“And I promise when you’re an ass that I’ll never forget what you told me about the sun.”
“You are the sun.”
Lost for words, knowing the profoundness of his meaning, too overwhelmed with how far we’d come, I continued on, retracing his length with a gentle touch. Yearning for the peace we both wanted.
Finally, as I continued, he shuddered against me, one hand over his eyes, covering his face as he came, a blissful expression as I seduced his release from him.
“Anya,” he cried out.
I had ravished Cassius.
Showering him with affection endlessly, taming his inner demons, or at least doing everything I could to try, soothing the part of him that had once been hurt beyond repair—but now showed promise of healing.
His head crashed onto the grass, and he stared up at the stars, pointing at them. “Orion’s Belt.”
“It’s shining over your home,” I said wistfully.
Starting again with kisses, tenderly trailing my affection on his neck, I continued to ravish him. This was the way to show how much I loved him—even if saying it would never happen. The only way to have him see all the possibilities of what we could become.
Anya
Waking up snuggled against Cassius’s warm body in his bed felt like I’d slipped into heaven unseen, wanting to stay here like this just watching him sleep.
Dawn was breaking, and although there was so much to learn about Cassius, one thing I’d gotten to see was that first thing in the morning, he loved waking up to fresh coffee. This was how I wanted to spend my days with him, making him happy and nurturing him in all the ways he might have lost out on having a family over the years.
I crept out from underneath the blankets, trying to be as quiet as I could, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.
“Where are you going?” His voice was rough and husky with sleep.
I turned back and looked at his sleepy form with his eyes barely open, and a part of me wanted to climb back in and let him have his way with me all over again. Like last night, when we’d moved from the maze to his bedroom, with him carrying me in his arms like he was saving me all over again.
“We’re sleeping in until noon,” he murmured.
However, as tempting as it was, I whispered, “I’ll be right back. Don’t get up.”
After a brief visit to the bathroom to pee and freshen up, I threw on a pair of leggings and a T-shirt, and once my socks and sneakers were on, I headed downstairs.
As usual, no one was here. It was as if Cassius told them that if I was walking around the house, they needed to be scarce.
Within a minute, I’d brought out the coffee and began my search for the filters, going from cupboard to cupboard and then drawer to drawer.
I paused sharply when I saw a metal key tucked in the corner of one of them. The kind that was the right size for a padlock. There was only one place here that had one of those that I knew of. I reached for it, the need for answers was too strong to ignore. I mean, what would be the harm? He wouldn’t need to know I’d slipped out of the house with this.
As soon as I got back, I’d set the coffee maker to begin, happy with the thought Cassius would wake to the scent drifting through the house. But not yet. I wanted him to sleep in for a while first.
Over the last month, I’d spent a great deal of time exploring the property, including the wonderous maze. But there were places I hadn’t seen yet, and now that I had Cassius’s trust, it was a perfect time to explore.
The early morning sun was the perfect backdrop for my leisurely walk as I breathed in the fresh air and took in the beauty I’d not allowed myself to enjoy.
Striding through the grass in the opposite direction of the swamp, I refused to get too close because all of those creepy creatures lurked in there. I had allowed myself a glimpse a few nights ago when Cassius had taken me out on that small boat. That was enough adventure for one lifetime.
Had my father’s men done something in there? There’d be more guilt to swallow if he had.
Later, I’d discuss with Cassius about rescuing Archie. When he was in one of his more agreeable moods. Which I was finding him in more and more.
Following the pathway through the trees, I used the modest steeple for a guide. Careful with each step up the wooden steps toward the door. A heavy feeling was weaving its way through me.
Something inside told me I shouldn’t go in.
But a bigger something, something I couldn’t put my finger on told me I should brave my fear and see what hid behind the grand entrance to the private chapel. This place felt important like a big part of the missing pieces of the puzzle. Like maybe in this building was a part of the broken man I had come to care for.