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 ," 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 that I could pull away. But I still didn’t.
Not even when he pulled further into him.
The world around us didn’t exist anymore. Just him. Watching . Waiting.
"Tell about him," he asked out of nowhere. My thoughts stalled.
"...what?"
"The man you’re in a relationship with... The man you told was your ex," he clarified, his tone deceptively calm. "The one you used 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 ," 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 ti, "Panicked?" He chuckled.
"You throw yourself at anyti 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."
Sothing 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 mont, I didn’t know if that terrified more than his anger.
"It’s not serious?" he echoed, his tone cold.
"Of course. You only agreed to this marriage to spite . Who marries a woman he clearly hates?"
"You think I hate you?"
"I’m certain. You said it yourself."
"Then why co to the lunch eting? You called yourself my future wife and then threw yourself at ," he deadpanned.
My cheeks flushed. Why was he so infuriating?
"I only went to the lunch because my parents forced . 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 seed to be restraining himself from doing sothing to .
Cassian took in slow breaths. "Then start liking it because this marriage is happening."
"Excuse ?"
"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 an by that? Did he notice sothing?
For a mont 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 being tortured while kissing another woman in front of .
"I did. But not anymore," I breathed.
He let out a quiet breath, looking at 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 an?"
His gaze locked onto mine. Cold. Certain. "It ans," 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 more.
What happens if he finds out I’m a fake?
A knock at the door brought 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 feel safe.
He opened the door and took the shirt from Randy and turned to . "Enjoy your evening," he said, unbuttoning his shirt like nothing had happened. "You’re also welco to watch."
Heat rushed through my cheeks seeing his bare chest co into view.
I should have bolted, but my legs refused to move, my eyes feasting on the masterpiece before .
"You like what you see?" His confidence dragged 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 ; 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 nurous questions running through my mind.
I had yet to make it to the stairs when soone grabbed my wrist and yanked into an empty room before I could scream.
Soone 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?
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