Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
KAREN
W hoops.
He was seriously mad. His eyes flashed with anger as soon as I mentioned Earl Hoyt. But what I couldn’t quite figure out was why. Was he mad that Earl had the audacity to show up here in the first place? Or maybe he was mad that Earl had been looking for him?
Obviously, the Carson situation really pissed him off, but it felt like something else. I couldn’t believe he was this pissed because I didn’t tell him right away.
If it was the latter, that was where my irritation kicked in. Cassidy didn’t own me. He wasn’t my keeper. I could tell him things when I wanted. I didn’t owe him explanations. He stomped away, kicking at something invisible on the floor.
I couldn’t believe the intensity of his reaction. It felt disproportionate. I knew the situation was serious. I had tried to handle things on my own, not wanting to stir up more trouble or worry anyone unnecessarily. Now, seeing Cassidy’s response, I wondered if I had underestimated the danger or overestimated my ability to manage it.
Clearly, there was some serious drama between Earl and Cassidy. I didn’t mean to make things worse for him, but I was also a grown adult. I didn’t need to report to anyone. I didn’t have to ask permission or recount every minute of my day.
“You know, you should be thankful I’m sharing this information at all, considering everyone around here has been sternly warning me not to talk about Earl with you. Period. It’s like he’s your kryptonite and I can’t even speak his name.”
Cassidy’s mouth tightened, but he said nothing. He started putting chairs back under tables.
I kept going, unable to stop the stream of words once I got started. “You’re giving me the cold shoulder over this? I don’t owe you anything. You don’t get to decide when or if I tell you things, Cassidy. We’re coworkers—that’s it. I don’t even know if you could call us coworkers. I’m here for a couple of months to help out my uncle. I’m only stepping in to cover for Ginny to help you guys. It’s not like I’m getting paid, so I guess technically, we’re not even coworkers.”
He held up a hand, cutting me off mid-rant. “Karen, I’m not mad that you didn’t tell me because I think I’m entitled to the information.”
I blinked, taken aback. “Then why?”
“I’m mad that you waited too long, and now there’s nothing I can do about it.” His voice softened, though the frustration was still there. “I hate that you had to deal with Earl on your own, and I hate even more that he made you feel uncomfortable. That’s what I’m mad about. Earl is a creep. He knows he’s a creep and that’s why he pushes his weight around. He knows he intimidates people.”
My mind went blank. “Oh.”
Cassidy sighed and stepped closer. He reached for my hands. I saw nothing but sincerity. “Karen, if I’d been there?—”
“You would’ve gotten yourself into trouble,” I cut in, already picturing the disaster that would’ve ensued if Cassidy had been anywhere near Earl. “And I don’t want that either. You can’t afford to be thrown in jail. And you know that man is vindictive. He would do everything he could to nail your ass. I don’t want that on my head.”
His hands tightened around mine, but like he was trying to make me understand just how serious he was. “I know. And I appreciate that you’re looking out for me in your own way. But, Karen, we have to be smart about this. Earl isn’t just some random troublemaker. He’s connected and dangerous. He’s not your average creep.”
He dropped my hands and sat down at one of the big round tables in the now-empty dining hall. Clearly there was something on his mind. I grabbed a chair and sat down across from him. Only one light was on overhead. The fire in the fireplace looked brighter in the dark room. The low hum of the industrial dishwasher in the kitchen provided the only sound.
It was just the two of us.
“What’s going on?” I asked quietly.
“I’m just sorry you had to deal with it at all,” Cassidy said. “Nobody should feel unsafe here at Rocking Horse Ranch. Least of all you.”
I tilted my head, studying his face. “Least of all me? Why me?”
He didn’t answer right away. He looked as if he was debating what to say, but instead of words, he leaned forward, cupping my face with both hands, and kissed me.
My brain short-circuited. One moment, we were having an intense conversation about Earl Hoyt and my safety, and the next, Cassidy was kissing me. It took me half a second to melt into it. My heart hammering in my chest, I kissed him back.
It was just the two of us. He pulled back and smiled. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
I was a little dizzy after the kiss. There was a storm in his eyes. “What’s really going on, Cassidy? There’s more to this than me not immediately telling you about Earl’s visit. You can talk to me.”
He took a deep breath and looked away. “I called CPS to check up on Carson’s case.”
I nodded, already guessing how that worked out. “And?”
“And out one side of her mouth she told me she can’t tell me shit and out the other side she was telling me they checked into it and there was nothing to find.” Cassidy clenched his fists, and his eyes narrowed. “Nothing to find,” he repeated with his voice dripping with disbelief and anger. Frustration rolled off him in waves.
“They can’t be serious,” I said with a sigh. “Are they going to follow up?”
