“Shit,” I mutter. I don’t know what else to say. I wait for the hysterics, and the tears to come. Instead, Cassey’s expression remains blank.
“We can be on the next flight out of here,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to see them. We don’t have any relatives, so there’s no point in me going.”
Her eyes well up, and finally the first tear falls. “I shouldn’t feel…” her words trail off and she swallows hard, her brows scrunching slightly.
“You shouldn’t feel what?”
“Relieved. I shouldn’t feel relieved, but I do. I’ve hated them for most of my life, and all I can think about right now is that I’ll never have to see them or hear from them again.”
I wipe her tears away, and hold her face in my palms. “They can’t hurt you anymore, but are you sure you don’t want to go home?”
“I’m sure,” she says, nodding. “I have nothing left to go back to. This is my home. You are my home.”
What more can I say to that? I can’t begin to fathom what her parents did to make her hate them so much, but now I hate them, too. Why would anyone want to hurt Cassey? She’s kind, with a big heart, and she’s so fucking strong. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve her love, but I will spend the rest of my life proving to her that I can be what she needs. Her parents are assholes for never treating her the way she deserves, and I find myself feeling relieved that she won’t ever have to deal with them again.
Chapter 15
~ Cassey ~
“They’re dead?” Quinn asks. We’re sitting on the sofa in my office drinking coffee. She sips her tea, staring at me wide-eyed over the rim of her cup. I nod, finding it difficult to believe myself. It was only yesterday that I found out about my parents’ death, and even after speaking to a detective who confirmed it, it still doesn’t feel real. I haven’t cried yet, and I’m not sure I will. I feel both guilt and relief. Guilt because I’m not heartbroken over my loss if I can call it that; and relief because I haven’t had this sense of freedom in forever.
“A detective called me yesterday,” I say. “He said they overdosed, and somehow their trailer caught fire while their bodies were inside. He said they think it was an accident, but they’ll investigate to rule out all other possibilities. He said the only way they could be identified is through dental records, because of how badly their bodies were burned.” A lump forms in my throat and I try to swallow it. To anyone else I would look heartless for not being upset about my parents’ death, but no one really understands that the only thing that made them my parents in the first place is nothing more than biology. They showed no parental inclinations and made sure to tell me I was a mistake at every chance they got. How do I mourn people like that? “Wow,” Quinn sighs, “And I thought I had problems.”
“About that, what happened with Jarred?” I ask, thinking about the state he was in when he showed up at my apartment yesterday. Kyler wasn’t impressed, but I’m glad he didn’t get involved.
Quinn turns to face me, tucking a recently pedicured foot under her butt. “He showed up at my parents’ place,” she replies, eyeing me warily. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“I’m sorry, Quinny. But he showed up at my place, looking freaked out because he couldn’t find you, and I wanted him to find you so that he could grovel for your forgiveness. I felt bad for him, okay?”
Quinn exhales audibly, pulling her fingers through her platinum blonde hair. Even with the dark circles under her eyes, Quinn still looks immaculate. “I know, Cass, it’s fine. My parents gave him a hard time, too. My dad was so angry, not about the pregnancy, but because Jarred acted like an ass. Eventually, I told my parents to let us talk.”
“I hope he declared his undying love for you, and promised to be the best damn father the world has ever seen. If not, I’ll castrate him on your behalf.” “I told him we need a break,” Quinn says, tears building in her eyes. “I told him he needs to decide what’s important to him, and what’s not. If he can’t be there for me and our baby, then he must tell me now. I don’t want my baby coming into a volatile environment. He or she will be loved, even if it’s just me.” She sniffs, and I reach over to hand her a tissue.
“You won’t be alone,” I tell her. “I told you this kid is going to have the best godmother in the universe. And you’ll probably have to fight your parents off,” I giggle.
“I’m scared, Cass,” Quinn whispers. “What if I’m no good at this? What if Jarred decides he can’t do this?”
