20
Phoenix
After three hoursat the Loft and no sign of Kennedy, I finish my drink and throw a fifty on the table for Popcorn. Every person who approached me tonight for work or pleasure was sent away without even as much as a second glance.
After Coco revealed her extracurricular activities, which ended up being a clusterfuck, I needed to blow off a little steam. I figured fucking Kennedy could help bring me back to center. I stalk toward the front door, ignoring each person I walk by even when they try to get my attention, every muscle in my body growing tenser with each step.
Sliding into the back of the Escalade, I give Crane a quick nod before firing off a text to Kennedy.
Me: My place. Now.
My hand is wrapped around the phone so tightly, I can hear the case start to crack in my hands.
“Home, Mr. Ash?” Crane asks, keeping his eyes on the road and giving me my privacy.
He already knew I wasn’t in the mood for chitchat from the ride to the club earlier. “Please.” I glance out the window and turn the phone over in my hand, waiting impatiently for Kennedy’s response, but it doesn’t come fast enough before I shoot off another.
Me: You have thirty minutes, and then I’m coming for you.
Before I can turn the screen off, I receive a reply.
Kennedy: I’m on my way. Be there in ten.
The knot that’s formed at the base of my neck starts to loosen, and I blow out a long, steady breath when I read her reply. Pressing my head into the headrest, I close my eyes and try to push down the anger from the situation with Coco. Kennedy doesn’t need my shitty attitude, but I plan to fuck her in a punishing way. The aggression and aggravation that have built up inside me over the last few hours need to go somewhere, and lucky for Kennedy, her pussy is going to be the recipient.
When Crane pulls up to the curb in front of my building, Kennedy’s already waiting near the door. Her hands are tucked into the pockets of her jeans, and she’s sweeping her foot back and forth against the cement, scuffing the bottom of her black stiletto.
As soon as I open the car door and step down, her eyes meet mine. “Nix.” She stills the sweeping motion of her foot.
“Good of you to join me.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Sorry. I’ve had a shitty day,” she says and sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, peering down at her feet as she follows in line with me as I walk.
My hand finds the small of her back, and I usher her through the door at my side. “Good evening, Mr. Ash,” Troy says, smiling from ear to ear when we enter the lobby. “Evening to you too, ma’am.” He tips his hat, stalking toward the elevator to press the button before I can.
Kennedy’s back is tense under my fingertips. She plasters a smile on her face and twists her fingers together in front of her. “Hi, Troy,” she says with an overly enthusiastic and completely fake happy tone.
“It’s always nice to see you, Troy. Working the night shift all week?” I ask, trying to make small talk so I don’t seem like an asshole.
He punches the button with the up arrow. “Yes, sir. You need anything, just ring.” He removes his hat and steps away from the door, giving us a little more space.
“I will. Thank you, Troy.” My fingers slide underneath Kennedy’s shirt and press into warm skin. “I’ll get it from here,” I tell Troy, ready to be alone with Kennedy and not in the mood for anything but her.
“All right, Mr. Ash. Have a good evening.” He smiles, placing the maroon hat banded with a black ribbon back on his head. “Night, ma’am.”
“Night, Troy,” Kennedy says, tensing underneath my touch.
My thumb strokes the dip of her spine, never missing a beat when the doors slide open and we step inside. She turns to face me before we reach the back wall, but my lips are on hers before she has a chance to speak. My hand tangles in her hair, holding her face to mine and giving her no space to get away.
The kiss is punishing and demanding as my tongue sweeps inside her mouth, relishing the velvety softness as her tongue slides against mine. My leg comes up, pushing her knees apart, and I press my erection against her leg. Every ounce of my body is craving her, needing the release. She moans into my mouth when her clit brushes against my thigh, rocking back and forth.
Her eyes are darker, and she’s gasping for air when her tongue pokes out, sweeping against her red, swollen lips. My cock hardens to granite, my heart thumping erratically in my chest from the look in her eyes.
I grab her hand, pulling her out of the elevator and through the door into the penthouse foyer. “I need you,” I say, pulling her shirt over her head before the elevator doors have even closed.
“Nix,” she says as I drop it to the floor and bury my face in her cleavage.
Her perfume surrounds me, luring me into an erotic trance as my tongue sweeps across her skin, tasting her. She moans, digging her fingers into my hair, and her head tips back when I take her hard nipple in my mouth. I’m drunk on her. Stoned on lust. High with need. In this moment, all of that outweighs the fact that she still has secrets she’s keeping from me.
