“Why, Greg? What was wrong with that day?” I frowned as I asked that. I thought he and I were perfect in that elevator.
“I wanted you again as soon as we finished. I was in the mood for sex for a while, and I didn’t have anyone. Then I heard your talk with Lala and I said to myself, ‘if she’s anywhere near me, anywhere we could be intimate, I’m helping her with her problem.’”
I blushed when I thought of that day. I still don’t know how I missed him standing there.
“I damn near exploded when I heard you say the word ‘pussy,’ Cass. I knew I wanted yours and the sooner the better.”
“And how did we end up in that elevator, Greg?”
“Nothing but fate, love.”
“Fate.” I laughed. “How was it fate that I let a complete stranger fuck me in an elevator?”
“I saw you standing at that elevator.” He smiled. “I hurried over before it closed in my face and took you to where you needed to go. I made it in the nick of time.”
“You were planning to fuck me in the elevator?”
“No, I was planning to steer you in the direction of an empty room, but when the elevator closed, the tension… it just took me over and I had to have you right then. I have no… Well, I have one regret. I should have gotten your name, phone number, address; something more than ‘Cass.’ I missed you as soon as I left you in that elevator.”
I nodded, then kissed him softly. “I felt so empty as soon as you left me. Physically and emotionally. I even told the guys that. That damn Walden has a sex radar. He can tell when someone has had sex within twenty-four hours. It’s so annoying. He noticed me, even after I’d cleaned up, and completely called me out.”
“Did he?” Greg laughed. “Perceptive, isn’t he?”
“Very.” I grinned. “About all the wrong things.”
He smiled and kissed me again, gently holding my face. When we broke the kiss, his forehead was on mine and he didn’t appear to want to move from between my legs.
Good.
“I can’t believe we’re here together, Cass. I don’t think you realize how much I missed you when you disappeared.”
“I didn’t disappear, Greg.”
He raised his head, and I got a very adorable eyebrow raise.
“Okay, I did,” I giggled.
He laughed, his head going to my chest while he held me. “Mmm. I like being right here. Am I too heavy for you?”
“No,” I breathed out, caressing his head. “You’re perfect.”
“Good,” he murmured. “I purposely did not seek you out after the elevator, Cass. I didn’t want to want to see you again.”
I frowned, freezing in my spot. My arms slowly moved away from him. His tightened and his head lifted and buried into my neck. I turned away and glared at the wall.
“No, let’s talk this out. Hold me again.”
I shook my head. “No. Tell me why.”
He sighed, his grip never loosening. “I knew about Forrest’s no fraternizing rule. I didn’t know where, but I knew you worked there. I was a client so we could never be anything; I didn’t want to get you fired. Plus, you were in a relationship. Despite you saying you wanted out, you used the word ‘think.’ Twice.”
I turned back and looked down at him. “What are you talking about?”
“You said ‘I think I want out’ when you talked with Lala.” He sighed. “You didn’t sound sure and Lala was telling you to keep trying. So I decided to help you and me at the same time. One time, I thought. I could have sex with you once then keep going. I was doing pretty good, having told the boys what happened, shocking them since I never shared details. Then Mike started humming that song, and the next thing I knew, I was at the mic and singing it full tilt.”
I nodded. Yes, he had been and Aerosmith his favorite band, so of course they all knew it.
“And then you walked in with the others and I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. I claimed you right away and I meant it.”
“And the night I cancelled?”
“That night… wow. I was… it was the first time ever I hated I wasn’t free. If I were with anyone other than Ree, I would’ve happily blown them off. We watched a movie after the last text. Well, she did. I was too busy planning what I was going to eat, aside from you, that is.”
I grinned and smacked his shoulder. He laughed then got on his elbows again to look me in the face. I smiled at him.
“Hold me?”
I shook my head, pretending to be exasperated. I was nowhere near it.
“Fine.” I sighed and brought my arms up his back. “Happy now?”
