Her eyes met mine with that victorious smirk she had perfected. I glanced beside her, to Dev, who had finally spared us a glance. Those eyes were as angry and as hurt as they were the night before, though his smile was polite, even cordial. It made him all the more dangerous, forcing me to look away.
“I’d also like to say a personal thanks to our dear, dear friend, Devlin Masters,” she said as she turned to him. “He’s been an integral part of this campaign, just as he was for our successful bid to Congress several years ago. For those of you who don’t know, he’s a masterful musician, who was just featured in the new hit movie, A Journey to Remember. His single debuted in the top ten, isn’t that right, Dev?” she asked as she turned back to him.
He leaned forward to speak into the microphone. “Debuted at number one, actually.”
Everyone applauded for his great success, even Caz and me.
“That’s wonderful, hon,” she grinned as she brushed her hand on his broad shoulder. She turned back to all of us. “Looks like he won’t be our campaign mastermind for long!” Laughter filtered through the crowd. “Devlin has agreed to play for us tonight, so please. Grab a dancing partner and let’s get this party started!”
I sat right where I was, watching painfully as Dev rose from his seat, reached over to give her a kiss on her cheek and then head for the steps of the stage so he could do what he was told.
#goodpuppet
I simply drank more. I barely touched any of the food, though it was exemplary. When Devlin’s voice came over the loud speaker, I could hardly bear it. I turned to Margot. “Did you know about this?”
“It was a last minute change that she wanted,” Margot shrugged.
“And you didn’t think to warn me?”
Margot’s blue eyes met mine. “Would it have mattered?”
The minute I heard him speak, I knew she was right. “I’d like to thank our lovely hostess for inviting me to play here for you tonight. It is such an honor to be among such special friends. And Suzanne was absolutely correct. You ladies look beautiful tonight, so this song goes out to all of you.”
Beautiful music began to play, and it only sent my mood further into a tailspin to realize that Dev was playing the same Bruno Mars song he once sang for me. Only this time, he was singing to someone else.
He was singing to Suzanne Everhart, who sat on his piano like a treasured guest.
I took a deep breath so that I wouldn’t cry. I couldn’t cry. I refused to.
Caz grabbed my hand. “Come on. Let’s dance.”
“I don’t want to,” I told him.
“Exactly why you should,” he said as he stood and held out his hand. “Never let ‘em see you bleed.”
I stared up at him for a moment before I finally placed my hand in his and let him lead me towards the crowded dance floor. Caz swept me around in his arms, his amber eyes locked with mine, a smile on his face as we made wide circles that made me feel like I was flying. He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “Smile, Coralie. Laugh. Show ‘em it doesn’t hurt.”
To assist me in that directive, he twirled me around expertly, spinning me until I couldn’t help but laugh. He brought me back into his arms with a proud smile.
“That’s my girl.”
I didn’t look at Dev. I couldn’t. Instead I tried to forget about the song and the meaning behind it, and just let Caz guide me through the waltz like a pro.
Because he was a pro.
By the end of the song, he had danced us right up to the stage where Dev played. Caz leaned forward. “Show ‘em those claws, baby.”
I stared up into those eyes for a long moment as I deliberated. It only took a second for me to obey his command, mostly because I needed to hurt Devlin the same way he hurt me, using that song against me like that. I did it the only way I knew how. I wound my arms around Caz’s neck and kissed him for that whole damned dance floor to see.
Caz curled his arms around me and held me tight as he kissed me back, taking the liberty that I had given him. When we broke apart, I glanced around to Devlin. My behavior had been rewarded with a deep scowl. His next song was from Adele, “Rolling in the Deep,” to let me know in no uncertain terms how effective my counter attack had been.
It was a song I could have used for him, so it didn’t shame me in the least. Instead I folded myself even more in Caz’s embrace and let him lead me away from the stage. In fact, the more I thought about it, the madder I got. How dare he act like the wounded party? After everything? He was just as entitled as every other fucker in this self-congratulatory excuse to eat, drink and be merry at the cost of everyone else.
He fit right in.
I pulled from Caz to head right to the bar, and he shadowed me with concern. “You need to slow down, honey,” he said softly.
“Do I?” I asked with the arch of my eyebrow. “And here I thought I could get away with everything because I’m rich and famous.” I motioned to the bartender.
“What’s the end game, here, CC? Make such a scene that they’ll never invite you back?”
I scoffed. “Oh, they’ll invite me back. Are you kidding? I’m tied to Suzanne now, same as all of you. One of her slaves to torment.”
“Then let’s get out of here. Get your points for showing up and we’ll go grab a burger somewhere.”
I chuckled, thinking of us going through some drive-thru in our formal wear, sharing an order of animal fries without any care if it gets all over our expensive clothes.
With Caz, I could do that.
And I might have done just that, had the music not segued into Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t,” to remind me of the naughty little dance I shared with both men mere weeks before.
Six weeks, I thought. Time really flies when you’re getting your mind fucked by a professional.
