Chapter 222

Julian

I almost told her but at the last minute I changed the subject. After all, it wasn't actually a lie. I did want to spend the time with her and make her feel special because she was special.

I just didn't mention that I was being blackmailed by a woman who had done it once before. And deep down I kind of knew that it was my fault.

People had been telling me for years that Megan was bad news but I had been blind. And if I was honest with myself , I was lonely.

I watched as Cassie put her spoon down , the chocolate cake and cream half eaten and lifted her eyes to me. "What's wrong now?" She sighed.

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"You were staring at me." She snapped.

"Because you are beautiful." I said again and sat back in shock as she pushed her chair back and stood up. Throwing the napkin on to the table. She glared at me.

"Where is Ian?" Cassies voice shook with anger that I didn't understand. What was so bad with what I said?

"He's gone. He will come back when I call him." Reaching out I caught her wrist in my big hand to stop her from storming away. "Where are you going?"

"Home." Her eyes narrowed as she looked down at me. "I'll ring Ian myself to get him to take me back  and I am sure Megan will be waiting for your call. I'm sure you -"

With a growl I tugged her into my arms. She put up a fight but Cassie was no match for me. "No." I said through gritted teeth.  Looping my arms around her waist I locked her to me.

"No?" Her voice dropped. "What do you mean no?"

Keeping one arm locked around her, I trapped her face in my other one. I forced her to look at me.

"No to all of it. I'm not going to ring or see Megan and you aren't going to run off to Ian. We are going to spend the rest of our evening together. You will finish your cake-"

To prove my point , I leant over and pulled the bowl towards us. "Eat." Scooping up a spoonful I waited for her to open her mouth.

In true Cassie fashion she kept her pretty mouth clamped shut.

"I keep telling you , you are beautiful because I think you are. I don't have any ulterior motive Cassie. I'm not playing any games. I brought you here because I wanted to spend time with you."

Her eyes softened.

"I kissed you earlier because not kissing you every day is killing me and I just couldn't help myself. Can we not just enjoy ourselves for a few hours? Can you not just love me back?"

Those wide soft eyes fluttered closed. "I can't love you Julian. Loving you is a death sentence."

Her words cut through me even though I didn't really understand them.

"Then how about you just get to know me again. Give me a chance to be the man you need." I said it without thinking because it was exactly what I wanted. I should be honest with her, I knew that as well but I loved the soft look in her eyes as too much to spoil the moment.

I would have to deal with Megan , quickly and quietly so I didn't lose my family  and this time I would deal with her properly. I couldn't be weak any longer.

Not if I wanted to keep the woman in front of me.

"You don't know what I need." She muttered.

"I think." My head dropped down so I could rub my chin against the naked skin of her shoulder. "I think you need to finish your cake so I can watch the way you look when the chocolate touches your tongue." I chuckled darkly. "Because I don't think I've ever seen you look so happy or seen you so beautiful."

"I'm really not hungry anymore. The sweetness is sitting weird in my stomach-"

I didn't let her finish. Keeping my hand to her face I guided her mouth to mine and captured it. Slanting my lips over hers. I could taste the sweet chocolate on her lips and she was right. It was sweet.

Delicious but not as delicious as she was.

"And there's me." I mumbled into her mouth. "Starving for something sweet."

"You can eat-" her voice shook as my other hand delved under the hem of her dress. Kneading and massaging her thighs.

Cassie's eyes widened and pulling her mouth away from me she sighed. "Julian, what are you doing?" She tried to  cross her legs but all that did was trap my hand between her thighs. And that suited me just fine.

"I am touching my wife because I can't help myself." I slid my lips against hers again. She kissed me back, almost shyly but she was kissing me back and that was something.

"And she said I could eat." I nipped at her bottom lip. Worrying it between my teeth and our eyes locked. Neither one of us looked away.

"I meant the cake." She whispered when I loosened my grip. "I meant you could eat the cake."

I chuckled low in my throat and it came out more like a low growl.

"Oh I plan on eating the cake Cassie." I grumbled as I pulled the bowl even closer. It was so tempting to scoop some into my fingers and force them into her mouth. I wanted to feel how her mouth felt sucking them clean. But there wasn't much left and I had other plans for it.

Dirtier, tastier plans.

"The choice is yours though? How do you want me to eat the cake."

She arched an eyebrow. "With a spoon?" She asked sarcastically and I couldn't help it. I laughed.

"Oh I don't think so. See-" my hands skipped up her thigh even more. Going higher and higher until I could brush against the lacy hem of her panties.

I teased at the edge.

"That's not one of your choices. I can either eat you Cassie?"

Her eyes widened.

"Or I can eat the chocolate cake off of you."