“Harmless though?”
“I don’t know. I have to figure out what game she’s playing.”
“Girl, it’s time to up the game.”
Sighing, I can’t help but feel confused about my own emotions, by the way I’m acting over Leo. “This is crazy. I don’t even know this guy and I’m a drooling mess over him.”
“It happens, but you’ll never get to know him if you don’t try.”
“I have tried. I’ve embarrassed myself trying.”
“Oh,” she blurts out, pressing her hand on my forearm. “I have THE best idea.”
“Okay, let’s hear it.”
“Alison is having a party this weekend. Her parents are away for the night and she has an epic party planned.”
I stare at her with a vacant expression. “She lives across the road.”
“Girl, shhh, your houses are like two miles apart. Liza will never know. And that way, you could ask Leo to come along.”
“He’ll never go for it.”
“You don’t know that,” she replies with a lifted brow. Her lips pressed together, she stares at me as if waiting for a response.
“Okay, okay, I’ll ask him. But don’t be surprised when I’m telling you I told you so!” I hold up my hands and she leaps toward me, almost knocking me from my seat.
Reaching for my coffee, I take a sip.
Sasha nods to the group of guys that are walking into the cafeteria, and my eyes follow. “You know, I’m pretty sure Dustin has a thing for you.”
“No,” I say elongating the word. “Why on earth would you think that?”
“I’ve heard he’ll be at the party, too,” she continues, completely ignoring my question. Her eyes are fixed on the group and her ass lifts off the seat. What the hell is she doing? I frown at her but she doesn’t take the slightest bit of notice. Her arm thrusts into the air and she starts waving.
Oh, Jesus.
“Sit down,” I say tugging on her shirt, trying to get her to stop.
“Hey,” she shouts over to them, her hip suddenly kicked out and her eyes fluttering like she has something in her eye.
“What are you doing?” I look up at her and she winks at me. Why is she winking at me?
The group start walking toward us. I slide further down into my seat. Holding the coffee cup to my mouth, I sip my drink.
“Hey, Sasha. Cassie.” Jared smiles at me, lifting his chin.
I lift my hand just enough to give him a lackluster wave. Sasha drops until her ass rests on the edge of the table, resting her feet on the seat. “So, you boys planning on going to Alison’s party?”
“Will you be there?” Dustin asks, looking directly at me. Is he really asking me? Turning my head from side to side, I look over my shoulder to check there isn’t someone else standing behind me that he could be talking to.
“Me?”
“Who else,” he responds with a throaty chuckle.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Sasha swings out her knee and it connects with my arm. I jerk to the side and glare at her.
“She’ll be there,” Sasha interjects.
“What about you, Jared?” Sasha’s attention is suddenly drawn to the guy standing beside her. He’s kind of cute with his messy brown hair and big blue eyes. Dustin pulls out the chair beside me, turns it around, and slides into it. His legs straddle the chair and his arms rest on the back.
“How come I don’t really see you around?” he asks, a cute smile tugging at his lips and a small dimple appears. “I mean, everyone knows who you are, but you’re kind of an enigma.”
“Just busy with dance and school stuff,” I brush off.
“Oh, that’s cool. I thought you’d stopped after the accident.” His finger points to my leg.
“No way! It’s a part of me. One that a little injury will never stop.”
“Well, you’ll have to show me your moves. You know, at the party.” He lifts his brows suggestively and I have to do everything to hold in the groan that tries to escape me. I can’t deny that Dustin is good looking. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes him handsome. But he also knows how attractive he is. Dustin has short, spiked hair that is so dark you could mistake it for black. His features are all in perfect proportion and an angular jaw complements them. Yeah, I can see the attraction, but he’s not for me.
He’s not Leo.
“Maybe,” I quickly reply, before placing my hand on Sasha’s arm. I need to get out of here.
“We should go,” I inform her. Standing up, I grab my things and offer Dustin the most genuine smile I can force out. “I guess I’ll see you on Friday.”
“I guess you will.”
Sasha glances up at me, her nose wrinkling as she has no idea what is going on. I watch as she presses a fleeting kiss on Jared’s cheek before dropping down from her perched position. Crossing my arms over my chest, I start to walk out, desperate to get away.
“Cassie,” Sasha shouts after me, her footsteps echoing through the hall as she picks up her speed in an attempt to catch up with me. “What is wrong with you?” Sasha whisper-shouts, pulling me to a stop.
“I’m just not good in those situations.”
“I’ve known you for years, Cassie. Something’s not right here.”
And she’s right.
The one secret I’d never told anyone, not even my own father, but something that affects me so deeply I don’t think I’ll ever get past it.
“Why was that so difficult for you?” She repositions herself, dipping her head to try and catch my attention.
“I’m just awkward, you know that.”
“Bullshit, Cassie. I’m not buying it.” Taking hold of my arm, she pulls me along the hallway and inside the bathroom. “I don’t know why I haven’t realized this much sooner.” She continues to pull me inside the cubicle, closing the door behind us. “It’s just you and me. You can trust me, you know that, right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say with a nervous chuckle.
