Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2)

by Alyne Roberts

"He wanted you," he insisted, almost sounding pitiful.

  "I'm family. He hired you because of your skills, education, and all that," she explained gently. "You'll do fine."

  She sounded so sure, so confident. I realized that although this guy looked like a pansy, he was educated and had a future ahead of him. He probably went to a fancy college like Kallie did. I had my high school diploma and a future in car repair, and if I was lucky, classic restoration. Ivan already had her father's approval. I paled in comparison to him, but she still wanted me.

  "You sure you're okay?" he asked her, as if it were secret. He probably thought I was holding her against her will.

  "I'm fine," she huffed. "I just can't do this anymore. Any of it. I want to go my own way. I need to."

  He nodded. "Good for you."

  Ivan turned and walked to the door, pausing before pulling it open. He looked right at me before saying, "Take care of her."

  With that, he walked out the door and left us alone. I stared at Kallie, taking in her calm and strong composure. She meant what she said and I had never been so proud of her. I just hoped she stayed strong enough. I doubted they would let her go so easy. I was the only idiot that would let her go without a fight.

  I crossed the distance between us in just a few steps. Kallie's blue eyes locked on mine as I cupped her checks and leaned down to press a hard kiss to her lips. Her tongue quickly slipped between my lips, and I closed my teeth on it gently. Pulling away, I dragged my teeth on her tongue, pulling a deep moan from her.

  My blood caught on fire and I gripped the back of her head, pulling her closer. Her body pressed against mine, instantly driving the want of feeling her skin on mine. I grabbed her hips and slammed myself into her, letting her feel how much I needed this. She grabbed my shoulders and dug her nails into my skin.

  My hands slid down to her thighs and lifted. She wrapped her legs around me as I spun to set her on the counter. I kissed her frantically while rubbing up her stomach and under her shirt, grazing the underwire of her bra. When she tugged at the hem of my shirt, I backed away to let her pull it over my head.

  Once topless, my lips and tongue continued running over the tender skin of her neck. Her breathing was quick, and I could feel her chest meeting mine with every pant. Kallie was as frantic as I was. Her moans filled my ears and I couldn't feel close enough to her.

  "Bedroom," she panted against my neck, leaving a trail of heat behind her breath.

  I lifted her up and blindly walked her down the hall. Pushing though the last door at the end, I peeked around her to see a four-poster bed covered in a white comforter. When my knees hit the footboard, I laid her back onto the mattress. Her blonde hair fanned out across the fabric, and her eyes were dark with lust.

  I leaned over and lifted her shirt off. I trailed kisses down her chest while reaching behind to unclasp her bra. Upon seeing her bare chest, my breath got stuck in my throat. I forgot how beautiful she was, especially naked. I had no idea how I would ever be around her again and not picture this.

  I kissed and nipped at the collarbone, making her wiggle and squirm underneath me. My fingertips lightly danced across the inked skin. The feather stood out against her paleness and I feathered light kisses over it. Moving up, I took one of her nipples in my mouth and she cried out, arching against me.

  I quickly pulled her skirt down her legs and tossed it to the floor. Kallie looked up at me, watching every impulsive move I made. With my hands under her, I lifted slightly to shove her up the bed. After grabbing a condom from my wallet, I quickly unbuttoned my jeans and crawled over her.

  Her cheeks were red and her lips swollen from our forceful kissing. Her eyes held a determination I had only seen a few times. The most recent was when she handed over her responsibilities to fuck-face. I saw it before when blew me off at the warehouse party, determined to torture me with her moves. It's the same expression from when she pleaded with me and told me she forgave me that night in the rain.

  With the memories fresh in my mind, she watched me roll on the condom. Her eyes traveled up my body and sparked with excitement. She cried out when I plunged inside hard, her voice echoing in the large room. She clenched onto my arms, and I stilled once I was deeply buried inside. Her legs wrapped around my waist as she moved to take me deeper.

