In fact, I absolutely hate it.
I want her near me all the time, touching me, breathing my name across her lips, writhing underneath me in pleasure. Five days. Five fucking days I’ve known this girl and she’s gotten under my skin in a way no other woman has.
And that’s some scary shit to think about.
I tried to tell myself her pussy was the only thing I craved, but I already knew that was a lie. I’m smitten with all things Nora Jensen. Which wasn’t an easy revelation to come to, especially when this is only temporary. She’s a fling. Nothing more.
So why does that simple fact feel like a kick in the gut?
I took her back to her hotel well after midnight and I should have been exhausted when I got back home. Instead, I tossed and turned all night thinking of her—the way she laughed, the way she smelled, the way she tasted. That last part had me hard as steel despite three rounds earlier in the day. I found myself stroking my cock to her image in my mind and her scent on my pillow, until I came hard.
Twice.
Like a horny teenager figuring out he can use his dick for something other than a pissing contest.
There was no way I was getting any sleep when I could still smell her on my sheets. After I changed them, I finally drifted off at about three a.m. The promise of seeing her today at Sloan’s office had me up at the break of dawn, well before my alarm even went off. I went out and took my morning run up the beach, hoping it would clear my head, but no such luck. Everything reminded me of Nora. All I could picture was our little spot in the water where we swam together, the spot on the sand where she laid out under the sun in that sexy as fuck white bathing suit, and then over by the rocks where we snapped pictures of the sunset. Nora wasn’t paying much attention to me while she was looking out over the water, so I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of her with the multicolored sky in the background. The oranges and reds blending with the wind whipping through her long strands of silky brown hair made the most beautiful pictures, her natural beauty shining through.
And then, coming back into the house after the run to see the kitchen island, well, that made my need for her grow even more.
Along with my dick.
Which again led to a jerk-off session since I couldn’t get my cock under control. And it’s not helping my situation right now thinking about yesterday and last night as I sit here in the conference room with Sloan waiting for Nora and her group to arrive. If I don’t get my thoughts under control, I may need to excuse myself and spend a few quality minutes in the bathroom.
And why in the hell is Sloan snapping his fingers at me?
“What?” I give him my best ‘what the fuck’ look without letting my irritation at my wandering thoughts show through. Apparently, I don’t do as well a job as I think I do.
“What’s with you, man? Have you been listening to anything I’ve been saying for the last ten minutes?” Sloan pins me with his brotherly stare, doing his best to read me. He smirks when he thinks he’s figured it out. “Is this about that chick you hooked up with the other night?”
What the fuck?!
“How the hell did you know I hooked up with somebody?” I realize it though, as soon as the words leave my mouth. Van must have told him. Van and his big fucking mouth. I swear the guy gossips more than my mother and her group of old lady friends. Not that she’s old. Geez, she’d kill me if I ever said that to her.
“Van has a big fucking mouth.”
“That he does. So, what’s wrong little brother? Trouble in paradise?”
I let out a sigh and run my fingers through my hair. How much do I want to tell him? I’m confused as hell and honestly could use advice about what to do, if he offers me any.
“No, there’s no trouble. That’s just it. Things are too good.” I don’t even want to look up at him because I know my words say it all. I keep talking though. If I don’t get it out quickly, I probably won’t do it. “I met this girl on Friday, but didn’t see her all weekend. Thought about her though. A lot. Anyway, we ended up hooking up on Monday and spent the whole day together yesterday. Everything was perfect.”
Sloan sits there quietly, and finally asks, “So it was more than your usual one-night thing then. Sounds like you might have found somebody you want to spend a little time with—get to know a little better. What’s wrong with that?”
I let out another sigh. “She’s…not from around here. Only here in town on business and she’ll be leaving soon. It’s not a surprise or anything. I knew she wasn’t sticking around from the beginning. It’s just…the idea of not having her around sucks.”
“Are you in love with her?” Sloan’s question takes me by surprise.
