Four days had passed and their plan was progressing. They had agreed that the plan must be carried out in one day, or else they risked being exposed. Mirabel and Cas had secured the IDs, and the hackers were almost ready, preparing ways to hack the cleaning agency's email before the Diamond could request their services.
Cas had been diligent in training her, and she was improving steadily. More and more tangible information kept coming in from Cas' men even during the day. It seemed almost certain that there was indeed an underground club, one that likely held children.
Janet smiled at the thought of her sister warming up to Cas and his men. She also noticed chemistry blossoming between Kratos and Amira—It was so cute. Cole had started coming around more often, and he never stopped boring her with his heroic stories of a loyal policeman.
They scheduled the plan for the third day of the following week.
The crowd in the living room had finally cleared, the door clicking shut after Cole. Janet began tidying the clutter when Cas strolled in, unhurried.
"What? Your boyfriend's gone," he teased
"Haha. Very funny." Janet rolled her eyes.
Cas chuckled and leaned against the wall, arms folded, one leg crossed over the other.
"Got any energy left for pizza and wine tonight?"
Janet sighed "Funny you should ask, coach, considering the way you toss me around in combat."
"I thought I was going easy on you."
She laughed, "You're such a jerk. That was easy?"
"I would have gone harder, but you wouldn't let me," Cas replied, his voice dipping into something almost seductive.
Janet blushed, he still hadn't talked about the kiss. "I'll just finish cleaning this up. Call me when the pizza and wine arrive."
He gave her a lopsided grin "Sure."
Cas wondered what was taking Janet so long to come out. His men had told him that a couple of regulars had spotted him hanging around the Diamond. Not only that—they'd also said he didn't look like a captive. If anything, Max had shrugged and told Cas earlier, "He seemed to be in control."
Was Jack HENNEDY? The thought gnawed at him. It tore at his chest to imagine that Jack could be HENNEDY—or one of his henchmen.
"I'm out," Janet's voice came from behind him.
She wore a short, sleeveless blue nightdress. The fabric didn't cling too tightly, but it drew his gaze. It didn't hug her form too much, accentuating the curves of her breasts— barely covering her nipples from below. Her smooth thighs caught the light, almost reflective in their sheen.
She sat a few paces away from him on the same sofa. Cas' nose caught the addictive whiff of her orange-scented perfume as his eyes flicked to the pizza on the center table in front of them, a bottle of wine with two wine glasses waiting.
He reached for the bottle," For a moment, I thought you'd come out with makeup."
Janet scoffed, "A lady needs her beauty routines—especially at night."
He chuckled. "No kidding, you don't seem to need it."
Cas poured into her glass, stopping halfway and glancing up for her consent.
She shook her head.
He arched a brow. "You sure?"
"Yeah, it's been a while since I had wine."
Cas didn't answer. His eyes had drifted—lingering on her breasts as she spoke. Then he filled her glass to the brim.
He handed her the glass, then poured himself some wine, stopping halfway.
"Why do you like this brand of pizza so much?" She asked, chewing on a slice.
"Holds memories for me," he said, lifting his glass and facing her.
She nodded, then laughed. "I'd say you have tasty memories in that case."
Cas laughed too—that was a good way to put it. His eyes lingered on her: beautiful, the soft glow of the room flattering her skin, her full tinted lips curving with laughter. For a moment her toothy smile stole his breath and distracted his own.
"Maybe it'll make you feel lighter if you talk about these memories," she said, sighing, "I mean…if you want to."
"I keep secrets because you keep secrets, Janet." His voice softened as he relaxed back into the sofa, taking a slow sip of wine. His gaze never left her.
She had already sipped more than half her glass.
"I thought I knew what was best for someone, I thought I could trust them. And in the end, I didn't even trust myself." She murmured, staring into the remnants of her drink as she swirled it.
"You shouldn't blame yourself for the actions of others," Cas said, before taking another quiet sip.
Janet drained what was left in her glass. Cas' eyes followed her every movement, steady and intent. When she finally met his gaze, she leaned forward—her breasts threatening to spill. Holding the empty glass out, she murmured, "I need another glass please."
"Janet. It's not wise to—" he began
"I know what I'm doing. I'm a damn adult. Stop advising me on how to enjoy good wine on a Saturday night."
He surrendered, pouring her another glass.
"Thank you." She said, taking a sip right away.
Cas raised his glass, "You're welcome."
"This is really good wine. How are you so good at picking the best things? Tasty pizza, mind-blowing wine…"
"I guess the criminals appreciate the finer things in life." he teased.
She scrunched her nose. "Ooooh. You got me."
They both laughed. Cas noticed the shift— she was closer now, barely three inches away. Her legs crossed, knees angled towards him, her face lifted to his with unusual boldness. The wine was getting to her, Janet was never this direct.
Cas couldn't contain his curiosity, "Why so much wine tonight? Lawyer."
