by Bowles, Jan
Kelly knew that Matthew was real angry as he thrust his head to within inches of the odious investigator. “Oh, you recognize me all right, Dwaine. Let me tell you how. Either you or someone you’ve hired hid fifteen cameras in my club. Fucking fifteen, Dwaine. Do you want me to pound on your head for each one I found? Your little electronic gadgets have taken a series of compromising photos of me and the lady here, and let’s just say, Dwaine, that I want every single digital copy in your possession, otherwise I’m gonna hurt you real bad.”
Jackson spread his arms wide in appeasement. He sweated profusely and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief again. “Look, we’re both reasonable men, but I have my client’s confidentiality to consider.”
Matthew almost choked on the guy’s words. “Fucking confidentiality. You’ve broken every privacy law in the state of Massachusetts. Fucking low-life scum. I’m done with you.” Matthew locked his hands around Jackson’s thick neck. “Listen up, Dwaine, you got precisely ten seconds to tell me what I want to know, or I’m gonna rip you a new asshole. Do I make myself absolutely clear?”
A loud rap on the office door had them all turning in that direction. “You all right in there, Dwaine?” his receptionist asked in a worried voice.
Jackson swallowed, and then coughed. Rivers of sweat flowed over Matthew’s fingers, which tightly gripped his throat. He coughed again. “I’m real fine, cupcake, me and Mr. Smith are just discussing business.”
“Okay, as long as you’re sure.” Her faltering words didn’t convince Kelly. She wondered if Jackson’s receptionist would call the cops.
Matthew leaned in closer still. He was a big strong guy in his prime, and could do real damage to someone as out of condition as Dwaine Jackson. “Start talking, lowlife, before you and cupcake are parted for good.”
Kelly figured it was time to step in. Even though Matthew had made it clear he wanted to deal with this himself, she placed her hand on his shoulder. “Matt,” she cooed softly and calmly. “Let me try the woman’s touch.”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed on her, but he let Jackson go as though he’d just been burned. He stalked over to the window. “Two minutes, princess, then I get to see what he ate for breakfast.”
Kelly forced herself to smile sweetly at the private eye. The guy had a real problem with body odor. “Mr. Jackson, allow me to explain matters in a coolheaded manner. Give me the name of the person who hired you, and I will give you a thousand dollars in cash. If you decide not to accept my generous offer, then I’ll let my boyfriend finish what he started. As you can see from his angry demeanor, he won’t take much persuasion. Do I make myself absolutely clear, Mr. Jackson?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Matthew pressed the elevator button marked “Executive Suite,” and glanced quickly in Kelly’s direction. On the journey to McCloud Energy, she’d barely said two words. He guessed she was still smarting with what she’d found out from Dwaine Jackson. He shook his head in dismay. Why would anyone do such a thing to a woman as wonderful as Kelly? The news had clearly come as a total shock. Her face was pale, and her lashes were lowered as she stared at the elevator floor.
He tried a little gentle questioning. “How you feeling, princess?”
“Numb.”
“So what are you gonna do? You can’t let this pass. You need to kick ass.”
“I know and I will, but I still feel sad and betrayed that someone so close to me, could be so hateful.”
“I’m still pissed that you gave a thousand bucks to that lowlife Dwaine Jackson. Why’d you do it?”
She raised her gaze from the elevator floor and stared directly at him. “Because it was better than seeing you beat the crap out of him and ending up in jail. You’d have killed him if I hadn’t been there.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I get real angry when my blood’s up, and some punk’s hurting the woman I love.” There was a slight jolt and the elevator doors swished open. “We’re here.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “At least Jackson handed over the illegal images.”
Kelly shrugged. “That’s something, I suppose.” They stepped from the executive elevator and headed toward her office. She suddenly stopped outside in the corridor, reluctant to push open the door.
He gently took hold of her hands. “Do you want to do this on your own? I’m here if you need me.”
“I’m fine. I have to do this alone.”
