Addicted

Chapter 24: Outing

Cassandra

The past week had been a lot for Cassandra. Emotionally she was drained, but she couldn't stay cooped up in Ethan's penthouse forever. No matter how much he told her she could, she knew it wasn't healthy for her to stay hiding in his home.

Another restraining order had been filed, so Jerrod wasn't allowed to come near her. If she was being honest, she doubted that piece of paper would keep him away. But even still, she always kept the piece of paper with her.

Ethan had alerted the front desk of his building about Jerrod and they had a picture of him. He was not allowed on the property, and the police would be called if he showed up.

Even with all the precautions Ethan put in place, he still urged Cassie to stay in his penthouse and not go to hers. Ethan had been doing a lot of research and he knew that if Jerrod wanted to bad enough. He would figure out a way to make it to her floor.

There was no real way to stop anyone from getting to any floor except for Ethan's. It was rare that she would need anything from her home anyway at this point. Ethan had practically moved her in.

But today she needed to get out of this house. Grabbing her phone she dialed Ethan's number.

"Good morning Perle," Ethan answered on the second ring.

"Good morning. I think I want to come back to work."

Ethan was quiet on the other end. Too quiet.

"Ethan?" Cassie questioned.

Ethan sighed before speaking.

"Liebling, you've only been off for two weeks. Give it another week." He suggested.

Cassie exhaled in frustration.

"Ethan, I'm about to go crazy in here! I can't keep hiding in your penthouse!"

She only heard silence on the other side of the phone.

"Where do you want to go?" Ethan asked suddenly.

"Work." Ethan chuckled.

"No Liebling, your boss will not allow it. Not until after your first appointment with the therapist. I'm on my way back, we can go to the mall, or the movies, or both."

Ethan hung up and Cassie quickly went to hop in the shower. She was never good at taking quick showers so when she came out Ethan was already in the room, removing his dress shirt and pants.

She couldn't help but stare as his back muscles flexed as he pulled on a pair of shorts. He turned around as he zipped up his pants. Halting once he noticed Cassie was in the room. His eyes moved from her toes to her legs, which still glistened under the small towel.

His eyes turned a mystic blue and Cassie quickly looked away and walked into her closet. Looking through her clothes she settled for a plain black crop tank and shorts with a plaid shirt opened over it.

She oiled her body and slid on her underwear and clothes and walked out of the closet.

Ethan sat in dark blue jeans with a red fitted shirt. Grabbing her bag, she tossed it across her body and turned to Ethan. His eyes still lingered on her legs before he gazed up at her.

"Are you ready?" He asked softly. Cassie nodded and they walked to the elevator.

They went down to the underground garage where Ethan's black BMW 7 series car sat in the first spot. Opening her door, Ethan helped Cassie into her seat before going to the driver's side.

With perfect precision. He backed out and drove out of the parking garage.

...

Ethan

Ethan watched Cassie closely as they walked through the large shopping center. He didn't miss how she'd occasionally look around and take note of her surroundings.

He hated how much power Jerrod had over her. It was like her confidence was ripped away from her. He also noticed Cassie apologizing a lot. He didn't understand why, she had done nothing wrong.

They walked past a store and Cassie's eyes stayed on a beautiful red dress in the window.

"Why don't we go in here?" Ethan suggested.

Cassie pulled her eyes away from the dress before shaking her head.

"No, it's okay." She stated. Ethan shook his head and grabbed her hand, pulling her into the store.

Once inside, he called over a worker and told her to help Cassie with anything she wanted.

He sat in the lush chair as he waited. A few minutes later and Cassie came out in the red, floor length gone. Ethan's eyes raked her body as he stood up.

"Wow." He said breathlessly. Cassie smiled slightly before moving her hair to the side and out of her face.

"You like it?" She asked low.

"I love it! There's a business dinner tonight. If you wish to go, you can wear this."

Cassie thought for a moment. She turned to look at herself through the floor-length mirror.

"Um...sure." She answered slowly.

"Perle, you do not have to go if you are uncomfortable."

"No, I want to go," Cassie stated. Ethan nodded after studying her face for a minute.

Ethan paid for the dress after arguing with Cassie. She didn't want him to spend so much money on a dress. Letting her know it was okay, he slyly pulled her into a hug as he swiped his card.

...

"Wow." Ethan was in a trance. The red dress looked amazing on Cassie, the slit that ran up her thigh made Ethan gulp slightly.

"You look...breathtaking."

Cassie slightly blushed as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, you look nice too."

Placing his arm out, Cassie wrapped her arm around his as he led her out of his penthouse. Getting on the elevator, Ethan clicked the button to take them to the private under ground garage.

He decided when with Cassie, he would always take the private way out. He wanted to not only protect her from Jerrod, but from Lauren as well. He knew she had already hired an investigator so it was only going to be a matter of time before she started asking more specific questions about Cassie.

Either way, Ethan vowed to not let anyone get to Cassie, they would have to get through him first.

As they pulled up to the mansion. Cassie turned to look at Ethan with confusion written all over her face.

"I thought you said we were going to a business meeting. Why are we at someone's house?"

"This is business." Ethan said as he pulled Cassie's hand to his lips and placed a chaste kiss before climbing out of the car.

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More updates coming this week!
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