Burning Attraction Read online

  Burning Attraction

  A Novel

  By Ashley Beale

  © Ashley Beale, 2013.

  This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights. You are not permitted to give or sell this book to anyone else. Any trademarks, product names, service marks, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. All rights are reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Published by Ashley Beale

  Dedicated to all my family, friends, and fans. I'd be nothing without any of you.

  A Special dedication to Brittney & Kaylee- you are my world.

  Chapters

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: First Day

  Chapter 2: We Meet Again

  Chapter 3: Underground

  Chapter 4: Official

  Chapter 5: Mistakes

  Chapter 6: Tell All

  Chapter 7: Halloween Party

  Chapter 8: Dirty Little Secret

  Chapter 9: Surprises

  Chapter 10: Decisions

  Chapter 11: Thanksgiving

  Chapter 12: Secrets Out

  Chapter 13: Apologies

  Chapter 14: Bliss

  Chapter 15: It’s My Party, I'll Cry If I Want To

  Chapter 16: Hangovers

  Chapter 17: Consequences

  Chapter 18: Getting Out of the House

  Chapter 19: Graduation Party

  Chapter 20: Goodbyes Aren't Forever

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

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Summer of 2006

  "Cassie, hurry up, the party has already started!" My mom yells to me from outside the bathroom door. I have never worn makeup before, my dad told me I'm not allowed to until I'm sixteen. But my mom proclaimed I could since it was for a special occasion, yet being only twelve years old, I'm clueless. I've poked myself in the eye multiple times with this stupid goopy stuff that goes on your eyelashes, but I wanted to put it on because it always makes my mom’s eyes look perfect!

  I'm trying not to cry, I just want to be as beautiful as possible for Avery. He is leaving for Washington tomorrow. We're leaving shortly for his going away party, and this is the last change he will see me. I've been begging him since I found out he was moving, to come back to California when he is an adult, so that we can get married and live happily ever after. I know it probably will never happen, my mom keeps telling me I'm dreaming too wild, but I can still beg him. He says he promises he will.

  "Mom, I need help," I finally admit. She opens the door and smiles at me. Without a word, she comes over and applies my makeup. I have no idea what she is doing, but her soft hands work like magic on my face, and just a few minutes later she is done. I gasp when I look at myself in the mirror, I look just like my mom, only years younger. She is beautiful, so to look like her makes me pretty excited.

  She smiles at me with wet eyes, like she may cry or something. "You're beautiful Cassie. Now let's get going, or you won’t get a chance to tell Avery goodbye."

  When we arrive at the party I search and search for Avery but he is nowhere in sight. I find my best friend, Aubrey, and ask her if she has seen him. She says he hasn't come outside yet, he was throwing some kind of fit with his parents. See, Avery and I have been friends since we were five, which is when our dads started working together at a law firm. This resulting in all four of our parents being inseparable, until now of course. I've only ever thought of him as a best friend, until the beginning of summer when he kissed me for the very first time. We were sitting out by my pool one day, then out of nowhere, he came over and pushed his lips against mine. He told me I was beautiful and that he always loved me.

  It was the only kiss I've ever had, he never kissed me after that. But it was the very next day that his parents mentioned them moving to Washington. He gave me a ring he purchased at Wal-Mart and said that he was going to marry me one day. It's far-fetched, and my mom says we're too young to know better, but I swear I love him too. That is why I want to see him right now, while I'm beautiful, so he can remember me. He can remember his promise and come back to me after he graduates high school.

  "I think I'm going to go find him," I tell Aubrey. She rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything. Aubrey and I have been the best of friends since we were in diapers. Her dad passed away when she was an infant, so my parents helped her mom out a lot. I always felt really bad for her, I don't know what I would do growing up without a father. But her mom re-married two years ago, so she has a step dad and step sister named Stella. Stella is a year older than us and very mean. My mom says it's because she is jealous, but I think it's because she is a spoiled brat!

