Chapter 4 #2
"Say it," I snarled, free hand yanking her dress down to expose her breasts. I leaned in, sucking one nipple hard, teeth scraping. She cried out, body trembling.
"Feels... good," she finally gasped, voice breaking.
That was it—her surrender fueled me. I released her wrists, but only to hoist her legs around my waist, grinding my erection against her core. "That's right. Now show me how much you want it."
Luna's hands clutched my shoulders, nails digging in, not pushing away anymore. She rocked against me, breath coming in pants. I unzipped my pants, freeing myself, the head of my cock nudging her entrance.
"Beg for it," I said, teasing her with shallow thrusts, just the tip sliding in and out.
Her eyes met mine, hazy with lust, and she whispered, "Please... Cassian, fuck me."
God, that broke something in me. I slammed into her fully, burying deep in one brutal stroke. She screamed, walls gripping me tight, and I didn't hold back—pounding hard, the window rattling behind us with every thrust.
I gripped her thighs, spreading her wider, angling to hit that spot that made her shatter.
"This what you need?" I growled, one hand sliding between us to rub her clit in time with my hips.
She nodded frantically, moans spilling free, her body meeting mine thrust for thrust. Sweat slicked our skin, her breasts bouncing with the force.
I captured her mouth again, tongues battling as I fucked her senseless, anger bleeding into pure, animal hunger.
"Come for me, Luna. Let go." She did—clenching around me, back arching off the glass, a keening cry escaping as her orgasm ripped through her.
But I wasn't done. I pulled out, spun her around to face the window, her palms slapping the glass for support. I entered her from behind, deeper this time.
"Look out there," I rasped, hand wrapping her hair, tugging her head back. "The world's watching, but you're mine."
My other hand roamed her front, pinching nipples, then dipping to circle her oversensitive clit. She pushed back against me, ass grinding, taking every inch.
"Harder," she demanded, voice husky, and fuck, that turned me feral. I obliged, slamming in with punishing rhythm, balls slapping her skin. The build-up was electric—her second climax building fast, pulling me with her.
I felt her shatter again, pulsing around my cock, and it tipped me over. I turned her around to face me, looking into her dazed eyes. I thrust in and slammed hard, burying deep as I came, filling her, our bodies locked in that fierce union.
I felt her tremble in my arms, sinking from forced to surrender, finally clinging to my back in despair.
I didn't know how long it lasted, only that at the end, she bit my shoulder, muffling her cries, then went limp.
I collapsed too.
Lying on her, our heartbeats pounding together.
Silence stretched.
"Sorry," I said first, voice buried in her neck. "For today. Sorry."
She didn't speak, but her fingers twitched on my back.
I lifted my head. Her eyes were still red, but the emptiness was gone. "I promise, it won't happen again."
She looked away.
I turned her face back. "Look at me. I mean it. From now on, whatever happens, I'll hear you first."
Of course, I'd weigh priorities, but no need to say that now.
She met my eyes, complicated as hell.
"I'm out for three days," I went on. "Back for your birthday. I'll—" I paused. "Give you a real surprise. Promise."
To make up for the anniversary, too.
Her lashes fluttered.
"Luna?" I waited.
She nodded, soft.
I exhaled half-relief, kissed her forehead. "Wait for me."
Luna
I opened my eyes to the faint click of the front door, then the house fell quiet again.
Cassian was gone. Sky still dark. Workaholic through and through.
I sat up, wrapped in the blanket, head splitting. Last night's torn dress littered the floor by the window. Memories of that wild sex hit me.
His scent lingered in the air. Daylight filtered in. I buried my face in my knees, shoulders shaking.
Silent at first, then whimpers like a wounded animal. I didn't want to cry, but tears poured. I hated myself, for responding after how he treated me, for melting at one kiss, for missing him now that he was gone.
Damn it.
I hated me.
Phone rang.
I stared at "Chloe" on the screen, hesitated seconds, then answered.
"Hey?"
"Luna? What's with your voice?" Chloe's radar was scary sharp. "You crying? Did my brother mess with you?"
I opened my mouth to say I was fine. Instead: "Not great. I need you."
Three seconds. "Twenty minutes."
As Cassian's little sister, Chloe was his opposite, warm, fiery, tuned in to emotions like a pro.
My best friend too.
She showed with two coffees and a bag of donuts. Pushed the door open, crinkled eyes like her brother's, shoved coffee at me. "Spill."
I sipped, then poured it out slow.
Told her about Sloane days ago, the party mess with the dress, the fight home. The divorce word, what followed. No skips.
When I finished, halting, Chloe's brows furrowed deep enough to kill flies.
"So he ditched you at the party, came home yelling, then you... slept together?" She inhaled sharp. "Luna, I wanna kill him. Total idiot."
"And Sloane, that bitch! I never liked her. Disgusting angelic bitch. Cassian believed her? Moron!"
Her fury sparked a tiny smile in me.
"Don't worry, babe. I'll talk to Cassian. Trust me, I'll rip him a new one—if I can't make him tuck tail and run, I'm not a true King. He's such an idiot!"
I shook my head, smiling, bit into a donut. Sweetness eased the bitterness a bit.
"But..." She hesitated. "Luna, you know, he's never like this."
"Like what?"
"Lost control," Chloe sat up, serious. "Since kid days, he bottled everything. Broke his arm, didn't cry. Him going nuts means he cares. A lot."
Irritation flared. I laughed bitter. "So I should be touched by his meltdown?"
"Not that," Chloe waved. "Just—he loves you. Might not know it himself. But he does. Guys like him, raised to be tough, cold—"
"Chloe," I cut in. "What're you saying?"
She pressed her lips. "Give him one more shot?"
I went quiet.
Another chance? How many had I given? Since marriage, waiting for a glance, a soft word, trust.
But last night proved it.
He'd pick Sloane over asking me once.
"I know he was a jerk," Chloe grabbed my hand. "But you said he apologized, promised a good birthday. He knows he screwed up. Luna, for him, saying sorry's huge."
"You're his sister. Of course you side with him."
"Don't say that. You're my best friend." Chloe thought. "If he's not worth it, I wouldn't push. But... you two need a chance. For him to fix it."
"And," Chloe picked up Cassian's tablet nearby. A message popped. She handed it. "See for yourself."
Auction confirmation. Blue sapphire necklace, simple style, but the cut and color of the main stone—I froze.
Sonia Petrova's necklace.
Sonia, my idol since twelve, wore it for her first Lausanne prize, every big stage after.
It vanished after a charity auction. I'd told Chloe it was my dream item. It takes more than money to snag it.
"This," my voice shook. "Real?"
"As you see," Chloe said soft. "Cassian got it ages ago. For your birthday. He gets you."
I set the tablet down, breathed deep.
No.
Couldn't melt like that. Too easy on him. Last night's blame, all the cold and doubt in our marriage—necklace wouldn't erase it.
"Luna," Chloe squeezed my hand. "No pressure. But if he changes this time, gives you answers on your birthday, would you give him one more?"
I looked up, lost.
Her eyes were pure concern, not lobbying for him. Just tossed the question, waited for my call.
Time dragged.
"Last one," I heard myself say, quiet. "If birthday flops, I'm out."
Chloe smiled. "Good. I promise, last. I want you two good, 'cause I only want you as my sister-in-law."
"Darling, if Cassian doesn't cherish you, I'm on your side. If he disappoints, I'll pack your bags myself and beat him senseless."
I buried my face in her shoulder, nodded.
Last chance.
Cassian, don't fuck it up.