Dustan -Caveman Instinct --Gypsy Curse Book 5 Read online

  DUSTAN

  Caveman instinct -volume 5

  By Hazel Gower

  Copyright © 2019 Hazel Gower

  DUSTAN, by Hazel Gower

  Caveman Instinct – Volume 5

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author or publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use the material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, are coincidental.

  Edited by Susan Child

  Cover by Jess Buffett Graphic Designs

  MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR

  THIS BOOK IS set in Australia. In Australia the legal age to drink, vote, get married and so on is eighteen. The characters speak Australian English, so if you see the word ‘arse’ instead of ‘ass’ it is because that’s how we say it in Australia where the book is set. If you find a word you haven’t heard before, look it up or message me I’d be happy to talk to you.

  Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my book.

  Hazel Gower

  Dedication

  To all my fans, thanks for waiting. I hope you enjoy Dustan.

  Thanks

  Hazel Gower

  Prologue

  Dustan

  I was exhausted and sick of my goddamn brother and his wife. They were sickly in love with each other, and couldn’t keep their hands to themselves for five frickin’ minutes. The fourteen-hour flight was torture. I had no idea that even in first class, with all the space, a couple could make you nuts. My God, I was surprised the flight attendant didn’t come over and tell them off for indecent exposure. I wished we’d taken the private jet and not given in and flown commercial. My cousins’ had both our family planes, the Australian and American plane.

  I’d hosted them at my house in New York and shown them around for the two weeks before they left to explore more of America. I’d left work early and taken days off, and by the end of the two weeks I was ready to strangle them. I was all for love, and the soul mate curse our family had, but they were just over the top. I was regretting taking two weeks off and going back to Australia.

  It’d never been so happy to get off the plane, but then Jade and Stephan started their mushy stuff again, and I was ready to turn around and get back on the plane and never see them again. Getting out of the plane and through customs was a new kind of hell as even in the fucking long line they didn’t keep their hands to themselves. I hadn’t flown commercial in so long and forgot all about the lines and security. My cousin’s had our family planes, both the Australian and American plane. It felt like a good couple of hours before we made our way down the terminal and got our luggage and I spotted my mum. My whole body deflated and I knew the bags under my eyes made it look like I hadn’t slept in a year. I was exhausted, and if I could help it, wouldn’t fly commercial again.

  A girl waiting by baggage claim one with my mother had me slowing my pace, my mind was shouting at me that this girl was something special, but I ignored it. I was on vacation and eager to get away from my brother. My stomach flip-flopped, but I was sure it was because of the sickening act Stephan and Jade had put on for everyone to watch.

  Thinking of my annoying brother Stephan, he punched my shoulder to get my attention. “Can you see Mum?”

  “Yeah, she’s just over there.” I jerked my head towards the baggage carousel.

  “Where?” Stephan didn’t even look around.

  “There by the baggage claim.” I pointed in mum’s direction.

  “I don’t see her. Do you, Jade?” Stephan stared at Jade with the dopy lovey-dovey eyes.

  “Right there by the baggage claim,” I snarled, at my tethered end.

  This time I not only pointed out mum, but I turned from Jade and Stephan and gazed at my mother. Mum and the girl were almost right in front of us and to be frickin’ fair, I was tired when I snapped, “How the fuck can you miss mum? She’s next to the chunky ranga.” It wasn’t until I was smack dab in front of mum and the girl, that my exhausted mind and body figured out what she fucking is to me. “I’m an idiot and a major fuckwit,” I moaned. I’d just insulted my one. My soul mate.

  ****

  Cassie

  I loved Jade’s soon to be mother-in-law, Evelin. I could only hope to have one as nice as her, well that was if I ever found a man willing to have me. The thing was, I think I had too high of expectations and requirements for a man. I wanted them to treat me like my father did my mother, and what I’d seen of Stephan to my friend Jade. They would do anything for their women and treated them like the rarest jewel. I didn’t think I’d get so lucky though.

  Evelin had invited me to come get Jade, Stephan, and her oldest son, Dustan, from the airport. I was eager to meet Dustan. He was coming home with Jade and Stephan and I couldn’t wait to see my bestie again. The plane had come in almost forty minutes ago and they should be coming out to the baggage claim soon.

  Someone squeezed my arm and I looked over at Evelin, she was beaming as she gazed at the escalator. “They’re here. All my babies will be home.” Evelin bounced with excitement.

  I followed where she was looking and I almost stumbled back at the gorgeous man close to Stephan and Jade. He was definitely a Silverman with his strong masculine jaw line, shining short black hair, his height, and muscular physique. He was even more handsome than all the other Silverman’s. I looked forward to seeing his eyes and finding out what color they were.

  My gaze never left Evelin’s oldest Dustan. The closer he got the faster my heart beat and the butterflies in my stomach went into a chaotic flutter.

  For as long as I could remember, I’d always had a crush on the Silverman men. When my friend Jade scored one, and I saw how he treated her, I became more hesitant in my want for a Silverman of my own. I watched as another woman fell for a Silverman and knew then they were too possessive for me. I still liked looking at them, and oh okay, maybe deep down I wanted to have a Silverman man for myself, but instead I became a close friend. I learned a lot about the Silverman family, like how they believed they were cursed or some said gifted by gypsies to know their soul mate. It came with a side effect of them being ultra-possessive cavemen.

