CHAPTER 45: THE KISS HE WOULDN’T LET GO OF

Rosalia — POV

Any of his subordinates who saw him in that state would have fallen to their knees immediately.

No sensible person would dare to breathe.

But I’m not them.

I am not afraid of him, whatever he may do, or whatever may happen.

Not when I understood the pain behind his rage.

How could I be afraid of the person I love?

Even if he burned the world, I would still stand beside him.

My gaze softened, melting into that handsome face and forgetting everything else.

The pain, the chaos, the world—it all faded.

Cassel’s eyes were dark, intense-staring at me with unmistakable obsession.

An all-consuming devotion that felt like a brand.

Then he kissed me suddenly, without warning, without a single word.

The world exploded.

It was deep and overwhelming, making me almost forget how to breathe.

Heat burst through me, fierce and dizzying.

I had never kissed anyone before.

I did not know how to control my breath, and within seconds, I was suffocating.

My lungs screamed.

My mind blanked.

Cassel broke the kiss, drawing back a little as his hand cupped my face.

His thumb grazed my cheek, steadying me.

"Breathe through your nose, Rosalia."

His tone was soft—killing, final, imperative.

Without thinking, driven by mere instinct and dependence on him, I followed, huffing and puffing loudly until air finally reached my lungs.

Warmth rushed through me, a trembling relief.

"Little fool".

He murmured with a low chuckle, the sound alone sending a shiver through me.

It was dangerous, dark... affectionate.

But before I could properly look at him—before I could carve Cassel’s face deeper into my memory—he kissed me again.

Softer this time, but no less consuming.

This kiss was softer than the first, but still firm, dominating, giving me no room to refuse or flee.

Not that escape was a thought that ever crossed my mind.

Not that escape was anywhere in my thoughts.

I found myself wrapping my arms around Cassel’s neck without knowing it, tugging myself closer, and letting myself drown in him-in the sweetness of his kiss, in the madness of that moment.

I could smell his scent filling my senses; his warmth surrounded me and enveloped me whole.

My head spun; the kiss lasted far too long—

Long enough for my lips to go numb.

Long enough for reality to bend.

It wasn’t until Cassel finally released his grip that I slumped against him, exhausted.

My legs felt like water.

My chest rose and fell rapidly.

I knew nothing about romance, but I did doubt a single kiss was supposed to turn someone’s legs and body weak and useless.

If this were normal, then romance was deadly.

I couldn’t move one muscle.

I felt weightless and heavy at the same time.

I slumped against Cassel’s shoulder, still catching my breath from the wildfire that had engulfed me just moments before.

Suddenly, I remembered Henry-the, the one I’d been healing with my newly awakened ability.

The memory struck like lightning.

I was unaware of my capabilities fully and also to what extent it was effective against the zombie virus.

A cold dread tightened my chest.

I opened my eyes and looked up at Cassel above me, asking urgently,

"Cae... what about Henry? Is he all right? Did you heal him?"

Embarrassment washed over me.

The sound of my own voice was raspy and breathless... like someone who had just finished something intense.

Heat raced to my cheeks.

Mortification swallowed me.

The images flashing in my head made my whole face scarlet.

I wanted to dig a hole and disappear.

For a moment, it seemed like Cassel’s dark aura sharpened.

Possessive.

Territorial.

Dangerous.

"He’s fine, all of his wounds are healed."

Relief came over me in waves.

I let out a relieved breath.

Good.

He will live.

That meant I had the same healing power as the heroine, plus the ability to stay undetected by zombies?

Awe made my heart flutter.

What a golden finger...

A blessing I never expected.

Still highly needed.

If Cassel got hurt in the future, then I could heal him.

That thought soothed me.

Comforted me.

Excellent.

Perfect.

Everything was turning in the direction I needed.

Everything—

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped my chin.

His fingers were cold, commanding, unyielding.

Cassel tilted my head toward him, lifting it with a firm hold so I was forced to meet his burning, furious gaze.

A shiver ran down my spine.

His voice dropped-cold and sharp as ice.

"Rosalia... this is the last time I allow you to hurt yourself for another man."

His fingers tightened hard enough that I knew a mark would be left behind.

Possessiveness radiated off of him in waves.

"Don’t you ever pull something so reckless again. Or else—"

The unspoken threat was there, heavy and terribly intimate.

His tone allowed no mercy, no refusal.

No room for an argument.

No room for disobedience.

It’s not that I didn’t like Cassel’s controlling, dominant personality...

It suited him—far too well.

But I couldn’t promise him what he wanted.

My heart stuttered, and I looked away.

Yet, I wasn’t quite stupid enough to challenge Cassel Zancroft, CEO of all CEOs.

I valued my freedom.

And my limbs.

Please—

I valued my life.

From what I knew about Cassel, he really would lock me up.

Put me under strict surveillance—

Maybe even chain me up, if I dared defy him.

And part of me suspected he’d do it with terrifying ease.

...Not that the chaining scenario sounded too bad—

My mind spiralled dangerously.

No, Rosalia, what are you thinking?

Get a grip.

I internally slapped myself.

"Alright, alright, Cae... but why did we leave the car? Let’s go back."

I blinked, suddenly taking in my surroundings.

I finally managed to look around and saw myself sitting on Cassel’s lap on the ground—far from the vehicle.

The world surrounding us was still, and eerily quiet; the smell of ash and iron lingered.

I didn’t know why Cassel had taken me away, but we needed to get back to see how Henry was doing.

Urgency twisted inside me.

Cassel stared at me for a long, long moment

So long I felt exposed as if he were looking straight into the deepest corners of my soul.

His gaze peeled back every layer, every shield, every lie.

It made me flush with guilt, carrying so many secrets.

His gaze felt like it could unravel them all.

My heart hammered painfully.

He continued staring, and I quickly lowered my eyes, unable to stand his gaze.

I felt like a prey cornered beneath a predator’s shadow.

At last, I heard a long sigh above my head, and suddenly my whole body lifted again.

My breath caught.

I wrapped my arms tightly around Cassel’s neck in a panic, terrified I would fall.

My fingers dug into his shirt, clinging desperately.

I froze feeling Cassel’s breath brush against my face-our cheeks dangerously close, my lips almost touching his skin.

Heat spiralled through me, dizzying and overwhelming.

Thankfully, I managed to control myself and buried my face in his chest, hiding from that predatory gaze of his-the gaze of a beast eyeing its prey, waiting to devour it.

His heartbeat thrummed against my ear, steady and strong.

And then Cassel carried me back to the car in his arms.

His steps were silent... deliberate...Protective.

And in that moment, wrapped in his hold, surrounded by his warmth.

I felt both safe and terrifyingly claimed.