by Vi Keeland
The uncensored rawness of his pleasure made me gasp and I tumbled over the edge right with him again.
***
I woke the next morning tangled in Kennedy just as I had fallen asleep the night before. I knew he was awake before I raised my eyes to find his. I could feel him watching me intently. “Good morning beautiful.” A light kiss on my forehead.
“It’s nice waking up to you in my bed instead of the hospital.” I snuggled closer wanting to leave no space between us.
“I’ll bring your bed to Chicago if you want.”
I looked up at him, his eyes were warm and gentle as he gazed at me. “It’s not the bed that makes it nice.”
“Good, because I like my bed better.” He smirked and his playful mood made my heart skip a beat. “So, it’s settled then, we’ll get rid of your bed and use mine.”
“Is that so?”
He kissed me firmly on the lips and nodded once. “Makes sense to me, but if keeping your bed is a deal breaker then I’m good with that too angel.”
“But I haven’t agreed to move.”
“Okay, then let’s start with that first, then we can figure out which bed we are keeping.” He tried to hide the smile, but the slight indent of a dimple gave him away.
“Kennedy, I….”
He put his finger over my mouth. “I fucked up Hope. I should never had taken no for an answer the first time I asked you to move in with me. I’m not taking no for an answer now, so you might as well understand that before you make your decision.” His pale blue eyes searched mine, holding me where he wanted me. “Chicago is where my business is, so it’s difficult for me to live anywhere else. But if you are not ready to move, I’ll move to New York. I’ll figure it out. I’ll buy this building and move in one of the apartments here if that’s what you want. But, you have to know, unless you tell me you don’t love me anymore, I’m going to be where you are, wherever that is.”
I knew deep down in my heart that I loved this incredible, sexy, bossy man. I looked into his eyes. I remembered being a little girl and watching my dad look at my mom, I couldn’t describe what it was, but I knew that he loved her more than anything in the world. I’d never seen a man look at a woman that way. Until today. I made my decision in that moment and he must have seen it happen on my face. He smiled at me. The glorious full dimple smile.
“Okay.” It came out as a whisper.
“Okay?” He sounded as if it was a surprise, but we both knew it wasn’t.
I rolled my eyes playfully. “I’ll move to Chicago.”
He pressed his lips softly to mine. “Thank you beautiful. I love you.”
***
A week went by and Kennedy was true to his word. He didn’t let me out if his sight. He took me for all of my follow up doctor’s appointments, and sat and held my hand when my stitches were removed. My kitchen table was converted into Jenner Holdings command central, and he worked while I rested and slowly started to pack. I called George and told him I was going to be leaving the first week in January, after the Christmas and New Year’s events were behind us. He said he was sad I was leaving, but he understood and was happy for me.
“I hate the thought of you going back to work tomorrow angel.” His voice was stern.
“We already had this discussion Kennedy. I can’t leave them during the busiest two weeks of the year. I need to go back tomorrow to help. It’s the least that I can do considering I am leaving after only three months.”
“I’m putting a bodyguard on you when you are not with me. He’ll stay out of your way, but he won’t be more than a hundred feet away.”
A streak of heat moved through my body, as it always did when Kennedy took that powerful commanding tone. “It’s not necessary, but if it will make you feel better.”
“It will.”
I smiled, having learned which battles were worth fighting with Kennedy, this one didn’t make the list. “Okay honey.”
I squeezed my body in between the table and Kennedy and sat myself on his lap, straddling him. My hands rested on his shoulder and he pulled me closer to him, pressing himself into me.
“I was thinking. Maybe we should take your brother to a game while he is in town. Shauna can get us tickets and we could grab a bite after it’s over.”
One eyebrow arched. “You are not trying to play matchmaker are you?”
“No.” I lied.
Kennedy looked at me suspiciously. “Ok, set it up. He arrives this Thursday night and he’s staying till Sunday.”
“I already checked, they are playing at home on Friday night. So we can do it then.” I gave a victorious smile.
