by Liz Crowe
“I might be willing to sell it James, James Benedict.”
“What did you have in mind?” She perked up and we got down to business.
~ CASSIDY ~
I had made a lot of progress after spending several hours unpacking. All my kitchen boxes were empty and I loaded the dishes into the dishwasher to give them a once over before use. Finding a note pad, I took note of some odds and ends that I needed from the store. There was a knock on the door; I wasn’t expecting anyone.
I headed to the door and opened it up. “Cal!” I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a big squeeze. “What are you doing here?”
“I come bearing Chinese and helping hands.” He smirked at me as he held up a plastic bag full of Chinese takeout.
“You rock! Come on in. Watch your step. No work tonight?” He nodded confirming it was his night off. “You have your tux for Friday?”
He screwed up his face in disgust. “Yes. You owe me!”
“I know!” I opened the bags and placed the food on the counter. “You got enough food for an army.”
“You know me, I can never decide and you’re always eating my sesame chicken.” He winked at me.
There was another knock at the door. What the heck? Oh, shit. If it was James, this wasn’t going to go over well. Cal never forgot a face. I was not ready to have this discussion with him.
“You going to get it or am I?” Cal looked to me.
“I’ll get it; you just get the dishes out of the dishwasher.” I rushed toward the door and took a deep breath before opening it. “Jane! What are you doing here?” I noticed a cab sitting at my curb.
“Sorry, Cassidy. I hope I’m not intruding. Mom and I wanted to give you this.” She handed me a large wrapped box. “It’s a thank you for the hard work with the masquerade.”
“Oh wow, thank you. You didn’t have to go to all that trouble.” She stood there as I noticed a gift bag in her other hand. “Please, come in. The place is a wreck. I’m unpacking, but my brother is here with Chinese.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company…”
“Nonsense. I insist.” I gently pulled her inside and waved the cab off.
“Ok, one second, I need to pay the cabby.” She hurried down the stairs to the cab while I went back inside.
I remembered Mrs. Whitford mentioning that Jane had just moved back home a few months prior. She was living across the country with a real ‘douchebag’, or so her mom said. I liked Jane and thought maybe I could pick her brain about James. I moved a few boxes to clear space for the gift box. The front door closed and Jane made her way inside.
“Jane, this is my brother Calvin.”
Calvin turned around to shake Jane’s hand and instead he started checking her out. I walked behind him and nudged him. “Stop being rude, Cal,” I whispered.
He stuttered, “Sorry. Jane is it? You can call me Cal.” He shook her hand. “You like Chinese?”
Jane confirmed that Chinese sounded great. “Oh, here, this is for you, too.” She gave me the gift bag which was clanking about.
“Jane, really, it’s too much.” I opened the bag and found three bottles of the champagne from the masquerade.
“Mother said that you really liked it.” I was speechless knowing that they were over $300 per bottle. I didn’t spend that much on, well, anything. “Open the box!”
“Yeah, Cass, open the box.” Cal was almost as excited as I was.
“Holy sh... crap…Jane!” I was shocked at the generosity. “It’s amazing.”
Jane just shrugged it off. “Please, mom can afford it. It’s nothing. Get good use out of it!”
“What the hell is it?” Cal looked at it and had no clue what it was. Jane and I shared a laugh. I explained to him that it was a top of the line coffee maker that came with several different flavors. “That’s too fancy for me. I’ll stick with my black coffee, 3 sugars.”
I ran over to hug Jane and thanked her again. We served ourselves some Chinese and decided to pop one of the bottles of champagne. I poured each of us a glass before we headed to the living room. We chatted, ate and drank a little too much, except for Cal who always stopped after one drink. It was like we’d all been friends forever.
Chapter Eight
Don’t
~ CASSIDY ~
Cal had taken an immediate and obvious interest in Jane and it seemed to be mutual. I decided to see just how interested and asked her, “Jane you’ll be at the auction on Friday, right?” That immediately had Cal’s attention.
