Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 133

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty–Three: Because I Stopped Pretending.

The ride back from Ray’s penthouse was quiet.

The city lights of Southvale streamed past the tinted windows of the SUV in long streaks of gold and white. Steve sat in front with the driver, maintaining professional silence. The hum of the engine was steady, almost soothing.

Cassienne sat by the window, her head slightly turned, watching the reflections of passing lights flicker across the glass. Her fingers were loosely folded on her lap. The evening at Ray’s had left her warm in ways she hadn’t expected.

The Laughter. Their friends‘ jokes and Dreston’s words. “Love is an understatement.”

Her lips pressed together softly at the memory.

She hadn’t looked at him after that. At least not properly. And not long enough to read his face without losing her

composure.

But she felt him now. She felt the weight of his gaze. Slowly, she turned her head. And there he was. Watching her. He wasn’t doing it casually or absentmindedly. It was Intently.

Their eyes met. For a second, neither of them spoke. Then Cassienne smiled, a soft, teasing curve of her lips.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Her tone was light, but her heart was anything but steady.

Dreston didn’t look away.

The passing streetlights traced the sharp lines of his face, the bridge of his nose, and the shadow of his jaw, the grey of his eyes.

“I’m not sure,” he said quietly. “Maybe because you’re beautiful.”

Her breath caught slightly.

She tried to laugh it off, but it came out softer than she intended. “You’ve never had a problem saying bold things lately.”

He leaned a little closer.

“That’s because I stopped pretending.”

The air inside the SUV shifted.

Cassienne’s mind drifted back to Ray’s dining table. The way everyone had gone silent. The way Dreston had said those words without hesitation.

She is studying him now. He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t performing. He really meant it.

Dreston inhaled slowly.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” he said, his voice lower now, almost careful, “I’d like to kiss you.”

Her heart skipped.

He added, just as softly, “Not because we’re acting. Not because your mom is here. But because I want to.”

The city lights flashed over her face, illuminating her eyes.

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Chapter One Hundred And Thirty Three Because 1Stopped Pretending

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She didn’t speak. Her gaze softened, and her lips parted slightly. And that was just enough.

Dreston closed the small distance between them. He simply leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was slow and tender.

His lips brushed against hers first, almost like a question.

Cassienne responded gently, her hand lifting instinctively to rest against his chest. The steady beat of his heart grounded her.

He deepened the kiss just slightly, not too desperate. But it was… real.

Cassienne kissed him back. And this time, there was no pretending in it.

When they finally pulled apart, it wasn’t abrupt. It was slow, their foreheads nearly touching for a brief second before space returned between them.

Neither spoke.

Cassienne turned back toward the window, her fingers lightly touching her lips.

Her thoughts were tangled.

What am I doing?

She was with Corren. She had promised herself she wouldn’t blur lines. She had told Daisy she was done.

And yet, that kiss didn’t feel like betrayal. It felt like… coming home.

She swallowed.

Beside her, Dreston leaned back into his seat, staring forward now.

His jaw tightened slightly.

“You’re moving too fast.”

He knew that.

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He had promised Tina one month. He had promised himself he would not pressure Cassienne. He knew she might still resent him. He knew he had no right to expect anything from her.

And yet, when she kissed him back, it felt like something had shifted permanently.

He exhaled quietly.

“If she gives me this month… I won’t waste it.”

Silence wrapped around them again. And it was heavy with everything unsaid.

The car finally slowed.

The gates of the mansion opened automatically as the SUV rolled in. Steve’s voice broke through the quiet from the front seat.

“We’re home, sir.”

The spell lifted.

Cassienne blinked softly and straightened. Dreston cleared his throat lightly, regaining his composed exterior.

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty–Three Because i Stopped Pretending

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“Thank you, Steve.”

The car came to a full stop. But for one brief second, before the doors opened. Their hands brushed against each other.

Neither pulled away immediately. And neither said a word.

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