The Rules

by Becca Jameson

  “If you recall correctly, my next step was time out.”

  “Yeah, well, I never agreed to that idea. And, though I might have given it a shot at the time, not anymore. I’m a grown woman.”

  “Grown women sometimes need correction too.”

  “Grown men sometimes need a good slap in the face.” I grinned.

  “Dare you.”

  My eyes went wide. “I was kidding.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  I inhaled deeply. My body turned to mush. I wanted him to touch me so badly I could almost taste him already. But I forced myself to stay rooted to my spot. Sleeping with him was a very bad idea. Everything was too fresh. My nerves were frayed. His had to be also. We both needed time to think about what had happened.

  Cade stepped back a few paces into my bedroom. “It’s role play, baby. All we can do is experiment with what gets you off. What works, we keep. What doesn’t, we toss.” He shrugged and turned to face my room. “Love what you’ve done with the place,” he teased.

  “I’ve been a bit stretched for funds. I was actually looking forward to shopping this weekend with my newfound wealth. Now, I see I’m once again without a job.”

  He jerked his gaze to meet mine. “Why?”

  I rolled my eyes and leaned against the doorframe he’d vacated. “I’m not working for you, Cade. End of discussion.”

  “You don’t work for me. I have no say in the happenings of The Rockwood Group. Silent partner, remember?”

  “Oh, like there’s such a distinction.”

  “There is. And if you quit this job, I’ll spank your ass until it hurts too bad for you to come.” He narrowed his gaze. “You do not want to try me on this issue.”

  I feared he wasn’t kidding. Still… “Half the building heard us arguing this afternoon, and the other half must have gotten the details through the rumor mill. I can’t go back there.”

  “Yes you can, baby. And you will. With your chin held high.”

  I shook my head. “No way.”

  “So, the going gets tough, and you’re just going to quit? Again?”

  That stung. I cringed. “Yep.”

  He stepped toward me. Too close. “Not gonna happen, baby.”

  “You know you don’t own me, right? I can and will make my own choices, Cade.”

  “What I know is that your face still flushes a gorgeous shade of pink when I make you nervous. You still fidget around me because you can’t hold still. And sometimes your choices suck, so you need someone to guide you a bit.”

  “Guide me?”

  “Yes.” He grinned.

  “Or did you mean, tell me what to do?”

  He shrugged. “Semantics.”

  “Hardly.” I crossed my arms.

  “Baby, you worked hard for that position at Rockwood. I want you to have it. I’ll smooth things over with the staff.”

  “How? By telling them all you’re fucking me and they better do as you say or else?”

  “Am I?”

  “Are you what?”

  “Fucking you.”

  I shut my mouth. Not yet. But he would be. If my damp panties were any indication, it wouldn’t be long before I fell under his spell again. I needed to get him out of my apartment before I turned into mush without the opportunity to consider this turn of events. “You should leave.”

  “I should. This is true.” Cade sank his ass on my mattress. “So, you splurge on wine and mattresses.”

  “And televisions.”

  “What?”

  “I also bought a nice TV. Needed something to occupy my mind so I didn’t think about Olivia and that poor little girl all the time.”

  Cade fell back onto the mattress. “I’m trying to imagine what that crazy bitch was up to, how she knew you were there, and why she showed up to run you off and then never came back.”

  “That is a conundrum. Could it be because she’s a crazy bitch?”

  “Nope. That was too calculated. It makes no sense at all. If she wanted something, why didn’t she come to me? Why just you? What did she gain?”

  “Oh I don’t know. The satisfaction of knowing she broke us up?”

  “Too simple.”

  “Well, could she get more money out of you?”

  “She got plenty of money out of me. And besides, don’t know why she would need it.”

  “Why?”

  “Her parents were loaded already.”

  “Well, she wasn’t loaded that day. She had the air of someone with money, but not the clothes or the car.”

  Cade lifted his head. “You shitting me?”

  “No. Honda Accord, several years old. Head held high and mighty. No fancy clothing to back it up.”

