《Unwanted Heat》


 Chapter 1

    My name is Alden Anthis. I¡¯m 21 years old. And yes, you¡¯re right; I¡¯m half Greek, half American. I just graduated from the College of Business, majoring in ounting, from the University of Wyoming. I¡¯m good at crunching numbers, so I¡¯m sure that working in this profession would be a work and a pleasure for me. I¡¯m presently looking for a job. It has been two weeks of exhausting,


    non-stop interviews and still ¨C there seemed to be no hope for me.


    There was onest address on my list of potential employers, an ounting firm in the downtown area, Swift ounting, and I was not too excited about it. But what the heck, since it was thest, I decided to give it a try nheless.


    I was surprised to find a posh office that depicted elegance and luxury. ¡°May I help you, sir?¡± The gloomy-looking receptionist inquired.


    My spirits sank and my initial dness dissipated into thin air. I felt like backing out. If this was a prelude to what the boss was like, then it would surely be hell for me.


    ¡°Err¡­¡± I hesitated, wanting to bolt for the door.


    ¡°Oh, another applicant?¡± A lovely, blonde-haired woman appeared in the doorway to the CEO¡¯s office.


    I was captivated by her genuine smile from her heart-shaped lips that reached to her iridescent, brown eyes. Her slinky figure had curves at the most appropriate ces; her long slender legs were disyed seductively through the side slits of her purple, tight velvety dress. It was there for all to see. My first thought was:


    ¡®An angel descended from heaven, and she¡¯s causing a storm in my pants.¡¯ ¡°Aren¡¯t you going toe in?¡± she beckoned to me.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I awoke from my momentary stupor. ¡°You¡¯re an applicant, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes . . . ma¡¯am,¡± I followed her inside the room.


    The expansive room was bare, except for a desk and chair in the middle. It was a sharp contrast to the ssy receiving room. The walls were a dirty white and the floor was gleaming clean but it had seen better days.


    ¡°Sit, sit. My, you¡¯re such a cute little thing,¡± her eyes surveyed me from top to bottom. ¡°I¡¯m Katy Swift. I¡¯m the CEO of Swift ounting.¡±


    I sat feeling ufortable. Was she flirting with me? She shuffled my papers in her hands and studied me under veiled eyes. Howe she was personally interviewing applicants?


    ¡°Hmmm, impressive! No experience though, in short, you¡¯re a novice.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ll give me this chance, then I¡¯ll gain experience and be an asset to yourpany,¡± I boldly stated, desperate to get the job because I had nowhere left to go.


    ¡°So, how can you be an asset to ourpany?¡± She challenged me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll provide the best and most appropriate financial guidance for thepany¡¯s clients.¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to work extra hours when needed?¡± She wanted to know; her wlessly penciled eyebrows were raised in anticipation of my answer.


    ¡°Yes, of course, Ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Well then, report to the HRD office for orientation tomorrow at 8 AM,¡± she flipped my resume and wrote something on its backside.


    I was overjoyed. Yay! I had finallynded a job.


    Before 8 AM, I was dressed to the nines, wanting to impress my employer on my first day at work: long-sleeved light purple Polo topped with a gray suit. I¡¯m not narcissistic, but looking at myself in the mirror, I had to admit that I looked dashing with my deep-set blue eyes, perfectly arched nose, and wide, smiling lips. My 6-foot frame and muscr, sturdy body carried the suit well. Who would ever guess that I was a bumbling rookie, who had no self-confidence and faith in himself?


    Right after the brief orientation, we were given our assignments. I was one of the newly initiated 14 employees. There was only one female, a severe-looking, petite woman with ck eyes hidden behind eyesses, added to t ¨C ugly lips that never smiled.


    Among the males, I stood out with my height and body build. I was the winner if it was a contest about physical attributes. But, sadly, I was the one with the least self-confidence.


    I was assigned to the Tax ounting group, which would be a breeze for me. I excelled in tax ounting in college and due to this my self-confidence went up a notch.


    We were told to observe the first day, so all I did was sit and take note of the flow of work. The 8 hours went by in a sh, and before I knew it, office hours were done. Everyone was preparing to go home.


    ¡°Mr. Anthis,¡± a voice purred from behind me. ¡°Yes?¡± I turned and came face to face with the CEO. ¡°Can you please stay for a few minutes?¡±


    The fragrance of her perfume wafted towards me cloaking the air with sweetness. I felt dizzy. She touched my forearm and whispered, ¡°Report to my room,¡± her warm, fresh breath hot on my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Why was she whispering?


    ¡°Yes . . . Ma¡¯am,¡± I murmured, my heart feeling the thunder of a thousand hooves. I trembled as anxiety and excitement overcame me. Perhaps . . . ?


    I never had time for women in college and I was too shy, so I had remained a virgin. I didn¡¯t know how to determine if a woman was flirting or not; it was a new experience for me.


    I entered the room with faltering steps, unsure of what to expect. She was reclining on the sofa, her voluptuous figure showing off her assets. I swallowed hard and stared, amazed, at the disyed Venus before me.


    She had discarded her coat and the thin material of her dress, outlining her sulent breasts and the v-shape of her pubis. My schlong quivered and started to be rigid.


    ¡°Come,e, sit here,¡± she indicated the chair in front of her.


    Hesitantly, I walked towards her, my knees wobbling and my legs turned weak. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy,¡± she purred like a contented kitten.


    I sat on the chair, fidgeting on its edge, fiddling with my fingers.


    ¡°I have a personal favor to ask if you don¡¯t mind,¡± she said, her eyes pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; you¡¯ll get paid  double ¨C for overtime work.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    My spirits perked up at the mention of money. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m willing to do your bidding,¡± I replied.


    ¡°I have muscle cramps. Can you massage my legs, please?¡± she directed me. ¡°I¡¯m not very good at massage,¡± I intoned, surprised at her request.


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you how,¡± she uttered, her voice barely audible. ¡°Come,¡± she signaled with her fingers, patting the space beside her.


    She directed my hands to her calves and said: ¡°Knead this area gently. Just use your thumb to loosen the area.¡±

 Chapter 2

    I shuddered when my hands came in contact with her creamy, wless skin. The bulge in my crotch had grown even bigger, and I felt my body aze with desire.


    ¡°Just, massage it to rx the knots and the hard muscles,¡± she continued.


    My fingers tentatively touched the area. It was good to feel its velvety and soft texture that I wanted to bury my face and kiss every inch of it.


    She guided my hands through her legs, sying my fingers on her skin and then moving them up and down them. Her fingers were atop mine; increasing the satisfying sensation I was feeling. She was seducing me! My breath came in gasps as she pressed on my fingers and massaged her legs with them.


    Her beautiful face was inches from my own; I could smell her enticing perfume. I wanted to grab her, pin her down, and kiss her on the lips, but I didn¡¯t have the strength. I was weak all over. Coward! I taunted myself.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s enough,¡± she abruptly released my fingers. ¡°Thank you. You can leave now,¡± she said offhandedly.


    I was astonished at her sudden withdrawal. I stood up slowly, my body still smoldering with lust, my manhood erect and ready to spring.


    She shooed me away with her hand, ¡°Go on, I have a visitor,¡± she ordered.


    I moved towards the door with every part of my body aching and horny and collided with someone. I looked up to meet two alluring eyes gazing back at me. ¡°Sorry,¡± I apologized and tried to help her up.


    ¡°¡­and what have we got here?¡± she eximed, startled. ¡°Katy . . . Katy . . . what are you up to now?¡± her voice faded as the door closed behind me.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I surveyed the empty office, got my belongings, and hurriedly left for home. I had unbuckled my belt and brought out my tucked-in shirt to hide my erection. God, that woman is a tease, I concluded. Making me horny and then sending me home. But if she did allow me to stay, what would I have done? I didn¡¯t know what to do next, anyway.


    I decided to walk a few blocks to cool my burning body. It was the first time in years that I had been so aroused that I needed to jerk off. Damn! I¡¯ll have to do it all by myself again.


    I went straight to the shower and took hold of my rigid 8-feet cock. It was ready to charge and fuck anyone¡¯s pussy, but I didn¡¯t have the nerve to go around and find a one-night stand. I had always been timid about this aspect of my life.


    I closed my eyes as my familiar fingers enclosed my phallus lovingly.


    Aaah, now I can have release. I grabbed the shower head and directed the gentle, jet of water into the tip of my penis and now and then, my balls. It created a tickling sensation that enhanced my arousal. I masturbated almost daily and I was fearful I might be overdoing it, but the birdie inside my undies was oftentimes awake, I had to put it to sleep.


    I turned off the shower andy supine on the empty bathtub. I reached for the KY jelly in the drawer and squeezed a generous amount of it into my palms. With the help of the lube, I massaged my cock with the pressure and speed that I preferred. I closed my eyes and imagined CEO Katy Swift¡¯s slender fingers moving the length of my dick and her pouty lips taking in my red meat into her mouth. I sputtered as I climaxed and ejacted.


    That night, I dreamt of Katy¡¯s sulent lips, tits, and pussy and I was hard again when I awakened. I had to take a cold shower before my erection subsided. I wanted to masturbate but the sensitive skin of my cock had turned reddish and was sore due to so much rubbing.


    I reported to work the next morning full of enthusiasm. Every time I remembered what I did after office hours, I felt my body ignite with the mes of passion. I was requested to report to the CEO a few times during the day, but she did not indicate that she recalled what happened the day before.


    ¡°Mr. Anthis, this client is a big shippingpany. Make sure you don¡¯tmit mistakes,¡± she had cautioned me the first time she asked me to report to her.


    The second time, she ordered me to find a tax file from a USB storage device. The third time, she requested me topute for the tax exemption of a wealthy client. All these she did with a poker face; I started to believe that what happened yesterday was a product of my rich imagination.


    My assumption proved to be false though, because after office hours, when I was about to leave, her secretary called me in.


    ¡°Out of the new employees, why me?¡± I curiously asked the secretary. ¡°Employers¡¯ preferences,¡± she replied.


    I almost freaked as I stepped into the room. She was standing by her table, her back to me. I caught my breath when I saw her shapely back and butt crack exposed by her backless dress.


    ¡°Mr. Anthis, you¡¯ll have to do overtime work again. Is that okay with you?¡± she gushed evenly.


    My insides rattled, ¡°Yes, okay ma¡¯am,¡± I managed to reply.


    She pushed a button on her desk and the bookshelf behind her table opened.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± she said.

 Chapter 3

    A thrill coursed through my nerves and my cock awakened as I followed her to another room. It was an elegant bedroomplete with a sauna bath and a variety of sex toys I had never seen in my entire life. There was a horse-like contraption that I assumed women used to masturbate. There were dildos of different sizes, colors, and materials. There were dildos with clitoral stimtors too.


    I stood at the doorway unable to assimte everything into my mind. My penis was standing at attention and I felt the embers of lust glow inside my groin. I wanted to run to her, embrace her sexy back and fuck her to kingdome.


    ¡°He¡¯s here,¡¯ Katy announced to a person inside the room.


    ¡°Oh,¡± my eyes scanned the room and rested on the woman I had identally bumped into yesterday.


    ¡°He¡¯s hot,¡± she warbled, ¡°you¡¯ve chosen wisely.¡± ¡°Come, Mr. Anthis. May I call you Al?¡± she queried.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Ummm . . . sure,¡± I stammered, my pulses racing.


    ¡°Sophie, this is Alden Anthis, our new tax ountant. Al, this is Sophia Jameson. She¡¯s the Assistant CEO. She takes over when I¡¯m not around.¡±


    Sophia had bigger tits and buttocks than Katy, and she seemed friendlier.


    She smiled a lot and winked at me whenever I stole a nce at her.


    ¡°Good evening, ma¡¯am,¡± I acknowledged her with a forced smile. I sensed my penis eager for what these two gorgeousdies had in store for me.


    ¡°Sophie would want a massage too,¡± Katy hauled me to the king-sized bed where Sophie hadin sprawled in her towel.


    Her skin glowed in the dim light and her tempting curves peaked through the pink towel around her body.


    I gingerly held one of her legs in my hands and started massaging it.


    Katy covered my hand with hers and once more guided my fingers in doing the circr kneading massage on Sophie¡¯s calves. Sophie was sighing blithely, enjoying the rxing feeling. All my nerve endings were triggered and I salivated as my hands reached her thighs and felt the heat of her pussy under the towel. She wasn¡¯t wearing anything. My cock contracted and my hands trembled.


    Katy was embracing me from behind my back and I sensed her melon-like tits pressing against my body. I was certain now that my overtime job was to pleasure these two horny women.


    ¡°You ought to learn various jobs if you want to work for us permanently,¡± Katy whispered in my ear. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    I nodded, unable to utter a word. My body was aching all over, wanting to fuck them.


    Sophie flung the towel and said urgently, ¡°Al, massage my body too.¡± I almost went berserk with madness when I saw her perfect nude body.


    Her ripe breasts were waiting to be fondled and the slit between her legs was enticing me, its folds pinkish and inviting.


    Katy was still guiding my hand with her own, directing it towards Sophie¡¯s t abdomen. ¡°Here, massage the muscles and then go upwards.¡±


    The touch of her silky stomach brought a convulsion through my body. ¡°Concentrate, until you¡¯re done. Don¡¯t touch this,¡± she purposely patted Sophie¡¯s pussy.


    My mouth was parched and my chest constricted. I was having difficulty breathing. I wanted to bury my head in her abs and smell the musky odor of her pussy. But Katy urged me to move to her breasts. My eager hands grabbed each one and almost crushed them in my haste.


    ¡°Be gentle. The breasts¡¯ pain receptors are ultra-sensitive,¡± she lectured. ¡°Some men don¡¯t know that our tits should be treated like fragile objects. Too much pressure is not pleasurable.¡±


    She released my hand and rummaged in the drawer. She held a feather in her hand and when she came back. She ran the feather lightly on my arms. ¡°This


    is how you should massage her breasts  light and feathery.¡±


    I imitated the caressing action of the feather on my skin and massaged her breasts lightly, stroking them gently. Her nipples grew taut under my persistent massaging. They seemed to beg to be kissed and sucked. I was unable to resist as I stooped down to take them into my mouth, alternately. Sophie moaned in tion as I nibbled, sucked, and caressed that area. By then my dick had grown to enormous proportions, it was painfully seeking release from its bondage.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to know how to do forey properly,¡± Katy was saying, but I was lost in the pleasure of Sophie¡¯s delicious tits. My initial shyness was now disappearing rapidly, I wanted to strip naked and romp with them in my birthday suit.


    Katy was now kissing Sophie, their hungry lips fighting for dominance, their tongues crazilypping each other¡¯s lips. ¡°And this is how . . . you kiss . . . passionately,¡± Katy said in between kisses, she waspletely naked as well.


    I went mad with lust watching them French kiss, and I attempted to undress myself but Katy shouted, ¡°NO! Don¡¯t you dare? Learn first.¡±


    ¡°Here, kiss her,¡± Katy ordered me.


    I held on to Sophie¡¯s tits as I crept upwards her mouth and slobbered her like a bitch in heat. I sucked her lower lips, her tongue, and her upper lips as my fingers continued to fondle her nipples and massage her tits. I was on top of her and I pressed the bulge in my groin hard against hers, wanting her to beg me to fuck her. But she didn¡¯t. Neither of them touched my body and I was frustrated and eager to be touched. Only my lips stayed glued to Sophie¡¯s lips basking in


    the sweetness of her torrid kiss.


    Then I was pushed aside by Katy. ¡°Watch closely and learn,¡± she hissed, ¡°this is how you do cunnilingus.¡±

 Chapter 4

    I stared at her as she knelt on the bed, spread Sophie¡¯s thighs wide apart, and buried her head on her pubis. I couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. I pulled down my zipper and brought out my dick in one swift movement. Soon Katy was invading Sophie¡¯s pussy, running her tongue lightly over the lips of her vagina and the area around it, while stroking her thighs with her fingers.


    ¡°Oh fuck, right there, babe, yes,¡± Sophie encouraged Katy, as I watched at the edge of the bed, holding my ramrod dick in my hand.


    ¡°You must not touch her clit . . . yet until she¡¯s fully aroused,¡± Katy murmured to me, her voice hoarse with emotion.


    She went on eating Sophie¡¯s cunt until she was grinding her hips in the air following Katy¡¯s tongue. ¡°This is the right time to nibble and suck on her clit,¡± she threw me a wild nce.


    I nodded, furiously massaging my cock with my fingers. I had to do it lightly because there was no lube in sight. Aaaah . . . damn . . . why wouldn¡¯t they give me their wet pussies and I¡¯ll fuck their brains off, I screamed inwardly.


    Sophie jerked her hips upwards as her orgasm surfaced, ¡°I¡¯m cumming!¡± she shrieked wantonly, her body moving sideward and upward.


    ¡°This is the perfect time to fuck her with your dick,¡± Katy groaned, as she strapped on a dildo and quickly inserted it into her drenched pussy.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Sophie went wild, thrashing her body everywhere, writhing under Katy¡¯s onught with the dildo. Katy went in and out, increasing the dildo¡¯s intensity and speed.


    ¡°Oooooh, oooooh, oh my God,¡± Sophie shrieked again, as her orgasm went on and on, and I watched, brimming on the verge of my climax.


    ¡°Take note, that you can give a woman multiple orgasms if you know how to do forey properly,¡± Katy gasped and lowered her head to kiss Sophie on her breasts and her lips, all the while humping her as she moaned and groaned underneath her. Katy was delirious with ecstasy.


    I gave a guttural cry of pleasure as I blew my load up in the air and down the floor. They stared wide-eyed at my disy of power.


    After a few minutes, Katy patted me on the back. ¡°Go, that¡¯s all for today,¡± she shooed me away and I quickly dressed and left them ¨C still naked ¨C inside the room.


    What was wrong with these women? They merely wanted me to watch when I had a massive dick that could fuck them properly. During the two days that I had been with them, my shyness disappeared and I was willing to show them what I got, but apparently, they didn¡¯t give me a chance. I was not sure if they ever will. It pained me to watch them and not taste their delectable cunts.


    The days that followed were torture for me. I was not aware of the extent of their diabolical ns and this kept me on my toes all week. Whenever Katy called me to her office, I sweated like a pig and my body responded with yearning. There were times I wanted to resign, but the excellent training I was provided by thepany was a dreame true, so I stuck to my guns.


    It was a weekend when I was informed by Katy¡¯s secretary of another overtime task. I was thrilled and I vowed to myself that I had to fuck one or both of them.


    ¡°Come in, Al,¡± Sophia was seated in the office chair; her long, wavy tresses flowed around her head giving off the fragrance of freshly plucked flowers.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Can you massage my back, while we wait for Katy?¡±


    I approached her, my nerves tingling and my steps tentative. When my hands came in contact with her bare skin, I shivered, wanting to grab her and kiss her. I was standing behind her massaging her back.


    ¡°More to the right,¡± she coached me. ¡°Press more firmly on that spot.¡±


    I continued massaging her back and assumed that at that pace, I could be an expert masseuse in no time at all. I chuckled at the thought.


    ¡°Do you find something amusing?¡± Sophie asked. ¡°No, no, sorry.¡±


    I jumped to my feet when I felt something creeping up my pants. I looked down and found Katy caressing my legs, her eyes glinting with mischief.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡± she rubbed her fingers on my calves. ¡°You have always massaged us, so let me return the favor.¡±


    She kneaded my legs through my pants and my sleeping dick roared to life within a few minutes. I had a huge boner waiting to invade a cunt.


    Sophie caught my hands and lowered them to her robust breasts. My body grew hot and my breath came in gasps. ¡°You have to fondle them gently,¡± she tutored me, ying with her breast in circr strokes, using my fingers.


    I was still behind her, spooning her behind her back, reaching for her tits with my fingers. I rained feathery touches on her skin and tugged her pink nipples gently like they had taught me to.


    Katy was diligently rubbing the muscles of my legs in gentle but firm strokes and the bulge in my pants continued to grow bigger. I wanted her to pull my pants down and stuff my enormous cock into her mouth. But she purposely avoided my dick, teasingly caressing the area around it, but not touching my aching, throbbing penis. I hurled obscenities at her in my mind. Horny bitch!

 Chapter 5

    Sophie disengaged herself and turned her chair around; her bobbing tits came to rest tantalizingly on my chest. I went down on my knees and nibbled her nipples, asionally sucking them and licking her entire breasts. Her nipples stiffened and she was moaning incessantly, her eyes closed and her head moving from side to side like a possessed woman. I touched her pussy with my eager fingers and it was wet with her juices, the musky smell wafting to my nose. I couldn¡¯t control it any longer, I went for her cunt like a madman, using my tongue to taste her and explore her deepest recesses.


    ¡°Easy, easy, do it slowly. There¡¯s so much to savor,¡¯ Katy patted my head, while Sophie cursed and groaned as I ran my tongue along the folds of her quivering pussy. ¡°Let me release your cock,¡± she unzipped me and dipped her hands inside my undies to release my pulsating cock.


    ¡°Aaaaaah,¡± I growled, my passion bursting to the seams. ¡°Please, let me fuck you,¡± I begged.


    ¡°Not so fast, young man,¡± Sophie barked, ¡°you¡¯ve got lots to learn yet.


    But I¡¯ll give you the next best thing.¡±


    She pushed me down the floor and slowly undressed me, kissing my exposed skin, inch by inch. I grunted and groped for her pussy, it was drenched with her love fluids. I was lying down on the floor on my back and she was next to me sitting on her legs, her thighs spread apart.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t move a muscle,¡± Sophie pushed me back down when I started


    to rise.


    Sophie positioned the chair above my head and held on to it as she lowered her dripping cunt into my face. Her womanly scent permeated my nose and drove me wild with desire. I sucked her pussy ravenously, inserting my tongue inside her tight opening. But I remembered her previous instructions and reduced the pressure of my tongue. I gently suck on the lips of her vagina, slowly licking the area patiently.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I gripped the carpet as my body jerked upwards when Katy took my huge penis in her mouth. ¡°Your dick is as sensitive as our breasts so, it should be treated tenderly,¡± she lectured.


    She gently ran her tongue around the crown of my cock, over and over, until I groaned in delight.


    ¡°Suck it, suck it,¡± Imanded her, trying to grab her hair towards my


    boner.


    ¡°Ssh. . . Rx, your climax will be more pleasurable if you do it slowly,¡± Sophie assured me, rubbing her pussy against my opened mouth.


    Katy lowered her tongue along the shaft of my dick and I clutched Sophie¡¯s ass sucking on her clit as Sophie ran her tongue lightly along the length of my dick. Her fingers were juggling my balls gently, causing warm ripples in my groin that traversed into every cell in my limbs. When she took my manhood full in her mouth, I was transported into outer space in the depths of incredible sensations I had never experienced before. I closed my eyes and relished the pleasure as her head bobbed up and down; first very slowly and then going faster as I met her mouth with my powerful thrusts. I arched my back, straining to achieve my climax.


    ¡°Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,¡± I snarled as the built-in tension came crashing down to provide me release  the most satisfying climax I ever had.


    I sucked Sophie¡¯s pussy as the tidal wave of my climax made my body shake uncontrobly. Sophie climaxed too spewing her volcanicva into my mouth. I continued sucking her and she gave off moaning sounds that anyone can hear in the other room. Thankfully the room was soundproofed.


    Katy hadn¡¯t climaxed yet and we had to fondle her and y with her before she achieved hers. I was starting to grow erect anew, but Katy prodded


    me to eat her instead, while Sophie caressed her breasts and kissed her lips until she cried out loud, juddering in the peak of her orgasm.


    I went home gratified but still yearning for their cunts. At least they had yed with me, unlike the previous times that I had to fondle myself to climax. Maniptive whores, I cursed them in my mind.


    Work the next Monday was toxic. My mind wandered now and then to the events during the weekend and my dick throbbed whenever I remembered Sophie¡¯s mouth sucking it. She was a phenomenal cock sucker, knowing when to increase the pressure and the speed.


    ¡°Hey, Mr. Anthis, the CEO is looking for you.¡±


    My heart stopped and then drummed dangerously. I was sure it had nothing to do with the weekend event. I proceeded to the CEO¡¯s office nervously.


    ¡°Mr. Anthis, what¡¯s this?¡± Katy threw a bunch of paper toward me. I attempted to catch them but some glided into the floor. It was the tax exemption report I prepared for a client.


    ¡°How can youmit such a tant error?¡± Katy shouted at me.


    I gathered the strewn pieces of paper and gazed at them uprehendingly.


    ¡°I . . . don¡¯t know . . . what you mean . . . ,¡± I stammered.


    ¡°Look at the figures, how can you miscalcte?¡±


    ¡°I hadputed this urately,¡± I insisted not bothering to read.


    Her eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You don¡¯t want to ept your mistake and you¡¯re not even remorseful,¡± she fumed.


    I stared at her defiantly. I was certain I made the correctputations. ¡°You¡¯re fired!¡± she bellowed, enraged at my audacity. ¡°Who do you


    think you are? Pack your stuff and go!¡±


    I stared at her dumbfounded, realizing my mistake. I should have reassured her that I¡¯d go over the document and correct any errors. But it was toote now.


    ¡°Go, scram!¡± she yelled, livid in the face.


    I was shocked at how fast things happened and I was unable to move a muscle.


    When I didn¡¯t move, Katy dialed the inte, ¡°Security, there¡¯s an intruder in my office, we need assistance.¡±


    Before I knew it, my things were stuffed in a box and I was outside the building, standing at the curb.


    Damn, what had just happened? Perhaps, I was too cocksure about myself just because the CEO had sucked my dick? What the hell?

 Chapter 6

    I realized my mistake and struggled against the security guards to get back in but to no avail. I was thrown like a used rag onto the pavement. I was a contractual employee and I had no legal grounds to sue or demand a redress. I gritted my teeth and hailed a taxi for home. There goes my first job. It was a handsomely paying job and I threw it all away because of my arrogance.


    Depression overcame me throughout the days that ensued. I had some money in the bank for the ¡®overtime work¡¯ I did for thepany, but that would vanish after a few more days. I had to find another job. But where?


    I surfed online and searched the newspapers for a suitable job but found none. I was desperate because my funds had fizzled out. I was trudging hopelessly on the street when I saw a sign that read:


    ¡°Wanted cashier: Apply inside.¡±


    My feet led me inside where a chubby, dark-haired woman greeted me with a smile, ¡°May I help you?¡±


    ¡°I want to apply as a cashier,¡± I stated, forcing myself to smile. ¡°Uh-huh, yes. May I see your resume?¡±


    I retrieved one folder from my backpack and handed it to her. ¡°Sit down,¡± she sat across me on the small table.


    I observed her, as I prayed to the high heavens to help me. If you¡¯re there


    God, please help me.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Commendable,¡± she nodded her head. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid you might find the job here as not appropriate for your level of expertise. There are manypanies out there needing your skills.¡±


    Please, please, please.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but they want experienced ountants and I¡¯m still gaining experience,¡± I retorted, not wanting to debase myself by kneeling, but if worstes to worst, I had to plead.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± she ogled me, trying to make up her mind. I held my breath in anticipation.


    After a full minute, she stood up. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s have a one-month trial period. Don¡¯t hesitate to inform me at least a week before, if you get bored and decide to stop working.¡±


    I stood up happily and thanked her profusely.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, you can start now,¡± she shook my hands. ¡°I¡¯m Olga Walker, wee to Sophie¡¯s Cafe, Mr. Anthis.¡±


    I did a double turn and stared at her retreating. Sophie¡¯s cafe? Why did it sound sinister?


    ¡°You can call me Al,¡± I said loudly so she could hear.


    Customers came in droves that afternoon as soon as I put on my new uniform. I admired myself in the mirror; my gelled ck hair, and unique looks made me stand out more in my cashier¡¯s uniform. The slogan of the cafe was ¡°Service with a smile¡± so, I had to put on my charming smile and maintain that throughout the afternoon.


    It was easier than I thought, punching those numbers and counting the money or keying in those credit cards. My feet were sore though because I had to remain standing the whole afternoon.


    Finally, it was closing time and the cafe was empty of customers. Only the crew was left cleaning up and preparing for the next day.


    I sat down with a heavy sigh and rolled my head around my neck. My name and feet were numb, but I was thankful I had a job that would provide for me until I found my proper niche.


    ¡°Good work, Al. See you tomorrow.¡± Olga called out.


    I changed and went out into the cool, fresh air of the evening. It felt good to be working again. But I missed Katy¡¯s yelling voice whenever she called for me and . . . my cock throbbed in remembrance of the sensual pleasures Katy¡¯s mouth provided. And Sophie! Those tits are delicacies that were supposed to be licked and caressed. My body yearned for those touches.


    I had to masturbate again when I arrived home. The KY jelly was nearly emptied. I faced upside down as I rammed the pillow into my mouth and fondled and massaged my dick, recalling how Katy rendered the most fulfilling blow job I had ever had.


    I woke up the following morning with a start. I realized I had work to do.


    I arrived at the cafe just in time for the first customer of the day. ¡°Al, do you have time after work?¡± Olga wanted to know.


    The radar of my intuition shifted to red alert. Another ¡®overtime job¡¯?


    With Olga? A feeling of apprehension overcame me. I was not belittling her but she was twice as old as I was  as old as my mom!


    I eyed her round, plump face, and stout figure. God forbid!


    Olga snapped her fingers before my face and I shook my head from my train of thoughts. I had to ept the extra work if I didn¡¯t want to find another job again.


    ¡°Yes, I have time,¡± I murmured.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯ll see you here, after work then.¡±


    I was on edge all day, fearful of what the evening may bring. I couldn¡¯t imagine myself touching Olga¡¯s fat body, no matter how hard I tried. Why did I agree? I balled my hands into fists in desperation.


    Work finally ended and I fidgeted in my seat as I waited for Olga. ¡°There you are,¡± she greeted me jovially. ¡°This way, please.¡±


    I followed her into a dimly lit, spacious room that had a big, t-screen and arge luxurious bed. Oh God! No, my mind protested vehemently. I would if my rod cooperated, but my penisy deted ¨C like a dead fish -under my cks.


    I hesitated in the doorway and was about to turn back when a familiar voice came from the corner of the room, ¡°And where are you going, Mr.


    Anthis?¡±


    I stopped in mid-step and spun around. Olga left the room quietly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, Sophie,¡± her beautiful face came out from the shadows. I gasped and stared back at her, relieved, yet afraid.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t approve of Katy¡¯s actions. It was too drastic,¡± she approached me unhurriedly.


    I remained silent but alert.


    ¡°The mistake was most probably because we let you stay up all night,¡± she stated, touching my arm.


    Goosebumps sprouted all over my body and my previouslyid dick started to erge.


    ¡°Katy and I talked it over and we decided to rehire you.¡±


    My ears perked up and I was ted. ¡°No kidding?¡± I asked, confirming her statement.


    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±


    ¡°But how did you find me?¡± I asked, incredulous at how my luck turned out to be.


    ¡°I own this joint too, haven¡¯t you noticed the name?¡± she replied, grinning broadly. ¡°When I saw your resume¡¯, I couldn¡¯t believe my luck, but here you are.¡±


    So, my intuition was right after all. I flopped on the nearest sofa beside me and heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Well, Katy had the right to get mad, but she should have not fired me on the spot,¡± I offered my exnation.


    ¡°Rectify your error and then let¡¯s proceed from there,¡± she suggested. ¡°Are you willing to do that?¡± she sat down next to me and deliberately brushed her voluptuous breasts against my arms. She had a see-through, thin dress and nothing underneath it.

 Chapter 7

    My body temperature rapidly increased as she groped for my dick through my pants. I was enveloped with my ardent desire to fuck her until her brains burst out. I captured her boobs in my palms and fondled them adoringly. These were the things that had kept me awake for a few nights before.


    I kissed her and savored her scrumptious tongue and mouth, exploring the sensitive areas and coating them with my essence. She murmured through my lips but I didn¡¯t hear her. I alternately kissed her on the mouth and sucked her breasts through the flimsy clothing. My hands wandered to her cunt and I ran my fingers lightly over the lips of her already wet organ. I applied what I had previously learned from them, and based on Sophie¡¯s moans, I knew I had seeded.


    ¡°Right!¡± she disengaged herself and stood up. ¡°That was easy convincing you. See you tomorrow at the office,¡± she kissed me on the lips and at the tip of my cock and walked away.


    ¡°Hey,e back,¡± I called back at her, ¡°hey,¡± but she disappeared through another door.


    What do they think of me? I smoldered in anger. A toy that they could turn on and off at their whim? I went home feeling frustrated and irate. I masturbated again that night, and I noticed that it took me longer to ejacte. I presumed it was because I had already experienced an excellent blow job.


    I was determined not to do their bidding, so I stayed home and yedputer games all day long. In the evening, I ordered some pizza and gorged myself until I was full. I was about to sleep when my cell phone rang.


    I didn¡¯t recognize the number. ¡°Yes?¡± I refused to reveal my identity. ¡°Hello, Al. This is Katy. Howe you haven¡¯t reported back to work


    this morning?¡± her voice came as a shrill from my phone¡¯s speakers.


    ¡°I may be a newbie but I don¡¯t want to be treated like an object,¡± I countered with my budding self-confidence.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she seemed lost.


    ¡°You treat me like a sex toy. You use me and discard me whenever you


    feel like it.¡± I blurted, unafraid.


    ¡°Oh,¡± there was an audible sigh from the other end.


    ¡°You never get to fuck us, you mean,¡± she stated, understanding my revtion.


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°We were teaching you the basics first,¡± she exined to me, as if to a child. ¡°You can¡¯t run unless you learn how to walk first.¡±


    I was speechless.


    ¡°The final lesson will be coitus.¡± I didn¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°You¡¯re a good student. With your acquired knowledge, who would know that you¡¯re still a virgin?¡±


    ¡°Ummm,¡± I didn¡¯t have any answer to her new statement.


    ¡°I¡¯m 32 and Sophie is 31. Would you seriously want to consummate the act with us?¡± She zinged the question at me.


    Really? Wow! They were 10 and 11 years older than me. That was some revtion. I presumed they were older, but only for a few years such as 3 or 5 years.


    ¡°You¡¯re hesitating now,¡± she grumbled on the phone. ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± my spirits soar on the wings of excitement. ¡°But, remember to correct the error you havemitted.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye Ma¡¯am,¡± I enthused, hopeful for a brighter tomorrow.


    I went about grooming myself as early as 6 AM that day. The result boosted my self-confidence. I vowed to myself that I would never allow anyone to use me without my consent. I whistled on my way to the office and I felt rejuvenated and in tip-top shape.


    At the office I perused the tax papers I had prepared, and true enough, there was an error in theputations. No one had touched it yet because the office paid the client, nevertheless. I had no idea though how much trouble I had caused. An apology was in order.


    With the corrected files in my hand, I requested an audience with Katy. I had unknowinglye to like her. She was serious at work but was a warm person outside office hours. I knocked three times on her door.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Come in,¡± she prodded me, her silky voice ¨C music to my ears. ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ve corrected the error. I¡¯m sorry for the


    trouble I had caused,¡± I bowed my head.


    She simply gazed at me for a full minute before, inviting me to sit down. ¡°I heard you had some gripes about your overtime job,¡± she fixed me with a vicious stare.


    ¡°It was a misunderstanding ma¡¯am. It won¡¯t happen again.¡± ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± she persisted.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great! So, you have no objections to working overtime today?¡± ¡°None.¡±


    I waltzed back to the office and sat proudly on my chair. Everything was gradually falling back into ce. I couldn¡¯t wait for the clock to strike 5 PM. When it finally did, I quickly ran to the shower and changed intofortable attire; cotton-striped, green t-shirt and faded jeans.


    My body was frantically pumping blood more than normal which elevated my pulse rate and respiration. My cock was willing and hard that I was unable to conceal the bulge in my jeans as I knocked on the door.


    ¡°The door is open,¡± came Sophie¡¯s voice.


    I entered and was met by Sophie. She dragged me towards the hidden room and shut the door behind us. Before I could say anything, her mouth mped on mine and sucked the life out of me. I was breathless when she finally let go of me. I kissed her back, more tenderly this time, tasting her mouth, twirling her tongue with my own.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± it was Katy.


    My heart sang out for joy as she pulled Sophie and kissed me in turn. I sucked her tongue and slid my mouth over her soft, yielding lips. Her mouth tasted differently from Sophie¡¯s. Hers had some pristine vor to it, like lemon candies and fresh strawberries.


    We were still standing, her thin dress clinging to her curvaceous figure as I lifted her clothing and kneaded her breasts, and then stroked her cunt.


    ¡°Oh, love me, Al,¡± she guided my fingers to her pussy like she used to. ¡°Now, do what I told you to.¡±


    I strummed her crack gently with my fingers, not touching her clit, while I devoured her mouth. Then I slowly ced her on the bed, undressing her as I kissed her neck, shoulders, and then breasts. I ran my tongue around her tits, massaged them with my fingers but avoided her nipples. When her nipples were upright and ready, I twirled them in my tongue and sucked them  repeatedly until Katy moaned in pleasure. ¡°That felt good, so good,¡± she muttered.


    Next, I kissed her abdomen and the areas between her thighs, sometimes allowing my mouth to wander back to her breasts. She waspletely naked now and her half-closed eyes and unintelligible murmurs told me I was doing the right thing.


    I caressed and tongued her moist pussy, careful not to touch her clit. I ran my tongue up and down the lips of her vagina poking my tongue inside her slit now and then. I was half kneeling, focusing my attention on providing her an oral sex that she would never forget. Be gentle and apply light pressure, I reminded myself.


    Sophie had carefully positioned herself between my legs and had started stroking my dick. She fondled my rock-hard penis and sucked it lightly.

 Chapter 8

    When Katy started squirming and lifting her ass, that was when I flicked her clitoris. She went into spasms as I sucked and nibbled her clit, flicking it with my fingers, in turn.


    ¡°Al, that¡¯s right, hm, that¡¯s right,¡± she ground her pussy into my seeking lips. She climaxed after I ran my tongue over her clit again.


    I turned her over and mounted her from behind sliding my huge, turgid organ into her wet cunt, and started humping her.


    ¡°Shit, fuck, harder, Al, HARDER!¡± she screeched at me, pushing her starved pussy into my raving cock.


    I humped more furiously as her cries aroused me further. Holy Cow, so this is how it feels. Nothing in this world couldpare to the sensations that I was experiencing at that moment. My whole body has turned into one atom, steamrolling and gathering speed for that one shot in a lifetime. It was as if my whole life depended on it. I would rather die than stop now, I realized. She was tight and juicy and the friction intensified the sensual vibrations.


    My groin seemed to burst with all the exquisite pleasures the world can offer. Then I withdrew my cock, and then went in deep again, relishing the sweet feeling.


    The dam of my ejaction burst open and I was carried to thend of endless delights as I trembled in ecstasy, a joy that I had never experienced before.


    And then I climaxed. ¡°I¡¯m cumming,¡± I groaned as I mashed her boobs behind her back. She cried too simultaneously with me, pushing her ass into my cock as her orgasm overcame her. My body shook for a few minutes before I slumped down on the bed.


    ¡°Mr. Lover Boy, we¡¯re not done yet,¡± Sophie straddled me and muzzled myid penis. I realized that I was not Superman enough to get my manhood up within seconds, but it started to grow erect anew.


    Patiently, we stroked each other, stoking the mes of passion once more. We groped, sucked, and fondled, our bodies cavorting wildly on the bed. Then we rolled on the carpeted floor, exploring our bodies and making use of the sex toys disyed in the room. There was a dildo with a clit stimtor and Katy wanted to try that on me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it while you¡¯re pumping Katy,¡± she disclosed. ¡°I want to feel how a man feels when fucking,¡± she avowed.


    When my cock was at its full size, I pulled Sophie to her feet and lifted one of her thighs, and pushed her against the wall. I prated her in a standing position, the walls helping to stabilize her body as I held on to one of her thighs and rammed my rod into her. I¡¯ve often seen that position in movies and I wanted to know how it felt. By then, I became familiar with the sharine vor of a cunt-fuck I weed Sophie¡¯s tight, slick cunt squeezing my cock. I thrust my dick hard into her and withdraw it slowly, savoring the tight grip of her cunt. Then I rammed it back harder and up to its hilt and my pubic bone bumped into hers. We ground our groins together, sucking each other¡¯s lips as the indescribable feelings of sensual self-gratification surfaced.


    ¡°God, God, Al, you¡¯re so big and yummy, oh God, oh,¡± she moaned and moved with me with the rhythm of my thrusts.


    I went in and out of her, the walls shaking as I rammed my dick into her, ceaselessly, without reprieve and mercy. Her head and body shook as I assailed her continually, groaning in delight at her pure essence.


    Suddenly, I felt Sophie behind my back, caressing me, her dildo hanging from her hips, its tip poking at my thighs.


    I carried Katy back to the bed and spread-eagled her atop it. I mounted her spreading her thighs wide, and entered her again. Her fingers wed my back as I continued pumping her, my arms supporting my body. It was like doing my push-ups, but with an add-on feature  getting a good fuck.


    Sophie took advantage of my position and straddled me from behind. She inserted the oiled dildo into my anus very slowly. She knew that I was a virgin both in my dick and in my anus. I stopped pumping Katy as a pain ripped my ass.


    ¡°I . . . don¡¯t think . . . I can . . . do that,¡± I voiced out my thoughts loudly.


    ¡°No problem,¡± Katy rescinded. ¡°I¡¯ll just tease your opening,¡± she assured


    me.


    I felt a different consciousness as Katy yed with the opening of my anus. It was strange but I enjoyed it a bit. ¡°Push it in slowly and a little farther,¡± I encouraged Katy. She was rotating her hips reveling in the clit stimtor.


    ¡°I¡¯m cumming!¡± Sophie moaned, the ck of her eyes disappearing from view. Her hips were raised high as her cunt swallowed my dick up to its hilt. I cursed as my climax hovered in the background.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I felt Katy push her dildo a little bit deeper, adding more lubricant. Then I felt my hole tighten and then I climaxed without warning. Katy was also shaking with her orgasm as she maintained the pressure of the dildo on my anus and rubbed her tits against my back, bending over to give me a love bite.


    The three of us filled the room with our sounds of delight and murmurs of contentment. We were intertwined in each other¡¯s embrace and our bodies were still attached as we rolled on the bed, fully satiated. The odor of our love juices intermingled with our sweat and perfume.


    Katy discarded her dildo and sandwiched me in between them. Katy held on to my semi-hard dick, while Sophie toyed with my balls, happily cupping them in her palms.


    I thanked my lucky stars I had these two marvelous women, who had introduced me to the sensual pleasures that the world can provide. Without them, I would probably remain a jobless virgin in this lifetime.

 Chapter 9

    Next story


    SWEETER THAN HONEY


    SIMONE


    Ever since I turned neen, I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment. I check the bag I¡¯ve packed again for the millionth time, making sure I


    have all of my tiniest bikinis and shorts, before walking downstairs. Every year I go on a camping trip with my best friend and her dad, well, almost every year. Last year¡¯s was cancelled because her dad couldn¡¯t take off work, but this year it¡¯s on, and I¡¯m more than ready for it.


    Since Sara and I both just turned neen, and to make up for missingst year, her dad added another week onto the trip, and he¡¯s reserved us a great spot at the campground. I can¡¯t fucking wait, and it¡¯s not at all because I love camping. It¡¯s more about the fact that I¡¯mpletely obsessed with my best friend¡¯s dad. I know it¡¯s wrong and weird and that he¡¯s more than twice my age, but Matt is a fucking god in my eyes, and there¡¯s just no changing it.


    As soon as I hear a knock at the front door, I grab my bag and hope I can make a quick escape. No such luck. My parents are already opening the door and ushering Matt and Sara in when I round the corner. My eyes run over the tight, ck T-shirt that Matt¡¯s wearing and the way it entuates his broad shoulders and killer body. His tatted-up arms look even more sculpted than usual, and by the time I drag my eyes up to his, he¡¯s giving me a very amused grin, and I swear he can tell what I was just thinking.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°We should probably get going,¡± I say, trying to move this along.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you managed to turn our girl into such a nature lover,¡± my dad says, ¡°but she looks forward to these trips all year long.¡±


    I feel my face heat up as my mom bobs her head up and down in agreement. Mattughs and my face heats up even more.


    ¡°I enjoy them too,¡± he says, before looking at his watch. It¡¯s a ck tactical-looking thing that can probably work five miles underwater.


    ¡°We should probably get going if we¡¯re going to make it before dark.¡± ¡°Well, take good care of our girl,¡± my dad says.


    Matt¡¯s green eyes lock on mine, and he¡¯s so fucking sexy that I can barely stand it. I feel my panties grow wetter with each passing second. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of her,¡± he says, and I can almost let myself believe that it¡¯s a desire I see in his eyes, but he quickly looks away as Sara grabs my arm and gives me an excited grin.


    ¡°There¡¯s going to be a massive party there,¡± she whispers in my ear as we walk to her dad¡¯s truck. ¡°Brian texted and told me all about it.¡±


    Brian, the guy she¡¯s been crushing on for years, is a year older than us and lives close to the campground. He¡¯s always hanging around theke, and she¡¯s been working her ass off to catch his eye. Iugh and roll my eyes at her while Matt tosses my bag in the back with all the other equipment.


    ¡°Do you want to sit in the middle?¡± I ask Sara, trying to make it sound like it¡¯s no big deal.


    I try to hide my huge smile when she says, ¡°Hell no, I want the window.¡±


    Climbing in, I scoot over so I¡¯m a lot closer to Matt than I technically need to be, but if he notices, he¡¯s not letting on. The gear shift is right between my legs and while Sara puts her earbuds in and stares out the window, I part my thighs a bit, smiling when my ridiculously short shorts ride up even higher.


    He looks down and lifts a dark brow at me, but he doesn¡¯t tell me to move. Instead, he starts the car, shifts us in first, and pulls out of the driveway. I try very hard to not think about how close his hand is to my pussy, but it¡¯s impossible not to. I¡¯ve been saving everything for Matt, and some days I feel like I¡¯m going to burst from horniness. Today is one of those days. If I can¡¯t get him to fuck me on this trip, then I¡¯m going to lose my damn mind.


    By the time Sara falls asleep with her head leaning against the window, I¡¯m so aroused I can¡¯t think about anything except how close Matt¡¯s body is to mine. Our shoulders keep bumping, and when I can¡¯t resist it any longer, I spread my thighs wider so our legs are touching.


    ¡°What have you been up totely?¡± His deep voice breaks the silence, making me jerk my eyes up to him. He looks at me quickly before turning back to the road. His dark hair has a tiny bit of grey in it, and even though he¡¯s clean-shaven now, I know from experience that he¡¯ll be sporting a sexy stubble before the day¡¯s over. His chiseled jaw has my heart beating faster, and when he lets out a softugh, I realize I¡¯ve been staring at him way too long.


    ¡°Um, nothing really,¡± I finally stutter out.


    ¡°Still starting college in the fall?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n,¡± I mumble, even though I have no desire to go to college and rack up a debt that I¡¯ll probably never escape from.


    ¡°You¡¯ve still got time to figure it all out,¡± he says, giving me a quick wink.


    ¡°Thanks, Matt,¡± I say. He¡¯s always insisted that I call him Matt, even when I was young and sleeping over at his house. Those sleepovers quickly became awkward as fuck when I got older and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to creep down the hall and into his bed.


    When we turn the corner and the woods open up to reveal thergeke the campground is located on, he grabs my thigh and gives it a soft squeeze before saying, ¡°Look.¡±


    I see a flock of geese swoop low andnd on the water, and as beautiful as the sight is, all I can concentrate on is the feel of hisrge, strong hand on my upper thigh. When I let out a soft moan and parted my thighs even more, he looked down at me, and this time there¡¯s no denying the heat in his eyes.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he quickly says, pulling his hand away.


    Without thinking, I grab onto his hand and keep it pressed tightly against my inner thigh. ¡°Please don¡¯t stop. I like it when you touch me.¡±


    He looks like he wants to argue, but when I keep my hand firmly pressed against his, he finally gives up and keeps it where I want it. I smile as he darts his eyes over to Sara who¡¯s still happily asleep.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you know she¡¯s a heavy sleeper and that she can never stay awake during car rides.¡±


    ¡°No, she can¡¯t,¡± he agrees. ¡°You always could though.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I never wanted to miss a minute with you.¡±


    He seems surprised by myment, but his only response is to lightly caress my leg with his thumb. When I let out another moan, he stopped.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be quiet,¡± I promise.


    He smiles and strokes me again, and this time I don¡¯t make a sound.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he whispers, and I swear it makes me have a mini orgasm.

 Chapter 10

    The rest of the drive is spent with him caressing my leg when he¡¯s not shifting while I try to keep quiet and not cum. When I can¡¯t keep my hands off him any longer, I slide my fingers up his forearm, brushing over all his tattoos. Everything about him is so damn powerful. He¡¯s all hard, sculpted lines and raw masculinity. He screams alpha male, and I¡¯m more than ready to submit to this gorgeous, older man.


    When we pull into the campground, I¡¯m torn between never wanting this moment to end and being more than ready for it to end so we can move on to other things, hopefully, things that involve us both being naked and him finally taking my virginity.


    I let out a pouty moan when he parks the truck and gives my leg onest squeeze before pulling away. He smiles at my reaction and leans in close so his mouth is pressed to my ear. ¡°Try and behave, Simone.¡±


    The feel of his breath against my ear and the sexy sound of his voice have me leaning closer to him and letting out another soft moan.


    He gives a deep chuckle. ¡°Something tells me you¡¯re going to be a handful this trip.¡±


    Before I can respond, he pulls back and opens his door, waking Sara up and leaving me with a racing heart and a soaked pair of panties. He sees my angry scowl and gives me a sexy wink before shutting the door in my face.


    ¡°Wow, we¡¯re here already?¡± Sara says, stretching her arms and opening the door to help her dad unload everything.


    It doesn¡¯t take us long to set the tents up, and he gives me an amused grin when I make sure to put ours very close to his. Once everything is unloaded and where it should be, I say, ¡°Let¡¯s go for a swim!¡±


    The sun hasn¡¯t set yet, and it¡¯s the perfect time to jump in before supper. I¡¯m already wearing a tiny, white bikini under my clothes, so I pull my shirt off, smiling at the way Matt¡¯s eyes widen at the sight of my tiny, triangle top that¡¯s not doing shit to cover me or hide my rock-hard nipples. When I tug off my shorts and he gets an eyeful of barely covered ass, he scrubs a hand over his face and disappears into his tent. When hees out, he¡¯s in a ck pair of swim trunks. My eyes run over his bare upper body, and it¡¯s his turn to smirk at the way I¡¯m eye-fucking him.


    ¡°Come on!¡± Sara says, running ahead of us down the trail that leads to the beach.


    Matt and I take our time. I walk in front of him, knowing he¡¯s staring at my ass, and it makes me feel sexy and bold. Knowing this gorgeous man has his eyes glued to my body brings out the teasing side I never knew I had. When I see a pretty rock on the trail, I slowly bend over and grab it. ¡°Fucking hell,¡± he groans, making me smile as I slowly stand back up and turn to him.


    ¡°Pretty rock, right?¡± I say, holding it up so he can see.


    ¡°That¡¯s not at all what I consider behaving, Simone,¡± he practically growls at me.


    My eyes run down his body, and when I see therge bulge in his pants, I smile and say, ¡°You might want to hide that before we get to the water.¡± I give him a cutesy wave before walking back down the path.


    When I make it to the beach, I look back and see Matt emerging with a scowl on his face. I can tell he¡¯s using his waistband to try and keep his cock in check, but I spot it easily enough and let out a smallugh that has him looking even angrier.


    He walks over to me and growls, ¡°Follow me,¡± before heading out into the water. I scan the small crowd and see Sara running over to Brian and his group of friends. She looks back and waves me over, but I shake my head no and point to the water, letting her know I¡¯m going to go for a swim.


    By the time I get into the water, Matt¡¯s already swimming out to the floating dock that¡¯s currently unupied. I follow him out, enjoying the feel of the cool water after the heat of the day. Matt taught me how to swim in thiske, and I¡¯ve always loved being here. I take my time, and when I swim up to the dock, Matt¡¯s waiting for me by thedder. I notice he¡¯s chosen to tread water on the more secluded side of the dock.


    When I¡¯m close enough, he grabs onto me and pulls me close. My body is pressed against his, and his lips are just inches from mine.


    ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± he growls at me.


    I couldn¡¯t speak right now even if I wanted to. I run my fingers over his strong chest, moaning when I feel the hard length of his cock digging into my stomach. Before I can stop myself, I¡¯m leaning forward and running my tongue over his wet shoulder.


    ¡°God, Simone,¡± he groans. ¡°I¡¯m only human, baby, and you¡¯re killing me.¡±


    ¡°Then stop fighting it,¡± I purred against his skin, sliding my hand down over the peaks and grooves of his abs. I press my hand against his swim trunks, feeling how impossiblyrge he is. ¡°Give me what I want, Matt. I need you,¡± I whimper, squeezing him tighter.


    ¡°You¡¯re off limits, Simone. I know things went too far in the truck earlier, and I¡¯m sorry for that, but you¡¯ve got to stop teasing me. You¡¯re my daughter¡¯s best friend. Nothing can happen between us.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes it can,¡± I say, wrapping my arms and legs around him. ¡°You¡¯re the only man I¡¯ve ever wanted. I¡¯ve saved everything for you, Matt.¡±


    He groans and wraps his arm around my back. Pressing his face close to mine, he says, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Simone. I just can¡¯t. It wouldn¡¯t be right. You¡¯re too young.¡±


    I pull back with a frustrated growl. ¡°Stop being so damn stubborn.¡± I rock my hips again, making him clench his jaw in frustration. ¡°I can feel how badly you want me.¡± I see the raw desire in his eyes, and I know he¡¯s fighting like hell to maintain the boundaries that he¡¯s convinced need to remain in ce. ¡°Please, Matt, I need you to fuck me. It¡¯s all I¡¯ve thought about since I turned eighteen.¡±


    ¡°God, don¡¯t say that,¡± he groans as I grind against him even harder.


    ¡°But it¡¯s true. I¡¯ve never been with anyone, and I want you to be my first.¡± I don¡¯t add and only because I don¡¯t want to scare the hell out of him. I figure I¡¯ll drop that little detail inter.


    ¡°You¡¯re a virgin?¡± he asks, pulling back so he can look into my eyes.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I rest my palm against the side of his face, thrilled that I¡¯m getting to touch the man that I¡¯ve fantasized about for so long. ¡°If you had any idea how many times I¡¯ve fucked myself while thinking about you, you¡¯d never believe me.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He groans and presses his forehead to mine. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me things like that. This is hard enough as it is.¡±


    I smile and grind my pussy against his hard cock. ¡°It sure is.¡±


    As frustrated as he is, he still smirks at my joke, adjusting his grip on thedder as he holds me close. ¡°You know what I think?¡± he asks. ¡°I think you¡¯re just a horny girl who¡¯s dying to get fucked, and I think you have a crush on me.¡±


    ¡°If I wanted to get fucked, Matt, all I need to do is swim back to the beach and go hang out with Sara. She¡¯s surrounded by a group of guys, and I¡¯m pretty sure several of them would love to fuck me.¡±


    The pure rage in his eyes has me smiling even wider. ¡°Don¡¯t like that idea, do you?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t say anything, but the answer is painfully obvious.


    ¡°Please, Matt, I need you so badly.¡±


    He groans and says, ¡°Like I said, horny. You want me to make you feel better, little girl?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I moan, not even needing to think about the answer.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll give you what you need, Simone, and then I expect you to behave.¡±


    I nod a quick yes, ready to agree to anything if it gets me more of him.

 Chapter 11

    MATT


    The second Simone climbed into my truck and parted her thighs for me, I knew I was in trouble. I¡¯ve been having very impure thoughts about her ever since she turned eighteen, and I¡¯ve tried my best to keep it in check, even going so far as to cancelst year¡¯s camping trip, but I couldn¡¯t stay away anymore. I had no idea she was going to be so damn eager, though.


    Her brown eyes stay locked on mine, and when she grinds her pussy against me again, I grip her hip tightly, giving her a warning look.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°I thought you said you were going to give me what I want,¡± she pouts.


    Her tits are mostly underwater, but I can still see enough to make my damn head spin. When she¡¯d stripped out of her clothes and ran off in that tiny bikini, I¡¯d nearly busted a damn nut. I¡¯ve been covered in precum since she scooted in close to me in the truck, and I have no idea how in the fuck I¡¯m going to survive this trip.


    When she parts her lips and sucks in a quick breath, I lose what little restraint I have and press my lips to hers. She immediately opens for me with a moan, running her tongue along mine as she clings to me even tighter. Her whimpers are driving me crazy, and when she grinds against me even harder, I growl and kiss her harder until she¡¯s pulling back with a gasp. Her eyes are heavy-lidded and her breaths are fast, little pants that make her chest rise and fall in a hypnotic rhythm.


    ¡°Please,¡± she begs. ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore, Matt. I need to cum.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one,¡± I growl, pulling my trunks down enough to expose my cock. I roughly yank her bikini bottoms aside and press her against me, groaning at the feel of her pussy against my shaft. ¡°Fucking hell, baby, are you shaved?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she purrs, smiling like the little seductress she is. ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°God, you know I do now take your pleasure, little girl, before I change my mind. Use my cock and cum for me like a good girl.¡±


    She moans at my words and grinds against me in a fast rhythm, chasing her pleasure like the wild little thing she is. I watch her, drinking in the sight of her and knowing I¡¯ve never seen anything as sexy as Simone grinding against my cock. I keep her held tightly against me as I step onto thedder so I can lift her a bit.


    When her full tits are out of the water, I immediately bring my mouth to one. I tongue her nipple over the fabric, and when it¡¯s not enough, I roughly tear it out of the way and wrap my mouth around her full tit, sucking her in and making her gasp.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± she whimpers when I roll my tongue over her hard nipple before giving her a soft bite.


    I cup her ass tightly, working her harder against me. ¡°Cum with me,¡± she moans, digging her nails into my back. ¡°Please cum with me, Matt.¡±


    I groan and bring us higher up thedder, even though it¡¯s putting us slightly in view. I¡¯m counting on the setting sun to keep us in enough shadow to not be too visible from shore. There¡¯s no way in fuck I¡¯m going to miss the sight of cumming on Simone¡¯s sweet young body, though.


    Her small hips grind on me even faster, and I dig my fingers into her ass and warn, ¡°Don¡¯t fucking scream,¡± right as she cums hard and bites my shoulder to keep from screaming my name.


    Her whole body tenses and the feel of her tight, bare cunt sliding along my cock is easily enough to bring me right along with her. With a groan I cum hard, shooting my load all over her stomach and tits. I can¡¯t help but think of it as marking her as mine, but I know that can¡¯t happen. This is enough, I tell myself. This one moment has to be enough.


    I kiss my way up her neck, before finding her mouth and slowly kissing her as we bothe down. Her small body trembles against mine as aftershocks rush through her. She cups my face with one hand and keeps her other arm wrapped around my shoulders.


    When I pull back, she gives a softugh and says, ¡°Holy fuck.¡±


    I smile and look at her perfect, young body. The long braids of my cum cover her skin, and I wish she could stay like this forever. She looks down at the mess I¡¯ve made on her and gives a soft moan. Instead of being disgusted, she looks downright ravenous. She cups her bare, cum-covered tit and lowers her face to it. I watch her as she runs her tongue over her tit, licking up my cum with a sexy moan before sucking her nipple into her mouth.


    ¡°Jesus Christ,¡± I groan, watching her suck her tit clean. I¡¯m fully hard again before she¡¯s pulled back enough to let her tit drop with a wet pop that will be embedded in my brain for the rest of my life.


    ¡°You taste good, Matt,¡± she says with a grin. ¡°I want more, except this time I want to suck it from you.¡±


    ¡°You said you¡¯d behave for me, Simone, if I made you feel better,¡± I remind her, trying like hell to get this situation back under control.


    ¡°I know, but that was before I realized how good you could make me feel. It never feels that good when I just fuck myself.¡± She runs her fingers over my chest. ¡°If your cock felt that good like this, I can¡¯t even imagine how good it would feel inside me.¡±


    She dances her fingers along my abs before gently caressing my cock. ¡°You¡¯re so much bigger than I imagined you¡¯d be.¡±


    I groan at her words, at the feel of her hand exploring my cock, at the sight of her bare tit that¡¯s still glistening with her spit, and at knowing that this situation is way out of control.


    ¡°This has to stop,¡± I tell her, cursing myself for not nipping this in the damn bud the second it started.


    ¡°Whatever you say, Matt,¡± she says, giving me a wicked grin. ¡°Can you help me fix my bikini?¡±


    She tries to make the question sound harmless, but the wicked little smile she¡¯s giving me tells me all I need to know. I reach down and tug the tiny scrap of fabric back over her perfect tit, but her hard nipple is still straining against the top, and my jaw aches with the need to take her into my mouth again. I¡¯m dying to know if the rest of her tastes as sweet. I¡¯m guessing her pussy is a feast that I¡¯d never want toe up from. For her sake, I hope I never taste her. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d ever be able to stop.

 Chapter 12

    ¡°I hate wasting your seed like this,¡± she says, running her hand over her stomach, covering her tight, young body in my cum before bringing her wet fingers to her mouth, sucking my seed from them. My eyes are locked on her fingers as she slowly slides them out from between her pouty lips. ¡°I wish this was all in my pussy, Matt.¡± She gives me a sinfully wicked grin. ¡°And my ass.¡±


    ¡°Goddamn, Simone,¡± I groan, making herugh. She runs her fingers over my cock onest time before I lower us back into the water and pull my trunks back up.


    She runs her fingers over my shoulder. ¡°Better not let Sara see that.¡±


    I look down and see the bite mark she left on me. She giggles and gives me a quick kiss before swimming away. ¡°I¡¯ll see you back on the beach,¡± she yells at me. I watch her swim away, wondering how in the fuck I¡¯m going to survive this trip.


    By the time I make it to the shore, it¡¯s almost fully dark. I¡¯d taken my time, trying to get my cock to rx and for my moralpass to get back on track, but as soon as I see Simone, everything goes haywire again. She¡¯s standing with a group of young adults around a zing fire that someone started, and I remind myself that this is where she belongs, not with a man more than twice her age, but with guys in their early twenties who aren¡¯t her best friend¡¯s dad. It doesn¡¯t make it any easier to watch, though.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    When I see a young guy walk over to Simone and give her a leering smile, I turn away before I do something really stupid like run up and punch the smug grin right off his fucking face. I walk back to the campsite as visions of that motherfucker¡¯s hands all over my girl¡¯s body float through my head.


    No! She¡¯s not mine, I remind myself. I¡¯m still standing with my hands clenched into fists when I hear footsteps behind me. When I turn and see Simone standing there looking so fucking sexy in her white bikini that I can barely stand it, I let out a groan and start to throw logs onto our small fire pit. I will miss on the task at hand and not on the fact that her nipples are still rock hard or on how damn sweet she¡¯d tasted or how smooth her little pussy is. It doesn¡¯t work, and by the time the fire is lit, I¡¯m rock-fucking-hard again and grumpy as hell.


    When sheughs, I scowl at her, making herugh even harder. ¡°This is a hell of your own making, Matt.¡± She steps closer and runs her eyes over me. ¡°You could have me anytime you want me. It¡¯s your stubborn ass that¡¯s keeping us apart, just remember that.¡±


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d be hanging down at the bonfire,¡± I say, hating that I sound like a jealous lover.


    She smiles and reaches out to dance her fingers along my abs. ¡°You have nothing to be jealous of. I told you I¡¯ve saved everything for you.¡± She slides a finger under my waistband and smiles even wider when she feels the head of my cock. ¡°Just don¡¯t make me wait too long, Matt. I¡¯m not sure I could handle it.¡±


    I groan when she slides her fingers along my cock. ¡°One more thing,¡± she says as if she¡¯s just now thought of it, ¡°we¡¯ll be alone tonight. Sara is going to hang out with Brian and his friends, and I told her I¡¯d cover for her. Looks like it¡¯s just you and me, and I think I might be too scared to sleep alone tonight.¡± She gives me a wicked grin. ¡°You don¡¯t mind sharing a tent, do you?¡±


    I¡¯m not sure where I dig up the willpower, but I grab onto her wrist and pull her curious fingers off my cock. ¡°I¡¯ll make us supper,¡± I say. ¡°You¡¯re starving.¡±


    Sheughs and sits down on a log close to the fire, watching my every move as I grab some hotdogs and roasting sticks. When I sit beside her and hand her a stick, she scoots in closer so our bodies are touching. I smile because it¡¯s impossible not to. As horny and eager as she is, there¡¯s also an undeniable sweetness about her that gets me hard quicker than anything. How any woman can look sweet while also wearing the world¡¯s tiniest bikini, I¡¯ll never know, but Simone pulls it off easily.


    When the hotdogs are cooked, we eat infortable silence while I try very hard to not think about what I wish I was stuffing her sweet mouth with. Every time I look at her, I remember how damn sexy she¡¯d looked covered in my cum. Needing to keep myself busy, I dig out the s¡¯mores ingredients and hand her a marshmallow. I watch her make one and bring the sugary monstrosity to her lips. She closes her eyes and moans in appreciation while I try my hardest to not bust a nut in my fucking pants like a teenager.


    She looks over at me when she¡¯s finished, and Iugh at the glob of chocte above her lip. ¡°What? Do I have chocte on my face?¡± She tries to get it off and the sight of her glistening tongue running along her full lips has me letting out a groan. She smiles and leans in close to me. ¡°Did I get it?¡±


    I shake my head no and close the distance between us, running my tongue over the chocte. She moans and grabs onto the back of my head, pulling me closer as she slides her tongue into my mouth. With the chocte she just ate, she tastes even sweeter than before, and I¡¯m suddenly starving again. I know I should stop, that this is all kinds of wrong, and that I¡¯m doing exactly what I swore I wouldn¡¯t, but, fuck, I can¡¯t seem to stop myself.

 Chapter 13

    When she crawls into myp, I don¡¯t stop her, not even when she starts to grind against me again, making me feel like I¡¯m going to lose my goddamn mind if I don¡¯t get inside her soon.


    ¡°Please,¡± she begs when I slide a hand into her bikini bottoms and cup her round ass. ¡°I want to taste you again, Matt.¡± She gives my bottom lip a soft suck. ¡°Please fuck my mouth.¡±


    I groan and pick her up, carrying her to my tent. ¡°Only if I get to taste your pussy, too.¡±


    She squeals and wraps her arms and legs tighter around me. When we¡¯re inside the tent, I run my eyes over her, knowing there¡¯s no way in fuck I¡¯m going to be able to deny her anything, because I want this just as badly as she does. I¡¯ve fought it long enough, and I can¡¯t do it anymore. The light from thentern is more than enough to reveal every curve of her body, and I¡¯m stunned by how badly I need to be inside her. I¡¯ve never experienced this kind of attraction before. It goes way beyond just needing to getid. I need to own and possess every fucking inch of her.


    We¡¯re both on our knees with our bodies only inches apart. I run my hands over her body, wanting to explore and memorize every perfect inch of her. When I start to undo the strings of her bikini top, she lets out a soft moan as it falls to the floor.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°God, you are so beautiful,¡± I say, cupping her full tits and giving her nipples a hard enough pinch to make her mouth part in a gasp. I slide my hands down to her hips, tugging on the strings until the bottoms fall away and she¡¯s finally naked before me. My eyes run over her, and the sight of her bald little pussy pushes me over the edge.


    Gentlyying her down, I grab onto her thighs and spread them wide, groaning when her pussy gently parts in invitation. ¡°God, baby, you¡¯re dripping wet for me.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± she purrs, bringing her hands up to massage her tits. ¡°I need you so badly.¡± She gets a shy look on her face and says, ¡°Do you think we could try something?¡±


    ¡°We can do whatever you want, sweetheart.¡±


    An adorable blush heats her face. ¡°I¡¯ve always fantasized about riding your face.¡± Sheughs and covers her face with her hands.


    I pull them away and bring my body to hover over hers. ¡°You want to sit on my face, baby?¡± I ask, loving that she¡¯s fucked herself while thinking about it because god knows I have.


    ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± she moans, wrapping her arms and legs around me.


    I roll us over so she¡¯s on top of me. ¡°Give me your pussy, sweetheart,¡± I say, giving her a wink when she immediately starts to position herself above me. I take one look at her wet, bald little cunt and let out a feral-sounding groan. ¡°Closer, beautiful,¡± I growl, grabbing onto her hips and pulling her down. I hover her right above my lips so I can breathe her in. She struggles against me, wanting to smother my face with her pussy, but I¡¯m not about to rush this moment.


    ¡°Patience, sweetheart,¡± I growl. ¡°Let me worship your little virgin pussy like I want to.¡±


    I run my tongue up her wet slit, watching as she throws back her head with a groan and cups her tits again. The taste of her little virgin cunt is unlike anything I¡¯ve ever known, and I feel drunk on it as I suck on her pussy lips before giving her a soft bite. I lick and kiss my way to her swollen clit, giving her a suck before I lower her fully onto my face. She immediately begins to work her hips, using my mouth to get herself off. I slide my tongue into her, groaning when I see her lower her head to her tit again. She keeps her eyes on mine and runs her tongue over her hard nipple.


    Her hips are relentless as she grinds her pussy against me, threatening to suffocate me, but I don¡¯t give the slightest fuck about that. All I care about is watching my girl cum. I slide a finger between us, soaking it in her juices as I tongue her clit, before bringing my hand around to her ass. While she rides me, I bring my finger to her asshole, making her moan and work her hips even harder.


    My eyes are locked on her sucking her tit while she pinches her other nipple and grinds against my face like a wild woman. My tongue never lets up as I start to slide my finger into her tight ass. She¡¯s so close to cumming, and her perfect, young body opens up for me, letting me prate her tight little asshole until my finger is buried inside her.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± she whimpers against her tit, looking at me with eyes that are zed over with lust.


    I growl against her pussy, flicking her clit with my tongue before giving it a hard suck and sending her over the edge. She screams my name as her asshole tightens around my finger and she cums hard against my face. I finger-fuck her ass and give her clit another suck, making her buck against me and throw her head back as I force another orgasm onto her.


    Watching her cum is the sexiest goddamn thing I¡¯ve ever seen. I drink in the sight of her until she¡¯s looking down at me with the most adorable I just camehaveard look on her face and her whole body is trembling. I slide my finger out of her ass, making her let out another sexy moan, and grip her hips, hovering her just above me so I can slowly lick her clean.


    ¡°God, your little virgin pussy tastes so fucking sweet, baby.¡± I run my tongue up her slit, gently parting her pussy lips and filling my mouth with the taste of her pussy. She whimpers with each swipe of my tongue across her overly sensitive clit. I could happily spend the rest of my life with my face buried between her legs, but my need to cum is so all-consuming that it takes over everything else.


    ¡°Turn around,¡± I growl. ¡°Wrap that pouty mouth around my cock, sweetheart.¡±

 Chapter 14

    SIMONEN?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I can¡¯t believe I just rode my best friend¡¯s dad¡¯s face and came all over him. When he growls at me to turn around and suck his cock, I can¡¯t move fast enough. I¡¯ve been dying to taste him again. I turn around as he quickly strips out of his swim trunks, revealing his huge, perfect cock. My mouth aches at the sight of it, partly from need and partly from knowing that this is going to hurt a little bit.


    He grips my hips in his powerful hands and lowers my pussy back down to his mouth. He holds me still, keeping me right above him so he can still talk. I hover my face above his cock, eyeing the bead of precum that¡¯s forming. He¡¯s already covered in it, and I watch amazed as his cock swells even more and gives a hungry jump. I¡¯m so mesmerized that the sharp smack to my ass takes me byplete surprise. I let out a yelp and twisted my head to try and look at him.


    ¡°You spanked me!¡± I gasp.


    Heughs against my cunt and spanks me again, this time even harder, making both my ass cheeks feel like they¡¯re on fire. ¡°Start sucking, baby, and make sure you take me in like a good girl.¡±


    He gives my clit a soft suck that has my toes curling and my eyes rolling back in my head. ¡°Now, Simone,¡± he growls.


    I smile at his bossy tone and lower my head before slowly running my tongue over his head, licking up the precum that seems to be never-ending.


    ¡°Is this what you want?¡± I tease, giving his head a soft flick.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he growls against my pussy, digging his fingers even harder into my hips.


    I feel drunk on power at having this big, strong man beneath me, desperate for me to suck his cock. I run my tongue over him again, twirling it around his head before probing his slit with it. When I slowly suck his head into my mouth, he growls and wraps his lips around my clit, rewarding me with a flick of his tongue. I suck on his head, slowly sliding it in and out of my mouth until he groans again and gives me another hard spanking.


    ¡°More,¡± he growls.


    I smile and slow down even more, bringing one hand to his balls. Lightly dragging my nails over his sensitive skin, I give his head another hard suck that earns me another hard spank. The mix of pain and pleasure as he tongues my clit has me rocking my hips, so fucking desperate for more.


    ¡°Stop fucking teasing,¡± he growls, ¡°and give me what I need.¡±


    ¡°What do you need?¡± I ask before sliding his head back into my mouth.


    ¡°To be so fucking far down your throat that you can¡¯t breathe. I want you choking on my cock, sweet girl, and if I don¡¯t hear you gagging in about five seconds, then your ass is going to have my handprint permanently etched into it.¡±


    ¡°Promises, promises,¡± I murmur, moaning in pure bliss when he gives me an even harder spanking.


    ¡°Fucking brat,¡± he growls, but I can hear in his voice how much he loves my bratty side.


    ¡°Finger-fuck my ass again and maybe I¡¯ll think about it,¡± I say, giving him another slow lick.


    ¡°Fucking hell, little girl.¡±


    Before I knew what was happening, he gave me another hard spank and pulled me off him in one quick motion. I¡¯m left on my hands and knees while he kneels in front of me. The look in his eyes should be enough of a warning to keep my damn mouth shut, but there¡¯s just something about being a brat with him that turns me on. I eye the enormous cock jutting out right in front of my face and then look up to meet his eyes. They¡¯re darker than I¡¯ve ever seen them, and the fierce way he¡¯s clenching his jaw has my lips quirking up in a grin.


    ¡°Somebody¡¯s grumpy,¡± I say with a smirk.


    ¡°Open,¡± he growls through clenched teeth.


    I give him an innocent look and open my mouth wide. He fists the base of his cock and guides his head to my lips. I let out a moan when he ran his head over my mouth, coating me in precum. It¡¯s his turn to smirk when he looks down at me. It¡¯s painfully obvious how badly I want and need his cock.


    ¡°It¡¯s cute that you tried to tease me, honey, but you¡¯re forgetting something very important.¡± He parts my lips with the head of his cock, smiling when I immediately run my tongue over him. ¡°I¡¯m the one in charge here.¡±


    I moan as he slides his head into my mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been fighting how badly I want you, but I¡¯m done fighting it, Simone. Do you want to be with me?¡±


    I moan and mm-hmm and shake my head yes as best I can as he slides his cock further in.


    ¡°Good, but you need to make sure that¡¯s really what you want. You¡¯ve always seen me as Sara¡¯s easygoing, carefree dad, but there¡¯s another side of me you don¡¯t know about.¡± He fists my hair tightly and slowly fucks my mouth with half his cock, letting me get used to hisrge size. ¡°When ites to you, I¡¯m one possessive motherfucker, and if you¡¯re going to be with me, then you¡¯re going to be only with me. Is that understood?¡± I moan my eyes and run my tongue over his cock.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he praises. ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck your mouth hard, sweetheart, and then I¡¯m iming your pussy.¡± He strokes my cheek with his finger. ¡°And when you¡¯re sore and shaking and can barely move, then, baby,¡± he says with a sexy grin, ¡°then I¡¯m going to im that sweet little ass of yours.¡±


    He gives a wickedugh when my hips start to rock at his words, fucking the air because it¡¯s all I have and my body is so far gone and desperate for cock.

 Chapter 15

    ¡°Prepare yourself, sweetheart, this might be a little unpleasant.¡±


    He gives me a wink and ms his cock into me in one hard thrust until he¡¯s buried in my throat. I¡¯d suck in a gasp, but I can¡¯t breathe, and when I gag around him, he groans and tightens his grip on my hair.


    ¡°Just rx, baby, and take it.¡±


    I feel like my lips are splitting at the corners, and my lungs are starting to burn, but there¡¯s no denying how wet this is making me. I always suspected there was a dominant side to Matt, and watching ite out is the hottest thing I¡¯ve ever seen. I rx my body, giving myself over to him, and when he slides out of me, I suck in a huge breath of air before he ms back into me.


    ¡°Such a good little fuck doll,¡± he groans, using my mouth as tears and spit drip down my face.


    When I can¡¯t help but gag again, he lets out a deep groan and fists my hair tighter. ¡°God, you look so fucking sexy choking on my cock, baby.¡±


    I moan around his thick shaft, and all I can think about is how good that¡¯s going to feel in my pussy. My hips keep rocking like they have a mind of their own, and when he leans forward and gives my ass a hard enough smack to force me down onto his cock again, I moan and rock my hips even harder. He groans and spanks me again, setting my cheeks on fire as my pussy clenches, desperate for his cock. He spanks me three more times before growling ¡°Swallow,¡± and mming me down onto his cock so he¡¯s buried in my throat.


    I whimper and moan around his cock as he pulses inside my mouth with each shot of his seed. ¡°Fuck,¡± he groans when I start to swallow, drinking him down like a fucking starving woman. I suck him dry, and when he¡¯s empty, he softens his grip on my hair, massaging my scalp until I¡¯m practically purring around his still semi-hard cock.


    ¡°Goddamn, baby,¡± he sighs as I kiss and lick him clean, worshipping the cock that I¡¯vepletely fallen in love with. By the time I let him go with a wet pop, he¡¯s fully hard again and ready for more.


    He pulls me up and cups my face, running his thumb over my cockswollen lips. ¡°Did I do a good job?¡± I ask, watching as his face breaks out in a sexy, wicked grin.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d be a natural, sweetheart. That mouth of yours is too damn sexy to not be good at sucking cock.¡±


    I smile and part my lips for him when he leans closer. I thought maybe he wouldn¡¯t want to kiss me after cumming in my mouth, but he doesn¡¯t seem bothered by it in the slightest. He runs his tongue along mine, kissing me harder as my entire body turns into one big ball of need. I run my nails over his back, pressing my body against his, so damn ready for him to be inside me.


    ¡°Please,¡± I whimper against his lips. ¡°Please fuck me, Matt.¡±


    I feel him smile against me before gentlyying me down and hovering his powerful body above mine. He presses the head of his cock against my slit, teasing me until I¡¯m gasping and digging my fingers into his shoulders and the heels of my feet into his toned ass.


    ¡°Is this what you want, sweet girl?¡±


    ¡°God yes,¡± I moan, rocking my hips and trying to get him inside me.


    He grins and rubs my clit with the head of his cock. He¡¯s wet from precum and my juices, making it easy for him to slide over my pussy until I¡¯m whimpering and shaking with need.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Give me your cock, Matt,¡± I whine.


    He lets out a deepugh and keeps his eyes on mine as he teases me until I feel like I¡¯m going to lose my damn mind.


    ¡°Easy, beautiful,¡± he whispers against my lips before running his tongue over my bottom lip. ¡°You¡¯ll get my cock soon enough.¡±


    ¡°But I need it now,¡± I whine, digging my nails into his back.


    He sucks my bottom lip, giving it a not-so-gentle bite. ¡°You¡¯ll get my cock when I think you¡¯re ready for it, little one, and not a second before.¡±


    I¡¯m about to argue some more when he does something with his hips that has the head of his cock hitting my clit in the most intoxicating rhythm and all I can do is gasp as my entire body tenses and I cum hard with a scream. Matt watches, drinking at the sight of me cumming with a feral glint in his eyes. I have just enough time to register the wicked smile he gives me before he¡¯s mming his cock into me, and I¡¯m filling the tent with my screams again.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I gasp, feeling like I¡¯m being split in two while my orgasm still thunders through me, creating an excruciatingly beautiful mix of pain and pleasure that leaves me momentarily blinded as I cling to him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you, baby,¡± he whispers in my ear before giving my earlobe a bite. ¡°Now you¡¯re mine, sweet girl.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I moan, tightening my grip on him as she slowly starts to fuck me.


    ¡°God, baby, your pussy is so fucking tight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your fault for being so fucking big,¡± I say, making himugh.


    ¡°I am, and you¡¯re taking my big cock like such a good girl.¡± He starts to fuck me harder, smiling when I let out another gasp. Leaning closer, he runs his tongue up my cheek, licking the tears that had slipped out when he first slid into me, tearing through my hymen in one hard thrust. He lets out a deep groan when the salty taste fills his mouth and starts to fuck me harder.


    My nails dig into his back as he fucks me in powerful strokes that leave me feeling like I¡¯m going to explode into a million different pieces. When I start to cum again, he kisses me hard, swallowing my screams and groaning when my pussy clenches even tighter around his thick cock. By the time he pulls back, I¡¯m gasping and can barely remember my damn name.


    ¡°Fucking hell, baby, your little pussy is so damn perfect.¡±


    Lifting, he grabs onto my thighs and spreads my legs wide as he slowly fucks me, watching his cock im my pussy with a feral look in his eyes.


    ¡°So fucking perfect,¡± he growls, mming into me hard enough to make my tits bounce. His fingers dig into my thighs, reminding me that he¡¯s in control and making every hard thrust feel even better because of it. I cup my tits, pinching my nipples between my fingers, making him growl in approval as he brings his thumb to my clit.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I moan, feeling so many different emotions and sensations that I can¡¯t seem to narrow in on anyone, so I¡¯m left feeling a thousand different things at once until I can¡¯t contain it and my whole body explodes as I cum again.


    Matt keeps working my clit, sending me into a tailspin of pleasure. I¡¯m lost to everything except the feel of his cock mming into me and his fingers working my clit. With a deep groan, he fucks me harder as my pussy clenches around him, forcing him over the edge right along with me. I moan at the feel of him shooting his seed into me, filling me to the fucking brim.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I moan, rocking my hips to meet every hard thrust he¡¯s giving me. ¡°Fuck, yes, Matt, give me your cum!¡±


    He growls as his cock pulses inside me, giving me more of what I need and want until he¡¯s empty and we¡¯re both gasping for air. Leaning back over me, he presses his forehead to mine andughs softly, ¡°Holy fuck, baby.¡±


    Iugh and wrap my arms around him, feeling more rxed and happy than I ever have in my life. ¡°I want your cock inside me at all times, Matt,¡± I say, barely recognizing thezy, dazed sound of my voice.


    He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose. ¡°Consider it done, beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Good, because god did that feel good.¡±


    Heughs and brushes back a strand of sweaty hair, tucking it behind my ear.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you were nning on keeping that from me,¡± I can¡¯t help but pout.


    He smiles down at me, and I return it when I feel him start to grow hard again inside me.


    ¡°I tried my best, beautiful, because even though I¡¯m not letting you go, you¡¯re most definitely off limits. Prepare yourself for a lot of odd looks when we¡¯re out in public.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck about anybody else,¡± I say, wrapping my arms and legs around him even tighter. ¡°All I care about is you. Let them stare all they want. They¡¯re just jealous.¡±


    ¡°Yes, men will be jealous of me,¡± he says with augh.


    I smile and rock my hips, already needing more of him. ¡°If we¡¯ve already crossed the line, thethen we might as well cross it even more.¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± he asks, giving me a sexy grin.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for you to fuck my ass, Matt.¡±


    ¡°God, baby, I will never get tired of hearing you say that.¡±

 Chapter 16

    MATT


    Simone gives me a sexy grin and then an equally sexy pout when I slide my cock out of her used pussy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, baby, I¡¯ll be back in your little cunt soon enough. Now get on your hands and knees and show me that perfect little ass I¡¯m going to be fucking.¡±


    She lets out an honest-to-god giggle hurries up and turns over. When she¡¯s on her hands and knees, she looks over her shoulder and shakes her ass at me. ¡°I¡¯m ready for your cock,¡± she purrs, getting me rock hard again in seconds.


    I grab onto her ass, cupping her round cheeks in my hand, and spread her wide, groaning at the sight of her tight little virgin pucker.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re ready, baby, but you¡¯re not even close to being ready to take my cock in this tight little ass of yours.¡±


    When I lean down and run my tongue over her little asshole, she lets out a surprised gasp and arches her ass up for me like the eager girl she is. Her sexy moans and whimpers fill the tent as I circle her asshole with my tongue, sparking all those nerves end endings never knew she had to live until she was smacking the ground with her hand, demanding I fuck her. I smile and give her asshole another firm lick.


    Sitting back, I eye her used cunt and herst virgin hole and let out a deep sigh. ¡°God, I¡¯m going to enjoy fucking your little virgin ass.¡±


    ¡°Then stop taking your sweet time about it,¡± she pouts, ¡°and get your cock inside me.¡±


    I smile and give her ass a hard enough spanking to make my hand sting. She moans and rocks her hips, so fucking desperate for more. ¡°You are such a handful,¡± I tell her, dancing my fingers along her reddened skin, ¡°but it¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t handle, baby.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Remind me who I belong to,¡± she says, giving me fuck-me eyes over her shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make damn sure you never forget who owns this little ass and pussy,¡± I growl, sliding my fingers along her dripping wet slit. Unable to resist the temptation, I plunged three fingers into her, fucking her hard enough to make her gasp and grind against me. ¡°You see how nicely your little pussy stretches for me now, baby?¡±


    She whimpers a yes, working her hips even harder. I¡¯m mesmerized by the sexy dip in her lower back that she keeps showing me with every roll of her hips.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if your ass can do the same.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± she moans when I slide my soaked fingers out of her and bring them to her asshole.


    ¡°Just rx, beautiful,¡± I tell her, sliding one finger into her tight ass. When I¡¯m up to the second knuckle, I start to finger-fuck her slowly. The sight is driving me crazy, and my cock aches so fucking badly with the need to be inside her. I fist my cock with my free hand and start to pump myself as I slide a second finger into her, stretching her wider than she¡¯s ever been.


    ¡°Good girl, baby,¡± I tell her, groaning as her little ass takes me in. Precum drips onto her ass as I start to work myself harder.


    ¡°Please,¡± she begs. ¡°Please give me your cock, Matt. I need it so badly.¡±


    I work her ass harder, scissoring my fingers until she¡¯s rxed enough for something much bigger. Sliding my fingers out, I grab onto her hips and m my cock into her pussy, fucking her for a few seconds and coating my cock in our juices.


    When I press the head of my cock against her tight ass, she looks back at me and gives me a wink. ¡°Don¡¯t go easy on me. Make my ass sore, Matt.¡±


    With a groan, I slide my cock into her. Her little ass takes every thick inch of my cock. When I¡¯m balls deep inside her, I keep our bodies locked together and say, ¡°Fuck yourself, baby. y with your pussy and make yourself cum.¡±


    She immediately lowers her upper body to the ground and brings her hands to her pussy. The wet sounds of her fucking herself is the sexiest damn thing I¡¯ve ever heard. I dig my fingers into her hips and slowly start to fuck her ass. Every thrust sends pleasure racing through me, and I know I¡¯m not going tost long, not with the way her ass is clenched so tightly around me.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I groan, speeding up and fucking her harder.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she moans, rubbing her clit even faster. ¡°Harder, please fuck me harder!¡±


    I m into her in a brutal rhythm that she fucking loves. She takes everything I¡¯m giving her and still begs for more. When she starts to scream my name, she drags her nails over my balls and sends me over the edge right along with her. Her ass tenses even harder around my cock, making my eyes roll back in my head as I shoot my load inside her sweet little ass, iming it as mine. I fill her to the fucking brim, and by the time I¡¯m empty, I¡¯m panting and my damn ears are ringing.


    Good god, what the fuck has she done to me?


    Even though I¡¯m the one that just fucked and filled her with my seed, I feel like she¡¯s imed me just as strongly. I¡¯m wrapped around her goddamn finger, and I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. With a satisfied sigh, I slowly slide my cock out of her ass andy next to her, pulling her small body into mine.


    She gives me an adorable, loopy smile and cuddles into me. ¡°I¡¯m so d you stopped being stubborn,¡± she murmurs against my chest.


    ¡°There was never any way I was going to be able to deny you. I knew it the second I put my hand on your thigh.¡± I lean down and kiss her. ¡°I wanted you too badly, and I still do.¡±


    Running my fingers over her unbelievably soft skin, I know I¡¯m never letting my girl go.


    ¡°Good thing you can have me anytime you want now,¡± she says with a smile.


    ¡°Yes, I can, and that makes me the luckiest man in the world.¡±


    She smiles even bigger and reaches down to trail her fingers over my still semi-hard cock. ¡°I¡¯m going to need you to fuck me again very soon.¡± ¡°You think so, huh?¡± I ask with augh.


    ¡°Yes.¡± She gives me a wicked grin and climbs on top of me.


    I run my eyes over her perfect body as my cock grows fully hard again. ¡°God, you¡¯re going to be the end of me.¡±


    She smiles even bigger and slides back onto my cock at an excruciatingly slow pace, making sure I feel every second of her pussy taking my dick until I¡¯m buried in the wet heat of her. I watch my sweet girl as she starts to ride me, knowing I¡¯m going to happily spend the rest of my life fucking my wild, off-limits girl.

 Chapter 17

    Note: Hi lovelies, here is a fantastic book titled: The Business Proposal. Wish y¡¯all a happy reading.


    Prologue


    ¡°I¡¯lle by around four to pick you up for the dinner tonight. Be sure you are ready on time. Thest thing I need is to show upte again to a dinner. Wear the blue dress I picked out for you, hair up, minimal make up and no jewelry other than your ring. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be ready by four.¡± ¡°Good.¡±


    With that the door closes, no good-bye, no kiss, nothing, just the firm click of the doortching. I¡¯d be lying if I didn¡¯t say I was looking forward to tonight, not that I¡¯m looking forward to the tasteless dinner and boring conversations. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve been out of the house


    besides running errands or going to the grocery store. I miss meaningful adult conversations; I can¡¯t remember thest time I talked to someone about something other than the upkeep of the house or the weather.


    My days are spent by myself, my nights typically pretty much the same. My life has be very lonely in thest year which is why something as silly as a business dinner will be the highlight of my entire month. I had hoped to get my hair cut and colored before the dinner tonight, but unfortunately he decided we shouldn¡¯t spend the money on my hair and that it was fine the way it was. I know it¡¯s not fine¡­ I have split ends


    because my hair hasn¡¯t been trimmed in over a year. The highlights I once loved have nearly faded away leaving an odd coloring to my hair. I know better than to argue, so I just nod and don¡¯t bring it up again. I don¡¯t have much money of my own and even if I did, I wouldn¡¯t dare go against what he says and get my hair cut.


    After doing my daily chores, I¡¯m left with only an hour or so to get ready for dinner tonight. Although I¡¯m tight on time, I decide to soak a few extra minutes in the bathtub before getting ready for dinner. My days are filled with keeping up with the house, running errands and yard work, which rarely gives me time to rx. Usually it¡¯s all I can do to clean up


    from dinner after he eats before crashing into bed at night. I wish I had more time to enjoy the tub, but the few minutes I have right now must be enough. The rm on my phone dings, letting me know I have less than half an hour before hees home from work to pick me up.


    I quickly get out of tub, dry off and head into ourrge walk-in closet where the blue dress I was told to wear is waiting for me. If it were up to me, I wouldn¡¯t be wearing this dress. Don¡¯t get me wrong-it¡¯s a beautiful dress-it¡¯s just not my style. In my opinion, the front is cut too deep which ends up catching everyone¡¯s attention and naturally their eyes stay focused on my chest when they talk to me. The dress has a pretty high slit on the side as well, going nearly up to the top of my thigh which again seems to attract people¡¯s attention. Despite all of this, I know why he chose this dress: it¡¯s because of the back that is high, and leaves none of my skin showing so no one can see the bruises or the scars that are left there.


    I gasp when I finally step out of the closet again; I somehow spent more than ten minutes getting changed, which means I have fifteen minutes tops to get ready because I¡¯m expected to be ready even if he gets home a


    few minutes early. I quickly gather my hair into a quick up-do before curling a few pieces that fall near my face. Next is my make up, I chuckle to myself remembering he said minimal make up since it¡¯s going to take a couple coats of foundation to hide the still-yellow bruise on my cheek. I would rather use more make up than risk someone asking about the bruise in front him. The consequence of letting someone see it would be far worse


    than him thinking I used too much make-up. I¡¯m slipping on my heels when he walks into the bedroom; I don¡¯t know how he does it but he can sneak into the house without me ever hearing him.


    ¡°Are you ready yet?¡± he asks. ¡°I just need to grab my purse.¡± ¡°I said no jewelry, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t-¡±


    p


    I feel the sting before I have time to prepare myself and the force of it has me falling against the bed. As he storms out of the room I quickly


    nce over my body trying to find the offending piece of jewelry. My engagement ring is still on and I¡¯m not wearing a watch or ne. My hands run over my ears and I immediately cringe-I forgot to take out my diamond earring studs I normally wear. I quickly remove them and toss


    them into my jewelry box before rushing out into the living room where he is waiting for me.


    ¡°If we¡¯rete because you can¡¯t follow directions, you will be punished.¡±


    He walks out the door without waiting for my response. Why am I not surprised. I quickly lock up the house and go to the car where he is already waiting for me impatiently. The ride to the restaurant is quiet and awkward, and I know better than to say anything to him when he is a mood like this. It¡¯s better for me to let him make the first move than for me to approach him before he has cooled down. If he hits me in the car on the way to dinner, I risk a bruise showing up before the night is over, ruining


    the perfect image he needs to maintain with his business associates.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I told you how beautiful you look tonight,¡± he takes my hand in his and we walk into the restaurant looking like the perfect


    couple he wants others to believe we are. No one could ever know that underneath this strong exterior is a man who frequently loses control at home and who can¡¯t control his temper.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Make me proud tonight, baby,¡± he kisses me on the cheek, squeezing my hand tightly although I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s meant tofort or warn me. I take all his gestures as warnings. I learned a long time ago that with him everything is a warning¡­ a promise of what is toe if things don¡¯t go his way.


    The night is just like all the other business dinners I¡¯ve attended.


    My role is simple: stand, smile and make small chat when someone speaks to me. I am not to share any opinion I have about business, politics or religion since these are often hot button topics. Instead, I have been


    provided with a list of topics that are considered safe, meaning that I can


    discuss them with someone but only if they bring up these topics first. I am never to approach anyone, never to start up a conversation with someone


    unless they have approached me first.


    ¡°You look beautiful tonight, Kenzie,¡± Ms. Smith says I sit down next to her.


    ¡°Thank you, you look stunning in that dress,¡± Iplement her. ¡°I think I recognize yours¡­ didn¡¯t one of the celebrities wear it to


    an awards banquet a couple months ago?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the very same one.¡±


    ¡°You are such a lucky woman, Kenzie! To have a wonderful man


    who adores you and buys you such expensive clothing!¡±


    ¡°I am very lucky,¡± and ying the perfect fiancee, I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. He looks at me with approval, as if that was the


    response I was supposed to give.


    Dinner is boring as they typically are: the men talk about business while the women talk about the nonsense of some reality show that they are all watching. We don¡¯t have a television in our house so I can¡¯t contribute to the conversation. Even though this is boring as hell, I would rather much be here than at home.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get a drink, would you like something, dear?¡± he


    asks.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine, thank you,¡± I¡¯m still slowly sipping my one ss of


    wine-the only ss I¡¯m permitted to have when we are out. He doesn¡¯t


    like to take the chance that I drink too much, forget the rules and embarrass him.


    ¡°So tell me, Kenzie, how is your garden doing this year?¡± Mr. Ryan asks, surprising me that he remembers that I even have a garden since


    we¡¯ve only spoken about it once or twice. Thankfully though, gardening is one of the topics that have been deemed safe so I can talk freely about it.


    ¡°We had some issues with rabbits trying to eat my pepper nts, but I used a homemade spray that has seemed to work well at keeping them away. The nts are slowly starting toe back so I¡¯m hopeful that I¡¯ll still be able to get a few vegetables off it this year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! We had an issue with deerst year and theypletely ruined my tomato nts-¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t much we could do to save them but we tried this expensive spray that my wife found in the garden store and after the second bottle they finally left the nt alone. But by then it was toote; I think we only had two or three tomatoes on that nt the entire year.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, next time try an egg wash. It helped keep the deer away from our apple trees.¡±


    ¡°An egg wash?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have a gardening book at home that rmended it. I was doubtful but it worked like a charm. Just reapply the mixture every few


    days and the deer will stoping around because they don¡¯t like the smell.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful idea! I will have to tell my wife about it when I get home tonight.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not here with you?¡±


    ¡°No, our youngest developed a fever this morning and we didn¡¯t want to leave him with a sitter.¡±


    ¡°Poor thing, I hope he feels better.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I sense him behind me before I even feel him. I can¡¯t read his expression when he sits down next to me. I recall every word that I just


    spoke and can¡¯te up with anything that would anger him. Gardening is a safe topic and Mr. Ryan and I have spoken about our gardens before. I find myself hoping that he isn¡¯t angry at me but that something happened when he was getting a drink to change his mood. No matter what the reason


    though, I know he will take his anger out on me tonight when we get home. He always does, even if it has nothing to do with me. His job is stressful, something I can never understand he always tells me.


    ¡°Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, we need to be going,¡± he pulls my chair out like the perfect gentleman.


    We say our goodbyes and head out of the restaurant in silence. The ticket is given to the valet who quickly brings up our car. The ride home is as quiet as the ride there was. His knuckles are white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly, his lips are pressed into a firm line conveying his anger and displeasure with me.


    ¡°I thought the chicken was good.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Nope, clearly not cooled down yet. I can¡¯t figure out what I did


    wrong but I know he¡¯s mad at me for something. Something I did when he was getting a drink caused the shift in his mood but for the life of me I can¡¯t figure it out. I¡¯m left with no choice but to wait until we get home and hope that at some point he alerts me to my wrongdoings. He¡¯s always quick to point out my mistakes, my ws, so I¡¯m sure I will know very quickly what it was that I did. I just have to hope he gets his anger out quickly. His


    outbursts usually onlyst for a few minutes before he storms out of the house to go to a bar. He¡¯lle back a few hourster, drunk and


    apologizing for what he did. The bruises will heal in a few days and during those days I will walk on eggshells, not wanting to anger him again and risk further damage. He¡¯s already broken a couple of my ribs; that was pain I


    hope to never feel again so I do my best to not to anger him after an episode.


    We pull into the garage a few minutester and my anxiety is heightened, knowing what is about toe. There¡¯s no avoiding his reaction, his anger, right now. There¡¯s no point in arguing with whatever he thinks I did: I¡¯ve learned the hard way that only angers him more.


    ¡°Was I not fucking clear when we left the house today?¡± ¡°You were,¡± I whisper.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°The moment I fucking leave you¡­ that fucking moment you


    chose to flirt with the vice president of thepany? And you fucking do it in front of me?!?!?¡±


    p


    ¡°You¡¯re a fucking slut! I can¡¯t take you anywhere! He¡¯s a fucking married man with a wife and sick child at home! Don¡¯t you ever think about anyone other than yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Crack


    His fist hits my face hard. I fall against the coffee table, catching my side before I finallynd on floor. I want to argue with him, I want to tell him I wasn¡¯t flirting, that we weren¡¯t doing anything wrong but I know better than to say anything. If I argue with him it will only be worse.


    ¡°Am I not good enough for you? Do I not give you everything? I bought this fucking house for you! For your information I hate it! I hate the yard, the area, I hate everything about this fucking ce but I bought it


    because you liked it. I pay for everything you need, you don¡¯t have a want in the world that I don¡¯t meet and this is how you thank me?!?!?¡±


    His kicks my ribs, hard, knocking the wind right out of me. It¡¯s the same side where my ribs were broken before. I don¡¯t need an X-ray to tell me they¡¯re broken again, as the pain I feel when I try to take a breath is all the confirmation I need.


    ¡°His eyes were all over you! They were glued to your fucking small tits and you did nothing to redirect him! You sat there and let him stare at your tits, doing nothing to stop him! I bet it turned you on when he looked at you, didn¡¯t it? Did you want him to fuck you?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± I whimper as he kicks me hard again in the same spot.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fucking liar,¡± he yanks my hair, pulling me from the floor and there is nothing I can do but following him as he nearly drags me across the room.


    My back is mmed up against the wall, picture frames fall and shatter from the force. His eyes are dark with rage, darker than I¡¯ve ever seen them. He is angry, furious even, and for the first time I¡¯m petrified. He has scared me before but I always knew he would never take it too far but now I¡¯m terrified that he won¡¯t be able to stop. My eyes search the room, looking for what I don¡¯t know but as I try to move from him, he pushes me against the wall, my head mming hard against it.


    ¡°I do everything for you and you are nothing but an ungrateful slut who thinks she can flirt with the first man who says hello to her after I leave the table! Is it because he makes more money than I do?¡± His hand is around my neck the moment I open my mouth to answer. His grip is tightening, slowly cutting off my air supply. ¡°You are a piece of shit! I should have known you would turn out just like your mother! My father


    was right: you are no better than she is! She was a fucking slut just like you are! Why I ever thought you were different is beyond me.¡±


    His grip on my throat is tightening again, the room is slowly going ck around me and in that moment I know¡­ I know he¡¯s going to kill me.


    ¡°Fucking bitch.¡±

 Chapter 18

    Kenzie


    ¡°I¡¯lle by around four to pick you up for the dinner tonight. Be sure you are ready on time. Thest thing I need is to show upte again to a dinner. Wear the blue dress I picked out for you, hair up, minimal make up and no jewelry other than your ring. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be ready by four.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    With that the door closes, no good-bye, no kiss, nothing, just the firm click of the doortching. I¡¯d be lying if I didn¡¯t say I was looking forward to tonight, not that I¡¯m looking forward to the tasteless dinner and boring conversations. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve been out of the house besides running errands or going to the grocery store. I miss meaningful adult conversations; I can¡¯t remember thest time I talked to someone about something other than the upkeep of the house or the weather.


    My days are spent by myself, my nights typically pretty much the same. My life has be very lonely in thest year which is why something as silly as a business dinner will be the highlight of my entire month. I had hoped to get my hair cut and colored before the dinner tonight, but unfortunately he decided we shouldn¡¯t spend the money on my hair and that it was fine the way it was. I know it¡¯s not fine¡­ I have split ends because my hair hasn¡¯t been trimmed in over a year. The highlights I once loved have nearly faded away leaving an odd coloring to my hair. I know better than to argue, so I just nod and don¡¯t bring it up again. I don¡¯t have much money of my own and even if I did, I wouldn¡¯t dare go against what he says and get my hair cut.


    After doing my daily chores, I¡¯m left with only an hour or so to get ready for dinner tonight. Although I¡¯m tight on time, I decide to soak a few extra minutes in the bathtub before getting ready for dinner. My days are filled with keeping up with the house, running errands and yard work, which rarely gives me time to rx. Usually it¡¯s all I can do to clean up from dinner after he eats before crashing into bed at night. I wish I had more time to enjoy the tub, but the few minutes I have right now must be enough. The rm on my phone dings, letting me know I have less than half an hour before hees home from work to pick me up.


    I quickly get out of tub, dry off and head into ourrge walk-in closet where the blue dress I was told to wear is waiting for me. If it were up to me, I wouldn¡¯t be wearing this dress. Don¡¯t get me wrong-it¡¯s a beautiful dress-it¡¯s just not my style. In my opinion, the front is cut too deep which ends up catching everyone¡¯s attention and naturally their eyes stay focused on my chest when they talk to me. The dress has a pretty high slit on the side as well, going nearly up to the top of my thigh which again seems to attract people¡¯s attention. Despite all of this, I know why he chose this dress: it¡¯s because of the back that is high, and leaves none of my skin showing so no one can see the bruises or the scars that are left there.


    I gasp when I finally step out of the closet again; I somehow spent more than ten minutes getting changed, which means I have fifteen minutes tops to get ready because I¡¯m expected to be ready even if he gets home a few minutes early. I quickly gather my hair into a quick up-do before curling a few pieces that fall near my face. Next is my make up, I chuckle to myself remembering he said minimal make up since it¡¯s going to take a couple coats of foundation to hide the still-yellow bruise on my cheek. I would rather use more make up than risk someone asking about the bruise in front him. The consequence of letting someone see it would be far worse than him thinking I used too much make-up. I¡¯m slipping on my heels when he walks into the bedroom; I don¡¯t know how he does it but he can sneak into the house without me ever hearing him.


    ¡°Are you ready yet?¡± he asks.


    ¡°I just need to grab my purse.¡±


    ¡°I said no jewelry, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t-¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    p


    I feel the sting before I have time to prepare myself and the force of it has me falling against the bed. As he storms out of the room I quickly nce over my body trying to find the offending piece of jewelry. My engagement ring is still on and I¡¯m not wearing a watch or ne. My hands run over my ears and I immediately cringe-I forgot to take out my diamond earring studs I normally wear. I quickly remove them and toss them into my jewelry box before rushing out into the living room where he is waiting for me.


    ¡°If we¡¯rete because you can¡¯t follow directions, you will be punished.¡±


    He walks out the door without waiting for my response. Why am I not surprised. I quickly lock up the house and go to the car where he is already waiting for me impatiently. The ride to the restaurant is quiet and awkward, and I know better than to say anything to him when he is a mood like this. It¡¯s better for me to let him make the first move than for me to approach him before he has cooled down. If he hits me in the car on the way to dinner, I risk a bruise showing up before the night is over, ruining the perfect image he needs to maintain with his business associates.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I told you how beautiful you look tonight,¡± he takes my hand in his and we walk into the restaurant looking like the perfect couple he wants others to believe we are.  No one could ever know that underneath this strong exterior is a man who frequently loses control at home and who can¡¯t control his temper.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Make me proud tonight, baby,¡± he kisses me on the cheek, squeezing my hand tightly although I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s meant tofort or warn me. I take all his gestures as warnings. I learned a long time ago that with him everything is a warning¡­ a promise of what is toe if things don¡¯t go his way.


    The night is just like all the other business dinners I¡¯ve attended. My role is simple: stand, smile and make small chat when someone speaks to me. I am not to share any opinion I have about business, politics or religion since these are often hot button topics. Instead, I have been provided with a list of topics that are considered safe, meaning that I can discuss them with someone but only if they bring up these topics first. I am never to approach anyone, never to start up a conversation with someone unless they have approached me first.


    ¡°You look beautiful tonight, Kenzie,¡± Ms. Smith says I sit down next to her.


    ¡°Thank you, you look stunning in that dress,¡± Iplement her.


    ¡°I think I recognize yours¡­ didn¡¯t one of the celebrities wear it to an awards banquet a couple months ago?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the very same one.¡±


    ¡°You are such a lucky woman, Kenzie!  To have a wonderful man who adores you and buys you such expensive clothing!¡±


    ¡°I am very lucky,¡± and ying the perfect fiancee, I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. He looks at me with approval, as if that was the response I was supposed to give


    Dinner is boring as they typically are: the men talk about business while the women talk about the nonsense of some reality show that they are all watching. We don¡¯t have a television in our house so I can¡¯t contribute to the conversation. Even though this is boring as hell, I would rather much be here than at home.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get a drink, would you like something, dear?¡± he asks.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine, thank you,¡± I¡¯m still slowly sipping my one ss of wine-the only ss I¡¯m permitted to have when we are out.  He doesn¡¯t like to take the chance that I drink too much, forget the rules and embarrass him.


    ¡°So tell me, Kenzie, how is your garden doing this year?¡± Mr. Ryan asks, surprising me that he remembers that I even have a garden since we¡¯ve only spoken about it once or twice. Thankfully though, gardening is one of the topics that have been deemed safe so I can talk freely about it. ¡°We had some issues with rabbits trying to eat my pepper nts, but I used a homemade spray that has seemed to work well at keeping them away. The nts are slowly starting toe back so I¡¯m hopeful that I¡¯ll still be able to get a few vegetables off it this year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!  We had an issue with deerst year and theypletely ruined my tomato nts-¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t much we could do to save them but we tried this expensive spray that my wife found in the garden store and after the second bottle they finally left the nt alone. But by then it was toote; I think we only had two or three tomatoes on that nt the entire year.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, next time try an egg wash. It helped keep the deer away from our apple trees.¡±


    ¡°An egg wash?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have a gardening book at home that rmended it. I was doubtful but it worked like a charm. Just reapply the mixture every few days and the deer will stoping around because they don¡¯t like the smell.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful idea! I will have to tell my wife about it when I get home tonight.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not here with you?¡±


    ¡°No, our youngest developed a fever this morning and we didn¡¯t want to leave him with a sitter.¡±


    ¡°Poor thing, I hope he feels better.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I sense him behind me before I even feel him. I can¡¯t read his expression when he sits down next to me. I recall every word that I just spoke and can¡¯te up with anything that would anger him. Gardening is a safe topic and Mr. Ryan and I have spoken about our gardens before. I find myself hoping that he isn¡¯t angry at me but that something happened when he was getting a drink to change his mood. No matter what the reason though, I know he will take his anger out on me tonight when we get home. He always does, even if it has nothing to do with me. His job is stressful, something I can never understand he always tells me.


    ¡°Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, we need to be going,¡± he pulls my chair out like the perfect gentleman.


    We say our goodbyes and head out of the restaurant in silence. The ticket is given to the valet who quickly brings up our car. The ride home is as quiet as the ride there was. His knuckles are white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly, his lips are pressed into a firm line conveying his anger and displeasure with me.


    ¡°I thought the chicken was good.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Kenzie


    Nope, clearly not cooled down yet. I can¡¯t figure out what I did wrong but I know he¡¯s mad at me for something. Something I did when he was getting a drink caused the shift in his mood but for the life of me I can¡¯t figure it out.  I¡¯m left with no choice but to wait until we get home and hope that at some point he alerts me to my wrongdoings. He¡¯s always quick to point out my mistakes, my ws, so I¡¯m sure I will know very quickly what it was that I did. I just have to hope he gets his anger out quickly. His outbursts usually onlyst for a few minutes before he storms out of the house to go to a bar. He¡¯lle back a few hourster, drunk and apologizing for what he did. The bruises will heal in a few days and during those days I will walk on eggshells, not wanting to anger him again and risk further damage. He¡¯s already broken a couple of my ribs; that was pain I hope to never feel again so I do my best to not to anger him after an episode.


    We pull into the garage a few minutester and my anxiety is heightened, knowing what is about toe. There¡¯s no avoiding his reaction, his anger, right now. There¡¯s no point in arguing with whatever he thinks I did: I¡¯ve learned the hard way that only angers him more. ¡°Was I not fucking clear when we left the house today?¡± ¡°You were,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°The moment I fucking leave you¡­ that fucking moment you chose to flirt with the vice president of thepany? And you fucking do it in front of me?!?!?¡±


    p


    ¡°You¡¯re a fucking slut! I can¡¯t take you anywhere! He¡¯s a fucking married man with a wife and sick child at home! Don¡¯t you ever think about anyone other than yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Crack


    His fist hits my face hard. I fall against the coffee table, catching my side before I finallynd on floor. I want to argue with him, I want to tell him I wasn¡¯t flirting, that we weren¡¯t doing anything wrong but I know better than to say anything. If I argue with him it will only be worse.


    ¡°Am I not good enough for you? Do I not give you everything? I bought this fucking house for you! For your information I hate it! I hate the yard, the area, I hate everything about this fucking ce but I bought it because you liked it. I pay for everything you need, you don¡¯t have a want in the world that I don¡¯t meet and this is how you thank me?!?!?¡±


    His kicks my ribs, hard, knocking the wind right out of me. It¡¯s the same side where my ribs were broken before. I don¡¯t need an X-ray to tell me they¡¯re broken again, as the pain I feel when I try to take a breath is all the confirmation I need.


    ¡°His eyes were all over you! They were glued to your fucking small tits and you did nothing to redirect him! You sat there and let him stare at your tits, doing nothing to stop him! I bet it turned you on when he looked at you, didn¡¯t it? Did you want him to fuck you?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± I whimper as he kicks me hard again in the same spot.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fucking liar,¡± he yanks my hair, pulling me from the floor and there is nothing I can do but following him as he nearly drags me across the room.


    My back is mmed up against the wall, picture frames fall and shatter from the force.  His eyes are dark with rage, darker than I¡¯ve ever seen them. He is angry, furious even, and for the first time I¡¯m petrified. He has scared me before but I always knew he would never take it too far but now I¡¯m terrified that he won¡¯t be able to stop. My eyes search the room, looking for what I don¡¯t know but as I try to move from him, he pushes me against the wall, my head mming hard against it.


    ¡°I do everything for you and you are nothing but an ungrateful slut who thinks she can flirt with the first man who says hello to her after I leave the table! Is it because he makes more money than I do?¡± His hand is around my neck the moment I open my mouth to answer. His grip is tightening, slowly cutting off my air supply. ¡°You are a piece of shit! I should have known you would turn out just like your mother! My father was right: you are no better than she is! She was a fucking slut just like you are! Why I ever thought you were different is beyond me.¡±


    His grip on my throat is tightening again, the room is slowly going ck around me and in that moment I know¡­ I know he¡¯s going to kill me.


    ¡°Fucking bitch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, Kenzie,¡± Ruth calls.


    ¡°Bright and early,¡± I chuckle as the door closes behind me.


    It¡¯s nearly noon and I¡¯ve already worked seven hours today. I have a couple of hours before I need to rush to my second job which I¡¯m hoping to spend napping. By the time the day is over I will have worked about 12 hours, just like yesterday and most of the other days this week. I work four to five mornings a week at a ce that I absolutely love. Most people probably wouldn¡¯t find working in a bakery enjoyable, but since starting there, I¡¯ve discovered how much I enjoy baking-something I never did before. When I first applied to the bakery, they were looking for just a cashier. However when they were short staffed one day, the owner asked me to whip up a batch of cookies and ever since has split my shift between baking and the register. Unfortunately as much as I love that job, it doesn¡¯te close to paying the rent so I also work a second job as a personal shopper in a high end department store. The pay isn¡¯t the greatest either and I don¡¯t particrly enjoy what I do, but it helps to pay the bills. The people I meet can be stuck up and often act like they¡¯re better than you are, but every once in a while I will meet someone who is decent.


    I don¡¯t work in the neighborhood I live in, even though it would be much more convenient and wouldn¡¯t require me to take a subway and bus each way to work.  The reality is, the area I live in is a dump and there really are no decent paying jobs there. My options would be limited to corner stores and gas stations, neither of which is safe, so instead I spend 30 minutesmuting on the subway and bus-sometimes up to four times a day-so I can make enough money to return to the crappy neighborhood.


    My apartment is in a rundown building, covered in graffiti. Like any other day there are people hanging out on the front steps already getting drunk or waiting to buy drugs. I ignore them and they ignore me; it works for everyone involved. My apartment is small: basically the living room and bedroom are the same space with a small ¡°kitchen¡± area against one wall. There is a small fridge with a freezer, a very small sink and a hot te.  The bathroom is just off the living room/bedroom and is just big enough for one person. If you are sitting on the toilet and someone were to open the door, they would hit your knees. I¡¯ve tried to make my space as warm andfortable as possible: I¡¯ve spent money I really didn¡¯t have to paint the walls and buy small items that make it feel more like a home. No one but me sees it but the small touches make me smile when Ie home and it reminds me that this is my own space, a space where no one can control what I do.


    ¡°Hello?¡± My phone rings the moment I sit down on my daybed.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s Nancy. ¡±


    ¡°Hi Nancy, how are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in a bind.  We¡¯re incredibly short staffed and I just received a call from one of your clients insisting that they need a dress tonight and that you are the only one she trust-¡±


    ¡°Bridget?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she chuckles.  ¡°The only thing is, she insists she can¡¯t wait until you are scheduled toe in because she needs this dress tonight.  I know you¡¯re not scheduled toe in until four¡­¡±


    ¡°What time does she need me?¡±


    ¡°Noter than one thirty.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Kenzie!  She said she will make it worth your time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she will.  I¡¯ll see you shortly.¡±


    And like that, my n for taking a nap is gone although, knowing Bridget as well as I do, she will definitely make it worth my time, that is always appreciated since money is tight. I quickly start a pot of coffee knowing I¡¯m going to need it if I¡¯m going to make it until closing tonight and stay awake on the bus ride home.


    I¡¯ve worked as a personal shopper for a few months now even ifnding the job was pure luck because I¡¯m hardly qualified for something like this. I was killing time between an interview at a coffee house and waiting for a bus when I decided to walk around the store to escape the rain.  Why I chose this store was beyond me because there was no way I could even afford even a scarf in a ce like this anymore. At one time this was the type of store I shopped in regrly, it was all part of the world I knew. Walking around I was surprised I didn¡¯t miss this from my former life but instead it made me realize how much my life has changed since then. A few minutester I noticed an older woman impatiently waiting at a counter desperately trying to get the cashier¡¯s attention but the cashier was busy with a long line of people. I happen to walk by her when she mumbled under her breath about useless staff who probably wouldn¡¯t be able to tell her if the item was this year¡¯s design orst year¡¯s.


    shback


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop but did you have a question about that purse?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I doubt you would know but I need to know if this is from this year¡¯s collection or if you just routinely stock out of date designs?¡± she asks, her voice full of disregard and annoyance.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am I can¡¯t tell you what this store stocks, but I can assure you that the purse you are holding is from this year¡¯s catalogue. If I remember correctly, it was only released to stores within thest 60 days-¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Ms. Wilder, I am so sorry-¡± a woman quickly approaches us, giving an evil eye to the cashier who still appears to be overwhelmed with her customers.


    ¡°Apparently you don¡¯t value my business,¡± the woman I now know as Ms. Wilder says. ¡°This youngdy came to my rescue and assisted me. I want her to be my personal shopper or you will lose my entire ount-¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Get me the manager now!¡± Ms. Wilder hisses.


    ¡°I¡­. Um¡­ Ms. Wilder?¡± I ask nervously.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she snaps.


    ¡°I don¡¯t work here, so I can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°You will by the time I leave.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Wilder,¡± an older man dressed in a perfect suit approaches us.


    ¡°Mr. Goodman, nice to see you again,¡± she shakes his hand and smiles.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking lovely as always, Ms. Wilder. How can I assist you this fine afternoon?¡± he sends me a withering look, obviously trying to figure out what I¡¯m doing here.


    ¡°You see, my usual personal shopper over there,¡± Ms. Wilder res at the woman who is just behind Mr. Goodman. ¡°Showed upte yet again for our appointment, leaving me to find the purse I needed for the g tonight. I wanted someone to answer a very important question and could not find a single one of your staff members who could spare a couple of minutes to help someone like me, who I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t need to remind you, has a veryrge ount with your store-¡±


    ¡°Of course not Ms. Wilder, I cannot apologize enough-¡± he quickly interjects.


    ¡°I have decided to give you one final chance at keeping my ount but you blow this and I¡¯ll take my business somewhere else.¡± ¡°Of course! Anything you want Ms. Wilder-¡± ¡°Fire her,¡± she res at the woman.


    ¡°Done,¡± he gestures for her to leave them which she does in tears.


    ¡°Hire this lovely woman and assign her to my entire ount,¡± she gestures at me.


    ¡°Ms. Wilder, this is highly unusual-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure by now you know that I¡¯m a very unusual woman Mr. Goodman,¡± Ms. Wilder argues.


    ¡°If Ms-¡± he looks at me questioningly.


    ¡°Rose¡­Mackenzie Rose,¡± I nearly whisper trying to find my voice in the confusion that is unfolding before me.


    ¡°If Ms. Rose has time, I would love to discuss the personal shopper position that recently became avable.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Goodman,¡± I confirm.


    ¡°Then that settles it.  I will call tomorrow to schedule my first appointment with Ms. Rose.¡±

 Chapter 20

    I chuckle remembering Bridget that day and the type of woman she is. One who knew exactly what she wanted and went for it. Today is no different: she needs me earlier and I am here earlier. She has a veryrge ount with the store, as in multiple people on the ount easily spending thousands of dors a week on high end items. I¡¯ve been assigned to Bridget¡¯s entire ount almost since day one. My first day I worked directly with her but after that I¡¯ve worked with anyone listed on her ount. Her ount pretty much makes up my entire customer basis because it is thatrge. If I work on a day where someone on her ount isn¡¯t scheduled, I assist with any walk-ins or cover for one of the other personal shoppers.  However, it¡¯s clearly known that anytime I¡¯m working, if Bridget or someone on her ountes in, they be my priority.


    Bridget is the only reason I even have this job-typically you needs years of retail experience before you can even be considered for a personal shopper position at a high end establishment like this.  While I¡¯ve had plenty of work experience, nothinges even close to something like this. However, living the lifestyle he kept me in, has for once worked in my favor. I know all the designers, the current trends and even what celebrities wear because that¡¯s how I was expected to be dressed in. That was the only reason I knew the answer to Bridget¡¯s question that day.


    After Bridget left, Mr. Goodman immediately fired the woman Bridget demanded and then hired me. The entire thing happened so fast I was inplete disbelief when I left a short timeter with a secured job. While demanding, Bridget has always been very nice to me and tips me well on days like today when she needs me toe in earlier.


    ¡°Kenzie, thank you again,¡± Nancy greets me as soon as I enter the staff area.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem Nancy, I¡¯m d to help out.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Ms. Wilder will arrive in the next thirty minutes or so. She needs a floor length gown for an art g tonight.  Although she didn¡¯t specifically request it, I¡¯m sure she will need essories for the gown.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will have everything waiting for her when she arrives.  Is her usual room avable?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s reserved for you to use today.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    ¡°Later today she added a new client to your schedule-¡±


    ¡°A new client?¡±


    ¡°Someone new she recently added to her ount.  As usual she insisted that you are the only one who can assist him.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I chuckle, knowing that any of the other workers here are more than capable of helping Bridget. Most staff here have far more experience in personal shopping than I do.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be providing him with several outfits ording to the list: a ball gown, three cocktail dresses and several casual dresses. I emailed you the list and size information this morning.¡±


    ¡°Great, thank you.¡±


    I quickly go through the store and pick out several gowns that I think Bridget would appreciate. Over thest few months I¡¯ve gotten to know her very well, including the types of clothing and colors she prefers. Small things like colors and the high heels she likes are things to be a sessful personal shopper. We are supposed to save them time so it is expected we know exactly what they want and not waste their time on things that they would never consider. I¡¯m finishing hanging thest of the gowns when Bridget appears at my door right on time as always.


    ¡°Ms. Wilder, how are you today?¡± I greet her.


    ¡°Kenzie, dear, how many times I have I told you to call me Bridget?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Bridget, how are you?¡± I quickly correct myself. To my knowledge I am the only one here who is permitted to call her by her first name. To everyone else she is Ms. Wilder the demanding client who is rarely satisfied.  To me she is Bridget, who is demanding but also nice and appreciative of what I do.


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for you I would be screwed,¡± she sighs dramatically. ¡°My ipetent assistant forgot to put the art g on my schedule. I only learned about the event when one of the organizers contacted me about the schedule for tonight. Can you imagine how I sounded to her, not even knowing the event was tonight?  I was mortified!¡±


    ¡°I am so sorry, that must have been terrible for you.¡±


    ¡°Devastating! Luckily I was able to mumble through the conversation before I fired my assistant on the spot. Then I called here only to find out that you weren¡¯t scheduled to be in until the time I needed to arrive at the hair dresser for the only appointment time they had avable today. I cannot thank you enough foring in early as I¡¯m sure you had other things to do today.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Bridget, really it wasn¡¯t a big deal.  I was just getting home so the timing was perfect.¡±


    ¡°Getting home?  Don¡¯t tell me you actually had a date this morning?¡±


    As always Bridget assumes if I¡¯m not at work, it must be because I¡¯m seeing someone. Little does she know is dating is the furthest thing from my mind; just the thought of opening myself up and falling in love again is something that terrifies me. I don¡¯t think that I could ever trust someone like that again.


    ¡°No, I worked this morning-¡±


    ¡°Nancy said you weren¡¯t scheduled to work until this afternoon? Was she not aware that you worked this morning?¡±


    ¡°I work at a bakery in the morning which is why I only work evenings here.¡±


    ¡°You work two jobs?¡± she sounds mortified that anyone would work more than one job. I have no idea how much she thinks I make here but it barely covers the rent on my little apartment. The bakery paycheck covers my utility bills, food and the little clothing I have. Working here requires a certain dress code, but even with the discount we receive. Just one outfit requires me to save two or three paychecks to be able to afford that. The paycheck from here covers the rent on my crappy little apartment and my student loan bills that I will probably forever be paying off at this rate.


    ¡°I do but enough about me! Let¡¯s show you the dresses I picked out for tonight. We don¡¯t want you to miss your hair appointment.¡±


    With the focus back on Bridget, the topic of my finances and why I work two jobs is avoided. Over the course of the next hour she tries on the gowns and essories I selected before finally choosing the one I knew she would pick.


    ¡°This is perfect, Kenzie!  You have outdone yourself as usual!¡± she gazes at herself in the mirror taking in theplete outfit.


    ¡°Once again your timing was perfect, this collection only arrived at the store this morning. It hasn¡¯t even made it to the floor yet-¡± ¡°It¡¯s perfect for the g,¡± she confirms.


    ¡°If you want to change, I will have everything wrapped up for you. I assume we¡¯re charging this to your ount?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    The dress, undergarments, shoes and jewelry are packaged and waiting for Bridget when she steps out of the dressing area.  Normally I would have the items delivered to her apartment but even she knows with such a tight schedule tonight, delivery isn¡¯t an option and adds a risk she doesn¡¯t need.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ how many hours did you work this morning at the bakery?¡± she asks out of the blue as we are walking out to her car. ¡°Um¡­ about seven,¡± I¡¯m taking back by her question as I assumed the topic of my employment was long forgotten.


    ¡°And you arrived here at what, one?¡± I nod.  ¡°What time will you finish tonight?¡±


    ¡°I am scheduled until closing so I should clock out around ten-¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re working 15 hours today?¡± she quickly does the math in her head.


    ¡°About that.¡±


    ¡°Is this typical for you?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± I¡¯m very ufortable with the personal questions but can¡¯t figure out how to end the conversation without insulting her. If I do anything to jeopardize her ount, I will lose my job on the spot and there is no way I would be able to afford my apartment without this job. ¡°Some days I work both jobs but other days it¡¯s just one or the other.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± she pauses.  ¡°Onest question, do you enjoy what you do?¡±


    ¡°I enjoy meeting new people and helping them find the perfect outfit,¡± I answer vaguely.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± she seems to be thinking about something but quickly shakes her head when we arrive at her car.  ¡°Thank you again, Kenzie, for your help, I truly appreciate youing in early today for me especially after working this morning.¡±


    ¡°Have a great time this evening, Bridget.¡±

 Chapter 21

    Kenzie


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± Nancy calls for me as I¡¯m putting thest items on a hanger in the private room I was assigned for the day.


    ¡°Sorry, Nancy, I was just gathering the remaining items for Ms. Wilder¡¯s new client,¡± I exin.


    ¡°Oh good, because he¡¯s here now-¡±


    ¡°Now? I thought he wasn¡¯t due until four?¡± I nce at my watch, feeling the need to confirm that I haven¡¯t lost track of time.


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t, but apparently his ns have changed and he was hoping to pick up everything now, if it¡¯s ready.¡±


    ¡°Of course, just let me organize everything and I can show it all to him.¡±


    Apparently nothing in my day is going as nned especially taking that nap I desperately needed earlier. I fight back a yawn and push through, realizing I still have several hours left to work today. Tomorrow I¡¯m only scheduled to work at the bakery in the morning, so as long as nothing else changes, I¡¯m nning on spending a few hours in bed catching up on sleep. Today is the third day in a row I¡¯m working both jobs and although I¡¯ll be thankful for the increase in hours when I receive my paychecks, right now I¡¯m wishing I had time to take a nap beforeing in.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, this is Mr. Thompson¡­ Mr. Thompson this is Ms. Rose, she handles all of Ms. Wilder¡¯s ounts,¡± Nancy introduces me to the middle aged man next to her dressed in an obviously very expensive business suit.


    ¡°Mr. Thompson, it¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°And you.¡±


    ¡°If you need anything, I¡¯ll be out front,¡± Nancy leaves.


    ¡°I understand from Ms. Wilder that you need several items for a business trip. I¡¯ve organized several options for you however, if something is not to your liking, I can add more.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate you picking out all of this¡­ I admit I have pretty lousy taste is women¡¯s clothing.¡±


    ¡°You just let me know colors and styles you like or dislike as we go through the options and then, as I get to know you a little better, the choices will be less each time you need something. You will find with fewer choices we will easily have the perfect outfit for you quickly. Since this is our first meeting, it¡¯s going to take a little longer as I gathered items that most of Ms. Wilder¡¯s clients seem to favor.¡±


    We spend the next thirty minutes going through each of the items that I had chosen for Mr. Thompson. I learn very quickly he wasn¡¯t joking when he said he has lousy taste in women¡¯s clothing. In fact he barely says anything as I exin each item and seems unfazed by the designers I mention. By the end though, he agrees to a few of the items but I can¡¯t tell if he picks them because he likes them or because he just wants to get out of here. Typically I can read people and by the end of the first meeting I will have a fairly good idea of what they will like going forward, but Mr.


    Thompson still stumps me.


    ¡°Will there be anything else you need?¡± I ask as I zipper everything into the garment bags.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± he says nervously.  ¡°I¡¯m taking my¡­ girlfriend on a business trip with me so I wasn¡¯t sure what she would need. I think this will cover everything though.¡±


    ¡°Is this the first trip she is apanying you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he admits.  ¡°I travel a lot for business but rarely bring someone with me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure everything will go smoothly. You have a good selection of clothing options for herthere is something here for casual dinners and others if you need her to attend something more formal.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I think you have everything covered.¡±


    ¡°If you think of something you need, just call the store before your trip and I¡¯ll have something ready for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Rose,¡± he shakes my hand as he leaves.


    I arrange for the items to be delivered to the address Bridget had put on file for Mr. Thompson before Nancy tells me to take a dinner break. Since I wasn¡¯t originally scheduled to work so many hours today, she gives me an hour instead of the standard half an hour to grab some food. Seeing as I¡¯m struggling to stay awake, my first stop is going to be to the overpriced coffee shop, which is just within walking distance of the store. Having packed my meal as usual, I grab my lunch bag and umbre before heading out. I wish it were sunny and dry out but at least it¡¯s somewhat warm out today. When the wind blows the rain onto me, I¡¯m left wishing I had a grabbed a jacket when I left my apartment this morning.


    I¡¯m only a block away from the coffee shop when the sidewalk bes increasingly crowded as people rush home from work.  I¡¯m forced to the edge, left walking too close to the curb but the crowd gives me no option as people just seem to push their way through to get where they want to go.  Despite everyone else being in a hurry, for once I¡¯m not¡­ having an hour for a dinner break is far more time than I need.  I¡¯m going to grab my coffee, hopefully find an empty table where I can eat my sandwich and read the book I brought along.  I love getting lost in a good book but most days like today I don¡¯t have much time to read except for my break. Tomorrow¡­


    Ssh


    A shiny ck car swerves dangerously close to the curb, ring its horn, sshing me with water and drenching me from the waist down.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me¡­ Ms¡­ ¡± a gentleman in a dark, dry, suit exits the driver¡¯s side of the car and rushes over to me. ¡°I am so sorry-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I shake my head sighing. Is it possible to catch a break at all today?


    ¡°No it¡¯s not,¡± another gentleman gets out of the car, this time from the back seat, and walks over to where the I¡¯m trying to brush the dirt and water from my clothes, not that it¡¯s doing much good. This man is dressed in a very expensive dark grey suit with an equally expensive blue tie. He runs his hands through his unruly hair as his blue eyes meet mine. He looks right at me, almost as if he is looking through me. My eyesnd on his feet, not being able to handle the way he is looking at me. I continue to try to brush my clothes, even though it¡¯s obvious there is no chance for quick evaporation.


    ¡°I cannot apologize enough,¡± the first man says.  ¡°The guy in front of us mmed on his brakes without warning and I had to swerve to avoid hitting him. I didn¡¯t expect the puddle to be sorge and certainly didn¡¯t expect it to hit you like it did.¡±


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s not a big deal.¡± It¡¯s a partial lie because really I¡¯m now stuck spending my dinner break buying a new outfit with money I really don¡¯t have. ¡°idents happen.¡±


    ¡°Please, let me take you somewhere to buy you something to wear,¡± the second man says. ¡°I don¡¯t want you getting sick-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very nice of you to offer, but unfortunately I¡¯m on my dinner break from work, so I don¡¯t have much time.  I¡¯ll run and grab a change of clothes before I head back to work¡­ it¡¯s fine really.¡±


    ¡°Here,¡± the second man takes a few bills from his pocket and hands them to me.


    ¡°No-¡± I push against his hand.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s our fault that outfit is ruined, so at least let me pay for you to get a new one-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really not necessary-¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± he takes my hand in his, opening my fist up so he can put the bills in it before wrapping my fingers around it. ¡°Please, take the money, it¡¯s the least I can do, considering we¡¯ve probably ruined your evening.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not ruined,¡± I giggle at the big deal he is making over this. ¡°Really, it¡¯s fine. These things happen. Thank you for offering to rece the clothes but it¡¯s really-¡±


    ¡°Good bye, Ms¡­ ¡°

 Chapter 22

    With that both men walk away from me, cutting me off midsentence as I¡¯m left standing on the sidewalk with a handful of money that I was trying to give back. The first man opens the back door for the second one, who turns and smiles at me before getting into the car. It¡¯s only then that I realize they both came out of the car without an umbre and are now probably just as soaked as I am.  I shake my head at the irony, given that they were the ones who sshed me and yet ended up getting soaked themselves.


    I quickly shove the money into my purse, not wanting to stand in a crowd openly holding money and risk drawing attention to myself. I nce at my watch, realizing I barely have enough time to grab my coffee before I need to head back to the store. I¡¯ll never have time to eat my dinner, although it¡¯s probably not a bad thing, since I realize in the chaos of everything my lunch bag had fallen to the ground and was now lying in the offending puddle that sshed me.


    Despite everything, I return to work in a better mood then when I


    left. The fact that there are still decent people in this world makes me smile.  The driver of the car that sshed me could have easily kept driving, yet he stopped and physically got out of his car to apologize.  He didn¡¯t simply roll his window down and yell an apology like most would. Instead he and the person he was with, both took the time to get out of their car and walk over to me. As if an apology wasn¡¯t enough, they insisted on paying to rece my outfit that again was beyond what I expected from.


    ¡°Oh Kenzie! What happened?¡± Nancy rushes towards me as soon as I open the staff entrance.


    ¡°A car swerved to miss hitting another car but instead hit arge puddle right next to where I was standing,¡± I shrug.


    ¡°Take as much time as you need to get cleaned up,¡± she checks the schedule.  ¡°It looks like you have a little while before your next appointment. You¡¯ll probably need to purchase something else to wear, though. I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be able to clean those pants enough in the restroom.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I sigh, not really wanting to spend money on something I really don¡¯t need. ¡°I¡¯ll find something and change quickly.¡±


    I clean up as much as I can in the staff restroom before heading onto the main floor of the department store. When you work in a ce like this, image is everything. We¡¯re expected to wear clothes from the store we work in and our physical appearance is said to be a direct representation of the store. Therefore, I need to be quick in grabbing an outfit and getting off the main floor before too many people see me in my grime covered pants.


    Unfortunately time is not on my side, therefore I can¡¯t bargain hunt like I normally do when I shop here. The first section outside the personal shopper area is career/professional which thankfully works for what I need right now. I grab a tan skirt and stockings before ducking back into the staff restroom. My shoes are soaked, but after wiping them down with a paper towel you can¡¯t notice anything, so I choose to wear them rather than spending even more money on a new pair. I pull the tags from the clothes, throw my wet pants and socks into a bag in my locker and head out to meet Nancy for her to ring up my purchases.


    ¡°Much better, Kenzie,¡± she smiles taking in my new outfit. ¡°I¡¯m sure you must feel better to be out of those wet clothes.¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± I agree. ¡°There¡¯s nothing worse than walking a few blocks in a pair of wet pants.¡±


    ¡°I can agree with that,¡± sheughs.  ¡°When I first moved here I left to get to work in a hurry and forgot my umbre. The weather report said there was only a fifty percent chance of showers so I took a chance. I ended up walking six blocks in a pair of soaking wet jeans after getting caught in a sun shower.¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    ¡°Ever since then, I carry an umbre, even if they¡¯re not calling for rain.¡±


    ¡°Well, hopefully this will be thest time I get caught like this. Here are the tags for my skirt and pantyhose that I need to purchase.¡± ¡°With your discount, your total is $73. 98.¡±


    I reach into my purse for my wallet, when my hand finds the cash that the man in the ck car gave me. Hoping it covers at least half of the cost of this outfit, I pull the bills out and begin counting them. I force myself not to curse aloud when I realize the man gave me $200¡­ me aplete stranger on the street, and he hands ten $20 bills like it was nothing to him.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± Nancy pulls me from my thoughts.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Sorry, here you go,¡± I give her $80 in cash, hiding the rest in my purse until I¡¯m able lock it back up.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your receipt, I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t give you any more time-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m going to put my stuff away and then I¡¯ll get started pulling selections for my next appointment.¡±


    Thankfully the rest of my day doesn¡¯t get any worse and by the time I leave, the rain haspletely stopped and my shoes have dried. Half an hourter, I¡¯m home,pletely exhausted, but home. I consider making something to eat, but the need for sleep quickly bes a priority. I lock the front door, set my rm on my phone and fall asleep still in the new clothes that I bought earlier today, having no energy to change.

 Chapter 23

    Nichs


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I m another magazine on my desk.  ¡°Melody get a meeting with Alex and my PR department in an hour.  Move whatever you have to, just make it happen!¡±


    I¡¯m used to my face being on magazines¡­ the paparazzi have been hounding me ever since I made my first million. Apparently bing a millionaire at such a young age is newsworthy, which would have been fine if it were a one-time article. When I made my first billion it became even worse and now not a week goes by without my name appearing in some article or on some magazine cover.  Typically they are business rted articles and magazines, which doesn¡¯t bother me, as they often refer to me as the shark of the financial world.


    Lately though the articles have be personal, attacking me on a different level that I don¡¯t understand. Why do they care who I¡¯m fucking? What does it matter whether or not I¡¯m seen with a woman on my arm or different women at different events? My business decisions do not change based upon who I¡¯m fucking, so why is it necessary to attack my personal life? The magazine on my desk today is the icing on the cake:


    yboy Nichs Parker¡­ Can¡¯t keep a woman happy


    but can manage hundreds of employees? What is he hiding that prevents women from spending more than a night with him? How could so many people trust him with their investments while no woman can trust him in her bedroom?


    The article shows several pictures of me attending various events over thest three months, each time with a different woman. Typically I don¡¯t pay attention to this junk, but when Carter, my head of security, brought it to me after finding it in our staff lounge earlier today, I lost it. I can¡¯t have my employees questioning my ability to run thepany or the clients who trust my employees with billions of their dors questioning my ability to make sound financial decisions.


    Skimming the article in this magazine, the author states they are unable to speak with any of the women in the pictures.  The women I¡¯m seen with have already signed an NDA, so they would be in vition of it if they said one word to the media.  They know I would have them in court within 24 hours at most. Of course the author spectes that this is because I¡¯m hiding something and am just paying them off to keep quiet.


    I never take them to more than one event with me because I don¡¯t want to give them mixed thoughts on what they are to me. Thest thing I need is a woman thinking long term andmitment, when that¡¯s thest thing I want or need right now. However, my n appears to be back firing because now the reporters are questioning why I¡¯m with different women at events. Apparently six different women over the course of three months is considered excessive as far as the paparazzi is concerned. I¡¯m damned if I do and damned if I don¡¯t. When I don¡¯t go to events with women, they question my sexuality¡­ when I do go to events with women, I¡¯m a yboy who can¡¯t manage his ownpany. Why the fuck they can¡¯t just focus on the financials of mypany and leave me hell alone is beyond me.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, everyone is in the conference room when you are ready,¡± Melody alerts me.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I take the magazine into the conference room next to my office, where my public rtions department is waiting along with my vice president Alex rk. Alex has been in the news as well, but nowhere near the amount or with the scrutiny that I have been. Alex married his high school sweetheart who apanies him to nearly every event or business dinner so they tend to leave him alone. They never question Alex¡¯s ability to hold his position at Parker Financial Services, but suddenly because I¡¯m not in a mitted rtionship¡± I can¡¯t operate a multibillion dorpany-apany which I started from the ground up with barely a penny to my name?


    ¡°We will not be leaving this room until we have a clear n of action as to how we are going to address this!¡± I m the magazine down on the table, beyond pissed off and frustrated. The entire PR department jumps but of course, Alex who is no doubt used to my outbursts by now, doesn¡¯t even flinch.   ¡°I¡¯ve spent thest hourbing through this magazine and ten others just like it online that are now all calling me a yboy and questioning my ability to run thispany.  I followed your fucking advice and this is where it got me!!!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker¡­ our advice-¡± Ms. Murphy begins.


    ¡°Did we not have a meeting less than three months ago when these pieces of crap were ruining my reputation?¡± They all nod in response. ¡°I can have Melody pull the recordings from that meeting, but I guarantee they will show that you advised me to bring women to public events. Did you not?¡±


    ¡°Yes Mr. Parker, we did,¡± Ms. Murphy agrees.


    ¡°It was less than three fucking months ago that the paparazzi were publishing headlines that I was gay and afraid toe out of the closet because it would ruin my business or that I had some secret sexual fetish that would ruin me and that was the reason I was hiding my sexual preferences. Your advice was to be seen with women at public events to eliminate the rumors that surround my sexual preferences. I did that!


    Fucking three monthster we are back here!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, with all due respect, we did not expect you would bring a different woman to every event-¡± Mr. Snyder says.


    ¡°What the fuck do you want me to do? I can¡¯t fucking sit here and let them question my ability to run mypany and in turn handle billions of other people¡¯s money, based upon whether or not I¡¯m in a rtionship with someone.  Everyone around this table knows I am not in amitted rtionship right now nor do I n on being in one in anytime soon. I keep my private life private for a reason! I don¡¯t fucking date because I don¡¯t want the paparazzi to see me out with different women and then gossip about them as well. This magazine, right here, is the exact reason I don¡¯t fucking date!¡±

 Chapter 24

    I¡¯m fed up and don¡¯t know what more to say as I sit in the chair at the head of the table and listen to my PR department scramble how to fix this. Two years ago this wouldn¡¯t be an issue¡­ two years ago I was pictured in magazines with the same woman at event after event. I was never called a yboy, my sexual preference was never debated and no one believed I had anything to hide. No one questioned my ability to run mypany and handle billions of dors. Just another fucking example of another thing she took from me¡­ how the fuck I was blind for so long is still a mystery. I don¡¯t believe in making the same mistake twice; hell will freeze over before I ever consider trusting someone the way I trusted her. I won¡¯t give someone that power over me ever again.


    I shake my head, ridding myself of thoughts of her¡­ I haven¡¯t let myself go back there for a long time and once again I question my own sanity during that time for being as blind as I was. I pull myself back to the meeting, needing to focus on thetest issue at hand and not at past mistakes that I have made.  The past will never repeat itself, so dwelling on it will not solve anything.


    The conversations around me are about how to fix the story that¡¯s already out there. The suggestions: demand they recant the story, release a statement rifying the situation, ignore the story.  None of these suggestions tell me how to prevent this exact story from urring after the next event requiring my attendance.  Unfortunately, being such a big name in the financial industry and wanting to keep customers happy, I attend a lot of public events.  Business is not always done in a board room¡­ sometimes it¡¯s done at charity events, golf outings, boxing events¡­ Hell I even once had papers signed at the opera.


    I spend more time at public events than I ever wanted to but I realize public image is everything to some people, which is why having my name dragged through the mud is uneptable. The people I shake hands with on the golf course need to know that the decisions I make are the right ones and that they should have confidence in me. Articles like this blow my integrity with people and will make them second guess their decisions.


    ¡°Enough!¡± I interrupt the continued chaos. ¡°Do whatever you need to do to make this article disappear but right now we need to focus on how I


    can prevent the next article from questioning my ability to manage PFS just because I have a different woman on my arm. If I show up without someone, they are back to assuming things about my sexual preferences which for some reason, they believe has some fucking impact on my ability to manage other people¡¯s money.¡±


    ¡°Parker,¡± Alex speaks up after being silent this entire meeting. ¡°The solution is clear. Find a woman and bring her to all your public events.¡±


    ¡°Fuck Alex!  Did you not hear me when I said I am NOT in a rtionship right now nor do I n to be in one?!?!  Where the fuck do you propose I find someone who wants to drop everything and go to events weekly, if not more often with me?  Fuck, in the next month I have at least seven or eight events that I need to attend¡­ I don¡¯t even want to go to these things, so how the fuck can I find someone else to go?¡± ¡°Hire someone,¡± he answers simply.


    ¡°Alex,¡± I can¡¯t help but fuckingugh at him because I don¡¯t know what else to do. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the perfect solution. I¡¯ll drive around downtown and find a prostitute, offer her cash to apany me for the night and then every night I have an event, I¡¯ll pick her up at the same street corner.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it solves two issues as far as I can see,¡± his face is red fromughing so hard at me. ¡°The press will stop calling you a yboy because you¡¯ll only be seen with one woman. And, they will stop wondering what it is you do with all your money.¡±


    ¡°Right, because then they will have pictures of me paying a prostitute for her services.¡±


    ¡°Well, you asked for ideas.¡±


    If anyone else at the table suggests I hire a hooker I would have their ass fired on the spot, but Alex is different¡­ he has always been able to get away with things that I don¡¯t let anyone else get away with. Alex has been my vice president for years now but beyond that, we went to college together and have been best friends ever since. He was one of the very first employees I hired when PFS began expanding beyond what I could handle by myself. Alex works almost as many hours as I do and has put it manyte nights working side by side with me.  I spend more hours with him than I do anyone in my life¡­ well maybe except Carter since he is with me constantly and even has his own living quarters in my penthouse.


    He is also the longest standing employee I have at PFS; working for me is not easy and finding good employees is not easy.  I have very high expectations from my staff and believe that Ipensate them ordingly. I offer above average sries for all, excellent benefits and significant paid time off for all employees plus the management team receives annual bonuses based upon predetermined goals.  Alex has earned a bonus every year that he has been with PFS because, yeah, he is that good.  My management team is very strong now but this was not always the case, especially in the early days. It took a long time to find the right group of people who worked well together and more importantly worked well with me.


    Melody, my personal assistant, has been with thepany for four years now, reporting directly to me for thest year.  Prior to her I can¡¯t even remember the number of personal assistants I went through on a yearly and sometimes monthly basis.  Alex still jokes with me how I scared away one assistant so quickly she left to get breakfast for a meeting only to drop the muffins off with Carter before telling him that she quit effective immediately.


    Melodying on board has been a godsend, she doesn¡¯t take things personally when I am short with her and she knows exactly how I like things.  She has a way of making me more productive by having everything ready for me before I even know I need it.


    Asher the head of IT makes up the remainder of what I consider the key members of my management team at PFS.  Without him, investments could have gone differently and bad financial decisions could have been made because his staff have ways of finding things out about people andpanies that no one else can find out.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Short of hiring a prostitute, what ideas do we have for moving forward?¡± I bring the discussion back to the topic at hand.


    ¡°Sir, we think it would be in your best interest to find a woman who can apany you to the majority of these events and when she is not avable, to go alone or with a family member,¡± Mr. Snyder rmends.


    ¡°So we¡¯re back where we started,¡± I sigh. ¡°I go with family members or alone to events and there are whispers, I go with women and there are whispers. You need toe up with a better solution because I refuse to have people questioning my management ability based upon who I do or don¡¯t bring to events. Fucking find me another solution!¡±

 Chapter 25

    With that I storm out of the room and leave the PR team to discuss other options, although I know the reality is there really aren¡¯t any other options. I wish there was a way to get the paparazzi to just leave me alone but short of buying out every media outlet in the country, I don¡¯t see that option being realistic.


    At one point I had my legal team demand a gossip site remove a story about me and issue a statement that they reported false information. The day after it was issued, another media outlet published a different story about me, this time specting on why I make charitable donations to certain organizations and not to others. In that moment I realized no matter what I did, there would always be stories out there about me. I stopped wasting my resources having my legal team send requests forpanies to recant their stories.


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Melody knocks on my door.


    ¡°Come in, Melody.¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to remind you that I am off tomorrow-¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s on my calendar.¡±


    ¡°You have an early morning meeting where we usually provide breakfast so I have already ced an order with a local bakery. However someone will need to pick the order up-¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t they just deliver?¡±


    ¡°This bakery does not offer a delivery service, Mr. Parker.¡±


    ¡°Why the fuck do we do business with them if they don¡¯t deliver?


    Do you know how much time we could save if you didn¡¯t need to run out before meetings to pick up food? Surely there are other bakeries in this city that offer delivery?¡±


    ¡°Yes, there are numerous bakeries within a few blocks of the office. However you know those muffins that you love?¡± I nod. ¡°They are from that bakery. And the freshly made donuts that are a hit at each of your meetings? Also from that bakery. Your meeting tomorrow morning is with Connors and Associates and ording to Mr. Connor¡¯s PA, he has a soft spot for this bakery¡¯s banana nut muffins which, of course, I ordered for tomorrow morning. Now if you don¡¯t have anyone who can pick up the order, I can cancel it and find a bakery that will deliver-¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll get Carter to stop by on our way in,¡± I concede once again realizing why it is I value Melody so much.


    ¡°Will you need anything else before I leave?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°No, enjoy your day off Melody.¡±


    After a couple more hours of work, I¡¯m sitting in the back of the


    Audi SUV that Carter is driving back to The ord. Without asking, Carter again takes the long way, slowing just past the little coffee shop where only a couple of weeks ago, we sshed a beautiful young woman who has haunted my thoughts ever since. I don¡¯t know what it was but there was something about her that captured my eye. Her long brown hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, her makeup was very light and minimal allowing her natural beauty to show through. Her outfit was simple but dressy: a pair of perfectly fit tan dress pants wasplimented by a form fitting ck button up blouse.


    Carter and I both repeatedly apologized but she continued to say it wasn¡¯t a big deal and shrugged the entire situation off. Had that happened to me, I guarantee I would have been cursing up a storm at everyone and anyone who would listen, demanding someone pay for the damage to my clothing. Knowing that we likelypletely ruined her pants, seeing that they were now covered in water and dirt, I offered to take her somewhere to buy her a new outfit. Much to my surprise, she refused my offer, saying she was on her dinner break so she didn¡¯t have much time.  What surprised me more though was when I gave her money to pay for the new outfit and she tried refusing it.


    I can¡¯t remember ever having women try to refuse money that I gave them. Normally that¡¯s all they want me for. That¡¯s what they expect from me: they expect me to give them money and buy them things. This woman waspletely different in that she tried to give the money back to me!  No matter what I said, she insisted paying for new clothes wasn¡¯t necessary but Carter and I both knew it was our fault that she would have to buy something new. Carter has worked for me long enough that verbalmunication is not always needed; a quick nce between us confirmed that we were both thinking the same thing. As I pushed her hand with the money away, Carter and I both turned around to head back to the car, leaving her with the money in hand.


    Ever since that evening, I have found that woman entering my thoughts at random times. I don¡¯t know what it is about her but something is making her stick in my head. A couple of days after we spoke to her, I asked Carter to drive past the area on the way home. He was of course confused because this area was in the opposite direction but when I asked him to slow down as we approached the coffee shop, I think he figured out why I asked him to go this way.


    Thus, every night on our way home, we go pass the coffee shop. We haven¡¯t seen the woman from that incident on any of our drives past. I know the chances are slim of seeing her again but I still don¡¯t ask Carter to return to his usual route. I¡¯m not sure what I would do if we saw her tonight, or any other time for that matter.  I have no desire to start a rtionship and I doubt she would be interested in what I have to offer.


    If I could find a way to just fuck her, it would probably get her out of my head but I certainly couldn¡¯t walk up to her on the street, introduce myself and then ask her toe back to my ce for a quick fuck could I? Something tells me that even if I could get away with that, she would never agree to it. One look at her and I could tell she isn¡¯t the type to have a one night stand with someone. She¡¯s the type who wants it all: the husband, the house, the white picket fence with 2. 3 kids running around in the backyard.

 Chapter 26

    Beep Beep Beep Beep


    I blindly p my rm clock, groaning when I see that time says it¡¯s four am. My muscles whine as I push myself into a sitting position and demand at least a few more hours of sleep. I worked more than twelve hours yesterday and despite that I couldn¡¯t fall asleep until close to midnight, thanks to my incredibly loud neighbors who thought it would be a good night to have a party. I think the only reason I finally fell passed out was from pure exhaustion because the noise level certainly didn¡¯t decrease.


    Thankfully today I am only working at the bakery so by early afternoon I should be back at home where I can hopefully take a nap. I swear if the department store calls me this afternoon I may be tempted to ignore the call because I don¡¯t think I could make it through another twelve hour day even if I wanted to. Although the tip Bridget left me after calling me in early thest time she needed something made the long day very worth it. Perhaps if she calls I will go in after all, well maybe if I can at least get a small nap in.


    I take a fast shower even though my body begs me to stay in longer and let the hot water ease some of my sore muscles. As much as I would love to, the building has a very limited supply of hot water and I know from experience if I spend more than eight minutes the water will turn ice cold without warning. After learning that the hard way, I now set a timer for seven minutes so there¡¯s no chance of ice watering out of the shower head before I¡¯m finished. There¡¯s nothing worse than having that happen while you still have a head full of shampoo. Quickly dressing in a pair of jeans and my bakery shirt, I make myself a bowl of hot oatmeal for breakfast. I¡¯m not a big breakfast person, but I know I need to put something in my stomach before I start my shift. There are days when it can be so busy that I don¡¯t get a break until my shift is over and by then I would be starving if I didn¡¯t eat before I started working. By the time I finish eating and my coffee is done brewing, it¡¯s nearly four thirty, meaning it¡¯s time to leave.


    A subway, bus ride and thirty minutester, I¡¯m walking thest couple of blocks to the bakery and arrive one minute before my shift is due to start.  I work the same shift each day so my schedule works out perfectly¡­ even if I despise having to wake up at four in the morning. ¡°Good Morning Ginny,¡± I greet the owner as I walk in.


    ¡°Morning Kenzie, how are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks. What can I get started on?¡±


    ¡°Actually, I need to talk to you, if you have a moment?¡± I nod.


    ¡°Pleasee to my office.¡±


    I follow Ginny back to her office¡­ in the eighteen months I¡¯ve been working here I haven¡¯t been in her office, except for the day she interviewed me. I have butterflies in my stomach for some reason. I know the oue of this meeting is not going to be a good one¡­ I just know it.


    I fear what Ginny is going to talk to me about but there is no avoiding it.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ there¡¯s no easy way for me to say this,¡± Ginny takes a deep breath and briefly pauses.  My heart is beating so loudly I¡¯m almost certain she can hear it.  ¡°I¡¯ve decided I¡¯m going to retire and my daughter has invited me toe live with her in Texas.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you Ginny! I know how much you¡¯ve missed your daughter since she moved.¡±


    ¡°I have and she called mest night to let me know she is expecting, so by moving in with her, I will be able to see my grandbaby whenever I want. I can¡¯t imagine living in New York and having her and the baby so far away.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to sell this ce and while I¡¯m going to tell the new owners how wonderful each of my staff members are, I can¡¯t guarantee they are going to keep you on once the ink dries.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate you putting in a good word for me.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I wish I could do more to protect your job-¡±


    ¡°I understand.  Don¡¯t worry about me, I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but worry about you, you know that.  If the people who end up buying this ce are morons and end up letting you go I will give you a glowing rmendation to wherever you want to go next.  I¡¯ll do anything I can to help you¡­ you¡¯vee so far-¡±


    ¡°Thank you but I promise, I will be okay.¡±


    She squeezes my hand across the desk and I can see the concern in her eyes. Along with a few other entry level, minimum wage paying jobs, my interview with her was set up by my case worker on my second day in New York. Ginny and I clicked almost instantly; she never asked me any questions about my past or why I moved here. She knew where I was living at the time of my interview and knew who scheduled me for the interview but she never brought it up. She instantly became like a mother figure to me -she was the type of mother I always wish I had.  She makes sure I have enough hours scheduled each week and always offers any extra shifts to me instead of one of the girls who work the register. She¡¯s the type of person who cares about everyone and doesn¡¯t ask for anything in return.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep you updated on the sale of this ce, but right now my attorney is reviewing offers so we are probably still a couple of months away from one being epted and the paperworkpleted.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate you telling me about this.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell the other girls. I¡¯m not ready for everyone to know just yet. I worry some of the others might jump ship and leave just you and me working all these hours.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°We have a catering order I need you to work on this morning; here¡¯s the order information. Someone will be by around 7:30 to pick it up.¡±


    ¡°No problem, I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s ready.¡±


    I try not to focus on what Ginny told me; there¡¯s not much I can but wait and see where things fall when the bakery eventually sells. I¡¯m not going to start looking for another job because I would much rather stay here.  Even though Ginny wouldn¡¯t run this ce anymore, it¡¯s familiar to me. I know all the recipes by memory, the register is easy to use and I really like the area. We are surrounded byrge office buildings in a very busy section of the city which means everyone is always on the go. There are several stores within walking distance that I can hit if I need something before catching my bus. Even though it wasn¡¯t a tough decision, I very quickly decide to stay on with Ginny and see what happens. If the new owners decide to rece all the staff, then I will find another job. I¡¯m pretty certain that the experience I have gained here will help me get a job at another bakery. There are several chain ones in the area and although I love the individual ownership of this ce, if I have no choice I will move on.


    ¡°Kenzie!¡± Ginnyes around the counter a couple of hourster.


