He has it pulled back into a low, messy bun like he always does, and I want to pull it free. I want to tug on his hair the way he tugged on mine.
I move my eyes to his face and find him staring back at me.
Caught.
“You’re really handsome.” I admit the obvious.
His lips part. But he doesn’t reply. He just looks stunned. And that makes me feel a little less embarrassed about him catching me looking.
“Ready?” I ask, stopping in front of my parents’ unit.
He shakes his head. “Probably not.”
I grin at his answer and pull the key for their door out of my bag.
CHAPTER 32
Hans
When Cassandra lifts the key like she’s going to unlock her parents’ door, I make an executive decision and reach up, knocking on the door.
She pauses with the key in the air. “But I—”
“I doubt your parents are expecting you to have a guest. I don’t really want to surprise them by just walking in.” I’m aware of the irony of feeling this way, but I don’t care.
Cassandra rolls her pretty eyes at me. “Oh my god. It’ll be fine.”
Before I can think better of it, I dart my hand up and grip her ponytail.
Her mouth pops open.
“Watch the attitude, Girl.” I give the command quietly, but there’s no mistaking my tone.
“Or what?” she breathes. “I don’t think your punishment worked last time.”
“No?” My cock starts to thicken. “I’m sure we can find your limit.”
She leans toward me, increasing the pull I have on her hair.
She presses her hands against my chest. “Promise?”
A low growl rumbles behind my ribs. “Cassandra.”
She keeps her eyes wide as she looks up at me. “You want to count to three again?”
I lower my face toward hers, then I hear a lock click open.
Releasing her ponytail, I straighten and face the door.
Cassandra is still turned toward me when her mother pulls the door open.
“Oh geez, did you lose your keys again?” Mrs. Cantrell asks her daughter.
I watch my neighbor’s flushed cheeks darken further with embarrassment as she shifts to face her mom.
“I didn’t lose my keys, thank you very much.” I love the sass in her voice. I hope she tries that tone on me soon.
“Then what are you—Holy hell!” Mrs. Cantrell slaps a hand to her chest when she notices me.
“Mom!” Cassandra sounds offended, and it takes all my effort not to laugh out loud.
Her mom runs her eyes up and down my form once before lowering her voice to her daughter. “Are you in trouble?”
Cassandra tips her head back and shakes her head.
“What?” Her mom defends her assumption. “He looks like security.”
“Someone called security?” an older male voice says from behind Mrs. Cantrell.
“No, Honey, it’s Cassie.”
An older man steps up beside his wife, filling the rest of the doorway.
Side by side, you wouldn’t mistake these two for anyone except Cassandra’s parents. All three of them are the exact same height. And even though Cassandra has the same hair as her mom, she gets her eye color from her dad.
“You in trouble, Cassie?” he asks.
Cassandra puts her hands up. “Oh my god, no one is in trouble.”
She’s barely finished speaking when her dad steps forward to pull Cassandra into a hug. But her hands are still up, so her arms get stuck between them.
“Hi, Dad,” she huffs good naturedly.
“Nice to see—” Just like his wife, Mr. Cantrell reacts with a jolt when he finally notices me. “Oh, Jesus!” He steps back from Cassandra and puts his hand to his chest.
Mrs. Cantrell gently smacks his arm. “That’s who I was talking about.”
Mr. Cantrell faces me. “Whatever it is, I’m sure she did it.”
“Dad!” Cassandra presses her hand against my side, trying to get me to move. “You know what? I think they’ve finally lost their minds. Let’s go back home.”
“Home?” her mom gasps. “You’re living with him?”
Cassandra stares up at me and whispers, “Help.”
“But you’re doing such a good job,” I whisper back.
The corner of her mouth twitches.
Then the door across the hall swings open.
“Is that my Cassie?” An ancient man steps into the hallway.
“Hey, Harold.” Cassandra lifts a hand and waves.
Unlike the Cantrells, Harold notices me immediately. “Well, well, well.” He folds his skinny arms across his chest. “You my competition, then?”