Letting Go

by J. M. Witt

  “You know what that was for.” Jane walked over to him and whispered in his ear.

  “Sorry, Cass.”

  “I know.” Suddenly I was assailed by Lena and Anthony with hugs and gift bags. “You guys, you shouldn’t have. Thank you.”

  Lena insisted I open her gift first so I did and found two travel coffee mugs and a box of coffee for my new coffee maker. “I fully expect you to bring me coffee from now on!” We both laughed.

  Opening Anthony’s gift I grew nervous because of the way he was looking at me and I suspected that his gift would cause me and everyone else to blush. I pulled out a box and was greeted with tissue paper. I glimpsed inside and before I could stop him Anthony pulled out a mass of purple satin.

  “Whoa, hey now!” Cal was up in arms and Jane covered his eyes as they laughed and I was as red as a tomato.

  “Anthony!”

  “Giiirl please. He likes it!” He was pointing his thumb at James.

  I looked over just in time to see James blush. He blushed! We all started laughing. I snatched the lingerie from Anthony and shoved it back in the box.

  “Here, Cassidy. This is from your brother and me.” Cal started to object and Jane elbowed him in the side.

  “Thank you.” Unwrapping the package, I discovered a new set of purple king sized sheets with a very high thread count.

  “I heard you got a new bed. Hope that’s okay?” She winked at me and I gave her a quick hug.

  “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

  Anthony passed around champagne flutes to everyone and started to make a toast, but James interrupted him.

  “May I?” Anthony nodded approval. “To Cassidy. You’ve taught me more in the last week than I ever anticipated. I look forward to learning more from you in the years to come. Cheers.”

  James didn’t take his eyes off me and I was already melting when he kissed my cheek. He said in the years to come. I accepted his kiss and pushed his words aside.

  “Let’s go eat!”

  “One more thing.” I turned to James who was holding a box of his own.

  “James, you already got me a gift.” Pushing the box into my hands, he insisted I open it. I pulled out a beautiful purple leather jacket. “Wow. It’s gorgeous.”

  “What’s with all the purple?”

  It was a lot of purple gifts and we chalked it up to coincidence and that it was my favorite color.

  “Here, let me.” I turned as James took the jacket from me and slid it up my arms. It was a perfect fit and I turned to give him another kiss. “You look great in it; almost as good as you’ll look in Anthony’s gift. Ouch!” I pinched his nipple and headed for the front door.

  “Let’s go. We have some celebrating to do!”

  We all stepped outside, Lena and Anthony decided to carpool with Cal and Jane while James and I got on his bike.

  

  Dinner was wonderful and full of laughs from everyone. James insisted on paying the bill and I seemed to be the only one objecting. We decided to head to a new bar down the street and once inside we found a corner booth in the back by the dance floor that we could all squeeze into. James and I ended up in the back with Lena and Anthony to my left, Jane and Cal to James’s right.

  The waitress came and took our drink order. Cal and James ordered water while the rest of us ordered drinks before Lena and Anthony headed to the dance floor.

  “Are you having fun?” His arm was around my shoulder as he whispered in my ear.

  “I am. You?” I turned to him and ran my hand dangerously high up his thigh as he nodded.

  “Do you want to dance?”

  I shook my head and pursed my lips, “I’m good for right now.” I slid my hand up higher—he didn’t stop me—and soon I pressed my hand against the bulge in his pants as he bit and sucked on my ear and neck.

  “Hey, lovebirds.”

  James and Cal struck up some dialogue as Jane moved around to my side of the table so we could chat. We both rolled our eyes at James and Cal who were now oblivious to us as we heard mention of bikes, cars, and trucks.

  “They’re meant to be,” I smirked as she laughed even louder.

  “I guess so.”

  “So, you and Cal?” I had to ask, I couldn’t help it. She smiled while shrugging her shoulders. “He likes you, I can tell.”

  “Feeling is mutual.” We smiled at each other.

