Yvette’s POV
I melt into Cassian as he seals his lips over mine.
The kiss didn’t start with the violence of his usual demands. Instead, it was a slow, deliberate exploration—as if he were trying to memorise the texture of my soul through the seam of my lips.
He took his time; he kissed me slowly as if savouring every movement. His tongue teased mine in a steady rhythm... His uninjured hand stayed on the side of my face holding me in place.
I kissed him back with equal intensity, holding onto his shoulders to steady myself.
I felt like I was unravelling, piece by piece, and he was the only thing holding me together.
The warmth of his mouth and the way his chest rose beneath mine – it was all too much... too good.
Then his phone rang.
Cassian groaned into my mouth, pulling away with a frustrated sigh and picking up his phone, swiping it to answer.
He placed the phone to his ear, his gaze holding me in place.
"Speak," he said into the phone, voice low and controlled.
I didn’t hear what the person said because I was still trying to catch my breath, but Cassian’s unblinking gaze flickered a little and his lips twitched slightly.
"Good," he rasped. "Wait for me downstairs... I’ll be right over."
He ended the call and gave me a wicked grin.
"Our trap caught the prey."
"What?" I blurted, not understanding what he meant.
He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "Spend the night with me, Isabelle. Come home with me... I want you where I can see you," he said, his intense gaze locked on mine.
My pulse spiked at the double meaning of his words.
He wanted me with him... but he didn’t trust me.
Before I realised it, Cassian had already started removing the clamp sensor from his thumb and the BP cuff from his wrist, slipped his phone into his pocket, and began to get out of bed.
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked.
"Home... With you," he answered.
"Wait, what? I know you only suffered minor injuries, but shouldn’t you wait for the doctor to give you clearance first?"
"I’m fine. I’ve rested enough."
"But—"
"I know you’re worried, but really... I know my body better. Come, let’s go to my place."
"I... I have to go back home. I came with the driver," I muttered.
"We can send him back. I’m a patient... Shouldn’t you stay with me?"
I stared at him, my mind conjuring up a million reasons why being alone with Cassian was a bad idea.
But when I opened my mouth, only one word came out.
"Fine."
The last time I went to his mansion, he made me sleep in the guest room... I’m sure that’s what’s going to happen again.
Besides, I still haven’t found Ryan’s spy camera, and staying with Cassian tonight might allow me to ask for his help tomorrow morning.
He chuckled, seemingly pleased with my answer.
Cassian took my wrist as we walked out the door.
The guards at the door didn’t speak upon seeing Cassian; they just followed after him.
James was still around; he and Randy seemed to be talking about something.
His gaze snapped to me as soon as he saw me, and I stiffened, but it took half a second to revert to my usual calmness.
"I thought you left," Cassian said to him.
"Nope." James smiled. "Today, I’m freeloading at your house."
"En," Cassian said coolly, and he continued on his way, his hand still wrapped firmly around my wrist.
~~~♧♧♧~~~
We took about 40 minutes to arrive at Cassian’s mansion from the hospital.
Thankfully, James didn’t ride with us.
Cassian, Andrew, Randy, and I shared one ride with the four guards in another car behind us.
James took his own car.
I also learnt that Cassian had several guards, but the four men from the hospital are always somewhere in the vicinity around him.
They were always far enough not to draw attention and would only appear when Cassian needed them.
Andrew and Randy were Cassian’s closest guards. With one acting as his driver and another as his right-hand man, they were his perfect cover.
Cassian led me up the stairs when we got to his mansion. He was behind me all the way, his presence so close that I could feel him everywhere.
When we reached the floor where our rooms were located, I stopped.
I opened my mouth to tell him I could locate the guest room on my own, but the look in his eyes made me hesitate.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, looking at me with a probing gaze.
"Um...I... I... Where do I sleep?"
Cassian looked at me as if I had spoken a strange language.
"My room," he said like it was the obvious answer.
"Right," I mumbled. "I thought I’d sleep alone like the last time."
He stepped closer. "What? Are you scared that I would do something to you?"
"Yes", I blurted. "No, I mean no."
Cassian chuckled, seemingly enjoying my flustered appearance.
"Cute," he whispered, tugging me towards his room.
We entered his room, and his familiar scent of sandalwood and rain mixed with something warm enveloped me. His scent was comforting.
"Would you want to take a bath first?" He asked in a low voice, standing behind me.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs at how close he was.
I could feel the heat of him just standing there.
Wait, why does he want me to bathe? Why must we bathe?
"Um... You should take yours first; I’ll go after you," I said instead.
"Okay, then... Wait for me," he said and made his way into the bathroom.
I let out a low exhale, my gaze moving to the neatly made king-size bed.
I heard the shower running, and I decided to sit on the single couch at the side instead.
I had just sat down when my phone began to ring. I pulled it out of my purse, thinking it was Estelle or Joel calling to check up on me after Eric went back to the estate alone, but my chest tightened when I saw the name on the screen...
It was Ryan.
I didn’t want to answer at first, but I didn’t want to risk him calling again later when Cassian was out, so I answered.
"Where are you?" Ryan’s barely controlled voice came through the phone.
"You know the answer to that, so why ask?" I asked back.
"You think I’m playing games with you, Yvette? You want the Swans to know you’re alive? You have 30 minutes to come back. Tell Cassian whatever lie makes you feel safe. But you’re not spending the night there...again."
"Go ahead, Ryan... Call the Swans... But as soon as they arrive, I’m giving Joel the address of that safe house in Manhattan and the name of the doctor who handled your ’emergency’. If I’m going back to hell, then you’re going to the grave," I snapped
I hung up the call, not giving him the chance to respond.
The silence that followed felt louder than his voice.
My hand was still clenched around the phone, everything I had said finally sinking in.
What had I just done?