CHAPTER EIGHT

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the hotel suite, casting soft patterns across the bed where tangled sheets barely covered

two bodies wrapped in each other's warmth.

The city was already awake , horns blaring, the hum of morning life rising up from the streets below, but inside the suite, time

seemed to slow, wrapped in the cocoon of intimacy they'd created the night

before.

Cassian shifted first, blinking against the light, the weight of Savannah's head on his chest anchoring him to the moment. Her hair

spilled over his skin in dark waves, and the scent of her, soft, warm…. filled his senses. He didn't move for a long time, just lay there, breathing her in, listening to the quiet rhythm of her breath.

When she finally stirred, it was with a sleepy sigh, her lashes brushing his skin as she nuzzled closer, eyes still closed. His fingers

found their way into her hair, gently combing through the strands as he pressed

a kiss to her forehead.

"Morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Savannah smiled against his chest, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. "Morning, I could get used to this."

Cassian chuckled low in his throat, the sound vibrating beneath her cheek. "Me too. Feels like the world's stopped for us."

She shifted, propping herself up slightly, tracing lazy circles on his chest. "Let's keep it stopped. At least for today."

"That's the plan." His hand slid down her back, fingertips grazing her spine. "No work. No calls. Just us."

Savannah grinned, heart racing at how easily the words slipped from his mouth. It was dangerous, how natural this felt. How safe.

"So, what do we do with this stolen time?" she asked, voice playful.

Cassian glanced out the window, then back at her, eyes sparkling with mischief. "We make it count. How do you feel about starting the day with something a little indulgent?"

Her brows arched. "Like?"

"I say we take my yacht out for a few hours. Just us, the ocean, and enough champagne to last the day."

"You've got a yacht docked nearby?" she teased.

Cassian smirked. "You're surprised?"

"I guess I shouldn't be," she said, laughing as she leaned down to kiss him, slow and lingering. "Okay, Mr. Virelli. I'm in. But first,"

"First," he echoed, pulling her back against him, his mouth brushing her ear, "we shower. Together. I've been fantasizing about it since

last night."

Savannah bit her lip, eyes darkening with anticipation. "Then what are we waiting for?"

The bathroom was beautiful, all glass and marble and chrome. Steam quickly filled the space as Cassian turned on the rainfall shower, water flowing in a steady, warm rush. He stepped in first, offering his hand to Savannah as she slipped inside, their bodies

instantly enveloped by the heat.

Cassian's gaze roamed over her, hungry. Water traced the lines of her body, glistening on her skin. His hands found her waist, pulling her against him, and she could feel the evidence of his hard member and against

her belly.

"Look at you," he whispered, eyes burning into hers.

Savannah shivered under his touch, though the water was hot. She reached up, sliding her hands into his hair, tugging him down into a kiss that started slow, but it didn't stay that way.

The heat between them ignited, fueled by the slick glide of skin on skin, the steam curling around them. Cassian's hands roamed her body, one sliding up to cup her breast, his thumb circling her nipple until she

gasped, the other trailing down to grip her thigh, lifting it so she could wrap

it around his hip.

Their mouths met again and again, desperate, searching, as if they could consume each other. His lips left a trail of fire down her neck, over her shoulder, before capturing a nipple between his teeth, drawing a sharp moan from her throat.

Savannah's nails raked down his back, urging him closer, harder. His hand slid between her legs, fingers finding her slick and ready, teasing her until she was trembling in his arms.

"Cassian" she gasped, the sound of his name on her lips driving him wild.

He lifted her effortlessly, pressing her back against the cool marble wall as he entered her in one slow, powerful thrust. They both

groaned at the contact.

The water poured over them as they moved together, the rhythm building, the heat getting higher. Cassian's mouth was everywhere, her

lips, her throat, the sensitive spot beneath her ear. His hands gripped her like she was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Savannah clung to him, lost in the feel of him, the way he filled her, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

Every thrust, every kiss, every whispered word pushed them closer, until they came

together.

When they finally stilled, breathless and trembling, Cassian rested his forehead against hers, a soft laugh escaping him. "We're going to run out of hot water at this rate."

Savannah smiled, brushing wet hair from his face. "Worth it."

