TheDungeon (10 page)

“I love you, baby,” he said, rubbing her hair as she lay
snuggled against his chest.

“I love you too, Magnus.”

Kendall closed her eyes and with a smile painted across her
face, she drifted off into a light sleep. All was right with her world.

Chapter Eighteen

Lavender@ACES was complete and tonight was the highly
anticipated grand opening. The restaurant looked astonishing with all its
brand-new appointments. The eye-catching glass-block bar with the lavender
recessed lighting was the focal point of the room and leather lavender booths
lined the perimeter of the restaurant. Magnus had insisted that they have a
custom-built bar, instead of the typical wooden type. And he had been spot on
with that decision. Kendall even conceded that the neon sign was apropos for a
casino restaurant. She slowly sauntered around the space, beaming with pride,
like a new mother. This was her and Magnus’ baby, something they had created
together, and aside from a few run-ins, everything had gone smoothly.

Kendall pushed through a pair of silver double doors into the
kitchen. She wasn’t running the line tonight and wanted to make sure everything
was under control. The kitchen was abuzz with activity. Cooks in white chef
jackets were hustling about, whisking, whipping and cooking up tonight’s fare.
Kendall had devised an impressive tasting menu for the opening. The appetizers
included her version of clams casino. Instead of the traditional bacon and
breadcrumbs atop the open clams, she created them with crispy prosciutto and
crumbled cornbread. A black-eyed pea soufflé, with rock shrimp and sparerib
kabobs drizzled with a cognac barbeque sauce, were also on the menu.

“Smells delicious in here,” she said, inhaling deeply.

“Chef, do you want the ribs cut into bite-sized pieces
before going out on trays?” asked one of the line cooks.

“Yes, and put them on the wood skewers to make them easier
to eat while people walk around and mingle. And don’t forget to alternate the
spareribs with bits of parsley potatoes.”

“Okay, Chef,” he said and began assembling the gourmet shish
kabobs.

Kendall inspected each station with a keen eye. She had to
make sure nothing was amiss tonight. Magnus had invited reporters and
photographers to cover the event and she wanted to ensure her menu was
press-worthy.

“Crumble the cornbread a little finer,” she told the cook in
charge of the clams casino.

“Yes, Chef.”

She walked over to the stainless steel range, looked at the
front surface, and noticed that the scratches she had complained about to the
contractor had been buffed out to perfection. Magnus had been right about that
too. Kendall stood back for a few minutes and watched the orchestration of the
kitchen. Everyone was on point, and she had no complaints. Satisfied that
everything was running smoothly and on schedule, she returned to the dining area.

“Hey, beautiful,” Magnus greeted her, kissing her on the
lips. “You look like a movie star,” he said, marveling at her outfit. Kendall
wore a slinky silk lavender dress that dusted the floor, with a peekaboo split
in the back. A thin platinum necklace with pavé diamonds, and silver metallic
Jimmy Choos.

“And you look like my handsome co-star.” Magnus was dapper
in a black Tom Ford suit, black silk shirt and matching tie. The suit and shirt
were tailored to fit his muscular frame. He could have easily made the cover of
GQ
magazine with his smoldering good looks and designer swag.

“Let’s have a drink while we still have some time to
ourselves,” Magnus suggested.

They made their way to one of the private booths that Magnus
had reserved for them. While Kendall settled in the plush leather seating,
Magnus crossed the room, went behind the bar and produced a bottle of Veuve. He
brought the chilled bottle, along with two glasses, and took them over to where
Kendall sat. He popped the cork, filled the flutes, handed one to Kendall.
“Here’s to our new restaurant.”

She took a sip. “To a successful venture.”

They toasted, savoring the moment before the crowd arrived.
“The other night was simply amazing. I realize that we said the ‘L’ word for
the first time, and I want you to know that it wasn’t the sex that made me
sentimental.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I truly love you, Kendall.
You’re like no other woman I’ve ever met.”

“It’s true. God broke the mold after he made me.” She
smiled, but then turned serious. “All kidding aside…” She inhaled, then
exhaled. “I love you too, Magnus. We haven’t been together long, but I feel our
connection is the real deal.”

He leaned over and gave her a sensual kiss. “You’d better
believe it’s the real deal. It’s true, we’ve only known each other for a few
months, but I don’t need years to realize that you’re the woman for me.” He
kissed her again. “That’s why I want you to—”

“Get a room!” yelled a voice, interrupting their tender
moment.

