Face in the Frame

by Heather Atkinson

  Cass could barely keep still on the journey back to Lucas’s flat, which was on the top floor in a smart block in the west end of the city. She wondered if she was finally going to fulfil all the fantasies she’d recently been indulging in. If she didn’t she thought she might faint with frustration.

  “Wow, is this yours?” said Cass as Lucas led her into the massive penthouse.

  “No, I’m just renting it while I’m here. I don’t really like it if I’m honest. It’s so bleak and soulless.”

  Cass looked around the vast room, noting how empty it was of anything personal and how it could be any penthouse in any city, nothing marking it out as different, the high ceiling making it seem even more desolate. “I see what you mean.”

  “I have a gorgeous little cottage in the Cotswolds. It’s full of clutter and worthless antiques but I love it. I enjoy the solitude.”

  “I don’t blame you.”

  “Maybe…one day…you could visit my little cottage?”

  “I’d like that,” she smiled back.

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her.

  Finally she thought when his passion flared and he pushed her up against the wall, his lips moving to her neck.

  “Forgive me,” he said, releasing her and taking a step back.

  “What for?” she breathed, body tingling.

  “My lack of control.”

  “Lucas, don’t you understand that I want you?”

  He blinked at her with surprise. “You do?”

  Cass found it difficult to puzzle him out. Lucas was handsome, sweet, kind, talented and rich, yet he seemed unable to grasp the fact that he had the complete package. Many women would give their right arms to be in her position. She pulled him back to her, placed his hand on her backside and kissed him. “Yes I do.”

  “You’re very…forthright.”

  “I am,” she said, unbuttoning his shirt. “Because I know what I want and that’s you.”

  She pushed his shirt off his shoulders to reveal a very nice physique. Yes he was slender, lacking Brodie’s bulk, but every muscle had been honed to perfection and Cass felt her insides clench.

  When Lucas saw her face flush with desire his confidence was buoyed. He clamped his mouth down over hers, sliding the straps of her dress off her shoulders, letting his fingers trail over the tops of her breasts, enjoying the way she moaned into his mouth.

  “Do you want to…err…spend the night?” he said.

  “I do.”

  “Great,” he said, his grin making her smile.

  “Why don’t you show me your bedroom?” she said, voice husky.

  He took her hand and led her down what was a very long corridor.

  “How big is this place?” she said.

  “Five bedrooms. Oliver found it for me. I don’t know why when there’s only me staying here but he does so enjoy ostentation.”

  “You’re not alone tonight.”

  “I’m very glad about that,” he said with a sweet smile.

  He led her into a small room at the end of the long corridor, noting her look of surprise.

  “I picked this room because the master bedroom’s enormous and would have made me feel so alone,” he explained.

  Cass got the feeling he often felt lonely. She was determined he wouldn’t feel like that tonight.

  He pulled her close and ran his fingers down her face. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe you’re here with me.”

  “I don’t know why not, you’re lovely,” she said, eliciting another gentle smile.

  Cass decided it would be up to her to lead the way as he was so shy but, to her surprise, he unzipped the back of her dress and slid it down her body.

  “I want to draw you,” he said, taking a step back to admire her in just her underwear. “Without any of the trappings of modern life.”

  The next thing she knew her bra had joined her dress on the floor with surprising swiftness and he was kissing her bare breasts. Okay, maybe he wasn’t as shy as she’d thought. Her head fell back as she revelled in his attentions, running her fingers through his long blond hair. It was so soft and idly she wondered what conditioner he used.

  His arms went around her waist and she was lifted back onto the bed. He continued to kiss and caress her, moving lower, sliding her panties down her long legs and casting them aside. She enjoyed exploring his sleek, strong body with her hands as his tongue moved inside her. The orgasm rocketed through her body faster than she’d ever thought possible to the extent that she was almost embarrassed by the speed she came. She’d thought it was the man who was supposed to suffer from that problem. But Lucas didn’t seem to mind. He positioned himself over her, staring down at her with those unusual eyes that burned brightly, making the slitted black pupils even more pronounced.

