With My Breath (Lose My Breath #1)

CHAPTER NINE

Alex was up and off to work by five a.m., and I spent the morning with the kids. Casimir insisted I spend time with them and return to work thirty minutes after noon with his lunch. A knock on the door let me know Charlotte has arrived, and I rush downstairs to let her in.

“Your key,”

I ask while grappling with my hair.

“I think I left it at home,”

Charlotte says as she picks up Layla.

“Don’t worry about it, Charlotte. I should be back before dinner.”

The babysitter smiles at me, and I rush upstairs to put on a lavender dress and silver heels. Skipping back down the stairs, I kiss the kid’s head and stride out the door, where Don waits outside. I inhale the crisp air and allow the sun to burn into my skin for a few moments before making my way to the Bentley.

“Good afternoon,”

Don greets me as he opens the back door for me.

“Hi,”

I chirp as I slide in.

I’m not quite sure how much of our sexscapade Don may have heard the prior night. Although I wasn’t ashamed last night, I’m embarrassed today. Therefore, my eyes refuse to meet his as he shuts the door and aims for the driver’s side of the car.

I pull my seat belt across my chest and buckle it, my vibrating phone gaining my attention as Don gets into the driver’s seat and starts the car.

: Jasmine, I’m so sorry. I had no choice:

I stare blankly at Ayanna’s text, not sure if I should be upset or sympathize with her. Tianna has a way of forcing people to do what she wants, and as a person currently on her hit list, I understand Ayanna’s fear. However, I don’t feel I should reply just yet. While I don’t believe Tianna is dangerous, I don’t take her threats lightly.

I look up to catch Don watching me through the rearview mirror, the red light shining against his bald round head as I stare back.

“How long have you worked for Casimir,”

I query, my eyes shifting back to my phone.

The light turns green, and we ride in silence for a minute. Did he not hear me? No, he definitely heard me.

“I’ve been working for the Slate’s for over twenty years,”

He speaks, and his thick German accent makes it difficult for me to understand.

I nod at the reply, unable to stop my mouth from asking more. “So, you know Tianna?”

Don stares at the road before him, and I sneak a glance out the back window at the black Lincoln filled with security guards tailing us. “Is she really that dangerous,”

I sigh while turning around in my seat.

“She can be difficult.”

The statement is short and straightforward. Difficult? That’s an understatement. The girl literally lured Casimir to the hospital with the notion that his mother was hurt. But I don’t say that. Instead, I say, “Why did he end things with her?”

Indeed, Don knows. I don’t expect a response, but my chest loosens at getting the question out.

“Because she cheated on him, and that’s all I can say, so please don’t ask more.”

“Cheated,”

I gasp; who would cheat on Casimir Slate? The man is a God send.

My teeth nip at my lips as I stop myself from probing further. If Tianna cheated in the relationship, then why is she acting as if she is a scorned woman?

We endure the rest of the ride in silence, and I question how much more Don knows. She is not the kind of woman you want to ask about —Ayana’s words ringing in my ear like a bell as we pull up outside the gourmet restaurant. Maybe I’ll respond to Ayanna After all.

I shoot Ayanna a text before getting out of the car.

: Meet for lunch in an hour? I will text you the location:

Although the question mark is present, I don’t expect her to decline, seeing as lunch is the least she can do to make up for her deceitful call.

I step out of the car and make my way to the cute little antique restaurant. The teal blue carvings and gold ornate designs sculpted around the doors and windows pique my interest as I venture in. The cream-stoned floors and middle-aged painted panels are only a few things that give me medieval vibes as I make my way to the counter. The restaurant is quaint but friendly. Stone tables painted in gold hold the floors, and a few guests sit at them, drinking out of tankard mugs.

I tap my hands atop the monolith countertop, desperate to obtain anyone’s attention. It’s already twelve. Casimir expects me to be at his office in thirty minutes. He’s texted me nonstop, and while I’m unsure if it’s because he is concerned, I still haven’t ordered his lunch, and I don’t want to be late.

