006— Playing With Fire.

...RILEY...

*****

Cassidy just stood there, frozen in the doorway, eyes wide like she’d walked in on a crime scene. I swallowed hard expecting to be fired, when she laughed loudly.

Soren and I exchanged glances.

“Oh, please. There’s no way my husband would be making out with someone like you.”

Ouch. Straight to my ego.

I glared, clutching my towel tighter. “Someone like me?” I asked, trying to sound casual even though my heart was beating so hard I could hear it in my ears.

What the fuck does that mean?

Cassidy folded her arms, her expression filled with disdain. “Yes, you. You barely lasted a week at your last job, you look like you just rolled out of a motel, and now you’re standing half-naked in my hallway with my husband. So go ahead, enlighten me. What exactly is going on?”

I could practically feel Soren’s stare burning through me. My brain scrambled for something—anything—that didn’t sound like I’m obsessed with your husband and accidentally almost kissed him.

So I blurted, “There was a bug.”

Soren turned his head toward me slowly, eyes wide.

Cassidy blinked. “A what?”

“A bug,” I said quickly, pointing at the wall behind him. “It was big and so ugly. So I sorta panicked, and well your husband tried to help, and I, uh… slammed him against the wall to kill it.”

Silence.

Really suffocating silence.

Cassidy’s mouth fell open. “You slammed my husband against the wall… to kill a bug?”

I forced a nervous laugh. “Yeah. Reflexes. I’m kind of heroic that way.”

Soren’s jaw flexed, but his tone stayed cool, commanding. “She’s telling the truth,” he said flatly. “It flew toward her. I was just—trying to stop her from breaking something.”

I glanced up at him. God, he looked furious, and annoyingly good while doing it. His shirt was rumpled, his hair a mess, and I couldn’t stop staring. My stupid heart wouldn’t calm down.

Cassidy’s gaze narrowed. “Really, Soren? You expect me to believe this nonsense?”

He stepped forward slightly, his voice dropping into an stern tone. “You can believe whatever you want, Cass. But maybe next time, knock before jumping to conclusions.”

The authority in his voice sent a strange chill down my spine.

Cassidy scoffed. “Unbelievable. And you—” she jabbed a finger at me, “put on some clothes. This isn’t a cheap hotel.”

I swallowed hard, forcing a tight smile. “Sure thing, boss.”

She rolled her eyes and stalked off, muttering under her breath about unprofessional trash and firing nannies by tomorrow.

As soon as she disappeared, I finally breathed out.

Soren turned to me, sharply. “A bug? That’s the best you could come up with?”

I shrugged, trying to sound unfazed though my pulse was racing. “Hey, it worked. You’re welcome.”

His eyes lingered on me, slow and assessing, before he muttered, “Next time, try staying out of trouble instead of inventing it.”

He walked past me, his shoulder brushing mine. Just that small contact made my skin heat like fire.

I turned to watch him leave, my heart still hammering against my ribs.

God, I was in so much trouble. Cassidy is so unpredictable. I hope I don't get fired. What was I even thinking?

****

I’d barely changed into my baggy shorts and singlet when Cassidy called me to the living room. She was perched on the couch, her perfume almost suffocating, scrolling through her phone like an addicted teenager.

Without looking up, she said, “Here. A list.”

I caught the paper she tossed at me. “What’s this?”

“The things you’re getting for the anniversary party. It’s tonight.”

I unfolded the list, going through them. Flowers, candles, champagne, balloons, twenty other ridiculous things she clearly should’ve ordered days ago. “You’re kidding. Tonight?”

She finally looked at me and smiled. “It’ll be grand. Everyone important will be there. You’re invited too, so… maybe wear makeup for once.”

I stared at her. “You mean look like you? No thanks. I don’t have the budget for fake.”

Cassidy’s smile tightened. “Sarcasm doesn’t hide lazy, Riley. Anyway, get going. Take a taxi to the mall and don’t screw this up.”

I blinked. “A taxi? You have three cars parked outside, Cass.”

She ignored me, talking over my words like I was background noise. “Get something elegant. Classy. Think champagne gold. Not whatever tragic color you call your wardrobe.”

I bit my tongue so hard I tasted blood. Typical Cassidy, she could make oxygen sound expensive.

