by Measha Stone
"I haven't seen him in years. I didn't realize he'd moved back from New York." Kendrick traced her palm with his thumb. "What about Jessica? She hasn't divulged any secrets to you? Did she inspire your current desires?" He lowered his voice to keep the neighboring diners from overhearing.
"No, but I've never asked her either."
Kendrick watched her for a moment in silence. "Are you finished with your dinner?" he questioned, pulling his hand from hers.
"Yes."
"Would you like dessert?" He waved a casual hand in the air, signaling for the waiter.
"Yes, but nothing they have on the menu." Her voice curled around him like a silk ribbon, snaring him in her womanly trance.
He shook his head to clear himself of her lustful hints.
"Impulsive and insatiable." He grinned as he handed over his credit card. "I'd also like to have a piece of cheesecake to go," he told the waiter.
She paused midway while sliding her shawl over her shoulders. "We can stay if you'd like something more."
"The cheesecake is for you," he winked, "For later."
Kendrick had stopped at her apartment on their way to the restaurant to allow her to change into something more appropriate for a night out. He was still a little irked she'd come bounding down the steps of her building in a low-cut cocktail dress. He'd wanted to send her right back up to put something else on, but she'd slid a black shawl over shoulders, making him less irritated.
He left the car parked in the lot and pulled Kelly down the sidewalk. The streets weren't as packed as usual for a Saturday evening, and Kendrick wanted to take advantage of the brisk air.
She snuggled up to him as they walked.
"Kelly," he broke the silence, "I'm going to take you home in a few minutes." He stopped walking and turned to her, stepping to the side to allow the few passersby to have the walkway.
"O-okay." She smiled.
"When I do, I have an assignment for you." He ran his finger over her lips.
"Homework, already?"
"Seems fitting, since the professor is now the pupil." He placed his hands on her shawl and pried it open, ignoring her gasp of surprise. "As beautiful as I find your breasts, and the rest of you, I don't want you on display unless it's at my request." He deepened his tone. "Your necklines need to be raised, no cleavage showing. And your skirts, just above your knee. Nothing risqué."
Her initial surprise turned to a confused, befuddled expression. "I thought men liked women showing a little skin." She exhaled sharply; her face flushed from his words.
"We do. But I don't share, and I don't flaunt." He pulled the shawl back over her chest, and she gripped the ends tightly. She pinched her lips together. Having never been given instructions before, she probably wanted to argue with him. Even if it was just a little, and he was proud of her for fighting the urge.
"When you get home, I want you to think about what you want. Not just sexual activities, although we should go over your limits. You need to understand I don't do this in the bedroom only. It's an all the time thing for me. You need to know that upfront. Think about it, and we'll talk more tomorrow."
"Okay," she responded, then kissed him full on the mouth.
As surprised as he was by her actions, he was pleased. Any worry he had over her fleeing from him at his declaration vanished with the prodding of her tongue deepening their kiss.
"We'll also discuss your impulsiveness," he said against her lips.
Chapter 12
"So, why the sudden urge to go shopping?" Jessica asked casually while thumbing through the clearance rack at Macy's. "And here of all places."
"I just need an outfit or two that’s a bit more…or less, my usual style." Kelly pulled out a white buttoned blouse and grimaced before shoving it back onto the rack.
"For work?" Jessica pried, holding up a navy-blue suit jacket.
Kelly eyed her with a raised brow.
"Okay, just say no. No need to give me that look." Jessica laughed and rehung the blazer. "It would help if I knew what sort of look we're going for." She put her hands on her hips and glared at Kelly.
"I need my typical style…but showing less of me," Kelly explained, waving her hand over her neatly displayed bosom in the deep V-neck shirt. Kelly could have gone shopping alone to grab some higher cut shirts and longer skirts, but after finding out the full truth about Jessica and Royce, she needed more than just Jessica's advice on clothes.
"Well, then let's get out of the old lady section." Jessica pulled on Kelly's sleeve and led her to another department. "So, why the change?" Jessica eyed her as she yanked several t-shirts from a pile and put them in Kelly's arms.
"I don't know." Her voice sounded full of bullshit, even to herself.
Jessica pinched her arm.
"Okay! Kendrick prefers higher necklines."
"And lower hemlines?" Jessica paused in her pursuit of the right size tank top to raise a curious glance in Kelly's direction.
"Yeah. Have you ever heard of a guy liking the old maid type?" Kelly grabbed a pair of jeans and headed toward the dressing room.
"Oh, I don't think that's what he's going for. I think he just doesn't want other guys seeing what he believes is his." Jessica's tone suggested there was a deeper meaning to her words.
Kelly peeked her head out of the dressing room with a surprised glance. "What do you know? Did Royce say something? Does Royce know?" She tried to keep her voice down, but her questions echoed off the walls of the changing room.
Jessica answered her with bountiful laughter, the sound booming in the enclosed room.
"Try those on, then let's get lunch. I'm starved, and I think we have some girl talk to get to."
Jessica stared at Kelly over a roasted chicken and artichoke Panini sandwich, which she held mid-way between the table and her gaping mouth. "You went to a dungeon party with some random guy?" she questioned after Kelly’s confession.
