With My Breath (Lose My Breath #1)

CHAPTER FOUR

My chest strings tight, and my heart knots up from fear. I pause before taking the black steps and look over at Casimir, who is watching me intensely.

“I- I have a fear of flying.”

The admission sounds silly even to me.

The corner of his eye’s crinkles, and frustration takes over me. Does he find my fear amusing?

I look away abashed as his hands grip my waist, gently lifting me onto the steps and guiding me into the helicopter.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you. You will be used to flying in no time,”

He murmurs into my ear, his steep voice turning me on once more.

Can he really protect me? What happens if the helicopter crashes? We may both very well die.

I push back my trepidation and get into the plane, choosing a seat and sitting down.

Casimir selects a seat next to mine and leans in front of me as he drags my seat belt across me and buckles it.

I suck in a breath as he brings his face unnecessarily close to mine, his sapphire eyes sizzling in the small dark space.

“Just breathe,”

He instructs as he sits beside me and buckles his seat belt.

The take-off is rocky, and I close my eyes and think of my children. We’re in the air, and my anxiety is more stretched than ever. I unintentionally clutch Casimir’s hand, and he gives me a look, one I don’t comprehend, but he wraps his hand around mine and gives instructions to the pilot. We arrive at the private airport in no time, and I spit a sigh at all the jets and aircraft that are parked here.

At least the helicopter ride is over. I say to myself as Casimir, and I step out of the chopper and head inside.

We breeze through security in no time and head to our terminal. The blood-red jet is gorgeous, like a diamond in the ruff, like a jewel glinting in the moonlight, and I marvel at its lavish beauty.

The words Slate Enterprises are chiseled on the side of the private Jet in gold and velour black floors, and plush seats greet us as we step inside.

“Wow, this is gorgeous,”

I whisper, my eyes shifting impressively across the jet's inside.

“Not as gorgeous as you are,”

Casimir replies as he guides me over to one of the wide plush seats.

I slide into the seat, velour warming me as I press back. Why does Casimir Slate keep complimenting me? If I didn’t know any better, I would think the billionaire actually likes me and doesn’t just want to fuck me.

My eyes rise to see Casimir watching me, a hint of concern in his gaze, or maybe he sees it in mine.

“A plane ride is a lot smoother than a chopper ride. Would you like something to take the edge off, rum perhaps?”

I twitch my nose up at the offer as Casimir makes his way to the mini bar. I’ve never been a rum girl. I’ve always been a fruity margarita-type chick, and I’m positive they don’t have anything of such on this jet.

“I’ll have water,”

I croak, my legs shaking with apprehension.

“The take-off for new flyers tends to be the worst part,”

Casimir says while offering me a fancy bottled water, his eyes still glued to mine as he sets his glass of rum on the table.

Casimir peels off his suit jacket while dropping slowly into the seat across from me.

My gaze slips down to the bottled water clutched in my hand as embarrassment weighs me.

“He must think I’m ridiculous,”

I mumble quietly as my fingers unscrew the top.

I bring the bottle to my mouth and begin drinking. Evidently, I’m incredibly thirsty because I finish it all in two swallows.

I can feel Casimir’s fiery gaze locked on me as he sits in his seat, drinking his rum. Suddenly, shyness nestles itself deep inside me from the attention.

“Mr. Slate, I have arranged for you to take the call in half an hour,”

a sexy Indian lady says as she approaches us.

My gaze leisurely shifts up the gorgeous woman's body, her black flight attendant suit informing me of her job.

“I could’ve arranged that,”

I say, scrambling for my suitcase and retrieving the laptop.

Casimir flicks his eyes at the flight attendant, and for a moment, I’m envious. The way he studies her face makes me question if he and the other woman ever had a fling.

“Jasmine is my new assistant. From here on, she will be taking care of all my needs.”

His eyes switch to me, and I find myself adjusting in my seat as my tongue traces my bottom lip. Is he referring to his appointments or something much more personal? Right now, I can’t tell.

