Cassius' warning comes back to mind and she is grabbing her phone before she even realizes it. Before she can press the call button, Sofia rethinks calling him. If it is Hiari or someone she knows, Sofia will feel like a dumbass for bothering Cassius and making him drive all the way there just to check it out. If it is someone dangerous, she would be stupid to just walk in on her own with no way to protect herself. Somehow, calling Sam an actual police officer never crosses her mind.

Out by the side of the house, Sofia spots a lawn gnome. Her mind whirling, she exits her car as silently as possible and creeps over to grab it. The thing is tacky and sun-bleached but heavy and pointy if need be. Beggars can't be choosers and this is the best she has at the moment. Hitting the call button, Sofia slips her phone into her pants pocket. If nothing else, if Cassius picks up he will hear if something goes wrong. If it turns out to be nothing, he will figure she butt-dialed and it will save her any further embarrassment.

She races under the big bay windows with a shaky breath, squatting while she moves to avoid being seen. Sofia figures she would feel more badass if she didn't also have a mental image of how ridiculous she would look to anyone passing by.

Thankfully the door is unlocked and Sofia turns it slowly, keeping her steps light as she grips the gnome like a bat with both hands. She struggles to keep her breathing even, the intruder's footsteps growing closer. Sofia mentally prepares herself and waits for the perfect moment when they are about to pass her by to spring out and swing her makeshift weapon with all of her strength.

She barely registers the identity of the person before they both scream bloody murder, Sofia only scantly able to stop the momentum of her hit from bludgeoning them to death, or at least to a severe concussion and a nasty wound.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Sofia screams, dropping the gnome on the floor. Her entire body shakes with excess adrenaline and she doesn't know whether to punch or hug the idiot laughing hysterically from the shock of nearly getting brained by a garden gnome.

"Is everything alright?" A cautious voice asks from where Sofia had left the door open and she turns wide eyes to Cassius whose face looks like carved stone, eyes dark and laser-focused. The laughter grows and Sofia wonders if she could just beat herself with the gnome instead. Being unconscious sounds heavenly right about now.

"Uh...yeah, it's-it's fine" Sofia stutters and turns to Zoya "What is wrong with you?! Who just pops up into someone's house without letting them know?!" she exclaims and goes to push her best friend but pulls her into a hug instead. She's freaking out and she knows it but there is no helping it.

"How was I supposed to know you were gonna go all G.I Jane on me?! Besides, I got here hours ago but you weren't showing up so I just let myself in." Zoya pulls away from the hug, arms now crossed and hip cocked. Instantly, Sofia feels bad but she had no way of knowing that Zoya would show up right as she was out with Sam.

"Yes, you do look a little too done up for a night at the bakery. I presume that means it was a more...recreational night out?" Cassius asks with a raised eyebrow and Sofia had nearly forgotten he was still standing there witnessing the entire exchange.

"No- I mean...yes? I was just out to dinner. Anyways, what brings you here Cass?" Sofia tries to redirect the conversation, cheeks blazing. Zoya snickers from her right and Sofia throws her a quick glare before awkwardly smiling at Cassius who is now leaning against the wall looking like a lithe predator, all smooth strength and elegance, one of his dimples showing.

"Well, Miss Lin, you called me. I was close by and came right over. Am I to take it that it was a mistake?"

"Yeah-You know, butt dialing. A truly horrible downside to smart technology. Touchscreen sensitivity and all that." Words are just pouring out of Sofia's mouth and she is resigned to having zero control over it.

"Smooth" Zoya coughs, giggling to herself and Sofia sends a betrayed look her way. No one can be a bigger asshole than your best friend. It is the trade-off for having someone who is always there for you. "I hate you" Sofia mutters and Zoya rolls her eyes, walking past her and extending a hand towards Cassius. "You, gorgeous specimen, must be Cassius. Zoya, a.k.a would be murder victim, pleasure to meet you again."

"I was not going to murder you! It was maiming at worst. Maybe warn a girl next time!" Sofia defends her actions as Cass and Zoya shake hands.

"Delighted to see you as well Zoya. I am relieved no maiming or murdering occurred tonight. I'm glad I came over either way and that you called Sofie. Even if it was by accident" His eyes are locked onto Sofia's as he practically glides towards her and runs his knuckles softly over her cheek. "Your safety is worth going out of my way. Always" he emphasizes the last word, his other arm snaking around her waist, gripping it almost possessively and pulling her close.

