Chapter 50
CASSANDRA
The day flies by, but now Cassandra can’t seem to locate her ever-watchful husband. Two hours before the party, she steps out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and freezes when she spots him. Her heart does a little flip, and her pulse races. She wonders if he’ll always have this effect on her.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Emilio interrupts her thoughts.
Cassandra’s cheeks heat up. “It’s not polite to read people’s minds.”
“You’re an open book, sweetheart.” He moves toward her, and she instinctively steps back. He halts. “What’s the matter?”
“N-nothing. Why do you ask?” Cassandra forces a smile to mask her nerves.
“You’re backing away from me.” Emilio reaches out, his hands on her shoulders, and the contact sends warmth coursing through her.
“I’m not.” She meets his eyes, and his thumb brushes her cheek. His other hand cradles the back of her neck, drawing her closer. A moment later, he’s kissing her gently, and she closes her eyes.
Cassandra kisses him back, opening her mouth to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck, holding him in place as she loses herself in him. He tastes so good.
Emilio’s tongue explores her mouth, seeking hers, and when they meet, it’s like a spark, hot and explosive. Cassandra lets her hands roam down his cloth-covered chest, craving his bare skin. She needs to touch him everywhere.
As she presses closer, Cassandra can feel his arousal straining against the confines of his pants and boxers. Without a hint of embarrassment, she lets her towel drop, leaving her completely bare.
Emilio’s hands rest on her hips, his touch gentle. Cassandra feels her nipples harden as they brush against his shirt. She whimpers with need, clumsily working at his buttons. Their lips never part.
Once Emilio’s shirt joins her towel on the floor and she can finally touch him, Cassandra tugs at his belt. He breaks their kiss and pulls back slightly, looking at her. They’re both panting.
“You need to rest, sweetheart,” Emilio says, his voice rough, clearly struggling to keep his control. “If I don’t stop touching you now, you’ll only get more worked up, and we won’t make it to the party. You heard the doctor.” He’s still hard, but he just kisses her on the forehead.
“What are you thinking?” Cassandra asks, disappointed.
“Nothing. I’m going to take a shower.”
“Why won’t you let me in?” She sighs. “I never know what’s going on in your head while you always know what’s in mine.”
Emilio chuckles. “What do you want to know?”
“Nothing. I’m about to beg you to make love to me, so go and get ready.”
He runs his fingers through her hair. “You’re so beautiful when you’re angry and frustrated.” He kisses her one last time and heads into the bathroom to clean up.
Cassandra heads to the closet, searching for something to wear for the evening. So many choices, yet she can’t decide.
In the end, she picks a rose gold, embellished evening dress with a deep V-neck, and a pair of gold open-toed heels. She keeps her makeup simple with a touch of blush, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. Finally, she pulls her hair up into a bun.
Soon, Cassandra will be round with pregnancy, and all these beautiful dresses won’t fit her anymore. Will Emilio still want her? Make love to her? The thought of him with another woman sends a shiver down her spine, and she bites her lower lip anxiously.
“What’s with the face?” she hears him ask.
“I was just wondering if you’ll still find me attractive when I’m big. Will you lose interest? Will you look for satisfaction in another woman’s arms?”
After a moment of silence, Cassandra looks up and finds Emilio staring at her. Oh my God! Did she just say her thoughts out loud?
“I guess you heard that.” Emilio nods. “Forget I said anything. Sometimes I just think out loud. Just ignore me. I’ll go find Alex.” Cassandra tries to move past him, but he grabs her wrist.
“It’s okay to speak your mind and admit your fears. Not many people do that… Don’t be scared. I’m happy with you and committed to you, regardless of our original agreement. I’ll never cheat on you or disrespect you or our marriage by stepping out.
“I’ve never felt with another woman what I feel with you. So you can bet your pretty ass I’ll still find you attractive when you’re ‘huge,’ as you put it, with my child in you. I can’t wait for that time. You’ll never be anything less than perfect in my eyes, Cassie.”
“For a man who isn’t a romantic, you sure know how to make a woman melt. Keep it up, and I might just fall in love.”
“Would it be so bad if you did?” he asks.
In that moment, Cassandra is speechless. Did she hear him right? Does he actually want her to fall in love with him? No, no…she must’ve misunderstood, or he didn’t mean it.
“Don’t joke like that, Emiliano.”
“Am I laughing?” he retorts.
Before Cassandra can respond, there’s a knock on the bedroom door. “I’ll get that,” she says.
Emilio gives her a quick kiss, disappearing back into the bathroom. When Cassandra opens the bedroom door, she finds Emilia standing there.
“Oh good, you’re ready. I brought you this.” She hands Cassandra a gift box.
She opens it to find a stunning emerald-diamond necklace. “Mother…I…I can’t acc—”
“I’d be really happy if you did. Emiliano’s dad got it for me, and I just couldn’t bear to wear it or toss it out. It’s the last thing I have that he got for me when we were still together. Please, take it.”
“Victor…?” Cassandra questions softly, hoping Emilio doesn’t catch wind of their conversation. Emilia gives a nod, and Cassandra wraps her in a hug. “It’s beautiful, thank you. Emiliano—”
“He believes Carlos got it,” Emilia confirms. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Once her mother-in-law shuts the door, Cassandra moves to the mirror and tries on the necklace. She can sense that Emilia still holds Victor close to her heart, that she still harbors a pure, selfless, unconditional love for him.
Cassandra ponders over Emilio’s words. Would it really be so terrible if I did? Does he truly want her to fall for him?
She’s unsure of what to make of his words, but she also yearns for what Emilia had—the kind of love that you hold onto until your last breath. The kind of love where you give yourself completely to the one man who makes you feel whole, who completes you, who gives you a reason to rise each morning, who becomes the very air you breathe.
Emilio is that man for her. He’s the other half of her heart.
Cassandra looks down at the necklace again, her fingers tracing over it. When she lifts her gaze, Emilio is standing before her, dressed in a casual suit and crisp white shirt. His hair is neatly styled, making him look delicious.
“You look beautiful,” her husband compliments.
“Thank you,” she murmurs. “And you look good enough to eat.”
He graces her with one of his captivating smiles. “You’re wearing my mother’s necklace.”
“Yes, she gave it to me.”
“It looks beautiful on you. Did she tell you my dad bought it for her?” Cassandra nods. “My dad had good taste, much like me. I’d pick something like this for you.”
Cassandra looks away. Her heart aches for him whenever he mentions his father. Keeping the truth from him is tough.
“Shall we?” she suggests.
Emilio releases her hair. “You truly are breathtaking.”
“And you truly are a smooth talker.”
His arm wraps around her waist, and they head downstairs together.
