The moment Cassian and Sienna stepped back into Evermark's headquarters, the applause felt just as loud—if not louder—than when they first signed the deal.
It had been a whirlwind.
And now, back home.
Evermark's lobby looked exactly the same—sleek, modern, all chrome and glass—but something was different. Warmer. Familiar staff members had gathered in clusters near reception, some with coffee cups, others with their phones discreetly out to snap a photo.
A handmade banner hung from the mezzanine that read: "Welcome Home, Boss & Beauty," complete with red-gold trim and tiny hand-cut lanterns.
Cassian leaned down slightly, his breath brushing her ear. "Look," he whispered, voice low and mischievous. "Same lanterns as that motel..."
Sienna nearly choked on her laugh, her entire face going red in an instant. "Cassian," she hissed, swatting at him lightly.
Cassian grinned, one hand sliding to the small of Sienna's back like it belonged there. His other hand waved off the applause, but his face said otherwise—he was loving it.
"You two crushed it," Luis pushing through the crowd to hug them two.
Cassian nodded to the team, his expression effortlessly composed in that CEO way—but then he raised his voice just enough for the group to hear, the teasing laced in.
"Honestly, I think the board was just too mesmerized by my girlfriend's beauty. They had no choice but to approve the deal."
There were a few chuckles and playful groans from the staff, but then Cassian added, voice sincere, "But seriously—I want to thank everyone here who worked their ass off for this deal. This didn't happen in a week. You all built this, piece by piece, and I'm proud of every single one of you."
The team had pulled together a spontaneous celebration in the executive lounge. There were cupcakes frosted with little Evermark logos, catered lunch trays, fizzy drinks, and Cassian practically glued to Sienna's side. He couldn't stop smiling. Couldn't stop touching her.
He held her hand when she passed him a plate. Rested a palm on her hip as they stood chatting with the operations team. Brushed her hair back when no one was looking—except everyone was looking.
"Stooop it," she whispered, trying to suppress a grin as he tucked her closer while she tried to sip her drink.
"Boss privileges," he murmured back, nuzzling the top of her head.
Luis appeared at the lounge entrance, tablet in hand. "Cass, Sienna quick board debrief upstairs?"
Cassian groaned dramatically but kissed her temple before peeling away. "You can stay here. I'll handle them."
Sienna breathe a sigh of relief. She didn't really like those white haired, stuck-up, elders. Especially when they try to demean their hard work. "You sure?"
He laughs a little and kissed her temple again. "Yeah."
As soon as he disappeared, Sienna turned—and immediately found herself surrounded.
"So, Shanghai, huh?" Letty grinned, eyes twinkling. "That post had 'soft launch' energy."
"It was a business trip," Sienna said, trying to sound casual.
Celine raised an eyebrow. "Business with skyline suites and morning-after glows?"
Sienna laughed, cheeks going red. "We worked. A lot."
"Yeah, yeah," someone chimed in. "Worked each other, maybe."
Sienna groaned but couldn't stop the grin tugging at her lips. "It wasn't a honeymoon."
"Sure, sure," Mel teased. "But if it had been, it would've been iconic."
Sienna shook her head, pressing a hand to her flushed face. "You're all terrible."
—
Later that evening, Cassian insisted on driving her home himself. The New York skyline melted into amber as the sun sank behind the towers, casting long golden streaks across the windshield. The city buzzed around them, but inside the car, everything was quiet and soft.
He drove with one hand on the wheel, the other holding hers across the center console like he wasn't ready to let go of the day—or of her.
His voice broke the silence, low and awed. "Do you know what this means?"
She turned to look at him. He was still glowing. No tension in his jaw, no frown in his brow. Just pure, boyish joy.
"That partnership made Evermark one of the top five construction firms in the country. The press is calling us 'America's new powerhouse.' Shares are up almost thirty percent since the deal closed. We're not just stable anymore—we're untouchable."
Sienna's heart swelled as she watched him. He looked like the man she met years ago, full of ambition and caffeine and impossible dreams—but now sharper, steadier, and fulfilled.
She squeezed his hand. "I'm proud of you, Cass. You did it."
He glanced at her, then back at the road. His voice softened. "We did it. You stood by me when no one else would. You saw it before anyone else did. I'll never forget that."
She smiled, full and slow. "I never doubted you for a second."
They arrived at her apartment just as the sky was fading to indigo. She stepped out first, but paused near the stairs, watching as Cassian popped the trunk and casually pulled out a small backpack.
Her brows lifted. "You brought a bag?"
He shrugged with a grin, slinging it over his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Just in case I wasn't ready to leave you yet."
Inside, Cassian moved with that familiar comfort—setting his bag down, rolling up his sleeves, and heading straight for the kitchen.
"You're cooking?" she asked, amused.
"Of course. You deserve a night off," he said, already pulling ingredients from the fridge like he owned the place.
While he stirred a pan of pasta and tossed garlic bread into the oven, they chatted about nothing and everything. The glow of the day hadn't worn off, and Sienna watched him with a soft heart and quiet awe.
Dinner was simple, but perfect. They ate on the couch, legs tangled together, plates balanced on their laps.
Afterward, Cassian disappeared into the bathroom—and when he returned, her mouth fell open slightly.
He looked freshly showered, hair damp, skin glowing, dressed in soft gray pajamas with his sleeves pushed up.
"Getting comfy?" she asked, sipping her water.
He padded over with all the subtlety of a wolf in silk. "Aren't you going to ask if I'm going home?"
She blinked. "You're... not?"
Cassian gave her a dramatic little whine as he dropped beside her. "You're not there. Why would I go home? I want to cuddle you. Maybe ruin you a little. Then cuddle again."
She burst out laughing, burying her face into the pillow.
"Just let me sleep here," he added, voice low and coaxing. "I've already cooked, I want to cuddle, I'll behave—mostly. Please?"
Sienna sat up, giving him a look. "You're not going to stop again if you sleep here. And we have work tomorrow."
Cassian immediately clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture. "I swear. I'll be good. Just cuddles. Probably. Maybe. Kind of."
She shook her head, fighting a grin. "You're so full of it."
"But full of love," he added dramatically.
She laughed, finally giving in with a sigh. "Okay. Fine. You can stay."
Cassian beamed, surging forward to kiss her—slow, grateful, and far too happy to be subtle about it.