here and there to see what I might be interested in now. I was with Mark for, like, what, three years? And he destroyed my self-confidence when he broke up with me. So, I’ve been trying new things, dating outside my comfort zone.”
“Well, don’t go after someone like that guy at the bar. He is trouble and probably an asshole anyways. He seems like the type. You need a guy who will worship you like you deserve. Care for you, love you, and make you realize how perfect you are.” He looks down at his drink. “Someone who would burn the world for you.” I’m honestly stunned. Lucian has never talked to me like that.
“Welp, I guess I could try to find someone like you. You have always made me feel perfect and have always cared about me. And, of course, you aren’t an asshole.” I smirk and nudge my leg into his.
His eyes meet mine. He looks like I just punched him in the gut. He slides out of his seat and stands quickly, knocking over one of the empty glasses.
“I have to run to the restroom.” He says abruptly as he walks away. Leaving me questioning everything.
Our waitress comes over, and I take this opportunity to order another margarita and another shot of Patrón. One more won’t hurt.
12. Lucian
Ijust need a fucking minute. My head is spinning, and not because of the drinks. Too much has changed since this afternoon. “Someone who would burn the world for you,” fucking stupid of me. I would be the one to burn the whole Goddamn world down if she asked. I would do anything for her. Then she had to go and say she should find a guy like me, why not just me? Fucking forget any other guy! Want me, God damn it! FUCK! Now I’m literally pacing back and forth in a bathroom, debating on telling my best friend of 15 years that I think I’m falling for her. She said that whatever she has going with that other guy is just a fling anyway, so it isn’t like she is in a relationship right now. Hearing her even talk about dating someone else nearly made me break my glass. I’ve never once felt this possessive over someone.
After I calm down a bit, I realize I have been in here for almost 10 minutes. I splash some freezing water on my face and make sure I don’t look like the mess of chaotic rage I’m feeling on the inside. Heading back out to our table, I can see more empty glasses than when I left. And there is a very flushed and pissed off looking Cassie who won’t even look at me.
“Thought you must have fallen in, took you long enough.” She slurs a bit. How much did she drink tonight?
“Sorry, I had a phone call.” I lie.
“Whatever, I told the waitress we want the bill; I just want to go home.” She starts digging in her bag for her wallet.
I hand the waitress my card when she brings the bill. Letting her know it is all on one, not even bothering to look at the total.
“We could split it Lucian, hold on. My card is in here somewhere.” She’s getting more frustrated.
