Free ChasingCassie by Lorna Jean Roberts Page A

had? She wasn’t sure what to
believe, everything was rolling around in her head, making her nauseous. Could
she trust him?
    “I tried to convince myself that it was Dusty I needed, told
myself she was the smart choice, the best choice. But I was fooling myself. It’s
you, Cassie, you’re the one for me.”
    “Why? She’s prettier—”
    “Hush.” He placed his fingers over her mouth, frowning down
at her sternly. “Do not put yourself down in front of me, I won’t have it. I’m
not interested in hearing that you’re not pretty or smart or any of that shit.
Got it? I hear anything self-derogatory coming from your mouth and your butt
will feel the palm of my hand.”
    Shocked by his ferociousness, she nodded.
    He lay back, breathing deeply. “Christ, I’m a fool. I’m so
sorry, Cassie. You’re gorgeous, you’re kind, sweet, but for years I’ve told
myself that I would only ever mate with a werewolf.”
    “Oh.” What more could she say? She couldn’t change what she
was.
    “Years ago I met this human girl. I thought I loved her.
That she loved me. Then she betrayed me. I swore never to get involved with
another human again. She almost came between me and the pack. I snuck around,
kept our relationship a secret for her. So I told myself the pack would always
come first and that I would only ever mate with a werewolf.”
    He rolled over and looked at her. “That is, until I met you.
I forgot that mating isn’t something you can control. I like control, and it
confounded me that I couldn’t take charge of my feelings.”
    Cassie rubbed her forehead, trying to think. It was all a
bit much, overloading her brain.
    “Cassie?”
    “I’m not sure we could work, Jay. You were right. Dusty is a
smarter choice. She’s a werewolf. She understands pack dynamics, pack loyalty.
I think…I think I’d be the odd one out. I wouldn’t fit in.”
    “It will take some time for everyone to adjust. But we can
make this work, Cassie. And I’m going to stay here until you believe that. This
time I’m not going anywhere. We’re meant to be together. I know I can make you
happy, if you’ll let me.”
    She stared down at him silently for a moment then shook her
head. “I don’t know. This is all so much to take in. I have to think.”
    “Cassie—”
    She shook her head again. “You need to leave, I have to be
alone. This night has done a complete one-eighty on me and I need some space to
breathe.” When she was around him everything seemed more intense. As though
she’d been sleeping, now she saw everything in color, it was brighter, sharper.
She felt more, she hurt more.
    “But you believe me?”
    “Look, this was meant to be a night of fun, it wasn’t meant
to get all serious and heartfelt. I have to think.”
    “Cassie—”
    “No. Look, when you’re so close I can’t think. Give me a
chance to think. Please, for now, anyway.”
    * * * * *
    “She’s not here.”
    Jay’s gaze was drawn to the tall woman moving toward him. He
was glad Cassie hadn’t gone for a strange haircut and color like hers. He
almost shuddered at the thought.
    He peered around Ella, hoping to see Cassie walk into the
dining area of Fat Eddy’s. The wolf prowled, making his displeasure known. He
was learning to let the wolf in more. When it came to Cassie, his wolf was
determined to make his opinion known anyway. Their bond wasn’t completely
repaired, but it was stronger. The more powerful it grew, the more possessive
Jay felt toward Cassie. He could barely stand to be away from her, found
himself thinking about her constantly. Wanting to reassure himself that she was
okay.
    Neither the wolf nor the man could believe his sister had
waitressed in this dump. They definitely didn’t like the fact that their woman
was working here, and as soon as he convinced her to trust in him and give
their relationship a chance, he intended to whisk her out of this place and out
of this town.
    “Do you know where she is?” he asked the