“I understand Mr. Slate. The meeting was prearranged before your arrival due to the timing linking in with your flight.”

Casimir slowly nods, his blue irises roving back to me as he locks me in his gaze.

The flight attendant turns to me, her large round eyes accentuating the beauty of her brown skin.

“Can I get you anything, Jasmine,”

She asks, her face solemn.

I cast a glance at Casimir, who is still watching me as he finishes up the last part of his rum.

“No, thank you.”

“Very well, then. Take off is in thirty minutes,”

The flight attendant says before whipping around and walking away.

Thirty minutes, I repeat. Now would be the time to bring up pay.

Casimir sets the empty glass down and drags out his phone; his eyes focused ardently on whatever is on the screen.

“Hem.”

I clear my throat, attempting to obtain his attention.

I’m still too scared to speak, worrying my anxiety may make me sound like a mouse, and that is not attractive at all.

“Casimir?”

My boss hitches an eyebrow with his blue eyes still latched to his phone.

“I wanted to know if you could give me an advance with the mortgage being due?”

“Done, how much?”

A breath of relief escapes me. “Ten thousand,”

I say, remembering the bonus I promised Charlotte.

“I’ll send it to you now. If you don’t mind, I must take this call.”

I nod, and Casimir gets up and rushes to another section of the jet. A private section, and sure enough, he sends the funds directly to my account.

Was that too easy? Will he expect something in return? Either way, I do not have time to think.

I send some money directly to Charlotte, pay the mortgage for the past two months, and deposit grocery money into Alex’s account.

Me : I have sent you money to buy groceries. Please do not forget to clean the house:

ALEX: ??? ? :

“Really? He replies with a thumbs up.”

I stuff my phone in my purse and begin my work on the laptop—anything to take my mind off being on a jet that is about to take off. For five hours, I will be in the air with no control over my life. And right now, I don’t know how I feel about the possibility of crashing somewhere over the Atlantic and dying.

“Buckle up. We are about to ascend,”

Casimir instructs as he returns to his seat.

Like the obedient woman I am, I buckle my seatbelt, slam my eyes shut, and brace myself against the velour sea. My breathing is sporadic as we begin to ascend.

“Look at me.”

Casimir’s tone is soft and low, beckoning my eyes open and over to him like he’s a God as he imprisons me in his fiery blue gaze.

“I’m right here. I will not allow anything to happen to you.”

The warmness in his voice eases my anxiety, and I hardly notice when the jet takes off, my heart rushing to the back of my chest as we ascend higher and higher.

Casimir’s eyes never leave mine, and I’m grateful he is so understanding and that he isn’t judging me for being a twenty-seven-year-old woman afraid of flying.

After thirty minutes in the air, we are finally leveled. The flight gets smoother, and I regain my momentum.

“Are you ok,”

Casimir queries with his eyes still glued to mine.

“Yeah, I think so,”

I reply, realizing the take-off wasn’t as bad as I expected.

Casimir’s gaze drops to his phone, and I relax my shoulders and open my laptop. I have five hours to learn all there is to know about Slate Enterprises. This will definitely be enough to occupy my time.

“My meeting begins in five minutes, Jasmine. Will you be ok alone until it’s complete?”

Shocked by the CEO’s kindness, I fumble over my next set of words: “Yes, I’ll be fine. Thank you for caring.”

? Casimir’s dimples crease as he offers me a gentle smile while pushing to his feet and crossing over to the private section of the jet.

“Mr. Slate will be in a meeting for the next few hours, so if you need anything, just let me know,”

the flight attendant says as she nears me.

My eyes brush up the flight attendant’s body, stopping on her face as she smiles down at me.

“That’s so sweet, although I’m not sure how much help you can be, being a flight attendant and all.”

Please don’t ask me why I’m being snarky because, honestly, I have no idea. It could be the way her dark eyes chased Casimir to the other section of the jet. Or her insinuation that she can do my job better than I can. Either way, I’d much rather be left alone than be forced to endure small talk.