Wrapped in hotel robes, they ordered a ridiculous breakfast spread, stacks of pancakes, eggs, fruit, fresh pastries, and a bottle of champagne.

They ate on the balcony, the city glittering below them in the morning sun.

Cassian stole bites from her plate, grinning like a kid when she smacked his hand. Savannah retaliated by smearing jam on his nose, and he lunged for her, catching her mouth in a kiss that tasted of sweetness and

laughter.

They played like that, feeding each other strawberries, clinking glasses, toes tangled beneath the table. Cassian took out his phone once, but Savannah shot him a look that made him grin and set it aside.

"No work," she reminded him.

"No work," he agreed, raising his glass in a toast. "Just us. Today, it's just us."

The soft breeze ruffled Savannah's hair as she leaned against the balcony rail, watching the city stretch out beneath her. Cassian

stood behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist, his chin resting lightly

on her shoulder.

"I could stay like this all day," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

Savannah sighed, content. "Me too. But you promised me the ocean."

Cassian chuckled, the sound vibrating against her back. "I did, didn't I?"

He kissed her shoulder once more, then straightened. "Go get dressed, gorgeous. I'll make the call. We'll head out in an hour."

Back inside, Savannah rifled through the clothes she'd packed, settling on a white linen sundress that floated around her legs ,

paired with gold sandals and a wide-brimmed straw hat. She added a pair of sunglasses and a delicate anklet.

Cassian emerged from the bedroom, dressed in khaki shorts and a white shirt , his smile lazy and warm.

"You ready to make the rest of the city jealous?" he teased, eyes sweeping over her.

Savannah grinned, spinning once for him. "Lead the way, Mr. Virelli."

The drive to the marina was filled with easy conversation, favorite childhood memories, guilty pleasures, dream destinations. Savannah found herself opening up more than she expected, telling him about sneaking out with her cousin as a teenager to watch the sun rise over the cliffs near her family's old estate.

"I can't believe I'm telling you this," she said, laughing.

Cassian shot her a sideways glance, his expression soft. "I like it. I like knowing what made you, you."

At the marina, Cassian's yacht waited, gleaming, and massive enough to make Savannah blink.

"This is your idea of a boat?" she teased as he helped her aboard.

"Go big or go home," he said, guiding her toward the deck lounge, where a private steward was already setting out chilled champagne and fruit platters.

They set off, the city shrinking behind them as the yacht glided over the water. Savannah kicked off her sandals, letting the sea spray

cool her skin as the breeze tangled her hair. Cassian watched her, his gaze lingering like a caress.

For hours, they drifted beyond the harbor, the skyline a faint shimmer on the horizon. They lounged side by side, feet propped on the

rail, glasses in hand. They talked, they laughed, they stole lazy kisses whenever the mood struck.

Cassian showed her how to steer, his arms around her as she took the wheel, their bodies pressed close.

"See? Natural captain," he murmured against her ear.

Savannah leaned back into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "I think I just like the view."

When they anchored in a quiet cove, Cassian spread out a blanket on the deck. They lay together, the sun warm on their skin, the world reduced to the sound of the waves and each other's quiet breaths.

Savannah traced lazy patterns on his chest, her mind blissfully empty of work, stress, or doubt. Cassian watched her, fingers

twining with hers.

"This is dangerous," he said quietly.

She looked up at him, puzzled. "What is?"

"You. This." His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "How easy it is to forget everything else when I'm with you."

Savannah's heart clenched. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

Their lips met, deep, slow, the kind of kiss that spoke of promises neither dared to voice.

As the sun began its descent, they headed back, windblown and sun-kissed, their laughter floating over the water. Back at the marina, Cassian insisted on stopping for gelato at a tiny shop he claimed was the best

in the city. They sat on a bench like two teenagers, sharing bites, fingers

sticky with melted ice cream.

By the time they returned to the hotel, twilight had painted the sky in strokes of pink and gold. Cassian ordered room service, oysters,

seared scallops, a bottle of white wine chilled to perfection. They ate on the

balcony, the city lights twinkling below.

Savannah clinked her glass to his. "To today."

Cassian smiled, "And to tonight"