Off the Sidelines (QuirkyQuill and MrPositive)

“What, the actual, hell?” Meg’s voice interrupted Marcus the minute her eyes caught sight of Rebecca sauntering to Adrian. She heard Marcus swear under his breath, loud enough only for her to hear. Her jaw dropped as Rebecca slid her arm through Adrian's, and she immediately turned to find Cassie. Without a word to Marcus she walked off, having caught sight of her retreating back.

Cassie managed to find an empty hole in a corner to crawl into. Well, not literally, but it felt like it. She'd grabbed a drink and tossed it back as Meg approached her. The other woman reached out and promptly took Cassie's glass from her.

“Yeah…” Meg said, drawing the word out as she handed it off to a passing server, “We're not going to do that again.” Turning back to Cassie, she reached up and placed her hands on either side of her friend’s face. “You saw her.”

“Oh, yeah. More than just saw. We ran into each other outside,” she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. Meg dropped her hands, crossing her arms across her chest.

“What did she say to you?”

Cassie’s eyes lifted to the ceiling as she recounted the brief conversation, inhaling deeply as she did so.

“Oh, you know, the usual reunion chatter. My life is pathetic and miserable because I never left Dogwood. She's here to retrieve her husband-”

“Ex.” Meg interjected, emphatically.

“Oh! I also orchestrated the whole Cassandrian thing.”

“Proof that woman doesn't know anything about you.” Meg sighed, reaching out and taking Cassie's hands. “Hey, look at me.”

Cass dropped her eyes to meet Meg’s. She knew she looked pathetic at the moment.

“You are a badass. She's trying to hit below the belt because she realizes she's done nothing with her life except play the role of a hot man’s arm candy, and she managed to screw that up.”

Cassie just shook her head, feeling deflated. “Bless it all, this is like college all over again.”

“No, it's not. He’s not going to get back together with her.”

Cassie gave Meg a sad smile. “I hope not, but he's always chosen her in the past.”

“But it's not the past. It's the present, and present Adrian knows that she's a snake.”

“Know what?” Cassie lifted her hands as if she were asking a question. “It actually doesn't matter. He’s a grown man. He gets to make his own decisions.”

Cassie’s phone started buzzing in her purse, and she reached down. A curious look crossed her face as David's name popped up.

“Hey, what's up?” Answering, her brows furrowed together as Meg gave her a questioning look.

“What's up is that I am picking you up at 3 a.m. and we are heading behind enemy lines.” David's voice rang out on the other end of the phone.

“Come again?” Reaching up, Cassie rubbed her temple.

“You must be way out of pocket, Nichols. Rumor is that the Cougars are announcing two major staff firings tomorrow morning at nine. Since it's a four hour drive, we need to get an early start since I assumed you would also want to be there.”

Cassie perked up, her eyes taking on a liveliness that hadn't been present moments before. She could always count on work.

“Absolutely. I’ll be ready to go.” As she hung up the phone, she grinned at Meg. “The Cougars are about to fire two of their coaches.”

Meg gasped, clapping her hands together in glee.

“We're so going to beat them this year.”

“Okay-” Cassie’s voice trailed off as Rebecca walked up to them, that viper smile on her face.

“Megan, so good to see you,” she said, her tone and expression conveying the exact opposite. “I would love to catch up, but I have to jet. Heading over to Adrian's for, well…you know.” She winked at Cass conspiratorially. With a wave of her fingers, she slunk off to the elevator. It didn't need to be true. She just needed them to believe it was.

Cassie felt her body stiffen at the implication, her jaw clenched. When Meg turned back to her from Rebecca's retreating back, Cassie just held up a hand and shook her head.

“Cass-”

“No.” Her voice came out resolute, her hand still up. “I need to get home and get some sleep. David is picking me up in seven hours.” Reaching inside her purse, she pulled out her keys, which Meg promptly took from her.

“Given that you rarely drink anything more than a little bit of wine, and you just threw back that shot with a force that would make any fraternity proud, I think I’ll do the driving.” Meg wrapped her arm around Cassie as they left.

*

Meg was up at the university early the next morning. She'd woken up to Cassie panicking via text messages because photos from the night before had stirred up a media storm. Adrian with Rebecca practically wrapped around him. Adrian looking stoic coming back in from the balcony. A cell phone photo of Cassie, standing in the corner of a room looking slightly distraught with Meg in front of her. The comments were flooding Cassie's social media feed to the point she had to stop opening it. Her creeper had sent several messages. After Meg managed to calm her down, she got ready for work and drove Cassie's car in.

Stepping into Adrian's office, she closed the door and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Have you lost your mind?”
 
Adrian made it home late that night, his mood twisted with anger and frustration. Rebecca's sudden reappearance had thrown him off balance, dredging up old frustrations and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. The drive home did nothing to ease his mind. No sooner had he stepped inside his house than his phone buzzed with her name flashing across the screen. The calls kept coming, one after another, until he blocked her number, finally silencing the barrage. He couldn't deal with her manipulation, not now, and definitely not again.

The next morning, Adrian arrived at his office early, a sense of unease simmering beneath his usual calm exterior. His assistant, Marcus, was already in a meeting down the hall, which at least gave Adrian a moment to catch his breath. But just as he settled in, the door swung open, and Meg marched in, shutting it firmly behind her.

"Have you lost your mind?"

Adrian blinked, a faint smile forming at her tone. "Hey, Meg—so nice to see you. Where has my mind gone, exactly?"

"Adrian Stafford, how could you let that woman back in your bed?"

He stared at her, taken aback. "Please tell me you're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Meg's expression was a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "She made it very clear to me and Cassie before she left last night that she was headed to your house."

Adrian shook his head, an exasperated laugh escaping. "She really has no shame. For the record, no, I did not sleep with Rebecca last night. I didn't even see her after I basically threatened her with a restraining order."

Meg dropped into a chair, letting out a relieved breath as she scrutinized him. "Thank goodness. If you had, you would have made a liar out of me, and that would have almost made me just as mad.
For the record, that's not what Cassie thinks. It's also not what's flying around the Internet right now."

Adrian rubbed his face, exhaling slowly. "I turned off my phone last night, knowing exactly what would come of this. How bad is it?"

Meg hesitated, then crossed her arms. "This might be worse than you think. Cassie's completely dragged into this. People are all over her feed, accusing you of breaking America's Sweetheart's heart or wondering if you three are in some sort of… arrangement. And then there's this influx of men offering to 'cheer her up.'"

"Wait." He froze, the weight of her words sinking in. "What does Cassie have to do with this?"

Meg's gaze softened, but her words hit hard. "Adrian, it's painfully obvious that the two of you have been in love with each other since college. What I've never understood is how you could have the guts to lead a team in front of millions but never once tell Cassie how you actually feel. Instead, you kept her on the sidelines for someone like Rebecca."

Adrian frowned, shaking his head. "What are you talking about? Cassie's been a friend, and that's… that's all."

Meg's incredulous look lingered, and she leaned forward, unyielding. "Come on, Adrian. You don't look at her like she's just a friend. You look at her like she's the most important person in the room."

He sat back, processing her words, annoyance giving way to a realization he couldn't quite brush aside. "She's never shown me anything different. Besides, I'd never risk our friendship for something that… might not even be there."

Meg sighed, rubbing her temples. "She never would. You were too wrapped up in Rebecca back then, and that woman made sure Cassie knew it. Rebecca had Cass convinced she wasn't 'good enough' for you—convinced her that you were already practically engaged."

The realization hit him with a force he hadn't expected, and he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "Does Cass know…how I feel, even now?"

