I finish the seam on the dress I’m working on and hold it up. A frown crosses my face. It’s near-perfect, but still not good enough. Dang. I’ll never make it in the fashion business if I don’t turn it up a notch. Brow wrinkled, I go back to my machine, determination on my face.
Whirrrr! the sewing machine hums. Tat tat tat!
At least the shirt I made for Travis came out well. He wears it sometimes, and it makes him look so handsome. The blue fabric complements his azure gaze, and when he modeled it for me that first time, I almost tore it right off him, he was so sexy. In fact, I was a little careless in my haste, and a few buttons pinged to the floor, but they were easy to put back on.
My heart swells. Things have been going amazing with my man, and I couldn’t ask for more. I get to spend my days creating new clothes, while at night, I join Travis in bed and the shenanigans start. Nothing is off-limits. Last week, he took my bottom for the first time and for a few days afterwards, I had trouble sitting because of the ache. I had to stand while doing my drawings, and it was nearly impossible to work the sewing machine.
But when I told Travis, he merely laughed and pressed a kiss to my back buttonhole later that night.
“Oh my god!” I squealed.
“Are you still hung up on that?” he asked before giving my rump a fond swat. “No part of you is off limits to me, Caitlin. All of this is mine.”
And then he proceeded to take me so thoroughly that I couldn’t remember my own name. That’s how our loving is, and in the mornings, my body is often coated and filled with his seed.
But it’s more than just a physical connection because we get along great. We talk all the time, and he’s given me so much advice about my business that I’m grateful. It’s like having a mentor, in addition to a man who loves me. I can’t imagine life without him now, and turn back to my sewing machine with a happy smile.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes and I see Cammie’s number on the screen.
“Hey girlfriend,” I greet.
Cammie giggles.
“Hey stranger, long time no talk!”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”
“No worries, I know how it is. I met Travis that once, remember? Although he had only eyes for you the whole time I was there.”
“No!” I giggle. “He really liked meeting you!”
I can almost hear Cammie rolling her eyes.
“Girl, that man couldn’t tear his gaze away from your sassy form, he’s so crazy about you. But guess what? I’ve been busy, too. I got a job!”
My eyes widen. “Really? Where?”
Cammie laughs.
“The diner. It’s not much, but I make decent tips at least.”
I shake my head.
“But what do your brothers do while you’re away?”
“Mom and Dad decided that Les, Winston and Mikey are old enough to stay home alone. Les is eleven after all, so he can help take care of our younger siblings.”
“We were alone long before that,” I say.
Cammie chortles.
“Exactly. If we figured it out, they’ll figure it out too. Besides, I’m helping out with bills too, and I know my parents really appreciate it. Hopefully, if things go smoothly, I’ll be able to get my own place soon.”
“That’d be nice. Being on your own is very liberating, and a great feeling.”
Cammie giggles. “You’re not quite alone though, girlfriend, even though that mansion is ginormous. How is Travis, by the way?”
“He’s great. He’s at work right now.”
“I figured. Maybe one of these nights when I’m not working, we can have dinner again. It’s been a while, girlfriend!”
Yes, that’s definitely true, and I begin to invite Cammie over. But then, she casually asks, “So how long are you going to be staying with Travis though? I know it started because Fiona kicked you out, and all that. But now, things are better, right? Plus, you could get a job too, and then maybe we could live together?” she asks hopefully. “Split the rent?”
My heart sinks. To be honest I haven’t given my arrangement much thought. It’s been so nice living and making love with Travis, that I’ve been floating along in a fantasyland. I bite my lip. “That sounds great, but I’m not sure, actually. Maybe I’ll move out next year?”
Cammie is quiet for a minute
“What is it, Cam? I can tell something’s on your mind. Please say something.”
“Well, I mean ...”
I frown.
“Yes?”
“Well Caity, don’t you want a real boyfriend? You know, one who doesn’t hide you away?”
The words hit me like a bullet. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, Cait, don’t be dense. You know exactly what I mean. He hides you away in his mansion. You walk around in lingerie just for him! And remember, there was that one time he made you crawl to him naked before feeding you scraps from the table like a dog.”
I pause before defending myself.
“Yes, but the scraps were actually caviar!” I say, blushing at the memory.
Cammie sighs.
“I know, and it sounds very 9 ½ Weeks. But seriously, Caity, don’t you think you deserve something better? I mean, does Travis ever crawl to you naked, and then you feed him scraps?”
That shuts me up. Of course the reverse doesn’t happen because Travis is always the one in charge, full stop.
“See?” Cam says, her voice light. “It’s not a give and take type of thing. You guys aren’t equals, and you won’t be so long as you’re living under his roof like this.”
I go totally silent.
“I know it’s not traditional,” I finally speak. “But it’s not wrong either.”
“Of course not,” Cammie says in a conciliatory voice. “In fact, I’m jealous of your sexual escapades. But what about all the other stuff? Does Travis take you out on dates? Does he introduce you to his friends? How much do you even know about this guy?”
