Have I Told You (9 page)

A smile crept across Caston’s face. He reached over to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m glad to hear that, Bre. It’s only going to get better. I promise, okay?”

I nodded and returned to my breakfast. When we were finished, I hopped up and gathered the dishes and started to clean the plates. Caston walked up behind me, snaked his hands around my waist, and kissed my neck. I shivered. “That tickles, but, please, don’t stop.”

I felt his smile on my skin, as he moved my hair and kept kissing along my upper back to my other shoulder. “You know I employ someone to clean the dishes, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to be a burden on Jules, since she usually only takes care of you.”

“Mmmm, you taste wonderful, Sabrina,” he hummed, as he continued kissing me. I’m not sure how I didn’t break any of the dishes in the sink…I could barely focus. “It’s the weekend. What would you like to do? I’ll take you any place you want to go.”

He captured my mouth with his when I turned around to face him. My hands were wet from the dishes, but I couldn’t resist pushing them through his hair. His hands grabbed my behind, raising me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He walked me over to the breakfast bar and set me down. “Oh, that’s so cold.” I said, giggling through his kiss.

“I guess we need to heat it up then, don’t we,” Caston growled back.

As his hands started to push my shirt up, someone cleared their throat in the doorway. My head snapped up, and I started to turn around. I thought I heard Caston mumble ‘fuck’ into my chest.

“Well, I guess I won’t be eating at your house ever again, unless I sanitize the countertop first. Caston, dear, where are your manners? How did I bring you up?”

“Mother, I am twenty-six, this is my house. I can damn well do as I please.”

I wanted to die. I wouldn’t turn around to see the women standing behind me, and wished I could just melt into the floor. Even Caston had yet to look at her. He brought his hands up to my face and kissed my nose. “I will be right back. Please, do not go anywhere.”

Son of a fucking bitch! Beverly had the worst fucking timing in the world. I’m definitely talking to Terrance about changing the locks. I hoped she wouldn’t scare Sabrina away. I kissed Sabrina’s nose and asked her not to go anywhere. I wanted to continue this. I was sporting a full-on erection. I had to adjust myself before heading toward my mother. I walked around the breakfast bar, grabbed my mother by the elbow, and led her towards the front door. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Caston Holden, is that anyway to talk to your mother? Really, dear, I thought I brought you up better.” She reached up and tried to fix my hair.

“Damn it, Mother, do not bullshit with me.” My teeth clench. “My name isn’t Holden, not anymore. How the fuck did you get in, anyway? The gate didn’t buzz. What do you want? I have company.”

“I see that, dear. Your newest slut can wait for you. They always do.”

My anger was about to boil over. “She is not a slut.”

“Oh, cut the crap, Caston. She’s only with you for your money, or to be in the magazine. You’ll never find true love, not when you’re as rich and famous as you are. People will always use you. Don’t trust anyone.

“As far as getting in, your landscaping crew was entering when I pulled up. They really should be reprimanded for allowing me to follow them in. I mean seriously, dear, they could just let anyone in.”

She looks over behind me where Terrance has appeared. “You’re really not doing your job very well. How can you keep my baby safe?”

“You’re talking to me, not him. I’m sure you sweet talked those workers somehow. I know your M.O.”

We reached the front door, and I wanted nothing more than to send her packing and tell her to have a good life, but she is my father’s wife, after all. “What do you want?”

“Your father and I are hosting a party next week at the club for his birthday. You know the type. I thought I’d let you know, so you can prepare yourself and a date.”

“Mother, I hate coming to your parties. I would rather not think about my parents that way.”

“Oh, honey,” she touched my cheek, “you owe us for your kinky background, or Black Hollywood might not exist, and then who would you be?”

I knew she was full of crap. I would be successful, no matter what, but Black Hollywood was my top grossing company. “I would still be successful, Mother.”

Her hand moved from my cheek to my chest. It disgusted me when she looked at me with sexual appreciation. I removed her hand from my chest. “Please, show yourself out. Oh, and next time, call before coming over. I am planning on having company over permanently from now on.”

Looking displeased, she spat out, “Fine. Do whatever you want. She will leave you high and dry, like the rest of them. Mark my words, Caston.” She turned to walk out and stopped on the step and turned around. “I do hope you will be at the party, though. Your brother will be there.”

I shut the door and leaned up against it. Parents and sex were two things that should never go together. I would admit I used to love their sex parties when I was younger, but lately I found myself wanting more than one night stands. My mind drifted back to the lovely goddess that was in my kitchen. Would she be up for a sex party? How would I even tell her about it? Ugh, I would think about it tomorrow. I rolled my head on my shoulders to relieve the stress of my mother barging in, then I pushed myself away from the door to walk back to the kitchen. “Bre, I’m so sor…Sabrina?” I hung my head. I knew she would freak out.

I made my way to the bedroom. That was the only place I could think she would be. I slowly pushed open the door and saw her sitting on the bed cross legged. Her face had a look of terror on it. I had to let out a small chuckle. “Oh Sabrina, please tell me you’re not freaking out about someone walking in on us.”

“Someone? Caston, really? It wasn’t someone, someone I could be okay with, it was your mother! How am I supposed to look her in the face EVER?” Her adorable babbling ended with a high pitched squeal.

I walked over and sat next to her. “Well, just knowing you want to see her again makes me smile. Most women don’t even want to meet my family.”