"Not with," Kelly clarified, "I met him there. I told you this before." She tossed a chip into her mouth.
"You conveniently left out what sort of party it was, and the fact you were drugged." Jessica put her sandwich back down on the wax paper wrapping and glared at her. "Kendrick was there?"
"He was security. Nothing happened. Kendrick stopped the asshole before it could."
"Okay." Jessica let out a long breath. "You then went to a real dungeon? Alone." She pointed her finger at Kelly. "Honestly, Kel. I thought I was done having hair-raising morning-after talks with you after college. What if Kendrick hadn't been there?"
"He told me he would be," Kelly said, sipping her pop.
After a few moments of silence, Jessica's expression softened, and she eyed Kelly with curiosity. "What was it like?"
"The club?"
"Yeah." Jessica picked up her sandwich again, giving Kelly the floor.
Kelly shook her head. "I want to know more about you and Royce. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what? I'm not sure I know how to explain it." Jessica's expression glossed over like a love-struck puppy. "And what about you? I thought you were searching for Mr. Husband and kids."
"I am. I was. I don't know. I blame romance novels entirely." Kelly sat back in her chair and toyed with the straw in her drink.
"None of the books I've given you have had the heroine tied to a spanking bench." Jessica laughed and quickly hushed her tone when she realized there was another couple sitting next to them.
"No, but the ones I buy do." Kelly gave her an evil grin and threw up her hands. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm crazy. I mean seriously, who searches this out…right? I mean…shouldn't I be all 'I am woman, hear me roar' or some bullshit?"
"One thing Royce has taught me is it takes an extremely strong woman to be able to submit to a man. If I were weak, he wouldn't have wanted me. It was my strength and ability to be independent that drew him to me. I'm sure Kendrick is the same way."
"So, I'm not some co-dependent crazy woman?"
Jessica
gave a loud burst of laughter and shook her head. "Doubtful!"
"Did Royce make you change your wardrobe?" Kelly asked quietly, giving a pointed glance at the three bags of clothing in the spare chair.
"No…not exactly. But he has his own preferences." Jessica's cheeks blushed, and she averted her eyes.
"Never mind. I don't think I want to know." Kelly groaned.
Jessica's cell buzzed on the table, interrupting them.
"Royce sending out the sex slave signal?" Kelly teased.
"Something like that." Jessica's grin widened and her eyes sparkled.
"Well, go. I've had enough girl talk for the day." Kelly crumbled up her sandwich wrapping and stood from the table. "Besides. I have laundry to do and papers to grade."
"You sure?" Jessica was already standing as she spoke.
Kelly waved her off. "Positive. Go." Kelly finished cleaning up the table after Jessica left.
She swung her purse over her shoulder, tossed her garbage out and turned toward the door, smacking into a massive chest.
She mumbled an apology and stepped back to see the wall she'd walked into.
Ted stood there, grinning down at her.
Chapter 13
Kendrick sat at the desk in his home office, looking over invoices on his computer. Only a few outstanding accounts. His business was starting to do extremely well, and he decided it was time to put together another crew for the new client he'd signed.
A new nightclub was scheduled to open in the center of the Loop, and they needed security for each level of the club. They also wanted a private team to secure the top floor, which would remain exclusive to VIP clientele. With five floors plus the secret floor, he'd need to hire at least seven more guys to his team.
Rarely did he dwell on his past career as a Chicago cop, but over the past few days, he'd thought about it more often than not. As a police officer, he hadn't been able to protect those who needed it; always showing up after the crime. He had dealt with survivors and victims, but now, he could actually protect and serve. If he had remained a cop, moved up the ranks to detective, he wouldn't have been at that house party to save Kelly. So many things could have happened to her. He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
The shirt she had worn to his apartment the day before was still slung over the ottoman in his living room. She hadn't wanted to put it back on; instead, she'd asked to borrow one of his until she could get home to change. He didn't blame her, the shirt did nothing for her body nor did it complement her personality.
She had trusted him when she let him remove her clothing. There had been no hesitation in her actions, only open mindedness to the experience. The sex was hot—there was no denying that—but it was more than the physical pleasure her body had brought him. Her immediate obedience and willingness to submit herself to him…he was hard just thinking about it.
They had gone over boundaries, her limits, his limits, and he was pleased they seemed to be on the same page. Although she was impulsive to a fault, and wanted to try everything right away, he would take his time. He wanted to teach her mental submission could be as fulfilling as physical stimulation.
His cell interrupted his planning for their next evening together.
"Hey, George," he answered, recognizing the number on the screen.
"Hey, Kendrick," there was a heavy pause before he continued, "I wanted to be sure Kelly was all right." His voice was strained.
"All right? Why?" Kendrick sat up straight in his chair and immediately checked his watch. She wasn't due to call for another hour.
"She didn't call you?" Another pause. "I just ran into her at the deli on Wabash. Right after she'd run into Ted."
Kendrick's blood turned cold. "How long ago? Was she okay?"
"About half an hour, I guess. I told her we should call you to come pick her up, but she insisted she'd give you a ring as soon as she got in a cab." His voice dipped into an awkward tone, like he’d just realized he unintentionally ratted her out.
