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Maybe she was new to the lifestyle in practice, but she’d seen enough while growing up to know the difference between abuse and the lifestyle. She sighed. Tonight, Anthony made her feel desired, like she was worthy of his attention and care.

How long had it been since she felt that way? She couldn’t remember. With both parents being alcoholics, she’d grown up taking care of herself and her siblings. At fourteen, she lied about her age to get a part-time job cleaning up at a vet clinic. She hid some of her money where her parents wouldn’t find it and used the rest to buy food for her family.

Kaley closed her eyes. She’d moved on. It hadn’t been easy. She’d stayed until the youngest was eighteen, then left and never looked back. Her brother and sister left as well, and they’d lost contact, so she wasn’t sure where they were. They’d been determined to leave Pleasant Valley, but Kaley loved it here. She couldn’t see leaving, especially since her parents were dead and even though her siblings were gone.

“Kaley,” Oliver called her name.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

“You’re home. I’ll walk you in.” Oliver hopped out of the vehicle.

“Thanks for the ride.”

Rose turned to look back at Kaley. “I don’t want to pry, but I need to say this. Anthony is one of the good ones.”

“He is.” She knew that instinctually.

Oliver helped her out of the SUV, waited as Rose locked the doors, then walked Kaley to her apartment. While she wasn’t in the best neighborhood, it wasn’t the worst either.

She waited while Oliver checked out her small one-bedroom apartment. “Thank you,” she said when he stepped out.

“You’re welcome.” Oliver touched her arm. “If you need anything, you know to call Rose, right?”

Kaley smiled. “I’m good, Oliver, but yes, I know I can call if I need anything.”

He nodded. “Get inside and lock up.”

Kaley slipped inside her apartment and locked her door. Actually, she had more than one lock; there were also two deadbolts. She sighed. Would she ever get over the fear of a break-in? It was from her childhood. Her parents constantly forgot to lock the front door, and some mornings, she woke up to strangers in their house. Not that her parents cared. Kaley shrugged and padded to her bedroom.

Once there, she changed into her nightshirt and shorts before climbing into bed. At least tomorrow was Sunday, and she didn’t have to get up early. She yawned. When she closed her eyes, all she could see was Anthony with his devil-may-care smile and twinkling eyes.

This was not good. Yes, she liked Anthony, but she really didn’t have time for a man in her life. He’d sure helped her relax tonight. Anthony had allowed her to relax and be herself.

Turning over, Kaley stared into the semi-darkness, the night light from the bathroom chasing away the shadows. What was she going to do about him? It was obvious from his artwork that Anthony had money, and he probably came from money since she knew who his grandmother was.

And here she was, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Her education was high school and learning to be a groomer. No fancy degrees. She’d scrimped and saved for years, grooming for a pet store while working to get her van and start her own business.

She was successful. Fluff and Puff was four years old, and she was starting to turn a profit, which was nice, but she was also working six days a week, twelve hours a day. There was no time for dating or a relationship.

Kaley blew out a breath. A relationship? With Anthony? Wow, she’d taken one kiss to a whole new level. Anthony couldn’t be interested in a relationship with her. She wasn’t relationship material. He just wanted to have some fun with her at the club. That had to be it.

Could she handle that? Could she keep it simple, with no ties? She didn’t have time for romance, but playing? Maybe. Closing her eyes, Kaley ran her hands down her body, imagining herself under Anthony’s tender ministrations.

Oh, yeah. She could do that.

Chapter Five

“Anthony, darling boy.”

His grandmother’s voice jerked him awake. “Gran.” He jackknifed off the sofa he’d been sleeping on.

“Easy, young man.”

Anthony blinked to see his grandmother standing near him. “Sorry. What time is it?”

“Almost ten.”

He shook his head to get rid of the cobwebs in his brain. “You should have woken me sooner.” He hated that she’d waited for her breakfast. While she was getting around on crutches, she couldn’t stand for long.

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