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CHAPTER 19
Sébastien came in and towered over her, the door shut behind him.
“What the hell was all that about?”
Cassandra moved around to her armchair and sat down because she was afraid she might fall.
“Well, that was me, finally airing my dirty laundry. In front of the entire nation, no less.”
He had moved to the center of the small living room and glared down at her.
“And in front of the entire Six Nations public too. I believe the news is hitting the airwaves as we speak. The hotel where the after-match party is being held has had to call for police assistance in dealing with the hordes of paparazzi already camped outside.”
She winced. Sébastien grunted something unintelligible and
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THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 20
It was vital to move away from him. But after a few steps, Cassandra stopped abruptly as her hand that had been sliding along the counter hit something that froze the blood in her veins. Instinctively, Cassandra covered it. She knew immediately what it was… She’d left it there in her shock and confusion just minutes before opening the door to let him in. Sébastien’s eyes darted to where her hand had made the betraying, concealing movement. Cassandra gulped as he looked back at her. She felt guilty since she looked guilty. “What’s that, Cassandra?” “Nothing important,” she said, almost hopefully. “If it’s nothing important, why are you trying to hide it?” “I’m not.” “Show me what it is.” “It’s nothing, Sébastien…” “Now, Cassandra!”
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 21
Head leaned against the back of the couch, Cassandra was trying to push back the tears threatening to come out. Everything was such a mess… Her entire life was such a mess… Not to mention the life of the entire Applegate clan. The only being not touched by this entire disaster was her baby. He or she was being protected by her and Sébastien. Being here wasn’t the best option, but for now, it was the safest. A couple of days later, Cassandra finally had to acknowledge that she really hadn’t had a choice but follow Sébastien. Not that it made her feel any better. What could she have done? Her family was still shocked by the revelations she made on TV. The entire country was in shock. She closed her eyes, remembering every single thing that happened before her arrival here. &n
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 22
Cassandra felt a rising sense of panic that Sébastien would just keep her here, like some kind of animal in a zoo. Why was he acting like this? Why was he treating her like he didn’t really want her here? Was his plan to take away her baby once she’d give birth? At this thought, Cassandra put her hand on her belly again, in an unconscious gesture of protection. “You’re not alone, Cassandra… Besides, here you have everything you want…” “Right… Everything…” ‘Except you…’ Cassandra wanted to yell in his face. Their eyes locked and her gaze pierced Sébastien’s stomach. She was so beautiful… Cassandra was dressed down in jeans and a loose shirt, and he could see the outline of her bra underneath, white and plain, and yet more seductive than the flimsiest lingerie he’d seen on her yet…
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 23
He made it sound so easy. And, while Cassandra felt it was important to assert her independence, she knew Sébastien was right. For now. It wasn’t just about the two of them anymore. She’d worry about the shifting parameters of their affair later. The knowledge that he still desired her was intoxicating, she went to bed that night and slept properly for the first time all week. The next day she entered the house and found him already there. She knew Sébastien had a serious amount of work to do and a few important meetings to attend to, but he was there, waiting for her to get back home. Sébastien came towards her and gave her an inquisitive look. “So? I want to know everything the doctor told you.” “The pregnancy is proceeding very well, in spite of all the stress in the last few weeks. And
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 24
Trembling with desire, Cassandra looked from the cord to Sébastien. He didn’t move back. His scent wrapped around her like a cloak of heavy desire. The sheer sexiness of him, and the room, overwhelmed her, and Cassandra lifted a hand to run her fingers through his hair, feeling the beautiful shape of his head. And then, unable to wait any longer, the promise of fulfillment so close, Cassandra pulled his head to hers and their mouths touched. A week of not touching blew up around them instantly. It could’ve been a lifetime, the way things escalated so rapidly. Without breaking contact, Sébastien lifted Cassandra from her seat and moved them over to the lush, velvety banquette behind them. He took his mouth from hers and she followed him momentarily, as if wary to break even that point of touch.
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 25
Something was definitely wrong. She could feel it in her bones. She could see it in his eyes. Since that night in the restaurant a week ago, Sébastien hadn’t made another move to touch her. Yet he hadn’t left her alone like he had the first week. He’d come home early every day, they’d cooked or eaten out, but with an impenetrable wall growing between them. Cassandra was too confused and slightly terrified to ask what was wrong. But all the time she was burning up inside, aching with desire, aching for Sébastien to just reach out and touch her, kiss her. She wanted to make the move, but she was too scared of what his reaction might be, and she couldn’t help but be afraid that this was the start of the end of his attraction for her. There had been something limited
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 26
Cassandra was utterly consumed by him at that moment… Nothing else existed around them. A waiter tried to get their attention, but gave up and walked away leaving them immersed in their conversation. “I’m sorry, Sébastien. I don’t mean to pry. If it’s that hard to talk…” “No,” he said quickly, his hand tightening on hers. His eyes locked onto hers. The sympathy he saw in their depths reminded him of what he wanted, what he’d vowed to set out to achieve after that catastrophic night in the restaurant. If he wanted that, then he had to tell her everything. She had to know who he really was… where he was coming from. “It’s not that, Cass. I can take you somewhere tomorrow if you like. Perhaps it’ll be much easier to explain then.” She just nodded, every part of her warmi
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 27
Finally, her suspicions were confirmed. “Now I can see things pretty clearly. You did want to be a rugby player too. Anyone watching you out there could see what a natural talent you have. Why didn’t you go for it, Sébastien?” He looked out to the men on the pitch and then spoke with a kind of resigned modesty. “My grandfather could see how good I was. He had played all his life, and he was a great player. But it never got him anywhere. Originally, he played it for acceptance into the community. I never told you, but he was half-Algerian, and he always felt like an outsider. That’s why he took it so badly when my mother disgraced the good name, he’d built up by having an affair with a married man.” Cassandra looked at his profile. It was proud and harsh. A warrior’s profile. “He’d always regretted his
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