“Oh yeah, can’t get out of that one. What about you, Cal?”
“Yup, I’ll be there. Looking forward to it.” I giggled and Cal threw me a dirty look.
“Oh, how quickly we change our stripes!” I laughed and he tossed a pillow at me. Jane seemed to get what I was playing at and blushed.
The rest of the evening went off without a hitch. We were starting to wrap things up when Crash into Me by DMB started playing. The radio was off and I suddenly wondered if it was someone’s ringtone. “Is that your phone?” They both shook their heads.
“Found it.” I saw Cal pull my phone off the charger on the kitchen counter. “Who’s James?” He was holding the phone out of my reach and waggling his eyebrows.
“Knock it off, Cal. Give me the phone.” I wasn’t asking nicely. He tried to hold the phone even higher. Two could play that game. I grabbed his nipple and twisted. He dropped his arm and I snatched my phone.
“Dammit, Cass, that hurt.” Jane was in stitches.
“Good!” I rushed out the front door and stood on the steps for some privacy. “When did you change my ring tone?”
“Hello, Cassidy.” He sounded somber and dark.
“You ok?”
“I’m fine. What are you wearing?”
His question caught me off guard. I decided to play along. “Nothing. What are you wearing?”
“Don’t lie to me, Cassidy.” I sensed that he was smiling on the other end of the phone.
“How do you know I’m lying, Mr. Benedict?” I was taunting him.
“Because you’re standing on your front porch,” What the hell? “And if you’re naked on your front porch we’re going to have a problem.” I started looking up and down the street, but it was too dark to make out a thing. “Get rid of your company, Cassidy!” I wanted to respond but heard the call disconnect instead.
“Somebody’s blushing.” Jane stated the obvious as I walked back in the door.
I shrugged my shoulders and the smile on my face spoke volumes as I hiccupped. I may have overdone it on the champagne. “You’re supposed to be on my side!” I scolded Jane.
“I should get going. It’s getting late,” Jane said to me with a wink.
“How are you going to get home?” I asked her.
“Oh yeah.” She pulled her cell out, “I’ll just call a cab. No biggie.”
“I can take you.”
“Now who’s blushing?” I stuck my tongue out at Cal and Jane. I was giggly and had clearly had too much to drink.
“Who’s James?” he asked me again.
“Ask Jane. I have a feeling she knows him better than I do.” I faked a yawn and ushered them out the door as nicely as I could. I watched Cal escort Jane to his truck. As he walked to the driver’s side he waved and threw me a wink. “Behave!”
“I could say the same to you, little sister!”
As they pulled away I walked back inside. I decided to clear the dishes and reload the dishwasher. There were probably twenty empty boxes of various sizes stacked in and beside each other on my living room floor, and although we’d made a lot of progress unpacking, I still hadn’t found my iPod. Dammit. My phone started playing the same tune again and I rushed to answer it. “Yes, Mr. Benedict.” I was attempting to give him my best sexy voice.
“You said you’d call me Sir all night. What are you wearing, Cassidy?”
My heart started racing. He sounded so sexy and brooding; I was instantly wet. “N
othing, Sir.”
“Don’t lie to me, Cassidy!” I jumped about a foot off the floor as I heard the front door slam shut and then he locked it. He came through the front door without me even knowing he was here.
“Yes, Sir.” I was breathless and he was on me in a heartbeat.
~ JAMES ~
After I left Frida’s, I drove to the office where I knew Melissa was waiting. I should’ve known better than to keep her waiting. This was going to go one of two ways; bad or really bad.
I parked in the underground garage, in my designated spot, and took the elevator up. Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. I could hear the screaming from where I stood and I rushed through the double glass doors and headed toward my office. Jennifer, our secretary, ducked just before a vase shattered above the wall behind her.
I stormed into my office and roared, “Melissa, enough! Sorry Jen, I can take it from here.” Jen scuttled out and shut the door behind her while mumbling profanities. “God dammit, Melissa. What’s the problem now?”
