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“Enjoying your book?” a familiar voice asks, drawing me out of my reverie.
I glance up to see Cassius standing next to me, shirtless and radiating charm. My heart skips a beat at the sight of his toned physique and the playful glint in his striking blue eyes. He moves the book away from my face and takes a seat beside me.
“Truth be told, I’m finding it difficult to concentrate,” I admit, feeling a rush of heat rise to my cheeks.
“Can’t imagine why,” he teases, watching the girls as they continue their game. “They’re quite the handful.”
“Indeed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say, my tone laced with affection. “Their happiness means everything to me.”
“Your love for them is evident, Annalise. It’s beautiful,” he says, turning his gaze toward me. The sincerity in his eyes makes my breath hitch.
“Thank you, Cassius,” I reply, touched by his kind words. “I just want them to be safe and happy.”
“Then we share the same goal,” he says firmly, reaching for my hand. The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but glance at our entwined fingers.
“Is that so?” I ask, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “And what exactly does that entail?”
“Whatever it takes,” he says, his voice thick with determination. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and the girls, Annalise.”
A playful glint enters his striking blue eyes. “Annalise, why aren’t you swimming?” he asks.
“Isabella didn’t exactly leave me with many…appropriate options,” I reply, my cheeks heating at the thought of the daring swimsuits she picked out for me. “She seems to have a penchant for the skimpy and revealing.”
Cassius chuckles, his laughter deep and genuine. “Ah, yes. My sister does have a particular taste when it comes to fashion. She’s always pushing boundaries and trying to make a statement.”
“Sometimes I think she does it just to see how far she can push me,” I admit, shaking my head. “But I suppose there are worse things than having a sister-in-law who wants me to feel confident and sexy.”
“Sister-in-law?” He raises an eyebrow at me, and my cheeks turn red. “I didn’t realize you were married.”
“It’s just the easiest thing to call her.”
“Hm.” He hums. “Annalise,” he says softly, the humor fading from his expression, “there’s something I need to say.”
I turn to him, surprised at the sudden shift in tone. His blue eyes are earnest, and I can see the weight of his words pulling at the corners of his mouth.
“I want to apologize for betraying your trust and kidnapping you,” he begins, his voice heavy with emotion. “I never wanted to put you or the girls in danger, and I never want you to feel like you can’t trust me.”
His sincerity takes me aback, and for a moment, I’m at a loss for words. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I reach out and place my hand over his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.
“Thank you, Cassius,” I whisper, offering him a small, tentative smile. “I appreciate your apology, and I know that you’ve been doing everything you can to keep us safe.”
He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “You mean so much to me, Annalise. You and the girls—I can’t imagine my life without you now. As much as I like games, I don’t want to play them anymore, not with you. I want there to be something real between us.”
My heart swells with a mixture of fear and hope, and I have to remind myself to breathe. The possibility of a future with Cassius—this dangerous, charming man who has come to mean so much to me—is both thrilling and terrifying.
“Cassius…” It’s the only thing I can think to say.
Cassius’s touch sends shivers down my spine, grounding me in the present moment. He gazes into my eyes, and I see a sincerity there that I can’t deny. “Take your time, Annalise,” he says softly. “You don’t have to decide right now. Just think about it, okay?”
I nod, grateful for his understanding and patience. “I will, Cassius,” I reply, my voice barely more than a whisper. A knot of emotions tangles within me, reflecting the complexity of our situation. Fear and hope intertwine as I consider what a future with him might entail, but I know I owe it to myself—and to my daughters—to give his words careful consideration.
“Thank you,” I breathe out, my heart swelling with gratitude.
He grins at me, the intensity of the moment dissipating as he lets go of my hand. “No pressure, Lily,” he reassures me. I can’t help but smile back at him, appreciating the sense of ease he brings to even the most challenging situations.
“Go on, then,” I encourage him, glancing toward the pool where Franny and Gina continue their game of Marco Polo, giggling and splashing around. “Join them. They’ll love having you play with them.”
Cassius’s eyes twinkle with delight as he stands up, his muscles rippling beneath his sun-kissed skin. The sight is undeniably captivating, but it’s the warmth behind his eyes that truly draws me in.