“Honey,” she sighs, pressing down on my shoulders, forcing me down on the toilet seat. She squats in front of me, holding my hand in hers.
Emotion swells in my throat and I can’t believe that she picked up on it. The one thing I’ve suppressed since I was a child. Clearing my throat, I take a deep breath. “Sasha, I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never told anyone else. Something that I don’t ever want to talk about again after today.”
Dread fills her eyes, but she nods subtly, her eyes fixed on me.
“When I was around six years old, my auntie Lorraine would come to visit Dad and she would bring her son with her, my cousin Vinny.” I pause, his name almost lodging itself in my throat, making it hard for me to carry on. I take another breath before continuing. “He used to make me do things, things that I didn’t understand.”
“Oh, honey.” She squeezes my hand tighter and leans up, kissing me gently on the cheek before wrapping her arms around me and holding me tightly.
Pulling back, I swipe away the loose tear that has fallen. Immediately, anger fills me, knowing that I allowed myself to show emotion over what he did to me.
“Did he rape you, Cassie?”
“No,” I reply, my voice croaking. “It never went that far. When I said I’m still a virgin, I meant it. But he touched me and made me touch him. I didn’t want to, but he was older than me and I was scared. So damn scared of him. He was fifteen, but big for his age. At first, I idolized him. He seemed so cool and so kind, until he wasn’t.”
“Sick fuck,” she grates out. “How did it stop?”
“My father and my aunt Lorraine had a huge fallout. She’s my dad’s sister, and I never really understood why they stopped coming around, but I was thankful. Whatever caused that problem stopped the years of abuse that I suffered from Vinny.”
“I can’t believe that you have had to deal with this for years. Honey, I’m so sorry. It makes complete sense. Why you’ve been distancing yourself from guys and
why it’s so difficult for you.”
“Thank you for understanding.” I pull her hand to my lips and kiss the back lightly. “But that’s it. No more mention of it, I don’t need a therapist or need to talk about it. It’s just a memory, one I’d rather forget.”
“Gotcha. But seriously, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t confide in me.”
Her eyes are sad, but I need her to understand.
“This isn’t about me not trusting you, or wanting to tell you. It’s the only way I’ve been able to cope, to carry on with my life. I decided years ago that I would bury it deep and keep it hidden from everyone. You’re the only person who knows, Sasha. And that’s the way it stays.”
“I get it, honey. But I’m here for you…whenever it feels tough, or whenever you can’t cope, you call me, okay?”
“I promise!” Springing up from the toilet seat. Sasha follows my lead, opening the cubicle and stepping outside. “Let’s go,” I say.
“Listen, if the party is too much, if you feel like I’ve forced you into it, we can skip it, like totally.”
“You like him, don’t you?”
Her eyes light up and her smile widens. “Yeah, I really do,” she answers excitedly. “But there will be other times. I get it, Cassie. Everything makes sense now. Music and dance are your escape. The way you are around guys, shit, it makes perfect sense.”
“But I have to move on, Sasha. I can’t let what happened over ten years ago affect the rest of my life. I want to feel normal despite what happened.”
“Well, only if you’re sure.”
“I am. But don’t leave me with Dustin. I think you’re right. I think he likes me.” Grimacing, I hook my arm through hers and make our way to class.
“I promise I won’t leave you.”
Chapter Eight
Leo
Working tirelessly, I clear the office space, ready for the renovation. Lucky for the Conways, my old part-time job was helping out a family friend with his painting and remodeling business. It’s given me the practice and skills I need to make sure this turns out looking just as Liza expects it.
Although, with all the money they have, I still don’t get why they have me doing it. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the chance to work and have a roof over my head, because God knows where I would be without their help.
“Leo?” Liza calls.
I step out of the bathroom and into the huge gallery-style office space. I thought the one outside was huge, but this is something else entirely.
“Yes, ma’am?” I lean against the frame of the door, quickly swiping the sweat that has gathered above my brow.
“You’ve done a great job clearing this space.” Her eyes scan the almost empty room as she makes her way over to me.
“I forgot just how big this room is. And the church charity, they came to collect all the old furniture?”
“They did.”
“Good, this is great progress.” She claps her hands together. “And in there?” She points behind me into the connecting bathroom.
“Yes, cleared also,” I advise, stepping inside and she follows me. With a quick scan, I check that I haven’t missed anything in here. The sound of Liza clearing her throat catches my attention. Spinning on the spot, I almost can’t believe my eyes. Liza is opening the sash on her long jacket, and slowly lowers it until it falls to the floor.
“Uh, what are you doing?” I say, gulping down the lump that has formed in my throat. Liza stands in front of me wearing a pair of kitten heel shoes and nothing but her bra and panties. Matching, bright pink, bra and panties.
“Don’t worry,” she says, slowly sauntering toward me. “I won’t tell if you don’t. We have the whole place to ourselves.”
Taking a few steps back, I try and keep a little distance between us.
“Mrs. Conway, you’re a beautiful woman…” My eyes fall to her ample breasts. Fuck, she’s hot, I can’t deny it. “But you are also married. And I’m a guest here. I couldn’t possibly.”
