Cassidy
This was a mistake.
A huge mistake.
I should have just left when he teased me.
But instead—
I had agreed.
And now, I was standing in Kieran's massive walk-in closet, staring at the first dress Mara had shoved into my bags, wondering how I ended up here.
"I don't hear movement, Cassidy."
His amused voice drifted through the door, making my teeth clench.
I had half a mind to just walk out in my regular clothes and tell him to shove his stupid idea—
But then I'd lose.
And I wasn't about to let him win.
I exhaled sharply and yanked on the first outfit.
---
When I stepped out, Kieran was still sitting at his desk, watching me with unreadable eyes.
"Well?" I huffed, shifting on my feet. "Say something."
His gaze dragged over me slowly, lingering just long enough to make my skin heat.
Then, lazily—"It's nice."
I scowled. "That's all?"
"What else do you want me to say?"
"I don't know. Maybe a little more effort?"
"Alright." He leaned back, his expression mock-thoughtful. "You look… pleasant."
I threw a pillow at him.
He caught it effortlessly, his smirk deepening. "You asked for my opinion."
"I asked for honesty, not sarcasm."
"They're the same thing."
I let out a frustrated sigh before marching back into the closet.
---
Outfit after outfit, Kieran had something to say.
Sometimes he actually gave an opinion.
Sometimes he just toyed with me, watching in amusement as my patience wore thin.
But I noticed something else.
His eyes lingered longer than before.
His voice dropped slightly when he spoke.
And every time I met his gaze—
There was something there.
Something I didn't understand.
Or maybe—
Something I wasn't ready to admit.
---
When I came out in the last outfit, Kieran's smirk faded slightly.
His brows lifted just a fraction.
It was simple—a yellow dress that clung to my figure, the fabric light and soft.
I fidgeted under his stare. "What?"
He was silent for a beat too long.
Then—"That one."
I frowned. "What about it?"
"Keep it."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"
A slow smirk curled at the corner of his lips. "It suits you."
Something hot and unfamiliar twisted in my chest.
I quickly looked away. "Whatever, you seem obsessed with anything yellow."
Kieran chuckled. "Are we done, little human?"
I grabbed one of the shopping bags and chucked it at his head.
He laughed, dodging easily.
Not a chuckle,not a smirk. A full blown laughter. It sounded so pleasant that I found myself smiling.
______________________
I should have stopped watching her.
I should have looked away.
But I didn't.
And when she pulled the last piece of clothing from the bag—
I definitely didn't.
She held up the fabric, her brows furrowing.
"Mara must have picked this," she muttered.
I tilted my head slightly, watching as she unfolded the material.
A nightgown.
Mid-thigh.
Low cut.
Silk.
My fingers flexed against the arm of my chair.
"Put it on," I said before I could stop myself.
Cassidy froze, her golden eyes snapping up to mine. "What?"
Too late.
I had already said it.
And now, there was no taking it back.
She hesitated, then let out an exasperated breath. "Fine."
I blinked.
I hadn't expected her to agree.
A minute later, she stepped out of the closet—
And I immediately regretted everything.
The silk clung to her in a way that made my throat go dry.
Her bare legs seemed longer.
The delicate straps framed the soft curves of her shoulders, leading down to the low neckline that exposed far too much skin.
Something hot and dangerous curled in my chest.
I clenched my jaw, forcing my expression to stay neutral.
She shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms. "Well?"
"Mara has good taste," I said, my voice rougher than I intended.
Cassidy scowled. "That's not helpful."
I stood before I could think better of it.
She immediately stepped back. "What are you doing?"
I smirked. "Admiring my gift to you."
She rolled her eyes. "The maid was your gift. This—" She gestured to herself. "—was Mara's doing."
"Still feels like a gift."
Cassidy's cheeks flushed. "You're impossible."
I took another step forward. "And you're still standing here, little human."
Her lips parted slightly, as if she had just realized it, too.
I tilted my head, studying her. "Doesn't that make you a little impossible as well?"
She huffed, turning sharply toward the closet. "I'm changing."
I chuckled, watching as she disappeared behind the door.
And as much as I wanted to follow—
I didn't.
Because I had already pushed far enough.
For now.
______________________________
I had never changed so fast in my life.
The moment the closet door shut behind me, I ripped the nightgown off, shoving it into the bag like it had personally offended me.
My heart was still racing.
Not from fear.
But from something worse.
Something I didn't want to name.
---
By the time I walked out, Kieran was back at his desk, acting as if nothing had happened.
Like he hadn't just stood way too close.
Like he hadn't just looked at me in a way that made my stomach twist.
Like I hadn't let him.
I inhaled sharply, gripping the bag tighter. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight, Cassidy."
His voice was smooth, calm.
And infuriating.
Because I knew.
I knew he had done that on purpose.
I didn't respond.
I just turned—
And forced myself to walk away.
But the problem was—
Even after I shut the door behind me, even after I crawled into bed and buried myself under the covers—
I could still feel his eyes on me.
And for the first time—
I wasn't sure if I hated it.
I told myself I wasn't thinking about him.
But the next morning, before I even realized what I was doing—
I was walking toward his room again.
This time, with Mara at my side.
"You sure about this?" she asked, giving me a pointed look.
"I'm bored," I muttered.
"Right."
I ignored her knowing smirk and knocked on the door.
A few seconds later—
"Enter."
I pushed the door open, stepping inside—
Only to find not just Kieran, but Damon, sitting across from him.
Both of them were surrounded by paperwork, looking equally unimpressed at my arrival.
Damon leaned back in his chair, arching a brow. "Am I hallucinating, or is the little human here voluntarily?"
I scowled. "Shut up."
Kieran exhaled slowly, setting down his pen. "Cassidy."
"I'm bored," I said simply, crossing my arms.
Damon snorted. "I can see that."
Kieran glanced at Mara, who stood beside me, looking far too amused. "And she brought reinforcements, I see."
Mara smiled innocently. "I go where she goes."
Damon sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fantastic, go watch TV or something."
"I thought I would be fascinated with it but most of what's on there have the same plot." I say with a pout.
I dropped onto one of the chairs, completely ignoring the way Kieran and Damon exchanged a glance.
"This is a terrible idea," Damon muttered. "We're actually busy."
"Then don't let me distract you," I said sweetly.
His eye twitched. "That's exactly what you're doing."
I shrugged.
Kieran watched me for a long moment before leaning back in his chair. "You do realize this is just going to bore you more, right?"
"Not necessarily."
Damon sighed. "Unbelievable."
Kieran exhaled, shaking his head. "Fine. Stay if you want. Just don't complain when you regret it."
I wouldn't.
Even if I had no idea why I actually wanted to be here.