The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 63 - sixty three

Chapter Sixty-Three

Alicia’s POV

Sleep evaded me all night.

I kept switching positions on the bed. But sleep wouldn’t come.

Fine! I lost.

My mind kept drifting to the park and getting to hold Malachi’s hand like we were a real couple. He’d told me his heart beat only for me.

Heat rose to my cheeks as I remembered. His eyes. His smile. His voice.

"Only if he could be mine,"

I sighed.

Soon, he’d probably be arranged to marry a woman. A woman who wouldn’t be me. The thought made my chest twist in pain.

My eyes were fixed on the chandelier— empty.

Malachi made everything seems like a fairytale. If only it were...

Every touch. Every kiss. Every confession. It only made me crave him more.

I was getting attached. That wasn’t right.

I sighed at how miserable I was. Wanting a man I shouldn’t want.

My eyes stayed open till morning.

I kicked off the covers, ready to start a new day. I had my bath, dressed up and ate breakfast.

Then, I dropped Sophie off at school. She practically bounced out of the car, eager to see her new friend Emma. It made me smile watching her run toward the entrance.

"Have a good day!" I called after her.

She turned and waved before disappearing inside. I loved the way Sophie was enjoying school and everything about her new life. It was the one good thing to come out of this whole situation.

I needed her to be hopeful and happy again.

After leaving the school, I drove to Cassie’s house. She’d begged me to come visit her. Saying she felt lonely in her new home. When I pulled up to the address she’d given me, my jaw dropped.

It was a large mansion. Not as big as the Blackwood estate, but impressive. Modern architecture, perfectly manicured lawn, a fountain in the front.

Cassie opened the door before I could knock, grinning widely.

"Welcome to my new place!"

"Cassie, this is incredible. How did you afford this?"

She pulled me inside. "My boyfriend helped. He’s got connections in real estate, remember? Got me an amazing deal."

The interior was just as impressive. High ceilings, marble floors, expensive furniture everywhere.

"This is more than a deal," I said, looking around. "This is a palace."

"I know, right? Come on, I set up the yoga room upstairs."

We spent the morning doing yoga together. Cassie had hired an instructor who came twice a week, and she’d picked up the basics quickly. After that, we had medicinal baths in her massive bathroom. Herbs and salts that were supposed to be good for the skin.

"I feel like royalty," I said, sinking into the warm water.

"Get used to it. This is my life now."

After the bath, we went to the kitchen and cooked lunch together. Nothing fancy, just pasta and salad, but it felt normal. Like old times when we were just two friends trying to figure out life.

"So," Cassie said as we ate. "I need your help with something."

"What kind of help?"

She grinned mischievously. "I want to get wild with my new lover."

I nearly choked on my pasta. "What?"

"Come on, don’t act shocked. We’ve been dating for almost a month now and I want to spice things up." She pulled out a shopping bag from under the table. "I already bought some sexy lingerie and other stuff. But I need to know how to move. You know, be seductive."

"Cassie, I don’t think I’m the right person to teach you that."

"Why not? You have a really nice figure and a slim waist. You know how to move."

"That doesn’t mean I can teach you."

"Please, Alicia. I trust you. And it’ll be fun."

I sighed. When Cassie got an idea in her head, there was no stopping her.

"Fine. But just the basics."

"Yes!" She jumped up. "Let me go change into something comfortable."

She disappeared upstairs while I cleared the lunch dishes. This was going to be awkward.

My phone rang. It was Malachi calling. Which was weird. He rarely called during the day.

"Hello?"

"Where did you keep the Morrison file?" His voice was business-like. Distant.

Was he having a bad day?

"It’s in the third drawer of the study desk. Left side."

"Got it. Thanks."

I stared at my phone, confused. That was it? That’s all he wanted? Weird ass man. Humph!

"Alicia!" Cassie called from upstairs. "Come on, come teach me how to move already!"

