Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 441 A Losing Battle

I slipped into my new lace nightgown, the soft fabric hugging my curves just right. With a warm glass of milk in my hands, I walked to the study door and gave it a gentle knock before flashing my sweetest smile.

“Caden, I warmed this up for you. Have a sip,” I said, setting the glass down on his desk.

Leaning forward slightly, I let my neckline dip just enough to reveal the soft curves of my chest, hoping to catch his attention. But Caden barely spared me a glance before returning to his work.

“Thanks. Just leave it there–I’ll drink it later,” he said casually.

“Oh!” A pang of disappointment hit me. I mean, come on! I wasn’t just any girl–I had the kind of body that turned heads. And yet, standing right here in front of him, he wasn’t the least bit tempted?

With that thought, I slid my hand onto his arm and eased myself onto his lap, looping my arms around his neck. My voice softened into a whisper. “Caden, it’s getting late. You’ve been working all day at the office–why don’t you take a break and rest?”

As I spoke, I leaned in closer, lowering my eyes as I moved to press my lips against his.

Just as our lips were about to meet, a moan escaped my throat; Caden’s hand came up, firm against my shoulder, halting my progress.

Stunned, I looked up at him as he gently but decisively put space between us. His voice remained calm, polite–even warm–but there was no mistaking the rejection. “Tessa, it’s late. I still have work to do for tomorrow’s meeting. You’re not in the best health; you should get some rest before you catch a cold,” he said, his tone gentle but distant.

“Caden!” I widened my eyes in disbelief.

I hadn’t expected him to reject me. For a moment, I was at a loss for words, still unwilling to give up. But when I met his cool, unreadable gaze, the small flicker of confidence I had left was extinguished.

the Eclipse Pack certainly

I’ll

Caden’s POV:

bedroom door clicked shut, I finally

exactly what she was trying to

been

Caden.”

of it, but barely three hours later, I heard her panicked voice calling out from down the

sigh, I got up and walked toward the sound. It was coming from her bedroom.

open the door, I found Heidi sitting up in bed, her face pale,

1/2

2:45 pm 70

A Losing

she’d seen

saw me, her voice trembled with unshed tears. “Caden, I–I’m scared.”

still at

+8 Pearls

my expression concerned.

waist, pressing her face against my chest. “It was horrible,” she whimpered. “I dreamed we were back in that cabin, the one where those

her back, my voice steady. “It was just a dream, Tessa. It’s over. Nothing like that will ever happen to you