by Nicki Night
Kerry’s loud gasp took all of the attention away from Cadence. Everyone looked at her. Quickly, she shut her mouth and looked downward before attempting a full recovery. “Cadence!” she said with feigned glee. Instead, her cheeks burned with embarrassment and she walked toward Cadence as if her legs would give out at any moment. “Congratulations!” Kerry extended her hand to Cadence and gripped her in a stiff handshake and then walked straight out of the boardroom.
Cadence’s colleagues took turns congratulating both her and Scott with more handshakes, hugs and kind words.
Blake stood aside giving her space as she beamed with pride. Minutes after, everyone began clearing the conference room. Cadence had been summoned by Adam to stop by his office.
“I guess I’ll see you later, Blake. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” Cadence said.
“Wait!” Blake caught her arm as she turned to leave. “Congratulations.” He looked into her eyes with such intensity that Cadence could hardly stand it.
She didn’t answer but hung back as everyone else exited the conference room.
Adam nodded at her and winked at Blake. Cadence wondered how much Adam had discerned in the past few weeks. They had to be fools to think that no one could suspect that they knew each other well before the case.
Blake smiled back at Adam and then waved. “It’s been a pleasure, Adam.”
“Yes, it has,” Adam replied and left.
When the room was empty except for Cadence and Blake, she busied herself by fidgeting. She looked everywhere except at him.
“Like I was saying, I want to congratulate you on your promotion.” He gently held her hands, leaned in and kissed her. At first she didn’t oblige, but then quickly gave in to the magical feel of his plump lips. Cadence opened her mouth and kissed him back. Every emotion she’d been holding back was unleashed as he held her in his arms. Blake kissed her so hungrily that she had to pull away to breathe.
Cadence covered her mouth with her hand and looked away, embarrassed for displaying such abandonment. She’d almost forgotten that she was at work.
“I’ve wanted to do that for weeks. Will you let me do it again?”
Cadence licked her lips, and after a moment of pondering, Blake pulled her in tighter and kissed her as if it were the last time he’d ever be able to taste her delicious lips. When he released her, she gasped.
Holding her chin up, Blake searched her eyes. “I don’t want to be friends with you,” he said.
“I don’t want to be friends with you, either,” Cadence replied.
This time she pulled him in for the kiss and just as their waiting lips were about to connect, someone cleared their throat. They jerked away from one another, avoiding eye contact. Cadence held her head down and smiled at her own embarrassment.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I just came back to clean up,” Adam’s secretary said as she stepped into the room.
“No problem,” Cadence said, fidgeting with her hands.
Blake’s smile was full of mischief.
“You know what? I’ll just come back.”
The second she left the room, Blake and Cadence burst out laughing.
Chapter 31
Blake connected his Bluetooth speaker to his iPad, tapped the Pandora app and tuned in to the R&B/soul radio station. Joe’s sultry voice slipped in like silk, crisp and clear, as if he were standing in Blake’s living room singing in the flesh. The meal Blake prepared filled his entire first floor with savory scents. Soft lighting illuminated each room and fragrant candles flickered at the dining table. Instead of the friendly chat at the local coffeehouse that Cadence suggested, Blake persuaded her to let him make her a celebratory meal. He wanted to pump his fists when she said yes.
Blake sent one more text to the driver to make sure that he had arrived at Cadence’s house on time. He wished he could have been there to see the surprised look on her face when she realized that he’d sent a limo for her. He determined that his time would be better spent preparing an appetizing meal and creating the right atmosphere for their evening together. The driver texted back, telling Blake that Ms. Payne was in the car and they were on their way.
Blake raced around his house, preparing for the evening. He smiled every time he thought about their kiss at her office. Remembering her reaction, Blake’s confidence kicked in. He had gotten Cadence back in his arms and wasn’t wasting any time guiding their relationship to the next level. Thoughts about Cadence caused his heart, mind and other parts to respond as he remembered her soft lips against his.
Checking his reflection, Blake was pleased with his decision to wear black slacks and a V-neck sweater that showed undeniable evidence of his workout regimen. Blake fingered his goatee and nodded before turning to assess the atmosphere. Again, he surmised that everything was just right.
Blake heard the two quick taps on the car’s horn, indicating the limousine’s arrival, and met them at the door. When Cadence stepped in, he held her by both hands and licked his lips as his eyes cascaded over her from top to bottom. “Damn!” Blake ran his fingers through her loose hair and admired the single-shouldered shirt, wet-looking leggings and high-heeled boots Cadence donned. She had let her hair down. Soft curls bounced against her shoulders. “You are beautiful.” Before she could respond, he wrapped his arms around her waist and captured her lips, letting his tongue go on a sweet expedition.
“Will that be all, sir?” the driver asked from behind Cadence.
Blake nodded without breaking his kiss and then heard the front door close. They remained there, hands searching each other’s bodies, becoming reacquainted. Blake blazed a trail of hot kisses along her bare shoulder.
Words failed to describe how Cadence made him feel. Blake held her tighter, pulling her in even closer. “I’m glad you’re here.” He laid his forehead against hers.
