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"Devon on his way?" Chris asked quietly

"Yeah"

He nodded as his blue eyes scanned the crowd Though he still wasn’t coed a strange friendship They watched TV together every night when Devon ca or groaning depending on as on They were both obsessed with The Deadliest Catch and Cassie found it highly arown accustomed to Devon’s visits after school, looked forward to the tio back to the grind of her nightlife She was still not used to having Devon in her roo him there

A loud shout drew her attention to Jack Wells The quarterback was standing on one of the picnic tables, throwing French fries at anyone unfortunate enough to be close to hih "What an idiot," Chris muttered

"Boys will be boys," Cassie said softly

"Shoot uarantee, and don’t forget I kno to use a crossbow"

He grinned at her "Yeah you do"

Cassie scanned the crowd again; impatient to see Devon Since she had s had leveled out inside her, becoain; she was more settled, and more alive, than she had been in years She was still a tu and sensation when it ca would never change

There was a ripple in the crowd, a slight shifting ast the students She knew instantly that he had arrived as his presence always caused a stir The boys were still slightly wary of hiirl’s had also started to give her angry, hate filled looks that she had not gotten used to receiving, and was perplexed by She had done nothing to them; in fact she had considered most of them her friends Until now She kneas jealousy over her relationship with Devon that fueled their anger, knew that they wanted him, but that fact didn’t racefully through the crowd, not acknowledging the strange or lustful stares that followed hi french-fries as Devon h to throw a fry at Devon Though, Cassie thought it e the winning quarterbacks presence as he moved swiftly past Until Devon had arrived, Jack had been the ood looks couldn’t hold a candle to Devon’s dark splendor

Cassie bristled slightly as Marcy stepped in front of Devon, halting his progress It was not jealousy that broke through her, for he did not look at other girls that way In fact, Cassie knew that she was often the only person he saw He conveyed that to her with every one of his searing looks and gentle touches, for even now as he spoke with Marcy, his gaze was focused upon her The smile on his lips was for her only No, it was not jealousy that tore through her, but aggravation that Marcy had stopped hiht to her She needed hi to her

He spoke with Marcy for a few aze re Some of the anxiety eased from her, a small smile curved her mouth as she watched him The bond between them was fierce, and they still hadn’t even kissed yet In fact, they had done nothing more than hold hands and sit with each other She ached for his kiss she just didn’t knoould happen when he finally did kiss her His touch was enough to drive her crazy, she couldn’t i to find out

Yet, she did not rush it, did not try and make the first move She kneould happen eventually, and that it would be as thrilling as everything else with hih to be with hi her a brief sled through Cassie as he came to her; her body instinctively leaned closer to his as his hand slid easily into hers The burn and itch in her skin eased, allowing her to experience the bliss that he brought her He was the only balm that could ease her discohtly against her shoulder The hand not holding hers wrapped possessively around her waist, and rested lightly upon her hip A small shiver worked its way down her spine, her eyes closed briefly as she relished in the pleasure that his touch brought her His scent engulfed her, filling her nostrils with the smell of fresh air tinted with the crisp hint of spices It was a scent she had grown used to, and she welcohtly stroked her hip, his fingers set up a firestorm within her that only he could start, and put out "You look beautiful tonight"

His soft words and gentle breath blew against her hair, ruffling it slightly She shivered again, leaning closer to hiently nuzzled her neck His lips brushed over her skin, briefly caressing the nape of her neck For a s began to trehtened on her waist Pulling her closer against his Cassie’s hand tightened around his "Oh!" A loud shout echoed through the air, reverberating beneath theof B’s and S’s

Cassie looked up as Jack did a back flip off the table, landing perfectly on his feet "What an idiot," Chris said, tossing his empty shake into the trashcan

"He throws you the ball," Melissa reminded hiuy relishes in being the stereotypical jerk jock, one of these days I’rinned as she shook her head "You’d be kicked off the teaan as Mike Daniels ju to do his own ju to end well"

Melissa was already grinning brightly, a knowing twinkle in her dark eyes Mike juh the air His feet hit the ground, the left one skidded out from under him as he slipped on one of Jack’s discarded fries He landed hard on his butt, a loud whoohter filled the air; Cassie nearly choked on her shake as a satisfied glealanced past Cassie, her forehead furrowed as her eyes narrowed sharply Cassie stiffened, turning slightly to follow Melissa’s gaze Surprise riveted her to the spot

Luther stood on the other side of B’s and S’s, his eyebrows raised disdainfully as he watched Jason clie of his nose to perch precariously upon the tip The loose fitting jacket he wore hung off of his slender shoulders,hi here?" Chris asked softly

"I don’t know I’ll go find out"

Melissa slipped past theathered around the picnic tables "Who is that?" Devon inquired softly

Cassie shifted slightly, not at all sure how to answer that question "It’s Melissa’s dad," Chris told hiht Melissa’s parents were dead," Devon said