by Kay Manis
She leaned over me, her bare breasts pressing firmly against my shirt as she captured my face between her hands. “No one will ever change how I feel about you, Rory Gregor. Not Matt, not Axel. No one. It’s only you for me.”
“And you for me, Drunk Girl,” I replied softly, drawing her body into mine, trying to mold us into one.
She covered my lips with hers. Her kiss was different tonight, more possessive and urgent, as if she had a purpose, a message to reveal. Or a secret to hide.
My dick twitched in apprehension and I was lost in everything about her as the memory of Axel Pretorius’s smug face disappeared, replaced by the love I had for Hindley. A love she obviously felt as well, judging by her aggressive kisses.
Her words rang through my head. ‘No one will ever change how I feel about you.’ I tucked the statement away deep in my heart, feeling eerily confident that one day I might have to cling to them for survival.
I settled back into the bed, watching as she slowly and seductively undressed us. Her lips moved over my skin, caressing every inch of me. Thoughts of my throbbing hand evaporated.
She slowly lowered herself onto me, her eyes never leaving mine as I filled her completely.
There was nothing better than being inside my Drunk Girl.
Her chest heaved a deep sigh.
After a lifetime spent in hell, this right here, being with Hindley, was heaven for me.
Her body rocked against mine, rising and falling as we made love. I gripped her hips, driving into her, my need to be closer to her pushing me on.
As our gazes locked and our bodies became one, I felt for the briefest of moments that we were safe. No one or nothing on earth would ever come between us.
But a knot of despair deep in my belly warned me that our time together was fleeting and may not last forever. Eventually I would fuck this up. Like I did most things in my life.
For now, I would enjoy what I had, the feel of her body against mine, and pretend that Hindley would be mine always.
Chapter 19
-RORY-
“So, Rory, your fans and I are all curious. How does it feel to be headed to the X Games in L.A. for the sixth time?”
Jacob Fuller was a sports commentator with ESPN and I knew him better than most journalists. I’d always felt comfortable in his presence and gravitated to him for interviews after competitions.
The camera and the microphone were both shoved in my face. I was never comfortable being interviewed, even when it was with someone like Jake, but I needed the exposure, and my growing confidence with my reading skills made me braver.
“I’m totally excited. For the fans. They deserve this.”
“Don’t you mean you deserve it, Rory?”
“No, I definitely don’t deserve all of this. I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing comeback. It’s the fans who deserve this. That’s who I’m skating for now.”
“But winning the Calgary International Skateboarding Competition with a record-setting score can’t feel bad for you personally, can it?”
Jake was right. Not only had I mopped the floor with Pretty Boy’s ugly ass, I’d broken an international record by receiving perfect scores from three of the five judges in my final round.
“Yeah, I guess that does feel pretty good personally.” I laughed, knowing it wasn’t for the reasons he and the rest of the viewing audience thought though.
“Rumor has it you’re working on an original trick. Any comment?”
“No comment.”
“Do you think you’ll debut it at the X Games?”
“Let’s just say, it’s a possibility.”
“Do you think your hand will be healed in time?”
I looked down at my hand, still wrapped in bandages. We’d decided to go with the story that I’d slammed it in the kitchen door and everyone seemed to buy it. Hindley had talked me into going to a minor emergency clinic in the wee hours of the morning and they’d confirmed it wasn’t broken, just badly bruised. It still hurt like a motherfucker though.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to have affected me today.” I laughed.
“Broadcasters and league insiders predict you’ll be ranked second in the world after this weekend’s big win, possibly even first going into the X Games. Any comment?”
“First or last place, it doesn’t matter, Jake, as long as I can still ride.” And that was the truth. It wasn’t about winning now. It was about competing against myself. Being the best that I could be.
“You have to know that sounds like a line of bull, right, Rory? Everyone wants to be number one.”
“You forget, Jake, I was number one. It only lasts for a little while. There’s more to my life than being number one.” I searched the crowd, looking for my reason. Her name was Hindley Hagen.
“Fair point, Rory. Hey, good luck in Miami.”
“Thanks, man.” I smacked him on the shoulder and broke through the crowd, making my way to the grandstands in search of my Drunk Girl.
“Nice skating, Rory.” I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned toward the voice, disappointed to find it was Michael.
“Oh, thanks. Where’s Hindley?” I knew my tone was too possessive, but I couldn’t help it. She was the only person I wanted to share this win with and the one person I had yet to find.
“She’s with Axel.” The look on his face was menacing, as if his words were a warning of some sort.
Fuck. I willed myself to stay calm.
“So, your firm is signing Axel too?” I asked. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
“Why?” He stared at me.
“Having two athletes in the same sport seems like a conflict of interest.”
He laughed smugly.
I realized in that moment that I couldn’t stand this asshole.
“That’s funny,” he said.
“What?”
“That’s exactly what Hindley told Mr. Stedwick when he broached the subject of taking on Axel as a client.”
