Sweet Deception (Truth) (4 page)

Chapter 4

Cassie

I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of looking back, I just wanted him to watch me walk away, at least I still had it, and that was a definite confidence boost. Desperate for some fresh air to cool me down, I made my way to the side door that was used by smokers. Once outside I filled my lungs and slumped back against the wall. It was warm outside and I was enjoying the peace and quiet. Closing my eyes, my mind swept over Blake's body and I thought about it pressed against mine. Then Sindy and Barbie popped up in my head and I knew it was stupid to even think about him. He was the way he was, he wouldn't change. He wasn’t into relationships and I wasn’t ready for another relationship. But that didn't have to stop me dreaming about him, did it? I let myself have one last fantasy and shut my eyes.

The smell of whisky and sweat snapped me out of my daydream. I opened my eyes and a short stocky man stood in front of me, swaying his body. He must have been really drunk because he couldn’t stand straight. His eyes narrowed and his face was angry, determined, threatening. I took a few seconds to glance around and realised we were unfortunately alone. The faint sound of music and people laughing and shouting was flowing through gaps in the closed door but if I was to scream nobody would hear. I started to back away but he moved to close in, slurring, "Hey, I just found you, don't leave now. Come and give me a kiss. I've been watching you all night, I want know what those lips taste like, gorgeous.” He walked forward and before I could move any further away he reached out and grabbed my arms.
Backing me against the wall, he put his weight against me and I felt his erection pushing into my thigh. I tried to move my arms but they were pinned against my side and I winced as my elbows cut against the rough bricks behind me. I carried on struggling in his tight grip and shaking my head to the side as his lips aimed for mine.
'Don't be scared sweetheart, you're going to love it," he whispered as his breath burnt into my neck. Forcing my arms up over my head he used one hand to hold them there. His grip was too strong for me to move them. He started to slide his free hand over my bare thighs and I couldn't help but moan with disgust. When this happened in movies, the girl was saved by her knight in shining armour but no-one knew I was here to come and rescue me. If I was going to come out of this unharmed it had to be because I got away myself.
As his lips pressed mine, he got more heated. Opening his lips slightly to stick his tongue down my throat I saw the opportunity and bit down as hard as I could. He yelped and loosened his grip as an automatic reaction. It was all the wiggle room I needed to bring my knee up between his legs. As he staggered back, bowled over with pain, I thumped him with both hands as hard as I could on his back and he collapsed to the floor. It wouldn’t hold him down for long but it was enough that I could run away. I got to the door and reached for the handle but he yanked me back by my hair. I squealed as the pain coursed through my head and I struggled to catch my breath. Shouting at him to get off only made him smile menacingly, I knew it was useless. It still didn't stop me struggling against him but as he pushed me to the ground and my cheek met with the concrete, part of me thought if I did, the whole thing might be over quicker. His hands touched every part of my body and I was cringing inside, still trying to buck him off. I couldn't breathe with his weight on top of me.
All of a sudden there was a crack and my lungs began to fill up with oxygen. Nothing was holding me down. I pushed away from the ground with my hands, trying to ignore the sting of the gashes left by the gravel. I lifted my chest up into a sitting position and focussed on him. My knight. Blake was standing with his hand outstretched. I grabbed hold of it and he pulled me up and into his arms. "Cassie, Cassie are you okay? Did he hurt you? I swear to God if he did I'll kill him." His jaw was tense, with teeth grinding together and fists clenched round my body.
"No, no...I'm fine," I stuttered in response. I couldn't speak, I was dazed and relieved. My legs felt like jelly and they weren't able to hold my weight any longer. They collapsed beneath me and I fell to the ground, only landing softly because of the strong arms wrapped round my waist. He crouched down to look straight into my eyes. " Cassie, the police are already on their way to deal with him, I'm going to take you to the hospital to get you looked at."
"No, no I’m okay. Please don't do that. I just need to find Laurel and then go home and forget out about it."
I knew it wasn't my fault but I was embarrassed and humiliated, especially since Blake had been there to see it.
I glanced back and saw the guy on the floor being held down by two burly bouncers. It was probably the adrenaline running through me but I had to get the proverbial last word in. I made my way over to him, stumbling, and shoved my foot into his side as hard as I could. It was immature but it made me feel a hell of a lot better. He yelled and swore at me, squirming harder but I didn't care. I backed away still staring at him and the enormity of the situation landed on me like a ton of bricks. I looked down, assessing the bruises on my wrists and the grazes on my elbows and felt myself standing at the edge of a cliff. The world closed in, darkness consumed the light around me, and I fell.
I could feel everything that was happening to me. Although my eyes were too heavy to even consider opening them. I knew I was being picked up. I heard raised voices and a car engine purr to life. I think I had fainted but I would only find out when my body allowed me to take control of it again. But for now, it was warm and safe, and after what I just went through it was comforting, so I let myself go.