"Maybe her cell died," George offered.
"Uh-huh. Was she okay? Did you see him?"
"Yeah. When I walked in, he was oozing his slime. She gave as good as she got, though. Didn't back away from him. She spouted off her own insults before she managed to get around him and out of the deli." George sounded proud of her. "Unfortunately, he's too dull-witted to understand them."
"He see you?"
"Yeah, I stepped between them when she made her way out. He turned away when he saw me."
"Thanks, George." Kendrick was already headed to the kitchen for his keys. "Did she say if she was going home?"
"Nah. I only talked to her for a second. Luckily, she remembered me checking her into the club the other night and wasn't too spooked. But she seemed tense. That's why I was calling…to see if she was okay."
"Thanks." Kendrick stepped out into the hallway of his apartment building. "I'm sure she's fine."
The elevator doors opened, and they said their goodbyes.
Kendrick made it to her place in less than fifteen minutes. Sunday traffic combined with his determination had aided him. He took the stairs two at a time and jammed his finger into her doorbell.
There was a crackle on the intercom.
"Kelly? It's me," he said, hoping he was answering the right person.
A loud buzz rang, and he pulled the front door open.
Her apartment door unlocked as he stepped off the stairs.
"Kendrick?" She stood in her doorway with her eyes narrowed and her brow wrinkled. "Are you okay?" Her gaze swept over his body as if to find some injury or reason for his abrupt appearance.
"That's what I came here to ask you," he demanded before reminding himself to calm his tone. The last thing he wanted was to scare her.
"Me? I'm fine." She tilted her head. "Why wouldn't I be?" Her question came out slow, like she was trying to find the reason in his expression.
He took a moment to look past her. The couch facing the door was littered with papers. A glass of white wine sat abandoned on the coffee table, and there were several piles of folded clothes sitting on the loveseat. Her tousled hair and casual sweats gave her a comfortable spending-the-day-in appearance but did not take away from her beauty. The deep plunge of her shirt dipped between her breasts, giving him a full-access view of her bare cleavage. The urge to slide his finger into the opening tugged at him.
"You're busy." He motioned to the mess behind her with his chin.
She glanced over her shoulder and shrugged in response. "Grading papers and doing laundry." She eyed him again. "I wasn't supposed to call you for another half hour."
"That's right." He nodded. "May I come in?" he asked when she continued to stare at him.
"Oh! Sure." She laughed warmly and stepped to the side. She locked the door behind him and leaned against it.
"So, what's wrong?" She tilted her head to one side again. "You have that look in your eye. The same one you had the afternoon you drove me to the police station."
"I talked to George this afternoon," he said by way of explanation.
The confusion in her expression remained steady.
"He said he bumped into you at the deli," he prompted.
"Oh, George! Yeah, I saw him." She pushed away from the door and went about moving the pile of jeans from the loveseat and motioning for him to sit.
He stayed where he was.
"What?" she asked with a hint of annoyance in her tone.
"He said you had an altercation with Ted." He found himself folding his arms over his chest and widening his stance.
"An altercation?" She laughed. "I ran into him—literally. He said some asshole shit, and I countered with some equally asshole shit, although with much more wit, and I left. I bumped into George at the door."
"He said you told him you were going to call me."
"Yeah," she said with more heat, "because I was. Half an hour from now." She crossed her own arms over her chest, or rather under her breasts, pushing
them further out.
He forced himself to keep his eyes on her face, and not travel down to the deliciousness that awaited him below her neck.
"You should have called me right away. Ted is dangerous." He took two large strides toward her until he stood toe-to-toe with her.
"He's an asshole. If I call you every time I bump into an asshole in this city, I'll have to upgrade my cell package." Her eyes softened, her hands fell to her sides, and she looked damn kissable. She had a point. She was bound to cross paths with Ted, or any other number of douchebags in the city, on a daily basis.
The idea of Ted, or anyone else hurting her, even with words, made the hairs on his neck stiffen in anger. He wanted to protect her, to veil her from any injury she may ever receive from the outside world.
"Okay," he conceded with a smile. "Let's focus on one asshole. If you see Ted, you aren't to speak with him. Even if he speaks to you, you walk away and call me. Right away. Not later in the day or fifteen minutes after. Immediately." His hands traveled down her arms as he spoke.
"Fair enough," she agreed. "I can't promise not to talk to him—"
He pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her. "I didn't ask for your promise," he corrected in a deeper tone, hoping she grasped the severity of his words. "I told you not to speak to him. You will do as I say, or you will be punished."
Chapter 14
Kelly stared up at him wide-eyed, mouth gaping.
How had the conversation turned so serious so quickly?
The afternoon had been going so well. Most of her papers were graded, she had finished folding the last of her laundry, and she was about to enjoy a glass of wine. She hadn't expected to be staring up at such a stern-faced Kendrick only moments later.
She wouldn't deny his words and the tone in which he delivered them made her insides gooey, but she wasn't sure she liked how quickly her body reacted to him.
"Punished?" She breathed out the word. He had mentioned punishment before, but always during a sexual situation.
