Their bodies mingled as one in the darkness, rolling across the bed in a full-blown fury of ecstasy while kissing, touching, and discovering each other. It was a slow game of unimaginable torture, as far as Cassie was concerned. His lips did things she thought she'd never survive. His heated touch burned her flesh, igniting a blaze of vicious need. He took his time, clearly focused on driving her to the edge of insanity until he himself was about to explode. Finally, ready to satiate their mutual hunger, he leaned over her, seductively tracing her lips with his tongue as he shifted between her legs and slid into her. Spasms ripped through her on impact in an explosion of heat and waves of dizzying delight. He pumped hard, until moments later, he climaxed. They cried out in cohesive pleasure, rocking against each other until the waves started to abate. It was almost more than her mind could stand but exactly what her body needed. She caressed his face as his lips found hers. She d

Sara charged into the sitting room, crying. Her long hair was gone, and she now sported a spiky, boy-short style. It looked good on her, everything did."I refuse to feel bad for falling in love." Sara glared defiantly at Cassie and then to their father. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize we had company." She obviously didn't recognize him.John rose, walked to Sara, looked into her eyes, and pulled her into an embrace. Sara went stiff in his arms, clearly confused as to why this strange man embraced her. "It's your old dad, my love," he said."What the hell?" Sara pulled away with a look of scalding hurt on her face. "I don't know you." She crossed her arms, glaring at him like an injured child."My love, just know that I have been a coward, and your mum has accepted me back into her life. I hope one day you can forgive me, and I promise to never leave you again." Never? Cassie thought, Yah right. If people were looking for him, it was likely he'd takeoff again. In fact, she h

"Come in, Daniel," she said, dreading what was about to go down.Daniel walked in, looking all business. "We finish this, tonight. Get Eryn and everyone out of here. I just want your van visible. He'll be here soon." Cassie nodded and jumped out of bed. She raced down the hall and found Eryn and Jack on the couch watching a movie. "You have to leave. Take both your vehicles and go. He's coming. Daniel will be here. It's okay," Cassie assured Eryn who gaped, vehemently shaking her head. "Where are Ben and Kali?" "They went into the city for dinner," Eryn said.From behind Cassie, Daniel spoke up. "Do you have a storm cellar or basement that can only be accessed with a ladder?" Cassie stared at him in disbelief. How did he know about the cellar? How did he know it was happening here? She didn't even know that, until now."Barn One. The barn on the left. It's in the furnace room." Eryn looked at Cassie with concern in her eyes. Cassie nodded her assurance."Get Kali and B

Silken black tendrils danced in the breeze, whipping strands along his neck as Gunner galloped across the beach. Waves crashed against his hooves and splashed a combination of water and sand into the air, spraying Cassie's face and soaking her clothes. Hugging her legs to him, she strained to maintain their grip on his drenched torso. She squinted against the scratchy invasion of saltwater and sand in her eyes and turned her gaze towards the ocean. One long, golden ribbon of sunlight spread across the horizon and glimmered like spun gold falling off the edge of the world, and then just like that, stars appeared, blanketing the heavens with a diamond-like glow. As they raced into the burgeoning night, dread delivered promises of doom, and her body tensed with unease. An unknown desperate urgency prompted her to increase their speed, and the need for answers egged her on. She had to hurry. The reason for haste seemed to be a blur in her mind, but she knew the answers were within reach

The Cassie's mood darkened as they flew over Regina, Saskatchewan, preparing to land. The leafless trees and dreary, autumn, prairie landscape signified the state of her world, reminding her of the death she played a hand in. Gloomy, dark clouds plastered the sky, smothering the already setting afternoon sun. It was hard to believe that yesterday they had been in a sun-filled paradise. As the plane landed, Eryn took Cassie's hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. They hadn't spoken much on the plane, each too absorbed in the potential fates that awaited them. Like the awesome friend she had always been, Eryn gave Cassie her space. They found Eryn's truck and drove straight from the airport to see Cassie's parents. As they climbed the stairs to the condo, John and Margo Woods whipped the door open, and Margo rushed forward to lovingly welcome Cassie and Eryn into her arms. After releasing a sigh of relief, Cassie gently inhaled her mom's lite vanilla scent. She relaxed into her