-HINDLEY-
I stood at the sink in my hotel room, gripping the counter so hard, my fingers were growing numb. I shook my head in disbelief, willing away my tears. What the hell had Rory done?
First, he’d nearly locked lips with some skank right in the middle of the lobby. Then, he got into a pissing match with a potential endorser. It wasn’t like Matt Davis from Sonora Water was putting the moves on me. Or was he? He had been pretty close all evening. Even if it were true, Rory still had no right to act like a jackass.
And as if all that weren’t bad enough, he’d ended the evening with the mother of all offenses. He’d basically announced to Axel Pretorius, fellow skateboarder and a potential client, that he and I were dating. Mr. Stedwick, the senior partner at my law firm, was drooling for me to take on Axel as another client.
Why didn’t Rory understand, I needed new clients if I was going to be successful in this career and keep my firm happy? Or rather, keep Mr. Stedwick happy. He was heavily invested in my stepfather’s real estate business. Paul’s potential financial risks always weighed heavily on my mind. And if Mr. Stedwick pulled out, it could ruin Paul, which would ruin me.
I closed my eyes and shook my head as Rory’s career-ending words replayed in my mind.
She’ll be pretty tied up for a while.
If Axel had half a brain—and I was pretty sure he did—he’d figure out Rory and I were involved in more than just a professional relationship.
How dare Rory! How dare he jeopardize not only my professional, but my personal reputation as well. And for what? For some male testosterone showdown? Some pissing match? Screw that.
The only thing I could do now was go to bed and pray I’d get at least a few hours of sleep.
I unzipped my skirt and let it fall to the floor before tugging off my halter top. Reaching for my toothbrush, I squeezed on a liberal amount of paste and shoved it into my mouth, scrubbing hard. Maybe I could wash this disgusting taste of bitterness and betrayal from my mouth. Doubtful.
I laughed as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Standing in nothing but a pair of Hello Kitty panties Rory had sent me at the office, I looked like the harlot I was becoming. I’d foolishly thought I’d surprise Rory tonight when he undressed me. Looked like the joke was on me.
Well, I definitely wasn’t going to sleep in them, that was for damn sure.
I stormed out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in my mouth, and marched toward the closet. I would find the most unattractive pair of underwear I owned, which wouldn’t be difficult. I rummaged around the case until I finally found a pair of the ugliest Granny panties I owned. Holding them up, I smiled in triumphant and turned toward the bathroom.
Suddenly movement from the corner of the room caught my eye. Someone was in the room, sitting on my bed.
My skin prickled and I fought down the panic attack threatening to consume me.
I screamed, but my mouth was still full of toothpaste. Only a garbled moan squeaked through the room. Then I remembered I was only wearing my underwear. Shit!
I dropped my toothbrush and clutched my chest to cover myself.
“No,” I screamed, toothpaste flying from my mouth.
The man on the bed moved toward me.
“No, no, no…please,” I begged, squeezing my eyes closed and curling into a tight ball.
Strong arms encircled me.
I beat and kicked, fighting to break free.
“Hindley,” a deep voice said in my ear. “It’s me, Rory. You’re okay. It’s just me.”
Rory? My eyes flew open and I stared into Rory’s familiar blue eyes.
His expression was one of utter devastation. “Are you okay?” he asked.
I broke free from his hold and stood up. My eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal. “What are you doing here?” Foaming bubbles spewed from my mouth and dripped down my chin. Dammit.
“What did you say?” He bit back a smile.
I glared at him before returning to the bathroom to rinse my mouth. I was in no mood for his crap, not tonight. I rinsed out the toothpaste and wiped my mouth with the hand towel, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Keep strong, girl. You can do this.
Feeling braver and more in control, I dropped the towel in the sink, vowing to give him a no-holds-barred piece of my mind. How dare he sneak into my hotel room and scare the shit out of me.
I turned off the light and rounded the corner. Quickly snatching up a T-shirt off the floor, I tugged it over my head. Feeling stronger now that my breasts were covered, I marched around the bed to confront him but all my ire left as my stomach clenched and my mouth went dry.
Rory leaned against the headboard, hands behind his head, naked from the waist up. The pose showcased every glorious muscle in his upper body. His full lips were tipped up on the corner in a playful smirk.
I swallowed hard, trying to remember why I’d been mad at him. God, why did he affect me so much? I lost all coherent thought when Rory Gregor was near, and half naked.
“Sorry I scared you,” he said softly.
His face looked anything but repentant. In fact, I was pretty sure I saw a glimmer of amusement in those beautiful blue eyes.
I crossed my arms over my chest, bolstering my resolve. “You need to leave, Rory. I can’t have people seeing you come out of my hotel room late at night.”
He didn’t move a muscle.
I stood back on my heels, shifting my weight as I narrowed my gaze. “How the hell did you get in here anyway?”
“Magic door.” He winked.
I studied him, trying to figure out what game he was playing, but it was pointless. “I don’t know what the hell you’re up to, but you need to leave.”
He remained motionless.
“Now, Rory,” I yelled, pointing to the door.
