You didnt mean to punch him like that. Not really. But the moment he smirked let that one smug line of his slip, your first flew before your brain could catch up.

Now his lip is bleeding. Its not much but its there. Bright against his rather pale skin. Hes licking his lips like hes savouring the taste of the crimson metallic liquid.

Worse? Hes smiling like its foreplay.

“Done?” He asks, his tone low. Not angry. Just amused. You should walk away. Say something snarky and leave him there. But you dont move, neither does he.

Cassien steps in instead, crowding your space without touching you, just close enough that your breath catches. His eyes flicker to your lips. Your now red knuckles and back again.

“You always this rough, sweetheart?” He murmurs, his voice too calm to trust.

Thats when something shifts. The tension crackling, daring someone to cross the line. He leans in, thumb brushing against your haw.

“You gonna hit me again… or kiss me this time?”