“I suppose you can.” Brayden walked me out of her office.
“Do you need me today?”
“Nah. It’s a light day. Elena will be in soon and I’ll show her the ropes and take her on some dog walking calls. It’ll be good.”
“If you get in a jam…”
“Then I’ll call someone else who isn’t making fancy clothes for her new fancy soon-to-be hotshot clothing line.”
I rolled my eyes. “I hope so, because the last thing I want is Sofia Davenport taking a chance on me and then failing.”
“You’ve never failed a thing in your life,” Brayden said.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
* * *
The older married couple who ran the Bumblebee Café were equally happy for me. They said they had someone apply for a job a couple of weeks ago. And if that didn’t work out, they would make it work.
I felt like I was shirking responsibility somehow and not putting out good karma. I didn’t want choosing my new hopeful career over my commitments to somehow bite me in the ass.
I barely made it home before Sofia was supposed to show up. Not nearly enough time to make it look like I didn’t live in a mess surrounded by more mess, but at least I had a few minutes to throw dirty laundry into the closet.
When Sofia knocked on my door, my heartrate picked up and I ran my fingers through my unruly curls before I let her in.
“This is your workspace?” She looked around the studio apartment, and my stomach dropped to my toes. “No. This won’t do at all.”
I bit my lip afraid she was about to call the whole thing off. If she did that, and I’d just quit my two stable jobs, I really would be up shit creek without a paddle.
“You’re coming to the estate. Grandma Sofia, the wonderful woman I was named after, had a huge sewing room. I’m sure the fabric in there is decades out of style, but at least you’d have a table you can work at. Are you really sewing everything on the floor?”
I nodded nervously. “I haven’t been able to afford anything bigger yet.” I’d wanted to expand my living space for a while now, but between the cost of moving, and the increase in rent, I would’ve just had to give up my clothing line sooner.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re gonna go to the estate so you can pick out a guest bedroom and get the lay of the land. Then I’m going to pop open a bottle of champagne so we can celebrate, and we’re going to sign that contract. I’ll call some guys tomorrow, get whatever you need moved into the sewing room, so we can really get to work.” She grinned and grabbed my hand. “Take a good look at this place, Cassia, because soon, you’re going to be moving on up in the world, and this is all going to be a thing of the past.”
* * *
After everything was said and done, I went home in a daze and started to pack up everything I thought I’d need to be ready for a New York fashion show.
Halfway through boxing up fabric, scissors, my favorite pin cushion, and the seam ripper that had torn through more than threads, I stumbled across my shelf of sketchbooks. Years of drawings, all the heart and soul I’d poured into my designs. There were so many over the years. I’d forgotten about so many of them.
I designed an outfit for every mood I’d ever had. The book from when I was at summer camp with Christopher was sparkly and red, and full of sexy outfits. It was certainly what he’d inspired.
Could I really trust Chris? Was he serious about what had happened? I was completely horrified that Nick had filmed us. How the hell did that happen? I shook my head, unwilling to dwell on the past.
The fashion show was my future. The contract with Sofia.
Not Christopher Davenport. No matter how many pumpkin spice lattes he plied me with.
8
Chris
Cassia was moving in.
When Sofia made the announcement last night, I nearly choked on my whisky.
It made sense—Cassia needed space to work, and we had more than enough room. Hell, there was an entire sewing room full of machines and all kinds of torture devices hidden in baskets and drawers.
The whole room made me uncomfortable.
Sofia came into the kitchen with bags of groceries, dumping them on the counter.
“What the hell is that thing?”
She pointed at the espresso machine I’d brought home early this morning. If I was going to stick around here a while, if Cassia was going to be living at the estate, I wanted to make her comfortable. And one thing I knew made her comfortable was coffee.
“It’s to make espresso. Can you read?”
Sofia wrinkled her nose. She lifted up a bottle. “And pumpkin spiced syrup?”
“Yeah.”
Sofia grinned. “Oh my god. You drink pumpkin spiced lattes?”
“They happen to be delicious,” I said in faux defensiveness. While I did like them, that wasn’t why I bought the syrup. But I needed Sofia to leave the fucking kitchen so I could figure out how to make it all work.
Sofia’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on with you? Dad forces you to go on vacation and instead of trying to prove him wrong or whatever, you’re here with an espresso machine and milk steamer and pumpkin spiced syrup. Did you just go coo-coo?”
“For fuck’s sake, Sof, it’s fucking caffeine. What is your problem?”
She stepped away from it and put her hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry I asked.”
I let out a sigh. “I just need to refocus for a little bit. And I am focusing on something that isn’t work.” I gestured at the machine again. “Maybe I’ll just give up everything and become a barista. The Daily Grind might need help.”
“All right. All right. I’m sorry I pushed. I just worry about you sometimes.”
“I appreciate it, Sof. But I’m okay. If you want to worry about a brother, you should worry over lovesick James or pining Theo.”
Sofia chuckled. “Yeah, if I want to get my head bit off.”
“Good point.”