“There’s no need to be shy.”
“I can promise you that isn’t the case.” I lift up my hands in a mock surrender, wondering how the hell I’m going to get out of here without losing everything I have. The roof over my head and the job.
Liza pushes out her lips, pouting a little. “But I want you, Leo. I want to taste you.” Stopping in front of me, she falls to her knees and reaches for the buttons on my jeans. One by one, she starts to unfasten my pants, my dick hardening and pulsating at the anticipation of her touch.
Placing my hand over the buttons, I try and stop her.
“Mrs. Conway. You can’t do this.”
“But I want to. And look, I feel how you want me too.” Her hand presses against my erect cock and I mentally slap my own dick for betraying me.
“I don’t want to jeopardize my stay here with you. I respect you and your family too much to do this.” She looks up at me through her thick eyelash extensions, her eyes filled with a look that is somewhere between hurt and annoyed.
“You don’t want me?” she asks in a coy voice. “You’ve been flirting with me for days.”
I have to stop my jaw from falling to the floor.
“That was never my intention.”
“You know, I’ve really stuck my neck out for you, Leo. I thought you’d show me a little more appreciation.” Snapping her jacket up from the floor, she stands, pulling it back on.
“You don’t want this, Liza. You’re happily married and I would never want to come between that.”
My hands fall to the buttons, fastening them back up and straightening myself.
“We both know that you’re good at keeping secrets. There is no reason why anyone needs to know about us.”
Us? There is no us.
“You want a new life and I want to help you get the life you deserve. But you know how much I’m sticking my neck out for you, Leo.”
“I want you to help me because you want to. Not because you expect anything in return.”
“Well, that’s not how it works, Leo. See, I know what a bright future you had ahead of you. And I know how much you’d love to get back on track.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my throat drying as my eyes narrow, focusing on what she has to say.
“Biomedical engineer…that’s the dream, right?”
How the hell does she know?
Placing her long manicured nail to the corner of her mouth, she tips her head to the side, her eyes boring into me. “I can be the one to help you achieve that dream.” Her voice is low and sensual.
“Going back to school isn’t an option for me.”
“Not without my help it isn’t.”
For weeks I’ve thought about how I could transfer and continue at college and finish my degree. But it isn’t possible. There is no way around it. They will find me, and I can’t let that happen.
“I’ve made some calls, Leo. I know there are things in your past you are running from, and you don’t want to talk about it, but I want to help.”
Stepping closer, the palm of her hand rests on my chest.
“I can get you what you need. Fake ID, enroll you in college. But it comes at a cost.”
Her hand snakes around my neck and she slowly pulls me closer to her. I don’t want this, but I also don’t want to jeopardize the only way I can survive. Forcing my eyes shut, I let her kiss me. Her warm plump lips work against mine.
I’m selling my soul to the she-devil, but what other choice do I have?
With minimal movement, I kiss her back. I’m not enjoying it but enduring it. She wants to use me in exchange for my freedom, and I’m in no position to argue.
Slowing the kiss, she pulls away from me, planting one last longing kiss on my lips.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe someone like me would be interested in you, I mean, look at you. You’re just a boy. But I see the way you look at me, and I know you can give me the attention my body so desperately crave
s.” Her hand slides inside her jacket and between her legs. She grazes over her pussy with her hand, rubbing back and forth.
My eyes focus on hers, because this is awkward as fuck. Liza is seriously deranged. She’s playing a dangerous game, and I’m just a pawn. I need to be smart—alert.
Reaching for my hand, she pulls it toward her. Placing it between her legs, she guides my hand back and forth.
She’s wet, so goddamn wet.
Her head falls back and I cringe internally. But before I can say anything, I hear a voice call out.
“Shit,” she grates out, jumping back and putting some distance between us. She fastens her jacket and pushes her hand through her hair.
“Liza,” he calls clearly this time.
“In here, dear,” she shouts to him, walking over to the frame of the door, and stopping just inside.
“Wow, this place looks huge,” Mr. Conway says. His eyes scan the room as he makes his way over. “You cleared this whole room by yourself?”
His eyes find me and I step past Liza, and out of the bathroom. “Yes, sir.”
A chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Well I never. I am impressed. Keep up the good work, son.” His hand pats my back heavily and I give him a subtle nod.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get cleaned up.”
“Of course,” Liza replies. “Thank you for all of your hard work today. You did good.” She throws me a wink and all I can do is smile. I know exactly what she’s alluding to.
After they leave, my legs work fast to get me back to the office. Unlocking the door, I slam it shut behind me and grab the hem of my shirt. Pulling it over my head, I throw it on the bed. I need to shower. Get out of these clothes and erase Liza from my skin.
* * *
Wrapping the towel around my waist, I look in my small backpack and realize I have nothing clean to wear. I scoop up my dirty clothes and make a pile. Grabbing some boxers and my last clean pair of shorts, I pull them on. With a quick check of the time, I wonder whether Cassie will be home.
God, I hope she’s here.
Because I could really do with a Cassie fix right now. In all this insanity, she’s the distraction I crave.
Bound to Break: Books one in the Bound to series Page 6
