The Rules (14 page)

I was shocked, expecting a hallway, not a living space.

Cade didn’t flinch. He walked in, plopped my bags and his briefcase on a plush chair, and turned to face me. He took me in his arms and tipped my head back. “You’re exhausted.”

He wasn’t wrong. Even after my nap, I felt like I hadn’t slept in weeks.

Cade kissed my forehead, took my hand, and led me to a room off the main area. “Use the bathroom, baby.”

I followed his instructions, padding to the adjoining bath while wondering if he would let me sleep or demand more from my body.

Like the rest of the suite, the bathroom was luxurious. It was larger than my bedroom at home, decorated in dark wood and tiles that were a swirl of maroons and browns. I used the toilet and then turned to the sink. I smiled. Everything I needed was at my fingertips, even though I hadn’t brought my bag into the bathroom.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth. When I returned, Cade had pulled back the sheets and sat on the edge of the bed. I padded back to his side.

He immediately grabbed the hem of my short dress and pulled it over my head, forcing my arms up above me. His hands landed on my waist, and he placed a chaste kiss on each of my nipples.

He moaned as he lifted his gaze. “Your body is phenomenal. I’ll worship it often. But not tonight.” He stood and patted the mattress. “Climb up.”

I followed his demand and lay on the softest sheets I’d ever touched. Cool silk that felt luxurious against my skin.

Cade covered me up and kissed my forehead. “Sleep, baby. I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked back across the room, shut off the light, and closed the door.

I was stunned for a moment. He wasn’t going to sleep with me?

Apparently not. There must have been more than one bedroom in the suite.

Without dwelling any longer on the obvious, I closed my eyes, released a long breath, and let sleep suck me under.

Chapter Ten

Sunlight was streaming into the room when I opened my eyes. I quickly remembered where I was and smiled at the voice I could hear from the other room. Was Cade ever not on the phone?

I was rested. Amazing considering everything that had transpired last night. Instead of tossing and turning and worrying incessantly about spankings and time outs, I’d slept hard.

I slipped from between the sheets and padded to the adjoining bathroom, totally intending to take advantage of the shower I’d seen last night. It had jets coming from every direction, and I looked forward to my tension easing under the hot water.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the bathroom was the heated floor. No way the tile would be that warm against my bare feet otherwise. Lord. That was opulence.

I flipped on the shower, used the toilet, and then stepped beneath the flow of water, wondering if I would be interrupted or left to shower alone. I stood there forever, letting the warmth cascade over my body before reaching toward the dispensers on the wall and squeezing out shampoo. It smelled fantastic, and my scalp actually tingled as I rubbed it in. Whatever brand that was, I wanted some at home.

I took my time, soaping and rinsing and conditioning. When I finally shut off the water and stepped out, I felt like a new woman. The enormous fluffy towel felt wonderful against my skin.

When I turned toward the mirror, I grabbed the comb off the counter and worked through my thick hair. I brushed my teeth and stared at myself. I looked healthy and rested.

I was relieved to find a pale pink silk robe hanging on the back of the door. It wasn’t much—and barely covered my assets—but it was better than stepping out into the main room naked. I slipped it on and tied the sash as I left the room. My feet were bare, but I didn’t see any slippers, so I quietly opened the door to the bedroom and stepped out.

Cade had his back to me. He stood at a wall of windows facing the Nashville skyline, his phone to his ear. He wore nothing but a pair of navy flannel sleep pants that hung low on his hips and accentuated his narrow waist. No shirt. Bare feet. He must have sensed my presence because he turned around almost immediately and dismissed the caller. “Gotta go. I’ll get back to you on that.”

His smile was huge as he approached. I stood still, uncertain what he might have in mind. Every day with him was a surprise. When he arrived in front of me, he wrapped me in his arms and kissed my lips briefly. Then he buried his face in my wet hair. “Mmm. That smells good.”

“I thought so too,” I mumbled against his shoulder. “It was in the shower dispenser.”

He’d showered also. His hair was damp. His bare chest was so fine, I wanted to set my lips on it and nibble a path across his pecs.

