by C. J. Thomas
“What are you going to do?”
I held up Sylvia’s note to call Wes. “Start with this.”
Her brows pinched and I handed it to Giselle. She quickly read the scribble and asked, “What’s he have to do with anything?”
“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out,” I said, hitting the call button on Wes’s number.
The line rang as I tried to recollect the last time I talked with Wes. It wasn’t like we were complete strangers. We crossed paths in various social circles, and with Adrianna finding me the other day at the cemetery, I knew it was only a matter of time before one of us would be calling the other.
“Mr. Black, if it isn’t the lawyer who should be on my payroll,” Wes answered.
“How are you, Wes?” I moved to the large windows as I talked.
“Adrianna mentioned what you two discussed the other day.” I heard a door close on Wes’s end. “I’ve been meaning to call about that, but it looks like you beat me to it.” There was a smile in his voice when he talked and that made our conversation easier. If there was one thing I knew about Wes, it was that he liked to get straight to business.
“There’s something else that I need to talk with you about.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“I prefer not to do it over the phone.”
“It must be serious.”
“It is.” I glanced over my shoulder to find Giselle in the kitchen pouring herself another glass of seltzer. “What’s your schedule like, are you free to stop by my office tomorrow morning?”
“I have a better idea.”
I raised a brow.
“How about if you stop by Mint tomorrow night. Meet me there at 11.”
Reaching out, I pressed the door handle down, opening it up to the balcony. Stepping outside I said, “You know I can’t do that.”
“Then I guess what you have to say can be said now.”
“Wes—”
“Mint. Tomorrow. 11pm.” Wes ended the call without me giving him a response. But he knew that I’d be there, and that was the exact kind of shit I expected when dealing with billionaire media mogul Wesley Reid.
I feared I was only digging myself deeper into Madam’s personal drama. It wasn’t like her and Wes were exactly friends, but what choice did I have? Sylvia said Wes had information pertaining to Maria’s case, information I needed to know. But I also feared what Wes would say about my theory regarding Madam’s sudden business expansion.
My gut twisted as I stared at my phone, deciding whether or not to try calling Kendra again. I had to. Her running out with a forehead twisted in distress was too much to bear.
Lifting my cell to my ear, Kendra answered after the second ring. “Kelly—”
“Don’t you ever humiliate me like that again.” My voice was firm. “Not in my house. Not at my work. And certainly not in public. Do you understand?”
The line was silent but I could hear her breathing.
“Kelly, I know who that woman was.”
My brows pulled together, knowing she was referring to Sylvia.
“I need to know, are you sleeping with her?”
I tipped my chin back, a smile curving my lips. It was almost laughable how ridiculous her fear was. “I’ll explain at dinner.”
“You can’t even answer a simple question,” she huffed.
“Where can I pick you up? I’ll explain everything at dinner.”
The shuffling on the line led me to believe she was considering her options. And when she finally agreed, I said, “Wear the dress I sent you.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Don’t tempt me,” I growled. “Maxwell will pick you up in an hour.”
“Kelly?”
“Yes, Bella?”
“Make sure it’s private. We have a lot to discuss.”
38
Kendra
The thrashing pulse in my neck subsided the moment Kelly threaded his fingers with mine, leading me inside the luxurious restaurant reserved for the elite members of southern California society.
We stepped inside to a warm greeting from the hostess. She was young and beautiful with a tight black dress accentuating her curves. “Reservation for Kelly Black.” Kelly’s voice was confident in its delivery.
“Of course. A private table for two.” The young woman smiled, motioning for us to follow.
Kelly tightened his hold on my hand. It was both strong and possessive, and I liked knowing that he was determined to make this night perfect. Even after me storming out of his building earlier in the day, he showed no signs of wanting to trade me in.
We skirted the main dining area, taking in the chic and modern surroundings, listening to the romantic murmur of couples laughing and cuddling as they enjoyed their meals and drinks. The smells were Americana with a French infusion, and the combination was enough to stir my stomach. I was starved.
Alex and I had opened up a bottle of wine as she insisted she help me get ready. Though I refused to drink more than a glass—I didn’t want to be too tipsy when I brought up my concerns with Kelly—Alex was happy to slam down the portion I refused to get lost in.
First, she’d done my hair, curling it into long waves that fell to my shoulders. Then, it was onto my makeup, a dark blue eyeliner with a purple mascara to match the dress Kelly demanded I wear. And through it all I couldn’t stop thinking how it seemed like Alex was the only person in the entire world who believed in me and Kelly. She wanted to see this work, just as I had rooted for her and Nash.
“You look stunning tonight.” Kelly glanced over his shoulder, stroking his thumb over the backside of my hand he held firmly inside of his. “Did I tell you that already?”
“Thank you,” I said, blushing. He’d told me how stunning I was, like, fifty times already, but it never got old. The dress was gorgeous and I didn’t want to be wearing anything but this.
The noise from the main dining area grew distant as the hostess stopped at a beautiful corner table for two. There was a freshly lit candle in the center and Kelly did the honor of guiding me into my chair before sitting opposite me.
