An hour later Cassie thanked the repairman after he assured her he would have a new heating element to her by Saturday morning. Now she debated whether to call Marc to return to town and pick her up or if she could grab a ride from Scott or one of his deputies. It was only mid-morning, and she knew he had a group to take out on the lake right after lunch. Picking up her phone, she hesitated, remembering Scott had been the first person she saw after Marc lifted her from the bench last night and the heated embarrassment flooding her face when she realized he witnessed her panic attack. Thankfully, he had been as supportive as Marc.
It would be silly to interrupt Marc again, so she pushed aside her embarrassment and pressed the sheriff’s office number. After explaining the situation to the receptionist, Scott got on the phone and said he’d be right there.
After loading up her unbaked filled pans into a box to take to the lodge and bake there, she stepped out front in time for the sheriff to pull up. “That was quick,” she said as he reached across the seat and opened the passenger door for her.
“I was on my way out to do patrols, so you had good timing. What’s in the box?”
Setting it on the seat between them, she pulled her seat belt on. “My inventory for today that didn’t get baked. This,” she leaned down and lifted a brown sack from the box, “is for you. I hope you like snickerdoodles and raisin bread.”
“I’m a guy, therefore easy. Enough said?” He turned a teasing grin on her as he pulled out and headed up to the lodge.
“Definitely enough said.”
“Thanks for the goody bag. It wasn’t necessary, but I’m not dumb enough to turn down homemade cookies and bread. Being a bachelor, I live on store bought and takeout. How long until your oven gets fixed?”
“Jimmy promised he’d have the part by closing tomorrow and installed first thing Saturday morning. I’ll return tomorrow with these things and anything else I can get made in Marc’s kitchen, but I’m apt to close early tomorrow also.”
Cassie relaxed in her seat as Scott took a call on his radio, grateful for his laidback attitude and friendly chitchat making the ride back to the lodge comfortable. When he pulled up in front and opened his door to get out, she stopped him with a hand on his arm. “No, that’s okay. I’m going right in. I appreciate the ride, sheriff.”
He lifted his sunglasses to his head and gave her the direct look of a dom. “Did my presence last night demote me from friend to acquaintance?”
Damn her fair skin for reddening so easy, she swore as her face warmed under his close regard. “Uh, no, sorry, Scott.”
“Good.” Leaning over, he kissed her on the cheek then pushed her door open. “Thanks again for the goodies. If I gain weight, I’ll know who to blame.”
She thought of his lean, muscular build as she entered the lodge and imagined it would take more than a few baked goods to put any extra weight on him. Carrying her box, she trudged up the stairs, but slowed when she heard Marc’s and Jack’s voices.
“Hell, Marc, I hope you know what you’re doing this time.”
The hint of accusation in Jack’s voice halted her on the top step and had her holding her breath as she listened closer.
“Relax,” Marc answered, his tone easy. “I’m just doing an old friend a favor, that’s all. Once it’s done and the situation is resolved, I’m through. I’m not about to put myself through that again.”
Was he talking about her, about the situation with her stalker? Had she pinned too much hope on his overprotective manner, the tender look she caught on occasion in his eyes when he didn’t think she saw him? Pivoting on the top stair, she fled back down, tears of indecision clouding her vision so much she didn’t see Morgan enter until she almost plowed into her.
“Cassie, what’re you doing here?” Morgan asked before narrowing her eyes at her. “What’s wrong?”
“What? Oh, nothing, Morgan, honest. I’ve just had a bad morning.” She tried not to panic, struggled not to jump to conclusions like she had last time, but Marc’s words refused to quit ringing in her ears, raising doubts. “Would you mind putting this in the kitchen? I’m going for a walk.” Long walks always helped her clear her head.
“Sure,” she said, taking the box. “Wait just a minute and I’ll go with you.”
“No! Sorry,” she hastened to apologize when Morgan looked at her with suspicion. With Marc’s words making her doubt his intentions, the last thing she needed was to see him right now. “I just need a little time to myself. Marc’s been dogging my footsteps for days and it’s driving me crazy.” She plastered on her best reassuring smile, relieved when Morgan nodded.
“Follow that trail.” She pointed out the open door and to the right. “Don’t veer off it and you’ll be able to keep the lodge in your sights and be within calling distance for about a mile. No further,” she warned. “If you’re not back in thirty minutes, I’m sending the guys after you and I can guarantee it won’t be pleasant when they find you.”
“I promise.” Taking off before Morgan could change her mind and tell him where she was, she succeeded in holding tears of doubt and indecision at bay until she hit the trail. The dam burst as she moved into a sprint, as if she could run away from his hurtful words.
Remembering his unwelcoming reception when she first arrived, followed by his refusal to let her share his bed until she forced the issue, she lost the battle not to read anything personal into what she heard. She couldn’t believe how stupid she was, how naïve she had been to think he would forget the past and welcome her back without reservations. Oh, she knew it wouldn’t be easy, but after last night, she could’ve sworn he was with her because he wanted to be, not out of some misguided sense of obligation. With her head down and her vision blurred, she tried to flee the crushing pain sweeping through her, lost in her thoughts and her memories as she struggled to come to terms with her deflated hopes.
If only she hadn’t panicked and shown that first note to the sheriff, she thought as her aimless wandering took her deeper into the dense forest. Would she have had another chance with him if Marc had accepted her back into his life, and his bed, on his own terms? She would never know because she blew that opportunity when she coerced her way back into his bed, never realizing how easy it would be for him to fuck her and then leave, much the same as she had done to him.
Only it hadn’t been easy two years ago. Running from him had torn her up inside, left her to flounder alone, grappling with what she had done, had allowed him to do because of her fast escalating attachment to both the man and his domination. She spent weeks keeping to herself, never going out, avoiding her friends. Rick caught her at her lowest point when he asked her out. She accepted out of sheer desperation to replace memories of Marc with someone else, to prove she didn’t want, didn’t need the lifestyle he introduced her to. Another mistake in a long line of them.
She realized now the signs were all there only she had been too blind to see them. He never asked her personal questions, never took her anywhere, did nothing with her that didn’t include sex or keeping an eye out for her stalker. She knew he didn’t believe her lame excuse about her panic attack last night, but he hadn’t even questioned her again this morning about it like she expected. He stuck close to make sure she stayed safe, not because he wanted her. Most dominant men were protective; he had been even when they first met. She knew now that didn’t equate with stronger feelings or any desire to see their relationship evolve past sex.
Coming to a stop, she drew in a shaky breath, swiping at the tears running unchecked down her face before searching around the small glen until she spotted a grassy spot to sink down on. Leaning her head against a tree, she closed her eyes and wondered how she could have misread Marc’s actions and those intent, probing looks so badly. Since the minute she arrived on his doorstep, unexpected and unannounced, he had done nothing to hint he wanted her gone. Oh, he hadn’t been happy at first, but since she’d been with him every night for the past week, he’d seemed happy to have her here. If she had known he was just doing her a favor she never would have agreed to stay at the lodge with him.
With a deep sigh, Cassie worked to calm her rioting emotions before pushing to her feet. There was only one thing to do, she thought, resigned. She would pack her things and return to her apartment and maybe, given time, they could at least be friends again.