Urban Climber 2

by Hunter, S. V.

  “You’re making me hard again, doll. You’re getting better at this than Fifi.”

  “Am I supposed to be flattered?”

  “Yes,” he sniggers. “I’m starting to not even miss her anymore.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, Laura. Lately, you’ve really been hitting the spot for me. Thanks.”

  I smile, pulling my panties back up. “Well, I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

  “What are you putting them back on for? I told you, you’re making me hard.”

  “You weren’t even like this when I was eighteen.” I exhale. “Have some self control, please.”

  “Things are different now. So uncross your legs for me, Laura, ‘cause we all know you’re not as prim and proper as you make out.”

  “But I’ve got a lecture in five minutes,” I whine, “and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because then I’ll miss my seat.”

  “Ah! There it is!” He points at the screen.

  “There’s what?”

  “The reason for your panic.”

  “What are you talking about?” I pull a face. “You know I care about my grades. I always have.”

  “Rubbish, who’s your seat next to? Him?”

  “Don’t, Hugo.”

  “Take off your clothes. All of them.”

  “Have you lost your mind? No!” I glare into the screen. “I don’t have time for this.”

  “You don’t have time for it?” He leans forward, cracking his knuckles. “Oh well, maybe I don’t have time to keep paying your parents’ mortgage. Maybe I’ll just forget all about the payments.”

  “Please, Hugo. Don’t bring them into this. You know I like satisfying you.”

  He leans back into his chair, resting his hands behind his head. “Well then, you can prove it to me on the flight home.”

  “You know how much flying scares me,” I mumble.

  “Nonsense, it’ll be fun—take your mind off it.”

  “But what about that girl? I never want to see her again.”

  “Penelope?”

  I purse my lips. “I don’t even want to hear her name ever again.”

  “Fine,” he throws his arms in the air. “The whore I fucked when I had no other choice but to fly back by myself because you had to think things over.”

  His words slice through my heart like a steak knife. “Hugo,” my voice cracks, “why … why are you being like this?”

  “Don’t get all emotional on me,”

  “How can I not? It’s like you don’t even love me anymore.”

  “Don’t love you?” He sneers. “I know you suffer from jealously, so because of my deep love for you, I fired the bitch. Happy?”

  “You did?”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am. I know you always had a thing for her.”

  “Well, what can I say? I found a replacement.”

  “Is that supposed to make me happy?”

  “Mmm.” He smirks. “You’ll be wearing her outfit instead. With stilettos and thigh high white fishnets that I will rip off with my teeth.”

  My stomach twists so violently I feel like I’m about to board his family’s jet within the next three seconds.

  “Laura,” he laughs, “speak up when you’re spoken to.”

  Somehow, I manage to swallow the bile burning the back of my throat. “What are you planning? Do you want me to serve the drinks or something? I guess I could do that, if you like.”

  “Good one!” He laughs. “No, we’ll start off with you blowing me in the restroom, and then, once I’m satisfied, we’ll move on from there.”

  “H-Hugo,” I stammer, “you know I gag every time.”

  “You’ll have to figure out a way to swallow then, won’t you?”

  “Or what?”

  “Or you’ll have your skirt pushed high above your buttocks, and you’ll be spanked until your little white cheeks are raw from my hand. And then …”

  I blink several times, trying to wake up from this nightmare. How can there be more?

  “There is another hole I never got acquainted with.”

  “You want—”

  “Yes.” He smiles. “That’s exactly what I want.”

  “But that’s supposed to really hurt.”

  “And I should care because …”

  “Hugo,” I pause, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Why are you being like this?”

  “Stop your blubbering and grow up, will you?”

  “Please let me go. I’m already late.”

  “Fine,” he exhales. “Have it your way. Just remember, when I fly in to get you, don’t bother wearing any knickers.”

  “But it’s weeks away yet.”

  “And it can’t come soon enough.” He snarls with laughter. “I’ve got so much planned for your body.”

  I turn off my phone and slip out of the backseat of his car. How’d I get to this point in my life? I might as well be a prostitute I’m at his beck and call so much. My eyes drop to the ring as it some how manages to sparkle, even in the fading light. There’s no love there, just the glare of constant obligation.

  “What are you still doing out here?” a voice yells at me across the parking lot. “I thought I was the only one who was gonna be late.”

  I swing my head around, and sure enough, it’s my beacon of light, beaming at me as he runs across the parking lot. “You don’t have to come to me, just—just give me a sec,” I stammer, scraping my long messy hair into a high ponytail as I look at my reflection in the shining paintwork.

