KENNEDY
I stopped dead in my tracks. My breathing held as we stared at each other for the second time. I was gripping my robe against my chest as if it would fall willingly as his gaze burned on me.
My pulse quickened. I didn’t know how long I was there standing in front of him, and I couldn’t utter a word of my purpose.
His lips were so full, slightly parted. I wanted to feel the softness against my finger, against my lips.
I squirmed. I was tingling all over and between my thighs.
I was so attractive to this man, even if I didn’t even know his full name. I couldn’t deny his physical beauty and my attraction to him.
I just broke up with my ex, yet I was drawn to Thayer like I was never with any men—I was like a moth to his flame.
His throat bobbed up and down. “Kennedy, what a surprise?”
I gulped. My throat dried. My cheeks were burning as he waited for me to talk.
“Would you like to come in?” There was a hesitation in his voice as he figured what I was wearing, I thought.
“Um, I really have no idea you’re the one checking in across my room,” I told him truthfully. At the back of my head, what a coincidence? I was just thinking about you last night, and then here we were, and I was still acting like an idiot in front of a Greek god Thayer.
“I didn’t also expect you to check-in across my room.” He smiled. God, he smiled. He looked like he woke up early. He was already on her shirts and jeans. And he looked even attracted in casual wear.
“It was kinda unplanned.” I suddenly felt shy. When was the last time I felt shy? Never.
“Unplanned is good.” He let out a chuckle. There was something in his smile that lit up the day. His forest green eyes glittered.
“I usually planned everything ahead of time, and now I’m freaking out what to do.”
“Can I help?”
I bit my bottom lip, thinking if it was a good idea.
“Kennedy, if you don’t wanna come in. At least let me help you. That’s what a good neighbor is for?”
“I think what you mean to say is that’s what friends are for. But yeah, I get it we’re not friends.”
“We can be.”
I hope so. But I was certain that your stay was not permanent. You were not from around here. I could guarantee that.
“Now, please, let me help a friend.”
“I want to borrow your charger.”
“My phone charger?” he asked.
“You’re not an android, are you?”
He laughed. My cheeks heated. “The last time I checked, I’m 100% human.”
“Oh, my God. What I mean, an android user.”
“I know, Kennedy. Please, come in.” He widened the door, stepped aside, and gestured me to come in. “I promise, I’m a decent man.”
“Thanks.”
His room had a similar floor plan as mine, but his well-made bed was different. There was an additional table inside and a very comfortable chair.
“Here’s the charger.”
“The phone charger.”
“I was trying to adapt your lingo.”
“You’re a fast learner.” I took my phone from the pocket of my robe. “You don’t mind me sitting here for a while. I mean, if I’m not holding you to do your plans.”
“I don’t mind, Kennedy. Have you eaten your lunch?”
I leaned against the side table after I connected my phone to the charger. I opened my mouth to say something but failed to do so. Every time our gazes met, I lost my thoughts. There was something in the way we looked at each other, and it was freaking me out.
“I get that as a no.”
“Um. I went to get drunk with my friends last night—” A knock interrupted us. His attention went to the door. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you were expecting someone.” I stood straight and pulled my phone from the charger.
“I can assure you, they’re not someone,” he said as he walked towards the door. Even his walk was sexy.
God, I was losing my mind. I needed to get away from him as far as I could.
He opened the door slightly, and I couldn’t see who was behind the door, but he definitely knew who he was talking with. The murmurs followed.
“Thayer, let me just borrow your—” The door swung open.
My jaw dropped. I knew them.
I covered my mouth in shock.
“You’re not—you know them?” I stared at Thayer in shock.
“Hi, Kennedy as in John F. Kennedy.” He waved his hand at me, and then his gaze dropped to what I was wearing.
Oh, my God! I must be beet red right now. I finally realized why Thayer was staring at me that way—I just came out from the shower. I wasn’t wearing any underwear, no make-up—nothing. My hair was all over the place.
“Don’t go in there,” Thayer warned him.
“Oh, I don’t mind at all,” Lud replied.
Ash shook his head. “How’s your hangover?”
“I still have a little, but I’ll live.”
“Don’t be silly.” He walked past us to the bathroom. Then I heard a door close. He came back with a bottle of pills. He then grabbed a cold bottle of water from the mini-fridge and offered it to me. “There you go. It’s safe to take in an empty stomach.”
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. How do you know it’s safe to take these pills on an empty stomach?” My curiosity kicked in.
“I was a corpsman.”
“Oh? That’s impressive. So, they’re also in the military?”
“You can ask T directly.”
I turned to face Thayer, who was shooting Ash a glare. There was something in a stare—so powerful that made Ash almost cower and apologetic. What the hell was that all about?
“Thanks for the pill.”
His gaze finally went to me, still burning. “You’re welcome.”
I looked at Ash. His gaze dropped before he lifted at me. “I’m gonna leave you two alone.”
“You don’t wanna stay?”
“Lud and I have plans.”
“Thanks again.”
“You’re very much welcome.” His smile was forced.
Once they were gone, I connected my phone back to the charger.
“I apologize for the interruption.”
“Please, don’t be. I was the one who asked for help. How do you know them? I mean, it looked like you’ve known each other for long.”
“We both were in a military. After our discharge, instead of going separate ways, they work for my father. How did you meet them? Have a seat, please?”
“Oh, I met them in the club. At Night Stalker last night.” I took a seat. Thayer chose the bed. “Are you all these kind and helpful?”
“It’s a swore oath to help and protect.”
My brow arched. I wasn’t entirely convinced. “Really?”
“Yes. Are you going to tell me what happened last night?”
“I just broke up with my ex.” I stopped and watched him. His jaw clenched. “He dumped me. My things are still in his apartment. My friend Serenity sent me there last night, but I couldn’t bear the thought of staying there or sleeping in the same bed or on the couch. That’s why I am here.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but he’s an asshole and a loser.”
“I was about to call my friend to bring me something to change when my phone died.”
“Do you wanna change from that robe? I have shirts that might fit you.” His offer was tempting, but I had enough humiliation and had bothered him a lot. I couldn’t abuse his kindness than I already did.
I shook my head. My face heated again. Just thinking that I was wearing his shirts made my skin tingle.
“I don’t mind, Kennedy.”
“You can call me Ken.”
“I like Kennedy better.”
“I’m fine in robe.”
“You can use anything you want. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
I nodded. When the door shut behind him, I crossed my legs, chin on my knuckles.
Oh, God. My life just drastically changed. I hadn’t found an apartment. Now I was with the hottest man in the world, half-naked in his hotel bedroom.
The door swung open again. My hand was quickly on my chest.
“I apologized. I forgot to knock.”
“It’s okay. This is your room.”
He might have noticed my reaction. “I’m not gonna do anything stupid, Kennedy.”
“I know. And I should be grateful for your help. It’s just the robe size is a little bit bigger, and I’m not wearing anything underneath.”
I swore I heard him curse.
He cleared his throat. “I’d like you to join me over lunch, Kennedy.”
“I’d love to, but—”
“I hope I’m not too forward, but since it’s necessary for you to dress properly, I asked Lud to buy you clothes before you have a wardrobe malfunction.”
I pressed my thighs together in response. His eyes darkened as he dropped his gaze from my eyes to my chest.
“A gift?”
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. “No
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