by Alexa Milne
A noise made me turn and she stepped into the room, dressed in another figure-hugging dress, this time in brilliant blue. The sight of her never failed to stir my blood and quicken my pulse. “You look beautiful,” I said, finding my voice. “Thank you for coming today. I wasn’t sure if you would.”
She closed the distance between us and took hold of my arms. I wanted to hide under her intense gaze but found I couldn’t look away.
“You left me.” Her tone suggested anger. What if she won’t forgive me? “I had no idea where you were or why you’d gone. I missed you.”
What? My heart leapt those words. She’d missed me. Were those tears in her eyes? If I’d expected anything, it wasn’t this. Hope blossomed. “Please, sit, Cass. I need to explain.”
I jerked at the knock on the door, cutting through the atmosphere, and she let go of my arms. “That’ll be the food,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind me ordering for both of us.” I’d debated with myself for some time. “I remember you telling me how much you loved fresh seafood. I chose scallops to start and monkfish for main. There’s something chocolatey for pudding.” I put my shaking hands behind me while I spoke. I’d never made decisions for us before. This was a unique night in so many ways.
She cupped my cheek. “Your choices sound wonderful, pet. You’d better answer.” She took a seat at the table already set for the meal.
I opened the door to find a waiter with a hostess trolley. “Your order, ma’am.”
“Thank you. If you could leave the trolley next to the table, we’ll serve ourselves.”
He lifted a bottle from one side. “Would you like me to open the champagne, ma’am?”
“Yes, thank you.” I wasn’t sure my still shaking hands would manage. With a flourish, the waiter popped the cork and placed ice and the bottle in the bucket.
“Will that be all?”
I wanted him gone. “Yes, thank you. We’ll call down when we’re finished.” I handed over a generous tip which earned me a wide smile before he left us alone again. I took the adjacent seat, opened the trolley and removed the first course.
“These scallops look beautiful and plump,” Cass said. Her eyes twinkled with mischief now rather than tears. “You know I like—”
I interrupted. I still found it hard to accept she had no problem with my—what some would consider ample—figure which, combined with being taller than average, made me stand out. It had taken me some time to deal with the way everyone looked when I entered a room, but now I relished it and dressed to impress. Being around Cass had taught me much about myself.
“We’d better eat before they get cold,” I said. “These trolleys keep food warm or cold, but I don’t want the fish to spoil.” I was rambling but needed words to talk about anything before we got into deeper discussions.
The scallops were perfect. Cass actually groaned. I had no idea if the noise reflected the taste of the food or was intended to make me squirm. I simply didn’t know her well enough. I hoped this evening might change that. A few mouthfuls into the main course, Cass got in the first question.
“All of this is lovely,” she said, waving her fork around. “But I guess we’re not simply here for the food and the view, or even the sex. Do I get an answer to what happened and why you disappeared out of my life without so much as a word?”
I nodded. “You do and more, I hope. On those occasions we were together, we didn’t talk. I knew nothing of you either.”
“No, but—”
“I know that wasn’t the point. Neither of us were looking for a relationship. You gave me what I wanted, needed and craved. I’d never met anyone like you before. The few relationships I’d had didn’t last. I didn’t give enough to them. Work was everything then. Success mattered. I’d come from nothing and worked my way to dizzy heights in business as a woman who didn’t fit the stereotype of looking like a catwalk model. I wasn’t a bitch. I didn’t aim to take out or humiliate the opposition. I simply worked hard to prove my value. Then I made a discovery that changed everything. My research showed corners had been cut on one construction project. Substandard materials used with the difference in cost being pocketed. I investigated and found more problems. I didn’t know what to do. If I blew the whistle, would anyone hire me again? I had some savings, but my mother had worked three jobs to get me and my sister through school and to university. I didn’t want to let them down.”
“I didn’t know you had a sister.”
Interesting she mentions that first, not the corruption. I nodded. “By then, I’d managed to buy Mum a house. She still works though. I asked her what to do, and she rightly told me lives might depend on my information, so I reported what I’d found, resigned and came back home.”
“That explains a lot,” Cass said. “I asked about you, but I bet those in the know had to keep quiet or lose their jobs.” Cass took my hand. “You were incredibly brave, whistle-blowing like that. Other people would have found another job and simply got out of there.”
“I couldn’t. What if someone had been hurt or even died? What if there had been a fire caused by bad wiring? I couldn’t have lived with myself. In the end, one of the directors, not far from retirement, took the rap and was quietly removed. The company paid a huge fine and an assessor was brought in to check on practices. I didn’t work for some time even back here—businesses talk, and I had no reference from my most recent employer. Then this job came up. I’d been at Oxford with Mark Pearce, the CFO. As usual, it’s who you know. He gave me a chance. The powers-that-be saw my value and promoted me. So that’s it. That’s what happened. I didn’t think you’d be interested in knowing where I was. What would be the point with the Atlantic between us? And…I had no idea what we were to each other, or if I was one of many. I figured a clean break was best. Then you turn up in the conference room and we… It was as if those two years hadn’t happened.”
She placed her knife and fork on her empty plate. “For me too.”
