Far from Blind (5 page)

“You
don’t need to go all the way up to my place.” She didn’t need him getting a
good look at her neighborhood. Hell, she didn’t like looking at it either.

“That’s
not an option. I’ll pick you up from home.” He grabbed her ass and she tensed
as the fire in her skin reignited. “Understood?”

“Yes,
Sir.” She remained frozen while he rubbed over her skin.

“Very
good.” He reached around her ass to brush over her panty-covered slit and then slipped
past the edge of the fabric. “You’re nice and wet.” He dipped into her channel,
making her moan. “I’ve ached to taste you again, Candy.” He brought his fingers
to his mouth and she stopped him.

“Do
you need to get back to work?”

“Yes,
unfortunately.” He leaned his forehead against hers.

She
drew his fingers to her lips and she licked him clean. The tangy sweet cream
coated her tongue. “We both have something to look forward to now.”

Chapter Five

Wednesday evening, Candy paced the
sidewalk outside her brownstone. Any minute Brad would arrive and take her to
Charlie’s where any number of things could happen. Most likely they’d all see
there wasn’t a match between them and all of this had been some kind of
mistake. Her fantasy of Brad actually wanting her would die its final death. The
ripe smell of rotting garbage did nothing to improve her mood. She tripped over
a crack in the sidewalk.

“Are
you okay?”

“Oh.”
She turned and found Brad getting out of a cab. “I’m fine.” She walked toward
him and attempted to skirt around him and get into the cab, but he stopped her
by grabbing her arm. “Hello.”

“Right.”
She let her head fall back so she could look up at him. “Sorry. I’m just
nervous.” She took a deep breath. “Hi.”

He
let her go and she climbed into the cab. When he got in, he wasn’t sitting next
to her. In fact, he couldn’t be much farther away, but he set his hand close to
hers. When she placed hers next to his, he grabbed hold of her hand and
squeezed.

“I
promised Charlie I’d keep my hands off.” He tightened his hold. “Now that I’ve
finally touched you, I’m having a hard time keeping my vow.”

“Really?”
She focused on a stain on the back of the driver’s seat. “That makes it sound
like you’ve considered me before our blind date.” She would know if he’d been
interested. After all, she’d been infatuated with him since the first day he
walked into the office. “The only thing I’ve ever seen you interested in is my
boss. You don’t have to pretend like you were interested to save my feelings.”

“Huh.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Charlie warned me about you, but I didn’t
believe her.”

“What’s
that supposed to mean?”

“Feeling
a little out of the loop?” He turned toward her. “I can see I’m going to need
to keep a close eye on you.”

They
rode the rest of the way in silence. Brad kept a hold of her hand, only letting
go after he helped her out of the car. As they walked up the steps to Charlie’s
B&B, his hand rested on the small of her back. The moment was too perfect.
Her life was never this perfect. Her heart rate kicked up a notch. Something
was about to go wrong.

Brad
opened the front door and they walked in, past the perfect living room and into
the heart of Charlie’s home, the kitchen. The space was grand and welcoming,
but it was the huge kitchen table she loved most. The table she grew up with
had just enough space for her and her mom, which was fine since they had no one
else. Charlie’s table held the promise of many friends. She’d seen it plenty of
times.

For
the last few months, she’d spent every Sunday here surrounded by female members
of Club Voyage. Their friendship and advice had created a safe haven for Candy.
In many ways, she’d found a family here. Ivy had set the foundation, but every
woman who’d sat at the table had brought the feeling alive. At this table, they
could talk about anything. No one judged the decisions or told anyone they were
unsuited for their dreams. It was the safest place she’d ever known.

She
looked between Mistress Charlie and Brad. The same sense of foundation was nowhere
to be found. She didn’t see a future when she thought of Brad. She could
practically predict how she’d disappoint him.

She
took a step back and bumped into the island, knocking over a bowl of oranges.

“I’m
so sorry.” She scrambled after the rolling fruit.

“That’s
fine. Don’t worry about it. I’d planned on smooshing them on the juicer later.”

