The New York apartment was smaller than the one in Amsterdam, but no less luxurious. Kelsey clearly didn’t skimp on comfort. Unlike the other place, this one was stripped back to the essentials—minimalist furniture that provided a sharp contrast to the industrial, burnt concrete floors.
Almost everything was a study in black and gray. As I explored, I noted six bedrooms, a master suite, a media area, a sprawling living room, and a massive balcony overlooking the city’s pulse.
I was tucking my suitcase into the master closet when I heard my name. Knowing it was her, I stepped out to find Kelsey. Her jacket was folded over her elbow, and she looked effortlessly sharp in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans.
"Hi, Kitty." I walked up to her, resting a hand on her shoulder. I felt her arms instantly wrap around my waist, pulling me in. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. I just got here," I murmured.
"Have you settled in yet?"
"I just finished putting my things away." She reached out, taking a stray strand of my hair and gently tucking it behind my ear, her eyes searching mine.
"You look beautiful," she whispered.
I brought my lips close to hers, the heat between us instantaneous. Her hands tightened on my waist, pressing me flush against her body. When we finally kissed, the weight of Peter, the forged signatures, and the 'Ndrangheta vanished. All that remained was the rhythmic dance of our tongues and the pressure of my fingertips against the nape of her neck.
When her hands slid down to squeeze me tightly, a low moan escaped my lips. Kelsey smiled against my mouth, a playful spark in her eyes.
"I’d say you’re perfect, but I’d be lying—because that worried look on your face isn’t fooling anyone," she noted, catching my chin and lightly biting my jaw.
"I’ll take care of it today," I replied, my fingers tracing her collarbones as we pulled apart slightly. "And later, it’ll be just the two of us."
Kelsey shook her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Are you rejecting me, Megan?"
"Never. But today... at most, I’ll help you relax."
"What if I’m the one who wants to make you relax?" I countered with a smile, crossing my legs as I sank onto the edge of the sofa.
"You’re always welcome to try, Kitty." She leaned down, pressing a long, lingering peck to my lips. "But for now, I need to shower, unpack, and get ready for the Plaza."
"I’m going like this," I said, gesturing to my shirt and dress pants. "I’ll throw on my coat for the cold, but that's it. Peter doesn't deserve the effort of me dressing up."
"The problem, Megan Woods, is that you look amazing regardless of the effort."
It didn't take long for Kelsey to return, smelling faintly of expensive soap and confidence. As soon as we settled into the car, I draped my thigh over hers, welcoming the familiar caress of her hand on my knee.
"I agree with the plan for the gala," she said, shifting into tactical mode. "If he doesn't fold, I'll play the peacemaker and you’ll invite him to this 'dinner' of ours."
"Perfect. I’ll make sure he thinks the dinner is happening at the Plaza tonight."
"You never actually stay at the Plaza," she noted.
"I know that. He doesn't."
"What time are we heading to the club tomorrow?" I asked, a flicker of hungry anxiety in my voice.
"We’ll wake up, have breakfast, and head over. I’ve arranged for us to have lunch there if needed. Charlie’s already on board." Kelsey said, glancing at me sideways. "Have you thought about whether that's really all you want from me tomorrow?"
"Just... that?" I replied sarcastically, letting out a laugh. "Do you think asking for anal is such a small thing?" I arched an eyebrow, and she rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.
"Of course, Kitty. That is exactly what I meant," she countered, her hand tightening around my waist as we shared an intense, hungry kiss. "Depending on how things go, we might even indulge in some 'vanilla' afterward."
The use of the term vanilla to describe conventional sex was almost too much for me to process.
"Are we even capable of that?" I asked, skeptical. This time, Kelsey was the one who laughed.
"Maybe. We’ll find out when the time comes."
