Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
CASSY
He is a Daddy Dom. Was that what is called?
Some of my favorite books are about an older man and a much younger woman.
I love how the man wants to control every aspect of the heroine’s life.
My heart pounds so loudly that I’m sure Edward can hear it at the thought of someone taking charge like that.
The idea makes my stomach flutter, having decisions made for me, being cared for in that intense, possessive way.
I imagine firm hands guiding me through each day, choosing my clothes, deciding what I eat.
But he would also be my champion when it comes to my job.
A shiver runs down my spine as I think about calling someone Daddy. Earlier, his voice deepened when he scolded me. His eyes darken with that mix of affection and authority I’ve read about so many times.
I know these thoughts should scare me more than they do.
Shouldn’t I want independence? But when I’m honest with myself, the idea of surrendering control feels like coming home, like slipping into a warm bath after a long day.
My fingers tremble against my thighs just imagining it.
Someone else is holding the reins while I float in that perfect space between obedience and devotion.
Would he notice the way my breath hitches when he gives an order? Would he praise me when I pleased him, his voice rough with approval? The thought sends heat pooling low in my belly. I bite my lip, pressing my thighs together.
“Cassy, please say something.”
“I’ve never heard the actual term, but I am sure it is something dealing with age difference play.”
A warm, genuine smile spreads across his face, softening his features.
“It’s part of it, yes. When you belittled yourself earlier, something in me just reacted.
I had this overwhelming urge to correct those thoughts, to make you see what I see.
I shouldn’t have acted that way, but I’m not sorry for wanting to remind you of your worth. You’re perfect just as you are.”
I feel my heart flutter with a hopeful anticipation, the words catching in my throat before I ask, “Does that mean you don’t want me that way?”
“No, Cassy, I want you. Not just as my right-hand employee but as my little girl. If you allow me, I will give you everything you need or want. Your every desire is mine to give, as well as the structure you need. If you break my rules, I will tan your ass as I did earlier.”
My heart races at what he was offering. I have worked so hard to be offered such a fantastic job.
It was a dream come true. Then, to have my sexual fantasies come true.
I want to scream yes from the top of the building, but what happens when he moves on?
A man like Edward Carson couldn’t want forever with someone like me—a nobody.
“But what happens when you tire of me sexually? Will I still have a job?” My voice shakes, and I feel so small.
He runs his hand through his hair and lets out a long sigh.
My stomach drops. I knew it. I’m just going to be a passing thing.
But God, the way he looked at me just now.
.. No. This has heartbreak written all over it.
I should say no and walk away. Yet I can’t stop picturing his hands on me, his voice telling me I’m good.
I have my savings; I could find something else.
Nothing like this. Nothing that makes my skin buzz with electricity, but it would be safe.
Wouldn’t it be worse never to know what could have been?
“Okay.”
He sucks in a breath, and his eyes grow large.
Suddenly, he pulls me onto his lap, and his large hands cup my face.
“First, I really want to turn you over my knee again and tan your ass for thinking this is some passing thing. Cassy, I am afraid to tell you just how much I have thought about you—no, not just you, but us. I am going to be forty-four in a few months, and never have I felt one ounce of what I do for you.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This had to be a dream. Edward Carson has been thinking about me. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. How do I respond?
He leans his forehead against mine. I bask in his warmth and rich, manly cologne, which is unique to Edward Carson. “I beg you to trust me. The world is yours as well as my heart.”
I pull back and look into his magnetic green eyes, deep as forest pools after a summer rain, rimmed with thick dark lashes that any woman would envy.
Those eyes hold mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch, like he’s reading every secret I’ve ever kept, every desire I’ve never dared speak aloud.
“I can’t wait to work with you, Edward, and I’m yours, Daddy.”
His eyes flashed dark as midnight, pupils blown wide with hunger.
“Fuck, baby girl,” he growled, the words vibrating against my skin before he seized my mouth with such devastating force.
His kiss consumed me entirely, claiming, branding, devouring as if he’d waited lifetimes for this single, scorching moment.
