Ashes Drift Past Tomorrow by Xavin Dusk 82

Chapter 82 

Cassidy 

25 vouchers 

WEDNESDAYS WERE TYPICALLY my night to cook or grab take–out since the club attended “church.” You can probably guess that several local fast–food joints had a slight pick–up in business on my nights to cook, but this week Carter made more of his crack–n–cheese as I’d dubbed it. Seriously, I was going to gain a million pounds if I didn’t watch it. Of course, I thought all of this while shoveling my third helping of said crack into my mouth. 

Maverick was in the shower and I was opening a bottle of wine when my cell phone rang. Assuming it was Carter, I answered it. It wasn’t him. 

“Hi, Cassidy, how are you?” Tom asked. 

“Um, I’m good. How are you?” 

“Excellent. I’m just waiting at the airport. Heading to London for the week, then Paris the following week.” 

“Oh, that’s nice.” I frowned and shook my head, totally unclear as to why I needed to know this. “Sorry, Tom, this isn’t really a good time for me.” 

“Oh, right. Sorry, love. You’re probably getting your son ready for bed.” 

“Well, have a nice trip.” 

“Bye, sweetheart.” 

I hung up and groaned. Crap! This was getting out of hand. Monday, I’d found more flowers on my desk, which I promptly returned. I was glad he wasn’t in his office at the time. Yesterday he’d stopped by my desk to say hello and see how I was, again trying to convince me to keep the flowers. 

Today I hadn’t seen him, so I had hoped he’d gotten the message, but apparently not. I was not looking forward to the conversation I was going to have with Carter. I knew I needed to tell him everything, but I also knew he was going to 

overreact. 

Once Maverick was in bed, I sat down in front of the television with a glass of wine (and, yes, more crack–n–cheese, don’t judge me). I heard the key in the lock an hour later and my man walked in looking hotter than normal in his tight black T- shirt, cut, and jeans. 

“Hey, baby,” he said, and leaned down to kiss me. 

I smiled. “Hi. How was church?” 

“Busy,” he said, and flopped down next to me. “A lot of shit to cover.” 

“Good stuff?” He shook his head and I sighed. “Right. Club business.” 

He smiled. “Yeah.” 

“Want me to heat up some crack and get you a beer?” 

He chuckled. “That’d be great, babe, thanks.” 

I headed to the kitchen and grabbed everything. 

“How was your day?” Carter asked. I didn’t answer right away, not entirely sure where to start. “Babe?” 

1/7 

5:09 pm PM M 

Chapter 82 

5 vouchers 

“I have to talk to you about something,” I said, as I walked back into the living room and set his dinner in front of him. 

He frowned up at me. “Okay.” 

“I think I’ve made an already weird situation worse.” 

“Honey, sit down and talk to me. Can’t fix it if you don’t tell me.” 

“I don’t want you to fix it, Carter. I just think you should have full disclosure.” I sat beside him, crossing my legs in front of 

1. me. 

“Tell me.” 

I sighed. “Tom’s not really taking ‘no‘ for an answer.” 

“How so?” he said carefully, and set his beer back on the coffee table. 

Uh–oh. 

I swallowed. “Well…” 

I filled him in on the flowers, the phone calls, the office visits, everything, and found myself scooting back at the rage pouring off of him. Without comment, he knifed off the sofa and grabbed his phone, leaving the apartment, his food sitting untouched on the table. 

Ace 

“Yo, Ace,” Booker answered. 

I sat in my truck, the only place I could get complete privacy. “The fucker’s messin‘ with her. He called her again today. I thought you blocked her number.” 

“I did. We’ve been watching his phone. Hold on, let me see if there’s anything new.” 

Booker did whatever the fuck Booker did, and I forced down my desire to break something. Booker could find anyone anywhere and no one questioned if his information came legally or not. He was the club’s computer guy and had a knack for hacking pretty much any system, so I had to trust that he’d be able to figure out (at least on the cyber side) what the bastard was up to. 