The answers to Cammie’s questions aren’t going to satisfy her because yes, we do go out, but when we do, we usually have a private table in the back where no one else can see us. Plus, I’ve never met any of the billionaire’s friends, and never met a single member of his family either. It’s just not part of the deal.
“It’s complicated, Cam,” I begin.
“I know and that’s why I’m worried about you. You know I love you more than anyone else in the world, Caity. I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t. But I just don’t want you to be swept away by Travis because he’s not a knight in shining armor. Not even close, do you see what I mean? I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I stammer, even as tears begin to fill my eyes.
“I’m just having some fun right now. I swear, I don’t have high hopes or false expectations.”
Cammie is silent, and then she lets out a long sigh.
“That’s good, Caity. I want you to be happy, girlfriend, and well … Travis is great, he’s rich, he’s handsome, he’s a lot of things, but he’s not a boyfriend.”
With that, a big tear rolls down my cheek although I don’t let out a sound. I don’t want my friend to know how right she is, and how my emotions have gotten away from me.
“How are the clothes coming?” she asks gently while changing the subject.
I sniffle a bit.
“Good, I think. I’m not quite ready to start selling my stuff, but I hope soon. Maybe by the end of the year.”
“Good. I want to be your first customer when you open up shop, okay?”
“You will be, I promise.”
“Excellent, because you’re the most talented person I know. Listen, I’ve got to go to work, but let’s talk again soon okay? Dinner next week?”
I hold down another sob so that my voice comes out normal.
“Sounds good. Love you, Cam.”
“You too, Caity. Bye now!”
We hang up, and my hand is lifeless as I drop the phone. Now, full-bodied cries are tea
ring through my chest and I put my head down in my arms. Oh god, this is all so wrong. All I want is for Travis to look at me like I’m someone special, and not just a toy he enjoys playing with. I want him to want me, even though from the very beginning, he made clear that a relationship isn’t on the table. I want him to breathe promises in my ear before slipping a ring on my finger and making me his. Is that too much to ask?
Unfortunately, in my case, it is.
9
Caitlin
* * *
Two months later.
I stare with trepidation at my new website. After my talk with Cammie, I decided to get serious about selling my designs. Maybe I won’t come out of this experience with a boyfriend, but at the very least I can get my business off the ground. Thus, Get Pressed was born. It’s a fashion and design site with an emphasis on upcycled materials. That means many of the garments we create will be from fabric that would otherwise be discarded. The garments are beautiful because in addition to meticulous tailoring, each one is unique with its own charm. It’s basically the opposite of fast fashion.
But there’s still one piece missing, and that’s small batch manufacturing. Although I’d love to be able to hand make everything I sell, it’s not realistic. Even five orders would put me over the top, so I need additional horsepower.
Fortunately, Travis has connections and offered to introduce me to a local factory called Nova Arte. If all goes well and Nova likes me, they’ll be the ones creating the actual products my customers buy and not me. It’s a huge opportunity, and in fact, Nova Arte is located right here in Medina! I had no idea companies like this even existed.
But first things first. I have to dazzle Nova so that they pick up my designs. I’m hoping they like me, but who knows? As a result, Travis is taking me to meet them for the first time today, and I’ve dressed carefully for the part. My outfit is trendy but not overly-so, and my curls are neatly pinned to the back of my head. I hope I look fashionable, but also business-like and serious.
I smooth out my dress and exhale, while trying not to tap my foot. Travis should be here soon, and we’ll jump in his car and head to Nova Arte. My heart is beating a hundred miles a minute, and I hope to god this works out.
My phone rings, causing me to jump. I answer it the second I realize it’s Cammie.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey girlfriend!” she sings. “Ready for your big day?”
My pulse races.
“Yes. We’re going over to the manufacturer’s site shortly. With Travis’s investment in my business, I think Nova’s going to take me seriously. This whole thing could be up and running in a week!”
Cam whistles.
“Nice work, girlfriend! So Travis made the investment? That’s a lot of money, girl! You go!”
Of course, I don’t mention that Travis hasn’t made the investment quite yet. It’s something we’ve been talking about, and he’s assured me he’s good for the fifty thousand dollars. I think if we get Nova on board, he’ll definitely be in for sure.
But I don’t say any of this because suddenly, there are steps sounding outside the front door and I jump up.
“I think I hear him! I’ll talk to you after the meeting, okay?”
“Perfect. Go get ‘em, girl!”
With that, I make sure my outfit looks presentable again before rushing over to open the door. But instead of my handsome man, it’s someone totally unexpected standing on the doorstep: my stepmother, Fiona.
What the hell is she doing here? We haven’t spoken in months, ever since she kicked me to the curb. Why is she here now? And how in the world did she find me?
My heart races as I gape at my stepmother. She looks better than ever. Her hair is a subtle shade ash blonde, which must have been done at an expensive salon. Her make-up is neutral and mostly matte, without looking garish. Is that the result of a professional beauty consultant as well?
But it’s her clothes that have me stepping back in shock. The dress she has on is a lovely, blush shade of pink, and costs two thousand dollars. I know because I tried it on at Chantecaille, the boutique Travis took me to. In fact, it was still on the rack last week when we went. So why is Fiona wearing it now, and where did she get the money to buy it?