He finally pulls away. “As much as I would want to spread you out naked and feast on your delicious body, I don’t want our first time to be on a dusty couch. Also, I want to tell you about your new position within Carson Enterprises.”
My body vibrated with the thought of Edward feasting on my body, but I also wanted to learn about my position. “Alright, Mr. Carson, what do you have to offer?”
“Sass will get you over my knee and your ass red, little girl. Now, your salary will start at $175,000, with a 25% increase in six months. You will have access to a company car and driver at all times. Your insurance is paid, as well as a matching retirement plan. Is there anything else you would like?”
My mouth opens and closes several times before I can formulate words. “Edward, that is too much. I’m just a...” I start, but he places a finger to my lips.
“You are now the executive liaison for Carson Enterprises. You have exclusive access to everyone in the company, including me. No one else has that access. Only you will.”
I didn’t know how to respond to Edward’s explanation of my job and benefits.
Only Edward kept playing over and over in my head.
I couldn’t believe this was really happening.
Not only would I be doing something I loved, but I would also receive a nearly triple wage increase.
On top of that, I get to call him Daddy, and that sets my body buzzing.
“I’m sure this is a little overwhelming. However, I want you to know you deserve every cent,” Edward says. I look into his eyes and see the sincerity there.
“I will have to agree to disagree with that,” I say, shaking my head.
“I swear my hand is going to get awful tired. Now that is settled, let’s get lunch.”
“I need to stop and grab my purse and change shoes,” I say, pointing down at my feet. There was no way I would be seen with Edward Carson wearing pink tennis shoes.
His top lip turned up slightly as his eyes sparkled. “I like them.”
“But I am sure they are not acceptable at the restaurant you have in mind.”
If I didn’t think he could be even sexier, he broke out into laughter, causing his face to glow in youthful wonder.
Men of my age never appealed to me. They didn’t have the maturity to treat a woman properly.
The few dates I had been on proved my assessment of younger men.
Today, Edward showed that my point was valid.
“Maybe so, but no one in this town would ever utter anything about it to me,” he says.
“That might be true, but I would feel better changing.”
He stands and holds out a hand to me. Without a second thought, I put mine into his, and the low-energy hum pulsed through me again.
Would it always be there? My eyes reach his, and I swear I see a fire in them.
His eyes drop to our hands, then back to my eyes.
The look in them was something I couldn’t put into words.
As his lids flutter shut, I see him inhale deeply, and after exhaling, he squeezes my hand.
We travel in silence to my, I guess, old desk.
Reaching into the bottom drawer, I take out my dress shoes and purse.
I quickly change, placing my tennis shoes in my travel bag.
I look at my old desk and see my few personal possessions.
All of them could fit in my travel bag. I never really thought about it before.
What did it mean, or was I making something out of nothing?
“Cassy, is there something wrong?” he asks.
Edward didn’t want to hear my trivial thoughts about my measly personal items. His mind should be on getting his staff here and moving on to his next project. “Yeah, just hungry.”
He studies me with an intensity I had seen earlier. His hand comes up and gently strokes my cheek. “I will drop it for now, but you will tell me what is troubling you. We will have a long conversation concerning rules and what happens when you break them.”
“Edward,” I begin, but before I can continue, his finger presses against my lips.
“Cassy,” he whispers, moving closer to my face.
Our eyes are locked. I am afraid to blink, scared that this moment will end.
The rough pad rubs across my lip, igniting a fire in my very soul.
So slowly, he inches toward my face until I feel his heavy breaths caress my pores.
My heart is pounding so loudly, and I’m sure he can hear it.
Our lips are so close I can almost taste him.
My eyes snap open, and we stare at each other. Would this inferno of desire always be here?
“Cassy,” he says, but before he can finish, Liam rounds the corner.
“Edward, the security team is in the process of changing all the locks. We will have your keys before the end of the day,” Liam says.
“Excellent. Cassy and I are going to get something to eat and should be back in a few hours,” Edward says, his voice colder than before. Gone was the warm caress.