Finding Home: A Club Dark Novel (13 page)

“That’s truly amazing, Cory. You did what most couldn’t when faced with such a tragic situation,” I say honestly.

“I only wish her parents saw it that way, but I do understand. I’d never be able to forgive someone for doing that to my child.” I turn around to face him; he needs to see my face when I say this.

“Cory, you’ve done everything you can. You can’t keep going on like this. You’ve got to get out of your own head and accept the fact that you made a mistake and you’ve done your best to fix it.” And I mean every word. I do hate it for her and her family, but he’s done all that he can to make up for it. And the fact that he still cares about her well-being says more about his character than he could ever tell me himself.

I don’t know the man he was then, but the man he is now is pretty wonderful. I fall for him more and more each day. I feel like I might even love him, but he doesn’t need to know that. At least not yet.

“Would you like to go to the fundraiser with me?” he asks.

“I’d love to, but I’m afraid I can’t. I have nothing to wear to something like that. I’m sure jeans and a t-shirt aren’t proper attire.” I lower my head feeling embarrassed and a bit disappointed.

“I wouldn’t care if you went just like this,” he gestures to my naked form, laughing. “Don’t stress over what to wear, I’ll take care of it,” he says, giving me a heart melting smile.

“I can’t ask that of you.” He’s already done so much for me, and I don’t want him going out of his way buying me unnecessary things.

“You aren’t asking. Now, get some sleep, it’s been a long day.” He plants a kiss on my nose and pulls me closer to him.

I bury my face into his chest and fall asleep listening to the beat of his heart.

When I wake up, it’s no surprise that Cory’s not there. I am surprised, however, when he walks through the door with a tray in his hands. “I tried to make it back be-fore you woke up,” he says with a gentle smile. “I made breakfast.” I sit up and wrap the sheet around me as he sits down beside me.

There are two covered plates on the tray along with two glasses of orange juice. He lifts the lid off one of the plates and I’m instantly hit with an array of aromas— none that I can identify, but it all smells good.

“I’m not sure what you like, so I went with my favorite, blueberry waffles covered in fresh strawberry preserves. And before you turn your nose up, you have to at least try it,” he says defensively before I even have a chance to comment. I just laugh at him, thinking it’s cute when he gets like this.

“What’s so funny?” he pouts and I laugh even harder. 

“I think you’re cute when you’re trying to be serious,” I say between a fit of giggles.

“Oh really?” he asks with an evil look in his eyes.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t. Give me the damn waffles,” I say playfully.

“Oh no, I think I’ll be the one feeding you.” My heart sputters just a bit. I’m going wild around this man, and I’ve never been more terrified in my life. Do I follow my heart, hoping we don’t just crash and burn? Or do I listen to my head which knows the pain I’ve been through, no longer trusting anyone? I just don’t know anymore.

Cory slides a little closer to me with a fork full of waffle and presses them against my lips. I open up and let him slide the fork into my mouth, tasting what’s probably the best waffle I’ve ever had. A small sigh escapes my lips at the sugary goodness.

“Mmm, this is amazing.”

He places a piece of cut strawberry between his teeth, then leans in and places his lips against mine, pushing the strawberry into my mouth with his tongue. He then leans back, heat in his eyes promising to light my world up. My food is all but forgotten as my focus is strictly on the man in front of me.

He pushes the tray out of the way and jumps on top of me. “I want to fuck you, right now!” he growls, taking my lip between his teeth and giving it a gentle nibble.

“Yes please,” I manage to squeak out before he sheds his boxers and nudges my legs apart.

“Open for me baby, I want to see you.”

  I drop my legs to the sides and wait in anticipation. He kneels between my legs and looks at me like he’s about to devour me. His hand grips me behind the knee, opening me wider and completely exposing me to him.

“I need to taste you again,” he says and drags his tongue in one long, hot trail down my pussy. My hands grip the sheets as he repeats the action several times, my back bows off the bed as my hand digs deeper in the sheets, and I ride out the most amazing orgasm. “Cory, oh Cory, aahhhh oh God yes, Cory, yes.” I moan and scream as the incredible shocks roll through me.

He sits up and brings one of my legs with him to drape over his shoulder before he slams into me, all in one swift move. I scream out in pleasure and pain as he really and truly fucks me. He holds nothing back as he slams into me over and over again, each thrust pushing me further up the bed. I feel the pressure start to rise once again.

