Chapter Forty-Five #2
“Cassia!” Rexton cups my face, his fingers brushing over my cheeks.
I don’t care what he thinks of my actions as I lean in, burying my face into his flesh. He smells like himself and me. Nothing more. If I smelled even the slightest hint of her on him, I would kill him, too.
Rexton guides my face toward his, urging me to look him in the eyes.
“What’s going on?” he asks. He tucks my hair behind my ears, trying to settle me. It’s worked before, but not this time. “Cassia?”
“Why is she here?”
I’d attempt to kill her again if I didn’t already know Rexton would stop me. He’s proven that he can physically limit my ability to teleport. I’ve never hated Rexton’s strength more than I do now.
I’ve caught myself finding it attractive lately, but not anymore. It’s nothing but a nuisance at this moment.
I crane my neck, peering at the woman. She looks rightfully terrified, and she’s staring at the ground, refusing to make eye contact. I don’t think she realizes just how close to death she is. If it weren’t for Rexton, she’d be nothing more than a carcass on the ground.
“Why are you here?” I hiss.
I don’t care to hear Rexton’s excuses. He’s nothing more than a filthy liar.
“I didn’t—” Her voice cracks. She clears her throat. “I’m sorry. I should go.”
She’s gone a heartbeat later, vanishing into thin air like the coward she is. I wish she’d fight me. I should hunt her down. I should torture her. I should make her eat her own fucking flesh.
“Hey,” Rexton says. “Calm, Cassia. Calm. What’s going on?”
I smack his hands. “I am not a horse!”
“I don’t think you are.”
“Then stop fucking talking to me like I’m one.”
Rexton doesn’t respond, probably because he knows what’s good for him. He sucks in a deep breath instead, and my anger only grows when his frustration hits me through the bond. How dare he be frustrated with me? I have done absolutely nothing wrong.
Rexton takes several seconds to collect himself.
“Is this how you wish things to be?” he eventually asks. “I can’t have professional interactions with women? That isn’t—”
I cut him off. “Professional interaction? Is that what you call that?”
I gesture wildly toward where the woman was standing just a minute ago.
Rexton nods. “Yes. It’s exactly what I would call that.”
Liar. He’s a liar.
I force out a laugh. “And I’m sure when she’s riding your cock, you’ll also call it—”
It’s Rexton’s turn to interrupt. “What are you talking about?”
I jab a thumb into my chest. “I’m not an idiot, Rexton. Do not treat me like one.”
Rexton steps back, running his hands down his face. He’s overwhelmed with me, which is humorous, considering I’m the one who just walked in on him preparing to cheat on me.
The bite on my neck has yet to heal, and already, he’s seeking the company of another woman. I should have known better. I’ve heard the stories. I know all about Rexton’s past. He can pretend to be a good man all he wants, but I know the truth. He’s a whore.
I only wish I’d seen it before I bit him, before I permanently tied our lives together.
“You were going to fuck her!” I accuse him.
Rexton physically recoils. “I most definitely was not.”
“Yes, you were.”
“No. I was not.” Rexton leans against his desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “She works for Lust’s treasury, and I was hoping to get a tentative agreement in place should things with Prince Nolic escalate. We’ll need resources, and I was gauging her interest in providing financial aid.”
The painful sensation in my gut loosens, and I let out a quiet breath. “Why?”
“Because despite the family ties, Wrath and Lust operate as two separate kingdoms. I can’t ignore the formal processes and go straight to your brother for money,” he states.
I suck my cheeks into my mouth. Rexton continues.
“My job requires that I meet with people, men and women. I can’t change that, Cassia. ”
“I don’t care that you meet with women,” I say. I’m crazy, but not that crazy. I meet with men all the time. It’s part of the job. “But she…” I swallow past the lump in my throat. I don’t think he knows who she is. “She fucked Wren.”
Rexton chews at his bottom lip, his eyebrows pulled together. He looks confused and mildly angry. It’s an interesting combination.
“Who is Wren?” he finally asks.
He doesn’t know who Wren is? Everybody knows who Wren is. Our breakup was a massive scandal, especially when people found out it was caused by me walking in on him balls deep inside another woman.
Has Rexton done any research on me? I sure looked into him, and I assumed he did the same to me. Why wouldn’t he? Was he not interested enough to look into my past? He should’ve been. I was his number-one threat. I still am.