That was my girl, standing up for me at any cost. I couldn’t help but smile.
“And I assume you all determined you could represent both of us fairly and equally?”
“Of course, Rory. Was that really a doubt?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I can assure you, Luis and I will work twice as hard as Hindley did to secure the most endorsements we can.”
“And what if I don’t want to work with you and Luis?”
“Well, I guess that’s your prerogative, although I don’t think you’d want to jeopardize Hindley’s future by being so selfish, would you?”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I was tired of playing nice with this prick, like I gave a fuck about him or his firm.
“Hindley’s a brilliant lawyer, and on her way to being a top-notch agent as well.”
“Who better to represent me then?”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough bad press in the past to last a lifetime?”
“What are you saying, Michael?”
“I’m saying let Hindley go. Let her do her job, a job she’s good at. You do yours, let me and Luis represent you, and things will go a lot more smoothly.”
And there it was. He knew. Fuck.
“Does Hindley know?” I asked.
“Know what?”
“That you know about us?”
“No. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
I would too, but I couldn’t lie to Hindley. “I won’t go out of my way to tell her, but I’m not going to lie to her if she asks,” I said.
“She’s a smart girl, I’m sure she already suspects I know something. Let’s keep her in the dark.”
‘Keep her in the dark?’ What a douche bag.
I didn’t have a choice. I had to suck it up and play along. I could be dangerous if left to my own devices, and the throbbing pain in my hand was a reminder of that fact. I couldn’t jeopardize Hindley’s reputation.
“What’s the deal with Axel? Did they really as
k for her?”
“Yes. His manager was impressed with her ability to get you a commercial deal so quickly. They think she can do the same for Axel.”
“He’s a dick, you know. I don’t trust him at all.”
“Need I remind you that your reputation isn’t so stellar either?”
I may hate the guy, but he was right.
“Need I remind you that you work for me?” I said, tilting my head.
His raised eyebrow was all the indication I needed to know he understood I wasn’t going to play his dumbass little game.
“Look man, Axel’s different,” I said. “He’s unstable, explosive, dangerous.”
Michael’s brow furrowed.
I knew what he was thinking. So are you, my friend. Maybe. But Axel’s fury was fueled by something different than mine. I wanted to protect Hindley. Axel wanted women, at any cost.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he said. “Just let Hindley do her job. She’s much smarter than you give her credit for.”
“And Axel’s much more dangerous than you realize.”
“Great job, Rory.” Hindley yelled behind me.
I turned to face her but tried to hide my excitement. “Thanks,” I said coolly.
Her eyes darted between Michael and me as she processed the scene unfolding before her.
“Michael and I are going to discuss some details of the deals you’ve been working on later tonight after dinner,” I said.
“Okay, what time should I be there?” she asked eagerly.
“I think you probably need to concentrate on Axel. Michael’s got me.” My stomach cramped with dread and fear, knowing I was forcing her in the direction of the one man I despised more than life itself.
But fuck it all if Michael wasn’t right. It was Hindley’s reputation on the line. I had to last five more weeks and then I could declare my love for her. Until then, I had to let her go, but the expression on her face broke my spirit. I’d hurt her.
Her eyes cut to Michael’s.
I felt sorry for the bastard.
“What the hell’s going on, Michael? Rory is my client. We agreed I could handle him and Axel together until the X Games.”
“Rory and I have talked and we both agree that it would be better for him to have the undivided attention of me and Luis to further his career.”
‘Further my career?’ He’d have to come up with something better than that or Hindley would see right through him. She knew I couldn’t care less about my career.
“It’s all right, Hindley,” I said. “I know you’re busy with other athletes, but if I need you, you’ll be there for me.” I gave her a slight smile, hoping she’d understand my underlying message.
Her face showed no signs of acknowledgment. She was pissed.
“Rory! Rory!” People screamed from behind the barricades. Fans. Shit.
“Go. Your fans want you,” she said with a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. Her lips pressed into a thin line and her once glowing eyes were now dulled with apprehension. She knew there was more going on, but she also realized I needed to address my fans. “We’ll talk later,” she whispered.
My body burned at the thought of having to lie to her. I wouldn’t. I’d never lie to Hindley. It was physically impossible. I just hoped she would be all right with the truth.
Chapter 20
-RORY-
“What the fuck is going on, Rory Gregor?” Hindley slammed the Magic Door behind her as she barged into my hotel room.
“Nice to see you too, sweetheart.”
“Cut the bullshit. What’s going on with you and Michael? What did he say to you?”
“He said you’re working hard, and you need to concentrate on Axel and your other dude.”
“And you just rolled over and accepted that without fighting for me?”
I held up my throbbing hand that was wrapped in a bag of ice. “I think we’ve seen where my fighting gets me.”
“You know what I mean, Rory.”
“He said you’re a great lawyer, and now an accomplished agent too, so I should let you continue to grow, professionally.”
“So you don’t want me anymore?” Her huge doe eyes were quickly filling with tears.
