Chapter Three

Veronica

The night before two weeks later

 

Theresa poured me another glass of wine, despite my protest. “Come on—in a few weeks’ time I’m going to be an old married woman. And you said you have something to tell me.”

I grabbed the glass and swallowed more than half its contents. I needed Dutch courage, or Italian, in this case. “You remember a while back I mentioned this woman I knew in the US?” I’d had too much to drink that time too.

“The one who…?” She chuckled while my face heated up.

“Yes, but that’s beside the point. She’s here in Britain and I’ve invited her to Brighton tomorrow for the weekend.”

“Bloody hell, sis. Go you.”

“I’m scared I’ve made a terrible mistake. I want a relationship, but I’ve no idea if she feels the same. I didn’t even say goodbye to her when I fled America. I could be there tomorrow waiting all night.”

“And if you are, you know and you move on. If she turns up, you find out if it’s more than something casual. You need to talk to her, not just shag each other senseless.”

I swallowed more wine. “How on earth did you know Marty was the right man for you?”

“I didn’t want anyone else. I missed him. I wanted to tell him things first. I wanted his opinion first. I don’t know. Not everyone is the same. You told me you missed her, that she was your one regret about leaving America. Now you’ve another chance. If she’s the one you want, go for it. Sometimes you have to put your heart out there and take a risk.”

A giggle overtook me. “And you write words for a living.” I hugged her. With Mum, we’d been invincible—us against the world. Did Cass have a place in this world? I guess tomorrow I’ll find out.

 

I should have called her, casually asked at the firm where she works. What if she doesn’t turn up? Here I was, two weeks after I’d left the note, standing on a balcony overlooking the English Channel at Brighton, waiting.

My hand went to my mouth without thought. Old habits die hard. No, you don’t. You paid a fortune for those nails. Instead, I paced. Why had I made that spur-of-the-moment decision to book this weekend? I’d asked myself that question over and over. Yes, lying awake, touching myself, I’d thought of her. Theresa was right, though, I’d also found myself wanting to ask Cass what she thought about an event in the news or a program on the TV. I wanted to know more about her for, in truth, I knew nothing.

As a child, I’d been to Brighton for day trips but had never envisaged I’d be able to afford to stay in the huge hotel on the front and enjoy these views. I sat and picked up my phone, hoping to occupy my hands and my mind. Reception would call me when Cass arrived—or if. I still had no idea if she would turn up. I wasted time scrolling through Facebook and Twitter, letting the sun warm my body, sipping my glass of fizzy water. I wanted a clear head, especially after overindulging with Theresa last night. I had so much to explain.

“Bloody hell.” I dropped my mobile when the room phone rang. Luckily, there was no damage. I jumped up quickly and answered.

“Your guest has arrived, Ms. Smith, and is on her way up. We have dinner booked for seven-thirty in your room. Is there anything else you require?”

“Not for now. Thank you.” I disconnected the call, stood and brushed myself down. I knew she’d be annoyed at the loose dress I’d chosen, but the heat had stopped me wearing something more close-fitting. I also knew she’d enjoy what I wore underneath. I’d chosen to keep my hair long and loose, letting it cascade over my shoulders, rather than up in its usual style. Cliché, maybe, but I knew what she liked. My hands shook.

Where should I wait? Should I sit or stand? Try to look relaxed? I jumped at the knock.

“It’s open,” I called, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

The reveal was everything I’d hoped for. Cassandra certainly had style. She closed the door behind her and stood so I could take her in. She wore a pencil skirt suit in a deep purple color with a matching tie and lavender shirt. Even in this heat, her legs were encased in black. Her heels were high, and her black hair caught up in a rigid bun held in place by a shimmering net. My knees buckled and I grabbed at the back of the nearby chair to steady myself.

“You came then?” I said. “I wasn’t sure if you would.” Her smile, to misquote, launched a thousand butterflies in my stomach.

“Wild horses wouldn’t have stopped me.” She dropped her case on the floor and closed the distance between us. Raising her hand, she ran her fingers through my hair.

“This color suits you,” she said. She gently touched my cheek.

I swallowed hard. “You look amazing.” My mouth dry, I nearly choked on my words. Her eyes twinkled.

“I’ve come straight from work. I need to change into something more…comfortable.”

