A wide grin split his face. “Don’t hate, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
“Whatever you say, bro.” Chortling under his breath, Cassius shrugged the heavy overcoat on. Then, grasping the doorknob, he saluted him. “Give Bella my best, okay?”
“I certainly will.”
A second later, he was alone.
Turning, he faced the living room again.
He gave a faint grin.
Finally, a real future awaited.
His cell phone vibrated.
Once he met the coffee table, he snatched it up.
“Palmore?” he muttered in surprise, upon seeing his surname scrolling across the screen. “We haven’t spoken in weeks. Better yet, you’ve been off my payroll, at least that’s what I thought.” A careful frown pierced his forehead. “So, what in the hell do you want?”
Quickly, he scanned the text message.
For weeks, I’ve been pursuing a lead, and it’s brought about the most interesting information---information about Ms. Spencer. But, this isn’t the kind of news to share over the phone; it’s that heavy. So, it’s pertinent that you contact me, pronto.
“Pronto?” he scoffed with sudden irritation. “It’s a case of being a little too late, Palmore. Weeks ago, I learned the unfortunate news about her relationship with Vitali. So, tell me something that I already don’t know.”
As he strolled away, the text message was all forgotten.
Chapter 23
“Braden, I need help getting things out of the…” As she stopped dead in her tracks, her words trailed off in stunned surprise. “…car…”
The living room was candlelit.
A small oval table rested directly before the fireplace.
All so perfectly, a red rose occupied a crystalline vase.
At once, string music kicked on and filled the space.
Not only that, the area was overridden by a pleasing citrus smell.
“What are you up to, baby?” Giving a smile, she surged forward before making her way towards the table. “I like it whatever it is.”
Just as she reached it, a female maitre d spirited from out of nowhere.
She started in surprise. “Who are you?”
“Ms. Spencer, I presume? Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Manny, and I’m from Delicate Catering,” the woman offered a kind smile. She was dressed sharply in a white tuxedo, black tie and all. A black apron was tied securely around her waist, and the front lapel carried the company logo. On her arm, she balanced a tray with two wine goblets and a carefully folded note with her name etched across it. “Please have a seat. Mr. Jameson will join you shortly.” She passed her the note before placing two full wine goblets onto the table. “This evening I have the pleasure of serving you and Mr. Jameson. Is there anything that I can get you at the moment?”
“No, thank you.” She passed a cordial smile before sinking down onto the chair. she said, absentmindedly, sinking down onto a chair. “I’m good right now.”
“Very well. Preparations are still being made for dinner.” The woman gave a slight bow. “So, if you’ll excuse me?”
“Thank you. Again, that’s all.”
As the woman strode away, she wasn’t watching.
Instead, she busied herself with unfolding the correspondence.
Quickly, she scanned the note.
Damsel,
To say that you’ve rocked my world wouldn’t even begin to explain things. Tonight, I just want to express how deeply I love you. So, sit back, relax, and just let go.
I love you, baby.
Braden
“Ah, you’re so sweet.” Smiling, she placed a hand against her mouth, and then stared around the living room with misty eyes. “You’re so good to me.” She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you. But, I plan on holding on.”
“Oh no! I must look a mess.”
She peered down at the black sweater dress.
With relief, she noticed that she was still presentable, which was surprising since she’d trampled around the greenhouse garden all afternoon. Too, the black thigh high boots were still high polished and comfortable.
She touched a hand to her nape.
The tightly knit bun was still intact---
A sensual command came from behind her.
Startled, she gasped in surprise.
“Close your eyes,” Braden ordered softly, and his voice dripped with a sexual ooze of promise. “And don’t open them until I tell you to. Okay?”
Her voice trembled. “Okay.”
Though her eyes were squeezed shut, she counted his every step.
As he stopped directly behind her chair, she caught a breath.
“Keep them closed,” he whispered at her ear. “…or else…and that else will be damned good for both you and me. But, for now, just play along with me, alright?”
She licked her lips. “A—alright.”
Behind her lids, she sensed his shadow, and it overpowered her sitting form as he leaned down. Against her chest, something solid dropped, and instinctively, her hands went there. After grabbing hold of the necklace, she gasped in shock. Then, ever so gently, she fingered the delicate diamond.
His command was sensually soft again. “Open your eyes.”
“Oh, Braden,” she whispered, fingering the teardrop necklace. “It’s beautiful. I don’t know if I can accept such an expensive gift.”
“Of course, you’re going to accept it, and nothing, absolutely nothing, is as beautiful as you are.” As his large hands closed about her shoulders and began kneading them, she shivered with need. Her reaction caused him to lean down again. As his lips touched her earlobe, she moaned softly, and then received a gentle nip at that very point. When he spoke, his warm breath teased her tingling flesh. “Keep this up, and there won’t be any dinner.” He smiled against her ear. “But, I promised myself that I’d be a good boy…at least for a little while.”