His head lowered and he sucked my nipple. I moaned.
“I am now,” he chuckled. “Just a little.”
I giggled. “How did you know about the no fraternizing at Forrest’s?”
“Itsy told me. Well, us. It’s why Kylie didn’t take a job with them; she was supposed to do her internship with them, initially. Technically, we’re all their clients, and if she took the job, she couldn’t date Mike. Itsy said it was a violation, so Kylie joining was on hold until she graduated. If she wanted to continue to see Mike, she was going somewhere else.”
“Was?”
“Yeah.” Greg nodded. “Sam rescinded the rule. You, then Kylie… it was too much. I don’t think you know how well liked you were there. You’re missed, and I’m told Kylie kicks ass and Sam wants her. She’s not giving up Mike, so he had no other choice, if he wanted Kylie in the firm. I believe those two are forever.”
“So do I. I noticed an engagement ring on her finger at Lala’s wedding.”
Greg nodded, then kissed my neck softly. “He’d only proposed the night before.”
“Why are they keeping quiet?” I sighed happily, closing my eyes.
He kissed the other side of my neck in the same slow, sexy way. “Kylie wanted to tell her parents first. After that, I’m sure they’ll shout it to the world.” Greg stopped his kissing, then his head shot up. “Why were you dancing with Daniel?”
“Because he asked. And you danced with that Trina woman. Or should I say you were grinding with her? That stung.”
“You should have paid better attention, love. She was grinding on me. Not the other way around.”
My arms dropped. “No, you were grinding on one another.”
“No, love. She was grinding on me, attempting to turn me on and get me into bed.”
“Again,” I whispered, feeling a little hurt.
I know, I know… biggest hypocrite on the planet… I see that.
“No, not again. I never slept with her.”
“Yes, you did.” I sniffed. “You picked her up from the airport and Kerri said the two of you disappeared.”
Greg shook his head. “Cassidy, I was in no shape to talk, let alone fuck some other woman. I was burning with rage at your cancelling on me, and I wouldn’t so much as talk to that girl. I just picked her up, and try as she might, I never touched her. What she did after I dropped her at that hotel is a mystery to me, because I went back to my apartment as soon as she got out of my truck.”
“Why dance with her then?”
“Because you wouldn’t dance with me.”
I frowned. “What? You never asked me to dance.”
“I did, love. I held out my hand to you and you just stood there. Trina came over with that stupid grin and made suggestions.” Greg frowned then sighed. “Okay, I did grind on her, but only because I thought you were watching us. I wanted to make you jealous, and I used her.”
“It worked,” I whispered. “I returned what I thought was a smile from you, and in the next instance you were with her.”
“That smile was yours. I wanted to dance with you and hold you in my arms because I missed you. I shouldn’t have sat next to you after that. I should have left that party and attempted to forget about you. I couldn’t, and I really wished I had after I heard you and that fool talking.”
I stared at him. “You spilled that drink on my dress o
n purpose?”
“I did. I heard the conversation the two of you were having and I needed to get him away from you. You texted and cancelled on me, then went to him. Him, Cassidy. That hurt me and I swear… I just wanted to pummel him right then and there, boyfriend or not. It drove me crazy to think he was allowed inside you. I tried to respect Lala and Stone and hold it in, but the fucker hit me after I left you in that foyer. I never saw it coming. I gotta tell you, baby… it felt so good to kick his ass.”
I tried not to laugh, but I failed. I wished I could kick Eddie’s ass myself, especially after what he did to me. I recalled the look on Matthew’s face at my aunt’s home and knew he took care of that for me.
Good.
“So now what?” I sighed. “What do we do now?”
He grinned, then jumped off the bed.
“Let’s shower and get dressed. I have something I want to… show you.”
“But why?” I whined. “I missed you and I was enjoying being here with you. Alone. Naked.”
He laughed and pulled me from the bed. “I promise, tonight you and I will be naked in bed and we won’t leave it again until Monday morning when I have to go to work.”
“Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes and stomping off to the bathroom. “I will require at least three orgasms when I get you naked again.”
He quickly caught me and wrapped his arms around me. “I guarantee three for my every one. Deal?”
“Deal!”
* * *
Ninety minutes later, we were in his car, parking at a condo complex.
“My parents live here now.” Greg smiled, then opened his door. “I want you to meet my mother. My sisters will be here later with their husbands. They can’t wait to meet you.”
Ooh, meeting the mother… exciting… and now, I really know he’s serious about me. I happily sighed and couldn’t wait to meet Ree. That will equal permanent. At least, I hoped it would.
He got out of the car. I got out, too, and frowned when Greg stopped me from closing the door.
“From now on, when you’re with me, you wait for me to open your door, okay?”
I smiled, remembering what he’d told me about how he was raised.
“Okay.”
He took my hand and held it as we walked to the building. The elevator took us to the fifth floor, and my heart thudded as we exited. Great. Now I get nervous! I stopped with him outside 502 and winced.
“Do I look okay? How’s my hair? What about my outfit? Is it too revealing?”
I nervously adjusted my dress, thinking I was showing way too much cleavage as I tried adjusting my jacket. Finally, Greg stopped my fidgeting with a soft kiss.
“You’re perfect, I promise.”
I smiled, then dropped it. “She’s going to hate me, Greg. I’m sure she had someone different in mind for you.”
“Different than what? You’re a woman who loves me. I think that’s all she’s ever wanted for me.”
I leaned in and whispered, “She’s not going to care that I’m not… you know…”
“No, I don’t.” Greg frowned. “That you’re not what?”
“That I’m not the same… ethnicity, as you.”
Greg sighed, then moved me to the wall, away from the door.
“Cassidy, no one I know, my parents included, ever cares who is what color. It won’t bother anyone, especially Mom. It didn’t when Livia brought home her husband, and he’s blond and green-eyed. Mom loves him because he loves Livia and isn’t afraid to show it. She only cares that we love who we choose and they love us in return. Trust me, she won’t care. No one will.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. Then my eyes widened. “But what about-”
He stopped me with a kiss again and I quickly responded. He pulled back and cupped my face.
“Stop worrying. You’ll be fine with all of us. More than fine, I promise.”
I nodded again and watched as Greg knocked on the door. It flew open and the prettiest, chocolate-hued woman smiled big at him. Her salt-sprinkled black hair was straight and pulled back into a bun. She was thick and very curvy, and flung herself into Greg’s arms.
“Baby boy, I swear you better not stay away from your momma that long again!”
“Mom, it’s only been four days.”
His mom pulled back and looked at him. “Four days of no seeing, no calling, no texting and no emails. Where have you been?”
“Working. You know, it’s what I have to do in order for Karima to have shoes on her ever-growing feet.”
“That’s right, use my grandbaby to make me overlook that you’ve been neglecting your mother; the hurt woman in front of you with only one son.”
I heard her sniff then smacked Greg’s arm.
“What?” Greg asked, looking at me confused.
“You cannot go four days without talking to your mother, Greg! Look what you’ve done to her. So wrong to do that to your own mother,” I scolded. “I think you should apologize to the woman who gave you life, right now.”
Greg shook his head and I raised an eyebrow. He looked back at his mother.
“I’m sorry, Mom. It won’t happen again. Forgive me?”
I shook my head as he gave her a shameful puppy look, and she attempted to hide a giggle when she quickly fell for it.
She grinned. “Of course. I just missed my baby, my only boy.”
“I know, Mom,” Greg murmured and kissed her cheek. She ushered us inside then Greg smiled at me. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Cassidy Wren. Cassidy, this is my mother, Justine Mitchell.”
I smiled and held out my hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Mitchell.”
To my surprise, she hugged me. “Call me Justine, Cassidy. I’m beyond thrilled to meet you.”
I hugged her and allowed her to lead me through her condo.
