Page 48 of Howl for Me
I don’t miss the flash of feral behind his eyes when he says it. He turns back to me, sighs, and shakes his head. “One moreshot, Johnny. That’s it. You better show up on time for the shoot tomorrow. And you better be fucking perfection. You hear me? If it weren’t for Cassidy sticking up for your sorry ass, I’d have tossed you tonight.”
Cass puts her hand on his arm. “He’ll be there. You can count on it.”
I swallow hard, still staring at her. I don’t deserve her. Hector narrows his eyes at me one last time, then jerks his chin toward the street. “Fine. Get the fuck out of here.” He walks away and I reach for her.
“Come with me.”
She blinks, caught off guard. “It’s okay. I can get a ride.”
“Cass,” I cut her off, softer this time. “Please.”
She hesitates, eyes flicking to Naomi like she needs permission. Naomi’s already a step ahead.
“I’ll catch a ride,” she says, like its nothing. “Go.”
Cass still looks confused, but after a long pause, she walks toward me and we get in the car.
The ride is silent, unbearably silent. I grip the wheel tighter than I should. I keep glancing over at her, but she’s looking out the window. “I’m sorry,” I finally say.
She doesn’t say anything back. And I hate it. Not her silence, just not knowing what she’s thinking. Not knowing if I ruined everything by being who I am. We get to my place, and as soon as I unlock the door; she walks in like a ghost.
“I just need to lie down,” she mumbles, already moving down the hall.
But I can’t let her go. Not yet. I catch her wrist and pull her gently toward me.
“Cass…” I say, and when she turns, I cup her face in my hands. Her skin’s warm, soft beneath my fingers, and it only makes the tightness in my chest worse when I look at her lip. It’s not as badas I feared, but it doesn’t matter. I saw him touch her all night. I heard her cry out. I should’ve killed him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you to come with me,” I say, my voice low. “I just assumed you would. I assumed you’d be there…with me. That wasn’t fair.”
She nods, but still won’t look at me.
I tilt her face slightly, eyes searching hers. “Cass… look at me.”
Her gaze finally lifts and I feel it; that static pull between us. The invisible current, too strong to ignore.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “For all of it.”
“It’s okay. Really.”
It’s not. But she says it like she means it. I’m still holding her face, and her lips are right there, parted just enough for me to notice how wrecked she looks, how exhausted and beautiful and untouchable she feels in this moment. I don’t want it to end. I don’t want to pull myself from the way she’s looking at me right now. This is going to change everything, but…fuck it.
“Can I kiss you?” I ask, because I won’t make another mistake with her. Not this time. She looks at me, then at my mouth. Then back at me.
“Yes,” she whispers.
I press my lips to hers, soft and slow, every ounce of me pouring into that kiss. Even though I want more. Even though the way she sighs into me almost undoes the last thread of control I have, I keep it tender. Because she deserves tenderness, especially after what that asshole did to her lip. Because this kiss isn’t about me, it’s about her. I pull back, just enough to breathe her in, to look into her eyes and say the truth I should’ve said weeks ago.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” I admit, my thumb brushing her cheek. “I should’ve said something. I was wrong for staying quiet.”
That’s when she steps back. Just a few inches. But it feels like a chasm.
“What are we doing, Johnny?” she asks, her voice tight. Uncertain.
“We’re being honest,” I say, jaw clenched. “Or at least I am. I want you, Cass. I’ve felt it since the first damn day. I tried to fight it, I really did, but I don’t care anymore.”
Her lips part, like she wants to say something, to stop me, but she doesn’t.
“This can’t happen,” she finally says, quiet but firm. “Not with the tight line you’re walking after tonight. Hector is this close to pulling your contract, Johnny. If he finds out about this…about us... he won’t stand for it.”
