Hearts Divided

by Masters, Ellie

  “Wow,” Holly says, “he likes you.”

  The kid shrugs. “I have a way with dogs.” He turns his attention to Bash. “I can’t thank you enough for calling me.”

  “You sure you can handle them?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “The hotel won’t be happy if they lose a couch.”

  Timothy laughs. “Has he eaten another one?”

  “Fortunately not,” Bash says. “He’s a pretty amazing dog.”

  “I’m really glad he has a new home.” He rubs Duke’s neck.

  Bash was a little hesitant calling the kid, not sure how Timothy would react to seeing his dog with his new owner. Timothy expressed zero hesitation and jumped on the chance to dog sit Duke and Ranger for the night.

  “They need a walk,” he says.

  “I’m on it,” Timothy replies.

  “We’re headed up to the room, but will be back down in a bit.” Timothy turns beet red, probably thinking the wrong thing.

  Bash wishes what the kid’s thinking is going to happen upstairs, but it’s not. Holly smirks, but doesn’t rush to correct Timothy’s assumptions. This is a promising sign.

  “Once we leave, you can take the dogs to the room and hang out. The staff knows you’re here. If you need anything, go ahead and call one of the staff. Help yourself to room service and the TV, just keep your hands out of the mini-bar. You’re not old enough for that.”

  Timothy beams with excitement. Bash is making his dreams come true, doing favors for one of his rock star idols. The kid is going to have stories to tell for years to come. And if he does a good job, Bash might have a more permanent position for the kid. Something that will keep Timothy close to his pup. With the dogs handed off, he grabs a hold of Holly’s hand and leads her to the elevator.

  “He thinks we’re going upstairs to have sex,” Holly says with a snicker.

  “You didn’t correct him.”

  “Well, I didn’t want to ruin your rock star image.” She flips her gorgeous hair over her shoulder. The long curls twist and bounce, drawing his eye. His fingers itch to tangle in that glorious mess.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  Her lilting laugher lifts his spirits. Not having sex is a pain in the ass, but he’s not missing it as much as he thought. He would like to take Holly for a spin on the sheets, but is more excited for what he has planned. They ascend to the penthouse suite and he ushers her inside.

  “Wow, this place is huge,” she says.

  It’s easily three times the size of her entire apartment. The disparity of their wealth isn’t lost on him, nor is her independent streak.

  “If you want to fix yourself a drink, go ahead. I won’t be long.”

  She falls into the plush couch and gives a sigh. “Don’t rush on my account.” She waves toward the door to the bedroom. “This is heaven.”

  The urge to ask her to stay is on the tip of his tongue, but he holds back. If she thought his earlier line was corny that one would take the cake.

  He wishes she were heading into the bedroom with him, but that will wait. And he’s going to rush. He’s going to take the world’s fastest shower. On second thought, he needs to take the edge off. She’s gotten under his skin. His balls are aching with unspent need and his dick isn’t going to last the night if it doesn’t get relief.

  Without another word, because he won’t survive the temptation, he leaves Holly lounging on the couch. Unlike her, he doesn’t shut the door to the bedroom, or the bathroom. He’s half hoping curiosity will bring her inside. He works hard on his body and isn’t ashamed of any part of it. But the chances of her joining him in the shower are far too low. It’s a shame.

  He peels off his shirt and shucks off his pants. Turning up the heat, he lets steam build as he searches through his bag. A call to the concierge from Holly’s apartment gives him something nicer to wear than jeans and a t-shirt. Board shorts are out. He exchanged his shorts for the jeans when he took Duke on the hike. He didn’t bring anything else to wear, but the concierge service found black slacks and a button-down Oxford. They left a tie, although he didn’t ask for one. Ties are too constricting and good for only one thing.

  Holly probably isn’t in to having her wrists tied up, although the image spurs his fantasies and brings his aching dick back to full, rigid attention. When he looks over his shoulder, he can’t see Holly, although he hears her pouring a drink. He could use a little Scotch right now, but something more urgent requires his attention.