Meg gave him a look of triumph. "Adrian, I've been telling her that since we were eighteen. The thing is, I honestly don't know if she's in denial or if she genuinely doesn't believe it. Cassie's got her own insecurities. And she's spent years convinced that you only see her as a friend."

Meg's lips pressed into a thin line, and after a pause, she sighed. "I almost convinced her to tell you once, Adrian. The night you won the Natty."

The room fell silent. He swallowed, his voice barely a whisper. "The night we won?"

She nodded, her expression a mix of sadness and understanding. "I thought she was going to, but…Rebecca happened. She grabbed you before Cassie could even get close. I drove her back to the hotel that night, and she didn't say a word on the entire drive back."

Adrian stood and walked to the window, fists clenching at the memory. "I'd wanted to tell her then, right on that field. Instead, I've spent years faithful to someone who saw me as nothing but a paycheck."

Adrian sighed, shoulders slumping under the weight of the years gone by. "So the last decade… it could've all been different."

Meg nodded. "But don't tell her I told you any of this."

He gave her a reluctant smile. "Fine. You have my word."

He chuckled, momentarily grateful for the levity. "Duly noted. But before you go, David and Cassie—is there anything there I should know?"

Meg shook her head, grinning. "They went on a few dates, but he's mostly her obnoxious colleague."

Adrian's relief was palpable. "Alright, get out of here before Marcus wonders what you're doing in my office."

She laughed, and with a final encouraging look, left him to his thoughts.
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The week leading up to the next game felt like a blur. Adrian threw himself into practice with even more intensity than usual, determined to keep his team focused and prepared for their upcoming home game. But underneath his drive, a storm brewed. Cassie hadn't returned his calls or texts since she got back from her trip, and each day that passed only tightened the knot in his stomach.

When game day finally arrived, Adrian hoped he could channel his frustration into the field. The team looked good in warm-ups, and by kickoff, the energy in the stadium was electric. The crowd buzzed with excitement, fans shouting and waving in support as the players took their positions.

The first half of the game was a tight contest, the teams trading touchdowns in a back-and-forth that kept the crowd on edge. Adrian paced along the sidelines, feeling the weight of each play. Marcus's team leadership shone through as he rallied his teammates, their defensive line holding strong against repeated advances. By halftime, they were down by just a field goal, and Adrian knew they could pull off a win if they stayed sharp.

But in the second half, the momentum shifted. Their opponents came out of the locker room with a fiercer, more aggressive approach, chipping away at their defense. Adrian called a timeout and gathered the team, urging them to stay focused, to fight through fatigue. He saw the strain on their faces but also the fire in their eyes. These were his players, and he trusted them.

The fourth quarter turned into a nail-biter. They had just managed a touchdown, tying the score with only minutes left on the clock. Adrian knew his team was running on fumes, but he believed they could pull through if they could just hold their line one more time.

As the clock ticked down, their opponents drove relentlessly downfield. Adrian shouted instructions, his voice blending with the roar of the crowd. With only seconds left, the opposing team lined up for a long field goal attempt. Adrian held his breath, willing the kick to miss, willing his team to get a break.

The kicker stepped up, and with a resounding thud, the ball sailed through the air. The crowd hushed as they tracked its path, and Adrian's heart sank as it barely cleared the uprights. The scoreboard shifted, the final three points tipping the game away from them.

For a moment, Adrian just stared, stunned. He felt the crushing weight of their first home loss settle over him, the collective disappointment of his players and the crowd pressing down on him. Around him, the team began walking off the field, heads bowed, shoulders slumped.

As he moved toward the locker room, Adrian caught sight of Cassie standing near the bleachers. She was watching him, her face unreadable. For a brief second, he considered walking over, saying something—anything—to bridge the gap between them. But as quickly as the impulse struck him, he turned away, letting the crowd's noise fill the space between them.

In the locker room, the silence was thick, broken only by the shuffling of cleats and the occasional sigh. Adrian looked around at his players, taking in the pain and exhaustion on their faces. He knew there was nothing he could say to erase their disappointment.

"Alright, everyone," he said, his voice steady but low. "We fought hard. It hurts, but let it hurt. Remember this feeling, and let it drive you. Tomorrow, we regroup, and we get back to work."

They nodded, some with a grim determination, others still staring at the floor.

As they filed out, Adrian lingered, letting the room fall silent around him. He needed to think, to process. The weight of both the loss and his unfinished business with Cassie pressed heavily on his mind.
 
I knew I’d get this woman to breakfast one day. We're crossing #enemylines together. Don't worry, Wolf Pack, I will see the princess home safely.

David posted a picture of the two of them eating breakfast, leaning across a booth and grinning at the camera. They both looked tired, but the excitement bubbled through that only came from being on the cusp of a breaking story.

“Really?” Cassie rolled her eyes as she read his caption, laughing as she shook her head.

“Hey, I did it for you.” Giving her a cheeky grin as he turned onto the Cougar's campus, he shot her a quick look.

“You realize how absurd that sounds, right?” Still laughing, she hit the publish button on her own page of the same picture.

Big news coming today out of our neighbors to the south. Don't worry, fam, @DavidTellsAll and I are on the case. Stay tuned!

“My logic is sound, Cassandra Nichols. If people are speculating about us, they are not talking about you and Stafford.” As he pulled into a parking spot, he pushed down his sunglasses so he could look her straight in the eyes. Cassie smiled at him, a grateful expression crossing her face. He wasn't wrong.

Two hours later, Cassie went live from the press conference, recording the announcement of the two coaches who were bought out of their contract. Afterwards, she and David separated to opposite sides of the courtyard to go live on their separate feeds.

“Hey, Wolf Pack, and anyone else along for the ride. I wanted to hop on here for a moment and unpack the news that the Cougars just fired their defensive line coach, James Hunter, and their special teams coach, Grayson Griggs. Now, I don’t think that it was much of a surprise that Coach Hunter was let go given the Cougars’ ongoing struggle the last two seasons in that department. I do think it’s important to note, though, that despite the continued challenges, the Cougars’ did improve under his coaching, and were top five in the country last year for sacks. I think what everyone was shocked to hear was the firing of Coach Griggs. The special teams here has dominated its opponents since he came on board three years ago, and are currently the number two team in the country for blocked kicks and kickoff returns. He has made incredible strides at the last three universities he’s coached at, including here, which is why so many people were taken by surprise that the Cougars have let him go. Coach Dunbar clearly has a vision for what he’s looking for here at NCU, so we’ll just have to wait and see who he brings on board. All right, that’s all I have for now. Thanks for jumping on.” With a wave and a smile, she turned off her live feed and found David waiting for her.

“Dunbar is the issue here.” He piped up as Cassie took apart her tripod and slid it back into her back. “By all accounts, he’s a nightmare.”

“Oh, absolutely,” she said, nodding in agreement. “He’s so temperamental. I can’t say that, though.”

“You didn’t have to. I did.” Grinning, he clapped his hands together, looking every bit the impish man he was. Adjusting the items inside her bag, Cassie pulled a handful of Timberwolves postcards that had been shoved into a pocket ages ago. Looking up slowly, she looked at David, an expression of pure trouble on her face. David quirked an eyebrow at her, and crossed his arms.

“Cass, you can’t give me that look and not expect to turn me on.”

“I just had an idea. You up for a little bit of friendly rivalry fun?”

*
The next several days were a whirlwind. Cassie edited the video, a job that normally didn’t fall to her, but she didn’t trust anybody else to piece together the video of her and David sneaking around the Cougars’ campus leaving Wolf Pack postcards hidden everywhere, each containing different scores, years and sports from when the Timberwolves defeated them. They managed to rope in one of their colleagues from the Cougars media team for a final shot of them getting “caught” sticking a postcard in a Cougar statue’s mouth.

