by Kaylee, Katy
I was a fucking heel, but I couldn’t stop feeling like I should have known. “Did you consider that if I’d known I could have been gentler? Made it easier for you?” Maybe that’s why I was pissed. I’d taken her like a dog in heat.
“Or you would have said no,” she said.
“I don’t know why you’d think so.”
“Because you’re a good person, and would have told me all this crap about why I waited and how I should wait for someone special.”
“First, that’s not crap, and second, you give me too much credit. Haven’t you heard? I’m a horndog.” With that said, she could have been right. It was a possibility I’d have passed on her had I known she was a virgin, because she was right: she deserved to have someone who loved her take something she’d clearly guarded for so long.
Feeling surly, I left the bed. “I’m going to toss this.” I headed to the bathroom to throw out the condom. I splashed water on my face and looked at the man in the mirror. Kade Raven. Young, hot, single billionaire. At least, that’s how the media depicted me. How women saw me. Except Morgan. At least, that’s what I thought. Either she was trying to get more from me or she really did just want a one-night stand to lose her v-card. As I studied myself in the mirror, I was horrified to realize that I wasn’t sure which was worse. Did she really just use me to pop her cherry? I suppose it was a double standard that had me bothered by that, but alone with my thoughts, I didn’t have to worry about being judged.
I wiped my dick with toilet paper and then washed my hands. I prepared to go back into the bedroom, get dressed, and escort her back to the reception. We’d act normal. Like nothing happened. Except the biggest orgasm in your life, my dick reminded me. Shut up, I told it.
I opened the door to find the bed empty. “Morgan?” I walked to the living area, noting that only my clothes were strewn on the floor. Hers were gone.
“Morgan!” I called again to the empty suite. She was gone. “Fuck!” I grabbed my clothes and got dressed, telling myself that her leaving was good. Never mind that on the inside I felt raw and bare. That I’d enjoyed every minute that I’d spent with her over the course of the last few days. Despite my belief I should have known she was a virgin, there was a thrill in knowing I was the first to experience her tight, hot pussy.
As I buttoned my shirt, I was overwhelmed with opposing emotions; guilt, longing, confusion, annoyance…Fuck!
I ran my fingers through my hair. “Get it together, Raven.”
She was right. I got what I wanted, and so did she. The deed was done. We’d agreed to one night, and while I’d hoped I’d have the full night, I couldn’t deny the one time had been worth all the anticipation. But now it was over. Time to move on.
I opened the door and made my way to the elevator. Next week, this would be a memory, and all these crazy feelings would have dissipated. I’d be back to the old Kade; trolling for a new conquest. I laughed at myself as I entered the elevator. Who the fuck was I kidding? After tonight, what woman would even compare to the sweet ecstasy Morgan had given me? I was well and truly fucked.
10
Morgan — Two weeks later, Tuesday
“Oh god, not again.” I let out a frustrated groan as I pulled the second batch of burnt cookies from the oven. All day I’d been trying to make lemon vanilla sugar cookies to take to Beth and Ash, who’d invited me over for dinner now that they were home from their honeymoon. I was eager to see Beth and hear about her island trip with her sexy new husband. And I wanted to hug little Hannah. I’d offered to care for her while they were gone, but again, Chase and Sara took her in as last-minute practice as they got ready for their own child’s arrival.
Of course, dinner with Beth wasn’t why I was burning my cookies. It was thoughts of Kade. I’d have thought that after two weeks, the memory of that night would have faded, especially since it wasn’t a particularly good memory. Everything about that night was perfect until he got angry that I hadn’t told him I was a virgin. Maybe I should have, but that didn’t mean I deserved the way he treated me.
When he went into the bathroom to dispose of the condom, I was up, dressed and out the door so fast. But I hadn’t been able to outrun my humiliation. I guess that was why people said you should wait to have sex with someone special. I hadn’t expected roses and sonnets, but I hadn’t planned on his repulsion either.
To make it worse, I kept hoping he’d call. Maybe he’d apologize. Hell, if I was honest, I was hoping he’d want to see me. But I hadn’t heard a word from him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that now, two weeks later, he wasn’t interested in me. I wondered if he found someone new. Maybe he had someone else that same night. Why waste a good suite?
I growled in frustration and threw my potholder across the room. Why was I such an idiot? Fairy tales weren’t real. Not for people like me. Beth got hers, but that was different. She and Ash were cut from the same cloth. They were soulmates.
“Did you burn the cookies again?” my mother asked as she came into the kitchen. She looked exhausted, and I felt guilty that I wasn’t more emotionally available to her. With her lupus, working to clean homes had to feel like a herculean task. We worked together in our own little housecleaning business. I’d finished my clients earlier in the day, and if I was a better daughter, I’d have gone to help her finish with hers.
“Yes.” I put on the kettle for tea. “Sit down, and I’ll make you some tea. Next batch, I’ll get right and you can have some.”
“What’s going on, honey?” My mother lowered herself into a chair.
“I’m just distracted. Lots going on.”
“That’s been happening a lot lately.” She reached out her hand, and I went to sit with her. “Tell your mom what’s going on.”
