Joy soon realized that her pinches on Cassius's waist were having absolutely no effect on him whatsoever.
His muscles were too firm, his tolerance too high—she might as well have been trying to hurt a brick wall.
But she wasn't ready to let him go so easily. Not after everything he'd put her through.
So she changed tactics.
Her hands shot up to his cheeks, grabbing them and pulling them outward in a thoroughly undignified manner.
She stretched his face like dough, treating him like a fussy baby who needed to be taught a lesson.
"Take that!" She muttered, feeling a small surge of satisfaction. "And that. And that too!"
Cassius made exaggerated sounds of protest, which only made Joy pull harder.
She found herself enjoying the sight of his handsome face contorted into ridiculous shapes, and a genuine smile spread across her features.
Cassius, to her surprise, didn't resist at all.
