Page 72 of The Claiming

My heart beats tears for him as he admits a little piece of his broken past.

“I live with a large family but have always felt alone. I am loved—too hard sometimes, but there is a certain expectation on my shoulders to be a certain way. When I returned here, it started again. Emotionless fucks with girls I wasn’t interested in until you arrived.”

“Me?” I stare at him in surprise and as he cups my face, he kisses me softly, almost lovingly, and my heart actually flutters.

He breaks away and whispers, “You are my spirit animal, Cassandra King, and we were always going to end up here.”

As the hot water rains down on us, we kiss like the lovers we are under the heat of realization. I believe he is right. We were always going to end up here, and I must trust in fate to deliver what was always written in my stars.

* * *

For the firsttime in my life, I sleep in a man’s bed for the entire night. I curled up beside Frankie and he held me against his naked body until we both fell asleep. When I wake, it’s to the realization that everything changed last night. There is no going back now and I must face the others with pride because I am Frankie’s girl now and he is my guy.

“Morning gorgeous.” He smiles as his fingers glide against my skin.

“Last night was–” My voice trails off and I sigh. “A lot.”

“Any regrets?”

He kisses my neck and I shiver inside. “Not even one.”

“Good answer.”

He continues his exploration of my skin and I shiver with desire as he pushes my thighs apart and flicks his tongue against my clit.

“Oh my God, I could get used to waking up like this.”

I shiver as he sucks it gently into his mouth and bites down gently.

It doesn’t take long for my body to give in to the pleasure and a soft delightful orgasm makes it a very good start to my day and as he pulls himself up and kisses me deeply, I love the taste of my pleasure coating his tongue.

He pulls away and whispers, “I’m going to grab us some breakfast. Take it easy. Today is all about that.”

As he leaves the bed, I hate that he’s gone already, but I admire the view as his abs ripple in the morning light. Frankie is an impressive specimen and his rock hard abs and tanned skin is a sight I could stare at all day. His cock is thick and long and his waist narrow above strong, muscular legs. Dark stubble is dusting his jaw and his dark hair is disheveled and his grin wicked. There is nothing I don’t like about Frankie Majerio and as he pulls on his t-shirt, he blows me a kiss.

“Wait there. I won’t be long.”

He leaves and my thoughts turn to Jack and Siri and I wonder if anything more happened between them last night. In a way, I hope it did because now, in the cold light of day, the guilt is hitting me and I wonder how Jack will take the news that I am now somebody else’s girl.

THIRTY-FIVE

FRANKIE

I have a spring in my step as a result of everything working out in my favor. Cassie is the most amazing addition to my academy family, and I am not regretting my decision to make her mine.

It’s as if a huge burden has lifted and I am free to be me again. Now I have someone like her in my bed and by my side, I can focus on the rest of the problems facing me.

Santi is wolfing down a bowl of oats when I head into the kitchen.

“Fuck man. I’m wrecked. Last night was a lot.”

“You’re your own worst enemy. I have no sympathy for you.”

I fix us some coffee and Santi groans. “Is that second cup for me? I could use another shot of caffeine.”

“Get your own.”

He raises his eyes and I shrug, winking as I lift a third mug from the shelf.

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