by West, Jade
Oh wow, how things climbed so high as they headed towards the inevitable ending. University was calling, the weeks rolling on. Always there, the departure brewing at the back of my mind, looming so heavy as I soared the sky.
I had the confirmations coming through, about my dorm room and my lecture timetable and the opening sessions where I could get to know my fellow students. I wanted to be excited about the next stage of my education and really pushing myself to be a sensible little accountant in the making. But I wasn’t.
I wasn’t excited for any of that at all.
I was excited only for him.
For Miles. The man I loved. The man who was becoming more and more to me every single day, if that was even possible.
I was just so lucky that Mum and Dad had come up with a plan so perfect to make our lives so much easier.
The cat auction had really become so much more than an alibi. It was amazing. Exciting, and fun and meaning so much to both Miles and me as the day came close. We’d given it so much of us. So much of our time. So much of our effort to really make this work for those poor pussy cats. We’d even used a picture of Miss Tiddles as the event mascot on the posters, and it was so cute. So cute and so awesome.
My parents weren’t suspicious in the slightest, and it was so easy to find the normal daily routine in our lives as the weeks went by.
We worked together at the office, and then I’d get changed at home and head over to his for event organisation and an evening meal, and sometimes I’d be the one to end up cooking.
We even began to drive my car back and forth between my place and his, him taking the passenger seat every time and helping with my learning.
And we fucked. We fucked hard, and dirty, and slowly but surely he had me taking so much more.
My ass was always hungry to take him. My pussy was so used to being sore, yet feeling so good. I took the butt plug right the way in now, and he opened me with a whole host of new dildos, always presenting me with so many more. I was even still hopeful that maybe I’d be able to take his whole hand the way he wanted me to before I had to say goodbye and head to Warwick.
But there was more than any of that. More than the dirtiness. There was more than the filthy talk and the absolute fire in his eyes. There was more than him making me mirror his filth and beg him for more, and me loving it.
There was the closeness. The times when we were exhausted and full of dinner and cat arrangements. The times when he’d hold me tight and kiss me so gently and push his cock into me so slow.
The times when we’d make love.
Because that’s what it was – making love. And it would make me shiver. And tingle. And make my heart soar to a whole other level.
Yet still I couldn’t say it. I still couldn’t bring myself to crash his world by asking for so much more.
I was so crazy nervous by the time the days sped through to the end and we made our final preparations for the event. It was the night before and our final stint at his dining table, and I was twitchy. So excited but so scared about what was coming. The crescendo of something so big that had taken so much from both of us.
“It’s going to be just fine,” he said, reading my anxiety. “More than that, it’s going to be amazing.”
“I hope so,” I said, and he grinned.
“No hope about it,” he said. “It’s a certainty.”
I let out a long breath, really letting the scale of this thing sink in.
We’d done so much. Brought so many people and businesses onboard with their donations for the auction. Everything from hotel evenings, to laptops, to signed posters of celebrities.
We had so many people coming along, and so many online registrations for bidding, and the newspapers and online pages all over the county had been so good at helping us promote the charity and scream about the auction from the rooftops. .
I scanned the list of attendees on the evening event guest list one final time, and there were a few new ones. Ones neither of us had seen register.
It was the one at the bottom that jammed my heart in my chest, my mouth dropping open as I registered it.
“It’s Erica,” I told him, and pushed the list across the table. “Erica has booked a place tomorrow night.”
“Are you serious?” he asked, and grabbed the list for himself.
It was hard to really comprehend it, that she’d really want to be there. For weeks she’d been a seething nightmare, scowling to the whole office and barely saying a word outside business to anyone.
He’d tolerated her really well, and she’d kept it civil enough to let him, and I knew she was hurting and trying to keep it under wraps and I’d tried my best to be kind to her, even though she still hated my guts for doing anything more than the filing.
“Wow,” he said.
“Maybe she’s feeling a bit better about things?” I asked, but his smirk spoke volumes.
“Hell would freeze over before she’d ever want to head to a charity event and be a nice human being about the work I’d been putting in. Especially with you up at the podium, an extra little fly in her venomous ointment.”
What the?
No.
No way.
It couldn’t be. He couldn’t possibly…
I couldn’t help but shake my head, still trying to compute his words.
“Sorry?” I burst out. “What do you mean with me up at the podium?”
His smile was incredible. So bright as he reached for my hand across the table and squeezed it tight.
“I’ve been keeping this until the last minute on purpose, just to stop you becoming a bag of nerves ahead of schedule. But it’s going to be you up there. You’re going to be the auctioneer tomorrow.”
I was still shaking my head. “But I can’t,” I said. “You’re the auctioneer. You’re the one who will do so well.”
He was shaking his head right back at me. “No, princess. You’re the auctioneer this time. You’re the one who will do so incredibly well.”
It was everything for me not to blub right out with the tears, and they were happy tears. Happy but so crazy nervous.
His smile took another turn, such a warm one as I fought the outburst, his hand still squeezing mine. “What is it?” he said. “Talk to me.”