  Hot water sluices down his body. He’s tight and toned, muscles sculpted by years of time spent in the gym and playing the drums. Heavy and needy, his balls hang between his legs, and his swollen hardness points up at him. The head is plump and angry red, and the veins pop out along his shaft. Well-endowed, he’s pleased many women with this dick.

  He grips the base of his erection and slides his soapy hand up the length with a groan. This is but a ghost of what he needs. It’s agonizing and frustrating to not take what he wants. His grip tightens as he glides up to the tip, teasing himself by moving slowly, although he can barely stand it. His eyes squeeze shut as he glides his palm over his length in a firm motion that will get the job done.

  Power vibrates in him as he grips harder and moves faster with each pass. Soon, his hips are thrusting with the urgency of his need and he adds his other hand. One on top of the other, he’s fisting himself, stroking over every inch of his well-hung package. Holly doesn’t know what she’s missing out on.

  He maintains a rhythm, adjusting the pressure to achieve the perfect combination of pressure and movement. He paces himself, fighting off the urge to come undone. He’ll get there, but he’ll take his time, even as he moves maddeningly toward the inevitable. His thighs shake, tremors in his muscles nearly buckle his legs. He’s close. His breathing shifts, becoming harsh, ragged, and raw. The pulsing in his cock swells the tissues beneath his hand and he arches his head back.

  But he needs more. The image of Holly springs to mind; he can’t help thinking of her on her knees. Her hands replace the roughness of his, and then the ultimate pleasure; her mouth engulfs him.

  He bucks vigorously into his fist, thinking of her emerald gaze turned upon him. His entire body spasms, one long contraction as he ejaculates. White cum spurts over his hand and splashes against the tile as he continues to stroke himself through the last waves of contented bliss. Only, he’s not content. Relieved perhaps, for the moment, but he won’t be content until he sinks into Holly’s wet heat.

  His fingers uncurl and his dick bobs between his legs, softening after his orgasm. He tilts his head, pressing it against the tiled wall as his minds spins to the redhead sitting in the other room.

  With a sigh, he finishes his shower and dresses in the clothes procured for him by the concierge. He can’t have her tonight, but he will have her soon.

  20

  Bash

  When Bash exits the bedroom, Holly is draped on the couch. Her head is tilted back and her eyes are closed. In sleep, her beauty shines and the muscles of her face ease free of their tension. He’s not sure what to do, but doesn’t want to disturb her. The tightness around her eyes no longer tugs at her expression and he takes a moment to admire of the vision before him. Her vulnerability swirls around her like the fiery tendrils of her hair, untamed and wild. He’s afraid to wake her and remind her of the fears she faces.

  Her lids flutter open and she comes to with a start, giving a tiny gasp. “Did I fall asleep?”

  “Looks like it.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Sitting up straight, she tugs at her clothes. Lines of tension creep back around her eyes.

  He would give anything to rid her of the pain she carries, but for now, he’s happy to simply be with her.

  “Don’t be.” He’s worried about their night and is caught between pushing forward with his plans or calling it quits for the night.

  “I bet that’s the first time a girl’s fallen asleep on you.” She smirks, but her embarrassment r
emains.

  “Well, I’ve had a few pass out, but you’re the first I’ve bored enough to fall asleep. I’m not sure how to take it.”

  “How about I was up late last night?”

  “Is that true?”

  She looks down. “No.”

  “Do you want to call tonight off?” He’s never once forced a woman to spend time with him and isn’t about to now. Debt or no debt, this has nothing to do with money, or time owed. If she’s not interested, there’s nothing he can do.

  Holly stretches her arms overhead and gives a yawn. “I don’t actually.”

  “Is that because you’re eager to pay me back to get rid of me, or because you’re curious?”

  Her smile returns. “Yes to both, but mostly, I’m curious.” She stands and comes to him, taking his hands in hers. Her skin is warm and smooth, and sets his blood to boiling. “Why am I here?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? I’m trying to take you on a date.”