  “Well, I’m here now,” Bodhi laughs as he takes a step towards me. “Shit. You all right? You look a little teary.”

  “Allergies.” My eyes dart away from his as I ruffle in my purse for nothing.

  Fire Boy clears his throat. “Allergies, you say… at this time of year? You sure about that?”

  “It’s not officially winter yet. Shut up!” I grump, refusing to look at him.

  “Why is what’s-his-face’s car all steamy?”

  “His name is Hugo,” I exhale, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

  “I prefer what’s-his-face,” he grins, elbowing me in the side. “So what’s with the condensation, Hemsworth?”

  Oh, great. Now, my face is flushing red. It’s burning like nobody’s business. Holy fudge, next thing my nose is gonna start growing, and I don’t know how I could possibly explain that.

  “Well?”

  “No reason,” I mumble.

  His eyes widen. “Who else is in there? Give me your keys.”

  I shake my head “No one, and no. I was just fulfilling my obligations, that’s all.”

  “Huh?”

  I pull him away from the car as I hobble over to the sidewalk. I never should have worn these stupid heels. The blisters on the back of my heels are going to pop any second, and I used up my last bandage yesterday.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Laura? I swear, ever since you took off on the back of Tom’s motorbike, you’ve been different.”

  My heart sinks, hearing his name. “I don’t think I have, have I?”

  “When you didn’t show all those months back, I told him if he’d done anything to hurt you, I would kick his ass.”

  I jerk my head around and stare at Bodhi. “OMG. You said that? He could have killed you, ya know. He’s ripped to the core and a...”

  “A what?”

  I sigh loudly, dropping my eyes to the pavement. “A god.”

  Bodhi laughs at me. “Well, you would know.”

  I cover my cheeks before he sees them flush again. “Last lecture. I can’t believe it,” I mutter, avoiding his bright green eyes.

  “Yeah,” he pats me on the shoulder as we slowly walk across campus. “It’s gone so fast.”

  “I’ll miss you. You know that?” I exhale, turning to face him. “I’ll miss you so much.”

  “But you’re coming back next semester, aren’t you?” />
  “No.”

  “What? Why not?”

  I can hardly look at him. If I do, I know I’ll cry. “I’m not from here. This is not my life, Bodhi. I’m getting married and then—well, who knows?”

  “He’s gonna miss you, you know. We all will.”

  I shrug. “I think he’s well and truly over me.”

  “That thing with Perfect Ass?”

  My heart sinks. “Oh, so you’ve noticed too?”

  He grins widely. “That’s all her, don’t worry. You can so tell there’s nothing happening there.”

  I exhale. “I did tell him to leave me alone, so what did I expect—roses?”

  “Probably,” he grins. “But I’m telling you, just because he spends time with her doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be with someone else.”

  I can’t stop my heart from doing a little dance. “You really think so?”

  “Yes, Laura, really. The chemistry you two have is so intense, I’m waiting for the explosion.”

  I scrape my fingers down my burning cheeks. “What am I doing, then?”

  “You tell me.” He grins. “Sure you want to get married?”

  I shake my head. “No, I’m not. I’m not sure about any of it.”

  “Well if you’re not sure, then you shouldn’t do it.”

  “It’s a done deal, Bodhi.” I throw my arms in the air. “Signed and sealed. I’m well and truly screwed.”

  “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You’d think you were majoring in drama the way you carry on. No matter what you say or do, there’s always time, Laura—” The roar of Ash’s motorbike cuts Bodhi off mid-sentence as the engine rumbles to life. “Speak of the devil …”

  I bury my face in my hands as his engine reverberates behind our backs and rumbles into the distance.

  “Chemistry dismissed.” Bodhi laughs. “And after all this time, the devil still affects you.”

  I glance over my shoulder, watching as Ash disappears, weaving and winding through the traffic. “More than you could ever know. It’s so bad.”

  “What do you want him to do?”

  I shrug.

  “Fight for you? Save you?”

  “No. Of course not. Well … maybe? Shit, I don’t know, okay? I just don’t know.”

  “But you’re still crazy about him, aren’t you?”

  I nod. “Yeah, so crazy I feel like I need to take something or see someone.”

  “So what happened?”

  “I grew up.”

  He laughs. “Grew up? By how much, exactly? You don’t look any taller.”

  I roll my eyes. “It’s not just about me anymore. I’ve got to do the right thing. It’s not all about me.”

  “You’re making no sense.”

  “Why does it even matter, anyway?” I grumble. “I don’t even know what Ash and I had.”

  “Meaning?”

