The Exception (15 page)

Cane walked backwards and sat into a chair in the corner of my room, taking me with him by the hand, kissing me ferociously. He pulled back long enough to grab a condom out of his pocket before getting rid of his pants.

He sat down in the chair against the wall, and quickly unrolled the protection over his length. He grabbed my hand, his eyes brimming with desire. A small smirk was on his face as he guided me over him, my feet touching the floor on both sides.

My body was aching, humming with need as I stood over him and grabbed his cock beneath me. As I slowly sat down on it, the length stretching me one delicious inch at a time, my eyes rolled back in my head.

“Fuck, Cane!”

“Does that feel good, baby?” He asked, his eyes glowing, his hands gripping my hips.

“Yes,” I breathed out, giving my body a second to get accustomed to his size.

“You are so tight. It’s a good thing you are so wet for me.” He licked his lips, his fingers cinching tighter into my skin.

I began rocking back and forth, feeling exquisitely full. He took one breast into his mouth, teasing my nipple with his tongue and biting it lightly.

I placed my hands on the top of the chair and continued to swirl my hips up and down, the friction driving me insane. He grabbed my hips and lifted me up. I put my weight on my feet and raised myself up and down, swirling my hips. His head fell back as his hands groped my breasts and a low growl escaped his throat.

“I’m going to come, Cane,” I said, unable to stop the impending explosion. I ground my pussy harder into him as he forced me down, effectively halting me. My eyes flew open. “What are you doing?” I asked incredulously.

“Not yet. You’ve made me wait for this for so fucking long. It’s your turn to wait now.”

“But …” I began, trying to move, desperately needing a release.

“Nope.” He scooped his hands beneath my ass and stood up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck and he carried us both over to the bed.

He laid me on my back on the edge of the comforter and I felt him slowly exit my body. He looked down at me, his eyes a deep blue.

Grabbing my legs, he placed one on each of his shoulders, causing my pelvis to tip up.

“I want you to keep your eyes open, got me?”

I nodded slowly, my eyes wide.

He touched the head of his cock to my opening as he grabbed my waist, holding me in place.

“Eyes open,” he whispered before thrusting into me with will full force. The movement was explosive and my body tried to scoot backwards across the bed, but his hands held me down. He thrust into me time after time and I grabbed his hard forearms to keep from moving, feeling my body build and build with every delicious movement.

My eyes rolled back into my head and the blood rushed to the top, my body on fire.

“Open!” Cane growled and I immediately looked up, his gaze piercing me.

“I can’t …” I began as I tipped over the threshold of my climax, everything inside of me exploding, turning into molten lava. “Cane!”

He pulled almost completely out, the tip of his cock barely parting my opening before he thrust into me one final time, holding me still. I felt him swell inside of me as he came hard, his eyes now closing as he groaned in pleasure.

He pulled out and I closed my eyes, completely sated.

I heard his footsteps as he walked across the carpeted floor and the rustle of the liner as he deposited the condom in the trashcan.

Soon, his hands were on me again, picking me up and laying me down against my pillows. I wondered briefly if he was going to lay with me.

“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?”

I shook my head, feeling more relaxed than I had felt in forever. Cane pulled the covers over my body and stood silently, watching me, his face pressed in thought.

“What’s the matter, Cane?”

A small grin slid over his face, his features easing. “A little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing.”

Confused, all I could do was grin back. He winked before putting on his pants and turning and heading downstairs.

I rolled to my side and snuggled down into the blankets. I inhaled the scent of Cane that was everywhere, letting it take over my senses. But the longer he was gone, the more I started to worry, started to second guess my decisions.

Don’t overthink this. Just enjoy it for whatever it turns out to be.

I had just begun to doze off when the door cracked open again and shut softly. The bed dipped with his weight. He sat for a few moments, not moving, and I didn’t say anything. My heart was racing, knowing this was the moment of truth.

The bed shifted again as Cane lay beside me, not touching me, except to brush a lock of hair off my face.

“Sleep, beautiful girl.”

JADA

“Damn it!” I shoved the top of the printer back, spotting the offending piece of paper jammed inside.

With the last few days I’ve had, how am I even surprised?

I scowled as I squeezed my hand into the tiny space before yanking the paper out. Slamming the top back down, I sat in my chair with a huff.

The week was dragging.

Everything seemed to have gone wrong since I woke up the Friday before to a text.

Cane: You’re beautiful even when you are asleep.

“Sleep, beautiful girl.”
His words echoed through my brain.

Sleep? Why? So he could make his getaway? So he could flee without having to speak or see me again?

According to Max, Cane had taken an impromptu trip to Payson very early on Friday morning. So a part of me wanted to believe that is why Cane hadn’t stayed with me or contacted me since then, besides the text. Those thoughts encouraged a seed of hope to grow.

The other side of me laughed and stomped harshly on the prospect.

This is exactly what I knew he would do. I will probably never see him or hear from him again. Don’t be jaded about this.

