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The flower pots sitting on each side of the large wooden door filled my senses, reminding me of my mom's flower garden back in Arkansas. Now and then, I wondered if the new owners of my childhood home still planted flowers in the garden my mom loved so much. The thought caused me to think about her and how nice it would be to catch up to see how the small bookstore was doing. After leaving Arkansas and moving to Atlanta, my mom bought the old building. She wanted to get a fresh start—away from the memories of my dad and his passing. It was her dream to run a bookstore, and with the money my dad left her, her dream came true. My dad wanted her to be happy. Both of them worked hard for everything they had. Instead of working for theBooks-n-Thingsbookstore, my mom now owned it. It was my dad’s dream, too. Sad, but true—if Dad hadn’t died of cancer, Mom might still be a waitress back in Little Rock.

Reyna opened the large wooden door before Axe and I had made it to the top step. The smile on her face conveyed her happiness that we came to celebrate her new home. Davian was standing right behind her, in all his handsome glory. His expression mimicked the one spread across Reyna's face. They beamed with happiness and clearly were living a perfect life. I had never seen them so happy.

Engulfing me in a big hug, Reyna held me tight. “I’m so glad you came.”

“I wouldn't have missed this day for anything. I'm so happy for you, Reyna.” I shared her excitement and gave her a light squeeze.

Axe stepped around Reyna and me and shook Davian’s hand while patting him on the back. “From what I can see, you’ve really outdone yourself, Davian.”

“Nothing is too good for my princess,” Davian said, his eyes on Reyna’s, letting her know he meant it. “Let’s go inside.”

The way Reyna and Davian had welcomed us, one would have thought they hadn’t seen us in years, when in fact, it had only been a few months. It wasn’t by choice, but with my bar exam and Reyna’s graduation, not to mention the construction of her new home, neither one of us had a moment to spare for a get-together. It had been only a week since I got back from Chicago. I wasn’t sure how to tell Reyna why I went there and that I was moving to Chicago permanently. Not even Axe knew. I did not know how to tell him. Certainly, he would understand. How could I pass up the opportunity to become a junior partner at one of the largest law firms in Chicago? Today was about Reyna and Davian. For now, I needed to focus on that. Tomorrow I would tell both of them the bad news. Who would have thought that I would be leaving Atlanta in less than three weeks?

As we headed inside the mansion, I could smell the newness of the house. Taking in the beauty of their home, I immediately fixed my eyes on the large painting of Reyna and Davian hanging on the wall just above the fireplace in a room I assumed was Davian’s study. “Wow! That portrait is badass.” My comment was more for me than them.

I hadn’t realized I stated my opinion out loud until Reyna stood beside me. “Davian arranged for a well-known artist to paint the portrait when we were in the Caymans. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Beautiful wasn’t the word that came to mind. Hot, sexy, and even dirty were the words I would have chosen to describe it. The painting didn't surprise me based on what Reyna had said about Davian and his sexual appetite. Tastefully done, it was evident that they were both naked beneath the blue silk scarf carefully draped between and around their bodies. It left their most intimate parts covered and played in one’s imagination. “I think it is way more than that.”

Wishing Axe was that sexually adventurous, I smiled inside, fantasizing about the thought. It wasn’t that Axe wasn’t a great lover. But there was nothing wrong with adding a little danger to the mix.

While Reyna showed me the rest of her beautiful home, Davian and Axe remained in the study. “I saw the way you looked at the portrait of Davian and me,” Reyna said as we headed toward the stairs. “Do you and Axe ever think about having one done yourselves?”

Reyna’s question brought light to the very thing I was thinking. I wasn’t sure if Axe would agree to have a half-nude portrait of us done. Sure, he was sexy as hell and had a body that every woman wouldn’t mind taking advantage of, but deep down, he was a conservative lover, and taking risks wasn’t in his blood. At least not that I was aware of. “Axe would never agree to anything like that.”

“How can you be so sure, Kenzi? I never thought I could do half the things Davian has shown me, but he makes me feel super sexy, not to mention the high I get, knowing how much he desires me. And just knowing we might get caught…” Reyna trailed off into her own fantasy, but I knew exactly what she meant.

Reyna grabbed me by the hand and led me up the giant staircase. It was just like one you would see insidetheRich and Famousmagazine. Little had I known that my friend would have gone to such extremes while building a home. She was more conservative and wanted simple things and a simple life, as far as I knew. Even with the McCalls, she never flaunted how rich her adopted parents were. Looking back, I wondered if it might have been because of me. My parents weren’t wealthy. If it hadn’t been for my hard work in high school, I wouldn’t have gotten into GSU. I also would have never met the best friend I could ask for.

When Reyna pulled me into a bedroom and closed the door, I knew she was up to something. This wasn’t the time for a heart-to-heart, especially knowing full well what it would entail. As we sat face-to-face on the king-size bed, I took her by the hands. “I know what you are about to say. Before you say it, let me just say, Axe is a wonderful man, and there is nothing I would change about him.”

“Wow! Where did that come from? I was only going to suggest that you and Axe come with us next week to New York. I think you two would have a wonderful time.”

“What is in New York?”

“An adult club that Davian has recently purchased. You and Axe can stay with us at his penthouse in Manhattan. You guys have to come. It will be fun. It will give you the chance to explore your inner sexuality.”

“I’m not sure about that, Reyna. Axe is… well, let’s just say, he isn’t the exploring type.”

“Are you sure about that?” The way Reyna grinned, I felt like she knew something about Axe that I didn’t.

Wanting nothing more than to steer away from this conversation, I pulled her from the bed. “Show me more of your beautiful home.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you are trying to avoid this conversation.” Reyna locked her arm with mine and walked me to the bedroom door. “Wait until you see the workout room.”

~3~

Axe

Kenzi had been gone only a few minutes when Davian turned to me with a serious look on his face. I was all too familiar with that look and well aware that something was up. “I have worked with you long enough to know that look. What’s up?”

Davian stepped past me and walked over to the sideboard where several decanters of liquor were. There was only one reason he would drink this early in the day. Only one person could have this effect on him. “Davian, tell me what is going on. You and I both know that Crosby McCall is in prison with no chance for parole.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if he were buried six feet under, his reach would still exist.” Davian downed the whiskey in his crystal tumbler and was ready to pour another.

I took hold of his wrist until he looked over at me. “What reach are you talking about, Davian?”

My question didn’t prevent him from pouring himself another shot of whiskey and downing it with one pull. Davian placed the empty glass on the sideboard. He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his messy hair. “McCall has been busy while in prison.” Davian turned and walked over to his desk and picked up a letter sitting near his keyboard. “This came this morning in the mail.”