by Sam Crescent
Cassie hated being in this position.
“He will. One day.” She held him for a few more minutes until they went back to playing a game. It was like the whole world forgot about them until Blaze walked in some hours later.
“I thought you were in bed, little man. It has gone past eight o’clock.” He scooped up his son, and Cassie turned and packed away all the games.
“Wait, I want Cassie to read me a story,” he said.
She stared at Blaze.
“I don’t mind,” Blaze said.
She accompanied him up to bed and helped tuck him in. Blaze left, and she settled down to reading Blaze Junior a story. By the second page he was asleep, but she stayed to read the entire story before kissing him and leaving the room quietly.
Blaze sat across from the room.
“Do you want some tea?” he asked.
Cassie nodded and followed him down to the kitchen. She sat at the counter while he walked around getting the cups. He still had a really great ass to look at.
“You’re great with kids,” he told her as he pressed the button on the kettle to work.
“Hardly. I wouldn’t know what to do with a kid. Blaze is nice though. He’s friendly.” She smiled at him.
“I heard what he said. About me not playing.”
Cassie stared down to her lap where her fingers interlocked. “That’s got nothing to do with me. He seems like a great kid. It sounds like he gets lonely sometimes.”
She wasn’t trying to pry into his life at all. Blaze carried over the steaming cups of tea and sat opposite her.
“Life with Francesca was complicated. To be honest, it was a total disaster from the start,” he said.
“I don’t need to hear about it,” she said.
“No. I want to tell you. In truth I should never have married her. I did it because my dad told me to. It’s what we men do. Stick by the women we give our children.” Blaze sounded a little bitter in the last part.
Cassie sipped her tea and listened to his heartache and the pains that had joined him along the way. She learnt Francesca had given birth to Blaze Junior and then pretty much disappeared from his life. She was always off spending money or flaunting a new lover to the tabloids.
“I didn’t care. I sometimes wonder if that’s half the problem, my lack of caring.”
“Does she see him at all?” Cassie asked. Even with her career she’d want to see her son.
“No. All she cares about is the next pay-check I’ve got to pay,” Blaze answered.
She reached across and took his hand. “I’m sorry you and your son have to go through that. He’d a sweet kid.”
“I don’t get to spend as much time with him as I like. I’m a shit father, but from looking at the scene tonight I didn’t have a great role model.”
Cassie shook her head. “You shouldn’t think like that. Our parents don’t make us who we are. We do. Our strengths and weaknesses. Blaze Junior loves you, and you can see that.”
The clock struck in the hall way. She stared at the man she loved and wished they were in their own house and putting their own son to bed.
“Tell you what. I’m free tomorrow. Why don’t we go to the zoo or the movies or something?” she asked.
“With Blaze Junior?”
“Of course. Has he ever been to the zoo?”
He shook his head.
“Then it’s a date.” Cassie shook his hand. “I’m going to head on up. Don’t fret about that scene today. Everyone has them.”
She left him to his thoughts and walked upstairs. Before going to her room she checked on Blaze Junior first to make sure the little scamp was still safe.
Chris waited for her in her room. She glared at him and left the door wide open. “I didn’t invite you in,” she said.
“I’m not a vampire, so that’s a plus.”
“Making with the funny. Say what you want, and then leave, please.” She brushed past him and moved to the bed where her suitcase still lay.
“I thought you were leaving.” He came to stand beside her.
“Thought about it. But decided to stay.” She moved the bundle of clothes to the empty dresser. “Your family is a hoot. I didn’t know the men got off on hurting women.” She paused and cursed herself. The promise she’d made to Erica was forgotten by her loose tongue.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
She pushed the suitcase under the bed and turned to face him. Her hands folded over her chest.
“Erica, she told you everything.” A red blush stained his cheeks.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. She tried to keep the promise the other woman had asked of her.
A silence descended on the room. Chris stared at her, and Cassie tried with all of her might to look him in the eye. She’d promised to keep her secret. What kind of friend was she if she couldn’t do something as simple as that?
“She told you,” Chris said. He walked closer and cupped her shoulders staring into her eyes.
“Don’t do this,” she asked.
Chris cupped her cheek and tilted her head back. “There is nothing you can keep from me, Cassie. I love you like a friend, but I also know the pain I caused Erica.”
Seeing no other alternative she pulled out of his arms and glared at him. “Why did you do it?” she asked. Cassie decided she’d wear the world’s worst friend badge.
“When it comes to me and Erica I suggest you stay out of it,” Chris said before leaving the room.
Bewildered, Cassie went outside her bedrooms door to stand on the balcony overlooking the gardens. Everywhere was so calm and silent. She couldn’t believe only a few short hours ago a father and son had been prepared to throw punches. The night sky looked beautiful and calm. She thought about Blaze and all of her encounters with the man she’d fallen in love with.
Three years was quite a time gap since they’d seen each other. Yet her heart continued to race in his presence, and her pussy creamed thinking about being spread over his office desk. Time didn’t compare to the love she felt inside her heart. Cassie placed a hand over her chest and thought about everything to do with that man.
