Dangerous (The Complete Erotic Romance Novel) (19 page)

She didn’t even see the man in the shadows, much less realize that he took a picture of her.

* * *

Reid didn’t believe in coincidences.

He did, however, know the universe had a way of presenting opportunities that could make dreams into reality. It was a strange thing he’d seen time and again, that when an idea gathered enough impetus, it seemed to attract exactly the elements it needed to succeed. It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t coincidence. But it was something that happened.

The trick was seizing opportunity before it slipped away.

He was sitting in the executive lounge at LAX, waiting for his flight to be ready for boarding, when an impeccably dressed black man entered the lounge. Something about the man pricked at Reid’s memory, as if they had met once, maybe twice, before. He watched the man get a drink even as he sifted through his mind.

That was it: the man reminded him of someone he had met once.

Kendra’s plan was good, as far as it went, but he preferred a more multipronged attack to rebuilding a company. What Esperanza needed to guarantee its rebirth was more commission work, from an established distributor of erotic play gear.

Could he be so lucky that Rex from the Plume was in the same airport lounge?

Reid was pretty sure he could be that fortunate, because he had been many times before, but he waited until the man turned to survey the lounge.

He had green eyes.

It was Rex.

Reid stood up and crossed the lounge, determined to make the most of opportunity.

* * *

Kendra refused to be disappointed Reid didn’t show up on Friday. She was still working as the time approached six, determined to have the tasks he’d assigned to her done by the time he showed up.

She doubted her plan to terminate their contract would be accepted well and had her resume ready. At the same time, she already believed Reid to be ethical: if she did her job well, he’d still give her a good reference. She had to believe a reference from the man with the Midas touch could only be a good thing.

“He’s going to kill you,” Marianne drawled as she pulled on her coat.

“You should start off the way you intend to continue,” Ginger advised, pulling her purse from her drawer. “If you work this hard now without getting paid overtime, he’ll expect it forever.”

“Maybe that’s how he made his millions: exploiting the workers,” Marianne said.

Ginger nodded agreement but before she could speak, Kendra’s phone rang.

“Kendra Jones.” Reid’s decisive greeting crackled down the line and Kendra stood up straighter without meaning to do so.

“Yes, sir.”

“Her master’s voice,” Ginger said. She and Marianna laughed together as they left, Marianne turning back at the door to wave at Kendra.

They had no idea how right they were. Kendra’s heart was pounding. Not on the phone, she reminded herself.

“Did you order a limo, Miss Jones?”

“A limo, sir?”

“I need to be picked up the airport,” he continued crisply. “I have a dinner appointment at eight and the flight is late.”

“I didn’t know you needed a limo, sir.” Kendra winced, feeling his displeasure even through the telephone connection.

Then he took a deep breath. “I must have forgotten to tell you, given the week it’s been,” he acknowledged. “Could you find a solution, please, Miss Jones? We’re landing so I need to turn off my cell phone. I’ll call you again from the terminal.”

“Yes, sir.”

Business as usual. Kendra refused to be disappointed. She called three limousine services she had used before, but none of them could get to the airport on time. “Friday night, Kendra,” said the one dispatcher she knew best. “All the road warriors are coming home for the weekend. Good luck with such late notice.”

Kendra eyed the clock. She tried three more before Reid called back in, then couldn’t see any reason to hide the truth. “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t find an available limo.”

“My dinner appointment is very important, Miss Jones.”

“I’m sure it is, sir.” Kendra thought furiously. “Would you mind if I picked you up myself? I could be there in ten minutes.”

“An excellent use of your initiative, Miss Jones,” he said, the warmth of his approval making her blush. “That is a very good and timely solution.”

“It’s just a navy Honda,” she said.

“I know.” His words were deep and soft, sending a thrill through her.

Kendra remembered all too well the way he’d spoken to her at the fitter’s shop, murmuring into her ear so only she could hear his words. There was something about a secret . . . She caught her breath at the heat that filled her body, and said the first thing that came to her lips. “It’s a hand-me-down car from my brother, the accountant.”

“How kind.”

“Not really. He didn’t exactly make me a deal.”

Mr. Stirling’s voice dropped to a purr. “Much less an offer you couldn’t refuse,” he said, his words and his tone leaving Kendra with no witty comeback. “I will see you shortly, then.”

And she’d tell him then.

Kendra shut down her computer, grabbed her purse and coat, and ran. She locked up hurriedly and flung herself into her car. Thank God it was clean, although she was going to have to fight an urge to laugh at the sight of her high power boss in an ancient Honda. Of course, there was traffic on the main roads and she had to drive aggressively to even get to the airport in fifteen minutes.

As anticipated, Reid was standing at the curb of the limo section, looking cool and composed. His navy suit was crisp, his shirt very white. Except for the little bit of five o’clock shadow, he looked as if he’d just set out for the day.

Instead, he’d been flying from Hong Kong.

Maybe that was the miracle of flying first class.

Kendra pulled to a stop in front of him and reached over to unlock the door.

“Manual locks,” he said with obvious astonishment and Kendra blushed. He smiled though and his eyes were twinkling. He had to be the most handsome man she’d ever known. Kendra’s heart went thump.

“I had a car much like this for many years,” he said. “Can you pop the trunk or do I need the keys to open it?”

Kendra opened the trunk and he put his bag and briefcase there, then slid into the passenger seat beside her. Kendra pulled out into the traffic as he fastened his seat belt, then merged into the lanes that led to the highway. She concentrated on her driving, well aware he was studying her. She’d meant to break off their deal, but it seemed as if he didn’t even remember it.