When she posted it on Friday, she tagged both David and their friend in it, and it nearly went viral. Her comments had finally shifted away from the drama with Adrian and Rebecca, which left her feeling a little more level headed about the situation. Meg had texted her the day of her day trip to let her know that Rebecca had been lying. Despite that, though, Cassie kept her distance from Adrian. It felt like everybody was watching her movements more astutely, and every time she covered the football team, it seemed to revive the rumor mill. This was a nice break, although David had been correct in turning the tide of speculation and rumor. She could handle this one, though. People frequently thought they were secretly dating, and being linked to David was significantly less complicated than Adrian.

She scrolled through the comments, grinning at the response.

This is the best thing I’ve seen all year. Props.
OMG. Cassie, you are so stinkin’ cute. I can’t even.
Way to represent the blue and gold!
Ok, I have to admit, I was totally #TeamCassandrian but I’m digging the idea that these two are actually together. They’re having so much fun!
I always thought he was such a jerk. If Cassie’s hanging out with him, he has to be okay. Right?
CassHubby7531: That playful smile makes my pants tighten.
CassHubby7531: I knew you were a troublemaker. I can’t wait to find out what mischief you and I will get up to.

*

Saturday Cassie felt nervous, yet again. It had been fairly easy to avoid Adrian during the week because she hadn’t stopped moving. Part of her did feel bad about ignoring his texts, especially after that night she’d apologized to him for not being strong enough of a friend all those years ago. She’d picked up her phone several times to text him back, but almost every time, something else would need her attention. Or she would chicken out.

When she’d interviewed him at halftime during the game, she’d kept it formal and professional. She desperately needed people to stop questioning her integrity as a reporter. Her stomach sank when they lost it at the last moment, her heart aching for the team. They had fought so hard, and had been incredibly close. When she looked up and caught his eyes, her breath hitched in her chest and it was difficult to breathe. He looked so pained in that moment that all she wanted to do was walk over to him and grab him into a hug. But then he turned from her, and it felt like something slammed shut between them.

Swallowing, she followed Kenny through the gate and headed towards the press conference room for the post-game interviews. The players came out first with Adrian, per usual, though the first round of questions were for the players. When Cassie was given the go ahead, she gave Jermaine a genuine, proud smile.

“Jermaine, the expectation tonight was that the game would be a blow out.” This was not how Cassie typically started a question. She preferred to leave the negativity out of it, so she wasn’t surprised to see Jermaine’s face cloud over every so slightly. “Can you tell me how it feels to know that you all nearly took down a top fifteen team in a rebuilding year, and the fact that you all made them fight for every inch on that field?” She held his gaze, refusing to drop it, hoping he could see the silent conversation she was having with him. He looked at her for a moment, and she saw when it happened, when he jumped on that train with her. His shoulders relaxed and the melancholic look dissipated from his face as he smiled back at her.

“We wanted the win, but when I think back to where we were this time last year…yeah, I am so proud of my team. This guy,” he reached over and clapped Trey on the shoulder, “gave their defense a lot of trouble tonight. It’s been exciting to see him grow and develop and become a leader on the field. He’s the future of this program. Our defense made their offense work for it. As Coach constantly tells us, we just have to keep pushing and take it one play at a time. Keep getting better and continue to have each other’s back. It feels good, you know, to see that we made them work hard for it. If we’d had a little more time on the clock, we could have taken it. These guys are my brothers, and we’re moving in the right direction.”

Cassie’s smile grew wider as he finished speaking, and she gave him a wink before jotting down a few notes.

After the players were dismissed, it was just Adrian to face the press. When David was called upon, his words made her heart stop. “Coach Stafford, it’s no secret that this week has been full of distractions and a total media circus.”

Cassie’s head snapped up to him, and she looked panic stricken. David had no filter, but even she was stunned that he would do this. His eyes dropped down to her briefly and stayed on her for a moment longer than necessary. Cassie could practically see his brain calibrating his question. He looked back at Adrian.

“With the news that came out of the Cougars locker room earlier this week about firing two of their coaches, has that shifted the tone in your locker room as that long-time rivalry looms closer?” Cassie stared at him, feeling as though she had just entered some parallel universe. When David looked back at her though, she visibly relaxed, a grateful smile crossing her lips.

*

“Hang on. I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” Cassie said to Meg as the two women started to leave the stadium. She handed her bag over to Meg. “I’ll see you in the car.”

“Hurry up, or you’ll miss your flight. And if you’re risking missing your flight, it better be because you’re clearing the air with Adrian.” Giving Cassie a pointed look, Meg looked ready to throttle her. Meg had been on her all week about touching base with Adrian. Cassie bolted towards the locker room, uncertain if she would find him there. When she entered, she did so cautiously, knowing she shouldn’t actually be there, but that’s where she found him. Her heart clenched at the sight of him, and even though his back was to her, she could see the weight bearing down on him from the way his shoulders slumped slightly.

“Hey,” she called out softly, coming to a stop just inside the door. “I know I shouldn’t be in here, and Meg is about to take me to the airport so I’ll be quick, but I wanted to make sure you knew that… tonight was a triumph. I know it probably doesn’t feel that way because it wasn’t a win, but this team beat us by 46 points last year. You and the team have everything in the world to feel proud about right now.” She was babbling about football. Cassie mentally chided herself because that was not why she’d come in here. Looking down, she chewed on her lip nervously for a moment before looking back up at him, contrition written all over her face.

“I also wanted to say I’m sorry. I wasn’t a good friend to you this week. I shouldn’t have just disappeared. I know it wasn’t easy on you either. Things just got really hectic and overwhelming, and every time something like this happens people start questioning my integrity as a reporter, and it feels like my job gets put under a microscope...but that’s not an excuse. I should have checked in on you."
 
Adrian smiled, a soft look in his eyes. "It's all right, Cassie. I get it." He took a step toward her, his voice calm and steady. "Things get complicated fast in our worlds. I've been in the middle of the rumor mill more times than I can count, so I know the feeling." His smile grew as he added, "And… thank you. For saying that about tonight. It was a tough loss, but yeah, the team's come a long way. Hearing you say it makes it feel a little more real."

He looked down for a second, as if gathering his courage, then met her gaze. "Listen, you don't need to feel guilty. I know the pressure you're under. And hey, if you're up for it, let's have dinner when you get back. Just us, at my place." He waited, watching as her face lit up at the suggestion. When she agreed, he felt a glimmer of hope.

---

On the night of the dinner, Adrian had spent the afternoon preparing. He'd chosen to cook her favorite, black bean tacos, going through the recipe more carefully than he'd ever admit. The kitchen smelled like cilantro and roasted spices, and he'd set the dining room for a warm, intimate setting with candles and low lighting that made the room feel cozy. As he arranged the last of the toppings, he couldn't stop thinking about what he wanted to say tonight. Meg had filled him in on how Cassie felt, but that didn't make this easier.

When she arrived, he greeted her warmly, feeling a bit of nervous energy settle as she stepped inside and looked around. They made small talk as he plated the food, and soon, they were sitting down to eat. After a few bites, Adrian decided to break the silence with a question that had been on his mind.

"So," he began, his tone light, "what's the inside scoop on the Cougars' firings? I know you and David were on that story. Wild move on their part, right?"

Cassie nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "Yeah, it definitely shook things up. I was surprised they let Griggs go. He turned their special teams around, made them one of the best in the country. Dunbar's really putting his mark on that program—guess he doesn't care who gets thrown overboard."

