“You have nothing to be ashamed about. What happened was not your fault. It wasn’t. He hurt you, that’s on him. I hope that bastard got what was coming to him.” Maggie’s face held an emotion Cassie couldn’t quite identify.

Cassie sighed. “He didn’t. But I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Thank you for listening to me. You don’t know what it means to be able to share this with someone other than a therapist.”

“That’s what friends are for. Cassie, nearly two years ago now, I was kidnapped, assaulted and nearly raped by a stalker. It’s not the same as what you endured but I understand the guilt and the shame. If you ever want to talk, please call me or come over. Anytime. I mean that.” Unshed tears shined in Maggie’s eyes.

And suddenly, a weight moved from Cassie’s chest and she took a deep breath. Deeper and more relaxed than she’d taken in quite some time. Her brother and her therapist were right, it did feel better to share her burden with people.

They stayed a while longer and talked until Cassie was well enough to laugh again. Alone in her bed that night, she didn’t feel the specter of Terry over her shoulder. It was just her.

Chapter Seven

After a long day at work, Cassie slumped into her superheated apartment, turned on the air conditioning and hit the shower before even considering what to make for dinner.

Shane had left her a phone message, checking on her earlier in the day. He’d wanted to come by for lunch but it was a big new release day and she’d been rushed off her feet and had worked several hours overtime.

She’d called and left him a voicemail that she couldn’t do lunch but hoped to see him later on if he still wanted to. She hoped like hell she hadn’t freaked him out. Gauging by his wanting to have lunch with her, she didn’t think so but hell, he may have wanted to lay it all out that he thought she was a freak and to stay away from him. Maggie was his sister-in-law after all, she probably told him all about the craziness of the night before.

Standing in front of her open fridge, hair in a ponytail, feet bare, legs exposed by a pair of cut off shorts, she jumped when someone knocked on the door.

A quick check showed Shane Chase waiting on her doorstep. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, wincing at what a mess she must look.

He looked her up and down and shook his head. “Darlin’, how do you manage to look as gorgeous in cut offs as you do in a dress that hugs every curve? You’re magic.”

Taken by surprise, she smiled and blushed. “Oh, well, thank you.”

He held up a bag. “Take out from China Gate. You hungry?”

Stepping back she waved him inside. “Come on in, it’s hot out there and I’d never say no to those spring rolls.”

She put out plates and silverware as he opened all the containers and put spoons in them.

“I hope you like it spicy.” He grinned and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him carefully.

“I do.” Her voice was low, sultry.

“I’m gonna kiss you now, Cassie Gambol.”

“Why? I mean, why do you want me? I don’t understand it. I can’t lie and tell you I don’t know you’ve been regarded as a player here in Petal. I like men, yes, but I’m afraid of being a casual indulgence to a man like you.”

“There’s not a damned thing about the way I feel about you that’s casual. Now, I’ve been dying to do this for so long.” He closed the last bit of distance between them and he brushed his mouth over hers. His lips were lush and delicious, spicy and masculine, just like the rest of him. They both groaned as he moved away.

“Cassie, you fascinate me. I’m shocked by how much I want you. I think I started wanting you when you kicked my ass at pool. No, I’m a damned liar. Since you stumbled out of your wrecked car and called my momma Crash.” He put his face into her neck and inhaled deeply. “God, you smell good.”

“Shampoo, sweat and a little bit of Delice,” she breathed out, running her tongue over the lips he’d just touched with his own. A sense of unreality washed over her. The connection between them was warm and sticky. Lethargic with want, she let him hold her against his body. The heat of him blanketed her skin. Her ni**les hardened against the wall of his chest and a libido that she’d thought beaten out of her roared back to life. There was a moment where she wondered if she was dreaming. Hell, if it wasn’t she sure didn’t want to wake up.

“Mmm.” He licked his lips as she’d just done and a shiver ran through her. “You taste good, too. Better than you should. I ought to be running out the door but damned if you don’t make me want things I’d thought I’d never want with a woman again.”

His hand rested at the small of her back, hot and inescapably present. The other rested on her shoulder. He held her in his orbit physically and mentally. His presence was so intense it boggled her mind. Things tightened low in her gut as her skin tingled everywhere he touched her. And yet, aside from general nervousness, she wasn’t afraid.

She caught her lip in her teeth and he groaned softly. “I know you want me too.” Leaning in, he pressed a hot, wet kiss to the hollow just below her ear. “I can feel your ni**les against my chest,” he murmured, breath stirring the wisps of hair around her ear. His tongue darted inside and then he caught the lobe between his teeth. She shivered, going weak in the knees. “But I want more than your physical need of me. Let’s have dinner. Some snuggling on your couch. A liberal smattering of smooches. Let me get to know you as a woman.”