The Bound Bride
Page 17
“So we have to sort this out. Come with me.”
With her hand still in his, they took the steps and walked through the great room. For the first time since she had lived here, Cassandra opened the French Doors and stepped into the night. Oliver followed, and she felt him nervous against the air. She took a few steps forward then turned to face him with her hands folded across her chest.
“We’re drawing up a new contract. Right now.”
“We are?”
“Yes. First thing. I’m staying.”
He focused on her eyes.
“Yes you are.”
She had to keep it going.
“But I’m not staying in this house. Not all the time. I want the freedom to come and go. And you have my word that I’ll always come back.”
Cassandra couldn’t quite believe the force of the words coming from her mouth. Oliver circled around her. She hoped he didn’t see her shaking under her his stare.
“And just where are you planning to come and go?”
She found the courage to face him.
“That’s up to you.”
Oliver seemed taken aback by her demand.
“What does that mean?”
Iris would object. Faye would roll her eyes yet again. But Cassandra was about to play her hand.
“La Boheme.”
Oliver appeared even more confused.
“What?”
“I lied. That’s my favorite opera. I always cry when they say they’ll love each other through the winter. Winter’s coming, Oliver. Can you at least trust me until spring? I’ll… stay in town. I’ll come back before dark. Give me a curfew. But you have to try, too.”
Oliver sat upon the stone steps and stared out into the stretch of forest just beyond the house. Cassandra saw the shadows, too, and she had no idea what lurked within all that they cast.
The only way to know for sure was to take a first step.
Cassandra sat beside him.
“Oliver?”
He smoothed his hands across his face.
“It’s too much of a chance to take.”
She heard Oliver ready to launch into what were now a familiar series of objections.
And it was her chance.
Cassandra was on her feet.
“Let’s see.”
She broke into a run and started for the woods.
“Cassie? Wait!”
Cassandra kept running, her bare feet grinding against the soil, the grass, the rocks.
“Cassie!”
She continued to run and knew that he was at her heels. She slipped behind a tree and heard him trip in his pursuit. Cassandra found the urge to turn back and tend to him.
“Cassie!”
She saw him move past her, almost frantic and flailing. His face was caught in a bit of moonlight, and Oliver looked terrified. Cassandra had to leave him in that state for a few seconds. His movements slowed, and he finally looked back. When he saw her pressed against the bark of the maple, he charged forward and stopped his hands just above her shoulders.
“What are you doing?”
Cassandra swiftly stood and took his hands.
“I left. But I stopped. And I waited for you.”
Would he see?
Oliver went from terrified rage to amused laughter before she could say anything else.
“This is supposed to convince me?”
It wasn’t subtle.
“Maybe not. But if you honor my terms—”
“Cassie, I—”
“I was the one hurt tonight. In your house. I should keep running. I shouldn’t look back. But I… I want to be with you. I want to see where this goes. I can’t do it the way you want. But I’ll… I’ll meet you halfway. Oliver?”
He said nothing. She was banking on his fear of losing her to keep her safe. That was the hand she’d been dealt.
Would Oliver play?
Chapter Thirty
The restaurant was nestled in the heart of Stephens’ Point. The menu on the sidewalk promised a crab bisque and braised ribs. Cassandra loved the feel of the night against her skin.
But she once again she had no appetite.
“Cass? Over here.”
She saw Iris at a table and stepped towards her. Iris rose and scanned her up and down. Cassandra’s royal blue dress seemed to cling closer to her body.
“So. You’ve healed?” Iris asked.
As if her spotless face didn’t tell the story.
Well, it didn’t tell the entire story.
“Sure. You?”
Iris reached for her glass and downed her wine.
“I’m done with it. With him. Did you hear? He has warrants out for prescription fraud. Mescaline. Makes sense, right?
Perfect sense.
“Anyway, no more Adam.”
Cassandra still worried that Iris would fall back into something even worse at the first chance.
“So—”
“Oh! Great!”
Cassandra turned to see Jeff, clad in a suit and tie, slowly moving towards the table. When he was near enough to touch, Iris took his arm and pecked his cheek.
Jeff.
It was still platonic enough to not cause alarm. Naturally they’d bonded at the Empire. At least Cassandra knew him. Jeff would play nice and take the good times for what they were.
“Hey, Miss Dodd. You look… nice.”
Iris slapped his shoulder.
“Don’t stand on ceremony. Call her Cass.”
Jeff shuffled where he stood.
“I… I can’t do that.”
Iris rolled her eyes.
“Yes you can.”
Iris stared hard at Cassandra.
“Do I need to get you out of a jam?”
She started to protest when Oliver appeared.
He was at her side in a flash and pulled her close to him. Jeff was all smiles as Iris stared at Oliver, hard.
“What’s this I hear about a curfew?”
Cassandra took Oliver’s hand.
“My idea, Iris. It’s what he needs.”
But Iris wasn’t backing down, and she pressed her hands to her hips.
“Oh really? What do you need?”
Cassandra gazed up at Oliver. This wasn’t going to be simple. It would be every shade of complicated. He had agreed to daily trips into town, as long as someone was at her side. Sometimes it was Jeff. Other times it was Faye. And regardless of the chaperone, she had to be in by seven. It was the earliest curfew that she could remember. More often than not, Oliver was already waiting with a drink in hand. She always saw him on the edge of breaking until she finally appeared. But when she did, he relaxed and offered her a glass. After discussing the day, they returned to the guest room. Cassandra was still uneasy. And Oliver understood. He seemed content to just hold her until the morning came and the day repeated itself in what became familiar patterns.
The answer to Iris’ question was simple.
“I need him.”
Iris plopped her napkin on her lap and talked of appetizers. Jeff pointed out his favorites.
Cassandra lifted her menu and smiled at Oliver from behind the display of specials.
“You okay?” she asked.
Oliver sipped his water and finally smiled at her.
“Hardly.”
At least he was honest.
She took his hand.
This was a shot in the dark. There was no way of knowing if he would grow comfortable enough to stick with her terms. He had agreed on that night and carried her back to the house. To the guest room. He laid her out night after night and simply slept at her side. She knew he wanted her. Cassandra wanted him. But it was still too soon. He could wait for that. And the promise of its return seemed to fortify him in the face of her request for some leeway.
Cassandra touched his face and stared at him with what had to be love. Why else would she be doing this?
“It’s a meal, Oliver. Thank you. I like being seen with you.”
So it fell to Cassandra.
She took Oliver’s hand and raised it to her lips.
“This is nice,” she said. “A toast.”
Jeff quickly raised his glass, and Cassandra followed. Iris was slower but soon made the necessary gesture.
Only one man was still out.
“Oliver?”
He took up his glass. Cassandra placed all of her focus on him. She knew that a part of him still hated the arrangement she had negotiated. But still he agreed.
“Here’s to a chance.”
They clinked glasses. Oliver was the last man to the table. But he toasted with the rest of them and sipped his wine.
He smiled at Cassandra with his eyes. Oliver was fearful. But he was on board.
It was a chance worth taking.