What is a guy like Casimir Slate doing eating at a place like this? The place is nice, no doubt. But far from any of the five-star fine dining restaurants, I’m sure he’s used to eating at.

A brunette woman rears from the back, and her beauty takes me aback. Her deep blue eyes scan me, and her soft pink lips form a stunning smile as she holds her hand out to greet me.

“Jasmine, it’s nice to meet you finally. I’m Skye.”

I lift my eyebrows at the other woman, shocked that she knows who I am.

“Nice to meet you,”

I say while shaking her hand.

I inhale a deep breath as I look into the gorgeous woman’s eyes. She’s wearing a cream color corset dress that accentuates her boobs perfectly, and I can’t help but blush at her beauty.

“How do you know me,”

I ask, hoping I don’t sound rude.

Skye looks away and calls a waitress’s name before returning her attention to me. “You’re much more gorgeous than Casimir described,”

she compliments, ignoring my question.

“Ah, I see. How do you know Casimir?”

Since the other woman refuses to answer my previous question, I try to take a different approach.

Her cheeks turn red, and I suck in a breath as she responds. “I-well.”

Skye pauses as she looks past me. “We’re ex-lovers,”

She finally says after a moment.

His ex-lover? She’s stunning! I wrestle with myself, trying to prevent my lips from asking more. But really, what can I say? I’m married, and Casimir and I have only slept together once. It’s not my place to pry into his life before he and I met, or at least I hope it was before we met.

A waitress emerges from the back with a plate, and I watch as she hands it to Skye.

“This is Casimir’s usual. Do tell him hello for me.”

I take the fancy metal plate of food, and a faint thank-you pulls from my lips as Skye waves at me and attends to her next customer. Well, at least I didn’t have to order his food and wait for it to be prepared. The question is, why send me to a restaurant his ex-lover owns?

I slide into the Bentley and try not to let my thoughts consume me as Don closes the door behind me. Skye is just as beautiful as Tianna, and even though I know it’s not my place, I still feel envy deep inside me.

My phone vibrates, and I pull it out to check my texts.

: I can do that. Just send me the place and time, and I will be there. :

Will she really be there, or will it be someone else ?

We arrive outside Slate Enterprises, and the octagonal glass building astounds me once again as I make my way inside. As I ride the elevator up, garlic-seasoned chicken and pepper mashed potatoes scent me.

I swallow through my heartbeat as I exit the elevator near Casimir’s office. I still have not replied to Casimir’s confession of love towards me, and he hasn’t responded to my query about getting Alex a job.

I slide my card and stroll into Casimir’s office to find him leaning back in the oversized leather chair in deep thought, a solid hand resting at the bottom of his chin as he watches me drift in.

Swallowing a deep breath, I twist to his desk, my hands trembling while I pull the tray from the bag and place it in front of him.

His eyes are on me, and I mean really on me, and though my pussy is pooling at the smell of his cologne and how sexy the all-black attire he’s wearing makes his olive skin look. I don’t permit my eyes to meet his.

“Has she contacted you?”

His voice slices the silence, startling me straight.

My eyes meet Casimir’s sapphire ones, and as he picks up his fork and scoops up mashed potatoes, I water at the thought of his tongue sliding inside my pussy again, my body trembling as he takes me forcefully.

“By her, I’m assuming you mean Tianna,”

I say as I walk over to my desk.

Casimir nods, and I lick my lips at the thought of kissing him. At this point, I have forfeited any interest in working things out with Alex, but is a future with Casimir Slate even feasible?

I take out my phone and text Ayanna the address for our luncheon. I'm still trying to decide how I will tell Casimir that I’ll be leaving the office after just arriving. All I want is Casimir Slate, but right now, being around him is proving to be too much. Dealing with one past lover is enough, but dealing with two will be overwhelming.

“You had security parked outside my house all night. I’m sure you would be the first to know if Tianna made an appearance.”