  Cade seemed confused. “Huh. Even weirder. Have you seen her since then?”

  “No. Why?”

  “I wonder if she’s stalking you.”

  “Well if she was, she probably gave it up when she succeeded in running me off.”

  “Don’t remind me.” He flopped back onto my mattress.

  “Cade, you can’t stay here.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Because I need to think.”

  “About what?”

  “Us.”

  “I’ve done nothing but think about us for five long fucking months. I’m done thinking.”

  “Well, I’m not.”

  Cade lifted onto one elbow. “Come here.”

  I shook my head and walked past him, heading for my bathroom. I was exhausted. He needed to get out of my apartment so I could sleep on this mess. I hadn’t concluded that I would go into the office in the morning, but one way or the other, I had to face my colleagues.

  I grabbed my toothbrush and tried to get back to the mundane, ignoring the man on my mattress refusing to leave my apartment. I’d have to strong arm him to get him out.

  When I finished rinsing and lifted my face from the faucet, Cade was behind me. I met his gaze in the mirror. He set his hands on my hips and let them slide under my sweatshirt until his palms were spread on my bare skin.

  “Cade…” Why was I putty every time he touched me? My belly dipped as I fought the need growing inside me.

  Cade spun me around slowly and then lifted me onto the counter. He met my gaze head on and didn’t release it while his hands resumed their spot on my waist, roaming up until he cupped my breasts. He inhaled sharply. “No bra,” he muttered as he pinched both my nipples at once.

  In a flash of material, my sweatshirt was gone, yanked over my head and set aside.

  Cades eyes lowered to my breasts. He cupped them again, reverently, stroking his thumbs across my distended nipples while I waged a mental war. I was losing.

  It felt so fantastic having him touch me. I’d missed this. I’d missed him. His intensity. His high-handed mannerisms that made me wet between the legs and desperate for release. I moaned.

  “That’s my girl.”

  “Cade…” I repeated.

  “Just relax, baby. I promise to keep my pants on if you’ll let me soak in your beauty for a few minutes.”

  “And then you’ll leave?”

  “If you insist.”

  “I do,” I squeaked out as he pinched my nipples again, harder this time. He had my attention. “Looking and touching are two different things.”

  “Not in my world.” He leaned in and sucked one nipple between his lips. When he released it with a pop, he continued. “What I want to see requires me touching you.”

  A rush of liquid filled my panties. I knew what he meant. I just wasn’t sure I was up for it.

  Cade lowered one hand to the V between my legs and cupped my sex. “So hot. I can feel the warmth through your strange choice of leggings.”

  “Yoga pants,” I muttered, my eyes rolling back.

  “Whatever. You’re wet.”

  “Mmm hmm.” No sense denying that point.

  “Spread your legs wider, baby. Let me touch you.”

  I inched my knees out, gripping
Cade’s shoulders with both hands. Just like that, I was under his hypnosis. Damn it.

  Cade spread his palm wider on my pussy and flicked his middle finger over my clit. Two layers of cotton lay between my skin and his hand, and I could barely notice the barrier.

  He lowered his face back to my chest and suckled a nipple. He cupped the other one with his free hand.

  I stiffened, fighting the need to come. How had I gotten so close to the edge so fast?

  “Cade,” I whispered, my fingers digging into his shoulders, “this wasn’t in the agreement.”

  He lifted his face to mine. He hadn’t kissed me yet. I stared at his lips. “Of course it was. I said I wanted to watch you.”

  “No. You said you wanted to see me. Big difference.”

  He shrugged. “Again, semantics.” His face grew serious as I tightened my thighs and lifted my ass off the vanity.

  “That’s my girl. Let it go. Remind me what you look like when you come for me.”

  As soon as he spoke, I hitched my breath and teetered forward. Just for a second. The next second, Cade pushed his palm against my pussy, and I came. Hard. Pulsing against his hand and gripping his arms so tightly I would leave marks from my nails under his dress shirt.

