Fearless Attraction (Cassie Series)

Fearless
Attraction

Sequel to
Burning Attraction

-a novel by
Ashley Beale
-

Fearless Attraction
© Ashley Beale, 2013.

This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights. You are not permitted to give or sell this book to anyone else. Any trademarks, product names, service marks, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. All rights are reserved.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by Ashley Beale

Edited by Amanda King

Chapter One

             
The perks of having my best friend pregnant is being able to raid her closet any time I want. Since her belly is continuously growing, my wardrobe is getting larger and larger as well. I'm not typically into dressing up or anything, as Aubrey is, but I do enjoy changing things up once in a while.

             
Tonight I'm going on a date and I need something fabulous to wear. So here I am, searching through Aubrey's closet, and when I find a light blue and black halter Chanel dress, I'm instantly in love. I hadn't seen this one before, I don't think she has ever worn it before, but she isn't here to tell me no, so on it goes.

             
Since Aubrey hasn't been around much- her and Mason are attached at the hip now- I've come to learn how to fix my own hair and makeup. I guess I had to learn sometime. I recently chopped off most of my hair, so now it rests on my shoulders, and has become one length, making it much easier to deal with. I clip half of it up using a beautiful silver barrette, and pull down two strands on either side of my face. After some mascara, lip gloss, and perfume, I'm good to go.

             
As I'm buckling my last heel on, my phone buzzes. I pick it up, the message reads,
cant wait to see you tonight
. I respond, saying I'll be there in twenty, then I hurry out the door.

             
When I arrive at the restaurant, one minute later than I stated, he is there waiting for me, looking more handsome than ever.

             
"Hi," he says, with a smile and a quick kiss to the cheek.

             
I smile back and accept the seat he offers me. The waiter soon comes over and we place our drink orders while searching over the menu.

             
"So what are your plans for Thanksgiving?" he asks when I place my menu on the table.

             
I don't want to even think about Thanksgiving, but since it's in six more days, I guess I have no choice. "Every year I just have dinner at my parents’ house, and they have friends of theirs that come too. How about you?"

             
"Pretty much the same, except we do lunch, so most of us can sit and watch the football game that evening."

             
"And make the ladies do the cleaning?" I tease.

             
He laughs but doesn't respond as the waiter brings our drinks, and we place our food orders. I haven't been feeling well since I heard the news, and my appetite has been down, so the only thing I end up ordering is a salad with grilled chicken.

             
"Just a salad?"

             
I feel shy when he asks me, and I'm not sure how much I should tell him. It's a strange topic for me to discuss, and it's the same reason I don't want to think about Thanksgiving. My life was starting to look alright for the first time in over a year until I heard that dreadful news. Finally, I look up and nod. "Yeah, I'm not feeling that well, sorry."

             
"I was going to tell you that you're looking a little pale, maybe tired. I'm sorry. If you want to go home, maybe do this another time, that is okay with me."

             
Knowing that I won't feel good any time soon, I just softly shake my head. "Thanks, that's sweet and all, but I'll be fine. But the whole ‘do this another time’ thing sounds good."

             
He smiles and I'm happy he seems to want to go on a second date. The thing is though, he doesn't give me the butterflies. I'm not sure why I even accepted his invitation for a date in the first place, and I'm really not sure why I offered for a second. Don't get me wrong, Kevin is a great guy. He is attractive, smart, athletic, and we get along great, but to date him, he isn't my type. I'm just doing what everyone keeps telling me to do, getting out and enjoying myself. Trying to move on.

             
Kevin and I have Introduction to Criminology together, and have been partners since the beginning of the school year. He had asked me out a few weeks ago, but I told him things were complicated and I couldn't picture myself going on a date any time soon. Last week he overheard me talking to Amy, another girl in class, about how I needed to get out more, and he took the opportunity to ask me again. This time I said yes. I honestly haven't wanted to get out more, but I'm sick of Aubrey and my mom telling me I'm going to become a cat lady if I don't get out every now and again.

             
We continue our small talk until the meal ends, and conversation flows easily, but I'm not feeling any more of a connection than when in class. We're friends, that is all I can see us as. And I hope he feels the same way, too. I cannot be anything more than friends, who casually hang out or go on dates. And I refuse to do the whole hook-up process.

