by Nicki Night
Blake didn’t totally blame Cadence for her actions. They had only known each other a short time. She was just being cautious—and rightfully so. Against his true desire, he decided to give her the space she needed. If he could get them back to at least being friendly, he was sure she’d come around once she realized that he was completely innocent. In his mind, this made sense, although his heart wanted more.
Blake’s phone buzzed and when he saw that the call was coming from Maco, Dunlop and Norman, he snatched it, swiped and answered.
“Mr. Barrington!” Amy’s cheerful voice filled the line.
“Hey, Amy. How’s it going?”
“Wonderful. I just wanted to let you know we’ve received the files from Banks’s office. As soon as we get through those, Ms. Payne will be ready to schedule our press conference.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”
“I’ll call you if we need anything.”
“Thanks again, Amy.”
“You’re welcome Mr. Barrington. Talk to you soon.”
Blake put the phone down and rested his head in the palm of his hand. She could have easily texted him the same message. Something had to be done and Blake would have to be the one to initiate the action.
Chapter 28
It was another exhausting day. Cadence got home way after the rush hour crowd and again headed straight for the teakettle. This night, she hadn’t brought home any work. She needed a mental break. Once the boxes of documents from Banks’s office arrived, she, Katrina and Amy spent the afternoon going through what they could and then sitting in an endless meeting with Adam reporting all that they’d found in the case so far. She put the intern on researching briefs and outcomes of similar cases.
There was so much more to do, but all of that would have to wait until the next day. Tonight she planned to drink chamomile tea, soak in a bath and read a few chapters in one of the many books she started but never had the opportunity to finish. Then she would snuggle under the covers and watch TV until she fell asleep. She needed a break from the case and most of all from Blake.
Cadence shivered. Their little run-in earlier that day still pricked at her conscience. She tried to shake off the feeling that came over her. She hadn’t meant to be mean to Blake, but she had to keep her distance. Her indifferent professional attitude was necessary. It took every ounce of restraint she had to keep from running after Blake when he stormed out of the boardroom. No one on the job knew that she and Blake had any kind of history and she intended to keep it that way.
Cadence dialed Alana to chat for a few minutes before settling down. She had missed a few of her calls and hadn’t had a chance to call her back before now. If she didn’t reach out to her best friend soon, she would be in for a real chastising.
“Well, hello, stranger!” Alana’s animated voice blasted through the receiver.
“I know, I know. It’s been so busy.” Cadence filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove while she updated Alana on all the details about representing Blake—everything except for the part about her emotions twirling in such a fitful quandary every time he was around.
“I’m glad you’re representing him. Now you’ll see that he’s innocent.”
“You don’t know that, Alana. It doesn’t matter anyway. I still have to represent him.”
“He’d never do such a thing. He’s a stand-up guy, and besides, there are no women involved.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cadence scrunched up her face as if Alana could see her through the phone.
“Because that’s the only type of scandal a Barrington could be caught up in. Women have been known to fight over those brothers.”
“Oh.” Cadence didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. “Is that why you and Drew didn’t work out?”
“Who said we didn’t work out? Hey, this isn’t about me. So, do the folks at the job know about you and Blake?” Alana said, deflecting the conversation to Cadence and Blake.
“Of course not! There’s nothing going on between us for them to know about.”
“Cadence!” She could imagine Alana giving her the proverbial side-eye.
“What? There’s nothing going on,” Cadence repeated.
“Don’t convict him without a trial.”
“Whatever.” Alana’s comment hit a nerve. Cadence was merely afraid of being played. She even wished she had more control over her feelings for him.
“What did Blake say about this?”
“About what?”
“That fact that there’s supposedly nothing going on between the two of you.”
“What’s there to say?”
“Uh-huh! You never had a discussion with him, did you?”
“Alana.”
“Don’t Alana me! Just don’t let your scattered brain write a check that your heart is not willing to cash.”
“What?” Cadence laughed. Alana was always remixing clichés.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
“Listen, crazy! I have to run. This is the first night this week that I got home at a decent time and there’s a warm bath full of bubbles calling my name. I’ll chat with you later. Okay?” she said as she poured the steaming water from the teakettle into her favorite mug.
“Okay, but remember what I said.”
“Bye, girl!” Cadence ended the call, still chuckling.
After Cadence’s bath was drawn, she picked up her mug and one of her unfinished legal thrillers, and stepped into the tub. She swore she could feel the tension fall away as the warm fragrant water enveloped her. Cadence laid her head back against her bath pillow to rest her eyes for a few moments.
When she popped her eyes open, she felt disoriented. She had obviously fallen asleep and had no idea how long. Her skin had pruned. The hot water was now lukewarm. The bubbles had dissipated and her tea was cold. She had never even cracked the book open.
At least her sleep was peaceful. Blake hadn’t even stolen into her dreams as he had all those other times. Cadence washed up and then slipped into a comfortable cotton nightie. She padded down the carpeted steps to the kitchen so she could refresh her cup of tea, when she heard the doorbell.
