LOGINCassidy’s POV Morning arrived softly, the way it always did when I woke beside him. Sunlight filtered through the curtains in pale gold ribbons, painting the ceiling in slow-moving patterns as the city stirred awake beyond the glass. The room was bathed in that gentle, early glow, turning the white sheets into a canvas of soft shadows and highlights, the faint hum of distant traffic like a lullaby fading into the background. I lay still for a moment, cocooned in warmth—his arm heavy around my waist, his breathing slow and even against my collarbone, each exhale a warm puff that tickled my skin. The world felt suspended, like if I didn’t move, time might forget to start altogether, letting us linger in this bubble of quiet intimacy.Dante shifted beside me, a low sound leaving his throat as he tightened his hold instinctively, pulling me closer. Even asleep, he anchored himself to me, like I was the point his compass always returned to, his body molding perfectly against mine—chest to
Cassidy’s POV As Dante grabbed his keys, pausing for one last hug in the foyer, I felt that familiar tug—the bittersweet pull of parting, even if it was just for the day. His arms enveloped me fully, strong and sure, his cologne mingling with the lingering scent of coffee and bacon from our rushed breakfast. "Don't work too hard," he murmured into my hair, his voice low and affectionate, lips brushing my temple in a kiss that lingered a beat too long, reigniting that spark from earlier. "And text me if that professor gives you grief. I'll send reinforcements—or at least a motivational meme."I laughed, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes, those storm-gray depths sparkling with humor and something deeper, a quiet promise that carried us through the mundane separations. "Deal. And you—seal that deal like the boss you are. No mercy in the boardroom." My hands smoothed his tie unnecessarily, fingers lingering on the silk, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath. It was these s
Cassidy’s POV Morning arrived quietly, no alarms blaring, no urgency demanding we rise. Sunlight spilled across the bed in pale gold strips through the gaps in the curtains, warming my face until I stirred, blinking against the brightness. For a second, I forgot where I was—disoriented by the unfamiliar peace—then I felt the weight of an arm around my waist, solid and protective, and everything settled into place. Dante's breath was warm against my neck, slow and even, his body curved around mine like a natural shield, our legs still entwined from the night's lingering passion.I smiled before I even fully opened my eyes, savoring the rare luxury of a slow wake-up. The room smelled of us—faint traces of last night's pine-scented air mixed with the musky evidence of our passion, a heady blend of sweat and desire that clung to the sheets like a secret. Under the covers, our naked bodies tangled, skin still flushed from the exertions that had carried us into the early hours, every brush
Cassidy’s POV Upstairs, the bedroom was a sanctuary—unmade bed from our rushed morning, moonlight filtering through sheer curtains in silvery veils, the faint hum of the ceiling fan stirring the air like a whispered promise. We changed in companionable silence: me slipping into an oversized tee that skimmed my thighs, the fabric soft and worn from countless nights like this; him into loose gray sweats that hung low on his hips, revealing the defined V of his abdomen where his shirt rode up slightly as he stretched. Under the covers, everything slowed further. He pulled me against his chest, my head nestling into the crook of his shoulder, his arm draping over me like a protective barrier. The sheets were cool at first, but heat bloomed quickly between us, our legs tangling instinctively, skin brushing skin in that familiar, electric way."You tired?" he asked quietly, his voice rumbling through his chest into my ear, deep and husky from the late hour."A little," I admitted, tracing
Cassidy’s POV The road dipped and straightened, trees swallowing the stars one by one until the sky narrowed back into strips of darkness between branches, like a curtain slowly drawing closed on a performance we weren't ready to end. The car's interior filled with a softer quiet now—comfortable, settled—like we’d said all the important things under that vast sky and didn’t need to fill the space just to prove something. The engine's hum was a gentle underscore, blending with the occasional whoosh of wind through the still-cracked window, carrying faint hints of pine and earth that clung to us like souvenirs from our escape.Dante reached over at a red light—the first we'd seen in miles, a stark reminder that the city was creeping back—his fingers finding mine without looking, as if drawn by some invisible thread. He didn’t squeeze hard. Just rested there, warm and present, his thumb tracing lazy circles on the back of my hand, a silent check-in that said more than words could. Stead
Cassidy's POV “Forget what?” he asked, voice calm and inviting, not pulling his eyes from the road but tilting his head slightly toward me, showing he was fully present. “That I’m allowed to just… exist,” I admitted, my voice dropping a notch as vulnerability crept in. “Not perform for professors or friends, not be the 'useful' one who's always got it together. Not prove anything to anyone, including myself. Just be—breathe, feel, without justifying it. The city makes me feel like I have to earn every second.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly—not in tension, but intention, like my words had struck a chord deep within him. He was quiet for a moment, processing, then spoke firmly, his tone laced with quiet conviction. “You’re allowed to exist exactly as you are, Cass. Hell, you deserve it. You don’t owe the world productivity to justify taking up space. That's a lie we all get sold—work harder, achieve more, or you're nothing. But out here? Look around. The trees







