Destined To Fall (9 page)

Frustration. That’s what I feel. That’s what I’ve been feeling all week, ever
since Cassey turned her back on me and walked away on Saturday night.
That was almost a week ago. I’ve buried myself in my work, attending meetings with my father, learning as much as I can so that I won’t think about her.
I’ve never been told ‘no’ before, especially not by a woman, but that’s no what
really bothers me. What bothers me is my inability to read Cassey, when I’ve
been able to read every other woman before her. But then again, I’ve come to
realize, after spending time with her, that she’s nothing like the woman I’ve
been with. And that’s what keeps me drawn to her. I know little about her,
about who she is, but I want to know. God, when did I grow a vagina?
Her body gives away her attraction to me, but her face, and her eyes, are
guarded, like she’s fighting our obvious attraction to each other. Silly woman.
One way or another, she’ll give into me. She has to.
Deciding I can’t take it anymore, I push back my chair and walk out of my
office. I take the elevator down two floors and head to Cassey’s office. She’s
on the phone when I walk in and shut the door, locking it behind me.
“Quinn, I’ll call you back,” she says. She stands and steps around her desk.
“Kyler, what are you doing?” Her voice is quiet, surprised.
I hesitate, but only for a split second. “What I should’ve done a week ago,” I
reply, closing the gap between us. I wrap my hand around her neck and pull
her into me, crashing my mouth onto hers. Her resistance doesn’t last long.
Her mouth moves with mine and when our tongues meet, a moan escapes
through her lips. Her hands rest on my chest, and I think she’s going to push
me away, but she doesn’t. I take the chance to wind my arm around her waist
and lift her. When her legs come around my hips I thank God that she’s
wearing pants and carry her to the sofa by the windows. My lips leave hers
and I trail kisses down her neck, savoring the taste of her sweet skin. I lay her
down and bring my mouth back to hers. She nibbles on my lip, her hands on
my back, and my cock hardens. I was hard when I walked in here, but now
it’s almost painful. I rub my erection between her legs, swallowing the gasp
that slips from her mouth. My hand moves up her side and I cup her breast,
kneading it until her nipple hardens beneath her bra.
“Kyler,” she breathes heavily, breaking our kiss. “We shouldn’t - ”
“But we are,” I interrupt her. “And we will. I told you I want you, Cassey, and
I wasn’t lying. I just needed to show you that you wanted this as much as I
do.”
I kiss her again, for the last time, and climb off her. I rake my hands through
my hair and catch my breath. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips tumid from my
assault, and she sits up to right her disheveled appearance.
“I will have you, Cass, whether you admit it or not, and it won’t be long before you give in to me.”
With that, I spin around and leave her office before I fuck her on that sofa.
I smile to myself, committing how she looked to memory. I admit it wasn’t
the smartest thing I’ve ever done, and I was only thinking with my dick, but
something about the way she felt pressed up against me, writhing beneath
me as I devoured her mouth, and touched her. Felt so incredibly right, and
necessary. I couldn’t help myself. I want her, and I won’t stop until I have her.

