by Liz Crowe
“Melissa, Melissa Westin.”
“Stay away from whom?”
“You know who. James. We have a long history. You’re just a phase like all the others. In the end he always comes back to me.” She was quite proud of herself.
Recognition hit me that she was the brunette I’d seen him photographed with during my internet stalking of him; the only girl I remembered seeing more than once.
I didn’t have time for the petty bullshit. “If I’m just a phase, like all the others, why do you keep taking him back? Kind of pathetic isn’t it?” That should’ve shut her up but she looked ready to strike.
“Ladies, everything ok here?” James came up to stand next me and I noticed him glaring at Melissa.
“Everything is fine.” I wasn’t going to get him involved in her ridiculous power play.
The bitch started crying.
“Cassidy, please excuse us.” He put his hand on Melissa’s back and they walked off.
Were you fucking kidding me? I was speechless. Clearly he knew her, and not just casually. Now I felt like a fool. How did I not see that coming? She was bidding on him and he hadn’t even told me he’d be a part of the auction. I decided I had to get out of there and headed to the elevator. All my belongings were in his room. I would just grab my stuff and leave before he returned.
~ JAMES ~
“Melissa, this has to stop.” I was trying to be stern yet gentle as she went on and on about us and what we had and how I was throwing it away. She was an easy comfortable fuck at one time, but I couldn’t tell her that was all it ever was. I was an asshole and I used her. I knew that.
“What has to stop? Who is she?” She was sniffing and wiping her tears away.
“This was never going to work between you and me. It was a mistake.” She flinched at my words. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“A mistake that you made over and over again? That doesn’t sound like a mistake to me.” Now she was pissing me off. “I’ll let you tie me up, I’ll try again.”
“ENOUGH!” I was escorting her to the front of the hotel, “We haven’t been together in over a year Melissa.” We made our way outside and I flagged down a cab.
“You’ll be back. You always come back.” I handed the driver a wad of twenties and pushed her into the cab before I walked back inside and the cab pulled away. Melissa hadn’t shared my bed in over a year, granted it was on and off for several years, but I could care less about her feelings. I had to make things right with Cassidy; I saw the look in her eyes. I walked to the elevator and took in a deep breath and let out a bigger exhale as the doors opened.
I was practically trampled as soon as the doors opened. “Shit.” Her voice and scent registered with me immediately.
“Cassidy, where are you going?” She looked utterly defeated the minute she saw me.
“I’m going home.” She pushed out her jaw while repositioning her bags on her shoulders.
Looking ridiculous and irresistible all at once, she was still wearing the blue dress and hauling half a dozen bags. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the elevator. “You’ll do no such thing.”
“Let go of me.” Though she knew it was pointless, she tried fighting me off. After the doors closed and the elevator began moving, she stopped resisting. I gathered up her bags, which she handed over willingly, though she wouldn’t look at me.
We made it back to my suite and I placed her bags by the stairs as she made her way out to the balcony. I figured she could use a few minutes alone and turned on the sound system before I headed to the kitchen to grab some water. She left the door to the balcony open and I leaned against the frame and just watched her for what must have been several minutes; a couple more songs played as I watched her. She was just staring up into the sky.
I laughed inwardly as Wicked Game by Chris Isaak came over the speakers. I walked to her side and remained quiet. She knew I was there, but didn’t acknowledge it.
“You’re going to break my heart, James Benedict the third.” It was a statement, not a question.
Turning to look at her, she was still staring into space. “I think I’m the one who should be worried about a broken heart.” She turned and glared at me.
“Who is she?” Her tone was foreboding.
“Melissa?”
“I know her name. Who is she?”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“So I should be worried. Perfect.” She was being obtuse now.
“Dammit, woman…” I reached for her.
She pulled away, “I’m not your woman.” Her voice was cracking.
“Cassidy, I promise, she’s in my past. She’s having a hard time letting go. I reinforced it to her tonight.”
