"He laid me on the bed and told me to leave my clothes on. That he liked them."
John nodded. "Understandable. I saw what you had on."
"He pushed my skirt up and took my underwear off. Then he . . ." I swallowed, surprised at how hard it was for me to describe all this to John. ". . . he went down on me."
"Did you come?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Continue."
"Then he fucked me."
"Position?"
"Missionary."
He tipped head to one side and studied me. "Face to face. Of course. You're beautiful. Why wouldn't he want to see you?"
I had no comment on this strange behavior on John's part, so I remained quiet. He didn't. "What else? Surely that didn't fill two hours."
"No. We talked about his offer. Then we had anal." I left out the part about how Ty had made me come some hard during that, I thought I'd pass out.
"Did you blow him?"
"No."
"Did he kiss you while you were with him?"
"No." I remembered the parlor and how John had said he'd seen us together and added, "Just on the cheek when he first arrived."
"Hm. All right." He released his hold on me and took a step back.
As much as I'd hated the way he was acting, I felt worse now he wasn't touching me. I was completely at a loss for what to do next. I didn't know what he expected of me.
"John?"
He'd moved back to the counter and picked up his drink. "Yes, Cate."
"I missed seeing you last night." God, I sounded like a stupid schoolgirl. I'd felt it, so I'd said it. I needed to stop doing shit like that.
John's chin dropped to his chest. He massaged his forehead with two fingers of one hand before he looked up at me. "Come here."
I went, though I wasn't sure what to expect once I'd crossed the space and reached him.
He drew me into his arms and rested his head against the top of mine. I felt the breath he drew expand his chest beneath my cheek.
"Ah, Cate. Hell of a pair we make."
Wrapping my arms around him, I didn't want to ever leave. All the strangeness between us moved to the back of my mind, hidden behind my joy at being in his embrace. I squeezed him tighter.
"When is your next shift?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Good." John drew back and dipped his head low. He lifted my chin with his thumb and forefinger and met my gaze before he pressed his mouth to mine.
Boneless, I leaned into him. I could have melted into a puddle right there on his hardwood floor from how John's kisses made me feel. It had always been this way, from the very beginning.
"Let's go to bed. It's late."
I undressed myself and slipped between the cool sheets naked. John did the same from his side of the bed, like we were some old, long married couple. One more time tonight I was at a loss what to do so I followed his cues. John moved toward the center of the bed, and so did I. He wrapped his arm around me. I leaned into him. He kissed me and yeah, I kissed him too. Then he drew back.
"Get some sleep, Cate."
Sleep?
My mouth opened but I wasn't quite sure what to say. "Did you want to . . ." The sentence trailed off even as I traced my finger down his chest, to his belly where I paused.
"We have all morning tomorrow. I don't have to leave for the airport until noon." He settled deeper into his pillow and closed his eyes as I lay next to him, baffled.
I'd pondered yesterday if he had a wife back home and what it was like for her to say goodbye to him before one of his many business trips.
Little did I know then that today I wouldn't have to wonder how she felt, if she existed at all. Right now, I knew exactly what it was like to be left by John, even if he was still here.
I don't usually sleep deeply on a good day, but I definitely didn't tonight. Not with all the crap spinning through my brain, and with John beside me.
That I was still awake, lying on my side and counting the hours until noon when he'd leave, was probably why I felt it—his length press against me. I didn't know if it was a natural reflex or caused by a naughty dream, and I didn't care. I planned to take advantage of it and pressed back against him.
Strange mood or not, asleep or awake, John was still a man and he groaned in response to the feel of me rubbing against his hardness. It didn't take long before the man himself was as awake as his body. I closed my eyes at the feel of his hand moving over my hip, then down to my thigh. He lifted my leg and pressed his length inside me.
In the dark quiet of the apartment, it was easy to concentrate on every sensation. The warmth of his palm against my skin. The hitch in his breath as he first thrust inside. And of course, the feeling of being filled by this man that went far beyond my pussy and seemed to spread as far as my heart and into my soul.
