THAYER
Everything about Kennedy was sexy. The way she drunk the water was sexy. The way she talked and when she blushed. And damn if it wasn’t sexy on how she bit her bottom lip, and it seemed that she didn’t have any idea what she was doing to me.
An irrational surge of jealousy coursed through me. It was new to me, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I almost broke out of my disguise. And who would have thought that the first person I would see in the morning was the woman who kept me awake last night? Then she came to me only wearing a fucking robe, and she wasn’t wearing underwear beneath.
Kennedy was driving me insane, and she wasn’t even aware of it.
I left her in the room to take some breaths. I was jealous of Ash earlier—the way he easily handled the awkward silence in the room. I should be thanking him. Instead, I almost commanded him in front of Kennedy.
“Is everything okay?” It was Ash.
“Nothing is ever gonna be okay. I’m freaking out.”
“I thought you wanna know her.” He was amused. “What’s the matter?”
I glared at him. “I almost punched you in the face earlier. What’s wrong with me? I’ve never lost control nor lost my balance, but when I saw the two of you smiling at each other, I felt something that I shouldn’t have.”
“You have feelings for her. I get it. You’re jealous.”
“To a friend?”
“You’re territorial. That’s understandable for someone like you.”
“Is this even healthy?” I asked, confused.
“You haven’t hurt anyone. You haven’t ordered her not to talk to me. There’s nothing wrong with you, T. Just take it easy, okay? We still have a lot of things to work out. It’s gonna be okay. Just keep and maintain your cover for a while.”
“Thanks.” I joined them in their room. “Lud, I want you to buy clothes for Kennedy.”
Lud’s eyebrow raised in surprise, wearing an amused look on his face.
“Not a fucking word, Ludovic.” It was from Ash.
“We didn’t sleep together. She was only asking for a phone charger.”
“And how convenient it is? You, across her room, and she’s knocking on your door. I would say it’s fate. Call it fucking destiny.”
Pissed off, I shook my head. “Just do what I said, asshole.”
“Fine. What else?”
“You’re the manwhore. You should know what women should wear, you idiot,” Ash chided him.
“You two are not virgins. You enjoyed fucking as well.”
“Language.”
“I’m sorry. That was way out of line.”
“Just get it done. And be quick.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What about me?” Ash asked.
“You talked to the chef to prepare us lunch. Do you know if she has any allergies?” I watched her through the laptop screen.
“Soy.”
“And before you go, cut the feeds.” I left the room. It had been years since I felt this excitement.
Kennedy was still in the same position earlier as I entered the room, and she looked more beautiful without makeup. And damn it, her lips, so full and seemed soft.
She felt wary about my lunch invitation, and I couldn’t blame her. She barely knew me—she just met me yesterday.
“A gift?”
She held her necklace.
I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the thought of running my tongue in the valley of her breast. And it was harder than I thought, thinking that only an oversize robe was keeping my sanity.
“My dad gave it to me.”
“What does he do?”
“He was a journalist.”
“Was?”
“He retired after he got captured in the Middle East. Now he was a freelance writer and a full-time editor in a publishing house.”
“Your mother?”
“My mom is a photographer.”
“I guess it runs in a family.” When I smiled, she smiled back.
“I guess you could say that. How do you know Alessia?” The way she asked, I could feel that she had been waiting to know the relationship between us.
“She’s my relative.”
“Wow! How?”
“From my father’s side.”
“Wow.” That was twice in a row.
“Have you found an apartment?” Truthfully, Ash and Lud were done with that task, but I couldn’t just suggest it to her. It would only look dubious.
“Not yet.”
“We can help you take your things once you found an apartment.”
“That would be too much. You already bought me something to wear. Besides, I’m sure you have more important things to do than helping me with my things. Thank you, though. I appreciate your help.”
“It’s nothing. I’m sure you will hire movers or call your friends for help. And we are more capable of carrying heavy loads.”
“You’re right.”
A silent tension followed. Our gazes met again. Those damn sky blue eyes.
“What do you do for a living?”
“I was a pilot.”
“Air force?”
“Yeah.” A Royal pilot, to be precise.
“So, what do you do now?” I could see in her eyes the curiosity was so deep, and her mind was spinning.
“I work in my family business.”
“With Lud and Ash.”
“Yes. We’re my father’s employees, to be exact. Do you like working in Style?”
