Inescapable: Book Three: Inescapable, #3

By Katherine King

From #1 International Bestselling Romance Author, Katherine King, comes the continuation of Cass and Borden; the short story One Night Only, that left Katherine's readers begging for more.

Inescapable Book Three

Borden:

Why did she still have to come into my dreams and play with me?

I'm so sick of this dreaming about her.

Every night...the hell that I go through.

I'm so sick of this waking every night, gripping my sheets tight in my fists when I relive that night with her... The way her lips curled when she swam teasingly away from me, silently encouraging me to follow her. To taste and touch her, be with her even if all we had was one night.

But these dreams that I've had of her every night since then... They were like shadows that danced forever in my mind and seeing her with him...touching skin that I'd once touched, tasting the skin that I still craved, I sometimes wish I could unkiss her, untouch her because I know that's the only way I'd ever be able to take my heart back.

Because my heart has been hers ever since that one night so long ago...

The continuation of previously published short story One Night Only.

Filled with sizzling sex scenes and a roller coaster ride of emotions, The Inescapable Series is a set of stories that will keep you wanting more.

*Author's Note: One Night Only has been continued into a full length story in Katherine's Inescapable Series. Look for Inescapable Book Two to continue reading this short story.

Reviews of One Night Only:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Night Only
ByDonaldon March 24, 2017
I received a free copy of One Night Only. Being only 18 pages, it pulls you in immediately. It has a good opening with a little bit of background and directs you into the main part of the story. The ending leaves you with a good opening for a great romance in the making.

I enjoyed the storyline from "One Night Only" likeable characters
ByKindle CustomerDebra Menardon February 20, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author Katherine King. I enjoyed the storyline from "One Night Only" likeable characters, will be reading more of her books in the near future. Liked the vibe of the carnival life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine King
• Release date: Jan 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386998389

Katherine King

With her first two books in a two-part series, "Captivated," reaching #1 on Amazon and #2 on iTunes, Katherine King has established herself as an International Bestselling Romance Author. A mother, wife, dog lover, restauranteur and innkeeper, Katherine wears many hats...but by far her favourite job is being a writer. Sign up for her free starter library at www.katherineking2001.com

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Book Three of The Inescapable Series

Inescapable

Book Three

(Continuation of the Previously Published Short Story One Night Only)

By Katherine King

Sale of this book without a front cover may be unauthorized. If this book is coverless, it may have been reported to the publisher as unsold or destroyed and neither the author nor the publisher may have received payment for it.

The Inescapable Series (One Night Only) is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is of the author’s imagination.

Copyright © 2016 Katherine King Author

All rights reserved.

www.katherineking2001.com

For Rebecca Fowler, my daughter & greatest accomplishment,

and always my inspiration to accomplish my dreams. Because a mom is one of the greatest examples for a daughter –

for her to follow her own dreams someday.

Chapter 1

Cass

Feeling numb, I sit on the soft sand of the beach and stare out at the ocean, over the tops of the pounding waves. Wrapping my arms tighter around myself, I recall Borden’s eyes from last night...

And the deep pain that had been so clear in his gaze as he had stared back at me as Tyler’s words had thrown everyone into a shocked silence.

Closing my eyes, I recall the moment I had met Borden.

Even now, my entire body feels an electrical thrill.

But as always, it ends in a deep and hollow ache as I open my eyes, and reality once again reminds me that he’s not mine.

And now Tyler’s impromptu proposal last night has completely severed any strings of even pretending to get along.

Once again squeezing my arms tight around me, I recall that exact moment when we had all been in the pool and Tyler had drunkenly blurted out his proposal.

Oh no! Not yet, you don’t, I once again recall hearing Tyler say in my ear.

When he had turned me to face him and had whispered, I have something to ask you, I had known exactly what he was going to say. The excitement in his eyes, the sincerity on his face even now makes my stomach drop because I had known that Tyler was going to drunkenly proceed, unknowingly causing so much pain...

I continue to torture myself as my brain continues down its path of remembrance.

Of Tyler raising his voice and easily ignoring me, despite me shaking my head in a silent plea to stop. Then knowing what was coming - wanting and wishing desperately and helplessly for it not to happen, not then, perhaps not ever, especially like this – I had mentally braced myself as Tyler drunkenly blurted out, I want to marry you, Cass. Will you do me the honor?

The shocked silence that had instantly fallen over the pool had been so eerily quiet.

The sudden feeling like I was falling, like everything around me was so surreal, comes sweeping back through me...

And I once again remember the deep and searing pain that had been reflected in the eyes of the only man that had ever been able to touch me.

The real me.

He had only held my eyes for a few short moments in time, but it had been enough.

Enough for me to see how much it had hurt him.

Enough for Sharon to fit the missing pieces of the puzzle together in her brain.

When Borden had abruptly disconnected his eyes from me, turning to quickly swim to the ladder to climb the steps, I had watched helplessly, feeling with every fiber of my body that I needed to go to him. I had tried to pull away from Tyler’s tight and suddenly restrictive feeling arms, but Sharon had looked at me warningly before quickly following Borden.

I had felt as if my world had been tilting, spinning so wildly out of control as I watched Sharon’s retreating figure follow the path Borden had taken while I was left there, feeling so empty.

Because I knew that Borden had finally - and forever – walked away from me.

Closing my eyes once again, a tear sneaks out and trails down my face. The breeze from the ocean caressing my face that usually soothes me, was doing nothing to help me now.