“What if I don’t want you to be?” she whispered again, turning her head slightly, and found his lips waiting. A fresh whiff of tonic exuded from his hot mouth and seared her scattered senses more. “What if I want you to be bad and naughty as hell---”
His lips stole hers.
She was ready.
Their kiss was long, deep, and starving.
When they were both needing and wanting, they broke apart.
“Whoa, we better slow down, or Manny is going to see more than she bargained for, namely me making love to you.” Grasping her chin, he gave her a quick peck. Then, clearing his throat, he straightened before taking the chair on the opposite side of the table. Under the candlelight, the red blend of his turtleneck played well against his lightly toasted skin. “But, once and for all, I’m going to prove that I possess some gentlemanly qualities.” His look became serious. “I want you to understand that there are some good things about me. I’m not all nightmarish.”
She stared at him across the table. “Why are you always stressing about that?”
“What?”
“That you’re not good enough for me.”
“Truth is, I’m not---”
“No, you’re wrong.” She closed a hand on his and linked their fingers. “You are better than enough. I love everything about you, Braden.” Her eyes misted over. “There’s not a single thing that I’d change.”
“I love you, Bella. All I want for you is the best.”
“You are my best.” She tightened her hold. “Please believe that.”
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you are, tonight?” After raising their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers. Then, his gray orbs mesmerized hers further as he looked at her. “But, what else is new, right?”
“You flatter me.” Her brown eyes softened. “Truth told, whenever you look at me, I feel beautiful….whole…wanted…”
“That’s my job---to let you know just how damned precious you are.” Gently, he lowered their joined hands back to
the table. “How was your outing with Mama?”
“We had a great time together,” she marveled with a tiny grin. “Know what amazes me? She knows so much about gardening! There are flowers and plants grooming in her greenhouse that I’ve never heard or seen before. Simply put, your mother is amazing.”
He gave a proud smile. “That she is.”
“And we talked,” she admitted, biting her lip. “About our mutual traumas, her being abused….” She looked away from him briefly. “…and Gage…”
“Hey, it’s okay.” His hold tightened on her hand. “You don’t have to pretend with me. Anytime that you want to talk about Gage, we can, and as a matter of fact, I think that we should.”
“You know, there was a time when I couldn’t even say his name.” She met his eyes again. “But, you…you make it easy somehow. I just feel like I can face things. Thank you for that.”
“Hell.” His grin was slight. “Guess I’m good for something.”
“You’re good for me.” As she squeezed his hand, her look was soft. “And that’s what counts the most.”
Like before, Manny spirited out of nowhere, this time arriving with their dinner.
“Oh wow, everything smells delicious,” she murmured in appreciation, eyeing the heavily laden-plates as they were placed down. “Not only that, it looks incredible.”
“That it does,” he said in ready agreement. “Thank you, Manny. Everything looks delectable.”
“Thank you, both,” Manny smiled.
Giving a slight bow, the maitre d departed again.
They fell into dinner.
Over the next hour, they talked about everything, it seemed.
By 8pm, Manny had departed, leaving them alone.
Now, they lounged lazily on the floor before the warm fire.
Releasing a satisfied sigh, she settled against his chest with a smile.
Then, tilting her head sideways, she looked at him. “Thank you.”
He looked down at her. “For what?”
“For this…for being you…”
“Well, get used to it” He kissed her lips gently. “Because I plan on spoiling you.”
“I love the sound of that.” Sighing softly, she stared into the dancing flames again, and they leapt even higher now. “Is it wrong for us to be this happy?”
“Why shouldn’t we be happy?” He swore under his breath. “We’ve both gone through enough and are deserving of it. So don’t feel guilty about it.”
“I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for you.” As she burrowed further into his chest, he wrapped both arms around her. Relaxing even more, she gave a sound of contentment. “Sounds insane, doesn’t it?”
“No, it’s not insane.” Gently, he turned her until she was cradled across his lap. His eyes suddenly became glued to her lips and stayed there. “Especially since I’m crazy in love with you.”
“Mad love, huh?” She curled both arms around his nape. “Guess that makes two of us because I’m madly in love with you.”
They moved in for a kiss.
Against the wall, their moving forms were shadowed by the firelight.
The sweater dress and undergarments melted from her body.
Within seconds, they’d discarded his clothing as well.
On the bearskin rug, they were skin to skin.
An instant fire was ignited.
With one rapid hitched movement, he sheathed himself inside of her. Upon his deep penetration, she cried out softly and locked both thighs against him. Breathless breath to breathless breath, they eyed one another as if in a drug-induced state. For weren’t they completely addicted to the other?
Suddenly, he stilled within her.
Yet, before she could protest, he elicited a series of fast frantic thrusts.
Her pants came rapidly and short.
The keen pleasure ripped her system apart from the insides to the outs. At the intense feels, her mouth gaped open, and the titillating gratification forced out the feral sounds within her.