“What did you mean when you said that you’ve tried staying away from me?” She was staring back to the stars, “You said it in the elevator the night of the masquerade.”
“I know when I said it.” I ran my hand through my hair and turned my back to lean against the balcony wall. “Cassidy. Given the circumstances and everything that happened that night, I didn’t think it appropriate to pursue you. I struggled staying away from you once I knew who you were. With the investigation and, well, everything else.”
“You mean Dan?” She was looking to me again and scoffed in disgust. “Dan was a mistake. I was lonely, he was there. End of story.” Her words were cold and distant. “Wait. Once you knew? What do you mean?”
“It’s not important.”
“IT IS IMPORTANT.” As she stared at me I could see her mentally putting the pieces together. “Oh God, I’m going to be sick.” She started pacing. “Did you have something to do with me getting the promotion and the auction? Cecily said…”
“God no, you did that on your own. I swear I haven’t interfered with your job in any way.” I took a step toward her. “Cassidy.”
She was mumbling to herself, recounting the events over the summer. “I don’t understand, unless...It was you, wasn’t it? You paid for the funerals.”
She had found me out. “Yes.” There wasn’t much else to say. After I found out Sam and Holly were both orphans with no family I did what anyone would do given the circumstances.
“Why did you keep that from me? What’s the big deal?”
I was wringing my hands, knowing there was more to it all. “Cassidy, it’s late. It’s nothing to note.”
“Nothing to note? You were innocent of any wrongdoing. Why did you stay away? You paid for the funerals of two strangers. Cal and I did everything we could to find out who did that so we could thank them.” She closed the distance between us and placed her hand on my cheek. “Thank you. How can I ever repay you?”
“That’s not necessary. You should get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”
“No more secrets, James. They destroy everything they touch.” She placed her hand in mine as she pulled me back inside and up the stairs.
Chapter Seventeen
Dreams
~ CASSIDY ~
I had been there before. Holly and I were dancing and laughing. The lights were low and the room was spinning around us. Before I knew it I was dancing alone. I found myself wandering down a dark hallway to a door.
“Holly. Where are you?”
I hadn’t seen her in so long; we had so much to catch up on. I walked out the back door and was blinded by the bright lights. As my eyes started to focus I found her. She was with Sam as she waved me over. I headed toward her as a hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back.
I looked back to see who was holding my wrist, but I couldn’t make out his face. While I was trying to identify him, I heard the familiar POP, POP, POP. I viciously pulled away from the one holding my hand just in time for Holly to fall into my arms.
“Holly!” She was coughing up blood and choking as I wiped her hair out of her eyes. “Holly no, please stay with me. Help will be here soon. Don’t go. I need you.”
~ JAMES ~
Cassidy was sound asleep, and I was downstai
rs in the office, when I thought I heard her voice. I stopped to listen for a moment and heard nothing. It must’ve been my imagination as I scanned through the messages on my phone while downing the contents of my glass.
“Holly!”
Shit. What the hell was going on? I dropped my phone on the desk, along with my glass, and bolted up the stairs. I could still hear her talking and sobbing and when I reached the bedroom she was thrashing on the bed.
“Don’t go. I need you.”
As I approached her, I could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. I climbed on the bed and gathered her in my arms. “Cassidy. Cassidy, you’re safe. I’m here.” I wasn’t sure if she was awake or still dreaming, but the sobs were racking through her. “Shhh.” I continued rocking her in my arms for several minutes when she bolted upright.
She started punching and pushing at me. “Cassidy, it’s me. You’re ok. It’s ok.”
As her eyes finally focused on mine, I knew she was awake. She dropped her head into her hands and started shaking. I pulled her back to me and set her in my lap before grabbing the sheet to wrap around her naked back. After a few minutes the shaking had ceased and she was quiet.
“I’m sorry I woke you.” Her voice was raspy and broken.
“Don’t be sorry. I was awake. What were you dreaming about?” I continued rubbing circles up and down her back.
