When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 145

Me.

Daisy and Ray had a date.

The restaurant Ray chose was not flashy. But it was beautiful. Private rooftop with clean glass railings overlooking the city skyline. Daisy arrived first.

She wore a sleek black satin dress that hugged her curves without trying too hard. Thin straps. Minimal

jewelry. Her blonde hair fell freely over her shoulders. She wasn’t dressed to impress him.

She was dressed because she knew she looked good.

Ray arrived two minutes later.

Dark tailored trousers. Crisp white shirt. Sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. No tie. No jacket. He

looked like control wrapped in quiet danger. When he saw her, he paused.

Daisy smirked. “You’re staring, doctor.”

“I’m assessing,” he replied calmly as he pulled out her chair.

“Oh?” she leaned back slightly. “And your diagnosis?”

He sat opposite her.

“High risk.”

She laughed softly. “Of what?”

“Addiction.”

Their food arrived, but neither of them was paying attention.

Ray didn’t flirt with words. He observed. He studied the way she held her glass. The way she spoke with her hands. The way she laughed without restraint.

“You don’t try to impress anyone,” he said suddenly.

Daisy raised a brow. “Why would I?”

“Most people do.”

“I don’t date for validation,” she replied calmly. “If I like someone, I like them. If I don’t, I leave.”

“And me?” Ray asked quietly.

She sipped her wine slowly.

“You’re interesting.”

He leaned forward slightly. “Interesting enough?”

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Chapter One Hundred And Forty–Five You Have No Idea What You’re Doing To Me

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Her eyes flickered to his mouth before returning to his gaze.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“Whether you can handle me.”

Ray’s expression didn’t change.

“I don’t chase women I can’t handle.”

The air shifted between them. And the table between them suddenly felt smaller.

Daisy’s pulse ticked at her throat.

“Careful,” she murmured.

He stood slowly, walked around the table, and stopped beside her chair.

“I am.”

He offered his hand, and she took it.

And when he helped her stand, his fingers lingered just long enough to make her breath unsteady.

This was not playful anymore. This was tension. And it was building.

Cassienne stepped out of the shower wrapped in a soft white towel, her skin still warm from the steam.

Her hair was damp, falling down her back in loose waves.

Dreston was waiting. Leaning against the bedroom wall, watching her.

He hadn’t said much since the arena broadcast. But his silence had weight.

“What?” she asked lightly, walking toward the vanity.

“You enjoyed yourself.”

“Yes.”

“With him?”

She paused.

“Dreston…”

“The one whispering in your ear.”

Cassienne turned slowly.

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opter One Hundred And Forty–Five You Have No Idea What You’re Doing To Me.

“He was from the production team.”

“You were laughing.”

“And?”

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He walked toward her.

“And I didn’t like it.”

She folded her arms.

“So what do you want me to do? Not laugh?”

He stopped just inches away from her.

“I want you to understand how it looked.”

“And I want you to trust me,” she shot back.

His jaw tightened.

“You think I don’t?”

“I think you’re jealous.”

He didn’t deny it. Silence stretched between them.

“You don’t get to claim me and then doubt me,” she continued, her voice softer now but steady. “If this is going to work, you have to trust me.”

He stepped closer.

“I do trust you.”

“Then why are we arguing?”

“Because I hate the way men look at you.” 1

Her breath caught.

“And how do they look at me?”

He didn’t answer because he didn’t need to. His hand moved to her waist firmly, and possessively.

“You shine,” he murmured. “And I don’t like sharing the view.”

Her resistance softened.

“You can’t cage me,

“I’m not trying to.”

Dreston.”

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