He pushed off the bed, his muscled body moving with grace, a predatory gleam in his eye.
Desire pooled low in my abdomen. Shit. This wasn’t good.
He moved past me, his shoulder grazing mine, and I bit back a moan. His proximity and delicious scent had my resolve weakening.
Against my better judgment, I followed his movement, turning to see where he’d gone.
He leaned against the wall, pointing to a door. “We have adjoining rooms,” he said, his voice low and seductive.
How the hell had I not noticed a door next to my dresser?
“Did you know that, Hindley?”
I shook my head, unable to speak at the sight of his naked chest so close to me.
He took a step toward me. “I requested it, specifically so I could come,” he paused and delivered a wicked smile, “and go, as I pleased.”
Everything south of my navel burned with desire.
“With you,” he added in a rough tone.
I held my breath, hoping maybe if I didn’t inhale his scent, he wouldn’t affect me. Screwing my eyes shut tight, visions of his sexy body swirled in my head, making things worse. I was finding it nearly impossible to stay mad at the devilish man.
“I really am sorry, Hindley,” he whispered, his breath caressing my face.
I opened my eyes and found him standing only inches away, his hand hovering at my neck. The pad of his thumb brushed my cheek and I exhaled, unaware I’d been holding my breath.
It had been pointless to will him away from my thoughts. There was nowhere I could run, no place safe to hide from the pull Rory Gregor had on me.
“What are you sorry for?” I whispered.
“For embarrassing you.” His lips grazed my jaw.
Holy hell.
“For being jealous.” His mouth clamped down on my earlobe.
I fought my body’s urge to moan and cursed silently as the reminder of my resolve slipped away.
“For coming into your room unannounced.” Rory’s mouth trailed down my neck, licking and kissing, his touch heating my skin.
A moan escaped and I bit down on my lip to silence myself, but still tilted my neck to give him easier access.
“For being a total jackass.” He trailed kisses down to my collarbone, his body pressed against mine, moving us toward the bed.
The bed. Oh, no.
“Stop,” I yelled, pushing him away.
His hands dropped to my wrists, his eyes guarded, but barely fazed by my command. He searched my eyes, as if begging me to accept his apology.
I fought the urge to offer my forgiveness so easily.
As if understanding my resistance, his hands slid up my arms and over my shoulders.
Goose bumps prickled across my skin and I fought back a shiver.
He wrapped his fingers around my neck, his thumbs gently caressing my jaw. His eyes were darker tonight, less blue with a hint more brown, but no less mesmerizing. I couldn’t break free from their hypnotic spell.
“I really am sorry, Hindley,” he said, all trace of sexual innuendo and desire was gone. “I don’t know what happened tonight.” His eyes searched mine and I could feel myself spiraling.
I held my breath, that hypnotic pull tugging at me again. The man had to be a magician.
“You could have jeopardized everything, Rory,” I whispered. “Everything I’ve been working so hard for. For you.”
He sank onto the bed, his head lowered, looking hopeless, helpless, lost. “I knew this would happen,” he said, releasing a heavy sigh.
“What would happen?”
He stared up at me, heartache and disappointment etched in his eyes. “I knew I’d fuck this up. I don’t deserve you, Hindley.”
My remorse quickly faded to annoyance at his continued insistence that I was better than him.
Tell him.
No.
I pushed my own thoughts to the back of my mind. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked.
I sat down beside him, tucking my hands under my thighs to avoid the desire to touch him. “Put yourself down. Or rather, hold me up higher than yourself, as if I’m better than you.”
“I think you deserve someone who can give you everything. Someone like Dipshit.”
I bit back a smirk. “You mean Matt?” Rory was jealous, and the insecure girl inside me was…happy.
“Whatever,” he scoffed.
“Look, Rory, you and I are just…” What were we? We weren’t dating. We weren’t even seeing each other, outside of the bedroom and boardroom. I slowly stood, staring down at him.
He tilted his head back, staring up at me.
“Hey, if you don’t want to do this,” I motioned a finger between us, “that’s fine. But don’t sit there and act like—”
He bounded up, capturing me in his arms. His hand tugged my hair, tilting my face up as his lips crushed mine.
It was a mistake to continue sleeping with Rory Gregor, logically I knew that, but I’d never felt more alive with anyone than I did with this man.
Pushing down all the reasons I shouldn’t be with him, I opened my mouth and allowed him access to more of me than was safe.
His kiss grew greedy, needy, and I felt hot and desired. I met his kiss with a frenzy I’d never experienced.
Suddenly, he pulled away with a groan and threw me onto the bed.
“Well, well, well…” He smirked, his smoldering eyes staring at my mid-section. “Who do we have here?”
My gaze followed his and I realized he was staring at my panties. My Hello Kitty panties. Oh, crap. I scrambled back toward the headboard, tugging at the T-shirt to cover myself.
He grabbed both of my ankles and yanked me down the bed. His eyes gleamed with mischief, and something I’d never seen in another man’s eyes…desire.
I was suddenly chilled and glanced down at my body, horrified to find my shirt had ridden up over my breasts. I was fully exposed to his predatory gaze. Grabbing my shirt, I tugged at it to cover myself.
