Hear Me Roar (The Bloodshed Duet Book 2)

by Dee Garcia

  “But I like it when you’re a bad girl.”

  “Stoppp, seriously.” She giggled, shivering as I bit down on her neck. “We’ll never leave this room if I let you get me naked.”

  “Just remember” – I bit her again – “you will be very, very naked later.”

  “Yeah, very, very later, when I know your parents aren’t gonna come knocking on the door.”

  “I can guarantee you that by the time everything is said and done downstairs, my dad will have to carry my mom up to their room. They’re not ones to stay up late. I’m sure they still have to be jetlagged too.”

  Hazel slid out of my arms and collected her small purse clutch thingy from one of the wingback chairs, peering at me from over her shoulder. “Jetlag or not, their only daughter is getting married, but we’ll worry about that-”

  “Later,” I conceded, reaching for her outstretched hand. “Are Manny and Maya downstairs already?”

  “Yep. They’ve been at the bar waiting for us for the last twenty minutes.”

  “Oops.”

  “Yeah, oops. You’re worse than a woman, I swear. I’ve never seen a man take so long to get dressed,” she teased, pulling open the door to our suite.

  “Listen, okay, this thing has a million layers and you know Karley will go batshit if everything isn’t perfectly aligned. It’s not my us-”

  “Shhh.” She set a polished finger to my lips. “I know, I was pressing your buttons. And for the record, you look perfect, Mr. Carr. Handsome, dapper, sexy…”

  That last one rolled off her tongue, her eyes gleaming and darkening all in one shot. I didn't miss the little smirk that curled her deep maroon lips either.

  Tease.

  “Walk” – I tapped her ass – “before I decide later should be now, and we keep everyone waiting longer than Karley would appreciate.”

  The St. Regis was literally a seven-minute drive to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Some of the guests decided to walk, but Hazel and Maya were in sky-high heels and I knew that wouldn’t fare well as we crossed the busy streets, so we took a taxi. Manny rode up front with the cabby while I squished in the back with the girls, watching the parade of elegance strolling the sidewalks en route to our destination. When we pulled up in front of the cathedral, both Manny and I stepped out first to usher the girls out.

  Hazel flashed me a wicked grin as she took my hand and collected the train of her gown in the other. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”

  “Enjoy it while you can,” I warned, setting a hand at the small of her back as we made our way around the cab, “because kind is last thing I’ll be when we make it back into our room.”

  “Behave,” she chided.

  “You behave.”

  “Group pic,” Maya announced in excitement as the taxi sped off. “I brought my selfie stick.”

  “You did not,” Hazel said in amused disbelief to which Maya nodded with a gleaming smile.

  “Oh yes, I totally did.”

  “I could just hold the phone, you know,” I added. “I mean my arms are long enough.”

  “Zip it, Carr, and smile.”

  Poking my tongue out at her, the four of us huddled together with the cathedral as our backdrop. Maya clicked the button on her ridiculous selfie stick and just like that, the image was captured forever, four bright smiles at the start of a special night.

  “This pic is lacking, big time,” she said, tilting her phone so Hazel could take a look.

  “What’s wrong with it?” Manny asked.

  “It’s missing Rey, Liv, and Luis.”

  My heart sunk a little at the reminder. They were all supposed to be here, but Luis was still in the hospital and Reyna refused to come without him. As much as I wished they were here to witness Karley’s big day, I was not about to let their absence dampen our night.

  “I know it is, but think about it...Luis wouldn't have been able to enjoy himself in a wheelchair. You know him, he would've been down and out the entire evening.”

  “Is that my handsome son I see?” My mom’s light voice resounded from behind us, breaking up the forlorn moment.

  We all spun around in time to catch them walking up, Mom latched on Dad’s arm. She nearly jumped on me as she wound her arms around my neck.

  “I’ve missed you,” I admitted, melting into her embrace.

  “I missed you too, baby. You look very handsome.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I’d say you’re looking pretty beautiful yourself. That color suits you.”