Maybe he’d already decided to give it up.

“Where’s your dinner appointment?” she asked finally.

“Just take me to my hotel. This road.”

Kendra did as he instructed, understanding she was dropping him off and that would be that. She supposed there was no point in breaking off a deal he’d forgotten about. Or was she just being chicken shit?

She spared a glance at her watch. “Should you call ahead? I think with this traffic you’re going to be late, sir.”

“No need to call, Miss Jones. The reservation will be held.”

The confidence of the very rich. Kendra supposed no one would dare to give away a table he’d booked. Maybe the person he was going to meet would be there, waiting on him.

“You’ve worked hard this week, Miss Jones, very hard.”

“Just doing my job, sir.”

“All the same, I brought you a present.” He removed a velvet jewelry box from the breast pocket of his coat and Kendra’s heart stopped cold. “Not that,” he chided with impatience. “I warned you not to be romantic.” Kendra looked back at the road to hide her reaction, then flicked a glance his way. He was watching her. “Curious?”

“Of course, though I do have an inclination to be romantic.”

“It’s not a fatal flaw.” He opened the box and displayed its contents to her.

Kendra glanced at it, then back at the road. “A string of metal beads?”

“Titanium with a clasp that can’t be unfastened without a key. They are so clever about restraints in Asia. The chain comes with a tool so it can be cut to fit precisely.” He lifted it out and it sparkled in the light. Kendra saw that the clasp was a small disk and that something was engraved on the front of it. “My initials,” he said softly. “Because you’re mine.”

Kendra blinked and swallowed. He hadn’t forgotten at all.

She should have told him right then and there she wanted to terminate, but the chain distracted her. She wanted to know what he was going to do with it.

She wanted to know how it felt.

Curiosity might kill this pussy cat.

“You’ll wear it all the time, once I fit it on you,” he continued with quiet heat. Kendra could feel the wetness gathering between her thighs. “Take this exit, Miss Jones, and the first street to the right.”

Kendra opened her mouth and closed it again. “How does it fit?” she asked, without meaning to do so.

“Much like the rope we played with last week. It’ll be there all the time, cool against your skin, confining you without restraining you.”

That would be even hotter than not wearing panties. Physical evidence of their secret. Kendra felt her skin heat at the prospect and wanted very much to feel that chain around her body. She was all afire, just having him in her car, so close beside her, his cologne tickling her nose.

But it was insane.

“I’m not Alana,” she said abruptly, blurting out the words.

“Mercifully,” he replied without missing a beat.

“I don’t mean that she was your wife and I’m not. I mean that it’s one thing to be a toy but another to be a substitute. I won’t be a stand-in for someone else.”

Kendra felt a stab of guilt, remembering how she’d thought about Reid while she was having sex with Blake.

She felt him turn to study her, but didn’t look at him. She felt her cheeks heat but she kept her gaze locked on the road. Could he read her thoughts? Did he know what she’d done?

His tone was mild when he spoke, though. “Would you believe me if I told you that was a relief?”

Kendra was so surprised she turned to look at him, only to find his gaze fixed upon her. Once again, his eyes were vividly blue. “I thought you loved her.”

He almost smiled. “So did I.” He sobered and swallowed. “I even thought she loved me.” His words hung between them for a charged moment, and Kendra’s doubts dissolved.

Alana
had
left him.

Her puss began to hum with need.

“Watch the road, please, Miss Jones,” he said gently. “You’ll want to turn left up here, then get into the right lane as soon as possible.”

“But it was a fairy tale wedding. . .”

“It was. You should know by now though, Miss Jones, that not all fairy tales come true.” His tone had softened, as if he had regrets, and even though Kendra knew it was none of her business, she wished she knew the whole story. She sensed he was still hurt by whatever had happened in their marriage. Maybe he just didn’t believe in forever anymore.

Maybe she, the crazy romantic, could change his mind. The idea was exhilarating.

“Here, please.” He flicked a finger and Kendra turned into the entrance of a big hotel. He indicated that she should pull ahead of the taxis and park.

He was watching her, the line of his lips softened slightly, his eyes narrowed.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Don’t be. The past can’t be changed.” He unfastened his seat belt and reached for the door handle. “Was there anything else, Miss Jones?”

The jewelry box had disappeared, probably back into his jacket pocket, and Kendra wasn’t sure what was happening. Maybe he was leaving it until Monday.

One thing she did know was she wasn’t going to break the deal just yet.

Instead of opening the door, he reached over and pushed up her skirt, sliding the flat of his hand slowly up her thigh. Kendra was keenly aware of how close the bright lights of the entrance were, the voices of the people coming and going, the chance of discovery. He outlined a fading welt with his fingertip, the warmth of his touch making Kendra swallow. He looked up at her, his eyes so blue she knew he was completely focused on her, and then he pinched the welt hard.

She caught her breath and her words fell in a rush. “I didn’t follow your instructions, sir.”

“How so?”

“I’m wearing panties, sir.”

“I expected as much,” he said softly. “You probably were defiant on purpose, to ensure I’d have a reason to discipline you. Is that true, Miss Jones?”

“I think maybe it is, sir.”

He laughed under his breath. “I have missed you this week,” he mused, his gaze falling to her mouth. Kendra licked her lips deliberately and he smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to this evening ever since I drove away. I don’t want to disappoint you, Miss Jones.”

Kendra couldn’t take a breath. “No, sir,” she whispered.

“Any other confessions?”

She shook her head and he watched her intensely.

Did he know she was lying?