CHAPTER 95

CHAPTER 95
For one long, dangerous second, Cassian doesn't blink. He doesn't breathe either. He simply stares at me as though I've struck him across the face. His expression slowly hardens, every trace of vulnerability disappearing behind the cold mask of the Alpha once more.
"What did you just say?" he asks quietly.
I lift my chin. "You heard me."
His nostrils flare. "I asked you a question."
I fold my arms across my chest, refusing to look away. "And I gave you an answer. What? Did I hit a nerve?" I ask. "You're acting as though the idea offends you."
"It does."
"Oh?" I let out a dry laugh. "Why? Because I suggested your brothers might actually satisfy a woman better than you?"
His jaw flexes. "You have no idea what you're talking about!” 
"I don't?"
I take another deliberate step toward him. "You're the one who offers me the title of mistress, then suddenly gets possessive the moment I mention Nico and Jaxon."
His eyes darken but he doesn’t say anything.  “Isn’t it funny? Until now, you refuse to acknowledge the matebond or reject me as your mate, yet the thought of your brothers touching me bothers you.”
“Enough, Vivienne!” 
"So tell me, Alpha..." I continue. "Which is it?" I poke a finger against the center of his chest. “Anyway, if you are worried they will be better than you…I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
He smirks before moving fast. Then, one powerful hand clamps around my wrist while the other grabs my waist, yanking me against him so abruptly that the air rushes from my lungs. My back slams against his chest as he spins me around, trapping me effortlessly. My pulse jumps wildly beneath his fingers especially when he lowers his head until his lips are only inches from my ear. 
"Enough," he growls, every syllable vibrating through my body. "You've pushed me far enough, Vivienne,” he whispers before capturing my mouth in a passionate manner. 
I can't explain it, but the way he kisses me is different from his brothers. Every touch ignites something inside me, making desire coil tighter in my stomach as though I haven't been touched in years.
While his lips trail along my neck, one of his hands slides lower, settling against my thigh. My breath catches as he slowly works his way downward, leaving lingering kisses along my stomach until he pauses between us. A shiver races through me!
"Damn it... Cassian," I whisper, my head falling back as my fingers clutch the sheets beneath me.
A low, primal growl vibrates through his chest, as though he's fighting a battle with himself. "Say my name again," he orders, his voice rough enough to send another wave of heat through me.
His hands roam over me with impatient familiarity while his lips continue their slow, relentless assault on my senses. Every kiss leaves me more unsteady than the last, until I can barely remember how to breathe.
"Tell me you want this," he murmurs.
I nod vigorously. "I want this," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I want you."
Something shifts in his expression and his restraint cracks. My fingers tighten around his shoulders as emotion crashes through me all at once, leaving me breathless. I bury my face against him, clinging to the warmth of his body while trying to steady my racing heart. When I finally lift my gaze, he hasn't looked away once.
His eyes remain locked on mine, dark and conflicted. I collapse against his chest, still struggling to catch my breath, and I can't decide what frightens me more. Then, his forehead rests lightly against mine while his chest rises and falls in uneven breaths. His heartbeat pounds beneath my fingertips, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.
I think it's over. I think he's finally regained control but then, his hands slide slowly along my side once more. I look up at him, searching his face for answers. After all...neither of us has crossed the line yet.
"Don't look at me like that," he mutters hoarsely.
"Like what?" I ask, even though I already know.
"Like you want more."
My breath catches. "Maybe I do."
A dark laugh escapes him before, in one swift movement, he rolls me beneath him. His gaze burns with barely restrained hunger.
"You don't know what you're asking for, Vivienne."
I trace my fingertips down the center of his chest before meeting his eyes again. “I’m an adult who knows what I want, Alpha.”
“Damn it!” he curses before his mouth crashes against mine once more, fiercer than before. This kiss isn't hesitant. It's desperate, almost angry, as though every second of restraint has finally snapped.
Then...without warning, Alpha Cassian pulls away. I look at him and our eyes meet. His are dark, conflicted, and blazing with emotions he can no longer hide. Then, instead of closing the distance again, he steps back.
"What's wrong?" I ask quietly.
"Nothing," he replies.
Before I can question him further, he reaches for the hem of his shirt and pulls it over his head, revealing the hard lines of his shoulders and chest. He doesn't rush. He undresses slowly, as though daring me to keep watching.
My pulse pounds louder with every second. When the last piece of clothing lands on the floor, he turns toward me again. I blink several times, momentarily stunned.
"You're so big, Alpha!" I blurt out before I can stop myself.
A slow smirk curves across his lips. "Bigger than my brothers?" he asks.
I should probably be offended by the question. Instead... I find myself nodding. "The biggest," I admit, barely above a whisper.
A satisfied grin appears on his face. "You're playing a dangerous game with all of us, Vivienne," he says, his voice dropping into a low rumble as he steps closer again. His lips hover near my ear. "But tonight..."he pauses just long enough to make my heart stumble.
“What about tonight, Alpha?”
"You belong to me."