by Emelia Blair
An hour later she exits the shower, her hair wet but combed, dressed in a casual blouse and jeans, she looks surprised to see the breakfast laid out.
“I ordered it up,” I explain. “They have a buffet as well, but we have a full day of activities planned.” I pick up my iPad where I’ve made a list of places we can visit. “I’ve also scheduled in breaks and…what?”
Kendall is staring at me with a pitying expression. “You made a schedule?”
Feeling defensive, I frown. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” She leans over and plucks the slim tablet from my hands, glancing through it. “You can’t have fun on a schedule. It has to be spontaneous.”
“We’ll miss out on things,” I protest. “There’s a lot to see here.” And suddenly, it occurs to me that I’m excited as well. Excited to explore this city with the woman I love by my side, to spend time with Kendall in a capacity that is not official.
“I thought we had four days to spare. One today, and then after the ball event.” She goes through my schedule and then closes the tablet. “Let’s just pick one place and see where it takes us.” Then she tosses me a careful look. “It’s just a suggestion. I mean, I’m ok with the schedule too, I guess.”
She’s been surprisingly relaxed and since I want her to remain in that mood, I end up saying, “We can try it your way today.”
When she ducks her face behind her hair and grins, I wonder if I’ve just been led by the nose into doing what she wants.
We spend the whole day glued to each other and I see a side of Kendall that I’ve never seen before. There’s awe in her eyes, barely concealed excitement and she often ends up clutching at me to point something out.
The tourist guidebook in her hand looks worn out by the afternoon and when we stop for lunch, I take her to a famous restaurant that I had looked up.
A shift comes over her when she realizes where we’re going, and she looks uncomfortable.
When she glances down at her clothes, I blink. “What’s wrong?”
She looks uneasy. “I’m not exactly dressed for a five-star restaurant.”
“You look wonderful,” I say lightly.
She pointedly turns to look out the window.
A sound from her phone has her looking down at it and she grins.
“What is it?”
“Jace texted me a whole story about some accounting thing that makes no sense.” She snickers. “He has the most awful stories to tell.”
Something darkly possessive rears its head in me and my voice is stiff. “I didn’t know you were friends with Jace.”
Kendall is busy formulating a reply to the text. “We go out for lunch sometimes.”
“I see.”
She looks up at my tone and watches with me with a laser focus. “What?”
I open my mouth to tell her not to be too friendly with a guy that’s not me, to say something to brand her, but instead the words that come out of my mouth are, “I’m glad you’ve made a friend.”
I can tell from her eyes that she doesn’t quite believe me, but she lets it go.
But I don’t.
In my gut, there’s this churning, ticking of a clock, telling me that someone out there could see her for all she has to offer and take her. So, if I want her to tie her to me, it has to be quick.
While lunch is a fascinating experience with Kendall never having eaten Lobster before and watching her try to figure it out as very entertaining, Jace has taken up a place in the back of my mind.
He’s clearly interested in her.
And Kendall can’t see it yet.
Despite his words to me, he is pursuing her.
I have half a mind to transfer him to one of my companies in the UK. Dark satisfaction accompanies those thoughts before I realize that it would upset Kendall to lose a friend when she has so few to begin with.
It’s her happiness which is a priority for me, and I sulk to myself at this new thorn in my side.
“What’s wrong with you?” Kendall asks me a few hours later, as we explore the Museum of Art. “You look like you’re plotting someone’s demise.”
I glance down at her. “Maybe I am.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You’ve been like this ever since I told you about Jace.”
Sharp little thing.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say casually.
She struggles to say something, and I wait until she snaps her mouth shut and just moves on.
“The ball’s tomorrow,” she finally says as we are on our way back to the hotel.
“I attended the one last year. It’ very impressionable.” I muse. “You’ll like it. They turn the entire estate into this fairy tale of lights and magic.”
“’A night that never ends’,” Kendall murmurs and at a surprised glance from me, she shrugs half defensively. “I looked it up. It’s supposed to be the event of the year. So many people, though.”
“Not all of them will be strangers,” I assure her and at the question in her eyes, I tell her, “You’ve made a name for yourself amongst some of my business partners. And someone…”—Lucas— “Has let it slip that you’re my date for the Ball. So, they’re all looking forward to seeing you again.”
Kendall gapes at me and then in a mixture of embarrassment and pride at being acknowledged for her work, she ducks her face behind her hair, forcing me to hide my fond smile.
And then the rest of my words dawn on her and she stills, turning to look at me. “I thought you said this wasn’t a date.”
I study her patiently. “No, you said it wasn’t a date. I never agreed to it.”
Her mouth works open and she’s trying to say something.
I lightly touch her hand, my words serious. “Kendall, I would never do anything to you without your permission.”
However, this statement has the opposite effect than what I had been hoping for.
Her eyes widen and she says accusingly, “Aha! So, you do want to do something to me!” Abruptly, she realizes what she’s said and then she goes again, trying to fix this.
