But I couldn’t listen to her any more than I could to her father. I spun out of the circle drive and away from the Martin mansion.
9
Kennedy
“What did you say to Knight Corban?” I demanded an answer from my father. His gaze was out the window. He watched one of the gardeners trim rose bushes. The brown clippings fell around the man’s boots. He stooped, collecting them in a bucket.
“It was an introduction. We got further than I expected.” He hadn’t turned to look at me.
“What does that mean?” I had changed into a sundress while he and Knight spoke.
“Don’t worry about it. Everything will be fine.”
“It doesn’t feel fine.” I was good at reading my father’s moods, but I couldn’t read his thoughts.
“I’m handling it.”
I walked out of the office, not feeling reassured. I dialed Knight’s number, praying he would answer. It went to voicemail.
“Damn it,” I muttered. I searched the house until I found Kimble and Joseph in the kitchen. “I need to go out,” I announced.
“There’s nothing on the schedule.”
“I’m putting it on the schedule,” I snapped. “Who wants to drive?”
Joseph looked at the other bodyguard. “I’ll go,” he volunteered, but Kimble intervened.
“No. I’ll go.”
“I don’t care who drives me.” I sighed. “But let’s go. Now.” I stormed past them, through the tiled mudroom, and into the garage. I climbed into the back of the closest SUV and waited for them to follow. I needed to find Knight.
I convinced Kimble to take me to Knight’s apartment. I’d only been once and didn’t make it any further than where he parked his car. I was beginning to learn that if I included Joseph and Kimble in my plans, they helped me. I wouldn’t go so far as to call them co-conspirators, but they were at least willing to follow my orders.
I recognized the tall building when we pulled into the alleyway. Knight’s car was parked diagonally in front. I hadn’t been able to take in the features the first night. I barely had time now, but it was in a charming part of the city.
“Wait here,” I instructed the bodyguards. “And before you say anything, you both know I’m not in any danger. I have my phone.” I held it up so they could see it. “He has security. I’m perfectly safe.” I saw the look on Kimble’s face. “Do not walk into that apartment, do you understand?” I had to make it clear.
“Yes.”
I exited the car and jogged up the stone steps. I knocked and was startled when a man with white hair opened the door.
“Hello.”
“Hi.” I smiled. “I’m here to see Knight. I’m a friend of his.”
“I’m afraid he’s not here.”
I frowned. “He left his car out front. I just saw him fifteen minutes ago driving that car. He was at my house.”
The man blushed when he realized he was caught in a lie. I couldn’t blame him for covering for his boss.
I pushed past him. “Is he upstairs?” There were no noticeable doors in the foyer, only a staircase that led to the second story.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t—”
I ran quickly to the second level. “Knight? Knight?” I stopped when I saw him sitting in front of a baby grand piano. The windows to the courtyard thrown open. Sheer curtains danced in and out of the room like ghosts.
“Knight, what happened?” I approached him cautiously. There was a full bottle of gin on the piano.
“I told you I can’t talk about it.” His back was to me. His broad shoulders stretched for most of the keyboard. I lightly placed my palm on his shoulder. He jumped.
“I just want to know what happened. That’s all.” I kept my voice quiet.
He shook his head. “No.”
I took a step toward him, sitting on the edge of the bench, so that my back was to the keys and I faced him. He didn’t make room for me or acknowledge that I had broached his space. There was something dark and haunting in his eyes. It gave me chills.
“Please,” I whispered. I didn’t want to beg him. But nothing felt right. It was as if there was a fracture between us, but I didn’t know where it was. How could I mend it if I didn’t know how to find the break?
“No.” He was firm.
“What about the tickets? The trips? Are they here? Do you want to show me?” I was trying to think of anything to shake his mood. To bring back the enthralling man I was falling for.
“I don’t want to talk about the trip.”
“What then?” I questioned.
His chin drifted toward me. I caught the hollowness in his eyes. A depth of pain I didn’t expect to see. Not on him. Not on a man who dripped with confidence and charm. I didn’t know any other way to erase it, but with my lips. I kissed him fully and passionately. I nipped at his mouth and lashed at his tongue with my own. Did kisses heal? Could this one?
I tugged on his shirt, quickly unfastening the buttons. I pushed it open, admiring the lines of his torso. The way muscle met muscle. Knight threw the shirt on the floor. I let my nails rake over his abs. He tossed my hands off his body.
I moaned when his fingers wrapped to my waist, drawing the thin sundress around my hips. My breath caught against his. My heart beat faster. The blood pumped in my veins as I crawled into his lap.
I felt the hard ridge of his cock through my satin underwear. I rocked against the bulge, closing my eyes. I wanted the friction. I craved it. I whimpered when he pressed my back into the keys and began to kiss my neck. His lips trailed my throat until he was between my breasts. The sundress fell to the side when he pushed the fabric out of the way. He palmed a generous portion of
