by Moxie North
Cash got back in the truck and turned around heading back to the main road. This time, Cassie slid closer to him without him having to move her. She snuggled in, enjoying the big warmth of him.
They drove for about twenty minutes before pulling off the road to a gravel driveway. Cash’s house was set back in the woods. It looked plain to Cassie as they parked in front of the garage. Then again she’d never owned a home, so to her the sheer size of this house was impressive.
Cash hit a button on the visor, and the garage door opened revealing a pair of all-terrain vehicles and what had to be a motorcycle under a cover. Cash got out, grabbing her bag from the bed of the truck and then opened her door. She held up her arms knowing he was going to be picking her up again.
He kicked the door closed and strode toward the door leading into the house. He hit a button by the door that started the big garage door closing. Through the door, Cash walked into a mud room and kicked off his boots.
“Shoes stay here,” he mentioned.
“You a neat freak?” She laughed.
“Nope, hardwoods. Sweeping is a pain in the ass,” he said, flicking on a light that showed her a large modern kitchen. A huge island sat in the middle; all the counters were clean and bare except for a few appliances on the countertops.
“You should get one of those robot vacuums. They run all day while you are gone,” she suggested.
Cash looked down at her. “I’ll do that.”
“Pushover,” she mumbled.
“Nope, my mate is just smart,” he returned. Cash continued his path through the house.
“Living room,” he said walking into the huge room with the floor to cathedral ceiling windows.
“Wow, what is the view?” Cassie asked, realizing she was looking at the front of the house. The room was large with a huge fireplace that reminded her of the one at Connie and Edward’s. There were two huge full size couches, one with a chaise on the end that was dark brown leather. The backs of the couches had lush earth toned throws and various throw pillows in each corner.
The walls were painted a soft beige that didn’t look boring; it looked earthy. The end tables and coffee table looked to be carved out of logs, which they probably were she surmised. The lamps were heavy metal bases with beautiful stained glass shades.
“I’ll show you the river tomorrow,” he said walking down a long hallway. He stopped at the first door and opened it. “My office,” he said flicking on the light.
The room had a large desk facing the window that must have looked over the river too. The top was clearly used but everything orderly and in place. A huge leather chair sat at the desk that would easily accommodate his frame.
Continuing down the hallway, he opened one door that was a spare bedroom. It had another one of those huge beds which she now knew were “bear size.” The bedroom after that was empty. Just carpeted floor. The next bedroom was the same, just a large room that was empty. Looking curiously at Cash, he just shrugged, “Future use,” he said cryptically.
Eek, Cassie thought. He was talking babies.
There were two bathrooms on the opposite side of the hallway that finally led to a set of double doors. Pushing open the door, Cash felt along the wall for the light switch. Flipping it on, Cassie let out a gasp.
She was not expecting the oasis that was in front of her. She figured as a single guy, there would be a mattress on the floor and maybe a milk crate acting as a nightstand. Instead, Cash had created a haven. Of course at his age, he was many decades past living like a college student.
The room was huge. It had a fireplace running along the wall that backed up to the fireplace in the living room. It was smaller but made out of the same river rock like the other one. There were two oversized chairs facing the hearth with a large ottoman in front of them that she could imagine propping her feet up on.
Behind the chairs was an enormous bed that had a canopy made out of wood that almost touched the ceiling. The bedding looked to be brocade pattern of deep dark green. The bed was made, pillows stacked like a professional stylist had come through. There were matching wood nightstands and more of the stunning stained glass lamps.
Cassie could see a walk-in closet and a bathroom along the far wall. The room was hardwood unlike the other bedrooms, but it had large throw rugs placed around the room. It was warm and inviting, and Cassie had the oddest feeling that this place could be hers.
Cash let her take in the room. He was watching her expressions hoping she liked his home which he hoped would be hers too.
He didn’t want to ask her outright; he just wanted to feel she was happy here. Cash could see her eyes get wide when they walked in. They warmed as they scanned the room, and then the softest most contented look came over her cute little face. Cash’s bear told him she was happy; she was home.
Walking towards the bathroom, he kept his eyes on her after turning on the light. The bathroom was as much for him as it was for his future mate. There was a large glass enclosed shower that could easily fit four people. Or one large bear and his mate. A soaking tub that wouldn’t fit him, but could easily fit a woman. Double sinks and heated towel racks rounded out the tile and marble bathroom.
Chapter 35
“Sweet baby Ray, this place looks like a hotel bathroom! You been stealing those little soaps when you travel?” Cassie asked, looking around. She wanted to take a bath. She saw the tub had jets; she was all over the jets.
Cash walked her towards the enclosed toilet that had its own door. “No, but feel free when we go on our first trip to take whatever you want from the hotel,” he said setting her down.
“We going somewhere?” she asked.
“We’ll talk in a few. Holler when you’re done,” he said, walking out.
Cassie knew this talk was coming; she wasn’t even so worried about it. She was feeling more secure, confident that her world could be getting easier. She wasn’t so stupid to turn that down. Every girl from the world she grew up in would dream about meeting a man that would take them away from the pathetic life they had known.
