Chapter 17 Restrictions
The bartender set another glass of the same cocktail in front of them, the amber liquid catching the light in a slow, golden shimmer.
Cassian didn’t even wait for the glass to settle properly before his fingers closed around it.
He brought it to his lips and took a long, unhurried sip, finishing it in a few swallows.
When he placed the empty glass back down, the soft clink against the counter barely registered—his attention had already returned to Juliet.
His hand slid around her waist almost absentmindedly, pulling her closer in a way that felt instinctive. His thumb rested there for a moment, a steady pressure that kept her from drifting even an inch away, while his gaze moved past her toward the food counter.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked, voice low and easy, already half distracted by the spread ahead. He tilted his chin slightly toward a meat dish laid out nearby, the aroma drifting faintly through the air. “How about that?”
Juliet followed his gaze despite herself.
For a brief second, something unguarded slipped through her expression—an honest flicker of hunger that softened her eyes and parted her lips almost imperceptibly.
It was gone just as quickly. She turned her head away, as though refusing even the thought, and forced her voice into something steadier than she felt.
“No… I don’t want that. I’m trying to lose weight.”
But her body betrayed her before the words even finished settling.
Her feet kept moving with him as they approached the counter, her steps light but inconsistent, like she wasn’t fully in control of the direction she was going.
Her gaze kept straying back to the food, lingering a little too long each time, then snapping away with visible effort—as if she had to physically tear herself from it.
Cassian noticed everything.
The shift in his expression was subtle. The teasing ease faded into something quieter, as he watched her pretend not to want what her body clearly did. Without a word, he picked up a plate from the counter, then a fork. He scooped a small portion, lifting it until it hovered right in front of her.
“You don’t need to punish yourself,” he said, voice lower now, stripped of amusement. “You don’t have to fix your body overnight.”
Juliet turned her face away on instinct. But her eyes betrayed her again, drifting back despite her efforts, locked onto the bite he was holding like it had a gravity of its own.
“I need to lose weight,” she whispered, tighter this time, almost defensive. “I can’t… I can’t keep eating like this.”
Yet she didn’t move away. Her gaze stayed fixed on the food, caught in that fragile space between restraint and wanting, her breath slightly uneven as if even resisting it took effort.
Cassian stepped closer. His hand at her waist tightened just slightly, anchoring her in place before she could retreat even a fraction.
“Open your mouth,” he said.
Before she could say anything, he lifted the food to her lips.
Juliet blinked in surprise but obediently opened her mouth. As she took the bite, his other hand settled on her waist, rubbing slow circles through the fabric of her dress. His gaze traveled over her body before dropping lower, and a teasing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“They also need weight here,” he said casually, gesturing toward her chest.
Her eyes widened instantly.
“You have to keep them heavy.” His fingers gave her waist a light squeeze. “My girlfriend will eat whatever I want her to eat.”
Heat rushed to her face.
By now, she had realized he didn't care who was standing around them or who might overhear. If something crossed his mind, he said it without hesitation, and every single time, it left her feeling flustered.
The moment she chewed the bite, her eyes drifted shut.
The rich flavor melted on her tongue, and for a second, she forgot everything else around her.
“Oh my God,” she breathed.
Her eyes flew open, and she immediately reached for another bite. One bite turned into another, then another, until the entire plate was gone. Without wasting a second, she moved to the next counter and picked up another dish.
“This is so good,” she said around a mouthful of food.
Cassian watched with amusement as she continued eating.
“I think this is the best food I've ever had. It's so tasty.”
She kept talking while sampling dish after dish, unable to stop herself. By the time she finally set down the last plate, her stomach was completely full.
Letting out a content sigh, she looked up at him and patted her stomach.
“I think this is the fullest I've felt in years.”
The bright smile on her face made it obvious how happy she was. She looked like someone who hadn't enjoyed a proper meal in a very long time.
Taking a step closer, she slipped into his arms and wrapped her hands around his waist. She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder before letting out another satisfied sigh.
“I am so full I can hardly breathe,” she mumbled. “This was so good.”
The happiness on Cassian's face was obvious as he looked down at her. One arm slid around her shoulders, pulling her closer against him.
