Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 94

Chapter Ninety–Four: Being A Gentleman.

Corren stood right in front of Cassienne. His voice came out low and soft.

“Can I kiss you?”

Cassienne looked up at him and smiled. “You’ve never asked before. You just kissed me whenever you felt like it Why ask now?”

She remembered the times clearly. The first kiss happened so fast, right after she fixed a big problem at his company. It surprised her and left her confused. The second time, he did it on purpose, but she pushed him away. The third time was in the hospital when she was weak and lying in bed. He kissed her gently then, like he was just a normal thing for him to do.

After those moments, Cassienne got used to Corren taking kisses without asking. But tonight felt different. He stood there like a true gentleman, waiting for her answer.

He took both her hands in his warm ones. Slowly, he pulled her up from the chair. His tall body moved closer until her back gently touched the edge of the dining table. He caged her there with his strong arms on either side of her. His green eyes locked on her blue ones. He searched her face, looking for any sign she didn’t want this. “Those other times were different,” he said quietly. His nose brushed hers. She could feel his warm breath on her lips. “This time… I want something deeper. Something only a lover can take. Something real.”

His words made her breath shake. A sweet heat started low in her belly. His big hands left hers and slid around her waist, pulling her soft body against his hard one. His fingers spread wide on her lower back, holding her close like she belonged there.

Cassienne’s heart beat faster. She wanted this. She wanted to forget the past and start fresh. She needed Corren’s touch to chase away the old pain. 1

But even now, Dreston’s face flashed in her mind. Why did he still have power over her heart? She opened her mouth to say no, to stop before it went too far. 1

Corren saw the tiny doubt in her eyes. Before the word could leave her lips, he closed the small space between them and kissed her.

Cassienne gasped against his mouth. Her eyes went wide. Her hands flew to his chest to push him away. But then his arms tightened around her. His warm hands moved slowly up and down her back. The kiss felt so good that her push turned into a soft hold. She kissed him back.

Corren groaned low in his throat. He deepened the kiss, his tongue slipped into her mouth, tasting her, licking her slowly, sucking gently on her tongue. He explored every part of her like he had waited forever for this moment. He didn’t let her breathe too much, he just kept kissing, hungrily and careful at the same time.

A soft moan escaped Cassienne’s throat. Her eyes fluttered closed. This kiss was nothing like the others, it felt hotter, deeper, and it was full of promise. Butterflies danced wild in her stomach. Her whole body felt alive.

He pulled back just a little so she could catch her breath. Her lips stayed parted, pink and wet, waiting for more. Corren smiled at the sight. Then he kissed her again, sliding his tongue back inside, slow and teasing.

Her hands moved on their own. They left his chest, slid up to his strong shoulders, and wrapped around his neck. She pulled him closer. Her soft, full breasts pressed hard against his chest. Corren groaned louder this time. He felt every curve of her through their clothes. His body reacted fast, hard and ready.

He broke the kiss suddenly. “F*ck,” he whispered, breathing heavy. He rested his forehead against hers, eyes

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closed, trying to control himself.

“Let me take you home,” he said in a rough voice. “Before I forget how to be a gentleman.”

Cassienne laughed softly. Her eyes sparkled under the warm golden light of the chandelier. “Okay,” she whispered.

He looked at her, with a serious face. “You said yes to being my woman tonight. There’s no going back. You know that, right?”

Cassienne smiled, she was shy but sure. “Yes. I know.”

He finally stepped back, giving her space. Just then, her phone started ringing on the table.

The sound broke the dreamy fog around them. Cassienne blinked and walked over to pick it up. The name on the screen made her sigh.

Daisy.

She answered immediately. “Hey,” she said, still breathing a little fast.

“Did you do it?” Daisy asked right away, her voice full of excitement.

Corren watched her from the table. He leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, his lips curved in a small, knowing smile.

Cassienne glanced at him, her cheeks turning pink. “No. Not yet,” she whispered. “I’ll call you back when I get home-”

“Wait!” Daisy cut in. “You’re not staying the night? Why not? Don’t give me that ‘talk later‘ thing. I want the full juicy story now-”

Cassienne ended the call quickly before Daisy could say anything more embarrassing. She let out a long breath.

“What was that about?” she murmured to herself.

Corren’s voice came from behind her. “Did you plan to sleep here tonight?”

Her eyes went wide. Her face burned hot with embarrassment. “What? No! What are you even saying?” She laughed nervously and waved her hand like it was nothing.

While she was still blushing and laughing, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. Corren pulled her gently against his chest. His warm body pressed to her back. His lips brushed her ear when he spoke.

“It would be my honor if you stayed the night,” he whispered. His voice was deep and full of want. “But I don’t want to rush you. Never.”

Cassienne turned in his arms until they were face to face again. This time she looked straight into his eyes on

purpose.

“Let’s take things slow,” she said, repeating his own words back to him with a small smile. “I want to go home now.”

Corren stared at her for a long moment. He didn’t want her to leave, not after that kiss, not after hearing her talk to Daisy. But he was trying so hard to be the good man she deserved.

He nodded slowly. “Okay,” he said. “Let me drive you home.”

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Chapter Ninely Four Being A Gentlery

But deep inside, he knew being a gentleman tonight was harder than anything he’d ever done.

D

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