The Rules (26 page)

“Yep.” I stood and reached for my purse.

“Where are you going?”

“Lunch.”

“Okay. Can I make a few calls first?”

“You can make all the calls you want. You aren’t invited.”

He paused.

I rounded my desk and faced him head on. “I need to meet with Brad. To do otherwise would be rude. I’m not walking into his office this afternoon without talking to him. You’re
not
invited. And you’ll trust me to make good choices. Are we clear?”

He nodded. A smirk formed on his lips, but he humored me. “’K, baby. I’ll pick you up here at five. Do you mind if I use your office for a while? I need to work through about a hundred messages and e-mails.”

“Knock yourself out.” I left the room, not glancing back.

Ten minutes later, I stood from my table as Brad spotted me from across the room and joined me. His face was blank, shocking me with his ability to keep so composed.

We both opened our mouths to speak at the same time, breaking the tension.

“You go first,” he said.

“I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. What I did last night was inexcusable and rude. You have every right to be angry with me.”

Brad let me finish and then licked his lips. “Are you with him?”

“Yes.” There was no way to sugar coat it.

He flinched, as though hoping for another response and unable to control his reaction to what he had to have expected. “How long?”

“Oh. Not like you’re thinking. We were together six months ago before I moved here. We had a gigantic misunderstanding, and I left town. When he stepped into the meeting yesterday, it was the first I’d seen of him since then. I was as stunned as the rest of you.”

“But he wants you back.”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“And you agreed.”

“Yes.”

The pain in his eyes was evident. He exhaled slowly as the waiter brought us some water. We ignored him and he went away silently. “Are you sure about this, Lillie?”

“Very.”

His shoulders slumped. “I’m not going to lie. I’m disappointed. I like you. A lot. Have for a long time. You know that. But what I’m more concerned about is
you
. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I smiled in appreciation. “I know, Brad. Please don’t worry about me. I’m fine. And, again, I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”

He shrugged. “I’ll live. It would have been much worse if he’d waited to show up after you and I had really gotten together. No real harm done. It was our first date.”

I knew it was more than that for him, and I hated myself for this, but blunt was the best option. Anything else would be cruel. I didn’t want to lead him on.

“Shall we order?” Brad asked, picking up the menu. “I’m starving.”

I let go of a long shallow breath. “Of course.” I wasn’t sure what I could swallow with the day I was having, but somehow I needed to manage.

The rest of the lunch hour was awkward, but Brad did his best to make it as seamless as possible. I appreciated his professionalism.

We walked to his office together just before one and joined the others for our previously thwarted meeting. Surprisingly, that too went well. The team from Stephen’s Engineering, consisting of several more people than had been in attendance the day before, seemed impressed with our plans. Mr. Cross had completely gotten over his frustrations with me and beamed at my presentation as though I were the best in his office and he was proud of me.

By the time I reached my office once again that afternoon, it was nearly five. I was exhausted. My feet hurt.

Lisa looked up. “You’re back. Someone left this on my desk for you while I was at lunch.” She held out an envelope.

I took it as she went back to her computer.

I didn’t think much of it, stuffing it in my purse as I headed back to my office to plop onto my chair and sigh in relief. The day had gone much better than I’d anticipated. Far better. It seemed I could keep this job. Especially if I could convince Cade to stay out of my hair and let me do it. It would be difficult with him working in the building soon, but I needed to put my foot down. Hard. And soon. Like tonight.

New rules.

Mine.

My cell phone beeped. I bent down to grab it and the envelope from my purse.

Cade: I got tied up, baby. Arthur will meet you downstairs at five
.

Me: Aye, aye, Sir.

Cade: Are you sassing me?

Me: Maybe?

I tossed the phone back in my purse before I was tempted to do more damage.

I glanced at my watch. It was almost five. Shit. I had accomplished very little in the office. I would need to come in early tomorrow to get caught up.

Cade would have to get over himself. He wasn’t going to dictate what hours I worked. I worked hard for this position. That meant long hours. I earned it. Without his help or knowledge. Just because he’d suddenly resurfaced did not mean I was going to give in to his every whim. At least that’s what I told myself.

I sensed someone in the doorway and lifted my gaze to find Riley lounging in the frame. I jumped to stand.

