M y feet cautiously padded over to the nightstand next to Kelly’s California king .

Reaching down, I plucked my cell from the top before glancing over my shoulder to look back toward the bathroom where I knew Kelly was showering .

Perking my ear, I held my breath and listened .

When I heard the water splash and spill in a soft pitter-patter of rain streaming against the glass walls, I knew that I was safe to call Alex without Kelly knowing .

Scrolling through my screen, I came to my contact list of favorites. Alex’s name was right on top and, though a part of me didn’t want to have this conversation with her, I had to make sure she knew where I stood .

Ever since leaving her place, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. Replaying each word that was said, each subtle accusation being tossed in Nash’s direction, I heard it all as if I was still in his living room .

Once back at Kelly’s, I didn’t have much of an appetite for food—even if Kelly said it would be light—instead choosing to draw myself a bath in hopes of clearing my head .

But even now, relaxed and alone in Kelly’s bedroom, I couldn’t stop my mind from thinking over what Kelly was suggesting Nash may have done .

Murder, death, and the inability to ever come back from something so permanent had me feeling drained .

Alex couldn’t be mad, because I realized Kelly was right. It was important we knew the truth—to know without a doubt if Nash was the one to murder Maria. He’d been a suspect once, so why not again? To think that Maria’s case was being revisited because of new evidence being introduced wasn’t as farfetched as it may have initially seemed .

Hitting the call button, I lifted my phone to my ear and waited for it to ring .

Nash Brooks was the epitome of Hollywood. He had both name recognition and deep enough pockets to make most problems go away without so much as a whisper. Whether it be favors owed, or a simple payout to brush dirt under a rug, he had the resources and connections to make it happen .

The thought alone prickled my scalp .

I was having trouble admitting that there was more to his story than both Alex and I initially thought when Nash was first brought in for questioning .

Alex’s phone rang for a second time when my thoughts turned back to Kelly .

My stomach fluttered with delicious memories of watching him strip and enter the shower with muscles dancing over his sculpted body shining like a marble statue. It was just as I was ending my bath, and though he invited me to join him—after spending the remainder of the afternoon in his private study, alone—I knew that we had a party to get ready for. My hair was a mess and I still had to put on my face .

Suddenly, the ringing stopped and clicked over to voicemail .

Closing my eyes, I sighed, wishing I could talk to Alex instead of being forced to leave a message. “Hey, baby.” I turned to the bed and started pacing in tiny circles. “I know you’re upset with me. I didn’t like what happened today any more than you did. You have to trust me when I say that there was nothing I could do to stop Kelly from talking with Nash eventually. Call me when you get this .”

I hung up, not feeling any better about where my friendship with Alex stood .

Setting my cell on top of the dresser, my gaze landed on Mike Ricci’s card .

Gripping the dresser ledge, I caught myself from falling. My head was dizzy and I was feeling lightheaded, not wanting to think about having to call Mike to set up a routine I wasn’t really excited about .

A deep breath later, I turned to the closet and soon found myself pulling the dinner gown Kelly had picked for me to wear off the rack .

This was what made me happy, I thought as I held it out in front of me, taking it all in .

My lips pulled at the corners. I just couldn’t wait to put it on. It was a sophisticated black dress that I knew would accentuate my best assets. And as if that wasn’t enough, the sultry off-the-shoulder neckline would certainly give off hints of seduction with the many wandering eyes that were sure to follow me around .

Moving to the wall mirror, I angled first to the right, then to the left, taking it all in .

The long mermaid style floated to the floor and left little doubt to the train that would dramatically trail behind as I floated through the party .

This was my first Hollywood gala where I was certain to find myself mingling with the hottest movie stars and entertainers currently in the business. And that excitement was what was driving me forward—forcing me to take my mind off of the worries I had for Kelly, and the stress of Alex not returning my calls .

Not long after I heard the shower turn off, Kelly was wrapping a towel around his waist and sauntering over to me with desire lighting up his eyes .

I stood there in only lingerie, remaining in front of the mirror with my dress held up to my body, choosing to let Kelly come to me .

Soon, his fingers curled over my shoulders, searing the heat of his touch against my skin as he stood behind me. “Do you like the dress ?”

Tilting my head to the side, I let him kiss the soft spot behind my ear before he peppered his lips down the side of my neck. My pussy throbbed and my nipples tightened as I purred, “Very much .”

“You’ll be the center of attention.” He smoothed his large hands down my upper arms .

My chest hitched, unsure that was the kind of attention I wanted today. It was enough to get Kelly to lift his gaze to meet mine .

“What’s wrong ?”

“Nothing,” I lied .

