Chapter 7: Don't Fucking Push Me Away Like That

MARIELLE

I squeezed my eyes shut, frustration and shame warring in my chest. Every time I blinked, I saw fragments of last night..the heat, the weight of him, the way I’d begged. But it was the memory of Enzo’s face, standing in that doorway and catching us, that made my heart hammer against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I didn't know what was going to happen. Would he tell the family? Would he ruin Cassius?

I cursed myself for drinking. I knew I shouldn't have touched that bottle, yet I’d let my control slip and now I was drowning in the consequences. With a heavy sigh, I checked the time and scrambled into the bathroom to wash the scent of him and the alcohol off my skin.

I smoothed out my skirt and headed downstairs, my pulse accelerating as I approached the dining room. The house felt smaller today, the air thicker. I scanned the room, looking for one specific person, but his chair was empty.

I swallowed hard and started toward Vera, who was waving me over. I was so lost in my own head that my foot caught on the rug. I gasped, my body tilting forward. I braced myself for the impact of the floor, but it never came.

Strong arms hooked around me, pulling me back with startling force. I hit a solid chest, and a soft gasp escaped me. I looked up, feeling the heat of his hand on my waist and the familiar pressure of his body against my back.

There he was.

He was dressed in a crisp black shirt, his hair perfectly styled, looking devastatingly handsome. I felt a treacherous tingle between my thighs and clenched them tight. His gaze alone was enough to set me on fire.. his closeness was a slow, sweet torture.

"Be careful," he said, his voice dropping into that stern, serious register that always made me shiver.

I quickly pulled away, trying to find my footing.

"How are you feeling now, Marielle?"

I looked at Valentina, Cassius’ mother. She was a regal woman, her hair streaked with elegant white. She was kind, the sort of person who actually cared when she asked a question. I managed a polite smile.

"I am fine," I lied. I hurried to the chair next to Vera and sat down. Cassius took his place at the head of the table, man-spreading as he began a low-voiced conversation with Enzo and his older brother, Matteo.

The image of him from last night…the way he looked when he finished…flashed in my mind. My face flushed a deep, tell-tale red. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to settle my racing heart.

"Marielle, are you okay? Why is your face so red?"

My mother, Victoria, asked the question with more suspicion than concern. We’d never been close. My father was the one who treated me like a princess.. she was always too busy playing the perfect socialite to notice me.

"I-I’m okay- " I stuttered. I felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. Vera nudged me under the table, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Don't go to school if you’re not feeling well," Giselle, Elena’s mom added warmly. My smile faltered when my eyes drifted toward Cassius. He was watching me with a look of genuine concern, and I had to look away before I broke.

"No..I-I’m good," I insisted.

Ethan stood up, grabbing everyone’s attention. "I'll drop you girls off to school."

Elena practically jumped out of her seat. Vera and I shared a look of pure dread.

Caleb always took Vera, and Ethan took Elena. We usually avoided those rides like the plague because we didn't want a front-row seat to them "eating" each other in the car.

Vera winked at me, and before I could stop her, she spoke up. "Cassius uncle, can you take me and Marielle, please?"

I froze, nudging her sharply to drop it. But before I could object, his voice cut through the room.

"Okay."

The car ride was suffocating. I sat in the back with Vera, who was busy pouting and applying lip gloss. Cassius was in the passenger seat, and Enzo was at the wheel. I wanted to disappear.

Vera nudged me again, winking. I frowned, confused by her sudden mood.

"Babe," she started.

Suddenly, the car jerked as Enzo slammed on the brakes. I gasped, but before I could fly forward, Cassius' hand shot back, clamping onto my knee to steady me.

"Enzo, are you in your senses?" Cassius growled.

Vera glared at the rearview mirror, wiping a smudge of gloss from her chin. "Sorry," Enzo muttered, his voice tight. "Just heard her call someone 'babe'..."

Vera and I locked eyes, and a small giggle escaped me. I had to hold my stomach to keep from laughing out loud at the absurdity of it.

"Mr. Enzo. I called Marielle 'babe,'" Vera said with a smirk.

The realization of Cassius' hand still on my knee hit me. He didn't pull away. His fingers were warm, firm, and possessive. I gulped and whispered his name.

"Cassius."

I always called him by his name. Unlike the others, I wasn't related to him, and the formality of "uncle" had never felt right.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes."

I reached down, my fingers brushing against the back of his hand to gently push him away. A low, dangerous growl erupted from his throat, making both Vera and me jump.

"Do not fucking push me away like that," he warned. His voice was deathly quiet, laced with a promise of retribution.

I blinked, stunned by the raw territoriality in his tone. I looked away, feeling small and timid.

"Is that fucking clear?"

I nodded quickly. He retracted his hand and faced forward again. Vera leaned into my ear, her voice a tiny whisper. "The hottie doesn’t like getting rejected by you."

My skin burned. Did she know? How could she? She rested her head on my shoulder, and I felt my heart tremble.

When we finally pulled up to the school, I scrambled out of the car. Vera linked her arm with mine, slowing my frantic pace.

"Marielle," she said softly.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want her to think I was some deviant for wanting her uncle.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "We’re the same."

I stopped dead. My heart dropped. Did she... did she want her uncle too?"I don't like my uncle," she laughed, as if reading my mind.

"Heck no. Even if he’s sexy, I’ve been eyeing his best friend for a while."

I stared at her, my jaw practically on the floor. She smiled widely and shrugged.

"I love him."

She was in love with Enzo. She was chasing a man twice her age, just like I was. We were both standing on the edge of a cliff.

"This is so wrong," she murmured, winking at me as we walked toward the entrance.

"But it makes us... crave for more. Doesn't it?”