But despite all this, Fiona isn’t surprised to see me. Her mauve lips turn up in a sinister smile.
“Hello, Caitlin. Aren’t you going to hug your mommy?”
She steps towards me and I scurry back into the safety of the house. I’m not sure what she’s doing here, but it feels like a trap. I won’t fall for it.
My ex-stepmother barks out a vicious laugh as she steps into the foyer, her high heels clacking on the marble.
“I see you’re just as ridiculous as ever. Why did I think you might change in the months you were away? Parents always expect too much from their children.”
“I’m not your child,” I say in a trembling voice.
Fiona waves her hand carelessly in the air, her manicure a subtle French pink.
“Whatever. You’ll always be a child to me.”
I straighten my spine and force myself to look into those chilling blue eyes.
“What are you doing here, Fiona?”
My stepmother grins maliciously. “You don’t know?”
My heart is racing. “Know what?”
“Well, this is where my boyfriend lives. You know, Travis Simpson? I could swear you know him, seeing that you’re here,” she says pointedly.
My jaw drops open and I stare at her in shock.
“Your what?” I ask.
“Oh yes,” Fiona says casually while examining her nails. “My boyfriend, Travis. Surely, you’ve heard of him. You’ve been keeping him sexually satisfied while I was unavailable, right?”
It takes everything in me to keep from staggering. This can’t be true.
“You’re lying. How do you even know Travis?”
She tilts her head back and lets out a brittle laugh.
“We met months ago at an event his company put on. It was love at first sight, if I do say so myself.”
I have to inhale sharply to keep from passing out. I do remember Fiona getting herself invited to a swanky party about a month before she kicked me out. She came back that evening mooning over some hot billionaire she talked to at the party. But that couldn’t have been Travis. No way.
“We’re celebrating nearly six months together now,” Fiona quips. “Why, is this a surprise to you? You don’t really think it was a coincidence that he found you after you ran away from home?”
“Ran away? You kicked me out!”
Fiona waves me off. “Details, details. It doesn’t matter. I knew you’d make your way to the rich part of town eventually, so I asked Travis to watch out for you, and he did exactly as he was told. Of course, our deal was a little unconventional. You see, I needed to work on my business, Press Clothing, but with you in my hair all the time, I couldn’t. I asked Travis to take you in for a while so that I could focus, and he agreed.”
I stare at her.
“No.”
“Oh yes!” she titters merrily. “And I know you’ve been sleeping with him because why wouldn’t you? You’re a little slut, so it’s only to be expected! But darling, it doesn’t matter to me at all. Sure, it’s a little perverted because we’re mother and daughter, but some guys like to get that itch scratched. I told Travis just this once, and then never again.”
I sink against the wall, going limp. Fiona’s allegations are utterly horrific, but her story makes sense too. I always thought Fate brought Travis and me together, but let’s be real: how often does a handsome Prince Charming show up, and sweep you into his arms to live in a castle?
“Oh yes,” hums Fiona merrily, “This arrangement has worked out perfectly. Travis got to have his fun with a little slut, but now, I’m back in business. Press Clothing is taking off, and your time here is done, honey. Didn’t he tell you? It was always an arrangement.”
“No,” I
breathe, tears coming to my eyes.
With that, Fiona frowns.
“No? I could swear that I told him to be clear about the specifics. Maybe not about my involvement, but he informed you that this wasn’t a relationship, right? That there was no way of that happening? Oh my god, he didn’t? I’m so sorry that you had to find out this way, Cait, but it is what it is. You did well, and I’m sure Travis will give you some money to go away. You’ve fulfilled his sexual needs after all, and you deserve to be paid for that.”
With that, I collapse fully onto the floor, my hand covering my tummy. Because the truth is that I just found out that I’m pregnant with Travis’s child. I was going to tell him after we got back from the factory, but now that I know what really happened, what do I do? All that’s clear is that for the second time in a year, I’ll be homeless again. And this time, I’ll be pregnant too.
10
Travis
* * *
“Caitlin? What’s wrong?”
I’ve just come back from the office to pick up Cait for our meeting at Nova Arte. I have no doubt that they’ll want to do business with my beautiful girl, so imagine my surprise to see her sprawled on the floor with tears in her eyes. And what the fuck is Fiona doing here?
My beautiful girl stares at me for far too long, her eyes wide with shock. I take a step forward to try and console her, but she scuttles back on the marble.
“Don’t you dare touch me!”
“What happened? Why are you crying?”
“I can’t believe this is happening! I was nothing to you! You’ve been dating my stepmother this entire time!”
I blink. “What are you talking about?”
“I know everything!” Caitlin sobs. She bends her head, so distressed that she’s unable to get up from the floor. “You’ve been dating my stepmother this whole time!” she screams. “Does that make you feel good, having sex with a mother and a daughter at once? Are you some kind of fucking pervert?”
I hear a titter from the shadows and turn my head to see Fiona lurking there.
My Stepmom's Boyfriend Page 7
