by Lynn, Sandi
“No. Stella doesn’t know her father. He took off the night I told him I was pregnant, and I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”
“Oh. I see. Will tuition be a problem? We do require the entire year paid up front.”
“No. It will not be a problem. May I ask why you assume that because I’m a single parent and a woman that I can’t afford to send my child here?”
“I’m sorry if you took my asking the wrong way. That’s not what I meant. We just like to make sure that our parents can afford it because we don’t want any hardships to come down the line.”
“And that’s why you require a full years’ tuition up front? Just in case some parents find they can’t afford it down the line?”
“We have found in the past that some parents had to pull their children out mid-year because they couldn’t afford it like they thought they could, and that’s not fair to the child.”
“Well, if you accept Stella, I will be paying the entire year up front in cash.” I smiled.
Stella walked into the office and took the seat next to me.
“So, Stella,” Mrs. Patterson smiled as she folded her hands on her desk, “what do you think of our school?”
“I like it. I like it a lot.”
“Okay. We’ll be in touch soon, Miss Winters.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Patterson. I look forward to hearing from you.”
After dropping Stella off at school, I headed home to wait for the delivery of the piano. I had the perfect corner for it. All I had to do was rearrange a couple of pieces of furniture and I was ready.
16
Caden
The moment I saw Brielle step out of the car in her tightly fitted black dress with her hair flowing over her shoulders, my cock started to spasm.
“Good evening,” I spoke.
“Good evening.” She smiled.
I opened the door to the restaurant and placed my hand on the small of her back as she stepped inside.
“Good evening, Mr. Chamberlain. Follow me and I’ll take you to your table.”
We followed the hostess, who led us to a private booth in the corner. When our waiter approached our table, I ordered us both a martini.
“How was your day?” I asked her.
“It was good. How was yours? You look a little tired.”
“It was stressful and long, but nothing I can’t handle. I had lunch with my brother today.”
“Speaking of your brother, he seems like a nice guy.”
“He is. He’s my best friend. We tell each other everything.”
“So he knows about our little arrangement?”
“Yes. He knows. The night he stopped by the penthouse, he told me that he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Mercedes. They’ve been together a couple of years and they just found out she’s pregnant.”
“So I guess he’s nothing like you, then.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“How do you mean?”
“You’re so anti-relationship and he’s getting married and starting a family.”
“I suppose. He’s always had a string of girlfriends over the years, but Mercedes is the longest he’s been with a woman.”
“And now she’ll be a part of his life forever with a child.”
“I hope it works out for them because those tiny humans have a way of ruining things and people’s lives.”
“No they don’t.” She laughed. “I take it you don’t like tiny humans?”
“Let’s just say I’m not a fan.”
“Why is that?”
“They’re annoying and they cost a lot of money. They’re needy, clingy, and too much of a responsibility.”
“Children are a part of life.”
“Not my life.”
The waiter set our drinks down and then proceeded to take our dinner order.
“What about you? Do you like those tiny humans?” I asked as I brought my glass up to my lips.
“Yes. I love children.”
“Then there’s something we don’t have in common. Enough talk about kids. How did your doctor’s appointment go yesterday?”
“It went fine.”
“Good. So you’re all set with the refills for your pills?”
“Yes, Caden. There’s no need to worry. You aren’t going to get any offspring from me.” She smirked.
“Just making sure.”
When we finished eating, we left the restaurant and climbed into my car.
“I have to leave early in the morning for a meeting, so you can just let yourself out when you get up,” I said as I placed my hand on hers.
“I’ll just leave when you do. It’s fine.”
My cock ached for her all night and I couldn’t wait to get back to the penthouse. The moment we stepped into the elevator, I grabbed her arms, pinned her against the wall, and smashed my mouth against hers. The doors opened and we stepped out, our lips never leaving one another’s. She kicked off her shoes in the foyer while I slid the straps of her dress down, letting it fall to the ground. In one swoop, she was in my arms and I carried her up to the bedroom. I laid her down on the bed, placed my fingers between the sides of her panties and her flesh, and pulled them down. Pulling her to the edge of the bed, I buried my mouth in her, tasting the sweetness that I desperately craved. Sounds of excitement escaped her lips as my tongue circled around her swollen clit.
“Come for me. Show me how much your body loves what I do to it.”
She let out a loud moan as her body tightened and her hands gripped the sheets. The wetness that fell upon my lips was intoxicating. I stood up and stripped out of my clothes. As badly as I wanted my cock in her mouth, I wanted to be buried inside her more. I flipped her over, spread her legs, and thrust inside her slowly, inch by inch until I was in deep. The heat that greeted me was euphoric and made my toes curl. The more I fucked her, the more I needed it. She was like a drug to me and I was the drug addict who couldn’t stop. Her moans intensified as I thrust in and out of her at a rapid pace. I was about to come, and I wasn’t ready for this to end just yet, so I stopped. Turning her on her back, I hovered over her and took her breasts in my mouth, one at a time, while I dipped my finger inside her. Her back arched and she threw her head back while another orgasm tore through her body.
