by Kay Manis
The glimmer in his eyes said it all. He could feel how much I wanted him.
His mouth returned to its savage assault down south. “Well. Hello. Kitty.” He laughed, his words vibrating against my sensitive skin as he kissed every inch of my underwear—the underwear he’d bought me.
“Oh, God,” I moaned, my head falling onto the mattress. I closed my eyes, absorbing the sensations of his mouth wandering against my skin. “Rory, you can’t do this,” I panted.
He raised his head, his brows furrowed as he studied me with boyish curiosity.
“I mean, I’m upset,” I said, already missing his mouth. “We need to talk about what happened.”
“We’ll talk.” He winked. “Later.” Smiling like the devil he was, he lowered his head.
Yes, our conversation was over. For now. But we would talk.
“So you wanted to discuss something?” Rory lay next to me, his head propped on his hand as he leaned on his elbow, staring down at me.
God, he was gorgeous.
“Ummm,” was all I could muster. This man was lethal in bed. I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot who’d just been thoroughly worked over.
Slowly I rolled away from him, trying to pull my wits about me. I glanced around the room and chuckled at the discarded condom wrapper next to the bed—along with my T-shirt and a shredded pair of Hello Kitty underwear. “You owe me some new panties.” I snorted.
His arm wrapped around my waist and he tugged me close to his chest, nuzzling my hair.
Being cradled in Rory’s arms felt better than it should have. He obliterated all my thoughts when he was near. I couldn’t remember why I’d been upset.
“I think I can arrange a pair of new panties, Miss Hagen,” he said, kissing my neck. “I definitely don’t want you going panty-less. Unless it’s with me.” The warm heat of his breath brushed against my skin and I shivered.
“Stop,” I laughed, “that tickles.”
“God, I love that sound,” he moaned.
“What sound?”
“Your laughter.” He pressed kisses along my shoulders.
Desire pulsed through my body and I swallowed hard. How could I want him again so soon?
“I’m ready whenever you are, Miss Hagen.” He ground his hips into my backside as if answering my silent question.
Our easy connection both excited and scared me. How was it possible to feel safe in the arms of a man, this man?
I rolled over in his arms, staring at the hollow of his throat. My finger caressed his skin as I contemplated what I wanted to say.
“Hey.” He reached under my chin, raising my face. “What’s going on in there?” He tapped my temple. “Come back to me. I miss you.” He placed a soft kiss against my lips.
Rory was so attuned to me. It was as simple as that. We were drawn to each other, for reasons I had yet to identify. Instinctively I knew we belonged together, even if it was only for a little while.
“Hey,” he admonished. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Over-thinking this.”
“Over-thinking what?”
“Us,” he said.
“You’re the one who got heavy earlier.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Do you really think I want Matt?” I asked.
He shrugged. “He sure as hell wants you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Wait, did Matt want me? He had been awfully touchy feely tonight.
“He’s perfect for you,” Rory said.
“What does that mean?”
“He’s sophisticated, probably went to Harvard or Yale or some other Ivy League bullshit school. He reeks of old school money. And I sure as shit can guarantee you he knows which fork to use at dinner.”
Worry wormed its way into my sated heart. I was losing Rory. I hated hearing him think so little of himself.
I pushed up so we were eye-to-eye, knowing firmness was the only way to handle his insecurities.
“Look at me,” I said in a firm, deep voice.
His eyes lifted and he stared up at me.
“Stop this bullshit, Rory Gregor. Now,” I growled. “If I wanted someone like Matt, I would be with someone like Matt.”
His eyes widened and I knew I had his attention.
“I hate fancy parties and debutant bullshit,” I said. “You know that. I went to a crap-ass college and an even crappier-ass law school. I prefer hamburgers to five-course meals, so I couldn’t give a rat’s ass if there are forks on the table or not. I’m with you, Rory Gregor.” I poked his chest to punctuate my point.
He pushed me back onto the mattress as his body hovered over me, his lips finding their seemingly permanent home on mine.
I wrapped my arms around his lean torso, running my fingers up and down his back as our tongues and teeth collided and our bodies intertwined with passionate abandon.
He needed me.
I needed him.
And once again, I was lost in Rory Gregor, consumed by everything about my Skater Boy.
Chapter 2
-HINDLEY-
I stretched out in the passenger seat of the car, my hands raised high over my head as I reached for the sky. Tipping my head back, I lifted my face toward the sun. The rays beaming down invigorated me. Normally, I wasn’t a big fan of convertibles, but I had to admit, this was exhilarating. Living in the moment was a foreign concept, but with Rory I had no choice—and I loved it.
I grabbed the sunglasses resting on top of my head and pulled them over my eyes. I turned to stare at the driver, drinking in every delicious feature of the man staring back at me.
Rory looked so damn cool, leaning back in his seat, one arm draped casually over the steering wheel as if he owned the entire west coast of California. He gave me an all-knowing grin before returning his attention back to the road.
