“Were you afraid?” he asked.
He had removed all but one boundary. Cassandra was both vulnerable enough and sure enough to fall on honesty in response to his question.
“Yes.”
He reached for her hand.
“And are you afraid now?”
His hold tightened around her palm. She was feeling so many things. Gratitude at his return, curiosity at where he had gone and what he had done, worry for Iris, and the slight draft trickling through the window.
But she wasn’t afraid.
Cassandra moved as close to him as she could and touched his face.
“No, Oliver.”
He had to believe her, and she waited for him to voice his trust in her. Oliver didn’t make a sound as he led her from the foot of the bed to the master bath.
Oliver removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He ran the water and tested the temperature against his arm. When he seemed to find it acceptable, the bath began to fill. Cassandra was suddenly desperate for the feel of the warmth against her battered flesh.
He doused the water with oils and soap. The scent of lavender filled the room, and Oliver extended his hand.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She quickly took his hand as he guided her into the water.
Cassandra moaned as the water encircled her body. She sank deeper and craned her neck back as she closed her eyes. The next thing she felt was a loofah sponge slipping against her shoulders. Cassandra opened her eyes and saw Oliver carefully stroking her. She sat up, and he ran the sponge across her back in slow, smooth circles. He was beyond gentle as the sponge left her back and caressed her breasts. She wanted to thank him for his care, but she was too tired and too happy to speak. He was back, and he was kind. Could he just forget what she had done? Did he finally understand?
“Feel good?” he asked.
She nodded with a smile.
“That’s all I want.”
At that moment, Cassandra only wanted him.
She reached up and held his face in her hands. They were locked in each other’s eyes. Oliver was focused on nothing but her, and Cassandra pressed her lips to his cheek.
And Oliver sighed.
“How does that feel?” she whispered.
Oliver lowered her back into the tub as he ran a wet hand through her hair.
“Like home.”
Cassandra smiled as he loosened his tie. He continued to wipe away the morning, and she closed her eyes again. She had his touch, and she found his hand under the water. Cassandra held it fast.
“Oliver?”
He murmured yes as he returned to her eyes and kissed her damp hair.
“I’m… I am sorry.”
“I know.”
“I had to go—”
“To help you friend. I know. It was… brave.”
He finally understood.
“And a risk.”
That was also true. But would he have done any less?
His hand moved between her thighs. She remembered their night at his penthouse and expected him to finger her again. But he simply stroked her quivering part and kissed her brow.
“What else did you feel?”
Her eyes went wide.
“Feel? When?”
“When this happened.”
He touched her black eye and kissed it before she could answer. When his lips left her face, she started to speak.
“I… felt… lonely.”
It was something he could understand.
“Why?”
“Because I missed you.”
She had handled it. She could and would do it again if Iris or anyone she loved needed her in their corner. But it would have been better to have him near.
Oliver didn’t need to hear anything else.
He lifted her from the tub and gently dried her with the towel hanging from the back of the door. He wrapped her in one of the robes from her shopping spree and carried her back to the bed. Oliver laid her out and pressed her closer to him.
“I know. I missed you when you were gone.”
“If I’d known you were coming back—”
“You still would have gone. Because she’s your friend. She’s… she’s lucky to know you.”
His kiss was soft against her lips.
“I can understand that.”
She wanted him. But she didn’t want to feel him inside her. She wanted him like this. When he held her, she felt no fear. His arms were more than she could ever ask for. Cassandra pressed her body closer and tried to forget someone who would see her and only want to cause harm. That wasn’t Oliver. He wanted her warm. He soothed her until she felt that she could sleep.
He wanted her safe.
Cassandra lifted her eyes to his and starred at him in the moonlight passing through the window.
“Thank you. I… had to do it.”
Oliver sighed against her throat.
“I just don’t want you hurt. And if it happens again, you call me. I’ll take care of it.”
She wondered if he already had.
“Where did you go? Did you… did you see him?”
She waited for the nod that didn’t come.
“He won’t bother you or your friend ever again.”
And she believed him.”
“Cassie… just stay here. Stay safe.”
For the first time it didn’t feel like an ultimatum. It felt like Oliver loving her. The words didn’t matter. His eyes were telling her that he’d rather die than see her harmed in any way. She didn’t need—
“I… Cassie. I just don’t want anything to ever happen to you.”
He touched her black eye again. For a second, he made all the sense in the world. With him, in his house, she was out of harm’s way. It was perfect. A perfect prison, but so carefully constructed that she might be able to stay.
“So you see now? Do you see why it’s better here?”
She settled against him and started to surrender to sleep.
She would stay.
For the length of the contract.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cassandra woke to find Oliver staring down at her. He smiled when she opened her eyes.
“Morning.”
She pressed her palm against his chest.
“Did you sleep?”
He shook his head.
“No. No, not really.”
She brushed her fingers across his cheek.
