Chapter 4

CASSIE

“What are you doing? People are staring,” I protested, trying to wrestle my hands from his firm grip, but it was like wrestling with a brick wall. Curious onlookers were openly casting their eyes our way.

“Let them stare,” he retorted, his tone icy and angry.

“Caleb. He’s still inside. I have to go back,” I insisted, feeling his grip tighten as he pulled me along, trying to match his strides.

I was scared. I could feel the anger radiating off him, the heat rising with every step toward the elevator at the back of the mall, leading to the basement. We were walking quickly, attracting more stares.

Jake ignored my pleas, dragging me forcefully. All I could do was match his speed, avoiding eye contact with anyone who dared to watch us pass. Finally, we reached the elevator.

“Why are you doing this? What will Caleb think?” I protested as he practically shoved me inside.

“Do I look like I fucking care what the boy thinks?!” Jake snapped, his voice cutting through the air.

“But I care! I was with him, not you!” I craned my neck to level our eyes, upset. “You can’t just pull me away from my date like that.”

“And let you eat each other’s faces,” he retorted, his eyes narrowing, an anger I’d never seen before.

“That doesn’t give you the right, Jake. You embarrassed him,” I argued, but he ignored me, continuing with his determined strides.

“Fasten your seatbelt,” he ordered grimly after forcing me into the passenger seat.

“This is ridiculous. I’m having my first date, and you ruined it.”

The door slammed shut, followed by the growl of the engine as he sped out of the basement. I couldn’t understand his actions; it was ludicrous of him to have done that to Caleb.

Since he wasn’t talking, I grabbed my phone and dialed Caleb’s number. “Hey?” I started when he picked up. Jake’s knuckles turned white as he snatched my phone. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

Expressionless, his eyes remained fixed on the road. He said nothing, fueling my irritation.

“Fuck you,” I spat, my voice barely above a whisper. His growl echoed, or maybe it was my own sound threatening to emerge. I was so upset. So upset.

Looking out the window, I noticed we weren’t headed toward my home but his place. My heart skipped a beat, my stomach doing a flip.

The car pulled into Jake’s driveway, and I was more confused. Why were we at his place? He didn’t want me here, right? The engine cut off. Jake remained stoic, his grip on the steering wheel showing no signs of loosening. He took a deep breath, the muscles on his chest and arms flexing. It was as if he was trying to calm down.

And then, he let out a heavy sigh, his grip on the wheel softening slightly. “Why did you message me, Cassie?” but he wasn’t looking at me. “If you didn’t want me to ruin your date, why did you message me?”

What should I say? “Because I thought...you should know. But I realized after that...that you didn’t have to know. This is my life. I can do what I want, and I can date whoever I want,” I replied, attempting to sound brave despite the confusion swirling inside me. “And you? Why did you do that? You embarrassed Caleb.”

“The room was dark. He could turn the phone down and pretend it wasn’t his. Easy.”

“You’re ridiculous. You can’t just hack people’s phones and do lewd things in them, Jake,” I shot back, angry. Unfastening the seatbelt, I grabbed the handle to open the car, but it was locked.

“Lewd things?” he scoffed. He finally turned to face me, his eyes stubborn. “Just as how you searched lewd things before meeting this boy?”

My insides froze. He went through my computer! No! I am so humiliated! But wasn't that the plan? Earlier I searched for pieces of advice online on what to do on the first date like how to dress up that would hint at seduction, what to do if the man insisted on making out, and what I could do to please a man without doing the real act. I searched many other stuff online including photos, and Jake saw them! My cheeks burned.

“It’s none of your business. And I would appreciate it if you stop running through my stuff on my computer.” I firmed, meeting his eyes. “That’s my personal space, Jake. You have no right to invade it.”

“Personal space,” he repeated, unbuckling his seatbelt. His tone dropped low, something more dangerous lacing his words. The atmosphere shifted, tension thickening in the narrow space of the car. Suddenly, the air felt charged with an unpredictable energy.

His demeanor changed abruptly, and I gasped aloud when he reached over and grabbed me, pulling me onto his lap. Heat crawled over my skin at the close proximity.

“What gives you the right to decide what’s personal, Cassie?” he murmured, his breath brushing against my ear, sending forbidden shudders down my spine. The dangerous edge in his voice made my heart race. “How many times have you invaded my personal space? How many times have you driven the sane man crazy in me?”

I struggled against his grip, “Let go, Jake. This isn’t okay.”No, this is okay. I wanted this. My clit throbbed at the touch of his skin on mine. I did not feel this on Caleb. Not on any man.

His hold tightened, and a dark intensity burned in his eyes as he chuckled. “You think I don’t know your game? Going on a date with a boy to drive me mad?”

“Jake,” his fingers touched my leg and I squirmed.

“Highlighting on the search button that you won’t wear anything to cover your pussy on your date?” his hand went higher up to my thighs.

“Jake,” his name came out of my mouth like a moan.

“You knew I would go through your computer.”

Yes!

Yes, I knew. I knew he was gifted with that skill. He was adept in the web and the intricacy of the internet. That was why I had always been careful with my devices because I knew he could be watching me. And the fact that he saw right through my plan made me celebrate inside.