Chapter 5

My eyes flickered briefly then shut tight again. It was too bright. The sun was streaming in through the large bay window covered in net blinds. My chest felt heavy, my limbs felt weak but as my mind and body connected I slowly started to sit up. Gazing around the room, memories of the previous night began to sink in. The guy's weight on me, his body pressing into mine, the feeling of restraint against my wrists. I rolled my wrists round to assess the damage and I winced at the throbbing pain. I know the guy was drunk and probably didn't even remember it this morning but how far would he have gone? All the way was my guess. I groaned loudly and slumped back against the bed. The bed that wasn't my bed. How could I have not realised in the past few minutes that I was in someone else's room, someone else's house? I glanced down noting I was still fully clothed, thank God. Turning to the left I found a glass of water, two pills and a note,
"I just wanted to make sure you were safe so brought you back to mine. Take the pills; they will help with the headache. Blakey."
I laughed then wished I hadn't. Must have bruised my ribs too. So I was in his house. Looking around it didn't seem like the bachelor pad I had imagined. There were enough feminine touches to make it seem like a couple lived here. There was a chair in the corner covered in floral fabric, pictures on the wall of flowers and a few frills on the bedding. Not what I would have expected from a single guy who lived on his own. Maybe this was the master bedroom and his girlfriend, or one of, lived here too. Did they give up their room for me last night? Had he just come home with me and begged her to let me stay because I was in such a state? I could just imagine the pity in her eyes. Embarrassed by the thought and not really wanting to stick around any longer, I jumped up and headed for the en-suite attached to the room. It was lovely; modern with travertine tiles and under floor heating. I stepped in the large walk-in shower and turned it on high, steaming hot water poured over me from the waterfall shower head and I let my worries drift away getting lost in the moment.
Feeling refreshed as I stepped out, I couldn't help but think about Blake. I was so grateful that he had shown up last night. I wonder how he knew I was there. Did he hear me scream? I doubt it, he hadn't been anywhere near. Maybe he had watched me all the way to the door, or followed me? The thought of his arms around me made my head spin, I needed some coffee to calm me down.
I bent down to pick the clothes up that I was going to put back on when I noticed the small pile on the chair next to the bed. They looked like mine, but I hadn't brought spares out with me. Touching them I realised it was my old jeans, and favourite Pale pink sweater. I blushed at the clean underwear lying underneath. Did Blake pick these up for me? So that must mean my Gran knew where I was, was she mad? She knew what I was wearing. Maybe she thought I brought it on myself.
Shaking the thoughts off, I dressed quickly and headed for the hallway. I could hear faint voices coming from downstairs, one male, definitely Blake's voice, and another was female. They were raised and arguing back and forth. My first thought was correct then. Blake's girlfriend lived here with him and I had interrupted their night. Perfect! She probably hated me and they were arguing about when he was going to kick me out. Well I didn't want to outstay my welcome. She had been very kind letting me stay the night already. I would leave as soon as I thanked them both.
The floorboards creaked as I reached the kitchen door, and both heads flew round to fix their eyes on me. The girl was beautiful, stunning curly blonde hair that tumbled down her back, slim figure, big blue eyes. I recognised her as the one I called Sindy at the bar. She could definitely give Laurel a run for her money in the looks department. Oh crap, Laurel, I hadn't even told her I was leaving, and after begging her not to leave me on my own as well. I needed to find my phone, and at least text her to let her know I was okay. Giving them a weak smile that probably looked as awkward as it felt, she raised an eyebrow at Blake, whipped her hair round then strutted out the room. After a few seconds I heard the front door slamming and the sound of tyres speeding away on the gravel.
I felt so bad I didn't even realise I was just staring until Blake stepped forward and planted a kiss on my forehead, "Good morning, how are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling better thank you. Just a bit confused."
He went back over to the kitchen island and sat down on a stool. "I thought maybe you would be, how much can you actually remember of last night?"
"Oh I can remember all of last night, I didn't have that much to drink. I'm not confused about that. I'm confused as to why you and I are still here together when your girlfriend has just stormed out. You should be chasing after her not babysitting me."
His reply was instant." Amber is
not
my girlfriend. She was just out with Candy and they attached themselves to me. After seeing me carry you to my car she offered to help and said you might need a woman to talk to in the morning. Someone who would understand." He shrugged it off, "But that wasn't what was on her mind last night. She got really pissy when I told her no. She's not used to hearing that word."
"From you?" I raised an eyebrow and regretted the question immediately, it was none of my business but the not-so subtle tone made him chuckle, "Yeah I guess, it’s easy. Just two adults scratching an itch. No drama."
I smiled and cocked my head to the side, "That didn't look like no drama to me."
"Well that was because of you beautiful. She wants me all to herself. And I don't blame her. I am amazing." He was smiling and I knew he was only joking around but he hit a nerve. I didn't come back here to make enemies and I sure as hell didn't want to be hated by every woman in town because they were jealous.
"Blake I didn't mean to cause you drama. I'm just going to get out your way. Thank you for looking after me, I really appreciate it." I turned to walk out the kitchen but he grabbed my arm lightly then released it when I turned back, "Hey, I did not mean for you to leave. Honestly, I wanted
her
to. I just didn’t know how to tell her. It gets old sometimes."

