Indulgence (183 page)

“Fuck, oh God.”

I ran my hands to his ass and squeezed as he shot his
release. As the last few shudders left his body he collapsed on me. I loved the
weight of him on me. I kissed his shoulder as he moved to leave my body and I
grabbed onto him in protest.

“I’ll crush you, Cassidy.”

“I want to be crushed.” He snickered and rolled over while
taking me with him keeping us joined. He caressed my back as I lay on top of
him and listened to his heartbeat slow. “You’re amazing,” I stated as I circled
my finger around his nipple.

“You’re pretty amazing yourself. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“I don’t think so, but maybe you should examine me to find
out.” I milked him again and he flinched before he chuckled.

“Insatiable are we? What have I gotten myself into?” He was
massaging my rear and ran his hands up to comb through my hair.

“If it’s always like that, then yes. Insatiable.” I trailed
my hand up and down his side as his hands continued to do the same on my back.

“You’ve really never had an orgasm during intercourse?”

I couldn’t hold back the yawn and whispered, “You’re the
first during intercourse.” He went to pull me off of him. “Please don’t go,” I
softly breathed in his neck. I was dozing off as he gently separated our
bodies.

“I’m just getting the blanket. I’ll never leave you again,
Blackbird.” He kissed the top of my head and pulled the satin comforter over my
body. I saw him tie off and discard the condom before he crawled under the
covers and pulled me back against him. I tangled my body with his and focused
on his even breathing. It was the last thing I remember before sleep conquered
me.

~ JAMES ~

Cassidy was driving me mad. I had never felt so frenzied
before or been so filled with lust, want, and need. Once I had her I knew I
would never get enough. She was tempting and teasing as she met and responded
to every touch. ‘
Burn me if you must.’
I pulled my shirt off her and
captured her perfect breasts. Taking turns kneading one while I sucked and
licked the other. Her hands gripped my hair and pulled me closer. Something
caught my eye and I lifted my head to see what it was.

Cassidy had a tattoo of a phoenix. It was a black outline
and lacked color. The head of the phoenix was next to her breast, under her
armpit. The body traveled down and under her breast, along her rib cage, with
the tail wrapped under the same breast. It was beautiful.

*****

She was half on her side and half on her back and sound
asleep. The sheet was down around her waist and her hair was a mess all over
the pillow. She was exquisite. Her right breast was covered by her right arm
while her left arm rested over her head on the bed. Her tattoo was in full
view. I sat down next to her and ran my index finger over the phoenix. I
wondered why a phoenix, or birds in general, and remembered what she said when
I asked if there were more. ‘
Maybe.’
I was tempted to start examining
her from head to toe to see what I had missed, if anything.

It had been over four months since that night. I’d kept my
distance from her as long as I could. Not a day went by that I hadn’t thought
about her.
My Blackbird.
Never before had a woman corrupted every day
and every thought in my mind. When I found out she worked for Cecily Brighton
and was planning Aunt Bev’s masquerade, the rest of my plan was easily set in
motion. Though, running into her on the street by
accident
may have been
better.

Confiding in Dad was what almost blew my cover. If she had
recognized me in the elevator with Dad, she may have never given me a second
chance. But she wouldn’t have been in that elevator if Dad hadn’t told Aunt
Bev. I hadn’t planned on Aunt Bev renting the suite down the hall from mine for
Cassidy either.

“Damn meddling,” I said to myself as she rolled fully to her
back and began to wake.

~ CASSIDY ~

I rolled over and sensed his eyes on me. Finding him
devouring my naked body with his eyes was incredibly erotic. He was smiling and
already dressed. I was momentarily embarrassed at my nudity and pulled the
sheet up to cover my breasts.

He asked, “Sleep well?”

I stretched, let out a groan and sat up. He moved closer and
placed his arm across my body to rest on the other side of my hip. We were face
to face.

“You cheat.” He looked at me confused. “You’ve showered and
dressed.” I ran my hand up his thigh and he smiled knowingly.