  I walk inside to the Manning's house and see Mrs. Manning outside of Avery's door. "Hi Mrs. Manning," I tell Avery's mom.

  She smiles at me, "hi dear." Then she knocks on Avery's door, "Avery sweetheart, Cassandra is here."

  The door creaks open and Avery looks at his mom before looking at me. "Hi Cassie." He looks me up and down, and it causes my cheeks to blush a little bit. I think he likes my makeup. "You look real nice."

  I don't think I've ever smiled so big. "Thanks Avery! You coming to join the rest of us?"

  He bites on his lip and squishes his eyebrows together, then looks at his mom. "I guess so," he mumbles out. He is acting strange, but I don't question it. "Hold on." He pops back into his bedroom and comes back out a minute later with a present, handing it to me. I wasn't expecting a present, especially since he is the one leaving.

  "What is it?" I ask him, shaking the little square gift wrapped in pink paper.

  He smiles at me wide, "open it Angel." He has called me Angel since we were seven. I've always secretly loved being called that by him, but would never admit it!

  I open the box and squeal with excitement. It's a silver necklace with a pink and blue angel pendant hanging from it. I take it out of the box and put it on immediately, and it matches my pretty blue dress perfectly. "I love it!" I exclaim when it's on, then hop up into Avery's arms. He is only three inches taller than me, but it feels like a whole foot.

  Avery whispers in my ear, "your mom says you dream too wild, but I like that about you. Keep dreaming wild, Angel, and I'll see you in a few more years." He kisses my ear, and it causes a weird feeling in my belly. I pull back and stare up at his dark green eyes, smiling from ear to ear. My cheeks are going to hurt tomorrow from all the smiling I'm doing today, but that is okay with me.

  We go outside and continue the party. There are a lot of people here, but I stay with Avery for most of it, and Aubrey follows alongside me as well. When it reaches supper time I'm sad, because I know this is when the party has to end. The Manning's have to finish packing their things into the U-Haul truck so they can leave in the morning.

  Avery grabs my hand and brings me around the house. When our parents are out of sight he kisses me one more time on the lips. They tingle as he pulls away. "I love you Cassandra McKnight, I'll see you in a few years."

  I bite down on my smile, while I stare up at him. I hear my mom calling my name, so we can't talk much but I manage to say, "I love you too Avery Manning. I'll miss you." Then I leave without another word. I'm counting down the days until high school is all done with!

  Chapter 1: First Day

  Fall of 2012

  The stupid alarm clock awakes me from the best dream I've had in ages.
I was in the Bahamas, marrying Channing Tatum, and we were about to celebrate our honeymoon. Since I know that will never happen in real life, I'm sad when I have to open my eyes and face reality. Today is the first day of collage at the University of San Diego, but thank goodness my best friend, and roommate, Aubrey, shares my first class with me this morning. It is the only one we have together this year, but that is probably because we aren't sharing the same major. I'm going for Criminal Justice and she is going for Fashion Design.

  I get out of bed and make my way the shower. I can hear Aubrey's music blasting in her bedroom. She is the early riser, I'm the night owl. We're opposite is so many ways imaginable, it is sort of shocking we've remained friends all these years, with only a few catty fights throughout high school. After my shower I get dressed in my typical blue jeans, yellow tee shirt and matching sandals. I brush my straight brown hair out, fix my bangs so they sway perfectly to the left, and apply a little bit of lip gloss. I'm not one for dressing up nicely, that is all on Aubrey.

  After filling both our stomachs up on coffee and bagels, we decide we're ready to head out, and ride to school together. I hate driving, but I have the better car, so I let Aubrey drive us both there.

  When she parks the car I look next to us, and there is the sexiest man I've ever laid eyes on. He is probably six feet tall, dirty blonde hair that is purposely messed into perfection, dark blue eyes, and oh boy is he muscular. He looks like a possible surfer and I'm turned on immediately. It's my favorite part of living in San Diego, I get to look at surfers where ever I go, but this man, whoa, he is perfection.

