by CJ Thomas
Kendra looked around, touching her hair with an almost ghostly look on her face.
“Remember. These are just people,” I said softly, kissing her pulsing temple. “Just like you and me. Treat them no differently as you would anyone else, and I know they’ll appreciate you as much as I do.”
We shared a quick glance and she squeezed my hand as we proceeded inside. I nodded to friendly familiar faces and greeted several acquaintances as we weaved our way through the front doors and across the foyer. Kendra probably didn’t feel it, but I’d been around long enough to sense the politics buzzing in the air. This was as much a party as it was an event to cut deals with the city’s top influencers. Bureaucracy was part of any job description, but here at the mansion of the Mayor, it stank of dirty money, blood, and political favors. Perhaps that was why a criminal defense attorney like myself always seemed to be one of the first to get invited.
“Mr. Black,” the Mayor said, smiling as he approached.
“Mayor Bentley.” I extended my hand to shake his, remaining fully aware to keep one hand constantly on Kendra. “Great turnout.”
We both looked around at the many heads bobbing up and down as they swam past.
“You remember my wife, Mary, don’t you?” His toothy smile filled his face.
“Always a pleasure.” I stepped forward, bent my spine, and kissed his wife on the cheek.
“And this is my date, Kendra Williams,” I said, leaning back and nudging Kendra forward.
Mayor Bentley’s cheeks turned to apples as he lifted Kendra’s hand to his lips. “Marvelous. You’re simply marvelous.”
“Thank you.” Kendra nodded as she smiled.
“Mr. Black, I’m glad that you’re here.” Mary’s face beamed with appreciation. “I wanted to thank you in person for your generous donation to the underprivileged community school.”
“Anything to help.” I smoothed my hand around the small of Kendra’s back to curl my fingers around her waist.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t express our gratitude that night, but too many others wanted the Mayor’s ear.” She turned her head toward her husband.
Mayor Bentley let out a booming laugh. “Not a moment to rest.”
“Well, I hope to be making more contributions soon.” My lips flattened as I nodded.
Mary’s face brightened. “There is another program that I’m sure will catch your attention. I’ll be sure to send over the information to your office sometime tomorrow.”
“Just let me know.” I leaned forward, dropping my face closer to Mary. “Always happy to help the Mayor.”
More guests soon shuffled in behind us and I excused ourselves, not wanting to keep them from greeting others. It was their party, after all, and I hadn’t forgotten about the secret intentions I had waiting around the corner for Kendra, either.
We watched them move on. Beginning to feel a little overwhelmed myself—by the sheer volume flooding into the room—I turned to Kendra and said, “Care to join me on a little adventure?”
“As long as there is room to breathe.”
My lips curled. “Plenty.”
With Kendra in tow, I skirted through the crowd, leading her to the back stairs I remembered from a previous visit with the Mayor. It was just us that day, the mansion absent of partygoers which made it easy to move from one side of the building to the other, unlike tonight.
“Where are you taking me?” Kendra asked as we climbed to the second floor. “Are you sure we should be going up here?”
I’d made my face seen, spoken with the one person who mattered, so stepping away from the festivities unfolding below—if only for a few minutes—was just what I needed in order to speed up the night. “Aren’t you at least a little curious to see where the Mayor comes up with all his great ideas?”
Kendra locked her gaze on me. “Is that where you’re taking me? To his office?”
I quickened my pace. Kendra easily followed behind and I could feel the tension she was holding in her shoulders loosen with renewed excitement. In no time at all, we found the door leading to Bentley’s office and when we stopped, I turned to whisper, “Ready?”
Kendra nodded quickly with a wide grin.
I held my breath and reached for the doorknob. Slowly, I turned until the latch clicked over. Giving it a slight nudge, I peeked through the open crack to see if the room was clear. When I was sure that no one was inside, I rushed into the room, pulling Kendra along with me. She shut the door and I said, “Better lock it. I’d hate to have the Mayor walk in on me fucking you.”
