Page 75 of Company Ink

"Cute," I say, rolling my eyes.

"I try," Adrian says lightly, just as the song is ending. He tilts his head and adds, "I want to show you something, Cariño. Come with me."

My forehead creases as he leads me off the dance floor. "What is it? Blake might be looking for me..."

"Pearson is capable of keeping himself entertained for a few minutes," Adrian says icily. "Trust me, you'll love it. Let's go." He grabs my hand and leads me out of the ballroom.

"Where are we going?"

Adrian grins. "You'll see soon enough."

We walk down the forest green-carpeted hallway until we reach the elevator, Adrian presses theupbutton.

"Are you taking me up to aroom?" My eyes expand at his audacity. "If you think I'm going to sleep with you—"

"What?" he laughs. "I mean, I'm flattered that's where your mind automatically goes but no, I'm not taking you to aroom,Cassie."

"Oh..." My cheeks flush.Kill me."Where are you taking me then?" I mutter. Ugh, this is awkward now.

Adrian presses the button to the top floor. "You'll see in a minute."

We ride up in a comfortable yet somewhat tense silence, our bodies so close to one another but not touching.

"Follow me," Adrian says, leading me down the hallway past all the suites, and through a door I wouldn't have even noticed was there. I furrow my brows when a small flight of stairs comes into view. "Come on Cassie." He holds out his hand. "It's fine."

I take it hesitantly. "Something tells me we're not supposed to be up here," I whisper.

Once Adrian opens the metallic door at the top of the stairs, a cool breeze blows through my hair.

"You brought me...to the roof?" I ask slowly, my heels sinking into the pebbled ground. I crane my neck and look up at the star scattered sky. "Wow, it's so clear tonight."

Adrian leads me to the edge of the roof. "Lucky us," he whispers, his eyes flickering up to the heavens. "Do you see that'W'right over there?" He points his long finger high up into the sky.

"Kind of? Why?" I ask, squinting my eyes, trying to make out the string of stars he's referring to.

Adrian lowers his head, his eyes now focused solely on me. "That constellation is called Cassiopeia."

"Really?!" I exclaim, flinging my neck backward again and staring at the 'W'. "That's so cool. I wonder if that's why my parents named me Cassandra."

Adrian lets out a quiet laugh. "I would hope not," he says.

"What? Why not?" I ask, frowning.

Adrian rubs his chin. "That constellation is named after a queen in Greek mythology."

My eyes widen with glee. "Aqueen?"

"Yes, a queen." Adrian presses his lips into a thin line. "But before you go and start getting all giddy let me finish the story."

"Fine, go ahead," I concede. "What did this queen do?"

"Well, according to legend, Cassiopeia was very vain and boasted that she was more beautiful than the Nereids, the sea nymphs. Her proclamation angered Poseidon, the god of the sea, so he sent a sea monster to destroy her kingdom. Not wanting her livelihood destroyed, Cassiopeia tied her daughter Andromeda to a rock near the ocean as a sacrifice, in order to appease the monster."

"That's horrible!" I exclaim. "Did she die?"

"No, she didn't," Adrian chuckles. "Luckily, Perseus swooped down on Pegasus and saved her."

"Awe that's so romantic," I pout. "But what happened to Cassiopeia?"

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