Finally their lips met. Cassandra felt drunk in the face of all he was suggesting. It sounded like something out of a fairy tale, and she was the princess being whisked away to his royal palace.
Or in this case, the royal penthouse.
“What do you think?” he asked.
Cassandra looked around the penthouse. There seemed space enough to house twenty versions of her studio.
“I… I mean… I mean this place is great.”
He slowly shook his head.
“Not here. Not in the city.”
Now what was he suggesting?
“Then… where?”
He massaged the back of her neck.
“I have a house. It’s secluded. Quiet. I can drive you out for a look if it’ll help you decide.”
She could imagine the type of house at his disposal. It had to be a multi-storied affair of marble and Persian rugs. She pictured fireplaces and spiral staircases. If the penthouse was any indication, his taste was not the question. Any space he procured would be magnificent.
The house wasn’t the deal breaker.
“I’m… I’m sure it’s wonderful,” she said. “But, Oliver…”
His hand found its way to the small of her back.
“Yes?”
Be blunt, Cassandra. He liked that.
“What’s my end of the deal?”
He smiled and kissed her thighs. Cassandra tensed then relaxed as his hand slipped in between. He stroked her mound and gently played with her body. His fingers entered slowly, and he twisted his touch within. She gasped at the feel of his touch and felt faint. There was nowhere for her to reach but his shoulders, and she braced herself where she sat.
“You’re so inquisitive, Cassie.”
He pushed deeper, and her essence bathed his fingers in a moist climax that sent them both into a new series of sighs. Oliver left her as slowly as he had entered and massaged all that he had shattered with only care.
“Cassie. All I ask in return is that you stay safe.”
She remembered the video Mary Lynn Masters had shot. There was something in her desire for security that was touching his heart as he touched her in other places. Could it really be that simple? Had she said the right words at the right time, and was that why he was offering her the moon and the stars?
Cassandra caught her breath and wrapped her arms around her body. This time he allowed her the attempt at modesty. It seemed that he wanted her as comfortable as she could be for the moment of truth.
“Safe?” she repeated.
He rained more kisses down her legs and stopped at her feet. His mouth curled around each toe.
“Oliver. Oliver, don’t.”
He looked up at her with a hint of worry in his eyes.
“Why? You don’t like it?”
She swiftly shook her head.
“No. Of course I do. But… my feet.”
He slipped lower to the floor and held her leg in midair, his hands brushing her calves, her ankles. He returned to her feet and examined them closely.
“What about them?” he asked.
Cassandra blushed. She always thought she was moderately attractive. But her feet, too wide for most shoes, were the one part that she was grateful to conceal from the world at every chance.
“I… they’re not…”
He gently kissed her suspended foot.
“They’re like the rest of you. Supremely lovely.”
He was either the world’s best liar or head over heels after one night at the opera.
Maybe Jeff was right. He was a little strange.
And she liked it.
He showered her heel with a final kiss and helped her up. Oliver retrieved the blanket and folded her into it and his embrace.
“So that’s the long and short of it. That’s my offer. I have the contract drawn up. It’s a monthly thing that either one of us is free to renew or close when the time is up. At least give me a month, Cassie. Can a month really hurt?”
Could it? She could be the lady of the house and, probably, the escort on his arm for thirty days. Likely longer if she continued to feel this good. And if it didn’t work, at least she’d walk away with every bad choice washed away. She doubted he’s stiff her when it came to the final fill.
It was a win-win.
“Cassie?”
He seemed so sure of her response. Cassandra decided to string him along. She left his arms and began to pace the room. She stopped at the floor to ceiling window and gazed down at the bustling streets of the city. Her soul went wistful as she thought of saying goodbye to what was hard but at least familiar. But a new start held even more appeal.
Especially if it was at his side.
“Cassie?”
She turned back. He looked anxious as he waited to see if she’d bite. The bait he had dangled was too precious to refuse. He had to know that. But as she had so aptly pointed out, he didn’t really know her.
Cassandra slowly stepped towards him. Oliver extended his hand. Even after everywhere else that he had touched, he still expected a handshake to seal the deal.
A businessman to the end.
“Well?”
“Can I ask for just one thing?”
It wasn’t pushing her luck to negotiate. It was a form of respect.
“Name it.”
“I get to arrange the menus.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You cook?”
“Not really.”
It took him a second to get the joke. When he finally did, his laughter rang through the room, and he took hold of her hand.
“I insist,” he said. “So we’re agreed?”
They shook on it, and Cassandra spied the space where they’d left her clothing.
“When do we do this?” she asked.
“It can be as soon as tomorrow.”
She nodded and dropped the blanket again. She dressed slowly, wanting him to watch every move of her body. When she was secure in her clothing, she approached him again and kissed him full on the mouth.
“Then I’d better get packing.”
