Page 19 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)

Chapter Seventeen

Alexander

M y bedroom usually brings me great comfort after a long day, but tonight it doesn’t soothe the ache of leaving Kennedy down the hall when she could be here with me.

It felt important to give her space tonight.

But the fact that she would probably be in my room now, if it wasn’t for that call, doesn’t sit right with me.

All evening, she had a light in her eyes and a serene expression.

That one phone call stripped her relaxed posture and carefree joy.

I watched as the tension crept back into her shoulders, and she was looking at me like I’m a risk she isn’t sure she should take.

It’s been hard not asking Patrick what came up on Kennedy’s background check. Who am I to question the skeletons of her past, when I have a closet full of my own. The connection between us continues to grow, and I chose to believe that one day neither one of us will have to hide.

Kennedy is different from any woman I’ve allowed myself to be involved with.

The thought of her with a knife pressed to that asshole’s neck turns me on more than it should.

I was proud to see her defend herself—turning from victim to predator.

I often wonder how far she would’ve taken that interaction if I wouldn’t have shown up.

I remember our eyes connecting the first time, giving me a glimpse of what she’s hiding behind the shield she presents to the world.

Now, here we are, with Kennedy right down the hall from me.

I quickly change into my sweats before sliding into bed.

I pick up my current read and glasses so I can attempt to calm my mind enough for sleep.

Distractedly, I made it through one chapter, but I couldn’t recall a single thing I read.

Then, my attempt at continuing to read is interrupted by a small knock on my door.

I pause for a moment, looking down at my bare chest before calling out, “Come in.”

Kennedy’s head appears at the door, but she doesn’t fully step into the room.

Her hair is wrapped in a silk scarf, and I watch as her eyes roam down my body before returning to my face.

She gives me that shy smile that’s quickly becoming my favorite because I don’t think she reveals it much.

I straighten up before pulling my glasses off.

“You good, Kitten?”

She rolls her eyes at the nickname I won’t let go. “Yes. I just didn’t want to be alone, but I can leave—you’re busy.”

Before she can even finish that statement, I already have the covers pulled back and gently pat the space, beckoning her over. She moves without hesitation, crawling across the bed wearing a two-piece, short satin pajama set that clings to her body in a sinfully delicious way.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your reading time, but I couldn’t get my mind to stop moving long enough to sleep.”

“You aren’t interrupting anything. What’s going on?”

She snuggles down into the bed, pulling the sheets up to her chin before looking into my eyes. The beautiful light brown gaze that was lit up earlier looks exhausted. Defeated.

“My problems can’t be solved in one night. Please, continue reading your book. I don’t want to interrupt your routine.”

Kennedy turns over and I stare at the back of her head resting on my pillow and I know her scent will be in my sheets long after she is gone.

Another silent moment passes, before I place my items on the nightstand and shut off my lamp.

As I move under the covers, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her body flush with mine.

I take the chance knowing that Kennedy will tell me if I go too far.

She instantly relaxes into me and that comfort she finds in my arms does something to my chest.

Her hand moves down my arm before linking her fingers with mine and snuggling in closer. I lean in, pressing a small kiss to the back of her head.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I whisper the question across her skin.

“No, I want to pretend like our night was never interrupted.” Her hips swivel a bit, and my dick instantly jumps at the contact.

The moment instantly shifts into something more charged. My grip tightens around her waist.

“Tell me what you need, Kitten.”

Kennedy turns in my arms, pressing a kiss to my chin. “You.”

She peppers kisses across my jaw before reaching my mouth. There’s a desperation to our kisses—both of us giving as much as we get.

I roll her onto her back and slide between her legs, grinding against her, eliciting a sweet moan from her.

“You sure that’s what you want, baby?”

I trail wet kiss down her neck, relishing in the shiver that goes through her. I can’t wait to find out how else she will respond. Her hands moving up my back makes it very hard to think rationally, but I don’t want her waking with any regrets in the morning.

“I’m positive, Alex.” Her voice is husky, laced with want.

“At any point, you tell me to stop and this ends, no questions asked. Got it?” Her hands move beneath my sweats, her nails scraping across my hips. My hands slide under her shirt, moving across her smooth skin. Running my thumb across her nipple, I say, “Answer me.”

