A few days pass by, and fortunately for me, Cato's been away doing research outside of New Aberdeen. Rumours spread through the servants like wildfire, and I already know where he is. He's experimenting on that blasted occisor that he captured on his last expedition in space.

That deadly, monstrous, creature.

I hope he knows what he's doing. I understand that discovering life beyond earth is an accomplishment no other astronaut and scientist has ever achieved, but there's an unsettling danger to his discovery. He proceeds with caution, but each incoming report I've heard only brings unwarranted unease within me.

Either way, the danger of the occisor is far away from Cato's estate.

I turn the corridor while holding a basket of wrinkled soap-drenched towels to bring out to the line, only to nearly bump into Cato's chest.

"Oh my—"

Cato catches the basket before I drop it. When I meet his green eyes, the world around me disappears.

Even having the time to figure out my thoughts hasn't given me any defense mechanisms to the pure allure of this man.

His lips curve into a smirk as he hands the basket back to me. "Good thing it wasn't soup."

I scowl. "If I recall this properly, you spilled soup the last time I saw you."

"Do you blame me?" he chuckles as he runs a hand through his chestnut hair. That delectable curl falls across his forehead. His hair has always been a little unkempt regardless of the occasion.

I avert my gaze down to the basket of linens. "I should keep going with this..."

I brush past Cato's shoulder, only to have him do a complete 180 and follow beside me. Clotilde and Annie are aware that Cato and I are close, but the last I need is my relationship with Cato to be obvious.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around," he says as we walk into the courtyard. "Are you liking it here? Is Clotilde giving you a hard time?"

I roll my eyes. "Clotilde is treating me just fine."

"I think you're her favourite," he grins. "I know you're mine."

"Cato," I hiss, then scan around to see if any ears listen to us. Fortunately, the landscapers haven't reached this area of the gardens yet. "You shouldn't be talking to me right now."

"It's my estate."

I begin to hang up the sheets and towels. "Is there something you want from me?"

His expression twists with slight offense. "Why do you think I always want something from you?"

I glare at him, which causes him to burst into a quick laugh. Damn this man. Yet, inside, my stomach flutters with butterflies.

"The last time I hung up bedsheets with you around, you kissed me against the tree," I retort.

I shouldn't have said that. Behind his green eyes, I can already see him getting naughty ideas. He stuffs his hands into his pockets, then scans the courtyard until he locks his gaze on an old maple. In the flecks of green tainting those analytical irises, I see the image of him and I entwined.

He's hardly discreet with his emotions.

"So I'm assuming you and Gemma have set a date for the wedding then?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"I know what you're doing," he mutters, his voice suddenly hoarse. "Do I need to remind you about my thoughts on her?"

"You're still engaged to her."

"I don't have a choice. If I don't marry her, my family loses everything."

"And yet you do have a choice in this."

He stands there in silence as I clip up a few more sheets and towels. His eyes darken a little as our privacy increases with every additional sheet to the line. He's not going to make living here easy, is he? How can I get him to control his urges that almost seem primal?

Then I remember something. "I'll tell Clotilde if you're going to keep cornering me like this."

He smirks at the tease. "Of course you will. She's the only other person here who can tell me what to do, besides you."

"And you still refuse to listen to me," I giggle.

"I secretly think you like my stubborn ass," he whispers as he bends down and takes a sheet from the basket. He proceeds to help me string up the laundry.

Somehow, in that small moment, the sexual tension fades away into a more friendly aura. Somehow, the conversation shifts to our past escapades and games. We reminisce about how his mother became the ceasefire zone between us when we were children. When I became frustrated with Cato as a child, I told Evelyn. It was clear to her we were close, until the world decided that our friendship could no longer exist. Boundaries grew larger, and our ability to stay friends faded until he moved away to the academy.

When the laundry no longer needs to be strung, Cato snatches my wrist and pulls me deeper into the garden.

"I need to go finish my chores," I rouse with a fluttering giggle.

"As master of the estate, I can tell you to do whatever the hell I want." He grins at me. "Come with me."

I follow him behind him so naively, until we're surrounded in a maze of shrubs and hedges. He spins me around as if we're dancing, and a chorus of laughter sings through the air. He encapsulates me in his arms, and we dance until he's wedged me between his chest and a tree.

I look at him so elated, so overjoyed.

