FUEL (DirtSlap Series Book 1) by Ashlynn Pearce Read Free Book Online Page B

at least it was a hell I knew.”
    Thrand sagged against the wall. He couldn’t believe it. He’d hoped and prayed that she’d been okay. But he knew what Cam had lived with. Cassie had not been fine. It left a sour taste in his mouth and his chest tightened. There was no way he would ever be able to apologize for leaving her like that. “I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
    “You tried. Which is more than anyone, other than Cam, had ever done. It’s fine though. Doesn’t matter anymore. I got out. I don’t know if it was luck or fate that I ran into you, but I would have been fine one way or another. I appreciate the help, but I don’t want or need a hero.”
    She stood and strode toward him, her hand fiddling with the leather cuff. “I kissed you because I wanted to. You could have had more, but your so-called morals stopped you. One day, you might regret it. Life is too uncertain to waste on ‘what ifs’.”
    Then she stormed out, the front door banging shut.
    Had a truck hit him, he couldn’t have felt more fractured. That girl ripped out his heart even though it thundered in his chest. He hung his head and stared at the floor, the sticks not far from his feet. She hadn’t aimed at him, but he might have felt better if she had. Because she was right. On all counts.
    He might be five years older than her, but she understood more about life than he could ever claim. He scrubbed his face with his hand and swallowed bitter rage. He had seen the scars on Cam. He’d seen just how fucked up Cam had been. How had Cassie even survived it?

Chapter 5

    T ears spilled over her cheeks as Cassie ran down the concrete steps in bare feet. The air was cool, but she didn’t care. She took off at a fast clip down the paved street. No way could she stay in there and let Thrand see her cry. She’d been so caught up in his music. The rush of want that made her blood pump. The need in his darkened eyes. She’d made the first move, knowing he wouldn’t.
    His greedy hands and scorching kisses told her he wanted her. And lord he could kiss. Her dreams couldn’t compare to the reality of his lips on hers or those strong arms that held her while she came apart.
    She wanted him.
    Always had.
    She didn’t let him know how devastated she’d been when he’d disappeared. She’d even gone to his home, only to have his parents slam the door in her face and then put a restraining order on her. She couldn’t even serve them when they’d come into Ruth & Pops.
    She might have been only fourteen, but her feelings for him had been real. Were real. Seeing him again reminded her how much in love with the stubborn ass she had been and, to her utter surprise, still was. She had no idea he’d tried to save her. Had no idea that he’d been driven from her. That only solidified it.
    She was here. He was here.
    There was no way she would miss her chance. Not again. He may have shut her down, but this wasn’t over. She had no delusions that this was a forever thing. This wasn’t a fairy tale. Had never believed in them anyway.
    She knew for a fact Thrand Medlam wanted her and she might only get him for a little while…but she would have him.
    She furiously wiped at her tears as a steady rain fell. Of course . She balled up her fists and screamed at the sky. If fate was involved maybe it should take a long hike down a short plank. She was having a hard enough time without that evil bitch stirring the pot.
    It was about that time she heard shoes slapping on the wet pavement.
    “Cassie, come in out of the rain.”
    She sighed when she heard his strained voice and turned. It figured. Thrand looked even better under the dim streetlights with his shirt plastered to his body. Dammit.
    “Yeah, I’m coming,” she muttered and stomped off ahead of him.
    She didn’t stop when she got inside, just went straight to her room without a word. She might be in love with him, but she wasn’t a simpering fool.
    Thrand was gone when Cassie got up the next