The Bound Bride (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

Jeff made small talk as Cassandra fidgeted in the back seat. She didn’t really care about a midnight showing of
Dementia 13
that saw a member of the audience flail and foam about the mouth until paramedics had to be called in. Jeff’s colorful story contained no details as to whether the girl lived or died.

At this moment, Cassandra was only concerned about her own fate.

She leaned against the back of Jeff’s seat.

“How is he?” she asked.

Jeff smiled.

“Mr. Chambers? Just great. I think he’s looking forward to seeing you again.”

Jeff thought. He wasn’t deep enough into the inner circle to know for sure. But Cassandra would take his guess for gospel and hope that the good word was true.

They pulled up to a high rise. Even from the outside, it suggested amenities that she could barely dream of. She suddenly regretted her too casual attire and wanted to order Jeff back so that she could change into something more appropriate. The words remained trapped in her throat as Jeff put the car into park and carefully ushered her from the back seat. They rolled though the revolving doors, and Jeff slapped hands with the concierge. He moved her towards another elevator bank.

“Top floor. It’s all his. He’s waiting.”

He patted her cheek and turned to go. Cassandra reached for Jeff’s arm as he stated to leave.

“What’s he waiting for?” she asked.

Jeff looked her up and down and cocked his head with a smile.

“You. Now get on up there.”

Cassandra touched the necessary button with a trembling finger as the doors opened. She stepped into the car and watched Jeff disappear into the street.

The elevator opened again upon a candlelit space that took her breath away. In many ways, it was deeper, more massive than the lobby of the Met. There were more sofas than she could count and a table threatening to collapse with buckets upon buckets of wine and champagne. She took one step forward when Oliver appeared from another room. He was wearing a brown suit, crisp and glowing under the flames. Cassandra hugged her poor choice in wardrobe closer. She wanted to hold him, but she was beyond embarrassed at her bad call.

Oliver neared her. She could smell his aftershave and what she thought was his desire. He lifted her face to the light of his eyes.

“So. You waited.”

Her answer was devoid of words. She just nodded.

“That’s good,” he said.

She found his eyes. Now there was no questioning his intentions. He had been as anguished as she in their absence from one another. She took it as a cue and reached for her face. Cassandra found his lips and clasped him close. Oliver was stiff under her arms, but Cassandra continued to kiss all of his mouth, all of his face that she could find. When she finally had to come up for air, she saw him looking down at her with a gaze that betrayed no emotion. Maybe that was his game.

But this was hers.

Cassandra pressed him past the table of drinks, and they fell to the nearest sofa. She started to strip her tee shirt from her quaking form. Her hands were at her bra clasps and then he reached around her neck. Recent evidence steeled her for a bruise. She flinched and closed her eyes. She felt Oliver’s hand fall from her throat. But she wasn’t without his touch for long. Oliver wrapped one gentle arm around her waist and ran his free hand through the stray strands of her bound hair.

“What? Did I hurt you?”

She met his eyes and found them full of worry. If he had been longing for this moment as much as she had, he deserved better than her fears.

“Cassie? Are you okay?”

He deserved her desire
,
and that’s what he would get.

She answered his question with another taste of her mouth on his. Oliver finally relaxed and undid his tie. His tongue mingled with hers, and she moved to hold him closer. Oliver in her arms felt right. It felt even better as he pressed her into the cushions. Her eyes were on the bit of his chest that was exposed. She lifted her face to kiss him there. Oliver moaned at the feel of her lips on his flesh. Cassandra nipped at his skin and sucked in all of his sweat.

“Cassie.”

“Yes?”

“I just like saying it.
Cassie
.”

He pulled off her bra. He was gentle about it. Cassandra expected his
lips there, but he arched up and kneaded her flesh with careful fingers. He curved them about her nipples and glided his hand up to her cheek. His eyes returned to her throat with an anxious stare.

“I never want to hurt you.”

Cassandra caught his hand and leaned up to his mouth. She reached to his waist and undid his belt. His trousers fell and she caught the best part of him her hand.

This
would never hurt her.

Oliver didn’t require another word as he eased her jeans down her thighs and tossed them to the floor. Cassandra led him inside. He filled her quickly and skillfully. Cassandra was ready for a thrust that would fulfill his promise. But Oliver lingered within and caressed her face.