Chapter Fourteen
Deciding what mattered was a swifter task than she had imagined. Oliver told her that she’d only need the bare essentials. He would provide the rest. Her past due rent would be paid in full, and he would see to it in the month that she was with him. And beyond if she saw fit. He promised that Jeff would swing around in the morning and drive her to a new life that would suit someone so lovely. Cassandra was too excited to sleep. It was her birthday and Christmas morning and New Year’s Eve wrapped into a bow in the shape of Oliver Chambers.
She had to tell someone what was happening and reached for her phone.
“My God! Seriously, Cass?”
She relayed the entire story to Iris who couldn’t help but take the credit for her hand in Cassandra’s changed luck.
“See? I told you it’d be a good thing. Say thank you, Cass?”
Cassandra did as she was told and listened to Iris rhapsodize about the luxury that awaited Cassandra. She also finagled a promise to come to lunch at her new digs once her friend was situated, and Cassandra told Iris that she looked forward to it.
But not as much as she looked forward to the next day.
She waited without sleep and finally dressed in the outfit she had worn to her LeaseALady interview. The threads felt lucky. But the minutes seemed endless until her phone buzzed. She rushed to the window. Jeff waved up at her from the street below, and Cassandra grabbed her two pieces of luggage and made a dash to meet him. Iris had the spare key, and she would check in to make sure that the space left waiting was still there if she had to return.
She didn’t want that to happen.
Upon first sight, Jeff was on the move, relieving her of the burden of her bags.
“Jeff. Jeff, you don’t have to—”
“I do, Miss Dodd. Boss’ orders.”
So now he knew her name.
Jeff secured all that s
he wanted to take in the trunk held her door open. Before Cassandra stepped into the car, she looked into his smiling eyes.
“You can call me, Cassandra.”
Jeff doffed his cap and flashed her a smile.
“I could get in trouble for that,” he said.
“Really?”
Jeff nodded.
“Well, we wouldn’t want that now, would we?”
She returned his grin as he closed her door.
They drove away from the noise of the city to quieter highways and even quieter back roads. Cassandra rolled her window down and drank in the country air. It was cleaner than what she was accustomed to, and she already loved it. They passed several houses that fulfilled all of her fantasies when it came to Oliver’s domicile. Then the road went stark. She waited and waited for another palace on the horizon. Its slow arrival caused her a second of worry. Could he be a maniac in designer suits leading her to as steel shed of doom? She was about to ask Jeff just where they were headed when it came into view.
It was the color of steel, but more massive and opulent than she could have ever pictured. The façade was all columns and endless stone steps. Jeff opened the car door on a dream, and she sighed at the sight of the place. Jeff collected her bags and nodded for her to follow him up and into the castle.
They moved from the high ceilings of the foyer past a grand staircase and stood in a great room that did the label no justice. The furnishings were obviously antique. Restored. Expensive.
She heard a door open and close from above, and Oliver appeared. He wore a dark suit and a smile as he made his way towards her.
“Upstairs, Jeff,” he ordered as Jeff waited with her meager luggage.
“Master bedroom.”
Jeff smiled and set off to follow his master’s orders.
Oliver approached Cassandra. She started to speak as he pulled her into a fierce kiss. She held him as their lips parted.
“Hi to you, too,” she said.
He caressed her cheek and wound his arm around her shoulders.
“So,” he started. “You like?”
How could she not? It was everything she could ever want and never have. And now it was hers.
So was Oliver.
“Are you kidding? I love it.”
She kissed his lips, his cheeks, his neck. She had never been this affectionate with anyone. Oliver was stirring things that she didn’t understand but was eager to explore.
He pressed his fingers under her chin.
“Perfect. I think you’re going to be very happy here.”
She started to kiss him again and stopped at the sound of slow, sure clicks. Cassandra looked past Oliver to see a dark haired girl in a red tailored suit come into view. She was texting as she entered, and finished with a flourish. She looked up from the phone and examined Cassandra closely. Her expression was unsure and inviting in equal measures.
“So. This is the famous Cassandra.”
Oliver kept her close as he guided Cassandra towards the stranger.
“One and only,” he said. “Cassie. This is Faye. She’s here for whatever we need.”
As Faye offered her hand, Cassandra felt a twinge of anxiety. Whatever we need. She wondered if Faye did whatever he needed between the sheets. And if that was the case, was Cassandra just expected to join them in their fun and games?
“Pleased to meet you,” Faye said.
Cassandra took her hand, lightly.
“Uh… same here.”
Oliver beamed at both of them and kissed Cassandra’s hair.
“Well. I’ll leave you to it, then.”
He was moving towards the door. Cassandra briefly met Faye’s eyes then started to his side.
“Wait!” she said. “Where are you going?”
“Work. I told you. I’m a busy man.”
Cassandra failed to conceal her disappointment. She’d imagined him taking the day to show her every aspect of this new life. But he was leaving before anything had even started. Her lips curled into a frown, and he kissed her again.
“You’re in good hands. And I have another surprise for you.”
He was full of them.
“What—?”
“Jeff!”
