CASSANDRA
Cassandra isn’t sure how long Emilio holds her, but she can’t shake off the guilt as she watches the sunset. The conversation with his mother keeps replaying in her mind, and she hopes that when he finds out, he’ll forgive her for keeping it from him.
She doesn’t notice when the yacht starts moving, but after a while, she spots mountains in the distance and realizes they’re for from home. As night falls, Emilio guides her to dinner.
Once they’re seated, a waiter hands her a black box. She looks at Emilio, puzzled. “What’s this?” she asks, though she has a hunch from the size of the box.
Emilio encourages her to open it. Inside, a diamond necklace and matching earrings sparkle back at her. The sight of the jewelry takes her breath away.
She looks at Emilio, speechless. Why is he being so kind to her? This set must have cost a fortune, and he already gave her a necklace for their wedding. Does he realize how much these gestures mean to her?
She tells herself that for him, it’s probably nothing. He’s probably given many gifts to his past lovers. But her eyes well up with tears.
“Don’t you like it?” he asks.
“I do,” she says, her voice surprisingly steady despite the longing she feels for him to love her the way she loves him. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”
“Then why the tears?”
“Joy” Cassandra pauses. “Why are you doing this? There’s no need to pretend, Emilio, You don’t have to do nice things or buy me things. I know our arrangement, and I don’t expect anything from you.” She looks away from him.
“Can’t I do things for you? Can’t I buy you gifts? You might not expect anything from me, but I don’t need an excuse or anyone’s permission to spoil my wife.” Emilio reaches out and gently strokes her check. “Most women love it when a man buys them gifts–why are you so against it?”
“Because I’ll get used to it and the attention you give me, and when n it all ends, I’ll be the one left heartbroken and disappointed.”
Suddenly, Cassandra stands and walks away, heading out to the deck. As she stares out at the open sea, she mentally scolds herself for being so honest. Why did she tell Emilio what she was really thinking?
She’s always had to fend for herself, do things for herself. She knows that letting Emilio get too close will only lead to heartbreak. She can handle others hurting her, but his rejection would shatter her. That pain would be far worse than growing up unwanted.
Before long, she senses him behind her. He doesn’t say anything or touch her for a few minutes, and she’s grateful. How can she explain. what she just said when every word was true?
“Cassie…?” he finally says.
“You don’t have to worry, Emiliano. I won’t make the mistake of falling in love with you.” Of course, that’s a lie–it’s already too late- but she thinks she hears him sigh with relief. Or was that just her imagination?
“It’s okay to let someone else take care of you. Let me do that for you.” Emilio wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close. “I know growing up wasn’t easy for you. You’re a strong, independent woman, and that won’t change…but I can’t promise I’ll stop buying you gifts.”
“I’ll just refuse them,” Cassandra says, but she leans into his warmth.
“I’ll keep trying; I’m a very persistent man.” He kisses her shoulder, sending a shiver through her.
“I’m a very persistent woman,” she replies.
Emilio’s chuckle resonates through Cassandra. She turns to face him. He’s a handsome man, especially when he laughs; his face sollens.
“Laugh all you want,” Cassandra says. “I’m only telling the truth.”
“We’ll see who wins, won’t we’r
“I guess so.”
Emilio leans down to kiss her slowly, tenderly, Cassandra’s heart and soul overflow with the love she feels for him. Despite their
“I’m a very persistent woman,” she replies.
“I’m a very p
Emilio’s chuckle resonates through Cassandra. She turns to face him. He’s a handsome man, especially when he laughs; his face softens.
“Laugh all you want,” Cassandra says. “I’m only telling the truth.”
“We’ll see who wins, won’t we?”
“I guess so.”
Emilio leans down to kiss her slowly, tenderly. Cassandra’s heart and soul overflow with the love she festi
differences, she couldn’t have asked for a better husband and partner.
Despite their
When he pulls back and looks into her eyes, his desire is clear. She feels it too. Her body reacts to his as it always does: by moving closer to him.
“Cassie….” he murmurs, pulling her closer and pressing against her.
“I know,” she whispers. “I want you too.”
Next Chapter
