I WASN’T EXACTLY UPSET THAT Kayne didn’t want to paddleboard, but it was nice to spend time with him doing something other than having sex.
After an hour of quality time, we spent the rest of the day on the beach consuming copious amounts of alcohol and talking about a variety of subjects. School, my family, Mark. Such mundane things to the average person, but so critical to our fragile relationship.
“Why don’t we all have dinner?” London asks as Kayne and I stand to leave.
Both Kayne and Jett look at me. No pressure or anything.
“Um, sure.” I smile as genuinely as possible. “That sounds fun.”
I think.
“Good!” London responds excitedly. “The sushi restaurant here is supposed to be amazing.”
“Sushi it is, then.” I pull on my cover-up.
“You eat sushi?” Kayne asks me.
“Of course, I do. I’m from New York. It’s one of my five food groups.”
“Perfect! Mine, too.” London’s big blue eyes sparkle. I stole glances at her and Jett all throughout the day. They make one beautiful couple. “She could live off the stuff,” Jett chimes in.
“Eight o’clock?” I ask.
London nods zealously.
“See you then,” I say as Kayne laces our fingers together and leads me away from the beach. I tighten my grip, still getting used to him holding my hand. Still getting used to him holding me period—not ashamed to admit that I like the way it feels.
“Do you eat sushi?” I ask him, realizing I have no idea if he likes raw fish or not. Or if he has any allergies or likes to sleep on the right or left side of the bed. Besides how he takes his coffee and his sexual preferences, I really don’t know much about him.
“Yes. If I’m forced to.” He grins down at me.
“Oh, no.” I stop walking.
“It’s fine, Ellie.” He tugs me along. “There will be something on the menu that I’ll eat. I’m not picky. Trust me. It’s a meal, I’ll never pass it up.”
“Okay. Well, what do you like to eat?”
“Simple stuff. I’m a meat and potatoes guy. I could live off rare steak and cold beer.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Is there a preferred dessert I should know about?”
“Cupcakes, of course. And before you ask, my favorite flavor is between your legs.” He informs me lewdly.
“Kayne.” I smack him playfully right on his washboard abs.
“It’s the truth.” He hugs me against him as we walk toward the long line of bungalows stretching out over the water. Ours is far off in the distance.
“Where did you grow up?” I ask.
“Detroit.”
“Tough city.”
“You have no idea.”
“Tigers fan?”
“Not in the least.”
“Yankees fan?”
“I’m not much into baseball. More a hockey guy. I like confrontation.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
He shrugs, “You’ve seen my aggressive side?”
“I don’t think I even scratched the surface.”
“Let’s hope you never have to, either.”
We stroll a few minutes in comfortable silence, taking in the scenery. It’s crazy, but Mount Otemanu almost looks blue this time of day.
“So, now that you have whisked me away, whatever shall you do with me?” I toy as our bungalow comes into view.
“I have dozens of ideas,” his voice vibrates with desire. “The question is what do you want to do?”
I bite my lip before I speak. “I want to rent a Jeep and explore. And go snorkeling and learn to kite surf,” I say excitedly. “I read about this awesome tour guide who takes you on a private excursion around the island on his boat then makes you dinner on a secluded beach from the fish he catches that day.”
“Had some time to do some research, have we?” Kayne asks highly amused.
“Yes! I was googling on the plane. I get excited going to new places!” I say enthusiastically.
“Do you always bounce?” Kayne laughs as I pop up and down on my toes.
“No, not usually,” I giggle, planting my feet back on the ground. I’m probably making the biggest ass of myself. I am a severely deprived world traveler. “I only get hyper when you feed me too many sugary drinks.”
“Good to know. I’ll make sure you stick to vodka and tonics with a lemon from now on.” “You remember?” I stop walking.
“I remember everything, Ellie.”
I can’t stop myself from smiling.
“Maybe I should just stick to wine. Too many vodka and tonics make me horny.”
“And we have a winner.” Kayne makes a fist over his head.
I pepper Kayne with more questions as we get closer and closer to the bungalow.
“Favorite color?”
“Green.”
“Favorite city?”
“Amsterdam.”
“You’ve been to Holland?”
“I’ve been all over the world.”
“All over?”
“All over,” he confirms.
“The Middle East?” I ask cautiously.
“Yes.”
