by K. Webster
“We need a room,” William says lowly. “Ren Hayes will okay it. I’m his friend William.”
I wince. How can Ren be friends with this douchebag?
The man at the desk jolts at the name, staring at William with narrowed eyes. His jaw ticks as he studies William and then cuts his eyes to me. I attempt to keep my features impassive, but my lip wobbles slightly. I’m willingly going into a room alone with the guy who killed my best friend. This is stupid. Stupid but necessary for answers.
The man tears his stare from me and makes a phone call.
“Mr. Hayes,” the man says. “Sorry to bother you, but I have a William here with a lovely blond lady. He’s asking to use a private room under your name.” The man nods. “Yes. Of course. Thank you, sir.”
He hangs up and stands. “Welcome,” he says to us both. “Mr. Hayes said you can use the Blue Box. It’s small and quiet. Very private.”
William nods like a bobble head. “Perfect. I knew he’d come through.”
My stomach drops to my feet—a pebble forms in my throat. Ren wouldn’t so easily let this bastard take a girl to a room, would he? And using his name? Surely not after everything he’s been through with this guy.
My mind flitters with all the memories of our time together. When I told him William came to his house with me there, he was horrified. He promised he would never allow what happened with Kate to happen to someone else. And although I reacted in anger at first, I believe him. A sense of calm washes over me. Ren was so sure of the fact he’d protect me. That he’d find me. The fact William just told him our whereabouts is comforting. Ren has a trick up his sleeve and I need to trust in what he said. That I’m not alone. That he wants to protect me. Even when I’ve pushed him away and told him I hated him.
I don’t hate him.
I can’t stop thinking about him. I can’t stop reminiscing over our time together. I can’t stop dreaming about the way he took care of my body or how he took care of me.
We follow the man down a series of hallways. He unlocks a door and a blue light shines out into the hallway. From my vantage point, I can tell it’s indeed small, with no obvious cameras like the other room, but Ren said they have them for safety clauses. So I can only hope they’re in here but out of sight. The room is no bigger than fifteen by fifteen feet with a small bed in the center. Simple and to the point.
“Enjoy your evening,” the man says, turning on his heel.
Before he’s rounded the corner, William gives me a shove into the room. I stumble until my knees hit the bed. Rather than falling and putting myself in a vulnerable position, I spin around and square off with him. He closes the door and is already tugging off his tie.
“You killed Kate,” I blurt out, meeting his stare bravely.
Panic flashes in his eyes and he frowns, freezing in place. “Ren told you?”
“I pieced together most of it,” I tell him. “I’m sorry the prosecuting attorneys didn’t pick up on it.” I glare at him. “For some reason, Kate was in love with you.”
He scoffs. “Hardly.”
“She thought you should leave your fiancée for her.” I tear up with emotion. “But you killed her instead.”
“Enough,” he barks out, giving me a shove.
I hit the bed and bounce. Before I can scramble away, he flips me over. A scream is lodged in my throat as I ready myself to fight against a sexual attack, but he’s not trying to rip off my jeans. He’s pulling my phone out of my pocket.
No!
“Recording me, huh?” he demands. “Bad girl.”
My phone hits the floor with a sickening crack.
“William, I just came here for answers. I want to know why you killed my friend!”
With quick movements, he slides his necktie around my throat and yanks back, hauling me off the bed. I claw at the tie, but he twists the material, cutting off my air supply.
One.
Two.
Three.
Don’t panic.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Fuck.
Seven.
Blackness eats at my vision.
Screw this asshole.
Slamming my foot down hard on his dress shoe, I revel in the howl of pain that escapes him. As soon as he loosens his grip, I kick away from him, thrilled when I nail him in the nuts. He falls onto the bed whimpering, holding his balls.
“Tell me everything and don’t miss a single detail,” I hiss through my tears.
“Your phone is dead. You won’t have leverage on me.”
Does he not know about the cameras or does he just think he can buy the footage from whomever is recording? Please be recording.
