Page 22 of Burned
Our eyes met, and I waited until he was a few feet from where I stood. “What the hell are you doing here, Davian? I thought I told you to go back to Atlanta.”
“We need to talk, Kenzi. There are some things you need to know,” he uttered with a hint of concern.
“If it is about Axe, you’re wasting your breath.”
Davian shook his head slowly. “This is not about Axe. It’s about your safety. Van Wilkerson and Niles Harris have taken Stevenson’s housekeeper. Your life is in danger.”
I wasn’t sure how he found out about Gretta being taken, but that was the least of my concerns. I was afraid my two bodyguards would check up on me, and I had to get him to leave before that happened. “I already know about that. River has taken care of it. Gretta is safely at River’s home in Atlanta. Neither one of us is in danger anymore. Please go back to Atlanta. Be with Reyna.”
I turned to walk away when a voice I hadn’t heard in over a month sounded. “Kenzi, wait.”
Feelings that I thought were gone flourished like a yellow rose. Just hearing Axe’s voice made my heart break.Did I still have feelings for him? Was I kidding myself that I didn’t?Before I could let these feelings be confirmed, my cell pinged with an incoming text.I’m on my way up. I’m here to take you to lunch.River was on his way up and panic settled into my body.
Looking at Davian and then Axe, I said pleadingly. “You two have to go. River is on his way up. If he sees you, he will kill you.” I might have exaggerated a bit, but the last thing I needed was a confrontation between him and Axe, especially where I worked.
“I’m not leaving until you promise you will let me explain,” Axe demanded.
Time was ticking and River would appear any minute. “Okay, fine,” I said, defeated. “Come back tomorrow around ten and I’ll let you explain. Now go, please.”
Davian and Axe headed back to the exit door leading to the stairwell. I thought for sure that Axe would have ignored my request and stayed to confront River. It would have been a bloodbath if River was accompanied by Mark and Brian.
~
Lunch with River was amazing, and one I would never forget. In reality, what made it unforgettable was what happened in the women’s bathroom before we left. River needed to relieve some stress, or so he said. I had no problem with it, because after seeing Axe, I needed to release some stress of my own. One minute I was bent over the row of sinks with him deep inside me and in the next, I was sitting on the cold granite with my legs wrapped around his waist, trying not to scream with pleasure for everyone within earshot to hear.
By the end of the day, I wished I was back at the law office in the bathroom, because what took place on the ride back to the penthouse felt like more of an interrogation than wanting to know about my first day. If River saw Davian and Axe in the building, he didn’t give any indication. I kept my answers to his questions to the point without elaboration.
I thought once we got to the penthouse, the questioning would stop, but it didn’t. Before I kicked off my heels so I could relax on the sectional, River asked, “Who were you talking to in the hallway? I didn’t see anyone when we got off the elevator.”
“I told you in the car, it was just a few of the guys from the office.” We promised to be honest with each other, and I hated lying to him. If he found out that Davian and Axe were in the building, he would go postal and demand that I quit.
Stepping up to me, he pulled me into his arms and locked his fingers behind my back. “I’m sorry I’m so inquisitive, but I need to keep you safe.” River pressed his lips to mine. “Let me cook you something to eat and then we can continue where we left off in the women’s bathroom.”
Smiling, I nodded my head. “While you cook, I’m going to shower.”
I pulled away from River’s embrace, grabbed my heels and headed to the bedroom. If I could get through dinner with no more questions about who I was talking to, maybe then I could finally relax.
By the time I finished my shower, River had dinner ready. The smell coming under the bedroom door was amazing, and my mouth was watering. I hurried to dry my hair so that I could see what caused that mouth-watering scent.
When I got to the kitchen, displayed on the center island were two plates with baked salmon, long grain rice, and steamed vegetables. I was starving, but this was a lot of food, even for me. Picking up the glass of white wine River had poured for me; I took a sip. “This wine is wonderful, and the salmon smells super delicious.”
“I wasn’t sure if you liked salmon so I took a chance.” River said, pulling two garden salads from the fridge.
We both sat at the center island, enjoying the meal he had prepared. The meal was mostly quiet, with me complementing River on what a superb cook he was and him thanking me. When we finished dinner, we relaxed with our wine in the living room. I tucked my legs under me, making myself more comfortable while River extended his and placed his crossed heels on the coffee table. Looking my way, he smiled and said, “Tomorrow I have an important meeting with one of my clients. I want you to be present to give me your legal opinion.”
“You are aware that I’m a criminal lawyer and not a corporate one,” I said, more sarcastically than called for.
Lifting his brow with annoyance, he replied, “Don’t both go hand in hand, since most corporate executives are criminals?”
I wanted to laugh, but the look on River’s face was too serious for any humor. Instead, I placed my wineglass on the table and twisted my body to face him. “Why are you concerned about this guy?”
“I don’t want to ruin our evening talking about my meeting. How about we just enjoy our wine and each other?”
I couldn’t argue. River lifted his feet from the table and placed his glass next to mine. He pulled me near and pressed his lips to mine. I placed my hands on his shoulders as I kissed him—his tension was undeniable. Deepening the kiss, he glided his tongue across my lips and back inside my mouth. His body was rock hard against me as he deepened the kiss even more. In one motion, he lifted me from where I was seated and positioned me so that I was straddling his lap. His erection was hard against my thigh. Needing to feel more of him, I moved my hips, grinding myself against him. Before this could go any further, he lifted me off the sectional with my legs wrapped around his waist.
River carried me bear-style to the bedroom as I continued to cling to him. The scent of musk and spice engulfed me as I breathed in his masculinity. Once we reached the bedroom, we began peeling away each other's clothes. It was an animalistic tendency on both our parts. Completely naked, I moved my eyes down his body to his stiff erection. He was absolutely beautiful in every way as I traced my fingers down his chest, following the trail of hair down his stomach toward his impressive cock. With no hesitation, I wrapped my hand around the shaft and instantly I felt the heat pulse between my legs. More than anything, I wanted this man.
Stoking my hand along his erection, I looked into his eyes, finding them filled with lust. “Kenzi, baby. What you do to me?”
