Quid Pro Quo

by Sherryl Hancock

  Finley smiled, biting her lip. “Okay.”

  Kai leaned down, kissing her softly. Then she stepped back out of the dressing room, right as the attendant came up with the dress in a bag. Kai held the door for the young woman with a slight bow and a grin, then walked back over to Riley and sat down.

  “Everything alright?” Riley asked.

  “Yes,” Kai said, not bothering to elaborate.

  Riley looked over at this woman her daughter was dating. She was very different from the women she’d previously met with Finley. She carried herself with a level of confidence that was incredibly attractive. Riley hadn’t strictly been coming on to Kai when she’d suggested that she’d do well in film, either—she had a great look to her that was far from common. Admittedly, it had been a great line to use on other people, but this time she’d been serious. She also found it quite interesting that Kai didn’t seem the least bit awed by her and her fame—it was actually somewhat refreshing. So many of Finley’s girlfriends had gushed all over her when they’d met her, and frankly it was rather embarrassing.

  A few minutes later, Finley walked out of the dressing room wearing a floor-length gown. Her hair was casually piled on top of her head, her curls hanging loosely around her face. The gown was a beautiful Marchesa, form-fitting in a mermaid style. It was flesh-colored silk overlaid by incredibly detailed burgundy appliques, giving the illusion of a neckline that plunged to Finley’s waist while still covering everything, but outlined the very definite rounding of perfectly shaped breasts. The back was further appliqued with burgundy detail, with a cut-out keyhole. The skirt flared at the knees with even more appliques. Kai found herself completely speechless as Finley turned to look in the mirror, then looked back at her. Kai stepped up onto the dais Finley stood on, standing behind her and looking over her head at her in the mirror.

  “My God, you are so beautiful…” Kai breathed, her dark eyes staring into Finley’s through the mirror.

  “You like it?” Finley asked, biting her lip at the look of awe reflected on Kai’s face. She’d never seen that turned on her by anyone before.

  “That’s the most incredible dress I’ve ever seen, and it looks like it was made for you.”

  Finley turned, putting her arms up around Kai’s neck and kissing her. Kai slid her arms around Finley’s waist, sensing that Finley was feeling emotional suddenly. She didn’t understand it, but knew she needed to be comforted. Kai hugged Finley close, one hand at her back, the other behind her head. They stood that way for a few minutes. People passing by were struck by the sight of the two women embracing, and smiled at it. Riley Taylor smiled warmly as well, thinking that Finley had finally found herself a good one in Kai. She just hoped her stubborn, headstrong daughter was smart enough to hold on to her.

  When Finley finally lifted her head to look up at Kai, she smiled. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “Always.”

  After Riley’s fitting, Riley suggested that they have lunch. They decided on the Polo Lounge, one of Beverly Hill’s most iconic restaurants, with its green-and-white-striped awnings. After they were seated, Riley had to sign a couple of autographs for fans.

  “So, what is this fundraiser for?” Kai asked, leaning back comfortably in her chair and resting her hand on the arm of Finley’s.

  “It’s for the ASPCA,” Riley said. “It’s one of my pet projects, you could say.”

  Kai nodded. “It’s a good cause. I’m currently working with some of the local shelters to help get more of the larger dogs out of them and into training programs for law enforcement.”

  “Really?” Riley said, interested instantly. “What kind of training programs?”

  “Well, retraining them to be search dogs, so that they can be used by law enforcement in their endeavors.”

  “Can you do that, though? I mean, I thought K9s were specifically bred…” Riley said, sounding doubtful.

  “Ma’am, I’ve retrained dogs that were trained to kill American soldiers. Any dog can be trained given the right motivation.”

  “Kai was a Marine, Mom,” Finley put in.

  Riley looked surprised. “You were?”

  Kai nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And you trained dogs there?”

  “Among other things,” Kai said, grinning.

  “So are you working with any law enforcement groups specifically?”

  “Right now I’m working on a deal with the State Department of Justice.”