She chuckled, closing her eyes briefly, "Hoping for a little relaxing moment. I'm always in action mode." She looked at him, "You too. That's why you brought the wine."
Cas sipped, keeping his voice calm, "I want you relaxed, Janet. Not drunk."
But before he could stop her, she drained the last of her glass, set it aside—and suddenly she was on top of him. Straddling his thighs, pressing down with only the thin barrier of his trousers between their skin.
Cas was shocked, "Janet, what are you doing?"
She only smiled, grinding against him, slow and deliberate. "You always act so unaffected, Cas." She took her lips to his ear. "Let's see how you do now."
He smirked. He'd tried to warn her about the wine's potency, but that didn't mean he wasn't affected by the way she moved on him. He clenched his fists against the sofa, forcing his hands not to move. "Unaffected? How do I act so unaffected, Janet?"
She paused, lifting her face to his. God, she was beautiful.
"You've been watching me?" he asked, his voice low, his arousal impossible to hide.
She leaned closer to his face, their noses touched, a daring closeness. Oh was she braver with all that wine.
It felt like a stare-down for a minute. She bit her lips, and he swallowed hard. His body's reaction gradually reached his face. Her breathing becoming unsteady, she fanned against him, soft, intoxicating.
"I can't tell what you're thinking right now." She whispered, her gaze locked on his. Her breathing quickened, her eyes narrowed with intent."But I want to know."
Her head tilted, her lips hovering just above his, so close that there was a faint brush of contact. Cas swallowed hard, fighting to hold onto his restraint. Her breasts felt soft against his chest, gently poking him with her erect nipples. Her buttocks were soft, enough to have made him ignore that she was intoxicated and grip them anyway.
Her lips pressed against his, her tongue gently seeking entrance into his mouth, "Janet, I think you should…"
She slipped her tongue in, cutting him off while she moaned. Cas' resolve faltered, his hands slid to her buttocks, feeling their softness as she moved on him.
She deepened the kiss, a reaction to his body getting into direct contact with hers. He felt her hands slide to his waistband, Now that's enough. In a swift moment, he flipped her on the couch, positioning himself between her legs. The musky scent of her arousal filled his nostrils. Pinning both her wrists above her head.
Her lips trembled, biting on one side, her eyes glinting with hunger. Her breasts had spilled, free, soft and round, nipples dark and stiff. A slice of temptation lay bare before him. But she was drunk, and he would never cross that line.
She wriggled beneath him, pouting. "Oooou, let go of me."
He gave a low laugh, the tension in his chest twisting between desire and control. "No," he murmured, "you little succubus."
Her breasts bounced around in tune with her movements, he swallowed hard. Maybe he could just…relieve himself, just a taste. His gaze lingered, almost drooling as he took her in. Then Janet went still, eyes half-closed, lips parted in a soft sigh that sent his pulse racing.
Cas hadn't realized how close his face was to her chest until his lips brushed her skin. He took one nipple into his mouth, tongue teasing before he began to suck gently. Janet let out soft, broken moans that only pulled him in deeper—her scent, her warmth, her soft flesh against his tongue. He moved to the other, his mouth growing rougher as her moans rose.
"Ah, yes. It feels so good." her voice trembling like the sound itself was pleasure. The scent of her arousal got stronger. He loosened his hold on her wrists and lifted his head until their faces were inches apart. He leaned in and took her mouth, claiming it the same way he had the first time.
His hand slid between her thighs, his fingers tracing the warmth, the soft outer flesh, and the slippery evidence of her pleasure. She moaned into his mouth, her breath trembling against his. He could feel himself straining, every bit of control hanging by a thread. If his trousers weren't in the way, he was sure he would lose it right there. He pulled back just enough to find her ear, his breath rough and uneven.
"F…k," he whispered, the word dragged out of him, raw and helpless.
Her desire felt too good, every sound she made pulled him closer to the edge. He was barely holding himself together, fighting the heat that kept rising through him.
He lifted his face and met her gaze. Her eyes were heavy with want, her lips parted, soft moans slipping as her chest rose and fell with quick breaths.
He slipped a finger inside her, his eyes never leaving her face. She bit down on her lower lip, muffling a louder moan.
He spoke, his voice low and rough, "I can't have you like this. When I have you, I want you to be aware of every second of it," his finger curved inside of her, making her moan out loud.
He slipped in another finger. It made her jolt, her back arching, "Cas…"
Janet's reaction excited him. He liked to be in control. He curved his fingers inside of her, over and over again. Her breath hitched, her body shuddering as the moment claimed her completely. For a moment, turning her into a moaning mess.
Her breathing slowed until it steadied, her lashes resting against her cheeks. She had drifted off just like that — leaving him torn between guilt and want.
He carried her to the bedroom. Lying her down, he adjusted the blanket around her. For a moment he just stood there—staring.
Shutting that door felt like a punishment. His mind was running wild with what he could have done, what he wanted to do, and what he refused to do.