“You look perfectly comfortable already.” And she did. The way she held herself—back straight, never slouching. Sitting, she always crossed her legs at the ankles. I’d often wondered if she’d been to one of those finishing schools where they taught young women to walk balancing books on their heads, or had done ballet as a child. I knew nothing of her background. We hadn’t had that sort of relationship, but now I’d found her again, I wanted more. The big question was, did she? Tonight, I intended to find out.

“Would you like a drink?” I asked, for something to say. She removed her shoes then sat on the nearest chair and rubbed her feet. I watched, wanting to offer to massage them for her.

“Something long and cool please.” Her voice had no accent I could make out. She’d never given any hint of her origins, which increased the mystery surrounding her.

I fixed her a sea breeze cocktail—her favorite—and placed it on the table next to her, then dropped to my knees. My need to touch won out. “Would you like me to take care of your feet for you?”

Her gaze went straight through me. “I’ve had to stand all day.”

“I don’t care. There’s lotion in the bathroom. I could get some. You could take off your stockings…”

“I could, couldn’t I? Would you like that, pet? Would you like me to slip them over my thighs and calves?”

I nodded, unable to speak for the lump in my throat. She edged up her skirt, lifted one leg and rolled the black nylon down slowly, revealing pale flesh, then did the same for the other leg. “Go on, then, fetch something which smells beautiful.”

In the bathroom, I was faced with a choice—this was a five-star hotel after all. I found a small bottle of peppermint foot lotion and hurried back. Talk could come later. For now, I simply needed to touch her. She lay back in the chair with her feet on one of the small tables. I opened the bottle and rubbed the lotion onto my hands to warm it. I started with her toes, making sure each got the full treatment. Next came the sole. I was careful not to make her flinch, being ticklish myself. I used my fingertips to press into the top of her high instep, finally massaging her ankle then the whole foot. Her small moans brought joy to my heart.

“You can do this again, my pet. Now the other one. You could earn a fortune for this service. Hmm, wouldn’t people be surprised to see a partner in Xenon PLC on her knees like this?”

They’d be surprised by much of what I do. I was only out to a few people. The other partners knew, but I didn’t advertise my sexuality or hide it. I’d never seen why I should announce my sexual preferences when others didn’t have to. Cass lifted her glass and sipped slowly while I treated her other foot. When I’d finished, I remained on my knees, sitting up, straight-backed.

Cass glanced around the room. “This is a wonderful hotel. Have you been here before? I bet there’s a spectacular view.” She loosened then removed her tie and took off her jacket.

“I wanted the best for this weekend.” I hesitated. “I thought we might talk rather than… I need to explain what happened two years ago.” Cassandra sat up, placing her feet on the floor, then yawned.

“Are you tired?” I asked. “You could have a nap if you want, before dinner. The bed is super comfortable. I’ll sit and read on the balcony. I don’t normally get much time to, unless you want to do anything else.” Too eager. Too needy. Too willing to put things off. I didn’t know how long she’d stay—if she’d stay—and just having her there gave me hope. I could watch her sleep. I’d never done that before. I sound like some mad stalker. “Whatever you want.”

She stretched her arms. “A little sleep would be good. I’ll be alert for later then. I have things to discuss with you too.” She lifted my chin, leaned over, kissed me lightly on my lips then stood. I watched entranced as she slowly undid her blouse, slipped it off her shoulders and folded it before placing it on the back of the chair. After undoing the side zip, she shimmied out of the narrow skirt and let it fall around her ankles before stepping out. Today she wore white underwear trimmed with the palest lavender ribbon.

“Wake me in an hour so I can shower and change before dinner.” She lay on her side on the bed and fell asleep in minutes. I carried my glass and Kindle to the balcony. Outside, the streets were busy. With the weather being so warm, people swam and splashed in the sea and played on the sand. I put an alarm on my phone, switched on the screen and read.

The alarm woke us both. My Kindle dropped to the floor. I retrieved it and glanced through the doors. Cass was already awake and sitting on the edge of the bed, facing away from me. Without speaking, she grabbed her case and strode to the bathroom. I rang room service, confirming dinner in our room at seven-thirty.

