Toasty Page 3

  She licks her lips and resumes her stride down the hall, and I clench my fists at my sides. She can play this game for a little longer, but we both know how it will end.

  Chapter 4

  Myra

  “Are you hiding out in here?” I turn at the sound of Celia’s voice.

  I thought I was going to have a stolen moment with my third piece of wedding cake. Okay, maybe it’s my fourth, but I tried to hide my cake shame in the kitchen this time. I was going to eat it alone without someone watching and possibly judging.

  “I’m not hiding.” That is a complete lie. Kace can stare at someone else for a few minutes, and the thought turns my stomach. No, that’s the cake…or the baby.

  “Sure,” Celia chuckles before heading back out of the kitchen and leaving me alone once again. The second she exits, Kace walks in.

  I roll my eyes and walk quickly with my cake out the other door. I dart back into the reception area, knowing that if I stay with the crowd of people it will keep him at bay. For now. My time is running out and the wedding will come to an end soon. I don't know what’s going to happen afterwards, but Kace never bluffs.

  I take my seat next to my sister’s empty chair. Timber has her on his lap and is feeding her cake. She’s living the dream in her castle with all these desserts and dancing the night away.

  I smile at them because I’m so happy for her. She’s going to have it all, and if anyone deserves that it’s her. Pippa lights up anything she touches with her sweet soul. It’s impossible to look at her and not smile. After getting to know Timber over the last few weeks, I see how he needs her and he’ll spend his life worshiping my sister.

  “Where’s your shadow?” Bruce asks as he sits down in the seat next to me.

  I watch as Timber carries Pippa out onto the dance floor once again.

  “What?” I pretend I have no idea what he’s talking about as I take another bite of my cake. I look across the room, and like always my eyes find Kace’s. He’s staring right at me just like he’s been doing all night.

  A beautiful woman walks in my line of sight, blocking my view for a second.

  “You know who I’m talking about.” I turn to Bruce, who’s looking at the woman and his eyes pause on her cleavage. I shake my head at him, not the least bit surprised.

  When I glance at Kace, I see he didn't even notice her.

  “Why did you bring him here?” Kace has been giving Bruce death stares all night. I’m pretty sure they almost got into another fist fight an hour ago.

  “It’s rather entertaining.” Bruce shifts and leans in closer to me.

  His arm goes around my chair and his eyes dance with mischief. He’s terrible. I’m terrible, too, because I lean toward him. I’ve worked with Bruce and gotten to know him during my years working for Kace. I know Bruce is harmless and isn't going to do something like kiss me. He enjoys fucking with Kace, and for some reason I want to play along. His words have been messing with me all night and I’d like to get under his skin a bit.

  “Timber!” I jerk away from Bruce at the sound of my sister’s shout.

  Timber is pushing Kace and I see him point a finger at him. “You need to calm down.”

  “I’m calm,” Kace says, but I can tell by the tone of his voice he’s anything but.

  “Now you’ve done it,” I whisper at Bruce, who only chuckles.

  “You did it too.” He leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head.

  I did, damn it. I pop up from my chair as my sister tries to get between Kace and Timber.

  “You don’t look fucking calm,” Timber throws back, tucking my sister into his side.

  “Not at all.” Pippa’s tone has me pausing for a moment. She’s pissed too? I guess I have to be the voice of reason.

  “It’s fine. Mr. Cox was just leaving.” I put my hand on Kace’s chest, and when I push he actually takes a step back. His arm wraps around my waist, taking me with him.

  “Don’t manhandle my sister,” Pippa snaps.

  Her cheeks are red and I’ve never seen her this worked up before. Everyone looks like they’re about to explode and I glance around the room to see everyone is watching. It looks like two giant men, one being the groom, are about to throw down in the middle of this wedding.

  “Pippa,” I say in a soft voice as Kace’s fingers dig into my hip.

  I don’t want to tell my sister how much I enjoy Kace’s manhandling because it’s kind of what got me into this situation to begin with.

