Page 18 of Cassie
Ducking his head, he gave them a moment of privacy as Tug responded, “Naw, gal. You did all that to yourself. It’s all inside you, like I’ve told you a hundred times. It’s inside you, that courage. You keep finding ways to let it out like you did today, it’s going to cover you all the time. Holding you up, you holdin’ on. You give yourself ways to surface that shit, and it’s going to become second nature.”
Hoss heard her footsteps approaching but didn’t look up, studying the tips of his boots silently.I’ve never had to be that brave all the time.Every breath she takes is hard, but she powers past. Her boots came into view, and he glanced up, surprised to see her that close. Her hands were held slightly away from her body, not quite extended, but he couldn’t mistake the way she leaned towards him. Her expression held a smattering of doubt and fear, but threaded through there was a shining trust.
Hoss pulled in a breath, his chest suddenly too tight for comfort and he blinked, Hope’s beautiful, beaming face flashing in front of him for a moment. He heard Deke’s words again, “Sweet worth working for, it smiles at you like that. Want that for you so fucking bad, brother. Do anything to give it to you.” Slowly, he lifted his arms, and she folded into them, nestling against his chest as if she belonged there.
“Thank you, Hoss. If it weren’t for you, I would never have known what this feels like.” As his had been earlier today, her whisper was just for him, and he gave her a gentle squeeze, pulling her close. Twisting his neck, he laid his cheek on top of her head, breathing in her scent.Intoxicating. Then her face was at his neck, mouth brushing innocently against his jaw and Hoss sucked in a shocked breath because even just that was so good. She shifted and rested her cheek on his shoulder, subsiding into him again with a squeeze of her arms around his waist. “Thank you.”
They stood for several moments, him holding her and her letting herself be held. Tug called softly, “I’m out. See you tomorrow.” Not sure which of them he was talking to, Hoss flipped a hand at him at the same time Cassie did, and the old man’s laugh was drowned by the ringing pipes of his bike.
“I should follow him, make sure he gets home.” Hoss gave her a squeeze, then stepped back until his arms were loosely holding her waist, looking down at her upturned face. “I’m gonna wanna see you again.” He didn’t care how much bald need was exposed by his statement. “I’ll treasure what you’ve given me today, but I want more, Cassie.” He shifted his hold to her arms, letting his hands slide down until they held hers. “You with me?”
Her fingers wrapped around his and tightened as she nodded. “I’m with you.”
Hoss took a step backwards and told her, “Get on inside. Hot shower, honey. Soak a bit or you’ll be sore tomorrow.” She grinned and dropped her gaze. Nose wrinkled in that cute way she had, Cassie muttered something too softly for him to hear. “What? I didn’t catch that.”
“You’re bossy.”
Hoss shook his head and laughed. “Inside. Shower.”If I don’t leave now, I won’t. “See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Poised in the doorway, she turned to look at him. Hoss stopped next to his bike, staring back at her.
“Yeah, tomorrow.” Surprise and pleasure flashed across her expression, and he grinned. “Night, baby.”
Her face softened and her voice was quietly pleased when she repeated, “Night.”