Her hair flung over her shoulder as she spun her head around to look at me, seeing if I was serious.
I nodded, stepping up behind her, taking the flesh of her hips between my fingers. “Lock it.”
Without further hesitation, Kendra did as she was told. She twirled her body around inside my arms and kissed me with feverish passion.
I curled my tongue over hers, clawing and digging my hands into her body. With each swipe of her tongue, I led her closer to the Mayor’s desk. Lifting her dress up above her waist, I set her down on the edge and immediately brought my hand to her sex.
“You knew all along that this was what you wanted, didn’t you?” Kendra clawed at my chest.
“I suppose I gave too much away.”
She nipped at my bottom lip. “I’m on to you, Kelly Black. You’re more of an open book than you may think.”
I touched her quivering softness, sliding my finger between her slick folds. “God, feel you. You’re so wet.”
Her tongue slid over my lips. “Have been since you took my panties away.”
My lips crashed over hers. Kissing her fiercely, I thrust my finger between her cleft. A soft whimper rolled over her tongue, steeling my cock. The harder it pressed against my zipper, the deeper I thrust my finger into her. The pain was unbearable, but totally worth it. “Your tight little cunt feels so good against my finger.”
She moaned, tossing her head back. I licked the length of her neck, loving the way she writhed against my hand.
“Don’t you come yet,” I said, taking her ear between my teeth.
“But—” she cried, “—I’m almost there.”
I pulled my hand away.
“Kelly!” she growled, pulling my face to hers. “That’s not fair.”
My finger was back inside her the next second and I reminded her, “I say when you can come. Understand?”
“Whatever.” She nodded, bucking her hips harder. “Just give it to me.”
Sliding a second finger inside her, her head came crashing down against my shoulder. “If I feel you about to come, I’ll take it all away.”
She grunted and I knew she wasn’t listening. Kendra was busy working herself into oblivion, forgetting that I held the power to her orgasms. If I wanted to let her come, I would let her. But I didn’t. Not until I had her begging for it.
Pressing my thumb down over her swollen nub, I felt her walls tighten around my knuckles. Her breathing sped up and she panted. “Oh, shit.”
And just when I knew she was about to explode, I pulled my hand away, retreating.
“Kelly, please,” she begged, slapping her palms down on my shoulders.
“I told you the rules.” I reached up to her face and touched her quivering lips. “But you’re not listening.”
“I’m listening.” Her eyes pleaded with me to continue.
I shook my head and pushed my pussy-soaked fingers into her mouth. “You’re not.”
Her tongue worked frantically over my fingers, causing my cock to swell painfully large. “Are you ready to listen?”
She pulled my hand out of her mouth by the wrist. Flattening her tongue, she licked my fingers, reminding me what it was like when she gave me head. The woman was an animal, and I liked her aggressive sexual nature. Then she placed my hand back to her pussy herself, directing me back inside.
God, this woman was something else. So amazing, and completely worth moving heaven
and earth to keep by my side. She was proving to be worthy of becoming my submissive and if she kept this up, I would have her tied up before she knew it.
Sliding my knuckles deep and hard over her pubic bone, I circled her clit, firmly pressing it harder as she clawed her nails into me. She was about to explode, but through clenched teeth and sweat I could see that she was holding back, waiting for my command.
My forehead fell to hers and we stared deep into each other’s irises until neither of us could hold back any longer. “Come for me, baby.”
Kendra’s hips bucked hard off the desk’s surface. Her fingers spread over the back of my skull as she cupped it, pressing my head hard against hers. Then her lips rounded and her eyes fluttered closed.
“That’s it. Make my investment worthwhile,” I said, pumping my wrist so fast it hurt.
The next second, her entire body tensed and she held her breath just before she tossed her head back and wailed into the mansion’s ceiling.
My fingers played with her pulsing pussy as I kissed her between gasps of air. “Now, I may be wrong,” I murmured, “but something tells me that Mary hasn’t had an orgasm as good as the one you just had in a very long time.”
