Chapter 25 Anastasia nodded . " Yeah , what are the odds . " She knew Cassian was supposed to be meeting friends for drinks tonight . Cassian's attention immediately locked onto her hand - even in the restaurant's dim lighting , the angry red burns across her pale skin were impossible to miss . His expression darkened instantly , something dangerous flashing behind his eyes . " Jesus , what happened ? " His voice was tight with barely controlled anger . Anastasia instinctively tried to hide her hand behind her back . " Just a coffee accident . Total klutz move . " She wasn't entirely sure if Valeria had deliberately served her molten coffee , but the temperature had definitely been suspicious . " Let me see . " Without waiting for permission , Cassian gently captured her injured hand and led her to the sink area , immediately turning on cold water . His touch was impossibly tender as he guided her hand under the stream , treating her like she was made of spun glass . His large hands completely engulfed hers , the contrast making her feel delicate and protected in a way that sent her heart racing . The cold water was soothing , but it couldn't cool the heat spreading through her chest from his intense care . " Better ? " His voice was soft with concern , his thumb tracing careful circles around the uninjured skin of her wrist . " Much better , " she whispered , though truthfully , his touch was making her feel dizzy for entirely different reasons . The burns still stung , but watching him focus so intently on taking care of her made everything else 16:50 Dumped Today Married Tomorrow My Quorniake : Chapter 25 fade into background noise . Cassian frowned as he examined the damage . " Coffee doesn't get this hot by accident . Someone fucked up badly . " Anastasia almost told him about Valeria's sketchy behavior but stopped herself . She didn't want to drag him into her family drama or make him worry more than he already was . " Probably just an overworked barista , " she said , trying to sound casual . Cassian's piercing gaze suggested he wasn't buying her explanation , but he didn't push . He turned off the water and pulled an expensive silk handkerchief from his jacket, gently patting her hand dry with infinite care . " I've got aloe gel and burn cream at home . Can you leave now ? " His protective tone made her stomach flutter . Anastasia sighed . " I wish I could , but Mr. Parker still hasn't signed anything . " That perverted asshole had been stalling all night with his wandering hands and inappropriate comments . But she needed this contract signed so Jasper couldn't find more excuses to delay their separation . Cassian's entire demeanor went ice - cold . " You've been dealing with this for over an hour , got njured , and he still hasn't signed ? " The way he said it made Parker sound like a dead man walking . I'll have Phillips take care of it . " His voice was deadly calm . Marco Parker was about to discover what happened when you messed with Mrs. Rhodes . You can't just swoop in and handle my work stuff ! Besides , aren't your friends waiting for you ? " Anastasia protested , though part of her was secretly thrilled by his protective instincts . My friends can wait . " His tone left absolutely no room for argument . " We're going home so I can 16:50 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 17.399 Chapter 25 properly treat those burns . " The possessive way he said " we " and " home " made her knees weak . Seeing that implacable expression , Anastasia knew resistance was pointless - and honestly , she didn't want to resist . Being taken care of by him felt better than any business deal . As he escorted her out , she heard him speaking curtly into his phone , giving Phillips instructions to handle the Parker situation immediately . Anastasia felt guilty about involving his assistant , but she'd definitely thank Phillips properly later . The man was probably used to cleaning up situations for his boss anyway . Meanwhile , across the restaurant in another private dining room , Yinsen Hunter was getting progressively drunker with their crew . Multiple empty bottles of premium whiskey decorated their table . ' Where the fuck is Cassian ? This was his idea ! " one guy complained , checking his Rolex . " He specifically wanted to come to this place . " ' Maybe he's got some secret side action going on here , " another joked , loosening his tie . ' Cassian Rhodes with a secret girlfriend ? Dude's probably asexual . Only woman I've ever seen him with is Sonia Vinci at those corporate galas , and that's strictly business . " The table erupted in drunken laughter as they continued roasting their absent friend . Yinsen waved his glass dismissively. " Relax , guys . He's probably just stuck in some emergency board neeting or whatever . You know how he is . " They kept drinking and waiting , completely oblivious that their notoriously reliable friend had just abandoned them for a woman . And they were all expecting him to handle the extremely expensive tab they were racking up . 16:50 0 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 17.59