“I just don’t know what to feel…” I said, and my voice sounded so childish. “I’m so excited, and so scared, and it means so much.” I squeezed his hand right back. “It means so much that you think I can do this.”
“I know you can do this,” he said. “Believe me, Faith, I know you can do this. I can’t fucking wait to see you up there, princess. I really fucking can’t.”
“Thank you.” My words were weak with the blub of my tears, and he was right on over to me, wrapping me so tight in such strong arms. I grinned against his shirt, my cheek pressed to his chest, and he smelled so much of him that my tummy did a flutter.
“Your mum and dad are going to be so fucking proud to see you up there too,” he said, and I let out a serious blub at that. “I promise you, Faith, you’re going to do us all so proud.” He pulled me away by the shoulders so he could meet my eyes, and I knew they were puffy and pink and a mess of tears, but I was laughing at how emotional I felt, trying to make light of it.
“Ignore this,” I told him. “I’ve got my period. Hormone city.”
He laughed right back at that. “I hope you don’t think that bails you out of the evening climax. I’ve got a whole world of pussy plans for you after we’re done with pussy cats for the night.”
I nodded. So happy. So insanely happy.
“We’ll need a new alibi,” I said. “I mean, cats will be over for good.”
His smirk was so him. “I’m sure we’ll find one. I’ll be sure to conjure up something convincing for the after party.”
“I am excited,” I told him. “I know it may not seem like it right now, but I really am.”
He kissed my forehead and I closed my eyes, savouring it so much.
> It would have been the perfect time to say it. For me to come out with the three magic words, even if it was just once before university next week and my big goodbye.
“We need to get you home,” he said. “It’s a big night before the big day.”
I nodded, taking a breath. “A big night needing big sleep.”
He pulled me to my feet and held me close, and I wished this could last forever. Truly forever.
“Let’s get over and tell your mum and dad who the grand auctioneer is tomorrow,” he said. “They’re going to be just as fucking excited as I am to see their precious little girl up there.”
I wiped my tears away and let out another giggle, trying to imagine their faces.
“Let’s do it,” I said.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Miles
I was so ready for this. So ready to see my princess shining so brightly up there at that podium where she belonged.
The place was bustling as the stream of guests took their seats, and they were all dressed so finely, so ready to enjoy the charity ball at the hall across the street once we were done with the auction.
I checked my watch from the sidelines, smiling at Edwina Lancett – one of our biggest clients – as she gave me a wave and walked on by with her husband. There were so many people here jostling and chatting amongst themselves with the listings sheets on their laps. So many people with the potential to donate so much.
We really had made a great job of it, Faith and I, even if I did think so myself. We’d really glorified both the auction room and the hall across street, putting up so many great cat pictures and charity banners, and having the hall dressed up as such a high class venue, with champagne flutes, and tables with fine tablecloths and a great live band performing for free.
I smoothed down my jacket lapels, feeling my best in my finest tux, and aching for her. Aching for my sweet princess at the peak of so many weeks of solid effort.
And finally there she was. Arriving at the back of the room, smiling along with her parents as they walked her on in.
Fuck me, I was bowled over with the marvel of that incredible creature. She was always so beautiful. Always so stunning. Always enough to get my heart racing and my dick straining in my pants for that pretty little sweetheart. But this was a whole other ballgame. A whole fresh bout of taking my breath.
Right there and then, stepping on into the sale room, she was absolutely. Fucking. Sensational.
She was in a ballgown, fitted so tightly before it flared. It was a dark teal satin, with a peppering of diamanté around the bust, and she looked like something out of some Hollywood gala, not a charity cat auction. Her hair was swept up beautifully, and she had a whole load more sparkles glittering in the twists.
I watched her head over my way, adoring the way her eyes were flitting about the place, her expression so nervous but trying so hard to hide it. Once again the realisation of what was looming slammed me in the fucking gut. The terror at how I would ever manage to wave this woman away to her brand new life without me.
Colin saw me first and pointed me out, and that gorgeous smile of hers was my world as the three of them headed on over.
It took everything I had not to sweep her into my arms, making sure to shake Colin’s hand and lean in to kiss Diane’s cheek before guiding Faith on over towards the podium.
People were already quietening down ready to begin, and my princess breathed out so long and deep at my side as we reached the stage.
“I’m so nervous,” she whispered. “Absolutely crapping myself.”
She showed me her trembling fingers, and I took her hand, making sure it was out of view of the people in the crowd when I ran my thumb so gently across her knuckles.
“You’re going to be amazing, Faith. This is your moment. This is your time.”
She nodded, and squeezed my fingers right back. And then she was on her way, up and at it, a big grin on her face as she stepped up to that podium and addressed the crowd.
“Good evening, everyone,” she began, and I headed right back to the rear of the room where Colin and Diane were standing. We were right in the middle, directly facing her and in prime position to watch the show, and my heart was soaring along with theirs, all three of us blooming with so much love and pride for that girl up there.
