Chapter six -The party

Chapter Six – The Party

Cassie sat on the edge of her bed, absently twisting a loose thread on her dress as her mind raced. She had spent the last few days trying to figure out how to reach Bain, how to break through the thick walls he had built around himself.

That night, when he had let his guard slip, when he had shown her even the smallest crack in his armor—it had meant something. She was sure of it.

But then he had shut her out completely.

Now, all she heard was his voice booming from the hallway, cold and commanding, giving orders like he was preparing for war.

Her chest tightened.

She hesitated only for a moment before standing. She needed to see him. Even if he pretended not to care, even if he acted as if she was invisible—she missed him.

She stepped out of her room, following the sound of his voice. When she finally found him, her breath caught in her throat.

Bain stood in the center of the grand hallway, flanked by his men. His presence dominated the space. He looked sharp, dangerous, powerful.

Untouchable.

Cassie’s lips parted as she whispered, “Bain…”

For a brief second, he turned to her. His eyes locked onto hers. The moment stretched between them, thick with something unspoken. His expression softened—just for a heartbeat.

And then it was gone.

His gaze turned to ice.

“That’s Master to you,” he said, his voice cutting through her like a blade.

Cassie felt the sting of his words deep in her chest.

Without another glance, he turned and walked away.

⸻

Two Hours Later

A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts.

“Miss,” Linda, one of the maids, said hesitantly as she stepped inside. “The Master asked me to prepare you for the party tonight.”

Cassie frowned. “What party?”

“The Master always holds a party six weeks before Christmas,” Linda explained.

Cassie exhaled sharply. Of course he does.

She stood and ran a hand through her hair. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

⸻

The Party

The ballroom was grand, the chandeliers casting golden light over a sea of powerful men and elegantly dressed women. The scent of expensive cigars and fine whiskey lingered in the air.

Cassie knew she looked stunning—her deep red gown hugged her curves, the slit along her thigh revealing just enough to make men stare.

And they were staring.

She felt their eyes, the way they whispered about her, the way their gazes lingered too long.

But the only person she cared about wasn’t looking at her at all.

Bain stood across the room, dressed in a sleek black suit that made him look like a god among men. He exuded power, authority—he was the kind of man who could silence a room with a single glance.

Cassie’s heart pounded.

Would he even acknowledge her?

His gaze swept the crowd, passing over her—then stopping.

Their eyes met.

Her breath caught.

For a single, excruciating second, she thought he might come to her.

But then he turned away.

Her stomach twisted.

The rest of the night was a blur of unwanted attention—men trying to charm her, lingering touches on her arm, whispers in her ear.

Cassie hated it. She felt like a prize, a possession, something to be admired but never truly seen.

And Bain?

He ignored her completely.

By the time the party ended, she was exhausted.

But more than that… she was frustrated.

⸻

Later That Night – Cassie’s Room

Cassie sank into the warm bath, closing her eyes as she let the water soothe her.

But no matter how much she tried to clear her mind, Bain was there.

The way he looked tonight. The way his suit fit perfectly, the way his lips moved when he spoke.

She swallowed hard.

Damn him.

Her fingers trailed down her damp skin, her breath hitching as she imagined his hands instead of hers.

His strong hands gripping her waist.

His lips on her throat, his breath hot against her ear.

She gasped softly, her body reacting to the images flooding her mind.

A soft moan escaped her lips.

She didn’t even fight it.

She wanted him.

She had never wanted anyone the way she wanted Bain.

Her heart pounded as she reached the edge, her entire body trembling with pleasure.

And for just a moment, she let herself pretend it was him.

⸻

Cassie’s Room – Moments Later

Still breathless, Cassie slipped on a silk bathrobe and collapsed onto her bed.

Then—

The door burst open.

She gasped, sitting up.

Bain stood in the doorway.

His eyes were dark, unreadable, but something about the way he looked at her sent a shiver down her spine.

Her breath hitched.

Had he heard her?

Had he seen—?

Bain stepped forward, his gaze dragging over her.

She felt bare under his stare. Vulnerable.

He opened his mouth as if to say something—

But then, just as quickly, he shut it.

His jaw tightened.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

And then he turned and walked away.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Cassie sat there, stunned.

Her pulse roared in her ears.

What the hell just happened?

 

Chapter Seven – Unraveling Control

Cassie woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through her curtains. But the warmth of the sun did nothing to thaw the cold ache in her chest.

She could still see him.

Bain.

Standing in her doorway last night, his gaze burning into her, his jaw clenched like he was fighting something deep inside him.

She had felt his desire.

But just like always, he had walked away.

Cassie let out a slow breath, pushing the blankets aside. She wouldn’t let him shut her out anymore.

She slipped into a silk robe and padded down the hall, her heart pounding as she searched for him.

She found him in the dining room, dressed in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, exposing the veins in his forearms. His strong hands gripped a coffee mug, but his posture was tense, like he was barely holding himself together.

She swallowed hard.

“Good morning, Bain,” she murmured.

His grip on the mug tightened.

For a second, she thought he might actually acknowledge her.

But instead, he stood, chair scraping against the hardwood floor, and walked away without a word.

Cassie’s stomach twisted.

Damn it, Bain.

