Chapter 4 Drugged

Cassie could hardly believe her luck. She was just about to get a divorce and came out for a night to forget everything, only to stumble right into the arms of the man she had been supposed to get engaged to years ago.

It almost felt like fate was playing a cruel joke on her.

She considered slipping away quickly, but the way Jasper was looking at her made her hesitate.

With one arm braced against the wall, Jasper leaned in close, his eyes clouded but locked onto hers.

Was there a flicker of recognition in them, or was she imagining it?

It seemed unlikely that he recognized her. After all, she had run out on him the very day they were supposed to get engaged; they had never met before. If it weren't for all the magazine covers and television interviews of him, she doubted she would have even recognized him tonight.

Before Cassie could gather her thoughts, Jasper's hand clamped down on her shoulder. His fingers slid up her back, and without warning, his burning lips crashed into hers.

Cassie froze, stunned as her eyes widened.

In her shock, Jasper took full advantage, pressing in and deepening the kiss.

"Jasper!" Cassie exclaimed, wrenching her head away as she dug her nails into his wrist. "Snap out of it! Look at me! Do you know who I am?"

Judging by the fog in his eyes and the wild way he moved, it was obvious to her that he wasn't himself-someone must have drugged him.

Right now, she didn't have the time to think about who was responsible. Every instinct screamed for her to run, but the guilt in her chest made her feel reluctant to just abandon him like this.

After all, she had already abandoned him once two years ago, leaving him humiliated. Their families had managed to stay on good terms, but her guilt lingered.

Jasper's striking features drew closer again, and this time, he didn't aim for her lips; he bit her cheek.

"Ouch!" Cassie exclaimed in pain. She hadn't expected him to bite her so hard, and she was certain it left a mark.

Jasper's hand inched beneath her shirt, but Cassie avoided his touch and dug her fingers deep into his side.

The sudden jolt of pain snapped Jasper out of his daze.

His eyes cleared, sharp and focused as he stared at Cassie.

Before Cassie could catch her breath or say a word, several men hurried over.

"Mr. Sullivan, are you okay?" one of them asked, panic written all over his sweaty face. It was clear that things had spiraled far beyond their control-someone had managed to drug their boss right under their watch.

"Take me to the hospital. Now. And she's coming with us," Jasper ordered, forcing the words out before everything went black and he fainted.

Cassie wanted no part in any of this, but it was obvious Jasper suspected her involvement in the matter and didn't want her running off. He probably worried she'd spread word of what had happened if she left.

Understanding his reasoning didn't make her feel any better. If she left now, what about Shawn?

He was still at their table, waiting for her to return.

With no other option, Cassie waited for the moment the group focused on Jasper. As they passed the front desk, she managed to leave a message for Shawn, telling him something had come up and that he should head back without her.

Those men barely noticed her quick move. In moments, she was whisked out the front door and into a black Rolls-Royce waiting by the curb.

As soon as he was settled in the car, Jasper began to stir. He fumbled for Cassie's shoulder, holding on tightly, then moved in even closer. Cassie looked at him, bewildered, as he suddenly pressed his face to her neck and sank his teeth into her skin.

"Ouch!" she winced in pain.

Why on earth was Jasper biting people when he was drugged?

Cassie's cry of pain didn't elicit any reaction from the others in the car. They pretended not to notice anything.

Otherwise, once Jasper recovered, they would face even more severe consequences.

Jasper leaned in once more, and with Cassie cornered against the seat, she had nowhere to escape. He began to cover her earlobes, cheeks, and lips with rough, desperate kisses...

Just as he was about to do more to her, Cassie seized his hand, forcing him to stop.

She shouted at the front, "Drive faster! Mr. Sullivan needs treatment now!"

By now, she could no longer pretend she didn't know him. If they didn't hurry and get Jasper to a hospital, she was afraid he might cross the line.