Cadence looked over at the digital time display on the microwave. It was almost ten at night. She tipped to the window near the door to peek out. She wasn’t expecting anyone and it couldn’t have been her father. He always called before coming so he wouldn’t waste a trip. Cadence looked out the window and her heart felt as if it would leap through her chest.
Letting the curtain fall back into place, Cadence took a deep breath, closed her eyes and exhaled slowly before pulling the door open. Blake stood before her as tall, handsome and gorgeous as ever. When his eyes took a slow journey down to her bare legs and back up to her face, she was reminded that the only thing between Blake’s eyes and her skin was the short nightie. Cadence stepped back and pushed the door in front of her, peering around the edge at Blake.
“What are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
Cadence looked down at her bare feet and thought for a moment. She wanted to let him. Her heart was doing somersaults inside her chest. “Blake. I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I’ll only be a minute. I want to apologize for my behavior earlier, and since you never answer my calls outside of ‘office hours,’ I figured I had to drop by in order to do it face-to-face.”
With an overt sigh, Cadence shook her head and said, “Okay.” Before Blake could lift his foot to step in the door, Cadence added, “Just give me a minute.” She closed the door on him.
She rushed up to her room and grabbed the first robe she could put her hands on and headed back downstairs. The one she picked was long, silky and silver. Sliding her arms through the cool soft fabric, she thought about a mor
e casual alternative, perhaps her cotton one or the fluffy number she snuggled into during the winter months. She didn’t want to give Blake the wrong idea. Most important, she needed to cover her nipples, which poked against her nightgown, and reduce the chances of Blake getting an eyeful when she sat since she didn’t have on panties.
Cadence wrapped herself in the robe and pulled the belt tight. After another breath, she opened the door. Blake was leaning against the railing. Cadence swallowed hard after glancing at how well his jeans fit his frame. She cleared her throat, capturing his attention.
“You can come in now.”
Blake raised his brows at her robe. “Again, I’m sorry for dropping in on you like this.”
Cadence didn’t respond. She closed the door and headed toward the kitchen.
“I was just making tea. Would you like some?”
Blake chuckled. “Got anything stronger?”
Cadence moved toward her cabinet.
“No! I was just kidding.”
“Oh,” she said. “Well, please have a seat.” She swept her hand toward the kitchen table.
“I wish you would stop being so formal with me.”
Cadence tilted her head but didn’t respond. She needed to keep things professional. If not, she couldn’t be held responsible for her impulses. Blake looked absolutely scrumptious in that button-down that fit snugly enough over his taut pecs. It was hard enough to be as cordial as she was.
Cadence was a thinker. She made safe decisions—ones that didn’t result in jeopardizing consequences. Caution and reason were vital apparatuses in her decision-making tool kit. She almost never acted on impulse, despite the fact that she admired those who sometimes did. However, Blake Barrington had a way of getting her to dismiss her normal sensibilities.
“Cadence, please accept my apology for the way I acted earlier today. You were right. It was not the right time or place. It’s just that I can’t get used to this side of you. It felt so—” Blake paused as if he was searching the atmosphere for the right word “—cold. It was so unlike the woman I had the pleasure of getting to know.” Cadence looked down into her teacup. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I know this is a lot to take in right now. On one hand we know each other very well...” Blake paused, letting that sink in. “And, on the other hand, I guess we don’t know each other all that well. Just in case you still have doubts, I’m innocent, but you’ll realize that soon enough. I think it’s important for us to at least be friendly until this is all over with.”
“I apologize, too. I’ve been under a lot of pressure at work, so I could have been taking that out on you, too.”
“No problem.”
For a few moments, they sat in awkward silence. Cadence wasn’t sure whether to initiate his exit or just keep cool. After his apology, she didn’t want to come across as rude.
“Would you like some bottled water for the road?”
Blake stood. “I guess that’s my cue.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s no problem. I should be going.” Despite Blake’s words, he hadn’t moved toward the door. His eyes locked in on her.
Cadence’s heart beat slightly faster under his observation. She looked down to make sure her robe hadn’t loosened. Finally, she stood and started toward the door. She caught the scent of Blake’s cologne as she passed by. He followed closely behind and a nervous energy churned in her stomach. Her body betrayed her practical mind. Desire began a slow build inside her. Blake was too close. She pepped up her step, creating more space between them. By the time she reached the front door, her heart was pounding. She swore if Blake got close enough he would hear it.
She reached for the door handle and before she could turn it, Blake’s hand covered hers. His body pressed against her back.
“I miss you,” he whispered in her ear from behind. She could feel the heat of his breath on her back.
Cadence swallowed and opened her mouth, but only a slight gasp came out. A flash of heat shot through her. She stood there willing her mind to take charge because her desire had already won her body over. The place between her thighs grew warm. She was quickly losing the battle against caution and reason and anything else that told her to just open the door and make him leave.
