by Vi Keeland
“Why don’t I put it on for you?” I smiled a devious smile. I had already put on the lingerie I had purchased for this weekend and was feeling confident at what his reaction would be. I kept my eyes locked on his and slowly untied the long green silk robe I was wearing. I let it hang open for a minute so he can see a hint of lace, before shaking my shoulders a few times to cause the robe to slowly slip down my shoulders and form a puddle at my feet.
His eyes darkened and bore into me. My breasts were pushed up and barely contained by the nude colored lace half demi cup bra. On the bottom, I wore matching lace boy short panties that fit me like a second skin. My thin shapely legs were covered by thigh high sheer stockings with a ribbon of satin and lace at the top. When I saw the lingerie on display I knew it was the perfect mix of innocent and sexy that Kennedy would love. I stood there for a moment and watched him drink me in.
“You are fucking killing me Hope. I’m going to have to be near you all night knowing that you have that on underneath your dress.”
I smiled innocently. “What this? You like it?”
He took two long strides and gripped my waist forcefully. “Or we can be late and I can rip it off of you and fuck you from behind with that innocent look on your face, so I can remember that instead.” His lips covered mine and he took my bottom lip between his teeth and nipped hard.
Every time I thought I was the cat, I wound up being the mouse with this man. “Kennedy!! We can’t, I just spent an hour fixing my hair and makeup and the dinner starts in half an hour! We will be hours late!” Although my words told him we couldn’t, my body had already reacted to his and my clit was swollen and nipples taught and erect.
He took a cautious step back and took a deep breath. “Go. Put the dress on, before I change my mind and we don’t leave here at all.”
The dress was exquisite on its own, but it clung to my body like it was made to fit me. It made me feel special. I walked out into the living room and Kennedy was waiting. “You look breathtaking Hope.” His reaction made me feel as if I was floating. He walked to me and held something in his hand. “Turn around beautiful.”
He lifted my hair and clasped a delicate necklace gently around my neck. I saw my reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. A simple, beautiful, delicate platinum chain held a three carat round pale pink diamond, surrounded by two circles made of smaller encrusted sparking pink diamonds. Gorgeous. I turned and held my hand to the necklace. “It’s beautiful Kennedy, just like the man that put it on me. Thank you.”
***
The charity dinner was held at the Hotel Marimount, Chicago’s version of The Monet. It was luxurious and had an old world charm. I spent the entire cocktail hour being introduced to people that all seemed to know Kennedy well. I had been nervous about not knowing anyone and thought I might be spending a lot of time standing at the bar by myself fidgeting with my phone. But Kennedy never left my side. His left hand was clasped tightly with my right. He only let go when necessary to greet people, then it found mine again immediately.
Kennedy excused us from the last group of people and grabbed us champagne as a waiter passed by. We stood to ourselves for a while, while Kennedy told me stories about some of the people that we had met. We laughed together like best friends that were sharing years of inside secrets. I was disappointed when they announced dinner was about to be served and we had to go to our assigned table in the main ballroom.
I was happy to see that we were sitting with Franklin and Lauren. There were two other couples seated at the table. One I knew had to be Garrett, Kennedy’s youngest brother, they looked so much alike. Kennedy introduced his brother and his brother introduced his date. The other couple at the table was Kennedy’s CFO and his wife. Lauren insisted that I sit next to her and Kennedy sat on my other side. Lauren and I chatted easily and Kennedy spoke to Garret across the table. Nothing felt forced. It felt right being with his family.
We were halfway through dinner, when I spotted Mikayla. She would have been hard to miss. She wore a daringly short black dress and her mile long slim legs probably came up to my shoulders with her six inch stilettos. Her hair was pulled back tight from her face and her flawless skin was radiant. I saw her look at Kennedy, then she looked directly at me and smiled an evil smile and turned away. Lauren must have seen the whole exchange because she leaned in to me quietly and whispered, “Ignore her, don’t let the past get in the way of your future Hope.”