  Riley was finding Kai Temple more and more fascinating. “And what kind of deal is that?”

  “To select, train, and provide dogs for search and seizure operations.”

  “And how much is that going to cost them?” Riley asked pensively.

  “Mom!” Finley exclaimed. “That’s none of your business.”

  Kai chuckled, putting her hand on Finley’s leg. “It’s fine. I’m charging them five thousand dollars a dog.”

  Riley looked back at Kai for a long moment. “How much are those specially bred K9s?”

  “’Bout twenty K.”

  “So you’re really not going to make anything on this deal…” Riley said quizzically.

  “It’s not about the money,” Kai said simply.

  Riley looked surprised, but nodded. This woman was definitely not what she’d expected. She smiled. “Well, maybe if my daughter is smart enough to hang on to you, you can be her date for the fundraiser.”

  “That’ll be up to her,” Kai said, glancing at Finley and winking.

  When the waitress came up, Riley ordered champagne and an assortment of meats and cheeses. Kai ordered a salad and water. Finley noticed her mother was slightly agog at this.

  “Kai’s a personal trainer, Mom. She’s pretty careful with what she eats.”

  “Oh, you’re a physical trainer too,” Riley said, nodding. “Now I understand why you look so fit.”

  Kai smiled.

  “Have you ever trained anyone famous?” Riley asked.

  “Depends on what kind of famous you’re talking about,” Kai said, taking a drink of her water.

  “Like well known.”

  “She trained Remington LaRoché before her last fight in New York,” Finley said, not wanting her mom to think that Kai was just some run-of-the-mill gym-rat “trainer.”

  “Really?” Riley looked impressed.

  Kai nodded, glancing over at Finley. “And it looks like I’m going to be working with BJ Sparks before this new tour he’s got coming up.”

  “That was the call, wasn’t it?” Finley asked, widening her eyes.

  “Yep,” Kai said, grinning.

  “Oh my God! That’s awesome!”

  “You’re going to train BJ Sparks?” Riley asked. “The BJ Sparks?”

  Kai’s expression flickered as she fought the urge to say that as far as she knew there was only one BJ Sparks, but she just nodded.

  “Okay, so you’re like a major trainer, then,” Riley said, Kai’s status rising once again in her eyes.

  Kai didn’t answer, simply looked back at her. It was obvious she wasn’t bothering to try and impress Riley Taylor. Riley found she really liked that about the woman. She also liked that she was holding Finley’s hand very openly and without any kind of reservation. It was obvious that this woman was quite comfortable in her own skin.

  Lunch proceeded with more small talk. As they finished up, Riley looked over at Kai again.

  “So what got you into training, Kai?” she asked as the check came. She raised an eyebrow at Kai took the check from the waitress with a smile, then reached into her back pocket and pulled out her wallet.

  “Just seemed like a good transition,” Kai said as she took out her credit card and put it in the portfolio with the check.

  “Transition from?”

  “The Marines.”

  “How long were a Marine?”

  “Fourteen years.”

  “She was one of only nineteen female colonels in the Marines, Mom,” Finley said, smilin
g over at Kai.

  “Wow,” Riley said, widening her eyes. “You don’t look old enough to have been in the Marines that long.”

  “I assure you, I am,” Kai said with a grin.

  “How old are you, Kai?”

  “Mom!” Finley exclaimed.

  Kai put her hand on Finley’s to calm her, even as she answered. “I’m thirty-nine.”

  “Well, Finley, that’s like twice the age of that last little twit I met,” Riley commented acidly.

  “I know,” Finley said irritably.

  Kai squeezed her hand gently, giving a slight shake of her head, a bemused smile on her lips.

  “Have you met any of Finley’s other… friends?” Riley asked condescendingly as she glanced at her daughter.

  “I’ve met a lot of them,” Kai said. “I’ve met special agents, cops… I’ve met the director for the Division of Law Enforcement for the Department of Justice, the head of the Criminal Division for the AG’s office, three special agent supervisors for DOJ, two rock stars, and a few others… including Midnight Chevalier herself.”