  “Baby,” he muttered as his hand released my breast to cup my face on one side. He still held my pussy as he leaned in close and took my lips. Finally.

  The kiss was urgent, filled with five months of pent-up need. I took as much as he gave, slipping my tongue into his mouth to duel with his.

  When Cade finally separated our lips, he was breathing hard. He let go of my pussy and set both hands on my waist. His thumbs continued to stroke my skin. “You never answered my question.”

  “Which question was that?”

  “Did you sleep with Brad?”

  I swallowed. “No. There’s been no one.”

  His eyes slid shut, and his mouth curled into a smile. My nipples hardened once again at his pleased expression.

  “You’re mine, baby,” he stated when he met my gaze again.

  I didn’t move or speak.

  He grinned wider, his dimples coming out to tantalize me with their cuteness. “Deny it all you want, baby. But you’re mine. Your body knows it. You just need to get it into your head.”

  I knew he was right. I didn’t need to get anything into my head. But, I also didn’t want him to get all cocky on me, so I chose to remain still.

  Cade lifted one hand to my face. He cupped my jaw again and rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. “Love when your mouth gets swollen from my kisses.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “Love when your eyes glaze over like that with lust.”

  I melted.

  “I don’t need you to confirm what I know. It’s enough for now that I have you in my arms. I’ll never let you go, baby. Not again.”

  I nodded.

  “I’m gonna give you this one night to sleep alone and wrap your mind around us. I’ll pick you up at seven and take you to the office. After tonight, you’ll be in my bed. Every night. Are we clear?”

  I sucked in a breath. My heart pounded.

  “Amelia, are we clear?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  His grin spread again. “Good.” Cade lifted me off the counter and set me on my feet. “I’ll let myself out. Seven o’clock, baby.” He released me and walked toward the bedroom door. I watched him retreat, taking two steps out of my bathroom. He turned at the door, his grip on the frame tense. “Be sure to shave your pussy, Amelia. And don’t wear panties.”

  I didn’t move. My face heated ten degrees. Could he tell through my yoga pants that I’d let my hair grow back? Surely not. Perhaps he didn’t care one way or the other. He just wanted to be clear about how it would be from here on out.

  He made himself clear. Crystal clear.

  As usual.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I tossed for two hours before I fell asleep. I stared at the ceiling in the dark, worrying about every aspect of my life. In less than twelve hours, Cade had turned my world upside down. Again.

  I hadn’t even called Cheyenne or Meagan. I needed to do that before too long, or they would freak when they heard the news. Hell, they were going to freak in either case.

  My body hummed from the orgasm Cade had given me, which had been unbelievably fantastic, while at the same time not nearly enough.

  I wore a tank top and loose boxers to bed, knowing this would be the last night for a long time I wouldn’t feel every aspect of my sheets against my skin.

  And what did Cade mean when he said I wouldn’t be sleeping alone? I lived in Nashville. He lived in Atlanta. He didn’t even own a place in Nashville as far as I knew.

  I had to face Brad. What I’d done to him had been completely uncool.

  And Mr. Cross. Fuck. The man probably wanted to throttle me, and rightfully so.

  And Lisa. Shit.

  Finally, I dozed off, awaking to the sound of my alarm a few hours later. As usual, I wormed out one hand and slapped the button on my clock without looking. I moaned. This was not a day I wanted to face.

  At seven sharp I was ready to go. Cade’s knock was expected, so I took a deep breath and opened the door.

  He stood there, looking like a million bucks in his suit, a deep gray with faint pinstripes. His tie was red, which seemed appropriate for a slaughter.

  He stepped inside and lifted my chin without a word to place a kiss on my lips, not a peck and not a make-out session that would leave me spinning, but somewhere sweet in between. Nice. I liked it.

  His voice was low when he spoke. “Missed you, baby. Ready?”

  “Yes.” I already had my purse on my arm, so I flipped off the lights and followed him into the hall.