Her desperate plea for domination spurred him further.
His bucking hips moved faster and harder.
Along with hers, his panting breaths were fractured and needy.
She locked her legs about his quaking form.
His intrusion became that more profound.
The sleek moisture on their skin glorified the friction.
Drugged, weakened, and hungered all at once, she cried out passionately. “…oh…oh…oh…Braden…Braden…”
Their bodies were locked tight.
She fought for more enclosure.
“Take me…please…please…” she begged in a breathless whisper, and then smothered her passion-bruised lips against his chin. “…I can’t hold on…”
Her call of surrender made him look down.
She sucked in a fractured breath.
His gray orbs were like silver fire.
The raw passion burned with fervor.
His stinging hot breath seared her face, and on her every fractured inhale, she hauled his in. As their gazes held and locked in a vicious battle, he purposely slowed with his strokes. Now, his thrusts came long, slow, and deep. But, like her, he was embroiled in a torturous battle. Too, as her, he’d nearly reached the peak, and his distraught, passion-laden cry said as much. “…Bella…”
Delirium rolled in like a crashing tide.
Simultaneously, they were stricken.
As the torrid shudders tore through them, they were complete.
***
The later hours crept in.
After engaging in several more intense lovemaking sessions, they’d finally made way to his bedroom. Satiated and complete, they just lay in the bed cuddled together spoon-style.
As his hold tightened about her, she snuggled closer to him.
“You have completely worn me out,” she groaned good-naturedly. “How am I expected to even work in the next few days?”
“Stay in and sleep.” He grinned against her head. “That way you’ll be well rested enough for more sex, when I want it and how I want it.”
She grinned in the darkness. “You’re hopeless.”
“Hopelessly in love with you.”
“And I love you, too.”
Her heart melted.
Why did their love confessions sound so sweet?
“I contacted an attorney today, a Richard Barnes.”
She stiffened against him. “Really? What did he say?”
“Of course, I was given the typical attorney jargon,” he shrugged, tracing a finger along her bare hip. “A free consultation, a call back…you know the usual. We’re meeting tomorrow.” He paused for a long second. “Do you truly think this is the best course of action?”
“I have no doubt that it is.”
“Well, it’s obvious that you have high confidence in the rule of law.” His stare became long and studying. “Considering your upbringing, it’s understandable.”
“I suppose that’s it.”
He stilled behind her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong---”
She gasped as he moved.
Quickly, he forced her onto her back before lying atop of her. As he stared down at her, his gaze was all-serious. “Baby, don’t lie to me. I can tell something is bothering you. The tension is in your body. Don’t you know by now that you can tell me anything?”
“I’m scared---scared of what tomorrow will bring,” she whispered softly, swallowing hard against the sudden rising tears. “Once we leave here, the real world will tear you away from me---just like it did before.”
“And why would that happen?”
She dropped her eyes to his nape. “I don’t know---”
“Look at me.”
Her teary gaze rose to his.
“Baby, I love you,” he rasped hoarsely. “There’s nothing in the world that will ever change that.”
“I know that you’re saying that now---”
“So, in other wor
ds, outside of these damn mountains, our love isn’t legit?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” she broke in with a pleading tone. “My fears have nothing to do with you.” She looked away from him again. “They’re all about me.”
“You?” he said surprised. “Help me understand.”
“T---this thing with Carlo, it’s going to get heated---”
“Are you afraid of him? Is that it? If so, don’t be for one minute. I’m going to handle him. You never have to lay your eyes on that bastard again.”
“I’m not a perfect person,” she cut in, shaking her head fast. “Along the way, I’ve made huge mistakes.” She bit her trembling lips against a rising sob. “And I’m afraid that those mistakes will cost me you.”
“You are not going to lose me.” He framed her face in his hands and stared down at her hard. “Baby, I love you. What I feel for you is not some high school crush or infatuation. I love you. So what if you’ve made mistakes, so have I. Whatever comes our way, we’ll deal with it.”
“Hold me.” she pleaded softly. “Please hold me and never let go.”
“Hey, come here.” Sighing hard, he enveloped her in his arms. “That’s something that you’ll never have to worry about.”
As tightly as she could hold on, she did.
“This thing that you had with Vitali, it’s over.” Against hers, his hard body tensed. “You’re not going back to the compound. Once things are set in motion with the feds, he’ll become more unhinged. Therefore, that means he’ll be looking for easy targets. You won’t be one of them.” He released a pent-up breath. “Which leads us to another question: where do we go from here?”
She frowned against his chest. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that I want to be with you.” He pulled back somewhat. “When I wake up in the morning, I want you there.”
“I want the same thing,” she confessed shyly “But, do you think that we’re moving too fast? Maybe we should take things slow.”
“How about we just live in the fucking moment? Why are there rules in place for celebrating or embracing happiness? We love each other. We want to be together. That’s all that matters.”
Rise of the Titan Page 57