“I’m not going to last much longer,” I say, breathless.

He quickens his pace and grunts out, “You don’t come until I say.” He slows his pace gliding in and out of me at an agonizing rate, but I’m so close. I can feel it build more each time he thrusts inside, hitting just the right spot as he lazily runs his finger in circles on my clit. “Come with me, baby,” he says as he reaches down and takes my nipple between his teeth, and that’s all it takes to send me over the edge, coming so hard I see stars.

As my heart rate slows down to a normal rate, I look up at Cory, and it’s almost like looking at a mirror as I see what I’m feeling reflected back at me in his eyes. “I think I love you, Lacey,” he whispers. I feel the sting in my eyes before the tears start to fall and my heart swells.

“I think I love you too, Cory.” God help me but I do. I can’t deny it anymore. I’ve fallen hard, and there’s no going back from here.

“Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with me?” he asks, looking all serious while he’s still buried inside of me. And he’s still rock hard. Is this man ever sated?

“No, I’m not. But I’m sure you’re worth it,” I say truthfully.

He rocks against me, gently at first, running his hand through my hair and down my face, never breaking eye contact. “I’m not a simple man, you should know that,” he says, slamming into me then slowly pulling back out.

“It’s a good thing that I’m not a simple woman then, isn’t it?” I say, knowing I’m stirring the beast. He slams back in, a little harder this time, causing a deep moan I have no control over to come out. And this is how we finish out the morning, making love and exploring each other’s bodies.

                                                              
 
⃰

It’s Saturday and it’s been a full day since we both admitted our feelings for each other. Tonight is the fundraiser, and to say I’m nervous is a vast understatement. I still don’t have anything to wear, but Cory assures me that everything will be fine.

Now that I’ve had a little time alone since Cory has been holed up in his office on a business call most of the morning, it’s given me some time to think. Everything just feels too good to be true with the kind of life I’ve had and the things I’ve been through recently. I’m just waiting for that ball to drop and everything to come crashing down around me. That’s just life for me. Pain and sorrow is all I know.

There’s a soft knock on the door as Albert walks in. “Sorry to disturb you, Miss Carter, but you have a package.” He’s holding a long white box with a light teal ribbon tied around it. There’s a card attached to the top.

“Since you insist on wearing clothes tonight, I thought this would be perfect.”

There’s no signature, but none is needed. I knew who sent it.

“Thank you, Albert,” I say with a smile, dismissing him. I’m eager to open the box and see what’s inside. As soon as he shuts the door, I make quick work of opening the box, completely shocked at what I see.

The dress is absolutely stunning, to say the least. It’s a floor-length evening gown in a sheer nude color. I pull it from the box and hold it up, to get a better look at it and I’m shocked with just how much skin is going to be showing despite all of the material here. There’s an accentuating bust line that’s open between the breast, stretching down toward the navel. The back is almost nonexistent and there’s a slit that goes halfway up the left thigh.

It’s a gorgeous dress— perfect for any model, but sure to make me look like a fool. I can’t wear this in public. I’ll just have to tell Cory to send it back, hopefully without hurting his feelings.

It’s hours before he comes out of his office and I’ve been restless. I need to tell him I can’t wear this dress, but I know he’s busy and doesn’t want to be disturbed. When he finally opens the office door I practically pounce on him.

“Can we talk?” I ask.

“Everything ok?” I love the concern etched on his face, it makes me feel important.

“Not exactly. I can’t accept that dress. It’s beautiful, really. But made for someone a little higher class than I am.”

He gives me an angry scowl. “I don’t want to hear any of that, Lacey. If this dress was made for anyone, it’s you. Now, I have a few things I need to attend to be-fore the fundraiser tonight. I’ll be back before we need to leave. Al has sent for my hairdressers, and they will be completely at your disposal.”  He captures my mouth in a passionate kiss and heads downstairs. I’m still not comfortable with the idea of wearing this dress, but what other option do I have?

It’s not long after Cory leaves that his hairdressers show up. Or, should I say, Emmanuel and Claudette. I immediately like both of them. They have this fun-loving vibe about them that’s contagious.

“Oh honey, you are going to have so much fun,” Emmanuel says playfully. This man screams feminism. He’s handsome, with a mocha-colored complexion and perfectly styled black hair. He’s wearing a pair of pressed black slacks and a pink but-ton down shirt. He carries himself with an elegance I’m positive I’ll never be able to master.