He was divorced with a son. She adored the little boy and could clearly see he craved the affection he’d missed. Francesca must have caused some heartache in her quest to gain authority in Blaze’s life. A true woman, a caring woman, would stick by her child.
Cassie left the cold night air and moved to have a quick shower. On a vacation life was supposed to be relaxing. She hoped the next two weeks went by a lot better than the last two.
Chapter Eleven
The following day Cassie went with Blaze and his son to the zoo. They found one not too far from the beach house with a theme style park attached. Blaze Junior stayed by her side, holding her hand. She loved going through the different sections of each animal species.
Cassie wasn’t surprised when Blaze Junior loved the reptile section. She cringed and held in her screams when she glanced at all the freaky looking animals. Not that she had anything against them. She’d just never be left in a room with one of them.
“Did you see that snake? It’s huge with big sharp teeth.” Blaze made a hissing sound between his teeth.
“Yeah. Let’s forget all about the poisonous snake who’d kill us in a heartbeat.” Cassie froze when she realised what she’d said. Blaze gave her a funny look, and his son raised his eyebrows.
“You talk funny,” Blaze Junior said and shrugged.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” she asked, instinctively defending herself.
“You don’t like big snakes. My daddy will protect us. I will, too. I’ll roar.” Blaze Junior then began to let out an almighty roar.
She ruffled his hair and laughed. Nearly three and already competing for dominance. He’d be the same as his dad when he was older.
“Let’s keep that talk for another time. I’m hungry. What do you say to a bur
ger?” She took his hand and headed in the direction of food.
“You eat burgers?”
Cassie stopped and stared down at the little boy. “Yes, I eat everything.” It wasn’t a shock. Look at the size of her.
“I didn’t know girls ate burgers.”
Instead of looking at the little boy for an explanation she stared at the other adult in her presence.
“Francesca and her friends never ate, or at least only ate salads.”
What a good topic to ruin a lovely day. Cassie stared at Blaze and wondered if he saw some hungry disgusting pig. She’d go insane at this rate. She never knew what he was thinking or feeling.
“I’m hungry.”
They walked to the nearest burger bar and ordered a burger and fries for all of them. They sat toward the back and out of the sun. Cassie’s heart melted when Blaze Junior pushed the chair closer to her and climbed up.
Blaze smiled and leaned back in his chair.
Was that man up to something?
The young man delivered their burgers, and to emphasize her point of eating she nicked a fry off Blaze Junior. The rest of the meal the young kid sat guarding his food and ate every bite. The next few hours Blaze and Cassie took turns going on rides with his son.
She loved every second of it and wished she had a family of her own. On the drive back to the beach house she sat in the back and let Blaze Junior fall asleep in her lap.
“He likes you,” Blaze said.
“I like him, too. You’re a good father,” she said to help reassure him.
“I’m not. At least when Francesca was around I wasn’t. I hope I can change that now. She’s gone, and I can stand to be in the same room for more than thirty seconds.”
“Sounds like it was hard.” She smiled and ran her fingers through the hair on the bundle in her lap. Her natural instinct was to calm and soothe every pain and problem.
“It was. For Blaze Junior I guess it was worse.”
Silence met his words. She couldn’t tell how much it hurt for him to talk about Francesca. That woman was part of his past and would be for the foreseeable future.
“I’m glad you came, and I got the chance to see you again,” he said.
Cassie stared at the mirror. She licked her lips and smiled. “I’m glad I came, too. Being with Chris has been fun, but most of all I’m glad I got to see you again. I missed you.” There was no fighting her feelings.
Her heart had and would always belong to Blaze Sinclair.
****
Back at the house a tension could be felt in every room. Cassie carried Blaze Junior up to his room and tucked him beneath the covers.
“What about bathing him?” she asked his father.
“He’s had a long day. Let him rest. He’ll have a bath tomorrow.”
Cassie nodded and walked out of the room with him. “What do you think is up with everyone else?” she asked as they made it down to the kitchen. Blaze put the kettle on, and Cassie sat at the counter. Molly had given her permission to get what she wanted. She was uncomfortable snooping around someone else’s house. Anyway, she liked seeing Blaze in the kitchen. Any time she got a good view of his ass was a good thing in her book.
“I told you some of it the other day. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, my dad is an asshole. That little display you saw out in the backyard. Luke and John are the ones who’ve convinced Molly to get a divorce.”
Cassie had heard bits of the information. She thought because of the older couple spending time together they might be working things out.
“I take it nothing is happening?” she asked.
“I guess from everything we’ve seen, it’s only getting worse.”
Blaze settled opposite her and brought some biscuits with him.
“Yum, chocolate,” she said.
“I thought you might enjoy them.”
They sat together in silence, drinking tea and dunking biscuits. Cassie laughed when Blaze left his in too long, and it fell into the cup.
