Page 5 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Nadine felt a rush of warmth at the sincerity in Cassandra’s voice. The idea that someone like Cassandra could envy her freespirit was exhilarating. “And I think your approach has its merits too,” Nadine said. “You’re grounded and disciplined. We both want to change the fashion industry, but we come at it from different angles.”

Cassandra smiled, a rare, genuine expression that lit up her face. “Perhaps we’ll both get what we want then,” she said, her voice lighter now. “In our own ways.”

The moment felt transformative. Nadine had always felt confident that Pulse Media had ideas that would disrupt the fashion world, but now she also recognized another layer to the game: connection, understanding, and a hint of respect for the rival she’d thought she knew so well.

Cassandra’s words hung in the air. Nadine could feel the weight of them, understanding the tension they carried. Her own upbringing had been different. Her parents had encouraged her to chase her dreams, albeit sometimes in a way that made her rebellious enough to challenge their ideas, to see if they were placating her or truly believed in her goals.

“I get that,” Nadine replied, shifting her stance. “My parents were great, but sometimes I took their support for granted. I pushed boundaries just to see how far I could go.”

Cassandra’s smile was tight, almost wistful. “It seems like we came from different sides of the same coin.”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.” Nadine nodded. She found Cassandra’s coldness often stimulating, a challenge that made her heart race. It was thrilling to share this unique space with someone so structured yet formidable.

“So, tell me,” Nadine said casually, but with a twinkle of mischief in her eye, “is your partner supportive, at least?”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow, surprised at the sudden turn in conversation. “I’m single. Relationships have always felt more like a distraction than a priority.” Cassandra smiled faintly, butit didn’t quite reach her eyes. “But I have to ask—what about your partner? Is he supportive of your ambitions?”

Nadine laughed lightly, shaking her head. “Actually, I’m single. And my last partner was a woman.”

Cassandra side-eyed her. “Same here.”

“Oh!” Nadine exclaimed, her heart skipping. “I just assumed...I mean, I guess you’re just so sophisticated and formal, it didn’t occur to me that you’d be into women.”

Apart from the way you looked at me earlier and are looking at me now.

The warmth in her cheeks made her feel bashful, but it was exhilarating.

Cassandra’s smile deepened with a shared spark of revelation. “You’d be surprised by the sides of me you haven’t seen yet,” she teased, her voice tinged with a playful challenge.

Nadine couldn’t help the smile that blossomed on her face as she felt a rush of unexpected clarity. “Same here. Work has pretty much taken over my life. But maybe that’s how I like it?” She was struck with curiosity, wondering if their shared experience might lay the foundation for something new—if only for this moment.

They exchanged glances, both of them realizing they had something in common that transcended their rivalry: they were both single, driven women navigating the challenges and successes of life in the fashion world. Suddenly, the skyline didn’t seem as bright as the connection forming between them.

The two women stood a little closer together, enjoying the warmth of their connection. Nadine loved that they were moving away from business talk and getting to know each other on apersonal level. In the world of fashion, so much revolved around appearances, but this felt refreshing…and real.

After a pause, Cassandra glanced up at the stars, her face contemplative. “You know, it’s funny. People often ask me why I prefer dating women. It’s like they think it’s a phase or something.”

Nadine tilted her head, intrigued. “What do you tell them?”

Cassandra smiled softly, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes. “I tell them it’s just who I am. I’ve always felt a deeper connection with women. There’s something about the vulnerability and strength we share. I think women understand each other in a way that men miss.”

Nadine nodded, feeling a shared understanding. “I feel the same way. It’s not just about attraction, but the connection. Women seem to inspire each other to reach for more, to chase after their dreams unapologetically. Women listen and communicate differently. When I dated men, I felt like I had to wear a mask, almost like a fashion accessory. But with other women, it feels like we’re both peeling back layers instead of throwing on extra makeup.”

“Exactly!” Cassandra paused then and her eyes grew dark.

Nadine felt like she could lose herself in them.

“And, well, then there is the sex,” Cassandra said, her voice sexier than anything Nadine had ever heard. “Two women can pleasure each other in ways men will never understand or know. Sex that goes on all night. Orgasms that never end. Lesbian sex is a magical thing that once discovered, nothing will ever be the same again.”

Nadine felt her eyes widen. Never a truer word had been spoken.

She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.

Cassandra smiled like a tiger about to pounce on her prey, before she turned elegantly and headed back into the building her striking designer heels clicking as she went.

3

CASSANDRA

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