“Not yet,” I said as I pulled Caz back onto the dance floor, ready to meet every single sneak attack with a counter attack of my own. As conservative as our crowd proclaimed to be, I knew it would really get tongues wagging if I showed off some of the sexy dance moves they taught me, and of course it did, particularly because Caz didn’t hold back with all his best moves either. I stopped just short of flipping Suzanne off as the song ended and I exited the dance floor, right as Dev launched into Rod Stewart’s “Passion” for reasons all his own. I didn’t bother to read between the lines. I snatched another glass of bubbly to drain as we wound our way through the crowded place towards the door.
Margot intercepted me before I could reach the exit, where she and Sylvia could berate me for tarnishing their picture perfect party.
“What were you thinking, CC?” Sylvia snapped. “You really want that kind of behavior broadcast for the world? What if there were reporters here?”
I laughed. “My grinding up against a guy is what you find offensive, Sylvia? I would think you’d be more embarrassed by the racist, sexist jokes your candidate was making. But I guess no rare reporter you invite would have the sense to be offended by that. Let them eat cake, am I right?”
Sylvia glared down her nose at me. “You sound just like Lucy.”
“Thank you,” I said, tipping my glass to her. “Someone should.”
“It’s just a party,” Margot insisted, which made me swing around to face her.
“Oh yes, I get that. Another party, another reason to drink and wear pretty clothes. How wonderful for us, kings and queens of the universe. It’s a joke, Margot. And so is this campaign. Just ask Harvey yourself.”
People around us turned to watch the argument, which only pissed Margot and Sylvia off even more. “Your father will not be pleased,” Margot warned quietly.
“Then he shouldn’t invite me to these stupid parties,” I snapped.
“I’m so sorry you don’t like our parties, Coralie,” Suzanne purred as she joined us. “I guess we’ll have to work that much harder to impress you.”
I glared at her. “You’ve done enough. Really.”
“And here I thought for sure you’d l
ove our musical act for the evening. Since you’re so cozy with your ex and all.”
“Not as cozy as you,” I smiled sweetly, which made both Sylvia and Margot glance to their hostess.
Suzanne just smiled. “I don’t mind sharing. Do you?”
I tossed what was left of my drink right in her hateful face, which made each woman present gasp and back up a step. I dropped the glass on the floor between us before I turned on my heel and stalked away, with Caz trotting behind to keep up.
We were waiting for our car at the valet when Devlin finally caught up to us. He pulled me aside, and I held up my hand to Caz to let him know it was okay before I followed Dev to a secluded corner just outside of the hotel.
“You really don’t know when to quit, do you?” he growled, his hand like a vice around my arm.
“I learned from the best,” I told him. “Don’t worry. You can kiss it and make it better for her later tonight. That’s your job, right?”
His eyes blazed as he stared down at me. “Would it make you feel better to know how hard I’m going to fuck her later?” he asked in a deathly quiet voice. “Would that make it easier for you to fuck Caz?”
“Immensely,” I replied.
“Fine,” he growled as he pulled me closer. “I’m going to take her back to our old apartment, and I’m going to command her to strip for me. She’ll bare her breasts for me. She’ll play with them for me. Because I told her to, but also because that is what she wants to do. She desires to please her master.” I tried to pull my arm away but he only tugged me closer. “Then I’m going to pick her up and carry her to our bedroom, where I’ll bend her over our bed and spread her legs. I won’t even finger her first. I won’t need to. She’ll be hot just thinking of how I’m about to slam my rock hard cock right inside her dripping wet pussy.” I clenched my jaw, willing no tears to fall as I glared up into those poisonous green eyes. “Then I’ll fuck her, Coralie. I’ll fuck her hard, just to punish her for not being you.”
I offered the sweetest smile I could. “See that’s the difference between you and me. Because when I fuck Caz, I’ll be thankful he’s not you.”
He bent closer. “Tell me that after he’s been inside you, Mrs. Masters.”
“Who says he hasn’t been already?” I shot back before I wrenched my arm free and walked back to my date, who held open the passenger door for me so that he could drive us home.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I didn’t say much during the short ride home, and Caz didn’t inquire. He was simply a quiet source of support, which I desperately needed for what I was about to do. I knew I had to get Devlin Masters out from under my skin by whatever means possible. I couldn’t play this game anymore. It was killing me.
Caz kept his arm around me to guide me towards the house, but I altered our course and headed to Petit Paradis instead. He opened the door for us, letting me go in first. The minute that he shut the door and locked it, I turned right into his embrace, winding my arms up around his neck as I covered his mouth with mine. I slipped my tongue between his lips, and he indulged the kiss for a moment before he pulled back.
“CC,” he started, and I cocked an eyebrow at him.
“What? No pussycat? No sweetheart, no baby? Isn’t this what you wanted?” I kissed him again, and he took a little longer to withdraw, using his fingers in my hair to pull me away.
“You’re drunk,” he murmured. “You’re pissed. And I get it,” he said. “But this won’t fix anything.”
“So?” I challenged with a defiant tip of my chin.
“So I don’t want to be one more thing you regret.”
I pressed myself against him, rubbing my body against the impressive package he sported. “Then make me forget everything else, Caz. And everyone,” I added as my eyes met his.
