Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 16

Chapter Sixteen: Waking Up In His Room.

Cassienne felt her head pounding before she even opened her eyes. The pain was sharp and heavy, as if someone was hitting a drum inside her skull. She winced and slowly lifted a hand to her forehead. Her mouth was dry, and her body felt weak.

When she finally forced her eyes open, she blinked several times, trying to understand where she was. The ceiling above her was familiar. The clean scent, the warmth of the sheets, the wide soft mattress–it reminded her of her former bedroom.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Where am I? Her thoughts were messy, rushing through her head like scattered papers in a storm.

Then, slowly, the memories of the previous night returned. It was her birthday. Her friends surprised her. And they were at the club. She remembered everything they did. Merrick, making her laugh, the Dancing, the free drinks and the cheering crowd.

A small smile touched her lips. Yes… it was fun. For the first time in a long while, she felt free, no fear, no tension. Just laughter. She remembered Merrick helping her when she got too drunk. She remembered her friends singing for her.

But before she could think any further, something moved beside her.

And she froze.

مه

Her entire body tensed, and she shot up with a scream.

“Jesus Christ!”

Her heart jumped to her throat. She twisted around quickly–only to become even more shocked.

Dreston was lying right beside her.

Right there. In the same bed. In the same covers.

Her eyes grew so wide they almost fell out of her face. Dreston’s grey eyes were open and staring back at her, calm and unreadable. His hair was messy from sleep, and his broad chest was bare.

Cassienne’s mouth fell open in horror.

“Good morning, Cassienne,” he said softly. His voice was low and deep, still heavy from sleep.

How the hell did she end up with him? What exactly is happening right now? Or was this another silly dream?

She looked around again, her pulse racing. Then realization struck her like cold water being thrown on her.

This is Dreston’s bedroom.

She had been in this house for five years, yet she had never stepped into his bedroom–not even once. He never allowed it. He always kept his distance. Their marriage had never been close. So how… How had she ended up here?

She lowered her gaze–and her breath caught.

Chapter Sixteen: Waking Up in His Roem

She was naked.

Completely naked.

Her entire body was exposed under the sheets. Her bare skin touched the soft fabric, and her breasts were uncovered. She gasped loudly and dragged the blanket to her chest in panic.

Dreston’s eyes had followed her gaze… and he had seen everything.

His expression changed. Something dark flickered in his eyes–something Cassienne couldn’t recognize. For the first time, he looked at her like he was actually seeing her–not as a burden, not as a mistake forced on him, but as a woman.

He held that stare a second too long.

Cassienne’s heart hammered against her ribs.

“How shameless can you be!?” she snapped, trying to hide her embarrassment with anger.

Dreston didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked, slow and confident.

“Relax. I wasn’t the one who took your clothes off.”

His tone was too calm, and it irritated her even more.

She glared at him. “What am I doing in your bedroom? Why did you bring me here? And where are my friends? Where is Merrick?”

The moment Merrick’s name left her lips, Dreston’s expression hardened instantly.

“Don’t mention that guy again,” he said sharply. “Do you really think I would let that son of a bitch take you away in your drunken state? Am I stupid?”

Cassienne’s jaw tightened. “And what does that have to do with you? You don’t get to decide what happens

to me.”

“I’m still your husband,” he shot back. “And you were drunk enough to fall on the road. Of course you don’t expect me to leave you behind.”

His words made her chest tighten–not with warmth, but irritation and confusion. She didn’t want him. acting like he cared. It was too late for that.

Instead of arguing, she threw the duvet aside and tried to climb out of the bed.

And that’s when the unthinkable happened.

The duvet slipped completely out of her grip.

Cassienne gasped. Her whole body–every curve, every inch–was on display in front of him.

Dreston froze.

His jaw clenched. His eyes darkened again, lingering on her breasts. They were a little large and round. Her nipples were hard due to the air–conditioning. He kept looking at her, not with disrespect, but with something more… something she had never seen in him before.

Chapter Sixteen: Waking Up in His Room

Heat rose up Cassienne’s neck. Her whole skin felt like it was burning. She quickly stormed into his walk–in closet and grabbed the first clothes she could reach–a black round–neck shirt and a pair of his boxers.

The shirt nearly reached her knees. The boxers sagged heavily on her hips. She looked ridiculous, but at least she was covered.

She walked back out–and that was when she saw something breathing.

Dreston sat there on the edge of the bed, his bulge twitching inside his pants.

Cassienne’s cheeks turned a shade of pink as realisation hit her. He was aroused all because of her? He’s actually aroused.

He quickly shifted and tried to hide it, but his body betrayed him again. Her presence, her nakedness, the sight of her in his clothes… it had affected him.

He abruptly stood up and walked straight into the bathroom without a word.

The door shut immediately.

Cassienne took a shaky breath and grabbed her purse. Her phone started ringing. And when she checked the screen, it was Merrick.

Without waiting for anything, she opened the door and slipped out, walking fast on her bare feet. As she reached the living room, she answered the call.

“Thank goodness, Merrick. Where are you?” she whispered urgently.

“Outside your husband’s mansion,” he replied.

“Good. I’m coming out now.”

Cassienne rushed through the front door, her long shirt brushing her thighs and her legs freezing in the morning air. She reached the gate, saw Merrick’s car, and hurried into the back seat.

Before Merrick’s driver drove off, Cassienne glanced into the rearview mirror.

Dreston was standing at the entrance of the mansion, wearing only a white bathrobe, his hair still wet from

a shower. His intense grey eyes were locked on the car… watching her leave.

“Wow… that was close,” she breathed.

Merrick frowned. “Did he hurt you?”

“No. It’s just that, something was strange. But it’s over.”

The car drove out of the compound. Cassienne kept her eyes straight, refusing to turn back again.

But Dreston didn’t chase after them. Nor did he shout. He didn’t even call her name.

He simply pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and gave a cold instruction to the person on the other end.

Whatever he said… it made his guard stiffen and bow his head immediately.

Cassienne didn’t know what the instruction was. But she saw him talking to someone on the phone.

Chapter Sateen: Waking Up in His Room

But then, she thought, what can he do?

Crown Imagination author

Hello beautiful readers. I hope you like the story of Cassienne and Dreston. Now, sit tighter as we dive deeper into the story. Don’t forget to show some love.

With so much love from here

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Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.