“That’s no good.”
Oliver lowered his face to hers.
“It’s fine. I saw you sleep. It was just what I needed.”
He was wrapping everything up in her. It was flattering. Cassandra had already decided to honor the terms of their agreement. Could she just stay beyond that? He had promised that he would take care of her against any threat.
She was tempted to the point where she kissed him full on the mouth and tried to will it to be normal.
Oliver reached under her robe and stroked her sides. Yesterday’s bruises were now stinging to the point where she couldn’t stop herself from biting her lip at the feel of his touch.
“Cassie?”
She breathed deep as she started to sit up. Oliver followed her every move and massaged her shoulders.
“I’m okay. Just… sore.”
His hands continued to move against the fabric of the robe.
“We’ll have to see that it doesn’t happen again. And it won’t. Right?”
She had no desire to seek out Adam again. Maybe it was better to simply stay. She pondered the possibility as a knock sounded against the door. Cassandra flinched at the sound, and Oliver kissed her head as he started for the door.
“Oliver?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
He would and he could. Now Cassandra felt afraid and wanted him back at her side.
Oliver opened the door and revealed Faye in clothes that she had obviously slept in. There was no question as to why he kept her so close.
&nb
sp; “Yes?” Oliver asked.
Faye looked over his shoulder and saw Cassandra clutching the robe closer to her body.
“The friend is up. She’s asking for her.”
Cassandra moved to her feet and started out the door. Oliver grasped her arm as she neared Faye.
“You okay?”
She quickly nodded.
“Where is she?” Cassandra asked Faye.
“Almost out the door.”
“What? Why?”
“You ask her.”
Cassandra looked to Oliver for the briefest of seconds before she headed down the steps.
Iris was on her feet, fidgeting every which way. When she saw Cassandra, she rushed towards her and flung her arms around her friend.
“Cass! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Iris, what are you--?”
“Good. That’s good. Cass, I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t—”
“It was a bad call. I know, I know. And it’s over.”
Cassandra wanted to believe her. But recent events told her that once caught it in a trap, it was easier said than done to simply walk away.
“Iris, calm down. You should just stay here—”
“You’re too good to me. But, Cass, I need to get back to my place and get my stuff. Put some… some space between me and him. And then I’ll… I’ll…”
Her plan was half-formed at best. Cassandra tried to lead her from the door back to great room, but Iris shrugged her off.
“I need to go. And—”
Oliver intervened and stilled Iris with a finger to her lips.
“Jeff can get whatever you need.”
“He… he can?”
Oliver signaled for Faye to fetch him, and she was off. Iris sat on the foot of the steps with her head in her hands.
“I can’t believe this happened. Cass, how could I be so stupid?”
Because Adam had charmed her and promised her something she hadn’t had and before Iris knew it, she was in too deep?
Cassandra had to keep her own wits about her. She wrapped her arm around Iris’ shoulders.
“We all make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself—”
Bad choice of words. She rubbed Iris’ arms.
“Everything is going to be okay now. I promise.”
She felt Iris relax as Faye reappeared with Jeff. Oliver gave him his instructions. Jeff was almost out the door as Iris leapt to her feet.
“Wait! I’m coming with you.”
Jeff looked to Oliver, wanting to know his next move.
“Iris. Right? I already explained that Jeff—”
“I want to get my stuff. Am I not able to do that? Am I under house arrest or something?”
Iris had no idea how close she was dancing to the truth. It seemed that Oliver’s desire to keep everyone safe was extending to Iris.
In the wake of her recent disaster, Cassandra knew that Iris would not be caged again.
“Am I?”
Oliver shook his head.
“Good. Cass? Will you come with me? Please?”
She should. She should be a friend and see Iris to wherever she thought she needed to go. But it wasn’t allowed.
This was the moment where she would try to make Iris understand.
She rose slowly and took Iris’ hands.
“I can’t go with you.”
Iris waited for the punch line. It wasn’t coming. A part of Cassandra wanted to see her friend to the ends of the earth if that’s what she needed. But Oliver also deserved the loyalty bought and paid for.
And she wasn’t about to break the rules again.
“Iris, I have to stay.”
“You… why?”
She focused on her friend.
“Because I agreed to it. Because it’s what Oliver wants. Needs.”
She looked to him again. He seemed to relax as she gave the promise voice. He didn’t need to know that she wasn’t sure of staying forever just yet.
But she was staying for now.
Iris stared hard at Cassandra then left her eyes for Oliver’s. Iris had been broken to the point where she barely trusted anyone. And now Oliver was in her line of fire.
“What’s the deal here?”
Cassandra hoped he would explain the history behind his actions. Iris would understand if he was frank. But he folded his arms across his chest as he looked down at her.
“She’s staying. It’s what’s best. She was fine until you stumbled along. I never hurt her.”
Wrong words, Oliver.