My cock thrust inside her again, for now it was my turn. Moving in and out, I felt the heat rise between our bodies. Sitting back, I pulled her up and her legs wrapped tightly around my waist. My tongue slid across the flesh of her neck as I swiftly moved in and out of her. Her lips stroked mine as the warmth of her breath near my ear and her nails digging into my back made me tremble. I was ready to come, and I wasn’t holding back anymore. Halting, a groan rumbled in my chest as I strained to give her every last drop of me.
I looked into her eyes as our hearts pounded out of our chests and our erratic breaths tried to calm down. I softly stroked her hair with my hand.
“That was the perfect ending to a long, stressful day.”
“I’m happy I could take your stress away.” The corners of her mouth slightly curved upwards.
I pulled out of her and slipped into a pair of sweatpants.
“I’ll go grab us a couple bottles of water,” I spoke.
When I walked back into the bedroom, she wasn’t there.
“Brielle?” I called as I walked back down the stairs.
“I’m in here.”
I walked into my study and found her sitting at my piano.
“I didn’t know you had a piano.”
“That’s because the last time you were here, I didn’t give you a proper tour of the house.”
“Do you play?”
“I do,” I said as I sat down on the bench next to her. “My mother started teaching me when I was four. My brother plays as well. In fact, he has one in his restaurant that he plays for his customers on Friday nights. Besides sex, this is another stress reliever for me. It calms me down and clears my head.”
“Can you play something for me?
” she asked with a smile.
“I’ll play a few notes and then we need to get to bed.”
I placed my fingers on the piano keys and started to play.
“You’re really good. Your mom was a great teacher.”
“She was.” I slightly smiled. “She passed away five years ago. Heart attack.”
“I’m sorry, Caden.” She placed her hand on mine.
“Thanks. My father married her best friend two years later. He would never admit it, but me and Kyle believe they were having an affair.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” she spoke.
“Really?” I furrowed my brows at her for what she said.
“When you’re in my line of work, it’s all you see. Almost all of my clients are married. And the ones that aren’t are usually gay and using me to try to prove they aren’t. Men cheat to gain their power and self-esteem back. They feel neglected at home, their needs aren’t being met, and they like the thrill of getting away with something.”
“And you’re saying that’s why all of your clients cheat on their wives?”
“Basically. Right before I met you, I had a client who couldn’t go through with it. He told me about the problems in his marriage and I gave him a few ideas on how to fix it.”
“So he paid you and he got no sex?”
“Yes. But he appreciated my advice more.”
“Maybe you should have been a therapist.”
“I wanted to be. That’s what I was going to NYU for until my mother got sick.”
“So why haven’t you done it yet? It’s not like you were working 24/7.”
“I don’t know. I guess time just got away from me.”
“It’s never too late, you know,” I said.
A smile crossed her lips as she leaned over and kissed me.
“I think we should go to bed and get some sleep,” she said.
“Good idea.” I let out a yawn.
17
Two Weeks Later
Brielle
Now that Stella was out of school for the summer, the nights I spent at Caden’s penthouse would be easier. She never knew I wasn’t home all night and I’d make sure I was home before she woke up for school. There were a couple of times I almost didn’t make it because Caden wanted a long morning sex session. But now, she’d be sleeping in, so I didn’t have to worry as much.
I arrived home at eight a.m. and found my mother sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and scrolling on her phone.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Good morning.”
“How was Stella last night?” I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“She was missing you, Brielle. Now that she’s out of school and you’re spending more time with her, I think it’s harder on her when you leave.”
“She knows I have to work.”
“She’s a child, honey, and she’s getting older.”
I sighed as I brought the mug up to my lips.
“Are you ever going to tell him about her?”
“No. Why would I?” I asked as I sat down across from her. “He’s just a client and he doesn’t need to know about my personal life. Plus, he doesn’t like kids.”
“Is he really just another client?”
“Of course. Why would you even ask that?”
“Because I’ve noticed a change in you since you’ve started seeing him. You’re happier than you used to be. Sasha’s noticed it too.”
“I’m happy because he’s paying me eighty thousand dollars a month and I’m only having sex with one guy. A hot, young guy. It’s a refreshing change.”
“If you say so. But I still think you’re starting to develop feelings for him.”
“I am not, Mother. End of discussion,” I said as I got up from the table.
“Mommy!” Stella excitedly spoke as she ran up and hugged my legs.
“Good morning, sunshine. Did you have fun with Grandma last night?”
“Yeah, but I missed you.”
“I missed you too, sweetie.” I kissed the top of her head. “We have the whole day to spend together. What do you want to do? We can do anything you want.”
