Page 14 of House Rules
After the kiss, he opens the door, and I step out. As the door closes behind me, I hear him say something to Sebastian. I don’t bother looking back. Instead, I head toward the double decker bus parked in front of the hotel lobby, a little chuckle bubbling up inside me. Sean is definitely a take-charge guy, and he knows how to read a woman, as well as a room. I kind of like that he came to my rescue. Even though I’m an independent woman and can take care of myself, there is something about Sean’s protectiveness that gets to me, reminds me of when we were kids, really. Olivia and I might have been an annoyance to him, but we knew he always had our back. I guess he’s just the kind of guy who protects what’s his.
What’s his?
Whoa, don’t go there, Kennedy. You’re not his. I make a sound, a half laugh, half moan. Sean doesn’t even know it’s me, for God’s sake. He thinks he’s having weekend sex with a dancer from his club. If he knew it was me, he’d probably never talk to me with such a filthy mouth. Then again, maybe he does know it’s me, knows I’m a good girl wanting to be bad, and is purposely talking to me the way I need him to. That would be just like Sean. He might have been a bossy jerk when we were kids, but there was a sweetness to him that I totally fell in love with.
Pushing that from my mind, I use the pass included in my dossier and spend the better part of the day taking in the sights around London. At one stop, I even sneak into a boutique to purchase a very sexy panty set for tonight. Who would have ever thought I’d be buying lingerie in London? Heck, just a couple of days ago, I was shocked to see the sexy clothes in my dossier. Now I wish there had been more.
It’s getting late in the day as the tour bus takes us back to the hotel, and I grab a shower and slip into my new clothes. I examine my curves in the mirror and run my hands over my body, hoping Sean likes white lace. As my fingers linger on my stomach, my pulse picks up. Is he really going to make me touch myself tonight, and watch while I do it? I might be used to touching my body, using toys at home, but holy hell, I’ve never done it in front of a man before. Will I like it? Hate it?
A fine shiver moves through me, and I know it’s not from fear. Goodness, who would have thought that deep inside I’m such a dirty little girl? Thank you, Sean, for teaching me that. A knock sounds at my door, and my heart leaps, eager for this night to get started.
“I’ll be right there,” I say. He’s early.
I pull on a tight black cocktail dress that hugs my curves, slide into my ridiculous heels, and open the door to find the concierge standing there, two paper bags in his hand.
“Good evening,” he says. “A special delivery from a friend.” He holds the bags out to me.
“Thank you.” I take the bag and say, “Wait,” as I turn to go for my purse.
“No need.” He holds his hands up, palms out, and shakes his head. “Everything has been taken care of.”
“Oh, okay,” I say.
“Have a great evening,” he says and closes the door behind himself. As the lock clicks into place, I rush to my bed and set the parcels down. A bubble of excitement swells inside me, because I know what’s in them. But holy hell, why two bags full of bedroom toys? One little toy would be enough, unless he plans to keep me tied to his bed until I leave Monday morning.
Could I be so lucky?
I dump the contents of the first bag and examine all the toys. I pick a few up and turn them over, even though I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with some of them. A flogger catches my eye, and my ass burns in response. Is he going to use that on me? I turn my attention back to one item called LUNA Beads. I read the package, and my stomach flutters with excitement. Apparently, you wear these in public, and they vibrate inside you with movement. How would Sean react if I used them? Would it drive him crazy knowing I was pleasuring myself while at a very important meeting with his client?
After inspecting each item, I grab the other bag, which was much lighter. I turn it upside down, and when I see a Truth or Dare adult card game, my pulse picks up tempo. Olivia and I used to play Truth or Dare all the time. It was the reason I was brave enough to ask Sean to Be Mine. That incident comes rushing back, and embarrassing heat floods me.
Pushing that from my mind, I reach for another square box and tug off the lid. When I see two tickets to Random Nation, playing tonight, I sink down on the bed, unable to breathe past the lump in my throat. I can’t believe I’m finally going to see my favorite band. I missed out on seeing them when I was a teen, when I was supposed to go with Olivia and Sean. I babysat all summer, but hadn’t earned enough for a ticket, and I wasn’t about to ask Mom, who was doing all she could do to put food on the table.
My heart pounds against my chest, and I feel a bit breathless as I look the cards and tickets over. My thoughts whirl, and my brain races to catch up. I feel a moment of panic. Sean couldn’t know Truth or Dare was my favorite game as a teen, right? Or that Random Nation was my favorite band.
Unless…
Chapter Six
Sean
I stand outside Kennedy’s door at six sharp and smooth my hand over my tie as I knock. My little Kitten is hiding her true identity from me, thinks I don’t know it’s sweet Kennedy Lane I’m playing sex games with. But after today’s delivery, will she clue in to the idea that I do know? She’s a smart girl, I’m guessing she will, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to break cover. Of course, that’s what the card game is for. Later tonight, I plan to play it with her and get to the bottom of matters once and for all.
Why?
Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I should just let her continue to pretend, finish the weekend off without her ever being the wiser. It’s not like we run into each other back in the states. I haven’t seen her in years, and with Olivia living in Italy, it’s not like she’ll be inviting an old friend to any Sunday dinners.
So why, then, am I determined to expose her?
Because you really like her, dumbass.
Dammit, this is just supposed to be about sex. About fulfilling some strange fantasy Kennedy seems to be trying to live out.
The door opens, and my throat squeezes as I look at the beautiful woman standing before me, her blond curls falling over her shoulders, a soft pink tinge on her cheeks as she gives me a wobbly smile, like she’s trying to decide whether I know it’s her or not.
I take in her body-hugging dress and the high heels that shape and curve her legs. “You look beautiful,” I say, meaning every word as I run a long strand of her hair between my fingers.
Her glance races over me. “So do you,” she responds, her face flushing.
