We got a private school education because it was a status symbol. We dressed in the best clothes because how we looked reflected on our last name. We went to the best colleges so he could tell his business associates how brilliant we were. I pursued a prestigious job with a title, so he’d be proud of me.
“Aiden Black was willing to invest, but he’s been griping about Layton’s embarrassment over your public rejection. I’d hate to see something like that derail the business.”
Aiden Black was a shark. He circled failing businesses and struck when the owner was at his or her most desperate, offering to bail them out. It was anyone’s guess whether he’d invest and help the company or sell it piece by piece. I knew my father would be crushed with the latter option. “Is he? Do you have any guarantee that he would invest and not sell?”
“Yes. I trust him.” His tone was unwavering and firm. “I’ve supported you your whole life and I haven’t asked for anything in return.” I could hear the frustration creep into his voice. He was used to me giving into his demands and my reluctance was trying his patience.
“You haven’t? Because I remember differently.” There were always expectations that came with every expensive dress, gadget, camp, and class. Expectations on how to act, who to be friends with, and who to date. Nothing changed. I moved across the country to escape but I hadn’t. I’d never be free.
Chapter Five
Cade
On Saturday, the early morning sun woke me as it came through the curtainless windows. I got out of bed, not bothering to straighten the covers or make the bed. What was the point when I’d just fall into it exhausted at night? I hadn’t brought any women home. I’d had one hook-up with a woman at a bar, but we’d gone to her place and I’d left right after feeling worse about myself. I hadn’t even thought about another woman seriously until Hadley Winters. What was different about her?
I’d bought this house about a year after Caroline died, to get away from my memories in the old one. It was a fixer-upper I thought I’d renovate in my spare time to take my mind off Caroline. I wouldn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. Now, the lack of time was holding me back, not grief.
A few years ago, I was asked to renovate a home to make it handicapped accessible. The family received a grant from the state that didn’t cover the cost of the entire renovation. I paid for the difference with Caroline’s life insurance. Between that experience and what we went through with Caroline when she was in hospice, the idea for my charity was born, Morrison Construction Rebuilds. It was more than renovations. It was making a home where the family’s lives were manageable.
Now, I had a long waitlist. I wanted to help every single applicant on the list even though it wasn’t realistic. I took on more and more projects. The result was not much time left over in the evening to fix my home. Maybe, I needed to make time for it.
I grabbed a change of clothes before heading to my bathroom to shave and shower. I turned on the water in the shower, with its mildew-covered tiles, turning the knob to warm, allowing the room to steam up before I stepped inside. Maybe it was time to demo this bathroom. Make this home a sanctuary instead of a rest stop.
I wasn’t sure where to start. Instead of creating a personal sanctuary, maybe I could renovate it and sell it. I could move on to the next project without becoming attached to it.
My head lowered and my shoulders slumped as water sluiced over my skin. Maybe it was time for a change. Seeing, Hadley, yesterday had sparked something inside of me. A desire to feel something again.
There was a strange feeling of hope and anticipation tingling under my skin. I told myself it had nothing to do with the possibility of Hadley dropping off the estimate at the studio or her stopping by for a class.
Thinking of Hadley had my cock at half-mast. All I had to do was grip the base, squeeze, and stroke it. The desire was there tingling at the base of my spine and my cock twitched with desire, imagining what Hadley looked like under her tailored suit. I closed my eyes and braced my hand on the shower wall and stroked my cock faster with thoughts of her naked body under mine and her voice crying out my name, until I groaned with my release.
My awareness slowly returned. The water cooled. The wind outside rattled the house and the cold draft filtered through the drafty windows. I took several deep breaths thinking of anything other than the feel of Hadley’s hand in mine or the way her ass looked in her skirt.
I turned off the water and dried off, careful not to look in the mirror. I was afraid of what I might see—a person who wanted to move on and live life again.
I quickly dressed in work-out pants and one of my Hapkido studio T-shirts. I placed my instructor uniform and striped belt in my bag. When I stepped outside, I welcomed the bite of the wind through my flimsy pants and jacket. There was a lot of traffic on the road this morning with the brunch crowd. I parked in front of my studio. I couldn’t resist glancing at the law firm next door as I unlocked the door. The office appeared to be closed.
Maybe I wouldn’t see Hadley today after all. I doubted she’d be working on a Saturday when they had no clients. Maybe she wouldn’t reach out. I’d been reluctant to hire her, so why would she drop off the estimate? She’d move on to more likely clients—ones who wanted