Candy
crawled on her hands and knees after the last one. It whirled across the floor
and bumped into Brad’s shoe.

He
bent down and picked it up. Instead of giving it to her, he offered her his
hand.

The
image captured why she’d always known it would never work between them. He was
the gentleman, perfect in every way. Here she was on the floor, picking up
after the mess she couldn’t help but create. No matter how hard she worked to
stand up straight, she continued to make a mess of things and Brad in all his
perfectness only reminded her of that.

Tears
filled her vision. For so long, he was all she could see, he was all she
wanted. She still wanted him.

He
helped her to stand and then he placed the orange on top of the basket she’d
refilled, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

“See
what I mean, Mistress.” He squeezed her hand. “She wakes up every room she’s
in.” His deep blue eyes were trained directly on her. She felt like she was on
stage, the center of attention. A weird sensation floated around her.

“Agreed.
It’s endearing.” Charlie sat at the head of her table. “The whole dynamic of my
brunch was different this week since she wasn’t here.”

“I’m
sorry.” They were talking around her and it should have bugged the crap out of
her, but she was the one who’d set those wheels in motion when she decided to
no show last Sunday.

Brad
led her to the table and together they sat.

“I’m
so glad you’re giving this match another chance, Candy.” Mistress Charlie
reached out and rubbed the top of Candy’s hand. “We haven’t had many of these
blind dates yet, but the success rate is much higher when the couples have a
counseling session afterward.”

“It’s
just that I know him.”

Brad
rubbed his forehead. “I wasn’t what you wanted.”

“That’s
not true,” Mistress Charlie offered. “Several things went into my matching the
two of you together, but I was hesitant for the same reasons why the two of you
haven’t been able to make a go of things on your own.

“On
our own. Ha. I’m not even on his radar.”

“That’s
not true,” Mistress Charlie said again. “You’re both so concentrated on what
the other doesn’t want that you miss what’s happening right in front of you.”

“But
I’ve followed what you told me several weeks ago. I’ve been looking for a sign.
Anything to tell me he was interested and, believe you me, I’ve been looking.
Nothing. Not one single hint of interest.” She remembered something else the
Mistress and Ivy were always reminding her of. She needed to be proud of
herself and all her accomplishments. If Brad couldn’t see all she could offer,
it was his loss. “He sure as hell has noticed Ivy’s new skirt and just last
week her new shoes.”

“It’s
wasn’t Ivy’s shoes that were new.”

“What?”
She narrowed her gaze. What kind of game was he playing?

“It
wasn’t—” He shook his head and chuckled. “You’re right, Mistress. She is blind.
Hell, we’ve both been blind.”

“Oh,
the language.” Candy sat straighter. “I can see just fine, fella. It seems I’m
incapable of picking the right guy for me though.” All she could pick were
noncommittal losers or men who were too good for her.

“You
picked fabulously this time, Candice. And Brad has found the right woman for
him.” Mistress Charlie sat back in her chair. “Now, face each other, observe
and listen.”

“Yes,
Mistress,” they said in unison.

Brad
turned toward Candy and she shifted to face him as well.

“Candice,
I’m sure you recognized your surroundings in the observation room last Saturday
night,” Mistress Charlie said.

“I
did.” She twisted the simple band she wore on her right ring finger.

“Keep
going. Remember what I’ve told you before about holding back.”

“Okay.”
This was it. This was the moment she’d been dreading. “Do I really need to go
first?”

“Candice.”

“Sorry,
Mistress.” She turned further toward him and also put more space between them.
“It wasn’t your fantasy, Bradley. It was mine.” She focused on his mouth which
softened. Damn, it was kissable. Her thoughts flew back to their blind date.
His lips were soft and strong. She wanted to feel them again, feel them tasting
her whole body again.

“A
conference room?” he said.

“Yes,
it’s a place where I often help Ivy close our deals.” She gazed at her ring. “A
place where I imagine you to be well respected.”