I took a deep breath and smiled and excused myself to go the ladies room. Lauren followed me. We didn’t talk about Mikayla or Kennedy, but I knew that she was silently showing me support. She spoke to me like I was part of the family and I felt comfort in her familiarity. I touched up my lipstick and decided Lauren was right, I wasn’t going to ruin the night with my insecurities.
After dinner, Kennedy and I danced together. He held me close and I could feel eyes on us. I caught some of the younger women staring with what I thought might be jealousy on their faces. Were some of these women people who Kennedy had “arrangements” with before me? Was I staring at a bevy of beautiful women that had slept with him? Jealousy and insecurity crept in even as he held me close. When the music stopped, he whispered in my ear. “I can’t stop thinking about taking that dress off of you.” I felt his breath on my neck and it sent goose bumps down my arms and legs. All it took was a few words and I had forgotten my jealousy.
When the dance ended, Garrett walked over and asked me for the next dance. I could see Kennedy’s jaw tighten and he begrudgedly allowed me dance with his brother. Garrett held me tighter than someone who I had just met should while we danced. He was charming and handsome and while he clearly was aware of his charms, it came off as boyish confidence instead of arrogance for some reason. He looked at me while we danced. “So, you must be someone very special for Kennedy to bring you here.”
I smiled, unsure if the statement required an actual response. “Umm..Thank you?”
He laughed. “You're welcome.”
His statement was kind but I wasn’t sure if his brother meant that Kennedy didn’t bring women to events like this or if this particular event was important to Kennedy. I tucked the question in the back of my mind for later. Before the song had fully ended, Kennedy was already at our side. “Okay little brother, you’ve had your fun, get your ass back to your own date and hands off my woman.” My woman? Sort of cavemanish, but I liked it anyway. I smiled at Garrett and shrugged my shoulders. He shook his head and laughed and walked away.
A few hours later, we were saying our goodbyes when an attractive older woman approached me. Kennedy had gone to get our coats and I was standing alone. The woman gently reached out and took my hand in hers. “I just wanted you to know how thrilled I am to see Kennedy happy my dear. I know he’s dated over the years, but in the fifteen years since he started the foundation, he has never brought anyone here. I know Kelly would be happy...wherever she is.” She smiled at me with tears in her eyes and gave me a gentle hug. I smiled back, and felt, rather than saw, Kennedy return to my side.
“Kennedy, as always, thank you for your generosity to the foundation.” The woman reached up and put her hand on his check. She turned to me. “You take good care of him my dear.” Then she walked away.
Kennedy held my coat for me to put on and then lead me to the valet with his hand on my lower back. We stepped outside into the cool air and I almost froze when I saw Mikayla standing there. A dazzling smile on her face she ignored me completely. “Kennedy, how wonderful to see you.”
Kennedy nodded his head curtly, “Mikayla.” His tone a warning. I felt his grip tighten on my back and he moved to stand closer to me. No other words were spoken and we waited in uncomfortable silence for our car.
We were both quiet on the ride home. I had so many questions to ask but I wanted to be able to see his face when he answered them. He poured himself something into a crystal tumbler and handed me a glass of wine. I watched him throw back the liquid in his glass in one long swallow
. I resisted the urge to give in to my insecurities as long as I could. “Who’s Kelly?” My voice just above a whisper.
Kennedy went to refill his glass. I watched as he loosened his tie and took off his jacket. He didn’t turn to me when he spoke. “I don’t want to talk about it Hope.”
I stared at him from across the room, he didn’t look my way. I needed reassurances and he wasn’t going to give me any. He finished his second drink and placed the glass on the table. I watched him struggle with something. My heart started to pound and I wasn’t sure what to do. I suddenly felt I should go home and sleep in my own bed tonight. But my bed was a thousand miles away and I had nowhere to run.
“I’m going to go to bed.” I swallowed hard, fighting back tears.