Sofia barely registers Zoya excusing herself, voice smug and amused. No doubt she will be teasing her about this for days to come but Sofia doesn't care at the moment. In this proximity, Cassius' cologne is spicy and intoxicating. His eyes are pools of liquid heat and Sofia wants to spend entire lifetimes drowning in them.

His hold on her doesn't ease as his other hand slides into her dark locks, twisting into them. Time loses all meaning as he bends his head, lips caressing up her exposed neck, tilted back by the grip on her hair. Sofia couldn't pull away even if she wanted to and, fuck, does she not want to. A simmering fire burns beneath her skin, coming out in breathy pants as sinful lips suck on her pulse, marking her in a way that she would normally hate but is relishing instead.

His movements are languid and sensual, mirroring his actions on the other side, and Sofia gasps, grabbing onto his arms before her legs turn to jelly and buckle beneath her. Barely there kisses are peppered over her face before those wicked lips descend upon hers. With closed eyes, Sofia raises to her tiptoes, lips parted to allow Cassius entrance if he wished for it. Her hands pull him closer and she aches for Cassius to fill the gap and kiss her senseless.

His lips ghost over hers and she holds her breath, swaying forward only to meet empty air. Sofia's eyes pop open to find that Cassius had pulled away with his lip quirked up subtly. Sofia is left so disoriented that she can't react or think past the frustration of having the gorgeously infuriating man so close only to be left high and dry.

With a soft deep chuckle, Cassius slowly runs his thumb over Sofia's plump lower lip. "Next time you want a dinner partner love, call me. I assure you, I will make for much more pleasurable company" he practically purrs and plants a kiss on the corner of her mouth just barely missing her lips before backing out of her grasp.

"Jerk" Sofia gasps and swats his chest. Half a second goes by before she registers a throbbing pain in her hand and starts shaking it, cursing under her breath. "What are you, a wall?" she asks rhetorically and glares when she sees amusement in his eyes. Sofia is seriously debating the pros and cons of hitting him again when Cassius gently grasps her wrist. Bringing her hand to his lips, the alluring devil that he is just kisses each of her fingers, nibbling on the pad of her thumb.

"It just stings a little. Some ice and resting it for the night should be enough. I'm afraid I must take my leave. I hope I have left you with more to dream about than your aching hand. Feel free to accidentally dial if you need me, darling." He bends and kisses her knuckles like the supposed gentlemen he is and is gone before she registers it. Sofia feels so off-balance that she can't get her thoughts or emotions untangled enough to determine how she is even feeling.

"Woo, I think I need a cold shower and I was only watching the last part girl" Zoya comments, fanning herself and giving Sofia a wicked smirk which breaks her out of the trance Cassius had seemed to leave her in. "Shut up!" Sofia retorts and playfully pushes her best friend.

"So...Cass huh?"

"Oh my god! We are not talking about this right now!" Sofia huffs and pulls Zoya to the living room where they both plop down on the sofa. They lay together in silence for a couple of minutes. Sofia turns her head and meets Zoya's eyes and the two of them irrupt into giggles. It starts off slow until they are full-on belly laughing, tension easing, and humor starting to color the events of the last half hour. As dramatic as it had all been, having her best friend there with her now brings a sense of peace to Sofia that she hadn't realized she was missing.

In the early hours of the morning when they finally head to bed after lots of talking, drinking, and snacking, Sofia finally has the opportunity to process the interaction with Cassius. Had he somehow found out about her dinner with Sam? Or, did he figure she had been out with someone but not any specifics? The idea of him thinking she might have been out on a date makes her feel sick even if she would be well within her rights as a single woman to date anyone she wants.

The way he had touched her had been almost claiming as if he could smell or sense someone else on her and he was declaring Sofia off-limits. The thought is ridiculous but she is coming to learn that Cassius is unlike anyone she has ever met. It should scare her bought it only draws her closer. Sofia wants to get under his skin, to know his every secret. To feel the essence of his soul and intertwine it with her own until they are one.

The intensity of Sofia's longing is terrifying but not off-putting. It is new but feels like something old awakening and coming home. As if she was always meant to find her way to Cassius. Perhaps, she should just let herself fall. To dive into deep waters and allow the current to pull her wherever it may. Can she trust Cassius? Will he be there to pull her out of the stream, or let her drown?