Rocking a SECRET

by Crystal Perkins

  “Damn. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to be quite that rough, but you…God, you made me so out of control.”

  “I’m so okay that I’ll probably be coming for weeks just thinking about what you just did to me.”

  “What you did to me was pretty fucking hot, too. Definitely going in the spank bank.”

  “Have you not been tied up before?”

  “Nope. But you can do it whenever you want. I have to warn you that I’ll probably tear all your curtains down.”

  I look over and see that dangling fabric that’s still tied to his wrists. “Hearing that fabric rip was…yeah, I can’t even describe it.”

  “I felt what it did to you. Remember, I was still inside of you.”

  “Oh, I remember. Believe me. It’s going in my finger vault.”

  “Finger vault? What the fuck?”

  He’s laughing so hard, he doubles over. I punch him in the arm.

  “I saw that online one day,” I tell him as I start to untie his wrists.

  “You’re so cute.”

  That makes me snort. “No one’s ever called me cute.”

  “Good. I like being the only one.”

  “I should go take a shower. You can use one of my other bathrooms or wait until I’m done.”

  “I don’t get to wash your back? You seemed to like it last night.”

  “I loved it, and if my boss hadn’t told me that I have to be to work soon, I’d totally drag you in there with me.”

  “Your boss could allow you to be late. Just this once.”

  “Later, K. We have tonight.”

  “Promise? You’re not going to get scared and shut me out?”

  “I won’t if you won’t.”

  “I’m all in, love. All the fuck in.”

  * * *

  Kace

  While Stella went into her giant bathroom, I got up to find another shower. The door next to her room opened into a room almost as big. It wasn’t another bedroom. It’s a giant dressing room with clothes, shoes, and accessories everywhere. I’ve never seen anything like it, and all I can think about is Stella in here picking out what to wear. It gives me an idea, but I still need to find a shower, so I move on. The next door I try is locked, but the one next to it is a guest room with a nice sized bathroom with that shower I need. I wash up, and then jerk off since I’m painfully hard just thinking about Stella in her own shower.

  I head back to her room after taking care of the surprise I thought of. I’ve just gotten everything where I want it when she walks out of the bathroom in a short robe with her makeup done, and her hair in a fancy bun with a braid in front, and curls hanging down in places. I really am a lucky man.

  “What’s this?” she asks, looking at what I’ve laid on the bed.

  “I thought I’d dress you today.”

  She steps over, and fingers the soft black sweater with white birds, the short black leather skirt with a ruffle on the bottom, thick cable knit black socks, and the sock garters I found. They’re black with silver studs and a heart. Sexy doesn’t even begin to describe how I know they’ll look on her. How it’ll all look. I have black Mary Jane shoes with thick rubber heels on the floor and dangling silver bird earrings. Oh, and a tiny black satin bra and boy short panties. I’m going to be hard all day thinking about her tits spilling out of the bra, and her ass peeking out of those panties.

  I’m biting my lip and bouncing on the balls of my feet as she just keeps running her hands over all of it. I want to her to like what I picked. And that I did it for her. She finally turns to me, but instead of speaking, she pulls me to her and kisses the hell out of me.

  “No one’s ever done that for me, except my mom. I love it all.”

  “Thank God. I wanted to do something special for you, and then I saw your dressing room.”

  “It’s a bit much, I know.”

  “It’s pretty spectacular. And so very you.”

  “It didn’t scare you off?”

  “Obviously not. I especially loved your lingerie closet in there. I’m hoping to see everything in there on your banging body.”

  “Banging body, huh? Was that your first thought when we met, and you were checking out my tits?”

  I laugh because I’ve never met another girl or woman who would come right out and ask that. “Actually, the first thought I had when I saw you was ‘bomb-fucking-shell.’”

  “That’s hot. I like it. Maybe I should get a shirt with that on it.”

  “You’re hot. And I like you. You should totally get a shirt with that on it.”

