When Raven agrees to help sheltered Cassian complete his list of firsts in exchange for cash, it's strictly business-until their deal ignites an undeniable chemistry neither of them saw coming.
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After making a deal to finish her last year at Bria...
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Cassian's POV
I stared at the Briarwood Academy portal on my laptop, the school crest spinning as the site loaded.
Leaning back into my chair, I adjusted my glasses and ran a hand through my tangled curls before the page finally loaded.
My fingers hovered over the mouse as I skimmed through my classes and their assignments.
Most of them weren't hard, but knowing my father, I had to be top of the class for all of them.
Suddenly, a knock at the door broke the silence before the door swung open.
I looked over my shoulder to see my father heading inside.
I turned to face my laptop again. "I'm busy."
He ignored me before throwing two envelopes in front of me.
"Harvard and Yale accepted you without your mother's interference," he informed me and I slowly opened the envelopes.
He sat on my bed as I scanned the contents of the letters.
Their letters consisted of formal congratulations on what most people would consider the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" I asked him and he glared at me.
"It's not about what I want, Cassian," he replied sharply. "It's about what's expected of you."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Well, congratulations, father. You got what you expected."
He crossed his arms, his posture rigid.
"This is only the beginning. If you think acceptance is enough, you're wrong."
"They'll be watching your every move from now until graduation. Your grades, your extracurriculars, how you conduct yourself. You can't afford to slack off."
"Understood," I said flatly, turning back to my laptop.
He didn't move, his presence looming over me.
"Don't think for a second that your mother and I won't be watching too."
"One misstep, Cassian, and everything we've built—everything I've worked for—could come crashing down. Do you want that?"
I clenched my jaw. "No."
Without another word, he got up and left the room.
My glasses began to fall from my face again and instead of adjusting it, I grabbed it and angrily threw it at the door.
They immediately clattered against the door before falling to the floor.
The sound echoed through the room, but I refused to go pick them up even though my vision blurred without them.
