Roll For Initiative

24. Cassie

B reakfast was amazing. He ordered all my favorites and had us just split everything. He knows me better than anyone. The only thing was there was a knot of anxiety in my stomach. Theo has to be stalking me for him to know that Lucian spent the night. This shit has gone too far. I think that was the final straw to help me decide to break things off with him on Saturday. I could do it over text, but I’ve never been that kind of person.

We stopped at the dollar tree and grabbed a shit ton of cleaning supplies. Lucian wasn’t sure what he even had so we just grabbed one of everything pretty much. I pull into the parking spot designated for Lucian’s apartment and shut off the car. I go to open my door, but Lucian grabs my hand to pull me back.

“What’s up?” I ask. He is looking all panicked right now.

“Cass, there’s something I have to tell you.” He says. He is holding my right hand between both of his. Caressing his thumb in circles across my skin. Goosebumps are prickling along my arms, and my heart rate is increasing. He takes a few deep breaths.

“OK, here it goes. Cass, I...” He is cut off by the knocking on my window and my door suddenly being opened.

What the fuck. Lucian’s eyes are locked on the mystery person as I turn around to face him. Standing there, holding open my door, is what I could only describe as a God. He is tall and blonde, his eyes are a piercing blue, and his teeth are perfectly white and straight. He is also dripping in sexual energy. God damn. He is looming over me, staring down at me like I’m a delicious morsel he is about to taste. Fuck, my body instantly heats up. He winks at me, then looks over to Lucian.

“Sup fucker. Too good to answer my texts now that you are back here?” He asks Lucian. What the fuck, how does he know this man.

“When the hell did you get here? Um, Cassie, this is Jayme. My buddy from California I told you about.” He looks utterly confused that Jayme is here.

Ah, so this is the boss’s son. No wonder he looks like a millionaire. Fucker is even wearing an Armani suit. I keep glancing back and forth between the two of them. Jayme grabs my left hand and brings his lips to my skin. I was flushed and wet before, but now I’m practically dripping.

“Ah, so you are the amazing Cassie I have heard so much about. No wonder Lucian talked about you so much. You are gorgeous.” I can feel my face turn bright red. Even his voice is sending tingles all over my body.

“Uh, thank you. Um. Hi. Yeah, Lucian told me a lot about you, too.” I stammer over my words; aware he is still holding my hand. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

“Oh, has he now? Luci, what shit lies have you been telling this gorgeous woman about me?” He releases my hand, and I can finally breathe a bit better.

He flashes another smile and winks as if he can tell his effect on me. I feel my right hand squeezed a bit too tight and realize that Lucian has been holding my other hand the entire time. I pull back from his grasp as well.

“Oh, you know. Just some of the tales of our bar nights and golfing.” Lucian says, causing Jayme to raise an eyebrow at Lucian for a split second. It's barely a reaction, but I catch it. What are they hiding?

“Well, I’m here now, so what are the plans for today?” he asks, rubbing his hands together like he is about to get to work. Wearing a $3,000 suit? I don’t think so.

“We were about to go clean Lucian’s apartment and air it out. It needs a deep clean because no one has lived there in 9 months.” I answer. Lucian is still staring at his friend, confused but silent.

“Sounds good. Let me get my bags, and I would be happy to help,” he says, heading toward his car.

“Bags? As in plural? How much did you bring?” Lucian asks, confused.

“Yep. Enough for a week or two. You cool if I crash with you? If not, maybe Cassie can offer me a room.” He flashes me that devil smile again.

“Oh, I only have one bedroom,” I say awkwardly.

“Mmmm, even better.” He growls. Lucian slams his door a bit too hard.

“No, you can crash here. I have a guest room you can use,” Lucian says as he walks around the front of the car. Jayme smiles back at me.

“Too bad.” He walks toward his car again; then I realize what he is driving. A Bently. But not just any Bently. A Bently Continental GT. I practically swoon. I am usually not a car girl, but there are a few luxurious cars that are also speedsters, and this is one of them and one of my favorites.

Standing beside my piece of crap car, I’m still ogling this man and his luxury; I don’t notice Lucian come up next to me until he speaks, startling me.

“Sorry about him. ” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets and kicking the pavement like a child.

“Oh, it’s all right. I like him; he seems fun.” I blush. “Wait, what were you trying to tell me before he showed up?” It seemed important, and I almost forgot.

“What? Well, um. Him. That’s what I was trying to tell you. That he was coming to stay soon, I just didn’t know how soon.” Since when does Lucian flat-out lie to me? What the hell?

“Ah, Okay. It seemed like something more, but all right. Let’s get cleaning,” I say, grabbing my bag from the back seat. I’m about to head inside when he grabs me by the arm, pulling me close.

“Be careful around Jayme, OK. Like I said, he is a huge flirt and thinks of himself as a playboy bachelor. Just don’t flirt with him or anything like that. He will take it as a challenge to push you further. Promise me.”

“All right, all right. I won’t flirt with him. I’ll behave, I promise.” Jayme seems fun, but I already have enough on my plate with breaking up with Theo and dealing with these feelings for Lucian. I don’t need a 3 rd distraction in my life.

Jayme comes sauntering back over, bag in hand and coat slung over his shoulder. His sunglasses are on his face now, and even those look expensive. Geeze.

“So, what, are you just going to clean in your fancy suit?” I ask sarcastically. Jayme steps closer to me, towering over my height. I feel the urge to bow my head; damn this submissive trait.

“What do you want me to wear, sweetheart? I’ll wear anything you want me to.” Jesus, how can he make everything sexual? My panties can’t handle this.

Lucian just scoffs and continues toward the door. Geeze, he is acting like a child who has to share his toys. Hmm, that’s an exciting thought being shared by them. Damnit, Cassie, no. Behave. My pussy says otherwise.

We are hit with a wave of stale air when we enter the apartment. Damn, we need to open a window.

“Damn, dude, still haven’t unpacked?” Jayme asks, gesturing at Lucian’s bags, which are still sitting on the ground by the hall.

“Yeah, I haven’t been here much the last couple of days.” He glances at me standing behind him.

“Ahhh, I get what you mean.” He slugs Lucian playfully on the shoulder. “Little preoccupied, huh?” He winks, gesturing between Lucian and me.

“What, no. Nothing like that. We have just hung out the last few nights. We are just friends. Nothing more!” Damn, he was quick to shut down any suspicion we might be something more than friends. Ouch! I guess the feelings I felt were one-sided, after all.

“Yep, nothing more,” I confirm as I walk toward the kitchen to start cleaning. I don’t even realize a tear was slipping down my cheek—stupid girl.