by Nicole Vidal
Now, what to do with myself until Cash arrives. After stopping in for an iced coffee, I round the building to see if Billie is in. This coffee shop would make a serious dent in my wallet and be problematic for my waistline if I lived here.
“Welcome to So Elegant. I’m Poppy. How can I help you?”
“Hi is Billie here?”
“Yes, may I ask your name?”
“Noelle.”
Poppy is a tiny woman with a dark, pixie haircut and colorful clothes. She must be another one of Kelly’s designers. I wonder what her design style is. Kelly’s is a modern twist on classic designs. Billie is a bit trendier with sharper lines.
“Hi, Noelle,” Billie says, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I came to thank you in person. Your condo is delightful. That terrace is a slice of heaven at any time of the day.”
“You’re welcome. It is. It’s why I bought it. I’ll do anything for my brothers. To date, planning your surprises has been the most fun favor I’ve ever done. I’m glad you went. You look relaxed and pampered, which is exactly what Cash wanted for you.”
“I am. I’m not used to being treated well.” Again, I spill a bit of truth about Cash and me.
“I remember that feeling. Thinking ‘He’s too good to be true. It won’t last.’” I nod. “Peter completely blew every other man I dated out of the water. I don’t mean he went overboard every time, but he pays attention. I’m trying to say Cash cares about you, and you clearly feel the same. Did you open the box yet?”
“No, he asked me to wait until later today. Do you know what’s in the box, Billie?”
“I don’t. I’m curious though.”
“That’s too bad. I’m dying to know.”
The phone on the counter rings and Poppy answers it, indicating the call is for Billie.
“I’ll see you on Sunday. Thank you so much.” I hug her quickly and slip out the door. Rounding the building again, I walk along the shore in the shallow water. It’s slightly overcast, so the beach isn’t overly crowded. Only diehards come to the beach with overcast skies. After a few trips to the end of the sand and back, I return to Billie’s deck.
Cash didn’t miss anything in his planning. Along with the flowers, spa treatments, and gift I have yet to open, Cash made sure I had everything I needed. The fridge is full, and so is the wine rack. There are some advantages to having obscene wealth. The key is when to use it and when to hold back. Near six, I can’t take it anymore. I waited longer than he asked. Pulling the wrapped boxed out of the bag, I shake it once. No sound. Hmmm.
Tesoro,
I want to look, touch, strip off, and taste when I get there.
Cash
Holy hell! Heat rushes to my core just thinking about him doing those things to me. I tear open the wrapping to find a box with a large LP on the lid. I have no clue where this box is from. Pushing back the tissue reveals a gorgeous set of laced-trimmed, gray silk pajamas, a chemise, panties, bra, and a matching robe. The label says La Perla. He went all out. I immediately send Cash a text.
Me: I opened the box. Where are you?
27
Cassius
The moment I get to my rental car, my phone chimes with a text from Noelle.
Me: I’m on my way.
I drive as fast as I can without getting pulled over. Not only am I excited to see her, but I’m equally interested in seeing my gift on her. Parking in Billie’s assigned spot, I hurry upstairs. Blood rushes through my veins, and my heart is racing.
After unlocking the door, I set my bag near the side table and search for Noelle. She’s a vision standing on the terrace looking at the ocean.
Approaching the threshold, I say, “Tesoro, turn around.” As if time is standing still, she slowly turns to look at me.
“I missed you so much.” She steps forward into the living room. My sexy bombshell slides her hands up my chest before cupping my cheeks.
“I missed you.” I take my first taste of her today. Sealing my mouth over hers, I tease her with my tongue. I savor her in my arms. The silk skimming over her curves is luxuriously soft. Lowering her hands, she tugs my shirt out of my waistband. Her fingertips dip below the hem, heating my skin with her touch. I drag my palms up her outer thigh, gathering the robe at the same time. As my hands climb higher, I fail to feel anything other than her creamy soft skin. She pushes lightly on my chest, taking a step backward.
Everything around me just falls away. I can only hear my heart pounding in my ears as she unties the silken sash nipping her waist. I move forward, cutting the space between us in half. Her robe splits open only enough to give me a peek of the curve of her breasts down to the apex of her thighs until she drops the robe to the bend of her elbows. I tear my shirt over my head before caressing her skin down from the center of her breasts to her clit.
Her head falls back as my fingertips travel lower. Gripping her hip, I turn her away from me. A noticeable moan escapes her lips. I toe off my shoes, kicking them to the side without releasing my possessive grip on the flesh at her hip. I ease off my pants and boxer briefs, pushing them aside. Noelle lowers her arms, letting the robe pool around her feet. Drawing her against me, I press my arousal against her heart-shaped ass. Teasing her nipple with my fingers, I move my other hand inward from her hip. I skim my fingers over her sex.
Widening her stance Noelle invites me to touch her, her arm over her head gripping the back of my neck. Slick heat meets my fingers as I delve deep into her core. Plunging in and out, I curve my digits to hit the perfect spot to push her to the edge of pleasure. Her hips move against me as she gets closer and closer to her first release of the day. As her muscles tighten around my fingers, I trail a path across her back with my mouth. A whimper echoes around us as she shakes in my arms.