  “You want to do this?”

  She nodded.

  “You want me inside you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Say it.”

  Cass was momentarily non-plussed, this was so out of character with his usual sweetness, but some men did like to verbalise during sex and she guessed he was one of them. “I want you inside me. Right now.”

  Resting his weight on one elbow, he dipped into the bedside cabinet to retrieve a condom. After rolling it on he pushed inside her.

  They rolled about the bed, Lucas driving into her the whole time and Cass found herself fighting off a second rapidly-approaching orgasm until she sensed he was close. Only then did she allow herself to let go, the breath crushed from her body as he wrapped his arms around her even tighter, his every muscle tensing as he spilled himself inside her.

  When their bodies finally relaxed he released her and she heaved in a breath, gazing up into those fascinating cat’s eyes, allowing the aftershocks to ripple through her body.

  He gave her a long deep kiss.

  “Wow,” she breathed when he eventually allowed her to come up for air.

  “I agree,” he smiled.

  “I’m sorry I’ve never - how shall I put it? I’ve never succumbed so quickly before.”

  “Do not apologise, you were wonderful.”

  “Thank you. Can I see you with your hair down? You always have the front tied back.”

  “Because it gets in my eyes but if you like I will take it down, for you,” he said, sitting up.

  She sat up with him. “Can I do it?”

  “By all means.”

  She moved behind him and gently removed the black band holding back his hair, letting it fall down his bare back. Cass ran her fingers through it, admiring the silkiness. “It’s beautiful.”

  He turned to face her, so they were kneeling before each other. “Not as beautiful as yours. You look like Lady Godiver.”

  “And you look like a Viking.”

  “I thought I was too skinny to pull that off,” he said with an amused smile. His expression sobered. “I don’t wish to scare you off Cass but I have to say that I’m really falling for you. If you don’t feel the same way then please say so now before I fall even deeper. I don’t like to waste my time and I’d rather know now than later.”

  Lucas had the infinite capacity to surprise her, which was part of his appeal. “I feel the same way. I’ve not felt like this before.” Apart from one man she thought. Perhaps Lucas could finally free her from her unrequited crush?

  With a grin he kissed her, pushing her back onto the bed, Brodie already at the back of her mind.

  CHAPTER 10

  Cass woke to find herself in a tangle of limbs and hair, her dark strands entwined with Lucas’s ash blond ones. He was still asleep, laid on his back, one arm resting on his stomach, the other beneath her shoulders, head held proudly, breathing softly. Thankfully he wasn’t a snorer. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies. What a night they’d enjoyed together. Guilt joined the butterflies. She’d lied to him, he thought she worked for a consultancy agency. He had no idea of her true capabilities. She really liked this man, he was the first serious prospect
she’d ever had and she’d begun their relationship on a lie. Cass swallowed hard. She got the feeling that when he found out it was going to be the end of their burgeoning relationship. The prospect made her sad.

  Those fascinating eyes of his flickered open and when they focused on her he smiled. “Good morning,” he said, reaching out to touch her face.

  “Morning. Sleep well?”

  “Very,” he replied with a languid smile and a stretch. “You?”

  “I did, when you eventually let me sleep.” She rolled on top of him to kiss his chest, her body already preparing for another of those wonderful orgasms he always managed to give her. She smiled when she felt his body respond to her own.

  “Do you have anything planned for today?” he said, kissing her neck.

  Cass released a sigh of pleasure, enjoying the feel of his lips on her skin and his fingers lightly trailing up and down her bare back. Fortunately it was a Sunday, her day off. “Nothing.”

  “How would you feel about staying here all day, ordering in takeaway and not getting out of bed except to enjoy long hot showers together?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  His hands slid into her hair and pulled her face down to meet his. “Good because that’s all I want to do today. Just me and you.”