  “I told her the same thing when she walked out of the room,” my dad said, putting his arms around the two of us.

  “Dad…” I smiled.

  “How’ve you been, son?”

  “Good, working too much.”

  “Slow it down. Time goes by too quickly, trust me,” he advised, shaking me to his side just as my mom swallowed Hazel whole.

  “I didn’t think it was possible for her to be more beautiful, but I stand corrected.”

  “Me? Look at you,” Hazel beamed, holding her at arm's length. “Knox and Mr. C are right. Blush pink makes you glow.”

  “I have to admit, I do quite like the color myself.” Mom flushed as pink as her gown, her hand draped over the diamond encrusted heart pendant around her neck.

  Dad took that moment to wrap Hazel in a hug, the two of them sharing a few words I couldn't make out. I suppose he was probably telling her to whack me straight if I acted up or to call him. The latter is what I worried about, especially when he leaned over and murmured in my ear, “Don't let this one go, son. She's perfect.”

  My chest puffed up with pride. Knowing my old man saw Hazel’s true beauty too was the stepping stone I'd been waiting for. I didn't even need to wait for Mom’s opinion; it was written so clearly all over her face as they chatted easily about some reno project her and dad just started in Costa Rica. Seeing them together in the same place at the same time was it.

  Shortly after introducing my folks to Manny and Maya, Karley’s maid of honor and long-time BFF, Heidi, came bustling down the steps to let us know the bride was ready. All that was missing was Mom’s final approval before she walked down the aisle. We followed Heidi inside and separated with Manny and Maya at the doors as they went to take their seats. This place was incredible, leaving me almost as awestruck as I'd been when I first saw Hazel in that blue dress. The ceilings were miles high, joining together at a peak in an intricate design with gold details. Thick, bone white columns and pointed arches separated the dark pews lining the marble aisle that ran down the middle of the cathedral to the altar. From this far back, I couldn't see the altar well, but it looked as grand as everything else. It’s no wonder Karley had dreamed of getting married here since she first visited New York back in her early years of college.

  “Hazel, your bouquet,” Heidi said suddenly, and when I turned my head, I sucked in a deep breath.

  The small bunch of flowers in her hand completed the look. She was all the more perfect, if that were even possible. I couldn’t stop staring…

  “What?” she asked as we settled ourselves into the procession line.

  “Nothing, you just…”

  “I just what?”

  “Nothing, I’m just gawking.” I played it off, holding out my arm to her as the flower girl started her way down the aisle. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be,” she said with a soft smile.

  Then on Heidi’s mark, Hazel and I made our way down to the front of the church, and all the while, I thought my heart would burst out of my fucking chest.

  I brought the champagne glass to my lips and let the chilled pink bubbly slide down my throat as I relaxed into my seat at the reception and looked around the ornately decorated room. Diamonds were the primary theme Karley had gone with as a play on winter, the blue hues to all the accents tying in the perfection. Tall centerpieces were strategically placed on certain tables while the others were smaller in scale but no less grand. The little details spread around the room weren't cheesy or
overdone in the slightest either and I think that overall, Karley had created the perfect winter wonderland in the classiest way possible.

  Now that the new Mr. and Mrs. had shared their first dance, and we’d all enjoyed a deliciously prepared dinner, everything was in full swing. “All Of Me” by John Legend wrapped around the intimate ambiance, leading some couples to the dance floor, while others sat with a drink, chatting the night away. Just a few feet away from where I sat were the happy bride and groom, who had finally taken their seats at their secluded table, enjoying their first of many meals as man and wife. They'd smile lovingly at each other, exchange a few words, steal a little kiss, and then pop another piece of the filet in their mouths. My heart melted just watching them, especially when Noah reached for Karley’s six-month belly and gave it a little kiss too.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught Knox chatting at the bar across the room with one of his uncles. I couldn’t even tell you what his name was, regardless of the fact I’d met him, because there was so much family here. Knox’s mom, Calista, had two sisters, and his dad, Chris, was one of six. Each of those siblings was married with multiple children, so you do the math. That’s a shit ton of family members, not including grandparents and their living siblings, to memorize after just three hours of meeting them. And don’t get me started on Noah’s family. His family was huge, too, hence why the guest list was over two-hundred and fifty people. Too big for my personal taste, but extravagant was Karley’s middle name.