“Don’t smile at me with that cute smile. Or my next video conference will be watching your ass go up and down on this chair in about three minutes.”
I felt my face pink and I pictured him naked and glistening with sweat as I held his thick shoulders and rode the length of him up and down in full, long strokes.
He watched me, his gaze fixed on my mouth. “Fuck, Hope.” Then he dialed his secretary and told her to push his conference back and hour. I squirmed on top of him as he spoke. Then I rode him until we were both exhausted and took a nap naked on the couch where he could watch me while he worked the rest of the afternoon.
Chapter 25
Garrett acted every bit the eligible bachelor as the Chicago papers had made him out to be. I had started to get used to the way women looked at Kennedy, with their mouths watering and perky breasts thrust forward. It didn’t bother me because Kennedy never reacted to it. His focus was always on me, and I was never quite sure if he ignored the looks he got for my benefit or if he had just grown immune to them. Garrett, on the other hand, took full advantage of every opportunity that came his way.
Shauna had landed us court side tickets and I was excited to show off my best friend. I was pretty sure the VIP waitress was neglecting the other patrons when she spent ten minutes flirting with Garrett on her fourth trip over to make sure we didn’t need anything else. As the cheerleaders made their way onto the floor for their half time show, I decided I was done with the sexy server.
“Garrett, Shauna is the third one from the right.” I motioned to the right side of the kick line forming. Garrett took one look at Shauna and forgot the waitress was standing there waiting for his attention.
“We are good for now.” I smiled at the waitress dismissively and she huffed away.
Garrett followed Shauna with his eyes. She smiled and winked at us as she moved into position for her squad’s performance.
“Did I tell you that you were my favorite brother?” Garrett leaned towards Kennedy without taking his eyes off Shauna.
I smiled up at Kennedy and pretended to be surprised by Garrett’s reaction, but Kennedy knew better. He shook his head at me and gave me a look that said I might be in trouble later.
***
After the game was over we went to a bar that Garrett picked. The beautiful hostess was excited to see Garrett and sized up Shauna with disapproval as she led us to a VIP section that overlooked a dance floor below. Shauna had changed out of her uniform and into jeans with strategically placed rips and knee high black leather boots. She wore a tight black t-shirt emblazoned with the team name in crystals across her chest. Her wrists were covered with sparkly silver and crystal bracelets; she looked like naughty Barbie, a figment of every man’s wet dream.
Kennedy and Garrett went to the bar to grab our drinks and Shauna told me how gorgeous she thought Garrett was.
Two guys stopped by the table “Can we buy you ladies a drink?” the shorter one with the hulking muscles asked.
I looked at Shauna and then back at the guys, who clearly were not used to rejection with the way that they looked standing there gorgeous and confident. I was about to decline, and explain that we were there with people, when I felt Kennedy’s presence behind me.
“Move along.” Kennedy said with a steel face and dismissive hand gesture.
Kennedy settled in on t
he seat beside me, his arm draped behind me in a possessive stance. I caught Shauna’s eye and she gave me an approving smile.
“Let’s go Garrett. I can read a lot about a man on the dance floor and I’m wondering what kind of book you are.” Shauna arched one eyebrow mischievously and Garrett grabbed her hand and led her down to the dance floor.
We watched as they danced and quickly found their rhythm together. My gaze slid over Kennedy. He wore steal grey dress pants and a dark grey cashmere v neck sweater. His normally pale blue eyes picked up the color of his clothes and changed the color to an unusual grey blue. He looked urbane and ridiculously sexy. I could never get used to how gorgeous this man is.
“You’re doing it again.” His voice was low and gruff.
I snapped out of my momentary visual admiration of him. Confused. “Doing what?”
“Looking at me like an angel that I want to take home and fuck till the devil comes out.”
Shocked by his words, I gasped, crossing my legs together tightly to reign in my body’s reaction to his strength. “Oh boy.”
