AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I blink as she steps into me, raising her chin. My body winds tight, my instincts sharp, but my pulse throbs with the violent need to taste her rage. To soothe her pain and take over that turmoil.
“What about me?” I lean, locking my gaze with her.
“Tell me about your childhood, about the people who broke you, about the life that hurt you.”
I stiffen. I know why she probes my wounds.
“You don’t get to teach me about bravery when you cower and hide your own demons. So, don’t take offense if I don’t listen to your advice.”
I straighten to full height, hiding my reaction to her harsh words. Instead, I tower over her petite form, holding back my burning desire to pull her over my knee and spank her ass until she stops fighting me.
I know how to control myself. How to take charge of my demons. But Cassandra managed to provoke havoc that needs an outlet. It’s winding me tight like a string. I’m not ready to show her the dark side of my past. Not when she burns bright with a nipping passion to push my buttons. Something hot and exciting burns inside my belly, shooting thick need straight to my hard as steel cock.
“If I remember correctly, I gave you a fair warning last time you asked about my past, Mrs. Cade.” My husky tone is quiet and controlled. “Do you remember what it was?”
“Was it the one to stay away or you are going to taste—” Before she can finish, I wind my hand around her small waist, moving her against the door, until I have her caged in.
“Mark,” she gasps my name like a sensual plea.
I lean closer until our lips almost touch. “And I always keep my word, Cassandra.”
“I’m not the one who can’t keep the distance, Mark,” she whispers into my mouth, pressing her palm against my pounding heart.
I groan, closing my eyes for a moment, and then snap them open.
“You’re the one who wants to change the game. I was okay keeping it professional,” she pants, melting against me as my breath fans against her skin. I know we both are at fault; she won’t be able to deny the truth forever. “But you want what you can’t have, don’t you?” Shadows flicker in her gaze, and I stiffen realizing something.
“I know what kind of people the Cade family is surrounded by. I’m not one of them. This attraction between us has nothing to do with your name or what benefits I could reap having you in my bed.”
She blinks, then pushes away from me and strolls toward the window. Stepping on the porch, she searches the night for answers. Fresh air blows inside, lifting curtains as lightning pierces cloudy skies, promising a massive thunderstorm.
“I can’t afford any mistakes in my life. Not anymore.”
I close the space between us, standing behind her as if I’m ready to fight this storm alongside her.
“Mistakes are part of life, part of the journey. Inevitable hiccups in life. We can only choose people who’ll stand with us in thunderstorms.” At my words, the thunder erupts as if splitting the skies, then downpour follows. The rainstorm’s so heavy it dominates the atmosphere with a singular blast of sounds.
“I made my share of them, and it cost me way too much. I want to change the curve of my devastating past to something else. This job is important to me.”
“And I can teach you how to fly if you stop being afraid.” I brush my fingers against her palm, hoping she’ll let me.
“How will that happen if I’m in your bed?” she challenges me, but I stay silent, afraid to admit I want everything with her. Possess her demons and know her heart. “Why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?” she asks, tilting her neck to the side as I draw her against my chest.
“I’m done pretending I don’t want you.”
She turns around, her eyes blazing at me.
“You are smart, intelligent, and beautiful even with thunderstorms and battle scars. I admire you. Why deny what we feel? Why not see what it can become?”
“The press will slay me for this. Trust me, I’ll be nothing after they’re done with me. Let me be. There’s very little I can spare.” The vulnerable look on her face does maddening things to me. “My children will pay the price. I’ve hurt my family enough.”
Standing on the porch surrounded by the storm, I can’t find the strength to walk away from her. “I tried, but you’re all I think about. You’re a fire consuming my sanity.”
Coiling my fingers in her silky strands, I tilt her head toward me until our lips align and air charges between us. But is she brave enough to set her fears on fire?
“You either obey or defy your demons. You either take charge, or they’ll control you.” A shiver treks down my spine as I challenge her. “Make your choice before it’s made for you.”
“Defy,” she whispers, e
