Niral had cautioned that she wasn’t making promises. Aldrich Enterprises was a vast empire, and each company did their own hiring. She’d explained that it was her responsibility to look at HR for all of Aldrich Enterprises to ensure consistency and efficiency. But she’d added she would be interested in having a sit-down meeting to get to know Mackenzie better. Her offices were in the same building as Kennedy’s, but Mackenzie had no idea whether or not he’d be at the meeting. She told herself it didn’t matter.
Dozens of times during the week, she’d wondered what he was doing and pictured him on his exercise bike, or getting out of the shower, or wielding a paddle, or crossing the patio toward her. She had thought about calling him. Each time she’d picked up her phone, she’d put it down again. What was there to say? She knew he’d agreed to see her. They’d have sex, maybe share a meal, perhaps have a scene.
And then what?
This morning’s society page had a picture of him at a black-tie event the previous evening. He stood in front of a screen emblazoned with the Aldrich Enterprises logo. His hair, as always, was a bit unkempt, and he had on a tailored tuxedo. Mackenzie flashed back to the first night they’d danced together, years before.
Even then, he’d known what she’d needed and had given it to her without her asking. Had she ever known a human being so completely in sync with her?
She wondered if he would have invited her to attend with him if she’d actually called him during the week. If so, would he have made her wear a plug? Forbidden her to put on panties? With a frustrated sigh, she reminded herself the answer didn’t matter.
Her phone rang. She grinned when she saw Mr. Greene’s number. Mrs. Hoosier’s company would be a welcome distraction. And at least Mr. Greene would be having an entertaining afternoon.
Mrs. Hoosier was whining and pawing at the doggie door before Mackenzie had even started to remove the panel. “Hold on.” Instead of fumbling with the panel, she opened the back door. “Well, hello,” she greeted as the seventy pound dog blasted past her. “I know. Mr. Greene having company is traumatic.”
Mrs. Hoosier put her paws on the counter and inched her nose toward the treat bin.
“You could at least pretend to have an interest in how my day is going,” Mackenzie said. But since she was better trained than the dog, she opened the box. “Sit,” she told Mrs. Hoosier.
The animal caught the treat then meandered over to be petted.
“First things first,” Mackenzie agreed.
As they had last Saturday, they curled up, Mrs. Hoosier sleeping while Mackenzie examined the various companies held by Aldrich Enterprises in order to see how they could better fit together.
On Sunday, she watched the Patriots game at home and wore Kennedy’s jersey.
By Monday, she was ready for the meeting at Aldrich Enterprises.
She dressed in her best suit, added pumps then took a taxi into the city.
At the company headquarters, she was ushered into a conference room and introduced to eight people, including Thomas Aldrich. If Kennedy had his way, the man would be her future father-in-law. From reports she’d read, she hadn’t expected him to be in attendance, and she hadn’t expected he’d look so healthy.
Her phone signaled an incoming message. Since people were still talking amongst themselves, she looked at the screen.
Kennedy.
Her breath whooshed out.
Nice suit. Have you changed your mind yet?
She glanced around, but didn’t see him anywhere. And how had he gotten her number? Then she recalled he’d programmed his number into her phone. He’d probably dialed his own number. Sneaky. At least he was honest about not playing fair.
She turned her phone off as Niral brought the meeting to order. She said that Mackenzie would be making a short presentation and that she was available for questions. The purpose of the meeting was fact-finding, nothing more.
Midway through her presentation, she saw Kennedy enter the room. He slid into a chair against a wall. No one acknowledged him, so she realized he must do this kind of thing often.
Hardly missing a beat, she continued for another fifteen minutes.
When she flipped off the projector light, he was no longer in the room. She tried to ignore the disappointment running through her.
She answered questions, including several from Thomas.
All in all, she thought it had gone well.
“Thank you for coming in, Ms. Farrell,” Niral said when everyone else had left the room. Very thorough. It’s clear you understand our various operations and the concerns each of them face.”
“I appreciate your looking over my information.”
“I’ll be in touch,” she said. “But probably not anytime soon.”
“When can I check back?”
“If you haven’t heard anything by the end of next month, feel free to follow up.”
That answer wasn’t as hopeful as she’d wanted it to be. She wondered where Kennedy had gone and whether he had any feedback. Seeing him had made her realize how much she’d missed him.
She wondered if she’d been an idiot not to call him. They could have enjoyed the game together as friends. Just because he insisted they had a relationship didn’t mean she had to agree to marry him, or even to exclusivity.
Niral walked her to the elevator and wished her a good day.
Kennedy was in the lobby.
Waiting.
Chapter Ten
For a man who’d spent his adult life avoiding the idea of marriage, Kennedy couldn’t stop thinking about having Mackenzie—on her knees, in his bed every night, wearing the ring from his grandmother’s safe.
He’d told himself to avoid the HR meeting. But he’d wanted to see her. And her momentary stumble, the connection of their gazes, had told him something.
