Hotel O

by Clarissa Wild

  He’s played me.

  “You hate me now,” he says as I glance at him over my shoulder. “Good. Maybe you’ll reconsider coming here again.”

  I make a face. “That was cruel.”

  “It was a lesson you needed to learn.”

  “I didn’t ask you to teach me,” I say.

  “And I never asked you to come here, so now we’re even.”

  Bitterness overcomes me. “Fuck you.”

  I open the door and walk out, slamming it shut behind me before he can say another word. I don’t need this. I don’t need him. And I definitely don’t need the fucking wetness pooling between my legs right now.

  Goddamn him and his fingers.

  Chapter 11

  Kat

  The first thing I do when I get home is crack open a bottle of wine and chug it down. No glass. No nothing.

  Then I grab my cell phone and call Flynn. I need a time-out, and I know he can give it to me just the way I need it.

  “Hey, Flynn,” I mumble when I hear his voice. “Got time?”

  “Hey, Kat,” he says. “What’s up?”

  I sink into my couch. “Nothing much. Wanna go out?”

  He hums. “What, now? Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”

  “Right now, I really don’t care,” I say, taking another sip of the wine.

  “You’re drinking alone again?” he says, but I don’t like the tone of his voice. “Kat …”

  “Who cares? I’m an adult. I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

  “We had a deal, though. We’d drink together or not at all.”

  “Exactly! So are you coming with me or not?” I ask, swaying the bottle.

  He sighs out loud. “Where do you wanna go?”

  “Downtown. To that raunchy-ass club at the end of that street … What’s the name again?”

  “The Factory,” he says.

  “Yeah, that one.” I take another big gulp. “I need some distraction tonight.”

  “Bad day?” he asks.

  “Don’t ask,” I reply. “Just tell me where I can pick you up.”

  “I’m just getting off work. I’ll be home in like ten minutes.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be there.”

  “As long as you let me drive,” he says. “And don’t you come here with your car or I’m taking your keys and you won’t get them back for a week. Got it?”

  God, I love this man, but sometimes, he needs to let me do my thing.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I reply. “I know how to take care of myself.”

  “Course you do. See you in a few.”

  “Bye, bitch,” I say, snorting as I hang up the phone.

  I take another sip and then put down the bottle, grab my keys, and march out the door again.

  I walk all the way to his home. If I took a cab, I’d stand in front of a locked door anyway, so no use in getting there quick. Plus, I don’t want him getting mad at me too. I need my partner in crime tonight. Need to relax and get this shit off my mind just for a few hours.

  When I finally get there, the lights are already on, so I ring the doorbell.

  He opens the door half naked, rubbing a towel across his chest. “Whoa. Put some clothes on,” I mutter.

  “Sorry, had to take a shower,” he replies, sniggering.

  I lean in and take a sniff. “You smell like old grannies perfume.”

  He raises his arm and smells his armpits. “Hmm, I don’t smell it.”

  “Been hustling again?” I say, grinning.

  “Like I’d tell you,” he replies, winking. “Be right back.”

  “Put on a proper shirt, dude,” I call after him as he walks away.

  A few minutes later, we’re both getting into his car, driving downtown to bust some moves and drink until we can no longer stand.

  “So rough day, huh?” Flynn mutters as he parks the car. “What happened?”

  “Ugh, I don’t wanna talk about it,” I say as I open the door and get out. I want to put that bastard D out of my head.

  Flynn gets out too and follows me inside. “Okay, well, as long as you’re not gonna sulk while we’re here.”

  The music immediately blasts our ears, making any proper conversation impossible. “Nah, I wanna party and get drunk tonight!” I yell, making a woohoo noise right after and diving into the crowd with him.

  I grab his hands and drag him to the dance floor, immediately cracking some moves. I love the beat and the rhythm of the music. It allows me to lose my mind and let go. Especially when I have Flynn with me. He’s my rock. The one who always picks me up after a bad day. A certified best friend without benefits.