I took my time in the bathroom and changed into my robe. I got into the empty bed and tried to relax myself with a few deep breaths. My head was spinning and I felt alone. I was exhausted but it still took a long time for sleep to find me.
***
I woke up the next morning and was relieved to find Kennedy asleep next to me. I watched him sleep and thought about the night before. We hadn’t had a fight and he didn’t actually do anything wrong. He had things he didn’t want to talk about and that was okay. Everyone had issues and we didn’t really know each other that long. Yet it still hurt.
We spent the day together and neither of us spoke about the night before. We cooked breakfast and lunch in our pajamas and I did my best not to think about Mikayla or Kelly or any other women that might have touched Kennedy. It was a nice day and we laughed a lot, but something was different.
Chapter 16
The next week we spoke every day, as if nothing weird had happened. I had known for the last two weeks that I wasn’t going to see him this weekend, because he was flying to London on Thursday night for what he called an “overdue business trip.” But after last weekend, it made it more difficult to not be with him.
Thursday afternoon my phone rang and I shut my office door when I saw his name on the screen. “Hey. This is a surprise, to what do I owe the pleasure of a mid day call from a busy executive.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I smiled. “You’re pretty hard to stop thinking about yourself Mr. Jenner.”
“Come with me to London tonight.” He was serious.
My stomach did a flip. “I’d love to, but I can’t. I don’t get any time off from work for the first three months.”
His voice was low and edgy. “I can’t wait another full week to see you Hope.”
I hated the thought of not seeing him too. “Me too. But next week is Thanksgiving and I am flying to Oregon Wednesday night after work. I made the plans before I even moved to New York.”
“Can I join you?” His voice turned gruff. “I need to be with you.”
“I’d love that.” I closed my eyes, excited at the thought of being with him in Oregon, but terrified of what he would see.
“I’ll have Marcy make the arrangements.” He exhaled audibly.
We talked a while longer and I told him about my plans to meet Shauna and her new basketball player for sushi Saturday night.
“Just the three of you?” I knew what he was asking.
“Shauna knows I am not interested in meeting anyone Kennedy.”
“It isn’t Shauna I am worried about.”
A long pause. “Well you need to trust me Kennedy.”
“I do trust you, it’s the three million men in that city that I don’t trust.”
I laughed at his response, but he didn’t. “Okay honey. I need to get back to work.”
“Okay beautiful.”
I disconnected and stared at my phone. His jealous tone had an edge that made my pulse speed up and heart thump faster against the wall of my chest.
***
Saturday night came and Charles dropped me uptown at the Japanese restaurant where I was meeting Shauna and her basketball player Jeremy. Kennedy had insisted that Charles drive me and wait while we had dinner so that I didn’t take the subway uptown at night. I agreed because it made him feel better, but it also allowed me to wear the cutest pair of silver tie up Jimmy Choos that I had been dying to wear but were not made for subways.
Shauna jumped up and down with excitement when I entered the restaurant. Jeremy stood almost a good foot taller than her even though she was tall and wore heels. I saw another exceptionally tall man standing near Jeremy and Jeremy introduced him as his teammate Derek. I eyed Shauna angrily and she gave me a small smile and shrugged her shoulders as if to say, it wasn’t her fault.
Dinner was delicious and the Saki helped me relax. Derek and Jeremy were both very nice and I managed to relax a bit and enjoy their company. We all laughed as Shauna told stories about the different ways she and her squad mates managed to sneak out after curfew when they were traveling for games. Derek and Jeremy didn’t seem the least surprised when she told them that the fire drill the hotel had three nights ago was actually the product of a lot of flirting with the hotel manager when they found themselves unable to sneak back onto the floor due to team security.
When we exited the restaurant a few fans gathered asking Derek and Jeremy for autographs and I saw a few flashes from pictures. I called Charles and told him I was done and waited out front for him to pull around the block. Shauna hugged me and reminded me that tomorrow was pajama Sunday at my place and Derek put his arm around her around her and smiled at me. “She might be a little late.” Shauna giggled.
