14. Eric
Chapter 14
Eric
T he space had become too small—too comfortable, and yet riddled with tension. Cassidy’s proximity under a few drinks in was a dangerous mix. I was a man of discipline, but I wasn’t immune to a beautiful woman, especially in tight yoga pants and somehow, even the off-pitch singing to Spice Girls hadn’t deterred me.
“And now we just twist,” Cassidy instructed. Her long limbs were far nimbler than mine. She was sitting down in front of the fireplace and stretching her back into a twist. After a day filled with more card games, boozing, watching a movie, and eating the entire batch of cookies, I’d somehow ended up twisting like a pretzel in an attempt at yoga. And damn was it hard to look away when Cassidy asserted herself in some bizarre positions in those torturous tight pants.
I awkwardly twisted my spine, feeling as if something was going to pop any moment. She began to laugh.
“Why are you laughing,” I growled out. This whole thing was stupid. Yoga might’ve been her thing but a man my size wasn’t used to the “flow of the movements” as she’d put it. It was harder and more infuriating than any gym session I’d undertaken. And I’d much rather chop wood for hours than have to be subject to this torture.
“You just look so awkward,” Cassidy chuckled. “Here, like this.”
She stood up and moved behind me, pressing her hand to my lower back as she pulled back my shoulders. “Straighter.”
I did as she said, a great grievance falling over me. Why had I agreed to do this? Shadow watched us tiredly with his head nestled between his paws.
“If you hadn’t told me you worked in IT before I would’ve believed it now by this slouch of yours, shoulders back, Eric,” Cassidy lectured.
“I have a great posture,” I quickly defended. She began chuckling and I realized she was goading me. I blew out a sharp breath as I twisted to the other side. It was too easy. I bit at her taunts too easily, embarrassing myself in the process. “And it’s not like I’m hunched over the laptop all the time,” I found myself grumbling.
Her featherlight touch danced across my bare arms. It was a dangerous mix considering I still hadn’t put a shirt on and her every touch reminded me that I was a man and she was a woman—age difference be damned. My cock twitched.
“Now get on your knees and spread your thighs,” she instructed.
“What?” I twisted sharply, the sway of the champagne catching up.
She chuckled. “So filthy minded.” But judging by the glaze in her eyes, I hadn’t been the only one thinking of other things. The thought of having her over my knee and spanking that tight little ass came to mind vividly. I gritted my teeth as she not so innocently dropped to her knees beside me, spreading them and pushing her arms forward. “Like this. It’s called child’s pose .”
How the fuck had I let her convince me to do this? I did as she instructed, awkwardly and almost painfully as my arms stretched forward. But then after a moment of breathing I could feel the stretch in my back. And not that I’d admit it out loud, but this pose felt okay.
“So, when you’re not chopping wood, what do you do to keep fit in the city?” Cassidy asked, laying her head to the side and peering in my direction. I did the same, looking at her.
“I have a gym in my home. Morning and night, no matter the occasion.”
She whistled. “Looks like I’m not the only one with an addictive personality.”
I didn’t consider it an addictive personality. Simply, I had my routine and it worked for me.
“And what do you do back in Manhattan?” I asked.
She sighed. “I exercise regularly usually in the evening but now that I’m between jobs I might have to figure out a new routine, I might just keep doing this.”
“What did you do for work?” I asked.
She blew out an exaggerated breath, falling deeper into the stretch. “I was a receptionist at a popular magazine, Candice Magazine . But I quit, you know change of scenery. Mini holiday and all now.”
Lies and truth. I could tell there was more behind her story. It sounded like she was running away from something, but as I tried to keep my personal life separate, I chose not to pry into hers any further.
We lay there in comfortable silence, staring at one another in our awkward, and yet profoundly effective pose.
“Thank you, Eric, for letting me stay here. You have nothing to gain from having me here and yet you’ve let me into your home. And I’m grateful for that.”
There was something about her sincerity that twisted my stomach. At the start, I hadn’t had much of a choice, but if I was being honest, I’d really enjoyed today. It was very… peculiar. But the reality was this was also short lived—a novelty at best.
“I’m sure it’s not as fun or elaborate as your friend’s in Canada.”
A pained and twisted expression appeared, the quick slip transforming into a beautiful smile. “This might even been more fun. You know in a rustic way and all.”
I didn’t share her same amusement. The mere mention of Canada flickered an uncertain expression over her and I wasn’t sure why. And I didn’t understand why I might care.
I let out a breath and the words had fallen out of my mouth before I’d even registered their meaning. “If you want, you can stay for the month, if plans have changed in Canada or something.” My heart froze. Why the fuck had I offered her to stay for longer? Wasn’t her staying here an inconvenience in the first place?
Shadow barked as if in agreeance, grabbing our attention from silently staring at one another.
She stretched back into a sitting position, quickly giving him pats thoughtfully as he rested his head on her knee.
“You don’t have to offer me that, Eric. I know it’s not ideal and I’m imposing on your space.”
Guilt weighed heavily in my stomach. I really had been an asshole when she first arrived. I’d actively avoided sharing excess time with any woman, certain they were all the same. But there was something about Cassidy—she was completely the opposite to Katia. Just the thought of her name rose bile in my stomach. I shoved it back down alongside her memory. Cassidy and her were nothing alike. But weren’t they all the same? Wouldn’t they all use me for something?
“It wouldn’t be for free,” I quickly said. “You could work around the café and odd jobs in the town. But if you wanted a change of scenery the offer’s there,” I quickly gritted out, somewhat regretting the offer and hoping she’d decline because I wasn’t even sure why I’d extended the invitation. And that unnerved me.
She seemed to consider me. I wasn’t sure why I was saying this and she seemed perplexed by it as well. But I saw the small glimmer of hope in her expression. “And where would I stay? Here?”
“Yes.” It wasn’t a question. Of course she would stay here. Her gaze rolled down my chest and stomach and my cock twitched. She watched Shadow intently, a sombre mood creeping over her. “Cassidy, if you’re in trouble I want you to tell me.”
Her serious expression didn’t change. I felt the urge to shake, hug, or scream at her. It was uncharacteristic to see her like this, with no smiles and all seriousness. I hated how that played on my mind. I wanted to hunt down whatever demons she was running from, and that realization threw a cold bucket of water over me.
“Thank you, Eric,” she plastered on a fake smile, that dark and sombre consideration gone. “Do you mind if I think on it tonight. I do appreciate your hospitality. Surprisingly, you’re a big teddy bear, huh?”
“I’m not—”
Her laughter fluttered through the air as she rose. “If only you could see your face. Big lumberjack teddy bear, I mean. Don’t worry your secret is safe with me.” She winked. “I’m going to have a shower.”
And just like that, she was gone. Leaving me with thighs spread, sitting on my feet and Shadow on her tail, far more interested in where she was going than staying with me.