I laugh at her silently in amusement. Finally, I take pity on her. “I haven’t exactly been subtle. But my promise stands: Not until you’re ready and not until you approach me.”
“You’re my boss!” she exclaims loudly as if hearing the words will snap me out of this whole idea.
“Your point being?” I ask politely.
This attitude makes her bare her teeth at me in annoyance. “Isn’t it against company rules?” She sounds too triumphant for my liking.
“No.” My answer is short.
“What if you decide to fire me, once you know, we, uh —”
Her face is so bright red that warning bells ring in my head.
Wait, is she a—?
It’s not something I can ask her outright. But something warm fills my chest and I suddenly feel strange, almost nervous.
I never feel nervous.
“Your terms, Kendall. Always on your terms. And no, I wouldn’t. You’re too good at your job to be let go. And besides, you’re my PA. You’re not a company employee. You’re mine.”
The double meaning in those words doesn’t skip her and her lips part.
I watch with interest as her pupils dilate.
She wants me too.
But she’s holding back.
Well, I lean back in my seat, musing, whatever it is, holding her back, I’ll find it and crush it with my bare hands.
Her path has always been intertwined with mine and so it shall remain.
Kendall is wary around me once we reach the hotel room and it is only when I assure her that I have some work to do and that she can sleep first, that she climbs into bed.
The day has been so long that she falls asleep almost instantly.
When I know there is no fear of being caught, I watch her for a while, lost in thought.
I go to bed a while later, careful of lying on my own side of the bed. But Ke
ndall gravitates towards my warmth in her sleep and this time, I watch her as she settles herself in my arms as if instinct is guiding her. But she’s fast asleep.
I stroke her hair and press my lips against her forehead, lovingly, murmuring, “I absolutely adore you, my little spitfire.”
When she shifts in her sleep, I leave her be, and reach out to turn off the lamp, wrapping my arms around her, enjoying the feel of her body against mine. My cock stirs but I ignore it in favor of simply holding Kendall who keeps seeking me out in her sleep.
As I fall asleep, I think I hear her murmur my name in her dreams.
“You could have gone to a salon,” I say loudly from outside the bathroom.
I hear a clutter inside and soft cursing, before Kendall complains, “Stop talking! You’re distracting me.”
I tuck my hands in the pants of my tuxedo, impatient to see her.
But it seems that while I may have tons of patience and the ability to outwait any potential opponent when it comes to the rest of the world, none of it holds in front of this woman, and I find myself asking again, “Do you need some help?”
“I swear to God, Caleb, if you don’t shut up…”
The threat in her voice is menacing and my eyes widen at her tone. She must be really angry if she’s telling her boss to shut up.
Sufficiently chastised, I go sit on the bed, my eyes on the bathroom door, willing Kendall to walk out in three, two, one – I sigh.
Resting my forearms against my thighs, I wonder whether Oliver will come. He had been issued an invitation but since he’s been settling some affairs back in London, I really don’t know whether he’ll make it back in time. He had been quite irritated at the possibility of missing out on showing his wife off.
I’m about to reach for my phone to text him when I hear the click of the bathroom lock and I automatically look up.
My mouth becomes dry as I take in the vision of loveliness before me. My heart is beating loudly as I rake my eyes over the way the dress falls over the elegant line of her shoulders, revealing a modest of cleavage. Her full breasts are highlighted with the flirty v-shaped neckline, as the dress hugs her dainty waist and her slim hips, the hem barely kissing the floor.
Kendall has done something to her hair. It’s an elegant knot with some strands deliberately escaping to frame her face. Her makeup is so simple that it makes her stand out even more. She’s done something to make her eyes even darker which makes the light hazel look even more enchanting and her lips are fuller, but with some pale lipstick.
My fingers reach for the stone I carry with me everywhere, a reminder of her, her presence on my person all the time.
“Well?” She looks anxious, her silver heels tapping on the floor, impatiently. “Does it pass for the fancy looks women usually wear?”
I stand up and prowl around her, dark possessiveness in my eyes as I purr, “Everybody will pale in comparison to you tonight!”
She clears her throat, suddenly nervous. “That’s not what I was asking, but okay thanks.”
“Where’s your jewelry?” I ask, resisting the urge to mark her as mine, to leave my brand on her skin my eyes focusing on her.
“I…?” There’s something in her eyes as she watches me circle around her. “I – they’re in the box. They’re in the box.”
I reach out and touch one carefully placed strand of hair. I curl it around my finger, my eyes fixed on her darkening ones, as I suggest softly, “Maybe you should go wear it.”
She swallows but makes no move to leave.
I tug on her curl and she automatically steps forward to stop me from ruining it and then we’re chest to chest. I release the piece of hair I’ve captured in favor of running my finger down the side of her face, memorizing her features. “Of all the memories we share, this particular moment I’ll never forget.”
It’s an odd thing to say but something shifts behind her eyes, something soft and uncertain, something dark and demanding, something she’s trying to suppress.
Her breath is on my face, warm, and I want to lean down and capture her lips. I want to rip this dress off her, bend her over, and fuck her until the only word she can remember is my name. I want to ruin her, strip her of everything and use my body to brand her as mine until my touch is all she knows.
