Page 156 of XOXO

Viv sighed, shaking her head. “Fine. You can keep your secrets for now, but I’m on to you.”

She chuckled nervously, making her way over to a clear part of the counter, pulling out ingredients and bowls as she went.

“What’re you making?” Viv looked over everything and then smiled conspiratorially. “A cake? I see you’ve been feeding someone with a sweet tooth recently. This is your second cake in two weeks.”

“It’s a birthday cake.” Cassandra wished that hadn’t spilled from her, but Viv just hummed happily.

“For Max.”

When she nodded, Viv watched her closely. She tried not to give anything away, but she knew she was failing.

“That’s another one who needs to find someone. He needs a good, strong queen by his side.”

Cassandra’s shoulders drooped at those words. A good, strong queen. Not a pitiful human refugee. An ogress.

“Yes, of course. I’m sure he’ll find someone soon.”

Viv harrumphed, rolling her eyes. “And I suppose you think he hasn’t already?”

Cassandra froze, the stillness doing nothing to quell the sharp pang of pain in her heart. “Has he?” She tried to sound nonchalant but it was difficult when she felt like her world was crumbling around her.

“You’re both denser than dirt,” Viv told her calmly, turning back to the meal she was completing.

“Who?” Cassandra frowned as she turned to look at Viv.

The ogress grumbled to herself and didn’t bother to respond, waving at her over her shoulder as Max barged into the kitchen.

“How are my two favorite females?” He made his way over to hug Cassandra, bundling her against his body and slowly relaxing. He did this often and it was something that she loved. Whenever he felt stressed or overwhelmed, he would abandon what he was doing so he could find her and hold her until he was calmer. She ran her palms over the bulging muscles of his back, her eyelids going low with the pleasure of his heat and scent.

“I’m fine and dandy, in case you wondered,” Viv called from her spot at the huge oven, grinning from ear to ear. Cassandra almost jerked away from him at her words, but he didn’t let her, keeping her close.

“You’ll get your hug next. Give me a moment with her.”

Viv was cackling as she made herself a plate and headed out of the kitchen. “Help yourselves.”

“Thanks Viv.” Maximus nuzzled against her hair, breathing deep and slow. “I’ll come find you in a bit.”

She harrumphed on the way out, but the smile didn’t leave her face.

“Rough day?” Cassandra ran her nose over his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck now that they were alone. Her fingers played with the skin of his neck and she felt his deep shudder.

She bit her lip, ignoring the hard press of his cock against her. It wasn't anything new—something she’d noticed early on in their ‘friendship’. She always pretended she didn’t feel anything, not bringing it up since he didn’t bring up the fact that her pussy was always soaked around him.

Growing up with ogres had taught her that their sense of smell was too sensitive for him to not know. And since he adored her scent, she knew that her constant state of arousal around him had something to do with it.

The only thing she was worried about was fitting him inside her—because while it was a fantasy she enacted often, with as many of her fingers as she could fit, she knew their size difference was substantial. Not that she should be thinking about that, because that wasn't where their relationship was heading… especially if he had someone else.

Reminded of those cutting words, she tightened her arms around his beck possessively, even as she rebuked herself for doing it.

"Hey," he whispered, running his big palms over her lower back soothingly—and enticingly. "Are you okay? What upset you?"

She was silent for a few moments and he just kept up with the gentle massage, until she was almost putty in his hands. "Max." Cassandra snuggled closer, wishing she didn't have to ask, but knowing she needed to."Are there any females that you're considering to be your queen?"

He continued stroking his hands over her before sighing and pulling away to look at her. "Where is this coming from, Cass?"

That's not a no.

"Viv said that you might have someone already." She shrugged, trying to play it off, not meeting his gaze.

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