“First of all, you are going to be an amazing mother, and second of all, if Jarred leaves you then he doesn’t deserve you or your baby. But I don’t think you have to worry about that. Jarred will come around when he realizes just how much he’s losing.”
“I hope so,” Quinn replies softly.
We sit in silence for the shortest time, both consumed by the events in our lives. I can’t help but think of the irony of our situations. My parents are both gone, and Quinn is pregnant.
My desk phone rings and I jump up quickly to answer it.
“Cassey Emerson speaking.”
“Miss Emerson,” Kyler’s assistant greets me on the phone. “Mr. Knight has requested that you meet him in his office right away.”
“Okay,” I reply, frowning. “I’ll be right up.”
“Who was it?” Quinn asks, standing up. She straightens her cream colored linen work pants and her red bell-sleeve blouse.
“Kyler’s assistant. He wants to see me.”
Quinn smirks. “Let me know what sex feels like on a desk,” she chimes, waving goodbye as she leaves my office.
I follow her out, and take brisk walk to the elevator. When I reach Kyler’s office door, Nikola, his assistant, has a gleam in her eyes that makes my skin crawl. She’s up to something. She motions to the door but doesn’t escort me inside, which is strange because she usually does. I open the door, and my feet root themselves to the floor. My body tenses and I freeze.
“Cass? What are you doing here?” Kyler asks, surprised. It takes me a minute to reply, given that I’m staring at the bitch who tried to ruin me and Kyler. Jessa fucking Price.
“Your assistant called,” I reply icily. I have the urge to run like hell, but I don’t. I made a promise to myself that I would trust Kyler again. I just didn’t think my trust would be tested so soon. “She said you wanted to see me.” Kyler frowns confused, and then he rises to his feet. “There must be a misunderstanding.”
Jessa looks at me from over her shoulder, and gives me a venomous smile. Bitch. Then it dawns on me. She planned this. She wanted me to walk in here and see them together. Too bad I won’t let her win this round. Or any other round after this.
Kyler rounds his desk and I walk towards him. I square my shoulders, and lift my chin by an inch.
“I’m sorry- ”
“Kyler,” Jessa interrupts, rising from her own seat. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
I step forward and stick my hand out. “Cassey Emerson,” I reply. “Kyler’s girlfriend.”
Jessa’s expression falters, and if I wasn’t staring at her, I wouldn’t have noticed. She shakes my hand and then drops it quickly. Kyler’s hand rests on the small of my back, and his touch somehow eases my rigid muscles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says. I can almost see the venom dripping from her mouth.
“Likewise,” I lie. I turn to Kyler and smile up at him. I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my body to his. He inhales and grins at me. He knows what I’m doing, I can see it in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting,” I tell him. I bat my eyelashes slightly, just for effect. “Call me after, and we can have lunch in your office?”
Before Kyler can respond, I slide my hand up his chest and around his neck, pulling his head down. I press my lips to his and ravage his mouth. We pull apart, breathless. “Come find me when you’re done,” I suggest innocently. He clears his thr
oat. “I won’t be long,” he replies, his voice rough, and thick. It only sounds like that before or during sex, and I revel on the fact that I can turn him on with just a kiss.
I smile sweetly at Jessa. “It was nice meeting you,” I say. “But if you ever touch my man again, your small boobs will be the least of your worries.” Her face drops and Kyler snorts next to me. I kiss him on the cheek one last time and walk out of his office, feeling confident and stronger than I thought I would after a confrontation like that. I ignore Nikola and go back to my office.
A n hour later, Kyler walks into my office. He shuts and locks my door, and then purposefully comes to stand in front of me.
“Hi.” My voice is quiet, and low, and I start to doubt the boldness I displayed in his office earlier. Maybe I could’ve behaved a little more professionally, but seeing Jessa made my blood boil, and I just wanted put her in her place. “You,” Kyler breathes out. He lifts me from my chair easily and lowers my butt to the edge of my desk.
“I know what you were doing,” he says. He pushes my skirt up to my hips and steps between my legs. “You were claiming me, marking your territory.” “Yes,” I sigh. He brushes the front of my thong with his knuckle and I bite my lip.
