“Thanks, Charlie.”
Eli walked over to Kinley.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay.”
He took her hand and led her to the elevator.
Eli turned them left and walked down the hallway. “This is mine.”
He opened the door and was instantly furious. Kendra had changed the room around and added things he’d never seen before.
“What’s wrong?”
He dropped the bags. “Come on, I need to look around, and I’ll tell you.”
The more he saw, the angrier he got. Where in the hell did she get off doing shit like this? Jesus, he’d told her numerous times he wanted nothing to do with her. She was starting to show adverse psychological behavior traits and needed help. But her life wasn’t his problem. She just needed to stay the hell away from him and especially Kinley.
He stopped just inside the doorway to his bedroom and almost howled in rage at the negligee that was draped over the corner of the mattress and the candles that were ready to light on all the surfaces.
“Whose nightgown is that?”
He glanced down at Kinley. “Let’s go into the living room.”
He sat her down and then started pacing.
“What’s wrong?”
“Remember my partner’s wife I told you about?”
“Yes.”
“I told you she wanted to start dating me after Rick died.”
“Yes, like right after. She’s not a nice person.”
“No, she’s not. The one thing I need from you is that no matter what you hear, you trust me.”
“What’s going to happen?”
He didn’t like the fear in Kinley’s eyes. “I’m not sure. I just want you to know that no matter what, I want to be with you.”
“Okay.”
“Will you trust me?”
“Of course. I already do more than anybody I’ve ever known.”
He pulled her up to stand and wrapped his arms around her. “God, baby, I’ve got to tell you how much that means to me. I’ve also got to warn you that I’m already in love with you.” He ignored her gasp. “But each day that passes, it gets deeper until I can’t see my life without you.”
“Oh, I love you, too.”
He leaned back to see her face. “Really?”
She smiled and nodded. “I think I have from the start.”
He tilted her head back with the side of his hand. “You’re stuck with me.”
“God, I hope so.”
His head dipped, and he pressed his lips to hers. Her mouth immediately opened for his entry, and he took advantage, sweeping his tongue inside. Within a minute, they were both out of breath and needy for each other.
“We have to stop, love. We have dinner with my dad and grandfather in a few hours, and I assume you probably want to shower?”
“Yes. I feel grimy, and I want to change out of my jeans.”
“Before you go, I need to tell you that Charlie told me that Kendra has been in my condo several times.”
“Why? How?”
He looked around. “Several things in here don’t belong to me, so I’m guessing she thinks she’s moving in.”
“Oh, my God. Did she set the bedroom up like that?”
“Yes.”
Her laughter was unexpected and helped calm him.
“She’s crazy,” Kinley announced.
He laughed and nodded.
“I wish I could meet her.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. She’s psycho. I don’t want you anywhere around that.”
“But if you’re with me, I’ll be safe.”
“Have I told you yet how much I love you?”
“Yes,” she said and smiled. “But you can always tell me again.”
He pulled her back into his arms. “I love you, baby. Never doubt that.”
“I won’t.”
“Good, let’s get ready.”