His gaze settled on my mouth. His fingers tightened their grip in my hair as he brought me to him for another blazing kiss, which he commanded from the start. He lifted me up against his body, and I closed my legs around his waist. His hands slid down my back to cup both ass cheeks in his palms as he walked us to the bedroom, where we toppled onto the bed with little preamble. His fingers instantly reached for the zipper on my dress, to bare my skin for his inquisitive fingers. They warmed my skin inch by sensitive inch as he trailed his fingertips down my body, pulling away the material of the dress so he could follow behind with his mouth.
He sucked in a breath as he bared my breasts. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Coralie,” he murmured as he cupped one in his hand.
I shook my head. “Call me pussycat,” I said.
His eyes met mine. “Pussycat,” he whispered obediently before he latched his mouth over one sensitive peak of my breast. I raked my fingers through his hair, grabbing a handful to encourage him as I hooked one leg over his hip.
Without breaking his hold, he tore his shirt open and I helped him push it from his shoulders. He captured my mouth for another kiss as he moved over me, fitting himself between my legs. I could feel him grow hard between us, through what remained of our clothes, as he ground himself against me. He dragged his mouth over my chin, down my neck and over my breasts. He grabbed the waistband of the dress with his long fingers before pulling it lower, revealing my stomach and finally my lacy panties I had worn under the dress.
I lifted my hips so that he could finish taking off my dress. He grabbed one ankle in his hand, kissing it just above the strap of the high heels I wore. “Let’s keep those on,” he suggested with that smirk of his. I trembled as he trailed that tongue up my calf and along my quivering thigh. He finally buried his face in between my legs, his tongue exploring me over my satiny panties until I was grinding against him.
“Caz,” I murmured, my fingers capturing another handful of hair.
He flicked my hardened clit through the material that remained between us. “You know what you want, pussycat.”
I already knew the rules of this game. “Eat my pussy, Caz,” I begged, hoping the vulgarity would serve me. I didn’t need romance. I just needed to be fucked. Hard and well. And I knew Caz was the right person for the job. They were interchangeable, right? That’s how it was supposed to work.
He shoved aside the panties at last. “My pleasure,” he grinned before he dove in, his tongue targeting my clit instantly, flicking over it and around it until I was bucking up against his face. I wanted to come. I needed to come, to know that I could move on without Dev.
Before I could finish that thought, or any thought of Suzanne that might follow, I simply asked for what I wanted. “Make me come, Caz.”
He latched his lips onto me, sucking my clit into his warm mouth, using his tongue to take me over the edge. I screamed loud because I wanted to. I needed to. Caz grinned as he finally rose up between my legs, crawling up my body to kiss me again, to leave a hint of my own musk on my lips. I kissed him hard as I wrapped my arms and legs around him. “Do you want to fuck me, Caz?” I asked, and he shuddered against me.
“More than you’ll ever know, pussycat,” he murmured as he held me close.
“Then do it,” I begged. “Please.”
He lifted up, balancing on his knees between my legs. He retrieved a condom from his pants pocket, which he held between his teeth as he started to unfasten his pants.
“You come prepared,” I commented and he grinned.
“Always.”
I sat up and took the condom from his mouth, tossing it over onto the floor. When his questioning eyes met mine, I simply said, “I need to feel you. All of you.”
He finally released that monstrous cock. “You sure you know what you’re asking for, baby?”
I ran a hand along the hardened shaft, which easily filled my small palm. I nodded.
He kicked his pants free before climbing in between my open legs. He used his hands to spread me wider before he positioned himself right at the point of no return. “Are you sure?” he finally whispered. I had to give him credit for giving me every possible chance to say no, to de
cline, to hold onto what was left of my virtue.
Which was exactly dick.
“Fuck me, Caz,” I said, my eyes locked with his.
He finally inched himself in, slowly opening me up to him as he stretched me wide. He wasn’t just long, he was thick, and my body could barely accommodate him at first. Using my gasps and grimaces as a guide, he took his time, using his fingers on my clit to get me even wetter so I opened even wider. Finally he buried himself inside me, where he held himself for a moment. Those amber eyes were unreadable and there was no trace of a smirk on his face. I squeezed him tightly inside my body and those eyes drifted closed as he moaned.
I curled my hand around his neck to bring him closer for another kiss. Slowly he began to stroke and I met each one. He curled his arms under my armpits, reaching around me until his fingers cupped both shoulders as he pressed me onto him. We didn’t talk, there were too many emotional landmines to navigate. Instead I held onto him as he rode me with increasing intensity, until I was begging, once again, to come. He captured one of my breasts in his mouth, taking the nipple between his teeth and flicking me with his tongue until I finally lost control.
It was enough to send him over the brink as well. He sped up his movements, though I could tell that he was still holding back, unwilling to saw me in half with his huge dick, which seemed to get even bigger the more turned on he got. It was like he filled every part of me.
It was just what I needed.
“Come for me, Caz,” I commanded, and within minutes he obeyed, depositing himself inside of me with a primal cry. He collapsed upon me at last, trembling hard from the force of his orgasm.
“Now that was worth the wait,” he panted.
Again I squeezed him inside of me, which only made him shudder even harder. “No need to wait anymore,” I murmured.
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