He was tired of waiting. It was time to make something happen. “Buy you a coffee?” he invited when she neared him.
“Latte?”
“Why not.” God, he liked the way she bantered with him. She smelled of those flowers he associated with her. The layer of confidence she wore was an aphrodisiac.
“I’d like that.”
Since there was a coffee cart across the lobby, he guided her in that direction. “Tell me how it went,” he said when he slid the cup in front of her.
“Okay, I think. You were there. Tell me.”
“You did fine. Whether Niral thinks your offering adds to her strategy is another thing. I have a meeting next week to follow up with her.”
“Thank you for that. And for setting it up to begin with.”
“What are you wearing under the suit?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again before responding, “Matching lingerie. For confidence. New set.”
“Good. Show it to me.”
Her eyes widened.
“There’s a family dressing room near the fitness center.”
“You’re serious?”
“We could go to my office, but there’s a bigger chance we’ll be seen together. And Thomas is here today. Unless you want to come for Sunday dinner with me and let me introduce you as my intended…?”
“I’ll follow you in two minutes.”
He half expected she wouldn’t. But she did.
He closed and locked the door.
Watching for his reaction, she peeled off the jacket to reveal a silk sweater. It hugged her breasts, made him remember the jewelry she’d worn to dinner on the eighth floor.
She unzipped her skirt, wiggled it down then stepped from it.
“Holy shit.” He whistled. His cock hardened. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
She grinned. “I told you I bought something new.”
The garter belt and stockings stunned him, and the black lace panties looked like the bow on a present.
Mackenzie pulled off the sweater. Her bra was a demi-cup, cradling her breasts. This was as erotic as the leather she’d worn at The Hub.
He took th
e garments from her and hung them on the back of the door. “Turn for me.”
She did. Slowly. When she faced him again, she was pinching her nipples.
“You need your ass spanked for that.”
“Why do you think I did it?”
He raised a knee and brought her over it.
When he gave her the first slap, she moaned. His blood thundered in his head. Having her skin bared to him made him vibrantly alive. He touched her, caressed her, wanted her.
“Sir…”
He gave her what she needed, what he needed, and she curled her fingers into his thigh.
When he struck a third time, she whimpered.
Touching this woman consumed him. He couldn’t get enough of her. Because he had so much to do today and because he was suddenly tempted to forget everything but the pleasure of her responses, he helped her to stand.
Then he slid his hand under the elastic of her panties and found her hot cunt. He wanted her thinking of him, remembering him, desiring him, especially when they were apart. “Ask for it.”
“Please, please get me off, Master Aldrich.”
He masturbated her, moving his hand over her, in her. “Yes. Now.” He pressed two fingers against her G-spot.
Choking on a sob, she convulsed around him.
He held her, realizing how natural it felt. Damn it. That’s where she belonged. Frustrating woman.
After a long moment, she righted herself.
“I’ve missed you, Zee.”
“And you, Sir.”
“The Hub, Saturday night?”
“I…”
He read the hesitation, and he didn’t push.
“Yes.”
“It’s a masquerade.”
“That sounds fun.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight. No panties.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He grabbed her a towel, wet it then freshened her up. While she was watching, he licked his fingers. “Till Saturday,” he said, wondering if he could avoid her that long. Before he could change his mind, he left the room.
* * * *
She should have canceled.
All week, she’d been unable to get thoughts of Kennedy out of her mind. With good reason. The confounded man had called every day, texted often. They’d even grabbed a quick lunch when they’d both been between appointments.
The whole time, he’d kept the conversation light, brainstorming work ideas with her, telling her about Karyn’s works being put on a temporary display at Doodles.
He’d never mentioned dating, a relationship, or marriage. And she’d narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him when he’d simply walked her back to her building, said goodbye then continued on his way.
Had he changed his tactics? Or changed his mind about her? About them?
Confounding, irritating man.
Still, on Saturday afternoon, she’d dressed for him, with Mrs. Hoosier watching her with interest. “Don’t worry,” she told the dog. “I’m not going to make him a permanent fixture in my life.”
By the time he arrived, Mrs. Hoosier had gone home, and Mackenzie had spent half an hour pacing the floor until all her nerves had been knotted into a single, unmanageable bundle. No man had ever had this kind of effect on her.
Exactly at eight, he rang the doorbell.
How could she have forgotten how devastatingly handsome he was? When he wore business attire, she found him breathtakingly sexy. In a pair of shorts and nothing else, he made her forget her own name. But this? In tailored slacks, a thick black belt with a wicked-looking buckle and a black button-down shirt beneath a leather vest? He threatened to demolish her resistance.
“You remembered the mask,” he said after he closed the door behind him.
He took hold of her chin and moved her face gently to the side. “I like to look at you, but I have to admit, it adds some mystery.”
