Page 3 of Matrimonial Merger (Lakeshore Empire #2)

Daphne

Cal wove behind me, looking out over the assemblage of people down below. The party went on, but I’d departed mentally ages ago. Between pretending to drink alcohol and playing the merry First Lady of Chicago, I was tapped out.

He whispered, “I want to take you home and do terrible things to you.”

I turned, confused. “How much have you had to drink.”

“This is water,” Cal said, holding up a cup with a stir stick. “I’ve had two drinks. I am always on a leash.”

“Why are you?—”

“You’re irresistible. I’m bored. I did my part—give the speech, am people up, look happy—but the only thing I really want is your ankles over my shoulders, princess.”

I was tired, overstimulated, and socially drained, but his words threw me into overdrive.

He kissed me slowly, his hands resting too low on my hips. “C’mon. Let me unravel you.”

I bit my lip. “Make an excuse and let’s Irish goodbye this shit.”

The last thing I wanted was Cal’s famous, painful Midwest goodbye.

“Go down to the service entrance and I will meet you there.”

Cal disappeared without a word and I obeyed his orders, feeling like I couldn’t help myself.

The idea of him going down on me was delicious.

However, extricating him from a gathering was impossible.

Everyone wanted to talk his ear off. We could never just leave .

It was like my mother at a church luncheon—hopeless.

I waited, preparing for disappointment. Instead, he appeared.

“I said you were exhausted, Jo was very sympathetic. She’s going to be the bad guy,” Cal said, taking my hand. “Let’s go.”

“Bless her,” I said, relieved and surprised.

We piled into the car, partition raised.

I thought we’d never make it off State Street, but we eventually did.

In the elevator headed to our penthouse, Cal pinned me to the wall, kissing me like he needed me to breathe.

It was a raw, hungry moment interrupted only momentarily by the elevator doors opening.

“Couch,” I gasped. “I’m not going to make it to the bed.”

“Oh, bad girl,” Cal said. “She’s desperate .”

I fell to the couch. Cal pinned me, unable to resist. I pulled up the hem and skirt of my dress to free my hips a bit. Cal continued in that mission, running his hand up my dress.

“Do you ever wear panties, Daphne?” Cal asked.

“In this dress?” I gasped as he ran two fingers over my clit. I whimpered, “No.”

“It’s for the best,” Cal said, kissing me again. As he did, he dipped his fingers inside me. It lit a fire within me and I ground against his hand.

I bit his lip and pulled back. “Are you not going to get to work, Mr. Mayor?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cal said.

To my surprise, he dropped to the floor and pulled me towards him. On his knees, he braced on the couch, burying his face in my pussy.

“Oh, fuck,” I moaned, propping myself up on my elbows for the visual. “That is… so good.”

He wasn’t always so deferential, but damn I loved this. Cal was fully-absorbed in his desire for my pleasure. Laser-focused on my climax, he didn’t stop until he’d met his objected. As his tongue did the work, his fingers kept time within me. I was about to squirt, so I stopped him.

“I… I’m gonna squirt,” I panted. “You… we should probably…”

“What? You want me to stop, princess?”

“The couch?—”

“Fuck the goddamn couch, Daphne. I want to hear you scream my name.”

I gave over as he continued lapping me up—unbothered by what might happen to the couch.

“Oh, fuck,” I moaned as his fingers found the best spot. “Yes, Cal! Right?—”

I didn’t finish my sentence, too far gone. My thighs twitched on his shoulders as I gave over to the earth shattering that followed. It took over my body. Tingles overcame me. It was like the best fireworks show, the sweetest ending.

“God, I love you,” I panted as his eyes met mine again.

“Yeah? You like that?”

“It was so fucking good, baby,” I moaned.

“Good, get on your hands and knees.”

In the reflection of the windows, looking out over the skyline, I watched Cal take me from behind—both of us still mostly dressed. It was impatient, desperate fucking. But I loved the way he loved me—even as he lusted for me.