She slithered over like the snake she was, immediately smiling at my presence. “Hey, baby. I’ve been waiting a long time.” She was pouting. She started running her hands up and down my arms before I grabbed her wrists and held her away from me. “I need an advance on my rent.” Now she was batting her eyelashes at me.
“Stop the bullshit, Melissa. You live in your Dad’s building.” I escorted her to the couch and made my way to my desk, flopping down in my chair. “What’s really going on? Are you using again?” She started fidgeting.
“Nothing, no, it’s all good.”
“You’re sure? The deal is off if...” I glared at her. I really felt sorry for her. We’d known each other since we were kids. The biggest mistake I made was taking her to bed.
“No, no, I just got over extended and Daddy has cut me off, with the exception of a roof over my head. Please James.”
My heart got the better of me and I just wanted her out of there. I told her I’d help her anyway I could, as long as she stayed clean. “How much do you need?” She jumped off the couch and threw herself on me. “Melissa, get off.” I pushed her off me again and headed to my safe.
After Melissa left I got caught up on some business. I scrolled through my email and dealt with them accordingly. Once I’d checked in with all the contractors and confirmed all was good, I decided it was enough for one Saturday. I had struggled to get my mind off Cassidy ever since I left her on her doorstep.
Things had gone smoother than I had anticipated when I revealed myself to her. My instincts were correct about the attraction; it was mutual and intense. I did a quick run through the office and locked up before leaving.
When I pulled out of the garage I realized it was already dark. Looking at the dash, I saw that it was already close to eight p.m. I recalled the morning at the hotel and her responses to my touch, which was immediate every time. She had welcomed every advance, so why was I so nervous to show her my kinky side? She was the first woman in a very long time I had wanted to get kinky with. Bits and pieces at a time would have to do. I didn’t want to scare her away by going too fast. I was getting hard just thinking about tying her up. I decided I had to see her, immediately.
I drove toward her townhouse and couldn’t stop my blood from boiling when I saw the Ford pickup in her driveway. It took all my strength not to knock down her door. I parked down the street, after memorizing the plate, and called Smith. It felt like I waited for far too long for Smith to call back. Finally, my cell rang.
“Smith, what took so long? Oh, sorry Joe. Yes, whatever needs to be repaired just do it and send Jennifer the bill. Make sure everything is working, including the radio.” My call waiting beeped. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow.” I switched lines. “Smith?”
I felt like an ass; it was just her brother. I growled, “Thanks, Smith.” That was a meeting I was not quite prepared for. Calvin, no doubt, would not react kindly to my involvement with his sister. I decided to pick up my cell and called her.
She caused me to smile with her questioning the ring tone change I made to her phone. “Hello, Cassidy.” I gave her the best somber tone I could muster.
“You ok?” It was working, she was sounding concerned.
“I’m fine. What are you wearing?”
I heard her sudden intake of breath and her quick response. “Nothing. What are you wearing?” Lying minx.
“Don’t lie to me, Cassidy.”
“How do you know I’m lying, Mr. Benedict?” She thought she had the upper hand. I liked playing this game with her.
“Because you’re standing on your front porch.” She perked up and started looking up and down the street. “And if you’re naked on your front porch, we’re going to have a problem.” With the lack of street lights, she would never make out the Rover in the dark from that distance. “Get rid of your company, Cassidy!” I saw her look back and forth from the phone to the street before she rushed inside.
After a few minutes I saw the door open and Calvin and a girl walked out. Wait, was that Jane? “What the hell is she doing there?” I grabbed my cell and texted Jane.
Keep your trap shut about me, cuz.
Love, J.
She was in the truck now and it wasn’t long before I received her reply.
Got it bad, do you?! You’re not alone.
She couldn’t be more obvious if she
pushed us out the door!
Love, J
Calvin and Jane drove down the street and around the corner. I made my way closer to her house, climbed out of the Rover and strode to her door. I dialed her again.
