9: Just a lucky night

Cassie POV

“Seriously, Mark told you all that?” Beck asked from the other side of the line.

“For real, girl,” I replied, sighing. I had just spilled everything about my conversation with Mark to my best friend.

“What a jerk. And you believed him?” Beck sounded skeptical.

“Well, he seemed sincere,” I shrugged.

“I know, but, like, he could be trying to manipulate you again,” Beck reminded me, and I sighed.

“Yeah, I thought about that too.” It would be easy to assume Mark was up to his old tricks, given that’s what he does. “But I don’t know, you know. He never talked about his parents, not even when we were dating. I remember he always dodged the subject whenever I showed interest in meeting them. So maybe it’s true—maybe he never let me see more of him because he was ashamed or something…?” It was all so uncertain.

“I’m not so sure, girl. I don’t trust Mark Skyland, not after what he did to you,” Beck said, playing it safe.

“Neither do I. I just felt for him, you know, with that whole abandonment story,” I said, swallowing hard, feeling a lump in my throat.

“Of course you did, Cass. We’re talking about you, the biggest softie out there,” she said, laughing, making me roll my eyes.

“It’s not that bad. I can be tough when I need to be,” I said, petting the fur of my little puppy, Kitty, who wouldn’t leave my side.

“I know that, just be careful with that jerk and don’t let him fool you again,” she warned, and I smiled.

“Of course, always. But what about you? You’re coming over tonight, right? We planned to marathon Twilight,” I reminded her.

Beck sighed. “I think the hot vampire’s gonna have to wait, Cass. I’m heading to Tyler’s place.”

I frowned. “Who’s that?” I could hear the distant sounds of horns and the bustling city, indicating she was outside.

“Tyler’s some dumbass I met at a bar a few days ago,” she explained. “I hate hooking up with him, but he gives me money, so I’m going.”

I rolled my eyes. “Beckie, you know you don’t need to do that for money, right? How about getting a job?”

“But I have a job. Mr. Takahashi’s convenience store doesn’t run itself,” she countered. “Though it’s been pretty useless lately. His wife, that old hag, keeps eyeing me suspiciously, thinking I’m into her husband or something.”

“And are you?”

“Of course not, Cass. He’s the creepy old perv. I’m just taking advantage to get some bonuses,” she said casually.

“Oh, Beckie,” I muttered, flopping onto my bed, my back tired from hours in front of the computer studying.

“Don’t start with that. I’m just using what God gave me—this gorgeous body that drives guys crazy. Can’t I profit from it in peace?”

“Of course. Your body, your rules,” I said, chuckling.

Sure, my friend and I disagreed on some things. For her, life was easy to navigate—she never got along with school, so she gave up on it and chased rich guys to fund her little luxuries. I loved her, but I could never live like her because I always dreamed of being empowered and independent. Still, I liked our dynamic—me the cool-headed one, her the fiery one; me the brains, her the brawn.

“Just take care of yourself, okay? Never settle for less,” I told her. Then my phone pinged, and I saw a message from Mark.

“I’m really grateful for having met you. You have no idea how relieving it was to open up to you. It’s like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders…” his message read.

“Really…?” I made a disgusted face. Was he trying to manipulate me now?

“What’d you say, baby?” Beck asked from the other end of the line.

“Nothing,” I mumbled.

“Oh, right… Look, Cassie, I gotta go. Talk later?”

“Sure, see ya, baby.”

I tossed my phone to the other side of the bed and ran a hand over my face, sighing deeply. What was Mark trying to do? Why was he so persistent? Coming to my place, opening up, trying to build a connection with me… Did he really want me to forgive him and forget what he did to me? He should’ve hated me after what I did to him, not come crawling back like some damn lost puppy looking for affection.

As if reading my thoughts, Kitty barked and jumped onto me, nuzzling between my breasts. She was a shih-tzu who craved attention, now staring at me like she understood my pain. “Sorry, Kitty, Mommy’s just sad and needy…” I mumbled, giving her a little kiss and huffing. Kitty barked as if scolding me, then hopped off, scampering around the apartment in search of her toys.

Another sigh escaped me—even my dog didn’t want me… I hugged my pillow, and of course, my thoughts immediately drifted to the inevitable. Josh Carter.

When I hooked up with Joe Wilson in that bathroom, I was desperate to satisfy myself, thinking it would get Josh Carter out of my head. But it only made my longing worse—it multiplied. How could a man I’d only been with once mess with me this much?

Should I call Joe again? I was sure he’d come running, but I stopped myself—that guy was a jerk. Should I hit up a bar looking for a hookup? I even thought about Mark, and that’s when I realized the mistake I was about to make. I wasn’t going to do that again. It didn’t work with Joe, and it wouldn’t work with anyone else who wasn’t Josh Carter. So I held myself back and decided to take care of it alone.

I grumbled in frustration, feeling my body heat up just thinking about him. My hand slipped between my legs, and with my eyes closed, I started touching myself, biting my lips and grinding against my own hand, my thoughts consumed by him, my vivid imagination conjuring images of that man I wanted so badly.

My fingers began rubbing my sensitive spot faster, making me moan softly and clutch my pillow. “Yes, Josh… I need you, Daddy…” I kept at it for a few minutes until I reached my climax, which didn’t take long given how turned on I was.

I was breathing heavily now, my body tired and limp after the orgasm. I had done it again while thinking of him… Would I ever see him again, or was that night at Sins just my lucky night?