I hate entitled assholes like him. They think they’re above retribution—above the law and decency. Williams of the world are why it’s so broken.
“I just want to know the truth. Tell me the damn truth.”
Eleven
Come the fuck on.
I hit every red light from Ritz Russo’s—where I had my eye on a new singer who had a whole Halsey vibe going on—to Hush. Luckily, when I pull up out front, one of the usual valet guys sees me right away. I toss my keys at him and then bolt inside. Pushing past horny fuckers everywhere, I make it down to reception where Jonas waits at his desk with a frown on his face.
“Everything okay?”
“He hasn’t hurt her,” he assures me, nodding toward his laptop where he’s no doubt watching the cameras.
“Good. Thanks for calling me.”
Jonas was under strict instruction to not allow William into any rooms without my supervision, ever since what went down with Kate. But knowing Nat would be sniffing him out, eager for answers, I told him to be especially aware of any weird requests. The moment he called to tell me William had a blonde with him, I was already on my way.
I promised her he’d never hurt her. Never hurt anyone ever again and I meant it.
I fucking threatened William from ever touching her again, or even inhaling the same air.
Him walking into my place was one thing. But creeping on her in my room? Then saying the shit he did? Not cool. When the dickhead got lippy with me, I saw red. Rammed my fist right into his pretty Ken doll face. It satisfies me knowing his face is all fucked up.
Bottom line is, we’ve moved on.
The Warners helped when we needed it, but William has used that piece of leverage over me for a long time. I let him, too. It wasn’t until Natasha showed up and he fucked with her that my “we go way back” fog began to clear. I told him he needed to back the hell off this scene and me. And especially Nat.
I thought we had an agreement.
Yet, here we are.
Me hauling ass to the Blue Box. The room is outfitted with hidden cameras. So at least if he hurt my girl, we’d know about it. When I reach the room, I hear yelling. Not wasting a second, I burst inside. I expect something horrible like him forcing himself on her.
Not this.
Not Natasha looking like a fierce angel, both hands fisted, as she yells at William. He’s on the bed, curled into a ball moaning about his bruised nuts.
Good girl.
Good fucking girl.
“Say it,” she cries out, hitting him with her fists wherever she can land a punch.
“I killed her, okay?” he whimpers.
Her shoulders hunch. “Did she fight? Did you try to save her?”
“She always fought,” he mutters. “It was part of the excitement. I guess…I mean, I always got turned on by her fighting. We both did.”
“Did you try to save her?”
“Of course I tried to fucking save her,” he snaps at her. “Do you think it looks good on me to be associated with a bitch I choked to death?”
Nat starts pummeling him again as she sobs. “She was an amazing person! You ruined her and couldn’t even save her! You let Ren take the fall so your precious popularity would be intact! I hate you!”
Stalking over to her,
I pull her back and into my arms. With a kiss to the top of her head, I silently assure her I’ve got her. She turns and hugs me, crying into my chest.
“It’s okay, baby,” I croon, stroking my hands through her hair. “We’re together now and I’ve got you.”
William sits up on the bed and glowers at me. “So it’s like that, man? You’re choosing sides and picking this crazy bitch? What about everything I did for you, Ren? With Rose?”
I stiffen. “My mother has nothing to do with this. Your dad helped us when we needed it, but we long since paid that debt. I owe you nothing, William. I thought we could be friends, but you’re too far gone. You’re like all the other politicians—sick, corrupt, evil.”
He sneers at me. “It’s like that? Well, maybe I should march my ass down to the police department and show them what you did to my face.” As if Ronan’s best friend—and cop—Blaine would do anything besides laugh cruelly at him. William has no idea that he’s not the only connected person in this city. We passed the Warners up on influence years ago.
Natasha hugs me tighter, which spurs me on.
“You can fucking try. And we’ll tell them who’s really responsible for Kate’s death. Accident or not, that can’t look good for your public image,” I threaten.
He laughs, cold and cruel. “I destroyed her phone. There is no evidence.”
