The light from the bedside table was soft and muted as Katie undressed for bed. She made a quick trip to the bathroom to attend to her nightly rituals of washing her face and brushing her teeth. The sheets were soft and inviting as she crawled under them, taking a moment first to adjust the comforter on top.
Katie settled her head against her pillow and stared at the ceiling. Squirming around, she tried to find a comfortable position. She lay there for a moment before flinging back the covers and thumping down the hallway and into the darkness of the living room.
It took her two trips, but the three containers of flowers now graced her room. One jar of roses sat on the bedside table while the other one graced the windowsill. The orchid bowl was centered in the middle of her dresser, reflected in the mirror behind it.
Katie snuggled back into bed again and took a deep breath. The scent of roses filled the air, and she sighed in contentment. She inhaled deeply again. Then once more. The worries and thoughts of the day started to melt away and she felt herself relaxing for the first time all day.
She drifted in that state of wakefulness and half-sleep until the shrill ring of the telephone shattered her tranquility. Her body immediately reacted. Her heart pounded and her hand shook as she reached out to answer the call. It was one minute after twelve.
“Hello.”
“Did I wake you?” Cain’s voice was deep and husky on the other end of the line.
“No. I’m in bed, but I wasn’t asleep.” Katie tucked the cordless phone under her ear. She could hear nothing but the sound of Cain breathing on the other end. “Are you there?”
“Yeah,” came his reply. “I’m picturing you in bed. Are you naked?”
“No. No I’m not,” Katie stuttered in reply. “I have on a nightgown.” Katie could feel a heated blush climb up her face. “What are you doing?” She desperately wanted to change the subject.
“I’m sitting in the dark in my study.” Cain gave a short, harsh laugh. “I’ve been sitting here for an hour, waiting to call you.”
“Thank you for the flowers.” Katie felt shy all of a sudden, as if Cain could somehow see her. She burrowed under the covers, pulling them tight to her chin and grasping their soft edge with one hand.
“You’re very welcome, honey.” Cain’s voice flowed over her like a warm blanket and made her feel very special.
Silence filled the other end, and Katie fidgeted with the covers while she waited for him to continue. She didn’t know what to say to him, but she was strangely content to just listen to the sound of his breath and his voice. Her contentment was shattered with his next request.
“Take off your nightgown, Katie,” his husky voice pleaded.
“Why?” Katie wasn’t sure she liked his tendency to want to dominate their sexual relationship.
“I want to imagine you naked in your bed. Waiting for me.” His bold words shocked her even as she felt her body responding to them. She clamped her legs together and squirmed a little to try and ease the ache.
“Why do you always want to be in control?” Maybe this wasn’t the best time for such a question, but she genuinely wanted to know his answer. At first, she thought he might ignore her question. Fidgeting with the bedcovers, she waited impatiently.
“It’s as natural to me as breathing. You liked it last night didn’t you, Katie?” His tone was soft and coaxing. “I certainly did.”
“I did enjoy it.” She could feel the heat of a blush cover her face. “I’m not completely at ease with that fact, and I don’t know that I want it to be that way all the time.” Unable to find a comfortable position, she turned on her side, and plumped the pillow under her head.
“I see.” He paused for effect. “Do you want me to go?”
“No.” Her heart was pounding now and she could feel a bead of sweat drift down her back. Part of her was afraid that he’d just hang up, and part of her wished he would. “I just don’t want to be ordered around all the time.”
“Will you do what I ask tonight?” His sorcerer’s voice was urging her to agree.
When she made no reply, he tried again. “There’s no harm, Katie,” he coaxed her. “You can do it.”
Squeezing her eyes tight, she counted to five and made her decision. There was no way she could resist the soft plea she heard in his voice. “All right.” She hardly recognized her own voice as she heard herself agreeing.
“Wait,” Cain called. “Can you put me on speakerphone?”
Katie looked at her machine. She’d never done it before, but she knew her phone had the capability. “Wait a second.” Katie pushed a button and stuck the receiver on the phone base. “Okay.”