Adrian chuckled. "Sounds like Dunbar's running the show with an iron fist. Reminds me of one of my old coaches—wanted every aspect of the program exactly his way, no matter what it cost."

"Right," Cassie replied, her eyes sparking with interest. "The strangest part is that Griggs was supposed to be untouchable. I think a lot of people were hoping he'd stick around long enough to take over eventually. That's not happening now."

Adrian nodded, absorbing the news. Then he took a breath, feeling the anticipation bubble up. "And how was your trip?" He glanced at her with a smile, deciding to shift to something more personal. "Seemed like you had a good time, at least from the posts. You and David make a pretty good team, huh?"

Cassie laughed softly. "Yeah, he's fun to work with, and he's one of the few people who doesn't mind when I push back. Besides, we got to pull off that whole Wolf Pack prank—finally got some laughs instead of side-eyes for a change."

Adrian couldn't help but smile at that. "It's good to see you having fun, Cassie. You deserve it." He paused, glancing down at his plate as he gathered his thoughts. "You know, I missed having you around this week. Things have been… quieter. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to tonight."

She seemed taken aback, and Adrian felt his heart race as he decided to let the words come. "Cass, I know things have been complicated between us. And I know why you're cautious—believe me, I get it. But I need you to know… I don't want you to keep your distance anymore. You've been my friend for a long time, but it's more than that for me." He met her gaze, his voice steady. "You're more than that to me."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, all he could do was wait, his heart pounding as he hoped she'd understand just how deeply he meant it.
 
Cassie hadn't realized just how tense her body had been, and how much anxiety had taken root over the past week until his smile untied every knot. The way he’d turned away from her earlier on the field had cut deeper than she knew because it felt like she had messed up beyond repair. To hear his words and to see him at ease put her into a better headspace.

After agreeing to dinner, she bolted for the car, barely making her flight.

*

“It's a date.” Meg called through the door.

“It's not a date,” Cassie called back, discarding her third outfit choice.

“Totally a date.”

“We’re just hanging out, Meg. Simmer down, girl.” Shaking her head, Cassie pulled out an old sweater dress. The weather had definitely dipped the few days she was in Connecticut, and she had come home to a cold front.

“Okay, this is taking way too long for a non-date,” Meg said as she opened the bedroom door and walked right in. This was the reason Cassie hadn't thought twice about coming out of the bathroom at Adrian’s with his sweater only halfway pulled down. Meg assessed the situation, taking in the pile of clothes on the bed before lifting an eyebrow at Cassie. “Not a date, huh?”

“It's not! Half of those just came out of the laundry.”

“Cass, sit your gorgeous ass on that bed and let me take care of this.” Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Meg walked to the closet and began digging through. “Although I'm sure he would be thrilled for you to show up as you currently are.”

“Meg, I’m in my underwear.”

“Yes, I know,” she said, pulling out Cassie's slouchy green sweater. “Put that on, if you must. I'm on the hunt for those wide leg jeans I made you buy a few weeks ago that you haven't worn… Ah ha!” Grabbing the hanger with the neatly folded jeans, she slid them off the hanger and tossed them to Cassie.

“Hair down. Take a hair wand to it to give yourself some wave, and I better see that sweater worn like it's supposed to. I should see a shoulder, babe.” With that, she waltzed out of the room, leaving Cassie sitting on the bed looking both amused and befuddled.

When she was ready to go, she and Meg got into a back and forth over the shoulder.

“It's a slouchy sweater, Cassandra. It's supposed to show some skin.”

“It makes me look like I'm throwing myself at him, which I'm not because it's Adrian.”

Reaching up, Meg yanked down the left sleeve, exposing Cassie’s shoulder.

“No, it makes you look relaxed and like you didn't just spend an hour fussing over what to wear.”

Cassie gave up, grabbed her shoes, which Meg promptly replaced with heeled ankle boots, and the two women left. Meg was dropping Cassie off since she hadn't replaced her car yet, and apparently had to go out that night. Suddenly.

After Cassie got out of the car, Meg sent a quick text to Adrian.

You're welcome. Get the job, Stafford.

*

Dinner was a pleasant surprise and Cassie was touched that he remembered her favorite meal after all these years. Although eating tacos in a rather formal dining room was almost comical to her. She'd always had simple taste, which made her all the more thankful for Meg. Meg was single handedly responsible for teaching her to be camera ready and ensuring that she has a wardrobe to match her job.

Despite the turbulence of the last week, it was easy to fall into a comfortable pace with Adrian. When she finished eating, she sat back, her wine glass in her hand as she sipped on it.

“The trip was…intimidating, if I’m honest. It's very different from a regional or local studio.” Cassie had taken the red eye to Connecticut after the game to guest spot on a Sunday afternoon College Football show. It was an audition, and while she settled in with the rest of the hosts, it just felt big. “I don't know if you watched it or not. It's just so different being behind a desk than out on the field. I had a lot of fun with it, but I don't know. I don't know if I would be happy doing that all the time.” Reaching up, she absentmindedly ran her index finger around the rim of her glass. “I'm also not sure I actually want to move.”

“You know, I missed having you around this week.”

Her gaze drifted down to her glass but lifted in surprise at his words, a small, sad smile appearing on her face.

“It felt emptier,” she said softly, feeling guilty all over again. She'd been responsible for that rift, but she was so grateful that it had been short lived. The shift in the way he looked at her brought a flush of heat to her body. It was that focus she had seen so many times in those green eyes but it was currently directed at her. With every word he spoke, she could feel her heartbeat quicken. Cassie found herself torn between what she wanted him to mean and what she could logically wrap her head around, and they were not the same thing. She said nothing for a while, her eyes searching his intently. Biting her bottom lip, she stood up and set her wine glass on the table, not entirely sure which narrative in her head was going to win out. This was Adrian. The man who could have any woman he wanted, and had, even if it had been a disaster.

"You're more than that to me.”

That last sentence replayed in her head, and she rationalized that it really could mean a plethora of things, and likely did. The fact that she’d even let herself believe for a moment that he could have meant anything romantic was a testament to Meg getting in her head. Resting a hand on the back of her seat, she looked at him questioningly.

“You mean…like family? Are you about to tell me we're so close I feel like a sister to you?” Dagger, meet heart.
 
Adrian watched her closely, her question slicing through any pretense he might have held onto. This wasn't the time for ambiguity, not when she was standing there looking at him like that, vulnerable and questioning. He stood up and walked to her, his eyes unwavering as he faced her head-on.

"No, Cassie," he said firmly. "Not like family. I've never looked at you that way, and I'm not about to start now."

Her expression shifted, but he pushed forward, not letting up. "You're not just a friend to me, Cassie. You're more. And I'm done pretending that you're just some piece of my past or someone who's supposed to stay at arm's length. I tried to keep things casual, to hold back, because I didn't know if it was something you'd want. But it's not working for me anymore. I want you in my life, and not just as a friend."

He leaned in, his voice steady and low. "The fact is, I haven't stopped thinking about you since I came back.. I want this, Cassie. Us. Whatever that looks like. And I think you do too, or you wouldn't be standing here, asking me if I see you as family."

The room felt thick with tension, his words hanging in the air. He held her gaze, not a hint of hesitation in his own. "I'm not interested in dancing around this or hiding how I feel. If you're in, I'm all in. But I need you to tell me what you really want."
 
When he stood up, her breath faltered slightly. The world felt like it slowed down as he moved towards her, the confidence in him making her stomach drop in that way a steep roller coaster did. Why was she tearing up? Cassie’s vision blurred slightly as his words washed over her and she truly caught his meaning. Allowed herself to believe the meaning behind his words.

