The tendril of irritation rising from her gut was a strange feeling, since she’d been so in love with him once. When he broke up with her, she was sure she’d never be the same again. In truth, she guessed she hadn’t been. Only as it turned out, that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
“I realize you’ve been in bitch mode for days, Annie, but I really need that money, and you’re the only person I can go to for this, so why don’t you just save us all this time and effort and meet me after you get off. We can go to the bank together.”
“God, Cole, seriously? I told you no.”
There was a silence on the other end. She knew she probably should have just hung up, but her ingrained need to be polite couldn’t quite let her.
“Annie, I know you have it. Why are you being such a goddamned bitch about this?”
She flinched at his words and was thankful he hadn’t been able to see the effect his tone had on her. She drew a deep breath, knowing what she had to do.
“Whether I have the money or not isn’t the issue. The answer is no.” She placed the receiver back onto the base.
“I did it.” She brought her hands up to cover her mouth and laughed.
A surge of power flooded her veins.
“Oh my God!”
She stood and jumped up and down as discreetly as possible, but she was positively joyful. Her thoughts drifted hack to Grey. The few short days they’d spent together were changing her. She never would have believed it possible that by submitting to someone completely in bed would in return strengthen her in her day-to-day life, but with every bit of her power she willfully gave to Grey, she got a double portion back to use with everyone else.
“So it was good news?”
She looked up to see Jordan poking her head around the arched entry into the lounge.
“What?”
Jordan stepped all the way back into the room. Anne was so used to her friend’s elegance that she didn’t notice most times, but just then, something about the way Jordan held herself registered on a deeper level. It was her confidence that Anne had always admired. It was the way she walked, the way she held her head, her energy that people found attractive about Jordan, even though they probably never realized it. The woman was stunning, her long sable hair always perfect, her nails professionally done, and her wardrobe impeccable for whatever situation she was in.
Anne had gotten caught up in her friend’s appearance, but in that moment she recognized the deeper current, and more, realized that with Grey’s help, she was developing that same confidence, that same attitude. She was becoming the woman she’d always dreamed of being, the woman she’d always known was inside her. It wasn’t Grey changing her, but the choices she made, drawing on the strength that knowing Grey had given her.
“Anne?”
She blinked. She’d completely lost herself in her realizations.
“I’m sorry, what?”
Jordan pointed to the desk, and Anne quickly saw she was pointing at the still-unopened letter.
“The note, have you read it?”
She inhaled.
“Nope.”
She thought about telling Jordan everything that she just realized and how she’d stood up to Cole, but she needed more time to really assimilate her new knowledge. That being said, she realized she did have the strength to read whatever was in the note…even a good-bye from the man she was rapidly falling in love with.
She picked it up and ran her finger along the seal.
“Do you want privacy?”
She shook her head. There was no point. Being alone wouldn’t change his words, after all.
Angel, Sophie has spiked a fever, probably an ear infection. She’s had them before, but she’s at the ER, and I need to be with her.
Anne’s heart squeezed at the thought of his precious little girl being so ill and in pain and scared. She’d seen so many pictures of Sophie in the magazines. Where Grey protected her from the media with his life, his ex tended to exploit the girl for her own publicity needs. She read the next few lines of the note.
I will be back sometime tomorrow, most likely, once I know Sophie’s okay. I want you to do a couple of things for me while I’m gone though. And Anne, these aren’t suggestions.
Her breath stalled as she heard that last part in her head in that tone he used when he commanded her. She smiled and realized she was completely turned-on by nothing more than his written words. It was crazy, but she was happier than she’d been in her life, so she continued to read, needing to know what he wanted from her, knowing she’d give him anything.
When you get off work today, I want you to go to a boutique in Fountain Valley. I’m sure you can figure out its location given your vocation. It’s called 52 Days of Romance, and yes, Anne, it is a sex shop. I’ve already set up an account for you there, and I want you to go down and look through their store and pick out three specific things:
1. Find an outfit that makes you feel sexy but pushes you to feel vulnerable. Something that when you wear it for me, you’ll know how beautiful you are, but if I made you wear it for a roomful of strangers, you’d be anxious. I have faith in you, Anne. Find an outfit you know will please me.
She swallowed hard, and a nervous, little giggle burst forth.
“What is it?” Jordan tried to read over her shoulder, but Anne quickly turned to keep the words private.
2. I want you to find the room at the top of the stairs that holds the vibrators. I want you to pick out three: one that is simply clitoris stimulation. One I can push inside your cunt and fuck you with it. And one that has anal stimulation as well as vaginal.
Her fingers went limp, and the note fell to the ground at her feet.
“I can’t breathe.” She collapsed into the chair at the desk.
“What is it?” Jordan practically screeched, and this time, when she went for the note, Anne didn’t have the strength to stop her.
She focused on breathing while running Grey’s instructions over in her mind.
“I can’t possibly…” She’d never even stepped inside a store like that in her life.
“Oh my God!” Jordan covered her mouth, but Anne saw the wild gleam in her eyes.