Yeah, it was good he was leaving soon. My job would take care of my physical needs, but my heart and my soul both needed some distance from him.
CHAPTER 17
I thought I'd feel better about this strange situation with John after we had sex. I didn't. Things were as weird and up in the air as ever when he said goodbye and strode off in his serious businessman suit into his practical black rental car.
It had been over a week since he'd left to catch his flight home—or so he'd said. Hell, he could be off to life number three—or wife number three, for all I knew. John could roam the country like a carnie, spending one week a month with each of his four women. A hooker here. A wife and kids there. A girlfriend somewhere else. Maybe a fiancée in another place.
And what if he did? Not my business. Not my problem. He was my boss full-time and my lover part-time. I needed to write that on a sticky note and hang it on the mirror in my room so I could repeat it to myself until I believed it. Until I did, I was happy to have something to do to occupy my restless mind since work didn't seem to do it.
I was packing for my week in the city with Ty. I didn't know what he had planned, but I figured, aside from lingerie for when we were in bed, I wouldn't be decked out like I usually was in the parlor the rest of the time.
I had no clue what it would be like. Room service in the hotel room three meals a day? Or would we be able to run out and grab a bite without the press hassling him? Hassling me too, I suppose, just for being with him. In any case, I decided to pack an array of items to get me through the week.
I threw in a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt to lounge around and read in while Ty was out training. My good suit went into the bag as well. In case I needed to accompany him somewhere public, I figured that would make me look more like a press secretary and less like a prostitute. After a bit of debate, I put in one great black dress with black heels and a string of pearls, in case we went somewhere nice.
Standing back, I eyed the bulging bag. I was an idiot. I was going there for the week so it would be more convenient for him to fuck me, rather than him driving all the way to the Cat Haus. Bringing anything more than lingerie, toys and a small bag of toiletries was stupid.
Since I was driving and not flying, I guess it didn't matter that I had grossly over packed. Ty didn't seem the type to judge me for that. Hell, if nothing else, I could dress up just for him in the privacy of our room. I knew from experience he enjoyed a bit of role play. I could be his secretary. The one he'd lusted after but didn't dare touch . . . until now. Or maybe I'd be a sexy stranger at a cocktail party who he picked up for a one-night stand.
The more I thought about the possibilities, the more I liked the idea. Smiling, I zipped the bag.
One more shift here and then I'd be off to my working vacation. Even though I'd be at Ty's beck and call twenty-four/seven it would still be enough of a change from here it would feel like I wasn't really working. It wasn't as if having sex with Ty was a hardship. The man gave as good as he got, so even his affection for being inside my ass didn't bother me.
Given his obvious wealth, the hotel should be top of the line. Anything would be an
improvement over my room here. A change of scenery was just what I needed. I wouldn't look for John around every corner there, the way I did here. That would be a good thing. Fresh surroundings, a man to occupy me day and night . . . this week away was exactly what I needed.
With a sigh of contentment, I left my room for my final shift before leaving. I wasn't even into the parlor yet when Sahara stopped me in the hallway. "Warning. Tiffany's on a rampage."
I rolled my eyes. "What else is new?"
"Well, yeah, but this one is about you."
Again, I thought what else was new. Tiffany always had an issue with me, from the day I arrived, and that could be the reason. Of all the girls, I had been here the longest, second only to Tiffany, but Gus had always pulled me for the special assignments, and now John treated me special.
Thinking about John twisted my gut but I moved past it and focused back on Sahara. "What's her problem with me today?"
"Your time off."
"What the hell? I can't take one week off after working for the last six months straight?"
Sahara shrugged. "I know. You know her. She just wants to bitch."
"I'll deal with her." I pushed past Sahara and strode my hooker heels down the hall.
