by Kay Manis
-HINDLEY-
My hand shook as I reached out and knocked on his hotel door. I could barely hear myself think over the pounding of my heart. What was I doing here? How would I explain myself?
Sweat rolled down my back, I was so nervous. This waiting was killing me. Lifting my hand to knock again, I pulled back when I heard the click of a lock. The door slowly opened.
He stood in the doorway, rumpled and half asleep.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “did I wake you?”
“Hindley?” His deep voice was thick with sleep as he peered out at me, eyes squinting.
“May I come in?”
“You have a key, gorgeous.” He laughed. “No need to knock.”
The sound of his laughter shook something deep in my core. This was why I was here. I needed him.
Rory swung the door open wide, revealing his gloriously naked chest and the detailed tattoo I’d grown to love.
I couldn’t remember seeing a more welcomed sight in all my life. Before the door closed, I threw myself at him, molding my body against his as tears spilled down my face.
“Hey.” He tried to push me back, to see me, but I held on. I never wanted to let my Skater Boy go. “Hindley, what’s wrong?”
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I clutched him tighter. My meeting with Axel had weakened my resolve and I needed his strength. I couldn’t lose him. I’d do whatever it took to keep him with me.
His hands slid up my arms and over my shoulders, cradling my cheeks before leaning me back. I finally met his gaze, not surprised to see worry etched across his face. “Baby, what’s wrong? What happened to you?”
I shook my head. I had no words. I couldn’t tell him. I needed him too much.
He placed feather-light kisses all over my face, his soft lips finally finding mine. Before I could deepen the kiss, he pulled away. “Have you been drinking?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Why?”
I couldn’t tell him everything, but I had to tell him something.
“I had a meeting with Axel.”
He pulled back further. “And you drank?”
“It was the only way I could stomach him, Rory.”
His eyes searched mine, and he clutched my shoulders. “Did that fucker touch you?”
What words did I have that could remotely begin to explain the situation? Yes, he hurt me. Not physically. And now he wanted me to go to his room and screw him senseless in about twenty minutes—which would destroy the one man I’d ever loved. There was only one answer I could give Rory.
“No, he didn’t hurt me.” Not yet.
“I’ll kill that motherfucker if he lays one goddamn finger on you, you know that, right?”
I nodded, silently laughing at the absurdity of it all. That’s exactly why I couldn’t tell him the truth. I drew in a heavy breath. “I just want to lay down with you. I’m so tired,” I sighed. At least that was the truth.
Without another word, he scooped me off my feet and walked across the vast suite, into the bedroom.
“How’d you rank up high enough to get a suite?” I asked.
“I have a good agent.” He smirked.
“Well, I’ll have to check her out.”
“No, I think you should leave that to me.”
His sexy smile made every erogenous zone tingle.
“Were you sleeping?” I asked.
“Yeah. Luis gave me some herbal shit to calm me down earlier. I don’t know what the fuck was in it, but the shit knocked me out cold.”
Luis was a vegetarian, a firm believer in the holistic approach to health. He never put anything in his body that wasn’t organic or natural. I could only imagine what he’d given Rory. It broke my heart to know I was the cause of his anxiety.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered against his neck.
“Why?” He gently laid me on top of the silky sheets.
They were cool against my skin and soothed my heated body. I knew I should respond but I was lost in him, his scent enveloping me, doing strange things to my best parts.
Rory Gregor was my drug.
His huge hands moved down my legs, gently removing my sandals as if I were a porcelain doll and he feared I might break. Lifting the covers, he quietly slid in beside me. He brushed my hair over my shoulder and pressed warm kisses against my neck.
I felt like a prized possession. His prized possession.
“Sleep, baby,” he whispered into my hair.
As with most of Rory’s commands, I willingly obeyed.
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Rory’s gentle voice echoed through my head as his soft lips scattered kisses across my face.
I knew I needed to get up but his bed felt like heaven. Reaching to stretch my hands over my head, I gave a huge yawn. I had no idea how long I’d been asleep but I felt like I could use another twelve hours, especially in this delicious bed.
“Come on, baby,” he rubbed my leg, “let’s eat some breakfast before you have to go.”
Breakfast?
“What if I don’t want to go?” I pouted. I lifted the covers and peered down at myself, surprised that I was still fully clothed.
Rory slid in beside me, his long lean body molding into mine.
He smelled so delicious, like expensive body wash, cologne, and toothpaste. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. So, I did.
He smoothed my hair back, brushing it with his hands as he gazed lovingly into my eyes. “Then don’t go. You never have to leave me, Hindley. I want you with me always.”
Unwelcome tears sprung to my eyes and my heart ripped apart as I realized what I had to do for him. No matter which path I took, he would be hurt, and may never forgive me.
He sat up, pulling me into his lap. “Okay, Hindley, you’re starting to scare me.”
Oh, shit. I needed to learn how to hide my emotions better.
“What’s going on with you?” he asked. “You tossed and turned all night.”
“I love you,” I whispered into his chest.
“I love you too, baby.” His large hands caressed my back. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“And hungry?”
