Cassian booked the entire rooftop of the Astral Hotel.
Private orchestra. A five-course menu. A thousand roses flown in from Italy.
Arabella arrived late — on purpose.
And not in pink.
In black satin that hugged her curves, slit high, lips red like a warning.
Cassian turned as she walked in.
God help him.
"You planned all this?" she asked, taking her seat like a queen reclaiming her throne.
"For you."
"No," she said coolly, unfolding her napkin. "For guilt."
He tensed.
Arabella raised a glass of champagne. "But since we're both here, let's play pretend. Like old times, right?"
Cassian stared at her. "You want to pretend?"
"Oh no." She leaned forward. "I want to rewrite the story."
---
He tried to be formal. Gentle. But Arabella didn't let him take the lead.
When the orchestra played, she pulled him to dance.
When dessert arrived, she fed him.
And when he leaned close, whispering "You're stunning tonight…"
She replied, "I always was. You just chose to hate it before."
---
Cassian let out a low laugh. "You're dangerous."
"Good," she said. "Because I'm done being decoration in someone else's revenge plot."
He grabbed her wrist — not hard, just enough to make her breath hitch.
"I was a fool," he murmured. "But I'm trying now."
Arabella's eyes softened — just for a second.
Then she stood. "Try harder."
---
Later that night, back at the penthouse…
Arabella walked ahead of him, heels echoing down the hall. She paused at the bedroom door.
"If this is still just business to you," she said, not turning, "go to your office."
She opened the door and looked back.
"But if you're ready to try for real—"
Her gaze locked with his.
"—you'll follow me inside."
She walked in.
A pause.
Then footsteps.
Cassian followed.
---
He didn't speak. Just stood behind her, breathing unsteady.
Arabella turned slowly.
No more games. No more lies.
When she kissed him this time, it wasn't out of anger or accident. It was deliberate.
They undressed each other like unwrapping truths — slowly, carefully, hungrily.
And when they made love, it wasn't to conquer or manipulate.
It was to begin again.
---