Kyler walks out of my office, leaving me a complete mess of confusion, lust and
wanton. Why did he just do that? Does he think this is some of kind of game.
The click of my office door is what brings me to my feet, and I quickly fix my
tousled clothes. My chest is heaving, and it has nothing to do with the sudden
anger I feel bubbling up towards the surface. I’m angry now, because he has
some nerve to come in here and man handle me, after I told him ‘no’ the first
time. But I’m also turned on as hell, and that makes me angry to. I wish I didn’t
respond to him, or the way he made me feel moments go, but I can’t deny how
good it felt to have him kiss me like he wanted to. I’m sure if he hadn’t stopped
it, I would’ve been naked by now, with him on top of me and most likely, inside me. I huff, and grab my purse from my desk. I need to get out of here. It’s
not even three pm yet, but if I stay here any longer after what just transpired I
might be tempted to finish what Kyler started.
I decide to kill the remainder of my afternoon packing up the few things I own
that litter Quinn’s apartment. I’m moving in a few days, and while the thought
of living alone frightens me, I can’t help the little flutter of excitement in my
belly. I believe everything happens for a reason, and the possibility that this is
the right time for me to learn how to stand on my own two feet is what calms
my nerves.
The front door shuts and moments later Quinn appears in my bedroom.
“Hey girly. You all packed yet?”
I tape the last box and smile at my best friend. “All that’s left is the bed, and
my dresser.”
“You don’t have to go you know,” Quinn sighs, taking a seat on my bed.
“I know,” I reply. “But I want to do this. I’ve been too dependent on you, and
it’s time for me to try and do this on my own.”
“My baby girl is grown up and flying the nest,” Quinn muses. I laugh, and
stand up.
“Tell you what, since you’ll be away with Jarred the rest of the weekend, why
don’t we do one last sleep over with too much wine and ice-cream for old times
sake?”
“Sounds perfect.” Quinn smiles.
A few minutes later we’re in the living room, a bottle of wine on the table, and
The Notebook playing in the background. Quinn pours us each a glass, and we
start reminiscing about all the amazing memories we’ve made here.
“You’re quiet,” Quinn says, turning to face me.
“Preoccupied, I guess.” That’s an understatement. All I’m thinking about is
Kyler’s kiss.
“Does it have anything to do with Kyler?”
My head whips to the side and I can’t hide my frown. “Why would you think
that?” my voice is defensive, which gives me away.
Quinn’s brow lifts. “I’m not stupid, and I know you better than you know yourself, Cassey Emerson. I know when you have a boy on your mind. Or in this
case, a man. A very sexy man.” Her smirk makes me giggle, and relaxes me a
little.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, and I don’t blame you, but what’s stopping you from tapping that?”
“What? The fact that he’s my boss isn’t reason enough to avoid falling into bed
with him?”
Quinn shrugs. “It doesn’t matter what I think, babe, but think about what
you’d regret more. Having one night of amazing, mind-blowing sex with Kyler,
or wondering what it would be like to do it.”
“I don’t want to be another notch on his very busy bedpost. I might’ve grown
up in a trailer, but I’m no hussy.”
Quinn’s eyes roll. “You’re anything but a hussy, but think about this: every once
in our lifetime, we meet someone who sets us on fire, and the only thing that
will douse the flame is if we give in, even if it’s just for one night.”
Her words take me back to how I felt when Kyler kissed me, how he not only
ignited the flame inside me, but also made it burn brighter, and higher.
“He kissed me,” I blurt out, gulping down what’s left of my wine.
Quinn’s eyes widen in surprise. “What? When?”
“Today, in my office. He just barged in and grabbed me, and the next thing I
know he has me pinned on the couch.”
“And?”
“And what? He kissed me, and then walked out.”
Her brows dip. “Well did he say anything before he walked out?”
I sigh heavily, contemplating how much I should tell her.
“He said that we will happen, and that he’ll have me whether I admit it or not.”
Quinn’s mouth drops open and she stares at me. “You’re shitting me, right?”
I reach over and pause the movie. “Nope,” I reply, popping the ‘p’ for emphasis.
“Why the hell are you not jumping his bones right now?”
“Because I’m not willing to risk my career for one night in my boss’s bed, not
matter how life-changing the sex might be.”
“But this isn’t one-sided, Cass. Can’t you see that? He wants you. I knew it as
soon as I saw you dancing with him last week.”
“Even so, Quinny, I can’t do it. It’s not who I am, and I’m not willing to risk
everything I’ve worked so hard for on someone I barely know.”
“Then get to know him. I’m sure you’ll find something there you might actually like.”
Before I can respond, the doorbell rings and Quinn jumps up. “Pizza’s here!”
she yells from the entryway. I press ‘play’ and watch how Noah tells Ally that it
wasn’t over for him when she left, and that it still isn’t over. I realize that that
is the kind of love I want. The kind that lasts. The kind that is forever.

The drive out the city is always one of my favorite parts of visiting Mr. And
Mrs. Knight. To most people, me visiting my soon-to-be retired boss and his
wife for Sunday lunch may seem unusual, and a little unprofessional. But for
some reason, Robert and his wife, Estelle, took me under their wings in my
first year at Knight Media. It was almost like they knew I was in need of a
family, in need of people who cared. Now, I seem to be stuck with them.
The only strange thing is how I’ve never seen Kyler there. Thinking about
him makes my belly flutter and drop at the same time. It comes with the understanding, and not the acceptance, that you want something, or in my case
someone, you shouldn’t.
The cab stops outside Kyler’s parents’ Colonial style home and I pay my fair.
I grab the chocolate cake Quinn helped me bake, and the flowers I bought
for Kyler’s mother. They’re white lilies. Her favorites. I stand in front of their
door, and quickly take stock of my appearance before ringing the door bell.
The top of my white sundress hugs my breasts and flairs slightly down to my
knees.
It’s a classic, and makes my dark locks look even darker. The doorbell chimes
and moments later Kyler’s mother, Estelle, appears in the door.
“Cassey, sweetheart, it’s wonderful to see you again! Come in!” she says, embracing me in a hug.
“Hi, Estelle! I’ve missed you!” I reply sincerely.
We walk into the kitchen, and I place the cake down, and put her flowers
into a vase.
“I brought you a home-made chocolate cake,” I tell her. “My friend Quinn
helped me.”
Kyler’s mother smiles warmly at me. “Thank you sweet girl, but I’m sure
Robert told you to bring chocolate cake because it’s secretly his favorite.”
We chuckle, and just then Kyler’s father, Robert, walks in. “What did I hear
about chocolate cake?”
“Cassey here, made us some for dessert,” Estelle chimes in, smiling adoringly
at her husband.
“In that case,” Robert says, a naughty grin on his face. “Let’s skip right to
dessert.”
I laugh as Robert hugs me in greeting and then pushes me back by the
shoulders to look at me. “How are you, sweetheart? You look tired,” he says to
me.
“I could say the same thing about you,” I chuckle. “I’m great. Thank you so
much for having me.”
“Estelle has been talking about seeing you again for almost a week,” he
laughs.
“Oh hush, Robert,” Kyler’s mother chides playfully. “I wasn’t that bad.”
He leans down and presses a kiss to his wife’s cheek. “No, my love, you were
worse.”
She slaps him on the chest, and the look they share is one of adoration, respect and pure love. The kind you see in fairytales.
“Now,” Robert says, turning to me. “Let’s go sit outside, on the deck, and
drink some sweet tea.”

