A s soon as I stepped inside Kelly’s penthouse apartment, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders .

Kicking off my heels, I moved to the kitchen and set my purse—along with the roses Kelly had given me—on top of the counter. My stomach was still working to digest the amazing meal we’d just shared. The heated conversation that had started our lunch had naturally moved into something more relaxing and much more romantic. All thanks to Kelly. He took charge—as he did all things in his life—and good thing, because I wasn’t sure how we were going to get past that. But we did, and now we were here .

A fulfilled tiredness filled my head as I let out a satisfying sigh .

Without seeing for sure, I could feel Kelly’s eyes on me. Slowly, I lifted my head to find him staring from the other side of the room. He had his hands buried deep inside his pant pockets but the knowing look was there, sparkling in his dark and dangerous eyes .

Naturally, I raked him over once again—taking notice of both his posture and sense of fashion. He was wearing a three-piece grey suit with a dark purple tie. His jacket was off and his cuffs were still rolled up his arms, showing off his incredible forearms .

Flutters filled my stomach as I let my gaze roam over this amazing man I was starting to be okay with calling my own. “What is it ?”

“What’s what?” He grinned .

“That look. Do you have something you would like to say to me ?”

He picked one foot off the floor and strode over to me. Not once did he take his eye off of me. The way he moved, with clear intention and such determination, had me pressing my thighs together in an attempt to dull the heat I felt spreading. And as he closed his distance, the dimples on his cheeks deepened. “I like you staying here .”

With hooded lids, I melted into him. My nipples hardened beneath my lilac, body-hugging mini-dress as his fingers pinched over mine. And though I didn’t know how to express it, I was thinking how weird it felt to be paying for a place I no longer inhabited. Kelly chose his words carefully and I knew it was intentional. I was no fool either, and didn’t want to think that me staying here was going to last any longer than what was needed .

“With your uncle living in the city,” his eyes were on my mouth and I could only guess as to what he was thinking, “I like knowing that you’re safe here .”

Staring into his eyes with all the sincerity I could muster, I asked, “But am I ?”

A glazed look moved over his eyes and I felt bad for reminding him of everything he was trying to forget. This morning could have easily broken the man down—and though he showed little sign of it actually doing so, I didn’t want to press the issue any more than we already had. “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” My eyes closed and my head was dizzy from my glass of wine .

Kelly pulled me into his chest and I could feel the beat of his heart against my own. Standing on the tips of my toes, I lured him down, tempting him to kiss me .

The room spun as he lowered his neck and a bright flash of light exploded through the sky the moment his mouth made contact with my own .

A dark obsession filled me as I clawed at his soft button-down, cupping the back of his skull and angling my head to suck his tongue deeper .

He smelled of heady cologne and tasted like the peppermint candy we both had on our way out of Wes’s restaurant .

Hooking my leg over his thick thigh, I writhed my erect clitoris against his hardness. “Take me, baby .”

He flicked his tongue against mine. Filling his hands with the soft flesh of my ass, he picked me up and set me on the countertop .

Shoving my hands through his hair, I whimpered softly into his mouth. Pushing his needy fingers down my body, he smoothed his strong man-hands up my thighs, hiking up my skirt as he went. And just when he was about to graze my heated mound, his phone rang .

Pulling back, he groaned .

Together, we shared a glance at the ringing device, spinning in circles on top of the counter not too far from where I sat straddling his waist .

I could feel his frustration in the way he dug the tips of his fingers into me—the way his muscles jumped against my body. And I could see it in his eyes, too. It was hard for him to refuse to answer but, surprising me completely, he did .

“Just answer it,” I said, taking his face into my hand .

His eyes searched mine as if looking to see if I was actually telling him the truth. I was. I knew he had a busy schedule. He had to get ahead of the charges being brought by Timothy. It would be a quick phone call, and though my ache was desperate to be relieved, it would eventually come. Kelly always made me come .

“Maybe it’s important .”

The phone was still ringing when he turned his focus back to me. “It’s always important .”

Leaning forward, I nipped at his lips .

“But a promise is a promise.” The side of his face lifted with a smile .

My eyes danced with his until the ringing faded away. I liked that I could be his comfort, his vacation, his way to forget the stresses and demands that came with his law practice. That was what I was here for, what I wanted him to use me for—and, God willing, he would .

Closing his eyes, he kissed me again. Slowly, he smoothed his hand down my side before taking a breast inside his palm. Kneading my erect nipple with his fingers, I mewed and moaned, knowing that it was time we moved to the bedroom .

“Are you wearing underwear?” he asked, his lips just barely touching my own .

With eyes sparkling, I murmured, “I am .”

“That’s disappointing.” He frowned .

I giggled. “Nothing you can’t easily take off .”

First Kelly’s smile hit his eyes, then it was quickly followed by his contagious laugh. It was the same joyful sound that I knew him to make when he was feeling fully relaxed and confident. My man was back, and it was time to take advantage .

Dropping my feet to the floor, I liked that his apartment was our place of refuge. Here, we could be ourselves without having to worry who might be listening or watching .

Though I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression—or fool myself into believing that I was going to stay forever—I didn’t want to think about anything but the here and now. Living in the moment, doing what I did best .

Staying with Kelly was only temporary; a total of 30 days, at most. Enough time to fulfill my contract and see what happened after that. But that didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to try my best to see if what we had was as real as I sometimes felt it was .

There was still a lot I needed to figure out myself. Including the unknowns that swirled around my uncle and what kind of trouble—if any—my parents were actually in. But all that could wait …

Taking his belt between my fingers, I worked to unbuckle it. “And I’m primped and smooth, too .”

