Page 155 of XOXO

"You're the only male I want to give my time to. I need you to know that."

The worry that had creased his expression eased and it was replaced with one of his usual cheerful smiles. "You're the only female for me."

The words felt like a vow—a promise of more than they were—but she let it go, along with his hand.

"Tell me about that proposal you were working on for the unified summit." She wasn’t quite ready for commitments, even if every fiber of her being jumped for joy at his words.

His deep groan made her giggle, shifting back against the sofa, tucked neatly against his side as he relayed the struggle he was having getting the foreign affairs teams to commit to one plan.

"My birthday's next week."

The words pulled Cassandra out of her own head as she snuggled against Maximus on the sofa that night—their tea cold and forgotten on the tray—and a teasing smile spread across her lips. "I know. I already have your present planned."

"You do?" His answering smirk had her relaxing comfortably against the sofa. "Because I know exactly what I want."

Her eyes narrowed at him. "And what's that?"

"I want you to be my plus one to the Hearts Day Parade."

Her heart stuttered in her chest. "T-that's always been the place of the queen, Max. I can't."

"We said we weren't going to use that word anymore, right?" He nuzzled against her hair, holding her close. "We don't have places. You promised."

"I did, but–" She cut herself off as he tugged her even closer, tipping her chin up with his neatly filed fingernail so she was looking up at him.

"No buts. It's my birthday." The exaggerated pout on his ridiculously handsome face was the cincher and she knew it, but the need to put up a fight was too difficult to ignore.

"I just think that Hearts Day has a certain connotation and since we don't fit that… label… then it wouldn't be appropriate if I attend the parade with you." His lips parted to argue, but she shook her head. "I'll attend, of course." She bit her lip, looking away. "But I don't think I want to be up there in front of everyone. Can't we… celebrate in private?"

When she realized what that sounded like, she looked up at Maximus with wide eyes.

He was contemplating her, but didn't have the usual mischievous grin that would accompany words like that.

"You're not a secret for me, Cass. I don't want to hide you from anyone. Tell me you know that."

Her heart felt like it could pop out of her chest, but she gave him a tremulous smile, cupping his face in her hands and running her thumb along his tusk. "I know. I've never questioned that. I just… I don't know that I'm ready."

He nodded, searching her face for a few moments before he seemed satisfied with what he saw there. After that, he transformed his expression into another huge pout. "Even though it's my birthday?"

Rolling her eyes, she released his face with a groan. "Why do you always have to have things your way?"

He pulled her closer into a hug, continuing his argument while she pretended to listen, focusing on his muscular forearms and how well they fit around her instead.

Chapter Five

“Hi Viv,” Cassandra beamed as she swept into the kitchen, moving over to where the kind ogress was putting her last touches on dinner.

“Aren’t we chipper today?” Viv narrowed her eyes on her. “I wonder why?”

She shrugged, leaning over her shoulder to get a good whiff of the freshly baked bread. “You’re a genius.”

“I know,” Viv said smugly, poking Cassandra in the side until she giggled. “Now tell me what’s got you so happy.”

“I’m always happy,” she sniffed, but couldn’t hide her smile.

“No, no. That’s not regular happy. That’s love happy.” Viv pointed a spoon at her. “And I want to hear all about it.”

Cassandra’s face went hot, and her stomach swooped with guilt. “There’s nothing to tell.”

---