He leads me outside by my elbow and pulls out a deck chair for me. He
takes a seat next to me, at the head of the table. I’m about to start talking
when another voice interrupts me.

His step falters when he see’s me, but recovers quickly.
“Cassey? What are you doing here?”
“Kyler, that is no way to speak to our guest.” Kyler’s mother comes out

next, carrying a tray of appetizers.
“Sorry, Mom, I didn’t meant to be rude,” he replies. He shakes his father’s
hand, and turns to hug his mother. I take a moment to drink him in. His
jeans cling to his thighs and travels up to hug his firm butt. His black t-shirt
shows off beautifully broad shoulders and accentuates his pecs.
My cheeks flush when he catches me devouring him with my slow, intentional perusal.
“Cassey here, visits us almost every Sunday for lunch,” his father says,
winking at me.
“Is that so?” Kyler says. I catch the mischievous glint in his eye, and the
way his lip curls up to the one side. Dammit. He’s sexy.
I stick my hand out. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Knight.”
His eyebrows shoot up and he takes a step closer to me, ignoring my
outstretched hand. His hand brushes against my arm as he leans in closer.
My ballet flats have me at a major height disadvantage and I have to resist
the natural inclination to stretch onto the balls of my feet. His lips meet my
cheek, and he breathes out my name against my skin, causing a slight shiver
to make it’s way up my spine. When he straightens, I huff out the breath I
didn’t know I was holding.
“Nice to see again too, Ms. Emerson,” Kyler says sweetly.
Kyler’s parents sit down, and I take the chance to excuse myself to the
bathroom. I need a moment to recollect myself. I’m more than surprised to
see Kyler here, and for some reason it has left me feeling a little frazzled. I
was hoping I’d only have to deal with him on Monday, when I tell him never
to kiss me again.
There’s a knock on the door, and I open it, thinking it could be Estelle
who’s checking on me after I’ve been gone for over ten minutes. Kyler steps
in, shutting the door behind him, and captures my mouth with his before I
even a second to think, let alone protest.
He lifts me and places me on the counter next to the sink. I should push
him away. I should. But I don’t. My body response on its own and my hands
grip his shirt, pulling him between my legs. His kiss turns aggressive, and he
bites my lip.
His hands dive into my hair and he yanks my head up, with the slightest
bit of force, and his tongue starts its assault on mine.
“Kyler, stop,” I mumble into his mouth. “Please, we have to stop.”
Our mouths separate and he looks into my eyes. “Why?”
“We’re at your parents house. It’s disrespectful.”
“No,” he replies, holding my chin with his hand. “The things I want to do
to you are disrespectful.”
Oh no. He can’t do this to me, not now. Not when I need to end something that hasn’t even started yet. “I’m being serious, Kyler. We can’t do this.
We can never do this.”
His lips tilt up into a knowing smile before he gives me one last kiss.
And he makes sure it’s one I won’t soon forget.
“It’s not up to you,” he murmurs. “Stop fighting me, Cass, and just give
in.”
With that he leaves again and I realize it’s the second time in the space
of three days that he’s left me in this disheveled state. Bastard.
I jump off the counter, and fix my dress in a rush. I catch Kyler just outside the bathroom door and grab his arm. He turns to face me, a smirk on his
face. You’re not winning this round, Knight. I stretch on my toes and bring
his face close enough to mine so that our lips almost touch, while I rub his
hard-on beneath the zipper of his dark jeans. He sucks in a breath, and just
when he thinks I’m about to surrender, I pull the rug out from under him.
“Don’t fuck with me, Kyler,” I whisper harshly. “I don’t have time for your
games, and I sure as shit don’t want to be another notch on your bedpost.”
The trailer trash side of my personality rears it’s head, as does the Southern twang in my accent. If being as crass, and straight-forward with Kyler as
he is with me gets him to stop, then I will do what I have to.
Despite my conversation with Quinn on Friday night, I still have to do
what’s best for me, and one night with Kyler isn’t what’s best for me.
“See you outside,” I say. I walk away, feeling slightly high after that stunt.
I just hope he believes it.