(24
Just like the tie currently wrapped around Zane’s waist. He had already flipped me over multiple times, determined to “explore new territories, until I had no choice but to pull out my last resort.
For the longest time, he had refused to tell me why he had been sulking before.
But tonight–probably because he had just developed a newfound appreciation for this particular tie–he finally gave in.
“Do you
remember…” His voice was low, husky, laced with the remnants of our earlier intimacy: “When you were
ten, you saved a child who had fallen into a mud pit in the countryside?”
The husky timbre of his voice sent a strange jolt of recognition through me
I blinked.
“Yeah… I remember.” Thesitated, “But that was a girl.”
That little girl had been taller than me, half–blind, depressed and constantly talking about dying. I had spent weeks by her side, convincing her to keep going, to fight for her life. And then one day–she was gone.
Her relatives had come to take her to the city for treatment and I had been left alone again. Shortly after that, I lost
my parents. That was when I ended up with the Montclairs
My gaze slowly swept over the face in front of me, one that radiated a sinful, seductive charm. Realization slammed into me like a truck. I hadn’t recognized him. Who would have thought that someone who used to be covered in mud could end up looking this good–and be a guy? I froze, my gaze slowly drifting over Zane’s chiseled,
smirking face.
“No.”
No way. There was no way that little girl–was him.
“You…” I swallowed hard, my voice a whisper of disbelief.
Zane’s smirk deepened, his hands sliding down my waist, pinning me in place.
“Not only did little Liv forget our promise, but big Liv dared to tease me right before we parted ways. And now you have the nerve to sulk and pull the reverse card?”
His grip tightened slightly, his nose brushing against my cheek as he murmured, “And now you want to act like. I’m the unreasonable one? Don’t you think you deserve to be punished for misunderstanding me twice?”
“Wait, wait-“My heart pounded wildly. “You let me call you Zee… I thought you were a girl! You never corrected me, so technically, it’s not my fault!” I retorted.
“And you saw me in person but didn’t say a damn thing! Instead, you put on some tragic little act and made me fall for it! You planned this didn’t you?”
Zane flipped me onto my back in one smooth motion, pinning me beneath him.
“You promised you’d come find me.” His breath was warm against my ear, his tone carrying the weight of years of waiting. “I waited until the stars faded, but you never came.”
His voice turned hoarse. “I was hurt. You need to make it up to me.” You planned this, didn’t you?!”
His lips brushed against my jawline, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. I panicked.
“You’re my savior. And I should repay you generously, don’t you think?”
“No, Zane, don’t do this. There are plenty of ways I can make it up to you.” I raised both hands where he could see them
2:46 AM F
“Have mercy-
“No can do,” he cut in smoothly. “You saved my life. I have to repay you properly”
“There are other ways to repay someone,” I tried weakly
He tsked, shaking his head. “But this is the only one that makes sense.”
I groaned. “That makes absolutely no-”
Before I could finish, he caught my wrist and pinned it above my head, his lips curving into a wicked grin.
“You’re my savior, Liv,” he murmured, lowering his head.
“I have to personally show you just how grateful I am.”
And then, he rolled on top of me.
The stars still shone as brilliantly as ever.
And as for me and the boy from my past–our story was far from over.
Cassian’s POV
On the day of my engagement, I couldn’t find Livia anywhere.
I searched every inch of Rosemere Hall, but she was gone.
A strange, suffocating panic settled in my chest–like something was slipping away from me, something I could.
never get back.
By noon, I had called her at least a dozen times.
Still no answer.
I gritted my teeth, irritation bubbling under my skin. Damn her. I had spoiled her too much. She dared to ignore my calls?
Oh, I’d find her. And once I did, I’d punish her until she couldn’t leave the bed for three days
But not tonight. Tonight, I belonged to Sloane.
The image of Livia sobbing her heart out that night flashed through my mind and my anger wavered slightly
She probably just jealous Of course she was upset.
But she’d come back.
She always did.
I just needed to find her, coax her a little and shower her with affection.
She’d forgive me. She always did
Still… ignoring my calls? That was unacceptable.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Maybe I should have a tracker implanted in her–keep my kitten from straying too far, thinking she could ever escape my grasp
