Chapter 177: An old dog can learn new tricks
"Fiona, I know that we know a lot about-Lucian! Go back!" Cass turned, shouting at the other man as he approached. He was anxious, he’d just heard that Fiona wasn’t going to leave him alone out of solidarity, and he was crying for a completely different reason now.
Lucian jerked to a stop, his eyes going wide, before his gaze hardened and he came over. He grabbed the back of Cass’ neck, the exact same way that Fiona had, and forced Cass’ head against his own, rubbing their foreheads together. Cass had never seen him do this, and he had no concept of what kind of move this was.
Cass was at a loss, unsure what to do, what to say when he pulled away, releasing him.
"I’ll leave again. I just wanted to check on you. You’re going through waves, and Fiona’s behaviour towards you made me worried. You are treating him well, Fiona?" Lucian kept his hand on Cass’ neck and Cass felt his whole face go red.
His mouth went dry as he grappled with the feelings inside of him. When Fiona had grabbed the back of his neck with her strong, used hands, it had felt like a support but also a threat. When Lucian did it? It felt like a brand. His hand, like Fiona’s, had rough calluses on it, and Cass’ neck, Lord Blackburn’s neck was that of a man who was studious, inside. He didn’t do physical labour so his skin felt even more aware of his rougher skin.
Cass had a feeling that if any of them, like Lord Ridgewood, Fiona, or Lucian touched Cass in the wrong way he might get a red mark on his skin.
Cass tried desperately not to think of Lucian’s hand against any part of his skin. Holy hell.
Fiona was staring at Lucian, before dropping her gaze to Cass. She took in everything, the way Cass was breathing, his face lightly pink, while Lucian’s grip on Cass’ neck was firm. Finally, she opened her mouth.
"You never looked at me like that." She said. Cass felt his eyes bulge at the simple was she said it. No jealously, no embarrassment, nothing. As if she was just talking about the weather, and not her marriage.
Lucian’s grip on the back of Cass’ neck tightened.
"What do you mean by that?" Lucian asked. "Have I done you wrong? Are you upset about that?" He asked and Fiona’s lips turned up slightly.