“Wren is—” I don’t know how to describe him. I don’t enjoy thinking about him, much less discussing him. “We dated several years ago. He cheated on me with that woman. I walked in on it.”
“And you thought…” Rexton shakes his head. “In what world do you think I would cheat on you, Cassia?” I shrug. Rexton continues. “We’re mated, and I know we haven’t been together for very long, but that means something to me. You mean something to me.”
I huff. “Until I no longer serve you.”
Rexton’s voice grows quiet. “What do you mean by that?”
“Until I no longer serve you,” I repeat.
“Until you’ve gotten what you want from me and decide I’m no longer worth the hassle.
It’s only a matter of time before you realize I have nothing more to offer.
” I turn, pacing the length of the room.
I’ve never admitted this out loud, but it’s true.
“I am a deeply flawed individual. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
My title is all I have to offer, and I’ve already given it to you. ”
Rexton stares at me with a slack jaw, almost like he’s genuinely surprised by what I’m saying. I don’t understand why. I’ve said nothing more than the objective truth. Everybody knows it.
I’ve heard the whispers—the rumors. I know what the people of Wrath think of me. They think I’m spoiled. They don’t think I’ll make a strong leader. They hate me.
Rexton closes the distance between us, moving slowly as if I were a wild animal at risk of running. Or biting. If I’m honest with myself, both are a very realistic possibility.
I force myself to remain still as he enters my personal space.
His body heat is warm, and I’m unsure if I’m still angry.
The remnants are there, but Rexton seems genuine in his shock.
Maybe he wasn’t going to cheat on me. I did some light research into the woman after catching her and Wren, and she worked with finances.
She was relatively junior in her role at the time, but that was several years ago.
I suppose it’s possible she reached a higher position, one that would require her to meet with Rexton. That would mean she’s good at her job, and intelligent. I hate to think that she could be either of those things.
Rexton’s fingers graze against the back of my hand, and the office around us vanishes. He brings us to my apartment. I assume it’s for privacy.
He walks backward and sits on my couch, pulling me onto his lap. I remain stiff as he angles his mouth against mine. The kiss is slow, cautious, even. I like it more than I’d care to admit, and it doesn’t take me long to relax into his lap.
Rexton’s lips curl as it happens. He probably thinks of himself as the Cassia whisperer, but this is entirely my choice.
“You are so much more than your title, Cassia,” he whispers, his hands trailing up my back. “I don’t care that you’re the future Queen of Wrath, nor do I care about the title our bond gives me. That’s not what I see when I look at you.”
My heart flutters. “What do you see, then?” I ask. I want his compliments.
Rexton’s smile grows. “I see an intelligent woman. I see a woman who tackles problems head-on and isn’t afraid of hard work. You’re strong. Resilient. Passionate.” He chuckles. “Would you like me to list all the adjectives?”
“Yes.”
Rexton raises a brow, but he humors me. “You’re adventurous, authentic, beautiful, creative, intuitive…” He trails off before continuing. “You’re not very kind, but I can work with that.”
Despite myself, I laugh.
Rexton slips his thumbs underneath my shirt, rubbing against my lower back. “I don’t think you’re a perfect person, Cassia, and I don’t think you’re without faults. You have them, but they don’t diminish your worth. They’re a part of you, just like mine are a part of me.”
I scoff. “You don’t have faults.”
“I do, and you’ll come to learn them.”
“Tell me what they are.”
Rexton hums. “I tend to lose track of time, and I’ve been told I have a poor sense of direction.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Tell me the real ones.”
There’s a long pause as Rexton thinks. Maybe asking him to tell me his faults is considered impolite, but I want to hear them. Rexton’s sure gotten up close and personal with mine.
“You’ll find I have issues with attachment,” Rexton quietly admits. “I’ve never been in a long-term relationship. The thought of letting somebody in has always made me uncomfortable. I’m trying to be open with you, but I’ll admit it’s hard.”
I suppose I knew that. I’ve learned all about Rexton’s past relationships, and none have been long-term.
He’s slept around a fair bit, but that’s about it.
Princess Amelia would’ve been his longest relationship, and it was fake.
I suppose some would still consider them married, but I don’t recognize it. Most within Wrath don’t.
“Are you going to run away from me?” I ask.