  Loving hearing her cries of pleasure, I pushed into her roughly again. She bit down on her lip so hard I thought it would bleed. I leaned down and sucked it into my mouth to protect it. My tongue tangled with hers as I relentlessly pounded into her tight wetness. Her lips pulled away, and she turned her head so she could breath.

  Kallie closed her eyes tightly as she moaned louder. Each moan and gasp grew louder. The neighbors were probably able to hear us, but we didn't stop. I went as deep as possible until she screamed out my name and a string of curses. Feeling her clench tightly around me did me in. My thrusts slowed while milking our orgasms, and I emptied myself into the condom.

  When I couldn't hold myself up any longer, I flopped down next to her on the bed. Our skin was coated in a thin layer of sweat, and our heavy breathing filled the otherwise silent room. I let myself sink into the comfortable mattress, loving the softness of it. I was surrounded by Kallie's smell, and I almost drifted off in the comfort of it.

  "What was that for?" she asked in the darkness.

  "I was proud of you."

  "So, that was a reward of some sort?" she asked, laughing slightly.

  "Something like that." I saw the Kallie I fell in love with out there today. It wasn't all her, but I saw her peeking through. I remembered what it was about her that I couldn't resist, despite my hesitancy. She was firm, strong, and did what she wanted. If we could get that girl back, maybe we stood a chance. She had a lot of making up to do, though.

  "Can we drive back in the morning?" she asked. "I still have to pack."

  "Sure." I rolled over on my stomach and looked at her. She looked deep in thought, so I stayed quiet.

  I knew there was more she wanted to say, but she wouldn't. I was glad. I didn't have answers to her questions. I didn't know what we were doing or what would happen next. I watched her eyes flutter shut and her muscles relax. I pulled the covers out from under us and covered her up.

  I woke up feeling rested and calm for the first time in a long time. I stretched and forced myself out of the luxurious bed. The sheets were too soft and the mattress supported my body perfectly. If I didn't get up now, I never would. I stepped over our discarded clothes, grabbing mine and quickly dressing before going to the kitchen. I leaned against the counter while waiting for the coffee to brew.

  Once my eyes were open, I started to pick up the glass from the living room floor. I was surprised she didn't cut her feet open last night. If she would have, I would have forced her to go to the hospital then. I piled up the ruined photographs and placed the glass in an empty paper box I found in her office. The more I walked around the apartment, the more it seemed unlike her. It held no personality or memories.

  When the floor seemed safe to walk on, I stood in the doorway to the bedroom. Kallie was spread out in the bed, her hair sprawled across the pillows. Her bare shoulders were uncovered and the sheets clung to her small body. She almost looked lost in the king sized bed. I wondered how lonely she must have felt every night when she went to sleep. I could imagine, because I felt the same.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kallie

  I stretched out in my familiar bed. I didn't want to wake up; I could sleep away the rest of the day. I moaned and rolled over to stare up at my ceiling. I was alone, not surprisingly. I didn't think Ryder would have stuck around for the cuddling. My body ached in all the right places and I smiled at the memories running through my mind.

  I could smell coffee so I sat up, ready to grab a cup. Ryder stood in my doorway, fully dressed and holding two cups of coffee. He smiled, but it wasn't his full smile. He was still here, so that was a good sign, but he wasn't going to let me think last night meant more. I held t
he covers over my chest as he came in and handed me the cup of heaven.

  "How's the ankle?" he asked.

  I shrugged as I took a sip. "I don't know yet."

  He gently pulled the covers off my feet. "Looks better. Still bruised, but the swelling went down."

  I nodded and drank my coffee, feeling slightly awkward. I never had casual sex. I didn't feel ashamed or embarrassed as I would’ve if I had slept with a stranger or made a drunken mistake. This was Ryder. It was different and complicated. I trusted him regardless if we were together now or not. I knew how I felt about him, and my body wasn't going to forget it. Neither would my heart.

  "I'm going to get dress," I told him.

  He nodded and left my room, closing my door behind him. I tested out my ankle before standing up and limping over to my closet. It stung a little, but I could hobble around now. I grabbed a pair of yoga pants and white shirt that fell off one shoulder. I wanted to be comfortable for the long drive home. I limped back out to the living room. The room was shockingly bare.