  Before we were aware of what happened, Lena had pulled Jane to her feet and Anthony pulled me and led us to the dance floor whether we wanted to or not. I looked back to Cal and James who just smiled and waved us on.

  A few songs later we were all laughing, jumping and gyrating to Pitbull. I was turning into a sweaty mess and having a blast, having not let loose like this in so long, and it felt great. The four of us were being inappropriate with each other and laughing our asses off.

  Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke then came on and you could hear the cheers fill the club. The crowded dance floor became packed as the four of us were pushed aside, now dancing right in front of our booth. James and Cal were doing their best to ignore us so Jane and I upped the ante. We were dirty dancing with one another and now our men were fully entranced with us. James eyes were hooded as he watched me sashay my body back and forth. I motioned my finger at him, bidding him to join me, but he just shook his head and smirked, clearly enjoying the show I was putting on for him.

  As another song ended I looked around, realizing I was alone and my friends were gone. I looked to the table and saw Anthony and Lena gulping down water, but I didn’t see James. Before I had a chance to look for him, I was grasped from behind and I started to pull away when I heard ‘Blackbird’ whispered in my ear.

  His hands were on my hips as he pulled my back tight against him. I leaned my head back to his chest, recognizing his scent. Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon began playing overhead and I smiled as I let him guide me to the music. I hadn’t taken him for a dancer, outside of the slow dancing we did at the masquerade and the auction, but he was good.

  I felt the heat of his erection just above my ass and pushed back against him, raising my arms above my head. I found his neck and rested my hands there as he ran a hand across the exposed flesh of my belly and I shuddered.

  He dropped his head to my neck as his other hand ran up my side and just under my breast. I was sure we must be quite the spectacle, but so were other couples on the dance floor. He reached up, grabbing my hand, and spun me out as the tempo picked up and I laughed as he pulled me back to him. Face to face, he positioned his solid thigh between my legs as we continued to sway to the beat. I briefly placed my head on his chest while my hands clutched his biceps as his hands traveled just under the hem of my sweater and spanned across my lower back and down to the curve of my ass. I gazed up to him and his lips took mine; the kiss didn’t last nearly long enough, it never did.

  He whispered in my ear, “You’ll be lucky if I don’t drag you to the bathroom, baby.” Pressing his thigh into my crotch I gasped, “I have a feeling you wouldn’t object.”

  I squeezed his biceps and before I knew it the song was over. He hauled me back toward the table and everyone was there, but before I could sit, Jane seized my hand and dragged me to the ladies room. I was relieved and took the first available stall. When I emerged to wash my hands, Jane was still standing by the door.

  “Everything okay, Jane?”

  “Don’t panic.”

  “Ok.”

  “Dan is here. We have to get Cal and James out of here before they spot him.”

  “Shit, agreed. What is he doing here?”

  “I don’t know, but he didn’t seem too happy with the show the two of you put on out on the dance floor.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense. He’s acting more possessive of me now than he did when we were dating.”

  “We’ll figure that out later. Right now we need to get out of here.”

  We rushed out of the bathroom and back to our table. It was too late; Lena and Anth
ony were sitting there paralyzed.

  “Where are Cal and James?” They simply pointed behind me, and as Jane and I turned, we cursed in unison.

  Cal, God bless him, was trying to hold back James. Dan was laughing and spitting words back at James.

  “We have to get them out of here.”

  Anthony and Lena grabbed our purses and jackets and followed behind us. They had attracted a crowd and a bouncer had made his way over to them. The bouncer and James shook hands and exchanged some words. The bouncer then turned to Dan and escorted him out of the bar and Dan didn’t go quietly.

  James was visibly angry as Cal patted him on the chest and they turned to see us making our way over.

  “We’re good here. Show’s over.” Cal was talking to the spectators.

  I noticed a few cell phone cameras flashing. How annoying. I curled up to him and placed my hands on his cheeks. “You okay?”

