Frozen Desire

Cassian sat in the sleek black car, the city lights blurring past as he sped through the empty streets. His mind was a storm of thoughts, chaotic and tangled, each one pulling him in a different direction. He barely registered the smooth hum of the engine as his gaze fixed out the window, but the image of Sera kept intruding, her face, the way she looked at him, the way she kissed him.

His fingers drummed absently on the steering wheel, an unconscious gesture, as he tried to make sense of what had happened, of what she made him feel. There was something about her—something unlike anything he had ever encountered. He'd spent his life carefully controlling everything around him, never letting emotions get in the way. But Sera… she was different. She felt different.

Why had he let things go as far as they did? Why had he allowed himself to be so caught up in her, in that kiss?

He'd been surrounded by the cold, calculated world of business his entire life, trained to be the heir to the Vale empire, to be distant, to control. And yet, with Sera, none of those rules seemed to apply. She had a way of making him feel like he was standing on the edge of something he couldn't control, something that made his chest tighten and his mind race. She was so full of life, of warmth, of unpredictability. And he… he was frozen, locked in his own carefully crafted prison.

The kiss had shattered something inside him. Something he'd kept hidden for so long. He couldn't ignore it, couldn't pretend it hadn't happened. But that scared him. He wasn't supposed to feel this—this pull, this desire, this confusion. He wasn't supposed to want to see her again, to hear her laugh, to feel that warmth that seemed to radiate from her like sunlight through a storm.

He clenched his jaw, irritated at himself for feeling anything at all.

As the car rounded a corner, he closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm inside. He was supposed to be focused on the company, on his future—his duty to his father, to the Vale legacy. There was no room for distractions, no room for feelings. He had a responsibility. He had to be the person they expected him to be.

And yet, her face lingered in his mind. Her smile. Her vulnerability. The way her eyes had searched his, as if she was looking for something, something he didn't know how to give. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration mounting.

This confusion… this feeling he couldn't shake—it wasn't supposed to be like this.

He turned his gaze back to the window, the city now a blur of lights.

No one gets under my skin like this, he thought bitterly.

But Sera had. And the worst part was, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. And that, above all else, drove him mad.

Cassian finally arrived at the penthouse, the sound of the car's tires coming to a halt in the underground garage. He stepped out, the cool air of the night rushing against his skin as he made his way through the sleek, polished lobby. His mind was still swirling from his encounter with Sera. The storm of thoughts hadn't calmed, and the emotional turbulence was starting to gnaw at him. He had to clear his head, but the weight of his father's expectations hovered over him, a constant reminder of the future that awaited.

As he entered the penthouse, he was met with the familiar, almost suffocating silence of his home. Everything here was pristine, perfect, controlled—just like his life had always been. But tonight, it all felt distant, foreign. The usual cold comfort of his surroundings didn't offer him the same sense of security it always did.

Before he could retreat to his study, his father's voice rang through the silence.

"Where have you been?" Victor Vale's tone was as sharp as ever, cutting through the air like a blade. Cassian didn't have to look to know his father was standing in the doorway of the sitting room, his presence as imposing as always.

Cassian paused for a moment, his hand resting on the doorknob, and then turned slowly to face his father. "Out," he replied coolly, his gaze unwavering. "You know, seeing the sights."

Victor's eyes narrowed, the sharpness of his gaze never faltering. "I don't appreciate vagueness. You know very well there are more important things than your… wandering." He stepped into the room, his heavy footsteps resounding across the marble floor, making the space feel even colder.

Cassian sighed inwardly, but his expression remained impassive. "I'm sure I'm well aware of what's important to you, Father." His voice carried a trace of sarcasm, but he kept his tone steady, not wanting to push the conversation further.

Victor's eyes flicked over his son, noticing something that made his brow furrow in suspicion. He stepped closer, scrutinizing Cassian with a critical gaze. His gaze dropped to his son's neck, then to his clothes, before lifting back up to meet his eyes.

