Chapter 1 The Home Visit

The Cassian Stone standing before me was… deeply unsettling, at least to me.

He was wearing a hollowed-out apron, leaving just enough of his chest exposed to be teasing to the eyes. The cut of the apron framed his pectorals perfectly. He was flaunting the kind of view that could tempt even the most indifferent woman to step closer and "take a better look."

Well, any other woman would, but I couldn't because I was Cassian's ex-girlfriend. As if things weren't awkward enough, I had been the one to dump him.

"The water's gone cold. I'll heat it again."

His gaze swept over me, the corners of his eyes faintly red. If I had taken a closer look, I would've noticed a hidden flash of hurt filled with resentment. I would've noticed that it was as if he were accusing me of being heartless.

Before I could respond, Cassian carried the still-steaming cup back into the kitchen.

I licked my dry lips and turned to his younger brother, Elias Stone, who was currently my student. "Elias, could you get me a glass of ice water?"

Cassian had reheated the same cup of water over and over again. I had been here for 20 minutes and hadn't managed a single sip.

I was too busy watching him… perform in that apron.

'Damn it. I was too impulsive back then! I should've had a go at him before I asked to break up.'

If I suggested getting a closer feel now, I'd probably be thrown out as a pervert. Not only would my dignity be gone, but my hard-earned teaching license would also spontaneously combust right before my eyes as I writhed in humiliation.

Elias returned a minute later. "Ms. Briarwood, here. Ice water."

"Thanks." I smiled.

This ice-cold water was basically my life support in this blazing summer heat.

I had just raised the glass to take a long, satisfying sip when Cassian appeared out of nowhere with a dark look on his face. He snatched the ice water right out of my hand and replaced it with a cup of steaming liquid that looked hot enough to pluck feathers off a poultry.

I froze in shock.

'Good heavens. Does he really have to get back at me like this just because I dumped him all those years ago? Sure, he's a total hunk, but goddamn, is he petty!'

"You're due for your period in a couple of days. If you drink something cold now, you'll be suffering terrible cramps later."

I fell silent as memories of the past suddenly surfaced in my mind's eye.

He had been just as attentive back then. Once he learned about my cramps, he had kept a gimlet eye over my diet. He would cook me home-cooked, balanced meals every day, and prepare nothing but warm water for a full week before and after my cycle.

I had always been forgetful. So, he would always remind me to drink warm water and make sure I had pads ready two days in advance.

The only difference was… Cassian would definitely be dressed in those restrained, buttoned-up shirts. When I tried to touch his chest, he'd behave as if I was sexually harassing some upright, proper gentleman.

He looked nothing like this man before me. He wouldn't be standing there in an apron, shamelessly giving me an eyeful with the slightest shift of movement.

Perhaps I had been too impatient while he had been too restrained at the time. And so, as a young woman in the prime of my life, I had been left craving what I could only see but never touch. In the end, I ended things in a fit of frustration.

Later, I tried to let loose a little, but I couldn't help comparing every man I meet to Cassian.

Naturally, every single one of them fell short.

So, I ended up staying single years after graduating from college and breaking up with him.

"Thank you," I said awkwardly.

Cassian sat down beside me, closer than was necessary.

I forced down the urge to "take a closer look" and dragged my attention back to the matter at hand. "Elias' grades have dropped quite a bit recently. I was wondering if anything unusual has been going on with him at home?"

Elias immediately bolted upon hearing my question, vanishing in a flash.

"Oh, nothing much." Cassian shifted even closer, a faint smile curling at his lips. "He's just been nagging me to get married soon, move out, and stop catching him playing video games all the time."

For some reason, a flicker of sadness rose in me. Still, I asked, "So… what are you planning to do?"

"I refuse to get married if it isn't for love."

I let out a quiet breath of relief.

However, I immediately started internally berating myself when I caught that undeniable flicker of relief, 'Gwen Briarwood, what the hell is wrong with you? You have no business paying attention to his love life!

'Do you really expect him to fall in love with the woman who dumped him?'

After I went over the basic questions, I got ready to leave.

Just then, the strap of Cassian's apron came loose, revealing a large expanse of perfectly sculpted skin right before my eyes.

I froze like a shark sensing blood; my mind went completely feral. 'There it is, there it is! His chest, his abs, that flawless V-line… God, just touch and I'd be set for goddamn life!'