While I waited for Cass to return, and for the food to arrive, my stomach churned. Could I persuade her to change the dynamic between us—to change the nature of our relationship, if relationship was even the right word? Yes, it had been exciting. I had never felt more alive than when I’d been with her. I’d achieved success against the odds, survived the most difficult time in my professional life and come out the other side. My views were respected and sought after. I was good at my job and proud of my achievements, but no one had ever got under my skin like she had. But would she want the same? Would she be interested in cozy nights curled up on the sofa, watching a box set in pajamas?

The last time we’d been together in a hotel, we’d been in Chicago overlooking the water. She’d fucked me from behind against a huge wall of windows. Despite knowing nobody could see me through the tinted glass, I’d felt deliciously brave and dirty as I’d held my palms against the pane. She’d pressed my breasts and stomach against the cool surface and reached around to rub my clit, until I’d come hard and fast under her touch. I shivered at the memory. Cass had pushed my boundaries, excited me, like no one else, and here I was waiting for her once more, wanting the excitement and yet, wanting more. But did she have more to give?

A noise made me turn and she stepped into the room, dressed in another figure-hugging dress, this time in brilliant blue. The sight of her never failed to stir my blood and quicken my pulse. “You look beautiful,” I said, finding my voice. “Thank you for coming today. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

She closed the distance between us and took hold of my arms. I wanted to hide under her intense gaze but found I couldn’t look away.

“You left me.” Her tone suggested anger. What if she won’t forgive me? “I had no idea where you were or why you’d gone. I missed you.”

What? My heart leapt those words. She’d missed me. Were those tears in her eyes? If I’d expected anything, it wasn’t this. Hope blossomed. “Please, sit, Cass. I need to explain.”

I jerked at the knock on the door, cutting through the atmosphere, and she let go of my arms. “That’ll be the food,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind me ordering for both of us.” I’d debated with myself for some time. “I remember you telling me how much you loved fresh seafood. I chose scallops to start and monkfish for main. There’s something chocolatey for pudding.” I put my shaking hands behind me while I spoke. I’d never made decisions for us before. This was a unique night in so many ways.

She cupped my cheek. “Your choices sound wonderful, pet. You’d better answer.” She took a seat at the table already set for the meal.

I opened the door to find a waiter with a hostess trolley. “Your order, ma’am.”

“Thank you. If you could leave the trolley next to the table, we’ll serve ourselves.”

He lifted a bottle from one side. “Would you like me to open the champagne, ma’am?”

“Yes, thank you.” I wasn’t sure my still shaking hands would manage. With a flourish, the waiter popped the cork and placed ice and the bottle in the bucket.

“Will that be all?”

I wanted him gone. “Yes, thank you. We’ll call down when we’re finished.” I handed over a generous tip which earned me a wide smile before he left us alone again. I took the adjacent seat, opened the trolley and removed the first course.

“These scallops look beautiful and plump,” Cass said. Her eyes twinkled with mischief now rather than tears. “You know I like—”

I interrupted. I still found it hard to accept she had no problem with my—what some would consider ample—figure which, combined with being taller than average, made me stand out. It had taken me some time to deal with the way everyone looked when I entered a room, but now I relished it and dressed to impress. Being around Cass had taught me much about myself.

“We’d better eat before they get cold,” I said. “These trolleys keep food warm or cold, but I don’t want the fish to spoil.” I was rambling but needed words to talk about anything before we got into deeper discussions.

The scallops were perfect. Cass actually groaned. I had no idea if the noise reflected the taste of the food or was intended to make me squirm. I simply didn’t know her well enough. I hoped this evening might change that. A few mouthfuls into the main course, Cass got in the first question.

“All of this is lovely,” she said, waving her fork around. “But I guess we’re not simply here for the food and the view, or even the sex. Do I get an answer to what happened and why you disappeared out of my life without so much as a word?”

I nodded. “You do and more, I hope. On those occasions we were together, we didn’t talk. I knew nothing of you either.”