“Wow,” Faith carried on. “It’s so amazing to see so many of you here tonight. I really am so grateful you could make it.” She sought me out in the room. “We both are.”
So many people looked at me, and Colin nudged my arm in some kind of silent thanks for my effort at helping his little girl with her big event, and I felt so happy.
So happy and so right to be us, even though so many people would call us so fucking wrong.
That girl up there was so special. That woman was my world.
And so she started.
She addressed the crowd in a lively voice and pushed herself forward in her own unique flow all over again. She encouraged them on, giggling and grinning and pushing them to bid higher and higher, and it was such a show to watch. Such a show to enjoy.
“She’s so good,” Colin whispered to me, as we approached halfway through the listings. “I’m so proud of her.”
“She is good,” I agreed. “Truly, she’s so talented. This really is a true vocation for her.”
He nodded, but didn’t say much more, and I hoped he’d realise. I hoped he’d realise just how strong her calling was for so much more than number crunching over at Warwick.
I’d have happily watched her for weeks on end, she was so beautifully captivating on that stage. I’d never have tired of listening to that lively voice of hers, enjoying herself so much.
It was a shame how the time ran away with us so quickly. The listings zoomed by and it felt like a blink until we were finished, Faith thanking everyone once again for being there.
The crowd gave a huge round of applause out of nowhere, congratulating her so much for her effort as she took a deep breath with another thank you. They got to their feet, so many of them, and my heart swelled and thumped, as I applauded like crazy along with her parents as my perfect girl stepped away from the stage.
I mentally clocked up a rough idea of the bid values, and it was impressive. Really damn impressive. She’d made a fucking fortune for those cats and that sanctuary. I told Colin and Diane as much and they nodded, already fully realising it themselves.
Diane was welling up as my glorious girl made it over to us at the back of the room. She grabbed her so tight and squeezed her so hard, and Colin grabbed hold of her straight after.
“We’re so proud of you, sweetie,” he said, and her eyes met mine over his shoulder.
I only wished I could reach out and grab her myself. I only wished I could hold her tight and let the whole room know she was the woman who’d stolen my heart.
“Let’s get on over to that champagne,” I said, and led the way from the sale room.
I guided Colin and Diane across the road with a smile, well aware of how Faith and I were buzzing so tight with the tension. Champagne on entry was welcome, and the room was alive enough to feel the thrill, and it really was a glorious venue promising so many donations on top of such excellent item bids.
Faith took up position on the far side of the dance floor with her parents, and I headed right on over to join her. I was standing right next to her, as close as I dared, and I was desperate for her. So fucking desperate for her.
“Shit. Oh wow, there she is,” she whispered, and tipped her head in the direction of a suddenly arriving Erica by the main entrance.
She was dressed in a little black dress, her glare piercing hard as she found me in the crowd, and I cursed under my breath, wishing for the life of me that she’d fuck the hell off and not even begin to attempt to wreck the evening. I let out a sigh of relief as Glyn Morris joined her, dressed up so smart in a tuxedo.
“That’s her new boyfriend?” Faith asked, and I shrugged.
“I hope so.”
“That’s good, right? If she’s met someone she likes?”
But I knew she didn’t like him. Not even close. Her stare was all for me, want and hate combined. Just as well my enjoyment was far too alive to take a punch in the gut from her bitterness.
The evening crept by deliciously, the room laughing and joking and dancing as we sipped at our champagne and joined right in with the talking and joking ourselves. It was only when the evening truly started drawing in that the band changed their songs to slightly slower numbers.
It was an especially slow number that had Faith gasping and jumping on the spot. One I didn’t even know. Seemingly her parents did though. They nudged her arm and pointed her up to the dance floor but she was shaking her head, saying she couldn’t possibly head up there all on her own.
So they stared at me – both Colin and Diane – and my heart lurched. Actually lurched at the respect and warmth in their eyes.
“How about it, Miles?” Colin asked. “How about you take our little sweetheart up on that dance floor so she can enjoy her favourite song?”
Diane put her hand to her chest. “Oh, yes! That will be so lovely! So lovely to see you both celebrating!”
Faith’s eyes were bright with the forbidden, her breaths quick as I handed my champagne glass to Colin and took her hand.
“My absolute pleasure,” I told them, and Diane took Faith’s glass from her before she had the chance to protest.
“Are we really doing this?” she asked quietly as we took up position on the dance floor. “I mean, I want it, I want it so bad, but I don’t know, I’m just so nervous…”
I held her as tight as I dared, pulling her body close to mine. “We’re really doing this,” I whispered. “And it really is my absolute pleasure.”
Her expression was a delight.
“Mine too,” she said.
I couldn’t hold back, not for a second. Not the way my body pressed tight, and my smile was so hungry for her. I couldn’t stop the way my eyes burned hard against hers, filled with so much want, and need, and love.
So much love.
“They have no idea,” Faith whispered, and tipped her gaze to her parents grinning away at the side of the dance floor. “They really have no idea about us at all.”