Blake pushed up against her, closing out any possible space between them. Cadence felt his strong chest and swelling erection against her back. She whimpered after trying a weak attempt to get her bearings together.
“Did you hear me?” Blake’s husky, breathy inquiry blazed a trail of heat across the back of her neck. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Cadence closed her eyes. She’d missed him, too. Her recent intimate interactions with him were spent only in her dreams. Now he was here—in the flesh. The passion she felt right now was real, evident in the moisture building in her center.
Blake nuzzled his nose in her hair. He took in her scent and moaned. “You smell so good. Don’t you miss me, Cadence?”
The sultry way he called her name made her want to scream. She kept her mouth clamped shut, afraid of what sound might escape. Her knees threatened to crumble beneath her. In the limited space between them, Cadence turned around, feeling every part of his muscular torso in the process, leaving a raging hot path along her skin. Before she could open her mouth to protest, Blake covered her mouth with his, kissing her until she felt like a feather floating through the air on a sunny day. Leaving her breathless, he gave her a quick break before capturing her mouth again.
Interlocking his fingers with hers, Blake held them as his passion poured out through his kisses. When he released her lips the second time, both of them gasped. Allowing her to catch her breath, Blake continued his zealous assail across her throat and down her neck.
Suddenly he stopped. Cadence’s eyes popped open. She hadn’t realized they were closed until then. She looked up to find Blake staring down at her.
“I’m sorry.” The sincere look in Blake’s eyes made her heart swell. “I shouldn’t have done that. If you want me to stop, I will.”
Cadence didn’t want him to stop. She found herself licking the remnants of his taste from her lips. Her expression pleaded with him. Taking that for his answer, Blake loosened the belt on her robe and rubbed his thumbs across her hardening nipples through her nightgown. Cadence’s eyes closed involuntarily and a moan rose in her throat. Blake covered her mouth again, siphoning the moan out of her. Their hands roamed one another desperately as if they were trying to find their way to each other through the dark.
Blake lifted her into his arms. Cadence wrapped her legs around him. Their lips never parted as he carried her up the stairs and into her bedroom.
Gently Blake laid her on the bed and removed her robe and nightie. He caressed her skin, reacquainting himself with her territory. His touch sparked new firestorms. Slowly he stood, removed his clothes and slipped on a condom before joining her again.
Cadence couldn’t stand it any longer. Suddenly she was in a rush to feel him. She pulled him over her and guided him inside. When they connected, stars exploded, causing flecks of passion to burst all over her. The room was filled with the sounds of their delight. Their bodies slapped as they called on each other. His grunts grew into a growl and her whimpers morphed into screams at the pinnacle of the most exhilarating release Cadence had ever experienced. It took several moments for them to return to real time and space.
Blake held her as if letting her go would make her cease to exist. His penetrating embrace filled up every void. Cadence would worry about tomorrow when it came. Right now, she savored the bliss of his powerful arms and the delicious joy she felt from giving in to her impulses.
Chapter 29
Despite lack of sleep, Blake woke with a sated smile. He and Cadence couldn’t seem to get enough of one another the night before. They continued to ma
ke love well into the early morning. Blake got home with just enough time for a few additional winks before having to get ready for the day. Tired but still energetic, Blake hummed through this morning routine.
Regardless of his bad fortune with the Banks’s scandal, he couldn’t remember feeling better. Cadence had finally let him back into her world. As he dressed for the day, he promised himself that he would keep his senses in her presence. The last thing he wanted to do was lose ground with her.
Blake texted a simple Good morning and was relieved that she had responded adding a smiley emoticon. His grin spread across his face and remained there until he walked out of the house. He didn’t believe the effect this woman had on him and couldn’t recall a time when any woman ruled his mind and emotions the way Cadence did. The playboy was in jeopardy of losing his VIP status.
By the time Blake worked his way through the rush-hour crowd and then through the few reporters still camped out in front of his building, he had begun to feel the effects of his lack of sleep from the previous night. He already had several messages on both his cell and office phones. Quickly, he’d gone through them, hoping to hear something promising about the state of the case. There were still no messages from Banks or his team. Blake swallowed his disappointment. He knew Banks was probably still in jail, but he had hoped to hear from members of his team, whom he had called to investigate how he’d been tossed into this whole thing.
The recent arrest of Banks’s accountant unnerved him, as well. On one hand, Blake knew that the attorney general wouldn’t pick up anyone unless he was sure he had something solid on the person. Yet, Blake was smart enough to know that the system didn’t always operate by the letter. Cases like this, people were often made examples of because the public was hungry for a resolution. He’d already witnessed more slighted social media and blog posts from a few self-appointed political critics. One of the late-night talk-show hosts had even made fun of the situation in his opening monologue. Fortunately for Blake, most of the fingers were pointed at Banks, not the others mentioned in the scandal. Blake just hoped that this nightmare would be over soon. When Blake’s cell phone rang and Cadence’s number flashed across the screen, he couldn’t help smiling.