Chapter 16
Caden
I had always enjoyed cooking, but cooking for someone like Cara turned it into an event. I wanted to impress her in every way. I could feel her eyes on my every move, taking me in from across the kitchen. She intimidated me and made me nervous in a schoolboy sort of way. I’d been through my share of romances; however, no woman had ever had that sort of effect on me.
Dinner was simple and I managed to finish it quickly, allowing time for us to talk and enjoy one another's company. She made me laugh, telling goofy little jokes as she reached out and touched my hand. The electricity of her touch still sent shivers through my body. Even though we’d had amazing sex just a few hours earlier, I couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
“So,” she said as she held my hand, “what is it you wanted to talk about? You mentioned two people. I’m sure I can guess who.” Cara rolled her eyes and then allowed a more serious look to fall across her face.
“I listened to what you said the other day,” I said. “I’ve been running the company for some time and allowing Graham to be the figurehead, essentially risking the future of the company.” I squeezed Cara’s hand tightly as I looked her in the eyes. “You are so smart. I could tell that when we first met. I knew it on our first date.”
Cara leaned toward me as she took in every word.
I continued, “I bought the outstanding percentage of the company and took over. I fired Graham.”
Cara’s mouth fell open immediately. “Caden, that’s terrible…was it because of me?” Her hand went limp in mine.
“No! Oh no, Cara. Not because of you. I mean, in a way, yes, but in a very, very good way. You allowed me to see who he really was, who he had become. I didn’t want that in my life or in the company I was building.”
“I feel responsible. If it weren’t for me being at that hotel, if I hadn’t turned him down and gone out with you instead...” Cara bit her lip.
I cut her off before another word could escape from her beautiful mouth. “Cara, if it wasn’t you, it could have been someone else. Eventually this was going to happen. You helped me realize so many things about myself and about Graham. Please,” I begged, “don’t feel responsible for this. Be thankful.” I squeezed her hand again and then raised it to my mouth, kissing the back of it. “Thank you for helping me see things more clearly.”
Cara blushed and then smiled. “Okay. It’s just difficult thinking how all of this played out.” She shifted in her seat, regaining her composure and preparing herself for her next question. “And the other person? Let me guess, LJ?”
“Yes, LJ.” I leaned forward, meeting Cara’s deep brown eyes. “I have no right to ask this, but…” I fumbled for the right words as I lost myself in her eyes. “Will you give us a chance? Call things off with LJ, for good? You know we are so good together.” I could feel my eyes begging for the answer I wanted to hear.
“Caden, I want that. I want you. But his life and mine are so intertwined.” Her eyes had a sadness in them and I could tell this was something she didn't want to discuss, but I needed to. I couldn't move forward knowing there was a chance she could slip away from me.
“They don't have to be...intertwined. You told me he broke it off,” I said, trying to not be too harsh.
“Dumped. He dumped me.”
“Either way, he walked out on you. You don't deserve that. You feel it, don't you? Us?”
Cara coyly looked away and smiled. “I do.”
“Then it's settled. Give us some space from him until we can get us sorted out.” I leaned in and kissed her firmly on the mouth, immediately making me aroused and wanting more, but I held back. “I believe you are damn near perfect,” I whispered as I pulled back from our kiss.
“I'm far from perfect, Caden.”
“No Cara, you're my perfect.”
* * * * *
The sun had already set over the river and a cool breeze rustled the summer leaves as we sat on the patio in the chaise. Cara nestled herself between my legs, her back supported by my chest and a light blanket covering us. The light from the full summer moon danced on the ripples of water as we sat sipping our wine.
“I can’t believe everything that happened this weekend,” she said as she gently stroked my leg. “I left Richmond to escape my life and sulk alone, and then I found the exact opposite of what I was wanting or needing.”
“Sometimes, the best things happen when we aren’t expecting them,” I said. “I wasn’t expecting you. I certainly wasn’t expecting the drama over the weekend, but it all happened for the best.” As I spoke those words, I realized that I was going to have to deal with work and Graham. Back to reality.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, getting the scents of Cara’s hair, the summer breeze and the faint residual of sex still on our bodies. The combination was more than arousing and it immediately blocked the thoughts of anything other than the gorgeous woman sitting between my legs.
I set my glass of wine on the table and wrapped my arms around Cara, feeling her stomach through the sundress she was wearing. I drew her in close, pulling her body firmly against mine and allowing her ass to slide closer to my hips.
Gently I pushed my hips against her, grinding my growing hardness between her body and mine. She continued to stroke my leg, adding to the pleasure. Each pulse into her made me harder. I slid my hand along her stomach and up to her breasts. I traced the outline of the built-in bra of her dress with my finger, finally grazing her nipple that had gotten harder with each tease.
Cara moaned at my first touch, pushing her ass against me and then gripping my thigh. I gently rubbed her taut nipple between my thumb and index finger through her dress, pinching it. Cara moaned again, pushing her head against my shoulder, and exposing her neck.
“I love to hear you like that,” I whispered in her ear and then kissed her neck, still playing with her nipple. I slid my other hand down to her thigh, slowly rubbing it, each stroke moving further up her leg. I remembered the thong she was wearing as my hand brushed against her, at first gently, then with more pressure. Her wetness penetrated the thin material.
“Caden,” she moaned in a breathy voice.
Her hips pushed into my hand as I slid my fingers under her thong, finding her folds. Feeling her wetness sent a strong desire to do nothing more than please her with every touch. Cara’s hand met mine, holding it in place while she pushed her hips and tightened her legs. Her other hand clutched my thigh, and her nails dug into my skin as her body tensed.
“Yes,” I whispered back to her. Our bodies stuck together, both tight with anticipation of the pleasure that was building inside of her. I stroked her breast again, finally pulling down the strap of her dress and exposing her breast to the cool summer breeze. I firmly cupped it, then pinched her nipple, harder this time and surprised at the moan of pleasure she released.
Each thrust of her hips sent her head harder into my shoulder and her grip strengthened until she finally exhaled, completely collapsing on top of me.
As much as I wanted her at the moment, I was almost as satisfied knowing the experience I had given her.
“Caden,” she panted, “I think it’s you who’s damn near perfect.”