Follow Me Always

by HELEN HARDT

  “Not larping. I’m just curious how that works, but I don’t want to do it myself. I prefer to be with you. As me.”

  “Fine with me. Anything else?”

  The bondage is what truly speaks to me. The trust required, and I do trust Braden with all my heart. Still, I’m willing to learn more. I’m willing to do what he wants me to do. So I know my answer.

  “Whatever you want,” I say. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “We didn’t finish what we began the last time,” Braden says. “That ass is mine.”

  “It’s yours.” I smile.

  “Good. I’m going to take it tomorrow evening. At my place.”

  I’m slightly let down. “Not at the club.”

  “No, Skye. I changed my mind about that. I’m going to take it here in Boston. Because this is my home, and this is your home. And that ass is going to be mine here and wherever else I want it.”

  I swallow. “All right.”

  How will he take me? Will he bind me? Blindfold me? Tell me not to feel anything?

  I want to know.

  Yet I don’t want to know. I want to savor the anticipation. The surprise.

  “I’m exhausted,” he continues while typing something into his phone, “so I’m not going to stay here with you tonight. If I do, neither of us will get any sleep, and I need it after the week I’ve had.”

  I nod. “I’m disappointed, but I understand.”

  “Thank you. Christopher will pick you up here tomorrow evening at five. Be ready.”

  “I will be. What should I wear?”

  “Whatever you like. You’ll be changing at my place.”

  “Into what?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.” His phone dings. “Christopher’s downstairs waiting for me.”

  I nod.

  He stands up and pulls me alongside him. He touches my cheek. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to you.”

  “Really?”

  “Surely you know that.”

  “That night in New York, when you ended things. You seemed so…cold.”

  “I’ve learned to hide my emotions. I’ve had to, for business purposes. But as you know, I don’t lie. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  Pleasure rips through me along with sadness. It’s an odd sensation. I’m pleased it was so difficult for him, but I don’t like to think of him in any kind of pain.

  In a way, before tonight, I almost thought of Braden as impervious to pain.

  He presses his lips to mine without opening them. Just as well. If he opens them, we’ll end up back in bed. Not that I’d complain, but if he needs his sleep, I want him to have it.

  I want what’s best for Braden. Always.

  …

  Tessa’s downward dog is still flawless, and mine still sucks.

  “Ugh,” I say. “Why do I even try?”

  “Because it’s good for you.” Tessa pulls her body upward.

  “I do love yoga, and yeah, it helps with stress and all that, but the fucking downward dog!”

  “It’s tough for some people.”

  “That’s what you always say.”

  “And I’m still right.”

  I laugh. Being with Tessa back at yoga on a Saturday feels good. Damned good. We just completed a hot yoga class, and we’re both panting and sweating. All is good.

  Plus, I’m back on my game with my Instagram posts.

  And Braden and I are back together. We still have a lot to learn about each other, but we’re both willing. We’re in love.

  I emailed Eugenie this morning to let her know that Braden and I had reconciled. Even though she previously said it wasn’t a problem, that she was willing to see how I did anyway, I know she was disappointed before. Yeah, Braden’s the reason I have this contract. But you know what? It’s an opportunity, and I’d be foolish not to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way.

  Braden taught me that.

  I grab a towel and wrap it around my neck to catch the sweat. “I need a shower.”

  “See you in the steam room,” Tessa says.

  I nod, head to the locker room, and grab a quick shower. I wrap my wet hair in a towel and walk into the ladies’ steam room. I inhale the peppermint and eucalyptus. That’s why I really love the steam room. I don’t need the heat. I just did hot yoga. I need the fresh spike of fragrance that opens my sinuses like nothing else.

  “You in here, Tess?”

  “Over here.”

  I follow her voice to the tiled bench and take a seat next to her. Tessa drinks from her bottle of water. “You’re not going to believe this.”

  “What?” I ask.

  “I just ran into Garrett.”

  “In the ladies’ locker room?”

  She chuckles. “No. After you left the yoga studio, he walked in.”

  “Garrett? At yoga?”

  “He was wearing a muscle shirt and jock shorts. Fuck, Skye, he looked amazing.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “Right? Anyway, he said he was waiting for our class to end so he could talk to me.”

  “Ugh. Stalker much?”

  I regret the words. Garrett probably isn’t a stalker. Not like Addie stalked Braden. Like she may still be stalking Braden.

  “No, he just said he’s sorry he’s been bothering me, and if I tell him no this time, he’ll leave me alone.”

  “So what did you tell him?”

  “I told him…I’d have dinner with him tonight.”

  “Tessa…”

  “Well, it’s not like we said we were exclusive, right?”

  “Right. You’re right.”

  “I’ve missed him.”

  “Why don’t we find you another guy?”

  “I’m not getting on a website, Skye.”

  “That’s not what I mean.” A light flashes in my head. “You want to meet Braden’s brother?”

  “Ben Black?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Is he available?”

  “As far as I know.”

