The Rules Read online

  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. N
o 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.

  I finally found my ability to breathe, my channel accommodating his girth. And then I rocked forward.

  “Stay still, baby. Don’t move. You okay now?”

  “Please…”

  Cade pulled almost out and then thrust back into me. “So tight.” I could hear the way he gritted his teeth. “God, baby. You’re gonna kill me with that pussy of yours.”

  I pressed into him.

  Cade pulled out again and then set a rhythm, plunging in and out until my vision blurred. I was so close. I needed contact with my clit. I would have told Cade, but I couldn’t find the words.

  He pushed faster. Suddenly he came, his cock buried to the hilt inside me. I could feel the pulsing at the tip. I couldn’t find oxygen again. I was on the edge. He didn’t take me with him. Did he know?

  Cade pulled out just as quickly and flipped me to my back. My legs fell wide. He kneeled between them. I reached with one hand toward my pussy. I never would have imagined masturbating in front of him, but I needed release so badly it hurt.

  Cade swatted at my hand. “No, baby. My pussy. My rules.”

  I almost came from those words alone. So possessive. Demanding.

  I thought I might cry if he didn’t let me finish.

  Cade’s face was intense, his gaze narrowed on me, roaming up and down my body. “Set your hands over your head, baby.”

  I lifted them heavily, doing his bidding. I also lifted my torso off the bed.

  “I know you need to come, baby. But I want you to understand how this works.” His hands landed on my thighs pushing them wider. He leaned in closer. “You’re with me now. Got it?”

  I nodded. My mouth was dry.

  “You don’t leave me again without an explanation. Understood?”

  I nodded again. “Yes, Sir.”

  “I can’t explain myself if you don’t give me a chance. You can’t just run from me to a different city and change your name.”

  “Sorry, Sir.”

  “It’s done. And I understand your side. But I want you to understand how I felt.”

  I gulped.

  “Hurt. Lost. Alone. Pissed even. All the stages of grief. You had all the cards. You knew where I was the entire time. You left me.”

  I had.

  He stroked his thumbs through my pussy. “This is mine. I’m glad you didn’t share it with anyone else.”

  I was too.

  “Don’t. Ever.”

  “Okay, Sir.” Like I had intentions of sleeping with other men…

  Cade set his thumbs on both sides of my clit and pinched.

  I yelped. It was too much. And not enough.

  Cade leaned in and watched my face. “I love it when you moan for me.”

  It was easy to fulfill that request.

  Cade released my clit, but only to hold the hood back and stroke it with his other hand. “Mine.”

  I moaned.

  Cade pressed his thumb into the space below my clit and continued flicking over the distended nub. “Forever.”

  I came. Hard. Not as hard as I would have if he’d been inside me, but hard enough to release the tight ball of need. I dug my heels into the mattress and lifted my pussy into his hands.

  “That’s it, baby. Take what you need.” He kept stroking until I lowered my body and collapsed. “That’s my girl. So fucking hot when you come, baby.”

  I didn’t move a muscle.

  Cade climbed off the bed and padded away. I knew he needed to dispose of the condom, but I hated his absence. A minute later, he was back and a warm cloth landed on my pussy. He wiped me gently and then set the cloth on the nightstand. I rolled to my side as he flattened his front to my back and pulled the covers over us. “Rest, baby. You’ve had a long few days.”

  I fell asleep to the brush of his fingers against my cheek.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I awoke a few hours later to the smell of food making my mouth water. I was starving, so it wasn’t difficult to drag myself to sitting. I was alone. In Cade’s bed. In the hotel. Our hotel.

  I swung my legs to the side and stood to pad toward the bathroom. After using the toilet and splashing water on my face, I headed back to find some clothes. The closet I opened contained nothing but Cade’s belongi
ngs. Hmm.

  I spun around to search the room. We’d tossed everything we were wearing to the side. None of those clothes were still around. I snorted. Of course.

  Easy enough.

  I headed back to the closet and grabbed one of Cade’s dress shirts. It was huge on me, but it covered my ass and breasts. That’s all I needed. I rolled up the sleeves and buttoned the front, leaving the top several undone. No reason I couldn’t make the shirt sexy.

  When I opened the door to the living area, Cade was standing at the table arranging plates around steaming dishes under metal lids. He lifted his gaze and chuckled. “You’ll find anything to wear in a pinch, won’t you?”

  “Yep.” I wandered to his side. “Where’re my clothes?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his middle.

  He nodded at the other bedroom. “I wasn’t sure how long we’d be here or how much space you might need.”

  “Ah.”

  “Sit, baby. You have to be hungry.” He pulled out a chair, and I peeled reluctantly from his warm body to sit.

  “Smells good.”

  He pulled off lids to reveal an assortment of meals. “Wasn’t sure what you might want.”

  I laughed. “So you ordered for six?” He’d done that at breakfast too.

  He shrugged. “It’s just food. Eat what you want.”

  I had never lived in a wasteful world. It made me cringe thinking about how many people wouldn’t have dinner tonight while I indulged in one bite out of six meals.

  Cade leaned over me and kissed my forehead before taking his seat. “I know what you’re thinking. Stop it. I give significantly to charities. Don’t fret over one excessive meal.”

  I tried not to think about it as I reached for a roll and took a bite. I was hungry.

  “How long are we going to stay in this hotel?” I asked.

  “Until the weekend. I’ll talk to your landlord about your lease sometime this week. We’ll move into Riley’s condo on Saturday.”

  I nodded around a bite of ravioli. Fantastic ravioli. “What is this?” I glanced down at the plate.

  “Lobster ravioli with a cream sauce.”

  “God, that’s good.”