“I used to have your job,”

she expels as she falls into the seat across from me.

Gulp. My eyes linger on hers, unsure of what the other woman means by “used to have my job.”

Did she sleep with Casimir, or was she just his assistant?

My lips form, but for a second, nothing comes out. The flight attendant’s face takes on a severe look, and I compare my petite frame to her thick stature.

My lips form again, spewing out something I know I will regret.“Did you sleep with Casimir?”

What the fuck, Jasmine ?

It’s too late now; you’ve said it, so just roll with it. If Casimir sleeps with all his assistants, then at least you will know what you’re in for. A mirthful glance shadows her face, and suddenly, my stomach starts rumbling.

“I just mean, like, what did you do for him exactly?”

A knot forms in the other woman’s throat, and I watch her swallow a deep breath.

Breathing through the vigorous beating of my heart, I prepare myself for her response.

“No, I didn’t sleep with Casimir. Not that I didn’t want to, because I did. I still do,”

She chokes out.

I rise in my seat and cross my legs. I was expecting a different response.

“It’s just that I dated his brother, and things didn’t work out between us.”

“Brother,”

I spit out. “Casimir has a brother. They don’t mention him online. I’m sorry, but what was your name?”

“Ayanna, and they don’t mention him anywhere. He is sort of the black sheep of the family. Being a half-brother and all.”

Ayanna lurches in her chair, and I can tell she is nervous. Her voice is low and shaky, and I don’t want to push her any more than I already have. But unfortunately, I can’t help myself.

“How did you lose the assistant job? I mean, you lost it, correct? I apologize if my assumption is wrong.”

“It’s ok, Jasmine, don’t apologize. You’re right. I was Mr. Slate’s assistant for over two years. He never tried anything with me. Casimir kept things strictly professional. One New Year’s Eve, we attended a party, and I got just a little drunk. I leaned in and kissed him, and when he didn’t kiss me back, I knew I screwed up.”

Ayanna pauses, snatching a quick breath through her chest. “I met his brother that same night, and we hit it off. A couple of days later, I returned to work, and Mr. Slate let me off easily. But he isn’t a cold man, so he offered me a job as a flight attendant for his airline company, and well, here I am.”

I twitch at her response, sorrow fuming me at losing her job, but I want to ask so many more questions.

I stretch my head around Ayanna to ensure Casimir isn’t coming before asking my next question. “You were his assistant for over two years. Does that mean you’ve met Tianna Ricci?”

Ayanna’s left eyebrow wavers, and she turns around, presumably making sure Casimir isn’t on his way out as well. She rears her head back to me, and the look of fear is evident in her obsidian eyes.

“Yes, I’ve met Tianna, but she isn’t the kind of woman you want to ask about,”

She whispers while leaning forward.

I sit the laptop on the table in front of me as my back moves me closer to her, our eyes peeling into one another.

“Do you know why they ended things?”

“Yes, but as I’ve said, Tianna is someone you do not want to ask about.”

“Why not?”

Impending footsteps dart me back in my seat, and Ayanna bounds to her feet quicker than a rat running away.

“You will let me know if you need anything else,”

The flight attendant says as she advances Casimir.

Casimir’s eyes are pinned to his phone, and I wonder what is happening.

“How did the meeting go,”

I ask as he takes the seat across from me.

“I declined his offer.”

He says this so matter-of-factly, as if cutting a meeting short just because he doesn’t like their offer is something he does every day. “Tell me when my next meeting is.”

I drag my shocked eyes down to my laptop, quickly reading through his appointments. “Your next meeting is thirty minutes after we land. You have three meetings in New York today.”

“Good,”

Casimir says as he sits his phone on the table. “Brush up on your facts. You will need to be well informed on the companies we are meeting with today.”

I glance at Casimir as he leans back in his chair, his eyelids falling shut as he crosses his hands in his lap.

She isn’t the kind of woman you want to ask about . The words replay in my head as I memorize all the CEOs and their companies.

