She smiled and wiggled her ass. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He went a total of ten before his nerves gave out. “I’m done. I’m sorry.”
She stood, walked over to him. She put her arms around him and kissed him. “See? That was perfect.”
He knew what she was up to. She wore nothing but the heavy leather jacket, and the way she was bumping and grinding against him made him even harder.
“You keep that up, you’re getting fucked.”
“Really?” She grinned.
He dropped the whip and pushed her to the ground. He shoved her legs apart and unfastened his jeans. “Yeah, really.”
He plunged into her wet heat, grabbed her hips, and fucked her hard. She held on and met each thrust. When he came he collapsed on top of her.
“Feel better?” she purred.
“No.”
He heard her puzzled tone. “Why not?”
“Because you need a good spanking before I let you come, that’s why. I want to get every inch of that sweet ass red. If you behave, I might talk to Master about us both fucking you tonight.”
She made a small, surprised sound. “Really?” she gasped.
“Yeah, but only if your ass is waiting for me on the spanking horse when I get up there.”
She practically pushed him off her and ran for the house.
Seth shook his head and laughed. Okay, so maybe some of this he could get into.
Kaden looked up from his newspaper when Seth walked through a moment later. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve got me a slave to spank and molest, buddy. Care to join me?”
He threw the paper down and stood to follow him. “Duh.”
Chapter Nineteen
Leah hated spending time away from “her boys,” but both men were in agreement she needed something to keep her busy. Seth wondered if Kaden shared his worry that once the fundraising banquet was over she would need something else to distract her.
Not only did Leah coordinate all those arrangements, she still dealt with the parties and dinners they would have at the house. Seth helped out as much as he could, as much as Leah would let him.
She’d worked herself half to death, nearly to the point of exhaustion, Seth opined, but he followed Kaden’s lead and let her do what she needed to do.
As the night of the banquet drew near, Seth was surprised to find he’d be going. Not only that but sitting at the table with her and Kaden.
“Um, sweetie, not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
He couldn’t think of a legitimate reason. Most of Kaden and Leah’s closest friends and family already knew of Kaden’s “hopes” that Leah and Seth would get together after his death. Seth was surprised to find that most supported them. The ones that mattered, at least.
“You sure you want me there?”
“I already got your tux. You have to go.”
He didn’t force the issue. He’d also hoped to stay home and have a long evening alone so he could cry himself to sleep. And give them a special evening alone together, one Leah could remember and enjoy.
That plan, shot to hell.
Seth had a thought and made a couple of phone calls. Kaden would be surprised, but he wouldn’t let Leah balk and spoil Seth’s fun.
The night of the banquet, Seth finalized his plans and rode with them in Leah’s Lexus to Sarasota. As the organizer, Leah introduced the keynote speaker, a county commissioner. Then she returned to sit between her two men. Under the table, she reached out a hand to each and held them.
Seth worried everyone watched them. No one did, of course. No one could even see.
At one point after the food was served, Seth slipped out to the car to take care of his plans. He smiled, knowing that while Leah might be a little irritated at him at first, she would thank him later.
He knew Kaden would.
After dinner there was dancing. Seth hated to dance. He sat back and watched as Kaden and Leah gracefully moved around the floor with other couples. They looked so perfect together. Seth knew Kaden had lost a pound or two, but his skin color still looked normal. The typical jaundice hadn’t set in yet, might not for a while. A few times he’d caught Kaden looking a little queasy. Kaden had sworn him to secrecy on those incidents.
Still, at the last doctor visit he was doing well, all things considered.
Seth slipped outside for some air. He stood and stared at the well-decorated atrium. In some ways, this Christmas was the best and worst of his life. Best because he felt like, for the first time since he’d left home, that he was part of a family again. Not even with his exes had he felt like that. Was that a fault on his part, or theirs, or both? And the worst…
Well, obviously.
Thank God Kaden wouldn’t die this Christmas. Not with Leah’s birthday so close to the day. That would push her over the edge.
When he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned and looked into Leah’s green eyes.
“Hey, why are you out here?”
He shrugged and offered up a wan smile. “Just needed some air.”
“Will you come dance with me? Please?”
“I think you should go dance with Kaden. I’m a sucky dancer.” The music drifted out to them through the doorway.
“One dance?” Her green eyes melted him.
“One. Right here.” He opened his arms and enfolded her. He rested his cheek against the top of her head and slowly swayed in time with the music. He’d give her this much tonight, because he wanted her happy. But he wanted her focus to be on Kaden.
At the end of the song he kissed the top of her head and gently patted her ass. “Go back inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She went.
He took a deep, ragged breath. It would be lonely this weekend without them at home, but it was for the best. He’d have, hopefully, a lifetime with her.
After.
Kaden wouldn’t.
When he knew he could maintain his façade, he finally walked inside.
While Leah consulted with the caterer about some last-minute dessert logistics, Seth moved to sit next to Kaden. “Hey. Need to talk to you.”
“What?”
“When it’s time to leave, the two of you go on without me, okay?”
He frowned. “What?”
“Don’t ask questions, dude.” He glanced around to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “It’s my birthday present to Leah, and my Christmas present to both of you. Don’t let her call me either. You’ll find a note in the car explaining it. I want you both to have fun. Don’t you dare let her spoil this for me.”
Kaden nodded and leaned in to hug him. “Thanks.” He clapped him on the back. “How will you get home?”
“Already under control. Just keep her on a leash.” Seth laughed. “Well, you know what I mean. I’ll see you guys sometime late Sunday.”
“Okay. I appreciate it.”
Kaden would laugh when he saw the extras Seth had packed for them. Not just clothes—mostly clothes for Kaden, because Leah wouldn’t need many—but a few of the less extreme toys.
More than enough for them to have some creative fun over the weekend.
They would spend the weekend at a beachside resort on Longboat Key. There would be a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for them. And hopefully a sweet weekend of memories for Leah.
Seth waited until Leah had disappeared again to handle something to make his exit. He’d already programmed the taxi company’s number into his cell so he’d have it. Within fifteen minutes, he was riding south.
Toward home.
Seth loosened his tie and stared out the window at the passing landscape. Home alone.
“So’d you have a little too much to drink tonight, buddy?” the driver asked to make conversation.