Page 82 of Playing for Love

“He told them that I had been outside playing while he was mowing. That he ran over a big branch that he didn’t see and a piece of the shard shot out and hit me in the ribs.”

“And they believed that shit?”

“They believed what they wanted to believe about their outstanding sheriff. He sat there and held my hand the entire time they were stitching me up. All the nurses told me how tough I was. They even gave me a lollipop.”

Jamal swallowed his anger at the injustice his Bambi had seen in her lifetime. How she remained so sweet, so pure, so beautiful through all of that abuse made him love her even more.

“You know what this is, baby?” he asked her, running his hand over the scar again and again, as if he could erase the memories associated with it.

“What?”

“A battle scar. Something that you can look at. And be proud of.”

“Proud ofwhat?”

“That you survived. That you are here, a successful, beautiful, intelligent woman. That you refused to be a victim of the shitty circumstances that you were dealt.That.That’swhat you should be proud of. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

Cassie leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you.”

Now it was his turn. “For what?”

“For being you.You’rethe most amazing personI’veever met.”

Jamal smiled. “You know what that means, right?”

Cassie shook her head. “No. But I feel like you’re going to tell me.”

“You’rethe most amazing personI’veever met.I’mthe most amazing personyou’veever met. That meanswe’remeant to be together. Forever.”

Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck. “I like the sound of that.”

Jamal ran his hand softly over her scar, reveling at the smoothness of her skin. He leaned over and kissed her gently, before taking her hand in his and leading her inside his house. “As much as I want to run my hands all over your body, I don’t want to do it in my garage like a horny teenage boy who can’t control himself,” he said.

“We left your jersey on the floor in there,” she said breathlessly.

“I’m not worried about it,” he replied, leading her up the stairs and into his room. Placing her gently on his bed, he took in the view. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, Cassie.”

She covered her face with her hands. “I don’t feel like it.”

Jamal gently moved her hands from her face and stared in her eyes. “Well, you are to me. Believe me when I say that, okay?’

“Okay,” she said softly.

“Now will you let me show you?”

Cassie nodded softly. It was all the invitation Jamal needed.

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Cassie let out a gasp when Jamal’s hand ran up her side and across her breast. She had a couple boys grope her in high school, but they were desperate. Horny. Uneducated. Jamal was sure of himself and his touch was gentle. Soothing. His thumb ran gently across her nipple, eliciting another gasp.

“You like that?” he asked.

She nodded in response.

“I want to know what you like, Cassie,” he said. “Tell me what you like.”

“I don’t know what I like,” she whispered. “I’m not real knowledgeable about this stuff, remember?”