“God, you feel so fucking good, Daphne,” Cal gasped. “I wanted you all night.”

“Why?” I moaned.

“Because thinking impure thoughts about you while I talk politics is my favorite hobby. Especially when you look good enough to eat.”

“And did you get what you wanted?”

“You were more than a snack,” Cal answered, speeding up. He reached the most precious spot again—sending me far over the edge.

“Oh, fuck me, Cal! Fuck me!” I moaned. “Fuck me!”

“Are you summing for me, princess?” Cal demanded.

“Yes, baby, ye—” I screamed, unable to fight the feeling overwhelming me once more. I fell forward, hanging over the arm of the sofa, out of breath in the best way.

“Good girl, Daphne. Very good girl,” Cal said.

It brought him over the edge, too. With one last thrust and a low, “Oh, fuck,” he reached his own climax.

Hands digging into my hips, he panted and came down.

I looked back, a grin spreading on my face.

He mirrored my expression, spanking my ass. “You are a trip, Miss Delphine.”

Cal

Daphne slept through my morning wakeup. I headed to the gym for a morning tennis lesson while she dozed. I hoped this morning would be an easier one for her. I didn’t want to leave my warm, comfortable bed, but I had a long day ahead of me—an important one—and there was no rest for the wicked.

By the time I made it to the office, I was on my second cup of coffee, desperately trying to tell myself I was awake.

“Oh good, you’re dressed down,” Jo said, stopping in with the morning schedule. “Ready to pack gift bags?”

“Yes,” I said. “I am.”

“You don’t sound like it. What was the sudden change of heart?”

“Well, I don’t really have a choice. Daphne was busy.”

“Uh-huh. How is she?”

Jo didn’t buy my “Daphne is tired” excuse from the other night. She’d let it go until this moment. I had no time or energy and needed to cop to it, even if I didn’t want to.

“Pull the door closed, if you would,” I gestured. “Sit awhile.”

“Oh no,” Jo said, closing the door. “Trouble in paradise. Cal, I told you?—”

“No, no!” I shook my head. “We’re fine. There is no trouble in paradise. In fact, it’s the absolute opposite. Daphne truly is tired and she’s not well. The time I had you hold at four was actually for a doctor’s appointment.”

“Why? Oh, God! Is it cancer?”

My heart nearly stopped at the mere mention. “No, definitely not. Fuck cancer, but no. She’s in good health. It’s?—”

“Cal, did you… you didn’t. Did you?”

I winced.

Jo stood up, hand talking without words.

“Well, I don’t know more right now,” I said. “But hopefully I will later.”

“Were you two not aware of your current status? That there is a wedding planned for June ?”

“I know,” I agreed. “But Daphne is… well, it’s about the journey, right?”

“Cal, the journey and you making me pull my hair out! Can we ever just make things easy ?”

“If they were easy, Jo, you’d be miserable.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, congratulations. We are fucked, but you seem happy. And Daphne?”

“She’s got terrible morning sickness and naps twice a day, but she’s excited. We both want this… even if the timing is shit.”

Jo shook my head. “Slow down.”

“Impossible. I’m not getting younger.”

“Take care of her. The entire city is going to go insane.”

“Well, we will see what the doctor says,” I said. “Daphne doesn’t want to people to know yet. But I needed to let you know what was going on for obvious reasons.”

“I am glad to hear it, no matter how much it fucks with your schedule. I will make sure to clear your August.”

“What?” I asked.

“Cal, if she’s having a baby in August—as I assume she is based on what you’re telling me—then you won’t be in, right?”

I hadn’t thought about it. “I guess that is true?”

“Get on board, buddy. You’re about to be a dad.”

“It’s fucking wild, isn’t it?” I chuckled.

Jo sighed,“It was always going to happen. You love kids. It would be a true waste if it didn’t. Tell Daphne congrats from me.”