Share
CHAPTER 22
Cassandra felt a rising sense of panic that Sébastien would just keep her here, like some kind of animal in a zoo. Why was he acting like this? Why was he treating her like he didn’t really want her here? Was his plan to take away her baby once she’d give birth? At this thought, Cassandra put her hand on her belly again, in an unconscious gesture of protection.
“You’re not alone, Cassandra… Besides, here you have everything you want…”
“Right… Everything…”
‘Except you…’ Cassandra wanted to yell in his face.
Their eyes locked and her gaze pierced Sébastien’s stomach. She was so beautiful… Cassandra was dressed down in jeans and a loose shirt, and he could see the outline of her bra underneath, white and plain, and yet more seductive than the flimsiest lingerie he’d seen on her yet…
Related chapters
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 23
He made it sound so easy. And, while Cassandra felt it was important to assert her independence, she knew Sébastien was right. For now. It wasn’t just about the two of them anymore. She’d worry about the shifting parameters of their affair later. The knowledge that he still desired her was intoxicating, she went to bed that night and slept properly for the first time all week. The next day she entered the house and found him already there. She knew Sébastien had a serious amount of work to do and a few important meetings to attend to, but he was there, waiting for her to get back home. Sébastien came towards her and gave her an inquisitive look. “So? I want to know everything the doctor told you.” “The pregnancy is proceeding very well, in spite of all the stress in the last few weeks. And
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 24
Trembling with desire, Cassandra looked from the cord to Sébastien. He didn’t move back. His scent wrapped around her like a cloak of heavy desire. The sheer sexiness of him, and the room, overwhelmed her, and Cassandra lifted a hand to run her fingers through his hair, feeling the beautiful shape of his head. And then, unable to wait any longer, the promise of fulfillment so close, Cassandra pulled his head to hers and their mouths touched. A week of not touching blew up around them instantly. It could’ve been a lifetime, the way things escalated so rapidly. Without breaking contact, Sébastien lifted Cassandra from her seat and moved them over to the lush, velvety banquette behind them. He took his mouth from hers and she followed him momentarily, as if wary to break even that point of touch.
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 25
Something was definitely wrong. She could feel it in her bones. She could see it in his eyes. Since that night in the restaurant a week ago, Sébastien hadn’t made another move to touch her. Yet he hadn’t left her alone like he had the first week. He’d come home early every day, they’d cooked or eaten out, but with an impenetrable wall growing between them. Cassandra was too confused and slightly terrified to ask what was wrong. But all the time she was burning up inside, aching with desire, aching for Sébastien to just reach out and touch her, kiss her. She wanted to make the move, but she was too scared of what his reaction might be, and she couldn’t help but be afraid that this was the start of the end of his attraction for her. There had been something limited
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 26
Cassandra was utterly consumed by him at that moment… Nothing else existed around them. A waiter tried to get their attention, but gave up and walked away leaving them immersed in their conversation. “I’m sorry, Sébastien. I don’t mean to pry. If it’s that hard to talk…” “No,” he said quickly, his hand tightening on hers. His eyes locked onto hers. The sympathy he saw in their depths reminded him of what he wanted, what he’d vowed to set out to achieve after that catastrophic night in the restaurant. If he wanted that, then he had to tell her everything. She had to know who he really was… where he was coming from. “It’s not that, Cass. I can take you somewhere tomorrow if you like. Perhaps it’ll be much easier to explain then.” She just nodded, every part of her warmi
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 27
Finally, her suspicions were confirmed. “Now I can see things pretty clearly. You did want to be a rugby player too. Anyone watching you out there could see what a natural talent you have. Why didn’t you go for it, Sébastien?” He looked out to the men on the pitch and then spoke with a kind of resigned modesty. “My grandfather could see how good I was. He had played all his life, and he was a great player. But it never got him anywhere. Originally, he played it for acceptance into the community. I never told you, but he was half-Algerian, and he always felt like an outsider. That’s why he took it so badly when my mother disgraced the good name, he’d built up by having an affair with a married man.” Cassandra looked at his profile. It was proud and harsh. A warrior’s profile. “He’d always regretted his
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 28
The following morning, Cassandra woke up and found herself naked but for her underwear in her bed, and she couldn’t believe it when the clock said 10:00 a.m. She’d slept for the entire previous evening and night. Had Sébastien undressed her? Who else could it have been? And she’d slept through it? She showered and dressed quickly, feeling completely disorientated. When she emerged into the living room after finding no note in the kitchen, she jumped with fright when Sébastien’s study door opened and he strode out, dressed head to toe in his successful, powerful billionaire gear. Her heart clenched. Seeing him like this, a world away from the muddy rugby coach of yesterday made Cassandra feel so sad. She folded her arms defensively, not sure why she was feeling like that. So sensitive about it. So irritate
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 29
As soon as she knew she was alone, the tears came like a raging river, and through them, Cassandra ranted at herself. What was wrong with her? She wanted Sébastien and yet she didn’t want him. She wanted to be independent, and then when he brought her out to show her places where she could live independently, she didn’t want that, either. All she knew for sure, as she wiped away the tears and prepared some dinner, was that she wanted him with a bone-deep ache that ran through her body like a dull pain. It got worse every time Sébastien came near. Cassandra had been having erotic dreams nearly every night about what had happened in the restaurant, waking with sheets damp and twisted around her body. She needed his physical presence. It was as if that would make all her confusion go away if she could just b
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN CHAPTER 30
She was feeling it and him too… The air around them was saturated with their desire. Cassandra didn’t know how she was still standing. She felt weak and trembly. And a little angry. “Would you stop being so damn enigmatic? What are you talking about, Sébastien? What things are you trying to elevate to another level? You’re really… Listen, we’re just… We were lovers. I’m here while things settle down at home. Nothing’s changed.” Sébastien crossed his arms at that, and his face got even harsher. “Why do you keep saying that? I’ve told you, we’re together now. I’m not going to be apart from you or this baby.” Bitterness and something else indefinable washed up through Cassandra. “And yet you’ve spent the day showing me places where you’ll happily shelve me and our child.” &nbs
Latest chapter
