Awaken (16 page)

Lacey pushed the vibrator further inside. Her body tingled in response to its steady beat. Then she felt Cooper’s presence again. He was standing over her on the bed.
 

Drip. Drip. Drip. Oil trickled onto her body.

His hands began rubbing her back. A massage.
 

Sweet,
Lacey thought.
I’ll just fuck myself with this vibrator while you give me a full body massage. Perfect.

But then his wet, oily hands stopped massaging Lacey’s shoulders and back, and ventured down toward her bum. Lacey felt more drips of oil fall onto her ass. Cooper began massaging her butt cheeks, stretching them wide. Then his fingers made circles around her opening. He slowly slid a finger inside her. Lacey let out a gasp, but enjoyed the unfamiliar feeling. Cooper pressed his finger further inside.

“Keep working the dildo,” Cooper said. Lacey hadn’t realized she stopped. She continued sliding the vibrator in and out of her as Cooper worked his finger similarly in her rear. The sensation of being penetrated both ways was almost too much for her body to take.
 

Then things got taken to a whole new level. Cooper slid his finger out. A few seconds later, Lacey felt the head of his cock press against the crease of her ass, near the opening that she thought was only an exit. Cooper grabbed onto both her butt cheeks, spreading them wide. He eased the head of his cock forward, pushing it gently into her ass.
 

Lacey gasped at the foreign feeling. Cooper’s hand traveled up her back.

“Relax, Lacey. Take me in,” he said soothingly.

Lacey took a deep breath to let go of any tension in her body. She kept working the dildo in and out of her wet, throbbing pussy. Cooper’s hands returned to her butt cheeks and slowly he slid his cock further in. The warm burning sensation soon became comfortable and intense. Cooper slowly worked his cock in and out of her. Lacey matched his pace with the vibrator.
 

It was almost too much to take – a sensory explosion she had never experienced. It was like being filled to the brim. Soon, Cooper was able to easily slide his cock in and out of her – her tight ass welcoming his hard shaft, just as her pussy had.
 

Her body quivered from joy, overwhelmed with bliss at being filled completely.

Her pussy convulsed with jubilation.
 

Lacey’s hand fell from the dildo.

Although blindfolded, she squeezed her eyes shut. The next thrust from Cooper’s cock sent her over the edge. She shrieked with euphoria at the white blinding pleasure bomb that suddenly exploded inside her, flooding her with gratitude.

“That was a pleasant surprise,” exclaimed Lacey. “Can I take the blindfold off now?”

Cooper rolled over and fell to Lacey’s side, catching his breath.
That was awesome,
he admitted.
She matched me the whole time. We were locked in a perfect rhythm.

“Yes,” he finally said, turning his head. As Lacey lifted the blindfold, Cooper could easily read the joy radiating from her face. She looked beautiful.

She smirked as she looked at him. “That was a lot more fun than I expected.”

“I thought you might enjoy it.”

Lacey rolled on top of Cooper, resting on his chest. She stared into his eyes. Cooper fought off the temptation to kiss her, just like he had all night.

“I’m glad I didn’t sign that confidentiality agreement. Look at what I’d be missing out on?” she said playfully.

“But you are going to sign it,” he said, trying to sound serious.

Lacey shot him a mischievous look. “Once you’ve fulfilled all the requirements, Mr. West.” She patted his chest. “Three more to go, Coop. But I really don’t know how you’re going to top that one. You really have a gift when it comes to pleasuring a woman.”

“Thanks.”
 

“Don’t mention it,” Lacey said with another smirk. “Do you want to take a shower? I’d really love to get this oil off me.”

Cooper was about to say yes, but stopped himself.
I need to maintain my distance,
he reminded himself.

“Why don’t you go ahead. There are fresh towels in the cabinet next to the shower.”
 

Cooper noticed the disappointed look in her eyes.
 

“Okay,” Lacey said with a slow nod and rolled off of him. Then she stood up.

Cooper watched as her curvy figure and perfect ass walked into his bathroom. The shower turned on. He sighed.
This is going to be tougher than I thought
, he told himself.
The whole time we were fucking, I craved her kiss so badly, wanted to feel her warm mouth against mine. And now there’s nothing I want more than to join her in that hot shower, rub my hands over her body. I even have the urge to fuck her again, right there in the shower. I can’t seem to get enough of her.
 

Cooper tried to stop thinking about how much he wanted Lacey. But it wasn’t easy. He hadn’t felt this way since… He quickly forced the thought out of his mind. An intense sex session would normally ease the tension in both his body and mind, allowing him to focus on work. But after having sex with Lacey, he felt a lingering desire to stay in the moment. That wasn’t good. Cooper realized he needed to fulfill the remaining sessions with Lacey as quickly as possible. Then he could focus all his attention back on work and what really mattered: the San Francisco merger.
 

The shower turned off, and a few moments later, Lacey stepped into the bedroom, drying her hair with a towel.
 

“Can you meet next Friday?” Cooper asked.

“I can’t,” replied Lacey. She looked at him, beaming. “You’re not going to believe who I’m meeting with?”

Cooper saw the excitement in her eyes. “Who?”

“Joanna Hunt,” Lacey revealed. She sat on the edge of the bed. She told Cooper all about her gallery exhibit and how she needed Joanna’s advice.

“But when I called her,” continued Lacey. “She said we should talk in person. She invited me to her house in Connecticut. Can you believe it? I’m so excited.”

Cooper couldn’t hold back his smile. He was genuinely happy for her.

“You’re really making your dreams come true, Lacey. Good for you.”

“Thanks,” said Lacey returning his smile. They remained locked in a gaze for a long moment. Cooper sensed feelings he hadn’t felt in years rising to the surface again. Lacey then cocked her head to the side. “Can I ask you something?”