  I smile my brightest smile at him and he winks back at me, but doesn't say anything. I get out of the car and follow Aubrey inside the school. The campus is large and you can get lost easily, so we did three tours over the last two weeks, that way we knew exactly where to go. First class goes by just fine, as well as the second and third. Everything is just syllabi, getting to know the professor, and getting to know your classes. At least there hasn't been any homework assigned, yet.

  At lunch time I get to the cafeteria first and wait around outside the doors for Aubrey. I hear a husky bedroom voice come from my left and my head immediately sways in that direction. Okay, so when I said that last guy was the sexiest guy I've ever met, I lied. This man walking my way is. He is a couple inches taller than the last guy, his muscles bulk out like he is some kind of fighter, with tattoos placed nicely down his arms. His almost black hair is buzzed short, and his square jaw has the tiniest bit of scruff along it. What catches me off guard is his piercing green eyes, they're breath taking.

  It takes me only a moment to notice he is walking with no other than Aubrey's step sister, Stella. The queen bitch, who I loathe completely. We've never gotten along and never will. I'm not catty at all, but this girl brings out my claws. She is laughing at something this mystery man is saying and I feel a ping of jealousy in me, I just don't know why. They walk on past me, Stella ignoring me, but the sex on a stick is staring at me intently. He flashes me a boyish grin before he opens the door, letting Stella in before following behind her.

  Aubrey shows up minutes later and I ask if Stella has a boyfriend but she says no, she's just a whore. It doesn't surprise me that she could find a delicious man like that though. She’s five and a half feet tall, with curly bleach blonde hair and beautiful hazel eyes. My eyes are hazel as well, but they're browner, where Stella's are greener. The only thing green about me is the envy I have towards her right now for knowing this man.

  The rest of the day goes by just as easy, and I actually like most of my classes. I was a little disappointed not to run into either of the hot guys I saw earlier today. I want the full college experience, and that includes finding the hottest guys on campus and hooking up with them once or twice. Throughout the day I did meet a handful of people I really enjoyed talking to, some girls, some guys. As much as I was dreading waking up this morning, I've found myself being happy that I did.

  Before I know it it's Friday night and there is a frat party tonight that I cannot wait to attend. Aubrey said that Stella used to brag about how amazing frat parties were here, especially ones at the fraternity called Beta Theta Pi, which happens to be where the party is tonight. Aubrey helps me get ready, so that I am the perfect combination of cute and sexy. I don't like to overdo it, as Aubrey does, but I do adore some attention.

  Since we both plan on getting plastered tonight, we walk to the fraternity. We only live a block away so it's not that bad. We arrive moments later and I find a pledge to fill our cups to the brim. He makes me a fruity drink and I love it, which means I know which pledge I'll keep coming back to tonight. I've noticed a handful of my new friends here tonight and I get moving around, talking to them all. Close to two hours in, Aubrey, me, and a few other girls I've met all go out on the makeshift dance floor to swing our booties around.

  Someone puts their hands on my hips, and since I'm feeling good I don't even bother seeing who it is. I grind myself into him, and can smell the delicious scent of masculinity. When he puts his lips to my ear I feel shivers run down my spine. "You're so beautiful," the deep, seductive voice breathes. I turn my head over my shoulder to get a good look at the guy. It's the same one I saw when Aubrey and I pulled into the parking lot of school on Monday. I hadn't seen him again, and it nearly takes my breath away with how close his lips are to mine.

  I flash a smile at him, "thanks." I turn back around and continue dancing, this time sexier than before. That is one thing I know how to do, shake my ass. I took dance lessons for thirteen years, so I'm able to sway my hips to any beat, and I'm not missing any tonight as the bass pumps through the speakers. The hotness behind me pulls me even closer to him, so now the bulge in his pants is rubbing into my back. Almost immediately I start throbbing with desire. I could probably take this man right here, right now, but I'm enjoying the foreplay.