“What?” I scooped her into my arms. “Are you kidding me?”
“It’s just that, usually, you don’t let me go without a fight.”
“Hindley, I care about you more than anything in this world. Even skating.”
Her eyes grew wide with surprise.
It was the truth. I understood in that moment just how much she truly meant to me. “I guess I’ve realized that maybe it’s me who’s putting you in harm’s way.”
“What the hell does that mean?” She shoved me off.
God, this was going to suck. I was nauseous just thinking about the words rolling off my lips.
“I trust you, with Axel, I mean. I know you’re strong and you won’t take his shit. I don’t want to stress you out. I know the law firm is putting a lot of pressure on you, and then there’s the worry you have about Paul’s company. I don’t want to put more stress on you too, that’s all.”
She tilted her head and furrowed her brow. “Where’s my Rory?”
“What do you mean?” I laughed.
“Where’s my caveman Rory, the one who beats his chest and stands on top of me, peeing around me in a vast circle, staking his claim?”
I grabbed her around the waist. “That Neanderthal is still here.”
“Neanderthal?” she questioned. “That’s an impressive word, Mr. Gregor.”
“I have lots of new words, Miss Hagen.”
“Read to me,” she begged.
“What?”
“I love when you read to me.”
“Really?”
“You know I do.”
When she’d first asked me to read out loud to her, I’d been so self-conscious I could barely do it. But over the weeks, I found it totally relaxed us both. If I got to a word I didn’t know, I’d pause and try to sound it out. If it was still beyond me, I’d either type it into Google Translator or she would help me and we’d add it to my sight word list.
While she walked over to her room, I stacked the pillows against the headboard of the bed and leaned back against them.
She returned with her e-reader, opening a familiar book. That’s What Friends Are For by Valeri Gorbachev. It was the story of unconditional love between two unlikely friends, a pig and a goat caught in a tidal wave of misunderstandings. They felt like Hindley and me. Even though it was a low-level reading book, I didn’t care. It was one I could read without help, and that brought me more joy than almost anything in the world, besides Hindley Hagen herself.
“Come here, baby.” I patted my lap.
She handed me the e-reader then she snuggled up to me, laying her head on my lap.
I twirled a strand of her hair around my finger as I read to her. The entire scene felt surreal, something I never pictured myself doing in a million years.
“I love your voice,” she said softly.
I moved the e-reader to the side, staring down at her face. It was glorious, glowing with pride for me. “And I love you.” I smiled down at her.
She took the device from my hand and set it aside, then shifted onto my lap and straddled me. “I love you too, Rory Gregor.” She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss against my lips. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“It’s Axel I don’t trust, baby.”
“I know. But I can handle him, I promise.” She tilted her head the opposite way and placed a kiss high on my cheek next to my ear.
“You’ll call me the minute that fucker tries anything, promise?”
“I promise.” She placed another kiss along my jaw.
“Thirty-five days,” I said.
She drew back, tilting her head in confusion, her eyes narrowing. “What does that mean?”
“Five weeks, thirty-five days until…”
“Until what?”
I flipped her over, crushing her body with mine.
She squealed in delight.
“Until I can tell the whole fuckin’ world you’re mine,” I growled.
“Rory,” she admonished.
“Oh, no, you’re not backing out now, Miss Hagen. You promised me the X Games would be my finish line, in more ways than one.”
She giggled as my lips blew along her neck.
“Thirty-five days,” she repeated. “But we have to be careful, Rory. Okay?”
I lifted up, staring into her gorgeous cocoa colored eyes. “Oh, Miss Hagen, I vow to be anything but careful with you.” I buried my face in her neck and littered kisses along her jaw.
“You know what I mean,” she panted.
“Umm hmm,” I hummed in her ear. “I know what you mean, all right.”
“Rory,” she blew out.
“Yes, Hindley.” I smiled against her skin.
“I love you.” Her words were desperate and pleading.
I lifted off her completely. “What’s wrong, Hindley?”
“Nothing,” she said, grabbing my neck and dragging my face to hers. “I want you to always remember, no matter what happens in the next thirty-five days, that I love you.”
I pulled her hand away from my neck and broke our embrace, rolling on to my side.
“What’s wrong? What are you talking about?”
She pushed on my chest, forcing me onto my back and climbed on top of me again, taking my face in both her hands. Her eyes searched mine, looking for traces of something that I couldn’t comprehend.
“I’m talking about the fact that I love you more than anything or anyone on this earth. I’m talking about how I’d do anything to protect you, no matter what it is.”
Her words were soft and gentle, but I still felt a tug at my heart that didn’t settle well with me. “Are you all right, Hindley? Are you in some type of trouble?”
“No, baby,” she whispered against my neck. “But you’re going to be in trouble if you don’t take me to bed and fuck me thoroughly.”
“What?” I laughed.
“You heard me, Rory. Stop with this sappy shit and fuck me already.”