“Burner and he’s pinging it off different satellites. Don’t know if he’s doin‘ it or someone’s doin‘ it for him, but I’d get Cassidy a new phone, brother. Keep the phone she has, but have one that the guy doesn’t know about.” 

“Fuck!” I breathed out. “That’s what I was afraid of. Cassidy said he’s off to Paris and I have a feeling he’s up to something.” 

“How much does he know about her?” 

“Knowing Cass, not much. She’s always been pretty tight–lipped when it comes to her private life. He knows about me, though, and I’d imagine he knows who Maverick is, but outside of that, I have no fuckin‘ clue.” 

“So, he doesn’t know that Maverick’s father’s in Paris?” 

“Who the fuck knows? Cass left the father box on the birth certificate blank. Mack’s workin‘ on the adoption paperwork, but it all fuckin‘ takes time.” 

2/7 

5:09 pm P M M 

Chapter 82 

6 vouchers 

“Okay, brother, we’ll figure it out,” Booker promised. “If the asshole’s out of the country for a little while, it’ll give us some time. My guy’s callin‘ me tomorrow with an update.” 

I sighed. “I fuckin‘ hate this, Book.” 

“Yeah, I get it.” 

“Call me if you find anything, even if it’s the middle of the night.” 

“I will, brother.” 

I hung up and climbed out of the truck. I’d kill anyone who got in my way and I knew that scared Cassidy, so I had to stow it. 

Cassidy 

Carter returned close to thirty minutes later and I watched him as he locked the door and took off his boots. The dog met him at the door just as excited as the first time he came in, so he gave her some love. I could tell he was trying to calm himself down. “I’m reheating your dinner, honey.” 

“Thanks,” he said, and headed my way. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, kissing my hair. “I’m gonna fuckin‘ kill him.” 

I squeezed him tight. “Don’t, honey. I’m going to HR tomorrow to make a formal complaint. Either he’ll be dealt with or I’ll be fired, but either way, it’ll be sorted.” 

“Why the fuck would they fire you?” he demanded. 

I smiled up at him. “Because he’s an executive and I’m a worker bee. Everyone knows HR’s only there to cover the company’s ass.” 

“Then just fuckin‘ quit!” 

“No.” I pulled away so I could grab his dinner from the microwave… again. 

“Why the fuck not?” 

“One, if I quit and he does this to someone else, I’ll feel guilty, and two, if I quit, I won’t get severance or unemployment. I don’t have enough saved to just up and quit my job, Carter.” 

“I do, Cass. Walk out tomorrow and I’ll take care of everything.” 

I frowned. “I like my job, honey. I like the people I work with… for the most part, it has great benefits and it’s also in Vancouver, which means I don’t have to pay income tax. Those jobs aren’t easy to find right now.” 

He dragged his hands through his hair. “Cassidy, if you never wanted to work again, you wouldn’t have to.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Seriously,” he said. 

I bit my lip. “Well, that’s good to know for the future, but right now, I’m young, I’m healthy, and I don’t have a reason not to work, so I’d feel weird.” 

Carter stared at me but not for long. “If tomorrow doesn’t go well, you quit.” 

3/7 

5:09 pm P MM 

Chapter 82 

$ vouchers 

“How about,” I countered, looping my arms around his neck, “if Tom doesn’t stop his unprofessional behavior, then I quit? He might not fully understand how uncomfortable he’s making me, and one word from HR will shut it down.” 

“I don’t like it, Cass.” 

“I know, baby, but it’ll be okay,” I promised. “Why don’t you eat and then we can do something fun?” 

“Mav asleep?” he asked. 

“Yep.” 

“Let’s skip food,” he said, leaning down to kiss me and lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist. 

I smiled against his lips and slipped my hands in his hair as he carried me into the bedroom and closed the door. He lowered me to the mattress and tugged my shorts–panties and all–down my legs. God, I loved how he always started right here. Even if we weren’t completely naked, he’d start with his face between my legs, and I’d forget about everything. 

