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
The sharp sting spread across my cheek before I could register what had happened.
"You dare humiliate me like this?" My father shouted before slapping my other cheek. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
I touched my cheek, trying to hide the tremor in my hand. "It was just weed. It's not that big of a deal."
"Not that big of a deal?" He roared. "You are the future of this family, Cassian. Do you know what would have happened if someone got a photograph of you doing that nonsense?"
I clenched my fists at my sides.
"Now I have to call Principal Lockwood and tell her that there is a drug dealer at your school," he said and I glared at him.
"She's not a drug dealer and she had nothing to do with it."
"So what?" He snapped. "She was just in the boy's bathroom having a grand time?"
I stayed quiet.
"I'll pardon you this time for the sake of your mother not knowing," my father warned. "But if you ever try such nonsense again, I'll pull you out of that school and make sure that girl gets expelled."
"Is that understood?" He asked and I didn't answer. "Is that understood!?"
"Yes," I finally muttered and he walked out my room with a satisfied look on his face.
___
"Don't forget our first test is scheduled for Friday," our calculus teacher stated as she ended class.
I grabbed my bag and stood up to go, but Raven appeared in front of me.
"Ten thousand," she said as she crossed her arms.
I blinked before trying to get away from her.
She quickly grabbed my arm. "Where are you going?"
I looked down at her hand which was wrapped around my arm.
She looked back at my approaching security team before quickly dropping her hand.
I finally looked into her dark eyes. "I've changed my mind."
Her eyes widened. "What, why? Is it because of what I said yesterday? I didn't mean it. I just needed time to think."
"It doesn't matter the reason," I muttered. "I've changed my mind and that's it."
She scoffed. "So you're just going to give up on getting experience? Is this how you want your life to be?"
"It's not my life I'm living, so it doesn't matter," I said, trying to get away, but she blocked my path again.
"Move," I said quietly, not wanting to make a scene, but it looked like she enjoyed them. "Please."
"What's the real reason?" She asked boldly. "You don't just change your mind overnight."
