“Preston?” she shrieked.
She was scared, things weren’t making sense, she was either dreaming or had gone completely mad. When her mother loosened her hold, Cadence began to sob.
“Preston Night?” Mother asked.
“I need him,” she said between sobs.
Mother looked at the man by her side. “I’m sorry, honey. Preston isn’t here.”
Anger began to boil inside her. Mother had faked her own death and gone into hiding?
“How could you? How could you leave me? What is wrong with you?” Cadence was shouting, creating a scene. She didn’t care.
She sat up and put her feet firmly on the floor.
“Cadence, please, let me explain,” her mother begged. “Please stay. We need to talk. I want to tell you what happened.”
Cadence jumped up from the sofa. “No, whatever you need to tell me you can tell me while I’m standing.”
“If that makes her feel more comfortable, let her stand.” The man who’d been beside her mother stepped forward.
“Who are you?” Cadence asked, furious that he’d interfered.
“I’m your father, Bryce McClain.”
Cadence took a deep, cleansing breath. Her head hurt. The room wavered.
Bryce McClain extended his hand. She stared. She wouldn’t shake the man’s hand. She was not in a conciliatory mood. She certainly wasn’t going to be doling out greetings to the people who had betrayed her.
“Cadence, we’ve been waiting so long for you to come here,” Bryce said.
“Yes, a decade is a long time.” Bitterness smothered her words.
“We couldn’t tell you,” Mother said. “What I did, disappearing, letting people think I’d died in the Twin Towers, is a crime.”
“You could’ve taken me with you.”
“Cadence, I couldn’t. You were so young. I assume Maryanne told you about Edward Burke.”
“She told me enough to know he wasn’t my father.”
“I’d hoped you’d understand. I had to get out of my mock marriage to Edward Burke. It was my chance to come to Bryce and start over.”
“Why didn’t you just leave the mayor?”
“I should’ve and I didn’t. I’m not brave. I don’t have your courage.”
Bryce put his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Now that you know, you have to keep Audra’s identity a complete secret.”
“You want me to keep this,” Cadence exclaimed, gesturing to the two of them and then around the room, “a secret?”
“I do.” Mother sat on the sofa and clasped her hands in her lap. She looked fragile and old. “There never seemed to be a good time to tell you. I knew Maryanne was taking care of your best interests and Edward would be a father to you because of his political ambitions. We decided it was best to keep our secret from you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Cadence straightened as her mother’s explanation sank in. The pain of being lied to and the feelings of betrayal were stronger than ever.
Her gaze fell on the man who was her father. He was a handsome man even with his craggy face and shock of gray hair.
“We never wanted you to be involved in this lie,” he said, meeting her gaze. His eyes were a lovely shade of blue.
She’d wondered what it would be like to meet him, how strong her love might be for him but she hardened her heart to the man who’d taken her mother from her.
“You’ve been declared legally dead,” Cadence said.
“Audra Burke is dead. I’m Audra McClain now.”
“Does Maryanne Night know you are alive?”
“Yes. She’s been extraordinary. Don’t be angry with her. I swore her to secrecy.”
“She did as you asked,” Cadence said.
“I left my business for her to manage so that you would have an inheritance.”
“I suppose I should be grateful?”
Her mother looked down at her hands.
She’d suffered, Cadence realized. She wouldn’t add to her mother’s burden. “So where do I fit in?”
“Wherever you like,” Bryce answered. He took her mother’s hand. “You’re welcome to stay here.”
How generous, she thought. They were willing to accommodate a long-lost daughter because she’d shown up on their doorstep. She’d never felt so alone. Now she knew the source of the emptiness inside her.
“I don’t want to intrude on your happiness.” Cadence shouldered her purse. She had to get out of there. “I’ve met Bryce and that’s all I wanted to do.”
“Cadence, please…”
“Let her go,” Bryce said. “She needs to sort this all out.”
Cadence huffed as she exited. Nobody followed.
As Cadence waited for the driver to load her luggage back into the black Bentley, a numbing sadness took control of her body. She couldn’t even bring tears to her eyes.
The search for her father was over. Her mother was alive. Shouldn’t she be happy?
She stewed, wishing the driver would hurry up. All the anger, hurt and self-pity fueled a need to lash out, to seek revenge of some kind. It would be her way of giving back.
Finally, the driver held the door open for her. She couldn’t even look at him. Did he know who she was? She’d shouted, carried on like a child. The staff must’ve heard.
Ha!
They drove straight back to the airport in a misty fog. The swipe of the windshield wipers was oddly comforting. She didn’t want to stay any longer in Scotland than she had to. She didn’t belong here. She wasn’t part of their lives.
Where would she go?
Back to New York, for a start. She’d meld into the fabric of the city, find a place to live, a job, make new friends. She’d leave the old Cadence Burke to the past. As for family, they could all go to hell.
She’d had enough lies and deception to last a lifetime.
