He squeezed my ass harder as his lips took residence all over my skin. They traveled from my neck to my jaw, my lips, and anytime they landed on my ear, he’d nibble my lobe and whisper a naughty thought—the last of which was how badly he wanted to bury his cock deep inside me. We were working ourselves into a frenzy, and if we didn’t get out of there soon I’d be dragging him into the ladies’ room.
“We need to get out of here, Dante.” My plea was met with dark, lustful eyes. “Please.”
“I have a better idea, Cassandra.”
Dante
I hesitated before opening the door. A mixture of intrigue and fear had those cornflower-blue eyes widened in expectation. “Ready?” I asked, trying to give her one more out. But at her nod, just as she had when I brought her up the curved staircase to the private rooms, the eagerness and curiosity she felt appeared to override any nervousness.
Still gripping her hand, I opened the door with the key Marisa provided and led her into the room. A dim burgundy glow, coming from the tube lighting running around the ceiling’s perimeter, gave a womblike atmosphere. It illuminated the space just enough to reveal a black leather chaise, a matching couch, a few scattered tables, and a sex swing suspended in the corner.
Just thinking about her naked, restrained while free for my taking, caused my cock to swell with want.
Cassie pulled out of my grip, took a few tentative steps forward, and appraised what surrounded us. She held herself tightly as her gaze swept over the room before landing on my face. “No bed?”
I almost laughed at the one thing she noticed, and not the other obvious aids clearly there for patrons to enjoy during coitus. “No. It’s more for exploring than straight up fornicating.”
“Have you been in here before?” she asked, her insecurity revealed by a firm bite of her bottom lip.
“Not this room.”
“How many rooms are there?”
“Four.” Sparing her the next question that no doubt bounced around in her mind, I added, “I usually kept to the one room we used.”
“We?”
“The rare times Charlene and I were in Manhattan together, we’d occasionally come here.” I wasn’t discomfited to admit it had been my ex that I’d been there with. I strived to always be honest with Cassie, and I wanted her to do the same. “Does that bother you?”
“No,” she responded easily. “We both have pasts, and that was well before we met. I am relieved there aren’t ghosts of the two of you in here, though.”
I closed the distance between us, coming toe-to-toe but otherwise not touching her. “I don’t have any ghosts, Cassandra. It’s just you and me.” Her eyes tracked the slow movement of my hand as it raised up to cup her chin. “I didn’t bring you here to relive some erotic fantasy I once had. I brought you here to create our own. This is something I enjoy doing, and I want to share that with you. I also want you to feel comfortable telling me anything that’s on your mind, anything you would like to explore, or not. If this is too much, I’ll throw you over my shoulder right now, hail a cab, and take you back to my place to fuck you senseless.” I skimmed her bottom lip with my thumb before bringing her face closer to mine. “But if this is something that interests you…” I then took her hand and pressed it against my hardened cock. “Then I’ll bring you to a level of pleasure that you’ve never experienced in your life.”
In her eyes, I could see the stages of her decision-making. “I want you to… to give me that. I crave it, Dante. I never realized how much before you came into my life. I trust you and want you to share all your fantasies with me… I want to be your fantasy.”
My lips were on hers in an instant. She immediately opened for me, allowing my tongue to stroke, to tease. I may have started the kiss, but she took over, sucking on my tongue and molding her curves against my body. I wasn’t sure if it was her last declaration or if it was me that caused a switch to flip.
Cassie held nothing back. Nowhere could I detect any doubt, any shyness, any hang-ups on her part. Maybe it was the exhilaration of being a wall away from others bursting with their own sexual escapades, or maybe it was a precipice she finally hurtled within her, but either way, the door had been opened for me.
With our mouths fused, our tongues dancing as erotically as our bodies had downstairs, I found the zipper to her dress and lowered it. My palms sought out the smooth, warm skin of her back, searching for more of her flesh to touch. Dragging the silky fabric with my hands, I peeled it away until it restricted her arms. I broke the kiss and allowed the dress to fall, only to catch sight of it pooling at her feet. “Fuck,” escaped without conscious thought. Seeing her in the skimpiest black lace bra, one that barely covered her nipples, and a matching thong forced my hand down to bring relief to my engorged cock.