  He gets close to my ear again, "want to get some fresh air or a new drink?" I nod my head yes as he takes my hand, pulling me with him. We go and each grab a new drink before going out the back door, to the lawn that is just as crowded as inside. The only difference is, the music isn't nearly as loud out here, so we can have a chance to talk. We walk over to a bench and sit down next to each other. "I'm Carson," he says, extending a hand.

  Shaking his hand causes my stomach to flare up with need for this man. "Cassandra, or Cassie," I say in response.

  He nods his head a little bit, "I like it, it suits you, Cassie." Oh, and my name rolling off his tongue like that, I just melt to this bench. He doesn't realize what he is doing to me, not one bit.

  I bite down on my smile, so he can't see that I'm excited about him saying my name like that. I swallow down the lump forming in my throat before I say anything more. "Thanks. So you a freshman this year or...?"

  "Sophomore actually. I take it you’re a freshman though?" I nod in answer, too nervous to say more than I need to. "You from San Diego?" I nod again, which causes him to chuckle. His little laugh makes me want to straddle him and take him right here, but I won't only for the sake there is way too many people around, all with cell phones. I don't need that posted online. "And do you have a boyfriend?" he asks, lifting both eyebrows up in question.

  "Nope, you? Well, girlfriend I mean." I bite down on my lips once again. I'm sure I look like an idiot but this man has me so nervous, I don't understand it. I typically flow with a lot of confidence, but not tonight for some reason.

  He laughs, "no, no girlfriend. I wouldn't be dancing with you like that if I did." Carson's eyes take me in and I can see a swirl of desire in his luscious blue eyes. I look his face over, paying great detail to all his features. He has a swarm of freckles on the bridge of his nose, no hair on his face at all, his lips are full and kissable, and when she smirks at me I see a dimple on the right side of his mouth. A dimple- oh God, I'm in trouble. Oddly enough, I want to lick that tiny little indent, but I don't since that will probably cause him to run for the hills.

&n
bsp; We sit and talk for a while longer about our majors, our families, our life in California. He is from a town called Byron, which is where his family still is, and he is actually part of the frat house that we're partying in. That is also where he resides during the school year. He has three siblings, all older, all female, which makes him a momma's boy. I tell him I live close by with Aubrey, grew up in this same city, just moved into my apartment over the summer, am an only child, and all the other boring details.

  Conversation with Carson is easy. I enjoy talking with him, and can feel myself becoming more comfortable with each word said. When I take a glance at my cell phone I see it is almost one in the morning. It saddens me because I don't want to leave any time soon but I know it won't be much longer, there is less and less people around. Normally with someone like him I would ask if he wants to head inside, possibly to his bedroom, but I can't bring myself to it. I have a weird feeling being around him. I want to know more about him. I want to see him more.

  I notice as Aubrey comes stumbling outside and starts yelling my name. "Over here Aubrey," I yell. I've sobered up a lot since we've been out here almost two hours talking about everything under the sun. Aubrey makes her way over to us and smiles when she sees who I'm talking to. I introduce Aubrey and Carson, who shake hands.

  "You ready?" she asks me skeptically.

  I look over at Carson with sad eyes before answering Aubrey, "yeah, I suppose I am."

  He stands with me and walks us to the fence, where there is a gate that Aubrey and I can go through to head back out to the street. "Will you be here next week?"

  "We will," Aubrey answers before I can.

  Carson chuckles, "okay, I'll see you next week then." He leans down and brushes his lips across mine. When he pulls back, he stares into my eyes, waiting my reaction. I can't do anything more than smile at him. It felt amazing, I could feel his kiss all the way to between my legs. When he asks for my number I willingly give it to him, and after he punches a few things into his cell phone I feel mine vibrate. "Good night ladies," he says, before walking towards his frat house.