S tepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my naked body .

I never did see Alex again after leaving Mint last night. Kelly convinced me that I could trust Wes—if I wasn’t ready to fully trust Nash, I had to trust Wes and, not to mention, Kelly, too .

Alex was going to be safe .

I already had it in my head to call her as soon as I was finished drying off. It was all I could think about last night, unable to stop myself from sending her a text on the hour, every hour. She responded to the first couple, making me feel better about my decision to leave her with Nash. Then she faded off into the darkness of the night as I assumed she found her sleep just like I eventually did .

Without hearing him sneak up from behind, Kelly tugged on the hem of my towel, hoping to get me my attention .

My hands flew to my chest as I latched on. “Kelly !”

He laughed, encasing me inside his strong arms. “Thought I could get you naked one last time before leaving .”

Giggling, I tilted my head so he could sprinkle my neck with his kisses. My body purred and I couldn’t stop smiling. Today was looking promising and I had a feeling that Kelly’s head was clearer now that he could cross Nash off his suspect list .

It was important he let this go, because not only did I want my friendship back with Alex, but I wanted Kelly to concentrate more on me as well. Our contract with the Madam wasn’t going to last forever. And though our relationship often felt like it was organic, in the back of my mind I knew that our days were numbered .

“I have something I need to take care of.” His arms squeezed me tight. “Then I’ll be heading into the office .”

I spun in his arms and smoothed my hands up his solid chest. Hooking my fingers over his shoulders, I glanced deep into his incredible eyes. They were younger looking than only last night. Refreshed with the vitality I knew them to have. Sexy, brave, and confident .

“Is it something I can help you with?” I asked, appreciative of the way he made sure I knew what his day was like .

His hands ironed up and down my sides. My body warmed beneath the towel, second-guessing my decision to remain covered. “No. You stay here .”

By the way he was acting, I knew something was up. He wasn’t one to leave out the important details unless he was keeping something from me. Though I didn’t know what it was, naturally I had to ask. “Alex is safe with Nash, right ?”

A corner of his lip curled. “Yeah. She’s safe.” He held my gaze in his confident eyes. “Now it’s time to clear my own name.” He dropped his forehead to rest against mine. “You going to be all right here by yourself ?”

I dropped my gaze to his lips .

“Hey.” He hooked my jaw and brought my eyes back to his .

My eyebrow arched and I gave him a questioning look. “I’m not staying here .”

“I know.” His voice was tender as he stroked my reddened cheeks with his thumbs. “The credit card is on the dresser.” He pecked at my lips and tightened his grip around my waist. “Purchase some sexy lingerie for me and get yourself whatever you want .”

I laughed, thrusting my tongue against his. He knew I wouldn’t be holed up inside the apartment all day waiting for his return. No fucking way. I had to get out, soak up the sun, let my spirit free .

Reaching beneath my towel, his hand moved between my thighs, grazing my erect clit with the tip of his finger. My heart stuttered as I whimpered in response .

Raising my hand to his face, I touched his smoothly shaved skin. I liked having it not be disguised and hidden with a mask. A face as beautiful as his deserved to be shown to the world .

Submitting myself over to him, he fucked me with his finger. My hips lunged and I moaned the moment his finger hit my tender ball of nerves, sending my eyes fluttering closed .

Memories of last night filled my brain as I relished in the memory of fucking him at the club. The sex was hot, but not as rough as I would have preferred. Though I had to give him credit for turning me on after feeling so cold .

But last night wasn’t about me, it was about him. And I had used my vagina to remind him what he should be focusing on .

My lips rounded as my muscles flexed. Holding my breath, I shuddered through a mini orgasm while Kelly kept me from collapsing to the floor. When I could breathe again, he dropped me to my feet and busied himself with finishing getting ready .

From the bathroom I watched him put on a red silk tie over his white shirt. His suit jacket and pants were classic Kelly Black, jet black and pressed to perfection. He looked amazingly confident and whatever he had planned, I was already jealous of whoever got to spend the day by his side .

“I was going to take Maxwell with me,” Kelly called from the bedroom closet. “But if you need him I’ll drive myself .”

“No,” I responded while working my lashes in front of the mirror. “You sound busy. Use the time to prepare for whatever you have going on .”

Kelly’s head peeked inside the bathroom. “Have I told you how amazing you are ?”

“Yes.” I smiled, biting my bottom lip. “But you can always tell me again .”

His eyes dilated as he raked them over me. “You’re fucking amazing .”

He vanished in a flash leaving me to chuckle to myself. And as I brushed my hair, then my teeth, all I could think about was what I could do to surprise him later tonight .

Padding into the bedroom, Kelly scooped me into his arms. Our eyes swayed as I murmured, “Do you have to work today ?”

“This needs to be done.” He kissed me .

My body responded affectionately .

“Tonight, we celebrate and I’m all yours after that.” He grinned .

My skin tingled at the promise. The sincere look he was giving me made me feel alive and wanted, like he couldn’t live without me .

Gripping his tie, I pulled his lips over mine. Thrusting my tongue against his, I wanted to leave him with something to keep me on his mind. Hell, I wanted to make certain he obsessed over me, because there wasn’t going to be a passing minute today that I didn’t think about him; where he was, what he was doing .

“You be good,” he said, stepping away .

Folding my arms over my chest, I kept a yearning eye on him .

I followed him to the living room and watched him sling the leather strap of his briefcase over his shoulder before glancing one more time behind him to blow me a kiss .