Before I could move, Rory was on me, pinning my wrists next to my head. “Oh, no, you don’t, Miss Hagen. I want to look at these all night.”
Part of me wanted to fight. I shouldn’t like this aggressive behavior from a man. But the majority of me loved his sexual prowess, and I couldn’t hide my expectant smile.
His bare chest rubbed against mine as his tongue slid over the shell of my ear. Moving slowly, he trailed kisses down my neck to my collarbone, then…lower.
I squirmed and bucked, mostly because his tongue working over my breasts sent sparks of pleasure clawing up my spine.
“Stay still,” he growled against my skin.
I moaned and tried to steady my body.
Rory raised his head, his blue eyes piercing me. His lips curled into a victorious grin. “Does Hindley like my tongue?”
I tilted my head, donning the most innocent face I could muster, but my body betrayed me, bucking against his heavy frame.
The glimmer in his eyes said it all. He could feel how much I wanted him.
His mouth returned to its savage assault down south. “Well. Hello. Kitty.” He laughed, his words vibrating against my sensitive skin as he kissed every inch of my underwear—the underwear he’d bought me.
“Oh, God,” I moaned, my head falling onto the mattress. I closed my eyes, absorbing the sensations of his mouth wandering against my skin. “Rory, you can’t do this,” I panted.
He raised his head, his brows furrowed as he studied me with boyish curiosity.
“I mean, I’m upset,” I said, already missing his mouth. “We need to talk about what happened.”
“We’ll talk.” He winked. “Later.” Smiling like the devil he was, he lowered his head.
Yes, our conversation was over. For now. But we would talk.
“So you wanted to discuss something?” Rory lay next to me, his head propped on his hand as he leaned on his elbow, staring down at me.
God, he was gorgeous.
“Ummm,” was all I could muster. This man was lethal in bed. I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot who’d just been thoroughly worked over.
Slowly I rolled away from him, trying to pull my wits about me. I glanced around the room and chuckled at the discarded condom wrapper next to the bed—along with my T-shirt and a shredded pair of Hello Kitty underwear. “You owe me some new panties.” I snorted.
His arm wrapped around my waist and he tugged me close to his chest, nuzzling my hair.
Being cradled in Rory’s arms felt better than it should have. He obliterated all my thoughts when he was near. I couldn’t remember why I’d been upset.
“I think I can arrange a pair of new panties, Miss Hagen,” he said, kissing my neck. “I definitely don’t want you going panty-less. Unless it’s with me.” The warm heat of his breath brushed against my skin and I shivered.
“Stop,” I laughed, “that tickles.”
“God, I love that sound,” he moaned.
“What sound?”
“Your laughter.” He pressed kisses along my shoulders.
Desire pulsed through my body and I swallowed hard. How could I want him again so soon?
“I’m ready whenever you are, Miss Hagen.” He ground his hips into my backside as if answering my silent question.
Our easy connection both excited and scared me. How was it possible to feel safe in the arms of a man, this man?
I rolled over in his arms, staring at the hollow of his throat. My finger caressed his skin as I contemplated what I wanted to say.
“Hey.” He reached under my chin, raising my face. “What’s going on in there?” He tapped my temple. “Come back to me. I miss you.” He placed a soft kiss against my lips.
Rory was so attuned to me. It was as simple as that. We were drawn to each other, for reasons I had yet to identify. Instinctively I knew we belonged together, even if it was only for a little while.
“Hey,” he admonished. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Over-thinking this.”
“Over-thinking what?”
“Us,” he said.
“You’re the one who got heavy earlier.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Do you really think I want Matt?” I asked.
He shrugged. “He sure as hell wants you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Wait, did Matt want me? He had been awfully touchy feely tonight.
“He’s perfect for you,” Rory said.
“What does that mean?”
“He’s sophisticated, probably went to Harvard or Yale or some other Ivy League bullshit school. He reeks of old school money. And I sure as shit can guarantee you he knows which fork to use at dinner.”
Worry wormed its way into my sated heart. I was losing Rory. I hated hearing him think so little of himself.
I pushed up so we were eye-to-eye, knowing firmness was the only way to handle his insecurities.
“Look at me,” I said in a firm, deep voice.
His eyes lifted and he stared up at me.
“Stop this bullshit, Rory Gregor. Now,” I growled. “If I wanted someone like Matt, I would be with someone like Matt.”
His eyes widened and I knew I had his attention.
“I hate fancy parties and debutant bullshit,” I said. “You know that. I went to a crap-ass college and an even crappier-ass law school. I prefer hamburgers to five-course meals, so I couldn’t give a rat’s ass if there are forks on the table or not. I’m with you, Rory Gregor.” I poked his chest to punctuate my point.
He pushed me back onto the mattress as his body hovered over me, his lips finding their seemingly permanent home on mine.
I wrapped my arms around his lean torso, running my fingers up and down his back as our tongues and teeth collided and our bodies intertwined with passionate abandon.
He needed me.
I needed him.
And once again, I was lost in Rory Gregor, consumed by everything about my Skater Boy.