Once we were alone, he insisted he hold my hands. And though we didn’t say a single word, I questioned what was on his mind. For the first time tonight, I could see clearly into his dark eyes. His hold on me didn’t match the quiet, dark demeanor that was a window into his soul. “I love the dress,” I said, hoping to ignite some kind of conversation. “It was just what I needed.”
“And you look lovely in it.” His mouth curved enough to finally show off one of his notoriously sexy dimples I loved so much.
A glass of white wine was served and I gave Kelly a questioning look. “I don’t have to have this.”
A part of me thought I shouldn’t mention how he didn’t have to order me an alcoholic drink when I knew he wouldn’t be drinking, but with the weight of tonight’s discussion looming, I was happy to have more wine to help take the edge off.
“I insist.” He lifted his usual sparkling water and made a toast. “To tonight.”
We clinked glasses and I said, “So, let’s get on with it then.”
Kelly pulled his lips away from the rim and said, “Good. I’ll go first.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” I set my glass to the side, settling in for what I hoped would be a conversation to steer us back on course. I needed to know if he was for real, if what we had started was worth committing to.
He leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “I’d like to know why you keep running away from me.”
The way he was looking at me, with a sense of amusement and intensity crinkling the corners of his eyes, was enough to send flutters across my chest and a wave of pleasure under my skin. I hated how handsome the man was. His dark skin looked incredible. The way it glowed against the soft ambience of the flickering candle had my nipples tightening up, ready to cut him apart. His sex appeal was dangerous and already making me forget the reason why I was here in the first place.
“Bella,” he grinned, “are you going to tell me?”
My lips parted as heat flushed up my neck.
Kelly looked dashing in his slim-fit three-piece suit. His tie was the same color as my dress and we certainly had what it would take to become LA’s next greatest power couple.
I touched the diamond necklace around my neck and looked around, appreciating how far away we sat from other couples—the curious listeners who would otherwise be able to easily eavesdrop on our conversation. I didn’t want to have my mind on strangers and whether or not they could hear what I had to say. It was nice to be given space, and privacy, knowing that we’d probably need it.
“What was Sylvia Neil doing in your suite?”
“Is that why you keep running away from me?” Kelly leaned back against his chair, lowering his gaze but never once taking his eyes off of me. “You’re scared that you might not be the only one in my life?”
My hand fell from my neck and came to clench my other in my lap. “Am I?”
The room began spinning as I waited for an answer. Kelly tilted his head and eyed me. My last breath of air caught in my chest and I refused to let it go free until I heard his answer. I needed him to confirm I was his only one. Because if I wasn’t, I knew I couldn’t go any further down this precarious path.
“No matter what I say,” he tipped his chin up, “will you even believe me?”
My gaze dropped to the tabletop. I wasn’t sure I would believe him. If I could believe him.
After all the warnings to stay away, there was enough doubt to make me believe that Kelly did have secrets, secrets that he didn’t want me to know about. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t have an answer. I was too afraid to admit that I liked him enough to already be afraid of losing him.
“Good evening, Mr. Black.” We were interrupted by the waitress with a big smile. “Are you ready to order?”
Kelly glanced at me then turned back to the woman. “Yes.”
I listened as he ordered, not understanding it, wondering if he even cared to know what I liked when it came to dining out. The waitress left without so much as an acknowledgement in my direction and I just couldn’t wait to ask, “What did you just order?”
“Our dinner.”
“I know that, but do you even know what it is? Or that I’ll like it?”
There was humor in his eyes when he locked his gaze with mine. “I wouldn’t have ordered it if I didn’t.” He smiled. “It’s a seven-course meal, beginning with egg caviar and ending with a chocolate Nutella crunch.”
My insides stirred. To his credit, I couldn’t wait. It sounded fantastic. “And what’s in between?”
“A black truffle risotto for you—”
I was salivating already. “And for you?”
“Dry aged prime New York steak.” He wiggled his brows.
It was like he’d done his research, actually having taken notes the few times we’d been together. Though I couldn’t recall giving anything away for him to know that I was going to love eating here. Maybe he was just that good.
“Kelly, I’m—” I hung my head, tucking my hair behind my ear as I did. My throat constricted and I couldn’t get the words out—the apology that I knew he needed to hear.
He slid his elbows across the table, opening his hand in an offer I debated whether or not to accept. After careful consideration, I did, and the moment I let my hands fall into the safety net of his large palms, he closed his fingers around them, letting his calm warmth spread up my arm, giving me the much needed confidence to get through tonight.
His dark eyes danced with mine as my mind wrestled to decide whether or not I should tell him about my reason for running out on him the first time. But even just thinking that I had it in me to discuss my rape had my pulse beating so fast I swore I was going to have a heart attack just sitting there. Pellets of sweat formed across my lower back and I knew that it wouldn’t be fair to him, and certainly not to me.
“You can tell me anything.” His eyes were unwavering, so strong and full of trust.
I swallowed down the lump that had formed in my throat, knowing that even with those amazing eyes—telling me that I could trust him—deep in my heart I knew that now wasn’t the right time.
