Chapter 4

VIOLETTA

For the first time since last night, I was finally able to get a proper look at him.

My eyes trailed up and down his body, from his dark, slightly messy hair to those piercing blue eyes that somehow managed to look both cold and mysterious.

How no one had managed to date this ridiculously attractive man baffled me.

“Are you just going to stare?” His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I cleared my throat trying to hide my embarrassment.

“Well…” I began awkwardly. “It’s just a proposal that I think could benefit both of us.”

“Right.”

That wasn’t helpful… not even a little but I was hopeful this would work.

So I took another breath, holding back the urge to cast him side eyes, “I kissed you yesterday, which I sincerely apologize for, but now the media is going to run with two different narratives unless… we give them one.”

I continued as he corked an eyebrow at me, “I’ve become a joke.” His expression didn’t change. “And your reputation isn’t exactly great either.”

“He was drunk and was going to…”

I cut him off, “and I’m grateful but it doesn’t help that Derek had been hospitalized.”

I took another breath, “If people believe we’re together, you'll look like a protective boyfriend instead of violent teammates, it repairs both our reputations.”

I was practically begging at this point.

When I was done, I placed a hand on my heart to call down my racing heart… this man hadn’t looked away from me once.

“What?”

The corner of his mouth twitched, “Do you always talk this much?”

I frowned.

“I always thought the other guy was the one who did all the talking.” His lips curved slightly. “But somehow you managed to answer one question with a five-minute presentation.”

Oh?

I crossed my arms, “Well, some of us actually know how to communicate.”

“Hmmm…”

Was he always this infuriating, “What does that mean?”

“It means…” His eyes met mine. “…you’re asking me to risk even more bad publicity.”

I opened my mouth but ended up shutting it immediately… he had a point.

He continued anyway.

“The coach already wants my head and the administrative team would need an explanation that wouldn’t warrant me having to say Derek had almost lost control.”

Okay?

“I skipped the team’s celebration and in less than twelve hours of meeting you,” His gaze lazily swept over me, “…you’ve managed to get me into a fight…”

He held up one finger.

“…get me investigated for assault…”

A second finger.

“…make me miss team obligations…”

A third.

“…and the cherry on top, you had thrown up on my stuff… my couch and hoodie last night.”

Heat rushed to my face, “I said I was sorry almost immediately!”

“That was my favorite shirt.” He teased.

“I GET IT!”

He stared at me for another second. “You’re expensive.”

My mouth fell open.

“Excuse me? You wouldn’t have to spend anything here” I argued.

“My very EXPENSIVE couch disagrees.”

I glared at him, “You are unbelievable.”

My eyes trailed to the couch and I huffed looking away before I would regret asking him how much it cost.

“I’ve been called worse.”

After a long silence, he spoke again, “So… I would ask again, what does dating Violetta Monroe entail?”

I looked back at him, I had just explained everything.

His eyes slowly travelled over me and before I could say anything he continued, “Full access?”

I nearly choked.

He took one lazy step closer.

“Kissing… holding hands…” with everything he listed, he closed the gap between us. “…Dates… sharing a bed?”

His gaze settled on my lips as he stopped directly in front of me, leaving no room for movement.

I shoved his shoulder before I could stop myself but he didn’t budge, “What is wrong with you?”

He didn’t move, rather he threw his head back and laughed.

“You do know you need this more than I do, there surely would be footage to exonerate me.” He mocked. “Although it wouldn’t hurt to rub it in the face of your stupid ass boyfriend.”

My face fell.

He was right, if I hadn’t kissed him… he wouldn’t have been dragged into my mess.

He’d still be Cassian Alexandris, Star captain as always. People would eventually move on from his scandal but me?

I’d forever be remembered as the delusional girl who imagined dating Logan Whitaker, that news had already disqualified me from a whole lot.

The painful realization settled inside my chest.

“Forget it.” His expression remained expressionless as I slipped out of his warmth to grab my bag from his bed. “You are right and I’ll just have to figure out something else on my own.”

Cassian didn’t stop me and I hated how my heart fell even more.

As I stepped out of his room, his friends flew in different directions… all avoiding my eyes as though they hadn’t been caught eavesdropping.

The plan had been perfect and although a little crazy… the best party was the part I hadn’t even thought of, revenge.

Just as I stepped outside, I moved to close the door when I felt something heavy settle over my shoulders, a very warm jacket smelt like him.

I froze.

Before I could turn around… a large hand settled on my waist.

My breath caught as he pulled me backward until my back rested firmly against his chest.

The warmth of him surrounded me.

Then Click, the sound of a camera shutter and then one after another, it felt like I had just stepped on the red carpet at the movie premiere.

Cassian lowered his head until his lips were only inches from mine, “Eyes on me four eyes.”

And before I could get a second to myself to think, his lips brushed against mine… just like yesterday, I felt the world around me disappear.

This kiss certainly didn’t feel fake.

Cassian pulled back just enough for our foreheads to remain touching, and stared at me with his thumb brushing lightly across my cheek.

His voice was barely a whisper, “Smile, Violetta… our audience needs something to post.”