  “Is it him?” She points at Kace. “Is it your asshole boss who made you miserable?”

  Kace sucks in a breath like someone punched him. I’m not sure “miserable” is the word I’d use. At first I thought it was a game to Kace. That he gave me impossible tasks to complete so he could fire me. It’s like he was waiting for me to fail, but I never did. His words from the night in the limo, when I quit, flash in my mind.

  Fucking finally.

  Then he kissed me.

  “I made you miserable?” Kace’s eyes meet mine and his face softens to actually show emotion.

  “I—” I don’t know what he made me feel.

  I was all over the place while I was working there. At first I wanted to play his game, but then other feelings started to grow. It all became too much and I had to get out. The last trip was too long and I’d been away for weeks. Kace was a jerk the entire trip and I was ready to snap.

  “Yes! You made her work all the time,” my sister answers for me.

  I knew that’s what the job entailed when I was hired and the pay was worth it. At first, losing my time was one thing, but then losing my heart was another.

  “I need her,” he responds, and my stupid heart flutters.

  “I wasn’t miserable,” I whisper, because the need to tell him that is overwhelming.

  “If you were, I’ll fix it.”

  “I’m not coming back to work for you.” There’s no way I could, especially now.

  He doesn’t know I’m pregnant with his baby. Which is shocking since he seems to know everything else. Like what I did at night when I lay in bed and thought about him. He was so right.

  “I wouldn’t hire you. You quit, remember?” He shrugs.

  “You just said—”

  “I’ll make sure you’re never miserable again.” He smirks and his voice drops so only I can hear him. “I think I can make you feel anything but miserable.”

  “Liar. You’d hire her in a second if she came back,” Pippa throws out.

  “I’ve been waiting years for her to quit.”

  “I knew it,” I hiss, pushing on his chest. He doesn’t move this time when I push him.

  “Let her go,” Pippa snaps.

  “I made that mistake once and I’m not making it again.” I let out a small scream when he catches me by surprise and lifts me into his arms.

  “Don’t!” Both Pippa and I shout as Timber lunges for Kace. Bruce is there grabbing Timber’s arm, but he stops on his own. My heart races because I’m afraid Kace is going to drop me.

  “She’s—” I know Pippa is about to tell him that I’m pregnant so I cut her off.

  “Fine!” I shoot my sister a glare just as she puts a hand over her mouth to stop herself. “I’m fine.”

  “Put her down,” Timber demands.

  “It’s fine, I’ll be right back. I need to talk to him,” I reassure both Timber and my sister. It’s sweet that he’s being protective, but I should talk to Kace and get this over with.

  “She’s not coming back. At least not tonight.” My face flushes because it’s clear what he thinks we’re going to be doing.

  “Myra?” Pippa looks to me for an answer.

  “I’ll see you when I get back.” I squeeze Kace’s shoulder and he reluctantly puts me on my feet.

  She rushes over and hugs me as she whispers in my ear. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I need to do this,” I admit.

  She kisses my cheek. “I’m here if you need me.”

  “You have a honeymoon to get to,” I remind her. “You better come back sunkissed.”

  Kace’s hand locks around my wrist. “You’ve said your goodbyes.” He starts to pull me from the room and I’m having déjà vu from six weeks ago.

  “Fine,” I snip, moving away with him. “Just remember you’re not my boss anymore.”

  “That’s what you think,” he says, so low I almost don’t catch it. But by the look in his eyes, he’s not playing around.

  Chapter 5

  Kace

  “Thank you for bringing my lady to the car for me.” Bruce’s smug voice turns my attention away from Myra.

  He’s leaning against a limo with his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face. I move Myra behind me like I’m going to block her and then he’ll forget she’s here.

  “Fuck off,” I tell him, because I’m tired of playing games.

  “Cousin, there’s no need to be like that. Remember our arrangement?”