When the shudders subside, I take a large step forward, guiding her over the arm of a chair. Lowering to my knees, I flatten my tongue against her folds. Her hand fists the throw blanket draped over the chair the moment my tongue touches her core. I lift her leg onto the ottoman to open her more to me. Nipping her nub, I draw my fingers up and down her folds. With each pass, she rocks deeper against me. As her hips push harder, I lick, suck, and nip faster.
“Holy fuck, Cash!”
Curse words fall from her pouty lips as she convulses above me in the throes of a second orgasm. As she relaxes, I sit back on my heels and stand. When she turns to face me, I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. I lower her to the bed with her legs dangling off the side. Settling between her thighs, I press the tip of my cock against her hot center.
“Open your eyes. I want to watch them change as I bury myself inside you.”
Her eyes widen, staring deep into mine. I push forward into her with one hard, deep thrust. A look of heat and something else stares back at me. Noelle hooks her ankles around my hips, drawing me even deeper. I’ve never felt carnal pleasure like this with anyone but her. Only her. I start to move, and she meets me each time with equal pressure. Her walls tighten around me as I throb inside her.
“Let go with me,” I say before emptying inside her with hot bursts. Her thighs quake as she trembles with pleasure around me as I lower myself on top of her. I grip her waist and climb onto the bed with her. Rolling us to our sides, I brush my lips against hers.
“Hearing you curse is sexy as fuck. I want to make you come every single day just to hear you swear.”
She buries her face into the crook of my neck. “I’m game if you are,” she replies, her face blushing as she looks up at me.
“Oh, I am. I don’t like being away from you,” I confess. I don’t know where I will end up, but I know I want her with me.
“I don’t like being away from you either. Thank you for today. You really didn’t need to do all of this for me. Although, the lingerie is exceptional. Over the top and crazy expensive, I’m sure, but perfect. How did you get the right size?”
“You mean aside from painstakingly memorizing your curves every tim
e I touch you or taste you?”
She smirks. “Your hands and mouth are skillful.”
“That’s all?” I raise an eyebrow.
“No, that’s not all. Do you really need your ego stroked right now? We’re naked and still catching our breath.”
Laughing, I confess, “I asked Kate. I wanted it to be right.”
“Wow, she didn’t tattle. I’m shocked. Glad but shocked. How was your flight?”
“Too long.”
“How is that possible? You only came from New York.”
“I wanted to skip it to be with you.”
She leans up, pressing her lips to mine before settling on my chest, her arm draped over me. “Have you heard from Stacy yet?”
“He sent me an update yesterday. I’m meeting with him early next week. He has two potential options for me to review.”
“That’s great! I’m so proud of you for taking the leap toward what you love.”
“A brilliant, gorgeous, kind woman who I care about very much made me realize that I should chase my happiness and never settle because we never know how much time we have left.”
“She sounds amazing,” she replies with a grin on her face.
“She is.” I lean forward, kissing the top of her head. “How are you doing?”
She sighs deeply before answering. “I did everything I could to help Mason and keep my job. I’m sad, but there was nothing more to be done.”
“I know you did. What are you thinking going forward?”
“Honestly, I can go anywhere, do anything.”
“What does your dream job look like?” I wonder if the center was what she wanted or if she had other aspirations.
“It doesn’t matter. I can’t afford to make my dream happen.”
“Humor me. What does your dream job look like?” I might be able to help her if she is willing to do some work. The issue is going to be where I end up.
“I would open a center for kids like Mason, a specialized center focused on students with developmental delays who need individual plans and care with a focus of providing early intervention and support once they are school age.”
“Impressive. Why do you think you couldn’t afford to open a center like that? You’ve clearly thought through what you want to do, who your clients would be, and there is a need for a center that caters to those students.”
“It was never something I thought could be done without some real-world experience and some business know-how that I don’t possess.”
“I do.” I’m treading lightly here. I didn’t know her answer would fall right into a spot that I have exceptional aptitude.
“What are you saying?”
I’m unsure if she is upset or genuinely intrigued. “If you want to look at all of your options, including your dream job of opening or buying a center, I can help you with the aspects you need assistance with, like financing and business know-how.”
“I won’t take your money, Cash.”
“I know, which is why I didn’t offer it. I love your fierce independence. It’s attractive.” It’s also another reason I care about her. She isn’t a gold digger like other women who would want to date me. In fact, she pushed me to follow my own dream, which will require a hit to my portfolio and a pay cut, at least in the short-term. “Will you at least consider it as an option?”
“I didn’t think it was even a possibility. I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.”
“Did you eat?” She looks up at me.
“No. I needed to get here. I wanted to be here sooner. I loathe the fact that you live across the country from me.”
After my response, she pushes up, sealing her mouth on mine. Rolling, I hover over her, kissing her without reservation. When I break away, my chest tightens at the realization that I will never tire of kissing this spectacular woman. I’m head over heels for her.
“I’m not a fan of how far away I live from you either. You should eat. I’m sure the groceries you had delivered include something we can eat or cook. Plus, I’m hungry.”
