Elvie
I sat in front of my vanity mirror with a towel wrapped around my body, while drying my hair after coming out of the shower. I looked at my reflection and slowly trailed my fingers over my neck, right where a faint pink mark was finally starting to fade.
It had been a week since that night in his study room where Cassian was painting me naked. Since then, there hadn’t been a single moment where we kept our hands off each other. From the kitchen counter to his study, and down to his bed, we had fucking each other constantly. Some nights, we were so caught up in each other that we literally forgot to eat dinner.
Cassian had made me so addicted to him. He had turned me into someone I barely recognized—a bad girl who couldn’t spend a quiet minute alone without thinking about his hands on my body, or the way he would spread me open while whispering dirty words into my ear.
Subconsciously, my hand slid down my thigh, slipping under the towel directly to my bare skin. I pressed my fingers over my sweet spot, biting my lower lip as I closed my eyes and imagined Cassian’s hand there instead.
A small moan erupted from my lips. I dropped the hair dryer onto the vanity and gripped the edge of the wood instead, my fingers working in tight, slow circles over my pussy.
Fuck! This feels so good.
We hadn’t been together yesterday because he was out of the city. He had traveled for an art commission, and wouldn’t be back for two days.
Two long days without him. Two days of feeling completely deprived from him. I might as well give myself a pleasure .
I began moving my fingers faster, bucking my hips forward slightly as heat surged through my belly.
"Cassian..." I gasped out, my breath hitching as the pleasure built up fast. "Ah... Cassian..."
I pulsed my fingers in and out, my voice cracking in the quiet room. "Yes... yes, Cassian..."
I jerked my head back, a sudden wave of intense pleasure coursing through my whole body. I whimpered softly as the climax washed over me, leaving me trembling. Slowly, I pulled my hand out, panting heavily as my chest heaved up and down.
God, that felt amazing.
My phone buzzed loudly against the top of the vanity. I blinked, looking at the screen to see a text from Gemma.
Gemma: I’m almost at your place! You better be ready by the time I pull up!
I let out a breath and shook my head, still trying to catch my breath as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I really didn’t know how to feel about my decision anymore. Tonight was Asher’s parents’ anniversary party, and I was actually going.
A two days ago, Asher had sent a picture to my phone—a clear photo of me stepping into Cassian’s office . It was the afternoon we had that risky little kiss behind his desk. I don’t know how he got it. I had asked him to delete but his response was I have to show up at the anniversary before he does that.
And here I was doing exactly that because I had no choice. I know Cassian had told me never to let anyone step on me or make me feel small. I knew Asher was using the photo to force me into yielding to him again. If I ever wanted to get those pictures out of his hands for good, I needed to play by his rules just this once.
Going to this party was my only chance to fix this, and thank God Cassian wasn’t in town. If he were here, I didn’t know how I would have gone there without him knowing.
Sometimes I really had to wonder if I was just terrible at keeping my own problems secret, or if Cassian could literally read minds. He always knew the exact second something was bothering me.
A few minutes later, I was completely ready. I settled for a simple m floral knee length gown, and comfortable loafers. Nothing too flashy. I definitely wasn’t there to impress anyone. Heck, Asher’s parents always went all out for their anniversary, turning it into a massive event. Asher’s father invited some of his most influential friends every single year, and I knew he was mostly doing it for business networking.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, while shoving my phone into my purse, the doorbell rang. Then it rang again immediately after.
I hissed in frustration, knowing without a doubt that it was Gemma. I walked over and pulled the door open, greeting her with an annoyed look before she could even speak. "Can you be patient for once in your life?" I grumbled.
Gemma rolled her eyes, pushing past the doorway slightly. "I don’t have time for patience. We’re going to be late, and I know how you—you might decide to bail at the last second."
I adjusted my shoes and reached over to switch off the foyer chandelier before stepping outside into the hall. "Honestly, I actually thought about it," I confessed, pulling the door closed behind me. "I still feel like this is a terrible idea."
Gemma let out a heavy sigh, turning to face me with a look. "Whatever stupid game Asher thinks he’s playing, he isn’t going to win. Remember, you aren’t going there because you’re scared of his threats. You’re going there because you need to get those photos deleted and end this once and for all. So keep your head held high."
She reached out and linked her arm through mine, giving me a supportive squeeze. A small, genuine smile broke through my nervous expression.
Thank God for Gemma.
When I first told her about Asher’s texts and the picture of me outside Cassian’s office, she had completely freaked out. She was practically screaming about going over to Asher’s house to beat him up herself—which I knew was mostly a big bluff, but the thought was sweet. Then she offered to come with me to the party so I wouldn’t have to face him alone.