“Okay, your call.” It broke his heart to see her looking so pale and disheartened. “If there weren’t so many of your employees about, I’d put my arms around you and hug you tight.”
Kelly smiled. “Go right ahead. After what I’ve been through this weekend, I could do with a cuddle. I’m proud of you, Matt, and I love you. I don’t care who sees us together.”
He leaned forward and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest, fully aware of the curious eyes in the adjacent offices, watching them intently.
Kelly whispered close to his ear, “That’s lovely, you’re so warm. I enjoy what we do at Club Submission. We’re not inflicting our lifestyle on anyone else. So to anyone who disapproves, I say quit being so interested in my life and get a life of your own. I won’t be blackmailed into hiding, Matt. That’s something I’ve learned these past few days. You’ve taught me so much. You’ve taught me how to live, and more importantly how to love.”
“I’m so proud of you, Kelly McCloud.” He kissed the top of her head, and held her close. “You’re my woman, and I love you…” He took a deep breath. “So very, very much, lady. Together we can overcome anything. Together we’re invincible.”
She lifted her head from his chest, and looked at him with those beautiful silver eyes of hers. “I know.” He could just make out a teardrop threatening to run down her cheek. Kelly nodded, stroked his arm, and then stepped away from his embrace. Standing tall, she pushed open the door to her office, and strode purposefully inside.
* * * *
Kelly sagged in her executive, leather chair, and held her head in her hands, slowly massaging her throbbing temples. She really didn’t want to do this, but as the boss, the buck stopped with her. Sometimes life threw up shit that no one could anticipate, and this was one of those times. Reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, she pressed the button on her intercom, connecting her with reception. “Can you come to my office please, Eve?”
“Certainly, Kelly. Shall I bring the diary?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Within a few seconds there was a rap at the office door, and Eve entered, exactly as she’d done a thousand times before. First with her father, and now with her.
Kelly motioned to the chair on the other side of her desk. “Take a seat, please.”
Eve looked slightly anxious. “You don’t look too good, Kelly.”
Kelly shook her head and sighed. “That’s hardly surprising with the weekend I’ve had.” She folded her arms across her chest. “But then you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Eve.”
“Excuse me?” Eve’s brows drew together forming a frown. “I don’t follow you.”
“I think you do. I think you’re obsessed with me. Whatever made you do it?”
The color had drained from Eve’s face, giving a clearer indication of her guilt. “Do what, honey? I’ve worked at McCloud Energy for forty years. First with your father in charge and now with you heading the company. Is there a problem with my work?”
Kelly felt as though she were in a bad dream and would wake up at any moment. Of all her employees, she thought that Eve would be the last person to betray her. When Dwaine Jackson divulged her name, she’d been stunned. Too stunned to believe him at first. Then slowly the pieces had started to fit together.
Kelly studied her former friend and confidant with a fresh set of eyes. Now in her early sixties, Eve was an integral part of McCloud Energy. Tall, and slender, she sat in the chair opposite with her hands knitted nervously together. Before her father had died, she’d always been a bottl
e blonde, but recently she’d allowed her short bob to turn a natural silver gray. It suited her oval face, which even now showed no sign of remorse.
“So, Eve, we reach an impasse. I know you’re responsible for the photographs secretly taken at Club Submission, and you know it, too.”
Regaining her composure, Eve was unafraid to hold Kelly’s gaze. “Photographs? Club Submission? I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, honey. May I suggest a little time away? Perhaps a vacation would do you good.”
“Does the name Dwaine Jackson mean anything to you?”
Eve’s eyes briefly flickered with recognition. “Fuck you, Kelly.”
“But why, Eve. Why did you do it? I thought we were friends? I’ve known you since I was a kid. You used to come to our house for dinner, for Christ’s sake.”
“Why? I’ll tell you why. Because I wanted ‘little miss I’ve got everything’ to feel as cold, empty, and frightened as I do.” She spat the words out with such hatred it unnerved Kelly slightly.
