Being Mrs. Cane (Cane 3.5)

For the next three days, I walked around like a zombie, trying to keep up appearances for Cane, but it wasn’t working, and I was sure he was starting to notice. He kept asking if I was okay, or why I wasn’t eating much. And the smell of his cologne was starting to annoy me. For the first time, I wished he was working out of town so he wouldn’t be here paying attention, and I wouldn’t have to sneak and run upstairs, just so he wouldn’t hear me throwing my guts up.

Either way, he seemed preoccupied with his own work issues, which helped. He went to the office every day from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and even came home with work to do sometimes, so it kept him occupied for the most part.

When Wednesday rolled around, I waited up for him instead of falling asleep like I had been. He got home around 8:00 p.m., and when I heard him coming upstairs, I sat up a little higher in the bed, pressing my back to the headboard.

“Oh, you’re up,” he greeted with a smile. He walked around the bed, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “Still not feeling well?”

“I’m better,” I lied. “I stayed up because I wanted to tell you that I’m driving to Atlanta tomorrow to meet Mom for lunch. I haven’t seen her in a few months. Kinda miss her.”

“Is that why you’ve been moping around lately?” he asked, focusing on my eyes. “If so, you should go—get out of the house. You don’t have to ask me to visit your parents, babe,” he said, untying his tie. “You can go whenever you want. I understand.”

“I know, I just wanted you to know. I’ll probably be back tomorrow night. Just a quick trip to see what they’re up to.”

“I’m all for it. Need anything?”

“No. I still have money on the credit card for gas and whatever else.” I climbed off the bed and walked up to him. “You seem bothered,” I mentioned, because he did, but he always got like this when he was stressed out about something that involved work. One thing about Cane was that he kept work issues at work and didn’t bring them into our home life if he could avoid it.

He lowered his gaze, lips pressing together. “I’m a little stressed, but I’ll deal with it.” He caressed my cheek. “You, on the other hand, are the one who seems a little out of sorts. You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Promise.” God, I hated lying to him. He deserved the truth, but I wasn’t ready to tell him just yet. I wanted to hear what Dr. Bhandari had to say before making any sort of announcement. “I think I need to see my mom. Catch up a little bit.” I grabbed his hand and made him sit on the edge of the bed. I climbed up behind him, placing my hands on his shoulders and starting a massage. “Will this help you relax?” I asked, rubbing his shoulders with the pads of my fingers.

“Oh, yeah,” he sighed. “It’s helping.”

“You sure everything is okay, Cane?” I couldn’t help thinking we were both holding back on something.

He reached up for my hand, looking over his shoulder. “Come here,” he murmured. He turned a little, bringing me onto his lap. I wrapped my arm around the back of his neck, and he let out a weary breath, holding me snug to his body.

“There is something you should know about work,” he began.

“What is it?”

He looked me in the eyes very briefly before looking away. “There is a woman I have to work with because of a sponsorship. Eden St. Claire.”

“Okay?” I sat up, pulling my arm from the back of his neck. A woman? “What about her?”

“She and I went to college together. We fooled around back then, but it didn’t get very far. She was too…ridiculous for me.”

I swallowed hard. “Ridiculous? What do you mean? Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I did something to her that she’s holding a grudge about. If I’d known she was in charge of the sponsorships for the golf club we just took on, I wouldn’t have signed the contract. She’s making threats, Kandy, and she’s going to try and play mind games with me until the contract is up. She’ll make work a living hell.”

“Well, when is the contract up?”

“It’s in effect for a year.”

“Jesus, Cane. A year.” I climbed off his lap, standing in front of him.

“The only reason I haven’t found a way to terminate my contract with them is because this is a big deal for Tempt. Her father gave us enough money to salary out several great employees and fund a bunch of internships. One of my dreams is to help people, Kandy. Give them something to do—something to look forward to every day. I want Tempt to be the place that allows miracles and chances.”