"What is that smell?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Perfume?"

Cassian froze for a split second, his body stiffening before he relaxed again, trying to hide the tension building inside him. "It's nothing," he replied, attempting to brush it off, but his father wasn't so easily deceived.

Victor took another step closer, his eyes sharp as ever. "You've been distracted," he said, his voice low, almost a growl. "I can see it in your face, the way you're holding yourself. You've let something—someone—distract you."

Cassian felt his blood run cold at the insinuation. He held his father's gaze, the icy tension hanging in the air. His jaw clenched, but he didn't break eye contact.

"Don't mistake me, Cassian," Victor continued, his tone cold and dangerous, like the calm before a storm. "You have a responsibility. The company, the legacy—it's all waiting for you. You can't afford to let emotions or… distractions, get in the way."

His words cut deep, each one leaving a sting. Cassian opened his mouth to respond but stopped himself. What was there to say? He couldn't explain to his father the things he had been feeling, the pull he had felt earlier with Sera. He couldn't risk it. Not now.

He took a steadying breath, his expression falling back into a mask of indifference. "I haven't been distracted, Father. I'm still focused." He forced the words out, despite the gnawing sense of unease rising in him.

Victor narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "See that you are. I won't have my son distracted by anything or anyone. Not while we still have work to do." He turned and walked toward the adjoining room, his commanding presence filling the space.

Cassian stood there, motionless, his fists clenched at his sides. The tension in the air was thick, the weight of his father's words pressing down on him. He couldn't let himself be distracted. He had a duty, after all. But no matter how hard he tried to push the thoughts of Sera away, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was lying to himself.

He finally exhaled, the breath heavy and laden with frustration, before leaving his father to go to his room.

Cassian entered his room, his footsteps echoing in the silent, sprawling space. He walked over to the large window, which overlooked the city's skyline, the lights below casting a soft glow that mirrored the swirl of thoughts in his mind. He stared out at the sprawling expanse, but he couldn't find peace there. He felt trapped, not just by the walls of his penthouse, but by the weight of his obligations, his father's expectations, and—something he hadn't been willing to admit until now—Sera.

His gaze drifted over the sleek, modern furniture, his eyes finally landing on his desk. A single envelope was resting on top of the papers there. It stood out, almost calling to him, despite the dozens of files scattered across the surface. Cassian couldn't remember the last time he'd seen it there, but something about it felt important, like a door to something he hadn't fully acknowledged.

He walked over and picked it up, tearing it open with a flick of his wrist. Inside, there was a single piece of paper—neatly typed, almost clinical in its presentation. His eyes scanned the information quickly, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the name at the top: Sera De Luca.

His mind raced, a flurry of thoughts swirling around him. It was everything—everything—he wanted to know about her. Her background. Her career. Her life before the café. And then, at the bottom of the page, written neatly in black ink, was her phone number. The digits sat there, a simple yet weighty line that felt like an invitation to cross a boundary.

Cassian's mind reeled, and the more he thought about it, the more restless he became. He ran his fingers through his hair, pacing the length of the room. His eyes kept drifting back to the number. The same number that had seemed so distant earlier, now somehow within his reach.

He stopped suddenly, staring down at the phone in his hand, his thumb hovering above the screen. There was something about Sera that unsettled him in ways he couldn't quite explain. She made him question everything—his choices, his priorities, his focus—and yet, there was a pull he couldn't deny.

With a frustrated exhale, he finally opened the messaging app. He hovered for a moment, his thoughts swirling as his fingers hovered over the screen. This wasn't like him. He didn't chase after distractions. But... Sera wasn't a distraction, was she?

He took a breath, typing out a quick message, before pausing and re-reading it, making sure it was exactly what he wanted to say. The words felt strange, like they weren't his own, but something pushed him to send them anyway.

Cassian: I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about you.

He stared at the message for a moment longer, his pulse quickening with anticipation. Before he could second-guess himself, he pressed send.

