Chapter 23
CASSIE
I had to get away. Standing beside Frankie was torture watching the other couples reconfirm their choices, except for River and Autumn.
I kind of understand how he must be feeling because I was blindsided by Frankie’s decision and so was he.
When one person sticks and the other one twists, it throws a whole new slant on the relationship you thought you had.
As I reach the riverbank and sit on the edge, I stare up at the half moon, hugging my knees to protect my heart that is sore but will survive. I will not let him break me. I am stronger than that and so what if Frankie decided to cut ties, it’s his loss, not mine.
Keep on telling yourself that.
My inner voice taunts me as I battle the tears that I will let fall over my dead body. He doesn’t deserve my tears. He gets nothing from me and as I sit hunched on the cold ground, I replay what happened over and over again in my mind.
A sudden movement behind me causes my skin to prickle and I guess who it is before his husky voice drifts across my soul.
“You deserve an explanation.”
I say nothing and as he sits beside me, I stare into the darkness of the lake, wondering if I have the strength left to drown him in it.
“You could have told me your intention before I made an ass of myself back there.”
My voice is dull. Enthusiasm left me back in that dungeon.
“I never told you my decision.”
“But you told me to stick. Do you get off on making me look like a fool?”
“I did it for a reason, Cass. Nothing has changed between us.”
I turn and throw him an incredulous glare.
“Nothing has changed. Everything has changed.”
He shakes his head. “Only if you want change. I do not.”
“Then why twist?”
I reach out and cup her beautiful face in my hands and my voice is sincere as I whisper, “I want you to stay with me because you choose to—not because of the game.”
“I don’t understand.”
Her eyes flicker with confusion, and I smile softly. “It’s obvious you have a history with Jack. I’m aware you discussed it, but how would I ever know if you wanted me over him if you weren’t free to make the choice?”
Understanding dawns and I falter. “So it was a test?”
“Of course.”
He runs his thumb under my eyes where the tears spill and smiles. “It was something my mom said to me.”
“Your mom?”
He nods. “She told me you don’t win hearts by taking them. You must deserve them and put in the work to win them fair and square. There is nothing fair about The Claiming, Cassie. It’s a battle where one person wins by strength, not deeds.”
He leans closer until our lips touch. Then pulls away a little and whispers, “I wanted to test your reaction as well as Jack’s reaction.
He had the choice to twist, but I’m aware he is an honorable guy and wouldn’t do that to my cousin.
His reaction didn’t reassure me, but it’s your mind that concerns me. ”
“What do you want from me, Frankie?”
I stare into his eyes and he smiles. “I want you to stay because you want me. Voluntarily and free to leave at any time if I piss you off and because there is nobody else you would rather be with.”
He reaches for my hand and presses it to his heart.
“I don’t want anyone but you, Cassie. I never did.
You are the first girl I’ve wanted to share my bed with, my thoughts, my memories, and my time.
The world outside of Rockwell may have a different future for both of us, but while we’re here, under the same roof, I want my experience to be with you.
I already know that, but I’m not certain you want the same.
For my own sanity, I must be your first choice and not the one where you have no choice.
If we are together voluntarily, I must continue to try harder to keep you.
To work on what we have and put the hard work in.
The Claiming was a game to make that first step.
The Twist is a harder one because you may choose to step away from me. ”
“Frankie.” My heart is crushed because now I understand. He has held doubts this entire time because he believed I was in love with Jack.
I am in love with Jack, but it’s different with him. Is it possible to love two guys in different ways at the same time? Of course it is because I’m living it now.
I say nothing and crush my lips to his because it’s actions that interest me now.
I grasp his hair and hold it tightly in my hand as I kiss him fiercely, wanting him more than anything.
He tugs at my lower lip and bites the soft flesh between his teeth and spins me around and pushes me so my back hits the ground.
His hand pushes up my top and connects with my flesh, like a branding iron stamping his name on my skin.
My gentle moans fill the silence and I run my hand over his skin, raking his back with my nails as he kisses my neck, sucking the tender flesh, marking my pale skin as he wrenches my leggings from my waist, inching my panties aside.
His thumb eases against my clit and I groan his name. “Fran–kie.”
He captures his name in his mouth and kisses me with a passionate fury that drives me insane.
As his fingers pump inside me, I see more stars than normal and then he pulls my leggings off before unfastening his jeans.
In no time he is deep inside me, impaling me to the hilt and as he powers in hard, he hisses, “You are mine, Cassie. Say it!”
“I’m yours, Frankie. God help me, I’m yours.”
I’m not lying either. I am Frankie’s girl. I may be confused by my emotions for both men, but I always knew that Frankie is my darkest addiction and there is no chance in hell I can give him up, despite Jack being here.
I want Frankie. I am attracted to him and addicted to him.
I can’t breathe if he is near me and ache for him when he is not.
I missed every wicked smile he gave me during the holidays and physically ached for him at night.
I am drowning in my feelings for this man, which is why it hurt so much when he rejected me back there.
Now I understand why, it only feeds my addiction. He set me free to stay. Only Frankie would consider that a good thing. A test, he said. He gambled with my emotions and it paid off because now I want him more than ever.
We are free.
Both of us and yet choose to stick together outside of the game. I couldn’t have asked for more if I tried and as he comes hard inside me, I meet him halfway because not even a condom can come between me and my man from now on in.