They looked up to see Kevin and Sydnee walking in, arm and
arm. The two looked stunning in their after-five attire. Sydnee wore an
oyster-colored silk blouse, scarlet-red pencil skirt piped in bugle beads, and
a pair of black patent leather open-toe pumps. Kevin’s slate-gray Calvin Klein
suit, white shirt and scarlet tie complemented Sydnee’s outfit perfectly.

“You guys have bad timing. But since you’re early, would you
like some champagne?”

“Yes, indeed. We have to make a toast before the masses
arrive,” Sydnee said, sliding into the booth next to Kendall.

Magnus returned to the bar and brought back two more
glasses. As he was standing there, pouring the bubbly, Tony came in with his
date. “Whoa…you guys starting the party without me? Isn’t that a little bogus,
especially since I’m one of the partners?” he said in a boisterous Italian
voice.

“Now would we do that?” Kevin said, standing up and greeting
Tony with a slap on the back. “Man, I’d like to introduce you to my lady Sydnee
Davis.”

“I know you. Haven’t I seen you before?” Tony asked, staring
at Sydnee.

“You’ve probably seen me on the news.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s it! Nice to meet ya. And I’d like to
introduce you guys to Roxanne.”

“Heellloo,” she slurred. She bent forward, trying to curtsy,
but stumbled and nearly fell on her face.

“Uh, Tony, can I talk to you a minute?” Magnus asked,
walking his friend to the other side of the room.

“Magnus, the place looks great. I really like—“

“Your date is wasted. I think you should take her home.”

“We were celebrating before we came here and I guess she had
a little too much to drink. Don’t worry, I’m going to order some coffee and
sober her up some before the party starts.”

“Okay, Tony, as long as the only thing she has to drink is
coffee.”

“Don’t worry, I got it under control.”

An hour later, the place was packed with reporters,
photographers, high rollers, friends and local notables. Mr. Trump even made a
cursory appearance. Champagne was flowing and tuxedoed waiters were serving up
Kendall’s delectable appetizers. Guests were mingling and chatting, enjoying
the festive evening. Cameras flashed as Kendall and Magnus were being
interviewed by a local reporter. After the interview, one of the photographers
approached Kendall.

“Excuse me, but haven’t we met before?” he asked, looking at
her with a discerning eye.

Kendall stared at his handsome face and instantly recognized
him. “Oh, hi, Rob. How are you?” She turned to Magnus. “I’ll be at the bar.”

Magnus was preoccupied with another reporter who was
preparing to interview the three partners of ACES. He smiled and said, “Okay.”

“What a surprise seeing you here,” Kendall, said once they
were out of earshot.

“The night we met, I mentioned that I’m a freelance
photographer, didn’t I?”

Kendall had been so intrigued with learning about The
Dungeon that she didn’t remember much of anything else Rob had said that night.
“I guess you did. What a coincidence, you covering this event tonight.”

“Yes, it is. I’m taking pictures for the
Post
.
Lavender@ACES is the hot new restaurant in A.C., and you guys will be featured
in tomorrow’s lifestyle section. So…” He lowered his voice. “Did you ever check
out The Dungeon?”

Kendall looked over to where Magnus stood, making sure he
was still being interviewed. “Yes, I did,” she whispered.

“How did you like it?”

“In a word—awesome.”

“My wife and I love that place. It keeps the fire in our
marriage.”

“I’m sure it does.”

Kendall kept glancing over at Magnus. She didn’t want him
within earshot of this conversation. Although The Dungeon was a playground for
Rob and his wife, she didn’t know how Magnus would react to her involvement at
the club. A part of her felt guilty for keeping it a secret, but a part of her
felt as if it were okay. After all, she wasn’t having sex at the club, only
acting out her fantasies. She kept thinking back on the documentary she saw,
where the Dominatrix said that being with a Domme wasn’t cheating.

“Don’t you just love the Red Room? The Grand Domme did a
great job designing the entire club.”

“Uh, yeah, it’s great.”

“And the drinks there are delicious. Have you tried the BDSM
martini?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Next time you’re there order one, it’s made with Angostura
bitters, Hendrick’s Gin, and a splash of acai berry juice.”

