CHAPTER 161: HAPPINESS

When Cassidy pulled back, Zeke placed his hand on the back of her head and brought her lips back to his. He kisses her harder, biting, sucking, then slipping his tongue in to play with hers.

Cassidy was left breathless as Zeke keeps devouring her mouth, not giving her a moment to breathe. Desperate, she pounds lightly against his chest, pleading for release.

With visible reluctance, Zeke finally tears his lips from hers. Cassidy gasps, panting as air finally rushes back into her lungs.

Zeke cups Cassidy’s cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. Once he sees she’s breathing normally again, he leans in and captures her lips once more, this time slow, tender, coaxing rather than demanding. Cassidy feels the shift instantly, the fire from before softens into something that pulls her in, leaving her lost in the sweetness of it.

Honestly, Cassidy wants it too. Kissing alone doesn’t feel enough anymore.

Zeke isn’t satisfied with only her lips. He pulls away just enough to breathe against her mouth, his voice rough and low. "Baby, I want you."

"Okay." Cassidy’s voice is soft, but there’s no hesitation. She wants it too. With Claire asleep, this is their moment to give in to what they feel.

Hearing her answer, Zeke lowers his lips to her neck. He knew it was her weakest spot, the place that always makes her shiver with desire. Sure enough, the moment his mouth touches her skin, Cassidy lets out a quiet moan.

Zeke’s hand roams over Cassidy’s body, sliding under her blouse, fingertips brushing against her warm skin with deliberate slowness.

Feeling how close he is to losing control and realizing they’re still in his office, Cassidy whispers softly, "Not here... Let’s go to the bedroom."

Zeke lifts his lips from her neck, his eyes burning with desire as they lock onto hers. "Why not here?" he murmurs, his voice heavy with heat. "Wouldn’t it be more exciting? We’ve never done it in my office... and I want to. I also want to try different places. Maybe next time the kitchen," he said, completely serious, forgetting they aren’t alone in the house.

His bold words make Cassidy’s eyes widen, her cheeks burning as her heart raced out of control. The mix of embarrassment and desire made it impossible to resist. She lets herself give in to Zeke, their lips crashing together before he guides her back against his desk.

The office fills with the sound of their ragged breaths and hungry kisses as they lose themselves in each other.

"How does it feel doing it in the office, baby?" Zeke asked, his voice hoarse after their passion finally calms.

"Mhm..." Cassidy hums softly, her eyes fluttering shut.

She rests against his chest on the sofa, too drained to move. Her body is aching, but inside she feels warm, complete, and deeply satisfied.

Seeing Cassidy exhausted, Zeke smiled softly and kissed her cheek.

They rested for a moment before Zeke said, "Baby, wait here. I’ll go get a blanket," his gaze lingering on Cassidy, who was nearly naked and too weak to move.

Cassidy didn’t answer—she had already fallen asleep. Slowly, Zeke adjusted her body, making sure she was comfortable against the sofa before he stood up.

Once on his feet, Zeke gathered his clothes scattered carelessly across the floor and began to put them on.

After getting dressed, he went to their bedroom to fetch a blanket and returned to his study. Seeing Cassidy still asleep, Zeke carefully covered her with the blanket before lifting her in his arms to carry her to their room.

In the bedroom, Zeke gently laid Cassidy down on the bed. He then went to the bathroom, soaked a towel with warm water, and brought it back to clean her body.

He cleaned Cassidy’s body gently, careful not to wake her. Once he was done, he took a quick shower himself. Later, he lay down beside her, letting her rest in his arms.

Cassidy woke up with her body sore. She thought she probably needed to hit the gym, since her stamina was low and she got tired easily.

Turning to the side, she found Zeke still asleep. A small smile curved on her lips as she lifted her finger and traced the lines of his face.

The urge to tease Zeke came over her. Cassidy pinched his nose for a few seconds, making it hard for him to breathe, then let go.

Zeke was already awake the moment Cassidy started tracing his face. But he pretended to stay asleep, curious about what she was going to do next.