As we walked down towards the gates, a wave of anxiety settled in the pit of my stomach. I was glad Gemma was by my side, but I really had no idea how this party was going to turn out.
**
When we pulled up to Asher’s house, valet drivers were already parking luxury cars along the driveway, and guests in expensive suits and designer gowns were heading inside.
Walking through those familiar front doors felt just like yesterday when I packed my bags and walked out of this place for good. Memories of growing up here over the years came flashing back all at once. Who would have thought that after spending all twenty-one years of my life under this roof, I wouldn’t even be living here anymore?
Soft classical music played in the background as my eyes scanned the crowded room. It didn’t take long to spot Mr. Norman and his wife standing near the center, talking with a few wealthy-looking men. As expected, Asher’s mom went completely all out with her outfit, looking like a president’s wife in an overly dramatic gown, while her husband stood beside her in a sharp tuxedo.
As if on instinct Mrs.Evelyn eyes landed straight on me. At first, her face twisted into a deep frown, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She leaned over and whispered something to her husband, who turned around and looked at me too.
"Well... you might as well go say hi." Gemma said beside me.
"Sure. I’ll be right back," I murmured, taking a slow breath.
I made my way across the polished floor toward them, trying my absolute best to keep my head held high despite. I stopped a few feet in front of them.
"Elvie," Asher’s mother started, her gaze raking up and down my body. I couldn’t tell if she was shocked that I looked so well-adjusted, or if she was judging my simple floral dress. "I didn’t expect to see you here."
I forced a polite, pleasant smile onto my face. "Good evening, Ma’am, Sir. Congratulations on your anniversary."
"And Asher sent me an invite."
Or much more threatened you to come.
A strange, unreadable expression passed over Mrs.Evelyn’s face.
Mr. Norman, however, spoke up with a calm smile. "That’s nice. Just because you left the house on your own doesn’t mean we can’t keep in touch. After all, you grew up here."
There was a subtle, condescending edge under his words, but I kept my composure. "Yes, Sir. And I am truly grateful for the hospitality while I lived here."
His wife let out a tiny, tight chuckle, her eyes cold as ever. "Well, you’re not really a regular guest here Elvie. You can serve yourself, right?"
Before I could even answer, she glanced past my shoulder and waved at another wealthy couple walking in. "Oh, actually, can you grab us a few glasses of champagne from the tray and bring them over to that table?"
I swallowed hard, keeping my expression as calm as possible as I walked over to the catering station. Instead of carrying the tray myself, I signaled one of the waiters, and he followed me over to Mrs. Evelyn’s circle with the tray of champagne glasses.
"Here are your drinks, Ma’am," I said smoothly stopping beside the group, giving her a tight-lipped smile that clearly caught her off guard.
Mrs. Evelyn blinked, momentarily surprised that I had brought the actual staff with me instead of running the errand alone. But she quickly masked it, offering a forced, practiced smile. "Right. Thank you, Elvie."
The waiter stepped forward, handing the glasses to Mrs. Evelyn and her friends. The women gave me strange, assessing looks, wondering who I was.
Just as I turned on my heel to head back toward Gemma, Mrs. Evelyn’s cold voice cut through the air again. "Oh, Elvie... can we get some snacks as well?"
One of her friends chimed in, "Yes, please, those mini cakes."
"And the stuffed mushrooms for me," the other added, barely looking at me.
My jaw clenched tight as Mrs. Evelyn lips curved up. She was enjoying it. Well...I might as well not give her the privilege of rejoicing for ordering around. So I let out a smile. "Yes, sure. Please give me a minute."
I turned back to the waiter, who looked eager to escape the awkward tension, and signaled for him to follow me back toward the food stations.
Gemma met me halfway, her eyes wide with total disbelief. "What the hell is going on over there?" she whispered aggressively. "Didn’t you just go over to say hi?"
I let out a bitter, quiet chuckle, picking up a small plate and placing the requested snacks onto it. "I know, right?"
I handed the plate over to the waiter, and watched him hurry back toward Mrs. Evelyn’s table.
I wiped my hands on a napkin, looking out at the crowd. "It’s fine, Gemma. I’m used to it, you know."
Gemma scoffed loudly, crossing her arms. "That doesn’t mean you should keep getting used to it! She’s practically trying to humiliate you in front of all her rich friends."
"Well..." I trailed off. "But I didn’t happen right?" I smile and Gemma glared at me.
"I see you finally made it."
The smooth familiar voice cut through the air. I turned around to the face of Asher was standing right behind us, holding a glass of scotch in one hand, his suit pressed to perfection. His eyes scanned me lingering on my body before settling back on my face with a sickening smirk.