  "You didn't have to clean up," I scolded him.

  "I didn't want you to cut yourself," he shrugged while he rummaged through my fridge. "Do you even eat here?"

  "Rarely," I admitted while I took in the bare walls. The place felt even more empty and lifeless.

  "Well, we have to grab something to eat on the way then," he grumbled. He gets crabby when he's hungry.

  "Okay, I'll get packing," I said and scampered back to my bedroom.

  I pulled my suitcases down from the top shelf of the walk-in closet and started tossing clothes in. I stuffed anything casual I could fit, leaving my work clothes behind. There wouldn't be a reason for a three-piece suit anymore. I needed another bag for shoes. I threw a few dresses in and packed a smaller bag with bras and panties.

  Our store was right next to a Victoria's Secret. I don’t know why, but every lunch break, I stopped inside and bought something for myself. I had a weakness for the pretty lace and sexy lingerie. I never had anyone to see me in it, but I couldn't stop myself from buying some any chance I got. I always felt sexy, even though no one else would agree.

  I threw everything in my bathroom into a toiletry bag. I knew I was over packing, but I hated my last trip when I felt so helpless without even the basics. I wanted to bring everything, but I didn't have enough luggage. At least I was prepared for any occasion. Feeling proud and satisfied that I had everything I could possibly need, I rolled the biggest suitcase down the hall.

  "Holy shit," Ryder gasped. "You have enough stuff there?"

  "There's three more in the bedroom," I said shyly.

  "Seriously?"

  I nodded and he walked past me to my room. He came back grumbling and carrying my bags. We stacked them by the door while I grabbed my laptop, stuffing it into the computer bag with my phone chargers. I called the doorman to let him know that I would be out of town for an unknown amount of time. He would make sure my mail was collected and watch over the empty place.

  "Ready?" I asked Ryder when I was sure I had everything.

  "Been ready," he laughed.

  Ryder loaded the elevator and we rode down in silence. He loaded the car and I gave him directions out of the city. After stopping to get him something to eat, we started the long trip back home. The sky was gray and it sprinkled light rain on us. The dreary day wasn't going to ruin my mood, though. I was excited to get out of this city and get away from work.

  "You think she will be happy with Adam?" I finally asked him.

  "I don't know," he said, looking thoughtful. "Probably. She wouldn't settle down for just anyone. I figure he must be special."

  "I see. I don't know, I guess he just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't really like him."

  He laughed at me. "Why? Because he checked you out?"

  "Well, yeah." Was that crazy?

  "In case you haven't noticed, it's kind of hard not to," he flirted.

  "Right," I said slowly. He just laughed and shook his head at me.

  We continued to drive with Ryder driving faster than necessary when the roads were empty. After a couple hours, the sky cleared and we rolled the windows all the way down. I hung my arm out the window, letting it cut through the wind. My hair blew around my face and was probably becoming a huge knot, but I didn't care. I really didn't have a care in the world at the moment.

  "Can we stop at my hotel and drop off my stuff first?" I asked when we got closer.

  "You're really staying at a hotel?" he asked, looking over at me.

  "Eyes on the road," I scolded. Accidents happen. "Yes, I am."

  "You can stay with us," he sighed.

  "It's already booked, Ryder," I told him. "Plus, staying with you isn't the best idea."

  He didn't argue and took the exit into town. The hotel was about a block away from where Scarlett worked. I figured I would be close enough to her and really not all that far from her apartment. If it got too hard to be around Ryder, we could meet out in town when she got off work. We pulled up front and a doorman took my suitcases up to my room.

  The room was huge; I got the king suite since I would be staying for a while. It had a small fridge, coffeemaker, and a sink by the door. There was a flat screen TV mounted on the wall with a sectional couch and some chairs. I set my bags near the couch and walked out the sliding glass door to the balcony.

  The view wasn't impressive. Parking lots, shopping centers, and long winding roads. I slightly wished I found a cabin on the river instead. I came back in and went into the attached bedroom. The king sized bed took up most of the room and a bathroom came off the room. A whirlpool tub sat in the corner of the room. I couldn't wait to sink into it later tonight.

