Chapter 133
"I get that this is your villa and all the beds are yours, but if I'm living here now, you could at least give me some personal space. It's really rude to barge into my room without knocking," Cassie snapped, not too pleased.
Joseph looked her up and down with a more intense mockery now. "You're sleeping in my room, in my bed, and you have the nerve to say I'm not giving you personal space? You've grown quite the thicker skin while you've been away."
Cassie paused, and it finally dawned on her. "Wait, are you saying this room is yours?"
"Knock it off," Joseph Hernandez said, his towering frame looming over Cassie as she lay sprawled across the bed, his hands planted firmly beside her ears.
A sly smile played on his lips. "I must say, you've got quite the devious mind. Living together's not enough for you; you had to take over my bed too, huh?"
Cassie's mind reeled. Had she really just napped the entire afternoon away in his bed?
At that moment, she could've drowned herself in the depths of despair.
"No, that's not it. I didn't know, the housekeeper... she brought me here," Cassie stammered.
"Oh, please, stop trying to pin it on the housekeeper," he taunted, gently grasping her chin, his gaze drifting downward. "Quite the little schemer, aren't you? That nightgown might not be the sexiest, but it sure has an innocent charm—it's a fresh tactic for seduction."
Cassie was speechless.
She hadn't intended any of this. It was just a typical hundred-dollar set from the corner store.
"I... I didn't..." she began.
"I know you want to be near me, but timing is everything. It's not even nightfall," Joseph said, his voice a tantalizing whisper as he took her delicate wrist in his hand, his breath growing closer.
Cassie was on the verge of a meltdown. "On my honor, I swear, it was the housekeeper's doing."
"Still making excuses?" he teased, pulling something out of his pocket. "Isn't this your idea of being 'prepared'?"
Cassie's face flushed a deep red as her eyes fell on the object— the gift Laura Miller had left for him, which he'd now found.
She was done for; no explanation could clear her now.
"I like a woman who's honest. A little acting is fine, but overdoing it is just dull," Joseph murmured, his eyes darkening as he leaned in for a kiss.
Panicked, Cassie blocked him with her hands against his chest. "Yes, yes, you're right, it's my fault. I wasn't thinking. Let's go have dinner, I've planned the whole menu. I'm going to cook you so many things tonight."
Joseph paused, his thoughts turning to her cooking. He actually was hungry. "Fair enough, we'll talk later."
He stood up leisurely, tossing the object back at her with a hint of mockery, "Throw this away, dummy."
Staring at the item in her hand, Cassie almost wished she could run headfirst into a wall.
Once downstairs, Cassie made a beeline for the kitchen.
The housekeeper came over to help with the vegetables, and Cassie couldn't help but ask, ""Why did you lead me into Joseph's room this afternoon?""
The housekeeper looked puzzled. "Aren't you two married? I've seen the marriage certificate with my eyes when I was cleaning."
Cassie fell silent. "The thing is... He and I..."
"Having a bit of trouble, are we?" the nanny continued. "Listen, sweetie, I've been around the block. Did you run off for a bit there? Now that you're back, why not both of you just meet halfway? Couples shouldn't sleep in separate rooms; it only drives a wedge between them."
"A house without a lady just doesn't feel like a home. Since I've been here, it’s been so quiet. Joseph Hernandez leaves early and comes back late. But look at you, your return's changed everything. I mean, he's never home this early. You two should have kids soon; I'll help you take care of them."
Cassie felt her head was going to explode as the nanny’s topics veered further off course, and she didn't dare say a word.
That night, Cassie made Joseph Hernandez dinner—a full dinner with several courses, all his favorites. He seemed to be in a good mood, appreciating that this woman remembered all the foods he loved.
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