For a long moment, he stood there, the weight of what he had just done sinking in. He had no idea what she would say, or even if she'd respond at all, but it didn't matter. In that moment, for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was doing something for himself

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Sera lay in the warm bath, her fingers absently tracing her lips, still tingling from the memory of his kiss. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, letting the steam envelop her. What the hell was that? Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each thought tangled up with the one before it.

I should've stopped it, she thought. I didn't want to, but I should've. He's... different. Not like anyone else. But... what if he's just playing me? Her heart skipped at the thought of him—his touch, the heat of his body so close to hers. God, the way he looked at me... She could still feel his gaze, intense and piercing, as if he saw right through her, into places no one else ever had.

But then there was the kiss. Her lips felt bruised, swollen, from the force of it. And despite every warning bell in her head, she couldn't help but replay the moment over and over. Why am I even thinking about him like this? He's dangerous. I don't let people in...

She let out a frustrated sigh, leaning her head back against the cool porcelain of the tub. Why does he have to be so... captivating? There was an unsettling pull she felt toward him, one she couldn't explain. I don't get nervous around guys. Not like that. Not ever.

A small laugh escaped her lips, bitter and self-deprecating. What am I doing? I've spent years building walls around myself, and then— She bit her lip, thinking about the way his words had hung in the air, each one weighted, like they meant something more. What was that look? What's his deal?

She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. Focus, Sera. You have a life. You have your work. And this? This can't— But the thought of him, his eyes, his touch... it all lingered.

Her fingers left her lips and slid through the water, trying to push away the thoughts that wouldn't leave her mind. She couldn't afford to get tangled up in whatever this was. Not now. Not when she had everything she had fought for right at her fingertips.

Still, as she stood up from the bath, the faintest smile tugged at her lips. But why does it feel so... hard to ignore him?

Sera standing there lost in thought, the cool air of her apartment causing goosebumps to break out across her skin. She wrapped herself in a soft, oversized towel and padded across the floor to her room, the gentle sound of rain tapping against the windows filling the silence.

As she crossed the threshold into her bedroom, the quiet was broken by the soft chime of her phone. Her heart gave a quick flutter at the sound, her mind immediately going to him, even though she hated herself for it. Don't let it be him. Don't— But she already knew it was.

She walked over to her nightstand and picked up the phone, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the message pop up on the screen.

It was from him.

"I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about you.

Her hand froze mid-air, the phone almost slipping from her grip. She read the message again, her heart racing. What the hell is this? She wasn't sure if the flutter in her chest was excitement or panic, but it was there, undeniable.

I can't keep doing this. I can't get caught up in him.

Sera stared at the message, her heart pounding as she let the words sink in. After a moment of hesitation, she typed back, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to find the right words.

"You're not the only one who's confused. But I think we need to stop this before it goes any further. It's better for both of us."

She read it over, her stomach twisting, before pressing send. She tossed her phone on the bed, her thoughts swirling, wondering if he would reply, or if the words she'd just sent would be the last connection between them.

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Cassian stared at the screen of his phone, his chest tightening as he read her message. "You're not the only one who's confused. But I think we need to stop this before it goes any further. It's better for both of us."

The words stung more than he expected. He'd tried to be the one to hold control, but this—this felt different. The finality in her message made his heart drop, and for a moment, he felt something foreign. Hurt. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to push the feeling away.

He knew she was right—of course she was. He'd spent his life avoiding connections, distancing himself from anything that could disrupt the carefully constructed walls around him. But something about her, about Sera, made him feel... alive. Unsettled. And now that she was pushing him away, it left him with this strange, empty feeling.

He stared at the message for a moment longer, wondering if he should respond. He had no idea what he'd say. There was too much between them, too much he didn't understand. But part of him didn't want to let her slip away, even if it was what she needed. After a few minutes of silence, he set the phone down, pushing the thoughts of her aside—at least for the time being.

There was nothing more to be said... was there? He picked his phone up again and sent Seraphina a message.