“I love my job. I enjoy what I do.” Damn. Alessia was right. Her job was her passion.
“Have you traveled?”
“Yes. Not a lot, though. I always dreamed of traveling to far remote, like countries that are less explored by tourists. I wanted to surprise myself, to explore the cultures, and meet different people.”
“Alessia mentioned about Page 13. What was that all about?”
“If you’re not familiar with Style Magazine, Page 13 is an exclusive interview with famous people. But I’d rather interview a little less famous but makes significant to the community. Like a war hero, a priest or a nun who gives her life helping children how to read and write, or a doctor who just discovered a cure. Celebrities, football players, actors, billionaires are too overrated, but that’s what most readers wanted to read.”
“You can suggest to Alessia. I’m sure she would consider your ideas. She already said it. She admired your work.”
“It’s business. Besides, Style is about fashion.”
“And not all billionaires are into fashion, football players, as well. Yes, they have huge fanbases, but this is your only chance to write what truly inspires you, Kennedy.”
Her eyes shone with hope, and if what I saw it right, admiration. Before we could talk further, a knock on the door interrupted us.
“T?” It was Lud.
As soon as I opened the door, he entered, carrying at least a dozen of a paper bag, that mostly, I recognized the brands.
“Oh, my God!” Kennedy caught my attention. “Are those—”
“Yours,” Lud answered. “I hope I guessed your size right?”
She shook her head. “I can’t wear these.” She pointed at the bags already in my bed.
“Why not try and fit them first?” Lud suggested.
“It’s not it, or it won’t fit me, but—” She stared at me. “Do you know much those cost you?”
“I don’t mind.” I shrugged.
Kennedy froze stiff as a corpse. Her eyes widened in shock. “Who are you?”
“Thayer Camren. Why does it matter?”
“What I mean is who are you? These worth thousands of dollars, and you didn’t even care?”
“I have money, and I work my ass off to earn what I use to buy these for you so that you can get out of that hideous robe. And these are a necessity, aren’t they?”
She barked out laughing. She just laughed out loud.
“Did I say something funny?”
“I gotta go. Try these on, Ken. Don’t let my effort go to waste.” Lud walked out of the room, leaving us alone.
Kennedy was still shaking as she wiped her tears.
“Kennedy?”
“You just said that my robe is hideous. You should have said that earlier.”
“I don’t want to embarrass you more.” I smiled.
“I’ll return these to you as soon as I get my things back.”
“Then we should have lunch so that we can search for your apartment.”
“Are you sure you don’t have other plans?”
You are my plan, Kennedy Gilby.
KENNEDY One thing I was sure of, Thayer was freaking rich. If Alessia was his relative from his father’s side, then they were filthy rich. I was in his bathroom as I stared at, at least twelve paper bags from a known brand—from underwear, shoes, dress, belt, coat, and even makeup. I didn’t know which one I should try first. But of course, I should start wearing my underwear. Then I put on the peach long-sleeve mini dress, which made me surprise with the size that it was perfectly fit for me, and also the size of Follies pumps by Louboutin. I put a little make on my face. I was not ashamed to show off the freckles on the top of my nose. Then I brushed my hair and applied the nude lipstick on my lips. Once I was done, I
THAYER Damn it! What was I thinking? I was better than that. I twisted and turned in bed. The urge to knock on Kennedy’s door and pick up what we left off at the rooftop made me vibrate in anticipation. The fact that my raging hard-on in my pants jerked at the thought of those perk breasts and those plumped red lips, I was already fully awake. Fuck. I let out a frustrated sigh as I forced myself to erect to sit in my empty bed. A few seconds later, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Ash. Ash: Tea? T:Turn off the fucking feeds. I hit the send button. His reply popped up. Ash:Sparring? T:Not interested. Ash:Just knock on her door. What’s so hard about it? She’s American. T: Not gonna happen. S
KENNEDY He kissed me.Thayer kissed me. The word fuck escaped his mouth shocked me. He’d been trying hard to control whatever this lust and attraction we both felt. Then he finally gave in. Last night, I didn’t sleep a blink—that was why I drowned myself in caffeine. I’d kissed a lot of men, but damn, his kiss made me squirm and me wet. That kiss wasn’t gentle, and that was exactly what I wanted to overwhelm myself. And god, if his scent didn’t turn me on—the smell of rich and masculine that I could sniff him all day. Even his breathing fanning me right now made my toe curl. He was driving me insane, driving me mad with lust and unsatisfied hunger. And I definitely looked forward to his promise. I stepped out of the car with weak knees, his large hand on the small of my back. Despite the red minidress I was wearing, a tingle of heat radiated the spot where he touched me. I knew this w
