Free Unbound by Cat Miller Page B

things.  I care about you but this is not a relationship.”  Calming now he looked her in the eyes.  “Sam, I need some time to absorb this, okay?”
    Samantha crossed the room and grabbed her purse, digging out a set of keys.  She tossed them onto the bed and left the room wordlessly.  Chase sat on the end of the bed with his head hung listening to the click of heels coming back toward him.  Her top was still on the floor.  He lifted his head to find Samantha’s usual perfection in nothing but the thong, red heels, and a black trench coat.  Her hands on her hips and a wide smile on her recently glossed lips.
    “You do what you need to do.  I will let you be but it’s going to happen and you know it.  We’ll be bonded and this relationship will be forever.  We’ll be happy together and our families will prosper.”  She retreated agai n. The front door slammed behind her as she left the condo.
     
    * * *
    A few weeks had passed since school started and Dani was concentrating on her studies.  Olivia and the rest of the group had been going to Thirst twice a week.  She got annoyed with Dani for not going but she’d been avoiding Chase.  She thought about him too much and had dreams about him that left her frustrated and wanting the real thing.  Dani feared she wouldn’t be able to resist touching him if she ran into him again.  Charlie had stayed behind a couple times to study with her.  He was just like Kenna, a natural brain.  It was Friday and after two weeks of work and no play, Charlie had talked her into attending her first frat party.
    Lucas called twice a day, every day.  He was still trying to make up for the fight and his drinking.  She’d already forgiven him of course.  After all, she’d been no angel herself that night.  She hadn’t done anything wrong but the thought was there and guilt over it assailed her.  Dani just didn’t want Lucas drinking like that.  He could do whatever he wanted to do but no one should drink until they don’t remember the night.
    She hung up with Lucas before entering her first class of the day.  He seemed agitated when she mentioned going to a party but Dani wouldn’t be editing anymore.  She was telling him everything because they both had to get used to living apart.  He went out with his friends and she was learning to deal with it.  Besides, she didn’t drink the way he did so he shouldn’t be worried.
    The rest of the day dragged.  She tried to think of an excuse for not going out.  Olivia would be pissed if she cancelled.  The fall air was crisp and clean smelling after her last class.  Autumn had always been her favorite season.  She stopped on a bench to enjoy the weather and admire the scenery.  Her favorite area of campus where the arching trees hold hands was now starting to change colors.  The leaves fluttered in the light breeze and Dani was content, just taking it all in until interrupted by a voice she couldn’t believe she was hearing.  Dani snapped her head around when he said, “There you are, stranger.”
    “Lucas!”  There he stood looking like home.  His steel blue eyes made her heart skip. 
    She squealed as he dragged her over the back of the bench and into his arms.  He spun her around in circles and kissed her hard.  It felt so good to be in his arms again.  He was whispering, “I love you,” between every kiss he placed from her forehead all the way down her neck.
    “What are you doing here?  I can’t believe you’re really here.”  She murmured still attached to his neck, afraid if she let go he would disappear.  She prayed it wasn’t another crazy dream.
    “I couldn’t be away from you any longer.  I had to hold you,” Lucas cooed against her temple.  When he finally released her, they walked hand and hand to the dorm.  A bunch of Dani’s friends were there watching TV in the common room.  Olivia caught sight of them first.  She jumped up and ran toward them, getting the