His Sensual Bite

Chapter 2

Yesterday's events made Cassandra hesitate to live with her Uncle Alex. She thought that perhaps her stepbrother didn’t want her there. And honestly, she couldn’t blame him. Who would want to live with a stranger? Besides, Uncle Alex never married her mom, so it wasn’t really his responsibility to take care of her now that her mother was gone. Still, Uncle Alex was such a good person—kind and considerate—that he probably wouldn’t mind letting her stay.

As the car pulled up to the elegant two-story house that would now be her home, Cassandra stepped out and gazed at the structure, her heart heavy with longing. How I wish Mom was still here, she thought.

“Andra, welcome!” Uncle Alex greeted her warmly, his smile genuine and comforting.

“Thank you for having me,” Cassandra replied, bowing slightly, her words sincere.

“Quit the formalities,” Uncle Alex said, tapping her shoulder before grabbing her luggage. “This is your home now.”

As they entered, Cassandra couldn’t help but marvel at the house’s elegant interior. Everything looked pristine and newly built, as if crafted just yesterday. Uncle Alex must have noticed her awe because he chuckled softly and tousled her hair affectionately.

“This is the house your mother and I planned to build together,” he said nostalgically. “It was supposed to be a surprise for her. But I’m glad you like it. I’m sure your mother would have loved it too.”

Cassandra felt her eyes well up. Uncle Alex’s words carried such love and tenderness. I see, Mom… you really did find yourself a good man, she thought, closing her eyes and smiling as though speaking to her mother.

Later, in her new room, Cassandra unpacked her belongings, arranging them carefully. Suddenly, a knock interrupted her thoughts. She walked to the door and opened it, surprised to find her stepbrother standing there, his cold aura filling the space.

“Dinner is ready,” he said, his intense gaze meeting hers briefly before looking away.

Cassandra was about to respond when he turned on his heel and started to walk off.

“Uhm… I’ll be down in a minute, brother,” she called out hurriedly, hoping he’d hear her.

He stopped mid-step and turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he chuckled softly, the sound making her heart skip a beat.

“Stop with the ‘brother’ thing,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement. “Just call me Azi.”

He took a step closer, and Cassandra instinctively looked down, trying to avoid his intense gaze. But Azi lifted her chin gently, forcing their eyes to meet. His face was so close that she could barely breathe.

“Or…” he said in a low, teasing voice, his lips curling into a smirk, “would you rather be my little sister?”

Cassandra froze, rendered speechless by the way his words lingered in the air.

At the dinner table, Cassandra found herself lost in thought, her mind replaying the events from earlier. Azi’s teasing words and the way he’d come so close left her flustered. And now, there he was, sitting across from her, eating casually as if nothing had happened. It frustrated her that someone could affect her so strongly—and that it had to be her stepbrother of all people.

These feelings are unnecessary, she thought firmly. They need to stop before they lead to something irreversible.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and focused on the delicious food in front of her. But her train of thought was interrupted when Uncle Alex cleared his throat, drawing their attention.

“I have an urgent trip overseas, so I won’t be back for a while,” he announced, his expression apologetic.

Azi c****d his head to the side and casually wiped his lips with a napkin. “Is it for work?” he asked.

“Yes,” Uncle Alex replied. “The hospital branch overseas is short on neurosurgeons, and they’ve requested extra help.”

His gaze softened as he turned to Cassandra. “I’m worried about the two of you, especially you, Andra. You just moved in with us, and now I have to leave you alone. It doesn’t sit right with me.”

“I’ll be fine, Uncle,” Cassandra reassured him with a gentle smile. “I’m an adult now. I can take care of myself.”

Uncle Alex chuckled, the worry lines on his face easing. “Maybe your mother’s habit of worrying rubbed off on me,” he said warmly.

“I’ll take care of her,” Azi interjected, his tone serious.

Uncle Alex paused, his gaze shifting to his son in surprise. Then, to Cassandra’s amusement, he let out a hearty laugh. The troublemaker promising to take care of someone? he thought incredulously.

Azi’s brows furrowed as he glared at his father. He turned his cold stare to Cassandra when he noticed her stifling a laugh, but she quickly looked down, trying to compose herself.

Uncle Alex stood and clapped Azi on the shoulder. “I leave it to you, Az,” he said sincerely. “You two are siblings now, so take care of each other.”

With that, he excused himself to pack for his early morning departure, leaving Cassandra and Azi alone at the dinner table.

The silence was palpable, and Cassandra felt the weight of Azi’s presence more than ever. She cautiously glanced at him, unsure of what to say. But Azi simply leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her with an unreadable expression.

Suddenly, Azi stood up, his chair scraping softly against the floor. He moved closer to her, his presence looming over her, and then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“When I said I’ll take care of you,” his voice was low, his tone carrying a weight that made her heart race, “I didn’t mean it as siblings. So be prepared.”

Cassandra froze, her breath catching in her throat. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of his words, but the warmth of his proximity and the intensity of his voice left her speechless. Before she could respond, he straightened up, smirking slightly as he walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts—and a wildly beating heart.