  “Yeah, I get that, but why me? I’m not like the girls you’re used to.”

  “No, you’re not.” Her brows scrunch and he rushes to explain. “You’re more.”

  “What does that mean? More?”

  He’s not sure what else to say, except it’s the truth. She’s fun too, and challenges him at every turn. The others are too eager to do exactly as he says, or maybe too fearful that if they don’t they’ll be dismissed. Unfortunately, that’s probably true. He’s never had patience with the groupies and chicks backstage. They offer release from the stress of touring. They give and he takes. With Holly, everything is different and he can’t get enough of not getting what he wants. It’s an odd realization, but the truth.

  “You intrigue me,” he says, because he doesn’t understand the hold she has on him.

  “Well, I find you interesting too, if a bit obnoxious.”

  His grip tightens and he pulls her close. “You’re not supposed to start any arguments.”

  “That’s not an argument.”

  “Holly…” His tone sharpens with warning.

  “It’s a fact,” she says with a squeak. “Now, what are our evening plans?”

  “You sure you’re not too tired to go out?”

  “I’m up now, besides I’m interested.”

  “In what exactly?”

  “What a rock star thinks a date might be.”

  He releases her hands and wraps his arms around her. She smells like heaven and spice with a hint of strawberry. He never wants to let her go.

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “It’s not meant to be.”

  “Well, how about you make another promise for the night?”

  She squints as she cranes her neck. The action places her lips kissably close and it takes every ounce of willpower to not claim another kiss. They’ll never leave this room if that happens and he’ll have broken all his promises. She’s not challenging him, but rather waiting for him to continue.

  “Let’s drop what I do for a living. Leave Bash the rock star behind. Let it just be you and me.” He’s never had that with a girl. Well, he had it with Valerie until she ripped out his heart.

  She gives a nod. “I can do that.”

  “Good.” He releases her and grabs his wallet. “We need to get going.”

  “Where?”

  She’s not giving up on trying to take back control, but that’s a fight she’s destined to lose. He has plans.

  They pass Timothy outside the hotel. The kid is back from taking the dogs on a walk and grins as he sees Bash holding Holly’s hands. All the assumptions swirling in Timothy’s mind are wrong, but someday soon, that will change. Holly stops to hug Ranger and Bash scratches Duke on the head.

  “Take care of them.”

  “Will do,” Timothy says.

  “We won’t be back until late.” It’ll be morning. Timothy knows this, but Holly does not.

  “Gotcha! I got them.” Timothy leads the dogs to the elevator as Bash ushers Holly outside and into a night designed to sweep her off her feet.

  He planned the night while waiting for her to get ready, after looking at her complicated notes about his music and some of the greats. She’s not going to see it coming and it’s going to blow her mind. A black town car pulls up to the hotel. She arches a brow when the driver gets out and opens the door.

  “We’re not taking the Jeep?”

  “Nope. Tonight, we’re traveling in style.”

  “I thought we were forgetting about the rock star life.”

  “We are…” Except most of what’s on the agenda says otherwise. But he can’t help it. It is who he is. It hurt to call Forest for another favor. Forest’s snickering in the background set Bash’s teeth gnashing, but he couldn’t arrange what he needed alone. Once Forest gets everything set, Bash will get a text. Until then, he’s focused on dinner and plans on taking Holly to Carter’s next stop on the list.

  They pull up to the pier and he gives her a hand, helping her out of the car. There are no plans on letting her go.

  “The pier?” Her eyes are bright and alight with mischief. “It’s one of my favorite places.”

  “Nice.”

  Wind whips off the ocean and the surge crashes against the massive support pillars underneath. The sun is half an hour from setting. The wonders of summer are that the days stretch to eternity. They stroll to the end of the pier, stopping to look over the side to see if they can spot schools of fish swimming around the pylons. Sometimes, seals play in the waves, but they don’t see any tonight. Rarely, there will be dolphin, but they don’t hang out near the pier. He passes by a vendor selling cotton candy and gives a nod to the memory of his brother. He tries holding back a laugh, but it spills forth.

