7
Kendra
The moment I stepped into my empty apartment I knew I didn’t have much time.
If I knew anything about Kelly, it was that he hated to wait.
I glanced at the kitchen to check the time. It had already been ten minutes since he’d texted telling me to wear a short skirt. I wondered if he wanted me to wear anything beneath. I snickered at the thought.
Tossing my handbag on the couch, I scampered to the back of my apartment, swung my closet doors open, and began digging for a skirt I knew he’d love to see me in. With as good as he had been treating me, I had no reason to purposely upset him. And depending on what I chose to wear, I could easily dictate how today went.
Sliding the hangers to the side, digging and fingering my way through the bundle of clothes bunched up on either side of the closet, I debated my options. It was impossible not to see Kelly here going through my clothes, telling me that they weren’t good enough. I didn’t get it. Didn’t understand why everyone was so down on my sense of fashion. I had a great sense of style. Why couldn’t anyone see that?
Renewed with a sense of determination to prove Kelly wrong, my fingers pinched the fabric of what could be a worthy option for me to wear. I thought how Kelly never did say what it was he had planned. Just for me to be ready. Which reminded me—time was ticking.
I could pair my tight-fitting leather mini-skirt with extremely tall heels and a white button-up to give him the sexy professional look. Or I could go with something less risqué. My closet was packed full of options; sometimes it made for tough decisions.
When I hung the clothes back on the pole, I wondered out loud, “Did he need a quickie before finishing his afternoon work? Or was this more about us, taking me out for lunch to socialize?”
Working my way to the back, that was when I saw it. Forgetting I had it, my eyes widened, sparkling with joy, knowing that this was it. It was beautiful and had an edge of danger unlike anything else I owned. I had to wear this.
Pulling it free and holding it out in front of my face, I smiled.
It was a contemporary style with a curved hem to show all my most tempting features, and the snake skin patterned mini-skirt had all the elements Kelly had requested. It was figure flaunting and I knew that if I paired it with a deep V-neck blouse—dangling a necklace to draw attention to my bra-less girls—and fitting strappy heels over my feet, Kelly wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself.
My nipples puckered at the thought of driving him mad.
With no time to waste, I began shedding the clothes I was wearing and exchanging them for my new outfit. I was thankful that I had showered before visiting the spa and that I still smelled of citrus oils and hot wax. A shower now was most definitely out of the question.
I was dressed and downstairs in no time flat. With my heels clacking through the lobby, Mr. Anderson, my doorman, lifted his head with a smile. “You seem to be in a particularly good mood.”
I slowed my gait in order to respond. “Am I not always?”
“Today, you have more bounce in your step.”
“Must be the heels.” I smiled.
“Must be.” He winked.
“Or…it could be this.” I stepped forward and dangled the diamond ring Kelly had gifted me in front of his face.
He angled his head to the side and gave me a questioning look.
“It’s what was in the box the other day.” I nodded, staring at the exquisite jewel. “I should be thanking you—”
His brows pinched. “Thanking me for what?”
“For keeping Kelly Black around.”
He bowed his head. “Anything for you, Ms. Williams.”
“You know, I really like him,” I said, holding my chin high.
“Mr. Black is a true gentleman.” Mr. Anderson nodded to the resident who entered the building.
“Well, I’m glad you think so, because that’s who I’m on my way to see now.”
“May you enjoy your afternoon.” He nodded his head, this time to me, and smiled.
As I made my way out of the building, I thought how I liked how cordial Mr. Anderson was. He was a gentleman, the man who never had anything bad to say about anyone or anything. And I liked that I could share my life with him. After watching me come and go, I was certain he knew more about me than I’d ever allow most people to learn.
The outside hit my face like a breath of fresh air. Kelly was already waiting, standing next to his jet-black Escalade SUV, his infamous sexy smirk dimpling his cheeks.
Heat spread through my core, keeping my nipples the sharp little bullets they always were when I was around him.
