by C. J. Thomas
My fingers tugged on his shirt, tucked tightly into the waist of his pants.
Determined to keep my heart out of the equation, I had to remind myself that our relationship was nothing more than a transaction set up by the Madam.
Kelly’s lips finally pulled off of my skin, sending my heart into a flutter.
It wasn’t like I was falling in love with him. But there was definitely something different about him that made him so much more magnetic than all the other men I had been with before. His wealth was the most obvious differentiator. But beyond that, it was his confidence and the way he worked the room, like he owned the building and the conversation that came along with it. Secretly, I wondered what it would feel like to be his only.
He spun me around and dug his strong fingers into my shoulders as his arousal pressed against my ass.
I stole a tiny sip from my drink as we stood there simply watching the ebb and flow of the room. We didn’t have to talk. As long as he held me and kept me close, that was enough to get me through the party. Kelly was possessive of me, acting as if he didn’t want to share me with anyone else. And that feeling of being owned by someone like him actually surprised me with how much I was liking it.
Maybe Alex was on to something with Nash, I thought as I reached up, needing to touch Kelly’s hand resting on my shoulder. He kissed the crown of my head and a delicious shiver worked its way down my spine.
For generally wanting to be the one in charge and control the situation, for some odd reason I couldn’t fully explain, I was more than fine trusting Kelly to lead the way.
“Kelly Black,” a tall man with a strong smile said as he approached us from the side.
Kelly reached out and shook his hand. “James.”
“I’m so glad that you could make it tonight.”
“Anything to help.” Kelly’s hands squeezed my shoulders as he talked.
“And your generous donation tonight certainly helps a lot.” James’s smile spread across his face as he locked eyes with me. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure that we’ve met.”
“James, this is my date, Kendra Williams,” Kelly said.
I held up my hand and James bent his spine, bringing my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “You are truly lovely.”
“Thank you,” I said, stealing a glance at Kelly, making sure that he was okay with what was happening between James and me.
He nodded once and flashed a closed-lip smile.
“Kelly doesn’t deserve you.” James released my hand, gently laughing.
“You may be right,” I said. “But maybe one day he’ll earn his keep.”
Kelly’s rough hands smoothed down my arms, pulling me closer to him. His sudden possessiveness over me was a welcome feeling, and certainly something that I could get used to.
“No, really.” James slid his hands inside his pockets, glancing at Kelly before letting his gaze fall back to me. “Kelly is a wonderful man and I can assure you that you’ll never be let down so long as you treat him right.”
“That’s what I’m learning.” My cheeks blushed for how wet Kelly had me.
“It was good to see you, Kelly.” James shook Kelly’s hand again. “Kendra.” He nodded.
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled, watching James stop to greet another friend standing in a circle not too far from where we were.
I liked hearing the praise Kelly was receiving tonight. It made him more human and less of a dick like the first time I met him. He was real and I could feel the power he held radiating off him as we stood watching the party unfold in front of us.
As the evening drew on, I grew more and more attracted to him. When he left my side, I moved closer, needing to fill the void of what was missing when he wasn’t there.
Kelly seemed to know everyone. And everyone knew who he was. He was well received and I liked that the party didn’t feel stuffy as I imagined so many events like this did. He was obviously well respected, a prominent member in his community, and I started to see him in a completely new light.
I finished my drink and felt slightly embarrassed when I noticed that I was the only one of us slamming these drinks down like they were water. The band picked up the tempo and began playing a tune easy to move to. I started to dance and said, “Kelly, you should be drinking with me.”
He watched me twirl around him. “Not interested.”
“C’mon. Let loose.” I bumped my hip into him, trying to entice the man into dancing with me.
He shook his head and my feet stopped moving.
“C’mon. I don’t know anyone here.” I hooked my hands on his shoulders, hung off of him and begged, “It’s not fun to drink alone.”
“Stop,” he snapped, clamping his strong hands around my thin wrists.
My throat tightened and made it painful to swallow.
A darkness washed over him and made me shiver as he stared into my big, round eyes. I didn’t know what I’d said, but clearly I pushed him too far.
“Quit asking.” He leaned back, his tight grip releasing from around my arms. “I don’t like having to repeat myself.”
I lowered my gaze and turned away. I’d touched a nerve and wasn’t sure what that was about. Fear paralyzed me and, just like that, I no longer wanted to be here.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kelly’s chest expand just before he let out a long, controlled breath. “Kendra…” his fingers closed around my arm once again and I fought the urge to pull away from him. “You want to dance?”
My tongue slid over my lips as I swallowed down the tension that buzzed between us. When I looked up at his face, his eyes were soft again and I nodded. “That would be wonderful.”
Kelly took my flute of champagne and set it on a passing silver platter. I didn’t want things to get awkward between us. I had high expectations for the night, and I was certain he did too. I breathed a sigh of relief when he threaded his fingers through mine, leading me to the dance floor.
My mind spun with regret.