  “I like you, too. I didn’t want to, but I do.”

  “Why didn’t you want to like me?” I ask her, as I put my arms around her and hug her tight. “Was it my reputation?”

  “No. You don’t scare me with your bad behavior. I want to punch you sometimes, but I can handle all that. It was our age difference. You’re so young.”

  “That worked out well for you last night.”

  “Yes, it did,” she tells me with a smile. “But seriously, you don’t mind dating an older woman? There’s lots of younger ones who’d love to be in your bed.”

  “Mind? Umm, no. It’s not your age that I want, Stella. I want you for you. You could be a hundred and I’d still want you. Because you’re you.”

  “I’m not quite one hundred yet, so I think we’re good.”

  “We’re really good,” I tell her as I nuzzle her neck.

  “Yeah, Kace. We are.”

  “So no more worries about the age thing?”

  “As long as your mom doesn’t kill me for corrupting her baby boy, we’re good.”

  “My mom has no room to talk. She’s not a saint. But if she doesn’t like it, we’ll just show her we’re serious and change her mind.”

  I kiss Stella, pouring all the love I feel for her into it. Yeah, love. I know I love her. It’s not time to tell her yet, but I will soon. We also still need to talk. About lots of things. Including how she can afford this apartment. Not now, though. Right now, I just want to be in the moment. So, I shut off my brain and just get lost in her.

  * * *

  Stella

  I really love my outfit. It’s beyond sweet and sexy that Kace picked out something for me to wear. We didn’t have time for me to thank him properly this morning, but I’ll make sure he knows how much I appreciate it tonight. We’re smiling and holding hands as we walk off the elevator into the loft at the hotel. Until everyone sees us.

  Conversation stops. Just literally stops as people stare at us with their mouths open. Wayne is the first one to recover. “Well, hot damn. This will be fun.”

  “This has nothing to do with you, man,” Kace tells him.

  “But it could. Tegan told me all about her and Stella and all the fun they’ve had. With lots of guys. I’m not into you, dude, but we could all play together.”

  I stop breathing. I can’t believe she told him. How could she do that to me? Oh my God, I think I may die right now. I’m snapped out of it as Kace lets go of me and lunges for him.

  “No. Stop, Kace. Don’t.” I yell as I pull him off of a bleeding Wayne.

  “He’s not going to talk shit like that about you with me here.”

  “You act like I was lying. I wasn’t. She’s done multiple guys before. With and without her friend. Haven’t you Stella?”

  “Yes. I have,” I tell him as tears roll down my cheeks.

  I won’t deny it because I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done. At least I haven’t been until this moment. In this room with a guy I think I might love, and my mom. She’s seen it all in her job, but she doesn’t need to know I’ve done it all. I just have to get out of here before I’m forced to look at her and Kace. I can’t take either of them being disgusted by me.

  “Look at me, Stella,” Kace says. I shake my head, and he leans close to whisper in my ear trying to catch all my tears with his fingers. “I don’t care, love. What you did before doesn’t matter. All that matters is now. You told me I w
as the best you ever had and now that just means even more. No one’s going to mess with you about this. Not if they want to have all their limbs intact.”

  I look up at him and there’s no disgust in his eyes. Just concern, and God, love. His eyes are full of love. “Thank you.”

  That gets me a quick kiss and a smile. “Back to work everyone. The fucking show’s over. And if any of you even thinking of mentioning this to Stella or me, I suggest you don’t. She’s with me—that’s all you need to know.”

  Everyone turns back to what they were doing, except my mom. She comes over to me and hugs me tight. “I love you, Stell. I don’t care what you’ve done or plan to do in the future. I’ll always love you.”

  Kace moved away to give us privacy, so I’m able to tell her what I’m thinking. “Thank you. That means everything to me. I have to quit my job though, Mom. I can’t work with Tegan. I can’t even stomach the thought of seeing her.”