“You must be ten kinds of stupid if you think I’d willingly let you go into a room alone with my fucking girl and not have some sort of insurance in place. This room has cameras. They all do, asshole. It’s how we protect everyone here from violence. And accidents,” I growl. “Your little confession is mine.”
His mouth gapes open. “B-But…Ren! You can’t do this to me! You’ll ruin me.”
Ignoring him, I grip Nat’s face in my hands, tilting her head up. “What do you want me to do, baby?”
She smiles up at me. “I don’t want him anywhere near you or me.”
“Done,” I say and then lift a brow for her to continue.
“I want to save this information for a rainy day. Right now, it doesn’t change the outcome. Kate’s still dead.” Her bottom lip wobbles slightly. “But, it will keep his ass on a short leash—one we’ll be holding.”
“This is ridiculous,” William snarls.
I pin him with a hard glare. “I want you to get the hell out of Hush, William. You’re not welcome here anymore. Consider yourself officially banned. And if I ever find out you so much as consider putting your hand around another person’s throat, I will destroy you. This recording will be anonymously sent to every news outlet and the police. Are we clear?”
“This is blackmail,” he bites back. “You can go to jail for that.”
“Are we playing chicken now?” I ask, gripping Nat’s shoulders to move her aside so I can walk over to where William sits on the bed. I snag the front of his dress shirt and haul him to his feet so we’re face-to-face. “Let’s play, motherfucker. We’ll see who’s the goddamn chicken.”
His eyes widen with fear. Good. Let him be scared of me. My blackmailing him will pale in comparison with him hiding his own truths from the world. I know this dick. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a pussy and will fold.
“Fine,” he snaps. “Just leave me the hell alone.”
He grabs his tie from the floor and storms off. As soon as he’s gone, I pick up Nat’s smashed phone and frown. “I’m sorry about this,” I tell her, turning to look at her.
Before I get a chance to say another word, she flies into my arms, knocking me against the wall behind me. Her fingers dive into my hair as her lips crash to mine. She locks her legs around my waist, hooking herself to me like a monkey on a tree. I kiss her deeply and desperately. I’ve missed her. This. Us. I miss the way she makes my heart beat faster and my cock throb harder. I miss her voice and her taste and her motherfucking scent. Barely, I manage to lock the door. I’m about to rip off her shirt when I remember the cameras.
“Wait,” I growl, nodding my head over to the wall. “We’re being watched.”
“By the receptionist?”
“For now, but there are people who pay to watch others. Voyeurism is a kink here at Hush. I’ll have Jonas crop out the confession,” I assure her. “And this, too. I just want you to know Jonas may get an eyeful.”
“What happens if you don’t crop this out?” she murmurs, sliding to her feet and stepping back. She pulls her hoodie up over her head before dropping it. Her white bra glows under the blue lights.
“Then those paying customers will see,” I growl, my dick turning to stone.
“Will they see this?” she murmurs, undoing her bra from the back and dropping it to the floor. Her full tits are on full display. Fucking. Naughty. Girl.
I rip off my Henley and toss it away. “They’ll see the way I fuck you so hard you scream.” I unbuckle my jeans and send them to the floor before palming my aching cock through my boxers. “They’ll see how hard I get from just looking at you.”
She bites on her bottom lip, feigning innocence. But lust burning in her eyes gives away her true intent. She’s a kinky girl. Natasha is every bit into this as I am. “Will they see how wet you make me?” she purrs, pushing down her jeans and panties. I lick my lips when she kicks off her shoes and steps out of her clothes. In nothing but her socks, she looks good enough to eat.
I shove down my boxers and step out of my own clothes and shoes. Prowling toward her, I love the gleam of wickedness in her eyes. I snag an arm around her waist before throwing us onto the bed together. Our mouths meet in a heated frenzy. Fuck, I’ve missed her so bad. She whimpers when I rub against her clit, desperate to be inside her.
