Cassian’s POV
When I finally woke up, the sun was already dipping past noon.
I sat up slowly, staring at the ceiling with a low sigh while wondering if everything that had happened between me and Arielle was all a dream.
"Jeez," I muttered softly because I knew deep down that it was all real.
In my mind, I was trying to find ways to avoid her the moment I’d have to face her. I was becoming the very thing I looked down on... a coward.
Was I strong enough to ignore her beautiful smile?
The smile from last night that still burned in my mind?
Was I going to stay still even when my eyes went to her lips? Would I fail to hold back if the way she kissed me back played in my mind?
The light in her eyes when she spoke to me was still vivid. That one moment when everything felt too right and