I had eventually convinced a drunken Tyler to get out of the pool and go to bed but there had been no peace for me.

No...for me, I had lain awake all night.

When morning had finally arrived, Tyler had continued to sleep deeply next to me in his drunken slumber, but a slow and torturing trepidation had filled me.

Because I knew I’d have to face both Borden and Sharon soon. I’d been at a loss of how to handle the situation as I lay there in the bed next to Tyler because I had known for certain in my stomach that Sharon now knew that there had been something between Borden and me.

Knowing that it would probably be best to tackle one difficult situation at a time, I had dressed quietly, leaving Tyler asleep and to be dealt with later. Slowly making my way down the hall, I had paused just before I entered the kitchen and braced myself to pretend that nothing had changed.

Even though everything in my world had.

But as soon as I entered, I had been instantly relieved to see that the kitchen and living room were empty. Thankful for another few moments to prepare myself to face them, I had let out my breath in a whoosh until I had spotted a note with my name on it in Borden’s sprawled writing, propped up against the coffee maker on the kitchen counter. After I had fumbled to get it open with my shaking hands, I had read:

I can’t be here. Sharon knows.

Sorry,

B

I’m unsure of the emotions that immediately followed as I stared at his hand writing...

Only that, He’s gone, had echoed over and over in my head.

In my heart.

Despite knowing that he still had a contract to fulfill and that I’ll see him again, I can feel in my heart that after last night he has now shut himself off emotionally from me.

I should feel relief...

But it felt more like I’ve lost something.

Unable to breathe properly, I knew I had to escape the sudden confines of the house, to breathe in clean fresh air. It’s how I came to be here, feeling so lost and alone, staring out over the ocean, feeling as if the rest of my world is about to fall apart, that it is spinning uncontrollably out of my control.

When Tyler eventually joins me on the beach, I’m still shaken to my core.

Where is everyone? he asks, as he folds his legs to sit next to me, one of his hands coming out to rub up and down my spine in his usual comforting gesture. But it does everything but comfort me as I feel my body automatically stiffen in response and I find myself saying a silent prayer that he doesn’t notice.

He easily accepts my simple, mumbled, explanation that Borden had to leave because of an emergency and I realize that Tyler is still in his own world, focused on his impromptu engagement and how happy he is.

Never noticing that I’m not reciprocating his joy.

Because I now feel like I’m suffocating.

I stare at the waves and silently will them to just come sweeping in, taking me out with them and ending this silent torture.

Needing to escape Tyler - his obliviousness and happiness - I stand and turn, now wanting to get back to the house, to go anywhere where he isn’t because I just need to be by myself...

Just wanting to not have to pretend for another few minutes but Tyler pushes to a standing position and stops me with a hand on my arm before he unbelievably bends on one knee and produces a ring.

I can only stare at it in horror, my world spinning with so many emotions.

And I know immediately that I have to put a stop to this.

That I can’t marry him.

Tyler, I whisper, staring down at his happy face from where he’s still kneeling on one knee in front of me.

A tear leaks from my eye as I shake my head.

His face immediately loses its smile as he comes to stand in front of me, his questioning eyes searching my face.

I’m not ready for this. I’m sorry, I whisper. I swallow thickly before adding on, I tried to stop you last night.

Confusion sets onto his face as he says, But we talked about this a few times, about taking this next step. I want to be with you, Cass. Have you as my wife.

I can’t bear it and I break the eye connection.

I suddenly realize it was always him pushing for the next step and I was just blithely going along...

But always searching and hoping.

And now it’s time he knew.

Sighing heavily, I reach for his hand, hating myself for having to hurt him.

Then focusing my gaze on our entwined fingers, I begin, Tyler, it’s not that I don’t love you. You’ve brought so much into my life, but this just doesn’t feel right. Forcing myself to meet his gaze, I confess, I have something to tell you that I probably should have told you several weeks ago. I wanted to let it go, to not allow it to affect your future or mine. I pause and swallow thickly, a response to the worry I now see in his eyes. Then continuing, I say, I wanted to leave it in the past but it’s eating me up inside keeping this from you. Holding his gaze, I gather my courage and confess, Borden and I had a one-night stand.

Shock crosses his face, quickly replaced by anger as he abruptly pulls his hand from mine. His gaze slashes through me, as if trying to tear me apart as he stares at me scathingly. Finally, he shakes his head and moves away from me to stare out over the ocean.

The waves crashing is the only sound as I give him time to come to terms with what I just told him. I watch as his hand comes up to rub the back of his neck in anger.

A few moments later, he turns back to me, and holding my gaze, he asks angrily, When?

Almost five years ago, I reply softly.

The relief is immediate as it floods his face and I’m thrown off balance, expecting a different reaction. Then he’s crossing back to stand directly in front me, and I force myself to hold his gaze.

Placing his hands on each of my cheeks, he stares into my eyes as he asks, So that’s why there was all that weirdness between you two?

Dropping my eyes, I stare at Tyler’s white t-shirt covered chest and reply, Yes. It’s been hard to keep this from you. I should have told you that day Borden came to the office, but I was so shocked seeing him that day and then time just passed. Inhaling deeply, I finish with, And I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the account.

After a few moments of silence between us, I hear him say softly, Look at me, Cass.

Moving my eyes up to his, I see acceptance but also a little desperation in his eyes as he continues, "It’s okay. It was a long time ago. And like you said, it was one night. I know you were no virgin before me and heaven knows