by Renee Dyer
“Ah, hold on one second, there’s a sign coming up. It says Portsmouth or Concord, New Hampshire. Wow, when did I cross over into New Hampshire? I really have been out of it. I haven’t even been noticing what state I’m in.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to New Hampshire. I hear it’s a beautiful state. Why don’t you try to see a little bit of it? Enjoy yourself, sweetie.”
“Okay, Grams. I’ll get off in a few exits and find a place to stay for the night. Tomorrow morning I’ll head out for an adventure. Does that sound good to you?”
“Sounds perfect. I love you, Tucker. Have a good night, sweetie, and try to eat something other than drive-thru. Too much of that stuff will give you the poops.”
I can’t stop myself from bursting into laughter. “Oh, Grams. I love you, too. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what mischief I’ve gotten into. Night, Grams.” I disconnect the call and put my cell back in the cup holder. I have a smile on my face and instantly feel a little relief from the stress I’d been dealing with. Grams always does that for me.
I drive a little further and see a sign for Epping. “What the hell kind of name is that? Sounds small enough to get lost in and just the place for me to hide tonight,” I say to myself, the sound of my voice echoing back to me in the cab of the truck. It gives the illusion of having a conversation with someone else.
Driving down the exit, I see there is a Wal-Mart on one side and what appears to be a shopping center on the other. I head toward Wally World. It looks less congested. A little ways down I see exactly what I’m looking for. “Bingo. These small towns always have small motels with vacancy signs. Just what I’m looking for.” I pull in, park in an empty spot in front of the office, and take a deep breath, praying whoever is in the office won’t recognize me. This is why I don’t stay in motel rooms a lot and normally sleep in my truck, but I really want a hot shower. I sigh again and get out of the truck. Walking through the office door, I see an old woman reading what appears to be a romance novel.
“How are you, young man? Need a room?”
“Yes, ma’am. Do you take cash or do you need a credit card?” I ask. All motels are different. So far, she hasn’t acted like she knows who I am.
“You can pay in cash, but we do need to have a card on file in case there is damage. How many nights are you looking to stay?”
“Two.” I probably wouldn’t stay both nights, but figured I’d pay for the room just in case. I fill out the room form, listen to the old woman tell me about check out times and rules, pay her, grab the key, and head to my room.
Locking the door behind me, I do what I always do when I go to a motel, I set up my bathroom stuff first and then unpack my clothes. I’m not sure why I have this routine, but I’ve done things this way for as long as I can remember. It puts me at ease in unfamiliar places.
My growling stomach informs me that it’s dinner time just as I’m finishing unpacking. On my way into the motel I saw there was an outside ice cream diner next door that I could walk to, so I put on a baseball cap and sunglasses and head over. I only hope it’s enough to keep anyone from looking at me too closely. Stepping out into the beautiful, late June air, I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve stopped to just breathe. There’s no smog here. It isn’t loud even though this looks to be a busy road for this area. It’s quite peaceful considering some of the areas I’ve lived.
As I walk up to the ordering window, I can’t help but notice a couple of women sitting together admiring my backside. It isn’t that I’m being cocky, but I’m used to that. It seems that everywhere I go, women ogle me. I learned a long time ago to get used to it and ignore it. It used to embarrass me, but now I know to take it as the compliment it’s intended to be. Grams had to tell me hundreds of times, it’s only a curse being attractive if you’re a cruel person about it. I hadn’t truly understood that until Victoria Masterson ripped my heart out and stepped on it with her size 7 stilettos. Ouch!
Grams told me over and over I was beautiful on the inside and out and that’s why I was embarrassed about the attention. I still don’t know that I believe her about that, but I know she believes that about me and I hope she always will. It’s important to me that Grams never thinks poorly of me, even when I was an unruly teenager. I felt terrible whenever I acted out. Now, as an adult, whenever the paparazzi prints a false story making me look bad, I call Grams right away to tell her it’s not true. She always says the same thing, “Sweetie. Never forget that I know the real you. They can tell a million stories about you, but they’ll never be able to capture who you really are.” I smile as I wait my turn in line thinking of Grams and hoping the women don’t think it’s an invitation for them to talk to me.
