Engaging (Alluring Book 2) Read Free

for Gage being her strongest emotion.  And she hated herself for it.
    Gage was the first to speak.  "You look beautiful.  Still the prettiest thing I've ever seen." 
    His eyes devoured her, missing nothing.  Cassie straightened her spine.  Did he actually think she would fall for that line again?  Cassie felt a surge of anger.  She was no longer the naive teenager she once was.  She was a woman now, a mother.  Someone who knew how it felt to have their heart stomped on and didn't relish having it happen again. 
    She stood abruptly, her eyes narrowed, and her body shaking with emotion.  She opened her mouth to speak, but he brought his hand up and caressed her cheek, a feather light touch that sent goose bumps down her arms.  She lost all train of thought and just stood there like a ninny, swept away by old emotions.
    She remembered how it had felt, being in his arms, feeling loved, protected, and cherished.  Only, it had all been a facade.  She had to remember that.  "What are you playing at, Gage?"  She asked, in barely a whisper, but he heard her.
    "I'm not playing at anything.  I just really missed you and your beautiful face."
    Cassie took a step back.  She couldn't think while he touched her.  She slowly brought her hand to her face.  Her fingers covering the spot Gage had touched.  "You had your chance five years ago.  You missed it then, as you're about to miss it now.  Good-bye, Gage."
    She turned and ran away.  Not her finest moment, but all she could think about was putting distance between them.  She heard him shout her name, but she didn't stop, couldn't stop.  Gage Hunter was dangerous to her in more ways than just her heart.
    * * * * *
    Gage stood paralyzed as he watched Cassie disappear into the crowd.  His brain screamed, don't let her get away , and his feet immediately took action.  He ran out the front door of Mase's house in time to see the taillights of a red SUV exiting the gate.  Several lights flashed and questions were shouted.  Damn, he'd forgotten about the paparazzi.  He kicked the door shut on his way back in.  He needed to find Mase.
    He found him in the kitchen talking with Jackson Cole, hotel owner and good friend.
    Mase greeted him by lifting his beer.  "You want one, man?"
    Gage shook his head.  "How do you know Cassie Wagner?"  He asked, leaning against the kitchen counter and folding his arms across his chest.
    Mase gave him a quizzical look.  "The name sounds kinda familiar."
    Gage continued, "Long blond hair, green eyes, about 5'3"."
    Mase laughed.  "You just described half the women here."
    Gage gave an exasperated sigh.  "She was wearing a light-yellow, cotton sundress."
    Mase thought for a minute then snapped his fingers.  "She's the dog chick."
    Gage practically growled, "She's not a dog.  She's fucking beautiful."
    "No," Mase shook his head and waved a hand, "she works with dogs or some shit like that.  She's Sam's friend.  If you want to know anything about her, you'll have to ask her."
    Jack spoke up.  "What's this about, Gage?"
    Gage looked down at the floor.  "We dated a few years ago.  She was in college at the time, and we met when I played a concert at her school.  Things got pretty serious, but before I left to go on tour, I told her long-distance relationships never work, and I broke up with her."  Gage shook his head and looked up at his friends.  "Biggest mistake of my life.  Didn't know what I had, until I let it go.  I went back to find her, tell her I loved her, but she disappeared.  Dropped out of school.  Even her damn cell phone had been disconnected.  Today was the first time I've seen her in five years, and she ran away from me.  Not that I blame her."  He uncrossed his arms and stood from the counter.  "I broke her heart and then I broke mine."  He gave a nod of his head and turned to leave the kitchen. 
    Mase called his name, and he stopped and turned back around.  His serious expression was so