"Are you trying to kill your husband?" Zeke opened his eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I knew you were awake," Cassidy replied. Earlier, when she traced his face, she caught the small frown he made.

Zeke chuckled at her explanation. He thought he had fooled her, but clearly not.

"So, where’s my morning kiss?" he asked, pouting his lips playfully toward her.

Cassidy pressed her palm over his mouth. "Not now. I haven’t brushed my teeth," she said, uncomfortable with the idea of kissing before freshening up.

"It’s fine. I don’t care," Zeke replied, pulling her hand away.

"But I do," Cassidy countered.

"Then just a quick peck," Zeke said, stealing a quick kiss from her lips before she could stop him.

Cassidy shook her head in disbelief at Zeke’s behavior. "You’re unbelievable."

Zeke pulled her into his arms. "Come on, let’s sleep a little longer, baby."

"Okay," Cassidy agreed, closing her eyes again as she felt the warmth of his bare skin against hers.

They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until morning. When Cassidy woke, Zeke was gone. She sat on the bed, stretching to loosen her stiff muscles. After a few stretches, she lazily dragged herself toward the bathroom for a shower.

After her shower, Cassidy went to Claire’s room, but her daughter was already awake and gone. She headed downstairs and asked one of Zeke’s butlers, "Where are Zeke and Claire?"

"Madam, sir and the young miss are in the backyard playing with Rocco."

Cassidy nodded and made her way toward the backyard. Cassidy’s heart immediately warmed when she saw Zeke and Claire playing with Rocco.

She felt that her life was finally whole and that she was truly content.

With her arms crossed, she watched them from afar, memories of the past quietly coming back to her.

Thinking about the journey of her life, from all the struggles to her happiness now—Cassidy sighed. She had been through so much and had learned a lot along the way. Now, all she wanted was for herself, Claire, and Zeke to live quietly and happily. Nothing more.

As Cassidy was lost in thought, reflecting on her life, Zeke spotted her and said to Claire, "Look, princess. Mommy’s awake." He pointed toward Cassidy.

Claire followed Zeke’s finger and saw Cassidy. With a loud, joyful voice, she shouted, "Mommy, come here! Play with us!"

Cassidy heard Claire and smiled, waving at both Zeke and Claire. "You guys go ahead and play. Mommy will just watch from here."

"Come on, Mommy. Come play with us," Claire pleaded.

Cassidy didn’t want to disappoint Claire, so she walked over. As soon as she got close to Zeke and Claire, Claire suddenly ran up and hugged her. "Mommy..." she giggled.

"Have you and Daddy been playing with Rocco for a long time?" Cassidy asked, having already glanced at the clock—it was already 10 a.m.

Luckily, it was a day off, so neither Zeke nor Claire had to go to work or school.

"Yeah. I wanted to wake you up earlier, but Daddy didn’t allow it. He said you were too tired and needed to sleep longer, Mommy," Claire explained. Cassidy turned to look at Zeke, who was busy petting Rocco.

"I’m sorry. Daddy was right—Mommy was too tired, so I slept in," Cassidy said, gently stroking the top of Claire’s head.

"It’s okay, Mommy. I understand," Claire replied.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Cassidy said softly.

From the corner of her eye, Cassidy saw Zeke walking toward them, Rocco trotting by his side.

"Does your body hurt, baby?" Zeke whispered in her ear as he reached her.

"Yeah. It hurts. Because of you," Cassidy grumbled.

Zeke chuckled. "Next time, I’ll try to be gentler," he said.

Seeing Cassidy and Zeke whispering, Claire tilted her head curiously. "Mommy, Daddy, what are you two talking about?" she asked.

Cassidy quickly pushed Zeke slightly away. "Nothing, sweetheart," she replied to Claire.

Zeke let out a small laugh. "Princess, don’t you want to go to the zoo?" he said, remembering what Claire had mentioned earlier.

"Are we going to the zoo, Daddy?" Claire asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Yeah. Today we’re going to the zoo," he replied.

Cassidy frowned. She hadn’t been told about the zoo trip. "We’re going to the zoo?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah. I’ve already planned everything. Don’t worry, baby," Zeke said, reassuring her.