  My jaw aches from how hard I’m clenching my teeth and I ball my fists up at my side.

  “What arrangement?” Myra asks as she comes around me.

  “It’s nothing.” My words are quick and it’s like I’m trying to erase what Bruce is saying.

  “Kace agreed to be my plus one tonight in exchange for you leaving with me.” He smiles brightly as he takes a step forward.

  “That wasn’t the deal.” Again I try to move in front of Myra, but he shakes his head.

  “I said that I would tell you where she was and in exchange we agreed I could have her.” Bruce is so close to laughing I want to put my hands around his neck.

  “Is that true?” Myra takes several steps away from me and I want to reach out and grab her. She looks to Bruce as he nods, and then back to me. “I’m not some kind of toy to be passed between the two of you.”

  “I know,” I rush to say, but I don’t know how to get the words to come out right. “I was desperate.”

  “So desperate to fuck me that you’d pass me to your cousin?” The look of hurt in her eyes tears at my heart.

  “No, it’s not like that.”

  Bruce walks closer to Myra and she doesn’t back away from him. “Let’s go for a drive, Myra. I think the night air will do you good.”

  “Let me explain.” I walk toward her and she takes a step back, putting her closer to Bruce. “Please, Myra, I didn’t know where you were.”

  She shakes her head and her eyes are red like she’s on the verge of tears. “You planned this? I thought…I thought.” She blinks a few times and turns around to face Bruce. “Can you get me out of here? I don’t want my sister to see me like this.”

  “You’re not going with him.” I reach out to take her arm but she pulls it away.

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore, Kace.” The way she says my name is like a knife in my chest. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but I know that when I’m close to you I can’t think straight. Maybe it’s good that I get out of here and you go home.”

  “I’m not leaving without you.” I plant my feet as if to show her that I’m not moving.

  “Pippa and Timber are leaving in a few minutes for their honeymoon. I’m not going to be here arguing with you when they walk out.” She shakes her head. “What we did shouldn’t have happened.”

  “It wasn’t a mistake,” I growl, and she shakes her head.

  “That’s not what I’m saying.” Her voice is so sharp and I don’t understand why. “I shouldn’t have given myself to someone who never appreciated me. I can’t change what happened but I won’t let it happen again.”

  “Well now, this is getting juicy,” Bruce chimes in, and I want to punch him in the mouth.

  “Shut up,” Myra and I both say in unison.

  “Please, don’t let me interrupt,” he says, beaming from ear to ear.

  “Myra, come with me and let me explain.” She stares at me for a second and I jump at the hesitation. “I promise to keep my hands to myself. I just need to talk to you. To be in the same space as you.” I pause she contemplates her answer. “Please.”

  She cocks her head to the side and I see a hint of a smile. “That’s not a word I’ve ever heard you use.”

  “Me either,” Bruce mumbles, and I glare at him.

  “Please, Myra,” I try again, and I see the hesitation in her eyes. “Give me a chance to be the man you deserve.”

  “Damn, I think I might even go with him.”

  The next time I’m alone with Bruce I’m going to glue his mouth shut. But something he says must ring true for Myra because she takes a step toward me.

  I hold out my hand and plead with the universe to make her mine. After only a moment of uncertainty she reaches out and places her palm into it. I gently wrap my fingers around hers and pull her with me.

  “Would you like to use my car?” Bruce offers, and if I could shoot fire from my eyes he would be a pile of ash right now. “No? Okay then, you two kids have a good night.”

  I sigh with relief as Myra comes with me and we walk to my waiting limo nearby. I close my eyes for a moment and offer a prayer of thanks to whoever it is up above looking out for me.

  “I think he does most of that just to get under your skin,” Myra says while I help her into the limo.

  “Oh, I’m sure he does all of it for that reason.” I climb in beside her and feel anxious until the door is closed and the locks are engaged. “I’m just angry with myself for letting him get to me.”

  “He’s harmless.” I can hear the softness in her voice as she defends him and I reach over and take her hand in mine.