Then, once the front door clicked shut, a quiver rolled through my stomach .

There was little doubt in my mind he was keeping something from me. And I had a sickening feeling that it had to do with Timothy Parker .

Turning on a heel, I headed back to the bedroom and immediately picked up my cell phone. Scrolling to Alex’s number, I hit the call button, inhaled a deep breath, and lifted the phone to my ear .

As I listened to the line ring, I plucked the credit card Kelly left for me off the top of the dresser. The feeling of euphoria hit my eyes as I started daydreaming of what I could purchase. I knew it had to be something sexy, something that would make fucking me good and hard totally irresistible .

Spinning around, I took in the bedroom, thinking that I should probably go back to my own place soon. Just to make sure it was still standing .

“Hey, girl.” The line clicked over and Alex answered .

My lips tugged to my ears. “What’s up, bitch ?”

She giggled and I knew right then that everything was going to be all right .

“Look, about last night — ”

“—forget about it. It’s over. Nash is with me now .”

Dropping my face into my hand, relief swept over me. I could almost see her through the line looking at Nash with a sparkle in her eye .

“I know why you did it, Kendra.” Her voice was light but strong. “Wes explained it all to me after you left with Kelly .”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you .”

“Don’t worry. I’m a big girl.” I could hear her smiling from the tone in her voice .

“Hey, I was thinking,” I folded an arm over my belly, “maybe you and I could hit up that gym I was telling you about ?”

I could hear her breathing through the line, mulling it over. I knew she wasn’t excited about the idea, but neither was I. But it was a reason for us to get together. Especially knowing that both of our time would soon be filled up by the men we were dating .

“Only if I don’t have to go on a diet .”

Feelings of joy filled my body. “What you eat is up to you .”

“Then let me know when you want to go,” she said .

I ended our call, promising to call tomorrow. Telling her Kelly was taking me out for a romantic evening on the town tonight, she suggested she might have to whip Nash’s ass in gear to do the same. I had to laugh at that, hoping that she could rebound from her failed reunion she had worked so hard to plan but never did get to enjoy .

Putting on clothes, I started singing. Slowly, my voice grew louder until it filled the entire penthouse apartment. I was feeling good. Confident in my relationship with Kelly and thrilled to be getting my friendship back on track with Alex .

Moving to the kitchen I gathered my things and packed my tote for the day ahead .

I didn’t have the patience to wait until tonight to see Kelly again. I wanted him to be home now, wining and dining me between our bouts of fucking .

Swiping my thumb over my cell’s screen as I headed out, I put in a request to be picked up by an Uber driver in my usual spot down the block .

Leaving the building, there was an extra bounce in my step. Holding my chin high, I soaked up the sunshine, singing to myself .

I saw the familiar car and knew it was him. Opening the back door, Lucky smiled and greeted me. “Good morning, sunshine .”

“You’re in a good mood,” I said as I slid inside the back of his vehicle. “Does it have anything to do with that woman you said you were seeing ?”

He took the car out of park, looked over his shoulder, and pulled away from the curb with a big smile plastered across his face. “Perhaps .”

“Right, you don’t kiss and tell.” I smirked, turning my head to look out the window .

“That man you were with, the one in the news.” His eyes flickered in the rearview mirror .

Leaning forward he had my full attention, meaning to ask him what, if anything, he had discovered .

“I’ve been keeping my eye open.” His smile faded from his face. “See if I could see him around town .”

My fingers curled over the back of the seat as I stared at the side of his face, intently listening .

“I thought you would like to know — ”

“What is it?” I asked as I watched my knuckles go white .

He turned his head the moment he stopped at a light .

My brows raised and I leaned my body closer .

The sound of my beating heart ticked like the timer on a clock .

“I have not seen him .”

Closing my eyes, I dropped my chin to my chest and blew out a sigh of relief. “You scared me.” I hit him on his shoulder. He laughed and didn’t let up until I said, “He’s taking me out tonight .”

“Very good.” His head nodded .

“Tell me, what is this woman like who you’re dating ?”

“Very beautiful. Like a movie star. Hmm hmm.” He grinned. “Curvy body. Long wavy hair. Eyes that sparkle like the stars .”

And as Lucky continued describing the many features of his new lady-friend, there was only one face that came to mind—Angel’s friend .

Slowly, I drifted into my head, thinking back to the night of Ty Lemon’s party .

Angel’s face appeared behind my lids, her words echoing between my ears. What she accused me of being, how she knew who Madam was, and what kind of business she knew Madam ran. And when remembering the specific details of the night—everything from her snide remarks to the way she ridiculously flirted with Timothy—it wasn’t hard for me to also see her friend’s narrowed slits for eyes, closely watching my every move .

“Kendra—” Lucky’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “We’ve arrived .”

Blinking, I glanced out the window and wondered how long we had been stopped .

The shopping strip was bustling with activity, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about how I should tell Lucky he wasn’t that woman’s only boyfriend. Yet, without a name I was only speculating. But there was one thing I could ask to make sure my assumptions were right .

“Lucky, does your woman have a birth mark on her lip ?”

His brows pinched .

“A mole.” I pointed to the location on my own face. “Right about here .”

His lips parted. “How did you know ?”

I sighed, opening the car door. The hairs on my neck stood on end as a dark tunnel clouded my vision, remembering the fear I saw in her eyes the day I saw her running for her life inside Emmanuel’s new salon .

“Just a lucky guess,” I whispered .