“For business or pleasure?”
“Both. Dubai is nice, but I wouldn’t recommend Bagram nowadays.”
It’s sobering to hear him say that.
“Ellie? Did I say something to upset you?” Kayne’s face drops.
“Why were you there? Can you tell me?”
“Training exercises mostly. We were dropped in the baddest of the bad and left to find our way back to home station.”
“But you don’t have to go back, right?”
“No, not at the moment. But there’s always a possibility. Does that worry you?”
“Maybe.” I chew the inside of my cheek. It makes me think long and hard about what it’s like caring for a man who puts himself in danger as his day job.
“Hey. Whatever you’re thinking about, please stop. I don’t like that look.”
“I’m sorry.” I blink rapidly out of my silent thoughts. “I’m not thinking about anything.”
“Ellie, please. Let’s get something straight. You’ll never be able to lie to me. No matter how hard you try. So if something is on your mind, just say it.”
I’m not sure I’m ready to tell him that putting his life in danger terrifies me. That after only spending one day together, I’m already getting attached. Or that old feelings are resurfacing faster than I expected. No, I’m not ready to tell him any of that yet, because I’m just coming to terms with it myself.
“It’s just scary, that’s all.”
“What’s scary?”
“The thought of you being in a place that’s so dangerous.”
“You get used to it after a while.” He starts ushering me along.
“How about we sit down with Matias and set up some excursions. This vacation is all about fun, and I think we can both use a huge dose of that.” He does a good job of spinning the topic of conversation.
“Agreed,” I relent, wrapping my arms around his waist and squeezing tightly. A healthy dose of fun is exactly what I need. We walk arm in arm until we reach our butler’s office, then spend over an hour plotting out activities for the next week.
“I AM SO READY FOR a shower.” I head straight for the bathroom once we get back to the bungalow.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Kayne rips off his shirt and follows close behind me.
“I don’t remember inviting you.” I coquettishly look over my shoulder at him.
“I didn’t think I needed an invitation.” Kayne wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek. It’s a sexy, lust-fueled gesture.
“What if I said no?”
“I would respect that, and then just stand here and watch you lather up all my favorite parts of your body. I enjoy watching you touch yourself just as much as I enjoy touching you.” He slides my bathing suit top over my head.
“Oh, really?”
“Yup.” My bottoms are gone a second later.
He drops my bikini into the sink.
“I’m never going to see that again, am I?” I ask him.
“Nope. Now get in the shower.” He taps me lightly on the ass.
I step into the cream-colored stone stall with Kayne right behind me.
“Stay there,” he orders. Mr. Bossy is never far away.
With my back to him, I’m suddenly very aware of what can happen in situations like these. I brace myself for his hands. Not in a bad way, but in a domineering, I’m going to take you right here right now and you have nothing to say about it way. But Kayne surprises me. Instead of going straight for the kill like I’m expecting, he starts to wash my hair. Massaging my scalp in such a way it almost doesn’t feel like him. Or does it? I remember those times. Those faint moments when he touched me with such tenderness it actually felt like he loved me. Back then, I couldn’t decipher, but now his intentions are very clear.
“How does that feel?”
“So good.” I close my eyes and get lost in the ministrations of his fingers.
“It’s longer.”
“What’s longer?”
“Your hair. It’s lighter and longer. I like it.”
“More of it for you to pull,” I tease.
“That’s not what I was getting at.” He tugs gently.
“You couldn’t resist.”
“You planted the seed. I was trying to be nice.”
“And you are,” I moan as he presses harder.
“Good to know I can elicit sounds from you the nice way.”
“It’s a pleasant surprise for me, too.”
“I’m hoping to surprise you a lot during this vacation.” He spins me around and tips my head back to rinse out the soap.
“I’m keeping an open mind,” I speak with my eyes closed.
“I’m very thankful for that.” He drops a kiss on my lips, and then starts to lather my body, making sure he covers every curve.
I glance up at him through my wet eyelashes, darting my eyes away shyly once they meet his.
“Ask, Ellie.” Kayne brushes over my breasts, his hands sliding easily from the soap.
“How did you know?”
“I’m trained to read people, and I’ve made it my business to read you like a book.”
“What’s my tell?” I put my hand on my hip. I didn’t think I was that easy to pick apart.
