12

“Knox…” The whisper slipped out in the empty bathroom.

Her other hand trailed lower, sliding between her thighs. She was already wet from the memory of him stirring fresh arousal.

Two fingers circled her clit slowly, teasing, her building the arousal the more. In her mind, it was his tongue instead, his broad, confident strokes while he looked up at her with those piercing green eyes.

She slipped a finger inside herself, then another, curling them the way he had when he fucked her on the couch. The water sloshed gently as her hips rocked.

“Ahh… yes,” she breathed, voice echoing softly off the tiles. She pinched her nipple harder, imagining his mouth there, sucking while he thrust deep.

The pace of her fingers quickened. Three years of nothing, no real touch, no hunger, no release like this.

The need surged through her, hot and urgent. She added a third finger, thrusting deeper, thumb pressing firm circles on her swollen clit.

“Knox…fuck, right there...” The words came out raw, desperate. Her back arched, breasts breaking the surface of the water.

The orgasm hit her hard, it was sudden and intense. She cried out, thighs trembling, her walls clenching around her fingers as pleasure rippled through every nerve. For long seconds she rode it, gasping, until the waves finally ebbed.

She's not thinking straight and she knows that very well but couldn't just help it, because damn, when has she felt this before?

And she just decided after the divorce that she wants to be single, and never gets into anything with a guy. Fuck that, she let a stranger fuck her raw last night, the fact that his name, his green eyes, his needy expression, his touch, wouldn't leave her is something she couldn’t describe.

Kendra stayed in the tub a while longer, breathing slowly, staring at the ceiling.

The ache hadn’t disappeared, touching herself had only reminded her how much she still wanted, or needed, to be properly fucked again, to be claimed by Knox.

Eventually she stood up, water streaming down her body, and stood in front of the full-length mirror staring at her reflection.

The evidence of last night was impossible to miss, the faint hickeys bloomed along her neck and collarbone, another on the soft skin just above her breast, the light bruises from how his strong fingers marked her hips.

She traced one on her neck with a fingertip, a small, private smile curving her lips.

"Knox, who the hell are you?" she bit her lips seductively, her hands touching her neck.

With the dirty thought on her mind, she took her bath and chose an outfit from the walk-in closet that felt like armor and rebellion at once.

A champagne-colored gown from her mother’s collection—off-the-shoulder, with a draped neckline that beautifully exposed her shoulders and the upper curve of her breasts.

The fabric hugged her waist and hips before falling into an elegant slit that revealed one long, toned thigh with every step. She left her hair in a loose, sophisticated updo that deliberately showed off the marks on her neck.

She did her makeup: flawless base, smoky eyes, and a bold red lip that screamed confidence.

When she finally descended the stairs, the staff couldn’t hide their reactions.

“Miss Ree,” Mrs. Harlan said softly, eyes wide with admiration. “You look powerful.”

Kendra offered a small nod. “Thank you. I’ll be at the company. Hold all non-urgent calls and don't let anyone enter..”

"Yes ma'am, but you haven't had anything to eat before." She said,

"I'll sort myself out." Kendra muttered and she nodded.

***

The drive to Reens Group headquarters was quiet. The sleek glass building gleamed in the midday sun, a fortress her mother built. She's been here a few days ago, to introduce herself, and they were so happy to have her as the new CEO.

As soon as the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, her assistant Elena was there, tablet in hand, efficient as always.

“CEO Ree, Welcome Ma'am,” Elena greeted her with a professional smile that warmed slightly at the edges.

"Uhm, thank you." Kendra nodded.

“The board sends their regards. They can wait if you need more time.”

“I don’t need to see them for now.” Kendra strode toward her corner office, the gown’s slit flashing with each step.

“Walk me through the updates. Start with the cars, I want to know everything.”

Elena hurried to step beside her, tapping on the tablet.

Then she started, “The luxury electric division continues to outperform projections. The Reens Phantom model has seen a 47% increase in pre-orders this quarter. We finalized the battery partnership with the German supplier you approved last month and the delivery starts in ten days."

"That's okay," Kendra muttered.

"Quality control is already running triple shifts. Market analysts are calling it the quiet revolution in high-end EVs.”

Kendra settled behind her wide oak desk, crossing her legs so the gown parted to reveal a smooth thigh.

Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Good. Push the marketing campaign forward. Focus on sustainability without the usual corporate fluff. What about the vault division?” Kendra said. "Have your seat, Elena."

"Thank you ma'am." Elena sat in the chair opposite.

She continued. “That sector remains our strongest. The high-security contracts with the three major banks were renewed without issue. Our quantum-encrypted biometric systems are still unmatched—zero breaches in eighteen months. We’ve also received a significant inquiry from a Middle Eastern royal family."

Kendra rubbed her lips together. "What do they want?"

"They want a fully custom underground vault complex: climate-controlled artwork storage, gold and precious metals reserves, and disaster-proof design capable of withstanding earthquakes and flooding.”

Kendra leaned back, fingers tapping the armrest.

“Accept it, but require triple the standard security deposit upfront. And add a performance clause, because if any system fails within the first five years, we refund fifty percent. I want our reputation ironclad.”

“Already prepared the terms,” Elena said with a small smile. “There’s more to discuss..."

"What's that?" Kendra asked.

"Several of Richard Thompson’s major investors have begun making discreet inquiries about the original seed funding. Your name has surfaced in at least three separate conversations. The viral video from the past few days hasn’t helped his cause. His stock dropped another twelve percent this morning.”

Kendra’s red lips curved into a cool, satisfied smile.

She touched her neck absentmindedly. “Let them dig, if they want to know anything they can come through proper channels.”

Elena nodded, making notes. “Understood. Shall I schedule a board meeting for next week?”

“Tuesday. And Elena?” Kendra paused, meeting her assistant’s eyes. “Make sure the security team knows I’m increasing personal detail for the next few months. Richard won’t go quietly, after what's gonna happen tomorrow.”

“Already done.” Elena stood, smoothing her skirt. “You look different today, if I may say so and stronger too.”

Kendra allowed herself to smile genuinely. “I feel it.”

After Elena left, Kendra stood up and walked to the window, gazing out over the city.

The memories of last night refused to stay quiet. Knox’s voice in her ear, low and rough: “You feel like heaven.” The way he had carried her across the room without breaking rhythm. Her own desperate moans echoing off hotel walls.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling the low thrum of renewed desire. Part of her regretted the cold way she had left him this morning, calling their night a fling, a mistake. But another part, the part that had survived Richard’s betrayal, knew she needed to stand alone right now.

But at the same time, the way Knox had looked at her when he recognized her in that video. The quiet recognition, the lack of judgment, it still lingered.

Her phone buzzed on the desk. She ignored it at first, then walked to her desk to see. Unknown number. A message preview appeared:

[Last night wasn’t a mistake for me. If you ever want to talk, text me princess!!!—Knox.]