As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. “Sounds like it.”
He gave me a quick peck on the lips and helped me stand. “Come on, I’ve got a tray of food in the living room. I need to feed you.”
I followed him out of his bedroom into the huge sitting area, still surprised that he’d scored such a luxurious suite. “I really do have to talk to your agent.” I giggled. “This hotel room is entirely too extravagant.”
“I hate it,” he said, his lip curled in disgust.
“Are you crazy? Why?” I couldn’t imagine anyone not falling in love with this beautiful suite, especially that bedroom. “That bed was amazing.”
“Yeah, the bed’s great, especially because you were in it.” He waggled his brows and I actually blushed.
I sat down and devoured a croissant with butter and strawberry jam. “So why don’t you like the suite?”
“Because it doesn’t have a Magic Door.”
I laughed at his revelation.
“God, I love your laugh,” he whispered against my neck, sending chills all over my body.
I was thankful to see the concern from earlier fade.
“Are you worried about the competition?” I asked, shifting his attention away from me.
“No.”
“Then why did you look like the weight of the world had been lifted off your shoulders?”
“Because anytime I hear you laugh, I know that everything will be okay. With you,” he paused, “with us.”
I lost my appetite, listening to his declaration, and set the roll back on my plate. I wish I shared his optimism.
“What time is it?”
He glanced at the wall behind me. “Seven fifteen.”
“What time do you have to be at the park?”
“Not until
eight thirty. And you?”
“I’m supposed to meet Luis downstairs at eight.” I raised an eyebrow, hoping he’d understand my unspoken desire.
“Oh, Miss Hagen, I believe I owe you an orgasm, don’t I?”
“Why, yes, Mr. Gregor, I believe you do.” I tossed my napkin on the table.
“I think we may have time for two or three before you leave.”
My stomach did flips at the thought of what Rory could do with me in the next thirty minutes.
“You doubt me?” he asked.
Before I could answer, he lunged for me, flipping me over his shoulder and confidently strolling toward the bedroom.
The last thing I saw before he flipped me on the massive bed was the bedroom door slamming shut. I knew without a doubt we’d need the additional barricade to drown out my screams.
For the first time since I’d landed in Miami, a genuine smile spread across my face, all thanks to one man. My man. My Skater Boy.
Chapter 29
-HINDLEY-
I sat in the restaurant at the hotel, talking to one of the National Football League’s most up and coming athletes. We were discussing Humberto’s multi-million-dollar endorsement deal that I’d painstakingly drafted. I should feel golden, on top of the world, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy sense of foreboding that had followed me all day.
Someone nudged my arm. I glanced over to see Luis’s eyes staring at me.
Shit. I was being a complete space cadet, and this meeting was huge.
“So, Humberto, what do you think?” I asked, inserting myself in the conversation again. “I know you’ve tried the water and read about the company. We’ve gone over the contract and the stipulations, but tonight is all about you getting to know the company on a more personal level.”
Humberto turned toward Matt. I could tell from the look on his face that he had some reservations.
“It’s all right,” Matt assured him. “If you have concerns please ask me.”
“I’m half Latino,” Humberto said. “I’ve done some research and read that Sonora uses illegal immigrants in some of their factories.”
They did? That was news to me.
“Sonora received some bad press in the past,” Matt said, “but trust me, we’re a company that values human resources above all else. Of course, we believe in saving money, but not at the expense of humanity. Those claims were never legitimized. It’s Sonora’s policy to only hire legal, documented workers in all our factories. And to provide them all with adequate health insurance.”
Humberto smiled as if relieved, slumping back in his chair. I was surprised that this had been his pivotal issue for him. Why hadn’t I known it would be?
Suddenly the hairs on my neck stood on end. I sensed Rory somewhere in the room. Instead of being excited like I normally was, this time I was scared shitless. Something was wrong. I sensed it. Was he hurt? Had his mother called again?
I scanned the restaurant, searching for him. A scuffle at the front of the restaurant caught my attention.
It was Rory, arguing with a man and trying to push past him into the restaurant. His face was covered with a mask of anger so intense, it scared me. He was barely recognizable.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
His eyes locked onto mine. This was dark Rory, the man who’d appeared in California after he’d talked to his mother. Tonight, it appeared all his fury was focused on me.
Holy shit.
I thought back to the events of the day. The tournament had gone extremely well. Rory had taken first place and Sonora Water and River City Skateboards couldn’t have been happier. There’d been tons of photographers who’d taken some great shots of him wearing all the sponsor logos. Luis and I felt confident they’d appear in several magazines before the X Games, which would bring in even more bonuses.
But then I remembered Axel and the look on his face when he’d seen me earlier this morning. He was dark and sullen and almost as evil looking as Rory was right now.
Surely Axel hadn’t said anything to the media, not yet. He promised to give me until the X Games before doing anything. But I knew I’d hurt Axel’s ego last night by not showing up at his hotel room, and I was pretty sure he knew I’d spent the night with Rory instead of him. Before I could recall any other events of the day, Rory was standing behind Matt, glaring down at me.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you fine gentlemen tonight,” Rory said.