  Cade led me down the three flights of stairs to the first floor and across the walkway to the awaiting Mercedes. Arthur stood by the side. He tipped his hat. “Ms. Kensington.”

  I smiled at him. “Good morning, Arthur.”

  I swear he smiled as I ducked into the back seat in front of Cade. When we were settled and pulling away, Cade turned toward me. “I’ll handle things at the office. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”

  “Like fuck you will,” I said back sweetly, my sugary tone not matching my words.

  He chuckled. “I forgot how feisty you are.”

  “No you didn’t. You just chose to ignore it. This is my job, Cade. My office. My employees. I’ll handle this situation. If I choose to resign, that will be my decision.” I leaned forward. At that moment, even in the light of day, I could see no other feasible option. As soon as we entered the building, I would surely feel the buzz of rumors.

  Cade grinned. “We’ll see.”

  I humphed as I sat back against the seat, crossing my legs and squeezing my thighs together.

  Cade set a hand on top of my leg and gripped, his fingers digging into my flesh hard enough to let me know he was not pleased.

  I ignored him.

  When he didn’t release me, I swatted his hand away. “Cade. Please. I need all my wits this morning. Stop distracting me.”

  “What did I do?” He chuckled again.

  “Thank you.” I looked out the window. The world was like a picture frame, a strange one in which a snapshot wouldn’t tell the viewer what the temperature was. With no trees around that part of the city to belie the evidence of a warm sunny day, no one would know it was winter. It was cold. Colder than usual for November. But the day looked fresh and sunny, either mocking me for trying to grab onto that warmth or letting me know it would be okay in the end. I didn’t know which. But I was nervous.

  We pulled up at The Rockwood Group at seven thirty. This gave me plenty of time to make my way to the fourth floor and organize my thoughts before the building flooded with employees.

  Cade said nothing as he followed on my heels. The only people we passed were the guards on the ground floor who nodded and greeted us both by name. If they thought it odd I arrived at work with the man who apparently
owned the building, they didn’t let it show.

  Thank goodness for their professionalism.

  I was shocked to find Lisa already at her desk, however. The moment we stepped off the elevator and headed toward my office, she stood. “Lillie.” She looked nervous. She lifted her gaze to Cade. “Mr. Alexander.”

  Cade chuckled, probably at the nickname. “Why don’t you come into Amelia’s office so we can talk, Lisa?” Of course. Cade waltzed into my building and took over.

  I swallowed my frustration and continued to enter my office as though the idea had been mutual. In a way it was. But what I hadn’t intended was to face Lisa so early, and certainly not with Cade present. I rounded my desk and turned to face my assistant and my…whatever Cade was.

  Cade dropped his briefcase on the floor in front of my desk and took a seat in one of the two chairs positioned for guests. He held out a hand to the other leather seat and nodded at Lisa.

  Lisa looked like she’d rather scrub toilets, but she inched forward and sat demurely, tucking her skirt under her thighs and crossing her legs at the ankles.

  Cade spoke again. “Relax. No one’s in trouble.”

  Lisa nodded, uncertainty written on her face.

  I jumped in, hoping to run this conversation my way. “Lisa, what’s the damage?”

  Lisa jerked her gaze from the intense man next to her to me. “What damage?”

  “I know we were loud yesterday afternoon. I’m sure we could be heard for two stories. How bad was it?” I bit my lip and drew my brows together in a way that would hopefully tell Lisa I was asking woman to woman.

  She flinched. “I don’t think there’s any damage, Lillie. Well, except perhaps with Mr. Cross. He called a few times trying to get in to see you, but I put him off. He was curt and a bit miffed, but that’s about it.”

  “What about the staff?”

  Lisa shrugged. “I kept the coast clear. Anyone who came by, I told them you were busy and to come back tomorrow. Really, if you’re worried about noise, it wasn’t that bad. I could hear you myself from outside, but not words, just the occasional sounds of voices.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  Cade laughed. “Guess the insulation is good in this building. See, nothing to worry about.”

  I shot him a glare.