I sat in silence for what felt like an eternity.
While I was still lost in thought after my call with Ryan, the bathroom door opened and Cassian stepped out in his silk pajamas, his intense gaze immediately falling on me.
"Why are you sitting there?"
"Huh?" I blurted, and got myself together, "I...I was waiting for you," I added quickly.
Cassian’s intense gaze remained on me for a long time before he nodded.
"There’s a towel and a night gown inside for you," he gestured to the bathroom.
"Oh...okay, thanks," I let out and hurriedly made my way to the bathroom, hoping he didn’t see how nervous I was.
I only let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding when the bathroom door shut behind me.
What the hell, Yvette? It’s just bathing... Besides this would happen every day after you get married... Just get used to it.
I inwardly scolded myself and began taking off my dress.
I don’t remember getting under the shower, bathing, and scrubbing myself until my skin became red.
My thoughts were in a jumbled mess. I stepped out of the shower after having had enough and wiped myself clean with the towel.
I wore the night gown next and thanked the stars that it was conservative enough.
The colour was a liquid-smooth expanse of deep burgundy satin, catching the light with a subtle, expensive-looking sheen that hinted at a much higher price tag than it likely carried.
It draped effortlessly over my skin, designed with a long, floor-skimming silhouette that felt both classic and intentionally alluring.
The bodice was the focal point—a delicate V-neckline framed by intricate black floral lace that provided a sharp, sophisticated contrast against the rich wine-colored fabric.
Thin, adjustable spaghetti straps held the piece together, emphasizing the shoulders and neckline, while a high side slit allowed for ease of movement and a fleeting glimpse of leg.
It was the kind of garment that felt less like simple sleepwear and more like a deliberate choice—elegant, comfortable, and undeniably striking.
I stepped out and found Cassian already in bed, sliding through his tablet. He was leaning against the headboard, his slightly disheveled hair making him look as tempting as sin.
He shifted his eyes onto me, his gaze moving from my feet, his eyes drinking me in slowly until he stopped on my face, pinning me in place.
He placed the tablet on the side table and beckoned me forward.
"Come here," he said calmly. His voice had a dangerous tinge, making me hesitate after a few steps.
"How stubborn, should I come to you?"
I hurriedly shook my head.
"Then come closer," he beckoned slowly, his voice so hypnotic that I took steps towards him without realizing.
He pulled me onto his lap when I was close enough, making all my senses go haywire.
I don’t know how he did it, but the next second, I was straddling him, and his hand had moved behind me to cage me and hold me in place, making it difficult for me to move.
I braced my hands against his chest, trying to steady myself while contemplating whether I should get off him.
"Stop moving," he warned, his gaze dark.
"Tell me, are you like this because of the call you received?"
My pulse spiked and my chest tightened.
Did Cassian hear my call with Ryan? Or my God, what should I say? How can I get out of this?
"Who was it? You were absent-minded when I came out of the bathroom. Tell me, is something bothering you?" He asked gently, looking genuinely concerned.
I found myself relaxing after realising he had no idea who called. Maybe he heard the phone ringing... that’s all.
I decided to be vague.
"My family wanted to know if everything was alright after Eric went back without me," I answered.
"Are you sure nothing is wrong with you?"
He didn’t sound convinced.
"I am," I responded quickly... Too quickly.
His eyes narrowed and his hold on my back tightened.
"Why don’t I believe you?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
I gulped.
Why was my mind on his lips that were moving and looked so inviting? I had zoned out his words, and his body was so close to mine that it was doing something to me.
"Tell me, sweetheart, what do you think I should do to you for lying to me?"
What?! Does he know it was Ryan who called me? Or was it a test?
"Not about what you think," I raised my hand in mock seriousness, "If you find out I’m lying to you... You can do whatever you want to me."
Wait... why did my words sound like I’m giving him an invitation to do something to me?
Cassian smirked... "You said it yourself."
He waved my phone at me... "Let’s have a look shall we?"
He tapped on the screen to wake it but I lurched for it.
"No."
Cassian moved his hand away.
Anytime I followed his next move, he moved it out of my reach, never allowing even my fingers to graze it.
His movements were fast and his hand was longer than mine making it difficult to grab it.
By the time I realized, I was out of breath and practically hugging him.
And that wasn’t all, our positions were scandalous. The ’V’ between my legs was intimately pressed against his bulge in perfect symmetry and Cassian’s hooded eyes told me he could feel it too.
Because when I tried to get up, he held me in place causing me to grind myself against his erection when he forced me back down.
Only the fabrics of our clothes separated us.
"Forget it, I’ll just do what I want, seeing as you’re guilty," he said, his face moving closer to mine.
His gaze was downright predatory, making me feel like I was in the clutches of a ferocious tiger.
"Wait... Cassian, calm down."
"I’m calm," he whispered, his breath hot on my lips.
"You–your wound... you’re hurt."
"It’s nothing," he rasped... his lips brushing against mine.
"But you—"
"You keep coming up with excuses... Is it because of him? Is it because of Ryan? Tell me!"
"No...no God... No, there’s nothing between Ryan and me... I swear." I had wanted my voice to sound like a hiss, but it came out breathless and shaky.
I didn’t know if it was those few minutes of wrestling for my phone or that this man’s embrace was like a drug; that was numbing my senses and not letting me think straight.
His mere presence was making me feel things I didn’t usually feel.
"Then why? Why do you keep drawing a line between us? Why can’t you be your real self with me? What are you hiding?"
He looked at me as if he wanted to see through my soul.
I could feel his hand loosening around me.
"No, it’s just... I’m not... I’m not thinking straight. My mind is in a mess from everything that happened today and then there’s you." I let out a shaky breath.
"We’re together... Just the two of us... with you being so close to me, I’m beginning to feel things I’ve never felt before, and I know I’m old enough to try this but I’m nervous... I don’t know if I’ll disappoint you."
"Wait, what?" Cassian’s eyes narrowed with both surprise and doubt. "You’ve never done..."
My cheeks felt hot beneath his heated gaze. I lowered my head and nodded shyly.
"Fuck, Isabelle." The look in his eyes was intense. Cassian looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Like he was watching me with a different lens.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs, when his hold on me tightened.
Then before I could make sense of what he wanted to do... Cassian kissed me, silencing me and cutting off any words I intended to speak.