Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,25

tender feelings, and it heightened his. Her fingers traced his jawline, which she followed up with kisses. It amazes me how fast you healed in the med pod. I’m sorry for how I freaked. I’ve always suffered from claustrophobia, and the pod brought on a vision of being in a dark, tight space. Random objects, smells, sights will trigger familiarity and a strong emotion, but then the sensation disappears.

He stroked her hair, and she relaxed against him. Do the visions happen often?

Not so much anymore—although I had one earlier this week.

What was that one? If you want to tell me, I mean.

I saw a cookie jar. Her eyes rolled upward as she showed him a mental picture of a blue-green vessel shaped like a teddy bear.

I always suspected the visions were real and not hallucinations, but I didn’t have evidence until Verna bought the cookie jar at an estate auction. When I spotted the bear, I got an image of the jar in a kitchen. Then I had proof.

But you saw the canister first, he said gently. It wasn’t like you had the vision and then came across—

No. She shook her head vigorously. The kitchen and the cookie jar were real! But the vision evaporated, and now I don’t have the jar anymore, either. Her shoulders slumped. My mom accidentally broke it.

He could feel her loss, her frustration, resentment. It wasn’t an accident?

I want to believe she wouldn’t destroy something important to me, but she thought it was ugly. And Verna gave it to me. She dislikes Verna and that I work for her.

It sounded like there wasn’t much Rosalie did like. Including him, he recalled. She’d acted pleasant. He’d never gotten an inkling of antipathy. That must be rough, he said noncommittally. It would be wrong to pass judgment so soon or to drive a wedge between mother and daughter.

I’m tired of living by her rules, of tiptoeing around so I don’t upset her—she gets hurt at the slightest criticism and feels rejected. I want my own place. She squared her shoulders and twisted her mouth. There—I finally said it. I want to move out!

It seems like a simple matter to get your own place.

She shook her head. It wasn’t so simple. She’s my legal guardian. I need her permission.

She won’t give it?

I don’t think she would prevent me from doing it… Cassie took a deep breath and exhaled. However, it won’t be a pretty scene. I hate confrontation. I’ve realized I must sever the guardianship—so I can decide my own fate. I’m tired of having to fight every time I try to do something new. I need to hire a lawyer, but I don’t have the money yet. I’ve been saving up. My plan is to take my emancipation step-by-step.

Living in my own place will demonstrate I can take care of myself. And who knows? Maybe if Mom sees I can live on my own and support myself, she’ll be more inclined to agree I don’t need a guardian. Cassie wished to avoid a big court battle. It would be much easier if she and her mother could just come to terms.

When do you plan to move out?

Soon. I’ve been giving her time to adjust to me working. I don’t want to hit her with everything all at once.

Psy hugged her. Your mother loves you. She might balk, but in the end, she’ll do what’s best for you. All parents do.

I’ve never doubted her love, and I love her. I was deemed a “special needs” child, and she became very protective. The behavior is so engrained, she doesn’t know how to act any other way. She gazed into his eyes. Until I got my job and met you, the situation didn’t bother me so much, but now it does. I’m anxious to live my life, but I recognize I need to stick to the plan and give her time to catch up to where I am. She wiggled on his lap and wrapped her arms tight around his neck. Tingles shot through him. Enough about my mom; let’s change the subject…

Math? Geography? he teased.

Us. Their breath mingled before she pressed her lips to his.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue entwining with hers. He stroked her hair then drew his hand downward to cup her breast. Her nipple formed a hard bead against his palm.

She kissed his throat. The simple touch of her lips wound the coils of desire tighter and tighter. His reaction to her went well beyond