His driver was behind the wheel with his focus forward and Kelly pushed off the vehicle and strode toward me, meeting me halfway. “Look at you.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and quickly wrapped his fingers around my waist, pulling me in for a deep, lingering kiss.
I melted into him, my heart fluttering out of control.
He swirled his tongue against mine before dipping me.
I couldn’t recall ever being dipped, and it got me to laugh. “What has you in such a great mood?”
His lips brushed against mine. “Get inside,” he pulled me back upright and tugged on my fingers, leading me toward his car, “and you’ll find out.”
Kelly’s broad shoulders sheltered me from the squelching sun as he opened the door, assisting me into the backseat. The windows were darkly tinted and a privacy partition kept his driver free from whatever happened in the back. As soon as Kelly shut the door, the vehicle pulled away from the curb and we were off. “Mr. Anderson says you’re quite the gentleman.”
Kelly smirked, reaching for my hand, gently tugging on my fingers. “He said that about me?”
I nodded.
“Then Mr. Anderson doesn’t know me at all.” Kelly’s voice was deep, sultry.
“Are you saying you’re not a gentleman?” My core temperature spiked as the sight of his eyes darkening went straight to my pulsing sex.
“Would a gentleman do this?” He smoothed his rough hand up over my knee before reaching under my skirt and between my thighs.
“Perhaps you’re right,” I breathed as my eyelids grew heavy at the feel of his finger grazing my damp mound. “A gentleman would first ask to touch a woman there.”
Kelly chuckled close to my ear. “Bella, did you do as I say?”
His moist lips tickled my ear, prickling my skin. “Depends what it is you’re asking.”
He hooked his finger beneath my jaw, turning my head to face him, and kissed me.
I sucked his tongue deep into my mouth, thrusting against his. Then I reached my hand to his lap, finding him already pitched. “Find out for yourself,” I purred.
Kelly moved to the floor, settling his torso between my knees. Smoothing his hands up and down my thighs, I nibbled on a fingernail, daydreaming about what I’d like to see him do next. There were so many possibilities, so many different ways I could see this going.
Then he hooked his fingers through my laced thong and began pulling it off my hips, down my thighs, letting it fall until I was cuffed at the ankles. He widened my knees and I watched his gaze fall to my treasure. “That’s a good girl,” he said, sliding the tip of his finger between my wet folds, appreciating my new look.
“It was time for a change.” My heart thrashed as I bore my hips down on his finger, pleading for him to enter me. My body was on fire and needed to be cooled. Only he could relieve this heat and find a way to unwind all the tension he was creating inside of me.
“Yes, it was,” he said, grazing my swollen clit.
Then he pushed his finger inside me. My back arched off the back of the seat and I mewed with relief.
“You feel amazing.” He twisted his finger and touched my smooth bare skin with another. “Don’t you like the way it feels?”
“I do.” I licked my lips, needing more of what he was giving me.
He leaned close, lunging his finger deeper, speeding up his thrusts. I tightened around him, seeing stars flash across my vision. My body told me I was close to coming, and I knew he could feel it, too. Kelly curled his finger, hitting the exact spot that curled my toes, and leaned close to blow cool air over my slick clit.
My muscles tensed as I unfolded my elbows, shoving my fingers in his hair, and shuddered through my release just as I felt the vehicle roll to a stop.
Kelly kept his finger inside me, feeling me pulse against him, swirling around my juices before pulling free and bringing it to my mouth. “Taste yourself,” he said, pushing his finger between my lips.
I had never tasted my own orgasm before, and though he didn’t give me a choice, I sucked his finger like I would have given him head. Swirling my tongue over the tip of it, I sucked my own juices away, cleaning it completely until my orgasm was wiped off his finger.
“How do you taste?”
“Not as good as you would have.” I smirked as I played with the collar of his shirt.
“You keep doing as you’re told and I’ll continue to award you for good behavior.” He straightened his spine and leaned forward to press his firm lips against mine. “Now, let’s find you some new clothes.”
I blinked in the bright sunlight as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. It took a minute for my eyes to adjust—having been living in the darkness of his car, and having been cross-eyed from the orgasm Kelly showered down upon me—but once I focused I said, “Rodeo Drive?”
