Burning Attraction (27 page)

             
"What?" he nearly yells out. "No, they followed me here. My parents lost a shit ton of money moving business down here, which has made me feel like a total dick. But I came here for you Cassie, and when I'm done with this shit, I'm claiming you as mine once again."

             
"What if it's too late?" I ask him with the same tone he used on me.

             
His eyes widen in surprise. "It'll never be too late for me."

             
"Yeah, well, it may be too late for me Avery. I can't wait around for you. I can't let everything go for you. I've lost Carson because of you, I've had my world turned upside down because of you. And you're taking off, this time by choice. To leave me alone and hurt."

             
Avery cringes at my choice of words and I know he feels really bad. "I'm doing this for us, Cassie."

             
"How the hell are you doing this for US?" I yell out.

             
"I'll be making so much money in the next year that we'll be set for years. Maybe life."

             
"And then what? You'll still join in the UFC's?"

             
He rubs the top of his head, thinking on his answer. "I don't know. There’s no definite answer there. I don't even know if they'll want me."

             
"Yeah, well I want you. That's something that you know, yet you still don't have a definite answer there."

             
"Look, I'm not here to fight with you." He sighs and looks almost like he is going to cry.

             
I'm fuming at this point. I don't even care if he feels guilty or sad, because I'm the one that got hurt in all this, not him. He is being selfish, even if he doesn't believe it. I want to work hard, I want a job and not to depend on his money, or my parents money, or anyone else but myself. He never discussed leaving with me, he chose it, knowing I wasn't happy about it. It ruined us once, and I know it'll continue to ruin us. Especially if he gets an offer to fight professionally.

             
"Good, I don't want to fight either Avery. But I don't want you to do this for me either. This is all for you, and don't you dare say differently. When you're done with this shit, I may be here, but I may be gone. And if I'm gone, do not fight for me. You're letting me go right now, remember that."

             
He pulls me close and hugs me tight, his voice full of more emotion I've ever heard come from him. "I'm following my dreams Angel, it's something I do. You're just like me, remember? Your mom used to tell you that you dreamed wild, and I used to tell you to keep dreaming as wild as you can. And you did, and it's worked. And I want it to work for me. I want it to work for us. I'll let you go, because we both need it, and we're both only nineteen years old. Let's live a little, let’s follow our own dreams, and when we've completed those things, here we'll be. Don't ask me not to fight for you, because I always will."

             
Tears fall from my face as I breathe him in, taking in all his words. "Okay."

             
He pulls back and looks at me intently, searching my face for any signs of doubt. "Have fun my Angel. Be happy, enjoy your life. If you move on, then I'm the idiot who thought we were strong enough. But you're the only girl in the world I want to be with. The girl who I want stealing my last name one day. I didn't leave you back in February because I didn't think we wouldn't work, I did it because I want you to experience the college life. It has killed me, but I needed you to live for yourself. Keep doing that okay? Promise me?"

             
"I promise you Avery."

             
The rest of the day we watch movies, talk about school, my plans for being in Hawaii, and everything else that eases into our conversation. There is a weight that has lifted off my shoulders being here with Avery. My heart starts forming again, and I'm happy. Truly happy for once in months. At supper time, we get more take out from a sushi restaurant, but once supper is done, Avery kisses me and leaves.

             
                                                                      ********************

             
The day before school lets out, I'm standing in the parking lot on campus waiting on Avery. When I spot him finally making his way towards me, I smile, anxiously waiting for him to get closer. "You leaving soon?"

             
"Yeah I am," he smirks, "I got to head out in a few minutes. I just wanted to say bye to you first."

             
I reach up and hug him tight. "I'm glad you did, I got a surprise for you." He pulls back and looks at me excited. I point to the necklace around my neck, the same silver necklace with an angel pendant he gave me all those years ago.

             
"It's perfect. It suites you well. You are an angel after all."

             
"Hold on!" I open my car door and pull out an envelope, handing it to him.

             
"What’s this?" he asks, starring at the thick envelope.

             
I giggle, "you’ll find out when you open it."

             
He opens it up and pulls out the pile of pictures I placed in there. Some of them are us as kids, some from a few months ago when we were dating, and others of just me. Ones I thought I looked really pretty in. I even placed one in there of me in some sexy lingerie, hoping he'll like that one the most. And from the look on his face when he sees it, I'm assuming he does.

             
"These are perfect, thank you Cassie." He leans in and kisses me ever so softly on the lips. "I'll keep these with me for sure."

             
I smile, happy that he loves them. I kept a few for myself, so that I can have them to bring with me to Hawaii. I know I'll see his face on the cable, but it won't be the same as the memories we shared together in these photos.

             
Avery pulls me in for another hug. "I really do need to get going Angel." When he pulls back, he presses his lips to mine, causing a tingle, reminding me of when he left me those years ago. "I love you Cassandra McKnight, I'll see you in a few months."

             
"I love you, too, Avery Manning. I'll miss you." He smiles down at me, and this time, he is the one that walks away without another word. And here I am, counting down the days until he makes his way back into my life all over again.