“Me, too,” Cadence said. They held on to one another for a while. Finally, Cadence spoke, slicing through the contented silence. “We should probably eat. I’m pretty hungry.”
The two laughed and Blake took her by the hand and led her to the dining room. Place settings were positioned at each end of the table, with candles in the center. Rounding Cadence, Blake pulled out her chair, waited for her to sit and then disappeared into the kitchen to make their plates.
Instead of sitting on the opposite side, he abandoned his usual place setting and sat right next to her. They laughed and flirted until their meal was done. Then they nibbled on each other, sipping champagne until desire chided him to take things a little further. To his surprise and delight, Cadence rose from her seat, stood over him and slowly lowered herself onto his lap. A cool smile slid across his face. He loved having her take the lead. His erection grew stiff against her and she held her pelvis against him.
Blake nestled his nose in the crook of her neck and ran his fingers through her hair. Holding her firmly, he lifted up and laid her on the table. Locking his hands with hers, he leaned over and kissed her some more. Cadence lifted slightly, and Blake followed her lead, giving her space to stand. Cadence took him by the hand and led him down the hall to his bedroom. Relieving him of his clothes, piece by piece, she stripped him down until he sported nothing but a rigid erection. She massaged it to a new level of firmness. Blake’s head lolled back and he moaned.
He returned the favor by helping her out of her clothes, one garment at a time. Cadence sat back on the bed as Blake crawled toward her with desire so unbridled it felt as if he could spontaneously combust. He wanted her so badly the need nearly blinded him.
Blake burrowed his head between her thighs and then nibbled and sucked until he drove Cadence to a climax that shifted her back in a hard arch and caused her muscles to clench repeatedly. Cadence turned him over and took him into her mouth until he pulled himself away. Blake stared intently into her eyes. When he entered her, his
eyes rolled shut. His head juddered back. Cadence cried out. Together they moved in harmony until their bodies shook as forceful releases ripped through them, leaving them hopelessly breathless and deliciously spent.
They lay cuddled as they caught their breath.
“So I can finally chuck that friend card you tried to hand me?” Blake broke the tranquil silence.
“Yeah.” Cadence giggled. “Friends don’t really act like this, do they?”
“No. They. Don’t. Or. At. Least. They. Shouldn’t.” Blake kissed her between each word. “But people in relationships do.”
“Oh. So we’re in a relationship?” Cadence teased.
“We’re practically on our way down the aisle.” Blake tossed her an incredulous gaze.
Cadence gasped and then giggled. “Blake!” she said in a chiding manner.
“Oh. You didn’t know?” he said, maintaining a dubious stare.
Cadence stared at him with her jaw hanging.
Casting the playfulness aside, Blake’s countenance became serious. “I knew from the first day I saw you that there was something special about you. When you distanced yourself from me, that’s when I knew I didn’t want to live without you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but I had to be patient. You were worth waiting for. I knew you would come around. You wanted me.” Blake smirked, returning to his spirited quirkiness.
Cadence slapped Blake’s shoulder and then threw her arms around his neck. Pulling back yet remaining in his arms, she searched his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Blake. I shouldn’t have doubted you.” She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before asking, “Will you forgive me?”
“Only if you think you could marry a man like me.”
Cadence’s mouth dropped open again. She recovered with a faraway pensive gleam in her eyes. After a moment, she nodded. “Yes! I could marry a man like you!”
“Good, because I don’t plan on letting you get away from me again.” Blake’s body responded with the same level of enthusiasm as his heart. He pressed his firmness against her, ready for round two.
Chapter 32
Several months later
As the day dipped into the horizon on an unusually balmy fall evening, Cadence found herself standing near the pier in Chelsea. This spot, just a few blocks from her new West Side office, had become a familiar place for her to clear her mind. She found the view and sounds of the Hudson and the droning of the cars jetting along the highway quite soothing. Right now, Cadence needed a moment.
Her newest client, a mistress who was allegedly raped by her lover’s business partner, had been the topic of breaking news reports for the past few weeks. The famed Wall Street firm and renowned founders had landed themselves in the center of the latest media frenzy. Cadence and Alana’s new firm, Payne and Tate LLC, had quickly developed a penchant for attracting high-profile cases in the short time since they’d opened.
Cadence looked up and smiled when she finally saw Blake heading her way with bags in his hands.
Blake wrapped his arms around her and planted several quick kisses on her lips, bringing her mind back to the present. “Crazy week, huh?”
“Yeah. The media will do anything for an ‘exclusive’ nugget.” Cadence shook her head. “And then Alana cut out on me right after lunch. She said she had some family thing to take care of but wouldn’t offer up any details. I hope everything is okay. She doesn’t usually keep stuff from me.”
Blake shook his head, took Cadence by the hand and started walking back toward her office. “Well, I’ve got something to help take your mind off all of that.” He held up the bags.
Cadence stopped walking. “What are you up to, Blake?”
Blake turned around and grabbed her hand again. “Come on. Don’t be scared.”