“It’s your eyes. They’re too inquisitive, especially when something is on your mind. So ask me whatever you want to know. I’ll answer as honestly as I can.”
“Your honest side is refreshing.” I run my fingertips over his stomach, tracing the words etched on his ribs. A certain kind of darkness is needed to see the stars.
“I told you, I don’t want to keep anything from you. I only kept secrets for a reason. A very important reason,” he stipulates.
“I know.”
“Do you?” He lifts my chin with his finger.
“Yes. Now, I do.”
“Good. So ask already.”
I chew on my lip, then fire away. “What happened to the women who worked for you?”
“They were compensated for their services and sent on their way.”
“Sent where?”
“Wherever they wanted to go,” he says breezily. “Some stayed in the life. Some started fresh. I’m not exactly sure what happened to each and every one of them, but I do know they’re safe and doing what they want.”
“Did you sleep with all of them?”
Kayne freezes with his hands on my backside.
“No, Ellie, I didn’t.”
“How many then?”
“Does it really matter?” he questions stiffly. “You’re the only one I want to sleep with now.”
“I want to know. How many women have you been with?”
Kayne huffs, staring at me intensely. “Seven women.”
“Seven? That’s it?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice.
“You were expecting a higher number?”
“Honestly, yes.”
“Why?”
“Because . . .”
“Because why?” he presses
“Because . . . you’re you.”
“What does that mean?” He’s clearly uncomfortable now.
“You know exactly what that means.”
“No, I don’t.” His eyes narrow.
“Yes, you do. Don’t play dumb.”
“Are you saying you like the way I touch you?” His mood morphs from touchy to feely. He can still give me whiplash.
“I’m saying you are very skilled with your body. That’s all.”
“So, you do like the way I touch you?” he asks again with a shameless grin, and I come to realize he hides behind sex when he feels insecure.
“I liked it when you were massaging my scalp.”
“Are you dancing around my question on purpose?” He squeezes my ass.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe I’ll show you what my body can really do.”
“I think I already have an idea.” I grab the bottle of soap and squirt some into my hands. “My turn.”
“Be my guest.”
I rub Kayne’s chest, working a thick lather over his skin, and then moving my hands down his stomach.
“You can go lower if you want.” He releases my waist and takes a small step back.
“I’m happy right where I am.” I circle my hands over his rock-hard abs, which incidentally aren’t the only thing that’s rock-hard on him at the moment.
“Don’t you want to know how many men I’ve been with?” I ask as I wash him.
“No,” he scoffs. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m the only man you’ve ever been with.”
That makes me laugh.
“Why so few?” I keep probing.
Kayne’s muscles tense under my fingertips. I look up into his eyes and see hesitation there.
“Is there something I should know?” I query.
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Now who’s trying to read who?” His voice is firm. Not threatening, just cautious. There is definitely a side of him he doesn’t want to show.
“Jett told me that trusting women is a hard limit for you,” I state with sensitivity.
“And when did he tell you that?” His eyes smolder.
“Last night.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I was upset and confused. He was just trying to help.”
“Right,” he sneers.
“You once said that you wanted me to understand you.”
Kayne sighs, then runs his hands down my face and kisses me lightly. “I know,” he replies pained. It nearly breaks my heart. “And I really want you to.”
“So tell me why so few women.”
Steam clouds around us as Kayne stares down at me. He wavers before answering.
“I need to feel comfortable with a woman in order to have sex with her.”
“Comfortable? Like in a relationship?”
“No. No relationships. That was the last thing I wanted. I had a few girls on retainer who I slept with. Sex with no strings. Simpler that way.”
“And no emotion,” I frown.
“Emotion was expendable at the time.”
“And now?”
“Now it’s essential.” He swipes his thumb across my cheek. It feels like it leaves a trail of fire in its wake.
“Did you keep those women on retainer while we were apart?” I ask without looking at him, circling my hands over his chest.
“No. I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
My eyes fly to his. I know they’re as wide as saucers. It’s been a year.
“It’s true. I could break a steel plate with my forearm. You were, and are, the only person I want,” he says resolutely. The statement makes my heart flutter.
“Why me?” I ask the burning question.
Kayne shrugs, pulling me into his body. “I don’t know why exactly. You never intimidated me. You were always happy and smiling, and when you looked at me, it wasn’t anything but warm.”
