Page 9 of A Sinful Gravity

I slumped against the headboard, exhausted, my fingers unconsciously working over that heavy sapphire. It caught the morning light with an icy gleam, just like Cassian's eyes when he looked at me, possessive as hell, but empty of love.

"You're mine, Luna."

His words still echoed in my ears like some grand illusion. I stared at the stone on my finger, heart still racing. Was I pathetic?

Just hours ago, I'd been gutted by the lipstick on his neck. But now, after one brutal kiss, one night of fucking, one possessive declaration, I was already making excuses for him.

The house was empty except for me.

I looked down at the box in my hand.

Maybe he really was just drunk, Luna. Right?

I told myself lightly, forcing a casual shrug.

A woman like Sloane, it had to be that scheming bitch's doing. That climber who'd do anything to claw her way into my husband's inner circle.

I tried not to replay that scene, convincing myself over and over.

I tried to remember how tightly he'd held me earlier, that feral need to merge me into his bones. I told myself the ring had been in that box for a month. He'd been planning to give it to me all along, right? He'd explained. He'd sworn. He'd even shown panic I'd never seen before.

I took the ring out of the box and slipped it on, holding it up to the light.

Perfect fit.

So perfect it left me speechless, because it meant he'd measured my finger or memorized some detail. And that wasn't something I expected from Cassian, the man who didn't remember birthdays, who only noticed you if you were directly in his line of sight.

Forget it. Stop thinking.

I got up and washed my face.

Cold water splashed against my skin, clearing my head for a moment, thoughts crystallizing.

I decided to believe him.

At least for now. At least for today. I needed to give this marriage a chance to keep going. Not weakness—a conscious choice. I didn't have enough information to make an irreversible decision, and Cassian's explanation made logical sense. His attitude was unlike anything I'd seen in three years. And he'd given me that ring.

Add it all up. It was worth one more shot.

I'd try again.

Alright. Time to get ready for tonight's gala.

I washed up, redid my hair, and threw my wrinkled clothes in the washer. Their state made me think of the frantic encounter with Cassian, heat creeping into my cheeks, weakness pooling low in my belly.

Setting everything else aside, Cassian's bedroom skills left me boneless just thinking about them.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, hitting the plants on the balcony. Light caught the edges of leaves, clean and quiet, as if nothing had happened today.

I made myself a simple lunch, cleaned the kitchen, and then went to the bedroom to prepare for tonight.

Then the doorbell rang.

"Coming, just a second."

I answered, humming a light tune as I headed for the door. At this hour, it had to be Cassian sending over the evening gown.

The moment I opened the door, my good mood died.