“I have some work to do.”

“It’s Saturday. Oh God. What time is it? I’m supposed to be
checked out by noon.” I was ready to freak out looking for the time.

He started laughing. “I own the hotel Cassidy. Take your
time.”

Now I was confused. “You own the hotel? I thought your
father…”

“No, the hotel is mine, just like the auction.”

“Oh, well maybe I’ll stay all day and you can attend to some
work here.” I pointed to myself as I tried to persuade him.

He smirked and kissed me quickly before he got up off the
bed. “Get dressed. It’s after noon. Breakfast will be here soon.”

I yelled after him. “I didn’t order breakfast and how’d you
get dressed anyway?” I remembered that we were in my suite, not his. “You only
had pajama pants on this morning.” He was already out of the room.

“I own the hotel, Cassidy. Now get dressed.” I wasn’t sure
if that was an order or a request, but it sounded more like an order.

Devious

~ CASSIDY ~

All the shower jets were an amazing luxury I had never
experienced. I was thoroughly disappointed that he didn’t join me in the
shower. When I stepped out of the shower and there was still no sign of him.
Wrapping the bath sheet around me, I walked to the sink. I rummaged through my
makeup bag to find my moisturizer, toothbrush and toothpaste. When I’d finished
with that, I dried my hair and was suddenly aware of the smell of bacon. My
stomach growled in response.

I threw on my white jeans that had the rips down the legs,
my grey camisole, my blue sweater and my silver ballet flats. I tossed
everything else back into my overnight bag, grabbed my garment bag holding my
dress and headed for the living room. Dropping everything on the couch, I went
into the small dining area where James was sitting. He was scrolling through
his phone looking good enough to eat, wearing black suit pants, a white oxford
that was unbuttoned on top and no tie. His hair was down and I noticed he
hadn’t shaved.

I sat down across from him and waited. “Have you already
eaten?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I was famished. Please, go ahead.” I
couldn’t resist and I dug in.

He was being awfully quiet as he hammered away on his cell.
Several minutes later there was a knock at the door. I looked to him, a little
startled at who could be at the door.

“It’s just the bellboy.” He pushed himself away from the
table and headed to the door. James gave him a few instructions before the boy
loaded the cart with my belongings.

“Do you have everything, Cassidy?”

I got up from the table, having had more than my fill of
bacon, eggs and fresh fruit. “Yes, I’m certain.” James hadn’t said a word about
where we went from there and I was trying not to get self-conscious.

Before the bellboy left James handed him some bills from his
wallet. “Have Andy pull Miss Charles’s car around front.” The bellboy nodded
and scurried off. James looked at me, all hard and serious, and I realized how
intimidating he was.

“Come here.” I hesitantly walked over to him, wondering what
he was about to do. I shrieked as he picked me up like a child and pressed me
to his chest. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I looked down at him. “I
didn’t give you a proper good morning kiss.”

I laughed and leaned down to his lips. His kiss was at first
soft but turned hot and steamy. His hands ran down to cup my ass and I groaned
in response. “Good morning. Or should I say afternoon?” I smiled and kissed him
again. “You seemed so far away a few minutes ago.”

His brow furrowed as he set me back on my feet. “Just
business stuff.” He kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “You’re perfect.
Now, out with you.” James motioned me toward the door and smacked my ass when I
got in front of him.

“Ow!” I slapped his hand away as he grabbed it, intertwining
our fingers. I glanced down at our hands and for a moment my heart faltered.

When we reached the lobby he let go of my hand and led me
out to the front of the hotel with his hand on the small of my back.

Andy, the valet, rushed over, panting, “Sir, I’m sorry, I
couldn’t get Miss Charles’s car started. We tried everything.”

“For the love… I’m sorry, Andy. I can have a tow truck sent
to get it.” James motioned against my offered solution.