This time, however, he didn’t spend as much time as he usually did. Don’t get me wrong, I came and I came hard, but this was the first time I’d only come once before he was removing the rest of our clothes and sliding into me… and I loved it. 

Ohmigod, this was definitely going on the approved list of sexual standard procedures. 

“So fuckin‘ wet, baby.” 

“Yes!” I drew my knees up higher, wrapping my calves around his back. My ballet training gave me the ability to contort my body for optimum pleasure, and holy crap, tonight was most certainly optimum pleasure. 

His mouth covered mine and his tongue slid into my mouth as he wrapped his big hand around my breast and squeezed. He rolled the nipple between his fingers as his hips surged into me, his tongue matching the motion with each thrust. 

I lost his mouth on mine, but he moved his lips to my throat and I arched my neck to get more. “Drop a leg, baby.” 

I dropped a leg onto the mattress and mewed as he slid his hand between us and fingered my clit. “Love my baby’s cunt. Fuck, so tight and wet.” 

I tilted my hips and groaned. “Carter. Oh, God, I love you!” 

“Come baby,” he said, his breath coming in pants as he slammed into me again and again. 

“More, honey.” 

He did as he was told and pressed in deeper and I exploded around him. He wasn’t far behind and he collapsed on top of me, rolling us to our sides to keep our connection. I felt him pulse inside of me for several seconds and I wrapped my leg back around him. “Wow,” I whispered. 

He chuckled and kissed me. “Yeah, wow’s good, babe.” 

I stroked his cheek and ran my thumb across his lower lip. “I had no idea.” 

“About?” 

“How good this would be. Is it always like this?” 

He nibbled gently on my thumb and shook his head. “It’s never been like this for me.” 

“Liar.” I narrowed my eyes. 

4/7 

1:09 pm P MM 

Chapter 82 

“Never lied to you, Cassidy,” he said, sounding a little irked. 

S vouchers 

1 rolled my eyes. “You’re telling me, that with the multitudes of women you’ve been with, you have never had sex this good?” 

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Seriously.” Carter smiled. “There’s a difference in making love and getting‘ off, and until you, it’s been the latter.” 

I closed my eyes and smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you so much it hurts sometimes.” 

Carter pulled me close and held me for a while before sliding out of me and making his way to the bathroom. He returned with a warm washcloth and cleaned me up, we dressed just enough in case Maverick came in during the night, and then I fell asleep in his arms, dinner and troubles forgotten. 

The next morning, the alarm went off and I slammed my hand on the snooze button, rolling over with a smile and opening my eyes. What met my gaze had me squeaking and scrambling from the bed. Carter dropped his head back and laughed, patting the mattress. “Sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” He waved the tiny troll doll gently, complete with bright pink hair, and a diamond ring hanging from his arm. “Torbig and I have a question.” 

I shook my head as I climbed back into the bed. “You are ridiculous.” 

I bit my lip as Carter sat up and raised a knee. “Cassidy Eleanor Dennis, would you do me the great honor of marrying me?” 

“Yes.” I nodded, giggling as he slid the ring on my finger. It was exquisite. A huge oval diamond sat proudly between two smaller diamonds and the setting was intricate on both the top and sides with filigree that sparkled in the dim light. “Wow,” I breathed. 

“If you don’t like it, baby, we can return it.” 

“It’s perfect,” I said, throwing my arms around him and kissing him. “Thank you.” 

He caught me and settled me across his chest. 

“Maverick, you can come in now,” Carter called. 

Maverick shoved through the door and jumped on the bed. “Did you say yes, Mom?” 

“I did say yes. But is that okay with you?” 

“Carter’s gonna be my dad, right?” 

I grinned. “He is.” 

“Yes,” Maverick exclaimed and pumped his fist in the air. 

I laughed. “So you approve.” 

Maverick crossed his legs and nodded. “He already asked me for permission, Mom.” 

“You did?” I asked Carter. 

“Of course I did,” he said. “I talked to your dad, too. Had to get the blessings from the two main men in your life.” 

