“I was scared to death. I’d never done anything like that before. I was always so cautious. Hell, I didn’t even like riding roller coasters back then. Chasing adrenaline wasn’t my thing.”
A lot had changed since then. She definitely was not that same timid little girl she was back then. “You were hooked after that first jump. We had to practically drag you back to the car.”
She smiled. “I would have never jumped if it hadn’t been for you though.”
“Me?”
“I’ll never forget what you said to me. Fear is temporary. Regret lasts forever.”
“I said that?”
She nodded. “Those words stuck with me. Anytime I was afraid to do anything, I would always think about that day and it would give me the courage to face my fears.”
With each confession, I found myself falling a little further and further down that dark hole I swore never to venture into. The one where hell waits on the other side of temptation.
“Do you have any regrets, Reid?” Her eyes held mine, hope flickering with reverence there.
“More than I care to mention.”
The conversation had grown too heavy. Too bleak. I drank several more beers while Cassidy finished up her margarita. A band set up on the patio and after a few songs, Cassidy was on her feet.
“Come on,” she said, attempting to pull me from my seat. “Dance with me.” I shook my head and with a sexy little pout that had me wanting to ravage her bottom lip, she let go of my hands and joined the small crowd of people on the makeshift dance floor.
That damn outfit.
The way she moved in it drove me insane. Licking my lips, I watched closely as she swung her hips from side to side, sexy and smooth. I fought every urge to stomp out there and claim her, instead curling my fingers around the neck of my beer and lifting it to down the rest.
Cassidy made me want her in a way no woman ever had.
Ever.
Eyes locked with mine as she swayed, tormenting me like only she could. My cock twitched in my jeans, reminding me of the effect she had on not only my heart, but my body, too. She curled her fingers, begging with her eyes for me to come to her, but I stayed rooted to my seat, knowing if I put my hands on her out there, it would be all over with. Flexing her hips against me like she was doing now.
I wouldn’t have a goddamn prayer.
But that desire dissolved into anger when a set of hands fanned her hips.
That got me out of my chair quick.
I stomped across the patio toward the dance floor, the green monster roaring to life inside of me. Especially when she tried to shove them off of her and he didn’t comply.
“If you want to keep those hands, I suggest you get them off of her hips.”
The guy threw them up in the air as he collected a few steps in retreat. “Sorry, man, didn’t think she was with anyone considering she was out here all alone.”
“Let’s go, Cass. Now.” Grinding my teeth, I suppressed my rage and grabbed her hand, leading her toward the exit before I lost my shit. Because not only did I want to beat that guy’s ass for touching her but I also wanted to beat on my chest like a fucking animal and tell the whole goddamn world she’s mine.
Jesus, what the hell is she doing to me?
I stopped long enough to throw some cash down on the table then grabbed her hand again and headed back across the street to the hotel.
“Reid, please talk to me,” she pleaded, but I didn’t reply.
Talking right now required patience and I had none left. Watching her out on the dance floor had reminded me of how much I’d always wanted her.
Even when I shouldn’t have.
I was afraid if I opened my mouth to say anything it would be to take hers. Once we were inside, I moved to the bed closest to the door and began emptying my pockets on the nightstand while Cassidy snatched up her bag with a huff and went straight into the bathroom.