“It’s new.” She looked at me with a blazing intensity. “So where do you want me?”
“Everywhere.” I offered my hand, which she accepted, and helped her step out of her dress. The photographer in me snapped image after mental image of the perfection that was Cassandra Brooks. The stark contrast between the black lace and her creamy skin, the way her curves called to me, and how golden spun silk framed her gorgeous face all made her the most priceless work of art I’d ever seen.
Wordlessly, I led her to the one place I desperately needed her. The grosgrain straps holding a minuscule leather hammock would give me unfettered access to every part of her body. Again, just the thought sent a surge of anticipation through me, rivaling any and all previous feelings of lust.
Cassie pivoted on her stilettos and stripped herself of her thong and bra. Wearing only her heels, she looked up at me before reaching for one of the foot-straps. “This is interesting.” The corners of her mouth quirked up at the sides, most likely wondering how it all worked.
I placed my hands on her waist and hoisted her up so the curves of her ass were nestled on the leather seat between two horizontal straps. Taking the loops that she had just had in her hand, I placed one foot in and then the other. On her own, she gripped the harness attached to the ceiling.
Seeing Cassie in this element, one so far removed from her own, gave me pause. I needed to take a moment to study her. Taking a couple steps back, I stared at the woman who was not only my fantasy, but one who had taken a piece of my heart.
The swing rocked back and forth, bringing her bare pink pussy closer and closer to me. My resolve was starting to diminish, but this was all about her tonight. All about showing her a piece of my world. I reached into the side table, pulling out a black-lace blindfold along with a rectangular box.
Cassie’s eyes widened before softening. “Everything here is brand new. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” she whispered, sounding like a true seductress.
“Good. Now close your eyes.” Once I impaired her vision, I watched as her breasts rose and fell with every deep breath. Her legs flexed, causing the swing to move. Not being able to wait a second longer, I pulled the apparatus toward me and kissed her lips. “Fucking beautiful… and addicting. That’s what you are, Cassandra. And mine.”
“Yes, yours.”
I popped the lid off the box, took out a vibrator from its packaging, and rubbed a dab of lube around it. It wasn’t as large as I was, but it was going to serve its purpose. I gently pushed Cassie back and when she swung forward, the tip of the purple toy entered her. My thumb then pushed the button, bringing it to life.
The buzzing sound brought a smile to my girl’s face. Even with her eyes closed, she knew what was coming. Stopping her mid-swing, I teased her pulsing clit with the toy. She bucked forward and moaned “That feels so good. Please… don’t stop, Dante.”
Stop? Was she kidding? I was just getting started.
Chapter 20
Cassie
Every part of my body ached in the most delicious of ways. As I sat in the restaurant waiting for the girls to arrive for brunch, I couldn’t stop remembering the menu of erotic delicacies Dante manipulate
d my body with. The way he touched me with his fingers, tongue, and sex toys ignited my inner fire. And each time he did, and I took a deep sharp breath, he’d moan in satisfaction.
The swing held and moved my body, making me pliable, and open, to anything he desired. Being blindfolded, limiting my sense of sight, only heightened the other senses and brought me to a place I didn’t even know existed. The entire experience left me with a newfound sexual appetite. By the time we left Alessandro’s, I was on such a high, and Dante was my drug.
Giggles and chatter brought me out of my daydream. Looking up, I saw Brae, Vanessa, and Sabrina heading in my direction.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Vanessa said, plopping in the chair across from me and next to Sabrina. Brae followed, kissing the top of my head before sitting to my left.
“I hope you weren’t waiting long, Cass,” Brae said before signaling for our waitress. We all ordered coffee, and, of course, Vanessa ordered our customary mimosas.
“Not at all, but you’re usually the first one here, Brae.”