I swallowed a huge mouthful of champagne and burped. “Oh God, sorry, that’s hardly romantic.”
Cass squeezed my hand tighter. “Is this evening meant to be romantic?”
I tensed. “Would you mind if it was?” The million-dollar question. Time to lay my cards on the table. My stomach churned because I feared her answer.
“I know we’ve only been—you know—fucking.” Heat rushed into my cheeks. Get the words out. “I need to know if there’s a chance for more. You make me feel… I mean, no one has ever made me feel as sexy as you do. You release something in me. You make me feel—beautiful.”
“You are beautiful. The way you responded to my touch. I began to need you more than I should even back then. When we were together, the world went away. I’ll not lie to you—there were others, but no one who mattered. No one has ever understood my needs like you.”
My jaw dropped in shock. Was she telling the truth? I let her words sink in. I wanted to hear more, but desire overtook me. I leaned over and kissed her. I’d never taken the lead before. We met open-mouthed. I moved my hands to touch her and pull her closer. I gently probed her mouth with my tongue. She let me control the heat and depth of our contact. I could have continued kissing those soft lips forever, but I wanted more.
But we have the whole weekend to talk. My body ached and desire won. “Let’s take this to the bed.” I pulled away and turned my back to her. “Undo me, please.”
She took her time lowering the zip. I stood and unpeeled the dress from my shoulders and let it fall. Underneath, I wore a bright blue teddy with spaghetti string straps. Over it, a black corset synched in my waist and pushed up my breasts. I hoped I didn’t look too much like mutton dressed as lamb.
Cass let her gaze take me in from bottom to top. “Wow. I mean wow. You look stunning.” I took her hand and pulled her up. Reaching around her back, I unzipped her dress and let it fall around her feet. She wore nothing underneath. I had no words.
“The dress has a built-in bra,” she explained. “S
o, are you going to tell me what you have in mind? You seem to be in charge.”
I panicked. “I’m sorry—it’s just…”
Her smile melted my insides. “Go ahead, pet. I’m enjoying seeing this different side of you.”
I took hold of her arms and moved her toward the bed. She fell backward and smiled again, tapping her fingers on the bed. “I’m waiting, my pet.”
I grinned at her words. No way would she give up her power easily. Do it. Show her. I reached into the drawer and pulled out the toy I’d bought. I let it hang from my fingers like a cowboy swinging a gun. “What I have in mind is quite simple, my angel. I’m going to straddle you, and you’re going to fuck me senseless.”
Chapter Four
Cassandra
I couldn’t deny my surprise or joy—my mouse had turned into a tiger and I kinda liked it. Any other questions could wait. I might have behaved like I was always in control, but the truth was I needed her. Her disappearance had hurt more than I’d expected. My heart, once fleetingly open, had shut down again. But here was a chance, if I was brave enough to take it.
“It sounds like you have everything planned,” I said. A brief worried expression passed across her face in response to my words. I moved to lie on my back. Wanting to reassure her, I said, “I can’t wait.” And I wasn’t lying.
Ronnie positioned herself across my thighs then undid each of the straps of her teddy and let her breasts spill over the corset. She looked magnificent with her long red hair pooled around her shoulders. I couldn’t help myself. I reached up and pinched a nipple between my fingers. She groaned, a noise which turned into a growl.
“You like that, don’t you?” I said. I squeezed harder, testing her desire.
“More. Make me feel.” I loved to see her like this. As Ronnie arched her back, pushing her breasts toward me, the dampness between my legs increased. I did as she asked.
A thought struck me. “I’m going to get some nipple clamps for you,” I whispered. Her gaze met mine. I saw no fear, only curiosity. “Would you like that, my pet? I suspect you would.”
“I want to kiss you,” she said.
I expected her to lean forward and press our mouths together, but instead she slipped a finger to my pussy. “You’re so wet,” she said, her pupils now just black with the smallest outline of blue.
“And whose fault is that, Ronnie?” Her eyes widened when I used her name.
Her mouth curved up slightly. “I guess it’s mine.” She brought her finger out of my folds, lifted it to her nose, moaned then reached out and rubbed it on one of my nipples. It hardened under her touch.
“This way I get to taste you too,” she said. I arched my back, wanting her lips, tongue and teeth on my flesh. She touched me with the tip of her tongue. “More,” I said. She licked and sucked one nipple then the other. She made me ache so deep inside. Finally, she stopped and kissed me, making sure her nipples touched mine. Her tongue pushed my lips apart. She fucked my mouth, plunging in over and over. I longed to feel her do the same elsewhere and lifted my hips.
Ronnie sat back and lifted the double-ended dildo. “Do you want this?” she asked, teasingly.
“Yes. Please. I need something inside me. Need to feel. Need to come. Want to see you come.” The strength of my desire surprised me. It had been so long since I’d felt such a craving.
Ronnie edged back to position herself between my thighs. “Open your legs so I can slip this in. You’re wet enough to take it.”
She eased the silicone toy inside me, stretching me, filling me. It was angled to find the elusive G-spot. “What the…?” The vibration startled me.