Cooper slowly nodded. “Sure.”

“Why didn’t you want to kiss me this time? Last time we couldn’t keep our lips off each other.”

Cooper didn’t know what to say. He looked away. He gathered himself and then returned her gaze, but this time he looked serious.

“Because that’s not what this is about. It’s just sex. Remember that.”

A surprised look crossed Lacey’s face. She nodded slowly. “Okay,” she said softly. “Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’ll get out of your way.”

Lacey quickly got up and walked toward the living room to get her things. Cooper sighed. Just like with Mimi, he hated being an asshole, but it was the only way he knew how to survive. He got out of bed and threw on a pair of boxer briefs. He joined Lacey in the living room as she was tying the belt of her Burberry raincoat.

“I wish I had a pair of undies,” she complained. “It looks like it’s breezy out today.”

Cooper suppressed a smirk. “I’ll have Clyde drive you home,” he said.

“No, it’s okay,” said Lacey. “I don’t want to –”

Cooper held up his hand. “It’s not a problem, Lacey. I’ll text him now.”

While Cooper contacted his driver, Lacey noticed the flowers resting on his kitchen counter. She saw the semi-inflated Happy Birthday balloon. She hadn’t noticed the bouquet when she had first arrived – probably because she was a horny mess when she walked into the apartment.
 

“Is it your birthday?” she asked.

Cooper glanced at the flowers. He had been meaning to get rid of the balloon but hadn’t gotten around to it. “It’s passed,” he muttered.

 
“Oh,” said Lacey. “Happy Belated Birthday.”

“Thanks,” Cooper said with no enthusiasm.

“When was it?”
 

Cooper looked up at her. “Last week. Thursday.”

As she realized what happened on that morning, his birthday, a look of surprise crossed her face. “Oh, that’s when you told me you were the Master. And you spent the night at my place.”

Cooper didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how to respond. Thankfully, his phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen. It was Todd, his assistant. “Lacey, I have to get this. Clyde should be here shortly. Would you mind waiting for him in the lobby? I’ll contact you in a couple of days for our next session.”

Disappointment was written all across Lacey’s face. “Okay,” she replied with a slow, hurtful nod. As Cooper answered his phone, she walked past him and left his apartment.
 

As she waited for the elevator in the hallway, Lacey sighed. Although she told Cooper she didn’t want anything more than just sex, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed that there was nothing else between them.

The train sped along the track on its way to Connecticut.
It’s nice to get out of the city for a bit
, Lacey reflected. As she stared out her window, at the suburban homes passing by, she noticed the leaves on the trees were starting to turn. In a few weeks, as fall descended on the East Coast, they would be exploding with vibrant colors. She couldn’t wait to capture the transformation with her camera.
 

I still can’t believe how quickly my life has changed,
Lacey thought.
A year ago, I was living in Cleveland, recouping from my cancer treatment, wondering what to do with my life. Now, I’m back in the city. And in a very short amount of time, I have established myself as a professional photographer and am about to meet my idol at her home. It’s amazing how much life can change by keeping yourself open to opportunities.
 
 

Speaking of opportunities, Lacey thought about Cooper West and sighed. After their first night of sex at her place, she felt their relationship was taking on an added dimension – something more personal – even though Cooper was adamant he didn’t want that. But during the session in his apartment, Cooper refused to kiss her.
What changed?
Had she imagined they were getting closer?
 

In his apartment, he fucked me like the Master, even though he wasn’t wearing his mask,
Lacey thought.
He didn’t want to get intimate. By covering my eyes, and refusing to kiss me, he kept the sex physical, impersonal
.
I guess I shouldn’t complain. I didn’t know what good sex was until I met him. But I’d love to have his heart
and
his cock. Maybe I’m just being greedy. It would be a helluva lot easier to stop thinking about him, if he wasn’t so damn good looking…and amazing in bed.

As the landscape outside her window slowly changed from suburban homes to patches of farmland,
Lacey persuaded herself that it was time to stop thinking about Cooper. She had to start thinking about her career and what really mattered to her.
 

The train conductor announced the next stop: Litchfield. Lacey prepared to get off the train.
 

Joanna Hunt’s remodeled farmhouse rested on fifteen acres of land – half of it grassy terrain, and the other half wooded forest. The interior of the farmhouse had been renovated to accommodate a large photo studio. Joanna lived alone – her husband deceased several years ago. As Joanna showed her the rest of the house, Lacey marveled at the sunlight that spilled into the rooms.
 

“This place is wonderful,” she said.
 

“Thank you. It’s my sanctuary,” Joanna confessed. “Whenever I can, I prefer to do model shoots out here. I find the subjects to be more at ease in these surroundings – away from the city, closer to nature.”

“I can’t thank you enough for inviting me,” said Lacey. “I really didn’t want to take up too much of your time.”

Joanna turned and smiled. “Not at all. This place may be peaceful, but it can get a little lonely. I enjoy having company.”

They made their way back into Joanna’s photo studio and took a seat on a couch.

The old woman smiled at Lacey with her warm blue eyes.
 

“So you’re at a crossroads?” Joanna asked.
 

“I guess you could say that,” Lacey said with a nod. She told her about the gallery exhibit. Joanna immediately clasped her hand.
 

“You should be very proud,” she said with a grin. “Your first showing is a big milestone, one to be celebrated. And the Jameson Art Gallery is very well regarded. Congratulations.”

Lacey nodded. “Thank you. I just wish I didn’t feel so conflicted.”

She proceeded to tell Joanna about the photos the gallery wanted to exhibit.

Joanna understood her concern. “I faced a similar situation when I was younger.”