    ¡°Someone is here to pick up the PFS catering order-¡±


    ¡°UGH they¡¯re early,¡± I sigh, ncing at my watch.  ¡°Give me a few minutes, the banana nut muffins are just about ready toe out of the oven.¡±


    ¡°No problem, just bring it up front when you¡¯re done.¡±

 Chapter 27

    At least half of Ginny¡¯s business is probably catering for the local businesses in the area. Although the chain ces offer delivery to the offices, most of the customers are loyal to Ginny because they love certain items we make. Whether it¡¯s the handmade donuts, the warm croissants, the personalized breads or the vorful muffins, it seems everyone has their favorite that keeps theming back. PFS, for example, probably ces an order with us at least two to three times a week. I can put money on it that, because while certain parts of the order will change, there will always be an apple cinnamon muffin in the order.  Clearly, whoever does the ordering for them, loves that type of muffin; I assume the order changes either based on meetings they are having or who in the office want to order from us. ¡°Order for PFS?¡± I call as I walk into the front of the store.


    ¡°Over here,¡± a deep voice calls me.


    I stop in my tracks when I turn around and recognize the man who answered me-it is no other than the man who drove into the puddle that drenched me a few weeks ago when I was on my dinner break from the department store.


    ¡°Ms¡­ it¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± he greets me.


    ¡°And you,¡± I ce the box down on the counter.  ¡°I wanted to thank you and the man you were with again for recing my clothes that day.  It was too much-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure whatever you were given was not just meant to rece your clothes but also for the inconvenience of having to spend the remainder of your break shopping instead of taking time for yourself.¡±


    ¡°Had I known how much was there I never would have epted it!  It was far too much money-¡±


    ¡°As I recall, you didn¡¯t ept the money.  I believe my boss gave it to you and had to walk away when you tried to give it back repeatedly,¡± he smirks.


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah I guess I did,¡± Iugh.


    ¡°What were you doing on break so far from this ce anyway?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I wasn¡¯t on break from here.  I work another job¡­ I was only a block or so away from there when you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ruined your outfit?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t ruined, just wet and dirty,¡± I point out.  ¡°Really it¡¯s fine. It all came out in the wash so it wasn¡¯t a big deal at all. Please thank your boss again for me, I appreciate that you both stopped and didn¡¯t keep driving like most people would have.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of, I should get going.  He has a big meeting this morning where these are needed for. It was nice seeing you again Ms¡­?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ Kenzie Rose.¡±


    ¡°Take care Ms. Rose-¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ do I get to know your name?¡±


    ¡°Carter,¡± he replies over his shoulder while walking away.


    It was very unexpected to see Carter here today, but I can¡¯t help but wish it was his boss who came in for the catering order. I don¡¯t know what it is but ever since that day I haven¡¯t been able to get the other man who was with Carter off my mind. Of course he was absolutely gorgeous, but there was something else about him that has kept me from forgetting him. I have no idea who he is but even if I did, I know I would be way out of his league. The car he rode in easily cost more than I pay in yearly rent.


    Plus he had a driver¡­ only people with incredible amounts of money pay for someone to drive them around in their personal car. People like that never give someone like me a second nce; the only time I talk to people with that much money is when I¡¯m dressing them at the department store. It wasn¡¯t that long ago when I shared drinks and meals with those types of people¡­ I cringe at the memory that I allowed to slip into my mind; memories that I¡¯ve tried so hard to keep buried. Besides even if by some miracle he decided to even give me the time of day, I don¡¯t think I could ever trust someone again. If you can¡¯t trust someonepletely, what type of rtionship can you ever hope to have? I¡¯ve learned what rtionships are like without trust and I¡¯d rather spend my life alone then to experience that again.


    ¡°Kenzie, we need more zed donuts,¡± Ginny thankfully pulls me from my pity party to remind me that I¡¯m here to work.


    ¡°Coming right up!¡±


    The rest of the morning is thankfully very busy which doesn¡¯t give me any time to take another unwanted trip down memoryne. Once everything is prepared for the lunch rush, I grab a cup of coffee to go and clock out. Surprisingly I¡¯m not as exhausted as I expected to be by now, so I


    decide to do a little window shopping before I catch my bus home. I can¡¯t afford very much in this area of high end shops, but I still enjoy window shopping¡­


    Ring Ring


    ¡°Hello?¡± I answer my phone nervously as the number on the screen is not one that I recognize. There are only a few people who know my phone number which is how I like to keep it. Since it¡¯s a prepaid cell phone my name isn¡¯t tied to this phone number anywhere that someone can find it. While that should reassure me, I still get very nervous when a number calls that I don¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°Kenzie? This is Bridget,¡± the voice on the other end says.


    ¡°Bridget?  Oh¡­ hi.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry to call you but I need to speak with you and was hoping you could meet meter today?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry Bridget but I¡¯m not scheduled to work.  I¡¯m sure if you call the store-¡±


    ¡°I need to speak with you outside the store actually.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡±


    ¡°Can you meet me around four today?¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I have a business proposition I want to discuss with you. Meet me for dinner, listen to my offer and if you¡¯re not interested, then no harm done. I promise you that whether or not you ept my offer will have no impact on my ount at your store. If you don¡¯t ept my offer, I won¡¯t pull my ount or ask for someone else to be assigned to my ount if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. You have my word, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ thank you. I suppose I can meet you today, I¡¯m not working this evening.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a Brazilian steakhouse on 7th and Main, do you know it?¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m familiar with the area, so I¡¯m sure I can find it.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ll meet you there at four today. The reservation is in my name.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you then.¡±     Nichs:


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I snap.


    I¡¯m desperately trying to focus on responding to this arrogant ass who has been dicking me around on a decision for thest month. If I don¡¯t concentrate on my response, I¡¯m likely to tell him that he has his head up his ass if he thinks the shares in hispany won¡¯t plummet with the announcement of the merger next month.


    ¡°She works there.¡±


    ¡°Who? Who works there? What are you talking about Carter?¡±


    Now he¡¯s just pissing me off too.  If you¡¯re going to interrupt me at least make it something worth my while; otherwise wait until I¡¯m not fucking busy.


    ¡°Ms. Kenzie Rose.¡±


    ¡°Carter¡­ seriously what the fuck? What are you fucking talking about? Who the fuck is Kenzie Rose?¡±


    ¡°The woman from outside the coffee shop¡­ the one we inadvertently drenched during the rain storm.¡±


    ¡°She¡­ she works at the bakery?¡± I¡¯m shocked, I never thought we would find her again. I even had Carter and Asher check security cameras in the area but none were able to give us a clear picture of the mystery woman who has haunted my thoughts ever since.


    ¡°Yes, she had prepared the order for today¡¯s meeting. We¡¯re running early if you want to go in-¡± ¡°No, just drive to the office.¡± ¡°Sir?


    ¡°PFS, Carter.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but nce out the window at the bakery as Carter pulls away. Part of me wants tell him to stop the car so I can go in and meet this Ms. Rose properly. But then her image is in the front of my mind once again and I¡¯m reminded that there¡¯s no way that I could ever be what she wants or needs. I¡¯m reminded that she isn¡¯t the type of woman who is just going to want to fuck me, that she isn¡¯t the type of a woman for a one night stand. I¡¯m not the type of guy who can do anything more than a one night stand or a quick fuck¡­ not again.

 Chapter 28

    Kenzie


    I have no idea what to wear tonight to meet Bridget or even what she wants to meet with me about. I¡¯ve racked my brain over and over again, trying to figure out what she could possibly want to discuss with me outside the store and still can¡¯t seem to find anything that makes sense. Initially I assumed it must have something to do with shopping for her at other locations besides just the department store but then I realized that everything she has pretty muches from our store.


    I suppose it¡¯s still possible that she wants me to be her personal shopper at other stores but something tells me that¡¯s not the reason she wants to meet with me tonight. I don¡¯t know much about Bridget¡¯s business other than she runs a consultation firm here in the city. I know a little more about her personally: she is married and has no children, is involved in several different charities and attends a ridiculous number of dinners or events regrly.  Yet somehow all of that still tells me nothing about a possible reason for her meeting with me tonight.


    I checked the website for the ce we are going to meet and it seems like a pretty dressy ce which is exactly what I expected of Bridget. I pick out a dress that I¡¯ve worn to work a few times; I doubt that anything else I own would be appropriate for this type of ce. The restaurant is located pretty much where I thought it would be, about a four block walk from the nearest bus stop that will bring me to the subway line I need but the area it is in is pretty safe so I¡¯m not worried about walking back to the bus stop after our meeting. The menu was posted online as well but no prices were listed, leaving me only to assume that dinner would likely cost half of my paycheck if I were to go there on my own. I take some of the cash I keep hidden in case of emergencies and toss it into my purse in the event that I need to grab a cab or pay for something.


    Before I realize it the afternoon has flown by and I¡¯m on the bus on my way to meet Bridget. My stomach feels like there is a knot in it, whether it¡¯s from nervousness or anxiety, I don¡¯t know. I hope that I know her well enough by now that she will keep her word and that no matter what happens tonight, I won¡¯t lose her as a client. She had said this wouldn¡¯t be an option but I can¡¯t help but worry that it could happen if she doesn¡¯t like my response tonight. It may not be the best job in the world but without it I wouldn¡¯t be able to pay all my rent so I value it for that reason alone.


    Yes I¡¯m sure I could get another job with the experience on my resume should I lose Bridget as a client but I don¡¯t have enough money saved up to go very long without working a second job. If I lost the job, I would probably be at risk of losing my apartment within 30 days. It took me forever to save up enough so I could afford one month¡¯s rent if I lost a job. Ideally I would like to have at least two month¡¯s expenses saved up but I haven¡¯t been able to get to that point yet.


    When the bus stops, I slowly get off and make my way along the busy sidewalk. My stomach feels like a brick is sitting in it and I¡¯m practically shaking with nervousness. I try to calm myself down but I can¡¯t seem to stop my body¡¯s natural reaction. I¡¯m not so much nervous about the actual proposition she has in mind but more so about the consequences if I decline the offer. I try to push those thoughts out of my head and desperately try to find something else to focus on during the short walk to the restaurant.


    ¡°Good evening miss¡­ can I help you?¡± I¡¯m greeted by an older gentlemen in a suit as soon as I walk into the restaurant.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here to meet with Ms. Wilder, I believe she has-¡±


    ¡°Ms. Wilder has our private room reserved. Please follow me,¡± he cuts me off and quickly leads me through the busy restaurant. Despite it being fairly early, I¡¯m surprised at how busy this ce is. It seems most people here are having business meetings as there are folders, notepads andptops at almost every table. I suppose this ce was a good option for conducting business dinners¡­ the tables are far enough apart that you wouldn¡¯t feel like someone could eavesdrop into your conversation and the food would surely impress any guest based upon the reviews written online. ¡°Ms. Wilder, your guest has arrived,¡± I am led into a small dining room where Bridget is seated at a table that looks ratherrge just for the two of us.


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s so nice to see you again,¡± she stands to greet me as soon as I walk in.


    ¡°Thank you Bridget, it¡¯s nice to see you too.¡±


    ¡°The waiter will be in shortly with your meals.¡±


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind, I took the liberty of ordering for both of us so we can focus our time on discussing business. The food here is delicious but if you don¡¯t like what I ordered please let me know.  The chef will make anything you want, even if it¡¯s not on the menu.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure whatever you ordered will be fine Bridget, I¡¯m not a very picky eater,¡± I assure her.


    ¡°While we wait for our food, I need to ask you to sign this,¡± she hands me a folder with what appears to be a legal document in it.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I ask.


    ¡°It¡¯s called a non-disclosure agreement, an NDA. Please read through it carefully. I want you to understand what you are signing. Essentially by signing this document you agree to keep anything we discuss here between the two of us. You cannot go home and tell your roommate about this discussion-¡±


    ¡°I live alone so you don¡¯t have to worry about that.¡± It would be much easier if I had a roommate, financially speaking of course. The idea of living with someone, sharing my space with them¡­ I just couldn¡¯t do it.  I couldn¡¯t trust someone that much.


    ¡°It also means you can¡¯t talk to anyone about this at the store what we discuss tonight.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I understand.¡±

 Chapter 29

    I spend the next few minutes reviewing the NDA which seems pretty straight forward. It basically outlines what Bridget has already mentioned; essentially I can¡¯t discuss anything we talk about with anyone.


    The NDA also warns that I can be sued if I discuss the contents of this meeting with someone, especially if the information is then leaked to the media. My curiosity is peaked even more as I wonder what Bridget could want to discuss that would require such a high level of confidentiality. Immediately I toss out the idea that she wants me to be a personal shopper for her at other stores, not that it was a very good idea to begin with.


    A waiter quietly brings in our sds and entrees, setting them in front of us before Bridget nods, dismissing him. She pours us each a ss of wine from the bottle that has been opened and is on the table with us. I take a deep breath and sign the NDA, closing the folder before taking a sip of the wine she just poured. I haven¡¯t had a ss of wine or really anything containing alcohol in thest year and a half; not that I haven¡¯t often wanted something but more because I was focused so much on saving money and just surviving.


    ¡°Do you mind if we discuss things while we eat?  I¡¯ve had a busy day and ended up missing lunch today so I¡¯m famished,¡± Bridget asks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all.¡± I¡¯m secretly relieved because I¡¯d rather get the reason for this meeting out in the open than dragging it on much longer.


    ¡°Kenzie, I want you to keep an open mind with what I¡¯m about to offer you,¡± she warns and I can¡¯t help but nod in agreement as the anxiety in me rises even higher. ¡°As you know, I run a very sessful consulting firm here in New York.  What you don¡¯t know is what my services entail. I work with very sessful business men and women across the tri-state area who, because of their busy lives, find dating to be either undesirable or something they don¡¯t have time for. This is where Ie in: I set them up with men and women who match the qualities they are looking for.¡± ¡°Like a match maker?¡± I askpletely surprised.


    ¡°Sort of¡­ I suppose you could call me a match maker. However, unlike most match making services out there, my ultimate goal is often not about wedding bells and happily ever after. That doesn¡¯t mean that some of my clients haven¡¯t ended up married, of course, but the primary objective of the match is notpatibility for life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m a little confused. If you¡¯re not looking for a husband or wife for someone, what¡¯s the point in the match?¡±


    ¡°Company,panionship and sometimes even friendship ¨C what most people want out of life. The people I work with are very sessful individuals in their respective industries. Often times they work 60, 70 even 90 hours per week with little to no time for their personal lives. They have sacrificed those personal lives for their sess and this is something they epted long ago.


    ¡°However, sometimes they just want to go to dinner with a lovely woman and have a conversation that doesn¡¯t revolve around the stock market or thetest merger. They don¡¯t want any type ofmitment and because of their sess, they always worry that someone is only with them for money so they never trust anyonepletely. I pair them with someone that I think they have something inmon with or that I think would be a good match for them. The two have dinner, go to a y, see a movie or more often than not go to social events together. You would be surprised how many business deals are ironed out over social events with husbands and wives present.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m actually not as surprised as you would think,¡± I mumble aloud.


    ¡°Oh?¡± she asks but when I don¡¯tment she continues. ¡°I¡¯ve known you for more than a year now so I¡¯d like to think I know the qualities you possess. I am confident that you would be a good match with several of the men, or women if you prefer, that I work with. I would like to offer you the opportunity to join my consulting firm.¡±


    ¡°Ummmm¡­ this is a lot to take in. Can I ask you a few questions?¡±


    ¡°Of course, ask anything you want. You¡¯ve signed the NDA so I feelfortable speaking freely with you about this.¡±


    ¡°What exactly is expected on a date?¡± I ask cringing at the word date. Can you even call it a date if you are being paid to be there and the person is paying for your service?N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°It depends on the context. Assuming it¡¯s not a business-social event, think of it like two friends going out together. You eat, chat about whatever you want: sports, the weather, aspirations in life¡­ really anything. If you are apanying someone in a business-social situation, you would likely have met the person ahead of time and he would have outlined what he was looking for at that event. Usually they need you to y the doting girlfriend role: hold hands, maybe dance if the event calls for it, and just make small talk with the other guests. They will have briefed you ahead of time on the key yers and given you their opinions on business or political topics.¡±


    ¡°How long do these¡­ arrangements typicallyst?¡±


    ¡°I have some staff who have been meeting with the same client for years now. The press, without a doubt, assumes they are a couple but in reality they only see each other for business events and the asional dinner beforehand. I have other clients who will ask for someone to go to dinner with once every few months when they are in town traveling for business. It really depends on the client and how well they click with my staff.¡±


    ¡°What about¡­ physical contact? Is that an expectation-¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Bridget ms her hand down on the table between us. ¡°I do not run a prostitution ring, Kenzie! Beyond holding hands, any physical contact is limited: a hand on the small of your back when you walk into the room, an arm around your waist when discussing something with another couple, etc¡­  At most, a kiss on the cheek at the end of the evening. There is nothing beyond that-it is spelled out in the contract all clients and employees sign stating their will be no intimate contact between the two parties unless they both terminate their contract with my firm.¡±

 Chapter 30

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I meant no disrespect. I just had to know. I could never¡­ that¡¯s just something I couldn¡¯t do.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s amon misconception; escort businesses have been given a bad name bypanies who disguise themselves as providing escorts when they really provide prostitutes. My clients have no problem finding a woman to be intimate with them, what theye to me for is something more than sex. They want someone who they can spend a few hours with who won¡¯t expect flowers the next day or a diamond ring on their finger in a week. Sometimes all they want is to conduct business but the people who they are conducting business with assume there is something wrong with them because they don¡¯t have a wife, girlfriend, husband or boyfriend to bring to dinners.¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡± I blush when I realize I asked the question aloud.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ whether or not you know it, you¡¯re beautiful. You have this innocence about you that I know many of my clients will find endearing. You¡¯re not the type of woman who dresses incredibly sexy or tries to get into a man¡¯s pants and go for his wallet. From what I can tell, you haven¡¯t had any stic surgery; the natural look is very appealing to most of my clients. You¡¯re polite but can handle yourself when necessary as well. These qualities are highly sought after for business events. My clients want someone who can hold polite conversations with their business associates but can also hold their own if they need to leave their side for a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure these are qualities you don¡¯t even see in yourself, but I¡¯ve made it my business to get to know everyone Ie in contact with. I think this could be a good opportunity for you ¡­ you wouldn¡¯t have to work two jobs any longer and could afford to move out of that neighborhood you live in-¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ how do you know where I live?¡±


    ¡°I ran a background check on you, of course, dear,¡± she answers as if it¡¯s nothing. ¡°Before I approached you about this opportunity, I needed to know if you would hold up to public scrutiny. It¡¯s possible you would be photographed at events with clients and I needed to know what the press could dig up on you.¡±


    ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be anything¡­¡± I try to figure out what could be on a background check about me. I¡¯ve never been arrested or in trouble of any kind.


    ¡°There wasn¡¯t anything to worry about. Looks like you had bad luck a few years ago: a tumble down the stairsnded you in the emergency room with several broken ribs and a gash on your arm requiring stitches-¡±


    ¡°You could ess my medical records? That¡¯s confidential!¡±


    ¡°For the right price anyone can ess anything, Kenzie,¡± she sighs. ¡°I needed to make sure that I knew everything that the press could find out about you.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t that be my choice? I haven¡¯t epted your offer!¡±


    ¡°Yet,¡± she corrects.  ¡°You haven¡¯t epted my offer yet. Kenzie, I know this feels like I invaded your privacy but I didn¡¯t know much about you before I ran these background checks. I doubt the store ran detailed background checks but even if they did, it wouldn¡¯t be as in depth as mine. I needed to know you were trustworthy before I even could approach you about this.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say, Bridget,¡± I sigh heavily. What she says makes sense but I¡¯m still angry that she could ess my medical records. However I¡¯m relieved that even if she esses all of them, she won¡¯t find anything else. There is nothing there to raise suspicion, nothing to make someone take a second look¡­


    ¡°Will you consider my offer? Kenzie, I have men and women who work for me don¡¯t have to work other jobs to pay bills. This could get you out of your apartment and into a ce where you wouldn¡¯t have to worry about walking out your front door at night or that the police might barge through your door at any moment because your neighbor is dealing drugs. You wouldn¡¯t have to scrimp and save every penny. You wouldn¡¯t have to work ten, twelve or fifteen hour long days.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, this is a lot to take in.¡±


    ¡°Take some time, think about my offer. If you agree, one simple date could pay your rent for a month.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± I ask dumbfounded that she could be offering me that much money.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she says straight faced. ¡°Depending on the length of dinner, assuming it¡¯s just the two people, you could earn a minimum of $500 per hour.  Most dinner dates willst at least two hours, sometimes longer. Then you figure in a movie, y or opera afterwards and your dinner nowsts four to five hours which means you earn a minimum of $2000. After the first date, your rate is increased by $100 per hour. After the first month, the rate is increased further. Social or business events have different rate ranges based upon the number of people in attendance, the expectations the client has and if publicity is required-¡±


    ¡°Publicity?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes, clients want to publically be seen with a date at an event. If this is required, the price is higher because it puts you in newspapers and magazines.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°All of your expenses are covered, any clothing that is required for dates or events is charged to my ount. As you know I have many ounts at different stores throughout the city; you simply pick out an outfit and charge it to my ount. The outfit is yours at the end of the night.¡±


    ¡°So the clients at the store¡­?¡±


    ¡°Clients and employees, all of them,¡± she confirms.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± I don¡¯t know what else to say.


    ¡°Kenzie, take a few days and think about my offer. Think about the doors it could open for you. Think about what you could do with extra money in your pocket every month. My staff are going back to school, raising children on their own, helping to pay for medical bills for sick family members or even just paying off debts. Think about what you really want to do with your life.  Do you want to work two and three jobs forever?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Here is a contract, take it home and read through it. Call me in two days with a decision. If I don¡¯t hear from you in 48 hours, I will have your answer.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

 Chapter 31

    Kenzie


    Holy Shit¡­ holy shit¡­ holy shit.


    That¡¯s all I can think about on the cab ride home. Bridget insisted on paying for a cab when she learned I arrived by bus and subway. I don¡¯t mind taking public transportation but I guess to someone like her, it¡¯s a foreign concept. I can¡¯t imagine what this cab ride must be costing her, since I don¡¯t live remotely close to this area of the city but when I tried to object, she wouldn¡¯t of hear it. So now I¡¯m sitting in the back of a cab that is weaving in and out of traffic repeating holy shit to myself hundreds of times. I¡¯m holding the folder tightly in my hands, almost afraid to open it to look at the contract that she says is in here. I can¡¯t possibly read a contract when I haven¡¯t even digested what she just told me. As I think about the people on her ount that I have shopped for in thest year I suppose it makes sense. There are girls I dress for formal and business casual events, men who are dressed in suits and fitted tuxes and of course the gentleman that was shopping for a business trip the other day and needed clothes for his ¡°girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, is this the correct address?¡± The cab driver pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I confirm after ncing out the window at the graffiti covered building in front of me.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I thank the cab driver and head up the steps to the entrance of my building just as the cab pulls away. There is a guy drunk or high leaning against the door, he¡¯s passed out and doesn¡¯t even move as I approach him. I cringe at the thought of stepping near him but as I clear my throat to get his attention, he doesn¡¯t even flinch. My hand grips the knife in my purse fiercely as I take a step forward, prepared to defend myself if this low life suddenly moves.


    I quickly rush through the door, closing and locking it behind me the moment I enter the stairwell. The door is supposed to be locked at all times, residents are the only ones who should have a key but of course the door is rarely locked and I¡¯ve seen people who don¡¯t live here entering the building without bothering to ring a bell. Other than a few derogatoryments thrown at me when I first moved in here almost a year ago for the most part whoever is outside leaves me alone. I still carry the knife in my purse at all times though, because I can never be too careful.


    I quickly enter my apartment, shutting and locking the deadbolt behind me as I turn on the lights. It¡¯s nearly ten o¡¯clock, I¡¯m not sure where the night went but I guess I was at the restaurant a lot longer than I thought. I¡¯m too tired right now to think about what Bridget said or even consider reading the contract. I have a full day tomorrow, working both jobs so I need to get to bed soon. I quickly change into a pair of pajamas and toss my dress into the ever growing pile ofundry that sits in the corner. At some point in the next few days I need to find the time to doundry or I won¡¯t have clean clothes to wear to either of my jobs. The problem, of course, is that today was really my only free evening, as I¡¯m scheduled to work both jobs for the next three straight days. While the paycheck will be nice, working a minimum of 36 hours in 3 days is not something I enjoy doing. I¡¯d prefer to have at least half a day off in between double shifts but the twopanies don¡¯t exactly coordinate my schedule with each other so sometimes it ends up like this.


    I know I need to find a couple of hours tomorrow to review the information that Bridget sent me and to really process what she told me. My initial thought during dinner was that she was crazy, that there was no way in hell I would consider her offer, that I have too much pride to do what she is suggesting. But as I sit in my crappy apartment in this shitty neighborhood with no real future ahead of me, I have to admit that I would be crazy to not at least consider her offer.


    I force myself to stop thinking about the offer tonight because I know if I don¡¯t stop, I will be up all night which will just make for an even more exhausting few days. Despite the neighbors loud arguing next door, I quickly manage to fall asleep, vowing to focus things tomorrow in whatever spare time I might have. I sleep soundly until the rm buzzing wakes me up several hourster.  I¡¯m thankful whenever I sleep through the night¡­ my nightmares have be fewer but when they hit, they usually prevent me from going back to sleep. On days like today where I have to work both jobs, I¡¯m thankful when I do sleep through the night without a nightmare.


    ¡°Good Morning, Kenzie,¡± Ginny greets me as soon as I walk through the back door of the bakery.


    ¡°Morning.¡±


    The morning passes by slowly, unlike most mornings in the bakery. I can¡¯t seem to focus; my mind constantly wanders back to the conversation with Bridgetst night. The one thing that continues to stick in my head is the amount of money she was offering to pay me for a couple of hours¡¯ worth of work. Today I will bust my ass, work 12 plus hours and by the time the day is done, I will have earned around $150 before taxes.  Around $150 for 12 hours of work¡­ whereas Bridget is offering me almost 5 times that amount per hour. Am I stupid for not agreeing to it right away?


    The thought of being able to live in a nicer neighborhood, one where I don¡¯t have to walk past people who are drunk or high just to get into the building sounds attractive as well. I could work only a few nights a month and have all my current bills covered. Add in a few more days and I would be able to afford a small apartment in a decent area of New York. But what type of job security is there in this type of¡­ business? Would there be enough work to cover my rent every month? What happens if business slows down? Does this type of business slow down?


    As the morning wears on, I realize I have far more questions than I thought was possible. The more questions I have the more I realize that I¡¯m actually at least half way considering this offer. I have to admit the thought of not struggling as much financially is what is driving me to at least think about this and not just say hell no to Bridget. I¡¯ve always wanted to go back to college; I looked into taking online sses years ago but I was forbidden from doing so. What if this job could pay enough to allow me to begin taking sses again?  Bridget said some of her staff were paying their way through college by working for her. Could I do something like that?


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, Kenzie,¡± Ginny calls as I punch out for the day.


    ¡°Have a good day, Ginny.¡±


    A subway and bus rideter, I¡¯m back in my crappy apartment eating a bowl of instant noodles cooked on a hot te for lunch. Not the healthiest option, but when you only have a few extra bucks to spare, crappy food always wins over healthy food. As I wait for my food to cool, I decide to make a list of questions for Bridget.


    1)       Safety:


    a.   How will my safety be ensured?


    b.  What kind of background checks are


    performed on the clients?


    c.   Will dates always ur in public ces?


    d.  What options do I have if something happens


    on a date?


    2)       Communication:


    a.   I don¡¯t want clients knowing where I live¡­


    how is that handled?


    b.  How are the dates set up?  Does the client call


    me directly?


    3)       Pay:


    a.   How many hours per week is typical?


    b.  Are there times during the year when business


    slows down?


    c.   Can most girls maintain an average number of


    hours?


    4)       Publicity:


    a.   How will reporters/press not tie me back to


    yourpany?


    b.  How do I respond if I¡¯m approached outside


    of a date and asked how I met someone I was seen with?


    5)       Clothing:


    a.   I don¡¯t believe I can shop where I work.  Are


    there other options?


    6)       Control:


    a.   Will I be able to refuse a date?

 Chapter 32

    As I look over my list of questions I¡¯m satisfied that I have covered most of the key areas. Question one is a big one for me, I need to ensure that no matter what happens I will be safe at all times. I can¡¯t see myself going to some stranger¡¯s house to meet him for dinner no matter how clean his background check is. I know all too well, things can get left off background checks and sometimes not everything is reported to authorities, even when it should be. I could never trust someone sopletely that I would take them at their word that the person I¡¯m meeting wouldn¡¯t hurt me. Could I ever go to someone¡¯s house alone even, if we went out several times?


    I don¡¯t know¡­ I need Bridget to realize that I have more trust issues than most people do and that¡¯s not something I¡¯m willing topromise on. Dates in public ces I can deal with, there are options. If I felt threated I would have no problem making a scene to ensure my safety. Given what Bridget has told me about her clients, they would probably be on their best behavior in public because they wouldn¡¯t want to make a scene. Unfortunately people can put on a great front in public and be the devil in the privacy of their own home as I¡¯ve learned.


    I still have a couple of hours before I need to report to the store so I spend some time reviewing the contract and realize I probably should have done this before making my list of questions but I figure I can always edit the list if need be. I don¡¯t know much about contracts but it seems pretty straight forward to me. The contract addresses mymunication question: it specifically states all requests for dates must go through Bridget and prohibits staff and clients from setting up their own dates.  I like this idea actually-it gives me the opportunity to say no without worrying about hurting the other person¡¯s feelings. I like that I can¡¯t be pressured into agreeing to a date. The contract confirms what Bridget told me earlier that there is to be no sexual contact between the client and the staff at any time while one or both of us is under contract. Again, this is something I like. I don¡¯t want to be treated like a prostitute for the man to be expecting sex from me at the end of the night.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    The contract further states that an addendum will be signed for every date. A sample addendum is attached to the contract which again seems pretty straight forward. The addendum lists the rate per hour for the date, the expected length of the date with a note that this may vary but if it is going to exceed on additional hour the client is obligated to inform the agency of the change and then it requires me to list what physical contact I am agreeable to.


    The physical contact options are pretty neutral which is what I would expect since the contract prohibits any sexual contact. Physical contact options include: hand holding, kiss on the cheek, kiss on the lips, hand wrapped around waist, hand on hip and dancing. I prefer no kissing on the lips, however I could see if a client is trying to show that we are romantically linked they may feel this is necessary. I decide to discuss that with Bridget and determine if it¡¯s something that can be changed after meeting with a client.


    While working at the store, I can¡¯t help but look at the clients on Bridget¡¯s contract differently. I worked with two individuals directly tonight and then put aside items for others; the entire time I¡¯m wondering are they clients or staff that work with Bridget?  Are they getting ready for a date tonight? I wish I had the nerve to ask them about how they know Bridget but of course the NDA I signedst night prohibits me from asking plus I would be too embarrassed to know the answer. With my mind somewhat more focused on work than it was this morning, the night goes by faster than I expected. When I¡¯m on break I decide to call Bridget and see if she is willing to meet again to discuss her proposition.


    ¡°Good evening, Kenzie,¡± she answers on the first ring.


    ¡°Hi Bridget¡­ I hope I have caught you a good time?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m just in between meetings so I have a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°I was wondering if you would be avable to meet to discuss¡­ things further?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see, I¡¯m free around eight tonight?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m working right now so tonight won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Ten tomorrow morning?¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ working at the bakery tomorrow morning and the store in the evening.¡±


    ¡°Okay, how about we meet for lunch at one tomorrow?  I¡¯ll text you the address of a ce as soon as I get a reservation scheduled.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate your flexibility with my schedule.¡± ¡°I look forward to our meeting. Have a good night, Kenzie.¡±


    I feel relieved when I leave work at the end of my shift. I am confident that if Bridget can answer my questions to my satisfaction and guarantee my safety then I will try this whole earn-money-for-pretendingto-be-someone¡¯s-date thing. I admit initially the whole concept freaked me out but the more I thought about the customers that Bridget works with, the more it made sense. There are weeks when I work more than 60 hours like some of her customers do and during those weeks there is no way I could find the time to date even if I wanted to. Thankfully, I have no desire to date or haven¡¯t even thought about going out on a date, that is, until the meeting with Bridgetst night. At least with this offer, everything is spelled out and the expectations of both parties are clear from the start.  I don¡¯t have to trust anyone: works very well for me!


    The next morning I wake up to my phone ringing which is odd because my rm is set for four in the morning so the idea that someone is calling before that awful hour is concerning.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie? Dear, it¡¯s Ginny. Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ what time is it?¡±


    ¡°Almost six dear¡­ you¡¯re always here-¡±


    ¡°SHIT! Ginny, I¡¯m so sorry, I overslept I¡¯ll be there as soon as possible.¡±


    I nce at my rm clock and immediately realize why it didn¡¯t go off¡­ apparently I have no power. I quickly wash up in the bathroom sink before throwing on clothes and heading to the bakery. As I¡¯m walking down the block, it appears everyone has power except for our building. Our rent includes our electricity since thendlord is too cheap to have the building individually metered. Our building is the only one on the block without electricity so I assume that once again thendlord didn¡¯t pay the electric bill. He does this a few times a year, leaving us without electric for a few days before paying the bill again. It makes for a difficult few days as there is no hot water to shower with and no way to cook a hot meal but considering he doesn¡¯t live in the building, I don¡¯t think he cares very much.

 Chapter 33

    Kenzie


    ¡°I have a reservation with Ms. Wilder,¡± I inform the server when I enter the Italian restaurant Bridget texted me the details for earlier this morning. Thankfully I had enough time to run back to my apartment and change into something more suitable for a ce like this after my shift ended at the bakery this morning. Of course the electricity was still turned off at the apartment, not that I expected anything different. I had already left a voice mail for thendlord about the electricity, but I don¡¯t expect to hear back from him anytime soon.


    Luckily I¡¯m more prepared than I was the first time the building lost electricity for three straight days when thendlord chose not to pay his bill once before. Now I have several candles, a shlight with extra batteries, instant coffee (which tastes gross but at least will give me my caffeine fix until I can get to a store), canned tuna fish, bottled water and frozen bread. It doesn¡¯t make for the most appetizing meals, but there¡¯s only so much you can prepare without electricity.


    ¡°Yes, she is in our private dining room already,¡± he leads towards the back of the main area to a much smaller room than the one we met in the other day.


    ¡°Kenzie, so nice to see you again,¡± she greets me the moment I walk in.


    ¡°You too, Bridget. Thank you for squeezing me in, my schedule was tight today.¡±


    Unlike ourst meeting, we both spend a few minutes looking over the menu before cing our orders with the wait staff. I feel much more at ease today than I did thest meeting. I have an agenda for today¡¯s meeting, unlike the other day when I was blindsided.


    ¡°You had some questions?¡± Bridget starts as we wait for our meal to be served.


    ¡°I did. My first question may seem simple but it¡¯s a deal breaker for me. I need to know that I will be safe on these dates. I mean no offense, but I can¡¯t just take your word that these men aren¡¯t dangerous and won¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ ¡± She sits back in her chair, clearly caught off guard. I¡¯ve thought a lot about this over thest day and a half, my safety absolutely must be my first priority. I may not live in the safest of areas, but those are dangers I can handle. I cannot and will not be put in danger by Bridget¡¯s offer. I will not allow the past to repeat itself.


    ¡°I can certainly understand your reservations about the natural risk involved when you meet someone you don¡¯t know. If anything, the way I handle things puts you in a much safer position than if you met some random guy on the street or online and decided to go on a date with him. I do not advertise my services, meaning the average Joe on the street cannot walk into my office and request a date with one of my staff. Clients are by referral only and their worth must be over five million dors or I won¡¯t even speak to them. All clients go through the same background checks as my staff, and I expect nothing less of them because they have a ton of money.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t agree to meet someone in a private setting,¡± I note. ¡°I don¡¯t mind meeting someone in a room like this, but it absolutely must be in a public setting.  I won¡¯t agree to dates in someone¡¯s apartment or in their office after everyone has left.¡±


    ¡°Is this firm or is it something you are willing to negotiate after you have a few dates with someone?¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I guess for now its firm but maybeter I would feelfortable negotiating?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I only ask because sometimes clients ask for someone to apany them on a business trip. For example, I believe you met Mr. Thompson the other day?¡± I nod remembering meeting him.  ¡°He was picking up clothes for the woman that I arranged to apany him on a trip to the Virgin Inds.  This is not unusual, but I will say that very rarely will these trips be a first meeting. Typically both parties have met each other several times before hand and feelfortable enough with each other to go on a trip like this. We insist clients reserve suites at the hotel and provide us with confirmation of the reservation. Each suite must have at minimum two separate bedrooms and bathrooms giving each person their privacy.¡±


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t considered business trips. I suppose that¡¯s something I would be willing to considerter, but I think other than those, I would prefer meetings to ur in public ces.¡±


    ¡°Perfectly understandable.¡±


    ¡°How much control do I have?¡±


    ¡°You haveplete control. You may decline a request once it¡¯s presented to you. You can terminate the contract at any point and walk away without any repercussions. I will not force you to go on a date or to a social event; you need to decide if the person requested yourpany is a potential match for you in a social situation. You have the final say.¡±


    ¡°What are my options if something goes wrong during a date?¡±


    ¡°I am avable at all times to both my clients and my staff. I have never received a call that something was wrong on a date or that the client acted inappropriately. But in the event something like that does happen, you simply call me and I will handle the situation even if it means Ie to where you are.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°What other questions do you have?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want clients knowing where I live; I prefer to have that private-¡±


    ¡°Clients are not given your address, phone number and key information is cked out of your background check that is given to them. Allmunication goes through me; dates are scheduled through me. Typically both parties agree to meet at a certain location, sometimes it¡¯s even my office if it is an event that the client wants to arrive with the date to. They will not pick you up at home or drop you off there at the end of the evening. Not only does it protect your privacy but it saves the chance of lines getting blurred especially at the end of the night.¡±

 Chapter 34

    ¡°Thank you. I appreciate you settling my fears. When we met you mentioned that some of your staff are only working for you and not working other jobs. I¡¯m trying to wrap my head around the financial aspect of this now that you answered my questions about safety. To be honest Bridget, I need to know if this is something I can steadily rely on to pay my rent every month or if this is something that will provide me only with spending money.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense, especially given what I know about your current financial situation.¡± Why do I get the feeling her background check likely included my bank ount bnces?  ¡°Let me put it this way, I have a long waiting list of potential clients-more than I can ept right now because I don¡¯t have enough staff. Staff decide how many events or dates they want to attend per week, some decide to only attend one and some attend two to three. It also depends on the requests; some of my clients have a standing arrangement with a staff member in that they request that staff for every event they attend.  Many of those staff average two events per week, often bringing in close to five thousand dors a month depending on the type of event. What it boils down to Kenzie, is how much you earn and how often you work isplete up to you. For some staff, this is simply spending money to pay off a few bills. For others though this is how they pay all their bills. What is it you want?¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admit honestly. ¡°I like the idea of not working so many long hours but I¡¯m nervous to suddenly give it all up. I enjoy the bakery where I work and I could probably continue working there while I figure this out. If I signed the contract, though I don¡¯t think I could continue working at the store. I think it would be awkward to dress men and women who are essentially my coworkers or men who I could end up on a date with. However, giving that job up is a little frightening to me.¡±


    ¡°Understandably so. I don¡¯t normally do this but I¡¯ll make you a deal. If you sign a contract with me and then find it isn¡¯t for you for whatever reason, I will give you a glowing rmendation at one of the many stores I have ounts with orpanies I do business with. I will guarantee you a job within two weeks of you terminating your contract with me.¡±


    ¡°Why would you do that?¡±


    ¡°I want to help you. I can tell you haven¡¯t had an easy life and for whatever reason you don¡¯t trust easily. You remind me of myself when I was younger and I guess that makes me want to see you seed. I promise if this doesn¡¯t work out for whatever reason, I will ensure you have a job and are not left on the street. Why don¡¯t you try one dinner date with a client and see how it goes? If you decide after that date it isn¡¯t for you, we terminate the contract and never look back. If you decide this isn¡¯t as scary as the thoughts going through your head right now, then I will show your profile to other clients for potential dates.  What do you say?¡±


    ¡°One date¡­ I¡­ I suppose I can agree to that.¡±


    ¡°Good, I really think you will see this isn¡¯t as bad as you are thinking Kenzie. What other questions do you have?¡±


    ¡°How will I not be tied back to yourpany? I mean, if I¡¯m photographed with a date and the press runs a background check on me won¡¯t they see that I¡¯m on your payroll?¡±


    ¡°They might. However, if they look into mypany they will see that we are a consultation firm working withrge and smallpanies across the state. You will be listed as a consultant which is a very broad title. In all the years since I started thispany up, I¡¯ve never had a reporter question exactly what it is someone does for me or what exactly consultation services we provide.¡±


    We talk for another hour or so as we finish our lunch and at the end I have decided to stick to our agreement and try one date through Bridget, figuring I don¡¯t have much to lose. I won¡¯t quit one of my jobs until I¡¯m sure this is going to work out. I¡¯m confident with the answers that she has given me: I like that I¡¯m going to have more control over my schedule and the men I am seen with than I originally expected to have. Although there are risks, I can¡¯t say the risks are higher than if I stay in the ce I currently live. I¡¯ve been there almost a year now and in that time I¡¯ve seen more drug deals ur than I ever expected to, and the police have been almost a weekly presence in the building for several months now. The neighborhood itself is risky: I¡¯m at risk anytime I leave the apartment, especially given thete hours I often work. At least with the dates I will be in a public setting which reduces my risk of being hurt significantly. Although I don¡¯t want to put myself at risk, at some point I need to take one and change things if I¡¯m ever going to change my life further. Leaving him and moving to New York was the riskiest thing I have ever done and so far it has turned out pretty well for me. I want to improve my life further, I want to do something with my life, and right now epting this offer seems like the only way I¡¯m going to get ahead.


    ¡°Thank you again for squeezing me in, Bridget, and for answering my many questions. I appreciate the time you took.¡±


    ¡°I have to admit I was surprised to hear from you. I was worried I scared you off with the contract the other night. I¡¯m d that wasn¡¯t the case and that you decided to give this a chance. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to regret it. I¡¯ll be in touch soon with a potential dinner scheduled and a profile for you to approve.¡±


    The next few days go by slowly; the electricity remains off in my building but I hardly notice because I end up working even more hours than originally scheduled. Bathing is the most inconvenience of all: while I have water in my apartment, I don¡¯t have hot water. I wash my hair using gallons of water that I let get to room temperature before using. It¡¯s better than trying to shampoo my hair in the shower which nowsts less than a minute as I quickly wash before I freeze too much. I¡¯m getting tired of eating tuna fish sandwiches for meals, but I would live with it if it meant being able to take a hot shower again. I think the longest we went without electricity was nine days-if it doesn¡¯t go longer this time it should be turned back on in the next few days.

 Chapter 35

    Nichs


    ¡°Mr. Parker, may I have a moment?¡± Melody knocks on my door.


    ¡°Quickly.¡±


    ¡°I have a Mrs. Bridget Wilder on the line requesting a meeting with you to discuss an uing charity g you are attending, how would you like me to handle the call sir?¡±


    ¡°Bridget Wilder?¡± I pause surprised that she would be calling to request a meeting with me. ¡°I believe she sits on the board with my mother for the charity; she probably wants to solicit a donation for the event. Squeeze her in where you can but for no more than half an hour. I don¡¯t want to get trapped listening to how much some charity needs my donation for hours on end.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Usually my mother handles the requests for this charity since she¡¯s on the board but I know she has been very busytely with another one that she¡¯s trying to raise money for. I think it¡¯s odd that Bridget would request a personal meeting with me to discuss the donation though, typically a phone is all that is needed, given that I regrly donate to most of the charities my mother is sitting on the board, for including the one that I am scheduled to attend next.


    My thoughts are quickly diverted as my outlook calendar alerts me to another meeting that is starting in a few minutes in the board room. My day is filled with meetings, conference calls and reviewing reports just like every other day.  I love what I do; I love analyzing trends in the market, helpingpanies seed and even trying to predict what the market will do next. As is the case most days, before I know it the sun has set and I¡¯m thest person in the building besides Carter. I leave PFS, return home for ate dinner and then spend a few more hours in my office. This routine is what my life consists oftely; the only change is when I have an event or business dinner to attend. It may seem boring, but the long hours are what have made PFS the sess that it is. It wouldn¡¯t be anywhere near as sessful if I only worked the typical eight hour day that most employees in America work. Instead, I average ten to twelve hours in the office each day plus another three to five hours per night at home.


    As is the case most nights, sleep doesn¡¯te easy for me. When I finally manage to fall asleep, I find my thoughts focusing on the beautiful brte Carter and I met on the street months ago. Only this time I don¡¯t picture her as she was that day on the sidewalk, instead she is standing naked in front of me, her hands bound behind her back with a simple red piece of silk. She¡¯s waiting for me, her body is calling out to me, begging for my touch. Her nipples are hardened as the anticipation of what is about to happen arouses her even further.


    I take a step towards her, not able to keep myself from touching her for another moment but the space between us increases. Another step towards her, yet she is further away than she was moments ago. I quickly take three steps forward, my hand reaching out to touch her but again she remains just out of reach. Frustrated, I run to her but this time shepletely disappears and I¡¯m left standing in a cold dark room with a dirty mattress on the floor in the corner of the room.


    It¡¯s nearly three in the morning and I find myself wide awake. I contemte going for a run, but I really don¡¯t want to wake Carter up.  I shouldn¡¯t give a fuck¡­ I pay him to be avable when I need him, but even I¡¯m not that cold hearted to wake him up in the middle of the night and pull him from the warm bed he shares with his woman.


    I¡¯ve never experienced what he has-I¡¯ve never slept in the same bed with a woman. My nightmares have always prevented me from being able to do that. I remember once when I was little, my parents took us somewhere¡­ to this day I can¡¯t remember where we were going or why but we were in a hotel room and Austin and I had to share a bed because there were only two beds in the room with my parents taking the other one. I don¡¯t remember the nightmare that night and can only assume it¡¯s a variation of the one I have every night. What I do remember is waking up to find Austin wrapped in my mom¡¯s arms crying and my dad rushing into the room with a bag of ice.


    Apparently during my nightmare I had given him a ck eye and nearly broke his nose when he tried to wake me up. Both of my parents were quick to tell me that it wasn¡¯t my fault and Austin forgot what happened, instead making up stories that he wouldter tell his friends about how he was injured. I have never forgotten that day or the way my parents looked at me when I woke up. They weren¡¯t angry but their eyes were filled with pity though. Since that day, I have vowed to never give them a reason to look at me like that again. That was thest time I ever slept in the same bed with someone. Every trip after that my parents made sure to reserve a room with an extra pull out bed or a roway for me.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to leave in ten minutes for a run,¡± I notify Carter a little before five which is what I have decided is an okay time to wake him.


    ¡°Yes sir, I¡¯m ready when you are,¡± he responds quickly, obviously knowing my preference for early morning runs.

 Chapter 36

    We haven¡¯t discussed my nightmares except for the first week I employed him, when I had no choice. I was having another one of my nightmares which I guess had gotten loud and he came barging into my room with his gun drawn. Scared me shitless, but after I cooled down I realized he reacted exactly as I hoped he would if something happened in the middle of the night. We had a brief conversation in which I informed him I have nightmares fairly regrly and we have never spoken about it again. Very few people know that I experience nightmares on an almost daily basis-in fact I can count on one hand the number of people outside of my immediately family who are aware of them, two of whom are my employees. Very few people who know that I suffer from nightmares are aware of the context, although I suspect that most assume they rte to my time with my birthmother.


    Our run pattern varies from day to day; Carter insists that I don¡¯t run the same route regrly, as he is afraid it puts me at risk.  Any pattern we take has us running past Sweet Dreams Bakery recently. Carter started this after he learned who the beautiful woman was that we inadvertently drenched and where she works. I haven¡¯t gone into the bakery, but I find myself ncing at the window every day hoping to get a glimpse of her. A few times I have seen her at the register, other times she either isn¡¯t working or is in the back.


    Carter purposely slows down when we approach the bakery knowing that I¡¯m going to look for her but he doesn¡¯t say anything. It¡¯s one of the things I appreciate the most about him: he keeps his opinions to himself unless I specifically ask him about it. Like now, as I barely get a glimpse of her brte hair through the window of the bakery, I¡¯m sure Carter is wondering what the hell is wrong with me and why I don¡¯t just go inside. We would have a convenient excuse for going in: we could need bottled water, a cup of coffee or even breakfast but of course we never go in.


    I don¡¯t know anything about her, but I know I could never be what she needs. The way she looked at me that day with her big, innocent brown eyes, I knew that I was no good for her. She is the type of woman who wants to bring a guy home to her parents, who wants and expects to be romanced by a guy and one who expects long termmitments when she goes out. She wants everything I can¡¯t give her and can never give her. The only thing I can give her is a fantastic, hard fuck one night and maybe a call when I need a release again. One look at her and I know that she would never settle for something like that, so why even bother?


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter pulls me from my thoughts when we somehow end up back in the foyer of the condo. How we ended up here, I have no clue. Apparently I let my thoughts of Ms. Rose distract me for thest three miles of our run.


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave for PFS in twenty. Can you ask Julie to have my breakfast ready in ten?¡± I request.


    A quick shower and even quicker breakfast has me at PFS long before most of my employees. I¡¯m typically the first person here but every so often someone will beat me to it, like today. Alex works nearly as hard as I do, putting in close to the same number of hours I do at PFS. Minutes after I arrive, he barges into my office setting a cup of coffee in front of me before he sits down.  We don¡¯t have a standing appointment, but this has been our routine for thest year or two when we are both in the office at the same time.


    ¡°You did it again, Parker,¡± he sighs.


    ¡°Who did I piss off this time?¡±


    ¡°No one in particr¡­ except a few reporters,¡± he tosses thetest gossip magazine on my desk.


    ¡°UGH¡­ what bullshit is it this time?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on page three.¡±


    I thumb through the first few pages before I find a picture of myself taken just two nights ago at a benefit at the local children¡¯s hospital. The headline reads ¡°What is the billionaire yboy hiding?¡±  I quickly skim the story specting yet again that I am hiding something rted to my sexuality which is the reason I can¡¯t keep a woman. The reporter goes further than most, hinting that myst rtionship with her was simple a facade designed to keep the dogs off my trail so I can keep my secret hidden. While she provided noment to the press regarding our rtionship, the reporter goes so far to state it is because I must have bought her silence, likelying with a hefty price tag since she has refused toment on anything after our breakup more than two years ago.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    The reporter suggests that my secret could be anything: from hiding the truth about my sexuality, to a porn addiction, to taking part in something that is illegal. I close the magazine and throw it in the trash without reading the article any further. The reporter failed to mention that I had provided a generous donation to the children¡¯s hospital which is why I was attending that event to begin with. Instead of focusing on the great research that the hospital is doing, they focus on the fact that I attended the event alone. ¡°Damned if I do, damned if I don¡¯t,¡± I sigh in frustration.


    ¡°We need to discuss the shippingpany,¡± he quickly recognizes that I¡¯m done discussing this garbage.  ¡°I¡¯m hitting a brick wall with them; I think they might respond better to you. Maybe you can set up a dinner or something to wine and dine them?  We¡¯ve been at a stale mate for thest couple of weeks over this, they always seem to respond better to you-¡°

 Chapter 37

    ¡°I¡¯ll call them and if they are agreeable, I¡¯ll have Melody arrange something at The Summit in a couple of weeks. I want you there though; you were responsible for bringing it this far, just because they want to be a pain in the ass at the end doesn¡¯t mean your work isn¡¯t recognized. I want it known to them that you were responsible for everything until this point.¡±


    ¡°Thank¡­ thank you Nichs. I appreciate that,¡± he is clearly surprised-I don¡¯t give outpliments often but in this case Alex has done everything on this including going above and beyond what they have asked for.


    ¡°I¡¯ll read this over but I¡¯m sure you have everything aligned.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, your eight o¡¯clock is here,¡± Melody interrupts us a short timeter.


    ¡°Let me know if you need anything else,¡± Alex says as he leaves my office.


    ¡°Mrs. Wilder it¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± I greet her as Melody closes the door.


    ¡°It¡¯s Bridget, but it¡¯s nice to see you as well, Nichs,¡± she shakes my offered hand before sitting in the gestured chair.


    I have known Bridget for many years now, as she serves on the board of several charities with my mother. Since we were old enough to understand, my mother has brought us to various charity events and insisted that we find ways to give back to themunity. Since I¡¯m usually too busy, my giving back tends to be in the way of arge donation check. My parents organize various events, even hosting a few at their house.


    My sister volunteers her time at the hospital at least until she figures out what she wants to do with her life and my brother and father donate services from their architectural firm to several nonprofit organizations that help the homeless. All three of us are expected to attend as many charity events as possible, especially those that our parents attend. My mother epts very few excuses for missing an event; typically the only ones I can get out of is when I¡¯m traveling out of state for business. Since Bridget also sits on several of those boards, I have seen her at many events over the years.


    ¡°I understand you wanted to talk with me about a donation for the New Beginnings G next weekend?  I¡¯ve already confirmed my donation with my mother, but if there is something else that you need-¡±


    ¡°Actually, this isn¡¯t about that g at all,¡± she hands me a folder and when I open, it I see if contains a non-disclosure agreement. My interest is immediately sparked as to what Bridget could want to discuss that would require we both sign an NDA. I quickly review the document which is pretty standard, and then present her with one of my own NDAs. Although these are usually reciprocal I don¡¯t take anything for granted, and insist that whenever I sign an NDA the other party signs one of mine as well.


    ¡°Now that we have that out of the way, what¡¯s this meeting really about, Bridget?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the tabloids and the numerous articles written about you, Nichs.¡± I cringe. ¡°I¡¯ve known you long enough that I don¡¯t believe any of the things that have been written about you. I know the constant focus on your personal life must be getting to you and I¡¯d like to offer a possible solution.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°We know each other in the charity circuit, but we probably know very little about each other on a personal level.¡± I nod in agreement. ¡°As you probably know, I run a sessful consulting business targetingrge corporations through the tri-state area. What you likely don¡¯t know, is that my consulting services specifically target men and women in your current situation.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m not following,¡± I have no idea what she is talking about. If this is a sales call I will kick her out of my office in the next two minutes and without a concern that she is a friend of my mother. I do not ept sales visits and to do so under the disguise of a charity event is just wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to help you with your media problem-¡±


    ¡°I already have a full public rtions department, Bridget,¡± I point out.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you do,¡± she agrees. ¡°But I can offer you something they can¡¯t. You see, my client list consists of many, highly sessful men and women who are often publically criticized for their personal lives orck thereof. These are men and women who don¡¯t have time to date, or don¡¯t want to date, but find themselves needing someone to apany them to charity events, business dinners, award ceremonies, etc¡­  That is where I can help you¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Help me how?¡±


    ¡°Between us and the NDAs that we both signed, my consultation business essentially arranges for eptable dates men and women who need someone to be by their side in the public eye.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a match maker?¡± I can¡¯t help butugh.


    ¡°No, my goal is not love, romance and wedding bells. Essentially, I would provide you with a woman who would attend all your events with you to get the media off your ass. She would expect absolutely nothing in terms of romance. The only contact you would have with her would be on these prearranged dates. You wouldn¡¯t have to worry about her wanting you to call her the next day, or that she is going to start calling you every hour and demanding your attention. Think of it as a business transaction: you pay for her to apany you to a dinner, g or whatever else you might need her for your business.¡±


    ¡°What does she get out of it?¡±


    ¡°A paycheck,¡± she answers simply. ¡°The fee you pay to me covers her clothing for the event, her hourly pay and of course overhead charges associated with my services.¡±


    ¡°How would this be any different than what I¡¯m doing now? I¡¯ve taken women to events and the media still rips me apart¡­ ¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken women to these events. What I would propose in your situation is that you require an exclusive agreement be signed-¡± ¡°An exclusive agreement?¡±

 Chapter 38

    ¡°I¡¯ll back up¡­ if you agree to my services one of the first things I would do is provide you with a profile of a woman that I think would be a good match for you. This is someone that I think would fit the look you want in the public eye but also that I think you could talk to. While it seems trivial since we¡¯re not talking about love and romance, having amon ground to talk to someone about is important, seeing that events are sometimes long and boring.¡± I nod in agreement.


    ¡°Assuming you were interested in the profile I provide you, I would schedule a private date for the two of you to meet. I rmend, especially with you being in the media¡¯s eye right now, that this date ur somewhere private and away from the press. Think of the dinner as a get-to-know-you meeting. You are not charged for this first meeting. If you find that this woman is someone you could see yourself attending events with, then I would rmend you insist on an exclusivity agreement. Essentially this means that this woman would not be avable to any other clients. This would prevent her from being seen with someone else at other events, which would of course reflect negatively on you in the press.¡± ¡°Mr. Parker, your nine o¡¯clock is here-¡± Melody interrupts us.


    ¡°Ask Alex to meet with them,¡± I quickly dismiss her.


    ¡°What type of women does this sort of thing? How do I know I can trust them not to run to the press?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°All staff sign the same NDA you signed; if they dare say a word to the press, I will destroy them legally and personally. They are paid very well for their silence. In the twenty years I have been running this business I have never had a staff member go to the press with a story.  As for the type of women who do this, you would be surprised.  I have college students in graduate school, students in medical orw school, I have single parents and I have a few who are down on their luck and just want to better their lives.  They all go through a very extensive background check including information thates with a very hefty price tag. They will stand up to any media scrutiny, so if you are concerned that the skeletons in their


    closets would be found out, don¡¯t be. If I can¡¯t find the skeletons, no one can.¡±


    ¡°I would insist on my own background check.¡±


    ¡°Prior to the first meeting, I will release only very basic information to protect their personal information from being known to anyone who requests a first meet with them. If you both decided this arrangement would work for you, I would then provide you with the full background checks that Ipleted; most clients find my checks to be more than they need.¡±


    ¡°I would need to have my security team review your information, I may still need to run my own checks.¡±


    ¡°If mine are not sufficient, we can discuss it at that time. There is protected information in the background check that my clients usually prefer their clients not have ess.¡±


    ¡°What sort of protected information? If the press can obtain the information then I need to be able to.¡±


    ¡°Mostly, their address and contact information include emergency contact information. Most of my staff prefer this information to be kept confidential so they have some privacy. It also keeps this arrangement more formal and prevents clients from being able to see or contact them outside of the agreed upon times.¡±


    ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be an issue with me, I guarantee that. I can agree that if I need to run my own background checks, my security team will exclude her address and contact information in the final report that I receive.¡±


    ¡°I think I can agree to that.¡±


    ¡°What are the expectations at the end of the¡­ evening if we attend an event together?¡±


    ¡°The end of the evening?¡± she looks confused. I do really not want to spell it out to her but if I have to, I will.  ¡°OH! There is a use in the contract that both parties sign indicating there will be no intimacy between the client and staff member. Any physical signs of affection, such as hand holding, kissing, dancing, etc¡­ are agreed upon and noted in the contract. It is expected those signs of affection would only be shown when other people are present, since this would likely be for appearances only.¡±


    ¡°So how would this work? I would pick her up at her house, bring her to dinner then drop her off at the curb at the end of the night?¡± I can¡¯t help but think it all seems rather cold, but at the same time I find myself considering the proposition.


    ¡°You would never pick her up at home or drop her off.  Assuming you needed to show up together at an event, you would have a prearranged meeting location where you would pick her up. This could be my office, your office or any other public ce. You would drop her off at the same location at the end of the night. If arriving together is not as important, she could meet you there.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°The arrangements don¡¯t have to only include charity events and business dinners: if you wantedpanionship-¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± I interrupt quickly.


    ¡°I understand. This is a sample contract including a price list for your review. As I stated, any clothing and essories that are required for an event are at your expense. I would send you a bill which would include the receipt from the store where everything was purchased. These items do note cheap, as anyone seen with you would be expected to wear certain things-¡±


    ¡°The cost wouldn¡¯t be an issue,¡± I get what she¡¯s trying to say and I know she¡¯s right. The media expects that if I¡¯m seen in a high end designer tux, then my date for the evening is also seen in a high end gown.


    ¡°Do you have any other questions, Nichs?¡±


    ¡°How would the women not be tied to you if the press dug into them? Certainly their financial history would show you as their employer? How would they not tie me to you? I would expect questions would be raised.¡±

 Chapter 39

    ¡°Yes they would. And if they dug into my business, they would see that we are a consulting agency providing a variety of services to sessful businesses up and down the east coast. All of thosepanies will verify my rtionship with them should anyone ask. As far as your rtionship with me, it could be yed off as a business rtionship turned romantic if the press were to ask. Or that you and the woman work together through my agency¡­ ¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want PFS to be tied to your services,¡± I quickly decide. While it seems like she has thought of everything, I can¡¯t risk PFS¡¯s reputation on finding a solution for my personal life.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Normally I don¡¯t give clients another option,¡± she pauses as she thinks. ¡°However, since you and I have known each other for so long, I will provide you with an option I don¡¯t give other clients. I have an off shore bank ount set up. If you decide to sign the contract and we go further with this arrangement, you would transfer funds into that ount. Since it is an off shore ount, I¡¯m sure you are aware that it is nearly impossible to track any money in and out of such an ount. Even the ount holder information is held in confidence.¡±


    ¡°That would be eptable.¡±


    ¡°So tell me, are you interested in signing a contract with me? If so, I have a profile of a woman avable right now for you to review¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to have my security team run their checks on yourpany. No offense, but I need to be sure that any information about what you really do is truly buried. If it checks out, I will sign the contract but I¡¯m only agreeing to the initial meeting. If I don¡¯t like how it feels, our contract is terminated at that moment.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll leave you with this file to review as I¡¯m sure when your team performs their review, you will sign the contract. This young woman is newly signed to mypany as well and has not yet met with anyone. I warn you though, I expect her to be signed to an exclusivity contract very quickly as she is a natural beauty that I think will appeal to most of my clients. You will note the file does not include a photo or any identifying information.  Her basic physical description is provided, however the other information is kept confidential until your first meeting. This is protection for both of you, neither of you can have preconceived notions of the other or start searching online for one another. Her background check is included in the file for your review as well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I will review the file and will be in touch.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your time, Nichs and I look forward to doing business with you.¡±


    HOLY FUCK is the only thing I can think when she leaves my office. I need to have Asher dig into this because if anyone can find anything he can. This almost seems too good to be true; it¡¯s the perfect solution for getting my press off my ass about my personal life. I read through the contract expecting to find a catch, but everything seems very cut and dry. The prices are high, higher than I expected, but given the arrangement, I can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised. On one hand I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m considering this, but on the other hand the thought of having the focus back on the sess of PFS and off my sex life is very appealing. I could be seen with a beautiful woman in public, one that wouldn¡¯t expect romance being with me. I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about her developing feelings for me after apanying me to a few events.


    After reviewing the contract for the third time, I decide to take a look at the profile Bridget provided me. Although there is no picture of the woman, I can at least learn about the type of women who would do something like this. I can only image what Bridget must pay them for their services which just reinforces to me that they are money hungry like most women I meet. Although, for once I don¡¯t care; the expectations of the evening areid out in the contract. Hell, it even says that they cannot request I pay for anything outside of the actual date itself and the items I reimburse Bridget for. I don¡¯t have to buy gifts or feel pressured to do so.

 Chapter 40

    ¡°I guess not,¡± he chuckles. ¡°I¡¯m often recognized from the tabloids stories, so I just assumed¡­ Reporters love to try to destroy me whenever they can.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t say I read many tabloids.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the CEO of Parker Financial Services, PFS for short. We are one of thergestpanies in the investment and financial management world. We offer not only investment services but financial advice torge businesses seeking to grow or are struggling where they currently are.¡±


    ¡°Why would the tabloids have an issue with that?¡±


    ¡°The business articles written about me are typically very on point with what mypany does. The tabloids though like to destroy my personal life. I¡¯m sure you will see the articles if you google me and then you¡¯ll know what I¡¯m talking about. That¡¯s one of the reasons I¡¯m actually meeting you tonight.¡±


    ¡°What exactly are you looking for? I mean, I know what your profile told me but¡­ ¡±


    ¡°I need someone by my side at events, dinners and probably even just an asional date to keep the reporters off my ass. Apparently being seen without a date, or with various women at different events, is a sign of my inability to manage the hundreds of people that I currently employ. I¡¯ve tried everything and my PR department can¡¯t think of anything that we haven¡¯t tried to throw them off. I don¡¯t know if Bridget exined, but I¡¯m going to need someone to sign an exclusivity contract meaning-¡±


    ¡°She exined. I can¡¯t ept dates with other men.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. I need the media to think we are a couple so they get off my ass and let me focus on my business.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this? I mean, clearly in my situation I have a problem and this is a perfect solution.  If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what¡¯s in it for you?¡±


    ¡°If I can be honest, it was a hard offer to not consider. As I said, I currently work two jobs most days of the week but despite that, I barely make enough money to pay my bills. I would love to go back to school one day but I don¡¯t want to take out more student loans and live in debt the rest of my life. There are other things I want to do and Bridget¡¯s offer seemed like a good way to earn enough money to do those things.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, your dinner,¡± the waiter cesrge tes in front of both of us.  My mouth waters just at the smell alone.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Bridget must have ordered for us, if you¡¯d prefer something else we can send it back,¡± Nichs offers.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. It smells delicious.¡±


    We spend the next hour slowly getting to know each other over dinner; the initial awkwardness is now gone. I learn that Nichs lives and works in Manhattan but that work takes up most of his time. From the sound of it he often works as many hours as I do when I work both my jobs. He is honest in saying that he doesn¡¯t have time to date woman and is not interested in dating at this point of his life because he knows he doesn¡¯t have the time. He describes recent events that he has been to, I think to let me know what I can expect if we decide to move forward with this arrangement. Nothing he says about the events raise a concern for me; it sounds a very simr to things I used to attend with him.


    ¡°Kenzie, I want you to know that sometimes these events can be rather boring. It¡¯s a lot of business discussions, contracts being negotiated and spreadsheets are being reviewed. It¡¯s not going to be fun-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I¡­ I have an idea of what to expect.  I¡­ I¡¯ve been to these types of things before.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I can mingle with guests and will not require your undivided attention. I understand that your focus is on these events and not on thepany you¡¯re with. It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t all be like that,¡± he quickly exins. ¡°Sometimes these events are just social events that I need to make an appearance at. A charity fundraiser, a hospital dedication or a park unveiling-those types of events would probably be more enjoyable. Of course I still find them to be a waste of my time, but I¡¯m obligated to attend. The food is usually half way decent, sometimes there¡¯s dancing and there¡¯s always good drinks.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, really.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to speak with Bridget tonight, Kenzie, but I want you to know that I¡¯m going to tell her that I would like an exclusivity agreement with you. I wanted to let you know now so you an opportunity to think about it. If you agree, I have a charity event this weekend I would like you to apany me.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°Take the time you need tonight to think about it, I¡¯m sure Bridget will call you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Can I walk you to your car?¡± he asks as we ride the elevator to the main floor. Carter joined us as soon as we left the private dining room. I¡¯ve confirmed that Carter is not only his driver but his bodyguard as well.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ I took the subway here. There¡¯s a stop a couple of blocks away.¡±


    ¡°Carter will take you home-¡±


    ¡°No! I mean, that won¡¯t be necessary. The subway is fine, I take it often and know the stops and transfers to get home.¡±


    ¡°Shit, I¡¯m sorry, I forgot that part,¡± he nods at Carter who immediately gs down a cab. ¡°The cab will take you wherever you need to go.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, that¡¯s not-¡±


    ¡°Please, I can¡¯t let you get on the subway at this hour of the night. Please, let the cab take you home.  I won¡¯t know where you live, but will at least know that you arrived there safely.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate that.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Kenzie,¡± he whispers as he pecks me ever so lightly on the cheek.


    ¡°Night, Nichs.¡±

 Chapter 41

    Nichs


    ¡°Carter, I want a full background check on Mackenzie Rose first thing tomorrow morning,¡± I request as soon as the car pulls away from the club.


    ¡°Sir, we already have a full background check on her. We can review it once we are back at the condo.¡±


    ¡°Why do you have a background check on Ms. Rose? I don¡¯t recall requesting one.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t, sir,¡± he confirms. ¡°After I learned her identify at the bakery, I had Asher run a full background check on her. At the time¡­ sir¡­ well, I wasn¡¯t sure of your intentions, therefore I thought it would be beneficial to have it ready if you ever decided to make contact with her.¡±


    ¡°I see.  Were you aware that I was meeting her tonight?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly sir.  I attempted to obtain that information from Mrs. Wilder but she refused to provide me with any information. Without knowing who you were meeting tonight, maintaining security measures were going to be difficult. I had Asher monitoring the club¡¯s security cameras beginning half an hour before your scheduled meeting. It was not until we left PFS did I receive a text alerting me who the woman you were meeting tonight was after Asher identified her from the background report I asked him to run on Ms. Rose a month or so ago.¡±


    Mackenzie was thest woman I expected to be the woman Bridget arranged for me to meet tonight. When I thought about what type of woman might decide to be an escort, I never once pictured Kenzie as that woman. I¡¯m still not entirely sure what I think about her and this situation; everything about her until now has told me she is not interested in money, yet her reason for bing an escort was money. Of course she has dreams which require money and I was pleased to learn it was education rted and not something crazy like stic surgery or to buy a bigger house.


    It¡¯s still hard to wrap my head around the thought that she is the type of woman who would ept money in exchange for a date.  I can¡¯t help but wonder if her innocence is all some act, but at the same time that innocence was there the night we met her on the sidewalk after the rain storm. If I believe her, she had no idea who I was that night or even tonight, although I¡¯m sure as soon as she gets home tonight she will be on google, finding out everything she can about me. She will not only learn that I¡¯m one of New York¡¯s youngest billionaires but she will also have the opportunity to read everything the media has written about me including when they rake my name through mud over my personal life. Ever since the n my PR department came up with backfired, I have been attending events solo which of course the media still thinks means I¡¯m hiding something but at least I don¡¯t have to hear about why I bring a different woman to each event.


    I¡¯m hoping this arrangement with Bridget is the solution to my problems with the media. I hope that once they see I have the same woman attending events with me, they will forget the idea that I¡¯m hiding something and will stop digging into my personal life. Asher haspleted full background checks on Bridget¡¯spany and as far as they can know, she only provides consultation services to differentpanies along the east coast. They weren¡¯t able to find any trace of her running an escort service or any other type of business. If it was out there, they would have found it. Besides Carter, no one knows about my arrangement with Bridget. Asher believed he was doing a background check for a possible new customer Iter changed my mind about. I try to keep my personal life separate from my work life and this is one of those things that no one at PFS needs to know about¡­ hell no one needs to know about.


    ¡°Carter, my office,¡± I request as we enter the condo.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    He disappears into his suite off my apartment beforeing into my office with a man folder which I can only assume contains the full background check of Mackenzie Rose. Carter is very good at his job and this is just another example of knowing what I needed before I knew it. I should have known he wouldn¡¯t take me past the bakery every day on our run without havingpleted a full check on Mackenzie.


    ¡°Sir,¡± he hands the folder to me. I quickly take it but before I can open it I am reminded about what Bridget said about certain information needing to remain confidential and my promise not to ess the information through the background check. I¡¯m tempted to just say fuck it; that I need to know everything about Mackenzie if I¡¯m going to move forward with this arrangement. Surprisingly though, I hand the file back to Carter electing not to learn the information that Bridget said her staff require remain private.


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to know her address, phone number and emergency contact information,¡± I sigh. ¡°It¡¯s part of the arrangement so we both maintain our privacy.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± his face tells me he is surprised that I¡¯m not requesting the information anyway.


    ¡°Tell me what¡¯s in the file. I can¡¯t know exactly where she lives, but does she live in the city? Does she have any roommates that I need to be concerned will find out about this arrangement?¡±


    ¡°Sir, she lives alone ording to the information we were able to obtain. She rents a very small, studio apartment in a less desirable neighborhood-¡±


    ¡°Less desirable meaning what exactly?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say sir, that I would not befortable going into that area without being armed-¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s that bad?¡±


    ¡°Even with an increase in police presence around that area, the crime remains very high.¡±


    ¡°Why the fuck does she live there?¡±

 Chapter 42

    ¡°Sir, she has less than a couple hundred dors in her bank ount, so I doubt she can afford something in a better area of the city at least without a roommate.¡±


    ¡°She works two jobs and can¡¯t afford something better than that?


    Are the rent prices that high in this city?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, they are. She pays over a thousand dors a month in rent for her studio apartment, now adding in her utilities and transportation costs, she likely doesn¡¯t have much left at the end of the month. She likely takes at least the subway and/or buses to work as there is no indication she owns a vehicle¡­ that cost alone adds up.¡±


    ¡°Okay, what else? High credit card bills? Debts?¡±


    ¡°No credit cards, she has a small student loan bnce but she has been paying it fairly regrly. It looks like she stopped on paying for a few months a couple of years ago and was granted a financial hardship reprieve; however since that expired, she has been making regr payments.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think she went to college.¡±


    ¡°She only had one semester left before appearing to have dropped out.¡±


    ¡°I see. What else can you tell me?¡±


    ¡°She appears to have moved around a lot as a child, there are many different addresses and schools on record for her. Her mother is deceased, no father is listed on the birth certificate-¡±


    ¡°Is there anything rming in her file that I need to be concerned about the press finding out?¡± I quickly interrupt Carter. Hearing all these details about Kenzie¡¯s personal life makes me again feel like I¡¯m invading her privacy. I guarantee Bridget¡¯s background check isn¡¯t this thorough, but I think this is one of those situations that the less I know the better. This is important information for Carter and Asher to have but none of it will impact the events that Kenzie attends with me.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Nothing that I can find sir. I¡¯m curious as to the reason she left Denver and how she ended up in New York as it appears she has no family anywhere in the state or even on this coast. However there is nothing here that suggests the reason she left is something for us to be concerned about.


    She has no criminal record, not even a parking ticket, and appears to pay her bills on time every month.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Carter; that will be all.¡±


    To: Bridget Wilder


    From: Nichs Parker


    Subject: Meeting


    Bridget,


    I am confident that after tonight¡¯s meeting both parties are in agreement with the contract moving forward. I would like to review the background report before signing the contract. If both parties are still in agreement, I would like to request our next meeting ur at the New Beginnings G this Saturday night. I will contact youter this week to confirm the arrangements.


    Nichs Parker, CEO Parker Financial Services, Inc.


    I reworded the email several times to Bridget, trying to sound vague without disclosing the information about the contract or what services I¡¯m discussing. Going forward I will have to find a better way tomunicate with her regarding this arrangement. I think it will end up best if we have these discussions over the phone rather than leaving something in writing. I contemte requesting Asher provide me with another email address that I would only use formunicating with Bridget, however I still worry about it being tied to PFS. Above all, I will protect PFS and would rather the press destroying my personal life than risk doing something that would ruin everything I have done to build PFS from the ground up.


    A few minutester my email dings indicating I have a new email. I¡¯m tempted to ignore it and instead focus on the financial spreadsheet that was sent to me just before I left to meet Kenzie but instead, I open my email and see that I have an email from Bridget.


    To: Nichs Parker


    From: Bridget Wilder


    Subject: Re: meeting


    Nichs,


    I am pleased to hear that your meeting tonight was sessful. I will have the file couriered to your office first thing tomorrow morning. If the other party is in agreement, I will include a draft contract for your review. The effective date of the contract will be Saturday.


    Bridget Wilder


    CEO, Wilder Consulting


    I hadn¡¯t expected such a quick response from Bridget but I¡¯m pleased to see that I¡¯m not the only one who workste hours. Sleep doesn¡¯te easy, which is nothing new and the next morning finds me running past the bakery once again with Carter. I know I can easily walk in and say something to Kenzie especially after our dinnerst night, but of course we jog past the window as we do every morning.


    When I arrive at PFS, I find the courier has already delivered Kenzie¡¯s background check and a draft contract as promised by Bridget. I pleased that both were in there, as it means that Kenzie has decided to move forward with our arrangement as well. Although I thoughtst night was a sess, I couldn¡¯t help but worry that if she would change her mind after she read the shit the tabloids wrote about me. As soon as I suggested she google me, I immediately regretted the words, but since she knew nothing about me personally or professionally, google seemed like the best way for her to ess the information quickly.


    Later that night, when I finally have a few minutes of down time I open the file containing the background check that Bridget sent me:


    Full Name: Mackenzie Rose


    Age: 25


    upation: Personal shopper/Bakery assistant


    Bank ount Bnce: Checking ount: $127. 93


    Savings ount: $53. 54


    Education: High school graduate, college credits


    Residence: New York City


    Political affiliations: none


    Religious affiliations: Catholic, not a member of a church currently


    Driver¡¯s license: None; previous license from Colorado state expired


    Assets: None


    Marital Status: Single, never married


    Mother: Avery Jones (Smith) deceased


    Father: Unknown

 Chapter 43

    There¡¯s isn¡¯t much more to her background check exempt a list of previous employers which include a coffee shop, a restaurant and a bank.  A brief medical summary was included, indicating that there have been no major medical issues in her life. She was in a passenger in a car ident once and then fell down a flight of stairs requiring an emergency room visit but nothing suspicious.


    I review the draft contract next. It¡¯s simr to the one that Bridget presented me when she first discussed this arrangement with me. This contract has been drafted with my name and Kenzie¡¯s, with an effective date of this Saturday for the g as Bridget indicated it would be. The contract is pretty straight forward: all arrangements must be made through Bridget, contact between parties cannot ur outside of prescheduled dates and times, physical contact is limited to basic touching, there is no set number of dates/events and either party can terminate the contract at any time.


    Thest part makes me a little nervous; I need this contract to remain in effect for at least several months so the media gets the idea that Kenzie and I are a couple and they get off my ass about my personal life. What happens if Kenzie cancels the contract after a couple of dates? I will be in the same situation I¡¯m in now only the media will probably rip me a new one for being able to keep a woman for, a short period of time. As I down my ss of scotch, I decide to sign the contract, even with the risk of this backfiring. Weighing the pros and cons of the situation, if Kenzie decides to end the contract quickly, the PR department will just have to find a way to put a positive spin on it so I don¡¯t look like an even bigger ass to the media. The risk of not doing something, letting my integrity be further destroyed, is too big of a risk.  If things go well after a few dates with Kenzie, I will find a way to insure that she realizes that staying in the contract is in her best interest. Kenzie:


    ¡°Bridget, it¡¯s Kenzie; I¡¯m returning your call from earlier. I apologize but I was working at the bakery this morning-¡±


    ¡°Of course, I apologize for calling you then. I¡¯ve made a note in your file to only call in the afternoon; hopefully I¡¯ll remember that.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Bridget, really.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calling to confirm the details for the New Beginnings G tomorrow night. I understand you have already obtained your dress and essories for the event.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have everything.¡±


    ¡°You have an appointment at the salon tomorrow at one, again the expense will be charged to my ount so there will be nothing for you to take care of while you¡¯re there. A car service will be outside of you apartment-¡±


    ¡°Wait, I thought we were meeting at your office?¡±


    ¡°You are meeting Mr. Parker here, Kenzie. The car service is from me, not Mr. Parker. I don¡¯t see it being feasible for you to take the subway to get to my office in a ball gown. It doesn¡¯t seem practical therefore, I have arranged a car service to bring you to my office. The same car service will meet you here after the g to bring you home. I will not be here as I will be getting ready to attend the g as well. However my security team will meet you and Mr. Parker in the lobby before and after the event.  Mr. Parker¡¯s driver will transport you and Mr. Parker to the G and back to my office. Did you receive my email yesterday?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve reviewed the information you included about Mr. Parker and where he stands on various topics.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to agree with any of his beliefs or stances, however what is key is that you do not verbally disagree with them while at an event.  If they start talking about something you disagree with, either keep it to yourself or excuse yourself to use thedies room.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Bridget.¡±


    ¡°The back story, should anyone ask, is that you and Mr. Parker met at a coffee shop a couple of months ago and have maintained contact with each other since.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh and Kenzie, Mr. Parker¡¯s parentsv are hosting the event so his family will be in attendance. They are unaware of this arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Good luck, Kenzie, and try to enjoy yourself.  I will be there if you need me but otherwise I will not act as if we know each other.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Bridget.¡±


    Kenzie


    ¡°You¡¯re a fucking bitch!  You can¡¯t do anything right, can you?¡± he screams at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± I cry as he grabs my hair in his hand and pulls it hard so I fall onto the floor.


    ¡°I ask you for one fucking thing! One thing! Is it too much to ask for a hot meal to be on the fucking table when I get home?  I work all day to keep a roof over your fucking head, to keep food on the table and what do I fucking get in return?  A fucking cold dinner?¡±


    SLAP


    I wake up covered in sweat, my heart beating erratically as I frantically look around the room expecting him to be standing there. When my brain finally catches up to reality, my breathing finally begins to slow down as I realize he isn¡¯t here and can no longer hurt me. I haven¡¯t had a nightmare in a couple of weeks; they seem toe at random times and always without warning.


    Tonight¡¯s nightmare was more of a shback, as most of them are. It was the night he hit me for the first time. I remember every detail as if it were yesterday. He left that morning requesting I have dinner ready when he gets home, as was the request every day before he went to work. He told me that day he would be home by 6:30 and that he expected dinner to be on the table when he walked through the door. I did just that: I had dinner hot and on the table by 6:25 in case he was early. He didn¡¯te up home until after eight that night and then was mad because dinner was cold. His screaming and yelling at me was nothing new-it had started a couple months ago but that night he pped me for the first time. I still remember being in such shock that he hit me.

 Chapter 44

    I shake my head, trying desperately to rid myself of those memories. I desperately need to focus on today and not on the past. I can¡¯t spend my day thinking about him or I won¡¯t be ready for tonight. I wish I could change the decisions I made back then, but it¡¯s toote now and I just need to focus on moving forward. Tonight is my chance at changing my life; I need tonight to go perfect. Bridget sent me Mr. Parker¡¯s schedule of events for the next two weeks that he has requested my attendance at. Even though he is asking about the dates now, I believe it is under the premise that tonight goes on without a hitch.


    I need tonight to be absolutely perfect; thest thing I need is my shitty past distracting me. I need to be at the top of my game tonight. I need everything to be perfect. If tonight is perfect then I can quit working at the store and begin saving money so I can get out of this crappy apartment and into a safer neighborhood. Since meeting Mr. Parker earlier in the week, I¡¯ve found myself starting to consider a future beyond this dump. I even looked into taking a few online sses from the localmunity college but I haven¡¯t decided what I want to work towards yet. Stop getting ahead of yourself, Kenzie.


    I mentally criticize myself, I just need to focus on today. If I get my hopes up about the future, something will happen, my ns will be ruined and leave me nothing but disappointed again. It¡¯s nearly five in the morning and although I would rather still be asleep, I know it¡¯s highly unlikely that I will be able to fall back asleep after that nightmare. Whenever they hit, if I try to go back to sleep, I typically end up right back in the middle of it again. I learned years ago it was better to just stay awake than try to fight it and go back to sleep. It¡¯s funny, I can¡¯t recall a time in my life when nightmares weren¡¯t an issue. Maybe when I was really little¡­ it¡¯s hard to remember when they started but I know they were there even before he came along. After him, the nightmares were there, only now nightmares fall into one of two categories: before or after him.


    I¡¯m nervous about tonight but I¡¯m also confident in my ability to fit in. I went to the library earlier this week after Bridget confirmed that Mr. Parker had decided to move forward with our arrangement. I googled him and as he mentioned I would, I found many business articles written about him and PFS. I was floored when I learned that he is considered New York¡¯s most eligible bachelor and even more so when I learned that he was also a billionaire, despite being only a few years older than me. I knew he had money; I doubted many people could afford Bridget¡¯s prices but I had no idea he had that much money. The business articles written about him were all veryplimentary and from what I read, everything about his business seems legit.


    In addition to the links to hundreds of business articles, I found nearly as many links to tabloids that had written stories about Mr. Parker. Nearly every article tried to connect his business life with his personal life. A few spected that if he continues to be unable to maintain a rtionship with a woman hispany will likely go under in the near future. Despite reading all of the articles, I still can¡¯t figure out how the reporters are making the connection between his dating life and his business decisions.


    What I did find interesting is that up until two years there weren¡¯t any negative tabloid stories published about Mr. Parker. He was pictured in several articles with a beautiful blond on his arm; some referenced the woman as his girlfriend while others called her his fiancee. Then she is no longer in pictures with Mr. Parker and that¡¯s when the negativity started.


    My phone dings, alerting me to a message. I¡¯ve set alerts on my phone when something new is written about Mr. Parker. I don¡¯t want to get caught off guard if something big happens that I should know about. So far in thest few days nothing has been published other than a business article highlighting a deal he recently closed on. Today¡¯s link sends me to a tabloid site that I¡¯vee to think is the one out to destroy Mr. Parker or PFS, based upon the crap that they write.


    ¡°Who will Mr. Parker bring to the g tonight? Another nameless woman who will leave him after tonight? Or will he attend the event solo, yet again? What is Mr. Parker hiding and how is it rted to PFS?¡±


    Although I¡¯ve only met Mr. Parker twice now, it doesn¡¯t really seem like he is trying to hide something. Since I¡¯m not exactly a detective I guess he could be and I wouldn¡¯t know. Everything I read online about Mr. Parker and PFS plus the information that Bridget provided me, suggest that there is nothing illegal urring.


    As the day progresses, I find myself growing more and more nervous about the g tonight. After reading everything I could about Mr. Parker and PFS, I researched tonight¡¯s event. I didn¡¯t want to show up and have no idea what the g was raising money for. I learned that New Beginnings is an agency that focuses on bringing quality prenatal services to women in low ie neighborhoods. Unlike many programs, they continue providing services until the child begins attending school. New Beginnings provides home visits, nutrition care, post-partum screening for the mother and ensure that the child sees a pediatrician regrly.


    I learn that Mr. Parker¡¯s parents have been hosting fundraising events for New Beginnings for thest ten years when it was started. Tonight¡¯s event is an annual fundraiser that typically raises more than a quarter of a million dors for the charity. I also read that there will probably be roughly 200 guests in attendance tonight, everyone from politicians to sessful business men who will makerge donations to support New Beginnings.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

 Chapter 45

    I spend the afternoon at the salon, my hair is trimmed and highlighted before ced into a half up half down style which Bridget rmended topliment my gown. After my hair is done, I have a manicure and pedicure, plus get my eye brows waxed before my make-up is applied. I¡¯ve never attended an event of this magnitude and I¡¯m very grateful that Bridget scheduled all of this for me today. Business dinners, dates and small events I can handle but I don¡¯t think I would be able to get myself ready for something thisrge by myself.  By the time I leave the salon, even I¡¯m shocked at the woman I see before me. I look elegant, sophisticated and somehow the salon made me look like I should be attending an event where people in attendance easily earn in a month what I earn in a year. I decide to splurge and take a cab back to my apartment rather than the subway. Although it cost an arm and leg to go this far, it¡¯s worth it as to not mess up my make up or hair while on a train.


    When I finally reach my apartment, I have less than thirty minutes to get changed before the car service Bridget organized is scheduled to pick me up. I take my gown out of the garment bag and ce it on my bed before getting out the undergarments and other essories needed for tonight. The gown is ck with sequins sewn in allowing the light to shimmer off of it. The dress is form fitting on the top but loosens at my hips so it falls to the floor.


    I fell in love with the gown the moment I tried it on but had sent a picture to Bridget just to make sure it was appropriate for the event even though the sales woman working with me insisted it would be fine. She, of course, confirmed the dress was perfect and insisted I had to wear it tonight.


    I still don¡¯t understand why Bridget felt I needed to purchase all new undergarments; it¡¯s not like Mr. Parker will be seeing any of them. Bridget said something about it would make me feel sexier and therefore more confident. I agreed to appease her, once again grateful that I¡¯m not the one having to pay for all of this. I didn¡¯t catch the price on the gown, but I know the bra and panties cost a several hundred dors together. Then there were stockings, shoes and jewelry that were added in with the gown toplete the outfit for tonight. It¡¯s funny, I¡¯ve been dressing women for events just like this for thest year and a half but never once considered how much really goes into the outfits or the price of everything.


    By the time I am strapping my shoes on, the rm on my phone indicates that it¡¯s time for me to leave. I grab the silver clutch and wrap before peeking out the window to confirm the car service has arrived.  It¡¯s not hard to determine which car outside is for me. A sleek, obviously fairly new sedan stands out in front of my crappy building with a man dressed in a suit waits in front of it. The car obviously is unique among the usual curbside wrecks and doesn¡¯t belong in this type of area, so it¡¯s pretty safe to say the car is for me. I nce at the bathroom mirror onest time, making sure that everything is perfect before I lock my door and head downstairs.


    ¡°Ms. Rose?¡± the gentleman at the car greets me as soon as I step outside.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I confirm.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°I am here to take you Wilder Consulting,¡± he opens the door and I immediately slide across the leather seats.


    ¡°There are water bottles in the cooler at your feet if you¡¯re thirsty.¡±


    The ride to Bridget¡¯s office doesn¡¯t take long but as we approach, I can¡¯t help but get more nervous as each minute passes. So much rests on tonight: whether Mr. Parker knows it or not, he holds the key to my future. If everything goes well tonight and he still wants to move forward with this arrangement, I will finally have extra money to change all the things in my life I¡¯ve wanted to change. If tonight doesn¡¯t work out and he decides I am not the type of woman he needs for this type of an arrangement, I don¡¯t think I will move forward in working with Bridget. I think it would just be a sign that this business opportunity wasn¡¯t for me.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, we have arrived,¡± the driver pulls me from my thoughts before I¡¯ve even realized the car has stopped. ¡°Take the elevator in the lobby to the fourteenth floor where your party will be waiting for you.¡±

 Chapter 46

    The lobby of the building is simple but elegant, a security guard at the desk nods in my direction but doesn¡¯t question why I am there or who I¡¯m meeting. I don¡¯t know if Mr. Parker is waiting for me upstairs or if it will just be Bridget¡¯s security team that she mentioned would be here. The elevator ride is slow though I¡¯m sure that¡¯s more a result of my nervousness than anything. My hands y with my clutch as I slowly watch the numbers turn red as the elevator rises. When the bell dings, my nerves hit an all-time high but I push them down and take a deep breath before stepping out of the elevator.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, you look absolutely stunning,¡± Mr. Parker greets me the moment I step off the elevator.


    ¡°Thank you Mr. Parker, you look very nice as well.¡±


    He is wearing what I suspect is a ck tailored Armani tuxplimented with a warm grey tie. Nice is probably the worst word to describe how he looks tonight but my brain isn¡¯t able to process anything except nice and hot and sexy. I figure nice is the safest option¡­


    ¡°Please, call me Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Only if you call me Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Are you ready to head to the g? It¡¯s a little bit of a drive in this traffic I¡¯m afraid but we should arrive on time.¡±


    We ride the elevator to the parking garage inplete silence but it¡¯s not an ufortable silence. When the elevator doors open in the underground parking garage, Carter is waiting for us and escorts us to arge, ck pristine SUV that looks like it was just driven off the dealer lot. Carter opens the door for me as Nichs walks around and gets in the other side.


    ¡°Do you have any questions about tonight, Kenzie?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°I have reviewed all of the information that Bridget sent me and confident that I can recall where you stand on the issues she shared. I also spent sometime this week researching yourpany and the information published on your most recent projects.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been busy.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to be prepared.¡±


    ¡°I assume you saw the tabloid articles?¡±


    ¡°I did. I have to say I struggle to see how people are connecting your personal life to PFS¡¯s sess.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t either. Frankly if I wasn¡¯t concerned about how my employees and people I¡¯m currently doing business with, I would say fuck it and not even do anything to address the articles written. However, when a magazine was found in one of our staff lounges open to the article questioning my ability to manage hundreds of employees, I knew I needed to do something and fast. I have too much at stake to let a few arrogant reporters destroy my life. This,¡± he gestures between us, ¡°is a very small price to pay if it means the nonsense disappears and I can focus entirely on


    PFS.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I understand why you are doing this from a business perspective, but Bridget had mentioned your family would be in attendance tonight and that they are unaware of our arrangement¡­ ¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re wondering why I haven¡¯t told them about this?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s too personal, you don¡¯t have to tell me-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that. Honestly, it was never an option to tell them about this as far as I¡¯m concerned. If I¡¯m going to fabricate a lie that I need hundreds of people to believe, the less people who know the truth the better. For the most part the press has left my family alone, but there have been times when they have approached them about my personal life. If they believe the same lie that everyone else believes, there is no chance for them to let something idently slip.¡±


    ¡°I understand, that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Besides, it gets my brother off my ass,¡± he chuckles. ¡°My brother loves to torment me and the fact that the press is giving him ammunition is just pissing me off.¡±


    ¡°I could see why,¡± Iugh.


    We arrive at the g few minutester; I¡¯m surprised at how fast the drive went, the time really seemed to fly by once we started talking. I¡¯m also relieved that for the most part my nerves have calmed. I¡¯m still a little nervous as we pull around the long circr driveway but I¡¯m less anxious than I was on the drive to Bridget¡¯s office.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to get out my door, there will be press there, taking our picture as we walk in but once we are inside no press is permitted. Of course we have to worry about people taking pictures on their cell phones and selling them to tabloids¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll be fine,¡± I try to assure him.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Here we go,¡± he takes a deep breath the moment the door opens.


    He slides across the seat before stepping out of the car, I follow, taking his offered hand to help me out. Immediately we are bombarded by the press as Nichs is instantly recognized-cameras are shing everywhere and I¡¯m momentarily frozen on the spot as I try to take everything in.

 Chapter 47

    ¡°You okay?¡± he whispers in my ear as he wraps an arm around my waist.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I take a deep breath as Nichs leads me through the crowd. We stop a couple of times for pictures but his arm remains around my waist as we stand next to each other for the press. What surprises me is that it doesn¡¯t feel ufortable to have him touch me like I expected, since we are practically strangers only really met twice before this. After a few minutes, he leads me to a tented area where he nods to the security team at the entrance before we are permitted to enter.


    ¡°Wow,¡± I gasp taking in the view in front of me. Even though I had seen a few pictures from the previous events, nothingpared to seeing the area that had been transformed in front of me. There are several tents set up on the grass with candle-lit tables under them; off in the distance a lighted fountain sprays water from arge disy.


    ¡°My parents go all-out for this every year,¡± Nichs looks around almost as if he is seeing it all for the first time.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker! It¡¯s so nice to see you again,¡± a gentleman in a tux approaches us.


    ¡°Mr. Jacobson, I¡¯d like to introduce you to my date, Ms. Mackenzie Rose.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you,¡± Mr. Jacobson offers his hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you as well.  I understand you are doing some amazing things at the university¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes I am,¡± he is clearly surprised that I am aware of who he is. ¡°Without PFSs generous support we would not be able to fund our projects, one of which is up for an award this year.¡±


    ¡°Yes I read about that one. Your department patented a way to transform dirty water into drinkable water without electricity, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes! We have developed a PFS funded program and have sent the pilot ns to several foreign countries, we are nning to use the proceeds to send out many more and eventually publish our findings.¡±


    ¡°I believe we have a meeting in a few weeks to review the data collected so far if I¡¯m not mistaken,¡± Nichs speaks up.


    ¡°Yes Mr. Parker, you will be meeting with our research team in two weeks. They are eager to present you with our findings thus far.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful, I look forward to it.  Now if you will excuse us, I see someone who is trying to get my attention.¡±


    ¡°Of course, it was good to see you again Mr. Parker and to meet you, Ms. Rose.¡±


    For the next two hours we mingle, well mostly Nichs mingles and I trail along, every so often contributing to a conversation when somethinges up. Most of the discussions surround politics but those that don¡¯t are focused on projects PFS is currently working on, none of which are public knowledge yet so they weren¡¯t included in any of the reading material I found online. I don¡¯t mind though-I¡¯m learning more than I thought I would about the key political forces in New York.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, if you would please take your seats dinner is about to be served,¡± the DJ announces.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Please excuse us,¡± Nichs tells the person he was talking to, though I had to admit that I¡¯ve already forgotten their name.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing great,¡± he whispers so no one else can hear as he leads me to the table we were assigned.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs!¡± A young woman jumps from the table we are approaching and runs towards him, embracing him in a hug. His arm drops from my waist so he can catch her; he twirls her around in a circle before cing her back on the floor in front of us.


    ¡°Cara, I would like you to meet Mackenzie Rose.  Kenzie, this is my younger sister, Cara,¡± Nichs introduces.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you Cara.¡±


    ¡°I love your dress!!!! It¡¯s absolutely stunning!! You¡¯ll have to tell me where you got it from!¡±


    I immediately feel at ease with Cara-she is probably the easiest going person I¡¯ve ever spoken to. Once we are at the table, I am introduced to Nichs¡¯s parents, his brother and his date, Cara¡¯s date and Nichs¡¯s grandparents. I desperately try to calm my nerves as I sit across from Nichs¡¯s parents, truly hoping I don¡¯t do anything to screw this up. I think I¡¯m more worried that his parents will see right through our charade than I am about the press or Nichs¡¯ colleagues.


    ¡°So Kenzie, what is it you do?¡± Nichs¡¯s dad asks me.


    ¡°I am currently working at Sweet Dreams Bakery over on-¡±


    ¡°I love that ce! They make best muffins, I absolutely love the apple cinnamon ones,¡± his mother cuts me off.


    ¡°Well, thank you. I actually make most of the muffins and breads each morning.¡±


    ¡°You do? Wow they are so good!¡±


    ¡°The owner developed each recipe on her own; she has owned the shop for thest twenty years. It¡¯s a shame that someone else is going to take it over-¡±


    ¡°What do you mean take it over? ¡°Nichs asks.


    ¡°Ginny, the owner, is retiring so she has put the business up for sale. She suspects a chain ce will likely purchase it but she isn¡¯t sure yet.¡±


    ¡°I hope it¡¯s not that donut ce that is around the corner from the bakery. They¡¯re donuts taste like they are days old.¡±


    ¡°Chances are they are a few days old. Most ces will makerge batches in advance and sell them over the next few days. Ginny insists that we make everything fresh every day-anything that doesn¡¯t sell by the end of the day is donated to a soup kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Good for her,¡± Nichs¡¯ dad smiles.


    As dinner is served, I feel much morefortable around Nichs¡¯s family than when we first sat down.  They are all very easy to, talk to allowing the conversation to flow easily around the table as we eat. I learn that Nichs and his brother Austin, who works with their father at an architectural firm, are teaming up on a project to revitalize arge building downtown for a local nonprofit organization. Austin¡¯s date is very quiet and barely says a word throughout the course of dinner. She looks like she feels very ufortable and out of ce. Cara¡¯s date on the other hand is very talkative and has engaged Nichs¡¯ dad in a debate about a recent call at a baseball game. Cara and Nichs¡¯s mom discuss everything that went into nning tonight¡¯s g and already seem to be making notes of things they want to change for next year.


    ¡°Kenzie, would you be able to help with the dance auction? One of the girls that was supposed to help me¡­ well let¡¯s just say she had too much wine before dinner and needed to be taken home,¡± Cara asks.


    ¡°Oh no. Of course, I¡¯ll help out,¡± I agree not really sure what I¡¯m agreeing to but I figure how bad can it be?


    ¡°Wonderful! Thank you!¡± she beams.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to help out,¡± Nichs whispers.


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s fine-I really don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, it¡¯s time for the annual dance auction! If thedies helping with the auction could please make their way to the stage. In a couple of minutes we will get the auction started.  Gentleman get your wallets and checkbooks ready!¡±

 Chapter 48

    ¡°Come on, Kenzie!¡± Cara grasps my hand and pulls me up before the DJ even finishes his announcement.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Nichs mouths to me as I¡¯m being yanked away.


    ¡°So what do we have to do?¡± I ask as we wait off to the side of the small stage.


    ¡°Nothing really. When the DJ announces your name, you walk onto the stage while he tells the audience about your wonderful qualities-¡±


    ¡°What qualities?¡±


    ¡°Oh you¡¯ll see,¡± she giggles. ¡°He makes up stuff about each one of us¡­ you know:nguages spoken, our careers and so on.  Then he opens the bidding until the highest bidder is announced-¡±


    ¡°Wait, so they¡¯re bidding on us?¡±


    ¡°Well, not on you, silly. They¡¯re bidding on dancing with you for the first dance of the night. The winner donates his bid to New Beginnings and in return you dance with him for the first dance. This is our biggest fund raiser of the evening.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yup, you would be surprised how much money men are willing to spend to dance with their date or someone that they¡¯ve had an eye on.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but feel some regret that I agreed to help Cara with this auction. How will it look if someone takes a picture of me, Nichs¡¯ date, dancing with another man tonight? I could easily see this backfiring on him if the press were to get ahold of pictures from the auction; they would rip him apart, even more than they already have, I¡¯m sure. To prevent that from happening, I¡¯m essentially leaving Nichs no choice but to spend even more money tonight by bidding on me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look so worried; Nichs will win the auction for you,¡± Cara tries to reassure me, obviously picking up on my nervousness. ¡°I hope so,¡± I say more to myself than to her.


    ¡°I know so. Trust me, I know Nichs-there¡¯s no way he would let another man dance with you. He may have brought other women to these things in the past, but you¡¯re the only one he hasn¡¯t been able to keep his eyes off of.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not true,¡± I disagree.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to start our auction off tonight with the beautiful Ms.


    Cara Parker¡­ ¡±


    I stop listening to what the DJ is making up about Cara, as she walks onto the stage and my nerves kick in full force. I can¡¯t see Nichs from where I¡¯m standing near the stage although even if I could see him I don¡¯t know that it would help me feel better at all. I¡¯ll have to hope that Cara is right, that he will ensure he wins the auction for my first dance so there won¡¯t be a controversy in the press tomorrow if someone sells pictures of me with another guy.


    ¡°And the winning bid is eleven thousand dors!¡± the DJ announces as Caraes off the stage pouting.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Next up is the lovely Ms. Mackenzie Rose,¡± the DJ calls me before I can find out from Cara why she looks upset. ¡°Mackenzie is a world renowned architect, having designed some of the most famous sites around the world.  She enjoys ballet, the opera and Broadway shows¡­ ¡±


    I slowly walk across the stage as the DJ continues to ramble useless false information about me before opening the bidding up to the guests. ¡°Five hundred dors,¡± a voice I don¡¯t recognize calls out.


    ¡°Two thousand,¡± someone else calls out.


    ¡°Three thousand.¡±


    ¡°Five thousand,¡± I can¡¯t see Nichs but I know that was his bid.


    ¡°Six thousand.¡±


    ¡°Seven thousand,¡± someone counters and I cringe at the high price this is running.


    I really just want to cancel the entire auction and run off the stage, forgetting that I ever agreed to help Cara out. Had I known this would be the result, I never would have agreed to help her. I thought I would be helping count bids or helping to show auction items, having no idea that I was actually an auction item.


    ¡°Fifteen thousand,¡± Nichs¡¯ voice is loud and firm, almost as if he is daring someone to outbid him.


    ¡°Fifteen thousand, going once¡­ going twice¡­ Sold to Mr. Parker¡­ next up we have Ms. Cindy Smith¡­¡± The DJ presents the next girl for the auction as I make my way off the stage where Nichs is now waiting for me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! I had no idea¡­ this was not what I was expecting and I didn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°What are you apologizing for? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever had so much fun bidding on an auction here before,¡± Nichs chuckles.


    ¡°Really? I¡­ I thought you would be mad for being put on the spot to bid on me. I was worried that someone else would outbid you and then pictures would be taken and leaked to the press which would-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, rx,¡± he takes my hand and leads me off to the side of therge tent where we are away from most of the guests but can still hear the DJ. ¡°Austin and I bid every year on the auction, so I was already nning on making a donation through the first dance auction.¡±


    ¡°You were?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Austin and I always outbid whatever loser Cara brings to these things. We ensure that the first dance belongs to once of us: it¡¯s been our tradition since she was old enough to participate. At first it was because she was barely a teenager and thought of a grown man who wasn¡¯t family dancing with her was sickening¡­¡±


    ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°Now it¡¯s just to annoy her. We promise her every year that we won¡¯t outbid her date and every year we do. This year Austin won the bid and will be dancing with her. You see, even if you hadn¡¯t participated in the auction, I probably would have outbid Austin for Cara and made a donation that way.¡±


    ¡°I had no idea that was what Cara meant when she asked me to help her with the auction.¡±


    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t. I wanted to warn you before the auction started but I couldn¡¯t get away from my grandfather insisting on talking about business.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d it¡¯s over.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman it¡¯s time for the annual first dance. Please im your prize and bring her to the dance floor for our first dance of the evening.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s our cue,¡± he offers his arm and escorts me onto the dance floor. He leads us to the center of the dance floor and soon we are surrounded by eleven other couples. Out of the corner of my eye I see Cara still pouting as I¡¯m sure she would much rather be dancing with her date.


    My hand is on Nichs¡¯ shoulder and his hand is on my lower back, our other hands sped together. Once the music starts, he gracefully moves me across the dance floor in perfect harmony to the music. I¡¯m very surprised at what a wonderful dancer he is; definitely not something I expected. When the music finally stops, he leans down and ces the lightest kiss on my cheek before thanking me and leading me off the dance floor.


    The rest of the night goes well; we mingle with other guests and of course Nichs talks a lot of business. At the end of the evening we say goodbye to his family before being escorted to our awaiting car by Carter. When we finally slide inside, I let out a heavy sigh, d that the night is over and that for the most part I think it was a sess.


    ¡°Thank you for tonight, Kenzie. I wasn¡¯t sure what to expect but you¡­ I think tonight was a sess.¡±

 Chapter 49

    Nichs


    ¡°yboy Nichs Parker, breaking his two month stance of not being photographed with a woman, brings yet another new one to an event.


    Nichs Parker brought a stunning woman to the New Beginnings G


    Saturday evening, reportedly bidding $15K for her to win the first dance auction. Such a shame, as we know we won¡¯t be seeing her again with Nichs Parker.¡±


    A picture of Kenzie and myself arriving at my parents¡¯ house for the g is shown as I knew it would be, since for some reason the gossip sites love to report any move I make in my personal life. Every day this week I have been checking the sites, looking for reports and pictures from the g but until now hadn¡¯t found any. It took them three days to get one up-longer than I expected. However, this is the first step in my own PR campaign to change how the media views me.


    I have ns to take Kenzie out in public, hoping the press will see us on at least a few of those asions. Hopefully in a couple of weeks this can all be behind me and I can move on with my life. With the press off my case I will be able to focus on PFS like I need to be doing without worrying that my employees are questioning my ability. After a few weeks of being seen with Kenzie, I will maintain a contract with her but will likely only request herpany forrge events when it¡¯s expected I bring a guest.


    Looking at the picture on the site, I have to admit that I¡¯m surprised we managed to pull it off as well as we did. Kenzie was absolutely outstanding in her performance; she shocked me to hell when she started discussing farming initiatives with the president of the university. It was clear in that moment that she did her homework before that night and reinforced to me that she was taking this contract seriously. I haven¡¯t figured her out yet¡­ usually I get a good read on people fairly quickly, but for some reason with Kenzie, I¡¯m having a harder time. I assumed women who did this sort of thing were only after money, which I suppose is true in Kenzie¡¯s case. She was honest when we first met to discuss the contract that she needed the money, but I guess what surprised me was the reason she needed money. I guess I just assumed women would want it to purchase material items: a bigger house, a new car, new clothes¡­ that sort of thing.


    ¡°You made the sites again I see, Parker,¡± Alex interrupts my thoughts by barging into my office.


    ¡°I just saw that. Damn fucking vultures can¡¯t leave me the hell alone.¡±


    ¡°The president of the shippingpany is demanding a meeting with you tonight over dinner and drinks-¡±


    ¡°Tonight?  What the fuck Alex?!¡±


    ¡°I know¡­They¡¯re insisting they need a meeting with you tonight before they are willing to sign off on the investment.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s their sticking point?¡±


    ¡°Their employees.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve guaranteed them that everyone¡¯s job will be sustained for six months and if at that time their jobs are terminated a severance package will be offered. What¡¯s the issue?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think they¡¯re afraid we¡¯re going to go back on our word.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in the fucking contract!¡±


    ¡°I know it is, Parker, I reviewed the contract with them but I think they are still concerned. They want to meet tonight, dinner and drinks. Honestly, I think he just wants to hear it from you that his employees¡¯ jobs are safe.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ whatever, work with Melody to rearrange my schedule. I expect you to be there Alex, if he is taking away my Friday night, you¡¯re losing yours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°Oh and Parker, he¡¯s bringing his wife. If you could bring someone it might make you appear a little more trustworthy.¡±


    ¡°A fucking date will make me appear more trustworthy?¡±


    ¡°Just saying.¡±


    ¡°Fine, whatever.  You bring E and I¡¯ll bring a date.¡±


    ¡°Later.¡±


    These are the fucking things about business I hate: why would bringing a date to a business dinner make me look more trustworthy? The fucking details are in the contract about his employees, but now I have to spend my Friday night at a boring dinner, ironing out, once again, the contract details because he doesn¡¯t trust me.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Wilder Consulting, how may I help you?¡± a voice answers the phone on the second ring.


    ¡°This is Nichs Parker, I need to speak with Bridget urgently.¡±


    ¡°One moment.¡±


    Even though the chance of being seen by press tonight is minimal, for my PR n to work I need Kenzie to be avable tonight. I can¡¯t go alone if Alex and the other person are bringing dates. I can¡¯t bring a different woman or it defeats my purpose of contracting with Kenzie in the first ce.


    ¡°Hello, Nichs,¡± Bridget picks up the line a few momentster.


    ¡°Bridget, I need you to contact Kenzie immediately.¡±


    ¡°Is something wrong? When I spoke to her the other day she indicated the g went well but if that wasn¡¯t the case-¡±


    ¡°The g was fine. I need her tonight. I know it¡¯s short notice and I¡¯ll pay an additional fee for her inconvenience but it¡¯s absolutely imperative that she apany me to a business dinner tonight.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°What time will you need her to meet you?¡±


    ¡°I need her at five, dinner is at 5:30 near PFS.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll contact her right now and will call you back once I get off the phone with her.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    I wait, and wait, for Bridget to call me back with Kenzie¡¯s decision on whether or not she can attend dinner with me tonight. I don¡¯t do well with waiting or with things out of my control; if it were up to me I would have contacted her directly and offered her whatever she needed in order to agree to apany me tonight. I get that I¡¯m not supposed to do that so we both keep some privacy, but it would have made things so much easier if I could have just picked up the phone and told her what I needed from her tonight. I¡¯m not used to letting someone else take control in my life; I don¡¯t do well following orders which is why I started my ownpany.

 Chapter 50

    An hour goes by before I hear from Bridget and I start to panic. How long does it take to fucking call someone and see if she is avable tonight? What if she wasn¡¯t avable to talk to Bridget? How much longer do I wait before trying toe up with another n for tonight? My only other option is to go to the dinner alone and if someone asks I make an excuse about Kenzie not feeling well. That could work¡­


    ¡°Parker,¡± I answer my cell phone without looking at the caller ID.


    ¡°Nichs, its Bridget-¡±


    ¡°About time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kenzie needed to see if she could rearrange something before she couldmit to dinner tonight-¡±


    ¡°Rearrange? She didn¡¯t have another date did she? Because I specifically required her to sign-¡±


    ¡°Calm down, she did not have another date. She signed the exclusivity use which you know means I can¡¯t show her profile to anyone else.¡±


    ¡°So, can she do it or what?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is avable for the evening and will meet you at your office by five.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°And next time, Nichs, try to give the girl a little notice if possible.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure topensate her for thest minute request in the next transfer I send you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see that she gets it.¡±


    I sit back in my chair and sigh heavily, relieved that I don¡¯t have toe up with an excuse as to why Kenzie is not with me this evening. Although it¡¯s unlikely the press would have found out that I was at a business dinner alone, I can¡¯t take the risk now that I¡¯m trying to change my public image around. I need to lose the image of being a yboy who is seen with different women all the time.  I need the media to think I¡¯m boring and stable so they stop fucking questioning my business practices. ¡°Melody, get me Carter,¡± I request.


    ¡°Yes Mr. Parker.¡±


    Momentster Carter enters my office; as always Melody is very efficient at what she does.


    ¡°Melody has informed you of the dinner tonight?¡± I confirm.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Rose will be apanying me tonight and will arrive here around five. Please meet her in the lobby and escort her to my office when she arrives.¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°When we are finished with dinner, I want a cab to take her home.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, I¡¯ll be sure to have one ready before you leave.¡±


    ¡°That will be all.¡±


    I dive into mytest financial reports, finally able to focus on work again now that the issue of tonight¡¯s dinner tonight is resolved. It really is a waste of time to have dedicated thest 90 minutes worrying about a business dinner but I have to remain focused on my goal of turning around my public image: one slip up could ruin everything. Back on track now, I spend the rest of the afternoon diving into numbers and spreadsheets and reviewing the performance of severalpanies that PFS recently brought on. After signing with PFS, the first six months of financial reporting is absolutely key. After that I make a decision whether to continue their contract or to cut tiespletely. As usual, I¡¯m easily lost in my work and remain so until Melody alerts me that Carter is here. I tell her to send him in expecting him to need to discuss ns for the weekend or for dinner tonight.


    ¡°Mr. Parker-¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°One moment, Carter,¡± I interrupt, needing to spend just another minute reviewing this one line to ensure the calctions are correct. If I stop now, I will probably lose my ce and it took me hours to find the one line where there appears to be an error.


    ¡°Yes Carter?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Rose sir,¡± I finally look up and realize that not only has Carter been standing there waiting for me to finish looking at my report but that


    Kenzie has been there as well.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I hadn¡¯t realized the time. Thank you Carter.¡±


    ¡°The car will be ready in ten minutes sir.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, thank you for agreeing to tonight, especially with the incrediblyte notice.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem.¡±


    ¡°I understand you had to rearrange your schedule, I hope Bridget let you know that you will bepensated for your troubles.¡±


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°You look very nice.¡±


    Nice is probably the least descriptive word that I could havee up with to describe how she looks. However the only other words thate to mind to describe her look are not appropriate to share with someone that I¡¯m conducting a business rtionship with. Kenzie is wearing a ck fitted skirt that falls to just above her knee, a light blue button down fitted shirtys under a ck zer. Her long legs are entuated by a pair of ck heels. My mind immediately pictures her bent over my desk with the skirt pushed up to her waist as I thrust into her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she thankfully pulls me from my thoughts which I¡¯m grateful: if I kept picturing her like that, she would be able to tell what I was thinking if she looked below my belt. I can¡¯t keep picturing her like that¡­ thinking of her like that; this is nothing but a business transaction. She would never be interested in anything more with me and I¡¯m not interested in anything more than a fuck with a woman, something I know Kenzie is too good for. She needs someone who would trust her and I¡¯ve learned the hard way that hell is going to freeze over before I trust another woman like that ever again.


    ¡°Please have a seat,¡± I gesture to the small couch against the windows in my office and sit in the chair across from her.


    ¡°You have an amazing building here, the lobby was stunning.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ve been in this building for about five years now; before we moved in I had my brotherpletely remodel it to fit the image


    I wanted.¡±


    ¡°He did a wonderful job! I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen anything like


    it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never tell him this, but he blew my expectations out of the water on the design.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything I need to know for dinner tonight?¡± She nces at her watch likely realizing we only have a few minutes before we need to leave. She uncrosses her legs before crossing them again, her skirt riding up just the smallest amount and it takes everything in me not to groan. Her outfit is actually perfect for tonight: it looks very professional but could easily be more casual if she took the zer off. The skirt isn¡¯t too short but for some reason it¡¯s just the right amount of leg for her to look incredibly sexy.


    ¡°We have been working with this shippingpany for thest several months now, trying to help them avoid bankruptcy. We¡¯ve made multiple rmendations but they¡¯ve been hesitant in agreeing to them. The contracts are scheduled to be signed Monday, however at thest minute they demanded a meeting with me, refusing to sign the contract unless I met them for dinner tonight.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±

 Chapter 51

    ¡°There¡¯s a use in the contract that says all employee positions will remain as is for the first six months. After that, PFS will reevaluate and determine whether or not to continue their positions. If their position is eliminated in the first three years, every employee will be provided with a severance package along with a letter of rmendation.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a good thing?¡± she¡¯s obviously struggling to see why the other party hasn¡¯t signed yet.


    ¡°It is,¡± I agree. ¡°For some reason, Alex, my vice president, thinks that they are having second thoughts and do not believe that I would hold up my end of the contract.¡±


    ¡°But if it¡¯s in the contract, aren¡¯t you obligated to follow through?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. There are certain safeguards put in ce where I could get out of the use if something came up. However it¡¯s a use that is only used in dire situations. Alex thinks they just want to hear from me that their employees will have jobs. It¡¯s a family owned business that has been passed down from one generation to another, but unfortunately the owner¡¯s father had a gambling problem and borrowed money from thepany. They¡¯re barely staying afloat right now and have more debt than they should have. We¡¯re offering them a solution where thepany remains intact but requires an overhaul in a few areas.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking¡­ why am I needed tonight? It sounds like a business negotiation.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t technically be negotiating, since all that is done already. Essentially we are meeting to reassure him that the use in the contract stands, nothing more. As to why you are here¡­ apparently having a date will make me look more trustworthy, at least ording to Alex. The owner is bringing his wife so I assume the idea is, if I bring a date, I look more like a person and less like a businessman who wants to destroy theirpany.¡±


    ¡°Ah, got it.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, we need to leave now,¡± Carter interrupts us.


    ¡°Thank you Carter. Do you have any other questions, Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°No, I think you covered everything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll apologize in advance: this is probably going to be a very boring dinner for you.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    Carter escorts us to the parking garage where my SUV is waiting. The ride to the restaurant is short since the traffic is light despite the rush hour. I¡¯ve purposely left early enough so that we are the first to arrive at the table. Over the next ten minutes Alex and E arrive followed by Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, the owners of the shippingpany. Once again, Kenzie seems to fit right into the group, making conversation easily with Mrs.


    Forest and E while Alex, Mr. Forrest and I discuss business.


    The next time I nce at my watch, I¡¯m surprised to see that more than two hours have passed since we arrived. Kenzie sitsfortably next to me, discussing recipes with Mrs. Forrest. I knew she worked at the bakery but I had no idea how much she enjoys baking until I watch her passionately discuss different techniques.


    ¡°And that¡¯s why E does all the cooking, you see, Kenzie, I just burn everything no matter what setting I use on the stove!¡± Alexughs as Kenzie finishes a story how one of the girls at the bakery idently burnt an entire batch of muffins one morning.


    ¡°He does, you should see it. He once burnt a pot of boiling water¡­ I ask you: who does that?¡± Eughs.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure he was just distracted-¡± Kenzie tries to defend Alex.


    ¡°Yeah, he was distracted by the game that was on TV, or by an email that his boss sent,¡± which earns me a re, ¡°or by a car that drove too fast down our road or by a ringing phone¡­ you see, Kenzie the list just goes on and on.¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°What can I say, I¡¯m easily distracted,¡± Alex doesn¡¯t disagree with anything E said.  Instead heughs with her and then leans in to kiss her quickly on the cheek.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mr. rk, you will have the finalized contracts Monday morning,¡± Mr. Forrest says a few minutester when the table falls silent.


    ¡°Wonderful, we look forward to them,¡± I shake his hand, sealing the deal.


    Carter has already taken care of the bill for our meal, so we quickly say our goodbyes and walk out of the restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest leave, followed next by Alex and E, leaving Kenzie and me on the sidewalk.


    ¡°Carter has arranged for a car to take you home: it should be arriving any minute now,¡± I exin, shooting Carter a death re for not having the cab here by now. Apparently the one he called didn¡¯t show up so instead he had to call a car service. This would be so much easier if I could just have Carter take her home, then be assured that she arrived safely and we wouldn¡¯t have to rely on someone else to get her home.


    ¡°Nichs, it¡¯s fine, I could just take the subway. There¡¯s a stop just a couple of blocks-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I can¡¯t let you take the subway home. This may not be an actual date, but I¡¯m too much of a gentleman to let you do that. The car service will take you home tonight and I promise they won¡¯t tell me where they drop you off.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary but I appreciate it nheless.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for this evening. Everything went smoother than I expected,¡± I say.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you will be happy when you receive the signed contract on Monday.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am,¡± Carter gestures to the car that is slowing just in front of us.


    ¡°Thank you again, Kenzie, especially for rearranging your schedule at thest minute to amodate me,¡± I lean down cing my lips against her cheek gently. I swear her breath hitches when I squeeze her hand in mine just before I pull away from her.


    ¡°I believe Bridget has been in touch about next week?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve confirmed with her that I¡¯m avable.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you then.¡±

 Chapter 52

    ¡°So Kenzie¡­ who¡¯s your new boyfriend?¡± Ginny asks the moment I walk into the bakery.


    ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡± I¡¯m confused¡­ how could Ginny possibly know about Nichs? It has to be Nichs that she is talking about because I haven¡¯t been out with any other guy or even had interest in a guy for years.


    ¡°One of the afternoon girls brought a picture of you in-¡±


    ¡°A picture?¡±


    ¡°Here, it¡¯s in my office,¡± she leads me back and hands me a piece of paper. On it is a blurry picture of Nichs and me from the business dinner Friday night. We are sitting next to each other at the table; Nichs¡¯s eyes are on me but it looks like I¡¯m talking to E. I didn¡¯t think he was watching me during the dinner but he was probably just making sure that I didn¡¯t say something that I shouldn¡¯t have, given the limited time we had to prepare. The headline below the picture reads:


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t believe it either! Billionaire yboy Nichs Parker is seen for the second time with a mystery woman. Until recently Nichs Parker had been attending events solo after being seen with half a different dozen women in less than two months. Now, in span of two weeks he is seen with the same one twice! Who is this mystery woman and what spell could she have put on Parker to get him to take her out twice?¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡­¡± I stutter.


    ¡°You¡¯re dating a friggin¡¯ billionaire, Kenzie?!?!?¡± Ruth, one of the other girls who works the morning shift rushes in.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± I¡¯m caughtpletely off guard.


    I hadn¡¯t expected that part of my life to mix with this part. I thought I could keep them separate: I should have expected that wouldn¡¯t be the case if I was seen publicly with Nichs, the purpose of our arrangement.


    ¡°Nichs Parker and I are dating-¡±Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°For how long? Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± Ruth asks.


    ¡°Ruth, enough. As long as Kenzie is happy, that is all that matters,¡± Ginny interrupts.  ¡°Now, I believe we have some donuts, muffins and breads to make for today.¡±


    I want to hug Ginny in that moment, but instead I lead the way out of her office to the kitchen where I start my orders.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting it to bemon knowledge so fast that Nichs and I were dating but I guess this is exactly what he wanted, what he needed, so the press would begin to paint a different picture of him. I don¡¯t remember seeing any press at the dinner the other night, but the little bit I saw of our picture it us looks like it was from someone¡¯s cell phone who I can only assume then sold it to the media. The media hasn¡¯t yet figured out who I am but I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t be too much longer before my name is leaked to the press, either purposely or through some investigating. I need to remember that at any time I could be questioned about my rtionship with Nichs. I need to stay on my toes and be more prepared the next time someone asks about us.


    ¡°Kenzie, someone is asking to speak to you about a catering order,¡± Ginny informs me.


    ¡°Cara, how nice to see you!¡± I walk out front and am immediately surprised to see Cara Parker waiting at the counter for me.


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m so d you are working today! I need to talk to you about a catering order,¡± she says.


    ¡°Sure, why don¡¯t you have a seat at a table and I¡¯ll grab our ordering forms.¡±


    I gesture to one of the empty tables. Luckily the morning rush has ended, so there it¡¯s pretty slow. Had Cara shown up during the morning rush, there is no way I would be able to sit with her and discuss orders. The mornings are hectic no matter what day it is: great for business but very little time to take care of anything else until the breakfast crowd dies down.


    ¡°How are you, Kenzie?¡± Cara asks when I sit down next to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, how about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m great! My mom is hosting a morning meeting for a fundraisingmittee next week and we were hoping you could cater the meeting? It¡¯s nothing huge, but everyone just loves this ce!¡±


    For the next ten or so minutes, Cara and I discuss the menu for the meeting and what will be needed. She arranges to pick up the order the morning of the meeting, since we don¡¯t offer delivery.


    ¡°So, I saw you and my brother made the gossip rags again,¡± Cara says.


    ¡°I just saw that too,¡± I answer honestly.


    ¡°He hates the press. I can¡¯t believe they followed him to a business dinner.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we were followed. I think someone recognized your brother and took the picture to sell it to the press.¡±


    ¡°You might be right. How did you two meet again? I don¡¯t remember Nichs mentioning you before the g, but then again he doesn¡¯t talk much anymore.  I can¡¯t remember thest time he came to a family dinner¡­ ¡±


    ¡°We met at a coffee shop a couple of months ago,¡± I answer with the cover story that Nichs and I had previously agreed to.


    ¡°Oh, I hadn¡¯t realized you two knew each other for that long. Well, I have to go. Maybe you can get Nichs toe to dinner this Sunday?¡±


    ¡°Cara, I don¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°I know my mother would love it. Please¡­ try to get him toe?  Of course youe too-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see Cara. No promises, I¡¯m not sure what our schedule is.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thanks, Kenzie!¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, do you have a minute?¡± Ginny asks just as I finish meeting with Cara.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I follow her back to her office where she shuts the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m only going to bring this up once because it¡¯s none of my business. This Parker guy¡­ he treats you right?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Yes Ginny, he¡¯s a perfect gentleman.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ you¡¯ve had enough pain in your life. I don¡¯t want to see you have more.¡± That surprises me because I¡¯ve never spoken to her about my past.


    Maybe she just assumes because it was a case worker from the shelter that set up the interview for me. I know my case worker wouldn¡¯t have said anything to her about my past-we had talked about it before I agreed to let her arrange the interview for me.


    ¡°Listen, you¡¯re still the only one here who knows that I¡¯m trying to sell this ce and I want to thank you for keeping it to yourself-¡±


    ¡°Of course, Ginny.¡±


    ¡°Mywyer called me just now and told me he might have someone interested in purchasing the ce.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Do you know who it is?¡±

 Chapter 53

    I¡¯m happy for her, but disappointed that my days here might being to an end. I don¡¯t allow myself to focus on what will happen if I


    can¡¯t stay on here as an employee. The two dates I¡¯ve had with Nichs have given my bank ount a nice bump; I¡¯ve even managed to put more away this month that I thought I would since Nichs reallypensated me well for thest minute business dinner. I tried to tell Bridget it wasn¡¯t necessary, but she said that Nichs already paid the money to her so it¡¯s mine whether I want it or not. As long as Nichs maintains the arrangement, I know I¡¯ll be able to pay my bills until another jobes along if the new owners don¡¯t want to keep me when they take over.


    ¡°Not yet.  Mywyer says thepany is insisting onplete confidentiality about the purchase. I thought it was weird, but apparently it¡¯s quitemon. Businesses don¡¯t want theirpetitors to know that they are looking to open a new shop in town.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Right now they¡¯re just reviewing our financials, but I wanted to keep you updated¡­¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ginny, I appreciate it.¡±


    Finally back at my apartment a few hourster, I¡¯m relieved that the morning is over. It a matter of hours, the two worlds that I thought would remain separate have collided. I guess I expected it would be like when I worked at the department store and the bakery at the same time; maybe once in a while customers would ovep but when they did, it was never a big deal and no one really questioned it. I was naive to think that I could keep this arrangement with Nichs separate from anything else in my life. I should have known that it was very probable that my coworkers at the bakery would see my picture in the media. I know a few of the girls read those gossip magazines on their breaks so I shouldn¡¯t have really been that surprised.


    Surprisingly, I¡¯m not as worried about the bakery being sold as I would have been a month ago. I¡¯m not sure how long this arrangement with Nichs willst but I¡¯ll just keep saving the money I get so that when it does end, I¡¯m not left high and dry.  If I lose my job at the bakery, I will find something else.


    When my arrangement with Nichs ends, I¡¯ll probably find another job to help make ends meet. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll go back to being a personal shopper or not, but I don¡¯t think I can see myself taking on another client with Bridget. I think I only feelfortable with Nichs because we had met before, although when I think about it, we really only had a few minutes with each other that day on the sidewalk. I don¡¯t know why that would make me feel sofortable with him now. Whatever the reason, I¡¯m not so delusional as to think that I would feel like this with every guy that Bridget sets me up with.


    I will say though, it¡¯s been nice not working 12 and 14 hour days and actually having a day off each week when I don¡¯t work. Before signing on with Bridget and quitting the store, I rarely had a day off. I wouldn¡¯t work both jobs every day, but there were plenty of days where I would work one job and not have a day off. Today, I am sort of working two jobs¡­ I have a date with Nichs this evening to attend an exhibit being featured at the museum. Tonight is a preview night exclusive for members including Nichs, whose donations have made the exhibit possible. I¡¯ve never been to this museum so I¡¯m looking forward to it. Once again I will be meeting Nichs and Carter at PFS, but unlike the dinner the other night, we will be leaving together from the museum since it¡¯s likely that people will see us leaving at the end of the evening and we don¡¯t want it to raise questions why we are leaving separately.


    Ring Ring


    ¡°Hello, Kenzie, it¡¯s Bridget. How are you, dear?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Bridget, how are you?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Very well. I was just calling to make sure you have everything you need for the date tonight?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I believe so. Stacy helped me pick out a dress with matching essories. I¡¯m meeting Mr. Parker at PFS and his driver will be taking us to the museum. Afterwards, they will bring me back to PFS before we go our separate ways.¡±


    ¡°Did you see your dinner the other night made the press?¡±


    ¡°I did.¡±


    ¡°That means that after tonight it¡¯s very likely that you and Nichs both will be in the press tomorrow morning. The media is expected to be at the museum to cover the exhibit opening. I expect you will be pictured very quickly, as this is the third event that you will be seen with Nichs. I know this is all new for you so I wanted to check in and see how you were doing with the publicity and to see if you had any concerns before the pictures starting out tonight?¡±


    ¡°Today was actually the first time that someone figured out the girl in the picture with Nichs was me.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°A few of the staff at the bakery where I work figured it out. I


    guess it was a preview of what¡¯s going to happen after we¡¯re seen tonight.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay with that, Kenzie? Customers may start asking you questions about Nichs, reporters will probably figure out who you are and start calling you or showing up at your ce of business. I¡¯m not trying to scare you, I just want you to be prepared.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate that, Bridget. Today was a shock, but I think it was a good shock. I¡¯m more prepared now; I know what to expect and Nichs and I have reviewed our backstory so we¡¯re on the same page.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ if you ever have questions with dealing with the media or persistent reporters, you let me know. I¡¯m going to send you a slide show in a few minutes which covers some key points in dealing with the media that you might find helpful. Smile, be nice but never give away too much information. Noment is always a safe response if you don¡¯t know what else to say. Don¡¯t let them get to you but if they do, don¡¯t let them see it. If they find a weakness they will go after it, so stay strong and call me whenever you need to. I¡¯ll help you deal with the media if you have a problem.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Bridget, I appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for me.¡±


    ¡°Anytime. Good luck tonight. I look forward to seeing the pictures tomorrow morning.¡±


    I spend the next couple of hours getting ready for my date with


    Nichs. Having never been to an exhibit opening before, I rely heavily on Stacy¡¯s advice about what to wear tonight. I wear a red dress that falls just to my knees: a scooping neckline, cap sleeves and a slightly open back. The dress isplemented by ck shoes, a diamond tennis bracelet and matching ne. My hair is curled, letting it fall casually over my shoulders. Somehow between the dress boutique and the salon, they have me leaving my apartment looking like apletely different person than when I woke up.


    Tonight I¡¯ve decided to splurge and request a car service to take me to PFS to meet with Nichs and Carter. I could have easily taken the subway to PFS, but the thought of walking around in heels on those steps doesn¡¯t appeal to me. Right on time, my phone dings with a text letting me know the car service has arrived. I quickly crab my clutch and head to the slick, ck sedan waiting out front for me. A few of the people hanging out on the front stoop whistle when I walk by but I ignore them and get into the waiting car.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, it¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± Carter greets me in the lobby of PFS when we arrive.


    ¡°And you, Carter.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker should be down momentarily.¡±


    As if he knew we were waiting, the elevator doors open revealing Nichs, looking stunning as always.  Although we didn¡¯t coordinate our outfits, it looks like we did; Nichs is wearing a ck suit with a deep red tie that almost matches my dress perfectly.


    ¡°You look beautiful, Kenzie,¡± Nichs kisses me on the cheek.


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs,¡± I can¡¯t help but blush when I see several people in the lobby staring at us. I don¡¯t think they expected to see their boss kissing a woman, even if it was only on the cheek.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose, the car is waiting,¡± Carter leads us into the elevator which brings us to the parking garage.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you saw, but it turns out we were photographed at dinnerst week,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°So I¡¯ve learned,¡± Iugh. ¡°One of my coworkers printed out the picture and brought it in, then Cara-¡±


    ¡°Cara?¡±


    ¡°She came to the bakery this morning to ce an order and she mentioned seeing the picture. Then Bridget called to make sure I had seen the picture and to remind me that press would be covering the event tonight and that this will be the third time you are seen with me.¡±


    ¡°I expect the media to really kick it up a notch after tonight,¡± he sighs.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you wanted, right?¡±


    ¡°It is, but I just hate that it had toe to this. I would much rather skip these events and focus on PFS, instead of having to spend time concocting lies to keep the media from portraying me as a yboy.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, after tonight they will think we are in amitted rtionship and will give you some space.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡±


    When we arrive at the museum, the press is out in full force as both Bridget and Nichs had predicted. They are taking pictures and talking to another couple when we arrive, but the moment Nichs and I step out of the SUV it¡¯s as if we are the only people here tonight.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, who is your date?¡±


    ¡°What is your rtionship to this woman?¡±


    The questions continue, but Nichs doesn¡¯t respond. We pose for a couple of pictures before Nichs leads me into the museum. Even though the press is not permitted inside, we still have to keep up appearances especially since we¡¯ve learned that people will take pictures of us to sell to the media. We walk through the closed museum, taking in each exhibit as our guide describes everything in great detail. Nichs¡¯s arm remains around my waist the entire night. He leans down to whisper in my ear when we talk about the different exhibits, I think ying it up for anyone who might see us.


    ¡°Would you like a ss of champagne?¡± Nichs asks as a waiter approaches us.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    We take our drinks and move into a room where the mayor will give a speech thanking all the key benefactors who made the exhibit possible. Nichs takes my hand and leads me to an empty seat in the room where we wait for the speech to begin.


    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot, your sister wanted me to convince you toe to a family dinner-¡±


    ¡°UGH, sorry about that. She hounds me every week about going. I wasn¡¯t expecting her to bug you about it. I¡¯ll call her tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Nichs, really. It wasn¡¯t a big deal. I told her that I would talk to you about it but that I wasn¡¯t sure what your ns were.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I appreciate you pacifying her.¡±


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, the mayor,¡± our guide introduces.

 Chapter 54

    The mayor gives a lengthy speech, making a point to thank each donor individually for their contribution to the museum. The speech is politically focused of course-discussing the importance of bringing the arts back to themunity even when budget cuts prevent the government from providing financial support. The speech makes me think, despite being incredibly sessful, Nichs or PFS makes it a point to donate money to different causes: first the New Beginnings G and now to the museum. It¡¯s nice to know that not everyone in the world is focused on keeping the money they earn. It¡¯s rare for someone wanting to give back to themunity the way Nichs does.


    ¡°Are you ready to leave?¡± Nichs whispers to me as soon as the speech ends.


    ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±


    He takes my hand and leads me to the lobby where Carter is waiting for us; with a simple nod Carter quickly disappears ahead of us while we take in key exhibit pieces in the lobby. A few minutester Nichs¡¯s phone buzzes. Without looking at it he leads me out the door where the press is once again waiting for us.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, who is your date?¡±


    ¡°Ms¡­ Ms¡­ what¡¯s your connection to Mr. Parker?¡±


    Once again we ignore the press, instead heading to the SUV that Carter has waiting for us.  Nichs sighs heavily as soon as the door closes, clearly relieved to be away from the press.


    ¡°PFS will be issuing a statement tomorrow about us.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°Essentially, I am going to confirm that we are dating and will ask that they give us privacy. Of course, they won¡¯t but ording to my PR department this is the best way to answer a few of their questions but still maintain control of at least some of the information that is provided to them.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense.¡±


    ¡°If any of the press gives you a hard time, I want you to let me know as soon as possible. This is Carter¡¯s direct number-you can reach him day or night. If anyone bothers you at home or at work, please call Carter. If needed, we can provide you with security to help you deal with the press. I don¡¯t want you to be at risk because of this arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs. I¡¯m sure it will be fine, but I appreciate the offer,¡± I take the business card and ce it in my clutch.


    ¡°Carter has arranged for a car service to meet us at PFS to take you home tonight. If you are agreeable, I would like to have the same car service pick you up for events. They have signed a non-disclosure agreement with us to ensure your privacy. Carter and I both feel it is safest if we only use one car service, as it reduces the risk of someone leaking details about your personal life to the press.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for agreeing to this. I know you probably didn¡¯t anticipate all of this when you met with Bridget.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t but so far the press hasn¡¯t bothered me. I¡¯m sure that will likely change after today, but I¡¯ll be prepared if they start questioning me.¡±


    ¡°Thank you again for tonight, I appreciate you attending the exhibit opening with me,¡± Nichs says when Carter parks the car in PFS¡¯s parking garage. A ck sedan is waiting next to us which I assume is the car service.


    ¡°It was nice Nichs; I¡¯ve never been to that museum before so it was a new experience.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you on Saturday?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve confirmed my schedule with Bridget.¡±


    Nichs leans over, kissing me gently on the cheek, letting his lips linger a few seconds longer than they have before. He squeezes my hand just before Carter opens the door but he looks as if he wants to say something. Instead he simply shakes his head and lets go of my hand. Carter escorts me to the awaiting car, introduces me to the driver and then closes the door behind me. We drive out of the parking garage a few minutester and like that, I¡¯m quickly lost in my thoughts about tonight and this arrangement with Nichs.


    I¡¯ve enjoyed the couple of dates that we have had so far, which surprises me because I guess I expected them to be boring and for me to feel ufortable like I did with him. I¡¯ve enjoyed my private life, so the thought of the press learning more about me is unnerving. I knew this was something that would likely happen when I took the job with Bridget. In the back of my head I can¡¯t help but worry a little if he will find me now that my picture is going to be all over the ce. He only contacted me once after I left, having somehow tracked down where I was working. He made it clear he wanted nothing more to do with me. Assuming nothing has changed, I don¡¯t expect him to try to get a hold of me because I¡¯m pictured with Nichs but it¡¯s still something in the back of my mind. I wish I could just move on with my life and never have to worry about him again, but even if the media weren¡¯t a concern, he never fails to make an appearance in my nightmares when I least expect it.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± the driver quickly pulls me from my thoughts to alert me that we¡¯ve arrived at my apartment building.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    I quickly get out of the car and into the building, ignoring the whistles and remarks from the usual crowd gathered on the front stoop. I want to look for a better ce to live but with this arrangement still being so new with Nichs, I¡¯m worried about what will happen if I sign a lease on a new apartment that costs much more than this one does¡­ only for Nichs to decide he doesn¡¯t need me any longer and then I¡¯m left with rent I can¡¯t pay. I go to put my key in the lock but the door suddenly eases open without being unlocked.


    ¡°What the hell?¡±

 Chapter 55

    I swear I¡¯ve never met anyone like her. Any other woman would jump at the chance to be invited into my apartment even if nothing else but to get their hands on something valuable that I own. Yet, here is Kenzie, with no ce but a crummy motel to stay in, refusing to sleep in one of my spare bedrooms.  The womanpletely baffles me and that¡¯s not something that happens often. Suddenly an idea dawns on me, one that might be the perfect answer to our situation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out, Nichs, it¡¯s really nothing for you to worry about.¡±


    ¡°PFS owns several condos in the city that we use for employees who relocate to New York from out of state to work for us. Alex and E just moved out of one they had been staying in when they were waiting to close on their new ce. It¡¯spletely vacant and no one is scheduled to use it any time soon. Why don¡¯t you stay there?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ ¡±


    ¡°The condo isn¡¯t being used anyway-it¡¯s fully furnished and within walking distance of the bakery for you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a very nice offer, but I could never afford something-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about money, the condo is paid for and all the bills are sent directly to PFS.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, on the way over here I realized that once the press learns your identity they are going to figure out where you live very quickly. I don¡¯t know why I didn¡¯t realize it before, but you are going to need full time security-¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we need to assume that this break in was tied to our rtionship bing public knowledge. You¡¯re going to need security to help you if the press bes too much and we must make sure that something like this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± She just looks around the room probably trying to make sense of everything. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything worth stealing, Nichs.


    There¡¯s nothing here¡­ I don¡¯t¡­ ¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t know that, Kenzie. They probably see you as an easy target because as the press has pointed out, I am worth quite a bit of money. They probably assume you have jewelry, electronics and moneyying around here.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°Please, the condo is sitting empty and would be a safe ce for you to live. The building has 24/7 security at all times plus the unit itself has a state of the art security system. You wouldn¡¯t have to worry about someone breaking in.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know how I feel about this. I feel like I¡¯m taking advantage of you.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s very likely you¡¯re in this mess because of me. Please let me do this for you, let me protect you.¡±


    I can¡¯t remember thest time I said please so many times. I don¡¯t beg for anything yet here I am begging Kenzie to let me keep her safe. Again, this is something most women wouldn¡¯t even question: I am offering to put her up in a luxury condo,pletely expense free and she is worried about taking advantage of me. This is the woman I first met on the sidewalk a few months ago who tried to refuse my offering to rece the clothes that I had ruined. It¡¯s hard to reconcile this woman with the one who receives a paycheck for going on dates with me. Looking around her small apartment, I begin to see why she might have been tempted to agree to Bridget¡¯s offer. If this is all she could afford working two jobs, what chance did she have to get out of here?


    ¡°Okay,¡± her voice is barely above a whisper but it¡¯s there.


    ¡°Great, thank you. Please take only what you absolutely need; the apartment is fully furnished and I can rece anything you don¡¯t want to bring. I¡¯ll have Carter arrange for a member of my security team to wait here for the locksmith so that anything you don¡¯t take tonight is safe. We¡¯ll arrange for someone to get the rest of your items tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I don¡¯t have very much. They destroyed most of furniture, the jewelry is gone,¡± she looks sadly at her bed and television. ¡°Just let me throw some things into a garbage bag.¡±


    ¡°Of course, whatever you want. I¡¯m going to speak with Carter for a moment but I¡¯ll be right outside the door.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, he cane into the apartment, you know,¡± she chuckles before opening a drawer and pulling out a bag.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let him know.¡±


    I close the door as I leave the apartment, noting that it barelytches shut. It¡¯s obvious someone kicked in the door to gain ess. I let out the breath I didn¡¯t realize I was holding, relieved that I was able to convince her to move out tonight. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if she continued to refuse to leave or had insisted on staying in some flea bag motel tonight. Even though no woman I¡¯ve ever dated has ever been in my condo since I bought it, I find myself oddly disappointed that she didn¡¯t take me up on the offer to stay in one of my guest rooms. After she moved out and I sold that condo, I vowed to never let a woman get that close to me again yet here I was offering Kenzie to essentially move in with me.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter pulls me from my thoughts before I can figure out why it bothers me that Kenzie said no.


    ¡°Kenzie has agreed to move into the vacated condo that Alex and E were in. Can you arrange for a locksmith to fix the door tonight and have Hunter wait here until they arrive?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already contacted someone and they will be here within the hour to fix the lock; Hunter should be here momentarily as well.¡±


    ¡°I would like Hunter assigned to Kenzie full time beginning, tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°She is bagging up a few things to take with us but if there¡¯s anything left that should be saved, can you arrange for it to be delivered tomorrow? She didn¡¯t think there would be anything as most of the furniture was destroyed by whoever broke in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for someone to dispose of anything left behind.¡±


    ¡°Did the police have any leads?¡±

 Chapter 56

    ¡°No, there were no prints and this building obviously doesn¡¯t have any security cameras, so there was nothing to go on. They suspect it was someone who lived here though. A few of the residents apparently madements about seeing Kenzie getting into a high end car a few times-¡±


    ¡°The car service?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my guess. Bridget had a car service bring Kenzie to PFS for yourst two¡­ dates. I¡¯m guessing a car like that probably stood out when it picked her up.¡±


    ¡°So it this was my fault¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t think-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie told me to tell you toe inside rather than standing outside her door.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± I call before opening the door all the way not wanting to startle her.


    ¡°Over here,¡± she¡¯s bent over trying to pull the small fridge out from underneath a countertop.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, please allow me,¡± Carter quickly offers.


    ¡°Thank you Carter, if you can just pull it out a little, there¡¯s something behind it I need to get,¡± she exins.


    Carter pulls the small fridge out from under the counter, and as soon as it¡¯s out a few inches, Kenzie indicates that he can stop. She reaches behind the fridge and after a few minutes of searching pulls out a beige envelope that must have been stuck to the back of the fridge.


    ¡°Carter if you wouldn¡¯t mind, could you help me pull the dresser from the wall? It shouldn¡¯t be very heavy, they¡­ most of the drawers are empty now.¡±


    Just like with the fridge, Carter moves the dresser away from the wall a few inches and Kenzie reaches behind to pull out another beige envelope. I¡¯m about to ask her what is going on but Carter shakes his head at me, indicating that I shouldn¡¯t ask.


    Knock knock


    ¡°That will be Hunter; what can we take to the SUV for you, Ms. Rose?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°Just that ck bag, I can grab the duffel back and my purse-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll take the duffel bag and the other bag ma¡¯am. I¡¯lle back up for you both in a few minutes,¡± Carter quickly grabs the two bags before Kenzie can protest and leaves the apartment.


    ¡°If there¡¯s anything you think you overlooked, Hunter can bring you back here tomorrow to get it-¡±


    ¡°Hunter?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to be your CPO-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my what?¡±


    ¡°Close protection officer-he¡¯s assigned to your security. He will take you wherever you need to go and will ensure the press don¡¯t bother you.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to follow me around?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know it¡¯s a lot to take in but trust me, after a little while you will barely notice him.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that.¡±


    ¡°His job will be to make sure something like this doesn¡¯t happen again, Kenzie. He¡¯s there to keep you safe.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry if it sounds like I¡¯m being argumentative-¡±


    ¡°Not at all, I know this is a lot to take in all at once.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just not how I expected to be spending my night tonight,¡± she sighs and shakes her head, looking around the room onest time before Carter indicates that the SUV is ready for us to leave. I take her hand in mine and lead her out of the apartment; she follows me but doesn¡¯t say a word as I¡¯m sure she tries toe to terms that she is leaving. It may not be much, but I get the impression that Kenzie liked the ce.  When we get into the SUV, she stares blindly out the window¡­


    ¡°Why did the police call you, Nichs?¡±


    ¡°When we¡­ when we started our arrangement, Carter spoke to the captain in this precinct and requested they contact him if there was any police activity in or around your residence.¡±


    ¡°So you knew where I lived?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, no. I have maintained my ignorance of that aspect of our contract until tonight,¡± I assure her trying not to ruin the little bit of trust that I think she has in me.


    ¡°But Carter knew where I lived?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Bridget told me the information wouldn¡¯t be included in my background check; that you wouldn¡¯t know where I lived or know how to contact me.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t give Carter that information. Carter ran a background


    check-¡±


    ¡°What the hell is it with you running background checks on people without them knowing?!?!¡±


    I¡¯ve never heard Kenzie raise her voice or curse, so I¡¯m taken aback by her reaction.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ It¡¯s standard protocol to run a background check on anyone Ie in contact with because of who I am. I have never looked at the report though, Carter gave me very basic information on what was in it.¡±


    ¡°Gee thanks,¡± the sarcasm is evident in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to apologize for the fact that Carter ran the report. It my line of work, it needs to be done. Everyone is considered a risk to PFS, to my family or to me until we have a thorough background reportpleted.¡±


    ¡°I understand that, but don¡¯t you think that people like you should at least ask someone before they go diving into someone¡¯s past?¡±


    ¡°People like me?¡±


    ¡°Bridget did the same thing! Before she called me about this¡­ about her business, she ran a background check on me. Again, without my permission.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, unfortunately it¡¯s how people are weeded out and how risks are reduced.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like a copy of the report.¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ Carter, please send Ms. Rose a copy of her background report when we return to the condo.¡±


    ¡°Of course sir.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose I need to provide you with my email address Carter?¡±


    ¡°No ma¡¯am, I have that information already.¡±


    ¡°Of course you do.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    ¡°I think I just want to call it a day and deal with everything tomorrow if you don¡¯t mind, Nichs. It¡¯s been a very long day and I¡¯m exhausted. I¡¯ve been awake now for more than 24 hours so I¡¯m probably not handling this the right way.¡±


    Kenzie doesn¡¯t say a word for the remainder of the drive, but just before we approach The ord she takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. The subtleness of this gesture makes me smile and despite everything that happened, for the first time in a couple of hours I feel rxed.

 Chapter 57

    Kenzie


    Finding my apartment torn apart when I arrived home from the exhibit with Nichs was the veryst thing I expected. I was just beginning to try to piece together what had happened when Carter and Nichs knocked on my door surprising the hell out of me. I never would have thought that Nichs would suggest, well insist, that I move out of my apartment and into a condo that hispany owns. I hate the idea of having to be dependent on him for this apartment; he could terminate our arrangement at any time and I would essentially be homeless again.


    As much as I hate the situation, I quickly realize I¡¯m stuck between a rock and a hard ce. If I don¡¯t agree to stay in this condo, anywhere I go I will be likely be bothered by the press and I risk having my next ce broken into because I could never afford something with good security. Yet if I stay here, I risk bing homeless the moment Nichs decides to end our arrangement.


    What happens if he decides he doesn¡¯t need me any longer? I wonder if he would at least give me a couple weeks to find another ce to live? If I save all my money from Bridget and from the bakery I could have enough to cover the cost of a hotel room for a few days or a cheap motel for longer until I found another apartment to rent. I think that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do¡­ I¡¯ll save as much as I can so when Nichs does end our arrangement and I lose the apartment, I will at least have saved enough to pay for another ce.


    ¡°Kenzie?  We¡¯re here,¡± Nichs pulls me from my thoughts just as I think I have a n for moving forward.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± somehow I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn¡¯t realized that Carter had not only parked the car but was holding my door open. Just before I slide across the seat I realize that Nichs is holding my hand. I¡¯m surprised by the gesture especially considering our ¡°date¡± ended several hours ago. We walk through an underground parking garage with


    Carter following behind us.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I feel stupid for not asking but I hadn¡¯t paid attention to where we were driving.  That in itself surprises me because I¡¯ve never done that before. I never let my guard down sopletely as to not know where I am going and where I will end up.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°We are two blocks from the bakery in a building called ord


    Towers. The condo is on the fifth floor and then I live a few floors above it


    -¡±


    ¡°You live here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, however I want to assure you that you will still have your privacy. I don¡¯t have a key to this ce, only Carter does, but no one will enter the condo without your approval. This will be your ce, Kenzie. It won¡¯t change anything about our arrangement¡­¡±


    ¡°But it does¡­¡± I sigh.  ¡°It changes everything.¡±


    ¡°No, it just changes where we meet for our dates and where you are dropped off at afterwards. I will note into your space Kenzie; the condo is yours,¡± Nichs exins as we take the elevator from the parking garage.


    But¡­ for how long?


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose,¡± Carter ushers us through a doorway into a beautiful living space.


    ¡°Holy shit,¡± I gasp taking in the space before me.


    The door opens to a small tiled entryway but just beyond that is arge living roompletely furnished as Nichs said it would be. There is an oversized loveseat and arger couch in the room, plus a coffee table, two end tables and an entertainment center, yet the room still looks incrediblyrge. The apartment ispletely open, but unlike myst space this actually has defined rooms, and several of them. There is a small dining room with a table that can seat four next to arge kitchen with what


    I can tell even from here are top of the line appliances.


    ¡°There are two bedrooms just down the hall, one of which is set up as a fully equipped office. There is a guest bathroom in the hallway, then the master bedroom with a separate bathroom and walk-in closet. Feel free to change any of the furnishings while you¡¯re here-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I¡¯m sure-¡±


    ¡°The space is yours, Kenzie, if you want to paint the walls, get new furniture or anything else, please do so. The kitchen is stocked with dishes and cleaning supplies though I¡¯m not sure what is left in the pantry from


    Alex and E-¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose, if I may interrupt,¡± I somehow hadn¡¯t noticed Carter standing in the entryway just sort of watching or waiting for us.  ¡°The pantry and fridge should be stocked with kitchen essentials and there are a few prepared meals in the freezer until you go food shopping.  If there is something you need in the meantime-¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sure whatever is in there is fine, Carter.  I hadn¡¯t expected anything remotely close to this, so thank you,¡± I¡¯m taken back that all of this was somehow arranged in such a short period of time.


    ¡°The meals are delicious, Julie has a way of cooking things so they never taste like they were frozen,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°Julie?¡±


    I know Nichs doesn¡¯t have a girlfriend in public, but could he have someone that he keeps out of the media spotlight? He said he didn¡¯t have time to date but what if that wasn¡¯t true and he was just protecting her from the media? I¡¯m not sure why but suddenly the thought that he is with another woman bothers me but it does. Our exclusivity use actually only applies to me. Technically I suppose he could be dating other women on the side. I¡¯m not sure why it bothers me but the longer I picture him going home to someone tonight, the more get to me even though my brain is telling me it shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°My housekeeper and personal cook. She keeps my freezer stocked with prepared meals so that I don¡¯t starve on the weekends when she is off or on the rare asion she goes away. There should be instructions on each container as to how to heat it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very nice of her, please thank her for me.¡± Relief floods me before I have a chance to understand why.


    ¡°Of course. Is there anything else you will be needing tonight?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­¡± Who could possibly need anything else in a ce like this?


    ¡°Ms. Rose, here is the security code to the apartment and instructions on how to change it. This key is for the ground level entrance, here is the code to the parking garage needed to gain ess from the outside or from the elevator and then this is the key to the apartment. You should find a list of all the building amenities in the office, now essible to you. I know Mr. Parker gave you my number if the press bothers you but if you need something please call me at any time. This is Hunter¡¯s cell phone number, please contact him in the morning and let him know your schedule for the week. I ask that you not leave the building without him; he will escort you anywhere you need to go, even if it¡¯s in the middle of the night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that won¡¯t be necessary but thank you. I¡¯ll call him tomorrow and let him know my work schedule; it¡¯s pretty much the same every week so it¡¯s easy to n around.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let Bridget know the details for Saturday once they are confirmed?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. Thank you again, Nichs¡­ this¡­ thanks for, well all of it,¡± I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him lightly on the cheek. I don¡¯t know whether I¡¯m out of line or not; technically our date ended hours ago but I feel I need to show him my appreciation somehow.


    ¡°It was nothing, Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°Good night Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Night.¡±

 Chapter 58

    Nichs


    Tonight was another sess on the PR image transformation n that I developed: Kenzie and I were photographed together for the third time in a couple of weeks. I expect our picture to be on several gossip sites by morning if not already. I find myself actually eager to see what the press says about me now. For the first time in two years they have pictures of me with the same woman attending different events. I could not have nned the business dinner better if I wanted to. I had no idea that someone there would recognize me and sell the picture to the media but I¡¯m grateful they did. I have another date with Kenzie on Saturday, although I¡¯m still trying to determine what we are going to do. I want Saturday to be something not business rted, just to ensure that no one suspects that she is only apanying me to business or PFS events.


    ¡°Yes¡­ no I understand¡­pletely off the record¡­ call me tomorrow morning and Mr. Parker will be more than happy to make the donation to the fund¡­ of course¡­ ETA less than 10 minutes.¡±


    The one sided conversation Carter is having catches my attention when he mentions my name and more so when he promises I will make a donation to a fund. It¡¯s very rare for Carter to promise donations and typically only when the stakes are high which immediately has me concerned.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on Carter?¡±


    ¡°Sir, that was the New York police department, there has been a reported break in at Ms. Rose¡¯s apartment-¡±


    ¡°What?!?! When? Is she hurt?¡±


    ¡°The call was received less than two minutes ago. Ms. Rose called the report in herself. No requests for medical attention were made so my contact doesn¡¯t believe she is hurt.¡±


    ¡°Get me there now, Carter!¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, we should be there in less than 10 minutes.¡±


    ¡°How did they know to call you?¡±


    ¡°I alerted the captain of Ms. Rose¡¯s association with you when you first¡­ when this arrangement began.  I¡¯ve had some concerns about the area she lives in so I requested he alert me to any police activity in or immediately around her building.¡±


    ¡°I assume the donation I am making tomorrow will ensure that this is kept out of the press?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir, everything tonight is off the record. Officers responding will not make an official report unless Ms. Rose insists on it-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ensure she doesn¡¯t.¡±


    Damn it! Just as my n was going perfectly, some fucker has to go and screw things up! I can¡¯t have Kenzie living in an unsafe ce; once the media find out who she is, it will only be a matter of time until they figure out where she lives. What will they think if they learn that I¡¯m dating someone who lives in that type of neighborhood? How can I possibly protect her if it¡¯s as bad as Carter says it is? She needs to move out of that building tonight! I can¡¯t have her at risk of being injured or bing a victim of a crime especially not because of me. This may be a business arrangement but I would never forgive myself if she were harmed because of our arrangement.


    ¡°Carter?¡±


    ¡°Two minutes sir.¡±


    Looking out the window of the SUV, I can see the evidence of the crime intensity as we drive past many abandoned buildings. Cars are on the road sitting on cinder blocks, windows of buildings are broken or boarded up, graffiti nearly covers every building and I can¡¯t help but worry that we haven¡¯t even reached the area where Kenzie lives. How is it I let her go home to this neighborhood after our dates?  Why didn¡¯t I insist that Carter have someone follow her? Why didn¡¯t I insist that she move into a safer


    area when we began our arrangement?


