Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Istirred the pot of caldo de rez, the savory aroma filling the kitchen.
“Does Mr. Astor have a girlfriend?”
I sucked in a breath and turned to face Luke. His eyes were wide and curious. Carefully, I placed the ladle on the plate.
“He’s never brought anyone home, but I swear he had a woman in that room. I found long strands of hair in the sheets,” he whispered.
“Ms. Issa,” Dalton called.
“We’ll catch up later,” I said hurriedly to Luke.
I whirled toward Dalton, thanking everything in the universe that he’d chosen that moment to call for me.
“Coming!” I shouted, hurrying down the hall.
My cell buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out.
Get ready. I’m taking you out tonight.
What about Dalton?
Vanessa will watch him.
I found myself trailing behind him, tucking myself in his shadow as the waitress led us to a table. Caine peered around, then fully turned.
“Why do you keep hiding?” he asked. The question was abrupt, but at the same time, he sounded genuinely curious.
I cleared my throat and shuffled to his side, hooking my arm with his as he led me to a secluded area in the back. He pulled my seat out, and I slipped into it, resting my hands on the surface of the cloth.
Immediately, a server was beside the table, placing down flutes and pouring champagne into the glass.
“What can I get you, Mr. Astor?” he asked.
He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “Anything in particular that you’re wanting to drink?”
“This is great,” I murmured, grabbing the stem of the flute.
“Perfect, I’ll bring out the first course.” The server lowered his head in deference.
“Please ensure there are no photographs,” he said.
“Yes, Mr. Astor, we made sure before your arrival that you were seated in the best place to avoid scrutiny.”
“Good,” Caine grunted.
The waiter left, and I widened my eyes at him.
“First course?” I murmured, cautiously.
He only smiled and reached across the table to hold my hand. His thumb caressed the back of it. Each swipe of his finger caused a cascade of butterflies, and I sipped the drink to hide the giddiness.
“Your application mentioned your last assignment. You spent a year in Canada?”
“Taking care of two children.”
He hummed. “Did you enjoy your time there?” His eyes were clear and startlingly blue; it was easy to get lost in them.
“It was nice—”
“You’re out whoring around when you should be with our son?” a woman spat, coming to a stop at our table.
Caine stiffened. “Have you been following me?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t question me!” she screamed in his face.
Even though he didn’t flinch or react, I did. He seemed almost bored, and it made it very obvious he’d dealt with things like this before.
“You trash, fucking bastard,” she said through gritted teeth. “I fucking hate you, you worthless excuse of a man. You can’t even get fucking hard without being drunk.”
I stood as she continued to insult him and yanked her shoulder.
“He doesn’t need alcohol to fuck me,” I spat out, lifting the glass full of champagne to splash it on her face. “And don’t speak to him like that,” I snapped. Anger slid through my veins and I wanted to shove her away from him, but I took a deep breath instead.
“How dare you,” she hissed, whirling on me. Caine was suddenly in front of me.
“Do not touch her,” he hissed, sounding angrier than I’d ever heard him.
Our waiter arrived with two men dressed in black suits. They got between us.
“Ma’am, you have to leave the premises.” For a second I worried they were speaking to me, but they crowded the other woman. Caine turned around and scanned me, hands settling on my arms. I peeked around him at the angry woman.
“I’m not leaving,” she hissed, shaking droplets from her fingertips.
The security guys exchanged a look, then they both took her arms and lifted her. She kicked and shouted as they dragged her away.
A grip on my wrist tugged me back, and I fell onto Caine’s lap. I gasped, trying to stand, but he fastened his arm around my waist. His hand delved under the bottom of my dress, his hand caressing the upper side of my thigh.
“Relax, angel,” he murmured. “You were such a good girl.” His pleased voice sent butterflies off in my stomach.
His fingers reached to press against my clit.
I gasped, grabbing onto the tablecloth. “Someone will see.”
“Shh.” His finger rolled over the bud. “I won’t take it too far. You need to eat.”
I drooped back, leaning into him.
His hand came out from under my dress and gripped my waist. Just in time for the waiter to come into the alcove with two plates.
“The first course is the heirloom tomato salad.” The server didn’t hesitate upon seeing me on his lap.
Caine kept to his word and behaved, prodding me to eat.
Caine rolled up to the front of building of the apartment. He left the keys in the ignition for the valet who was already sliding into the driver’s seat.
“You really don’t have to take me . . . or wait for me until my class is over,” I murmured, shuffling forward at the prod of his hand on the small of my back.
My attention snagged on the security podium. John quickly looked away.
“I don’t like how he looks at you,” he murmured against my ear. “It makes me fucking crazy. I should get rid of him.”
“Caine,” I admonished. “You can’t just get him fired.”
“I own the fucking building. I do as I wish.”
Oh.
“Well don’t, I’d feel bad about it.” A scowl clouded his handsome face. “And he avoids me like I could turn him to stone,” I said dryly.
He shuffled me into the elevator, hugging me to his side. All the touches were doing was flaring my lust. The silver doors slid open to the hall with a ding.
Caine input the code to the penthouse. He pulled me into my bedroom.
“Take off your clothes,” he ordered. I shoved off my leggings and panties, while he undid his pants. With a smooth motion, he lifted me and sank into me. I gasped at the delicious invasion.
“Alpha,” I panted.
He pulled me tight to his chest and kissed my ear.
“Let me take care of you,” he huskily whispered against my ear. “Isabelle.”
I groaned.
“Okay, Caine.”
“That includes being your personal driver.” He didn’t allow me a comeback because he thrust, tearing my denials to pieces.
Overwhelming emotion crowded chest until it felt I suffocated. I dragged in a harsh breath—The smell of . . . juniper caressed my nostrils, engulfing me with the sense of comfort.
A glaze filmed over his eyes and his thrusts slowed and he kept his pelvis flush to mine. My channel clamped down on him and slick gushed, dampening the inner side of my thighs.
“I knew it,” he mumbled. He shoved his face into the crook of my neck, over my Scent Gland. His moan vibrated against my skin.
“You smell like strawberries,” he mumbled, groaning.
He shuddered and his pace lifted, a deep, guttural growl vibrating against my throat. His thrusts became harder and harder and I met every rutting thrust.
Need clenched through my belly and I clamped around his cock. I cried out, throwing my head back as an orgasm wracked my frame. A button popped off the front of his dress shirt with how hard I ripped at it. It offered me a peek at his smooth skin. I rubbed my palm against the smooth flesh, starved.
Ripples clamping his cock calmed and I struggled to focus. All I wanted—needed—was him. I lifted my hips, sliding to his tip and then to his knot.
“Caine,” I moaned.
He groaned against my throat.
“I can’t hold it,” he muttered, harshly.
He pulled his hips back and warmth jutted against my sensitive pussy. Another orgasm wrung my channel. I feverishly yanked at the collar of his shirt until more skin was exposed. Caine rammed himself inside me, elongating my release.
I whimpered from sensation overload, but I still wanted more and more. His propped himself onto his elbows, littering kisses across the bridge of my nose and cheeks.
“I’m your Scent Match.” I struggled to croak in the grips of the heat haze.
“Of course you are,” he breathed against my lips, staring into my eyes. With a final kiss he nestled against my throat and the sharp pinch of his teeth made me tense. A flood of emotion expanded in my chest crashing into the sense of rightness.
Another orgasm wracked my frame, and I couldn’t stop whimpering as I ground against his knot.
He claimed me.
“My Omega,” he mumbled gruffly, thrusting until I could no longer think.