My gaze moved to my wine glass. Suddenly feeling dizzy, I didn’t reach for it.
I feared that Kelly would leave me before our relationship ever even got started. Instead, I deflected. “Madam told me about the case you’re working on.”
He pulled back, releasing my hands. “Why would she bring that up?”
His dark brows knitted and there was a sense of betrayal flashing over them as I shrugged. “Maybe to make me question your own ethical boundaries?”
“Ethical boundaries? What are you saying? That I’m not a man of ethics?”
“That’s not at all what I’m saying.”
“Then what is it?”
“How could you represent a rapist?” My voice cracked with emotional pain that resurfaced from thinking about my own traumatic experience. Just saying the word brought so much suppressed agony to the surface, I even surprised myself.
My hands began to shake and, suddenly, the room felt much cooler than it actually was.
“That’s what this is about?” Kelly’s voice was rough and I could hear the anger building inside him. “Does the Madam want you to believe that since I represent a client charged with rape that I’m no different? That I’m a rapist, myself?” He turned his head and barked a disbelieving laugh.
My worst fears were coming to life. He was acting just as I thought he might, and though I knew his anger to be warranted, I wished that he would understand where I was coming from.
But without knowing my own story, how could he?
“I’m just trying to understand why you would do such a thing.” My voice was much weaker than I wished, but Kelly was the sort of man who could do that to a woman.
“Would it change your mind if I thought the man was innocent?” He snapped his head back around to meet my gaze.
“Is he?”
Kelly leaned forward, resting his elbows on top of the table and hung his head between his arms, nodding. “I believe he is.”
Relief washed over me, but that still didn’t settle my anxiety in knowing that he and Giselle went knocking on Alex’s door earlier today. “Did you learn anything from Sylvia? I mean, that’s why she was there, right?”
Slowly, he lifted his head with a wrinkled brow. “You know Sylvia? How?”
“Alex Grace.” I raised my brows. “The gorgeous Assistant Director to Nash Brooks.” One brow arched as I gave him a stern look of my own. “She’s my best friend.”
Kelly openly stared at me with a slack jaw.
There was little doubt in my mind that it was anything other than this case that had him stressed out and feeling down. “Alex told you to talk to Sylvia. We connected the dots after I bumped into Sylvia coming out of your penthouse suite.”
He leaned back, turned his head, and rubbed his face inside his hand.
“Kelly, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”
“You shouldn’t know about this.”
“But I do.”
“I don’t want to bother you with my work. It’s an ugly world I represent.”
“I understand that, but remember, I studied law.” This time it was me who leaned forward, smiling. “And it’s not ugly to represent a client you believe is innocent.”
He nodded, and from the look he was giving me, I knew he was listening to what I was saying.
“I’m curious to know the details,” the crown of my head pulled up to the ceiling, straightening my spine, “especially since it involves you, and my best friend.”
His chest rose just before he let out a heavy sigh.
“Kelly,” I reached out, wanting him to take my hand, “what do you need from me? How
can I make your life easier? I don’t want to add to your stress.”
Slowly, he brought his hands up from under the table and clasped his fingers around mine.
“Baby,” I smiled, “I’m your stress relief.”
He bit his bottom lip and chuckled.
“But I want you to prove to me that I’m your only girl,” I said, squeezing his hand.
His eyes twinkled with life. “Sign the contract.”
“And we’re in this together. Just you and me?”
His head nodded as one side of his mouth curled at the corner. “Just me and you.”
I leaned back until my back fell against the chair. “Fine.”
Kelly freed one hand and reached inside his jacket where he pulled a freshly printed contract out.
“You have it with you?” I gasped.
His eyes narrowed as he smiled. “I wasn’t giving up on you, Bella.”
Kelly brought his chair around from his side of the table, pulling out a pen as he did, and sat next to me. Without a word, he offered me the pen.
My tongue rounded my mouth as I straightened my spine, taking the contract between my fingers. Quickly, I glanced over the agreement, seeing that each line item was the same as before. Then, when I knew in my heart I was ready, I put pen to paper and signed my name. “There you go, Counselor, I’m officially all yours.”
Kelly put his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. I was dizzy with his musky scent, getting wet as my fingers trailed over his tight body beneath that incredibly sexy suit he wore. And when his lips crashed with mine, I mewed, closing my eyes, thinking how much I had missed him.
He coiled his tongue against mine and I reciprocated his exploratory kiss, tugging at his suit as my stomach growled with hunger. He was hard, pitching a large tent that only seemed to stand taller the longer we kissed. His member was impossible to go unnoticed and I liked knowing that I was the reason for it.
Kelly kissed me with extreme intensity. I was both elated and scared for what floodgates I might have just opened up by signing that stupid paper.
By the time Kelly came up for air, the food was beginning to be served. It was our first course of egg caviar just as Kelly said it would be. He explained the dish and then told me to take the first bite—which he fed to me. I closed my eyes, not realizing what I was doing, and moaned as the explosion of delicate tastes worked their magic over my tongue.