“She said she can’t tell me anything. What I think she was really saying was no. They aren’t going to do shit about it. They’re going to let him get away with all of it. Carson isn’t going to say anything because he’s afraid. He is hoping to get through the next four years if he just keeps his head down. The woman thanked me for looking out. Fat lot of good that did.”
“You’ve done everything you can to help Carson.”
He gave a bitter laugh. “That’s the problem, Karen, it’s not good enough.”
“But Carson knows he can trust you,” I said. “That’s a lot. All you can do is be there for him. Let him know he can come to you.”
Cassidy snorted. “And then what? What happens when he comes to me, and I can’t do anything for him?”
“You can listen,” I said. “Sometimes, that’s all people need.”
He stared at me, like he was trying to figure out if I was serious. “You think I’m just supposed to sit on my hands while Earl abuses that kid?”
“No, but you can’t let your anger cloud your judgment either,” I said. “You’re right to be frustrated, Cassidy. Any person with a heart would be. But we have to be smarter about this.”
He sighed heavily and slumped back in his chair. The look in his eyes was tired and defeated.
“I hate that guy, Karen. And I hate the idea of Carson living with him. His mom is busting her ass trying to take care of her son. She doesn’t have a legal option because of their custody bullshit.”
“Do you think she knows what Earl is doing?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t think so. Carson made it clear he doesn’t want me to tell his mom anything. But how does she not know?”
“I’m sure he does a good job hiding it,” I said.
“Earl shows one face to the world and another in private. The classic abuser profile.”
I shuddered, thinking of what Carson must be going through.
“I swear, I am going to kill that son of a bitch if he hurts that kid,” Cassidy said, letting the threat die out in silence.
My heart went out to him. This situation was clearly weighing on him. I didn’t know how to make him feel better about it.
I scooted closer to him. His eyes met mine. I couldn’t explain what happened at that moment. There was a sizzle.
I was the one to reach for him. We both stood, our bodies automatically coming together. His hands slid up my arms and back up to hold my face.
His lips were warm and insistent against mine. I opened my mouth to welcome his tongue. My fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt as if it were a lifeline.
Eventually, we broke apart. Cassidy looked at me with passion. “You should come up to my room,” I whispered, surprising even myself.
Cassidy pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. His lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. “Is that an invitation?”
“Do you need me to write it down and mail it to you?” I said with a laugh.
His thumb brushed gently over my cheek. “No, but I wouldn’t hate it if you wanted to describe exactly what you’re proposing in dirty detail.”
“Very funny,” I said, giving him a light shove. “Why don’t we just figure it out as we go?”
“I like the sound of that,” he said. “Let’s get out of here before we find ourselves in a compromising position. I would hate to create a scandal.”
He took my hand and led me up the stairs. We tried to be quiet, but it seemed like every stair creaked. We might as well have announced that we were trying to be sneaky. I had a feeling my uncle would be less than pleased to know I was fooling around with Cassidy.
I pushed the door open to my room and we quietly slipped inside. Cassidy closed the door behind us and locked it before turning to look at me.
“You’re sure?” he asked quietly.
“I asked you up here.”
He nodded as if that was all he needed to hear. He grabbed me, pulling me against him before he backed me against the wall. His kiss was deeper this time, more urgent. It was filled with every emotion he’d been holding back. I soaked it all in, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on tight.
His hands roamed over my body as our lips moved together. My heart pounded in my chest. I could feel his heart beating, too. It galloped as hard as mine.
His tongue warred with mine, fighting for dominance in my mouth. I was happy to battle him back. My hands gripped his shirt and held on tight like I was afraid he might escape.
He pulled back and grinned, gently prying my fingers open one by one. When he was finally free of my grasp, he took a step back, maintaining eye contact all the while. In slow deliberate movements, Cassidy shrugged off his shirt and tossed it onto the nearby chair.
The sight of his bare chest, all lean muscle and taut skin, made my breath hitch. His eyes held a challenge as he unclasped his belt. I nearly swallowed my tongue at the sight of him. I had a flashback to one of those sexy male stripper shows. It was a Magic Mike knockoff. None of them looked as good as Cassidy did.
I watched him with wide eyes. His jeans were snug on him, teasing the sharp V that disappeared below the waistband. If I had dollar bills, I would absolutely stuff them in his underwear. But all I had was a condom I fished out of my nightstand drawer. I twirled it in my fingers.
Cassidy laughed. “Like what you see?” he asked.
“I might need to see a bit more to decide,” I responded, trying to play off my shock at his cut body.
The first time we were together, things were hot and fast, and I didn’t get to see him. Like really see him.
His eyes flirted with me as he took a step closer, his fingers plucking the condom from me. “May I?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded, speechless now. Slowly, he lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. His gaze roamed over me now, his expression serious.
“You’re stunning,” he murmured.