Chapter 21: I'll Be Back... I'll Be Waiting

             
Now it's my turn to say bye to everyone, since I'm leaving tomorrow for Hawaii. School let out yesterday, and I haven't heard from Avery once since he left. I got a chance to say goodbye to friends in school, but I want a last goodbye with those close to me. My parents are the first ones I say goodbye to, but they're making their way to Hawaii for the fourth of July to celebrate with me, so it's not that emotional.

             
They're the ones paying for my trip, and both support it fully, saying I need this time to get my mind set straight once and for all. We have a summer home right on the beach in Honolulu, and I haven't been there since last summer, where I only spent four weeks. This time, I plan on staying the whole summer.

             
Next I head to the frat house. This is Carson's last day in San Diego until the fall as well, and I know he is busy packing, so it'll be a short visit. I just know that I have to say goodbye to him, so we can leave on good terms, in hopes that next year we can start the year off being friends. When I arrive he is walking out the door, suitcases in hand. "Oh, hey Cassie. I was wondering if you'd be stopping by."

             
"Yeah," I smile at him, "I know you're busy, I just wanted to say bye. It's going to be a long few months without you around."

             
He throws his suitcases into his trunk then shuts it before looking back at me. "Yeah, I know the feeling."

             
We walk to one another and hug. "I hope you have a fun summer Carson. I'll miss you."

             
He pulls back and looks me up and down, like he is memorizing me. "I'll miss you, too, beautiful. You be safe in Hawaii. Keep in touch, okay?"

             
"Yes and yes," I laugh, "I'll see you in a few months."

             
Carson kisses my cheek, just as a friend would. "Have a safe flight. See you then."

             
I leave feeling good about everything between us. I'm glad it wasn't too awkward saying goodbye to him. I'll always have love for Carson, I just know that I'm not in love with him. I wish that he didn't love me either, because he could be a great friend. A best friend. Especially after all our times kick boxing together, we had so much fun and got along very well. But of course, like most good things, it didn't last. He had to admit he still loved me, which I'm sure felt good getting off his chest, but it changed things between us for certain.

             
My next stop is the one that has my heart thumping. I've talked to Pierce a handful of times since the graduation party, and I even attended his graduation itself. But to be alone with him again, saying goodbye, there is going to be an undeniable awareness between us. I pull up to his condo complex, his truck is parked out front, so I know he is here.

             
I walk up to his door, trying to keep my breath steady as I knock. He answers his door and his face brightens right up. "God you look beautiful," he says as a greeting. Of course I end up blushing at his words but I don't say anything, which causes Pierce to laugh at me. "Come in," he orders, opening the door wider.

             
"I'm leaving tomorrow, I just wanted a proper goodbye," I state.

             
He grins knowingly, "that sounds good to me."

             
Laughing, I shake my head. "I didn't mean it like that Pierce. God, you're relentless."

             
"Only with you." He walks over and hugs me tight. My ear to his chest, his heart beating faster and faster, echoing through me. "I'm going to miss you. I wish I could come with you."

             
I look up at him smiling. "That'd be fun. But you're a big, bad business man now. You'll have to send me a picture of you in your suite and tie sometime."

             
He chuckles, "I can show you a tie right now. It's in my bedroom."

             
I smack his chest playfully. He really is relentless. "I'm sure you will."

             
"No really, you wanna help me pick out what I'll wear on my first day? I start Monday."

             
"Sure, lead the way," I say, pulling away from him. We walk together in his bedroom and he shows me two shirts and a handful of ties he is choosing from. I match up the ties to the shirts to figure out what will look best together and what will make Pierce look the best. Since he is dark skinned with grey eyes, I figure the dark blue shirt with a black and grey tie would be best, so I tell him.

             
"This tie?" he asks, holding up the one I explained.

             
"That's the one!"

             
His smirk grows mischievous, and I immediately understand he just tricked me. My panties turn wet in an instant. Pierce walks over and kisses my lips. "Good, now lay down on the bed. I'll tie you up in it, fuck your brains out, and when I wear this tie on Monday, I'll send you a picture. We can both be reminded of your goodbye, while awaiting your arrival back home."

             
I swallow hard at his request and happily obey. I strip down out of my clothes while walking over to his bed. When I lay down, I look at him, he is completely naked and completely ready for me. I place my hands above my head, never taking my eyes off from Pierce as he makes his way over to me. He ties me to his headboard, kissing my writs first, then making his way slowly to my mouth, down my stomach, and to where I'm craving him the most.

             
Pierce brings me to my first orgasm using only his mouth and fingers, then to my second using his hard, thick cock. Both times I remain tied up, which only intensifies my release. He then unties me and lays on his back, this time it's me who ties Pierce up while I ride his cock for hours. I make it through two additional orgasms before he explodes inside me for the second time tonight. I'm exhausted by the time the two of us are done, but I'm also starving.

             
I jump in the shower, washing off the sweat and juices, while Pierce makes his way to the kitchen to get us an array of food. When I walk back into his room, the smell of sex and chocolate engulf me instantly, turning me back on. I didn't think it was possible to be ready for another round already, but I'm sure Pierce is done for the night. I look at the food he got for us, which is warmed chocolate in a bowl, strawberries off to the side, some kind of macaroni salad on a plate, and garlic bread heated up.