“Can you hear me all right?” Cain asked. His deep voice seemed to fill the room.
“Yes.”
“Then strip for me, Katie.” His request was stark.
The rustling of bedcovers could be heard in the silence. Anticipation filled her as Katie pulled her nightgown over her head and let it fall by the side of the bed. She took a deep breath and tugged the covers back over her. Her breasts nudged the underside of the cool sheet, and it was arousing to feel her torso and her behind sink into the sheet that covered the mattress. “I’m naked.”
“Push the covers down, Katie.” The rustling covers had given her away. “Lie back on the bed like you were waiting to entice me.” Cain’s voice was ragged as he spoke.
Could she do it?
His quiet “Please” filled the air. Katie bit her lip, uncertain. Making up her mind, she kicked the covers off the bed so they wouldn’t tempt her. “I’m naked on the bed for you.” She couldn’t believe that sexy voice was hers.
“What do you look like?”
Katie looked at her body, and saw only her familiar, lanky form. She looked away as she spoke. “I look like me.” Cain’s husky laugh filled the other end.
“Tell me everything,” he ordered. “Start at your toes and work your way up.”
Katie swallowed and stared at her toes. “My feet are big.”
Cain’s laughter echoed through the bedroom. “They’re not as big as mine are, honey. I wear a size fifteen.”
Katie continued, feeling a little more confident now. “My legs are really long, but they’re strong from all the walking I do.”
“Someday soon, I want to feel those long, luscious legs wrapped around my waist. You’ll hook your ankles tight around my back as I bury my cock deep inside you.” Cain’s voice sounded strained as he spoke. “You’ll like it. I promise.”
Katie bit her lip to hold back a moan as his words created a very vivid picture in her mind. She could imagine them, legs entwined, with Cain thrusting deep and hard inside her. Her skin heated, and she could feel the dampness between her legs as her body prepared itself to accept him. That was the problem with being an artist, she could visualize the entire act. Perfectly. Well, maybe it wasn’t such a problem after all.
His voice called out to her. “Katie, tell me more.”
Katie moved her legs restlessly on the bed, as the throbbing ache between her legs grew stronger. “My hips aren’t too wide, but my waist dips in a little.” Her hands traced the curve of her hip and grazed the side of her waist. She’d never touched herself in a sexual way before. The thrill of doing something slightly illicit was potent.
Cain responded as if he could read her mind. “Is your skin warm? Are your nipples hard?” His voice got lower and softer. “Are you wet for me?”
Katie was half-scandalized and half-turned on by Cain’s questions. “Yes,” was all she say. She felt all those things.
“Tell me,” he ordered.
Katie licked her lips. She could feel her nipples getting harder. “My nipples are hard.”
“What color are they?”
“Dusty rose.”
“Touch them for me,” he groaned.
Katie’s hands slid up to cover her breasts. Their fullness filled her hands. Her nipples grew even tighter as she massaged them and plucked at them with her fing
ers. She moaned and her legs came together to try and ease the throbbing emptiness. She wanted release.
“Are you touching yourself?”
“Yes,” she moaned. “I ache.”
“Do you have the roses nearby?” Cain questioned.
“Yes,” Katie replied as she turned her head to admire them.
“Take one of them in your hand.” Cain waited while she followed his instructions. “Now close your eyes and pretend the petals are my fingertips. Draw the petals over your legs and up your stomach.”
Katie clenched her teeth and let out a low hiss as she did as he asked. The soft petals against her sensitive skin aroused her unbearably. “Let the petals slide over your nipples. Back and forth. Back and forth.” His low voice was hypnotic, and she blindly followed his instructions.
Katie got lost in a world of sensual pleasure as she drew the rose over her nipples. The slight friction of the petals on her nipples was driving her crazy. Their velvety softness caressed her breasts and teased their hard tips. It was too much and not enough at the same time. She needed more. She needed Cain, but he wasn’t here.
