Chapter 11

Cassie's POV

I stood frozen in place, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as Asher walked past me towards the couch in my room. 

I couldn't believe what had almost happened between us, and I wasn't sure how to process the strange mix of emotions swirling within me.

Sinking down onto the couch, Asher stretched out his long legs and made himself comfortable, his gaze locked on mine.

 My confusion only deepened as I watched him settle in.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm here to sleep," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

My eyes widened in shock, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. 

"B-but this is my room," I stammered, my nervousness getting the better of me.

Asher raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

 "We're engaged now, Cassie. It's not exactly unusual for us to share a room."

I shook my head, my heart racing as I tried to wrap my mind around the situation. 

"I'm not comfortable with that," I protested, my voice trembling slightly.

He stood up and walked towards me, staring at me like he was going to devour me.

I gulped down saliva, feeling the sudden heat in the room.

 "Are you scared to be in the same room with me?" he asked, his gaze challenging me to reveal my true feelings.

Before I could find the words, a sudden knock at the door interrupted us.

 Frowning, I went to answer it, only to find Alex standing outside my door.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone guarded.

Ignoring my question, he reached for my hand, attempting to pull me out of the room. 

I quickly dodged his grasp, my frustration mounting as I glared at him.

"We need to talk," he insisted, his eyes pleading with me.

I shook my head, my jaw clenched in defiance. 

"There's nothing for us to talk about, Alex."

His face fell, his shoulders slumping as he realized that I was not going to make this easy for him. 

"Cassie please," he begged, his voice cracking with emotion. 

"Just give me a chance to explain."

My resolve wavered for a moment, the pain of his betrayal threatening to resurface.

 But I couldn't allow myself to be swayed by his pleas.

 "I don't think there's anything left to say," I replied coldly.

 "You made your choice,.Alex."

As he stood there, his eyes filled with regret, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for the life we might have shared if things had been different. 

But that was in the past now, and I was determined to move forward, no matter how uncertain my future might be.

Alex's eyes pleaded with me as he tried to step into the room, but I held my ground, using the door as a barrier between us.

 He pushed against it, his desperation evident in his strained expression.

Before he could force his way in, Asher's voice rang out from behind me. 

"Who's at the door, Cassie?" he asked, his tone betraying a hint of suspicion.

Alex froze, his gaze darting to the side as he realized that Asher was in the room with me. 

"Why is he here?" he demanded, disbelief in his voice.

My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to diffuse the situation.

 "Asher is my fiancé," I reminded Alex, my voice firm despite my racing pulse. 

"He has every right to be here."

The hurt that flashed across Alex's face was quickly replaced by anger as he glared at Asher, who had now joined me at the doorway.

 "So this is your new protector, Cassie?" he sneered, his lip curling in contempt. "I never thought you'd stoop so low."

Asher tensed beside me, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Alex with a cold intensity.

 "You'd be wise to watch your tone, Alex," he warned, his voice a dangerous whisper. 

"I protect what's mine and Cassie is no exception."

The air crackled with tension as the two men faced off, their postures rigid with unspoken aggression. 

I knew that I had to intervene before things escalated further.

 Taking a deep breath, I prepared to confront the simmering animosity head-on.

"You're delusional if you think Cassie actually loves you," Alex scoffed, his eyes filled with scorn. 

"She's just using you to get back at me and to avoid being forced into a marriage with a stranger."

Asher's cold smile sent a shiver down my spine as he turned to face Alex.

 "I don't really care if she's using me, Alex," he said, his voice dripping with derision. 

"The fact that she chose me over you is a privilege you can only dream of having again."

Asher's words hung in the air like a challenge and I could feel Alex's anger mounting with each passing moment. 

He took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. 

"You're nothing but a pawn in her game Asher," he hissed, his face contorted in fury.

Asher remained unperturbed, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at me.

 "I don't mind being a pawn, Alex," he replied, his tone icy. 

"At least I'm playing on the winning side."

With a swift motion, Asher leaned in to plant a possessive kiss on my cheek,

My breath caught in my throat as Asher's lips brushed against my skin, the intimacy of the gesture sending a jolt of electricity through my veins.

Before I could fully process the implications of his actions, Alex lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of Asher's shirt.

Without hesitation, I pushed Alex back, my voice firm and unyielding.

 "Stay out of my life, Alex," I commanded, my gaze unwavering as I held his gaze. 

"It's over between us."

With one final defiant look, I slammed the door shut in his face, my heart racing as I leaned against the solid wood. 

Asher stood there, his expression unreadable as he watched me.

"You didn't have to do that," he said softly, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. 

"I could have handled him."

I shook my head, my emotions swirling as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. 

"I don't want any more violence, Asher," I whispered, my voice trembling. 

"I just want peace."

Asher's gaze softened as he looked at me, his thumb brushing gently against my skin. 

Asher's thumb brushed gently against my skin, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. 

"I understand," he murmured, his voice laced with a tenderness I hadn't heard before. 

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect you Cassie. Even if that means keeping the peace."

I found myself lost in his gaze, the intensity of the moment stealing the breath from my lungs.

 In that moment, I realized that my feelings for Asher had grown deeper than I ever could have imagined. 

Despite his rough exterior and his troubled past, there was a vulnerability beneath the surface that called to something within me.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. 

"I'm glad you're here Asher."

His lips curved into a rare smile as he pulled me into a tight embrace. For a moment, the world outside our embrace faded away, leaving only the two of us in a cocoon of warmth and safety.