  The Silverman’s had always been nice to me. I wasn’t the thinnest, or the most beautiful woman around, but they never picked on me about my weight, or my red hair and feckless. I wasn’t very confident in my looks and was more academically inclined. So, when I heard Dustan yell in the airport that I was a chunky ranga, my heart cracked, my stomach rolled and I felt sick.

  Stumbling back away from Evelin, I held myself, wrapping my arms around my middle as I took in what had just happened. A Silverman had done what none of the others had, they’d called me fat and a redhead, and not quietly, but shouted it in a place with hundreds of people. I instantly felt eyes swing to me and my love of the Silverman men died. I was probably being overly sensitive, but I’d struggled for so long with my looks and weight, it was a huge sore spot for me. I didn’t know this man, I tried telling myself. He didn’t know me, but the damage was done. My slowly built respect for the Silverman men crumbled.

  I promised myself long ago that men that called me either of those names that Dustan had, I’d have nothing to do with and wouldn’t even give them a s
econd chance. I was probably being childish, but I was eighteen and I wasn’t ready to look into why I was so hurt by the man. I built up walls around myself and put on my happy face for my friend, but Dustan would get none of my acknowledgment.

  **

  The limo was silent, but I knew Dustan wouldn’t stay sulking for long. Oh he was definitely sulking. He had tried and failed to talk to me in the airport, but I held my hand up and said, “No. I don’t listen to idiots.” Now we were stuck in a car, or to be accurate a limo, and I couldn’t avoid him.

  Hardening my heart, I sat with my arms crossed over my chest and waited for him to start up. I didn’t have to wait long before he opened his mouth again.

  “I’m exhausted. Fuck.” He ran his fingers through his short hair. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I shouldn’t have said it. I think ranga’s are beautiful.”

  At the word ranga, I narrowed my gaze at him and gave him my best death glare. “You are a fuckwit and I don’t have anything to do with idiots or fuckwits.” I despised the word ranga.

  “Yes. I am all that and I’m so sorry, but I didn’t mean what I said. Please forgive me. I am sorry. You’re beautiful and—”

  “No. You yelled that I was a chunky ranga in an airport. Hundreds of people heard you not only say you don’t like redheads, but you think I’m fat.” I was growling in anger by the end.

  He was shaking his head. “No. Ranga wasn’t used in a derogative term.”

  “Ha, I’m not stupid.” My laugh was hollow. “You put ranga with chunky, how wasn’t that used in a derogative way?” Now I shook my head at the wanker sitting across from me, he was an idiot. “I don’t give idiots any chances.” I glanced at his mother and gave what I hoped was a smile and mouthed, ‘sorry’. I was surprised not only was she staying quiet, but so was Stephan and Jade.

  “You are mine. You’re my soul mate,” he growled.

  I laughed at his words because, he hadn’t said anything redeeming and I was done listening and giving chances to idiots.

  ****

  Dustan

  I watched Cassie trying to find the right time to talk to her again. The problem was she ran from me anytime I got close. She called me an idiot and a fuckwit, that she wouldn’t have anything to do with in the car ride from the airport. I’d never apologized so much in my life. What sucked even more was my mother didn’t even stick up for me, she did whisper that I should give her a day or two to cool down though.

  Cassie looked so beautiful in her peach bridesmaid dress and silver high heel shoes. When I’d seen her walk down the aisle, my whole body had tensed and my mind screamed that she was mine. I clenched my fists and repeated over and over that I couldn’t approach her, pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and take her to a remote cabin, and not let her leave until she forgave me and gave me a chance to show her we were meant to be.

  She hadn’t even wanted to touch me when we had to walk down the aisle when Jade and Stephan had been announced husband and wife. I tried to put a happy face on for my brother, joking around and laughing, but that had been the last straw. As she walked down the aisle without me, I snapped, stalking after her, gathered her to me and growled, “You’re mine. No more running. I’ll follow you to the end of the world.”

  I was sure I had her after that. I held her hand as the photos were taken. I used the time to get as close as I could, touching her shoulder, trailing my fingers up and down her arms and across her exposed back. Cassie shivered, but didn’t bat my hands away, she also never said a word to me, which drove me nuts. She did try and switch partners, but I wasn’t having that. She was mine. She gave in and stayed beside me as the photographer got us to pose. As soon as the photos were done, Cassie ran from me at the first chance she had after we got out of the car at the reception.

  Cassie refused to dance when it was time to pair up for the dances between bridesmaids and best men. I tried the same tactic I used when we paired up and walked down the aisle to capture her, but she wasn’t having that. She stuck her parents on me, and they asked me to leave her alone, even at least for a day.

  So now I stood watching her drunk, when my cousin Richard came up next to me. I turned and slurred, “How you doing?”

  “Better than you. Want to tell me why you smell like a brewery when I think you should be making a good impression and wooing?”