“Well, Jude was being Jude this morning, and it took me a little while before he released me.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “That man is as possessive as they come. I’m surprised he doesn’t make the guys come here rather than go to the gym on Sunday mornings.”
“Don’t give him any ideas,” Brae said with a smirk, although she truly didn’t look too upset that her husband was a classic caveman when it came to her.
The waitress returned with our beverages, and once she took our orders conversation resumed.
“I love Sunday brunches. Thank you for including me,” Sabrina said with a genuine smile.
“Of course.” Brae reached across the table to clasp her hand. “We’ve been meeting for Sunday brunch for so long. It used to be every week, but once the men came into the picture we were forced to give them one Sunday a month,” Brae informed with an eye roll. “They know not to complain, or we’ll go back to weekly brunch. If Desiree were here, she’d be annoyed we conceded at all.”
“Oh, please,” Vanessa said with a sarcastic gape. “You were worse than Des. You and your damn yoga. I should kiss Soren’s feet for sinking his claws in you, or I’d be dead by now because of all the damn namaste torture you subjected us to.”
Brae scoffed, “Your core is suffering, Vanessa. If you stuck with it, you’d have more stamina.”
“My stamina is just fine.”
“Well, I appreciate the girl time,” Sabrina said with a sigh. “Luca takes Mikey out for breakfast on the Sundays I join you guys. It gives me time to sleep in, and it gives them time together. Between Mikey and work, I relish the mornings when I don’t need to set an alarm clock.”
“That’s so sweet.” Brae’s dreamy expression brought a smile to my face. It warmed my heart how happy she was, and that reminded me of my own euphoria.
“Technically, it’s still Saturday night for me,” Vanessa announced with a wink. Lifting her mimosa, she added, “That’s why I need this to wake up. Once we got home from Dispatch, Kyle caught his second wind.”
Before the conversation took a turn down Vanessa’s sexual avenue, I quickly veered it to safer ground. “How was Dispatch last night? Oh, did they have any info on the Halloween party yet?”
“Yes, they did, and Jude pitched a fit.” Brae sipped her mimosa with a frown. “He said no way would we be doing that again.” The memory of last year’s contest, or more so debacle, caused a giggle to erupt.
“We had so much fun, though,” I argued. The group of us went as superheroes, but we competed guys versus girls. “Please don’t tell me he’s going to wear a suit and be a Swedish businessman.”
“No, by the end of the night I coerced him to dress as a couple this year. But he has full disclosure and approval on what I decide.”
Sabrina laughed. “Hearing how Jude destroyed his own costume to cover up Brae’s bare legs, and how Kyle was mistaken for the Riddler all night, had me cracking up.”
“It was a mess,” Vanessa quipped. “I agree with Jude. If we do it this year, Kyle and I are fending for ourselves.”
“V, please don’t come as porn stars,” Brae teased.
“No promises.” Vanessa focused on me, but I was back to daydreaming about Dante. Every time I blinked, I remembered where Dante had been just hours ago. Even my fingers tingled, recalling the way he sucked on them as if they were sweeter than any lollipop he’d ever had. The man’s tongue should win an award.
“Hey,” Vanessa waved her hand in front of my face. “Where did you drift off to? You look all…” She studied me for about half of a second. “Just fucked. That’s what you look like.” She narrowed her eyes before the widest of smiles grew across her lips. “Cassie Brooks, are you holding out on us? Where were you last night?” A sly, wicked expression altered her smile. “Or should I say… Cassandra, who were you with last night?” she asked, rolling the R just as Dante did when he said my real name. “Funny how Dante was busy last night as well,” she added, tapping her lip with a finger in thought.
I practically choked on my mimosa, not prepared for my traitorous friend to sell me out. Sabrina and I glanced at each other, but being the type of woman she was, she sipped her coffee and didn’t utter a word.
Brae angled her body toward mine, waiting for the scoop. “I knew it!” She wiggled a finger at me. “You’re not fooling us, missy.”