After ordering a chili cheese dog, onion rings, a garden salad (so I feel like I’m eating healthy), and three bottled waters, I head back to my room. Being around all these people is making me feel too exposed. The point of leaving Vancouver was to be alone and get my head right.
I’m pretty sure Victoria is feeling victorious right now that she drove me out of town instead of feeling remorseful. I shouldn’t have left the way I did, but finding out in front of the entire cast of the show was too much. I just needed some time away… mainly to keep from doing something stupid. The one smart thing I did before leaving was telling her to get out of my house before I got back. She’s definitely smart enough to know I wasn’t joking. I’ll probably get home to no furniture, but I honestly don’t want anything that has her taint on it anyways. If she left anything, I’ll be having a big ass bonfire when I get back.
I jump when Wanted Dead or Alive starts blaring through the room. “Hey, Eddie. What’s up, man?”
“Checking in on you after what Bitchtoria did. Are you ok, dude? You took off five days ago and no one has heard from you since. What the fuck, Tucker?” Eddie sounds pissed.
“I’m doing alright, Eddie. I’ve been calling Grams and I called my douchebag agent. I told him to let everyone know I was unavailable until the show starts taping again. Sorry I didn’t call you. I just needed to get out of there before I did something really stupid and ended up arrested. Is everyone freaking out?” I’m curious what people are saying even though I don’t want to be.
“Honestly, Tuck, people are pissed off at her and want her off the show. They feel bad that you got her this gig and she fucked you over. You’ve never seen yourself this way, but you’re a really good guy. We already had a few other story lines written hoping you would see her for the bitch she truly is and kick her ass out a long time ago. I’m meeting with the other writers as well as the directors and producers tomorrow to decide which way we want to go for this season. Hopefully, it will be a storyline that gets her gone.”
“Are you serious, Eddie? You didn’t have to do that.” I run my fingers through my hair feeling a little relief for the first time in days. “But, to be honest, I called Grams to talk me out of putting pressure on the show to get her written out. Grams told me to keep the faith. I really appreciate this, man.” I try throwing as much appreciation into my voice as possible. Eddie is a damn good guy and my best friend. When he wrote this show, he had written the main character with me in mind.
“I didn’t say it’s a done deal, Tuck, but I know all the writers are already on board. We’ve been texting back and forth. And, we’ve decided on the story line we like best so we can go into the meeting as a unified front. We’re on your team, man. Just answer your cell when I call. Victoria doesn’t have a big fan base so I don’t think it will be a problem, especially when word gets out that you two are over. Talk to you tomorrow. Maybe we can make karma speed up biting the bitch on the ass.” Eddie laughs and hangs up.
I sit there staring at my cell.
How did Grams know? Had she talked to Eddie or did she just know how life would play out? For the first time in several days, I feel happy. I know it’s probably cruel to feel happy that Victoria might get written out of the show, but she’s ridden my coattails long enough. If
she truly was a good enough actress then she would make it on her own. Or, she could go ride Grant and his coattails again. That thought deflates my happy mood. Shit! Women suck.
Cleaning up the remnants of dinner, I decide on a shower. I need to relax. In the bathroom, I quickly strip out of my t-shirt and go to work on my jeans. I’m thankful that I’ve never been one to bother with underwear because I’m so tired and the hot water is calling to me. I rip off my socks and stand before the mirror. Looking at the person staring back at me, I hardly recognize him. I haven’t shaved since leaving days ago. I’ve barely slept and I’ve been finger combing my hair. Everything about me looks wild and unkempt. I look lost.
It‘s time to fix that and pull myself back together.
I pull my shaving set out and set to work on getting my face cleaned up. Although I’m happy to feel the smooth skin again, I’m not happy to see the black circles under my eyes. Too many nights of sleeping in the truck is making me look sickly. Normally, my olive skin is one of the things that women find so attractive. That and my thick, black, curly hair and sparkling blue eyes. My dad is Greek and I got all of my looks from him, except my eyes. They were from my fair skinned, blonde haired, blue eyed mom. Oh, and my dimples.