She’d chosen a silver mask that had artistic swirls on it, embellished with sparkling rhinestones. As it caught the light, the pattern seemed to change.
“As always, Zee, you look stunning,” he told her. “Bend over for my gift.”
Even though she should have expected the command, he still took her by surprise. Breathless, she got into position and spread her buttocks for him.
“You’re a fantastic sub,” he said.
She heard a sound she couldn’t discern, then he tossed something on the entryway table. A small packet of lube. Which meant…
He slid a finger in her ass, then a second, forcing her to loosen that stubborn muscle.
“You’re doing great.”
She shivered. His approval meant the world to her, but this act was a little more difficult than he’d demanded from her last week.
Then she felt the plug. “Holy fuck!”
“You can do this.”
“The hell I can!” she protested, feeling an unearthly pressure.
“Bear down.”
“Just forget it,” she gritted out.
He eased back and stroked her spine.
“All the way out,” she demanded.
“Who’s the sub?” He fucked her with the slick, thick whatever-the-hell it was.
“Stop. Please.” She was moments from admitting she couldn’t do this, no matter how much either of them wanted it.
“Bear down. Now.”
He forced the object forward. She screamed. And the force of her scream made her open to him, and he got the plug in.
“You did it,” he said, supporting her, helping her to stand, turning her to face him.
“I think I might hate you.”
He swiped a thumb beneath her eye, dabbing a tear.
She wriggled, trying to get comfortable. The thing felt like it was the size of his fist. “Maybe a lot.”
“I could pull it back out.”
“No!”
“Well, then.” He kissed her.
Slow. Forever. And not long enough.
“I’m insanely proud of you,” he said.
After grabbing her jacket and purse and putting the mask back in place, they headed to the club. Once they were inside, he put on a mask, a white one that made her think of a 1940s-era hero. The image gave her an illicit little thrill.
On their way across the club, they visited with a few people. The masquerade made it a challenge to figure out who everyone was. But guessing was fun, and provided something innocuous for her and Kennedy to discuss.
“Unpack my bag,” he told her when they reached the square.
“That’s like asking a condemned man to tie his own noose.”
“Good analogy.”
Having gotten no sympathy, she unzipped his bag. She hung up a flogger and a paddle. This, too, had a word on it. Cherished.
Her breaths shortened.
He looked over at her. Because of his mask, she couldn’t read his expression.
But his words were enough.
“You are cherished.”
Unable to speak, she looked away and continued her task, taking out clamps and restraints along with lengths of nylon extenders. Next, she pulled out a small, bullet-type vibrator.
“There are alcohol wipes in the interior pouch. Use one to clean it,” he instructed.
Her hands shook a little and it took all her concentration to complete the small task. When it was done, she took out the final item, a bottle of water. Always, he thought ahead.
“This time, I want your arms fully outstretched. Like you did the other night on my balcony.”
She nodded her understanding.
“Legs as far apart as you can make them.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He secured her in place and tested to be sure no muscles were hyperextended. This time, he had a slightly different angle to work with.
Around her, the music throbbed.
“Keep this in you,” he instructed, slipping the vibe inside her.
“How do you expect me to do that?”
“Muscle control.” Then he turned it
on.
“Oh, God.”
He’d set it to pulse so she didn’t get a steady rhythm that she could tune out. Rather, she got little bursts that aroused, then dropped her.
As she pulled and jerked against her bondage, he warmed her up then added clamps to her nipples.
“I’ve thought about doing this all week,” he said against her ear.
Because the words were so quiet, an extra thrill went through her.
“Are you close to an orgasm?”
“Yes.”
“Hold it off.”
“You’re asking a lot.”
“More than you know.”
He continued with the leisurely, loving strokes with the flogger. She began to drift away. Then he turned up the intensity of the vibe.
With the enormity of the plug, the sensation threatened to overwhelm her.
He moved in, fingering her pussy, holding the bullet in place. “Give me your climax. I want your juices all over me.”
She let her body go slack and she pulled against her bonds, wanting to experience everything he was offering.
She cried out as the orgasm washed over her, draining her.
Her head rolled to the side. If he took her down right now, she’d curl against him and stay as long as he wanted.
But he wasn’t done.
He set the vibrator back to pulse, then he flogged her again, this time much more intensely, and it took everything she had to stay with him.
“You’re doing great.”
At sixty, she lost track of the number of blows. All she knew was her back, waist, buttock, thighs and calves blazed. An orgasm was there, trying to unfurl, locked in denial.
All sensation stopped for a moment, but before she was aware enough to ask a question, he spoke.
“I’m going to finish you off with your paddle.”
He caught her flat out right above the knees.
She screamed.
Slowly she became aware of a Dungeon Monitor standing nearby. “Thank you, Master Aldrich,” she said, loud enough for them both to hear, letting the DM know she didn’t need for the scene to be stopped, letting Kennedy know she was ready for more.
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