In true Vanessa fashion, she smirked, complete with an eye roll. “Yep. Cass has been doing it with Mr. Kinky,” she said, mimicking Brae’s finger motion. “So was I dead-on with the nickname?”
“Why keep it a secret? It’s not like we all didn’t figure it out in the Hamptons.”
Vanessa nodded at Brae’s claim, rubbing her hands together like she was ready to discuss a plan of attack. “Okay, so the cat is out of the bag. Time for details, please, because last I heard, you two were just fucking.”
“Wait… wait… wait. Last you heard?” Brae said with a squeak to her voice before looking around and taking it down a notch. She looked at Sabrina, searching for answers. “Do you know what’s going on?” Sabrina’s one-shoulder shrug spoke volumes. It was now Brae’s turn to glare at me. “Really, Cass?”
“What? It’s fairly new. Well, it’s been a while, but…” I stopped when the waitress reappeared with our meals. Once she was out of earshot, I decided to come clean. “Dante and I first got together shortly after Vanessa’s party, but we made it official Labor Day weekend.”
“That long?” Brae’s gaze swung from face to face, searching for answers. “Here I was all excited another love connection happened in our Hamptons house. What a bummer.”
“We told no one, except Luca and Sabrina on the way home from your place. And Vanessa only knows because she’s like the CIA and pulled it out of me. If it helps, Desiree doesn’t know yet.”
“Gee, thanks. So how serious is it?”
“We’re exclusive.” My romantic friend predictably released a heavy sigh. “It all happened so fast. I went from loathing the man to… well… you know. Anyway, he’s not as awful as the night we met. In fact, he’s the opposite. It’s hard to explain, and I know we’ve only known each other for a little over a month, but it seems longer. I really like him.”
Brae covered her heart with her hand. “I love that.” That was right up her alley, considering she was the matchmaker of the group. “Keep in mind, Jude and I only knew each other five weeks before we fell for one another. Love doesn’t have a timeline.”
Love? I never said anything about love. Did I? No. No way.
Sabrina beamed. “I’m so happy. Luca and I talked about how great it is. Although, he keeps saying he’s Switzerland.” Hearing that deep down Luca felt things would eventually go sour between us caused a twinge of doubt. Remembering how every minute spent with Dante so far had been nothing short of wonderful nudged it away.
Vanessa raised her orange effervescent cocktail, and we followed suit. “To our hot men, hot sex, an
d a life full of surprises.”
Surprises. If these ladies only knew what Dante had introduced me to already, but I kept that information to myself. Vanessa would have a field day if I offered up too many details.
Brae, still stuck on my announcement, brought the conversation back to Dante and me. “So, is he as romantic as Luca?”
No, romance wasn’t Dante’s forté… and there was no way I’d open that can of worms with Vanessa. I did go on to tell them about the day he came to my classroom, and that I watched his photoshoot for Taunt. That tidbit of information even had Vanessa gawking at me.
“I know, it was odd, but he is really good at what he does. His pictures are stunning, and there’s no wonder he’s won awards for his work. But I’m not going to lie and say I enjoyed it or that I’d want to do it again. Seeing him studying another woman, a naked woman, just about brought me to my knees… and not in a good way.”
Brae shook her head. “I couldn’t do it. Sorry. No way would I watch Jude two feet away from a naked woman, even if it was platonic and part of his job.”
Sabrina and Vanessa agreed, but that was who Dante was. And if I wanted to be with him, which I did, then I’d need to accept it. During the shoot with Hailey, my mind reeled with experiencing firsthand what he did for a living. But once he broke down his reasons for wanting me there, and I analyzed how different he was directing her versus when he had directed me, all confirmed his motive for my presence.
What bothered me more was knowing that wasn’t his dream job—not just photographing women, but people. He had so much more to offer than bringing a centerfold to life.
A camera to Dante was equivalent to when a writer brought a pen to paper, or an artist stroked their brush onto a blank canvas.
The rest of our brunch was spent talking about the men in our lives, and with laughs and giggles we all wondered if they were sitting around the gym talking about us.
The Mr. Wrong Series Page 96