When he stopped in front of her, she was keenly aware of the way the air around them seemed to crackle with electricity. She'd felt it the night in the fountain when the heat of his body had cut through the coldness of the air and water. It was that spark that made it difficult for her to think clearly or draw a deep breath.

“I want…” her voice caught as her chest squeezed tightly around her lungs. All the reasons this was a bad idea came crashing in around her. If they took this step, and it didn't work, she could lose him. For good. But, she reminded herself, she had lost him. For ten years. She'd had ten years of feeling like some small piece of her was missing, and having him back these past six months had breathed fresh air into her life. Her tears hadn't fallen, but they came dangerously close as she searched his face, seeing hours of memories flashing before her eyes. The features on his face that still held the familiarity of that college boy she'd first fallen in love with, but now refined through age and experience. But what hadn't changed was the way her world made more sense when she looked at him.

“You.” The word came out quietly as she bit down the anxiety that currently had her heart racing with terror at the confession.“Adrian, I have always just wanted you.”
 
Adrian's chest tightened, every word she said pulling him closer to her in a way he couldn't deny or resist. He took a step toward her, drawn by the way she looked at him, vulnerable and raw, as if he were the only one who had ever understood her. In this moment, every ounce of doubt and hesitation fell away.

He raised his hands slowly, one moving to cup her cheek, his fingers brushing along her jawline, the other resting gently on the side of her face. Her skin was warm beneath his touch, and he felt her breath hitch as he pulled her closer, his gaze fixed on her eyes, searching for any trace of uncertainty. But there was none. Her gaze held only him, steady and open.

Then he closed the distance between them, his lips finding hers with a tenderness that surprised even him. It started soft, almost hesitant, but as her lips parted and the kiss deepened, a surge of intensity flooded through him. His hands slid into her hair, fingers tangling in the soft strands as he drew her in, letting himself get lost in her, in the way she felt and tasted, in the unspoken promise they were finally allowing themselves to make.

For years, he had held back, kept her at a distance, convinced that keeping her as a friend was the only way to keep her in his life. But now, with her in his arms, every doubt felt ridiculous. She was here, and he was done pretending that he could keep things casual, that he could be content with less than everything. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands still cradling her face, and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"I've spent years running from this, Cassie," he said, his voice low and rough. "I'm done with that. I don't want half-measures. I want all of you."
 
The room grew warmer with every inch closer he came to her. Her eyes closed and her face tilted towards his hand when he cupped her cheek, his fingers setting her skin on fire as they moved across her jaw. Her eyes opened slowly, half-lidded, his light touches driving out the anxiety and leaving warmth, want, and certainty in its stead. Cassie had never wanted a man in such an achingly profound way.

When he moved in and kissed her, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that Adrian Stafford was the last man on this planet whose lips she ever wanted to feel. Her body melted into his, a phrase she had never quite understood when she'd read them in books until this moment. Cassie had imagined what this would feel like, what he would taste like, so many times, but nothing could have prepared her for the way her body reacted to him. A small sound escaped her between their kiss when he deepened it, her tongue seeking his out as she became lost in the insistence of his hands in her hair, the moment feeling more urgent.

Reaching up, she rested her hands on either side of his throat, her fingers exploring the smooth skin as one hand slid to the back of his neck. Cassie needed to touch him, to feel every part of him. When he pulled back from her, her chest rose and fell from how breathless he’d left her. Her left hand remained on the back of his neck as her right slid down to his chest, their bodies still close. Closing her eyes, she tried to catch her breath as he spoke, her forehead laying against his cheek as the huskiness in his voice sent a wave of arousal through her. Swallowing, she nodded, her face lifting so she could look at him. Her hazel eyes had darkened, every bit of long suppressed desire evidenced in her features.

“You have me,” she said. “You’ve had me since day one.” Sliding her other hand down to his chest, she tugged on his shirt and pulled him back towards her, capturing his mouth with hers, inviting him in.
 
The way Cassie looked at him—eyes heavy with the kind of desire that only years of waiting and wondering could build—stoked every buried feeling Adrian had kept under lock and key. With her admission, something fierce and possessive unfurled inside him, a rush that left him unable to hold back even if he'd wanted to. She had him. She always had.

When she pulled him back, her fingers clutching his shirt, Adrian let himself go completely. He returned her kiss with an intensity that had been brewing for years, his mouth moving over hers in a way that left no question about the depth of his desire. His hands traveled down her back, pulling her flush against him, every inch of her warmth pressing into him. His pulse pounded, his body instinctively responding to the heat and softness of her, his lips tracing a path that left them both breathless.

One hand slid to the small of her back, his fingers pressing into her as he deepened the kiss even further. The quiet, unhurried touches of moments before transformed into a shared urgency, years of restraint crumbling as he poured every suppressed emotion into the way he held her, kissed her. He let his fingers weave back into her hair, tipping her head slightly to claim her mouth with a hunger that left no doubt.

His voice, low and rough, broke out between kisses. "You have no idea what you do to me, Cassie," he murmured, his breath warm against her lips. "I want all of this, all of you."

With each kiss, he let her feel just how much she meant to him, the years of denial slipping away as he held her tighter, deeper, knowing he'd finally allowed himself to take what he'd wanted for so long.

Adrian's hands traveled from Cassie's face to her shoulders, then slowly, deliberately, down her sides, feeling the soft fabric of her sweater under his fingertips. As he pulled her closer, he could feel the warmth of her body radiating through the thin material, the familiar scent of her flooding his senses. His fingers slipped beneath the hem of her sweater, seeking the warmth of her skin. The sensation, so real after years of imagining, made his heart race, driving him to draw her even closer.

His hands moved over her back, tracing along her spine, his touch both firm and tender as he took in the sensation of her body pressed against his. He grasped her waist, his fingers sliding over the soft curve of her hips, pulling her into him as though it would never be close enough. The fabric bunched under his hands as he explored every contour, unable to hold back the surge of desire he felt for her.

He broke the kiss briefly, his gaze intense and filled with need as he looked at her, then leaned back in, his mouth finding hers with even greater urgency. His hands roamed along her body, slipping under the loose neckline of her sweater to feel the smooth skin of her shoulders and collarbone, his touch lingering in a way that left no question about how much he'd wanted this.

As his hands roamed lower, pulling her closer still, he let his need show fully, the years of holding back disappearing in that moment. He was no longer careful, no longer guarded, giving himself to her in a way that left no doubts, his touches both reverent and fervent, claiming every inch of her that his hands could reach.
 
Her body was incapable of resisting him when his hands circled to her back and pulled her against him, her breath hitching at the contact. Cassie’s body responded to every touch of his lips on her skin, and it was as though something inside her had been unleashed. The months of discrete smiles across a press conference, lingering closer to him during an on-field interview longer than necessary, those few hugs she held onto all came spilling out. All the little seemingly innocent touches in college that had left her yearning for more of him were now unbridled as she sank deeper into the feel of his mouth.

He pulled a small whimper from her when he tilted her head back, the pressure between them intensifying, and she felt her body meld to his. Her hands slid down the front of his shirt, fingers digging into his sides. Cassie’s entire body felt hot and sensitive, every movement evoking something primal in her.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Cassie.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she pressed her lips to the side of his neck, creating a trail up to his jaw, the slight scratchiness from his stubble thrilling her skin.

“Show me," she said, her voice soft in his ear.