“The only place to shop.”
Kelly reached down and threaded his fingers with mine. “I know plenty of other places to shop,” I said as I fluffed up my hair with my opposite hand.
“But when you shop here,” Kelly looked around, “you become someone.”
I was familiar with Rodeo Drive. I’d been here before. Not for shopping, but browsing. I also knew just how pretentious and out of my league I was when walking the area. But maybe Kelly could show me what it was really like—what it really meant to be here purchasing expensive items for my own consumption. “I’ve had a drink at Mojito,” I said.
Kelly stopped walking, turned to face me, and peered down with questioning eyes. “Is that right?”
“That’s right. I even met the owner, Wesley—”
“—Reid.” Kelly finished my sentence.
“He was having drinks with Nash Brooks.” I flung my hair over my shoulder and tugged on his hand to get his feet moving again. “And I know you know Nash.”
“He’s dating your friend, Alex.”
“It’s creepy that you know all this.” Then a thought struck me. My heels dug in and I pulled my hand away from his. “Is that why you wanted to be with me for a month?”
Kelly titled his head to the side.
“Tell me now or lose me forever.”
He reached up and wrapped his fingers around my shoulder, ironing his hands up and down my clothed upper arm.
“Is the only reason we’re together because you need me to dish out information on Alex?”
He offered me a bemused smile and I hated how he thought I was anything other than dead serious right now.
When he didn’t answer, I asked, “Is this about the case you’re working on?”
His eyes crinkled and the corners of his lips curled upward.
“Because, if it is, I’ll leave you now.”
He stuck his finger in my mouth, shutting me up completely. “Are you willing to walk away from this?”
I rolled my tongue over his finger, letting the last remnants of my orgasm spill over my taste buds and I felt my knees give out. My head shook.
“I don’t want to talk about work. I’ll tell you this once.” He thrust his finger in and out of my mouth, nice and slow, jarring my memory of what it felt like to be fucked by him. “And after I tell you this, I don’t want you to ever ask me again. Do you understand?”
I nodded with hollowed cheeks.
“I’m with you because I find you attractive.” He lowered his chin and looked at me beneath a sunken brow. “I’m curious about you. My decision to have you for a month has nothing to do with who we both know—what we both might know—and has everything to do with the way we make each other feel. Is that clear?” He slipped his finger out of my mouth.
I swallowed down the salty taste and said, “Clear.”
“Clear, sir.”
My brows knitted.
He nodded. “Say it.”
“Clear, sir,” I said.
“Good.” He took me by my hand again, tipped his head back, and led me down the street.
I suppose he was right in not wanting to discuss work. Talking shop was boring. And though I was certain he loved what he did, I also assumed that if he was anything like me, he needed a break from the stress and I was his one chance at clearing his head.
We window shopped a few stores, discussing women’s fashion and how we both agreed that it was women’s clothing that dictated what a man should wear, not the other way around. I was certain Kelly purposely avoided passing Mojito, but that was fine with me. He was on a mission, knew just the store he wanted to take me to, and when we arrived I walked inside with my head spinning. “What did I do to deserve this?”
“You signed my contract.” He smiled as he rocked back and forth on his heels with his hands buried inside his pockets.
I browsed racks of clothes, making sure to touch everything, needing to feel it all for myself. Nothing had price tags, which only meant one thing—it was all more expensive than even I would be willing to pay. “Is that all?”
“And because I only want you to have the best.”
“Mr. Black.” A woman came out from the back and greeted Kelly.
“Kristin.” He smiled and air-kissed her cheek.
“Long time no see.” Kristin met my gaze and smiled. “What brings you in today?”
Kelly held his arm out to me. “My girl, Kendra, needs to fill her wardrobe.”
My cheeks blushed in embarrassment. He said it like I didn’t own any clothes or that I needed him to take care of me.
“This your normal style?” Kristin moved closer to me, circling around to check me out.
