Kelly was a man of surprises.

He had decided on a romantic dinner at the city’s best Indian restaurant. And from the moment we entered the building, the delicious smells of spices melding together were enough to make my stomach grumble.

With a firm possessive hand pressed into the small of my back he leaned close to my ear and murmured in a sexy rasp, “You can’t even get this kind of authenticity in India itself.”

The crisp music playing from the sitar filled the air. Glancing over my shoulder, the dim lighting made Kelly look dangerously sexy. He was wearing a fitted jet-black suit with an opened collar and it matched perfectly up against my same colored, exposed shoulder dinner dress with gold belt. “I highly doubt that.”

He pulled back. “You’ve been to India?”

“Well, no.” I smiled.

“Then trust me on this.”

Kelly’s name was called by the host and we were told our table was ready. Following the young man through the restaurant, I danced along with the music, spinning on my tall pointed-toe stilettos, getting Kelly to smirk.

Every table my eyes landed on was piled high with incredible looking foods. Multiple spreads, mixed with a variety of colors that filled shiny silver plates beautifully. I had always appreciated authentic foods of the world, though had little desire to actually travel to such places. I had heard they were dirty and the chances of getting sick was always something I wasn’t willing to risk. Besides, Kelly seemed to know what he was talking about.

The further back we walked, the more my mind drifted to what Kelly would choose to discuss tonight. There was little doubt in my mind that he would keep the mood light. Though a small part of me knew that at some point we would be forced to speak about the elephant in the room—the end of our month-long agreement. Because whether we wanted to admit it or not, we were reaching that inevitable point.

“Here we are, Miss.” The host seated me.

Kelly nodded and handed him something.

“What did you just give him?” I asked as soon as the host left, promising to be back soon.

Kelly’s brow furrowed as he shrugged.

I tilted my head to the side.

“Nice table isn’t it?”

I looked around. There were statues of deities and bright colors galore. We had privacy and a view. I couldn’t ask for anything more. “Incredible.”

“I gave him a tip. He arranged this.” Kelly held his hands out. “Made sure we could eat in peace. Without the hassle of them.” He nodded his head toward the many people filling the restaurant’s dining area. Through their murmurs and laughter, his gaze fell to the one orchid I insisted he pin to my shoulder.

“Then he deserved however much you just gave him.” I folded my hands on my lap, thinking that despite what we’d been through, I didn’t want a life without Kelly Black in it.

His gaze darkened as he brought his hands to the table, extending his elbows to my side of the table. “Give me your hands.”

My brow quirked.

“I want to hold you, Bella.”

Slowly, and without hesitation, I let my hands fall into his. His fingers clasped around my slender bones and he held me with heated possession. Stroking the inside of my wrists with his thumbs, my heart pounded with desire expanding my chest. He was so good at making me feel wanted. I didn’t ever want to think about losing him. I wanted him to be mine for eternity. The way he could wipe away my stresses with a gentle peck at my lips, or how he could make me forget the bad with a single magical touch. That was the power of Kelly Black, and he had me under his spell.

Our host returned, apologizing for his interruption. Kelly refused to let go of my hands, just as I refused to take my eyes off of him. He took control with our order as I’d learned to expect from him. He knew exactly what he wanted, and how it was to be presented. I had learned to trust his decisions, knowing he never led me astray. And as he did that, all I wanted was to ask him how well he knew Timothy Parker.

Chai tea was poured just before our host left us alone once again.

Kelly rolled his eyes back to me. They raked over every square inch of my body and he had a very satisfied look on his face. “Jesus, Bella. You look amazing in that dress.”

Diverting my gaze out of pure embarrassment, I said, “Thank you.”

He tipped his body forward and lifted one of my hands to his lips. Kissing my knuckles, my nipples hardened. “And I can’t wait to get you out of it, either.”

My cheeks blossomed as he was doing a great job of turning me on. There was fire in his eyes and I knew that little jaunt in the shower wasn’t enough to satisfy a man with a libido as big as his.

“Is there something on your mind?” he asked.

There was. I burned to tell him what I saw the day Tonya came running out crying from the back of Emmanuel’s salon with Parker chasing after her. I wanted to ask him if he had heard about Tonya and if her death had anything to do with Maria’s. And, most of all, I needed him to confirm that I was safe. Assure me that these women getting picked off had nothing to do with Madam, him, or me.

My chest rose as I let out a huge sigh.

But I didn’t want to speak about any of that for fear of ruining the romance we had building. He was having fun and I didn’t want to squash it by choosing to speak about something that didn’t matter in the moment.

“In fact, there is,” I said, bringing back my flirt. “I didn’t understand half of what you just ordered.”

He grinned, then laughed. “Do you trust me?”

This time it was my turn to laugh. “You know I do.”

“Then there is nothing to worry about. My taste for good food is impeccable.” He winked.

I didn’t doubt any of that. Kelly set the bar high for expectations he placed upon himself, as well as the people he allowed into his personal circle. Including me. It was always top of the line.

His eyes moved up the center of my chest. “God damn, a part of me just wants to skip dinner all together and get on with fucking you.” He pulled his hand away and made a fist. “You’re looking incredible,” he said, biting his knuckle.

“And give up all the delicious food you insist is coming?”

“The food hasn’t got a chance if matched up against you.” He leaned back and a painful expression crossed his face. “Let me just fuck you.”

“We just did.” I giggled. “Before we came. That wasn’t enough for you?”

Kelly looked around before he got a mischievous grin on his face. Leaning forward, he asked, “Do you remember when I demanded you give me head under the table?”

Pressing my thighs together, my panties were already damp. “I’m not doing that again.”

“You’ll do as I say.” When I didn’t respond, he came back with another question for me. “Tell me, Bella. Which do you prefer? Sex in public or our time at Mint?”

Feeling my chest flush with heat, I took a moment to think it over. Despite my unwillingness to get under the table and suck him off now, I couldn’t deny how much I truly did like the risk of having him throat fuck me in public. “They’re both thrilling,” I said.

“Yes.” He nodded. “But which do you prefer?”

“As long as my answer doesn’t come with any specific requirements—”

He shook his head. “Purely for my own amusement.”

It always was, I thought, just before saying, “Since Mint is across town, I guess I prefer sex in public.”

His eyes narrowed and I could see his imagination churning between his ears. Needing to confirm my own suspicions, I slipped one foot out of its heel and found his ankle under the table. Kelly held my gaze as I dragged my toes up his leg, pushing it between his thighs. Finding his hard cock tenting his slacks, I bit my lip and the ache moved to my erect clitoris.

The host was back with a large tray of food.

Leaning forward, I lowered my voice and murmured, “If you can make it through dinner without mentioning anything about sex, I’ll let you fuck me wherever and however you want.”

His smile hit his ears. “Deal.”