  “Talk to her. She’s your best friend. She wouldn’t just tell him those things.”

  “But she did. And she’s not my friend anymore. She’s dead to me.”

  “I’ll support you no matter what.”

  “I know. I love you, Mom.”

  We hug again, before she goes back to work with Brett and I walk over to Kace. He tells me I can leave for the day if I need to, but I don’t want to do that. If I leave right now, I’ll do something rash. I was serious when I told my mom that I can’t work with Tegan again, but quitting seems so wrong. I love my job. And my other friends. I need to think about this for a couple of days.

  I make it through the day, ignoring the stares. Because people are staring. They won’t say anything since Kace threatened everyone, but they can’t help but stare. I’ve never regretted my choices, or what I’ve done in the past, but today I feel dirty. And a little cheap. I can’t believe it’s my best friend that made me feel this way.

  By the time I fall asleep that night with Kace next to me, I have fifteen missed calls from Tegan, and twice as many text messages. I don’t look at them, or listen to the voicemails. I just can’t. It hurts to know she betrayed me. And I don’t even understand why she did it. I know I could ask her, but honestly, the thought of seeing her again makes me want to throw up.

  Chapter 6

  Stella

  I enter the Foundation offices a few days later and nod at Alex. I called an emergency meeting, so she knows I’m not in the mood for small talk. I wish I could say that I wrestled with my decision, but I didn’t. I just had to drum up the courage to actually go through with what I know I have to do. Kace only knows that I want to break off my friendship, and while he told me to talk to Tegan first, I just can’t. I just need to get this over with.

  Alex takes care of the phone system, and we enter the conference room together after passing the security scans. Everyone is already inside as I take my place next to Mallory and Darcy. I don’t sit down.

  Jane stands and addresses me. “Stella, you know that calling an emergency meeting is not something to be taken lightly. Please tell us why we all had to be here today.”

  “I’m not taking this lightly. I called this meeting because I need to quit.”

  “What? Stella, no,” Mallory says, jumping out of her chair.

  “I have no choice.”

  “There’s always a choice, Stella. You know that,” Jane lightly reprimands me.

  “I can’t work with Tegan. In fact, it’s taking everything I have in me to stand here calmly and not rip her fucking throat out right now.”

  “What, Stell? You’re quitting because you’re angry at me? For what? You’re my best friend.”

  “Angry doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling. And you know why, so stop acting like you don’t. I thought you were my best friend. Until I walked into work a few days ago with Kace. And Wayne told everyone that I liked to be with multiple guys, sometimes with you participating too. My mom was there, Tegan.”

  “Holy shit,” Aiden says.

  “Shut up, A,” Matt tells him with a glare.

  “I-I…”

  “You what? You just had to tell him that? He forced you at gunpoint to tell him about my past sexual encounters? Why? Why would you do that to me? I would’ve never told someone something like that. And you had to know he’d tell Kace. You know I like him. He’s the first guy I’ve ever wanted to be with like this. Were you trying to ruin that for me?”

  “Yes.”

  I reel back like she’s punched me. “What?”

  “Ainsley’s in love, Faith’s in love, and now you—you’re maybe in love—and it’s too much. I kept thinking about who was going to go out with me to clubs? And be my best friend? Then I saw how sad you were, and how fast Kace said yes when I went to bring him to you. I was happy for you then, but it was too late. I’d already told Wayne. I’m so sorry. I mean it.”

  Damn it. I know her background, and I should’ve known she’d freak out. And now my anger has faded, and I realize my mom and Kace were right. I should’ve just talked to her. “I’ll still go out with you. I said I’d be your wing woman. I’m not going to abandon you just because I’m with Kace. But you can’t ever do anything like this again, Teeg. The way people have been looking at me…I’ve felt so gross. And bad.”

  “Kace said some shit to you? He’s dead!”

  “No, Matt. He’s protected me, and told me the past doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course he did. I mean, damn, what guy doesn’t want to hear that his woman’s pretty wild?” Nate says.