“Oh, I was warm all right,” I laugh. “I overheated every time I saw you.”
“I guess I liked it.” He leans in to kiss me.
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?” I ask right before his lips touch mine.
“What does it matter?”
“Just another piece of the puzzle.” I rub up against his erection in an attempt to relax him.
Kayne closes his eyes and moans softly.
“Nineteen. I was nineteen when I lost it,” he answers absentmindedly, getting lost in the friction of our bodies.
“Did you love her?”
“No. I have never been interested in love until I met you. If it wasn’t for Jett, I might still be a virgin.”
“Did he introduce the two of you or something?”
Kayne grabs hold of my waist and stops all movements. He’s breathing hard, his eyes are dilated, and water is spilling down his face.
“It’s not like that. Jett was there with me, Ellie. We were on leave, and since I didn’t have any place to go, I went home to California with him. I don’t know if Jett ever told you the business his family runs or who his mother is—”
“He told me,” I interrupt him.
That last night at Mansion I pried Jett for information and he gave it to me, divulging his mother is a Madame, and why he grew up around a lot of women.
“So you know what I’m talking about?” Kayne asks, and I nod. “It’s not like I got there, and he threw me into a bedroom with a random girl. It’s like he handpicked her specifically for me. She spent a few days warming up to me, getting to know me, and then one night we all went out and got drunk. Jett instigated the whole thing. Like he knew I wouldn’t go through with it unless I had moral support. He was probably right. So we did it. All three of us. Together.”
“She became my first submissive, but I never loved her. And she never loved me, either. But you I love, whether you’re submissive or not.”
“You sure about that?” I test him.
“Absolutely, one-hundred-percent.” With that, he pins me against the wall and crushes his lips against mine. The kiss nearly steals the air right out of my lungs.
“I want things to be different with you.” He rubs his nose against my cheek.
“Different how?” I press my chest against his as my core becomes as hot as the running water.
“I’ll show you.” He closes the distance between our mouths, and I brace for another soul shattering connection, but Kayne switches gears and kisses me unlike any way he has ever kissed me before—passionately, affectionately, devotedly, reverently—every word that could possibly describe an all-consuming, unstoppable love. And I know it’s too fast, too soon, but the weight of his affection overwhelms me to the point I can no longer think, or see, or even breathe. So I just kiss him back, pouring whatever amount of emotion I’m capable of giving him at the moment into the embrace.
Kayne lifts me off the floor, forcing my legs around his hips as he steps under the steaming spray of water, rinsing off whatever suds are left on us. Then he turns the shower off. We never break our kiss as he steps out of the stall and walks into the bedroom, the two of us dripping wet.
Not even bothering with a towel, he lays me down on the bed, trapping my body beneath his.
“Hold onto me. Whatever you do, don’t let go.” He positions his erection between my legs, the head pushing at my entrance gently. He’s not even inside me, and I’m already responding, flooding with desire as the tip of his cock slides easily between my wet folds.
Then, in one fluid motion, he sinks into me so perfectly slow that I nearly split in two.
“Oh, God.” I dig my face into his neck as my arms and legs and pussy all tighten painfully around him.
“Ellie,” he moans, nudging my cheek with his nose coaxing me to look up at him. He drops kisses on my lips over and over as he rocks in and out of me.
“You feel so good.” Kayne dips his tongue into my mouth, pressing his body harder against mine, his pelvis repeatedly brushing over my throbbing clit as our wet bodies slide easily against each other from the thin residue of soap still left on our skin.
“So do you.” I get lost in the feel of him, the way his long, measured thrusts stretch and fill me, producing not only a physical response but an emotional one. My heart and pussy constrict at the same time as the orgasm inside me grows fast and furiously, threatening to unleash.
“You’re going to make me come.” I squirm breathless underneath him, unable to control it.
“Not yet, Ellie. Hold onto it.” He hugs me tighter and thrusts deeper. My body spasms. “You feel too fucking good.”
But I can’t hold on, because he feels the exact same way, so thick and hard and overpowering.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God.” I chant against his neck without a prayer. “Kayne!” My orgasm steamrolls me, and I tumble over the edge, my clit aching and muscles contracting violently.
A few moments later, at the tail end of my internal frenzy, Kayne grabs my thigh with one hand and slams into me, groaning in what sounds like unbearable pleasure.
