Chapter 93: Take it off

Inside the room, Casimir and Leia remained distant, deliberately avoiding and ignoring each other, neither making a move to speak. Casimir dropped his gaze on the snacks he ordered for her, glancing back at the balcony to see if she had slept off. He knew she was going to reject the snack if he offered it to her himself so he could only wait, in hope that she found it herself.

Leia, noticing how quiet the room had become, assumed Casimir had gone to bed. She walked farther in, only to gasp when she saw him resting on the couch, his head leaning against the armrest.

She had already been worrying about having to share the bed with him, but thankfully, he had taken the couch instead.

As she made her way to the bed, she heard him ask, “Aren’t you going to take a shower?” Several thoughts rushed through her mind. Why was he suddenly concerned about her bathing?

With her back to him, she replied, “No,” and continued walking.

“Why? It’s been a long day,” he pressed.

She sighed. “I don’t like taking night baths. I am easily affected by the cold,” she answered, waiting to see if he would say anything else.

His gaze darted between her and the snacks but he dismissed it, deciding he was going to let her be.

“Then I will use the bathroom,” he said. She knitted her brows, wondering what response he expected. It wasn’t as if he needed to report his actions to her.

“Okay,” she murmured and climbed onto the bed.

…

Leia kept shifting restlessly, unable to fall asleep no matter how hard she tried. Her thoughts kept circling back to him, and everything that had happened.

Just when she finally managed to push him out of her mind, he invaded her space again.

“Jerk,” she muttered under her breath.

“Who’s a jerk?” He asked, startling her.

She turned to face him and instantly regretted it. A small white towel hung loosely around his neck, water dripping from his damp hair. His upper body was bare, another towel secured around his waist.

She should have turned off the lights earlier. Now she could clearly see every detail of him. Water slid down his chest, her thoughts drifting despite her efforts. His abs were firm, commanding her attention. Her gaze dropped involuntarily, and when she realized where she was looking, goosebumps rose along her skin. His well-defined torso only made him look more striking, more dangerous to her self-control. Desire stirred as unwanted images flooded her mind.

“Should I take it off?” He teased, fingers hanging on the towel around his waist.

She blinked and quickly turned away, her face burning with embarrassment.

How shameless of her to stare like that.

“Goodnight,” she said abruptly, pulling the duvet over her head.

“Goodnight,” he replied, and she exhaled, whispering calming words to herself.

Suddenly, the mattress dipped beside her. Frowning, she lowered the duvet and turned toward him to confirm what she already sensed.

“Why are you sleeping here?” She asked, sitting up.

“Where else should I sleep?” He replied, meeting her gaze as he sat up as well.

“There,” she said, pointing at the couch.

“You want me to sleep on the couch?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. She nodded, and his smirk made her wonder what he found amusing.

“I will,” he began, then added, “if you join me,” causing her to frown.

“If you won’t, then I will sleep there instead. You can stay here,” she said, unwilling to argue. She pushed the duvet aside and moved to get out of bed when he suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.

Casimir hovered over her, lifting both her hands and pinning them above her head.

“Get off me, Casimir!” She yelled, struggling, but he held her down, trapping her with his leg.

“We are going to another pack where I need your support. I need you to stop avoiding me and work with me there. You are Luna and many will look up to you for help,” he said.

“Isn’t that why you married Violet? For support? Why don’t you let her play Luna instead? She wants the role anyway. I am sure she would do a better job,” she snapped, breathing hard.

“Are you worried she will replace you?” He asked, deliberately teasing.

She scoffed. “If I cared, I wouldn’t have allowed the wedding to happen.” He raised an eyebrow at that.

“So you would have stopped the wedding if you cared? Too bad, I failed to make you care,” he said, throwing her words back at her, which only annoyed her further.

“Just leave me alone and go be with Violet. She would gladly open her arms for you,” she said dismissively.

“Are you sure about that?” He teased.

“Try me,” she replied, and he smiled.

“I would rather be in your arms instead,” he said, leaving her speechless.

Her heart raced, her breathing quickening as she stared into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. For some reason, there was none, he looked completely sincere, and doubt crept in. That was why she had been avoiding him, afraid of being deceived by those dangerously captivating eyes. She knew looking into them could weaken her resolve, yet he refused to give her space. It was not her fault this time.

“Will you stop being angry with me?” He asked, making her turn her gaze away.

“I am not angry. I just don’t want to force myself to accept what I can’t. I wouldn’t force you to accept my decisions either. Don’t make this harder for me,” she said quietly.

“I will accept whatever decision you make,” he replied, and she looked back at him.

“That doesn’t erase my feelings. I will never accept your decisions,” she said.

His gaze drifted to her lips, torn between kissing her and waiting for her to finally open up. He wanted her desperately, wanted to pull her into his arms, but seeing how upset she was made it feel impossible.