I hit PRINT on the screen, wishing life could be controlled with simple commands like that.

If that was possible, would I DELETE the night with Cane?

I smiled to myself.

Of course I wouldn’t.

I had made the decision to be with Cane with a clear mind. I couldn’t regret that—and I didn’t. I also couldn’t be shocked that when I had woken up, he was gone. All I could do was control how I went forward.

I had sent him a return text, thanking him for the compliment and he failed to reply. I wasn’t going to call him or text him again. I couldn’t lose my dignity; I had to be strong. Cane knew how to get ahold of me if that is what he wanted, but I wouldn’t reach out to him.

The ping of my email caught my attention and I clicked on the little envelope.

This day might turn around, after all!

I went into the fax room, found Simon’s paperwork lying on the tray, and took it back to my desk. I pulled the Solomon Place file and began compiling all of the documents for the offer. Lo and behold, one piece of paper was missing Cane’s signature.

Confident that the world hated me, I searched our system for Alexander Industries’ fax number. It was nowhere.

My spirits sank as I tried to find a way around talking to Cane.

Lucy!

I searched for the main office number and dialed, perking up in my seat when she answered right away.

“Hi, Lucy. It’s Jada from Stanley Real Estate. I have an offer for the Solomon Place, but I need your fax, please.”

“Hello, Jada! Just a minute and I will transfer you over to Mr. Alexander.”

“Oh, no,” I said hurriedly. “That isn’t necessary. I just need your fax.”

“If you call, Ms. Stanley, I’m supposed to send you back. I’m sorry,” she apologized. “Now, if you’ll hold, I will get you back there.”

“Lucy, please, can’t you just give me the number?”

“I can’t. I have to follow orders. Just a moment.”

I bowed my head, trying to brace myself for the uncertainty that was barreling towards me.

“I wondered how long it would take you to call me,” Cane answered, his voice calm and controlled.

I sat upright, my jawing hanging in disbelief. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Cane just laughed. “How has your week been?”

“Fantastic. I just need your fax,” I said, cutting to the chase. If he wanted to talk about anything more than Solomon Place, he would need to be the one to bring it up.

“That’s all you called to discuss?” I could hear the laugh in his voice and it incensed me.

“Of course, Cane. I can’t think of anything else I need to discuss with you. Words are so overrated, you know. It’s actions that really speak.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, I take that back. My recent conversation with Simon was interesting.” I smiled into the phone as I heard him tense through the line. “He made an offer on Solomon Place. I need one document signed by you before we can do that.”

I was met with silence.

“Cane?” I asked again, my voice shaking a little.

“Solomon Place is no longer for sale,” he snarled.

“Excuse me? It’s not for sale? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

Silence reigned again. I could feel him boiling through the phone and I wasn’t sure why. I knew he didn’t like Simon for some reason, but to pull the property off the market so he wouldn’t buy it? That was extreme, even for Cane.

“I have no idea what is going on right now. You want us to remove the property from the market?”

“Let me ask you a question. Is my property the only connection you have with Powers?”

“What?”

I heard his chair squeak through the phone. “Is my property the only one you have associated with Powers?”

“Yes. He was interested in another one in Gila Bend, but my dad had someone else show him that.” I squeezed my temples. “You’re losing me here, Cane.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” His voice was quiet, just above a whisper.

“Excuse me?”

“That property, all of my properties actually, are unavailable for purchase by Simon Powers. I don’t care what offer you submit on his behalf, Jada, I will reject it. I will make it impossible. So please, save yourself the trouble.”

“That’s insanity, Cane.”

“Probably.”

I stared into space, trying to find something I understood in the mayhem.

“I don’t care if it ever sells. What I do care about is that you don’t see Powers again.”

Confusion riddled me.

“Do you hear what I’m saying, Jada? Stay away from Simon Powers.” His voice was cool, lethal, and it caught me off guard.

“You’re joking, right?” I realized I was holding my breath, but I couldn’t help it. The entire situation was getting out of control.

“Does it sound like I’m fucking kidding?”

“Why, Cane?”

“Can’t you just trust me?”

“I trust me,” I replied softly. “And the more I go through life, the more I see the value in that motto.”

“Jada.” Cane’s voice wavered slightly as he said my name. “If this is about me going to Payson—”

“It isn’t. Not really. This is going just how I expected it would and it’s fine.”

He let out a strained breath. “Look. Simon Powers is very bad news, Jada. I need you to do what I say.”

This is stupid! Don’t let him feel sorry for me! He is just another fish in the sea and if this is how he rolls—and I know it is!—then I don’t want anything else from him. Especially his pity!

“If I have someone else take over the sale from our side, will you still sell the property?” I asked him, turning the conversation back to business.

“And you will have no contact with Powers?”

“I’m not promising you anything, Cane. But I haven’t had any conversations with him that weren’t centered around real estate, so the odds are in your favor.”

He sighed, his aggression beginning to wane. “Yes. I would go along with that.”

“I’ll let my father know. Nice talking to you, Mr. Alexander.”