Stripped Raw (26 page)

I chuckle. “I don’t think my ego could handle being your employee.” I lead her through the front door and wave the agent away. I’ve got this. The place basically sells itself. Kenzie walks around the downstairs quietly. I stand back and just let her wander. I know she’s sketching the place out in her mind—colors, dressing rooms, sofas. She doesn’t need me to interfere in her process. I just lean back and watch the show—her eyes bright, twirling her auburn hair, her ass wiggling as she walks. We’ll definitely have to christen every square inch of this place.

She turns around and her eyes catch mine. She shakes her head. “You’re right, the downstairs is perfect. But it’s too expensive, and there’s the whole second floor I don’t need.”

“But you love it, right?”

“Well, yeah, but. . . .”

Okay, here goes nothing. Time for my closing argument. “I can help. I. . . .”

“You’re not buying me a building,” she says, her hands flying to her hips.

“I’m not buying you a building. I’m buying
me
a building.” She rolls her eyes at me. “Just listen. You know I’m not really happy working at the firm. I’m thinking of making a change. I’m thinking about being my own boss.”

“What? Your own law firm? Isn’t that risky?”

“Not my own firm. I really don’t want to litigate anymore. I like consulting on jury selections more, and that’s been most of my work the past several years. And I’m good at it. I mean, no jury I’ve picked has ever gone against my client.”

“Never?”

“Never,” I say. “So I figured why not start my own consulting firm? The upstairs space is perfect for that. There’s a private entrance, but most of my clients don’t even come to me. I usually go to them.” Her eyes look up. She starts for the stairs. Maybe I should tell her I looked at the place already? I know it will work. I know this is what I want. Her silence is killing me. “I can choose who I work for and who I don’t. Make my own hours, my own travel. I can work from home. I think that could be helpful raising Zoe.”

“You really are in this with me?” Kenzie whispers.

“Since day one, babe.”

“So we’d buy the building together?” she asks. “Fifty-fifty?”

“We can do it that way, if that makes you comfortable. Or. . . .”

She points her finger in my face and laughs. “I knew you were trying to buy me a building.”

“With my house selling, I’ve got some extra cash,” I chuckle, and she rolls her eyes. “We can do this however you’re comfortable, but it doesn’t make sense for you to take out a loan when I can. . . .”

“Kenzie Lingerie is my business, and I need to stand on my own—huge interest rate or not. I’ve already been approved for a loan. I will not let my boyfriend support me.”

Her tone is almost threatening. I know I need to back down. “Like I said, whatever makes you comfortable.”

She does a little spin. “I do love it.”

“Me, too,” I say. “But if we do this, that does leave you homeless.”

“You, too,” she teases. “Tessa wants me to stay at her house. I think it would be best for Zoe after. . . .”

I reach over and rub her arm. “That’s a good plan. But like you said, that leaves me homeless. So there’s this house I was thinking. . . .”

“A house?”

“I’ve got to live somewhere.”

“It’s just,” she pauses for a second. “I don’t think you’ll need it.”

“
Because
?” I ask, hoping Kenzie is saying what I think she is saying.

“I think you’ll be living with two girls,” Kenzie says, giggling.

I pick her up and twirl her around, kissing her hard on the mouth. “It won’t be official until you put the shoes and ring on.”

“Soon,” Kenzie says. “So don’t go buying any houses.”

“Okay, maybe just a building?” I ask.

She glances around one more time. “I’m ready. Let’s do it.”

*

The next couple
weeks are a whirlwind. The owner of the building was in a hurry to unload the property, and its huge mortgage no doubt. So Kenzie and I moved quickly, negotiated the price down quite a bit, and closed the deal within two weeks. It was insane. And on top of the packing, I had returned to work at the firm. I kept my plans close to the vest the past few weeks because you just never know how law partners will act when another partner leaves. Sometimes it’s cordial; other times they want you out by end of business—afraid you will try to steal clients. I’m hoping for the former, but I can’t stall much longer. I’ve got to give notice—today. But today is also the day that my old house is selling. Actually, I signed the papers last night, but the movers are coming today. I said my goodbyes a long time ago. My new life is waiting.

KENZIE

I never thought
I’d say it, but I have too many pairs of shoes. Okay, I’m lying. I don’t actually believe that. But I’ve got too many pairs to pack. Kane’s arms slip around me from behind, his lips finding that place on my neck that he knows makes me horny as hell. I push him off. “Stop that or I’ll get nothing done. And don’t you have to get to work, anyway?”

“How about I pick you up for lunch, and we can celebrate my quitting my job.”

I kiss him, telling him I like that idea. In two short weeks, he’ll be a free man, and our new lives together will start. I can’t wait. But a part of me will miss this place. Kenzie Lingerie was born here. Glancing around the place, I’ve got no idea where to begin packing.

“Start with this,” Kane says, reaching into my nightstand drawer and laughing. “Christ, it’s bright pink.”

I smack him in the arm as he dangles my vibrator above my head. “Give me that.”

“You miss it?” he asks, stepping closer until I’m pinned between the wall and his hard chest.

“No,” I breathe out.

He flicks it on, and a buzz fills the room. My body recognizes the sound, and my legs clench. His eyes slide over my face, and his arm lowers, running the vibrator across the flesh of my outside thigh. “Seems like you miss it.”

“No, I prefer you.”

That was the right answer because he is on his knees in one second flat. My panties around my ankles, he gazes up at me, the naughtiest grin on his face. “Fuck, look at you,” he says. “Your clit is so hard.” He gives me one little lick. “It’s throbbing.”