Cade eased me back and met my gaze. “Wasn’t sure what you liked to eat, so I ordered a variety of food.” He wrapped his arm around my back and led me to the small table set up next to the kitchenette.

I wasn’t usually super fond of breakfast, but this morning I was starving, and when Cade lifted the lids off various dishes, my mouth watered. It smelled so good.

He pulled out a chair for me, pushed me to the table, and then took a seat across from me. “Eat, baby. I already had my fill.” He picked up a half-drunk cup of coffee and took a sip.

I loaded my plate with a little bit of everything and grabbed my fork. It didn’t slip my notice that he let me sit at the table and feed myself. I wondered how often he would prefer me on my knees. While that had been the strangest meal ever, it had also made me hungry for more than food.

“I thought we’d tour the Ryman today. Have you ever been there?”

I shook my head. My mouth was full.

“I haven’t either, believe it or not. Never had enough time. But I heard it’s amazing.”

I swallowed my bite. “Sounds good.”
Especially if you give me something to wear besides this robe
.

“I’ll let you eat then, and we’ll get going.” He stood, leaned over to kiss my forehead, and padded to another door I hadn’t paid any attention to yet. It would have to be another bedroom.

I ate alone, not a bit sorry. I was hungry, and it was difficult to chew and swallow with Cade’s eyes boring into me. When I finished, I returned to my bathroom, brushed my teeth again and went to work drying my hair. As I set the dryer aside and tamed my locks into place, I saw Cade leaning against the doorframe watching me.

His face was set. Not in anger, but in awe. A small smile lifted the sides of his mouth. He was dressed now, jeans, loafers, and a black designer T-shirt that was surely cut to fit him specifically.

And he held a box in his hands. Not just any box, but one of the ones I’d been sent to collect for him on Monday. Had that been just five days ago?

He lifted it with one hand. “Your first gift.”

There had been three. And he’d told me he would sleep with me after I earned them all. I clenched the walls of my pussy at the thought—I was that much closer to having him inside me.

Cautiously, I took it from him and set it on the counter. Lord knew what was inside. It was delicately wrapped, and I recognized it as the one I’d retrieved from the lingerie shop. This made me both anxious and nervous. Obviously, whatever was inside was about to go on my body. During the day. For a trip to tour one of the coolest opry houses of all time.

My fingers shook as I pulled the end of the ribbon and then lifted the lid. I pushed tissue paper away, feeling Cade’s eyes on my back, and reached inside to extract the contents. What I lifted out was a delicate sexy bra made of the finest lace I’d ever touched. It was pale pink, like the robe I wore, and the cups looked as though they would barely cover my nipples.

“There’s more.”

I reached back inside and came up with a matching garter belt in the same pale pink lace.

Cade sauntered closer and wrapped his arms around my middle from behind. He nudged my hair away from my shoulder with his chin and kissed me behind the ear. “Do you like them?”

“Of course,” I whispered. They were too pretty to wear.

Cade drew his palms up my body and slipped my robe from my shoulders. At some point while I was fixing my hair, the sash must have come undone. He turned me to face him and took the delicate bra from my hand to help me put it on. It was weird having a man put a bra on me, but he did it expertly, plumping up my breasts when he finished.

I glanced down to see I had been right, the lace barely covered my nipples. It was more of a shelf. It was luxurious, however, like many things I’d experienced that morning, and my belly took a plunge at the way Cade eyed my chest, clearly pleased with the results. He dipped his face and kissed the top swell of each globe.

“You won’t need the garter today. It’s too hot for thigh highs, but I wanted you to have them. I’ll enjoy them another time.” He grinned and took my hand to lead me from the bathroom.

My toiletry bag was on my bed now, and next to it was another box. I hoped it contained more fabric than the first, or I would get arrested during our outing.

“Open it, baby.”

I padded forward and lifted the lid off my next gift. It wasn’t one of the packages I’d picked up, but a new one. Inside was a dress, not surprising. Also pale pink. It seemed to be a theme today.

“I thought that color would look fantastic against your skin.” He grazed a hand down my arm and took the dress from my fingers. “Lift your arms, baby.”

I did as he bade and let Cade lower the soft material over my head. He stepped back. “Perfect.”