Those damn dimples. I hated them growing up until I realized my smile could make panties drop. Mom probably wouldn’t be proud that her inherited dimples were used in such a manner, but at the moment, I can’t even muster enough of a smile to show my dimples anyway. Right now, even my normally rugged six-foot-four frame looks slumped and tired. My tattoos are doing nothing to make me look more manly. I simply feel defeated.
That is something that Stavros men are never supposed to feel. It’s a good thing my dad left a long time ago. He’d surely be disappointed now.
Turning the shower on as hot as my skin can handle, I step in. I hiss at the heat, but then let my body relax into it. My muscles need this. I stand there for a few minutes letting the water run over my neck and back while my head hangs down. It feels incredible and my body slowly starts unwinding.
I hadn’t realized how dirty I felt until I washed my hair. I’m not girly or anything, but I like to be clean. Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist. I feel so much better. Showers are their own form of therapy. I don’t bother drying off the rest of the way or putting clothes on. I make sure all the curtains are firmly closed in place and then I just lie on the bed and turn the TV on.
I flip through the channels until I find the Big Bang Theory. Sheldon’s character always cracks me up and I need that right now. I watch TV until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore, but I leave it on for background noise all night.
I never did like being somewhere unfamiliar.
Chapter Three
Adriana
I walk into my bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. The black circles under my eyes show the many nights of interrupted sleep. Even after sixteen months, I haven’t gotten used to sleeping alone. And, then, there are the dreams. Always the damn dreams…
After brushing my waist length, strawberry blonde hair, I throw a towel onto the bar and step into my stand up shower. Not that you can call it a stand up shower. It’s anything but. It’s a beautiful piece of work that Alex designed for the two of us to share. Every time I step into it, I’m amazed at the detail of it and the size, but it was always meant for the two of us to share. It’s more of a small tiled, rectangular room with a glass door and shower heads lining the tiled walls. The coloring is beautiful. Alex called it Roman gold. I love the rose colored accent he placed halfway up and how it adds color all the way around. The result is striking. The sunken in shelves offsetting the accents add to the romantic air Alex was going for. But, my favorite part is the seat. Oh, how I love the seat nestled against the far wall of the shower. As I walk in and start up the shower, I can’t help but think back to the first time I saw the shower and that seat. I stood looking at the entirety of it in awe. Alex was an amazing architect and Preston could build anything. I wasn’t surprised that they made something so incredible, but what was up with that seat? Alex noticed I kept looking at it and smirked. He stood there waiting for my response.
“This is amazing, babe! Gorgeous! I love it! You and Preston have outdone yourselves this time. It’s a little bigger than I thought it would be, but I don’t care. It’s… it’s just... stunning... breathtaking. I have to ask though, what’s up with the seat? Are you planning on one of us being crippled?”
Alex lets out a full belly laugh. “Oh, baby, that was the last thing on my mind when I designed it. How about we test the shower out and I show you exactly what I had in mind for that seat?” Alex reaches his hand out, grabs the front of my t-shirt and pulls me to him. Although he is a full foot taller than me, it always feels like our bodies are made to be together. I stand there, flush with his body, peering up at him. Being this close to Alex already has my breathing increasing and my panties getting wet. The things this man does to me without doing anything drives me crazy. Reaching up, he tucks my hair behind my ears before lowering his lips to mine. Not wasting time, he plunges his tongue into my mouth. I moan and suck on his tongue before running my tongue along his lower lip and sliding it into his mouth. Kissing him at times is almost orgasmic. Almost. Not today, though. I want to know why he designed that seat and we aren’t getting there fast enough. Running my fingers down his chest to the hem of his simple black t-shirt, I’m frantic to get it off. Alex quickly breaks away from our kiss to pull the shirt over his head and is right back to attacking my mouth. He nibbles and bites my lower lip and pushes his tongue back into my mouth. His kiss is forceful, but he still isn’t taking it any further. I rub my breasts against him trying to get as much contact as possible, trying to speed up the pace. I thought Alex didn’t want to waste time today, but apparently it’s me who’s anxious. All he’s doing is kissing me and I’m melting. It’s not enough. Not even close. I want his hands on me. His mouth on me. I want him in me and I want it now. And all he’s doing is kissing me. Fucking tease!
