by Measha Stone
Kendrick sat stock-still as the friends tried to calm themselves. He glanced around the table, almost afraid to move lest he stir the pot again. He caught Royce's eye and grinned.
"Welcome to the group." Royce picked up his beer and saluted across the table. Jessica frowned at him.
"Is it always like this?" Kendrick asked, not caring they were talking about the group in much the same way the group had just talked about him.
"Only when they argue about Kelly. Apparently, they've all taken on the role of her guardian, even though she has expressed many, many times that she doesn't want their parenting. They all blow off their steam, except for Jonathan here. He just sits back and watches the show." Royce tilted his head toward the man sitting beside Erin.
"Hey, I'm not an original cast member. These four had this little pact before I came along. I just ride the roller coaster like the rest of you." Jonathan dropped his smile when Erin turned an irritated glare on him.
"It's not our fault," Erin began to explain to Kendrick. "When we were in college, Kelly was a bit wild. It got to the point where we took turns being the one to take her home. So, yeah, we tend to get a little overbearing sometimes." Erin ignored Kelly’s glare. "Now, I don't know what any of this food is. Can we just let Alex order? He usually does a good job."
A calm settled over the table as Alex picked out several dishes for them.
Over the course of the meal, Kelly darted her gaze to him more than once. Checking to see if he’d fled? Once she was finished eating, he reached out and took her hand. The tension softened in her shoulders at his touch.
"How has work been, Jess?" Erin wiped her mouth with her napkin and tucked it beneath her plate.
Jessica shrugged. "Same. They've given me two projects that have been a bit challenging, but it's more fun than my old job, so still great."
"See, you just needed someone like Royce to light a fire under your ass to get you going in the right direction," Erin said, sipping her wine.
Kelly choked on her drink, and Kendrick rubbed her back until she calmed down. Jessica shot a glare across the table.
"I need to pee," Jessica blurted and stood from the table. Kelly and Erin both got up and followed.
"They're talking about you." Alex pointed his beer at Kendrick.
"Probably." Kendrick waved for the waitress and gestured for another soda.
"I'm not sure I trust a man who doesn't have a beer," Jonathan commented as he ordered himself another round.
"I'm driving," Kendrick said as explanation.
"So, what sort of business do you do?" Jonathan asked.
"I own a security company," Kendrick answered, feeling an interrogation about to begin. While the women went to chat up Kelly about him, their men had been left behind to get the details firsthand.
"Like security systems?"
"Well, we do some installations, yes. But primarily, we provide on-site security to clubs, bars, and private events." Alex's eyes widened at Kendrick's comment, and at that moment, Kendrick realized where he'd seen Alex before.
"That's how you were able to help Kelly. You were the security?" Royce asked, draping his arm over the empty seat beside him.
"Yeah. Last minute job." Kendrick didn't go further into the story. From the heated glare Jessica shot Kelly earlier, he assumed some things were kept behind sealed lips—he wasn’t going to be the one spilling everything.
"Heard there's a big club opening up over on VanBuren. Would you do security for that sort of venue, or do they have their own in-house crew?" Royce continued.
Alex paused in his movement of bringing the beer to his mouth, but only for a short moment, but not short enough for Kendrick to miss.
"Actually, we've been contracted by them already. They're still in the construction phase though, so it will be a while before we are able to get in there with the systems and crews."
"No work talk." Kelly pinched Alex's shoulder as she passed him.
"Why do you two feel the need to take your frustrations out on me?" Alex rubbed his shoulders. "You and Jessica can beat on your own men, now that you have them." He shot a toothy grin at Kelly, who rolled her eyes.
"And what about you? Now that you're a free agent again, what will we do with you?" Erin scooted into her seat.
Alex aimed a bored expression her way. "Nothing, my doting Erin. I am happy as ever, don't toy with it."
