by J. M. Witt
I was almost to the hotel when my phone chimed. Pulling up my text messages, I had one from Cassidy.
Thinking of you.
There was a picture of her from the waist down, hand in her undies and it looked like she was lying in bed. A car horn blared from behind me and I dropped the phone. The light was green and I was holding up traffic. Christ. At least she had enough common sense to not include her face in the picture. I pulled into the parking garage, parked and headed to my suite.
I was already disrobed by the time I reached my bedroom. And Rock. Hard. I fisted myself and snapped a pic and hit send. My phone began ringing, almost immediately.
“James.” Fuck, she sounded sexy on the phone.
“Cassidy.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, baby.” A soft moan came through as I stroked myself. Walking back to the bed, I threw the covers back, yanked my socks off, keeping one handy for cleanup, and crawled into bed. “Are you touching yourself? I’m touching myself.”
“Yes.” Another moan had my cock pulsing. “I miss your dick.”
I was so turned on and surprised, which made it even hotter. She’d never really shown interest in phone sex and I was going to eat it up, though I’d prefer to be eating her. “Are you wet? Let me hear how wet you are.”
“Ok.” I heard some ruffling and the faintest sound of her fingers sliding over her slickness came over the line. More ruffling and then her breathing came back through the line. “I miss your hands on me and their power.”
I kept stroking myself at her words, picturing myself holding her wrists above her head as I slid into her deep and hard. “Put it on speaker. Touch your breasts with your free hand.” I waited a moment. “Are you close? I’m so hard, baby.”
“Yes. James…”
“Harder, do it harder.”
Her whimpers of need had me closer than I wanted to be. “Oh, right there. Don’t stop.”
“I won’t stop. Fuck. I’m close, Cassidy.”
“Oh, God.”
“Come for me. Fuck.”
“I want you inside me, oh.”
“Cass…shit…” I spilled my load into my sock as I imagined her body surrounding mine. “Cassidy, let go, come for me.” Her moans became more fervent and she started crying out. “That’s it. I’m right there with you, my beautiful Blackbird.”
A few moments later, when we’d caught our breath, she was able to talk again. “I hate you.”
With a smile a mile wide on my face, “I hate you, too. Get some rest.”
“You, too.”
~<>~<>~<>~
The next day was business as usual. Lunch was approaching when a knock came on my office door.
“Come in.” The door opened and Paul stood there, a silent challenge on his face. I knew that I owed him an apology, an explanation. I’d told him I hadn’t wanted her, just to change my mind. “We doing this now?”
He nodded, “Looks like it,” and walked in and closed the door. He stood on the other side of my desk and I took a seat hoping he’d follow suit. He did.
“I owe you an apology, Paul. But you also owe her an apology.”
He leaned back, scrubbing his hands down his face. “Fuck. She told you.”
“Told me? No. She was a wreck and I put the pieces together. What did you say to her?”
“I, I don’t know. I was drunk.” He looked to me and then looked around the room. “This was a mistake.”
I sat and tried to ponder his meaning. Talking to me, talking to her, the job; I wasn’t sure what he was referring to as the mistake. “I’m the one who made the mistake.”
“You can say that again.”
“Paul. We’ve done enough fighting. You’re one of my best friends. I fucked up. I know that, Cassidy knows that, hell, everyone knows that. I can’t lose her. I won’t.”
“And what makes you think I can? I’ve lost her twice now. I almost didn’t survive the first time. I knew there was a chance I’d run into her moving back up here, but shit. I didn’t expect to find her with you.”
“I need to know that you’re going to back off. We’re trying to make this work.”
“How’s that? You seem to change your mind week to week.”
“God dammit, Paul. I know you love her and whether you believe it or not, I do too. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it. She’s my wife and I’ll fight for her till the end.” His gaze was icy as he stared at me. “Don’t make me fight you for her.”
His eyes moved to the window that stared out over the city. “You fuck this up again…” He didn’t finish his statement. He was about to speak again when my office door opened again.
We both directed our eyes to Cassidy. She stood there, a deer in headlights with what appeared like carryout in her hand. Paul turned his eyes from her as I made my way over to her.
“Sorry, I can come back.” She was white as a ghost. “I should’ve called.”
I kissed her temple and took the bag from her. “It’s ok. Paul and I were just finishing up. Can I have a couple minutes?”
Nodding, she agreed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I turned as Paul got out of the chair he occupied. “You need to find someone else Benedict. I can’t do this.”
He was quitting on me. I understood, but I didn’t want to lose him. “How long do I have?”
“I can stay through till the wedding. That’s almost four weeks. Then I’m going back to Atlanta.”
“Ok.”
“If the prints are finalized this week we can start pouring the foundation. Might be able to have it framed before someone else takes over.”
He brushed past me, “Paul?” He turned to look at me, hand on the door. “You’ll always have a job waiting if you change your mind. But I understand why you’re leaving.”
“Don’t make me regret walking away.”
I didn’t respond and watched as he walked out the door. A few seconds later, Cassidy walked through the door. She must not have seen him in the hall because she was looking for him.