He collapses on top of me once his orgasm subsides, wrapping me in his arms and breathing heavily.
“I love you.” The words flow out in a whisper as he hugs me tightly. I flutter my eyes open and stare up at the thin white fabric covering the canopy bed, a whirlwind of emotions running through me.
“I know,” I kiss the side of his face. It’s the only response I have. I’m not ready to go there. He’s so sure about how he feels. And although I want to be here, with him, I’m still coming to terms with what I want and how much I can give.
“Good, always remember that.” He kisses my forehead and then rolls off me, pulling me into his side so I am snuggled in the crook of his arm. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. It’s such a strong, soothing sound, almost hypnotic. I put my hand next to my ear to feel it.
“It beats because of you.”
“What?”
“It never beat until I met you.” He puts his hand over mine.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true. I never had a reason to live until you, Ellie.”
I blush and hide my face. How can he be so open? I thought men were supposed to be closed off and devoid of all emotion?
“Did I say something to upset you?”
“No,” I snuggle closer to him, “you’re just making it very hard to resist you.”
“Baby, that’s the idea.” He kisses my head and laughs.
I doze off warm and content in Kayne’s arms as the last bit of light fades away from the day.
“HEY, SLEEPYHEAD,” KAYNE SHAKES ME lightly. “We’re going to be late for dinner.”
I crack open my eyes to find him showered and dressed. He smells good, like shaving cream. “I let you sleep as long as I could.”
“Do we have to go?” I stretch sleepily.
“Yes. We promised.” It sounds like there’s no getting out of it.
“Fine.” If my stomach wasn’t rumbling, I would throw the covers over my head and protest.
“Up you go, sleeping beauty.” Kayne picks me up off the bed and I go limp in his arms. “Funny,” he mocks. “Are you always such a lazy riser?”
“No. Only when I’m interrupted from such a comfortable sleep.” He carries me into the bathroom.
“A hot bath should help wake you up.” I look down to see the tub full of water and overflowing with bubbles.
I look up and smile at him. “Now you’re just sucking up.”
“Maybe a little.” He grins, his blue eyes shining.
I kiss him on the cheek, his skin smooth against my lips. He presses his face into the kiss and moans softly. Not a ‘you’re making me hot’ kind of moan. An ‘I love that gesture’ kind of moan. It makes me all warm and tingly inside.
“We have to hurry.” Kayne places me on my feet in the tub. “Ten minutes enough time to soak?”
“Yes.” I drop down into the water, the bubbles covering up my body. “I’m surprised you’re letting me bathe alone.”
“I figured you might want some time to yourself. Am I wrong?”
“Yes and no,” I answer, leaving it at that. “I’ll be out in a few.”
Kayne nods then walks out, closing the door behind him. I lean against the edge of tub and gaze out the picture window into the dark. I daydream about this afternoon. The way Kayne touched me, the things he said. “I love you.” It’s never been like that between us before. It felt like he was trying to give me everything. Every part of him. It’s overwhelming in a good and bad way. I don’t want to rush into anything, and I don’t want to feel too much, but Kayne is a force to be reckoned with; especially when it comes to sex, love, even emotion.
“Ellie?” Kayne knocks.
“Times up?” I answer.
“For now.”
I climb out of the tub and dry off. I walk out of the bathroom and head for my bedroom, thinking about what I should wear.
“Where are you going?” Kayne asks from the chair in the corner of the room. He’s holding his phone, regarding me smugly.
“To get dressed. My clothes are in the other room.”
“Not anymore.” He nods his head toward the door behind him.
I walk cautiously by him and through the doorway. I’ll be damned, he moved me in. Everything I stuffed into my suitcase is now hanging on one side of the closet, opposite his clothes, which are situated just as neatly.
“Been busy have you?” I ask as he stands behind me.
“I didn’t think you’d mind.” He kisses my bare shoulder.
“I don’t, but only because I hate unpacking.”
“See? I’m good for something.”
“You’re good for a few things. Like telling me where you hid my underwear.” I walk into the closet. It’s as big as the bathroom in my apartment.
Kayne follows me in and pulls open a drawer.
“Underwear and bras.” He opens the next one down. “Shirts.” And then the last, grazing my arm with his lips as he goes. “Bathing suits.”
“Are you always so organized?” I sigh from the heat of his mouth.