I turn to look at Casimir. The usual phlegmatic expression his face typically wears is replaced with worry.

“Did something happen?”

The question hangs from my mouth as I cross the office to his desk.

Casimir sits his fork down and wipes his face with a handkerchief, his sapphire eyes burning into me as he grows to his full height.

“I’ve been waiting to taste your lips all day,”

He rasps as he walks up to me.

My body tenses and my nipples harden to the point of pain the second Casimir’s hands grip my waist, his grip pulling me closer as he tilts his head down to me. Our breathing becomes rapid as we share in a breath.

Casimir brushes his lips softly against mine, and we kiss intimately. His lips suck mine, and I suck his tongue, my body quaking with need as he massages my ass. I moan into his mouth as the kiss intensifies. His mouth takes my mouth fervidly, as his lips swallow my cries.

Casimir’s shaft is stiff against my belly as I grind my clit against his thigh, desperately searching for much-needed contact. I’m horny, extremely horny, and I want Casimir to take me right here on his desk. But an image of Skye pops up in my head, and I find myself pushing him away.

“Why did you send me to a restaurant that is owned by one of your ex-lovers,”

I question while straightening my dress.

My hands roam through my hair, ensuring that everything is still in place, and Casimir groans as he sits on the edge of his desk, the pads of his fingers tracing his swollen lips as he stares at me.

“Well,”

I snap, making my irritation apparent.

“I’ve had many lovers, Jasmine. You shouldn’t take it personally.”

Well, that makes me feel better. I scoff mentally. “Which is precisely the reason I’m asking why you sent me to Skye’s restaurant. She already knew what you would want for lunch, and while I’m not complaining, she had it prepared before I arrived; I do think it’s odd that she knew who I was, and I had no idea who she was!”

That earns me a laugh.

“Isn’t it obvious? I enjoy her food, and I’m the one who invested in her restaurant. Besides Jasmine, I have nothing to hide. She knows that you and I,”

“That I’m your assistant,”

I interject, remembering I already belong to someone else.

A sly smile tips the corner of Casimir’s mouth, and I melt at his handsomeness. I don’t press further on how Skye knows who I am. Truthfully, I don’t believe I’m prepared for the answer. Still, I can’t shake my inner envy as I pry on about Casimir and Skye’s affairs.

“Are you two still?”

“No, I haven’t slept with Skye in years,”

He cuts in as he rises from his desk.

That’s right, Tianna. I say to myself as Casimir’s hand takes mine, instantly lugging my body back to his. My eyes catch Casimir’s, and blue fire consumes me as he kisses me once again, his tongue tracing down my neck while he grips me tightly.

I breathe a moan as my head snaps back, giving him access to my body as he roams my neck and breasts with his tongue. I want to get lost in his touch forever. Having someone so wealthy, powerful, and handsome desire me is an honor. But as his lips move to the top of my breasts, his breaths raspy moans, I remember that I arranged for Ayanna to meet me.

“I- I have to meet someone.”

I stutter.

Casimir steps back, an angry sigh fumbling from his lips.

“It’s a prearranged meeting. I hope I haven’t upset you.”

I steady my breath as my clit throbs against my will.

“Fine. Go, but when you return, I’m taking you.”

Casimir’s promise parrots in my mind all the way to the restaurant; the Bentley stops, and I step out, joyous cries rolling from my lips as Tess approaches me.

“Oh my God, I am so excited to see you!”

I scream as we jump into one another arms.

“You have been one busy chick, Jas.”

Tess expels as she breaks from our embrace and examines me.

“I have been, and I have so much to tell you.”

On my ride here, I texted Tess to meet me. Ayanna had already played me once before, and I didn’t want to risk her playing me again, not with Tianna threatening to destroy me. So, I called in reinforcements.

Tess and I enter the medieval restaurant. The young hostess, who wasn’t present an hour ago, seats us at a table near the back, and I feel no shame trying the food Casimir so visibly loves.