  Knox reappeared at my side then, proffering his hand with that dazzling smile spread across his handsome face. Placing my hand in his, I set my glass on the table and stood to my feet as his arm came around my waist, blue eyes gleaming against the soft bluish lighting of the room.

  “Where are we going?” I asked and his smile widened.

  “To dance.”

  Just as the words left his mouth, a soft saxophone filtered in through the speakers with a familiar tune I recognized as “I’ll Be.” Leading us out onto the dance floor, he spun me around and laced our fingers together as I slipped one arm around his neck, our bodies melting together so easily. His head dipped low to place a sweet kiss at the curve of my neck and a second later we were moving, swaying in place with the slow music resounding around us. Edwin’s raspy lyrics were echoed by Knox’s deep, velvety voice singing softly in my ear, each note, whether in tune or not, leaving goosebumps in their wake. As if he hadn't teased me enough already with lingering kisses and soft caresses all through the evening, the man was now serenading me, and I swear I was ready to swoon at any given moment, smiling like a loon into his chest.

  I really need to slow down on the alcohol.

  “What are you giggling about?” he questioned, tilting my chin up with a finger.

  “You,” I said simply.

  “What? You don't like my singing?”

  “On the contrary, Mr. Carr. I think mixed in with all I've had to drink, it's making me very warm.”

  “How warm?” he hedged, tightening his arm around my waist, his hand splayed at the small of my back.

  “Like I'm gonna need some fresh air real soon before I do something inappropriate and let you serenade your way into my dress right here.”

  A husky chuckle rumbled in his chest as he shook his head. “Behave.”

  “Well, you certainly haven’t been behaving, so why should I?”

  “Because everyone's watching us.”

  He wasn’t lying. There were dozens of eyes on us, mostly his family, lovesick expressions etched on their faces. I wondered what they saw when they looked at us, if perhaps they thought we were next, that the next time they’d all be gathered around like this would be the day I took Knox’s name. Considering we’d only been together for a year and half, the thought of that should’ve scared me. But after everything that had happened in the last few months, and the fact that we’d overcome it all despite the setbacks, it didn’t. If I pictured my life thirty, forty years from now, I could without a doubt see Knox by my side, and as I glanced up into ardent blue eyes, I wondered if he saw that too.

  Dropping his forehead to mine, Knox continued to sing softly with the chorus as we swayed in a circle, the words so uncannily in tune with my thoughts it's almost as though he was answering me. An answer that flushed my cheeks and plundered my heart, especially when he took my face in his hands and our lips brushed ever so softly as he vowed to be the greatest fan of my life.

  “Now we can go outside,” he murmured, and all I could do was nod, too overcome by a wave of emotion to form an actual answer.

  With my hand on his arm, we trailed out of the ballroom and through the hotel in comfortable silence to the front doors. I was still reeling when the cold December air enveloped me the second we stepped outside, leaving me a shivering mess. Knox promptly slid out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders as we descended the steps relatively close to other guests who were chatting, some of them enjoying a cigarette too. That left me wondering...

  “I wonder where Manny and Maya-oh shit!” I squeaked, yanking Knox behind one of the oversized potted shrubs for cover.

  Hopefully they hadn’t see us because there they were… Maya was pressed up against the building and Manny loomed over her, one arm supporting all his weight while the other was draped almost possessively at her hip.

  “Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?” he asked her, and she shook her head, her cheeks flaming as red as her dress.

  “No, but you did now. I’m curious, though…”

  “About?”

  “If I admit I think you look stunningly handsome, will you kiss me?”