  She inhales a breath and lets it out slowly. “No, I don’t think so. I mean, thanks for the offer, but I hate fix-ups.”

  I decide not to push it. “Okay. Let me know if you change your mind.”

  “To be honest, I’m still hung up on Garrett.”

  “I know. Or you would have told him to fuck off.”

  “You got that right. So I need a favor.”

  “Of course. Anything.”

  “I need you to come to dinner with us tonight.”

  Fuck. Anything but that. Braden’s tonight. Five o’clock. Something so special will occur between us.

  I can’t give that up.

  I can’t.

  Not even for Tessa.

  “I’m so sorry, Tess. I made plans with Braden.”

  She sighs.

  “I’m sorry,” I say again.

  “I’m always going to play second fiddle to him, aren’t I?”

  She’s a little out of line with that one, but I want to tread softly. I don’t want to risk losing her again. “No, but I wouldn’t break plans with you if he asked me to, either.”

  She takes gulps from her water bottle. “You’re right. You have better things to do than be my babysitter.”

  “Maybe…”

  “Maybe what?”

  “I could check with Braden. Maybe we could join you guys for dinner and then—”

  She holds up her hand, waving steam in my face. “No. Don’t worry about it. I just…”

  “What?”

  “If I don’t have a chaperone I’ll end up in his bed.”

  “Be your own chaperone.”

  “That’s such a Skye thing
to say.”

  “And needing a chaperone is a Tessa thing. Black and white. If you don’t have someone else there, you’ll sleep with him. There’s no middle ground. You’re so much like Braden sometimes.”

  “I am?”

  “Yeah. He says he doesn’t accept anything as absolute, but in his way, he does.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I haven’t told Tessa about his hard limit, and I won’t. Our intimate life is personal. “He just has his own ideas, and nothing will sway him.”

  “He sounds more like you than like me,” Tessa says.

  “He’s a lot like me in other ways. I’ll grant you that. But that’s not even my point. My point is you don’t need a chaperone. You can control yourself.”

  “Yeah. You’re right. It would just make things easier.”

  “Life isn’t always easy.”

  “Fuck,” she says. “You sure got that right.”

  Tessa, you have no idea.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  I’m tempted to ask Braden about dinner with Tessa and Garrett anyway. I really want to be there for my best friend, and it’s just dinner, right? Whatever Braden has planned will take place after dinner, I assume. I’m ready to text him, but then I stop.

  No.

  I just got Tessa back, but I just got Braden back, too. I don’t want to put either of those relationships in jeopardy. Tessa’s okay, so why rock the boat?

  Besides, I want this evening to be just about Braden and me and the intimate act we’re going to share. That’s not selfish. It’s just sticking to plans I already made.

  In the back of my mind there’s an image of Ben Black. I really think he and Tessa would hit it off. Of course, I’ve met him for all of a couple hours, so what do I know?

  Maybe I’ll ask Braden tonight. He was the one who brought up the idea of Ben and Tessa in the first place, after all.

  I’m ready early, in an army-green mini-dress that lingers between casual and dressy. I style my brown hair and wear it down, its waves flouncing over my shoulders. A little Susie Girl tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip tint, and I’m ready for whatever awaits me.

  Topping it off! Susie Girl mascara gives me just the touch I need. #sponsored #susieglow #susiegirl #sexyeyes #simplyskye

  I’m tempted to name drop, to tell my readers that I’m getting ready for my date with @BradenBlackInc, but I don’t.

  Tonight is special.

  I don’t want anyone there except the two of us. No followers wanting to know all about our evening.

  Like I’d tell them anyway.

  My phone buzzes.

  Eugenie Blake.

  Why is Eugenie calling me on a Saturday afternoon?

  I pick up the call. “This is Skye.”

  “Skye, it’s Eugenie. I’m sorry to bother you on the weekend, but I just read your email and I’m thrilled that you and Braden worked things out!”

  “Oh.” Of course she is. “Thank you. I’m happy about it, too.”

  “I’m sure you’re both ecstatic. And since you’re back together, we’d like to talk to you again about some additions to the campaign. Your hashtags #susieglow and #simplyskye are proving to be very popular with our customers, so we’re going to create another campaign around them.”

  “That’s…really generous of you, but we just did the pink campaign.”

  “That’s not a campaign so much as a brand-new product. We’d like to cash in on the fact that you’re the girl next door. Simplyskye is perfect for that. I’ve got Brian looking into the paperwork to file for a trademark. Same for susieglow.”

  “You mean you’d hold the trademark for susieglow and simplyskye, even though I made them up?”

  “Well…yes. We’re willing to put up some serious money, so of course we want to hold the trademarks.”

  I’m not sure what to say. I wish Braden were here. “I’ll need to think about all of this.”

  “Of course! I just wanted to let you know how excited we are about this new step. And also how happy we are that you and Braden are back together.”

  Right. That’s why the Saturday call. This is something they were thinking about, but they didn’t want to push it while I wasn’t with Braden. Just in case that hindered my influencing career.

  Again, Braden is the reason I’m getting anywhere.

