Cassian – POV
Weeks had passed, and somehow, without warning or permission, Arielle became my calm. She trusted me—I could feel it. She was comfortable around me and Naomi too, always teasing, laughing, letting her guard down. Some nights, we stayed at her place, doing nothing but talking about the stupidest things, laughing at the unlaughable. She would speak, and I'd just listen.
God, I could listen to her for hours.
She made me forget everything—the weight of my world, the violence, the noise in my head. Around her, I wasn't the cold, brutal man I'd always been. I was just… a man. A man hopelessly falling for someone who still didn't fully realize her own effect.
She was made for me. Even if the universe hadn't agreed yet.
One night, we were in her living room. Naomi had a group project that kept her out late, which gave us rare time alone. Arielle was ranting about one of her professors—some arrogant bastard who enjoyed failing students for sport. I chuckled at her fire, watching her pace with that usual spark in her eyes.
But as I laughed, something shifted in me. The smile fell from my face, and she caught it instantly.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice softer now.
I took a breath, choosing my words carefully. "Arielle… I'm not trying to push you, but I need to ask you something. And I need an honest answer."
She looked at me, and for a second, I swore she already knew what was coming.
"Do you feel anything for me?" I asked. "Even the smallest spark?"
My chest felt tight. I wasn't used to this—waiting. I made women nervous. I controlled the room. But with her? I was anxious. Anxious, because her answer had the power to ruin me.
She hesitated, eyes falling to the floor. "Cassian… I do feel something. I just… I don't know if it's love yet. I'm confused."
My heart sank, but I nodded. I understood. Not everything is simple, especially with someone like her—someone layered in scars no one could see.
"Look at me," I said gently, and she did.
"I love you, Arielle. With everything in me. I'm not playing games. I want to be there for you in everything, support you, protect you—love you like you deserve. I want you to be mine… officially."
I paused, almost slipping and saying fiancée, but I held back. One step at a time.
She looked at me, and there was something in her face—fear.
"Cassian… I can't," she whispered, lowering her gaze again.
The words sliced through me.
Not even a bullet wound hurt like that.
I stood up slowly, my voice calm but heavy. "I'm sorry then, princess. But I have to leave."
I turned, but before I reached the door, her voice stopped me.
"CASSIAN!"
I paused.
"I… love you," she said, voice trembling. "Fuck. I love you, okay? But I'm scared. Scared of being loved. What if you get tired of me and walk away? My parents… they were poison to each other. I don't want to end up broken like them."
I turned back toward her, walking over and gently cupping her face. "Princess, I would never do that to you. I swear on everything. You're safe with me."
Tears shimmered in her eyes. And before I could stop myself, I kissed her.
Not a soft kiss. Not something careful.
It was hunger. Need. Possession.
She gasped into my mouth, and I felt her melt into me as I pulled her onto my lap, her legs wrapping tightly around my waist. The kiss deepened, became desperate. Her laptop crashed to the floor.
"I'll get you a new one," I muttered against her lips.
We laughed for a breath, and then we were kissing again, frantic and hot. I peeled off her shirt slowly, unhooking her bra. Her body was perfection—thick in all the right ways, soft where I wanted to rest, firm where I wanted to grip. I worshipped her with my mouth, her moans making my blood burn.
Her lips were trembling when she whispered it.
"I love you… I fucking do, okay? But I'm just scared."
And that was it.
I didn't wait another second.
I crushed my mouth to hers, and the second she kissed me back, something inside me snapped. My control—gone. She tasted like cinnamon and fear and something sweeter—something mine. Her fingers tangled in my shirt as I pushed her gently but firmly against the couch.
The world blurred. There was only her.
Only the sounds she made when I deepened the kiss, when my hands slid over her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us. Her breath hitched as I slipped my hands under her shirt, running them over warm, soft skin—slow, teasing, claiming.
Her shirt came off with one swift movement. I looked at her—really looked at her—and fuck, she was unreal. A goddess dressed in shadows and nerves, and I wanted to worship every inch of her.
My mouth found her collarbone, then her neck, biting down just enough to make her moan. I felt her nails dig into my back. I wanted her needy. I wanted her wrecked.
"You're so fucking beautiful," I growled into her skin, undoing her bra and dropping it somewhere behind us. Her breasts were full, perfect, and the moment I took one into my mouth, her back arched like she'd been starving for this too.
Her moans were breathless, broken—like music written just for me.
I slid her onto my lap, grinding her against me as her skirt rode up, the heat between us unbearable. I was rock hard, and she felt it. Her hips rolled with mine like she wanted to set the entire room on fire. She kissed me again—desperate now, frantic—and I responded with everything I had.
I tugged her skirt down slowly, eyes never leaving hers, asking without words.
She nodded, biting her lip.
Her panties came off next, wet with need. I groaned at the sight of her—thick, divine, thighs trembling around my hips. I slid my fingers between her folds, and she gasped, body jerking at the first touch.
"Cassian…" she whimpered.
"I got you, princess," I whispered, sucking at the skin under her jaw. "Let me take care of you."
My fingers moved slow, deep, curling inside her as my thumb found her clit. She fell apart in my hands, moaning into my mouth, legs tightening around me. She was so wet, so responsive, like her body had been waiting for mine all this time.
"I need you," she said breathlessly.
I was seconds from giving her everything—ready to sink into her and lose my goddamn mind—but then—
Click.
The door creaked open.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
Naomi's voice shattered everything.
Arielle screamed, grabbing the blanket to cover herself. "Naomi—oh my God—get out!"
Naomi turned around so fast she nearly tripped. "You guys are—demons! Perverted demons!"
She vanished into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Silence.
Arielle looked at me—cheeks flushed, chest heaving—and then, we burst into laughter.
"Next time," she said, breathless, "we're doing this at your place."
"Hell yes, we are," I replied, still half-hard and wholly ruined.
I helped her redress, stealing one last kiss—slow, deep, a promise on my tongue.
And when I left, I couldn't stop tasting her in my mouth, or hearing her moans echo in my head.
I was done for.
Completely.