Casimir's snores are gentle, like white noise, alleviating my stress. If it were my husband, I would be annoyed, but it’s not. It’s Casimir Slate, and he’s so handsome. Everything about him is gorgeous.

She isn’t someone you want to ask about . Ayanna’s words ring like a bell in my ear again as I struggle to focus on my work.

There was terror in her voice. The kind of fear I’ve never heard anyone emit before.

Ayanna sends me glances each time she walks through the jet, and I want to stop her and ask her more. Why shouldn’t I ask about Tianna Ricci? What happened between her and Casimir Slate, and since when did the Slates have two sons? But I don’t. I simply adhere to my work and let my mind wander.

The flight was smooth, and much like take off, Casimir coaxed me through my fear as we descended.

We are on the ground, and I watch as Casimir wraps a black tie around his neck and slips inside his suit jacket. I have experienced enough anxiety for a lifetime, so as we step off the jet and slide into the back of a Rolls Royce, I push back my fears and prepare myself to attend the meetings.

I have never been to the Big Apple before, and it truly is as unforgettable as they say. The Statue of Liberty is more breathtaking and historic in person, and pictures don’t do it justice.

We scramble through the crowds of New York City, Casimir’s security guards protecting us as we rush into the buildings.

We completed the third business meeting several hours later, and I am spent. My phone vibrates through my pocket, and I step out of the meeting to see who is calling.

“Hello,”

I whisper as the frosty halls of the skyscraper shadow me.

“Alex isn’t home, so I made dinner and put the kids to bed,”

Charlotte says through the phone.

I click my tongue, disappointed but not surprised at Alex’s lack of parenting skills. “I’m so sorry, Charlotte. Is there any way you can stay the night?”

I ask reluctantly.

“It’s not an issue, Jasmine. I would never leave the kids alone.”

“Thank you so much, Charlotte.”

We say our goodbyes and hang up the phone.

Instantly, I began blowing up Alex’s phone. Who isn’t even answering?

“I’m going to kill him,”

I grit aloud as I shove the phone into my purse.

“Who do you want to kill?”

The intruding voice jolts me with surprise, and I reverse to see Casimir standing behind me. My eyes transfer to the businessmen and women exiting the meeting room.

“No one,”

I reply as Casimir extends my laptop bag to me.

I shrug the bag's strap onto my shoulder and proceed forward. A firm hand grips me, halting me in my tracks and I find myself staring into sapphire eyes as Casimir forces me around.

I suck in a breath while maintaining my lust.

“You did well in the meetings today and on your first day, no less. I’m impressed.”

His blue eyes shift to my breasts, and I can feel my pussy getting wet. Not here in the open. I plead with myself as I step back.

“The driver is outside. He is going to take us to dinner.”

Casimir’s eyes never leave me as he frees me from his hold.

I exhale and follow as he leads us down the hall to the elevator. Once on the elevator, I review my conversation with Ayanna. I don’t want to get her in trouble, but I’m sure mentioning she used to be his assistant won’t hurt anyone.

“So, Ayanna offered to help me today. She mentioned that she was your assistant for two years.”

My eyes shift to Casimir, a phlegmatic expression on his face as he leans his back against the elevator.

“So, I was wondering why she isn’t your assistant anymore? Ayanna seems nice enough. She must’ve done well at her job for you to keep her for so long, and she technically still works for you.”

Our bodies lift as the elevator juts down, and Casimir slowly shifts his gaze to me.

“And you want to know if I fucked her.”

The response is a statement rather than a question.

“Well, I,”

“I don’t screw my assistants despite what you may think. I prefer to keep things strictly professional.”

My eyes narrow, and Casimir finds his statement amusing. “I hired you with the sole purpose of fucking you.”

I quake at his openness, and my eyes drop to the floor. I am suddenly unsure what to say back.