She exchanged her ticket for the red-eye, which didn’t leave until ten o’clock. Bought a crime novel to read so no one would bother her with empty conversation. Found a chair in the first class lounge next to the window.
It infuriated her how little thought her mother had given to her only daughter over the years. When she’d needed a mother’s advice, care and support, there had only been Victoria. How could her own mother have put her love for that man above love for a daughter?
Cadence bit her lower lip.
There was one small consolation.
Cadence couldn’t wait to see the look on Victoria’s face when she told her and the evil spawn. This tasty bit of news would wipe the smirk off of Cyrus’ face. Edward Burke’s reputation would be in tatters after the newspapers found out.
A reflection in the glass startled her. The image of Preston, smartly dressed in light-gray Armani, approached her. She turned away from the sight. She didn’t want to think about him. He’d been part of the conspiracy, she realized. What she’d thought they had together had been another lie.
“Hello, Cadence.”
She looked up. It was him.
Her heart thudded. Skipped a beat. “What are you doing here?”
“I came as soon as your father called. I thought you’d need a soft place to fall.” He sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder.
She shrugged out of his grasp.
“You’re angry,” he said.
“Do you think?”
“Don’t be. At least now you know your truth.”
“My life was a lie,” she shot back.
The man sitting across from them lowered his paper and stared at her. The woman next to him grabbed her child by the hand and moved to the other side of the room. Cadence was making a scene and didn’t care.
“Do you think the mistakes your parents made define you?”
“Of course not.” Cadence turned to face him, her eyes burning into his, willing him to tell her the truth. “Did you know that my mother was still alive?”
“I didn’t, I honestly didn’t until yesterday morn
ing. I was just as shocked as you must have been, when your mother called my mother. But I understand why she did it. Do you?”
She shook her head.
“It’d been easy to disappear that morning. She’d been with your father at the hotel you love so much. She’d told Edward Burke that she was going to see her broker. Everyone assumed she had been in the first tower when it fell.”
“Incredible. How did she leave the country?”
“She had her passport. In the aftermath of that terrible day, everything was confusion.”
“Why did she leave me behind?”
“They took advantage of a disaster. Their decision was probably made in a hurry. There wasn’t any way she could take you with her.”
A lump formed in her throat. When Mother had seen a chance to be happy, she took it. Cadence had no problem with that.
Why didn’t she ever contact Cadence? Or let her know somehow? Why had she waited a friggin’ decade?
Preston sat back in his chair. “Your mother loves you.”
“My mother died on that day in September.”
“The Audra Burke everyone knew.”
“This Audra left me in a den of wolves.”
“She thought it best you not know for your own protection. “
“She should’ve told me.”
“Yeah.”
She appreciated that he agreed with her. “Why did she put the clause that I’d be disinherited if I looked for my father?”
Preston shrugged. “Probably thought the money would be enough to keep you from finding her.”
“Did she think so little of me? Did she think I’d reveal her secret?”
“She admires your strength. She wishes she could be as strong as you.”
“She told me that. I wish I could believe her.” Cadence slumped. The shock was wearing off. “What do I do now?”
“What happens now is up to you,” he said.
“I’m broke.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I suppose I’m expected to keep my mouth shut?”
“Do you want your mother to go to prison?” he asked.
“No, I don’t.” She tried to look petulant, defiant, but the anger had drained out of her.
“What will make you happy?”
Preston knew perfectly well what made her happy.
She settled down, took a deep breath. “How’d you get here so fast?”
“Took a private jet.”
“That must’ve been expensive.”
He smiled. “I’ll bill the client.”
She snorted. “I hate you, you know.”
“I love you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You’ll have to take a leap of faith.” He took her hand. She didn’t resist.
“Interesting how big a mess people can make of their lives,” he said sadly.
“Yeah, my mother and father screwed up big-time.”
“I was talking about you.”
“My mother abandoned me and I paid a heavy price.”
“Yeah, I think she believed there wasn’t any other choice. You, on the other hand, have several options.”
She sighed heavily. “You mean become one big happy family?”
“Isn’t that what you always wanted?”
Cadence thought long and hard about what Preston was saying. He was right. She’d give Victoria her small victory and keep her mother’s secret.
“I behaved horribly at Bryce’s home.”
“You were angry. Why should you have pretended otherwise?”
“How’d you get to be so wise?” she asked.
“Experience,” he replied, “and something more. I want you to be happy.” He brushed a tender kiss across her fingers.
Cadence and Preston walked hand in hand in the garden behind the manor house. Lunch had been scrumptious.
Her father had an outrageous sense of humor. He’d brought them all to tears with his stories.
She still couldn’t believe all that had happened.
“It’ll take time,” Preston said as if reading her thoughts.
“Yes,” she said, a bittersweet laugh following.
“At least now you are together with the people who love you.” He laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“Thank you.” She reached up and touched his hand.
He pulled her into a hug and kissed her lightly on the neck. It was amazing how swiftly her body reacted to his touch. Instantly, her panties were drenched and her nipples throbbed for his lips to capture them.