“I mean it,” he said. “I want you unharmed. Always.”

How could she be harmed when she surrounded him?

“I believe you.”

She really did. Oliver didn’t need another vote of confidence to wind himself deeper into her waiting body. He touched the point that sent her moaning, and she grabbed
his
neck when she felt what remained of his worry wash over her.

“It doesn’t hurt,” she assured him. “It… it feels…
perfect
.”

He writhed above her, slowly. She moved to kiss him again. Oliver accepted her mouth and fell closer to her. She tore his shirt away to reveal his toned arms and the expertly trimmed hair all about his chest. He was still inside as his fingers danced about her face.

“Perfect?” he asked.

Cassandra nodded.

“Good. We’re gonna stay that way.”

She had her own questions to ask as he pulled all of her closer to him. Cassandra briefly looked away as he remained within.

“No. It’s okay. Just look at me.”

And she did.

Oliver’s eyes were warmer than she had even remembered. He looked tender and sweet. And she wanted him all the more.

“I missed you, too,” he said.

His eyes were hers, and his grinding was soft but sure as she started to fall away from him. Oliver drew her back to his body. Cassandra reached for his bare torso and screamed without words as he moved her to a place where she could do nothing but seek more of him. Yet again, Oliver seemed a step ahead. He grabbed her wrists at his back. His hold was firm but loving. Cassandra relaxed as he filled all of her. Her hands fell from his, and she was back against the sofa with a grateful sigh. Oliver folded his arms around her naked form, and Cassandra managed to kiss his hair as his hold strengthened.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

Oliver was smiling with every part of his face, his eyes, his mouth, his brow. For the first time in her life, Cassandra felt that she had done something right. When their lips met again, it only put the point on it. He tasted as happy as she felt. Cassandra held him closer and caressed the perfection that was his bare back.

He stayed inside of her in the quiet moments after. Cassandra could feel the promise of more and more. She wanted it to sweep over her in hot, slow waves.

Oliver ran his hands over her face, through her hair. He was smiling down at her and keeping a part of him in the one place that she couldn’t see. Cassandra pressed what she could see closer and tried to feel all of him. Oliver left the place that tingled most and shifted to his side. She could feel that he was still hard as his part played against her thigh. Cassandra curled towards him.

“Again. I’m right here. I’m ready.”

She was. She wanted to feel him even deeper, now and always. But Oliver pulled up his pants and buttoned his fly. Cassandra was left missing him. But just for a second. He folded her close in a confident embrace. She moaned and slid down his chest as he steadied them against one arm of the sofa.

Cassandra sighed. He liked her. He wanted her. He had missed
her. She hoped that he’d
never
let her go again. She didn’t want to leave. And why would she? All of her regrets and every mistake faded away in her arms. Only now mattered. And now
was here. Everything was finally as it should be in his embrace. She was growing drowsy at the promise of happy dreams.

He let her sleep.

When her eyes reopened, he was fully dressed, still staring at her. Cassandra stretched and reached for the throw blanket. The chill of the air and nothing else forced her to hide her body from his eyes.

“Okay?” she asked as the blanket unfurled against her thighs

“Of course. I want you to be comfortable. Are you?”

With him? Yes.

Cassandra tucked the blanket around her body and waited for whatever he would
ask
next. She had visions of him inviting her on jets to parts unknown. Life would be unexpected but somehow easier at his side.

She smiled at his question.

“I’m comfortable. I like being with you.

Oliver returned to her side and grazed his finger against her ear.

“Really?”

Cassandra looked up at him and nodded.

“Good. That’s what I wanted.”

Her head fell to his shoulder. She wondered where they would head next. It was obvious that he already had things planned out. Cassandra no longer felt the need to guess his next move. She just wanted to hold him and wait for his voice.

“Cassie?’

She lifted her eyes to his. They were full of endless possibilities.

“Cassie, I have an offer for you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Oliver traced the line that was her mouth. Cassandra longed for his kiss, but she was even more eager to hear his offer. Would he ask for her company at every social event on his fall calendar? Had he some idea of bringing her into the world of his business in an effort to mold her into someone who didn’t have to rely on LeaseALady to pay the bills? Or did he just want more of this, their bodies winding around each other and discovering new points of pleasure?