I could tell by the tone of his voice and the dark circles under his eyes that this was going to be bad. Even worse than when he’d talked to his mother.
“You must be Hummm-bear-toe,” he said, glaring at Humberto.
Oh, no, was he drunk? Please, God, don’t let him be drunk.
Humberto’s eyes darted from me to Luis.
I sat, completely dumbfounded, unsure what to do or say.
“Hey, Matt-oh-boy,” Rory said, slapping Matt on the back.
He was drunk, he had to be. I clutched the arms of my chair to keep them from shaking.
“You better be careful, Bear-toe.” Rory stared at Humberto then nodded toward Matt. “This one wants to get his dick inside her too.”
Everyone at the table gasped. Luis and Matt flew to their feet but Rory sidestepped them, coming to stand directly over me.
“Ya gonna give him the starrrr treatment like you did me, sweetheart?”
I didn’t even recognize this person standing in front of me.
“Rory, have you been drinking?” I whispered.
“Just be careful, Humm-bear-toe,” he continued. “Once you fuck her, she may tell all your secrets.”
My eyes went wide and I felt light-headed. Obviously Axel had betrayed me and disclosed Rory’s secret to someone.
“Rory, please. I can explain.” I pushed back in my chair, trying to stand, fighting back the tears.
Rory held me in place. “Oh, yeah, Bear-Toe, she’ll beg for it. Beg you to fuck her. But it’s worth it, trust me. She’ll do some crazy shit in the sack.” He threw his head back and roared with laughter.
Blood roared in my ears. My stomach rolled and I fought back my urge to vomit, or pass out, or both. Why was he doing this?
“That’s enough, Rory!” Luis moved toward him at the same time Matt lunged after him.
Rory side-stepped them both, evading their attempts to stop him.
He was either drunk or high, or both. The rage inside me built to a fever pitch. He’d broken my confidence, ruined everything we’d had by admitting everything.
He leaned down and placed both hands on either side of my chair, his face mere inches away of mine. “What’s wrong, wildcat?”
I’d never seen his eyes so demented, so dark, so crazed. I drew in a breath to retaliate but he continued his tirade.
“What were you doing, Hinny Bin, trying to get a few more bucks by selling all my secrets? Was I too much of a reee-tard for you?”
“Rory,” I cried, tears streaming down my face. “Please.”
He straightened and stared at Humberto.
Matt and Luis moved for him again but he skirted their efforts.
I blinked several times, my vision growing dim. I was going to pass out.
“Be careful what you say in the sack with her though, football boy, or it may be spread all over the Internet one day.” Rory dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone, trying to show Humberto something.
Humberto wasn’t interested. Instead, the six-foot-four mammoth football player grabbed Rory by the shoulders and physically pushed him aside with ease. Then he wrapped his arm around my waist, escorting me out of the restaurant with Matt and Luis in tow.
“Fuck you, Hindley!” Rory shouted from our table.
I died a thousand deaths as the words echoed off the walls in the restaurant.
“I know how to write that, you motherfuckers! F-U-C-K-Y-O-U.” He chased after us. “Not so fuckin’ stupid now, am I, you cock suckers. Maybe I’ll put that in my fuckin’ journal, Hindley!”
Hotel guests gathered in the lobby, gawking at the scene unfolding before them.
My shoulders heaved with deep sobs and I gasped for air.
Axel had revealed Rory’s story. No, he’d probably sold Rory’s story, and now Rory thought it was me who had betrayed him.
My chest burned and my heart broke into a million pieces. I thought I might actually die. I wanted to die. Anything to stop the guilt and anger suffocating me.
“What’s going on?” Humberto asked as we made our way toward the front of the hotel.
I hiccupped through muffled sobs. “It’s a long story.”
Daring a peek, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Rory stalking toward us. Security guards rounded the corner on him.
I turned back to face forward as Humberto and Luis led me outside. Matt was holding open a cab door. That’s when I noticed all the photographers outside, snapping photos and calling my name.
Oh, God, no. Please, no.
Before I slipped into the cab, I turned one last time to look at Rory through the glass wall. This wasn’t Rory, this wasn’t my Skater Boy. This was a man I didn’t recognize. Gone was the tender, loving man who had taken care of me last night, holding me until I’d fallen asleep.
Suddenly Rory reared his back, about to throw something through the glass wall.
Anticipating his action, Matt covered me with his body and turned us around.
An explosion that sounded like a bomb detonating resounded behind me. Shattered glass pelted the ground at my feet. I tried to turn around, but someone pushed me into the waiting cab.
As the car sped off, I slumped against Luis as anger, sorrow and regret filled my heart.
“What on earth happened to him, Hindley?” Luis asked softly.
I glanced around the interior, surprised to find it was just the two of us. I felt safe in the cocoon of the cab, and for the first time ever, I broke down and told Luis everything.
Chapter 30
-HINDLEY-
I rolled over in bed and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It glowed 5:57 a.m.
Even after Luis had fallen asleep in the bed next to mine, I’d tossed and turned and turned all night, sleep evading me.
