Free Engaging (Alluring Book 2) by Sarah Curtis

and sat her ass down.
     
    Cassie sat on the swing on the front porch, enjoying the warm nighttime air.  A soft breeze blew, bringing with it the scent from the honeysuckle vines crawling along the side of the house.  Everyone was gone, the house was clean, and Logan was asleep curled around his new guitar that Gage had given him for his birthday.  Logan had a blast at his party so as far as she was concerned, today was a success. 
    Gage stepped out the front door, carrying a beer in each hand.  Seriously, she couldn't get rid of him.  He sat on the swing next to her and handed her a beer.
    "What are you doing here, Gage?"  She asked, taking a sip of her beer.
    Gage gave a bark of laughter.  "Trying to get you to like me.  I figure if I hang around you long enough, I'll grow on you."
    She gave him a like that will ever happen roll of her eyes.  "I meant, what are you doing in Vegas."
    He gave her a surprised look.  "I live here.  I have a house in the Gable Estates.  I bought it four years ago.  The house has a studio, and the band does all it's recording there.  I'm here most of the year."  He continued even though she didn't say anything.  "We don't do world tours anymore.  Everyone has families now and like to stay close to home.  We only do short, few week tours, in the US a few times a year."
    This was all very surprising to Cassie, but she kept her face passive.  She couldn't let these facts have any bearing on her decision to keep him at arms length.  Just because he was home most of the time now, didn't mean that she could trust her heart to him again.  There were a hundred other reasons to break up with someone.  Long distance wasn't the only factor. 
    But a small voice in the back of her head kept nagging at her.  He had forgiven her for not telling him about Logan, shouldn't she forgive him his mistake in leaving her?  She wasn't sure what to do anymore.  The attraction she felt for him was still strong.  Anytime he touched her, her body went up in flames.  But was that enough for a relationship?  Because she sure as hell wasn't giving him her heart.
    Cassie took another sip of her beer then set in down on the wicker side table.  She turned her body so she faced Gage.  "Listen, it would be petty of me to stay mad at you when you forgave me for not telling you about Logan.  Also, I want you to be a part of Logan's life, so you're welcome here anytime.  And we can be friends.  Maybe even friends with benefits but nothing more.  I'm not risking my heart on you again.  I just can't.  Can you be happy with that arrangement?"
    Gage picked up her hand and held it tenderly.  "Okay, Sunshine, we'll do it your way, for now.  I won't hassle you about getting married, but I have a few conditions."
    "And those are?"  She asked, trying to extract her hand from his grip, but he held on tight.
    He gave her hand a squeeze.  "We're in an exclusive friends with benefits relationship, and I'm going to want a lot of benefits."
    Cassie gave her hand another tug, but he still wouldn't let go.  She gave him a glare.  "That kind of defeats the whole friends with benefits idea, don't you think?"
    "It is what it is, Sunshine.  I don't like to share."
    "So, are you trying to tell me every relationship you've been in has been exclusive?"
    Gage paused for a moment.  "Let me amend, I don't like to share you.  You're mine."
    "This is ridiculous."
    "You're damn right, it is ridiculous.  The whole friends with benefits thing is ridiculous, but I'm willing to give it a go, for you. "
    "Maybe the whole thing was a bad idea.  Maybe we shouldn't even be friends.  We can't seem to agree on anything."
    "Oh no, we definitely agree on one thing.  We both like the idea of the benefits part."
    "Yeah well, maybe I'm changing my mind about that, too.  You're not looking all that attractive at the moment."
    Gage tugged her hand, causing her body to fly forward, colliding with his chest.  "What are you