“To what part?” I laughed.
“Are you sleeping with Hawk Crosby?”
“We’re more than sleeping together.”
“Okay. And you haven’t told him that his shortstop raped you?”
“He knows about the assault, but not that it was Tucker.”
“Oh, Ken, this is going to go bad. I can feel it in my bones.”
THIRTY-TWO
hawk
Last week had been a shitshow,with a major deal nearly falling through at the last minute. I knew Kendra’s run with her sister was more than a simple meeting, and I wanted to be back home in case she needed any support.
Yeah, Ken. I see you. You don’t need to handle everything on your own anymore.
Me: I just landed. I’ll be home soon.
Kendra: There and waiting…impatiently.
I smiled and understood the sentiment. I was ready to be home for the weekend, and being home included spending as much time as possible with Kendra.
While I was gone, Colby and Kendra had met for dinner. I scrolled through her texts and found the photo she sent with the caption,“New BFF.”She later asked me when I planned to introduce her to Nonna as soon as she accepted the invitation.
I heard the music playing while I stood outside my apartment and could smell something baking in the oven. Nothing prepared me for seeing her in an apron and nothing else, leaning over my oven, pulling out a tray of cookies.
“Careful, I prefer your nipplesunsinged.”
“I prefer you naked. But I don’t see you worried about that right now.” Her smile held a lightness I hadn’t noticed before.
I dropped my coat on the floor, kicked off my shoes, and strode over to her. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and her mouth was on mine.
“Cookies, huh?”
“I figured you’d want something sweet.”
I lifted her, setting her on the counter; with the apron draped between her legs, her nipples peeking out from the sides of the bib. The reality of her was better than anything I could have imagined.
“Shit, Ken. I need to take a picture of this for the nights we’re apart. May I?” I held my phone up, asking permission before I snapped her photo.
Her expression darkened, and she seemed to shake it off physically. “Okay.”
“Second thoughts?”
“I need you to help me reclaim this part of me.” Her whispered plea added to the tightness in my chest every time I thought of her.
“What part? Tell me. Fuck, baby. Anything you want, it’s yours.”
Her eyes flashed with excitement. “It’s a good thing I’m not one to take advantage. Take photos of me, videos, all of it. I love that you want to keep a piece of me.”
“Stay right here, okay?”
She nodded, and I went to the office and found the tripod I had that fit my phone. She was still on the counter, her hair had fallen across her face, and her lips were plumped from our kisses.
“Do you trust me?”