He blew out a loud breath and set down his drink. He turned to me. “I’m killing myself trying to push down the urge to beat the shit out of a man who tried to buy you a drink and you are sitting there looking at me like I’m a gift you want to unwrap. You have no fucking clue. What did I ever do to deserve you Hope?”
I studied his face, taking in every detail. “You made me believe who I am.”
His lips covered mine and he kissed me. For a minute there was nothing but Kennedy and me. The music disappeared and all of the people around us. When he released me, I whispered in his ear. “I love you.” He smiled then reached in to whisper in my ear. “I love you too beautiful.”
Shauna and Garrett spent a long time dancing and I was thrilled that they liked each other as much as I had hoped. When Shauna tried to get me to dance with her, I felt Kennedy go stiff and I knew it was more than he could handle tonight. Kennedy announced it was time to call it a night, and Charles appeared out front when we finally made our way through the crowds.
“Ummm, we will take a rain check on the ride big brother, I’m going to walk Shauna home.” Garrett was holding Shauna’s hand and she beamed at me and winked and blew me a kiss. Kennedy and I climbed in to the limo.
“Where to Mr. Jenner?” Charles asked.
“Home.” Kennedy responded and I realized it didn’t matter where we lived, I was home wherever I was with him.
***
My first week back to work flew by and I barely had time to notice the hulk like man that Kennedy had hired to watch over me. Christmas was on Sunday and I was excited that we had a three day weekend, even though I had only just returned to work. We had decided to go to Chicago for the weekend and spend Christmas with his brother and his family. After my last day at my job, we would go to Oregon for a week and have a late Christmas with my Dad. I knew Dad was worried when he left after my accident, but I also knew that Kennedy had been calling him and giving him updates ever since he went back home.
Chapter 26
When we arrived at Kennedy’s apartment on Christmas Eve, I was elated to find a twelve foot tall Christmas tree gleaming with thousands of twinkling lights. It was decorated entirely in silver and red and it looked as if it had just been torn from a layout in Good Housekeeping magazine.
“When did you find the time to do all this?” Kennedy walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
“I had a decorator come and get the house ready for us.”
The apartment was dark, except for the lights from the sparkling tree. It looked magical. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it, it’s the first tree I’ve ever had of my own.”
My voice gave away my shock. “What? You never had a Christmas tree before?”
“Nope. I go to Franklin’s every year for Christmas, so I never saw the point of putting one up.”
“But we are going to Franklin’s for Christmas this year too?”
Kennedy thought for a minute. “I guess I never had anything to celebrate before.”
I reached up on my tippy toes and kissed him gently on the mouth. “We both have something to celebrate this year.”
***
I woke up on Christmas morning before Kennedy, which was rare. I watched him sleep for a while, in awe of his chiseled jaw and perfect lips. I couldn’t imagine a day when looking at him didn’t take my breath away. He was just so perfectly masculine. Even sleeping he exuded a raw sexuality. It took more than a little self control to not wake him, but we both had a rough couple of weeks, and he needed his sleep.
I went to the kitchen and made coffee. I stared at the majestic tree in the dark for a while and reflected on Kennedy’s words from the night before. Beneath that strong, dark exterior was a beautiful thoughtful man. A man that loved me. A man that wanted to live with me. The thought made me warm inside.
I caught a glimpse of Kennedy out of the corner of my eye as I was spooning the eggs onto plates. He stood in the doorway, leaning into the doorjamb casually with his arms crossed. His body filled the doorway and his face looked amused.
“That smells good. But I would have liked to have had breakfast in bed.” He smirked.
“I was working on it, but you came out before the bacon was done.” I pouted.
“I wasn’t talking about bacon and eggs.” His smile was sinful.
I could feel my face flush and his stare was unwavering. “Oh.”
“I have a Christmas gift to give you.” He took two long strides and reached out and pulled me into his arms.
I looked up at him and felt the heat in my face ignite. “I bet you do.”