  I met him after my parents moved into that new fancy neighborhood and forced me to make friends with the neighbors. It wasn’t so bad after all, considering Flynn lived there, and he was as raunchy and fucked up as I was, even at that age. We used to sneak out to go to secret parties and drink when we weren’t supposed to. Good times.

  I couldn’t ever imagine my life without him, though our relationship is strictly platonic. Not because we decided it, but because we rolled into it.

  I don’t think I’ve ever thought of Flynn as anything else than my best friend, and that’s okay. I need him just for that reason today.

  I just wanna dance and cool off. And maybe score some good times while we’re here. Both of us, in fact, because I’ve been watching these girls in the back constantly eyeing him. Guess tonight is his lucky night.

  “Hey,” I say, pulling him close, “see those chicks in the back?”

  He follows my gaze. “What? Them? Nah, I’m not interested.”

  “Ah, c’mon, I can be your wingman-woman.” I laugh.

  “I’m here with you now,” he says.

  “Such a gentleman,” I muse, raising a brow. “But I don’t mind.”

  “Kat, I had enough chicks this week to last me a lifetime,” he replies, winking.

  “Course you have, playboy.” I smack him on the butt. “Just keep busting some moves. I’ll grab us some drinks.”

  “Kat …” He sighs, trying to grab me, but I avoid his grasp and stick out my tongue, which makes him roll his eyes.

  Then I proceed to buy two Bacardi Sprites so we can have some fun. However, when I get back to the dance floor, Flynn’s nowhere to be found.

  After some searching, I find him sitting on a circular red couch in the back of the room, far away from the lights and music. “Here you go,” I say, putting down his drink.

  “Thanks,” he replies, but he doesn’t move to pick it up.

  “You don’t have to drive,” I say. “We can get a cab and pick up your car tomorrow.”

  “Nah, I just wanna get us both home safe,” he says, scooting the drink back to me. “That’s all.”

  I shrug. “Fine, more alcohol for me then.” I chug back the first glass and start on the next.

  “Kat,” Flynn says. “Take it easy.”

  “Why?” I take another sip.

  “You’re only trying to get drunk.”

  “So?”

  “Tell me why.” When I ignore him, he continues talking. “Was it a guy?”

  I close my eyes and let out a breath.

  He grabs my hand. “You can’t lie to me.”

  Why does he see through me so easily? “Fine, yes. An asshole I don’t wanna talk about.”

  “What happened?” The way he raises his brow reminds me of my mom when she’s ready to scold me.

  I roll my eyes. “I had this thing with a guy … We met online.”

  “Oh … boy,” he says.

  “Well, I tried to only make it a one-time thing. But it was just too good, you know?” I say. “The thing is … we didn’t know each other by name. Or looks.”

  Flynn makes a face. “What do you mean?”

  “We had masks on,” I explain.

  “Okay … sounds kinky.” He grins, so I poke him in the side.

  “The guy’s an asshole, remember?”

  “Right,” he says.
“Why exactly? If you had fun and all.”

  “Because I wanted to contact him afterward, but he wasn’t online at all anymore, so I went to see him …”

  “And then shit went down.”

  I lean back and nod, sipping my Bacardi. “Yup. He didn’t know it was me, and I went about it the wrong way. Things went bad. And then it turns out he was a major douche.”

  “He told you off?”

  “Not just that,” I reply. “He shoved his fingers down my panties and into my hoo-ha.”

  “TMI, Kat,” he says, raising his hand.

  “What? You asked.” I shrug, taking another sip. “Point is, after that blunder, I needed a drink.”

  “What you need is to find yourself an actual man. Not one of them oversexed bastards who are just out for a hump.”

  I snort. “Like you’re the one to talk.”

  “Hey now, I treat ladies with respect.”

  “Right. But only before the fuck.”

  “And after,” he adds, winking again. “And we’re not talking about me right now. We’re talking about your choice in men. It’s bad.”