  He pulled my arms down, kissed my forehead before taking my hand in his and nodded as he pulled me back toward our table. When we got there our table had already been claimed by other patrons.

  “It’s getting late, we can just go.” He was teetering on the edge, I could tell. “Hey!” That got his attention, “Take me home, James.” I lifted up to my tip toes and whispered in his ear, “You can take your anger out on me.” I sucked on his ear briefly before I pulled away.

  Chuckling at me, he smiled, “If you insist, lady.”

  “I insist.”

  We all made our way through the bar and as we stepped outside the cold autumn air assaulted us. James helped me into my jacket before taking my hand as we walked toward the parking garage. We only made it another ten feet from the bar before Dan popped out from an alley.

  “Cassidy! You didn’t waste any time, did you? Got yourself the prized stallion.”

  Jesus Christ. I heard James growl next to me as I stepped in front of him. I wasn’t sure who I was trying to protect; James or Dan.

  “Dan, get out of here. You’re just asking for trouble.”

  He started sniggering and inched closer. James gripped my shoulders as I noticed Cal stepping up next to us.

  I turned to James, “He’s not worth it, James.”

  “He can have you. Tramp. You were a lousy lay anyways.”

  Cal and James both stepped forward at the same time. Dan must have had a death wish, and before I could stop it from happening, James’s fist landed square in the center of Dan’s face. Jane, Lena, Anthony and I all flinched, though he had it coming.

  Dan was knocked to the ground and when he picked his head back up blood was pouring out his nose. “You broke my nose.”

  “You deserved it.” I looked to Jane and smiled at her as she had simply said what we were all thinking. Dammit. I saw some cops running over behind her and turned to Cal.

  “Cal!”

  He was busy holding James off Dan, but when James spotted the officers he backed off. In the meantime, we had attracted another crowd. Dan was on the ground cursing as I pulled James to the side and checked his hand.

  “Are you hurt? You could’ve broken your hand. You need to start punching a bag instead of walls and faces!”

  He smiled while rubbing his knuckles and said he was alright. I looked to see where Cal was and found him holding out his badge and shaking hands with one of the officers. That officer then made his way over to James and me.

  “Take the lady home. We’ll see to him.” The officer pointed at Dan, and I thought I recognized the officer, but couldn’t recall his name.

  “Thank you.” I dragged James away before anything more could be said or done. We all had to make our distance from the scene we had caused. When we reached the parking garage, James turned and apologized to everyone.

  “Don’t worry about it. If you hadn’t punched him, I would have.” Cal shook his head, “They’re taking Dan to the station. He won’t be pressing charges. You okay to drive?”

  “Yeah, man. Thanks again. I really am sorry.” He and Cal shook hands before we all said our goodbyes.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, sis. Noon?”

  “Yes. Dad and Lisa will be here around that time.” He hugged me again and then we were off.

  James took a detour out of the city as we rode for a while and then he pulled into an alcove just outside the city. He put the kickstand down and dismounted before he helped me off the bike, removed our helmets and pulled me to him.

  “I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.”

  “You didn’t ruin my birthday. You sure tried, but it’s not ruined.”

  He pinched my side and hissed at me and I turned in his arms so that my back was against his chest. His arms were draped over my shoulders and I was holding onto his forearms. We found a few satellites in the sky and admired the stars. I started shivering as the night was quickly cooling off.

  “Let’s get you home, lady. I owe you some birthday spankings.”

  I didn’t object when he dragged me back to the bike and we made our way back to my place.

  

  I woke to the sound of him hammering away on the treadmill and decided to join him. I threw on some clothes and shoes before hopping on the bike, but after thirty minutes or so I’d had enough. My entire body was sore, probably from my sexcapades with James. I was rolling my neck and shoulders when I felt his hands dig into them.

  “You’re sore. I’d apologize, but then that means I’d regret last night,” he leaned in and whispered, “And I’ll never regret a moment of you tied up beneath me.”

  A tremor ran across me and my breath caught, “I don’t regret it either.”

