The city slept under a blanket of midnight haze, unaware that two of its coldest hearts were about to collide again—this time deeper, fiercer, and with consequences neither Cassy nor Jack had prepared for.
AFTER THE RESCUE
Cassy should have returned to her old self—strict, emotionless, laser-focused.
But something had shifted after Jack held her in the warehouse. Something she didn't want to name.
When she looked in the mirror, her reflection still showed a CEO with perfect hair, perfect posture, and perfect control.
But her lips—her signature red—felt different somehow.
Like they were stained with something she couldn't wipe away.
Jack Torres.
She shook it off and went back to work as usual.
Or tried to.
Because Jack kept showing up.
Not dramatically.
Not in the loud, showy way other men did.
Just quietly.
Consistently.
Dangerously.
A coffee on her desk.
A car waiting outside when she worked late.
A silent walk beside her when she left the building.
He didn't demand attention.
He simply existed in her space like he belonged.
And she hated how natural it felt.
---
THE DINNER THAT WASN'T A DATE
One evening, Cassy stepped out of Rivera Corp only to find Jack leaning against his black sports car, arms crossed, watching her like she was the only person in the world.
She sighed. "What now?"
"Dinner."
"No."
"It wasn't a question."
She raised an eyebrow. "I don't take orders."
He smirked. "Then consider it a request. A very persistent one."
"I'm busy."
"You finished your last meeting twenty minutes ago."
She glared. "You're stalking me."
"Observing," he corrected smoothly. "I don't stalk women. Just one."
She hated how her heartbeat skipped.
"Fine," she said finally. "One dinner. Business talk only."
Jack opened the passenger door. "We'll see."
---
THE RESTAURANT
He took her to a quiet, high-class rooftop restaurant—no paparazzi, no noise.
Just city lights and silence.
They sat across from each other, the night breeze brushing past them.
Jack didn't look at the city.
He looked at her.
"Stop staring," she muttered.
"No."
She inhaled sharply. "Jack—"
"Why don't you allow anyone near you?" he asked softly. "What are you afraid of?"
Her jaw tightened. "I'm not afraid."
"Then tell me."
Cassy looked away. For once, she didn't have a sharp answer ready.
Instead, she spoke quietly.
"Loving someone means giving them the power to ruin you," she said. "I learned that too young."
Jack's gaze softened, and something unguarded flickered in his eyes.
"Cassy," he said, voice low, "I'm not here to ruin you."
She looked at him—truly looked—and saw a man who had spent years in shadows, trusting no one, opening up to no one.
Two broken pieces.
Matching edges.
Too perfect.
Too dangerous.
"This is a mistake," she whispered.
He leaned closer, his lips centimeters from hers.
"Then let's make it."
Her breath hitched.
But before anything could happen—
A high-pitched voice echoed across the rooftop.
"JAAAACK!"
They both froze.
---
THE PICK-ME GIRL RETURNS
Vivienne stormed toward them in a red dress that screamed attention.
"Jack, I've been looking for you everywhere! Why didn't you invite me?"
Cassy rolled her eyes. Of course.
Vivienne then noticed Cassy sitting beside him—and the jealousy practically exploded from her.
"What is SHE doing here?"
Jack's expression dropped to a dangerous cold.
"Vivienne. Leave."
"No!" she snapped, voice cracking. "Every time I see you, you're with her! She's using you! She doesn't even LIKE you!"
Cassy stood, unfazed.
"Vivienne, sit down. You're embarrassing yourself."
"SHUT UP!" Vivienne screamed. "He's mine! He always cared about me!"
Jack's voice cut like a blade.
"I never cared about you."
Vivienne froze—hurt and disbelief flashing across her face.
Jack didn't care.
He took Cassy's wrist gently.
"We're leaving."
Vivienne grabbed Jack's arm, desperate.
"Jack, please—she's cold, she's emotionless, she doesn't feel anything for you!"
Jack looked at Cassy then—his voice softening.
"That's not true."
Cassy felt something warm twist inside her chest.
Vivienne's eyes widened, realizing she had lost.
Again.
"You're choosing her?" she whispered.
Jack didn't hesitate.
"Always."
Vivienne broke down crying, but Jack didn't spare her another glance.
He guided Cassy toward the exit.
Cassy whispered, "You didn't have to humiliate her."
Jack stopped, turning to her.
"She nearly got you killed."
Her eyes softened. "Still."
"You're too forgiving," he said quietly.
"You're too ruthless."
They stared at each other.
Two extremes.
Yet somehow—aligned.
---
A DANGEROUS CONFESSION
When they reached the car, Jack opened the door but didn't let go of her wrist.
"Cassy."
She met his stare—steady, unreadable, but burning with something she wasn't ready to name.
Jack stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low whisper.
"I don't want any other woman. I want you."
Her breath caught.
He lifted her hand slowly and pressed it against his chest.
His heartbeat was fast.
Erratic.
Real.
"You feel that?" he murmured. "That only happens with you."
Cassy swallowed hard.
"Jack… I don't know how to do this."
"You don't have to," he said. "Let me come to you. Let me take it slow."
Her eyes flickered to his lips—then back up to his eyes.
He smirked slightly.
"Unless you want it fast."
She pushed him lightly. "You're impossible."
He leaned closer, voice a whisper against her ear.
"And you're addictive."
Her heart dropped to her stomach.
Jack smiled like he had just won a silent war.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"No," she admitted. "But I will."
He opened the door again.
"Then let's begin."
And for the first time, Cassy stepped into something she had always avoided