Chapter 15
Reese
Passion.
The man exuded a dark and demanding aura that he hid behind his honorable profession and his determination to right all wrongs in the world.
Yet even when I’d been on stage, I’d sensed he was extremely complex, a beast barely able to keep his true persona and intense desires locked away as required.
He’d exerted his dominant behavior over me earlier in the day. While I’d been furious with him at first, the edgier his personality had become, the wetter I’d gotten.
Even now, with every heated look he’d given me, which had been a half dozen if not more, I found it difficult to keep my thoughts on finishing the sketches. Every time I moved in the kitchen chair, I was reminded of both the spanking from the night before and the passion we’d shared.
Being this close to him was a huge distraction.
The scent of his aftershave.
The way his eyes became hooded when describing one of the girls on stage.
And the way his knee pressed against mine when he leaned forward while we were working.
Then he’d called me a good girl. Yes, the words had been spewed during our heated banter, but nonetheless, he’d used the term and I’d been… thrilled. All fuzzy inside. That had also never happened before. Around him, I just wasn’t myself at all.
I could tell he felt the same intense attraction. It seemed everything had changed between us and that only added to the extreme guilt that had left me facing another round of nightmares.
“The sketches are amazing,” Kendrick said after I’d finished the last one.
“Do you think her nose is too thin?”
“I think it’s perfect, including the shadows. You definitely have a way of creating emotion.”
I sat back, stretching, happy that I could contribute, but with every drawing, my thoughts were pushed toward my sister.
“Hopefully, they’ll be of use.” I knew what he’d said about the group of people helping him and I had overheard a portion of his earlier phone conversation, but after sharing everything I knew, the entire situation seemed that much more hopeless.
“At minimum, we should be able to identify the girls you were with on stage.” He gathered the drawings and before he had a chance to take the colorized version I’d completed of my sister, I rubbed my fingers across her cheek. She’d been so gaunt even in comparison to the last time I’d seen her.
When she’d had pink hair and her preferred black eye makeup, which I’d hated.
Now, I’d purchase her an entire decade’s worth of makeup if I could only see her again.
I sighed softly and could tell he was watching me just as intently as he’d done several times.
After our bantering session, everything had been all business.
Which was fine by me. I had no energy left to fight him.
“What’s your sister like?” After all the gruff tones I’d heard him use, the softness of his voice surprised me. So much so I tingled, goosebumps sweeping down my arms.
“Spunky. Opinionated. Hardheaded. She acts like she can rule the world. Fun loving. Energetic. So intelligent and extremely talented.”
“Sounds exactly like her sister.”
While his voice was still warm, smooth velvet dancing across my heated skin, I still threw him a dour look.
“We used to be two peas in a pod. She was my little shadow. Even after I went off to college, we remained close, but I had my life and suddenly, the calls and Facetime became less frequent and days turned into weeks then months. Suddenly, I heard from my mom Briana had a new group of friends and was falling short in her classes, even escaping during the middle of the night to party.”
“Typical teenager.”
“That’s what I told my mom, thinking it was just a phase.
Blue hair. Tight jeans. Wild makeup. But she started getting into trouble at school, even skipping classes.
My parents became very strict and she rebelled.
By then, I couldn’t get through to her. I think she resented me, angry that I had my life and I’d left her behind. ”
He sighed, the look on his face as if he knew exactly what I was talking about. “I’m very sorry. Family is extremely important and when there are difficulties, everyone begins to feel guilty, questioning what they could have done. She was lured by the modeling?”
I nodded, remembering far too many details I’d prefer to forget. “On the last call, she mentioned one of her friends or someone had told her she’d make a great model and that she was going to investigate the profession. I thought maybe she was ready to pull out of her slump, so I encouraged her.”
“That’s why you blame yourself. That’s why you were dead set on finding her at all costs.”
“She’s my sister. We had a bond unlike anyone else I know. I’m supposed to be her guardian angel. I failed her.”
Reaching out as if by instinct, he took my hand into his. The same bolt of electricity jetted through me, hot and heavy, leaving a lingering desire that couldn’t happen.
