Page 8 of Session 33

Naomi turned to me, catching my eyes. I paused mid-bite, fork in hand. I guessed I hadn’t participated in the conversation enough for her. I swallowed the pancake before speaking. “Y’all sound like y’all have a lot of fun. I don’t know anything about strip clubs and wild parties.”

“Not as much fun as Cassius. Tell her about how you once got so drunk at a strip club that you ended up blowing ten grand on strippers,” Naomi said, directing it at him, then turning to me. “We had to pull him out. I swear he’s got a sex addiction.”

Cassius’s face turned red. “Naomi, why in the fuck did you tell her that?!” he snapped, his voice tight with anger. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “If I wanted her to hear the story, I’d tell her myself.”

“Why not?” Naomi challenged, crossing her arms. “We’re talking about the fun we had. Did you not have fun that night?” Her voice had an edge to it—mean and cutting.

Cassius glared at her before storming out of the kitchen, the door slamming shut behind him. The room fell silent, the tension thick.

Jonas shook his head at Naomi. “Why did you do that to him, Naomi?” He stood and followed Cassius out.

Naomi turned to me, her expression softening. “I’m sorry about that, Angel. I love Cassius like a brother, but he’s… complicated. He’s been staring a hole in your face since yesterday, and I’ve never seen him act like that around a woman. I just don’t want you getting caught up in something you don’t deserve. He’s not for you. Trust me on that. He’s on demon time.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I understand, Naomi. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I don’t want your friend mad at you because you’re trying to protect me needlessly. I’m not interested in Cassius.”

She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe a single word I’d just said.

What did she want me to do? Swear I didn’t want him? Draft a legally binding agreement? She was partly right though—despite what I said, there was something about Cassius that made me curious, but I knew better than to touch and open flame. Still, there was a little voice in the back of my head, whispering…What’s it like on the other side of caution?

I shook off the thought. I finished eating.

After breakfast, I decided it was time to go home. I said goodbye to Naomi and told her I’d buy her lunch at work on Tuesday. Jonas wasn’t around. Cassius was waiting for me, leaning against a sleek black car when I made my way back outside in my borrowed clothes. His intense gaze locked onto mine, and my heart skipped a beat.

We met at the driver’s side door of my car.

“Leaving so soon?” he asked.

I nodded, trying to appear calm. “Yeah. I need to get ready for my week.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I replied, my curiosity piqued.

“Why did you say I was sad last night?”

I frowned, confusion knotting my brows. "I said that?"

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Yeah, as an excuse for why you wouldn’t kiss me after I asked."

My jaw dropped. "Wait—you asked to kiss me?"

Cassius grinned. Then he licked his lips—thick, soft-looking lips. "I did. And you said I looked sad."

I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around this revelation. "I must’ve been really drunk. Normally, I’d tell you no because, honestly, I don’t know where your mouth has been."

He burst out laughing, the deep rumble of it making my clit flutter against my will. The tension eased, just a little, as he replied, "Fair enough."

We stood there, the moment stretching between us, I broke it, "Look, Cassius, your interest in me is… flattering. But Naomi’s right. I’m not looking for any drama."

His grin turned hard, his ice-blue eyes darkening, like he’d heard me but decided to ignore it. "You sure? You look like you could use some excitement." His gaze dropped, lingering on my lips just a beat too long, and I felt a shiver race up my spine.

I tried to laugh it off, keeping things light even though he had this way of making me feel completely exposed. "I’d ask you to elaborate, but I’m afraid of where that would lead. So…" I slid past him, keeping a safe distance as I opened my car door. "Have a good day, Cassius. It was… nice meeting you."

But, of course, Cassius wasn’t done. Before I could pull out of the driveway, he was at my window, tapping lightly on the glass. Reluctantly, I rolled it down, curious despite myself.

“We should be friends," he said, his voice smooth as Marvin Gayes. But the way he said "friends"—slow, and laced with heat—had my heart tripping over itself.

I tilted my head, studying him, trying to figure out what angle he was working. "Friends, huh? We’ll see, Cassius."