Claudette could be his twin if it weren’t for the platinum blonde hair and the, at least, six inches of height she has on him. They’re both gorgeous, though.

I love how they’ve set my unease to rest. I feel a hundred times more relaxed since spending the last little while with them.

“I can’t wait to see you in this dress, girlfriend; you are going to be the star of the show.” Emmanuel gushes, and it makes me blush.

“I have the perfect plan for her hair, let’s get started,” squeals Claudette.

For the next hour and a half, I’m subjected to a torturous wax, not only to my legs but also to places we won’t talk about right now. My eyebrows are threaded—a procedure I had never heard of before, and finally, hair and makeup which they refused to let me see before they are finished. This takes the most time, as Claudette colors, cuts, and styles my hair while Emmanuel sets out to work on my face. I feel like someone important, like being pampered is a normal everyday kind of thing.

Emmanuel brings my dress over, careful not to mess it up. And I’m just lounging around in a bathrobe, I haven’t even had a chance to put the necessary undergarments on since the waxing.  “Would you like our help getting into your gown?” He beams at me and it gives me the courage I need to not hide in the bathroom and refuse to go tonight.

“Yes, I would love it,” I say. There is absolutely no way I’ll be able to get in it myself without messing something up.

They set the opening of the dress at my feet, inviting me to step in. I start to let the robe drop to the floor but then remember my prior dilemma.

“I need to grab my undergarments really quick…”

Emmanuel interrupts me, “This is not the type of dress for that. You don’t want to make lines, sweetheart, and no one will be able to notice.” I’m not sure whether I should take that as a compliment, or if he just called me flat chested, although, I’ve always thought I was a little too large in that area. Feeling a little embarrassed at having two strangers seeing me completely naked, I throw caution to the wind and drop the robe and step into the dress. I allow them to help me glide it up my body, and was very relieved when they were both professional about it.

Spinning around, I give them a full look at the dress. I feel completely out of place standing here in this outfit all done up. I’ve never wore anything so fancy be-fore, and I’ve never really had a reason to be this dolled up.

Neither one of them says anything, making me realize I’m just standing here looking at my feet like an idiot. When I look up at them, they’re both staring, making me feel so much more uncomfortable.

“What?” I ask feeling nervous and ridiculous. “I should change right?” God, I knew this was a bad idea.

“Oh no, honey, you most definitely should not change,” Claudette says with a gentle smile.

Emmanuel clears his throat before he finally has something to say. “Girlfriend, you’re a knockout. I doubt there’ll be a single person there who can keep their eyes off you.” I feel my eyes sting as tears spring forth along with a light blush on my cheeks. “Oh no, honey, dry them eyes. We don’t want to smudge your makeup.”

We hear a soft knock on the door before Al walks in. “Miss Carter, you look positively stunning tonight.” He flashes me a warm smile before continuing, “Mr. Lewis has arrived. You’ll find him outside waiting for you.” He gives a curt nod before turning to leave.

“Thank you, Al.” Well, here goes nothing.

Standing at the front door, I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves before turning the handle and walking out. My breath catches in my throat when I find Cory standing on the front porch. He’s in a tux that looks perfectly tailored to fit him. He’s wearing a white button-down underneath, and his tie appears to match my dress. The fact that he dressed with me in mind makes me fall for him even more.

He takes a step toward me and my heart stops beating. Will I ever get used to being around him? “You look absolutely beautiful,” he says while grabbing my hand and planting a soft kiss on the back of it. It’s such a simple gesture, but the effect it has on me has my thighs clenching and by the look in his eyes, he knows it. “Everything okay Miss Carter?” he asks with a smug smile on his gorgeous face. Asshole.

“Just fine. Let’s go.” He chuckles and tugs on my hand, leading me down the stairs to a limo I didn’t even notice until now.

This is probably the longest limo I’ve ever seen, which makes me wonder why we need such a vehicle for just the two of us.

The driver is standing at the side of the vehicle as we make our way down. He opens the door for us when we approach. “Mr. Lewis, Miss Carter.” He nods our way.

“Good evening, George.”

Cory gestures for me to slide in then takes his place beside me before George closes the door.

The inside is impressive. Two long, black leather bench seats sit adjacent in the wide space. I’m almost certain the black carpet would feel plush if I were to take my shoes off. I’ve never been surrounded by so much luxury. I feel so out of my element here that I hope I don’t make a fool of myself or embarrass Cory tonight.