“You didn’t have to rent a car to drive us back to your house,” I said above the noise of the wind whipping through the car. I turned my attention to the long road ahead of us. “We could have taken your motorcycle.”
“I didn’t have a spare helmet.”
I could feel his predatory gaze assessing me, devouring me. Goose bumps raced over my skin amid the heat of the bright afternoon sun.
“Besides, if we had taken my motorcycle,” he said, “I couldn’t have enjoyed this view.”
I shifted my gaze to the cliffs jutting from the Pacific Coast Highway. I had to agree, the scenery along the route was breathtaking. The waves ebbed and flowed, crashing into the jagged rocks below.
“It is breathtaking,” I sighed.
“I agree,” he said, gently stroking my bare leg.
I turned, staring down at his large fingers pressed against my fair skin. Slowly my gaze travelled along the curves of his muscular body until they met his.
His arresting blue eyes pierced straight through me. His plump lips turned up in a seductive smile that took my breath away. “Very beautiful,” he said.
My face flushed crimson when I realized he wasn’t talking about the coastline.
“Gorgeous,” he said, smiling.
I turned to face the coastline, trying to hide my awkwardness. If he only knew.
“Hey.” He squeezed my leg.
I didn’t turn, I couldn’t look at him, not until I got my emotions under check. I wasn’t beautiful. I was ugly, I was scarred, I was defective. Sooner or later, Rory would find out. I just hoped it was later.
He slipped his fingers around my wrist and pulled my arm across the console, forcing me to face him.
I sat in silence, wanting to pull away but afraid. Not of him but of losing this moment with him.
He used his thumb to pry open my fingers, pressing my palm to his sensual lips. He pulled my hand back and laid it against his chest before glancing over at me and smiling wide. “Beautiful,” he said.
Heat bloomed between my legs and my heart leaped in my chest.
“You hungry?” he asked.
Not for food
, I thought.
His face lit up and a single eyebrow arched in amusement.
How could I hide anything from this man?
“I know you, Hindley.”
It was a simple answer to a question I hadn’t even asked and yet he’d heard it.
I leaned back and closed my eyes, reveling in the knowledge that I’d grown closer to Rory in two weeks than I had to anyone I’d ever known before, except Dana.
He doesn’t know everything, a small voice whispered in my ear.
I trusted him though, more and more with each passing day. I reassured myself that no matter what my past held, Rory wouldn’t judge me like others had. He gave me confidence and courage, two things that were lacking in my life.
“I didn’t bring my motorcycle because Jack loves to ride my Harley,” Rory said, interrupting my thoughts. “Kara made him sell his years ago. He’ll bring it back to my house today or tomorrow, then fly back to Denver.”
“What made you end up in California?” I asked. “Didn’t you grow up in Colorado?”
“California has better weather for year-round skating. And it’s got tons of boardwalks and empty pools.” He laughed.
And beautiful women, I wanted to say.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
“Nothing.”
“Hindley.”
“Let’s just say you’re not the only one who doubts whether or not you’re good enough.”
“For what?”
I remained silent, working to keep my tears at bay as I remembered all the beautiful women screaming Rory’s name at the competition over the weekend. He could have any one of them, and I feared one wrong move on my part might send him running for his flock of female groupies.
The car slowed and Rory turned into a scenic overlook. I was thankful for the distraction.
“Want to take a look?” he asked.
“Sure.” I didn’t look at him. I didn’t want him to see me like this, so defeated and self-deprecating.
He walked around the car just as I opened my door and took it from me, extending his hand to help me out.
“Thank you.”
He nodded once as if sensing I didn’t want to talk. Instead, he intertwined our fingers and gently guided me toward the railing.
There was a steep drop off in front of us with jagged cliffs below. I stopped dead in my tracks, almost yanking my hand from his.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking back at me.
“This is close enough.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t question why I didn’t want to get closer.
We stood at a comfortable distance from the railing.
That’s what Rory did for me. He let me be…me, no questions, no judgments, no anything.
Quietly, he stepped behind me, wrapping his long, lean arms around my waist and drawing me back against his chest in a warm embrace.
Instinctively, I leaned against him, feeling safe and secure. I drew in deep breaths of the ocean air, feeling lighter than I had in a very long time.
His huge hands splayed across my abdomen, interlacing our fingers, as he rested his chin on my shoulder and sighed into my neck. “This is why I moved to California.”
I studied the scenic overlook. It was captivating and magical. I could see why he’d moved.
“Breathtaking,” he whispered in my ear above the crashing waves below. “Breathtaking, just like you.” Gently he brushed his soft, full lips against my ear. “And all mine, right?”
“What, the ocean?”
He laughed, his breath brushing against the sensitive skin of my neck.
My anxiety began to disappear into the ocean breeze. I melted into his embrace, somewhat secure in his confession that I was the only person he wanted to be with. For now.
I was no fool and held no illusions. What we had would never last.
Rory had never been in a long-lasting relationship. It had only been sex for him. Why should I think ours would be different?
I couldn’t fight the overwhelming feelings of fear as I realized how much I wanted him. The power he had to completely destroy me nearly crushed me like the breaking waves below.
