LOGINThey danced to one more song before Reggie got them another drink. "Okay, you don't really look well. Let us head home, " Reggie said before pulling her close. Cassie thanked the heavens for him. On their way to the exit, they encountered Dominic again. "Leaving already? " Dominic asked curiously."Yes. Cassie is not really feeling well. Thanks for hosting us, " Reggie said. "That's okay. I will see you another time." Dominic said. "Sure thing, " Reggie said as they headed out. Once in the car, it pulled away smoothly. The streetlights streaked past. Cassie stared out the window, watching the city blur into streaks of lights and shadows. Reggie’s hand found hers on the seat between them. He laced their fingers together, thumb stroking slow, soothing arcs over her knuckles. He didn’t push but she felt his concern in the gentle pressure of his grip, in the way he angled his body toward hers, offering silent shelter. She wanted to tell him. Sienna's words sat heavy on her tongu
Cassie stumbled almost blindly on her way out. She was trying so hard not to let the words of Sienna and Bess get tobjer head but it was proving difficult. She quickly found Reggie and locked their arms together for support."Are you okay? You look a little pale? " Reggie's brows were raised in concern. "I am okay. One of my lashes was sticking to my eye. Took a while to remove it, " Cassie lied. Reggie opened his mouth as if to say something but shut when one of the guests started walking towards them. He firmly placed his hand on her back. The gesture calmed her nerves a little bit. The guest stopped by their feet. He had on a matte black mask, that accentuated his face features. A thin silver chain hung from his lapel, ending in a small lock pendant. His black suit complemented him greatly. Despite him being good looking, he was no match to Reggie. “Dominic,” Reggie said. His voice was warm but business like. “I’d like you to meet someone.” Dominic turned. His eyes were sha
Cassie slipped through the arched doorway to the bathroom. The music and laughter dulled instantly, swallowed by the corridor’s thick silence. She followed the discreet gold sign that read Powder Room, heels clicking too loudly on the floor. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since Sienna’s mocking little toast across the dance floor. She needed just one minute to breathe without feeling watched. The bathroom door was heavier than it looked. She pushed it open and stepped inside. The room was obscenely beautiful. It was made of black marble that reflected the candlelight warmly. A long vanity stretched beneath an arched window that overlooked the dark lake, its surface scattered with cut-glass perfume bottles, folded linen hand towels, and a silver tray of fresh white orchids. Three deep basins gleamed under soft, golden light. The air smelled expensive. Cassie crossed to the middle sink, turned on the cold tap, and let the water rush over her wrists. She closed her eyes, counting her
It was the day of the masquerade. Cassie was finishing up the final touches. She had shooed Reggie away from the room, wanting him to only see her when she was ready. Done with her makeup, she smoothed her midnight-blue dress before walking put of the room. Reggie was waiting downstairs. When she emerged, Reggie's mouth hang open She was breathtaking. She walked down slowly, careful not to trip on the train When she reached tge last step, Reggie took her hand and pulled her to his chest before locking their lips together. When they pulled apart, they were breathless and panting. "If we were not late, I would have spread ypu on that couch and feasted on you till your legs tremble," Reggie said as he smoothed his trouser to hide the bulge that had started forming. The words made Cassie clench with want. They had time for a quickie but both of them knew that a quickie could not satiate the hunger they had for each other. "Does that mean you approve my dress choice?" Cassie asked
Cassie stood frozen in the doorway, surprise written on her face. This man who had claimed that he did not have any romantic bone in his body had done something that had never been done to her by any man."Thank you so much. I..." Tears started streaming down her face. Reggie stepped behind her, arms sliding around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. His breath was warm against her neck. "Don't cry kitten. Why are you crying? You don't like it?" She turned in his arms, hands framing his face, and kissed him deeply. He kissed her back with equal hunger, hands roaming her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. When they parted, both breathing hard, she rested her forehead against his. “You did all this? I love it.” she said, voice thick with emotions. “Had to make it right,” he said. “You’ve been gone too long.” She laughed softly, tears pricking again. “It was only a week.” “It felt like a year.” He guided her toward the table, pulling out her
It was raining. Cassie pulled the blanket over her head. She could not believe that her lazy days were over. She had had five days of sleeping late, laughing with her friends, ordering take out and sharing jokes. They even re-watched the ceremony clips on their phones, and laughed until their stomachs hurt over every awkward moment. They knew, sooner or later they had to go back to reality. They needed to find jobs so that they could pay taxes like the adults that they were. Nina had left four days earlier. She had hugged them all fiercely at the airport curb and promised to text them daily. “Don’t ghost me when you’re back in the real world,” she’d said. Cassie had promised she wouldn’t. She sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She knew who it was even without looking. Reggie: Morning, beautiful. How’s my favorite PhD holder? Cassie smiled. Cassie: I am your only PHD holder. Anyway, I am still floating. I miss you so much.
The private jet’s wheels kissed the tarmac at Geneva just after four in the afternoon. Cassie pressed her forehead to the cool oval window, breath fogging the glass as the plane taxied toward the private terminal. Outside, the sun hung low and pale over Lake Geneva. Snow dusted the distant mountain
They arrived at the house just as the city quieted into that late-hour hush. It felt very intimate. Reggie killed the engine, the sudden silence pressing against Cassie’s ears. Her pulse hadn’t slowed since the boutique; if anything, it had climbed higher with every mile, every casual stroke of his
Cassie practically sprinted from the private elevator the second the doors slid open on the thirty-second floor. Her cheeks were on fire, her thighs still trembling from the two, no, three orgasms Reggie had wrung from her in the space of forty-five scandalously late minutes. The marble hallway blu
They stepped out of the restaurant into the cool night, but the air did nothing to temper the furnace blazing between them. Cassie’s entire body felt like one exposed nerve, every brush of the silk dress against her skin a reminder of what Reggie had done and what he hadn’t let her do. Her thighs s