  He thrust his tongue into her mouth, making her moan. Sex was the only thing that seemed to bring out his aggressive side.

  He rolled her onto her back, sliding himself between her legs, which opened beneath him.

  “Cooee,” called a voice.

  They both went still with surprise.

  “Who’s that?” whispered Cass.

  “Oliver,” Lucas whispered back. “Sometimes he calls early but only when I’ve something on. I don’t today so I don’t know why he’s here.”

  “Are you still in bed you lazy thing?” called the jocular, very high-pitched voice, getting closer.

  Lucas just had time to roll off Cass before the door opened, both of them pulling the duvet modestly over themselves.

  “Oh my God,” cried Oliver, practically swooning in the doorway at the sight of two people under a duvet together before slamming the door shut.

  “I’ll get rid of him,” muttered Lucas, jumping out of bed and pulling on a light blue robe. He bent down to kiss Cass. “Don’t move, I won’t be long.”

  “I’ve no intention of moving,” she replied with a contented smile.

  He winked at her before leaving.

  Lucas walked through the apartment to the glossy black kitchen to find Oliver brewing coffee in a percolator.

  “Ollie, what are you doing?” he sighed.

  “Making coffee. Want one?”

  “No thank you. You have to leave, I’m entertaining.”

  “Yes, I glimpsed the tart. Where did you pick her up?”

  “Cass is not a tart. We’ve been seeing each other and I really like her. We’re spending the day together and you are a spare wheel.”

  “Oh, how charming. After all I’ve done for you, you begrudge me a cup of coffee.”

  Lucas sighed and ran his hands through his hair, which took some time. “Please listen Ollie. It’s serious with Cass, I’ve never felt like this before and I want to spend time with her. I’m not going to be in Glasgow forever so please, do me a favour and let me have today with Cass. You can come round tomorrow and we can discuss the new exhibition then.”

  Oliver pouted. “We have work to do.”

  “And I’m taking a day off. I don’t have many of them.”

  “What do I keep telling you Lucas? Focus, focus, focus. You can’t allow some little haggis scrag-end to distract you.”

  “I hope you’re not referring to me?” said a voice.

  Both men turned to see Cass standing in the kitchen doorway wearing Lucas’s black shirt, revealing her long bare legs, hair surrounding her like an angry mane, mussed up after her night of passion.

  “I know you,” frowned Ollie.

  “I was at the meet and greet at Lucas’s exhibition,” she explained.

  “Oh yes, I remember. You drank a lot of champagne,” he sniffed before turning his attention back to the coffee.

  Annoyed by his dismissal of her she sauntered up to Lucas, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the lips. Clearly he wasn’t used to displaying affection in front of other people because he stiffened in her arms, although he did return her kiss.

  “What’s for breakfast?” she smiled up at him.

  “Do you like croissants?”

  “Love them.”

  “Feed the wench then she can leave,” said Oliver haughtily.

  “That’s it you. Out,” Lucas told him, surprising them both with his firmness.

  Oliver gaped at him. “You’re throwing me out?”

  “Yes because I want to spend the day with Cass and you’re being rude to her. We’ll discuss the new exhibition tomorrow but for now, please leave.”

  Lucas spoke so firmly there was no arguing with him. Cass couldn’t resist throwing Oliver a smirk as she nestled into Lucas, twisting a lock of his gorgeous hair around her finger.

  Oliver glared at her before snatching up his car keys. “Fine, I’m sure you’ll soon be bored with it,” he declared before stomping out, slamming the door shut behind him.

  “Bye bye,” called Cass cheerfully.

  “I’m sorry about him,” said Lucas. “He can be a little clingy sometimes.”

  “You mean he wants you all to himself?”

  “Sometimes if feels that way and it’s suffocating.”

  “You should put your foot down more often. Don’t let anyone push you around.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “I bet you don’t let anyone push you around, my dark goddess.”

