Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
Kendall
My heart is beating out of my chest, and I’m surprised Faith has said nothing about my rosy cheeks. He ignites something deep inside of me. It’s as if we are magnets, and whenever we see each other, we are drawn closer. And I can’t believe he went after Jake.
Faith wiggles her eyebrows at me and whispers, “What were you two doing in here?”
Her eyes are searching for evidence. And just as I was going to answer, Addison and Lane pile into my too-small office.
“So, this place is amazing, and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s grand opening. You’re going to be booked solid in no time,” Addison says as she looks around the office.
Faith shakes her head and closes the door. “Wait, wait…we need the details.”
“What details?” Addison’s eyes jump from my face to Faith’s, trying to figure out what’s going on.
“Kendall and Dane were in here alone with the door shut.” She is not dramatically wiggling her eyebrows. I shake my head at her.
“First off, yes, we were in my office, but not for the reason you’re thinking. I was going to wait until after everyone left, but I saw Jake.” I pause, waiting for their reactions.
And they don’t disappoint. Gasps and jaws on the floor—sort of what I expected.
They know all the details of the mess I was in following what happened with Jake.
It was scary, and some days I feared for my life.
Things have been going well over the past couple of years.
I haven’t seen or heard from him at all.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” says Faith, gasping and covering her mouth.
“Yeah, Dane was telling me he confronted the man I suspected was Jake, and he confirmed it was him. He was dressed in baggy clothes and wore a hat. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
“He did what?!” Addison says.
I can’t believe Dane did it, but a part of me is happy he did. “I know, right! He said he’d take care of it. I really don’t know what that means, but he also said I shouldn’t be alone. He’s dropping off his gram and coming back. But can you guys stay until we wrap up?”
In unison, they say, “Yes.”
Relief washes over me knowing they will be here with me. I don’t think he’d try anything after Dane talked to him, but I’m not taking any chances. I thought I would argue with him on this, but in the end, I know he’s right. I need to be safe.
“I don’t need this in my life right now. Unfortunately, when life gives you lemons…”
“You throw them at people,” Lane giggles.
“Let’s get back out there and wrap tonight up with a bow.” Addison grabs my arm and pulls me out of my office, back to mingling with people, although there aren’t many people left.
I walk down the hall to the studio and salt rooms to see if anyone is milling around.
It looks like everyone is out of the salt rooms, so I close the doors.
I check out the yoga studio first and find the instructor cleaning up.
All the mats are put away, and she is tidying up the space.
The massage chairs are being folded up as well.
Well, that’s a wrap. “How did it go tonight?”
The yoga instructor, Mandi, says, “It went really well. Eleven people signed up for the upcoming month and will probably renew for the full year. They want to check it out.”
“Amazing news! I’ll let you finish up,” I say as I turn to talk with the massage therapists.
“Did it go well? My girlfriends said it was to die for and already booked full-hour appointments.”
“We are mostly booked out for the next three weeks.”
This news reiterates how much this town needed a spa. I’m bouncing on my toes with so much excitement. What a success, and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s grand opening. It’s going to blow tonight out of the water.
“Well, ladies, we will see you tomorrow. Thank you.”
Once everyone is gone, I know it’s just me and my girlfriends. They are milling around, chatting, and cleaning up the salon.
“Thanks for cleaning up. Let me lock up the front door and head home for a good night’s sleep. I’m wiped.”
“No problem. Yes, thankfully, it’s Friday. We will be back to help tomorrow. What time?”
I’m walking to the door, and over my shoulder, I say, “Probably nine-ish; the grand opening event starts at one o’clock. That should be plenty of time. There won’t be much to set up, just the food and swag bags.”
I turn my head to lock the door, and I scream. Dane’s at the door. As I open it, I say, “You just scared the shit out of me.”
He steps in and gives me one of his hundred-watt smiles. He then winks at me and says, “I’m here to take you home.”
Now all I can hear are my friends in the background giggling and whispering among themselves. I glare over and give them a pointed look.
All at once, my friends give me a hug, and Faith says, “We gotta go. Looks like this guy has it all handled for you.”
And they walk out the door. Once the door shuts, Dane locks it up tight.
“What else can I do to help you clean up?”
I shake my head and say, “Dane, you really don’t need to do this.”
He stalks over to me, inches from my face.
With eyes smoldering, he says, “Yes, I do.” And his lips crash into mine.
His hands roam my body like a man starved.
I melt into him, and my grip on his back is tight.
I can’t help myself. I slide my hands down his back and, finding the hem of his shirt, I graze my fingernails up his back.
That creates a flood of heat between us, a fire that I have never felt before.
Holy fucking shit! It’s like bringing two small flames together and pouring gasoline on them.
I dig my nails into his back one more time, and he moans in my mouth. My panties are soaked, and if he dares to touch me, I’ll come in seconds. Whatever this is between us, I like it—a lot.
I loosen my grip on his back and move my lips just slightly back. I say, “We can’t do this here. Let’s get things closed up, and you can take me home.”
He gently kisses me and, without another word, he looks around and shuts off the salon lights.
I’m just standing there, dumbfounded and not moving.
He intertwines his fingers with mine as we head to the spa section in the back.
He guides me along the hallway and shuts off the remaining lights, never letting go of me.
I’m in such a daze that I allow him to do it.
All the lights are off, and everything is cleaned up.
We walk into my office, and Dane goes over to grab my purse.
We walk out the door to the back parking lot.
He brings me to his royal blue Ferrari and opens the door.
It has black leather-detailed seats. I love his car, and this color is jaw-dropping.
We drive until he pulls into my driveway. I glance over at him. “Want to park in the garage?”
“That would be a good idea.”
I take my phone out of my bag and open up the app. The garage door opens, and he pulls the car in. We sit there for a minute, in silence. The only thing I can hear is our breathing, which sounds like it’s in rhythm.
He slowly opens the door and lifts himself out.
I go to open my door, but then he is right there to open it.
He extends his hand for me to take, so I do.
As I stand up, he snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me up against him.
His cock is hard, and I can’t help but think of the one night we had together—entwined with each other, under the bedsheets. It was a night to remember.
The door closes, and he leads me inside my home, gently tugging me closer.
I feel his warm breath on my neck as he whispers, “I want all of you.”
All I want is him, and it’s a bonus that he’s a distraction from the Jake situation.