MasukHe refilled his drink and sat on the sofa across from CASSIE.“I know I’ve never said this to you, but I’ve always wanted you to be happy. I’m sorry I was so hard on you about your weight. I understood how society would look down on you if you were different. And it wouldn’t be good. I knew you’d suffer and I wanted so much to keep that hurt away from you.“But I couldn’t. I had failed you as a loving father. So I backed away from you, made sure I didn’t fail in raising you tough as nails to survive that suffering, all the meanness others would dole out to you. That, I have succeeded with. Apparently, too well. You’ve hardened your heart against me for well-deserved reasons.“And if TALEN is the one who makes you happy, then I suggest you take that feeling and run with it. Take as much happiness as you can, because the world won’t give it often.“I want you to know you can depend on me and ask for anything without me thinking less of you because… Because I love you, CASSANDRA. I alway
“Well, shit, you’re right.” Cassie paced the floor in GERRI’s apartment. “My dad is going to flip out. Like really shit an Easter egg.”“Cassie, your father can’t be that bad,” GERRI started. “I’m so glad you loved Aurora. I knew you would and you will be happy there.” She cleared her throat. “As far as your dad, you’re a grown adult, capable of making your own decisions.”“I know, but still.”TALEN walked into the room, tugging the dress shirt under his new suit. “How can humans wear this stuff?”Both GERRI and CASSIE laughed, then squealed.“TALEN, you look dashing in a suit and tie.”CASSIE winked at him. “Yeah, hot as hell if you ask me.”He pulled on his shirt collar. “Hot is right.”CASSIE grabbed his arm. “Stop whining. Dad will respect you more if you talk. If you’re on his level, then everything will be better.”A few hours later, CASSIE pushed the doorbell of her father’s house.She remembered the concern in her father’s voice when she called him earlier asking if she and an
Cassie woke to a light pain shooting across her stomach, nothing serious. Felt like a strain or pulled muscle. TALEN’s smell instantly filled her senses. Her heart tripped with happiness, then crashed with the onslaught of recent memories.“I smell your distress, love, and it hurts me. What do you fear?”She opened her eyes to the most handsome man she had ever seen. “TALEN, what’s happened? Where am I?” She began to sit up.He gently pushed her shoulders back to the mattress. “You are where you belong. In our den. Our home. You’ve been in healing sleep for a day. You must continue to rest.”Pain dug further into her heart. “I can’t be here while your wife is too. I can’t believe you’d lie to me like that. What does your clan think of you cheating on your wife?” She shook her head. “Never mind. You’re all probably into some freaky multiple wives club.”TALEN’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have another. You are my true mate.”“Then why send someone to
CASSIE opened her eyes. She wasn’t sure where she was. Her brain registered TALEN’s scent, and she remembered she was in his bedroom, in his bed. The perfect place to be.She also sensed she was in a large space. The air felt different than in a normal house. Not to mention that it was can’t-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face dark. She reached out for a nightstand and maybe a lamp. After twisting the knob, her whereabouts came into view. Sorta.The light was dim, but she thought she was in a cave. The walls and ceiling were smooth and rounded, light gray in color. Not a corner in any part of the room. She must be dreaming. She distinctly remembered the front of the house and kitchen.Noise on the other side of the door drew her attention. Sounded like dishes and silverware clanging. She got out of bed and peeked out the door. A woman around her age stood at the kitchen’s island with a bowl of the most delicious smelling food in front of her. Man, was she starving. She’d make introduc
She scowled back. “Yeah, yeah. Just give it here. I’m starving.”They ate in silence, CASSIE not knowing what to say. She wanted TALEN, but was afraid of all the change that would follow, along with the consequences for a wrong decision. Especially now. Dear god. Now she had a child to think about. If that didn’t send her into an instant panic attack, she didn’t know what would. A child that depended on her to make the right choices for him or her. She couldn’t fuck up now.“TALEN, why did you leave the castle that next morning? Why didn’t you stay with me?”Dammit, she shouldn’t ask, but she really wanted to know. That morning she’d felt so much, and him leaving had really hurt her. Then the fact he sent someone to remind her it was just sex had stomped any feelings blooming in her heart for him.He sighed and took a moment before he answered. Was he preparing a lie? Thinking up an excuse to make it seem she wasn’t just a booty call. But that was all she was after, wasn’t it? Fuck, s
TALEN took GERRI’s words to heart. He was going to show CASSIE how much he cared for her. He spent the night learning the “Internet” and searching for ideas to please his mate. He should have listened to DYLAN, but he’d been too pressed for time to learn anything about Earth females. Now he had to work with what he learned on their old-style information network. Everything would be a surprise for his love.She’d agreed to give him a chance to show her how much he truly cared for her and that he would make an effort to show a relationship could work for them. Not just sex-based, though they had that well under control.Bundled in winter-warm apparel, CASSIE parked in the community center’s parking lot. TALEN hurried out of the passenger seat to open her car door. He’d learned a lot about “dating” and “how to make your woman orgasm multiple times.” Most of it he already knew; some things about romance were new to him. Other stuff would come in handy for later, especially the sections on







