CHAPTER FIVE

Jade

…you know what’s up.

The last part of his statement circles my head, but it’s the predatory gleam in his hazel eyes that forces my gaze from him. The gold in his irises burn hotter in that second, singeing me in a way they haven’t before.

It takes me back to that night—the night I stabbed him in the back and ruined any chances to see how far our chemistry took us. Ripping myself from the past is stickier than I thought, especially when he’s sitting beside me, filling the small, cozy interior of my car with his spiced, earthy blend of cologne.

Damn Cas. Damn him for showing up, and looking so fine while he’s at it. It’s crazy thinking. Cas put his cards on the table, and now that they’re turned over, it makes sense as to why he sought me out after these past two months of radio silence. I still curse him for showing up now and tossing a wrench into the beginning of my new life.

Concentrating on the road, I manage to get us to the supermarket in one piece. The need for retail therapy sweeps over me, and it’s too hard not to give in. There’s also the desire to distance myself from Cas when he’s like this. I certainly wouldn’t want him following me home.

That, too, would be too tempting.

I can see how easily I’d succumb to inviting him upstairs, where I’d finally be able to act out all the Cas-centric fantasies I’ve stored away. It’s a wonder I can park in the packed lot without damaging property. My hands are shaking, and I’m hasty to cover them from Cas’s all-seeing notice.

Cas doesn’t stay in the car; he follows me into the store.

I grab a shopping cart and maneuver it aimlessly. It’s how I end up in the frozen goods aisle, fetching out two tubs of ice cream when I can’t decide on flavors.

“Are you planning to throw a party?” Cas asks, his deep, melodious voice like honeyed tea sliding its sweetness down my throat, warming my belly in a way only he could so simply.

I hazard a peek at him, the ice cream sandwich package in my hand in danger of being crushed in my nervous grasp. “Party?” I squeak. I’m sure I do. My voice is creaky and high…and smacking of culpability.

Cas nudges his chin at my shopping cart of ice cream. “A pity party,” he says, a wry smile lifts his lips.

My bottom lip trembles, fearful at what his teasing means for me. Unable to stand it, I swivel from him and hightail it with the ice cream sandwiches, the cool packaging crunching at the corners from my tightening grip. The aisles blur together until Cas clutches my arm and spins me to face him.

I’m breathing hard from the excursion of my failed escape. My chest rises and falls, and my panting fills up the silence between us. Well, that and the intercom message of all cashiers being called up to the registers. It’s a busy day…and Cas is a busy man, and he’s paused his busy life for a good reason, despite what I want to believe. Something serious has brought this larger-than-life man back into my life.

Instead of listening, I’m burrowing my head in the proverbial sand. Or, in this case, the ice cream I’d meant to purchase.

Cas has me backed against the toiletries aisle, and an assortment of tissue paper brands are behind him. Perfect. If the urge to cry grows too strong, I’ll rip open a package and dry my eyes.

“Jade, look at me.”

I fix my stare from over his broad shoulder to his face, his mouth in particular. I can’t make it all the way to his eyes. Besides, I’m fascinated when he moves his lips to speak. Too bad they form the words I dread.

“Are you involved with Tyler in any way?”

“No,” I breathe, shaking my head shortly. “I told you that. I told them that, too.”

Cas has my chin in his warm, calloused hold. He tips up my head, his stare locking on mine, searching my face. Everywhere his eyes touch sparks hot. In the span it takes him to speak, my face feels as if I’ve stuck it close to an open furnace.

“The men who tried to abduct you...” He doesn’t even lower his voice. Cas steps into me, and the world falls apart this time. We’re not standing in the middle of a grocery store; we’re in our own private bubble—just the two of us. But it’s fragile, and the tiniest, sharpest point of reality can end it for us.

“What did they say?” Cas smooths his thumb up to my bottom lip, his gaze flicking down to where he strokes gently. “What did they say to you, Jade?”

I swallow hard, dashing my tongue out to wet my lips from habit, only to remember his thumb is right there.

Cas pushes into me; we’re flush now, our bodies aligned. Any closer and he might as well help me hook my legs around his middle, angle my clenching pussy to his hard shaft, and fuck in the store.

“Jade, tell me,” he says my name again, his head lowering slightly. A few more inches and we can kiss.

“They were l-looking for Tyler, I think. T-They thought I was his girlfriend.” I pause to control my stammering, my skin prickling, and my heart pounding. It’s a last-minute decision to share the next part. “They knew my name. They said they were answering to their boss.”

Cas mutters something. It’s too soft to catch as the sounds around us bleed back into my attention. Our bubble pops, and I recall myself. Only Cas still hasn’t crash-landed to the real world. His unseeing, weighty gaze pierces through me. “I see,” he says finally, his tone ponderous.

Without warning, Cas steps from me, dropping his hand and taking his heavy warmth from me. “Let’s go,” is all he says before turning and heading for the end of the aisle, toward the front of the store.

