Free Shadows in Me by Culine Ramsden Page B

face. 
    “What the hell Cassy? Are you drunk or something?”  There was a hint of humour in Brent’s voice. 
    The little shit thought it was an accident, but I knew better. I knew she didn’t like me, or that she liked Brent a little too much, and was claiming what was hers. 
    “Sorry babes, I didn’t mean to mess on your special friend. So sorry Caitlin, let me get you a new drink.”  She walked off to the bar. 
    “I don’t think I should have come out tonight.”  I got up and started walking out. 
    “Where you going?”  Brent reached for my hand but I pulled it away. 
    “Open your eyes Brent.  That was no accident.” 

Chapter 10
    Caitlin
     
    It had been three days since I had seen Brent at Dukes, he had tried to call me and even tried to come and see me, but I just wasn’t in the mood for drama.  It was obvious to me that there was something going on with him and Cassy, and well, I had my own boyfriend, so I didn’t want to make trouble for another girl.  Brent needed to sort out his shit.  I had spoken to Heather about it and she agreed that I needed to step away; I needed to focus on my own love life.
    I hadn’t spoken to Vincent the whole day, and I was getting worried.  We hadn’t seen each other for a week.  I was thinking that I should just pack a bag and go home for the weekend.
    I opened the door to find Vincent standing in front of me.  He was dressed in smart black pants, a white shirt with a black tie, and his white dinner jacket.  I had never seen him dressed like that, he took my breath away.
    “Why are you just standing there my angel?  Are you not going to invite me in?”
    “Uh…sorry you just …. “  I couldn’t speak.
    He stepped forward, dipped his head and kissed me, at first it was soft and gentle, but it soon turned into something more, something we’d both been longing for.  He broke away from me with a big sigh.  He pressed a kiss on the top of my head and pulled me tight against him.
    “I love you so very much, you are my world and this distance is just too much.  I can’t wait for you to come home to me.”  His voice so soft, almost a whisper.
    “I love you too.”  I had never known a love like this, the need to be consumed by someone like him was almost too much.  It felt like my heart was going to explode.
    “Come, I have something special planned for you.”  He took my hand and started walking towards the door.
    “Wait, where are we going?” I pulled back a little, I’ve just got home from one hell of a long day at work, I smell of food and my hair is a mess.
    “It’s a surprise, come we need to leave now to still make it before sunset.”
    “Can I at least have a shower and dress into something a little more suited?”  I looked him up and down with brows raised, he was looking all smart and sexy and here I was standing in my chef’s jacket.
    “Please be quick.”  As I turned to walk away I felt his hand come down on my ass with a hard smack.  I yelped in surprise, I turned my head and stuck my tongue out at him.   The look on his face, made me quickly sprint to my room and slam the door behind me.  I knew what was on his mind, but hell, I wasn’t ready for a hiding from him, and once we started with that we’d never get to see the sunset.
    After a quick shower I walked into my room to find him sitting in the chair in front of the window, the most beautiful vintage, dusty pink dress lay out on my bed, it was paired with gold sandals.
    “You picked this for me?” I lifted the dress from the bed and held it against my skin.
    “Well I had some help, I took Heather with me, and I wanted this night to be special.”  He walked towards me and took the dress from my hands.
    “Let me help you.”  He lay the dress back on the bed, I still had my towel wrapped around me.  He stood in front of me, the look in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the heat in my belly.  I was desperately fighting to keep my