“I’ll think about it and let you know. Can I have cereal for breakfast?”
“As long as you have some fruit with it.” I patted her head.
Two Weeks Later
I opened my eyes when I heard the soft sound of music playing. Looking over at the clock, I saw it was three a.m. I rolled over to find the empty space next to me. Slipping my robe on, I walked downstairs and followed the sound to his study, where I found him sitting and softly playing the piano.
“Can’t sleep?” I spoke as I sat down next to him.
“Not really. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“It’s okay. I enjoy hearing you play.” I smiled. “Is something bothering you?”
“Even if it was, I wouldn’t talk to you about it. That’s not what I pay you for.”
Whoa, I had no idea where that came from.
“There’s no reason why—”
“Drop it, Brielle. I pay you for sex and sex only,” he spoke in an abrupt tone. “Not to be my fucking therapist.”
“Okay. I apologize.”
I got up from the bench, headed upstairs, slipped into my clothes, and grabbed my purse. As I was walking down the stairs, he was heading up them.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home. We had sex and now I’m leaving.”
“It’s the middle of the fucking night. Get back in bed.” He pointed at me.
I stood there and narrowed my eye at him for a moment and then continued walking down the stairs. I pushed past him, and he grabbed my arm. Silence fell upon his lips for a moment until I turned and looked at him.
“Please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone tonight. If it were any other night, I would let you go, just not tonight.”
“Why?”
“I won’t discuss my reasons. Please, Brielle. Just stay.”
I stared into his pleading eyes.
“Okay,” I softly spoke.
He let go of my arm, took my bag from me, and we walked up the stairs and to the bedroom. Slipping back out of my clothes, I climbed into bed and rolled on my side facing away from him. He wrapped his arm around me without speaking a single word. I lay there, eyes wide open, wondering what the hell tonight meant to him.
I awoke the next morning, and when I opened my eyes, Caden was already gone. I sighed as I looked at the clock. It was already nine. After I got dressed, I stopped at the bagel shop and picked up some bagels on my way home, for I knew Stella would already be up.
“Hey, you’re up. Perfect timing.” I smiled as I stepped through the door, walked over to the couch, and kissed her head.
“Where were you?” she asked.
“I decided that this morning was going to be a bagel morning.” I held up the brown bag. “So I had Grandma stop by while I ran out to get them.”
“Bagels!” She grinned as she jumped up from the couch and sat down at the table.
Caden
“I tried calling you last night,” my brother spoke as he pushed a glass of bourbon in front of me.
“I was with Brielle.”
“I figured as much. How are things going with your arrangement?”
“Fine.” I took a sip of my drink.
“Just fine? I can tell by the look on your face something is bothering you.”
“We kind of got into an argument last night.”
“About what?” he asked.
“I couldn’t sleep, and she asked me if something was bothering me. I told her I wouldn’t talk to her about it and that I only pay her for sex. She got offended and was going to leave at three a.m.”
“I don’t blame her. That was pretty much an insult, bro.”
“It’s the truth. Did you want me to lie to her? I pay her to spend a little time with me and to have sex, not to discuss things in my personal life.” I finished off my drink. �
�That’s not what this arrangement is about.”
“I’ll be honest with you, your arrangement sucks. You know what else I think?”
“What else do you think, big brother?”
“I think this is all a sham. The moment you met her, you felt something, and you paying her a hefty check every month is your excuse to be able to be with her without having to show any type of feelings or emotions at all. You treat everything like a business, bro.”
“You’re wrong, Kyle. Dead wrong. I think she’s a beautiful and sexy woman and that’s it.”
“Still not buying it. I’m your brother. I know you better than anyone else in the world. This is something you don’t do, Caden. You don’t fucking pay for sex. You’ve had a string of women over the years and let them go as quickly as they walked into your life. The problem is you don’t want to let Brielle go. You want her on your terms and your terms only. It’s time to let go of the past and live the life you were meant to live.”
“You’re right. I’m paying her, so it’s all on my terms. Thanks for the drink. I have to go. I have a multi-billion-dollar company to run. And as for living the life I was meant to live, I already am. This cold heart is my punishment.”
I grabbed my suitcoat from the stool and headed out of the restaurant. He always thought he knew everything. Hell, maybe he did. But the demons inside me kept me in check, reminded me of what I’d done and made sure that I’d never make the same mistake again.
18
Brielle
It had been three days since I’d heard from Caden. It was unlike him not to call or text me. He usually either called or texted at least once a day, even just to say hi. I was kind of getting a little worried, and even though I shouldn’t have been, I couldn’t help it. The days I didn’t hear from him, even if it was a simple text message, I found myself missing him. I knew this was only a job and he was my only my client, but the feelings I felt for him were becoming stronger every time we were together. The way he spoke to me that night had hurt me. But his words were of hurt and anger about something that had nothing to do with me. Something happened on that night and I needed to know what.