  “You’re such an ass,” Jade tells him.

  I flip him off and tell them the rest. “He said all that matters is now, and us. And he said he’d fuck up anyone who messed with me about it.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Isa says.

  “Yeah. And he dressed me today,” I say gesturing to my clothes. This is the second day in a row. I hope he keeps it up. I can tell he really thinks about what he’s picking, and both times, he’s chosen a perfect outfit for me.”

  “He picked your clothes? And you let him? Damn, I knew sending him to you was the right thing to do. But, umm, does your mom hate me?” Tegan asks.

  “No. She told me to talk to you before quitting. I was just so mad. And hurt.”

  “I really am sorry, Stell. Please don’t go through with quitting. We all need you.”

  I look around and see everyone nod. I finally settle on Jane. “Can I take it back?”

  “Yes. But please just talk it out next time you think about leaving. Any of you.” She looks to Tegan. “What you did is not acceptable, Tegan. Not just as a friend, but as a sister. We keep each other’s secrets, not spill them to the some random man. Especially not with the intent to harm.”

  “I know.”

  “You’ll be off missions for at least two months, and will be expected to be here at the offices every day helping wherever you’re needed.”

  “Of course. I understand what I did and how bad it is.”

  “Good. Now, I’m actually glad that everyone’s here. Well, almost everyone. Alex, can you call Miles in here? I need to talk to all of you about something.”

  We all sit there quietly as we wait for Miles. Jane seems really serious, and a little sad. As I look around, we all look lost, even Reina.

  “Sorry it took a minute for me to get here, Gram. I was on a call.”

  “Not a problem, Miles. Please have a seat.”

  She takes a deep breath, and I’m even more scared. Especially when Mallory, Maggie, Helen, and Cyndi go to stand with her. She seems to gain strength from her friends and opens her eyes.

  “I’m not exactly a young woman anymore. And, well, I can’t continue to run both the C & C Foundation, and the Society. It’s too much. I’ve been feeling a little weak and tired the past couple of months. I want to stay on as a mentor and help wherever I can, but I need to give up control. This isn’t an easy decision for me, especially because it puts all of you at risk.

  “As you know, my hus
band had a condition written in when he created the Foundation. It will only continue to function if a Corrigan woman is in place to run it, unless there isn’t one available. This wouldn’t have mattered even a month ago, but now that Alex and Miles are married, things aren’t as simple.”

  “Because I can’t run the Foundation or the Society,” Alex says.

  “I love you my dear, but no, you can’t.”

  “It wasn’t a question, Jane. I know I’m not cut out for that.”

  “There’s only one other option. Matt, I need you to get married. It will only have to be for a year, and then you can get divorced, and the last name can be retained.”

  By Reina. She’s not saying it, but we all know that’s who she means. There’s no one else. And none of us would marry Matt in her place anyway. Not with knowing how much she loves him.

  “Okay. I can do that for you. Of course I’ll do that for you,” we all know he’s trying to convince himself as much as he’s convincing her. He’s the biggest player in the room. “Do we draw names or something to see who the lucky girl is?”

  Reina stands so fast that her chair rolls back to slam into the wall. “You bastard. I hate you so much.”

  “Good,” he tells her, standing as she stalks towards him. “Then maybe you’ll really move on and stop looking like a sad little puppy when you’re around me.”

  “Really? You want me to fucking move on? Because you didn’t seem to enjoy seeing me with Rick.”

  “I was being selfish, knowing that I couldn’t have you in my bed when I needed you, Princess.”

  “Because that’s all I am to you isn’t it,” she screams as she gets in his face. “Just a body to help you when you need it. You couldn’t even give the ‘puppy’ a pity fuck when I told you I needed you. And I’ve put up with it, taken what you’d give me because I thought maybe one day you’d think I was good enough for more. But now I know I’m not. I’m just a piece of trash for you to use and throw away.”