Thirty Two

CHAPTER 32

Antonio's question hung in the air, his deep and smooth voice echoing in Cassandra's mind. Her breath hitched as Antonio's presence filled her senses—the warmth of his body so close, the faint woody and musky scent of his cologne. Before she could muster a reply, Antonio's fingers gently lifted her chin, tilting her face to meet his.

“Look at me,” he murmured, his tone low yet commanding.

Cassandra's gaze finally met his. Antonio's eyes bore into hers, an intense mix of amusement and something far darker. Her heart raced, her resolve faltering under his sharp scrutiny. She hated how easily this man controlled her reactions, how his touch made her so unsteady.

Antonio's lips curled into a sly smirk, satisfaction evident in his expression. He reveled in the power he held over Cassandra—the girl who once wanted to destroy him, now ensnared in his web. Slowly and deliberately, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

Cassandra froze, her hands clenched at her sides. A storm of emotions swirled within her: anger, humiliation, and an unwelcome spark of desire. She hated Antonio for doing this, for knowing exactly how to unnerve her. Yet she didn’t pull away.

The kiss deepened. Antonio's lips moved confidently against hers, leaving no room for hesitation. His hand slid to the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her long hair as he drew her closer. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing them open before slipping inside, turning the kiss into something far more heated and passionate.

Cassandra's eyes fluttered shut, her resolve crumbling under the intensity of the moment. She hated herself for giving in, for allowing Antonio to dominate her so completely. His tongue explored her mouth, teasing and claiming her in a way that left her breathless. She couldn’t think, couldn’t resist. All she could do was feel.

Antonio's other hand cupped the side of her face, his thumb brushing her cheek in a gesture both tender and possessive. His grip on her hair tightened, angling her head further to deepen their kiss. Cassandra’s chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath, her body betraying her with every involuntary response.

The kiss was relentless, a calculated display of control and dominance. Antonio pulled her closer, pressing her body against his, leaving no space between them. His lips demanded, and Cassandra, against her better judgment, surrendered.

Her hands, which had remained clenched, finally relaxed. One rose hesitantly, brushing against Antonio’s chest as if testing the waters. The steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips only made her more acutely aware of how perilously close they were.

Antonio's hand slid down, tracing the curve of her back before settling at her waist. His touch was firm, grounding her in the moment while also reminding her of how trapped she truly was. When he finally pulled back, his lips hovered mere inches from hers, their breaths mingling in the charged silence.

“You hate this, don’t you?” Antonio whispered, his voice dripping with amusement. His thumb lightly brushed her swollen lower lip. “And yet, you didn’t stop me.”

Cassandra’s eyes snapped open, meeting Antonio’s gaze with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. She wanted to slap him, to yell at him, but her voice betrayed her, emerging as little more than a whisper. “You’re insufferable.”

Antonio chuckled softly, his voice rich and unhurried. “And you’re intoxicating, Cassandra.” His hand lingered at her waist for a moment longer before he finally stepped back, giving her a sliver of space.

Cassandra swallowed hard, her mind racing to process what had just happened. Her heart still pounded against her ribs, her lips still tingling with the remnants of his kiss. She hated the power he had over her, the way he unraveled her so effortlessly.

“Get some rest,” Antonio said, his tone deceptively casual as if nothing had transpired between them. He adjusted his shirt collar, his smirk still firmly in place. “You’ll need it.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving Cassandra standing in the living room, her emotions in turmoil. She pressed her fingers to her lips, her mind replaying the kiss over and over again despite her best efforts to push it away.

She hated Antonio. And she hated herself even more for letting him win.

Cassandra grabbed her bag from the sofa and ran to her room, her breath coming in short gasps. Once inside, she slammed the door shut, leaning her back against the cold wood while her hand clutched her chest, still pounding from the heat of her encounter with Antonio.

Damn it, she thought. A strange sensation coursed through her body, leaving her both wet and tingling down below. Cassandra bit her lip, trying to calm her thoughts, but it only seemed to worsen the situation. When she stood to head to the bathroom, the feeling intensified. She knew something was wrong with her.

The cold water in the shower was supposed to help her calm down. Yet as she stood under the stream, memories of Antonio’s kiss and touch haunted her. She shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts, but her body betrayed her again.

After finishing her shower, Cassandra wrapped a towel around herself and stepped out. However, the sight in front of her stopped her in her tracks. Antonio was lounging casually on the bed, one hand holding his phone while the other rested behind his head. His expression was calm, but the small smirk on his lips suggested he knew far more than he should.

Cassandra felt her face heat up. With hesitant steps, she approached the bed, her grip on the towel tightening. Words caught in her throat, too embarrassed to be spoken. Before she could say anything, Antonio lowered his phone, his gaze locking onto hers.

“What is it, Cassandra?” he asked, his voice soft yet laced with teasing.

Cassandra opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Antonio sat up slightly, his smirk widening. “Ah,” he murmured, his tone full of triumph, “so you want something but are too shy to say it?”

Cassandra stayed silent, but the deepening blush on her face said it all. Antonio chuckled, his voice low and seductive. “Well then, let’s see how long you can keep that from me.”