Chapter twenty one
463 Words
Casey felt the tension the moment she entered Riley’s office. He didn’t even look at her, but the air was thick with his anger. His assistant left almost in tears, another worker fled in silence.
Casey’s chest tightened. Her wolf whispered it was her fault.
She made herself coffee, hesitated, then poured another cup for him. Maybe it would calm him.
When she placed it on his desk, Riley growled. Low. Dangerous.
“Are you growling at me, sir?” Casey asked, her fear hardening into anger.
“Don’t you have work to do before the meeting?” His voice was sharp as glass.
Her hands curled into fists. She turned, locked the door, and faced him. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re tearing into everyone, and now you’re acting like an arrogant jerk!”
Riley stood, silver eyes flashing. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’m just a bad boss.”
Her heart pounded, but she stepped closer. “No. You’re better than this. Or at least, I thought you were.”
Something cracked inside him at her words. His chest ached. But his pride snapped back. “You change too fast, Casey. Yesterday you begged me to keep people away. Today you close the door just to… scold me?”
Her throat closed. His words cut deep.
“I asked you because I trusted you,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. “And I was stupid enough to think I could calm you down.”
She turned to leave, but he caught her in one breath. His arms wrapped around her, holding her against his chest.
“Don’t cry… please,” Riley murmured, his voice breaking.
Her hands pressed weakly against him, but her body betrayed her. She didn’t pull away. She couldn’t. Her wolf wouldn’t let her.
He lifted her chin, brushed her tears away. And in that moment, the world stopped.
Her golden eyes glowed. His mark burned on his skin. His wolf demanded. And Riley… bent.
He kissed her.
It was fire, storm, forbidden hunger. Casey melted into him, lips parting, breath trembling. For one perfect second, nothing else existed.
Then Riley broke the kiss, stumbling back, shaking with the effort to stop. Her eyes—liquid gold—watched him with need that tore him apart.
A knock shattered the silence. “Sir, five minutes until your meeting,” Ethon called.
Casey’s face flamed. She pressed her lips, whispered, “This was a mistake,” and stormed out.
The door slammed.
Riley leaned on his desk, chest heaving, her taste still on his lips. He closed his eyes, but his wolf roared in defiance.
He had promised it would never happen again.
But deep inside, Riley already knew—he would break that promise.
- Writer
