Chapter 3: Cassidy

##Chapter 3: Cassidy

Book One: Stay

Not to be thrown off course, he persists. "So just tell me what he did to deserve it." He looks genuinely interested. But still...

I narrow my eyes because this little back and forth is exactly what I didn't want to get sucked into.

Hmm...ignoring him didn't work.

And bitchiness hasn't deterred him either.

Maybe if I just give him the answers he's after, he'll get bored and wander off in search of easier prey.

Huffing out an aggravated breath, I mumble, "He grabbed my ass."

Those golden eyes darken as the corners of his mouth sink into a deep frown. "I'm sorry he did that to you. I think Alex is pretty wasted."

I scowl. "Being drunk isn't an excuse for sexually harassing me. What he did was wrong." I stab a finger in Alex's direction. "That dude got what he deserved. Actually, he's lucky I didn't knock his front teeth out."

Eyes flaring, he holds up both hands. "I never claimed it was an acceptable justification for touching you." He looks upset that I think he's making excuses for his meathead friend, but I don't care. I want him gone. His very presence unnerves me, and I don't like it.

Even though I know he means well, I carry on with my plan to drive him away. "Actually," I cut in, "that's exactly what you said."

His thick brows jerk together as he shakes his head. "But it's not what I meant. I just wanted you to understand that he drank a few too many and isn't using good judgment. Alex is a harmless guy. But yeah, I guess he thought you were pretty and was looking for a way to approach you."

This conversation has gone from bad to worse.

My mouth falls open. "So, you're telling me," I say with a shitload of disbelief, "that this is my fault because he thinks I'm pretty?"

Is this guy for real?

His eyes widen at the insinuation. "No," he snaps with a bit of heat, "that's not what I meant at all." His expression turns to one of frustration as he runs a hand through his messy brown hair.

I'm momentarily distracted by those rich, chocolate-colored strands. Yup, totally dangerous.

"But that's what you said."

Thankfully, this conversation is going exactly where I need it to-and that's right down the tubes. Like I said before-gorgeous guy, total asshole behavior. Guess I'm not as far off the mark as I'd originally suspected. But this is exactly what I want-for him to expose himself as a douche, and for me to move on without a second thought.

What doesn't make sense is why I'm left with a vague feeling of disappointment. I force that thought away before I can examine it too closely.

Looking exasperated, which yeah, is a totally adorable look on him as well, he snaps, "Damn it, I know that's what I said. All I wanted to do was apologize for Alex pissing you off." He glares at me with those amazing golden eyes of his. "I'm apologizing on behalf of my friend. That's it. Okay?"

Uncertain where we go from here, I shrug. "Fine. Apology accepted."

It's definitely time to leave. If this guy has any self-preservation skills whatsoever, he'll let me go about my business without trying to detain me.

"Bye." I give him a half wave and swing around to search the thick press of bodies for my roommate.

Make that my former roommate...

"Hold up!"

Holy crap!

All I want to do is shake this guy loose.

Why can't he take a hint?

I'm not interested!

I don't want to be interested.

I don't need the distraction.

And he's definitely a distraction.

"I need to find Brooklyn so I can get the hell out of here," I mutter.

"What?" His breath feathers along the back of my neck, making goosebumps ripple across my arms. I grit my teeth, attempting to suppress my body's natural reaction to him.

Heat flares in my narrowed eyes as I careen toward him for a third time. "Are you following me?" My gaze locks on his. As annoyed as I am right now, I still find him completely dreamy, which only exacerbates all those feelings of frustration and annoyance that are roiling through me.

"Um...yes?"

He sounds none too sure. His gaze holds mine, and even though I don't want him melting the thick sheath of ice protecting me, he is.

I inhale a deep breath before slowly blowing it out and trying to calm the raging mess inside me once and for all.

"Look, you seem like a nice guy." Well, as nice of a guy as I'm going find at an ass grabbing kegger. "But this isn't going to happen."

His brows slide together and it's kind of...argh, it's kind of adorable.

Aw hell, it's completely adorable. Damn him for being completely gorgeous and adorable. That is such a lethal combination. I'm sure he has all the girls at Western swooning at his feet.

But I'm not one of those girls.

"What's not going to happen?" His confusion only adds to his adorableness.

Seriously, I cannot catch a break here.

I waggle my finger between us. I have to stifle a groan because he's so damn close. And yes, I probably should have known he would smell amazing. Like the ocean on a perfectly sunny day with just a hint of a breeze. I want to inhale a big breath of him. I don't dare because he's much too dangerous for the likes of me.

"This."

"I just want to know your name," he replies quietly as if he actually means it.

I can't deny that a tiny part of me wants to tell him.

Holding firm against all that cuteness packaged neatly in front of me, I force myself to give him a patronizing look. "Right." I roll my eyes. "Sure, you do." Then I go for the kill. "Look, I'm not going to fuck you. Not tonight. Or tomorrow night. Or ever."

I point to all the scantily clad girls that surround us.

Of which there are many.

"There are a lot easier marks around here than me. Go find one of them to play with."

I spin back around but don't get far. Surprised by the sudden grip on my upper arm, he swings me to him. His brows are scrunched and low over his eyes as he glares.

"I'm not interested in getting laid, and it's a shitty assumption for thinking that's the only reason I'd want to talk with you."

Eyes wide, I freeze beneath his touch as my heart jackhammers painfully. A sudden release of adrenaline careens through my veins as sweat pops out across my brow and my chest tightens. Even though his grip isn't punishing, it has every cell in my body seizing with panic.

I don't like being touched. Or grabbed. Or manhandled.

In all honesty, I'd been nice to Alex and had let him off easy.

But this...this isn't okay.

"Take your hand off me!" I growl, unable to stop the fine tremble from sliding through my body.

His eyes widen as he drops my arm as if I've burned him with the heat of my words. Silently, we stare for a long, painful heartbeat. Or maybe it's twenty. The rowdy laughter and pulsing music that surrounds us fades to the background.

My ragged breath hitches as I suck in oxygen before forcing it slowly out.

Even though he's dropped my arm, I'm still gripped by a tidal wave of anxiety as it crashes over me, threatening to drag me under. The slight trembling turns into bone-shaking tremors. My chest feels like it is being squeezed by a vise.

I can't breathe.

I have to get out of here.

A few more seconds and I'll be choking on my panic. I can feel the familiar tendrils coiling inside me. The last thing I need is to lose my shit in front of all these drunken strangers.

Silently, I spin on my heels before shoving my way through the thick press of bodies until I reach the front door. As soon as I get to the porch, the brisk night air slaps at my cheeks, and I inhale deep gulps of fresh air before stumbling my way down the sidewalk like a drunken idiot. I need to put as much distance as I can between myself and that party. Even though I try to settle the frantic thoughts rolling through my head, it's impossible.

It's too late to rein in all my out-of-control emotions.

Bending over, I vomit my dinner onto someone's overgrown front yard. The only bright side I can find in this mess is that my pile of puke probably won't be the only one gracing the lawn come morning.