In her world, Cassie thought those girls were idiots. They were dreaming of a future that none of them were ever going to have. They didn’t run in the circles where those guys existed. So where were they going to find these princes?
Now, as she looked around the lush bathroom. Cassie didn’t care about the house she realized. She cared about Cash. They could move into the shitty little apartment above the diner that she and Effie had lived in, and she could imagine a life with him there.
“Gawd, I’m stupid,” she moaned to herself. No, she wasn’t stupid. There had to be someone that made it out, found their true loves. Lived a better life.
Cassie wondered if she could be that girl.
Finishing up in the bathroom, she found a spare toothbrush and brushed away her dinner. Calling out to Cash, the door opened, and he scooped her up.
Bringing her back out to the bedroom, she saw he had started a fire in the fireplace. Sitting in one of the chairs, he kept her in his arms as he propped his feet up on the cushioned ottoman.
Cassie just let herself sink into his broad chest; his arms tight around her.
“So where are we going?” she asked after the silence had stretched out.
“Where?” Cash asked sounding confused.
“You said we were going on a trip. Where are we going?” she said, keeping her head tucked into his chest.
“Well, where have you been? We should go somewhere new to you,” he said, stroking a hand down her back.
“Let’s see, I’ve been in my hometown, the town next to it, and here,” she told him. Girls like her didn’t go on vacations.
The hand stroking her back stopped. “You haven’t been anywhere?” The shock in his voice was clear.
“Where would I go? I was a foster kid. Besides dragging us twenty miles out of town for summer camps, I’ve worked in the town I aged out in,” she explained.
Cash was quiet for a moment
. Then he said, “Make a list.”
Cassie was confused. “Make a list? Of what?”
“Every place you wanted to travel. Or even just places you thought looked fun. We’ll start working down the list,” he explained.
Cassie thought about this. “So if I say Bora Bora?”
“I’ll book the flight,” he said simply.
Thinking about that, Cassie had never even thought about travelling. A trip alone with this man? Sandy beaches and cocktails sounded like an excellent plan.
Blowing out a breath, she decided to come back to that topic.
“Soo….have any ex-girlfriends lived here?” Cassie should be embarrassed about asking that question, but she totally wasn’t. She needed to know if she needed to mark her territory.
“Nobody but me. I built this house for my mate,” he said simply.
“Cash, you really want me to move in here?”
“Sprite, this is your home. I told you before, what’s mine is yours. The minute I found you. You don’t like how I decorated? Change it. But this is your home now. If you’ve accepted me.”
He left that question hanging in the air. It was heavy and weighted. Cassie needed to choose. Her brain told her that. The question about Cash wasn’t the hard choice. Accepting what her heart was already telling her was what she had to choose. Could Cassie give herself permission to be loved?
That’s what it came down to. Cassie wanted love but had never had it offered to her on a silver plate. What could be the worst that happened? Their relationship didn’t work out? She’d go back to her guest house with Effie. If it did work out, well that was something she couldn’t imagine.
Pushing away from his chest, Cash loosened his arms, and Cassie looked into his eyes. They were open and waiting. His joy at her being in his arms and in his home was sitting right there in the open for her to see.
“Well, shit,” she said with a sigh. She saw the corners of his eyes crinkle at her words.
“Come to some kind of decision?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah, like you don’t know,” she scoffed.
Reaching up, Cash cupped her face. “Tell me, give me the words, Cassie.”
Cassie took a breath; this man needed her. He needed her with him to be happy himself. Cash needed a little Cassie, and Cassie certainly needed a whole lot of Cash.
“If I say yes, you can’t take it back. I mean it Cash. I’ve never given anyone this much of me,” she said quietly. She wanted him to get the depth of her worry and the depth of her promise. Because that’s what she was offering; her promise to him.
“Even if there was a reason to take it back, Sprite, I physically and emotionally can’t. I’d die without you. That’s not me just blowing smoke up your ass. My bear and I need you, physically and mentally,” he said to her.
“Hmm, kinky,” she responded, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Sprite,” he growled.
“I think I get it, really, Cash. I’m starting to need you just as much as you need me,” she said, bringing her hands up to his face, mirroring his own hold.
“I do need you, Cassie, so fucking much. But I need you to accept everything I’m offering. I don’t think I can date or just sleep with you. I need all of you tonight,” he said, his voice rough with need.
Cassie knew what he meant. She also knew there was no turning back. If she let him bite her, not only would they be linked for life, but she’d have to change. Cash’s DNA would meld with hers. She’d age slower, spending an extended life with him. They’d have baby bears, holy hell.
Her yes, had to mean yes to everything. She couldn’t give him less than everything she had to offer. Her yes had to be yes forever.
“I’m yours,” she whispered. She knew she just handed her heart to a man with very large hands. Hopefully, he could hold all of her.
“Baby, you make me so fucking happy. I love you, so damn much,” he growled.
“I know you do,” she said, and she did know. She felt him in every pore.
Cash brought his mouth down on hers in a kiss that claimed all of her. Cassie opened under him, giving him all she had, heart and soul. The kiss turned hard heating to a fevered pitch.