The way he touched her made her feel like she was losing her sense of self while also opening up a part of herself she hadn't known was tucked away. Lost and found at the same time. A small gasp interrupted her kiss when she felt his fingers slide beneath her sweater, her stomach tightening at the feel of him, inching his way into hidden territory. Her own ache grew low as his hands continued to roam over her, and when he made his way to her bare shoulder, she had a brief, blurry thought to thank Meg later. A thought that was quickly driven out as she let her own hands wander, her fingers working their way down to the lower buttons on his shirt. Releasing the bottom few, she gave herself room to slide her hands under his shirt, needing his warmth. Needing to explore him as much as she needed air to breathe.

Cassie had never craved anyone before like this, and when he pulled back to look at her, her stomach flipped at those green eyes baring into her. When he pulled her back against him, her mouth eagerly met his, her hands sliding around to his back, feeling every crevice of muscle and skin. Moving her lips to the other side of his neck, she nibbled the space between his neck and shoulder, her fingers sliding beneath the waistband of his jeans as she brought her hands back to his front.

“Adrian,” her voice was breathy, pleading as she looked up and met his eyes. “I need you to take me to bed. Now.”
 
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I need you to take me to bed. Now.

Adrian had imagined this moment, probably close to a million times, in the past 14 years - since the moment they had met, that fateful evening. Life had not been the same since, and yet it felt this step was ten years in the making. Hearing those words simultaneously filled Adrian with a determined urgency and yet a quiet calm. Their moment had arrived.

He smiled and took by the hand, leading her through the house and upstairs. He kept glancing at her, his own desire being reflected in her eyes, a fire he had never seen before in Cassie. As they ascended the stairs, it dawned on him that the same fire had been burning inside both of them since freshman year.

They reached his bedroom. He immediately pulled her back in for another kiss, each more urgent and passionate than the last. He broke just enough to remove her sweater and to unbutton and unzip her jeans, helping her remove them down her toned and slender legs. Her bra and underwear were very simple, but it didn’t matter as they wouldn’t be on for much longer.

His lips went to her neck and shoulder, nipping at the skin, almost threatening to leave marks of his passion for her. His hands met at the clasp of her bra, swiftly undoing it and gently removing it. He took a half step back to admire her. He had always loved her petite figure, but she had always hid her true figure from him under baggy clothes. Now that he could see it in all its glory, it simply took his breath away.

“You are so beautiful Cass”.
 
As he took her hand, she had just enough break in physical contact for her brain to resume rational thought. What had come over her? Cassie had never been this unbridled before, but she felt like she was grasping desperately for something she needed to survive. Her own thought sounded melodramatic, even to herself, but also true. The distance between the dining room and his bedroom was far enough to let a little bit of self-doubt creep in. Was this actually a good idea? That little niggling thought that used to remind her that she was not on Adrian's level began to edge its way into her forefront.

All thought diminished the moment they entered his room and he pulled her back in for a kiss, everything heating back up inside her. Reaching up, she laid her hand on his cheek, deepening the connection between them as her tongue stroked against his. Her fingers began unbuttoning his shirt, her movements paused when he pulled her sweater off, but resuming once she was free from the fabric. When she unclasped the last button, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders, her fingers brushing against his biceps.

Goosebumps rose across her skin as he went for the buttons on her jeans, and she kicked off her boots so they could easily remove them. She had a brief moment of nervousness when he pulled them down, and she found herself standing in front of him, but his lips caressing her body pushed it away. Her head tilted to the side, exposing as much of her neck to him as he wanted to take, her eyes closing as he elicited a gasp from her.

“Oh my God, Adrian,” she said, her words coming out on an exhale, her body arching into his. She was vaguely aware of his hands moving to her back, her eyes opening when she felt the release of pressure from her bra. Watching him watch her brought a surge of feelings inside her, anxiety twinging the corners as she reminded herself that she didn't fit the mold. His words eased those brief doubts away, and she stepped forward, her hands resting on his bare chest. She could feel his heart pounding, and her gaze followed her hands as they moved down his torso, taking him in. His jeans sat just below his hips, and she took hold of him and pulled him back to her, lifting her head so she could find his mouth with hers.

Her breasts pushed against his bare chest, and the skin-to-skin contact released a new torrent of desire to flood her senses. Her fingers found the buttons on his jeans, needing all of him. She broke their kiss and slid her lips down to his neck, moving her way down his chest, her tongue darting out around his nipple. Unzipping him, she pushed the jeans down, leaving him in nothing but his boxers.

Cassie wanted to learn every inch of him, but right now she lacked the patience to take her time. There was nothing but years of requited heat and desire, and her ability to contain it had been lost the moment he’d kissed her. Standing back up, she nipped at his bottom lip before pulling him back in, his arousal pressed against her stomach only heightening hers. Reaching down, she slid her hand over his boxers, squeezing him.

“Every inch of me is on fire for you.”
 
In that moment, time felt suspended, like everything beyond their touch had faded into something insubstantial. It wasn't just the heat of skin against skin, chest against chest, that held him captive, but the way her presence seemed to melt the walls he had carefully built around himself. He'd spent so long hiding his vulnerability, protecting himself with stoic resolve, but here, in the stillness between words and breath, he could feel his defenses softening, giving way to something far more raw and consuming.

There was an intensity in her eyes that both reassured and unraveled him, as if she could see every scar, every hidden fragment of who he was. The way her fingers traced his skin made him feel seen in a way he hadn't allowed himself to be for so long. Each touch, each kiss carried a weight he hadn't anticipated—an intimacy that went beyond the physical. It was as if she were reaching inside, touching the parts of him he thought he'd forgotten, the pieces he'd locked away in the quiet, guarded corners of his heart.

The vulnerability was dizzying, but it didn't feel weak. No, it was powerful, a surrender he willingly gave into, feeling as if he were both breaking and becoming whole all at once. In her embrace, he could finally let go of the grief, the loss, the aching emptiness he'd tried to ignore. And in that surrender, he found a sense of liberation, a glimpse of something he thought he'd lost—the capacity to feel deeply, to hope, to love.

It was overwhelming and terrifying, a flood of emotion that threatened to drown him. Yet, as he pulled her closer, he realized he didn't want to keep hiding. Not anymore.

His breath hitched as her hand found his hardness, which ached for her touch. The fact his boxers were in the way only added to that ache. Her words only added fuel to his own fire. In a moment where a weaker man might just grab her and take her, Adrian found some willpower. Instead, he looked deep in her eyes as he lay her down on the bed. His hands roamed down her body as she fell backwards, his tumbs finding their way into the waistband of her underwar. He eased it down her legs, leaving her fully exposed to his eyes for the first time. It was a huge moment, another he had imagined countless time. His eyes fell between her legs, his look of desire only deepened by the sight of her waxed, all gone except for a small strip. It was so erotic, so beautiful. He wanted to say more, but only action would do in this moment.

He knelt between her legs, easing them apart. Her intimate scent wafted from her and filled his nostrils. It was intoxicating. He began slowly kissing his way up one leg, inching closer to her most sacred place. Millimetres from touching her, he backs away and begins working his way up the other leg. He moves painfully slow, but he wants her to feel all he can offer. The second time he gets near, he relents. He kisses directly onto her lips, before his tongues snakes out and parts her. Her arousal is all too clear, and he can taste her. If her smell was intoxicating, her taste was addictive.
 
Cassie felt his breath catch when she touched him, a small smile spreading through her kiss at the reaction. It was important to her that he felt just how much he was wanted, how much he was valued. Touching him was more satisfying than she'd ever dreamed, and she had spent more time as a college coed dreaming about how he would feel than she cared to admit. As he moved her backwards to the bed, she felt her stomach flutter as the cold bedding greeted her bare back. The sight of him standing over her sent a current of electricity through her body, and she felt her body dampen in response.

