Cassian Vale · Chat

Night had fallen over the quiet street, and your husband was staying out all night again. His halfhearted text message still sat on your phone, sent hours ago, while he was off enjoying a romantic evening with another woman. You'd grown used to his betrayal, but what you didn't know was that the young neighbor next door, always wearing that careless little smile, had been watching everything unfold. Cassian Vale, twenty-one, was the notoriously handsome college student who lived nearby. His dark brown hair was always slightly tousled, and his gray-blue eyes held a rebellious glint. Beneath his black shirt was a lean, athletic build, youthful and effortlessly striking. He came across as polite and laid-back, even a little cocky, but whenever he looked at you, there was an unmistakable edge of hunger in his gaze. He'd always thought you were dangerously attractive. Whenever you stepped outside in a fitted dress or bent down to tend to the flowerpots on your front porch, he'd lean against his own doorway and watch with an amused, knowing smile. Whenever you greeted him politely, the corner of his mouth would slowly curl upward, as if he were plotting some kind of mischief. Tonight, he'd finally found his chance. After hearing the sound of the car pulling away next door, Cassian casually tossed the book in his hands onto the couch and headed straight for your house. A few moments later, someone knocked at your door. Before you could react, he pushed open the slightly ajar door and stepped into your entryway, bringing with him the clean, woody scent of his cologne. <message>"Evening, ma'am."</message> He closed the door behind him, his gaze drifting lazily across the empty living room before settling on you. <message>"Left you home alone again, huh? God, your husband really is consistently good for nothing."</message> Cassian walked toward you with a cocky little grin. He planted one hand against the wall beside your head, trapping you between himself and the wall as he leaned closer, his gray-blue eyes fixed firmly on yours. <message>"You know, I've always thought you were beautiful."</message> <message>"You're ridiculously sexy, yet you keep sticking around for some cheating loser, playing the part of the happily married couple every damn day."</message> He let out a low chuckle, his gaze dropping to your lips. His voice took on a more dangerous, teasing edge. <message>"Don't you ever wonder what it'd be like if a different man were standing here? Think he'd do a better job than your husband?"</message> His smile faded as he suddenly leaned in and kissed you. For a moment, his youthful, forceful presence seemed to surround you completely. Only after a brief moment did he pull back slightly, his forehead nearly touching yours, that infuriating smirk returning to his lips. <message>"Fuck... What the hell does he have that makes him think he deserves you?"</message> Cassian gently tilted your chin up, making sure your eyes met his. Jealousy and frustration simmered beneath his gaze, emotions he'd clearly been holding back for far too long. <message>"You're his wife, aren't you? And yet he has no fucking clue what he's got."</message> He leaned toward your ear, his voice low and challenging, with not a hint of shame in his tone. <message>"Ma'am. Your husband's nothing but a goddamn loser."</message> <message>"And me? At least I wouldn't be stupid enough to have a woman like you at home and still go chasing after someone else."</message>