The scent of the flower was intoxicating, as her breathing grew more rapid and uneven. Katie was caught in the sensual snare of Cain’s voice and no longer hesitated at his commands.
“Put a pillow under your ass and spread your legs for me, Katie.” Katie grabbed the pillow next to her and stuffed it under her behind, and then she spread her legs without a moment’s thought. “Wider.” Cain ordered. Cain paused for a moment. “Are you open wide for me, Katie?”
“Oh, yes,” she moaned, straining to open her legs wider. “Only for you.”
“Keep them open as wide as you can.”
“Yes,” she promised, pushing them even further apart.
“Put your middle finger in your mouth and suck on it. Hard.” His odd command jolted her for a moment, but she complied and began to lick and suck her finger. “That’s good,” he praised her. “Now, spread yourself wide with your other hand and use your wet finger to lightly rub your clit.”
Katie moaned as she did as he’d asked. Her heels dug into the mattress as her hips pushed upwards. The air was thick with the smell of her arousal mixed with the pungent scent of the roses as deep moans slipped from her. She was so close to coming, and her entire being was focused on her pleasure.
“Keep your legs open. That’s it. Just keep your touch light and steady.” Cain’s breath was deep and harsh as it filled the room. “Now, slide that finger right up inside your wet pussy. Feel your muscles clench around it.” Katie pushed her finger deep inside and arched up as her inner muscles clench it. She could hear Cain talking in the background, but could barely understand what he was saying. A second finger joined the first one deep inside her.
“God, I want my cock deep inside you. It would feel so damn good.” Katie could hear the pain and longing in his voice. “Pretend that your fingers are mine. Use them however you want. However you need. I want to hear you come.”
Katie continued to move her fingers, finding a rhythm that pleased her. Using her thumb, she brushed her clitoris and moaned in pleasure. Cain’s voice kept up a steady stream of encouragement and praise. “Reach for it, baby.”
Katie’s breath was coming harder and faster, but it still wasn’t enough. “Cain, help me…”
“Pinch one of your nipples hard, Katie, but don’t stop moving your fingers. You’re so close, baby.”
Katie was sweating now. She could feel the perspiration roll down her forehead. Without thought, she followed Cain’s instructions. Rolling one of her taut nipples between her thumb and forefinger, she then pinched it. At the same time, she thrust her fingers as deep inside her as they would go. “Your fingers are longer,” she wailed.
“I wish I was there. I’d eat your sweet pussy until you came. Imagine it, Katie. Imagine me doing that for you. Because I will, you know. I’ll lick your clit and suck your lips until you cry for mercy, but I won’t stop. Not until you come in my face. Soon, Katie,” he promised. “Soon.”
Katie was moaning and thrashing on the bed. So close. She was teetering right on the edge.
“Come for me, Katie. Come for me. Now.” At Cain’s final command, she brushed her thumb across her clitoris and rode the wave of sensation.
Desire reached a feverish pitch and Katie reached for it. Her orgasm washed over her, filling her completely before releasing her. She fell back in bed, exhausted and replete, but strangely empty at the same time. Her legs moved restlessly over the sheets even as her body thrummed with pleasure. She wanted Cain here with her. In her.
“You’re beautiful in your passion, Katie.” Cain’s voice was deep and rough in her ear. “Next time, I want my cock to be in you when you come. I want you to want that, Katie.”
His words were making her feel hot and bothered all over again. The hand on her breast began to move again, stroking her engorged nipple. “Yes, Cain.” She felt so good right now. “I want to feel you inside me.” She shivered as the hand between her legs began to stroke her wet, aching flesh.
His strained laughter filled the other end. “You sure make it hard on a man.”
Katie suddenly became aware of the fact that she was sprawled wantonly on her bed having phone sex with Cain. She closed her eyes and groaned even as she reached over the end of the bed and pulled the covers up over her naked, sensitive skin. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? You just gave me a beautiful thing. Thank you.” As if he could hear her thoughts he went on. “Don’t feel awkward or guilty. We both enjoyed ourselves.”