    ¡°FUCK!¡± I¡¯m so frustrated and angry with myself for not preventing this from happening. I should have thought this through better. I¡¯m normally on top of all these small details during business negotiations but this transformation n was like nothing I¡¯ve ever done before. It never urred to me that a woman I contracted with through Bridget would live in such a horrible area.


    ¡°We¡¯ll park here sir, her building is just ahead,¡± Carter announces a few minutester.


    We see a police cruiser in front of a graffiti covered building. The building is suspiciously quiet which I¡¯m sure has something to do with the police presence. We walk up the front steps, I look for a doorbell to ring for Kenzie but Carter stops me and pushes the door open; it hadn¡¯t been locked to begin with. Knowing that anyone can just walk into the building infuriates me. Without a locked front door anyone can get into the building, hide out and attack a resident. The thought of someone harming Kenzie upsets me more than I expected it to and I¡¯m not sure why. I don¡¯t know that her break-in was necessarily caused by her association with me but yet


    I can¡¯t help but feel responsible.


    ¡°If you think of anything, please give us a call,¡± I hear a police officer say as he steps out of a doorway just down the hall.


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak to him and make sure that he has spoken with his captain about how to handle this situation sir,¡± Carter says.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check on Kenzie and convince her that she can¡¯t stay here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    After a brief introduction to the police officer, I find myself standing outside Kenzie¡¯s door waiting for her to open it. A few seconds after I knock, the door opens a crack to reveal a very surprised Kenzie.


    ¡°Nichs? What¡­ what are you doing here?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Kenzie, can Ie in for a moment please?¡±


    ¡°Ummmm¡­¡±


    ¡°Please Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Thankfully she slowly opens the door to let me enter her apartment; it hadn¡¯t urred to me on our way here that she wouldn¡¯t want to see me. I hadpletely forgotten that per our arrangement I¡¯m not supposed to know where she lives but none of that matters right now. All that matters right now is that I find a way to fix what has happened.


    I close the door behind me and walk into her ¡°apartment,¡± if it can be called that. Essentially it¡¯s two rooms from what I can see, one of which I assume is a bathroom. Her main room holds a day bed, a dresser with a small television on top and there appears to be some sort of a ¡°kitchen¡± along the wall which consists of a dorm size fridge, microwave and coffee pot. The room has obviously beenpletely torn apart, there are clothes everywhere, her mattress has been flipped over and sliced down the middle, her fridge door is open and the contents are now on the floor, her television now has a hole through it.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± she asks.


    ¡°The police captain called Carter as soon as the call came in. We turned around and headed here as soon as he called.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need toe; Nichs everything is taken care of. The police officer gave me the name of a locksmith that cane tonight to fix the lock. I was just about to call him when you knocked¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, you can¡¯t stay here, it isn¡¯t safe.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve lived here for over a year now and no one has ever bothered me before. I¡¯m sure this was just random-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it was random.¡±


    ¡°Why would someone target me? I don¡¯t have anything here with stealing Nichs.¡±


    ¡°They may not think that. Someone who lives here could have recognized you from our pictures in the press, they may assume because we¡¯re dating that you have money.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡± her voice is barely above a whisper as the reality hits her that someone may be targeting her specifically.


    ¡°It¡¯s very likely.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± she sighs, leaning against a small end table for support. I walk over to her, wanting tofort her but I¡¯m not sure what I should do.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay here.  I¡¯ll wait for the locksmith and then¡­ there¡¯s a motel a couple blocks away I think. They probably have a room I can get for a few nights. I can starting looking for a new ce in the morning-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± I try to interrupt but it¡¯s obvious she is more talking to herself than to me as she tries to figure out her next step.


    ¡°I¡¯ll lose my security deposit here¡­ but I should have enough to cover a new one if I can find something quickly.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I grab her hand to get her attention and she finally stops talking and looks at me with these sad, lost eyes that I¡¯ve never seen on her before now. ¡°You cane to my ce tonight, we¡¯ll figure out something


    -¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°No!¡± she quickly exims. ¡°I¡­ look, that¡¯s very generous of you, but I¡¯m sure I can find a ce to stay tonight.¡±


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s not an issue. I have several guest bedrooms that you could stay in-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, please¡­ I would rather not.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±

 Chapter 59

    Kenzie


    ¡°Hello?¡± I answer the phone that is waking me up on a rare day that I have off from both of my jobs.


    ¡°Good morning, Kenzie, this is Bridget.  How are you?¡±


    ¡°Oh hi, I¡¯m good. And you?¡±


    ¡°Very good, thank you. I¡¯m calling because I have a profile for you to review. If you¡¯re going to be home today, I¡¯ll have a courier service bring it to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be home today.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful, it will arrive in the next hour. Now, just so you¡¯re not surprised, the profile won¡¯t contain any identifying information meaning there will be no picture. At this point, you are just reviewing the information to see if he is someone you would like to meet. If you agree to meet him, when I call you back with the date arrangements, I will provide you with his full name. He has reviewed the same information on you and would like to meet you if you are interested in meeting him.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you a little about him if you have a few minutes. Unlike most of my clients, I have known this gentleman for several years now. Like most people I socialize with, he had no idea what I truly do until very recently. He is a very sessful businessman who works far too many hours and as a result has zero personal life. Because of his sess, he is invited to many different events including charity gs, fundraising dinners, political events and then of course, there are the dinners associated with his own business. I do want to let you know however, he is going to require whoever he decides to contract with to sign an exclusivity contract


    -¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, an exclusivity contract?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I believe I mentioned it in one of our meetings. Essentially, this is a contract that states that you, if you two were to agree to enter into a contract together, would agree to only have a contract with him. Meaning, I would not be able to provide your profile to any other clients and you would not be able to ept contracts with any other clients.¡±


    ¡°Why would he insist on this? I don¡¯t see why he would care¡­¡±


    ¡°In his case, he needs someone by his side for publicity. You can¡¯t be seen with him in one picture on a website and then a weekter be on the arm of another man at a different event-¡±


    ¡°OH! I see¡­ that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know too many specifics about what hismitments will be, but I think it¡¯s likely to be at least weekly events with a chance of up to two to three times per week.¡±


    ¡°Really?  That many?¡±


    ¡°For men who are this sessful, this is pretty typical.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask¡­ what happened to thest girl he contracted with?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­ like you, this will be his first meeting. He is a brand new client to me.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Once you review the profile, give me a call or text me to let me know if you are interested in scheduling a meeting. Be sure to look over your schedule, because I expect the meeting to ur this week.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll call youter.¡±


    I decide to wait around for the courier before heading to theundromat a few blocks away. I pack everything up, and once the courier arrives, I throw therge envelope into my bag and head out. I hate walking there, especially carrying arge bag of clothes but there isn¡¯t really another option, considering my building doesn¡¯t have its own washer and dryer. It¡¯s a pain, but at least the weather is nice today. I¡¯ve ended up walking in the rain with clean clothes which isn¡¯t any fun.


    After I throw the clothes into the washer, I take the file out of the envelope and discreetly begin reviewing it. There isn¡¯t much to review though; like Bridget, said there was no identifying information, only his initials NP. Other than that, it¡¯s basic information: he works in the financial industry as a manager, he enjoys spending time on his boat and he lives in Manhattan. There is really no information about him as a person which is kind of disappointing. I don¡¯t know what I expected but I guess more along the lines of his likes, dislikes, favorite foods, etc¡­


    There¡¯s actually more information about the type of woman he is looking for: someone who can attend social events and business dinners, must befortable meeting new people, must be able to remember key yers, must have an open mind in business and politics, must be willing to sign an exclusivity contract, must be willing to be photographed and must be avable evenings and weekends when needed. I think I meet most of those requirements. I¡¯mfortable meeting new people, my experience at business functions with him required me to remember specific details about certain people, and evenings/weekends wouldn¡¯t be a problem if I stopped working at the store.


    I decided a few days after meeting with Bridget that if I agreed to this arrangement, I would stop working at the store after the first date. I enjoy working at the bakery the most and if I had to choose a job to keep, hands down it¡¯s the bakery. Plus, I don¡¯t like the idea of interacting with coworkers or former dates while at the store. I think it would be awkward and ufortable for both of us. It¡¯s risky with the bakery because I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going to happen after the sale of the business, but I¡¯m confident that if I don¡¯t stay on with the new owners, that I can find another job at another bakery, especially with Ginny¡¯s rmendation. Besides, the hours at the bakery are less likely to conflict with events that I would be requested to attend. I see very few business deals being done at five or six in the morning.

 Chapter 60

    Taking a deep breath, I send Bridget a text message saying I agree to meet NP; I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t nervous. I still can¡¯t help but question if I¡¯m making the right decision and if I can trust Bridget whom I barely know. She has addressed all of my concerns and I have insisted that all meetings ur in public so I think there¡¯s less chance of getting hurt. I know if I ever want to improve my life, I need to make some changes and the only way to do that is to earn more money. I hate that I¡¯m working so many hours and barely making ends meet.


    I would love to be able to go back to school, afford a nicer ce and maybe take a trip or something one day. Right now my focus is always on working enough hours to pay my bills and then to put a little money aside in the event that one day I might need to leave quickly or if one of my jobs fell through, I would have a safety at least for a little while. I cross my fingers and hope that for once I have met someone I can trust.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    I¡¯m still leery but so far Bridget has been nothing but truthful with me. She isn¡¯t asking me for a crazymitment, just one dinner to start with. She won¡¯t have control over the dates I ept or don¡¯t ept and it¡¯s not costing me anything to meet one guy to see if this is something I want to do. It¡¯s hard to trust someone I barely know but opportunities like this rarelye along so it¡¯s a risk I have to be willing to take. I¡¯m going to proceed cautiously; I¡¯ll bring my mace and the knife with me to dinner and make sure my cell phone is fully charged in case I need to call a cab quickly to get me out of somewhere.


    He wants to meet you, tonight 6pm at The Summit. Reservation will be in my name. Go to Stacy¡¯s on Third, she will provide you with everything you need for tonight. It will be charged to my ount.  Good Luck, Kenzie.


    Bridget


    Holy crap!  I didn¡¯t expect anything to happen so fast! I quickly throw my clothes into the bag and head back to my apartment. I only have a couple of hours to find something to wear for tonight and then get ready. Of course The Summit is nowhere near where I live, so I will need to transfer routes to get over to that area of the city. I¡¯ve never been to The Summit, but I saw it advertised in magazines at work; it¡¯s one of those ces you could only dream of having enough money to eat there.


    Less than an hourter, I arrive at Stacy¡¯s on Third which is what I expected: a high end, very expensive, boutique. When I mention Bridget¡¯s name, I¡¯m immediately assisted by the owner who ushers me into a dressing room and starts throwing dresses at me. It feels very different to be on this side of the dressing room; usually I¡¯m the one finding expensive, beautiful clothes for women who are getting ready for a night on the town. Once again it almost feels surreal to know that I¡¯m the one experiencing all of this.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop or for someone to pull the rug out from underneath me. It¡¯s one of those things that is too good to be true. Those types of things don¡¯t happen to girls like me and if they do, I¡¯ve learned the hard way that the other shoe will always drop.


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s it!  It will be perfect!¡± Stacy pulls me from my pity party when she steps into the room just as I finish putting on a dark blue dress.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to-¡±


    ¡°Bridget told me where you¡¯re going when she called me earlier. Rest assured Miss, this dress is perfect! We will pair it with some jewelry and shoes with a small heel but you won¡¯t need anything else. I rmend you wear your hair up, have a few pieces fall around your face and curl them. Minimal make up, you¡¯re a natural beauty anyway so you don¡¯t need that stuff caked on your face.¡±


    ¡°Th¡­ thank you,¡± I¡¯m stunned by herpliment.


    ¡°Shall I wrap everything up for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    By the time I¡¯m back to my apartment, I have less than hour before I need to take almost the same trip to head to dinner. If nothing else, I¡¯m grateful that the electricity in the apartment has been turned back on. I don¡¯t know how I would manage getting ready without electricity. If I decide to move forward with this arrangement after tonight, I¡¯m probably going to need toe up with a contingency n for getting ready when the electricity is turned off again at least until I can hopefully afford a new apartment¡­ one at least where thendlord doesn¡¯t randomly decide to turn off the power.


    I take one final look in the mirror before it¡¯s time to leave. I barely recognize the woman staring back at me.  On one hand she looks vaguely familiar¡­ she looks like the woman I¡¯ve been trying so hard to forget used to look like. But, there¡¯s something else I see that I never saw in that woman. I¡¯m not sure what it is exactly but it¡¯s definitely there and it¡¯s different from the woman who let him walk all over her. I shake my head, vowing to not think of him tonight, to not think of that life again.  I may not live in a fancy house and have a lot of material things like I used to, but I¡¯m happier now than I think I have been in my entire life.


    ¡°Good Evening, may I help you Miss?¡± I¡¯m greeted the moment the elevator doors open to the restaurant.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m meeting someone, the reservation is under Bridget Wilder,¡± I take a deep breath desperately trying to calm my nerves.


    ¡°Yes of course, the other party has not yet arrived but I will show you to your private dining area for tonight.¡±


    As we walk through the dining room, I can¡¯t help but try to take everything in. Therge dining room is even more stunning than the pictures in the magazines. There are floor to ceiling windows that line two full walls overlooking the city. I wish I could get closer to the windows to take in the full view but I realize if I don¡¯t keep up I¡¯m going to lose my guide to the room. Just before we reach the back corner of the dining room, I take a final peek around the room and send a silent thank you to Stacy who dressed me absolutely perfectly for tonight. I¡¯m pleased to see I am neither overdressed nor underdressed which was my major concern.


    ¡°Miss, your other party should be here shortly,¡± he opens the door to the private dining room, ushering me in.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The private dining room is small with only a handful of circr tables throughout the room, but what captures my attention are the windows along the wall.  Just like in the main dining room, the windows line the entire small wall.  My feet bring me to the wall of windows almost on their own; I can¡¯t help but gaze out at the beautiful view before me. Being on the top floor, the restaurant sits higher than most buildings which provides it with an unobstructed view.  I¡¯ve never seen the city from this high; it¡¯s truly breathtaking. I¡¯m told the view from the nightclub that is part of this restaurant just one floor down is just as stunning. Most likely a view I¡¯ll never see, but I try to take in as much from this view as I possibly can, vowing never to forget it.


    I¡¯m so lost in my thoughts, I don¡¯t realize that someone else is in the room with me until they clear their throat. I turn around and am shocked at the man who stands before me. I never expected to see him again¡­ and never in my dreams did I think he would be the man I was meeting tonight. Of course I had hoped to see him again, but never thought it would actually happen. I knew the chances of our paths crossing would be very slim. When he stepped out of the car to personally apologize for soaking me, I knew the moment I saw him that I would never see him.  I could even then that we were from two different worlds. I always hoped that sometime we would run into each other again, but I wouldn¡¯t have thought of him needing a service like this.


    ¡°Umm¡­. hi,¡± I nervously walk towards him, praying I don¡¯t trip over my own feet as my legs suddenly seem weak.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you again Miss¡­?¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie¡­ well Kenzie.  It¡¯s nice to see you again¡­?¡±


    ¡°Nichs,¡± he shakes my offered hand. The moment our fingers touch, a jolt of electricity goes through me, almost like static electricity but stronger. The look in his eyes tells me he felt it too.


    ¡°Would you like to have a seat?¡± he gestures me to the table behind me.


    ¡°I¡­ I want to thank you again for paying for a new outfit-¡± I nervously begin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ it was the least I could do,¡± he interrupts.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ how this works exactly. I¡¯ve never done this before,¡± I admit after an awkward moment of silence.


    ¡°Neither do I,¡± he chuckles.  ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell me about yourself?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves. ¡°I currently work at a bakery in the mornings and for now as a personal shopper in the evening.¡±


    ¡°Did you grow up in New York?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve lived here for the past two years.¡±


    ¡°Where did you grow up?¡±


    ¡°On the west coast; how about you?  Did you grow up in New


    York?¡±


    ¡°I was born in New Jersey, but I¡¯ve lived in New York most of my life.¡±


    ¡°What is it you do?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Should I?¡±

 Chapter 61

    With that I¡¯m left alone in this incrediblyrge, elegant apartment that I know I could never afford. Despite now being awake for more than 24 hours, I find myself full of energy and can¡¯t help wanting to explore my new home, even if it¡¯s only a temporary new home. I walk through the living room, wanting to head straight for the kitchen but I stop in front of patio doors that I discover open to a small but cozy patioplete with a two chairs and a small table. There isn¡¯t much of a view, you kind of look across the street to another building but the thought of just being able to step outside for a few minutes without having to step around or over drunk/high people is perfect for me. I love the sound of the hustle and bustle of the city below me, yet the patio makes it seem like I¡¯m far enough away from all of that.


    Back inside, the kitchen is more impressive than I ever could have imagined. There is a full size gas range, a dishwasher, a small walk-in pantry and a full size fridge. The kitchen itself is easily asrge as myst apartment. As Carter mentioned, the fridge and pantry are stocked with what you would expect to find in a kitchen: spices, flour, sugar, milk, eggs, cereal, snacks, fruit, vegetables, soda, beer and wine. I could not shop for a couple of weeks and not starve, but I¡¯m actually eager to go food shopping -I can¡¯t remember thest time I was able to cook an actual meal. Despite trying, I quickly discovered there are only so many things you can cook in a microwave or on a hot te that end up tasting halfway decent.


    Finally pulling myself away from the kitchen, I go down the hall to discover the office is set up for someone to be able to workpletely from home. There¡¯s arge desk with a printer, scanner and fax machine, a small filing cab and even aptop which looks brand new. There¡¯s arge closet in the room that has more office supplies in it.


    Next to the office is the bedroom, which is evenrger than the living room is.  The bed must be a king size which seems ridiculous for one person, but I can¡¯t help but throw myself on it, and I¡¯m immediately engulfed by the thick nkets. I didn¡¯t think my bed at the apartment was too bad, but after lying on this even for a few minutes I realize just how ufortable my other bed truly was.


    Just off the bedroom is arge, empty walk in closet that I don¡¯t think I could ever own enough clothes to fill. Next to the closet is a bathroom that would be every girl¡¯s dream: there is a separate walk in shower, arge soaking tub with jets and a double vanity.


    Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever dreamed of living in a ce like this. I thought the house I moved into with him was impressive, butpared to this, that ce was nothing. I can¡¯t help but worry that at any moment I¡¯m going to wake up and find out all of this was just a dream and that I¡¯m still back at the crummy apartment building listening to my neighbors fight over who took thest pill.


    Needing to put tonight behind me, I take a quick shower in my new bathroom, vowing to spend some time in the soaking tub tomorrow and change into a shirt to sleep in. Despite the energy burst, I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.


    shback


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing!  We open our house to you and this is how you repay us??? No wonder your mother didn¡¯t want you!  I bet she doesn¡¯t even know who your father is!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    p


    ¡°Get out of here!  Go to your room and don¡¯te out!  I don¡¯t want to look at you!  I¡¯ll be calling tomorrow; I need you out of here. You¡¯re just like your mother¡­ a fucking slut!  I bet you were fucking him tonight weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No!  I swear-¡± p!


    ¡°You will only be good for a fuck¡­no one will ever love you! Get out of my sight!¡±


    End shback


    Ring Ring


    I wake up twisted in nkets, and covered in sweat to the sound of my cell phone ringing somewhere in the apartment. ncing at the clock I realize I slept until almost noon; I can¡¯t remember thest time I slept for so long. I quickly make my way to the living room and find my phone on the coffee table where I must have left itst night before I went to bed. I see I have a missed call from Bridget. I hit the send button to return her call.


    ¡°Kenzie, dear, how are you? Nichs told me what happened at your apartmentst night, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you, Bridget. I¡¯m staying in one of PFS¡¯s condos for now, Nichs insisted-¡±


    ¡°He was right to, dear. The press loves the fact that Nichs is being pictured with the same woman and will probablye after you even stronger now. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve had a chance to check, but your picture is already on several different websites-¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡±  I immediately panic that the press somehow found out about the break inst night.


    ¡°From the art exhibit you attended, dear. Pictures were apparently leaked of you two from inside the exhibitst night, plus you were pictured going into the exhibit.¡±


    ¡°Oh.  I¡¯ll have to check out the sitester today.¡±


    ¡°So far it seems mostly positive, although a few sites are cing bets on how much longer you will be by Nichs¡¯s side. You don¡¯t need to worry about them though. Nichs told me he was very satisfied with this arrangement so I think the press will be disappointed when you continue to be seen with him.  He asked me to confirm the details of your date for


    Saturday night if you have a few minutes to talk?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°He would like to pick you up at five on Saturday and take you to dinner. Seeing as you both live in the same building now, unless you object, he will pick you up at your apartment door.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°The date Saturday will be just the two of you-¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker thinks it¡¯s important to be seen with you casually so as to not raise any suspicions that you might only be apanying him to public events. Although there won¡¯t be any press around you Saturday, it¡¯s likely someone will recognize you and it will be reported to the media.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any questions about Saturday, Kenzie?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    I spend the rest of the dayzily enjoying my temporary new home. I soak in the luxurious jetted tub and watch movies on the incrediblyfortable loveseat. The food that Nichs¡¯s housekeeper left me was amazing, just like he said it would be¡­ you would never know that it was made previously and then frozen. I don¡¯t know how I could ever thank Nichs for everything he and Carter did for mest night; not only did he provide me with a ce to live temporarily, he made sure everything was taken care of back at my apartment. I know I need to apologize for how I reacted about the background check and read what Carter sent me. It contained pretty much what I knew it would. I should have understood why someone in Nichs¡¯s position would need people to have background checks run on them; for all he knew, I could have been some gold digger after his money.  I get it and still don¡¯t like that it was done, but I should have reacted differently. I vow to apologize on Saturday night when I see him for our next date. Thest thing I want is to seem ungrateful for everything he didst night.

 Chapter 62

    Kenzie


    I broke down and called Hunter this morning so I could go food shopping, something I had put off as long as possible because I thought it would be weird. He immediately offered to go to the store and pick up whatever I needed but I couldn¡¯t let him do that. It¡¯s hard enough to get used to the idea that I need someone to drive me ces and apany me through the grocery store. I can¡¯t let him actually go food shopping for me that would be too much. Surprisingly it was not as awkward as I thought it might be. We left as soon as I woke up and the store was pretty empty so we didn¡¯t have to worry about any press.


    Last night before I went to bed I searched the gossip pages for information about me and Nichs. As Nichs said, PFS released a statement confirming that he was in a ¡°serious rtionship¡± with someone and they asked for the press to respect our privacy. What surprised me was the statement did not release my name or really anything about me, which I suppose was purposely done to try to maintain my privacy a little longer.


    There were several pictures of us on the sites from the different events we attended and the business dinner that I apanied Nichs and Alex to. For the most part thements are pretty neutral, although everyone seems to be wondering how long I will stay with Nichs. Honestly, I¡¯ve been wondering the same thing but I¡¯m trying not to think about that and instead just focus on our current arrangement, now including me living in this beautiful apartment.


    When I was shopping with Hunter, I picked up a few items that I would need to bake Nichs a basket of goodies as a way to thank him for everything he didst night.  The kitchen is not only stocked with most of the basic staples you would find in any pantry, but it also has arge mixer, a handheld mixer, baking pans, muffin tins and more utensils than I could ever imagine using.  I start baking as soon as we get back to the condo and manage to have a couple different varieties of muffins and cookies made before lunch time which was my goal. I don¡¯t expect that Nichs is going to eat all of these but I figured he could share them with the people who work for him; besides, you really can¡¯t just make one muffin¡­


    ¡°Good morning Ms. Rose,¡± Hunter answers the phone before the first ring even stops.


    ¡°Good morning, Hunter. I have something for Mr. Parker¡¯s office, so do you have a few minutes to take me there?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ of course.  I¡¯ll meet you in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡±


    It¡¯s obvious from Hunter¡¯s response that going to PFS was probably thest thing he expected from me which makes me wonder if perhaps I shouldn¡¯t go there. I¡¯ve met Nichs at PFS twice now for dates so I just assumed it would eptable for me to drop the basket off today but Hunter¡¯s response has me second guessing myself. If he¡¯s busy or can¡¯t see me for some reason I¡¯ll just leave the basket with Carter who I know is with him during the day. By the time Hunter knocks on the door, I feel a little less nervous but still unsure if I should be going to PFS.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived Ms. Rose,¡± Hunter announces after a very short drive. I hadn¡¯t realized until now just how close the condo was to PFS. I¡¯m actually looking forward to not having to wake up so early for work tomorrow because I won¡¯t need to take the subway and then a bus to get to the bakery. If it weren¡¯t for Nichs insisting that Hunter take me to work, I would probably just walk the couple of blocks to the bakery. The condo really is convenient to everything.


    ¡°Ms. Rose,¡± Carter greets us in the lobby.


    ¡°Carter, I wanted to drop something off for Nichs but if he¡¯s


    busy-¡±


    ¡°I believe he is in between meetings and phone conferences at the moment. He probably only has a few minutes to spare but he should be in his office.¡±


    Carter escorts me to the elevator and just before the doors close I see a few women in the lobby whispering and looking back at me. I look down at what I¡¯m wearing: a simple pair of ck dress pants and a button down shirt which I thought would be suitable to drop off something but after seeing those women I¡¯m doubting my attirepletely. When we finally arrive on Nichs¡¯s floor, I¡¯m greeted by another one of his employees who is impably dressed, almost as if she walked off a designer¡¯s photo shoot. I silently vow to add at least one or two outfits to my closet that I could wear here if we weren¡¯t going to on a date so I would at least look like I fit in a little more.


    ¡°Melody, is Mr. Parker free?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°Yes, he is¡­ but-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll only be a minute,¡± Carter quickly dismisses her and escorts me to arge door across from the reception desk.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nichs¡¯s voice booms from behind the closed door.


    ¡°Go on,¡± Carter chuckles when I make no move to open the door.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± he hasn¡¯t looked up since I entered his office; his is obviously focused on whatever he is looking at. There are papers strewn all over his desk plus several more in his hand. I immediately regreting here, as it¡¯s obvious that I¡¯ve disturbed him.


    ¡°Kenzie? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?¡± he drops the papers onto his desk and immediately stands up to greet me.


    ¡°Everything is fine¡­ I¡¯m sorry to have bothered you,¡± I apologize quickly.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Nonsense, I needed to step away from this stuff anyway,¡± he shrugs as he looks at all the papers on his desk. ¡°Everything is okay though? The condo¡­ it has everything you need?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes! It has everything I need and many things that I don¡¯t need,¡± Iugh. ¡°I wanted to thank you¡­ and well apologize for my reaction the other night-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, that¡¯s not-¡±


    ¡°It is. I overreacted to the situation as I was caught off guard and then took it out on you when you told me about the background check. I wanted to apologize for that. I understand why Carter would run a background check on me and while I don¡¯t like the idea that it was done without my permission, I understand nheless. Regardless, blowing up at you was wrong and I¡¯m sorry. I baked you some muffins and cookies to apologize for my behavior but also to thank you for what you did the other night.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I know very few people who would have stepped up and helped someone who is practically a stranger-¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that you¡¯re a stranger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right, I wouldn¡¯t say we¡¯re strangers but still¡­ there aren¡¯t many people who would have rushed over to help someone they barely know. I just wanted to thank you foring over to my apartment thatte at night and then arranging for me to stay in the condo. It was very generous of you.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ it was nothing, really. I¡¯m just d you¡¯re in a ce where you are safe. You didn¡¯t need toe here to thank me, but if those are the delicious muffins that you make at the bakery, I certainly wouldn¡¯t refuse one.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, you¡¯re appointment is here,¡± the receptionist alerts Nichs through his phone inte.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re busy-¡±


    ¡°Melody, show them to the board room and let them know that my previous call ran over so I¡¯ll be in with them in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to make youte for your meeting-¡±


    ¡°They can wait a few minutes; I haven¡¯t had a chance to eat lunch yet so you have perfect timing after all.¡±

 Chapter 63

    Nichs and I sit at a small table for a few minutes while he eats one of the muffins. When I suggested he share the remaining with his staff, he balks at the idea and says he would probably eat them all before he left for the day.  He told me about his morning (meetings, meetings and more meetings) and I told him about mine (food shopping and baking). ¡°Mr. Parker,¡± the receptionist interrupts us again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a minute, Melody,¡± Nichs informs her.


    ¡°I should let you get to your meeting. I wasn¡¯t sure what your schedule was and didn¡¯t mean to make youte your for anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; it¡¯s a boring meeting anyway. Thank you again for the basket, Kenzie, it was very thoughtful.¡±


    Nichs walks me out to the reception area where Carter and Hunter are waiting for me. He kisses me gently on the cheek before heading down a hallway which I assume leads to the board room where his meeting is waiting for him. Hunter brings me back to the condo so I can finish unpacking before going to buy an outfit my dinner date with Nichs tomorrow night. After spending too much time trying on different dresses, I finally decide on a red and ck cocktail dress that I think will be both casual and dressy. I want to be prepared if we are spotted by the press but at the same time I don¡¯t want to be overdressed either.


    ************


    My morning has flown by much faster than I expected. I was able to sleep a littleter this morning since I didn¡¯t have to figure the subway into mymute time. The bakery is busier than normal for a Saturday morning; usually weekdays are busier than weekends but today for some reason was different. We are so busy that I end up getting no more than a five minute break before Ginny asks me toe back and make another batch of breads so we wouldn¡¯t run out. I have no idea why the morning is so busy, but it makes the hours fly by.


    I thought it would be weird having Hunter there with me or that my coworkers would ask questions but no one did. I spoke with Ginny when I first arrived and let her know about Hunter; of course her only reaction is asking me over and over again if I¡¯m safe. I assure her I am fine and that Hunter is with me to make sure I stay safe. For the most part he sits in the corner of the bakery not bothering anyone; I nearly forget he¡¯s there when I start to leave for the day and he rushes to my side to escort me to the car.


    Back at the condo I finish unpacking the few items I have and watch a little television. Before I know it, there is a knock at my door and a quick nce through the peephole confirms that it was Nichs. I quickly set the rm code before meeting him in the hallway.


    ¡°You look¡­ very nice,¡± Nichs says as I turn around from closing the door.


    ¡°Thank you, you look nice as well.¡± He is dressed impably as always.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Tonight he is wearing a pair of ck dress pants and a light blue button down shirt thatplements his eyes. Nice isn¡¯t the right word at all¡­ he looks cute and sexy but I can¡¯t bring myself to actually use those words. I find myself wondering what he would look like in a pair of jeans¡­ in the few times we have been out thus far I have never seen him casually dressed.


    ¡°I made reservations for us at the Lake View Restaurant,¡± Nichs informs me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been there but I¡¯ve heard good things about it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mostly known for the view; the restaurant is built right on the edge of ake so when you sit in the dining room, you have a perfect view from all angles. As expected, they serve a lot of seafood but they have a variety other items if you don¡¯t care for that cuisine.¡±


    ¡°Seafood is fine.¡±


    ¡°Did you work this morning?¡±


    ¡°I did. We were busier than normal.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Usually the work week is the busiest time; most of Ginny¡¯s businesses from catering and peopleing in for breakfast on their way to work. Weekends tend to be slower but today it was much busier than normal.¡±


    ¡°I think I heard there was something going on at the convention center this weekend-if that¡¯s the case it might exin why you were busier than normal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s probably it. I¡¯ve tried to tell Ginny she needs to look at these things online when she is making the schedule, but she¡¯s not very big on using the inte so I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a priority.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am,¡± Carter pulls us from our conversation, alerting us that we are approaching the restaurant.


    Nichs escorts me inside and as soon as we arrive we are seated at a table beside the windows overlooking the water. The view really is incredible; it actually feels like you¡¯re sitting on top of the water while you eat dinner. The lights from houses across theke can barely be seen from the restaurant but even those that can be seen just add the ambiance of the ce. Every table in the room is upied yet the tables are set apart enough that you don¡¯t feel like it¡¯s crowded.


    ¡°This view is incredible,¡± I say in awe after we order our dinner.


    ¡°It is,¡± he looks out the window as if he is taking in the view for the first time. ¡°So tell me about yourself, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what do you want to know?¡± I can¡¯t help but feel nervous at his question.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ tell me something about you that I don¡¯t know. During our first meeting you said you wanted to go back to school. Does that mean you started college at some point or¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I was actually less than a year away from graduation when I had to withdraw.¡±


    ¡°Why? I mean you were so close to graduation, why stop then?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t have a lot of money for college but I was lucky enough to receive several grants and schrships that covered my tuition, room and board plus most of the supplies I needed. Unfortunately right before my senior year, I was notified that one of the schrships I had been awarded had lost funding and would not be renewed. Naturally, it was thergest of the schrships that I had received; I didn¡¯t have enough money saved to cover what that schrship did so I had to withdrawal from the university my final year.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take out a student loan to cover the difference?¡±


    ¡°If I could, I would have. Unfortunately by the time I learned my schrship would not be renewed, I had missed the application deadline for student loans. I had hoped to take only a year off so that I could work and save every penny to go back to school¡­ ¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Life¡­ it just got in the way.¡±


    ¡°What were you studying?¡±


    ¡°Elementary education: I had hoped to be a teacher one day.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re hoping to do now? Finish that degree and go into teacher?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I¡¯ve been looking at some online sses through amunity college but haven¡¯t decided what I want to take. I could finish my degree in only a couple of sses, but I don¡¯t know that I want to go into teaching any longer.¡±


    ¡°What do you think you might want to do?¡±


    ¡°It sounds silly¡­ but I think I¡¯d love to take a few culinary sses. Maybe one day open a bakery like Ginny did-¡±


    ¡°Ginny?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the owner of Sweet Dreams.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°What about you? Did you know that you always wanted to run arge sessfulpany like you do?¡±

 Chapter 64

    ¡°Kind of,¡± he chuckles. ¡°I knew early on that I didn¡¯t want to work for someone else. I¡¯m not good at doing what other people tell me, so going into business for myself seemed like the perfect solution. I received my undergraduate degree from NYU and probably should have continued further, stopped after that.¡±


    ¡°Howe?¡±


    ¡°It just wasn¡¯t for me. I had enough of sitting in ssrooms after the first four years, so I couldn¡¯t imagine doing it any longer.¡±


    ¡°How did you start PFS?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always had a knack for looking at a problem anding up with a solution, even when others thought one wasn¡¯t possible. My parents insisted I get a job as soon as I told them that I wouldn¡¯t be returning to NYU. I started working at this small telmunicationspany; my primary responsibility was to show them ways to save money. However, thepany was very poorly run with far too many staff being paid to sit around and be unproductive. I was there less than a year before they ended up being forced to close their doors. It was a good thing though.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°I learned what I wanted to do in that moment; when I graduated I wasn¡¯t sure exactly where in the financial world I wanted to settle. However, after working there I found a passion in wanting to helppanies before they got to the point of having to close their doors. I wanted to work with them on investing their profits in areas that could help sustain them long term.¡±


    ¡°So what did you do?¡±


    ¡°My parents refused to loan me the money to start up a business on my own. Well, I shouldn¡¯t say they refused; they agreed to lend me the money if I worked for a few years in the field at otherpanies. They questioned my ability to be taken seriously without more experience under my belt.  I had no desire to work for someone else; I wanted to get out in the real world and start making changes.  I didn¡¯t want to work with only onepany when I could be working with several at the same time making a difference.¡±


    ¡°Where did you end up getting the money to start PFS then?¡±


    ¡°My grandfather, my mom¡¯s dad, loaned me the money I needed to start up PFS.  I paid him back, with interest of course, within a year.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ you¡¯re lucky you had someone who believed in you enough to loan you that much money even when your parents said no.¡±


    ¡°I understood where my parents wereing from. They wanted me to have work experience to fall back on in case thepany didn¡¯t seed.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever thought about returning to school?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I mean, I¡¯ve gotten this far without it; PFS is obviously a sess so I don¡¯t know that an advanced college degree would make much of a difference. I¡¯ve thought about taking a ss here or there, especially in technology as there are times when I struggle to understand some of the spreadsheet equations and how they were generated. Maybe someday I will, but right now I don¡¯t think I have the time to sit through sses, homework and projects for hours each week. PFS takes up nearly all the spare time I have as it is.¡±


    ¡°I bet.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you grew up on the west coast you said?¡±


    ¡°For the most part; I moved around a lot when I was a child but pretty much stayed around that cost.¡±


    ¡°Do you have family in New York?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so you must have moved here with a boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ ¡± I¡¯m sure he can tell this is a conversation I would rather not have. ¡°Do you have any siblings?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m an only child.¡±


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re not very close to your family?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I didn¡¯t have the best childhood. I would rather leave that door closed, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ my father died shortly after I was born. I don¡¯t remember him and I was never really close to my mother.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kenzie.¡±


    We spend the next few minutes in silence, both of us picking at our food, not really knowing what to say to each other.


    ¡°The shrimp is really good,¡± I finally decide to break the silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you like it. This ce is nice because it offers a nice selection besides seafood, even though that¡¯s what most peoplee here for.¡±


    ¡°I can see why.¡±


    Thankfully, the former conversation has returned because some things, my things, are better left unsaid.


    ¡°Can I ask¡­ how do you know Bridget? I know her from different fundraising events that we both attend.¡±


    ¡°We were strangers until she insisted a store manager hire me one day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Bridget. She seems like the type who is used to getting exactly what she wants.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Iugh in agreement. ¡°I helped her with a situation in the store one day and then she insisted the manager hire me and that I be put in charge of her ount. I worked there for about a year and a half.¡±


    ¡°You quit because of Bridget?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. I could have probably continued working, although it would have been a scheduling nightmare since I primarily worked evenings and weekends. I knew I couldn¡¯t work three jobs, so one had to go. I really enjoy working at the bakery which made the decision easier.¡±


    We spent the rest of dinner talking about and getting to know each other. It was surprisinglyfortable and I was grateful that Nichs didn¡¯t pry into my past-I think he could tell it was a topic I wasn¡¯tfortable talking about. The conversation stayed pretty much on the present, with Nichs doing most of the talking, especially about PFS and the different projects they are working on. Without realizing it, we talked most of the night away and soon we were the only ones left in the restaurant.


    ¡°I guess we should head home,¡± Nichs nces around the empty dining room.


    ¡°They¡¯re probably waiting for us to leave so they can close for the night. I hadn¡¯t realized howte it was.¡±


    ¡°Me neither.¡±


    We¡¯re both quiet on the way back to The ord Towers, but it¡¯s afortable silence. Although,e to think of it, I can¡¯t recall a time when I haven¡¯t beenfortable with Nichs, surprising since it¡¯s usually rare for me to befortable around anyone. Tonight is the first time when we are just Nichs and Kenzie. There is no looming contract over our heads like during our first meeting, or people watching us when we have attended events together. Tonight is has been about us; different¡­ nice but different. When we arrive back at The ord Towers, Nichs escorts me back to my condo, only this time Carter waits in the elevator for him rather than walking down the hall with us.


    ¡°I had a nice time tonight, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    He leans down to kiss me on my cheek as he has done every time we part, only this time his lipsnd closer to my lips. I can feel his breath on my cheek-I know if I were to move my head just slightly, his lips would be on mine. It¡¯s tempting¡­ so very tempting, but I have to remind myself that this is all for show. This is nothing more than a business transaction; Nichs is kissing me only for appearances.  And not for the first time, I find myself wondering how his lips would feel on mine. If this weren¡¯t a business transaction, would he want to kiss me? Would he even be interested in me?


    ¡°Good night, Kenzie,¡± he ces one final kiss just next to the corner of my lips before pulling back.


    ¡°Night¡­¡± We stand there, looking at each other for some time before Nichs finally pulls away and heads back to the elevator.


    I quickly unlock my door, turn off the rm and close the door behind me before copsing onto the loveseat in the living room. I can¡¯t remember thest time I felt like this: thest time I actually wanted a guy to kiss me. I need to do something because I can¡¯t keep thinking about it. This is supposed to be a business deal: a transaction, between two people. I¡¯m not supposed to be attracted to him. He could never want someone like me¡­ he¡¯s only interested in me now because of this arrangement. If it weren¡¯t for Bridget, he probably wouldn¡¯t have noticed me.

 Chapter 65

    Nichs


    shback


    ¡°Mommy hungry¡­ mommy¡­ wake up,¡± I shake her.


    ¡°Go away.¡±


    ¡°Mommy, belly hurts.¡±


    ¡°Find something; there¡¯s food in the fridge.¡±


    ¡°No, gone. No food.¡±


    ¡°Look in the cabs then; I¡¯m tired, leave me alone.¡±


    The food is gone in the cabs too; it¡¯s always gone. I wish my Mommy would just wake up. I wish Mommy would be like Suzie¡¯s mom who bakes cookies and cooks us yummy food. Why doesn¡¯t my mommy cook? Why doesn¡¯t my kitchen have all the food that Suzie¡¯s does?


    ¡°Mommy¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Go away, you little shit; I¡¯ll get up and deal with youter.¡±


    Another night of broken sleep though I shouldn¡¯t be surprised, my nightmares alwayse back when I least expect it. I thought tonight would have been different since I fell asleep much faster than normal and didn¡¯t toss and turn as much. I should have expected the end to a nice night would be like this.


    What surprised me though wasst night itself. I had arranged to take Kenzie out for dinner, just the two of us¡­ I was afraid that if she were only seen with me at public events that someone might start thinking that we weren¡¯t really together. For my public image transformation n to be sessful, I need everyone to be convinced that we are a normal couple which means going out sometimes, just the two of us. I expected dinner to be awkward without a public event to force us to keep up appearances. But once again, Kenzie managed to surprise me.


    Dinner was anything but ufortable. We easily found things to talk about and there really wasn¡¯t a time when things were awkward between us. I confirmedst night what I suspected from our first meeting: Kenzie does not like to talk about herself and will do almost anything to avoid talking about her past.  I can¡¯t help but wonder, why she not talk about her childhood, her family or even something simple like why she decided to move to the east coast? People don¡¯t just up and decide to leave


    Denver to move to New York, at least not without a good reason.


    When she said she didn¡¯t have family out here, I just assumed she followed love, that some guy she was with decided to move here and she followed. She denied that but once again gave me no clue as to why she would move across country. I¡¯m tempted to ask Carter to dig deeper into her background; there has to be something there to exin why she left or what happened to her family.  Carter assured me there was nothing out of the ordinary in her background report but I know she is hiding something.


    Either what she is hiding doesn¡¯t appear on her background report because it is something that was never reported, or she has managed to find someone to bury certain details of her past which isn¡¯t easy and I should know. If it wasn¡¯t for this damn contract with Bridget, I would just look at the full background report myself but I gave her my word that I wouldn¡¯t pry into her personal information and I¡¯m trying like hell to uphold my end of the contract. Plus, the thought of Kenzie getting mad at me again bothers me, although I don¡¯t know why it should. I piss people off on a daily basis in my business and don¡¯t think twice. Yet here I am worried that Kenzie will get mad; she was really upset by the fact that Carter even ran a background check on her. I don¡¯t know how she would react if she knew I had him dig deeper or that I even read the report.


    Trying to push thoughts of Kenzie out of my mind, I take a shower and start to weed through my many emails that came in during dinner. Once again I find myself waiting a reasonable time before I let Carter know I want to go for a run. Running helps pull me from my nightmares; it clears my mind and gets me ready for the day. Of course as luck would have it, it¡¯s raining outside and I despise running when it¡¯s raining hard. A few minutester, Carter and I are in the gym of The Towers running on treadmills instead.


    I¡¯m listening to music, lost in my thoughts which are focused on trying to find the next big project for PFS to take on.  I don¡¯t know how long I run but when I finally look up I see an absolutely stunning woman standing next to the pool. One wall of the gym overlooks the built-in Olympic size swimming pool one floor below the gym, but the ceiling of the room extends to the height of the gym. Not too many people use the pool but this morning there is a sexy brte standing at the edge, almost as if she is trying to decide if she is going in. I can only see her back, but from what I can see, she looks incredibly sexy in the bikini she is wearing. Without warning, she dives perfectly into the pool, swimming the entire length before lifting her head up for air.  She swims several times back and forth without stopping. I don¡¯t know why, but I can¡¯t seem to stop watching her. It¡¯s almost like I¡¯m drawn to her.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    After several minutes, or perhaps longer, the beautiful brte climbs out of the pool once again giving me a perfect view of the profile of her body. She has long legs that seem to go on forever; a small ass but one that I could see filling my hands perfectly. I can tell from this angle her stomach ispletely t and firm. Her breasts are perfect just like the rest of her: not too big, but not too small either. I can¡¯t help but picture what she would look like naked beneath me. Fuck, she wouldn¡¯t even have to be naked, she could stay in the bikini she has on right now.


    I wonder what it would be like to walk into the pool area, push her against the wall, move her bikini bottom aside and thrust into her. I would hold her wrists in one hand behind her back, the other would be gripping her firm ass as I fuck her hard against the wall until she begs me to make here. Of course, no one would be able to see us but the idea of fucking her in public arouses both of us further. We use each other; taking from each other what we both desperately need, a quick hard fuck. I nearly groan aloud as I picture finding my release inside her t against that wall. Opening my eyes, I¡¯m absolutely stunned at the sight before me.

 Chapter 66

    Kenzie.


    Fuck!! Kenzie is the beautiful woman who was swimming in the pool.


    What the fuck?!?!? I can¡¯t be picturing fucking her!  I can¡¯tplicate our perfect arrangement by finding her attractive! FUCK!!!! I knew she likely had an incredible body; some of the dresses she has worn have made that obvious but I never expected to see her in so little clothing as she is wearing right now. I know without even closing my eyes that the image of her in the bikini is burned into my mind. How the fuck am I ever going to look at her again without picturing her like this?


    FUCK¡­ FUCK¡­ FUCK¡­ FUCK¡­


    Not only am I now left trying to figure out how to burn the image from my mind, but I¡¯m stuck with a fucking hard on in the middle of the gym! I slow the pace down on the treadmill, close my eyes and begin picturing all sorts of unattractive images in my mind. Finally after several minutes, I am able to get myself under control and thankfully when I open my eyes she is gone from the pool area.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Carter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Returning to my condo, I immediately take off for my shower to wash the sweat from my body before breakfast and ultimately another day of work, even though it¡¯s Sunday. My mother convinced me toe to dinner tonight so I only have a few hours to get work done before I need to leave. I strip my clothes off and enter the hot shower, letting the water wash away the grime of the gym.  I make the mistake of closing my eyes and, of course, the image of fucking Kenzie against the wall in the pool room returns. Unlike at the gym when I was only picturing a body, this time I¡¯m imagining it¡¯s her against the wall. I¡¯m picturing her arms behind her back, her ass in my hand, her pussy gripping me tightly and her moaning in my ear begging me to fuck her harder.


    I¡¯m picturing everything I want from her, which is absolutely nothing she would want from me. She is not the type of woman who gets fucked hard against a wall. She is the type who expects to be made love to -something I could never give her. She deserves so much more: she deserves better than me. If nothing else, hopefully this arrangement gives what she needs to improve her life so she can find someone who is right for her¡­ someone who is not me.


    Although I know she would never want it, I¡¯m still picturing myself thrusting into her warm body against the cold, hard wall tile. My hand grasps my dick, stroking it as I¡¯m imagining her sex stroking me. I can almost feel her breath against my ear, panting, as I bring her closer and closer to her release.  I begin stroking myself faster as I wonder what she would look like when she came. Would she open her eyes? Would she scream my name? Is she quiet or loud when her orgasm finally hits?


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie!¡± I hiss as Ie at the mere thought of how she might look as she came as well.


    DAMN IT!!


    I need to stop thinking about her like this; picturing her naked isn¡¯t going to help our arrangement, in fact it will only make it worse. How the fuck can I kiss her goodnight on the cheek after a date if I¡¯m picturing her naked against a wall? How can I tell her how beautiful she looks in a dress when I¡¯m imagining what I now know is underneath it? DAMN IT!!!


    I drag myself from the shower, just as my dick is beginning to twitch yet again at the thought of Kenzie¡¯s body against mine. It was hard enoughst night after dinner to kiss her on the cheek, especially when she looked up at me with her beautiful brown eyes and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how her soft lips would feel against mine. What the fuck am I going to do the next time I see her? How am I going to keep my hands or lips off her? I need to do something or not only will I break the terms of our contract but I will risk losing the perfect solution to my public image situation as I have no doubt that she does not think of me the way I think of her.


    I force myself to focus on work the remainder of the day, pushing her as far away from my mind as possible. It¡¯s the only thing I can do, because if I sit and think about her much longer, I¡¯m tempted to take the elevator down the few floors that are separating us right now and do something she will hate. For the first time I understand why Bridget¡¯s contract insists that our addresses remain private; it would be so much easier if I didn¡¯t know she was only a few floors below me¡­


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter pulls me from my thoughts which have once again be nearly entirely focused on Kenzie.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ready to leave in five.¡±


    Thankfully the ride to my parent¡¯s house is not focused on Kenzie. I have a slew of emails from Alex that provide me with details about severalpanies requesting our assistance. The fact that Alex and I are both working on a Sunday afternoon doesn¡¯t surprise me; a sessful business doesn¡¯t get built by working only Monday through Friday, nine to five. Especially when some of thepanies we work with are all over the globe, which means in they are in different time zones. Alex knows just as well as I do that our business requires ¡°nontraditional¡± hours and thankfully he has no problem putting in these hours.


    Before I realize it Carter has stopped the car in front of my parent¡¯s house, I quickly finish myst email and let Alex know that I will be unavable for the next couple of hours. My parents hate it when I spend dinner on my phone so when at all possible I try to respect their wishes and not respond to emails unless they are urgent. Alex knows the routine and will call if somethinges up and I don¡¯t respond right away to his email.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± Cara races out the front door to great me before I reach the door.


    ¡°Cara¡­ One day you¡¯re going to knock me to the ground,¡± I can¡¯t help but wrap my arms around her and twirl her around.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kenzie? I was hoping you would bring her tonight,¡± she pouts


    ¡°I told mom, Kenzie was busy tonight and not able to make it to dinner,¡± I lie.


    ¡°I know¡­ I was still hoping you would bring her.¡±


    ¡°Another time, perhaps.¡±


    ¡°We were just looking at the picture of you two fromst night, which is why I was hoping you would bring her.¡±


    ¡°Picture?¡±


    ¡°From your date¡­¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s fromst night? It might be from-¡±


    ¡°The story said it was fromst night. You were at Lake View right?¡±


    ¡°We were¡­ I didn¡¯t know anyone got a picture of us.¡±


    ¡°Come inside, I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    I quickly great my parents and Austin while Cara grabs her ipad to show me the article that was posted today. I¡¯ve made it a habit of checking the gossip sites every day for anything new written about me but somehow today I forgot.


    Is Nichs Parker bing a romantic?


    A source dining at the Lake View Restaurantst night


    captured Nichs Parker, billionaire yboy, out to dinner with the woman that PFS has referred to as his romantic interest. Our source captured this grainy picture of the two sharing dinner overlooking theke at what is one of the most romantic tables in the entire dining room- sought after because of the incredible views.


    ording to the source, Nichs Parker and his date spent several hours at the restaurant apparently lost in their own world. ¡°They barely looked up from each other when the waiter brought their food,¡± our source says. ¡°They were thest customers to leave; the entire dining room was empty by the time they finally pulled away from each other.


    They¡¯ve obviously known one another for some time; they looked veryfortable together.¡± ording to our source, they walked out of the dining room holding hands and got into the same car. So New York¡­ how long do you think our yboy will be able tomit to one woman? We all know he hasn¡¯t been seen with the same woman since¡­


    I immediately stop reading the article, not wanting to taint the night by thinking about what happened thest time I trusted a woman enough to let her into my life. If nothing else this article is a reminder that I need to be careful, reinforcing the fact that I need to keep the arrangement with Kenzie strictly professional. While it seems like my image transformation is working, this reporter is quick to remind everyone that they still think I¡¯m a yboy at the core.  If only the media knew the true story; I was never a yboy¡­ even before her I wasn¡¯t a yboy. She was a mistake; she is the reason I keep my personal life confined. She is the reason I will never again fall for a woman. She is the reason I could never be more than a business transaction to Kenzie.

 Chapter 67

    Kenzie


    I haven¡¯t seen Nichs in almost a week; tonight will be the first time we¡¯ve seen each other since our dinner at the Lake View Restaurantst weekend. Bridget called to confirm the details of our date tonight for an awards banquet that Nichs is attending but she said otherwise he didn¡¯t have anything he needed me for this week. I suppose I shouldn¡¯t be surprised; he had mentioned that he was working on a severalrge projects when we had dinner, I¡¯m sure one of those consumed his time.


    I¡¯ve spent most of the week working; one of the girls that usually works weekdays, ended up quitting unexpectedly which meant I had longer hours. I¡¯m looking forward to this weekend, it¡¯s the first entire weekend in probably more than a year at least that I¡¯ve had off. I¡¯m going with Nichs to some awards dinner tonight, but tomorrow I signed up for a weekend cooking ss at themunity college.  It¡¯s nothing big, but I¡¯m excited to finally do something for myself. I was thrilled when Ginny said I could have the weekend off to take this ss and half expected her to change her mind since we¡¯ve been short staffed all week but she confirmed this morning that she didn¡¯t need me. I can¡¯t remember thest time I was able to do something for me, something that didn¡¯t involve paying for bills or trying to save money just in case I needed to leave suddenly again.


    After working this morning, I was able to take a quick nap since I¡¯m not sure howte the dinner tonight will go. I don¡¯t know much about the dinner itself, only that Nichs is being given an award for some charity work he has done in and around the city. I¡¯ve tried researching PFS but noticed there isn¡¯t much written about his work with charities. I kind of feel like I¡¯m going into the dinner blind, but I¡¯m confident that I can ¡°wing it¡± as if I knew what Nichs was involved in. I at least know he has given donation annually to New Beginnings through the g his parents hosted and the museum for the exhibit opening we attended.


    For tonight¡¯s dinner, Bridget told me the dress code is dressy but not formal. I¡¯m wearing a simple floor length dress that has a slit up the side to add just a hint of sexiness to it. ording to Bridget, the banquet is being hosted by a localmunity group to thank several of their major sponsors and should have minimal press coverage given the quaintness of this event. Of course she was quick to remind me that even when the press aren¡¯t present, we need to act as if we are a couple since we have been photographed several times already by people who then sell our picture to the gossip websites.


    ¡°Good evening, Kenzie, you look stunning,¡± Nichs greets me at the door right on time as always.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± For some unknown reason I blush at hisplement which surprises me.


    ¡°Shall we?¡±


    ¡°Just let me set the rm,¡± I quickly punch in the code and lock the door behind me.


    ¡°How was your week?¡± he asks on the drive over.


    ¡°It was good¡­ busy but good.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°One of the girls quit without warning so I¡¯ve been helping to cover her shifts.  I¡¯ve worked every morning this week, but thankfully I¡¯m off this weekend at least.¡±


    ¡°Do you have ns for the weekend?¡±


    ¡°Sort of¡­ I signed up for a cooking ss at themunity college


    -¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s really great!  I know you mentioned wanting to go back to school.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not much¡­ it¡¯s just a weekend ss-not part of a program or anything but I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all weekend?¡±


    ¡°Six hours tomorrow and then six hours on Sunday. I was worried that Ginny might say she needed me this weekend, then said her approval for my time off stands.¡±


    ¡°Good for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Why the hell am I blushing again?  I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever blushed this much in my entire life! ¡°How was your week?¡±


    ¡°Busy¡­ I was out of town for a few days. We¡¯ve been working on a long distance deal and I needed to fly out this week to review some things on site.¡±


    ¡°Is it moving forward?¡±


    ¡°I believe so.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any questions about tonight? I assume Bridget filled you in on the details of the event?¡±


    ¡°She exined that you were being given an award for some of your charity work around the city by a localmunity based organization that is also recognizing several sponsors. She doesn¡¯t expect there to be much press coverage as this is a rtively small event.¡±


    ¡°I assume you saw the picture of us from the Lake View?¡±


    ¡°I did¡­ it was obviously taken from a cell phone, the quality wasn¡¯t the greatest.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible the same thing could happen at tonight¡¯s event, especially now that our picture appears on more of the sites.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything I should know for tonight?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.  I normally don¡¯t attend this dinner; Alex usually handles the smaller awards banquets for PFS but unfortunately he is away this weekend which is why we ended up here tonight. He warned me ahead of time the food isn¡¯t the greatest, so don¡¯t be surprised if we leave and you¡¯re still hungry. We can always stop and grab something on the way home if the food is that bad-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t be-¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t bet on it,¡± he chuckles. ¡°From what Alex has told me, there will be a speech by the organization¡¯s founder, we¡¯ll have dinner and then the awards will be given. I should be one of the first awards, but we¡¯ll stay for a few of the others before making an excuse to leave. I have no desire to stay longer than we need to, but I want it to look like we¡¯ve been there long enough for appearances.¡±


    ¡°Okay, just let me know when and we¡¯ll go.¡±


    A short timeter, we arrive at a chain hotel where the awards banquet is being held and are ushered into arge conference room with about thirty or so tables set up and small stage on one side. Nichs leads me around, introducing me to various people who all seem to be heads of different businesses. Of course, there is no one I recognize at the event tonight but that doesn¡¯t surprise me. Nichs has clearly met most of these businessmen in the past, likely at simr events.


    Nichs keeps me near him as he walks around the room; his arm is wrapped around my waist, his hand set on my hip as we walk. Before we walk up to a few of the men, he whispers in my ear who they are so that when he introduces us I know a little about them ahead of time. I¡¯m grateful for this small gesture as it helps me make small talk with some of the guests after introductions are made.


    ¡°Ladies and gentleman if you would please find your way to your tables we would like to begin in a few minutes,¡± a voicees over the speaker system.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s our cue,¡± Nichs leads me across the room to a table just off to the side of the stage.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, I would like to introduce you to the founder of Children First, Ms. Samantha Richardson.¡± Everyone rises and ps as an older woman takes the stage.


    ¡°Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our dinner this evening. As you know Children First started more than twenty five years ago as a grass roots effort to provide free activities to children in ourmunity in an effort to keep them off the streets after school. Each of you has contributed to our organization over thest year, allowing my dream to continue. As government funding is reduced, we are forced to rely on private donations like yours to keep our mission going.


    ¡°When I almost lost my oldest son to a drug addiction more than twenty five years ago, I knew something needed to change. I was a single parent, struggling to work enough hours to keep a roof over my children¡¯s head and food in their stomachs. I was so busy worrying about these things I failed to see what was happening to my own child. By age twelve, my son began experimenting with street drugs and by fourteen he moved onto prescription drugs.  By the time I learned about his drug use, he was in deep.


    ¡°It took many months but I was finally able to get him into a good rehab center, one that focused on children instead of adults. I am proud of the man that my son has be but seeing what he went through scarred me for life. I knew in that moment something needed to change. I was a single parent with no family support; I was busting my ass at minimum wage jobs trying to make ends meet. I couldn¡¯t afford after school programs, so my children were left home alone oftente into the evening until I got home from work.


    ¡°Children First aims to help these families¡­ Through your donations, more than seventy-five children have, free of charge a ce to go after school until their parents can pick them up. Through your donations, these children receive a warm meal, help with homework and socialization with peers their own age. Through your donations, these children are staying off the streets and off drugs! Tonight we thank you for recognizing our mission as something thismunity needs!¡±


    The room erupts once again in apuse and everyone stands as the speaker apuds the audience. I was truly moved by the speech and silently vow to look into the organization when I get back to the condo to see if there is some way I can help.


    Obviously I don¡¯t have money to contribute, but perhaps I can find a few hours to donate time to one of the after school programs. Now that I¡¯m not working at the department store my evenings are free except when Nichs has something scheduled. If my volunteer time can be flexible, I should be able to work something out. Although that might change when¡­ er¡­ if, I go back to school. I might have to look into that first, at least see when sses would be. I don¡¯t want tomit to volunteering if it¡¯s nothing I can stick with. My schedule might be too thin between the bakery, school and my contract with Nichs.


    ¡°Chicken or Pasta miss?¡± A waiter pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the pasta please,¡± I answer.


    ¡°Sir?¡± he asks Nichs.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the chicken.¡±

 Chapter 68

    As Nichs talks business with a few of the people at our table, he takes my hand in his. I¡¯m grateful for these small gestures; it reminds me that even though he is discussing business, he hasn¡¯t forgotten that I¡¯m with him tonight. When he shifts in his seat to face someone on the other side of the table his leg rests against mine and I find that he is leaning closer to me. As I take a breath, I realize just how good he smells. It¡¯s a mix between what I¡¯m sure is a very expensive cologne and probably aftershave or soap from his shower.


    Of course my mind immediately jumps to what Nichs might look like in the shower, and I immediately feel my face bing flush. I have no idea why my mind suddenly went there; perhaps it¡¯s because I don¡¯t recall being this close to him before. I quickly try to focus on the conversation that he is having but with him this close to me I can¡¯t seem to focus on anything other than him.  I try thinking of anything to keep my mind nk but when his thumb starts rubbing the bare skin of my shoulder, it bes a lost cause.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I nce his way but his attention is entirely focused on the man who is sitting a couple seats away from me. I don¡¯t know if he realizes his hand is on my shoulder, his leg resting against mine or that he is this close to me or perhaps he does realize it and this is all part of the image he wants to portray. The reminder that this is only a business transaction is like a bucket of ice being thrown at me¡­ I¡¯m immediately brought back to our contract. I know that everything that Nichs is doing right now is for appearances only. If it weren¡¯t for Bridget and our contract, Nichs never would have looked in my direction. He would never be sitting here like this; he wouldn¡¯t be touching me or paying me any attention.


    ¡°Your dinner,¡± the waiter from earlier once again pulls me from my thoughts.


    We eat our dinner in rtive silence; a few of the guests at our tablement about how good the food is. I nod in agreement although the pasta is incredibly under cooked and the center of the ravioli is cold.  It looks as if Nichs¡¯s dish isn¡¯t much better, he has some type of chicken with what looks like spinach and cheese on top.  He hasn¡¯t touched his rice that looks dry and has only eaten half of his chicken.


    ¡°Well¡­ was I right about the food?¡± he leans in and whispers to me.


    ¡°Definitely,¡± I grin, remembering our conversation from the car.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go somewhere after this and have a real meal.¡±


    We both manage to finish about half of our dinners before sitting back in our chairs. A few people at our table have finished their meals, but there are several tes half full like ours.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, as we wrap up dinner I would like present our first award of the evening.  Parker Financial Services has been a major contributor to Children First for thest five years. They always answer our call for donations and thisst year their management team spent an entire Saturday out of their busy schedules to help us clean up our newestmunity center. Without their generosity, less than half of the children we served would have had a ce to go after school. We are fortune tonight to have the CEO and founder of PFS with us¡­ please join me in thanking Mr. Nichs Parker for PFS¡¯s incredible generosity over thest five years.¡±


    Nichs rises, as does everyone at the table and ces a quick kiss on my cheek before taking the stage next to Mrs. Richardson who hands him a que in recognition.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Richardson. It is your dream and incredible hard work over thest twenty-five years that has made tonight possible. Parker Financial Services is a proud member of thismunity; we have been incredibly fortunate in that what we do has allowed us to support such incredible, life changing organizations as yours. I know all too well the impact that a less than ideal living environment can have on one¡¯s life and believe that if we can provide the proper supports to children early on, their adult lives can be different.


    ¡°Children learn coping skills very early in life; if they do not have them by the time they reach adulthood they will not suddenly develop them. These adults are less likely to seek help because they never had help growing up. These adults are less likely to ept help for the same reason.


    ¡°One of the things that drew me to Children First was that not only do you keep kids off the streets after school but you also strive to surround them with positive role models. I love that yourmunity programs operate 24/7 so that no child is left out because of an odd schedule their parent may work. You obviously recognize the needs of ourmunity; providing a hot meal to children who would likely go without at night has a tremendous impact on them.


    ¡°All too often, they receive free meals at school but then go home to an empty fridge. How can we expect these children to focus on school work if they don¡¯t have food in their stomachs? The pain thates with not having enough food to eat is unbearable and not something that can be ignored. I¡¯m grateful that you are one of the few organizations in ourmunity that understand this.


    ¡°I love that you continue to provide outreach services to children when they leave your program.  We need more organizations like yours that also strive to support children in improving their lives. It is not enough to provide them with the support to help them graduate high school. It¡¯s time we start thinking about how we can help beyond high school. How can we support them in attending a training school,munity college, university or in job cement? If we can support them in these areas, they can not only help themselves out of a bad situation but also help their families including younger siblings.


    ¡°I want to encourage each of you here tonight to go back to yourpanies and think of ways that you can offer financial support to a child who is graduating high school this year and has dreams to pursue something more.  PFS will personally be providing a full schrship to one graduating senior this year for up to five years of undergraduate education with the possibility of extending the funding for an additional three years of graduate school. I ammitting tonight to awarding this schrship to one student each year for the next five years. If PFS is unable to fund a schrship one year due to performance, I will personally pay the tuition bill out of my pocket to ensure that child isn¡¯t forced to stop attending college.¡±


    Holy Shit. I am beyond stunned by Nichs¡¯s speech. There was so much unexpected in it. I guess I just assumed it would be a business speech, focusing entirely on the facts in addition to thanking the organization for recognizing PFS¡¯s contribution. I was shocked that he took this opportunity to deliver an obviously personal speech, leaving me with so many questions. How does he know about the impact of a less than ideal living conditions can have? When did he have a poor living environment? Was he talking about his own kitchen when he spoke about not having enough food? I remember reading somewhere in an article before our first event that he was adopted when he was a toddler by the Parkers but had spent some time in foster care before that. Could he be referring to his early childhood in this speech? I find myself wanting to know more, wanting to know what made him the man he is today.


    The end of his speech shocked me almost as much as the beginning, especially when his eyes sought out mine. I have no doubt that he added thest part of his speech, offering to pay a tuition bill out of pocket, because of the reason I had to drop out of college. I don¡¯t like to think about it, but I know my life would have been very different had I been able to finish. I wouldn¡¯t have taken the crappy job as a waitress where I met him; I wouldn¡¯t have spent a year of my life living in hell with him. I wouldn¡¯t have had to return to the house that I was so eager to escape that I jumped at the chance to live with a man I barely knew.


    My entire life could have been different but I will never really know how different it could have been since I wasn¡¯t able to finish my degree. I had no idea that Nichs had paid that much attention to what I


    told him, or that it impacted him to the point where he put it in a safety to make sure that students awarded the schrship from hispany wouldn¡¯t be stranded if PFS wasn¡¯t able to contribute to the schrship one year.


    The room is apuding loudly for Nichs and everyone is on their feet as he shakes hands with Mrs. Richardson who is wiping the tears from her eyes. I have no doubt that she was as unprepared for his speech as I was and like me, was moved by his incredible donation. A few minutester Nichs leaves the stage, making his way through the crowd, stopping along the way to shake several hands before he finally makes it back to our table.


    He takes my hand as soon as he approaches the table. Without giving it a second thought I lean up and kiss him. Unlike every other kiss, this time my lips are on his and they are just as soft as I imagined they would be. His hand wraps around my waist as he takes a step closer to me, pressing his lips more firmly against mine but neither of us deepen it. A few secondster, Nichs pulls back just enough so that his eyes find mine. I immediately blush at the realization of what I just did and then guilt washes over me, knowing that I just vited the contract we signed with Bridget. Nichs doesn¡¯t say anything; he simply pulls out my chair and sits down next to me once again. His hand is still holding mine but his eyes are fixed on the stage as Mrs. Richardson begins to introduce the next sponsor.


    I struggle to focus on the next couple of speeches, sort of just going through the motions of pping after each award is presented.  I can¡¯t help but worry about the kiss¡­ I have no idea what possessed me to do something like that. Well I do know¡­ it was Nichs¡¯s speech. I was so focused on the speech itself and the generous donation he was making that I forgot for that brief moment about out contract. I forgot that this was nothing more than a business transaction, that our rtionship truly only exists in a contract stipting our individual roles that we both signed. I forgot that we weren¡¯t two people enjoying each other¡¯spany tonight. My stupidpse in judgment may have changed everything between us.


    As another person finishes their speech, I try to take my hand from Nichs¡¯s to p but he grips my hand tighter. I look at him for the first time since my stupid move and realize that Nichs doesn¡¯t look right. His face is paler than I have ever seen it and his leg is shaking under the table. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong but I can tell something isn¡¯t right with him.


    ¡°Nichs?¡±

 Chapter 69

    Kenzie


    ¡°Nichs?¡± I lean against him and whisper his name. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    He shakes his head indicating he isn¡¯t. I move my chair a little closer to him and ce my hand on the back of his neck. I try to make it look casual to anyone who would notice, although I¡¯m sure it looks a little off. The moment I ce my hand on his neck I can feel the heat radiating from his body and I quickly realize that he has a fever.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Carter get the car ready and we can leave,¡± I pull out my phone as he nods in agreement.


    Nichs isn¡¯t feeling well.  Can you get car ready to leave? Will meet you out front? KenzieThis content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Will meet you in back of building, you¡¯re closer to that exit. Leave room, go down hallway, exit will be on the left.  Carter


    I¡¯m thankful that I had thought to program Carter¡¯s phone number into my phone after Nichs gave me his number when he was worried about the press bothering me.


    ¡°We¡¯re good,¡± I let Nichs know.


    ¡°Ladies, Gentleman, if you will excuse us something hase up at PFS that requires my attention,¡± Nichs announces to the table before standing up. He wraps his arm around my waist as we make our way across the room and for the first time I don¡¯t think this gesture is for appearances but rather to help ground him. When we exit the conference room, I wrap my arm around his waist just in case he suddenly needs more help walking.


    ¡°We¡¯re meeting Carter this way,¡± I gesture down the hall when Nichs begins to head towards the front of the building. He closes his eyes briefly before nodding and following me slowly down the hallway. It takes us much longer than it should to finally reach the rear exit where I¡¯m thankful to see Carter waiting with the car right in front of the door. He quickly rushes to us when he sees us approaching. As soon as the SUV door is open, Nichs gets in and slides across the seat, cing his head against the window. I climb in next to him before Carter closes the door behind me.


    ¡°Are you okay? Can I get you anything?¡±


    He just shakes his head and closes his eyes; Carter gets in the front seat and we pull out of the hotel parking lot.


    ¡°Mr. Parker¡­ do I need to take you to the hospital?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°No¡­ home,¡± he mumbles.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Home¡­ call my mother, Carter. See if she can get there tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    I sit next to Nichs who still hasn¡¯t opened his eyes. I¡¯m not really sure what I can do for him but I feel a strong need to do something. I ask Carter for a bottle of water, which thankfully he has a couple cold on the front seat with him. Even though Nichs didn¡¯t ask for it, I open it and give it to him, encouraging him to take some. He takes a small sip, but quickly gives the bottle back to me, shaking his head.


    ¡°Sir, your mother said she meet us at home and should get there just after we do. Kenzie, she asked to speak to you after she meets with Mr.


    Parker as she is concerned this could be food poisoning.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ we didn¡¯t eat the same main course, but I¡¯ll talk to her just in case.¡±


    We arrive at The ord Towers a few minutester and with Carter¡¯s assistance we manage to get Nichs to the elevator where he leans against the wall for support. He looks weak and he has barely opened his eyes since we left the hotel. I¡¯m worried that I should insist Carter take him to the hospital instead of back to his apartment. He looks like he should be in a hospital.  Maybe his mother could convince him to let Carter take him there tonight?


    I barely notice the elevator stopping; the doors open into arge foyer and I¡¯m immediately taken aback when I realize that this must be where Nichs lives.  Carter wraps his arm around Nichs¡¯s waist, as he leans on him for support as we walk across the vast tile floor. I follow Carter and Nichs down a hallway to arge bedroom that is easily triple the size of the master bedroom in the condo I¡¯m staying in. Carter helps


    Nichs to sit on the bed before leaving the room, I assume to wait for Nichs¡¯s mom.


    ¡°Can I help you take your jacket off?¡± I offer.


    He shakes his head but when he struggles to coordinate his movements, I take over and slip the jacket off his arms. He falls back onto the bed, groaning when his head meets the pillow. I nce around therge room for a bathroom and spot a door next to the bed but when I open it I embarrassingly realize it is arge walk in closet and not a bathroom. There¡¯s another door across from the bed where I finally find an incredible bathroom: a girl could seriously live in a bathroom like this.  There¡¯s arge tub that is just begging for someone to soak in, a walk in shower with dual shower heads and of course a double vanity with an area for a woman to apply her make up.


    In a few of the articles I read about Nichs it referenced a woman he previously lived with who I assume probably fell in love with this bathroom the moment she saw it. I don¡¯t know why but the thought of picturing him with another woman bothers me even though there is no reason it should. Our arrangement is purely business; I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he had a woman that he keeps away from the press- he is a man after all. I quickly shake my head, pulling myself from thoughts of him with another woman and go in search of what I came in here for. Looking around I spot a basket filled with washcloths; I wet one and bring it back into the bedroom. He shudders when I ce the cool cloth on his forehead but doesn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, Dr. Parker is here,¡± Carter announces from the doorway.


    ¡°Dr. Parker, it¡¯s nice to see you again-¡±


    ¡°Please, no one calls me Dr. Parker unless I¡¯m working dear,¡± she chuckles.


    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Parker-¡±


    Yes, we met at the New Beginnings G but we didn¡¯t have much of a chance to talk with everything going on that night. This is the first time I¡¯m really talking to Nichs¡¯ mom and with him practically passed out on the bed, it¡¯s a little unnerving.


    ¡°How about you call me Vivienne,¡± she suggests.


    ¡°Vivienne¡­ thank you foring so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what happened and more importantly what Nichs ate tonight,¡± she requests as she sits on the bed next to him to take his pulse.


    ¡°He had a chicken entree for dinner, I think there was spinach and cheese on it.  He ate about half of it and a few pieces of his asparagus; I don¡¯t think he touched the rice. He gave a speech just after we finished dinner then we sat through two other ones. That¡¯s when I noticed he suddenly looked pale. His leg was shaking and he was¡­ his neck seemed hot when I touched him. I tried to get him to drink water but he really hasn¡¯t had much.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t need anything else, I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Rose,¡± Carter greets me as soon as I leave Nichs¡¯s room.


    ¡°Dr. Parker¡­ I mean Vivienne is with Nichs.¡±


    ¡°I want to show you around the main floor quickly,¡± I look at him confused as to why he would think I needed a tour of Nichs¡¯s apartment right now. ¡°If Dr. Parker suggests you talk in the kitchen or Nichs¡¯s office it might be a good idea for it to appear that you have been here before.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Yes, you¡¯re probably right.¡±


    Carter quickly gives me a tour of the main floor: there is arge great room, also a room that is probably any man¡¯s dreamplete with a pool table and dart board, arge dining room with a table that seats at least 10, Nichs¡¯s office, a guest bathroom and a chef¡¯s dream kitchen. I could easily live in just the kitchen itself¡­ it¡¯s easily double the size of the one in my condo and has everything a chef could ever need.


    ¡°Would you like a cup of tea, coffee or a ss of wine?¡± Carter offers.


    ¡°A cup of tea would be nice thank you.¡±

 Chapter 70

    Carter quickly makes a cup of tea for me and joins me at therge ind in the kitchen while we wait for Vivienne to finish with her son. He points out the pantry and another door that I¡¯m surprised to learn is another small apartment that he and Julie share. Nichs¡¯s main floor is sorge, I can¡¯t imagine how much more remains up the stairs that I saw in the foyer. How much space can one man possibly need?


    ¡°Carter, Kenzie,¡± Vivienne enters the kitchen.


    ¡°Dr. Parker, can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee-¡± Carter offers.


    ¡°No thank you Carter.  I can¡¯t stay long, I¡¯m scheduled to work a double tonight at the hospital,¡± she says. ¡°Kenzie, how are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ Nichs and I didn¡¯t eat the same meal tonight thankfully.¡±


    ¡°Good. I am pretty confident that Nichs has a case of food poisoning, but I¡¯m taking some blood to the hospital just to rule out anything else. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s the flu, given the sudden onset, but I want to rule it out just to be sure.¡±


    ¡°So he¡¯s going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, in a few days he should be fine. He probably should be in a hospital, but my son is incredibly stubborn just like his father and refuses to go. He¡¯s more worried that someone might think he is weak by being admitted into a hospital than he is about his own health. He¡¯s stable for now, but I¡¯ve warned him that if his condition worsens or if his blood work shows something more serious then I will call for the ambnce myself to bring him to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°What can we do for him?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, there¡¯s not much you can do but keep himfortable. I¡¯ve given him something for fever and nausea which should help. Someone will need to check on him every couple of hours through the night; dehydration is a big concern. Tomorrow if Julie can prepare some chicken broth-¡±


    ¡°Julie is away for the weekend Dr. Parker,¡± Carter interrupts.


    ¡°Oh¡­ perhaps you can pick something up from a restaurant?  It needs to be nd, my only concern with ordering it from somewhere.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure we have something for him in the freezer.¡±


    ¡°Tonight, we need someone to check on him every two to three hours. If his temperature spikes above 103. 8, I will need to be contacted immediately and if I¡¯m not avable then someone needs to call an ambnce. He needs medication around the clock for the next 48 hours to keep his fever down and prevent him from vomiting any liquid he takes in. As I said, dehydration is my concern; if he doesn¡¯t take in enough liquids, his body could begin shutting down. I cannot stress enough the importance of someone monitoring him around the clock this weekend.  If Julie is not avable, will one of you two be willing to do this?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, I¡¯m scheduled to fly out in a few hours to meet Julie at her niece¡¯s wedding. I can try to arrange ater flight¡­ maybe I can stay for a few hours in the morning-¡±


    ¡°I cane by tomorrow afternoon to check on him, but unfortunately I¡¯m scheduled to work a double tonight and then the overnight shift tomorrow night. Theodore is out of town helping someone with a project. Cara left this morning for a weekend trip with a few friends. Austin¡­ well let¡¯s just say Austin wouldn¡¯t be the ideal person to take care of someone who is ill.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay,¡± I offer.


    ¡°Are you sure, Kenzie?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem,¡± I assure him.


    ¡°Hunter and Ben are scheduled to work this weekend, either of them can run out for anything you might need,¡± Carter adds.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll be fine. I can make the chicken broth that you rmended, Vivienne; I¡¯m sure Julie has everything I would need. If you let me know about the medication I can make sure he takes it as you say.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful, thank you so much! Nichs is very lucky to have you. I¡¯m thankful that you didn¡¯t have ns this weekend; I¡¯m not sure what we would have done if you weren¡¯t avable. He probably would have had no choice but to go into the hospital where he would have been most unhappy.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, I¡¯m d I can help.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s some medication to get you through the night. Carter, I¡¯ve called in a few prescriptions to the pharmacy, so can you arrange for someone to pick them up first thing in the morning?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Dr. Parker.¡±


    ¡°He needs this one every four hours to keep his fever down. I left a forehead thermometer on the nightstand in his room and rmend checking his temperature every two to three hours. At the same time you¡¯ll need to get him to drink something. Here¡¯s a few packets of an electrolyte drink; just mix it with cold water and it helps prevent dehydration. Carter, this is another thing that should be picked up at the pharmacy tomorrow morning. They may not have it in powder but they should have it in liquid form.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure Hunter or Ben picks everything up as soon as they open.¡±


    ¡°If you have trouble waking him up, or his fever spikes, you need to call me right away, Kenzie. Here is my cell number and the hospital number where you can have me paged if I don¡¯t answer my cell. If you can¡¯t reach me, call an ambnce and have him brought in. Don¡¯t worry about him getting mad at you, I¡¯ll take full responsibility. His health is more


    important than what the media might think of him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call for an ambnce if I can¡¯t reach you, I promise.¡±


    ¡°He might start feeling betterte tomorrow afternoon. If he feels up to it, you can add some noodles and vegetables to the broth. He shouldn¡¯t eat anything heavy at least until Monday and even then, it needs to be small amounts. He may tell you otherwise, but it¡¯s important that you monitor him all weekend. Even when his fever finally leaves, he isn¡¯t out of the woods, as it cane back at any time over the next few days. Just keep an eye on him once the fever drops, make sure he keeps drinking and eating. Drinking is more important than eating so don¡¯t panic if he doesn¡¯t eat anything. Just don¡¯t let him convince you that he is fine.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I promise I¡¯ll stay until you say it¡¯s safe to leave.¡±

 Chapter 71

    ¡°Julie and I are both scheduled to fly back on Monday afternoon so we can take over then if he still needs someone,¡± Carter offers.


    ¡°By Monday hopefully, he will be out of the woods. It¡¯s the next two days that we really need to focus on, but Monday should be the final day. And Kenzie, don¡¯t let him do too much work when he does start to feel better. He needs his rest, so try to get him to just rest.  His body can¡¯t recover if he is using the little energy he has to sit in front of aputer and stare at spreadsheets all day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± I agree despite knowing that it will probably be very difficult to get Nichs to stay away from work.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I need to get going.  I¡¯m alreadyte for my shift at the hospital. Kenzie, I appreciate you staying this weekend; if I wasn¡¯t scheduled to work or could find a recement I would stay myself-¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t mind,¡± I assure her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call in a few hours and check on him. Maybe you can text me so I have your cell phone number?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll send you a text in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Take care; don¡¯t hesitate to call me at any time. Even if you just have a question about the medication, just call.¡±


    ¡°I will and thank you again foring tonight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Kenzie. I really appreciate this; I¡¯m sure it¡¯s not how you envisioned spending your weekend,¡± Vivienne gives me a quick hug goodbye before heading to the hospital for her shift.


    ¡°Carter, I¡¯m going to run to my apartment quick and grab a couple changes of clothes,¡± I realize that I¡¯m going to be needing a few things if I¡¯m going to be staying here this weekend.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll contact Hunter and Ben to let them know what is going on.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that we need both of them this weekend if Nichs and I are both here. I mean, it¡¯s just a thought¡­¡±


    ¡°No that¡¯s a good point. Originally Ben was covering for me as Hunter was going to be assigned to you for the weekend. I¡¯ll have Ben remain on call that way, if somethinges up, he cane in. Hunter will be here all weekend and will pick up anything you might need.¡±


    I take the elevator to my condo and begin to pack a small bag to bring back to Nichs¡¯s. I grab a couple changes of clothes, pajamas and toiletries to, adding the charger to my phone and a book I started reading the other night. I¡¯m not sure what else I might need but since I¡¯m only a few floors below, I know I can always run down here if I forget something.


    I check the email on my phone and see the registration confirmation for the cooking ss I was supposed to take this weekend. I quickly send a reply email notifying them that something hase up and I won¡¯t be able to attend the ss this weekend. I know I¡¯ll lose the deposit for the ss as it was nonrefundable but seeing that no one else was avable this weekend, there was no way I could still go to the ss without feeling guilty. With everything that Nichs has done for me, the least I can do is take care of him this weekend.


    Themunity college is offering another weekend cooking ss in a couple of months; I¡¯ll call Monday and have them transfer my payment to that ss which means I should only lose the registration deposit. In the end though, I¡¯m not upset. Nichs helped me after the break in at my apartment and moved me in the middle of the night to this condo when he could have easily looked the other way.  Canceling my ns this weekend is a small price to pay as a way to repay him.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, would you like me to put your bag in one of the guest rooms?¡± Carter greets me as soon as I step off the elevator.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    ¡°At the top of the stairs, there is a guest room on the right that I¡¯ll put your bag in.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to check on Nichs and look over the stuff that Mrs-Vivienne left.¡±


    I knock on Nichs¡¯s door, but of course he doesn¡¯t answer. I wait a couple of minutes just in case he is in the bathroom. I don¡¯t want to walk in and make it awkward. When he doesn¡¯t respond I open the door a little but upon seeing him still in bed, I open the door more and step into the room.  Nichs is lying in his bed, another one that is entirely too big for one person I decide, and is still sound asleep.  His breathing is soft and steady as he sleeps but his coloring looks a little better.


    I quietly walk over to his nightstand and look at everything Vivienne left for him. I rey her instructions as to what I need to do this weekend and realize that I probably won¡¯t be able to sleep in the guest room upstairs where Carter just put my bag. I¡¯m not about to sleep in the same bed as Nichs, so I try toe up with another solution. Looking around the dark room, I see a chaise lounge in the corner so I move it closer to the bed and decide that this is where I will sleep tonight. It will keep me close enough to Nichs to check on him throughout the night but not too close that either of us will be ufortable.


    I¡¯m not sure how he will feel about me staying here this weekend. When he and Carter moved me into the condo, Nichs told me he also lived here but now I obviously know exactly where he lives. Not only do I know where he lives, but I¡¯m staying with him for the entire weekend. I hope that he isn¡¯t mad that I¡¯m invading his privacy by staying here; I don¡¯t think there was really another option to avoid him being admitted into a hospital

 Chapter 72

    Nichs


    I feel like I¡¯ve been hit by a fucking Mac truck!


    My body aches, every fucking muscle hurts; like I was hit by a fucking truck or something! What the fuck is wrong with me? I try to open my eyes but FUCK, even doing that hurts!  I can barely focus on the clock next to my bed¡­ 2:03 it reads. My room is dark so it must be two in the morning. I manage to push myself into a sitting position but fuck if just sitting up doesn¡¯t hurt. What the fuck happenedst night? I scramble my brain, trying to figure out why I feel like I-want-to-die-and-afraid-I-won¡¯t death. Kenzie and I went to the dinner; I remember the dry chicken that had no taste whatsoever. I gave a speech¡­ Kenzie kissed me.


    Kenzie fucking kissed me.


    Kenzie kissed me¡­ on the lips.


    Kenzie¡¯s lips were on mine.


    God, I was so shocked, I think I just stood there without doing anything for a full minute. I knew she would rightly assume that the schrship portion of my speech was written because of her. When I was writing that part earlier in the week, I couldn¡¯t help but think about her.  I have been fortunate that if something like that happened to me when I was at NYU, my parents would have immediately stepped in and helped me out until I could apply for loans or other schrships.


    Kenzie is so closed off that I don¡¯t know much about her family, but since she had to drop out of school, I can only assume that they were not able to financially support her for herst year. I immediately knew that if PFS were funding a schrship I wanted a use put in that the same thing would not happen to a student we helped.


    However, her reaction to my speech was nothing I could have expected. I watched her from the stage, unable to take my eyes off her; I watched her eyes fill with tears as my speech sunk in. I couldn¡¯t get off the stage fast enough¡­ I wanted to go to her and do¡­ something. I don¡¯t know what but I just remember thinking that I didn¡¯t want to see her cry because of a speech. Of course, the moment I stepped off the stage people surrounded me, shaking my hand and wanting to talk to me.


    When I finally made my way back to the table, Kenzie was standing there waiting for me. I immediately took her hand in mine, relieved to see that there were no tears in her eyes any longer. I don¡¯t remember what I was thinking, but the next thing I knew her lips were on mine. I swear it took me a minute to realize it wasn¡¯t my all in my head- I¡¯ve imagined what her lips would feel like for weeks now¡­ hell probably since the first time I saw her. I couldn¡¯t help but pull her closer to me. When she gripped my arms, I swear I almost bent her over the table right there. It took everything in me to pull back in that moment; if we weren¡¯t in the middle of an awards dinner, I never would have stopped kissing her.


    As we sat down, I remember I had absolutely no interest in the following speaker¡¯s remarks.  It was Kenzie, only Kenzie, who held my attention.  But she wouldn¡¯t look at me and seemed entirely enrapt with who must have been giving away the secrets to life. I decided to wait until the speaker was finished before saying something to her to make sure she was okay, but then I started feel sick. I remember feeling hot and dizzy, the room was spinning as if I had too much to drink. I remember wondering if I was drunk but I negated that possibility when I remembered no alcohol was served at dinner. No matter how hard I try, I can¡¯t remember anything else fromst night.


    It takes me a few minutes and multiple tries but I finally manage to get out of bed. When the room finally stops spinning, I decide to head to the bathroom, hoping that if I ssh water on my face it will help.


    FUCK


    I walk right into the chair that is normally in the corner of my room. What the fuck is that doing next to my bed? Why the fuck would I have moved a chairst night? There¡¯s a throw nket from the great room lying across the chair¡­ did I sleep in the chairst night? Why would I move it next to my bed to sleep in it? Why wouldn¡¯t I just sleep in my own bed? I shake my head; nothing seems to make sense tonight. I use the bathroom, ssh water on my face and decide to head to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. I¡¯m confused when I open my bedroom door as the apartment is very bright; my room was nearly pitch dark but now I realize that someone must have closed my curtains.


    I slowly make my way down the hall to the kitchen and am shocked again at what I see and confused even more. Kenzie is in my kitchen, with her back to me, cooking something on my stove. I try to figure out how the hell she ended up herest night but for the life of me I can¡¯t remember anything. God, I would think if I fucked her I would remember it! But that doesn¡¯t make sense¡­ I can¡¯t see either of us jeopardizing our arrangement like that, no matter how much I¡¯ve thought about it since I saw her in a bikini. So if I didn¡¯t fuck her, what the fuck is she doing in my kitchen?


    Why is she in my apartment?


    ¡°Kenzie?¡±


    I finally give up trying to remember what the fuck happenedst night and figure asking her is the only way to find out. Of course, my voicees out as barely above a whisper but she must have heard me because she immediately turns around and gasps in surprise.


    ¡°Nichs! You¡¯re not supposed to be out of bed! Sit down, let me get you some water,¡± she rushes around me pulling a bottle of cold water from the fridge and handing it to me. As she runs over to the stove to turn the heat down on whatever she is making, I realize how odd it is to have her here. Other than Julie and my mother, no woman has stepped foot in this kitchen, yet Kenzie isfortably moving around as if she has been here multiple times¡­ as if she belongs here.


    ¡°How are you feeling? Do you feel like your fever is back? It shouldn¡¯t be; you¡¯re not due for more medicine for another two hours¡­¡± she nces at her watch while rambling.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have a fever, why would I?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember what happened?¡±


    ¡°Not really¡­ I mean, I remember the awards dinner.¡± Her face blushes and I can tell she must be remembering the kiss as well. I hold off bringing it up until I figure out exactly what the hell happened. ¡°I remember I started not to feel well after my speech, but I can¡¯t seem to remember much after that.¡±


    ¡°Drink the water and I¡¯ll tell you what happened,¡± she eyes the still full bottle in my hands. ¡°Your mom will be mad at me if you don¡¯t drink enough.¡±


    ¡°My mom?¡±


    ¡°Drink,¡± shemands and I reluctantly open the bottle and take a few small sips which I admit feels really good on my sore throat. ¡°We stayed for two speeches after yours but by the second it was clear something was wrong. Your face was very pale and your leg was shaking. I asked if everything was okay and you shook your head no. I texted Carter who met us at the back door since we were closest to that exit. By the time we got into the car you were pretty out of it-you kept your eyes closed the entire ride and didn¡¯t say much. Carter offered to take you to the hospital but you refused-¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°He called your mom who came shortly after we got back here. She had asked to talk with me when she came to see you-¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°She suspected food poisoning and to see if I was at risk ofing down with it. Since we ate different meals the chances were slim that it would hit me as well.¡±


    ¡°Food poisoning? That¡¯s what¡¯s wrong with me?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, as all of your other blood work came back clear.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here though? Where¡¯s Julie or Carter?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± she looks upset and I realize that what I said came outpletely wrong.


    ¡°Shit¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Kenzie. I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I was just surprised to see you here.¡±


    ¡°Julie is away for the weekend¡­at a wedding I think.  Carter left very early this morning to catch a flight to meet her.¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s right, I forgot they were off this weekend.¡±


    ¡°Hunter is here and Ben is on call. Hunter went to the pharmacy as soon as they opened this morning and got everything your mom requested for you.¡±


    ¡°What are you making? Something smells really good,¡± my stomach growls suddenly.


    ¡°It¡¯s chicken noodle soup. Your mom said you should start with broth first but if you are able to keep that down you could move to chicken and noodles. I¡¯m making arge batch of it, figuring you could freeze it in case you get sick again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get sick¡­ well not usually.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to eat here? Or somewhere else?¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s fine.¡±


    She brings me a bowl of hot broth a few minutester before getting herself a bowl with chicken, noodles and vegetables in it. I can¡¯t help but look at her bowl with envy; it looks so much better than mine does. I¡¯m surprised when I taste my broth though; it doesn¡¯t taste like colored water like I expected.


    ¡°I appreciate you making this for me, but it wasn¡¯t necessary. I¡¯m sure Ben could have gotten something from a restaurant, but thank you.¡±


    ¡°Your mom was concerned it wouldn¡¯t be nd enough. It wasn¡¯t a big deal; I haven¡¯t made chicken noodle soup in a long time.¡±


    ¡°You said that Carter left early this morning?¡± She nods. ¡°So you¡¯ve been here since he left?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I¡­ actually¡­¡± she stutters and for the first time since I¡¯ve met her, she actually looks nervous, almost deathly nervous.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here sincest night.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°You slept here?¡±

 Chapter 73

    I¡¯m shocked¡­ beyond shocked. I swore I would never let another woman, well one who wasn¡¯t family, into my personal space again. Swore I would never let someone get this close to me again. To say that I¡¯m conflicted right now is an understatement. I¡¯ve thought of Kenzie being here, hell I wanted her here, but now that she¡¯s actually here, in my home, I don¡¯t know what to think. A few hours is one thing, but fuck she¡¯s been here the entire night. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust her, I do¡­ but it¡¯s hard not to be skeptical after what she did.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Your mother wouldn¡¯t agree to keep you here unless someone agreed to spend the weekend taking care of you. If I hadn¡¯t agreed to stay, she was going to admit you to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure someone-¡±


    ¡°Your mother was on her way to the hospital to work a double and is scheduled to work overnight tonight, your dad and Cara are out of town and your mom felt Austin wasn¡¯t the right person-¡±


    ¡°No, he probably isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°With Julie and Carter away¡­.¡±


    ¡°No, that makes sense. Look, thank you for staying with me but I¡¯m sure you have things to do-¡± I don¡¯t want to keep her here; I have no doubt this is thest ce she wants to spend her weekend.


    ¡°Actually I can¡¯t leave.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Your mother made me promise to stay here until she cleared you to be able to stay by yourself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not necessary, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Nichs, but I gave her my word I would look after you this weekend. She said you would probably start to feel better this afternoon but she was concerned that you fever coulde back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure my mother is just overreacting-¡±


    ¡°I can assure you I am not overreacting, Nichs,¡± I hear my mother¡¯s voice before I see her walking down the hallway in her hospital scrubs.


    ¡°I was just exining to Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°I heard you,¡± she cuts me off and turns to give Kenzie a hug which absolutely shocks me. My mother is not a very trusting woman when ites to people in my life, especially females. ¡°How are you, Kenzie?  Are you still feeling okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Vivienne, thank you.¡±


    Vivienne? My mother is letting Kenzie call her by her first name? Well that¡¯s aplete shock. My mother insisted she call her Mrs. Parker; it was never an option for her, to call my mother anything else. When the truth came out about her my mother told me she never liked her but I guess I was blind to how much my mother truly didn¡¯t like her. Seeing her interact with Kenzie ispletely different; I can tell my mother actually likes Kenzie.


    ¡°Any problems since we spoke this morning?¡± my mom asks.


    ¡°No, I just finished making some soup.  Would you like a bowl?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love some, thank you,¡± and sits on the stool next to me while Kenzie rushes to the stove to get another bowl ready. The entire scene before me seems off¡­ like I¡¯m on the outside looking in, or like it¡¯s a TV show I¡¯m watching but missed arge chunk of it.  ¡°How are you feeling, dear? You gave us quite a scarest night.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡±


    ¡°Your temperature rose pretty high several times throughout the night. You are very lucky to have a woman in your life who cares so much about you. I know for a fact she barely sleptst night; if she got more than a couple of hours, you would have missed your medication and your fever would have spiked. You were dangerously close to being admitted into the hospitalst night and if it wasn¡¯t for Kenzie, I would have called the ambnce myself.¡±


    ¡°Vivienne, it was-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t argue, Kenzie. I know how little you slept and I have the text messages to prove it,¡± she gives Kenzie a look that basically prevents further argument. ¡°I¡¯m just saying dear, you have a wonderful woman here.


    Don¡¯t let her get a way.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, mom.¡± I¡¯m taken back by my mother¡¯s words. I can¡¯t recall her ever saying that to me before.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re eating soup; you¡¯re feeling okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­¡± Kenzie nods towards the hallway, clearly wanting to give us privacy.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve been hit by a truck honestly. My entire body hurts,¡± I admit.


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised, Nichs. You were pretty sickst night. The test results all came back clear, so I think this is a case of food poisoning. ording to the ER nurse who was onst night, they had several peoplee in with food poisoning. Looks like you weren¡¯t the only one who had the chicken dishst night.¡±


    ¡°UGH, I¡¯m never going back to that hotel.¡±


    ¡°I know you probably don¡¯t want Kenzie to see you like this, but it¡¯s important someone is here with you the rest of the weekend. Just because you¡¯re feeling a little better now doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re going to keep feeling so good. As you begin to eat and drink more, you could be sick again as your stomach might not be ready to handle food just yet. Dehydration is a major concern with any type of illness but especially with food poisoning. So either you allow Kenzie to stay here until Carter and Juliee back on Monday or I call for an ambnce and have you admitted to the hospital so I can keep an eye on you.¡±


    ¡°Is that really-¡±


    ¡°Yes it is,¡± her voice is firm and lets me know that I will not win this argument. I have no desire to be admitted into a hospital; thest thing I need is for the press to start leaking stories that I¡¯m dying or have some debilitating illness that prevents me from running PFS.


    ¡°Okay, Kenzie can stay the weekend,¡± I say with resignation.


    ¡°Now, was that so bad?¡± she raises an eye brow chuckling. ¡°I need to get going, been working far too many hours and need to get some sleep before my next shift. Let Kenzie know I said goodbye. I¡¯m serious, Nichs, don¡¯t let this one go. It¡¯s very rare to find a woman who is as selfless as she is. Last night should have proved to you just how much she cares for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Mom, I love you,¡± I kiss her on the cheek before she walks out of the room.


    I¡¯m shocked that Kenzie volunteered to stay the weekend with me; she could have easily said she had ns and let my mother arrange for me to be admitted into the hospital. Our date endedst night, she didn¡¯t need to agree to stay beyond the dinner. She could have told Carter and my mother that she wasn¡¯t able to stay. Why didn¡¯t she? Why would she agree not only to stay the weekend with me but if what my mother said was true, stay up most of the night to make sure I was okay? Maybe she thought if she didn¡¯t stay with me I would get mad? That I would terminate our arrangement?


    ¡°Did your mom leave?¡± Kenzie walks into the kitchen quickly pulling me from my thoughts.


    ¡°She did, she wanted to get home and to nap before her next shift.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯s tired.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I don¡¯t want you to think that I¡¯m ungrateful-¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think-¡±


    ¡°I know I sounded ungrateful,¡± I interrupt her quickly. ¡°I appreciate you staying herest night, more than you know. Thank you for this weekend; thank you for keeping me out of the hospital. This¡­ what you


    did¡­ it¡¯s more than I ever would have expected.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just d I could help,¡± she shrugs it off, obviously ufortable.


    ¡°And the soup was delicious. I¡¯m looking forward to having moreter if I¡¯m still feeling good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it on the stove to keep warm; it¡¯ll make a good light mealter tonight if you get hungry.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ Did you want to watch a movie or something?¡±


    ¡°Sure, that would be nice.¡±


    We settle into the only room in my apartment that has a television. I don¡¯t have much free time, so watching television is something I rarely do. In my billiards room, I have arge t screen TV on one of the walls with arge couch in front of it. Originally Austin convinced me to get it so we could y video games on it but then Cara insisted I get a movie streaming subscription so she could order movies when she is here.  I rarely use the service, it¡¯s here. There¡¯s no way I could concentrate on PFS work right now, even if I wanted to. My body is too sore and my head feels like it¡¯s in the clouds. I doubt I could respond to an email right now, let alone do anything productive. At least with the TV in here, it gives Kenzie and me something to do since she¡¯s stuck here all weekend.


    ¡°What type of movies do you like?¡± I ask her as we both sit down on the couch in front of the TV.


    ¡°Something funny would be nice, but really I¡¯ll watch anything.¡±


    I flip through the on screen guide until I reach theedy section and slowly scroll through the movies, most of which I¡¯ve never heard of until she speaks up.


    ¡°Oh, can we watch that one? I saw the previews when it was in the theater but never got a chance to see it.¡±


    ¡°Sure, whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Oh, let me grab my phone. I need to set the rm for your next medicine.¡±


    She jumps from the couch before I can offer to get it and returns a few minutester with a prescription bottle and her phone. She presses a few buttons before cing the phone on the arm of the couch next to her. Just as I hit y on the movie, I see her putting the throw nket that was on the chair next to my bed over her legs. Suddenly I realize that not only did Kenzie sleep herest night but that she slept in my bedroom. God, I hope I didn¡¯t have a nightmare. She hasn¡¯t mentioned me having one, so hopefullyst night was a rare night.


    ¡°Nichs? Nichs?¡± I hear Kenzie¡¯s voice and realize I must have fallen asleep at some point during the movie.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ how long was I asleep?¡±


    ¡°About three hours. I wasn¡¯t going to wake you but you need to take your medicine,¡± she hands me a couple pills and a bottle of water.


    ¡°I should get up anyway,¡± I stand up but realize I must have stood too fast because the entire room goes ck and I feel dizzy again.


    ¡°Sit back down,¡± Kenzie¡¯s by my side immediately, her arm around my waist helping me back onto the couch.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ I must have gotten up too fast.¡±


    ¡°Maybe try and wait a few minutes before you get up again?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, probably a good idea.¡± I sit back on the couch and close my eyes, willing my body to return to normal. I hate being sick-I especially hate letting someone see me like this. She shouldn¡¯t have to deal with me being sick; if I wasn¡¯t afraid my mother would follow through with her threat to admit me into the hospital, I would insist that Kenzie go home. She shouldn¡¯t have to stay the entire weekend with me, worrying about medication schedules and cooking soups.  I¡¯m sure this is thest thing she imagined doing this weekend, she was probably- ¡°Your cooking sses,¡± I realize aloud.


    ¡°I sent them an emailst night letting them know I wouldn¡¯t be able to attend-¡±


    ¡°Oh Kenzie, I¡¯m so sorry.  Perhaps you can still go tomorrow?  I¡¯m


    sure-¡±


    ¡°It was a two day ss; you needed tomit to attending both days when you registered for the ss. Really, Nichs, it¡¯s not a big deal; they¡¯re offering another weekend ss in a couple of months so I¡¯ll arrange for them to transfer my payment to one.¡±


    ¡°Ipletely forgot. I assure you, had I remembered I would have figured something else out so you could still take your ss.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, it¡¯s fine really; you needed someone to stay the weekend with you and I could arrange my schedule easier than anyone else could, it was a simple decision. There will be other sses that I can take, so please don¡¯t give it a second thought.¡±


    Well now I feel worse than I did earlier; I feel like a dick for not remembering that this weekend was the cooking ss she signed up for. I could tell she was excited about it when she told me on our way to dinner yesterday. I feel like such an ass for not remembering. When I can think more clearly, I need to find a way to repay her for everything she has done this weekend. Giving up her ss, rearranging her life, is more than I think anyone would have done in the same situation. Allowing myself to think back to my life a few years ago, I can honestly say that no one in my life outside of my family would have done something like this for me. She never would have given up something she wanted to do to take care of me. Not for the first time, I can¡¯t help but wonder what the fuck I was thinking.

 Chapter 74

    Nichs


    ¡°What should the sleeping arrangements be tonight?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­st night I slept in your room-¡±


    ¡°You did?¡±


    ¡°It made sense¡­ I had to check your temperature every couple of hours, then give you medicine and water. It didn¡¯t seem feasible for me to sleep upstairs. I know it probably wasn¡¯t ideal, but I moved a chair next to your bed and slept there so I could keep an eye on you.¡±


    ¡°I was wondering how the chair moved there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I meant to move it but I didn¡¯t want to wake you-I guess I forgot about it.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. When I woke up and saw it there, I thought I moved it there but couldn¡¯t figure out why I would have done that.¡±


    ¡°Your mom said you probably won¡¯t need anything tonight but that I should keep an ear out just in case.  Carter put my bag in a guest room upstairs but I don¡¯t think I would be able to hear you from there.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I don¡¯t think you have anything to worry about. I¡¯m feeling much better, especially after having more of the soup you made.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ I would just feel better if I were closer just in case.¡±


    ¡°If it makes you sleep better tonight, how about if I sleep in the guest room next to the room you¡¯re in tonight?¡±


    I immediately regret the suggestion the moment the words leave my mouth. If she is sleeping in the room next to me, it increases the chance that she could hear my nightmare. If by some chance I managed to not have onest night when she was in my room, it almost definitely guarantees I will have one tonight. UGH, I should have thought of another option. I can¡¯t have her hearing me. I don¡¯t need her asking questions about why I have them. She doesn¡¯t need to know about that part of my life; we don¡¯t need to cross that line. I don¡¯t want to see her looking at me with pity the way anyone does when they witness my nightmares. She¡¯s one of the few people who don¡¯t look at me like that.


    ¡°Really? That would be a great idea. Are you sure you don¡¯t mind?N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    I could always sleep on the couch or something-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m not going to have you sleep on the couch. It¡¯s bad enough you had to sleep in an ufortable chair-¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s much lessfortable than a bed would have been I¡¯m sure. I can¡¯t ask you to sleep on the couch tonight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate that. I just want to be close enough that if you need something or if I have to call your mom¡­ ¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°I think if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m going to get ready for bed. I¡¯m pretty beat and that bed upstairs is calling my name,¡± Kenzie says a few minutester.


    ¡°Of course. There should be everything you need in the bedroom, but if something is missing, let me know and I¡¯m sure I can figure out where Julie keeps whatever it is you might need. The bathroom should be fully stocked as well, but if you need something let me know. I¡¯ll be in the room just to the left of your room. I¡¯ll be heading up in the next few minutes as well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Nichs. Is there anything you need before I go upstairs?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll take a couple bottles of water up with me and my medicine.¡±


    Kenzie takes our sses to the kitchen before heading upstairs, while I sit back on the couch for a few minutes and try to figure out how the hell I¡¯m going to get through tonight without having a nightmare. I wish like hell this wasn¡¯t an issue, but it¡¯s rare for me to not have one and if I didn¡¯t have itst night, it¡¯s almost guaranteed I will have another tonight. After a few minutes I realize there is nothing I can so I go to my room and change into something I can sleep in. Before heading upstairs to the guest room, I stop in my office and grab myptop taking it upstairs with me. I don¡¯t know that I¡¯ll be able to get much work done, but perhaps if I can distract myself, I might avoid having a nightmare.


    When I get to the top of the stairs, I pause at the closed door of the room Kenzie is sleeping in tonight. I don¡¯t know why I stop but I find myself wanting to go into her room. Walking into the room next to hers, I


    shake my head. I turn on theptop and wait for it to start while scrolling through emails on my phone to see what I have missed in thest 24 hours. Of course, I have dozens of emails that I haven¡¯t read, let alone responded to since I left for the dinnerst night.


    I¡¯m reading through an email from Alex about apany that we¡¯ve been considering taking on for over a month now, when I hear the shower water start.  It takes me a moment to realize that Kenzie must be getting into the shower in the ensuite just on the other side of my room. Of course my mind goes into overdrive; knowing she is in the shower I can¡¯t not picture her naked in there. I imagine her standing under the hot water, her pale skin turning pink from the heat of the water, the water cascading down her beautiful body. It takes everything in me not to rush into her room, open the bathroom door and walk into the shower with her¡­


    I wouldn¡¯t bother to take my clothes off but would wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me until she could feel just what she does to me. Unlike the kiss at the awards dinner, I take full control of this one: my lips are firm against hers, she gasps in surprise as I take full advantage and slip my tongue into her mouth.  I explore her mouth while my hands explore every inch of her body that I can reach. She tugs at my hair, pulling me closer to her as she bes more aroused.


    My hands find her perfect breasts; she moans against my lips when I tease her hardened nipples. She tugs my pants down, freeing my dick which is begging for her attention. I groan into her mouth when she takes me in her hand¡­ I¡¯m so close toing, it takes everything in me to hold it back. I haven¡¯t been this out of control since I was a teenager. I¡¯ve never been so turned by a woman; I want nothing more than to plunge deep inside her and stay there all night.


    Reminding myself that Kenzie deserves more than that, I force my attention back to Kenzie. My gaze goes down her beautiful body, taking her inpletely for the first time. I touch her everywhere and it¡¯s still not enough. Her body is screaming for me, begging me for attention. My fingers leave her nipple and slowly move down to her pussy. She gasps when I apply the slightest pressure to her clit. Her back arches, pushing her tits against my chest as I slide my fingers through her slick folds. She grips my dick tighter, pumping it as she begins to rock her hips against me. Our breathing is heavy, we¡¯re both moaning loudly as we both get closer to our releases.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ KENZIE!¡± I gasp as Ie, having been so caught up in my fantasy that I was pleasuring myself, while imagining it was Kenzie¡¯s hand on my dick.


    The shower water is no longer on. I have no idea how long I was lying in bed imagining her in the shower. I can¡¯t remember thest time I had to jack myself off. I can usually control myself. I don¡¯t know how to stop thinking about her like this. I need to keep things professional between us and can¡¯t risk her finding out that I¡¯m thinking about her like this. Thest thing I need is for her to be disgusted by me and cancel our arrangement. I need to find a way to stop thinking about her.


    Shaking my head, I head into my own shower, hoping that will clear my thoughts. Getting lost in the water seems to help, at least a little. My thoughts return to thest email Alex had sent about thepany I desperately want to work with.


    I leave the shower and return to my bed to begin responding to emails now that my mind is more focused. My rm on my phone goes off, I quickly take the medicine and return to work. I¡¯m d I¡¯m beginning to feel better, although I really don¡¯t think Kenzie needed to stay the weekend. I think my mom overreacted but I can¡¯t possibly tell her that. I lose myself in work, responding to emails and reviewing financial spreadsheets until I can¡¯t think straight any longer.


    ¡°No! Please¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t mean¡­ Ow! STOP!!! Please¡­ please¡­ you¡¯re hurting me¡­ ¡±


    I jump out of bed, ignoring the dizziness that threatens to force me back down when I hear Kenzie calling out. I can¡¯t move fast enough, I race out the door and down the hall to her room. There¡¯s less than 50 feet between our doors but it seems like it takes forever to get to her room. Thankfully she left the door unlocked; I don¡¯t know that I have the energy to break it down right now and hell if I know where Carter keeps the keys.


    ¡°Stop¡­ please¡­ please¡­ ¡± Kenzie is whimpering when I finally reach her bed, and I try calling out to her but she doesn¡¯t answer me. I don¡¯t know if she hears me; I assume she is having a nightmare because it¡¯s obvious no one is hurting her right now. I sit on the bed next to her, trying to determine what I should do next. I can¡¯t leave her like this though. I can¡¯t sit here and listen to her crying.


    ¡°Ow! Ow! Please¡­ stop¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry,¡± she cries and I know I need to do something.


    I slide myself down, lying next to her and pull her close to me. Her body stiffens at my touch, but I just hold her close to me whispering in her ear that she is safe. It takes several long minutes but finally her crying seems to lessen with only the asional sobing out.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ it¡¯s okay, baby. No one will hurt you again. I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you,¡± I whisper while rubbing her back trying to reassure her that she is safe.


    ¡°Nichs? What¡­ How¡­?¡± she tries to pull away from me a few minutester when she finally wakes up but I don¡¯t let go of her.


    ¡°You had a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I woke you¡­ I¡­ it was probably from that movie we watched earlier.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t from the movie, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I was reading a book-¡± ¡°Stop,¡± I plead.

 Chapter 75

    I look down at her but she doesn¡¯t look at me. I gently lift her chin until I can see her face. I¡¯ll never forget the look in her eyes: fear, shame, embarrassment and sorrow stare back at me. She silently begs me not to ask her about the nightmare but I don¡¯t know how to just let it go. Someone hurt her and that I can¡¯t ignore.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ who hurt you baby?¡±


    ¡°No one, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Someone hurt you. Your nightmare was real-it wasn¡¯t from a book or a movie, was it?¡±


    She shakes her head and tries to look back down but I hold her chin up, not wanting stop looking at her. I¡¯ve never seen her like this; the Kenzie I know is strong, confident and even when her apartment was broken into, she is resilient. This Kenzie looking up at me now is like a shell of that person: the person looking back at me is not the one I¡¯ve gotten to know thesest few weeks. My heart, which I swore would never exist again, breaks as she looks at me with pleading eyes.


    I don¡¯t know what to do; I don¡¯t know how to handle this. Put me in a board room and I can take on anything thates my way. Put Kenzie in my arms, sobbing after she relives someone hurting her and I don¡¯t know how to act. God, I want to find out so badly what happened to her. I want to beg her to tell me who did this to her and then I want Carter to find him so I can ruin him.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe, no one will ever hurt you again, I promise,¡± I vow. Even though I don¡¯t know who hurt her, I know I would do anything to keep her from being hurt again.


    She doesn¡¯t say anything but a single tear rolls down her cheek. She licks her lips as she shudders against me. I don¡¯t think about what happens next; it¡¯s almost as if my body has a mind of its own. Holding her chin in ce, I lean down until my lips hover just above hers. I close my eyes and wait¡­ I wait for her to push me away or tell me she doesn¡¯t want me to kiss her. When she doesn¡¯t say anything or push me away, I close the gap between our lips and envelope mine over hers. I wrap my arm around her waist, anchoring her to me as I deepen the kiss, not knowing how else tofort her right now. She tentatively reaches up, running her hand through my hair which is all the encouragement I need. I suck her bottom lip into my mouth; she moans in response and tugs at my hair just enough to make my dick start to stir.


    As I feel it twitching and threatening to make its presence known, I realize we need to stop before we both do something we would regret. As much as it kills me, I pull back from Kenzie¡¯s soft lips but keep her pressed against me. My heart is beating wildly; my breathing is heavy, almost as if I just finished running a marathon. God, I hope I wasn¡¯t wrong for kissing her¡­ thest thing I want is for her to feel like I took advantage of her when she was upset.


    ¡°Kenzie, baby¡­ tell me who hurt you.¡±


    ¡°No one.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true and we both know it. Who. Hurt. You?¡±


    ¡°Nichs, please let it go.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. Someone hurt you and I want to know who. I need to make sure whoever did this can¡¯t hurt you again.¡±


    ¡°He can¡¯t. He doesn¡¯t even live here; he can¡¯t hurt me again.¡±


    ¡°He lives on the west coast?¡± I suddenly realize that she didn¡¯t run to New York for love; she ran to get away from someone.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the reason you left; the reason you moved to New York.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Who was he?¡±


    ¡°No one.¡±


    ¡°Baby¡­ ¡±


    ¡°He was just a stupid guy who I thought loved me.¡±


    ¡°He was your boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Fiance technically.¡±


    ¡°You were going to marry him? Someone who hit you?¡±


    ¡°Please, Nichs. It¡¯s a part of my life I don¡¯t like to think about. I was young and incredibly stupid.¡±


    ¡°Why would you stay with him? You deserve so much better; no one should ever hit you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think anyone would ever love me-he was the first guy who acted like he cared about me. He would apologize after hitting me and tell me how much he loved me. I was stupid. I believed him. I believed that I deserved it every time he hit me. That I didn¡¯t deserve anything better.¡±


    ¡°Why would you think that? You¡¯re such a wonderful, loving, caring person. You deserve someone who treats you as such.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ that¡¯s not what I was told growing up. When you hear something often enough, you end up believing it.¡±


    ¡°Oh Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the past, Nichs¡­ I don¡¯t like to think about it.¡±


    ¡°What made you finally decide to leave? I¡¯m grateful you finally did but-¡±


    ¡°He almost killed me one night.¡±


    ¡°WHAT?!?!¡±


    I¡¯m fuming¡­ I¡¯m seeing red¡­ I¡¯m going to kill the son of a bitch. What kind of fucking piece of shit almost kills the woman he supposedly loves? What type of man hits any woman?


    ¡°Please, please¡­ I don¡¯t want to talk about it. I finally woke up that night, left him and worked with a wonderful group who helped me move out here. They made sure nothing from that night appeared in my medical records and helped me find a group in New York that could help me get my life back together.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ if he ever tries to contact you again I want you to tell me. Please, promise me you will tell me if you hear from him.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I will.¡±


    ¡°Do you often have nightmares?¡±


    ¡°Not really.  It¡¯s not like I have them every night. I wish I didn¡¯t have them at all, but they always seem to hit when I least expect it.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°I know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°You do?¡±


    I don¡¯t respond, not wanting to admit that she¡¯s not the only one who suffers from nightmares. Unlike Kenzie though, my nightmares ur almost every night. It¡¯s rare to go a night without one and I¡¯ve learned to function on very little sleep.  I¡¯ve been in therapy for years, but nothing stops them. I never would have expected Kenzie to have suffered from nightmares and never would have guessed the reason for them. I¡¯m left with more questions unanswered than were answered tonight. What the fuck did this guy do to her? What did her mother do when she was growing up to make her think she didn¡¯t deserve to be loved? Who the fuck is this low life who hurt her?


    I need to have Carter dig into her background. I need to know who this fucker was. I need someone on him to make sure he can¡¯t hurt Kenzie ever again. I don¡¯t give a shit what happens in a few weeks when our arrangement ends: I¡¯ll pay any cost to ensure that this fucker stays far away from her. People like that shouldn¡¯t be allowed in society; there is no ce for men who beat women.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± Kenzie moans softly, pulling me from my angry thoughts.


    I look down and realize that she is fast asleep, still wrapped in my arms. She moaned my name in her sleep¡­ and even though I have no idea why she did this, it makes me smile. I should leave, go back to my room and sleep in my own bed. I should leave things alone so they don¡¯t be awkward between us. Having Kenzie here isn¡¯t good; we are crossing too many lines this weekend. The right thing to do would be to go to sleep in the room next door, pretending that I never came in here. The right thing to do would be to forget everything she just told me. The right thing to do would be to forget how great it feels to have this woman curled up next to me. To forget how amazing it feels to have her sleeping in my arms. Unfortunately I¡¯ve never been good at doing the right thing.

 Chapter 76

    Kenzie


    I¡¯m hot¡­ like I¡¯m lying next to a scorching fire. I force my eyes open needing to figure out why it¡¯s suddenly so hot in here. I can¡¯t sleep when it¡¯s this hot. When my eyes finally focus, I immediately realize why I¡¯m sweltering and it absolutely floors me. Nichs, a shirtless Nichs no less, is lying next to me, sound asleep.  His leg is wrapped over mine and his arm rests across my stomach. It takes me a minute to remember how he ended up in here with me.


    I can¡¯t help but panic, remembering the nightmare I hadst night that brought him into my room. I never wanted to him to know about my past, never expecting there to be a reason for him to know about my nightmares. I never thought we would ever be sleeping under the same roof so in my mind there would never be a chance for him to find out about my ex. Over dinner you just don¡¯t randomly bring up that you dated an asshole who liked to hit you. You especially don¡¯t discuss things like that with a guy who is paying you to go on dates with him. That is not part of the contract. He wants and needs someone who isplication-free; he doesn¡¯t want to sit and talk about someone¡¯s horrible childhood or the stupid mistakes they made as an adult.


    I take onest nce at him, onest deep breath inhaling his scent, before I slide myself from his grip. I immediately feel¡­ alone. I can¡¯t remember thest time I had someone¡¯s arms around me like that. I can¡¯t remember thest time someone cuddled me after a nightmare; hell I can¡¯t remember thest time someone held me, period. I would love nothing more than to stay in bed, to stay wrapped in his arms all day, but unfortunately I know things are going to be awkward enough when he wakes up. I don¡¯t want to make things more so; I don¡¯t want to give Nichs any more of a reason to cancel our arrangement.


    I look back at him sound asleep in the bed that I was in only moments ago before I resolutely step into the hallway and close the door behind me. I head down to the kitchen, determined to make breakfast and a pot of coffee before Nichs wakes up. I need to wrap my head around everything that happenedst night. I need to wrap my head around how I feel about it all.


    God, it felt so good to sleep in Nichs¡¯s arms. I don¡¯t know why he came into my room when he could have just ignored my screams. I don¡¯t know why heid in bed next to me when he could have just called my name or shook me awake like they used to do at the shelter. I don¡¯t know why he held me even when I¡¯m sure I fought him¡­ I don¡¯t know why he kissed me. His soft lips felt amazing against mine-the kiss was so different than the one at the awards dinner. It was full of emotion, which doesn¡¯t make sense because this is just a business transaction. Nichs doesn¡¯t have feelings for me. He probably just felt sorry for me. Perhaps that¡¯s what


    I felt in the kiss¡­ sympathy.


    And then he stayed in my bed¡­ all night. He slept next to me the entire night when he could have easily gone back to the guest room he was supposed to stay in. Why didn¡¯t he go back to his room? Maybe he was going to return to his room but idently fell asleep? Maybe he thought I would be mad if he left?


    Did Nichs have any problems during the night? Vivienne


    No, his fever remained down and he ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup with veggies before bed without a problem.   Kenzie


    Good to hear! He might not have a bad case since he didn¡¯t eat all of the chicken Vivienne


    What can he have for breakfast? Should we stick with soup or can he have something else?  Kenzie


    Something light should be okay. Nothing greasy or too heavy though. Vivienne


    Great, thanks! Kenzie


    I¡¯ll stop byter this evening to check on him. If he holds down breakfast without a problem and his fever doesn¡¯t return, I don¡¯t see the need for you to stay another night. VivienneN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Thanks Kenzie


    I should be happy at Vivienne¡¯s text, of course I¡¯m happy that Nichs is feeling better and doesn¡¯t need me to stay. When I first read her text though, I couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed that I would be leaving soon. I don¡¯t know why, but I was kind of looking forward to spending more time with him especially now that he is on the mend. I learned a lot more about Nichs yesterday than I did over the few dinners and events we¡¯ve been to together. I knew after the night my apartment was broken into that he was caring, butst night just went beyond anything I could have imagined. Nichsforted me in a way that no one has ever been able to. In all the years I¡¯ve had nightmares, no one made me feel as safe as


    Nichs didst night. No one made me feel protected the way he did.


    I suppose it¡¯s a good thing that my stay here ising to an end earlier than originally nned; we¡¯ve crossed quite a few lines this weekend, that are going to be hard to uncross. After the way he held me and talked to mest night, I don¡¯t know how we go back to our business arrangement. Do we just pretend like this weekend never happened? I can feel the heat rushing to my face remembering how good it felt to be held by Nichsst night and how good it felt to have him kiss me the way he didst night. That is a side of him that I had no idea existed under the CEO facade he puts on every day. I¡¯ve caught a few glimpses it butst night I realized Nichs really is nothing I ever expected.


    I wish I had someone to talk to about all of this. Not only am I bound by the NDA I signed with Bridget and Nichs, I really don¡¯t have anyone. I don¡¯t have any friends and haven¡¯t in a long time. I was friendly with a few girls in college but once I had to drop out we lost touch. There were a few people from the restaurant I thought I could have be friends with over time but that was all forgotten when I had to quit that job. I¡¯m not very friendly with anyone at the bakery other than Ginny.


    I briefly consider talking with Bridget but quickly decide against it.


    What if she determines that I vited the contract with Nichs and fires me?  What if she ends the contract between me and Nichs? I don¡¯t even know what I would say to her. I don¡¯t know how to exin what I¡¯m feeling or even what I¡¯m thinking. Nichs and I have kissed a few times but I don¡¯t think that vites the contract. I vaguely remember her saying that we could amend the physical contact portion of our contract as I became morefortable with the person I was contracted with.


    I suppose we technically vited the contract since it hasn¡¯t been amended yet but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that big of deal. I¡¯m more concerned that Bridget will think I vited the contract by being here this weekend. All contact is supposed to go through Bridget; we¡¯re not supposed to make arrangements to see each other without involving her. This weekend was extenuating circumstances though¡­


    ¡°Something smells good,¡± Nichs¡¯s voice pulls me from my worries.


    ¡°Your mom said you could try a real meal this morning as long as it was light and non-greasy. I was just finishing an egg white omelet with veggies and a little cheese.¡±


    ¡°It smells really good but you didn¡¯t need to cook for me, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°I was up so it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Do you want to try coffee? Or maybe tea?¡±


    ¡°Coffee would be wonderful. I¡¯ll get it.¡±

 Chapter 77

    The coffee pot is right next to the stove where I¡¯m making our breakfast. Nichs is right next to me as he prepares his coffee. I can feel myself blushing immediately, remembering how it felt to have his body pressed against minest night and his body wrapped around me this morning when I woke up. When he returns to the breakfast bar the air around me suddenly feels cooler and I find myself wishing he hadn¡¯t left the spot where he was standing.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like it-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, you haven¡¯t made anything that I haven¡¯t liked, so I have no doubt this will taste just as good.¡±


    ¡°Your mom said she would stop byter this afternoon to check on you but that if you keep breakfast down and your fever doesn¡¯t return, you won¡¯t need me here any longer.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s good. I¡¯m sure you have things to do.¡±


    We sit in silence finishing our breakfast; both of us seem to be avoiding the topic ofst night. I don¡¯t know what to say to him. Do I apologize for having the nightmare? Do I thank him for waking me? For holding me all night? Forforting me? For kissing me?  How the hell does someone handle this?!?! I don¡¯t know that there is a protocol for how you deal with someone the morning after they wake you up and hold you all night following a nightmare. I suppose this would be different if we were friends or lovers; at least then we would be emotionally invested in our rtionship. This is different because we¡¯re not emotionally invested in this business transaction¡­ at least Nichs isn¡¯t. I think I could be¡­


    ¡°Do you return to work tomorrow or are you off?¡± Once again Nichs pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m scheduled to work in the morning. What about you? Are you going to PFS tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Probably not, I think I¡¯ll work from home tomorrow. My office is set up so that I can work from here so my assistant will only need to rearrange any face-to-face meetings I had scheduled for tomorrow. I think I¡¯ll spend one more day here before braving the office. I don¡¯t need my employees concerned that I¡¯m sick. It¡¯s the reason I didn¡¯t want to go to the hospital. It¡¯s not unusual for me to periodically work from home so it won¡¯t raise any red gs for anyone if I spend the day here tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you have that flexibility.¡±


    ¡°It is. I usually work a lot of evenings and weekends from here so having a fully equipped office is essential.¡±


    ¡°Do you ever not work?¡± I can¡¯t help butugh. It seems he works constantly: long hours at the office only to return home to work more hours.


    No wonder he said he doesn¡¯t have time to date¡­ it really doesn¡¯t.


    ¡°Not really. Even when I¡¯ve taken a vacation I don¡¯tpletely disconnect from the office. I can¡¯t¡­ when you run your own business like I do, a daypletely off means a risk that something could happen. I¡¯ve taken a day here and there, of course, but even then I¡¯ve never beenpletely unavable to my staff. Alex always knows how to reach me if somethinges up.¡±


    ¡°What do you like to do when you are able to take a day or two off?¡±


    ¡°I love spending time on the open water. I have a boat that I don¡¯t get to use nearly as much as I should.  There¡¯s something so calming about being on the water, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never been on a boat before.¡±


    ¡°Never?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Wow¡­ you have no idea what you¡¯re missing. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s the rocking from the waves or just the fact that you can look for miles and see nothing but blue; whatever it is, it¡¯s rxing.


    You should try it sometime.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°What about you? When you¡¯re not working, what do you like to do?¡±


    ¡°I like to read, so I spend a lot of time at the library. I¡¯ve always loved to cook and bake although thest apartment I lived in wasn¡¯t really conducive to cooking. Since I moved¡­ since I¡¯ve been staying downstairs, I have been cooking a lot more. I love to try new recipes or make up ones on my own. There¡¯s something very satisfying about making an entire meal from scratch.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know.  Unfortunately I can¡¯t cook very much.  A frozen pizza, spaghetti and anything that can be prepared in the microwave is pretty much the extent of my cooking skills.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you could follow a recipe-¡±


    ¡°Nope. I can barely follow the instructions Julie leaves me on the food she freezes for the weekends when she is off. I get too distracted; I¡¯ll start following a recipe or the heating instructions and then end up engulfed in emails or something work rted. The next thing you know, whatever I was making is burned to a crisp.¡±


    ¡°I guess I could see how that could happen.¡±


    We spend the next few hours learning more about each other as we lounge on the couch in the great room of Nichs¡¯s apartment. I find out he ys the guitar beautifully; I even talked him into ying a piece for me which was incredibly moving. I have absolutely no musical ability so watching someone y something so easily is amazing. I learn more about Nichs¡¯s family, although he doesn¡¯t talk about the time in his life before he was adopted. I don¡¯t ask about it because, not only is it really none of my business, but I want to respect his privacy in the way that he is respecting mine. At no point during our conversation does he ask any questions about my nightmare or even about my childhood. It dawns on me that he is likely purposely omitting those questions, knowing how I don¡¯t like to talk about them.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± I hear Vivienne¡¯s voice from the foyer.


    ¡°Mom? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I told Kenzie¡­ Oh hi Kenzie! I wasn¡¯t expecting you to still be here,¡± she quickly hugs me hello when she realizes I¡¯m sitting on the couch.


    ¡°Are you still not feeling well Nichs? Is your fever back? Is your stomach-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine Mom. Kenzie and I were just talking,¡± Nichs quickly interrupts her.


    ¡°Oh good. I was hoping you didn¡¯t start feeling bad again,¡± she sighs.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to gather my stuff,¡± I quickly excuse myself, wanting to give them some privacy.


    I make my way back to the guest room upstairs; the bed is still inplete disarray fromst night. I quickly make the bed, not wanting to leave it a mess for Julie when shees back tomorrow. I take a quick shower and stow the few belongings I brought with me on Friday when I packed in a hurry to stay the weekend. I straighten up the room, hoping to leave it as pristine as it was when I arrived on Friday-thest thing I want is to create more work for someone.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± I walk into the great room expecting to see Vivienne and Nichs still talking.


    ¡°In here,¡± his voicees from his office.


    ¡°I was thinking I would get going-¡±


    ¡°Can youe in here for a moment?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Have a seat.¡±


    I sit in a chair across from a stunning mahogany desk that is covered with papers and files. I nce around the room, three of the walls have floor to ceiling bookshelves built into them with each shelf filled with books. The other wall has a long table against it filled with different office supplies including what appears to be a printer, shredder, scanner and a fax machine. I suppose he is truly set up to workpletely from home like he said.


    ¡°This is for you,¡± he hands me a small white envelope. I open it, confused as to what it might be, and a wave of emotionse over me.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I look at the check inplete disbelief.


    ¡°Since we didn¡¯t make arrangements for this weekend through Bridget I didn¡¯t feel it was necessary to send the payment through her.  If you would prefer that-¡±


    ¡°Payment?¡±


    ¡°For this weekend. I calcted your hourly rate by the number of hours you spent here this weekend.  I added in a little extra since this wasst minute and you had to miss your cooking sses-¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t ept this.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ this weekend¡­ we weren¡¯t¡­ ¡±


    I¡¯mpletely mortified that he would give me this check. I don¡¯t understand why he suddenly reverted back to our business arrangement. Was it because I said I needed to leave? Was he always nning on paying me or did something happen to change his mind? I don¡¯t think anything could have happened-


    ¡°You spent the weekend with me; why would you not ept this?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t do it because of our contract, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you do it? Why didn¡¯t you tell Carter and my mother that you were busy? You had ns, Kenzie. You were supposed to attend that ss-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right I was. But I changed my ns. It wasn¡¯t an issue. You needed someone here with you and I was able to rearrange things to be that person.¡±


    ¡°Which is why you should take this,¡± he hands me the check that Iid on his desk.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not taking this. We didn¡¯t go through Bridget to arrange this, meaning this is outside our contract-¡±


    ¡°Which is why-¡±


    ¡°No. I refuse to ept this money, Nichs. I didn¡¯t do this because of a stupid contract.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you do this?¡±


    ¡°Because you needed someone!¡±


    ¡°But why you? You could have walked away. I don¡¯t understand why you would do something like this and then not let me pay you!¡±


    ¡°Then I guess you don¡¯t know me at all.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°I know you need money, which was the reason you signed up with Bridget to begin with. You wanted to better your life. You wanted to go back to school and finish your degree. You wanted a safer ce to live.


    Take this money and use it for that, Kenzie. Please¡­ you earned it this weekend.¡±


    ¡°I earned it?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ you took care of me this weekend. You made sure I stayed hydrated, you gave me medicine round the clock, you stayed up half the night and you cooked for me.¡±


    ¡°And what about you?¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°Should I pay you?¡±


    ¡°Pay me?  For what?  What would you pay me for?¡±


    ¡°Forst night¡­ should I pay you for the time you spent¡­forting me?¡±


    ¡°What?!?! No, of course not! That was different!¡± ¡°Why? Why was it different?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know it just was,¡± he answers quietly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not taking this money, Nichs. This weekend had nothing to do with our contract with Bridget and if you think that¡¯s all this was¡­¡±


    ¡°Then why did you do it?¡±


    ¡°Good bye Nichs.¡±

 Chapter 78

    Nichs


    What the fuck just happened? Did she really just walk out on me? I thought I was doing the right thing; I thought I was doing what she expected. Why the fuck would she not ept the check? Who the fuck turns down twenty thousand dors?


    Earlier


    ¡°How are you feeling Nichs?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good Mom. Kenzie made me an egg white omelet this morning and I had about half a cup of coffee. My stomach feels fine and my fever hasn¡¯t returned.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s such a relief, dear. Most of the people who attended the dinner with you are still in the hospital and are struggling to keep even liquids down. It probably helped that you didn¡¯t eat all of the chicken they served or you would be in the same boat.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how anyone finished that dinner, it was so nd. Kenzie and I were even talking about stopping somewhere for dinner after the awards ceremony since we were both still hungry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really lucky to have Kenzie, son. Not a lot of women would have given up their weekend to take care of their sick boyfriend.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m very grateful she was able to keep me out of the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you brought her to Sunday dinner yet?  She really is a wonderful woman, a real breath of fresh air.¡±


    ¡°I know, I will. We¡¯ve been busy and our schedules don¡¯t always match up,¡± I hate lying to her but I never expected this arrangement to be so personal. Obviously I knew Kenzie would meet my parents at the g and possibly other events, but I never expected my mother to take such a liking to her. I never pictured her attending Sunday dinners at my parents¡¯ house, hugging my mom¡­ that she would fit in so well.


    ¡°She is so much better than-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say her name.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying, there¡¯s no way ¡®she¡¯ would have given up her weekend to take care of you. I don¡¯t think that bitch ever cared about anyone other than herself.¡±


    I¡¯m floored¡­ I can¡¯t remember thest time I heard my mother curse. She doesn¡¯t use that type ofnguage, not ever. We were never allowed to curse growing up and even know she is quick to reprimand us if we use that type ofnguage in her presence. How did I not see how much my mother hated her?


    ¡°I never realized how much you didn¡¯t like her.¡±


    ¡°You were blinded by her and unfortunately only saw what ¡®she¡¯ wanted you to see. No one liked her; it wasn¡¯t just me. Your dad, Austin and Cara¡­ no one could stand her. Don¡¯t you remember how ufortable those dinners were when you would bring ¡®her¡¯ over? I suspect she felt it and why she suddenly started making ns every Sunday night.¡±


    ¡°I guess she did.¡±


    ¡°She never would have done what Kenzie did for you this weekend, son, you have to know that. She would have asked what was in it for her. She would have expected something in return. People like her don¡¯t do things for other people if there¡¯s nothing for them to gain.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie did-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡¯s nothing like ¡®she¡¯ was, anyone could see that.  Kenzie loves you-¡±


    ¡°No-¡±


    ¡°She does. I¡¯m guessing you two haven¡¯t told each other that yet, but I can see it every time you two are together. She gave up her weekend to move in here with you, and despite what she says, I¡¯m sure she had something to do-¡±


    ¡°She was registered for a cooking ss this weekend.¡±


    ¡°Yet she didn¡¯t blink an eye to give it all up for you, son. I¡¯m assuming she expects absolutely nothing in return either. She¡¯s just that type of person. She¡¯s good for you Nichs, and I just don¡¯t mean because of this weekend. You stayed the entire night at the New Beginnings G, something you haven¡¯t done since you were a teenager and I forced you to stay. You just seem happier with Kenzie; happier than I think I ever saw you with¡­¡±


    I don¡¯t know what to think anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing bypensating her for the time she spent here this weekend. I assumed the only reason she stayed on Friday night rather than say she was busy was because she saw a way to make more money. I know she wants to go back to school and those cooking sses couldn¡¯t have been cheap. Even without paying rent on an apartment, I know she still has bills to pay. Was itpletely wrong to assume she saw a way to make money and put some aside? Her bank ount barely had a couple hundred dors in it when Carter ran her background check. How could she not see this as an opportunity to make arge amount of money all at once? As a way to build up her bank ount so she could afford to go back to school? How could I know that my mom might have been right?  That Kenzie never expected a payout for this weekend?


    I rey the conversation with Kenzie before she left my office and try to figure out what I missed or where I went wrong.


    ¡°I refuse to ept this money, Nichs. I didn¡¯t do this because of a stupid contract.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you do this?¡±


    ¡°Because you needed someone!¡±


    ¡°But why you? You could have walked away; I don¡¯t understand why you would do something like this and then not let me pay you!¡± ¡°Then I guess you don¡¯t know me at all Nichs.¡± FUCK!  FUCK!  FUCK!


    ¡°Should I pay you for the time you spentforting me?¡±


    ¡°What?!?! No, of course not! That was different!¡±


    ¡°Why? Why was it different?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know it just was.¡± FUCK!  FUCK!!  FUCK!!


    I fucked up¡­ I fucked up big time.


    I never considered how she would feel about meing into her roomst night after her nightmare. We both avoided talking about it which I thought was a good thing. I thought I was keeping things separate. I thought I was keeping things from bing awkward between us. Since she didn¡¯t bring it up, I assumed she didn¡¯t want to talk to about it. I went into her roomst night tofort her; I couldn¡¯t stand the thought of her being in pain even if the pain was only in a nightmare. I didn¡¯t do it because I thought she would pay me for doing it!  How could she think- FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Oh fuck¡­ oh fuck¡­ oh fuck¡­


    She agreed to stay with me Friday night because she wanted tofort me; she wanted to take care of me the same way I wanted to take care of herst night. FUCK!!!!!! How the fuck do I fix this? How fucking stupid could I be? I should have known that she wouldn¡¯t have wanted the money. I should have known that she wouldn¡¯t have expected to be paid for taking care of me. I need to find a way to fix this.  How the fuck do I fix this? I should call her¡­ FUCK¡­ I don¡¯t have her phone number. All part of this stupid contract with Bridget so we both can keep our privacy; I don¡¯t think privacy matters anymore, we fucking slept in the same bedst night!


    God, it felt so good to have Kenzie in my armsst night. I woke up a few hours after we both fell asleep and just watched her sleep for a little while. She looked so peaceful; it was hard to believe that the woman in my arms was the one who thought no one would ever love her. I don¡¯t understand how Kenzie could have such a low opinion of herself. This is the woman who gave up everything for me this weekend so I wouldn¡¯t have to go to a hospital. This is a woman who agreed to help Cara with a dance auction without even knowing what that would entail.


    I eventually fell back to sleep but not until she rolled over and snuggled back into me so her back was against my chest. It was as if she was seeking me out in her sleep. I¡¯ve never slept with a woman before, not all night¡­ I would leave after they fell asleep and go back to my room. I never shared a bed with her; the risk of having a nightmare was always too great.  I would never forgive myself if I idently injured her during a nightmare, although after what she did, I might reconsider that notion. Thinking back to that time in my life, I don¡¯t know that I ever really wanted to sleep with her. She was a good fuck but I never held her in my arms the way I held Kenziest night. I never wanted to hold her in my arms.


    Yetst night, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to leave Kenzie. Even when I was awake and watching her sleep, I knew I should have left to keep things professional between us yet I couldn¡¯t bring myself to do that. I have never felt this way about someone before. I¡¯m not sure what it means feeling like this with Kenziest night.


    I don¡¯t know what to do. The lines are getting blurred; this weekend has changed everything. I had a hard enough time keeping my thoughts professional after seeing her in that bikini but after this weekend I don¡¯t know how I can still see her as a business transaction. How can I look at her and only think of our contract?  How do I forget what it felt like to have her body against mine?


    But more importantly, how do I fix what happened tonight? I may not fully understand why Kenzie would give up her entire weekend, including the sses she has been looking forward to, just to take care of me but I now know it wasn¡¯t about the money. Perhaps she just did it because that¡¯s the kind of person she is and to her it meant nothing. But what if by some chance it did mean something? What if she is having trouble with the blurred lines between us, too?  Maybe the kiss at dinner the other night wasn¡¯t just for show¡­


    If Kenzie feels that way, I¡¯m even more fucked that I thought I was. I can¡¯t have her thinking of this arrangement as anything more than a business transaction. I¡¯m thest person she needs to be falling for.  I¡¯m no good for her¡­ I¡¯m nothing that she needs in her life. She needs someone without baggage, withoutplications and Ie with a truckload of shit.


    ¡°Good evening, Mr. Parker,¡± Carter pulls me from my thoughts a few hourster.


    ¡°Carter¡­ I wasn¡¯t expecting you until tomorrow morning? I thought your flight was Monday?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t but Julie and I were able to take an earlier flight. How are you feeling, sir?¡±


    ¡°Much better, thank you. Kenzie left a few hours ago after my mother gave me the all clear.  I think I¡¯m going to work from home tomorrow and will return to the office on Tuesday.¡±


    ¡°Very good, sir. Is there anything you need?¡±


    ¡°I need to send flowers to Kenzie. Can you arrange for someone to deliver her a bouquet tomorrow when she gets home from the bakery?¡±


    ¡°Of course sir.  What would you like the card to say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, please call me. Have it signed with my first name and my cell phone number.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Oh and Carter¡­ I want a more thorough background check done on Kenzie ASAP.¡±


    ¡°Anything in particr I should be looking for?¡±


    ¡°She had a fiance before she moved to New York. I suspect he¡¯s the reason she left Denver though she hasn¡¯t even confirmed that she lived there yet. I want¡­ I need to know who he is. He¡­ he beat her. ording to her, one night he almost killed her-¡±


    ¡°There was nothing that would have suggested an abusive rtionship in her medical records-¡±


    ¡°She said she worked with a group who made sure those details from that night didn¡¯t make it into her file. Was there anything in her medical records that maybe were documented as something else?¡± ¡°Give me a minute. I¡¯ll grab her file from my office.¡±


    Carter quickly returns. Thankfully he is as organized as I am and can find anything immediately. Carter has been working for me for a number of years now; he was the first person I hired when it became obvious I needed security outside of PFS. I have never regretted hiring him, even if we butt heads at times.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°She had an emergency room visit a couple years ago; she stated she fell down the stairs but the injuries could suggest something else.¡±


    ¡°What type of injuries?¡±


    ¡°A few broken ribs, a gash on her arm requiring stitches, bruises on her cheek and a bump on her head.  The notes in the file indicate that she had several older bruises at the time but she attributed them to bumping into things around the house. The hospital staff treated her and sent her home in a few hours. It isn¡¯t noted that anyone suspected anything other than the fall.¡±


    ¡°I need to know who she was with at that time and then I want to know everything about him. Once you find him, I want his whereabouts tracked. He should be residing in Denver or somewhere he could easilymute to the city from. I want to know if he leaves the state at any time.


    Check surrounding states if you don¡¯t find him in Colorado.¡±


    ¡°Do we consider him a threat, sir?¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t received a threat from him yet but I want to do everything we can to ensure he neveres near Kenzie again.¡±


    ¡°Has she stated if she heard from him since he left?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t say and I didn¡¯t ask.¡±


    ¡°You said she ended things with him when she moved here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she said she left and moved to New York to get away from him.¡±


    ¡°And we assume he is still in Denver?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming so¡­ why? What are you getting at Carter?¡±


    ¡°She moved here¡­ roughly two years ago. If he hasn¡¯t contacted her since she left him, you have to wonder why not? Abusers typically don¡¯t let their women just walk away from them.¡±


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡±

 Chapter 79

    ¡°The only reason he would stay away is if she has something she can use against him. Something that could ruin him if it were ever discovered. She agrees to keep it out of the press in exchange for him letting her go.¡±


    ¡°Those envelopes¡­ the day we moved her from the apartment, remember she had two envelopes hidden that she insisted she take with her?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what gave me the thought when you said she was abused. First I assumed they were childhood mementos or maybe paperwork she wanted to keep safe but now I wonder if they weren¡¯t her insurance policy.¡±


    ¡°I assumed the same thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll start digging into who her ex might have been and will let you know as soon as I find something on him, sir.¡±


    ¡°Very good. And Carter¡­ thank you for returning a day early.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    The next few days pass by slowly. Kenzie doesn¡¯t respond to my flowers even though I have Carter sending them daily to her apartment. I know she received them; Hunter confirmed that she has them.  Why hasn¡¯t she called me? Did I fuck things up that badly with her? What if she has decided she needs to end our arrangement? The thought of not seeing her again makes me feel¡­ I don¡¯t know what, but I can¡¯t stand the thought of not seeing her. Of course, I have nothing on my schedule this week that I need Kenzie to apany me to so I can¡¯t even use that excuse to see her. I¡¯m tempted to schedule something anyway, to call Bridget and ask her to arrange for a private date with Kenzie but what if that just fucks up things even more between us?


    Want to grab a drink? N


    Sure¡­ what¡¯s up? A


    The Scorekeeper?  N


    I¡¯ll see you in 15 A


    ¡°Carter?¡± I call out knowing he¡¯s somewhere nearby and can hear me.


    ¡°Yes, sir?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go to The Scorekeeper for a few drinks.¡± If Carter is surprised he doesn¡¯t show it. The Scorekeeper is a sports bar, not far from the office where Alex and I have gone a few times after work to grab a drink. It¡¯s not a bad ce, but why leave the condo when I have ess to finer liquors than a sports bar would have?


    I need to talk to someone about this mess and how the fuck to fix it, but I¡¯m limited who I can talk to because of how Kenzie and I are involved. I can¡¯t go to my mom; not only would she not understand why I¡¯m doing this but then she would know that I¡¯ve been lying to her about my rtionship with Kenzie. My brother is destined to forever be a bachelor; he has no desire tomit to one woman so he¡¯s probably not the greatest option either. I could probably get advice from Cara but I don¡¯t know that I trust her to not slip and idently tell someone about the contract I have with Kenzie. So that leaves Alex. He¡¯s proven himself over the years and I trust that he wouldn¡¯t share this with anyone else. He knows the shit I went through two years ago after that fucking situation blew up in my face and nearly ruined me.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± Alex nods as he walks over to the table where I already have his favorite beer waiting.


    ¡°Alex.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°I fucked up Alex¡­ big time. I need you to tell me how to fix it. I¡¯ve been sending her flowers¡­ something I¡¯ve never done! Flowers aren¡¯t working, though. I thought all women wanted flowers?¡±


    ¡°Whoa¡­ who are you sending flowers to and why?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a mind reader, Nichs¡­ you¡¯re going to have to give me more information if we¡¯re going to sort through this.¡±


    I spend the next few minutes giving him the very basic information about our arrangement; I leave out Bridget and herpany, letting him think that the contract is just between Kenzie and me.


    ¡°Fuck, Parker,¡± heughs. ¡°You took my advice.¡±


    ¡°Your advice was to hire a prostitute,¡± I growl. ¡°Kenzie is not a fucking prostitute.¡±


    ¡°Rx Parker, my advice was to hire someone; you inferred I was talking about a prostitute.¡±


    ¡°You meant something like this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about people using simr services before.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you suggest that?¡±


    ¡°After the way you reacted then? I figured thest thing you¡¯d consider would be to hire someone to be by your side. I was going to give it a little longer and if the press didn¡¯t start minding their own business, I would have said something privately to you.¡±


    ¡°Can you help me figure out how the hell I fix this?¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been with E fucking forever; you must have learned a few things over the years,¡± I shrug.  ¡°Look, I need advice and don¡¯t know who the fuck to talk to because I can¡¯t have this arrangement with Kenzie leaked.¡±


    ¡°E might disagree and say I have no idea what women want sometimes,¡± heughs. ¡°But tell me what you did to fuck up.¡±


    ¡°We went out Friday night to the awards dinner. I gave the speech¡­ and then she kissed me.¡±


    ¡°This was the first time you¡¯ve kissed, I assume?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ and she initiated it.¡±


    ¡°Does that bother you?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ yes¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then what?¡±


    ¡°I came down with food poisoning from my meal. Carter and Kenzie brought me back to The ord and my mother saw me. She wanted to admit me into the hospital but agreed to let me stay at home if someone was there the entire time to watch over me. Carter and Julie were off for the weekend-they were attending Julie¡¯s niece¡¯s wedding or something like that. I was really out of it, I think I was sleeping or passed out when it was decided Kenzie would stay the weekend with me.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°So things seemed to be fine I was shocked when I woke up on Saturday and learned that not only was she spending the weekend in my apartment but that she slept in my room with me.¡±


    ¡°Get to the part where you fucked up man¡­¡±


    ¡°Anyway, we spent the day together just hanging out in my apartment. My mother stopped by and refused to allow Kenzie to leave, threatening me if I told her to go home that she would admit me into the hospital. Finally on Sunday my mother came back and cleared me and said Kenzie could leave, that I no longer needed someone to watch over me.


    That¡¯s when I really fucked things up with Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d you do?¡±


    ¡°When she said she was going to leave, I asked her toe into my office and I gave her a check for twenty thousand dors. She refused to take it, Alex! Can you believe it?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯ll take a check, Parker, if you¡¯re handing them out. Why didn¡¯t she take it? I assume the twenty thousand was above the rate you agreed to because it wasst minute.¡±


    ¡°She said she didn¡¯t do it because of the contract we had. I tried telling her that I was just trying topensate her for the time she spent taking care of me but she wouldn¡¯t hear of it.¡±


    ¡°How did things end?¡±


    ¡°She told me the reason she stayed had nothing to do with the contract we have. I asked her again why did she stay then. The first time she told me if I didn¡¯t know the answer to that then I didn¡¯t know her very well at all.¡±


    ¡°And the second time you asked that question?¡±


    ¡°She said goodbye and walked out of the apartment.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent her flowers every fucking day, apologizing and asking her to call me. She hasn¡¯t responded!  Not once! I don¡¯t know how to make her forgive me, Alex! Tell me what I need to do! I thought all women wanted flowers! I need to fix this! I can¡¯t have her end our contract!¡±


    ¡°Why not, Nichs? You told me this arrangement was only going tost a few months, just long enough to get the press of your back about your personal life.  It¡¯s been¡­ what¡­ two months-¡±


    ¡°Almost three.¡±


    ¡°It sounds like the time was approaching to end the contract anyway. Did you want to be the one to end it¡­ is that what this is about?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then why would it bother you if Kenzie ended the contract now?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to break the contract,¡± I finally admit aloud.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Because our arrangement works. I get the press off my back and


    Kenzie gets the money she needs to go back to school. It¡¯s a win win situation for everyone.¡±


    ¡°They have backed off but is that the only reason you don¡¯t want to end the contract with her?¡±


    ¡°No. I enjoy spending time with Kenzie. I learned a lot about her this weekend and enjoyed having her with me. I think¡­ we¡¯ve be friends.¡±


    ¡°Have you told her that?¡±


    ¡°No! Why would I?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she feels the same way?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I guess.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think she stayed with you this weekend, Parker?


    You¡¯re the smartest fucking guy I know; think about what you just said.¡±


    ¡°Because she thinks of me as a friend?¡±


    ¡°It sounds like she cares for you.¡±


    ¡°My mom thinks we¡¯re in love,¡± I shake my head, remembering the conversation with her in my kitchen that day.


    ¡°Shit, really?¡± he sits back in his seat, the surprise evident on his face.


    ¡°She says she can tell by the way we look at each other. I guess Kenzie and I are just better actors than I thought we were.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°This is business, Alex. Nothing more than a contract between two people. I¡¯m not fucking going down that road again. I¡¯m not opening my heart up and letting someone¡­ I¡¯m not repeating my past.¡±


    ¡°And you think Kenzie is like-¡±


    ¡°No, of course not. The fact that she didn¡¯t take the money proves that she isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Is that what it was about?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Was the money a test?¡±


    ¡°No! Of course not!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? You offered her a veryrge amount of money after she spent the weekend in your home, caring for you. Is it possible that you needed to find out if she was just like-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fuckingpare Kenzie to that bitch! Kenzie is nothing like her!¡±


    ¡°And her not taking the check proves that, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes!  I mean no¡­ it¡¯s not just that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not?¡±


    ¡°No! Kenzie couldn¡¯t be more different than she was!¡±


    ¡°Yet you thought she stayed with this weekend because of money.¡±


    FUCK, could Alex be right? Could I have been testing Kenzie without knowing it? I thought I was just doing the right thing: I thought I was helping Kenzie out after she helped me.


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s how she saw it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She could have felt like you were trying to be nice, she could have felt that you were trying to buy her off, or she could have felt like a whore-¡±


    ¡°What?!?! Don¡¯t you talk about Kenzie like that!¡±


    ¡°Parker, you¡¯re an idiot sometimes.¡± The bastard is fucking smirking at me! ¡°Have you thought about it from her perspective? You kissed for the first time and spent the entire weekend together. Then as soon as your mother said you didn¡¯t need her there any longer you offer her money and essentially kick her out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not-¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it is.¡±


    FUCK! Does she really feel like I treated her like a whore? That I was ungrateful for what she did?


    ¡°How the fuck do I fix this, Alex? I can¡¯t have her thinking that about herself. Tell me what to do; tell me how to fix this.¡±


    ¡°You need to talk to her, moron. Flowers are wonderful, but it sounds like Kenzie is not the type of woman who wants or needs material items. You need to talk to her.¡±


    ¡°How can I fucking talk to her if she won¡¯t call me?¡±


    ¡°Find a way Nichs. Get her alone and talk to her. Maybe you should tell her about what happened two years ago. She needs to understand why you thought that she wouldn¡¯t have stayed just because she cared about you.¡±


    ¡°Everyone always wants something from me¡­ anyone else would have expected something from me for what she did.¡±


    ¡°Your parents wouldn¡¯t have.¡±


    ¡°Of course not but Kenzie¡¯s not my family; she isn¡¯t obligated to take care of me!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, she choose to spend the weekend with you, without expecting anything in return.¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to thank her for taking care of me, for canceling her ns and spending the entire weekend in my apartment instead of her own.


    Why the fuck was that so wrong?¡±


    ¡°Did you say that to her?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I did¡­ didn¡¯t I? FUCK! Maybe I didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Parker¡­ tell me you fucking thanked her!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I thought I did, but I don¡¯t remember.¡±


    ¡°When you gave her the money, what did you say?¡±


    ¡°I told her it was payment for her time.¡± I cringe even repeating those words. I¡¯m embarrassed at myself, thinking back to how I handled the entire situation. How the fuck did I not think to thank her? I mean I did earlier at some point, but not when I gave her the check, which is when everything changed.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t fucking thank her, Parker? No wonder she saw this as a pay off! You need to find a way to thank her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying, Alex! The flowers aren¡¯t working.¡±


    ¡°No, I doubt they will. I think you need to find a different way to thank Kenzie. Think of something she wants to do or maybe somewhere she would like to go and take her there. Don¡¯t make this about publicity or your image. In fact, if you can do something alone, that would go a long way in showing her you don¡¯t have an ulterior motive.¡±


    An idea pops into my head the moment Alex suggests doing something that Kenzie would like to do away from the press.


    ¡°I can do that.¡±


    ¡°And Nichs?  Don¡¯t fucking pay her at the end of the day.¡±

 Chapter 80

    Kenzie


    My apartment is beginning to look like a florist shop! Nichs has been sending me flowers every day this week; each beautiful floral arrangementes with the same card that reads ¡°I¡¯m sorry; call me.¡± If I knew what to say to him, I would call him. If I thought he knew what he was apologizing for, I would call him. I don¡¯t think he understands how or why what he did upsets me. Hell, I don¡¯t fully understand myself why it bothered me so much. I¡¯ve been trying to figure that out all week. On one hand, I can see why maybe he felt obligated to pay me. That was after all what our arrangement has been up until this weekend: it¡¯s been about him paying me for my time. Granted the payment was sent through Bridget, but the premise still remains-he paid for my time. On the other hand though, I felt like that weekend went far beyond the arrangement we had until that point. We got to know each other on a much more personal level. Maybe that wasn¡¯t how he viewed the weekend?


    I haven¡¯t spent any real timepletely alone with a man in more than two years. When I left him that night, I swore I would never ce myself at risk again. That I would never trust a man that much ever again, which meant that I would never bepletely alone with one. It was one of my initial concerns I brought up with Bridget when she first approached me about signing a contract.


    I refused to meet with him alone in his office or go on business trips with someone until I feltfortable with him. Yet, thinking back to the conversation with Vivienne and Carter, none of those thoughts ever impacted my decision to stay the weekend with Nichs. What¡¯s more surprising though is that at no point did I feel unsafe or at risk being alone with Nichs. Maybe it was because I knew that Hunter was nearby¡­


    Beep beep beep


    My rm goes off, quickly pulling me from my thoughts. I¡¯ve been up for a few hours already. After waking up at four every morning this week, my body seems to just wake up at that time naturally. I wasn¡¯t originally scheduled to work today¡­ in fact I was kind of looking forward to having a day off since I¡¯ve been working every day this week. Unfortunately, one of the new girls that Ginny hired needed to change her schedule today, so Ginny asked me to work a few hours. The only nice thing was I didn¡¯t need to be at the bakery until ten, meaning I could have slept a while longer. Of course my body decided I still needed to be awake at four in the morning, so I¡¯ve been lying here in this incredibly soft bed for thest few hours, trying to figure out what to do about our situation.


