Chapter 40

~Caius~

In a way that felt… loaded like I was ruining the fun.

She nodded, slower this time. “I do. I just didn’t expect you to get all serious like my maths teacher.”

I opened my mouth. Then I closed it.

She was close for my sanity.

And then, she leaned in a little more, pretending to read the notes but I caught her eyes darting down.

Right to where the table didn’t fully cover me

“Caius, are you…” Under reflex, my hand shot out and clamped gently over her mouth.

Her lips were soft against my palm. Warm. And my fingers? They trembled slightly from the contact.

We stared at each other.

Her eyes, wide with shock.

Mine, burning with the realization of what she saw. If only I could wipe her memory.

“Don’t say it,” I whispered, finally pulling my hand away. My voice came out lower, “Just… don’t.”

She didn’t. But her lips curled at the corners like she knew exactly what I was trying to hide.

Valeria leaned back in her chair, fingers toying with the drawstrings of her bra top now.

“I