Directions like these may not have been any big deal to someone like Jordan, but for her, he may as well have asked her to rob a bank.
“He wants you to—”
“Stop!” Anne held up a hand. “I love you, Jordan, but I can’t hear it from you.”
She pulled deep from the well of strength she was finding within herself and held out her hand to get the note back. Jordan placed it in her hand.
“Wow, honey, I’m so impressed. This guy is changing you. I’m not saying you needed to change, but…”
Anne shook her head, wanting Jordan to stop. “I know what you mean. I am changing, and it is because of what Grey’s showing me, teaching me, but I’m the one doing the work.”
She looked at her friend and smiled. She was proud of herself for not giving the credit for her hard work over to Grey, and she imagined he’d be proud of her, too.
She went back to the note, running her finger over his lettering, feeling so close to him even though he was nowhere near.
I know you’ll please me, Anne, because you’re such a good girl, and I know how much you want it.
3. Once you have your outfit and your vibrators, I want you to ask the salesgirl to show you the floggers. I want you to touch them, smell the leather, think about how you would feel if I used one of them on your lovely bare ass. Then I want you to choose one.
She shivered but wasn’t shocked over how aroused she was becoming simply at the thought of what he wanted from her.
She pushed away the fog of arousal that was closing in on her. She needed to focus. She read the rest of the note.
Anne, we have very little time left together. I want you to arrange to have Sunday off, and I expect you to stay with me Saturday night. I don’t know when exactly I’ll be back or I’d tell you to
take tomorrow off as well. However, it would not be fair to have you sitting there waiting for me when I have no idea when I’ll make it back. Make no mistake, Anne, I will be back, and I want you with me when I am. Understood?
She nodded even though she knew he couldn’t see her. She wanted him so bad. Her need was so great. She actually thought of going to the restroom and relieving some of the pressure herself, but somehow she knew that wouldn’t please Grey, and she wanted to please him, which of course brought her back to the assignments he’d given her. Of course she would complete each one. She looked up to Jordan.
“Come with me?”
Jordan smiled. “Of course I will.”
She chewed on her lower lip, a swirl of excitement rising from deep within her. She and Grey may only have a few more hours together, but he was clearly intent on making them the most memorable hours of her life.
Chapter Nineteen
Anne sat in a small sitting room, waiting for Aiden to join her. Lunch had been a strange affair, a dozen or so people who were obviously there to convince them to back his brother, Brant, for a run for senate. Politics went way over her head most times, so she’d felt lost the entire afternoon and found herself daydreaming of Grey much of the time.
It didn’t help that she felt overwhelmed by the luxurious surroundings. The grounds of the home alone had been spectacular, and though the home itself wasn’t mansion territory, it was a beautiful, fully refurbished, Victorian home on a large lot in a very exclusive neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes, enough to be quite intimidating.
“He’s nearly done, Anne.” Cassidy entered the sitting room, a small white dog in her arms. “I’m sorry you had to put up with all this today. I told him it was a bad idea, but he can be very hardheaded at times.”
She sat on the settee across from where Anne sat, smoothing her royal-blue couture tea dress over her legs and settling the dog on her lap.
“I don’t mind. It’s just a bit weird.”
“There isn’t anything Aiden obsesses over the way he does pleasing his father. And there’s nothing that pleases his father more than a smooth takeover of a new hotel. Aiden is very good at what he does, but it’s not his passion. Goodness.” She blushed. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you couldn’t care less. You’d probably just like to get on about your day.”
Actually, she found the insight fascinating. It was interesting how many people one crossed paths with in life but never really knew anything about. She didn’t know any more about Grey than the general public. Though he’d been over every square inch of her skin, and she’d had every bit of him in her mouth, she couldn’t tell you what his favorite color was, his favorite food, music. She didn’t know what he did on Saturday afternoons when he was alone. She didn’t know anything about the God he prayed to, only that he prayed. Her memory of the sight of that had begun to unhinge her less and less. In fact, it was becoming a part of him she quite liked.
Along with his quiet strength, the way he dropped his voice into that commanding tone without skipping a beat made her heart stop dead.
“It’s not a big deal, Cassidy. I didn’t have anything else to do anyway, and if I can help, I’d like to.”
“We’re leaving for Italy in three weeks, so he’s anxious to have the hotel as settled as possible before then.” Cassidy sounded apologetic, but Anne really didn’t feel like she needed an apology.
“How wonderful! Will you be there long?”
Cassidy stroked the little dog’s head, and when he looked up at her, she brought her nose close enough for him to lick it.
“Aiden’s mother is there. She wants to meet Bella, but she never comes to the states anymore. Life, relationships, amore, it can be so damn complicated.”
Anne laughed without thinking.
“Don’t I know it.”
Cassidy’s eyes lit, and she scooted closer to the edge of the damask settee.
“Oh do tell, please. I’m a sucker for a love story.” She beamed, and even though Anne realized what a mistake she’d just made, she still wanted to tell her everything.
She longed to talk this whole thing out with someone, but she didn’t want to betray Grey, and she didn’t want to tell Jordan everything she was feeling because she was so confused all the time and didn’t think she could take it if Jordan judged her.