The chauffeur was down the staircase before Oliver had to call again. He winked at Cassandra and rushed to the car. Oliver started towards the door. She reached after him and caught hold of his hand.
“Wait! What do you mean?”
He touched his fingers to her lips.
“Faye will show you everything. And you’ll be here when I get back?”
“Of course. But I thought —”
She caught a trace of darkness in his eyes.
“What did you think?”
She backed away from him with an anxious smile.
“Nothing. Just… it’s all brand new. Don’t you want to show me the sights?”
Oliver appeared to mull over the proposal before he wagged a playful finger in his face.
“Cassie. I love your enthusiasm. But you stay with Faye.”
She was stripped of all objections under her eyes.
Cassandra nodded, and he was out the door. She watched him enter the car, and Jeff sped away. She was sad to see him to go. But she would await his return if that’s what he wanted.
Once he was gone, a convoy of cars and vans pulled up to the house. Cassandra watched as racks of clothing were unloaded and wheeled into the house. She had no voice as they were brought inside. Faye neared and took hold of her arm.
“What is this?” Cassandra asked.
“It’s what he wants.”
She led Cassandra back into the house as the great room was transformed into the most spectacular dressing room ever conceived. The garment bags fell, and revealed pencil skirts and sweaters and blouses. Even one piece was more than she could ever hope to afford.
Everything was presented with a smile. Cassandra felt a fraud in her current ensemble that she had purchased for just under fifty bucks. She couldn’t really be this new person.
Could she?”
“Cassandra?”
Faye pointed towards the new wardrobe. Cassandra scanned Faye’s exquisite attire and had to wonder if she had received this treatment.
“He give you those? Am I just the next in line?”
Faye laughed and pinched her cheek.
“Honey. He’s sweet. But truth be told, you’re more my style.”
Cassandra was beyond embarrassed in the face of her insinuation.
“I’m… I’m sorry—”
Faye patted her back.
“Understandable. Forgotten. Now let’s see you rise to the challenge.”
Chapter Fifteen
She was ready. And dazed. The personal shopping spree had sent her head spinning. It was too many fabrics to feel.
Cassandra was adorned in a Hermes skirt and top. Faye had suggested a way to complete the picture with a paisley scarf about her neck. The dressers held a mirror up to her new image. After a day of trying to make it all work, this finally seemed to. She looked like a lady.
But was she?
“Just one more thing.”
Faye twisted her hair into a tight bun. Her nose grazed Cassandra’s neck, and she hit the spot with a spritz of perfume.
“Just right,” Faye said. She checked her watch.
“He’ll be home soon. Check out the suite. That’s where he wants you.”
Cassandra took the stairs one at a time as Faye ordered the dressers and their racks out. She looked back. What remained had been purchased of his dime. Her head spun at the cost.
The master bedroom was another astounding space of crisp linens and dark wood. She saw the fireplace and slipped to the bed. When he finally returned, she knew he’d want her here. The feeling was mutual, but she was suddenly seized with the fear that she was bound to make a mistake. Or worse, he would realize that his impulse was wrong. Because maybe she couldn’t rise to the challenge of being his.
Should she try to make a run for it? It’d be hard in her new shoes.
When she heard his voice mingled with Faye’s at the foot of the stairs, there was no way out.
She stood and smoothed her skirt. And waited for him to enter. Oliver appeared with a bouquet of two dozen roses and a small box wrapped in gold. He whistled at the sight of her.
“Wow! Suits you. I like you even better like this.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. The scarf is perfect.”
She grabbed it with shaking fingers.
“Oh. Good. But it was really Faye’s idea. And…”
Cassandra sank to the floor and cried. She heard Oliver drop the flowers and the box as he fell to her side.
“Hey. Don’t cry. What happened?”
She looked up at him sadly.
“Faye picked it out.”
“She has great taste. I knew she’d look out for you.”
“And I couldn’t. I don’t… I can’t pull it off. I thought I could. But it’s… it’s too much. I look… I’m out of place.”
She cried again, and he pulled her close.
“Silly. You look a dream.”
Cassandra lifted her weary, watering eyes to his.
“But I—”
“Look a dream.” He kissed her quickly and reached for the fallen bouquets.
“Here,” he said. “For my best girl.”
She took in the scent and managed a smile.
“That’s more like it. And here.”
He offered her the gold box. Cassandra sniffled as untwined the bow. He took the ribbon from her hands and draped it around her neck.
“Pretty. Look.”
He opened the box and revealed a yellow diamond sitting upon a gold chain. It was cut into a perfect square and just waiting for her neck. Cassandra touched the jewelry, started to lift the piece from its velvet box. Her hands trembled, and she fell back against the foot of the bed. Her tears returned.
It was all becoming too real.
“Cassie. Cassie, no.”
He wrapped his arms around her, and she hated herself for thinking this could work.
“I’m sorry, Oliver. I’m not… I’m not what you want.”
Oliver held her closer and stroked her hair.
“You’re everything I want. Hey. It’s my fault. Too much, too fast, right?”
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