“I don’t want to burden you.”
“The only burden is not knowing what’s wrong so I can help. Tell me, Morgan, what’s going on?” She brushed my hair from my forehead like I was a child.
“It’s a guy.”
“Ah,” she said with a knowing nod.
“He’s way out of my league. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Hey! No man is out of your league. You hear me. You’re a wonderful person and any man would be lucky to have your love. The truth is, there is no one who deserves you.”
I gave her a wan smile. “You’re biased.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Look at how hard you work. How you care for me. How much you helped Beth and Hannah. I love Beth like a daughter, but bless her heart, she’d not have survived her father’s death and brother’s downfall without your help.”
“That’s not completely true.” Beth was a strong capable woman who was overwhelmed by her brother’s illness and looming financial ruin. Yes, my mom was ill, but I was already broke and knew how to make a nickel last as long as possible.
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“And I’m lucky to have her.” I stood. “Now, let me try these cookies again. I can’t wait to hear about her honeymoon and see Hannah.” I pulled out all my ingredients for the cookies again. “At least someone has their happily ever after.”
“Don’t you fret about that, baby. Someday you’ll find a man who appreciates you.” My mom watched as I began mixing the ingredients. “Have you thought about selling your baked goodies?”
“Not really. I mean, I’d still like to have my food cart, but that won’t be baked goods.”
“I feel bad that you can’t do that, Morgan. A girl your age should be building her dream, and here you are stuck with me cleaning toilets. Speak of being a burden.”
I put down my spoon, going to my mom and kneeling in front of her. “Don’t ever say that again.” I took her hands in mine. “I love you mom, and you’re not a burden. I don’t mind cleaning. It’s honest work.”
“But not your passion. I’d hoped I’d do well enough that you could go out into the world and become whatever you wanted.”
“I don’t want any more than to b
e here with you,” I said to her. Of course, I had dreams that were on hold, but I didn’t blame her for that. She was a wonderful mom, and we were making due. I’d rather have this life with her, than a perfect one without her.
“You’re not being truthful.”
“I am. Would I like to have more money? Sure. Work with food. Yes. But I’m not unhappy, Mom. I like the idea that it’s you and me against the world.”
She smiled, and a tear fell down her cheek. “I’m afraid I’m not a very good fighter anymore.”
“So, I’ll fight for the both of us.” I squeezed her hands. “You and me, Mom.”
She nodded and sniffed. “You and me, baby.”
Thirty minutes later, I finally pulled out finished lemon lavender cookies. As they cooled, I changed clothes to get ready for dinner at Beth’s while my mom rested.
Beth sent a car for me, and as I rode toward their multimillion-dollar condo on the river, I began to think that while part of my problem with Kade was the fact that while I wasn’t part of his world, I did, on occasion, have a chance to be in it. In my everyday life, I didn’t have a car or chauffeur. I didn’t even splurge on an Uber. I rode the subway. Perhaps being friends with Beth was giving me ideas about a life that I shouldn’t be having. I’d need to watch for that.
I arrived at their place, and the doorman let me in. I rode the elevator up to their floor. When I knocked, Hannah opened the door.
“Morgan!” She threw herself into my arms.
“Hey munchkin. I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you. I was with my Uncle Chase and Aunt Sara. She’s fat because she’s got a baby in her tummy. She let me put my hand on it when the baby moved.”
“Wow.”
Hannah made a face. “It was weird.”
I laughed, and wondered how long it would be before Ash and Beth decided on expanding their family.
“There you are,” Beth said as she met me in the living area. She looked tanned and beautiful, and so, so happy. I was happy for her, even as I envied her.
“I brought some cookies,” I said holding up the plate I’d put them on.
Beth opened the plastic wrap. “Lemon?”
“And lavender.”
“God, how decadent. Ash, Morgan is here.” She took my arm. “Come. We’re grilling out on the terrace.”
“Are you going to give me every detail of your honeymoon?” I asked as I followed her out.
“Yes.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“There’s a child in the room,” Ash said, his cheeks coloring probably at the idea that I was going to hear all activities they’d done on their honeymoon. Of course, she wouldn’t go into every detail. But it would be enough that I could live vicariously through her.
“We’ll talk later,” she said. “White wine? Or do you want something stronger?”
“Wine is fine.”
It was so nice to sit with Beth and chat as Ash grilled and cooked.
“It must be nice to have a man cooking for you,” I said.
“It helps that he has a brother who taught him all he knows. Kade can be an ass, but boy can he cook.”
I flinched and drank my wine.
“You seemed to enjoy his food at the rehearsal dinner. And him.”
I looked at her to see if she was fishing or if she knew something. Had Kade told them something? The expectant look suggested she was fishing.
“You know me. Food is my love.”
“Well, speaking of which,” Ash said as he set dinner on the table. “Honey, are you going to tell her?”
Beth grinned and bounced a bit like Hannah did when she was excited. “I’ve got good news.”
So, they’d started on the family during the honeymoon.
“I’ve got a gift for you, and before you say no, you have to hear me out.”