He titled his head and cocked a brow .

“It’s just that I’ve never been to a party like this before .”

“There is nothing to worry about.” His head fell back to my neck and his lips fluttered over my skin .

“I know that. It’s just that sometimes I prefer to blend in .”

“Impossible.” His tongue darted over the pulse ticking in my neck. “Your beauty will steal the room no matter what event you attend .”

It was impossible to not be distracted by the fact that only a towel was keeping me from him. His arousal thickened and pressed against the small of my back, but Kelly never made a move to take it any further than where we were at. Instead, he spun me around to face him, wrapping me up in his big, strong arms .

As our eyes danced, I could see there was something he wanted to say. “What is it?” I asked .

“About earlier,” his voice was deep, formal, “I hope we can move on, deciding it’s best to keep business and pleasure separate .”

Looking up into his gorgeous eyes, I said, “What you do is really none of my business .”

And I meant it, too, trusting that the truth about Nash Brooks would surface soon enough. The last thing I wanted was for this to come between Kelly and me. Business was business, and there was no room for pleasure—except when it came to him having me—at the level that Kelly operated .

Hooking his finger under my jaw, he lowered his lips down to mine .

My mouth parted and our tongues gently touched. It was sweet, yet erotic .

When Kelly pulled back, I dropped my gaze to my wrists, beginning to play with the silver bangles that dangled off my arm. And, in that moment, I couldn’t escape from thinking about what happened to Maria right before she died. She had the markings of restraint and bondage, all the reasons why Kelly purchased my company for a month .

“What is it, Bella ?” he asked when he saw my mouth purse .

Lifting my gaze up to him, I frowned. “But you made your business my business .”

Kelly’s chin tipped back. There was a storm swirling in his eyes and as much as I wanted to let this go, I couldn’t. It didn’t matter that his soft kisses still lingered hot on my skin or left my lips tingling with the threat of romance .

“Why did you want me there today?” My hand lifted to my neck where my fingers played with the necklace I was wearing. He peered down at me with tiny slits for eyes. “Was it because you wanted me to know how that woman died ?”

He didn’t even flinch. Rather, he stood there with his legs firmly rooted into the floor as if he was expecting me to eventually ask .

Kelly never did confirm if he was a member of Mint. I suspected he was after the first club he introduced me to when signing the contract. Not that it mattered either way, but it was like he wanted me to know what could happen to young women like myself who were pulled into the submissive role. And that left me feeling on edge .

“Bella, I never wanted you to see that .”

Pain from the accusation lined his face and matched the uneven tone in his voice. And as we swayed in each other’s shadows, I turned to the dress, wanting to let this conversation go. Instead, I murmured, “But I did .”

“Hey.” Kelly brought his hand to my stomach. “That was Giselle’s doing .”

My stomach fluttered as my heart raced. “You didn’t stop her .”

He sighed and removed his hand from my hip, stepping away .

“You’re not a monster, Kelly. I know you’re not.” I paused to fight back the sudden urge I had to cry. “And I’m sorry if that’s what you think I’m implying, but you can’t try to tell me that what happened to Maria is any different than what you’re introducing me to .”

Rubbing his face with one hand, he had his opposite arm crossed over his chest, angling his body away from me as if ready to flee. Looking on with a wrinkled brow, he was at a loss for words .

“Did you know her ?”

Kelly’s chest rose as he licked his lips .

“Maria, did you know her before she died ?”

Slowly, he shook his head .

Kelly’s lips parted and I could tell he wanted to ask me something .

“What is it ?”

He looked away and shoved his hand through his dark hair .

“Kelly, if there is something I should know, I want you to tell me.” I took a step toward him. “I’m in too deep for you not to tell me if I should be looking over my shoulder, or if there’s a secret you’re keeping that I’ll eventually find out about .”

Kelly turned back to me with a downcast expression. Silence filled the air as we breathed in unison. Then, finally, he said, “I hate to ask, but is your friend Alex also into BDSM ?”

The hair on the back of my neck lifted and I gasped at the same time my throat constricted .

Kelly fixed his gaze on me, refusing to back down .

I knew that I should know the answer. Alex and I shared everything. Told each other all our deepest, darkest secrets. I also knew that we both knew Nash was affiliated with Mint and was rumored to be involved in the lifestyle. But I was afraid I didn’t know the answer no matter how much I wished I did .

Kelly stepped forward and took my hand inside his. “Is that something she would tell you ?”

My head swiveled on my shoulders as my eyelids fluttered. “Why ?”

He sucked back a deep breath of air before saying, “Because, if she is, then her relationship with Nash could be on a deadly track .”