I should have never asked him to drink.
It wasn’t my place to dictate how the night went. If he didn’t want to drink, fine. What I’d done was totally uncalled for. I was his date, not the other way around. I’d forgotten my place and I was glad that he corrected it so easily.
Kelly towed me through the crowd as I watched the sea of people part once they saw him coming. Faces smiled and nodded, and a path easily cleared for us. Not everyone was blessed with such respect as people clearly gave Kelly. I wanted to know how he earned that kind of respect.
Or if I was mistaking respect for fear.
He glanced back at me and I loved the feeling he invoked inside me. The feeling of importance I got when knowing that I was his date and not some other bimbo here tonight.
Once we hit the dance floor, Kelly twirled me into his body, holding me tight against his solid muscles. He was firm, and so tight, it didn’t feel like he had an ounce of fat on him. “Hang on,” he said in a sexy, husky voice.
My palms spread flat against his chest and traveled up his body until my fingers hooked around his neck. Slowly, he began to move. “Do you like to dance?” I asked.
“I’m liking dancing with you.”
He was graceful with his movements, calculated with his response. His protective hands were exploring and possessive as they roamed my body. His steps, deliberate and calm, yet I could feel his hunger, so full of desire by the way he held onto me.
“Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”
I tipped my chin back and nodded. “I am.”
“That’s important to me.”
“Is it?”
“Certainly.”
“What if I said I wasn’t?”
“Then I’d find a way to correct it.”
And that was who he was. I got that feeling from him from the get-go—that he was a man who liked to have things go his way. He’d make sure everything was perfect. Pleasing everyone he came into contact with, doing whatever it took. “D
o you attend these types of events often?”
“I do.” I felt his hand splay across my back. “But tonight is special for me.”
I cocked my head to the side, curious to know why. I knew that it was a charity to raise funds for an underprivileged school, but beyond that, I didn’t know the details.
“I like to help the community when I can.”
It wasn’t the answer I was going for. I was hoping to learn more. But with what happened after asking him to drink with me, I was already walking on thin ice and didn’t want to press him into having to explain himself.
We both drifted inside our own heads, dancing in slow circles, holding onto each other like we didn’t want to let go.
My entire perception of who he was kept being shattered with each new revelation that presented itself tonight. It was funny how that worked when you got to know someone. He wasn’t at all the person I thought he was when we first met. No. I liked him so much more and actually saw myself wanting to pursue him beyond just arm candy that made him look better than he already did.
My thighs tightened around his leg, needing to relieve the agony in my swollen clit. He pulled me close, circling his hips as I writhed on him.
The Kelly I was witness to tonight—minus that one moment of weakness—was a man I could see myself with. I was curious to know how he would kiss. What it would feel like to have his tongue sliding over mine, and if he had it in him to be gentle when I needed him to, and to fuck me good and hard when the urge was there. I needed a well-balanced man to deal with my own highs and lows. Someone who could pick me up and keep me from falling down.
My head dropped to his chest and I liked how I fit to him. He was slowly earning my trust and I liked his approach. It felt natural, and that was important, considering the situation.
When the song faded out, he hooked my jaw and tipped my chin back. Our eyes danced as I labored through heavy breaths until he finally crashed his lips over mine. I parted my lips, eagerly sucking him into my mouth.
I had been waiting for this moment all night, and now that it was here, sparks flew from behind my eyelids and small explosions set my body on fire.
He swirled his tongue over mine, deepening our kiss.
I was broken, desperate, and I knew that I wanted to fuck him right then and there. Lifting my leg, I knew that if he fucked half as good as he kissed, I was in trouble with this one.
He thrust his tongue over mine, causing me to whimper softly into his mouth.
“Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to find you two here,” a familiar voice said.
Kelly pulled away and I felt his body go stiff. Slowly, I turned my head, dropping my heels back to the floor. I was startled to find Oscar Buchanan approaching.
“I suppose I should have seen that one coming.” Oscar’s eyes narrowed. “Not the first thing Kelly has stolen from me.”
“I’d hate me, too,” Kelly said, hugging me close as I felt his gaze drift over to Oscar’s date. “And who is this lovely woman you have on your arm?”
Oscar’s date had been eyeing me from the moment she arrived. We both exchanged glares, sizing each other up, and I wondered if she was an escort, too. Everything about her told me there was a chance—from her dress, to how she had her hand constantly on him, to how she smiled, nodded, and pretended to be genuinely interested in what Oscar was saying. Madam had plenty of us under her harem, so my assumption wasn’t all that far-fetched. Though rumor was that Oscar was through with her services after his date with me.
“Angel.” She held her hand out and Kelly shook it.
Angel. The name was more prostitute then it was escort. I wondered if it was her real name or just a name she used when out on dates. Older men probably ate that shit up, but I could see right through her. She caught me glaring and scowled.
“Kelly, have a moment?” Oscar held his arm out, not even giving me any kind of recognition. And I guess in a sense I deserved that.