"Oh, fine. At least Kelly can stop searching every bar, club, and grocery store for her husband." Erin seemed to realize what she'd said only after she finished. "I mean, like I said before…" she stuttered and stared pleadingly at Jessica, who merely sat back in her chair with a raised eyebrow.
Kelly stiffened. Noticing her tension, Kendrick ran his fingers down her back. They weren't high school kids, of course, a long-term relationship would eventually be discussed. Did she think he'd take off running at the first mention?
"Kel, did that detective ever call you back?" Jessica took pity on Erin and changed the subject. Kelly's posture did not change, however. The muscles in her back became rigid.
"Uh, not really. I ran into him today, though. Apparently, he uses the same dry cleaner as me, and we bumped, literally, into each other." Her tone was low, even when she tried to perk up the volume.
"What detective? Peltner? Why did you call him?" Kendrick asked, leaning forward to see her more clearly.
She gave him a smile. "He called me; I was calling him back. Something about help with something." She waved a hand in the air as though he would just let the topic be. If Peltner was calling her, it wasn't to check up on her. He wasn't that involved with his job.
"About Ted?" Kendrick's voice lowered with the man's name.
Kelly sighed heavily. "Can we talk about it later?" She patted his hand, and he raised an eyebrow. Was she brushing him off?
Why hadn't she told him about Peltner's call? Their entire drive to the restaurant had plenty of opportunities to mention it. But she hadn’t said a thing. He wouldn't probe her about in front of her friends, but when they were alone—he'd be asking.
"Well, kids," Alex stood from the table, "It's getting late."
"It's ten," Kelly accused. He only winked back in response.
Royce got up at the same time and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair.
"It's also my turn, Alex. Jess, I'll be right back." He turned and hustled from the table.
Jonathan sighed and helped Erin from her seat. "One of these days, I will manage to get up before the two of them." He handed Erin her purse as she stood from the table as well. "It was really nice meeting you." Jonathan extended his hand to Kendrick.
"Yes, it was." Erin walked around Kelly and opened her arms to Kendrick, enveloping him. The scent of hairspray and lotion came along with her hug.
She passed out hugs to everyone as they made their way from the table. Kelly was the last one to stand.
Alex made his way to Kendrick to shake his hand and say good night. "Thanks, by the way, for not saying anything." His voice was low, and his eyes watched the others.
"Not my place." Kendrick clapped him on the back. "I'll see you next week? There are some numbers we didn't go over during the virtual meeting."
"Yes, of course. I'll be there. The Top Floor is very important to me, and I really am not ready for them to know about it. I would appreciate your utmost discretion, even with Kelly."
"You got it." Kendrick nodded.
Alex seemed satisfied that his newest purchase would not be leaked by Kendrick, even to Kelly.
"Excellent." He smiled at Kelly, who came up and linked her arm through Kendrick's. "You have quite a girl here, Kendrick." He reached out and tousled her hair, earning a glare in response. "If only redheads did it for me." He winked and said his final goodbyes.
"What a liar," Kelly laughed.
Kendrick looked down at her, unsure of her meaning.
"Alex has had a crush on Jessica since college. He dates other women off and on, but he still wants
her. See the glower on Royce's face now that I said it out loud? He knows it's true."
"Shut up, Kelly. You're getting him all riled up." Jessica linked her fingers through Royce's and started to head to the door. "C'mon, I'm tired." She winked over her shoulder as they made their way out.
"Nice to see you again." Royce nodded toward Kendrick and followed Jessica out of the restaurant, leaving Kendrick and Kelly standing alone at the table.
"Well, I guess it's our turn to make an exit?" Kendrick said.
"Guess so. It's sort of a domino effect." She shrugged and began to make her way through the tables.
The night air was a huge relief to Kendrick. Curry would be stuck in his senses for the rest of the night, but the freshness of the city air helped to dilute it enough to be tolerable or at least replace it with exhaust fumes.
They walked to the car silently holding hands. It was nice to not feel like they needed to speak. Her soft perfume flowed through the breeze.
