Before long, my body was hot, my ears filled with the sound of my own heartbeat, my ass cheeks burning beneath his carefully placed swats. I imagined myself over his knee, struggling to stay in place while he carefully worked over every inch of my backside.
I whimpered, the effort too much. But Caine’s permission didn’t come. I tried to hold my hips steady to keep from losing control. Caine chuckled, increasing the speed of his hand as if he was trying to make me defy him. I almost said “yellow” so he would slow down a little, but I didn’t need a break. I needed release.
“I can’t,” I sobbed.
“You can.”
How was his voice so calm and tender when my world was falling apart and my body was desperate for climax? I writhed in agony, then Caine’s hand on my ass cheeks went from stinging slaps to gentle caresses. Then his hand was between my legs, the heat delicious against my sack.
“Now,” he said, and that was all I needed.
I pumped my hips and just as I called his name, he squeezed, sending me flying over the edge. I convulsed in his hands, moaning so loud that the sound echoed in my ears and drowned out the rapid beat of my heart. I felt a finger slip inside me and the unmistakable sensation of a curved finger hitting just the right spot. I exploded, no longer aware of my surroundings. There was only Caine and his expert touch as I spiraled into the abyss, then collapsed in a heap on the bed.
14
Caine
Our long weekend was over long before I was ready for it, but Monday came like it did each week, forcing me back to reality. I walked into the office with a spring in my step, my body relaxed and my mind clearer than it had been in a long time.
"It's nice to see your smile again," Jenna said, taking her cup of coffee. "Refreshing weekend?"
"You could say that," I teased.
"You can be coy all you want, but I think I know what you're smiling about."
"Oh?" I arched an eyebrow. "How is that?"
She turned the monitor so I could see the email she was looking at. "Jacob Granger has sent you an invitation to appear on his show."
My breath caught and I stood there, frozen. "Are you sure it's real?"
"I've already called his rep. It's absolutely real. He wants you to share your secrets to success and how you've adjusted your life as your situation has changed throughout the years. This might be exactly what you need to do a little tweaking in your business model."
"Now you're on board?" I scoffed. "Don't tell me it's because he's handsome."
"There's that, but he's also one of the most popular talk show hosts on prime time, and this is a great opportunity."
I wrinkled my forehead, going back to what she'd said earlier and trying to figure out what she meant. "I didn't know about this invitation, so what were you talking about?"
"That's the best part of the invitation. Jacob Granger wants you both on the show."
"Me and?"
"Shelton."
My mouth went slack. "Why?"
"Come on, Caine. Everyone knows about you two. There's even a hashtag trending."
"I don't want to know."
"Are you sure? It's cute."
I shook my head. Then, "What about the talk show? Are you sure it's on the up and up?"
"I am. I've already discussed it with their media department and I have a list of questions and topics for you to approve. All that's left is for you to say yes."
"Wow." My voice was quiet, images of Shelton and I taking the soundstage at the Jacob Granger Show together. "Tell him that we'll be there."
"Don't you need to ask Shelton?"
"Yes, of course. But he'll make it. After all, I know his assistant." I winked at her and she blushed prettily.
"I did manage to mold that mess of his into a viable work schedule. All right, I'll confirm, then I'll make sure that Shelton's calendar is clear that day."
"And the day before. I don't want him to be tired."
"I'll take care of it."
"And I'll be the one to talk to Shelton. Just make sure you confirm with Granger ASAP."
"Already done."
I snapped my fingers, my cheeks aching from the wide grin that had settled on my face. "This is fantastic. I can't wait to tell Shelton."
"Perfect. Now, about your actual work. What do you want to do about these?"
The calendar appeared on the screen and she pointed to the local speaking engagements I had booked for the week. "Only two? I thought there were a few more."
She grimaced, then waved her hand. "I had two reschedules that would like you to schedule with them once you've revamped your message."
I nodded. "That's great. What about the other one?"
"It seems there are still people in this day and age that claim to be liberal but aren't in practice."
I blinked. "I don't know if I understand."
"The university you were set to speak at decided that your relationship with Shelton wasn't something they could support."
A laugh bubbled up and I snorted. "Are you serious? What morons."
"I said as much."
"To them?"
She nodded, clearly pleased with herself. "In fact, I used those very words and thanked them for not wasting your time."
"Thank you, Jenna."
"No problem. Are you going to be staying today since there's nothing lined up?"
"I am. I want to work on my new approach while I'm feeling inspired. And I want to look over those questions for Jacob Granger." I took the stack of papers she handed me. "Thank you again, Jenna. You're amazing. I don't know what I would do without you."
I was about to walk out of the room when she stood, hugging me quickly with tears in her eyes. "Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't know it was you."
"The computer," I said, giving her a friendly squeeze. "You deserve it."
"Thank you. I was going to write you a letter, but I couldn't find the words. I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude."
"Thank you is enough."
I went into my office and sat down, flipping through the questions and taking notes right on the paper. Nothing jumped out at me as I went through the entire ten-page printout, and when I reached the end, I was feeling really optimistic about the entire thing.
When I was done with that, I turned my attention to the speech I’d used so many times that it was almost second nature. The task was daunting, but once I got started, the words flowed from my pen effortlessly. My phone buzzed a few times, but I hit the silent button. I would get back with Shelton when I’d finished. If I let the momentum go, I would lose my inspiration. After two hours and several more texts, I turned the phone off entirely, throwing myself into the second revision of the one-hour presentation. My heart was racing, my breathing fast with excitement. Once I finished, I took the handwritten notes to Jenna, shaking my cramping fingers to work the kinks out, then going back to my office to jot down the ideas that were flooding my brain. This was the fresh start I’d been longing for. If I could find a way to work a more authentic version of myself into my brand, I could happily do this work another decade or more before I was ready to retire and live off the wealth I’d built.