Chapter 02
She should either knock or leave. She can't stay frozen in front of Cass’s hotel room door forever.
She checks the time. It’s late. Very late. Cass is probably sleeping. And she should let her rest.
And yet… she can't stop thinking about her.
About the way Cass reacted when she found out she and Owen were in an open marriage.
About how she literally pushed her into the arms of a stranger.
About how she fled the bar before Teddy could stop her.
About how she ignored the message Teddy sent to make sure she got back to the hotel safe and sound.
A message driven more by the need to hear from her, to understand what was wrong, than by actual concern.
The soft sound of Teddy’s knuckles tapping against the wood echoes through the silent hallway.
Once. Twice. Three times.
It feels like déjà vu. Just over a week ago, she had stood in front of Cass’s office door—to invite her to the presentation, then to give her the spa tickets. And now, here she is again. Waiting. At her door. Not exactly knowing what to say or how to say it, but knowing she needs to talk to her.
Teddy holds her breath, her heart pounding too fast. Maybe Cass isn't here. Or maybe she’s decided to ignore her.
Then, she hears light footsteps approaching.
Teddy straightens, unintentionally holding her breath.
The lock clicks, the door opens, and Cass appears in the doorway.
Cass looks at her with a confused expression, her brows slightly furrowed. She doesn’t seem surprised to see her, but she doesn’t look particularly happy either. “Teddy…” she murmurs uncertainly.
Then, almost at the same time, they both ask, “Did something happen?”
For a moment, the weight on Teddy’s chest eases, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
Cass raises an eyebrow. “You first.”
Teddy swallows, trying to ignore the knot of emotions tightening in her stomach. “You didn’t answer me. I was worried.”
Cass leans against the doorframe, tilting her head slightly. “I did.”
Teddy freezes. “You did?”
Cass nods. “I did.”
Teddy digs into her pocket, pulling out her phone. She scrolls quickly through her notifications, her heartbeat picking up when she finally sees it.
Cass had answered.
And she hadn’t even noticed.
How? She had checked her phone every five minutes—literally.
A curse dies on her lips. “I didn’t—”
“Tell me the truth.” Cass cuts her off, studying her. “Why are you here?”
Teddy wets her lips, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. “I wanted to talk to you.”
Cass doesn’t say anything for a long moment, then she steps aside, giving her space to enter.
Teddy steps inside, more hesitant than she’d like. She stops near the bed, her hands slipping into her jacket pockets.
Cass closes the door with a soft click, then leans against the dresser, arms crossed over her chest. “What do you want to talk about?” she asks in a calm voice. There’s no anger in her tone, just exhaustion—and a hint of something Teddy can’t quite define.
Teddy takes a deep breath. “About what happened earlier. About why you left.”
Cass lowers her gaze for a moment, absentmindedly playing with the ring on her finger, then looks back up at her. “There’s not much to say, Teddy. It’s just that…”
She trails off.
Teddy gives her an encouraging look. “It’s just that…?”
Cass sighs, running a hand through her hair. Her gaze turns more evasive. “It’s just that I don’t usually put myself out there for someone I like… and get rejected.”
Teddy’s heart skips a beat. A flicker of confusion crosses her face. “Who?”
Cass looks up at her.
“Teddy…” Her tone is barely a whisper, incredulous, as if she can’t believe this conversation is even happening. “You really don’t— you don’t know who I’m talking about?”
Teddy opens her mouth. Then closes it.
No.
No…
Maybe?
Cass shakes her head, letting out an uncertain breath. “You.”
The world around Teddy blurs, the room feels smaller, warmer. The words echo in her mind.
You.
Me?
“I…” The words die in her throat, her heartbeat hammering wildly as she tries to make sense of what Cass is saying. “I… You like me?” she finally manages, her voice quieter, almost hesitant. “I rejected you?”
“Yes, I like you. And yes, you did.” Cass lets out a small, bitter smile. “Is that so hard to believe?”
