I admired her curves. The deep tan lines painted on her body from hours in the sun. Those unforgettable long legs.
Our eyes met. I moved toward her, brushing strands of wet hair from her cheek. She reached for my neck, digging her fingers into my skin. The pressure of her nails drew a growl from my throat. I cupped her jaw ready to take her right then and there. I wanted her mouth first before I devoured the rest of her body.
“What took you so long?” she whispered.
“Traffic,” I answered. “Traffic and weather.” I winked.
“So easily distracted,” she purred, tipping upward on her toes to reach me. Her wet body slid into place. I traced the small of her back with my palm, gripping a handful of ass with its decent along her body.
Our breath collided as I leaned in for a kiss. The kind that would blister and sear her lips into mine. The wine was heavy on my tongue. The soft scents from the shower clung to her skin.
“Kennedy?” A wave of confusion hit me. Hard.
My hands felt numb. I wiggled my fingers. Why couldn’t I feel her?
I squeezed and balled my fists, but my hands were empty. The bathroom was cold as if the steam had never existed. I swung open the door to the bedroom, but the bed had been replaced by a piano. The chill spread over my arms as I stepped toward it. There was note folded on the music easel. The keys were chipped and dirty.
“This is a bad joke, babe.” I tried to sound light-hearted as I opened the paper. “I’m not really in the mood for hide-n-seek.” There were no words on the page. It was blank. “Kennedy?” I spun around the room, searching for the door to the outside. The balcony with the gorgeous view of the sunset. But when I opened it, it was raining. Thunder crackled overhead.
I passed through and slammed my hands on the railing. There was storm raging on the ocean. I peered over the boardwalk and made out the silhouette of a sailboat. Damn it. Was she on the ship? If I could run to the small strip of beach, I could catch her in time. Why she chose now to sail I didn’t know, but I had to pull her back. I had to get her off the sailboat. I defied heroics and leapt over the second story deck. There was a loud crunch and excruciating pain that sprung from my ankle to my knee. I doubled over, grabbing the side of my foot.
Then I awakened. My eyes would blink open. I would gasp for air. That damn dream would stay with me until it haunted me again.
I shook my head. That was a dream. I had to face what was in front of me now.
How was I going to get her back? Where did I start in a city this size? Which enemy did I go after first?
I didn’t want to do it. But what choice did I have?
I picked up my phone and dialed a number I swore I’d never use. I hadn’t wanted to store it in the first place.
“Kimble,” he answered brusquely.
I ran my hand through my hair. “It’s Knight Corban.”
“What’s happened?”
I stood in the construction site of our new offices. “I need your help. With Kennedy.” I’d hit the lowest point imaginable.
Chapter2
Knight
“I’m headed to the airport now. I can get a flight as soon as the first one opens up.” Kimble’s voice never changed octaves. It rarely had in the years I had known him.
“Where are you?” Kennedy said he was out working on security for her. I assumed it was driving distance from the city, but I realized now he was much farther away.
“I’ll be there by morning. What’s happened?” It sounded as if he was breathing harder, shuffling something in the background. “Why hasn’t she called me herself?”
Then the elevator began to churn. I heard a clunk then a screech. Were these fuckers coming for me next? Was that my best option? Let them take me to where Kennedy was and at least together, we had a fighting chance. I would get her out. I’d risk my entire life to give her another night of freedom.
“Hold on,” I hissed into the phone, lowering it.
My eyes opened, waiting for the doors to retract. I blinked, and Kennedy ran from the carriage. She was in her bare feet.
“Oh my God.” I opened my arms as she hurled herself toward me. The phone scattered somewhere on the floor. I couldn’t believe it. I questioned my sanity. How was she here?
“Knight.” Her face was in my neck. Her fingers digging into my back for security. She made a small wounded animal sound before I brought her face forward so I could study her eyes. They were bright green. Wild. Alive.