But that life was behind him now, and he was ready to get involved with someone. Funny how he’d been totally against the idea when his uncle had mentioned it a while back.
“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting her. Just so you know, after I spoke with you that day, I looked into Ms. Bennett’s employment files. Our clients have nothing but high praise for her work. And it’s just the opposite for Larry Matthews. I can’t wait to read your report.”
A couple hours later, Haddison walked out of his bedroom. Everything was ready. Tonight, his goal was to impress Kennedy and he’d put things in place to do just that. He was about to go into the kitchen when he heard the doorbell.
His pulse kicked up a notch. Kennedy had arrived.
AFTER PUTTING IN A twelve-hour workday, Kennedy knew she should be bone-tired. But knowing she was coming here had somehow rejuvenated her. Haddison had texted her that he’d given her name to the guard at the entrance gate to assure she got inside the complex without any problems. And now she was here, standing outside Haddison’s door, pressing his doorbell.
His building, the entire condo complex, was impressive with its manicured grounds, numerous tennis courts, clubhouse, and other notable amenities. Inside each building, there was a security station. This place was definitely safe. Each building was massive, with only eight condos per building, two on every floor. That meant each individual condo had to be huge. Bigger than some houses.
Haddison lived on the fourth floor, and his building overlooked a lake. Most of the cars were imported, and she’d known she’d been at the right building when she’d seen Haddison’s sports car parked right alongside the other classy vehicles.
The door opened, and she was struck again by how gorgeous he was. He was dressed totally different than he usually was at the office. The business suit had been replaced with a pair of jeans and pull-over shirt. And he was in his bare feet. It was obvious that he was in his element.
“Kennedy.”
“Haddison.”
He took a step back. “Welcome to my home.”
“Thanks,” she said, moving past him. From his foyer, she couldn’t help but glance around. Just as she’d thought, his place was massive. And it was beautifully decorated. Handsome furniture, custom drapes, and expensive throw rugs on hardwood floors greeted her.
She glanced back and saw that he’d been watching her. “You have a beautiful home, Haddison. Maybe I’m in the wrong business. I should have gone to work for the FBI,” she said, smiling.
“Thanks. But trust me, I couldn’t have afforded this on my FBI salary. When my uncle became my guardian, he placed all my parents’ insurance proceeds into a trust with a good investor. I never touched it. My uncle took care of my needs when I was young, and since my father was killed in the line of duty, the city of St. Louis paid for my college tuition. After that, I was out on my own, earning my way and preferred living off the paychecks I earned.”
She nodded. “That was a smart move.”
“I think so, too. May I take your coat?”
“Yes,” she said, unbuttoning her jacket and handing it to him. Although she was wearing the outfit he’d seen her in earlier that day, she could feel the heat of his gaze roam over her.
“Now it’s time to pamper you.”
His words claimed her attention. “Before dinner?”
“That’s what I was thinking. However, if you’re hungry we can certainly reverse things.”
Whether it was for food or flesh, she would roll with his timeline. “No, I can wait.” Besides she was dying to see how he intended to pamper her.
Reaching out, he took her hand. “Come with me.”
The moment their hands touched, sexual energy ripped through her and she glanced at him, wondering if he’d felt it, too. Her gaze latched onto his lips, and she thought again about the way those lips had claimed hers so thoroughly earlier that day. She was so busy remembering that kiss, that she didn’t pay any attention to where he was taking her until they entered what was undoubtedly his bedroom.
He stopped in the middle of the room and she took in the sight of the huge king-sized bed. The décor was definitely masculine, but not in a convoluted sort of way. It was a little restrained, but just as intricate. The entire room was massive. She’d thought her bedroom, the master suite, was large. However, Haddison’s bedroom was double the size of hers.
“This is my bedroom.”
“I assumed as much.” Was he about to suggest that they make love before dinner? What happened to being pampered? Was a roll between the sheets his idea of coddling her?
“Right this way.”
He tugged on her hand and led her through the bedroom to another room. She stopped just outside the door, her mouth dropping open. It had to be the largest bathroom she’d ever seen, and right in the middle of the floor was a gigantic Jacuzzi tub. And she was assailed by the scent of peaches. Lit candles were placed around the room, and the bubbles in the bathwater smelled of peaches.
“Ready for your bath, Kennedy.”
She jerked her head up to look at him. “My bath?”
He smiled. “It’s all ready for you. You did say that peach is your favorite scent, right?”
She appreciated that he remembered. That proved just how attentive he’d been at dinner. “It smells good in here.”
“And these are for you.”
He released her hand to pick up a beautiful vase of peach-colored roses and gave them to her. A dozen of them. “Thanks. They’re beautiful,” she said, studying the flowers. She’d never seen roses this color before.
“You’re welcome and you’re beautiful,” he said, smiling down at her. “And this is also for you.”
He then handed her a Neiman Marcus gift bag. She placed the vase of flowers on the vanity and pulled an item out of the bag. It was a beautiful peach-and-cream-colored silk wrap dress. A Diane von Furstenberg design.
Several Furstenberg pieces hung in her closet, and she knew this outfit wasn’t cheap. Could she accept this? Should she? As if he figured she was trying to decide, he said, “I figured after your bath, you would want to put on something relaxing.”
He was right, she would. “Thank you. This is so thoughtful of you.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your bath. Take as long as you want. Dinner is ready and will stay warm until you join me.”
He then picked a remote up off the vanity, and instantly soft music began playing. A beautiful stream of soft jazz came through the speakers. The music came from the latest album by Marion Meadows, Kennedy’s favorite jazz artist.
It amazed her just how attentive Haddison had been to what she’d told him about herself over dinner, and tonight, he was showing just how much. To say she was truly impressed was an understatement.
“I’ll leave you now. If you need anything, just call. There’s a speaker on the remote that connects to the kitchen and living room areas.”
“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
After nodding, he turned and she watched him walk out of the bathroom with what she thought was the sexiest strut known to man.
Drawing in a deep breath, she glanced around at all the scented candles, the huge vase of flowers, the Jacuzzi tub filled with bubbles, and the bag on the counter containing the wrap dress. The man had thought of practically everything. Not only was he pampering her, he was romancing her, as well.