Janet gulped as she drove, she could feel Cas's stare drilling a hole into the back of her head. The court had granted that Cas would be under her supervision during the ongoing investigation. Cas didn't stay in the state, so he didn't have a place to stay. Her sister and she had settled that Cas would sleep over at her place for the night, then get a hotel room the next day. Cas didn't say anything; he simply shrugged when they looked at him for approval.
Janet was going to drop off her sister soon, and then she'd be alone in the car with Cas.
They finally arrived at her sister's place, said their goodbyes, and drove on to Janet's house. Neither spoke a word, not even when they pulled up to the driveway.
Janet stepped out of the car, and Cas followed. He glanced around the garage, before his eyes returned to her. Janet gestured towards the entrance, pushing the door open. Her voice came out low "This way…"
She followed him into the entrance, after locking the door, she reached for the light switch—only to feel a strong hand grip her waist. In one swift motion, Cas spun her around and pressed her to the wall, chest-first. The suddenness stole her breath before two fingers entered her mouth.
"Arrrh.." she tried blurting out. Then she felt the gentle press of his body against her back, his presence unmistakable as he closed the space between them. One hand held her —firm, but not strong enough to hurt. He was pressed against her from behind, hard enough that she could feel him, the realization sent a rush of heat through her.
He placed his lips close to her ears with a low and dangerous voice that sent chills down her spine "It'll take a while for people to rescue you even though you scream." Tears welled up in Janet's eyes.
Even though she was really scared, she was acutely aware that their clothes were the only thing keeping their bodies apart. How could she have trusted him?
"I'm going to take out my fingers and you'll be a good girl and not make a sound okay?"
Janet nodded almost immediately, breath catching in her throat. Cas pulled out his fingers, released her just enough to shift his grip—one hand catching her wrists and raising them above her head, the other still firm around her neck. He pressed her more tightly against the wall leaving once again no space between them.
Then he spoke into her ear again, his voice low. "Janet…" The way he said her name made her senses ring. "Why didn't you mention that you were gonna bind me to the court? This isn't how allies work. That's already a breach of our agreement."
"I'm…I'm sorry. I wasn't sure you would agree. I had to use the court to compel you further."
Cas let out a low chuckle, followed by a growl, as his breath sent goosebumps down her neck.
"You seem to underestimate me…Janet. Have you forgotten so soon who I am?" He pressed his body closer to hers more.
Janet whimpered "N..No."
"If you needed my help, why didn't you let me do it on my terms? You're not as smart as you think. There are plenty of things I can do to you right here, with just the two of us in your house." He leaned in so close she could feel the heat of his words against her ear. "Isn't that right, Janet?"
"P…please I'll make it up to you." Janet pleaded almost whispering to match Cas's low voice. He simply laughed, this time a little louder than his previous tone.
He released her hands from above her head and spun her around to face him, their eyes meeting each other's in the gentle glow of the dark. "What could you possibly offer to make it up to me?"
Janet's thoughts were racing, this closeness to such a man was doing a lot of things to her. Things she had only faintly hoped, at the back of her mind, would happen.
"If we find HENNEDY, the drugs he launders can be all yours. I won't involve the police." Janet said
Cas tilted his head; she wasn't sure if the action came from confusion or anger.
Then he smiled lazily "Janet, you have a lot of secrets." It wasn't a question. Then he continued "What happens if I don't get it?"
Cas leaned in closer, his gaze dropping to her lips. Janet bit hers, unsure whether in anticipation of a kiss or from fear. She felt his breath on her face; her chest was firmly pressed against his. If it weren't for the blazer of her suit, he would have felt her nipples react — a humiliating reminder of how her body betrayed her fear.
"I'm listening," he said, low and demanding.
Janet was at a loss for words right now. She had nothing left to bargain with.
Cas observed her intently and said "You always think you can talk your way out of any situation. Janet, you're only a lawyer. The only place you have power is in a courtroom—not on the streets, not even in your own house…" He moved a finger from the hand at her neck to trace her lower lip. The touch made her breath catch, equal parts warning and temptation.
"You're too much of a smart mouth to realize I was simply asking you politely to choose the consequences of double-crossing me."
Janet stared at him helplessly as she muttered "Anything you want. Anything you ask."
Cas held her gaze, as he traced her lips with his fingers, barely grazing them, intimidating her with nothing but his eyes. Janet couldn't take it anymore— she squeezed her eyes shut and sobbed "Please."
Then Cas's grip loosened. He released her, and she let out a shaky breath before quickly turning on the light switch.
She met Cas's waiting gaze again—he was still staring at her.
"I'll go prepare the guest room where you'll be sleeping tonight." She started walking toward the inner confines of the house, but his voice stopped her.
"My terms…are staying here, in your place, until this clown chase is over."
She turned to him to protest, but met his no- no-nonsense stare. Her words died in her throat. Looking away, she nodded, quickening her pace to escape his lingering stare.
* *
As Janet fixed the bed in the guest bedroom, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that her plan was slipping out of her control. Cas was not a man she could sideline just for his help. It was also clear he respected her personal reasons for pursuing the case, she knew he could extract information from her if he wanted.
She understood he wanted something in return to balance the breach she had made in their agreement, which was fair. But the closeness between them … her mind wandered to how she felt him pressing near her earlier, his fingers intruding into her mouth and tracing her lower lips. His face so close to hers…
Cas observed Janet as she fixed the bed; she hadn't noticed him standing behind her yet. She was bent over straightening the sheets, her movements careful and precise, and he found himself watching her without meaning to. He was already so turned on from the way her body had felt against him in her living room. Turned on and mostly frustrated because she had no self-defense skills despite her cleverness in other ways.
Janet jumped slightly when she noticed him, "Oh, I didn't see you there. I'm almost done setting it up."
"It's fine. I need to use the bathroom, is that ready at least," he asked.
"Yes, it is. I'll leave you to that. Dinner is in 30 minutes." she replied, trying to steady her nerves.
As Janet walked past him, the faint scent of her orange-flavored perfume lingered in the air. She was still a little shaken by the intensity of their earlier encounter.
Cas didn't come out for dinner. Janet knocked on his door a few times, then opened it to see him passed out on the bed, the blanket covering only the lower part of his body. From a distance, his bare chest caught the light, and his handsome face looked peaceful. He had been through so much. Janet turned off the lights and gently closed the door behind her, making sure not to wake him up with the noise.