"Oh yeah, girls falling at your feet gets really old I'm sure. Most guys would kill for that to happen to them."
The words stirred something in me. Jealousy?

"Well, I'm not most guys as you will soon find out." He smiled confidently then busied himself making coffee and I took the opportunity to drink him in. He was in grey jogging pants and a white t-shirt looking every bit as hot as I remember. I only had a view from behind, but what a view it was. I started at his dark, wavy, just-long-enough-to-grab-hold-of hair. Broad muscular back that was stretching the t-shirt over all the ridges and bulges. Trim waist leading to firm, tight-
"Do you want something to eat?" Yes. You. He threw the question at me over his shoulder, and I did my best to think of an answer without letting the giggle burst out too. I was too old to giggle.

"I've got bacon?" He carried on.

"Mmm sounds good, yes please. First though, you haven’t seen my phone have you? I really need to let people know I am alright. "
"Yeah it’s here," he said as he walked over to the counter and handed it to me. He let his hand graze mine as I took it from him and it shot a pulse of electricity straight to my core. Why did he have to be so bloody hot? It made it hard to think straight.
"I hope you don't mind but I called Laurel for you. I didn't want her to think I was kidnapping you. She was…interesting. She brought your change of clothes over - some guy was with her, could only stop sucking her face for all of two minutes. She said she'd let your grandmother know what happened and that you were safe."
"Oh that was nice of her. I wasn't expecting that." Even after what I put Laurel through she was willing to go out of her way to help me. I didn’t deserve a friend like her.
"Why not? She must really care about you. She threatened to knee me in the nut sack if I did anything to hurt you. That kind of loyalty goes a long way in my books." He placed the coffee in front of me as he waited for my reply. “Yeah it's a long story but let's just say I won't be winning any awards for friend of the year. Or three. I was pretty shitty to her."
"Well she seems to have forgiven you now. I wouldn't dwell on it. Life's too short. You don’t want to miss out on being happy because the past is still playing on your mind." For all his cockiness and bravado Blake was definitely someone who gave good advice and I'm sure there was more there. I could see it in his face, his jaw was steeled, and his eyes were lost in a past moment. But it was too early in this friendship to go spilling painful memories. That was something I knew too well.
I took a sip of the hot coffee and worked up the courage to talk about what happened last night.