Chapter 25
EMILIANO
It’s been a week since Emiliano last saw Cassie.
A phone call during their honeymoon had pulled him away. It was about a client, Brad Armstrong, who had some suspicious activity on his account. The client was successful, but that didn’t explain the large sums of money being moved around every week. Emiliano couldn’t risk Rodriguez International being linked to anything illegal, so they’d started an internal investigation.
Brad Armstrong claimed he was clueless, but Emiliano didn’t buy it. He’d worked too hard to let anyone tarnish his bank’s reputation. That’s why Armstrong’s accounts were frozen until they could figure out what was going on. The bank’s tech guy was tracing the money, and Emiliano was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
He needed to get this sorted out before the media caught wind of it.
Sleep had been elusive for Emiliano, and his nightmares weren’t helping. They were the reason he’d always sent past lovers home. But now, he was married to Cassie, and he knew she’d want to know why he wouldn’t share a bed with her. He wasn’t sure what he’d tell her. He’d never let anyone in before.
Now, Emiliano was on his way home, eager to see his son—and Cassie. He was looking forward to making love to her.
But he had to admit, he missed more than just Cassie’s soft body. He missed how he could lose himself in her. How she made him forget his nightmares. How he felt at peace when he was with her.
He’d even bought her a necklace on this trip, though he wasn’t sure why.
CASSANDRA
Cassandra hadn’t heard from Emilio in a week. He hadn’t even called his mother. She missed him desperately, wondering what could be so important that he hadn’t reached out.
She was just putting Alex down for his nap when she heard voices at the front door. She went downstairs and saw Rafael and his sister, Isabell, who she’d met at the wedding.
“Cassie,” Rafael greeted her smoothly.
“Rafael. Isabell,” she replied.
“How are you, Cassandra?” Isabell asked.
“I’ve had better days. What brings you two here?”
“We came to check on our aunt and make sure she’s following the doctor’s orders,” Rafael said.
Emilia crossed her arms. “I’m sure you two have better things to do than to come and bother me.”
“Where’s Emiliano?” Rafael asked, changing the subject. “We wanted to invite him and his lovely wife out for the night.”
“He’s not here,” Emilia answered. “He’s in New York on business.”
“That’s too bad, but Cassie can join us if she wants. It’ll just be us cousins having a good time.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Cassandra started, “but—”
“She’d love to go out,” Emilia interrupted. “She needs some fresh air and a change of scenery. She’s been cooped up in here since Emiliano left.” To Cassandra, she added, “Have fun and don’t worry. Alex is in good hands.”
Cassandra didn’t know when Emiliano would be back, but a night out couldn’t hurt. “What time should I be ready?” she asked.
“We’ll pick you up at eight,” Isabell said. “And don’t be shy about dressing up.”
“Where are we going?” Cassandra asked, a bit nervous.
“Surprise,” was all Isabell said.
An hour later, Rafael and Isabell left. After they were gone, Emilia said, “Rafael is a party animal. All he thinks about is girls and having fun. He seems to forget there’s more to life than partying and drinking.”
“I got that impression when we first met,” Cassandra said, “but he seems nice.”
“He is,” Emilia agreed. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. Who knows when Emiliano will be back, but it must be important for him to be away this long.”
That’s what Cassandra had thought, until she saw him on TV with a tall, beautiful blonde. A week of marriage, and he’s already bored. She tried to brush it off, telling herself the woman could be a business associate, but she didn’t look like one, and Emiliano not calling only fueled her doubts and fears.
“Are you alright?” Emilia asked, lightly touching her arm.
“Yes.” Cassandra forced a smile.
“I miss him too,” Emilia told her before leaving.
Cassandra realized she was getting sloppy at hiding her feelings. If Emilia could see through her so easily, then Emilio certainly would. She needed to get a grip.
***
Cassandra put Alex to bed and went to take a bath. Rafael and Isabell would be here in thirty minutes.
After her bath, she chose a purple lace dress that hugged her figure and fell above her knees. She blow-dried her hair and left it loose, then kept her makeup simple with peachy eyeshadow, white shadow on her upper lash line, soft brown shadow for the outer-V, and mascara. Instead of lipstick, she opted for gloss, and she finished the look with black high heels and a small evening purse.