I knew in time he would grow tired of me, of my damaged soul, a tortured girl unable to give him everything he needed.
I swallowed down the tears, pushing back the dark memories threatening to drown me. I could never survive that kind of pain again. It was too late though. I was already drowning in his beautiful blue waters.
Chapter 3
- HINDLEY -
“Home sweet home,” Rory announced as he pushed the front door to his home open. Standing to the side, he waved a hand in front of him, ushering me inside.
His home was nestled in the hills of Laguna Beach, a gorgeous coastal town.
As I stepped inside, my mouth nearly fell open. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. I walked through the entryway and stepped down a few stairs into the large sunken living room.
The first thing I noticed was that everything in the massive room was white—the walls, the leather sofa, even the side tables—except for a deep eggplant colored blanket resting on the back of the large sofa. Even the artwork on the walls was limited to a few black and white photos.
His home was modern, yet retro, filled with natural wood and stainless-steel accents, giving it a minimalist feel. Surprisingly, the style seemed to fit Rory’s personality.
Rory stepped up behind me. “It’s an amazing view, huh?”
“Amazing doesn’t do it justice,” I answered with awe.
“Come on, I’ll take you up to your room.”
“Okay.”
He bounded up the stairs and I followed.
On the second floor was a loft area that overlooked the main living space below. The room was filled with a couch and several chairs, the colors brighter, and well worn. This was definitely the place where most of the living was done.
Scattered along the white walls were shelves containing all Rory’s trophies and medals, along with framed magazine covers, and various photos of competitions he’d been in.
I stood and stared at each item on display, amazed and astounded at all the awards and accolades he’d received. This guy was big time, and I was finally beginning to understand just how much trust he was placing in me.
“Wow, Rory.” I ran my fingers over the glass encasement of one of his gold medals, marked with the iconic ‘X’ of the X Games. I glanced over at him. “This is unbelievable. You’re so accomplished, and famous.”
“I guess.” He shrugged. “Come on.”
His humbleness didn’t surprise me. He wasn’t one to boast of his accolades like many athletes I’d met.
Rory carried our bags down a long hallway and I followed. Stopping in front of one door, he pushed it open with his foot, and nodded for me to enter.
The room was stark white, like the rest of downstairs, except for a bedspread littered with flower appliques of varying sizes and shades of purple. I was starting to see a pattern here, and for a man of extreme sports, decorating with flowers and bright colors was completely unexpected, but beautiful none-the-less.
The far wall was a solid glass, overlooking the ocean, with a sliding door that led out to a large deck. I couldn’t help but imagine the view from the bed.
Trying to clear my thoughts, I turned and studied the rest of the room. Black and white photos of oddly shaped objects covered the walls. I stepped closer and realized each photo was actually a different part of a skateboard, artfully taken at close range.
I laughed quietly at the irony. Rory ate, drank, and literally slept skateboarding.
“This is my room,” he said.
“Really?” I laughed.
“Yes, why?”
“I don’t know, it just doesn’t look like something you’d design. Except the skateboard photos.”
“What does it look like?” he asked, a bite of defensiveness in his voice.
I ran my fingers over the purple flower appliques. “Actually, it looks more, feminine.”
A wave of nausea hit me hard in the gut at the sudden realization that other women had been in this room.
Oh, shit. Had a woman helped him decorate, an old girlfriend? Had she lived with him, had she shared this utopian space?
“I did most of it,” he said, “but I had help.”
“Of course, you did,” I whispered to myself, swallowing down the lump in my throat. Rory Gregor was a player. Why was I surprised.
“Kara helped,” he said.
“Who’s Kara?” I asked, trying to bite back my jealousy.
“Leif’s mom. Jack’s wife. My surrogate mother, Kara Jennings. You remember her, right?”
My shoulders slumped in relief. “Oh, yes, Kara, I remember.”
“What?” He stepped closer, a playful laugh in his tone. “Did you think I had an ex-girlfriend helping me decorate?”
Well, yeah, the idea had run through my mind but I wasn’t going to admit that fact.
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and brushed his lips over my neck. “No girlfriends, Hindley.”
I shivered as his warm breath tickled my skin.
“Although I’ve had a few crazy ex-girlfriends.” He chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. “So I’ve read.” I didn’t like to think about Rory being with other women. It filled me with uncertainty and insecurity.
“Hey,” he whispered, turning me around to face him. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”
“Not jealous. Just…” Just what? I couldn’t explain it even to myself. Rory wasn’t mine to covet.
“We already agreed that you’re mine, right?” he asked, raising his brows.
I nodded.
“If it makes you feel better, I’m jealous too,” he said, smirking.
I laughed at the absurdity. “Of who? I don’t have any crazy, stalker ex-boyfriends.”
“The list is too long to even start.”
“Please.” I shrugged off his hold but he held me firmly in his grip. “Name one.”
“Well, let’s see. There was the entire pro skating league this weekend.”
“What?”