  Riley’s eyes widened.

  “Oh, I think you probably meant the women Finley dated,” Kai said, her eyes sparkling. “I thought you meant the people that she’s actually friends with and who respect her a great deal for her talent.”

  Riley was literally stunned into silence.

  “Oh my God, I’ve never seen anyone put my mother in her place like that before!” Finley exclaimed the minute they were in Kai’s car—which was something else Riley Taylor had stared at in shock.

  It had become very quickly obvious to Riley that Kai was no gold-digger, nor was she one of the silly little twits Finley had toyed with previously. This was a very serious woman who seemed to have a very definite protective nature when it came to Finley. Riley couldn’t help but love Kai Temple.

  “I don’t think I put her in her place,” Kai said, her tone reasoning. “I just made sure she understood that you’re more than the women you date. The company you keep should be based on who you spend real time with, not who you slept with.”

  “That’s how you see it, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Sex is just sex, Fin. Unless there’s some real feeling behind it, it’s just an act, and it’s something everyone needs. I don’t think it’s her place to judge that.”

  “Considering her love life, that’s true.”

  “That bad?” Kai asked, sensing another issue for Finley.

  “Always a different guy. Right about the time I’d get used to someone and think that maybe, finally… bam, he’d be gone and a new guy would show up,” Finley said, looking out the window.

  “Must have been hard,” Kai said, reaching over to touch Finley’s hand.

  Finley took Kai’s hand, squeezing it as she felt tears in her throat again. It was astounding how emotional she felt. Kai asking questions, empathizing and being willing to defend her was so amazing—she had no idea what to do with it. No one ever took her side against her mother—no one. Never the men in her mother’s life, or the women she’d dated who’d met her mother. Even her friends growing up had always ended up on Riley’s side no matter what. Kai hadn’t, and it was something that left Finley feeling open and raw, but wonderful at the same time. She just didn’t know what to do with all the emotions and they kept backing up on her.

  Kai noted Finley’s silence and wondered how hard things had really been for her.

  “I think I need retail therapy,” Finley said, grinning.

  Kai smiled. “Okay, where to?”

  “Beverly Center?”

  “You got it,” Kai said, taking the next turn to head in that direction.

  An hour later Finley had dragged Kai into Diesel, because she absolutely loved the store and wanted to see what they had. Before long she’d picked out a jacket and boots for Kai, insisting that they were perfect for her. Kai finally acquiesced and picked them up. After looking around a little bit longer they made their way to the cashier. Kai set down the items and reached back for her wallet.

  “Oh, you’re not paying for this,” Finley said, putting her hand on Kai’s arm.

  “Wanna bet?” Kai asked, grinning as she opened her wallet.

  “I was going to buy it…” Finley said, reaching into her purse.

  “Nope,” Kai said, handing the girl her credit card with a smile.

  “Kai…”

  Instead of arguing with Finley, Kai leaned in and kissed her until she was somewhat breathless. Finley rocked back on her heels when their lips parted.

  “Guess you told me…” she said, grinning.

  Kai grinned, widening her eyes, even as she signed the receipt to hand it back to the sales girl, who was watching them with interest. Kai took the bag from the girl, thanking her and guiding Finley toward the exit.

  “So where to now?” Kai asked.

  “Prada. I need shoes for that dress.”

  They made their way to Prada, and Finley found a pair of heels that would go perfectly with the Marchesa dress. She tried them on and loved them. She told the sales clerk she’d take them, and while she was putting her shoes back on Kai walked up to the front, once again handing the clerk her credit card before Finley even knew what she was doing. When Finley got up to the counter, Kai was already taking the bag from the clerk.

  “You did not…” Finley said, trailing off as she gave Kai an openmouthed look.

  Kai grinned. “I wanted to.”

  “Kai, those were eleven-hundred-dollar shoes…”

  “I saw the receipt,” Kai said, grinning still.