Uh oh. Every now and then, she’d try to give us money or pay for things, but unless it was life or death, my mom and I were adamant that we make our own way.
“Sara and Grace have started a foundation with Raven Industries, and while I’m all for charity, I’ve been looking at other ways I can be a part of the family.”
“I thought you were going to work on the McAdams businesses.”
“That’s for Ben, and if not him, Ash will do it. Me, I want to start a program to fund small businesses for women.”
“Okay,” I said, wondering how I was going to fit in this.
“My first project is to give you the money you need to open your restaurant.”
“Beth, I can’t—”
“It’s not charity or a handout, Morgan. This would be business startup funding through Raven Industries. You’ll pay it back, so it’s a loan, but I can guarantee you it will be more money with a lower interest rate. Plus, you’ll get the resources Raven Industries has to offer to help your business be successful. No money down, and you don’t have to start repaying for three years,” Beth hurried through the spiel.
“I don’t know — ”
“Morgan, don’t say no just because you feel this is charity,” Ash said. “Raven Industries doesn’t invest in losers. Beth told me her goals for this small business program, and your plans, and I think this is something the company will want to do. Now, you can walk away, and we can give the first round of money to someone else. Or you can graciously accept what Beth is offering.”
“Ash,” Beth said. “She’s not being ungracious.”
“He’s right. I love your project, and I appreciate you want to help me, but … with my mom’s health, she needs me to help her in the cleaning business.”
Beth put her hands over mine. “Morgan, the startup funding will allow for you to have some income. It won’t take away from what you’re earning now. Granted, you may have to spend more time as the business starts up, but it won’t hurt you financially.”
I felt tears run down my cheeks. I hadn’t realized until that moment how touched I was by her generosity. Or how much I wanted to say yes.
“You don’t have to decide right now,” Ash said. “We can go over details and you can even discuss them with your mother. SCORE has experts you can get guidance for free from as well.”
“Morgan, when you start your restaurant, can I still be your sous chef?” Hannah asked.
I laughed. “I’d love that, munchkin.”
11
Kade — Thursday
I was working like a dog the last few weeks, trying to outrun the guilt of how I’d left things with Morgan. I knew I owed her an apology, and at the time, seeing her would only make me want her again — which didn’t seem like a good idea. But holy hell, did I want to see her again. I couldn’t remember ever having a woman haunt me not just in my dreams, but during my waking hours like she did. Each new dish I prepped for consideration at a restaurant, I wanted to serve to her to see what she thought. At night, her luscious body came to me in my dreams, which meant every morning I was jerking off with her in my mind. It was maddening even as it held an element of excitement.
With Ash back from his honeymoon, Chase called a meeting to review where we were on various projects. I was feeling a bit surly and would likely end up arguing with one if not all of my brothers. But I couldn’t come up with a good excuse not to attend, so I entered the conference room and took my normal seat.
My brothers were already there. They all looked relaxed and happy. Fuckers.
“You all right, Kade?” Chase asked.
“Just have work to do. Can we get on with this?”
Chase gave us an overview of Dad’s projects in Europe since he wasn’t there, then he went over his own project in Florida, which had a rocky start but seemed on track now. Hunter reported that all properties were having security upgrades starting with New York properties. I had nothing new to share; all the restaurants were making money. End of report.
Since Ash had been on vacation, I figured we’d be able to go, but apparently, he still had something to present.
“Beth has come up with a proposal
for a Raven Industries Small Business program to help women entrepreneurs.”
“What is it about all your wives needing to get their hands dirty in Raven business?” I said tersely. It was bad enough that my brothers seemed to be living in bliss; I didn’t need their wives all up in my business too.
“What’s gotten into you?” Hunter asked.
“Nothing,” I said a little too defensively. “I just don’t think Dad’s vision was giving the company over your women. They’re supposed to be wives and mothers.”
“I knew you were an asshole, but I didn’t know you were a sexist pig,” Chase said.
Fuck. “I’m not. I’m all for them doing whatever they want, except taking over Raven Industries.”
“They’re not taking over,” Chase said.
“And we’ve already bought McAdams. Why not give that to Beth and send Ben packing?” That guy was a waste of space.
“He’s got a point,” Hunter said. Finally, I had a brother on my side. “Although the small business idea seems good too. That wouldn’t be a part of the foundation?”
“It could be, I suppose. But my understanding was that the foundation was for charitable causes. This is more of a business loan and training program. We’ve already identified a recipient. Morgan Andrews.”
What? Who? I straightened in my chair.
“That’s Beth’s friend, right?” Chase asked.
“Yes. She’s wanted to open a food service business. She’s got good ideas, and I think she would be successful,” Ash said. “I can manage it with Beth, so none of you have to be hands-on.”
“Wait, I’m the restaurant expert. Shouldn’t I be involved?” I asked. There was no way I could pass this up. And it wasn’t the restaurant idea that had my mood taking an upward shift. All of a sudden, the idea of working with Morgan to design a menu and open a restaurant perked me up.
“What sort of restaurant does she want to open?” Chase asked.