He falls first, boss x assistant, roommates.
Cassandra has been working for Ryder Lockhart for years now as his assistant.
It was inevitable that long hours together didn't turn their strictly professional relationship into a trusting friendship.
S...
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I tighten the knot around my waist. The soft fabric of the bathrobe rubs against my body as I pad across the cabin.
The lights are off except for the ones outside. I can easily stare out—at the starry night, the forest cast in green lights.
And Ryder.
I bite my lip as my eyes flicker across his profile. He's in the hot tub with eyes closed and head slumped back against the headrest. The vapor from the hot water rises from the tub into the crispy air. I shudder, already picturing the heat. My skin breaks into goosebumps.
As I stand there with peacefulness bubbling in my chest, I remember our late nights at the office. The silence, just the two of us in our little bubble. His relaxed demeanor. Ruffled hair, tired eyes. Casual attire.
It feels similar only this time I don't have to dread the end of the night and feel restless for the next day to come. There's no taxi waiting for me. I don't have to go anywhere else.
I stand still for a few more seconds before my hand lands on the doorknob and I slide the door open, stepping outside into the cold temperature. It isn't a shock to my system, thanks to the heaters hanging against the wall. But I still shudder slightly, probably at what I'm about to do.
Ryder's eyes shoot open and he whips his head around to face me. Something in his gaze softens when he spots me. My knees bobble as I march toward him, clutching the lapels of the bathrobe closer to my chest.
"Are you going to join me?" he jokes when I reach the edge of the hot tub but refuse to remove the warm layer.
I'm nervous and he notices it, his eyebrows rising. But before he could question further, my eyes flicker down to the floor, my shaky hands settle on the knot around my waist, and I push the bathrobe off my body.
My bare body.
"Shit," I hear Ryder sucking in a breath as I try quickly to jump into the water. Vulnerability prickles my skin.
Before I can lower down, Ryder crosses across the space and both hands land on my hips, helping me lower down.
To his lap.
Slowly.
I squirm as he wraps his strong arms behind my back and flushes our bodies. My curves meet all the hard planes of his chest and abs.
He smiles. "What? You thought I would waste the opportunity of having you naked on my lap."
I swallow. There's something daunting about being the only naked one in the room. I'm not a reckless person. I'm surprised I blew him at the office. But something about being bare in a hot tub in the middle of the mountain sounded titillating.
"I thought I told you to pack a swimsuit," he says, eyes sparkling with amusement and heat.