It was. I could have rummaged around in a store all day and not come up with anything that fit me better or made me feel as sexy. The bodice hugged my chest, the front cut low enough to show my cleavage, but not distastefully. The middle section was fitted around my belly. And then the bottom flowed out in a full skirt. The material was so fine that it hung loose around my hips and butt.

I felt decidedly naked beneath.

Cade pulled me into his chest and kissed my lips again. “Gorgeous. And you blush when you think too hard.”

He was right. I always had. And lately it seemed bright red cheeks were my new permanent look.

“Trust me. It’s long enough. No one will know what you aren’t wearing beneath but me. And I would never share.” He positioned me at arm’s length with his hands on my biceps. “Trust me?”

I nodded. I did trust him. I had no idea why, but there it was. I had to trust him for this to work. So far, he hadn’t let me down. Even yanking my panties off and spanking my bare ass hadn’t been so bad in retrospect. In the back of my mind niggled the thought of intentionally acting out so he would do it again.

Cade led me from the room. A pair of delicate silver sandals sat next to the couch, and he urged me to sit, nodding at them. How did this man manage to pinpoint all of my sizes, including my shoes?

It occurred to me he could have easily gathered that information from my clothes while I’d napped in the nude at his house that first evening. At least that eliminated the possibility he was psychic.

Though with Cade Alexander, anything was possible.

When we stepped out into the bright warmth of the day, Arthur was waiting by the car. He smiled and tipped his hat as he opened the back door for us. I almost giggled picturing him standing there all night waiting in case we decided to go out. It was absurd. Of course Cade had alerted him in some way. After all, Cade never went a minute without clutching his state-of-the-art phone. It was more like a computer, and he clearly used it as such.

In fact, as I settled on the seat in the same spot I’d been in last night, Cade set the device on the console next to the door. “How’s your tush, baby?” he asked while he toyed with a lock of my hair. “I should have rubbed some more lotion in.” He lifted my chin, his eyes narrowed.

“It’s fine.” I swallowed.
Could we not talk about it?

He paused and then released me, his face serious. “Don’t keep things from me. Got it?”

“Okay.”
What things?

“If it’s still sore, I want to know.”

Oh, that
.

“The intention is to leave your ass nice and pink, making it uncomfortable for a few hours to remind you of your disobedience. Any longer than that, and I’ve spanked you too hard.”

“Okay.” What more could I say? I didn’t want to have a conversation about the state of my “disobedient ass” any longer. So, I changed the subject. “What time is the party tonight?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Nine. And don’t think I didn’t notice your attempt to evade my comments.”

I flushed deeper. Damn him and his sense of all things.

Cade swiped a thumb across my cheek, sending goose bumps down my body. The inside of the limo was cool, almost too cool compared to the heat that would await us on the streets of Nashville in June.

I watched out the window as we drove. Nashville was smaller than Atlanta, a more old-world charm, historic, less industrialized. I had considered applying at another technology company in Nashville at one point—The Rockwood Group. In fact, we drove by it on the way through town. The building loomed tall and majestic, just like Alexander Technologies. I had decided to stay in Atlanta for the near future to be closer to my parents.

It only took about ten minutes to arrive at the Ryman Auditorium, and soon we were inside the majestic opry house. I tipped my head back to admire the entire view while Cade took my arm and led me to a gentleman off to the side.

The man smiled broadly as we approached. He was a middle-aged, round, balding man who had an air of excitement about his job. “Hi. I’m Simon. I’ll be your tour guide today.” He shook both of our hands as Cade introduced us.

“Great. If you’ll follow me, we’ll get started.”

I glanced around. The entrance was filled with guests in line waiting to buy tickets. But not us. Of course. Cade Alexander would have planned ahead and paid in advance and arranged something more private. Naturally.

The tour was wonderful. Simon was a walking Nashville encyclopedia. He shared so much knowledge about the music industry, I would never begin to remember it all.

When we were done, Cade led me back outside into the bright sun. “Let’s walk. There’s a restaurant nearby. I’m starving.” He led me down the street, his gait slow enough to accommodate my shorter stride like a true gentleman. He also kept a palm on my lower back any time he wasn’t holding my hand.