Kendra giggled, unable to stop kissing me. “That’s because she doesn’t have you.”
Realizing that we had been away from the party for longer than I’d initially intended, I walked off my raging hard on while Kendra smoothed down her dress and fixed her hair. “There’s nothing that makes me as hungry as I am now other than amazing sex.” She laughed.
Without a care to our names, we left the office and took our time browsing the hallways until we found ourselves back in the middle of the party. Everything was going perfectly. Kendra was much more relaxed having found hors d’oeuvres and a drink. She radiated a glow that I was learning to love—wanting what she had in my life 24/7. Men’s heads turned when she passed, and they couldn’t keep from wondering who she was and what she was doing with me.
“Excuse me,” I heard a familiar voice come up from behind, “but I can’t help but wonder where it is I know you from.”
I turned to find Wes touching Kendra at the elbow.
Kendra glanced at me for direction. “Maybe I should remind you then?” I said.
A glimmer of amusement flashed across Wes’s eyes as he lifted his gaze to me.
“Does Mojito ring a bell?”
Kami Burke, Wes’s fiancé, hung off his shoulder smiling. Her baby bump was starting to show and looked absolutely incredible. “That’s right,” Wes said, staring into Kendra’s eyes. “You were there with a friend.”
“I was. Good memory.” Kendra wrapped her arm around my waist.
“I never forget beautiful faces.” He winked.
“They call me, Kendra.”
“Is that right?”
“That’s right.” Kendra smiled.
Wes shifted his gaze to me and raised his brows. “Assertive.”
“That, she is,” I said. “Didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
Wes lifted his drink to his lips. “Are you kidding? I’d never miss my chance to throw around my influence in hopes of passing favorable legislation.”
I laughed and greeted Kami. “How are you feeling?”
“Don’t be fooled. Being pregnant isn’t as fun as I thought it would be.”
“Kami, baby,” Wes pointed to the bar, “why don’t you do us a solid and get drinks for everyone.”
Kami stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. “Sure thing, baby.”
“And maybe you can take Kendra along with you?”
“Of course.”
“C’mon, honey.” Kami reached out for Kendra’s hand. “Walk with me. I’d love to know more about you.”
I squeezed Kendra’s hand, nodding, giving her my approval. Knowing Wes, he wanted to talk business. And with the women away, we were free to bring our secrets out into the open. “She’s really something,” Wes said as he admired his fiancé.
“We’re two lucky bastards,” I said.
“Kendra’s Madam’s girl, huh?”
I nodded, keeping my eyes on Kendra.
He folded his arms, lost in thought, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it was he was thinking. I knew how much he resented Madam. Then, as if lightning struck him, he snapped his head up and said, “What’s the latest on Stone?”
I took the next several minutes to let him know where I was, how I was in the process of handing Mario over to a friend, and having convinced Madam that this was what needed to be done. Wes turned to me, covered his mouth, and said, “And the Madam, is she business as usual?”
“She doesn’t suspect a thing,” I assured him just as the women joined us, their hands full of drinks.
Kendra handed me a sparkling water and I took a sip as Kami announced, “There was an old friend I saw that I’d like to talk to. It was great seeing you, Kelly. And Kendra, remember what I said.” She winked at Kendra.
“Be in touch, Kelly.” Wes slapped my back. “Oh, and heads up,” he lowered his voice and moved his lips closer to my ear. “It looks like the DA is heading this way. Coming right for you.”
Together, Kendra turned with me to find Oscar Buchanan lowering his brow, smirking. “Relax, Kelly. I’m not going to bite.”
“I might.”
Oscar was with Angelina Davis, the same woman he’d been with ever since I stole Kendra away. She smiled at me and scowled at Kendra when she thought I wasn’t looking. “By the way you’re looking at me now, I’d think you were about to ram your shoulder into me here, too.” He laughed.