5/7 

5:10 pm P M 

Chapter 82 

5 vouchers 

“How about,” I countered, looping my arms around his neck, “if Tom doesn’t stop his unprofessional behavior, then I quit? He might not fully understand how uncomfortable he’s making me, and one word from HR will shut it down.” 

“I don’t like it, Cass.” 

“I know, baby, but it’ll be okay,” I promised. “Why don’t you eat and then we can do something fun?” 

“Mav asleep?” he asked. 

“Yep.” 

“Let’s skip food,” he said, leaning down to kiss me and lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist. 

I smiled against his lips and slipped my hands in his hair as he carried me into the bedroom and closed the door. He lowered me to the mattress and tugged my shorts–panties and all–down my legs. God, I loved how he always started right here. Even if we weren’t completely naked, he’d start with his face between my legs, and I’d forget about everything. 

This time, however, he didn’t spend as much time as he usually did. Don’t get me wrong, I came and I came hard, but this was the first time I’d only come once before he was removing the rest of our clothes and sliding into me… and I loved it. 

Ohmigod, this was definitely going on the approved list of sexual standard procedures. 

“So fuckin‘ wet, baby.” 

“Yes!” I drew my knees up higher, wrapping my calves around his back. My ballet training gave me the ability to contort my body for optimum pleasure, and holy crap, tonight was most certainly optimum pleasure. 

His mouth covered mine and his tongue slid into my mouth as he wrapped his big hand around my breast and squeezed. He rolled the nipple between his fingers as his hips surged into me, his tongue matching the motion with each thrust. 

I lost his mouth on mine, but he moved his lips to my throat and I arched my neck to get more. “Drop a leg, baby.” 

I dropped a leg onto the mattress and mewed as he slid his hand between us and fingered my clit. “Love my baby’s cunt. Fuck, so tight and wet.” 

I tilted my hips and groaned. “Carter. Oh, God, I love you!” 

“Come baby,” he said, his breath coming in pants as he slammed into me again and again. 

“More, honey.” 

He did as he was told and pressed in deeper and I exploded around him. He wasn’t far behind and he collapsed on top of me, rolling us to our sides to keep our connection. I felt him pulse inside of me for several seconds and I wrapped my leg back around him. “Wow,” I whispered. 

He chuckled and kissed me. “Yeah, wow’s good, babe.” 

I stroked his cheek and ran my thumb across his lower lip. “I had no idea.” 

“About?” 

“How good this would be. Is it always like this?” 

He nibbled gently on my thumb and shook his head. “It’s never been like this for me.” 

“Liar.” I narrowed my eyes. 

4/7 

5:10 pm P M M 

Chapter 82 

“Never lied to you, Cassidy,” he said, sounding a little irked. 

I rolled my eyes. “You’re telling me, that with the multitudes of women you’ve been with, you have never had sex this good? 

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.” 

“Seriously?” 

“Seriously.” Carter smiled. “There’s a difference in making love and getting off, and until you, it’s been the latter? 

I closed my eyes and smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you so much it hurts sometimes.” 

Carter pulled me close and held me for a while before sliding out of me and making his way to the bathroom. He returned with a warm washcloth and cleaned me up, we dressed just enough in case Maverick came in during the night, and then I fell asleep in his arms, dinner and troubles forgotten. 

The next morning, the alarm went off and I slammed my hand on the snooze button, rolling over with a smile and opening my eyes. What met my gaze had me squeaking and scrambling from the bed. Carter dropped his head back and laughed, patting the mattress. “Sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” He waved the tiny troll doll gently, complete with bright pink hair, and a diamond ring hanging from his arm. “Torbig and I have a question.” 

I shook my head as I climbed back into the bed. “You are ridiculous.” 

I bit my lip as Carter sat up and raised a knee. “Cassidy Eleanor Dennis, would you do me the great honor of marrying me? 