And he’s right. I wonder if this is what a hard-on feels like for a guy. “Please.”

“You don’t ever have to beg,” he says, stalking me—his warm breath taunting me. My body knows what he can do with that tongue, those lips. I feel the vibrator slip into my hand. “Show me what you do.”

He’s lost his mind. No way am I doing that. “No, I need you.”

But he doesn’t touch me. His breath still teasing me, he says, “Tell me, Kenzie. Do you slip it inside? Or do you let it buzz your clit?”

He’s pushing my hand between my legs, encouraging me. “I like to be on top of it,” I whisper.

“You straddle it?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“And you don’t miss it?”

I glare down at him. “Do you miss your hand?”

He smacks my ass, hard—forcing me to his mouth. Oh thank God! There is absolutely no way to describe how Kane makes me feel. Yes, the things he does to my body are mind-blowing. But it’s how he doesn’t settle for anything less than me being totally exposed with him—body and soul. He wants to know all the parts of me—physical and emotional. And no matter how much that scares me, he doesn’t give up. Surrendering myself to a man is not something I do easily. It’s giving another person the ammunition to hurt you—saying here are all my insecurities and hoping and praying the other person doesn’t fire them back at you. But I’m not thinking about any of that now.

“Kane!” I cry out.

“I love you,” he whispers, but his head is still between my legs. It’s like he’s talking to my vagina. He looks up at me and smiles, knowing what I’m thinking. “You talk to your ass, so I should be able to talk to your pussy.” I start laughing so hard, a tear runs down my cheek. He gets to his feet and wipes it with his finger, gazing down at it. “You know, I’ve never seen you cry.”

“Don’t ever give me a reason to,” I whisper.

His forehead lowers to mine. “That would break me, baby,” he whispers back. “Remember, love without regrets.”

“Love without regrets.”

I slowly undress him, not caring if he’s late for work, not caring that I have a lot of packing to do. Right now, I just need to surrender myself to this man. I’m ready. And I know just what to do.

*

Kane leaves for
work with my vibrator in his suit pocket. He’s probably tossed it in the dumpster by now, which is fine. With him around, I won’t ever need it again. That’s an incredible thought. I’ll never need a vibrator again! Smiling, I spend the next few hours packing and working, keeping my eye on the clock. Then I shower and do my hair and makeup and flip through the few things I haven’t packed. What looks good with Tiffany Blue?

I lift the shoebox lid. The diamond ring is still resting on the heel, waiting for me. I smile to myself, finally ready to take the next step—the biggest step of my life. It’s a good thing I’ve got fabulous shoes to begin the journey. I pick out a gray skirt with a slit and white blouse then slide the ring off the heel and slip the shoes on. They fit perfectly. Looking down at the ring, I can’t put it on. I want Kane to be the one who slips it on my finger.

The hands on the clock seem to be inching along at a snail’s pace. Sitting on a stool in my workspace, I realize he won’t see my shoes, so I angle myself towards the door, crossing my legs so the shoes will be the first thing he sees when he walks in. No way we will make it to lunch.

Then I wait. Ten minutes pass, and he’s still not here. He’s never late. I check my phone—no message, no texts—nothing. After thirty minutes, I’m really worried. This is so unlike him. I hope nothing went wrong with his law partners. I hope he’s not being forced out early. I hope he’s not dead in the ditch somewhere. My anxious, racing mind is thankful when my phone rings.

“Kenzie, it’s Michael. The doctor just ordered hospice for Tessa.”

I listen to him sobbing on the phone and look down at my perfect pumps. Be strong! Everyone needs me to be strong right now. “I’m on my way.”

“Tessa’s with Zoe,” he says. “She wants some time with just Zoe.”

“I understand.”

“You should come over in a couple hours.”

“Okay,” I say, quietly.

“One more thing,” Michael says. “Tessa asked me to tell you that life’s too short. Put on the shoes. Do you know what that means?”

“Tell her I’m one step ahead of her this time. Tell her I’m wearing them.” I hang up, my heart pounding, my skin sweaty. The only thought going through my head: I need Kane. I’ve never
needed
a man before. Never had the desire to run into a man’s arms like I do right now. Please pick up! I dial again—voicemail. I leave a frantic message before trying his cell a few more times, then decide to call his office. Where is he?

“Kane Hunter’s office,” Mona answers.

“Mona, I’m not sure if you remember me, but this is Kenzie. . . .”

“Of course, Ms. Scott. How may I help you?”

“I was wondering if you could put me through to Kane. He’s not picking up his cell.”

“I’m sorry. He’s not in the office.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“His house,” Mona says. “Can I help you with anything?”

“If you hear from him, please tell him to call me. It’s an emergency.”

I hop up, grab my keys, and rush to my car. I can’t get to him fast enough. I know I’m running from the pain of losing my sister, but at least I’m running to someone this time. Frantic, I manage to make more wrong turns than even I usually would. I pull straight into the driveway and take a deep breath. His car is out front. Thank God, he’s here. In just a few minutes, I’ll be safely wrapped in his arms.

There are movers everywhere, but no one seems to know where I can find Kane. If there is one place he would want to spend time—it would be the nursery. I can’t imagine how hard it is for him to say goodbye to that room. I look down at my shoes. Today has turned to complete shit. Tessa’s voice rings in my head—her telling Zoe
something good always comes from something bad.
Kane is my something good in this whole mess.