Jake leaned in, his lips brushing against my earlobe as he whispered, “You can’t keep secrets from me, Cassie.”

I didn’t want to. I had always been an open book to him. Everything, including my feelings.

The warmth of his breath tickled my earlobe, and I couldn’t deny the effects he had on me. My wetness started to drench my bare desire.

His fingers traced a teasing path along the curve of my waist, leaving a trail of electric sensations in their wake. I felt my hunger for him growing.

“Jake, please,” I pleaded. “You’re right. I did it all to provoke you and I succeded, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. You want me, too.” I said and attempted to kiss him, but his hand gripped my jaw, stopping me.

His eyes drilled into mine, desire and something darker flickering within those grey eyes. “Don’t mistake my presence for approval, Cassie. You’re playing with fire.” His voice was low and commanding. His hand on my jaw tightened slightly, a warning, yet the intensity of his gaze hinted with lust. The tension between us hung palpably in the air, and something was blurring the lines.

“I wanna be burned. I don’t care.” I sighed, my hand clutching on his lapel. I could feel the warmth of his breath on the skin of my neck.

“You’re not making this easy,” he murmured, the conflict in his voice betraying the internal struggle he was trying to mask. I could sense the battle within him, and I somehow reveled in that feeling because it meant one thing...I was affecting him too.

My pulse quickened. I could taste the anticipation on my lips, “But you want this too, don’t you? Jake...”

His grip on my face loosened, and I seized the opportunity to close the remaining distance between us. I kissed him in a hungry, heated kiss. He groaned, and I moaned, lacing my fingers through his dark locks, savoring his manly taste on my tongue.Oh, I am kissing Jake!

But even before I could push my tongue into his mouth, another car pulled through his garage and honked, making him pull away with a grunt. I had to bite down a growl that was ready to explode. Whoever this person was, I could kill him! I had been waiting for this moment to finally kiss Jake, dreaming of this, totally craving this, but this person just stole that moment from me! I hated him. I was so mad I could cry.

But when I saw the person, my mouth slightly dropped open. I was wrong.

Not him, but her.

My stomach dropped to the ground, and my heart thumped a different sound, slow, but pounding as Jake guided me back to my seat. “Stay here,” he commanded in a low rasp voice. “And when I say stay here,” he held my gaze, “I mean it. Stay here, Cassie. You understand?”

He didn’t wait for my response and went out to greet the woman. Disappointment crawled into my chest as I glared at the woman. She wore a black dress that clung to her curves. She exuded flirty confidence with a playful smirk that hinted at a streak of naughtiness. Everything in her screamed sensuality. And I didn’t like the fact that even to me, she looked pretty.

A knot of frustration tightened in my stomach when I saw the woman throw her arms around Jake’s neck and giggle. The familiarity stung, and without giving it a second thought, I walked outside. She had to know I was here; he’s mine, dammit! And I intended to make that crystal clear.

I could feel how frustrated and possessive my steps were. As I approached, the smile on the woman’s face faded and was replaced by an awkward pause. Jake’s eyes turned toward me, slightly narrowed and dark. The knot in my stomach tightened.

I locked eyes with the woman. “I’m Cassandra.”

Her elegant eyebrow bent, and the corner of her lips rose. “I didn’t know you had company, Jake. I thought it was going to be just us.”

That felt like another strike to my heart. Just us...

Clearing my throat, I needed her to understand that Jake and I were a thing. “I’m sorry, but Jake and I—”

“Oh, she’s going to join us?” Her laughter had a sultry edge, and she crossed her arms, emphasizing her curves, her breasts almost spilling out. “Well, when did I last have a threesome.”

A silent gasp left me, shocked and scandalized. I looked at Jake, but his eyes were inscrutable. “I told you to stay in the car, Cassandra,” his voice was calm, but his eyes were stormy and dark.

“Who are you again?” I asked the woman, hoping my voice didn't come out weak, and this time, she seemed to realize something. “Why are you here in Jake’s place?”

She straightened. “I think that’s for Jake to explain, Cassandra.” Her smile was soft but didn’t reach her eyes. She seemed bored and irritated.

I looked into Jake's eyes. “Yeah, I get it,” I said, taking a step back and turning to the woman, holding my head up high. “You’re his... whore.”

Her gasp was loud, but I didn’t care. I walked away with heavy steps, doubling my speed.

“Cassie!” Jake bellowed, but like I heard nothing, I ran...fast.

After all, I didn’t live that far. Just three blocks away.

It wasn’t until I felt my throat dry that I stopped running. I looked back, and there was no Jake. He didn’t follow me. He just let me run away. And why did that hurt?

Like a hand squeezed my heart, I bled. It hurt so much I couldn’t breathe.

My throat constricted painfully as I tried to hold back my tears. I told myself to wait until I reached my room, where I could let it all out. But why was it so hard?

A lone tear I hadn’t even noticed slipped into my mouth. When I tasted the saltiness, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I cried and cried. Jealousy gripped my heart mercilessly. It was an overwhelming emotion, gnawing at me like a relentless storm. Insecurity and hurt fueled by the intensity of my jealousy were suffocating. Why couldn’t he love me back?