A High so Sweet (Thornes & Roses #2) - Dani Rene Page 0,51

he can do.

“Because when I do, there’s no longer going to be any doubt who you belong to,” Cassian admits, the seriousness of his tone taking over. His hands trail over my shoulders and down my arms. And then, his fingers are digging into my waist, gripping me harshly, and I welcome the pain that singes any thought of drugs, filling my mind with images of him.

“I never had any doubt about that, Cassian,” I tell him easily because it’s the truth. As stupid as that may seem, I always felt that he would be my first; when that didn’t happen, I realized he never was meant to be my first. But now that I’m here, if I can heal myself, he can be my last.

“Then why did you lie?” he whispers in my ear, his lips trailing down the shell, causing goose bumps to erupt all over my body. “Why did you tell them I would force that shit on you?”

“I-I…” I’m not sure why. I can’t even tell him the reason behind my stupidity that night because I, myself, don’t know. “That night was a mistake, a big one. I was so angry at them making me leave, I lost control. After you dropped me at home, the pill I swallowed before the party hold of me and hit me hard. I was drunk, high, and yes, irresponsible. Even when I tried to make it right, to tell them it wasn’t you, that I lied, they didn’t listen. My father found out—”

“And he was disappointed in his little princess?” Cassian taunts, and I shut my eyes tightly to keep the tears of shame at bay. He’s right. There’s no doubt I’ve always wanted my father’s approval. I spent years wanting to see the look of pride on his face when he regarded me.

“Yes.” My admission is filled with bitter guilt.

Cassian spins me around, causing me to gasp in surprise. When I glance up at him, I find anger swirling with desire in his eyes. The look of a man who’s about to devour his prey is painted on his handsome face. I want to close my eyes and not see the attack. But instead of cowering, I look him dead in the eye and wait.

“Get on your knees,” Cassian orders in a voice dripping with lust and desire. There’s no debating what’s about to happen, so I obey, lowering myself to my knees. I look up to see the bulge that’s so clearly prominent in his tight, black jeans.

I can’t help but squirm at the sight, and a chuckle from Cassian tells me he’s seen my weakness. He knows how much I want him, how many years I’ve craved this. His hand tangles in my wet curls, and he tugs my head back as he leans forward, so we’re eye to eye.

“Don’t think this is because I want you,” he grits through clenched teeth. “You’re here because I abhor men like Paulo, but I never claimed to be better.”

“You said you wanted to be the hero,” I force out the words he spoke earlier. “My hero.” At my admission, he releases me quickly, stepping away as he runs his other hand through the barely-there crop of dark hair.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he says, but he doesn’t look at me. “You’re fragile. You’re—”

“I’m not broken, Cassian,” I grind out confidently through clenched teeth as I push to my feet. “I may have a weakness for a high, but I’m not broken.” I want to taunt this man, to push him to his limit and see him lose control. For years he kept himself restrained around me. But I’m tired of him treating me like I’m made of glass.

“Then why do I feel like I’m about to shatter your world?” he asks as he turns to face me. His expression is pained, his eyes still dancing with desire, and his lips, they’re curled at the corners.

“Because you have the power to do that,” I admit. It’s not like he didn’t know how I felt about him. I told him enough times over the years. Granted, we haven’t seen each other for a while, but he knew. He still knows. I never hid anything from him. Of everyone in my life, Cassian is the only person who knows every sordid detail about me.

He turns to face me fully. This time, there’s a seriousness etched on his handsome face that makes me nervous. But then he asks, “Then why do you