“What? No, I’m not in love with her. Didn’t you hear me? I’ve only known her for five days. You don’t fall in love with someone in five days.”
Do you? I don’t think you do. I mean, I guess it’s possible. Dad always jokes that he fell in love with Mom the minute he laid eyes on her, but who knows if that’s the truth or not. He could be just joking around. I don’t think I’m in love with Nora. But if he asked me could I fall in love with her? That’s easy enough to answer.
Absolutely.
Fuck. I’m totally screwed.
Sloan is watching me, doing that lawyerly thing he does where he sits and observes, but doesn’t say anything. I used to think it was a pretty good intimidation tactic. Now that it’s focused on me, I know it is, and I don’t particularly like it.
“Man, this chick has you all twisted up, doesn’t she? Who the hell is this girl?”
I don’t get a chance to answer him since Tyler breezes through the doors with Nora and her boss right behind him. Sloan’s out of his seat before I am, so I follow behind him to greet the ladies. He takes his turn first, then steps aside for me. After saying hello to Samantha, I turn to greet Nora, and I physically have to stop myself from bending down to kiss her pink, glossed lips. Instead, I reach out to take her hand, shaking it softly, and possibly holding onto it a bit longer than appropriate.
“Good morning, Nora. Good to see you again.” I can’t help but smile.
She blushes and looks nervous when she says, “It’s good to see you too.”
We stand there, looking at each other, holding on to the handshake for way too long. Samantha doesn’t seem to notice our less than professional exchange since she’s standing by the conference table with Tyler, but when I look up as Nora finally takes her hand away and turns to join her boss, my eyes meet Sloan’s head-on. They’re wide, intrigued, knowing eyes. Those of an observant older brother who just figured everything out. He doesn’t say anything to me, just turns and addresses Samantha at the conference table.
“Uh, ladies, if you’ll excuse us for just a minute. Cade and I need to run down to my office. We won’t be long.”
“Oh, not a problem. Mr. Zimmer is running behind so we have a bit before we can start. Please take all the time you need.” Without a second thought, Samantha turns away and starts unpacking her briefcase and setting up for our meeting.
Sloan heads over to the door and out into the hallway, waiting expectantly for me. I follow behind him down the hall to his office, but he doesn’t speak until we’re inside and the door closes behind us.
“Seriously Cade? The assistant? You’re fucking the assistant?” He’s pissed. He has every right to be. I know this has the potential to fuck up this deal he’s been working so hard for me. Not just for the Austin property, but for all the other properties I hope to take off Mr. Zimmer’s hands. If things go badly with Nora, she has the ability to screw this whole deal up for me. I think I know her well enough by now to say she wouldn’t do that, but in all honesty, I can’t really say that at all.
“It’s not like that, Sloan.” I don’t even get to add to it before he’s cutting me off.
“Well, please, do tell how it is. Jesus, of all the women you could have fucked, why did you have to get the one that complicates this whole thing for you?”
Okay, now I’m pissed. I point my finger into his chest, making sure my words get across to him. “Now wait just a minute. Nora’s not just a fuck, okay? And for your information, I met her before I knew she was working on our deal. She just happened to walk into my bar the other night. I had no idea who she was.” I flop down on the sofa, leaning my head back on the cushions and closing my eyes, scrubbing my hands down my face. The room is quiet for a minute before I hear Sloan let out a sigh and flop down on the sofa next to me.
“But you did know who she was when you slept with her on Monday, right?”
Fuck.
I open my eyes and turn to my brother, surprised to see the anger on his face replaced by sympathy. “Yeah. We figured it out Friday night on the beach. She thought it would be a bad idea if we hooked up. I convinced her it wouldn’t be.”
He sits in silence for a little while longer, so I feel the need to add, “I know, I know. I fucked up. Look, I know what you’re thinking, but the deal is almost done, and Nora’s not the type of person who would sabotage it for me if things didn’t work out. Really, it isn’t an issue because as soon as the deal is done and her work is finished here, she’ll fly back home and I’ll never see her again. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” I try to hide the disappointment in my voice, but it still comes through.