Teddy stays silent, her mind working too fast to form a coherent response. But Cass doesn’t wait.
“I kissed you,” she continues, her voice barely cracking. “And you pushed me away, telling me you and Owen weren’t that kind of couple.” She takes a deep breath. “And now you are.”
Teddy feels her stomach twist.
Cass shakes her head slightly, her smile tight and not reaching her eyes. “And you didn’t say anything.” Her gaze grows heavier, more intense. “You didn’t make a move. You’re not interested—I get it.” Cass shrugs slightly. “It’s just that, like I said, I’m not used to putting myself out there for someone I like and… being rejected.”
Teddy feels breathless, like she’s just been punched in the gut. “That’s not true,” she manages, barely realizing she’s spoken.
Cass raises an eyebrow, skeptical. “No?”
Teddy swallows, her heart pounding so hard it feels like it might break through her ribs. “No.”
Cass watches her, unmoving. Waiting.
This is the moment.
Now or never.
"After I met you, Owen and I opened our marriage."
Cass lets out a small chuckle, tilting her head to the side with an amused smirk. "Yeah, I noticed, Teddy."
The teasing makes her blush and, if possible, flusters her even more. "No, I… what I mean is…" She trails off, trying to catch her breath, giving herself time to find the right words. "I opened my marriage for you."
Silence.
Teddy’s heart races.
Cass blinks, surprised, then her gaze sharpens, growing more intense. "Oh." Just that. A single syllable, heavy with something Teddy can’t decipher. Curiosity? Disbelief?
Teddy forces out a laugh, but the sound is weak, uncertain. "Yeah…"
Cass pushes off the dresser she was leaning against and takes two decisive steps forward, closing the distance between them.
Her hips sway naturally as she moves, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"So, you opened your marriage," she repeats slowly, as if savoring every word.
Teddy swallows, her throat suddenly dry. "Yes."
Cass tilts her head slightly. "For me."
Teddy feels the tension coil tighter in her body, every muscle wound like a violin string. "Y-yes."
Cass stops right in front of her, her breath so close Teddy can feel it against her skin. "Why?"
Her voice is low, deep, and Teddy feels pinned beneath her gaze.
It’s impossible to look away.
It’s impossible to think.
It’s impossible to breathe normally.
Without Teddy realizing, Cass takes another step closer.
"Because I’m attracted to you."
A small smile tugs at Cass’s lips. It’s not sweet, nor shy. It’s more like a smirk of satisfaction—the kind of expression worn by someone who knows exactly the effect they have on others. "You’re attracted to me," she repeats, savoring the words.
"Y-yes."
Cass furrows her brow slightly, feigning curiosity. "And that’s why you want me to work for you?"
Teddy freezes. "What?"
Cass takes another step. Now they’re just inches apart, so close Teddy can smell her—a faint mix of whiskey and something sweeter, something more personal, something that makes her dizzy.
When did she get this close?
She’s too close.
Teddy instinctively steps back, her breath hitching. "No! It’s because you’re a brilliant doctor and…" she stammers, still retreating. "And I’ve seen how you work, you’re always ready to—"
The words die in her throat as her back hits the wall.
No more room to escape.
She feels trapped.
She is trapped.
Her body is pressed between the wall and Cass, who stands so close their bodies almost touch. Teddy’s heartbeat is erratic, her breathing shallow.
She hates it.
She loves it.
She fears it.
It excites her.
Cass leans in, her gaze locked onto Teddy’s.
One hand comes up to cradle Teddy’s face, gentle yet firm. The other slides around her waist, tight, possessive, with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they want. Who they want.
"I think…" Her voice is a low whisper, sending shivers through every inch of Teddy’s body. "It’s time for you to show me just how attracted you are to me, Major Altman."
Teddy’s heart pounds so hard it feels like it might burst. Her legs tremble.
She has no time to think, no time to hesitate, no time to do anything.
With one decisive motion, Cass pulls Teddy toward her, their lips crashing together.