We sit on the pincer chairs, and I’m spewing out everything that has occurred since Tess and I last saw one another.

“Was it that good?”

My best friend shrieks, intrigued by my lack of control in the bedroom.

“It was amazing,”

I moan while writhing against the wetness of my pussy. Just thinking about the way Casimir fucked me turns me on.

“I hope Alex doesn’t think his getting a job will erase all the times he fucked up.”

I nod in agreement while informing the waitress that we’re waiting for a friend to arrive before ordering.

“But that’s not what’s important right now. Jas, do you trust this Ayanna chick?”

My eyes fling Tess while pondering her question. “Not really, that’s why I asked you to be here but to be honest, Tianna can be a bitch.”

We laugh at my remark, and the gentle mention of my name pulls my attention to Ayanna as she approaches the table. Nervousness rides her face as I urge her to take a seat.

“Ayanna, this is my best friend, Tess.”

Ayanna’s gaze drifts to Tess, who has her hand stretched out to shake her.

“Nice to meet you, Ayanna. Jasmine has brushed me up on all the facts, so please feel comfortable speaking in front of me,”

Tess says as they shake hands.

I adjust in my seat, my lips forming to speak, but Tess’s mouth is already moving before I can do so. “As you know, my friend’s life is in danger. Now, I’m aware you are saying Tianna Ricci isn’t the kind of woman you want to ask about, but after that stunt, she just pulled with you. It’s time you tell us everything you know about this Tianna Ricci.”

There is no mercy in Tess’s eyes as she stares at Ayanna, and I work against my rampant heartbeat as Ayanna lip’s part. “Why are we here,”

She asks, her eyebrows wavering as her gaze flings around the restaurant.

Tess’s mouth opens and shuts before opening once more. “To discuss Tianna Ricci.”

My best friend derides.

“No, I mean, why are we at this restaurant?”

Ayanna’s black eyes meet mine, and I wrangle against my anxiety.

“You know about Casimir and Skye?”

I slide out as my eyes bleed into hers.

Ayanna nods her head, and more questions grow deep within me.

“Um, whose Skye?”

Realizing I left that bit of information out, I quickly brush Tess up on what I know about Skye. “Did I get it right,”

I ask Ayanna to ensure the information Casimir provided me was accurate.

“Yeah,”

The other woman chirps.

The waitress returns, and we order our food. My phone is bouncing around in my purse, and I don’t know if it’s Casimir or Alex. But right now, I don’t have the time to check.

“They were officially together for two years and engaged for one,”

Ayanna begins as we nibble at our food. “In the beginning, Tianna was nice and caring. She was the perfect fiancé. Always keeping herself fancied, working out, and staying in shape. Even watching what she ate.”

Ayanna gulps, and my eyes dry in anticipation of the rest of the story. “Tianna didn’t have many friends—at least not any she could trust. So, I was the person she would go to when she needed to vent. The night of the engagement party was the night she realized Casimir had different tastes.”

Both Tess's and mine brows shoot up in query, and Ayanna quickly explains.

“You’ve slept with him, but”

I don’t allow myself to provide an answer. Unsure if Casimir would want me telling Ayanna something so personal. But I’m sure she ascertained that on the day of the flight, and I asked her if she had slept with Casimir when she was his assistant.

Ayanna proceeds with the story. “Has he showed you his darker side?”

My mouth is too dry to open, so I shake my head instead. What does Ayanna mean by his darker side?

“Casimir’s tastes in the bedroom differ from the tastes of your average male.”

Another gulp forms in her throat. “I signed a non-discloser after their breakup. It ensures that I don’t share any of the information Tianna Ricci gave me about her and Casimir’s sexual relationship. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”

Tess shoots me a look, and I linger on whether I should push Ayanna into saying more or just let it be. “Look, Ayanna, we don’t want you to get into any trouble. If you don’t feel comfortable telling Jas and me, then you don’t have to.”

