Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 86

+25 Bonus

Chapter Eighty–Six: Dirty Thoughts.

Cassienne woke up to the relentless ringing of her phone. At first, she thought it was part of her dream, maybe some distant, annoying sound that would eventually fade if she ignored it long enough. She rolled onto her side, pulled the pillow over her head, and pressed it firmly against her ears.

But the ringing didn’t stop.

She groaned softly, irritation pressing into her half–asleep mind. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and a restless night that hadn’t offered her much peace. All she wanted was a few more minutes of sleep. Just a little more.

But the phone kept ringing without giving her a break.

With a frustrated sigh, she rolled onto her back, still refusing to open her eyes. She stretched her arm blindly toward the nightstand, her fingers fumbling until they finally brushed against her phone. She grabbed it and answered without checking the caller ID.

“Hello,” she murmured into the phone, her voice hoarse and barely audible from sleep.

“I’m at your door. Can you open up?”

Cassienne froze.

Her eyes snapped open instantly, all traces of sleep evaporating in a second as she recognized the voice on the other end of the line. She pushed herself upright in bed, clutching the phone tightly.

“Corren?” she breathed. “What are you doing here?”

She didn’t even try to hide her surprise.

“Why don’t you open the door and find out?” he replied easily. Then he added, amused, “And for the record, these two bodyguards of yours are terrifying. I think one of them almost scared the life out of me.”

Cassienne frowned, confusion creasing her brows. “What bodyguards?” she asked. “What are you talking about?”

There was a brief pause on the other end. “You don’t know?”

Her heart skipped slightly. Know? Of course not. “I’m coming out,” she said quickly and ended the call.

She tossed the phone onto the bed and jumped to her feet. Rushing into the bathroom, she brushed her teeth in record time, splashed cold water on her face, and stared at her reflection just long enough to make sure she looked human. She wiped her face with a soft towel, then wrapped a silky brown robe around her body, tying it loosely at her waist.

Still confused, and slightly irritated, she walked out of her bedroom and headed straight for the door.

The moment she opened it, her eyes went past Corren and landed on two tall women standing stiffly on either side of her doorway. They were dressed in black, their expressions mean and unreadable, their presence commanding.

Cassienne didn’t need anyone to explain this to her. Of course, she knows. This must be Dreston’s handwork.

1/4

Chapter Eighty–Six: Dirty Thoughts.

+25 Bonus

“Good morning, Mrs. Tremont,” one of the women greeted calmly. “Are you acquainted with this man?”

Cassienne opened her mouth to speak, but the woman continued before she could respond. “I’m Sandra, and this is my colleague, Faith. We’ve been assigned to you by Mr. Tremont to ensure your safety.”

Cassienne closed her eyes briefly and exhaled. “Of course it had to be him,” she muttered under her breath. She opened her eyes again and forced a polite smile. “Good morning. Thank you. And yes, this man is my friend.” And that was when she turned her full attention to Corren. “Please, come inside,” she said, stepping aside.

Corren walked in, shaking his head slightly as he passed the two women, and closed the door behind him. The moment he stepped into Cassienne’s living room, she turned to face him, crossing her arms over her chest.

She had so many questions lined up. But before she could voice any of them, Corren spoke first.

“How are you feeling now?”

The question caught her off guard. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. For a moment, she sin stared at him.

And that was when she really took him in. Corren looked… different.

His hair was slightly messy, like he’d run his fingers through it too many times. His skin looked brighter, mor healthier. He was dressed casually in a blue Adidas sports shirt and matching shorts, with training sneakers of his feet.

He looked like someone who had just stepped out of a fitness magazine.

Cassienne’s gaze drifted downward before she could stop herself.

His thighs were muscular, solid, the kind that came from discipline and hours in the gym. His forearms were strong, veins faintly visible beneath his skin. She had always known Corren worked out a lot–it showed in his posture, in the way he carried himself—but she had never really seen him like this.

Definitely, not like this. Her eyes traced him shamelessly, appreciation flickering across her face, and Corren noticed.

A slow smile tugged at his lips as he cleared his throat deliberately. “I see you’ve finally noticed.”

Cassienne blinked, snapping out of wherever world she was a second ago. Heat rushed to her face immediately.

“I–what?” she stammered.

“I was on my way to the gym,” Corren said casually. “I thought maybe we could work out together.”

She stared at him, her mind momentarily blank.

Dirty thoughts, completely inappropriate ones–flashed through her head before she could stop them. She had liked Corren once. No, more than that actually. She had thought about something casual with him back then, something… indecent. But he had wanted something serious.

And then he ruined everything the moment he decided to test her abilities, something that ultimately pushed her out of his company.

Choptes tighty Six Garty Thoughts

***

+25 Bonus

Yet here he was now. Standing in her living room. Looking like this.

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if maybe–just maybe–she could still try him out.

Maybe Corren could be the distraction she needed. A solid, worthy distraction from Dreston. Someone strong, intelligent, powerful. Someone who could pull her attention away completely, because he had everything it took.

“Cassienne,” Corren said softly, stepping closer, “if you keep looking at me like that, God knows what might happen. I might not be able to control myself.”

She jumped back as if burned, taking two quick steps away from him.

“What?” she exclaimed. “How was I looking at you? And what exactly do you mean by that?”

Corren laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “Relax. I’m just playing with you.”

Then he tilted his head, studying her openly. “But honestly? You were looking at me like you wanted to e raw. That surprised me. You don’t strike me as someone who wants me that desperately.”

He chuckled again and stepped forward and Cassienne stepped back instinctively.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said quickly. “And why would I want to—”

The doorbell rang and interrupted her.

She frowned slightly, then relaxed when she remembered Aurora was supposed to stop by.

“I think my friend is here,” she said. “Please, sit down.”

Then she walked past him, and her body brushed against his accidentally.

The brief contact sent a jolt through her. She gasped softly without realizing it and hurried toward the door.

When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat.

It wasn’t Aurora. And it wasn’t Daisy either.

Standing in front of her was a man she had known for five years–yet had never seen dressed like this before.

He looked sinfully handsome, dangerously tempting, dressed in a way that made Cassienne’s heart stutter painfully in her chest.

Why, of all mornings, did two temptations have to show up at her door?

admin