Page 33 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
“The town that still views me with suspicion because they don’t know I’m the one who saved them.” His smile was rueful. “Can’t exactly announce it without sounding like I’m trying to rehabilitate my family’s reputation.”
“Then I’ll know it,” I said firmly. “And that’s enough for now.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, still holding hands, the permit applications forgotten around us. Outside, Hollow Haven had settled into a deep night quiet. No traffic, no voices, just the two of us in the empty bistro that represented everything I was trying to build.
“Thank you,” I said finally. “For telling me. For trusting me with that.”
“Thank you for asking.” He looked at me directly, and the intensity in his gray eyes made my breath catch. “You’re easy to talk to, Talia. Easier than anyone I’ve known in years.”
“I was thinking the same thing about you.”
The admission hung between us, acknowledging what we’d both been carefully not saying. That this connection felt bigger than it should. That two weeks had created an intimacy thatusually took months. That the pull between us was about more than professional networking or friendly support.
That I was in trouble, because I was definitely attracted to Cassian Black, and I had no idea what to do about it.
He shifted slightly, angling toward me, and suddenly we were very close. Close enough that I could see the silver threading through his dark hair at his temples. Close enough to count individual eyelashes. Close enough that leaning forward just a few inches would close the distance entirely.
My pulse hammered in my throat. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, could see his pupils dilate as he looked at my mouth. The air between us felt thick, heavy with want and restraint in equal measure.
“Talia.” My name came out rough, almost pained. “I should probably go.”
“Probably,” I agreed, not moving. Not wanting to move.
“It’s late. You need to sleep before your permit submission tomorrow.”
“I do.”
“And staying here, like this, is a bad idea.”
“Terrible idea,” I whispered.
Neither of us moved. The tension stretched between us like a physical thing, taut and trembling. I could see the war happening behind his eyes, desire fighting with restraint. His hand tightened around mine, and I felt an answering pull low in my stomach.
Kiss me, I thought desperately. Please kiss me so I can stop wondering what it would feel like.
But I didn’t say it out loud. Because kissing Cassian would change everything. Would add him to the growing confusion I already felt about Jace and Hollis. Would turn attraction into action, make this real in ways I wasn’t sure I could handle.
And I was already so confused about two other men that adding Cassian felt like inviting chaos.
He pulled back slowly, carefully, putting professional distance between us again. The loss of his proximity felt like cold water, shocking after the heat that had been building.
“I should let you finish up here.” His voice had returned to normal, controlled and polite, but I could hear the strain underneath. “Good luck with the permit submission tomorrow.”
“Thank you. For dinner. For the company. For everything.”
“Anytime.” He stood and offered me his hand to help me up. I took it, letting him pull me to standing, trying very hard not to think about how good his hand felt wrapped around mine. How right it felt to be this close to him.
We walked to the door together, and I unlocked it to let him out. He paused on the threshold, silhouetted against the streetlights, and looked back at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“Talia.” He hesitated, like he was weighing something important. “What I said earlier, about not being sure why I keep finding excuses to help you.”
“Yes?”
“I think I’m starting to figure it out.” His voice was quiet, honest in a way that made my chest tight. “And it’s more complicated than I expected.”
“Complicated how?”
“Complicated in ways that probably require more thought before I say anything else.” He smiled slightly, self-deprecating. “I’m usually better at strategy than this. Better at knowing what I want and how to get it.”