“Sofia?” Cassia’s voice came from down the hall.
“In here!” Sofia called.
Cassia appeared in the doorway a moment later. “This place is ridiculous,” she said.
“It is, but it is really nice when the whole family is here.”
“Why are you guys all here? I mean, it’s Nebraska. Surely you have family estates in more glamorous places.”
“No one comes looking for us here. Everyone in Jubilee is super respectful. We can keep a low profile. We’ve never had any issues here.” Sofia smiled. “We can get away from everything here. Just be a family again.”
“That’s cool.” Cassia’s gaze flickered to me. “I brought a bunch of stuff. Any chance we could get one of your brothers to help carry stuff?”
I wanted to jump at the opportunity, but I held my cool. I liked the way Cassia’s eyes kept looking over at me, tracing up and down my chest. No matter what her words said, she couldn’t hide her excitement, her lust in her eyes.
Sofia clapped her hands excitedly. “Right. Let’s go grab some stuff and I’ll show you where we’re working.” She glanced over at me. “I think Theo’s upstairs. Maybe he can help. Since obviously Chris here isn’t going to volunteer.”
Cassia looked over at me again but didn’t directly ask for my help. “He looks pretty busy. I wouldn’t want to put him out.”
They scurried off, talking about silhouettes and cuts and all sorts of things I didn’t understand, finally leaving me alone with my project.
As much as I wanted to run after her, carry anything remotely heavy, just to prove Cassia wrong, I held my ground. I had bigger fish to fry.
I broke out the espresso machine and started reading over the directions.
* * *
“Fuck.” I cursed at the scorched milk in the steamer pot, scowling at it like the milk was to blame.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I glanced up to find James standing in the doorway. “I’m making lattes.”
/>
“You’re making a fucking mess.”
“Why do you give a shit? You’re not going to clean it up.”
“Damn right, I’m not.” He strolled past the counter and disappeared behind the refrigerator door. From the caverns of the fridge, I heard, “Why do I recognize the hot little number with Sofia?”
I growled. “Don’t fucking worry about her.”
James cocked an eyebrow at me as he unscrewed the top off his water bottle. “Whoa. Is she your girl or something?”
“If I have anything to say about it, she will be again.”
“Again?”
“She’s the girl from summer camp.”
James’s brows rose high. “That’s her?”
I nodded and went back to trying to perfect the stupid latte.
“Dude, I can’t believe you still carry a torch for her.”
I sighed and set the metal pitcher down on the counter. I raked my fingers through my hair. What the hell was I doing? Making fucking lattes to make her happy? I needed to do something more than that.
“Are you having a meltdown?”
“It just occurred to me that I have no idea what I’m doing.”
James smiled. “You’re doing better than you think you are.”
I glanced over at him, my brow furrowing. But he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking past me. I turned my gaze to find Cassia standing in the doorway.
“Hey, I’m Sofia’s older brother James. The most attractive brother.” He winked at her playfully.
I knew it was more for me than it was for her, but damn it, it worked. I wanted to slug my brother for even considering flirting.
“Hi, James. I’m Cassia.” She walked over and shook his hand.
She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a white tank top that did nothing to contain her breasts. Her dark curls were pulled up into a messy bun, almost as if she’d just haphazardly thrown it up to get the curls out of her face.
“Have fun.” James headed out, leaving us alone.
“Do you need something?”
“Sofia had to take a phone call from her manager. I came in search of sustenance and water. Possibly caffeine.” She glanced over at the espresso machine. “Do you need help with that thing?”
“You know how to make a latte?”
“I worked at The Daily Grind for two summers,” she replied.
“Is there a job in Jubilee Falls you haven’t done?”
She shrugged. “Not really. Mayor and teacher.” Cassia picked up the milk pitcher and looked inside. Then, she glanced over at all the bad lattes I’d attempted. “Keeping the failures to taunt yourself?” She shook her head. “Here, let me show you.” She gestured for me to go to her.
I did as instructed. She put her hands on my hips and moved us into position in front of the machine.
Then started giving me instructions. Her hands guided mine as her body pressed against mine.
It was hard to focus on the steps, as Cassia’s full, heavy breasts brushed against me, her hips right behind mine, as if making lattes involved this little personal space.
Like so many times before, I mentally lamented the fact that I’d only gotten one night with her. If I’d taken her to a hotel in town or even back to the estate, things may have ended up so differently.
Or maybe they wouldn’t have ended at all. Maybe if I hadn’t been so reckless, so stupidly eighteen, Cassia would be here because of me.
Not because of my sister.
“There you go.”
She started to move away from me, but I snatched her wrist and pull her around, so that she was between me and the counter. With her bare feet, she had to look up to meet my eyes. And I had a perfect view down the front of her tank top.
“Christopher, it’s not a good idea. I’m working with your sister.” She pressed her palm to my chest but didn’t push me away.
My eyes bore down into hers as I pinned her against the counter, holding her in place with my hips. Her curves pressed against my body, all soft and supple.