  “Thanks, dude,” I say, slurping down the remainder of my Bacardi. “Think I’m gonna need another drink.”

  I get up before he can say more. I don’t wanna hear it even though I know he’s right. It’s just that I don’t want to think about it right now. So I go to the bar and order a tequila. I like trying out lots of different things while I’m partying. Makes for a fun evening, especially because you never know which drink is going to be the last. And the drink the bartender gives me makes my mouth water just by looking at it. Taking a sip, I grin from delight. God, I wish I could drown myself in alcohol tonight. Maybe it would make the memories of today disappear into the nether.

  Except, the moment I turn my head, I come face to face with him. Mr. Rocket Fingers himself … Declan.

  His face immediately darkens the moment he sets his eyes on me.

  I really do not want to speak to him right now, so I quickly turn around.

  “Well, hello there. What a coincidence. Out too?”

  Crap. Just his voice makes me want to dissolve into a puddle. Guess he noticed me too. Too late to pretend I never saw him.

  Mustering up the biggest resting bitch face I can, I glance over my shoulder and say, “Oh … didn’t know you were here.”

  “Of course you did. I saw you looking,” he replies, and he orders a rum and Coke from the bartender.

  Great. Now I’m going to have to talk to him.

  “If I’d known you would show up, I would’ve picked another place to hang,” I sneer.

  “Right,” he scoffs as if he doesn’t believe me.

  I roll my eyes. “Whatever.” I’m done with this.

  As I walk off, he suddenly grabs my hand. “Wait …”

  I pause and throw him a look. “What?”

  His lips part, but it takes him a couple of seconds to gather his thoughts and put them into words. “Look. We had something fun. For a moment. That was it.”

  I frown. “Is that everything you want to say to me?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you understand …”

  “Oh, I understand all right,” I reply. “You’re a dick, and I don’t know why I’m still talking to you.”

  As I try to walk away, he tightens his grip on my wrist. “Hey, I get that I wasn’t fair to you, but this was a mutual agreement. You knew that going into it.”

  “Why do you even care? Why are you still trying to tell me off? You don’t want me, then let go of me.” I try to jerk free, but he won’t release me, and it’s pissing me off.

  He pulls me closer and whispers, “I care because I don’t want you doing things you’ll regret …”

  “Like what?” I hiss.

  “My job is my life. Nothing jeopardizes that. Nothing.”

  Really? After everything we did, that’s what he’s worried about? His job? That’s why he was such an asshole to me?

  “Are you threatening me?” I ask.

  “No. I just want to make sure you understand my identity, the chatroom, the hotel, all of it is a private matter. It’s important.”

  My lip twitches. “Oh, so what? You’re afraid I’m going to tell people about your filthy kinks? About how you make girls strip in your office?” I have no pity for him. “Tough luck.”

  “Hey, don’t think about telling anyone …” he growls.

  “Or what? You’re going to force me to do more of your bidding on camera? Make me strip naked in front of all these people for your own pleasure? What else did I forget?”

  His fingers are still firmly locked around my wrist. “Don’t pretend as if you didn’t like it. You begged me for more of my time. That’s what you wanted, right? Why you came to my office because you wanted my cock filling your pussy. That desperate for more …”

  Fuck no. I won’t let him trample all over my dignity in public too. He might’ve gotten away with it in private, but not here, not now, not like this.

  Without thinking, I chuck my entire glass of tequila at his face.

  The shock causes him to release me, and I quickly walk off, vanishing into the crowd.

  The music blares through the speakers, and I have trouble finding my bearings. My blood boils, but at the same time, I want to cry. I can’t stop the tears from filling my eyes, but dammit, I won’t let them fall.

  Finally, I spot Flynn, who’s dancing with a girl in the middle of the room. I don’t want to disturb him, so I sit down at our table instead. Sighing out loud, I grab my cell phone and check the time. It’s not even past ten yet, and I’m already done with this evening.

