Chapter 41

Cassian was waiting for her at the building entrance.

Sienna saw him the moment the elevator doors opened, and her body tensed immediately. She kept her gaze forward, walking with practiced indifference. But he didn't move. He stood tall, jaw set, eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in the world worth waiting for—and he had been waiting.

"Sienna," he said quietly as she passed.

She didn't stop.

"Please—"

"I don't want to talk," she muttered, brushing past him with a clipped tone and quicker steps.

That was the last straw.

Cassian reached out, catching her gently by the wrist. His fingers were warm, firm but not forceful, and with one frustrated tug, he guided her toward his car.

"Cassian—" she hissed.

"I'm not doing this here," he said under his breath, voice low and edged with something desperate.

There were too many eyes, too many whispers lingering at the corners of the lobby. She could already feel them watching. So she let him.

The car door clicked shut behind her. He slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove in silence.

The ride was quiet, but it wasn't peaceful.

The tension between them was a living thing—coiling between them, crackling louder than the hum of traffic outside. Sienna stared out the window with her arms crossed tight over her chest. Cassian's fingers tapped against the steering wheel, restless and impatient. He kept glancing at her, but said nothing.

Eventually, he turned off the main road and pulled into a small, hidden park nestled at the city's edge. It was quiet, serene—tucked away from the usual bustle. The sun hung low in the sky, casting soft golden light across the grass. Cherry blossom trees swayed gently above scattered benches. In the distance, a small pond shimmered beneath the fading light.

Cassian parked the car and killed the engine.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Then he spoke.

"She was a fling," he said quietly. "But that was a long time ago. You know she works for the firm we're partnering with. She showed up because of a procurement issue—an emergency clause about third-party sourcing. She's the assigned representative."

Sienna still didn't look at him.

"I didn't plan it," he added. "I didn't even know she was in town. She showed up unannounced."

She exhaled hard through her nose, her arms tightening. "Why are you explaining this to me?"

"Because it mattered to you."

She turned to him then, her expression sharp, her lips drawn tight. "I told you I didn't care."

"You do care," he said, his voice gentling. "And I care that it hurt you."

She looked away again, toward the water. Her jaw was trembling slightly, her fingers clenched in her lap.

"I've made mistakes," Cassian continued. "I've been reckless. I've lived like an idiot more times than I can count. But when I told you I wanted to do this right—us—I meant every word. That girl was from a part of my life I'm done with. You're the only person I've ever wanted to explain myself to."

Sienna didn't answer. But she didn't walk away either.

And maybe that was something.

Cassian leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes fixed on her. "Sienna, I know what it looked like. But I swear, no one else matters the way you do. They were all... noise. Static in a life I didn't even realize I wanted more from. Then you came in, and suddenly, everything was clear. Everything made sense."

Her breath hitched, and she hated that his words made her heart ache—because she believed him. The sincerity in his voice wasn't a performance. It was real.

"You walk into a room and everything else fades," he said. "You make me want to be better. Not because you demand it, but because being around you makes me feel better. More honest. More whole."

Her walls trembled. Her resolve weakened.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," he added, voice thick with guilt. "But I'll spend every day proving you're the only one I want, if you let me."

Sienna finally turned to face him, and for the first time, she really looked.

There were no defenses in his eyes.

Only her.

Her lips parted, but the words tangled in her throat. She glanced toward the pond again, trying to blink away the pressure building behind her eyes. "Cassian… I think if you ask me anything about us right now, I'll panic."

His brows furrowed slightly. "What question?"

"You know," she said softly. "That question. About us. About what we are. I just—" she sighed, pulling her coat tighter around her. "I don't think I'm ready."

He didn't push. He let her talk.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "This thing between us—it's already so much. It's intense, and confusing, and I'm terrified it's going to ruin everything. Our friendship. Our working relationship. My sense of control."

He leaned back slightly, nodding. "We'll never be completely ready for the things that matter most."

She met his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "You say that like it's simple."

"It's not," he said, voice steady. "But it's real. And real things are always worth it."

She looked down at her hands. "I like what we have. I like being able to breathe when I'm with you. I'm scared that if we try to define it—if it falls apart—"

"Then we fall apart too," he finished softly.

She nodded. Swallowed.

Cassian reached out slowly, brushing his fingers against the back of her hand. "Sienna… I've never had anything I wanted to protect this much. But with you? I'd wait forever. I'd start over every single day if it meant keeping this safe. Keeping you safe."

Her heart clenched.

"I don't want to lose this," she whispered.

"Then let's not," he said gently. "Let's build it—brick by brick. Carefully. Honestly. On your terms. And if we mess up? Then we fix it. Together."

She stared at him, her chest tight with so many emotions she couldn't name them all—fear, frustration, longing, hope.

And for the first time in days, she allowed herself to believe they might actually have a chance.

She let herself breathe again.

A long silence settled between them, but it wasn't heavy—it was careful. Like both were choosing their words deliberately.

Finally, Sienna spoke again, voice fragile. "I need time, Cassian. Just… a little more time to think about all this. To figure out what I really want."

His response was instant. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching just slightly, like she wanted to smile but didn't trust herself to do it fully.

Cassian reached for her hand again, brought it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"One kiss," he said gently, "to seal the deal?"

She didn't pull away.

Instead, she leaned in.

Their lips met—soft, slow, and full of understanding. It wasn't about hunger or desperation this time. It was about a promise. About patience.

When they parted, Cassian brushed his forehead against hers.

"I'll wait, Sienna. Just keep letting me try."

This time, she didn't look away.

This time, she nodded.