16
"Interesting," Cassian murmured. His gaze held that look again. It wasn’t confusion, nor suspicion.
He looked certain.
My chest tightened.
"It’s just a blemish," I said quickly, forcing control back into my voice. "You don’t need to..."
He caught my wrist, his hold firm and unyielding.
My breath hitched as his thumb brushed lightly over my skin, searching and testing.
"Unhand me," I hissed under my breath.
He didn’t.
"Why are you hiding it?" he asked quietly.
"I’m not."
"You are." His grip tightened slightly.
It wasn’t enough to hurt... Fuck, it was just the right amount of strength to remind me that I could pull away. But I still didn’t.
Not even when he pulled me further into him.
The world around us didn’t exist anymore. Just him. Watching me. Waiting.
"Tell me about him," he asked out of nowhere. My thoughts stalled.
"...what?"
"The man you’re in a relationship with... The man you told me was your ex," he clarified, his tone deceptively calm. "The one you used me to hide from."
My pulse spiked.
Why was he bringing that up now?
"I told you," I said carefully. "We broke up. It no longer matters."
"It matters if it makes you reckless."
My jaw tightened. "I wasn’t being reckless."
"You threw yourself at me," he said flatly. Heat flooded my face.
"That was different."
"How?"
"You were talking about him at the celebratory dinner which is supposedly about our marriage alliance."
"I..." I hesitated, biting my lips.
His eyes narrowed. "You what?" he repeated, softer this time, "Panicked?" He chuckled.
"You throw yourself at me anytime it’s about him."
Gosh! He’s crazy. I don’t throw myself at him.
I forced myself to hold his gaze. "Because I knew you wouldn’t misunderstand."
Something flickered in his expression, but it was gone almost instantly.
"Why is that?" he murmured, his jaw tightening.
"Because this marriage is just a duty we’re both performing. It’s not serious... no love... no feelings... I’m just being practical," I whispered.
His eyes were blank, and for a moment, I didn’t know if that terrified me more than his anger.
"It’s not serious?" he echoed, his tone cold.
"Of course. You only agreed to this marriage to spite me. Who marries a woman he clearly hates?"
"You think I hate you?"
"I’m certain. You said it yourself."
"Then why come to the lunch meeting? You called yourself my future wife and then threw yourself at me," he deadpanned.
My cheeks flushed. Why was he so infuriating?
"I only went to the lunch because my parents forced me. I hate arranged marriages for business alliances the most," I said.
I didn’t understand the expression I saw on Cassian’s face. His blue eyes turned to slits, almost predatory. He was angry but seemed to be restraining himself from doing something to me.
Cassian took in slow breaths. "Then start liking it because this marriage is happening."
"Excuse me?"
"For your information, I didn’t agree to the marriage alliance to spite you. It’s because it’s you."
My heart nearly stopped at the words... It’s because it’s you.
What exactly did he mean by that? Did he notice something?
For a moment I just stared at him in confusion as my heart kept racing.
"No way, I’m never going to believe that. Don’t make this feel more special than it actually is. Let’s both agree this is going to be a loveless union."
"You’re only saying that because you have no idea what I could do to you," he said, and then his voice went even lower. "I’m quite good at many things... I could show you pleasures—"
"Pervert!" I spat, my cheeks hot. I could already tell my face was pink.
Cassian smirked. "What were you thinking? I’m just saying I have a lot of strengths, but your face looks like you’re having naughty thoughts."
"I’m not," I quickly denied.
"Do you love him? Your ex."
Silence.
Won’t he let it go?
What do I even say to that?
This misunderstanding began because I used him as a shield to hide from Lucas.
Lucas... The man who watched me being tortured while kissing another woman in front of me.
"I did. But not anymore," I breathed.
He let out a quiet breath, looking at me but not quite looking. Then, he slowly released my wrist.
But he didn’t step back.
"Good. Because if he exists," Cassian said, voice low, "he won’t for long."
My heart skipped.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
His gaze locked onto mine. Cold. Certain. "It means," he said, "you should choose your words and actions whenever it concerns him more carefully. Make sure I never find him."
A chill ran down my spine. Was that a threat or a warning?
I couldn’t tell, and that terrified me more.
What happens if he finds out I’m a fake?
A knock at the door brought me to the present, followed by Randy’s voice. He was the man I saw with Cassian yesterday.
"Boss, the shirt is ready."
Cassian stepped back then. Just enough to break the suffocating tension but not enough to make me feel safe.
He opened the door and took the shirt from Randy and turned to me. "Enjoy your evening," he said, unbuttoning his shirt like nothing had happened. "You’re also welcome to watch."
Heat rushed through my cheeks seeing his bare chest come into view.
I should have bolted, but my legs refused to move, my eyes feasting on the masterpiece before me.
"You like what you see?" His confidence dragged me from my unhealthy thoughts, and I scoffed dramatically.
"You wish!"
I fled the room like it was on fire, my mind still stuck on one thing—Cassian.
He shouldn’t have such an effect on me; he shouldn’t.
I pressed my palm onto my chest, taking in deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
If he exists... he won’t for long.
Oh my god, what have I got myself into?
I walked down the hallways with numerous questions running through my mind.
I had yet to make it to the stairs when someone grabbed my wrist and yanked me into an empty room before I could scream.
Someone pressed their palms against my mouth, muffling my screams.
My heart thumped loudly in fear. Who would be so bold to do that to the Quinn heiress?
Was I in danger?