“I think you’re a sadist,” he said, even though he continued to sip his drink.
Cassie rubbed the tears from her eyes from the laughing. Blaze reached over and stopped the laughing in an instant. He grabbed her hand and interlocked their fingers.
From the connection Cassie couldn’t contain her reaction. Her body loved everything about this man. Her nipples budded, and her pussy was so wet she was worried it might leave a wet patch on her seat.
“I’m so pleased you stayed.”
“It has only been a day,” she said.
“I know, but you could have turned round and left. I admire you for staying. Being with me after what I did couldn’t have been easy for you.” His thumb stroked along the pulse in her wrist.
Cassie smiled and licked her lips. They had suddenly gone dry.
“Three years ago when I thought about seeing you again I thought all kinds of stuff. At one point every image going through this brain of mine would come up with you in some kind of injury. Then, over time they changed, and I thought if I see you again and you’re happy then it won’t matter.” She stopped and took a sip of her drink. “When I saw you again, I’m not going to lie, it did hurt. But along with the pain there was a small bit of happiness.”
“Why were you happy?” he asked.
“Because I could look at you and not fall apart. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time thinking I couldn’t handle you in any way. Being here has made me realise how strong I am.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Cassie frowned and glanced up at him. “Why are you sorry?”
“For what I did back then.”
She’d heard his “sorrys” before. She didn’t need to hear them anymore. In truth, she no longer wanted to think about the past. It hurt to revisit, and she felt it didn’t do any good. A glance around the room helped her to find the right words. She leaned over and took his other hand, so she was holding both.
“I want you to listen to me, Blaze Sinclair. That is the last time I want to hear those words come out of your mouth for that mistake three years ago. We forgot, but I didn’t have any claim on you or you on me. Let us call this day the last time we think or mention what happened back then?”
“Deal.”
“Good.” She kissed him on the lips and smiled at the look of shock on his face. Maybe they did have a future somewhere.
****
Molly heard Blaze and Cassie come home, and she watched from the bottom of the hall as they put her grandson to bed.
She loved this beach house. This had been the first place David had ever bought her to. It had been much later she’d learnt the value to him and his first wife. She wished she had the strength to stay with him. With every passing day she knew her heart grew too heavy to deal with the pain.
David looked at her, and she knew he was thinking of his dead wife.
When Blaze and Cassie left she checked on her grandson a final time before walking to the top floor of the house.
Everyone had thought she’d been so clever. Molly had caught the wealthiest man in town. She shook her head. She’d been a fool back then to think she could have anything with David Sinclair. The man was much older than she and under some assumption he couldn’t love anyone but the one woman.
Her heart sped up when she saw him seated on the floor with his back pressed against the door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Waiting for you,” he said and got up from the floor. Even after all this time being together, he was the best looking man she’d ever seen. Life wasn’t fair to her. She’d been cursed to spend the whole of her adult life loving a man who could never love her back.
“What do you want?” She folded her arms over her chest and hoped the guarded stance gave her the protection she needed. So many times he’d almost talked her out of sleeping alone. She had to remember to be strong. To fight for the love she deserved and wanted. Even if this man couldn’t give it to her.
“Then talk.” Molly knew the moment she let him in her room everything would be over. Even as a young woman she didn’t have the power to refuse him.
She watched as he ran a hand through his hair. With the steaks of grey he still commanded her attention. Why couldn’t he have grown old and lost his appeal? She licked her lips and stared past his shoulder.
“I know I’ve hurt you over the years, and I’m sorry. But doing this is stupid and immature. We took our vows.”
Why did she think this time would be any different from the last times? Molly closed her eyes, but instead of fighting the tears she opened her eyes and let him see all the pain and hurt he’d caused her.
“I took vows. I took the vows to love, honour, and cherish, as I believe you did as well. You broke your vows the very day you spoke them.” She charged toward him, tears streaming down her face and her anger so strong she pointed a finger at his chest. “You promised to love me, but how can you love me when your whole heart was taken and buried six feet under with your first dead wife?”
“Molly,” he said.
“No. Don’t cut me off. You stand there and accuse me of turning my back on my vows when mine were the only ones to count. I’ve honoured every decision you’ve made in your life and cherished the small crumb of affection you and your boys have shown me. What did I get? I live in a house plagued by the memories and the pictures of a dead woman I could never be. Twenty-five years ago you promised to love, honour, and cherish me, and you lied.” She rubbed her hand over her eyes. “You should have left me alone. I didn’t deserve this, and now I’d rather have nothing than to always be second best.”
Molly pushed past him and entered her room. She slammed and locked the door. Her gaze caught sight of a single photograph by her bed. A picture of her and David. His arms were wrapped around her. The only picture she possessed of the affection he may have felt for her. Her anger erupted tenfold. She grabbed the picture, unlocked and opened her door – not surprised to see him said waiting – she threw the picture at the opposite door.
The message was clear. Molly was done. Her marriage, after twenty-five years, was over.