  “What was I to him? Sex? Love? Lust? What was it all about?”

  He smirks at me. “Why do you have to know? Just ‘cause we don’t understand every tiny thing that happens when we flick on a light switch doesn’t mean we should live in darkness for the rest of our lives.”

  I wrap my arms around him and squeeze as tightly as I can. “Thanks for this year.” My voice cracks. “I’m really gonna miss you.”

  “Me too.” He smiles, pushing through the door of the lecture theater. “But don’t worry, I’ll see you at the wedding, baby. It’ll be here faster than you know it.”

  “Yeah,” I whisper, “that’s what I’m afraid of.”

  TEN

  December 24th

  The moment I slip through the back door of the old wooden house, it feels like home. It is home—and it’s like nothing has changed. I pause a moment, noticing the familiar creak of the floorboard beneath my foot. How strange that such a small thing can make me smile so much. I lift my head up, breathing in the warm, scented air. Oh my, the smell of chocolate and chestnuts roasting. It sure is Christmas time, and this year I think it’s gonna mean more to me than all the others combined.

  “Mom? Dad?” I call out. “Anyone home?”

  “It can’t be. Not our little poppet!”

  I giggle, hearing Mom’s slippers shuffle across the painted floorboards. “Laura!” she squeals, popping her head around the doorframe. “Oh my goodness. Is that really you?”

  “Yup!” I smile widely, opening my arms. “Just in time for—”

  “Christmas!” Her eyes fill with tears. “I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see you. It feels like a lifetime.”

  “Doesn’t it?” I whisper, my chin beginning to shake as I wrap my arms around her.

  “I didn’t think you were coming home until the wedding.”

  “I couldn’t wait, Mom. I couldn’t wait a minute longer to see you both. Christmas without family is just not Christmas at all. It’s my favorite time of year.”

  “Ours too.” She hugs me tighter. “More than you’ll ever know. We got the greatest gift when we found you.”

  I shake my head. “Don’t start, or I know I’ll completely lose it.”

  She grins broadly, wiping a tear from her eye. “Looks like I already have.”

  “Where’s Dad?”

  She laughs. “Where do you think?”

  “Tinkering?”

  “Yes,” she laughs again. “In the garage, doing what he does. I swear, one of these days he’s going to build something that flies us all to another planet.” Thinking about the flight back home with Hugo, leaving Earth wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

  “Oh Lord, what’s that awful grey thing doing in the driveway? It’s like a hearse, you know. I’ve never liked it.” I smile to myself, watching as Mom peers out the kitchen window.

  “Oh, come on now, it’s not that bad, is it? They are very safe vehicles.”

  Her lips turn down. “And why does he need so many cars anyway?” I shrug. Her guess is as good as mine. “You know how I feel about that sort of money being spent on just a piece of metal. It’s ludicrous.”

  “Yes, yes I know,” I laugh. “Down with the evil men in suits.”

  “Well, look what they’re doing to this place, Laura. It’s changing every day, you know, and not for the better. Things are getting harder by the day. So many people are struggling, and the rich are lining their pockets with the blood of the poor. And for what?”

  My heart breaks, hearing her words. This house has been in the family for three generations. Three generations of Hemsworths, and all of that could’ve been gone so quickly. “I know. It’s horrible, Mom,” I whisper. “Are you okay?”

  “We’re fine, honey. We keep on keeping on, and really, that’s all we can do. I mean, what other option do we have?”

  I shrug. “You’re either with them, or you’re against them.”

  “Well,” she crosses her arms, “you’ll certainly never see me in a suit.”

  “It’s just clothing, Mom! What do you prefer, nudity?” I giggle.

  “Nudity?” She frowns. “Don’t get cute with me; you know what I mean.”

  “Yes,” I smile, “but believe it or not, there are some very nice suits in this world.”

  She snorts loudly. “Name one!”

  “Versace, Armani, and Gucci’s pretty fantastic too.”

  “Gucci.” Her eyes narrow. “What does our little girl know about Gucci?”

  I exhale. “I just flew in with Hugo, remember? He bought three when he was in New York. They are very nice.”

  “How much did they cost?”

  I pull a face. “I don’t ask questions. When it comes to that sort of thing, I’d rather not know.”

  “Poppet?”

  “Dad!” I squeal, running into his arms. “How are you? Have you been taking it easy? Resting? You know what the doctors said.”

  “You’re just like your mother,” he laughs. “Yes, honey I’m really good. These stents they’re putting in these days work like a charm. My heart’s almost as good as new.”

  “If
anything ever happened to you …”