  I stumbled back hating that my brothers and cousins had seen that my mate didn’t want to give me the time of day. In my family, secrets didn’t stay secrets long, and I didn’t want them to know my humiliation. Not that I was keeping Cassie a secret, but I wished I could have a do-over of meeting her. “How’d you know? Fuck, who else knows?” I dart my gaze around the reception feeling a bunch of gazes on me.

  Richard shrugged. “I don’t know if anyone else knows. I guessed after seeing how you reacted when she wouldn’t walk arms linked with you after the happily married couple.”

  “Oh, crap,” I mumbled. “She wants nothing to do with me. I may have insulted her before I really knew what she was to me.” Feeling defeated, I sank down into the closest seat. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt like this. The curse was fucking real. Taking a deep breath in, I groaned. Maybe if I told him what had happened, he may help me with Cassie, or at least give some advice. “She was at the airport and I, um, spotted Mum near her, and Stephan and Jade were in their own world as usual. I pointed Mum out and they said they couldn’t see her. Mum and Cassie were almost right in front of us, and to be frickin’ fair, I was tired. I’d just been on a fourteen-hour flight and have had weeks of Stephan and Jade with their lovey-dovey hands all over each other, so I kind of snapped and said, ‘How the fuck can you miss Mum, she’s next to the chunky ranga.’ It wasn’t until I was smack dab in front of Cassie that my exhausted mind and body figured out what she fucking is to me,” I moaned as I repeated what had happened and hated how stupid it all sounded. “I’m an idiot and the fuckwit she keeps calling me.” I crashed my head on the table. “To be fair when she picked us up, she was wearing clothes that were way too big for her.” Fuck, why the hell did I say that. God, I was a fuckwit. I groaned. “I think she’s beautiful, and I love her red hair, but now she doesn’t believe me.”

  I didn’t even look up as Richard sat in the chair next to me. “Didn’t Stephan tell you what an idiot he was with Jade? Trust me, I’ve been listening to our parents and Stephan. I don’t intend to make the same mistakes. Dustan, last year I spent time with Stephan and his friend. I met Cassie, and I can tell you from what I learned, she’s not one to hold a grudge. Apologize and—”

  “I have apologized.” I did that over and over in the car ride from the airport.

  “Do it again, and again until she forgives you. I don’t think the gift of a soul mate is meant to be easy, Dustan. Remember the stories of what our parents went through and your brother?” Fuck, he was right and now felt like an even bigger idiot. “Bailey thought I was crazy, the kidnapping her helped that theory, but I don’t know if she’s fully convinced I’m not. I’m trying to keep the caveman at bay and hold off, but it’s a fight I’m not winning.” He got out of the chair and I lifted my head up and saw my brother and cousins come over to where Richard and I where.

  “What the hell did you do to Cassie, bro?” Derick whacked me upside the head, and I didn’t even bother glaring at him, because I was a dick. “I commented to her before about her not hooking her arms through yours when we followed Jade and Stephan down the aisle, and she told me that you wouldn’t want to touch a fat redhead.” Fuck, I was a douche.

  Raising my head, I moaned. “I didn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that to her.” I had said something similar, but I truthfully thought she was gorgeous. “She’s beautiful, and I love her red hair, and those freckles scattered across her nose and her creamy skin.”

  Mason chuckled. “Well it seems she’s not into you and wants you, and I quote, ‘the fuckwit needs to stay the hell away from me’.”

  Moaning as I hea
r my cousin, I bang my head on the table over and over.

  Derick and Mason both muttered, “Fucking curse.” I now agreed. It was a curse.

  “You all right with him? I’m going to Bailey. She’ll be tired after the day we’ve had.” I didn’t even acknowledge Richard. I was fucked.

  “Sure,” Mason said.

  “Go,” Derick said. “Mason and I will watch out for Dustan.” Damn, I was now the tragic Silverman who needed watching. Fucking curse.

  ****

  Cassie

  It had been twenty-four hours since my best friend’s wedding. My mind, body, and heart were in chaos. I hated Dustan, well, hate was such a strong word as I barely knew him beside him being an idiot. When he’d touched me though, I couldn’t deny our chemistry. When his fingers touched my skin, it tingled and my whole body came alive. When he’d gathered me to him at the wedding, when I’d tried to get away walking down the aisle when Jade and Stephan married, my heart had started racing and my stomach had flip-flopped. When his fingers had trailed across my skin, my breath caught and for a moment an image of Dustan’s mouth trailing kisses up her neck before he claimed her lips and took possession of her mouth showing her who she belonged to. The more he touched, the more images flashed before me. The one that stuck was of a ring on my wedding finger and my stomach round with child. I always wanted a family and a man that loved me for me. My problem was could I forgive Dustan and start again or would what he said when he first saw me always be on my mind? Those thoughts plagued me now hours later.

  A soft knock on my door had me looking up. Evelin came into the room I’d been assigned. I knew why she was here. “Can we talk, Cassandra?”

  I wanted to be snarky and say, can you? But I liked Evelin and didn’t want to be petty and childish. “Sure.”

  “I want you to know how happy I am that you’ll be joining my family.”