His hands grip my ass, and my body tenses up as liquid gushes from my pussy. I inhale Casimir’s cologne as he crushes the distance between us, sandalwood teasing my nostrils as his lips latch to the skin around my neck. Although he isn’t kissing me, he’s nibbling and licking, and I find myself plummeting against his chest, my ass rubbing against his already hard dick.

Casimir’s erection shows me he wants me, and his moans tell me he likes my taste as he continues to lick and nibble on my neck.

“Casimir,’ I whisper as his digits skillfully massage my pussy underneath my dress, his poisonous touch dragging a breathless moan from me.

“I want you so fucking bad. Your body is amazing,”

He rasps as his fingers slide underneath my panties, liquid wetting his fingertips as he plays with my lips, pulsing his digits slowly along my sticky need. “And I know you want me as well. Even if you are determined to fight it.”

I cry a whimpered moan as my body pleads for me, trying my best not to give in. Thankfully, the elevator comes to a stop, and I force myself upright as quickly as possible. The sound of Casimir clearing his throat vibrates through me as he corrects his stature as well.

The doors drag open, and we are greeted by Casimir’s security, who leads us to the parked car.

The sun has lowered, allowing room for the moon to rise, gracing New York City with a gorgeous pallid glow. It’s late, but city life seems to be just getting started as cars roll to their destination and numerous people jockey their way through the crowds on the sidewalk.

Casimir and I are in the Rolls Royce in no time, and my body warms as he sits close to me.

“Where would you like to eat,”

He queries as his eyes survey his phone. “I can arrange for us to eat at any fine dining restaurant you desire.”

“Without a reservation,”

I ask, shock-winging my brows.

“Have you forgotten who I am?”Casimir’s voice is smooth and almost enticing, and I shudder at the thought of the power and control he may harbor.

Be sure to avoid crossing Casimir Slate as I denote while contemplating his offer. As enticing as it sounds to have the opportunity to dine at any restaurant I wish, I’m beyond exhausted, and my feet are swollen from walking in high heels all day.

“I’d rather eat at the hotel.”

I let out.

Casimir’s brows hike. Is that an expression? I didn’t think he could make those.

“Are you sure?”

I remove my heels and examine my swollen feet. “Oh, I’m sure.”

“Okay, I will have something delivered. Do you eat Italian?”

I laugh at the question. “Everyone eats Italian Casimir.”

I swing my feet atop the seats as Casimir orders dinner and instructs the driver to leave.

“Allow me.”

The offer stuns me, snatching my gaze to Casimir. His hands reach for my legs, and he brings them atop his lap before I can object. Casimir’s skin is hot against mine, and a vibration roars through me as he massages my feet individually. Unintended moans slip from my lips as I lean back against the leather seats, reveling in his touch as he works out the soreness in my feet and ankles.

“How does that feel,”

Casimir asks, blue fire invading my soul as he peers into my eyes.

“I think you know,”

I mutter as lust tugs at my pussy.

Ironically, the massage is turning me on. I know I should end it, but my swollen feet don’t want me to, so for the next several minutes, I bask in the massage Casimir Slate offered to give me on his own accord.

“Why did you end things with Tianna Ricci,”

I question, thinking back on my conversation with Ayanna yet again.

Casimir’s sharp jaw tightens, and I know I’ve crossed a line.“Does your feet feel better?”

I nod regrettably, and Casimir releases my feet, his eyes transferring out of the car window as he speaks, “I believe our breakup was public.”

“Public, yes, but there are no details. She’s a supermodel and heiress. Why on earth would any man leave her?”

I realize my voice is nagging, and I tone it down a bit as I press on. “Furthermore, you have a brother who isn’t mentioned anywhere. Do you have a relationship with him?”

I know I’ve said too much, and my last appended statement may get Ayanna reprimanded, but I need to know. I need to know about Casimir Slate. Who is he really, and what is he hiding from the world? His demeanor is enigmatic, and he acts as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Yet, in the last two days I’ve known him, he has shown me kindness in more ways than one. So why the facade?

