-HINDLEY-
I stretched out in the lounger on the beach, listening to the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash into the shore. The warmth from the sun overhead heated my skin and I let out a relaxing sigh. This place, this time, felt like heaven. “Thanks for inviting me out. It’s exactly what I needed.”
“You’re most welcome,” Rory said. “But you better be careful. I don’t want you to burn again.”
I turned my head, lowering my shades to look into his beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the brilliant California sun. The smirk on his face was unmistakable. I knew the insinuation and memories he was referring to and I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered our first intimate night together.
“I’d let you rub lotion on me if I burn, Mr. Gregor.”
“Oh, I’m sure you would, Miss Hagen.” He laughed, taking my hand in his and bringing it up to his lips, his eyes full of promise.
This felt real. It felt like we were a normal couple doing normal things, and for the first time since I met him, I found myself counting down the days until the X Games when we could finally declare our love for one another, publicly. I didn’t care what happened to my professional career, as long as I was with Rory, I knew we could make it work.
“Are you hungry?” He changed the topic before we both stripped down here on the beach and went at it like rabbits.
“I’m always hungry.” My voice was low and sultry and sexy. Or, at least I hoped it was.
“Oh, