A Very Furry Christmas
Chapter Twelve

"Fuck!" Jason yelled and threw Caitlin's half full wine glass at the wall.

He'd seen the confusion and disappointment written all over her face as he'd forced her to get dressed and go home. As soon as the taxi arrived, he'd opened the door and stood there until she'd taken the hint to leave. She'd paused long enough to look up at him, those big eyes so full of pain he'd wanted to grab her up and tell her how sorry he was at the way the night had ended. Explain that this was best for her. He didn't want to hurt her. At least, not any more than he had already.

Caitlin would never understand his needs. Sure, she had her own guilty pleasure but where she was all soft and fluffy, he was definitely sharp and edgy. He should never have got involved with someone who wasn't part of the lifestyle. As much as he'd been enjoying their time together, it wasn't something that could be sustained long term. Not when he was holding back who and what he was at heart.

When she'd teased him about fucking other hockey players it was all he could do not to throw her over his shoulder, take her to his playroom and punish her for even thinking about it. As far as he was concerned, she was his and he would've taken great pleasure in reminding her of that. Except Caitlin hadn't known that her simple teasing had awakened that need in him to possess her completely; to mark her as his. Only with her compliance, her willingness to take a submissive role in his life. It was too much to ask after they'd begun a relationship. He should've been honest with her from the start about what he was looking for, what he needed, in a partner. Now they were both suffering the consequences. Jason needed a release, and he knew just where to replace it. He pulled his phone from his pocket and called up the number he needed.

"Come over now," he demanded, then hung up. Unwilling to take no for an answer. That was the way it was supposed to be. No fuss, no feelings, and certainly no cuddly toys.

****

Caitlin had sat stunned in the back of the taxi until she got home. Once inside the tears had flowed and she'd sobbed until her throat and her eyes were raw with sorrow. She'd thought they'd had something good. Why else would he have brought her home for dinner and run her a bath? Surely it hadn't been an elaborate set up to humiliate her as much as possible when he had no reason to. So, what had happened during the course of the evening to make him turn on her, on everything they'd shared these past days, and toss her out like rubbish?

The only thing she could think of was that stupid joke over dinner. When she'd teased him about not being the only hockey player she might have had her eye on. He had to have known that wasn't true. Yet it was the only explanation she could come up with to explain his sudden change of mood. She recalled the dangerous glint in his eye when he'd said it bothered him and shuddered. It had enraged him to the point he could hardly bear to look at her after that. If it hadn't been so painful at the time having to put her uniform back on and slink out into the night, it would've been laughable. She wasn't one of his fuck-anything fans and if he knew anything about her, he would've realized that.

Her tears began to dry as her hands began to clench into fists. He'd had no right to treat her the way he had. First making her believe she was the only woman on earth with his attentions, then tossing her aside simply for saying something he didn't like. If he couldn't take a joke it was his fault and without a sense of humor, he wouldn't be someone she'd be interested in. anyway. Nor would she want to be with someone whose temper flared so easily and readily. He could do a lot of harm to someone as small as her if he chose. After all, that was his job.

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Knowing she wouldn't settle until she'd said her piece, Caitlin booked herself a taxi right back to his bachelor pad. It was no wonder a good-looking man like him was single if that was the way he treated women. Someone needed to call him out on his behavior.

"That someone is me," she said to an empty room, getting to her feet. If she was to have any closure, she had to have her say and vent at the injustice she had suffered tonight. Then she could move on. With a reminder that all men had claws. Even those with a soft, cuddly exterior.

****

She rehearsed her speech the whole way over in the taxi. Getting so worked up she couldn't get there soon enough to see the look on his face when she fought back. The taxi pulled up across the road from the apartment block as the door to the main entrance opened.

It was late now, the rain coming down heavily and she had to wipe the condensation off the inside of the window to see properly. A woman stepped out from the building wearing little more than a raincoat and a pair of heels. The brunette was pretty, petite and wearing heavy make-up. Even from the back seat Caitlin could see the bright red lipstick and thick black eyeliner. She didn't want an audience, so she waited until the woman said her goodbyes to her lover. It was obvious what they'd been up to when the man she was talking to was barefoot, bare chested and wearing only a low-slung pair of jeans.

There was something exhilarating about watching the couple unaware that she was there. Her breath had steamed the window again and she gave it a quick swipe with her hand. The pair were leaning into each other for one last lingering kiss. Then the striking woman was making her way down the steps. Only then did Caitlin see who it was she'd been smooching on the doorstep. Jason. Waving the other woman off with a smile on his face that he hadn't managed for her tonight. "Take me home again," she told the bewildered taxi driver.

"It's your call," he answered with a shrug.

Yes, it was. and she saw no point in dragging things out. Regardless of what else had gone on tonight, she would never be with a man who cheated. She at least deserved better than that.