I should let him leave, but my feet move after him. My sneakers slap the tiled floor, covering the distance his long strides have swallowed in my momentary hesitance to give chase.

Cas looks out of place in his fancy business suit. This neighborhood is middle-income suburbia, and he’s a tall, dark, chiseled poster boy for the elite.

He’s waiting for me outside, slowing down his fast gait. I can’t allow him to slither away again. What has his features crumpled in consternation? It must be something I’ve told him. I abhor the thought of his leaving without straightening out this mess. The last thing I want is Cas hunting down Tyler and hurting him, and thus entrenching himself deeper into my life.

I’m grateful to him for showing up. But Cas’s reappearance reminds me of how easily this man is able to hurt me. I’ve given him that power. The shitty part is I have no clue how to take it back. Or if I want to take it back.

Until I can get that sorted, we need to head our separate ways—again.

“Listen, you don’t know Tyler. I dated him long enough to know he gets in and out of trouble.” I sigh, the exasperation heavy and burdensome. It’s a wonder that Tyler continues to mess with my peace. It’s not enough I cut him out of my life. Now his ghosts are muscling their way into my world.

“Whatever he’s done, he’ll soon run and take the trouble with him.” I hug my arms around my middle. It has nothing to do with the brisk spring temperature, and everything to do with how Cas stares at me. Like he doesn’t believe a word of what I’m saying. “Trust me. Tyler’s up and left me enough times to hide out from his personal crapstorms.”

Cas turns to take in the bustle around us. It’s a Friday evening. People are stocking up for the weekend, and we’re having a staring match outside the entrance, offering up a show for the masses.

Cas’s squinting glance, his stern brows, and his tense jaw fill in what he isn’t telling me. I haven’t put him at ease.

“I’ll be fine,” I add, unconvincingly.

“Will you be?” Cas snaps his head to me, those bright brown-green eyes taking me in. His eyes are a blend of spring grass green, rows of golden flax whispering on a summer breeze, and hints of freshly turned earth. Together, the triad of colors inspire hope. Except when he looks disappointed in me, like right this moment. “I can’t trust that.” Because I can’t trust you.

He doesn’t say it, but it’s clear.

I cross my arms. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not your responsibility—”

“But, you are.” Cas steps in, fire burning the disappointment, leaving the ashes of irritation in its wake. “You are my responsibility so long as the hotel and casino’s security remains at risk of Tyler Wagner.”

“I’m not his girlfriend!”

“I didn’t say that you were. Don’t fight me on this, Jade. You’re coming with me.” Cas locks his jaw, his expression withering any direct argument. Good thing he’s so practiced at pushing me away.

I shake my head, silently veering around him, or trying to. Cas grips my elbow and draws me into him. I don’t struggle; I glare up at him, communicating how upset I am.

“I’m taking you to the hotel.”

Freeing my tongue from the roof of my mouth, I snap, “Does that mean the ban is lifted at the supposed cost of my life? Oh, thank you, Cas. How freaking magnanimous of you.”

“It’s for your protection.”

“Are you listening to me?” I yank at my arm. That doesn’t work, so I beat a fist over his chest. “I don’t want you to protect me. I’ve done fine without you up until this point. The big bad world hasn’t killed me yet.” I barely give notice to the looks we’re receiving. Some shoppers have even stopped. One lady is on her phone, speaking urgently, her expression twisted in horror.

Having no desire to sit in the police station again, I lower my voice and lean into Cas, opening my fist, and palming his heart. “Let me go, Cas. Please.”

“I can’t,” he says, his voice strangled, his eyes flashing. They narrow and his frown deepens. “And if you don’t want me going to the police to file a report about the watch you’ve attempted to steal, you’ll hand me your car keys and follow me quietly.”

I jerk from him as if he’s struck me. Appalled doesn’t come close to the stinging ache icing its way through me. My tongue coats with a film of bitterness. It takes everything in me to reach into my back pocket and drop the keys into his waiting hand.

“Thank you,” he says.

“Fuck you,” I growl.

Cas’s dark blond brows swoop down lower. “You’re upset now, but things will change. You’ll see this is for the best…for the both of us.”

“I can’t believe you,” I muster up, spitting the words out. “Is that what makes you sleep at night when you lord your power over others?”

He marches me to the car, his hand gone from my elbow, though it might as well remain there. The strong tether to him is unbreakable and strengthening by the second. “We’ll go to the hotel,” he says when he slips in beside me, folds his big, muscled body behind the steering wheel.

“Then what?” I mutter, dreaming up the worst. He’ll fix me with manacles and force me into indentured servitude. That thought takes a kinky spin in my mind, complete with a sexy maid costume. I have to it shut down when the sticky warmth between my legs grows to be uncomfortable.

Clenching my thighs, and grinding my teeth, I sulk silently.

“Then?” Cas’s voice booms through the car. It’s not as loud as I imagine; we’ve been sitting in the silence too long. Cas starts the engine of my Toyota, his determined gaze swinging to me. “Then we’ll be getting married, Jade.”