Chapter 11
887 Words
Sera's POV
I stormed out of the ballroom, my fingers digging into Nicho’s wrist as I dragged him along. My chest heaved, anger burning through me like wildfire. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way—not over Cassian. Not over that arrogant, infuriating man who had no right to affect me like this.
“Sera, slow down,” Nicho said, stumbling to keep up. “What happened back there? You’re shaking.”
“Just—come with me,” I snapped, my voice sharper than intended.
We pushed past startled guests and exited through the grand double doors. The night air was cool against my flushed skin, but it did nothing to calm me. My driver was already waiting by the curb, his expression unreadable.
“Sunshine Hotel,” I ordered briskly as I yanked the car door open.
Nicho hesitated, glancing at me in confusion. “Sunshine Hotel? Why there? What’s going on, Sera?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. If I did, I might unravel completely. All I wanted right now was to erase every single thought, every single feeling Cassian had ignited inside me. Tonight, I would smother them until they no longer existed.
“Just get in,” I said tightly.
The ride was silent, tension so thick it was hard to breathe. My nails dug into my palms as memories of Cassian flashed in my mind—his smug grin, the way his dark eyes pierced through me, the way his mere presence made my heart race against my will.
I hated him for it.
I hated myself more for letting him have this kind of power over me.
When we arrived at the hotel, I didn’t wait for Nicho to open the door. I climbed out and marched straight inside, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Nicho trailed behind, bewildered.
“Sera, what are we doing here?” he asked again, his tone cautious now.
I didn’t reply. My heart was pounding, and my pulse roared in my ears. I only knew one thing: I needed to make these feelings stop.
The moment the door to the hotel room closed behind us, I locked it with a sharp click.
Nicho frowned. “Sera—”
Before he could finish, I turned to him, my gaze fierce. My hands shot up, grabbing his necktie and yanking him closer. His breath caught in surprise, but I didn’t give him a chance to protest.
I crushed my lips against his.
The kiss was desperate, raw—a wild attempt to drown out the name that kept echoing in my chest. Cassian. Cassian. Cassian.
Nicho froze for a split second, startled, but then his arms came around me, tentative at first, then firm. His lips moved against mine, answering the fire I’d ignited.
I moaned softly as he lifted me by the waist, his hands gripping my ass possessively. Instinctively, my legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, grew rougher, hotter.
He stumbled toward the bed, laying me down with a soft thud before hovering over me. His mouth devoured mine, his hands roaming as he whispered my name between ragged breaths.
For a brief, blinding moment, it worked.
Cassian’s image blurred at the edges of my mind, replaced by the man before me.
But then—
Cassian.
The name slammed into me like a punch to the gut.
My eyes flew open, and reality came crashing back. My body went rigid beneath Nicho’s, my heart pounding not from desire—but from guilt.
“No,” I gasped, shoving at his chest.
He froze instantly, confusion flashing across his face.
I turned my head away, panting. My lips tingled, my body ached, but my heart screamed a single truth I couldn’t ignore.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered hoarsely, tears stinging my eyes. “This… this isn’t right.”
I scrambled to sit up, pushing past him. My legs wobbled as I stood, fumbling for my clutch and jacket.
“Sera, wait!” Nicho grabbed my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. “Talk to me. What the hell just happened? Why did you bring me here if you were just going to—”
“I thought…” My voice cracked. I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing hard. “I thought if I was with you, I could forget him.”
“Cassian,” Nicho said flatly, the name tasting bitter on his tongue.
I didn’t deny it. I couldn’t.
He stared at me, hurt flickering in his eyes, but underneath it was something darker—something I couldn’t quite name.
“You don’t have to leave,” he said quietly, stepping closer. “Let me… help you forget, Sera.”
His thumb brushed against my cheek, and I flinched.
“No, Nicho.” My voice steadied with determination. “I can’t do this to you. To me. I won’t use you like that.”
I turned to leave, but his grip on my wrist tightened, holding me in place.
“Sera,” he murmured, his tone unreadable now. “You’re already mine, whether you admit it or not.”
A chill ran down my spine as I stared into his eyes, suddenly unsure if walking away would be as simple as I hoped.
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