Emilia was waiting for her downstairs, sipping tea on the couch. “You look beautiful,” she said.
“Thank you, but I feel guilty about going out without Emilio,” Cassandra admitted. She wondered why—after all, he was probably having a great time in New York without her.
Emilia smiled. “Don’t be. You’re allowed to enjoy yourself from time to time.”
The doorbell rang.
“That must be Isabell and Rafael,” Emilia said, standing up. “I’m off to bed. Have fun, and be safe.”
The moment Cassandra swings the door open, her emerald eyes meet Emilio’s dark ones. She gasps, her breath hitching in her throat. Why is he here?
This is his home, a voice in her head reminds her.
Emilio’s gaze is intense, stripping her bare, and she feels a flush of heat.
“Emilio…?”
“Were you expecting someone else, sweetheart?”
He doesn’t wait for her response. Instead, he strides past her and collapses onto the couch, leaving her to watch him. He looks so tired. She shuts the door and follows him into the living room.
EMILIANO
The sight of Cassie in the doorway, looking so beautiful, had Emiliano fighting the urge to take her right there. His body aches with desire, and all he wants is to lose himself in her. Her dress and heels aren’t helping, making her long, sexy legs look even more enticing.
Even with his eyes closed, he can feel Cassie’s gaze on him.
“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” she asks.
His eyes fly open, but instead of meeting Cassie’s, they land on her full, tempting lips. God, he wants to kiss her.
Emiliano gets up and heads to the bar to pour himself a drink. “I’m beat. Can we talk about this later?”
The doorbell rings.
“Fine,” Cassie says, walking off to answer the door. She greets the maid, “Thanks, Annah. I’ve got it from here.”
He hears his cousin Isabell’s voice when the door opens. “Ready to go?” she asks.
“Yes,” Cassandra replies. “I hope I’m dressed appropriately for wherever we’re going.”
“You look amazing.”
Emiliano calls out, “Where are you going?”
“Hey, cuz,” Isabell greets him. “When did you get here?”
“Just a bit ago. Where are you taking my wife?”
“Just out to show her the nightlife in Barcelona. You can come too; Rafael is coming along.”
So that’s why she’s all dressed up, Emiliano thinks.
“Maybe next time,” he says. “I’m tired, and I was hoping to spend some time alone with my wife.”
“I’ve been stuck in here for a week,” Cassie interrupts. “I need some fresh air, and a night out sounds perfect.”
Emiliano gives her a stern look, his fingers curling around her slender wrist. “Give us a minute, Isabell.”
He pulls Cassie into his study and shuts the door behind them.
CASSANDRA
“What are you doing?” Cassandra demands. Emilio’s body heat is stirring her senses, but she refuses to back down. Why should he be the only one having fun?
“You’re not going anywhere. I don’t like the idea of you being out there without me.”
“What? You can’t control me. I’m going, and you can’t stop me.” Cassandra tries to leave, but he blocks her path. “Emilio, move. Isabell is waiting for me.”
“I think I’ve made myself clear. I won’t say it again.”
“Who gave you the right to control my life? I’m going out to have fun—something you seem to have no problem doing.”
“What are you talking about?” he asks, his brow furrowing.
“Now you’re playing dumb. We’ve been married less than a week, and you’re already flaunting your mistress. So, tell me why I can’t go out and have fun. You have no right to question me or anything I do.”
The room falls silent. Cassandra reaches for the door handle, but Emilio grabs her hand and kisses her palm.
Stay strong, Cass, she tells herself.
“She’s a family friend, Cassie.”
“Like I’d believe that. Let go of me; I need to leave.”
Emilio pulls out his phone and makes a quick call in Spanish. “They left,” he tells her. “Like I said, I wanted to spend some time alone with my wife.”
Cassandra is speechless, and the gentle circles his finger is tracing on her wrist aren’t helping.
“Since you ruined my evening,” she says, “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
Cassandra tries to leave, but Emilio pulls her back into his arms. Her heart races as his hand brushes her hair aside and his lips find her pulse. Her nipples harden as he presses against her, and her hands find their way into his hair.
She shivers and melts into him.
Damn her body for not being able to resist his charm.