This usually accommodating and placid lady, whom she’d known all her life, had suddenly become an evil, vengeful caricature of herself. “That still doesn’t tell me why. I’m still trying to understand why you would jeopardize forty years with the company. You’re due for retirement and a considerable annuity at the end of the year. Why throw it all away, Eve? Why? Why? Why?”
Eve snapped her fingers dismissively. “Money means nothing to me, Kelly. I loved your father. It’s as simple as that. I loved him even when your mother was alive. When she died, it was God’s way of telling me that we were meant to be together.” She threw back her head and laughed hysterically. “Only, Jed had another woman in his life, who was far more important than I could ever be. You, Kelly, you. You may have only been five when your mother died, and can barely remember her, but you had a power over Jed McCloud that most adult women could only dream of. Oh sure, after your mother died, I was there when your father needed comforting, or when he needed sex, but he’d never commit to me.
“You wouldn’t believe the number of times he’d call with an excuse.” Eve pointed a finger. “You make me sick. He’d say Kelly’s ill. Kelly’s fallen off her horse, and I can’t leave her. It’s Kelly’s birthday party. Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. Fucking Kelly.” Tears suddenly flowed unchecked down Eve’s face. “What about me, what about me? Don’t I deserve a life, too? I gave your father forty years. The best years of my life, waiting for him to take notice of me, waiting for him to love me like he loved your mother, and now he’s dead, it’ll never happen.” Her eyes narrowed with hate and bitterness as she stared across the desk at Kelly. “We could have had a happy life together, if it wasn’t for you.
“So when that good-looking guy turned up at reception one day asking for you, I knew he was nothing to do with McCloud business. That’s when I hired Dwaine Jackson to dig deeper. It didn’t take long for him to expose you for what you are. A dirty little tramp who engages in ungodly sex. If Jed had known what a common little whore his daughter really was, he’d have lavished his love and attention on me, instead of you.”
Kelly wanted to feel angry, she really did, but instead she felt only pity. “You’re mistaken, Eve. You think my father was devoted to me, and up to a point you’re right, but the real love of his life was McCloud Energy. It was his mistress, it consumed him. It’s what took him to an early grave.” Kelly pointed across the desk. “Dad could have had a relationship with you if he’d wanted to. He just chose not to.”
Eve sobbed inconsolably. “You fucking bitch. It’s all your fault.”
If ever Kelly needed more evidence not to let work take over her life, this was it. Her father was fond of Eve, but nothing more than that.
“So what are you going to do?” Eve eventually asked, as she dabbed at her eyes.
“I’m not gonna call the police. You’re sick, you need help, not punishment.” Kelly figured Eve was having a nervous breakdown. “As from today, you no longer work for McCloud Energy. I’ll honor your contract, even though you’re leaving early.”
Eve stood and gathered what composure she could muster. “I see.”
Determined to remain strong, Kelly stoically pursed her lips together. “Please believe me when I say it’s for the best. I’m sorry it finished this way. I really am.”
Eve nodded, and then turned on her heels and walked from the office.
When she was finally left alone, Kelly wilted in her chair. Her hands shook as she wiped a teardrop from her eye. Eve had never married. She’d given the best years of her life to the company, but was now a broken woman. Why did life have to be so fucking cruel? She wouldn’t allow McCloud Energy to consume her like it had Eve and her father.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Matthew had intended to leave and get back to Club Submission. After all, there was a serious amount of work required to get the place back into order. Ethan and he had practically pulled the joint apart, tracking down the hidden cameras, which Dwaine Jackson had planted there. In the end, something almost indefinable had kept him from leaving Kelly’s place of work. Call it a gut reaction, call it the love of a good woman, but he knew Kelly needed him. For all her resourcefulness and power, she needed him like she’d never needed him before. He figured they’d come to that stage in their relationship where neither could relax without the other around.