“Why did you do that?” he asks, leaning in closer.
“Because,” my breath hitches when he pushes my thong to the side. “Because you’re mine,” I reply. “And I…Oh jeezus… I wanted Jessa to know that.” Kyler’s fingers sink into me, and I groan. He bends over to kiss my neck, sucking on the soft skin behind my ear. I bend one arm, and bring my other around Kyler’s neck for support.
“That was so sexy,” Kyler mumbles, his hot breath making me shiver. “Seeing you get jealous, and territorial.”
My grip on him tightens as his fingers push into me faster and faster. “Kyler,” I choke out.
His fingers slow and he starts massaging my g-spot.
“Ohhh my…” I whimper. “Kyler, God, that’s…”
I tuck my head into Kyler’s should to smother my scream. My body convulses, and I’m still shaking when I hear Kyler’s belt buckle. He drops his slacks and rests his hands on my hips. The head of his erection nudges my sensitive clit, and I suck in a breath. I don’t know if I can come again, but I won’t stop Kyler from trying.
He sinks into me, so goddam slowly, and I throw my head back from the unendurable pleasure running through my body.
“Hmmmm,” Kyler hums. “You feel good like this, Cass.”
Kyler pulls out, and then slams back into me. I cry out, craving more and more of him.
“This. Is. Me.” Kyler grunts. “Claiming.You.”
My arms feel like jello, so Kyler lifts my upper body and holds me up while his hips move at a steady rhythm.
Kyler presses his forehead to mine, and breathes into my face. “You belong to me…I belong to you.”
My answer is a loud yelp which he muffles with his mouth.
He stills, and I feel him empty inside of me, which triggers my second, mind-numbing orgasm.
Kyler brushes my hair out of my face and grins like a cheshire cat. “How’s that for lunch?” he chuckles.
“Hmmm,” is all I have the strength for. My body is a pool of liquid in his arms.
Kyler laughs and kisses my nose. “God, I love you, woman.”
~ Kyler ~
“George Clooney is way better looking than Daniel Craig,” Cassey argues. She’s wearing my light blue button down shirt with black lacy underwear. Cassey’s legs are slung over mine and we’re on the sofa in her apartment. After rolling around in the sheets for almost two hours, we decided to order some Chinese and watch television while we replenish our energy. She sticks a piece of sweat and sour beef into her mouth and I watch her mouth. I never thought eating was sexy. Until Cassey.
“Kyler,” she says, pulling me from my daze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Sorry, but watching you eat makes it impossible to concentrate on the meaningless argument you’re having with yourself.”
Cassey licks her lips, and my cock stirs. “It’s not meaningless,” she retorts, a cheeky glint in her green eyes. “It’s significant to every woman out there. No one can resist an older, sexy man like George.”
I lift a brow. “Oh, really? Is he the one starring in your fantasies these days?” Cassey shakes her head, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glued to my face. “No. He’s not.”
I take the box of food from her hands and lift her onto my lap by her hips so that she straddles me. The shirt she’s wearing is only buttoned halfway, so I catch a glimpse of her full tits.
My hands slide up Cassey’s naked thighs, disappearing under my shirt to cup her delectable butt.
“So, if it’s not George Clooney who makes you wet in your sleep, then who is it?” I ask wryly.
Cassey pulls her lip into her mouth, and looks at me from beneath her lashes. Her long brown hair falls, creating a curtain, so I push it back and tuck it behind her ear.
Cassey leans forward, brushing my nose with hers, and starts moving her hips over the hard-on tenting my sweats. My nails dig into her flesh, marking her.
“The man in my fantasies is way sexier than George Clooney,” she whispers. “Oh, so it’s Daniel Craig then?” I tease.
“Uhh uhhh,” Cassey breathes. Her hands rest on my pecs, and she flicks my nipples.
“Cass,” I whisper huskily.