I set my phone on the kitchen counter and went upstairs. Cassie was in her bedroom wearing comfortable clothes. A pair of leggings and a crop top.

"Okay, so show me," she said eagerly, her eyes beaming with excitement.

I demonstrated the basics. How to move your hips. How to keep your movements fluid. How to make it look natural instead of forced.

"This is harder than it looks," Cassie said, trying to copy my movements.

"It takes practice."

She kept trying, getting slightly better each time. Then she grabbed her phone and put on some music. Something with a heavy beat.

"Now do it with the music," she said.

I rolled my eyes but complied. Started moving my hips in time with the beat. Cassie immediately started hyping me up.

"Yes! Like that! You’re so good at this!"

"Cassie, stop."

"No, seriously. You should see yourself. If I was a guy, I’d be on my knees."

I laughed despite myself. "You’re ridiculous."

"I’m honest. Keep going."

I moved for another minute before stopping. "Your turn."

She tried, but her movements were still stiff. Awkward.

"I have better music on my phone," I said. "Maybe a different beat will help."

I went back downstairs to grab my phone from the kitchen counter. Scrolled through my playlist and found something with a slower, more sensual rhythm.

Back in Cassie’s room, I played the song and demonstrated again. This time giving her step by step instructions.

"Roll your hips first. Then add the shoulder movement. Keep your core tight. Let the music guide you."

Cassie followed along, slowly getting the hang of it. By the third song, she was actually doing pretty well.

"I think I’ve got it!" she said excitedly.

"You do. Just practice and you’ll be fine."

"Thank you so much. You’re the best friend ever."

We spent another hour just talking and laughing before I checked the time. Almost two. I needed to pick up Sophie.

"Come with me," I said to Cassie. "I’m sure Sophie would love to see you."

"Really? Okay!"

We drove to the school together. Students were already pouring out of the building. I spotted Sophie near the front entrance, talking to someone.

A boy. Tall for his age, maybe a year or two older than her. They were laughing about something.

"Looks like Sophie’s making friends," Cassie said with a grin.

I felt a mix of emotions. Happy that she was socializing. Proud that she was coming out of her shell. But also worried. She was still so young. Too young for whatever that might become.

"Is that her boyfriend?" Cassie teased.

"Don’t even joke about that."

Sophie spotted us and waved. Said goodbye to the boy and ran over.

"Cassie!" Her face lit up when she saw my friend. "You’re here!"

"Hi, Sophie! Look at you, all grown up now."

Sophie still remembered a little bit of Cassie from when we were in Dark City. Before everything changed.

"How was school?" I asked.

"Great! We had science today and we got to do experiments. David helped explain some stuff."

"Who’s David?"

She blushed slightly. "Just a friend."

"The boy you were talking to?" Cassie asked with a knowing smile.

"Maybe."

I exchanged a look with Cassie. Sophie was growing up. Becoming a young woman. It made me both proud and terrified.

"Can we get ice cream?" Sophie asked.

"Actually, I have a better idea," Cassie said. "There’s a new movie out. Want to go see it?"

Sophie’s eyes lit up. "Really? Can we, Alicia?"

I checked my phone. We had time. "Sure. Why not?"

We went to the cinema and watched some animated movie Sophie had been wanting to see. She sat between us, completely absorbed in the story. Laughing at the funny parts. Gasping at the dramatic moments.

Watching her, I felt something warm settle in my chest. This was good. This was what she deserved. Normal experiences. Happy memories.

She’d spent years under father’s roof. Probably had a lot of experiences she wanted buried. I was so glad she was free now.

After the movie, we got food at a casual restaurant near the cinema. Sophie talked non-stop about the movie, about school, about her new friends.

"David said he might invite me to his birthday party next month," she said casually.

There it was again. David.

It felt like the name had been imprinted on her lips.

"That’s nice," I said carefully.

Cassie kicked me under the table. I glared at her but she just grinned.

"God, help me."

I muttered.