I noticed how even as small as my feet were, I could still stomp pretty loudly when I was full of piss and vinegar. I spotted Tiffany in the parlor the same time she saw me. My eyes narrowed and I made a beeline for her. Today, so close to being out of this place, I could muster a mood that would rival even Tiffany's.
"You have a problem, Tiffany?"
Her gaze cut to Sahara behind me. "Your little lapdog tell you that?"
"Since you don't have the guts to tell me yourself . . ." I shrugged. "You know, I think I might be feeling ill. Maybe I'd better get out of here now before I infect anyone with this cold. It might even be the flu." I held the back of my hand to my forehead. "Yup. Definite fever. I'd better go tell Henry I can't work this shift."
Tiffany let out a snort. "Don't matter. You don't pull your weight around here lately anyway."
Truth and logic couldn't win against a bitch like her so I didn't let her jibe get to me. Besides, she didn't know that the Cat Haus was getting half of the obscenely large amount of money Ty had plunked down to spend the week with me. On top of that, I'd cleaned out and stored away all the rest of my personal stuff. Henry could put a part-timer in my room for the week I was gone so the house was really earning from two girls instead of one thanks to my vacation.
I wasn't about to tell any of that to Tiffany though. Knowing her, she'd turn me in for my plan to get around the law. So I let her be mad at me, and took a good bit of pleasure in watching her stew over it as I strode down the front hall.
Henry sat at his desk in the office, squinting at the computer screen. He glanced up as I plopped myself into the other chair. "Hey."
He nodded. "Cate. Something I can do for you?"
"Fire Tiffany?"
His brows rose. "Is there a particular reason why?"
"She's a bitch." I didn't really expect him to do anything about Tiffany. It was just nice to vent once in a while.
Henry smiled. "You ready for your vacation tomorrow?"
"Yes, I can't wait for my vacation." I over emphasized the word on purpose and got the expected eye roll and indulgent headshake from Henry. He was probably ready for me to leave so he could get back to his computer work. I wasn't. "So, John wasn't real happy with this private gig of mine, I take it."
"I informed him of it. As to his opinions on the matter, he didn't share those with me."
Bullshit. Yes, John had the definition of a poker face when it came to business, but for people who knew him well, like Henry, there were cracks in his façade. But as difficult of a nut to crack as John was, Henry might possibly be harder. It would be a losing battle for me to try to get anything more out of him.
The house phone rang, ending this line of questioning as Henry answered it. I was ready to give up and go back to sparring with Tiffany in the parlor anyway. Standing, I was surprised when he held up one finger to stop me from leaving.
"One moment." Henry held the receiver out. "It's for you."
Me? Of course my first thought was that it was John. Calling to say what, I didn't know. He missed me? That he was on his way back to sweep me off my feet and buy me a condo? Crazy things could swirl through a girl's head sometimes.
I'd heard about some study done somewhere that if you give a rat a lever to press that induced orgasm, the animal would push that thing until it died. I had no idea how or why those scientists conducted that study, which was pretty freaky if you asked me, but I decided to blame my current insanity on my addiction to the orgasms John gave me and leave it at that.
I took the phone and said, "Hello?"
"Hey, girl. It's Ty."
It was a relief when I heard Ty's voice. I truly was an idiot when it came to John so it was far better it wasn't him calling me. "Hi. How are you?"
"I see you tomorrow, so I couldn't be better."
I could hear the smile in his voice, which had me smiling as well. "Aw, thanks."
"I wanted to iron out the details. I'll be in practice from early tomorrow morning. I'm not sure when they'll cut us loose for the day, so I'm sending a car to pick you up there."
"You don't have to send a car. I can drive myself in to the city—"
"Don't be silly. I'm sending a car. Is around eleven-thirty good? I know you work late, so I want you to be able to sleep in."
"Yeah, that's fine. But really, I could drive."
"Just take the damn car, Cate. The team pays for the service. It's one of the perks for the players."