“He left.”
“Oh, ok. I’m sorry.”
“Stop. It’s ok. I’m famished. What’d you bring me?” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Paul had quit. That was his story to tell. And I hoped that if he was gone all of her attention would be on us. She pulled some Thai food out of the bag and I grabbed some bottles of water from my mini fridge.
“Is everything else ok?”
“Yes. Everything’s good. I need to finalize the prints so they can pour the foundation.”
“Cool.” She was holding back.
“Do you want to see them again?” I placed my hand on hers, “Cassidy, as far as I’m concerned this is your house.”
“No, it’s our house.” She smiled brightly, “I’d like to look at them again.”
Over an hour later her phone started ringing. She pulled it out of her purse and began cursing. “Everything ok?”
“Yes, no. I’m supposed to be at the dress shop for Jane’s final fitting and mine. I have to go.”
“Ok. We still on for tonight?”
She kissed me quickly and said, “We better be.” She stood and headed for the door and I followed.
“Hey, Ryan with you?”
“One of the guys is in the lobby, impatiently waiting I’m sure.”
“Ok.”
We walked to the lobby and I put her and security in the elevator. I didn’t catch his name, but knew Smith had it covered. We’d finalized the foundation, a little bigger than she originally wanted, but I knew we wouldn’t regret having the extra space. Plus, we could always add on if we wanted. I sent the drawings down to Paul’s office and got back to work.
Chapter 12 ~ Foundations
~ CASSIDY ~
“There you are! You look amazing. What’s going on with you?” Jane was full of energy as I laughed at her. “You have a secret! Tell me.”
I dropped my bag and my body to the couch and she joi
ned me. “I have too many secrets.”
“Oh?”
“James and I. We’re trying to work it out.”
She flung her arms around my neck and squealed in my ear. “Thank God.”
“Cal’s going to have a coronary.”
“Bah. Don’t worry about him. I’ll handle him.” She grabbed my hands, “Details. Well, not too many.”
I snickered, “Um, we’re taking it slow and going to therapy. Together.” She just nodded and then asked about Paul. “Jane, I care about him, I do. But, James is my husband and at the end of the day, he’s who I want.” We sat quiet for a moment. “I feel horrible. I’ve really hurt him.”
“James?”
“No, well probably him too, but I was referring to Paul.”
“Hey. He’ll get over it. He knew you were married. I don’t know what he expected. He’s a big boy. He can handle it.” I smirked and she added, “I’m pretty sure I know at least one girl who’s interested in him.”
“Oh?”
“Lena.” I laughed and agreed. It was pretty obvious that Lena had a crush on him.
I smiled at her and then it was time to try on the dresses, again. She’d scheduled another fitting, having changed a couple things on the dress, but hadn’t told her mom. She wanted to surprise her and I was a little envious of their relationship. I’d never get that experience with my mother and while I was at peace with it, it deeply saddened me.
When I pulled in the drive after the fitting and work, James was waiting for me, his bike parked in front. He was sitting on the front steps dressed in boots, dark jeans and his leather jacket. Fuck! He was sexy as sin. Even his hair was down and I momentarily thought that he was tormenting me.
“Hurry up woman! We have things to do.”
I chuckled as I made my way past him on the steps, trying to ignore his presence. His arms circled around my knees and pulled my back into his lap. With a big grin on his face, he lowered his mouth to mine. Just before I got lost in the kiss, he put me back on my feet and told me to hurry up.
I put on some jeans, boots, a t-shirt and found my purple jacket that he’d given me for my birthday. He was standing in the foyer waiting for me. I was walking down the stairs and pulling my hair back as he opened the door for me. He handed me my helmet and then got on the bike. I climbed on behind him and grabbed on tight as he peeled out.
We rode for a while and I soon realized he was headed up to the lot. A lot of the land had been excavated and dug up, but our tree was still there. He parked and we started walking around after removing our helmets.
“They’ll pour the foundation later this week or next week.” He started talking about things and pointing out where the front of the house would be. I was in awe of him. “I saved the tree. Come on.”
He pulled me toward the tree and when we got there, he yanked a pocket knife out of his jacket. He started carving our initials in the tree. It took him a while, but soon there was a large heart with ‘JB3 & CC’ carved in the side of it.
“There. James Benedict the third & Cassidy Charles.” He was smiling like a big dork and I didn’t have the gumption to remind him that my name was no longer Charles, but Benedict, legally speaking.
“So, remind me. How much land do you have here?”
“Enough.”
“Well, if you weren’t on my brother’s shit list, I’d say we should convince them to build here too. Benedict Commune.”
He laughed and added, “Maybe Smith and Delaney on the other side.”
“We’d always have family and friends nearby.”
“Yes, we would.”
