Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 242

Ruby’s face remained utterly blank, her delicate features set in a mask of indifference.

That nonchalant attitude made Cassian grit his teeth in frustration.

His eyes darkened, voice low and cold, heavy with accusation—and perhaps a trace of self-mockery.

Ruby’s expression screamed, “What’s wrong with him now?” She was clearly running out of patience.

Her lips curled into a frosty smile. “Being a widow doesn’t sound so bad.”

The biting sarcasm in her tone was unmistakable.

Cassian had come in ready to confront her, but her indifference knocked the wind right out of him.

“Ruby, can’t you talk to me like a normal person?”

She folded her arms, her gaze icy as she stared at Cassian’s sharply handsome face, half-hidden in shadow. With a short, derisive laugh, she replied, “You’re the one interrogating me. I don’t work for you anymore, Mr. Veyne. You don’t get to speak to me like that.”

Her cold stare made Cassian’s throat tighten.

Irritated, he pinched the bridge of his nose, but finally lowered his head. “There are pictures of you and Garrison all over the internet. Care to explain?”

Ruby hadn’t expected this—she’d only just heard about it herself.

“Ruby, do you just like relying on other men so much?”

Cassian’s hoarse voice cut in before she could gather her thoughts.

Ruby’s eyes flew wide. She pointed at her own face, incredulous. “You think I rely on other men?”

She stared at him, baffled—he seemed like a stranger.

Her partnership with C Collective had always been strictly business, nothing more. But coming from Cassian’s mouth, it sounded like she’d been hanging onto other men this whole time.

Frustration boiled in her chest, icing her words.

“First it was Cameron Lockridge, then Sylas, then Victor, and now this Garrison who’s come out of nowhere—” Cassian had gotten to his feet without her noticing, and in a few strides, he was in front of her, gripping her wrist like a lifeline. “Who’s next, huh? What exactly is going on between you and Garrison?”

All she had to do was give in a little, and he’d make all of this go away for her. So why were there always so many men around her?

Ruby tore her hand free. “There’ll be plenty more men—but you’ll never be one of them.”

She met Cassian’s gaze, unflinching, refusing to back down.

But as soon as she spoke, Cassian’s tall frame trembled, and his grip on her wrist only tightened.

She struggled, hard—but the difference in their strength was overwhelming. When she couldn’t break free, she bit him, hard, venting all her anger.

Cassian grunted in pain but didn’t let go. If anything, his grip tightened, his kiss turning even more demanding, possessive. He was relentless, taking what he wanted, refusing to let her escape.

The quiet living room was filled with the sound of her muffled protest and the low, rough timbre of his voice—a mix of shame and desire, echoing off the walls.

Cassian couldn’t bring himself to let go, lost in the moment, hungry for more.

For Ruby, though, humiliation and rage tangled together, every sound magnified by her indignation.

She was so angry, her eyes burned with tears.

“Open your mouth.”

Cassian wanted more, but Ruby clamped her teeth shut, blocking him.

He opened his eyes, the storm in them replaced by something almost desperate. But in that same instant, he saw the hatred and humiliation in Ruby’s gaze, the fresh tracks of tears glistening on her cheeks.

Cassian froze, suddenly at a loss.

It finally hit him what he’d just done. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words caught in his throat.