    Bridget called me yesterday and gave me the schedule for the next two weeks; Nichs apparently has a few events he needs to attend that he has asked for me to apany him. I was surprised that he was still requesting me. When I first saw her name appear on my caller ID, I just assumed she was calling to let me know that Nichs had decided to terminate our arrangement. In the split second before I answered the call, I started panicking about where I was going to live. In fact, that thought hasn¡¯t been far from my mind all week.


    Thankfully, because I haven¡¯t been paying rent, I¡¯ve been able to save a decent amount of money that I¡¯ve received from Bridget. I probably have enough that now I could afford the security deposit and first month¡¯s rent on a decent apartment. My concern though is how I would maintain that apartment once my savings ount dried up.  I don¡¯t want to go back to the shitty apartment or one like it that I rented before. I want to live in a ce that I feel safe walking into without worrying about people getting drunk or high on my front steps.


    Beep beep beep


    My rm reminds me that I really need to get out of bed and get ready for my shift at the bakery today. I¡¯m only going in for a few hours so afterwards I n to get caught up onundry and maybe do some shopping for the events Bridget called me about.


    I still have to figure out what to do about Nichs¡­ I know I need to talk to him but I don¡¯t know how to exin why he hurt me. I guess it bothered me the most because I trusted him in spending that much time alone with him yet I didn¡¯t feel that he trusted me. Trust isn¡¯t the right word; of course he trusted me-why wouldn¡¯t he?


    Now that I think more about it, I may have overreacted to what he did. Clearly he didn¡¯t see our arrangement as anything but a contract and he was acting out part of that contract by offering me money. I overreacted because clearly I thought the weekend was about more than the contract. I thought we were developing a friendship and that he would see that I offered to stay with him because we were friends and not because of a contract. Realizing I overreacted, I vow to call Nichs as soon as I back to the apartment this afternoon. I don¡¯t know exactly what I will say but I


    know I need to apologize to him.


    I quickly jump in the shower and get ready for work. It¡¯s really warm out today, so warm that I wish I could wear shorts to work but of course that isn¡¯t safe or eptable at the bakery. Instead I¡¯m stuck wearing jeans and the bakery t shirt with the store¡¯s logo on it.


    I love that my apartment has a balcony on it; it¡¯s convenient to be able to step outside in the morning and have a cup of coffee.


    Knock knock


    ¡°Good morning Hunter,¡± I greet him at the door after setting the rm and grabbing my purse.


    ¡°Good morning Ms. Rose, how are you?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Are you ever going to call me Kenzie?¡± I¡¯ve requested he drop the Ms. Rose many times but he never does.


    ¡°Probably not,¡± he chuckles.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Iugh at his admission. ¡°I¡¯m only working until one today, but then I need to do some shopping this afternoon. I¡¯m thinking of stopping back at here for lunch and then maybe going shopping if you are avable?¡±


    ¡°Of course Ms. Rose. I have the car ready for us downstairs.¡±


    ¡°I thought we would walk today since I¡¯m not going in tilter?¡± Hunter doesn¡¯t think it¡¯s safe to be walking just the couple of blocks to the bakery in the wee hours of the morning so we have been driving.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I forgot you wanted to walk. I need to drop off something on our way back from the bakery which is in the car. If you want to walk I can alwayse back here-¡±


    ¡°No of course not, Hunter.  We can drive.¡±


    While Hunter maneuvers through the city traffic, I take out my phone and read through thetest headlines. Even though I have the alerts set on my phone for anything rted to Nichs, I still search his name on the inte since I haven¡¯t received anything recently. There is no reference of our attendance at the awards dinner which doesn¡¯t surprise me because it was a very small event. I think it worked out well that there was no press, there considering how sick Nichs was that evening. Thest thing he would need is to have the press get a picture of him leaving the dinner ill. I¡¯m sure they would have had a field day with that.


    ¡°Hunter, where are we going?  This isn¡¯t the usual route,¡± I look out the window observing where we are. I don¡¯t recognize the buildings on this street and it seems like we are heading in the opposite direction of the bakery.


    ¡°Yes¡­ about thirty to forty minutes out depending on traffic.


    Yes¡­ I understand,¡± Hunter says into an earpiece.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Hunter?¡± I ask when he seems to have ended the call.  ¡°I think the bakery is that way.¡±


    ¡°It is, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Now I¡¯m getting nervous¡­ Up until now I¡¯ve trusted Hunter; the ride to the bakery in the morning takes less than seven minutes so I haven¡¯t considered the situation a risk. However, his actions this morning have me doubting my own judgment. I¡¯m seconds away from having a full-blown panic attack¡­ I can¡¯t believe that I trusted a man again. I never thought Hunter would do something but what if-


    ¡°I have been instructed to bring you to a location where we will meet Mr. Parker and Carter.¡±


    ¡°What? Where are we meeting them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not at liberty to tell you, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not at liberty? What if I refuse to go? You can¡¯t just take me there against my will!¡± My breathing is increasing, my heart is racing, I can feel the walls pushing in. I need to get out of the car. I need to take control back¡­ I¡¯m too out of control. I try opening the car door, but it is locked, despite me hitting the unlock button multiple times.


    ¡°Ms. Rose¡­ Ms.-KENZIE!¡± Hunter calls my name loudly. My eyes meet his in the rear view mirror. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go, I will turn around and we can go back to your apartment. Please do not try to jump out of the car. You¡¯ll hurt yourself and Mr. Parker will fire me if you do that!¡± ¡°Where¡­ where are we going?¡± I ask.

 Chapter 81

    ¡°We¡¯re meeting Mr. Parker and Carter. I promise you are not in danger. Mr. Parker has arranged¡­ something¡­ he wanted it to be a surprise.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be at work; my shift started nine minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°You actually aren¡¯t scheduled to work today at all, Ms. Rose. Mr. Parker had requested your supervisor¡¯s assistance in scheduling this trip so you would be surprised. She agreed to put you on the schedule for a couple of hours even though she didn¡¯t need you to work.¡±


    ¡°He could have just told me about all of this!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of my business, but I don¡¯t believe you two have exactly been talking this week.¡±


    I slowly begin to rx. I feel a little more at ease knowing that I¡¯m going to meet Nichs and Carter. I can¡¯t remember thest time I had a panic attack but the fact that I almost had one a few minutes ago is very frightening. I don¡¯t like feeling out of control and I especially don¡¯t like feeling unsafe. In the back of my mind I knew Hunter wouldn¡¯t have hurt me yet that was immediately where my mind went when I realized we were unexpectedly heading in the opposite direction of the bakery.


    ¡°We¡¯re here, Ms. Rose,¡± Hunter alerts me to the fact that the car is stopped a few minutester. I look out the window but all I see is a parking lot which doesn¡¯t help me figure out where we are.  Hees around, opens my door and I step out into the bright sunlight.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± Nichs¡¯s familiar voice erases thest bit of tension in my body. ¡°Thank you foring.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I had much of a choice,¡± I say sarcastically trying to hide any signs of the panic attack that was creeping up.


    ¡°You did¡­ you always have a choice. But thank you foring. If you¡¯re ready, I¡¯d like to start our day.¡±


    ¡°I guess. I didn¡¯t bring anything with me-¡±


    ¡°I have everything you need, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Nichs leads over to a set of stairs and the view before me absolutely stunning.  We are at a marina: dozens of bobbing boats in each direction and beyond them is the open water.


    ¡°We¡¯re¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you out for a day on my boat, that is if you want to.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ I mean, yes of course!¡±


    We walk down the steps to the dock, past several smaller boats until we reach thergest boat in the row. The boat itself is big¡­ bigger than most boats in the marina from what I can tell. Nichs helps me step onto the deck, before having a few words with Carter.


    ¡°Ready to take off, Kenzie?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°We have to go slow until we get further away from the Marina, it¡¯s the ¡®No Wake¡¯ rule, but then we¡¯ll speed up. If you want to walk around, just hold onto the railing because it can be tricky on a moving boat until you get used to it.¡±


    With that Nichs climbs up to what I think is called the bridge and starts the motor. As Nichs said we would, we move slowly through the marina but I don¡¯t mind because it gives me a chance to take everything in. We pass by dozens of all different sized boats, and then the water just seems to open up. Nichs elerates and we start moving through the water much faster. As we go out further, we begin to pass byrge, beautiful houses that are clearly designed to take in the view of the water. They are the types of houses that you can only dream of living in but not the type you will probably ever be able to afford. As we move further away from the coast, the houses slowly fade away and looking around, the only things that


    I can see are a few boats and the open water.


    Feeling rather silly while he does all the work, I decide to go off and find Nichs. I stand up and immediately feel a little unsteady on my feet but quickly gain my confidence as I walk further into the boat. I nce down a set of stairs and see what could only be described as a small living room: the area is set up with couches and a few small tables. I carefully head towards the back of the boat where I find Nichs holding the wheel as he gazes out the window at the endless water in front of us. He seems very rxed, more so than I ever think I¡¯ve seen him. I can see why he said he finds it so rxing; it¡¯s almost as if no one else in the world exists. He looks so different than the man I first met to discuss a business contract, yet he also looks different from the man I spent time with over the weekend. He looks like someone who doesn¡¯t have a care in the world.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful out here,¡± I say.


    ¡°Oh! You startled me; I didn¡¯t hear you. Would you like to try steering it?¡±


    ¡°No! I¡¯ll crash into something or break it!¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, look around. There¡¯s nothing for miles. There¡¯s a boat all the way over there,¡± he points to the left of us. ¡°You won¡¯t crash into anything, I promise. C¡¯mon, take the wheel.¡±


    He puts his arm out, indicating I should step in front of him to take control of the steering wheel that sort of resembles one that you would find in a car. I cautiously step in front of him, still worried that I¡¯m going to somehow break the boat. He steps closer to me and brings my hands onto the wheel. He is standing so close to me right now that I swear I can feel his breath on my neck¡­ I can feel the heating off his body. I can¡¯t help but think about how good it felt to fall asleep with his arms around mest Saturday night. I slept so soundly after the nightmare, unlike most nights when I have nightmares where if I even try to go back to sleep I end up having another nightmare.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back, just hold the wheel steady,¡± Nichs lets go of the wheel and walks away from me.


    ¡°What?!?! Where are you going?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t answer me but disappears down a set of steps just to my right that I hadn¡¯t noticed before. While he¡¯s gone I concentrate on holding the steering wheel straight, which isn¡¯t really that difficult. I constantly scan the horizon for boats or big rocks ornd or anything else I might crash into while Nichs is gone. A few minutester Nichses back up the stairs carrying two sses of orange juice and a bowl of fruit. He sets everything down on a table near a couple of lounge chairs.


    ¡°You doing okay?¡± he asks.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t crashed us yet.¡±


    ¡°No, you haven¡¯t,¡± he chuckles in agreement. ¡°I was thinking we would cut the motor and drop the anchor up ahead to the right. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ sure. Whatever you want to do is fine.¡±


    ¡°Think you can steer us over there?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Sure you can. It¡¯s just like a driving car; don¡¯t jerk the wheel to hard in one direction. Slowly ease the wheel in the direction you want to move¡­ Yup that¡¯s it; hold it steady just like that.¡±


    He is right behind me again; one of his hands is on a control that seems to be decreasing the speed of the boat. With Nichs this close to me, it¡¯s hard to think of anything other than the night I slept in his arms. It felt so good to have someone hold me again, to have someone¡¯s arms wrapped around me. I can¡¯t remember thest time someone did that. If we weren¡¯t under contract with Bridget, I would turn around right now and throw my hands around his neck, pressing my body against his, just so I could feel him against me again. I could just imagine his arms wrapping around my waist as he pulled me even closer to him, his lips would slowlye down to reach mine-


    ¡°This looks like a good spot¡­ How about this?¡± he pulls me from my thoughts. My face heats up in the realization that I was just thinking about him kissing me while he was standing right behind me.


    ¡°Sure, sounds good,¡± I try to hide the embarrassment from my voice.


    Nichs hits a button and the motor immediately silences.


    ¡°I thought we could have some fruit? I can get something else if you¡¯re hungry?¡±


    ¡°No, fruit is fine. I had breakfast not that long ago.¡±


    He leads me to an area with several lounge chairs and tables where we sit, the fruit bowl and drinks on a small table between us.


    ¡°If you get too warm, I brought a change of clothes for you, as well as a bathing suit if you want to swim.¡±


    ¡°You did?¡± Wow, I¡¯m shocked that Nichs came this prepared for the trip. While the breeze is cool now, I could see it heating up in the next hour or so when the sun is higher in the sky.


    ¡°We also have a packed lunch, bottles of water, wine, suntan lotion, towels and probably anything else we might need. I wasn¡¯t sure how long you would want to be out here so I nned as if we were going to spend the day on the water.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡­ you really didn¡¯t have to go to all this trouble,


    Nichs.¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± he takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. He looks very conflicted, as if he is trying to figure out what to say next. ¡°I fucked up, Kenzie¡­ I¡¯m not proud of my behavior towards you on Sunday. I sounded ungrateful and as if I didn¡¯t care that you gave your entire weekend up to take care of me-¡±


    ¡°No, that-¡±


    ¡°Please, Kenzie. Don¡¯t downy how I acted. I realize now that I was treated you as if you were an employee rather than as a¡­ friend. I can¡¯t imagine how badly I hurt you that day and I¡¯m sorry my stupidity caused that. I realize now that you spent the weekend with me without expecting something in return, without wanting something for yourself. While it doesn¡¯t excuse my behavior, you need to understand that having someone like you in my life is a true rarity. Every day I¡¯m surrounded by people who want something from me or are trying to use me to better themselves.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Nichs, I would never-¡±


    ¡°I know you wouldn¡¯t, I realize that now. At the time though, I couldn¡¯t see why you would agree to cancel your cooking sses, rearrange your schedule and practically move in with me for a weekend without expecting something in return. I assumed initially that you did it because you expected payment for the weekend which would be a ratherrge amount-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I never thought that!¡± I quickly interrupt, immediately pissed off that he would think that was the reason I agreed to stay with him.


    ¡°I know that now. I knew it the moment you walked out of my apartment. I know now that you stayed with mest weekend because that¡¯s just the type of person you are-that you wanted nothing more than to help me the way I helped you after you nightmare.¡±


    ¡°I never expected you to pay me for staying with you Nichs. The thought never even entered my mind. I could see why you jumped to that though¡­ your mind immediately went to our contract. This is a business arrangement after all,¡± I shrug my shoulders and look out to the water.


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯ve been telling myself the same thing. This is a business arrangement and nothing more,¡± he takes another deep breath and I find myself waiting for him to tell me that the contract is over. That he needs to terminate the contract because we¡¯ve crossed too many lines, that-


    ¡°The truth is though, this has be more than a business arrangement for me.¡±


    ¡°It is?¡± Okay, not what I was expecting at all.


    ¡°I hope you realize it, too. I think this weekend, or maybe even before this weekend, we¡¯ve begun to be friends. I enjoy spending time with you and I felt like we got to know each other more. I realize now that you stayed with me not because of our contract but because that¡¯s who you are. It¡¯s been a very long time since I¡¯ve been able to trust a woman; when I feel threatened I immediately go into business mode. It¡¯s what I do when things start to spin out of control either professionally or personally. It helps me take control back.¡±


    ¡°You felt threatened?¡±


    ¡°Not by you¡­ no that¡¯s not true. I guess I did feel threatened by you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I don¡¯t understand. How could I threaten you? Did I do something-¡±


    ¡°No! You didn¡¯t do anything. Unfortunately I got burned a long time ago by someone I trusted very much-¡±


    ¡°Who was she?¡±


    ¡°Her name was,¡± he takes another deep breath, running his hands through his hair which I¡¯ve learned he does when he is stressed.


    ¡°Harper¡­ and at one time I thought I loved her.¡±

 Chapter 82

    Nichs


    I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m about to tell Kenzie everything that she did. I haven¡¯t talked to anyone about her since the truth came out. Not since the world as I knew it waspletely turned upside down. Everyone knows to dare not mention her name around me. If it were up to me, I would erase that time in my life entirely. It¡¯s amazing how things are when you take a step back and really look at what you thought you had. Looking back to that time, I can¡¯t figure out how I was so blind to what she was doing to me. I


    pride myself at being able to recognize when people are lying or trying to use me; yet for the first time someonepletely deceived me.


    ¡°It¡¯s been more than two years, but obviously the damage she did still haunts me to this day. It¡¯s been a long time since I allowed myself to consider trusting a woman again.¡±


    ¡°What did she do to you, Nichs?¡± Kenzie sits up in the lounge chair so she can face me.


    ¡°She nearly ruined me; she nearly cost me everything,¡± I cringe at the thought of what could have happened. ¡°Harper interviewed me for an article that was to be featured in some small paper. It was supposed to be her first article that she wrote alone. The interview itself sucked; it was boring, her questions weren¡¯t unique and the answers could have easily been found on the inte had she typed my name into google. I only remembered the interview because she seemed so full of herself that day, yet was clearly unprepared for the interview itself. She hadn¡¯t memorized the questions, she constantly had to refer back to her notes and the recorder she brought didn¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a rough interview.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see her again for a year or maybe it was close to two yearster. We ended up attending the same charity fundraising event that was being held at a hotel downtown. She was there as a guest of her father¡¯s, whom I¡¯ve done business with in the past. We both had too much to drink that night, one thing led to another and before I knew it, we were upstairs in a hotel room.


    ¡°From there we¡­ I guess you could say we used each other whenever the need arose.  For the first few months, that¡¯s all it was¡­ just sex. Eventually though she started staying over at my ce and things started to shift between us. Suddenly she was calling oring over more, initially it bothered me but¡­ I know this sounds crass¡­ the sex was good and she was convenient. It¡¯s hard to look back and think about when things started to change, but somehow we moved from a sexual rtionship to something more. We started spending more time together, attending events or going out together. At one point I remember thinking she was perfect. She did everything to try to please me: she changed her ns to see me whenever something came up, she enjoyed the same things I did¡­ But you know what the weird thing was?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Kenzie quietly asks.


    ¡°She never argued with me. She never had a different opinion from mine. She never disagreed with anything I did or a decision I made. At the time I stupidly thought that meant we were perfect together. I realize now it was just part of her n.¡±


    ¡°Her n?¡±


    ¡°Eventually our rtionship moved to the next level; she told me she loved me. I had never been in love before so I thought what we had was real. I believed her when she said she loved me. Looking back I realize now that I only saw what she wanted to me to see. I realize now that the reason she seemed so perfect for me was because that¡¯s what she wanted me to think.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Looking back, I can see how things changed, but at the time I couldn¡¯t and refused to believe that she was doing anything wrong. I was convinced of the image that Harper wanted me to see; I believed she was perfect.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s perfect,¡± Kenzie sighs heavily¡­ I think she is more talking to herself than to me.


    ¡°They¡¯re not, but at the time I was too blinded to see that. Which is the ironic part: put me in a board room and I can tell you within five minutes who is lying and who is only there for the money. Yet when it came to my personal life, Ipletely misjudged her and it almost cost me everything.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t live at The ord back then, I had a condo that was a pretty decent size but one that didn¡¯t have guest quarters for Julie and Carter. Carter would stay in one of the spare bedrooms and Julie woulde during the day but leave after dinner. One day Julie came over earlier than normal, which I had known about but didn¡¯t tell Harper about because she wasn¡¯t supposed to be there at that time either.  Julie walked into Harper going through my office. Julie said she was working on myputer and going through my files. Theputer didn¡¯t surprise me-I had given her the password one day when she was having issues with herptop and she needed to order something for her dad. I blew off what Julie said about her going through my files. Why I didn¡¯t think she was snooping on me then I have no idea¡­.¡±


    ¡°Because you trusted her.¡±


    ¡°I did. I was stupid and thought that when someone told you they loved you that they wouldn¡¯t do anything to hurt you. A couple weekster the head of my financial department demanded a meeting with me. This doesn¡¯t happen often, so I know when he asks for a meeting, something major is going on.  Only it wasn¡¯t just my head of finance who was there, he also brought my head of IT at PFS. My finance guy said that over thest three months there was evidence of small amounts being withdrawn from several of my business ounts for expenses that couldn¡¯t be reconciled. My initial thought, of course, was that an employee in one of those departments was stealing from me. I demanded answers immediately with photographic proof of who it was so we could go after them.¡±


    ¡°It was her, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I shake my head still amazed to this day how stupid I was. ¡°Carter knew I would want photographic evidence of the thief so he had already secured that with my head of IT beforehand. He had several pictures of Harper making purchases using credits cards that were designated to certain departments within PFS. They were small purchases; nothing that would immediately raise red gs¡­ a few hundred dors here, a thousand or so there¡­  I know it sounds like a lot of money but you have to remember that we literally have hundreds of employees who hold


    PFS issued credit cards¡­ ¡±


    ¡°How did she get the credit card?¡±


    ¡°That took some more digging because we have systems in ce at PFS to prevent things like this from happening. All credit card applications require two signatures; the head of the finance department and mine. I often bring work home so it¡¯s not unusual for these types of documents to be in my home. I never once considered it would be an issue. I¡¯ve worked with Julie and Carter long enough now that trusting them isn¡¯t ever a question. When I first hired them, I would make sure everything was locked up before I would leave the apartment. But over the years they have proven that I could trust them, so I stopped locking as many things up.¡±


    ¡°She stole one of the credit card applications from you?¡±


    ¡°She did. She somehow changed the name on the application and the address that the card should be mailed to. She had the credit card issued in her name and mailed to her home address. Asher, my head of IT at PFS, tracked the purchases, essed security footage from the stores where the credit cards were used and found out it was Harper who was using the cards. In total, over the three months, she spent more than sixty thousand dors on various purchases for herself.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the worst part.¡±


    ¡°What could be worse than that?¡± Kenzie asks inplete disbelief.


    ¡°When confronted with the photographic proof of Harper stealing from me, I was left with the decision of what to do. On one hand, this was the woman I supposedly loved and who loved me. On the other hand, there was no disputing the evidence that she was in fact stealing from me.


    ¡°I dismissed my team and told them I needed to think before I could figure out how to proceed. Part of me wanted to call the police and have her arrested, but the other part of me was still trying to figure out why she would do something like that. That¡¯s the part that to this day I still don¡¯t understand. You see, Harper is from money; her parents are very wealthy, so she didn¡¯t need it. Everything she has ever wanted has been handed to her.  Her full education was paid for by her parents, she was given a brand new condo and high end car at graduation, had credit cards of her own her parents paid off monthly¡­ she didn¡¯t want for anything. Yet she stole sixty thousand dors from me¡­ to buy things that her parents would have bought her: a newptop, gas for her car, ne tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars¡­¡±


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I cancelled my ns with her for that evening; I lied and told her I needed to workte or something, I think. I knew I needed time alone to process what just happened before I could determine my next moves. A couple of hourster, Carter had Melody¡­ you met her at my office, she¡¯s my personal assistant.¡± Kenzie nods. ¡°He had her clear my schedule then came into my office and said we needed to get home immediately. That¡¯s where things got worse¡­ ¡±


    ¡°What did she do to?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 83

    ¡°Julie has a very strict schedule she follows when ites to cleaning various parts of the house. What I learned that day is that every three to four months she pulls all the furniture away from the walls in the spare bedrooms to vacuum behind them. Harper typically used one of the spare bedrooms when she came over¡­ although we didn¡¯t live together, she was there often enough that she had a few items in the closet and the bathroom.


    ¡°Anyway, Julie moved the dresser away from the wall and found an envelope containing a thumb drive on it. I suppose Julie was leery of Harper ever since she found her in my office. Julie never voiced her suspicion to me after finding her there, but I think she knew something was going on even then. Anyway, Julie took the thumb drive and brought it to PFS and asked Carter to have it broken into since it was password protected. Carter had Asher break the password and when they discovered what was on it, they decided I needed to be away from PFS when I found out.¡±


    ¡°What did she put on the drive?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It seems she was preparing to sell me out. She was writing a book about her time with me, documenting nearly everything we did. She had pictures saved of¡­ when we were together. She gave detailed descriptions of our sex life. If that wasn¡¯t bad enough, she had notes on business decisions I made including forms I used to determine whetherpanies were worth taking on or not.¡±


    ¡°How did she find all that out?¡±


    ¡°Up til then, I never thought about how much I stored in my home office, so I imagine she learned most of it by snooping on my homeputer or through my files there. A few times she was at PFS and Melody let her wait in my office alone if I was runningte, so she could have dug then too. Afterward Carter went through our security footage and found her essentially tearing apart my office looking for information. The thumb drive had details about my family and things about me that if leaked could have serious consequences for PFS. We believe she was going to write a tell-all book and sell it.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ I can¡¯t believe someone would do anything like that.¡±


    ¡°Neither could I¡­ Well, I guess I could, but I thought those things happened to other people, not to me. When I saw the thumb drive, I lost it which Carter knew would happen and why he insisted Ie home before being told about the drive. I got really drunk; I can¡¯t remember thest time I drank so much.


    ¡°I called Austin, who has had more than a few issues with women; he came over to drink with me. By the end of the night, we had finished almost every ounce of alcohol we could find in my apartment but we had a n. When we woke up the next day, with incredible hangovers mind you, we went to see awyer and took the evidence of her stealing from me with us. I purposely did not bring the thumb drive; there were pictures on there that one¡¯s family should not see. And while it was an invasion of my privacy, I didn¡¯t want to risk that evidence getting out to the public. Her stealing from me was one thing, but the stuff she had on that thumb drive were things that could seriously damage my career.


    ¡°After much discussion with the attorney, we decided the best course of action was to pursue criminal charges for theft. My family has very close ties with the district attorney and managed to keep everything out of the press. We entered into a private agreement with Harper and her attorney which resulted in the records from the preceding being sealed. She agreed to plead guilty to the charges in exchange for a decreased sentence. She served about 18 months in prison, but her parents arranged for her to be sent to one of the nicest ones out there. The type of prison only people with money go, ces where you don¡¯t feel like you actually lose anything. She was required to sign legal documents that prohibit her from every speaking about our rtionship to anyone and she is banned from ever working in the media industry again.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ I know I keep saying that but wow, Nichs. I can¡¯t believe someone would do something like to you. She tookplete advantage of you and then was about to expose you to ruin your business.


    Why would someone do something like that?¡±


    ¡°To make an easy buck, Kenzie. A book about my secrets and how I run my business would sell, very quickly, no doubt. She could have probably made a couple hundred thousand dors from books and then more from talk shows, magazines, etc¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, even though I almost didn¡¯t make it here.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Did something happen on the way here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised Carter didn¡¯t tell you. I¡¯m sure Hunter called him and told him he thought I was going crazy.¡±


    ¡°I doubt Hunter would say something like that and if he did, he knows he would be fired. What happened, Kenzie? Did Hunter do something-¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she quickly interrupts which relieves me greatly. I trust Hunter nearly as much as I trust Carter. I can¡¯t picture him doing anything unprofessional. ¡°I¡­ I guess you could say I kind of freaked out when I realized we weren¡¯t going to the bakery-¡±


    ¡°Oh, Kenzie¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± FUCK I feel foolish now. ¡°I had no idea¡­ I¡­ you weren¡¯t talking to me, I didn¡¯t know how else to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°You could havee to the apartment,¡± she points out the obvious solution but I don¡¯t think she realizes that I didn¡¯t want to invade her privacy by doing that.


    I may know where she lives now but I refuse to take advantage of that. The stiption in the contract is there for a reason. Even though we have blurred some of the lines in the contract, I don¡¯t want to take advantage of that one. Her privacy is important her just as mine is to me.


    ¡°I nearly had a panic attack in the car with Hunter when he wouldn¡¯t tell me where we were going. I tried to open the car door to jump out, but of course it didn¡¯t open-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m so sorry. I never thought¡­ I didn¡¯t think¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Why would you? I never told you about my trust issues and it¡¯s not like I didn¡¯t know Hunter; he¡¯s been with me for weeks now. I freaked out and my first thought was that I was at risk. The logical part of my brain must have fallen asleep, because had it been awake, it would have reminded me that I¡¯ve feltfortable with Hunter before and that he has given me no reason to worry.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Hunter must have seen that I was freaking out because the next thing I knew we were pulled onto the side of the road and he was turned around calling my name. He told me that if I wanted, he would turn the car around and take me back to The ord. I only began to calm down when he told me he was taking me to you and Carter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I swear I¡¯ll never do that again.  I should have known that it would have frightened you not know where you were going-¡±


    ¡°You had no reason to know, Nichs. We¡¯ve gone out plenty of times now; sometimes I don¡¯t know all the details of the evenings and I¡¯ve never had an issue with it.¡±


    ¡°Because we were never alone,¡± I realize.


    ¡°Right. And today I was suddenly alone in a car with Hunter.¡±


    ¡°But you had no issuesing aboard the boat today?¡± I point out.


    ¡°I know,¡± she sighs and looks back out at the water. ¡°And I had no concerns about staying the weekend at your apartment when it was obvious no one was able to. As scary trusting me is, it¡¯s just as scary for me to trust you.¡±


    For the first time since I started talking I look at her, sitting back in her lounge chair and staring out at the water. I can only assume she is taking in everything I just told her. I can¡¯t help but wonder what she is thinking. Does she think I was stupid for allowing her into my life? Does she think less of me because of the decisions I made? Is she wondering what was on the thumb drive that I was so worried about or does she think it was mostly business details that I was worried the most about? I originally nned to leave out the fact that there were pictures on the thumb drive but once I started talking, everything just came out.


    ¡°I get it,¡± Kenzie breaks her silence a few minutester.


    ¡°You get what?¡± I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not confused by her response.


    ¡°I get why you gave me the checkst weekend. I get why you thought I expected that in return.¡±


    ¡°You do? Because honestly, Kenzie, I don¡¯t know why I did it. Alex thinks that I was testing you but I¡¯m not sure I buy that-¡±


    ¡°No, I think he¡¯s right. It¡¯s obvious now that Harper was only with you because of your money, and she saw an easy way to make quick money with you. After what you went through, I could see how you could expect people to be like that with you. But Nichs¡­ you have to know that I would never¡­ never do what she did to you. I don¡¯t know that you will ever be able to trust me, but-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, that¡¯s what freaked me out the most aboutst weekend. I started to trust to you, even without knowing it. After everything blew up in my face with Harper, I swore off women. I swore I would never trust another woman-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, you can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Why not?  It¡¯s been working for me for thest two years-¡±


    ¡°Has it?¡±


    ¡°Of course it has. I moved out of that apartment, got rid of all the memories of her and moved to The ord Towers with Carter and Julie. Untilst weekend, the only women who stepped foot into my condo besides Julie were my mother and sister. You were the first woman who has ever been there; you were there the entire weekend and¡­ I let my guard down. Honestly, that scared the shit out of me. I worked so hard over thest two and a half years to ensure that my guard was always up so something like that didn¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Kenzie¡¯s gaze is once again on the water; I¡¯m beginning to think she understands why I find being on the boat so rxing. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going through her head right now, but I don¡¯t ask.  I¡¯m afraid to ask¡­ I don¡¯t know that I want to know what she¡¯s thinking right now. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve opened myself up to anyone like this. I don¡¯t do vulnerable¡­ I don¡¯t do weak; right now I know this is exactly how I look to her.


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t been alone with a man, not really, in more than two years before I walked into your apartment that night,¡± she finally says, albeit very quietly, almost as if she¡¯s afraid of what she is saying.


    ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m sure we-¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t, not really anyway.¡±


    I think back at all the times we¡¯ve met before our dates and realize she is right: each time Carter was present. We spent a few minutes once in my office when she brought muffins and cookies when I moved her into The ord after her apartment was broken into. That was maybe¡­ ten minutes I think; I had to rush to a meeting so she couldn¡¯t stay very long. Hunter has driven her to the bakery but that¡¯s only a few minutes drive each way.


    ¡°Yet you still volunteered to stay the weekend with me.¡± I¡¯m even more shocked now.


    ¡°I did,¡± she shrugs. ¡°Like you, I swore I would never trust a man again. I swore that I would never put myself at risk again. Our ex¡¯s aren¡¯t that different when you think about it really. They both deceived us into believing they were the person they wanted us to see, but we both ended up finding out that it was all a facade.


    ¡°When Bridget approached me about this arrangement, my safety was my number one concern. I let her know that I would never agree to be alone with someone; I would never agree to meet you at your office after hours if no one else was going to be working. Although she mentioned possible business trips, I let her know that would have to be discussed at a muchter date because in all honesty, I never thought I would see myself spending days in the same hotel room with a man. I swore I would put myself at risk again, that I would never let my guard down and trust someone again.¡±


    ¡°Yet here we are,¡± I can¡¯t help but point out the fact that we are entirely alone on a boat in the middle of open water with no one around us for miles.

 Chapter 84

    Nichs


    In that moment I realized how little I truly know about Kenzie; I know her ex abused her but I don¡¯t know what her time with him was really like. She is very closed off about her past, although given the little bit I do know, it makes sense that she would have difficulty trusting men. I¡¯m kicking myself for not thinking that having Hunter bring her here today instead of going to the bakery where she expected to go would have upset her. All I wanted to do was to get a chance to talk to her alone; she wasn¡¯t responding to the flowers I sent, so I really didn¡¯t know what else I could do. Alex told me to talk to her alone, to take her somewhere and do something just the two of us¡­ yet he didn¡¯t tell me how the hell to get her attention when she wouldn¡¯t talk to me!


    ¡°Can we go swimming?¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Of course! Come with me and I¡¯ll show you where everything is,¡± I stand and take her hand to help her up from the lounge chair where we¡¯ve been sitting for thest couple of hours. I hadn¡¯t realized how much time had passed until I looked at my phone and realized it was well after noon. After the heavy discussion, I think a swim sounds like a great idea. With her hand still in mine, I lead her back through the main area of the boat and down the steps to the bedrooms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a quick tour while we¡¯re here,¡± I offer. ¡°Obviously this is the kitchen; it has all main features of a home kitchen but on a much smaller scale. After we go swimming I¡¯ll bring up the lunch that Julie packed and we can eat if you¡¯re hungry.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Through here is a small office, over there is a guest bedroom and bathroom and then this is the master bedroom.¡±


    ¡°Wow, Nichs, this is amazing!  I had no idea so much space was down here. I mean, the boat is obviously big but¡­ wow!¡±


    ¡°In the bag you¡¯ll find a bathing suit, a cover up, a pair of flip flops, shorts and a top-¡±


    ¡°You bought all of this?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ well technically a personal shopper at Neiman¡¯s arranged all of this. I gave her your picture and she based the sizes from that, so I¡¯m hoping they fit-¡±


    ¡°Thank you.. You definitely didn¡¯t need to do all of this, but thank you.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I just want you to know again how sorry I am-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, you¡¯ve apologized; you¡¯re forgiven. I overreacted as well and like you, I didn¡¯t know how to fix things. The flowers you sent me, which were absolutely beautiful by the way, were your way of trying to reach out to me. I wanted to call you so many times, but I didn¡¯t know what to say because I don¡¯t think I even understood why it bothered me so much that you thought you needed to pay me.¡±


    ¡°Because you recognized before I did, that this was more than a business arrangement. I don¡¯t know when it happened, but it did.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s okay though? I mean¡­ Oh, I don¡¯t know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m sure Bridget has clients who have developed friendships and probably even rtionships from these arrangements. I think when two people spend a lot of time together, it¡¯s a natural reaction. It just didn¡¯t take as much time for us.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to change in the guest room; how about we meet on the deck in a few minutes? Anything you might need should be in the bathroom just through that door.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Nichs¡­ again for all of this.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    I slowly close the door and walk across the small hallway to the guest bedroom, closing myself in the room before I sit on the bed. I never expected to tell Kenzie so much about what happened and thought I could gloss over all the details, just giving her the gist of it. I never thought I would tell her as much as I did.  I¡¯m relieved I did though; I may not have realized it at the time but I¡¯m really d she didn¡¯t ept the money I tried to give her. I wouldn¡¯t have thought any less of her if she did, but when she didn¡¯t, it¡­ it just reinforced what I already knew, that Kenzie was nothing like she was.


    When I hear the bedroom door open and shut across the hall I realized I need to hurry up and get changed. I quickly don a pair of swim trunks and T-shirt to swim in; while I hate swimming with a shirt on I¡¯m not about to take the chance that something could happen.


    When I make my way up to the deck, I stop dead in my tracks at seeing Kenzie. She is standing at the end of the boat, holding onto the rail and looking out over the water. She¡¯s wearing nothing but the bikini that I purchased for her which,bined with the backdrop of the blue water, makes her looking incredibly beautiful.


    FUCK


    I should have told Neiman¡¯s to give her a one piece bathing suit. Hell I should have ¡°forgotten¡± the bathing suit and taken swimming off the agenda for today. My mind immediately goes to all the things that I could do to this gorgeous woman right now. There is no one around for miles, I


    could fuck her right now, right where she is standing and no one would ever know. I could walk up to her, pull her bikini bottom to the side, plunge into her and fuck her against the railing of the boat without giving it a second thought.


    But I won¡¯t and I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t jeopardize our arrangement and more importantly I would never hurt her.  I¡¯m not what she needs, what she deserves and I don¡¯t think I ever could be. She deserves someone whoes without baggage, someone who won¡¯t have issues trusting herpletely. The realization that I could never be that man is the equivalent of having a bucket of ice dumped down my swim trunks.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful out here isn¡¯t it?¡± I say, approaching Kenzie.


    ¡°Absolutely stunning; I see why you enjoying out here.  Do you spend much time on the water?¡±

 Chapter 85

    ¡°Not as much as I would like to unfortunately. If it were up to me I would be out here every weekend¡­¡±


    ¡°What stops you?¡±


    ¡°Work typically; then there are various social events but mostly it¡¯s work.¡±


    ¡°If I could get away from everything, every once in a while, I would take advantage of it, whenever I could.  Being out here makes you forget¡­ everything,¡± she muses wistfully.


    Those simple sentences make me realize she truly gets whying out here means so much to me. She may not know that she gets my reason, but her statement alone tells me she feels the same way I do when she looks out at the water. For some reason it is so easy to lose yourself in the waves when all you see is blue in all directions.


    ¡°I put some of the suntan lotion on, but I couldn¡¯t reach my back. Do you mind?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°Sure, of course,¡± I take the bottle from her as I step closer to her.


    ¡°Is it okay if I untie the bottom strap?  It might be easier-¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± her hands immediately go to the fabric covering her breasts, holding it in ce.


    Despite the earlier realization, I can¡¯t help but wish she would have let the top fall off. I squirt some of the lotion onto my hand and slowly apply it to her back. She jumps when I first touch her, probably from the coldness but immediately rxes as I rub the lotion on. As I smooth it down her back, for the first time I see scars. They¡¯re small and light, barely noticeable unless you¡¯re close to her but they are there.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°I scar easily¡­¡± She shrugs and I have to force myself to continue what I¡¯m doing rather than focus on the scars. There are a easily two dozen of them, all different sizes and shapes but they cover from the middle of her back to her waistline at least from what I can see.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡±  I don¡¯t know what to say, what I should say. I hate the fucker who did this to her and want nothing more than to find a way to destroy him for hurting her. I can¡¯t imagine any man wanting to do something like this to a woman, let alone one that is as beautiful and perfect as Kenzie is.


    Perfect?


    ¡°Don¡¯t Nichs¡­ please. It was a long time ago; can we just forget about it?¡±


    Her voice is shaky as she tries portraying the strong image I know she wants me to see. I¡¯m suddenly confronted with an overwhelming need to hold her, tofort her and to tell her that everything will be okay, that no one would ever hurt her again. But I don¡¯t. Instead I tie her bathing suit back into ce and step away.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± her voice is barely above a whisper and I have no doubt that she thanking me for more than putting sun tan lotion on.


    ¡°Do you want to swim here or should we move the boat?¡± I suggest.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I like it here, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°No, here is perfect.¡±


    We go to the back of the boat where there is adder and a small stand to sit on, but Kenzie surprises me and dives right into the water from the deck of the boat. I chuckle as she sshes me with cold water from her jump. She swims out quite a distance before turning around and swimming back to the boat withouting up for a breath of air. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing in?¡± she asks.


    Feeling the need to lighten things up, I stand up and cannon ball into the water only a few feet from her.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± she giggles and tries to ssh water at me but I sink under before it hits me.


    We spend the rest of the day just like that, swimming and having fun. Gone are the heavy conversations and the many unanswered questions that remain between us. Instead, we keep things light and current rather than talking about our pasts. We enjoy the chicken sd lunch that Julie prepared for us before heading back to the marinate in the afternoon.


    As I stand behind Kenzie, watching her steer the boat back towards the marina, I find myself surprised at how nice today turned out. I was prepared for anything to happen today, anything but this. I pictured her refusing to get on the boat with me, or cursing me out for trying to give her the money, or worse yet, even pictured her ending our arrangement because of what I did. Never did I dare to hope that today would have gone as well as it did. I actually had fun¡­ I can¡¯t remember thest time I could say that. Hell, I can¡¯t remember thest time I spent the entire day with a woman.


    It¡¯s weird, but when I think back to being with her, I realize just how off things were between us. I never spend an entire day with her¡­ sure a few hours here and there but that usually was it. She never wanted toe on the boat, iming the water made her sick. Today, Kenzie and I spent more than six hours on the boat¡­ just the two of us. The only time she and I spent six hours together would be at a function with hundreds of other people around. Although it wasn¡¯t always her fault because I was always busy with PFS. Looking back at it now, I could have made more of an effort to spend time with her¡­ if I had wanted to.


    It didn¡¯t take much to spend the day out here with Kenzie; just a few meetings and calls rearranged and some work pushed off until tomorrow. At the time I thought she was just being understanding with how busy I was but now I see that it was all part of the facade that she wanted me to see.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ Nichs!¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts as we approach the marina.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing fine, we¡¯re going to head into the third row-¡±


    ¡°No! You need to do this! I¡¯m going to hit another boat, or the dock or someone!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do fine, keep your hands firm on the wheel,¡± I put my hands on the wheel on either side of her body essentially making it impossible for her move. Her body is tense around me but I¡¯m not worried; she has been steering the boat for thest hour, navigating around several other boats withplete ease. Besides, my hands are on the wheel, I can easily correct anything she does before anything were to ur. She may be scared, but I think secretly she is enjoying having this control.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to start to turn left just after we pass that boat, do you see it?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Ye¡­ yes,¡± she¡¯s nervous but I¡¯m not.


    ¡°Perfect¡­ yup¡­ just like that.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I did that!¡± She exims happily when I cut the engine at the dock.


    ¡°I told you that you could do it!¡±


    She turns and throws her hands around my neck pulling me close to her before she rests her face in the crook of my neck. My hands automatically go around her waist, holding her close to me.


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs¡­ thank you for today,¡± she whispers against my neck so softly that I can feel her lips move against my skin.


    ¡°Anytime, Kenzie.¡±


    She pulls back slightly from me until her face is only a couple inches from me, her hands are still wrapped around my neck and mine around her waist. My eyes find hers and immediately I feel like she is looking at me differently. I suddenly feel like she can see right through me, as if she can see deep into me. Suddenly I feel¡­ exposed.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± Kenzie whispers when I suddenly look away as if I¡¯m afraid if she continues looking at me the way she is right now, she will be able to see it all.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ for telling me everything today; thank you for trusting me,¡± she leans up just enough to ce her soft lips against mine. Her eyes close the moment our lips touch, but I can¡¯t bring myself to close mine. Her fingers run through the ends of my hair at my neck; my hands find the bare skin just beneath her shirt on her back. As she bes more sure of herself, or maybe of what she¡¯s doing, Kenzie moves her lips against mine deepening our kiss  changing it from a kiss between two friends to one between¡­


    BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP


    We both immediately pull away from each other at the sound of a boat¡¯s loud horn not far from us. On one hand I want to kill the fucker who stopped Kenzie from kissing me, but on the other hand I know it¡¯s probably for the best. If she had continued to kiss me like that, I don¡¯t know if I would have been able to stop myself. My dick is already stirring with her body pressed up against it.


    ¡°Carter will be waiting to drive us back to The ord unless you need to go somewhere else?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    As we head towards the front of the boat, I see Carter waiting for us on the dock and I have no doubt that more than likely just saw what transpired between us. Thankfully, I don¡¯t need to worry about him saying anything-unless I ask Carter for his opinion, he rarely gives it. I tell Kenzie to wait on the deck for me so I can get off the boat first. I toss Carter a rope and he quickly secures the boat to the dock as I step off.  Kenzie takes my hand but doesn¡¯t let go as we walk towards the car.


    ¡°Mac will see to it?¡± I ask Carter. ¡°Yes, he is already here and waiting.¡± ¡°Mac?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ my boat guy, I guess you could say.  He gets the boat ready when I want to take it out and like today, he will see that it¡¯s shut downpletely and secure it for the night.¡±


    The ride back to the city is quiet, but Kenzie doesn¡¯t let go of my hand the entire ride and I don¡¯t stop holding hers either. When we get back to The ord, I walk Kenzie to her apartment door and kiss her on the cheek as has be our tradition after dates. I am beyond tempted to kiss her again. I want nothing more than to feel her body against mine and her lips pressed up against mine again.  But in the end I know nothing good coulde of that¡­ if my image-changing mission is to be sessful, I can¡¯t give her a reason to break the contract. A night with me fucking her would almost guarantee that.

 Chapter 86

    Kenzie


    What a week! I cannot believe the week I¡¯ve had. It started with Nichs nearly giving me the first panic attack I¡¯ve had in more than year as Hunter all but kidnapped me when I thought I was supposed to be going to work. Instead he drove me outside the city to a beautiful marina where we met up with Nichs and Carter. We spent the day aboard his amazing boat, getting to know each other more.  I was shocked when Nichs revealed his past to me. I never would have expected someone to fool Nichs the way Harper did. I always viewed him as stronger than that or too smart to fall for it.  Hearing what happened to him, of what she did to him, made me realize that he is only human. That even someone as strong, smart and rich as he is can be duped by someone as maniptive as Harper was. It also made me realize that at least I¡¯m not the only one who has made stupid mistakes in their life.


    The day on the boat was more than I ever could have hoped for. After Nichs told me everything that the Bitch did to him, we were still able to have a wonderful afternoon together. We went swimming, joked around and got to know each other even more. We shared a delicious lunch that Julie made us on the deck of the boat after we spent the afternoon swimming. Nichs looked amazing in his swim shorts!  I kept waiting for him to take his shirt off, but to my disappointment he never did.


    Nevertheless, he looked incredibly sexy when he came out of the water and the shirt clung to him. I could see his hardened muscles beneath his shirt and I couldn¡¯t help but imagine what he would look like shirtless. I can¡¯t remember thest time I ever thought of a guy like that; hell I can¡¯t remember thest time I wondered what a man looked like without his clothes on! He looked so rxed on the boat, not like some big, powerful CEO in charge of hundreds of employees. Instead he looked¡­ well, like someone his age should look.


    And then as our perfect day wasing to an end, I nearly ruined it. I kissed him¡­ and it was not on the cheek. I was so.. . excited, I guess that I had steered the boat to the marina and managed to not hit anything. I hugged him to thank him for taking me out for the day, for telling me about what had happened to him and for teaching me to maneuver the boat. The moment his arms wrapped around me and pulled me close to him, I immediately thought about how nice it felt to sleep next to himst weekend after my nightmare.


    When I went to pull away from him, his eyes caught mine and it was as if he could see right through me again.  I remember feeling that way the day we met on the sidewalk, that he could see all the secrets I¡¯ve never told anyone. I was overwhelming how open I felt. I wanted to get away, but at the same time I didn¡¯t want step out of his embrace. I leaned up to kiss him, intending it to be a good-bye kiss on the cheek however when his eyes met mine again, I felt this incredible urge to kiss his lips again.


    I don¡¯t know if I should be thankful for the boat horn that interrupted our kiss just before I think one of us was about to deepen it. We¡¯ve kissed three times now; two of which have been initiated by me. The only time Nichs initiated it was after my nightmare, probably just as a way tofort me. I need to be more mindful of our arrangement, even though the lines seem to be getting more and more blurred as we spend time together. I can¡¯t give Nichs a reason to break our arrangement-I¡¯m finally getting a head on my bills and I think I might start looking for an apartment of my own in the next couple of weeks.


    I¡¯ve enjoyed staying at The ord Towers but the fact remains that it is Nichs¡¯s apartment. I think I would feel more secure if I had a ce of my own-some ce that I couldn¡¯t lose without any notice if Nichs suddenly decides to end our arrangement. The issue I know I¡¯m going to have though is finding a ce that is safe so that while Nichs and I have this arrangement press can¡¯t get to me, at a price I can afford. Right now I think I can afford a small apartment in a decent area but I¡¯m concerned when the arrangement ends what will happen. I don¡¯t think I could sign another contract with Bridget.


    If this arrangement with Nichs has taught me anything, it¡¯s that I can¡¯t be involved with someone without emotional attachments. Nichs was right when he said that our arrangement has begun to go beyond a business arrangement and we¡¯ve sort of be friends. We¡¯re not the type of friends who call each other or text, but when we go on dates we share things about our lives. I don¡¯t know how I will feel when Nichs ends this; I think it will feel like losing a friend and it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve had someone I considered a friend. I quickly shake my head from those thoughts; I need to just focus on keeping things status quo between us which means not kissing him again. I can¡¯t be the reason he decides to end our arrangement.


    Nichs and I were supposed to go to dinner earlier this week but he ended up having to cancel because of ast minute business meeting he had to fly off to. We¡¯re going to dinner at his parents¡¯ tonight; I¡¯m not sure how I feel about this. Although I¡¯ve met Vivienne and talked to her several times now, I can¡¯t help but feel nervous spending the evening with them. From what Bridget told me, Nichs¡¯s entire family will be there which I assume includes Austin and Cara.


    Bridget also confirmed that next week Nichs has a busy schedule and has requested I apany him to several different events including a charity fundraising dinner and a business. When I was talking to her I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she knew about our day on the boat or the weekend that we spent together. I feel guilty that we did these things without going through her as stated in our contract. However, I know if we had for either of these things it would have resulted in a payment from Nichs which is obviously something I don¡¯t want. Since I don¡¯t expect us to be spending more time together outside of our actual arrangement, I decide against informing Bridget about the weekend and the day on the boat.


    I struggled with what to wear for dinner tonight; Bridget said that Nichs told her that the dress code would be casual for dinner. What the hell is casual though to a family that has the amount of money that the Parkers have?  I end up spending an hour at Stacy¡¯s where I eventually choose a halter style sundress that falls just to my knees with a pair of dressy sandals. I think it¡¯s a little more than casual but I hope that it will fit in with what the Parkers expect for tonight. I was a little surprised when Bridget scheduled this dinner. I had assumed I would only see them at different events.  I guess I wasn¡¯t expecting to see them in such an intimate or personal setting¡­


    Knock knock


    Thankfully Nichs pulls me from my thoughts and overall worry about how tonight is going to go. I quickly grab my purse, set the rm and open the door where Nichs is waiting for me. For the first time since I¡¯ve met him, Nichs is wearing jeans which surprises me. I can¡¯t help but immediately second guess my outfit for tonight, wondering if I shouldn¡¯t go back inside and change into something more casual.


    ¡°You look¡­ very nice,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°Do you think I should change?¡±


    ¡°No! Why would you?¡±


    ¡°Bridget mentioned the dress would be casual for tonight, and you¡¯re in jeans¡­ ¡±


    ¡°I assure you Cara will be not be dressed in jeans, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. I¡¯m not sure that girl owns a single pair. I can¡¯t remember thest time I even saw her in jeans.  You look perfect¡­ you don¡¯t need to change.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡±


    We walk down to the elevator where Carter is waiting for us; after a short ride we are in the parking garage, seated in the SUV and on our way. Nichs is busy typing away on his cell phone, but I can¡¯t stop thinking about how tonight will turn out. Meeting Nichs¡¯s family at the g was one thing, but meeting in their home at their dinner table ispletely different. It feels so much more personal-


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Nichs pulls me from my thoughts once again.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Are you nervous?¡±

 Chapter 87

    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why? You¡¯ve met my family before.¡±


    ¡°But not like this. This is¡­ different. At the g there were so many other people there or things going on to distract everyone. This feels¡­ more personal.¡±


    ¡°You have nothing to worry about, Kenzie. My mother already loves you ¡±


    ¡°I doubt that; she barely knows me. We texted a few times and talked at your apartment for a few minutes, but that was pretty much it.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, my mother likes you.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± he takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair before continuing.  ¡°Do you want to know how I know my mother likes you?¡± I nod. ¡°She lets you call her Vivienne-¡±


    ¡°She told me-¡±


    ¡°I know she did. But¡­ she¡¯s never let¡­ Harper call her by her name,¡± I can hear the disgust in his voice as he says her name. ¡°She was always Mrs. or Dr. Parker to her. My mother never texted her, never talked to her except to be polite and pretty much hated her.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Yeah oh. So, just trust me, my mother likes you. If you¡¯ve won her over, you¡¯ve won over my dad by default. Cara loves everyone and Austin¡­ well Austin will do anything to avoid confrontation, so you don¡¯t have to worry about it.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything I should know about for tonight?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Just be yourself.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am¡­ we have arrived,¡± Carter alerts us. I have no idea how long we¡¯ve been parked in the driveway but I¡¯m thankful for thesest few minutes.


    ¡°You ready?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I say trying to force some confidence in my voice.


    Although we were here for the g, the house lookspletely different without all the lights and press around it. Nichs opens the door and leads me into the veryrge foyer where he takes my jacket and purse to hang them with his own in the closet. I can¡¯t help but look up; the ceiling above us is so high it almost makes me dizzy. There¡¯s a beautiful chandelier above and a curved stairway to our left.


    ¡°Nichs! Kenzie! I thought I heard the door open,¡± Vivienne rushes in to greet us, first hugging Nichs and then me. ¡°Vivienne, it¡¯s nice to see you again,¡± I say.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d that you could make it tonight, Kenzie! I¡¯ve been after Nichs to bring you by for two weeks now; I¡¯m d your ns changed and you are able to join us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d it all worked out,¡± I reply, not entirely sure what Nichs has told her so I¡¯m trying to y along.


    ¡°Come, everyone¡¯s in the great room,¡± she leads us to arge room just off the foyer where Nichs¡¯s dad, Austin and Cara are all talking.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± Cara runs towards him and practically jumps into his arms to hug him.


    ¡°Cara!¡± he chuckles at her reaction.


    ¡°Kenzie!  I¡¯m so happy you coulde!¡± She hugs me next before taking my hand, leading me to the couch where she was sitting a few minutes ago.


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s nice of you to join us for dinner tonight,¡± Nichs¡¯s dad says.


    ¡°Thank you for inviting me Mr. Parker.¡±


    ¡°Please it¡¯s Theodore; I¡¯m only Mr. Parker at work.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I love your dress! Where did you get it? Oh!  Better yet, can you take me there? Are you going to the dinner next weekend? If so, maybe we can go shopping together this week?¡± Cara fires off tons of questions at me which catches me off guard.


    ¡°Cara, give the poor girl a minute to think,¡± Austin warns as he smiles at me.


    ¡°Um¡­ I think we¡¯re going to that dinner,¡± I nce at Nichs who nods in indication that we are going. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to shop for a dress yet, so if you want, I¡¯d love to go shopping with you for one.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic! I¡¯m so excited! When can you go? Do you work every day this week?¡±


    ¡°How about Wednesday? I work a few hours in the morning but by early afternoon I should be free.¡±


    ¡°Perfect! I can¡¯t wait!¡±


    I try to catch Nichs¡¯s eye to see if I did the right thing by agreeing to go shopping with her but he doesn¡¯t seem to notice me. I hope he doesn¡¯t get mad that I¡¯m spending time with Cara; she caught mepletely off guard when she asked if we could go shopping for a dress for the dinner. I couldn¡¯t figure out a way to say no without sounding rude; agreeing just seemed like the appropriate response.


    ¡°Dinner is ready,¡± Vivienne announces a few minuteter.


    Nichs takes my hand as we stand up before leading me into the dining room which is just as beautiful as the rest of the house. The long dining room table is set beautifully, with wonderful smelling dishes set across the table. Like the perfect gentleman he is, Nichs pulls my chair out for me then gently pushes it in before taking his seat next to me.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing fine, stop worrying,¡± he whispers and puts his hand on my knee which I hadn¡¯t realized was shaking until that moment. His hand is hot against my cool skin; I can feel my body temperature rising just from his touch. I don¡¯t know if he notices, but he quickly removes his hand a few secondster.


    ¡°So Kenzie, how¡¯s the bakery?¡± Theodore asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s good.  It seems as if the owner has found a seller for the


    bakery-¡±


    ¡°She did?¡± Nichs asks surprised.


    ¡°Yes, Ginny just told me about it this morning.¡± I forgot to mention it when we spoke on the ride over here.


    ¡°Tell me it¡¯s not one of those chain ces,¡± Vivienne pleads.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Ginny said that she had to sign something that prevents her from telling anyone specific details about the sale until a certain date-¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°That¡¯s fairlymon, Kenzie, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s anything you need to worry about,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°She did say that the owners have agreed to keep on all staff who have had solid performance reviews for at least six months following the date of the announcement,¡± I exin.


    ¡°That¡¯s really good news,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you must be relieved,¡± Vivienne adds.


    ¡°I am. I hope the new owners keep the feel of the bakery; Ginny has a lot of personal connections with so many of the customers whoe in, so it would be a shame to lose that.¡±


    ¡°I hope they keep the same recipes!¡± Cara exims.


    ¡°I second that,¡± Austin agrees.


    ¡°I¡¯ve signed too many business deals over their muffins for have them change their recipe now,¡± Nichs chuckles.  ¡°Melody manages always know exactly what to order for my meetings.¡±


    The food is passed around as conversation flows easily amongst everyone. I can¡¯t help but sit back and watch what is going on around me. I don¡¯t know that I¡¯ve ever seen a family dinner like this one. It¡¯s not only Theodore and Vivienne asking questions about their children¡¯s lives, but it¡¯s Cara, Austin and Nichs who are talking and seem to know everything that is going on with each other. It amazes me how close everyone is¡­ not just close in the sense that they are family but that they actually care about what is happening with each other.


    ¡°Would you like some wine?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    ¡°White or red?¡±


    ¡°White, thank you.¡±


    Nichs puts his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently before he walks into the kitchen. I continue to just watch everyone; interestingly I don¡¯t feel ufortable like I expected to. Every so often someone asks me a question, making sure like I don¡¯t feel like an outsider. Nichses back to the table a few minutester, handing me a ss of wine before draping his arm over my shoulders when he sits down.


    Out of the corner of my eye I see Vivienne watching us and smiling and for the first time since Nichs and I started this arrangement I feel guilty for deceiving everyone. Well maybe not everyone-I don¡¯t feel guilty for deceiving the press so they leave Nichs alone and he can focus on hispany. I think I just feel guilty about deceiving Nichs¡¯s family as they think we are an actual couple like everyone else does. I understand why he didn¡¯t want to tell anyone else about our arrangement but¡­


    ¡°How about we move into the great room?  Dessert will be ready in a few minutes; I¡¯ll bring it in for everyone in there,¡± Vivienne suggests.


    ¡°Would you like another ss of wine?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± I quickly answer.


    ¡°Anyone else need another drink while I¡¯m in the kitchen?¡± Nichs asks everyone.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you,¡± Austin jumps up.


    ¡°I¡¯d like another ss of wine,¡± Cara requests.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have another beer,¡± Theodore adds.


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t need anything, Kenzie?¡± Austin asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks,¡± I answer.

 Chapter 88

    Theodore and Cara immediately engage in conversation about a fashion design ss that Cara is currently taking. I gather from the conversation that she has had a difficult time deciding what she wants to do with her life. I envy her; her parents seem to support her as she takes different sses rather than pushing her in a certain direction or worse not supporting her in furthering her education at all. I¡¯m surprised that Theodore seems genuinely interested in Cara¡¯s description in herst ss the other day despite the fact that I¡¯m sure Theodore could care less about fashion design.


    A couple of hours and far too much delicious dessertter, Nichs and I say our goodbyes to his family. Cara and I have exchanged phone numbers, having confirmed our shopping nster this week for next weekend¡¯s charity dinner that we will both be attending. Austin, Nichs and Theodore discuss an uing baseball game that they are going to in a few weeks.


    Vivienne immediately suggests I join her and Cara for a girl¡¯s day at the spa when the guys go to the game. I give a nonmittal answer promising to check my schedule, not because I don¡¯t want to spend the day at a spa (who wouldn¡¯t?) but because I don¡¯t know how Nichs wants me to respond. We hadn¡¯t discussed our arrangement ovepping with Nichs¡¯s family life or how he would feel about me spending time alone with them. I¡¯ve already agreed to shopping with Carater this week, so I don¡¯t want tomit to anything else without talking with Nichs first. Vivienne epts my answer without blinking an eye which I¡¯m thankful for.


    ¡°I told you that you had no reason to worry,¡± Nichs says as Carter drives us away.


    ¡°It went much better than I thought it would,¡± I admit.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± he requests after a few minutes of silence.


    ¡°Okay, sure,¡± I¡¯m not sure what to think about the uncertainty I hear in his voice.


    ¡°Howe you don¡¯t drink? I mean, you drink, of course, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen you have more than one drink when we¡¯ve gone out. Do you not like to drink?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± I sigh realizing that Nichs is right-I haven¡¯t had more than one drink of alcohol anytime we have been out together. ¡°I hadn¡¯t realized that¡­ I guess old habits die hard.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Did you¡­ do you have a problem with alcohol?¡±


    ¡°No! Gosh, no. I¡¯ve only ever been drunk once and that was freshman year in college. I drank way too much at a fraternity party and spent the night with my head over the toilet bowl. That was thest time I ever got drunk.¡±


    ¡°Then why only have one drink?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± UGH! I can¡¯t imagine what Nichs will think when I tell him the real reason I limit myself to one drink. Unfortunately, I can¡¯te up with a good enough lie and even if I could, after how open Nichs was with me on the boatst weekend, I don¡¯t know that I want to lie to him. ¡°It was one of the rules.¡±


    ¡°Rules?¡±


    ¡°He¡­ Image was important to him; he believed I was a direct reflection on him. He would¡­ pick out my outfits, order my food and basically control everything when we went out. There were a lot of rules: what I could talk about, who I could talk to and how much I could drink. Even though I had never been drunk around him, I was only ever allowed to have one drink when we were out.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say. You don¡¯t seem like the person who would just let someone control their life like that. I mean-¡±


    ¡°No, I get it. Trust me, I¡¯m not the person I was when I met him. I¡¯ve grown a lot in thest two and a half years. I¡¯ve learned a lot about myself and about the person I was back then. Today? No, I wouldn¡¯t let someone control as much of my life as he did. This¡­ this arrangement with Bridget? I had to think long and hard about it because not only of my safety but also because to some degree I knew I would give up some control. I knew there was a chance that I could be with someone that would pick out my clothing for events or who would tell me what I can and can¡¯t talk about or to whom. But, to me I was willing to pay that price because it was only over a very small part of my life. It was no different in my mind than wearing a uniform to work. I¡¯ll never go back to that type of control; I will never allow someone to control my every move the way he did.¡±


    ¡°You deserve so much better than that, Kenzie. I hope you realize that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I deserve¡­ but I know that I don¡¯t want what I had.¡±


    ¡°Someone really did a number on you growing up, didn¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t see¡­ you don¡¯t see yourself.¡±


    ¡°Sure I do-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t, Kenzie. If you don¡¯t recognize that you deserve better than that asshole, you don¡¯t see the wonderful person you really are.¡±


    ¡°I may not know what I deserve, Nichs, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that history will never repeat itself. I will never allow someone to control my life like he did or treat me the way he did.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d, really I am. I just wish¡­ you could see¡­ who you are,¡± Nichs sighs and runs his hands through his hair. ¡°Who told you that you didn¡¯t deserve any better than that asshole growing up? Who led you to believe that someone wouldn¡¯t love you?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I don¡¯t want to talk about this anymore,¡± I panic, trying to push away the memories that are threatening to take over. ¡°Please¡­ leave it alone, Nichs. My childhood wasn¡¯t a happy one, I didn¡¯t grow up in a nice house with loving parents who cared about what I did every day. Just forget about it.¡±


    Fighting the tears that are threatening to spill out, I turn away from


    Nichs and stare out the window. I can feel him watching me but I don¡¯t turn back to him. It¡¯s bad enough that he knows even a little about him; he doesn¡¯t need to know everything else too. I can¡¯t open myself up to him, to tell him everything when he has the power to end our arrangement and walk out of my life at any moment. He knows enough; he doesn¡¯t need to know everything.


    The elevator ride to the floor of my apartment is quiet with neither Nichs, Carter or myself saying anything.  I¡¯m not mad at Nichs for asking about my childhood but I just didn¡¯t expect him to be able to read me so easily.  It¡¯s as if he could see right through me: as if he could see parts of me that even I can¡¯t see. I don¡¯t know why he cares whether or not I think I deserve better than him. Isn¡¯t it enough that I swore I would never end up with someone like that again?


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m sorry. I over-stepped and I didn¡¯t mean to upset you,¡± Nichs apologizes as we stand awkwardly at the door to my apartment.


    ¡°It¡¯s not you, it¡¯s me. There are certain times of my life that I just don¡¯t like talking about-¡±


    ¡°I get it, really I do.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for inviting me to dinner tonight, I had a nice time with your family,¡± I desperately need to change the subject before things be even more ufortable out here.


    ¡°Thank you foring. I know my parents were d you came as well. I believe Bridget has been in touch about this week?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the business dinner and then the charity dinner over the weekend.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to check with Melody, but I think there is something next week too.¡±


    ¡°Sure, no problem.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Kenzie and again I¡¯m sorry that I over-stepped earlier; I didn¡¯t mean to upset you.¡±


    Before I can respond, Nichs surprises me by kissing me¡­ on the lips. I¡¯m caught so off guard I swear I just stand there trying to make sense of the fact that his soft lips are against mine. I¡¯m just about to wrap my arms around him when he pulls back from me. He ces onest quick kiss on my lips before turning around and walking back to the elevator where Carter has been waiting with his back towards us. With a heated face, I unlock the apartment door and turn off the rm. Rushing to the master bedroom, I take a quick shower, change into a pair of pajamas and head to bed. Surprisingly sleep quickly finds me, although I have to force myself not to keep thinking about how Nichs¡¯s lips felt against mine or to think about why he kissed me tonight how he did.


    shback


    ¡°You¡¯re such a fucking liar!  I know you were with him today; I know that¡¯s why you¡¯rete!¡±


    ¡°No, I swear I wasn¡¯t. I¡­ I left schoolte, I had to talk to my teacher-¡±


    SLAPN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me! Why did you need to talk to your teacher? Did you do something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No. He asked to see me about working on the school newspaper.


    He wanted me to write an article-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie!  All you ever do is lie!  You¡¯re just like your mothera fucking liar who is good for absolutely nothing! You¡¯re going to end up just like she did: alone and miserable. No one will ever love you; no one will ever put up with your lies. You will never amount to anything. I¡¯m done. I knew the moment I was called about you that you would be nothing but a piece of shit like your mother is. You¡¯ve caused me nothing but problems since you came here. I¡¯m calling tomorrow, I want you out of here!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry. Please¡­ I didn¡¯t mean-¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t mean what? To ruin my life? Well congrattions, you have! Yet again I¡¯ve had to clean up your mother¡¯s mess and I¡¯m fucking tired of it! Get the fuck out of here. I don¡¯t want to fucking see you again!¡±


    ¡°Ow!¡± I yelp in pain as I wasn¡¯t fast enough to dodge whatever she threw at me that just hit me in the back.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here!  Stay in your room the rest of the night. Don¡¯t you daree out for dinner either. You¡¯re not getting anything tonight!¡±


    She¡¯s throwing things down the hallway as I desperately try to make my way to my small bedroom. It¡¯s nothing more than a closet that they put a small mattress in on the floor; my clothes are hanging on the rod above me. It¡¯s tiny and dark, but I don¡¯t mind, for in here I know I¡¯m safe.  She neveres in here. I scream as something else hits my back when I stop to open my door but don¡¯t turn around to see what it was. I throw myself into my room and close the door quickly behind me. I turn on the smallmp that sits on the floor next to my mattress. When I pull my shirt off I¡¯m not surprised to find blood already on the back of it.

 Chapter 89

    Nichs


    ¡°I can¡¯t do this anymore, Nicky.¡± Mommy¡¯s crying again. She¡¯s always crying.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mommy. Don¡¯t cry,¡± I beg her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not okay, it¡¯s never okay. Get in the tub, Nicky.¡±


    I don¡¯t want to make her cry again so I get in the bathtub but the water is too hot. When I cry out she ps me across the cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too hot, Mommy.¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s not, get in the god damn tub.¡±


    ¡°Mommy,¡± I sob but do as she tells me.


    I don¡¯t want to make her mad again;st time she was mad, she locked me in my bedroom and I didn¡¯t eat all day. The water turns my skin red and it hurts, but I don¡¯t cry. I can¡¯t make her mad again.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not the Mommy you need, Nicky.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my mommy.¡± I don¡¯t understand what she¡¯s saying.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not a good Mommy Nicky.¡±


    ¡°You are-¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not: I yell at you too much, the apartment is always dirty, I never have enough money for food, I¡­ I lost my job again. We¡¯re going to lose this apartment Nicky, we¡¯re going to be homeless.¡± ¡°Homeless?¡± I don¡¯t know what that means.


    ¡°Homeless; the man who owns this ce says we have to move out of here by tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Where will we go Mommy?¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s what being homeless means, Nicky, we have nowhere to go.¡±


    ¡°But where will I go to sleep? Where is my bed going to be?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter Nicky, after today, nothing is going to matter.¡±


    ¡°Mommy?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you lean back so I can wash your hair?¡±


    Iy on my back and close my eyes, but when Mommy doesn¡¯t do anything I look up to find her staring at me. She has a funny look in her eyes, she smiles at me just before she puts her hand on my chest and pushes down. My face goes underwater! She knows I don¡¯t like having water in my eyes. Why did she push me underwater? I try and try to push her hand away but she¡¯s too strong.


    FUCK! I wake up sweating with my nkets thrown off the bed; I can¡¯t seem to catch my breath and my body is shaking. This nightmare is always the worst; I¡¯ll never forget that day.  I¡¯ll never be able to rid myself of that memory. Most days though I can keep myself from remembering it but then this fucking nightmarees and brings it right back to the surface. The clock next to my bed lets me know it¡¯s barely three in the morning, once again too fucking early to wake up Carter and go for a run. I know there¡¯s no point in trying to go back to sleep tonight; there¡¯s no way I will be able to close my eyes and not picture that bathroom. I weigh my options as to what the hell I can do at this hour of the morning. I doubt I can get any real work done so there¡¯s no point in even trying. I can at least recognize that it¡¯s not safe for me to go running in the middle of the night without Carter so that¡¯s also out. I decide to head to the gym downstairs and hit the treadmill to see if that helps. It isn¡¯t ideal, but at least it¡¯s something.


    I throw on a shirt and head down to the gym; I¡¯m not worried about not telling Carter because after he realizes I¡¯m not in the apartment he will check the building¡¯s security feed and see that I didn¡¯t leave the building. The gym is empty which is not a real surprise given this time of the morning and really I prefer it this way. I put my ear buds in and start the ylist on my phone before setting the speed on the treadmill. I immediately lose myself in the rhythm of running and thankfully my thoughts begin to fade away from that horrible day so many years ago.


    After an hour, I finally feel like my head is clear enough to start my day. I slow the treadmill down to a walk and look around me. The gym itself is still empty but there is one woman swimming in the indoor pool that the gym overlooks. It only takes me a brief second to recognize the beautiful woman swimming is no other than Kenzie. I¡¯m surprised to see her in the pool at four o¡¯clock in the morning.


    I know she is off today from the bakery so that isn¡¯t the reason she is awake this early. I find myself worrying that she has also had a nightmare and that is the reason she is in the pool this early. The idea of her having a nightmare like the one she did when I was sick bothers the hell out of me; my gut clenches as I remember her screaming and how she kept apologizing, begging her ex to stop hurting her.


    Without giving it a second thought, I jump off the treadmill and head out of the gym. When I get to the elevator instead of punching in the security code for the penthouse, I enter the ess code for the pool.  I let out the breath I didn¡¯t know I was holding when I see that Kenzie is still swimmingps in the pool and hadn¡¯t left before I could get here. I sit at the edge of the pool with my feet in the water and watch her swim. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m here; I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to say. It¡¯s like I¡¯m drawn to her or some shit. It¡¯s the same feeling I hadst night after listening to the fucking rules her ex made her follow. I¡¯ve never heard of someone having rules for their fiancee like that. I could see cautioning her about certain topics that could be a hot button for someone at a business dinner, but limiting what she could drink and choosing what she wore?


    When she was describing itst night on our way back home, all I wanted to do was destroy the fucker who did that to her. He fucked with her so much so that even more than two yearster, she still doesn¡¯t allow herself to have more than one drink when she is out with someone and I doubt that she even realizes she is still following his rule about that. Our car ride backst night also made me realize how little Kenzie thinks of herself. She honestly does not see the wonderful person she is; she wouldn¡¯t admit that she deserve better than the asshole who used to hit her. How the hell does she not see that? Hell, even I know I¡¯m not good enough for her!


    ¡°Nichs! You scared me!¡± Kenzie finallyes up from the water and sees me sitting there. I have no idea how long I¡¯ve been sitting here watching her swim back and forth and I¡¯m kind of embarrassed.


    ¡°I was in the gym and saw you swimming down here. What are you doing here so early?¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± she shrugs, as if not wanting to admit the real reason she is down here at this hour.  ¡°What about you? Why were you in gym this early?¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± I smirk, repeating her vague answer. ¡°Touche,¡± sheughs.


    ¡°You like to swim?¡±


    ¡°I was on the swim team in high school for a little while; before I moved¡­ came here I hadn¡¯t been swimming in years. I forgot how rxing it is.¡±


    When she gets out of the pool I nearly groan; she¡¯s wearing the bathing suit I had purchased for herst weekend when we spent the day on the boat. She walks past me, over to the lounge chair where she had a towel waiting. I watch, almost fascinated, as she dries the dripping water off her body. I can¡¯t help but wonder what it would be like to lick each drop of water off her.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± Thankfully, Kenzie pulls me from my naughty thoughts before my dick decides to make them obvious to her.


    ¡°Sorry, I have a big meeting this morning I was thinking about,¡± I


    lie.


    ¡°I asked if you wanted toe back to the apartment for some breakfast?  But if you have a meeting¡­¡±


    ¡°No, breakfast would be nice. Let me run up to my ce to change; I¡¯m kind of sweaty from the treadmill.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll see you in a few minutes?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Thank you Kenzie.¡±

 Chapter 90

    She gets off the elevator at her floor while I ride the rest of the way alone to my apartment. When the doors open I¡¯m greeted by silence which is no surprise. Typically Carter doesn¡¯te out of his apartment until closer to five and Julie not until six when we are due back from our morning run. I quickly take a shower and change into a pair of jeans and a casual shirt before heading to Kenzie¡¯s apartment. When I approach her door, I¡¯m immediately reminded of standing herest night when things were still a little awkward between us after her confession in the car.


    I remember her looking up at me and me seeing nothing but pain in her eyes. I didn¡¯t know what to do but once again I found myself overwhelmed with the sudden need tofort her. She is the only person I¡¯ve ever felt such a strong protectiveness for, well, outside of my family, of course. I didn¡¯t know how tofort herst night, so I did the only thing that came natural to me. I kissed her. For the first time since her nightmare, I kissed her on the lips. And it felt¡­ it left me needing a very cold shower when I finally got back to my apartment. All I really wanted to do was take her into her apartment and fuck her senseless until she forgot everything that that bastard did to her. Thankfully I realized how that would only fuck things up royally and just end up hurting her more, which is why I walked away.


    I¡¯m surprised to find myself standing outside her door again, surprised that she invited me to breakfast and more surprised that I said yes. My response came without hesitation or thought, a rarity for me. I could have easily declined her invitation, returned to my apartment and began preparing for my day ahead. Instead, I¡¯m once again standing outside the door to her apartment. I take a deep breath and knock on the door.


    ¡°Nichs,e in. Breakfast is just about ready.  Would you like a cup of coffee?¡± Kenzie greets me a few secondster.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    I follow her into the kitchen area where she hands me a cup of hot coffee and encourages me to sit at the table in the dining room. I look around the apartment as this is the first time I¡¯ve been here since she moved in. In fact, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve been in here since before Alex and E came here. Looking around though, I realize the apartment looks exactly same as it did thest time I was here. The walls a bare except for a fewndscape pictures that I had Melody order for the space in an effort to make it feel morefortable to the employees who stayed here while they looked for a new ce to live. The kitchen counters are bare, even the fridge is free of mas or papers hanging up. It doesn¡¯t seem like Kenzie has done very much with the space since she moved in at all.


    ¡°I hope you like blueberry pancakes,¡± Kenzie puts a te of hot pancakes in front of me.


    ¡°I do, thank you.¡±


    She takes a seat across from me with her te and cup of coffee. We eat in afortable silence for a few minutes before my curiosity gets the better of me.


    ¡°You know you can redecorate or paint in here if you wanted to,¡± I suggest.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s fine just the way it is. Actually I¡¯m starting to look for


    my own ce so-¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I¡¯m really hoping I didn¡¯t just hear her correctly.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve begun the process of looking for an apartment. I have a few ces that I¡¯m hoping to look at in the next couple of weeks-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, if you don¡¯t like something about this apartment-¡±


    ¡°No! Gosh no, Nichs, this ce is perfect!¡±


    ¡°Then what is it? Why do you want to move out?¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ this is your apartment, not mine. This move was temporary, it was never a permanent arrangement for me. I could never afford to live in a million dor condo like this.¡±


    Two million, but I don¡¯t correct her.


    ¡°Kenzie, before I moved into The ord, I looked at a number of different ces. This condo has the highest level of security avable; every other building you look at will fall short.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt that,¡± she shrugs and sighs.  ¡°The reality is I can¡¯t afford even a studio apartment in this building, and that¡¯s okay. I won¡¯t be going back to where I used to live that¡¯s for sure.  I¡¯m hoping to find a ce with decent security-¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t. That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to tell you; nothing you look at willpare.¡±


    ¡°I know that. What I find won¡¯t be The ord, but it will be safer than where I was before here.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to move? If there is something you don¡¯t like about this apartment we can change it-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, you don¡¯t get it,¡± she shakes her head as if I¡¯m missing something obvious. ¡°This is your apartment, not mine.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s yours for as long as you need it.¡±


    ¡°I needed this ce after myst apartment was broken into; I can afford my own ce so I no longer need this apartment.¡±


    ¡°Okay, need was the wrong word. This ce is yours for as long as you want it, Kenzie. Stay here; the building is secure, you don¡¯t need to worry about someone breaking in or the press bothering you and you have ess to all the amenities that it has to offer.¡±


    ¡°For how long, Nichs? Any way you look at it, this apartment is temporary.¡±


    ¡°For as long as you want to stay Kenzie! I don¡¯t need the apartment


    -¡±


    ¡°And what happens when you do? What happens when you hire someone who needs a ce to stay while they relocate?¡±


    ¡°We have other condos that PFS owns, so that¡¯s the least of my concerns. I want to keep you safe, to keep the press away from you, and here I can do that.¡±


    ¡°And what happens when this,¡± she waves her hands between us, ¡°ends? I¡¯ll have nowhere to go; I will have no ce of my own. I¡¯ll have to settle for whatever I can find at that moment which will probably mean I¡¯ll end up in a hotel for a little while until I find a ce. I won¡¯t do that again. If I find my own ce now, then when this ends I¡¯ll still have my own ce.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re worried about? Do you really think I would just kick you out when this arrangement ends?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she shrugs and avoids looking at me which answers my question more than her words do. I¡¯mpletely taken back that she would think I would just kick her out when we¡¯re done.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± I sigh and run my hands through my hair, trying to figure out how to convince her that would never happen. Hell, I¡¯d fucking give her the apartment if I thought that was what she wanted but I learned my lesson thest time I tried to offer her money.


    ¡°Look, I get it¡­ you need something of your own; you don¡¯t want to bepletely dependent on me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she whispers but still doesn¡¯t look at me.


    ¡°I would hope that by now you would know me well enough to know that I wouldn¡¯t put you on the street just because our arrangement ended; I know part of you knows that.¡± She attempts to interrupt but I don¡¯t let her. ¡°But I also know because of your past, you have doubts. What if we put together a legal contract that gives you the right to stay here if we ended things? You would have a ce to stay that is safe while we¡¯re in this arrangement together but when it ends you would have the time you needed to find a ce of your own?¡±


    ¡°You would do that?¡± She finally makes eye contact with me and I immediately feel relieved.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Of course, Kenzie. I¡¯ll have my legal team draw up a contract that says if our rtionship is ended by either party that you have the right to remain in the condo for up to six months following the termination of our rtionship. I want you to be safe and here is the best security possible. The press hasn¡¯t bothered you too much yet but that could change at any time. Will you consider staying?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± she agrees.


    Thank God. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if she had insisted on moving out. Short of buying her a house somewhere outside of the city, no one can offer the security that The ord Towers has. That was the reason I choose to live here after leaving her. I knew I needed top security to ensure she couldn¡¯t ess my apartment ever again. The ord guaranteed that. Having Kenzie here means I can guarantee the press won¡¯t bother her but also that there is no chance of anyone from her past getting to her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to get going; I have an early meeting that I need to prepare for,¡± I realize that my meeting starts in thirty minutes and I¡¯m not even dressed yet for the office.


    ¡°Thank you for having breakfast with me, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Please think about what I¡¯ve said. Can I email you the contract my legal department draws up?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that would be fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see youter this week?¡±


    ¡°Yes, for dinner.¡±


    I lean down and kiss her softly on the cheek before leaving her apartment and heading back upstairs. When the elevator doors open, Carter immediately walks into the foyer but doesn¡¯t say anything. I have no doubt that he knew where I was since he didn¡¯t call my phone.


    ¡°Will you need breakfast sir?¡± he asks.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll be ready to leave in ten minutes,¡± I confirm.


    ¡°You may want to check your email when you have a moment.¡±


    ¡°Any email in particr I should focus on? I¡¯m sure I have dozens right now.¡±


    ¡°From me, sir; it contains a link to something Asher found online about you this morning.¡±


    Is Seattle¡¯s infamous yboy single again?


    It¡¯s been more than three weeks since Nichs Parker and


    Mackenzie Rose were seen together; has their time together ended already? Did she run like all the other women in his life? Did she find out the dirty secret that he tries to hide from everyone? Once again, we have to wonder if Nichs Parker can¡¯t keep one woman happy, how on earth can he keep hundreds of employees and clients happy? How much longer will PFS be sessful at this rate?

 Chapter 91

    Kenzie


    This week is turning out like nothing I could have expected. I¡¯ve had to take some time off from the bakery because the press has been hanging out there, trying to talk to me. It started the day after the article came out questioning whether or not Nichs and I are still together. The first day the press was manageable; Hunter was able to keep them out of the bakery but by the second day the number of press there had doubled. Even after Hunter requested additional security from Carter they were barely managing. Even worse, the reporters were keeping away some of the regr customers.


    ¡°Kenzie, dear can I see you for a moment?¡± Ginny asks just as I¡¯m about to take my break.


    ¡°Of course Ginny.¡±


    ¡°Look Kenzie¡­ I don¡¯t know how to say this¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Ginny? Is everything okay with your daughter?¡±


    ¡°Oh goodness¡­. yes, thankfully everyone is fine,¡± she takes a deep breath before continuing and in my gut I know this isn¡¯t good news. ¡°Kenzie, I want you to know how happy I am for you. You deserve the best life has to offer, especially after¡­ everything. I¡¯m so d that you finally let someone in, someone who can make you happy. I haven¡¯t seen you smile this much in all the times I¡¯ve known you. I¡¯m really happy for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ginny,¡± I can¡¯t help but give my reply with caution. I feel a big buting on.


    ¡°The thing is¡­ the press¡­¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m so sorry that they won¡¯t leave; I don¡¯t know how to keep them away.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, Kenzie, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed that the press is keeping our business away. If it were up to me I would just ride this out and wait for them to leave. Unfortunately, this isn¡¯t only about me. The sale was finalized just the other day so I have to think about the new owners. While they aren¡¯t aware of what is going on yet, I¡¯m sure once our numbers starting in for this week, they will question the drop in sales. What I¡¯m trying to say is¡­ I think it might be best if you took some time off-¡± ¡°Are you¡­ firing me?¡± I gulp even saying the words.


    ¡°NO! Of course not. No matter what happens, you will always have a job here as long as I have a say in the matter. I¡¯m just suggesting that perhaps you need to take some time off until this all dies down. Maybe just a few days until they move onto a different story? I¡¯m really happy that you found someone who loves you, really I am. I just wish the press would stop following you around and reporting your every move.¡±


    ¡°I know, I feel the same way but unfortunately the press seems to love reporting Nichs¡¯s every move.¡±


    ¡°I wish I didn¡¯t have to ask this of you, but-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I understand, really.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully in a few days this interest in you will evaporate and you cane back without the press.¡±


    I never expected this whole thing with Nichs to impact my job at the bakery. I never thought the press would hound me the way they have been this week. I guess up until now I¡¯ve been lucky; the press has left me alone. After the article earlier this week highlighting the fact that Nichs and I haven¡¯t made a public appearance together in a few weeks, the press just started hounding me nonstop. More articles have been written this week, actually reporting what each of us do every day. Tonight Nichs and I are going out for a business dinner and I¡¯m sure there will be press attending. Tomorrow I¡¯m going shopping with Cara; Hunter has already let me know that we will be bringing additional security with us since there will be two of us and only one of him.


    The one thing I don¡¯t understand is why the press gives a shit about what Nichs does in his personal life. I gave up reading most of the articles, and just skim the headlines now. Some of them hint the reason Nichs is pictured with so many women is because he is actually gay and hasn¡¯te out yet. That one doesn¡¯t make sense to me at all since there are so many pictures of Nichs with his ex. Does the press think that was all for show or that he discovered his sexual preference after her? Some articles suggest he is hiding something that causes women to run away when they find it out. For the life of me I can¡¯t figure out what they think Nichs is hiding. They act like he is a horrible monster in private, when just the opposite is true.


    Knock knock


    Shit!  I was so lost in my thoughts I hadn¡¯t realized the time.


    ¡°Would you minding in for a minute? I just need two more minutes-I¡¯m running a littlete.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Of course, take your time Kenzie.¡±


    With Nichs in the living room, I quickly dart into the bedroom to put on my strappy sandals. Tonight I¡¯m wearing a simple ck fitted dress that has a fewrge red roses on it. I have a red wrap that will cover my bare shoulders in case it gets chilly tonight. I¡¯m not sure what tonight¡¯s dinner is about, but the dress seems like the perfect mix between business and casual.


    ¡°Sorry about that, I¡¯m ready now.¡±


    ¡°You look very nice,¡± Nichs puts his hand on my back as he leads me out of the apartment.


    ¡°I heard the press was bothering you this week,¡± Nichs says once we are seated in the SUV.


    ¡°They seem to have reallye at me full force this week,¡± I admit. ¡°I was really surprised that they followed me to work.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he sighs and runs his hands through his hair. ¡°I wish this wasn¡¯t my life, but unfortunately thises with the territory I suppose.


    Are they still bothering you at work?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ but that¡¯s probably because I¡¯m not working right now.¡±


    ¡°What? What happened?¡±


    ¡°Ginny suggested I take some time off until things calm down. Unfortunately it was impacting business: regr customers who havee in daily for years stopped because the reporters were asking them questions about me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Kenzie. I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯ll fix this-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do, Nichs. Once the press dies down, Ginny has assured me that I will still have a job, so I just need to wait it out. I¡¯m sure they will stop once they realize they aren¡¯t getting anything from me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll start having a weekly check deposited into your bank ount


    -¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll WHAT?!?!¡±


    ¡°For your lost wages, I¡¯ll cover them of course.¡±


    ¡°Um, no you won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie.  You¡¯re not working because of me; it¡¯s only fair that I cover your lost wages.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No.  You have given me a ce to staypletely rent free; I will not allow you to give me money every week too.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°No. Thanks to this arrangement I already have good amount of money saved-¡±


    ¡°But that was so you can go back to school-¡±


    ¡°And I will. I have minimal expenses and probably won¡¯t even need to tap into my ount.¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t understand why you won¡¯t let me do this. If it wasn¡¯t for me you would still be working at the bakery.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true. But if it wasn¡¯t for you I would be living in a shitty apartment right now that is raided by the police every other week. Where I have to step over people who are drunk or high just to get into my building and where the electricity was routinely turned off by the owner. I prefer staying here over that.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ you really are like no one I¡¯ve ever met,¡± he sighs heavily but I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s in frustration or anger.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as apliment,¡± I say although I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s how he meant it.


    ¡°You should.¡±


    ¡°So tell me what tonight is about. Bridget just said it was a business dinner.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a celebratory dinner; we just closed a deal with thispany and Alex thought it would good to take them out to celebrate. We signed with thepany under the disguise that we hope to be able to help them avoid bankruptcy.¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°Bankruptcy is inevitable; they can¡¯t keep going as they have been and no amount of change will fix that.  What will fix it though, is merging it with argerpany that is what we¡¯re going to rmend in two months after we¡¯ve had a second look at the books.¡±


    ¡°Why not just tell them up front that you intend to rmend they merge with anotherpany?¡±


    ¡°Because then they wouldn¡¯t have agreed to sign with us if we told them the n ahead of time.¡±


    ¡°And you wanted to sign thepany?¡±


    ¡°It made good financial sense; thepany I want them to merge with is also under PFS and is in a position to offer thispany¡¯s employees higher pay and better benefits. It will also make both owners a significant amount of money long term.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t they do that to begin with? It sounds like they could have walked away with more money in their pockets.¡±


    ¡°Most people don¡¯t see that as an option. They were reluctant to even sell but unfortunately once we built the trust with them and we demonstrate that in a matter of months the banks will begin foreclosing on their buildings, they began to consider our rmendation.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, just to warn you I believe we were followed when we left the condo,¡± Carter alerts us.


    ¡°Reporters?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°I believe so.¡±


    ¡°Unfuckingbelievable! All this over a fucking dinner,¡± Nichs shakes his head.


    ¡°Think of this way, maybe it will be the confirmation the press needs to know we are still together.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±

 Chapter 92

    The moment we pull up to the restaurant, reporters are snapping our picture. We barely make it out of the car before they start screaming questions at us.


    ¡°Mr. Parker! Mr. Parker! Are you and Ms. Rose still an item?¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you been seen together in three weeks?¡±


    ¡°What are you hiding?¡±


    ¡°What do you say to reports that PFS is suffering because of your personal life?¡±


    ¡°I say that my financial reports indicate otherwise,¡± Nichs snaps at the young reporter who dared ask about PFS.


    Carter and Hunter lead us through the crowd of reporters who continue to snap pictures of us and question our rtionship status.


    Nichs¡¯s arm is wrapped firmly around my waist, anchoring me to him as we try to make our way to the front of door.


    ¡°Ladies, Gentleman,¡± Nichs addresses the crowd before we go into dinner. ¡°Ms. Rose and I are here to celebrate a sessful business deal. I am aware that there are reports that we haven¡¯t been together in thest few weeks. However, as you can now see, we are very much still together. Now, if you will excuse us we have a dinner reservation to keep.¡±


    Secondster we are inside the warmth of the restaurant and my ears finally stop buzzing from all the questions being yelled at us. We are escorted to our table where we are thest ones to arrive which I know disappoints Nichs. Had it not been for the press outside, I¡¯m confident we would have been the first.


    ¡°So Kenzie, how are you enjoying being famous?¡± Alex asks as I sit next to him.


    ¡°UGH, I don¡¯t get why they care so much about what Nichs does.¡±


    ¡°Seattle¡¯s youngest billionaire who just happens to be good looking and single? Can you me them, Kenzie?¡± E asks.


    ¡°I get that part, but still they act like his personal life has some bearing on his business decisions.¡±


    ¡°That part pisses me off,¡± Alex agrees.


    Dinner goes well, I chat with Alex and E while Nichs talks with the owners of thepany he just signed. I try to make small talk with the owners but they aren¡¯t very talkative so I stick to chatting with E and Alex who make me feel veryfortable. Less than two hours after we arrive, dinner is over and everyone says goodbye. Unlike when we arrived, Nichs and I are escorted by Hunter to a rear entrance where Carter is waiting with the SUV. The press doesn¡¯t see us leave and get back home without being followed.


    ¡°Thank you foring to dinner with me tonight, Kenzie. I¡¯m sorry the press has been bothering you so much,¡± Nichs says as we stand outside the apartment door.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Well at least the food was good,¡± I joke.


    ¡°That it was.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not sure if you remembered but I¡¯m going shopping with Cara tomorrow-¡±


    ¡°She has made sure I haven¡¯t forgotten,¡± he chuckles.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s texted me several times this week reminding me that you two nned to go out tomorrow. She¡¯s very excited about it.¡±


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind; when she asked me-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I mean, if I¡¯mpletely honest, I wasn¡¯t expecting so much ovep between this arrangement and my family.¡± I nod in agreement because I knew he wasn¡¯t expecting it. ¡°But my family really likes you, so if this makes them happy then I¡¯m fine with it.  Unless you mind-¡±


    ¡°No! Not at all,¡± I quickly interrupt. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since


    I¡¯ve gone shopping with someone, so I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s my card,¡± he pulls a ck American express card from his wallet and hands it to me.


    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡±


    ¡°For tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not following¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, you¡¯re going shopping for the charity dinner this weekend right?¡± I nod. ¡°Normally I would be paying for your outfit for the evening anyway so Bridget sends me a bill for your purchases and I pay for them. However, since you can¡¯t very well tell the store to charge it to Bridget, here is my credit card for the purchase.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I don¡¯t know that I feel right having this.¡±


    ¡°I trust you with it. Buy your outfit for the weekend and treat my sister to lunch. She¡¯s expecting you to whip out my credit card for the dress anyway.¡±


    ¡°Why would she expect that?¡±


    ¡°She just would. You¡¯re going with me to the dinner, so it¡¯s only natural that I would pay for your outfit.¡±


    ¡°I could pay for it myself.¡±


    ¡°You could, but you won¡¯t, and she won¡¯t suspect anything. If you paid for it yourself, she would probably t out ask you why I¡¯m not paying for it. Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s no different than when you go to Stacy¡¯s and have it charged to Bridget.¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Stay with Hunter and Ben tomorrow. I have no doubt that the press will follow you when you shop. If it gets out of hand, juste back here. I can always have someone send over dresses for you to shop from home and not have to deal with the press. In fact maybe we should do that instead.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Just stay with them, please, I don¡¯t trust the press.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up on Saturday?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ready.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Night, Nichs.¡±


    He leans down to kiss me when the air seems to shift between us; his eyes lock onto mine and his face stops only inches from mine. He moves a piece of my hair to just behind my ear, a sweet move that surprises me, just before his lips find mine. The kiss is soft at first, but his lips be firm against mine as he wraps his arm around my lower back, pulling me against him. My arms go around his neck, my fingers weaving through the back of his hair as Ipletely lose myself in the kiss. I can¡¯t help but gasp when I feel Nichs¡¯s tongue against my lips. He cautiously enters my mouth, almost as if he is afraid of my reaction but I don¡¯t push him away or stop him. I ampletely caught up in this. I can¡¯t remember thest time I was ever kissed so¡­ passionately.


    Ring ring


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Nichs pulls away at the sound of his phone ringing from his pocket.


    The ringing stops a few secondster. Our heavy breathing is the only sound that can be heard in the hallway, when I suddenly remember that we are standing in the middle of the hallway outside my apartment. What¡¯s worse is that Carter is only a few feet away at the elevator, thankfully though, his back is towards us but I have no doubt that he knows exactly what just happened between us.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ ¡± His eyes find mine and I¡¯m pretty sure I see regret in them.


    ¡°Good night, Nichs,¡± I kiss him on the lips softly onest time before I turn and enter my apartment.


    I lock the door, reset the rm and copse on the loveseat, trying to make sense out of what just happened. Things seemed to have been going well between us; dinner went well and I thought the kiss was good too. But then why did Nichs suddenly look like he regretted kissing me? Did he regret blurring the lines? Did he think he made a mistake? Did he think I didn¡¯t want to kiss him?

 Chapter 93

    I couldn¡¯t just stand there; I knew the next words out of his mouth would have been an apology. I didn¡¯t need to hear him tell me he was sorry for kissing me. Not when for the first time in years, I felt alive. No one has ever kissed me like Nichs just did. No one has ever made me lose myself in a kiss; I¡¯ve never felt like I did a few minutes ago and I couldn¡¯t stand there and let him apologize for that. I didn¡¯t want to hear that he regretted what just happened because of the stupid rules of the contract. I reread the contract the other week after I had kissed him, and it does not say that we can¡¯t kiss.  The only thing it exclusively prohibits is sex, so we have done nothing wrong. I¡¯m sure Nichs, being the knowledgeable business man that he is, would know this. If he regretted kissing me, it wouldn¡¯t be because he was worried we vited some part of the contract.


    I give up trying to figure out his motives and get ready for bed. Unfortunately sleep doesn¡¯t find me easily and I¡¯m in the pool by three thirty, desperately trying to swim the memories of the nightmare away. I keep looking for Nichs, expecting to see him by the pool like he was the other morning but he neveres. Part of me is disappointed but part of me is also relieved, as I¡¯m not sure what I would say to him if he were here this morning.


    Since I won¡¯t be seeing Nichs again until the charity dinner on Saturday, I figure I have two days to figure out if I should say something to him or just forget that it happened or wait for him to bring it up. Vowing not to think about the kiss again today, I spend the morning doingundry and getting ready for my shopping trip with Cara.


    Knock Knock


    ¡°Are you ready, Kenzie?¡± it took weeks, but I¡¯ve finally convinced Hunter to stop calling me Ms. Rose.


    ¡°All ready,¡± I confirm. ¡°Are we picking up Cara?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re meeting her at Neiman¡¯s; Ben is picking her up.¡±


    When we arrive at the department store, Cara is there waiting for us and immediately engulfs me in a huge hug when she sees me approaching. I¡¯m surprised that Nichs has arranged for us to have a private dressing room for the entire day along with a personal shopper. Cara doesn¡¯t bat an eye at the arrangements. I assume this is pretty typical for her when she goes shopping.


    ¡°Kenzie, you have to try this on!¡± Cara holds up what can only be described as gaudy¡­ I desperately try toe up with the words to tell her that there is no way in hell I would be wearing that to the dinner on Saturday night without hurting her feelings.


    ¡°Oh my God! You should see the look on your face!¡±


    ¡°I thought you were serious!¡± I can¡¯t help but join in herughing.


    ¡°I hate trying on dresses, so I like to mix it up and try on silly ones. It helps pass the time and makes the trip more enjoyable.¡±


    ¡°Ah, makes sense.  In that case you should try on this,¡± I hold up a neon pink beaded dress that looks like something out of the 50¡¯s.


    Over the next hour, we have managed to hand the personal shopper dozens of dresses that she has arranged to be hung up for us in the dressing room. The dressing room is arge room with two areas closed off with curtains to provide privacy while we change. The entire room is reserved for us so as Cara and I try on outfits, we take turns modeling them. I¡¯m trying on the third dress when I hear my phone buzzing with a text. Cara apparently decided to send Nichs and me pictures of the dresses we have tried on so far.


    Sorry for the texts while you¡¯re at work. I hadn¡¯t realized Cara was going to send you the pictures Kenzie


    Up until now I haven¡¯t had Nichs¡¯s cell phone number, so I hope he doesn¡¯t mind me texting him. I¡¯m sure he is swamped at work and thest thing he needs or wants is to receive texts from Cara as we y dress up. When he doesn¡¯t respond I stick the phone back in my purse and continue on with our modeling show.


    A couple of hourster, Cara and I have both found dresses for the charity dinner on Saturday. As Nichs predicted, Cara doesn¡¯t bat an eye when I hand the personal shopper his credit card as a payment for my dress. Hunter arranges the delivery of the dresses while Cara and I discuss lunch ns. We settle on a small bistro a few blocks from the department store, but the minute we step out of the dressing room we are blinded by the shes of cameras.


    ¡°Right this waydies,¡± Hunter leads Cara and me through the crowd while Ben follows closely behind us.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nichs Parker?¡±


    ¡°Is he aware that you two are out shopping?¡±


    ¡°What event are you shopping for?¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie, what do you say to the rumors that Nichs Parker can¡¯t keep a woman happy?¡±


    ¡°Cara, why do you think all the women in your brother¡¯s life run away from him?  Is he hiding something?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you all just leave my brother alone? It¡¯s none of your business what he does with his personal life!¡± Cara exims just before we split up to head towards our cars.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Thankfully only a few minutester, I¡¯m safe inside the SUV, although a couple reporters continue to snap pictures of the car. Honestly, I don¡¯t understand what the big deal is: I went shopping with Nichs¡¯ sister; this is news? With everything else going on in the world, reporters decide they need to focus on what we bought for a charity dinner?


    Lunch another time?  Cara


    Definitely Kenzie


    ¡°How did they know where we were, Hunter?¡±


    ¡°We suspect one of the employees tipped off the press after recognizing you. We are trying to determine who notified the press so it can be addressed.¡±


    I shake my head in disbelief; while I worked as a personal shopper I never would have dreamed of calling the press if a client was there. Granted, I never worked with anyone I think the press would care about but still, I wouldn¡¯t have invaded someone¡¯s privacy like that. When we reach The ord, I¡¯m once again thankful for the security in the building as we pull into the private underground parking garage that can only be essed by a key card.


    If the paparazzi were following us, they wouldn¡¯t have been able to make it into the garage. This week has forced me to realize I need to ept Nichs¡¯s offer to stay here through the duration of our arrangement. I realize I could never afford to live in an apartment with this level of security which means I would be dealing with the press on my own every time I left my apartment or tried toe home.


    When I get home, I change into a pair offy yoga pants and a fitted T-shirt, seeing as how I am not nning on leaving the apartment again today. I curl up on the loveseat and start a book that I¡¯ve read before but one that I could read many times without losing interest. Unfortunately, theck of sleep from the previous night catches up with me and I soon fall asleep. I must have slept for a couple of hours because when I wake up the room has darkened, as I l didn¡¯t leave any lights on. I grab my phone to check the time and realize I have a text message from Nichs which is surprising because I haven¡¯t heard from him all day.


    I need to talk to you.  Are you free tonight? Nichs


    Yes, I¡¯m free. Home now.  Kenzie


    Do you want toe to my apartment?  Nichs


    Or, if you would rather, I can reserve a private room somewhere?  Nichs


    No, I¡¯lle up. Kenzie


    I know why he offered the private room, but at this point it¡¯s unnecessary. I spent the weekend at his apartment and then we spent an entire day on his boat in the middle of nowhere. I no longer have any worries about spending time alone with him. Plus, I know we¡¯re not truly alone in his apartment since both Julie and Carter live there. I quickly use the bathroom, throw my hair into a messy bun and slip on a pair of shoes before setting the rm to head upstairs.


    ¡°Good evening Ms. Rose,¡± Carter startles me as soon as I open my door.


    ¡°Oh!  I wasn¡¯t expecting you, Carter.¡±


    ¡°The security codes have been changed since youst used them; the one you had is no longer active,¡± he exins.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    A few minutester, the elevator doors open to Nichs¡¯s expansive foyer.


    ¡°Mr. Parker is in his office,¡± Carter ushers me down the hallway to Nichs¡¯s office.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose has arrived,¡± Carter announces.


    ¡°Thank you, pleasee in, Kenzie,¡± Nichs gestures for me to sit in the chair across from this desk. I¡¯m immediately reminded of thest time I was in here.  If Nichs tries to give me money again, I swear I¡¯m going to scream. I really hope he doesn¡¯t think he needs to pay me for today


    ¨C


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ we need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Well this wasn¡¯t what I was expecting and Nichs¡¯s uneasiness is rming.


    ¡°I¡­. I¡­.¡± he runs his hands through his hair and takes a deep breath before continuing. ¡°I think we need to end our contract with Bridget.¡±

 Chapter 94

    Author¡¯s note.


    Alright my lovely readers, I appreciate that you all have been loving this story so far. Tighten up because it¡¯s getting heated.


    Love you all.


    Nichs


    My phone has been buzzing all morning with text messages from Cara-normally this would drive me crazy and frustrate me to no end since it¡¯s the middle of the work day. However, from the moment I see the first picture of Kenzie smiling in an awful, green dress with too muchce, I can¡¯t help but chuckle.  I¡¯ve been down this road with Cara before: she loves to try on ugly or silly dresses when she shops and clearly she has gotten Kenzie involved in her little game.


    The pictures all make me chuckle¡­ until the one entitled ¡°Pretty Woman.¡± The picture has Kenzie wearing an incredibly short and tight, dark blue mini skirt with a white tube top. All that is missing are the fis stockings and the red wig. While this is one of Cara¡¯s favorite movies, the simrities are not lost on me. Of course, Kenzie was not a prostitute when I met her, but some of the circumstances are so close to the movie that I can¡¯t ignore.


    There is no denying that she looks incredibly sexy in the picture, and seeing her in so little clothing has me thinking of how it felt to kiss herst night. I don¡¯t know what came over me when I leaned in after our dinner, I was just overwhelmed with this sudden urge to feel her lips against mine again. I can still remember how soft her lips felt and how she pressed against me while she tugging my hair. And the sounds she made! I don¡¯t know if she even knew she was making them, but every time she moaned my dick twitched with desire. I couldn¡¯t help but think about what type of sounds she would make when I fucked her, and that thought nearly had me at full attention.


    With us that close, there was no hiding how much I wanted her, but I didn¡¯t need her bing ufortable. I know she doesn¡¯t feel the same way I do. I want to fuck her, and she wants someone to make love to her.


    I¡¯d want to fuck her anywhere I possibly could yet she would expect it to happen in a bed, surrounded by flowers and candles I¡¯m sure. I¡¯d walk out as soon as we were done, but she would expect cuddling and for me to sleep with her. That¡¯s not an option.


    Except, I have slept with Kenzie. I still don¡¯t know what to do with that. When I signed the contract with Bridget, I never expected her to have such an impact on my life. I thought I would be able to keep this arrangement separate from my personal life, that they would only ovep at the asional charity event that we attended with my parents. My parents adore Kenzie; my sister thinks she has a new best friend, and I¡¯ve realized we are bing friends. All of this from a single contract with Bridget, that was meant to change my image for the press.


    Originally I thought this would end in a couple of weeks: that the press would realize I was capable of having a rtionship with a woman and that they would back off. However, I¡¯ve realized that no matter what I do, they may never back off. Kenzie and I have been dating for about three months now, and yet when we went a couple of weeks without being photographed, the press were quick to drag me through the mud. I hate that the press has bothered Kenzie; I hate that she¡¯s had to leave her job, even temporarily because of me. And I hate that Kenzie is so stubborn that she won¡¯t let me pay her for the ie she has lost. How many women would turn that down?


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Melody knocks on my door pulling me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Morrison is requesting a meeting with you-¡±


    ¡°I have something scheduled with himter this week, don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but he¡¯s requesting a meeting today. He says it¡¯s urgent-¡±


    ¡°Okay, move what you have to in my schedule. See if Alex can cover something or reschedule it forter this week.¡±


    David Morrison is PFS¡¯s Director of Human Resources and employee rtions. I know if he is requesting to see me ahead of our normally scheduled time that it is important. David has worked for me for thest five years and was quickly promoted to his current position based on his ability to rte to our employees. PFS has hundreds of employees across many different fields, yet he has a solid understanding of nearly every position. He is able to talk to a disgruntled employee about an issue they may have and by the end of that conversation, he will have them apologizing for their behavior and assisting them in developing a n to correct their performance issue. He just has this knack for resolving conflicts, with not only employees but to the management team.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Parker; thank you for meeting me on such short notice,¡± David arrives in my office only a few minutester.


    ¡°Of course, how are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m well, and you?¡±


    ¡°Good. Please have seat and tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, as you know we conduct routine employee satisfaction surveys throughout the year, and up until now, we have always had gleaming results. Our employees have generally been satisfied with ourpensation packages,¡± they should beI offer one of the bestpensation packages out there to all employees. ¡°Including their sry, health benefits and time off. We have been using these surveys for thest four years however, this is the first year that the results have been less than positive-¡±


    ¡°What do you mean less than positive? We haven¡¯t changed


    anything rted to benefits or pay.¡±


    ¡°No, Mr. Parker, their satisfaction with those items and their overall job responsibilities remain quite high.¡±


    ¡°So, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ sir¡­¡±


    ¡°Spit it out, Davidson!¡±


    ¡°The area that plummeted drastically is their confidence in the CEO


    of PFS-¡±


    ¡°Their confidence in me has dropped?¡± I sit back in my chair in utter disbelief. I have prided myself in hiring only the best employees, in offering the best incentives and in providing a workce in which my employees are happy, which has resulted in very little turnover despite the industry trend. I have worked hard to portray the image of a manager that they can believe in and of apany that they can be proud to work at.


    ¡°Um¡­ yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Do they cite reasons for the sudden decrease in confidence? When was thest time this survey was distributed, and how was their confidence level at that time?¡±


    ¡°Thest survey was conducted roughly nine months ago; at that time their confidence level in you was high, sir.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite low, sir.¡±


    ¡°What was the reason cited for the change in confidence? I¡¯m assuming you asked that question?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Parker. The survey automatically triggered a secondary question if they indicated their confidence level in the CEO was low asking them for the reason of their low rating.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± He¡¯s frustrating me with how vague he is being.


    ¡°The reason why the consensus was low for that question was due to the negative publicity. Several of respondents stated they are concerned about the stability of your life, your ability to manage your personal life and your professional life as well as the-¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re telling me that their confidence in me has decreased because of what the press is saying?¡±


    ¡°Based on the responses provided, yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Unfuckingbelievable!¡±


    The fucking press! Of all the things to have a negative impact on now; they¡¯re fucking crossing the line. I can¡¯t have them impacting my employees¡¯ confidence level in me. I can¡¯t lose staff because the press paints me to be a yboy! PFS¡¯s low staff turnover is one of the selling points I make in every proposal we present. If I suddenly have an increase in employee turnover, I will lose projects that we¡¯ve worked months on and spent thousands of dors trying to close.


    I can¡¯t let her take this away from me too. It¡¯s her fault the press won¡¯t fucking leave me alone-they left me alone while we were together and even for a time after things ended between us. Come to think of it, they left me alone for about a year after that. I¡¯d suspected she was behind the negative press, but Carter has kept tabs on her, and she isn¡¯t even in the state.


    ¡°I¡­ I thought you would want to know immediately, sir.¡±


    ¡°You were right; thank you, Mr. Davidson. Forward the survey results to me when you get back to your office. I will develop a n to address the areas in which we fell below our expectations.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mr. Parker.¡±


    I¡¯m fucking pissed off. I need to figure out how the fuck to fix this and fast. The only problem is, I¡¯m too fucking pissed off to think. I can¡¯t focus on anything. I can¡¯t fucking think, let alone find a solution to this debacle of a situation that I¡¯m fucking in. There¡¯s no point in getting my PR team together again;st time they weren¡¯t helpful, and I ended up firing half of them for their ridiculous ideas. I send off an angry email to my legal department, requesting they notify the press that the next publication that borders on nder will result in an immediatewsuit. Nothing wille from it, as it never does. The press walks a very fine line in what they publish, and so far none of it hase close to the definition of nder, ording to my legal team.


    ¡°Melody, cancel the rest of my day and notify Carter that I¡¯m leaving in five minutes.¡±


    I don¡¯t wait for a response before I shut myputer down and put away my files from the day. I can¡¯t sit here and do nothing; I need to fucking do something, and right now I need to find a way to relieve this stress so I can fucking think clearly. Nothing is more important in my life right now, outside of my family of course, than fixing this fucking mess. My entire career, PFS¡¯s future and the future of hundreds of my employees, fucking depends on my next move.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter is at my door exactly five minutes after I notified Melody that I was leaving.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving, Carter.¡±


    I follow Carter to the SUV, still trying to figure out how the fuck I¡¯m going to solve this problem. All I know is I need to clear my fucking head; actually, I need to get out of my head for a little while. I need to¡­


    ¡°Carter, take me to the Blue Moon.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Forty-five minutester, Carter has dropped me at the front door of the Blue Moon and waited until I was cleared to enter. He has never liked the fact that Ie here because he is not permitted to enter with me. He doesn¡¯t like that he cannotmunicate with me once I enter the building either, as all cell phones are secured upon checking in.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 95

    This is one of the areas Carter and I have agreed to disagree. While I recognize his concerns, this is the safest option for me. I will not expose myself again, like I did with her and risk the press finding out everything again. The Blue Moon offers a ce for people like me toe, and do what we want, without worrying about the press. The application process for a membership is very thorough to ensure people like her can¡¯t get in. In addition to very hefty annual membership dues, all members go through an extensive background screening. Membership is by invitation only; you cannot just apply to be a member without an invitation and written reference from a current member. The people who belong to this club have too much to risk going to the press themselves. The press can¡¯t find this ce-hell, if you don¡¯t know it exists, you wouldn¡¯t be able to find it. There are no signs or even windows on the building. There is nothing outside, except arge ck door. When you step through the door, you immediately enter the security area where you are held until approved to enter.


    It is what most would call a sex club, only it caters to the wealthy and prides itself on protecting the privacy of its members. They cater to everyone: from kink to casual sexual encounters, even to conversation.


    ¡°Mr. Parker! It¡¯s wonderful to see you again,¡± Christine, one of the owners greets me.


    ¡°Thank you, Christine. It¡¯s nice to be back.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve seen you here; I was beginning to think you had found somewhere else to y.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve just been busy with work.¡±


    ¡°Not too many of our members go five months without visiting-¡±


    ¡°Five months? Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I checked myself when security notified me you were here.¡±


    ¡°Ummm, I hadn¡¯t realized it had been that long. I assure you though I haven¡¯t been anywhere else; work has just been really hectic.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear. Please enjoy yourself this evening.¡±


    When I enter the main room and take everything in, I realize it really has been a long time since I¡¯ve been here. Most of the members are the same: I only recognize two new members, but it¡¯s the middle of the work day, so I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if there were more new membersingter this evening. I make my way over to the bar and order a scotch before taking a seat on one of the bar stools.  I try thinking back to thest time I was here, and when I finally recall it, I realize that Christine was rightit has been close to six months since I¡¯ve been here. When I first joined, I was here almost weekly, but eventually it dropped to once or twice a month. Thest few months have been especially busy though; it¡¯s the first time since I joined the Blue Moon that I¡¯ve had a personal life, even if it¡¯s a fake personal life.


    ¡°Nick, it¡¯s so nice to see you again,¡± a brte dressed in an incredibly tight dress stands next to me.


    ¡°Bree,¡± I nod in her direction.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you in a while.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been busy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard.¡±


    ¡°Something you want to say?¡± I don¡¯t appreciate the tone that she has.


    ¡°No¡­ of course not.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here for a little longer if you want to¡­¡± She gestures towards the hallway that leads to the private rooms that are avable to members.


    ¡°Not right now.¡±


    ¡°If you change your mind, I¡¯ll be here.¡±


    As I watch Bree walk away, I can¡¯t help but shake my head at the idea of fucking her again. She¡¯s a sexy woman, don¡¯t get me wrong, but she just looks¡­ as if she¡¯s trying too hard. The dress she is wearing leaves nothing to the imagination. It¡¯spletely see through, making it obvious she¡¯s not wearing anything underneath it. It¡¯s pretty typical of Bree¡¯s attire when she has been here, though I have no idea what she wears outside of the club, as this is the only ce I¡¯ve ever seen her. In fact, I don¡¯t even know what she does for a living or really anything about her other than her sexual preferences. That¡¯s all I¡¯ve needed to know. She was a good fuck, but as she walks away from me, the thought of fucking her again does nothing for me.


    I finish my scotch while looking around the room, trying to find someone that I can take into one of the back rooms. I don¡¯t fuck women in the main room; some people prefer an audience, but I don¡¯t. I¡¯m not here for an audience; I¡¯m here for privacy.


    An hourter, I¡¯ve downed a second scotch before giving up. I don¡¯t know what it is, but today no one here appeals to me. There are a few women here alone today, all very beautiful, yet for some reason I don¡¯t approach any of them. Instead, I leave the bar and head back to the security area where I retrieve my wallet and cell phone.


    A few minutester, I¡¯m back in the warmth of the SUV, heading back to ord Towers. I scroll through the many text messages from Cara that I received; a few while I was in the club and a few that I saw earlier but can¡¯t stop going back to-like the ¡®Pretty Woman¡¯ one. Thest picture of Kenzie grabbed my attention: she¡¯s wearing a simple pair of jeans that entuate her legs and ass. Her hair is pulled back, and she appears to beughing at something when Cara snapped the picture.


    Thanks for letting me steal Kenzie today! We had a great time shopping! Cara


    I keep scrolling through the pictures Cara sent me again on the way back, unable to stop myself from looking at them. I chuckle at a few; I can see the obvious distaste for the outfits in Kenzie¡¯s face as she poses for Cara. By the end, though, she looks like she is having a good time, and there¡¯s even a picture of her and Cara posing together, that I can only assume Hunter or Ben took.


    I¡¯m about to put my phone away, when a picture catches my attention. Kenzie is dressed in a long off-white floor length gown that looks absolutely amazing on her. When I see that picture, suddenly everything bes clear, and I start to formte a n. The moment I get back to the condo, I head into my office and start researching everything I need so I can be certain this is a viable option. I don¡¯t know why I didn¡¯t consider this before, but it¡¯s perfect! This will get the press off my back and more importantly, should prove to my employees that they can have confidence in me and that my personal life will not affect my business decisions.


    It takes a couple of hours, but I finally manage to put everything together that I think I need. I¡¯ve texted Kenzie, now that I have her cell phone number, and she has agreed toe to my apartment so we can talk. As the time gets closer to Kenzie arriving, I find myself incredibly nervous at the thought of presenting everything to Kenzie. I don¡¯t know how she¡¯s going to feel about a new arrangement, especially one that is this significantly different from what we currently have.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose has arrived,¡± Carter alerts me just before Kenzie steps into my office.


    ¡°Thank you, pleasee in, Kenzie,¡± I gesture for her to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk. It¡¯s obvious that she changed after she came back from shopping and was probably rxing when I texted her. Now she is wearing a pair of tight, ck pants with a just as tight light blue shirt that brings out her eyes. The shirt hugs her breasts while the pants highlight her ass. I immediately think back to our kiss the other the night outside her apartment and how it felt to have that beautiful body pressed against mine. I quickly shake my head and walk around the desk taking the seat next to Kenzie.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ we need to talk.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± I can tell by her voice that I¡¯ve caught her off guard.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± FUCK this is so much harder than I thought it would be. I need Kenzie to agree to this; I need Kenzie period. Without her, this won¡¯t work, and I could lose everything. ¡°I¡­ I think we need to end our contract with Bridget.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± she immediately looks at the floor, no longer making eye contact with me. I¡¯m trying to figure out the perfect way to say what I want to next, havingpletely forgotten everything I had previously prepared. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry you feel that way, Nichs. I guess I¡¯ll see myself out.¡±


    ¡°What? No, wait, Kenzie!¡± I quickly grasp her wrist in mine before she has a chance to move more than a couple of feet from me. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that; it came out wrong. Please sit back down.¡±


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t want to end our contract with Bridget?¡± she asks cautiously sitting on the edge of the chair where she satfortably only a few minutes ago. I move my hand from her wrist, that I realized I was still grasping, down to her hand while I try to figure out the right wording for what I need to say next. All afternoon I thought about this moment-I nned exactly what to say, but now my mind is aplete clusterfuck.


    ¡°I do want to end our contract with Bridget, but¡­¡± I canmand an entire board room of strangers, yet as I sit in my office before Kenzie, I¡¯m a fucking, nervous wreck. I don¡¯t recall ever being this nervous before


    -I¡¯ve never had so much at stake as I do right now. ¡°I¡¯d like to propose a different arrangement; one that is just between us. Bridget would no longer be involved.¡±


    ¡°A different arrangement?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯d like for us to get married-¡±


    ¡°Married!?!?!¡±

 Chapter 96

    Kenzie


    ¡°Married!?!?!¡±


    Please tell me I didn¡¯t just hear him correctly: that he did not just tell me he thinks we should get married! What the hell is he thinking? Why does he think this is a good idea? Where is thising from?


    I have so many questions, yet I can¡¯t seem to voice any of them; I¡¯m absolutely speechless. There are so many thoughts going through my head right now that they don¡¯t even make sense to me. I don¡¯t know how I could tell him what I¡¯m thinking or how I feel right now. I¡¯ve gone from expecting him to offer me payment for spending the day with his sister, to thinking he wanted to end our contract with Bridget because I had done something wrong, to now thinking he is absolutely crazy.


    ¡°You think we should get married?¡± I repeat the only words thate to my mind clearly.


    ¡°Fuck, this came outpletely wrong. I had this nned differently,¡± he lets go of my hand, which I hadn¡¯t even realized he was holding until now, and runs his hands through his hair. ¡°I know this sounds crazy, Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah, it does.¡±


    ¡°I told you before that I think of you beyond the contract we signed with Bridget. In the few months we¡¯ve been under contract, I¡¯vee to enjoy our time together. It¡¯s no longer a chore to attend the different events; I no longer mind it as much, because you¡¯re there with me. I enjoy spending time with you, and I¡¯vee to think of you as a friend-¡±


    ¡°As I have you, but I don¡¯t think that means we should get married


    -¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m in a bind and I need your help. I know this is an incredible thing to ask of you-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in a bind?¡±


    ¡°All the negative publicity that I¡¯ve been experiencingtely is beginning to affect my employees. PFS just conducted their routine employee satisfaction survey and it was determined that my employees¡¯ confidence level in me is at an all-time low-¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. Do you really think it¡¯s because of the press? I mean, isn¡¯t it possible-¡±


    ¡°The survey asked employees to cite the reason for their low confidence, and the negative press was the only reason cited. Until now, my employees¡¯ confidence level in me, in the decisions I make, and in PFS as a whole has always been excellent. There has never been a question about my ability. Now, because of the press though, their image of me has changed.


    They no longer have confidence in me.¡±


    ¡°Surely there¡¯s something else that can be done?¡±


    ¡°The press won¡¯t leave me alone-you¡¯ve seen it. I¡¯m desperately trying to find out who is feeding the press all of this negative information about me, but until we figure that out, I can¡¯t sit back and watch mypany fall apart. If my employees don¡¯t have confidence in me, they will leave PFS. Up until now, we have had incredibly low turnover; turnover so low that we use it as a marketing technique when we present proposals to perspectivepanies. If PFS suddenly experiences high turnoverbined with the negative press¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m afraid I could lose everything.


    It¡¯s not just me I¡¯m worried about it, it¡¯s my employees, my clients¡­¡±


    ¡°And you think getting married is the solution?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he sighs and shakes his head almost as if he is in disbelief himself. ¡°The press would have to leave me alone as there would no longer be anything to write about. They wouldn¡¯t be able to question my ability to stay faithful or suggest reasons why women seem to run from me.¡±


    ¡°But why me?¡± I need to know the reason he is suggesting this with me isn¡¯t just because we have this established history with Bridget. I don¡¯t know why, but I need to know that he isn¡¯t suggesting this with me because the press has already linked us together. What surprises me is that I haven¡¯t walked out yet-I haven¡¯t told him he is out of his mind and left his apartment.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never even considered letting another woman into my space, into my apartment, yet with you I no longer feel threatened. You are different than any other woman I¡¯ve ever met, Kenzie; you¡¯re the only one who looks at me and doesn¡¯t see my bank ount bnce.¡±


    ¡°Nichs-¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just because of our arrangement with Bridget; I knew you were different from that day on the sidewalk,¡± he interrupts me before I can say anything. ¡°When you tried to refuse my offer to rece your outfit after we ruined it; I knew you were different. Obviously I¡¯ve gotten to know you a lot better since then¡­ and I¡­ I care for you. There is no one else I would even consider proposing this arrangement with.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think.¡±


    ¡°I know you probably imagined getting married for love-¡±


    ¡°Actually, I never thought I would get married, for love or otherwise. Not after¡­¡±


    ¡°I would never hurt you and I will never try to control you the way he did,¡± Nichs obviously understands why I thought I would never consider marriage again. ¡°This wouldn¡¯t be like that, I swear.¡±


    ¡°What would it be like?¡± I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m sitting here actually considering this crazy scheme that he is proposing.


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t think it would be very different than our current arrangement,¡± did he really just say that? ¡°Well¡­ I mean there would be some obvious differences. You would need to move in here, of course, since it would look odd that we were married and living in separate apartments. You would have your own bedroom and any other space you needed. I would continue to cover all of your clothing expenses of course¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    ¡°I know this is a lot to take in.¡± Well that¡¯s an understatement. ¡°If there were any other way¡­¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t go after the press? Sue them or something?¡±


    ¡°ording to my legal team, no one has breached the definition of nder yet. We have had stories retracted but unfortunately once the story is out there, people already know about it, so retraction does very little. If it was just one reporter, I could go after them; I could make it so they never work in the industry again. Unfortunately, it¡¯s more than one¡­ it¡¯s actually quite a few different reporters publishing the stories or raising the questions about personal life. Mywyers say because they aren¡¯t publishing facts, but simply raising questions, that we can¡¯t do anything yet. I have a feeling someone is pushing things to be published about me, but I can¡¯t prove it.¡±


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We are exploring that option, but she currently isn¡¯t even in the state, however, that doesn¡¯t mean we aren¡¯t watching her.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡­ I think I need some time to think about this, Nichs. This is a lot to take in.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I have prepared some documents for you to review-¡±


    ¡°Documents?¡±


    ¡°If you were to agree to this arrangement, we would both need to sign a prenup, which I¡¯ve printed for you. You can have awyer review it of course, but it basically says that you are not entitled to the normal 50% split of assets and property-¡±


    ¡°No, of course, I wouldn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°However, unlike most prenups, this one further outlines what you will receive upon the dissolve of our marriage.¡±


    ¡°What I would receive?¡±


    ¡°If you were to agree to this arrangement, and we remained married until the time it was mutually agreed upon that we dissolve our marriage, you will receive the deed to the condo you are currently staying in-¡± ¡°Wait,¡± I need to process what he just said. ¡°If I agree to this arrangement, you¡¯re going to give me the apartment?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The deed will be put in your name the day we are married, and held until our divorce, at which time, it will be provided to you. The condo would be yours with no strings attached. Whether you choose to live there, or to sell it and move somewhere else, that would be up to you.¡±


    ¡°Why would you give it to me?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I know what I¡¯m asking is a lot; it¡¯s only fair that you receive something in return for helping me.  I don¡¯t want you to have to worry about finding a ce to live or being able to afford a ce that you want when this is all over-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do. I¡¯m asking you to give up so much for me if you agree to this. You would be helping me save mypany-I can¡¯t not give you something in return, it wouldn¡¯t be right. If you were to agree to this arrangement, I would also cover your education expenses, if you chose to return to school-¡±


    ¡°You would pay my tuition?¡±


    ¡°If you agree to this arrangement, yes, I would cover the tuition, books and any other expenses for you to return to school to pursue anything you want.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I don¡¯t know how I feel about this.¡±


    ¡°You would be doing so much for me by agreeing to this arrangement¡­ I wouldn¡¯t want you to do this and expect nothing in return. This isn¡¯t like when you stayed with me for the weekend because I was sick, Kenzie, this is so much more than that-¡±


    ¡°I know that-¡±


    ¡°I need to give you something in return; I can¡¯t ask you to do this for me and not give you something in return. I can¡¯t¡­ I won¡¯t take advantage of you like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I think I need some time to process all of this.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Please take as much time as you need.¡±


    I can almost see the mask that Nichs puts on as he takes on his CEO persona; he really is a different person when ites to business. He was like that when we first met to discuss the arrangement through Bridget and of course, I¡¯ve seen it at several of the business events we have attended together.  Then there¡¯s also the other side of him: the one that not too many people get to see. Tonight, as he was discussing how this affects his business, I got to see that person again. However, the mask went right back on when I wasn¡¯t able to give him an answer right away. I don¡¯t know if he expected an answer tonight; I would think he would have known I would need time to process everything.


    ¡°Would you like to stay for dinner?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you for the offer.  I think I¡¯m going to go back to the apartment and¡­ think.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I really want this to work. If there¡¯s something in the paperwork you don¡¯t like, I¡¯ll change it. If you want something more, I¡¯ll give it to you. I know what I¡¯m asking is¡­ life changing, but I¡¯ll do whatever¡­¡±


    ¡°Just give me some time, please.¡±


    ¡°Of course; I¡¯ll walk you out,¡± and with that the mask is back on.


    ¡°Good night, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Night.¡±

 Chapter 97

    For the first time I think we started the arrangement with Bridget, Nichs doesn¡¯t kiss me good night when I leave this apartment. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s because he doesn¡¯t want to; the look in his eyes told me he did. I think maybe he was worried it would change how I thought about what he is proposing. As soon as I enter my apartment, I sit down and try to process everything that just happened. I try to make sense of the proposal and how I even feel about what he is suggesting.


    I sigh and pull out the prenup agreement he gave me; as he indicated, the agreement outlines what I will receive when the marriage is dissolved, namely the condo I am currently staying in. I¡¯m surprised to learn that Nichs is not only proposing to cover my school expenses while we are married, but that he will continue to cover them for up to four years following our divorce. While I¡¯m still not sure how I feel about the idea of him paying my bills, I¡¯m kind of touched that he included the use that he would continue covering the fees after our divorce, as it would ensure I was able to finish any degree I decided to pursue. It¡¯s little things like that which make me realize that Nichs does care for me more than a contract or business arrangement.


    I think about how much my life has changed since I stepped off the ne in New York a couple of years ago. I had nothing but a small duffel bag and a few dors in my pocket when I arrived here. I had no idea what to expect; all I knew was that I needed to start over. When I met with the case worker at the shelter in Denver, she asked me if I could go anywhere where would I go? I looked at the map on her wall, and my eyes just sort of fell on New York. My goal at that time was simple: survive.


    I knew I had serious trust issues after what he did to me and because of that marriage was never a consideration for me. Unlike most women my age, I had no desire to date, fall in love, get married and start popping out kids. I could never see myself living with a man again; I vowed never to trust someone like that ever again. I vowed never to put myself in a position to be hurt like he hurt me again.


    Yet, here I sit actually contemting agreeing to marry a man; a man that I¡¯ve only known for three months. I can¡¯t help but think about how things changed with him; we moved in together very quickly, really without even knowing each other. I was blinded by the idea that someone was showing me affection, and I was desperate to get out of the house I lived in. Looking back, the signs were there, but I ignored them. When he took me out on a date, he always insisted on ordering for me and nning every detail of the date. When I moved in with him, everything had to be absolutely perfect in the house. The cup handles all had to face a certain way in the cabs, cans in the pantry had to face withbels facing forward-even the bottles of liquor had to be organized in a specific way. At first, I just chalked it up to a quirk of his; one that I was willing to deal with because I was finally out of that house.  Looking back now, I should have realized those were signs of his need to control everything.


    If I didn¡¯t think I knew Nichs as well as I do, I wouldn¡¯t even be considering this arrangement. I don¡¯t think for a second that Nichs would ever hurt me the way he did, but I can¡¯t help but question my own ability to read people after the decisions I¡¯ve made in the past. I quickly decide that if I¡¯m going to agree to this new arrangement, I¡¯m going to need to have an out in the off chance that I can¡¯t trust my instincts with Nichs.  I won¡¯t be forced to make a decision between having a roof over my head and being safe.


    I decide to start making a list of things I need to address with him before I can make a decision on this proposal. I go into the office to grab a pen and paper before returning to the living room. Although it¡¯s probably not a wise decision, I decide I want a ss of wine while I try to decide what I¡¯m going to do. It¡¯ste, but I think a liquor store would still be open; the only problem is that Hunter isn¡¯t here and there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to leave the apartment without some type of security. I decide to call Carter to see if he is avable to go with me or perhaps he has someone who can go.


    ¡°Ms. Rose, is everything okay?¡± he answers on the first ring.


    ¡°Oh, yes, everything is fine. I¡¯m sorry to bother you-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no bother at all, Ms. Rose. What can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I need to run an errand; I¡¯m sure Hunter has already left for the


    day¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. Where would you like to go?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to run to a liquor store; I don¡¯t know if there¡¯s one


    nearby-¡±


    ¡°Just a few blocks from here. If you don¡¯t mind, what are you looking to get?¡±


    ¡°Just a bottle of wine.¡±


    ¡°What kind do you like?¡±


    ¡°Something sweet-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have something to you in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t mind going-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a few, Ms. Rose.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Well, that didn¡¯t go as I thought it would. I didn¡¯t expect Carter to drop what he was doing to run to the store for me. I¡¯m still trying to get used to the whole idea of needing security; I don¡¯t know how I feel about having someone go shopping for me. Although, I suppose this isn¡¯t too different than what I would have to deal with if I agreed to marry Nichs. I have no doubt that he doesn¡¯t go food shopping for himself and doesn¡¯t run to Walmart to pick up something he needs. I can¡¯t help butugh at the idea of Nichs in Walmart; yeah, that would never happen.


    Knock knock


    I¡¯m surprised to find Carter at my door only a few minutes after I hung up the phone with him. It¡¯s not possible that he went to the liquor store that fast; perhaps he changed his mind and decided it would be best if I went with him to pick out the type of wine.


    ¡°Good evening, Ms. Rose,¡± Carter greets me when I open the door. ¡°Mr. Parker has sent several different types of wines from his collection that he thought you might like.¡±


    ¡°Nichs sent these?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Mr. Parker has an extensive wine collection, one that is far better than what you would find at the local liquor store.¡±


    ¡°Please send him my thanks. I¡­ wasn¡¯t expecting this.¡±


    ¡°You should have wine sses in the kitchen, but if you need anything else this evening please contact me.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Carter.¡±


    ¡°And, Ms. Rose¡­ can be I honest with you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Carter.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker is a good man; I¡¯ve worked for him for several years now, as has Julie. Neither of us would stay if Mr. Parker wasn¡¯t a good person. Don¡¯t believe everything the media says about him; trust what you know. He¡¯s let you in and that¡¯s something he¡¯s never done before.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ thank you.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Ms. Rose.¡±


    ¡°Night, Carter.¡±


    FUCK


    Carter has justpletely thrown me by what he said. I don¡¯t know if he knows about the new arrangement Nichs has proposed but I have no doubt that he was being honest. I don¡¯t think Nichs told him toe down and say something like that to me or to try to influence my decision. I¡¯m sure that he wants this decision to be mine and mine alone.


    I think back to what Carter said about Nichs letting me in; I was surprised when he said that Nichs hasn¡¯t done that before. I wanted so badly to ask him what he meant by that, but I didn¡¯t think he would tell me even if I did ask. He dated that woman before for quite some time by the sound of it; surely he would have opened up to her?


    I shake my head, needing to stop trying to figure out what Carter meant and go into the kitchen to pour a ss of wine. In the bag that Carter gave me were four bottles of wine, all from different countries. I randomly pick one that has a beautiful picture of a vineyard on the front and head back to the living room where the new proposal awaits.


    Thank you for the wine. It wasn¡¯t necessary but I appreciate it.  Kenzie


    The response from Nichs is almost instantaneous.


    I hope you find one you like, but if not I can send more. Nichs.


    The first one I opened is just perfect; thank you Kenzie


    Do you have any questions about the paperwork? I¡¯d be happy to discuss anything with you Nichs


    I¡¯ve just started reading through it all, but I¡¯m starting a list  Kenzie


    I¡¯ll answer any questions, Kenzie, or change anything you want  Nichs


    I know¡­ I just need to think this all through. It¡¯s a lot to consider.  Kenzie


    He doesn¡¯t respond, but I don¡¯t know that he really needs to either. I pull the coffee table closer to the couch and start making notes on parts of the prenup that I have questions about or just things about this arrangement I have questions about in general. I¡¯m still kind of surprised that I¡¯m considering this, but knowing what Nichs could lose if I don¡¯t, how can I not consider his proposal? How could I say no if it means he would lose everything he has worked this hard to achieve? Especially when he is offering to help me make my dreamse true? The one thing I dreamed of but did not think would be possible was to return to school and earn some type of degree. And now it¡¯s being handed to me.


    By the end of the night, I¡¯m surprised that I only have a few questions written on the paper. I expected to have a lot more, but in reality, the prenup is pretty straight forward and exins things clearly. There is one section of the contract that I need to address with Nichs that is not sitting well with me. I know he said that he was willing to change anything in the contract, but I honestly don¡¯t know if he¡¯s going to be willing to change this. Unfortunately though, as the night wears on I realize this one use is a deal breaker for me. If he isn¡¯t willing to remove it, I don¡¯t know that I can agree to this new arrangement. It¡¯s probably not fair of me to ask this of him, but I have to.

 Chapter 98

    Nichs


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ you did what, Nichs?¡± Alex asks.


    ¡°I suggested that Kenzie and I terminate our contract with Bridget and enter into a new arrangement privately.¡±


    ¡°One in which she agrees to marry you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°What did she say?¡±


    ¡°She hasn¡¯t given me a decision yet; she asked for some time to think about it.¡±


    ¡°Why change things? I thought what you had was working.¡±


    ¡°The press, Alex-in and simple. They won¡¯t fucking leave me alone, and now it¡¯s affecting my business. Our employees don¡¯t have confidence in me; if I don¡¯t change things fast, I¡¯m afraid they are going to start looking for jobs elsewhere. You know we can¡¯t afford to have everyone suddenly quit; it would destroy our business. It¡¯s taken me too long to build PFS up to where it is today. A mass exit of employees will bring me back to square one. I will lose all the ground we¡¯ve gained in this industry; I will lose everything-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure not everything-¡±


    ¡°Everything! We will be the little man that thergerpanies eat and spit out. We won¡¯t have anything to offer that¡¯s different from otherpanies when we present our proposals. I won¡¯t be able to continue the charitable donations that I have promised to various ces. Last week alone, I just donated two hundred thousand dors to the pediatric unit of the hospital. What do I say the next time they call when PFS begins to go belly up? I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t help the sick children get the medications they need because I can¡¯t keep a woman happy?¡± ¡°Nichs¡­¡± For once I believe Alex is speechless.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just about me, Alex.  If it were, I would stop taking a paycheck, if it meant I could continue with the promises I have made. But this isn¡¯t about me. This is about hundreds of people losing their jobs and charities having to go without because I can¡¯t afford to make a donation. I had no choice-I needed to do something to get the press off my back and to leave PFS the fuck alone.¡±


    ¡°And you think marrying Kenzie will aplish this?¡±


    ¡°For a time, yes. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not fucking stupid. I know this isn¡¯t going to solve my problems forever. I need a temporary fix; just long enough for them to back off so I cane up with another n. I think someone is feeding the press lies about me or maybe they¡¯re pushing the press to focus on me. I can¡¯t be sure, but it takes time to dig into something like that. I need the press to leave me alone so PFS can be sessful while I try to figure everything else out. I think marrying Kenzie will get me that time.¡±


    ¡°You trust Kenzie enough to let her move in with you?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not worried?¡±


    ¡°No, I told you I trust Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a bad idea¡­ besides who knows, maybe it¡¯ll develop into something more. You might not want things to end when the timees. She¡¯s better for you than-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no emotions involved, Alex. I mean, sure we care about each other as friends, but that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Does she feel the same way?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I think so. I mean, she agreed that she saw us as friends and not just as a business arrangement. The weekend she spent with me when I was sick brought us closer.¡±


    ¡°What if she starts feeling more towards you? Living with someone day in and day out can change things. What happens then?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t; you don¡¯t know her. You don¡¯t know what she¡¯s been through. She¡¯s sworn off men just as much as I¡¯ve sworn off women.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t know Kenzie. I just want you to consider the chance that one of you could develop feelings towards the other beyond friendship.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see. So, when is she getting back to you about this marriage idea?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She asked me for some time. I don¡¯t want to bug her about it, but I¡¯m hoping she decides soon. We¡¯re attending a charity event tomorrow evening, so I know I¡¯ll at least see her then.¡±


    ¡°I hope you know what you¡¯re doing, Nichs. This could backfire, and you both could end up getting hurt. It took a long time for you to get your head out of your ass after Harper; I don¡¯t know that I can pull it out if it happens again.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t.¡±


    I barely get anything done the rest of the day; I can¡¯t focus on anything except what Kenzie might be thinking about. I keep wondering if I should have added more to the prenup agreement-maybe she¡¯s expecting more in it. I purposely did not include a lump sum payment at the dissolve of the marriage as I thought she would find that insulting. Instead, I stuck with material items that I could give her that would help her reach her dreams. She had two goals, she told me as the reasons she entered into the contract with Bridget: finding a safer ce to live and going back to school. Those were the two things I¡¯ve included in the prenup agreement, but now I¡¯m second guessing myself.


    Should I have offered a weekly ¡°paycheck¡± for her to spend on whatever she wants? I didn¡¯t include that because my thought was she would use my ount for any purchases she wanted to make, but maybe she would want to keep her independence and maintain her own bank ount? I¡¯ve offered to change anything in the prenup she wants; hopefully she will feelfortable enough to ask for those things if that¡¯s what she wants.


    After my meeting with Alex, I head back to ord Towers deciding to work the remainder of the day from there since I¡¯m not getting anything done at PFS. Working from home is no different though; I can¡¯t seem to concentrate on anything in front of me.


    Are you free to meet tonight? Kenzie


    Anytime Nichs


    What time do you get home? -Kenzie


    I¡¯m home Nichs


    Are you free now? Kenzie


    Yes Nichs


    I¡¯lle up now in a few minutes. Kenzie


    ¡°Carter!¡± I call out, my voice mixed with excitement and nervousness.


    ¡°Yes, sir?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie will being up soon. Can you meet her on her floor and escort her up?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Julie!¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Julie responds just as quickly as Carter did.


    ¡°Kenzie is on her way up; I don¡¯t know if she will be staying for dinner but I¡¯d like you to prepare two dishes if she does.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°Also, can you bring in some wine and crackers or fruit or something to go with it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, I¡¯ll be back momentarily.¡±


    Just before I hear the elevator ding, Julie finishes setting up a small tray of snacks with a bottle of wine in my office. I¡¯m not suggesting that we¡¯re going to be celebrating anything, as I don¡¯t want to presume to know what Kenzie¡¯s decision will be, but I want to be able to offer her something if she¡¯s hungry.


    I was surprisedst night when Carter told me she contacted him wanting to pick up a bottle of wine.   Kenzie isn¡¯t a drinker. In fact, she has never requested a drink when we¡¯ve been out; she only epts one if offered. I don¡¯t know if she wanted a ss of wine to rx and help her make a decision or if she was trying to let a little of her past go. Whatever the reason, I thought it might be helpful to have some here to offer her. I probably should have done this yesterday when I first proposed this new arrangement; I was too fucking nervous to even think about that. Nichs Parker¡­ nervous. Nichs Parker doesn¡¯t do nervous; I¡¯m in control of too much to be nervous.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Rose has arrived,¡± Carter informs me just as Julie slips out of my office.


    ¡°Kenzie, pleasee in,¡± I gesture to the chair where she sat just yesterday afternoon, which for some reason seems like a lifetime ago. ¡°Would you like a ss of wine?¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± she says, sitting down.


    I hand her the ss of wine with a shaking hand; I can¡¯t remember thest time I was ever this unsure of myself. If she says no to this new arrangement, I don¡¯t know what I will do to save PFS. I can only hope that she isn¡¯t saying no; maybe she just has questions or wants something else besides the condo and her schooling paid for. At this point she could ask me for anything and I would give it to her if it meant she would agree to the arrangement.


    ¡°So¡­¡± I have no idea how to begin this conversation.


    ¡°I had a couple of questions¡­¡± she rings her hands in herp letting me know that she is just as nervous as I am, although I¡¯m not sure why she would be nervous seeing that I¡¯m the one with everything riding on this proposal.


    ¡°I thought you might,¡± I can¡¯t help but smile as I try to break the tension between us. ¡°Let¡¯s start at the beginning. Are you in agreement to the length of the proposed marriage?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I mean it seems to make sense. We need to stay married for a minimum of eighteen months unless it is mutually agreed upon that we divorce prior to that time.¡±


    ¡°Correct, essentially it leaves an opening if my team is able to resolve the issue with the press, but if we can¡¯t, the marriage still appears long enough to not raise suspicion. I want to point out, though, that it¡¯s a minimum of eighteen months; it¡¯s very possible we would need to maintain this arrangement longer.¡±


    ¡°I understand¡­ but I would like to add a use that enables the arrangement to be ended prior to the eighteen month time frame.¡±


    ¡°What sort of a use?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I want an out use,¡± she says so quickly that I barely understand what she said.


    ¡°An out use.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­ don¡¯t take offense to what I¡¯m asking. This¡­ this is just something I need.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ what would this use entail?¡± I¡¯m still nervous but at the same time I am moving into business mode. Negotiating contracts is what I do on a daily basis; if Kenzie wants to negotiate the prenup, I¡¯m all for it because that means she is more likely to agree to the arrangement.


    ¡°I want it noted that I can walk away from the marriage, but still retain the condo, under certain conditions.¡±


    ¡°What would those conditions be?¡± My interest is piqued as to what conditions she would see the need to end our arrangement prior to the agreed upon time frame. One thing I won¡¯t agree to is ending this arrangement if she fell in love with someone else. It¡¯s selfish, I know, but how would it look if my marriage suddenly ends and she is seen with another man? I can¡¯t have that-


    ¡°If¡­ if you intentionally cause me physical injury or if you are arrested for a violent crime,¡± her voice is barely above a whisper and her eyes are glued to the floor.

 Chapter 99

    My initial reaction is anger-I¡¯m angry that she could even think that I would hurt her or anyone else.  I take several deep breaths trying to process what she just said, when it finally hits me why she¡¯s adding this use. It¡¯s not because of me; this is because of that fucker who hurt her before. My anger doesn¡¯t diminish, but it is no longer focused on Kenzie; instead it is on the piece of shit who hurt her. I make a mental note to follow up with Carter to determine where the fuck we are in finding out who this shithead is.


    ¡°I will agree to that.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± her eyes find mine and I see the surprise in them. I guess she expected a different response; she likely expected me to be angry at her suggesting there was even a need for that use.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I hope you know that I would never, ever intentionally hurt you. I am not him; I am nothing like that asshole, I swear to you-¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not, Nichs. You need to understand: when I met my ex, I thought he was the nicest guy I had ever met. He charmed mepletely; looking back there were tons of red gs that I should have seen but I didn¡¯t. By the time I finally realized what was going on, it was toote; he had already takenplete control over my life. He made me quit my job, which meant I had no money of my own; I couldn¡¯t leave him even if I had wanted to. When I was finally able to leave, I swore I would never allow myself to be put in situation like that again. I never want to have to choose between my safety and having a roof over my head. I need¡­ I need this in there for me. I need to know that I¡¯m not trapped if things suddenly turn and everything I thought I knew about you ends up not being true.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Kenzie. I¡¯ll have your out use added to the prenup. I don¡¯t want you to ever feel trapped with me, especially if we move forward with this new arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate that.¡±


    ¡°What other questions do you have?¡±


    ¡°How would this look? I mean¡­ who would know that this wasn¡¯t a real marriage?¡±


    ¡°No one; just you and me. Well, I suppose Carter and Julie would piece it together eventually, but it is not something that should be disclosed to anyone. Just like our current arrangement with Bridget, the less people who know the better.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of Bridget, how exactly would that work? I mean, surely she would be upset with this? We¡¯re essentially taking her money away, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent a lot of time reviewing the contract we have and there are several termination uses in there. One such use allows for us to engage in a romantic rtionship outside of the contract with her. I would meet with her, exin that you and I have fallen in love while spending time together under her contract and will be moving forward with our rtionship.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? She would just let us break the contract?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly¡­ as with most business contracts, there¡¯s a penalty that would be paid to break the contract with this use.¡±


    ¡°A penalty?¡±


    ¡°More of a fine I guess you could say. I would make a final payment to her in exchange for the termination of both of our contracts.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t expect any problems toe from terminating the contract; the use is in there for a reason, so I¡¯m sure this is not the first time that clients are requesting to terminate the contract to engage in a personal rtionship.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. I remember her saying that some clients have fallen in love, even if that wasn¡¯t the intention of the arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Bridget, if you agree to this new arrangement I will take care of her.¡±


    ¡°Your family¡­ they wouldn¡¯t know about¡­ this?¡±


    ¡°No, they would believe, like everyone else, that we are getting married for love. Does that bother you?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I kind of feel like we¡¯re deceiving them.¡±


    ¡°We are¡­ but they won¡¯t get hurt from it.¡±


    ¡°I like your family; I¡¯ve enjoyed spending time with them. I don¡¯t want them to hate me when this ends.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t, Kenzie, I promise. We will present the dissolve of our marriage as an amicable one-we¡¯lle up with something so neither of us are at fault for the ending. I won¡¯t let your name get dragged through the mud by anyone, including my family.¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to hurt them.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t. My family would be thrilled if we were to get married; they adore you as it is. You won my mother over when you stayed the weekend with me. Even my mother said, what you did that weekend was something my ex never would have done.¡±


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t have taken care of you if you were sick?¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t have cancelled her ns and given up her entire weekend to take care of me. That just wasn¡¯t the type of person she was. If there wasn¡¯t something in it for her, she didn¡¯t want to be involved. My family knows you¡¯re not like that, which is one of the reasons why they like you so much. When the timees, we will find a way to exin the end of our marriage to everyone so that neither of us is to me.¡±


    ¡°When we do end this arrangement, what happens to us? I mean¡­¡±


    ¡°I would hope we could remain friends, Kenzie. I¡¯ve enjoyed spending time with you, and I don¡¯t expect that to change just because we are no longer in an arrangement together. I¡¯d like to remain friends with you after this is over; maybe go to dinner or something to catch up.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like that too.¡±


    Noting her ss is empty, I refill it without asking. I¡¯m determined to slowly undo all of the things that the asshole did to her, especially the rules he put in ce, which she still subconsciously follows. I have no intention of getting her drunk, especially when we need to have a serious discussion, but I want her to eventually befortable enough to have more than one drink with me. Although, part of me can¡¯t help but wonder what she¡¯s like when she has a little too much to drink. Does she get silly? Flirty?  Does she speak her mind?


    ¡°So, there¡¯s one other thing¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it, Kenzie?¡± She suddenly looks nervous again.

 Chapter 100

    I thought she had finally rxed but her voice is shaky again which makes me a little concerned about what she¡¯s going to say next. I don¡¯t think she realizes that she has all the power in this negotiation; that whatever she asks for I will give her if it means she will agree to this new arrangement with me.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± I encourage her by squeezing her hand.


    ¡°The extramarital affair use¡­ I want it removed.¡±


    Okay¡­ not at all what I was expecting. I was prepared for her to ask for a mary settlement, some type of a weekly paycheck or something. I was not prepared for her to ask me to remove the use I specifically put in the prenup.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you understand the use-¡±


    ¡°I do. The use states that either of us can have an affair as long as it is done discretely and that the both of us have agreed that there is no chance of the press learning about the affair.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Okay, she understands the use and still wants it removed? That doesn¡¯t make sense. I thought she would be grateful that the use would be in there; it wouldn¡¯t mean she had to put her love life on hold because of this arrangement.


    ¡°I¡¯d like the use removed,¡± her voice has be more confident and unlike earlier, she is now looking at me. I think now that she has gotten the words out there, she is no longer nervous. I, on the other hand, have no idea what to think. If I remove this use, I am essentiallymitting myself to at least eighteen months of celibacy, possibly even longer. I may have just gone thest six months without fucking someone, but the thought of almost two years without is ridiculous.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I put the use in there specifically to benefit both of us. I¡¯m asking you to give up a lot; I can¡¯t ask you to give up your love life


    -¡±


    ¡°My what?¡± she nearly chokes on her wine.


    ¡°Your love life-I don¡¯t expect you to give that up for this arrangement.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t have a love life, Nichs. I told you before I never thought I would get married, so you¡¯re not taking some dream from me.¡±


    ¡°If not your love life then, you shouldn¡¯t have to sacrifice your sex life for this arrangement,¡± perhaps if I say it bluntly she will understand the purpose of this use.


    ¡°Before the weekend you were sick, I hadn¡¯t been alone with a man since the night I left him. And sex¡­ that stopped a long time before that night. You¡¯re not asking me to give up anything in that sense. However, I understand what I¡¯m asking you to give up by removing this use.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    I¡¯m speechless. I have no idea what else she said; but if I heard her correctly she hasn¡¯t had sex in a long time. How could that fucker not want to sleep with her? I haven¡¯t been able to not picture fucking her since the day we first met; the only thing that stops me is knowing that she could never want what I have to offer. Well¡­ and that it wouldplicate things too much between us.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m asking of you is a lot. Unfortunately, though, I cannot sign the prenup and agree to this arrangement if you are going to have an affair. This may not be a real marriage by any definition but I still want and expect you to be faithful to me. I understand to some guys sex is just sex, that there¡¯s no emotional connection to the woman they are with at the time. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m okay with sitting here in an apartment that we will be sharing while you¡¯re out with another woman.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, if you¡¯re worried about the press, I can assure you-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± she takes a deep breath and her eyes once again find the floor; a habit I¡¯ve noticed she does when she is nervous, scared or embarrassed about something. ¡°My mother¡­ she was never faithful to men and in turn, they were never faithful to her. I can remember some guy¡¯s girlfriend showing up on our doorstep cursing out my mother because he was with herst night. Or my mother bringing home men and then having their wives call our house the next day looking for them. My childhood was a fucking mess, Nichs-there are somethings I just can¡¯t go back to. I know things wouldn¡¯t be like that, but I¡­ I just don¡¯t think I can ever be okay with sitting here while you¡¯re out sleeping with someone.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡­.¡±


    Fuck, I don¡¯t know what to say. She has never spoken about her childhood to me; all I know is even before she met that dickhead, someone made her believe that she didn¡¯t deserve to be loved. Now, she¡¯s sitting in front of me asking me for one thing, while giving me the smallest glimpse into what her childhood was like.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s a lot to ask, and it¡¯s okay if you can¡¯t agree to it. I know eighteen months or longer is a long time to ask you to go without¡­ a woman. If you would rather just continue with our current arrangement-¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I quickly interrupt before she can finish her suggestion. Our current arrangement won¡¯t work-that¡¯s why I need her to agree to this new one. While I don¡¯t like the idea of going that long without fucking a woman, I realize if this is the one contingency that Kenzie is giving me, I


    need to concede. Contract negotiations are about giving and taking¡­ I usuallye out taking far more than I¡¯m giving, but perhaps this is one time I need to give more. ¡°If I agree to remove the extramarital affair use, you¡­ you would agree to this marriage?¡±


    ¡°I will, yes.¡±


    I take a deep breath, mentally making a note to contact the club first thing in the morning to cancel my membership, and cross out the section of the prenup that allows for both of us to have affairs.


    ¡°I will make these changes and then send you the revised version to sign. You and I will be the only ones with copies of this document; normally I would file the contract with my legal department, but given the sensitive nature of this contract I have decided against it. I will keep my copy in the safe here in my office; I would prefer you to keep your contract in here or in a safety deposit box in a bank so that no one can gain ess to it.¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ Nichs, I appreciate you removing the use. I


    know-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s nothing. What I¡¯m asking of you is so much more than what you are asking me to give up.¡±

 Chapter 101

    Nichs


    As we walk to the dining room, I¡¯m still inplete disbelief. Disbelief that she agreed to this new arrangement and disbelief that I¡¯m about to give up fucking for the foreseeable future. I see many long nights and cold showers in my future, but it will all be worth it when this saves PFS. I¡¯ll sacrifice anything to not lose everything that I have worked this hard to gain.


    ¡°So¡­ how exactly is this going to work?¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts after Julie sets are tes in front of us.


    ¡°Before we can do anything, I need to speak with Bridget to inform her that we are terminating our contract with her. I don¡¯t know if she will want to verify this with you first-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, if she does.¡±


    ¡°Once our contract is terminated with her, we can move forward with our marriage. I would like to move quickly with the wedding itself; I don¡¯t want to prolong the engagement and give the press more time to print non-sense about us.¡±


    ¡°Sure, that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll tell my family of the engagement of course, but I think otherwise I would rather just have PFS¡¯s public rtions department announce our marriage. If we announce an engagement, the press will hound us more than they do already to find out where the wedding will be and I¡¯m afraid it will be a security nightmare.¡±


    ¡°Where will the wedding be?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± I admit I haven¡¯t thought that far yet. ¡°What type of wedding do you want?¡±


    ¡°Something small if possible. I obviously don¡¯t know very many people in New York, so the wedding will mostly be your friends and family.¡±


    ¡°I know you said you never thought you would get married after¡­ what happened. But when you were little, I¡¯m sure you dreamed of a wedding. I know Cara has since she was little and yed Barbies.¡±


    ¡°I think every girl had their dream wedding nned out when they were little.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°What was yours?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to get married on a beach somewhere, barefoot with my feet in the sand. Just a few guests with us, and the ocean waves crashing in the background.¡±


    ¡°Sounds very nice.¡±


    ¡°What about you? What type of a wedding did you see yourself having?¡±


    ¡°I never thought I would get married, so I never considered what my wedding would be like.¡±


    ¡°Your¡­ ex, she didn¡¯t want to get married?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure that was her ultimate goal, but we never discussed


    it.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Assuming I can speak with Bridget tomorrow morning, are you able toe to my parents¡¯ on Sunday for dinner? I thought perhaps we could announce our engagement then?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯m free all day.¡±


    ¡°I know we have the charity dinner tomorrow night, but we should find a time to move your belongings in here as well. I will have Julie prepare the bedroom you stayed in when you were here for the weekend unless you have any objections to it?¡±


    ¡°No, that room was perfect.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ll arrange for movers to pack-¡±


    ¡°Ummm, no, I would rather pack my own things.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s not an issue; we use movers at PFS all the time.¡±


    ¡°I would rather pack my own stuff. I don¡¯t feelfortable having someone else pack my things.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure?¡± she nods. ¡°Do you need much time to pack your things? I¡¯m thinking maybe we should have everything moved in this weekend.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t have very much as you saw.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Sunday then? Ben and Hunter should be able to move everything when we¡¯re at dinner?¡±


    ¡°That will be fine. I can pack up everything tomorrow before dinner.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I really can¡¯t thank you enough for agreeing to this. I know this wasn¡¯t an easy decision for you¡­¡±


    ¡°If this is what it will take to help you save PFS, then it will be worth it. I¡¯m happy I can help you do that.¡±


    ¡°You amaze me sometimes. You could have asked me for anything, any amount of money, and I would have given it to you but you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Money isn¡¯t everything, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°It certainly isn¡¯t.¡±


    We fall into afortable silence as we eat dinner; I can¡¯t help but watch Kenzie in amazement that she agreed to this whole arrangement. I had hoped she would agree to it, but I kept thinking the worst¡­ that she would say what I knew all along, that what I was asking of her was too much. I wish I knew what was going through her head when she was reading the prenupst night; I was so tempted to bring her down the bottles of wine personally and offer to sit with her while she read the contract. Ultimately though, I knew that she wouldn¡¯t want that; I knew that I had to respect her request for some time alone to process everything and to read through the contract.