“I, uh, it was Holly. I was with Holly. I haven’t dreamed about that night in over a month, if not two.”
“I’m sorry.” Had I somehow brought it upon her by talking about the funerals? Maybe I should’ve stayed away.
“Don’t be.” Pulling her head up far enough to look up at me, I could see her eyes were swollen and red and there were still tears gathered under her eyes. I wiped them away with my thumb then licked her salty sadness away. A faint smile gathered on her lips. “I miss her so much.”
“I know you do.” I held her for several more minutes with her head resting in the crook of my neck. “Cassidy?” She barely responded and I recognized the rhythm of her steady breathing. She was asleep, or close to it, as I scooted us down to lie on the bed.
I started to pull away from her, “Please don’t go,” she whispered.
“I’m not going anywhere, Blackbird, ever.” I grabbed the rest of the blankets and pulled them over us before I tucked her backside into my chest. She sought out my hand and entwined our fingers before tucking our joined hands to her chest. Dan had fucked up too many lives. I should’ve intervened sooner.
~ CASSIDY ~
I was beginning to wake and became aware of his absence as I sprawled on my back and felt the coolness of the room skittering across my naked chest. As I went to stretch, I realized that I couldn’t move my arms and frantically yanked my arms.
“You’re safe.” His deep whisper immediately calmed me and filled me with want.
Something cool clasped around one ankle and then the other. The bed dipped beneath his weight and soon he was straddling my hips, careful to keep his weight off me. My eyes focused on his and I saw his hair was tied back and he was naked. His semi hard shaft was resting on my belly and I groaned as I attempted to lift my hips.
“Enjoying the view, Miss Charles?”
I smiled at him, “You know I am.” I felt my nipples harden as his eyes swallowed me whole and his fingertips grazed over my skin, sending shivers through my core. Just a look, touch, or a kiss and I melted for that man.
“You trust me.”
“Implicitly.” I wasn’t sure why, but I did, and I knew he would never intentionally hurt me. “And it scares me to death. I think I’d rob a bank if you asked.”
He chuckled. “I won’t ask you to do that.” He circled each nipple with a finger. “But I will test your limits and build your trust even more.”
I inhaled sharply, more out of anticipation rather than fear.
“I think you like that idea.”
How did he read me like that? I didn’t have long to contemplate it before his lips smothered mine. All worries of morning breath brushed aside as he nestled between my thighs. Dying to be closer to him, I hated that I couldn’t touch him and swiftly he jumped off me.
“You’re a sneaky minx.” We were both panting. “I’ve had a change of plans. I’m going to unhook you and I want you to roll to your front.”
When I nodded my consent he quickly released me and I rolled to my stomach. He attached one arm and slid his warm palms down, across my shoulders and up my other arm to hook it to the bed. I buried my face in the sheets and found his scent lingering on the pillow. His hands were gliding down my back then he removed my panties and I waited for him to restrain my legs but it didn’t happen. He left the bed and before I had a chance to look for him, he was back and I felt a hand on the back of each leg.
“Get on your knees, lady, but leave your chest on the bed.”
I took my position with his assistance, my ass in the air and fully exposed to him. I blushed knowing that his eyes were devouring me and couldn’t help but try to press my legs together.
“Not so fast. Spread them wider.” I was thankful I couldn’t see his face and that he couldn’t see mine. I was mortified. “You’re beautiful.” His hands smoothed over my bare ass and down my thighs as his thumbs ever so gently brushed my labia on each side.
“Oh,” I groaned into the bed and swiveled my hips, seeking more of his touch. Smack! “Shit!”
“Hold still.”
“Yes, sir.” My tone was mocking.
“Don’t push it, Cassidy.”
I immediately smiled, wondering what was wrong with me. I wiggled my hips a little more and was rewarded with another smack!