THAYER My self-discipline is legendary. I was born with privilege—with a golden spoon. Since birth, I was molded to be a man with dignity, with class. I was taught how to act, how to smile, how to behave, and how to speak. Everything. But here I was glaring at the asshole who broke my Kennedy’s heart while I was fighting the urge to yank her head and devour her mouth for a raw kiss. Pride swelled in my chest as she remained calm, throwing curses at her ex. A woman cursing in front of people was not quite impressive. With an exemption of my woman. And watching her stand against that son of a bitch was even a turn-on. For the next couple of minutes, I leisurely observed her even though I may have fucked up in the head. I dutifully inspect the apartment she shared with that scuzzball. My chest constricted in jealousy. Then I realized what a class A asshole
KENNEDY I thought I let my hopes up. What was I thinking inviting Thayer over into my room? But what about that, we’ll continue this later speech?Oh, god!I buried my face into the pillow in frustration, hoping my embarrassment would decimate. I’d known to be straightforward, but with Thayer around, I tended to make terrible mistakes. He had just consumed me—my thought, my energy—my world in general, and the fact that I enjoyed it a lot, it should terrify me, but it was quite the opposite. I found it more liberating. In truth, if it wasn’t for the three big bad wolves, I couldn’t have faced my ex and that woman alone, but those guys boosted my confidence and backed me up, and it felt good. At my work, I shared my perspective. With my sexual partner, I voiced out my needs, but with Thayer, though, it was another story—I was a patient person. It was not that he was my sexual partner, but I nev
THAYER “So?” Lud asked. His eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Don’t stick your nose in my business.” He shook in the front seat. I wanted to hit him in the head. He thought it was funny. In my entire life, I had never encountered been turned down by a woman. I was the one who was used to turn offers down. Even if Kennedy knew who I really was, I might still be getting the same answer. She wasn’t ready to give up her job. I shouldn’t be surprised. “It wasn’t so bad. She’s in love with you, but you left with so many unanswered questions.” Ash looked over his shoulder. “I hope you’re right.” “I know when a woman has feelings or not. She wouldn’t have acted the way she did if she didn’t have feelings for you. She was confused and undecided. You have to give her time. She’ll come around.” “And that precious time you didn’t have,” Lud sang. “Shut the fuck up, Ludovic.” Ash gla
KENNEDY “Wow! Nice apartment.” Serenity wandered around. “I mean, wow!” “You mean how could I afford it? I told you my roommate is far richer than Donald Trump.” “I can see that.” She slid to the stool. “Why he chose a small apartment if he could afford the whole building or a penthouse?” “Good question. And who ishe,by the way?” Siena grabbed her champagne that we used to toast earlier for my upcoming assignment. Until now, Thayer was still a mystery to me, but I would lie if I didn’t miss him since he left twenty-two hours ago. Out of sexual frustration and how we ended, I put my vibrator to good use last night. I came after I thought of filthy stuff we did together. After that, I felt guilty for imagining him between my thighs. Gosh! I was so screwed up. “Ken?” Siena nudged me. “You’re flushed. Oh, my God!” I was startled in my seat. “What?” “Is he your new guy
THAYER I was pacing back and forth, and every now and then, I watched through the window for the car to arrive. I rechecked the time. “For God’s sake. Just sit the fu— down.” Lud growled, glaring at me. “I swear I’m gonna drug you to sleep if you ask me one more time what took them so long. Just sit down, Your Highness. You’re giving me a severe headache. I can’t focus on keeping you safe if I have more dizziness than you.” “Really? This is how you show your support?” I glared back. They looked at each other before they barked out laughing. Ash shook his head in amusement. “Do you think it’s funny? I don’t know the driver you hired to pick up Kennedy. For all I know, he already kidnapped her.” “You’re irrational, Your Highness. Please, relax a little.” He checked the time on his watch. “They should be here in a few minutes.” “You’ve been saying the same thing for thirty minutes now. Yet, I