A Thousand Ezekiels

Cassi gulped. She was usually confident, but under Ezekiel's intense, scrutinizing stare… she just wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

He was too intimidating. Too composed. Like a man who never second-guessed anything.

Before she could say a word, another deep voice cut through the tension from behind him.

"Oh, but that's great news. I mean, our families finally being together, legally." Cassi blinked as an older man stepped forward.

"Brandon!" her grandfather burst out. The next second, he was on his feet, pulling the man into a warm hug like two old friends reunited after years apart.

Cassi exhaled. Finally able to tear her eyes away from Ezekiel, she looked toward the two men. The moment gave her a brief window to breathe again.

But out of the corner of her eye, she could still see Ezekiel. Now seated comfortably on the sofa. Legs crossed. One arm resting along the backrest like he owned the place.

And he hadn't taken his eyes off her.

Not once.

Meanwhile, the two older men were already deep into wedding talk, their excitement bouncing back and forth like a ping-pong match.

"I say we set a date within the month," Brandon said eagerly. "Keep it quiet, but seal the alliance officially."

"Exactly my thought," Grandpa Randall agreed. "We've wasted enough time. Once the contracts are signed, the press can wait."

They spoke over Cassi and Ezekiel like they weren't even there. As if her opinion didn't matter. As if it was already done.

Cassi stared at the floor, her heart pounding. Then she felt it… movement.

Ezekiel stood and walked over to her bed, his footsteps slow but heavy, his presence even more suffocating up close. He stopped beside her.

Then leaned in. Close.

Too close.

His hand braced against the bed's railing, his face inches from hers. She could feel the heat of him. Smell the faint trace of expensive cologne. Her breath hitched. His cold gray eyes pinned her in place.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, voice low… deeper now, rougher, like gravel smoothed with ice.

Cassi froze. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

His gaze flicked down briefly to her mouth and lingered. She felt it in her chest. In her stomach. Everywhere….

One wrong move. One accidental tilt forward and they would kiss.

She wasn't even sure if it terrified her… or tempted her.

Then-

The door slammed open.

"Cassi!"

Rick's voice snapped her back like a splash of cold water.

He stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of bright red roses, his face pale with concern. "I came back with your favorite flowers and chocolates!"

Cassi's body tensed.

Without thinking, she turned back to Ezekiel and stared straight into his eyes.

"Yes," she said, her voice loud and clear, slicing through the tension like a blade. "I'm sure. I will marry no one but you."

Rick froze.

And before the weight of her words could settle, Cassi reached up, cupped Ezekiel's face in both hands and pulled him down to her.

Their lips crashed together in a kiss that silenced the entire room.

It was fire and defiance. Bold and reckless. A message.

Ezekiel didn't hesitate. Not even for a second.

He gripped her waist, leaning in fully as his mouth moved against hers, slow at first, but quickly deepening. His kiss was demanding, consuming, nothing like she expected and everything she never admitted she wanted.

Her fingers curled against his jaw as he took over, tilting his head and kissing her like he owned her.

Because in that moment… he did.

Every sound blurred. Every thought scattered. All that existed was the feel of his lips, the heat of his body, and the silent challenge blazing behind Rick's stunned eyes.

When Ezekiel finally pulled back, his face still hovered close to hers, lips barely parted, breath warm against her skin.

Cassi didn't dare look away.

And Ezekiel?

He didn't smile. But his gaze lingered on her lips for a breath longer before he finally pulled back. Still close enough to feel her heartbeat racing against him.

Then he muttered, voice low and rough only for her to hear, "Alright. We'll have the wedding… as soon as you're fully recovered."

His thumb brushed lightly along the curve of her jaw, a barely-there touch that felt like a claim. "We'll do it your way."

Cassi's chest rose, barely containing the storm inside her. He didn't question her motives. He didn't demand explanations. He simply stepped into the lie… and owned it like it was truth.

Behind them, Rick still stood motionless, the bouquet forgotten in his hands. His face had gone pale, confusion and betrayal warping his features.

"Cassi…" he whispered, broken. "What are you doing?"

Cassi didn't answer. She kept her eyes on Ezekiel. If she looked away now, it would unravel everything. And she couldn't afford that. Not with Rick.

That bastard still had the audacity to show his face. To act like he was some devoted lover, rushing in with flowers like he cared. Like he had any right.

'Asshole!!!' The word screamed inside her head.

Watching her kiss another man? Please. That didn't even come close. Not to the pain she endured. Not to the image forever carved in her memory-

Rick. Naked. Entwined with Anne.

The woman Cassi treated like a sister. Trusted. Let into her home, her life, her heart. 

The betrayal had been complete. Shattering. A clean kill to everything innocent she had left.

So no. She wouldn't flinch now.

She would kiss a thousand Ezekiels if it meant Rick would choke on his regret.

She lifted her chin and turned slightly toward Ezekiel again, needing the shield of his presence. And just like that, his hand found the small of her back. Protective. Grounding.

Ezekiel didn't say anything but he didn't have to. The heat in his gaze, the way his jaw tensed, like he sensed her storm and stood ready to match it… It was enough.

Let Rick watch.

Let him burn.

Because she wasn't his anymore.

She never would be again.

Ezekiel gave her hand one final squeeze before releasing it, then turned slightly, shielding her with his frame as if drawing a line Rick could no longer cross.

"You," Ezekiel said coolly, finally addressing Rick.