Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
TWO WEEKS LATER
Brielle
The nights I spent at Caden’s penthouse would be easier now that Stella was out of school for the summer. She never knew I wasn’t home all night, and I’d make sure I was home before she woke up for school. There were a couple of times I almost didn’t make it because Caden wanted a long morning sex session. But now, she’d be sleeping in, so I didn’t have to worry as much.
I arrived home at eight a.m. and found my mother sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and scrolling on her phone.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Good morning.”
“How was Stella last night?” I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“She was missing you, Brielle. Now that she’s out of school and you’re spending more time with her, I think it’s harder on her when you leave.”
“She knows I have to work.”
“She’s a child, honey, and she’s getting older.”
I sighed as I brought the mug up to my lips.
“Are you ever going to tell him about her?”
“No. Why would I?” I asked as I sat down across from her. “He’s just a client and doesn’t need to know about my personal life. Plus, he doesn’t like kids.”
“Is he really just another client?”
“Of course. Why would you even ask that?”
“Because I’ve noticed a change in you since you’ve started seeing him. You’re happier than you used to be. Sasha’s noticed it too.”
“I’m happy because he’s paying me eighty thousand dollars a month, and I’m only having sex with one guy. A hot young guy. It’s a refreshing change.”
“If you say so. But I still think you’re starting to develop feelings for him.”
“I am not, Mother. End of discussion,” I said as I got up from the table.
“Mommy!” Stella excitedly spoke as she ran up and hugged my legs.
“Good morning, sunshine. Did you have fun with Grandma last night?”
“Yeah, but I missed you.”
“I missed you too, sweetie.” I kissed the top of her head. “We have the whole day to spend together. What do you want to do? We can do anything you want.”
“I’ll think about it and let you know. Can I have cereal for breakfast?”
“As long as you have some fruit with it.” I patted her head.
Two Weeks Later
I opened my eyes when I heard the soft sound of music playing. Looking over at the clock, I saw it was three a.m. I rolled over to find the empty space next to me. Slipping my robe on, I walked downstairs and followed the sound to his study, where he sat and softly played the piano.
“Can’t sleep?” I spoke as I sat down next to him.
“Not really. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“It’s okay. I enjoy hearing you play.” I smiled. “Is something bothering you?”
“Even if it were, I wouldn’t talk to you about it. That’s not what I pay you for.”
Whoa, I had no idea where that came from.
“There’s no reason why?—”
“Drop it, Brielle. I pay you for sex and sex only,” he spoke abruptly. “Not to be my fucking therapist.”
“Okay. I apologize.”
I got up from the bench, headed upstairs, slipped into my clothes, and grabbed my purse. As I was walking down the stairs, he was heading up them.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home. We had sex, and now I’m leaving.”
“It’s the middle of the fucking night. Get back in bed.” He pointed at me.
I stood there, narrowed my eyes at him momentarily, and continued walking down the stairs. I pushed past him, and he grabbed my arm. Silence fell upon his lips until I turned and looked at him.
“Please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone tonight. If it were any other night, I would let you go, just not tonight.”
“Why?”
“I won’t discuss my reasons. Please, Brielle. Just stay.”
I stared into his pleading eyes.
“Okay,” I softly spoke.
He let go of my arm, took my bag from me, and we walked up the stairs and to the bedroom. Slipping back out of my clothes, I climbed into bed and rolled on my side, facing away from him. He wrapped his arm around me without speaking a single word. I lay there, eyes wide open, wondering what the hell tonight meant to him.
I awoke the next morning, and Caden was already gone when I opened my eyes. I sighed as I looked at the clock. It was already nine. After I got dressed, I stopped at the bagel shop and picked up some bagels on my way home, for I knew Stella would already be up.
“Hey, you’re up. Perfect timing.” I smiled as I stepped through the door, walked over to the couch, and kissed her head.
“Where were you?” she asked.
“I decided that this morning would be a bagel morning.” I held up the brown bag. “So, I had Grandma stop by while I ran out to get them.”
“Bagels!” She grinned as she jumped up from the couch and sat at the table.
Caden
“I tried calling you last night,” my brother said as he pushed a glass of bourbon before me.
“I was with Brielle.”
“I figured as much. How are things going with your arrangement?”
“Fine.” I took a sip of my drink.
“Just fine? I can tell by the look on your face that something is bothering you.”
“We kind of got into an argument last night.”
“About what?” he asked.
“I couldn’t sleep, and she asked me if something was bothering me. I told her I wouldn’t talk to her about it and that I only paid her for sex. She got offended and was going to leave at three a.m.”
“I don’t blame her. That was pretty much an insult, bro.”
“It’s the truth. Did you want me to lie to her? I pay her to spend a little time with me and to have sex, not to discuss things in my personal life.” I finished off my drink. “That’s not what this arrangement is about.”
“I’ll be honest with you. Your arrangement sucks. You know what else I think?”
“What else do you think, big brother?”
“I think this is all a sham. The moment you met her, you felt something, and paying her a hefty check every month is your excuse to be with her without having to show any feelings or emotions. You treat everything like a business, bro.”
“You’re wrong, Kyle. Dead wrong. I think she’s a beautiful and sexy woman, and that’s it.”
“Still not buying it. I’m your brother. I know you better than anyone else in the world. This is something you don’t do, Caden. You don’t fucking pay for sex. You’ve had a string of women over the years, and let them go as quickly as they walked into your life. The problem is that you don’t want to let Brielle go. You want her on your terms and your terms only. It’s time to let go of the past and live the life you were meant to live.”
“You’re right. I’m paying her, so it’s all on my terms. Thanks for the drink. I have to go. I have a multi-billion-dollar company to run. And I already am living the life I was meant to live. This cold heart is my punishment.”
I grabbed my suit coat from the stool and left the restaurant. He always thought he knew everything. Hell, maybe he did. But the demons inside me kept me in check, reminded me of what I’d done, and ensured that I’d never make the same mistake again.