Approximately ten minutes after she’d summoned Eve to her office, he’d watched the older woman slip tearfully from the room. With her face set in stone, and without saying a word, she’d gathered the meager possessions from her desk, and walked forlornly to the elevator. He supposed that would be the last he would see of her. Jesus, how he’d wanted to stop her in her tracks, and demand to know why she’d caused so much fucking trouble, but this was Kelly’s call, and he wouldn’t interfere in her business decisions.
After a further five minutes, and still no sign of Kelly, Matthew decided to take matters into his own hands, and let himself into her office. Clearly distressed and emotional, she sat behind her impressive desk, her beautiful face buried in her hands. His heart went out to her, and he hated to see her so unhappy. He figured Eve was the last person she would have suspected of invading her privacy. Did she doubt her own judgment now?
“Are you okay, Kelly?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I still can’t believe it was Eve all along. It just shows you can’t trust anyone, even after forty years of loyal service.”
“You can trust me. You know that, don’t you, princess?”
“Yes.”
“So how did you handle it?”
“I fired her. What else could I do? I feel guilty, but—” She spread her hands wide, trying to express how she felt. “The woman is clearly unstable. I think she loved my father so much that his death unhinged her. I could press charges, but I won’t. I’ll even honor her pension.” A deep sad sigh left her lips. “She and my father gave their lives to make McCloud Energy what it is today, but I now know it didn’t make either of them truly happy.”
He walked behind her and gently massaged the tense muscles in her neck. She moved her head from side to side appreciatively. “Relax, princess, relax, I’m taking you home.”
“But what about work? I’ve got so much to do.”
“I’m giving you the day off.” With that he scooped her from the executive leather chair and carried her to the door. This powerful, intelligent woman seemed to weigh practically nothing, and it pleased him that she threw her arms around his neck, and clung to him like her life depended on it.
“Okay, you’re the boss.”
* * * *
Some forty minutes later Matthew eased the Jaguar onto his driveway. Kelly had barely uttered two words during the journey. He caressed a hand to her cheek, enjoying her response as she craved his attention. She was so beautiful, and even though she was a powerful woman in her own right, he still wanted to wrap her in his arms and shield her from the evils of the world. Maybe some sex play would take her mind
off things.
He eased himself from the driver’s seat, then strode around and opened her door.
She slipped elegantly from the Jag, and teased her fingers over his forearm. “I’ll go put some coffee on.” A smile briefly brushed her luscious lips, lips he wanted to kiss, to taste.
Staring into her mesmerizing silver eyes, he leaned down and touched his mouth to hers. “Keep the coffee on hold. I have something else in mind.” He slid his hands down her body and cupped her ass, squeezing it as he pulled her hard against him. Her pupils dilated, and she wound her arms around his neck, teasing her fingers through his hair.
“Mmm, and what exactly do you have in mind?” A sexy grin formed on her perfect heart-shaped face.
“Oh, I think you know, or maybe you need further instruction from your boss.”
“Sir, I don’t know wh—”
A squeal of surprise left Kelly’s lips as he roughly pushed a hand between her legs, and manhandled her over his shoulder. “I think some extra training is required.” He playfully slapped her ass, as he carried her into the house and up the stairs two at a time, enjoying her giggles and mock outrage.
Presented in intimidating purples and black, the master suite boasted an impressive selection of correctional equipment. A sawhorse and bondage table took positions of priority, while two heavyweight chains, complete with cast-iron manacles hung expectantly from the ceiling. This was his own personal playroom, and the ideal place to bring wayward slaves back into line. He laughed to himself. He’d soon make her straighten up and fly right.
Matthew leaned forward and tipped her submissive body onto the bed. She lay flat on her back, unafraid to hold his gaze. He then slipped the elegant black court shoes from her perfect tiny feet. Cupping an exquisitely formed foot in his hand, he tenderly kissed each individual toe. They flexed and curled appreciatively, and he heard a contented feline purr slip from her beautiful parted lips. He smiled—“You like this, don’t you?”—as he worked his way from the delicate bone structure of her ankle, trailing kisses up the silky smooth skin of her creamy calf, before dipping his tongue in that incredibly sexy hollow at the back of her knee.