  Finley shook her head. “No, we need to return them, and I’m paying for them.”

  Kai blocked her way to the counter, leaning down and kissing her lips, pulling back to look at her. “Let me do this for you, please?”

  “But I didn’t expect you to, I didn’t…”

  “I know you didn’t,” Kai said. “But I want to, okay?”

  “Kai…”

  “You’re used to paying for everything, aren’t you?”

  Finley bit her lip, nodding. “That’s what happens when you date twenty-year-olds.”

  “Well, it’s a bad habit, and you need to stop it,” Kai said, smiling to take the sting out of her words.

  Finley took Kai’s jacket in her hands, leaning her head against Kai’s chest. Kai put her arm around her, holding her there. It astounded Kai how annoyed she was that so many of these other women had taken advantage of Finley’s ability to pay for things. In her book it just wasn’t right at all. After a couple of minutes, Kai reached up, taking one of Finley’s hands, and led her out of the store.

  Back in the car, Kai glanced over. “So where to now?” she asked with a grin.

  “I think we need to go back to your house so I can thank you properly for the shoes,” Finley said, smiling mischievously.

  Chapter 6

  Before long, Finley was spending most of her free time with Kai, not wanting to be away from her any longer than was necessary for work. Kai had gotten back into her routine of seeing clients as well as working with the dogs. They were both extremely busy, but spent as much time together as they could. Cassiana had started at Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City, with her focus on the Institute for Scholastic Sports Science & Medicine. She was seriously considering a career in the medical field. Kai thought it was directly related to Finley, and how much Cassiana admired her. Finley was very touched by the idea.

  The three of them became a fairly close unit, and they all enjoyed the feeling of an actual family for a change. Things were going well.

  A couple of months into the relationship, Kai was worried one day when she hadn’t heard from Finley all morning. She knew she was on shift at the hospital, but something just felt off. Kai had tried calling a couple of times, and texting as well. To allay her concerns, she swung by the hospital on her way back through town from an appointment with a client.

  Walking inside, Kai easily located Jackie. “Hey, beautiful,�
� Kai said, smiling down at the nurse.

  “Oh, hi there, handsome!” Jackie said, smiling brightly. She’d come to absolutely adore Kai Temple for how happy she made Finley. “What can I do ya for?”

  “Any sign of my girl?”

  Jackie looked surprised by the question. “Honey, she’s home sick,” she said. “She didn’t call you?”

  Kai widened her eyes, giving her an “obviously not” look.

  “Well, she was pretty out of it this morning when she called in,” Jackie said, glancing at the clock. “Yep, looks like it’s dinnertime. Let’s go, handsome—you’re driving.”

  Kai grinned. “Where are we going?”

  “To check on our girl,” Jackie said, holding up a set of keys and jingling them.

  Twenty minutes later, Jackie opened the door to Finley’s condo. Kai had been there a few times. She looked around; the place was silent. She walked toward Finley’s bedroom, Jackie following. Finley lay huddled under blankets. Kai knelt next to the bed, reaching out to touch Finley’s face. It felt hot.

  “Honey…” Kai said softly.

  Finley’s eyes opened slowly. “Kai?” she whispered, surprised to see her there.

  “Yeah, babe. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I texted you…” Finley said, trailing off pensively. “At least, I thought I did…”

  “Nope,” Kai said, grinning. “Doesn’t matter—I’m here now.”

  “I don’t want you to see me like this,” Finley said, covering her face with her hands.

  “Like what?”

  “Sick. I look terrible!”

  Kai laughed, shaking her head. “Like I looked so fantastic when I was brought into the ER, huh?”

  “You did—you always do,” Finley said stubbornly.

  “Uh-huh, right,” Kai said disbelievingly.

  Jackie watched as Kai talked to Finley. Her heart swelled—this was the kind of woman she’d always wanted for her little girl. Someone who would take care of her, no matter what happened. Walking over, she leaned down to kiss Finley on the check, then kissed Kai on the forehead.