I knew what I’d said to him and I was willing to do anything it took to help get my sister back, but who the hell did I think I was fooling? I wasn’t some BDSM queen, nor did I have any acting abilities whatsoever. At least being around him grounded me.
Although I wasn’t going to boost his ego by telling him.
Very slowly, I pulled my hand free, suddenly unable to look him in the eyes.
“She didn’t tell me what she found or that she’d seen anything on TikTok.
When my mother found her suitcase missing, she called me.
I went to their house to see if I could find anything.
My sister always kept a sketchbook with her.
She left it. I found some notes, including a link.
It was active and I applied. I can tell you that I completely understand why the girls were lured.
They promise money, fancy clothes. Being on a yacht.
It appeared all very legit. After a couple days of trying to contact her, my father finally reported her missing. ”
“Were there any names associated with this modeling company?”
I had to think about the question, trying to sort through the ugly thoughts of my fractured mind.
“Miami Elite Modeling agency.” A sense of relief flowed through me.
He quickly wrote down the name. “That’s great. It gives us a start.”
“You think you can find them.”
“I’m positive the link is gone, but the men and women I work with are highly skilled. Everyone leaves a footprint on the internet. It doesn’t matter if you deleted the information including using the various scrub applications, the information always leaves a ghost.”
“But?”
He laughed. “But it will take time to find it. Do you remember the link itself?”
I thought about the question. “Yeah, I think I do.” I took the pen from his hand and as before, our fingers touched, the electricity skyrocketing. I tried not to react, scribbling the link. “I think that’s right.” I could tell he was watching me as I rubbed the pen with my fingers.
“We will find her. You just need to trust me.”
“I know. I do. It’s funny. I never thought I’d be able to trust anyone ever again.” I’d told myself that years before and for the most part, had kept to myself. Why I’d opened up to Kendrick was impossible to answer.
Every time he laughed, I was thrown by the sounds. “No, you don’t. And you’re right. You have absolutely no reason to.”
“Like you have no reason to trust me.”
“There is a difference.” He leaned over, so close that I all I could think about was him kissing me. “I know everything about you.”
“Everything?”
“Well, maybe not everything.”
The moment lingered on, the dark cravings breaching the surface. I almost did the unthinkable, reaching out and touching him.
“To answer some of your earlier questions, my favorite pizza is pepperoni and sausage with extra cheese. Usually black for my coffee, but if I’m in a really bad mood, you might see me adding whiskey or a shot of Irish cream.
I don’t have much time to read or even to watch television, but when I do, I usually watch true crime dramas.
I prefer being outside, the mountains, not the ocean.
There’s nothing like crisp mountain air on a frigid morning or the view with the snow on the caps.
When you can see a few deer or elk, it’s even better.
I’ve been known to do a little mountain climbing, although that was in my younger days.
You won’t catch me in a swanky dance club unless I’m forced.
Instead of cognac, give me a cold beer and a shot of tequila and I’m good to go. Oh, and classic rock, baby.”
“That doesn’t fit with the Lamborghini you drive.”
He smirked.
“Which you don’t own.”
“All a facade.”
His admittance was so adorable in the way his brow furrowed, I giggled. My behavior was like some schoolgirl in awe of an older man. Maybe there was some truth to the notion. It was ridiculous and as had happened every time before, I could feel the heat crawling across my face.
“What? You think my likes are crazy?”
“Not at all. They suit you. With your mannerisms and your preference in attire, you kind of remind me of a cowboy, especially with those sexy boots you have on.”
His face lit up as if I’d truly complimented him. Maybe I had.
“Okay, Miss Reese. Why don’t you tell me about your likes and dislikes? We’ll compare the lists.”
“Fine. Mushroom and Canadian bacon. Cream, although I’ll agree with you on the Irish part.
I devour books, and not just romance books either, thank you very much.
I prefer horror or thrillers. Which is exactly what I love in my movies.
Classic rock will work, although you need to mix in a little heavy metal.
Wine. Margaritas occasionally. I’m not much of a hard liquor girl, but you give me a milkshake and I’ll drink you under the table.
And yes, I adore chocolates, especially chocolate-covered cherries. Yummy.”
“You are now officially making me thirsty. And very, very hungry.”