“A part of my job is knowing as much about my boss as possible. What if your brother calls, and I put him through to you without knowing if you guys are even on speaking terms,”

I mutter as I adjust my body.

“I have not spoken to my brother in over a year,”

He huffs, his face reddening as he turns towards me. “But that’s not what you really want to know, is it?”

Maybe I say to myself, but my lips remain shut.

“Tianna and I were not a good match.”

Casimir exhales, and earnestness trails from his eyes as they bleed into me.

“But you were engaged to her?”

“I was, but I never loved her. I’ve never loved any woman before. Our marriage was prearranged at birth.”

My eyes leave Casimir, and I stare at the passing streetlights outside the car. A hand grips my lap, and I know he is expecting a response. What can I say? How can I sleep with a man who has never loved before?

“So, you just fuck?”

The words are like shards of glass peeling from my tongue.

Casimir draws in a deep breath, his hand massaging my thigh as if trying to calm me down.

“So, you proposed to her even though you didn’t love her and dumped her at the altar?”

I’m angry, and my words tie in with my heartbeat as they roll off my tongue.

“These aren’t things I kept from her, Jasmine. She knew all of this when we agreed to marry.”

My neck cracks as I whip around to look at Casimir. Vexation darts from my eyes as my throat works, “So why did you end it with her, Casimir? If she was aware of how you felt and you two had an understanding. Why end things?”

“I owe you no explanation. The past is the past, and we will not discuss it again.”

Casimir removes his hand from my thigh, and the conversation has ended just like that. My boss has spoken, but I can’t seem to shake the betrayal I’m feeling on Tianna’s behalf.

“I’ve never experienced real love. I honestly don’t think it exists,”

I sigh, my eyes locking with Casimir’s.

Casimir leans over and swipes a falling tear from my cheek.“Your husband?”

“Is a liar and cheater. He didn’t even return home tonight to watch his children,”

I choke as more tears trail from my eyes.

I swing my eyes away, abashed by my vulnerability, and Casimir reaches into his suit pocket and extends me a black handkerchief.

I grab the handkerchief without looking at him as I swipe it gently across my face.

“How many times?”

“Twice that I know of.”

“And you’re still with him? You can do so much better,”

He scoffs.

“You mean like with a man who doesn’t even know how to love?”

I immediately regret the sentence and wish I could chew it back up, but I’ve already spit it out.

I chance a glance at Casimir, who is studying the road. “I’m sorry that was out of line.”

He lifts his hand, silencing me.

“I deserve that,”

He mumbles.

“I just mean,”

A hand lifts again, and I bite my lips closed.

“Jasmine, you are a very beautiful woman. You deserve much better than what you have.”

His voice is distant, and I know he’s drifted off someplace far mentally.

We pull up outside an elegant high-rise building, and as I step out, I realize it isn’t the Ritz. It isn’t a hotel at all.

I place my heels onto my feet, grab my laptop bag and purse, and step outside the car. A doorman greets Casimir by first name, and I trail Casimir as we enter the prestigious building.

Cream and gold marble floors and walls decorate the interior of the fine establishment, and several large crystal chandeliers swing above our heads, scintillating the area with a golden glow. Cool air swivels down my throat, and I close my mouth, noticing it’s gaped open.

We venture past the golden elevators and make our way around the side to a gold pivotal door. Casimir pulls out a card and swipes it, and the door opens, leading us to a private hall.

I cast my gaze on the dozen tiny chandeliers illuminating the narrow hall and follow Casimir to a private glass elevator. We enter the elevator in awkward silence, and Casimir pushes the lone glass button, wasting no time removing his suit jacket and unraveling his tie.

“This isn’t a hotel,”

I say, my eyes shifting to Casimir.

Casimir tosses me a phlegmatic expression, and I question if I have angered him somehow.

“It’s my New York penthouse.”

“New York Penthouse,”

I repeat audibly.

“Yes, I have several residencies in America and more around the world, " he says matter-of-factly.

I ingest as the elevator comes to a stop. Just how wealthy is this man?