Page 166 of Savage Bosses

“And you can’t give me details because it involves your client?”

I nodded.

“I’m not surprised Kent is on some bullshit. After the mess he pulled, he’s lucky I didn’t wail on his ass like I would have with someone else.”

“Wait.” I straighten in the chair. “Are you telling me he did something to piss you off and he’s still got all his limbs? What happened?”

“It was when Oyi died. He was alone. I felt sorry for him, the way he stopped talking to his friends and was barely keeping himself together. So I cooked him some meals. Then one day I came home to find a cooler at the front door. On top was a note with one word: Stop. That’s it. Inside the cooler were all the meals I’d made for him, untouched. You know I haven’t said a nice thing to or about that man since. And your daddy is quick to remind me he was grieving. Hmph!” Nikita drained her glass and refilled it.

“He never apologized?”

“The only person that man has ever said sorry to was Oyi. Maybe Ife, but no one else. I doubt you can get an apology out of him, but you would be the next likely candidate after Ife.”

I stared into my glass. My mother had no idea that I was permanently moved to the last person on earth some years ago.

“But I’m going to tell you, until you get that apology, rake his ass over the hottest coals you can find and make your mama proud.”

“What happened to ‘he’s grieving’?”

“That was eight years ago. Don’t look at me like that. I’ve seen the women who have helped him get over his grief. Tear his ass up, Maddy.”

“Not sure how to do that, if I’m being honest.” I shook my head. The last thing I needed was for my mother to feed the angry flame inside me.

“One thing about Kent is he doesn’t share his toys.”

“Mommy, I’m not a toy.”

“Of course you aren’t.” The weight of her strange stare burrowed beneath my skin.

The one thing I most wanted to do in this moment was avert my gaze, but my mom was a shark when she suspected me of withholding information. My only hope was not to blink first.

Mom exhaled, though suspicion ran strong beneath her glare. “You need to find what he’s fixated on now and take it from him. Better if it’s something you gave him in the first place. I’m getting a vicarious thrill just thinking about how you’ll put him in his place.”

“I’ll think about it.” I kissed her cheek and made my way upstairs.

In bed, I tossed, unable to shut my brain and body off. Time and darkness stoked all the conflicting emotions inside me, forcing me to relive our moment in the penthouse. The one when I felt his kiss to my core. The need inside me burned brightly until he stabbed me with his words. Yet despite my reasonable side telling me to back off and take the higher road, arousal made it impossible for me to sleep.

With a frustrated growl, I threw the covers off my body and retrieved the vibrator I hid inside a discreet throw pillow. I ended my day the way I began; with a small unsatisfactory orgasm and a body so tense my muscles locked in a painful vise. I was near tears from the futility of it all.

Maybe my horrible night was why I woke up the next morning, resolute. I was going to take my mom’s advice and become the toy Kent Luxe didn’t want to share.

As I dressed in a killer skirt suit that clung to my curves, leaving little to the imagination, I decided my best revenge was to make him fall for me, then leave him to wallow in humiliation. Before leaving my room, I added an accessory that I hoped I wouldn’t need to use, but based on the prior day would have to rely on just to make it until I finished work.

I was resolute, but my body was no Iron Woman.

CHAPTER 6

Kent

A

fter asking Elsie to meet me this morning, I was at a loss for words. She arrived early, and I stalled for time by having her order breakfast from Omar, which didn’t take as long as I’d hoped. I checked my watch and counted down the seconds until Madison walked through my doors to find us together.

Would she look at me the way she did yesterday after my cruel words? I squeezed my fist, hoping the pressure would help me focus. Madison’s feelings didn’t matter, they couldn’t. Not when her image haunted me all night; from the tears that refused to fall from her soulful brown eyes to the forbidden lure she represented.

Elsie shifted in her chair and crossed her legs. Slim thighs and legs that drove most men wild with lust did nothing for me. Although I appreciated her form, appreciation was all I could muster. None of the madness that had fueled me yesterday or driven me to taste Madison was present, not even a flicker.

“Kent, I’m not sure why you needed to see me again. Madison laid out a comprehensive plan for our public outings. She’s got me busier than my publicist, which thrills my stylist.” Elsie smiled, probably at the thought of all the free designer clothes she’d get for her appearances.

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