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Sera lay in bed, the soft sound of rain tapping against the window as her mind replayed the events of the night. Her fingers lightly traced her lips again, recalling the heated kiss. The warmth of it lingered on her skin, and she couldn't help but smile at the memory. It was all so confusing, the way he made her feel—his intensity, his coldness, and yet, those moments when he seemed to soften, just for her. It was a whirlwind of emotions, and she was lost in it.

She rolled over, glancing at her phone on the nightstand, her mind momentarily distracted by the message she had just sent him. Her thoughts replaying to the same reasoning over and over again... "I can't... we can't keep doing this. Him and I..." Her thoughts felt heavy, but they were the truth, weren't they? As much as she wanted to believe that there could be something real between them, she knew better. She had to be logical. She had to guard herself.

Her thoughts spiraled again as her phone chimed, a sudden notification pulling her from her deep contemplation. Her heart skipped a beat. She didn't want to look, didn't want to open his message... but she couldn't resist. Slowly, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling as she unlocked it.

She held her breath as she read his reply. "Maybe it's not supposed to be simple."

Her stomach twisted, a mixture of hope and uncertainty flooding through her. She set the phone down beside her, turning her body to face the wall, the weight of everything finally sinking in. The storm outside seemed to match the storm inside her heart. She shut her eyes, trying to push everything out of her mind, but his words, his presence, lingered in her thoughts.

Sleep was slow to come, but eventually, the rhythmic sound of the rain settled her, and she drifted into an uneasy slumber. She dreamt of him—of his touch, the passion in his kiss, the intensity of his gaze. In the dream, there were no barriers between them, no confusion, just a raw connection. But as the dream shifted, his figure became distant, his icy eyes colder than ever, and she was left reaching for him, unable to close the gap.

She woke up with a start, her heart racing. The rain still pattered against the window, and she lay there for a moment, unable to shake the feeling of his presence.

The words he had sent her felt more real now, and her mind replayed his response: "Maybe it's not supposed to be simple."

She closed her eyes again, trying to make sense of it all. What was this pull between them? What was she getting herself into?

But as the night passed, the thought that kept repeating in her head was undeniable—she couldn't stop thinking about him.

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Cassian lay in his bed, the moonlight spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the room. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind a tangled mess of thoughts. The events of the evening replayed in his head like a haunting melody he couldn't escape.

Her voice, soft yet commanding. The way her lips had felt against his, so warm, so willing. He could still taste the sweetness of her kiss, feel the heat of her body pressed against his. The way she'd melted in his arms, like she belonged there, like everything in that moment had aligned, like he had finally found something... real.

His body stirred at the thought of her, a familiar ache settling low in his stomach. He tried to push it away, tried to focus on something else, but it was impossible. Every thought led back to her—the way she looked at him, the way she felt, the way she had responded to his touch. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and for the first time in a long time, he felt... alive.

He shifted, trying to find comfort in the sheets, but it was no use. His mind was consumed by her, and his body was reacting accordingly. He tried to calm himself, to focus on anything other than the way her lips had felt against his, the way her hands had touched him. But the more he tried to distance himself from it, the stronger the desire grew. The tension in his chest tightened, and his breath quickened, his body betraying him in ways he hadn't experienced in years.

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath, frustration flooding through him. He was a man who prided himself on control—on keeping everything in its place. But Sera was a different kind of temptation. A distraction he couldn't seem to shake. And now, lying in the dark, all he could think about was her, the feel of her against him, her warmth, her scent.

He couldn't let himself get lost in this. He couldn't afford to be distracted by her. But the thought of her—her laugh, her smile, the way she had responded to him, even in the chaos of it all—it was making it harder to ignore.

He closed his eyes, his hand resting at his side, fingers curling into the sheets as the desire within him grew. He tried to remind himself that he had a life to control, a family legacy to uphold, but all he could think about was her. And in that moment, he realized that it didn't matter how much he tried to fight it—he was already tangled up in her.