“Okay, I will.” Kendall’s answers were short and quick. She
was ready to end their conversation before anyone eavesdropped.

As they were talking, Kendall noticed that Magnus had
finished with the interview and was making his way toward them. She could feel
perspiration moisten her underarms. A part of her wanted to rush away from Rob,
but she didn’t want to raise any suspicion that she had something to hide, so
she quickly said, “Let’s change the subject. My guy doesn’t know that I belong
to The Dungeon and I’d like to keep it that way for now.”

“Sure. No problem.”

Magnus strolled up, kissed Kendall on the lips, marking his
territory like an alpha male. He regarded Rob, with his copper-brown skin,
goatee and masculine features. “I hope you’re not trying to muscle in on my
girl,” he said, half joking, putting his arm around Kendall’s shoulders.

Rob put up his left hand and wiggled his third finger,
showing off his platinum wedding band. “No sir. I’m a happily married man.”

“Good.”

“Magnus, this is my friend Rob. He’s one of the
photographers covering the opening.”

Rob adjusted the shoulder strap on his camera bag and
extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, and congratulations on the new
restaurant. Let me get on with my job and snap some more pictures.”

“So, how do you know him?” Magnus asked, sounding a bit
suspicious.

“Oh, Sydnee and I met Rob and his wife a few months ago,”
she said casually, telling a little white lie.

“It’s a good thing he’s married,” Magnus said, watching Rob
walk through the crowd.

“And why is that?”

“He’s a good-looking guy, and I don’t need the competition.”

“You have nothing to worry about. Even if Rob wasn’t
married, he’s not my type.” Kendall told another little white lie. Rob was so
her type. She had zeroed in on him the night they’d met and was disappointed to
learn that he was married. Now that she and Magnus were a couple, she was
extremely content and wasn’t going to chance bruising her man’s ego by taunting
him with Rob’s virtues.

“Baby, this opening is all I could ask for and more,” she
said, quickly changing the subject before Magnus had a chance to quiz her any
further about Rob.

“Yes, it is…but there’s one thing missing.”

Kendall looked perplexed. Everything was perfect—the food,
the drinks, the guests and the press—and she couldn’t think of how they
could’ve made the opening any better. “And what’s that?”

“This,” he said, producing an aqua-blue box out of his
breast pocket. Magnus flipped open the top of the ring box, exposing a
brilliant, flawless, large, princess-cut diamond engagement ring.

Kendall stood there frozen with her mouth agape. Although
the restaurant was full of people buzzing about, she couldn’t hear a thing. It
was as if her senses had suddenly shut down. Her focus was on the overhead
lights refracting off the ring’s facets, creating a dazzling rainbow effect.
“Is this really happening?” she asked in a foggy, faraway voice, looking from
the ring to Magnus and back at the ring.

“Yes, baby, it’s happening.” He reached down, touched her
chin, bringing her mouth to his. He tenderly kissed her lips. “Kendall Hall,
will you be my wife?”

She nodded. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you!”

Magnus slipped the rock on her finger. “I had planned to ask
you before the party began, but Sydnee and Kevin interrupted my proposal. I
hope you don’t mind me asking you to marry me with all of these people around.
I couldn’t wait until the party was over.”

“No, no…” She held her hand out, admiring the spectacular
jewel. “I don’t mind at all.”

They stood in the middle of the floor and embraced like a
couple madly in love, totally oblivious to the swarm around them.

“You guys really need to knock it off and get a room,” Kevin
said, cutting through the crowd with Sydnee in tow.

“We’re engaged!” Kendall exclaimed, showing Sydnee her ring.

Sydnee grabbed Kendall’s hand and studied the gorgeous rock.
For once, the roving reporter couldn’t get her barrage of questions out of her
mouth fast enough. “When did—how long—oh my god, this is great news!” she
bellowed, stumbling over her words.

As Kendall and Sydnee were marveling over the ring, Kevin
took the opportunity to have a word with Magnus.

“I see you took my advice and put a ring on it.” He smiled,
happy for his friend.

“I sure did. Man, I thought about what you said, how we’re
not getting any younger, and I realized that it’s time for me to settle down.
And Kendall is the
one
for me,” he said, looking lovingly at his
fiancée.

“Well, congratulations.” Kevin slapped Magnus on the back.