Claiming The Unreachable Heiress

Chapter Seven—The Site Visit

The sun was already blazing by the time Ava stepped out of her car. Her heels clicked against the gravel, the noise sharp and precise — just like her mood.

She hated field visits. Dust, noise, heat — none of it fit into her carefully polished schedule.

Cassian, on the other hand, looked like he’d walked out of a photoshoot.

White shirt sleeves rolled up, black trousers, watch glinting. He was talking with one of the site managers when he spotted her.

“Miss Cole,” he called, voice smooth as always. “You came.”

Ava adjusted her sunglasses. “I’m the project head. Of course I came.”

Cassian smiled. “Good. I thought you might send someone else just to avoid me.”

“I still might.”

He laughed quietly, and for a second, the site noise seemed to fade — replaced by the easy sound of his amusement.

They toured the area together. Cassian asked smart questions, occasionally leaning closer to study her tablet screen.

Ava, of course, kept her tone clipped and professional, though her heartbeat had no business reacting to proximity.

When one of the workers explained a delay in material delivery, Cassian immediately called the supplier himself — his tone firm but respectful, getting results within minutes.

Ava blinked. “You didn’t have to—”

“I know,” he said, pocketing his phone. “But I wanted to make your day easier.”

Ava frowned slightly. “You think I can’t handle this?”

Cassian tilted his head, eyes glinting. “No. I think you shouldn’t have to handle everything alone.”

She opened her mouth to respond — something sharp, something distant — but the words got stuck somewhere between her throat and her chest.

So she just turned away. “Let’s continue.”

Hours passed. By noon, the temperature rose, and Cassian noticed her trying to hide her discomfort. Without a word, he handed her a cold bottle of water.

“Drink,” he said simply.

Ava hesitated, then took it. “You’re surprisingly… thoughtful.”

He smiled. “Don’t sound so shocked.”

“I’m not shocked. Just… observing.”

“Observation’s a dangerous habit,” Cassian murmured. “You might start noticing things you weren’t supposed to.”

Her eyes met his — sharp, unreadable — before she turned back to the blueprint in her hand.

By the time the day ended, her white shirt was slightly dusted, her bun slightly looser. She hated that Cassian noticed.

“You look… less perfect,” he said with a teasing smile. “It suits you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Careful, Hale. You’re walking a fine line.”

He grinned. “I like fine lines. Especially the ones that lead to you.”

Ava exhaled, gathering her files. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”

“Not when it comes to something — or someone — I want.”

She shot him a look over her shoulder. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not interested.”

“Yet,” he said softly.

Her heart skipped — but her voice didn’t waver.

“Keep dreaming, Cassian.”

That night, while reviewing her reports, Ava found herself remembering his words.

Not the flirtation — she could ignore that.

But the way he took control when things went wrong, how he treated every worker with respect.

It wasn’t attraction she felt.

Of course not.

Just… curiosity.

At least, that’s what she told herself.