Ronnie grinned. “Did I not mention it has extra features?” She pressed the remote and changed the setting to a pulse then another, which started slowly and built. “Now for me,” she said.
I moved my legs together again as she raised herself to straddle me. She lowered herself slowly. Shit, it was hot seeing the toy slip inside her.
“Oh, that’s good,” she said, rising and falling, leaving the vibration on fast and even. I thrust up to meet her coming down.
“Yes, that’s it,” she said, her head thrown back.
She rode me, increasing the vibration and her movements. I felt a gathering deep inside, that feeling when the world centers within then explodes outward in ripple after ripple. I was nearly there, holding my breath, gasping for air then holding it again, waiting, waiting, until…
“I’m close,” I said.
“Me too. Oh God, so close.” Her mouth fell open as her head fell back. My orgasm screamed out of me as hers hit.
“Yes!” she shouted. “Oh yes.” She continued moving. I let the waves wash over me and clutched at the bed sheet until I could take no more. “Please,” I said. “Too much.” Tears came unbidden. The vibration stopped and Ronnie lifted herself off and withdrew the toy, leaving me empty, before quickly removing her clothes. She fell in beside me as I continued to pant, stroking my hair, soothing me, bringing me back down.
“Are you all right? You’re crying. I didn’t hurt you, did I?
“No,” I assured her. Different emotions screamed for attention. My body shook as contractions still came like the aftershocks of an earthquake. She had rocked my world. I’d never allowed anyone to get under my skin, to make me need, but somehow, she had. She held out her arms and I entered them without thinking, laying my head on her breast, loving the feeling of being held, totally confused by my lack of control. This wasn’t me. I didn’t cuddle or get cuddled, yet here I was with her arms wrapped around me, holding me, preventing me from falling apart. I yawned as tiredness overcame me.
She stared at me. “You will stay, won’t you, Cass? I know we haven’t usually but…”
“I want to stay, Ronnie. That was…” I didn’t have words, not for this.
“I know we still need to talk, but not now—now we need to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”
How had the tables turned? How had I lost control? And why didn’t I care? I closed my eyes. Surrounded by her warmth, I let sleep overtake me.
* * * *
The morning brought more pleasure. “Oh yeah, just there.” My knees buckled and I held on to Ronnie’s shoulders as she brought me to orgasm while water cascaded over both of us. “So good,” I managed between breaths. She kissed me and stepped out of the enclosure, wrapped a towel around herself then held another open for me.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I’ll order a full English for us both, shall I?”
Still leaning against the tiled wall, getting my breath back, I replied, “Sounds wonderful.” I stepped out of the shower and let her wrap the towel and her arms around me. I tried to ignore how comfortable this was. We still had to talk. I guess we’d both used sex to put off conversing just in case we didn’t want the same thing. Everything could change in an instant. Getting carried away was for fools, and I prided myself on not being a fool.
Thirty minutes later, we were dressed, last night’s food had been cleared, and the smell of smoked bacon filled my senses. I needed coffee while Ronnie, who had not succumbed to American likes, had ordered breakfast tea.
“I want to ask you something,” Ronnie said.
Okay, time to find out why I was here. “I’m listening.”
She took my hand. “What we had in America was what I needed then, but it’s not what I want now.” I opened my mouth, thought better, and closed it again. Don’t interrupt. This is her time. Her grasp tightened.
“I think—if we give it a chance—we could build a relationship. I want to try, Cass, to find out.”
There it was. Could I take that leap? I’d never trusted anyone enough in the past. Could I trust her? Could I make myself that vulnerable? I didn’t answer.
Ronnie continued, her gaze searching for any response, “I need to know we’re on the same page—if that’s what you want.”
I asked myself again. Is this what I want? My heart ached, but my head… The dynami
cs of our relationship had certainly changed. I’d never been good at giving up control, but with Ronnie, it didn’t seem to matter. Could I have the best of both worlds? Did we have a chance? Could I take so big a leap? People had let me down, from the father I never knew to the mother who preferred drugs to me. My foster parents had offered food and shelter, but not much love. Still, I’d been luckier than some. Bosses had sought to exploit me until I’d worked out how I could use my talents in other ways. Could I change—settle down with one person?
“I want to,” I said, quietly. I needed her to understand. “There are reasons why I like to be in control. I’ve never had what I’d call a normal relationship, but this may be the time. I’ll make mistakes, Ronnie. I’m used to getting my own way.”
Ronnie leaned forward. “I’m more than happy to fulfill every one of your needs, whatever they are,” she assured me. “I have needs too.”
Shit! The hairs on the back of my neck and my arms rose. “Can we do something different together?” I asked. “Have some fun?” We’d have time to talk later. Now I simply wanted to enjoy her company.
Ronnie gave me what I can only describe as a beaming smile. “Great minds think alike. I was hoping you’d say that. How about we start by getting out of here and acting like ordinary tourists? There’s lots to do in Brighton. We could wander around the shops, go on the pier, even visit the Pavilion. I need some air and the sun is already shining.”
I loved the way her eyes lit up with excitement as she spoke. “I’d like that,” I said. “We have tonight as well. We could go out somewhere—dancing, even. It’s an LGBT-friendly town.”