“I saw a garden maze around the corner…should we take advantage of it?” he asked, his voice teasing, but his eyes looking hopeful.
“I’ll race ya!” she said and she took off down the path.
Preston caught up with her just underneath a nicely concealed arbor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back flush to his chest.
“God, I’ve been waiting for this moment for what seems like forever,” he murmured as he kissed her neck.
“Me too.” She turned in his arms and wrapped them around his neck, pressed her lips to his and lifted up on tiptoe to better grind her crotch into his.
Their movements were frenzied as they touched each other, hands gliding over asses, his hands on her breasts, her hands on his cock.
He cupped his mouth over her nipple through her shirt, breathing over it so that the heat seared her flesh. She threaded her fingers through his hair, arching her back. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted to feel his hot mouth on her bare flesh. She pulled away, unbuttoned her blouse and yanked her shirt down over her arms.
Preston’s eyelids lowered as he took in her lacy bra. He trailed a finger over the milky tops of her breasts, sending gooseflesh to rise over her chest. He pulled the cup of her bra down, exposing her, and quickly dipped to take her taut nipple in his mouth.
She’d missed him so much. Missed the warm comfort of his embrace, the heat of his breath on her skin, the seductive glances that told her she was the most desirable woman in the world. And she’d thought all of this would end. Now the whole world opened up before them and they could brave anything together.
Preston hooked his fingers in her trousers, sending a chill racing along her spine. Suddenly, her pants were so constricting.
She unhooked the button and unzipped her pants, shimmying them over her hips and down her thighs, kicking them a couple feet away.
The air hit her skin and she felt exposed, but she liked it.
“I like these,” Preston said with an appreciative twinkle in his eyes as he slid his fingers around the edges of her black lacy thong. “So hot.”
Cadence smiled, glad for his approval and excited for what was to come. Moisture pooled in her panties.
Preston slipped his finger through her panties just by her pussy lips and then stroked over her clit.
“You’re so wet,” he said, voice gravelly with lust.
“I want you.”
“What do you want?”
“Everything.”
Preston growled and pushed her back against the arbor then dropped to his knees. He pressed his face against her panties and breathed deeply. “I love the way you smell. Like lust, sex and sweet ecstasy.”
He spread her thighs wide, lifting one over his shoulder, and breathed hotly on her clit through her panties. Her knees shook and the one leg she balanced on threatened to buckle at the sudden, intense pleasure.
“Do you want me to lick your pussy?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes,” she answered back, her own voice throaty with desire.
With his finger, he pushed her panties aside and then slipped his tongue between the folds of her sex. He licked her slowly, tantalizingly slowly, over her clit then back to thrust into her pussy. He repeated the movement again and again. His tongue was like liquid heat and delicious rapture.
Already her body responded, reaching out for release. Her womb contracted, her pussy twinged and her clit throbbed. He licked her g
ently but fast, twirling his tongue in a way that made her pant and moan. She was so close. Her eyes closed and she leaned her head against the arbor wall, not caring about the ivy catching her hair—if anything, it only added to the intensity of sensation swirling around her.
Her fingers threaded through his hair, holding his mouth to her pussy. With his thumbs, he parted her lips to better reach her clit.
She was so wet. The mixture of her juices and his saliva dribbled down her thighs. She rocked against his mouth, hungry for an orgasm, but every time she held her breath, sure she would come, he slowed his movements, teasing her, prolonging her pleasure.
“Don’t stop,” she moaned. “Please, don’t stop.”
“I don’t plan to, darlin’,” he murmured against her pussy.
The vibrations of his voice on her sex sent her up a notch. She rocked her hips against his face, unable to think of anything now but the wicked thrill of him eating her pussy in the garden, where they might be seen by anyone at any time.
“Come for me, Cadence, let me see you come on my face.”
Preston thrust two fingers inside her pussy, all while continuing to lick, nibble and suck at her clit.
It was too much. Her body could hold back no longer. She cried out as an orgasm ricocheted from her womb, pussy, clit outward to her limbs and back. Her leg around his shoulder tightened. Her fingers dug into his scalp. Her back arched and her hips undulated faster against his mouth as she rode out her orgasm.
“Ah yes,” Preston moaned.
He stroked her gently with his tongue and fingers as she came down from her climax, her limbs still shaking.
“You are so sexy when you come. So gorgeous.” He pulled away, placing her leg back on the ground. “Take your panties off.”
She did as he commanded, kicking them to where her pants lay a few feet away.
“Turn around and put your arms up against the arbor.”
Cadence liked him telling her what to do, it made her shudder in anticipation and her pussy clenched tight with the need for him to thrust inside her.
She turned around and pressed herself against the arbor, putting her hands up in the air and holding onto the woodwork.
Behind her, she heard rustling as Preston disrobed, and the crinkle of cellophane as he put on a condom. He playfully slapped her ass.
“Your ass is sublime,” he murmured against her ear, biting her lobe. He massaged where he’d slapped and rubbed his hard cock against the crack.
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