Billionaire's Love Trap

CHAPTER 6

Keith didn’t talk much during the ride, while Cassandra did most of the talking. “And then she’s always being so mean to me like ‘this is rubbish’. I’m starting to doubt that you even graduated from college. Ugghh..” she groaned as she talked about Carol, her boss.

Keith only gave her a curt reply, like yes-no or a simple hummed. He kept his eyes on the road, pursing his lips.

“Am I boring you?” she suddenly asked. Keith looked to her side, and he chuckled as he saw her pouting her lips.

“Isn’t that what you want? You wanted to start from zero, right?” he finally answered. She looked down at her feet. “I kind of miss my parents…” she then said with a sigh, then staring out at the window. Keith fell silent at that. He missed his dad too. That’s the reason why he’s chasing her here in Vermont right now.

His expression had changed into a gloomy one ever since she mentioned her parents. It makes her wonder, did he had a problem with his parents?

“Are you from here?...” Cassandra asked, switching the topic. “No, I’m from New York.” He replied.

She stared back at him, seemingly shocked and happy by the fact that they were coming from the same city. It means that they could meet again when she’s back in New York, maybe a few years from now. She should’ve known from his city man’s vibe that he doesn’t belong here.

“So, what are you doing here in Vermont? Are you on vacation?” she asked again. She didn’t mean to be nosy, but she just wants to know a bit more about him. He looks doubtful at first, but then he said.

“More like on a mission… I was looking for someone.” his eyes now stared deeply into her. She wasn’t sure whether the words were directed to her or maybe it was just her imagining things.

The car stopped, and she just realized that they were already there in front of her apartment. “Well, I hope you can find what you’re looking for, Keith… Thanks for the ride.” She said with a thin smile. He sure did. In fact, she was sitting right next to him now.

“Cassandra…” he stopped her before she closed the door. She ducked her head to the window’s level. “Yes?...” she said. “Please be careful…” he told her with a serious expression.

His eyes went to Billy, one of the men that live in the same apartment with her. He was bringing out a trash bag with him while observing Keith’s car. “What? Billy is a nice guy… He’s totally harmless.” She said, brushing him off.

From what she learned, Billy worked in a bookstore nearby. He was more like a geek and didn’t interact much with other people. They only met once during the three weeks she lived in the apartment. Billy brings her a cupcake as he introduced himself, and they talked a bit.

“Just trust me on this…Lock your door,” Keith said, then drove away. Why is he so concerned about her safety all the time? She’s a fully grown-up woman. But he always treated her like a girl. His overbearing attitude somehow reminds her of his dad.

She shrugged her shoulders then went into the apartment.

************

“Good morning…” Cassandra said, smiling as she put a cup of coffee on Nicole’s desk. It was her regular Americano with no sugar. “Ummm… Someone had a good weekend.” Nicole said, smirking from behind her paper coffee cup.

Cassandra blushed and looked away. “I had no idea what you’re talking about…” she replied bashfully. “Come on, spill it out…Did you guys do it?” Nicole asked suspiciously.

“Do what?” she replied dumbly. Nicole rolled back her eyes. “Did you slept with him and sealed the deal?” she asked bluntly. Cassandra quickly covered Nicole’s mouth with her hand.

“Sshhh….Nothing happened, okay. I just slept at his place.” She rose her eyebrows at Cassandra. “You seriously expect me to believe that? What is he? A saint?... No man could ever resist bedding the woman that he likes.” Nicole said, brushing her hair.

Cassandra scoffed at her words. “He didn’t like me, that’s why.”

Nicole raised her fingers, stopping her. “Oh, please. I can see the way he looked at you. He’s totally into you.” She said, smirking.

Is that true? This is the first time for her to be desired by a man… A very attractive man. She might add.

No one ever captured her interest before. She was too engulfed in her study and assignment. Could this be a sign from God? Maybe she could start dating now that she was free from her parents.

NO. She stopped herself. Handsome men are dangerous. That’s what her father said. She had to guard her heart. Keith looks like the type of man who could dump a woman easily. She could tell by just one look. Cassandra didn’t think that she could handle getting her heartbroken. Her focus now was on her career.