He
tapped his finger under her chin and after she raised her gaze back to his
said, “You thought of me when describing your fantasy room?” His gaze
intensified. It felt like he’d removed all the space between them, but he
hadn’t moved.

“Yes.”
She’d expected her heart rate to be fast and uncontrolled, but she’d never felt
calmer. “I imagine you’re in complete control in a room like that and your
focus is on one thing.”

“Did
you imagine yourself as the focus of my attention?” His touch shifted around to
her nape. He held her still.

“Most
definitely.” Her pussy warmed at the thought. His clear domination over their
conversation woke her deepest fantasy.

He
held her close. “Then explain your behavior last Saturday night.”

“I,
well, I never imagined you to be there, that you were the one with me in the
room.”

“I
see.” He let her go and moved away from her. “I don’t think I’m getting the
whole story here.”

“I
agree.” Mistress Charlie’s voice cut through the kitchen.

“I
answered his questions.”

“And
offered minimal insight. Keeping him out won’t help either of you.” The
Mistress retied the laces on her boot. “What did the sign in that room say,
Candice?”

She
took a deep breath. “It said,
you’ve got
what it takes
.” The night flashed through her thoughts. It had been magical
until she found Brad in the observation room. It should have thrilled her to
know it had been his hands, his mouth that had brought her pleasure. But he
hadn’t known it had been her. If he had, the night surely would have gone
differently.

“Very
good. What else did it say?”

“
It will take everything you’ve got
.”
Sweat beaded at her hairline. She fought the urge to swipe it.

“What’s
the first thing I’ve always told you about being a submissive?”

“I
can’t hide.”

“Then
why are you hiding now?” Brad said as he brushed the heat from her brow.

“I’m
not.” She stood and walked to the back window. “The truth is, I never imagined
you to actually be there, but I wanted you to be there. I wanted you to be
there so very badly.”

The
Mistress had a small yet exquisite backyard. Everything had a place, even she
had her place. It broke her heart that she couldn’t imagine it next to the man who
had captured her heart.

“Aren’t
you even curious to what my fantasy room looks like?” Brad said behind her.

“I
can only imagine.” It would look nothing like a room she’d ever occupied.

“Maybe
you’ll have better luck with her upstairs, Brad.” Mistress Charlie stood and
walked to her fridge. “The second room on the left is set up like the room Brad
described in his fantasy. I think you’ll be pleased at the level of detail.”

“Thank
you, Mistress.” Brad got up and walked in the direction of the stairs.

“I
even have your most recent purchase in the room. You’re right. It is lovely.”
Mistress Charlie washed the apple she’d plucked from the refrigerator. “I
suggest you get a move on, Candice. Oh and Brad…”

He
stopped at the doorway.

“If
she continues to hold back, I recommend warming her backside.”

“Hey.”
Candice turned to the Mistress and cocked her head.

“I’ve
warned you your behavior would get you into trouble with
your
Dom.”

“I
haven’t found
my
Dom.”

She
smirked. “I’ll talk to you in the morning. Get moving. I wouldn’t make him
wait.”

When
Candice turned around she found Brad had already left.

Chapter Six

Candy ran up the stairs and found Brad
standing outside the second door on the left. She slowed her movement as she
got closer and stopped when she was a few feet away.

“Do
you think I’m going to bite?” Brad smirked at her.

“No.”
She twisted the ring around her finger once more. “I do think you’re going to
break my heart.”

“Fascinating.”

“How
so?”

“It
would mean you’re planning on giving me your heart.” He waited a beat before
adding, “No quick comeback. Interesting.” He held out his hand. “Come on in. I
want to know what you think about the room that holds my fantasy.”

She
pushed back her shoulders and walked past him into the room or rather into the
lobby of Reed & Company. “Is that my desk?” She squeezed her eyes closed
and opened them wide. “That is my desk and those are our guest chairs?”

“It
should at least look similar.” He stopped right behind her. “The Mistress sure
did capture the room’s likeness.”