Cassandra secretly hoped for the latter.

Oliver stood and started to pace the room. She watched his perfect stride and felt herself growing warmer and wetter under the blanket. As he walked, she could do nothing but wait.

It was agony. She had to do something.

She rose to meet him and clutched the blanket closer to her trembling body.

“I’m all ears,” she said.

“Oh I think you’re more than that,” he said with a grin. She blushed as he caught a lock of her hair between his fingers.

“Much more. Come.”

He took her by the hand and led her to a small red oak table. He pulled out her chair and gestured for her to sit. He assumed the seat cross from hers. She’d have preferred him much closer.

Oliver folded his hands under his chin.

“Answer this, Cassie. How did you come into my life?”

Because he had clicked on her profile and selected her in a sea of thousands. Maybe millions. He could have had any one of them. He probably had. But here she was. Cassandra knew enough to choose her next words carefully. Did he want honesty or a sexy reply along the lines of
how did you make me come like I never have before
?

Tell the truth, Cassandra.

“I… I needed a job. Times are tough. For some of us,” she teased.

She waited for any expression to creep across his face. Would he be insulted or charmed by her bluntness?

“Touché,” he said with a smile.

Cassandra was batting a thousand.

“But I can’t imagine you haven’t been looking. And look at you. You’re bright, educated. You’d be a worthy asset to any employer.”

So it seemed he was about to make that type of offer. She wondered if she should have ditched her simple suites and sensible shoes for a blanket.
That would have made an impression on the men, and maybe even some of the women, who had interviewed and turned her down. It might have even stopped the bleeding before she had to turn to the LeaseALady.

But then she wouldn’t have met
him
.

“Timess are tough,” Oliver echoed. “I understand. And you have bills to pay, right?”

He had
no
idea.

“Yes. I… yes.”

“And what if I told you that I could wipe them and all the worry away? For good and all. Total clean slate.”

Cassandra nearly swooned at the idea. In her lowest moments, which were too many to count, she often prayed for a guardian angel to swoop to her rescue and offer her a fresh start. It seemed a pipe dream, but she vowed that
if
it came to pass, she would get her head on straight and play things smart the second time around.

“Are… is that your offer?”

He nodded. His eyes skipped about as he waited for her answer.

It was too tempting to pass up. She’d be even more of a fool than she usually was to even
think
of turning him down. And she’d also be a fool to accept without knowing the style and length of the strings attached to his generosity.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“I’m thinking… I think I need to know the catch first.”

Oliver reached across the table and took her hand. She tried to conceal her shiver at his touch, but it was no use. A light moan left her lips and her eyes rolled shut. She opened them again to see him studying the flesh of her wrist with his eyes and his fingers.

Then he made eye contact.

“Like I said. Bright girl. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

He released his hold on her and rose from his chair. He moved like a panther and knelt before her. Oliver’s eyes were full or reverence as took her hand again and reached for her face.

“Cassie, there are two things you should know about me.”

Just two? She doubted it. There were likely countless mysteries hidden behind those brilliant blue eyes.

“Okay?” she said, her voice suddenly a hoarse whisper.

“I’m a busy man. It takes
a
lot of time to run a company. That’s why I have to find creative ways to secure company.”

So he wanted her as his permanent escort? That
had to be it.

“But… but I’m also a lonely man. And I want… I want someone to come home to.”

Her blinking intensified, and her heart thundered in her chest. Was he asking… was he asking…?

“So… so you… you what? You want me to… live with you?”

He leaned up and gently kissed her cheek. Cassandra went so weak that she lost hold of the blanket. She was too slow to catch it as it fell at her feet. She started to wrap her arms around her naked body.

“No,” he whispered. “Let me look at you.”

Cassandra pressed her hands to her thighs. Oliver’s touch left her face, and his hand drifted towards her breast. He cupped it lightly in his palm.

“I like looking at you. I like this, too.”

So did she. He stroked her skin. If he was trying to find a way to convince her to accept, this was a good start.