He strolled into my office. “Hey. Sit. I don’t bite.” He smiled, gesturing to my seat.

I had only spoken to Riley briefly at his farce of an engagement party. Until yesterday, I hadn’t known he was CEO of The Rockwood Group.

Now that I stared at him, I could tell he was very similar to Cade in many ways. Including his bossiness. “Amelia. Sit.” His voice was gentle. His tone was firm.

I settled into my chair as he sat across from me. “Figured I owed you a bit of an explanation.”

I didn’t say anything. I was tongue-tied.

“When I saw you in that conference room yesterday, my eyes bugged out. There you were right under my nose, and I hadn’t known it.”

“Well, I did use a fake name.”

He grinned. “A good one too. I’ll give you that.”

“I didn’t want to be found.”

“I can understand that too. Cade explained everything to me.”

“Sorry about your fiancée.” I winced a bit. “I didn’t mean to turn your life upside down. I begged Cade to leave it alone.”

He shrugged. “You did me a favor. I knew deep down Christine was a bitch. I just didn’t realize she would stoop that low. I should thank you.”

I waited.

“Anyway, I wanted to make sure you weren’t pissed with me for calling Cade yesterday. Maybe that makes us even? He’s my best friend. There was no way in hell I could lie about you being in my building while he was living in such pain.”

“I understand. You did me a favor too.” I smiled.

“Are we even then?”

“Yep. Are you really going to switch cities with Cade?”

He nodded.

“And you aren’t doing so under duress?”

“Nope. I’m excited. You did me another favor. Now I owe you one.”

I laughed. “I’ll let you know when I need to collect.”

“I doubt you’ll have to. These things seem to fall on my plate.” His eyes lit up when he chuckled, the deep blue softening. It occurred to me that Cheyenne would fall hard for such a guy if she ever met him. She had a weak spot for blue eyes and messy blond hair. It matched her own. I needed to make a mental note to ensure they never met. Cheyenne didn’t do submissive. The idea made me laugh inside.

And Riley Moreno was undoubtedly a Dom.

“We good?”

“Absolutely,” I said, glancing at my watch. “Shit.” It was after five. “Arthur’s meeting me downstairs.” I stood.

Riley stood also. “I’ll let you go. Cade hates tardiness.” He grinned again. He really was hot when he smiled. I was glad he wasn’t with Christine anymore. He deserved better.

“Thanks.” I grabbed my purse, my phone, and the still-untouched mystery envelope and hurried from the room. “See you soon.”

Riley followed me out, shutting my door. “You can count on it. Maybe next time we can meet under calmer circumstances.”

I smiled as I left him.

As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted Arthur by the curb. “Ms. Kensington.”

“Amy. Arthur, call me Amy. Or Lillie if you want.”

“Lillie, ma’am?”

“My Nashville name,” I informed him as he helped me into the back seat. “I have split personalities apparently.”

“Well, Amy slash Lillie, let’s get going.” He shut the door and left me to stare out the window during the drive. I didn’t know where we were going, but it didn’t shock me when we pulled up to the same hotel where Cade and I had stayed six months ago. Hell, he probably owned the top floor.

Arthur handed me a key card as I stepped out. “Cade said to give this to you. It allows the elevator to go to your floor.”

“Right.” I took it in my hand. “Thanks, Arthur.” I left him by the curb and entered the hotel.

Two minutes later I stepped into Cade’s suite. He was on the phone, as usual, next to the wall of windows. When I entered, he turned toward me and smiled, motioning for me to come to him. His smile was for me, but it was forced and quick. He wasn’t enjoying his conversation.

I went to him, dropping my purse and briefcase on the couch. When I reached him, he pulled my front into his side and held me close. His arm was stiff. I set my cheek on his chest and inhaled his scent. His T-shirt was soft against my face. I wrapped my arms around his middle and held him just as close.

“Are you serious...? How long ago...? Damn it… No, keep looking… Yes… Call me if you find out anything new…” He hung up, stuffed the phone in his pocket, and then spun me to his front and kissed me senseless. “Missed you,” he mumbled against my lips when he finally pulled back.