  God, I wish I never saw Declan here. As if my night couldn’t be any more ruined. It’s as if he chose this place on purpose. Or maybe he followed me. But he wouldn’t do that, right? He’s the one who wanted to get rid of me, not the other way around.

  And he was rude and insulted me too. Prick.

  “Hey.” Flynn suddenly appears from the crowd of people, this time without the girl. “Are you okay?” he asks when he sees my face.

  I’m having trouble keeping myself together right now. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or the thought of Declan that’s making me want to sink into the floor and disappear forever.

  “Kat?” his soft voice as he sits down beside me breaks me a little, and I can’t stop a tear from flowing down my cheek.

  “Shit, what happened?” he asks as he puts an arm around my shoulder.

  “He’s here,” I say. “That guy.”

  “The one you fucked? The asshole?”

  I nod.

  “Did he come up to you?” he asks.

  I don’t even dare reply. I don’t want him to get upset too.

  “If he hurt you, tell me, Kat, or I swear to God, I’m going to find that son of a bitch and punch him in the face right now,” he says through gritted teeth.

  “No, no, don’t. Please,” I say, grabbing his arm so he won’t get up. “Just don’t, okay? Promise me.”

  “Fine, I promise,” he growls.

  “Thank you,” I say. “I don’t want to make a scene. I just want to forget about it all and pretend he doesn’t exist.”

  “Okay.” He makes a face and sighs. “Fuck … did he follow you here or what?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think he did. It’s just …” I don’t even know how to finish my sentence. All I wanna do is go home and drink the night away behind my little TV. Alone and miserable.

  “Aw, c’mon,” Flynn says. “Let’s go.” He pulls me up from the couch and drags me along with him.

  “Wait,” I say, stopping in my tracks. “What about that girl you were dancing with?”

  “I got her number,” he says, winking as he pulls me along. “Don’t worry about me. Let’s just get you home.”

  I let him lead me outside. I’m way too tipsy and annoyed to even care to stay. Besides, there’s a nice breeze that keeps me wide-awake.

  Flynn helps me int
o the passenger seat of his car, and then he jumps behind the wheel. He still seems fresh as a bird while I’m sinking into the chair like a badly baked soufflé. I’m so glad he didn’t accept my drink. I’d have to feel this way but with a fucking cabby listening to all my gripes and moans.

  God, he really is the best friend I could ever wish for.

  “Thanks, Flynn,” I say as I buckle up.

  “That’s what friends are for,” he says, winking.

  I smile. “You’re the best. Sorry about that chick you had to leave there.”

  “Aw, stop worrying about that,” he says, waving it off.

  “I’m sure you can get a boatload of other girls with a snap of your finger,” I joke.

  “That’s true.” He wriggles his brows.

  “Soon, you’ll be drowning in pussy. And then you’ll have no more time for a little pick-me-up with this girl,” I say. “But that’s okay. I’ll just have to stop relying on you to hold my head above water while I navigate this … fucking ocean of assholes.”

  “Kat, you know you’ll always have a special place in my heart,” he says, grinning at me like a stupid fucker. “And yeah … you really do need to stop fucking assholes.”

  I laugh. “If only I could find one as chivalrous and hot as you.”

  God, I’m too intoxicated to even realize what I’m saying.

  “Thanks, babe,” he says, grinning. “I like you a lot when you’re drunk.”

  “I know you do …” I giggle, wrapping my arm around his shoulder.

  Right before we leave the parking lot, the car stops for a moment and Flynn looks my way.

  “Kat …”

  “What?” I mumble, feeling the sudden urge to kiss him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Actually, I do. I’m hanging onto him. Literally, physically. I wonder how it would feel …

  “Have we ever … kissed?” I ask.

  He frowns, then laughs. “What, you think you actually want that?”

  I only wonder because I don’t think I’ve ever thought of him that way before. I’ve never seen him in that light—as dateable material—even though he totally is.

  And he’s right. I should go for better men, and he definitely is a good man.