“Andy, call Joe and have him come take care of it.” He
looked at his watch and sighed. “Please go get the Rover, Andy.” Andy ran back
toward the garage and James pulled out his cell, hitting a few numbers. “Hi,
Jennifer. I need you to push my one-thirty appointment.” He sighed and spread
his hand across his temple. “Of course she’s already there. Just deal with her,
Jen, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He pushed a few more buttons before
placing his cell in the breast pocket of his jacket.

“James, I can call a cab to get me home. It’s no trouble.”

“Absolutely not.” Just then Andy pulled up in a beast of a
SUV. It was a Range Rover and probably had every possible upgrade available.
James opened my door and I climbed in. I buckled myself in and noticed that the
interior still smelled new. My bags were placed in the back and a moment later
James climbed in.

James pulled away from the curb and headed south out of
downtown. I sat for a few minutes just gazing at him. It dawned on me that he
seemed to know where he was going. “Don’t you need my address?” He looked
surprised by the question.

“Er, uh, yes please.”

“You rotten sneak. You know
exactly
where you’re
going. How do you know where I live?”

“I own the hotel, Cassidy.” He smirked at me and moved his
eyes back to the road.

I took him at his word, though I wasn’t sure he was being
truthful. I decided to power up the stereo. I pushed play and recognized the
voice singing immediately.

“Is this the new Maroon 5?” He nodded yes. “Mr. Benedict, I
wouldn’t have taken you as a Maroon 5
fan.” I giggled. He just glanced
at me and gave nothing away. “I need to get the radio fixed in my car so I can
listen to something other than news radio.” I started quietly singing along.

When the song was over he reached over and pushed a few
buttons. “I like this one more, especially the part about having my hands on a
miracle.” He placed his hand on my knee as I sat back and listened to
Foo Fighter’s
Miracle
.
As I listened to the words it was a struggle for me to not choke up. When the
song was over I smiled my approval.

A couple more songs played as he drove along. All too soon
he was pulling into the drive of my townhouse. “Do you have plans for today?” I
turned to him as he took my hand in his.

I let out an exaggerated breath. “No, just unpacking. I’ve
been living out of boxes for weeks. I’m dreading it, but it has to be done.”

He nodded, pulled my hand to his lips before he let go and
got out of the SUV. I unbuckled and went to open the door but he was already
pulling it open. James walked to the back end and started pulling my bags out.
I shut my door and made my way over to him.

“Shit!” He glared at me, silently asking me what the hell my
problem was. “I’m supposed to have the dress back to Frida’s today. My car…” I
ran my hands through my hair. “Don’t worry, I’ll call Cal.”

“Where’s the shop, Cassidy?”

“NO, I’ll figure it out; please don’t go to the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. Where’s the shop?”

He looked utterly determined. “Umm, if you’re sure…” He
flashed me a ‘don’t mess with me’ glare. “It’s on 4th Street across from
Duke’s.”

He put the gown back in his SUV before scooping up my other
bags. I dug through my purse looking for my keys. I spotted my pills and took a
mental note to take them when I got inside.

We walked up to my door, I unlocked it and stood there, not
sure what to say or do. He set my bags down just inside my door and gathered me
into a big bear hug. I sagged against him and inhaled deeply before he pulled
me back and kissed me.

“I miss you already.” My heart skipped a beat at his tender
words.

“When will I see you again?”

“Soon.”

Before I could question what that meant, James bounded down
the porch stairs two at a time. He waved before hopping in the SUV and driving
away. A few seconds later, I heard my phone alert me of a text message. I
pulled it out of my purse and saw a text from an unknown number.

Go inside before you let the cat out.

XO ~J

I looked around and spotted Chessa making her way through
the obstacle course of boxes and shut the door just before she reached it.
“Sneaky.” I wasn’t sure if I was referring to James or to Chessa.

How’d you get my number!?

I wasn’t waiting long for his reply.

I own the hotel, Miss Charles. Go unpack.

XO ~J

So you keep reminding me.

Yes, Sir!

I like when you call me Sir.

XO ~J

I bet you do!
Come back and I’ll call you sir all
night.

XO ~C

Be careful what you wish for.