  “What’s so funny?”

  He points. “Carter’s list has cotton candy on it. I came here earlier today and got some.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Not really, or at least not to eat the whole thing, but it was Carter’s favorite.”

  “So once a year you have some for him?”

  “Yeah, the whole thing. Makes me sick.”

  “How’s that funny?”

  “This year I had help.”

  “Oh no, you didn’t give it to Duke, did you?”

  He nods. “He couldn’t figure it out.”

  “You know you shouldn’t give dogs sweets. It’s not good for them. Thank God it wasn’t chocolate.”

  “Why is that?”

  Her eyes grow wide. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, seriously.”

  He knows shit about dogs. Duke’s been fairly easy. He buys what seems a ton of dog food a week, and picks up twice that in dog shit.

  “Don’t give Duke chocolate. It’s toxic and can kill him.”

  “If it’s toxic, people wouldn’t eat it.”

  “Chocolate has a substance called theobromine and humans metabolize it quickly. Dogs process it much more slowly, which lets it build up to toxic levels. Even a small amount of chocolate will give Duke an upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea.”

  “That sounds uncomfortable, but not deadly.”

  “You don’t get it. It can produce tremors, seizures, mess with their heart and cause a heart attack, internal bleeding. It’s serious.”

  “Okay, no more sweets for Duke.” He leans over to whisper in her ear. “But you have to tell him.”

  “Just promise me you won’t give him any sweets, and never chocolate.”

  “I swear to never let Duke eat chocolate.” He lifts his hand and gives a Boy Scout salute. When was the last time he did that? Those easy days are far behind him.

  With Duke’s dietary restrictions in place, he manages to steer her to the end of the pier at the perfect moment to watch the sun go down. There’s plenty of time to convince Holly to accept a kiss.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful.” Holly lets go of his hand and leans over the rail. The last rays of the sun kiss her face and set her hair on fire. She’s a vision and oblivious to how beautiful
she is, or how much he needs her.

  “Even growing up here, I never got tired of the sunsets,” he says. “Somedays the sun slips forgotten beneath the waves, and other times it turns the sky on fire. It’s breathtaking.” Only he’s not looking at the sun. He reaches out and coils one of her curls around his finger, fascinated by the silky texture. “I love your hair.” He wants to take it in his fist and yank her head back, taking the kiss he can’t get out of his mind. “Do you know the secret of sunsets?”

  The sun is halfway below the horizon and will soon vanish for another day.

  “No?”

  “There’s a legend which says whoever gives a kiss as the sun dips below the waves is blessed.”

  “Is that so?” She turns to face him. “Funny, I’ve never heard of that one before.”

  He rocks back on his heels. “That doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

  “Who is blessed? The giver or the receiver?”

  “The one who gives. You know the saying…”

  She laughs again and his heart is ready to burst.

  “It’s better to give than to receive,” she finishes. With a glance to the horizon, her laughter stills.

  Only seconds remain before the moment is lost, but then she spins and launches herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. He staggers, not because she weighs anything at all, but from the shock of her taking the lead.

  She’s small and fragile. Not too short, she’s the perfect size and right now, her lips are on his. He grips her waist and holds her against him. Her kiss is soft, tentative, but determined as she licks his lips. He nibbles back, taking things slow, afraid she’ll wake up any moment and realize they are indeed kissing again. Heaven and the sweetness of strawberries, he could die this moment a happy man. He clutches her tight and tugs her upward until she’s no longer on her feet. The pounding of his heart resonates deep in his chest, a powerful force as it pulses between them.

  For the next few moments, he focuses on nothing but the soft glide of her lips over his, but he needs more. He won’t be satisfied with anything less than her complete surrender. But as he takes over the kiss, she pulls back.