Kendra pressed more of her body into me as I responded. “In front of the Mayor? You know I wouldn’t humiliate you like that.”
The DA laughed. Stepping away from Angel, he hung his head and dropped his voice. “I heard what happened the other day.” His forehead lifted when he glanced in my direction.
“It’s no secret,” I said, inching my way closer to him.
Oscar turned his back to the women and nudged my shoulder to follow. “Frankly, I was surprised. I thought you believed Mario was innocent?” His brows squished together.
“I do.” I stole a sip of water from my glass. “He is.”
Oscar chuckled. “He’s going to need a good lawyer, like yourself,” he pointed his finger at my heart, “because my office is coming for him. And we’ve built a strong case against him.”
I glanced over my shoulder to Kendra. Angel was busy talking into her ear. I couldn’t help but wonder what it was she was saying to her now. Then the DA started nodding. “Ahh…” He laughed. “How can I be so blind?”
My brows pinched as I turned my attention back to him.
“You son of a bitch.” He slapped my back.
“Excuse me?”
“Stone!” He laughed. “That’s why you dropped your defense for Mario.”
Curling my lips over the rim of my glass I sucked back a piece of ice, not wanting to continue talking shop here of all places. When I glanced back to Kendra, she was pressing her clutch hard against her chest, meeting my gaze with a pleading look as if she needed to be saved.
“You just made my night, Black.” Oscar turned back to face our women. “That is one battle I am truly looking forward to.” He turned to look me in the eye. “It should be a show the country will follow.”
I felt my nostrils flare when I watched Kendra’s eyes widen at something Angel said. By the look on her face, I knew she was upset. “Have a nice night, Oscar,” I said, excusing myself.
Hurrying over to Kendra, Angel stepped away, retreating back onto Oscar’s arm. Once I had Kendra in my hands, I could feel her trembling. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Just get me out of here, will you?”
10
Kendra
“What happened in there?”
I curled up into Kelly, unsure how I could possibly tell him the lies Angel wanted me to believe about him. I hated that I let her get inside my
head so easily, but she had a way of convincing me that what she said was true.
“Bella, if you don’t tell me what happened in there, I can’t help you.”
The world flashed under the street lights, and the faster Maxwell drove, the more it all seemed to blur together. I closed my eyes, trying to push her words out of my mind. But the harder I tried, the louder her voice rang inside my head.
Kelly’s hand petted my hair—with my head resting against his chest, I resented the even beat of his heart. While his was calm, mine thrashed between my ears. He wasn’t a liar. Kelly was committed to me. I was his only girl. There wasn’t a reason I should doubt him.
Yet, because of Angel, I did.
“I’m not even sure if it was your conversation with Angel or your brief visit with Kami that spooked you.” Kelly was mostly talking to himself, as if he couldn’t let this go until he pinpointed exactly when the fun expired, spoiling both of our nights.
“It wasn’t Kami.” My voice cracked. It was the first time I spoke since crumbling inside the back of Kelly’s SUV and my body shook as I inhaled my next deep breath.
“What did Kami tell you?” Kelly looked straight ahead. The privacy partition was down, giving us a clear view of the back of Maxwell’s head, but I was sure that he was trained to ignore what he heard. “She told you not to forget what she said. What did she mean by that?”
Kelly’s hand stopped stroking my hair and I felt his gaze angle down to my face. I swallowed down the sandpaper scratching the back of my throat and refused to look at him. “It was nothing. Just girl talk.”
“Fuck, Kendra.” He shoved his hand through his hair as he turned away.
I glanced down at the promise ring Kelly had given me. Twisting it around my finger, I couldn’t stop thinking about what it symbolized, how it propelled us to take that next step. Against my body, I could feel Kelly’s muscles twitching with frustration. I appreciated his desire to help, but when it was all said and done, what did it matter? “It doesn’t matter,” I murmured through dry lips.
“It does fucking matter.” Kelly balled his hand on top of his thigh. “If someone is treating you badly, then I need to know about it.”