  “Oooh, dark goddess. I like that,” she purred, pressing herself against him. “And you’re right, I don’t and neither should you. You’re the boss, not him.” She smiled mischievously. “Will the croissants wait?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  She unbuttoned the shirt she wore and let it drop to the floor. “Good because we have unfinished business.”

  “Where the bloody hell is she?” said Brodie, glancing at his watch for the fifth time. It was Monday morning and they had an important job to do. It wasn’t like Cass to be late for anything and he was getting seriously worried.

  “She’ll be here,” said Christian.

  “What if something’s happened to her?” said Ross.

  “Don’t say things like that,” snapped Brodie. “Do you want to tempt fate?”

  “Waiting for me?” called a voice.

  They all turned to see Cass jogging across the street towards them.

  “Where the hell have you been?” demanded Brodie, his worry giving way to anger.

  “Sorry Bossman. I’m not going to lie, I slept in.”

  “In all the time you’ve worked for me you’ve never been late before.”

  “There’s a first time for everything.”

  Brodie’s heart sank. She’d shagged the elf and judging by her grin he’d been good. “Now we’re all here can we finally get some sodding work done?” he said before promptly turning on his heel and striding away.

  They all hurried to follow, Christian flashing Cass a sympathetic smile.

  “We’ve been after this bastard for months, you do remember, don’t you?” Brodie hissed at Cass over his shoulder. They’d finally tracked Norrie Sykes down. Brodie had put extra effort into the hunt lately because he felt he owed Pete a favour. The police had been after this scrote for a while for several burglaries and so far he’d managed to elude them. Brodie thought helping Pete take down one of his wanted posters might get him back in his good books.

  “I’ve not forgotten,” she retorted. “Keep your pants on.”

  “I think it’s you who should be trying to do that,” he called back, instantly regretting his words when he glanced over his shoulder and saw her glaring back at him, her cheeks pink.
r />   “I’ve been late once. Just let it go, can’t you?” she said.

  He stopped and turned on her. “And how many times have I been late?”

  “Up until now, twelve,” she came back instantly.

  Brodie was non-plussed. He’d fully expected her to say none. “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I’m always in the office first, well before the rest of you. Once me and Ross had to tackle a group of four robbers alone because Christian was ill and you were late.”

  “Oh. I’d forgotten about that.”

  “Well I hadn’t.”

  “Me neither,” interjected Ross. “I got a fractured cheekbone.”

  “I paid you extra, didn’t I?” retorted Brodie. “Anyway it doesn’t matter, we’re all here now.” He continued on his way, doing his best to walk with the confidence of a man who was completely in the right, even though he knew he wasn’t.

  “My cheek still aches in the cold weather,” muttered Ross under his breath, earning himself a sweet smile from Cass.

  Together they exited the car park and stepped onto a street. It wasn’t a nice street, strewn with litter and dog shit, a mangy specimen squatting in the middle of the pavement to curl one out. The houses themselves were even worse, many with boarded up windows and battered front doors. The wind moaned helplessly down the street, scattering some of the litter. The dog, completing its business, gave them a haughty look before jogging away, leaving a big steaming pile of brown right where they needed to be.

  “Oh nice,” said Brodie sardonically. “Watch where you stand.”

  They gathered outside the front door, standing in an awkward semi-circle to avoid the pile of dog mess.

  “Back way,” he whispered to Christian and Ross.

  They both nodded, Ross turning and stepping right into what they’d all been trying to avoid.

  “Oh bloody hell,” he exclaimed.

  “Shut it you fanny, do you want everyone to know we’re here?” chided Brodie.

  “Sorry Boss,” he replied, dropping his voice to a whisper.

  “Back way. Now.”

  Brodie waited until Christian and Ross had disappeared around the corner before hammering on the door. He glanced at Cass, whose expression was stony and knew she was still pissed off with him.