  Oddly, it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to. As I told Tessa, opportunity is opportunity. But Susanne holding trademarks for hashtags I came up with disturbs me a little.

  Okay…a lot. It disturbs me a lot.

  I’m no creative genius. These are two-word hashtags, after all. But still, they’re my two-word hashtags. Shouldn’t I get some kind of credit for that?

  Braden will know what to do. I’ll ask him first.

  “Thank you for calling, Eugenie,” I finally say. “As always, I appreciate your confidence in me, and I’ll give all of this some serious thought.”

  “Wonderful! When will you and Braden be in New York again?”

  “I’m…not sure.” But soon, I hope.

  “We’ll have to do dinner again. We’re getting the sample nail colors in late next week, and we’d love for you to be here for the unveiling.”

  “I’d like that, too. I’ll talk to Braden about making the trip.”

  “We’ll be happy to send you both tickets.”

  “I’m sure that’s not necessary.” She also knows this.

  “Well, you let me know. Have a wonderful evening, Skye. And we’re so happy about the good news!”

  A knock sounds on the door as I end the call. Christopher is prompt, as usual. I shove my phone in my purse. “Coming, Christopher.”

  “How are you this evening, Ms. Manning?” he asks.

  I swat him on the arm. “It’s Skye. How many times will we have this discussion?”

  He smiles.

  I never realized how handsome Christopher actually is. He’s tall, nearly as tall as Braden, with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes. Nice full lips, and a muscular build.

  Another perfect candidate for Tessa.

  Although, I’m sure she’d go for the billionaire over the chauffeur.

  But maybe not. Tessa surprises me more often than not.

  I follow Christopher down to the street, where he helps me into the Mercedes.

  And that’s my last thought of Tessa.

  Only Braden is on my mind now.

  Braden…and what awaits.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “You look beautiful,” Braden says, once Christopher and the rest of his staff have made themselves scarce.

  “Thank you. So do you.”

  God, he does. He’s wearing faded jeans—I didn’t even know Braden owned a pair of faded jeans—and a light blue button-down. No shoes, his feet are bare. Easier to get his pants off. I smile to myself.

  His hair is still slightly damp, as if he just got out of the shower. I smile again.

  “As beautiful as you are, though”—his eyes smolder—“you’re going to have to take your clothes off.”

  I look around. We’re standing in the middle of the foyer, and with Braden’s open floorplan, pretty much anyone in the living room, kitchen, or dining room can see us.

  “No one will see you but me,” he says. “Now, do as I tell you.”

  I nod, trembling, and slip out of my sandals. I slide the straps of the green dress over my shoulders and shimmy out of the sundress. I stand now only in a strapless bra and thong.

  Braden’s jaw tightens, and a low growl emerges from his throat. “All of it.”

  I inhale. Tomatoes. Basil. Garlic. Italian. We’re having Italian. “Do you want me to eat naked?”

  “Absolutely,” he says.

  I part my lips.

  He sucks in a breath. “That mouth.”
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  I tingle all over, my nipples pushing against the satin of my bra. I reach around, unhook it, and let it drop to the floor.

  He sucks in another breath. “Fuck. Those tits, Skye.”

  I slide my finger under the tiny waistband of my thong and push it over my hips and ass, letting it fall next to my bra.

  No one’s here. No one except Braden and me.

  But anyone could walk in.

  The thought excites me. Frightens me. Bedazzles me.

  “I suppose you’ll remain dressed?” I say.

  His lips quiver, as if he wants to smile, but he’s holding back. “We’ll see. Follow me.”

  I hastily grab my clothes, assuming we’re going to the bedroom, but instead he leads me to the kitchen.

  I inhale again. Definitely Italian.

  “Lean on the island,” he says. “Put your hands flat on the counter.”

  I obey, sucking in a breath at the cold marble on my belly. I lay my hands flat as he instructed.

  Braden trails his warm fingers over the cheeks of my ass. “I’ve waited a long time for this, Skye.”

  Oh. My. God. Is it going to happen now? In the kitchen? Against this cold marble countertop?

  My legs quiver, nearly giving out, but I hold still, keeping my hands flat.

  He moves his hands between the crease of my ass, their warmth welcome as I’m suddenly freezing.

  “Are you as hungry as I am?” His breath is hot against my neck.

  “Yes,” I say softly.

  “For food? Or for something else?”

  “Both?” Damn that inflection. “Both,” I say again, firmly this time.

  “Then I’ll feed you,” he says, his voice low and hypnotic.

  I nod, my body finally acclimating to the cold countertop.

  “But first…”

  “Oh!” I jerk as he slides his tongue between my ass cheeks.

  “Easy.” He grips my hips. “I need to prepare you for what’s coming.”

  He continues to lick me, his tongue warm and soft against my most intimate flesh. The feeling is sublime, and I close my eyes, leaning forward. I gasp as my breasts hit the chill of the marble.

  “Easy,” he says again against my ass. “Such a gorgeous ass, Skye. I can’t wait to fuck you here.”