Standing, Cash carried her to the big bed and laid her down on the soft cover. Cassie looked up at the man that she was falling so hard and fast for. It took her breath away.
Cash moved his kisses along her jaw and down her neck, nipping and sucking leaving tiny marks over her body. Sliding his hands up from her waist, he dragged her shirt up and over her head. Her bra followed, and he paused to remove his shirt.
Cassie took the opportunity to run her hands over his chest, teasingly dragging her nails over his nipples. She got a rumbling noise from him for it.
“That’s good, baby. Do it again,” he ordered.
Cassie scratched over his pecs, pausing to tease and torment him. She got a hard nip on her neck in reward. Clearly her man liked to play rough. She tested the waters by leaning up and kissing him fast, her teeth tugging on his bottom lip.
“That’s going to get you spanked, Sprite,” he said roughly.
“Promise?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.
“When you are healed, you are in so much trouble,” he swore. Cash had a list of things he intended to do with his mate. All of them designed for optimum pleasure.
“Ohh scary,” she mocked.
“Keep going. I’m keeping a tally,” he said, running his hand down her hip to her ass. He squeezed a handful roughly.
Chapter 36
“Hmm, we may have to audit that list in the future. I’m thinking you are padding the count,” she said, her hands exploring down below his waistband.
“You doubting my accounting skills?” Cash asked. He’d moved down to her chest, kissing along her breastbone to the underside of each breast. Nipping the flesh but avoiding her taut nipples.
“Hell yes I am; you can’t even find my nipple. How good can you be at counting?” she growled. Her body was feverish with need. She wanted his mouth on her now.
“Oh, I can find it, Sprite. I just like watching you squirm for it,” he finished that by capturing her nipple in his hot mouth, the suction pulling her off the bed. She dug her nails into his hips, pulling the hard heat of him closer to her. Her legs were spread around him; she wanted to pull them up and wrap him tight, but that would never work.
She let out a frustrated sound as her hands clutched at him.
“Don’t worry baby. I’ve got a plan,” he said.
“I bet you do. Wanna fill me in?” she said her breath coming in a pant.
“Not yet, let me play,” he said, his eyes shining with a yellow ring reflecting from the firelight.
Cassie decided shutting her mouth would get her closer to her goal, so she practically squashed her lips together to keep herself from smarting off. Cash didn’t miss the move and continued tormenting each breast as he chuckled.
Cash moved lower, nipping at the soft skin around her belly. He looked up from her waist, this big man, staring at her with such adoration. She threaded her fingers through his hair to hold his stare.
“I’m going to try to go slow, Sprite. But you need to tell me if I’m moving too fast,” he said.
“Cool, my safe word is porcupine,” she said.
That caught him totally off guard, and a bark of laughter slipped out of him. He let his head drop to her belly as he laughed.
“Fuck me, porcupine,” he murmured into her skin.
Cassie gave a shrug and held her tongue.
“You trust me?” he asked, once the humor was gone from his eyes.
“Yes,” she said, easily as breathing.
Cash pulled up a hand, and she watched as his index finger grew a long black claw. It was sharp she could tell, and her breath caught in her throat.
He brought that claw down to her waistband and slid it in, the smooth top of his nail over her skin. There was a tiny tearing sound as he slit her pants down one leg like running sciss
ors through wrapping paper. The other leg followed, leaving only a scrap of fabric under her knee brace.
Very efficient, she thought. But was still holding her breath as two quick swipes, and her panties were in tatters.
“You owe me a pair of leggings and undies,” she murmured.
“We’ll go shopping,” he replied.
“’Kay,” she said letting out the held breath.
Cash held up his hand and showed her the claw was gone. Only long, thick male fingers were left.
Cassie didn’t want to admit that was a relief. Nobody wanted a bear claw near their soft parts.
She stayed still as his eyes roamed over her now naked body. Well not naked, tattooed and scarred body.
“Tell me about this one,” he said, pointing to the brightly colored abstract on her arm.
“That is an Effie Hayes original. I was jonesing for some ink and couldn’t make up my mind. She drew me this.
“What about this one?” he said, running a finger over the heart between her breasts. The one adorned with the keyhole.
“Reminder to keep my heart locked up so I won’t lose it,” she whispered.
Cash nodded, placing a kiss on the center of it. “This one?” he asked, moving his mouth down to the garter on her thigh.
“Reminder to keep myself safe. Do whatever it takes to be free to make my own choices. Even if it’s as hard as pulling a trigger” she said about the gun in the garter.
She watched as Cash leaned down and without any ceremony, licked up the center of her damp heat. Cassie moaned loudly; his tongue abrasive on her sensitive flesh.
Skimming his hand down to her ankle. “This one’s special,” he said.
“Effie has a matching one, sisters forever,” she said quietly. “The flowers represent our friendship growing.”
Cash thought about this complicated woman that looked so fragile but had been so strong for so long. It made him feel small.
“Your back?” he kept up his exploration. Cash let his fingers trail over her hip where the edge of the ink showed.