He laughed and his pale eyes brightened. His sexy smile made me tingle and I wrapped my arms around him.
“You look so fucking sexy wearing that t-shirt and standing in the kitchen making breakfast. I had a hard on before I even touched you.” He pressed his hips into me to validate his words.
“Behave,” I admonished. “Our breakfast is going to get cold and I want to give you your present before we go to Franklin’s house.”
“I’ll behave if you promise I can fuck you bent over your desk at your new job very soon.” His voice was low and sultry.
“Isn’t that a little premature? I haven’t even started yet!”
“Just promise me that if the opportunity presents itself, you’ll be ready for me. I’ve been dreaming about it for days.”
I was aroused just thinking about what he said, and he knew it. His smile was devious and delicious.
I breathed out an exaggerated sigh as if I was doing him a big favor. “Okay, fine, if the opportunity presents itself.”
***
We ate breakfast and exchanged gifts. I hadn’t had much time to for shopping, but Shauna had helped me pick up a few things that I knew I wanted to get him. It was no surprise to me that Kennedy had overdone it. For my first gift, he led me into the bedroom and opened a closet door. He had emptied a whole closet for me and it was already filled with clothes and shoes. Rows of beautiful designer clothing lined the walls and I was sure he had made some personal shopper a very fat Christmas commission.
As if all of his generousness wasn’t enough. “I have one more gift for you. But you need to get dressed to see it.”
“Kennedy, you are insane. You’ve already bought me too much!”
“Don’t worry beautiful, this one is as much for me as it is for you.” He smacked my ass. “Now go cover up that sweet little ass, so I can take you out in public.”
As usual, I dutifully complied with his command. Kennedy wouldn’t tell me where we were going. We pulled up in front of a beautiful hotel and Kennedy came around and opened my door.
“Good morning, Mr. Jenner.” The valet said as he caught the keys that Kennedy threw his way.”
We made our way to the second floor when the hotel manager caught up to us. “Mr. Jenner, how nice to see you. Everything that
you requested is in order.”
“Good. I won’t be needing anything else today.” Our pace quickened with his blatant dismissal of the manager who looked a bit disappointed.
We arrived at the door that Kennedy was looking for, and he handed me a set of keys. I noticed that the keychain had a script J on it and the plaque on the door read Hope York. He smiled and motioned with his hand for me to step forward to unlock the door.
Inside was an elegantly decorated office. It was professional, with a touch of whimsy. A large antique desk with carved legs sat in the middle of the office. In one corner was a picture of Kennedy and I taken the night of the Kelly’s charity dinner, and we were both smiling and looking at each other. In the other corner was a crystal business card holder. I picked up one of the cards, Hope York, Event Manager. On the opposite side of the desk sat three different, uniquely upholstered Queen Anne style chairs. In the corner was a large lithographic of the ice cream painting that hung in our bedrooms.
I felt my eyes sting as I took it all in. “How did you do all this?” The tears rolled down my face as I looked at him and saw him watching me closely, wanting my approval.
“Fuck angel, don’t cry.”
I sniffled unattractively through my tears. “I love you.”
He lifted my chin forcing me to look at him. “I love you too angel, Merry Christmas.”
He lowered his mouth to mine and covered my lips with his in a gentle kiss. He leaned his forehead against mine. His pale eyes turned dark with lust. “Looks like the opportunity has presented itself.”
There was no way that I would be able to say no to him. He had done so much to make me feel at home, and had been so generous to me. I wanted to show him how much I appreciated all that he had done. Besides, the man was simply irresistible.
He crossed the room quickly and locked the door, then slid behind me in front of my new desk. Then I let him do just as I promised…fuck me bent over my new desk.
***
Franklin and Lauren’s house was filled with the electricity of an excited child on Christmas morning. Emily had convinced Lauren to let her open one of our gifts, and I was thrilled with how excited she was when she opened her new Easy Bake Oven. It was my favorite toy when I was a little girl, and I had hoped that she didn’t already have one.