“I’m just in a rather difficult, stupid, confusing situation. Relationships aren’t my strong suit.”
Cassidy laughed delightedly. “Believe me, that I understand. When I met Aiden, I hadn’t been with a man since my ex husband. I loathe to tell you how long it had been, but I’d pretty much…I don’t know. I had lost myself somehow.” She smiled beautifully and tucked a long strand of shiny brunette hair behind her ear. “Aiden brought me back to life, and I’ll be forever grateful to him for that.”
Cassidy’s words resonated in her heart. She felt much the same way about Grey.
“I hadn’t even realized how compressed my life had become until I met…” She stopped, not wanting to reveal Grey’s identity. She chewed her lip, ready to let her heart explode and tell Cassidy every single detail, but trying to hold back.
“So this is recent?”
Anne closed her eyes and nearly felt Grey’s hands stroke her body.
“Very.” She sighed. “And will be very short-lived. It’s nearly over already.”
“Why?” Cassidy sounded genuinely distressed.
Anne shrugged. “Just one of those bad-timing things.”
Cassidy bit her lower lip and looked behind her over her shoulder before she stood and came over to sit beside Anne, the little dog now licking Anne’s face.
“Harold! Bad manners.” She pulled the little dog away.
“I don’t mind.” She pet Harold, thinking perhaps she’d get herself a puppy once Grey was gone, something that needed her unlike Clementine, her cat, who was independence personified.
“I want to confide in you, Anne, because I feel as though I have something that may help. Would you mind terribly listening to my sad story?”
Anne sat a little straighter. “No. Of course not.”
In truth, she was eager to hear.
“When Aiden and I met, I was an employee at a hotel the Grands had just bought out. We met rather infamously really. I was standing at work, no shoes, eating at the desk, and reading a magazine article on orgasms.”
Anne laughed and instantly covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t…”
Cassidy laughed in return. “Don’t be. It’s a moment I will never forget. I thought he was going to fire me on the spot, but instead, he came by my apartment and propositioned me! It was so crazy I thought he must have lost his mind, but…”
“He persuaded you.”
Cassidy smiled, and Anne recognized that look as the pure joy of being with the right man.
“He did.” She shook her head as if pushing thoughts of her handsome husband out of it. “It was to be an affair simply while he was settling the new hotel. So you see, Anne, I understand bad timing and complications. The day Aiden left me, I thought I was going to die from the pain in my heart, but I tried to bear it in silence. I tried to move on with my life, but, Anne, sometimes timing’s ass gets kicked by love’s agenda. Oh, Aiden and I have never had it easy. His family disapproves of me. Aiden is constantly killing himself to get his father’s approval, when I think that man should be at Aiden’s feet begging his forgiveness and to be allowed into his life, but whatever, that’s just my opinion.”
Harold leaned over and gave her another unexpected lick, causing her to giggle.
“Harold.” This time she just laughed and pulled him back into her lap. “All I’m saying, Anne, is if you think this man is it for you, don’t let timing have a say. Anything can be overcome if you both want it to be.”
Anne considered her words carefully, but the timing was Grey’s issue, not hers.
“What has me the most confused is why and how I can be feeling so much after only a few d
ays. It can’t be real. It has to be the sex—and the fact he’s the first man I’ve ever really felt connected to during sex. I’m making it more than it is.”
“Are you?”
Cassidy’s simple question brought her up short. Her mouth fell open to say, yes of course, but no words actually came out.
“I only ask because, when love hits you, it makes no sense. There is no logic to the heart, but as humans, we are always trying to explain away things. Some things just are, and it’s better to simply accept them than fight them. You can’t wrestle love, and dare I use the term ‘soul mates,’ into a neat little box. If true love were easy, everyone would have it. But what I do know for sure, it is worth fighting for. It is worth taking the risk. It is worth exposing yourself in ways you wouldn’t to anyone else.” She waved a hand in the air. “I realize it worked for me, so it’s easy for me to say that in hindsight, but ask yourself this, Anne. Are you willing to let him walk away without fighting for him?”
Her head was swimming. Her heart ached.
“I…I don’t know how.”
Cassidy blew out a long breath.
“I suppose that is the million-dollar question, with a different answer for every person, but your heart will guide you. You only need listen to it.”
She wasn’t sure she could force herself to take such a risk, not even for Grey.
“What’s the worst that happens, Anne?”
“I make a complete and utter fool of myself!”
Cassidy raised her brows. “And that matters why?”
Horror shot through her veins. It mattered because if she fought for him and he still said no, she’d be humiliated the same as she’d been with Frank and Cole, and in all honesty, with Maurice. God, the images from that summer came flooding back over her. She’d thrown herself at Maurice, had made herself completely available to him, and he’d never seen her as much more than an ego stroke. What if Grey was the same? What if all she really was to him was some woman he’d been able to seduce and who let him command and spank and…Her mind flooded with images from the past week, and her body heated.
Lucas, Samantha - The Seduction of Anne Ruby [The Seduction 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 21