“Ren,” she moans. “Stop teasing me.”
“Tell me you’re sorry,” I tease. “Tell me you’re sorry for denying me what we both want.” I slightly press the tip of my dick against her slick opening. “Tell me, Nat, and I’ll give you what you’re begging for.”
“I’m sorry,” she breathes. “I’m sorry for denying us. We’re good together. So good.”
Grinning, I drive into her with one hard thrust that makes her scream. I nip at her lip and tweak her nipple with my fingers as I grind into her. We wiggle ourselves into an angle that has me rubbing against her clit as I rock and circle my hips. My piercing rubs her in just the right way because she claws at me each time I hit the good spots. It feels fucking amazing being with her. Her cunt is wet and hot and tight as hell. Each time I pull out, it seems to suck me back into her.
“Ren!” she cries out as she nears the edge of bliss.
“That’s it,” I rumble. “Get your pussy nice and juicy for me. It feels so good for me, baby. I want to feel your cunt clenching around me. Make me come, beautiful. I want to fill you the fuck up.”
She groans and then her breasts thrust upward as she gives in to her climax. My name is shouted from her lips, echoing off the walls around us. Just knowing someone will be watching later, their breathing hitching the moment she comes, has me hissing in ecstasy. I rock my hips against her as my dick throbs out my release. Fucking her bare and filing her with my cum has got to be one of the hottest things I’ve ever done. With anyone else it would feel reckless and stupid.
With Nat?
It feels right.
Like one day, I’ll fill her up just right and she’ll wake up one day carrying my fucking kid. My dick jolts within her. When my eyes drag to her hooded ones, I press a small kiss to her lips.
“I make you happy,” she says, her voice in awe.
“You have no idea,” I murmur. “You make me want things I’ve never wanted out of life before.”
“Like?”
“Like more.” Marriage. Kids. House. Dog. The whole goddamn package. “So much more, baby.”
“I want more too,” she breathes. “I’m sorry I left you. I won’t leave you again.”
“Aww,” I tease, nipping at her bottom lip. “Don’t give up so easily. I’d love for you to try. Then, I can tie your pretty
ass to my bed again.” I grin devilishly at her. “Are you going to try and leave?”
“I’ll try…” She smirks. “If you think you can catch me.”
Grabbing her wrists, I pin them to the bed. I collect them both in one hand and slide the other to her throat. My dick has begun to harden again—always fucking eager with her—and I begin a slow, rocking dance with my hips.
“Ten,” I tell her, giving her throat a small squeeze.
She nods, lust twinkling in her eyes. “Ten.”
One.
Two.
Kiss her pouty lips.
Three.
Four.
Squeeze tighter. Revel in the hiss of air trying to claw its way down her throat and into her lungs.
Five.
Six.
Admire the dark shade of purple her face turns, especially under the blue lights.
Seven.
Eight.
Grind against her sensitive clit.
Nine.
Ten.
Breathe.
She moans when I release her neck, sucking in a gulp of air before exhaling a delicious word. “Again, Ren. Choke me. I love it.”
I fuck her slowly, smiling against her lips. “Eleven.”
“Eleven.”
One.
Two.
Three…
I’m never going to grow tired of this girl. Fucking never.
She’s mine.
She always will be.
Epilogue
Two months later…
“Her,” I say, pointing to a brunette standing next to the bar owner. “The one standing next to the guy with the lip ring behind the bar.”
Nat squints through the crowd, searching her out. “Oh! I see her. She’s singing tonight? Really that good?”
So fucking good.
Ronan will lose his mind when he hears how good she is. This chick has the sultry, sexy voice of someone like Halsey, but then belts out the higher notes with a slight rock and roll scream like that of Bishop Briggs. Her range is wide, which will convert on stage well. Radio stations will love her voice. Sometimes I have a really good fucking feeling. With this chick, I almost feel the buzz in my veins. Her success is untapped, but like that of a gold mine. We just need to get her to Harose. Snatch her up before someone else does.
