Mated To The Deranged CEO

Chapter Eight

Lunch was surprisingly pleasant. Cain kept the conversation light, focusing on Evie and her interests, which made her laugh and chatter happily.

It was… nice.

Afterward, as he drove us back to my apartment, I found myself dreading the moment we’d part ways.

When we arrived, Cain helped carry Evie and her things up to my small apartment.

As I unlocked the door, I embarrassment rush through at the cramped space, especially compared to the luxury Cain undoubtedly lived in.

I know I used to live in one, but compared to Cain I was nothing close to what he was

He stepped inside, looking around briefly before setting the bags down. “This place…” he began, but I cut him off.

“It’s what I can afford,” I said defensively.

Cain turned to me, guilt painting his features, “Luna, I didn’t mean—”

“I know what you meant,” I said quickly, avoiding his gaze.

He sighed, stepping closer. “Luna, let me stay for a while,” he said, his voice gentle.

“What?” I asked, startled.

“Just for tonight,” he said. “I want to help with Evie, get to know her better. And… I want to make sure you’re okay.”

I hesitated, between wanting to keep my distance and the small part of me that longed for his presence.

I exhaled, picking one.

“Fine,” I said finally. “But just for tonight.”

Cain nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Thank you.”

As he settled onto the couch, Evie immediately climbed into his lap, showing him one of her toys. I watched them from the doorway, my heart aching.

I could only hope he wasn't lying or playing games, because I was already letting him into my life.

And I wouldn't want to regret it later.

Evie’s laughter soon filled the room as Cain gently took the toy from her and started making up a silly story about its adventures.

I just occupied myself with the meals I was preparing, since that was the only thing I could do right now.

Surprisingly she hung onto every word he said , her silver eyes gleaming with excitement.

I leaned against the doorway after putting the food to finish cooking, folding my arms as I observed them.

Cain’s silver eyes softened as he talked and laughed with Evie, and for a moment, it was easy to imagine what life could’ve been like if things had been different.

“Luna?” Cain’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I blinked, realizing he was looking at me with a smirk on his face. “What?” I asked, feeling a little embarrassed and nervous at the same time.

“You’ve been standing there staring,” he said with a smirk. “Care to join us?”

I straightened, brushing off his comment. “I wasn’t staring,” I muttered, walking over to sit on the armrest of the couch.

Evie immediately crawled over to me, resting her head against my arm. “Mommy, Cain’s funny,” she said with a giggle.

I smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “He is, isn’t he?”

Cain’s smirk widened, and he leaned back against the couch. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You shouldn’t,” I shot back, though there was no bite to my tone.

The lighthearted atmosphere was… refreshing. It felt like a brief reprieve from the storm of emotions that had been weighing me down.

After a while, Evie started yawning, her energy finally fading. I picked her up, cradling her in my arms as I carried her to her room.

She clung to me sleepily, murmuring something about Cain and her toy before drifting off.

When I returned to the living room, Cain was standing by the window, his hands in his pockets as he gazed out at the street below.

“You don’t have to stay,” I said softly, though I didn’t really mean it.

He turned to face me, his expression serious. “I want to.”

I hesitated, unsure of how to make him leave, even though I didn’t want to. But then, something hit me—something I needed to be clear about.

“Who is Amanda to you?” I asked, my tone sharper than intended.

Cain glanced at me, studying my expression for a moment before chuckling. “My secretary and a good friend.”

Doesn’t look like it, I thought, even as I couldn’t deny the sincerity in his eyes—a truth I couldn’t ignore no matter how much I wanted to.

I sighed and turned away, preparing to ask my next question. But before I could say anything, he was suddenly behind me.

I froze. I was certain he hadn’t moved. I hadn’t heard a single sound, yet there he was, so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from him.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, moving with me until my back hit the counter. Then he leaned me gently against it, caging me in place.

“What are you doing?!” I demanded, my voice a mix of panic and something else—something I refused to name.

“Teaching you a lesson,” he said smoothly, his lips brushing close to my ear. “For thinking I’d stoop so low as to get involved with my secretary—or my sister.”

I stiffened. “Wait, how did you know?”

Cain smirked, his gaze sharp and knowing. I wanted to push him away, to demand answers, but my body betrayed me, frozen in place as a strange mix of anticipation and dread bubbled within me.

Then he moved, unbuckling his belt with deliberate precision.

My heart stopped.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I said through gritted teeth, my eyes narrowing as he raised the belt.

“Fifteen spanks,” he said casually, his voice low and teasing. “And then... a round in your bathtub.”