She sucked in a sharp breath as his thumbs slid between her skin and underwear. Vulnerability wasn't something she had ever brought into the bedroom, but she felt it here with Adrian, her body displayed so openly before him. The way he looked at her, those green eyes carrying the same intensity and want she felt coursing through her body, put her at ease.

Her fingers dug into his bedspread as his kisses on the inside of her thigh drove her to another level of want. The change in pace and speed teased her senses, that craving for him almost unbearable. The closer he came to her center, the more erratic her breathing came, a whimper breaking the silence.

“Oh God, Adrian…” her words came out in a desperate plea as he finally made contact with her. Her body arched towards him as she felt the warmth of his mouth against her, his tongue soliciting a moan from her. He had her writhing beneath him, and he had barely touched her. Pleasure licked its way through every nerve of her body, and she instinctively tried to push against his mouth.
 
Her sounds reached his ears with a warmth and electricity that sent a thrill through his entire body. He had heard Cass make pretty much every other sound, but not this. He had always wondered how she would sound under his touch. The truth was a level of sensuality that he could barely believe.

His hands now rested on her inner thighs, keeping her legs open for him. His tongue worked its way up and down her very wet lips, her incredibly sweet taste starting to flood his mouth. It reached the top of her mound, finding the hardest of nubs. His tongue flicked out against it, over it. He wanted to learn all her buttons. He was in no rush, but also wanted her to feel pleasure like never before.

Hearing her admit her feelings for him earlier unleashed years of pent up frustration and released a torrent of love. Now, all he wanted was for her to feel that love completely. He wanted her to feel it first. She deserved it, and so much more.

He began to lick her with long, deliberate strokes of his tongue - each time delving a little deeper between her pink lips. At the top of each stroke, he bathed her clit his his tongue, trapping it under a barrage of sensations. His hands went from her thighs to underneath her demure, yet pert bottom, raising her slightly so he could penetrate her even further. He could feel her flowing juices coating his tongue. He could stay there all night.
 
Her head tilted backwards as a shuddering breath escaped her, her fingers digging further into the bed, needing to release some of the pressure somewhere. Cassie felt so utterly dazed at the moment, incapable of rational or coherent thought. All she could do was feel, and Adrian was making sure she had many, many, many things to feel. His hands were the only thing keeping her legs from squeezing closed and her body from wriggling away from him.

When his mouth worked its way to her clit, her body jumped at the shock of it, and she cried out at the intense pleasure that renewed her senses. Not that they needed it. The house could catch on fire and she doubted she would be capable of removing herself from the bed. She also wasn't entirely sure she had ever been this vocal, but Adrian's ministrations pulled at her from an emotional place as well as a physical, making every lick as intense as the last.

A sound of surprise escaped as he pulled her closer to him, her back sliding down the blankets as the motion pulled her closer to him. She reached a hand down, burying her fingers in his hair, needing to touch him, and unable to reach any other part of him. Any attempt to prolong the inevitable was useless as his tongue drove into her and her pelvis rocked into him, needing the pressure.

“I can't…” she attempted to speak, her words cut off as she inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening their hold on his hair. Her pleasure was intensifying and he was quickly undoing her. “I can't last long like this.”

Not from him. Cassie had already been so turned on before either of them had lost a single article of clothing that she was surprised she hadn't completely fallen apart yet. She could feel it building, and she released his hair, her hand weaving its way to grab the bedding above her head, the movement stretching out her torso. With his hands no longer restraining her thighs, they closed around him as her body arched into him.

She was so riled up, and her body was growing increasingly more sensitive with every stroke of his tongue. Her explosion was gathering between her legs, and she bit down on her bottom lip to stifle another cry.

“Adrian.” His name was a moan, a plea on her lips as she tried to find air, her body at his total command.
 
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“Adrian”.

No other words necessary. The single utterance of his name in the tone that it arrived, told him all he needed to know. She was close, very close. He had gone too far to back down now. His own pleasure could wait - hers was forefront in his mind.

His mouth travelled to her clit, trapping it between his lips and started a sucking sensation. Almost immediately, he plunged two fingers deep into her. Her physical arousal and its effects made his fingers’ journey inside her all too easy. Yet she felt incredibly tight. His mind wandered momentarily to how his manhood would feel buried in her.

He had started out slow, but now he wanted her to feel everything, everything his mouth and fingers could deliver. He didn’t speak, letting his actions deliver his intent.

He felt her legs squeeze either side of his head, her writhing making his goal a little difficult to reach. With his free hand, he placed it on her abdomen to hold her as still as he could.

Then it happened. The sound that accompanied it was so primal. It felt like her entire body had been a giant coil wound so tight and it suddenly snapped. He continued his ministrations as she rode it out. Her hips bucked against him, her deep pleasure all too evident. The joy he felt as he witnessed her own was unlike any in his life to that point.

When she eventually came down from her high, he released his grip on her and crawled up the bed to lay beside her. He took her in his arms to share her afterglow. The night was still young, but he figured she might need a moment before anything else.

“That was incredible to watch”, he said with a smile.
 
Cassie couldn't remember a time where she felt so out of control of her body. Every other thought had been stripped away from her, along with the ability to form a coherent thought outside of “oh, god.” When he changed his approach, the pressure on her clit and his fingers working their magic inside, the cry she'd attempted to stifle moments before came out.

The warmth and pressure of his hand on her stomach to hold her in place only made her climb faster, and when he took her over that ledge, her body was hit with a force that made it impossible to breathe. Shudder after shudder, Cassie gasped for air as her pleasure shattered around her. Every nerve was wracking her body with sensation.

Eventually she came back down, her chest heaving as an occasional aftershock shivered through her body.

Her eyes remained closed as he withdrew from her, feeling his absence as he moved next to her. She curled into him when he pulled her closer, her arm sliding around his middle. His words brought out a small chuckle as she tilted her head back, her eyelids opening so she could see him.

“Imagine how incredible it felt,” she said, her voice a murmur. Just staring at him, even through her post-orgasm gaze, kept that fire stoked inside her. She slid her fingers along his stomach, needing to touch him. Cassie wanted to feel him inside her, wanted to feel the strain of her body wrapping against his. Pushing herself up onto her elbow, she slid her hand up to the side of his neck and kissed him deeply. She could taste herself on him, and her movements were much more languid than before, the strokes of her tongue deeper and slower.

Moving her body over him, she slid one leg over him, straddling his hips without breaking contact. Eventually, she pulled back, her mouth trailing down his throat, pressing against his Adam’s apple before continuing downward. Her hands trailed down his arms, gently kneading his muscles as she took her time. Cassie adored his body. She always had. It had been a dangerous game in college when he was shirtless to try not to get caught staring at him. Now, she wanted to touch him, to taste him. Planting a kiss next to his naval, her fingers moved to the waistband of his boxers.

Sliding them down, she tossed them on the floor before turning her attention back on him. She met his gaze briefly, her eyes already darkening with want. Looking down at him, his dick standing at attention, she ran her fingers up the bottom of his shaft, her touch light and teasing. Bending down, she brought her lips to the side of him and kissed her way north. When she reached the rim, she slipped her tongue out, slowly following the path of his head. She wanted him all over again. Taking him in her mouth, her movements remained unhurried, her tongue massaging him as she slid him further into her mouth.
 
Cassie didn’t need much time as Adrian had initially thought, which he had no qualms with. Her soft touch had him aching in seconds. While he did give her all the attention to achieve her orgasm, he now realised how much of an impact he had on him. The way her fingers trailed along his skin flooded his mind with memories of when she had done this in the past. He had always thought it was in moments of friendship. He now knew the truth.