As Charles pulled up Jeremy reached for my hand and politely reached down and kissed my cheek. “It was nice to meet you Jeremy.”
He looked down at me. “Can I see you again?”
I smiled flattered. “I have a boyfriend.”
He smiled back “Lucky bastard.”
***
Sunday morning I awoke early to a pounding headache and ringing cell phone. “Good morning.” My voice was still groggy. “What time is it there?”
Kennedy was awake and alert. “Two in the afternoon. Rough night?”
“Shauna and Saki. It’s a deadly combination.”
“I bet.”
“Where are you?” I heard voices in the background.
“Trafalgar Square. I was in a meeting but needed to take a walk to clear my head.”
“Everything okay?” He sounded stressed.
“I’m not sure. Why don’t you tell me about your night? ” My sleepy fog disappearing at his words.
I sat up. “You know I had plans to meet Shauna and Jeremy for dinner. I didn’t know Jeremy was going to bring a friend.”
He took a deep breath. “And.”
“And we had dinner and then I went home, alone. But I’m sure you already knew that since I suspect you already spoke to Charles.”
“I haven’t spoken to Charles.”
I was confused. “Then how did you know?”
He ignored my question. “Were you planning on telling me about your double date?”
I was annoyed at his insinuation. “It wasn’t a double date, and if you hadn’t called me accusing me of something, I would have told you. I don’t have anything to hide.”
I thought for a second. “And what were you doing last night Kennedy?” Maybe the reason that he didn’t trust me had nothing to do with what I did last night.
“I had dinner with a seventy year old man and then went back to my hotel and went to sleep.”
I didn’t know what to say in response. We were both quiet for a moment. “I need to get back to my meeting. I’ll call you tonight.”
“Okay.”
“And Hope, take a look at page 52 of the New York Daily.” And then he hung up.
I got out of bed and went in search of ibuprofen and coffee. The New York Daily? Why did I need to read the Daily. I didn’t read it often, although it was a popular paper, I thought they concentrated too much on sports.
***
By the time Shauna came over in her pajamas for our planned movie day
at three, I was already three freakouts passed being freaked out. I remembered the precise moment the photo on page 52 must have been snapped. His large hand was wrapped around the top of my arm and he was leaning in and saying something to me while looking down and smiling. I was looking up and smiling. He had just told me that the guy I was dating was a lucky bastard, but the photo didn’t make it look like we were discussing my boyfriend. It looked like they had captured us in an intimate exchange. No wonder Kennedy was so upset. The visual was bad. If the roles were reversed, and I was looking at a picture of him looking at a woman like that, I would have been just as upset.
“Well,” Shauna did her best to find the bright side. “At least you look hot.”
“Great.” I gulped my water. “I’m sure Kennedy finds that very comforting right now.”
Shauna knew what I was thinking. “If you think he’s going to dump you over some silly picture, you haven’t been paying attention to the way that man looks at you Hope.”
“You didn’t hear him, he was really pissed.”
“He’s 3,000 miles away and jealous.” Shauna sat down on the couch. “You may not think so now, but this might actually be good for your relationship.”
I looked at her like she was insane. “Sure, pictures of me smiling adoringly at another man will probably make him propose.”
“A man like Kennedy struggles when he finds a woman like you. He isn’t used to relationships and feels like he isn’t supposed to want to be in one. At first he will fight it, but eventually he will realize he needs to stop fighting it and start fighting for it. The picture just helped him make the move to fighting for you.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed it. I thought she was crazy, but I knew she meant well. “I hope you’re right, because I’m in love with him Shauna.”
She smiled confidently. “I know I’m right. And I knew you were in love with him before you did Hopeless.” She bumped her shoulder into mine and called me one of the hundreds of nicknames that she had created over the years.