“You really like this one, huh?”
I don’t even look at him as I stand up, brushing the wrinkles out of my pants and straightening my suit jacket and tie. I’m shaking my head before I even get to the door. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s just drop it, okay? It’s a non-issue. Come on, they’re probably ready for us by now.” I hate that I sound like a petulant child but the truth is I don’t want her to leave, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
When we get back to the conference room, Mr. Zimmer is already there, greeting us when we walk in. “Boys, it’s good to see you. I was just sitting here talking with these lovely ladies. I’ve gone over all the documents and offers, and I really like what I see. I’ve let them know I’m on board with everything you’ve put forth.” He turns and reaches his hand out to me. “It’s a deal, son.” I reach out my hand to shake his, letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. This is it. This is what I’ve been working for so hard. To expand my restaurants and make a legacy for myself. For my future.
“Thank you, Sir. You don’t know what this means to me.” He moves on to shake Sloan’s hand and sits with him at the table to begin looking over the plan. I manage to glance over at Nora. She looks almost as lost as I do. At least, I think she does. It could just be wishful thinking on my part, that maybe she’s just as miserable about this as I am. I knew she was leaving, I was even somewhat prepared for it, but now we have an expiration date. She’s scribbling on her notepad, but I heard Samantha tell her to call her secretary to schedule their flight home for tomorrow afternoon.
That means if I can convince Nora to see me tonight, it’ll be the last night we spend together.
Now, if only I could convince her to never leave Florida. And me.
Chapter Fourteen
Nora
Tomorrow, I’ll be back in my quaint little apartment, and soon Florida—and Cade Wesley—will be a distant memory.
That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.
I do my best to focus on my work, which is a little easier now that Cade has left the conference room. Once he and Mr. Zimmer finished their questions and handshakes, they left the rest of us to sort out all the paperwork. It shouldn’t take too long to get the necessary forms and documents ready for them to sign. As soon as Samantha finalizes things with Sloan, she’s leaving for another meeting she managed to get scheduled while she was here. Since this is now our last day in town, I get to stay and finish everything up.
My cell phone vibrates on the table next to my laptop. My heart speeds up when I see Cade’s name in my text notifications.
Cade: So you leave tomorrow?
Just reading the words makes me feel like someone just stole my puppy and kicked me in the gut.
Me: Yeah, I’ve already talked to Samantha’s secretary. Our flight leaves at two p.m.
Cade: I want to see you tonight.
I don’t even hesitate in my response.
Me: I want to see you too…
I wait a few minutes for a response but it doesn’t come. Disappointed, I put my phone to the side, and resume putting my documents together. Twenty minutes go by, and I finally have most of the documents organized and ready to print for signatures. Another half-hour and I should be done. I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing I don’t notice Sloan walk up beside me.
“I hate to interrupt you Nora but I’m going to need this conference room in just a bit and I was hoping I could move you into my office so you can finish the rest of your work, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. It’s not a problem. I can finish in there.” I save my open documents and close my laptop. I take a couple of minutes to pack up my stuff and then indicate to Sloan I have everything I need.
Samantha is on her way out the door too. She stops to give me some last-minute instructions and tells me goodbye. I won’t see her until we leave for the airport tomorrow. She’ll swing by and pick up the signed contracts from Tyler later today.
Sloan, being a gentleman, takes my laptop bag with him out of the conference room and waits for me to follow. Out in the hall, he tells me, “Please, take all the time you need in my office. I won’t be using it for the rest of the afternoon and I’ve left instructions for my secretary to make sure no one bothers you while you’re working. You’ll also have access to anything you need. Just let her know and she can take care of it for you.”