Rexton shakes his head. “It’s not to that extent, but I can’t guarantee there won’t be times when I feel overwhelmed and pull away.”
“I can handle that.” I’ll chase him down and drag him back. He won’t be gone for long.
Rexton grimaces. “You’ll also find that I don’t do well with rejection. I like to feel wanted, and my thoughts spiral when I’m turned down. I tend to isolate myself.”
Shame trickles down our bond. It’s Rexton’s.
I lean closer, nudging my face into the crook of his neck. I’ve done a lot of biting these past few days. I should probably give him time to heal. Rexton angles his head back, though, giving me access to his throat.
“Do you want me to bite you?” I ask.
He grunts. “Yes.”
Happy to. He winces as I sink my teeth into his flesh, my possessive actions no doubt painful. I’ll continue doing it until Rexton asks me to stop. I enjoy biting him, enjoy ripping open his flesh and tasting him. He’s mine. I’m the only person who will ever touch him like this.
I work a hand between us, placing it against his chest.
“I want you,” I say. I trail my fingers down his torso. “Fully.”
Rexton chews at his bottom lip, his eyes darting around, before he leans forward and pulls off his shirt. I wasn’t going to ask him to do that. I know it makes him uncomfortable.
I like that he is, though. I like that he trusts me to see him shirtless.
His throat bobs as I admire his chest, imprinting every inch of him into memory. I want to remember every detail of the first time we were together, and I make no attempts to hide my heavy satisfaction as I strip off my shirt, letting it and my bra drop to the ground.
“How’s it feel?” I ask.
I ghost my fingers over his wound, careful not to apply pressure. It looks good, but that can be misleading. My chest was tender for several days after the skin appeared to be healed. You couldn’t see the wound, but I could sure fucking feel it.
“It’s fine.” Rexton shrugs. “I hardly notice it.”
“You’re lying.”
“Yes,” he says. “And I’m hoping my lies will quicken the rate at which you’re naked for me.”
At least he’s honest about it. I shuffle off his lap and remove the rest of my clothing. Rexton takes this time to do the same, his muscular limbs surprisingly agile as he strips himself bare.
He’s already hard, and he curls a loose hand around himself as he sits back down, waiting for me to return to his lap. I smack his hand away as I settle on his thighs, wanting an unobstructed view.
“Haven’t you done enough inspection?” he asks.
“Never.”
I curl a hand around him. Rexton gasps, his hips jerking.
I love the feel of him, love his thickness and warmth. I’m excited to have him inside me, to finally feel him. He’s excited, too. His arousal is pouring through our bond, and it pulsates as he leans forward and takes my nipple into his mouth.
He’s eager to be inside me.
Rexton moans and pulls back, his teeth lightly scraping the sensitive skin of my breast. He’s twitching in my hand, probably so excited for me to sink down on him. I wonder if I can make him beg. Not today, but someday.
I lift, letting the head of his cock drag against my slit.
“Wait.” Rexton places his hand over mine, stopping me. “Do you… Should we use protection?”
Oh. The topic of children isn’t something we’ve ever discussed, but I suppose it’s important. It’s probably something we should’ve aligned on before bonding. What if we don’t agree? Rexton has hinted before that he doesn’t care much for children.
Does that mean he doesn’t ever want them?
“I don’t know how I feel about children,” I admit. “I have too many things to achieve before considering motherhood. I suppose I’m not against it. It might be fun to have a few kids someday, but I can’t give you a definite answer right now.”
Rexton squeezes my hand. “We’re going to spend thousands of years together, Cassia. I’m not expecting you to decide today, or even in this century. Some people want to start immediately after bonding, and I just want to know your expectations for today.”
“I’m on birth control,” I say. “And if I got pregnant today, I would be distraught.”
I stare Rexton down, trying to read his expression, before giving up and searching him through the bond. There’s not much there to read into. He isn’t upset. He isn’t excited. He feels neutral on the matter, which I suppose is what I’m hoping for.
“Do you ever want children?” I ask.
Rexton nods. “I would, but it isn’t something I’m thinking about any time soon.”
Good. Good. I readjust my grip on his cock, then stroke him back into full hardness. It doesn’t take long, and I drop my forehead against his as I finally line him up with my entrance. I’m glad we have that settled.
“I’m excited,” I admit.
Rexton beams up at me. “Me too.”