Engaging (Alluring Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

without thinking how her response would sound.
    Gage gave her a huge grin.  "Then I don't see a problem."
    Cassie glared.  "The problem is, I don't want anything to do with you.  Been there, done that.  Now, I want you to leave."  When he just stood there, staring at her, she said, "Fine, I'll leave."
    "When did you become so stubborn?"  Gage asked, trying to close the distance between them, but Cassie kept him at bay with her next words.
    "September 25, 2010."
    * * * * *
    Gage watched Cassie walk away.  He thought back slowly realizing September 27 was the day he'd left to go on tour and it had been two days prior that he had broken up with her.  That she knew that date so quickly off the top of her head, caused a deep ache in his chest in the vicinity of his heart and a sharp pain in his stomach.
    He'd fucked up with her, but fate had given him a second chance.  A chance he didn't plan to pass up or screw up. 
    He went outside, attached the new faucet, turned the water back on, then tested the faucet for leaks.  As he made his way to his car, he thought about his next plan of action.  He needed an in.  He knew he fucked up five years ago, and he needed to prove he was sincere in wanting her and not fucking up again.  It would take time to convince her, and she wouldn't trust him easily, but he hoped her heart wasn't totally hardened against him.  If there were any kind of crack, he would wedge himself in, stay planted, and never let her go.
    He'd give her a little time but not much.  And then he would come for her.  And she had better watch out.
     
    September 25, 2010
    They lay in bed, Cassie's head resting on Gage's chest, his arm wrapped around her back, and his hand stroking along her hip.  She let out a long sigh.
    "What's on your mind, Sunshine?"
    "You leave in two days.  I'm going to miss you."  She felt his body stiffen, and she raised her head to look at him.  He rested with his head on the pillow, his free arm raised, and his hand tucked beneath his head.  He wasn't looking at her, his eyes were directed at the ceiling.  "Gage?"  She said, in a small voice.  A voice she'd never heard herself utter before.  Her stomach started knotting, and her breathing grew shallow.  She did not like the look on his face.
    "Right," he said, finally bringing his eyes to hers.  "Been meaning to talk to you about this, but the time never seemed right."
    "I don't understand."  Cassie pulled herself out of his arms, using the sheet to cover herself.
    "Long-distance relationships don't work."  He got up from the bed, grabbed his jeans off the floor, and threw them on.
    "Have you been in one to know?"  Cassie asked, pulling the sheet around her tighter.  Her nose started to tickle, and her eyes grew damp.  She knew where this conversation would lead.
    Gage shook his head.  "No, but other members of the band have and things never ended well."
    "I see."  But she didn't see.  "So you're not even willing to give it a chance."
    "Look, Cass, I like you, a lot.  You are special and in six months when I'm done with my tour I'll come back, and we'll see if we can pick this thing up where we left off."
    "This thing ?"  She said, rather shrilly.  She took a calming breath.  Getting angry wouldn't solve anything.  She slowly got off the bed, the sheet still wrapped around her, making her movements awkward.  She scooped her clothes off the floor and walked into the bathroom.  She emerged a few minutes later fully dressed.
    Gage had finished dressing as well and sat on the side of the bed, waiting.  He looked up when she reentered the bedroom.  "I'm not trying to hurt you, Sunshine.  I'm trying to make things easier."
    "Easier for you or me?  Is this so you don't have to feel guilty if you cheat on me?"
    "I'm doing this so neither of us has to worry about anything.  It's easier for both of us.  And when I get back, if what we had was real, we'll know it."
    "I see."  But again, she didn't see.  She