             
Kevin gets the check, and I offer to pay for my meal but he insists it's on him. After I thank him, the two of us stand together and walk towards the exit. This is awkward, and I'm not sure what is supposed to happen now. I turn to say thank you again but he lightly brushes his lips against mine.

             
The look of horror must be written on my face as I just stand here and stare at him. I don't mean to be rude, but I wasn't expecting that. Maybe I should have, I'm not sure, but it was not in my mind what-so-ever. Kevin clears his throat before saying sorry, and it snaps me out of my daze.

             
"No, please don't be sorry. I just wasn't expecting that."

             
He smiles softly, but I can see the hurt in his expression still. "Are you just going home now?"

             
"Yeah," I answer him, "I guess so."

             
"Want to hang out for a little while longer? I know someone having a pretty awesome party tonight. It isn't supposed to be anything big. We could swing by and see how things are going. We can even take separate cars if it makes you feel better."

             
I think on it for a moment before finally agreeing. Maybe it's just what I need. I can handle a beer and some conversation, and I'll make both Aubrey and my mom proud for doing something besides getting a Netflix overload.

             
"Yeah, that'd be great," I tell Kevin. He smiles and leads the way to the parking lot.

             
I follow Kevin's car and when I hit the familiar street my body tenses right up. Of course the party is at Beta Theta Pi. I talk to Carson quite a bit, and I absolutely love his new girlfriend, Shey, but being in this house brings up way too many old memories for me, ones I'm not ready to visit.

             
Well, actually, ready or not, I'm visiting those memories, because I'm not even aware of the fact I've parked and am walking into the house, until I'm actually in the house. How did that even happen?

             
Kevin guides us to a pledge and grabs each of us a beer. He seems a little surprised that I not only accepted the beer but drink half of it in one gulp. "Thirsty?" he asks me, amused.

             
A little embarrassed by my behavior I smile and nod, then I look around. Many of the faces are familiar, between the parties last year and classes this year, but no one I really talk to. And certainly no one I hang out with, since I don't hang out with anyone anymore. Wow, I really am going to become a cat lady if this is how pathetic my life has become.

             
I decide to shake off my nerves and loosen up a little.

             
When I finish my beer, much sooner than I meant to, I grab another and join in conversation with Kevin and a guy named Shane from our class.

             
"Cassie, is that you?" I hear behind me.

             
I turn to find Carson and Shey standing a few feet from me. "Hey guys," I say in response. I walk over and Shey gives me a small hug.

             
"I was not expecting you to be here. And damn girl, you look amazing," Shey says, looking me over.

             
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting it either. I was on a date with Kevin," I say, pointing my thumb over my shoulder, "and he suggested we come here. I figured I may as well."

             
I play it cool but I do notice Carson tense up when I mention my date. He may have a girlfriend, and we may talk and get along, but he still clearly has feelings for me. I don't think Shey notices, and if she does, she does a good job at pretending. I do as well, I'd never let on that I knew, mainly because boyfriend is not in my vocabulary anymore. Not after this last month.

             
Kevin comes over and puts his arm around my shoulder while Shey and I finish talking about my date, which isn't very detailed. I can feel the pride radiating off Kevin though, and I feel bad because I don't think he realizes I'm really not into him. It's not his fault though, had last year not happen, especially the last month, he would most likely be in the date-able category.

             
"I need some fresh air," I say when I all of a sudden feel a little overwhelmed.

             
"Want me to come with you?" Kevin asks. Shey and Carson both say bye and walk away from me as I turn towards Kevin and peer into his deep brown eyes.

             
"Actually, I just need like ten minutes. I'll be right back. I haven't been out in a long time, so I'm feeling a little claustrophobic."

             
He smiles in an understanding way. "Okay, I'll be right over there with Shane when you're done."

             
I thank him and walk out the back doors onto the lawn. Thankfully my favorite bench seat is open and I take a seat in it, breathing in the fresh California air.

              "Sweetie, is there any way you could come over? I need to discuss something with you," my mom tells me over the phone. I didn't really have the time, I was getting ready to go out the movies, but I could tell this was something important, so I told her I'd be over.

             
When I get to my parent's house, something doesn't feel right. There is thick tension in the air, something I never experienced with my family before. My dad is sitting at his desk, clearly upset about something, and my mom is standing outside the door with tears running down her face. Shit, this really isn't good.