“Yes, sir,” she answers on a moan. “I understand.”

I don’t waste another moment. She wants to forget and I’m all too willing to give her something else to think about. Her shirt barely leaves her body before I’m lavishing her body with kisses. My only focus is to give her as much pleasure as she can handle.

My lips wrap around her nipple and I suck, hard. She rewards me with a moan as her hands move into my hair, pulling me into her body. Kennedy squirms beneath me as I move to her other breast, giving it just as much attention.

My mind is on one-track as I move further down her body, taking her sleep shorts and panties off as I go. I slip my fingers between her legs and the wetness that greets me has me rock hard. Her hips move, seeking more pressure.

“Kitten, you didn’t tell me how wet you were for me.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” she replies on a breathy moan.

I chuckle at the sarcasm she can muster with lust running through her body. I can’t help myself as I place both her legs over my shoulder. I’m going to take my time devouring and savoring every inch of her.

“No more keeping your wants from me, baby. Let me hear you.”

My tongue runs from her entrance to her clit, swirling around that bundle of nerves. Her fingers grip my hair as she grinds into my face and I moan around her clit, becoming more turned on by the moment.

My hands slide under her, lifting her body up to my mouth as I make out with the most intimate part of her. I don’t hold back, wanting her to release all her tension on me, and she doesn’t hold back on the noises she rewards me with.

“Alex, I’m going to come if you keep that up.”

“Promise?”

I double my efforts, cataloging every detail her body gives me. My only regret is not having the lights on to see her when she climaxes. My hands move up her body, squeezing her breast before I tweak her nipple. Kennedy moans deep and I’m rewarded with her orgasm.

I don’t let up until her movements slow down, then I’m kissing up her body. My body is stretched out over hers when she pulls me down to her mouth, kissing me without reservation.

“I taste good on you,” she says across my lips before kissing me more.

She’s tugging on my sweats, but I grab her hands. “Tonight is for you, baby.” Turning over, I snatch up the white tee I had on earlier and gently situate it on her body. When I lie back and pull her to relax across my chest there’s a look of astonishment settled over her features.

“You’re serious.”

I run my thumb across her lip. “Of course I am, Kitten. When I dive into that sweet pussy for the first time, I want to be the only thing on your mind. Not because you need a distraction, but because I have all your attention. I promise, it will be worth the wait.

There’s a relaxed smile on her face as I pull her into me. Her arm moves across my stomach as she nestles her head into the crook of my neck. We wrap around each other in a comfortable embrace, and it feels like this moment was always supposed to happen.

“Thank you for helping me forget,” she says before placing a kiss to my neck.

“Anytime, baby.” I kiss the top of her head.

My eyes spring open and I know it’s early without even checking the clock.

I’ve been on the same schedule as long as I can remember, never having a reason to make a change in habit.

Kennedy is dead weight cradled in my arms, and for once, waking up at the ass-crack of dawn doesn’t seem so bad because I get to watch her sleep.

Her beautiful face holds a tense expression, even in her sleep. I want to ease that tension, but I settle for placing a small kiss to her forehead. It pains me to leave the warmth of this bed, especially with her body pressed against me.

I slide my body away from Kennedy, doing my best not to wake her up.

A cute little moan leaves her mouth before she’s breathing deeply again and her expression relaxes.

I give myself another moment to mentally capture the visual of her resting peacefully in my space before getting ready for the gym.

Outside the gym door, I hear music already pumping through the speakers and I know Patrick is in there. My eyes immediately find him at the refrigerator pulling out a couple of waters before tossing one to me.

“I’m surprised to see you down here. I figured you would be occupied this morning.”

I would love nothing more than to still be wrapped up with Kennedy.

“Can’t break routine.” At least not yet.

We are both determined to stay on our toes until we’re confident that the past will stay where we want it.

He nods once. “Last night was interesting.”

Patrick is as subtle as a neon sign, but if there’s something he wants to know, he will have to be more direct.

“Was it confirmed who was following us?” I ask, leaning side to side, stretching my leg muscles.