“All right,” Katie promised, not sure she would be able to keep it. “I won’t.”
“I’ll see you soon, Katie. Sleep well and dream of me.”
She could hear him breathing on the other end of the phone and knew he was waiting for her to sever their connection. “Good night, Cain. Sleep well.” She heard him muttering to himself as she reached out and broke the connection.
Smiling to herself and hugging his “not likely” to her heart, Katie turned off the bedside lamp and settled into bed. She reached under the covers and pulled out the slightly squashed rose and placed it gently on the pillow next to her head. Her body reacted to the intoxicating scent of rose and sex that filled the air. Katie’s movements were slow and sensual as she settled her bare skin against the sheets. She didn’t bother with her nightgown. Being naked made her feel closer to Cain. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face and his promise in her heart.
Chapter Six
The rest of the weekend dragged on for Katie. All day Saturday, she waited for him to call. It had been a beautiful day, but she’d stayed inside like some lovesick teenager waiting for the phone to ring. Several times, she’d picked up the receiver and checked for a dial tone. Everything was fine, but the phone still didn’t ring.
She went to bed Saturday night anticipating another late-night call. Nothing. She lay awake half the night, furious with both Cain and herself. Him for not calling and herself for caring.
Sunday, she ran out early in the morning for a quick run to her favorite bakery a few blocks over. Usually, she enjoyed her leisurely Sunday morning breakfast out. She’d linger over her coffee and pastry and do some sketches of the street or whatever people interested her. But that day, she’d rushed home instead and waited for a call that never came. By evening, she was livid with herself for wasting her weekend waiting for him. Dreaming about him.
The thought of what she’d done on Friday night made her face burn. Phone sex. Her. Yet Cain had made it seem not only exciting, but also totally natural. Katie had to admit, if only to herself, that she never would have done it without Cain’s suggestions and encouragement. The thing that surprised her most was how much she’d liked it. For the first time in her life, she felt a sexual freedom that she’d never experienced. She’d done more things out of character since she’d met him than she’d ever done in her entire life.
By the time Monday morning arriv
ed, she was glad to go to work. She obviously needed a dose of reality to get over her miserable weekend. After tossing and turning all night long, she’d decided she might as well go to work and be productive. When she arrived early for work on Monday morning, the lights were already on in the kitchen.
Katie let herself in through the front door, taking care to lock it behind her. She tucked her gloves in her coat pocket and dumped her purse on the countertop. Sliding behind the front counter, she started four different kinds of coffee. Even though it was only a few minutes after six, from the delicious smells filling the air, Lucas had been hard at work for quite some time.
Katie slung her purse back over her shoulder and pushed her way in through the kitchen door, striving for her normal cheerfulness. “Good morning.” She breezed by Lucas, planting a kiss on his cheek as she passed him on her way to the office.
Pulling open the office door, she slipped inside, breathed a sigh of relief, and began to remove her coat and boots. She’d passed the first test. There was no way she wanted Lucas to notice she wasn’t her usual self. He’d ask questions until he got answers. And right now, she didn’t have any answers to give him.
It was only when she was tying the laces on her white tennis shoes that it occurred to her that Lucas hadn’t spoken. In her own desperate bid for normalcy she had failed to notice that all was not right with him. Giving her laces a final tug, she stood and pulled a clean “Coffee Break” apron on over her long-sleeved white shirt. Satisfied that she was ready for the day, she strolled back to the kitchen and watched Lucas out of the corner of her eye.
Outwardly, everything seemed fine. He looked the same as he always did. Big, solid and steady. His face was a study in concentration as he worked. There seemed to be nothing physically wrong until she noticed the set of his shoulders. Tense. That was the only word to describe him. He lacked the fluidness of movement he usually possessed in the kitchen. Normally, watching Lucas bake was like watching a beautifully choreographed dance, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but always a joy to behold. This morning he looked about a step behind.
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