She turned to look at me, still bug-eyed but with a look of longing. “Of course, I want to meet them.” Then in a whisper that I almost didn’t hear her say, “I think I’m falling for you.

“And who the hell is Caston Holden? I thought your name was Caston Black.”

“I changed my name when I was old enough. I didn’t want to be associated with them, anymore. It was my rebellion.”

I saw the confusion on her face, but I wasn’t sure how to explain my past to her, but I knew I had to try. I already knew I had fallen hard for her, dare I say loved her, but I had to show her exactly who I was. I didn’t want any more surprises, but unfortunately being with me there would always be surprises. Could she handle them? I wrapped her in a big bear hug and kissed the top of her head. “Sabrina, honey, we need to talk.”

As soon as Caston left the kitchen, I slid off the countertop and snuck upstairs. His mother? Oh my word, how am I ever going to face her again? She must think I’m a slut. Anyone else and I think I could have laughed it off. Caston Holden, who the hell was that? I thought his name was Caston Black. Maybe Holden was his middle name. Definitely something I need clear up.

I curled my feet under me and waited. I was sure it wasn’t long before he came in, but I swear it felt like hours. My mind was scrambling, while he was talking to me. Why did he not want to be associated with his parents?

Then he did it. He said those dreaded four words that no one in any type of relationship wants to hear. ‘We need to talk.’ My body stiffened, and my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest. Oh, no, here it was. I wasn’t good enough for him. I knew it. I shouldn’t have gotten myself attached this quickly. My eyes started to burn with unshed tears. Mark was right, after all.

Noticing my tense body, Caston grabbed me by my shoulders and turned me, so I was forced to look into his eyes. “Sabrina, get those thoughts out of your head. They aren’t true. “ How did he know I what I was thinking?

“So are you a mind reader now?” I blushed, trying to look away.

“I tend to be sometimes, but, my dear, you are easy to read,” he smiled, pulling my face, so I met his eyes. “Get dressed. I want to talk, and you dressed like this makes me want to do everything but talk.”

I groaned. I just wanted to be in his arms all day, he made me feel safe, but he rolled me over and gave me a swift smack on the ass, again. That restarted my juices flowing. I got up and headed into the closet. I looked over my shoulder at him getting ready. He seemed happy, but nervous. I quickly got dressed in a yellow sundress. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and slid on my brown heeled sandals that laced around my ankles. Even though, I had only taken a few minutes, Caston was already waiting for me.

“Ready?” he asked when I appeared from the closet.

“Ready for anything,” I stated, trying to sound more confident than I was at that moment.

He smiled and stood up from where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. He held out his hand to me, I grabbed it, and we headed out. Holding his hand made me feel like I had strength I didn’t possess on my own. Once we stepped outside, I saw Terrance standing by the Jeep. He opened the backseat and Caston helped me in. He said a few words to Terrance before getting in next to me.

“Where are we going?” I questioned.

He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. “I want to show you my businesses. I need you to see who and what I really am.”

I looked up at him terrified. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing, Sabrina, only that I’m a complicated man, and I need you to be fully aware of everything, before I take this any further with you. I can see myself with you forever, and I need to know if you can accept me.”

He held me tighter, and I snuggled into the crook of his arm. We fit together perfectly. It was like I was made to be there. We drove in silence, but when I snuck a glance at him, he was chewing on the end of his thumb, so I could tell he was nervous. Wanting to calm him down and let him know I could handle what he had to show me, I turned my head and kissed the side of his chest. He smelled delicious. I rested my hand on his upper thigh and let it wander closer and closer to his manhood. When I finally reached it, I stoked it through his jeans. His breath hitched. I could feel him grow under my touch.

We suddenly came to a stop at a large building. Caston looked at me and asked, “Are you ready? We’re here.”

I nodded. Caston adjusted himself before getting out of the door Terrance opened for us. Once again, he held his hand out to me, and we walked up to the magnificent glass entryway. I looked up and saw Rose Builders over the door. “This is your building?”

He laughed lightly, as he opened the door for me, “One of them, Bre. We will go to the other one later.”

The heels of my sandals made a clicking noise that echoed on the white marble tile as we walked in. I giggled when I saw all the employees scatter when Caston walked in. I guess they weren’t expecting the boss in today.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Black. Didn’t expect to see you today. Anything I can get for you, sir?” a beautiful blond, who was carrying a stack of files, addressed Caston.

I immediately didn’t like her. She positioned herself between Caston and me, as we walked toward the elevators. This forced him to let go of my hand. I instantly felt insignificant, as I fell into step behind the couple. Wanting to crawl under a rock, I felt like I should turn and walk back out to the car. She was laughing and giggling at Caston’s joke about the weather. Was she really flirting with him? How did he not see that?

“Oh, how rude of me, Nicole,” Caston said, touching her on the arm. I thought he was going to introduce me to her. “Please, let me carry those heavy folders for you.” I was mistaken. His behavior was a big letdown. I hadn’t expected him to dismiss me when we were around other people.

Handing them over to him, she brushed away some hair on his shirt that wasn’t even there. She spoke with him about emails and phone calls. She continued on, as if I wasn’t even there, and it was starting to tick me off. When the elevator came to a stop, she filed out first, letting her ass sway to and fro in her shorter than necessary pencil shirt when she walked in front of Caston, leading him to her desk. I stayed behind a ways to see how long it would take for him to acknowledge me with Blondie talking his ear off. He set the files down and continued for a few more minutes when he suddenly snapped his head around, as he remembered why he was there.