Her lips have parted as if she can understand what I’m thinking.
I take a shuddering breath and murmur, “I’ll bring your jewelry.”
She closes her eyes and nods, biting down on her lip as if to restrain herself.
As I walk over to where the box lies, quiet and unassuming, I take out the shimmering jewels, and tell myself that the day will come when I can adorn her in every jewel I want, till my heart is satiated.
I hold up the earrings to her and she takes them from, putting them on. There’s this tension in the room, so thick you could cut it with a knife. There’s a hunger strumming inside of us that both of us are not ready to fulfill.
When she reaches for the necklace, I step back. “Let me.” I walk around her and let my fingers graze her swan like neck as I close the clasp at her nape. One hand on her shoulder, I turn her around, and she lets me.
Her eyes are half closed as she studies me through hooded lids.
I meet her gaze and then lower my eyes to the shimmering diamonds resting just above her cleavage. My fingers reach out to touch them.
She immediately grasps my hand, her chest heaving, as a blush crawls down her neck and she lets out a small whimper, “No. Please don’t.”
“Of course.” I step back and from her eyes, I see that she wants to follow.
But this is a long game I’m playing. And the fact that she is succumbing to her feelings, to her desires, that’s a victory enough for me. I will wait until she’s so desperate that she begs me to take her.
And then I’ll ruin her for any other man but myself.
It will be my touch that she’ll crave with every breath. It will be my kiss she will hunger for, only my body that will satisfy her.
A long game indeed.
12
Kendall
Caleb’s presence is intoxicating.
The way he’s touching me, the hunger in his eyes; no one has ever looked at me like that. When his hands reached out to touch the cold diamonds that burned against my skin, I had known, instinctively that if he touched me now, he would own me.
I wouldn’t be able to resist him.
I swallow, turning to stare out the window of the car.
I can feel his gaze on me, occasionally, but he doesn’t say anything, just watches, assesses.
What am I to Caleb?
Why has he been looking for me?
Why is he doing all this for me, for someone whose existence is so inconsequential?
There’s something thrilling about being wanted by someone like him, the darkest parts of me preen at the attention before I subdue them. Giving in to Caleb could jeopardize my job, everything that I have now. And besides, the man has so many secrets that I can smell them at this point. Looking at him is like looking at a blurry figure. Something about him settles me, it calms me, and I don’t know why.
“You look like you’re going to stab somebody.”
Caleb’s amused voice reaches me, and I sigh dourly.
“My brain, most likely. But I’d rather you didn’t. I’m very fond of it,” he jokes. Then after a few moments of silence, he asks, “Are you nervous?”
“About showing up with my boss to the event of the year as his date which can possibly get tongues wagging for the next few weeks?” I give him a dry look. “Nah.”
He laughs.
The sound makes something release inside of me and I grin reluctantly. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
The car rolls to a stop and I can see the camera lights flashing outside, the shimmer of the thousand colors that mark the entrance, spectacularly, but all my eyes can see is Caleb’s silhouette in them, the way his eyes are gleaming as he holds out his hand.
“You just have to stay by my side, and you’ll have nothing to fear.”
Most people would have said ‘you’ll have nothing to worry about’.
Odd man.
But my hand is in his now, and he looks satisfied.
The door is opening and he’s helping me out and then I’m being blinded by the cameras.
An hour into the ball, I’m dazzled by it all.
Caleb is mingling with people and I’m by his side, trying to fade into the background but he’s determined not to let me.
Deliberately, it seems when he gives me a mocking look when I try to sidle away and tightens his hand on my waist.
Asshole, I think lightly.
Now that we’re inside, curiosity is getting the better of me and I want to go exploring. The estate is huge and the gardens outside even more so.
“Miss West!” I hear a booming voice which is familiar enough to make me look over my shoulder to see a portly man hurtling towards me at such speed that for a heartbeat, I fear he’s going to crash right into me.
However, he stops in record time, beaming at me as if Christmas has come early. “You look ravishing, Miss—Can I call you Kendall?”
I don’t know why I glance at Caleb before forcing a smile on my face. “Of course.”
Thomas Wranger claps his hands.
He actually claps his hands.
I’m too busy marveling over that to listen to what he’s saying until the words ‘dance’ and ‘honored’ reach my ears.
I blink stupidly. “I’m sorry?”
“A dance. I would be honored if you would dance with me.” Thomas gives me an almost anxious look.
He’s my height and his round figure makes him appear more jolly than handsome, and yet, his features aren’t bad. There’s a childlike quality to him and yet, I know that under this appearance he hides a razor-sharp brain, capable of detecting finance trends like nobody’s business.
“I…?” I’m uncomfortable. “I’ve never…”
Caleb’s hand circles my waist in a manner that is so proprietary that it makes me flush fiercely, the message not lost on the people surrounding us, and he tugs me towards him until one of my hands is splayed on his chest, maybe in an attempt to push him away, I don’t know.