His smile beams like supernovas in the night sky, the golden flecks in his green eyes brighter than the stars. When his eyes fall drowsy, I know he wants nothing more than a kiss.

I set my finger on his lips. "We can't be doing this..."

"I just—" his breath hitches as he speaks against my fingertip. "I feel like myself around you. You listen to me ramble on about the stars and my research, all the stuff that bores everyone else."

I frown. "We can talk about the stars, but we need to learn how to make some space between us. I know you want more."

He presses himself more closely against me, and I let my fingers comb back the chestnut curl that falls across his vision. My heart dares to leap out of my chest and connect with the glorious astronaut pinned against me, but I take a deep breath in. The fresh air wafts clarity into my senses, and I know that keeping my guard up will be in our best benefit.

I look away. "I need this, Cato."

Those words are enough to make him pull back, freeing me from the tree. He seems a little perplexed and lost in thought, but he shoves his antsy hands back into his pockets. I can tell he's fighting with himself to either cave into his instincts or to obey my word.

In the end, he chooses to listen to my wishes.

He forces a charming smile.. "These past few days have been so fucking busy," he finally says, changing the subject. "But you won't believe the progress I've made."

I break away from the tree. "And?"

"I'm not trained in biology, but I've been working close with one of the head researchers from New Aberdeen University. We discovered that the occisor reproduces asexually."

I raise a brow in confusion.

"It means it doesn't require a sexual partner," he explains. "We think the creature has reached the age of adolescence, which means it will soon be of age to have offspring."

I swallow. I know the dangers of this creature, but Cato is unaware of my vast knowledge of it. I only know bits and pieces about the occisor. The last time Cato and I spoke of it back at his parents' estate, he showed me a real image on his digital journal.

"Is it a good idea to let it reproduce in captivity?"

"It's just a creature," he mutters. "Besides, it's better off in the warehouse out of the city than anywhere near here."

Because it's extremely deadly, I want to say out loud, but those words would offend his scientific brain.

Cato and I begin to wander towards the manor as thoughts of the occisor plague our conversation. "The plan is to transport it in a few weeks once the construction on the research centre is complete. We have a board meeting tonight to discuss it."

Even I can catch the worry etched in his voice. There's something behind the scenes regarding his occisor that he refuses to reveal.

"Do you think it will go well?" I question.

He shrugs. "Frank Patton wants it dead. Says the risks aren't worth the reward. I think I have the rest of the board convinced, though. Well, maybe not my dad..." his voice trails as he says this.

"Why not him?"

"Do I need to remind you of our bankruptcy?" he grunts. "My dad will do anything to suck up to that asshole."

Of course. Audwin Leveque is more likely to side with the man giving him the money, Frank Patton. The only reason Audwin has wealth isn't due to Leveque Corp, but rather Cato agreeing to marry Gemma. Then, both family assets would be combined, and the Leveque's can escape their debt.

Our conversations about the new research centre and research guide lead us into the manor. We walk down the corridors side-by-side, hands brushing but not clasping. Now I see what Cato wanted from me. He needed to unwind, let loose, spill his thoughts out.

If only he knew he didn't need me to try and seduce me to do so.

Suddenly, the communicator within Cato's pants buzzes. "Fuck," he curses softly under his breath, checking to see the notification. "I need to take this."

"Go," I smile, urging him onward. "Don't let me distract you."

He smiles at me as he places his communicator to his ear, then begins speaking to the voice on the other end with full Cato charisma. I blush as I watch him wander into study, then shut the door to give him privacy.

I adore Cato. I always have, and I know I always will. There's something about his passion and smile and everything that warms me up like an oven. Yet, no matter the attraction between us, I know it'll end in failure. There's still too many complications.

Too many obstacles in our way.

The wound of Thomas still remains fresh, and using Cato as a bandage will never work. Clotilde is right. I need space and time to heal.

I need to be sure of my actions to take.

Yet, as I turn around, I find Clotilde standing at the end of the hallway with a wide grin on her face. Was she always there? How much did she see? Did she see Cato and I hanging the laundry? Did she see him nearly corner me into the tree?

Instead, she only offers a large sigh. "What am I gonna do with you two kids?" she mutters, then continues on her way.

-----

A filler chapter with Cato. Buckle your seatbelts for the next chapter (it's already in the works!)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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