"All right. As long as you don't have to pay for it."
Ty laughed and I guess I did sound silly worrying, given what he was paying for me. "I don't have to pay for it. I promise. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." I handed the phone back to Henry, who was slowly shaking his head at me. I waited until he'd replaced the receiver and then asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"You. When a man offers to send you a car, you take it. The same goes for clothes or jewelry. You smile, say thank you and put it on, whether you hate it or not. You never ever try to give anything back. You bring it home with you because one day, you may need to sell it."
I eyed him. "You sure you've never worked in this kind of business before?"
"Cate, there are whores in every business. You just happen to hold a license for it."
After those words of wisdom, I figured it was time I took my ass back to work. I strutted my heels back to the parlor where I plopped myself next to Sahara.
"Thought you were sick." Tiffany shot me her usual ugly look.
"I suddenly feel much better." I'd just sat when the front bell rang, which had me standing again. "Oh, look. A customer. You girls don't get up. Let me go and greet him. I wouldn't want to not pull my weight around here."
The puss on Tiffany's face as I turned her own words against her was priceless and enough to inspire me to pour on the charm for the man Henry let in the front door.
Call me petty, or competitive or whatever, but I felt great satisfaction when the client basked under the glow of my attention. In my room, he couldn't get his wallet out of his pants, or his pants off his body, fast enough. It was enough to warm a girl's heart.
The rest of my shift progressed pretty much the same way. Me and Tiffany in a pissing contest for the clients while the other girls stood by and tried not to get splashed on. But all things—good and bad—come to an end. Before I knew it, it was morning and time for my departure for my supposed vacation.
The car arrived right on time, and as much as I would have loved to rub it in my nemesis's face that I was being picked up in a limo, I was grateful Tiffany was still in bed. It would have raised too many questions as to why I had a limo for my time off. Though I supposed I could have said I'd booked it to take me to the airport because I was flying home to see the parents. I
probably should do that for real . . . one day.
After about a half hour, the driver pulled in front of one of the better hotels in town, and I was glad I'd chosen to wear something nice for the drive over. Didn't want to wear an outfit that screamed hooker as I walked through the lobby. First, Ty had a reputation to protect. Second, prostitution was illegal in this particular county. Luckily, I loved two things—clothes and sex. Over the past two years, I'd found that was a good skillset to have in my profession.
The driver handed my suitcase off to the bellman and I stood by helpless. I considered telling them I could handle the single piece of luggage without help. After all, it was on wheels. Then I remembered Henry's advice about accepting things from men. Smile and say thank you. That's exactly what I did. Any other woman who was staying in this hotel wouldn't wrestle her bag out of the bellman's hand. For this week, I was a guest here, or at least a guest of Ty, so I'd better act accordingly.
I followed the man with my bag in and wondered if I had any singles in my purse. I got paid in twenties, fifties, hundreds, but singles—not so much. That was one difference between my profession and those who stripped for a living, but jeez I would truly hate to tip this guy a twenty for wheeling my bag into the lobby.
We reached the front desk and he turned to me. "Checking in?"
"No, actually. I'm visiting a friend who's a guest here. Ty—" As the horrifying reality that I didn't know Ty's last name hit, the woman behind the desk beamed a smile at me.
"Yes, Mr. Beckman is expecting you. Here you go. Suite 1289. Enjoy your stay with us." She slid a keycard across the desk.
The bellman scooped it up before I had a chance and I guessed he'd be escorting me up to the suite. I was so happy I hadn't fucked up royally by not thinking to ask Ty's full name I didn't care anymore. Right now I was so grateful I hadn't just outed Ty and myself to the hotel staff, I'd hand over all the cash I had to this man as a tip.
Next time, if there was a next time, I'd be more careful. At least now I knew my host's name—Ty Beckman. I'd have to Google that one day and find out who I was spending the week with.
Cat Haus - the Complete Story (Billionaire Bad Boys) Page 15