    ¡°Did you hear me, Nichs?¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts that I seem to have been lost in.


    ¡°Oh, sorry¡­ what did you say?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think people will find it odd that we are sleeping in separate bedrooms? I¡¯m not trying to suggest¡­ I just want to make sure we have our bases covered.¡±


    ¡°Anyone who wille in here will know me, Kenzie. I¡­ I have nightmares most nights and therefore I won¡¯t share a bed with anyone. My family is aware of this, so they won¡¯t suspect anything if they notice we are sleeping separately. Julie and Carter are used to it as well; that was the arrangement with¡­ my ex.¡±


    ¡°But you slept with me¡­¡±


    ¡°I did.¡±


    Neither of us says anything next; the fact that I sleptfortably with her the night she woke up screaming still baffles me. I still don¡¯t know if I had a nightmare when she was in my room the first night I was sick; she hasn¡¯t mentioned it but then again neither have I. Although I¡¯m dreading the first nightmare I have when she is living here¡­


    ¡°So, we have the charity dinner tomorrow and then with your family on Sunday?¡± she knows the answer to her question, but I get the impression she is trying to change the subject.


    ¡°Yes, when wee back here, after dinner on Sunday, everything should be moved into the bedroom upstairs. If you need other space in here, there are plenty of guest bedrooms that can be turned into an office or anything else you want.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need much; the bedroom is fine.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s one other thing we need to discuss¡­¡± I purposely waited until thest possible minute to bring this issue up. I don¡¯t know if Kenzie has thought about it yet, but I feel we need to discuss it to make sure we¡¯re both on the same page.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± she¡¯s obviously cautious, not knowing what I want to discuss.


    ¡°The press¡­ You know they¡¯re a thorn in my side and the entire reason for this new arrangement,¡± she nods in agreement. ¡°They¡¯re going to need to believe that we¡¯re in love. I know our original agreement with Bridget didn¡¯t include much physical disys of affection, but-¡±


    ¡°I get it, Nichs, and it¡¯s fine. I already kind of assumed that would be part of this new arrangement. We¡¯ll need to kiss each other in public and spend more time together than we have been, especiallytely.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re ufortable with anything, Kenzie, you have to let me know. The press needs to be convinced we¡¯re in love, but I don¡¯t want you to feel ufortable in the process.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    I walk her back to her apartment after we finished our drinks, and I realize tomorrow night will be thest time I do this. The idea of a living with a woman full time has me a little anxious, but I don¡¯t think it will be an issue with Kenzie. I¡¯ve never lived with a woman, though; I don¡¯t consider Julie living with me because she and Carter have their own apartment that just happens to be within mine.  My ex would spend a few nights a week at my old ce but never really long term. It¡¯s definitely going to be an adjustment having someone in my space twenty-four seven. But, it¡¯ll be worth it to save PFS.


    ¡°Thank you for dinner. Julie is an amazing cook,¡± once again Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°I know I said it earlier, but I can¡¯t thank you enough for what you¡¯re doing for me. I truly appreciate you doing this.¡±


    ¡°You need to stop thanking me, it¡¯s really not needed-¡±


    ¡°You really are something,¡± I shake my head in disbelief that she can¡¯t see what an amazing thing she is doing for me. She doesn¡¯t see what she is giving up just to help me, something I don¡¯t think anyone else who knows me would do.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡± she stands on her tiptoes and kisses me right on the lips.


    On instinct my arms wrap around her waist; my body wanting or maybe needing to feel her against me again. Her kiss is hesitant but soft and gentle at the same time. She doesn¡¯t deepen the kiss and all too soon she pulls back just enough so our eyes can meet. She blushes the cutest shade of pink, the reason for which is a mystery to me. All I can think about is kissing her again, but I know that wouldn¡¯t be a good idea. Thest thing we need is toplicate this as we¡¯re about to move into a new arrangement.


    ¡°If you need help packing let me know. I¡¯ll have Carter bring you boxes in the morning.¡±


    ¡°Good night,¡± she kisses me onest time before finally pullingpletely away from me.


    ¡°Night, Kenzie.¡±


    Sleep finds me easily that night, and for once I don¡¯t have a nightmare. I think knowing that I have found a likely solution to the press issue, and therefore my problems at PFS, has made it much easier to fall asleep tonight than recently. I¡¯m up before my rm goes off, ready and waiting for Carter in the foyer for our morning run.


    ¡°Morning, sir.¡±


    ¡°Carter.¡±


    We take our normal jog around the city, though I¡¯ve noticed it now excludes the bakery since Kenzie stopped working there earlier this week. Prior to that, we would still jog past it despite her living only a few floors below me. I never questioned Carter why it was still on route, nor did I suggest he change it.


    ¡°Kenzie¡¯s going to be moving into the penthouse tomorrow,¡± I announce to him on the elevator ride back from our jog.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°I need you to arrange boxes to be delivered to her apartment as soon as possible today. As you know she didn¡¯t have much when we moved her in here, so I doubt she will need very many. I would like Hunter and


    Ben to move everything while we¡¯re at my parents¡¯ tomorrow night.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°And, Carter, I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m going to try to arrange something for tomorrow, but it¡¯s short notice, so I don¡¯t know if it will pan out. I just want to give you the heads up I may need you for most of the day.¡±


    ¡°Not a problem, sir.¡±

 Chapter 102

    One of the many reasons I keep Carter around is because of moments like this-there is so much he could have said or questions he could have asked about Kenzie moving in, but he doesn¡¯t. As long as my decisions do not impact security, he doesn¡¯t question them.


    I quickly take a shower and change into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to begin my day. I have a lot to do before the charity dinner, so I immediately set up in my office with breakfast and coffee. There isn¡¯t much time to put my n into action but thankfully money talks. I learned early on in my career that anything can happen if you¡¯re willing to spend enough money. Today is no different; my ns are beginning to be a reality as everything falls into ce. Moving through my to do list for today, the next item is to contact Bridget and inform her that Kenzie and I will be breaking our contract.


    ¡°Wilder Consulting Services, how may I direct your call?¡±


    ¡°This is Nichs Parker, I would like to speak with Bridget.¡±


    ¡°One moment, please.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, how are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m well, Bridget, and you?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯tin. Business is booming right now, which is always a good thing. How are things with Ms. Rose?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s actually why I was calling-¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie and I will be terminating our contracts with you, effective immediately.¡±


    ¡°Both of you will be terminating the contracts?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°May I ask why?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ we have be very close with all the time that we have spent together under your contract, and we will be pursuing a more personal rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ Nichs I have to say this is very surprising. I knew the moment I signed Kenzie that someone would likely fall for her. She is a beautiful woman with such innocence that is so rare these days. I knew she wouldn¡¯tst long with me; I have to admit, I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be the one snatching her from me.¡±


    ¡°Neither did I, Bridget.¡±


    ¡°Just to make you aware, I¡¯m going to need to speak with Kenzie to verify that she wants to terminate her contract before the process can be finalized.¡±


    ¡°We understand; she is avable today to speak to you if you contact her before four this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Assuming she is in agreement to this contract termination, when can I expect the termination fee to be sent?¡±


    ¡°I will send the payment as soon as we end the call.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. If for some reason your rtionship doesn¡¯t work out, you are always wee toe back to Wilder Consulting. I have many other girls that I¡¯m sure would be able to meet your needs.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate that, Bridget, but I don¡¯t think it will be necessary.¡±


    Keeping my word, upon disconnecting the call, I transfer the money to Bridget¡¯s off-shore bank ount, effectively terminating the contract. I never thought I would see the day that I would have paid someone to apany me to events, but with the press situation, it was needed. I sit back reflecting on how things have changed with Kenzie since the day I first met her at The Summit. Neither of us had any idea what to expect from this arrangement but having at least ran into each other previously, I think made the entire arrangement a little less awkward. Never did I think that the contract with Bridget would have led to marriage. I mistakenly thought if I was seen with the same woman over the course of a few weeks, that the press would leave me alone and let me focus on PFS.


    Speaking of marriage, the next item on my agenda is the wedding. Over the course of the next few hours, I manage to secure a location for the wedding and honeymoon. Everything is tentative pending Kenzie¡¯s approval, but I wanted to at least secure an option, given the tight time frame we are under. I don¡¯t want to let too much time pass before we get married; the longer I wait the bigger the risk is for PFS. Before shutting down myptop, I send an email to Melody alerting her to the week I will need cleared in my schedule. I don¡¯t provide a reason, but like Carter, Melody will just do as requested and very rarely will ever ask questions. ¡°Sir, we should be leaving shortly,¡± Carter informs me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be ready in ten minutes.¡±


    I take a quick shower before putting on the Armani tux that Julie had the cleaners deliver earlier today.  For the first time in a week, I no longer feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I¡¯m confident in my n; marrying Kenzie will finally get the press off my case, allowing my focus to be primarily on PFS once again.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± I say as soon as Kenzie opens the door to her apartment. She stands in the doorway wearing a gorgeous dark blue, floor length gown that sits just off her shoulders. The front of the gown hugs her breasts tightly; I can¡¯t keep my eyes away from her cleavage or my mind from wondering what she was wearing underneath the gown.


    ¡°Thank you, you look handsome,¡± when I look up, I realize that Kenzie is blushing, having clearly caught me staring at her chest. I¡¯m tempted to demand she change into something different, something that won¡¯t have the entire male poption staring at her tonight but I know we don¡¯t have time for that, and it¡¯s unlikely she even has something else to wear tonight. When Kenzie turns to close the apartment door, I nearly groan at the back of the dress. A thin strip of dark bluece holds the pieces of the dress together which is otherwise open to her waist. Her soft brown hair is swept up, with a few pieces curled along her neckline.


    ¡°That dress¡­ you really do look amazing tonight, Kenzie,¡± I can¡¯t help butpliment her again as we walk together to the elevator, my hand on the bare skin of her back.


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s not something I normally would have chosen, but Cara insisted I get it. You don¡¯t think it¡¯s too much for tonight, do you?¡± ¡°No, I think it¡¯s perfect.¡±


    And it is-the dress is absolutely perfect for the dinner tonight. It doesn¡¯t reveal too much skin and only entuates Kenzie¡¯s amazing body even more. I inwardly curse Cara, who I¡¯m sure chose a dress like this just to drive me crazy. The only thing I can think of on the ride to the country club is that it¡¯s going to be a very long eighteen months.


    ¡°Kenzie, Nichs! It¡¯s so nice to see you both again,¡± my mom greets us as soon as we enter the ballroom.


    ¡°Vivienne, how are you?¡± Kenzie hugs my mother.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, dear, how are you?¡±


    We are seated with my parents, Cara and her date and Austin who decided toe single tonight, which I notice he has been doing more and moretely. Once this wedding is behind us, I make a note to n a day with Austin to find out what¡¯s going on with himtely. A few months ago, he wouldn¡¯t have been caught dead attending one of these events alone. Whether he brought a former one night stand or some random chick he met earlier that day, he always managed to bring someone.


    ¡°Nichs, are you and Kenzie joining us for dinner tomorrow night?¡± my mom asks.


    ¡°Yes, we will be there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡±


    ¡°Dance with me?¡± I whisper to Kenzie just as a song finishes and there is a lull in the conversation at our table.


    ¡°Sure,¡± she answers quickly.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I lead Kenzie out to the middle of the dance floor and pull her close to me just as the music begins. As I shift us, my hand slips to just above the fabric of her dress, allowing me to caress her soft skin.


    ¡°There¡¯s a photographer just to your left; I think he¡¯s taking pictures of us,¡± Kenzie whispers and I swear feeling her warm breath against my ear goes straight to my dick, which has already been twitching since I saw her in this dress.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    I turn us around, casually ncing in the direction she mentioned. I realize she was right, there is a photographer for the event with his camera pointed directly at us. Lifting her chin, I look at her plump lips and then back to her eyes, letting her know my intention. She doesn¡¯t say anything, but as I lower my lips to hers, I watch her eyes close in anticipation of the kiss. The moment our lips meet, I swear a jolt of electricity goes through my body. I wrap both my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me until our bodies are flush. When she lets out the softest moans, I once again lose myself in the kiss. Parting her lips for me, she grants me the ess I request. When her tongue finds mine, I don¡¯t hold back the groan.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, please take your seats for our meal tonight,¡± the announcer unfortunately forces me to pull away from Kenzie. The blush on her face tells me she was just as caught up in the kiss as I was. Once again, the only thing I can think is what an awful long eighteen months this is going to be.

 Chapter 103

    Kenzie


    Knock knock knock knock


    A loud knock on my door has me running from the shower with only a towel wrapped around my wet body. I look through the peephole, wondering who in the world could be knocking on my door so early on a Sunday morning.


    ¡°Nichs, what are you doing here?¡± I quickly open the door.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡­¡± he stammers and I can feel the heat rushing to my face when I watch his eyes roam over my barely covered body. ¡°Can Ie in for a moment?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I open the door further to allow him to enter before closing and locking it behind us.


    ¡°I apologize for stopping by unannounced, but I would like to take you out today,¡± he says.


    ¡°Okay¡­ where will we be going?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a surprise. Just wearfortable clothes; jeans are fine.


    Oh, and a light jacket, it¡¯s a little chilly this morning.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going now?¡±


    ¡°Well, as soon as you¡¯re dressed. I don¡¯t mind seeing you in a towel, but I don¡¯t think I want the press seeing this much of my future wife.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ give me a couple of minutes,¡± I start walking down the hall to my bedroom. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s coffee in the pot if you want some.¡±


    I quickly shut my bedroom door, grab the clothes I had left out for today and head into the adjoining bathroom to change. I¡¯m thankful he didn¡¯t say I needed to wear something too dressy. Other than the clothes I have picked out for dinner with his parents tonight, everything else I own has been packed into the half a dozen boxes that now line the wall.


    It¡¯s hard to believe that after dinner tonight, I won¡¯t be returning to this apartment; instead I will be apanying Nichs to his apartment where I will be moving in. I¡¯ll never admit it, but I stayed up a long timest night questioning my decision to agree to this ¡°marriage.¡± I can¡¯t help but wonder if I¡¯m making the right decision. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve trusted my instinct in people: I worry if I¡¯m reading Nichs wrong. I don¡¯t think he is anything like my ex was, but of course, I never thought he would hit me the way he did or control my life to the point where I wasn¡¯t allowed to leave the house without permission. For the first time since I decided to change my life I have to trust my instincts and hope it doesn¡¯t bite me in the end. I take a deep breath and head out to the living room where Nichs is waiting for me.


    ¡°Is this okay?¡± I ask, indicating what I¡¯m wearing.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; do you have everything you need?¡±


    ¡°You tell me,¡± Iugh. ¡°I don¡¯t know where we are going, so I¡¯m not sure what to bring.¡±


    ¡°Good point. I guess just grab your purse, and then we can go.¡±


    I set the rm and we meet Carter in the hallway by the elevator where he typically tends to wait. I like that he gives us a little privacy, but is still close enough should either of us need him. I know it will be different when I move in tonight, but at least he is still in within the apartment somewhere.


    ¡°Carter will give you the security code you will need to ess the penthouseter today. You won¡¯t be able to ess it without this code, but of course Hunter has it, and he should be with you whenever you leave the apartment. But if you go to the gym or something without him, you¡¯ll need to have this code with you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Are you all packed or do you need any help finishing?¡±


    ¡°No, I have everything packed. I left out something to wear to your parents¡¯ tonight, but otherwise everything is in boxes in the bedroom. There are a few things in the fridge and freezer that I¡¯ll have to get tonight or tomorrow-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Julie bring anything to the apartment while we¡¯re at dinner tonight. I should have mentioned this before, but she keeps the kitchen fully stocked at all times. If there¡¯s anything you want, just let her know, and she will pick it up when she goes to the market during the week. Obviously she takes care of all the meals during the week, but she is off on the weekends. Typically she freezes a few meals for me for the weekends so I don¡¯t starve¡­¡± he chuckles.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cook for us on the weekends; you know I enjoy cooking-¡±


    ¡°If you want to cook, I won¡¯tin, but don¡¯t feel you have to cook.¡±


    We fall into afortable silence as the drive continues; I can tell from looking out the window that we are leaving the city limits of New York, but I still have no idea where we are going. Surprisingly though, unlike thest time when I got in the car with Hunter without knowing where I was going, this time there is no anxiety. I¡¯m not worried about where we are going, and I don¡¯t feel trapped likest time. This realization helps reinforce my trust that perhaps I am doing the right thing.


    ¡°We will arrive in about twenty minutes,¡± Carter arrives.


    ¡°Perfect, thank you,¡± Nichs responds.


    ¡°You¡¯re still not going to tell me where we¡¯re going?¡± I ask.


    ¡°No. You trust me, right?¡± he says it with a smile, but his eyes are questioning, almost as if he wants reassurance that I¡¯m okay with this.


    ¡°I do.¡±


    A few minutester, Carter pulls off the main road and up a long dirt driveway. ncing out the window, I can¡¯t see anything to give me an idea of where we are or what we¡¯re going to be doing. I nce down at my outfit, relieved to find it simr to Nichs¡¯s, meaning I¡¯m at least dressed appropriately for whatever he has nned. We drive for some time on the bumpy road, but eventually the SUV stops in front of arge wooden building with a sign that says S&C Ranch.


    ¡°A ranch?¡± I ask.


    ¡°We¡¯re going horseback riding,¡± he answers cautiously.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Have you ever been?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°My parents used to bring us up here in the summers when we were little. I was so scared at first but by the end of the first lesson I was hooked.


    We came back every year until we went off to college.¡±


    Talk abouting frompletely different worlds¡­ you can¡¯t get any different than that.


    ¡°I always wanted to learn to ride,¡± I quickly stop the thoughts that are threatening to ruin this moment.


    ¡°They¡¯ll go basic instructions with us, but the horses know the trails so well that you don¡¯t really need to do anything. We¡¯ll be able to go off by ourselves on a trail that circles the property, the view from-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go by ourselves? What if something happens? What if the horse¡­ does something?¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Trust me, they are incredibly gentle creatures and probably know these trails better than the owners do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±


    ¡°Positive,e let¡¯s go meet the horses we¡¯ll be riding today.¡±


    Despite my fears, I quickly slide out of the SUV where Carter is waiting for us. Nichs¡¯s hand doesn¡¯t leave mine, as we walk over to the wooden fence where several horses roam in the distance. It¡¯s hard to believe that we¡¯re only a couple of hours outside the city, you would think we were in apletely different state. There¡¯s nothing but mountains and trees surrounding the ranch. Gone is the busy, hustle of the city.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful out here,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°It is,¡± when I look up, Nichs¡¯s gaze is on me instead of the view.


    ¡°Mr. Parker,¡± an older gentleman approaches us.


    ¡°Scott,¡± Nichs shakes his hand. ¡°I¡¯d like you to meet my girlfriend, Kenzie. Kenzie, this is Scott; he owns the ranch with his wife Carol.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± I say.


    ¡°Nichs, it¡¯s been too long since you¡¯vee to ride.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m going to try toe back more often.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± he turns to me. ¡°Are you ready to ride?¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± Iugh.


    ¡°First time?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°You have nothing to worry about, let¡¯s go meet your horse.¡±

 Chapter 104

    Scott leads us around the fence where wee to a smaller enclosed area with two horses are waiting patiently. For the next hour, he reviews everything we need to know about the horses. I will be riding a horse named Amber, for her beautiful color, who Scott assures me is their most gentle horse. Nichs will be leading with Max, a slightlyrger horse.


    ¡°Are you ready, Kenzie?¡± Scott asks.


    ¡°I hope so,¡± I try to force myself to rx.


    ¡°Just remember, the horses know where they¡¯re going. They won¡¯t lead you off the path, so don¡¯t worry about getting lost or anything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about falling off!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never happened here, but in the event it does, that¡¯s why you¡¯re wearing a helmet. They don¡¯t spook easily, and there¡¯s nothing on this trail that would bother them. In fact, they just came back from the trip a couple of hours ago.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    I let out the breath I was holding and nod, Nichs squeezes my hand before leaning in and gently kissing me. Getting up on the horse is a lot scarier than I thought; for some reason the seat didn¡¯t look so high when I was standing next to the horse, but being up here now ispletely different. After some adjustments, Scott deres I¡¯m set to ride. When I look up, I find Nichs is already on his horse, patiently waiting for me.


    I gently nudge the horse as Scott instructed, and Amber quickly follows Max. I¡¯m holding the reins tightly, convinced I¡¯m going to fall off each time I bounce in the saddle. Nichs leads us along a worn trail, into the woods but it takes me quite a while to rx enough to actually look at anything other than the horse I¡¯m riding.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he turns to look back at me.


    ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°Try to rx, you¡¯ll enjoy it more if you do,¡± he chuckles.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll stop in a little while for some lunch-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to stop? How do I get off of her?¡± I know he didn¡¯t bring the stool I used to climb up here with us.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, I¡¯ll help you down.¡±


    I try not to worry about that, instead I slowly try to do what Nichs suggested and rx. The area really is beautiful, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anyone else out here but us today. I definitely can¡¯t hear anyone and the parking lot was empty when we pulled in.


    By the time we stop, I can see why Nichs said he wasn¡¯t scared at the end of his first lesson. As scared as I was when we started off, I¡¯m less so now. He quickly hops off his horse, as if it¡¯s something he does every day, and ties the reins around arge wooden post. He does the same to Amber, beforeing to the side to help me down.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Put all your weight on this foot and just swing your other leg over.


    I¡¯ll help guide you down,¡± he instructs.


    It¡¯s incredibly awkward, but I follow his instructions. With his hands firm on my hips, he guides me from the horse. He steps closer to me, so there isn¡¯t much space between my back and his front. He quickly unhooks the helmet, gently putting it next to his on the ground. He turns me around, so we¡¯re facing each other, but doesn¡¯t add any space between us.


    ¡°What did you think?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Oh God, that was amazing! I was so scared at first, but once I finally rxed¡­ it was amazing! It¡¯s so beautiful out here¡­ breathtaking. Thank you for sharing this with me,¡± I stand on my toes, wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. I think I caught him by surprise because it takes a few seconds before he wraps his arms around my waist. I don¡¯t know how long we stay like that, but as I slide back down to my feet, our eyes meet. I don¡¯t move my arms from his neck, and he doesn¡¯t move his from my waist. In fact, our bodies are still touching as if neither of us wants to pull away just yet.


    I don¡¯t know who initiates it, but the next thing I know, our lips meet, and the spark that I felt thest night when we kissed is once again there. The kiss starts off gentle and slow but is quickly deepened when we both grant each other the ess we¡¯re seeking. Nichs¡¯s hands slowly move from my waist, sliding up and down my back and my sides as we kiss. When I run my fingers through his hair, he groans just barely loud enough for me to hear him. I want to touch more of him; I want to run my hands down his chest so I can feel the muscles that I saw when we went swimming on the boat.


    ¡°We should get going,¡± his heavy breathing matches mine when he pulls back just barely enough so I can hear him.


    ¡°We probably should,¡± I admit but I don¡¯t move either. ¡°Thank you for sharing this with me; it really was an amazing experience.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you were here too,¡± he kisses me onest time before taking me by the hand and leading me away from the horses.


    My face flushes with the realization of what just happened, and then of course, my mind goes into overdrive, analyzing what, if anything, it meant. There was no press around, no parents, no one except us. There was no one to put the act on for; yet that kiss was one of the most passionate ones we have shared. Last night¡¯s kiss on the dance floor at dinner, I chalked up to the photographer; I figured Nichs just wanted to drive the point home to the press so there would be no doubt that we were still together. Today though¡­ there was no one around to put on a show for. I¡¯m not sure what to think about what just happened; of course, I enjoyed it but I don¡¯t want things to getplicated between us.


    I follow Nichs through the trees, to a small open area that has a nketid out in the grass, and a pic basket set out on it. I had no idea what to expect when he said we were going to stop for lunch, but a pic lunch on a nket in the middle of nowhere was definitely not one of them. When we reach the nket, he turns around and drops to one knee,pletely surprising me even more.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± He takes a deep breath before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small ck square box.  ¡°The day I met you on the sidewalk that rainy afternoon, I knew you were like no one I had ever met. You were the first woman who ever tried to refuse money from me; it was in that moment that I knew you saw me for me and not for my bank ount. You shocked me again when we met to negotiate our contract with Bridget and you had no idea who I was. I had expected after that afternoon on the sidewalk you would have gone home and searched me out on the inte.


    ¡°Since we met, you have continued to surprise and amaze me. You¡¯re a strong, independent and beautiful woman who puts others before her own needs. I am d that Bridget brought us together; that she sent me your profile that day so many months ago. You have helped me in more ways than you will ever know, and one day I hope to be able to do the same for you. I never expected a friendship to havee from a contract with Bridget, but I am very thankful one did. I have enjoyed spending time with you thesest few months, and I look forward to getting to know you further. Kenzie, will you do me the honor of marrying me?¡±


    Holy shit.  Holy shit.  Holy shit.

 Chapter 105

    Despite knowing that this whole ¡°marriage¡± and subsequent proposal is fake, my eyes can¡¯t help but fill with tears at his words. I never expected an actual marriage proposal; I guess I just of expected him to slip a ring on my finger in the car on the way to his parents¡¯ tonight or maybe before we left the condo. I never dreamed he would have gone through such lengths to actually propose. This entire day¡­ all the trouble he went through to arrange this, with incredibly short time no less, has been nothing short of amazing. Hell, this puts my first marriage proposal to absolute shame, and this one isn¡¯t even real.


    ¡°Kenzie? You¡¯re kind of freaking me out here¡­¡± Nichs pulls me from my thoughts which were about to absolutely ruin the moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you took mepletely by surprise.¡±


    ¡°Will you marry me, Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will, Nichs,¡± I smile and quickly blink away the tears hoping that he didn¡¯t see them. He slips the ring onto my finger, which is a perfect fit, despite not knowing my ring size. He stands up, pulls me close to him and hugs me tightly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispers just before he ces a quick kiss on my lips. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Is it the ring? If you don¡¯t like it-¡±


    ¡°God, no! The ring is perfect!¡± I barely nced at as he slid it on my finger, but no matter what it looks like, I would never ask him to exchange it.


    ¡°Then, why do you look like you¡¯re about to burst into tears?¡± his arms remain around my waist, not letting me move away from him and save myself the embarrassment I¡¯m feeling right now.


    ¡°Nothing is wrong,¡± I try to assure him while finding the words to exin what I¡¯m feeling right now.  ¡°This¡­ today¡­ it was just perfect andpletely unexpected, Nichs. Thank you for all of this, for making today¡­¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± he lifts my chin up so our eyes meet again. I desperately try to blink thest few tears threatening to fall away, not wanting him to think that he did something wrong. His proposal got to me: what he said to me, made me realize how little my ex really knew me and how little he thought of me. ¡°You deserve this and so much more.¡±


    His lips once again find mine; they are soft and gentle as his arms hold me against him. Unlike the kiss by the horses, this one doesn¡¯t deepen, but in an odd way is very different from that kiss. I don¡¯t know how to describe it, but even without his hands sliding over my body, this kiss feels¡­ more intimate. I quickly push those thoughts from my head; surely I¡¯m just feeling that way because I¡¯m emotional from his proposal. ¡°What do you say we have some lunch?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    I see Nichs try to adjust himself without being noticed before he sits down, and the heat immediately rushes to my face, with the realization that our kiss had turned him on. The lines between us are blurring already, and we haven¡¯t even moved in together yet. I don¡¯t know what I think about it either. Thest thing he needs right now is for things to getplicated between us. What happens if the lines are blurred even more between us, and then we suddenly be ufortable with each other?


    ¡°Julie sent some sandwiches, fruit and bottled water for lunch,¡± he has unpacked the pic basket and ced everything on the nket in front of us,pletely oblivious to my worried thoughts.


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± I smile and take one of the wrapped sandwiches from him.


    When we¡¯re eating, I finally look at the ring he slipped on my finger. The center of the ring holds arge square diamond that is easily the biggest diamond that I¡¯ve ever seen. There are at least a dozen smaller diamonds on each side of therge ring which all glimmer in the sunlight.


    ¡°Are you sure you like it? I wanted something that you would feelfortable wearing every day, but if you would rather have something-¡±


    ¡°No, Nichs. The ring is absolutely perfect; it¡¯s really beautiful.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking that until the wedding, you shouldn¡¯t wear the ring in public, so the press doesn¡¯t find out about the engagement before we¡¯re ready for them to. Wearing it tonight to my parents¡¯ and of course, around the condo is fine but for dinners or events¡­¡±


    ¡°No, that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent some time on the inte this weekend, and I found a few ces that I thought we might consider for the wedding.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been busy,¡± I can¡¯t hide the surprise that he managed to arrange all of this, purchase a ring and now spend time researching venues for our wedding, since I agreed to this arrangement less than two days ago.


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°So what venues did you find for the wedding?¡±


    ¡°There are a few on the coast that I think would be perfect for the beach wedding you said you wanted-¡±


    ¡°That was just a dream. If you would rather-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, you¡¯re doing this for me; the least I can do is give you the wedding you¡¯ve dreamed of since you were a child.¡±


    He goes on to describe the different venues, showing me pictures on his iPad that was packed in the pic basket, but I¡¯m still stuck on the fact that he is doing this for me. He is giving me the wedding I dreamed of, when he could have easily arranged a grand wedding in some country club somewhere. Instead, he has chosen venues that advertise small, intimate beach weddings.


    ¡°Any of these three ces would allow us to manage security for the event; a few of the other ces I found online were too open to the public which would make security a challenge. What do you think of these options?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, they all look amazing. I love this one with the rocks in the background-¡±


    ¡°That was my favorite as well.¡±


    ¡°So, we just need to pick a date?¡±


    ¡°If you are agreeable, I¡¯m thinking two weeks from yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Two weeks? You want to n the wedding in two weeks?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fast, I know, but like I said I don¡¯t want too much time to pass before we announce our marriage to the press. And with PFS-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. I just don¡¯t know if we can pull all of this off in two weeks. People n weddings over several months¡­ two weeks¡­ wow.¡±


    ¡°I learned very early on in my career that money talks. If you are agreeable with the date, I can guarantee that two weeks will be enough time to n the wedding. My mother uses an event nner that we could contract with to handle all the details of the wedding, and since we¡¯re not inviting many people we don¡¯t need to worry about giving everyone plenty of notice to attend.¡±


    ¡°If you think we can make it happen, I¡¯m fine with getting married in two weeks¡­ wow, that sounds so weird to say!¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ I thought that when I was looking at these venues. I¡¯ve called all three and they are avable for that weekend so if you definitely want this one, I¡¯ll call them this afternoon and put the deposit down to hold the date.¡±


    ¡°I think this one is perfect, and you said you liked it too, right?¡±


    ¡°I do-the view from the beach is incredible.¡±


    ¡°It really is.¡±


    Over the rest of lunch, we finalize some of the ns for the wedding. Assuming the venue is still avable, in less than two weeks we will be married on a beautiful beach off the coast. We will be meeting with a wedding nner hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday at thetest to outline the necessary ns. Due to concerns with the press, everything will be brought to the ord Towers, rather than us going out to look at cakes, decorations or gowns. It¡¯s going to be a very busy two weeks; I suppose it¡¯s a good thing that I needed to take time off from the bakery, I¡¯m not sure how I would manage all of this otherwise.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 106

    NichsThis content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I walked Kenzie back to her apartment after we returned from horseback riding, so she can get ready for dinner with my familyter tonight.  I¡¯m pleased with how today turned out; everything I nned worked out perfectly. I was worried the ranch would be crowded and I wouldn¡¯t be able to have the privacy I wanted, but once again money talks. I was able to convince the owners to close for a couple of hours to ensure no one would see us while we were there and report back to the press.


    Even though this marriage is a fake, I wanted Kenzie to remember the day I proposed to her. I have no idea how that fucker she was with before proposed, but it was important to me to rece whatever memory she had. Based on the tears in her eyes, I think my mission was aplished.


    When I get back to the apartment, I immediately head for the shower in the en suite off my bedroom. I¡¯m under the water for less than a minute before the memory of kissing Kenziees to the surface. The kiss today ¡­ that was so¡­ so much more than the onest night. I wasn¡¯t nning on kissing her today; the n was to take her horseback riding and then bring her to the pic area where I would propose properly to her. I had hoped she would enjoy the surprise but her reaction took mepletely by surprise. The moment she wrapped her arms around my neck and put her body flush against mine I knew I was done. I tried to behave-I tried not to focus on how she felt against me but I lost that battle quickly. I don¡¯t know if she kissed me or if I kissed her, but when our lips met any thoughts of not focusing on Kenzie¡¯s body disappeared.


    I can¡¯t risk blurring the lines of this arrangement; I can¡¯t risk things bing awkward between us. The impact of that is too great. It¡¯s one thing to kiss her in front of the press likest night or while we¡¯re out in public in case others are watching but the one by the horses was something that just happened between us and had nothing to do with our arrangement. As much as I know I shouldn¡¯t have done it, when her body pressed against mine kissing her was the only thing I could think of. I need to find some way to stop thinking of her like that-it will onlyplicate things between us.


    My dick standing is full attention at the memory of her pressed against me, of her lips on mine¡­ I sigh, shaking my head, realizing that this here is what my sex life is going to consist of for the next year and a half or longer. As I stroke my dick, I imagine her hand on me instead of my own; her soft hand wrapped around me, as I tease her hardened nipples. I can¡¯t help but wonder how she likes to be fucked. Would she like to be taken against this wall? I can easily picture her in here with me, even though no one other woman has ever been in here. I can imagine lifting her up against the wall, her hands would grip my arms as her legs encircle my waist. I nearly lose it when she reaches between us, stroking it onest time before cing me against her opening. Her eyes go wide as I slide slowly into her tight center; her walls convulse around me as her breathing hitches in my ear. It only takes a few quick thrusts to bring her over the edge; she screams out my name which does me in. One final thrust into her, has me emptying myself as she milks me dry¡­


    ¡°Fuck!¡± In the reality of the shower, I find my release by my own hand instead of inside of Kenzie.


    I have no idea how I¡¯m going to fuckingst the next eighteen months if I can barely get through a day with her. It felt so good to kiss her today, to have her pressed against me and to bring that smile to her face after riding for the first time. I was nervous that she wouldn¡¯t agree to go with me this morning without knowing our destination, especially after what happened thest time I tried something like this. But yet again her reaction wasn¡¯t what I expected: when I told her it was a surprise, she didn¡¯t press the issue too much. She didn¡¯t have the near panic attack that she said she had with Hunter. The enormity of the amount of trust she has in me weighs heavy on me.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter finds me in my study a short timeter.


    ¡°Come in, Carter.¡±


    ¡°We believe we have identified Kenzie¡¯s ex-¡±


    ¡°Finally! What the fuck took so long?¡±


    ¡°It took some digging; Kenzie¡¯s name wasn¡¯t on the deed to the house, and the residence they shared wasn¡¯t even the address she used anywhere. We finally identified him through a picture of them attending a holiday dinner through his employer.¡±


    ¡°What do we know about him?¡±


    ¡°Richard Westbrook: somewhat sessful advertising executive for an agency in Denver. From what we can tell, he has had a few sessful campaigns, but has also had a few that went south. He has been with his current employer for about five years but has held a variety of jobs there.¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Now that we have a name, I want to fucking know everything about this piece of shit. I will find a way to ruin him if it¡¯s thest thing I do. He deserves to pay for what he did to Kenzie.


    ¡°On paper, there¡¯s nothing that stands out. He¡¯s 33 years old-¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s almost ten years older than Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ording to the date of birth listed on his driver¡¯s license. He appears younger, so I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he told her he was in his twenty¡¯s. He¡¯s been married twice, both ended in divorce. Minor criminal record: speeding tickets, disorderly conduct¡­ that type of thing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. Nothing that stood out that we have found yet, but I have Brian and Asher continuing to dig further.¡±


    ¡°Very well, Carter. Email me what you have. Did the cops ever find out who broke into her apartment?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, sir. They¡¯re keeping an eye on pawn shops, but ones in that area aren¡¯t typically helpful when ites to police involvement. They believe it was someone residing in the building but they can¡¯t prove it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming they¡¯re closing the case at this point?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re putting it to the side until they receive a lead but otherwise¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Carter.¡±


    I¡¯m not surprised the police weren¡¯t able to find the person who broke into Kenzie¡¯s apartment, though I would have liked to be able to give her that closure.

 Chapter 107

    I did expect something more to havee up on her ex¡¯s background report, though, but at least I finally have a fucking name to go with the little that she has told me about him. So many times I¡¯ve wanted to ask her what the fuck she was doing with a slime ball who wanted to control her life and who hit her, but I don¡¯t. I know that asking her that wouldn¡¯t bring me any answers; I can picture her closing up the moment I raise the issue. I also want to know about her childhood: what happened that she talks so little about that time in her life? I¡¯m tempted to ask Carter to dig into that too, but at the same time, I want Kenzie to open up and tell me herself.


    Before we leave to pick her up for dinner, I call the venue we decided on for the wedding and speak with the manager. I have signed NDAs by all their staff within the hour-hearing that they will have the opportunity to host my wedding has the owner moving very quickly. I contact my travel agent and provide him with the details of the honeymoon that I want booked. If all goes as nned, in just over two weeks, PFS¡¯s PR department will release a statement announcing our marriage,plete with a picture from the ceremony as proof.


    ¡°Good evening, Kenzie, you look¡­ stunning,¡± I can¡¯t help but struggle with the words when she answers the door in a deep blue wrap dress that seems to hug her curves just perfectly, before bing much looser at her waist.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she blushes and moves to close the door.


    ¡°Hunter, Ben and Julie will be down shortly to move your boxes and take care of the kitchen. If they miss anything, they will get it tomorrow morning for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    With my hand on her back, we head to the parking garage where the SUV is waiting to take us to my parents¡¯ house. Looking at the ring on her hand has reality setting in-I, Nichs Parker, will be getting married in less than two weeks. Even if the marriage is arranged, and not for love, the idea that I¡¯m letting a woman back into my personal space is frightening.


    Before the weekend I was sick, I swore I would never let a woman into my space; that I would never put myself at risk again. I learned with my ex that an NDA means nothing; for the right price she was willing to risk it all. I¡¯ll never know if her motive was simply money or if it was to actually ruin me. I have no doubts that Kenzie is different, but the risk still remains nheless. I trusted my ex; I let her into my life, never expecting her to end up being aplete fake who only used me. I never expected to fall for her to the point of practically blinding me; although looking back, I think the attraction was more lust than anything else. The realization of just how blind I was has me second guessing this entire arrangement with Kenzie-what if it backfires on me again? Kenzie has proven to me that she isn¡¯t like my ex, but what if it¡¯s all an act? What if she is just a better actress than Harper was? What if-


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Kenzie pulls me from my near anxiety attack.


    ¡°Yeah, fine,¡± I lie.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you are because I¡¯m a nervous wreck,¡± she admits with a smallugh.


    ¡°You are? Why? You know my parents adore you,¡± I turn my focus back to her, relieved to not have to go down memoryne, analyzing all the mistakes I¡¯ve made in my life.


    ¡°I worry what your parents will think about our engagement-that maybe they will think it¡¯s all too soon. Most people take months to n a wedding, yet we¡¯re doing it in less than two weeks. Don¡¯t you think they will be suspicious about that?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, calm down,¡± I squeeze her hand reassuringly. ¡°My parents knew each other for less than one week before they were married so-¡±


    ¡°What? Less than a week?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they were married six days after they first met,¡± I chuckle recalling the story my parents have told us so many times. ¡°They met at some type of a conference they were both attending. My mom was there as part of a med school ss, while my father was there because a friend dragged him along to keep him from being bored. It was in Vegas, of all ces. Over lunch on the first day, they were in line next to each other, and when my father realized that my mother was there alone, he invited her to join him for lunch. The story goes that they hit it off immediately; they spent the next few days spending all their free time together. Even though they lived near each other, when the time came to leave Vegas, neither of them wanted their rtionship to end. Personally, I think a little alcohol was involved in the decision, but ording to the both of them after the final day they were walking around the city onest time and walked past a wedding chapel. My father joked that they should get married and when my mother turned to him to say yes, they walked right into the chapel.¡±


    ¡°Really?  Wow¡­ that¡¯s so sweet!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been married 35 years now and love to tell the story of how they met every year on their anniversary. They both said after spending so much time together they just knew that they were meant to be. When they returned home, they moved in together and finished their degrees while supporting each other.¡±


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t think this will sound suspicious to them?¡±


    ¡°I think they are going to be surprised; I can almost guarantee that. They probably expect something like this from Cara, but they will definitely not expect it from me. I think it would raise more concerns if they hadn¡¯t met you already, so that¡¯s definitely going to work in our favor.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous; my family adores you and they will be happy with the news.¡±


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am,¡± Carter alerts us that we are parked in my parents¡¯ driveway. I hadn¡¯t realized the car had stopped since my focus was on easing Kenzie¡¯s concerns.


    ¡°I should take this,¡± I slide the ring off of her finger before we leave the car. ¡°I¡¯ll put it back on at dinner right before we share the news.¡±


    She nods and I slip the ring into my jacket pocket before sliding out of the SUV; she follows after me, and we walk into my parents¡¯ house with my hand on her back. We are immediately greeted by Cara who quickly lets Kenzie know how much she loves the dress she is wearing tonight. I watch as she takes Kenzie¡¯s hand and leads her into the great room where everyone is waiting for us. I sit down next to Austin who, unlike thest time we were here, looks much more like himself and immediately starts talking about the baseball game that was on yesterday.


    ¡°Everyone, dinner is ready,¡± my mom announces a short timeter.


    Kenzie waits for me before heading into the dining room. As we sit down I can sense the nervousness returning to her as her leg shakes under the table.


    ¡°Stop worrying,¡± I lean over and whisper to her before cing my hand on her knee, trying to calm her down. She smiles at me although the tension doesn¡¯t leave her body; I leave my hand on her knee, under the excuse tofort her, even if it¡¯s more because I don¡¯t want to not touch her.


    Small talk is made while we pass around the tes of food; once again, Kenziefortably joins in on conversations, and my family does everything they can to include her at dinner. One of the first times I brought Harper here for dinner, it was beyond ufortable; I swear you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. At the time, I chalked it up to her being nervous about meeting my family, but looking back I realize how little of an effort she even made to get to know them.


    I can¡¯t picture her ever going shopping with Cara like Kenzie did, and she certainly never would have let Cara dress her in those awful outfits that Kenzie wore. Watching Kenziefortably chat with my family, eases my earlier worry and leads me to think that perhaps, I am making the right decision.


    When dinner finishes, I take Kenzie¡¯s ring from my jacket pocket and slip it under the table. While Kenzie is talking with my mom about something, I bring her hand beneath the table onto herp. To anyone who is paying any attention, I¡¯m sure this just looks like I want to hold her hand. However, once our hands are hidden by the table cloth, I slip the ring back onto her finger and give her hand a gentle squeeze preparing her for the announcement I¡¯m about to make.


    ¡°I have some news that I would like to share,¡± I take a deep breath and say during a lull in the conversation. All eyes are immediately on me; I¡¯m sure everyone expects me to share some news about apany PFS has brought on or something like that. I doubt anyone expects what I¡¯m about to say. ¡°Earlier today, I asked Kenzie to marry me, and she said yes.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± My mom leans back in obvious surprise. ¡°I¡¯m thrilled for you both; this is so exciting.¡±


    ¡°Never thought I would see the day, bro but congrats,¡± Austin ps me on the back.


    ¡°Congrattions, Son,¡± my dad said.


    ¡°So, have you picked a date yet?¡± Cara asks. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to start nning!¡±


    ¡°We will be getting married two weeks from yesterday,¡± I reply and watch everyone¡¯s jaws hit the floor for the second time in only a few minutes.


    ¡°Oh my God! Are you pregnant, Kenzie?¡± Cara asks loudly.


    ¡°No! Definitely not,¡± Kenzie quickly stammers.


    ¡°Cara!¡± mom scolds her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I just thought¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Cara. No, we are not nning a quick wedding because Kenzie is pregnant,¡± I confirm, almost chuckling to myself at the irony of that question, given that Kenzie and I haven¡¯t even had sex.


    ¡°Two weeks¡­ that¡¯s not much time, Nichs,¡± my mom points out.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a lot of time, but we both want a very small wedding so there won¡¯t be a lot to n. The venue for the wedding has already been booked-¡±


    ¡°Where are you getting married?¡± Cara interrupts.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°On a beach on the coast of the Carolinas,¡± I answer.


    ¡°Wait until you see the pictures, it¡¯s absolutely beautiful there. The beach is very private and is surrounded by rocks and the ocean,¡± Kenzie describes the pictures we viewed online almost perfectly. I can see the smile in her eyes as she describes the beach where the ceremony will take ce.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already booked the location?¡± my dad asks, his eyes questioning.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve been talking about getting married for a couple of weeks now, so we knew the type of wedding we both wanted. Before I proposed today, I found a few venues that I thought Kenzie would like and afterwards we both chose one that happened to be our favorite.¡± ¡°How did he ask you, Kenzie?¡± my mom asks.


    ¡°Hepletely surprised me,¡± Kenzie goes on to tell how I picked her up this morning, took her horseback riding and then proposed over a pic lunch.


    ¡°Nichs, can I speak to you for a moment?¡± My dad asks.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± I whisper to Kenzie before kissing her gently on the cheek and following my dad into his office. I was expecting him to ask to see me, no doubt to ensure that I have had Kenzie sign a prenup.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a drink to celebrate your engagement, Son,¡± he pours me a small ss of scotch. We clink our sses before taking a drink.

 Chapter 108

    ¡°Before you ask,¡± I decide to put everything on the table before he can even bring it up. ¡°Yes, Kenzie has already signed a prenup. She is aware that she is not entitled to half of mypany if our marriage were to end.¡±


    ¡°While I¡¯m d to hear that, and appreciate you thought this through, I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into,¡± he takes another drink before continuing. ¡°Marriage isn¡¯t easy; it¡¯s not something you do one day and never think about again. Marriage takes work-you have to bemitted to spending the rest of your life with that beautiful woman out there. You need to make the time in your busy schedule to ensure she knows every day how much you love her. You need to make sure that you spend time together, and I don¡¯t mean at all these business dinners that you go to. Once in a while, you need to spend time just with her. Even if that¡¯s just curling up on the couch and watching a movie; it¡¯s important that you take those couple of hours out of your busy schedule to let her know that she is important to you. Marriage is not another client that PFS takes on: one that you pay attention to in the beginning and then let it do its own thing and monitor it through financial reports every month-¡±


    ¡°Dad, I wouldn¡¯t-¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you are nning to do any of this. I am just sharing my experience with you. It¡¯s easy to let life take over and for your marriage to take a back seat to everything else going on, especially with PFS as sessful as it is. I don¡¯t want you to lose what you have right now; anyone can tell by the way you two look at each other how in love you are. Don¡¯t ever stop looking her like that, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, Dad.¡±


    His words startle me; that¡¯s the second time that someone has said that they can tell how in love Kenzie and I are by the way we look at each other. When my mom first said it, I chalked it up to us being good at acting but my father seeing it is surprising. He¡¯s not the romantic type, so for him to say what he said confuses me. What is it they are seeing between me and Kenzie? How are we looking at each other that make people think we are in love? Of course, it¡¯s great for publicity and supports our arrangement further, yet I can¡¯t help but wonder what it is people are seeing. Could they just be seeing two friends who care about each other? That must be it-they must be confusing that with love¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m very happy for you, Son. It¡¯s obvious how much Kenzie loves you, and it¡¯s good to see you happy again. I haven¡¯t seen you smile this much in a very long time.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡±


    We make our way back to the great room where Kenzie is chatting with my mom and Cara about our wedding ns. They¡¯re talking about flowers and decorations: all things I could care less about.


    ¡°We do not want the media to learn of our engagement as a security measure; we need to ask that for now you each keep this news to yourself. We will be using a wedding nner who will have everything brought to


    ord Towers rather than us going into stores to make decisions.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. I¡¯ll give you the name of the event nner I use; you don¡¯t have to use her Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Vivienne, that would be very helpful,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°I know you said this was going to be a small wedding, but how small are we talking?¡± my mom asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I look at Kenzie but she shrugs. ¡°We want it very small; just immediate family and probably Alex and E from work.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, how many people from your family will you be expecting?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ my family will not be able to attend our wedding,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°Oh,¡± my mom is obviously surprised by this. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°We will probably end up with a dozen or so people at the wedding,¡± I quickly bring everyone back to the original topic to take the focus off of Kenzie. She looks incredibly ufortable right now; I doubt she expected anyone to ask about her family and why they wouldn¡¯t be in attendance at our wedding. I wrap my arm around her lower back, trying to keep her from thinking about her past.


    ¡°That sounds lovely: small and intimate,¡± my mom says.


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re going for,¡± Kenzie smiles and I can almost see the tension leaving her body. ¡°I couldn¡¯t see having a huge wedding surrounded by people you barely know. It seems too formal for me.¡±


    ¡°I assume your PR department will make some sort of announcement about the marriage afterwards?¡± my dad asks.


    ¡°Yes, while we¡¯re on our honeymoon, my PR department will release a statement and a chosen picture from the ceremony announcing our marriage,¡± I exin.


    ¡°Where are you going for a honeymoon?¡± Cara asks.


    ¡°That¡¯s a surprise,¡± I smile at Kenzie, who is looking at me unsure. ¡°Not even Kenzie knows where we are going.¡±


    ¡°How is she going to know what to pack? A girl needs to know these things, Nichs; you can¡¯t just spring-¡± Cara tries to argue.


    ¡°I will arrange to have a personal shopper put together everything she will need for the honeymoon, Cara, don¡¯t worry,¡± I assure her. ¡°And if there is something that is forgotten, we will pick it up there.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure it will be wonderful wherever you go,¡± Mom says.


    Before we leave to head home, my mom and Cara have nned toe to ord Towers as soon as it can be arranged to help Kenzie chose a wedding gown. I almost interrupted, to let them know it wasn¡¯t necessary because I didn¡¯t want Kenzie to feel pressured, but after seeing her eyes light up I realized that she was looking forward to having them there with her. I hadn¡¯t thought that nning a wedding might be hard for her without having any family of her own to help her. I¡¯m grateful that my mom and sister stepped in and offered their support.


    ¡°Everything moved in, Carter?¡± I ask as we drive back.


    ¡°Yes, sir. Ms. Rose¡¯s boxes have been ced in the spare bedroom next to her room.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Carter,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°Of course, Ms. Rose.¡±


    ¡°You know you can call me Kenzie, right?¡± she smirks.


    ¡°Yes, Ms. Rose,¡± I can almost hear the snicker in his voice. She¡¯s been after him for months to call her Kenzie, but he sticks with Ms. Rose for the most part.


    When we get back, I take Kenzie on a quick tour of the apartment, having learned that Carter only showed her a few main areas when she stayed the weekend here. She absolutely falls in love with the library the moment I open the door. I make a mental note to have Carter arrange for arge,fortable chair to be moved into the room so she can have a ce to read. I can see her eyes trying to focus on the titles of the books, trying to figure out what to read first.


    ¡°I need to get some work done tonight, but I needed to talk to you for a moment,¡± we head back into what is now her bedroom.


    ¡°I know I told you that I have nightmares, but I need you to know that they can get loud and sometimes very rough at times. It¡¯s very likely you will be able to hear them from your room-¡±


    ¡°Nichs-¡±


    ¡°I just need you to know that you cannot wake me up when I have a nightmare. Carter tried once and it resulted in him having a ck eye and a split lip. I can¡¯t¡­ I¡¯m not myself when I have a nightmare. I can¡¯t have you in there. I can¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Nothing helps keep the nightmares away?¡±


    ¡°No. I saw therapists for years when I was younger, but nothing ever changed. I would never forgive myself if I idently hurt you,


    Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Thank you for letting me know.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I need to get some work done. Your boxes are next door, but you should find a fully stocked closet behind that door-¡±


    ¡°Wait! What?¡±


    I chuckle and close the door behind me as I hear her walk across the room towards the closet. I knew she would try to tell me she didn¡¯t need all the clothes in the closet the moment she opened the door, so I figured it would be best if I left before she had the chance to say anything. I had arranged for the personal shopper that my mother and Cara use to have aplete wardrobe delivered while we were out this morning.

 Chapter 109

    Kenzie


    ¡°No! Please¡­ don¡¯t hurt me¡­ I¡¯m sorry!¡± A voice screaming pulls me from my deep sleep.


    I quickly run out of my room, following the sound of the screaming which seems to bing from downstairs. As I approach the bottom of the steps, I realize the screaming ising from Nichs¡¯s bedroom. I immediately rush to his door and try to open it, but the door is locked. I recall the conversation we had the other night when he cautioned me not to try to wake him from a nightmare. I can¡¯t just stand here and listen to it, though; I need to do something.


    ¡°Nichs? Nichs?¡± I knock on the door and call out to him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be a good boy I promise¡­ please¡­¡±


    My heart is breaking as I hear the nightmare; I slide down the wall and sit outside his door. I don¡¯t know what to do, but I don¡¯t feel right going back to my room while he is in so much pain. I wish I knew where the keys were to his room; I wish he could hear me calling his name from the door.


    ¡°No! Please¡­ don¡¯t hit! I don¡¯t want a bath! No! I be good boy.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how long the nightmarests, but I stay outside the door, sitting on the floor trying toe up with some idea to wake him up. Eventually the screaming stops, and it turns to sobbing at which point I can¡¯t stop the tears from my own eyes from falling. I don¡¯t know much about his childhood before he was adopted by the Parkers; his speech at the awards dinner the night he became sick hinted at it but we never discussed it. After hearing the nightmare tonight, I realize how little I really know about his past¡­


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    I hear Nichs mumble, and I immediately run back up to my bedroom. I don¡¯t want him to know that I was sitting outside his door or that I heard the nightmare. I saw how hard it was when he first told me he suffered from nightmares; I don¡¯t want to make things ufortable between us by asking about them.


    ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± Nichs says as I enter the kitchen after washing up and changing out of my pajamas the next morning.


    ¡°So are you,¡± I smile.


    ¡°I have work this morning, what¡¯s your excuse?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a morning person by nature. Actually sleeping until six iste for me; when I worked at the bakery I was up by four or sometimes even earlier.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll get back there you know. Once the press dies down after our wedding is announced, you¡¯ll be able to return to the bakery. If you want to-¡±


    ¡°I do. I hope you¡¯re right. Ginny said she would hold my job, but I don¡¯t know if she thought it would be this long. I don¡¯t know how the new owners will feel about holding my job.¡±


    ¡°Have you talked to Ginny?¡±


    ¡°A few days ago, I called her to see how everything was going.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°She said, for now the new owners have decided to leave everything as is. They apparently hired her to manage the ce for at least the first year to ensure the transition is smooth, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Is she okay with that? I know you said she wanted to move to be closer to her daughter, right?¡±


    ¡°She said they are giving her a good amount of paid time off so she doesn¡¯t mind working. She had assumed it would take a year or two before she found a buyer for the bakery, so I guess she had nned to keep working, at least for now.¡±


    ¡°Good, then it sounds like you have nothing to worry about. In a few weeks, the press will realize there is nothing more to write about and will start to leave us alone. Things will get crazy once our marriage is announced, which is why I¡¯m having the PR department time it so we are out of the country-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving the country?!?!¡± This is the first clue I have received on the location of our honeymoon.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he chuckles. ¡°But that¡¯s all I¡¯m saying about where we are going.¡±


    ¡°No other hints?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Good morning, Ms. Rose, what would you like for breakfast?¡± Julie asks walking into the kitchen.


    ¡°Whatever you have made is fine,¡± I¡¯m finding it very difficult to get used to the idea that someone is here to cook for me.


    ¡°Mr. Parker is having an egg white omelet, would you like that or something else?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, thank you, Julie.¡±


    ¡°What are your ns for today?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Your mom and Cara areing over; the wedding nner has arranged for gowns to be brought over today from a local shop she has worked with in the past.¡±


    ¡°Oh good.  And you¡¯re okay with my mom and Cara being here for it? I wasn¡¯t sure-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more than okay with it. It¡¯ll be nice to have a second opinion on the dresses anyway.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ is there anyone you want to invite to the wedding? I can arrange flights for them; money isn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°No, there isn¡¯t anyone.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? I really don¡¯t mind-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I don¡¯t have anyone I would consider inviting to my wedding. Even if this wasn¡¯t,¡± I nce at Julie, not really sure how much I can say in front of her. ¡°So sudden, there isn¡¯t anyone I would want to have there with us. I don¡¯t have anyone I consider my family.¡±


    ¡°If¡­ okay,¡± he¡¯s clearly surprised by my honesty, but I needed to


    say it.


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, your breakfast,¡± Julie has perfect timing, breaking the awkward moment between us as she sets tes in front of us.


    ¡°Thank you, Julie,¡± I say just as she leaves the kitchen.


    ¡°The wedding ns areing along then?¡± Nichs asks as we eat.


    ¡°I think so. After today, I should have a dress picked out which will probably take a few days for the alterations to be done. I picked out some simple flowers from pictures she sent me yesterday. There are so many small details I hadn¡¯t realized that I would need to decide on.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°What color runner is on the sand, what the setup of chairs look like, whether or not we have wedding favors, what type of appetizers to have¡­ the list is just endless.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to decide all of that. Just tell her to use her discretion; these people n weddings on a daily basis. I¡¯m sure she can put a package together for us to review.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡± I hadn¡¯t thought about that, but it would definitely take some of the pressure off of me.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Absolutely. Have her send you something tomorrow and when I get home from work we can review it all.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll call her today.¡±


    ¡°I need to get going. I¡¯ll see you tonight,¡± he kisses me on the cheek before heading towards his office.

 Chapter 110

    I ce our tes in the sink before heading to the library to get lost in a book before Cara, Vivienne and all the dresses arrive. I am surprised when I walk into the library and see an oversized chair sitting near therge window that wasn¡¯t there the other night when Nichs showed me the library. As soon as I find a book, I head over to the chair, finding it just asfortable as it looked. It¡¯s one of those chairs that isrge enough for you to get reallyfortable in without being cramped. After a couple of hours of reading, I realize I need to get ready for the rest of my day. I¡¯m once again surprised when I walk into my room to find two small boxes on my bed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Opening therger box first, I find a brand newptop; the small box contains a brand new iPhone, which puts my cheap smart phone to shame. I open the card that was on top of the boxesst:


    Kenzie,


    Thought this might help you with the wedding nning. Your phone number has been transferred to this phone. A few important numbers have already been programed in it for you. Both are connected to the Wi-Fi in the apartment for your convenience as well.


    Take care,


    Nichs


    I can¡¯t believe he gave me aptop and a phone! I admit looking at the pictures yesterday on my phone was challenging, but it worked perfectly fine. I certainly did not need a brand new phone or aptop!  Part of me is touched that Nichs would think I might find these items helpful, but the other part of me doesn¡¯t like that he continues to buy me things. When I moved in here the other day, I found the walk in closet of my bedroom filled with more clothes than I could possibly ever need. Not just dresses and gowns for when we go out together, but jeans, sweaters, pajamas and even undergarments. I don¡¯t think I want to know how the personal shopper was able to determine the perfect bra size based on a picture of me that the press had taken.


    Thank you for the phone andptop, but I cannot ept them K


    Is something wrong with them? Do you prefer a different brand or model? N


    There¡¯s nothing wrong with them. The brand is fine K


    I¡¯m not sure I understand what the issue is. N


    I don¡¯t need them K


    Theptop will help you with the wedding nning, right? It will make it easier for you to n all the details of the wedding.  N


    Yes, but K


    The phone, is more about your safety than anything. This phone is thetest model which means that it has all the top security features already installed. Additionally, it is linked to PFS¡¯s ount which means the phone cannot be easily hacked. My IT department installed several firewalls on both theputer and the phone to prevent anyone from gaining ess to your emails, pictures or any documents you have saved on there. Your old phone was not capable of sustaining these firewalls. N


    I suppose that makes sense. K


    Theptop was just to make things easier for you. I saw you trying to look at things on your phonest night and thought it would be easier to see all the information and details if the screen was bigger. N


    You¡¯re right. K


    You okay now? N


    I¡¯m good. K


    I have to get back to my meeting. Alex is giving me mean looks because I¡¯m not paying attention. N


    I¡¯m sorry! You shouldn¡¯t have responded if you were busy. K


    The meeting is boring anyway. I¡¯d rather be talking to you than listening to this presentation. N


    I¡¯ll see you tonight. Stop texting me. K


    Have fun dress shopping. N


    I smile at our text exchange and while I still don¡¯t feelfortable epting theptop and the phone, at least now I understand the reason behind it. When this arrangement has ended, I vow to leave theptop, phone and all the clothes behind. The prenup arrangement was clear, in exchange for marrying him, I will walk away with the condo downstairs and hopefully a college degree. I don¡¯t feel right epting other things from him; it makes me feel like I¡¯m using him for his money or something.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± Hunter knocks on my door, pulling me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Hi, Hunter,¡± I open the door to greet him.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker and Ms. Parker are on their way up,¡± he announces.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I quickly head down to the great room; by the time I reach the bottom of the steps, Cara and Vivienne are exiting the elevator with a long rack of dresses with them and another woman I don¡¯t recognize. I¡¯m introduced to the woman, who I learn owns a very exclusive bridal shop in the city. She has brought at least a dozen or so dresses for me to try on. After going through several, I only decide to try on a couple. All of the dresses are beautiful, but some of them just don¡¯t look like they would work well for a small private wedding. Maybe if it were arger wedding but for something this small, I wanted something simple.


    ¡°Good afternoon,¡± Julie joins us as we are looking through the dresses. ¡°I have some refreshments that I will set up over here. If you would like something else, please let me know.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Julie.¡±


    ¡°So, are you ready to try on a dress, Kenzie?¡± Cara asks.  I¡¯m convinced she is more excited than I am.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll try on this one first,¡± I pull the first dress that initially caught my eye when we were looking at them. ¡°I¡¯ll take it upstairs-¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you change in bedroom down here, Kenzie? I¡¯m sure it will be easier than going back and forth upstairs,¡± Vivienne suggests.


    ¡°Um, sure, I¡¯ll be right back,¡± I quickly grab the dress and head towards Nichs¡¯s bedroom which thankfully is unlocked.


    I close the door behind me andy the dress on Nichs¡¯s bed. I feel odd being in here without him being home or even knowing that I¡¯m in his room. It sort of feels like I¡¯m invading his privacy by being in here, but Vivienne had a good point that it would be easier to change in here than go back and forth to my bedroom.


    How¡¯s it going? N


    Trying on the first dress now. K


    Found a couple you like? N


    I think so. Hope you don¡¯t mind, your mom suggested I try the dresses on in your room rather than going up and down the stairs to change. I¡¯ll be in and out quickly. K


    It¡¯s fine. Take your time. N


    Thanks. K


    See you tonight. N


    I have to admit, I¡¯m enjoying texting with Nichs, which is something we weren¡¯t able to do with our previous arrangement. He did eventually text me while we were still under contract with Bridget, but it took him a while to do that since he didn¡¯t have my number.


    I quickly take off my clothes and slip into the dress that I had chosen. As soon as I put it on, I realize there is no need to try on the other dresses; this dress is absolutely perfect. The dress has thick spaghetti straps holding it up, the front drops just enough to show a very small amount of cleavage while the back is open to about the center of my back. There are small stones sewn into the shoulder straps and on the bottom of the dress which adds just enough sparkle in the light.  The dress is fitted to my waist and then loosens up slightly but not to the amount of your typical wedding dress.  There¡¯s no need for a big slip or anything under this dress. ncing at Nichs¡¯s mirror in the bathroom, my decision is finalized that this is the dress I will wear.


    ¡°Oh, Kenzie,¡± Vivienne gasps when I walk back into the great room.


    ¡°You look so pretty!¡± Cara exims.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± I¡¯m so d they think so highly of this dress.


    ¡°We have a few others to try on yet-¡± The shop owner begins to pull another dress from the rack.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that will be necessary. This is the dress that I would like for the wedding,¡± I interrupt.


    ¡°Perfect! I wish all brides decided as quickly as you did! Now we need to talk about your shoes so I know how much to hem from the dress.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I won¡¯t be wearing any for the ceremony itself.¡±


    ¡°None?¡±


    ¡°No, the wedding is on the beach, so I¡¯m going to walk down the aisle bare-foot.¡±


    ¡°How romantic!¡± Vivienne gushes in the background.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°And for the reception?¡±


    ¡°ts¡­ probably ballet type ts. Definitely no heels,¡± I answer.


    ¡°Perfect, other than hemming it a little, I don¡¯t see the need for any other alterations.¡±


    Cara, Vivienne and I chat long after the shop owner leaves with the dresses. Using the newptop, I show them the pictures of the flowers that the wedding nner sent me yesterday. They both seem to like the flowers which are simple yet colorful. It was nice to have someone to share the ideas with and to get someone else¡¯s opinion on things for the wedding. I haven¡¯t wanted to bother Nichs with the small details, considering how busy he has been with PFS.


    The next few days go by slowly; Nichs workste most nights,es home for dinner and then works again until long after I¡¯ve gone to bed. I¡¯vee to enjoy our breakfasts together: it seems to be the only time of the day that he isn¡¯t distracted by iing emails on his phone or reviewing files for meetings the next day. Our wedding ns areing together quickly-I took his advice and gave the wedding nner the suggestion to present full options to us rather than each individual choice for each item. It worked well and after reviewing the choices, we both agreed to a menu, bar option and ceremony set up.


    By some stroke of luck, I haven¡¯t had a nightmare since I moved in. My nightmares aren¡¯t regr; sometimes I go weeks without one, and then there will be weeks when I have several. There never seems to be a reason to the pattern, but right now I¡¯m thankful that I¡¯m not having them. I wish I could say the same about Nichs-he seems to have them almost every single night. Each night, I sneak downstairs and sit outside his bedroom door until the nightmare ends. Of course, I knock on the door and try to call his name, but it never works.

 Chapter 111

    Nichs


    Thest two weeks living with Kenzie have flown by: adjusting to living with her was much easier than I expected. The first couple of days, I couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous leaving her at the condo when I went to work. It had nothing to do with her and everything to do with what happened when I had left Harper in my apartment. Each day, though I came home and nothing was disturbed in my office or in my bedroom; even when she tried on wedding dresses in there.


    Last weekend we went out for dinner and of course, we were photographed as soon as we left the restaurant. The press continues to publish articles about me although they seem to range from the standard ¡°when are they going to break up?¡± to the ¡°why is she staying with him?¡± None of the articles seem to hint at our uing marriage which leads me to believe that the NDAs that I had all the vendors sign were effective. ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Melody¡¯s voice grabs my attention.


    ¡°Yes, Melody?¡±


    ¡°Alex is here to see you, sir.¡±


    ¡°Send him in please.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Melody?¡±


    ¡°The other Mr. Parker is also here requesting to see you.¡±


    ¡°Let him know that I will meet with him after I am finished with Alex.¡±


    ¡°He is requesting to meet with you and Alex together, sir.¡±


    ¡°Very well, send them both in.¡±


    My brother very rarely ever shows up to PFS unannounced so the fact that he is here right now has my interested peeked. Even more so, once Melody said that he wanted to meet with me and Alex. I can only assume he has a business proposition he wants to discuss, although rarely would he request Alex be in the meeting.


    ¡°Hey, bro!¡± Austin barrels into my office.


    ¡°Austin, this is a surprise,¡± I shake his hand and gesture for him to sit down.


    ¡°Parker,¡± Alex nods and sits next to Austin. One shared look between them has me wondering what the true reason is that they are both sitting in my office. Alex and Austin get along very well, almost too well, since they are so much alike. One look at them confirms that they have conspired together for something¡­ I just don¡¯t know what it is.


    ¡°What did you two do?¡± I ask when neither of them start the conversation first.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Austin answers quickly.


    ¡°We¡¯re breaking you out, Parker,¡± Alex states simply as if those few words exin everything.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re taking you out to celebrate yourst taste of freedom,¡± Austin exins. ¡°Since you refused to let me throw you a bachelor party, we¡¯re going to a bar to have some fun.¡±


    ¡°Austin, I can¡¯t just leave-¡±


    ¡°Melody has cleared your schedule, so actually you can just leave,¡± Alex interrupts. ¡°Never did I think I would see the day when Nichs Parker gets married. You have two days left of freedom, and Austin and I n to help you at least enjoy today.¡±


    ¡°No strip clubs,¡± I warn.


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Austin rolls his eyes at the reminder.


    ¡°We will be going to The Summit for the night,¡± Alex exins. ¡°We figured it was the only way you would agree toe with us. Austin wanted to kidnap you and drag you to a strip club downtown, but I quickly squashed that idea. Although I have to tell you, the idea of watching a bunch of half-naked women dance around on stage for a few hours was a hard one to refuse.¡±


    ¡°I still think we could have gotten him there,¡± Austin winks at Alex knowingly.


    ¡°No, you couldn¡¯t have,¡± I say firmly. Thest thing I need is for the press to get pictures of me at a fucking strip club!


    ¡°Whatever, bro, listen, Cara is on her way to your apartment to get Kenzie ready-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°When Cara heard that we were nning on taking you out, she insisted that she had to take Kenzie out as well. Unfortunately, Carter didn¡¯t like the idea of you both going to different ces-something about it being a security nightmare.¡±


    ¡°It would be.¡±


    ¡°We settled on reserving the VIP section of The Summit for tonight, with Kenzie and Cara meeting us there. Carter arranged security for the evening and for getting the girls there,¡± Austin exins.


    ¡°Probably the only bachelor party in history where the bride-to-be and the groom¡¯s sister is present,¡± Alex grumbles.


    ¡°Can it, Alex, you¡¯re just mad that you won¡¯t get to see a bunch of naked women tonight,¡± I chuckle.


    ¡°True.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow night, Alex,¡± Austin winks.


    ¡°What¡¯s tomorrow night?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Since you are flying out a day early, Alex and I are having a bachelor party without you.¡±


    ¡°Is that really a bachelor party without a groom-to-be?¡±


    ¡°Probably not, but there will be a bunch of hot women there!¡±


    ¡°When are we leaving?¡±


    ¡°Um, now of course. Here¡¯s some clothes to change into; we don¡¯t need you looking like a stiff all night,¡± Austin tosses me a bag with jeans and a shirt from my closet.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be back in ten for you, Parker,¡± they leave my office, whispering back and forth about something.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Cara just arrived. She says we¡¯re meeting you? K


    Alex and Austin just informed me of our ns for tonight. Are you okay with this? N


    I don¡¯t mind. Do you need me to bring you anything from here? K


    No, apparently they had Julie grab me a change of clothes. N


    Cara showed up with a bunch of clothes for me to wear tonight too.


    K


    Guess they really nned this out. N


    Sounds like it. K


    I¡¯m told that Carter has arranged security. N


    Yes, Hunter and Ben will be with us tonight. K


    Good, stay close to them. The club shouldn¡¯t be too busy when you arrive. N


    I will. See you soon. K


    After quickly changing into the clothes that Austin tossed at me, I send a few emails and check my calendar to ensure that Melody had rescheduled the call I hadter today. It¡¯s already after five, so I¡¯m not technically leaving work early, but I rarely ever end the day before sixthirty unless I have a meeting scheduled off site. I am off the next ten days, so I had nned to workter than normal tonight to ensure everything was wrapped up before leaving tomorrow morning. Other than Alex, Brian and Asher, most of the staff at PFS believe that I¡¯m leaving tomorrow for a vacation; something that I haven¡¯t done in years. Whatever I didn¡¯t get to finish this evening, will fall on Alex when I¡¯m away, which I suppose will be punishment enough for him for dragging me out of the office today.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Austin walks in, with Melody quick on his feet, telling him he shouldn¡¯t be walking into my office.


    ¡°Its fine, Melody,¡± I assure her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! I¡¯m starving!¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, Austin. Shouldn¡¯t you be working today?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be happy to know I finished my job early this week, and the next project doesn¡¯t start until Monday.¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter appears at my doorway a few minutester.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Carter,¡± I confirm and I see a hint of surprise in his eyes before he quickly hides it.


    Alex is ready and waiting for us at the elevators. I quickly let Melody know where everything stands on the projects I was working on, promising to email her tomorrow morning with anything I forgot. The ride to The Summit is short; it¡¯s only a few blocks from PFS which makes it convenient for business meetings and happy hours for the local businesses in the area. During the day, it offers fine dining and catering for meetings, but by night it turns into a very popr nightclub.


    Thankfully, Carter has nned ahead and reserved arge table in the VIP section of the restaurant. The area is set further back from the dance floor but has a dedicated wait staff, so you are never waiting long for food or drink refills. It¡¯s roped off from the rest of the club, with security members ensuring that anyone not on the proscribed list doesn¡¯t enter the area. This area has been useful for celebrating business deals and even on a rare asion for a celebrity who is in town and wants a night out. When we arrive, the tables are already filled, with the exception of thergest table which has been reserved for us. Austin takes it upon himself to order a few bottles of wine, beer and a buffet of appetizers.


    ¡°Told you I was starving,¡± he shrugs when I shake my head at him.


    ¡°Damn, Parker!¡± Alex whistles embarrassingly loudly a few minutester.


    ¡°Alex!¡± I re at him, but he doesn¡¯t respond.


    His eyes are glued to the entrance to the VIP area. It only takes me a second to realize why he reacted the way he did. Slowly walking towards our table is Kenzie¡­ looking hotter than ever before. My jaw nearly hits the floor as I take her in: she is wearing a tight, short ck dress that entuates every curve of her body. Thin straps appear to be the only thing holding the dress up. A narrow strip ofce lines the bottom of the dress, which falls just to the middle of her thighs.


    ¡°Close your mouth, bro,¡± Austin chuckles at me.


    I manage to stop myself from staring at her just as she arrives at our table. Remembering my manners, I quickly stand to greet and kiss her lightly on the lips, while wrapping my arm around her waist. She says hello to everyone before sitting next to me at the table. Cara joins us a few minutester, having stopped to chat with some people at another table.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to make a toast,¡± Alex says once everyone is seated. A waitress appears out of nowhere, pouring pink champagne in everyone¡¯s sses. ¡°I told Nichs earlier today, I never thought I would see the day he would be about to take off for his wedding. I¡¯ve known him a long time, and I¡¯ve never seen him happier than he has been in thest few months. You¡¯ve made him happy, Kenzie, and for that, the staff at PFS thanks you immensely as you have inadvertently made our jobs easier. I haven¡¯t known you for very long, but you must be doing something right if you can manage to make this man happy. If he ever gives you a problem, you call me. I¡¯ve known him and Austin for so long, I have plenty of dirt I can share with you so you can use it against Nichs-¡±


    ¡°Hey! What did I do?¡± Austin interrupts.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do something to piss Kenzie off at some point in the very near future,¡± Alexughs.


    ¡°I would never!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± Kenzie says quietly, and I feel her hand squeeze mine under the table. I have no doubt she is worried about what happens when our marriage is dissolved, but I refuse to focus on that. Right now, this arrangement is the perfect solution to my issue with the press- anything that happens because of the divorce will be dealt with when it happens.


    ¡°Stop worrying, I can make Alex¡¯s life a living hell too,¡± I lean in close to Kenzie and joke with her so no one at the table can hear us. She smiles and giggles softly before turning her attention to Cara who is asking her about wedding details.

 Chapter 112

    I¡¯m surprised that I end up having fun out with Austin, Cara, Alex and Kenzie; I typically try to avoid spending much time in the nightclub portion of The Summit, but tonight it doesn¡¯t bother me at all. We enjoy a great meal, many drinks and chat easily throughout the night. Once again, Kenzie seems to fit right in with everyone, easily jumping in to conversations. It amazes me how different this dinner would have looked three years ago.


    ¡°We should do shots!¡± Cara exims.


    ¡°I¡¯m game,¡± I agree. With Carter, Hunter and Ben all here tonight, I know we have more than enough designated drivers to go around. ¡°I¡¯ve never done a shot, but I¡¯ll try one,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°How have you never done a shot?¡±


    ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    Everyone is clearly as surprised as I am to learn that Kenzie has never had a shot before. She had mentioned that she has only been drunk once, but I assumed she had at least experimented with alcohol especially since she went to college.


    ¡°Sorry, guys,¡± she blushes this adorable shade of red when she realizes all the attention is on her. ¡°I¡¯ve had beer, wine and mixed drinks, of course but never had a shot.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll just have to fix that right now,¡± I signal for the waitress to bring us over a bottle of liquor and several shot sses.


    ¡°To Kenzie and Nichs!¡± Austin raises his shot ss, and everyone mimics him before gulping down his shot.


    ¡°Take it all at once, real quick,¡± I whisper to Kenzie who is sort of eye balling the shot ss full of liquid in her hand. I tap my shot ss to hers, she takes a deep breath and with her eyes never leaving mine she gulps down the shot in one swift move. She grimaces a little, but quickly smiles as she puts the ss down.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± she says.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do another!¡± Alex announces.


    A couple of shotster, we¡¯re watching Kenzie and Cara on the dance floor. I can tell Kenzie is starting to feel the effects of the shots she has had tonight; it seems when she drinks she tends to rx more. She seems to have let her guard down a little or maybe she is less focused on impressing everyone at the table and more focused on just having a good time. Whatever it is, I like this side of Kenzie. I can barely see the dance the floor from where we are sitting, but I know that Hunter and Carter are watching them.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go check on the girls,¡± I have a sudden urge be near her, even though I know she¡¯s protected.


    ¡°You just don¡¯t want to keep your hands off her any longer,¡± Alex chuckles, clearly also feeling the effects from his many drinks tonight.


    I shake my head but don¡¯t necessarily refute what he said: if we were just two people here at the club, I would be all over her. If it wasn¡¯t for the fear of screwing things up between us, I wouldn¡¯t be able to keep my hands off of her. If I thought I could just fuck her for one night, I would take her to a hotel nearby for the night. If only I could be what she needed¡­


    ¡°Get the fuck off of her!¡± Kenzie¡¯s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I run to the dance floor where I find a young guy on his knees and Hunter standing between the guy and Kenzie. Carter is talking to Kenzie, who looks like she is fuming.


    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡± I ask.


    ¡°He grabbed my ass!¡± Cara nods towards the man on the floor.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°She kicked me in the nuts,¡± the man res at Kenzie.


    ¡°You¡¯re the reason he¡¯s on the ground?¡± I ask, astonished.


    ¡°You got what you deserved. Next time keep your hands to yourself. She told you she wasn¡¯t interested,¡± Kenzie shrugs.


    ¡°Hunter get him out of here, and make sure he is never permitted to enter my club again,¡± I state.


    ¡°You can¡¯t-¡± the man growls.


    ¡°Actually, as the owner of this club, I can and just did. Now unless you want to get yourself banned from every other nightclub in New York, I suggest you quietly get the fuck out of my club!¡± ¡°You own this club?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°Of course he does. You didn¡¯t know that?¡± the surprise in Cara¡¯s voice is evident.


    ¡°He¡­ he said he owned a club, I just hadn¡¯t realized it was this club,¡± Kenzie lies.


    ¡°Are you girls okay?¡± I ask.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine. Kenzie saved the day,¡± Cara giggles. ¡°I¡¯m going to get us another shot. Don¡¯t go anywhere!¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡± I lean to Kenzie so she can hear me over the music. I¡¯m fucking proud of her for defending Cara, but at the same time I¡¯m fucking pissed that she had to in the first ce.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Hopefully the guy will think twice before trying to feel up a woman after she tells him she¡¯s not interested.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to go back to the table?¡±


    ¡°No, I want to dance. I¡¯m not going to let him ruin my night.¡±


    ¡°Okay, if you¡¯re sure.¡±


    ¡°Will you dance with me?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Cara returns with three shots; we all m them back quickly before the next songes on. Kenzie and I start dancing; I try to stay a safe distance from her, not wanting to be too close to her. When the dance floor bes more crowded, though, that bes impossible. We¡¯re about a foot apart from each other, when Kenzie takes a step back to let someone pass by us. I ce my hands firmly on her hips, to ensure she doesn¡¯t lose her bnce as someone squeezes between her and the girl in front of us. She barely seems to notice and continues to dance to the beat of the song; her eyes close as she seems to lose herself in the music.


    When she wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder, I nearly lose it. Her firm ass is practically grinding against my dick; whether this is on purpose, or only because of the music, I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s driving me crazy. The more she moves against me, the harder I be. I can easily say what happened next was to keep up the appearance of our rtionship, but the reality is that¡¯s not true. Having her so close to mine moving against mine, made it impossible to think about anything else. The only thing on my mind was taking her home and getting her beneath me. Screw the arrangement, screw the risk ofplicating things between us, screw the thought that one night together wouldn¡¯t change everything between us. All I knew was that I wanted her.


    Unsure if I was the only one feeling this way, I softly kissed Kenzie¡¯s neck. When she tilts her neck to give me better ess, I know that she is feeling the same way. I kiss, lick and nibble at her neck; she moans and even pushed herself harder against my dick. Only a small portion of my brain alerted me to the fact that we were on the middle of a dance floor practically making out. My hands roamed the sides of her body as my lips tease her neck.


    ¡°Okay, you love birds. I need to go home,¡± Cara screams at us.


    I can feel the heat rush to Kenzie¡¯s face as she probably bes embarrassed in the realization of what we were doing. When she tries to take a step away from me, I wrap an arm around her stomach anchoring her to me. Not only do I not want to let her go but if she were to take a few steps from me the entire dance floor would know the effect of her dancing against me.


    ¡°Ben will take you home,¡± I nod towards Carter, who is watching us from the perimeter of the dance floor.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you two Saturday! Thanks for letting us have some fun tonight, Nichs!¡± Cara walks off the dance floor heading toward Carter and Hunter.


    ¡°Do you want to head home?¡± I ask.


    ¡°If you¡¯re ready to,¡± she agrees.


    ¡°Just give me another minute, I¡¯m not sure I can walk just yet,¡± I request.


    ¡°What? Oh,¡± she blushes again in the realization of my words.


    A few minutester we are in the SUV that Hunter had gotten from the valet and are heading back to ord Towers. The ride is quiet, but there¡¯s no denying the sexual tension between us. I have a feeling that if Carter and Hunter weren¡¯t in the car with us, we would be acting very differently. When we finally reach the parking garage, it takes everything in me not to pull Kenzie against me when Carter and Hunter finally exit the SUV. Obviously sensing our need for privacy, Carter says that he will be taking the service elevator up and disappears as the main elevator doors close.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I told you how amazing you look tonight,¡± I grab Kenzie¡¯s hand and gently pull her toward me.


    ¡°Really? It¡¯s really not my style, but Cara insisted it looked good on me.¡±


    ¡°Good? Fuck, Kenzie, you look amazing in this.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± her voice is barely above a whisper which shreds thest bit of reason I have.


    Without giving it a second thought, I wrap my arm around her waist and capture her mouth in mine.  She gasps in surprise, which I take advantage of by slipping my tongue into her mouth. She moans, her body softening against mine as her hands grip my arms tightly. Whether the alcohol has given her courage or she loses her own internal battle, her soft tongue finds mine, and I groan loudly as the desire to have her bes too much. I have no doubt that with her body pressed against me right now, she can feel just how much I want her.


    When the elevator dings, I guide us into the foyer, never taking my lips off of hers. All I can think about is getting her beneath me. I pause in the foyer, unsure of where to take her. Do I take her to my bedroom, where no woman has shared a bed with me? Do I take her upstairs where we first slept together the night I learned she too had nightmares? When she sucks on my bottom lip, I know I¡¯m done-I just need her beneath me and quick!


    I press her against the wall, desperately needing to feel her against me even more than she already is. My hands roam her body, feeling every curve through the tight, short dress she is wearing. When I find her bare thigh, I slowly move my fingers upwards, gently pushing the hem of the dress up as I go.  Her hands move to the buttons on my shirt, her fingers barely touch the bare skin beneath my shirt. I know I need to do something, because if she touches me I won¡¯t be able to hold back. I quickly grasp her wrists and pull them above her head; I hold them in one hand and move my other hand back to her soft leg.


    Within seconds Kenzie¡¯s body bes stiff; she starts wiggling against me, only not in a sensual way.  When I lean back, her eyes are filled with absolute fear. She pulls her hands free from my grip and drops to the floor. She wraps her arms around her knees and starts rocking back and forth very slowly. Her eyes are tightly closed.


    ¡°Kenzie? Baby? What happened?¡± I kneel down next to her, but she doesn¡¯t respond. ¡°Kenzie? Please, tell me what just happened¡­¡±


    She flinches when my hand barely touches hers, and I immediately pull back from her. I have no idea what to do. I try talking to her, reminding her that she is safe here and that no one will hurt her ever again. I don¡¯t know how long we sit on the cool tile floor of the foyer, but eventually Kenzie stops rocking back and forth, although she doesn¡¯t really acknowledge that I¡¯m next to her or talking.


    At some point I realize that she must have fallen asleep or passed out, because her breathing has finally be steady and she is more rxed. While I¡¯m d that whatever she was reliving has stopped, I¡¯m still left with her sleeping on the floor of my foyer. Knowing that I can¡¯t leave her here, I test the waters by cing my hand on hers. She doesn¡¯t flinch like she did earlier, but her body stiffens just slightly.


    ¡°Kenzie, baby, if you can hear me, I¡¯m going to pick you up now. I¡¯m just going to put you to bed; I¡¯m not going to hurt you. No one is going to hurt you ever again,¡± I whisper and slowly slip my arm under her legs and the other around her back.


    I wait for a response, for any indication that I¡¯m making things worse by touching her right now.  Thankfully, she doesn¡¯t give me any. I easily lift her off the foyer floor, her body is tense, but as I walk she presses herself into my chest. I don¡¯t give it a second thought; I take her straight to my bedroom. I tell myself it¡¯s because my bedroom is closer to the foyer and that I don¡¯t want to leave her alone tonight. Kicking open my door, Iy her in the center of my bed. I slip her heels off before grabbing a T-shirt from my closet for her to sleep in.


    ¡°Kenzie? I¡¯m going to take your dress off now and put a shirt on for you to sleep in. If you¡¯re not okay with this, please tell me,¡± I beg her, not wanting to risk hurting her more than I already have tonight.


    She doesn¡¯t move; I don¡¯t think she even hears me right now. I sigh heavily. I wanted Kenzie in my bed especially after the way her body moved against mine on the dance floor tonight, but I didn¡¯t want her like this. I straddle Kenzie¡¯s legs, careful not to put any weight on her and slowly pull the dress up her body. It takes everything in me not to look at what she is wearing beneath her dress. I focus on the task at hand: getting this dress off of her and getting my shirt on her quickly. Undressing and redressing an unconscious woman is definitely a lot harder than I ever expected it to be, but a few minutester she is wearing my T-shirt¡­ still fast asleep.


    I ce a gentle kiss on her cheek before climbing off the bed and covering her with a nket. I use the attached bathroom to wash up and change my clothes. When I return to my bedroom and see her lying in my bed, the thought of sleeping in another room is gone. I slip into my bed and quickly fall asleep with her warm body next to me. I want so bad to pull her closer to me, just so I can feel her against me again, but I¡¯m petrified of hurting her more than I already did.

 Chapter 113

    Kenzie


    I feel heavy; I can¡¯t breathe. It hurts to breathe; I try to open my mouth but I can¡¯t. Something is holding my mouth shut. I open my eyes and try to scream. He is on top of me. Why is he in my room? Where is my mom? Why isn¡¯t she here? I try to push him away, but I can¡¯t move my hands. He¡¯s holding them over my head; he is stronger than me. I scream against the hand covering my mouth. I try to kick him, but my legs are pinned down by his.


    ¡°Shut up, bitch!¡± he hisses in my ear. ¡°Your mother can¡¯t help you


    -she¡¯s passed out in our bed and there is no fucking waking her.¡±


    I move my head back and forth, trying to get his hand off of my mouth. I¡¯m struggling to breathe; he is on my chest, pushing me into the bed. He stinks: he smells like the bar I had to get my mom from the other night. When his leg pushes between mine, I know I need to get him off of me before something happens. I bite down on his hand as hard as I can.


    ¡°You fucking BITCH!!!!!!!¡± He screams and ps me across the face.


    ¡°HELP!!!!!!!!!! GET OFF OF ME!!!!!!!!!¡± I scream as soon as I get a breath in.


    ¡°Baby¡­ what are you doing?¡± My mom suddenly appears at the entrance to my bedroom. There¡¯s just a sheet covering where the door should be-the door was missing when we moved into this shithole and no one has bothered to fix it since.


    ¡°This little bitch just bit me!¡± he finally releases my hands, and I immediately move away from him. I shrink into the corner of my bed, curling myself in a ball trying to get away from him.


    ¡°Come back to bed, sweetie, I¡¯ll take care of you,¡± she res at me, like I¡¯m in trouble, even though I didn¡¯t do anything wrong.


    ¡°She won¡¯t be able to protect you all the time,¡± he slips his hand under my ass and squeezes it hard beforeughing as he gets out of my bed.


    I jump out of bed, run to the bathroom before falling to my knees in front of the toilet and throw up everything in my stomach. When I feel a man¡¯s hand on my back, I jump and instinctively move closer to the wall, assuming he somehow found me.


    ¡°Kenzie? It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not going to hurt you,¡± I hear a soft voice tell me. It takes me a few minutes to work up the nerve to open my eyes; part of me fears that I¡¯m going to wake up in the nightmare again.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± I whisper when I finally do open my eyes and see him kneeling on the floor next to the toilet.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get you a washcloth and some water, okay?¡± he asks and I nod in response unable to find the right words to say. When I hear him slowly walk away, I lift my head and for the first time I realize I¡¯m not in the bathroom that¡¯s attached to my bedroom. My quick nce around the room confirms I¡¯m in Nichs¡¯s bathroom which could only mean that I was in his bed¡­ that I slept in his bedroom.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± he holds out the washcloth and a ss of water, careful not to touch me. ¡°Can I get you anything else?¡±


    I shake my head as I take a small drink of water. The water feels good on my sore throat and the washcloth helps my body cool. As my body finally begins to settle down, reality creeps back up on me. I haven¡¯t had that nightmare in years; in fact, I haven¡¯t even thought about that night in forever. I try to piece together what might have happenedst night that triggered the nightmare for me. Something must have triggered it, why else would it suddenly appear after all these years? I can¡¯t think of anything that happened at the club that would have caused it, except maybe the guy who tried toe on to Cara? But things seemed fine after that. I remember dancing with Nichs afterwards¡­


    ¡°Are you okay, Kenzie?¡± his voice pulls me back to reality.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡­ I think so.¡±


    ¡°If you give me your hand, I¡¯ll help you up,¡± he offers his hand to me to help me off the cool bathroom floor which I cautiously take. ¡°I¡¯ll wait in the bedroom, if you want to use the bathroom.¡±


    I nod and watch as he leaves the room. Using a washcloth, I wipe down the toilet, thankful that I was at least able to get everything into the toilet without further embarrassing myself in front of Nichs. After I use the toilet and wash my hands, I realize I need to do something about my breath. I find some mouth wash on the sink and gargle several gulps of that before spitting it out. There¡¯s only one toothbrush in the drawer, which I assume is Nichs¡¯s, but seeing as there is no other, I use it vowing to buy him a new one. I ssh cold water on my face, and after spending way too long in the bathroom, I open the door to find him pacing his bedroom floor waiting for me.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asks immediately.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you,¡± my voice is much weaker than I intended it to be.


    ¡°Do you want to tell me what happened?¡±


    ¡°I had a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°I gathered that, but this one seemed different than the one you had before.¡±


    ¡°It was.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to tell me about it?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± I shrug and sigh heavily. I already bring so much baggage to this arrangement, I hate the idea of Nichs knowing even more. What if he decides it¡¯s too much? What if he decides he would rather have this arrangement with a girl who didn¡¯te with so much? He already knows I had an abusive ex and that I have no family that I want at my wedding, surely he knows there is more than I haven¡¯t told him about my past. This baggage¡­ this is the exact reason I knew I could never date again.  It¡¯s too much for anyone to deal with, especially for someone who needs the perfect woman by his side.


    ¡°Does¡­ does it have something to do with what happenedst night?¡±


    ¡°What happenedst night?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I¡¯m trying to figure out why¡­ why I would have this specific nightmare. I haven¡¯t had it in years, but I can¡¯t figure out what would have happenedst night to trigger it. Did something happen? Is that why I was in your bed? Oh my¡­ did we¡­?¡±


    OH GOD! If we had sex I would have remembered, right? Tell me I didn¡¯t drink so muchst night that I can¡¯t remember sleeping with Nichs. ncing down I realize I¡¯m wearing a men¡¯s T-shirt, one that I¡¯ve never seen before and is too big for me. This all but confirms we had sexst night. I¡¯ve wondered what it would be like to have him make love to me but¡­ God I had hoped if it did ever happen I would have remembered it! Is it even possible to have sex with someone and not remember any part of it?


    ¡°Kenzie, Kenzie!¡± Nichs pulls me from my worrying thoughts. ¡°We didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t? You¡¯re sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± he chuckles. ¡°We slept in the same bed, but nothing happened. Trust me, I prefer my women to be coherent when I¡­ when we¡¯re together.¡±


    ¡°Thank God,¡± I sigh and sit on the edge of the bed. The moment I see his eyes widen, I realize how awful my words sounded. ¡°Oh¡­ shit¡­ Nichs I didn¡¯t mean-¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s fine-¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean it to sound like it would be the worst thing ever if we had¡­ slept togetherst night. I was¡­ I was worried we had and that I wouldn¡¯t be able to remember it.¡±


    ¡°So, it wouldn¡¯t be the end of the world if we slept together?¡± his eye brows raise as if he is considering the possibility.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that¡­ I would just hope that if it¡­ if we¡­ that we both would remember it,¡± I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re actually having this conversation.


    ¡°I agree and just so you know, Kenzie, I would never have taken advantage of youst night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s understandable why you would. I¡¯m sure you weren¡¯t expecting to wake up in my bed, wearing my shirt with me sleeping next to you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ about that. Can you clue me in as to what happenedst night and how I ended up in here?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s thest thing you remember?¡±


    I search my memory, trying to pull the bits and pieces ofst night to the front of my mind. Unfortunately, there is so much stilling through from the nightmare, that I¡¯m having trouble deciphering betweenst night and many years ago.


    ¡°The elevator¡­ the foyer¡­ we were¡­ kissing,¡± I blush saying the words. We did a lot more than kissing-we were practically making out like two horny teenagers if I¡¯m remembering correctly.


    ¡°We were,¡± he chuckles, but seems relieved that I remembered that. ¡°I think I¡¯m the cause of your nightmare.¡±


    ¡°You? How could you have caused my nightmare?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ Fuck, Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°We got off the elevator¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to¡­ we were both into it¡­ At least I thought you-¡±


    ¡°I was,¡± I assure him, not wanting him to feel guiltier than he already seems to feel.


    I don¡¯t want him to think that he misread somethingst night; I may have had a little too much to drink but he wasn¡¯t acting alone on the dance floor, or when we came herest night. Just remembering how it felt to kiss him and to have his arms around me, raises my body temperature even now. Never did I think that he thought of me like that; we¡¯ve had a few kisses here and there, but nothing thates close toparing it tost night.


    The day he me horseback riding, the kiss we shared after that and when he proposed was¡­ amazing butst night it was on apletely different level. Dancing together, being with him like that, just felt so right and¡­ natural. It felt natural to have his arms around my waist, my back pressed to his chest and his lips on my neck. It was as if the contract didn¡¯t exist between us and we were just a normal couple.


    I thought it was just me, but when I felt Nichs press against my ass, I knew I wasn¡¯t the only one caught up in our dance. I expected it to end there; that he would pull back when we arrived back at the condo, but the moment we entered the elevator everything heated up between us again.


    ¡°I¡­ you went to unbutton my shirt and your fingers brushed against my chest¡­¡±  Nichs pulls me from my heated memories of arriving homest night.


    ¡°Okay?¡± I¡¯m not understanding what the issue is.


    ¡°I knew if you touched me, things would be over before they even started. I wanted you so muchst night¡­ but I wanted to take my time with you.¡± He blushes and looks away, something I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve ever seen him do before. ¡°Thest thing I wanted was to end things too quick, so I stopped you¡­¡±


    ¡°You held my hands,¡± reality and the nightmare are starting to make sense in my head now.


    ¡°Yes,¡± his eyes are on the floor, and he is shaking his head no almost as if he is trying to erase his actions.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Kenzie. I¡­ I didn¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°Of course, you didn¡¯t know-you have nothing to apologize for. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong-¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± his eyes finally meet mine, and I can see he is angry, but I don¡¯t think for a second that his anger is directed at me.


    ¡°I fucking did that,¡± he gestures toward the bathroom, ¡°to you! I¡­ God, Kenzie, you scared the fucking shit out of mest night. I fucking did that to you!¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    He is back to pacing the floor of his bedroom and running his hands through his hair; he doesn¡¯t even respond when I call his name. I watch him going back and forth, not sure what I should do. I know I need to tell him what happened and why I reacted the way I did, but I¡¯m scared to. I¡¯m scared that if I tell him he is going to decide it¡¯s all too much.

 Chapter 114

    This whole thing was supposed to be simple; we weren¡¯t supposed to even get this close. I never thought when Bridget approached me that I would develop a friendship with someone she set me up with. I never considered that my past would have any ce in the dates she would set up. I can feel myself almost start to panic when I think of the possibility that Nichs might want to cancel our new arrangement once he realizes that I¡¯m too much. It¡¯s not even the thought of losing the financial security, a safe ce to live, a college education¡­ it¡¯s the idea of losing him and this friendship¡­


    ¡°Kenzie, if you want to¡­ if I¡­ if you don¡¯t want to live here any longer. I¡¯ll understand,¡± once again his eyes are on the floor.


    ¡°Do you¡­ do you want me to move out?¡± my voice is barely above a whisper. I¡¯m almost afraid to ask the question, not knowing what his answer will be.


    ¡°Fuck, no! Of course, I don¡¯t want you to leave!¡± his voice leaves no doubt in my mind that he is being honest. ¡°But after what I did¡­ I¡­ I can understand if you want to leave.¡±


    I stand up from the bed and meet him halfway through his next pace; I take his hands in mine and squeeze them. Of all the things to happen the day before our wedding, this was definitely not one of them. I didn¡¯t expect Nichs to be standing in front of me with so much guilt over something he had no control over.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to move out,¡± I say firmly hoping that my words sink in.


    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± I see the surprise in his eyes when he looks up.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything, Nichs,¡± when he opens his mouth to disagree, I quickly continue without giving him a chance to argue with me. ¡°My reactionst night? That was all me-that wasn¡¯t about you. I didn¡¯t think you were going to hurt mest night, not once. When you held my hands¡­ it brought back¡­¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± he wraps his hands around my waist and slowly pulls me toward him.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He watches my reaction, I guess he thinks I¡¯m going to push him away or stop him. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him close to me so I can kiss him. The kiss is gentle and soft but instantly has both of our bodies rxing. I can feel the tension leave him as he begins to rub circles on my lower back.


    ¡°Will you tell me what happened?¡± he whispers.


    ¡°Will you tell me about your nightmares?¡± I ask in return.


    ¡°I¡­ yes, I will,¡± he sighs.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agree.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try to get a little more sleep before we¡­¡± he suggests.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that I can. I usually can¡¯t fall back to sleep after a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°I know; I can¡¯t usually either. But we have a long couple of days ahead of us, and it¡¯s only four o¡¯clock in the morning. Even if you just lie down, you might feel better.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    I only have a moment to wonder if I should return to my bedroom to try to sleep, not sure what Nichs was suggesting before he leads me back to his bed. In a weird way, I¡¯m sort of relieved that he didn¡¯t suggest I go upstairs to my bedroom. I guarantee I wouldn¡¯t have been able to go back to sleep if I were up there by myself. When my head hits the soft pillow, I realize just how tired I really am. Whether it was from staying outtest night or the nightmare, I¡¯m not sure, but surprisingly sleep easily finds me once I close my eyes.


    I wake up some timeter feeling incredibly hot; it takes me a few seconds to realize the reason I¡¯m so hot is because his arms are wrapped around me, and his chest is pressed against my back. I quick nce at the clock tells me we¡¯ve been sleeping for almost six hours now, which surprises me because I can¡¯t remember thest time I slept in sote.


    And then there¡¯s the fact that Nichs is sleeping in the same bed with me¡­ again. He told me a few weeks ago that he doesn¡¯t sleep with women because of his nightmares, yet this is the second time he slept next to me. Last night I kind of understand, given the apparent mess I was, but I¡¯m not quite sure what to think about him wanting me to sleep in his bed after my nightmare. Regardless of whatever his reason was, I have to admit it feels nice to have his arms around me. I feel safe and protected; neither of which I have felt for a very long time. ¡°You okay?¡± he asks.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you were awake,¡± now I have to wonder how long he was lying there watching me.


    ¡°I just woke up a few minutes ago,¡± that makes me feel a little better.


    ¡°What time do we need to leave today?¡±


    ¡°We need to be at the airport by two; we should arrive by threethirty or four o¡¯clock depending on how quickly we are approved to take off. My parents are meeting us at the airport but everyone else is flying in tomorrow. I have the entire floor of the hotel reserved for the night, so we have plenty of rooms for everyone.¡±


    ¡°You reserved the entire floor of the hotel?¡±


    ¡°It was better for security purposes,¡± I feel him shrug against me as if it were no big deal.


    ¡°I should get up.¡±


    ¡°Stay, I want to talk aboutst night.¡±


    I nod, knowing that we can¡¯t avoid this conversation forever and roll over so we¡¯re facing one another. His arm remains around my waist, while the other is under my head acting as a pillow. Our legs are intertwined and only a few inches of space separate us. I expect to feel awkward lying in bed this close to him, but surprisingly I don¡¯t. It kind of just feels right¡­


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I-¡±


    ¡°Before I was adopted by Theodore and Vivienne, I had a pretty rough time,¡± Nichs decides to start with this story first, which is more than okay by me. ¡°I was born to a young, single woman, who was a high school dropout and couldn¡¯t maintain a job. I don¡¯t remember much about my time with her¡­ some images here and there of the shitty apartment we lived in, memories of a neighbor who used to watch me on the rare asion she actually had a job¡­ and the bathroom¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t-¡± I can tell how hard this is for him.


    ¡°I do,¡± his eyes meet mine briefly before looking somewhere over my shoulder. ¡°She used to punish me by putting me in the bathtub filled with hot water. I don¡¯t remember when it started, but I still have memories of being forced to sit in the tub with water burning my legs. I suppose I was fortunate, I don¡¯t think the water was ever so hot that it caused blisters since I don¡¯t have any scars from it.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    My heart breaks for him as I picture a small, scared little boy being forced into a hot bathtub by the woman who is supposed to protect him. ¡°Anyway¡­¡± he clears his throat before continuing. ¡°One day¡­ I was five, almost six, she picked me up from the neighbor¡¯s apartment and brought me home. She brought a happy meal home-you have to


    understand, for me, that was a true rarity. I think it was the second time I ever had one; she always said she didn¡¯t have extra money for it. Afterwards, she told me it was time to get ready for bed and that I needed to take a bath. I still remember the smile on her face when she said it, because it was so unlike all the other times she would bring me in there¡­ to be punished.


    ¡°When I didn¡¯t get in the tub right away, she put her hand in the water and told me that it was perfect-not too hot and not too cold. I remember being so relieved when I stepped into the tub and it wasn¡¯t hot. I yed for a little while before she told me toy on my back so she could see me float. I did as she asked, closing my eyes¡­ the next thing I knew¡­ her hand was on my chest pushing me under the water-¡± ¡°Oh my God,¡± I gasp.


    His hand grips my hip tightly, as if he needs to hold onto me. I wrap my arm around his waist and tug him a little closer to me until there¡¯s no space left between us. I want to say something, but how the hell do you respond to someone telling you that their mother tried to kill them?


    ¡°I remember fighting against her hold¡­ taking in gulps of air and hearing her yell when I was able to get to the surface¡­ she kept pushing me back under. I remember watching her from below the water¡­ she was screaming, but then would smile down at me,¡± he shudders against me.


    ¡°She must have been yelling pretty loud because the next thing I knew I was being lifted out of the water. The neighbor had heard her screaming about releasing the devil or something like that. She had to break into the apartment because the door was locked. My¡­ birth mother¡­ she kept trying to grab me and put me back in the tub. She kept screaming that the devil was inside of me and needed to be released.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°The cops came and brought me to the hospital, I was released that night into the Parker¡¯s care. They had been approved as a foster home and were willing to take in emergency cements. It was supposed to be temporary, just until they could find a permanent cement for me.¡±


    ¡°But they decided to adopt you.¡±


    ¡°Despite my recurring nightmares that kept everyone up at night, they did,¡± he finally looks at me and smiles sadly. ¡°I celebrated my sixth birthday with them only a few monthster, during which they asked if I wanted to stay with them forever.¡±


    ¡°What happened to her?¡± I whisper, almost afraid to ask, but at the same point needing to know.


    ¡°She killed herself in a psychiatric facility a few months after¡­¡± he pauses. ¡°From what my parents were able to find out, she had severe post-partum psychosis. I don¡¯t remember, but they said she had been pregnant. About a year before¡­ she¡­ the baby was stillborn. She didn¡¯t have any prenatal care before¡­ they don¡¯t know if she even knew she was even pregnant. They think that triggered the psychosis¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°It is what it is¡­¡±


    ¡°When I was thirteen, we lived in this crummy run-down trailer,¡± I begin after a few minutes of silence. I need him to understand that my reaction was not to him necessarily, but was because of what he did.


    ¡°My¡­ mother had moved us to Georgia to live with some guy she had met in a bar somewhere. She¡­ my mother had a lot of problems with drugs and alcohol¡­ and men. She jumped from guy to guy, bed to bed, house to house. We never stayed in one ce for very long-when she got tired of a guy, she found a new one to move on with. Anyway, she moved us to Georgia with¡­ Brett,¡± I cringe saying his name again. ¡°He creeped me out from the day I met him. I didn¡¯t like the way he looked at me. It was like he was imagining what was under my clothes. I avoided being there alone with him: I stayed after school aste as possible before walking home. They both worked odd jobs, so it wasn¡¯t always easy to know when someone would be home or not home. He didn¡¯t do anything¡­ until one night-¡±


    ¡°What. did. he. do?¡± Nichs¡¯s teeth are tight together, and I can hear the anger in his voice.


    ¡°I was asleep in bed when they got home-it was reallyte, and they were drunk or high. I eventually fell back to sleep after I heard them go into their bedroom. When I woke up,¡± I take a deep breath and close my eyes, not wanting to say the words. ¡°He was on top of me. My hands were¡­ he held them above my head with one hand; the other was covering my mouth. He had my legs pinned with his; he was too strong for me to push him off of me.¡±


    ¡°Did he¡­¡±


    ¡°No, thank God,¡± I answer his unasked question quickly. ¡°Although I have no doubt he was going to. I bit his hand, he yanked it back and pped me. I screamed as loud as I could; finally my mother came to the room. It wasn¡¯t until she asked him what he was doing that he finally got off of me. I crawled to the corner of the bed, against the wall, trying to get away from him.¡±


    ¡°What did she do? Tell me she kicked him out-¡±


    ¡°No, I wish. She told him toe back to bed so she could take care of him. I¡¯ll never forget the look she gave me when she said that: she med me for what he did-¡±


    ¡°You were a child!¡±


    ¡°Before he left my room, he warned me that she wouldn¡¯t always be able to protect me.¡±


    ¡°Did hee back into your room again?¡±


    ¡°No, in fact I never saw him or her again.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°When I came home from school the next day, they were gone. I didn¡¯t think anything of it because it wasn¡¯t unlike them to disappear for days at time. After about a week, I began to wonder if they wereing back. When I went into their room and saw that most of their things were gone, I realized they wouldn¡¯t being back.¡±


    ¡°They just left you?¡±


    ¡°They did.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ God, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he pulls me even closer to him. He just holds me and rubs my back for the longest time. ¡°The nightmarest night¡­ it was about that night?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I haven¡¯t had that nightmare in years, not since right after they left.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I had no idea-¡±


    ¡°You had no reason to think that holding my wrists would have caused¡­ my reactionst night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never do that again, I swear to you-¡±


    ¡°I trust you, Nichs.¡±

 Chapter 115

    Nichs


    I wake up drenched in sweat with the nkets wrapped around me. I¡¯m breathing heavy, and my heart is pounding; I fucking hate these nightmares. I hate that I can¡¯t sleep through the night except for the rare asion they don¡¯t haunt me. The fact that I can¡¯t share a bed with a woman has never bothered me, it¡¯s just something that has always been a part of my life.


    But now¡­ I can¡¯t help but think back to how it felt to sleep with Kenziest night. Not after her reaction to¡­ to what I did of course, but after we talked and I brought her back to my bed. She fell asleep so fast-Iid there watching her sleep for the longest time. I wanted to know what happened to her. I wanted to wake her up and demand she tell me. When she asked if I would tell her about my nightmares, I knew I had no choice if I wanted her to be open with me.


    When she reacted to¡­ to what I did, I assumed it had something to do with that shithead ex fiance she had who enjoyed hitting her. I was floored by what she had told me about her mother¡¯s ex and even more shocked by her mother¡¯s behavior. I wanted to ask so many more questions, but once she told me that she never saw them again, my mind was immediately eased. There are still several that remain unanswered and unasked: how did she survive after they left? Who raised her if she never saw her mother again? What happened to her mother? Do we need to be concerned that her mother will try to find her once our marriage is announced? Yet, after we traded stories, I asked none of those questions.  I didn¡¯t want to press her too much, she always shuts down at the mention of her past or her family, so I figured it was best to table the conversation for another day.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Today, has reality hitting us smack in the face as we both prepare for the wedding. Today marks the official beginning of our new arrangement-until today, nothing has really changed between us except her moving into the penthouse. Today, everything changes. Today, Kenzie officially bes my wife. In a few days, PFS will release a statement and a picture of us telling the world that our lives have changed. As petrified as I once was about this arrangement, I am oddly calm this morning. She¡¯s spending the morning with my mother at the spa getting pampered before we exchange vows on the beach this afternoon. I take out myptop and try to get work done before I need to get ready for the ceremony.


    ¡°You ready?¡± Austin bangs on the door.


    ¡°You¡¯re early,¡± I greet him.


    ¡°We made great time.¡±


    ¡°Everyone get here okay?¡±


    ¡°Yup, Cara is with Mom and Kenzie now. Alex and E are checking into their room. Grandmother and Grandfather are getting settled as well.¡±


    ¡°Good. d everyone was able to make the flight.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re ready to get married-you¡¯re not even dressed yet!¡±


    ¡°All I need to do is throw on my suit, it takes a few minutes to get changed.¡±


    ¡°True¡­ true.¡±


    ¡°How are things, Austin? You¡­ you haven¡¯t seemed yourself


    tely.¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ you know.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t actually.¡±


    ¡°Do you know I haven¡¯t been on a date in months?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± For Austin this is like an eternity.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Dry spell?¡±


    ¡°Not really interested in anyone. Of course, I can get a girl on my doorstep with a quick call, but¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want just a fuck.¡±


    ¡°Seeing you and Kenzie¡­ I want that.¡±


    ¡°You want what?¡±


    ¡°Someone to love me the way she loves you. Someone to look at me the way she looks at you. Someone who cares about how my day went, about the work that I do. I¡¯ve watched her at the dinners: she¡¯s actually interested in what you¡¯re saying, no matter what the topic is. None of the girls I¡¯ve been with would do that-they probably wouldn¡¯t even be able to understand any of it. You found an amazing woman, bro; I don¡¯t know what you did to deserve Kenzie, but she¡¯s absolutely amazing. And she loves you no less.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very lucky,¡± I agree, but I don¡¯t argue that what he sees is only a strong friendship between two people. I can¡¯t tell him that; I can¡¯t tell him that what he is about to witness is nothing more than an act to benefit two people. I can¡¯t tell him that in two years this will all be over.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find someone who loves you, Austin. If you want something more than a one night stand, you might want to start by picking up women somewhere other than a strip club or a bar.¡±


    ¡°Ha, ha.¡±


    ¡°All kidding aside, I¡¯m happy for you.¡±


    ¡°Enough with this sappy bullshit. Let¡¯s do a shot!¡±


    And like that the rare side of Austin is gone. He produces a small bottle of scotch from his pocket along with two shot sses.


    ¡°Congrats, bro, you deserve this.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    After weplete our celebratory shot, Austin heads back to his room to get changed for the ceremony. I have a simple ck suit hanging in the closet that I need to change into in a few minutes.  We decided against a tux for the ceremony since the wedding was pretty casual. I¡¯m about to get changed when my phone dings.


    How are you? K


    About to get dressed. You? N


    Same. Hair and make-up are done. Loved the spa this morning. Thank you for arranging it. K


    Hope you could rx. N


    I did. It was very rxing K


    My mom and Cara aren¡¯t driving you too crazy, I hope? N


    They just went to get changed themselves. Your mom really seemed to enjoy the spa as well. Cara¡­ is as bubbly as evermaybe a little more than normal. K


    No surprise there. LOL N


    I better get changed. I¡¯ll see you on the beach in a few minutes. K


    I find myself smiling at our text exchange without even realizing it. I¡¯ve never really been one to text message; email sure, it¡¯s a part of my day to day business, but texting is still kind of new to me. I like that it¡¯s something I have with her. I find myself looking forward to the ding on my phone when she texts me. It tends to break up my day which is usually, otherwise, filled with meetings. I get worried that she is stuck in the condo all day; hopefully once the press dies down she can go back to the bakery or start taking the sses she has been looking forward to.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± My dad knocks on my door just as I¡¯m finishing putting my shoes on.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready, Dad,¡± I say.


    ¡°I¡¯m very happy for you, Son. You don¡¯t know how proud your mother and I are of you. Not only do you run a very sessfulpany, but you have found a beautiful woman who you love and who loves you back. Remember to make your marriage a priority: remember that Kenzie always needs toe first.  Don¡¯t take her love for granted-the type of love you have doesn¡¯te more than once in a lifetime.  And don¡¯t stop looking at her the way you do; that look, says everything about how you feel. Don¡¯t lose that look.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, Dad.¡±


    His words surprise me; I¡¯m not sure how I look at Kenzie that would have him thinking that it shows how I feel. I care for Kenzie, deeply -she has easily be my closest friend especially in thest few weeks. Perhaps that¡¯s what he sees? That must be it. He must be mistaking our friendship for something more.


    ¡°Kenzie will be leaving shortly, so we need to head down to the beach.¡±


    I walk with my dad and Austin through the hotel and down the beach to the private area that ispletely hidden. I was relieved when we walked down here yesterday and discovered the it was exactly like the pictures we saw online. It¡¯s close enough to the hotel yet is private so hotel guests can¡¯t see the area.

 Chapter 116

    Carter is standing at the beach entrance along with several other members of the security team that have been hired specifically for today. Most of the guests are already seated including my mother and Cara. My grandparents, Alex and E make up the final members of our guest list. Although it was Kenzie¡¯s idea for the small, private ceremony, I have to admit this is exactly what I would have wanted if I were to n my real wedding. Not having the press here and people I don¡¯t really know who want to discuss investment strategies with me is exactly what I would have wanted.


    Just as the music changes to one that everyone recognizes, Kenzie makes her entrance andpletely takes my breath away. I can¡¯t tell you how long it took her to walk down the aisle or what any of the guests did as she walked past them. My entire focus is on nothing but her. She looks absolutely stunning in her white dress. It is simple yet elegant andpletely Kenzie, all at the same time. Her hair is arranged up off her shoulders but has several curled pieces that fall around her face. She carries a bouquet of blue and white flowers which match the small flowers in her hair. She looks confident and sure of herself as she walks toward me. She looks like the woman I first met on the sidewalk so many months ago. ¡°Hi,¡± she whispers when I meet her just before the altar.


    ¡°You look beautiful, truly breathtaking, Kenzie,¡± I whisper before kissing her on the cheek and leading her the final couple of steps to the altar.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, we are here on this beautiful day to witness the marriage between¡­¡±


    I tune the officiant out and instead focus only on Kenzie, who seems to be doing the same thing I am. Her gaze meets mine and she smiles softly, squeezing my hand. She doesn¡¯t seem nervous at all-she seems very rxed which is reassuring. I was afraid that she would change her mind, especially when she spent the night alonest night. I thought perhaps once she had time to process what I did the other night, that she would realize that she didn¡¯t want to do this any longer. Even though I hate the thought of her leaving, I wouldn¡¯t me her after the memory I triggered. Yet, here she is, standing before me and my familymitting to follow through with the insane arrangement I proposed to her only two weeks ago.


    ¡°And now Kenzie and Nichs will exchange their vows,¡± the officiant thankfully pulls me back to reality just in time for our part of the ceremony. Kenzie and I had picked out vows a few days ago and decided to memorize them rather than repeat after someone.


    ¡°Kenzie, today I promise you this: I willugh with you in times of joy, andfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you withpassion and understanding and speak to you with encouragement. Let us be partners and friends, today and all of the days that follow.¡±


    Kenzie repeats the vows to me, once again squeezing my hand as she says the words. We searched the inte for many hours before finding vows that we thought could fit our very unique situation. Too many vows focused on loving each other or being lovers. While this marriage may be an arrangement between the two of us, I wanted the words we exchanged to each other to be as true as possible. When Kenzie found these vows, it just seemed perfect for our situation. We haveughed together,forted and supported each other and are truly partners in this arrangement we have.


    We recite the standard lines as we exchange our wedding bands. Kenzie¡¯s band matches her engagement ring perfectly, as they was custom made as a set. My band is simple: a band of white gold with today¡¯s date inscribed on the inside.


    ¡°Kenzie and Nichs, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.¡±


    I lean down, cing my lips on Kenzie¡¯s, as my arms encircle her waist. I love how soft her dress feels when I touch her; I love that I can feel her soft curves beneath the dress. Her hands grasp my arms tightly when I gently coax her mouth open. Feeling her against me and how soft her body is, I¡¯m tempted to drag her back to my hotel room right now, forgetting all about howplicated things would be between us in bed. I¡¯m tempted to say fuck it all when the officiant clears his throat and I hear everyone chuckle. Kenzie¡¯s face is a deep red as we pull apart from each other.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, it is my great honor to introduce to you, for the first time ever Mr. and Mrs. Nichs Parker!¡±


    Our guests apud as Kenzie and I walk down the aisle hand in hand where we meet the photographer who we hired for today. We spend the next hour posing for pictures before heading back to the small banquet room for dinner.


    ¡°Kenzie, Nichs, I couldn¡¯t be happier for you two,¡± my mom greets us as soon as we walk in. ¡°I knew the moment I met you, Kenzie, that you were the one for Nichs. Before I left that day I even told him not to let you get away. I saw how much you cared for my son, and I feel like we¡¯ve watched you two fall in love since then. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to call you my daughter, Kenzie; wee to our family.¡±


    ¡°Vivienne,¡± Kenzie gasps before my mom hugs her tightly.


    ¡°Son, take good care of this amazing woman you have here. I¡¯m so happy that you found someone who loves you for who you are. You have made your father and I so proud over the years, but today, watching youmit your entire future to this woman, couldn¡¯t make either of us prouder of you.¡±


    I have no words for my mother-guilt washes over me as I let her words sink in.


    ¡°Nichs! Kenzie!¡± Cara greets us next, thankfully ending this guilt ridden moment.


    Kenzie and I spend the next few minutes speaking with each of our guests before heading to the private table at the front of the room. We¡¯re not having a typical wedding reception since our wedding was so small and casual. We will have dinner, Kenzie and I will dance and then cake will be served. Most of the important things will be done, but it won¡¯t be several hours long like most wedding receptions are. In less than three hours, we will be back on the jet where we will take off for our honeymoon.


    ¡°I feel horrible,¡± Kenzie whispers after we sit down.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you sick? Do you need a doctor?¡± I¡¯m immediately rmed, she has neverined of not feeling well.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Not that kind of horrible,¡± she assures me. ¡°What your mother said¡­¡±


    ¡°I know and I¡¯m sorry. I never expected her to get so emotional over this. I guess I didn¡¯t think¡­ I didn¡¯t realize how this would affect all of them.¡±


    ¡°I hate that we¡¯re lying to them. I hate that she¡¯s already thinking of me as her daughter and in two years, she is going to hate me-¡±


    ¡°I promise you, when this is over no one in my family will hate you. I won¡¯t let them think negatively of you, I promise.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t guarantee that, Nichs,¡± she sighs. ¡°God, if they ever found out this was all a lie-¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t. They will never know that we lied to them. We¡¯ve covered our bases, no one but you, me and Carter know what today was really about. I promise you, Kenzie, I will do everything in my power to ensure they know you didn¡¯t do anything wrong. They will not me you when we end this. I¡¯ll let them me me-¡±


    ¡°No! I don¡¯t want them to be mad at you either.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about this now. When the timees, I¡¯ll find a way to take care of everything, I promise.¡±


    I can see her try to rx, but I know she is struggling just as much as I am with what my mother said. I never thought about how this would impact my family; I didn¡¯t expect them to get so attached to Kenzie. I vow to find a way to make this right before we dissolve our marriage. I won¡¯t let them think badly of her for what will ultimately be my decision. With everything that she has done for me, the least I can do is to ept full me when the timees for the divorce.


    The rest of the reception flies by quickly; we eat our dinner and dance the customary first dance together. The cake is cut and we take our final pictures before Carter and Hunter escort us to the SUV where our bags from earlier have already been loaded.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ thank you again for doing all of this. I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me and how much I appreciate what you are doing. This is for you,¡± I hand her the envelope that Carter gave me when we boarded the private jet, ¡°to show you how much I appreciate everything you are doing for me.¡±


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Just a little something to say thank you.¡±


    ¡°NICHOLAS!!!¡± she gasps when she opens the envelope and realizes what she is holding. ¡°I CANNOT ept this!¡±


    ¡°The deed is in your name, the bakery is yours.¡±


    ¡°When¡­ how¡­ I thought the bakery was sold a while ago?¡±


    ¡°It was, to me.¡±


    ¡°But we hadn¡¯t¡­ we weren¡¯t engaged then!¡± she looks around the room to ensure that no one can hear us. Carter is in the back as he is the only member of our security team joining us on our honeymoon. The flight crew are busy preparing the ne for takeoff so they can¡¯t overhear anything.


    ¡°When I bought the bakery, my intention was to give it to you when we terminated our¡­ original agreement. It was always with the intent to thank you for what you have done for me. You have gone above and beyond what I ever expected when I signed the contract with Bridget. I never expected to find someone I would consider my closest friend, someone I would tell my secrets to or someone that would even consider doing this for me. You amaze me, Kenzie, in all that you do. This is merely an attempt to thank you for that.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡­.¡± she stutters trying to figure out what to say. ¡°I never expected you out of my contract with Bridget. I thought I would end up with some stuffy business man, who could have cared less about me. I never thought I would find someone I could trust, someone I felt¡­ safe with. I haven¡¯t had a friend in a very long time¡­ you are truly my best friend-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I pull her close to me as a tear falls from her eye. I rub her back and just hold her against me.  Her head is on my shoulder, her arm around my stomach as she tries to hug me back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the first thing about running a bakery! What if I screw it up?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t. Ginny has agreed to work on site with you for the first year, and she will teach you everything you need to know. After the first year, she has agreed to consult with you from a distance for up to three additional years or until you feelfortable.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡­ I can¡¯t ept this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in your name-the bakery is yours.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. No one has ever¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to say anything. This is nothingpared to what you are giving me especially after today.¡±

 Chapter 117

    Kenzie


    I am beyond stunned: shocked and floored by Nichs¡¯s wedding gift to me. I never expected a wedding gift, let alone him to give me the deed to the bakery. I had always dreamed of one day opening my own bakery, but I never thought it would happen. Yet here I am holding the deed to Sweet Dreams bakery in my hand.


    I¡¯m speechless, yet there¡¯s so much I want to say. Thank you just doesn¡¯t seem like enough; those two words don¡¯t seem like they would convey what I feel right now. How do you thank someone for giving you something you¡¯ve dreamed of for so long but never thought would ever happen? I feel guilty for even epting this-I can¡¯t begin to imagine what buying the bakery even cost. I don¡¯t know why he felt the need to buy me a wedding present, let alone one so damn expensive.


    He seems to think that he is the only getting something out of our new arrangement, but he¡¯s not. In two years when this is all over, I¡¯m going to be walking away with a condo, I will never need to worry about paying for, and a college degree. Those two items are priceless in themselves, especially the apartment. Having a ce of my own, a ce that is safe, is something I never had. I wish he would see what he is giving me the way I see it. I wish he would realize that I¡¯m getting just as much from this new arrangement as he is.


    ¡°I had the flight crew put an overnight bag in the bedroom for you; there should be a change of clothes and any toiletries you might need for the trip,¡± Nichs pulls me from my thoughts as I realize my head was still resting on his shoulder.


    I quickly wipe away the tears that had fallen before sitting up. I want to say more about the bakery, but I can¡¯t find the words. I want to refuse to ept it, I want to give it back to him and tell him to sell it someone else. But, I have someone handing me the dream I never thought I would achieve. How do you turn that down? Especially when the person is asking nothing of you in return than what you already agreed to? Except, how do I not feel like I¡¯m taking advantage of him? How can I ensure he doesn¡¯t think I¡¯m like his ex who only wants material items from him? Who was willing to exploit him for his money?


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I want you to know that I never expected this,¡± I gesture to the envelope holding the deed to the bakery. ¡°I never expected anything more than what we already agreed to when you asked me to marry you. I cannot thank you enough though for this gift; you are making a dream of minee true, one that I never thought I would see. Part of me really wants to tell you that I can¡¯t ept such extravagant gift-¡±


    ¡°Please. You say that I¡¯m making your dreame true, but you fail to see that you are doing the same for me. You are helping me keep my dream alive. Without you, I don¡¯t know how I would change things for PFS. This is the least I can do to try to thank you for everything you are doing for me.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I just don¡¯t want you to ever think that I expect things like this from you. I don¡¯t want you to think you need to constantly spend money on me to thank me for marrying you.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t and won¡¯t promise you that I will not spend more money on you over the course of our marriage, but trust me¡­ I know you don¡¯t expect it.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t feel like you have to constantly thank me. Can we just call it even after this?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± he chuckles. ¡°If that will make you feel better about this, yes I will agree to that. We are even now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I don¡¯t feelpletely relieved, but at least it¡¯s a start to get him to not think that I expect him to constantly spend money on me. ¡°Now, can you tell me where we are going and when we¡¯re going to get there?¡±


    ¡°We are going to Turtle Ind.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t help me; I have no idea where that is.¡±


    ¡°Fiji.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to Fiji?!?!¡± Holy shit!


    ¡°Yes, the flight should take about 15 hours, but because of the time change we actually lose almost a day going there. The first day is probably going to be rough: because of the time change as we are arriving at about 3 a. m. local time. Once wend, we will change nes and take a small sea ne over to the ind.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever been there?¡±


    ¡°No, but I did a lot of research on Turtle Ind before agreeing to my travel agent¡¯s rmendation. This ind is very popr amongst those who value their privacy. It can only be essed via ne or boat, so the chances of the press sneaking onto the ind are very slim. We won¡¯t be staying in a typical hotel either, which helps with the privacy. Instead, we will be staying in a vi that is pretty secluded, even from the other. We have direct ess to a private section of the beach, and the vi itself is surrounded by trees and wildlife. From what I¡¯ve seen there are plenty of things to do on the ind. Meals can be brought directly to our vi or we can eat at one of the many restaurants. Julie and Carter will be staying in a room at a hotel that is on the ind, just in case we want to go off the ind.¡±


    ¡°Julie?¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t able to fly out with us today as she had already made ns for tomorrow with her sister, but she will be flying out on Monday to join Carter. It¡¯s a working vacation for him, but I expect it will be a lot less work once we arrive on the ind. This way they get to enjoy some time alone and he isn¡¯tpletely bored for the next week.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Julie is excited about the trip.¡±


    ¡°With everything those two do for me, it¡¯s the least I can do.¡±


    I don¡¯t think Nichs ever realizes how kind he truly is; he constantly gives to others yet doesn¡¯t expect very much in return. The wedding today is a perfect example of that; he gave me the wedding I told him I dreamed about when I was younger. And now, he¡¯s taking me on what sounds like the absolute perfect honeymoon. I¡¯m touched that he has gone through so much trouble for an arrangement that is designed to save PFS. It¡¯s funny, when we entered the arrangement with Bridget, I thought of it as a business transaction and tried to convince myself that he would never see it as anything more than that. I think with this new arrangement, neither of us are that blind.


    ¡°How long are we going to be in Fiji for?¡± I ask.


    ¡°One week. I would have liked to stay for longer, but getting away from PFS on such short notice wasn¡¯t easy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m just excited to be going for any length of time!¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I hope you like the ind. There are tons of things to do, in addition to beach ess, the vi has its own private pool that we can use.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs, for doing all this. You didn¡¯t have to go through all this trouble-¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°We could have just gone away somewhere for a night or two after the wedding. You didn¡¯t have to fly me to another country and take so much time off of work for the honeymoon. I just want you to know that I appreciate everything you did today to make the wedding special and now for giving me a honeymoon that any girl would wish for.¡±


    ¡°You said you never thought you would ever get married, so I


    wanted to make this wedding and honeymoon something that you could happily look back on,¡± he shrugs as if it¡¯s no big deal what he did.


    ¡°I will always remember it; I¡¯m touched that you wanted to make it special for me.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t respond and after a few minutes, he takes out his phone and starts checking his emails. I don¡¯t think he¡¯sfortable with the focus being on him. I¡¯ve noticed that he tends to try to change the subject when someone tries to recognize something nice he has done. He¡¯s told me multiple times he prefers not to be recognized for donations he has made. I vow to do something special for him when we return back to New York to thank him for this.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go change, the bedroom is back there?¡± I gesture toward the back of the ne where he indicated it was when we flew to North Carolina the other day.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll show you.¡±

 Chapter 118

    Obviously before our wedding, I had never flown on a private jet before, so it was quite a surprise to realize how big this ne really was. Besides the pilot and staff area, there are tworge bathrooms and then a small bedroom in the rear of the ne. The bedroom isn¡¯t very big, but there is a queen size bed, a small dresser and nightstand in the room. On the bed lies two small overnight bags which I assume contain everything we need for the flight to Fiji.


    ¡°I asked Susan, the personal shopper who arranged everything for you, to pack you somethingfortable for the flight over. Hopefully whatever she packed will be sufficient.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure whatever it is, will be fine.¡±


    ¡°I would suggest trying to get some sleep on the flight over; the flight crew will wake us when they need us to begin to prepare fornding.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to sleep?¡±


    ¡°The seats out there fully recline-¡±


    ¡°You can stay-¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll sleep out there. Kenzie¡­¡± he runs his hands through his hair. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how things are going to work once we arrive at the vi.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°The vi only has one bedroom¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I tried to get us a two bedroom vi, but there is only a handful on the ind and they book months in advance. I didn¡¯t want to push the issue too much and give my travel agent any reason to raise questions about why I was demanding a two bedroom vi only to then have our wedding announced dayster.¡±


    ¡°No, of course not. It¡¯ll be fine, Nichs¡­ I mean, we¡¯ve slept together¡­ er¡­ slept in the same bed twice now without an issue. I know it¡¯s not ideal-¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m sure there is a couch or something at the vi I can sleep on.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary. I¡¯m sure the bed will be big enough for both of us-¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m going to end up having a nightmare, Kenzie. It¡¯s inevitable; I rarely go more than a night without one. When that happens, I¡­ I can¡¯t risk hurting you.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t hurt me-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that!¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think twice about sleeping next to me when I had a nightmare or when¡­ after I freaked out the other night.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different¡­¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because, you can¡¯t hurt me! Kenzie, I¡¯ve given Carter a split lip and nearly broke his nose the one time he tried to wake me up. My parents learned very early on after they adopted me, not to try to wake me when I have a nightmare, because they would end up getting hit when they tried. I¡­ in the nightmare I¡¯m fighting¡­ to get her hands off of me, but in reality¡­¡±


    ¡°If you end up having a nightmare this week, I promise you I won¡¯t try to wake you up. I¡¯ll leave the room and wait until you wake up before Ie back in.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than you sleeping on the couch.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ what if I hurt you?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°How about a trial run?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Carter is here now, so if something were to happen he could intervene. Sleep in here with me; I¡¯m sure it¡¯s morefortable than sleeping on the chair out there.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Just think about it. I hate the thought of you sleeping on an ufortable couch if you don¡¯t have to. If you want to try this tonight, then we can see what happens. If you have a nightmare and Carter has to intervene, then the couch it is in Fiji. But if you have the nightmare and you don¡¯t hurt me, then consider sharing a bed with me there.¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why not just let it be?¡±


    ¡°Because you deserve to befortable, and I don¡¯t care what you say, sleeping on a couch is notfortable. A night is one thing, but spending an entire week on a couch? Your back will be killing you before we even head back to New York. If we¡¯re going to be in Fiji, we both should enjoy it. You won¡¯t be able to do that if you can barely move.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°Just think about it okay, no pressure. If you would rather sleep out there tonight or on the couch, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    I suddenly feel guilty for trying to pressure Nichs to share a bed with me. I really just want him to befortable and it doesn¡¯t seem fair that he would have to sleep on the couch, leaving me with an entire bed to myself. As insistent as I was when I first signed the contract with Bridget that I would never be alone with a man, that all changed when I spent the weekend with him. Knowing him as well as I do now, I have no problems with the idea of sharing a bed with him tonight or in Fiji.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go check in with Carter and see how things are going in New York,¡± Nichs says before leaving the room.


    I shake my head, hoping that I didn¡¯t hurt his feelings with my suggestion. Before changing out of my wedding gown, I decide that if he insists that we not share a bed this week, we will be taking turns sleeping on the couch. It¡¯s only fair that we both get to sleepfortably, so this way every other night one of us isfortable. I have to admit that I like the idea of sharing a bed with him again-I slept so well the other morning in his bed. I loved feeling his arms around me when I woke up; I¡¯ll never forget how safe I felt in his arms.


    Realizing I¡¯ve been in here too long, I quickly change out of my wedding gown and put on thefortable yoga pants and top packed for the trip. The overnight bag also has a long sleeve top and a clean pair of clothes for tomorrow for when we arrive.


    ¡°Did you find everything you needed?¡± Nichs asks when Ie out of the bedroom.


    ¡°Yes, it seems Susan thought of everything I would need.¡±


    ¡°Good, she also arranged for your wardrobe for this week, but if she forgot anything I¡¯m sure they will have it on the ind or we can send


    Carter to get what you need.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I can make do with whatever she packed.¡±


    The next couple of hours pass by quickly; Nichs gets some work done on hisptop, and I spend some time reading a book that Julie thought I would like to read on the ne. Julie and I have spent a lot of time together since I moved in; for the most part, it¡¯s just the two of us in the apartment all day. Hunter is there on and off depending on what is going on for the day, but it¡¯s typically just been the two of us.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to head to bed,¡± I close the book when my eyes begin to be too heavy to read.


    ¡°The flight crew will probably need to wake us in a few hours, depending on the timing we make on the way there. Once we arrive and settle in to the vi, you can go back to sleep if you¡¯re still tired. The time change is going to screw with your mind for the first day or two until you adjust.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will.¡±


    I don¡¯t ask what he has decided for his sleeping arrangements for tonight. Instead, I assume since he didn¡¯t mentioning to bed that he is going to sleep out here tonight. Although I¡¯m disappointed, I understand his fear that he might hurt me, especially with how guilty he feels about what happened the other night. I quickly use the bathroom to wash up before climbing into the incrediblyfortable bed. The sheets must be the same ones that he has on his bed because they feel just as soft and warm. I¡¯m just about asleep when I hear the bedroom door open and close quietly. I sense him in the room even without seeing him. He seems to stand at the end of the bed for a few minutes before sighing and walking to the other side. Slowly, almost cautiously, he lies down next to me, and then pulls the nkets over him.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker? We will need you to take your seat in fifteen minutes so we can prepare tond,¡± a voice wakes me a few hourster.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Nichs grumbles next to me without moving.


    Like the other morning, I wake up with his arm around my waist and my back against his chest. I don¡¯t want to move; I don¡¯t want to get out of bed and go back to our seats. I¡¯d rather stay right here and sleep longer with him next to me.


    ¡°Good Morning,¡± he says.


    ¡°Morning.¡±


    ¡°Did you sleep okay?¡±


    ¡°I slept good, you?¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly, really good,¡± his voice is barely above a whisper.


    When I sit up, Nichs grabs my hand and squeezes it before letting go. He doesn¡¯t say anything, but that small gesture says enough. I grab my overnight bag and head to the bathroom to get changed.


    ¡°Good Morning, Ms¡­ Mrs. Parker,¡± Carter greets me when Ie out of the bathroom.


    ¡°Morning, Carter.¡±


    ¡°There are some muffins and fruit on the counter if you want to grab something before the seatbelt signes on. You only have a few minutes, but if you would rather wait, I¡¯m sure the vi will be stocked when you arrive. Coffee and tea are ready as well.¡±


    Nichses out of the bathroom a few minutester lookingpletely refreshed and ready to start the day. We have just enough time to grab some fruit and coffee before the flight attendant asks us to take our seats. Wend in Fiji a short timeter and manage to breeze right through customs. We are escorted to a small sea ne where our luggage is loaded.


    ¡°Um¡­ are you sure this is safe?¡± I ask nervously as we enter the very small ne.


    ¡°Rest assured, Mrs. Parker, this ne is fully inspected andpletely safe. I guarantee it,¡± our pilot says.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± Nichs chuckles.


    The ride is bumpy and roughpared to the smooth flying of the jet, but once we are in the air it doesn¡¯t matter. We fly over the bluest water that I¡¯ve ever seen. When the nends, I am utterly amazed at the view before me; everything lookspletely breathtaking. Despite it being barely four in the morning, the staff is ready to great us when the nends. We are escorted to the vi in a golf cart which I am surprised to learn will remain for our use the entire week we are there. Carter checks everything over before heading back with the staff to the main building, leaving Nichs and I alone for the week.

 Chapter 119

    Nichs


    ¡°Our bags have been unpacked and the bed has been turned down. I guess since it¡¯s so early they thought we might want to go back to sleep,¡± I walk out of the bedroom to find Kenzie standing on the patio enjoying the beautiful view in front of us.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I could sleep, but if you want to¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I think I slept enough on the ne.¡±


    I slept damn good on the ne, but I don¡¯t admit that. I was floored that she argued that we should sleep in the same bed while we¡¯re here. I expected her to be grateful that I had alreadye up with a solution to the one bedroom problem of the vi. We¡¯ve both be veryfortable with each other since she moved into the penthouse two weeks ago, but I didn¡¯t expect her to want to share a bed with me.


    Last night was the first time we had agreed to sleep next to each other. Well, more that she suggested it, and I eventually gave in. I made Carter swear that he would immediately intervene if I had a nightmare to ensure she was safe. I would never be able to forgive myself if I hurt her during one of my nightmares. She seems so confident that I won¡¯t hurt her, but I just can¡¯t be so sure.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to grab something to eat. They said there was fresh fruit in the fridge and bread on the counter. Did you want something?¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Coffee would be good. I¡¯m going to set up myptop over on the desk,¡± I gesture to the small work area set up off the living room. ¡°I don¡¯t expect to need to do much work this week, but-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I didn¡¯t expect you to bepletely unavable to Alex and Melody if something came up,¡± she quickly interrupts.


    We spend the morning on the patio, Kenzie reading in the hammock while I answer a few emails on my phone from the small day bed that is set outside for star gazing. I like that while we are here alone, we are notpletely left on our own. After we both agreed we would rather spend our first full day on ind in the vi, I arranged to have our meals delivered.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go for a swim,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°Are you going to be beach or the pool?¡±


    ¡°I think the pool for now. Maybe the beachter,¡± she giggles.


    ¡°Then there¡¯s the hot tub too.¡±


    ¡°Pool today, beach tomorrow and hot tub at night when it gets chilly,¡± I suggest.


    ¡°Good idea! Are you going to swim?¡±


    ¡°I just might do that.¡±


    We both go into the bedroom and pull our swim suits out of the dressers where the staff had unpacked our clothes. Kenzie goes into the master bathroom while I take my swim trunks to the guest bathroom to change.


    ¡°I forgot to grab towels,¡± Kenzie says when we reach the pool.


    ¡°I¡¯ll grab them; there should be some in the cab,¡± I gesture to the wicker shelving area against the vi. Walking over there, I confirm the staff has it fully stocked with plenty of towels for the pool, beach and hot tub. I grab two towels, nearly dropping them when I turn around and see Kenzie.


    FUCK!  FUCK!  FUCK!


    She has taken off the colorful wrap she had over her bathing suit, revealing how little she is now wearing. Once again her bathing suit is a two piece which makes me nearly fall to my knees at the sight. Althoughpared to most bikinis you see at stores, Kenzie¡¯s is quite modest. Yet, it still manages to drive me crazy. When she turns to face me I nearly groan, the fabric hugs her perky breasts firmly, but the style of the suit shows plenty of her cleavage.


    I can¡¯t help wondering what she is hiding underneath that top. What do her nipples look like? Are they dark in color or lighter? Are they overly sensitive? I desperately try to draw my attention away from her chest knowing that if I don¡¯t, it¡¯s going to be very apparent to Kenzie what I¡¯m thinking about her. As I lower my nce, I follow her t stomach down to the matching bikini bottoms that tie just below her hips. How easily do those knotse undone?


    ¡°Nichs?¡± she pulls me from my wandering thoughts.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I found the towels,¡± thankfully they are covering my dick which has decided it wants to be noticed.


    ¡°Can you leave one on the chair for me?¡± she asks just before diving into the pool.


    Holding the towels over my raging erection, I awkwardly make my way to the lounge chairs at the side of the pool. I try to focus on anything other than Kenzie¡¯s gorgeous body moving through the water-there¡¯s no way I can go into the water like this. Swim trunks do absolutely nothing to hide an erection apparently. After lying Kenzie¡¯s towel on the chair, I grab my phone and focus on emails. Sure enough after a few minutes of reading through a few emails, I have calmed down enough to be able to go into the pool without making Kenzie ufortable.


    ¡°Are youing?¡± she pops up from the side of the pool.


    Why is it those three words take on apletely different meaning for me right now?


    ¡°Put your phone down ande in!¡±


    Kenzie takes a gulp of water and sprays it all over my legs,ughing as she swims away. I can¡¯t help but chuckle; no one else in their right mind would think to do something like that to me. Even Cara and Austin wouldn¡¯t dream of spraying me with water when I have my phone in my hand. Yet, Kenzie does it.  Of course, she¡¯s careful enough not to get water on my phone but still¡­


    ¡°You asked for it,¡± I put my phone down before running and jumping into the pool. Ind a perfect cannon ball right next to her, effectively drenching her with water.


    ¡°Nichs!¡±


    Sheughs and tries to spray me with water, but considering I¡¯m already soaked it does nothing. Kenzie tries to swim to the other side of the pool, but instead I grab her ankle just as she is about to swim away. I pull her under the water, down to the bottom, before finally letting her go. When we both pop up from the water, she surprises me yet again by spraying water in my face!


    This time, she takes advantage of my momentary surprise and swims to the other side of the pool. The pool really isn¡¯t thatrge; it¡¯s big enough to swim shortps across, but not big enough for Kenzie to have many ces to swim to. I dive under water, quickly following her to the other end of the pool. When she tries to move away from me, I put both of my hands on the edge of the pool surrounding her. She giggles in the realization that I have her trapped and instead of trying to escape, she takes to sshing water at me. She takes a step backwards, putting her hands between us. I step closer to her again, her back is against the wall, and there¡¯s only a matter of inches between us.


    She stopsughing and looks up at me with a smile on her face that makes me forget anything else in the world exists. Seeing her this happy right now is more than I could have hoped for. After everything that she has been through, she deserves to be this happy.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    When Kenzie¡¯s hands find my arms, I realize just how close we are to each other. Our eyes meet, her breath hitches and she bites her bottom lip almost anxiously. I gently pull on her chin, releasing the lip from her grip. When she looks up at me, I don¡¯t know if what I¡¯m seeing is me being hopeful or if she is actually asking me to kiss her. I take a chance and slowly lean into her, giving her the opportunity to move away if I misread something.


    I don¡¯t know who makes the next move, but when our lips meet once again, all I can think about is getting closer to her. I wrap my arm around her back, and pull her against me for the first time, feeling her nearly bare skin against mine. Her arms are around my neck, tugging me closer to her as the kiss deepens. I run my hands over her body, enjoying the feel of her soft skin for the first time. She moans when I grasp her ass and pull her against my hard dick in between us.


    Our bathing suit bottoms are the only thing separating us, the only thing stopping me from sliding into her. Immediately, I wonder what she¡¯s like in bed. Does she scream when shees or is she quiet? Our kiss bes more urgent than it has ever been, even more so than the other night. The memory of that night brings reality back to smack me in the face. As if it¡¯s not enough that fucking her wouldplicate our arrangement, I could hurt her. What if I did something when we were fucking that sent her into another shback?


    ¡°Wow,¡± Kenzie pants, and it¡¯s only at that moment do I realize she is breathing just as fast as I am.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± because my brain can¡¯t think of anything else to say.


    There are no words to describe what just happened; ¡®wow¡¯ seems to be the only thing thates to mind right now. I know I should move away, and if I was a better man I would, but I¡¯m not ready to let her go yet.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to grab a bottle of water; did you want one?¡± she asks quietly.


    ¡°Sure, thanks.¡±


    Neither of us moves for a few more minutes, but eventually she takes her hands down from my neck and squeezes my arms before I finally release her. It takes me a few more minutes before I manage to get my dick under control again. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going tost this week with Kenzie. We haven¡¯t even made it through our first day without ending up in each other¡¯s arms.


    ¡°They brought dinner in while we were swimming,¡± Kenzie pulls me from my thoughts.


    I get out of the pool and wrap a towel around my waist before heading inside to change. I¡¯m tempted to take an ice cold shower, but I don¡¯t think it would help right now. I can¡¯t remember ever wanting a woman as much as I want Kenzie. It¡¯s like a big ¡®Fuck You¡¯ from the universe, because sleeping with her would risk everything.


    ¡°Did you want a drink? The wine fridge is stocked, but the card at the table has a rmendation on it that it says will pair well with dinner,¡± Kenzie says as I enter the kitchen. I¡¯m relieved to see that she has also changed out of her bathing suit. She is now wearing a simple sun dress, but as always it¡¯s one thatplements her body perfectly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure whatever they rmended is fine.¡±


    We eat a delicious dinner and over the course of the next two hours we manage to finish the bottle of wine. The conversation between us flows easily, but neither of us brings up what happened in the pool. I¡¯m grateful it hasn¡¯t seemed to make things awkward between us.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go down to the beach,¡± Kenzie says after cing the dishes back on the cart that the resort staff wille byter to take away.


    ¡°Would you like somepany or¡­¡± I don¡¯t know if she prefers to be alone right now.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not too busy¡­ I didn¡¯t want to keep you from your work if you need to do something?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t need to do anything,¡± I assure her. ¡°I¡¯ll be checking my emails a few times each day, but hopefully nothing wille up that requires too much of my attention. If it does though I will let you know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to grab a pair of flip flops.¡±


    We walk out back toward the pool, this time walking past it and down the small sand trail which eventually leads to a beautiful beach. Each vi has its own private beach, but they¡¯re open to the other vis relying on guests to respect the boundaries.


    ¡°It¡¯s really beautiful out here,¡± Kenzie sighs as she looks out over the ocean.


    ¡°It really is,¡± while my eyes are only on her.


    We walk up and down our little section of the beach before heading back up to the vi. We rinse the sand off our feet in the outdoor shower before heading back inside. When we return, I¡¯m surprised to find that I¡¯m exhausted despite not really doing a lot today. Catching Kenzie yawning I realize I¡¯m not the only one.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to head to bed,¡± she says a few minutester.


    ¡°I was just thinking I might go to sleep as well.¡±


    ¡°Are you¡­ I mean¡­¡±


    I know she¡¯s trying to ask where I n on sleeping tonight and until this moment I hadn¡¯t actually decided. Althoughst night we both slept well and neither of us had a nightmare, I still worry what will happen when I have one tonight. I never go more than two consecutive nights without, so that pretty much guarantees it will happen tonight. I¡¯m ready to tell her that I¡¯ll be sleeping on the couch, but when our eyes meet the decision is already made.


    ¡°I need you to promise me that the moment it starts, you will leave the bed. I can¡¯t¡­ I will never forgive myself if I hurt you. I just¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°I promise. If you have a nightmare, I will leave the room immediately; I won¡¯t try to wake you up.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Her eyes light up when she realizes what I¡¯m agreeing to. I can only hope that I¡¯m making the right decision, because if I¡¯m not, this could cost me everything. I hurt her, it could ruin everything.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get changed then,¡± Kenzie heads off into her¡­ our bedroom. I follow her, grabbing a pair of shorts and a shirt to sleep in before heading to the guest bathroom to change.


    I¡¯m ready for bed before Kenzie, which isn¡¯t a surprise since I didn¡¯t really have much that I needed to take care of. I tried stalling as long as I could and even considered getting some work done for PFS so I coulde to bed after her, but in the end I decided I needed to just do this. I need to find out if I can trust her enough to do as I asked.


    I don¡¯t know that she understands what she is asking of me. She hadn¡¯t seen my nightmares-she has no idea how bad they get. When I saw the look in her eyes, I could tell that for whatever reason this was important to her, so I agreed. I just hope¡­


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    It¡¯s only when Kenzie giggles that I realize I said that aloud. Shees out of the bathroom wearing¡­ I don¡¯t even know what to fucking call it. She is wearing this dark blue¡­ nightie I guess it is. The top portion¡­ it¡¯s allce, fuck¡­ it covers more than her bathing suit did yet it so much fucking sexier. Thece is obviously ced just in the right areas so that her nipples aren¡¯t exposed, but I can still see the curves of her breasts. Once I tear myself away from her breasts, I see that the rest of the nightie is all silk, thankfully no longer see through, and falls just to the point that I can¡¯t tell if her panties match the nightie.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to assume that Susan was told you were taking me on a honeymoon?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah she was. Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say my pajamas are all very¡­ much what you would expect a bride to bring on a honeymoon.¡±


    ¡°All of them are like that?¡± I gulp realizing that I¡¯m doomed if I¡¯m going to be sleeping next to Kenzie wearing something like this every night.


    ¡°No, not all of them,¡± thank goodness. ¡°A few are¡­ more


    revealing.¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I hiss.


    ¡°You said that already,¡± sheughs but slides into bed next to me before turning the light off.


    Tomorrow I need to send Carter somewhere to buy Kenzie pajamas; if he can¡¯t find something, she can sleep in my T-shirts every night. Maybe I should insist she change tonight-


    ¡°Good night, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Night, Kenzie.¡±


    I¡¯m screwed¡­ I¡¯m fucking screwed.

 Chapter 120

    Nichs


    Curled up next to me is Kenzie: her head is next to mine, her chin resting on my shoulder and her leg is just over mine. When I finally managed to fall asleep verytest night, I was as far over on the one side of the bed as I could possibly be without falling out. I wanted to avoid touching her at all costs-it was hard enough to know what she was wearing under the nkets, I don¡¯t know how I would have handled actually touching her. Yet as I take in the bed this morning, I realize that we are both now lying in the middle of the bed, and her beautiful body is now wrapped around mine. I should get up; I should go start coffee or something and let her sleep. I should get out of bed before I do something stupid. I should-


    ¡°Hmmmmm,¡± Kenzie moans in her sleep and cuddles even closer to me. Her arm is across my stomach, her hand resting on my hip as if she is trying to hold me to her. It doesn¡¯t sound like she is having a nightmare, but I still worry nheless. I wrap my arm around her back, wanting tofort her if it starts, but thankfully she doesn¡¯t moan again or cry out.


    Every time we have slept in the same bed, I¡¯ve woken to find her in my arms; this is the first time that I¡¯ve woken to find myself in her arms. When I hear Kenzie¡¯s breathing change a few momentster, I realize that she is awake and probably taking in our sleeping positions just as I did. I gently rub her back with my hand, letting her know that I¡¯m awake but not saying anything either. I nce at the clock, surprised to find that it¡¯s already after nine and that¡¯s when it hits me. I didn¡¯t have a nightmarest night.


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t,¡± she confirms which is when I realize I had spoken aloud.


    I can¡¯t remember ever going two consecutive nights without having a nightmare-it¡¯s never happened.  For years the nightmares were every night, sometimes multiple times a night, especially when I was younger. Nothing helped: sleeping pills, different types of therapy, medication nothing. Wasst night a fluke? Was I just over tired from all the traveling? Could the time change have affected the nightmares somehow? Could it have been-


    ¡°Did you sleep okay?¡± Kenzie asks.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°I did, you?¡±


    I don¡¯t admit that I slept fucking fantastic for the second night in a row. I can¡¯t admit that, not until I know the reason. I need to figure out what was so different aboutst night and the night before that caused me to sleep so fucking good. I need to figure it out so once we get back to New York I can continue doing it. I haven¡¯t slept this good¡­ ever.


    ¡°I slept really good; it was nice hearing the ocean in the middle of the night,¡± she says.


    ¡°It was.¡±


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she leans up so she can look at me. ¡°Thank you again for bringing me here, this is¡­ so much more than I ever could have imagined for a honeymoon. I know I keep saying thank you and it doesn¡¯t seem like enough-¡±


    ¡°Shhhh, you don¡¯t need to thank me.¡±


    ¡°I just want you to know how much this trip means to me. I really appreciate-¡±


    I cut her off by kissing her. I¡¯ve told her to stop trying to thank me, but she won¡¯t stop, so I end it by kissing her. I don¡¯t know why I kissed her instead of just telling her to stop. I wasn¡¯t thinking; I just did it. She giggles against my lips when she realizes what I¡¯ve done, but she doesn¡¯t make any attempt to stop me from kissing her. In fact, instead of stopping me she deepens the kiss. Her tongue is quickly at my lips, seeking entry which I immediately grant her.


    My arm naturally tightens around her waist, bringing her even closer to me. I can¡¯t help but run my other hand up and down the side of Kenzie¡¯s body, feeling every inch of her that I can reach from this position. When I reach her bare leg, I slowly slide my hand up her thigh until I reach the hem of the nightie she is wearing. I pause, not knowing if this is what she wants¡­ Hell I don¡¯t know if this is what I want.


    ¡°Mmmmmm,¡± I moan, I fucking moan, when Kenzie cautiously takes my hand and urges me to continue exploring her body on the path that I was on.


    Her breathing hitches when my hand slips under her nightie, and I grasp her ass gently, loving the way it feels in my hand. Needing to feel her closer to me, I know I need to adjust how we are lying. I roll onto my side, gently moving Kenzie so she does the same. I don¡¯t know where the boldnesses from, but she wraps her arm around my lower back and gently pulls me closer to her as she rests her leg on mine. Our bodies are so close, there is no way that she can¡¯t know how turned on I am right now. My dick is fucking begging toe out, but I don¡¯t dare do that. I don¡¯t know where this is exactly going right now, but I know fucking her isn¡¯t an option. It wouldplicate things far too much¡­ besides what if I did something that freaked her out again?


    My hands return to exploring her body-only this time I venture up her nightie rather than down. I cautiously take her breast in my hand, giving her every opportunity to stop whatever this is that is happening between us. Instead, she moans and pushes her chest against my hand. Motivated by her obvious enjoyment, I roll her hardened nipple between my thumb and finger.


    I¡¯ve wondered how her breasts would feel like since the first time I saw her swimming in the pool at ord Towers. The reality is so much better than what I imagined. I don¡¯t know how things have gotten this far with Kenzie; I don¡¯t know how we¡¯ve gotten to the point that we¡¯re lying in bed next to each other with my hands all over her body. We should stop-I should insist that after today I sleep on the couch. I don¡¯t want toplicate our alreadyplicated arrangement but¡­ it¡¯s already done. Things are alreadyplicated between us, this¡­ this just adds to it. ¡°Nichs,¡± she gasps when I pinch her nipple just the smallest amount and any thought of stopping is gone.


    A groan escapes me when she starts moving slowly; her breathing increases as she rocks herself against my dick. I know I¡¯m rubbing against her clit with each movement. I¡¯m so fucking tempted to destroy the barriers between us and slide right into her. I can only imagine how good she would feel, just the thought of being inside of Kenzie has me nearlying in my shorts. I¡¯ve never been this turned on; I¡¯ve never been ready toe so quickly. If she continues rubbing against me the way she is right now, I¡¯m going topletely embarrass myself.


