Cassian didn't knock.
He leaned against my car like it belonged to him, sunlight catching on his grin, hands in his pockets like he'd been there for a while.
I stopped short. "Do you make a habit of ambushing women before noon?"
"Only the ones who kiss other men and pretend it didn't happen."
I blinked. "You don't know that."
He pushed off the car and stepped closer. "Your mouth looks different."
I laughed despite myself. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're flushed," he replied calmly. "Either it's the heat, or I was right."
I tried to move past him. He shifted with me, not blocking, just… present. Inescapable in the way confident people are.
"Relax," he said. "I'm not jealous."
"That would require entitlement."
"Oh, I don't feel entitled," he said softly. "Just interested."
His hand lifted, slow enough that I could stop him.
I didn't.
His fingers brushed a loose strand of my hair back behind my ear. Barely a touch. My breath caught anyway.
"You let him kiss you," Cassian said. "But you didn't let him stay."
I swallowed. "You're observant."
"I'm strategic."
I met his gaze. "So what's your move?"
His smile turned slower. Intentional.
"This."
He leaned in — not rushing, not stealing — stopping just short of my lips. Close enough that the air between us felt heavy.
"You kiss me," he said quietly, "or you don't. But either way, you stop pretending you don't want to."
My pulse thundered.
I tilted my head just enough.
Our lips met.
It was different from Jude's kiss. Less history. More spark. Cassian kissed like he was curious, like he was learning me on purpose. One hand settled at my hip, firm, grounding.
I kissed him back without hesitation.
When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead briefly against mine.
"Yeah," he murmured. "That's what I thought."
I exhaled, dizzy, smiling despite myself.
"I didn't promise anything," I said.
He chuckled. "Good. Promises ruin the fun."