Page 39 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Alysa shifted under his gaze, a blush creeping up her neck. "Cassius?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.

That single word broke the spell. Cassius quickly stripped off his own clothes, hyper-aware of Alysa's eyes on him. Then he held out his hand, an invitation.

Alysa took it, letting him guide her into the shower. The hot water cascaded over them, washing away the dirt and blood and fear of the night.

The moonlight spilled through the bathroom windows, casting long shadows across their intertwined bodies. Cassius's hands trembled slightly as he caressed Alysa's skin, his touch both reverent and hungry.

For a long moment, they just stood there, forehead to forehead, letting the water sluice over their bodies. Cassius's hands moved to Alysa's hips, pulling her closer. He could feel every curve of her pressed against him, setting his skin on fire.

"Alysa," he breathed, his voice rough with need. "I—"

She silenced him with a kiss, her lips crashing against his with desperate intensity. Cassius groaned, his control slipping as he deepened the kiss, tongue exploring, tasting, claiming.

His hands roamed her body, memorizing every dip and curve. Alysa arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.

Cassius trailed kisses down her neck, nipping gently at her pulse point. Alysa's head fell back, giving him better access. Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him close.

"Cassius," she gasped. "Please…"

He knew what she was asking for. God, he wanted it, too. But a small part of his brain, the part not clouded by lust and adrenaline, held him back.

I shouldn’t want this right now.

But the thought was drowned out by the feel of her skin under his fingers, the way her breath hitched as he kissed the side of her neck. It was too much, too soon, but neither of them cared.

He lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her back against the cold tile, his mouth finding hers with a kind of desperation. The room spun, the steam from the shower mixing with the heat between them until nothing else existed except this—except her.

Alysa responded, her hands running up his chest, her soft moans igniting something inside him that he had tried to keep buried. His lips trailed down her neck, his hands exploring every inch of her body as if trying to memorize it.

His mouth moved lower, tracing a path down her stomach until he was on his knees, the warm water washing over them both. Alysa gasped, her hands tangling in his hair as he kissed her inner thighs, the heat between them growing unbearable. He wasn’t gentle. He couldn’t be.

As his tongue slid over her, Alysa’s body arched, a strangled moan escaping her lips. Cassius held her steady, his grip firm as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. Every sound she made, every tremor that ran through her body, only spurred him on.

Make her forget. Make her feel safe.

When she came, her body tensed, trembling against him as she cried out. Cassius held on, his mouth relentless, until she collapsed against the wall, panting, her legs weak. But as her pleasure peaked, the haze that had clouded his mind began to clear, and reality came crashing back.

Cassius stood abruptly, the water running over his face as he pulled away from her. His chest heaved, the heat of the moment fading into cold clarity.

He grabbed his clothes from the floor, his movements rushed and panicked.

Without a word, he dressed, his heart racing as he exited the bathroom, leaving Alysa standing there, hurt, breathless and confused. He couldn’t look at her. He couldn’t face what he had just done.

As he stepped outside, the cool night air hit him, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside his chest. His hands shook as he ran them through his damp hair, his mind a blur of conflicting emotions.

What the hell did I just do?

Chapter 10 - Alysa

Alysa stirred, her eyes fluttering open as the events of the previous night crashed over her. The warmth of the shower, Cassius's touch, his sudden departure—it all swirled in her mind, leaving her dizzy and confused.

Was it all a dream?

Her fingers traced her lips where his kiss still lingered. But the slight ache between her thighs and the lingering scent of his soap on her skin told her otherwise. It had been real. All too real.

The first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. She had considered going back to the guest room when Cassius fled…

Yes, that was the word. Fled.

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