“When
the Mistress called me a couple weeks ago asking for the make and model, I
assumed she was remodeling again, not recreating our lobby.” She turned to face
him. “I don’t get it.”

“What’s
not to get?” He stared deep into her eyes and tucked some of her hair behind
her ear. “You are my fantasy.” He pulled her to him and leaned in for what she
imagined would be an intoxicating kiss.

Candy
stopped him, pushing gently on his chest. “But you hardly ever even look at
me.”

“On
the contrary, I look at you as often as I get a chance, which I can tell you is
a great deal of time when I’m standing in your lobby because you, my dear, keep
your focus on the computer or your phone or anything but me. I’d convinced
myself I had nothing to keep your interest.”

“Me,
not interested? That couldn’t be farther from the truth.” She licked her lips.

“Why
did you never look at me for more than a fleeting glance?” He brushed his lips
over hers.

“Because
then you’d know.” She rose up on her tippy toes. “You like me?”

“Honey,
I more than like you. I plan on proving it to you this evening.” He squeezed
her ass, picking her up and carrying her to her desk. “But first you need to
tell me what I’d know if you looked at me.”

“Wow,
okay.” She tried to make sense of what he’d just told her. Nervous butterflies filled
her belly. “You’d know how much I’d wanted you. You’d know I wanted nothing
more than to be yours. You’d know…” She closed her eyes.

“If
you’d looked at me, you’d surely be able to see how much I fucking want you.”
He pressed her palms to his rock hard cock. “Now, keep talking. I’m hoping
there are more than a few dirty thoughts in that delicious mind of yours.”

“I
don’t know.” She shook her head back and forth. “I don’t know what you’d think
of me.”

“Candy.”
He ripped her blouse open and yanked up her skirt, exposing her naked pussy.
“I’ve already tasted your sweet honey on my tongue. I can assure you my
thoughts are naughtier. Hell, I’ve envisioned practicing every scene in the
manual with you.”

“Every
scene?” The scent of her arousal filled the room.

“Every
dirty one.” He dragged his touch through her folds and then deep inside.

“Oh,
Sir.” She leaned back and spread her thighs wide.

“There
will be no more hiding, not from me.” He stepped back. “Damn you’re beautiful.”

She
drew her knees together.

He
slapped her inner thigh. “Don’t you dare close yourself off, not anymore.”

“Sorry,
Sir.” She blushed from head to toe and spread her thighs.

“Very
good.” He nipped at her knee. “Now, tell me what you envisioned me doing to
you? Keep in mind, I may just make the fantasies come to life.”

“This
is too good to be true.” Her liquid heat slipped from her and caressed her
inner thigh.

He
leaned over and licked the spot. “Tell me.”

“I
imagined you coming into our office and ordering me to expose myself, just like
this.” She pushed out her breasts.

“What
would happen next?” The bulge in his slacks begged for her attention.

“You’d
fuck me over and over, Sir.”

“Good,
girl.” He pulled his shirt over his head. “Do it. Remove everything. I want you
naked as I had you last Saturday. But this time I’m going to drink you in. Every
gorgeous inch.”

“Can
I see you, Sir?” She took off what was left of her shirt and bra and shimmied
out of her skirt.

“Yes,
my sweet.” He kicked off his shoes and unlatched his belt. “I hesitated from
approaching you. I won’t make that mistake again. I’m just as much yours now as
you are mine. And you
are
all mine.”

The
declaration in his gravely tone made her melt. She was living a dream. Once
she’d bared all, she got back up on her desk and spread her knees wide. She
belonged to him. Peace and need settled heavy in her belly. If she thought she
needed him before it was nothing like in that moment. His long, lean frame was
glorious. Strength radiated from him.

“I’m
yours, Sir.”

“All
mine.” He stepped between her legs and dragged his touch in a slow circle
around her pussy lips. “You’re such a pretty shade of pink.”

She
squirmed with anticipation and her building desire.

He
dipped inside and then continued his leisurely pace around her pussy. The
pleasure in her clit intensified each time he passed it. “You’re so responsive
and so wet.”