  “Anything that tries to take you from me is a threat.” I can’t help myself. I bring her hand to my mouth and graze my lips along her wrist.

  “Didn’t you promise not to touch me?” Her words are soft and quiet now that we’re alone and I can feel her heartbeat pounding under the delicate skin.

  “Do you want me to stop?” I keep rubbing my lips along the silky exposed area as I look up and into her eyes.

  “No.” The word is barely above a whisper but we both know how heavy it is.

  “No,” I agree, moving my lips down her arm and into the crook of her elbow. “And now?”

  Chapter 6

  Myra

  My skin tingles from his mouth and I don’t know how it’s possible but his touch is even better than I remember. He really does drive me crazy. One minute I can’t get away from him fast enough and the next I want to crawl into his lap and be as close to him as possible. It’s always been that way though. He does something to me I’ll never be able to understand.

  “Myra.” His mouth is no longer moving up my arm. “Say it,” he demands. Always demanding. It’s his nature and I’d be a liar if I didn't admit to loving it.

  “Don’t stop.” I give in like we both knew I would.

  I tell myself that this time I want it. I want the same pleasure he gave me the last time I was in the back of his limo, but the truth is, I’m the one with the need to please him. I thought at first it was me wanting to do a good job at work, but it’s more than that. I’m seeing it now as his mouth drifts up my arm to my neck. I tilt my head, silently begging for more of what only he can give me.

  “Did you miss me?” He nips at my neck.

  “No,” I lie.

  I was so mad when I first saw him tonight. All my emotions came pushing forward, and that coupled with finding out I was pregnant sent me over the edge. I’m a mess inside. Really, when I get to the bottom of what I’m feeling it’s a relief. He was looking for me this whole time. I don’t know what that means for us, but it’s something. He looked as though he wanted to murder Bruce. I can only hope it’s not some pissing match he’s having with his cousin and he just wants to win. I want him to be pissed because he hates the idea of me being with someone else. I know the idea of him with another woman would kill me.

  “I’ve never known you to be a liar, Myra.” He bites me harder this time and I gasp.

  The sensation shoots straight between my thighs and I clench them together as my clit starts to throb with need. My body knows what he can do to me. I could never get myself off like he did, no matter how many times I tried. And boy did I try.

  “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I throw out there. If he wanted me so badly, how come he didn't make more of an effort to have me before?

  “You’re right,” he agrees, kissing the spot he’d bitten. “Like what your cunt tastes like.”

  I suck in a breath at his crude words. I’ve never in all the years I’ve known Kace heard him say one dirty thing. Not a joke or even join in when someone would say someone was pretty. I’ve been to so many events with him and never once caught his eyes wandering to other women. At one point I thought maybe he just wasn't sexual, but that clearly wasn't the case. I should have known though. When Kace wants something, he’s direct about it. If he wants to taste my cunt he’s going to say it.

  I shift in my seat as the throb between my legs grows to an almost unbearable level. It’s on the tip of my tongue to beg him, but I don’t want to beg him. I want him to beg me.

  “You’re going to let me eat your cunt, Myra.” It’s not a question. His hand comes to my face and he cups my chin. He turns me so my eyes meet his. “Please.”

  “That word again,” I breathe against his mouth. I enjoy that I’m the only one to get it from him. It’s the second time in minutes he’s given it to me and I’m weak from it.

  “I’ll say it over and over again if it gets me a taste.”

  “I didn’t think you were asking.” I lean in to him and my mouth brushes against his. God, he smells so good. How can I be so mad at him yet being this close makes me achy?

  “Myra,” he warns. “I only have so much control.”

  It’s like a light bulb going off inside of me. That’s what I want because I enjoy playing with his control. That night in the limo, part of the rush was him snapping. I’d driven him to a point of doing something that was so out of character for him. It’s always been there, lingering under the surface, and I think I knew on some level I could break his carefully constructed façade.