“I won’t wither away. I don’t want to let you go just yet.”
“I’m not asking you to let me go. I don’t want you to, but I want to take care of you too.”
I can’t argue with her logic. For me taking care of her today includes ordering groceries, a spa day, and sultry lingerie. For her it means making sure I eat something. I press my lips to hers again before relenting.
28
Noelle
Sliding out of under Cash’s arm, I pull on my robe before padding to the kitchen for some coffee. With a fresh cup in hand, I curl up on the terrace. I feel his presence before he says anything.
“Morning, tesoro. Do you need more?” Cash leans down to kiss me, the scruff on his chin pricking my skin.
“Yes, but I can make it.”
“Stay there. I’ll bring you a fresh cup when I join you.”
I hand him my empty cup. This area is calm perfection with the ocean breeze, the cute little shops, and the lack of photographers. It’s peaceful.
“What going on in your beautiful mind?” Cash asks, handing me a refilled cup.
“I have been here for roughly two days, but the people, the pace, and the calm are unsettling, in a good way. The slower pace is a welcome change.” Sidling up next to me, Cash takes a big sip of his coffee before answering.
“I felt that the moment I visited Mina for the first time. We ate our lunch in peace. No one stopped to ask how my parents were, no one asked for business advice, and no photographers skulked in the corners hoping to learn who my lunch date is.”
“Do you have a preference where your new home is?” I ask, knowing it’s on my mind as well.
“Honestly?”
“Always. I expect nothing less.”
“I realize it’s soon, but I want to be where you are. When I have more information from Stacy about the options, I would like your opinion.”
“I want to be with you too. In fact, would you be opposed to sharing your bed for a while?”
“Again?” His face falls slightly as he shakes his head.
“What do you mean? Oh, our second date. Sorry. Wait, you were going to ask me to come to New York?”
“Noelle, will you come to New York with me on Sunday?”
“You and your traditional norms. Yes, I’ll come stay with you in New York while I search for a job.”
He sets his cup on the side table and kisses me boneless. How am I going to function each day when he kisses me like that? Isn’t that exactly what you want? Yes, absolutely, yes!
“While I appreciate your exceptional kissing abilities and welcome more and often, I was asking something a bit more in depth. Do you want to live in a big city, would you prefer somewhere like here, the middle of nowhere, or somewhere in between?” I turn to face him, placing my legs over his thighs.
Absently, he drags his fingers up and down my legs while he considers his answer. “As long as—”
“I’ll ask in smaller parts. Do you want kids?”
“Yes.”
“How many? One or five?”
“At least a boy and a girl. If that takes five, five it is. My only caveat is she must be as gorgeous as her mother.”
My heart and my ovaries just exploded at the same time. It’s as if he can hear my innermost thoughts. Word for word, that would be my answer to the same question. I attempt to speak but fail.
“Did I lose you with five?” Concern laces his tone. “Tesoro, please tell me. You’ve never been unable to talk to me. Please don’t start now, especially with this discussion.”
I inhale and slowly exhale while formulating my answer and decide to stick with my complete honesty policy. “If you asked me that exact question, my answer would mirror yours.”
Cash leans forward and kisses me, his kiss laced with every ounce of his desire for our future. He may not have come out and said the three tiny, all-powerful words, but he’s telling me wit
h his mouth. No image of my future doesn’t include Cash every day.
“Ask me something difficult. I can handle anything with you beside me.” He resumes brushing my legs with his fingertips. Each pass creeps higher.
“Do you want to raise your family in a big city?”
“No, but where this deal is will play a role in how far outside a major city we can live.” He just said we. “What about you?”
“Growing up in Colorado with a yard and a dog was amazing. We were close enough to major city amenities like shopping, dining, and an airport. However, the proximity I have to the shore in California is wonderful. Just like here.”
“Does it need to be an ocean or just water? Do you want waterfront or simply easy access to walk the shore? Will a lake work?”
“I haven’t really thought about it in depth. If I needed to rank the type of water—ocean then lake.”
Content with my answer, Cash moves to get up for more coffee. “Another?” He lifts his cup. I nod. “What do you want to do today?”
“I’ve never been here before. I would like to find Dunne’s Ice Cream. Kelly raves about it. Otherwise, I’m open to explore wherever.”
“I can share the places Mina took me to when I visited her.”
When Cash steps away to get another cup of coffee, I move to the railing. People dot the beach for a morning walk or jog. Am I out of my mind going to New York? Normally, I would ask Kate, but it’s still early at home and she’ll tell me I’m crazy. I’ve never felt like I do with him, and it keeps getting stronger.
After a second cup, Cash and I opt to walk the beach. Absorbing the sunlight, cool water, and the sand between my toes hand in hand with my gorgeous man is helpful for my mental health. Losing my job is hard to wrap my head around. Even though I did everything in my power, I still lost. Next, we visit the Nubble Lighthouse and Dunne’s. The views at the lighthouse are breathtaking and serene. As we walk up the steep driveway, the majestic lighthouse is straight ahead. It’s a stunning sight. The rock outcroppings diffuse the ocean water battering against it. Cash stands behind me, his arms around me, hands clasped at my waist.