Page 25 of Neptune

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CASSIE

"T hat's a wrap," the photographer, Ian, says as I finish posing on the couch, showcasing my latest Swarovski necklace hung beautifully around my neck.

I'm wearing an elegant, black long-sleeved dress that has a deep V-neck at the front to accentuate my bare upper chest and the jewelry I'm wearing, while my hair is styled as if I'm about to walk in a Victoria's Secret fashion show.

Right, with this look, I'm ready to go to a red carpet, whereas I'm actually in my room, doing a photoshoot which I’ll use as promotion later on my Instagram as part of my partnership deal with the brand.

Ian approaches me and gives me a hug.

"That was beautiful, Cassie." He smiles as he pulls away. "We'll send you the final photos as soon as possible."

Returning his smile, I nod. I watch as the staff begin packing their tools. The afternoon sun casts its rays through the tall windows of my room, which made the light perfect for the photoshoot just now.

I hope that the pictures come out wonderful. Based on what Ian showed me earlier, the pictures he snapped are already good without any editing.

Stepping in front of the mirror to glance at my appearance again, I suddenly miss Paul. Usually, he's the one who glows me up.

When the people start to leave, I walk out of my room to send Ian off. He's one of those famous photographers who has grown close to me as a friend, and I feel honored to work with him on this Swarovski project.

"Thanks, Ian." I wave at him, watching as he walks farther from my house. He waves back.

Sighing, I step back into the foyer, wondering how I'm going to spend time today. It's the weekend, so playing with Aiden sounds like a good idea, since he's not occupied with school.

While I'm walking down the hallway, I encounter Ms. Langston. She's carrying a tray filled with cups of tea and coffee, heading toward a room.

Distinctly, I hear men talking inside that room. If I'm not mistaken, it's Luke's home office. Ms. Langston notices me and halts.

"Are we having some guests?" I ask.

She nods. "Luke is having a meeting with the board of directors now."

Well, it's this businessman thing again. Even though it's the weekend, he just can't escape work. Suddenly, a brilliant idea pops up in my head.

Does Luke think that he can just leave like that after ruining my day with Jamie Cohen? After that disastrous car ride?

I'm ignoring the latest news from Jamie that the car ride is getting good initial feedback from people who think that Luke's possessiveness is cute and adorable.

Some people even demand a new reality show recording our daily life as newlyweds, which will be the day I die.

A mischievous smirk touches my lips. Oh, revenge has never tasted so sweet.

"Let me bring it inside," I offer Ms. Langston, only causing her to look at me in horror.

"But Luke doesn't like to be disturbed when he's having a meeting." She pales. She must have figured out what's going on in my little naughty mind.

Well, I didn't like it when he just barged into my workplace too .

I flash Ms. Langston a charming smile, taking over the tray.

"Don't worry. I'm just going to offer these drinks to them and give them a warm welcome," I insist.

"But—"

Before she can finish her sentence, I barge into Luke's home office, surprising the occupants inside the room. Luke and five other men are settled in the sofas in the center of the room, surrounding a coffee table.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen." I plaster my most innocent smile.

All of them stand up in an instant. The board of directors consists of men who are clearly older than Luke. They look surprised as they see me walking in.

Luke, however, shoots me a death glare.

Oh, that glare tastes like vanilla ice cream topped with hot chocolate fudge. It makes me want to moan in pleasure due to how delicious it is.

"I know that a business meeting can be tiring, but it doesn't hurt to take a break for a while." I approach them with the tray.

A glance at Luke makes me suppress my laughter. His menacing eyes say to me, What the hell are you doing here?

But of course, I just brush it off like he did to me last time. I can feel his gaze on my deep V-neck dress, and I know that I just brought a lion out of its cage.

He will definitely scold me later, but right now, I'm enjoying this too much.

I place the tray on the coffee table, arranging the cups of tea and coffee for them.

"We hope you'll enjoy this refreshment. Oh, did I just interrupt an important discussion?" I ask them, innocently.

"No, not at all!" some of them exclaim right away, and I bite a smile.

After I finish placing the drinks, I finally can have a good look at the board of directors. They're all staring at me with mouths agape, starstruck.

Damn . Maybe I've underestimated the effect of this photoshoot wardrobe, hair and makeup.

"Gentlemen, I believe that we have ended today's meeting and will continue the discussion on Monday," Luke speaks through gritted teeth.

The victory feels like I just conquered a medieval battle. I should make a meme of people giving me standing applause and me thanking them with tears of joy in my eyes.

"What? But I thought that we were just halfway through the topic," one of the directors blurts out.

"Which means that I expect the full data and conclusions reported on my desk first thing on Monday," Luke says—his voice speaks of danger.

