AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 18
CASSIE
Leo’s good mood abruptly shifted when he asked who her father was. And now, he gazed at her with a mixture of longing and guilt. “I met your father once, but it was brief.”
A lot was happening underneath his careful response.
“That sounds cryptic,” Cassie said.
“It’s all I can tell you.” He let out a harsh breath. “Listen, it’s time to go back. I’ve got a million things I’ve got to handle.” He guided her off his lap and back onto a chair.
He was shutting down. All she did was give her last name. What could have caused his bizarre reaction? Cassie drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms tight around her legs. A wave of coldness slid through her. “Will I see you in London?” She hated the desperate tone in her voice.
He gave her a tight smile. “I don’t know. Things are a little crazy right now.” His eyes darted away from hers.
Less than an hour ago, he wanted to keep her on this boat for a month. Naked. And now he didn’t know if he could see her again? What the hell was the matter with him? Confusion and anger rushed through her. She’d better get her shit together and stand up for herself. She would not grovel for his attention. They promised each other one night and it was amazing, but now it was over.
“I’ve got to get going too.” She got to her feet and snatched her panties and dress from the deck. “I have a plane to catch.” She headed for the bathroom. He probably lost interest because she didn’t know who he was, and it hurt his male ego. Fine. If Leo was done with her, then she was done with him. She’d return to London and piece her life back together.
“Cassandra, wait a minute.” He grabbed her arm.
“Let go of me.” She glared at him. “The night is over, and we’re done with whatever this was.”
Leo’s expression closed, and he released her arm. “I’ll let you know when we dock,” he said, his voice blunt.
Cassie raced to the bathroom and tore off his shirt. Slamming the door shut, she broke down in tears. Last night had been a transformative experience for her and for Leo too. She was sure of it.
The boat vibrated with the hum of the motor. In minutes, she would go back to the real world and her lonely life. Everything had been fantastic until she told him her last name. What happened when Leo met her father?
She showered, sliding liquid soap over her skin where Leo had kissed and held her so lovingly. Her connection to him had been intense, and it was real.
The motor stopped. They were back at the marina. She toweled off and dressed as quickly as she could. There was a soft knock on the bedroom door. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
With an unreadable expression, Leo said, “We’re back. A car is waiting for you.”
“That’s it?” Her voice was tight, trying to hold back tears. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
His gaze moved away from hers. “It’s all I can say.”
Cassie stared at him. “What does that even mean? I don’t understand any of this, Leo. Last night we talked about everything—weshared everything. Even this morning...” This morning he said she was his, and she belonged to him. Her heart teetered on the edge of shattering into a million pieces. But she would not demean herself. “Tell me what’s going on. I want to know.”
“I can’t.” He shoved a hand through his mussed-up hair. “Maybe I can later, but not right now.”
He was deliberately holding back from her for a reason. “If you don’t explain to me what’s going on right now, there will be nolater.I will leave and not look back.”
He turned his head back to her, his amber eyes boring into hers with heated intensity. There was so much pain there. “You don’t mean that.” His voice was raw.
Leo saw through her display of bravado, but she wouldn’t back down. “Watch me.” She pushed past him, taking her heels from where she left them and made her way to the car at the end of the ramp. Every step away from him was agonizing, but she had to move forward, and she didn’t look back.