"Was that as horrible as it looked?" Kelly asked as he slid the key into the ignition.
He chuckled and shook his head. "No worse than if you met my college friends," he assured her. "I had a good time," he continued when she didn't appear convinced. "Did you?"
"Yes. I always have a good time with them. They're my family," she said with a strong undercurrent.
"We never talk about your family." He pulled out of the lot. "You're from around here, right? You all went to UIC, so I just assumed."
"Yeah. Well, the suburbs. My parents live out in South Barrington. They work a lot, so I don't get to see them that often." She stared out of the window as she spoke. "Shouldn't you have made a turn there?" she asked as he passed the intersection.
"If I was taking you home, yeah."
"You're not taking me home?" Her smile sank into her voice.
"Not yours, no. I want you in my bed tonight."
"And if I say no?" She teased.
"I have very strong rope." He winked at her.
"And if I say yes?"
"Like I said…I have very strong rope."
Chapter 22
Kelly stood in the kitchen of Kendrick's apartment, staring at the bowl of grapes in front of her. The ride here had been light and casual. She found it odd to feel so free with a man who wanted to own her, and she wanted to be owned by.
They talked like any other couple would. Everything felt so normal between them. She could be exactly who she was with him. She didn’t need to pretend to be into something she wasn’t just for his benefit. In fact, he’d probably whip her ass if she did. She’d found the perfect relationship.
Or so she had thought until Erin brought up getting married and having a family.
Surely, she couldn't be a submissive—someone’s possession—and a wife and mother at the same time. Having been an only child to two very driven parents, who were rarely around, had left her with a dream of wanting the exact opposite for her life. She wanted a husband and children, and to be surrounded by them all the time. To feel the deep connection with her husband who was also her best friend. Could a dominant be such a person? Did love that primal exist between the whips and the nipple clamps?
"Kelly." Kendrick's voice snapped her from her thoughts.
She'd worry about it later, she decided. She picked up the bowl of grapes and headed back into the living room, where he was waiting for her.
"I thought we'd unwind a bit before heading to bed," he explained and took the grapes from her.
She noted the large black pillow situated at his feet.
"Sit." He motioned to the pillow.
"Am I in trouble?" she asked as she sank onto the comfortable cushion. It reminded her of the pillows in old harem movies. Where all the scantily clad concubines lounged while waiting for their Master to come choose them.
Kendrick smiled. "No, not at all. I just like it this way. Are you not comfortable?" he asked, pushing the pillow with his foot.
"I am. I thought—"
"Sometimes, I'll want you at my feet because it's what I want," he explained, running a finger across her forehead, brushing away a runaway curl.
"Oh." She smiled. "Okay." She turned around to face the television.
Kendrick flipped to the news, and although she hated watching it, she made no complaint. Instead, she rested her head on his knee. His hand stroked the side of her face as they watched the program detailing horrible crimes and political lies and ties that only irritated her.
Now and then, a grape would appear at her lips, and she would take it from his fingers and thank him. They weren't sitting next to each other, but it was the best form of cuddling she had ever experienced.
"Take your hair down." He moved the bowl of grapes to the side table.
She reached up to the large bun perched on the top of her head and began to remove the bobby pins.
He laughed after a dozen of them were placed on the table. "Wow. I thought you just had a rubber band up there."
"I wish." She smiled as she unraveled the bun and displayed the band holding the massive curls in a ponytail.
"I love your hair," he commented as the red curls cascaded down her back and across her shoulders, spilling over her chest.
"It's unruly, like you." He grinned as he picked up a lock of hair and ran his thumb over it. "It can't seem to help itself from popping out and being free. But it's smooth and curvy. Beautiful. Like you." She'd heard plenty of lines over the years, but that wasn't Kendrick. He was being honest. No games, no innuendos. Only simple truth as he saw it.