  We were up late as he gave me a proper education on the many uses of satin ties and I smiled as I remembered it. As usual, he was amazing and I was surprised at the things my body happily tolerated and responded to.

  “You really are a natural.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “Let’s get you in the shower. The heat will help relax your muscles.”

  I cranked on the water and then relieved my bladder while he undressed. I would never get enough of his nakedness; I could stare at him forever. I walked up behind him, kissed his back and he stilled momentarily before turning around. Smiling down at me, he tugged my sports bra up and over my head and then dropped to his knees to remove my shorts and panties. He was running his fingers up and down my legs and stopped at my right ankle.

  I looked down, “Everything alright?”

  He was frowning. “I was too rough.”

  I lifted and turned my ankle and saw the faintest trace of a welt and a small bruise taking shape, “James, I’m fine.” He wouldn’t stop examining me so I resorted to extreme measure and tugged on his hair.

  “Hey now,” he stood while capturing my ass around his hands and lifted me to him. “You’re not playing fair.”

  We both smiled as I leaned down and kissed him before he carried me to the shower.

  Chapter Twenty – Pressure…

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  We both took turns washing each other before we exited the shower and proceeded to brush our teeth. Instead of throwing his toothbrush back in his duffel bag, he placed it next to mine. We got dressed throwing each other admiring glances and laughing.

  “So, your dad is coming today?”

  He caught that last night? He’s bent over lacing up his boots. “Yes, a family lunch for my birthday.” I didn’t say anymore.

  “I’d like to meet him.” He was smiling at me and knew exactly what he was playing at.

  “James, um, I, of course you’re welcome to join us.” He wanted to meet my dad? I had never introduced Dad to anyone I as dating. Maybe he was testing me. Surely he wouldn’t stay.

  “Great. I have to get my bike back to the hotel since we’re expecting rain and then I’ll be back.”

  Shit, shit, shit. “Ok.”

  He kissed me and smacked my ass before walking out of my room and down the stairs. I stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. He wanted to me
et my dad. I grabbed my phone and texted Cal. He responded by telling me that Jane was coming, too. That should take some of the heat off me.

  

  ~ JAMES ~

  I walked out the front door and saw a paper on the front steps and reporters across the street. Dammit. I snatched up the paper, threw a smile and slammed the door before proceeding to all the windows making sure all the blinds were closed before looking at the paper.

  The front picture was of Cassidy consoling me from the night before after I had punched Dan. The story painted Dan as the helpless victim and I wadded it up and threw it to the floor as I heard Cassidy coming down the stairs. She spotted me on the couch.

  “I thought you left.” She could see that I was upset, “What’s wrong?”

  I pointed to the front yard and she leaned over the couch and peeked out the blinds.

  “What the… Why are they here?”

  She spotted the paper wadded up on the floor, “I’m really sorry. I’ve always been careful. Someone must have tipped them off to where you live.”

  She picked up the paper, flattened it out and skimmed through it. “My dad is going to freak out. I have to cancel.”

  “Hang on. It’s not over yet. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.”

  Pulling out my cell I dialed, “Hey Dad, is Mom up for visitors today?” I continued making arrangements. “Cassidy, is it just your dad?” She tells me his fiancée, Lisa, is coming along with Jane and Cal. “Should be eight of us. Great. See you soon.”

  “What did you do?”

  “All taken care of. We’re having your birthday celebration at my parents’ place.” She looked like a deer in headlights. I walked to her and put her shoulders in my hands and looked her in the eyes, “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ve never met anyone’s parents, James, and my Dad has never met anyone I’ve dated either.”

  I laughed, “They’ll love you. You better call your Dad and I’ll call Jane. Here’s the address.” Jotting down the address on a piece of paper, I handed it to her.

  She hesitantly pulled her cell out of her pocket and started dialing.

  “Hey Dad, yes we’re still on, but there’s been a small change of plans. We’re having dinner at my, uh, a friend’s house.”