“Alex, please. I need more.” He chuckles against my mouth, but is never one to deny me anything. His lips leave my mouth and trail down my neck to my breasts. He finds my nipples through my clothes. A garbled sigh of contentment that he’s finally touching me fills the room. My hands find their way to his jeans and tumble over the button. Rubbing my hand over his erection through the outside of his pants, he lets out a gasp. I smile knowing something so small gets a reaction from him. He pulls my shirt over my head with one hand while the other hand massages my ass. His free hand fondles my breast and rolls my nipple through my lacy, black bra into a hard peak. I moan again and press my body into him. My hands involuntarily unzip his jeans and find their way inside his boxer briefs to grip his erection.
“Fuck, Adri, it’s time to get you naked.” I smile at Alex because I’m thinking the same about him. Kneeling before him, I yank his jeans down, grabbing his briefs next. Off they go and his erection is right where I want it. It’s so hot having Alex watch me. Licking my lips, I grip the base of his erection and take him into my mouth. He tenses up and I picture him throwing his head back. His moaning and calling my name as I move my head up and down and swirl my tongue around him spurs me on. I massage his balls as my mouth continues to milk his shaft. I want to take him all the way. Taste him, relish his silky shaft slipping in and out of my mouth, sliding across my tongue, but Alex has other plans. He grabs me by my shoulders and eases me up his naked body. Another rush of wetness coats my core. He makes quick work of removing my bra and, in one swoop, has my yoga pants and panties off. I can’t help but giggle at his eagerness. I know I’ve gotten him here and I can’t help but feel empowered and horny as hell.
“Should I have folded those first? They might get wrinkled, you know.” Alex doesn’t respond to my giggles with words. He throws me over his shoulder and spanks my bare ass. Twice. It hurts, but has me dripping wet. Carrying me into our new shower he stands me in the middle and star
es at me for a second.
“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, Adriana. Don’t ever forget that. Now, let me get the water perfect and then, Mrs. Monroe, I’m going to show you to your seat.” The promise in his eyes has me getting wet all over again and it has nothing to do with the water shooting out of the multiple shower heads. “How’s the temperature?”
“Perfect, babe, but I bet we could make it a bit hotter,” I say in as sexy a voice as I can muster. Alex is the only guy I’ve ever been with so I have to wing it with this stuff. He seems to like it because he’s on me faster than I can blink. His hands are around my waist lifting me up and he’s kissing me again. My backside comes down on cool tile and a little yelp escapes me. Alex looks at me curiously.
“The tile’s a little cold, but I’m alright. Don’t stop.” It’s all the encouraging he needs. He kneels between my legs and brings his mouth to my breast. Sucking my nipple into his mouth, he gives it a little nip. The pain is sharp at first, but when he starts licking and sucking again it sends electricity straight to my core. Kissing down my stomach, he pulls my ass closer to the edge of the seat, fully exposing me to him. I’m on display and I don’t care. He looks at me and licks his lips before diving in. I scream out his name as he licks me over and over. He’s licking circles around my clit and it’s driving me mad. Shoving two fingers inside, he quickens his pace with his tongue. The water splashing onto me and Alex working my over sensitized body quickly sends me over the edge.
“Oh my God, Alex! Don’t Stop!” Around in a circle, I feel his tongue keep going, drinking every last drop from me, licking me until he feels all the ripples stop. Then, he looks up at me, licking his lips. I don’t think I’ve ever thought he was sexier than right now with water dripping down his face, licking my juices off his lips. I’m still panting as Alex stands up. He picks me up and wraps my legs around his waist. Turning around so my back is in the water, he sits on the seat, puts his hands under my ass, and brings me down onto his erection. I scream out as he fills me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I start kissing him as he impales me. Whimpering into his mouth, another orgasm starts to build and my moans get louder. Alex’s pace is getting more frantic and I know he’s getting close, too. He keeps slamming me up and down, over and over, and all I can feel is the friction of him pulling out and filling me again and again.
