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Kennedy buzzed with nervous excitement as she paced around her new home near Cooperstown in upstate New York. Completed last week, she already loved it. Giddy, tripping over her own feet, she said, “And today we start our life together here.”
She and Dante’s combined aesthetics - bold, dramatic colors and clean lines for Dante, and muted elegance reflecting the natural world for Kennedy, resulted in the breathtaking surroundings. Although custom built, it wasn’t over the top at Kennedy’s insistence. They’d met in the middle on most things, including the huge soaking tub in the bathroom. The thought of a bath with her lover at day’s end, immersed in water sex possibilities, followed by additional naughty play had been a no-brainer.
She glanced outside at the snow-covered field. In the distance, Raja paced his pen, a bold swash of color against the pristine white.
Big Jim, bundled from the cold, navigated the ATV along the crusty, frozen pathway, hauling a small trailer filled with meat for feeding the beasts. He glanced at the house, saw her watching him, and lifted his hand in greeting.
She smiled and returned the greeting. “You love it here, don’t you, SoSo?” she said, scooping up her cat. “I do, too.”
SoSo put out a paw and pushed her away, letting her know he wanted down, no doubt to continue his exploration of his new surroundings.
She kissed his nose and released him.
She thought about the last five months, and her grin increased. She, Simon and his date, and Jim had joined Zander and his crew for Dante’s first performance at Madison Square Garden. They all sat in the VIP section of the venue and joined the band backstage after the musical milestone.
It had been an off the charts event. Total unparalleled success. Kennedy laughed at Dante’s saucy tongue, flirting with the audience, as well as his sexy dance moves...at least most of the time. Okay, she couldn’t lie, it took some cohones to let her man flirt that way with the female population, all eager to rip his clothes off, and still stand securely. I’ll have to get used to it. He tells me it’s an act, nothing more. And then his eyes meet mine, and I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt. The song “Six,” written exclusively for her, was a showstopper.
Women literally wept with longing, making her shake her head at the craziness of fans. Whatever. And then he’d launched into Wet, followed by Steam. It was like a collective orgasm. The guy blazed with talent. Gia, Heat, and Keys were fantastic. Their whole band was a majestic fusing of some of the most talented musicians on the planet.
Later, in the early hours of the morning in his apartment, when they made love, he assured her she was the only one he thought of when he made his dirty onstage moves, because, yeah, she’d been a little insecure. Another whatever. As long as he comes home to me, he can seduce the world, she bravely thought, hoping if she thought it hard enough it would make it true.
She joined him a few days ago for his last gig of Global Seduction in London, playing at Wembley Stadium to a capacity crowd of ninety thousand. Ninety thousand screaming fans! She joined him for a few gigs in between, but mostly she’d been immersed in the set-up of the three hundred fifty-two acres of Beskerming West, Dante’s gift to her.
If that didn’t reassure her of his love and commitment, nothing would. Ecstatic joy filled her each time she thought of this place, and the love shining in his eyes when Dante had gifted it to her. The wretched sanctuary that preceded it was slowly fading into a dream-like status from the past. She hoped someone would bulldoze it to the ground and turn it into community housing or a park.
She and Jim managed to move the great beasts to the place a couple weeks ago. All the wildcats were settling in, getting used to the new place. They had more room to roam, and Kennedy had the security of knowing the place wouldn’t disappear overnight. She could focus on training, public education and more.
She and Jim had overseen the building of pens, enclosures, and outbuildings. Dante would build studio space, but he planned on keeping his Manhattan apartment for practice time with the band. He even wanted to record the tigers’ numerous vocalizations to mix into some of his songs.
She glanced out the window at the long, winding road that led to Beskerming West. When she saw Dante’s Porsche, she nearly flew from the house. Waving wildly, she stood on the front steps, heedless of the lightly falling snow.
Dante pulled into the garage and raced outside to greet her. He set down his beloved guitar, Cara, snug in her case with a new embellishment between the pegs.
One night a couple months back, Gia had handed her a slender sable paintbrush and a small container of pink paint from a craft store. With fierce determination, she said, “Claim this. You’ve earned the rights.”
Hesitantly at first, her eyes sliding between Gia’s and Dante’s blazing velvet green gazes, his head nodding encouragement, Kennedy painted one giant heart over the smaller ones. “This heart encompasses everything.”
Dante had nearly wept.
Now, he pulled Kennedy into his arms, hugged her tightly and kissed her hard. “I missed you,” he said when he finally released her.
“I only left two days ago,” she said, breathless, certain her eyes glowed. She breathed in the scent of him, combined with the fresh, wintery air.
“Yeah, but I missed you. When you’re not with me, I long for you. I have to write songs.” He gave her a rueful smile.
“So you can thank me someday,” she said, returning the smile.
“Thank you.” He slanted his mouth for more kisses.
When they both came up for air, she said, “Welcome to your...to our new home. Let me show you around.” She guided him through the front door.
He followed, setting his guitar on the floor of the foyer. “As long as I get to play with you while you do,” he said, sliding his hands up her shirt. “Mmm. I’ve missed these,” he said, massaging her breasts through her bra.
“They’ve missed you, too,” she said, pushing his hands away, same as her cat had done to her. She stepped away from him and picked a sheaf of papers from a side table. “I decided to do the Nat Geo documentary. Here’s the contract. This place will be a perfect backdrop.” She waved the papers at his face.
“That’s fantastic, baby. I’m so proud of you.” He dropped his mouth to her neck and suckled her tender skin.
Her head fell back in a moan of pleasure.
His teeth slid the length of her neck, nibbling and sucking. He brought his head up and grinned at her. “Do go on.”
“And Barnes is going to spend a long, long time in prison. Iniko, too, from what I hear.”
“Mm-hmm,” Dante said, brushing his fingertips along her collarbones.
“And King Khari’s estate manager called. The king is so appalled by his son’s behavior, he’s doubling his donation to Beskerming West. And when I turn thirty, I’ll get more money. We’ll be in good shape for a long, long time.”
“And how does it feel to be rich?” he said, stroking the hollow at the base of her neck.
“I feel like I’m the money’s caretaker, and as long as I use it for good, I’ll survive it.” She bit her lip.
“That’s terrific, baby. Oh. I almost forgot. You know that paparazzi scumbag I despise? Jordan Jones?”
“Mm-hmm,” she said, stroking his erection through his jeans.
“He’s going down. I found out right before I left England. He pissed off one celeb too many, too far.” He pushed his fingertips down her shirt and into her bra, found her nipples and rolled them back and forth. “Big lawsuit. Multiple complainants. I’m adding my name to the list.” He let out a satisfied chuckle.
“Oh, God, that feels good.” Kennedy wanted to melt into his touch.
“Sweetheart,” he said, his eyes dancing. “It’s all turned around, hasn’t it? This is only the beginning,” he said, unbuttoning her shirt. When he peeled the fabric open his eyes grew dark with desire. He backed her against the island in the kitchen. Reaching for a plastic honey bear container, he drizzled some of the cool, sticky sweetness on the valley between her breasts. “Mmm,” he said, lapping it from her skin. “I needed something sweet.”
“Jesus, honey. I’m going to combust. At least let me show you the big bathtub.”
“As long as we’re both naked, you can show me anything. Just let me love you for the rest of my life.”
The End.
Get the next book in the series, A Twist of Love, available now.
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