"You try to tame it by stuffing it with pins and into hairbands, but it makes its way out. Much like you've been trying to stuff your way into what you thought was a normal relationship. But you always popped out…trying to be free."
He was right. She had been forcing herself into a predesigned mold. The normalcy of a vanilla relationship. What Erin seemed to enjoy so much with Jonathan. But she couldn’t breathe in that cast. Sitting at Kendrick’s feet, being fed by him, ruled over by him—those things gave her air, pumped the blood through her veins. Submitting to him is where she came alive.
"You think you know me so well?" she teased, shaking the moment of self-exploration from her mind. She didn't want to be honest with herself yet. It was too scary.
"Not well enough for my liking, but I'm getting there. You don't hide very easily. Even when you want to, your true feelings peek out." He continued to play with her hair.
She was glad he wasn't looking into her eyes; it would have been too much, and she thought he knew it too.
"Like when we were at dinner tonight. You used to have a crush on Royce." He moved his gaze to meet hers with his statement.
She felt her cheeks heat at his accusation. He wasn't wrong. She'd been sickened by the envy she felt toward Jessica when she first met up with Royce.
Royce portrayed every bit of the man she wanted. He was confident, handsome, and seemed very much in control of every situation. It took a while for her to be happy for Jessica, but eventually, after a dozen pints of ice cream and three dozen more dirty romance novels, she was able to convince herself her own Royce was out in the world, waiting for her.
"I used to think Royce was what I wanted," she admitted, bringing her eyes to meet his. No sense in lying.
"Is he?" he asked with a hint of concern in his voice. It was small, barely audible, buried under a strength she had come to depend on, but there, nonetheless.
"No," she answered with certainty. "He's a great guy, but I don't think he'd be able to tolerate my more adventurous attitude. Jessica is a homebody. She has fun, don't get me wrong, but if we hadn't been roomed together in college, I doubt we would have ever bumped into each other on campus."
Kendrick laughed, a relaxed chuckle. "You're probably right. However, you’re not as wild as you think you are. You're easily tamed." He gave her a sly grin and dropped the lock of hair he was playing with.
"Tamed?" She raised her eyebrows at him, earning her another chuck
le.
"If you were such a hell cat, it wouldn't be so easy to get you to obey me. Let's try." He scooted back onto the couch, so she had more room to move. "Stand up, turn around, and place your hands on the coffee table. Keep your legs straight and spread apart."
The idea of rebelling against him crossed her mind for a moment. Then she remembered standing in the corner in George’s office. She had a choice here. Submit or fight it. She stood from the floor and smoothed out her skirt.
With a step over his leg, she moved away from him, turned, and positioned herself as he had instructed. Her hair fell in front of her face, making it hard to see over her shoulder, so she remained focused on the table.
"See? Obedient," he said from the couch.
He slid along the sofa and felt him directly behind her. Her skirt flipped up, exposing her ass. She had decided not to bother with panties when she went out with him; it seemed to please him to be able to get to her without the hassle of an extra piece of clothing, and she enjoyed seeing him pleased.
His hands were on her ass, kneading her flesh. She was surprised when her cheeks were suddenly pulled apart.
He was staring at her asshole. Instinctively, she tried to clench.
"No. Relax," he ordered, but his tone was soft, gentle even. "New territory, I'm guessing." He pressed the pad of his finger to her tight hole.
She bit her lip to keep from crying out. She wanted to follow him down an unexplored road. He hadn’t led her wrong so far.
"Has anyone been in your ass before, Kelly?" he asked, petting her forbidden entrance with his fingertip.
"No," she answered with a tightness in her chest. How he managed to take her from a comfortable evening of snuggles and chit chat to a moment of erotic chaos in mere moments amazed her.
"But you've wanted to try it." He pushed a little harder against her opening.
She closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. He wouldn't hurt her or push her too far, she believed that and had to trust it.
"Yes," she breathed out.
He released her. "Good to know," he said with a trace of humor.