His fingers dug deep into the cleft of my fleshy ass, squeezing me up onto his arousal .

“Still adhering to your demands.” I bit my bottom lip .

“That’s a good girl.” His voice was deep, husky—all the signs I was turning him on .

“I don’t know how I’ve found the time — ”

When I freed his belt, he caught me by the wrists to stop me from going any further. “You’ve found the time because you know it’s important to me .”

“Though, I do have to admit,” I tilted my head to the side as memories of me running from Maxwell’s car to the precinct filled my head, “I realized this morning I’m not in as great of shape as I’d originally thought .”

“Then we’ll have to do something about that.” He lifted one hand to my shoulder, squeezing it before smoothing it down my arm as if measuring my muscle mass .

“My thoughts exactly,” I said, winking, thinking that it was time to get him naked and in bed .

Stepping away, Kelly held onto my hand until our connection broke. Suddenly, all the warmth and feelings of completeness vanished as I watched him move to the counter and open a drawer .

Wondering what it was he had up his sleeve, curiosity drew me closer. He didn’t say a thing as I watched him finger through papers and pens before pulling out a rectangular business card .

Handing it to me, I pinched it at the corner before reading the name Mike Ricci .

“I’d like you to get in touch with him.” Kelly’s broad shoulders squared with mine .

Scanning Mike Ricci’s business card, it didn’t take me long to figure out he was a personal trainer. Or, in other words, a kind of specialist I had never had the pleasure of experiencing before in my life. And it wasn’t because I didn’t think I needed a trainer, or could use one, but because the gym wasn’t the sort of activity that got me excited .

“I was only half joking.” I flashed him a thin-lipped smile .

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem.” He nodded .

Staring down at the card, a part of me regretted saying anything about my lack of physical fitness at all. The other half of me knew that I could benefit from a professional trainer—but did I have what it took to stick it out? Push through the exertion? “Do you know him ?”

Kelly laughed like what I’d said was the funniest thing in the world. “I wouldn’t be handing you his card if I didn’t .”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “I mean, you’ve worked with him before ?”

“I’ve already given him a call. He’s expecting to hear from you .”

Kelly slid his hand around my waist and pulled me against him. He was still rock solid, and all I could think about was how sex with him was the best kind of exercise—the only kind I needed. I didn’t need Mike. I needed Kelly .

“He knows exactly what I’d like to see improved .”

If he thought this was a kind gesture, he had it all wrong. The only thing I heard was insults on how I needed to correct the things Kelly considered to be flawed .

Choosing to let it go, I slid the card over the granite countertop and wedged it beneath my purse. “I know a better workout.” I grabbed a hold of his shirt and pulled his lips into my face. “And it involves you .”

When my lips parted, Kelly plunged his tongue deep into my mouth. After kissing me, I threaded my fingers through his and led him to the back bedroom. He didn’t protest, only followed, and once we crossed over the threshold to his room, I spun around and jumped into his arms. Clasping my hands around his neck, our lips tangled in heated, desperate passion .

We fit together perfectly and shared the virility of two teenagers in love. Finding this kind of match was damn near impossible and I wondered if it was fate or Madam’s genius that ultimately brought us together .

With our tongues thrusting and swirling against the other’s, we fought for dominance, seeing who would be first to submit. Finally, I pulled away, needing to catch my breath. He’d won. Again .

“I still want you to contact Mike,” were the first words out of Kelly’s mouth .

“And I will,” I shoved my hand through my hair, “ but — ”

“You can never say yes, can you?” he teased .

“It’s a two-way street, mister.” My hand wound back just before spanking him .

He barely budged. “What do you want from me ?”

Slowly, the corners of my mouth curved into a devilish grin. “I want you to show me your closet full of toys .”

Kelly stood there with his gaze fixed on me for a minute, thinking over my request. Then, without another word, he guided me to the closet with his hand firmly pressed into the small of my back .

He opened the doors and flicked on a light .

Fire spread across my body from the tips of his fingers searing into my skin. Arousal sent waves of pleasure rolling through my body. Turning my head, my eyes widened at the sight. There, right in front of me, were all his toys neatly placed and tightly organized for easy access .

“There it is. My toys. All brand new. Just for you.” He stepped behind me. Clamping his fingers over my shoulders, he massaged my neck .

My breath hitched as my imagination ran wild. There was so much possibility laid out before me. Ropes, cuffs, whips, chains, plugs, gags, scarves, and a dozen other devices and contraptions I had never seen before in my life. We could do anything—he could do it all .

Pressing his manhood against the base of my spine, Kelly unzipped my dress, letting it float to the floor. My skin prickled with delicious shivers as I felt his wet lips pepper my bare flesh .

The toys beckoned to me and I reached out, trailing the tips of my fingers over them. Back and forth I went, feeling the coolness of their touch before stopping to pick up the dildo he insisted I use to get myself off the other night .

Kissing the soft spot behind my ear, Kelly reached around me and stole the dildo out of my grip, putting it back where I’d found it. “Not today .”

Then I picked up a collar. “What is this ?”

Twisting me around to face him, I watched his dark pupils dart over my face. “Bella, tell me, would you like to make love or be bound ?”

My heart thrashed between my ears as I thought over what it was I wanted. Then, casting my gaze down to the collar, I whispered, “How about a little bit of both ?”

He chuckled and worked down the buttons of his shirt until he could slide it off his shoulders. He took the collar and stretched it out in front of my face before securely strapping it around my neck. “Are you okay ?”

I moistened my dry lips as I nodded .

“Good.” He smiled, pushing me down to the floor and onto my knees. “Now, suck my cock .”