    Realizing I need to do something, I reluctantly move my hand away from her nipples, and I make my way back down her soft ass. I can tell she is wearing a thong and can only imagine that it must match her nightie perfectly. Ever so slowly, I slip my hand between us and tease her clit with my fingers. I watch her reaction to ensure that nothing I¡¯m doing is something she might not want, but when her breathing hitches at my intimate touch I know that she won¡¯t be pulling away anytime soon.


    It would be so easy to lower my shorts, pull her thong aside and slide right into her. If things weren¡¯t soplicated between us, I would do just that. How do I know that fucking her wouldn¡¯tplicate our arrangement even more than it already is? What if I¡¯m rough with her and she freaks out like the other night? What if-


    ¡°Nichs,¡± when she pants my name I nearly lose it right then and there.


    ¡°I got you, baby,¡± I whisper before pulling her even tighter against me and slipping my hand into her damp thong.


    She moans and pushes herself against my hand the moment my fingers find her clit. I am so busy focusing on how fucking wonderful she feels as she moves against my fingers, that I don¡¯t realize at some point she managed to get her arm between us until I feel her fingers tentatively wrap around my dick.


    ¡°Kenzie!¡± I hiss.


    I need to focus on her and not on how her hand feels better on me than I ever could have imagined. No longer concerned that she might not want things to move in this direction between us, I slip my fingers through her wet folds before circling her opening with them.


    ¡°OH!¡± she cries out when I slip one finger into her throbbing sex.


    Her walls are convulsing around me as she grips me tighter, stroking me faster as if she¡¯s trying to tell me what she needs from me. With my thumb on her clit, I slip another finger into her core and begin moving against her. We¡¯re both panting, the only sounds that can be heard are our moans and groans as we both chase the release we desperately want. I can¡¯t remember thest time I just fooled around with a woman without actually fucking them, but right now¡­ hell it just feels fucking amazing.


    I can tell Kenzie is getting closer to her release as her breathing picks up and her body tenses. Her walls start tightening around me further, trying to suck my fingers deeper into her. Yet, through it all, she doesn¡¯t stop trying to please me. She¡¯s stroking my throbbing dick with her fingers teasing my balls every so often when I least expect it. I¡¯m thrusting against her hand without even realizing it. It takes everything in me not to spill myself into her hand, but I refuse toe until she does.


    Adding a little more pressure to her throbbing clit has hering apart, screaming my name secondster. I¡¯ve had women call out my name when they came, but nothing has ever sounded as amazing as hearing my name on Kenzie¡¯s lips when she is in the throes of an orgasm. I watch her, loving how sexy she looks when shees. Her mouth forms this perfect O shape as her body continues to clench my fingers tightly, her orgasm not yet ready to end. All I can think is how amazing I bet she would feel if it was my dick inside of her instead.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I hiss and thrust one final time against her hand before finding my own release only seconds after hers.

 Chapter 121

    With my arms wrapped around her, I pull her closer against me, kissing her neck as we both try to regain control of our breathing. I can¡¯t fucking believe that just happened. I never thought¡­ okay I hoped¡­ but never actually thought that would happen. Nothing has ever felt so fucking amazing. I¡¯ve never cuddled with a woman; it¡¯s one of the advantages of the club, women there don¡¯t expect this sort of thing. I¡¯d fuck her, make sure she was okay afterwards and then head back out to where Carter would be waiting for me. Even with her cuddling afterward was never expected; we would fuck and then go our separate ways. She never expected anything more.


    Yet with Kenzie, I¡¯m the one who instigated the cuddling. It doesn¡¯t feel right to just walk away right now; this¡­ what just happened felt so¡­ different. I don¡¯t even know what to think about it. Maybe it¡¯s because it was with Kenzie or maybe¡­


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go take a shower,¡± Kenzie whispers.


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    A few minutes pass before either of us pull apart, but eventually we separate and head to different bathrooms. I feel like I should say something about what just happened, but I don¡¯t know what to say. I don¡¯t regret what just happened-I don¡¯t want Kenzie to think otherwise. I¡¯m just not sure if it should happen again. Even if I didn¡¯t think it wouldplicate things between us, how can we do that again, knowing it can¡¯t lead any further? At some point things would intensify between us, and we would need to take things to the next level. How can I be certain that I won¡¯t hurt her again? It would kill me to cause a reaction like the one she had the other night again. Especially now that I know her triggers. How would she ever be able to trust me again?Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    How would it notplicate our arrangement?


    FUCK!


    When the water runs cold, I realize I¡¯ve been in the shower too long and quickly wash up before turning off the water. I get dressed in the bathroom and head back out to the main area. I don¡¯t immediately find Kenzie, which surprises me, but a few minutester I find her outside just sort of staring out at the ocean. I wonder what she¡¯s thinking about. Is she regretting what just happened? Or asking me to share the bedst night?


    Should I insist on sleeping on the couch tonight?


    ¡°Oh, there you are,¡± Kenzie turns around and sees me standing behind her. ¡°Did you know they give boat tours of the ind? There¡¯s one that leaves in thirty minutes that I was thinking of going on, did you want to go?¡±


    ¡°Um, sure that sounds nice,¡± I¡¯m surprised and a little taken back by how she¡¯s acting. It¡¯s as if nothing happened between us; I should be d that she doesn¡¯t want to dwell on it, but I¡¯m not¡­


    ¡°If you have work to do or wanting to do something else-¡±


    ¡°No, a boat tour of the ind sounds nice. I¡¯ll change into swim trunks, and then we can go.¡±


    ¡°Great! I¡¯m going to throw on a bathing suit too, the tour takes off from one of the main beaches, so maybe we can go swimming afterwards.¡±


    ¡°I think they serve lunch on the tour, but if not we can grab something afterwards.¡±


    We both change into swim attire before taking the golf cart that was left for us to the docking area. There are only a handful of people on the tour boat with us, which is nice considering the boat isn¡¯t veryrge. As we walk around the small boat, I take Kenzie¡¯s hand in mine. I don¡¯t know what it is, but I feel the sudden need to touch her. When I do, she immediately squeezes my hand, almost as if she is thanking me, although for what I don¡¯t know. Maybe she wanted to reach out to me but didn¡¯t feelfortable after what happened this morning? I don¡¯t want to lose howfortable we have be with that aspect of our arrangement.


    ¡°This is really beautiful,¡± Kenzie gestures toward the rock beach that we are passing.


    We are sitting sort of sideways on a bench seat watching the ind as the tour guide exins everything that we are seeing. I¡¯m too busy watching Kenzie to really listen to what he is saying or to take in very much of what we are seeing. This morning was a wakeup call. I don¡¯t know what the fuck I was thinking when I thought this arrangement could remain strictly tonic between us. This stopped bing a business transaction a long time ago, but I hadn¡¯t expected this part of the arrangement. Up until the night we went to The Summit, I thought the physical attraction was all on my part. I didn¡¯t think Kenzie would be interested in anything beyond the terms of our arrangement. That night everything changed between us, but when I triggered her shback, I thought she wouldn¡¯t want me to touch her again. But the opposite happened, things between us intensified, and then this morning happened. ¡°You okay?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I lie.


    ¡°Don¡¯t over think things,¡± she leans in and whispers, even though I don¡¯t think anyone is paying much attention to us.


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I lie again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t regret what happened, please don¡¯t,¡± her voice is shaky as she quietly begs me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t, Kenzie, I promise you I don¡¯t,¡± I pull her against me and wrap my arms around her. Her back is against my chest; I watch her close her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again to look out at the water.


    I don¡¯t know what changed but when we get off the boat things are sort of back to normal between us. We stay on the main beach area, grabbing lunch from one of the restaurants and bringing it back to our chairs, opting to eat on the beach rather than inside. We chat about everything and anything, but neither of us brings up what happened this morning. We don¡¯t necessarily avoid the topic, it just doesn¡¯te up. I stop trying to analyze what happened and just enjoy spending the day together.


    We spend the day out of the vi, swimming and exploring the ind. Kenzie spends most of the day in another tiny bikini that Susan seems to have packed for her. This bikini drives me more crazy today than it did yesterday, although I¡¯m not sure why. Maybe it¡¯s because I know what she feels like beneath the bikini¡­


    ¡°Shit, Kenzie, you¡¯re sunburned!¡± I gasp as we walk back to the golf cart, and I notice the strap from her top has moved, showing a white line against her red shoulder.


    ¡°Really?¡± she looks at her shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s stop and get something to put on that,¡± I suggest.


    ¡°Actually there was stuff in the bathroom already.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get back to the vi and get something on that. I thought you put suntan lotion on earlier?¡± I swear I saw her spraying stuff on her back when we first got to the beach.


    ¡°I did¡­ I guess it wasn¡¯t strong enough.¡±


    We stop at the store and pick up the most powerful suntan lotion they have, several bottles of it, along with a few bottles of lotion that promises to ease the burn of Kenzie¡¯s skin. Sheughs at me when I put all the bottles next to the register-I know I bought too much, but I want to make sure we have enough covered for the rest of our trip so this doesn¡¯t happen again.

 Chapter 122

    Kenzie


    The golf cart ride back to our vi is short but every bump causes the fabric of my cover up to rub against my sunburn, making me wince each time. I hadn¡¯t realized the sun was so strong, that the suntan lotion I put on this morning had worn off or wasn¡¯t strong enough for the sun of the ind. When we get back to the vi, I go in the bathroom and remove the offending cover up and realize that my entire back is as sunburned as my shoulders are. Putting as much of the lotion on as I can, I quickly realize that I¡¯m going to need help seeing that I can¡¯t reach my most of my back. I step out into the bedroom and nce at the bed, immediately reminded of the morning that we spent in it.


    I was quite taken back by the pajama selection that was packed for me; at first wondering if it was Nichs¡¯s doing, hoping that something would happen between us. But then I remembered he had a personal shopper arrange for everything to be purchased for our trip. I picked the most tasteful nightie that was packed to wear for our first night. When I put it on, I was so unsure if I should wear it. In fact, I almost took it off and changed it for a T-shirt or something else. However, when I looked in the mirror, I changed my mind. Who knew that something as simple as a nightie could make you feel sexy? I felt sexy and confident; something I haven¡¯t felt in a really long time. Suddenly, his voice was gone from my head. I no longer heard him telling me how fat I was, how ugly I was and unattractive I was.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± Nichs knocks on the door, pulling me from my memories of this morning.


    ¡°I was just going toe to find you,¡± I open the door to find him standing there, wearing a pair of casual shorts and a short sleeve shirt.


    ¡°Oh? Everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Can you help me? I can¡¯t reach¡­¡± I hold up the bottle of lotion.


    ¡°Of course. Where did you want¡­?¡±


    ¡°I think I shouldy on the bed, if you untie the straps it¡¯ll make it easier for you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sure.¡±


    I climb on the bed andy on my stomach, Nichs follows me, putting the lotion and towel next to me. With my chest pressed against the bed, I reach behind me and untie the straps of the bathing suit to make it easier for Nichs. He seems to have difficulty finding afortable position and finally ends up sort of straddling my thighs.


    ¡°Wow that¡¯s cold,¡± I hiss when he first pours some of the lotion on my back.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Instead of pouring more lotion directly on my back, he pours it into his hands and then rubs it on my back which warms the lotion a bit so it doesn¡¯t feel so cold. Whatever is in this lotion is amazing because it instantly numbs my sunburn.


    ¡°Can I ask you something, Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± I answer although I¡¯m a little hesitant.


    I don¡¯t want him to ask something about this morning-I don¡¯t want to hear that he regretted what happened between us. I never expected to wake up practically on top of Nichs, but it felt so nice to have his arm around me holding me close to him. I¡¯m still not sure how we went from him kissing me, to full blown making out. I don¡¯t know how it happened, but it felt so¡­ different than anything I¡¯ve ever experienced before.


    I¡¯ve never felt so connected to someone as I did to Nichs this morning. My only fear is what that¡¯s going to mean over the next two years. The thing is, after everything that Nichs has already done for me¡­ I can easily see myself falling for him. Hell, I think I¡¯m half way there already. I¡¯m scared to death where that will leave me in two years when we get a divorce.


    ¡°Howe it doesn¡¯t bother you when I touch your scars? I mean¡­ howe it doesn¡¯t cause¡­ what happened the other night?¡± his hands pause over my lower back, just above the waistband of my bikini bottoms.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    The way his hands are positioned, his fingertips are barely touching one of my more prominent scars.  I know where each scar is and what caused each one; I can never forget they are there or how they got there.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s never bothered me when someone touched them. I hadn¡¯t realized that having my hands held would¡­ do that.¡±


    ¡°Are they all from your¡­ ex?¡±


    ¡°No, actually most of them aren¡¯t. There¡¯s a few, like this one,¡± I take his hand and lower it to my hip where there¡¯s a V shaped scar. ¡°It¡¯s from where I hit the corner of his desk. This one,¡± I bring his hand to the middle of my back, ¡°is from a bookshelf. The small, really light ones over here¡­ those were from a mirror breaking against my back.¡±


    ¡°God, Kenzie¡­ I swear if I ever get my hands on that bastard¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not worth it. Trust me, he isn¡¯t worth anything.¡±


    ¡°You have other scars¡­¡± he says a few minutester. He continues to rub the lotion onto my back, even though I¡¯m pretty sure he is already covered ever section of my back already.


    ¡°This one,¡± I pull my bikini bottoms down about an inch so he can see the dotted scar. ¡°One of my mother¡¯s boyfriends¡­ or maybe it was a husband, I can¡¯t be sure, hit me with one of her belts.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    ¡°I was six, maybe seven, it was the first time one of her men hit me. I¡­ knocked over his bottle of beer when I was dragging my nket on the floor heading to my room. He flipped out. He grabbed the first thing that he could reach which was my mother¡¯s studded belt¡­ he¡­ held me down, lifted up my nightgown and hit me with it.¡±


    ¡°What did you mother do?¡±


    ¡°She told him to stop and sent me to my room.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t kick him out?¡±


    ¡°No, you see he was her meal ticket. She wasn¡¯t working, so she couldn¡¯t just pack us up and leave; she needed him.¡±


    ¡°God, I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do. It was what it was-like I said, it was a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°What happened to her?¡±


    ¡°My mother?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you had said you never saw her after¡­ that night.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m-¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t say you¡¯re sorry again,¡± I sigh. ¡°A few weeks after she¡­ after that night, I came home from school one day, did my homework and just before I was about to go to sleep, a cop knocked on the door of the trailer. They were killed in a car ident in Florida the week prior and had only just learned that I existed to inform me.¡±


    ¡°How did you manage when they were gone? You were so young¡­¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t like I was used to having someone take care of me, so it wasn¡¯t very different from I what was used to. I ate the little bit of food we had in the trailer, trying to make itst as long as possible. I received free breakfast and lunch at school, so I really only had to worry about dinner. There was stale cereal in the cabs, and a few boxes of stuff I was able to make. I don¡¯t know how long it would havested if the cop hadn¡¯te that night.¡±


    ¡°What happened after that?¡±


    ¡°He was obviously surprised to find me living there alone, so he had to call child protective services. I spent a few nights in a group home before they found a living rtive who would take me in.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how you ended up on the west coast?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my¡­ grandmother lived in California. She caused the rest of the scars you see on my back-¡±


    ¡°FUCK! Didn¡¯t you ever get a break?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I admit. ¡°I mean¡­ not really. When I went to college things were much better; I only had to deal with my grandmother when I came home on school breaks.¡±


    ¡°But then you lost your schrship.¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± I shake my head remembering how close I was to my ticket out of her house, only to have it yanked from me. ¡°It was like the universe was ying an evil trick on me. I was right there¡­¡±


    ¡°Only to have it taken away from you,¡± he finishes my sentence. ¡°Your grandmother couldn¡¯t help you cover the tuition?¡±


    ¡°Oh, she could if she wanted to; thedy had more money than she ever knew what to do with.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t she pay for it then? Even if it was just to get you out of her house? I mean¡­ it doesn¡¯t sound like she wanted you there to begin with.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t. She only took me in because she was afraid of how it would look that she let her only granddaughter grow up in the foster care system rather thane to live with her. She never let me forget that she didn¡¯t want me there. She wouldn¡¯t pay for my education because as she said, it wasn¡¯t her responsibility. She took care of my basic needs: I had a roof over my head, food to eat and clothes to wear. That was where her responsibility ended.¡±


    ¡°God, Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°She hated me and she made sure I knew it. I think she hated my mother so much that she took her anger out on me. I couldn¡¯t do anything right as far as she was concerned. My grades were perfect in high school, perfect, Nichs, as in a 3. 9 GPA, yet it wasn¡¯t good enough. She punished me for anything and never believed anything I said. If I came homete from school because one of the activities ran over, she would insist I was out with a boy. She always told me I would end up like my mother; no man would ever love me and I would be good for nothing but a fuck.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°You want to know the irony of that? I¡¯m not even good at that!¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean you¡¯re not even good at that?¡±

 Chapter 123

    SHIT! I didn¡¯t mean to say that part aloud-he wasn¡¯t supposed to hear that. I don¡¯t say anything, not wanting to even go there with him. Nichs shifts off of my back and lies next to me in the bed, still rubbing my back.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­. Kenzie¡­. please talk to me,¡± he shifts so he is a little closer to me. I¡¯m too embarrassed to look at him; I still can¡¯t believe I said that aloud. ¡°What makes you think you aren¡¯t good¡­ in bed?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­ that¡¯s what¡­ my ex¡­ would tell me¡­ constantly,¡± I whisper, still not looking at him.


    ¡°Your ex?¡± I nod. ¡°The man who supposedly loved you, who wanted to spend the rest of his life with you, told you that you were bad in bed?¡±


    I never realized how ridiculous it sounded until Nichs said it, but


    what he said was still the truth.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°The first time we slept together¡­ it¡­ everything seemed fine. But then he¡­ he had a problem¡­ finishing.  He kept¡­¡± I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m seriously having this conversation with Nichs. ¡°He couldn¡¯t keep going¡­ he told me it was my fault. At first, he said it was because I was fat and ugly, but then¡­ then he started saying it was because I was a horrible fuck. That I didn¡¯t know what I was doing, that I wasn¡¯t making it enjoyable for him, that I didn¡¯t turn him on¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie,¡± I can hear the anger in Nichs¡¯s voice and his body tenses next to me. I never wanted him to know these things. I never expected there to be a reason for him to know about this part of my life.


    ¡°Surely the other guys you were with-¡±


    I shake my head, embarrassed even more.


    ¡°There weren¡¯t any other guys¡­¡± I whisper in admission.


    ¡°This asshole is the only man that¡­ you¡¯ve ever¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,e here,¡± he tries to pull me closer to him, but I¡¯m lying on my stomach so only my side is pressed against his. His fingersb through my hair and he slowly urges me to turn my head so I¡¯m facing him. I¡¯m so embarrassed-I can¡¯t look him in the eye. I never told anyone those things; I told all the counselors about the physical abuse, but I was always too embarrassed to tell them the rest. How do you tell a perfect stranger that you suck in bed? ¡°Trust me, the problem was all him and not you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that,¡± I shake my head.


    ¡°I do,¡± he lifts my chin up so I¡¯m forced to look at him. ¡°This morning¡­ that proved just how wrong he was.¡±


    Except, he had no issues the first time we were together either, but I don¡¯t say that. I want to believe Nichs, but his voice is always going to be in the back of my head haunting me. When you get told something over and over again, how do you not believe it?


    ¡°If I ever get my hands on him, I swear I¡¯ll make him pay for what he did to you. I hate that even yearster he still has you doubting yourself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that different from what your ex did to you, Nichs.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s very different. She never¡­ she never made me second guess my performance. She didn¡¯t have a reason to.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not but she did things that still make you second guess yourself.¡±


    ¡°No-¡±


    ¡°Nichs, face it, both of our ex¡¯s did a number on us. Combined with our pasts¡­ it really makes us quite a pair.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what makes us such good¡­ friends: we have so much inmon in that sense.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°I swear, Kenzie, I will never let anyone hurt you again.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t guarantee that, Nichs,¡± especially in two years when we go our separate ways. ¡°I don¡¯t want to dwell on the past; we can¡¯t change what happened. Right now, I want to focus on being here and enjoying this amazing ce you have brought me to. This trip has been nothing I ever expected; please don¡¯t let what I said ruin it.¡±


    ¡°Nothing could ruin this trip.¡±


    He leans down and kisses me gently on the lips; it¡¯s awkward at this angle. I want to move to be closer to him, but since my bathing suit top is still untied I¡¯m very limited as to how I can move.


    ¡°How¡¯s your back feel?¡± I¡¯m thankful for the change in topic.


    ¡°Much better, thank you. I think I¡¯m going to get changed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check my email beforeing to bed.¡±


    Before leaving the bedroom, Nichs grabs my silk robe off the bathroom door and hands it to me.  Getting changed into my pajamas, I feel much less confident than I didst night. I hate that I let him get to me while Nichs and I are here; I hate that I have scars that made those questionse up. I hate that things were going so well since we¡¯ve been here, and then I let him get to me again.


    I¡¯m tempted to go find the clothes I wore on the ne and just sleep in those. I don¡¯t, though, because that would mean that he would win again. I need to stop letting him get to me. His voice isn¡¯t always there, but when it is, I have to fight to get rid of it. Instead of finding something else to wear, I go through the nightwear that Susan packed for me and find one that isn¡¯t too revealing. Some of the outfits she packed¡­ wow¡­ I don¡¯t know that I¡¯ll be able to wear them on this trip. They¡¯re absolutely gorgeous, but I don¡¯t see myself wearing something that ispletely see through to bed. Maybe if this was a typical honeymoon, but it¡¯s anything but that.


    I slip on a light grey nightgown along with the matching thong that ites with. Looking in the mirror I start to feel a little better; the outfit is obviously designed toplement a woman¡¯s curves. Like the one I worest night, the top of this one is allce, but instead of it being a band that covers my chest, this one is more like a bikini top. Thece covers my breasts, thankfully ensuring my nipples aren¡¯t too obvious, however, it has a plunging neckline that leaves the dress open between my breasts. The thin, light fabrices together under my breasts and ends just at my upper thigh. It¡¯s a little shorter than what I worest night, but there¡¯s not much I can do about that. I throw back on my silk bathrobe, not wanting to walk around the vi in this outfit, before heading out to the main area.


    ¡°We¡¯ve made the front page of nearly every gossip site in and around New York,¡± Nichs says when I finally find him sitting outside on the patio.


    ¡°Oh? Good or bad?¡± After the conversation we just had I¡¯m almost afraid to ask.


    ¡°See for yourself,¡± he hands me hisptop and pats the daybed so I can sit next to him.


    ¡°We never thought we would see the day¡­ New York¡¯s own, billionaire yboy, Nichs Parker is married!!! We thought this was a joke, that someone had hacked into PFS¡¯s email server, however, we have confirmed the news with PFS¡¯s chief operating officer Alexander King, that thepany¡¯s CEO, Nichs Parker, is in fact, married. Alex confirms that he was in attendance for the nuptials which urred sometimest week. PFS released a statement confirming that Nichs Parker and Mackenzie Rose, the beautiful woman he has been seen with for thest few months, were indeed marriedst week. Other than Alexander King confirming the marriage, no one at PFS would answer any of our questions or return our phone calls. We have to wonder¡­ what led Nichs Parker to suddenly change his ways? What is it that Mackenzie Rose has, that no other woman has? How did she finally get the billionaire yboy to settle down? And why so quickly? Could she be pregnant? Could that be the reason for the quick marriage? Rest assured, New York, we are on top of it and will be watching to see if a baby bump appears in the very near future!¡±


    ¡°Oh God, they think I¡¯m pregnant,¡± I burst outughing. Of all the things I thought they would say about me, suspecting I was pregnant was not one of them. If only they knew that pregnancy wasn¡¯t even a possibly, considering Nichs and I haven¡¯t had sex!


    ¡°Most of the articles are like this one; a few actually published the picture that was included in the press release,¡± he clicks on theptop and another window appears with a picture of us. The picture looks amazing: it was one that was taken during the ceremony and is at such an angle that it includes both the rocks and ocean. What surprises me the most about the picture is how¡­ authentic Nichs and I look. I remember standing before the officiant, not being able to concentrate on anything he said because Nichs was all I could think about. I remember being so nervous the morning of our wedding; not because I was questioning my decision to marry him but I was worried that the press and everyone wouldn¡¯t believe we were getting married because we loved each other. What¡¯s interesting is in that picture, neither of us looks nervous at all. In fact, if I didn¡¯t know any better, I would think the picture was taken during a real wedding. I think what surprises me the most, is the way Nichs is looking at me in the picture; I try reading into it further, but I¡¯m not really sure what it looks like. Maybe it¡¯s just a look of appreciation for what we are doing? Or gratitude?


    ¡°I think the picture my PR department used for the press release was a good one,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°It turned out nice,¡± I agree.


    ¡°The sky is so clear out here at night,¡± Nichs says after a few minutes of silence. ¡°I¡¯m usually so busy in New York, I don¡¯t get a chance to look at the stars very often. When I came out here, I was waiting for myptop to start up, Iid back and just looked at the stars.¡±


    ¡°It is really clear.¡±


    ¡°Here,y back,¡± he puts theptop on the table next to us before moving over so I cany back with him. Lying here, listening to the waves crashing in the background, looking at the stars above us¡­ it¡¯s so easy to forget the real world exists. It¡¯s as if we are the only two people in the world-that our pasts don¡¯t matter.

 Chapter 124

    Kenzie


    ¡°It¡¯s so peaceful out here,¡± I sigh, looking up at the perfectly clear sky. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that anyone else is on this ind right now.¡±


    ¡°It was one of the things that caught my attention when my travel agent rmended this ind. They only have fourteen couples staying here at any time, even when you consider the staff that work here, it doesn¡¯t add up to very many people. Especially with howrge this ind is. She rmended a few other ces, but I didn¡¯t think they couldpare in terms of privacy that this ce could offer. They were all nice, don¡¯t get me wrong, but some just seemed like you were right on top of the other guests. I wanted us to have a chance to get away from reporters, or even other guests, who might want to sell our pictures and stories about us to the press.¡±


    ¡°I think this was the perfect choice.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how long wey like that, both of us just staring at the sky and while the waves crash on the beach below us. Peaceful doesn¡¯t even begin to describe how being out here feels-I could easily fall asleep under the stars without worrying about anything. It¡¯s just so rxing and the sound of the ocean in the distance is soothing. You can tell the resort was designed to take advantage of these little things: I¡¯ve never heard of a resort putting a bed outside, but lying here right now it all makes perfect sense. It¡¯s so rxing and quiet that I know if I don¡¯t get up soon, I¡¯m going to end up falling asleep out here.


    ¡°I should head to bed,¡± I say after yawning.


    I start to sit up, but Nichs grasps my hand gently and pulls me back down. Iy back, his arm under my neck and instead of looking up at the stars, he is now looking at me, his head just above me. We stare at each other for what feels like several minutes, before he moves closer to me and captures my lips in his. The kiss starts off gentle but quickly bes something more, like most of our kisses do any more. Within seconds, our hands are all over each other, one of his working on untying my robe while I run mine through his hair. I tug at his hair and grasp the arm that is holding him over me as he ravishes my mouth. He groans and pulls away from me when he finally seeds in untying my robe. He cautiously pulls back the robe, his eyes never leaving mine, almost as if he is worried that I¡¯m going to stop him. I¡¯m too busy trying to figure out how to breathe again to stop him from doing anything right now.


    ¡°God, Kenzie, you¡¯re so fucking beautiful,¡± he says, as he looks down at me, taking in my outfit for the first time.


    Last night was more of a quick nce before I came to bed, tonight, though I feel like he is really looking at my outfit. I don¡¯t need to look down to know the nightie has ridden up quite a bit-I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he can see the matching thong I¡¯m wearing, especially since it was barely covered it to begin with. His hand gently runs down the length of my nightie before slowly heading back up towards my face. This simple touch has my body heating up within seconds, it turns me on more than I even thought was possible, even though he hasn¡¯t touched my bare skin¡­ yet.


    He looks at me for permission when his hand reaches thece barely covering my breasts-I nod in answer to his unasked question. His lips are back on mine just as his hand slips beneath thece fabric, cupping my breasts. I can¡¯t hold back the moan when he teases my nipple with his fingers: my body feels like it is on fire right now. I¡¯ve never been so turned on in my life. I¡¯ve never wanted to be with someone as much as I want to be with Nichs right now.


    His hand slips from my breast and roams my body, feeling every inch that he can possibly reach in this position. His lips leave mine and he slowly ces little kisses down my neck before shifting his weight again so he slides down me a little further. As he moves, I can feel his hardness against my thigh, leaving me no doubt that I¡¯m not the only one affected by what we¡¯re doing right now. Knowing how he feels right now, knowing that he is turned on right now, erases the doubts I had earlier when I was getting changed.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± I gasp when his lips find my bare nipple. He squeezes my hand before releasing it to pull the other side of my nightie away so both of my breasts are exposed to the cool night air. He alternates between nipples, sucking and nipping them, leaving me a writhing mess beneath him. When his other hand slips between my legs, I nearly lose it.


    ¡°I love how responsive you are,¡± he whispers, pulling away from my nipples momentarily.


    I blush at the bluntness of his words. He takes one of my nipples back in his mouth, but his eyes don¡¯t leave mine when his hand moves my thong aside so he can explore my sex. I¡¯m more turned on than ever before; I never knew it could be like this, that it could feel this¡­ amazing. It¡¯s so different than anything I¡¯ve ever felt before; I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because it¡¯s not him or if it¡¯s because of Nichs.


    He shifts his weight again, this time sliding down me further; he ces light kisses long my nightie, pulling it up a little when he reaches the end of it. He kisses my bare stomach, his tongue tracing the outline of my thong against my skin. His fingers find the ties on the side of thong, he tugs at them gently until theye untied. He lifts his head from me, looking down our eyes meet. This time I don¡¯t know what Nichs is hoping to see; maybe he¡¯s waiting for me to tell him that I¡¯m notfortable with moving things forward between us. I don¡¯t tell him that-I can¡¯t tell him that. Because right now, the only thing I¡¯m thinking is how amazing it would feel if he were to make love to me. I know we¡¯re not there yet, and with howplicated things already are between us we may never be, but that doesn¡¯t stop my mind from thinking about it. When he realizes I¡¯m not going to tell him to stop, he lowers himself until his lips once again find my bare skin.


    With a quick flick of his wrist, the thong is pushed away, leaving mepletely exposed to him. My skin heats up even more when I realize how open I am right now; I¡¯ve never had a guy this close to me. I gasp in surprise when his kisses move lower until I feel his tongue exploring my sex. His hands are on my thighs, opening me even further to him as he explores every inch of me. I¡¯m grasping the nket below me as his actions push me to a whole new level.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± I cry out when he takes my clit into his mouth, sucking and teasing it. I¡¯m on the edge of what is likely going to be the biggest orgasm of my entire life; of course, I¡¯ve only had a handful in my entire life, but I can tell this one is different. Everything with Nichs is different -everything he does feels different.


    When he slips two fingers into me and presses up, hitting that spot deep inside of me, I lose it. Ie apart screaming his name embarrassingly loud. His mouth soon reces his fingers, his tongue thoroughly exploring my core. I just start toe down from my orgasm when he finds my clit once again.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡­ can¡¯t¡­¡± I pant as my body goes intoplete sensory overload.


    ¡°You taste even better than I imagined, Kenzie.¡±


    Not only does the bluntness of his words take me by surprise, but I¡¯m also taken back by the fact that he is saying he imagined doing¡­ this. I knew things were changing between us after we went to The Summit but after what happenedter that night, I thought things would never move further between us. I thought he would always look at me differently, that he would realize just how screwed up my past really was.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°OH!¡± I gasp when hetches back onto my clit, bringing me right back to the edge, surprising me.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± I moan when his one hand reaches up to find my breast, his fingers immediately begin teasing my nipple while his other hand is on my sex. I¡¯m back to clutching the nket below me; my body moves against Nichs on its own ord. I¡¯mpletely overwhelmed with need¡­


    ¡°Come for me, baby,¡± Nichs slips two fingers inside of me, thrusting deep until he hits that spot that causes me immediately to fall apart.


    I let go of the nket, instead, holding his head against me as I ride out another intense orgasm.  With one final nip at my sensitive nub he moves down further, his tongue teasing my opening before thrusting inside. His hands hold my thighs open as he takes his timepping everyst drop. His movements are slow, as if he could lie between my legs all night, exploring me thoroughly before slowly kissing his way back up to me. He lies next to me, pulling me close to him before kissing me deeply. I can still taste myself on his lips, I¡¯m not quite sure what I think about that. He doesn¡¯t say anything but slips his arm under my pillow before urging me to roll on my slide. Once I do, he pulls me closer to him, with my back to his chest and rests his arm across my stomach. Neither of us say anything, not because there is an awkwardness between us, but because there isn¡¯t a need to say anything.

 Chapter 125

    He reaches down and pulls the nket over us before lying back down next to me. His one arm is under my pillow while the other rests across my stomach. I have a brief thought of finding my underwear and redressing, but when he leans over and kisses my cheek, the only thing I can think about is how right his arms feel around me.


    ¡°Kenzie?  Kenzie wake up¡­¡± I hear a voice pulling me from a deep sleep.


    ¡°Hmmmmm?¡± I moan, not quite ready to wake up.


    ¡°Kenzie! Come on, wake up, we have to leave in a few minutes!¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm?¡± I reluctantly open my eyes to find Nichs kneeling in front of me. It takes me a moment to realize that I¡¯m still outside on the bed where we¡­ sleptst night. The memoryes rushing back to me and I feel my face blush deeply.


    ¡°I put a set of clothes in the bathroom for you; I need you to get change and do anything else you need to do so we can leave in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still dark out, where are we going?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise, go get dressed.¡±


    I reluctantly sit up and stretch, at which point my bathrobe opens and I watch Nichs¡¯s eyes fly to my chest. I look down, thankful that at least my breasts didn¡¯t pop out of the nightie. I quickly tie my bathrobe back up before standing up. He takes my hand as I step from the tform that the bed is on.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we slept outside all night,¡± I can¡¯t even remember falling asleep, but obviously at some point we did.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to wake you to bring you inside and since it wasn¡¯t cold, I figured it wouldn¡¯t hurt to spend the night out here.¡±


    ¡°What time is it anyway?¡±


    ¡°Just before five.¡±


    ¡°UGH.¡±


    ¡°Go get changed, don¡¯t worry about breakfast, we¡¯ll be having that in a little while.¡±


    Nichs escorts me to the bedroom with his hand on my lower back the entire time. I¡¯m keenly aware that I¡¯m not wearing any underwear under my nightie. If he remembers this, he doesn¡¯t say anything about it.


    ¡°I put everything I thought you might need on the bathroom sink. I have coffee started, but we need to leave in a few minutes if we¡¯re going to be there on time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be quick.¡±


    Surprisingly, he found everything I would need, including panties and a bra which makes me blush, although it really shouldn¡¯t, given what happened between usst night. I quickly change into the Capri pants and short sleeve shirt that he picked out before using the bathroom and brushing my teeth. Since I don¡¯t have time for a shower, I throw my hair into a quick ponytail. When I walk out to the main room, Nichs is waiting for me with a small cup of coffee. I don¡¯t tell him I need something about twice this size right now because of how tired I am. I don¡¯t know what time we fell asleepst night, but I know it waste.


    Nichs drives the golf cart to another section of the ind that we haven¡¯t yet been to. As we drive up a long dirt driveway, I see horse stables and several horses in a fenced in area.


    ¡°Are we going horseback riding?¡± I ask in surprise.


    ¡°I thought since you seemed to enjoy it before, that we would go while we¡¯re here.¡±


    After a quick lesson, I¡¯m on a calm horse, slowly walking down a hill following Nichs. Like before, the horse seems to know where it¡¯s going, and I don¡¯t have to do very much. We trot through the woods; it¡¯s still fairly dark out, but it¡¯s light enough to follow the trail. Within a few minutes wee out of the woods onto a beautiful beach with no one around us. My horse follows the other horse over to arge tree, where he easily dismounts from his horse before tying it up. He ties mine up next to his before taking my hand to help me down.


    ¡°This is beautiful out here,¡± I take in the sky which is just starting to change colors over the ocean.


    ¡°Our breakfast over here is waiting, we should be able to sit and watch the sunrise as we eat,¡± he exins gesturing to the pic basket that is further away from the horse.


    I follow him over to the small pic table where a basket is waiting for us. We both unpack the basket with fruit, muffins, yogurt, juice and thankfully more coffee. We sit next to one another on the same side of the table so we can watch the sunrise over the ocean. It truly is amazing to watch the sky turn so many different colors just before watching the sun rise from the horizon. I¡¯ve never experienced anything like it before, and I don¡¯t think anything will top it. Not only are we watching this beautiful thing happen, but we are doing it alone. There isn¡¯t a single person around that I can see.


    ¡°That was really amazing, thank you,¡± I lean over and kiss him. What starts as a simple kiss, quickly turns into more when I feel his tongue at my lips. I moan against his mouth as he pulls me against him so I¡¯m sitting between his straddled legs on the bench. When the horses make a loud noise, we both pull away from each other,ughing at the distraction. ¡°Come on, we still have the rest of the trail,¡± leading me back to the horse, he assists me in climbing on before readying the horses.


    We spend the next couple of hours exploring the ind on horseback. The horses led us on a route they are obviously very familiar with, but one that included walking on the beach, through the woods and even along a small stream. The entire time we were out, we never saw another person, which is something you definitely don¡¯t expect. I couldn¡¯t help but think how nice it was to get away from the paparazzi that I know are waiting for us back in New York.


    We spend the rest of the day at the vi except for dinner when we venture to the main area with the restaurants.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker,¡± Carter greets us just as we are seated for dinner.


    ¡°Carter, Julie, how are you?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Very good, sir. Thank you again for-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, Julie, you deserve this vacation just as much as Carter does,¡± Nichs interrupts.


    We chat for a few minutes before Julie and Carter head back to their room. We order drinks and dinner, before discussing our ns for thest few days of our trip. We make ns to go kayaking and hiking, but otherwise, we don¡¯t decide on anything firm. I think Nichs is enjoying not having a schedule to follow like he does when we are in New York. ¡°Shit!¡± he exims, ncing at his phone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Seems I need to deal with something when we get back to the vi.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡­ there¡¯s apany that I¡¯ve been looking at signing for thest few weeks. I thought this could wait until we got back, but it seems like there is anotherpany also submitting a proposal, so we need to move quickly.¡±


    ¡°Do you need to go back to New York?¡±


    ¡°No! I just need to spend a few hours tonight reviewing spreadsheets and a report that Alex sent. I need to decide if we should make a formal proposal or let it go.¡±


    ¡°We can head out now. Let¡¯s just have them box up dessert.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    For the first time since we arrived in Fiji, I go to bed alone after changing into yet another revealing nightie. Nichses to bed at some point during the night; I only know this because he is there when I wake up to use the bathroom before falling back to sleep.

 Chapter 126

    Nichs


    Last night I ended up having to work until long after Kenzie went to bed, and then once I finally finished, I came to bed to find her lying on top of the nkets in this¡­ sheer little thing. With the moon light shining through the French doors I could almost entirely see through the outfit she was wearing. God, all I wanted to do was wake her up and get inside of her. I haven¡¯t been able to keep my hands off of her this trip-it¡¯s like I need to touch her. I¡¯ve never been the touchy feely type; I¡¯ve never felt the need to touch a woman unless we¡¯re fucking. Yet, with Kenzie, I find myself looking for reasons just to touch her. Whether it¡¯s holding hands, like fucking teenagers when we walk, or my hand on her back, I just can¡¯t help but touch her.


    It took everything in me not to wake her up, strip off the little outfit she was wearing and sink deep inside of her. I didn¡¯t though¡­ part of me is still convinced that if we cross that line, things will change between us. She¡¯s not the type of woman who can separate sex and emotions, I know she¡¯s not. I can¡¯t have things getting messy between us¡­ messier than they already are.


    But waking up like this, with her wrapped around me, makes me wonder if we haven¡¯t already crossed that line. Yet again, we had somehow drifted towards each other during the night and were now sleeping in the center of the bed pressed up against each other. Her head was on my pillow, her leg rested on top of mine, and her hand under my shirt on my stomach.


    I slip out of the bed but not before taking one final look at her sleeping peaceful, free from any nightmares. I can¡¯t help but wish things were different between us-that this contract didn¡¯t exist, that there wasn¡¯t so much on the line with it. That I could give her everything she wants. That I could give her that emotional connection she would want if we slept together. That it wouldn¡¯t just be fucking to me¡­ that I could give her something more like she deserves. That it wouldn¡¯tplicate things even more than they already are between us.


    I head out to the living room and check my email. Alex confirmed he was avable to talk today about the proposal, which shouldn¡¯t take long. I respond to a few other emails, making notes of various things that I need to touch base with him about when we talk.


    ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± Kenziees out of the bedroom, thankfully fully dressed and no longer wearing the nearly see through nightie fromst night.


    ¡°Work,¡± I shrug. ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to get everything donest night.¡±


    ¡°Did you want me to put an order in for breakfast then?¡±


    ¡°No, let¡¯s go out. I need to step away from this stuff anyway.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure you can¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go change.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I take a shower and quickly get dressed before meeting her in the kitchen where she is waiting for me. We head out on the golf cart to the breakfast buffet that the resort offers for all of its guests. I¡¯m usually not a fan of buffets but given the very limited number of guests that are on the ind, the food is a much higher quality than what you would normally find at a hotel. We each grab a te and serve ourselves before finding a table to sit at.


    ¡°I have a conference call today that, unfortunately, I need to be on. I¡¯ve booked you an appointment at the spa while I¡¯m on the call-¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to do that. I could have gone swimming or something while you were busy. It really isn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I didn¡¯t want you to be bored while I was working. This way you get to do something for yourself while I¡¯m working. I¡¯ll drop you off at the spa before the appointment and pick you up afterwards. If you finish early the store is in the same building, everything can be charged directly to our room.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t think of anything I need, but thank you for arranging the appointment at the spa.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    ¡°Is everything going okay at PFS while you¡¯re gone, otherwise?¡±


    ¡°Yes, surprisingly well. I¡¯ve never gone away for a week before, so this has been a new experience for all of my staff.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never gone on vacation?¡±


    ¡°No, not for an entire week anyway. I have a house in Vermont that I¡¯ve spent some time at, but I usually schedule to be there over a long weekend so my time away from the office is minimal. But even during those times, I¡¯m never really away from the office, not like I am here. When I¡¯m in Vermont, I have a fully functioning office just like at home, so I can immediately take care of anything thates up.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve never gone on vacation before.¡±


    ¡°When we were little, of course we did, but since starting PFS my focus has been on building thepany. Vacations weren¡¯t a priority,¡± I shrug.


    ¡°Well, then this is kind of a first for both of us: I¡¯ve never been on vacation before and you haven¡¯t been on vacation since starting PFS.¡±


    ¡°Surely, you took vacations when you were little?¡±


    ¡°No, never. The only times we stayed in hotels was when we were between ces to live, and trust me, they were never in a ce where you would want to take a vacation to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°This trip more than made up for not going on vacations as a child,¡± sheughs.


    ¡°In the winter, we¡¯ll n a trip to Vermont. It¡¯s really beautiful up


    there-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll give me a reason to go; when I bought the house, I thought I would be able to go much more often than I do.¡±


    ¡°Howe you haven¡¯t gone more often? If the house has a full office, you could have worked from there if something came up?¡±


    ¡°I could,¡± I admit pondering how to tell her the reason I didn¡¯t go was because I really had no one I wanted to go with, without sounding like a fool. ¡°I guess, it just wasn¡¯t a priority. Whenever Cara, Austin or my parents wanted to go they would go, and sometimes I would join them, but sometimes I wouldn¡¯t. I think I just let PFS take over my life.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy to see how that could happen, but you really should try to take more time for yourself, Nichs. I¡¯m sure it isn¡¯t healthy to work as much as you do without a break.¡±


    We finish our breakfast in afortable silence and head back to the vi. Until having breakfast with Kenzie, I never realized how I have taken vacations in general for granted. Hearing that she had never been on a vacation before this trip, really hit me hard. I know she had a shitty childhood, but I figured that at some point she must have at least had a long weekend vacation somewhere. My parents took us on a vacation every year, even if it was just a weekend camping trip-they made sure we went somewhere and had fun. Some of my fondest memories growing up are of adventures we had together.


    ¡°ording to the flyer the staff left, it looks like they¡¯re having live music tonight on the main beach,¡± Kenzie points out.


    ¡°Did you want to go?¡±


    ¡°If you think you¡¯ll be done with work by then? If not-¡±


    ¡°After my conference call, I don¡¯t foresee anything elseing up while we¡¯re here this week. It looks like they¡¯re making an entire night of it, with dinner and music. We¡¯ll n to go.¡±


    ¡°Oh, good!¡±


    A couple of hourster, I have dropped Kenzie off at the spa with strict instructions to text me when she is ready toe back to the vi. I¡¯m not too worried about security on the ind-Narter only came so that we would have security if we decided to leave the ind. Had I known how much they had to do on the ind itself, I probably would have given him the week off since there really isn¡¯t a need for us to leave the ind. A few minutes after I start up myputer, my Skype is alerting me that Alex is ready for our call.  We review the financials before deciding to move forward with the proposal.


    Alex: So, tell me, how is everything going with Kenzie on your fake honeymoon. By the way, the press are fucking having a field day over your announcement.


    Nichs: Everything is so fucked up, I don¡¯t even know where to begin.


    Alex: What happened? Are you and Kenzie not getting along as well as you were before you left? Cause I have to tell you, the way you too were all over each other at The Summit, I expected you to be in bed together that night.


    Nichs: We¡¯re getting along great¡­ better than¡­ Alex: So what¡¯s the problem?


    Nichs: We¡¯ve be¡­ close this week. Much closer than we were before.


    Alex: Spending twenty-four seven with someone will do that man. (chuckles)


    Nichs: I guess.


    Alex: How is she handling your nightmares?


    That¡¯s what happens when you try to share a dorm room with someone at college. Itsted two nights before I begged my parents to let me move off campus-I was stupid to think living on campus would stop the nightmares. I just wanted to live in the dorms¡­ to be normal. Instead, Alex got a front row seat to how fucked up I was. He didn¡¯t bat an eye at it though, instead, he insisted that we look for a two bedroom apartment off campus to rent together. Nichs: Fuck.


    Alex: What?


    Nichs: I didn¡¯t have onest night either.


    Alex: Didn¡¯t have what?


    Alex: When was thest time you had a nightmare?


    Nichs: (sighing) The night before our wedding.


    Alex: Have you ever gone this long without a nightmare?


    Nichs: No.


    Alex: Why do you think the nightmares have stopped? What¡¯s so different about Fiji? Besides the beach, the views and everything else of course.


    Nichs: Kenzie.


    Alex: Huh? How is being in Fiji right now any different than being in New York? Kenzie lived with you for what, about two weeks before the wedding right? I¡¯m sure you still had nightmares then, right?


    Nichs: We¡¯re sleeping together now.


    Alex: (Cough) I¡¯m sorry, I must have misheard you. Did you just say that you were sleeping together?


    Nichs: You heard correctly.


    Alex: What brought about this change? In all the years I¡¯ve known you, despite all the women you brought home, I¡¯ve never known you to actually sleep with one of them. You were always too worried about¡­ Nichs: I never have.


    Alex: What changed?


    Nichs: I have no fucking clue.


    Alex: You haven¡¯t had any nightmares since the wedding?


    Nichs: Yes, that¡¯s what I said!


    Alex: Why?


    Nichs: I don¡¯t fucking know!


    Alex: It sounds like things between you and Kenzie changed quite a bit on this trip. Are you starting to think of her as more than just a business arrangement, like you originally said it was?


    Nichs: No¡­ I mean¡­ FUCK! I don¡¯t know.


    Alex: What has changed?


    Nichs: We¡¯ve be even better friends; we¡¯ve both opened up more¡­ to each other.


    Alex: She knows about your nightmares? About why you have them?


    Nichs: She does.


    Alex: Wow.


    Alex: Have your feelings toward Kenzie changed since you¡¯ve been gone?


    Nichs: Of course. I told you that we¡¯ve have be closer.


    Alex: That¡¯s not what I asked.


    Nichs: I don¡¯t know how I fucking feel! Alex: Have you fucked her yet?


    Nichs: What?!?! Of course not!


    Alex: You¡¯re offended that I would ask?


    Nichs: I am!


    Alex: Since what¡¯s-her-name, you¡¯ve only been interested in fucking women. I just assumed you¡¯ve fucked her by now-


    Nichs: Stop talking about Kenzie like that!


    Alex: Based on your reaction, I¡¯m going to assume that you haven¡¯t fucked her yet.


    Nichs: No, I have not fucked Kenzie.


    Alex: You don¡¯t want to?


    Nichs: I don¡¯t want to fuck Kenzie, no! She deserves better than that! She isn¡¯t the type you just fuck.


    Alex: So things haven¡¯t changed physically between you two? You¡¯re just sharing a bed but nothing more?


    Nichs: What are you asking? I already told you we haven¡¯t had sex!


    Alex: I¡¯m just wondering since the press isn¡¯t around, if you¡¯re still putting up the act. Are you still physical with her even though no one is watching? Or are you two still just strictly friends?


    Nichs: No, we¡¯re not! We¡¯re making out like two horny high school teenagers! Is that what you want to hear? That I can¡¯t keep my fucking hands off of her? That I can¡¯t stop thinking about her? Because that¡¯s what it¡¯s been like since right before the wedding!


    Alex: Were you like this with-


    Nichs: NO! Never! I¡¯ve never been so¡­ no one has ever gotten under my skin the way Kenzie does! I¡¯ve never wanted to protect someone as much as I want to with her. I¡¯ve never wanted to sleep with a woman before. I¡¯ve never¡­ felt like this before.


    Alex: Do you love her?


    Nichs: No! Of course not!


    Alex: Are you sure?


    Nichs: Yes, I¡¯m fucking sure! I told you, after everything that she put me through, I¡¯m never going to fall in love again! I¡¯m never going to risk losing everything again, not for a woman, not for anyone ever again.


    Alex: Sometimes people fall in love without realizing it¡¯s even happening.


    Nichs: I¡¯m not falling in love with Kenzie! I can¡¯t fall in love with her!


    ¡°Um¡­ I just wanted to grab my bathing suit,¡± Kenzie quietly walks past me and into the bedroom.

 Chapter 127

    Kenzie


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± I say as I jump out of the golf cart.


    ¡°Take your time, Kenzie,¡± Julie says.


    I quietly enter the vi, unsure if Nichs is still on his conference call and make my way into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. The spa was amazing and incredibly rxing, so much more than I expected. Not wanting to bother Nichs while he was on his call, I decided to head to the store to look around. I was surprised to run into Julie who was there getting sun-tan lotion before heading to the beach. Like Nichs, Carter was also on the phone, only he was talking with Hunter and the rest of the security team back in New York. When she invited me to join her on the beach, I agreed to go with her so that Nichs could spend the afternoon dealing with whatever must be going on at PFS that is pulling him away bothst night and this afternoon. Julie suggested I buy another bathing suit at the store, but I didn¡¯t want to spend more money, given that Nichs already had an entire wardrobe purchased for this trip. Julie offered to take me in her golf cart when I said I would just run back to the room and grab mine.


    Overheard¡­


    ¡°Do you love her?¡± A man asks.


    ¡°No! Of course not!¡± Nichs exims.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± It takes me a moment but I recognize Alex¡¯s voice.


    I should turn around and leave, go back to Julie and tell her I couldn¡¯t find my bathing suit. I should go back to the store and just buy another one. I shouldn¡¯t just stand here-I shouldn¡¯t be holding my breath waiting for Nichs¡¯s response. I shouldn¡¯t be eavesdropping on what is obviously a very private conversation.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fucking sure! I told you, after everything that she put me through, I¡¯m never going to fall in love again! I¡¯m never going to risk losing everything again, not for a woman, not for anyone ever again.¡±


    ¡°All I¡¯m saying is sometimes people fall in love without realizing it¡¯s even happening.¡±


    Not what¡¯s happening to me at all¡­ I¡¯m fully aware that I¡¯m probably falling in love with Nichs. It feels like nothing I¡¯ve ever felt before. I thought I was in love with him, but I realize now I was just desperate to get the hell out of the ce I was in at the time. I think I was more in love with the idea of getting out of that house and into a better ce, than I was in love with the person who was taking me out of there. How I feel when I¡¯m with Nichs, though, ispletely different. I care so deeply about him-I can easily see myself falling in love. I¡¯m holding my breath again, waiting for his response, unsure of what I hope his answer is. Do I dare hope that he is also falling just as hard for me as I am for him? Do I hope that he admits he isn¡¯t sure about falling in love with me, but that he has very strong feelings toward me as I do to him? Do I hope-


    ¡°I¡¯m not falling in love with Kenzie! I can¡¯t fall in love with her!¡±


    With reality pping me in the face, I quietly walk into the living room where he¡¯s sitting on the couch with hisputer on hisp. His response was definitely nothing like what I was hoping for: his words stung, reminding me what I knew from the moment I met him. I was foolish to think I could ever be enough for a man like him, that he could ever fall in love with someone like me.


    ¡°Um¡­ I just wanted to grab my bathing suit,¡± I quickly walk past him, without looking him in the eye, knowing that if I were to he would be able to see the tears in them.


    I grab my bathing suit and beach cover up, tossing them into a bag along with a towel. I should just change here before heading out to Julie, I know she wouldn¡¯t mind waiting another minute for me but right now, I really just want to get out of here. I know if I stay here even for a few minutes, I¡¯m just going to keep reying his words over and over again in my head.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t expecting you-¡± Nichs approaches me as soon as I leave the room.


    ¡°Clearly,¡± I mumble, not able to hold the sting from my words.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to¡­ that wasn¡¯t meant for you¡­¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± I can¡¯t hide the anger in my voice, although I don¡¯t fully understand why I¡¯m angry.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°I need to go, Julie is waiting for me outside.¡±


    ¡°Julie?¡±


    ¡°I ran into her at the store, we¡¯re going to the beach.¡±


    ¡°If you wait a minute, I¡¯ll change and-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ of course.¡±


    We stand there staring at each other until I finally look away, I shake my head and walk out to where Julie is waiting for me in the golf cart. I get into the cart without saying a word, not yet able to form aplete thought about what just happened. Julie must sense something is wrong, or maybe she is distracted herself, whatever reason, I¡¯m thankful that she doesn¡¯t say anything about my change in mood.


    A few minutester, we have changed, ordered drinks and are lying on the lounge chairs enjoying the amazing weather. As I look out at the clear blue water, I realize how foolish I have been over thest few days. I¡¯ve allowed the lines between us to be blurred; I¡¯vepletely forgotten that all of this is fake, that all of this is just for show. Things weren¡¯t supposed to be so involved between us-we were supposed to remain friends and nothing more. But the night at The Summit changed all of that¡­ everything changed that night. ¡°Kenzie, dear, are you okay?¡± Julie asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I lie.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s none of my business, but if Mr. Parker did something


    -¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t, Julie,¡± not really. He was only being honest, telling me what I¡¯ve known all along.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be blunt with you for a moment. Afterward, you can tell me to mind my own business if you want,¡± I nod letting her continue. ¡°I¡¯ve known Mr. Parker now for more than five years and I¡¯ve never seen him as happy as he is with you. I know things between you two are¡­ unconventional,¡± Julie essentially confirms that she is aware of our arrangement, which really isn¡¯t a surprise considering she is involved with


    Carter. ¡°But, Mr. Parker loves you Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°He does, I just don¡¯t think he knows it. Or maybe he is just afraid to admit it.¡±


    ¡°Even if that were true, which it¡¯s not, why would he be afraid to admit how he felt?¡± I really shouldn¡¯t be talking to Julie about this, but I have no one else to talk to. I shouldn¡¯t be hopeful, but I still wonder if what she is saying is true.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if Mr. Parker told you about Harper?¡± I nod indicating I know of the bitch and what she did to him. ¡°She managed to convince him that she was in love with him and that he was in love with her. Anyone could see from the outside that wasn¡¯t the case, but he was too blind to realize it. She was¡­ the most deceitful person that I¡¯ve ever met. Mr. Parker has always treated me wonderfully; from the very beginning, he was always professional and treated me like a valued employee. Harper, treated all of us as if we were beneath her, as though she was better than us because she came from money. Mr. Parker never saw this though, he only saw what she wanted him to see.¡±


    ¡°She sounds awful, I¡¯m sorry she treated you so badly, Julie,¡± I shake my head in disbelief that someone would treat another person so negatively simply because they had money.


    ¡°Even though Mr. Parker¡¯s family absolutely loves him, I think he has always struggled to ept that their love is unconditional. He always seems surprised by the little things that they do to show him how much they love him. I honestly don¡¯t know if he even knows what love looks like; I think that¡¯s why it was so easy for him to think he was in love with Harper. Obviously, I wasn¡¯t there when she first said those three words, but knowing Mr. Parker the way that I do, I think he was so taken back by the fact that someone outside of his family was saying that they loved him, that he convinced himself that he needed to love Harper back.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think he ever loved her?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± her voice leaves no doubt. ¡°I can see the way he looks at you, the way he hangs on every word you are saying, and the way he constantly seems to search you out when you¡¯re not near him. That¡¯s love, Kenzie. He never did that with Harper; half the time, I don¡¯t think he even knew if she was in the apartment with him. He loves you, whether he is ready to admit it, though, may be a different story.¡±


    ¡°I walked in on him having a Skype session with Alex; I overheard something I wasn¡¯t supposed to.¡±


    ¡°What you overheard made you doubt his feelings for you?¡±


    ¡°Alex asked him if he loved me.¡±


    ¡°How did he answer the question?¡±


    ¡°He said he couldn¡¯t love me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Kenzie, I¡¯m sorry dear. I can¡¯t imagine how those words must have hurt,¡± she reaches over and squeezes my hand before signaling the staff for drink refills.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have let it bother me. This¡­ what we have was never about love, I¡¯ve always known that.¡±


    ¡°But you fell in love with him.¡±


    ¡°I think I am.¡±


    ¡°Just like I said about Mr. Parker loving you, I know without a doubt that you are just as in love with him as he is with you-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Neither of you may be ready to admit it yet, but it doesn¡¯t change how obvious it is to everyone else that you are in love. You both have a past that makes loving someone or having someone love you difficult,¡± her words surprise me as I¡¯ve never spoken to Julie about my past. Hell, I¡¯ve never spoken to anyone as in depth as I have with Nichs. ¡°You just need to be patient with each other.¡±


    ¡°But what if¡­¡±  I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m trying to ask.


    ¡°Just be patient, Kenzie; he needs to realize how he feels on his own. Alex was probably pushing him to see what we all have already seen. He¡¯s is the only one, besides Austin, who will call Mr. Parker out when he¡¯s¡­ stubborn¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡± But it doesn¡¯t change the fact that he said he couldn¡¯t love me.


    ¡°How has your trip been thus far? Everything else okay between you two?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been wonderful,¡± I admit. ¡°It¡¯s felt like we were the only two people in the world-that the press and everything else didn¡¯t exist. We¡¯ve both¡­ gotten to know each other better.¡±


    ¡°Good, don¡¯t let today ruin the rest of your trip, Kenzie. Try not to focus on what you overheard.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of hard not to.¡±


    ¡°I know it is.¡±


    ncing back out at the ocean, I try to wrap my head around what Julie has told me. I knew that bitch had messed with Nichs, and that he had difficulty trusting women after what she did, but I don¡¯t think I ever thought about it beyond that. I never considered that she could have hurt him to the point where he didn¡¯t think he could love someone again.


    I also worry if what Julie is saying isn¡¯t urate: what if what he said had nothing to do with what Harper did to him. What if he was right?


    What if he really can¡¯t love me? What if I¡¯m not good enough for him? What if everything everyone has always said about me was right?


    ¡°Kenzie, I hate to do this, but Carter and I have dinner reservations that I need to get ready for,¡± Julie pulls me from my thoughts some timeter.


    ¡°Of course, go¡­ have fun!¡±


    ¡°Do you want a ride back to the vi? I can drop you off before I head to our room if you want.¡±


    ¡°No, I think I¡¯m going to spend some more time out here. Thank you¡­ for everything, Julie.¡±


    ¡°Anytime you need to talk, Kenzie, I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate it, I really do.¡±

 Chapter 128

    I spend the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening on the beach; ordering dinner and drinks for myself rather than going back to the vi. Obviously, I know at some point I need to go back there, but I don¡¯t know what to say once I see Nichs again. What do you say to someone who just admitted they couldn¡¯t love you? Do I just ignore what he said and pretend it never happened? Even if I thought that was the best choice, I¡¯m not sure I can do it. I don¡¯t know how to go back to the way things have been between us over thest few days without constantly hearing those words in my head. I really had thought that with everything that had happened between us this week, that I wasn¡¯t the only one developing feelings in this rtionship. I think I would have been okay if Nichs admitted he didn¡¯t love me but had feelings more than friendship for me. But he didn¡¯t¡­ all he said was that he couldn¡¯t love me.


    When the sun starts setting, the air turns cooler, and I know that I need to head back to the vi to deal with the situation that I¡¯ve been avoiding for thest few hours. I still don¡¯t know what to say to Nichs- part of me still doesn¡¯t want to talk about it. I¡¯m afraid that if he realizes how much his words hurt me that he will also realize that they hurt because I¡¯m developing feelings for him beyond the friendship that we have formed.


    With the press release just issued by PFS about our nuptials, doing anything to interfere with our arrangement could ruin Nichs. I think the best option is to pretend as if I never overheard his conversation; this way he won¡¯t know that his words hurt me or know the reason they did.


    Realizing this is my best option, I take a deep breath, pack up my towel before tossing on my beach cover up and head up the boardwalk. Since Julie brought me here, I¡¯ll be walking back to the vi. There are well lit paths from each vi to various areas of the resort so I¡¯m not worried about my safety or getting lost. I reach the top of the beach where there is a small parking lot for the golf carts where I find one single golf cart parked. I don¡¯t have to look at the person behind the wheel to know who it is¡­


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡± I ask as I approach the golf cart and climb in.


    ¡°I arrived a few minutes after you and Julie did.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here for¡­¡± I have no idea what time it is because I didn¡¯t bring my phone.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he shrugs.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe down?¡±


    ¡°You seemed to want to be alone.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to stay, I¡¯m sure you had things to do.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    He starts the golf cart and drives us back to the vi. The ride is quiet, neither of us wanting to address the obvious elephant in the room. I¡¯m shivering by the time we get back to the vi: the night air is much cooler than I had expected it to be and unfortunately my skimpy beach cover up doesn¡¯t offer much protection from the wind on our trip.


    ¡°You¡¯re freezing,¡± Nichs touches my arm seeing me rubbing them.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting the temperature to drop so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get in the hot tub? The water is already heated and it will warm you faster than a shower will.¡±


    ¡°I think I will, thanks.¡±


    I walk over to the hot tub and turn the water on. Until tonight it hasn¡¯t been used; I wait a few minutes for the water to quickly fill and climb in. Sitting in one of the seats, I turn the jets on, lean back and close my eyes. I feel Nichs enter the room before I see him; he sighs heavily before sitting in one of the seats just behind me.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m sorry you overheard call with Alex earlier-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. If anything, I should be apologizing to you.¡±


    ¡°To me? Why? What do you have to apologize for?¡±


    ¡°You obviously had wanted privacy for your meeting, which I interrupted. I should have texted you like you asked, so you knew I would being back. The only reason I didn¡¯t was because if you were still on your call, I didn¡¯t want to interrupt you, which I ended up doing anyway.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you walked in when you did. I never meant-¡±


    ¡°Please, let¡¯s not do this.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just forget about it, please.¡±


    ¡°I think we should talk about it.¡±


    ¡°Why? Why should we talk about it, Nichs? Is what you said untrue?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ no¡­ but-¡±


    ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to discuss.¡±


    Frustration, anger, disappointment, hurt and probably an array of other emotions that I can¡¯t identify run through my head. I get out of the hot tub, grab a towel from the bench and dry off while heading to the bedroom. I was hoping that he wouldn¡¯t want to talk about what had happened, that he would want to forget what happened just as much as I did. I hadn¡¯t pinned him for the type who would want to talk about and hash it out.


    I change into a pair of shorts and a tank top before climbing into bed and wrapping myself in the warm nkets. Part of me feels bad for snapping at Nichs for wanting to talk about what happened, but I can¡¯t let him see how much his words hurt me. I can¡¯t let him know that it hurt because I was starting to fall for him. I can¡¯t let him know that he just confirmed one of my biggest fears-that in fact, I am unlovable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fuck this up you little slut. This is your one chance at doing something with your life. I still don¡¯t know how you managed to get Richard to fall in love with you-he¡¯s too good for you. He deserves better than you, but for some reason, he wants to settle for you. Don¡¯t fuck it up!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°If you fuck this up, don¡¯te crying to me. Once you walk out of this house, you won¡¯t be permitted back in it. Your future is being handed to you. For whatever reason this wonderful man has decided you¡¯re his future. What he sees in you is beyond me, but he must see something to want to spend the rest of his life with you. You fuck this up and your life is over. You will have nothing. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what he does, how he treats you or how unhappy you are, you don¡¯t leave him under any circumstances. If he ever leaves you, it will be your fault for not being able to keep your husband happy.  This is now your only priority: you keep this man happy and by some miracle whatever he found in you will stay there. I still can¡¯t believe Richard fell in love with you; not when there are so many other women falling at his feet.


    Just remember that: you have nothing that he can¡¯t find somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°You know, I bet he doesn¡¯t even love you.¡±


    ¡°He does-¡±


    ¡°No, I think he just tells you that to appease you. It makes sense now that I think about it; he doesn¡¯t actually love you. I¡¯ve told you over and over again no one will ever love you. You¡¯re certainly not good enough for Richard to love you.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I wake up with tears pouring down my face; my eyes frantically search the room, almost expecting to see her standing there. I¡¯m relieved when I realize I¡¯m in the vi in Fiji and not back in that horrible house in California. It¡¯s not until I turn the bathroom light on and look back at the bed do I realize that I was sleeping in it alone. For the first night since our wedding, I have slept alone, although I guess it shouldn¡¯t surprise me after what happened between us yesterday. I didn¡¯t really give Nichs any indication that I wanted to sleep with him.


    I don¡¯t think he understands why what he said bothered me so much because really I don¡¯t know that I fully understand it. I should be happy he isn¡¯t falling in love with me: it means things won¡¯t be moreplicated than they already are. I should be grateful that he wants to keep this friendship between us and notplicate our arrangement with love. I¡¯m none of these things though-I¡¯m not happy, I¡¯m not grateful¡­ I¡¯m just¡­


    I shake my head, needing to free myself from thinking about what happened earlier and from the nightmare. I remember the day clearly; it was the day I had announced to my grandmother that I was moving out. I had only known Richard a couple of weeks, but he knew I was unhappy living with my grandmother and had suggested we move in together. I thought it was too soon, but when he told me he was falling in love with me and wanted to spend every moment with me, I fell for it. Hook, line and sinker.


    He had just started to look for a house to buy and invited me along to get a choice in where we would live. I thought it was my dreame true. I foolishly thought he was my knight in shining armoring to save me from the shitty life I had lived until that point. Looking back, I realize just how stupid I was; we barely knew each other and had no business moving in together. I should have known that he didn¡¯t love me, that we didn¡¯t know each other long enough to love each other. I was just so desperate to get away from my grandmother that I probably would have moved in with anyone at that point.


    Needing to get my mind off of things, I head out to the patio, quietly passing by the living room where I assume Nichs has decided to sleep for the night. The cool air on my face immediately wakes me up while the sound of the waves crashing in the background immediately draws my attention to the ocean and away from everything else. I¡¯m about to turn around to find my flip flops, intending to walk down to the beach, when I hear whimperinging from the other side of the patio. I immediately rush to the day bed where I find Nichs tossing and turning under the sheets. I try calling his name but he doesn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Mommy¡­ please help¡­ Oww!!!!!!!!!¡±


    FUCK! I need to do something-I can¡¯t just sit here and watch him have a nightmare. I¡¯m torn, though because he told me never to try to wake him from a nightmare. He even made me promise to leave the room if he had one when we were sleeping together. I try calling his name again, louder this time, but still no response.


    ¡°Please¡­ Please¡­ I¡¯ll be a good boy¡­ Don¡¯t¡­ NO!! NO more!! Please no more!! It¡¯s HOT!! I good boy; I good boy.¡±


    My heart is absolutely breaking: I can all too easily picture Nichs as a scared little boy being hurt by his mother. Forgetting his warning, I slide into bed, lying next to him but keeping a small amount of space between us as he continues to toss and turn under the nkets.


    ¡°Nichs, please wake up,¡± I beg, but all I receive in response is him moaning in pain.


    I need to do something-I can¡¯t just let him continue to relieve what happened to him when he was younger. I cautiously move myself closer to him, knowing that if he does end up hurting me this could permanently ruin our already messed up arrangement. I know he would never forgive himself, even if I was able to convince him that it wasn¡¯t his fault. I know he wouldn¡¯t hear of it.


    I take his hand in mine, squeezing it to try to pull him from the nightmare. His head turns in my direction, but he doesn¡¯t open his eyes. His back pushes into the bed, his face twists in obvious difort as he tries to push something imaginary off of his chest. I want to touch him, but I don¡¯t know if that will trigger something worse for him. Not knowing what else to do, I do the only thing I can think of-I put my hand on his cheek and cautiously bring my lips to his. He immediately stops moving, but remains tense next to me.


    Unsure if his nightmare is over, I gently run my tongue along his lips trying to bring him back to reality and away from the horrible person that hurt him so badly when he was too young to defend himself. It takes a few minutes, but eventually Nichs sighs, and I feel him rx into the bed. I tense when he moves, unsure what he is going to do, but I¡¯m relieved when he wraps his arm around my waist. I gasp in surprise when his tongue finds mine; the kiss quickly turns from one offort to one full of emotion.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Kenzie, so fucking sorry,¡± he pulls me close to him and buries his head in my neck.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ let¡¯s not talk about that right now,¡± I beg him.


    ¡°We need to-¡±


    ¡°Not now, please.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°You had a nightmare,¡± I point out the obvious.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t had a nightmare since we left, did something cause this one?¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t in bed with me,¡± he says it as if it exins everything.

 Chapter 129

    Nichs


    I wake up to find Kenzie wrapped in my arms, and it immediately brings a smile to my face. When I went to bed alonest night, I thought the mornings of waking up with her in my arms were over. I knew things were fucked up yesterday, that I fucked things up yesterday. I never expected her to overhear my call with Alex-she couldn¡¯t have walked in during a more inopportune moment. Of course, she didn¡¯t walk in when I was telling him how much I like moments like this: lying in bed with her in my arms.  No, she had to walk in to me saying that I can¡¯t fall in love with her. I¡¯ll never forget the look in her eyes, there was so much hurt in them. She has the same look after she has a nightmare, and it nearly killed me to know that this time I caused it.


    I¡¯ve tried to apologize, to talk to her about what she heard but she keeps pushing me away. I don¡¯t think she wants to talk about it, but ording to Alex that¡¯s the worst thing I could let happen right now. Of course, he also demanded a raise since I failed to put marriage counselor in his job description.


    I spent hours sitting in the golf cart watching Kenzie on the beach yesterday, trying to figure out how to fix things between us. I don¡¯t know what Kenzie was thinking about, but she looked just as lost as I was; she just spent the time after Julie left looking out at the water. So many times I wanted to go down to her, sit next to her where Julie had been and tell her how sorry I was. I didn¡¯t, though; she made it perfectly clear that she didn¡¯t want me to go with her. I wanted to respect her need for space, even if it was killing me to do so. I know her personal space is important-that was obvious from the first contract with Bridget. I didn¡¯t want to do something to fuck things up further between us.


    It took me a long time to finally fall asleepst night; my mind kept racing, trying to figure out how to fix things. Once I finally fell asleep, it wasn¡¯t long before a nightmare set in. What surprised me was that the nightmare ended so quickly-they never end so fast. I was stunned to feel Kenzie¡¯s lips on mine, her hand in mine and her tongue gently coaxing my mouth open. Still shaking from the nightmare, I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close to me, needing to feel her body against mine. Almost instantly I was calmed down and the memory of the nightmare was gone.


    I eventually fell asleep against night, and until the bright sun woke me up only a few minutes ago, I slept soundly. As I watch Kenzie sleep next to me, I realize that this is the perfect opportunity to finally clear the air between us. She¡¯s lying next to me, my arms are around her, so she can¡¯t easily leave like she did yesterday. Well, I suppose she could but since tying her to bed isn¡¯t an option, this is probably the best chance I have for keeping her in one ce long enough to at least listen to me. Now¡­ if only I could figure out what the hell I should say to her.


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking too hard,¡± Kenzie mumbles without opening her eyes.


    I chuckle at how in tuned she is to me right now.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I sigh before rolling on my side, so we are now facing each other. I pull her closer to me, needing to again feel her body against mine. Her hand teases my hair while the other is resting on my arm.


    ¡°Did you sleep okay after¡­?¡±


    ¡°I did, thank you¡­ foring to me, for waking me up.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know what to do. I needed to wake you up, but I was so afraid of touching you and making it worse.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡­ I can¡¯t apologize enough for yesterday-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not-¡±


    ¡°It is. I know you want to ignore what you heard, because you think it will be easier, but we can¡¯t do that. I hurt you and I will never forget the look in your eyes when you walked in after hearing what I said.¡± ¡°Nichs,¡± she tries to pull away from me, but I wrap my arm a little tighter around her waist.


    I¡¯m not holding her tight enough to freak her out (at least I don¡¯t think I am), but I¡¯m holding her tight enough that she can¡¯t just easily get off the bed and leave.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What you overheard was Alex pushing me, but what I said wasn¡¯t about you Kenzie. I need you to know that it had nothing to do with you-¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm,¡± I can hear the sarcasm clearly; she is no longer looking at me, her gaze now fixed on my shirt.


    ¡°Kenzie, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me.¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t give me the ¡®it¡¯s not, you it¡¯s me¡¯ line. Look, I get it:


    you can¡¯t love me. I don¡¯t see the point in hashing this out any further. I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so intent on us talking about it and making things more awkward between us. Please, just let me up so I can take a shower and get dressed.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯ve been avoiding me since yesterday, and I¡¯m not going to let you continue doing it. I never said that I can¡¯t love you-¡±


    ¡°You did!¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t, damn it! What I said was that I can¡¯t fall in love with you. There¡¯s a big difference!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the same thing.¡±


    ¡°No. Not being able to love you means you don¡¯t have any qualities that someone would find loveable.  Nothing could be further from the truth. You¡¯re kind, generous, strong, beautiful, sexy, trustworthy and just fucking amazing. When I said that I couldn¡¯t fall in love with you, it wasn¡¯t because I didn¡¯t see those qualities in you. I see them every damn day that we spend together!¡±


    She doesn¡¯t say anything-I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s still listening to me or if she¡¯s just tuning me out.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I sigh trying to figure out what the hell I can say to her to fix this. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fucking scared.¡±


    ¡°What are you scared of?¡± her voice is barely above a whisper, but at least I know she¡¯s not tuning me out.


    ¡°I thought¡­ I thought I fell in love once. Looking back, I realize now that what I felt for her wasn¡¯t love at all. But it doesn¡¯t change how things ended. I nearly lost everything when¡­ I can¡¯t do that again.  I¡­ I just can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I get it, I really do.¡±


    ¡°You mean more to me than she ever did. I trust you more than I have anyone in my life. I care so much about you, Kenzie, which is why seeing you hurt yesterday because of something I did nearly killed me-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry-¡±


    ¡°You have nothing to be sorry for. It was damn bad luck that you walked in when you did; you could have heard any other part of that call with Alex, and it wouldn¡¯t have hurt you. Instead, as fate would have it, you walked in the moment I said the worst possible thing. This week¡­ I¡¯ve really enjoyed spending this week with you, more than I ever expected to. I feel like we¡¯ve be closer than we were before¡­¡± ¡°We have,¡± she whispers in admission.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to tell you how much you mean to me. Somehow over thest few months, you have weaved your way into my life. You somehow get me like no one ever has. I have no idea how, but you manage to keep the nightmares away simply by sleeping next to me. You¡¯re the only woman I¡¯ve ever shared a bed with, the only one I¡¯ve ever trusted enough to sleep next to me. I don¡¯t know how to ssify what we have: it surpassed a business arrangement months ago, and I think in the past week we¡¯ve also surpassed just being friends. We¡¯ve somehow be more¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I walked in yesterday when I did. I wish I had just texted you like you asked-¡±


    ¡°Stop apologizing, you didn¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°I wish we could just forget that yesterday happened. I¡¯ve really been enjoying this week and spending time with you. I missed sleeping next to youst night; you make me feel safe when you sleep with me.  I¡­ you¡¯re not the only one scared. I swore I would never fall for a guy again; I was content with spending the rest of my life alone rather than risk getting hurt again. I went as far as ensuring that I wasn¡¯t even alone with a man for thest two and a half years.


    ¡°Then I met you and you somehow managed to knock down all the walls I had put up. I care for you Nichs¡­ deeply, more than I think I have for anyone in my entire life. And yesterday, hearing you say¡­ what you said, I thought it meant that what I was feeling was one sided. That you didn¡¯t see me as anything more than your friend¡­¡±


    Her voice trails off at the end, and I¡¯m gutted once again. I lift her chin up, forcing her to look at me.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I think you can agree that we passed friendship some time ago. Does this feel like friendship to you?¡±


    Without giving her a chance to even think about it, I lean down and crush my lips against hers. I pour everything into the kiss, hoping for her to feel what I¡¯m struggling to find the words to say. She gasps in surprise, I¡¯m sure at the intensity of the kiss, and I take advantage of the opportunity to slip my tongue into her mouth. She moans against my lips before her tongue cautiously begins to explore mine. I run my hand up her back, holding her tight against me as I devour her mouth. I groan when she sucks my tongue into her mouth, the sensation going directly to my dick. I know she can feel it against her, there¡¯s no way for her not to with how close we are right now.


    As I run my hands over her soft curves, I realize that for the first time since we arrived here, she isn¡¯t wearing one of the nighties that Susan had packed for her. I can¡¯t help but feel responsible for her decision not to wear one of those outfits. I wonder why she chose to wear a tank top and shorts to bed? I want to ask her about it, but I¡¯m almost afraid to know the answer. Is it because she knew she would be going to bed alone? Is it because she thought that when I said I couldn¡¯t fall in love with her that she thought that meant I didn¡¯t find her attractive? Surely she has to know that after everything that has happened between us this past week that not finding her attractive wasn¡¯t even a possibility.


    I somehow manage to pull my lips from Kenzie¡¯s and slowly start kissing my way to her neck. I kiss, nibble and suck at the juncture where her neck and shoulder meet. Her breathing is heavy and every so often she releases the softest moans that make my dick harden even more. I slip my hand beneath the waist band of her cotton shorts, grasping her soft ass, pushing her further against my dick, wanting to leave her no doubt how attractive I find her. I can tell the moment her own desire begins to take over as she begins to rock against me, rubbing her clit against my dick. I don¡¯t know when it happened, but at some point, she must have moved her leg as it is now resting over my hip. She¡¯s using it to hold onto me just as much as I¡¯m holding on to her right now.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she moans as the desire climbs even higher within her.


    My own desire is climbing-each time she moves against me she manages to rub me in just the right way. The thin fabric of our pajama shorts is the only thing separating us, the only things preventing me from sliding deep into Kenzie. If only things were that easy-


    ¡°Please¡­¡± she whispers, pulling me from the path I was about to go down of focusing on how fucked up I am.


    Instead of doing that, I focus on the beautiful, sexy woman that is in my arms. I slide my hand from her ass to her damp silk panty covered sex. She gasps and pushes herself both against my hand and against my dick at the same time. I let my fingers slide through her wet folds, teasing her further before sliding one deep into her throbbing center. She grips my finger so fucking tight that I can¡¯t help but imagine what it would feel like to have her grip my dick that hard.


    ¡°God, Kenzie¡­ You have no idea how badly I want you,¡± I whisper to her just before sliding another finger into her.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°I got you, baby,¡± although the position is awkward because of how we¡¯reying, I manage to twist my fingers as I push them deeper into her until I find the spot I was looking for. ¡°Come for me, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°OH! NICHOLAS!!!!!!!¡± She wraps her arms around my shoulders, pulling me even closer to her as she rides out the waves of her orgasm. Her body continues to rub against mine; her lips are on my neck, sucking and kissing me just as I was doing to her a few moments ago. When she sucks on my ear, I swear I nearlye in my shorts right then and there. I use the arm that is around her back to hold her firm against me as I start thrusting my fingers in and out of her warm, tight body, not yet ready to let her go. She moans in my ear before biting it lightly, causing my hips to thrust against her involuntarily.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ you¡­ don¡¯t,¡± I pant when I feel her hand working its way into my shorts.


    ¡°I know, I want to,¡± she whispers just before she wraps her hand around my dick which has been begging for some attention.


    When her thumb glides over the top of my dick, rubbing the drops of moisture that had been collecting there, I swear it takes everything in me not to lose it in that moment. I¡¯ve never felt so out of control with a woman as I do with Kenzie. I¡¯ve never been so fucking turned on just from forey -if this is even considered forey since it doesn¡¯t result in sex. Whatever the fuck it is, she manages to have me so close toing, the moment she touches me every fucking time. I¡¯ve never been like this¡­ ever.


    ¡°You feel so fucking good,¡± our bodies have separated a little to give us each enough room to move. I take advantage of the new position and rub my thumb over her clit, causing her to thrust against my hand and grip my dick even tighter as she strokes me. ¡°So fucking good.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­¡± I rub her hardened clit a little more which is all it takes to push her over the edge as she once again screams my name.


    ¡°Fuck, KENZIE!¡± She grips my dick harder while her body sucks my fingers deeper into her as she falls apart against me. Imagining it¡¯s my dick inside of her, instead of my fingers, has me following Kenzie right over the edge only secondster.


    Her lips slowly make their way from my ear back to my lips where she gently kisses me. I let her lead the kiss, and she does just that. I hold her against me not yet ready to let her go. After the way yesterday ended and we went to bed separately, I never expected us to be here like this today. Hell, I wasn¡¯t sure we would ever get back here.


    ¡°Definitely more than friends,¡± sheughs, and I chuckle remembering what I said to start all of this a little while ago.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go take shower,¡± I kiss her onest time, take her hand and lead her inside.

 Chapter 130

    Kenzie


    After a long, hot shower together, we¡¯re in the golf cart and on our way to the activities area of the resort to see if we can go kayaking.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to run into the store while you see about the kayak. I want to pick up something,¡± I say when he pulls into a parking spot.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll meet you in at the bench?¡± he gestures between the store and the activities area.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    I spend a few minutes walking around the store, looking for something to get Julie to thank her for talking with me yesterday. I¡¯m not sure what I would have done if she hadn¡¯t brought up the topic of what had happened. I don¡¯t know that we I would have worked things out so quickly if she wasn¡¯t as open as she was. I¡¯m still not sure I believe her that Nichs is in love with me, but hearing her say that at least confirmed what he told meterthat he thinks of me as more than a friend.


    It takes me a few minutes of walking around the store, which has everything from gifts to toiletries to snacks, before I finally find something that I think she will like. I decide on a pin in the shape of a turtle that is made from different shapes of stones. I think she will appreciate that the stones on the turtle are local to the ind. Walking up thest aisle, I grab onest item on a whim and head to the check-out counter. The cashier scans my bracelet, charging the purchases to the vi and ces the items I bought in a decorate bag. I ce the small bag in my purse and head out to the bench.


    ¡°If we want to grab a quick lunch, we can take the ss bottom kayak out in forty-five minutes,¡± Nichs says as he approaches me moments after I sit down.


    ¡°Perfect!¡±


    The trip was just amazing; you could literally see everything under the boat as we paddled through the open water. We were able to see the different color coral and even had schools of fish swimming below our boat. I had never experienced anything like that and judging by Nichs¡¯s face he hadn¡¯t either. There was only one other couple on the water with us, but it really felt like we were alone the entire time.  We spent about two hours on the water before deciding our arms were getting too sore to continue paddling around.


    ¡°So tomorrow is ourst day here, right?¡± I ask back at the viter that evening.


    ¡°Yes, we have to check out the next day by noon. The resort staff will pick up our luggage by eleven, I believe, to load it onto the ne. We¡¯ll leave from the airport to head back to the states by two, if everything goes as nned. The trip back will probably feel much longer because we¡¯ll be awake for most of the trip. When wend in New York, it will be around two in the morning Fiji time, but around midnight New York time. The time change back shouldn¡¯t be as difficult to adjust to as when we flew out.¡±


    ¡°Are you going back to work on Monday then?¡±


    ¡°Yes, though I haven¡¯t decided if I¡¯m going to be working from home or if I will head into the office. I should head to PFS, but it might depend on how exhausted I am.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking I should meet with Ginny next week. If the press doesn¡¯t know that I¡¯m working there, I should be able to meet with her a few times without them knowing to at least get a feel for things. I have so much to learn about running the bakery¡­¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°When ites to the book keeping and finances, I have plenty of staff at PFS who could offer you some advice once you get in there, if you want. Although, PFS doesn¡¯t typically work with bakeries, I think the systems we have in ce for The Summit could be scaled back to meet your needs at the bakery. Or you might want to keep Ginny¡¯s system that she has been using-¡±


    ¡°No, definitely not,¡± I giggle. ¡°Her books are all done by hand-I swear she¡¯s so afraid of technology and won¡¯t try anything new. I definitely want something that isputerized, so maybe once I can get a copy of what she has-¡±


    ¡°I have a copy of her books for thest two years,¡± Nichs interrupts.


    ¡°You do?¡±


    ¡°Part of the due diligence process. I needed to make sure the bakery was doing well financially before I purchased it. If it was struggling or wasn¡¯t turning a decent profit, I wouldn¡¯t have purchased it for you. It didn¡¯t make sense to purchase something that you would work day in and day out for without collecting a decent paycheck.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that makes sense. Ginny never really talked about how the bakery itself was doing. I just assumed since we were always so busy that it was doing okay.¡±


    ¡°And it most definitely is. I think there¡¯s room for improvement, especially with some of the vendors she is working with, but those are things you can decide.¡±


    ¡°I think I would like to take you up on the offer to have someone at PFS help me set up a decent book keeping system, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Of course, once we get back and you¡¯re ready, I can set you up with my head of finance. He¡¯s amazing with spreadsheets and forms; he can show you what we use for The Summit, if that¡¯s something you might want to use, or he can develop a program specific for the bakery.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I think that would be a big help. It¡¯s kind of hard to believe that in two days we¡¯ll be back in New York. In a way it feels like we¡¯ve been gone for so long¡­¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s because we don¡¯t have to deal with reality out here. There are no business meetings, no reporters, no deadlines and no security issues to worry about. We¡¯ve been able to pretend none of that exists for thest week.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been nice.¡±


    ¡°It has. Although, I expect the reporters are going to be worse when we first get back to New York.¡± ¡°Really? Why?¡±


    ¡°Because everyone¡¯s going to want the first picture of Mr. and Mrs. Parker, I¡¯m sure. We released the one from our wedding, of course, but they¡¯re going to want their own.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I suppose I should arrange for my name to be changed when we get back.¡±


    ¡°The applications are waiting for you in my office-all you will need to do is sign them. My legal department has taken care ofpleting everything and should have attached our marriage license, but if it hasn¡¯te in yet, that might be the one thing we have to wait for.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wow¡­ thanks.¡±


    ¡°You should also have insurance and bank cards waiting for you when we get back.¡±


    ¡°Insurance cards?¡±


    ¡°Medical, dental and vision. PFS offersplete medical care to all of its employees and their families. You won¡¯t have any deductibles or out of pocket expenses. I can assure you the coverage is far better than any that you might currently have, but if you want topare ns I can have someone in my benefits department call you-¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I don¡¯t have medical coverage now, so there¡¯s nothing topare. I just wasn¡¯t expecting it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have health insurance? How do you¡­ what if¡­?¡±


    ¡°I looked into getting health insurance, trust me, it isn¡¯t because I don¡¯t want it. I made too much money to qualify for state funded insurance, yet to purchase a policy out of pocket would cost me more than four hundred dors a month. And even then, the coverage itself wasn¡¯t the greatest, and came with high costs.¡±


    ¡°What if you got sick?¡±


    ¡°There are plenty of clinics that will work a payment n out with you, or a few even offer a sliding fee, based on how much you earn. Thankfully, I don¡¯t get sick too often, so it wasn¡¯t an issue. I made sure to get an annual physical, just in case, but otherwise, I rarely have to go to the doctor.¡±


    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to worry about that any longer. Like I said, PFS¡¯s medical coverage is one of the best on the market. I didn¡¯t want my employees having to worry about medical bills for themselves or their families, especially if they had a major medical issue.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I can cover the cost of my premium-¡±


    ¡°No. These benefits are provided to all employees at no cost to them. Adding you to the insurance policy doesn¡¯t cost me anything, but even if it did, I wouldn¡¯t let you pay for it. Besides it¡¯s in our paperwork that I cover your medical expenses.¡±


    ¡°I just assumed that meant a doctor bill or something; I wasn¡¯t expecting that to mean adding me to your health insurance n.¡±


    ¡°Well this way you don¡¯t have to worry about dealing with bills if you need to go somewhere.¡±


    ¡°And a bank card? I¡¯m almost afraid to ask.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯ve been added as a joint owner to my bank ount


    -¡±


    ¡°Nichs! I don¡¯t need or want ess to your money!¡±


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t need or want ess to it, but you¡¯re going to have expenses that you wouldn¡¯t otherwise have being married to me. It¡¯s only fair that I cover those expenses. You¡¯re a joint owner on one of my personal bank ounts. I want you to use it for any expenses you have. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s getting your nails done, your hair cut or going out to lunch with Cara.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t feelfortable using your money. It was hard enough to use your card to pay for the dress when Cara and I went shopping, but hair and nail appointments?¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s going to take you some time to get used to it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re used to having to worry about every penny you spend and how you¡¯re going to afford the next thing thates up. But you don¡¯t have to any longer.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Chances are you wouldn¡¯t be buying the things you¡¯re going to buy, or getting your hair and nails done as often as you will be, if you weren¡¯t married to me. It¡¯s only right that I pay for those things.¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t feel right. I have my own money, I think I should be using that.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about you having or not having money. It just makes sense since these expenses would be rted to me. I have more money that I can spend in a lifetime, probably two lifetimes. Please, don¡¯t worry about spending my money. I love that you are concerned about it, but you don¡¯t need to be.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t think about it, okay? Let me do this for you¡­¡±


    I shrug my shoulders without answering; I really don¡¯t feelfortable using the money Nichs earns working so hard, for something like getting my hair done. I see his point about it though, with the media hounding us, appearances are going to be more important than they¡¯ve ever been. I guess I just never thought that would mean that he would make me a joint owner on his bank ount. It seems¡­


    ¡°I trust you, Kenzie,¡± he leans over and kisses me, which immediately ends my worried thoughts.

 Chapter 131

    Kenzie


    Today is ourst full day in Fiji; tomorrow night we will be back in New York and back to reality. It¡¯s hard to think about being back there and having to deal with reporters, schedules, business dinners and charity events again-things here are so different. I wonder if things will change between us when we get home and real life takes over. I especially don¡¯t want to lose this: Nichs¡¯s arm wrapped around my waist and his body pressed up against mine as we sleep.


    We haven¡¯t talked about what our sleeping arrangements will be once we get back, though if it were up to me, I would keep things just as they are right now. I don¡¯t understand it, but for whatever reason sharing a bed seems to keep his nightmares away. I doubted his simple exnation as to why he had a nightmare the other night, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. In New York, he had nightmares nearly every night for the two weeks I lived with him, yet we spent almost an entire week sharing a bed and the only time he had a nightmare was when we slept separately.


    I gently lift his arm from my stomach and slip out of bed, toss on a robe and head out to the living room. I spend the next few minutes nning out ourst day on the ind; Nichs had said there wasn¡¯t anything specific he wanted to do before he left, so I thought it would be nice to surprise him. A few phone callster, I have managed to arrange our entire day, one that I hope he will enjoy. Everything nned today was done with him in mind: I¡¯m really hoping that he likes what I have picked out. I¡¯m nervous, though, I want him to enjoy today, but I¡¯m worried that he might not like something I arranged. I¡¯d like to think I know him fairly well, but the reality is we have only known each other a few short months, so I could easily be wrong. He has spent so much time and money doing things that make me happy, I want to do this for him.


    ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± Nichs finally joins me on the patio a couple of hourster.


    ¡°You sleptte.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to get back on schedule when we get home tomorrow. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve been awake before eight this entire week.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I know, I was thinking the same thing earlier,¡± I don¡¯t let on that I was also wondering if things will change between us. ¡°I was going to wake you in a few minutes anyway, I nned a few things today, and if we don¡¯t get a move on it we won¡¯t be able to get everything done.¡±


    ¡°You nned a few things?¡±


    I can tell how surprised he is by his tone, in the few months we¡¯ve known each other, I haven¡¯t nned much or taken the lead often on things we do. By the definition of our original arrangement, Nichs was the nner: he told Bridget where and when he needed me and I showed up. With our revised arrangement not much has changed in that sense. He will need to continue to tell me when and where he needs me, so the mirage of our marriage continues, and the press stays off of his back allowing his focus to remain on PFS where it should be.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve nned the entire day. Brunch should be here in a few minutes, then we need to leave within an hour if we are to stay on schedule.¡±


    ¡°On schedule?¡±


    ¡°Of course, two of our activities have set times that they ur. There¡¯s an activity in the middle, that if times allows we can do, but it doesn¡¯t have a strict start time like the others.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to tell me what we¡¯re doing today?¡±


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s a surprise,¡± I chuckle at his heavy sigh, knowing that he has done this same thing to me a couple of times now.


    ¡°Do I have a choice?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Heughs but wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck softly. He starts sucking and nibbling on my neck, as his hands struggle to untie the knot holding my bathrobe closed. Eventually, he gives up with the knot, instead sliding his hands between the folds of the bathrobe, groaning when he finds my silk covered breasts. I can feel him hardening against me, leaving me no doubt that he wants me as much as I want him right now. Things have definitely changed for us in this department:tely neither of us can keep our hands off of each other. I had thought that after I flipped out at ord Towers that night, things would have cooled off, but it has only heated up since then.


    I¡¯m startled when I hear someone in the vi behind us, but Nichs holds me tight against him not letting me turn around to see who it is. The staff here somehow performs their jobs without ever interrupting the guests. Our brunch was delivered and they left all without saying a word or interrupting us. Thankfully, from where they were in the vi, they couldn¡¯t see us on the patio, but even if they could, Nichs¡¯s back is all they would be able to see. When he sucks on my ear lobe, I moan loudly, thankful that the staff left us only moments ago.


    ¡°I want you, Kenzie¡­¡± he whispers, pressing his hardness against my ass as if to prove a point.


    ¡°I want you too,¡± I admit breathlessly. His breath hitches with my admission, I guess I surprised him with my honesty. I do want Nichs, just as much as he wants me; we just need to figure out how that can happen with our issues.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go take a shower.¡±


    ¡°Later¡­ we need to eat and get ready to leave.¡±


    ¡°It can wait.¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t¡­ we have appointment times.¡±


    ¡°Reschedule them.¡±


    ¡°It was the only time left.¡±


    ¡°Hummppppffff.¡±


    I turn around so I¡¯m facing him and wrap my arms around his neck. His arms immediately go around my waist anchoring me to him. The silk fabric of my nightie and bathrobe allow me to feel every muscle in his body when he holds me against him.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take that showerter tonight, I promise,¡± I kiss him gently on the lips even though I want nothing more than to deepen the kiss and take him up on his offer.


    ¡°Tonight,¡± he reluctantly agrees before kissing me onest time.


    After eating a quick brunch, we head into separate bathrooms to quickly wash up and get changed. I¡¯d much rather have Nichs in here with me, than in the guest bathroom, but I know if he were here we would never make our reservation. I was so tempted to cancel everything I had nned, in favor of spending the day right here with him, especially after he suggested we take another shower together. But, at the same time, I really wanted to do this: I wanted to spend ourst day on the ind doing things that he might choose to do for himself.


    ¡°Are you ready, Kenzie?¡± Nichs knocks on the door just as I¡¯m slipping on my shoes.


    ¡°All done.¡±


    Hees into the bedroom to grab a pair of socks out of the dresser before sitting on the bed next to me. It really touches me that even though we have been sharing this bedroom for the entire trip, he continues to knock beforeing in, especially if he knows I¡¯m getting dressed. I like that he doesn¡¯t take whatever is happening between us for granted. I don¡¯t know how tobel what we¡¯re doing exactly, but I know this week things have definitely changed between us. We¡¯ve gone from incredibly close friends to something much more.


    ¡°So where to?¡± he asks.


    ¡°I told you it¡¯s a surprise.¡±


    ¡°Do I need to bring anything? Bathing suit, towel¡­?¡±


    ¡°Nope, just you.¡±


    We take the golf cart through the resort, parking in the lot by the dock where we first arrived on the ind. I see Nichs¡¯s immediate confusion when he sees a ne waiting for us.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ if you didn¡¯t arrange for Carter to apany us on this trip, I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t go. We can¡¯t leave the ind-¡±


    ¡°Technically, we¡¯re leaving the ind but really, in a way, we¡¯re not. I spoke with Carter this morning and he agreed we didn¡¯t need security for this trip.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean we¡¯re leaving the ind but we¡¯re not?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an ind tour by air. The ne is going to take us around the entire ind, as well as over the nearby inds. It¡¯s just the two of us and the pilot on the trip, so Carter didn¡¯t feel there was a security risk. We won¡¯t bending until we return to Turtle Ind. However, he said if you insisted, he could be here within minutes-¡±


    ¡°No, he¡¯s right, we don¡¯t need him. I¡¯m sorry, I assumed you wouldn¡¯t have thought about security.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. When I first arranged this, I didn¡¯t even think about security, it wasn¡¯t until after I finalized all of the ns, that I thought to run this trip by Carter to be sure he didn¡¯t feel we needed security. Being here is different: in New York we need security whenever we leave ord Towers, but here we have so much more flexibility. It was easy to forget that I should ask Carter.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, we have much more flexibility here than we do in New York. I wish it were like this in New York; then I wouldn¡¯t need security and wouldn¡¯t have to worry about what the press thinks of me.¡±


    ¡°True, but then we wouldn¡¯t be here right now. You yourself said this was your first vacation¡­¡± I don¡¯t mention that we wouldn¡¯t be doing whatever it is we¡¯re doing right now.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, and I¡¯ve really enjoyed spending this week with you.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker?¡± one of the workers from the activities department arrives.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s us,¡± Nichs confirms.


    ¡°The ne is ready when you are. We are scheduled to take off in the next ten minutes, so I would rmend you make your way to the ne as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    We head down the dock to the ne that is waiting for us. I climb up the steps, my legs shaking the entire time. Although I know this ne is safe, I still hate how small it is. As soon as I¡¯m in the ne, I wait for Nichs to climb in before gesturing for him to sit closest to the window. Once he is seated, he reaches over and straps me into my seat; my hands were shaking so bad that it made buckling the seat belt difficult.


    ¡°Are you okay? We don¡¯t have to do this-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just hate how tiny this ne is.¡±


    ¡°You are the one who arranged this trip, right?¡± He chuckles.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 132

    My nervousness all but disappears once the ne is in the air, and we are able to take in the amazing views before us. We are flying much lower than we were when we first arrived on the ind, allowing us to see so much more of the ind. Our pilot takes his time going around Turtle Ind, while describing things in detail to us. I¡¯m surprised at just howrge the ind is, when the pilot points out all the undeveloped areas. There¡¯s so much to do on the section of the ind where we are staying, that it¡¯s hard to think that there are parts that are purposely left undeveloped for the local wildlife. While flying over the other inds that make up Fiji, the pilot shares information about the culture.


    As we circle back to Turtle Ind, I spend a couple of minutes watching Nichs. His face is practically glued to the window, watching as we fly over everything taking it all in.


    ¡°Wow¡­ that was an amazing trip, Kenzie. Thank you for arranging it today,¡± Nichs pulls me into his arms the moment I step off the ne and onto the dock.


    ¡°You really liked it?¡±


    ¡°It was really something. To be able to see everything so clearly¡­ we were able to see so much that we couldn¡¯t see on the flight in. I read about the air tours on their website, when I was researching the ind, but I didn¡¯t think we would fly as low as we did to be able to really see everything. And for some reason I had thought the tour was shorter-¡±


    ¡°It typically is only an hour; I had requested a longer tour so we could look at the other inds.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It was¡­ really something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you liked it.¡±


    We walk back to the golf cart hand in hand; I feel much more rxed than we first arrived. I was more worried about this activity rather than the dinner I nned forter today.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s next on our schedule?¡± Nichs asks as we reach the vi.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± I nce at the clock mentally reviewing our schedule. ¡°We have about two hours before we have to be somewhere. I had thought we could swim or go down to the beach onest time? Unless you want to do something-¡±


    ¡°No, that sounds perfect,¡± he interrupts before I have a chance to finish my thought.


    ¡°Oh, dinner tonight is formal. I sent your suit out to be cleaned, so it should be back by now.¡±


    ¡°You did?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see another suit in the closet, so I assumed you only brought the one that you wore for our wedding?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think I would need one, but at thest minute I had Carter add the bag to the ne. I guess I needed it after all.¡±


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind-¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Although, I have to admit I¡¯m intrigued as to what you have nned that requires me to wear a suit.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to wait and see,¡± I smirk at him.


    ¡°You know, I normally don¡¯t do well when I don¡¯t have control over things like this. I¡¯m not one for having my schedule changed at thest minute. Ask Melody, I have to know my schedule in advance, and be notified immediately of any changes that are made. Surprises for me are extremely rare, especially with Carter, Melody, Brian and Asher at PFS ensuring that surprises don¡¯t ur.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry-¡±


    SHIT, I didn¡¯t think of that. I should have realized he was like that, since he runs his ownpany where he hasplete control over everything. Thinking about it now, I should have recognized he would be ufortable leaving today¡¯s schedule unknown.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell Melody, but I¡¯ve kind of enjoyed this week not having too much scheduled. And what¡¯s more surprising, is that I¡¯m okay with you having nned today without me knowing anything.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he looks out at the water for a few minutes without saying anything.


    I¡¯m not sure what he¡¯s thinking right now, but something tells me not to ask him. I hadn¡¯t thought about how difficult it would be for him to not haveplete control over everything. The more I think about it, the more I see how he has been inplete control almost since the moment we met.


    ¡°Did you want to head down to the beach?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll just go change.¡±


    We don¡¯t have much time, but I¡¯m d we were able to spend some time today on the private beach at the vi. Who expects to go on vacation and have arge section of a beach all to themselves? We both changed into swimsuits but didn¡¯t actually end up going in the water. We walked in the water, stopping every so often so I could pick up a seashell, but neither of us made any attempt to actually go swimming. Before I knew it, we were heading back to the vi to get changed for dinner.


    ¡°Wow¡­ Kenzie you look¡­¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I find myself blushing at his reaction.


    In a few steps he is in front of me, running his hands along the sides of the red halter style dress, before wrapping them around me so he can feel my bare back. I think I hear him groan, ever so quietly before he leans in and kisses me. Within moments of his lips finding mine, the kiss is deepened, the need from earlier this morning quickly returning for both of us. By the time he pulls away, we are both breathless and once again, I¡¯m tempted to just cancel everything and suggest we spend ourst evening on the ind right here.


    ¡°We need to go, right?¡± Nichs whispers.


    ¡°We do,¡± I reluctantly admit.


    He kisses me onest time before pullingpletely away; I lean up and wipe my lipstick from his lips which for some reason makes him blush. Iugh that something as simple as that made him blush, yet so many of the other things we¡¯ve done haven¡¯t. He leads me by the hand out to the golf cart, and since he doesn¡¯t know where we are going, I drive us to another part of the ind where we walk down yet another dock. Arge boat is waiting for us at the end of the dock; this time we are not alone, but there are only a handful of guests on the cruise tonight. ¡°The sunset dinner cruise?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°I thought it might be nice to see the ind onest time before we left. It¡¯s supposed to be really beautiful at sunset,¡± I shrug.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard some great things about this cruise; the views of the ind are supposed to be breathtaking.¡±


    We board a few minutester and head out to therge deck to watch as we pull away from the ind. The cruise is scheduled to take us around Turtle Ind, and around one of the neighboring inds. The deck of the ship is set up for an obviously very intimate dinner: several small tables outline the perimeter of the boat, ensuring that each couple has an unobscured view as we move through the water. We are immediately escorted to the table at the front of the deck before three other couples join us on the deck. Wine and appetizers are brought out just as we pull away from the dock. Everything is timed just perfectly, we¡¯re about halfway around the ind as the sun meets the horizon, which is the same time that the main course is served.


    ¡°Dance with me?¡± Nichs asks once we finish our dinner.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    He takes my hand and leads me to the small dance floor where another couple is dancing. Instead of cing his hand on my hip, like he has done every other time we have danced, he wraps his arm around my back pulling me close to him. With how close we are to each other, the dance feels far more intimate than any of the other dances we¡¯ve shared. He leads me around the dance floor, somehow ensuring we never get too close to the other couple, even though his eyes are always on mine.


    ¡°You look really beautiful tonight, Kenzie,¡± he whispers, before kissing me just as the songes to an end.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    We walk back to our table just as the boat approaches the smaller nearby ind. We eat a delicious dessert,plemented by another ss of wine, before the ship begins to head back to Turtle Ind. The sun has now set, leaving the water dark around us, but it still somehow looks just as amazing as it does during the daylight.


    ¡°You¡¯re cold,¡± Nichs rubs my arms as we wait to leave the boat.


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t noticed but now that you mention it¡­¡±


    ¡°Here,¡± he shrugs off his suit jacket and ces it over my shoulders.


    ¡°Are you sure? Won¡¯t you be cold?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m wearing a little more clothing than you are,¡± he chuckles.


    I slip my arms through the sleeves of his jacket and instantly feel warmed, although that could have something to do with Nichs¡¯s body being pressed against my back. We both gaze out at the water onest time, before disembarking from the ship, to head back to our vi for ourst night in Fiji. Even though this week has flown by, it¡¯s hard to believe that tomorrow we¡¯ll be returning to New York.


    ¡°Thank you for arranging everything today; you¡­ I¡¯m d we were able to really see the ind before we left,¡± Nichs says, once we are back at the vi.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you enjoyed it and didn¡¯t mind that I surprised you.¡±


    ¡°You definitely surprised me by nning everything.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go change into something a little morefortable,¡± I say.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a ss of wine out on the patio, did you want one?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll meet you out there in a few minutes.¡±


    Entering our bedroom, I close the door and head over to the dresser to find something to wear for tonight. I only have a few pajamas left that I haven¡¯t worn, and all are pretty¡­ revealing which I think will work for thest part of the day that I have nned. This is the part of the day that I was most uncertain and nervous about.


    I shrug off Nichs¡¯s jacket andy it on the bed so I can change. I


    quickly change out of my dress and into one of the more revealing nighties that had been packed for the trip. I take a deep breath, slowly letting it out, as my shaking hands reach for the doorknob. I think I¡¯m officially more nervous than I¡¯ve ever been. If he were to reject me right now I don¡¯t know what I would do.


    I shake my head and slowly open the door, stepping out cautiously, still wondering if this n is going topletely backfire on me. I walk through the living room to the patio doors where Nichs is standing just outside the doors, looking out at the ocean in the background. He must sense me, because he turns around as soon as I¡¯m near him, his mouth is wide open and his eyes trail my body from head to toe.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Make love to me, Nichs¡­¡±

 Chapter 133

    Nichs


    My jaw is on the floor, and my eyes are about to pop out of my head. I can¡¯t even think straight to ask Kenzie what the hell she is doing. She¡¯s standing in front of me wearing¡­ hell, practically nothing. The ¡°nightie¡± she is wearing is like nothing she has worn this entire trip. Essentially, it¡¯s a bra that pushes her beautiful breasts up and closer together, making me want to run my tongue along her cleavage so badly. In the middle of this ¡°bra¡± is bow, which seems is the only thing holding the cups together. From the bottom of the bra cups hangs see through ckce fabric, wide open in the middle,ing down to just below her waist. A tiny piece of fabric lies below the nightie, just barely covering her sex, yet doing nothing to hide what¡¯s beneath it.


    ¡°Make love to me, Nichs,¡± her voice is barely above a whisper, though I have no problems hearing her request, despite my heart beating so loudly.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡­¡±


    FUCK! I can¡¯t even get a sentence out! I never thought this day woulde-What if I¡¯m too rough with her? What if I hurt her? What if¡­


    Kenzie¡¯s hands are suddenly squeezing mine, bringing my attention back to where it should be-on her. She¡¯s now standing in front of me, her eyes filled with worry and something else that I can¡¯t ce. I look between us, at her hands in mine, and suddenly things be clearer.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡­ what if I do something that¡­?¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t hold my hands,¡± her voice is shaky, as her nervese through the confidence she is trying to portray. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t hold them, I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°What if-¡±


    I don¡¯t get to finish my sentence because she cuts me off by cing her lips against mine. She kisses me softly, almost cautiously, as if she is waiting for my response. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her even closer to me. Her chest is against mine, her hands awkwardly between us, but she doesn¡¯tin. Instead, she takes advantage of her position and brings her hands just under my shirt, running her fingers along the waistband of my pants.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I ask her again, giving her the chance to stop things before they go any further.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± she may be as nervous as I am, but the way she is looking at me right now leaves me no doubt that she wants this just as much as I do.


    ¡°If I do anything-¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡±


    I reach between us, pulling her hands up and cing them over my neck before my lips find hers once again. This time when I pull her close to me there is nothing between us except for my clothes and the tiny outfit she is wearing. She moans into my mouth when I grip her ass and pull her against my dick that is pressing ufortably against my pants. We taste each other as I explore what¡¯s underneath the little nightie that she is wearing. When she starts moving against me, I lift her up and carry her to the bedroom. With her legs wrapped around my waist, I sit on the edge of the bed, loving how she feels against me like this. I reach between us and gently tug at the bow in between her breasts; immediately the outfit falls open,pletely leaving her breasts to me.


    Needing more, I ease her up on her knees and take a nipple into my mouth. She gasps, clutching onto my hair when I suck the little peak harder. Her breathing is heavy and the sounds that she is making right now goes straight to my dick. I groan when I reach between us and feel just how wet she is. I slowly kiss my way back up to her soft lips.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± she moans against my lips when I pull her against my dick.


    ¡°Kenzie, you¡¯re so fucking beautiful. I love the way your body feels,¡± I run my hands up and down her bare back. She immediately arches into me, pushing her hardened nipples into my chest. ¡°I want you more than I¡¯ve ever wanted anyone before.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­ make love to me,¡± she whispers before running her tongue along the edge of my ear. My hips involuntarily flex into her, causing us both to moan.


    With an arm wrapped firmly around her waist, I stand up and turn us around before lying her back on the bed. I take her arms and gently lift her hands over my head, careful not to hold them there. My eyes never leave hers, needing to make sure she¡¯s still okay with everything.


    She blushes as sheys in the middle of the bed we have shared all week. Her nightie has fallenpletely open, leaving her hardened nipples begging for my attention. Kenzie gasps when I lean down and take one into my mouth, sucking and gently nibbling on it. I feel her fingers in my hair, tugging me closer to her. Keeping my mouth on her nipple, I climb back onto the bed, leaning over her body so that I¡¯m lying between her legs. She moans in obvious disappointment when I let her nipple go but gasps again when I quickly take the other one in my mouth. I bring my hand between us and gently run my fingers along the seam of her panties. Her hips thrust up, pushing her sex against my hand when I lightly brush over her clit. I tease her for a few moments before slipping my fingers beneath her panties.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ please¡­¡± she moans when my finger slides through her wet folds.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of you,¡± I nip at her peak and slowly start kissing my way down to her sex.


    ¡°No¡­ please, I want you,¡± she whispers, which immediately stops me dead in my tracks.


    ¡°Are you sure, Kenzie? If you don¡¯t want to-¡±


    ¡°I want you.¡±


    I kneel over her, bending down to kiss her onest time before climbing back off the bed. I slowly undress, my shaking hands make the buttons on my shirt more difficult than they should be. I can¡¯t recall ever being this nervous with a woman. The confidence I usually have ispletely gone. The only thing I can think about is making sure that Kenzie enjoys this. With my final piece of clothing gone, I kneel at her feet and slowly pull her thong down her beautiful legs. I kiss my way back up her legs, pausing only briefly to slide my tonguezily over her sex. She arches against me, moaning loudly. I repeat the move one more time before I continue to kiss my way up her body. When I finally reach her mouth, I kiss her deeply, moaning when her tongue runs over my lips. My dick is against her sex; I can feel the warmthing off of her body. Just as I¡¯m about to reach between us and position myself at her opening, I realize we¡¯re missing one thing.


    FUCK!


    I didn¡¯t pack any condoms for our trip-I never thought this would happen. I never thought we would get to this point¡­ ever¡­ let alone on this trip.


    ¡°Kenzie, I don¡¯t have-¡±


    ¡°On the nightstand,¡± she pants and looks at the table next to us.


    I don¡¯t know how I missed it when we walked in, but on the nightstand next to the bed is an unopened box of condoms. Even though I have no idea when she managed to pick them up, the idea that she nned this out that far¡­ fuck, it makes my heart beat even faster. I¡¯m relieved that she thought to get them though because if they weren¡¯t here, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d be able to stop myself from sliding into her.


    I kiss Kenzie one more time before reaching over and grabbing the box, ripping it open and yanking one of the squares free from the strip. I swear I manage to get the condom out of the package and over my dick in record time, all while she is lying under me, looking more beautiful than ever.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I ask, just as I position myself at her opening, resisting the urge to just m into her.


    Instead of answering me with words, she reaches up and kisses me hungrily, her tongue immediately thrusts into my mouth, desperately seeking out my own.


    ¡°Look at me, Kenzie,¡± I beg her, slowly easing into her.


    Her eyes are heavy with need as they find mine. I need Kenzie to be looking at me right now-I need to know that she isn¡¯t thinking about anything other than how good I¡¯m going to make her feel in the next few minutes. I need to know that what I¡¯m doing isn¡¯t bothering her, that it doesn¡¯t somehow suddenly trigger a shback for her. I need to know that she isn¡¯t letting that jackass ex of hers back into her head, especially not right now. I need to know she¡¯s here with me.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I start to pull back when her eyes close tightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she wraps her legs around my thighs and tries to urge me back to her.


    ¡°Am I hurting you?¡± I whisper, worried about her answer.


    ¡°No, it was just little¡­ ufortable,¡± she blushes a deep shade of red. ¡°It¡¯s been a really long time and you¡¯re¡­ bigger¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you want to stop?¡±


    ¡°No! Please¡­¡± she leans up and kisses me again.


    I slide my arm under her waist and slowly slide back into her, only stopping once I am fully inside of her. I don¡¯t move, giving us both the chance to adjust to the new feeling. She¡¯s gripping me so tightly: I know if I move even the slightest, I will embarrass myself before things get started.


    ¡°God¡­ you feel so fucking good,¡± I gently nip at her ear causing her to moan and grip me even tighter.


    When I finally feel that I can resist the urge to explode inside of her, I slowly begin moving in and out of her, loving the way her body grips me each time I try to pull out and then sucks me back in when I push into her.


    ¡°Look at me, baby.¡±


    Her eyes open, and when they find mine, I have no doubt that she is only thinking of me right now. Her eyes are filled with hunger, lust and arousal, all I hope she sees in mine. Being inside of Kenzie feels like nothing I¡¯ve ever experienced before-I¡¯ve never felt so close to someone before. It¡¯s never been like this with any other woman: sex has always just been sex. There has never been any connection beyond a physical attraction to one another. Yet, right now¡­ it seems to go far beyond that.


    ¡°Ohhhhhhhh,¡± she moans, her body arching against mine, and I can feel her walls clutching me even tighter. I have to fight off the urge toe with her-I¡¯m not ready for this to end. Instead, I lean forward a little, changing the position, so her clit rubs against me each time I sink deep into her.


    ¡°NICHOLAS!¡± she screams out her release when I gently pinch her nipple.


    I love watching here; Kenzie¡­ is absolutely beautiful and incredibly sexy when shees. Her entire body tenses just before she finds her release, at which point her body arches and she calls out my name the moment it finally hits her.


    I gently bring her arms around my neck before I lifting her closer to me and slowly move us up the bed. Kenzie gasps in surprise and wraps her legs tighter around my waist. I slowly move us to the front of the bed, turning us around so that I¡¯m sitting with my back against the head board.


    Somehow in the process of moving, I¡¯ve slipped free from her warm body. She lifts her arms from around my neck and slowly moves them between our bodies. Ss she lifts her body and guides me to her opening, she kisses me, letting her tongue glide along my lips, at the same time she lowers herself onto me. I groan at the feeling of being back inside of her, loving the way her body wraps tightly around my dick as it stretches around me.


    She moans and momentster I feel her hands in my hair. I glide my hands over her beautiful body, needing to touch every part of her. When my hands reach her hips, I urge her to move against me.


    ¡°You feel amazing¡­ so damn good,¡± I reach between us and cup her firm breasts, rolling her nipples between my fingers. She starts moving against me faster, clenching me as her arousal pushes her closer to another release.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± she pants against my lips.


    I wrap my arms around her back, holding her against me as I begin thrusting in and out of her from below. Her head drops to my shoulder, her arms are around my neck, her fingers tug at my hair, bringing me closer to my own release, but I¡¯m determined that shees again before I do. Kenzie is moaning loudly, but when I feel her teeth against my earlobe, any sense of control I had is gone. I thrust hard and fast into her, chasing my own orgasm while hoping she finds her own at the same time.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ Kenzie¡­ I need to¡­¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ there¡­ too¡­¡±


    We both fall over the edge together, with our names on each other¡¯s lips. Kenzie continues to move against me, riding out thest waves of her orgasm. I pull her closer, her body trembling against my own as we both try to bring our breathing back to normal.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I never knew it could be like that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never been like that,¡± I whisper the admission. ¡°I¡¯ve never done that with anyone else before.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯ve never done what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never made love to a woman before.¡±


    ¡°How is that possible? I mean, clearly you¡¯ve been with women¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve fucked women before, Kenzie¡­ I¡¯ve never made love to anyone until just now.¡±


    ¡°You just fucked them?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± suddenly I¡¯m ashamed of my past, even though I¡¯ve done nothing wrong, and every woman I¡¯ve ever been with knew that I wasn¡¯t interested in amitment.


    ¡°So like one night stands? But you and-¡±


    ¡°Just fucking. No emotional connection, no cuddling, just sex.¡±


    ¡°It sounds cold.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it was.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t say anything for several minutes-I long to say something but I don¡¯t know what to say. It¡¯s not like I can apologize for my past, although even if I could, I¡¯m not sure I should. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong; it¡¯s not like I tricked women into thinking they were going to get something further from me than they already were. I quickly dispose of the condom in the trash can next to the nightstand and pull Kenzie back against me.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why what?¡±


    ¡°Why did you just¡­ fuck women?¡±


    ¡°I never wanted anything more.¡±


    ¡°So what changed?¡±


    ¡°I knew from the moment I first saw you that you deserved better than that. I knew that if we were to ever¡­ it wouldn¡¯t be just fucking.


    There¡¯s too much between us for that.¡±

 Chapter 134

    Kenzie


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that tonight we will be back in New York,¡± I sigh looking out at the ocean onest time.


    ¡°I know,¡± he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him.


    The resort staff just left to take our bags to the small ne before we fly to the mainnd to board the jet. This week was nothing like what I expected: things have changed so much between us. I try not to think about what all that will mean when our marriage ends in two years, especially afterst night. It¡¯s hard to think about how we can go from that, to just being friends. I¡¯m tempted to ask Nichs if he thinks what happened this week has changed our arrangement at all, but I¡¯m kind of afraid to know the answer. I don¡¯t know if he just thinks of what is physically happening between us as an added perk to our arrangement, or if he thinks of it as something beyond the arrangement. I have to force myself to not think about what will happen two years from now, and instead try to concentrate on the present. In two years when this all ends, if I have to walk away from Nichs-


    ¡°Are you ready to head to the dock?¡± thankfully, he pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I take onest look at the ocean before turning around.


    ¡°We coulde back, you know, or we can go somece different¡­ anywhere you want.¡±


    I don¡¯t say anything-it¡¯s hard to think about the possibility of only having these two years together. Instead, I reach up and kiss him, closing my eyes so he can¡¯t see the worry in them, as I desperately try to clear my head. Once again, I force my mind to focus on the present: on how Nichs¡¯s body feels pressed up against mine, how his lips feel against mine, how his hands feel as he rubs my back.


    ¡°If we don¡¯t stop, we¡¯ll never get on the ne,¡± Nichs whispers in heavy breaths as he pulls away.


    We meet Julie and Carter at the dock and the four of us board the small ne to head to the main ind. Julie and I immediately start talking about all the different things we¡¯ve done on the trip, while the guys talk about business and security issues after boarding the jet.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± I ask as Nichs returns to the seat.


    ¡°It seems the press has been camped out in front of ord Towers and PFS nearly all week-the police have had to remove several of them already.¡±


    ¡°You said it would probably get a little crazier when we got back.¡±


    ¡°I just wished they would leave me the fuck alone already. I don¡¯t understand why they¡¯re so fascinated with me.¡±


    ¡°Like you said, right now, they probably just want to get the first picture of you as a married man.  Hopefully in a week or two things will die down.¡±


    ¡°It better.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to try to meet with Ginny this week,¡± I change the subject, hoping it will put Nichs in a better mood.


    ¡°The press doesn¡¯t know that you own the bakery yet. My legal department was able to keep that information from the press, although I suspect eventually someone will dig and figure it out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably meet with her once it closes for the day, this way we won¡¯t have to worry about customers alerting anyone that I¡¯m there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. You can also use space at PFS, if you would rather meet there.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s best if we meet at the bakery so we can go over everything. But, if your offer still stands, I¡¯d like to meet with your financial guy to discuss the books. I really don¡¯t want to continue doing everything by hand.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll have Melody set something upter this week,¡± he quickly types away on his phone without waiting for my response.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs, I appreciate it. I¡¯m just so worried about screwing something up. I mean, I know all the recipes by heart, so that part doesn¡¯t worry me. But payroll, taxes, paying vendors¡­ that¡¯s something I¡¯ve never done.¡±


    ¡°Ginny outsources her payroll to a localpany. All you need to do is send them an excel file of how many hours each employee worked, and they take care of the rest. They take out the necessary taxes and send them where they need to go. They mail out the check or deposit the money directly into the employee¡¯s bank ount. She pays all her vendors directly, but many of them have online bill paying options avable; personally, I prefer those since you don¡¯t have to wait for checks to be cleared.¡±


    ¡°How do you know all this?¡±


    ¡°I told you, I had to make sure the business was sessful before buying it. I wouldn¡¯t set you up to fail like that.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs. It¡¯s still so hard to believe that the bakery is really mine. There are so many things I always said I would change, if given the chance, and now I finally have that chance.¡±


    ¡°What is the first thing you would change?¡±


    ¡°The website-Ginny just has a basic one that looks like a high school kid designed it. I want something modern, but elegant looking. I want it to allow businesses to ce orders online for meetings rather than having them call and risk the order being messed up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s definitely a plus. I know Melody would prefer to order our meals online when possible.¡±


    We spend the next couple of hours discussing business strategies: with some pushing, he finally shares some of the things he would change if he were managing it. By the time we finish talking, I have begun to formte a list of different things that I want to jump into after I meet with Ginny. The best part is that many of the things I want to do, don¡¯t require me to be physically present at the bakery, hopefully keeping the press away from it. As much as I love interacting with the customers, I know at least for the foreseeable future that won¡¯t be possible. I don¡¯t want to risk losing customers because the press is hounding them the way they were when it was first revealed that I was ¡°dating¡± Nichs. Instead, I think I¡¯ll talk to Ginny about staffing and handle most of the business from her office or from ord Towers. Hopefully, once things die down with the press, I can get back in front of the counter, but I know that might not be possible while I¡¯m married.


    ¡°I¡¯ve asked Carter to look at the security of the bakery itself when we get back,¡± Nichs says. ¡°I¡¯m sure the system will need to be upgraded, but Carter will arrange to have people there when the bakery is closed, as to not disrupt business. Additionally, you should probably considerpleting background checks on any new employees.¡±


    ¡°What about existing ones?¡±


    ¡°PFS already ran background checks on the current employees, and while we were gone each of them were asked to sign an NDA.¡±


    ¡°They were?¡±


    ¡°I asked Alex to work with Ginny on having itpleted. It¡¯s for your own protection: thest thing you want is for an employee to talk to the press and start selling stories about you. People can get greedy when offered money, they might even start making shit up about you just to get more money. The NDA prevents them from doing that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I hadn¡¯t thought about that.¡±


    ¡°Hunter will remain assigned to you for security, but Ben is on standby in case it is determined that you need two people with you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure-¡±


    ¡°With the press eager to get pictures, I don¡¯t want to risk anything.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense.¡±


    He goes back to checking his email and looking at spreadsheets, while I read a book that was packed in the overnight bag. Dinner is served on the ne, which tastes like something you would get from a restaurant rather than airline food.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to take a nap before wend,¡± I say.


    ¡°Actually, I was just thinking the same thing,¡± Nichs yawns and closes hisptop.


    As we walk back to the bedroom of the ne, I can¡¯t help but think how much has changed since we were in here only a week ago. It was only a week ago that Nichs reluctantly shared this bed with me, worried that he would hurt me during a nightmare. Now there¡¯s no worry-I still don¡¯t understand why, but he says I keep his nightmares away. Neither of us have mentioned what will happen when we get back to New York, but I hope this part doesn¡¯t change. I don¡¯t know that I can go back to sleeping alone again.


    ¡°We have a few hours before the flight crew will notify us that we need to return to our seats tond,¡± Nichs slides into bed next to me and pulls the covers over us.


    ¡°I had a really nice time in Fiji, thank you again for nning this trip,¡± I kiss him gently on his lips, intending it as a simple thank you kiss. However, when his arms tighten around me and his tongue slides across my lips, I know that he is thinking otherwise. My body softens around his as he holds me against him. A moan escapes when I feel him hardening between us; he gently rubs himself against my sex, letting me feel how much he wants me.


    ¡°I need you,¡± he whispers against my lips.


    ¡°What about¡­?¡± I look at the closed door.


    ¡°They know better than toe in, besides the room is sound proof,¡± he smirks.


    ¡°It is? Really?¡±


    ¡°When I had the jet redone, I added sound proofing, not only to let anyone in here sleep morefortably but also so business could be conducted in privacy.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I feel nervous knowing Carter and Julie are just on the other side of the door.


    ¡°Positive, but even if the room weren¡¯t sound proof, trust me they wouldn¡¯t daree in.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhhh.¡±

 Chapter 135

    His mouth is against mine, instantly preventing me from arguing with him further, not that there was much of an argument left. My shirt and bra quicklye off, tossed somewhere off the side of the bed. I groan the moment his lips find my nipple, he sucks hard on it, every so often, nipping at it with his teeth. With so much of my focus on what his mouth is doing, I somehow missed him sliding the rest of my clothing off. Suddenly, I¡¯m lying naked in the center of thisrge bed with a fully clothed gorgeous man leaning over me. I feel the heat rise to my face as I watch his eyes roam over my entire body.


    ¡°I¡¯ll never get tired of looking at you,¡± he whispers before kissing me hard, preventing me from responding.


    Not wanting to be the only one undressed, I reach between us and unbutton his shorts. He groans against my lips when I push his shorts down to his knees and grasp his erection. Pulling away from me briefly, he pulls off his shirt and grabs a condom out of the pocket of his shorts. He quickly ces it over his erection before lying between my legs.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡±


    Nichs¡¯s eyes ask the unspoken question, something I really appreciate: he doesn¡¯t assume this is what I want, but instead he asks. I carefully reach between, not wanting to idently touch his chest, grasp his erection and ce him at my entrance as an answer to his question. I wrap my legs around his thighs and slowly push myself against him. His eyes are on me as he wraps an arm under my waist and pushes himself even deeper into me.


    ¡°You feel¡­ fuck¡­¡± he moans in my ear.


    He starts off slowly moving in and out of me, but quickly it changes and he thrusts harder and faster into me sending me closer and closer to the edge each time. His lips crush hard against mine; his tongue mimics his erection, plunging in and out of my mouth. He swallows my screams when I finally fall over the edge and holds me against him, slowly moving within me as he lets my bodye down from the orgasm.


    He kisses me onest time before slowly pulling out of me; I moan at the sudden empty feeling. He quickly encourages me to change positions. Once I¡¯m on my stomach, he lifts me to my knees before leaning over me. I can feel him, hard and ready against my sex, but rather than sinking back in, he teases me by rubbing himself through my folds. He teases my nipples, as he sucks on my neck.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°So good,¡± he finally slowly slides into me.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± I gasp when his fingers slide down to my clit, applying the slightest pressure.


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie¡­¡± he hisses in my ear before his movements begin to quicken.


    His breathing is heavy against me and I can feel the heating from his body-I can tell he¡¯s holding back for me. Making love with Nichs is so different than anything I¡¯ve ever experienced. With him, he didn¡¯t care if I was satisfied: the few times we tried to have sex it was all about him trying to find his own release. With Nichs, even before our first time togetherst night, he always made sure I was satisfied. It¡¯s one of the things about him that I-


    ¡°Oh GOD!¡±


    He flicks my clit and immediately I erupt around him. My body trembles from the force of the orgasm; my arms give out, no longer able to hold up my body. He grips my hips, holding me against him as he continues to move in and out of my body, harder and faster than before.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± Nichs gasps before thrusting deeper into me at the same time that I push myself against him. His arms move up to my chest and he pulls me up against him; I¡¯m sort of sitting on hisp while straddling his thighs. My arms go behind me, to around his neck as he grasps my breasts. He groans the moment I start moving against him. The position is awkward and doesn¡¯t give me much room to move, but judging by the soundsing from him, he seems to enjoy it anyway. My head drops to his shoulder when his fingers start teasing my clit again.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± within moments I find myself right back on the edge; the need begins topletely take over as I move faster against Nichs.


    ¡°Come with me, baby,¡± he whispers and thrusts himself deeply into me.


    And I do¡­ with his arm wrapped around me for support, we both find our release together. We copse on the bed momentster, both of us breathing heavy. He quickly disposes of the condom before pulling the nkets over us and sliding his arm under my pillow. I take his hand and roll over so my back is against his chest. Wrapped in his arms, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker, it¡¯s time to return to your seats fornding,¡± Carter¡¯s voice pulls me from my deep sleep what feels like only minutester.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be out in a minute,¡± Nichs groans.


    ¡°I feel like I barely slept,¡± I sit up, stretching, and then immediately blush when I realize the nket is no longer on me.


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    He gets out of bed first, quickly finding my clothes before getting himself dressed. I throw my messy hair into a ponytail before heading out to the main room. Julie is sleeping in a reclined chair while Carter sits next to her.


    ¡°Hunter is at the airport?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes, he will meet us at customs-Ben is remaining with the car,¡± he confirms.


    ¡°Good, any concerns about the press?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. It¡¯ste so there is only a couple outside of ord Towers right now. I expect once someone spots the SUV pulling into the garage that will change, though. But at least by then we will be inside so it won¡¯t be an issue until we need to leave again.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    A short timeter wend back in New York and are thankfully rushed through customs-I guess arriving on a private jet means you don¡¯t have to wait in lines with everyone else. As expected, Hunter is waiting outside of customs for us and quickly escorts us to the SUV. Thankfully, there is no sign of the press at the airport, I kind of half expected them to suddenly appear after all the talk on the way here. As we approach ord Towers, though, I see several people standing outside, including one holding a camera. They immediately rush toward the garage entrance when they notice us pulling in. Ben is able to quickly swipe the ess card to get us into the parking garage before the press can reach out car.  Nichs lets out a sigh of relief as soon as we enter the garage, knowing that at least for now they can¡¯t get to us.


    ¡°Julie, Carter, I don¡¯t expect to need either of you tomorrow. Please take the day off,¡± Nichs says as we get off the elevator.


    ¡°Are you sure, Mr. Parker? I¡¯d be more than happy to prepare something-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine, take the day. I¡¯ll see you Monday morning.¡±


    ¡°If your schedule changes, sir-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll notify you.¡±


    Nichs takes my hand and leads me through the apartment to his bedroom, closing the door behind us. Without saying a word, he simply pulls back the covers so we both can get into bed. I kick off my shoes and slide into bed. I take a deep breath, loving how the bed smells exactly like Nichs. He turns off of the light before slipping into bed next to me, pulling me closer to him.


    ¡°Good night, Kenzie.¡±

 Chapter 136

    Kenzie


    I wake up to an empty bed-Nichs¡¯s side of the bed is cool, so I guess he has been up for a while. A quick nce at the clock next to his bed confirms why: it¡¯s well after eleven in the morning, thetest I think I¡¯ve ever slept. I quickly get out of bed and wash up in the bathroom. Wanting to get out of the clothes I¡¯ve been wearing for more than twenty-four straight hours, I head into the closet where I find an NYU T-shirt and a pair of his boxer briefs to throw on. Not the most attractive outfits, but it will have to do until I go upstairs to my clothes. Walking out of the bedroom, I realize the apartment is silent¡­ like so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. For a brief moment, I consider that perhaps he went somewhere, but when I reach the kitchen I find him¡­ cursing at the stove as he tosses a pan into the sink. ¡°Everything okay?¡± I ask, desperately trying to hold back theugh.


    ¡°Stupid, fucking stove!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°It either burns something or doesn¡¯t cook it at all! It must have fucking broke when we were gone.¡±


    ¡°What are you trying to cook?¡±


    ¡°Eggs.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you let me try and see if I can get it to work?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, I¡¯ll get Carter to order another one. Clearly this one is a piece of shit!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s at least see if I can get us some breakfast made since Julie is off today.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, I forgot.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any vegetables? I can make an omelet quick if you want.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s probably some in here. I think Julie was supposed to have groceries delivered before we came home,¡± he pokes his head in the fridge while I try to find a pan that doesn¡¯t have burnt eggs on it. I manage to find two clean frying pans just as he ces a bunch of vegetables on the ind. He looks from them to me, obviously not having any idea what to do next.


    ¡°You don¡¯t cook much do you?¡±


    ¡°Not if I can help it,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Julie always leaves frozen meals for me to eat on the weekends, usually I skip breakfast or just have a bowl of cereal. Obviously, I should stick to that rather than trying to cook.¡±


    ¡°Can you chop up those vegetables? I¡¯ll start getting the pans hot


    -¡±


    ¡°Not sure why you¡¯re bothering, I told you the stove is a piece of shit!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what, if the omelets turn out burnt then I will buy us breakfast somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Not that I will let you pay, but you have a deal.¡±


    I shake my head at his idea that I can¡¯t buy him breakfast-it¡¯s one of the things I struggle with the most in our new arrangement. I don¡¯t like spending someone else¡¯s money, it makes me feel like I¡¯m taking advantage of them and that I¡¯m relying on them. I¡¯d rather spend my own money and not be indebted to anyone.


    ¡°Is this enough?¡± Nichs pulls my attention back to the present.


    ¡°Yup, perfect,¡± I take the bowl of vegetables from him and put them into the saute pan ¡°Have you been awake long?¡±


    ¡°A couple of hours. I was trying to read through the hundreds of emails that came through while we were awayst week.¡±


    ¡°Hundreds?¡±


    ¡°My inbox indicated I had more than five hundred new emails,¡± he shrugs. ¡°It¡¯ll take me a few hours to read through all of them, although Melody has already gged any that she believes I should read first.¡± ¡°Guess I know how you¡¯ll be spending your day,¡± Iugh.


    ¡°I need to get through them today because I have a pretty busy week ahead of me. Oh, Melody set up a meeting for you, Tuesday morning, with the Director of our Finance Department. Will that work for you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be fine. I don¡¯t have anything really going on this week. I¡¯m going to try to meet with Ginny tomorrow afternoon, but otherwise I think the week is open.¡±


    ¡°If you are free, I have a business dinner Friday night that I was hoping you could attend with me,¡± he asks hesitantly.


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    We fall into an awkward silence-we seem to be in some sort of a limbo between our new arrangement where I help him change his image for the press and our new¡­ whatever we have going on between us since Fiji. Our arrangement has always been for me to apany him to certain events, and with our ¡°marriage,¡± it¡¯s even more important now than it was before that I am seen with him. I think we are both are a little unsure how to proceed with whatever this new thing is that has happened between us.


    ¡°The omelets are done,¡± I ce a te in front of Nichs, essentially ending the weirdness between us. ¡°Wow¡­ how did you fix the stove?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, there was nothing wrong with the stove itself¡­ I think it was user error.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ oh¡­¡±


    And like that things are back to normal between us.


    He gives me a rundown of his schedule for the week, which sounds absolutely crazy to me, but I can tell by how he talks that he is actually looking forward to getting back to work this week. Although, I know he had fun this past week, I can tell how much he missed being at PFS. I hadn¡¯t realized how much he gave up to n the wedding and honeymoon for me. He could have easily spent the entire week working from Fiji, but instead, he barely spent more than a couple of hours on hisputer or checking emails on his phone.


    ¡°Thank you for breakfast, Kenzie,¡± he pulls me off of my stool so I¡¯m standing between his legs.


    His hands are on my hips, and he is looking up at me-he doesn¡¯t move to do anything more, but his eyes are full of questions. I¡¯m kind of relieved to see those questions in his eyes; I was concerned I was the only one unsure of where things are between us. I think we are both wondering if what happened in Fiji will continue now that we¡¯re back in New York, or if things would change between us, now that we¡¯re back. Though, when I think about it, things started changing between us even before we left on our honeymoon. Maybe things would have evolved even if we had stayed in New York. The attraction between us has been there for a while, only increasing after I moved in.


    I gasp when his lips suddenly crush against mine. I moan when his hands slip up the back of my shirt, all the while he ravishes my mouth. He groans in return when I cautiously run my hand over his ass, loving how he flexes his hips against me when I grip him. He lifts my shirt above my head, quickly tossing it on the floor as we begin to walk down the hallway. By the time we reach the bedroom, I am no longer wearing any clothes and he is standing before me only in a T-shirt. Before the door even closes, it¡¯s on the floor and he is leading me to the bed.


    ¡°I need to taste you,¡± he whispers in my ear as his fingers tease my sex. My face heats up at his words-I don¡¯t know that I will ever get used to how blunt he is in the bedroom.


    He moves onto the bed, lying on his back, and I follow him, but before I cany down, he grasps my hips me and moves me so I¡¯m kneeling next to his head. He maneuvers me how he wants: I¡¯m straddling his head while leaning over his firm abs. Before I can even think, he lifts his head andzily runs his tongue along my slit, causing me to moan loudly. He groans and pulls me against him when I grasp his erection and bring it to my lips. Within seconds, we are both moaning loudly as we try to focus on the other person-


    ¡°You taste so fucking good.¡±


    Nichs¡¯s fingers are in me, his mouth is on me, and I can feel myself falling apart against him. I¡¯ve never felt like this with anyone else- I was never able to orgasm with-


    ¡°Hmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!¡±


    The force and intensity of the orgasm surprises me. I¡¯mpletely unprepared for it. He holds my ass firm against him as my body shakes and bucks against him, the orgasm never seeming to end. When it does finally, he manages to move my body around, as if I¡¯m a limp rag doll, so that now we¡¯re facing each other. He brings me against him, his erection slides against my still throbbing sex.


    ¡°I want you,¡± he whispers against my lips.


    ¡°I want you, too.¡±


    ¡°I need to get a condom from our bag¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ there aren¡¯t any in here,¡± he kisses me before slipping from the bed, to go into his bag which was ced in his closet. I think about what he said, or rather what he didn¡¯t say¡­


    ¡°Found them,¡± he opens the drawer on his nightstand and tosses the box of condoms in there, keeping one out before climbing back onto the bed.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have any in here because¡­¡± I ask, unsure if I really want to know the answer. Are they not in here because he took them out before I moved in or-


    ¡°I¡¯ve never¡­ you¡¯re the first woman to evere in here, Kenzie. I¡¯ve never¡­¡±


    I silence him by kissing him-his answer was nothing I had expected, but for some strange reason it makes me smile to know that he hadn¡¯t fucked other women in here. He obviously has a lot more experience than I do, so I wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if he had said that the reason there were no condoms in this room was because he got rid of them before I moved in. I like that he sees that things are different between us. I could never do sex without an emotional attachment.


    ¡°God, Kenzie,¡± he moans as he slidespletely into me.


    He thrusts into me a few times, before slipping his hand under my back and turning us over while never losing our connection. Iy on his chest for a moment, loving how I can feel his heart beating just below mine. I kiss him before sitting up, groaning when he slips even deeper into me.


    I reach behind me and hold onto his thighs, which immediately gives me the support I need. His hands are on my hips, urging me to move, as I feel his body tense below me. I move harder and faster, only vaguely thinking that he is likely watching me because in this position I¡¯m fully exposed to him.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± I gasp when his fingers suddenly find my clit.


    He thrusts hard into me just as Ie down; our names are on each other¡¯s lips the moment our releases hit. He leans up, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulls me down so I¡¯m lying on his chest.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Take a shower with me?¡± he whispers.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I kiss him before slowly sliding off of him.


    From the outside his shower looks huge, but once you have two people in there, it¡¯s actually pretty cozy.  There are two overhead rain showerheads, making you feel like you¡¯re standing in the middle of a summer rain shower. There¡¯s just enough room for us to be in here but not too much room like when we were in Fiji. I actually prefer this shower over that one because I can be closer to him.


    After, he gives me another outfit to wear, rather than letting me go upstairs and grab my own. Obviously, at some point I will need to go up there since I can¡¯t wear Nichs¡¯s clothes forever, but I don¡¯t think either of us are in any hurry. The rest of the day is rxing for me, I curl up on the big chair in the library, while Nichs continues to read through his emails. Although he assures me it isn¡¯t necessary, I cook us dinner rather than heating up something Julie had previously prepared. After spending thest week not cooking, I felt an incredible need to cook something rather than simply heating something up.

 Chapter 137

    Kenzie


    I wake up to the sound of the shower running; a quick nce next to me confirms that Nichs is no longer in bed with me. Last night after Nichs finished working, we watched a little television together before heading to bed. I thought there would be a question as to where I would sleep; I was inwardly preparing to head upstairs, but once again, he took my hand and led me to his bedroom. Since he¡¯s in the shower now, I quickly head upstairs to my bedroom to use the bathroom and change into something more appropriate.


    ¡°You scared me!¡± I exim, Nichs is standing in my bedroom when I open the bathroom door.


    ¡°I came out of the shower and you weren¡¯t in bed,¡± he runs his hands through his hair, something he seems to do when he¡¯s nervous. Though, I¡¯m not sure why he would it would bother him that I wasn¡¯t in bed¡­


    ¡°You were in the bathroom, and I figured I should change into something less revealing before Julie or Carter saw me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should move some of your clothes to my closet so you don¡¯t have to worry about that,¡± he¡¯s looking everywhere, but at me, when he makes the suggestion.


    ¡°Maybe we should,¡± I whisper.


    When his eyes finally find mine, I see both relief and nervousness in them, but I have no doubt that mine are also reflecting the same thing. This is the first time that we¡¯re sort of discussing our sleeping arrangements since Fiji. I¡¯m definitely relieved he suggested that we make our sleeping arrangements permanent, but at the same time, I¡¯m also nervous, although I¡¯m not entirely sure why.


    ¡°I came looking for you, to let you know that breakfast is ready if you wanted to eat,¡± Nichs says.


    He takes my hand and pulls me close to him before kissing me gently on the lips. We then head downstairs to the kitchen where Julie has prepared breakfast for us.


    ¡°You¡¯re meeting with Ginny today, right?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Yes, this afternoon once the bakery is closed.¡±


    ¡°Be sure to take Hunter with you.¡±


    ¡°I already texted him the details,¡± I smirk at Nichs, which just causes him to chuckle.


    I don¡¯t know why he feels the need to remind me to have Hunter with me when I leave ord Towers. He¡¯s been assigned to me ever since I moved into the building and I¡¯ve never once dared to leave without him. Although, I don¡¯t think I necessarily need the security, it¡¯sforting to know that he would be there to assist with the press if they get out of hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably be homete tonight, actually probably most of the week. Unfortunately, some of my meetings had to be rescheduled this week and evenings were the only time they could be fit into my schedule. Julie should have dinner ready around six, but if you want to eat earlier, just let her know. And Hunter is avable to you at any time if you need something. If you can¡¯t get ahold of him-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I assure him. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me.¡± ¡°Mr. Parker,¡± Carter appears at the doorway to the kitchen.


    ¡°Call or text me if you need anything,¡± he leans down capturing my lips in his, kissing me just enough to leave me breathless and wanting more before he pulls away. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tonight.¡±


    I ce our dishes in the sink before heading up to the bedroom, grab myptop and head into the library. I bring a table next to the chair, setting it up as a mini work station with myptop and cell phone. The next few hours are spent researching everything I can about running a bakery. Meeting with Ginny this afternoon will be very helpful, but I don¡¯t want to rely entirely on how she ran the bakery. I start making a list of the things I¡¯d like to change, and what I want to keep the same. One thing that will definitely not be changing is any of the recipes. Peoplee to the bakery for the food and the recipes speak for themselves.


    Lunch today? Cara


    Would love to. I have a meeting at 3 Kenzie


    How about Main Street Bistro at 1? Cara


    Sounds good, see you then! Kenzie


    I send a quick text to Hunter, letting him know there has been a change in ns for today; his confirmation reply is almost instantaneous. I go back to researching running a bakery and just running a business in general, trying to learn as much as I possibly can from the inte so that I somehow don¡¯t manage to run the bakery into the ground when Ginny leaves in less than a year.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker, Hunter has arrived,¡± Julie alerts me.


    ¡°Oh! I hadn¡¯t realized what time it was. Thank you!¡± I quickly shut down theptop and run to the bedroom to put on a pair of shoes before meeting Hunter in the foyer.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker,¡± Hunter nods in greeting.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m Mrs. Parker now? What happened to Kenzie?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I thought now that you¡­¡± he nervously responds.


    ¡°I¡¯m still Kenzie, Hunter. Getting married hasn¡¯t changed that,¡± I assure him.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Are you ready to leave to meet Ms. Parker, Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready, Hunter,¡± I smile thankful that the momentarily awkwardness is over.


    ¡°I expect the press will likely follow us to the bistro, however, once you are inside they should leave you alone,¡± he warns.


    ¡°Right,¡± I had forgotten about the press when Cara asked me to lunch, but I refuse to hide out all day, simply because the press might take pictures of me. I¡¯m dressed casual today, just in jeans and a long sleeve blouse, but I think I look okay if I end up being photographed. In the car, I quickly touch up my make-up, knowing that this will be the first time that I¡¯m being photographed as Mrs. Parker and not just Nichs¡¯s girlfriend or date.


    ¡°They followed us here,¡± Hunter alerts me. ¡°Ben is already inside and has confirmed that Ms. Parker arrived a few minutes ago. I¡¯ll get you to the door and he will take you inside, keeping you safe there. I will be with the vehicle and will meet you at the front door when you¡¯re ready to leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hunter, I had no idea all this would be involved just to go to lunch.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, Mrs.Kenzie. Don¡¯t let them stop you from living your life. They¡¯ll eventually get bored when they realize there isn¡¯t much of a story here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Hunter.¡±


    The moment I step out of the SUV, cameras are going off as three different people seem to be waiting for me outside the bistro. Hunter has a hand on my back and one in front of us leading me through the small crowd, which is quickly gathering on the side walk. I¡¯m sure innocent bystanders are wondering what is going on; likely thinking I¡¯m someone famous or something.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker! Mrs. Parker!¡±


    My name is called repeatedly, but I just keep walking with Hunter, ignoring everyone.


    ¡°What do you say to the rumors that Mr. Parker only married you because you¡¯re pregnant?¡±


    ¡°I can assure you that Mr. Parker and I did not marry because I was pregnant,¡± I say firmly.


    ¡°What is it like to be married to New York¡¯s richest yboy?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± I snap. ¡°I¡¯m not married to a yboy. I¡¯m married to a wonderful, faithful, kind man who makes me happier than I¡¯ve ever been. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯m meeting someone for lunch.¡±


    Hunter doesn¡¯t say anything, but smiles before handing me off to Ben who is waiting at the front door for me. I¡¯m immediately relieved when the door closes behind me, even though the cameras continue to sh behind me as we walk through the restaurant. I realize that Hunter likely called ahead to arrange for me to meet Cara here as I¡¯m lead to a small table in the back of the bistro, barely visible from the sidewalk.


    ¡°Kenzie!¡± Cara immediately jumps up and hugs me when I reach the table.


    ¡°Cara, thank you for inviting me to lunch!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you were able toe! Tell me about your honeymoon! Was it everything you imagined?  What was Fiji like?¡±


    For the next hour or so I tell Cara about Turtle Ind and the different activities that the resort offered. I can¡¯t hide the blush when I think about our honeymoon and everything that changed between us that week. We became closer, not just on a physical level¡­ I think we learned more about each other on that trip than we would have had we only been in New York.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d Nichs decided to take you on a proper honeymoon, I half expected him just to take a day off of work and head right back into the office after the wedding.¡±


    ¡°No, thankfully, he didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°We always tried to get him to take a vacation but he never would.


    I¡¯m really happy that you were able to get him to take one-¡±


    ¡°It was all him. Really, I didn¡¯t n anything-¡±


    ¡°True, but you¡¯re the reason he took the vacation in the first ce. If it weren¡¯t for you he never would have taken one.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°So what are you up to today? You said you had a meeting or something?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m meeting with Ginny at Sweet Dreams-¡±


    ¡°Please tell me she didn¡¯t sell it to one of those big coffee chains¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± I guess I just assumed Nichs¡¯s family would have known about the wedding gift he gave me.


    ¡°Know what?¡±


    ¡°Nichs bought the bakery.¡±


    ¡°He did what? You¡¯re kidding? What is Nichs going to do with a bakery? He can¡¯t cook to save his life!¡±


    ¡°He gave it to me¡­ he bought it for me as a wedding gift.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God! That¡¯s so sweet! I can¡¯t believe he didn¡¯t tell anyone!¡±


    ¡°I assumed you all knew. He gave me the deed on the way to Fiji.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s so cool Kenzie! I¡¯m so d one of those bigpanies didn¡¯t buy it out. I could never go there if they changed it into a donut or coffee ce.¡±


    ¡°I know! I thought the same thing when I first heard Ginny was selling the ce.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to run it? Oh! I didn¡¯t mean it like that-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Cara,¡± I giggle. ¡°I know exactly what you mean. Right now, I can¡¯t even go out to lunch without the press bothering me. Ginny is staying on board for a year and will then consult remotely for a couple more years. I¡¯m going to meet with her today, but eventually I figure I¡¯ll hire a manager to oversee the day to day operations, and I will work behind the scenes. As much as I loved interacting with customers, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to do that at least not until the press dies down. But, I can oversee things from an office there or at the condo.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s awesome Kenzie! If you need any help, let me know. I worked at a bakery in San Diego for almost a year-¡±


    ¡°You did? In San Diego?¡±


    ¡°I graduated from a culinary school in San Diego and worked at a bakery during myst year of schooling.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you continue working when you came home?¡±


    ¡°I tried,¡± she sighs and looks out the window. ¡°The only real ces that were hiring were chain restaurants, not something I wanted to do. I prefer the feeling of a mom and pop owned business, somewhere small, where you have a chance to interact with customers. The bakery I worked at in San Diego was perfect-I just wished I could move it here. Eventually, I gave up looking, and figured I needed to find something else to at least until something better came along.¡±


    ¡°What did you do at the bakery in San Diego?¡± The wheels are turning in my head processing what Cara has told me.


    ¡°Prepping, baking, customer service, you name it,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be reviewing staffing today, but if you¡¯re interested and there¡¯s an opening-¡±


    ¡°Really, Kenzie? You would hire me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how many hours it would be, but we could always use someone when we¡¯re understaffed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love that! OH, THANK YOU, KENZIE!¡± She runs around the table and hugs me so tightly that I can barely breathe.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. You may not be so happy when you have to get up at four in the morning to head to work.¡±


    ¡°I opened the bakery in San Diego four days a week-I was used to getting up early. It¡¯ll take me a little while to get back in the habit of waking up early again, but I swear it won¡¯t be a problem. I¡¯m so excited, Kenzie! You have no idea!¡±

 Chapter 138

    Cara¡¯s reaction was nothing what I would have expected; I figured after working at a bakery in San Diego, that working at Sweet Dreams would be something she wasn¡¯t interested in. I think the customers will absolutely love her personality! She¡¯s a definite people person, and I love knowing that I can trust her. Even though Nichs said the other employees at Sweet Dreams signed an NDA, I still worry that they could say something to press.


    ¡°I have to get going, but thank you again for inviting me to lunch.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you, Kenzie. I¡¯ve always wanted a sister and now I have one!¡± she hugs me and I have to fight to hold back the tears forming. I always wanted a sister growing up, too. Someone to talk to, someone to be there next to me, when the shit hit the fan and someone who- ¡°Will you being to dinner on Sunday?¡± she asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ I¡¯ll have to check with Nichs.¡±


    ¡°I hope so! I¡¯ll let you get to your meeting with Ginny; let me know if you guys can make it on Sunday.¡±


    ¡°Thanks again.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Parker,¡± Ben is at my side before I even get close to the front door.


    ¡°They still out there?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yes, they haven¡¯t left, ma¡¯am. Hunter is waiting to take you to your next destination.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Once again, cameras are shing around me and people are calling my name as soon as the door opens, but this time I don¡¯t respond. The questions are all the same and I just remind myself that everyone is eager to get pictures of the woman who married the Nichs Parker. Thankfully, Hunter manages to lose the reporters that tried to follow us from the bistro before we reach the bakery. He apparently called ahead and arranged with


    Ginny for us to enter the bakery through the back door.


    ¡°Kenzie, it¡¯s so wonderful to see you again!¡± She greets me with a hug as soon as the door closes behind us.


    ¡°It¡¯s so good to see you too,¡± I hadn¡¯t realized how much I missed seeing Ginny until this moment.  She had been an almost daily fixture in my life for more than two years before the press forced me to stop working here. She was the first person in New York who took a chance on me: I had no experience, no ties to the city, nothing¡­ but she was still willing to offer me a job and slowly moved me from cashier to bakery.


    ¡°I hear a congrattions are in order, Mrs. Parker,¡± she winks at me.


    ¡°Thank you, although I¡¯m still not used to being called Mrs. Parker.¡±


    ¡°I bet.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for doing all of this-¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Nonsense. If I had to choose someone to hand over the bakery to, you would have been my only choice. You love this ce almost as much as I do. I¡¯m so d that new husband of yours made this possible. You¡¯ll do an amazing job with this ce-you¡¯ll find ways to improve things that I never thought of or was too stubborn to do. You¡¯ll be great, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so nervous, Ginny. I don¡¯t know anything about running a business. I know these recipes in and out, hell, I can make any of the muffins by heart now, but I know nothing about bookkeeping and-¡±


    ¡°Do you think I knew any of that stuff when I started this ce twenty-five years ago? Of course not! I was a stupid, naive young girl who had no idea what she was doing.¡±


    ¡°You obviously knew something to turn this ce into what it is today.¡±


    ¡°I was determined not to fail-I learned everything I could. Back then, they didn¡¯t have the inte, so I did things the old fashioned way. I talked to people who owned businesses, and I spent hours at the library, reading everything I possibly could about running a business. I¡¯m not going to lie, I made mistakes, a few big ones, but I always learned from my mistakes. I learned not to repeat those mistakes again and eventually I figured out what worked. You¡¯ll do the same thing. Don¡¯t go into this new adventure thinking you won¡¯t make any mistakes because you¡¯re only going to set yourself up for failure. You¡¯ll make a mistake and then you¡¯ll learn from it and never make the same mistake again. And I¡¯ll be here for any questions you might have along the way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for agreeing to stay on for a year I know you wanted to move to be closer to your daughter-¡±


    ¡°And I will. I never expected this ce to sell as fast as it did. I knew it would likely be a couple of years before I was able to. With this new n, I¡¯ll be able to fly out and see my daughter much more often than I could do, while waiting for this ce to sell. I was never able to take more than a couple of days off to spend with her in the past because I couldn¡¯t afford to close the bakery for any longer than a day or two over a weekend. But with you here now, once you¡¯refortable, I¡¯ll be able to go for a week or maybe even longer without worrying.¡±


    ¡°Oh, let¡¯s not think about you leaving just yet,¡± I joke.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. You already know how this ce works: you¡¯ve opened and closed this ce already. The only thing you don¡¯t know is the paperwork and ordering processes. Mark my words, in a couple of weeks, you will know that stuff in and out as well.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡±


    ¡°Come, I have everything set up on one of the tables for us to look at.¡±


    I spend the next couple of hours with Ginny, reviewing everything from paperwork to vendors. I take notes about as many different things as I possibly can, but it¡¯s very overwhelming to keeping track of everything she says. Armed with several folders of paperwork that she had already copied for me, I leave the bakery with Hunter to head back to ord Towers. There was definitely more to running the bakery than I initially imagined when I thought I would want to open one on my own, but I¡¯m also motivated after our meeting. It was good to hear how she started the business, on her own, knowing about as much as I do about running a business. Seeing how sessful she made the bakery gave me just a little hope that I could do the same on my own. I¡¯m really d that Nichs thought ahead and worked out a n with Ginny to have her stay on with Sweet Dreams for the next three years. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if she were leaving as soon as I returned to New York from our honeymoon.


    ¡°There you are,¡± Nichs greets me as soon as I walk into the foyer.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you home so early,¡± I kiss him as soon as hees close enough to me.