My legs wobbled. I worried about the call he’d just had, but I didn’t want to upset him by asking. So I left it alone.

“The rest of your day go okay? How did Brad take the news?”

“With grace. And yes, the meeting went fine. Thank you.”

“Good. See? What’d I tell you?”

I rolled my eyes. “How much did you pay Mr. Cross to handle me with care?”

He took a step back, feigning hurt, his hand to his chest. “Are you insinuating I would bribe people to respect you?”

“No, I’m flat out saying you would.” I swatted at his chest.

“Well, for your information, Ms. Kensington, I did no such thing. Mr. Cross is a reasonable man. He understood where I was coming from.”

“Do I even want to know what you told him about us?”

“Probably not. You hungry?” he asked to change the subject.

“Not really. But I’d like to change out of these clothes. My feet hurt from standing so much.”

Cade swung me into his arms and carried me from the room, aiming straight for his bedroom. “I would love to get you out of those clothes, baby. No problem.”

“Cade,” I squirmed in his arms, “put me down. I was going for yoga pants and a T-shirt. Not naked.”

Cade shrugged as he tossed me onto his bed. “I like naked better. Besides, I don’t have yoga pants and T-shirts for you here.”

“I thought you sent someone to get me some clothes?” I leaned up on my elbows while he pulled off my heels.

“I did.” That was vague.

I looked around. “I don’t see any bags.”

“Put everything in the closets, baby.” He climbed onto the bed and reached for my waist as he spoke. “Not everyone keeps their clothes on the floor.” He smirked at me as he spun me around and unzipped my skirt. Two seconds later it was pulled from my frame.

“Cade…” Already I was wet for him. In a moment he would know.

Cade went to work on my blouse next, unbuttoning it slowly and then pulling it to the sides. “Lift up, baby.”

I hoisted myself to sitting, and he removed both my blouse and my bra. When he eased me back onto the bed, he stared at me. “Missed you.”

“You said that.”

He ran his fingers across my chest and then met my gaze again. “No, I mean, I really missed you. For months.”

I swallowed. I understood.

“I need you.”

I nodded. The faster the better as far as I was concerned.

Cade pulled his T-shirt over his head and dropped it on the bed. He unbuttoned his jeans. I wondered how long he’d been in the hotel suite, considering he was no longer dressed to kill in the boardroom. He’d switched to dressed to kill in the bedroom. His jeans were hot. Both on him and next to him. He shrugged out of them, taking his underwear with them.

I let my gaze roam to his impressive length. It bobbed in front of him, eager.

“Are you on the pill, baby?”

I shook my head. That wasn’t something I’d ever considered.

“Make an appointment. I hate these things.” He grabbed a condom from his jeans pocket and rolled it on.

I nodded.

The next thing I knew I was on my belly, Cade having flipped me over so fast I didn’t see it coming. He pulled me up to my knees and pushed them wide. His hands landed on my butt to mold it with his fingers.

I moaned into the mattress, my cheek pressed firmly against the bed. My hands came up to fist at the sides of my head.

“You have the sexiest ass, baby. Even better when it’s pink.”

Was he going to spank me? “Sir?”

He chuckled. “Not going to spank you right now, baby. I don’t want you to come yet.”

I exhaled and closed my eyes, concentrating on his hands as they moved down to my thighs and spread them wider. He nestled between my legs. His cock teased my butt crack as he reached around my waist and pressed a finger into my heat. I might have moaned again, but Cade’s voice drowned me out. He definitely moaned louder. “My sweet girl is so wet. Needy.”

I was. Always when he was around.

His thumb landed on my clit, and I rocked forward.

His arm tightened around my waist. “Stay still, baby.”

I tried, but sensations were coming at me from every direction. My nipples brushed against the sheets. My pussy grasped at nothing. My clit swelled against Cade’s thumb. I thought I might shatter if he didn’t let me come soon.

Could a woman have a nervous breakdown from being teased?

Finally, Cade grabbed my hips with both hands and thrust into me. He held himself deep.

I lost my breath. It had been so long, and I’d only had sex that one weekend in my life. This felt like I’d been reassigned virgin status.

Cade remained steady, his hands holding me tight, his thumbs drawing a pattern on my hips.