Читать книгу Strange Bedfellows Part 3 - Кейси Майклс, Kasey Michaels - Страница 8

“Are—are they hurt? Was Jason calling from the hospital?” Cassandra Mercer’s earlier modesty cast aside with the sheet, she grabbed her clothing from the floor, where it had landed in a heap more than three hours ago, and struggled to get dressed. “Sean? Are you going to answer me?”

“Jason says he’s all right,” he said, rubbing his fingers over his cheek, rubbing the palm of his hand across his chin. “They’re examining Becky in the emergency room now. Damn it! Why did I let him have the Mercedes? I should have known he’d have to go showing off, speeding! Where are your keys? In the kitchen? Finish dressing, Cassandra. I’ll meet you at the car.”

She ran after him, holding her shoes under her arm as she buttoned a fresh blouse she had pulled from the closet. “Did Jason tell you the accident was his fault?”

“He didn’t have to,” Sean flung over his shoulder at her as he ran down the steps. “All he had to tell me was that the police were with him and waiting to talk to me.”

“Well,” Cassandra said as she skidded around the corner of the hallway, “that doesn’t prove anything. You’re jumping to conclusions again, Sean. Thinking the worst before you even know anything. Over—”

Sean stopped dead at the entrance to the kitchen, so that Cassandra barreled into his chest as he turned around to face her. “Overreacting, Cassandra? Is that what you were going to say?”

“Sean—”

“No!” he exclaimed, holding up his hands to stop her from defending his son. “Not this time, Cassandra. It’s always two steps forward and one step back with that kid. Give him an inch and he takes a mile. Offer your hand and he grabs for the whole arm. You name the cliché, and Jase will live up to it. Just like his mother, just like me! Or did you forget that we just climbed out of your bed? Without a word of love, a syllable of promise, a mention of commitment-I took all you offered, all I could take, all I could make you give. And then some!”

“You didn’t make me give anything I didn’t want to give,” Cassandra said quietly, her soft brown eyes glittering with tears. “Nobody and nothing has control over my life, my actions. Not anymore. Not ever again. Now, are we going to stand here so I can listen to you being stupid, or are we going to the hospital to see about Jason and Becky?”

“God, what an ass I am! My kid’s in the hospital and all I’m doing is feeling sorry for myself.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t know why you just don’t tell me to go to hell.”

“I don’t know why, either,” she said, turning her head to press a kiss against the back of his hand. “But I think you have potential. Now, come on, Jason needs you. I’ll drive.”