    ¡°Myst meeting is via conference call, so I figured I would do the call from here. How was your meeting with Ginny?¡±


    ¡°It was good, she gave me a ton of information and copies of a bunch of stuff too. I think I¡¯ll just put this stuff in myin the bedroom upstairs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Carter put a desk in the library for you to use in the next few days.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll give you a ce to work when you can¡¯t be at the bakery. Somewhere you can keep paperwork, notes or whatever that you don¡¯t want to keep in the office at the bakery.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that would be a good idea.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll take care of ordering it tomorrow, I¡¯m sure it can be delivered by Friday.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Julie is going to have dinner on the table in a few minutes. I have about thirty minutes before my conference call starts, I thought we could eat dinner together¡­¡±


    ¡°Let me put these upstairs and I¡¯ll be right down.¡±


    Minutester, Nichs and I are in the dining room and Julie has ced tes of a delicious smelling chicken meal in front of us. ¡°How was your day?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Busy but not nearly as hectic as I imagined it would be.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡±


    ¡°Alex was able to handle most of the issues that came up while we were away so there weren¡¯t too many pressing matters that I had to deal with today. We have a couple new inquiries by somerger clientse through that we¡¯re in the process of preparing proposals for so things might get a little crazy in the uing weeks.¡±


    ¡°At least your first day back wasn¡¯t too hectic.¡±


    ¡°Not nearly as bad as I had expected. Although, I understand you a had a little excitement of your own today.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡±


    ¡°ording to my PR team, you were photographed today on your way to lunch-¡±


    ¡°Oh! With everything Ginny told me, I nearly forgot about lunch. We were followed to lunch by some reporters, but thankfully Hunter managed to lose them on the way to Sweet Dreams. When Cara texted me and invited me to lunch today, I hadn¡¯t expected the press to be so crazy about me leaving.¡±


    ¡°They followed me to work today too, but once they realized I was alone and didn¡¯t give them anything, I guess they returned here.¡±


    ¡°Eventually, they¡¯ll grow bored.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be in my office for the call, but if you need something juste in,¡± he stands up from the table but pauses just as he reaches the entryway to the dining room. ¡°And, Kenzie¡­ thank you for what you said today¡­ I¡­ I really appreciate it.¡±

 Chapter 139

    Nichs


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Ms. Murphy is here to see you,¡± Melody alerts me.


    ¡°Send her in,¡± I request.


    Momentster, Ms. Murphy from my PR Department enters my


    office and takes a seat in the chair across from my desk.


    ¡°What can I do for you, Ms. Murphy?¡± I ask impatiently. She requested a meeting this morning and Melody managed to squeeze her in, leaving me no time to prepare before my next meeting.


    ¡°I think it would be beneficial for us to schedule a meeting with


    Mrs. Parker-¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ you see, Mr. Parker¡­¡±


    ¡°Spit it out. Exactly why do you feel the need to speak to my wife?¡±


    ¡°We think it would benefit her to meet with someone from our team, to review proper protocols for responding to the press-¡±


    ¡°I read her statement yesterday, she didn¡¯t do a damn thing wrong!¡±


    Now I¡¯m getting pissed-Kenzie¡¯s response to the reporters was nothing that I would have expected but it was still a perfect response.


    ¡°This time she didn¡¯t. However, we would have preferred her to say


    -¡±


    ¡°Noment, right? You¡¯re saying my wife should have said noment when reporters insinuated that I married her because she was pregnant? Or she should have said noment when they insulted both of us by asking her what it was like to be married to a yboy?¡±


    ¡°We have found it to be best not to respond to the press unless absolutely necessary.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know your stance and look where it has gotten us! Unless my wife begins to respond to the press inappropriately or there is a specific issue that requires us to handle things differently, I will not allow her to be coached by your team in her responses! Have you even bothered to read any of thements on the stories where my wife was quoted yesterday?¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir-¡±


    ¡°Yet, you¡¯re sitting here thinking you need to fix my wife? Thements on those articles praised Kenzie for standing up to reporters and defending her husband. Exactly why do you feel the need fix this? Do you really think it would have done anything to squash the rumors about me had she said noment?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, with all due respect, your wife has had no experience in dealing with the press. This is the first time she has had to deal with them


    -¡±


    ¡°No, it is not. She has been dealing with the press since our love life became a public issue. And before you say anything else, this is not the first time she hase face to face with the press while out on her own.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but this is the first time she has chosen to respond to the press. Doing so without guidance could have caused more trouble-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought we already covered the fact that my wife didn¡¯t do anything wrong? You would have preferred her to say noment, which would have looked as if she wasn¡¯t defending her husband or didn¡¯t care about how her husband¡¯s image. Is that what you¡¯re telling me?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ no¡­ er-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve just proven what I¡¯ve suspected for several months now. You don¡¯t have a fucking clue how to do your job,¡± I press the inte button. ¡°Melody get me security.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Parker.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Murphy, security will escort you back to your office, you have fifteen minutes to clear your office and leave PFS-¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Your fired, Ms. Murphy.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Carter opens the door.


    ¡°Carter, please have Brian take Ms. Murphy back to her office and see that he escorts her from the building, collecting all PFS property before she leaves.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker?¡± Melody interrupts me just as I¡¯m sitting back down.


    ¡°What?¡± I snap. I know it¡¯s not Melody¡¯s fault, but I¡¯m so frustrated with Ms. Murphy¡¯s behavior that I can¡¯t control my anger.


    ¡°Your twelve o¡¯clock is here,¡± she says.


    ¡°Send them in,¡± I run my hands through my hair in frustration. I¡¯ve had no time to prepare for my next meeting, which I despise, and Melody knows that. She always leaves me at least ten minutes to review materials before certain meetings, this next one being one of them. Yet, thanks to Ms. Murphy¡¯s stupidity, I have had no time to review my notes on the new client that Alex wanted to meet about. I¡¯m busy skimming my notes in the file, trying to get up to speed so I don¡¯t waste Alex¡¯s time. I don¡¯t look up when I hear the door shut. It¡¯s only when he doesn¡¯t say anything for several minutes, which is very unlike Alex, that I look up. Normally he barrels into my office talking a mile a minute without giving me a chance to catch up.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± I can¡¯t hide my surprise when I look up to find thest person I expected sitting across from me.


    ¡°I brought you lunch,¡± she lifts a bag from the floor which is only when I realize that my office smells absolutely delicious from whatever she brought.


    ¡°Fuck, I wish I could sit with you but I¡¯m expecting Alex-¡±


    ¡°Actually, you¡¯re not. Melody just put it in your schedule to hold the spot-¡±


    ¡°She did? You-¡±


    ¡°When I mentioned to Hunter this morning that I wanted toe earlier than my meeting today to have lunch with you, he contacted Carter, who worked with Melody, to get me a spot on your schedule.  It sounded like you had a¡­ busy morning, so if you have other things that you would rather-¡±


    ¡°No! You just surprised me, that¡¯s all. I¡¯d love to have lunch with you,¡± I walk around my desk and grab her hand pulling her close to me, kissing her soft lips.


    ¡°You were gone when I woke up this morning,¡± she says.


    ¡°I had a really early meeting this morning, I didn¡¯t want to wake you,¡± although, it was incredibly tempting to do so.


    I woke up this morning with my arms wrapped around Kenzie¡¯s warm body; she had gone to bed before mest night as my conference call ran muchter than I expected. When it finally finished, I found her sound asleep in my bed, wearing another one of my T-shirts. The moment I slid into bed, I reached for her and she immediately melted into me. When my rm went off this morning we were still in the same position as we had been when I came to bed, only the shirt she was wearing had slid up revealing the thong she was wearing underneath. I was so tempted to wake her up by teasing her senseless, but I knew that I didn¡¯t have to the time. The meeting I had this morning was important and not something I could bete for. So, instead of spending the morning buried deep inside of her, I came into the office to review spreadsheets.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting to see Kenzie untilter tonight, muchter, since unlike yesterday myst meeting today is in person at PFS, so I can¡¯t leave and finish the day from home. But to my surprise, she¡¯s standing in front of me looking absolutely incredible. She¡¯s wearing a simple dark blue dress with a matching zer, making her look as if she works here, rather than being here as a visitor. Somehow no matter what she¡¯s wearing she always manages to look incredibly sexy.


    ¡°I made grilled chicken sandwiches for lunch,¡± she gestures to the bag still sitting on the floor.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that but thank you. We can eat at the table over there,¡± I chuckle.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± she asks.


    ¡°You realize you¡¯ve been in my office twice now, and both times you¡¯ve brought food with you?¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. I hadn¡¯t realized that.¡±


    Things were so different thest time she was here: she had brought muffins and cookies in the day after her apartment had been broken into. We only had a few minutes in between meetings to spend together, but I remember being just as surprised then, as I was today when Kenzie showed up unexpectedly. That day was also the first time we were truly alone with each other. It¡¯s hard to believe how much has changed since that day-how much our arrangement has changed.


    ¡°How was your morning?¡± I ask her.


    ¡°Good. I had breakfast with Julie, and then spent some more time going through everything that Ginny had given me yesterday. I¡¯m using yourptop much more than I had expected I would-¡±


    ¡°Yourptop,¡± I correct her.


    ¡°Yourptop,¡± she argues. ¡°I¡¯m only borrowing it, just like the phone.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re yours, Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re on loan to me,¡± she interrupts. ¡°However, I am finding it to be extremely useful right now since Ginny had everything tracked by hand. I¡¯ve already begun a simple spreadsheet to keep track of all her vendors and their current costs. Since all the food is made at the bakery, I think I want to see if we can find any of the ingredients at a lower cost somewhere. I mean, really flour and eggs are flour and eggs, no matter where you buy them, right?¡±


    ¡°I would assume so, but clearly I¡¯m thest person to ask about eggs, seeing as though I couldn¡¯t even make scrambled ones the other day.¡±


    ¡°Good point,¡± she giggles. ¡°How was your morning? Yourst meeting sounded¡­ rough.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an understatement,¡± I chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s been very busy, and really up until that meeting, was going well.¡±


    ¡°Did you fire her?¡±


    ¡°I did. She was a member of my PR team, and I¡¯ve been questioning her advice for some time now. The meeting today was just thest straw-I had to let her go.¡±


    ¡°Is it hard?¡±


    ¡°Is what hard?¡±


    ¡°Firing someone? I¡¯ve never done that before¡­¡±


    ¡°The first time you do it, it¡¯ll be hard. You¡¯ll put off doing it, keeping the person around much longer than you should because you want to keep giving them chances that they don¡¯t deserve. But eventually, you will do it. It¡¯ll be hard and you¡¯ll probably feel bad afterwards, but then once you get past it, you will realize it was something you should have done a long time ago. I think after that it gets a little easier.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to look forward to that part of owning the bakery.¡±


    ¡°It was probably one of the hardest things I did when I first started PFS, but it¡¯s a part of business. It¡¯s important not to befriend your employees: it makes firing them, or even disciplining them, much more difficult. That¡¯s probably going to be hard for you though seeing that you were their peer, whereas I hired everyone for PFS from the beginning.¡±


    ¡°I really wasn¡¯t friends with anyone, though, I mean I didn¡¯t hang out with anyone outside of work. We would chat of course, but it was never more than just passing time.¡±


    ¡°Good, try to keep it that way. Many young managers make the mistake of hanging out with their employees outside of work, thinking that if they are liked by their employees, they will do a better job. Part of that is true: you don¡¯t want your employees to hate you, but at the same time, you don¡¯t want such a casual rtionship with them that they think they can take advantage of you.¡±


    ¡°Good point.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be surprised if you receive some push back from a few of your employees. I think it¡¯s going to be hard for some of them to look at you as their boss. Be firm in the decisions you make; if you¡¯re uncertain about any decisions, hold off on implementing them until you are sure. I swear some employees can smell uncertainty.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I really appreciate all your advice, it¡¯s very helpful.¡±


    ¡°If I ever overstep, just tell me. I¡¯m so used being the one in charge of implementing changes and putting in new processes when we sign a new client, that I might forget and get a little too involved in the bakery.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯d be more lost if you weren¡¯t involved.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Parker, your one o¡¯clock is here,¡± Melody alerts me. I¡¯m not sure how an entire hour as passed-it feels like we just sat down to eat.


    ¡°I should go, I¡¯m sure Mr. Donnelly is waiting for me as well,¡± Kenzie begins clearing off the table and I quickly grab the garbage can next to my desk.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Melody reserved the board room just next to my office for your meeting.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for letting me take some of his time, I¡¯m sure he is very busy with projections for you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, he¡¯s d to help however he can.¡±

 Chapter 140

    She picks up the files and herptop, I only now realize she had ced on the chair when she walked in and gives me a quick kiss before turning to walk out of my office. With my hand on her back, I escort her to the board room where Mr. Donnelly is already waiting for her. I introduce them quickly and he immediately begins showing Kenzie all the information we currently have from the purchase of the bakery. Although, this was not a new client taken on by PFS, I still had several of my departments involved in the purchase. His opinion was key in my decision to purchase Sweet Dreams for Kenzie. I wasn¡¯t going to set her up to fail. ¡°Hunter, my office. Melody, give me two more minutes,¡± I request.


    ¡°Mr. Parker,¡± Hunter closes the door behind him.


    ¡°I want you to run to Neiman¡¯s and get Kenzie a bag before her meeting is finished.¡±


    ¡°A bag, sir?¡±


    ¡°For herptop, and all the other stuff, she brought today. Something ssy but functional.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll go right now.¡±


    ¡°Very good.¡±


    My next meeting takes longer than I expected, but thankfully Melody was able to rearrange my afternoon a bit so I have a break in my schedule to prepare before myst meeting of the day. After checking through emails and returning a few phone calls, I gather up the documents I need Melody to prepare for the meeting and bring them out to her. On my way back, I realize that the board room door is still open, and when I hear Kenzie¡¯s voice, I¡¯m surprised to learn that she is still here. I had assumed she had left long ago.


    ¡°Thank you again for your time today, Mr. Donnelly I really appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°No problem, Mrs. Parker, I¡¯m d I could help.¡±


    Just as I approach the doorway, I watch Kenzie bend over the chair next to gather up her files and papers that are sitting there. Mr. Donnellyes around the table just in time to see her bent over the chair and he stops dead in his tracks, his eyes obviously glued to her ass. My hands clench in anger when I see him tantly staring at her; I silently count to ten willing myself not to punch his lights out.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± I enter the room and watch the color leave his face at the realization that he has been caught. ¡°Kenzie, can I see you for a moment?¡±


    ¡°Sure, just let me-¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It can wait,¡± I interrupt, grabbing her hand to lead her back to my office. I re at Donnelly as he skirts past us hurrying to the elevator, no doubt afraid that if he waits another moment he¡¯s going to get fired or get his ass kicked.


    ¡°Nichs-¡±


    My lips are on hers before the door even closes behind us; I back Kenzie up until she is against the door just as it clicks shut. When she gasps in surprise, I take full advantage and slip my tongue into her mouth, tasting every inch of her. Her hands fist my hair and she moans when I reach around and grab her ass pulling her against me. With my lips never leaving hers, I pull the zer off of her, quickly tossing it onto the floor somewhere behind me. Pushing her dress up, I groan when my fingers find her damp thong.  Her hands are between us, unbuttoning my pants, freeing my dick from the tight confides of my underwear.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Kenzie gasps in surprise when I lift her up and carrying her away from the door. Her legs wrap around my waist, her dress now pushed up to her hips. Her thong is the only thing stopping me from thrusting into her right now, that and the fact that I¡¯m not wearing a condom.


    Finally reaching my desk, I set her down on a pile of papers without giving a shit what they are, and grab a condom from my wallet. I quickly pull at her thong until I feel it rip, quickly tossing it to the floor. She moans against my lips when I slide my fingers through her slit. I quickly tear open the condom, cover myself and thrust into Kenzie.


    ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± I growl in her ear, holding her against me, desperately needing to sink further into even her.


    ¡°Hmmmm¡­¡± she pushes right back against me.


    ¡°Tell me¡­ tell me you¡¯re mine,¡± I mean it toe out strong and demanding, but instead ites out more like a plea.


    ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯m yours, Nichs,¡± she pants and wraps her arms around my neck.


    I don¡¯t know whates over me, but I thrust hard and fast into her, as I suck and bite at her neck. Her legs grip me tightly, never letting me pull out far from her before I plunge back inside of her warmth. I lose track of the number of times shees, my name is all but a whisper on her lips after the third time. I¡¯ve been holding myself back, not wanting this moment to end, but when she takes my ear in her teeth and bites down I lose any sense of control I had.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I growl and thrust hard into her one final time.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she moans as my own release triggers another one for her.


    Her head falls onto my shoulders, her body going limp against mine. Gently lifting her off the desk, I carry her over to the small sofa against the windows. I sit us down, with her straddling my legs, our connection still intact. My heart is pounding, and my breathing is still erratic, but Kenzie¡¯s fingers teasing my hair grounds me and brings me back to reality. It¡¯s only then do I realize that we are both still partially dressed and that I just fucked her on my desk¡­ SHIT!


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ Fuck¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re apologizing?¡± she leans back so she can look at me and fuck if my dick doesn¡¯t twitch as I slip deeper into her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have done that.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have done what exactly?¡±


    ¡°Done that,¡± I gesture to my desk, confused as to why she isn¡¯t getting what I¡¯m referring to. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have fucked you-¡±


    ¡°Okay, then,¡± before I can stop her, she climbs off of myp, pulls her dress down and goes in search of her zer.


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie¡­ that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± my mind is still very much on what just happened, so it takes longer than it should for me to realize she thinks I¡¯m saying we shouldn¡¯t have had sex in the first ce.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she picks up her zer and leaves my office before I can find my pants to go after her.


    FUCK FUCK FUCK


    If I didn¡¯t still have employees in the building, I would run after her right now, dick hanging out and all. Knowing that Melody wouldn¡¯t appreciate seeing that much of me, I quickly toss the condom into the garbage can and throw on my pants. It takes me longer than I would like to put myself back together and by the time I open the door there is no sign of Kenzie anywhere to be seen.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, everyone has arrived and is waiting in the board room for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I look over the elevator willing it to open with Kenzie waiting for me.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker just left with Mr. Hunter, sir,¡± Melody says.


    ¡°Thank you, Melody.¡±


    Returning to my office, I throw my phone against the wall, watching ite apart before it hits the floor. I fucking suck at rtionships-this is the exact reason I tried so hard to fight my attraction to Kenzie. I knew that I would fuck this up.

 Chapter 141

    Nichs


    ¡°Parker, we need to get started,¡± Alex simply shakes his head looking at the pieces of my phone lying on the floor.


    ¡°Start without me-¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t. You know as well as I do they won¡¯t sign without you. Whatever is going on needs to wait. If you aren¡¯t in the meeting, they¡¯re going to walk and we¡¯re going to lose all the work we¡¯ve put into this contract for thest year. We need this-¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± I grumble, reluctantly agreeing with him. ¡°Melody, I need a new phone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, I¡¯ll have one to you in the next few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Ladies, gentleman,¡± I address the many people around the board room, focusing on this deal and trying to forget how badly I just fucked things up with Kenzie. ¡°Let¡¯s get started, shall we?¡±


    While Alex is reviewing the information he put together, Melody quietly walks in and hands me a new phonepletely linked with my email, contacts and calendars. Even though I hadn¡¯t expected Kenzie to have texted me, I¡¯m still disappointed when I don¡¯t see one from her. I wish like hell she didn¡¯t leave my office so quickly and gave me a chance to exin. I can only imagine what she thought I meant-I still can¡¯t believe I told her I shouldn¡¯t have fucked her. Of all the ways I could have worded what I meant, I had to pick the worst way possible.


    Try as I might, I cannot fucking focus on this meeting. Luckily really this is Alex¡¯s deal: he has been working for over a year on this project and is essentially running this meeting. The only reason I am here is because they refuse to finalize the contract without me being present.


    Normally I don¡¯t y hardball like this, but Alex was right, we need this client as it can open doors for us.


    I spend the meeting texting her, tempted to walk out and call her, but I know that will just piss off the owners, so I force myself to stay in the meeting. She doesn¡¯t respond to my text messages, but that doesn¡¯t stop me from sending them. I guess I keep hoping that she¡¯ll eventually respond to one of them.


    I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean what I said. N


    I couldn¡¯t leave, I couldn¡¯te after you. I¡¯m stuck in a meeting, but as soon as I get home tonight, we need to talk. N


    Please give me a chance to exin, Kenzie. N


    I didn¡¯t mean it the way it sounded.  N


    Shit, I¡¯m horrible at this, please¡­ let me exin. N


    I¡¯m so fucking sorry. N


    I wish I would have followed you when you left my office. I wish I could have insisted that Carter follow Hunter home so we could talk. I¡¯m sorry I had to be in this meeting. N


    Kenzie¡­ don¡¯t let me fuck this up, please. I can¡¯t lose you. N


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, on behalf of PFS I want to thank you for allowing us the opportunity to assist you in branching out on this new venture.¡±


    Even though I want nothing more than to leave and go find Kenzie, I stay and shake hands with everyone at the table while they are packing up. This has been a very long process of going back and forth, far longer than new contracts usually take.


    ¡°Great job, Alex,¡± I pat him on the back when thest person leaves the board room.


    ¡°Thanks, Parker. Now go buy the biggest bouquet of flowers you can find at this hour for your wife,¡± he smirks knowingly.


    ¡°How did you-¡±


    ¡°I watched her storm out of your office with Hunter hot on her heels, only minutes before you came out of your office. You obviously did something to piss her off-though I¡¯m not surprised. Go buy her flowers, maybe a nice bottle of wine, and apologize to her.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± I chuckle at how well he knows me.


    ¡°Sir-¡± Carter is at my side the moment I step out of the board room.


    ¡°Give me two minutes, Carter, I need to put this shit in my office,¡± I gesture to the pile of papers in my hand.


    ¡°Yes, sir, but-¡±


    He stops talking when I open the door to my office and I freeze. Much to my surprise, curled up covered under a small nket on my leather sofa is Kenzie sound asleep.


    ¡°When did shee back?¡± I whisper.


    ¡°She never left, sir.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean she never left? Melody said she left with Hunter.¡±


    ¡°Technically she did-Hunter escorted her to the car, but after putting her bag in the trunk, she requested he bring her back up here. Unfortunately, by that time you were already in your meeting.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s been here the entire time?¡± Fuck, my meetingsted more than three hours and she was in here the entire time?


    ¡°Yes, sir. She fell asleep about an hour or so ago. I had Hunter bring up the emergency nket from the SUV before I sent him home for the night.¡±


    ¡°Let me put my stuff down and we¡¯ll leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    I quietly close the door behind me before walking over to my desk and putting the paperwork away. I grab myptop and a few other things I think I might need to review tonight, tossing them into my bag.  Not wanting to wake Kenzie, I give Carter my bag before gently lifting Kenzie off the couch and carrying her out of my office. She immediately snuggles into my chest but doesn¡¯t wake up until the SUV door closes.


    ¡°Nichs?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re heading back home.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to fall asleep in your office-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I had no idea you were there until I opened the door once the meeting ended. I can¡¯t believe you stayed the entire time.¡±


    ¡°We needed to talk.¡±


    ¡°I texted you-¡±


    ¡°Hunter packed up my stuff that was in the board room, I think the phone is in the bag¡­ wherever that is. Thank you for the bag, by the way, it was very thoughtful of you to send Hunter to get it for me. You didn¡¯t have to do that but thank you.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing Kenzie. I figured you needed a better way to carry everything especially since you¡¯ll probably be doing work at both ord Towers and the bakery.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I ran-¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­ let¡¯s talk at home.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    My arm stays around Kenzie with her head resting on my shoulder as Carter drives. I can¡¯t begin to describe the relief I felt when I opened the door and found Kenzie sleeping in my office. I was convinced that she was so angry with me that she wouldn¡¯t want to talk to me at all, yet I find out she never even left the building.


    ¡°Are you hungry? I¡¯m sure Julie has something in here that I can heat up for you-¡±


    ¡°Actually, Hunter brought me something to eat before he left.¡±


    ¡°Oh, good. I¡¯m d you weren¡¯t starving and bored out of your mind while you were waiting for me. How about a ss of wine while we talk?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I pour us each a ss and head into the great room where she is sitting on the couch waiting for me. She has taken off her zer and shoes and is sitting with her legs tucked underneath her, looking incredibly sexy just as she always does. I take off my suit jacket and loosen my tie before sitting down next to her on the couch.


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m sorry-¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have ran out on you. I shouldn¡¯t have assumed that I knew what you meant when you said¡­ well what you said. I should have realized that you didn¡¯t regret having sex with me, per say, but that you regretted having it in your office in middle of the work day-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you think I meant?¡±


    ¡°I get it. You don¡¯t want to look unprofessional, and any of your employees could have walked in, or needed you in that moment-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my fuckingpany and my fucking building. If I want to have sex with my¡­ with you in my office in the middle of the work day, it¡¯s none of anyone¡¯s damn business!¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ then I guess I really don¡¯t understand what happened¡­ earlier. If it wasn¡¯t about where we had sex, why did you apologize?¡± her faces turns this adorable shade of pink as she asks me the question. Part of me wants to chuckle at how innocent she is that she blushes at the mere discussion of us having sex.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± I run my fingers through my hair, trying to quickly find a way to exin to her exactly what I was apologizing for without fucking things up more than I already have. ¡°I wasn¡¯t apologizing for having sex with you; I was apologizing for fucking you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I understand what the issue is.¡±


    ¡°UGH, maybe I¡¯m not exining it right,¡± I sigh in frustration. ¡°I was rough with you, rougher than I should have been. That¡¯s why I was apologizing. I shouldn¡¯t have been so rough with you-¡±


    ¡°Rough? You didn¡¯t hurt me-¡±


    ¡°I nearly fucked you against the door! Hell, I would have if I didn¡¯t


    need a condom-¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°And I would have let you!¡± she snaps back.


    ¡°You would have?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not made of ss-I¡¯m not going to break if you¡¯re a little rough with me.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Did you enjoy¡­ what we did in your office today?¡±


    ¡°Of course but-¡±


    ¡°So did I-¡±


    ¡°Really? You did?¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± her face turns an even deeper shade of red before she whispers, ¡°it was really hot.¡±


    ¡°It was?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think it was?¡±


    ¡°Of course I did! I just didn¡¯t think you would have.¡±


    ¡°It was such a turn on to know that you were so¡­ that you couldn¡¯t wait until we got home. That you wanted me so much, that you couldn¡¯t even wait to take my clothes off. I¡¯ve never had someone¡­ want me like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted anyone like that before,¡± the wordse out before I can even consider if I should admit that to her. ¡°You¡¯re sure I wasn¡¯t too rough with you?¡±


    ¡°In case you failed to notice, I¡­ came multiple times,¡± I smile as her voice drops in volume when she mentions her orgasms, like she doesn¡¯t want anyone to know we¡¯re talking about sex, not that anyone can hear us right now.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want¡­ I was afraid you would think that I was like your


    ex-¡±


    ¡°Never,¡± she quickly shuts me up. ¡°Nichs, you are nothing like him in any way, shape or form.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°No, nothing you did or will do during sex will ever remind me of him. He wasn¡¯t¡­ aggressive or forceful in the bedroom if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. The few times we did have sex, it was¡­ very basic. I never¡­ came-¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I did not just hear her correctly.


    ¡°He never could¡­ I never¡­¡± She stutters while blushing an even deeper shade of red.


    ¡°He never made youe?¡±


    ¡°He used to say that it was proof of how lousy of a fuck I was, if I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to enjoy it,¡± she shrugs her shoulders and looks away embarrassed.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I pull her onto myp so she is straddling my legs as we face each other. ¡°I hope I¡¯ve proved to you just how wrong that asshole was about you. You make me lose control like no one ever has, and today was proof of that. That asshole clearly had his own issues in the bedroom, and instead of owning up to it, he med you for not being able to keep his dick up.¡±


    ¡°Nichs!¡± she giggles in surprise at the bluntness of my words.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about earlier. I never meant for you to think that I was apologizing for having sex with you; I will never apologize for that. I was trying to tell you that I was sorry for how I behaved, for how rough I


    had been-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize for that. I liked it,¡± she runs her fingers lightly through my hair. ¡°How¡­ passionate and demanding you were, how turned on you were, how much you needed me¡­ was incredibly hot.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re incredibly hot,¡± I whisper and lean up cautiously kissing her.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± she moans against my lips.


    My hands immediately go to her firm ass, and I groan in realization that she isn¡¯t wearing any panties, the ones I ripped off of her probably left in the trash can in my office. With her lips still on mine, she slowly reaches for the buttons on my dress shirt, pulling the fabric from my chest before unbuttoning them. She slips off myp and pulls the dress from her arms, slowly letting it fall to the floor and fuck if I don¡¯t nearly lose it right then and there. She¡¯s standing in the middle of my great room, wearing nothing but a redce bra and a pair of ck heels.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I gasp, not able to take my eyes off of her.


    Quickly standing up, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her against mine. She gasps just before I kiss her, devouring her, as my hands caress every part of her body that I can reach. She reaches between us, unbuttoning my pants until they slowly fall to the floor along with my underwear. I grab her ass and pull her back against me, my dick rubbing against her sex.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have condoms out here,¡± I groan in realization.


    ¡°Go get one, I¡¯ll wait here,¡± she winks before pulling away from me.


    I nce back just before leaving the room and catch her reaching behind to unsp her bra. I rush into bedroom, thankful that it is on the main floor and not upstairs and grab a condom from the nightstand drawer making a mental note to pick up more soon. When I return to the great room, she¡¯s sitting on my couch,pletely naked, waiting for me. Who knew something as simple as that could be so sexy?


    ¡°I need to start keeping condoms every room,¡± I sit next to her and yank her back onto myp, desperate to feel her against me again.


    ¡°Or I could go on birth control so we wouldn¡¯t have to use them anymore?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I whisper, the thought of being inside of her without a barrier nearly pushes me over the edge.  I¡¯ve never been with a woman without a condom, never even considered it but since Kenzie- ¡°I¡¯ll call tomorrow,¡± she kisses me.


    Instead of the rush I was in at my office, this time I take my time slowly making love to her. Though she says I don¡¯t need to apologize, I still feel the need to show her just how sorry I am for what I said. I¡¯ll never forget the look in her eyes when she stormed out of my office.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a shower and head to bed?¡± I suggest.


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± she giggles after a brief moment. ¡°I need to run upstairs before we do that though.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I need underwear,¡± she blushes despite the fact that she¡¯s standingpletely naked in front of me.


    ¡°They should be in my room.¡±


    ¡°They should?¡±


    ¡°I had Julie move all your clothing into my closet when you were meeting with Donnelly.¡±


    ¡°I could have done that, you didn¡¯t need to ask her to.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I did and now your clothes are in my closet. Come, let¡¯s go take a shower.¡±

 Chapter 142

    Kenzie


    We¡¯re at yet another business dinner, this time though we¡¯re a few hours away from the apartment so we¡¯re spending the night and driving back in the morning. I¡¯m trying to focus on the conversations around me, but unlike most dinners, this one really is all business. I usually don¡¯t check my phone when we¡¯re out, but trying to starve off the boredom I decide to text Ginny to see how things are going at the bakery. I¡¯m surprised to find I have a number of unread messages on it, no one usually texts me except for Nichs.


    Have you found out your husband¡¯s secrets?


    You¡¯re never going to be good enough for him.


    You will never be able to meet his needs.


    He¡¯s hiding things from you, from everyone¡­ things he wants no one to know.


    You should ask him why everyone runs from him.


    You¡¯re not like the others.


    Ask him what he¡¯s hiding.


    Ask him about The Blue Moon.


    He¡¯s never taken you there, has he? And he won¡¯t¡­ because you¡¯re not good enough for him.


    I put the phone back into my purse, not wanting to see the text messages from the blocked number any longer. I try to focus on the conversations going on around me, but I can¡¯t stop thinking about the text messages. Whoever is sending them seems to know Nichs, at least on some level and especially more than some reporter might. After the initial meeting before we signed the contract with Bridget, I had researched him online eager to know what type of image he needed to change with the press. There were many articles written insinuating that he was hiding something, which was the reason he was pictured with so many different women. At that time, I hadn¡¯t given it much thought, assuming it was just the press trying to stir things up. I like to think that I know him fairly well, especially after living with him for so long, but these text messages have me questioning everything I think I know.


    What is the Blue Moon that the sender is referring to? Why are they implying that I¡¯m not good enough to go there? Or good enough in general? What could someone who knows Nichs possibly know about me?


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Nichs whispers during a lull in the conversation.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I lie.


    ¡°Gentleman, thank you for your time today and for sharing your evening with me,¡± he says after giving me a look, which tells me he knows I¡¯m lying. ¡°Each of you have yed a fundamental part in the sess over thest several months-sess that would not be possible without your hard work, long hours and dedication. I look forward toing back in the near future to learn the status of the items we identified in our meetings this afternoon. Thank you.¡±


    He takes my hand, leading me out of the restaurant to where Carter is waiting for us in the lobby of the hotel. He wraps his arm around my waist, and I lean against him as we wait for the elevator to arrive.


    ¡°Kenzie, what¡¯s going on? Is everything okay?¡± he asks as soon as the elevator door closes.


    ¡°Its fine,¡± I look from Nichs to Carter, trying to convey that I don¡¯t want to discuss it right now.


    ¡°Something is wrong. Your demeanor changed at dinner.¡±


    ¡°Can we discuss thister?¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    I can tell he isn¡¯t happy, but I am not going to have this conversation in front of Carter or in the middle of an elevator when anyone could walk in. Plus, I still don¡¯t even know what to say. I can¡¯t stop thest text that I saw from repeating over and over again in my head: you¡¯re not good enough for him. How could aplete stranger pick up on my biggest fear? I¡¯ve known from the moment that I met Nichs on the sidewalk in the rain storm that we were from different worlds. What could he possibly be hiding? We¡¯ve been living together for more than a month now. What could he possibly be hiding that I don¡¯t know about? Does it have to do with the Blue Moon¡­ whatever that is?


    ¡°Okay, Kenzie¡­ we¡¯re alone now. What¡¯s going on? Did something happen while we were at dinner? What didn¡¯t you want to discuss in front of Carter?¡± He fires off the questions before our hotel room door is evenpletely closed.


    ¡°What is The Blue Moon?¡± It seems better to try to be more specific rather than just asking what he¡¯s hiding.


    ¡°Wh¡­ what?¡± He stutters and his face goespletely pale. My stomach drops at the sight which only confirms what the text message said: Nichs is hiding something from me.


    ¡°What is The Blue Moon?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ how did you hear about that?¡±


    ¡°When I nced at my phone earlier, I received a number of text messages from a blocked number. They implied you were hiding something and told me to ask you about The Blue Moon. What is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he pulls his phone from his pocket and immediately starts typing away. ¡°I need to get a hold of Carter and Brian to find out who is sending you these text messages. They should be able to trace the number the texts were sent from-¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± I interrupt him. ¡°Don¡¯t go into CEO mode with me now.


    What is going on? Why are you so frazzled at the mention of The Blue


    Moon?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not-¡±


    ¡°You are.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true and you know it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just drop it.¡±


    ¡°So the person who sent the text is right, you are hiding something from me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not important, drop it.¡±


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you tell me what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­¡±


    ¡°Because why?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­ I don¡¯t want to lose what we have over this.¡±


    ¡°So you get to know my secrets, my past, but I don¡¯t get to know yours?¡±


    ¡°Not about this, no.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    I shake my head and walk toward the spare bedroom in the suite; we¡¯ve only been here for two nights and until now the room hasn¡¯t been used. I¡¯m fuming¡­ I¡¯m pissed that he doesn¡¯t trust me enough to tell me about this despite everything I¡¯ve shared with him. After everything¡­ how can he not trust me?


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To bed.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± my hand is on the door of the spare bedroom, but I don¡¯t turn around to look at him. I can¡¯t let him see the tears that are threatening to fall.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fuck this up. I can¡¯t¡­ I need you¡­¡± Ah¡­right-because of our contract.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Nichs¡­ I won¡¯t go back on our arrangement. I¡¯ll apany you to wherever you need me to go¡­ I¡¯ll do whatever you want to change how the press views you. This doesn¡¯t change that.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Fuck the arrangement! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±


    ¡°Then what did you mean?¡± I turn to look at him, confused by his words. His hair is a mess, no doubt because he¡¯s been running his hands through it for thest few minutes. ¡°Why won¡¯t you tell me about The Blue


    Moon?¡±


    ¡°Because, Kenzie!¡±


    ¡°Because, why?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to lose you. And not because of the God damn arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Then why?¡± my voice is barely above a whisper; I¡¯m scared to know what his response will be.


    ¡°Because I fucking love you.¡±

 Chapter 143

    Nichs


    ¡°Because I fucking love you.¡±


    FUCK¡­ I can¡¯t believe I said that. I swore I wouldn¡¯t open myself up like that again, that if I didn¡¯t admit to anyone how I felt then the risk wouldn¡¯t be there. I just ruined everything! She doesn¡¯t feel the same way


    ¨C


    ¡°I love you too, but that doesn¡¯t mean you get to keep secrets from me! If you can¡¯t trust me enough to tell me-¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    I¡¯m in front of her in two quick steps, needing to be closer to her when she says what I think she just said. I couldn¡¯t have heard her correctly -she couldn¡¯t have said what I think she just said. She couldn¡¯t possibly love me¡­ she can¡¯t.


    ¡°I love you but-¡±


    I turn her around so quickly she gasps in surprise just before my lips are on hers. I don¡¯t give her a chance to say anything else. I don¡¯t want to talk about anything else right now-if we continue talking she might change her mind. She might finally realize that I¡¯m not the man that she deserves; that I¡¯m not good enough for her. Her body immediately rxes against mine when I pull her closer to me, her fingersb through my hair as she opens herself to me. Desperate for this to not end, I urge her to move backwards, toward the bed that is on the other side of the door. With her back firm against the door, I take my time exploring her body, feeling each of her curves beneath the sexy dress she is wearing. Needing to feel more of her, I reach for the door knob, but the moment she senses what I¡¯m doing, she pulls back.


    ¡°No,¡± she pants, her breathing still heavy.


    ¡°I want to make love to you,¡± I¡¯ve never said those words to anyone other than Kenzie. I¡¯ve never heard the desperation in my voice that is there right now. I¡¯ve never needed someone as much as I need her right now. I¡¯m not good at expressing how I feel with words-this is the only way I know I can show her how I feel about her.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    FUCK¡­ she¡¯s never stopped me before. She¡¯s never said no before


    ¨C


    ¡°If you can¡¯t trust me enough to tell me what¡¯s going on-¡±


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t trust you?¡±


    How can she think that? Doesn¡¯t she know that I trust her more than I¡¯ve ever trusted anyone before? Doesn¡¯t she realize that I don¡¯t want to tell her because I don¡¯t want to her hurt her? Because I know once she hears about The Blue Moon she is going to want to leave me. This isn¡¯t about trust-this is about me not wanting to lose the woman who somehow over thest few months, has managed to turn my lifepletely upside down and break down every protective wall that I put up.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Nichs, if you don¡¯t trust me. I mean, I get that we¡¯ve only known each other for a few months now. I trust youpletely, but if don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie. This isn¡¯t about not trusting you.¡± I lift her chin to get her to look at me, but her eyes remain down. I can see the tears she is trying to keep from falling and I realize that she truly does believe that I¡¯m not telling her about the club because I don¡¯t trust her. FUCK¡­ I didn¡¯t want to hurt her! Can¡¯t she see that I¡¯m only trying to protect her? Why is it I keep fucking this up? I need to fix this before I fuck things up even more.


    ¡°I trust you more than I¡¯ve ever trusted anyone in my entire life. Not wanting to tell you about The Blue Moon has nothing to do with not trusting you. I love you, Kenzie, I don¡¯t want to lose you. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to tell you about that ce-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m yours, Nichs,¡± she ces her lips softly against mine, her eyes never leaving mine. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯m not going to leave you because of whatever this ce is to you. You¡¯re not going to lose me.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t say that, you don¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°I know the man you are. You¡¯re a good man, who is kind, generous, loving and caring-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not-¡±


    ¡°You are. And that¡¯s the man that I fell in love with, even though I


    fought like hell against it. There¡¯s nothing you can tell me that is going to make me stop loving you. I¡¯m not going to leave you. I¡¯m yours-I¡¯ve been yours I think, since the moment we met.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡±


    Well, fuck¡­ It was only a few minutes ago that I was doubting that she felt the same way I do about her and here she is telling me-


    ¡°Please¡­ just tell me whatever it is you need to, so we can move past this. I promise you it¡¯s not going to change things between us. I just don¡¯t want secrets between us. I don¡¯t want whoever this person is to know you better than I do-¡±


    ¡°No one knows me like you do. No one.¡±


    I lean down and kiss her again, hoping like hell that it isn¡¯t thest time. She says nothing I can tell her will change things, but she doesn¡¯t know about The Blue Moon yet. I don¡¯t want to tell her, but I can¡¯t stand the thought of hurting her or having her doubt that I trust her. Trust has been such an issue for both of us, but I think more so for Kenzie given how much her¡¯s was broken in the past.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s sit on the couch.¡±


    Holding her hand, I lead her away from the bedroom door and over to the couch in the sitting area of the suite. Once she is seated, I pour us both a ss of wine from the bottle that, at my request, the hotel had chilled before we arrived. I take arge gulp of wine before sitting down.


    ¡°You already know that before¡­ that things with other women¡­ were different. You were the first woman I¡¯ve ever made love to, the first woman I¡¯ve ever slept with that, didn¡¯t have their hands held. I¡¯ve never trusted anyone, the way I trust you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs-¡±


    ¡°After¡­ things ended with Harper, I swore I would never open myself up like that again. I had no desire to be in a long term,mitted rtionship. A quick fuck was really all I was looking for, one that came with no attachments. The bar scene got old quick, and really, it just wasn¡¯t for me. I was tired of the strange looks when I held a woman¡¯s hands or asked her if I could restrain them. Trying to pass it off as a way to spice things up didn¡¯t always work.


    ¡°One night I was out with a new client, celebrating a significant return on his investment that allowed hispany to open another location, when he had a little too much to drink. He started going on and on about how he couldn¡¯t wait to get to this club the next night to really celebrate. It took another two shots before he opened up that he was going to a sex club, one that catered to various different types of kink but also offered an opportunity for casual hook ups.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what The Blue Moon is? A sex club?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I admit. ¡°That wasn¡¯t the club he was talking about, but once I had the name of his club I was able to do some digging and find one in New York. It took a lot to get a membership: they just don¡¯t let anyone in, you need to know someone and pass all their thorough background checks. That took some work, but eventually I was able to find someone to vouch for me and I was given a membership.


    ¡°Blue Moon caters to every type of lifestyle you can probably think of, and then some. Some couples arrive together, some meet up there regrly and some are just looking for casual, no strings attached, sex. For the first time, no one questioned my need to restrain their hands. They epted it.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what the big deal is¡­ you went to a ce to have sex. It was consensual, between two adults, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s the big deal? Am I missing something? Why would you think I would¡­ leave you for that?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I sigh and sit back. ¡°I just told you that I belonged to an exclusive sex club, catering to sexual fetishes, where I would fuck women whenever I wanted.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not something I expected to hear, but you¡¯re also not telling me that you kept women tied up somewhere at ord Towers and held them prisoner so you could use them whenever you wanted,¡± despite the enormity of the conversation, she manages tough.


    ¡°No, nothing like that. It was sex, nothing more¡­¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course, anything.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ are you¡­ still a member there?¡± I lift her chin, so she can look in my eyes when I answer her.


    ¡°No, I gave up my membership the morning after you agreed to the prenup. In fact¡­ I¡¯ve only been there once since I met you that day on the side walk. And, even then¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­. nothing happened.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop thinking of you. None of the women therepared to you. I had a couple of drinks and left.¡±


    ¡°So this person who is texting me must know that you were a member there?¡±


    ¡°It seems so. I¡¯m going to have Brian and Carter look into it and see if they can determine who sent the texts. They correctly assumed you weren¡¯t aware that I had been a member there-¡±


    ¡°How would they have known that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a smallmunity, all the members end up knowing each other. Unfortunately, our society is very close minded when ites to sex, so most people who engage in an alternative lifestyle do it in private. I never engaged in public scenes, but this person likely made assumptions about what I did in private rooms with women.¡±


    ¡°And they thought I would leave you because of it, just like you thought?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t see what the issue is.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    I¡¯m shocked¡­ it couldn¡¯t have been this easy. Maybe she just needs to think about it more, maybe she¡¯ll feel differently in the morning after she processes everything.


    ¡°If you would have told me this the day we first met, I might feel different than I do now. I know you Nichs: I know the man that you are and the man who you aren¡¯t. You used to belong to a sex club where you liked to fuck women rather than opening yourself up and trusting someone again. I can understand why you would choose a ce like that, instead of dealing with people asking questions. I¡¯m guessing this person is trying to make me think that you were into some of the lifestyles that were at the club. But even if you did like kinky sex so what? I know you would never hurt me or try to control me the way¡­ he did-¡±


    ¡°Never¡­ I swear I will never hurt you. That¡¯s why it bothered me so much¡­ when we¡­ fooled around in my office. I was rough with you then, and I swore I would never be like that with you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I told you beforeI liked that day in your office,¡± she blushes an adorable shade of pink. ¡°It was really hot. I like when you¡¯re gentle and take your time, but there was something about you that day that was incredibly hot. You were so in control, it was like you were so turned on that you demanded what you needed. I liked it.¡±


    ¡°So did I,¡± I take her hand in mine and squeeze it. ¡°But I swear to you I will never hurt you.¡±


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re okay with all of this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, really. It¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡±


    ¡°God, I don¡¯t know what I did in my life to deserve you.¡±


    ¡°I ask myself that all the time.¡±


    I take our sses and ce them in the kitchen sink, still inplete amazement with how tonight turned out. I expected Kenzie to end things between us; I was certain she wouldn¡¯t understand the club and that the idea of me going to a ce like that would make her sick. I don¡¯t know what I would do if she walked out of my life right now. It¡¯s taken me this long to finally discover what real love is-I¡¯ve learned is very far from what I felt for Harper. I realize now, that without a shadow of a doubt, I never loved her. I have no idea how I thought that I did, but whatever I felt for her was far from love. Now that I¡¯ve found it, I¡¯m never going to let it go.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± I turn around to find her ck cocktail dress lying on the floor in the middle of the room.  Looking toward the master bedroom, I see her shoes, thong and a ckce bra. Following the trail of clothes, I find her lying in the middle of the bed,pletely naked.


    ¡°Make love to me, Nichs.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 144

    Nichs


    Not needing her to ask me twice, I quickly kick of my shoes and clothes, leaving them somewhere on the floor, as I walk toward the bed.


    ¡°You amaze me,¡± I join her on the bed, lying next to her our bodies barely touching. ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too,¡± she ces her hand on my cheek. ¡°I was so scared that¡­¡±


    ¡°What were you scared of, baby?¡±


    ¡°That¡­ I was the only one falling in love.¡±


    ¡°I thought if I didn¡¯t admit how I felt to anyone that it wouldn¡¯t be true. I¡¯ve never felt like this before.¡±


    ¡°Me either; what we have¡­ I never knew it could be like this.¡±


    Somehow this beautiful woman lying in the bed next to me knows exactly what to say to render me speechless-something that rarely happens. Not knowing what to say, I do the only thing that I¡¯ve wanted to do since she first told me she loved me. My arm snakes around her waist and in one swift move I have her naked body pressed firmly against mine. Her lips immediately find mine as she wraps her legs around my thighs pushing her body further against mine. There is no space between us, absolutely nothing separating us.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I need you.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    When my fingers tease her nipples, she immediately arches her back, pushing her breasts into my hands perfectly. I gasp when she reaches between us and strokes my dick, knowing that it wouldn¡¯t take much for me toe right now. It seems when I¡¯m around Kenzie this is a constant for me-she manages to tear away every ounce of self-control I have. I vow to take my time with herter, to truly worship her body, and show her how much I do love her. But right now, I need her as much as she seems to need me.


    I tighten my arm around Kenzie before rolling us over so she is now lying on top of me. Her thighs straddle my hips and my dick rubs against her hot center. I can¡¯t keep my hands off of her: I¡¯m overwhelmed with the need to touch her everywhere. What¡¯s surprises me is the sudden need I have to feel her hands on me: I actually want her to touch me¡­ something that I¡¯ve never felt before. Her fingers tangle in my hair as her lips find mine, her tongue seeking out my own as she slowly rubs herself against me.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± There are so many things I want to say, but the only thing that I can think to say is her name.


    I reach between us and guide myself to her opening, moaning when she eagerly presses herself down against me. When she moves to sit up, to ride me, I wrap my arms around her, holding her against me instead, needing to feel her body against mine. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I love seeing her beautiful body over mine, but right now¡­ I just need to feel her. She moans against my lips when I start moving from below her; she¡¯s squeezing me so incredibly tight that I know I won¡¯tst much longer. Every time I pull back, her body tightens around me as if it¡¯s trying to hold me in.


    ¡°Oh God¡­¡± Kenzie¡¯s breathing is heavy at my ear, she¡¯s tugging at my hair, letting me know how close she is right now.


    ¡°Look at me, baby.¡±


    At my request, her eyes immediately find mine. They¡¯re filled with hunger, passion and¡­ love. That look alone does me in; my need for a release bes unbearable.


    ¡°Come with me, Kenzie¡­¡± I groan as I thrust into her while pulling her down hard on me, the orgasm hitting me the moment her body is against mine.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± Her walls clench around my still throbbing dick, sucking the evidence of my orgasm from me as she rocks her body against mine.


    Her head falls to my shoulder, her chest is heavy against mine, as she copses from the strength of her orgasm. Neither of us say anything: instead we justy there in afortable silence as our breathing slowly begins to return to normal. My hands glide over her skin on their own ord; I don¡¯t see the need to touch her ever going away.


    ¡°I love you, Nichs,¡± she leans up and looks at me.


    ¡°I love you, too, baby,¡± I close the gap between us by pressing her lips against mine.


    I sleep soundly with Kenzie wrapped in my arms; I haven¡¯t had a single nightmare since we started sleeping together. I¡¯ve given up trying to figure out why after nearly a lifetime of daily nightmares, that simply sleeping with her by my side keeps them away. While broken sleep was once a regr urrence, I¡¯vee to realize how nice a full night of solid sleep is.


    An hour passes before we leave the bed the next morning; unlikest night, I take time to worship every inch of Kenzie¡¯s beautiful body, making sure shees twice before I sink deep into her. A quick call to room service has breakfast waiting for us by the time we finish in the shower. I was still worried that she would see things differently this morning, and part of me is still waiting for her to, but like other things between us, it seems to have only brought us closer.


    ¡°What time are we heading back to New York today?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave once we finish breakfast. Hunter flew backst night and will meet us at the airport when wend, Carter will fly back with us.¡±


    ¡°No problems with the bakery while we¡¯ve been away?¡±


    ¡°No, everything has been running fine. Ginny said Cara did a wonderful job and really clicked with a lot of the customers, so we are going to put her on the schedule permanently.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great; I¡¯m really d it worked out well for both of you. Maybe this is what she has been looking for.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s really nice and so bubbly-I had no doubt she would do well with the customers.¡±


    ¡°That she is.¡±


    ¡°Do you have to go to the office when we get back?¡±


    ¡°No, I mean I have work to do, but I¡¯ll just do it from home. There¡¯s not much I can¡¯t do from there, which works out well when I have to travel.¡±


    We finish our breakfast and pack up the few items we brought on the trip. The ride to the airport is takes a little longer because of traffic, but we¡¯re in the air just a few minutester than nned. We¡¯re back at ord Towers, with the press waiting outside for us by mid-afternoon.

 Chapter 145

    Kenzie


    ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am,¡± Carter quietly enters the great room. ¡°Carter?¡±  Nichs nods.


    ¡°If you have a few minutes, I would like to update you on a few things,¡± he says.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Nichs turns to me, kissing me firmly on the lips, his tongue caressing my lips just before he pulls away, leaving me breathless. I moan when he prepares to leave the couch, he smirks at me, obviously knowing the affect his kiss had on me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± Nichs says.


    I nce around the room, my eyes settling on the firece which takes the slight chill off the room. The weather has been strangetely: warm some days while cooler on others. Fall in New York is always like this-you never know what to wear from one day to the next. My eyes feel heavy as I watch the mes dance across the fake logs in the firece and as hard as I try to fight it, exhaustion eventually takes over. I wake up more than an hourter, surprised that I even fell asleep, and head to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.


    ¡°Can I get you something Kenzie?¡± Julie greets me as soon as I walk in.


    ¡°I was just going to make a cup of tea-¡±


    ¡°Go sit down, I¡¯ll bring it to you,¡± she immediately interrupts me and stops what she is doing to make my cup of tea.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Julie, I can do it-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, I¡¯ll make it for you.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I take a seat at the breakfast bar while she fusses about getting everything ready.


    ¡°I was going to take something into Nichs; I¡¯m sure he must be getting hungry by now.¡±


    ¡°I have some fruit or cheese with crackers? Or do you think he might want something heavier? I have-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure something light will be fine.¡±


    Somehow Julie always has something prepared: she opens the fridge and pulls out a cheese tter before adding a few crackers to the te. I wouldn¡¯t even think to keep something like that ready in the fridge, but I guess she has worked for Nichs long enough that she is used to thingsing up at thest minute that she needs to prepare for.  She puts the tter on a serving tray and adds a few bottles of water, some juice, napkins and tes.


    ¡°If you lead the way, I¡¯ll carry the tray in,¡± she gestures toward Nichs¡¯s office.


    It¡¯s been an adjustment getting used to having her doing so much for me, something I¡¯ve never had before. Growing up, I was always on my own-no one was ever there for me or cared enough to help me even when I was sick. And when I was with him, there was no recovery time when I had broken ribs or bruises that needed to heal. His expectations never changed: it didn¡¯t matter how much pain I was in, I was still expected to have everything done before he walked through the door. So something as simple as Julie making my cup of tea¡­ yeah that¡¯s going to take some getting used to.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Nichs¡¯s voicees from behind the door the moment I knock.


    ¡°Oh!¡± I¡¯m surprised to see Carter still in Nichs¡¯s office, I had assumed they had finished their meeting.  ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t realize you were still meeting. I thought you might be hungry, but I cane back-¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. We were almost finished anyway,¡± he greets me with a light kiss on the cheek.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just set this down,¡± Julie ces the tray on the small table.


    ¡°Thank you, Julie,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°I cane back-¡± I feel bad for interrupting their meeting.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Carter was just going to brief me on a situation with the press-¡±


    ¡°UGH, what now? I haven¡¯t seen anything negative in a while¡­¡±


    ¡°Nothing bad,¡± he assures me. ¡°I¡¯ve been having my team run background checks on all the reporters who have been writing negative publicity about my personal life. Until now, we haven¡¯t found anything that we can use to persuade them to give up their sources.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ until now.¡±


    ¡°About a week ago, a background check came back with¡­ some useful information about a reporter that only recently started working for one of those news sources. While the reporter wouldn¡¯t give up her source directly, she provided us with the email address the person uses tomunicate with her. That email address was tied back to apany that Carter was just exining he¡¯s been in touch with.¡±


    ¡°Right, I spoke with Eurotek Air¡­¡±


    Eurotek Air¡­ the name sounds familiar but I¡¯m struggling to ce why I know that name. I rack my brain until it finally hits me¡­


    ¡°Ladies and Gentleman, if I can have a moment of your time,¡± the distinguished man on stage says through the microphone. ¡°I would like to take a moment to thank the hard working team at Creative Advertising Strategies for always being willing to think outside the box, for going above and beyond to meet our client needs and just as important, for creating a fun work environment,¡± cheers are heard around the room along with some apuse. ¡°Tonight, we are here to celebrate our newest member of the CAS family: Eurotek Air who has signed on with us for all of their advertising needs,¡± this time the room erupts in a loud apuse. ¡°This venture wouldn¡¯t have been possible without the dedication of several key members of the CAS family: Mike, Christine, Adam, Susan, Steve and Joshua¡­¡­¡± I¡¯m surprised Richard isn¡¯t mentioned-he¡¯s been working so many hourstely on a project for a new client. Maybe it was a different new client? I¡¯m sure CAS has many new clients, but Eurotek is probably thergest one, which is why we are here celebrating. I chance a nce at him and immediately rx a little when he doesn¡¯t appear angry that his name was left out.


    ¡°You said Eurotek Air?¡± I rify, hoping that either I misheard Carter or that this is some odd coincidence that they used CAS for their advertising needs and is nowing after Nichs.


    ¡°Yes, Eurotek Air is arge manufacturer of aircraft instruments, located just outside of Denver,¡± Carter rifies.


    ¡°Kenzie is something wrong? Are you feeling okay? You look pale,¡± Nichs squeezes my hand as Carter jumps to get me a bottle of water.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± I admit.


    ¡°I cane back-¡± Carter begins.


    ¡°No, stay,¡± I interrupt, knowing he needs to be here. ¡°My ex¡­ he works for thepany who handles, or at least handled, all the advertising needs of Eurotek Air.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure, Kenzie?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes¡­ the night I¡­ I finally left him, we were at a dinner celebrating Eurotek signing with CAS.¡±


    ¡°Carter-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on it, sir,¡± he quickly types into away at his phone. ¡°None of the reports indicate that Richard Westbrook left the state of Colorado since we¡¯ve had him under surveince-¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± I interrupt quickly. ¡°What do you mean under surveince? How do you know his name? I don¡¯t remember-¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t,¡± Nichs says. ¡°After you told me about¡­ what he did to you, I had Carter find out who your ex was. We¡¯ve had him under surveince from a distance ever since.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± I whisper. ¡°How did you find out who he was?¡±


    ¡°I came across a picture of the two of you attending a holiday dinner for hispany. It fit the timeline¡­¡± Carter says unapologetically.


    ¡°I see,¡± I don¡¯t really know what else to say. I shouldn¡¯t be surprised, Carter ran a background check on me as soon as we met through Bridget.


    ¡°Baby,¡± Nichs puts his hand on my cheek and gently urges me to look at him. ¡°That night, when you told me what that fucker did to you, I promised you I would never let him hurt you again. The only way I could keep my promise, was to ensure he was under surveince, to track all of his movements, and make sure he never stepped foot in the same state as you.¡±


    Well¡­ shit¡­ when he puts it like that how I can be mad?


    ¡°I¡­ that makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, I need to ask you some questions,¡± Carter warns, though I¡¯m not surprised.


    What does surprise me is the realization that Carter used my first name, instead of referring to me as Mrs. Parker or Ms. Rose as he has always done. The moment I realized where I knew Eurotek Air from, I knew questions were going to be asked-questions that I needed to answer. I would love to be able to reassure Carter and Nichs that he wouldn¡¯t have done this but I can¡¯t. After I moved in with him, I realized I knew nothing about Richard.


    ¡°When was thest time you saw Richard Westbrook?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°The night of the Eurotek Air celebration dinner.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear from him after that?¡±


    ¡°He called me a few times and texted me a few times after I first left. However, I¡­ I had something on him and threatened to use it if he ever contacted me again. I never heard from him after that.¡±


    ¡°What do you have on him?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I have pictures, police reports and sworn statements from physicians from the night he almost killed me-¡±


    ¡°You have those?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ give me a minute, I¡¯ll get them.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, you don¡¯t need to,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°I do because if Richard is behind this, then he may need to be reminded of why he was to forget that he ever knew me,¡± I say firmly.


    It takes me only a couple of minutes to grab therge envelope from the bottom of a drawer in the closet I now share with Nichs. I had hoped that he would never need to see these pictures, but I¡¯m not going to let my fear control me. If these pictures help keep Richard out of our lives, then it¡¯s worth having him see them. When I return to the office, I open the envelope and give them each a folder that contains duplicate documentation.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to fucking kill the bastard,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°I¡¯m adding a second guy on this case now. I have Asher and Brian digging up everything they can find on Richard Westbrook.¡±


    ¡°I want to know everything: where he came from, who is family is, where he went to kindergarten¡­ every-fucking-thing Carter!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be able to find his family information very quickly,¡± I inform them.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°His father is the reason Richard doesn¡¯t want any of this information leaked to the press. It would destroy his father-¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Who is his father?¡±


    ¡°Senator Jon Michael Westbrook Senior of Oregon.¡±


    ¡°A senator? His father is fucking senator?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Richard was the ck sheep of the family. He refused to go into politics, despite what his father wanted for him. He should have¡­ he was very persuasive and could convince you of anything he wanted. But he was more into art than anything else and decided to pursue a career in that field. When he learned I had pictures and documentation from that night and evidence from previous¡­ arguments, he swore he would cease all contact with me if I agreed to keep it out of the press. He may have stood up to his father about his career, but he was afraid of him. His father gave him an allowance each month, because he needed his son to look like he was well off, even if he wasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°None of this appears on your background check¡­ and my background checks are very thorough, Kenzie. How did you keep all of this quiet? The police reports, the medical exams¡­ all of it should have been there,¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°I worked with a wonderful organization who helped me get away that night. As you can see from the pictures, I¡­ I needed medical attention. They had a doctor on call, who came to the shelter and treated my injuries. Since I didn¡¯t go to a hospital or even to a doctor¡¯s office, you¡¯re looking at the only evidence from that appointment. The same with the police report; the organization worked with several local detectives who would take sworn statements from victims. Those statements would never be filed, but would be documented should the abuse ever be questioned in the future. The detectives, the doctors and the staff from the shelter, if questioned and with my permission, will confirm all the details from that night. They ensured my clean getaway from Richard and gave me the means to keep him out of my life.¡±


    ¡°Are these the only copies?¡±


    ¡°No, I have a folder containing another copy of what you have, along with a USB drive containing a digital copy, in a safe deposit box at my bank.¡±


    ¡°FUCK,¡± Nichs hisses.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Jon Michael Westbrook Senior is dead.¡±

 Chapter 146

    Nichs


    The pictures tell me everything she didn¡¯t about the night she left him. He squeezed her neck so tightly that each finger left a bruise on her soft, fair skin. Her eye is swollen shut from where, I can only assume, he punched her. Her lip is split and her ribs are a nasty shade of ck and red. On her back, I can see old bruises starting to fade, evidence of just how he thought he could take his anger and frustration out on her. My stomach turns just looking at these pictures-I don¡¯t know that I will ever be able to close my eyes and not see Kenzie¡¯s bruised and bloodied body.


    Needing to do something other than stare at these photos, I take out my phone and start to search the bastard¡¯s father. In my business, I have many friends in high ces, several of which are involved in politics. With the information we now have about his son, a meeting with Mr. Westbrook will guarantee his son either ceases all contact with Kenzie and the press immediately or I will find a way to ruin his political career. A couple phone calls will be all it takes to end his career.


    However, my n is short lived when the first article that appears on google rted to the senator is a link to his obituary.


    ¡°FUCK!¡± this exin everything: with the fucker¡¯s father dead, Kenzie¡¯s threat to publicly ruin him means nothing now. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Kenzie asks softly.


    ¡°Jon Michael Westbrook Senior is dead.¡±


    ¡°Noooooooo,¡± her voice tells me she is thinking the same thing I am.


    ¡°Carter-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on it, sir. I¡¯m going to get Brian and Asher on this; give me a few hours and we will know everything there is to know about this fuc-  er, low life, and his father.¡±


    ¡°I want his finances pulled apart¡­ both of their finances. Get Donnelly on it-make sure he leaves nothing unturned. I don¡¯t care the cost. Get someone closer to Westbrook. I don¡¯t want to take any chance that he slips away because we¡¯re covertly watching him.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s the one feeding the press information, we need to assume he¡¯s working with someone,¡± I exin. ¡°He has to have a partner, close to New York, to keep all these tabs on us. Someone who¡­ knows both of us -there¡¯s no way he¡¯s working alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. All security codes at all of your properties are being changed immediately, and we will remain at the highest level of security. There will be at least two CPOs assigned to each of you at all times when you leave the building. Someone will remain here at all times even when you both need to leave-although I highly rmend against it. Until we have the threat secured, it would be best if you both would remain here.¡±


    ¡°We need figure this out, Carter. I refuse to have my life turned upside down because of this fucker.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll update you as soon as we have more information. Kenzie¡­ thank you for¡­ sharing this with me. I know it wasn¡¯t easy for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I really hope it¡¯s not him, that he isn¡¯t behind this,¡± I watch a shiver go through Kenzie¡¯s body as she considers the possibility.


    ¡°If he is, we will get him,¡± Carter says firmly. ¡°Whoever did this won¡¯t have a chance to hurt either of you.¡±


    When he leaves the room, Kenzie¡¯s eyes remain fixed to the floor, and I can practically hear her thoughts. I know she¡¯s ming herself for this, but she couldn¡¯t be more wrong. Even if her ex was the one who is feeding the press information about us, it wouldn¡¯t be her fault.


    ¡°Come here, baby,¡± I need to do something, I can¡¯t just let her sit there ming herself. I don¡¯t say anything, instead I gently wrap my arms around her waist and urge her to sit on myp.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± I whisper and wrap my arms around her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, so sorry-¡±


    ¡°Stop, this is NOT your fault. I won¡¯t let you me yourself for


    that fucker¡¯s actions.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°No, Kenzie. If he is the one behind this, he will pay; I¡¯ll make sure of it. If he turns out to be the one behind some of the news articles, that¡¯s on him. You did everything possible to keep him out of your life-you didn¡¯t ask him toe after you.¡±


    ¡°I know, I just feel like I brought him into your life. If I never-¡±


    ¡°Stop right there. You need to stop ming yourself, baby. This isn¡¯t your fault. You wouldn¡¯t let me me myself if the person behind this was tied to me somehow. I won¡¯t let you do the same thing. All that matters is that we¡¯ve identified that bastard as a suspect, so now we will have even more eyes on him. I¡¯m so d you remembered that hispany was behind the advertising for Eurotek. Without that, we wouldn¡¯t have known to look at him closer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised I remembered that at all; but we were there celebrating because this was a veryrge client for the advertisingpany. I remember thinking that he would be furious because when they named the key people involved in the project, his name was left out. He had put in manyte nights working on the project so even I was surprised that his name wasn¡¯t mentioned.¡±


    ¡°Is that what caused¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. He wasn¡¯t mad in that moment, but he became furious when he stepped away from the table to get a drink and I started talking to the vice president of hispany. Even though what we were talking about what was on the list of allowed topics-¡±


    ¡°Allowed topics?¡± Seriously? He told her what she could talk to people about? Who the fuck does something like that?


    ¡°I told you he had rules: how much I could drink, what I could drink, what I would wear and even what I could talk about when we were at his business functions. He said that everything I did and said, reflected on him and in turn his father, so it was important that I avoided any controversial topics or areas that I knew nothing about,¡± she sighs heavily against me. ¡°I know it sounds stupid, but at the time, how he said it, made perfect sense. I didn¡¯t realize just how much I was allowing him to control my life. Looking back, I don¡¯t know how I didn¡¯t realize it in that moment.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes you only see what you want to see,¡± I may not have been in the same situation, but I know there were many things that I didn¡¯t see when I was with her, that I realized after the fact.


    ¡°He used me of flirting with him, saying that I was going after him because he obviously earned much more than Richard did. It couldn¡¯t have been further from the truth. We were talking about gardening as he had struggled with deer, he knew I liked to garden as we had discussed it at previous events. Richard was furious, I guess, because the guy¡¯s wife was at home with their sick kid, which I guess for some reason made him think that I was trying to go after him. He said I let him stare at my chest without doing anything, but the truth was there was nothing I could do. He picked out my dress for that night, as he always did, which was cut very low in the front. He hadn¡¯t left out a wrap for me to wear, so it wasn¡¯t like I could cover myself up. I didn¡¯t think he was staring at my chest, but he could have been¡­ it¡¯s not like it could be avoided.¡±


    ¡°Even if the guy had been gawking at your chest all fucking night, that bastard shouldn¡¯t have taken it out on you,¡± I can¡¯t believe that fucker would beat her like he did for any reason, let alone because a coworker looked at her chest. Hell, I was furious when I saw Donnelly gawking at her ass the day she met with him, but it never even urred to me to think she was flirting with him. My anger that day was directed at him, never at her- he was the one staring at her ass.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but it never stopped him. He always took his anger out on me, even when I had nothing to do with why he was angry or frustrated. I thought that part of my life was behind me; I didn¡¯t think I would have to deal with him ever again.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t, Carter is going to get to the bottom of this and I promise you he will never hurt you again. He will nevere near you; I will keep you safe.¡±


    ¡°I know you will,¡± she whispers as she nces up at me with her eyes full of an emotion I can¡¯t ce.  Needing to feel her, I weave my fingers through her hair and bring her closer to me. My lips immediately find her soft ones, as my other hand roams her beautiful body. After everything that just happened, after everything that I just saw, I need to feel and be closer to her. I have to remind myself to be gentle with her as I fight the urge to pull her tighter, closer to me. She shifts, turning her body so she can wrap her arms around my neck. The softest moan escapes from her as my tongue caresses her lips. I will never understand how that bastard could hurt my Kenzie¡­


    My Kenzie.


    ¡°I love you,¡± I whisper against her lips.


    ¡°I love you too.¡±


    She cuddles into my chest, her arms wrapping around my stomach as mine wrap around her back. Even though I don¡¯t fully understand why, it seems she needs this as much as I do right now. Or maybe she just senses what I need. Whatever the reason, having her in myp against me is exactly what I need right now.


    After dinner, we cuddle on the couch watching some romanticedy movie, that Kenzie eximed is her favorite the moment she saw it in the selection of movies avable. With her head on a pillow on myp, I can¡¯t help but think how lucky I am to have this beautiful woman in my life. Never would I have thought this is what I would be doing with a woman, yet right now there is nowhere else I would rather be. If Kenzie hadn¡¯te into my life, I would likely be sitting in my office either at PFS or here working well into the night. Or maybe I would be at The Blue Moon, fucking some woman who meant nothing to me. I never realized how empty my life was before, how alone I really was.


    ¡°Baby? Do you want to go to bed?¡± I ask as I see her eyes start to close.


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t realized how tired I was until Iid down,¡± she admits.


    ¡°We can finish this movie tomorrow if you want.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to the office in the morning?¡±


    ¡°No. Carter said it would be best if we both stayed here as much as possible, so I¡¯m going to be working from home for at least the foreseeable future.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I quickly interrupt knowing what she was going to me herself. ¡°I have everything I need to work here and Melody can have a messenger bring over anything important.¡±


    ¡°You sure it won¡¯t make more work for her?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± I chuckle when she yawns again. ¡°I had thought about letting you fall asleep here on the couch, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t be veryfortable.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯d much rather sleep in our bed,¡± Kenzie says as she slowly gets up from the couch.


    I gasp in surprise-for the first time, she has referred to it as our bed, until now it¡¯s always been my bed.  When she looks at me, I quickly fake a yawn, letting her think that¡¯s what she heard. I know how important it is for her to feel like she has something of her own, something that isn¡¯t mine, so I hope by her referring to it that way she is thinking of it truly as our bed and not mine any longer. I could be reading too much into her choice of words, but I hope I¡¯m not. We¡¯ve done thingspletely backwards, but I¡¯m hoping she¡¯s starting to feel like this ce is her home. For me, once we returned from Fiji, my bed became our bed; I can¡¯t imagine her sleeping anywhere else. But I know for her, things aren¡¯t that ck and white. I learned that when she thought I would kick her out of the condo downstairs the moment we ended our arrangement. She saw that as my apartment, even after I told her she could stay as long as she needed to.


    ¡°Are youing to bed?¡± Kenziees out of the bathroom after changing into her pajamas and finds me still standing next to our bed.


    I quickly wash up and throw on a pair of shorts to sleep in before heading back to the bedroom where Kenzie is already lying in bed waiting for me. I quickly turn off the light and climb into bed, sliding right next to her. She sighs as soon as my arms wrap around her and inches back towards me so her body is flush against mine. Within minutes of the light turning off, she has fallen asleep but I on the other hand can¡¯t seem to find sleep.


    Every time I close my eyes, I see those pictures of what that bastard did to her. I see the imprints of his fingers around her neck and her eye that was swollen so badly that you can¡¯t see the beautiful brown that lights up when she smiles. I don¡¯t know that I¡¯ll ever be able to get those images out of my head. Normally when I can¡¯t sleep, I would end up in my office working, but right now I¡¯m content toy here and watch her sleep. The only thing that makes me feel remotely better about this whole situation is knowing that the fucker who did this to her, will never hurt her again.

 Chapter 147

    Nichs


    For thest week, Alex has been attending several meetings offsite meetings on my behalf, but if I continue to miss important things, people will suspect something is going on. I¡¯ve been stuck in the apartment for thest two weeks as my team tries to figure out who Richard is working with. So far, they haven¡¯t found anything to tie him to New York.


    After a call with him to follow up on a meeting he hadst night over dinner with an owner of apany that we are submitting a proposal to, I realize just how important it is that I attend some of these dinners. So much of our business urs outside of the office, it¡¯s a key part of what we do. My next meeting is with Carter and Hunter to discuss my schedule for the next few weeks and how we can manage security at different events and dinners. Thankfully, we have a few days before the next one is scheduled, giving them time to finalize all the details. While it would be easier to stay at ord Towers and continue to let Alex take care of these things, I can¡¯t rely on him to close all the deals. It¡¯s my name and face associated with PFS-people want to see and speak with me.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± Kenzie knocks softly on my door.


    ¡°Come in, baby.¡±


    ¡°Julie has dinner prepared; I wasn¡¯t sure if you were too busy-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, let¡¯s go eat.¡±


    Kenzie waits for me at the door, before leaving my office I lean down and kiss her soft lips. Her body immediately presses against mine; my hand goes to her hip as I hold her against me.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s eat before our dinner gets cold,¡± she blushes but by the time we reach the dining room it has faded.


    ¡°So I have some news,¡± Kenzie announces just as we finish with dinner. She seems a little nervous about whatever she is going to say, although I¡¯m not sure why she would be nervous.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided to hire Cara to manage the bakery,¡± Kenzie holds her breath, and I realize she was nervous about my response.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Cara must be so excited.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she will be. I¡­ I haven¡¯t talked to her about it yet. I didn¡¯t want to say anything to her about it until I talked to you first.¡±


    ¡°Did you think I would object?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure what you would think, you were nervous about me hiring Cara to begin with-¡±


    ¡°I was, only because I know her track record of staying with a job for any length of time. But I know she¡¯s really happy working at the bakery; I think it¡¯s exactly what she has been looking for, since she came back from San Diego.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what she said when I talked to her the other day. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it before I spoke to her about the position. I know mixing family and business can be weird, so I didn¡¯t want to do it if you were ufortable with the idea.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, the bakery is yours. I told you that I will help you if you want, but this is your decision. If you¡¯re confident in her ability, then go for it. If things getplicated down the road, I¡¯ll be here to help you if you need it. But, I don¡¯t see it bing an issue. You two seem to work so well together-¡±


    ¡°We really do. She has some great ideas for the bakery, but she only brings them up when asked. I know she doesn¡¯t want to feel like she is stepping on my toes, but her ideas are really good ones. She interacts so well with all the customers: her bubbly personality makes her a hit with everyone.¡±


    ¡°I think she would be great as a manager for the bakery.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really,¡± I chuckle at her obvious excitement. ¡°Offer her the position; it would be good for her to work with Ginny closer before she begins to take her time off to visit her daughter.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking. She wants to n a trip soon but with the press still on us¡­ she was talking about waiting until things settle down and I can return to the bakery to manage things while she is gone-¡±


    ¡°Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°Obviously we don¡¯t know when things will die down, but I don¡¯t want her to have to wait. This way Cara can manage the bakery while it¡¯s open and then we can work together after hours. I spoke with Hunter and he said as long as I went to the bakery after hours and entered from the side entrance that it wouldn¡¯t be an issue.¡±


    ¡°No, I think that makes sense,¡± I¡¯m not thrilled with the idea of her leaving condo, but I know I can¡¯t keep her here forever


    ¡°Hunter said he would speak to Carter and make all the


    arrangements so that perhaps we could go one day this week.¡±


    ¡°I met with them this afternoon: there are a few dinners and eventsing up on my schedule in the next few weeks that I need to attend. They¡¯re beginning to arrange security and will determine which ones are too much of a risk for me to attend, but the others I¡¯m nning on attending.¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to¡­ I mean¡­¡±


    I know what she¡¯s trying to ask; it¡¯s still the awkward part of our arrangement. On one hand we are this normal couple, but on the other, we have the underlying arrangement, which is the entire reason we are even together right now. The reason that I signed the contract with Bridget, the reason that I married Kenzie¡­ it¡¯s still there and it¡¯s always awkward when it creeps back into our current situation.


    Part of me just wants to say fuck the arrangement, because things between us, as a couple, are going great, at least I think they are. But the other part still worries what will happen if I fuck this up? What then? On top of beingpletely heartbroken and devastated, I could be ruined in the press. And what if I told Kenzie I wanted to tear up our contract and she didn¡¯t feel the same way? What if she liked the security of having it there? Until I know how she feels about it, I can¡¯t bring it up¡­ even if arge part of me wishes it didn¡¯t exist.


    ¡°If Carter feels that security won¡¯t be an issue, I would very much like you toe with me to a few of these boring dinners. They¡¯re always better with you there,¡± I squeeze her hand as she smiles at me.


    ¡°Just let me know, but I¡¯m sure my schedule will be free,¡± sheughs because we both know there isn¡¯t anything on her schedule and hasn¡¯t been since she had to stop working at the bakery.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be,¡± I chuckle and pull her closer to me so her body rests against mine. She lightly kisses my neck when I wrap my arms around her.


    ¡°I have a few hours¡¯ worth of work to get through tonight; if you keep that up I¡¯ll never get any of it done,¡± I groan as she nibbles on my ear causing my dick to stir.


    ¡°And that would be a bad thing?¡± I can feel her smile against me.


    ¡°I really need to finish this. Give me a few hours, and I¡¯lle to bed.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I hear the disappointment in her voice when she pulls away. ¡°I¡¯ll be in the library if you need me.¡±


    She walks slowly out of the room, and I immediately feel like shit. I¡¯ve been avoiding her in a sense; we haven¡¯t been intimate since I saw those pictures. I know I need to stop thinking of her as the woman in those pictures. I need to stop seeing those images every time I close my eyes. The Kenzie in those pictures is not the woman upstairs in my library or the one that just kissed me at the dinner table or the one that I had wrapped in my armsst night. The Kenzie in those pictures is not the woman who faced her own fears by cing my tie around her wrists so we could make love before we left Fiji.


    Realizing what an ass I have been, I head out of my office to find her. The door to the library is open just a crack and I take a moment to watch Kenzie. She is curled up in the oversized loveseat that I had Carter arrange for her the day she moved in and fell in love with this room. She looks so rxed, as if she doesn¡¯t have a care in the world, despite the fact that her ex is likely working with someone who wants to ruin me in the press.


    ¡°Nichs! I thought you had work-¡±


    She is in front of me within seconds, and I quickly quiet her by kissing her hard on the lips. It takes her only a moment to get over the shock of what I did and to kiss me back. Her arms are around my neck, her body pressed against mine. This woman, this beautiful woman is all mine, and I¡¯ve never wanted someone as much as I want her. I need to make up for the ass I¡¯ve been; I need to take hours to worship her beautiful body. But right now, the only thing I can think of is how much I¡¯ve missed the way her body feels against mine.


    ¡°I need you,¡± I whisper against her lips.


    ¡°Do you want to go back downstairs to our-¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s been too long. I can¡¯t wait,¡± I know I sound weak but right now, I can¡¯t think of anything other than making love to Kenzie.


    Without saying a word, she pulls away from me slowly and walks over to the love seat she wasying on when I walked in. I follow her, leaning on it before pulling her between my legs.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± she has changed out of the jeans and shirt she was wearing at dinner. She is just in a pair of silk shorts and a matching silk tank top. Her hardened nipples confirm that she is no longer wearing a bra. My hands roam her body, loving the way the silk feels against her skin.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she moans when my fingers slide over her nipples, and her hips involuntarily move against mine. As I much as I wanted to spend hours worshipping her body, I quickly realize that will likely have to wait until round two-as it usually does. Right now, it¡¯s taking everything in me not to tear off her clothes and sink into her. It¡¯s been far too long.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you¡­ so fucking much. I¡¯m so sorry-¡±


    ¡°Shhhhh¡­ you don¡¯t have to apologize.¡±


    ¡°I do-¡±


    ¡°I missed you so much. I need you; make love to me¡­¡±


    And I lose it right there; her words are my undoing. I slowly lift the silk top over her head, tossing it out of the way before pushing her shorts to the floor. She steps out of them and takes her thong off, leaving her standingpletely naked in front of me. I wrap my arms back around her, pulling her against me so I can feel every inch of her beautiful body. She moans the moment I slide my hand between her legs; her handse between us so she can unbutton my shirt. Her movements are slow and clumsy as she tries to focus on what she is doing and not on what I¡¯m doing to her clit right now.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± she gasps as I slip a finger into her warm, slippery center.


    With one hand on her sex and the other teasing her hardened nipples, her arousal kicks up a notch as her hands move all over me. My dick is strained against the zipper of my shorts, begging for a release.  She must realize this because she reaches between us and within seconds frees me.


    With my pants and underwear still around my ankles, I hold her tightly against me and lower us onto the soft chair. She follows me down, immediately straddling her legs over mine. It¡¯s been too long since I¡¯ve been inside of her; too long since I¡¯ve made love to her. I realize right then and there that we haven¡¯t made love since the morning after we admitted our feelings to each other. In some ways that seems like so long ago, but the reality is, it¡¯s only been a short time since we admitted what we both tried so hard to deny.


    ¡°I need¡­¡± My strong, confident voice is gone, reced with need and desire.


    Without saying a word, she reaches between us and guides my throbbing dick to her hot, silky center before lowering herself onto me. Her eyes find mine, widening as she stretches to amodate me. It takes everything in me not to thrust into her, but at the same time, I love the way she slowly sinks onto me. She wraps her hands around my neck, rising slightly before sinking back down taking me inpletely.


    ¡°Oh God,¡± she gasps when I thrust up into her, pushing myself into her even more.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going tost long¡­ it¡¯s been too long.¡±


    With that, she starts moving against me, holding onto the back of the loveseat for support as she rides me. With her eyes closed, her head falls back, as her movements quicken while she chases her orgasm. I can¡¯t take my eyes off of her: I watch the way her mouth opens in the perfect O shape, the way her breasts bounce with each movement and the way her lower lips are wrapped around my dick as she moves against me. I watch as she takesplete control of our love making-something that I have never allowed another woman to do. I¡¯ve never made love to anyone except Kenzie, but I¡¯ve also never let a woman take control during sex.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she moans, putting far too many sybles in my name.


    Her walls tighten, trying to milk the orgasm from me and it¡¯s all I can do not toe. I can feel how close she is, I can see how close she is by the way her skin is flush and her breathing has increased. Her movements are bing more purposeful as she approaches her release. I¡¯m gritting my teeth, as I can feel my own release threatening to spill over¡­


    ¡°Come, baby,¡± I beg her, knowing that I¡¯m losing control.


    Whether my words are her trigger or something else is, her movements change: she begins riding me harder and faster. Her head falls to my shoulder, just before she slides nearlypletely off of me and then ms herself back onto me causing us both to moan in absolute pleasure. Knowing I won¡¯tst more than a few more seconds, I reach between us and pinch her nipples.


    ¡°NICHOLAS!¡± I pull her down hard at the same time that I thrust into her sending us both over the edge together. She continues to convulse around me, even as she copses on my chest, with my hands firm on her hips, I move her against me, letting us both ride out thest waves of our release.


    I can¡¯t believe I let that fucker deter me from making love to Kenzie. I vow in that moment never to allow anyone or anything prevent me from doing this ever again. When we¡¯re together like this, everything is perfectit¡¯s as if the outside world doesn¡¯t exist.

 Chapter 148

    Kenzie


    Wow¡­ just WOW.


    There are no other words to describe what we just did. Thest thing I expected tonight was to make love to Nichs in the library. I don¡¯t know why, but he hasn¡¯t seemed interested in being intimatetely. I¡¯m sure it had something to do with everything that¡¯s going on, and the stress of trying to find out who is working with Richard. Whatever the reason was, I¡¯m d that we¡¯ve moved past it. As Iy against his bare chest with his arms around me, I realize how much I¡¯ve missed this connection. I¡¯ve never felt so connected to someone, as I do with Nichs, and each time we make love I feel even closer to him than before. I sigh when he wraps his arms around me, holding me tight against his chest as my fingersb through his hair. I¡¯m so rxed I could fall asleep right here, but I know this can¡¯t be entirelyfortable for Nichs.


    ¡°Do you want to go to bed¡­ or did you still have work to do?¡±


    ¡°I still have work to do,¡± he sighs. ¡°But, I¡¯m going toe to bed with you instead.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? I don¡¯t mind-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure, let¡¯s go to bed.¡±


    I lift myself off of him, immediately feeling empty, and grab the closest thing to the chair to slip into which happens to be his shirt. As I finish buttoning the shirt, my eyes meet Nichs¡¯s, which are watching my every move.


    ¡°Earth to Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°You look so fucking sexy baby,¡± he tugs at the bottom of the shirt and brings me closer to him so I¡¯m standing in between his spread legs. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone look so sexy in my shirt before. Let¡¯s go to bed so I can strip you out of the shirt.¡±


    While he slips on his boxers, I quickly find my pajamas that ended up between the chair and the door. Just before we head downstairs, we walk past the bedroom where we slept together for the first time.


    ¡°Do you remember the night we slept together in there?¡± I ask.


    ¡°The weekend I had that awful food poisoning.¡±


    ¡°It was.¡±


    ¡°I had such a hard time falling asleep that night¡­¡±


    ¡°Because you weren¡¯t downstairs in your own bed, instead in that room,¡± I gesture to the door just behind us.


    ¡°No, because you were in here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t follow¡­¡±


    ¡°I felt this incredible urge toe in here that night¡­ before your nightmare, I mean. Hell, when I came to bed, I even stopped at your door but convinced myself to go into the other room. But when you turned the shower water on¡­ Fuck, it took everything in me not to barge in there.¡±


    ¡°Really? You were¡­ attracted to me even then?¡±


    I had no idea-I assumed he still thought of me as just a business arrangement back then. I had no idea he saw me as anything more. He kissed me for the first time that night, after my nightmare, but I thought that


    was more of a spur of the moment thing and hadn¡¯t realized he was attracted to me before then.


    ¡°Fuck, Kenzie, you¡¯ve turned me on since the day I met you.¡±


    ¡°The day I was covered in rain water and dirt on the side of the street?¡± Surely he can¡¯t mean that day¡­ he must be referring to the day we met at The Summit.


    ¡°Yes, believe it or not after, that day all I could think about was getting you beneath me. I had all these images of fucking you, but something about the way you looked at me, made me realize that you would never be interested in a one night stand, which was all I could offer you at that time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have been interested in that,¡± I agree.


    ¡°I knew that¡­ but it didn¡¯t make me stop wanting you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the things that makes you even sexier¡­ you have no idea how truly beautiful you are,¡± his breath is a whisper against my ear, sending chills through my entire body. ¡°Holding you that night in here, sleeping next to you¡­ was the first time I slept peacefully I think in my entire life.¡±


    ¡°That night¡­ it was the first time I felt safe¡­ ever.¡±


    ¡°I meant what I said to you that night, Kenzie, I¡¯m going to do everything possible to see that no one ever hurts you again. If your ex is behind the stories in the press and is using this as some way to worm his way back into your life, he will pay. No one will hurt you again.¡±


    ¡°I love how protective you are. I know you¡¯ll do whatever you can to keep me safe.¡±


    ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too.¡±


    Like every other night, I fall asleep wrapped in his arms, still amazed at how things have changed between us since the first night we slept in this bed together. I never would have thought that less than a yearter, I would be head over heels in love with Nichs and that he would feel the same way about me. I never would have thought that by signing that contract with Bridget, that my life would change this drastically. All I was hoping for was to not have to work so many hours each day, find a safer ce to live and maybe one day go back to school. I never expected or even wanted to find love out of the arrangement.


    I know the smile is still on my lips when I fall asleep a little whileter after Nichs¡¯s arm tightens around my waist essentially anchoring me to him. Making love in the library must have put my body into overdrive, as for the first time ever, my dreams are kind of erotic. We¡¯re on his boat, the wind is gentle but cool against my warm skin. The boat rocks gently in the water, but he has anchored it in a secluded area where no one can see us. We¡¯re both lying on the lounge chairs rxing, listening to the sounds of nature, instead of the busy city that we left a few hours ago. He rolls onto his side, lightly caressing my body, slowly as he makes his way from my hardened nipples to my damp sex.


    I call his name when his fingers slip beneath my bikini bottoms, just as the rest of him moves to kneel at the bottom of my seat. I frantically look around, worried that another boat coulde by at any point and see what we¡¯re doing.


    Any logical thoughts leave my mind when I feel his mouth against my center. When did the bottoms of my bathing suite off? His mouth is on me, openly kissing me, making me forget everything. My body feels like it¡¯s on fire and not from the sun beating on us overhead. When he slips a finger into me and his mouth moves onto my clit, I nearlybust right there.


    ¡°Come for me, baby¡­ let me taste you,¡± a voice grumbles against my sex, the vibrations pushingpletely over the edge.


    ¡°Oh GOD!!!!!¡± I scream out-my eyes fly open, alerting me that I¡¯m not on the boat, but instead I¡¯m in our bedroom.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed how you taste, baby,¡± Nichs moans from between my legs, which is when I realize only part of my dream was actually a dream. His hands are gripping my thighs, holding me open to him, as heps at the evidence from my orgasm moments ago. He groans as I pull him away from my sex and guide him next to me. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him. He kisses me and I taste myself on his lips, which is strangely arousing. I wrap my leg around his thigh, bringing his erection against my sex.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­¡± Nichs moaning my name has to be the sexiest thing I¡¯ve ever heard.


    I reach between us and guide him into me, as I push my hips against him; he fills me immediately andpletely.


    ¡°You feel amazing baby, so fucking good,¡± he whispers holding me against him as he slowly moves within me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you-I¡¯ve missed this.¡±


    ¡°Me too, baby. I¡¯ll never let somethinge between us again, I promise.¡±


    I want to ask what he means, but when his fingers tease my nipple, I forget what it was I wanted to ask him in the first ce. We move together, as if we are one, both of us seeking out our own release while trying to bring the other pleasure. When his grunts be louder, his movements be more purposeful, telling me he is holding back his own release wanting me toe again. The fingers that were teasing my nipple, slip between our bodies to the spot where we are joined, easily finding my clit.  A few strokes and pressure is all it takes for me to find my release. He thrusts into me several more times before calling out my name, and I feel his release deep within me.


    ¡°Shit, Kenzie,¡± he pants.


    ¡°That was¡­ yeah.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you woke me up like that! I thought I was dreaming,¡± I giggle.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist,¡± he chuckles. ¡°At some point during the night, the shirt rose up and I could feel your bare skin against me.¡± ¡°My shirt just happened to move?¡± I smirk.


    ¡°Okay, well maybe it had a little help.¡±


    ¡°Just a little.¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to leave you, but I have an early morning conference call I need to get ready for.¡±


    ¡°I have a meeting with Cara and Ginnyter today anyway, that I want to-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to the bakery? I thought we agreed that you would go after it was closed? I don¡¯t think-¡±


    ¡°Calm down,¡± I put my hand on his chest. ¡°The bakery isn¡¯t open on Sundays.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re right though, if I were going to the bakery, it would be after hours. Ginny and Cara are going toe here so we can discuss the uing holidays.¡±


    ¡°Does business usually pick up around the holidays?¡±


    ¡°The catering side of the bakery does. Companies are having holiday parties and we cater a few private parties as well. I found a few ideas for holiday themed items that I thought I would try to make before they came. I don¡¯t want anything too cheesy, but I thought we could offer something just around the holidays.¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea, Kenzie. Just let Hunter and Carter know if you need anything from the market, and they will pick it up for you.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m not going anywhere, you don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t help it.¡±


    ¡°You have a conference call on a Sunday morning?¡±


    ¡°It was the only time that worked for everyone.¡±


    ¡°That kind of sucks.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but if they agree to the proposal, it will be worth it.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get washed up, and I¡¯ll make us breakfast.¡±


    I spend the morning baking with Julie-even though it was her day off, when she heard me in the kitchen earlier, she came out to see what I was doing. Turns out she is a fan of Sweet Dreams as well, so she loved the idea of helping me try out a few recipes and designs for a few new holiday items. The struggle is to find something ssy and elegant but what can¡¯t take too long to make since we need to be able to produce these in mass quantities. The more I thought about it, the more I loved the idea of offering something just around the holidays that hopefully people would look forward to at this time each year. It¡¯s too soon to do something for Thanksgiving but with winter around the corner we have just enough time toe up with something to offer our customers.


    By the time Cara and Ginny arrive, we have the dining room table covered in samples, excluding the few that Nichs and Carter managed to sneak whenever they came into the kitchen. It was great spending time talking with them about the bakery; it¡¯s been hard not being able to be there every day, but I know right now safety needs toe first. Cara and Ginny reassured me that everything is going well, and that they don¡¯t mind that I¡¯m not able to be there every day.


    Cara was so excited when I offered her the manager position; she screamed which sent Carter and Nichs running into the dining room thinking something was wrong. When they realized it was her screaming and that no one was hurt, they shook their heads, and returned to what they were doing. Even though, she had no idea this wasing, she brought along some ideas to the meeting to increase our online presence. Our goal is, by the new year, to have apletely redesigned website where customers could cerge orders or email the catering consultant directly. We decided that while I¡¯m working remotely, I will monitor the catering orders and will work directly with Cara to have the orders prepared. My holiday items were a hit and we chose several that we will be offering this winter on a trial basis.


    Ginny was impressed and actually had tears in her eyes by the end of the meeting. At first, I was worried that she didn¡¯t like the direction we were taking, but she quickly exined that she loved to see the bakery growing. She admitted that her daughter had been after her for thest few years about developing an online presence but that she was toofortable with where the bakery was at to change things. Even though she is moving away, it¡¯s important to me that what made Sweet Dreams so popr be maintained. Her recipes and dedication to our customers will remain top priority.

 Chapter 149

    Nichs


    ¡°Where are we with the investigation, Carter?¡±


    ¡°Richard Westbrook has not left the state of New York since we¡¯ve had him under surveince; if he is the leak, he¡¯s not the one watching you.


    We haven¡¯t been able to determine who is partner is.¡±


    ¡°What are his financials like? Could he be paying someone?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re tracing some funds that he has in an off shore ount, but you know how difficult it is to obtain details on those transactions, sir.¡±


    Of course, I know-I personally have one myself for that very purpose. It was how I paid for my membership at The Blue Moon and to Bridget when I had a contract with her. By using the off shore ount, no one could trace the money, which meant no one would learn that I was paying a service for Kenzie. Now it seems that fucker is using an off-shore bank ount to do the same thing I didto hide his moves.


    ¡°Anything from Asher? He must be able to hack into the email ount?¡±


    ¡°He did and so far has only been able to find the emails sent to the reporter, which match the ones she provided to us. There¡¯s nothing from another email address, so whoever his source is, they must be using an alternative email address tomunicate.¡±


    ¡°Tell Asher, nothing is off limits. He needs to do whatever is needed to find out who the fuck this bastard is working with. I don¡¯t care the cost.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


    ¡°Has he found anything that can tie Westbrook to the email ount?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, sir.¡±


    ¡°Normally I would insist that we keep looking, just to make sure we¡¯re not overlooking someone by concentrating on him, but everything points to Westbrook being responsible.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, sir. The only missing link is his partner.¡±


    ¡°I assume he inherited money from his father¡¯s estate when he passed?¡±


    ¡°Not as much as you would think. It appears the senator left most of his money to several local charities and a veryrge portion to his longtime assistant-¡±


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡±


    ¡°Richard only inherited a small portion of his father¡¯s estate, but it would have been enough to pay a partner.¡±


    ¡°No other threats have been received? Nothing against PFS? No other red gs?¡±


    ¡°No, sir.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie hasn¡¯t mentioned any other texts-¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t receiving them, sir, because Asher has changed the settings on her phone so that she no longer receives calls or messages from blocked or private numbers.¡±


    ¡°So we don¡¯t know if the texts are still being sent?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t, sir.¡±


    ¡°Have you looked into Bree, like I asked?¡±


    Although Bree wasn¡¯t the only woman I fucked at The Blue Moon, she was the one I refused to fuck thest time I was there. I don¡¯t know her wellhell, I can¡¯t even tell you where she lives or what herst name isso I can¡¯t say if I think she would have sent those text messages.


    ¡°It took some work to find out her identity before we could run a background check, but everything we have found hase up clean, so far. However, Asher believes the texts sent to Mrs. Parker wereing from a disposable cell phone, therefore it is unlikely we are going to find the phone registered to Bree that the text messages came from.¡±


    ¡°Anything elsee up about her that I should know?¡±


    ¡°Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. Based on the text messages that Mrs. Parker received, I think it¡¯s obvious whoever sent them was a member of The Blue Moon and likely knew you from there. But as you know, we cannot ess their client list so we don¡¯t have a full list of suspects.¡±


    ¡°Keep an eye on Bree; I am fairly confident she would be the one behind texts out of everyone I was¡­ with there.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±


    ¡°I will be returning to work tomorrow, Carter. Make whatever arrangements are necessary, but I¡¯m done putting my life on hold for this fucker. I have several events on my schedule that I can¡¯t ignore any longer.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir. I have been in contact with Melody regarding your schedule and have already started looking into some of the events.¡±


    ¡°Any that concern you, especially at this time?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, sir, they all concern me to some degree, however, I think with extra security on site prior to and during the events, we should be fine.¡±


    ¡°Hire whoever is necessary, but I¡¯m done hiding. The press is getting suspicious that I haven¡¯t been seen in public in several weeks.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. We will be prepared for you to return to PFS starting tomorrow. What are Mrs. Parker¡¯s ns?¡±


    ¡°She will not yet be returning to the bakery, at least not during normal business hours. The risk is still too great-¡±


    ¡°Agreed, sir.¡±


    ¡°If she leaves ord Towers, I want two people on her at all times -one needs to be Hunter. She is mostfortable with him, and he knows her well enough to know if something were to bother her suddenly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, I agree that Hunter should primary for Mrs. Parker as well.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a campaign fundraiser on my schedule for this weekend


    -¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, in Boston.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to attend the fundraiser; the senator is proposing a bill that could have significant tax implications for clients doing business there. A client I¡¯ve been trying to bring on board is scheduled to attend, so with the tax reform being suggested, the timing is ideal. Plus, there will be a few other key yers there that would be worth talking to. While I¡¯d prefer to be there myself, if you tell me the risk is too great I will send Alex in my ce. I know the location isn¡¯t ideal since it¡¯s outside of New York-¡±


    ¡°I have already looked into it, sir, and actually this is probably one of the safest ces for you to be-¡±


    ¡°Meaning?¡±


    ¡°In addition to the senator, there are several high profile officials expected at the meeting, therefore security will be at the highest level. Attendance is by invitation only, so we do not need to worry about anyone sneaking in who does not belong there. The security firm that is contracted to provide services for the event, is ran by an old army buddy of mine, who I trustpletely. I can arrange for a few of his staff to assist us while we are on the ground there.¡±


    ¡°Any transportation concerns?¡±


    ¡°PFS¡¯s jet has been under video surveince since we identified Westbrook as a probable threat, and we have moved it to a different facility for storage. Alex flew on ittest week with no problems.¡±


    ¡°Make the arrangements necessary. I would like to fly in on Friday and fly back on Monday, possibly Tuesday. I¡¯d like to spend some time with


    Kenzie in Boston¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll make the arrangements.¡±


    ¡°Nichs?¡± Kenzie knocks softly on my office door a couple of hourster.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Come in, baby,¡± I meet her half way across the office and immediately kiss her, loving the way her lips feel against mine. As much as I want to get back to PFS tomorrow, this is the thing I will miss the most about working from home. Over the past few weeks we¡¯ve had lunch together every day-it started on one of the first days I was working from home. Julie asked me what time I wanted lunch but instead of her bringing it in, Kenzie brought it in along with a lunch for herself. We would sit at the table in here and eat together; sometimes I would be on a call, but Kenzie would still stay and have her lunch with me. Ever since that first week I have had Melody leave at least a thirty minute opening in my schedule each day so we could have lunch together.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I see the worry in her eyes the moment the kiss ends.


    ¡°The press-¡±


    ¡°What did they do now?¡±


    She hands me her phone with the browser already brought up:


    Is there trouble in paradise already?

 Chapter 150

    It has been nearly a month since Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been seen in public-is there marriage already over? Sources close to PFS report that neither Mr. Parker nor his wife have been to PFS in several weeks.


    ording to PFS staff, Mr. Parker has been traveling for work, visiting some of theirpanies outside of New York. However, we have to wonder,


    where is Mrs. Parker and what is she doing while her husband is traveling? Or should we be asking what is Mr. Parker doing while he is traveling?


    Nichs Parker is single againdies!


    ording to our source, Nichs Parker is about to be single again! A close friend of the billionaire, yboy, reports that Mrs. Parker moved out of their residence several weeks ago and that a divorce is eminent.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    I can¡¯t believe these fuckers! One implies that Kenzie is having an affair, but then changes and says I¡¯m the one having the affair while the other has her moving out. I knew we were taking a chance that the press would print something when we went into hiding however, announcing that my marriage is over is a new low, even for them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Kenzie says, clearly seeing my anger.


    ¡°I expected them to write something since it has been awhile since we¡¯ve been in the public eye.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go out tonight?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to-¡±


    ¡°I think we should. If nothing else, it will show them that there is nothing wrong with our marriage and hopefully they will back off.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that, but you¡¯re right, it probably couldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    ¡°You have a call in a few minutes, right?¡± I nod. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Carter and see where he suggests we go.¡±


    ¡°You sure you want to go?¡± Hunter confided in Carter that Kenzie seems to be more cautious than normal when they leave the apartment, constantly checking over her shoulder to make sure they¡¯re not being followed. I hate that she¡¯s constantly worrying about her ex getting close to her again.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind getting out of the apartment,¡± sheughs, a sound I havee to absolutely love.


    ¡°Me either,¡± I chuckle. ¡°Oh, by the way, how would you feel about going to Boston this weekend?¡±


    ¡°Boston?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Boston. Have you ever been there?¡±


    ¡°No, by I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s a beautiful city. Do you do to business in Boston?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. There is a campaign fundraising dinner next weekend for a senator who is proposing a bill that could have an impact on a big client that I¡¯ve been trying to sign for thest couple of years. I thought we could go to the dinner and spend the weekend taking in some of the sites.¡±


    ¡°Have you been there¡­ to Boston I mean?¡±


    ¡°Only for business. I¡¯ve never really seen the city.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s safe for us to go?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spoken with Carter-this event will be well covered by security because of the people who are attending. It is by invitation only so we have an idea of the guests; plus, he knows the guy who is in charge of security for the entire event.¡±


    ¡°We would be taking the jet?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ve heard Boston is an amazing city to visit-¡±


    ¡°Now go do whatever it is you do all day-I¡¯m going to go talk to Carter about where we can go tonight.¡±


    Sheughs before heading out of my office, and I head back to my desk to dial into the conference call that is going to start in less than five minutes. I spend the rest of the afternoon on conference call after conference call and before I know it, Kenzie is at my door.


    ¡°We need to leave in an hour,¡± she announces.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a small benefit dinner starting at seven that Carter was able to get us ast minute invitation to.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the dinner benefiting?¡± I don¡¯t know that it really matters at this point since we really do need to be seen in public.


    ¡°Some new piece of equipment for the pediatric unit of the hospital; I forget what Carter said it was called, but it sounds like there will be a presentation during the dinner.¡±


    ¡°How did you manage to find something for us to attend, in only a few short hours, that will actually make a difference?¡± I ask in awe. If I had organized it, we probably just would have gone to dinner somewhere and hoped that someone would have informed the press of our whereabouts. Instead of doing that, Kenzie manages to find a something that will most definitely have press coverage at while keeping the event small.


    ¡°That¡¯s what the inte is for,¡± she smirks. ¡°There¡¯s only supposed to be around one hundred people at the dinner but of course, when Carter made a call, the hospital had no problems adding us to the guest list


    -¡±


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t, considering the amount of money I donate to them every year.¡±


    ¡°I thought something small would be best for tonight and this seemed perfect. Carter handled the payment arrangements for the dinner¡­¡±


    ¡°Thank you for organizing everything.¡±


    ¡°It gave me something to do,¡± she shrugs.


    ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m sorry you¡¯ve been cooped up in the apartment for thest few weeks-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize; it¡¯s not your fault we are in here. I may not love being stuck in the apartment, but I understand why it¡¯s needed. I¡¯m looking forward to getting out tonight and even more so to heading to Boston with you this weekend.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go take a shower so I can show you just how thankful I am for you organizing everything tonight.¡±


    ¡°Nichs!¡± she blushes an adorable shade of pink before turning around and heading to our bedroom.


    I quickly follow her into our bathroom, closing the door behind us just as she turns the water on. The sight of her leaning into the shower has an immediate effect on me, as she always does. Before she even turns around I¡¯m hard as granite at the thought of Kenzie naked in my shower. No matter how many times we have showered in here together, I don¡¯t think I will ever get used to the idea of having her in here.


    ¡°We need to get in the shower if we¡¯re going to get to the dinner on time,¡± she whispers as I pull her against me, her back to my front.


    Without another word, I strip Kenzie of her clothes and she does the same to me. As soon as we step into the shower, my lips find hers and I pull her beautiful body against mine. She groans against my mouth when I back her against the cool tile wall. My hands roam over her wet skin, feeling the small goosebumps on her arms as she arches her body against mine. With my lips still on hers, I grab her ass and bring her against me so her clit is against my dick. I don¡¯t move, instead I let her take the lead- whether she realizes what she is doing or not, she slowly starts grinding her clit against me. Her hands are tight on my arms, holding me against her while I work her nipples until she is moaning in desperation.


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± her voice is breathy as she pants.


    ¡°Yeah, baby?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I need you.¡±


    ¡°Put me inside of you,¡± I whisper against her lips.


    Her eyes open with my words, her face turning an even darker shade of red at the bluntness of my words, but when I nudge my dick against her clit her own needs overrides any embarrassment or concern. She reaches between us, taking my dick in her hand she lifts herself up so I can reach her center. I bend just slightly, providing the perfect angle to slide into her, but rather than thrusting right into her like I want to, I wait for Kenzie. With her hand on the base of my dick, she pushes me into her ever so slowly. Looking down, it takes everything in me not toe as I watch my dick slowly disappear into her body. She squeals when I grip her ass, pulling her against me until I sink impossibly deeper into her.


    ¡°You feel so fucking amazing.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­ please¡­¡± she starts slowly moving her body against me.


    ¡°Oh fuck, baby,¡± with her back against the wall and her hands gripping my shoulders tightly, I thrust hard and deep into her until she explodes around me. Her walls convulse around me, gripping me so tightly that moving isn¡¯t an option. As much as I want this tost, I don¡¯t stand a chance when she purposely tries to suck me deeper into her.


    ¡°Baby¡­¡±


    Fuck! Shees again with my name on her lips, just as I find my release; her own orgasm pulling every drop out of me. I put my hand against the wall for support-without it I don¡¯t think I would have the strength to hold both of us up after that mind blowing orgasm. Her legs are wrapped tightly around my waist and when she doesn¡¯t move to break our connection I slowly carry her over to the tile seat. I don¡¯t know how long we sit there-it could have been minutes or hours¡­ time seemed topletely stop as I held her.


    ¡°We should get going, we¡¯re going to bete,¡± Kenzie whispers, her breath against my ear immediately has me twitching inside of her.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather just stay here all night.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, so would I,¡± she moans when I start to harden again. ¡°But we can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°We could,¡± I argue.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to dinner and afterwards we¡¯lle right back here.¡±


    ¡°We might not make it to the shower,¡± I smirk and kiss her before she lifts herself off of me.

 Chapter 151

    Kenzie


    The flight to Boston is quick, but full of extra security at both airports. I swear it looked like a scene from the movie Men in ck, with everyone in dark suits surrounding the jet when wended. I overheard Carter informing Nichs that the jet has been under video and personal surveince since the flight n was submitted a few days ago. Then, as of yesterday, security was increased round the clock; even the pilot and flight attendant were provided with security through the airport to insure everything went smoothly. Part of me feels like it¡¯s all a little extreme since the only thing Richard has done is feed lies to the press, but at the same time we know he¡¯s not working alone. We don¡¯t know what their n is or even why they¡¯re working with him.


    Nichs spent the entire flight working on hisptop and talking with Alex on the phone. He apologized several times and assured me that as soon as he wrapped everything up I would have his attention while we were in Boston. The n is to spend the next three days here: tomorrow is the fundraiser dinner and then Sunday we will spend the day sightseeing in the city. I¡¯m not sure the ns for Monday other than that we will be flying back to New York at some point.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get to see the city Sunday and Monday,¡± Nichs says as I stare out the window watching all therge buildings pass us by.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll have the time?¡±


    ¡°I guarantee it,¡± he kisses me as he pulls me closer to him. ¡°I¡¯m going to be working the rest of today and probably most of tomorrow before dinner, but after that I promise you, I won¡¯t be working until we get back on the jet to head home.¡±


    ¡°If you need to work-¡±


    ¡°No, I want to enjoy Boston with you. I just need to finalize a few things before I can do that¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I know how busy you are.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    A few minutester we arrive at a stunning hotel: the type that when you walk into the lobby you immediately wonder if you belong there. Or at least that was my impression, when we walked through the lobby to the elevator where Ben was waiting for us, having already checked us in. I can¡¯t even begin to imagine what a night in a hotel like this must cost. Of course, it¡¯s not a surprise that Nichs has thergest suite booked for us on the top floor of the hotel. After escorting us into the room and letting Nichs know where their rooms are, we are left alone in an incredible suite.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± I say, ncing around the elegant space. There is arge great room that opens to a full size kitchen and dining room.


    ¡°There are two bedrooms, both have bathrooms attached, plus another bathroom there,¡± he points to the opposite side of the living room. ¡°There¡¯s a balcony off the master bedroom which you can ess through the dining room as well that overlooks the water.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t go small do you,¡± I giggle.


    ¡°I¡­ I like having space-I don¡¯t do well cramped in a room with two beds and a small bathroom. I¡¯ve tried it when I¡¯ve traveled; it¡¯s too¡­ ustrophobic.¡±


    The distant look in his eyes says what his words don¡¯t-he is thinking about where he lived before he was adopted. I immediately regret what I said, chalking it up to being overwhelmed by the enormity of the room.


    ¡°How about we take a shower before you go start working again?¡± I suggest, hoping to pull him out of his memory.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure¡­¡± he takes my hand in his and leads me into the shower.


    The shower takes much longer than it should and ends with both of us trying to catch our breath after calling out each other¡¯s names out. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Carter barged into our room considering how loud we were. But the mission was aplished: by the end of the shower, Nichs is no longer thinking about his horrible childhood. Instead, we have dinner on the balcony that was delivered by room service before turning in for the night. Rather than working likest night, hees to bed with me after setting his rm so he can wake up early to get a head start on what needs to be done before the fundraising dinner.


    The next day is azy day for me, while Nichs spends most of his day in the guest bedroom working. He stops so we can have breakfast and lunch together before I head off to the salon in the hotel to have my hair and makeup done for this evening with Hunter and Carter in tow. When I return to the room, he is already in the shower, so I quickly change into the gown I am wearing for tonight. I don¡¯t know how he did it but when he arranged for the closet to be filled when I moved in with him, there were so many gowns that I don¡¯t think I will ever be able to wear each one.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Nichs hisses when he walks into the great room where I¡¯m waiting. ¡°You look¡­ fuck¡­ there are no words.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I blush as I watch his eyes move over me from top to bottom before traveling back up again.


    I¡¯m wearing a fitted ck gown that is simple, yet elegant. Thin straps hold the dress up close by my neck before crisscrossing to the middle of my back, it¡¯s otherwise open to my waist. When I turn around, I hear Nichs¡¯s intake of breath as he takes in the entire dress. Grabbing the matching ck clutch, I greet him with a gentle kiss.


    ¡°Remind me why we¡¯re leaving this room,¡± he groans as he runs his hands over the smooth fabric that covers my ass.


    ¡°Because if we do, I¡¯ll let you take me out of this dresster,¡± I wink but the knock at the door prevents Nichs from saying or doing anything in return. He reluctantly follows me to the door where Carter and Hunter are waiting for us.


    ¡°Everything set?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Ben is already on site and confirms that all security measures are in ce. Jacobs will remain here to ensure the safety of the rooms are notpromised while we are gone,¡± Carter confirms.


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    A short rideter, we arrive and are immediately led to arge ballroom with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city with the water in the distance. Carter, Hunter and Ben are stationed at various points in the room, though a quick nce around confirms that we aren¡¯t the only ones with security here tonight.


    ¡°Do you mind walking around with me until dinner is served?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    With my hand in his, we walk around therge room, stopping several times to talk to various people. As he introduces me to several people, I¡¯m surprised at just how many people he knows that are here tonight, considering we¡¯re quite far from PFS¡¯s home base. Listening to a few of the conversations, I learn he knows some better than others based on the content of the conversations.


    ¡°Would you like a drink?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Please,¡± I don¡¯t know why but suddenly I have a weird feeling like someone is watching me. I chalk it up to having so many security team members here, both our own and everyone else¡¯s-hopefully the drink will chase away the feeling.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you to know so many people here tonight,¡± I say taking a sip of the sweet red wine.


    ¡°Not everyone here tonight is based in Boston. Some I¡¯ve done business with while others, I¡¯ve met through mutual business associates or at different functions.¡±


    Just then, a voice that I swore I would never hear again interrupts the momentarypse in conversation.


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±

 Chapter 152

    Nichs


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±


    Before the person finishes Kenzie¡¯s name, her hand is gripping mine so tightly that I swear she is likely going to break my fingers. I nce at her, finding her incredibly pale, which is when I know something is seriously wrong. I¡¯m not sure what to do because I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong, but I know I need to do something.


    ¡°Kenzie? What is it, baby?¡±


    I take her chin in my fingers and tilt her head up so I can see her beautiful brown eyes. I watch her close them and take a deep breath, slowly letting it out before her eyes meet mine once again. This time though, I see something I¡¯ve never seen with her before. Even though her eyes are on me, they might as well be closed. I can always tell what she¡¯s thinking by her eyes; right now though, I have no idea what she¡¯s thinking. She¡¯spletely closed off-it¡¯s as if the woman I know and love is no longer here. I realize in that moment, I¡¯ve watched her do exactly what Alex tells me that I do before walking into a negotiationKenzie has put a mask on.


    Now I just need to figure out why the hell she is doing that¡­


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±


    Kenzie takes a deep breath before slowly turning around to face an older woman who is standing only a few feet from us.


    ¡°Estelle.¡±


    I watch the two women just stare at each other for several minutes, as I try to figure out what the hell is going on. I¡¯ve never seen Kenzie like this; her voice is cold and distant, she¡¯s tense and no longer rxed against me. I close the space between us, wrapping my arm firmly around her waist and lean into her so that her back is against my side.


    ¡°Kenzie?¡±


    I need her to tell me what the hell is going on; a quick nce around confirms that Carter and Hunter are both watching whatever this is, ready to intervene if necessary. If she doesn¡¯t say something or move in the next few seconds, I¡¯m going to take her out of here, until I figure out who the hell this woman is and why she is so freaked out right now.


    ¡°Excuse me, Estelle, I would like you to meet Nichs Parker, my husband,¡± Kenzie introduces.


    ¡°Your husband?¡± the look on the old woman¡¯s face is priceless: she ispletely shocked that Kenzie is married to me, which makes me again wonder who the fuck this woman is.


    ¡°Nichs, I would like you to meet Estelle Adams¡­ my


    grandmother,¡± I swear in that moment I can hear the disgust in her voice when she finally reveals the identity of the woman standing in front of us. My posture immediately matches Kenzie¡¯s in recognition of who this woman is; if I were a different man my hands would be around her neck. The woman¡¯s hand is outstretched in an offering to me, but I don¡¯t ept it, instead I turn my attention to Kenzie.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse us, I see someone we need to speak with,¡± I quickly lead her away, as the older woman is left stunned, staring at us as we walk away from her. I¡¯m heading toward the exit, determined to take Kenzie back to the hotel so she no longer has to see the woman who caused her so much pain.


    ¡°No,¡± she stops dead in her tracks when she realizes we¡¯re leaving.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the hotel-¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    She doesn¡¯t say anything more, but the mask that she put up earlier remains intact. I don¡¯t know why she doesn¡¯t want to leave, but I need to get her somewhere so I can talk to her privately about this. I search the room for somewhere that we can talk and finally settle on a small table in the corner of the room near the windows. It¡¯s not exactly what I want, but for now it will have to do.


    ¡°Kenzie, we can leave-¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be ufortable. We don¡¯t need to stay for this; we can go back to the hotel right now-¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°If you think I need to stay-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± for just a brief moment, I see something in her eyes, but just like that it¡¯s quickly gone.


    ¡°What is it then? Why do you want to stay? We don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°If I leave, she wins,¡± her voice is just barely above a whisper, but those few words say it all. Just like that, I get it.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure that¡¯s what you want, we¡¯ll stay.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let her win again. She can¡¯t make me leave; she can¡¯t make me do something I¡­ I don¡¯t want to do again¡­¡±


    ¡°She was forcing you to marry that asshole?¡±


    ¡°She¡­ after he¡­ after he hit me the first time, I wanted to leave him¡­ but she made it clear that if I fucked that up, I wouldn¡¯t be wee back in her house. Not that I wanted to go back there to begin with, but I was still working at that point, so I only needed to stay with her until I could find a ce of my own¡­¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°I called her¡­ after he left for work the next morning. I told her I¡­ I had to call out sick from work because he hit me so hard the night before that my cheek was still bruised. I asked¡­ I begged¡­ for her to let mee back, even though I swore when I left I would never return. I figured it would only be a couple weeks at most. Do you know what she said?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I¡¯m almost afraid to ask.


    ¡°She told me that if he hit me, I must have done something to deserve it. She said I needed to learn my lesson: it was my job to keep him happy, that was my only job as his future wife. And he obviously needed to teach me how to do that. She then hung up on me; it was thest time I spoke with her. I left him a monthter when¡­ things escded.¡±


    ¡°She made you stay with a man who beat you? What the fuck kind of person is she?¡±


    How the fuck does someone do something like that?


    ¡°I let her win then; I¡¯m not going to let her win now. I need to show her that I¡¯m not that girl anymore¡­ that she can¡¯t control me like that. If we walk out of here right now, she¡¯s going to know I left because of her. I


    can¡¯t¡­ she¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, baby, we¡¯ll stay. But the moment it bes too much, we¡¯re leaving-even if that means I have to carry you out of here. I¡¯m not going to let that woman hurt you again.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t say anything but gives me a slight nod in what I hope is agreement. I¡¯m not happy about keeping her here, but if this is something she feels the need to do, then I¡¯m going to help her do it. I take out my phone and send a quick text to Carter requesting he order aplete background check from on Estelle Adams.


    ¡°How about we get another drink?¡± I suggest.


    ¡°Something a little stronger than wine perhaps,¡± Kenzie slowly turns from the windows that she has been staring out of since we sat down.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I don¡¯t show my surprise at her request, knowing that right now she probably needs all the liquid courage she can muster. We walk around the room, stopping to chat with a few people on our way. She manages to hide what is going on well: anyone who looks at her or stops to chat with us, has no idea the demons she is battling standing next to me. I want so badly to take her back to the hotel, to help her forget everything about tonight and to show her what a beautiful, strong woman she really is. But I know she needs to do this for herself, so at least for now, I hope that I¡¯m at least helping just be in the same room as that woman.

 Chapter 153

    When we sit down to eat, I sigh in relief that Estelle isn¡¯t seated at our table; in fact, she ispletely across the room where she can¡¯t be seen from our table. While Kenzie chats with the wife of a CEO who is sitting next to her, I quickly pull out my cell phone to check on things, just as that woman¡¯s husband is doing.


    Preliminary background check will bepleted by morning and a more in-depth one within forty-eight hours. C


    I want to know everything there is to know about this woman; tell them to leave nothing out. N


    If I may ask, who is this woman? C


    Kenzie¡¯s grandmother; she approached us earlier N


    I know revealing her rtionship to Kenzie means nothing to Carter; he knows her ex abused her but doesn¡¯t know anything beyond that. I didn¡¯t think an old woman would be a threat, especially considering she livedpletely across the country from us.


    Are we considering her a threat? C


    Possibly. N


    Kenzie doesn¡¯t rx during dinner, in fact, she keeps a close eye on everyone around her. She¡¯s constantly looking over her shoulder like she expects to see that evil woman approaching her again. But, unless you knew her outside of tonight, you would have no idea that anything was going on. She is polite and friendly to everyone at our table, evenughing at jokes that are made. Me, on the other hand, can¡¯t stop thinking about what that woman did to her. I may not know all the ways she hurt her, but I¡¯ve seen the scars that she bears on her back from the time she lived with her. It¡¯s taking everything in me not to hurt that woman; I¡¯ve never wanted to hit a woman out of anger¡­ until now.


    ¡°Dance with me?¡± Kenzie asks quietly.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I take her hand and lead her onto the dance floor where several other couples are dancing.  She immediately rests her head on my shoulder when I pull her close to me. I wrap both my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me as we sway slowly to the music. Neither of us say a word throughout the entire song, but I¡¯mforted with the knowledge that she asked for this and can only hope the reason for that was because she needed me. I hope that whatever she needs from me right now I¡¯m giving her. I feel like I should say something, but I have no idea what to say. The guard that she put up, seems to have momentarily gone down, which I¡¯m incredibly thankful for.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispers as the song ends and ces a kiss on my lips before pulling back from me.


    I have no idea what she is thanking me for-I haven¡¯t done a damn thing but dance with her. I should have asked her if she was okay, if she needed anything or at least if she wanted to leave. Instead, the moment her body touched mine, the only thing I could think about was how incredible it felt to have her rxed again, against me instead of standing stiffly next to me.


    When dinner is over, several speeches are made by individuals supporting the candidate before he finally speaks. These types of speeches are all the same: boring, full of promises and requests for money.  After the speeches, we walk around again and talk with a few people we missed the first time around. Kenzie¡¯s mask is back up as she constantly searches the room for that woman, but thankfully doesn¡¯t find her. Even though she¡¯s right next to me, I long for the woman who was dancing in my arms a short time ago.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, how nice to see you again,¡± Donald Conover approaches me shortly after we left our table.


    ¡°Donald, I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you this evening. Please allow me to introduce my wife-¡±


    ¡°Yes, I read that you were married, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Parker,¡± he shakes Kenzie¡¯s offered her.


    ¡°Thank you, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you as well. Please call me Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°My wife is somewhere around here, I¡¯ll have to introduce you,¡± he nces around the room quickly, but when he doesn¡¯t see her he turns his attention back to me. ¡°I¡¯m assuming by your presence here tonight, you realize the impact that the tax reform bill could have?¡±


    ¡°The implications are significant,¡± I confirm. ¡°If he is sessful in passing the bill, it will make things much more profitable forpanies like yours who are looking to expand to Boston. With the right n, you could finally get the shipping dock you wanted.¡±


    Two years ago we were close to signing with Donald¡¯spany, which would have been thergestpany outside of New York that signed with PFS. He owns arge import/export business and, at least two years ago, was looking to retire. Signing with hispany would not only benefit him, but would put PFS on the map-proving that we could manage businesses of all sizes and locations. With the tax issue known, we decided against pursuing Donald¡¯spany because the risk was too great.


    ¡°If he seeds and the taxw is abolished, I¡¯d like to hear a new proposal from PFS, if you¡¯re still interested.¡±


    ¡°We could certainly reevaluate the state of thepany at that time,¡± I try to y off the thrill of what it would mean. I learned very early on in the business industry to have a poker face, and thankfully, I have one of the strongest poker faces around.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope our boy wins the election so we can move forward with this. I¡¯d love nothing more than to retire and take my wife on the vacation she deserves,¡± he shakes my hand before walking away.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ are you-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± her answer is short and she makes it clear she doesn¡¯t want to continue this discussion. ¡°I need to use the restroom.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk with you-¡±


    ¡°I can go by myself to the bathroom,¡± she sighs, though I continue to follow her out of the room, where Carter and Hunter quickly join us.


    ¡°Gentleman, none of you areing in the bathroom with me,¡± she gives us all a stern look before entering thedies room¡­ alone.


    ¡°Any concerns?¡± I ask.


    ¡°None, sir,¡± Carter confirms.


    ¡°Good, let¡¯s keep it that way. We should be ready to leave soon.¡±


    A few minutester Kenzie is back at my side and we are walking back to our table; the dinner is pretty much over, saying goodbye to a few people is all that remains on our agenda.


    ¡°Parker, there you are,¡± Donald catches up with us, just as we are a few feet from the exit.


    As we turn around, Kenzie¡¯s hand grips mine tighter; I know who is with him without even looking up.


    ¡°Allow me to introduce you to my wife-¡± I don¡¯t give him the chance to finish the introduction.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already met.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Estelle and I have only been married for¡­ what is it, sweetie, six months now?¡±


    ¡°Just about that,¡± she confirms.


    ¡°Anyway Parker, I look forward to hearing from you once our boy is elected. I think you will be impressed with the growth thepany has seen-¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, Donald, PFS is no longer interested in doing business with you,¡± I quickly interrupt, knowing that no matter what the price, I would never associate PFS with a woman who thinks it is eptable to beat her grandchild the way she did to Kenzie.


    ¡°What? What happened? I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, PFS is not interested in associating itself with child


    abusers-¡±


    ¡°Child abuser!?!?!¡± he hisses, looking around to ensure that no one is near us that can overhear our conversation. ¡°I have NEVERid a hand on a child!¡±


    ¡°You may not have, but I don¡¯t think your wife can say the same thing-¡±


    ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Estelle says firmly, straightening her back as she looks directly at me, obviously trying to intimidate me, which of course doesn¡¯t work. ¡°You have no idea what she was like when she came to us. Myte husband tried everything to get her to behave, but the stress of raising such a troubled child took a toll on his heart, God rest his soul-¡±


    ¡°Yes, I was such a troubled child that I graduated valedictorian from high school with several schrships that covered my full tuition for three years of college,¡± Kenzie spats.


    ¡°You were troubled in other ways¡­ just like your mother. I did what I needed to do to ensure you didn¡¯t turn out like her. The woman you are today is because of how I raised you, otherwise you would have ended up dead just like she is.¡±


    ¡°Estelle, what did you do?¡± Donald asks.


    ¡°I did what needed to be done.¡±


    ¡°Your wife,¡± Kenzie says the term withplete disgust. ¡°Beat me, her own granddaughter, to the point where I have permanent reminders of each punishment. When she didn¡¯t beat me, she threw objects at me. She got rid of me as fast as she could-insisting I marry a man who beat me nearly as much as she did.¡±


    ¡°Estelle-¡±


    ¡°All you needed to do was keep him happy. He would have given you anything; you never would have wanted for anything for the rest of your life. You just couldn¡¯t keep him happy-¡±


    ¡°No man should every a hand on his woman,¡± I hiss. ¡°Her job was not to keep him happy.¡±


    ¡°Estelle, tell me it¡¯s not true,¡± Donald begs her.


    ¡°She can¡¯t,¡± Kenzie says before she turns around so her back is exposed to him. Her scars are so light that they can¡¯t be seen from a distance, but there¡¯s only a few feet between us right now, allowing him to see everything he needs to confirm the type of woman his wife is.


    ¡°You did that? You did that to your own granddaughter?¡± he asks, the shock evident in his voice as Kenzie turns around.


    ¡°She was an unruly child just like her mother-¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t give you the right to do that, Estelle!¡± he interrupts her, raising his voice louder than I¡¯m sure he intended. ¡°What did she ever do to you?¡±


    ¡°Her father ruined her mother-¡±


    ¡°You punished her because of her parents?¡± I ask inplete disbelief.


    ¡°Her father¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been dead since right after I was born, what the hell does he have to do with anything?¡±

 Chapter 154

    Nichs


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter approaches us.


    ¡°What?¡± I say more harshly to Carter than I intend to, but this night is turning out like nothing I ever expected.


    ¡°I have secured a private room across the hall if you wish to continue this¡­ conversation this evening,¡±


    Carter nces around the room reminding me that we are at a public event. Somehow it appears no one has yet noticed the tense discussion, which I¡¯m grateful for. Thest thing Kenzie needs right now is for someone to overhear her life story and run to the press with it. Why I didn¡¯t think to move us to another room before now is beyond me. My entire focus has been on Kenzie and the piece of shit in front of us who caused her so much pain. Ipletely forgot, that although we were near the entrance to the room, we were still very much in a public ce. I was so wrapped up in the drama unfolding in front of me, that I didn¡¯t realize Carter and Hunter were essentially keeping anyone from getting too close.


    ¡°Donald, there is a room where I think it would be best if we continued this¡­ discussion,¡± I take Kenzie¡¯s hand in mine and lead her out the door, where Hunter opens a door to a small but empty meeting room. Obviously, Carter thought ahead as there were two bottles of wine, along with a couple bottles of liquor on a small table at the front of the room. I¡¯m about to turn to ask Kenzie if she would like a drink, when Hunter walks over with two sses in his hand. Before I have a chance to point out what she is about to drink, Kenzie takes the tumbler full of whiskey and downs it in one quick gulp before handing it back to Hunter.


    ¡°I¡¯d like another one please, Hunter,¡± although still polite as always, her voice is almost¡­ detached and cold.


    I long for the woman I had on the dance floor earlier this evening toe back, but I can¡¯t me her for her reaction to everything that is going on. It¡¯s taking everything in me not to inflict the same amount of pain on the piece of shit woman as she inflicted on Kenzie for so many years. I have to constantly remind myself that I was raised better than to hit a woman. With every minute that passes, this woman pushes me closer and closer to giving into the urge.


    Kenzie downs a second ss, before mming it down on the table in front of. While Donald and I both jump in surprise, neither Kenzie nor Estelle move.


    ¡°Exin how my father ruined my mother.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been such a drama queen-¡±


    ¡°Estelle! You will answer whatever questions she has, or so help me, you will find your own way home tomorrow,¡± Donald grits through his teeth.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Donald!¡± her shock is evident on her face. Something tells me that no one has ever spoken to her like that before.


    ¡°You tell her everything she wants to know right now. You don¡¯t get to mess with this young woman¡¯s life more than you already have.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she says reluctantly. ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Everything,¡± I answer before Kenzie even has a chance. ¡°Tell her everything you know about her father, his name for starters and then everything else.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why it matters, he may not even be your father but she told me his name was Brett¡­ Rose, I assume, since she apparently gave you hisst name,¡± Estelle says. ¡°Your mother met him when he was on temporary leave from the military. They were attending the same wedding of mutual friends or so I was told. She was barely eighteen at the time, yet he gave her alcohol and then took her back to his hotel room for the night. She came home the next morningpletely hung over and refused to tell us who she was with. It wasn¡¯t until she told us she was pregnant, a few monthster, that she finally revealed his identity. Your grandfather tried to locate him, but he had already been shipped overseas and was not scheduled to be returned to the states for several years.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s how he ruined her life? By having sex with her and leaving, not knowing she was pregnant?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°In a way, yes,¡± Estelle answers. ¡°Your mother was supposed to get married; everything was arranged-¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ arranged? Like an arranged marriage?¡± Kenzie interrupts.


    ¡°UGH, don¡¯t you know how rude it is to interrupt youngdy?¡± ¡°Estelle!¡± Donald exims.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you-¡± I jump in.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know how rude it is to me a child for her parents¡¯ actions her entire life? To take your own anger out on them, when they didn¡¯t do anything to deserve it? To constantly put down a child, who had already been through so much? Don¡¯t you dare stand here and act all high and mighty with me,¡± Kenzie spits.


    ¡°Yes, the marriage was arranged,¡± a few minutes pass before Estelle resumes her story. ¡°Avery was to marry the son of a prominent business man in California, which would have brought the twopanies together. This had been arranged for years; they had been dating since she was sixteen and he was scheduled to propose marriage to her after she graduated from high school. Only, by then, we had learned she was pregnant, which negated the entire arrangement. I mean, who would want to marry a pregnant eighteen-year-old? No matter how much money your grandfather offered, the man refused to take the responsibility on for another man¡¯s child. And your mother stupidly waited too long to tell us she was pregnant to terminate the pregnancy. She refused to consider adoption, which would have allowed the arranged marriage to continue.¡±


    A small noise catches my attention, normally Carter would be waiting outside with Hunter, but I think there was so much tension in the group that he felt it necessary to stay in the room. He¡¯s standing at the door, keeping an eye on the situation, but I have no doubt he can hear everything that is said. While I would prefer it be Kenzie¡¯s decision what he knows about her past, she hasn¡¯t indicated dissatisfaction with him being in here.


    ¡°Let me see if I understand this correctly,¡± I try to process everything that Estelle just revealed.  ¡°Because Kenzie¡¯s mother idently became pregnant and refused to put the baby up for adoption, you thought that gave you the right to take your anger out on Kenzie when she came to live with you?¡±


    ¡°Surely a sessful businessman, like yourself can understand what was lost by the failed marriage-¡±


    ¡°Because of a business deal? That¡¯s how you¡¯re exining your behavior?¡± Kenzie asks. ¡°A fucking business deal?!?!¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just a business deal,¡± Estelle snaps. ¡°It was our entire future-it was everything my husband had worked for his entire life! We weren¡¯t able to have any other children, which meant that Avery¡¯s husband would be the only one who could take over for my husband when he was ready to retire. Instead she meets some¡­ private in the Army¡­¡±


    I watch Carter¡¯s fists clench and unclench, as we all heard the distaste andck of respect in her voice, for someone who served in our military. It¡¯s obvious money and reputation is the only thing this woman cares about; if I hadn¡¯t already lost all respect for the woman already, that would have done it right there.


    ¡°You do understand that all enlisted men start off as privates, right?¡± Donald asks. ¡°Including myself.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that!¡± Estelle tries to back pedal when she realizes her ring mistake. ¡°I just meant that as opposed to the son of a sessful businessman, who was a Yale graduate¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how my father ruined my mother?¡± Kenzie asks, shocked.


    ¡°Yes! Her entire life was set, before she met him that night-her life would have been absolutely perfect! Instead, she ends up pregnant and alone with no one to support her. She took you and ran away one night and it was years before we heard from her again and only then, it was to call and beg us for help.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t help her, did you? I didn¡¯t even know you existed until the caseworker told me she tracked you down,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t help her! It was her decision to keep you; it was her decision to ruin the life we had nned for her. I told her to call your father and tell him he needed to own up to his responsibility; he should have been the one to help hernot us!¡±


    ¡°Did she contact him?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s true or not, but Avery insisted she tracked him down, but he was still overseas at the time. She imed he was going to start sending her money and once he returned they would be married.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°He was killed in action a few monthster.¡±


    ¡°So they never saw each other again?¡±


    ¡°Not that I know of. She called me a few dayster asking for help, but as I told her: she made her bed, it was time for her toy in it.¡±


    ¡°You set her up for failure! She had nothing beyond a high school education and was a single parent with no support. How the hell was she going to make it on her own?¡± Kenzie fires back.


    ¡°It was the decision she made when she decided to keep you. I only stepped in when I absolutely had to-¡±


    ¡°After she died and I had been living alone in a shitty trailer for weeks by myself! You have no idea the life we lived! She was drunk and high all the time; we constantly moved from ce to ce because she couldn¡¯t keep a job to save her life. She jumped from man to man trying to find someone who would take care of her. God¡­ you have no idea what our life was like! You could have made things so much better, if you just offered the help she was asking for. It didn¡¯t have to be like that¡­ it could have been so different.¡±

 Chapter 155

    Estelle doesn¡¯t respond, but the look on her face is anything but surprise, and I immediately realize without a doubt that she knew how they were living. My stomach revolts with the idea that this woman allowed her own flesh and blood to live in the conditions that Kenzie has shared with me. I may not know everything, but I know enough that anyone who had seen where she lived should have stepped in and done something about it. Instead, she allowed her granddaughter to suffer at the hands of her drunk mother and the various men she allowed into her home.


    ¡°You knew, didn¡¯t you?¡± I ask, Estelle immediately looks away, confirming what I already knew.


    ¡°You knew?!?!?¡± Kenzie exims. ¡°All those years of living in different shitholes with little food, sometimes no heat or electric, with all those¡­ men¡­ you knew?¡±


    ¡°From time to time, I would I hire a PI to check in on you both. I knew the conditions my daughter was living in-¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to do anything about it? Hell, you could have at least called child protective services who would have done something!¡±


    ¡°Your mother made her choice, it was her life to live.¡±


    ¡°But it wasn¡¯t my choice! I didn¡¯t have a choice in how I lived!¡±


    ¡°Again, Mackenzie you are being so dramatic,¡± Estelle sighs heavily, shaking her head.


    ¡°Estelle, ENOUGH!¡± Donald speaks up. ¡°Mrs. Parker, is there anything else you would like to know? Do you have any other questions you would like answered?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m finished here,¡± Kenzie says firmly.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, I would like to thank you for your time tonight,¡± Donald shakes my hand with a look of determination on his face. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I would like to reach out to you sometime next week to discuss PFS¡¯s proposal-¡±


    ¡°Donald, with all due respect, my decision from earlier remains. PFS will not be associated with individuals who abused children.¡±


    ¡°Abuse? I never-¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Estelle!¡± Donald snaps. ¡°Ipletely understand and assure you, that when I speak with you again, I will no longer be associated with a child abuser. I still think PFS is the best option-¡± ¡°What are you saying?¡± Estelle gasps.


    ¡°I told you to keep quiet! If you won¡¯t listen, and you want to further air your dirtyundry in front of these lovely people, then so be it. I have already contacted my attorney to begin divorce proceedings-¡±


    ¡°DIVORCE!?!?! Because of what this little BITCH is saying, you¡¯re going to divorce me? You¡¯re going-¡±


    ¡°You need to listen to your husband and shut up, Estelle, before I have my team physically remove you from this room. I have listened to you long enough today; I will not continue to allow you to put down my wife. She is a wonderful, beautiful person who has done nothing wrong in her entire life. She never deserved the life her mother gave her nor did she deserve the life that you gave her-¡±


    ¡°I gave her everything she needed! She went to one of the best high schools, attended college, she had a roof over her head and three meals to eat every day!¡±


    ¡°A child deserves more than to be treated like a prisoner! You made her sleep in a god damn closet, even though you had plenty of guest bedrooms she could have slept in. You left more scars on her than her fucking abusive ex did, even though you were her flesh and blood! Don¡¯t you dare try to stand here and pretend you gave her the perfect life that she deserved,¡± I¡¯m livid, utterly andpletely livid. How dare this woman try to justify what she did.


    ¡°Nichs, I¡¯d like to leave now,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°Of course, baby,¡± with a protective arm around her waist, I lead her to the door where Carter is waiting for us. I have to give the man credit, he no doubt overheard everything, yet his face remains as passive as it always is. The only sign that anything is getting to him is his clenched fists by his side.


    ¡°You can¡¯t divorce me, Donald! You can¡¯t! I¡¯ll have nothing-¡± I hear Estelle beg as we walk out of the meeting room before the door closes firmly behind us.


    The car ride and subsequent elevator ride are quiet. Kenzie doesn¡¯t say a word but leans against me with her head on my chest letting me simply hold her. I feel like I should say something, that I need to say something, but I have no idea what to say. Although, I could care less about Carter and Hunter being here with us, I know she wouldn¡¯t want to talk about anything with them here. When the elevator doors open, she allows me to guide her down the hall as she leans on me. A nod to Jacobs confirms the room is secure, within minutes we are alone in the room.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡¯m so sorry how tonight ended up. I never expected Estelle to have been there-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± she walks to kitchen and helps herself to another ss of wine. ¡°Actually, even though tonight was nothing what I expected, I¡¯m still d we came.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°I learned so much tonight: my father¡¯s name, how my parents met, what really happened to him. And maybe, if what my mother told her was true, a glimpse of the type of man he was. I didn¡¯t know anything about him before tonight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve requested a background check on him, so we should have more information by morning-¡±


    ¡°Really? We¡¯ll know more about him that fast?¡±


    ¡°Basic information, who his parents are, whether or not he had any family, that sort of thing. A more in-depth report will be avable in fortyeight hours. It¡¯s not much, but it might help¡­ you know more about the type of man he was.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I wrap my arms around her and pull her close so her head is on my chest. Her arms automatically wrap around my waist, anchoring me to her.


    ¡°Nichs?¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to take me out of this dress now,¡± she whispers so quietly, I¡¯m forced to ask myself whether or not I heard her correctly. It only takes a split second for me to remember her promise earlier in the evening, when I asked her why we were even leaving the room when she looked as beautiful and sexy as she does right now.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± I sigh letting my hands run over the silk fabric that hugs her curves so perfectly. ¡°Baby¡­ you¡¯ve had a rough night and you drank quite a bit¡­ we don¡¯t need to do this-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk, I know exactly what I¡¯m doing right now. I need¡­ I need you to make me feel better; I need for you to erase everything that seeing her reminded me of tonight. Please, Nichs¡­ I need you.¡±

 Chapter 156

    Kenzie


    ¡°Sweetheart,¡± he whispers just before his lips find mine. His arms wrap around me waist, holding me tight against him. The kiss is gentle, sweet and full of emotion, quickly taking my breath away along with everything that happened tonight. Within seconds the only thing that matters is Nichs¡­


    ¡°Are you sure, baby?¡± he asks when his fingers find the zipper at the side of my dress.


    ¡°Please.¡±


    His fingers tease my skin as he slowly lowers the zipper of the dress. With his lips never leaving mine, he gently tugs the straps of the gown down my arms, which has it pooling on the floor within seconds.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering if you had any panties on under this dress all night,¡± he takes a step back from me so he can take in the barely there fabric covering my sex. The dress was well fitted but thankfully included panties that wouldn¡¯t show lines. Essentially, it¡¯s a piece of very thin ck string that goes around my waist and between my ass cheeks before connecting to a very small piece of ckce that barely covers my sex.


    ¡°Turn around,¡± Nichs requests and I do so slowly, letting him take everything in. ¡°Hell, those have got to be the sexiest panties I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±


    Iugh and blush at the same time at his bluntness; he takes my hand so I can step out of the dress before leading me to the bedroom. I sit on the edge of the bed, leaning down to take off my shoes when Nichs stops me and guides me back up to him.


    ¡°Leave them on,¡± his lips are on mine before I can respond. I moan when he sucks my lip into his mouth while pressing his erection against my sex. The entire room seems to heat up, as our breathing increases and our desires begin to take over. Reaching between us, I unbutton his shirt before sliding it down his shoulders. He quickly tosses it to the side before lifting me onto the bed,ying me down so he is over me. He alternates between kissing, sucking and nibbling at my skin as he slowly makes his way down my body. Taking his time, he slowly makes his way to the panties he admired only a short time ago. His mouth is on me with only the thin fabric of the panties is separating us. I moan as he teases me with them, the material rubbing against my bare skin. My hipse off the bed¡­ either as an offering or because I¡¯m begging him for more.


    ¡°You taste so good,¡± he groans against my skin, the vibrations going straight through me. He teases me for what feels like hours before finally moving my panties aside, so I can finally have him against my skin. His fingers slide through my wet folds as his tongue flicks my clit over and over and over again. I¡¯m right there¡­ right on the glorious edge¡­ about to fall over-but I can¡¯t. Out of nowhere, I hear her voice in my head again¡­


    ¡°You¡¯re never going to amount to anything¡­ you¡¯ll never be good at anything. You¡¯re going to turn out just like your motheraplete waste!¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ baby¡­ where¡¯d you go?¡± Nichs is back over me, his eyes on mine.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I whisper.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to do this-¡±


    ¡°I need to¡­ I need to forget¡­ please,¡± I beg. I can¡¯t imagine how pathetic I must sound right now, but I need to find a way to get her out of my head. ¡°I know if I close my eyes right now, I¡¯ll be back in her house. I don¡¯t want to go back there¡­ I can¡¯t. Please, help me forget for a little while, just a little while.¡±


    I can see the internal battle he is having with himself as he takes in my words. Before he can tell me how crazy I know I sound, I reach up and pull his lips to mine. He groans when I run my tongue across his lips and I can practically feel the moment the fight leaves his body.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± his breath his hot against my ear as he slowly grinds his erection against my sex.


    ¡°Hmmmmm,¡± I mumble.


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± my voice is clear and firm as I answer his question before he can even take a breath. ¡°Of course, I trust you.¡±


    ¡°I want to try something¡­ it might help you forget for a little while. Would that be okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I don¡¯t know what he wants to try but I know I trust him. He wouldn¡¯t do anything to hurt me, so whatever he is considering, I¡¯m not worried. He lifts his head, his eyes searching mine for a few minutes, before he must see whatever he was looking for.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back, don¡¯t go anywhere,¡± he kisses me, before quickly jumping off the bed, and leaving the room. I have no idea where he is or what he is doing, but I do as he asked and stay on the bed waiting for him. It¡¯s a little weird to be lying on a bed, nearly naked, and just waiting, but thankfully only a few minutes pass before he returns. He has a towel over something in his arms, which he quickly ces on the floor before turning off the light. The only light in the room ising from the city lights below our window.


    ¡°Close your eyes, baby,¡± he whispers and the moment I do, I feel him slip something soft over my eyes. My hands instantly go to my face and I find the silk eye mask that I saw in the bathroom earlier today, covering my eyes. I¡¯ve never been blindfolded before; I wait for the panic to set in, at not knowing what¡¯s going to happen, or not being able to see what¡¯s happening but it doesn¡¯te.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°If at any point you¡¯re notfortable or something doesn¡¯t feel good, just tell me. Promise me you¡¯ll tell me if I do something to bother you


    -¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t, Nichs, but I promise.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to put ear buds in next,¡± I feel him move a wire under the back of my neck. ¡°You¡¯re going to hear music and probably won¡¯t be able to hear me, but I will be able to hear you. At any time you¡¯re ufortable-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, I promise,¡± I reassure him.


    He presses the ear buds firmly into my ears and within moments, I hear soft, soothing musicing from the ylist on his phone. I feel him leave the bed, but I have no idea where he goes; I can¡¯t see anything and the only thing I hear is the music. I sigh in relief, a little whileter when the bed dips again. He takes one ear bud from my ear, and I immediately feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. He takes my hands in his, one at a time, before sliding them under the pillow that my head rests on.


    ¡°Keep your hands right here; grab the pillow if you have to, but don¡¯t move them otherwise,¡± he instructs.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    Without saying another word, the ear bud is back in my ear and I¡¯m lost to the soft sounds of the piano ying. I don¡¯t know how much time passes, as I realize the song I¡¯m listening to must be on repeat because it doesn¡¯t seem to end. Eventually, I feel the bed dip once again, I can sense him over me, yet I still jump in surprise when I feel his warm hands on my arms. He must have put some sort of oil on his hands; it leaves behind a smooth silky feeling. He rubs my arms, shoulders and neck gently before slowly continuing down my body. His touch isn¡¯t necessarily sexual, but at the same time I¡¯m finding myself once again turned on. Not being able to see, hear or touch him is¡­ different especially since I have no idea what he has nned.


    His hands move to my stomach and my hips, slowly massaging each area. I moan when his hands slip underneath me so he can rub my back. I can feel his bare chest against my breasts when he pushes me closer to him as he reaches my shoulders. I want so badly to reach out to him, to pull him closer to me so I can kiss him, but instead I clutch at the pillow under my head reminding myself of his instructions.


    His hands move back to my front before working their way down to my legs. By the time he finishes massaging my legs, I¡¯mpletely and utterly rxed. The music changes to something a little quicker and the bed dips yet again.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I call out in surprise when his very hot hands find my breasts. I don¡¯t know what is on his hands but whatever it is quickly heats up my skin. As he pinches my nipples, my back arches off the bed pushing myself further into his hands. His hands are all over my chest, rubbing the heated oil into my skin. Thebination of the heat and his hands on me pushes even closer to the wonderful edge I was teetering on only a short time ago. I can only hope this time¡­


    ¡°Holy Shit that¡¯s cold!¡± I scream when what I can only assume is an ice cube is slowly slid down the center of my chest, yet never touching the still heated skin of my breasts. The ice cube is all over me, but he continues to avoid my breasts and nipples, which feel as if they are on fire. All the different sensations are driving me crazy-I don¡¯t know where he is going to touch me next or with what.


    I moan when the ice slides across my lips; opening my mouth, I suck on the ice cube allowing the cold melted water to slide down my throat. Just as quickly as it was ced against my lips, it is slid away.  This time he slowly slides the ice around each of my breasts and over my hardened nipples. I groan as thebined feeling of the scorching heat and the cold ice seems to go straight to my sex. I¡¯m right there¡­ right at the edge¡­ I swear if he even touched me right now I would be done. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m this turned on and he¡¯s barely touched me-


    ¡°AHHHHH!¡± The ice quickly skates over my sex, pausing briefly on my clit, making me practically jump off the bed. I¡¯m reaching for him but his hand quickly guides mine back to the pillow.


    His hands are on my thighs, opening me up to him, before I feel the cold of the ice once again slide over me. This time, it¡¯s followed by his warm fingers that tease my opening before moving to my clit. The pressure is minimal, just enough to keep me right on the edge, but not enough to push me over.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ please¡­¡± I beg as the need bes too much. Just when I don¡¯t think I can take it anymore, I feel him at my opening, slowly pushing something into me, at the exact moment he pinches my clit. I scream out his name, long and hard, as what must be the remaining piece of ice is pushed into my sex sending me right over that edge. I can feel the ice cold water dripping out me just before Nichs plunges into me. I don¡¯t know if the first orgasm hasn¡¯t ended, or if another one is starting, but suddenly it¡¯s not my breasts that are on fire.


    When his lips find mine, I let go of the pillow and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer to me. His chest is against mine; my legs are wrapped around his waist as he thrusts into me. I don¡¯t know how it¡¯s possible, but a few thrustster and a pinch of my nipple, he once again has meing apart at the seams.


    His hand slips under me, lifting me even closer to him, allowing him to slide impossibly further into me. He thrusts hard and deep against me several more times, before I feel his release warm me from the inside out. His breath is hot against my neck as he copses onto me. I love the way his heavy body feels against mine. In this moment, I¡¯m reminded of just how far we have reallye since we first met.


    ¡°Are you okay? Did I hurt you at all?¡± he removes the ear bud and lifts some of his weight from me. I push the eye mask off of my eyes so I can finally see him again; his eyes are full of worry and concern.


    ¡°Not at all; that was¡­ God I don¡¯t think there are any words to describe that,¡± amazing is the only thing thates to mind, but it doesn¡¯t seem remotely close enough, to describe what just happened between us.


    He rolls onto his side, taking me with him so our connection remains intact. His arm slips under the pillow that my head rests on as he holds me against him.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Anything, baby,¡± his response is quick and without hesitation.


    ¡°Why did you use the blindfold and music? I¡¯m notining because wow¡­ that was really amazing but¡­¡±


    ¡°I took a gamble,¡± he exins. ¡°I assumed that you couldn¡¯te earlier, because you got lost in your head. By limiting your senses, essentially taking away your sight, hearing and touch, you were forced to focus on what was going on around you. I hoped that if I turned everything else off, that you would only be able to focus on me. Without being able to see or hear me, you would constantly be on alert trying to figure out what I would do next. And if you were doing that, you wouldn¡¯t be able to get lost in your head again.¡±


    And that¡¯s when I realize I did exactly what he described: I concentrated on what he was doing rather than worrying about everything that happened earlier today. I was able to focus on what he was doing and trying to figure out what he would do next, instead of worrying about what tomorrow would bring.


    ¡°Did not being able to see or hear me bother you?¡± he asks softly and when my eyes meet his, I can still see the worry in them.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± I kiss him to reassure him. ¡°I¡¯ve never been blindfolded before¡­¡± ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It was¡­ a real turn on,¡± I whisper in admission.


    ¡°It makes your other senses even stronger.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you used the heat and ice?¡±


    ¡°That and because it also kept you in the moment.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I wrap my arms around him and burry my face into his neck. ¡°That was¡­ there really are no words, but it was truly amazing. Thank you, for knowing how to give me what I needed when I didn¡¯t think it was possible.¡±


    ¡°Baby, I will always find ways to make youe,¡± he chuckles and moves his now hardened erection deeper into me.


    I have no idea what time it is when we finally fall asleep, all I know is that the next time I open my eyes the sun is shining brightly through the window as we had slept with the curtains open all night. Nichs is sound asleep next to me; if it wasn¡¯t for the need to use the bathroom, I probably would just fall back to sleep. After seeing Estelle against night, I expected to have the hardest time sleeping and assumed I would have multiple nightmares. I didn¡¯t though; after we made love a second time, I fell right to sleep and stayed asleep the entire night.

 Chapter 157

    Nichs


    The drive back to New York is quiet, Kenzie spends most of it sleeping with her head on my shoulder. Nothing about this trip was expected, but yet again somehow it has made me feel closer to her than when we left. We¡¯re stopping by the bakery before heading back to the condo so she can meet with Cara to catch up the bakery. As much as I don¡¯t want to, when we pull into the parking lot, I wake gently wake Kenzie.


    ¡°We¡¯re here, baby¡­¡±


    ¡°Already?¡± she groans.


    ¡°We can still go home if you¡¯d rather reschedule this for tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°No, I promised Cara and Ginny I would meet with them today. They already stayed after closing-I¡¯d feel horrible if I then canceled. It shouldn¡¯t take long.¡±


    ¡°You sure? You still seem tired.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I wouldn¡¯t be so tired if someone didn¡¯t keep me up half the night,¡± she blushes even as she tries to smirk.


    ¡°You enjoyed every minute of it.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ that I did.¡±


    I lean in, kissing her deeply before we get out of the SUV. Carter uses the key to unlock the front door of the bakery. Carter and I set up at a table in the lobby after greeting Ginny and Cara. Hunter escorts the girls to the office in the back before continuing on to check the rest of the building. Even though Kenzie didn¡¯t think we would be here long, I start up myptop to respond to a few emails while I¡¯m waiting.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Carter asks when Hunter returns.


    ¡°All¡¯s clear.¡±


    ¡°Any concerns at PFS?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Nothing out of the ordinary.¡±


    I spend the next hour working, blocking out Hunter and Carter reviewing security measures for a few uing events we have nned in the next couple of weeks. After about two hours, Kenzie finally returns to the lobby with a stack of folders in her hands.


    ¡°Everything go okay?¡± I kiss her quickly when she approaches.


    ¡°Yup,¡± she smiles back. ¡°We have an outline for the new website and the start of a menu redesign.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Ginny and Cara?¡± Hunter asks.


    ¡°They left through the back door about 10 or 15 minutes ago, I just wanted to finish up my notes from the meeting.¡±


    ¡°We could have given Ginny a ride home-¡±


    ¡°She was leaving with Cara.¡±


    ¡°Okay good¡­ you have everything you need for the website?¡±


    ¡°I think so. I can¡¯t wait to get the online catering page up and running! It should make it much easier for businesses to ce their orders.¡±


    ¡°As soon as it¡¯s up and running, we can have Melody ce a test order with it. She can give you honest feedback on her experience from an ordering perspective,¡± I suggest.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Melody-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Carter yells before darting in front of me.


    ¡°WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?¡±


    I pull Kenzie behind me on reflex, stepping further in front of her. Carter¡¯s hand immediately falls to the gun that is at the waist band of his pants. The gun that I tried insisting he didn¡¯t need when he first started working for me because I didn¡¯t think I would ever be that much at risk. It was only when he refused to ept the position, unless I agreed to allow him to carry, that I finally agreed. As I stand here right now, taking in the sight before me, I¡¯m reassured that I made the right decision in hiring Carter.


    ¡°ANSWER ME, DAMN IT! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU


    DOING HERE???¡± I scream over Carter¡¯s shoulder.  I¡¯m tempted to push him aside, and forcefully remove her from the bakery. The only thing stopping me right now, though is the fact that Kenzie is behind me. I know he would protect her, but I worry his first instinct would be to protect me, thus, leaving her exposed and at risk. That is a risk I¡¯m not willing to take; so despite my first instinct being to end the scene in front of us, I keep a firm hand on her arm, protecting her, even as my eyes never leave the foyer.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for you,¡± the woman in front of us answers, without looking at me.


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean you¡¯re here for me? You¡¯re not allowed to be here!¡± I remind her.


    She doesn¡¯t answer me, instead she remains leaning against the counter, dressed in a skin tight red dress. Just before I look away, I notice her hand, gripping arge knife pointed toward the floor. My breath catches when it finally hits me and my mind starts racing at the possible ways this will end. Did she really think she could walk in here and try to kill me? She had to know that Carter still worked for me; did she really think she could get past him?


    ¡°I asked you a question,¡± I hiss in frustration and anger. Once again, I receive no response to my question.


    ¡°Sir,¡± it¡¯s only when I hear his voice, does my attention go to Hunter, who is standing across from us at the other side of the lobby with his gun drawn and ready. He mouths to us, ¡°police on way.¡± I¡¯m not sure how he did it, but I¡¯m grateful that he was able to notify the police, as it at least means help will eventually arrive. Now, I just need to keep her from killing anyone in the meantime. I nod slightly at Hunter in acknowledgement, and try to calm the ever rising anger, threatening to boil over inside of me. I need to separate myself from the situation, to turn my emotions off, like I do when I¡¯m negotiating with a new client.


    ¡°What is it you want?¡±


    I try a different question in hopes of at least gaining some insight as to what is going through her fucked up mind right now. I fucking want to know what the hell she thought she would aplish by showing up to


    Kenzie¡¯s bakery threatening us with a knife!


    ¡°I need you and you need me-¡± again she answers without making eye contact with me.