Resting her chin against his chest, Juliet tilted her head back and looked up at him.
“I want to ask you for something,” she said softly.
One of his eyebrows rose.
“What do you want to ask?”
Juliet hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage.
“I want to be able to go in and out of your house whenever I want. I don't want restrictions anymore. It's difficult when you keep me locked up and don't let me go out.”
She looked at him expectantly, her eyes full of hope.
The moment the words left her mouth, his expression changed.
The smile disappeared.
His jaw tightened.
Something dark flashed through his eyes.
‘So that's why she's been acting clingy with me,’ he thought. ‘Just because she wants something. Just because she wants the freedom to meet Vincent whenever she wants.’
The thought instantly soured his mood.
“No.”
The answer came without hesitation.
Juliet's brows drew together.
“Why not? I want to go out whenever I want. I promise I won't do anything stupid anymore.”
“I already told you.” His voice was calm but firm. “You can stay in my house and do whatever you want there. If you need something, tell the maids and they'll get it for you. If you want to go somewhere, ask me and I'll arrange it.”
His gaze locked onto hers.
“But you're not going out on your own.”
Anger flashed across her face.
“Come on. Don't do this to me.” She pulled back slightly and looked up at him in frustration. “I told you I won't take advantage of your trust. I'm trying to be honest with you. You have to let me go in and out of the house.”
Before she could even finish speaking, he snapped.
"What did I just say?"
His hand tightened around her waist, the grip firm enough to make her pause. He stared straight into her eyes, his expression hard.
"You're not going out on your own. There is no point asking me again. I'm telling you no."
The firmness in his voice instantly made her temper rise.
"You're really going to do this to me?" she demanded, pushing his hand off her waist before taking a step back. Frustration was written all over her face as she folded her arms across her chest. "I'm asking you nicely. The least you could do is listen when I ask nicely. Don't make me angry."
She turned her head away with a huff, refusing to look at him.
Cassian slipped one hand into his pocket and watched her for a moment before answering. "You can think whatever you want, but you're not stepping out of my house without telling me first."
His expression didn't change. There wasn't even the slightest sign that he was reconsidering, and that only made her more irritated. Letting out an exaggerated sigh, she shook her head in frustration before suddenly stepping forward.
Before he could react, she reached up and grabbed his face with both hands. Cassian stiffened slightly as she rose onto her toes and pressed a kiss against his lips.
"Please, Cassian," she whispered.
When she pulled back, she looked at him with hopeful eyes before kissing him again.
"Come on. I'm begging you. Please."
Another kiss followed. Then another.
Every time she pulled away, she searched his face for a reaction before pressing another quick kiss to his mouth.
"Please?"
Another kiss.
"Please?"
Another kiss.
By the time she finally stopped, she was almost breathless from her own persistence.
Cassian closed his eyes briefly and released a long sigh. Looking down at her hopeful face, he rubbed a hand over his jaw as though fighting with himself before finally giving in.
"All right. Fine."
Her eyes widened instantly.
"You can go out."
The moment the words left his mouth, her entire face lit up. Excitement flooded her expression as she threw her arms around his neck.
"Really?"
She hugged him tightly before kissing him again.
"Thank you. Thank you. You're so nice."
The happiness in her voice was impossible to miss. She kissed him several more times before finally pulling away, practically glowing with excitement.
"I'm going to get another drink," she announced happily.
Without noticing the subtle change in his expression, she turned and headed toward the bar.
Cassian remained where he was, his eyes following her as she walked away. The smile that had briefly appeared on his face slowly faded, and his jaw tightened.
‘So I was right,’ the thought settled heavily in his chest. ‘She only comes to me when she wants something. Only when it's about Vincent.’
The more he thought about it, the heavier the feeling became. He stood there staring in her direction, but his mind was no longer in the room.
Meanwhile, Juliet reached the counter and ordered another cocktail. After a moment, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him.
"Cassian, come here."
When he didn't respond, her smile faltered slightly.
"Cassian?"
He was looking at her, but there was something distant in his gaze, as though he wasn't really seeing her at all.