Chapter 5 : The Chemistry Between Us

Cassandra's POV

I didn't see Julian the entire day, and it was weird how I already missed him. I had to avoid him from now on. I'm sure with his good looks he had a lot of girls willing to do anything for him. It would do my heart good to avoid getting involved with him. I was a mother of a child, without money, without a place of my own to live. I heard from Sandra, my cousin that he was a billionaire playboy. Therefore he was way beyond my league. However, it was easier said than done, and just like he had ordered me to dream about him in his absence, it seemed as if that was all I could do.

I sighed and tried to concentrate on work. It was useless since all I could do was think about him. I had no idea of his motive. Was he just messing with me? I had heard how billionaires usually were. But then, why would he mess with me? He would get girls who were fresh, untouched, and more willing. Why me? The whole day I tried to find the answer to that particular question but couldn't. At the end of the day, I was back at square one.

I just couldn't stay back for my overtime and left at 7 pm itself, earlier than usual. The truth was that I didn't want to face Julian. Max squealed with delight the moment he saw me earlier than usual.

"I hope everything's fine at work. How did they leave you early? Are you unwell?" started aunt Caroline.

"I'm fine, Aunt Caroline, don't worry. I just couldn't go ahead with the overtime," I told her. Aunt Caroline understood how tired I was. I had never let go of any opportunity to earn a little extra money.

"It's alright, dear. Sometimes you need to relax a little," she said.

I spent the entire evening with Max. Aunt Caroline had gone to meet Avery. She would spend the night there. I played with Max, fed and put him to bed by 8 o'clock. With nothing much to do, I quietly arranged Max's baby wardrobe and toys.

After an hour, I still wasn't sleepy enough. I was thinking of watching the TV when the sound of the doorbell made me go down. Who could it be so late? Did aunt Caroline return early? Maybe Avery had other plans with her husband.

My eyes popped out to see Julian standing outside with a bunch of red roses in his hand. His angry eyes, and clenched jaw, all indicated that he was furious with me. Was he angry because I fled early? It didn't have any effect at all. He was here anyway.

"I was waiting for you outside your academy for the last 40 minutes and you left early?" he growled with anger. My whole body trembled with fear of what was to come. Would he punish me now?

"I'm sorry, I finished early today," I said as innocently as possible. How could I tell him that I escaped early to avoid him? What a stupid move when he knows where I live. Thankfully, he seemed to buy my excuse. I relaxed considerably when his expression softened a little.

"Won't you let me come inside?" he asked eagerly.

"I, uh, how silly of me. Yes, please come in but Aunt Caroline isn't at home, " I blurted out without a thought. Julian's eyes glittered with excitement while his face brightened up with hope. Uh oh! I almost facepalmed at my stupidity. Now I wouldn't at all be able to avoid him.

He came inside and closed the door. "I got these for you," he said with a grin, handing me the red roses. I smiled at them, I loved flowers. No one had ever given flowers to me.

I inhaled their sweet scent and smiled at him, "Thank you," I said, inhaling them again. He seemed to like my reaction to his gift and came closer to me, "Do you like them?" he asked staring into my eyes with hope.

"I love them," I admitted honestly, smiling back at him but I had to move away from his nearness. I had to escape the se*ual tension in the air that couldn't be missed. So, I went to the kitchen to put them into a vase, thankful to be able to get away.

However, he followed me there and came up behind me, placing his hands on either side of me on the counter. I could feel his hot breath fanning my neck as he trapped me, between himself and the counter. "And what about me?" he asked in a deep and husky tone that made a tremor go down my body. He was a desperate guy and I had no control over myself around him. My stupid, naive heart did a somersault at his flirtatious words.

I was at a loss, "Please Julian, it's late already, you should go home," I said, in a feeble attempt to ward him off. I turned around to leave the kitchen. Oh no! Wrong move. Now I was nose to nose with Julian, his eyes devouring me. My glance went to his parted lips, they looking so inviting that I would be lying if I said that I wasn't dreaming of kissing him already. I closed my eyes and counted to twenty. I have to avoid him. I can't afford to be his latest flame and end up with another pregnancy.

"Do I repulse you, Cassie? Why can't you even look at me?" He asked with hurt in his voice. I felt guilty and all my resolutions to stay away from him crumbled to dust.

"No Julian, it's not that," I tried to explain as I opened my eyes and looked at him. His warm breath on my face sent a tremble down my whole body. My heart started thundering in my chest as I battled against my inner self.

"Don't fight me, Cassie, I love you," he said as his hand came up and his thumb touched my lower lip, caressing it softly. It did strange things to me, making me nearly lose control. I closed my eyes. No, I needed to get away from him. I knew that he was playing with my mind. No one can fall in love so quickly. Love at first sight never happened in real life!

"Do you say this to all the girls whom you meet?" I asked as I turned my face away, to escape his torture.

"No, only you, only you. I've never said it to anyone before, believe me," he said with so much depth and intensity that I was again in a dilemma. It was real torture! He placed his finger beneath my chin and turned my face towards his, compelling me to look up at him. "You don't believe me at all, do you?" asked Julian. I slowly shook my head.

"Why me?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"Why not? Can't you feel the chemistry between us? Wait I'll show you," he said, making my eyes widen at what he was about to do. How would he prove the chemistry between us?