“Yes. Repercussion of military life. I’m always on time, too. So get dressed,” he hisses in my ear playfully then leaves.
Fine then.
I dress quickly in a black miniskirt and midriff top with a flowy sheer overlay stitched with a funky black, white, and peach pattern. It was an impulse buy, but I like it. Kayne will hate it. I don’t regret the rash purchase one bit. I throw my damp hair into a high bun and attempt some makeup. Lastly, I rub some shimmery lotion on my arms and legs to moisturize and highlight my tanned skin.
I walk out of the bedroom exactly twenty minutes later and Kayne’s jaw drops.
“Like my outfit?” I spin.
“No.”
I laugh. Didn’t think so.
“Not a patterns guy?” I curl my lip.
He growls. “No, I’m not a ‘my girlfriend’s skirt is so short she’s flashing the world her ass’ kind of guy.”
“Hmm,” I muse. “I must have missed the conversation where we established labels.”
He glares at me.
“Are we going? I know how much you hate to be late.” I walk out of the bedroom.
“Brat,” he snaps from behind me.
I smirk devilishly and saunter out the front door. I can actually feel the frustration radiating from Kayne’s body. It’s increasing the island’s already tropical temperature. I love it.
After a silent ride with a brooding Kayne, we make it to the restaurant right on time. He steps out first then escorts me. Matias smiles at us. I smile back, Kayne just grimaces.
“Have a nice evening,” he says jovially and drives away. Apparently, I’m not the only one amused by Kayne’s annoyance.
I grab his hand and bat my eyelashes at him. “Are you going to be pissy all night?”
“Maybe,” he answers flatly.
This evening should be fun, sitting across from my bisexual one-night stand trying to make nice, while my ex-slave owner acts like a petulant child beside me. Awesome.
I heave a breath and start walking for the door, but am stopped abruptly by Kayne’s statue-like stance. He yanks me into his chest and locks me against him with one arm.
“I hate that outfit,” he growls. “I hate that I have to figure out a way to walk in front of you and behind you all at the same time while resisting the urge to stab out every single eye that ogles you. How’s that for honesty?”
“You did say you didn’t want to keep anything from me.” I inhale sharply as he tightens his hold.
“You look so hot my cock is on fire,” he whispers in my ear while people pass by us. “I don’t want you making any other man feel that way.” He slips his finger between my legs and strokes my clit.
“Kayne!” I gasp, grabbing his wrist. “We’re in public.”
“I know.” He grabs my ass. “Mine.”
I look up at him with flushed cheeks and a racing heart. For a fleeting second, he holds my stare.
“Yours or not, you still don’t get to tell me what to wear.”
“We’ll see.” He releases me, and I stumble a little. Jerk still has the power to immobilize me. “You’re missing something.”
“I’m wearing underwear,” I huff.
He smiles, trying desperately to contain his composure. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh. What did you mean?” I pull down the hem of my skirt. Kayne reaches into his pocket and pulls something out. He opens his hand and inside are a small pair of stud earrings.
I look up at him. “For me?”
“Well, I don’t have my ears pierced, and I think they might clash with this shirt.”
“You sound like Jett now.” I take the earrings after he offers them to me. They’re so different. Not a common pair of studs. These look like tiny balls of tangled platinum yarn. Sort of appropriate considering that’s how my insides felt when I got here.
“The jeweler called them love knots,” he says aloof, almost as if he’s embarrassed. “I took a chance. Jett suggested diamonds.”
“I love them,” I say as I put them on. “How do they look?”
“Perfect.”
“Thank you. They’re a very thoughtful gift,” I say, touching my earlobe.
“You’re welcome.” He kisses me softly on the lips and my emotions soar. It’s one thing for a man to buy you jewelry; it’s something entirely different when he puts thought and effort into the meaning. It makes me love them even more.
I catch a quick glimpse of my new earrings in the reflection of the door. They shine brightly in the light.
Kayne pushes me slightly in front of him as we walk through the restaurant, his arm placed firmly around my waist. I think he’s attempting to protect his assets. Or what he thinks are his assets.
That’s still to be determined.
Jett and London are already at the bar waiting for us. The room is dimly lit with amber up-lighting and gold accents. Very posh. Feels like New York, and I love it.