I wanted nothing more than to strip her out of her clothes and feel her naked body pressed against mine. “I thought you said we were going to be friends.”
She put both hands on my chest now. “This is not friendly. This is sexy.”
I smirked. “You still have the hots for me?”
“You are still hot. That doesn’t mean I’m hot for you.”
The flush in her cheeks and her dilated eyes said something different. Her body radiated heat against mine. Suddenly I hated that we weren’t alone in the house. I wanted her all to myself. How was I going to convince her to really forgive me? And maybe give me a second chance?
The timing of all this sucked. I didn’t understand why she came back into my life right at this moment, when I was still trying to figure out everything. There was every possibility I was going to be spending large amounts of time in Japan as we finished off the game and launched it. We had a whole tour we planned. There was so much work to do, but all I wanted to do was make lattes and seduce her. One taste seven years ago hadn’t been enough. I wanted another taste.
But would just another taste be enough? Or would it just make me hungrier for more?
“You going to let me go?” Cassia asked.
I gave the smallest of nods, but I still didn’t move. I didn’t want to. “Cin, this isn’t fair.”
Her brow furrowed. “What isn’t fair?”
I didn’t even know what I was trying to convey to her. Standing there with her close enough to be in my arms, I wanted more, but I didn’t know if I truly had anything to offer her. Cassia deserved the world and after our first tryst together she deserved to feel cherished and loved. And I wasn’t sure I was capable of that anymore.
Too much had happened in my world since we departed ways. It started with Nick and it never seemed to get better. Trust was hard to come by, and it seemed like I only really trusted my business partner.
With seven more games in the works, we had to trust each other.
“The timing of everything. You know how many nights I’ve laid awake thinking about you? How much I wanted you to understand what happened between us? I hate that you hated me. I hate that I made you feel bad about yourself. I could see it in your eyes, it changed you forever as much as it changed me.”
“Chris…” She slid her hand from my chest to my bicep in an almost loving motion. “It was a long time ago.”
“You didn’t even think that I knew who you were when I ran into you. You didn’t think I would know you.”
“It had been a long time.”
“You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever fucking seen,” I growled.
Her lips parted. “Christopher, you can’t say stuff like that to me. Not anymore. I can’t be with you. I just quit my only sources of income. If this fashion show thing doesn’t work out, I’m going to end up on the street.”
“Over my dead body.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not your job to take care of me.”
But I wanted to.
It was one of the things that made Cin so perfect. Women so often wanted to be protected and I loved feeling needed, but I never wanted to be needed by any of them. But Cassia never needed anyone, and I so badly wanted to be needed by her.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I looked down at her. Our eyes met, and our connection hummed between us. Just like it had since we both truly saw each other in that arts and crafts cabin.
I leaned down and I kissed her. It wasn’t the demanding, hungry kiss I wanted it to be. It was a light brush of my mouth against hers, like a promise of more. She didn’t push me away; instead, she kissed me back, fleeting as it was.
And then she grabbed my shirt and hauled me back to her.
She kissed me hard.
My hands planted on her hips and pulled her harder against me. It wasn’t enough. I grabbed her ass and lifted her onto the counter. I needed to be between her thighs even if we we
re completely clothed.
She groaned into my mouth when I pulled our pelvises together. She rocked her hips, rubbing her jean clad pussy against my steel hard cock. I reached up and cupped her over her bra while my other hand pulled the tie from her hair and buried my hand into her wild curls.
Fuck I wanted all of her and I wanted her right now. I didn’t want to be patient. I didn’t even care that at any moment, one of my siblings could walk in.
Cassia fisted my shirt again and then gave me a push. Our lips broke contact and I wasn’t pressed against her as much as I wanted to be.
“We have to stop,” she growled.
I smirked. “You don’t want to.”
She shot me a glare. “Stop thinking that you know what I’m thinking or feeling.” She pushed off the counter.
“Wait, you’re pissed at me? You’re the one who…”
“I’m not pissed at you. I’m pissed at me.” Cassia opened the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of bottles of water. “You and I cannot do this. It doesn’t matter what I think I want. We are not going to be a couple. Our lives our too different. And your sister—what we’re doing—it’s an incredible opportunity. I really like Sofia. I can’t get unnecessarily distracted. I can’t not finish this project. Three weeks is not a lot of time. I am trying to convince myself that I can do this. And I can’t do that with you standing there being…you!”
I knew she was right. She needed to set boundaries.
It didn’t mean I had to like it.
“If I promise to stay out of your hair while you’re working, will you go out with me?”
Cassia sighed. “No. You’re distracting me already and we’ve just been in the same room for minutes at a time. I don’t even understand what’s going on. It’s just better if I don’t see you.”
She quickly exited the kitchen leaving me standing there with a hard-on and no idea how the fuck I was going to convince her of anything different.
* * *
I spent the rest of the morning conquering the fucking latte machine and then I headed out for a run to clear my head. I needed to figure out what I was doing. The last thing I wanted to do was mess with Cassia’s head.
Billionaire Barista: Love Demands a Holiday Page 6