Page 28 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Cassandra felt overwhelmed by the moment and it took them both time to come back to earth as they pulled out of and away from each other until they were both lying on their backs in the bed.

As the final waves of pleasure washed away, Cassandra’s heart sank. In the stillness that followed, an unexpected wave of regret crashed over her. It wasn’t the physical act that troubled her; it was the emotional connection that was forming—a connection she hadn’t anticipated or wanted. Over the years, she’d learned to guard her heart, to keep herself safe from the inevitable heartache that relationships would bring. Yet here she was, feeling something she hadn’t felt in years.

Nadine, oblivious to the turmoil washing over Cassandra, smiled at her softly, her lips curved in satisfaction. Their moment together felt like a dream, yet Cassandra could sense reality creeping in. This was no longer spontaneous. This was something extra. Would she let herself fall for this younger woman, for someone who was pining for her world? The thought terrified her.

Lost in her thoughts, Cassandra’s heart battled against her mind. As Nadine leaned in for another kiss, Cassandra responded, pulling the younger woman closer and kissing her deeply, yet the flicker of doubt continued to fester. This wasmore than just a fleeting encounter. This was a moment that could change everything.

In the aftermath of the kiss, Cassandra lay beside Nadine, their bodies intertwined, but her mind was racing. What had she done? This wasn’t the kind of fling she was used to. Nadine’s presence was uplifting. Her spirit was too captivating to ignore, and their connection suddenly felt all too real.

Nadine, with her short brown hair and piercing green eyes, lay nestled in the white linens. Cassandra glanced back at her, but she wasn’t ready for the soft smile or the inviting gaze that shimmered with possibilities. Feeling vulnerable, Cassandra swallowed hard, pushing down the flood of guilt that tugged at her.

Nadine, with her shining smile and warm personality, looked genuinely happy. She nestled against Cassandra’s side. “Hey, Cass,” Nadine said, her voice light and playful. “Why won’t you cuddle with me? You know it’s much better this way!” She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Cassandra felt a pang in her heart at Nadine’s words. She didn’t mean to come off as distant. The truth was, she felt chaotic with so many old emotions returning inside her. She remembered the previous evening when she’d confessed her loneliness, thinking it would bring them closer. But now it made her feel weak, as if she’d exposed too much of herself.

“Maybe I just like to keep my distance,” Cassandra replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but the tightness in her voice gave her away. She felt Nadine’s excitement wane a little at her tone.

Nadine raised an eyebrow, a teasing look on her face. “Oh, come on! No wonder you’re lonely! You push everyone away!” She laughed again, but this time there was a hint of concern in her eyes. She was just trying to joke, but the words stung Cassandra anyway.

Cassandra’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she turned away, feeling exposed and vulnerable. She wished she hadn’t shared her loneliness earlier. It felt like a burden now, a weight she didn’t want to carry. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she said quietly, staring at the intricate patterns on the hotel bedspread.

Nadine frowned, her playful mood fading as she sensed the shift. “I was just kidding, Cass. I thought you’d find it funny!” She reached out, trying to pull Cassandra closer, but Cassandra resisted. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate Nadine’s warmth, but the teasing had slipped through her defenses in a way that felt awful.

With an air of indifference, she broke the silence. “You know, there are different kinds of attraction,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside. “This…whatever just happened, it was purely sexual. Nothing more.”

Nadine’s brows knitted together in confusion, irritation flickering in her emerald eyes. “Cassandra, are you really going to pretend that this is just a fling? Our connection is more than that.”

It was unusual for Cassandra to feel this way about someone, especially someone she worked with. Because of that, she’d tried to put some physical space between them once the collaboration began. It hadn’t been easy, though. Each time they met, Cassandra felt that pull toward Nadine. She thought maybe it was just admiration, but now it seemed clearer. There was something deeper there, something that had always lingered beneath the surface, and she couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Now, lying naked next to Nadine, Cassandra felt a mix of anger and confusion. Why had she let things go this far? She’d never intended for it to happen this way. She’d held back for so long, trying to keep things professional, but now it felt like she’d crossed a line. Nadine had been so charming and persuasive,and in that moment of weakness, Cassandra had let her walls come crashing down.

Cassandra felt a flutter of resentment building inside her. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable, and now it felt like she was on the wrong side of a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Did Nadine see this as just a fling? Or did she feel something more? Would Nadine want to continue with this outside the hotel room?

Cassandra shook her head, raising her hand to indicate she needed space. The walls of the hotel room began to close in on her. “Look, it’s best if we just chalk this up to a moment of weakness. Only you should stay the night. I’ll send you a Venmo request for half the room.”

“Wait, what if I don’t want to stay here alone?” Nadine’s voice was softer now, almost pleading. She shifted her position, propping herself up on one elbow. “You just said you were lonely earlier. Is this what you really want?”

Cassandra laughed, though it felt hollow. “I say a lot of things I don’t really mean,” she protested, attempting to dismiss the emotion entwined in her words. “This is business, Nadine. We wasted a lot of money on this hotel, and Wynter Fashion doesn’t do anything without purpose.”

“Wasted? Are you really going to Venmo request me?” Nadine retorted, the corners of her mouth pulling into a frown.

Cassandra grinned, attempting to lighten the mood. “I mean, sure. It’s business, Nadine! This is what collaborating in the fashion industry looks like.” She forced herself to smile.

“I don’t care about the money," Nadine said, but her voice was less certain now. “I care about what just happened between us.”

Cassandra felt the weight of her words. “Look, just stay the night, okay? I’ll send you that Venmo request. It’ll be easier if we both have our space when morning arrives.”

Nadine hesitated, blinking slowly. “You’re being cold, Cass. Are you really going to throw away the connection we’ve built? What if it could be more?”

The question lingered in the air like a dark cloud. Cassandra wanted to grasp at the thread of hope that flickered in Nadine’s question, but couldn’t find the courage. Instead, she turned her back, feeling the weight of her choice.

“Stay the night,” she repeated, her voice losing its edge. “This is for the sake of the project. You’re strong…you don’t need me.”

Nadine’s silence filled the room, and Cassandra could hear her own heartbeat galloping in her ears. She didn’t turn around to see Nadine’s expression, afraid of what she might find there.

Finally, Nadine rose, her voice steady as she spoke. “If you think what we shared was just business, I respect your decision. But I’m not staying in a room pretending like it’s business when it was filled with way more than just projects and contracts.”

Cassandra remained turned away, her arms crossed for protection. She winced, glancing back just in time to see Nadine getting dressed, the moment slipping right through her fingers. She was putting on her shoes.

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