“Yes.” I nodded, giggling as he slid the ring on my finger. It was exquisite. A huge oval diamond sat proudly between two smaller diamonds and the setting was intricate on both the top and sides with filigree that sparkled in the dim light. “Wow,” I breathed. 

“If you don’t like it, baby, we can return it.” 

“It’s perfect,” I said, throwing my arms around him and kissing him. “Thank you.” 

He caught me and settled me across his chest. 

“Maverick, you can come in now,” Carter called. 

Maverick shoved through the door and jumped on the bed. “Did you say yes, Mom?” 

“I did say yes. But is that okay with you?” 

“Carter’s gonna be my dad, right?” 

I grinned. “He is.” 

“Yes,” Maverick exclaimed and pumped his fist in the air. 

I laughed. “So you approve.” 

Maverick crossed his legs and nodded. “He already asked me for permission, Mom.” 

“You did?” I asked Carter. 

“Of course I did,” he said. “I talked to your dad, too. Had to get the blessings from the two main men in your life.” 

5/7 

5:10 pm P AN 

Chapter kg 

1 hugged his waist. “I love you.” 

“Are you guys gonna kiss now?” Maverick asked, a horrified expression on his face. 

“Yeah, buddy,” Carter answered. 

“Gross. Can I please leave?” 

“Sure thing,” Carter said. 

I giggled and dropped my head to Carter’s shoulder. “Eat breakfast while I shower, please.” 

“Okay, Mom.” Maverick left the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him. 

Carter kissed me, but not for long because my alarm sounded again. I groaned and broke the kiss. “I should get up.” 

“Or you could call in ‘never coming back.” 

I giggled. “We have a good plan, honey. I’ll call you after I talk to HR and we’ll go from there.” 

“I’m going on record to say I still don’t like the plan.” 

“I know.” 

“We’re comin‘ to take you to lunch today, yeah? I need to get you a burner, so I’ll bring that with me.” 

I sat up and turned off the alarm. “Why do I need a burner?” 

“Because we blocked Tom’s number and he still found a way to call you, so I want you to have a phone he doesn’t know about.” 

I crossed my arms and frowned down at him, ignoring the overwhelming desire to lick his perfectly glorious chest from top to bottom. “Who is ‘we‘?” 

“Club.” 

“Wait. You’re telling me the club has access to my cell phone?” 

“No. Booker technically does, but Mack’s workin‘ on some legal shit, so when I say the club, it encompasses those two… for 

now.” 

I gasped and widened my eyes in horror. “Does Booker have access to our texts?” 

“No. Don’t worry, babe. Those are just for us.” Carter grinned. “He can probably access them, but I trust that he won’t.” 

“Why did you just tell me that?” I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. “Now I’m going to be beet red every time I see him!” 

“Honey, he’s a brother. I trust him. He won’t access them without my permission, yeah?” 

“No, Carter, it’s not ‘yeah‘! Gah! This is humiliating.” I stalked into the bathroom and started the shower. As I turned, I was pulled up against Carter and I sighed. 

“I promise you, no one will see the texts. We can delete them now if it makes you feel any better,” he said. “But they shouldn’t embarrass you, baby. We’re in love, we’re gettin‘ married. It’s an expression of how we feel-” 

“A very, very graphic and dirty expression of how we feel,” I grumbled. 

6/7 

5:10 pm PMM 

Chapter 82 

5 vouchers 

He chuckled. “Fuck yeah, a very graphic and dirty expression of how we feel. How about I express a little bit more of my graphic and dirty feelings in the shower?” 

“Make sure Maverick’s okay and then you can have me for ten minutes.” 

“Start without me,” he said, and left the room. 

I took a moment to study my ring again and decided to shower with it on. I wasn’t ready to take it off yet… I might never be. 

Carter and Maverick dropped me off and, after sending an email to IR detailing everything that had happened with Tom, I went about getting through my To Do list. I was ahead of the curve for the moment, so when I got a call from Lana, our HR director, I was able to meet with her right away. 

I headed to her office on the floor below me and closed the door.