Jett stands and hugs me as soon as I’m in arm’s reach.
“Nice earrings,” he murmurs in my ear.
“How did you know? Kayne show you?”
“Nope. A girl only smiles the way you are when she receives something extra special. Looks good on you.”
“What? The earrings or the smile?”
“Both.”
“Alright,” Kayne nearly rips me out of Jett’s arms. “What are you two going for, the world record for longest hug?”
I roll my eyes at him. Dramatic much?
“Just being friendly,” Jett responds.
“Uh-huh,” Kayne returns flippantly.
“Hey, Ellie.” London chirps from her chair while she sips on a red drink in a martini glass. She’s dressed very similar to me, short skirt, high heels, and skimpy light pink top made of a satiny material. The most notable difference is she’s gorgeous on a whole other level with her long red hair, big breasts, and sparkling blue eyes. It’s official. She and Jett make one seriously intimidating couple.
“Hey, London.” I try to smile naturally, but I’m still a little uncomfortable around her. I keep picturing her naked, wearing a collar, and feeling me up. I glance at Kayne; I wonder if that’s what he sees when he looks at us.
Is it suddenly hot in here?
“Ellie?” Kayne gives me a strange look. I blush.
“I need to use the restroom,” I announce spontaneously.
“Everything okay?” he asks worried.
“Fine.”
“Well, our table is ready,” Jett tells me. “Do you want us to wait for you?”
“No. I’ll find you. The place isn’t very big.” I begin to step away.
“You sure?” Kayne presses.
“Positive.”
“You know what?” London puts her drink down. “I’ll come with you.” She hops off her seat and smiles. “We can use some girl time.” She hooks her arm into mine, and both Jett and Kayne’s eyes glaze over. Maybe she should have used a different term.
London leads me away from the two drooling men. If they weren’t picturing us together before, they definitely are now.
We walk into the bathroom still arm and arm just as an older woman exits. She eyes us judgmentally as she passes by. Is it that obvious something conspired between us? Or am I just being paranoid. It feels like there is a huge flashing sign hovering over our heads that reads ‘We Had Sex.’
The bathroom is small with only two stalls, wooden doors, and a marble vanity with double sinks. London lets go of my arm and settles her hip on the sink, standing closer to me than a normal girlfriend would.
“I’m glad we have a second alone. I’ve really wanted to talk to you,” she begins.
“About what?”
“Look, Ellie,” she sighs. “I don’t want things to be weird between us because of what happened. I was only doing my job.” London bites down on her bottom lip.
I frown. Am I the only one who finds this conversation totally fucked up?
“Oh, no, please don’t think I didn’t enjoy it.” She puts her hand on my arm reassuringly. “That night was one of the hottest of my life.”
I can’t lie—mine, too.
“Jett still gets upset that he missed it.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he wishes he was there,” she smirks.
“Were you two together when . . . we were together?” I clear my throat.
“No, not exactly. It was complicated. After everything happened, I didn’t think I was ever going to see him again. Boy, was I wrong.”
“I didn’t think I was ever going to see either of them again. Or you.” I laugh.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Kayne was so miserable for such a long time. I think if you didn’t show up, it would have destroyed him. Like, literally killed him.”
“Well, I’m here, and we’re working on things.”
“Good. He really is a good man.”
“Did you know who Kayne and Jett really were?”
“Nope, no idea. Not until after. Until Jett explained everything to me.”
“Nice to know I wasn’t the only one in the dark.”
London shakes her head. “Kayne and Jett are good at keeping secrets.”
“That’s part of what scares me.”
“It shouldn’t. I’ve never felt safer than I do with Jett. I really love him, Ellie. And Kayne really loves you. They’re a package deal. So please can we try and be friends?” she implores me.
“I say go for it,” a voice echoes through the small bathroom, and then a toilet flushes. London and I look at each other with wide eyes as an elderly woman emerges from one of the privacy stalls.
“I don’t know which one of you was talking, but very sincere.” A short, gray-haired woman in a printed dress walks out and nonchalantly washes her hands. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you were entertaining me.” She smiles kindly.
London and I just stare at her dumbfounded.
“Have a good evening.” She grins, thoroughly amused, and then leaves.
Once she’s gone, London and I look at each other and immediately burst out laughing.
“We would be terrible spies!” I double over as the sound of our cackles fills the room.