    ¡°You need me? What the fuck could you possibly need me for? I don¡¯t need you; I don¡¯t even fucking want youI never fucking wanted to see you again! Why the fuck would you think I needed you? I have everything I could ever possibly need, or want in my life and none of it involves you,¡± I gently squeeze Kenzie¡¯s arm in a desperate attempt to convey to her that somehow everything is going to be okay.  ¡°What is it you think that I could possibly need or want from you?¡±


    ¡°I can give you what you need,¡± almost in slow motion, I watch her head rise and she res at Kenzie behind me. I stay focused on the knife in her hands, which at this point is thankfully still pointed at the ground, but I know at any moment that all could change. ¡°She will never be enough for you; she can¡¯t give you what you need. She-¡±


    ¡°Enough! You know nothing about Kenzie, or my rtionship with her, and you certainly know nothing about what I need!¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°She will never give you what you need! She won¡¯t go to The Blue Moon with you, she won¡¯t let you tie her to the bed so you can fuck her however you want, she won¡¯t let you whip her with a belt until it is coated in blood-¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up! I never hit you until blood was drawn-how dare you imply otherwise!¡± I cringe knowing that Kenzie is hearing the lies spewing from her mouth. ¡°You were the fucking one who asked to be tied to the bed! That was your kink, not mine!¡±


    ¡°But, I would let you do that to me, because that¡¯s what you need! You need a woman that you can take your stress out on! She will never be that person! She doesn¡¯t even enjoy fucking! Did you know she fakes it?


    She can¡¯t even-¡±


    ¡°You know nothing about me!¡± Kenzie yells from behind me.


    ¡°I know more about you than you think. He told me all about you -¡± she cuts herself off before she can finish her sentence. ¡°Who the fuck are you talking about?¡± I ask.


    No answer. Complete silence. Where the fuck are the police?


    ¡°What Nichs needs isn¡¯t about sex,¡± Kenzie says calmly, as she moves so she is standing next to me, instead of behind. I try to pull her back but she doesn¡¯t budge, instead she nts herself next to me, so she is pressed against me. Her hand slowly moves up my chest before resting over my heart where she simply leaves it for a few seconds. ¡°He needs someone to love him, someone to trust him and whom he can trust in return, and someone who doesn¡¯t look at him and see dor signs.¡±

 Chapter 158

    I close my eyes for a split second, slightly thanking Kenzie for her kind words.


    ¡°I never-¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up! From the moment you met me the only thing you saw was my checking ount bnce. I don¡¯t need you, I don¡¯t want you, and I will never want you. Kenzie is everything I will ever need and there is nothing you can do to change that.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t be what you need! The press will tear her apart! What do you think they¡¯re going to do when they discover that her mother was a drug addict who couldn¡¯t hold down a job? That her own grandmother didn¡¯t want her? It¡¯s only a matter of time before the press digs into who she really is! Right now, they¡¯re so obsessed with the fact that you¡¯re married, but eventually it will wear off, and they will start to look at who she really is. She can¡¯t be what you need! You need me, Nichs!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck what the press thinks or says about Kenzie! What she went through made her the woman I fell in love with. Who the fuck cares what the press thinks?!?!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that! You can¡¯t mean that!¡± she cries out.


    ¡°My life has nothing to do with you any longer! You lost that right when you embezzled money from me and attempted to publish details about


    PFS that never should have been made public.¡±


    ¡°It was the only way!¡±


    ¡°The only way for what? Why did you steal from me? You had money, plenty of it-you certainly didn¡¯t need mine!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have any money! Not really anyway¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you didn¡¯t have any money? Your parents are fucking wealthy!¡±


    ¡°They are, not me! I have a trust fund, but I couldn¡¯t ess it until I turned thirty.¡±


    ¡°You worked for your father; you must have been receiving a paycheck-¡±


    ¡°It barely covered my bills! Daddy bought me a condo, but he wouldn¡¯t pay for everything else! I blew through my savings ount, buying everything I needed to be the woman you needed by your side.  That didn¡¯te cheaply! The dresses, jewelry, spa treatments, haircuts¡­ it added up!¡±


    ¡°So the answer was to embezzle money from mypany? You could have asked me for anything! I would have bought you the dresses, jewelry¡­ whatever the fuck you wanted!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I should have,¡± she looks at the knife as she passes it back and forth in her hands.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I see several armed police officers silently make their way into the lobby, positioning themselves next to Hunter. Although their presence should rx me, it doesn¡¯t. I don¡¯t think she realizes they are here, but even if she did, I don¡¯t think she would care. She¡¯s all over the ce: yelling at Kenzie one minute and then ming her father for her behavior.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t matter now,¡± she says after several minutes of silence.


    ¡°What doesn¡¯t matter?¡± I ask.


    ¡°He cut me off,¡± she answers simply.


    ¡°Your father cut you off?¡±


    ¡°He took my trust fund away after the hearing. He bought me a condo, but then said he was done with me. All because of you! The story I was writing about you, was supposed to make him realize that I was a real journalist. It was supposed to make him realize that he could leave me thepany when he retired. Instead, you ruined that! You made him hate me!All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    You-¡±


    ¡°Nichs didn¡¯t do anything,¡± Kenzie says calmly. I grip her hand trying to tell her to stop talking, that it will only piss Harper off more. I want so badly to look at her, but I don¡¯t want to take my eyes off the knife in front of me. ¡°You made the choice to steal from him and try to expose hispany-¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, bitch!¡± she screams, yet Kenzie remains firm by my side, not even flinching.


    ¡°Put down the knife,¡± a police officer says. ¡°You need to put down the knife ande with us.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she screams. ¡°Please, Nichs¡­ I can be what you need. You deserve so much more than she can give you. The press loved you when we were together; I can make them leave you alone. They will love you again; I can do that for you. You can¡¯t-once they find out who she really is, they won¡¯t love her.  Please¡­ please¡­ I need you. Let me do this for you; I need to do this for you.¡±


    Her head is bowed, eyes back on the floor mumbling ¡®please¡¯ over and over again. I slowly process the scene in front of me; several officers are standing around the lobby with their guns pointed at Harper. At some point Hunter has made his way over to us and is now standing next to Kenzie, his gun still drawn. Carter has also pulled out his gun, however when that urred exactly I¡¯m not sure. I need to do something; I need for today not to end in bloodshed. As much as I¡¯ve hated her for what she did to me, I¡¯ve never wished for her death.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I slowly let out the breath I was holding. Hoping that I¡¯m making the right decision and that at some point Kenzie can forgive me, I take her hand from my chest and slowly ce it back by her side. I take a small step forward, putting some space between us. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Hunter step closer to me, essentially cing himself in front of Kenzie. ¡°I do need you.¡±


    ¡°You do?¡± she hups and slowly raises her head until her tear filled eyes find mine. I force myself to shut everything else out, to pretend that Kenzie is not standing behind me, watching everything unfold.


    ¡°Everything you said was true¡­ I need someone who can get the press off my ass so I can focus on PFS.¡±


    ¡°Yes! I can do that, please, please let me do that for you,¡± I watch as the false hope hits her eyes.


    She thinks she has won: she really thinks in her twisted mind that this fucked up n is working. She believes that I would throw everything I have with Kenzie away, to get the press off my case again. She doesn¡¯t realize what Kenzie means to me and that I could care less what the fuck the press thinks about her past, when and if, they ever discover it. ¡°I¡¯ll be whatever you need; I¡¯ll go to the Blue Moon with you. I¡¯ll be by your side for the public events and I will be waiting for you every night when youe home from work. I¡¯ll do whatever you want; anything, Nichs, anything. Please just give me another chance¡­¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m going to give you another chance, I need you to do something for me first.¡±


    ¡°Of course, anything. I¡¯ll do anything for you.¡±


    ¡°Put down the knife,¡± I say firmly. ¡°You know how I feel about guns and look at how many are surrounding me right now. They¡¯re not going to put them away until you get rid of the knife.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Put down the knife,¡± I say firmly.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she sighs.


    Finally, she leans forward and ces it on the tile floor. The moment the she moves away, everything changes at once. The police have her face first on the ground and are putting hand cuffs on her within seconds. When I feel Kenzie¡¯s hands wrap around my waist, hugging me from behind, I let out the breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± my voice more of a whisper than anything else, but somehow she must have heard me. Without saying a word, she eases past Hunter so she is standing in front of me. I wrap my arms around her instantly, pulling her close to me, beyond thankful that she wasn¡¯t hurt. Things could have turned out so differently-Kenzie could have been hurt¡­ again¡­ because of me.


    ¡°Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker, I¡¯m assuming you want to press charges against Ms. Snyder?¡± the officer asks.


    ¡°Yes, to the fullest extent possible,¡± I answer without hesitation. ¡°She is in direct vition of a restraining order, she threatened my wife, myself and my security team and she broke into my home. I want any and all charges pressed against her.¡±


    ¡°Nichs! You can¡¯t do this! Please don¡¯t send me back there! I can¡¯t go back to prison. I can¡¯t! Please¡­ please¡­ I¡¯ll do anything! I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Nichs isn¡¯t doing this to you-you are doing it to yourself,¡± Kenzie says firmly.


    ¡°Officer,¡± I nod in his direction.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Has someone checked with Ben to make sure Cara and Ginny-¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± Carter quickly assures me. ¡°I¡¯ll be speaking with him as soon as we get things settled here, but they were both escorted safely home.¡±


    ¡°Thank God,¡± Kenzie sighs into me.


    ¡°Carter, Kenzie and I need a ce to go tonight; we¡¯re not staying at the apartment until we can confirm that it hasn¡¯t beenpromised. We need to figure out how she knew we would be here tonight too.¡± ¡°Yes, sir, I¡¯ve already booked a suit,¡± he confirms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have a bag waiting the hotel,¡± Hunter quickly adds.


    When Carter nods in my direction, the four of us silently head down the waiting SUV, which we were in not that long ago under much different circumstances. Even though, it¡¯s probably been less than an hour since I sat here holding Kenzie while she slept, it feels like another lifetime. I¡¯m still inplete disbelief at what just happened. I want to demand answers from Carter about how the hell she got into the bakery as the rear door locks automatically, but I know it will take him a little while to get those answers. And right now, my priority needs to be on the beautiful woman who is silently sitting next to me. I wish I knew what she was thinking right now. If I thought she would discuss it, I would ask, but I know she would rather wait until Carter and Hunter weren¡¯t around.


    ¡°She knows him,¡± Kenzie says.


    ¡°She knows who?¡± I ask confused.


    ¡°She knows Richard.¡±

 Chapter 159

    Kenzie


    ¡°She knows Richard,¡± I whisper¡­ not even wanting to hear myself say his name again. ¡°She¡¯s working with him¡­ they¡¯re working together¡­¡±


    ¡°Carter,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Brian on it as soon as you¡¯re secure in your room,¡± he confirms.


    ¡°We still have him under surveince. Correct?¡± ¡°From a distance,¡± Carter interrupts.


    ¡°Does he know?¡±


    ¡°He is not aware that he is under surveince; at least he doesn¡¯t appear to know.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t have her under surveince?¡±


    ¡°For the first year we did,¡± he sighs heavily with regret. ¡°Her father bought her a condo in a very upscale neighborhood and set her up to take some sses at a localmunity college in a new field.  As part of our agreement, Harper isn¡¯t permitted to work in any position in journalism, advertising or any other form of media. She was seeing a psychiatrist and was taking medication for a mood disorder; the reports from the court indicated she was doing well. We removed the surveince on her at that point-¡±


    ¡°To a certain degree,¡± Carter adds.


    ¡°Carter had her name set on alerts, so we would know if she purchased a ne or train ticket out of the state. This allowed us to ensure she wasn¡¯ting back to New York, while not keeping day to day tabs on her, which everyone indicated wasn¡¯t necessary at that point,¡± I can hear the anger in Nichs¡¯s voice, as I¡¯m sure he regrets removing that person now. But, if nothing happened after a year of watching her and if everyone thought she was stable, I could see why they would make that decision.


    ¡°How did she get to New York?¡± I more wonder aloud than ask.


    ¡°I¡¯m working on that now,¡± Carter confirms. ¡°ording to Brian, she didn¡¯t purchase a ne or train ticket.¡±


    ¡°Find out from Brian where fucking Westbrook is,¡± Nichs hisses.


    We ride in silence the rest of the way to the hotel; there really isn¡¯t much to say. I can¡¯t stop reying the words Harper said-there is no doubt in my mind she is somehow working with him. What I can¡¯t figure out is how they would have met¡­


    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Nichs squeezes my hand, and I nce up


    realizing we¡¯re sitting in a parked car in an underground parking garage.


    Hunter checked us into the hotel and returned to the car with keys to arge suite. Given what has happened, the four of us will be sharing a suite with Hunter and Carter taking turns keeping watch all night. Not only do we not know how Harper ended up in the apartment but until we know for certain that he is still in Colorado, I don¡¯t think anyone will feel safe.


    Once Carter ensures the room is safe, we enter therge suite which contains two bedrooms with a shared living area. Hunter puts our small overnight bag in the master bedroom before joining us in the living room. Carter is on the phone the entire time; Nichs is pacing the floor while typing away on his phone. Hunter and I sit in opposite chairs facing each other sort of waiting to see what happens.


    ¡°How is that possible?!?!¡± Carter screams before mming his phone on the counter. I cringe as I hear ss shatter knowing that he likely just broke the screen of his phone.


    ¡°What do we know?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Westbrook?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How? What do you mean he is gone? I thought we had someone on him?¡±


    ¡°We had someone on him from a distance; you didn¡¯t want him to know that he was being followed, so we had to keep our distance. Our guyst saw him two days ago-¡±


    ¡°WHAT?¡± Nichs stops and stares at Carter.


    ¡°He left work in the middle of the day, telling his boss that he was sick,¡± Carter exins. ¡°Our guy followed him to his condo, watched him enter the building and reports he never left.¡±


    ¡°Did someone check the condo?¡± I ask.


    ¡°It¡¯s empty; we don¡¯t know how or when he left but the apartment is empty. His car was still in its parking spot, so someone must have picked him up.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t that fucker check him out when he didn¡¯t leave his apartment? Why did he wait until today to search the apartment? What fucking excuse could he possibly have?¡±


    ¡°ording to our source, this is somewhat typical behavior for Westbrook. He would often lock himself in his apartment for three to four days at a time without leaving-¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I cringe at the memories of those days. ¡°When he was having a bad week, he would sometimes leave the office early, go to a bar, get wasted and thene home and drink for two or three days straight, not stopping until he passed out at least a few times a day.¡±


    It didn¡¯t happen often, but every couple of months that would be his pattern. The alcohol made his temper worse; during that time there was nothing I could right by him. He would flip out and hit me for no reason. The only good thing about those days was when he would pass out: the beatings would stop for a few hours and it gave me a little reprieve.


    When Nichs squeezes my hand, I realize that everyone is kind of watching me and he is now sitting next to me on the couch. What Carter and Hunter know of my past, I don¡¯t know, but they must know enough because I can tell by the look in their eyes right now that they likely know where I just went.


    ¡°I think the only reason he didn¡¯t lose his job was because of who his father was. Not many bosses would put up with someone leaving early sick on Fridays and then still being sick the following Monday as often as he was,¡± I say.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right,¡± Nichs agrees.


    ¡°So, we don¡¯t know where he is right now?¡± I ask Carter.


    ¡°We have people looking for him, but at the moment, no. We don¡¯t know where he is,¡± Carter confirms. ¡°He withdrew arge sum of cash earlier in the week from his bank ount, but again this didn¡¯t raise any concerns-¡±


    ¡°Because it wasn¡¯t out of the ordinary either,¡± I finish Carter¡¯s sentence. ¡°He needed the cash to pay for his drinks andp dances.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what our guy said as well.¡±


    ¡°My family has security on them still, correct?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Yes, everyone has a CPO assigned to them; our staff is aware of the increased threat.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to go to bed,¡± I can barely keep my eyes open let alone follow what anyone is saying.


    ¡°Good idea-¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ste, I don¡¯t think us sitting out here any longer tonight will get any answers. Let¡¯s get some sleep and reconvene when we¡¯re all a little more awake.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, I¡¯ll keep watch for the next couple of hours and then Hunter will take over,¡± Carter confirms.


    ¡°First thing in the morning, I want an update on where that fucker is,¡± Nichs hisses.


    ¡°Understood, sir.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Nichs wraps his arm around my waist and walks me to the master bedroom, not leaving my side until he ensures the room is empty. Wordlessly, he strips me out of my clothes before removing his own. We climb into bed and he immediately pulls me close to him, so my back rests against his warm chest.


    ¡°I am so sorry,¡± he whispers, his mouth so close to my ear, I can feel his breath on it.


    ¡°What are you sorry for?¡± I try to turn around, but he holds me tight against him preventing me from doing so.


    ¡°For what I said at the bakery,¡± his voice is guilt ridden.


    I try to figure out what he is referring to, but for the life of me I can¡¯t recall him saying anything that he should apologize for.


    ¡°What you said?¡±


    ¡°To¡­ her,¡± his arms tighten around me, as I¡¯m sure he¡¯s recalling the scene when we walked in. ¡°When I told her that she was right about what she said about you-¡±


    When it dawns on me what he¡¯s referring to, I force myself to turn over and face Nichs. The guilt is written all over his face-guilt which he shouldn¡¯t be feeling.


    ¡°Nichs, I knew then and I know now, that when you said she was right that you weren¡¯t agreeing with her,¡± his eyes meet mine questioningly, as if he isn¡¯t sure he believes me. ¡°When you stepped away from me and started talking to her, I may have initially thought you were crazy for cing yourself closer to her when she had a knife, but I never for a moment thought that you were agreeing with what she was saying. I knew you were doing it because you didn¡¯t want things to end with her being shot or killed.¡±


    ¡°Look, what she said about the belt¡­ it wasn¡¯t like that-¡± ¡°I never thought it was,¡± I assure him.


    ¡°I did hit her with one a few times, but only after she asked. She¡­ it would turn her on,¡± he shrugs. ¡°But, I NEVER hit her hard enough to leave bruises or draw blood.¡±


    ¡°I know you wouldn¡¯t-you¡¯re not like that.¡±


    His lips find mine as he pulls me even closer to him; his arms wrap around me keeping me close to him.  He groans when I ce my leg over his thigh, opening myself up to him. His erection probes my sex, sliding through my folds as he teases my opening.


    ¡°I love you, Kenzie,¡± Nichs whispers as he slowly pushes into me; we both moan when he¡¯s fully sated in me.


    ¡°I love you, so much,¡± the tears are in my eyes at the realization of my words. Tonight, scared me-everything almost ended. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been as scared as I was tonight, even the night my ex almost killed me.


    ¡°I was so scared she was going to hurt you-I couldn¡¯t have lived with myself if she had,¡± he whispers, and for the first time I realize how much tonight affected him. In the car, and when we were talking to Carter and Hunter in the living area here, he seemed angrier than anything. I know it¡¯s a rare urrence for him to let his guard down, to let someone in¡­ to trust someone.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been so scared,¡± I admit. ¡°I was so scared that I was going to lose you.¡±


    ¡°Never, Kenzie,¡± he kisses me and holds me tightly against him. ¡°You¡¯ll never lose me.¡±


    Our love making is different: it¡¯s slow, with sometimes neither of us moving, instead we take the time to be with each other. Neither of us hurry, rather than chasing the orgasms, which is so often the case with us, we both wait for it. Our hands silently move slowly over one another¡¯s body, instead showing each other how we feel with our bodies rather than with words. We find our release together long after we went to bed.


    Nichs falls asleep almost immediately; I take advantage of this rare urrence and watch him sleep for a while like he does with me sometimes. His arm remains wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me tightly against him, keeping our connection intact. I feel him soften slightly inside of me, but he doesn¡¯t seem to gopletely soft inside of me. It¡¯s very rare for him to be as vulnerable as he is tonight; I know it couldn¡¯t have been easy for him. Turning around to find her behind us in the bakery was not something I ever expected to happen. I shiver at the memory, immediately Nichs¡¯s arms tighten around me, keeping me close to him reminding me that I¡¯m safe now.

 Chapter 160

    Nichs


    ¡°Everything ready, Carter?¡± As hard as it was to leave Kenzie alone in the shower in our bathroom this morning, I needed to get an update from


    Carter on where we are with what happened.


    ¡°Yes, sir. We can leave whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°And what I requested?¡±


    ¡°Will be there by the time we arrive, sir.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    Last night, after making love to Kenzie, I immediately fell asleep with her still wrapped in my arms.  However, sleeping didn¡¯tst very long. ¡°What the fuck are you doing here?¡±


    In her hand is arge knife, right now it¡¯s aimed at the floor however, I don¡¯t pretend for a minute that it¡¯s going to stay aimed at the floor. I frantically search behind her, looking for Carter and Hunter who are suddenly nowhere to be found.


    ¡°I asked you a question. What the fuck are you doing here?!?!?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here because you need me.¡±


    ¡°I need you? What the fuck do I need from you?¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t what you need-she can¡¯t be what you need,¡± as she speaks she res at Kenzie.


    ¡°Kenzie has nothing to do with this-¡±


    ¡°She has everything to do with it!¡± Harper screams, waving the knife around in multiple directions.


    ¡°What is it you want, Harper?¡± I try a different approach, as I inch closer to Kenzie, slowly trying to put myself in front of her.


    ¡°YOU! I told you, she can¡¯t be what you need. I can! I can be everything you need! I¡¯ll let you do whatever you want to me!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what he needs!¡± Kenzie steps to my side. ¡°He doesn¡¯t need someone to fuck, he needs-¡±


    Before I can figure out how it happened, Harper is in front of Kenzie, stabbing her repeatedly in the stomach.


    I woke up from a horrific nightmare, the final image was Kenzie¡¯s shirt slowly turning from white to red as her eyes searched out mine before finally closing. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been so grateful to wake up and see her sleeping face next to mine than I was in that moment. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me and held her. Feeling her warm, bare skin against mine finally allowed me to start to rx. It was as if just feeling her against me somehow calmed me, rxed me and reassured me that the image still burned in my brain was only that¡­ just an image.


    What I realized in that moment, was thatst night was single handedly the worst, most terrifying thing that I¡¯ve ever experienced. The realization of this took my breath away. In the blink of an eye, my worst nightmare went from being shbacks of what my birth mother did to me, to the possibility of losing the woman I love more than anything. I knew in that moment that something needed to change, that things couldn¡¯t continue as they have been.


    Thankfully, I had left my phone on the nightstand next to the bedst night. With as little movement as possible, I grabbed my phone and started sending off several emails to begin facilitating the steps necessary to move forward. Things needed to change immediately, and I wasn¡¯t wasting another minute. I didn¡¯t care that it was barely four in the morning-I paid my staff enough to be avable when I needed them. It wasn¡¯t often that I would bother them in the middle of the night, but they knew if I did it was important.


    ¡°ETA?¡±


    ¡°Once we take off, about two hours, sir. The jet will be ready within the hour.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re confident the jet hasn¡¯t beenpromised?¡±


    ¡°I have personally reviewed the surveince video for the three weeks and no one unauthorized has even so much as entered the private hangar. Brian ran another background check on our flight staff this morning, including full financial review and nothing indicated they were being paid off.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    ¡°We have security already on the ground waiting for us, but all reports at this time indicate no one has been there since thest visit.¡±


    ¡°And everything else?¡±


    ¡°In process and will be ready when wend.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    ¡°Brian was able to clean up some of the video from the alley at the


    bakery-¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t alonest night-¡±


    ¡°Who was with her?!?!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know yet. Whoever it was, avoided facing any of the cameras; all we have are a couple shots of his back.¡±


    ¡°Can I see them?¡± Kenzie¡¯s soft voice startles us all as she enters the living area. I immediately walk over to her, kissing her before escorting her back to the couch.


    ¡°You can¡¯t see anything. The person wore a hoodie and sunsses; he never faced a camera,¡± Carter brings up a picture on his phone and holds it out so both Kenzie and I can see it. The picture is grainy, and in ck and white, which makes it even more difficult to make out the person.


    ¡°You say he was with¡­ herst night?¡± I ask as I hand Kenzie the phone. The person was careful to avoid the cameras; hell, it could be Austin for all I know based on that picture. You can¡¯t make out a damn thing from it. It seems he knew exactly where the cameras were, because he stayed at the edge of the image at all times.


    ¡°From the timing of everything, we¡¯ve pieced together a few things. It appears that Ms. Snyder was driven to the bakery in a cargo van, which ultimately dropped her at the rear door.¡±


    ¡°How did she get in through that door? It automatically locks when it closes¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re still working on that. It appears the lock waspromised, but we can¡¯t tell how it was done. Asher is going back through the security footage to see if anythinges up on there.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s him,¡± Kenzie¡¯s voice is confident, despite the phone that is shaking in her hand.


    ¡°Kenzie, we don¡¯t know that-¡± there¡¯s no way she can tell if it¡¯s her ex by these pictures.


    ¡°It¡¯s him,¡± she repeats.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker-¡± Carter voices the doubt that I¡¯m feeling right now as well.


    ¡°Look,¡± she zooms in on a picture, adjusting the picture so it focuses on a bare spot of the man¡¯s wrist.  ¡°He has a tattoo. I would bet anything that if you can get Brian to clean this up, you¡¯ll find the tattoo is the handle of a dagger. It¡¯ll be ck with a dark red rope wrapping around the handle before it leads up to a silver de. There will be a single red drop near the tip of the de. You won¡¯t be able to see all that detail from the picture, but you¡¯ll be able to see the handle of the dagger.¡±


    ¡°Carter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Brian to clean it up and focus on the wrist area of the picture.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she says her voice much stronger than it was a few minutes ago. ¡°I always hated that tattoo. He said he got it when he was drunk one night, just after he turned eighteen, to piss his father off. I had hoped to never have to see it again.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t have to-he won¡¯t hurt you, I swear. He¡¯ll nevere near you again,¡± I try to assure her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she sighs. ¡°He got closest night.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve increased security measures-¡± I try to exin even though I know she¡¯s right.


    ¡°We¡¯re on top of everything, Kenzie,¡± Carter interrupts. ¡°We¡¯re improving systems to ensure this does not happen again. We won¡¯t let Westbrook get close to you again.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t say anything but nods in agreement, even though I¡¯m not sure shepletely believes Carter. Deep down I knew it was him; I knew he was the mastermind behind getting her into the building.


    ¡°I rmend speaking to your attorney, sir, although I don¡¯t think having a PFA issued would deter him.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t stop him,¡± Kenzie sighs heavily. ¡°I spoke to the police when I first left: a PFA is only a piece of paper. If he came all this way, a piece of paper isn¡¯t going to stop him.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, it won¡¯t. But if we catch him near The ord Towers, the Sweet Dreams or PFS, we can have him arrested for viting the order,¡± Carter points out.


    ¡°If you think it will help, I have no objection to filing for one. But, I doubt it will be granted-¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t the police grant the order, after what he did to you?!?!¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t doing anything right now, and we probably can¡¯t even prove that it¡¯s him in the picture. The police will argue that the tattoo isn¡¯t enough to identify him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been through this before,¡± Carter says rather than asks.


    ¡°I tried to leave him at one point,¡± she exins. ¡°The first time he hit me, he swore he would never do it again and, stupidly, I believed him especially since my grandmother wouldn¡¯t take me back. When he grabbed me again after that, I went to the police station to ask what my options were. They talked to me about a PFA and how if he vited it that he could be arrested, assuming the police showed up while he was still there. They told me my case was weak because I had no injuries from him grabbing me, there were no witnesses and no documentation of his previous abuse. At the end of the meeting, they were sure to ask me how my future father inw was doing. I knew right then that even if I did have a PFA against him, it would never be enforced in that city.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be like that here,¡± I say firmly. Hell, I¡¯ve probably paid for half the police department¡¯s vehicles over thest two years alone.


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not,¡± she shrugs. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t change the fact that he hasn¡¯t done anything¡­ yet.¡±


    ¡°And we won¡¯t let him,¡± Carter assures her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk to my attorney, anyway, maybe he¡¯ll have other ideas.¡±


    She shrugs but doesn¡¯t argue at least. Westbrook¡¯s father holding political office would have made it impossible for her to get any help in that city. The fact that she was able to get out, makes me even more appreciative for the organization that helped her get away from that bastard. I quickly pull out my phone, type an email to Melody, instructing her to make an anonymous donation to them from my personal ount. I ask her to schedule a meeting for after the holidays with the CEO so I can get a better of idea of what their needs are.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Carter clears his throat and nods his head towards his watch, reminding me of the time.


    ¡°Yes, please load the car,¡± I confirm.


    ¡°Are we going back there?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t n on returning there until some major changes are made and Carter is working on those. Right now, he has made arrangements for us to fly to Montana for the week.¡±


    ¡°Montana?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where my parents¡¯ cabin is.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you can get away from work? If you need to stay in New York-¡±


    ¡°PFS is closed on Wednesday to allow everyone to start getting ready for Thanksgiving early and doesn¡¯t reopen until Tuesday. By then, we should have things figured out, but if not, we¡¯ll find somewhere more secure to stay.¡±


    ¡°Can we go back to ord Towers?¡±


    ¡°No, until we find Westbrook, we won¡¯t be going near the building.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have enough clothes here; Hunter only grabbed one set of clean clothes. I can make do with what we have, maybe we can stop somewhere when we get there to get more clothes?¡±


    ¡°Already ahead of you; there will be clothes at the house waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°Of course, there will be,¡± she chuckles and shakes her head.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± sheughs. I smile at the sound-it has been a rough couple of days. I pull her close to me, lifting her onto myp and hold her close. Carter discretely leaves the room, but neither of us pay him much attention. I don¡¯t know how long we sit like that, but holding Kenzie like this makes me forget everything else that is going on. It makes me forget what could change in the next few days; it makes me forget reality.

 Chapter 161

    Kenzie


    ¡°What do you have?¡± Nichs asks as soon as the jet takes off.


    ¡°We¡¯re still trying to find a connection between Richard Westbrook and Harper,¡± Carter begins. ¡°We haven¡¯t been able to find any evidence that the two of them ever spoke, let alone nned the break in.  Brian is continuing to dig, though as we¡¯re certain there must be something we¡¯re not seeing just yet.¡±


    ¡°Do we know his whereabouts yet?¡±


    ¡°No. We have nothing on him since he left ord Towers after Harper entered the stairwell.¡±


    ¡°Has she attempted to contact anyone from prison?¡±


    ¡°She reached out to her father, but ording to my sources he hung up on her. She has made no other phone calls and is being represented by a public defender.¡±


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Nichs sighs. ¡°My attorney emailed me a little while ago, he is trying to keep this out of the press, but he doubts he¡¯ll be able to hide this one.¡±


    It shouldn¡¯t have, but it surprised me to hear that the press might learn about what happened. Suddenly the guilt hits me-if it wasn¡¯t for me, Harper likely never would havee back the other night. She wouldn¡¯t have gone after Nichs because she wouldn¡¯t have had the means to do so. I have no doubt that somehow Richard was behind her getting to New York; it doesn¡¯t sound like she would have been able to do so without him if what she said about her father cutting her off was true. Now I feel horrible because Nichs initially wanted me to keep the press off his case, but now


    I may have brought them right to his doorstep.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he asks, which is when I notice that the conversation seems to have stopped.


    ¡°Fine, just a little tired,¡± I lie.


    ¡°Everything is set at the cabin?¡± Nichs asks Carter.


    ¡°Yes, Brian is monitoring the security feeds from the office while we¡¯re in flight. I have a crew on the ground already; trail cameras have been set up to monitor the perimeter of the grounds.¡±


    ¡°My parents? Cara and Austin?¡±


    ¡°Security remains on high alert and assigned for everyone,¡± Carter confirms. ¡°We¡¯re waiting for confirmation from your mother if they will fly in Wednesday afternoon or first thing Thursday morning.  Initial ns are for them to remain at least through Saturday.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to have Thanksgiving at the cabin,¡± Nichs exins, obviously sensing my confusion. ¡°My mother is big on holidays for some reason; you¡¯re not permitted to miss a holiday dinner no matter what the reason.¡±


    ¡°Gosh, I can¡¯t remember thest time I had a holiday dinner,¡± knowing how loving the Parkers are, I can picture them all around the table on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I could easily also see Vivienne refusing to ept any excuse about missing dinner.


    I look up and briefly catch a look of sadness in Carter¡¯s eyes at my words, but before I can even second guess if that¡¯s what I saw, he looks back to Nichs.


    ¡°Security will fly in with your family and escort them to the cabin, at which point we¡¯ll decide how many will remain through the weekend. It will likely depend on Ms. Parker¡¯s ns for Friday-¡±


    ¡°She will have no ns,¡± Nichs interrupts quickly.


    ¡°I agree that would be best, but you know how much she loves to shop especially the day after Thanksgiving-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give her my ck card, she can shop until she drops online.¡± ¡°Understood, sir,¡± Carter nods. ¡°If there are no major outings nned, I¡¯ll probably just keep one or two of the men to remain on staff for the weekend. The others will be split between watching the properties in


    New York and staying in Montana in the event we need additional staff.¡± ¡°Whatever you think is best.¡±


    The remainder of the flight is uneventful. Nichs works from hisptop and phone; I read a book that was thankfully packed in my overnight bag for the trip. I¡¯m not sure how much of the book I actually read during though-I couldn¡¯t seem to keep my mind focused on it. My thoughts switch between worrying about the press and the fact that he is now somewhere in the same city as I am. Even though I trust Carter and Hunter to keep me safe, I still worry that he will somehow find me. He was so close the other night¡­


    ¡°It¡¯ll be another couple of hours before we arrive at the cabin,¡± Nichs pulls me from my thoughts, which is when I realize at some point we havended. I can hear the flight crew preparing for our departure from the ne as we slowly taxi toward the terminal.


    ¡°Do we need to stop for anything?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Carter arranged for everything that we¡¯ll need to be there by the time we arrive,¡± he confirms. ¡°Once I find out when my parents areing in, we¡¯ll ce another grocery order. I¡¯ll have Carter find a restaurant that will provide a catered Thanksgiving dinner that we can pick up-¡± ¡°You can¡¯t do that!¡± I interrupt.


    ¡°Why not? Julie isn¡¯t able to make it out here-¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t have a catered Thanksgiving meal from a restaurant Nichs!¡±


    ¡°Again¡­ why not?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to have a home cooked meal for the holidays. Does your mom order a catered meal on Thanksgiving or Christmas?¡± I already know the answer before I ask the question. I cannot picture Vivienne ordering a holiday meal from a restaurant. Not after hearing how important the holidays are to her.


    ¡°Of course not but-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll cook Thanksgiving dinner.¡±


    ¡°You will?¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Sure, why not? I can google some recipes¡­ I¡¯ve never cooked a turkey before, but it can¡¯t be that hard.  I can call your mom too, I¡¯m sure she would share some recipes with me.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie are you sure? That sounds like a lot of work¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ it¡¯ll keep me busy; I¡¯m sure you¡¯re going to have work to do while we¡¯re there right?¡±


    ¡°Well yeah¡­ but¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to cook a big family meal,¡± I shrug. ¡°Just never had a family to cook one for. I want to do this, please.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure,¡± he leans over and kisses me. ¡°You have a family


    -¡±


    ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been cleared to disembark from the ne,¡± the flight attendant interrupts Nichs. ¡°Your security team is waiting at the gate for you.¡±


    We gather the few items we brought onto the ne before Carter and Hunter escort us from the ne. Once inside the airport we are met by tworge men dressed in all ck, who simply nod to us before leading us through a quiet, private area of the airport. We¡¯re immediately led out a private exit where two ck SUVs are waiting for us. We climb into one with Carter and Hunter while the second SUV follows us. Nichs¡¯s arm remains protectively wrapped around me, as I rest my head on his shoulder, and watch the scenery change around us.


    ¡°Kenzie, baby, we¡¯re here,¡± Nichs¡¯s voice pulls me from my sleep.


    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to fall asleep,¡± I look out to see we are parked in front of arge log cabin.  ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± Nichs chuckles at my reaction before guiding me to the open door.


    The cabin is like nothing what I imagined it would be; I guess I kind of expected a small cabin, but what stands in front of me is anything but small. Therge two-story log cabin is like something out of magazine. An expansive deck wraps around the front, while a smaller balconyes off sliding doors on the second floor. I nce around and see nothing but trees surrounding us: there are no other cabins to be seen and other than Carter¡¯s voice in the distance there are no other sounds to be heard.


    ¡°Everything is set up inside, sir,¡± Hunter confirms, as I close the car door.


    ¡°Wonderful, I don¡¯t expect to need you the remainder of the night,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be patrolling the perimeter of the cabin all night; the security interior cameras have been disabled except for the ones pointing at the entrances. Be sure to call if you n on leaving the cabin for any reason.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± Nichs guides me onto the deck and then through the door that opens to a beautiful living room.


    ¡°This is amazing,¡± I nce around trying to take in everything. The floor n is very open, obviously designed to make entertaining easier. The living room furniture is arranged surrounding arge stone firece with a fire already lit in it.


    ¡°There are two bedrooms down here and another three upstairs,¡± Nichs exins. ¡°There are two master suites up there, so we¡¯ll take one and then when my parents arriveter this week they¡¯ll take the other. Each master bedroom has a balcony that overlooks the property; the one that we¡¯ll have overlooks theke and has a small hot tub on it.¡±


    ¡°This is beautiful¡­¡±


    ¡°I bought it for my parents on their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary,¡± he shrugs. ¡°We used to rent this little cabin not far from here, every summer for a week, when we were growing up. My mother loved getting away from New York for that week; my dad loved to take us hiking and fishing, while Mom and Cara went shopping.¡±


    ¡°You bought this for them?¡±


    ¡°When I started PFS, I promised myself that one day, I would buy my parents a ce out here, where they coulde anytime they wanted. I¡­ I wanted to thank them for taking me in when they didn¡¯t have to. There aren¡¯t too many people who would have taken in a little boy whose mother tried to kill him,¡± he nces around the room, obviously ufortable with the conversation.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± I¡¯m not sure what else to say. The fact that he did this for his parents just amazes me; yet the reason he felt he needed to saddens me. Not knowing what to say or do, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest.


    ¡°There¡¯s a small cabin just through the woods where the security team will be staying while we¡¯re here. It was the original cabin on the property, but when I bought thend, I wanted somethingrger, as I knew my mother would expect all of us to stille here when we could. It¡¯s far enough away to give us some privacy, but close enough that Carter¡¯s team can still monitor this house. The driveway has a security gate that can only be opened with a key code, which is changed every month. The perimeter of the property is outfitted with a top of the line security system that will go off if anythingrger than an animal crosses the path. We¡¯re safe here, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± whether he knew it or not, I definitely needed the reassurance with everything else that had happened.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get settled and then we¡¯ll take a walk outside.¡±


    He gives me a brief tour of the cabin, which is just beyond anything I could imagine, before we end up in the master bedroom where we will be staying this week. The room is only slightly smaller than our bedroom at ord Towers, but the view from the deck is stunning. It overlooks argeke, but other than that, the only thing that can be seen is the woods surrounding the property. Since I fell asleep in the car, I have no idea how far we are from civilization, but right now, I feel like we¡¯re the only people for miles.


    Arge master bathroom and a small walk in closetplete the room. Like magic, the closet has been filled with more clothes than we could possibly need for a week away. I don¡¯t need to check to know that they¡¯re all in the correct sizes for both of us. I have no doubt that the dressers are also filled.


    I take a long, hot shower while Nichs catches up on emails that he missed. I let the water pour over my body, washing away the worry that has surrounded me most of the day. I push the thought of him and the press out of my mind. I try not to worry how the press finding out about what happened at ord Towers might impact Nichs¡¯s business¡­ and worse, how it could impact us, since it would be the exact opposite of what he intended when he signed the contract with Bridget. I try not to think that he might decide it would be better if-


    ¡°Baby, you almost done? It¡¯s gettingte, but I wanted to show you the view before it getspletely dark outside.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right out,¡± I call back, washing thest of the soap off my body.


    I quickly dry myself off and wrap the towel around me, before heading to the bedroom, where I find Nichs has alreadyid out a pair of jeans, a long sleeve shirt and a zip up sweater for me. I quickly put on the clothes, confirming my earlier thoughts that they would fit perfectly before going in search of him.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± I ask when I find him on his phone in the kitchen.


    ¡°What? Oh yeah, it¡¯s fine,¡± he answers, but still appears¡­ distracted.


    ¡°Did you still want to-¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he interrupts quickly. ¡°I just spoke with Carter and let him know what the ns are.¡±


    He takes my hand, squeezing it tightly, before we go through the living room to the front door where he pulls on a sweater. I hear him take a deep breath, before opening the door for me. Silently, he guides me down a slightly worn trail that leads around theke before we finally stop atrge outbuilding.


    ¡°Nichs?¡±

 Chapter 162

    Kenzie


    As the door closes, we are almost inplete darkness. The only light ising from a small candle ced on a table next to a gift box.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± I turn, reaching out for him; my hand quickly finds his as he moves closer to me.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± his voice is shakier than I think I¡¯ve ever heard it. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You¡¯re scaring me.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ I¡¯m not good at this type of shit,¡± he mumbles not giving me any idea as to what this might be.  ¡°Thest few days, have really opened my eyes to a lot of things.¡±


    He¡¯s going to say that it¡¯s not worth keeping up the charade of our marriage. I can¡¯t¡­ I


    ¡°The¡­ what happened at the bakery could have turned out very differently. I could have lost you to¡­ her. My life has changed so much since I met you, Kenzie. The moment I saw you on the sidewalk, drenched from the rain puddle, I knew you were different. You changed my life that day and you¡¯ve been changing it ever since. Just like when Carter and I left PFS that day to head home, I had no idea how one simple, brief meeting with Bridget would lead to my life being changed¡­ forever.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± I don¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°When I met you, everything changed. You made me trust again, so much so, that for the first time in years, I wasfortable with a woman living with me. You¡¯ve given me a reason toe home at night, to take vacations¡­ hell, you¡¯ve given me a reason to just put my phone down and leave it there at night. And you¡¯ve done all of this¡­ without asking for anything in return. Without intending to, you challenged everything I thought I knew about my life.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°I love you, Kenzie¡­ more than anyone I have ever loved in my entire life. I can¡¯t imagine my life without you, but I¡¯ve been petrified that you didn¡¯t feel the same way I do,¡± he pauses and I wish like hell I could see his face right now. Unfortunately, the room is so dark that even the little bit of lighting from the small candle isn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°Nichs, I love you,¡± I wrap my arms around his neck before slowly kissing his soft lips. ¡°My life¡­ nothing has been the same since I met you that day on the sidewalk. I had no idea what to expect, that first night, I walked into the restaurant to meet you. You were thest person I thought would be there, yet deep down, I had hoped it would be you. What I never expected, though, was to fall in love with you, yet I did¡­ I very easily fell in love with the wonderful man that you are.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± he whispers my name against my ear as his arms tighten around my waist. ¡°When we turned around at the bakery the other night and saw¡­ my first and only thought was protecting you. Later, I realized how close I came to losing you; that realization rocked me to my core. I don¡¯t want to ever lose you-I don¡¯t want to go back to the way my life was before you. I don¡¯t want to go back to barely living, barely existing. I can¡¯t imagine my life without you and I hope I never have to.¡±


    Without any warning, he drops to his knees in front of me, and I gasp, as my mind immediately starts to piece what¡¯s happening together. I¡¯ve been terrified that he was going to say that he needed to end things between us, that the added attention from the press wasn¡¯t going to have the effect he wanted it to. Yet all this time, he was thinking the opposite. He is just as afraid of losing me as I am of losing him. I-


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± he takes a deep breath and I hear him slowly letting it out. ¡°I think I fell in love with you that day on the sidewalk, but I was too scared to admit it. I¡¯ve loved every moment that we have spent together. I love falling asleep next to you and waking up with your warm, beautiful body pressed up against mine. I loveing home at night and having dinner with you. I love sitting on the couch and doing nothing but watching movies with you. If you let me, I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life trying to show you just how much I love you. Mackenzie, will do me the honor of marrying me¡­ for real this time?¡±


    ¡°Oh God, Nichs,¡± I sink to the floor and wrap my arms around him. He immediately catches me as I almost manage to send us both flying backwards. ¡°Yes¡­ Yes, I¡¯ll marry you.¡±


    ¡°Thank fuck,¡± he mumbles just before his lips find mine. Our kiss is filled with passion and emotion-it¡¯s as if I can truly feel how much he loves me in that moment.


    ¡°Shhhh,¡± Nichs whispers as he wipes the tears from my cheeks. He takes my hand and I feel him slipping a ring onto my left hand. ¡°I thought about getting you a whole new set, but¡­ it felt wrong to do that. These,¡± he brings my hand up to his so he can kiss the rings that were already there, ¡°represent where we came from; I want us to build on that.¡±


    He slides the other ring down further so it rests above the others; I don¡¯t need to be able to see it, to know it¡¯s going to be beautiful. But nothing will be as beautiful as his words just were. I kiss him, trying to convey without words how much I love him. I¡¯m at aplete loss for words, so I do the only thing I can think of: I pour my heart into kissing him. We¡¯re both on our knees, our bodies pressed against one another when I feel Nichs reaching into his pocket and taking out his phone. Just our lips part, the dark room lights up with a soft glow from what I can only assume are hundreds of Christmas lights.


    He takes my hand and gently pulls me up so we¡¯re both standing; I gasp when I take in the entire room.  Lights outline arge nket on the floor near us,plete with a bottle of champagne chilling and a small pic basket instantly reminding me of the pic together when he proposed. He managed to transform this outbuilding,plete with what looks like four wheelers hidden off to the side, into somethingpletely magical.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ this is¡­¡± I stutter. ¡°This is¡­ amazing, beautiful and spectacr. I¡¯ve never seen anything so perfect in my entire life.¡±


    ¡°I have,¡± he wraps his arms around my back and pulls me to his chest. ¡°You¡¯re perfect, Kenzie, and I swear I¡¯m going to spend every day of the rest of my life trying to show you how much I love you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs,¡± the finality of his words truly hitting me.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he leads me over to the small table where the candle and the gift box is sitting. ¡°This is for you.¡±


    I look at him puzzled; he just gave me a promise of a new future¡­ what more could he possibly give me? I untie the red bow from the white square box and ce it on the table before lifting the cover from the box. Pushing the tissue paper aside, I finally see what the gift is. I look up at Nichs and find his unsure eyes watching my every move.


    ¡°This is my copy of our¡­ arrangement. The only other copy that exists is the one that you have in your safe deposit box. I¡¯d like nothing more than to destroy both copies of our contract, but that needs to be your decision. I¡¯m giving my only copy to you-what you do with it is up to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­.¡± wow¡­ talk about everything beingpletely unexpected today. ¡°I don¡¯t want either copy. Let¡¯s destroy both copies together.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re sure? If you want to keep it, if you need to-¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I turn around facing him. ¡°I don¡¯t need to.¡±


    My lips easily find his, as my arms wrap around his neck, he pulls me closer to him so there is no space between us. I can¡¯t even begin to describe how I feel right now-my heart honestly feels like it¡¯s going to burst. I have so many emotions running through me; emotions I can¡¯t even put names on. I was so afraid to let myself think about anything long term because I didn¡¯t think that was something he wanted. I didn¡¯t dare let myself dream that today could ever be a possibility; I¡¯ve learned the hard way not to dream.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± he whispers, pulling back but still close enough so I can feel his breath against my lips.


    ¡°Positive,¡± I can only hope that the look in my eyes is enough to convey that there isn¡¯t an ounce of doubt in my mind.


    ¡°I can have Hunter pick up the paperwork from the bank if you¡¯re sure?¡± I nod in agreement. ¡°I don¡¯t want to rush you-¡±


    ¡°No, I want to do this. I have no need to keep the contract any longer,¡± I assure him.


    ¡°Me either. I need¡­ I want¡­ I feel like getting rid of the contract is like¡­¡±


    ¡°Moving forward.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± his lips are on mine once again as he once again pulls me against his hard body. His hands roam my back, exploring my body as his tongue dances with mine. I run my fingers through his hair, loving the way it feels as I do.


    ¡°I love you,¡± Nichs lifts me, grasping my ass as I wrap my legs around his waist.


    ¡°I¡­ love¡­ you,¡± I pant as he holds me against his erection, which manages to rub against my clit as he walks us across the room. My lips are on his, my hands gripping his shoulders tightly, although not out of concern that he will drop me.


    My eyes flutter open when heys me down on the soft nket. He is above me, his body pressed against mine, as he looks down at me with love. His hand slips under my shirt quickly removing my nipple from the bra so he can tease it easily. His lips trail down my neck, nibbling and sucking as he goes. Within seconds, my shirt and bra fall to the floor, my back arches, pushing me closer to him as he sucks gently on my nipple. I tug at his shirt, pulling it over his head, forcing his mouth from me, if only for a split second.


    He slowly kisses his way down my stomach, lightly nipping at my stomach as he unbuttons my jeans. I lift my hips so he can slide my jeans down; along with my panties, they join my shirt and bra on the floor leaving mepletely bare on the couch.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± he kisses his way back up to my lips.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± I moan when his denim covered erection rubs against


    clit.


    He slips an arm underneath me, grasping my ass, as he pulls me closer to him, just as his lipsnd on mine. I immediately open to him, weing him, as I touch him wherever I possibly can. I love that he not only trusts me enough to let me touch him like this, but that I can do so without causing him any difort.


    With my body practically on fire with need, I reach between us and unbutton his jeans, gently pushing them over his hips and his firm ass. He buries his face in my neck, as he lifts himself slightly above me, allowing me to push his jeans down lower. When they fall to his knees and I can¡¯t reach them any longer, I wrap my legs around his and use my feet to push them the remainder of the way down. He groans when his bare erection rubs against my damp sex.


    ¡°I need you,¡± I can feel my face heat up as I whisper those words to him.


    ¡°I¡¯m yours,¡± with one hand on my ass he slips into me, filling me in the way that only he can.


    My legs wrap around his waist, holding him close to me as I meet him thrust for thrust. No other words are spoken, the only sounds in the room are our heavy breathing and the asional moan thates from one of us. Yet, it feels as if our bodies are the ones doing all the talking, telling the other how much we love them and how deep those feelings run. The need builds slowly, with each thrust pushing me closer and closer to the edge until my entire body feels like it¡¯s about to burst.


    ¡°Nichs¡­ I¡­¡± I beg though not entirely sure what for.


    ¡°I know, baby,¡± he thrusts one final time, holding himself deep inside of me while applying just enough pressure to my clit, to push me right over the edge.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± I swear I see stars as the orgasm hits me hard, my body shaking as the pleasure rips through me. His arms wrap around, holding me close to him as he pushes even deeper into me, before calling out my name as his warmth fills me. His entire body rxes against me a few secondster; he is no longer holding his weight off of me. I run my hands over his back loving, the way his body continues to shudder against me.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ let me move-¡±


    ¡°No, stay,¡± I wrap my arms around him not letting him move.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you-I¡¯m too heavy.¡±


    ¡°Stay.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He doesn¡¯t argue but doesn¡¯t move off of me either. I don¡¯t know how long wey like that, it could be hours or it could be minutes. All time seems to stand still; it¡¯s as if nothing in the world exists outside of the little bubble we¡¯re in right now. As if nothing from thest few days even exists; nothing and no one can pop the bubble we¡¯re in right now.


    ¡°I love you,¡± he kisses me before moving to take a little of the weight off of me.


    ¡°I love you, too.¡±


    ¡°When things¡­ are back to normal, I was thinking we could fly somewhere. Have another ceremony on the beach, just the two of us¡­ unless you would want something different? If you do-¡±


    ¡°No, a beach and just us sounds perfect,¡± I reassure him. ¡°We could do that, though? I mean legally we¡¯re already married¡­¡±


    ¡°We can have a full ceremony in another country, though I think if we did something in the US it would be more of a vow renewal.¡± ¡°A beach somewhere sounds perfect,¡± I sigh.


    ¡°As soon as we can, we¡¯ll go.¡±


    ¡°Sounds perfect.¡±

 Chapter 163

    Nichs


    ¡°I woke up to an empty bed,¡± I pout, as I walk into the kitchen, finally finding Kenzie leaning over the stove, cooking pancakes in the Tshirt that I threw onst night before we walked back to the main cabin. ¡°What time is it?¡±


    ¡°Just after twelve thirty,¡± she smirks at me, knowing that I never sleep thiste.


    ¡°You exhausted mest night,¡± I move closer to her, so I¡¯m directly behind her, my body pressed up against her. I wrap my arms around her waist, anchoring her to me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine why,¡± she chuckles as her face reddens at the reason why I slept sote.


    After I proposed to Kenzie (again) at the dock, we made love andid next to each other for hours just holding each other. When we were both fighting to stay awake, we reluctantly left the boathouse and walked back to the main cabin. Again, we continued to celebrate our engagement, (is it still an engagement if you¡¯re already married?) throughout the night. I can¡¯t tell you how many times either of us came, or what time we finally crashed for the night, although, I do vaguely remember watching the sun rise as one point.


    ¡°Come back to bed,¡± my lips are pressed up against her ear, and I feel her body shiver against mine.


    ¡°No,¡± she whispers back.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°I need sustenance before¡­ that,¡± she blushes again.


    ¡°Okay, food and then we go back to bed.¡±


    I reluctantly pull away, knowing that she¡¯s right-we both need to eat. With that realization my stomach starts growling¡­ loudly enough that she once again smirks at me, as if to say ¡°see?¡± I make a cup of coffee for both of us. She carries over two tes of pancakes to the small table just off the kitchen, while I follow behind with our cups.


    ¡°I love the view here,¡± she sighs staring out therge sliding doors that lead to the wraparound deck.  ¡°It¡¯s so peaceful.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll like it in Vermont too, we¡¯ll be just as secluded there as we are here. Snow covered mountains and trees are all you can see. It¡¯s easy when you¡¯re there, or here, to forget the rest of the world exists.¡±


    ¡°That it is,¡± she says with her eyes still focused outside.


    As I watch her, I don¡¯t need to ask to know what she¡¯s thinking about. Thest couple of days have just been¡­ hell. If I thought it would help, I would keep her here forever and say screw the rest of the world. However, even I know that we can¡¯t hide forever. If I ever get my hands on her ex, I swear I¡¯ll kill him with my bare hands for what he did to her and for what he put her though. How someone could hurt another human being like that, I will never understand. A knock on the door of the cabin quickly pulls me from my thoughts.


    ¡°That¡¯s probably Carter,¡± I quickly take the tes, scraping at least half of what was on her te into the garbage.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to grab a quick shower and put on some clothes,¡± she says.


    ¡°If you wait until we¡¯re done, I¡¯ll join you,¡± I suggest.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, I won¡¯t be long-you catch up with Carter.¡±


    Another knockes from the door before I can ask if everything is okay. I force myself to remember that thest few days are probably wearing on her. Just another reason we need to catch this fucker and get him out of her life once and for all.


    ¡°Morning, sir,¡± Carter says as soon as I open the door.


    ¡°Carter,¡± I nod and step aside to let him into the cabin.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker, sir?¡±


    ¡°In the shower-tell me you have something.¡±


    ¡°Asher cleaned up the image from the security camera,¡± he pauses.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°The tattoo is exactly as Mrs. Parker described, sir.¡± ¡°So it was him,¡± I sigh in confirmation.


    ¡°Everything is looking that way, sir.¡±


    ¡°Tell me you found him or you found something¡­¡± I run my hands through my hair, practically begging Carter for information I know he doesn¡¯t have yet. The longer this fucker is out there, the longer he poses a risk to Kenzie.


    ¡°Nothing substantial, sir,¡± he hesitates.


    ¡°But¡­ you found something?¡± I try not to get my hopes up.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been tracking the van that was found on the garage surveince footage, the one we believe Westbrook left in and it¡¯s been found abandoned.¡±


    ¡°How is this news? It sounds like you¡¯re no further to catching him, than you were the other night! Damn it, Carter, give me something!¡±


    ¡°Rx, Nichs,¡± Kenzie says softly as she walks into the room. ¡°Maybe you should let Carter finish what he was saying.¡±


    I stand up from the couch, turning and holding out my hand to her, pleading with her to sit by me. I don¡¯t know what happened in the shower, but the Kenzie from breakfast seems to be gone. She smiles at Carter as he nods in her direction before she takes my hand and sits next to me on the couch. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her closer to me, needing to feel her.


    ¡°Carter, if Nichs didn¡¯t already offer you some, there¡¯s coffee and pancakes in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am, but that won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°At least have some coffee, you look like you haven¡¯t slept in a week,¡± she says, at which point I finally look at Carter and realize that she¡¯s right. He looks like shit-I doubt he slept much at all in thest couple of days.


    ¡°I¡­ thank you, Mrs. Parker; I could probably use another cup,¡± he is obviously ufortable with the attention on himself. ¡°I¡¯ll-¡± she offers.


    ¡°Stay,¡± I interrupt her. ¡°I got it. ck, Carter?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Hunter? Did you guys eat this morning?¡± I hear her ask as I walk into the kitchen. I smile and shake my head. Despite everything going on, and the obvious pressure this is putting on her, she always worries about everyone else.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine, thank you, ma¡¯am-¡±


    ¡°Stop calling me ma¡¯am!¡± she interrupts loudly.


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Parker,¡± Carter chuckles. ¡°We¡¯ve both eaten breakfast and Hunter is getting ready to fly back to New York tonight and will return tomorrow with the Parker family.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Julie?¡±


    ¡°Wishing she were here instead of with her sister,¡± he chuckles.


    ¡°She could havee¡­ there¡¯s plenty of room.¡±


    ¡°If she hadn¡¯t promised her sister to spend the holiday with her, she would have.¡±


    ¡°Carter,¡± I hand him a cup of coffee.


    ¡°I heard you saying that you found the van he was driving?¡± she asks after a few minutes of silence.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re waiting for confirmation from the police, but the description matches the vehicle from the security footage. The tes were removed, so we don¡¯t have that to confirm. The police have their IT department, working on matching the vehicle to the footage we provided, however, ording to Asher, it¡¯s a match.¡± ¡°Where was the van found?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Two buildings down from where Mrs. Parker lived before¡­ she moved into the condo at ord Towers.¡±


    Well¡­ fuck¡­ I wasn¡¯t expecting that.


    ¡°He knew where I lived,¡± she whispers. ¡°Oh my God¡­ could he have been the one who broke into my apartment that night?¡±


    ¡°We looked into his whereabouts once we learned who he was, as we initially thought he might have been responsible for the break in.¡± ¡°And?¡± I ask.


    ¡°He was in Colorado that entire weekend.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°Hispany had a work outing that day; there were pictures on their website of him the day of the break in.¡±


    She lets out the breath I think she had been holding since she realized he may have broken into her apartment. I feel, rather than see, her body rx against mine as the realization hits her that it wasn¡¯t him. I know from experience that someone like this is thest person you want in your home.


    ¡°How does this help us find him, Carter?¡± I feel like all we¡¯ve done is talk in circles-I have no fucking idea how this is good news. We have an abandoned van near an apartment that Kenzie hasn¡¯t lived in for more than a year.


    ¡°ording to New York PD, his fingerprints were found all over the van along with¡­ Ms. Snyder¡¯s prints. The van was also reported stolen by a neighbor of his in Colorado; this neighbor also confirmed that he did not lend or give permission to Mr. Westbrook to use his van.¡±


    ¡°How does this help us, Carter?¡± Again¡­ we¡¯re in fucking circles. ¡°Because as soon as we find Westbrook, the police can arrest and hold him on grand theft auto charges. The security footage confirms he was driving the van at the time it was reported stolen. Combined with the fact that he crossed multiple state lines, means he will be held without bail once he is arrested since they will consider him a flight risk.¡± ¡°So, how the fuck do we find him?¡± I growl.


    ¡°We¡¯re working on that, sir,¡± Carter sighs heavily.


    I know he is just as frustrated by the situation as I am; there is no denying that Kenzie has worked her way into all of our lives in the past few months. I have no doubt that Carter would do anything to protect Kenzie. ¡°Asher has hacked into the security systems for every public transportation location possible. He has some sort of facial recognition software program he developed in thest forty-eight hours, that is screening practically every camera in the city for Westbrook¡¯s face. ording to Asher, his system is more urate than New York PD¡¯s software.¡± ¡°Is Harper talking at all yet?¡± I ask.


    ¡°No. She¡¯s met with her public defender, but otherwise has had no visitors and no phone calls.¡±


    ¡°Has anyone figured out how they knew each other?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°She was seeing a shrink, right?¡± I remember.


    ¡°Yes, sir, she was.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps that therapist can talk to her. We need to figure out what the fuck Westbrook¡¯s n was!¡±


    ¡°Sir-¡±


    ¡°Someone needs to figure something out because I will not put my life on hold again for one of these fuckers! Enough is enough! Get them out of our lives, so that Kenzie and I can get on with our lives!¡±


    ¡°Rx, Nichs,¡± her touch instantly calms me.


    ¡°Carter-¡±


    ¡°I get it, sir, no apology needed,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with her therapist and see what he can do.¡±


    ¡°There has to be some way to get her to flip on Westbrook,¡± I wonder aloud.


    ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out, sir,¡± Carter stands essentially ending the conversation. ¡°As a reminder, Hunter is flying out this evening to return to New York. He will be picking up the document you requested from Mrs. Parker¡¯s bank and then will fly back with your family tomorrow morning. Ben has already flown in and is being briefed by Hunter right now. If you need anything from a store, I would rmend you providing me a list of what is needed before Hunter leaves, so at least two of us will remain here at all times.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we need anything-¡±


    ¡°I have a list,¡± Kenzie interrupts, surprising me. ¡°I spent some time online this morning, figuring out what all is typically made for Thanksgiving dinnerbesides the turkey of courseand how to make it. We need a few items if you don¡¯t mind, Carter.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Parker, it won¡¯t be a problem,¡± his eyes soften and the reason is not lost on me at all. Twice in thest twenty-four hours Kenzie has made reference to not having family dinners during the holidays and I cringe wondering what holidays were like for her growing up. I wonder how different her holidays were from my own before the Parkers took me in.


    ¡°Here you go, I think I have everything,¡± she hands him a handwritten grocery list that looks like it has entirely too much food on it for just a few people.


    ¡°Kenzie, baby, if you don¡¯t feel like cooking, it¡¯s not toote to find someone to cater-¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not! You can¡¯t have a catered Thanksgiving Day dinner!¡± she ps my arm, and I can¡¯t help but chuckle at her. ¡°Plus, it sounds like your mom ising tomorrow, so she¡¯ll be here to help cook too! Of course, Cara will be able to help.¡±


    ¡°My mother confirmed she ising tomorrow and not Thursday morning, Carter?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yes sir, she was able to switch shifts at the hospital, so she works overnight tonight and is off Thursday and Friday. She¡¯ll need to fly back Saturday morning as she has another overnight shift scheduled.¡±


    ¡°Very good,¡± I nod, oddly pleased at the thought of Kenzie and my mom making Thanksgiving dinner together. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever given holiday dinners a second thought; I¡¯ve just always taken them for granted but once again Kenzie has managed to open my eyes.

 Chapter 164

    Kenzie


    ¡°Are you sure you want to cook Thanksgiving dinner?¡± Nichs asks me for what must be the hundredth time in thest forty-eight hours. ¡°I can still find someone to-¡±


    ¡°Will you stop asking me? We¡¯ll be fine,¡± I insist. ¡°It just seems like an awful lot of work,¡± he sighs.


    ¡°Nichs! You know damn well I never have a meal catered at the holidays! Since the day God brought you into our home, you have always had a home cooked meal for every holiday. Just because we¡¯re here instead of in New York doesn¡¯t change anything,¡± Vivienne scolds.


    ¡°I know, Mom, it just seems like a lot of work-¡±


    ¡°Boys, why don¡¯t we leave thedies alone to cook and take a hike?¡± Theodore suggests, and I smile at him, trying to thank him for distracting Nichs.


    ¡°Sounds good to me!¡± Austin jumps up from the couch.


    ¡°Ummm¡­ sure,¡± Nichs mumbles, before walking over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. ¡°You okay here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, go enjoy the beautiful weather,¡± the sun has been shining all day and surprisingly it isn¡¯t too cold. ¡°You¡¯re taking someone with you right?¡±


    ¡°Carter and Hunter will be here, Ben and Smith will be with us,¡± despite earlier ns, he decided to keep a few of the security members here, instead of sending them back to New York. The idea was to give Carter and Hunter a little bit of a break, since they have been going nonstop since the incident, but I don¡¯t think either of them stopped since everyone arrived yesterday.


    ¡°Go, have fun,¡± I urge.


    ¡°Men,¡± Vivienne grumbles. ¡°He¡¯s neverined about the work that went into the meal any other year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡¯cause he just showed up to eat and left as soon as dessert was over,¡± Cara exins.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t stay long?¡± I ask.


    ¡°No,¡± Vivienne sighs. ¡°There was always something with PFS that needed his attention. He would arrive a few minutes before the meal was ready with a bottle of wine, and then leave right after dessert was served.¡± ¡°When he was with¡­ Harper, they didn¡¯t stay?¡± I ask.


    ¡°No,¡± the anger in her voice doesn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    ¡°Please, that bitch always thought she was too good for us-¡±


    ¡°Cara! Language.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true and you know it,¡± she says without apologizing.


    ¡°Kenzie, to answer your questions, no, Nichs didn¡¯t stay on the rare asion that Harper would join him for family dinners,¡± Vivienne rifies.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    I knew she didn¡¯t get along with his family, but I guess I just assumed that it was because of how she tried to extort him. Nichs did mention that Vivienne wouldn¡¯t let Harper call her by her name, but I guess I didn¡¯t realize the extent to which the dislike ran.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see Nichs get away from PFS for a little while though, even if it¡¯s under these circumstances,¡± Vivienne smiles at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m kind of surprised he¡¯s been able to stay away this long,¡± Cara giggles.


    ¡°He¡¯s been checking his emails here and there; yesterday he had a call with Alex to review everything before the long weekend. The office is closed obviously today, tomorrow and Monday so I think that helps.¡±


    ¡°How are you handling everything, Kenzie?¡± Vivienne asks. ¡°I know thesest few days have been¡­ interesting.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ rough,¡± I admit. ¡°I think the worst part is just not knowing where Richard is-¡± ¡°Richard?¡± Vivienne asks.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Richard?¡± Cara mimics.


    ¡°I thought Nichs told you?¡± I¡¯m surprised. He told me his family knew of the reason for the increased security.


    ¡°We know Harper broke into the bakery, although God knows how she pulled that one off. That building has impable security,¡± Vivienne says.


    ¡°Is that who Richard is? Is he the one who helped her break in?¡± Cara asks.


    ¡°Richard is my ex¡­ fiance,¡± I say after releasing the breath I was holding.


    ¡°Oh boy¡­ let¡¯s grab some wine and sit down. The turkey is in the oven, the potatoes are peeled, but can¡¯t go in the oven yet, and everything else can wait a little while,¡± Vivienne suggests.


    Cara pours us each a ss of wine before we go into the living area; no one says anything, I think they¡¯re both giving me the time I need to figure out what I want to say. Now that I think about it, I¡¯m no longer surprised that Nichs didn¡¯t tell his family about Richard. I know he was going to consult with his dad, but my guess is that¡¯s as far as the conversation went given that Theodore is an attorney.


    ¡°I met him when I was young and naive,¡± I begin and slowly tell the story that, until I met Nichs, so few people knew.


    ¡°I hope Nichs kills the bastard,¡± Vivienne says, and both Cara and I stare at her surprised at her words.


    ¡°So, Richard lives in New York?¡± Cara asks.


    ¡°No, thank God,¡± I reply. ¡°He lives in Colorado¡­ at least that¡¯s where he¡¯s supposed to be.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t bother you before now?¡± Vivienne asks.


    ¡°No. I had¡­ have documentation from the police and medical staff that treated me the night I left him. I threatened to expose him if he ever came after me. With his father being an elected official, he wouldn¡¯t risk it.¡±


    ¡°But you said that you don¡¯t know where Richard is now. I¡¯m assuming you think he had something to do with what happened the other night?¡± Vivienne asks.


    ¡°Richard¡¯s father died recently, which we think has returned his focus to me,¡± I shake my head in disbelief. ¡°I hadn¡¯t heard from him, except one time after I left him, but somehow he found me. He was on the security feed from the bakery the night Harper broke in. He helped get her into the parking garage and into the apartment.¡±


    ¡°Holy Shit,¡± Cara mumbles.


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡­.¡± Vivienne is obviously speechless.


    ¡°The increased security is because of him,¡± Cara realizes. ¡°I didn¡¯t understand why we still needed security, with that bitch in jail, but it all makes sense. Nichs should have just told us about him.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t his story to tell,¡± Vivienne says quietly.


    If I wasn¡¯tpletely head over heels in love with him already, the realization that Vivienne was right would have made me fall in love with him. He let his family believe that everything going on right now was because of his ex, rather than break my trust to tell them about Richard. ¡°So, you don¡¯t know where he is?¡± Cara asks.


    ¡°No, apparently he stole a van and drove out here, but the van was abandoned,¡± I answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Carter is doing everything he can to find him,¡± Vivienne says.


    ¡°He is,¡± I confirm.


    ¡°Wow¡­ Kenzie, this just sucks,¡± Cara says.


    ¡°Cara!¡± Vivienne exims.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s right,¡± Iugh. ¡°It does suck. Thank you, Cara.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie, dear, you know if you need anything, Theodore and I are here for you. No matter what you need, we¡¯re here,¡± Vivienne hugs me tightly. I take a deep breath, stilling the tears that are threatening to fall, knowing that I can¡¯t remember thest time I had a hug like this that wasn¡¯t from Nichs. A motherly hug¡­


    ¡°Thank you, I appreciate that,¡± she has no idea how much I really appreciate her offer and kind words.  ¡°I know Nichs is consulting with his attorney about Harper and about Richard too, although I think for right now there isn¡¯t much we can do until someone finds him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you guys are out here, instead of staying in New York,¡± Cara says.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Until security is checked over at the condo, Nichs doesn¡¯t want us returning. But I know we can¡¯t stay here forever, even if this ce is absolutely beautiful.¡±


    ¡°This is my favorite ce,¡± Vivienne nces around the cabin. ¡°I thought Nichs was crazy when he told me he bought thend for us. Then, I thought he was even crazier, when he told me he hired an architect to design a cabin specifically for me and even hired Theodore and Austin to build it.¡±


    ¡°They built this?¡± I¡¯m stunned, this ce is absolutely gorgeous.


    ¡°Nichs would fly out here for weekends, and the boys would stay in what is now the security cabin while work here was beingpleted.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± I say.


    ¡°I tried refusing this¡­ I told him repeatedly that he had better things to spend his money on, but Nichs refused to listen to me.¡±


    ¡°I know the feeling,¡± I giggle. ¡°I tried to refuse the bakery-¡±


    ¡°Why Kenzie? You love that ce!¡± Cara interrupts me.


    ¡°I do, I absolutely love everything that you¡¯re doing there and how the business ispletely taken off, especially since we got the website up and running, but the thought that Nichs spent who knows how much money to buy me a bakery? That¡¯s frightening! And this was after the gorgeous wedding, as we were flying to a secluded ind in Fiji for a week. It¡¯s a crazy amount of money to even think about.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what he does for the people he loves,¡± Vivienne exins simply.


    I bite my tongue, knowing that when he gifted me the bakery, we were far from in love. I don¡¯t doubt that he cared greatly for me, but things were still somewhat weird between us at that point. It¡¯s hard to believe that was only a few months ago, in a way it seems like it was much longer.


    BEEP


    The timer on the oven goes off, indicating that it¡¯s time to baste the turkey again.


    ¡°Well, I think our dinner is telling us that we need to get moving,¡± Vivienne says. ¡°Thank you, Kenzie¡­ for sharing your story with us. I know it wasn¡¯t easy for you, but we appreciate you letting us know what is really going on.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cara whispers as she hugs me tightly. ¡°For trusting us and for giving me back my brother.¡±


    ¡°Giving him back?¡±


    ¡°Before he met you, he hasn¡¯t smiled¡­ in a very long time. It¡¯s nice to see him happy again; you¡¯ve done that to him-you¡¯ve made him that way. For a long time after that bitch tried to ruin his life, I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever see him smile again. But you managed to do what none of us could. You broke down the barriers that he put up. He let you in when he wouldn¡¯t let anyone else in. So thank you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± I mumble surprised at Cara¡¯s words.


    ¡°You did,¡± she squeezes my hand, before heading into the kitchen. ¡°Now, who needs more wine?¡±

 Chapter 165

    Kenzie


    ¡°It¡¯s finally quiet,¡± Nichs mumbles.


    ¡°It is, but it was nice with everyone here too,¡± I agree.


    Thest couple of days have been anything but quiet with so many people here, though I wouldn¡¯t change it for anything. Thanksgiving with the Parkers was just amazing-we spent dinnerughing and just enjoying each other¡¯spany. When the guys retreated to the living room to watch football, Cara, Vivienne and I went outside and sat on therge deck with sses of wine. Nichs even started a fire in the small fire pit for us and brought nkets outside when we refused toe back inside. It was really nice just hanging out and getting to know everyone more. Of course, Cara and I chat several times a week because of the bakery, but it tends to be centered on business rather than our personal lives.


    ¡°When do we fly back to New York?¡± It¡¯s funny how when you¡¯re away, all sense of time seems to disappear.


    ¡°Monday,¡± Nichs answers.


    Ding


    ¡°Carter wants to meet,¡± he sighs.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± judging from his voice, I know something is up.


    ¡°He identified the connection between Richard and¡­ Harper-¡± ¡°Wait! What? What¡¯s the connection?¡± I interrupt.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°What do you think about having a camp fire tonight?¡± I suggest a few minutester, when we¡¯re waiting for Carter.


    ¡°A campfire?¡± he repeats.


    ¡°Yeah, not in the fire pit though¡­ something bigger.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we can find a spot that¡¯s far enough away from the trees to make a camp fire. Why don¡¯t you want to use the fire pit?¡±


    ¡°I have a few things that I think we should burn and the fire pit won¡¯t be big enough.¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­? OH! Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I told you the other night I wanted to get rid of the contracts. Nothing has changed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± I lean in, cing my lips on his and leave him no doubt that I¡¯m confident in my decision. I know why he keeps asking me, and I¡¯m touched that he is so considerate of what I went through. But, I¡¯m not that person any longer, and I know without a doubt this is nowhere near the same situation.  ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me onto hisp so I¡¯m straddling him. He cups my face and brings me to him, his soft lipsnding perfectly on mine as my hands immediately go to his hair. Within minutes we¡¯re moving against each other as the need quickly takes over.


    Knock knock


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Nichs hisses as he pulls away from me. ¡°Later,¡± I whisper before slipping off hisp.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you saidst time,¡± he mumbles, getting up from the couch.


    Iugh, knowing he¡¯s still a little upset that I wouldn¡¯t let him make love to me with his brother in the room right next to us. The walls aren¡¯t very thick-I could hear Austin¡¯s phone ding each time a text or email came through, so I had no doubts that he would be able to hear us if we did anything. Nichs¡¯s face when I told him no was priceless. I¡¯m not sure anyone has ever turned down sex with that man, other than the one time I had to so we could talk about The Blue Moon.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker,¡± Carter nods as he enters the living room. ¡°Afternoon, Carter, how are you?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, and you?¡±


    ¡°Nichs and I were justmenting how quiet the cabin was again now that everyone has left for New York.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Hunter and I were saying the same thing about our cabin,¡± Carter chuckles. ¡°Even though one person was constantly on perimeter duty, three grown men in a small cabin still gets a little crowded.¡± ¡°I bet,¡± I giggle.


    ¡°Alright, Carter,¡± Nichs takes the seat next to me and hands me a ss of wine before handing Carter a beer. ¡°Let¡¯s hear what you¡¯ve got for us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s taken a lot of digging, but we have identified the connection between Westbrook and Ms. Snyder,¡± Carter begins. ¡°I want to first let you both know that nothing we found can be used in a court ofw. Not only was the way the data was collected¡­ less than legal, but the information we obtained is so vague that it leaves too much doubt to be used in a court ofw-¡±


    ¡°Get on with it, Carter!¡± Nichs snaps. ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about the evidence being used in court; I have no doubt when ites to court we will have more than enough evidence to convict both of them.¡±


    ¡°As we discussed the other day, I spoke with Ms. Snyder¡¯s therapist, of course she deny ever speaking with me¡­ I learned that while she continued to attend therapy and medication appointments, she had grown concerned in thest couple of months about Ms. Snyder¡¯s medicationpliance. Apparently her symptoms had increased-¡± ¡°Symptoms?¡± I asked.


    ¡°While she was in prison, she had a mental health evaluationpleted. They diagnosed her with bipr disorder and had prescribed mood stabilizers for her,¡± Nichs exins.


    ¡°I had a long off the record conversation with her therapist, one that she would deny ever urred if asked. It took some digging, but during one therapy session, Ms. Snyder discussed meeting a guy in an online chat room and admitted they had begun talking off-line.¡±


    ¡°A chatroom? For what, deranged exs?¡± Nichs interrupts.


    ¡°Essentially, yes,¡± Carter answers.


    ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Once we learned this, Asher dug into Ms. Snyder¡¯s online presence. While Richard was very careful and covered his steps carefully, she was not so smart,¡± Carter exins. ¡°No surprise,¡± Nichs grumbles.


    ¡°So how did they meet?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Apparently, now-a-days they have chatrooms for everything,¡± Carter says. ¡°We¡¯ve done some digging and learned that roughly seven months ago, Ms. Snyder joined a chatroom under a false name that¡­ is for people who believe they were scorned by their exs.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck, Carter? She thinks I scorned her? Is she fucking nuts?¡± Nichs is up and pacing the floor.


    ¡°It appears that way, sir.¡±


    ¡°And he was in that room as well?¡± I ask.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any proof, but we¡¯ve tracked down conversations that Ms. Snyder had and there is one individual she spoke with repeatedly; then they both left the group together.¡±


    ¡°So this¡­ chatroom, they just bitched about their exs?¡± ¡°Not entirely, sir,¡± Carter¡¯s says.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Meaning?¡± Nichs snaps.


    ¡°The other members of the group would give suggestions, as to how they could get back at their exs,¡± Carter says. ¡°Everything from how to ruin their business, to how to tell their wives that they were cheating, to how to falsify documents.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    ¡°Of course, they would both end up in this type of a room together,¡± I sigh.


    Nichs immediatelyes back to me, settling as close to me as possible before nodding to Carter to continue. I grab his hand, just needing to feel anchored as Carter continues telling us what they¡¯ve managed to find. I¡¯m still dumbfounded that he would think I scorned him. He¡¯s the one who beat me, left scars on me and nearly killed me! I kept up my end of the agreement: I didn¡¯t report him or leak the photos that would ruin his father¡¯s political career.


    ¡°Both members eventually moved to a private chat area where they basicallypared notes about their exs¡­ well, who we believe are the two of you. No names are ever discussed, but at one point they agree to exchange photos of their exs through an anonymous website where you can download and view files. Asher suspects the photos were immediately deleted, because we cannot find any proof of them.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sure¡­ it¡¯s them?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Carter sighs. ¡°It¡¯s as if they were talking in code, as names were never used. There are references made to events you attended together that corrte to their email exchanges.¡±


    ¡°Did they discuss their n? Was there a n?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Not really. Other than meeting up once Richard arrived in New York, there¡¯s nothing specific. It¡¯s all very vague and talks about how neither of them can wait to get back at their ex.¡± ¡°Fuck,¡± Nichs mumbles.


    ¡°What about the press?¡± I ask.  ¡°Anything indicate they nned that?¡±


    ¡°Yes-¡±


    ¡°What the fuck, Carter?!?!? You should have fucking started with that!¡± Nichs is back up, pacing and running his hands through his hair.


    ¡°If I had, sir, you would have questioned how we found the information,¡± Carter points out. ¡°Again, there¡¯s nothing concrete and specific in the exchange, but the dates leading up to it corrte. At one point they are discussing that they both agree that the other¡¯s ex should be dead-¡±


    ¡°Oh God,¡± my hand flies to my mouth as the realization that they truly wanted to kill us.


    Like before, Nichs immediately stops pacing and is next to me before I could even blink an eye.


    ¡°Maybe we should take a break-¡± he begins to suggest.


    ¡°Like hell we will,¡± I re at him. ¡°We need to know what the fuck these two are up to.¡±


    ¡°The person we believe to be Harper suggests that since that¡¯s a long term goal, in the meantime they can focus on ruining your career. They go back and forth before she announces that she has a few friends who would be willing to help her out for the right price.¡±


    ¡°Do we know anything about what their ns were once they met up in New York?¡± I ask.


    ¡°No, unfortunately that¡¯s where the conversations seem to have moved to phones rather than emails. There¡¯s reference of them taking a trip together and driving across the country, but then the emails end.¡±


    ¡°We need to get¡­ Harper to flip on Westbrook,¡± Nichs says.


    ¡°That¡¯s what her therapist rmends as well,¡± Carter says. ¡°However she believes the best way for this to ur is with your assistance, sir-¡±


    ¡°ME?!?! Are you all fucking crazy? She broke into the bakery with a fucking knife, wanting to kill us, and you want me to go see her?¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, sir,¡± Carter begins. ¡°The therapist believes she is obsessed with you and that it¡¯s possible to use that obsession, to get her to disclose what the n was, or at the very least where Westbrook is.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been no sighting of him?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Unfortunately, not yet, Mrs. Parker,¡± Carter confirms what I already knew. ¡°We¡¯re continuing to look for him-finding him is everyone¡¯s only priority.¡±


    ¡°When do we do this?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°As soon as possible, sir-¡± Carter suggests.


    ¡°We¡¯ll fly out in the morning,¡± he interrupts. ¡°Make the arrangements.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°Carter?¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie and I are going to spend some time outside this evening,¡± he nces at me for confirmation, and I immediately nod reassuring him that nothing has changed. ¡°We¡¯re going to have a camp fire probably once the sun goes down.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Carter nods.


    ¡°There¡¯s a spot down by the boathouse that we¡¯ve used with my dad when we went fishing, I think that¡¯s where will be unless you have a concern.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see an issue, sir,¡± he confirms.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you and Hunter join us for burgers and hot dogs tonight beforehand, Carter?¡± I suggest.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary-¡± he begins to refuse.


    ¡°Something tells me that wasn¡¯t really a question,¡± Nichs chuckles when he sees the re I give Carter.


    ¡°We¡¯ll eat outside so you guys can keep an eye on everything,¡± I say.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Carter reluctantly agrees. ¡°Hunter and I appreciate the offer.¡±


    Nichs¡¯s arms are around me, pulling me closer, as I vaguely hear Carter leave the cabin. My arms go around his back, holding him to me just as much as he is holding me to him. Of all the ways for Harper and my ex to be connected, this was not what I was expecting. I assumed one of them sought the other out, after learning that Nichs and I were together. So this¡­ this is not what I was prepared for.

 Chapter 166

    Nichs


    I have to say, tonight surprised me. At Kenzie¡¯s insistence, we grilled burgers and hot dogs on deck and had a quiet meal with Carter and Hunter. Hunter didn¡¯t stay but for a few minutes, since there¡¯s only the two of them now, he had to be on border patrol. They weren¡¯t entirelyfortable with both of them joining us for dinner, however Kenzie made it clear that it wasn¡¯t an option for them not to join us. We ate,ughed and for just a few minutes forgot about everything going on. For those few minutes, there was no Harper, Richard or any of the other problems waiting for us back in New York. Before leaving us for the night, Carter started a small fire near theke not far from the outbuilding where I proposed to Kenzie only a few days ago.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to do this?¡± I ask, as we walk down to the fire with the contracts in hand.


    ¡°Yes, Nichs,¡± sheughs, no doubt because I¡¯ve asked her this question far too many times in thest couple of days. She¡¯s given me no reason to think that this is what she wants, but I still feel the need to ask again¡­ and again and again. This is a big step for her-I wouldn¡¯t me her in the slightest if she ended up changing her mind. Would I be disappointed if she changed her mind? Of course, I would, but, I would also know that given everything she has been through, she would want some security.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this,¡± she squeezes my arm that she¡¯s been holding onto as we walk down to the fire. The confidence in her voice immediately sets my mind at ease. This simple act truly represents how far we¡¯vee-it wasn¡¯t that long ago that the only way she would agree to continue living in the condo, was if we had a written agreement stating she could stay after our arrangement ended. Tonight, any evidence of our previous agreement will be destroyed.


    When we reach the edge of the fire, I ce the box with both contracts on one of the chairs that were brought over here earlier in the day. I wrap my arms around her waist as we both watch the mes for a few minutes. The air is cool, but the heating from the fire instantly warms us. Despite knowing that Carter and Hunter aren¡¯t far away, when I¡¯m out here with Kenzie in my arms, it truly feels as if we¡¯re the only two people here.


    ¡°It¡¯s so quiet out here,¡± she voices my exact thoughts.


    ¡°That it is.¡±


    ¡°Your mom seemed to really like having everyone here for Thanksgiving,¡± she says after a few minutes of silence.


    ¡°My dad did too-he suggested we have it here every year.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°That would be nice. I like it here; so far away from everything. It¡¯s like a little escape from reality,¡± she sighs. ¡°Do you feel that way when you go to your cabin in Vermont?¡±


    ¡°I always brought work with me when I went there, so it wasn¡¯t aplete break from reality, but it was always nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.¡±


    I pull her into one of the chairs with me, sheughs as she falls into myp, resting her head on my chest. I can¡¯t wait to put this mess with Westbrook and Harper behind us. So we can move forward: buying a house and nning our wedding. For now though, I sitfortably with her soft body pressed against mine, her arm wrapped around my stomach and the smell of her sweet shampoo surrounding me.


    ¡°One day, when we¡¯re herepletely alone, I want to make love to you out here¡­ under the stars,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Mmmm¡­ sounds beautiful,¡± she says and cuddles closer to me.


    If Carter and Hunter weren¡¯t patrolling the area, I¡¯dy her down on the soft grass and make love to her next to the fire. Even though I know they would both leave the area immediately if they happened upon us, I can¡¯t risk either of them seeing her beautiful body or hearing those sounds that she makes when we¡¯re together. Just thinking about those sounds has my dick twitching, slowly rising, not helped by Kenzie sitting on myp.


    ¡°You ready?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Yes,¡± in so many different ways, even though I know right now her question is about the contracts.   ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± the firmness in her voice makes me smile.


    She makes the first move, slipping off myp and moving to the table next to us, to take hold of the box that contains the only copies of the prenup. She reaches out her hand to me, we walk toward the fire together. She opens the top of the box, casually tossing it into the fire, before taking out the top copy.


    ¡°To new beginnings,¡± she smiles up at me, her eyes filled with love and hope.


    With both of our hands on the contract, we toss it into the fire watching as the papers immediately light up. The second copy of the prenup, as well as the contract allowing Kenzie to stay in the condo following our contract with Bridget, goes into the fire next. When nothing remains in the box, she tosses that too, into the fire. I immediately pull her close to me, holding her, as we watch the contract that once defined who we were to each other go up in mes.


    ¡°Is it weird?¡± she asks quietly, a few minutester.


    ¡°Is what weird?¡±


    ¡°I thought it would feel different¡­ that not having the contract would somehow feel different, but it doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I think¡­ at least for me¡­¡± I stumble, trying toe up with the right words to describe what I¡¯m trying to say. ¡°That contract stopped existing a long time ago¡­¡±


    It¡¯s true¡­ I can¡¯t remember a time after those first couple of weeks of her living with me, and us getting married, when I thought about the contract. Everything changed on our honeymoon, but I think it started changing long before then. In the back of my head, was the constant reminder that I had put a time frame on our marriage, but I think I wanted to ignore it, rather than worry about it, which is very unlike me. With PFS, if something is worrying me, I deal with it immediately. I don¡¯t let it draw out and risk it bing arger issue. With this, I knew I didn¡¯t want it to end in two years, but I had no idea what I wanted beyond that. I was too scared to even think about tearing up the contract. Walking into Sweet Dreams the other day, everything changed.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re right,¡± Kenzie whispers, pulling me from the memory of walking into to see her on my foyer floor holding a gun. ¡°What do you say we go inside?¡± I ask.


    ¡°What about the fire? Shouldn¡¯t we wait until it¡¯spletely out?


    Make sure the embers don¡¯tnd on a pile of leaves or something?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Carter put it out,¡± I chuckle before pulling out my phone to send the text.


    Wrapping my arm around her waist, we head back to the cabin. We stop to kick off our shoes on the deck before heading straight to the master bedroom. Her arms are around my neck before the door even closes, her soft lips quickly find mine. I groan when I feel her tongue against my lips, loving how bold she is tonight. Without taking my lips off of hers, I reach between us and undo her jeans, pushing them down as far as I can reach. Obviously, she is thinking the same thing when I feel her hands at my zipper.  Pulling back ever so slightly, I lift my shirt over my head before taking hers off as well. We bothugh as we struggle to get our legs out of the jeans that are now around our ankles, but within minutes we¡¯re both naked.


    I pull her body against mine, loving how her breasts are crushed against my chest. My erection is between us, and I can feel the heating off of her. I could plunge right into her, right now and would probablye within seconds. Even though I had every intention of taking my time with her tonight, worshipping her beautiful body and showing her how much I love her, I know that I¡¯m too far gone for that right now. Having been denied making love to her thesest couple of days, I feel ready to burst from just having her body pressed against mine.


    ¡°I need you,¡± she moans, when I pull her against my dick.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going tost¡­ it¡¯s been too long,¡± I shamefully admit.


    She doesn¡¯t answer with words, instead she grasps my erection, cing it where we both want it the most. I groan when her wetness coats me, in a way thrilled that I¡¯m not the only one so far gone, right now. I nearlye when she adjusts herself so my head slips into her; the angle doesn¡¯t allow for full pration, but God just being in her this little bit is nearly enough to push me over that edge.


    ¡°Please,¡± she moans in need.


    The bed is across the room, while the chaise lounge is just a few feet away. Even though I know I should take her to the bed, I opt for the chair: it¡¯s the closest surface I could use to get us what we both so desperately want. I vow the next time, I¡¯ll have herid out on the bed, underneath me as Ipletely worship her body.


    I grasp her ass, lifting her so she wraps her legs around my waist. My aching dick is between us, pressed between my stomach and her sex. She groans when I hold her tight against me as I walk the few feet to the chair; with her arms around my neck, she rubs her clit against me, causing us both to gasp. Before I can reach the chair, Kenzie raises herself up and moves me to her opening. Her eyes meet mine as she slowly lowers herself onto me, moaning when I sink fully into her. ¡°God, you feel amazing, Kenzie.¡± ¡°So close¡­¡± she admits.


    I gently sit down on the chair, making sure to never break our connection. Lifting my legs up onto the lounge, she pushes me even further into her, we both groan at the same time as she grips me unbelievably tighter. With my hands holding tightly onto her hips, I urge her to move, knowing if she doesn¡¯t, I¡¯m going toe simply from the feeling of her body sucking me in and holding me there. Thankfully, she grips my shoulders and begins moving against me. Our eyes don¡¯t leave each other; no words are needed between us right now. So much has changed in thest few days, yet so much still remains the same.


    When I feel her tightening around me, I know she¡¯s close, the moment she falls over that ledge I¡¯m going to fall right with her. When her eyes close, she leans closer to me as her movements be more purposeful, yet uncoordinated. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close to me before bending my legs to nt my feet on the chair.


    ¡°Oh God!¡± she gasps when I take control, thrusting deep into her as she holds onto me tightly. Her walls are convulsing around me, sucking me into her every time I try to pull out and it takes everything in me not to empty myself into her, but I¡¯m determined that shees first. ¡°Baby, you feel¡­¡± I mumble.


    ¡°With me¡­ Nichs,¡± her words are my undoing and I fall right over that edge thankfully taking her right with me. She continues to move against me, riding out thest few waves of the orgasm as I try to catch my breath. When her orgasm finally subsides, she rests her head on my shoulder and I feel her body rx against mine. My handszily explore her body, touching her everywhere that I can reach. ¡°I missed you,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°I missed you too,¡± she says.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to bed,¡± I suggest, a few momentster when I feel her body begin to get heavy.


    ¡°No, let¡¯s stay right here,¡± I chuckle, but don¡¯t move letting her fall asleepying on top of me with my softening dick still buried deep inside of her. Logically, I know we should move to the bed, as I¡¯m sure it would be much morefortable to sleep in. But when Kenzie lets out a soft moan against my neck, any thought of moving disappears. I grab the throw nket off the back of the chair and wrap it around us, wanting to ensure she doesn¡¯t get chilly before I close my eyes and let sleep take me away.

 Chapter 167

    Nichs


    My leg is bouncing, and my hands are shaking as I think about seeing Harper again. I¡¯m filled with anger, rage, frustration and so many other emotions that I can¡¯t even name. As I look out the window at the scenery passing us by, I know we¡¯ll be arriving at the county jail in only a few minutes. This is thest ce I want to be going-I¡¯d give anything to be back at my parents¡¯ cabin where I woke up only a few hours ago with the woman I love in my arms.


    ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± Carter pulls me from reliving how I woke up to Kenzie only a few hours ago.


    I take a deep breath and step outside, truly dreading what is about to happen. If there were any other way around this, I wouldn¡¯t be here. I¡¯ve spoken to both my attorney and the detective assigned to the case: both agree this is the only option to quickly get the answers we need. They will both be observing the meeting along with Carter, as both felt it was best that no one be in room with us. Carter wasn¡¯t happy about that, but when I pointed out that she¡¯ll be in handcuffs and shackled to the table, he reluctantly agreed with the n.


    The n¡­ what a joke this is. Essentially, I need to find a way to get her to open up and tell us everything. Most importantly, we need to figure out how much of Westbrook¡¯s ns she knows. That is the only reason I¡¯m here-if this were just about me, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted my time. But with Westbrook in the picture, this is no longer about me. All those months ago, when I found Kenzie crying in the bed from her nightmare, I promised her that he would never hurt her again. With him in New York now, this visit may be the only way I can keep my promise.


    ¡°You ready?¡± The detective asks, as we go through the intake process at the prison.


    Carter arranged a private meeting and screening area with security, so we can try to minimize the chance of the press learning of my being here today. I take a moment before answering, to wrap my head around what I¡¯m about to do. I need to think about this as a business transaction: I am simply here to gather information.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± the CEO mask I put on before a big meeting is firmly in ce. I¡¯m on a mission and I will not fail.


    ¡°The prisoner is being escorted in, it will only be another moment while we secure her,¡± the warden confirms.


    ¡°You¡¯ve heard from Hunter and Johnson?¡± I ask Carter.


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Parker has not left the condo and has had no visitors,¡± he confirms.


    I wanted Kenzie here with me; I didn¡¯t want her alone at the condo, not that she¡¯s really alone, but still. I figured how much safer could she be than inside a prison? Of course, she wouldn¡¯t be in the room with me during the meeting, but still, she would be safe here right? Carter argued that it was safer to keep her at home until we know what is really going on. I¡¯ve warned him though, after today I¡¯m done putting my life on hold.


    I need to return to PFS this week-I will not let this bitch control my life for one more minute. She did enough of that after she tried to destroy me, I won¡¯t let her do it again. So before we returned home from Montana, Carter made some changes. We now have two CPOs per person when we leave the building. When PFS reopens this week, extra security posted at all entrances. Business dinners, functions and events are still being discussed, as Carter reviews the security for each venue before we decide whether or not to attend. With Christmas approaching I have received several invitations, however I¡¯m letting him decide which, if any, Kenzie and I attend. If I need to miss a few dinners and events, I won¡¯tinI hate them anyway.


    ¡°The recording equipment is in ce and ready to go,¡± Carter confirms before lowering his voice. ¡°Just remember, nothing we obtain-¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± rolling my eyes as we approach my attorney who is waiting ahead of us.


    He absolutely refused to allow recording equipment in the meeting today; without offering Harper the right to have herwyer present, we can¡¯t use anything she provides in court, as it would be immediately thrown out. Understanding his point, Carter and I decided against following his advice. I¡¯m wearing recording pieces that will transmit every word spoken back to Asher, who is seeing that it is backed up to prevent it from suddenly ¡°disappearing.¡± Our goal is not court-I¡¯m not worried about getting evidence to put Westbrook or Harper away. Mywyers will see that justice is served. Recording today¡¯s session is to ensure that we don¡¯t miss something that is said that could give us a clue to where Westbrook is or what his n is.


    ¡°You ready, Mr. Parker?¡± Mr. Brown asks as we approach.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I answer confidently. It¡¯s true¡­ I may not want to be here, but I¡¯m ready. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep Kenzie safe, even if that means facing her to do it.


    ¡°Remember, y into her obsession of you. As much as you¡¯re not going to want to, let her believe that if she helps you she¡¯ll have a chance with you. It¡¯s the only leverage you have over her,¡± the detective we¡¯ve been speaking about the case joins us.


    ¡°I know,¡± I reply before taking a deep breath and following the warden into the room. Sitting at the table, hands cuffed to the top of the table is Harper¡­ thankfully, this time, she is at least fully dressed.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Nichs!¡± She gives me a huge smile and even tries to stand up to greet me before remembering she is attached to the table.


    ¡°Sit down or you will be taken back to your cell,¡± the warden reminds her, and she immediately sits back in the chair, but still smiles at me. She actually looks thrilled to see me I realize¡­ which should y right into the n.


    ¡°Harper, how are you? Are they treating you, okay?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not so bad,¡± she shrugs. ¡°I¡¯m hoping I won¡¯t be in here that much longer.¡±

 Chapter 168

    Thankfully, her bail was denied as they deemed her a flight risk. I have no idea why she thinks she won¡¯t be here much longer, considering we don¡¯t even have a preliminary court date yet. But rather than argue with her, I just smile and nod in agreement, sticking to the n of staying on her good side to get the information.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you wereing today,¡± she looks down at her chipped nails, shaking her head. ¡°They didn¡¯t even tell me I had a visitor until a few minutes ago and then, they wouldn¡¯t tell me who it was.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, you look great,¡± I lie.


    ¡°Aw, thanks,¡± she beams. ¡°You always knew exactly what to say to make me feel better, even if it couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. So¡­ what brings you here? Not that I¡¯mining of course, because I love that you came to see me¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see you, to try to understand what happened at Sweet Dreamsst week,¡± I carefully chose my words.


    ¡°What do you mean what happened?!?!? You were there!¡± she suddenly seems angry, and I know I need to bring her back down if I¡¯m going to get any information from her.


    ¡°I was there, yes,¡± I keep my voice steady and calm. ¡°But, you know how much I hate violence, Harper, yet you brought to me.¡±


    ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t be happy about the knife,¡± she sighs. ¡°But he said it was the only way¡­¡±


    ¡°Who said that was the only way?¡±


    ¡°No one.¡±


    ¡°I was very disappointed that you brought it into the bakery,¡± the words are forced because disappointed is probably the least urate word to describe how I felt that day.


    ¡°I know,¡± her head hangs down, the anger from earlierpletely gone.


    ¡°But you still brought it-why?¡±


    ¡°He said it was the only way,¡± she whispers.


    ¡°It was the only way for what?¡± I try a different tactic. I don¡¯t need her to name Westbrook; we know he was there that night.


    ¡°To get you to realize¡­¡±


    ¡°To realize?¡±


    ¡°To realize that I was right!¡± she suddenly exims loudly. ¡°He said you wouldn¡¯t take me seriously if I didn¡¯t. I had to make you see¡­ make you realize, that I was right about her.¡±


    ¡°What were you right about her?¡± Ms. Baker told me not to say Kenzie¡¯s name unless Harper said it first, as it could make her angrier. It¡¯s killing me sitting here, listening to how she talks about Kenzie as if she is in the wrong here.


    ¡°That she isn¡¯t what you need! Didn¡¯t you listen to me, Nichs?¡± she¡¯s practically screaming at me now.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I immediately apologize. ¡°You were right about her; you made me see what I was blind to all along. She¡¯s not what I need.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t be! She can never be the type of wife you need! If she couldn¡¯t keep him happy, how could she ever keep you happy? You¡¯re so much more¡­ you have so many more needs than he does.¡±


    I take a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to reign in the anger, before I explode on her and ruin the only chance we have at finding Westbrook, or at least, finding out what his n is. What I really want to do is tell her how wrong she is about Kenzie; that she is exactly what I need and that I couldn¡¯t be happier. But I don¡¯t; instead, I take another deep breath and try to rx my body so Harper doesn¡¯t see that her anger toward Kenzie is affecting me.


    ¡°If she couldn¡¯t keep him happy, why does he want her back?¡± I ask.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t¡­ well, not really.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t keep you happy-she can¡¯t make you happy the way I could. Why should you suffer because of her? With her out of the picture, I could make you happy again. Like I made you happy before,¡± she smiles, almost seductively, at me.


    ¡°Were you going to kill her that night?¡± I almost don¡¯t want to know the answer.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not a murderer, Nichs! I would think you know me better than that!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I do. The knife just must have freaked me out.¡± Really? What else did she expect me to think when she was waving a knife around the room?


    ¡°I told you, I needed you to realize I was serious. I needed you to see what I knew all along.¡±


    ¡°So you weren¡¯t going to hurt her?¡±


    ¡°I would have, but only if she tried to hurt you! Or if she tried to get to me, of course. But I wasn¡¯t allowed¡­ I couldn¡¯t kill her. Only injure her a little.¡±


    Interesting¡­ so Westbrook¡¯s n wasn¡¯t to kill me, or Kenzie, that night. But to injure Kenzie¡­ what the fuck is it with this bastard getting off on causing her pain?


    ¡°You said he doesn¡¯t really want her.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Now that we¡¯re not together-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not?¡± her surprised eyes immediately find mine.


    ¡°No, I told you, I realized that night that you were right: that she wasn¡¯t enough for me, that she couldn¡¯t make me happy,¡± I lie and it absolutely kills me to say the words. I have to keep reminding myself that this is all an act. Kenzie and I talked on the ne ride home, and again before I left the condo, about what I was going to have to say and do, to try to get the truth from her.


    ¡°You realized,¡± there are actual fucking tears in her eyes as she takes in my words. Fuck! How did I not see how crazy she was all along?


    ¡°Yes, you made me see what I couldn¡¯t see before. You did that.¡±


    ¡°I knew one of those ways would work eventually. I knew you would see that you needed me all along.¡±


    ¡°You tried other ways? I must have been blind to those too¡­¡±


    ¡°I tried so hard, so many times to get you to realize that you needed me back.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear from you after¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I couldn¡¯t. They said I couldn¡¯t talk to you or see you again, so I tried other ways.¡±


    ¡°Other ways?¡±


    ¡°I tried to make you see that you needed me by your side. You needed me to make you look good.¡±


    ¡°To look good¡­¡± FUCK!


    ¡°So you wouldn¡¯t lose your business. You needed me by your side, so you could keep PFS going strong.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t involved with PFS, though.¡±


    ¡°Silly! You needed me to attend all those functions you hated so much, so people wouldn¡¯t think you had a problem running PFS.¡± I knew she was behind it!


    ¡°The reporters¡­ all those articles written about me not being able to keep a woman happy¡­¡±


    ¡°Exactly! You needed me!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how you tried to show me I needed you.¡± I¡¯m going to fucking kill her.


    ¡°You see now, right?!?! You see how I tried-¡±


    ¡°Yes, you did try,¡± I cringe trying and failing at keeping my anger under control.


    ¡°You seem angry¡­ are you mad at me?¡±


    ¡°No, mad at myself for not seeing it sooner,¡± that¡¯s not an entire lie. I suspected she was behind the tabloids, but no one was ever able to find proof.


    ¡°It¡¯s over now, that¡¯s all that matters. And as soon as you drop the charges against me, we can be free to be together again!¡±


    ¡°Except, we still need to deal with her.¡±


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯ll take care of her, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to take care of her?¡±


    ¡°With you out of the picture, he¡¯ll be able to get to her a lot easier. He couldn¡¯t figure out how to get around your security guys. But, he said once you ended things with her, the security would end and then he could get to her easier.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confused¡­ if she didn¡¯t make him happy, why would he want her back?¡±


    ¡°Because no one else should have her,¡± she shrugs. ¡°I don¡¯t get it


    either, but he says if he can¡¯t have her, then no one can.¡±


    FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK


    ¡°Do you know what he¡¯s going to do with her?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she looks at me for a moment. ¡°But why do you care? I thought you weren¡¯t with her any longer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I insist. ¡°But, just because we¡¯re not together, doesn¡¯t mean I want to see her harmed.¡±


    ¡°After what she did to him, she deserves it.¡±


    ¡°What did she do to him?¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°She embarrassed him! He would take her to dinners with his business partners, and she would flirt with everyone! She was constantly embarrassing him at work or different functions. She doesn¡¯t know how to act in our world, Nichs! How could someone like that fit into your world? Can¡¯t you see why she wouldn¡¯t be right for you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡±


    ¡°Five minutes,¡± the warden opens the door to alert us.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe the hour is already up! I feel like you just got here,¡± she whines. ¡°Please tell me you¡¯lle back!¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will,¡± when hell freezes over.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°How can I contact him?¡±


    ¡°Why? Why would you want to contact him?¡±


    ¡°So I can tell him how where she is.¡±


    ¡°Oh he¡¯ll know. He¡¯s going to watch and wait for the security to be dropped so he could get close to her.¡±


    ¡°And then what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why should I care what he does with her? With her out of the picture, I can focus on making you happy, and showing you why you shouldn¡¯t have let me go the first time.¡±


    ¡°He must be staying in New York somewhere.¡±


    ¡°He got a room at a motel. It¡¯s not like anything you would ever stay in. I felt dirty the second I walked into the room.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like it¡¯s near the bakery at all,¡± I try to get more information from her in the limited time we have left.


    ¡°No, not at all,¡± she giggles. ¡°It took us awhile to get there that night. He did the drive a few times and said that without traffic it would take thirty-three minutes to get there. But that night it took thirty-six because of a road closure. He was not happy!¡±


    ¡°I bet he wasn¡¯t.¡±


    I doubt that is much of anything, but it might give Carter an idea of where to start to find Westbrook. I rack my brain trying to find ways to ask for more information about Westbrook without her bing too suspicious.


    ¡°Are you going to see him again?¡±


    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± she winks. ¡°No. I wasn¡¯t allowed to see him after the¡­ that night.¡±


    ¡°Good, I don¡¯t like you with him.¡±


    ¡°I never knew you to be jealous, Nichs,¡± because I was never jealous when it came to you, bitch.


    ¡°I¡¯ve changed,¡± in more ways than you¡¯ll ever know.


    ¡°Maybe, the time apart was good. It made you realize just how much you needed me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°I can make you happier than she ever could. I know what you need both in and outside of PFS. You¡¯ll never have to worry about me embarrassing you, or not knowing how to act in certain situations. With her gone you¡¯ll never have to worry again. She won¡¯t be able to do anything to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Time¡¯s up.¡±

 Chapter 169

    Kenzie


    ¡°Honey! I¡¯m home!¡± Nichs announces loudly as he stumbles into the living room with Carter next to him, sort of guiding him to the couch.


    ¡°Nichs?¡±


    ¡°Kenzie¡­ I¡¯ve missed you. Come sit with me,¡± he pats the couch heavily next to him after he plops down.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker, would you mind if I got a bottle of water from the fridge?¡± Carter asks, eyeing the kitchen.


    ¡°Of course not, let me help you,¡± I lead Carter to the kitchen.


    ¡°What-¡± I start.


    ¡°This is his way of dealing,¡± he shrugs.


    ¡°I thought you guys were stopping to eat at The Summit?¡±


    ¡°We were. I think he needed to drown out the meeting with her.¡±


    ¡°Did you¡­ did she say anything?¡±


    ¡°Not really. We have a couple of leads that we¡¯re going to follow up on,¡± I can tell he¡¯s purposefully being vague.


    ¡°Is he okay?¡± I ask, not referring to his obvious drunk state.


    ¡°I think the alcohol helped,¡± he shrugs. ¡°That woman¡­ she¡¯s¡­ really something.¡±


    ¡°That bad?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie! Where are you?¡± Nichs calls from the living room.


    ¡°Thanks for bringing him home.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Try and get him to drink as much water as possible, it¡¯ll help lessen the chance of a hangover in the morning.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    ¡°There you are!¡± Nichs stands and sways a little as we enter the room.


    ¡°Have a good night, sir,¡± Carter says as he walks toward his apartment.


    ¡°Who¡¯s on tonight?¡± Nichs asks.


    ¡°Hunter is at the entrance,¡± Carter confirms. ¡°Ben is on call.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but chuckle, even in his drunken state, he¡¯s still worried about our safety. As Carter leaves, I set the deadbolt and turn on the rm, knowing that we¡¯re not going to be leaving the apartment at all tonight.


    ¡°Are you hungry-¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I can make something for dinner if you¡¯d like. Julie and I already ate-¡±


    He pulls me onto hisp as soon as I get close to him. I¡¯m straddling his thighs, facing him as his arms wrap around my hips.


    ¡°I want you for dinner, baby,¡± before I can respond he pulls me closer to him until his lips find mine. His tongue immediately searches out mine, as his hands roam my entire body. I can feel his erection through my thin yoga pants as he grinds himself against me. Our clothes quicklye off, thrown carelessly on the floor.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I ask as he moves towards the end of the couch before standing up, carrying me toward the kitchen.


    ¡°I told you¡­ I want you for dinner,¡± my face blushes as he sets me down on the dining room table. He pulls my ass to the edge of the table, before gently urging me toy down. My arms automaticallye across my eyes, embarrassment hits me, as the thought of beingpletely naked on the table.


    ¡°Oh God.¡±


    I hear a chair moving across the floor, I open my eyes just enough, to see him sitting right between my legs. My initial reaction is to close my legs, as I know in this position he can see everything. His hands are firm on my thighs, as if he senses my difort, holding me open.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, Kenzie¡­ every part of you is breathtaking,¡± he kisses my legs, slowly moving from my knee to my thigh before switching to the other leg and repeating the same movements. When he reaches my thigh this time, he slowly runs his tongue through my folds, before flicking my clit, causing me to jump. I moan loudly, any sense of embarrassment about being on disy long gone, as I instead focus on what he is doing to me. The light movements of his tongue continue to tease me, increasing my desire until I¡¯m practically begging for more. I¡¯m moaning, loudly, I¡¯m sure until he finally gives me what I need. I scream out when, without warning, hetches onto my sex ravishing me.


    ¡°I love the way you taste,¡± he mumbles against me. ¡°I could do this every day and never grow tired of your taste.¡±


    I blush at the bluntness of his words, before moaning again, when his fingers join the exploration of my body. He¡¯s nibbling, sucking and licking at me as his fingers slowly move in and out of my body. It¡¯s as if he wants to take his time, as if he has nowhere in the world to be right now, with nothing else to do but this. However, when he takes my clit between his teeth, nipping at it slightly, I nearly jump off the table.  He immediately soothes it with his tongue, only to then take it back into his mouth and suck on it, which pushes me right over the edge. Ie, loudly screaming holding his head against me, not wanting him to stop. He slowly brings me down, before standing up and slowly pushing himself into me.


    He wraps my legs around his waist before leaning over me and taking my breasts in his hands. We both groan when he takes one of my nipples into his mouth, because it sends an immediate jolt to my sex and him because I tighten around him. His movements are quick, but purposeful as he pushes us both toward a release.


    ¡°I love being inside of you, baby; the way you grip me, the way you suck me into your body, the way your walls throb just before-¡±


    ¡°NICHOLAS!¡± his words push me over the edge.


    Just as I¡¯ming down from my own orgasm, I feel Nichs erupt inside of me sending me into another smaller orgasm, as he calls out my name. His arms give out, no longer able to hold him up and the top half of his body copses on top of me. It¡¯s not very often that he does this, because he¡¯s always afraid he¡¯s going to hurt me, but I love feeling his full weight on top of me. I love that he trusts me this much, because there was time I didn¡¯t think we would ever get here.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move to the shower so I can have dessert,¡± he whispers as he wraps an arm under my back and lifts me against his chest before standing up.


    ¡°Dessert?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, baby, I¡¯m not done with you just yet,¡± I feel him chuckle against my neck as he carries me into through the bedroom and into the bathroom. It¡¯s only a couple of minutes since his orgasm, but I feel him already hardening, clearly ready for round two. He sets me down in front of the mirror, slowly slipping out of me to turn me around so I¡¯m facing the mirror. My eyes meet his in the mirror, and I watch his gaze slowly slide down my naked reflection.


    ¡°Screw the shower,¡± he mumbles before wrapping his arms around me pulling me against him. His fingers tease my clit while his erection prods me from behind. When I open my eyes, the heat rushes to my face when I immediately find him watching my reflection in the mirror. He gently urges me to lean over, granting him the ess he needs. He easily slips inside of me, plunging deep, groaning as he pulls my hips to his.


    ¡°Watch us,¡± he mumbles. ¡°Watch what you do to me, how you make me lose all control, watch how your body responds to me, how in tuned we are to each other.¡±


    He moves my hands so they¡¯re on vanity, my eyes are on his reflection as he slowly begins to move within me. I fight the need to close my eyes, to allow myself to get lost in the feelings coursing through my body. Instead, I watch our reflection in the mirror: his eyes taking in my body, the veins in his arms bulging as he tightens his grip on my hips and pulls me closer to him.


    ¡°Oh God,¡± I moan as he sinks deeper into me in this position.


    ¡°Watch us,¡± he whispers before I even realize my eyes closed.


    Instead of focusing on my naked body, I look for Nichs¡¯s eyes. His eyes meet mine, watching my reaction as he moves his hand in front of us, his fingers expertly finding my clit, causing me to gasp and tighten around him. I watch as the moment he teases my clit begins to be too much. I watch his reaction as I feel my sex clutch him; I watch the determination take over on his face as he pushes his own need aside, waiting instead for my orgasm before allowing himself a release. I hold off, waiting and watching his reaction. Without a word spoken, we both fly over the beautiful edge together. His arms wrap around me, anchoring me to him as we both ride out thest waves of our orgasms.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± there are no words for what just happened. It was incredibly erotic to watch ourselves in the mirror. I loved watching Nichs¡¯s reaction to how my body was reacting to what he was doing. It was almost like watching from the outside, yet still feeling everything that was going on.


    ¡°I love you, Kenzie,¡± he whispers against me, squeezing me tighter as he says the words.


    ¡°I love you, too,¡± I lean back kissing him as best as I can from this position.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s take that shower now,¡± he slowly slips out of me, I can¡¯t help but moan at the empty feeling, which is kind of silly considering what we just did¡­ twice. He takes my hand and leads me to the shower, turning the water on warm before stepping in. The shower in this condo is definitely not asrge as the one in the penthouse, but I kind of like that it¡¯s smaller, since it means our bodies end up rubbing up against each other more often.


    A few minutester, we¡¯re both washed and drying off before heading to bed. I grab two water bottles from the kitchen, handing one to Nichs before taking a sip of my own. I watch him drink nearly half the bottle before cing it on the nightstand next to the bed. Without saying a word, he removes the towel I had on before taking off his own and guiding me to the bed.


    ¡°We¡¯re not wearing pajamas tonight?¡± I giggle.


    ¡°No,¡± he offers no further exnation, but after turning off the lights, he climbs into bed next to me and pulls me against him.


    I don¡¯t know how long I was asleep for, but when I open my eyes the room is pitch dark. It takes me a couple of seconds to figure out what woke me; when Nichs whimpers, I realize it¡¯s not what woke me up but who. His body is tense against mine, he¡¯s mumbling so quietly I can¡¯t make out what he¡¯s saying. I try calling his name, but he¡¯s so deep it nightmare that he doesn¡¯t respond. He hasn¡¯t had a nightmare since our honeymoon and I have no idea what brought this one on.


    ¡°Noooooo!!! KENZIE!!!!¡± he screams out before sitting straight up in the bed, his eyes wild as he searches the room.


    ¡°Nichs, it¡¯s okay,¡± I say gently as I ce my hand cautiously on his arm. I have no idea what his nightmare was about, so I touch him cautiously, not entirely sure if he¡¯s truly awake yet. ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡±


    ¡°Kenzie?¡± his eyes finally find mine and I begin to feel his body


    rx a little.


    Heys back down on the bed, quickly taking me with him. His head isn¡¯t even on pillow yet before his lips find mine. He wraps an arm around my waist pulling me close to him so there¡¯s no space between us. I can feel the warmth from his body; his hands are roaming over my body almost as if he¡¯s trying to reassure himself that I¡¯m next to him. Eventually we both fall back asleep; as much as I want to ask him about the nightmare, I decide to wait until the morning.


    ¡°Morning,¡± he says as soon as I open my eyes.


    ¡°Morning. I¡¯m surprised to see you awake this early,¡± I admit.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I expected to you to be nursing a hangover most of the day.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t get too many of those.¡±


    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a shower first,¡± he sighs his reluctance obviously showing.


    I groan as I get out of bed, my body sore in far too many ces. Nichs has a proud look on his face as I slowly make my way to the bathroom. Who knew having sex used this many muscles?


    ¡°You okay?¡± he asks, as I get in the shower after him.


    ¡°Sore¡­ a little sore.¡±


    ¡°You should take something when we get out of here, but the heat should help rx your muscles,¡± he suggests.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    We spend far too long in the shower, but by the time we¡¯re done I can move much easier. He massaged my back, thighs, calves and even my arms before we left the shower. Between the massage and the heat of the water, getting out to the shower was much easier than getting into it was. While I¡¯m making us breakfast, Nichs straightens up the mess we madest night. Papers that were once on the dining room table were on the floor and much to his amusement, I made him wipe down the table before we sat down to eat there. My face heats up, recalling what we did therest night, and knowing that I¡¯ll never be able to look at the table again, without thinking about it.


    ¡°So¡­¡± I begin, as we both finish eating.


    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s seriously screwed up, baby,¡± he sighs. ¡°There is no other way to put it. She admitted she was behind everything with the media.¡±


    ¡°She admitted that?¡±


    ¡°She said she was trying to get me to see that I needed her,¡± he clenches his fist.


    ¡°Did she tell you anything about¡­¡± I can¡¯t even bare to say his name.


    ¡°Not really. She knows he was staying at a motel about half an hour from here, but otherwise, she didn¡¯t know much, or at least not that she was saying. She doesn¡¯t know what his ns are. Her job was to convince me that I¡­ I should be with her and that you couldn¡¯t be what I needed. Then when I left you, he would be free to¡­¡±


    ¡°Toe after me,¡± I finish the sentence for him.


    ¡°Yes, but you have to know that I¡¯ll never let that happen. Carter has everyone working on finding him, we won¡¯t let him-¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯ll do everything in your power, to keep me safe,¡± I assure him and try not to let my doubts show.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going to hurt you again, Kenzie,¡± he takes my hand, squeezing it tightly just as someone knocks on the door.


    ¡°I know,¡± I say before getting up to find Carter at the door.


    ¡°I hope I¡¯m not disturbing you, Mrs. Parker,¡± he says before stepping into the living room.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not. Would you like some coffee?¡±


    ¡°If you have some made, ma¡¯am, I wouldn¡¯t refuse a cup.¡±


    ¡°Carter,¡± Nichs gestures to the chair next to him at the table.


    ¡°I thought we might need to go over your schedule now that you¡¯re back in New York, sir, and determine what security measures are necessary.¡±

 Chapter 170

    Kenzie


    ¡°We should be there in about ten minutes,¡± Hunter says, as he maneuvers us through the rush hour traffic that is New York.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I wouldn¡¯t care if he told me it would be another hour until we got there. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been so relieved to get out of the house as I was today. I absolutely love the new house and the fact that now I can at least go outside, unlike at the condo.


    ¡°Mr. Parker will be leaving momentarily, if he hasn¡¯t-¡±


    CRASH


    The sound of metal crunching and screaming fills the air. I¡¯m screaming, Hunter is calling for me to hold on and Ben is yelling at Hunter to turn the wheel a different way. I have no idea what¡¯s happening, but the car is being tossed in all sorts of directions. Another sound of metales, and I realize we¡¯ve been hit again, this time on the passenger side of the SUV. My head bounces off the window and everything before me goes ck.


    I must be in and out of consciousness, because I only hear bits and pieces. I feel myself being dragged from the vehicle, my feet falling hard to the ground. I try to take a mental inventory of my injuries from the ident: my head is pounding, I can feel warmth running down my face so I know I¡¯m bleeding from somewhere. My wrist and arm hurtI think I banged it against the door, or maybe the window. When I open my eyes, everything is fuzzy. I hear someone calling my name, maybe Hunter, but he sounds too far away. Then, the world goes ck again.


    ¡°Wakey, wakey,¡± a voice I never wanted to hear again pulls me from a¡­ sleep if that¡¯s even what is was.  Whatever it was, the voice immediately brings me back to reality. A p to the face, forces me to open my eyes and the sight before me is exactly what I expected it to be.


    ¡°Well, look who decided to wake up,¡± he snickers as he looks me over, and despite still wearing all the clothes I left the house in, the look he is giving me makes me feel naked.


    I don¡¯t say anything, opting instead I take in my surroundings. I¡¯m tied to an ufortable wooden chair, with my hands bound behind me. I can feel the rope cutting into my wrists, tearing at my skin, as I slowly test the knots. My ankles are tied to the legs of the chair, just as tight as my wrists, from what I can tell. My head is still pounding, but the pain is more manageable. My wrist and arm hurts, but that just could be from the rope. Looking around, I instantly realize where I am-my old apartment. And the man I never wanted to see again, is standing in front of me, smirking holding a gun, pointing it at me.


    ¡°I have to give that hubby of yours some credit, he certainly didn¡¯t make it easy to get to you. You have no idea how long I had to watch you, before I could finally formte a n. After he told Harper he would go back to her and drop you, thest thing I expected was for him to go back to that fortress. Apparently, he just likes to lie to everyone, doesn¡¯t he?¡±


    I don¡¯t say anything, knowing how arguing would just push him further and make him angrier. Right now, I¡¯m just trying to buy some time. I don¡¯t know how, but I know Nichs and Carter will find me. I just need to¡­ stay alive until that happens.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°You, of course.¡±


    ¡°Why? You hated me. I was a lousy wife, a lousy lover and nothing I did was right. Why would you want me back?¡±


    ¡°Because you were fucking mine!¡± his voice bellows through the empty room, bouncing off the walls, as he suddenly waves the gun in front of me. My stomach drops, fear settling in as I try to control my breathing hoping a panic attack doesn¡¯t start. A gun¡­ he has a fucking gun and I¡¯m strapped to a chair. Any chance of being rescued just became more dangerous, especially considering Nichs hates guns and refuses to even touch one. ¡°You are mine! You belong to me! I don¡¯t care if you were a lousy cook, a piece of shit in bed and that you flirted with every one of damn my coworkers, you were mine!¡±


    It takes everything in me not to argue and point out that I wasn¡¯t any of those things, but I know that will only make the situation worse¡­ and it¡¯s looking pretty dim as it is.


    ¡°You made me the fuckingughing stock of my family and my job when you fucking disappeared that night. How do you think it made me look when I came home the next morning to find you gone? Do you know what they fucking said about me?¡±


    I don¡¯t answer. I don¡¯t point out that he just admitted that when he tried to kill me, he was gone for the entire night, that he didn¡¯t even bother to check on me all night despite the fact, he knew I was hurt and passed out at home. I don¡¯t say anything because doing so would just make it worse, but it¡¯s taking everything in me not to tell him what I truly think of his piece of shit ass.


    ¡°I tried to convince you that you belonged to me, but then you had to go and fucking threaten to show my father the pictures you paid someone to doctor up for you.¡±


    Now, I¡¯m fucking livid¡­ he¡¯s fucking denyingying a hand on me?!?! He thinks I paid someone to what¡­ photoshop the bruises, the swollen eye and the scars on me? He thinks I paid someone to write fake medical reports? Fake police reports? I knew he was crazy¡­ but this takes denial to a whole new level.


    ¡°The thing is, I knew you weren¡¯t that smart. I knew you¡¯d fuck up at some point, you always do. Did you not think that I wouldn¡¯t see the pictures of you and your new hubby all over the magazines? They were fucking everywhere! How did you think I wouldn¡¯t see them?¡±


    Yeah, that was probably a screw up on my part. In my defense, I truly didn¡¯t think the press coverage of my dating and then marrying Nichs would be so intense. I figured our picture would be tucked away in the gossip section of a local newspaper or something. Not on the inte, multiple times a week, for anyone to see. But, it doesn¡¯t matter because even if I knew that¡¯s what would happen, I wouldn¡¯t change a thing. I would still sign the contract with Bridget, and I would still ultimately marry Nichs.  Falling in love with him and the happiness I experienced made it all worth it. Even if it meant that he would find me-even if it meant he killed me today.


    ¡°The moment I saw your picture with him, I had someone dig into who he was. Then it was so easy¡­ I just had to feed the press some stories to break you both up. When he still didn¡¯t leave you, I had no choice but to get closer to that drama queen, Harper. I had to get closer to her so I could figure out other ways to get to you. Of course, like a typical woman, she couldn¡¯t even do her job right. She couldn¡¯t convince that husband of yours, that he should be with her, over you. Look at her! She was more his type than you will ever be. You¡¯re nothing-absolutely nothing and she was everything he needed.¡±


    Fuming¡­ I still don¡¯t say anything. Instead, I focus on my wrists and the rope that surrounds them. I may be buying time until someone figures out where the hell I am, but I¡¯m not going to sit and wait, without doing something. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting him walk all over me again. I just need to get my hands a little loose before I can do anything.


    ¡°What do you want, Richard? You want money? I¡¯ll give it to you,¡± I¡¯m starting to get desperate. Watching a gun waved in front of you will do that. ¡°I have ess to lots of money now¡­ just take me to a bank and you can have all of it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want his fucking money!¡± he snaps, pointing the gun directly at me as he screams. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything of his!¡±


    ¡°Then what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Have you not been fucking listening or are you that stupid? YOU. ARE. MINE! He is not going to have you.¡±


    ¡°You want me?¡±


    Fuck¡­


    ¡°Ding ding¡­ we have a winner!¡± the smug smile on his face makes me wish my hands were free so I could fucking p him.


    ¡°Why? You hated being with me. Why not find someone who you love? Someone who can do all those things that I can¡¯t?¡± I¡¯m trying to keep him talking, hoping that I¡¯m buying myself enough time to get the rope loose.


    ¡°Because you could have been fucking everything! You needed work but you were finally getting it! It took you a while to follow the fucking rules, but you had most of them down pat. You just needed reminders of why you should follow them. It¡¯s not toote, I can make you into the woman I needed you to be-the woman you should have been. I don¡¯t give a shit about love; love doesn¡¯t make me look good to my boss. Love doesn¡¯t help my career. A halfway decent looking woman, who can follow a few simple rules, at my side, though? That can make or break a man¡¯s career. I¡¯ve put too much work into you just to let you go. With Dad now out of the picture, you can threaten me with those pictures all you want because you and I both know I don¡¯t give a shit about them. I lose my job because of those pictures you made up? I¡¯ll fucking punish you, like you¡¯ve never been punished before; then I¡¯ll move us to a new city and get a new job. You¡¯ll never get rid of me. There¡¯s nothing you can hold over my head any longer, bitch.¡±


    What the fuck do you say to that crazy logic? How do you make sense of that? I look around the small, empty, dirty room hoping to find something that can help me. The windows are covered in filth, barely letting any light in, not that it matters because it¡¯ll be dark outside soon. I have no idea what time it is, or how much time has passed since the ident, but I know the sun will be setting soon. The floor is covered in newspaper, stic bags, broken bottles, wires and just in garbage. Nothing that can help me while I¡¯m tied to a chair; I need to find a way to get lose from the chair, if I¡¯m going to have any chance of getting out of this.


    Suddenly his cell phone rings, he pulls it from his pocket ncing at the screen before answering it and telling whoever it is to hold on. He walks away from me, out into the hallway leaving me to carefully weigh my options. I could scream, I know the other residents would hear me considering how paper thin these walls are. But I also know, none of them would call the cops. Thest thing anyone living here wants is the cops to show up.


    With him gone, I double my efforts on loosening the rope from my wrists. I try to pull my ankles from the chair legs and I¡¯m surprised when they move a little easier. Abandoning the rope at my wrists, I focus my efforts on my ankles. It¡¯s a risk, because if hees back out he could see that the rope is lose, but it seems to be my best option. I refuse to sit here and wait for him to kill me-I did that for far too long.


    ¡°We need to move¡­ I want a new car here within the hour. I¡¯m not taking any chances¡­ get me something NOW!¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 Chapter 171

    He storms back into the room, shoving the phone back in his pocket and pulling the gun from his waistband. I don¡¯t know if he knows that I heard the end of his call, but I panic at the thought of him moving me. I don¡¯t know where Nichs and Carter are, or how they¡¯ll find us, but if he keeps moving me, I know they¡¯ll never find me. I need to do something; I take a deep breath and think back to the self-defense sses I took when I first moved to New York. I took them several times a week, for nearly a year, before my schedule finally made me stop. I loved those sses; they made me feel more confidentthat I could take him if I ran into him on the streets.


    I discretely test the bindings on my ankles and wrists as I formte my n. I say a silent prayer that this n doesn¡¯t back fire and that I get to see Nichs again. I close my eyes for a brief second thinking about all the things I still want to do with him. The second wedding where we exchange our vows for real, the snow falling at his ce in Vermont, Christmas in our new home¡­ the list goes on.


    With a new determination that and strength, I formte a n. One that hopefully keeps me here long enough for Nichs and Carter to find me. Or for me to get to his phone to at least call for help before whoever is helping himes along. I can¡¯t risk him taking me somewhere else.


    I wait for Richard to make his move, to give me a chance to get to him. I know he¡¯s not expecting me to do anything, because he still sees me as that naive twenty-year-old I was when we first met: who never questioned him, never argued and never fought back. He has no idea how much I¡¯ve changed; how much stronger I amthat I¡¯m no longer the girl he thought he knew, the girl that he tried to break.


    When he suddenly turns around to grab a water bottle off the box acting as a makeshift table, I take a deep breath and force myself to a somewhat standing position. The ropes on my ankles have loosened enough that I¡¯m able to get my feet on the ground. I can¡¯t stand uppletely, but at least I can somewhat move. Before he can turn around, I rush over and forcefully throw myself at him, chair first. We both tumble to the floor, the chair breaking in the process as we fall. The break allows me to pull my feet free from the legs of the chair before he gets up.


    ¡°You fucking BITCH! You¡¯re going to regret that!¡± There¡¯s blood pouring from his forehead-he must have hit it on the table when he fell into it.


    I quickly get to my feet, just as he does the same. My hands are still around the back of the chair, but that¡¯s not going to stop me from trying to fight him off. The gun went flying across the room and is now behind me; Richard¡¯s eyes go wide looking for it, but I don¡¯t think he can see it from where I¡¯m standing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll never be yours,¡± I grit.


    ¡°You¡¯ll always be mine. I was your first love, I took your fucking virginity for Christ sakes! You¡¯ll never be able to forget me!¡±


    His eyes go to the floor behind me and I know he¡¯s found the gun; I wrap my hands around the wooden spindle of the back of the chair, gripping it tightly, as he approaches me. The look in his eyes tells me what¡¯sing before the punch connects to my stomach; even though I was expecting it, the force still knocks the wind out of me. I bend over, focusing on my breathing but keeping my eyes on his feet. When he moves toward me again, raising his knee as if he¡¯s going to kick me, I swing my back upwards, twisting so the back of the chair catches him in the face.


    ¡°BITCH! I¡¯m going to fucking kill you!¡± He grabs his nose as blood spills from it, as his eyes try to focus on me.


    With the back of the chair now broken, I¡¯m able to pull off the rope from my wrists. We¡¯re both standing there, waiting for someone to make the next move as the gunys waiting. I know this is it-if he gets his hands on the gun, he¡¯s going to kill me. I don¡¯t know what to do; while the gun is closer to me, I have no doubt that the moment I move, he¡¯s going to be on top of me. But, if I don¡¯t move and wait for him to make the first move, odds are against me: he¡¯s stronger than me and probably faster. I have no choice. I refuse to wait for him to kill me. If he kills me now, at least I¡¯ll know that I tried to fight him, unlike all the other times.


    I¡¯m sorry, Nichs.


    When he nces at the blood in his hands, I dive for the gun, but I¡¯m immediately tackled by him as I expected. We roll on the hard, cement floor. I feel punches to my ribs, my jaw and knees to my stomach as we fight for control. When the opportunity finally presents itself, I raise my knee, hard and he immediately loosens his grip on me, as the pain takes over. I push him off of me, he rolls on the floor his hands cradling his dick. I don¡¯t hesitate, I reach for the gun, wrapping my hands around the handle and aiming it at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to fucking kill you,¡± he groans, as he rocks back and forth on the ground.


    ¡°Try, and I¡¯ll fucking shoot you,¡± I promise.


    Apparently, he thinks now is a good time to call my bluff, as his hand reaches out to grab my ankle, I suppose thinking he could pull me to the ground and knock the gun loose. I don¡¯t hesitate-I pull the trigger and hit his arm. He howls in pain, immediately bringing his injured hand to his chest. I move closer to his legs, my eyes never leaving his body as he grunts in pain.


    ¡°Move and I¡¯ll fucking shoot your dick off,¡± I promise, taking aim.


    There¡¯s amotion behind me, but I don¡¯t turn away. If this is who he¡¯s been waiting for with the new car, I¡¯ll kill Richard and then hope like hell the guy behind me doesn¡¯t have a gun. I¡¯m not taking my eyes off of him for a moment-I¡¯m not giving him a chance to do something, even as I hear footsteps running towards me.


    ¡°Mrs. Parker¡­ Kenzie¡­ Kenzie!¡± Carter¡¯s voice finally forces me to look away from Richard on the floor.  His hand is wrapped around my wrist, keeping the gun pointed at the floor. I look at Carter, relief floods me seeing that I¡¯m no longer alone. My eyes immediately look for Nichs behind me, but it¡¯s not until I hear his voice that I realize he¡¯s actually in front of me.


    ¡°You fucking bastard,¡± he¡¯s kicking Richard in the face, the chest, his stomach anywhere that he can get him as Richard rolls on the floor trying to protect himself.


    ¡°Can I have the gun, Kenzie?¡± Carter¡¯s voice is demanding, but at the same time cautious. Part of me doesn¡¯t want to let it go, knowing that without it I have nothing to protect myself. But, knowing that they¡¯re here, reassures me that it¡¯s highly unlikely that I would need a weapon. I slowly and somewhat reluctantly, loosen my grip on the gun letting it slide into Carter¡¯s hand.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± he points to the dark stain on the sleeve of my jacket. ¡°Did he shoot you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I shake my head. I don¡¯t know where the blood ising from, but it¡¯s not from a bullet, that much I know. The room starts to suddenly spin and I feel weak, sort of disoriented.


    ¡°Nichs! NICHOLAS!¡± Carter screams as he wraps an arm around my waist holding me up.


    ¡°WHAT!?!¡± Nichs snaps.


    ¡°Kenzie needs you, she¡¯s going to pass out,¡± Carter says.


    ¡°Baby? Are you okay?¡± He¡¯s immediately next to me, his arm wraps around my waist before he lifts me and carries me across the room.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± I smile weakly.


    ¡°Where are you hurt?¡± he asks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Make one move and I¡¯ll fucking kill you,¡± we hear Carter threaten Richard.


    ¡°Someone¡¯sing, he¡¯s waiting for someone toe with a car to take us¡­¡± I remember.


    ¡°The police should be here any minute, Kenzie, they¡¯ll find whoever it was who was helping him. You¡¯re not going anywhere except to a hospital once the paramedics get here.¡±


    He slowly slips off my jacket, I groan in difort when my arm moves, but I don¡¯t pay it much attention to it, instead my focus is on Richard who continues to groan on the floor across the room with Carter standing over him a gun.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like you were shot,¡± Nichs says pulling my attention back to him.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s from when the chair, I was tied to, broke.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill him,¡± Nichs mumbles as he checks over the gash on my arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ I¡¯m fine-¡±


    BOOM


    The sound of a gunshot makes us both jump, Nichs¡¯s body quickly surrounding mine, as we both look toward Carter, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Richard remains on the floor, no longer moving as blood slowly spreads from underneath him.


    ¡°He moved,¡± Carter exins simply.

 Chapter 172

    Nichs


    ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s okay?¡± I ask Mom for probably the hundredth time.


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart, she¡¯s fine,¡± she assures me as I watch Kenzie sleep on the bed next to me. ¡°The pain medicine is going to keep her out of it for a couple more hours at least. Thatbined with the adrenaline wearing off¡­¡±


    She¡¯s exined this to me countless times, but it doesn¡¯t make me feel any less worried that Kenzie hasn¡¯t woken up yet. She¡¯s lying in bed with several broken ribs, a broken wrist and numerous stitches from her battle with the piece of shit, sorry excuse for a man. Her wrists and ankles are bandaged, allowing the contusions from the rope to heal. Her face has countless bruises on it and her lip is still swollen-I don¡¯t need to ask her what caused them.


    ¡°It¡¯s truly a miracle, that she wasn¡¯t more severely injured,¡± Momments. Although, I know she¡¯s right, Kenzie shouldn¡¯t have been hurt at all. That asshole should never havee after her-he should have been locked up a long time ago for what he did to her. ¡°I never thought I would say this about another person, but I¡¯m d the bastard is dead.¡±


    ¡°Me too, Mom,¡± I sigh and sit back in the ufortable hospital chair that I¡¯ve upied for thest two hours.


    Carter arrives about an hourter, after finally having been released from questioning by the police, still in clothes covered with blood. I had called Mr. Brown, and asked him to represent Carter, as soon as Kenzie was dered stable by the onsite paramedics. I knew the police would want to question Carter, even though it was clear as day he killed Westbrook in selfdefense.


    ¡°How is she, sir?¡± he asks immediately.


    ¡°Stable,¡± I sigh barely noticing my mom stepping out of the room. ¡°They¡¯ve given her pain medicine which knocked her out. She has several broken ribs, a broken wrist, stitches¡­ and well the bruises.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s strong, sir, she¡¯ll get through this.¡±


    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t have fucking had to.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, sir.¡±


    ¡°If you need to go home and change-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, sir. Not going anywhere.¡±


    I know better than to argue with Carter, even though I¡¯m not at all surprised by him wanting to stay here until he can see for himself that Kenzie is okay. They¡¯ve be close over thest year, and he¡¯s the only person besides myself, who saw the pictures of what her ex previously did to her. He knew what him having her today meant-he knew the chances were high that that bastard was going to kill her.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± Kenzie¡¯s soft voice is barely a whisper, but Carter and I immediately rush to her side.


    ¡°How are you, baby?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Sore¡­ I feel like I got ran over by a truck.¡±


    ¡°I can ask the nurse for more pain medicine-¡±


    ¡°Not yet; maybeter. I don¡¯t want to be knocked out again. Tell me what happened¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s thest thing you remember?¡± I nce at Carter at the same time he looks at me. We¡¯re both wondering if she remembers Carter shooting Westbrook.


    ¡°Carter hopefully killing him,¡± her voice is full of question but her eyes¡­ they¡¯re filled with something I can¡¯t exactly ce. ¡°He¡¯s dead, Kenzie,¡± Carter confirms.


    ¡°It¡¯s really over?¡± she asks.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead-I checked myself,¡± Carter answers.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone, baby,¡± I assure.


    ¡°Wait¡­ the person who was bringing another car. Do you know who that was?¡± she asks.


    ¡°A woman named Bree¡­ she was someone I used to know,¡± I


    cringe and shake my head in utter disgust. ¡°How did he know her?¡± she asks.


    ¡°We think through Harper,¡± I answer.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She takes a sip of water, adjusting herself in the bed showing only minor signs of difort. Her lip is swollen, more than double its normal size, but the swelling in her eye has gone down some so she can at least open it.


    ¡°Oh my God! What happened with Hunter? And Ben? They were still in the car¡­ I think,¡± Kenzie looks between me and Carter. Out of all the news I had to give her when she woke up, I knew this would be the toughest. Carter looks to me as I haven¡¯t had a chance to update him on Hunter since he got here a few minutes ago.


    ¡°Hunter is a few doors down, recovering,¡± I take a deep breath. ¡°His leg was broken and trapped from the collision as the truck hit right into his door. He was also shot in the shoulder-¡±


    ¡°He was shot?!?!?!¡± she whispers. ¡°He shot him?¡±


    ¡°From what we can tell from the footage from a nearby building, you were knocked out from the impact. During which time, Westbrook shot both Hunter and Ben before he¡­ took you from vehicle.¡±


    ¡°I heard Hunter calling for me¡­ I only remember bits and pieces of what happened. I knew someone hit the SUV, but everything kept going ck.¡±


    God, just hearing her say that kills me. I wish like hell I would have been there. We thought it would be safer traveling separately; that it would be less obvious that we were leaving our house if we left in two different cars at two different times. Fuck, we should have done something else¡­ we should have done something more¡­


    ¡°But, Hunter¡¯s going to be okay?¡± Kenzie asks.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I immediately assure her. ¡°The bullet thankfully went straight through and didn¡¯t do any major damage. They repaired it while they had him in surgery for his leg. It was aplex break so they had to reset it.¡±


    She just nods; there¡¯s not much you can say. But it¡¯s the next part that I dread telling her about the most.


    ¡°And Ben? I don¡¯t remember¡­¡±


    ¡°From what we can tell, he tried to disarm Westbrook and was shot in the chest during the battle,¡± I pause not knowing how to put the next part.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t¡­ oh, tell me he didn¡¯t¡­¡± tears are in her eyes, as she tries to ask the question, that I know she doesn¡¯t want to hear the answer to.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t make it-he had died before the paramedics arrived on the scene,¡± I sit on the bed next to her and gently bring my arms around her. I want nothing more than to pull her on myp, to hold her against my chest, and kiss her tears away. Unfortunately, with her injuries, that¡¯s thest thing I can do; I can¡¯t risk hurting her any more than she already is. ¡°He died¡­ because of me¡­¡± She whispers.


    ¡°No, he didn¡¯t, Kenzie,¡± Carter says firmly his voice leaving no room for any doubt. ¡°When he, hell, when any of us sign up for a job like this, we know the risks. Hunter, Ben, Smith, myself-we all knew taking this job, that our lives were on the line. We all agreed to the risk, for you and Mr. Parker. He died doing his jobprotecting you. Don¡¯t let his death be a source of guilt for you, Kenzie, he wouldn¡¯t have wanted that.¡±


    ¡°But his life wouldn¡¯t have been at risk if it wasn¡¯t for me! He wouldn¡¯t have died-¡± she snaps.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true, Kenzie,¡± Carter quickly interrupts her. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t have hired him, someone else would have. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he was talented soldier with high amodations. I was lucky to have grabbed him when I did: he had juste off an assignment for a politician who wasn¡¯t reelected. I promise you that if I hadn¡¯t had hired him, another security firm would have. This was what he wanted to do -what he enjoyed doing. He didn¡¯t go into this assignment blind: he knew the risks and chose to ept the position still. We all did.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair, Carter! He shouldn¡¯t have died,¡± she sobs.


    ¡°You¡¯re right he shouldn¡¯t have, baby,¡± I agree because there¡¯s no arguing her statement. ¡°Your¡­ Westbrook was a sick, fucking bastard, who should never have hurt you to begin with. All those years ago, when you first met him, he took advantage of you, baby. He never should have controlled you and hurt you the way he did. Harper and Bree, they¡¯re two fucked up women who never should have wanted to hurt you, or anyone, else for that matter. All three of them¡­ they¡¯re all fucking crazy. But none of it was your fault.¡±


    ¡°They caught her? The police¡­ they caught Bree?¡±


    ¡°They did,¡± I smile at the only part of thest twenty-four hours that I can smile at. ¡°She pulled in front of the building, literally seconds after the police did. The moment she stepped out of the car, she was handcuffed for questioning. When they heard that Westbrook had called someone to arrange another vehicle they called back thest dialed number of his cell phone and her phone, in her pocket no less, rang right there in the back of the police cruiser.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to charge her, right? I mean, even though¡­¡±


    ¡°She started confessing the moment her phone rang; they¡¯re charging her with several crimes, I¡¯m sure.  I have my attorney staying on top of everything; he will ensure that no one gets away with what they did to you, baby.¡±

 Chapter 173

    At some point Carter must have stepped out of the room, because when I look to where he was sitting, the chair is empty. I hold Kenzie as best I can while being cautious of her injuries; neither of say a word the weight of thest few hours still on our shoulders. I don¡¯t know how much time passes, but eventually she falls asleep in my arms. A nursees in and quietly checks her vitals, assuring me everything is fine and that her falling asleep so soon, is to be expected. As much as I want to stay here, holding her, I know I need to talk to Carter. I haven¡¯t really spoken to him except for those few minutes before Kenzie woke up. I wait awhile, until I¡¯m convinced that she¡¯s fully asleep, before slipping out of the bed and out her door, to find Carter who of course is standing guard.


    ¡°Carter, go home,¡± I say knowing how exhausted he must be.


    ¡°With all due respect, sir, I would rather not,¡± he says stubbornly. ¡°Julie is bringing me a change of clothes, as well as food for both you and Kenzie. Smith just left to go pick her up.¡±


    ¡°Brown settle everything with the police?¡± I ask, even though she already called and assured me everything was taken care of.


    ¡°Yes, thank you again for sending her although I don¡¯t think it was necessary-¡±


    ¡°Better safe than sorry.¡±


    ¡°They need to review the situation with the DA, but the captain felt that it was a clear case of self-defense and that charges won¡¯t be pressed against me.¡±


    ¡°Thank fuck for that,¡± hearing it from Carter is reassuring, even though I fully believed what Brown told me earlier.  ¡°Yeah, thank fuck,¡± he smirks.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken with Ben¡¯s family and assured them they will be taken care of,¡± I assure him. ¡°He had been sending his mom money every month to help her with her bills-I assured her that won¡¯t change. His life insurance will be sent to her, and I¡¯ve arranged for his monthly sry to be sent to her, as well.¡±


    ¡°Sir, that¡¯s more than his contract-¡±


    ¡°He died protecting my wife, Carter. It¡¯s the least I can do.¡± ¡°Understood, sir,¡± he says after a few minutes of silence. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to the hospital about Hunter¡¯s bills, should the insurancepany not cover something, it will be sent to me. My mother arranged for the head of orthopedics to be assigned to his case-whatever he rmends it will be approved and covered. In the meantime, he will continue to be paid his monthly sry until he is cleared to return to work no matter how long that may take.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very generous of you, sir,¡± he says, knowing the contract only stiptes that I have to pay their sry for three months and after that, if they are not able to return to work, they are given a small lump sum payment. But again, Hunter was injured protecting Kenzie¡­ that¡¯s something I will never take for granted, especially after today.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go back in there; I don¡¯t want her to wake up alone. Seriously consider going home, Carter, I can¡¯t imagine the toll today is taking on you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave when you do, sir; I wasn¡¯t the only one there.¡±


    I shake my head knowing neither of us are going to win that argument, and head back into Kenzie¡¯s room, thankful to see that she is still sleeping. I slip back in beside her; I know I should be sitting in the chair so she can have space in the bed, but right now I need to be selfish. I came so close to losing her today-I need her close to me. I need to feel her against me. I need to know she¡¯s safe.


    God when I think back on everything that¡¯s happened I still can¡¯t believe that she¡¯s actually here; that I didn¡¯t lose her. If it wasn¡¯t for the damn tracker that Carter thought ahead to have Julie sew into the outfit Kenzie was nning to wear tonight, we wouldn¡¯t have found her¡­ in time or at all. If she had taken off the zer in the car or decided against wearing it at all¡­ fuck, I don¡¯t want to think about what would have happened.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± Kenzie¡¯s sweet voice pulls me from the all the possibilities at what could have happened.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here, baby,¡± I run my fingers down the arm that isn¡¯t in the cast and move so I¡¯m as close to her as possible. ¡°Still sore?¡±


    ¡°Just my ribs,¡± she sighs and grimaces in difort. ¡°Nothing I haven¡¯t experienced before, though.¡±


    I cringe remembering the doctor exining that her ribs showed signs of multiple old fractures, several of which hadn¡¯t healed properly. Thankfully, my mother had exined to the doctor before he came to speak with me, about her ex-Kpparently he pulled her aside out of concern with the number of old injuries the x-rays had shown.


    ¡°Any idea how long I need to be here?¡± she asks.


    ¡°The doctor said that as long as your pain was manageable you could probably leaveter this evening,¡± the sun is barely rising so technically it¡¯s today, although it would have meant that she stayed overnight at the hospital since we had arrivedtest night.


    ¡°I want to go home,¡± sheins. ¡°I want to go back to the house; I want to sleep in our bed. I want to-¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do everything you want, baby, I promise.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re all I kept thinking about you know. I thought about the wedding we wanted when this all was over-¡±


    ¡°As soon as you¡¯re cleared to travel, we¡¯re going,¡± I assure her.


    ¡°I thought about your house in Vermont, holidays in a new house¡­ everything. But most of all, I thought about you. I even told you I was sorry


    -¡±


    ¡°Sorry for what?¡± I quickly interrupt.


    ¡°Because I was going to fight back. When I heard another vehicle wasing, I knew if he moved me you would never mind me. I had no idea if how you would find me in the first ce, but I knew that if we left, you wouldn¡¯t find me¡­ or not in enough time. So I decided to fight back; in my mind I told you I loved you and that I was sorry.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, baby¡­¡±


    There are no words¡­ none at all. God, for her to have to make that decision¡­


    ¡°How did you find me anyway?¡±


    ¡°Carter had Julie sew a tracking device into the zer you had nned to wear tonight. Thankfully, you didn¡¯t take it off in the car on the way to the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°Is it really over, Nichs?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s over, baby, I promise you it¡¯s over.¡±

 Chapter 174

    Epilogue


    Kenzie


    ¡°Are you ready, Kenzie?¡± Carter asks.


    ¡°I am,¡± I say confidently taking one final look in the mirror. My dress is simple, exactly the way I wanted.  Carter hands me a small bouquet of white and red roses just before we step out of the room. He guides me down the narrow hallway, and out the back door, to the beach where everything is set up just how I envisioned it would be.


    Nearly a year ago, I was in a simr ce, in a simr dress, getting ready to do this very thing. Only, the circumstances couldn¡¯t have been more different. Today, I will walk down the aisle where the man I love more than anything in the world, is waiting for me. Whereasst time our vows focused on friendship and being there for one another, today they will represent the love we have for each other and for the future we will have together. Even in my wildest dreams, I never expected meeting Nichs for dinner that night, would eventually lead us here. I never expected the meeting with Bridget to change my life in so many ways. I never expected to be this happy¡­


    ¡°Thank you for giving me this honor, Kenzie,¡± Carter whispers just before we walk down the red carpet to where Nichs is waiting.


    ¡°Carter¡­ you¡¯ll never know¡­ what you did for me.¡±


    We don¡¯t talk much about that day, the day when my nightmare finally ended. We don¡¯t talk about Carter killing the man who was the source of so many of my nightmares. I¡¯ve tried to thank him for rescuing me that day and for ending my nightmare, but he never lets me. He has said repeatedly he was simply doing his job, but when he pulled the trigger we both know that he wasn¡¯t just doing his job.


    There are only a handful of people here with us, but it¡¯s those that have been with us since the beginning, and who know what we went through to get here today. Instead of the first wedding where I walked down the aisle alone, today Carter is the one giving me away and I wouldn¡¯t want it any other way. I¡¯ve grown close to him since Nichs and I first entered into our arrangement. At first it was because he was always with us, and then because I was living at ord Towers. He was there the day Nichs saw the file on Richard for the first time: he saw the pictures and read the reports of what happened that night. He was there when I saw Estelle for the first time in years, and he had a front row seat, hearing everything that she did to me when I lived with her. Then finally, he was there, with


    Nichs, to rescue me from Richard.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll ever know what you did for Nichs,¡± he whispers as we¡¯re walking.


    And Nichs will never know what he did for me.


    It seems to take forever to make our way down the short aisle, but when Nichs takes my hands in his, nothing else seems to matter. We¡¯re on a private ind where we don¡¯t need to worry about the press or unwanted guests. I thought he was crazy, but in true typical fashion, Nichs went above and beyond-renting an entire ind out for our wedding and honeymoon. We¡¯re staying in the main house, while Julie, Carter and Hunter are staying in the guest house on the other side of the ind for the week.


    The view from here is incredible, there¡¯s nothing but water as far as anyone can see.  We only arrived heretest night, but watching the sunrise this morning while lying in Nichs¡¯s arms was incredible.  Seeing that technically we were already married, we decided to forgo the tradition of not seeing each other the day of the wedding. We made love until the sun came up this morning, and parted ways after having ate lunch together. Julie helped me get ready for the ceremony, while Nichs spent the afternoon with Carter and Hunter.


    Hunter is not back to work yet, unfortunately, but I was thrilled when his doctors gave him the clearance toe with us for the week. It¡¯s only been a couple of months, but he¡¯s making amazing progress ording to his doctors. He had to go a rehab center for a few weeks, but since then he has been recovering at home. On the flight here he said being at home is driving him crazy because he can¡¯t stand to sit around and do nothing all day. He also said he hopes to be cleared to return to work at least part time in the next month, which I was happy to hear. Smith has been my CPO since the situation with Richard-I have nothing against him, but he¡¯s not Hunter. I feel much morefortable around Hunter, but I think that¡¯s because he was assigned to me for so long.


    Our families have no idea the real reason we¡¯re here today-they think we¡¯re taking a vacation just to rx after everything that happened. They will never know how we first got to know each other or how we ended up married to each other. That¡¯s something that only the handful of people here today will ever know about.


    Family¡­ that¡¯s something that I didn¡¯t ever expect to have and it¡¯s just one of the many things that Nichs gave me. Our Christmas dinner with everyone was what I always pictured a holiday dinner to be. Nichs¡¯s entire family was there plus Julie, Carter and Hunter. It was loud, crazy and busy, but I wouldn¡¯t have changed a moment of it. I don¡¯t think I everughed so hard as I did that day; it killed my ribs, but it was still worth every moment.


    From the beginning, his family weed me with open arms- never questioning why we were together or the quickness of our ¡°marriage.¡± They weed me into their family and treated me like I belonged there. They showed me what family really meant and for that they¡¯ll never know how grateful I am. Although I officially became a part of their family at the wedding a year ago, today makes it so much more official to me.


    ¡°You look beautiful, Kenzie,¡± Nichs whispers as he leads me to the small altar where the officiant is waiting for us.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± the tears are in my eyes when I find his. He¡¯ll never have any idea how much today means to me-there just aren¡¯t enough words to for me to tell him.


    Throughout the ceremony, our eyes don¡¯t leave one another. Rather than writing our own vows like the first time, today we recite the traditional vows that the officiant leads us with. We went back and forth deciding on what to do with our vows, but eventually we agreed to stick with the more traditional ones for this ceremony. A year ago, I never could have recited those words; we needed something at that time that spoke to our situation. Today, is different. This wedding may not be official in anyone¡¯s eyes, but the traditional vows are a perfect fitting for our traditional wedding after a very nontraditional marriage.


    ¡°You may now kiss the bride,¡± I don¡¯t think the words were done being said before Nichs¡¯s lips were on mine. His arms wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me against him as he kisses me as if no one else was here with us.


    ¡°I love you,¡± I whisper the moment he pulls away.


    ¡°I love you so much, Kenzie, you have no idea.¡±


    We make our way down the aisle, hand in hand, to the small reception area that is set up further down the beach. We¡¯re not having a traditional reception since there are so few guests. Instead, it¡¯s more like a family dinner. Everyone is seated at onerge table where we have dinner and a few drinks together, before parting ways. Julie, Carter and Hunter head back in the golf cart to the other side of the ind, while a boat takes the officiant back to arger, nearby ind where a small ne is waiting for him.


    ¡°Ready to start our honeymoon, Mrs. Parker?¡± Nichs asks as he leads me to the master bedroom.


    Instead of answering him with words, as soon as we¡¯re in the bedroom I reach up and kiss him. His hands run over my dress touching me everywhere he can. I push the suit jacket off before unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it down his arms. I love that I can touch him, anywhere, another thing that is a huge change from our first wedding. ¡°I want to undress you,¡± he whispers.


    ¡°Please,¡± I reply.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how much I wanted to do this on the ne-¡±


    ¡°The ne?¡±


    ¡°On our flight to Fiji-you went and changed in the bedroom and I wanted so badly to go in there and undress you,¡± he slowly lowers the zipper on the back of my dress.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°When he said you may kiss the bride, and I did, the only thing I thought about was how I could find a way to get you alone and get you out of that dress.¡±


    ¡°Really? Even though¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to say fuck it all, Kenzie. All I wanted in that moment was you, naked and beneath me as I made love to you.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    His words surprise me; I knew things changed just before our first wedding, that much was evident when we came home from the club that one night. But, I hadn¡¯t expected him to be thinking about that when we kissed that day, even if it did cross my mind.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°It nearly killed me to know that you were in that back bedroom, undressing, without me. I wanted to go back there with you, to see what you wore under the dress. To find out if you felt as good as I imagined you had, to find out if you wanted me just as I wanted you in that moment.¡±


    ¡°I wish you had¡­e back into the room with me I mean.¡±


    ¡°I was so worried about fucking things up, but it didn¡¯t mean I didn¡¯t want you any less. I wanted you then just as much as I want you right now.¡±


    He slips the dress from my body before groaning at the undergarments I¡¯m wearing. A simple white, straplessce bra and panties are the only thing I¡¯m left standing in. Both items arepletely see through, leaving nothing to the imagination. When I picked out what to wear under the dress, I wanted to give Nichs a little surprise when I hoped he would undress me afterwards. From the look in his eyes, surprise is exactly what he is.


    ¡°Fuck me, baby,¡± he whispers. ¡°You look stunning, so fucking sexy.¡±


    We make love all night; catching only short naps here and there, but even then, we¡¯re always touching each other somewhere. The following morning, we make love on the balcony off our bedroom while watching the sunrise. For the week we¡¯re here, there is no one else but us. There¡¯s no press, no one taking pictures of us, no security following us¡­ it¡¯s just the two of us.  And it¡¯s absolutely perfect.     The End


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