“I have clothes.” I folded my arms over my chest, eyeing Kelly. “Mr. Black, here, insists that I—” I searched for the right word.
“Don’t worry, hun,” Kristin whispered in my ear, “he’s totally worth it.”
I kept one eye on Kelly, not sure exactly how to take Kristin’s comment. Was she simply suggesting I put up with Kelly’s demands and let him pay for all that he wanted to buy me? Or did she actually know that Kelly was worth it.
Jealousy won in the end and I hated to think Kelly had been with any other woman besides me. “Kelly, darling, remind me again. What is the occasion we are shopping for?” I added a little mockery to my voice to grab his attention.
His eyes darkened as he raked them over me and I couldn’t help but notice how his bulge swelled against his zipper. “Dinner.”
“Dinner?” I turned to Kristin. “I guess I’m going to dinner.”
He sauntered over to me with sex in his eye. “Tonight.”
“I know where to start.” Kristin squeezed my shoulder as she hurried to the far end of the store.
Kelly clamped his fingers around my tender mid-section and tugged me against his hardness. “And I want everyone to lust after you.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard.” I shrugged.
Kelly chuckled, sending pleasing vibrations to my flexed stomach.
“Kendra, over here.” Kristin waved for me to meet her on the other side of the store. “I want you to see what I have pulled out.”
I took one step before Kelly caught me by the wrist and twirled me into his arms. He smashed his lips over mine, as if he could feel my insecurity threatening to doubt my own abilities. What he was asking of me—I knew I could do it—but with him actually saying it, somehow the pressure escalated to a point I knew I would overthink things until I ruined it all. I want everyone to lust after you. Kelly’s words echoed between my ears. When he finally released me, Kelly pushed me toward Kristin who’d watched it all.
“See, what did I tell you?” Kristin leaned her shoulder against mine and talked quiet enough so that Kelly wouldn’t hear. “The man is amazing.”
Kristin had several outfits laid out but before I could make a decision, I needed to ask Kelly where we were going. “Surprise,” he said.
“Really? You know that doesn’t help me make a decision.” Don’t get me wrong, I liked surprises, a little bit of mystery, too, though without knowing for sure what he had planned, it was proving impossible to make a decision on what to wear.
“Then we better play it safe and go with something like this,” Kristin said, holding up a sexy, skin-tight lace up dress.
I loved it immediately. Knew that I would kill it in black. And when I held it up to my body and looked in the mirror, Kelly’s face stamped his own approval on the outfit. “Kelly, I don’t need this. I have my own things I can choose from.” I turned around to face him. “Are my clothes really that awful?”
“Our relationship is new.” His hands landed on my shoulders, gently massaging them as he stood behind me, both of us staring into each other’s eyes through the reflection of the mirror. “And so must it be with your clothes.”
My gaze traveled the length of the dress. It was gorgeous. I loved it. Knew I’d look stunning in it. And I also knew that I needed to have it.
“The last thing I need is for you to have already worn something, something you’ve worn when being seen with another man.” He kissed the crown of my head. “This is a new beginning. It’s important we start on a fresh note.”
“If you insist.” I reached out to smooth my hand down his muscular arm.
“I do.” His fingers dug into my skin. “I’ll also be giving you your own credit card to use so you can purchase anything you want even when I’m not here.”
My head snapped up to look up at him. His eyes were sharp and sincere. There was nothing more beautiful than the way he was looking at me now. “Kelly, I have my own money. Really, you don’t need to do this.”
He smiled and lifted his head to Kristin. “Is there a room she can try this on?”
“Through there.” She pointed to the back corner. “The door is unlocked.”
“Thank you, Kristin. Give us a moment, will you?”
“I’ll be in the front when you’re ready.” She smiled and walked away.
Kelly laid his hand on the small of my back and pushed me toward the changing room. “What do you have planned, Kelly?”
“Take me with you, and you’ll find out.”
I reached behind my back and felt his dick straining hard against his pants. If I wasn’t mistaken, I knew exactly where Kelly was taking me—and what it was he wanted to do.