Iris looked from him to Cassandra and even tossed Faye into the mix.
“What’s going on?”
Faye threw her hands up. She had never been on board with this. Iris looked back to Cassandra.
“I… I have to stay here. It’s… it’s what Oliver wants.”
And it wasn’t dirty. Right? He’d done nothing but shower her with care, save for the moments after she had broken the rules. Iris was wise to seek her out. Oliver had resources in service of safety. He’d extend them to Iris. He’d do it for her. But Cassandra had to stay until the deal was honored.
Iris swiftly returned to her true self, Adam vanishing into a bad memory.
“Have to… what do you mean? Cass! Let’s just go. He doesn’t own you.”
But in so many ways, he did.
“Cass, you can come with me. I need you—”
Oliver stepped between them.
“And I need her. I need her here. Jeff will take care of you.”
Cassandra felt his strong arm around her shoulders.
“But she stays with me.”
It was not what Iris needed to hear.
“Cass is my friend. She’s known me like forever. I—”
“You put her in harm’s way. I think she’s better off with—”
“Who do you think you are?”
Oliver moved closer. Cassandra knew he wouldn’t strike Iris. At least not with his hand.
“I’m the guy who gave you a roof and a bed. You want to run? Fine. You should. But Cassie stays safe. She stays with me.”
Iris looked away from Oliver. Cassandra couldn’t move under his hold and her eyes.
“Cass?”
Cassandra had to speak.
“Go. I… I made a promise. I… I have to stay.”
Iris seemed ready to list the specifics of her argument. But she stopped as Cassandra turned her head to Oliver’s poised shoulder. She looked to Faye and wiped a tear from her cheek.
“You down with this?”
Faye slowly shook her head.
“No. But it’s not my call.”
Iris turned her eyes back to Cassandra. It was a trap. Maybe not of the Adam variety. But it was hers. And she would see it threw to its natural conclusion.
“Cass?”
Cassandra moved closer to Oliver.
“I’m staying.”
She wanted to add for now. But that would only hurt Oliver and stir Iris’ pot.
Cassandra was far too tired for all of it.
Iris swung her bag over her shoulder. She brushed Cassandra off with a final glance and faced Jeff.
“You can get me out?”
He nodded. Iris didn’t look back as she followed Jeff out of the house. Faye made her move to see them off.
And they were alone again.
Oliver held Cassandra where she stood and kissed her neck.
“She’ll be okay. Jeff is on it.”
But what if Iris was right? Was Cassandra making an equally idiotic choice? Oliver was essentially holding her captive. And she liked it. Couldn’t bear to leave hm. But was he really any better than Adam? It was still confinement. And Cassandra had to make him understand that.
“Oliver.”
She took his hands in hers.
“I’ll stay. I’ll stay until we’ve settled… this.”
She saw him chew the inside of his cheek at her threat.
“But that’s it. Then I’ve made good on my pa
rt of the deal.”
Oliver started to turn away. Cassandra pressed him back to her.
“But if… if you could just believe me. I promise. I’ll stay.”
Let him believe that. She wasn’t going away. He only had to grant her a stretch of freedom, and she’d be his. Forever.
Oliver moved from her side and lingered in the archway to the great room. Cassandra waited for his words.
“No. I’ve tried that.”
So she wasn’t the first?
“You’ve—”
“Cassie, there was someone else. And she said the same things. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’ll come back.”
Cassandra was already envisioning this mystery woman chopped up and mangled, another horrid picture to fuel Oliver’s twisted notion of cohabitation.
She took a step towards him.
“What happened?”
He sighed.
“She left.”
For a second she was too relieved that the woman was alive to respond. But her mind quickly turned back to this moment. The woman, whoever she was, obviously hadn’t cared enough to help him move past his demons.
That wasn’t Cassandra.
“Oliver, I’m telling you I won’t.”
He touched her hair.
“Well if yesterday is any indication,” he teased.
“I—”
“Maybe you wouldn’t.”
Good. He was coming around to reason, and—
He suddenly pulled her close and held her tighter than he ever had.
“But I… I couldn’t bear it. I have to know where you are. I’ll go crazy if I don’t. Believe me.”
Cassandra pulled away from him. His eyes reached a point of intensity that scared and saddened her. He had been alone for so long that he didn’t know how to live like a lover. So he opted for the role of a benevolent captor. And Cassandra was tempted.
But it wasn’t enough.
“Look—”
“Yes?”
She saw him desperate for the answer he wanted most.
“I’ll stay—”
He pressed her body to his again.
“Thank you.”
“No.”
She moved away from him and stared out the window. Jeff pulled away from the house with Iris at his side. Faye walked down the drive. She knew enough to give them their space.
Cassandra silently thanked her for the slight distance.
“Cassie?”
She turned back to him. His confusion was only matched by his distress. Cassandra couldn’t keep him clinging to something that would never come to pass.
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