I checked the door and was pleased to find it unlocked. I caught a glimpse of her in the kitchen. Time to have some fun.
“Don’t lie to me, Cassidy!” She jumped almost a foot off the floor once I slammed the door and turned the lock before I rushed her.
I was on her so quick and hard that I knocked the wind out of her. Pinning her against the kitchen wall, I was already erect as my mouth claimed hers as my own. The kiss was so fanatical that my head was spinning and I could almost taste the champagne on her lips. She moaned into my mouth and rubbed against my erection as she pulled away for air. I could smell her arousal and repositioned her against the kitchen wall. Grinding my hips into her, feeling like I couldn’t get my mouth or body close enough, I knew I had to possess her.
“James, is everything ok?”
I was practically smothering her; I needed to tone it down, “I just needed to see you, feel you, and remind myself you’re real.”
Cassidy grabbed my face and pulled my eyes to hers. She looked at me like I was crazy. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’d be crazy to. Remember, you’re the only one to make me orgasm during intercourse.”
I gazed at her, my mood immediately lifting as I flashed half a grin. She seemed to know exactly how to lighten the mood. “How about I do it again?” I started kissing down her neck, “and again, and again.”
Like she couldn’t say no to me, “You had me at again.”
She wanted it; it was written all over her. I found my way under her camisole as she took my jacket off impatiently. I had to have her. I reached down and wrapped my hands under her thighs and pulled her up so she straddled my waist. I carried her to the counter. I needed more of her and ripped her sweater and camisole off and over her head. Her breasts were taunting me in that lacey bra of hers. I had to taste them. I was rougher than I planned, but she didn’t object. My control was at its limit.
“James…”
Acting like a crazed animal I tugged and sucked on her breasts through the bra so rigorously that I’m sure it was almost painful, but she didn’t ask me to stop. I pressed into her and she was quiet, breathing rapidly. “I need you now, Cassidy. Fast and hard.” She looked hungrier than I had seen before, exquisitely lost in lust as she began removing my belt. Once my belt was removed she pushed down my trousers, needing me as much as I need
ed her. Her fingers searched for the elastic of my boxers and found none. The only thing waiting for her was my erection and she grabbed on and squeezed until I growled. “Fuck. You’re killing me.”
“Sir, I’m shocked. Commando?” She was smirking at me, feigning innocence as she began stroking me.
I shrugged my shoulders, “I forgot?” Her assault on my cock continued and I was ready to burst. Closing my eyes, I let my head roll back and savored her touch.
“I think you had this planned all day, Sir.”
Looking back to her I saw that she had tilted her head sideways, narrowing her eyes at me. She was such a tease. “I had some things planned today too,” she leaned in and began licking my neck.
She swiped her tongue all up my neck and all the way to my earlobe, and then sucked it in her mouth. She was going to kill me. Suddenly I was thrown back; that would be the only time she would catch me off guard. She jumped off the counter in a heartbeat and dropped to her knees. I would surely burst if her mouth touched me. I yanked her back up and she was visibly disappointed.
She reached for me again and was pulled to her feet before she had a chance to taste me. “Hey!”
“I said now! I don’t have the patience for your teasing tongue right now.” I tried to smile, but any control I had mustered had faded; I was entirely serious.
“You’re no fun. How do you know my tongue is teasing?” She asked with pouty eyes and lips.
Pursing her beautiful lips and batting her eyes I responded, “Stop trying to distract me with that beautiful mouth.” Pushing her back toward the kitchen counter, I reached for her as she readied her lips for a kiss and instead I reached behind her to unclasp her bra with a flick of my wrist. Turning her around, I pushed her face down on the counter. She jumped as the cold granite pierced her skin, but recovered quicker than I expected her to. I ran my hands down from her shoulders to her waist and then removed her shorts. I was greeted by her lovely round ass. “Looks like I’m not the only one going commando.”