Unwanted Heat

One of the many reasons I keep Carter around is because of moments like this-there is so much he could have said or questions he could have asked about Kenzie moving in, but he doesn’t. As long as my decisions do not impact security, he doesn’t question them.

I quickly take a shower and change into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to begin my day. I have a lot to do before the charity dinner, so I immediately set up in my office with breakfast and coffee. There isn’t much time to put my plan into action but thankfully money talks. I learned early on in my career that anything can happen if you’re willing to spend enough money. Today is no different; my plans are beginning to become a reality as everything falls into place. Moving through my to do list for today, the next item is to contact Bridget and inform her that Kenzie and I will be breaking our contract.

“Wilder Consulting Services, how may I direct your call?”

“This is Nicholas Parker, I would like to speak with Bridget.”

“One moment, please.”

“Nicholas, how are you?”

“I’m well, Bridget, and you?”

“I can’t complain. Business is booming right now, which is always a good thing. How are things with Ms. Rose?”

“That’s actually why I was calling-”

“Oh?”

“Mackenzie and I will be terminating our contracts with you, effective immediately.”

“Both of you will be terminating the contracts?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why?”

“Kenzie… we have become very close with all the time that we have spent together under your contract, and we will be pursuing a more personal relationship.”

“Wow… Nicholas I have to say this is very surprising. I knew the moment I signed Kenzie that someone would likely fall for her. She is a beautiful woman with such innocence that is so rare these days. I knew she wouldn’t last long with me; I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting you to be the one snatching her from me.”

“Neither did I, Bridget.”

“Just to make you aware, I’m going to need to speak with Kenzie to verify that she wants to terminate her contract before the process can be finalized.”

“We understand; she is available today to speak to you if you contact her before four this afternoon.”

“Assuming she is in agreement to this contract termination, when can I expect the termination fee to be sent?”

“I will send the payment as soon as we end the call.”

“Perfect. If for some reason your relationship doesn’t work out, you are always welcome to come back to Wilder Consulting. I have many other girls that I’m sure would be able to meet your needs.”

“I appreciate that, Bridget, but I don’t think it will be necessary.”

Keeping my word, upon disconnecting the call, I transfer the money to Bridget’s off-shore bank account, effectively terminating the contract. I never thought I would see the day that I would have paid someone to accompany me to events, but with the press situation, it was needed. I sit back reflecting on how things have changed with Kenzie since the day I first met her at The Summit. Neither of us had any idea what to expect from this arrangement but having at least ran into each other previously, I think made the entire arrangement a little less awkward. Never did I think that the contract with Bridget would have led to marriage. I mistakenly thought if I was seen with the same woman over the course of a few weeks, that the press would leave me alone and let me focus on PFS.

Speaking of marriage, the next item on my agenda is the wedding. Over the course of the next few hours, I manage to secure a location for the wedding and honeymoon. Everything is tentative pending Kenzie’s approval, but I wanted to at least secure an option, given the tight time frame we are under. I don’t want to let too much time pass before we get married; the longer I wait the bigger the risk is for PFS. Before shutting down my laptop, I send an email to Melody alerting her to the week I will need cleared in my schedule. I don’t provide a reason, but like Carter, Melody will just do as requested and very rarely will ever ask questions. “Sir, we should be leaving shortly,” Carter informs me.

“I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

I take a quick shower before putting on the Armani tux that Julie had the cleaners deliver earlier today. For the first time in a week, I no longer feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I’m confident in my plan; marrying Kenzie will finally get the press off my case, allowing my focus to be primarily on PFS once again.

“You look beautiful,” I say as soon as Kenzie opens the door to her apartment. She stands in the doorway wearing a gorgeous dark blue, floor length gown that sits just off her shoulders. The front of the gown hugs her breasts tightly; I can’t keep my eyes away from her cleavage or my mind from wondering what she was wearing underneath the gown.

“Thank you, you look handsome,” when I look up, I realize that Kenzie is blushing, having clearly caught me staring at her chest. I’m tempted to demand she change into something different, something that won’t have the entire male population staring at her tonight but I know we don’t have time for that, and it’s unlikely she even has something else to wear tonight. When Kenzie turns to close the apartment door, I nearly groan at the back of the dress. A thin strip of dark blue lace holds the pieces of the dress together which is otherwise open to her waist. Her soft brown hair is swept up, with a few pieces curled along her neckline.

“That dress… you really do look amazing tonight, Kenzie,” I can’t help but compliment her again as we walk together to the elevator, my hand on the bare skin of her back.

“Thank you. It’s not something I normally would have chosen, but Cara insisted I get it. You don’t think it’s too much for tonight, do you?” “No, I think it’s perfect.”

And it is-the dress is absolutely perfect for the dinner tonight. It doesn’t reveal too much skin and only accentuates Kenzie’s amazing body even more. I inwardly curse Cara, who I’m sure chose a dress like this just to drive me crazy. The only thing I can think of on the ride to the country club is that it’s going to be a very long eighteen months.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Kenzie, Nicholas! It’s so nice to see you both again,” my mom greets us as soon as we enter the ballroom.

“Vivienne, how are you?” Kenzie hugs my mother.

“I’m good, dear, how are you?”

We are seated with my parents, Cara and her date and Austin who decided to come single tonight, which I notice he has been doing more and more lately. Once this wedding is behind us, I make a note to plan a day with Austin to find out what’s going on with him lately. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have been caught dead attending one of these events alone. Whether he brought a former one night stand or some random chick he met earlier that day, he always managed to bring someone.

“Nicholas, are you and Kenzie joining us for dinner tomorrow night?” my mom asks.

“Yes, we will be there.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Dance with me?” I whisper to Kenzie just as a song finishes and there is a lull in the conversation at our table.

“Sure,” she answers quickly.

I lead Kenzie out to the middle of the dance floor and pull her close to me just as the music begins. As I shift us, my hand slips to just above the fabric of her dress, allowing me to caress her soft skin.

“There’s a photographer just to your left; I think he’s taking pictures of us,” Kenzie whispers and I swear feeling her warm breath against my ear goes straight to my dick, which has already been twitching since I saw her in this dress.

“Oh?”

I turn us around, casually glancing in the direction she mentioned. I realize she was right, there is a photographer for the event with his camera pointed directly at us. Lifting her chin, I look at her plump lips and then back to her eyes, letting her know my intention. She doesn’t say anything, but as I lower my lips to hers, I watch her eyes close in anticipation of the kiss. The moment our lips meet, I swear a jolt of electricity goes through my body. I wrap both my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me until our bodies are flush. When she lets out the softest moans, I once again lose myself in the kiss. Parting her lips for me, she grants me the access I request. When her tongue finds mine, I don’t hold back the groan.

“Ladies and Gentleman, please take your seats for our meal tonight,” the announcer unfortunately forces me to pull away from Kenzie. The blush on her face tells me she was just as caught up in the kiss as I was. Once again, the only thing I can think is what an awful long eighteen months this is going to be.