Her hands continue their journey south, and her fingers trace every muscle on my stomach, making me shiver. My body’s reaction to her is visceral and electrifying. My breathing stops when her hand disappears into my sweats and touches my hard erection. I hiss when her fingers wrap around my length, and start moving up and down.
“Shit,” I mutter.
Cassey kisses me, long and hard as her hand pumps my cock.
“Baby,” I murmur against her lips. “I’m going to - ”
I have no words left when Cassey moves quickly and kneels between my legs. She pulls my cock into her mouth and sucks hard, hallowing out her cheeks. “Oh fuck,” I cry out. Cassey looks up, and I watch her swallow while I writhe under her. Holy. Shit.
I drag Cassey back onto my lap and kiss her deeply. “God,” I sigh. “I really hope you weren’t thinking about Daniel Craig while you were doing that.” Cassey chuckles, cupping my face in her delicate hands. “The only man starring in my fantasies is the one I’m looking at.”
“Lucky bastard,” I mumble.
I’m about to lay Cassey down and return the favor when my phone interrupts me.
“You’d better get that,” Cassey says, climbing off my lap. “It could be your mom.”
She retreats into her kitchen and I work to catch my breath before checking my phone. Cassey was right, it’s my mother.
“Hey Mom. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, Kyler,” I hear her sniffling, and immediately jump up from my place on the sofa. “It’s your father, h-h-he…Oh my God…”
“Mom, I need you to take a deep breath, and tell me what happened,” I urge, calmly. This isn’t good.
“He’s having difficulty breathing, and they’re trying to do everything they can, but you need to come, I think it’s time.”
After that, everything happens in slow motion. I end the call, get dressed, and in twenty minutes, Cassey and I are running down the hall to my father’s hospital room. When my mother sees me, she collapses into my arms and sobs hysterically, while the man who gave me life breathes his last breath.
Funeral arrangements are made, and before the week is up, I watch them lower my father’s casket into the ground. I’m surrounded by a sea of people who knew him, the lives of the many people he touched, and I’m left wondering if I can ever be the man he was. I wrap my arms around my grieving mother and comfort her as best I can. Cassey squeezes my hand, and I find that while I may be my mother’s source of strength, Cassey is undoubtedly mine. She has been amazing since my father died. She’s made sure my mother eats, and helped me with
everything else when it became too much for me to handle alone. It takes me back to the conversation we had the day I found out he was dying of cancer. “Find the woman who will be your reason to live, who will stick with you, not during the good times but through the hard times, and who will tell you when you’re being an ass. Find the woman worth keeping, for more than sex, the one you can see your future with. And when you look at her, you’ll know you’ve found her,” he’d said. At the time I didn’t believe it, but one look at Cassey and I know. I see her standing at my side, being my partner, my lover, my friend, and one day the mother of my children. When it’s all said and done, she’s the one I want to grow old with.
The funeral comes to an end, signifying a much greater meaning than just an ending, and my mother politely greets our friends and family.
She keeps it together, until I take her back to my parents’ house, where all the memories flood our house.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay staying here alone, Mom?” I look at my mother, and can’t fight the concern that she will end up lonely.
Her tired eyes meet mine and she gives me a small smile. “I’m thinking of going away with some friends,” she says. “Just to get away for a while.” I hug her to my side as we sit outside on the deck, overlooking our big garden. It was my father’s favorite place. “That might be good for you. I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Darling, I will be fine.” She cups my face. “I’m so proud of you, you know? And so was your Dad.”
“Thanks, Mom. I just hope I’ll be able to be half the man he was.” “You already are, sweetheart.” My mother takes my hand in hers and just holds it, as if to draw strength from it. “Oh, yes,” she says, standing up. “I can’t believe I almost forgot.” I look at my mother, confused, as she walks inside quickly, only to reappear a few minutes later. “Your father wanted to give you this before…” her voice cracks, “but then he asked me to.” She hands me a small blue velvet box and sits down next to me. “It belonged to your grandmother, and when your father and I got engaged, it became mine.” I open the box, and nestled inside is a blue sapphire ring with smaller diamonds surrounding the beautiful stone.
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