Her fingers curled into fists.

She refused to let him keep doing this.

⸻

Later That Day – Cassie’s Breaking Point

Cassie found Linda in the kitchen, arranging lunch on a silver tray.

“Linda,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Yes, Miss?”

“I want to take lunch to the Master today. Will you come with me?”

Linda hesitated.

“I don’t think—”

“Please,” Cassie cut in. “Just… let me try.”

A moment passed, then Linda sighed and nodded. “Of course, Miss.”

The drive to Bain’s office was short, but Cassie’s nerves coiled tighter with every second.

She had to see him.

She had to make him see her.

When they arrived, Linda gave a quiet nod and let Cassie go ahead.

Cassie carried the tray, stepping out of the elevator and walking toward his office.

Her heart pounded as she reached the door.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and stepped inside.

And then—

She froze.

Her breath hitched.

Bain stood near his desk.

And in his arms—

A woman.

Cassie’s fingers tightened around the tray, her knuckles turning white.

She didn’t recognize the woman, but she didn’t have to.

The way she leaned into Bain, the way her arms curled around his neck—

Cassie felt something sharp stab into her chest.

The ache, the longing, the hope she had foolishly held onto—shattered.

Bain hadn’t noticed her yet.

Cassie took one slow step back, her eyes stinging.

Then another.

Then she turned and walked away.

She didn’t stop.

Not until she was back in the elevator, not until the doors closed, sealing her away from him.

The tray in her hands shook.

Her throat burned.

She had been so stupid.

She had spent all this time thinking Bain was holding himself back because he was afraid to care.

But the truth was so much simpler.

He didn’t want her.

Chapter Eight – The Breaking Point

Cassie didn’t remember leaving the building.

She didn’t remember the drive back to the estate.

All she knew was the hollow ache in her chest, the way her heart pounded like it was trying to escape her ribcage.

The image of Bain, his arms around another woman, was burned into her mind.

She had been so stupid.

She had let herself believe there was something between them. That the way he looked at her—the heat, the tension, the moments where he almost lost control—meant something.

But he had already moved on.

Cassie stormed into her room, slamming the door shut. Her breathing was ragged, her hands trembling.

She felt humiliated.

Foolish.

And worst of all?

She still wanted him.

That was the part that made her stomach twist in anger.

How could she still crave him after everything?

Cassie pressed her palms against the vanity, staring at her reflection.

Her face was flushed, her lips parted, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

Her pulse roared in her ears.

No more.

She wouldn’t let him play this game with her anymore.

If he wanted to push her away? Fine.

But she wasn’t going to sit around waiting for him to change.

⸻

That Evening – Bain’s Office

Bain sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, his expression unreadable as he stared at the documents in front of him.

But he wasn’t seeing the words.

He wasn’t thinking about the deal he had just closed.

He was thinking about her.

Cassie.

She had been here.

He hadn’t even noticed at first—too distracted, too lost in thought—until he caught the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air.

And by then, she was gone.

But he had seen the way she had looked at him.

The hurt in her eyes.

The betrayal.

Bain let out a slow breath, his jaw clenching.

This was for the best.

Cassie had no place in his world.

She was better off hating him.

Better off staying away.

So why did he feel like he was suffocating?

Why did he have the overwhelming urge to go to her, to make her understand?

His fingers curled into fists.

He had to stay in control.

Because if he gave in, even for a second—he knew he would never let her go.

⸻

Cassie’s Room – Later That Night

Cassie sat on her bed, staring at the door.

Waiting.

Hating herself for it.

She had told herself she was done with this. Done waiting for Bain to acknowledge her.

But still, some part of her hoped—hoped that he would come, that he would offer some kind of explanation.

That he would fight for her.

But the hours passed.

And Bain never came.

Cassie’s throat tightened.

Her eyes burned.

She swallowed hard and wiped at her face angrily.

Enough.

She wouldn’t do this to herself.

Cassie stood, her hands clenching into fists. If Bain wanted to act like she meant nothing to him, then fine.

She could play that game too.

⸻

The Confrontation

The next morning, Cassie found him in the hallway.

She didn’t hesitate.

“Bain.”

He stopped but didn’t turn to face her.

She took a step closer, her heart pounding. “Are you going to pretend I don’t exist forever?”

He exhaled slowly, then turned, his eyes cold and unreadable. “Go back to your room, Cassie.”

“No.”

His jaw ticked.

Cassie lifted her chin. “I saw you. At your office.”

A muscle in Bain’s jaw tightened. “It’s none of your business.”

Cassie laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Right. Because I’m just nothing to you, right?”

Silence.

Something flickered in Bain’s eyes. Something dark.

Cassie’s chest heaved. “Say it, Bain. Say I mean nothing to you, and I’ll walk away.”

Bain stepped forward, towering over her, his presence overwhelming.

Cassie didn’t move.

Didn’t back down.

His eyes burned into hers, his breathing ragged.

For a second—just a second—she thought he might break.

But then, he turned away.

Cold.

Controlled.

“Go to your room, Cassie.”

Cassie’s breath caught.

Something inside her shattered.

She swallowed hard, forcing back the tears stinging her eyes.

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

And this time—

She wouldn’t look back.