“You’re a beautiful girl, Cassidy. You look like a doll with this pretty and thick brown hair. And I love those big, pretty brown eyes. So expressive. Very telling.” She smiled and squeezed my side as we walked. “Relax, doll baby. I only bite my husband and grandchildren, but not in the same way,” she said with a cute little wink.
That made me giggle, more so when Greg murmured ew behind us.
“Tell me about you, Cassidy. Are your parents in California?”
I dropped my head. “No, ma’am. They’ve both passed on.”
She went silent, then raised my head by my chin. “I’m not your boss, doll baby. Don’t ma’am me, okay?”
“Okay.” I smiled softly.
“Good. I think I see it, but I still have to ask. Do you love my son, Cassidy?”
I looked at her. A slow smile took over my face as complete euphoria spread through my entire being. I turned to Greg and beamed at him. “More than anything ever, Justine.”
Greg grinned big at me, and I think he actually blushed. Justine laughed.
“You both have it bad, don’t you? I’m so happy to see that. Makes a mother proud to know all her babies found people to love them this much. You make him treat you well, doll baby. He was raised to be a gentleman. His father and I made sure of it.”
“He is, Justine,” I smiled. “He got so upset just now when I opened my own car door and he refuses to let me treat him to a meal.”
“That’s my boy.” Justine smiled at Greg, patted his cheek lovingly, then looked back at me. “He treat you well in bed, too, doll baby? Nothing worse than a selfish man in bed.”
Greg’s eyes grew into saucers. “Mom! Christ…”
“Son, please. Cassidy, make sure he always ‘sees’ to you first. He’s got his father’s tongue, make him use it.”
I reddened as I giggled, wanting so badly to say ‘he sooo does’ as Greg inhaled.
“There has to be a law against this type of convo with one’s mother. I’m so turning you in, Mom. What is the number to child services?”
“Hush, baby boy. Cassidy, you look like you could give me a couple of grandchildren. Do you want kids?”
&nb
sp; I thought that was a bit premature, but I answered her anyway.
“Yes, I do. Lots.”
“Excellent.” Justine beamed. “I’d love lots more. So would Al.”
We entered a large kitchen, and I drooled. It was just as wonderful as the one in the house on Elm, although different in appearance. This kitchen had white cabinets with black granite counter and tile and stainless appliances. It was all gorgeous.
I watched as Justine perched on a stool and beamed at me. “Now, I need to know what you can do in a kitchen. My son loves to eat and so do those Negative Ion boys. A warning—they show up at any given time with growling bellies, and no matter how much food you have, you’ll need to go shopping again when they’re done. I said ‘done,’ not ‘full.’ They never get full. I’m sure my baby boy over there is ready for a meal, and I find myself wanting some scrambled eggs. Make me three, Cassidy, with cheese and chives. Greg loves omelets and he doesn’t care what’s in them.”
“Um, okay.” I blinked, completely surprised. “I have permission to move about freely in your kitchen?”
“You do.” She nodded. “Complete autonomy, Cassidy. Bathroom’s over there.”
I nodded, completely surprised to be given permission to cook in a chef’s kitchen. In the bathroom, I hung my jacket on the door hook, pulled my hair back into a ponytail, brushed off my clothes for loose hair, then washed my hands.
In the kitchen, Greg sat next to his mother, and they watched me as I quickly found everything I needed, noting how well put together everything was, everything in its obvious place.
As I washed my hands again, I thought back to the years when the women in Iowa, mostly the ones who’d slept with my father, taught me to cook. I needed to learn. Most of the time it was just my dad and I, and the only thing he knew how to make was cereal.
My dad once dated a woman who owned a diner and, even after they broke off, I had lessons with her. She did all the cooking in the diner, and taught me everything. I’m sure I’m no Justine Mitchell, but as long as Greg and I were together, he’d always have a hot meal in front of him whenever he needed it.
Despair: Book Two of the Negative Ion Series Page 23