“No, but—”

“I know that wasn’t the point. Neither of us were looking for a relationship. You gave me what I wanted, needed and craved. I’d never met anyone like you before. The few relationships I’d had didn’t last. I didn’t give enough to them. Work was everything then. Success mattered. I’d come from nothing and worked my way to dizzy heights in business as a woman who didn’t fit the stereotype of looking like a catwalk model. I wasn’t a bitch. I didn’t aim to take out or humiliate the opposition. I simply worked hard to prove my value. Then I made a discovery that changed everything. My research showed corners had been cut on one construction project. Substandard materials used with the difference in cost being pocketed. I investigated and found more problems. I didn’t know what to do. If I blew the whistle, would anyone hire me again? I had some savings, but my mother had worked three jobs to get me and my sister through school and to university. I didn’t want to let them down.”

“I didn’t know you had a sister.”

Interesting she mentions that first, not the corruption. I nodded. “By then, I’d managed to buy Mum a house. She still works though. I asked her what to do, and she rightly told me lives might depend on my information, so I reported what I’d found, resigned and came back home.”

“That explains a lot,” Cass said. “I asked about you, but I bet those in the know had to keep quiet or lose their jobs.” Cass took my hand. “You were incredibly brave, whistle-blowing like that. Other people would have found another job and simply got out of there.”

“I couldn’t. What if someone had been hurt or even died? What if there had been a fire caused by bad wiring? I couldn’t have lived with myself. In the end, one of the directors, not far from retirement, took the rap and was quietly removed. The company paid a huge fine and an assessor was brought in to check on practices. I didn’t work for some time even back here—businesses talk, and I had no reference from my most recent employer. Then this job came up. I’d been at Oxford with Mark Pearce, the CFO. As usual, it’s who you know. He gave me a chance. The powers-that-be saw my value and promoted me. So that’s it. That’s what happened. I didn’t think you’d be interested in knowing where I was. What would be the point with the Atlantic between us? And…I had no idea what we were to each other, or if I was one of many. I figured a clean break was best. Then you turn up in the conference room and we… It was as if those two years hadn’t happened.”

She placed her knife and fork on her empty plate. “For me too.”

I swallowed a huge mouthful of champagne and burped. “Oh God, sorry, that’s hardly romantic.”

Cass squeezed my hand tighter. “Is this evening meant to be romantic?”

I tensed. “Would you mind if it was?” The million-dollar question. Time to lay my cards on the table. My stomach churned because I feared her answer.

“I know we’ve only been—you know—fucking.” Heat rushed into my cheeks. Get the words out. “I need to know if there’s a chance for more. You make me feel… I mean, no one has ever made me feel as sexy as you do. You release something in me. You make me feel—beautiful.”

“You are beautiful. The way you responded to my touch. I began to need you more than I should even back then. When we were together, the world went away. I’ll not lie to you—there were others, but no one who mattered. No one has ever understood my needs like you.”

My jaw dropped in shock. Was she telling the truth? I let her words sink in. I wanted to hear more, but desire overtook me. I leaned over and kissed her. I’d never taken the lead before. We met open-mouthed. I moved my hands to touch her and pull her closer. I gently probed her mouth with my tongue. She let me control the heat and depth of our contact. I could have continued kissing those soft lips forever, but I wanted more.

But we have the whole weekend to talk. My body ached and desire won. “Let’s take this to the bed.” I pulled away and turned my back to her. “Undo me, please.”

She took her time lowering the zip. I stood and unpeeled the dress from my shoulders and let it fall. Underneath, I wore a bright blue teddy with spaghetti string straps. Over it, a black corset synched in my waist and pushed up my breasts. I hoped I didn’t look too much like mutton dressed as lamb.

Cass let her gaze take me in from bottom to top. “Wow. I mean wow. You look stunning.” I took her hand and pulled her up. Reaching around her back, I unzipped her dress and let it fall around her feet. She wore nothing underneath. I had no words.

“The dress has a built-in bra,” she explained. “So, are you going to tell me what you have in mind? You seem to be in charge.”

I panicked. “I’m sorry—it’s just…”

Her smile melted my insides. “Go ahead, pet. I’m enjoying seeing this different side of you.”

I took hold of her arms and moved her toward the bed. She fell backward and smiled again, tapping her fingers on the bed. “I’m waiting, my pet.”

I grinned at her words. No way would she give up her power easily. Do it. Show her. I reached into the drawer and pulled out the toy I’d bought. I let it hang from my fingers like a cowboy swinging a gun. “What I have in mind is quite simple, my angel. I’m going to straddle you, and you’re going to fuck me senseless.”