For a second, I almost let it go. I should've left but then I thought of Mom lying in that hospital bed and knew I had to broach the topic. . “Cass… I, uh… I wanted to tell you. Mom’s in a coma. I was going to pay the hospital bill before I got fired, but—”

She looked up sharply. “And why exactly are you telling me that?”

I swallowed. “Because she’s your mother too. Maybe you could help—”

“I don’t care,” she cut in, with a cold voice. “And I don’t want to hear about her again. In this house, as long as you’re my maid, you don’t talk about her. Clear?”

The word ‘maid’ hit like a slap. God, she always makes me so mad!!!

I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “I’m not your maid, Cass. I’m the goddamn nanny.”

She stood, towering in her robe and heels. “Same thing. Now stop whining and go.”

I stared at her for a long second, at her perfect hair, her empty eyes, the sister I barely recognized anymore. The woman always got away with everything.

Then I nodded slowly. “Right. Your house. Your rules.”

I turned away before she could see my eyes sting.

She didn’t notice anyway. She was already back on her phone.

I stepped out of the house still fuming from Cassidy when I spotted Soren, looking maddeningly good in his usual dark shirt and rolled sleeves, walking toward his car.

God really had no business sculpting a man like that and giving him to my sister.

His hair was messy from stress, his jaw tight, and he had that expensive watch glinting under the sun. Every movement screamed control, precision, power. My heart did that traitorous skip it always did around him.

Before I could talk myself out of it, Soren unlocked the car and pulled the driver’s door open.

And that was my cue.

I sprinted forward and, before he could even blink, slipped right past him, squeezing through the narrow space between him and the door, and slid across the seat till I landed on the passenger side, breathless.

He froze, still halfway outside, staring at me like I’d just hijacked his life.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he barked, eyes narrowing.

I grinned, buckling the seat belt. “Catching a ride.”

“Get out of my car, Riley.”

“Look,” I said quickly, “you know your office’s right beside the Grand Kalk. Just drop me there. It’s literally on the way.”

He turned to face me, brows knitting. “Beside?? It’s not even on the same street.”

I waved him off. “Same direction. Parallel something. Whatever. Please just drop me at the mall, that's all.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I get that a lot,” I said sweetly. “Now drive before I’m late.”

For a second, he just stared at me with those dark cruel eyes, hands braced on the wheel like he was calculating whether murder was worth it.

Then he exhaled, and stepped out of the car.

I frowned. “Where are you—”

My question cut short when he yanked open my door.

Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and pulled me out, slamming the door shut behind me so hard the sound echoed through the driveway.

“Don’t ever get into my car without permission,” he said, voice low but seething. His hand was still wrapped around my arm tightly.

I should’ve been scared, but I wasn’t. My pulse raced, but not from fear.

He looked furious — and God, I loved it.

I tilted my head, smiling up at him. “What’s the worst that could happen, huh? You drive me somewhere and realize I don’t bite?”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re testing me.”

I smirked. “Maybe. Are you scared of me or something?”

He let out a sharp breath. “Scared? Of you?” He leaned in closer, voice low enough to vibrate in my chest. “If anyone should be afraid, Riley, it’s you.”

That sent a chill down my spine and it felt too good. I arched a brow, pretending to stay cool. “Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

He stared at me for a moment too long, eyes flicking down to my mouth, then back up. His jaw flexed again, but he didn’t answer.

I laughed softly. “Thought so. You’ve got nothing.”

He turned away sharply. “Never mind. Just get in.”

I blinked. “Wait, I thought I wasn’t allowed—”

“I said get in.” His tone brooked no argument.

I slipped back inside, heartbeat pounding.

As he circled the car, I glanced at him through the window glimpsing, the slight roll of his shoulders and the pink flush creeping up his neck.

Oh. My. God.

Was he flustered?

He slid into the driver’s seat, jaw set, not looking at me once.

I smiled to myself, folding my arms. “You okay there, Mr. Knight? You look… warm.”

“Don’t start,” he muttered. “Just shut up."

Too late. I was already grinning, watching the muscle in his jaw twitch as he started the engine.

He was furious. I was thrilled.

God help me, I was completely, hopelessly gone for this man.