The kiss left them both breathless. When their lips parted, they just looked at each other, neither of them knowing what to say or do next.
“What are you thinking?” AJ asked, unable to read Cassidy’s face. “I’m thinking that we’re both crazy," she admitted, "but I’m also thinking that I’m haven’t eaten dinner and I’m hungry.” She smiled at him.
He laughed.
“My kind of girl. Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”
He got up and extended his hand to help Cassidy up. When she stood up he pulled her into his arms and leaned his forehead against hers.
“You know that we’re nuts, don’t you,” Cassidy whispered.
“Sshh,” AJ put his finger up to her lips. “Don’t talk.”
“Alex..”
“What do I have to do to keep you quiet?” he teased.
“I can think of one thing..” She brought her lips to his and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.
“Umm, Cassidy,” he whispered when they pulled apart.
“What do I have to do to keep you quiet?” she joked.
He laughed and kissed her again.
“You better be careful, I can get used to this,” Cassidy said pulling away from him.
AJ didn’t say anything, he didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t yet figured out how he was going to get their relationship to work. She would be so far away, then there was Ashleigh...
“Come on, Skippy, let’s go eat,” she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the boardwalk and they headed towards the hotel.
AJ requested a quiet table in the corner so they could have their privacy.
“So, tell me about your son,” AJ said, much to Cassidy’s surprise. She was shocked he was interested in hearing about him.
“Well, his name is Kyle, he’s 3 years old, stubborn as hell and at the point now where he’s realizing he has an opinion and shares it with others quite frequently."
AJ laughed.
“When I called the other day he answered the phone. He was so cute. I figured he was your son when he picked up the phone so I asked if his Mommy was there and he was like, 'Mommy went bye-bye on airplane'. I had to laugh. Do you have any pictures of him?”
“Of course I do!” Cassidy laughed reaching into her purse and handing him her wallet.
“Wow, what a cutie. He looks just like you.”
Cassidy blushed. “Thanks, he doesn’t look as much like me as he used to, though.”
“Does he see his father...if you don’t mind me asking.”
AJ wasn’t sure if he was being nosy, the questions just came out.
“No, I don’t mind you asking," she answered. "No, he doesn’t see his father...” Her voice trailed off, not knowing if she really wanted to go into detail. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to divulge everything to AJ just yet.
AJ watched her reaction and noticed her getting uncomfortable with his questions.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be nosy. I just..I just figured if you wanted to talk about it I would definitely understand the situation, coming from the dysfunctional family that I did,” he chuckled.
“I'm not sure anyone has a 'normal' family these days," she replied. "As a matter of fact, I don't think there is such a thing as 'normal'".
"Yeah, you're probably right," he chuckled.
"You have a wonderful mother, though.”
“Yeah, I do,” he smiled. “Actually, you remind me alot of her.”
Cassidy looked at him, shocked. “Really? Why?”
“Well, you’re a strong, independent, headstrong, driven woman. Then on top of all that, you’re a single mother. I have the utmost respect for you, just like I do for my mom.”
Cassidy just stared at him shocked. She didn’t know what to say.
“Wow, and you barely even know me”.
“I know you a lot better than you think I do,” he smiled. “But I still want to get to know you better." His eyes bore right into her.
“Alex..”
“Nope, if it’s negative, I don’t want to hear it..” he put his hand up.
She laughed. Sooner or later they would have to discuss what was going on between them, where this was headed. How they were going to see each other, if he wanted to see her at all after tonight.
“So, where’s Marcus tonight?” Cassidy asked, trying to change the subject.
“Right over there,” he pointed in the direction of the door.
She looked over towards the door and saw Marcus. He smiled and waved. She waved back and laughed.
“I didn’t even know he was there! I haven’t seen him all night!”
“Yeah, he tries to give me my space. He’s cool about it. He knows when to make his appearance.”
“I’m sure he’s used to that, huh?” Cassidy asked, looking away from him.
“What do you mean?”
“Him giving you your space, when you’re, you know, with women.”
AJ looked at her surprised, that’s not what he meant, he had to make her understand that. He put his drink down and leaned closer to her. He wanted to hold her hand, but she had her hands in her lap. He could tell by her body language that she was upset by what he had said. She took it totally wrong.
“Cassidy.”
“Huh,” she replied, not looking at him.
“Cassidy, look at me.”
She looked at him and he could see the hurt in her eyes.
“You took that all wrong.”
“No, I didn’t. I know what you meant.”
“Listen to me, I know what you’ve heard about me, I know you’ve heard that I sleep around and take advantage of women. I won’t deny that I haven’t exactly been faithful to Ashleigh, but it was after things went bad between us, I DON’T take advantage of women, and that’s NOT what I’m doing with you...”
“You don’t owe me any explanation, Alex.”
AJ just sat there looking at her, he didn’t know what to say. He wanted to make her believe him, but he didn’t know how. A slow song came on and a few couples went out to dance.
“Dance with me.”
She looked at him, surprised by his sudden forwardness.
“Please,” he said as he stood up and held out his hand for her to take.
As much as she knew she shouldn't, as much as she knew that at least one, if not both of them, would get hurt eventually, she couldn't say no to him. She placed her hand in his and followed him to the dance floor.
Once they got there, he turned and placed his arms around her waist, pulling her as close to him as he could. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He smelled so good she could hardly stop herself from nuzzling her nose in the crook of his neck. She laid her head on hsi shoulder and closed her eyes. They both listened to the song that played.
“And I’d give up forever to touch you,
‘cause I know that you feel me somehow.
You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be,
And I don’t want to go home right now.
All I can taste is this moment,
And all I can breathe is your life.
Sooner or later it’s over,
I just don’t want to miss you tonight.
And I don’t want the world to see me,
'cause I don’t think that they’d understand.
When everything’s made to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am.”
Cassidy chuckled at the irony of the words and looked up at AJ.
“What’s so funny?” he smiled.
“This song, the words..”
“Yeah,” he was silent for a moment. “Regardless of what you hear about me, you know me, the REAL me. Don’t ever forget that,” he whispered in her ear.
She looked up at him, right into his eyes..right into his soul. He wasn’t scared, though. He had never felt more comfortable or happier than he did at that moment.
“God, I want to kiss you so bad right now,” AJ sighed.
“We have to be careful, Alex. You never know who’s around. It’ll end up in the newspaper tomorrow morning.”
He chuckled. “You know what? I really don’t care.”
He leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. At that moment, they were the only two people in the room, everything else just faded away. When they pulled apart, they continued to gaze into each other’s eyes.
“I don’t want this night to end,” he whispered.
"Me either," she admitted. "Tomorrow, I'll be going home and..."
"Ssshh," he cut her off. "We still have tonight".
She lay her head on his shoulder as they slowly swayed to the music. He gently ran his fingers up and down her back, making her body tingle. She didn't know what came over her, maybe the overwhelming emotions she was feeling finally overpowered her, but the words came out before she had a chance to think about what she was saying.
“Spend the night with me, Alex,” she looked up at him.
He looked down at her surprised, unsure of what to say next.
"Cassidy, sex is not what I want from you..."
"I know," she interrupted him as their eyes remained locked.
“Are you sure?” He asked after a short pause that seemed like eternity.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” she caressed his cheek.
He smiled weakly at her as he tried to sort everything out in his head. He couldn't tell her no, the truth was, part of him didn't want to. The other part of him wanted to just hold her in his arms all night and cherish the little time they had left before she had to leave. He wanted to tell her that, but he didn't know how. He only knew how to express himself in one way.
"Come on," she whispered as she took his hand and they left the dancefloor.


Chapter 12
Back