But…

“Oliver, you barely know me. I’m not… I mean…”

His lips met her nipple, and he began to suck her hard. His tongue teased her flesh, and her breath hit the air in a tremulous wave. He gently kissed the length of her throat, and his mouth was just before hers. She waited for his
lips on hers, but he only lingered before her eyes.

“I know enough. I know that I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up.”

He tenderly kissed her ear.

“I want you there after the long days.”

Then her brow.

“And I want you without a worry in the world when your head hits the pillow each night.”

Finally their lips met. Cassandra felt drunk in the face of all he was suggesting. It sounded like something out of a fairy tale, and she was the princess being whisked away to his royal palace.

Or in this case, the royal penthouse.

“What do you think?” he asked.

Cassandra looked around the penthouse. There seemed space enough to house
twenty
versions of her studio.

“I… I mean… I mean this place is great.”

He slowly shook his head.

“Not here. Not in the city.”

Now what was he suggesting?

“Then… where?”

He massaged the back of her neck.

“I have a house. It’s secluded. Quiet. I can drive you out for a look if it’ll help you decide.”

She could imagine the type of house at his disposal. It had to be a multi-storied affair of marble and Persian rugs. She pictured fireplaces and spiral staircases. If the penthouse was any indication, his taste was not the question. Any space he procured would be magnificent.

The house wasn’t the deal breaker.

“I’m… I’m sure it’s wonderful,” she said. “But, Oliver…”

His hand found its way to the small of her back.

“Yes?”

Be blunt, Cassandra. He liked that.

“What’s my end of the deal?”

He smiled and kissed her thighs. Cassandra tensed then relaxed as his hand slipped in between. He stroked her mound and gently played with her body. His fingers entered slowly, and he twisted his touch within. She gasped at the feel of his touch and felt faint. There was nowhere for her to reach but his shoulders, and she braced herself where she sat.

“You’re so inquisitive, Cassie.”

He pushed deeper, and her essence bathed his fingers in a moist climax that sent them both into a new series of sighs. Oliver left her as slowly as he had entered and massaged all that he had shattered with only care.

“Cassie. All I ask in return is that you stay safe.”

She remembered the video Mary Lynn Masters had shot. There was something in her desire for security that was touching his heart as he touched her in other places. Could it really be that simple? Had she said the right words at the right time, and was that why he was offering her the moon and the stars?

Cassandra caught her breath and wrapped her arms around her body. This time he allowed her the attempt at modesty. It seemed that he wanted her as comfortable as she could be for the moment of truth.

“Safe?” she repeated.

He rained more kisses down her legs and stopped at her feet. His mouth curled around each toe.

“Oliver. Oliver, don’t.”

He looked up at her with a hint of worry in his eyes.

“Why? You don’t like it?”

She swiftly shook her head.

“No. Of course I do. But… my feet.”

He slipped lower to the floor and held her leg in midair, his hands brushing her calves, her ankles. He returned to her feet and examined them closely.

“What about them?” he asked.

Cassandra blushed. She always thought she was moderately attractive. But her feet, too wide for most shoes, were the
one
part that she was grateful to conceal from the world at every chance.

“I… they’re not…”

He gently kissed her suspended foot.

“They’re like the rest of you. Supremely lovely.”

He was either the world’s best liar or head over heels after one night at the opera.

Maybe Jeff was right. He was a little strange.

And she liked it.

He showered her heel with a final kiss and helped her up. Oliver retrieved the blanket and folded her into it and his embrace.

“So that’s the long and short of it. That’s my offer. I have the contract drawn up. It’s a monthly thing that either one of us is free to renew or close when the time is up. At least give me a month, Cassie. Can a month really hurt?”

Could it? She could be the lady of the house and, probably, the escort on his arm for thirty days. Likely longer if she continued to feel this good. And if it didn’t work, at least she’d walk away with every bad choice washed away. She doubted he’s stiff her when it came to the final fill.

It was a win-win.

“Cassie?”

He seemed so sure of her response. Cassandra decided to string him along. She left his arms and began to pace the room. She stopped at the floor to ceiling window and gazed down at the bustling streets of the city. Her soul went wistful as she thought of saying goodbye to what was hard but at least familiar. But a new start held even more appeal.