“That’s so kind of you. Thank you. I’m sure I won’t be too long.” We reach what I assume is his office door at the end of the hall, which he holds opens and waits for me to pass through. When I get about two steps through the door, I see him. Cade, sitting on a sofa to the side of the room, stands when I enter, and I can’t take my focus off him. Sloan doesn’t seem the least bit surprised to see him in here. He simply walks over to a long conference table in the middle of the office and puts my stuff down at one of the end spots. When he walks back to the door, he gives me a shy smile and clears his throat, looking at me first and then over to Cade. He addresses no one in particular, when he says, “I’ll just give you two some privacy.” He pulls the door closed on his way out and, finally, it’s just the two of us.
Alone.
We stand there, neither of us making a move or speaking for what feels like forever. Cade, slowly starts to walk toward me. I hold up my hand and he stops in his tracks. “You told your brother about us?”
Cade shakes his head as he starts to walk towards me again. “I told Sloan about the girl I met the other day, and it took him all of two seconds to figure out it was you the minute I saw you in the conference room earlier. That man is eerily perceptive.” He stops in front of me, much too far away, and says, “I couldn’t wait until tonight to see you.”
I let out the slight breath I was holding, a blush creeping up my cheeks, and a smile starting to curve my lips. Cade is next to me in a second, his hands on my face, tilting it up to his. All I can do is stare into his eyes. He’s looking into mine, searching for something—maybe seeking permission—so I take the first step and rise up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. It’s a sweet, chaste kiss, very brief, our eyes never closing, never losing contact with each other. He pulls away and runs his thumb across my bottom lip in that way he does, staring at it like it’s the sweetest piece of flesh he’s ever tasted. His eyes flick back up to mine, heavy-lidded with lust.
He reaches around behind me and flips the lock on the door, ensuring our privacy, and then things become a bit of a blur. His lips are back on mine, only this time it’s nowhere near a chaste or sweet kiss. His lips crash over me, demanding, coaxing them open, his tongue flicking across mine.
There’s a frantic scramble to unbutton and unzi
p anything in the way. His suit jacket was already off, but he has my shirt all the way undone before I even can get halfway through the buttons on his shirt.
Damn those tiny little button holes.
He pulls my shirt apart so it hangs open, exposing my lacy bra. He runs his hands from my hips up and over my breasts, kneading them firmly, one in each hand, running his thumbs over the nipples, working them into hard peaks. He pulls the cups of my bra down, exposing them, the cool air conditioning of the room washing over my heated flesh, making the hardened tips stand up even more. He bends and takes one in his mouth, the contrast between his hot tongue and the cold air taking my breath away. While his tongue plays over one, his fingers play with the other, pinching and tweaking it with the perfect amount of pain.
He switches sides and I try to get myself focused enough to get his shirt the rest of the way undone. Of course, reaching my hands under him pushes my arms further together, plumping my breasts closer, and I hear a slight growl from deep within Cade’s throat. He obviously likes the way I’m presenting them up and out to him. When I finally get those damned buttons undone, I leave my arms where they are until he’s had his fill, slipping my hand up into his hair, pulling his face tighter against my chest.
His breathing is ragged when he stops and pulls his lips back up to mine. His fingers roam all over my exposed body, finally settling on my hip. He slides the zipper of my skirt down, the fabric pooling around my ankles as it slips down my legs and onto the floor. He’s still kissing me—devouring me really—as I start to fumble with his belt buckle and the buttons on his pants. Thankfully getting those undone took a lot less effort than the stupid shirt.
While I’m working on the pants, Cade pulls out his wallet, removing the condom he keeps there. And by the time I have his pants and boxers down around his knees, he’s got it open and is rolling it on.
“Take off your panties. Leave the heels.”
It’s a demand, not a request, and I don’t even think twice about obeying. I slip them down my legs and let them fall onto the already discarded skirt. Stepping out of both, I kick them to the side, watching as Cade strokes his covered cock. He steps up to me, grabbing me by the hips and effortlessly lifts me up so my legs wrap around his waist. The feel of my back hitting the cold wall knocks the wind out of me for a second. His strong arms are wrapped around my hips, fingers digging in my ass, and before I can catch my breath, he’s plunging inside me, all the way to the hilt.
Cade (A Wesley Brothers Novel Book 1) Page 11
