Loving Her (Keeping Her) Read Online Free

sweetheart, is that you aren't leaving
tomorrow.”
    “I'm not?”
    “No.”
    “May I ask why?”
    That seemed to stump them,
which made Cassandra look towards Clytie with an inquiring brow.
    “Because,” Demon blurted
out, “Clytie wants you to stay.”
    It was lame but it was all
they had.  Cassandra narrowed her eyes looking from Clytie’s innocent
expression to Mac and Bens determined ones.  She stepped forward so that
she brushed against Ben and waggled a beckoning finger at him.  He leaned
down so she could whisper in his ear.
    “I'm not sleeping with
you.”
    They were nose to nose when
he whispered back.  “Sleep, was not what we had in mind.”
    Cassie swallowed. 
“We?”  She couldn't help peeking over at Mac, only to meet hot eyes that
seared.
    “We,” Ben said
definitely.  His hand went to her chin, pulling her eyes back to his, then he leaned
down and kissed her softly, right there in front of everyone.  Lord help her,
she felt it all the way to her toes.
    “O.K...  Well, I think
it’s about time I got Cassie situated.”  Clytie yanked her right out of
Ben’s arms, making Cassandra blink dumbly.
    “Right,” she said,
trying to shake herself out of the haze Ben had left her in to follow Clytie
out of the room.  Unfortunately for her, they had to pass right by Mac on
their way out the door and he stopped her by stepping into her path so that
once again she was pressed up against him.  She tried to back up but
Clytie still had a hold of her hand in an effort to drag her to safety. 
    Macs hand went into her
hair at the back of her neck and pulled her head back so that she had to look
up at him.  “You’re safe here,” he said quietly, the timber of his
voice once again sending shivers up her spine.  “We can protect you.”
    “Yeah?  Who’s going to
protect me from you?”
    He smiled at that.  It
was not a comforting smile, but his thumb brushed the side of her face and was
somehow...tender.  Making her heart flutter, he kissed her on the forehead
and stepped back releasing her into Clytie’s worried care.  She yanked her
out of the room so fast she nearly hit the doorjamb on the way.  
    “Oh lord,” she said
following her cousin away from temptation.  “I think I am in serious
trouble here.”
    “You are.  I’ve never
seen them like that.”  Clytie pulled her through the courtyard and towards
the front door.  “But I know that look.  I’ve seen it on Demon’s face
often enough.  They’re claiming you, and if we don’t get you out of here
right now, you won’t be going.  Period.”
    “What are you saying, that
you think they’ll force the issue?”
    “Please, I saw your face
when Ben kissed you, and when Mac touched you.”  Clytie pushed her out the
front door, following close behind with a snort.  “Force?  Hah!  You’re a
babe in the woods here.  I’ve thrown you to the lions by bringing you
here.”
    “Clytie!”
    “What?  Are you going to
stand there and tell me you aren’t in danger of falling for, not one, but two
heart-breakers?”
    “I just met them!”  They
had reached the silver Toyota Corolla and Clytie finally let go of her hand.
    “And?”
    Cassandra opened her mouth
and then shut it again.  “You’re right; I’m out of here."
    Clytie was shaking her head
while she got in the passenger side but when Cassie would have started the car,
she remembered she had left her purse with the guys.
    “Uh, Clytie?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I don’t have my purse.”
    “Crap.”
    They both looked back at
the house in time to see the front door open, all three of the men stepped out
on the porch looking displeased.  Mac held her purse up and swung it back
and forth.
    “Crap,” Clytie said again,
and for some reason it made Cassandra laugh.
    “We’re being ridiculous you
know.  This is not a lifetime movie.  I’ll stay tonight and leave
tomorrow just like I said and they can’t do a thing to stop me.”
    ”Ten bucks,”