  "This is nice," Ryder commented from behind me. I turned around to find his eyes glued to the bed.

  My stomach clenched, and I felt warm all over. I held my breath, hoping the want would pass. I ached to run to him and beg for him to take me. Knowing the indifference from him after would hurt, I bit my lip to keep myself from slipping into a lust-fueled manic.

  "Don't look at me like that," he warned in a low voice.

  "Don't make me think about it," I threw back at him without thought.

  "You drive me crazy, Princess."

  "I know," I nodded. "Likewise."

  We stood there, staring at each other. Both of us were challenging the other. To bring it on, or back off, I wasn't sure which. Ryder's phone finally broke the tense moment, and he slipped out of the room to take the call. I took a deep breath, trying to call my breathing. I hated wanting to be with him when I knew it didn't mean the same to him as it did for me. I still loved him and he was holding back.

  "Scar wants to know if you want to come to dinner at our place tonight?" Ryder asked from the living room.

  "Sure," I called back. I couldn't forget I was here for her. I needed to get my head in the game.

  After I changed and freshened up my makeup and hair, we headed back down to my car. My ankle was still sore, but much better than the day before. I let Ryder drive back anyway. I didn't mind getting to sit back and watch the countryside pass by. The further away from home I was, the more content I felt.

  We pulled up to the apartment and Ryder helped me up the steps. A spicy smell assaulted me as soon as the door opened. Scarlett stood over the stove working a sizzling skillet.

  "What you cooking?" I asked her.

  "Fajitas," she sang as she came over and wrapped me up in a hug. "How's the ankle?"

  "Better." I took a seat at the bar and watched her cook while she rattled off about her day at work.

  "Margaritas?" she asked, pulling glasses down from the cabinet.

  "God yes," I breathed out. I could use a drink after the last few days I had.

  "Ry, can you grab the blender?" she asked, quickly gathering the makings.

  "I don't think that's the best idea," he said with a worried look.

  "What? Worried I'm gonna throw myself at you?" I joked, although I was sure that
's what he was thinking.

  "Kinda," he admitted.

  "Please," I pleaded as sweetly as I could, complete with the puppy-dog eyes. "I'll be good."

  He closed his eyes and looked away from me. "How will you get back to your hotel?"

  "Oh," I sighed. It was half an hour drive to my hotel and I wasn't stupid enough to drive after even a sip.

  He mumbled under his breath and sulked over the fridge. "I will drive you back," he grumbled while he got the blender from the cupboard above the fridge.

  Scarlett and I exchanged excited looks, going serious as soon as he turned back to face us. He roughly put it on the counter and started mixing the ingredients for us. I stifled a laugh from his pouty attitude. He could be pissy if he wanted. His attitude wasn’t my responsibility anymore. He didn’t want it to be, and I needed to focus on not letting myself care anymore.

  When dinner was ready, we gathered around the bar and made up huge fajitas. Scarlett teased me that I would never be able to fit mine in my mouth as I struggled to wrap the tortilla. We were already two drinks in when the giggles set in. Ryder's attitude improved a little, and he poked fun at us as we tried not to get sour cream everywhere.

  "That was really good," I said after we were done eating.

  "Thanks," she shrugged. "It's really a bribe."

  "Uh oh. It's that grin again."

  "I seriously need your help planning the wedding. Please. Tell me you will stay and help me,” she pleaded. "You’re girly and all that. I have no idea what I'm doing."

  "Oh," I said relieved. "Of course. I thought you had another one of your bad ideas."

  "Thank you. Thank you," she said hopping up and down. "Now, can you two get along until then? I don't want a whole wedding party. Just you as the maid of honor, and Ry as the best man." I turned and gave him a questioning look.

  "Of course we can." He nodded, although he looked a little unsure. I was in doubt, too.

  "Great. Can you come over tomorrow?" she asked. "I'm off."

  "I'll have your car," Ryder reminded me. "And I'm working."