*********

Feeling agitated, she finds herself unable to concentrate during the day. “Feeling uninspired?...” Nicole asked as she passed by her desk. She watches Cassandra, and she didn’t do anything much today except for staring at the blank white paper with a pencil in her hand.

“I think I should just call it a day.” Cassandra breathed out. She got lucky Carol wasn’t in the office today, so she could return earlier.

She untied the bun in her hair and grabbed her bag. As she walked out of the office, she figures to just walk back to her place since the weather is good today. On the other hand, it will also save her money.

Cassandra jumped back in shock as a black car suddenly stopped right in front of her. The car almost hit her earlier if she was late by a mere second.

“Ms. Gray…” that deep voice. The one that completely filled her mind today and over the weekend.

“Keith, what are you doing here?” He grinned at her as he got off the car. He looked slightly more relaxed today in his black T-shirt and jeans.

“I’m picking you up from your office,” he said as he went towards the passenger door and held them open for her.

“You don’t have to…I want to walk.” she kindly refused and walked away. Okay, so you want to play hard to get? I’ll play along. Keith said to himself.

“Are you sure? But it seems like it’s going to be raining soon…” he said, shrugging his shoulders. She looked up, and the sky was so clear. Maybe he’s lying.

“I can manage….” Cassandra said, lifting her face and walked away.

She took a bigger step and half running to avoid him. She can’t quite understand the reason why’d she had to run from him?

“Cassandra…” she still could hear him calling her name from behind, but she ignored it.

After she walked a bit further, she turned around and sighed in relief as she didn’t saw his car again. Her heart raced just by a mere sight of him earlier. Why did she act like this around him?

Before she could continue to walk, a drip of water falling on her forehead. Oh damn. It’s really raining. No! Her drawing. She fastened her pace while clutching the paper under her suit.

She was soaking wet by the time she reached the nearest store by the street. Her body is shivering while she’s waiting for the rain to stop. From the corner of her eyes, she could saw a figure of a man running under the rain.

He was running in her direction and stopped beside her. “Keith? What are you doing?...” she asked, half amazed to see him. “I walked behind you…You didn’t notice?” he said, then sneezing loudly.

“What? Where’s your car then?” he had his car, but he foolishly walked with her. This just doesn’t make any sense. “I left it at your office.” he then said while grinning at her.  

“Great, now we’re stuck here together under the rain.” She said, groaning. He looked back to the old book store behind them. After he turned the knob, the door miraculously wasn’t lock.

“Let’s get in…” he said, guiding her back. He turned on the switch and only one lamp there is still functioning. “Hello?...” Cassandra said as she stepped deeper into the place, but there’s no one there.

Keith casually picks a spot to sit between the bookshelves, and he patted the empty spot beside him. “Come sit here…” he said. She looked around, and after she was sure they were alone there, she finally took a seat beside him.

“Why did you follow me?” she asked, breaking the awkward silence between them. “Isn’t it obvious?” he replied, looking back at her. She tilted her head to the side in confusion.

He heaved a deep sigh before he slightly turned around, facing her. “I like you, Cassandra…” he bluntly said. And her poor heart was stopped beating by now. “What?...” that’s the only word her brain manage to form.  

“I found you attractive... I want to ask you on a date and get to know you better.” The way he says it almost makes her believe that he was sincere. No, this is too quick.

“So what do you think?” he asked her again because she didn’t give him any reply. She looked away before she replied. “I don’t know….”

She doesn’t know? Well, this is the first time for him to get turned down by a woman.

“I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how it works.” She then added. He gasped in disbelief. “You’ve never dated before?” she slowly nodded. She felt heat crept on her face. Damn, this is embarrassing.

He gently took her face in his hands. “Then, if I kiss you now, does it mean that I would be your first?” he asked. She was speechless and froze at her place.

Well…well… Who would’ve thought that Jackson Gray did a great job of hiding his beautiful daughter from the outer world?

Oh, my pure Cassandra. I’ll make sure you get the best first in everything. I’ll be your first date… First kiss… First sex... I'll be your ruin. f**k, he felt hot and bothered just by thinking about it.   

There is something about being her first that ignites the fire of desire inside him.

He didn’t waste any more time to leaned forward and claimed her virgin lips. He put one hand on the base of her neck, securing her position as he started to ravished the sweet taste of her lips.