“That’s your last warning. You move again and spankings will cease and I’ll leave you here.” Immediately I stilled. “Good girl. Someone enjoys being spanked.”
He began caressing my cheeks simultaneously before playing the game where he would smack one and then the other before rubbing them. This game continued for a long time, until my ass was numb and on fire at the same time. Every smack spread more tingles further through my body. I swore I might come from him spanking me alone and the drunken dizzy feeling was taking me over again.
“James.” I was panting and didn’t even know what to ask for.
“You’re close, aren’t you?”
I nodded into the pillow as he inched closer to me and I felt him rubbing the head of his erection across my moist inner thighs. It took all my strength not to move as his chest was now hovering over my back. Reaching around, he tugged on my nipples before pulling on my hair resting at the nape of my neck.
“Oh Jesus. Please.”
“Tell me what you want.” His voice was smoldering.
“You inside me, please. Fuck me, James.”
He didn’t speak, only took action as he slid his head all over my clit as my thighs began to shake. Then he slammed into me; it was utter relief.
“Fuck! You’re so wet and tight.” I clenched around him even more. “Minx!” He smacked my ass again.
His assault proceeded and I could already feel my orgasm swimming back to the surface. My stomach muscles were tense—every muscle in my body was tense—and I couldn’t breathe.
“Breathe, Cassidy.” I struggled, but did as I was told and after I released the breath I was holding, I breathed in deep as he reached around and began rubbing my clit while pounding away with stealth determination.
It was my undoing, he was my undoing. I screamed his name, and some other obscenities, while he pounded away, my toes curling and I became as limp as a dishrag. I couldn’t hold myself up much longer and began slipping, my head still thrumming and swimming through the aftershocks of my release. He pushed us down flat to the bed and continued pumping in and out of my swollen flesh. His pace started to slow some but he was nowhere ready to let go.
Smack! “Oh. No. I can’t take any more, James.”
I could almost hear him smile behind me as he continued my punishment. The vibratio
ns immediately sparked my core anew. Sweet Jesus, he was going kill me with sex. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I was aware that I was building up again. He was breathing on my neck and reaching up my arm to release my bonds, but never missed a thrust, and soon both my arms were free.
I cried out when I felt the loss of his body, but he flipped me over before I could figure out what he was doing. He straddled me across his lap and was lifting me up while my back was pressed against the cool fabric of his headboard.
On his knees, and wrapping my legs around his waist, he told me, “Hold on, Cassidy.”
Somehow I found the energy to wrap my arms and legs around him as my head fell to his shoulder and he plunged back into me. My breath hitched and my nails dug into his back.
“Yes. Oh, James.” I sought out his hair and set it free, tugging and twisting my fingers through his dark locks, pulling his head back. I found his lips and bit down on his upper lip after sucking it into my mouth, my energy renewed. Would I ever get enough of him?
“Fuck, Cassidy.” His own hand found my hair and pulled me off him so he could molest my breasts. “Open your eyes.” I opened my eyes to find him staring into them and I felt my orgasm climbing over the horizon. “Happy Birthday, Blackbird!”
“Thank you.” He remembered and I was smiling like a fool before his lips captured mine. “James, I’m close, again,” whispering between kisses and desperate for him to come, too. Hammering into me harder, I sensed he was close. My whole body squeezed him.
“Cassidy.”
Feeling him tense, I ground into him, discovering it was just what I needed and I broke apart all over again. I grabbed his hair and tugged while sucking his ear and he exploded inside me on a growl. Covered in sweat and me, he shuddered inside me for what felt like forever. I was unforgiving, continuing to squeeze him periodically to remind him we were still joined.
“Dammit, lady, you’ll pull it off if you don’t stop that.”
I giggled into his shoulder, “We can’t have that. Though, the thought of carrying that piece of you around in my purse is slightly tempting. Eeek!” He was tickling my hips and flipped me to my back as he lay on top of me. “It was a joke, please, stop.” I was smacking his hands away, but it was useless.