“Ugh! It scares me whenever you tell me not to be scared.”
“Don’t worry. I think you’ll enjoy this.”
Then Cadence noticed that Blake was dressed rather nicely in a cool tan suit. “You look snazzy, babe.” She looked down at his other hand. “Now, tell me what’s in the bag.”
“Stop asking so many questions and just follow my lead!”
Cadence chuckled. “The last time you told me that, I ended up Jet Skiing across Long Island Sound. I don’t feel like jumping out of any airplanes, Blake.”
He laughed. “Nothing like that—this time.” He winked.
Blake led her back to her building. Inside, all of her employees had gone home. In her office, he shut the door, and after kissing her with an intensity that she could never get tired of, he stepped back and handed her the bags he’d been holding.
Smiling, Cadence pulled out a beautiful jade green cocktail dress and a pair of silver pumps.
“Where are we going?”
Blake put his finger to her lips. She giggled against them and nibbled one playfully.
Blake released her so she could go to the bathroom and freshen up her mascara and gloss. He put the extra bags on the side of her desk before leaving. Back on the street, he hailed a taxi. Cadence strained to hear the destination but couldn’t make out what Blake had said. The suspense made her giddy.
“Okay. If you won’t tell me where we’re going, then can you tell me what inspired this little surprise?”
Blake dropped his jaw. “You don’t know what today is?”
Cadence became alarmed. She jogged her mind into action. Did she forget something? Cadence was a stickler at keeping a schedule. She pulled out her cell phone and checked her calendar. As far as she knew, she hadn’t missed anything.
When she looked up, Blake was still staring at her, waiting for a response.
“Did I miss something?” She gave voice to the question in her mind.
Blake shook his head, placing a hand on his heart. “I can’t believe you don’t remember.”
Cadence was about to feel bad until she noticed Blake’s slick smile. She poked his shoulder. “Don’t do that.”
Blake laughed. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Cadence settled into the crook of his arm and a short while later, they arrived at the West Side Heliport.
“We’re going on a helicopter ride? Oh my goodness!” Cadence clapped her hands, barely able to contain her excitement. Blake had awakened her predilection for adventure in the time they’d been together.
“Yes, but the night won’t stop here.”
Blake was right. The helicopter ride was just the beginning. Cadence sat staring out the window in childlike wonder, and the aircraft cruised along the Hudson while the pilot pointed out famous New York City and New Jersey landmarks. Soon after, they landed alongside the water on the New Jersey side, where a limousine awaited their arrival.
Cadence looked at him and shook her head. Blake smiled and waved her into the vehicle. During another short ride, Cadence held his hand. She didn’t bother asking any more questions that she knew wouldn’t be answered. Instead, she enjoyed the moment and thanked God for sending her such an amazing man.
Finally, they pulled up to a pier where a yacht awaited.
“Oh! We’re going on a dinner cruise. I haven’t been on one of those in so long.”
“Just wait!”
Cadence clapped her hands again in delight. She was enjoying the suspense. When they got on the boat, Blake whispered to a young man, sharply dressed in a blue naval-inspired suit. The young man led them through the boat into a dining area. Cadence looked on with a huge smile, appreciating the effort Blake went through to make this night special. As they were being led to their table, Cadence noticed a group of diners standing. She shook her head and realized she knew almost everyone in the room. She was so caught up in her excitement that she hadn’t noticed her father, Alana, Blake’s parents, brothers and a host of other friends. H
er mouth fell open.
“Surprise!” they all yelled at once.
Cadence turned to Blake to ask what this was all about and he pulled a small box from his pocket and dropped to one knee.
She covered her gasp and tears sprang to the wells of her eyes.
“Cadence Payne, will you marry me?”
Her cries made it difficult to speak. Cadence caught her breath, knelt down in front of Blake, grabbed his face in her hands and buried him in kisses. “Of course I’ll marry you!”
Applause burst throughout the room. Cadence found herself affectionately surrounded by the people she loved. Blake helped her to her feet. Her father squeezed her in his burly arms and kissed the top of her head. She was elated to have his blessing. After that, there was a receiving line of family and friends waiting for their chance to congratulate her and see the beautiful ring.
“You were in on this?” Cadence shook her finger at Alana.
Alana laughed. “Welcome to your engagement party! I had to make sure Blake didn’t mess this thing up,” Alana said and laughed again. “I’m just kidding. He asked me for ideas. I found the place. The transportation was all his idea. The man has friends in high places, you know.”
“Let’s get this party started,” Blake yelled, and music flowed from the speakers. He tore his fiancée away from her adoring friends and led her to the small dance floor. Several couples, including his parents, joined them.
As thy danced, Cadence looked over her shoulder and suddenly stopped moving.
“What’s wrong?” Alarm was etched into Blake’s face.
Cadence nodded in the direction of what had arrested her attention. When Blake noticed what she had been looking at, he gasped. His brother Drew had his hand wrapped around Alana’s fit waist and their bodies were pressed close together as they danced. Drew whispered something in Alana’s ear that made her giggle with delight and then she rested her head on his shoulder.