"All of you might want to conduct another meeting with your subordinates at your respective home offices now.

In fact, I'm instructing you to do it right this instant for you to meet the deadline in a timely manner. "

All of the directors gulp.

I scoff at Luke. Geez . He doesn't have to punish these innocent people.

"Honey, why so serious?" I plaster a cute pout on my face, trying to lighten the atmosphere, while Luke shoots me another glare.

He should have known that his glare doesn't work on me.

Disappointment crosses each of the director's faces as they prepare to leave, but before they walk off, one of them approaches me.

"Cassie, my daughter is a big fan of yours," he says. "Can we take a picture together?"

"Of course." I beam, and he takes out his phone before snapping our selfie.

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you, Cassie." A big grin creeps onto his face. "My daughter would go crazy."

Another man approaches me, automatically knocking the previous one off my side. "Cassie, my wife and little son adore you so much. Can we take a picture?"

I give him a warm smile. "It's always been my pleasure. Please send my regards to them."

He snaps a few selfies, and before I know it, the rest of the directors approach me too to take pictures together, one by one.

Meanwhile, Luke is seething.

At least, they are now walking out of the room with big smiles on their faces.

When the last person steps out, I remind them from the doorway, "Have a safe journey back home, gentlemen!" As I'm watching them go, my heart is beating fast now that I'm left alone with Luke.

Oh, no. It's time to go. Run for your life.

Before I can totter out of the room, Luke closes the door and locks it.

I gulp, staring into his eyes, which are filled with anger.

"What the hell was that?" he hisses.

"I was just trying to give them some hospitality."

" Hospitality ?" He scoffs.

The glare he gives me makes me want to hide under a rock. This is crazy. Just a few minutes ago, I felt so powerful. Where is that feeling now?

I nod. "Yes, hospitality. You know, 'make yourself at home' kind of thing?" I hope that I don't sound stupid.

He stares down at my chest, and my heart beats fast from knowing how dangerous our position is.

"With this kind of clothing?" he asks me in a low, cold voice, before meeting my gaze again. "And that hair and makeup?"

I'm at a loss for words.

"Did you enjoy making your husband seethe with rage while trying to not rip those eyes out of their sockets after they roamed your body like that?" His voice is shaking with so much emotion I can't understand .

Roam my body? Were they really doing that?

"I—"

My words are cut short when Luke moves my hair from my shoulder and chest. My cheeks heat up as I feel him lean closer.

“Have you ever thought about what’s in your husband’s mind when you wear this kind of clothing?

” he whispers, too softly. “Have you ever thought about what I want to do to this skin with my fingers? With my mouth?” He brings his lips closer to my ear.

His words send shivers down my spine. I’m aware of how my body is responding to his tease. I feel the temperature rise significantly, and I curse myself for causing this to happen in the first place.

“Do you know what I’m thinking right now?” His breath tickles the skin on my neck, and I close my eyes, involuntarily parting my lips. “Tell me to stop, and I won’t do it.” I can hear the frustration in his voice.

Do I want him to stop?

Strangely, my mind is far away from that thought, and that makes the room turn silent for a while.

Luke places a soft kiss on my bare shoulder, and I can’t help but let out a soft sigh. In reflex, my hand finds his hair and pulls his head closer, which seems to encourage him. The next thing I know, he circles his arm around my waist to pull me closer.

His mouth trails down my neck, sucking and biting my skin. I gasp as he sucks hard on my upper chest, just above my left breast. My other hand clings onto his shoulder, gripping it tightly.

"Luke," I moan. The pleasure I’m feeling is evident in my voice.

I can't believe that we’re doing this. Judging by what he's doing to me, there will be many hickeys on my neck and chest.

Luke's hold on me tightens as he continues kissing and sucking my skin. My moans echo in the room as he attacks me with what seems to be a mixture of rage and burning desire.

When he finally pulls away, his intense gaze makes me feel like the air in my lungs is sucked out with a vacuum .

"You left me no choice but to leave my mark," he states, a small smile on the corner of his lips.

I'm still trying to calm my heartbeat, but once he steps away, I rush toward the mirror in the room. A gasp leaves my lips when I see my reflection. Just as I expected, he has left plenty of kiss marks on my neck and upper chest.

He should have known that I'm a celebrity. How am I going to work with this? Had this happened earlier, I wouldn't have been able to do my photoshoot.

His cocky smirk forms on his lips. "They still can cover those digitally," he says. "But you better stay away from those men who can't stop looking at you for more than five seconds."

With that said, he throws me one last gaze, opens the door and walks off.

And I watch in disbelief as he walks away, my chest heaving up and down from the embarrassment stirring in my heart.