  “Maya, I…” He hesitated, and from the look on his face I could tell he was torn between right and what he thought was wrong. “I don’t want you to think-”

  To my surprise, she tugged on his tie, luring him closer. “I want you to kiss me, Manny. Stop acting like you haven’t thought about it on more than one occasion.”

  “I don't know that I'll be able to stop after one kiss.”

  “Who said I wanted you to stop?”

  Holy hell, you go girl.

  Cupping her face in hands, he glanced between her eyes, every ounce of self-control he knew slipping away as the seconds ticked by. “You're killing me,” he admitted on a breath.

  “Then just kiss me already and stop torturing us both.”

  “Babe, let’s go,” Knox whispered in my ear but I shooed him away. Yeah, I know, private moment and all that, but I had to see what happened.

  Just do it, Manny. Do it!

  And he did. He held nothing back as he smashed his lips to hers and kissed her with purpose. Even Knox was quietly rooting him on behind me. It wasn't until Maya hummed in satisfaction and wound her arms around his neck that I turned away, smiling at Knox as though I'd just caught Santa under the Christmas tree.

  “It's a good thing they're not staying in our suite this time,” he murmured, wrapping me in his embrace.

  “I know, can you imagine?” I giggled.

  “Speaking of our suite” – he checked the time on his watch – “party’s almost over. What do you say we head back inside, have one last drink, and say our goodbyes?”

  “Then will you take me upstairs and stop torturing us both?” I asked coyly, mirroring Maya’s words.

  But I didn't get an answer.

  Knox simply kissed me and flashed me a naughty grin that promised nothing but sweet, sweet torture awaited me once we stepped foot in that room. Little did I know just how sweet that torture would be...

  We stumbled into our suite at half past twelve, all hands, mouths, and desperate touches. Lodged in his grasp, I clicked the locks in place and inched backward with his determined strides leading us all the way to the bedroom. I expected him to toss me onto the bed, but instead, he spun me around and crouched to his feet, deftly undoing the few buttons under the V-line of my dress. I peeked back as he rose to full height, his thumbs hooking under the sheer edge of the sleeves at m
y shoulders, pushing them downward until they fell away on their own. With no support, the gown gave away and pooled at my feet, leaving me clad in nothing but panties and nude stilettos.

  A wild growl escaped him and I couldn’t help but shiver as the tips of his fingers danced up my thighs. “Take these off,” he ordered softly, snapping the waistband against my skin. “And leave the heels on.”

  There was no hesitation as I yielded to his demand. Shimming out of my panties, I let them drop to my feet before crawling onto the bed and leaning back on my hands. His bow tie was already undone, hanging loosely around his neck, but the rest of his strip down was a feast for my eyes. First went the jacket, then the vest. He tossed both of them onto the chaise in front of the bed and swiftly began undoing the buttons of his dress shirt, blue eyes trained intently on me. They looked all the more blue, almost electric, with only the light of the moon pouring in through the window behind me. Each button undone revealed more and more ink-adorned skin and as that deep-set V came into view, I had to bite down on my bottom lip to squelch the moan that threatened to break the silence.

  He was on me the second the last one came undone, pushing me further into the mattress as he crawled over me and settled himself between my legs. One of his hands came up to cup my face, holding me steady while his mouth sealed over mine in a soft kiss that still had the power to leave me breathless. I tunneled my fingers into the longer strands of his hair for purchase and pulled him closer, kissing him back with equal fervor. It didn't take long until he was lost in me and I was lost in him, nothing but us relevant in that moment.

  Something was different this time though.

  I don't know if it was in the way his mouth claimed me, or how he touched me, but everything was magnified in a way I couldn't explain. I felt it in my bones. In my soul.

  “You’re gonna kill me tonight,” I breathed out, breaking away from his kiss.

  “Oh, I hope so. I want any doubt in your mind to rot in hell. You’re mine.”

  “I have no doubts. I’m all yours.”

  “All of you?”