Page 18 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound Aurora's soft breathing. Alysa was acutely aware of Cassius's presence beside her, of the heat radiating from his body.

This is torture.

"We should let her sleep," Alysa whispered, stepping back from the crib.

Cassius nodded, following her out of the nursery. In the hallway, they paused, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

"Alysa, I—" Cassius started, then stopped, running a hand through his hair.

Her heart raced. "Yes?"

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Nothing. Just… thank you. For everything. I used to barely have any time to rest. Now, it feels like I can’t rest enough, and I can come to check on her often."

Alysa swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Of course. You’re welcome, Cassius."

As she retreated to her room, Alysa's mind whirled. What had he been about to say?

It doesn't matter. Nothing can happen between us.

After her shower, she returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes they’d used for dinner. The kitchen was quiet save for the soft clinking of dishes

She scrubbed a particularly stubborn spot on a pan, her mind drifting to the events of the day. The way Cassius's eyes had lingered on her after helping her with the toy. The brush of his arm against hers as they passed in the hallway. The softness in his voice when he thanked her for caring for Aurora.

You're reading too much into things. He's just being nice.

The sound of footsteps approaching made her tense. Cassius appeared in the doorway, his presence filling the room.

"Need a hand?" he asked, already rolling up his sleeves.

Alysa's mouth went dry at the sight of his muscular forearms. "Oh, um, sure. Thanks."

He moved to stand beside her at the sink, their elbows brushing as he reached for a dish. Alysa's skin tingled at the contact.

They worked in silence for a few moments, the only sound the gentle splashing of water. Alysa was hyper-aware of every movement, every breath.

"You've been a godsend, you know," Cassius said suddenly, his voice low. "I don't know how I managed before you came."

Alysa's heart stuttered. She kept her eyes fixed on the dish in her hands, afraid of what he might see if she looked at him. "I'm happy to help," she murmured. "Aurora's a joy."

"It's not just Aurora," he continued. "It's… everything. Thanks for dinner, I didn’t mention."

She risked a glance at him then, her breath catching at the intensity in his gaze. "Cassius, I—"

The words died in her throat as he took a step closer, closing the already small distance between them. Time seemed to slow, the air heavy with possibility.

This can't be happening.

Cassius's hand moved to her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. Alysa's eyes fluttered closed at the touch, her body leaning into him instinctively.

For a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like to close that final distance, to feel his lips against hers.

The shrill cry of the baby monitor shattered the moment.

They sprang apart, reality crashing back in. Alysa's cheeks burned as she fumbled for a dish towel. "I should… I should go check on her," she stammered.

Cassius nodded, his expression unreadable. "Right. Of course."

As Alysa fled the kitchen, her heart pounding, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything had just changed.

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