“Excuse me.” Kelly kissed the side of my head. “I won’t be long.”
As soon as the men were out of earshot, Angel toed closer and murmured, “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into with that one.”
I glanced at her. She stood about a half-foot taller than me and she was beautiful. I could see what the DA saw in her. A full bust, long legs, and a flawless face.
Angel folded one arm over her midsection and lifted her champagne flute to her lips. “Then again, maybe you already know.”
“I’m sorry, do you two know each other?” By the way Kelly introduced himself, I was under the impression this was the first time they’d met.
“Kelly Black has a reputation,” she said behind the rim of her glass. “And I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but I just assumed that you already knew.”
Well, I didn’t. At least not whatever gossip she was hinting toward. I watched the men talk as struggled to figure out what it was she was referring to. I didn’t have it in me to ask and my hope was that all she was referring to was something other than what I thought it was. “I’m not following.”
She rolled her eyes over to me and huffed. “Sweetie, look. Kelly is charming and easy on the eyes. But if you’re expecting the honeymoon to last, don’t.”
“This is our first date,” I mumbled, wondering why I was even bothering to tell her anything at all.
Her brows raised. “Then it’s good you’re hearing it now.”
My face pinched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about or why you’re telling me any of this.”
She turned to face me. “Then I’ll dish it to you straight. From one girl looking out for the next.”
My hand slowly crept toward my neck.
“Once that man fucks you, he’ll toss you to the side just as he has done to countless women before.”
I turned to look at Kelly. He caught me staring as my fingers played with the jewels around my neck, wondering if what she was saying was true. And if Kelly could be trusted.
“Don’t take it personally.” She shifted her weight over to her other foot. “Just don’t let your heart get involved if you do fuck him.”
I looked up at her.
She shrugged. “Whatever he tells you, it’s him who has the commitment problem.”
16
Kelly
“Are you sure? We don’t have to do this if you don’t want,” I assured her as soon as the elevator doors closed.
Kendra melted into my side, letting her head rest over my breast. “I want this.”
Something with her was off. She was quiet the entire ride from the charity event to the hotel. I didn’t know if she was just tired or if something was said that made her go silent. I hoped that it was just exhaustion. That would be a much easier fix than the alternative.
I kissed the top of her head.
The last thing I wanted was for her to not be herself just before I surprised her with what I’d been dying to get to this entire evening.
She hugged my waist. “Is Oscar ever going to be able to forgive you?”
My hand moved up and down her arm as I wondered if that was what was bothering her. “We butt heads constantly. It’s been like this for a while. He and I are always trying to beat each other. But it has nothing to do with you. It’s just the way it is.”
She lifted her head off my chest and looked up at me with extraordinary jade green eyes. “I don’t want to be the cause of a war between you two.”
I tipped my head back and laughed. “When you’re in law, it’s always a war to beat your opponent. That’s all this is. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know.” She wedged her hands beneath my jacket, letting her fingers curl over my hips, hugging me tight.
“Is that right?”
She nodded.
“And how is that?”
“I studied law.” She smiled confidently.
My smile vanished in a flash and I felt my eyes go big. “No shit?”
She laughed. �
�You didn’t know that about me?”
I cupped the back of her skull and petted her incredible long black hair that held more body than anybody else I knew. “There’s a lot I don’t know about you.” My neck craned as my lips pecked at hers. “But you studying law is certainly surprising. I’ll give you that.”
The elevator slowed to a stop and the doors dinged open when we reached the top floor that housed an executive penthouse suite.
Kendra turned her head as the doors opened and she slowly drifted away from me like a balloon being released into the air. “Kelly Black, did you do this?” she squealed.
I stepped out of the elevator car and into the hallway, bending down to pick up one of the several dozen pink and blue orchids that lay scattered across the floor. “That would be one hell of a coincidence,” I said, holding an identical flower next to the one I had pinned to her dress earlier tonight.
Her fingers pinched the fabric of my jacket, gave it a hard tug, and stood on the tips of her toes to give me a kiss. “You’re something else.” Her eyes half closed, filled with lust.
I held her at the waist, loving the way she felt as I dug the tips of my fingers into her flesh, steering her toward my waiting suite. “Follow the path.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kendra was giddy again and it was good to have her back. That was the woman I craved. The one who made life fun. And that was exactly what I needed because for what I had planned, I needed her to be spunky and alive.
She tugged me along and I followed, one step behind. A sense of euphoria washed over me as she kept stealing glances over her shoulder as if to make sure I was still right there with her. As soon as the path of flowers ended at the door, she stopped and I had her pinned up against the wall.
Her green eyes darted across my face as I reached up to touch the racing pulse traveling through her neck. “Tonight has been amazing,” she said.
“It’s not over yet.” My lips crashed over hers.
Her tongue curled over mine as she sucked me deeper into her mouth. She tasted of alcohol and I liked the way she softly whimpered into my mouth as I pushed my tongue against hers.