The rest of the week flew by. That weekend was the auction at the art gallery. I tried to not think about it, knowing I couldn’t afford to do anything. Even Annie had said there was nothing I could do. Things at work were going great. Jane’s wedding was keeping me busy as Lena handled the other events going on. Melissa and I were getting along fine and she was actually growing on me. I wasn’t ready to spill my secrets to her, but she seemed to be a great fit in her new role. The only issues were Linda. I couldn’t help but feel the woman was off somehow. Who knew, maybe she just didn’t like me? Oh, well.
James walked in my door that night and ordered me to get dressed up. “Nothing too fancy, but put on a skirt or a dress.”
“Ok.”
Forty-five minutes later I walked downstairs in the dress I’d planned to where to the rehearsal dinner with my hair and makeup done. “Where we going?”
“You’ll see.”
We pulled into the parking lot across from the art gallery and I paled. “James, I can’t. How’d you find out?” He just smiled. Annie. Had to be. “I, James, I don’t think I can.”
He grabbed my hand. “Yes you can. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
There were some news reporters, who of course flocked to us, to him. I smiled and tried to ignore them as we made our way inside. A server walked by with a tray of champagne and I snagged one and downed it.
“Slow down.” I turned and he was smiling at me, trying to lighten the mood. He winked as he took my hand and led me through the gallery.
There were several different artists work up for sale, but Holly’s was the main feature. I didn’t even know how much work of hers they had that I didn’t know about. My stomach felt like a lead ball as we approached the room where her work was featured. I was still livid with Sara and the owner of the gallery.
As we made it to the door, I stopped in my tracks and James looked to me. “What is it?”
“I, I just need a minute.”
He came in closer and cupped my cheek. “It’s ok. I’m here with you.”
“I know. I just wish she was here to see this. Her work deserved to be featured, but not like this.”
“I know, baby. I got you.”
I took a deep breath and we headed into the center room. Some of the pieces I recognized and others I didn’t. She had a LOT of work. It immediately caught my eye as I walked over to a huge painting which was the focal point of the room. It was the profile of a woman with ivory skin, blue eyes and long flowing red hair. She was looking down to her hands, where she held something in her hands that was hidden to onlookers. I was drawn back to her hair. Hair so red and it flew out behind her, like the wind was blowing. As my eyes took in the whole painting, not just the details, my heart broke as I realized the red hair blended into the wings of a phoenix.
“Holly!” Her name was barely a whisper as I realized that the painting was of me.
His hand held the small of my back as he confirmed, “She captured your likeness very well.” I turned to smile at him as he wiped my tears away. “Do you know what she has in your hand?” I just shook my head.
“I have to have it. I’ll pay you back.”
“You don’t have to pay me back. And, I want it. You can’t have it.” I smiled at him. “I’ll be right back.”
I stared at the painting for a moment longer before circling the room to look at her other pieces. She’d even painted one of an anchor and wings with the quote that was the inspiration for our tattoos. I wanted them all and I knew I couldn’t have them. There were several candid paintings. She loved to capture people on film and then paint them. I recognized a couple of Sam, as well. There were a few landscapes and some of people I didn’t recognize. She had been so talented.
“Hey. I talked to the curator. It’s already sold.” My heart sank. “But the one with the anchor is available. I told her we’d take it.”
“Ok.”
“I tried, I really did.”
I squeezed his hand. “Thank you. It’s better than nothing. I’ll take what I can get.” I turned back to my painting, burning it into my memory, before I asked if we could leave.
We drove to the little spot he used to take me on his bike and he parked the truck. “Come on. Time to cheer you up.” I looked to him as he ordered, “Get out of the truck. I’ll be there in a sec.”
I stepped out as he rolled down
all the windows and cranked the sound system. Summer by Calvin Harris began to play as he walked to my side. He started swinging me around and I couldn’t help the laughter that filled me. He was the best medicine, my antidote for any ailment. When the song was over, another started and I wondered about his song choice. Take Me Home by Cash Cash played next and I knew this wasn’t his kind of music.
“Your choice of music is a little surprising Mr. Benedict.”
“Haven’t you learned by now that I’m full of surprises?”
“Hmm. Yeah, yeah.”
“So. I invited Delaney and Smith over to play cards. I hope that’s ok.”
I pursed my lips at him, “Worried you can’t be alone with me.”
He laughed, “Maybe. Twenty-four days.”
“But who’s counting?”
“Exactly.”
We picked up a pizza on the way back to my place and found Smith and Delaney waiting for us on the porch.
“’Bout time love birds.” Smith was ribbing us as we made our way inside. He and James lingered back by the door as Delaney and I headed toward the kitchen.
“So. What’s going on, girl?”
I laughed. “Not much. Why?” She knew I was being sarcastic as I filled her in. “We’re working on it.”
“Well, I’m glad. You two really are a great match. I’ve known him a long time, but I like you more.” She winked at me as we giggled. “I got your back anytime you need it.”
“Thanks.”
“So,” dropping her voice, “what about Paul, the club?”
I blew some air out and whispered, “He knows.” We both knew that the he I was referring to was James. “We’re working past it.”
“He has a knack for that.” I titled my head at her as she added, “knowing everything. He knows everything. It’s frustrating.”