“Please,
Sir.” She moaned. “I need you inside me.” The walls of her pussy pulsed. She
wanted to feel his strength filling her.

He
delved a couple fingers inside her and then out to drag them across her bottom
lip. “Sweetest honey.” Together they moaned. “The evidence of your arousal is
intoxicating.” She swiped her tongue along her lip. “Later I’ll spend more time
sucking on this sweet pussy, but I can’t wait another second to get inside
you.”

After
positioning the head of his cock at her entrance, he pushed into her one slow
inch at a time. His thick length filled her and her channel gripped onto him.
“So fucking tight.” He pulled out and drilled forcefully back in, fully seating
himself.

She
moaned as her beautiful fantasy came to life around her. Brad drove repeatedly
into her wet, hot sex and she held her knees as wide as she could. It took
everything she had to keep still and focus on how he heated her up.

His
gaze remained fixed on her as he ground his pelvis over her clit and rolled his
hips.

She
gasped for breath.

“Let
me hear you.” He pumped into her over and over, then stopped. “Do you want
more?”

“Yes!
Keep going, Sir, please.” For so long she wondered what he’d feel like, how it
would feel to have him filling her completely. The reality was more than she
ever could have imagined.

He
rocked his hips in short strokes. Her focus centered on how fully he seated
himself within her. His control fueled her desire. Pleasure bounced around her
center with each stroke, and then everything changed.

“Oh!
I’m coming, Sir.”

“I
had a feeling you were close. You’re squeezing me so hard. Damn, sweetheart,
that feels good.” His strokes got longer and stronger. He grabbed her ass and
forced her closer, increasing the friction.

An
explosion of sound and heat flowed around her like a blossoming flower. Brad
roared through his own release which extended the sensation of her rapture.

Their
movements slowed and all she could hear was their breathing. Eventually, he
picked her up and carried her to the other side of the room and laid her on the
bed. He snuggled in beside her and she wrapped her body around his. Before
long, she fell asleep.

Sometime
later she woke in his arms. Brad’s eyes were closed, but he was tracing
patterns on her back.

“You
haven’t disappeared,” she said.

“I’m
not going anywhere.” He kissed her forehead. “This may be only the beginning,
but I’ve cared about you for a long time, Candy. You captured me the first day
I saw you waiting for Ivy. It happened so fast, I didn’t believe it. It scared
me a good bit. I couldn’t imagine someone as alive as you would find me
remotely interesting.”

“What
are you talking about?” She pushed up on her elbow. “You’re one of the most
confident and handsome men I’ve ever met. You take life seriously. You know
where you want to go in life, and you’re not afraid to push forward in that
direction.”

“Funny,
that’s almost exactly what I told my mom about you.”

“You’ve
mentioned me to your mom?”

“My
feelings for you have permeated my life.” He raised up and kissed her sweetly.
“How could I not mention you?” He traced a pattern on her collarbone. “My
parents have asked repeatedly to meet you.”

“What?”
Her fantasy turned cloudy.

“I’d
like to introduce you.”

“That’s
not a good idea. I don’t make a great first impression.” She turned her focus
to the wall and spotted the piece of china she’d been searching for. “Is that
the Black Fluted Mega Jug?”

“It
is.”

“I’ve
been trying to find that for weeks.” She shook her head. “How?”

“I
heard you complaining to Ivy you couldn’t locate it now that you had the money
for it. My mom actually helped me find it. She has a friend who lives in
Copenhagen.”

“Oh.
Gosh, that’s a lot to take in.”

“It’s
yours by the way.”

“Really?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” She squeezed him harder. “I
have to tell you, I’m scared out of my mind right now.”

“I’m
sorry, sweetheart.” He rubbed her back. “I’m pushing you. I’ve just been
waiting for this moment for so long.”

“I
know.” She loosened her hold. “As have I.” She bit her lip. “You won’t leave my
side when you introduce us?”

“Not
unless you ask me to.” His smile removed her doubt. For him, she’d have to try.