His mouth met hers with equal urgency, but as soon as she had started, she was already moving down his body. He knew where this was going. Any red blooded male would love this from Cass, but for Adrian it hit so much deeper.

His breath hitched as he watched her remove his boxers, leaving both now as naked as the day they were born. His full erect cock stood almost painfully straight up. But he didn’t have to wait long - her touch was magical. He had fantasised about this moment so many times, but his dreams paled in comparison to the real feelings coursing through his body.

A groaning sound escaped his mouth as he felt her lips envelop him for the first time. She was taking her time, but that wasn’t stopping his own arousal growing at record speed. “Fuck, Cass….”, trying to find the words to convey how he was feeling. His hands instinctively curled into her hair as she essentially made love to him with the soft lips of her mouth.
 
Her body felt spent when she had begun her journey exploring every divet of muscle, but proved to have a short term memory the moment she had him in her mouth and he swore. His fingers in her hair sent a little thrill down her scalp, and the muscles in her stomach tightened at the contact.

She reached up and wrapped her fingers around the base of him, her other hand sliding along his inner thigh. Squeezing him, she slowly worked her hand up and down, her mouth still claiming the top of him. His groan sent a wave of heat through her body, replanting that seed of need between her legs. Sucking hard, Cassie’s mouth moved upwards, pulling him with her, the motion deliberately drawn out. Once she reached the tip of him, she ran her tongue over the very top of him before taking him in her mouth again, her mouth and hand working in tandem. She was relishing him, enjoying the velvety skin that envelope rock hardness. Being with Adrian was an exercise in contradictions. Soft. Hard. Lost. Found. Unable to think. Only able to think about him. Needing this to be prolonged. Impatience needing instant gratification.

She pulled her mouth from him, her hand still moving slowly, loosening and then tightening her grip, as she lifted her eyes to him.

“Tell me what you want, Adrian.” Her voice came out husky and soft, her eyes intense as she searched his features. At this point, Cassie would give him whatever he wanted of her.
 
"Tell me what you want, Adrian."

The voice that spoke those words was almost unrecognisable, a tone full of desire and want. If he didn't watch the words come from Cassie's mouth, he would have struggled to name who spoke them. But there also an undenieable truth to them, like she was promising him whatever he desired. In that moment, in his room, in his house, where they had both finally spoken their truth a decade on from the last time they almost did - he knew what he wanted.

Without a single word spoken, he sat up and pulled her into his lap. His cock was trapped between them. He could feel the heat radiating from between her legs on his heavy balls. His arms wrapped her up and their mouth met again, the intensity of the kiss only matching their combined heated state. Between kisses, he managed to ask an important question.

"Do I need a....condom?". It was said with an almost fear that this could break the spell of the moment. Thankfully, she smiled and shaked her head. "I have that covered, please just take me".

With one hand under her firm, yet soft ass, he lifted her hips enough to allow his cock to slip underneath her. He looked deep into her eyes as their moment of union moved into view.
"I love you Cass", he uttered as he let her weight slowly drop, causing her to be penetrated on him. Not breaking eye contact, a deep groan escaped him as he felt her stretch around him. She was the perfect fit, like the universe knew they were destined for each other, in every way conceivable.
 
Cassie watched him as he moved, his swift motion leaving her little time to react. He pulled her easily, and her arms immediately wrapped around his neck, her fingers resting in his hair. The warmth of their bodies pressed against each other, and she felt pure awe that she was here with him. After all this time, they were coupled together, and that connection resolved itself so fully in her heart. As his lips took hers again, she felt heady, drunk on the taste and feel of him.

When his hands lifted her, she felt weightless, that ache to feel him so fully and completely her body was in agony. She nuzzled his cheek, her lips parting in a small gasp as she felt him hovering just beneath her. Her brow creased lightly as she met his gaze, her own face a mixture of wanton desire and anticipation, and she rested her forehead against his, needing him to steady her. Her hands dropped slightly on the back of his neck, her fingers running across the back of his skin.

His words shook her to her core, and she was rendered speechless as he slid her down the length of him. Her fingers dug into him, her eyes closing as a small moan escaped as her body accepted him. With her knees resting on the bed, his hot rigidity stretched her, and she felt like he had engulfed her entirely.

Opening her eyes slowly, she loosened her grip on the back of his neck and moved her hands to the side of his face, her thumbs stroking his face. The slight shift in her balance caused her muscles to involuntarily constrict around him, her breath catching in her chest. She pulled her forehead back slightly, her body settling against his.

“I can say with absolute certainty, Adrian Stafford, that I have loved you more fiercely than I ever thought humanly possible.” Leaning forward, she kissed him again, her hands pulling his face closer. The deeper she dove into him, the more insistent and demanding her tongue became. Her body began to move against him, her breasts rubbing against his chest with every stroke. Using her leg muscles, Cassie’s movements were controlled, her steady pace in direct opposition of what her center was craving. She wanted to indulge in the sensation of his hard cock pushing deeply into her.
 
Adrian barely registered the words, but they also filled his heart - filling a hole that had been so big, for so long. He had longed for this moment, for those words - only recognising now how much his soul needed her.

Once she was fully settled in his lap, now fully joined, his hands went to her back, supporting her so that they could move in unison. They moved, grinded, rocked as one. The sensations coursing through his body were only rivalled by the emotions he was struggling to believe. This was Cassie. Cassie.

His hands roamed her back, into her hair, across her shoulders. He couldn't touch enough of her. His mouth moved from her lips to her neck and back, kissing and nipping. There may be a few marks by the time they were finished, but at the moment, he never wanted to finish. Minutes felt like seconds.

But the inevitable ending was approaching. Her amazing oral skills had him well primed, and now feeling her incredibly hot insides grip him as they moved, he couldn't hold back much longer. As he kissed her neck, he whispered in her. "Please. Please cum with me."

His breath got very ragged, his release so close. And then it happened. It felt like it started in his toes, building through his legs. By the time it reached his cock, he exploded with such force. His seed was planted deep inside Cassie, as if he was finally claiming her as his.
 
Intimacy had never felt like this. This wasn't just sex. Cassie had never felt so consumed by another person, and every stroke inside her, every groan, vibrated so deep inside her it was almost unbearable. The way his arms felt around her, wrapping her in warmth, and holding her steady against them as the sounds of their love making spurred her on with an assertiveness she hadn’t been aware she possessed.

He was so deep inside her and every time she moved against him, his pelvis rubbed her clit, teasing pleasure from her with every brush of their bodies. Her head tilted back as his lips moved over her skin, a whimper breaking between the sounds of their bodies and the bed.

She could feel her orgasm beginning to build, and she bit her bottom lip as her pace quickened, her body pushing into him harder as her need grew.

It was his voice that made her come undone. His hot breath against her ear, the plea giving her body no choice but to comply. All she could do was nod. She came right before he did, her body arching into him as she cried out. Her body gripped his, muscles clenching his cock as he rode his own wave. She felt his hot liquid inside, a testament to his own relief, and her body reacted by sending another cascade of electricity down her nerve endings. It took her a while to come down from her heightened sensitivity, her body wracking with pleasure against him.

Eventually she collapsed against him, her head resting on his shoulder as she tried to catch her breath, her lips barely resting against his neck. She realized in that moment she was shaking, her muscles spent from their lovemaking. Closing her eyes, she held onto him a little tighter, almost afraid this had all been just a beautiful dream.

“You are so perfect,” she finally managed to say, her words still breathy as she tried to recover her lungs.
 
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