Tess’s hand straddles the top of Ayanna’s shoulder, and I inhale a deep breath as she shakes her head. “It’s ok. I want to tell you. I owe you that after putting your life in danger.”

Ayanna’s eyes plead with me, and I stretch my hand across the table and place it atop hers. “I won’t let Casimir fire you. I promise I will protect you the best I can.”

Ayanna sucks in her bottom lip and continues with the story. “Casimir is into…How can I say this? Kinky stuff.”

“Like handcuffs and whips,” I ask.

“Sort of, and other things. Much more explicit things.”

I gasp at the thought, my hand returning to my leg as it shakes. What other things could Casimir possibly be into?

“He’s a sadist, Jasmine. A sexual sadist.”

“Meaning he gets turned on by inflicting pain on the women he fucks?”

Tess heaves.

“One afternoon, I left my purse at the office. However, I didn’t realize until we were halfway home. So, I instructed the driver to take me back to Slate Enterprises. And when I arrived, I stumbled into the office to find Casimir whipping Tianna with a horsewhip, and I mean really whipping her. The whip lashed violently against her skin, and she was scarred in red with a large ball gag in her mouth stifling her cries.”

The other woman pauses for breath.

“Of course, he never did anything without Tianna’s permission. She signed a contract and everything, but it was the look in his eyes that startled me. The look of danger he had while he was whipping her. I’ll never forget it.”

Ayanna’s voice falls silent, and the racketing of my heartbeat replaces it. Is that what I’m in for? Casimir doesn’t appear violent, and he certainly doesn’t seem like a sadist to me. He’s always friendly and gentle with me.

“Jasmine, you’re back!”

The familiar voice jolts me out of my thoughts as I turn to look at Skye. “I am. Casimir was raving about your food, and well, I figured I would give it a try. It really does taste as amazing as he says,”

I say while displaying an innocent smile.

Skye smiles at me as she looks across everyone at the table. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you need anything else, and I will personally see to it that you receive it.”

I shudder at the other woman’s kindness. If she was stuck up like Tianna, I could hate her, but she’s not. She’s genuinely sweet.

“Thank you,”

I squeeze out as my eyes wire to Tess. Tess graces Skye with a sly smile, and we wait until she is gone before continuing the conversation.

My gaze reaches Ayanna, who is chowing down on her food. I wait for her to finish before asking my next question. “On the jet, you mentioned you still wanted to sleep with Casimir. How can you want to sleep with someone after walking in on something like that?”

Ayanna picks up a napkin and wipes her mouth, and I catch a look at Tess, who is finishing her chicken.

“Because Casimir doesn’t do anything to a woman without her permission.”

That much I know is accurate. I woke to Casimir Slate in my bed, and he still didn’t sleep with me until I wanted him to. I steal a sip of tea out of the tankard and sit it on the table. My hands reach for my overactive phone as I decide if there’s anything else I need to know.

“Hello,”

I say while bringing the phone up to my ear.

“Don is waiting outside for you. Get in the car and come to me.”

I jump up at the request. I don’t even concern myself with how Casimir knows where I am. But his request barters no argument, and as I throw my purse across my shoulder, I look back at Ayanna. “Thank you so much for everything. I will uphold my promise and make sure nothing bad happens to you.”

Ayanna nods at me as she gathers her things.

“Work,”

Tess asks, her legs lifting her to her feet.

“Yes, it seems urgent. I will talk to you later.”

I wave bye to the other women and exit the restaurant.

Come to me . Casimir’s voice echoes in the back of my mind as Don drives us deep into Seattle. Dozens of beautiful, luscious green trees surround us as we drive up the hill, and my heart is fluttering in anticipation. I realized we weren’t returning to the office a half hour ago when we took a left instead of a right after leaving the restaurant.

I’m tempted to text Casimir and ask him where precisely he has instructed Don to take me, but I don’t. I need to see Casimir. I need him inside of me. Come to me . The words seep with need as I replay them in my head, hoping that, just maybe, he will be willing to take me yet again.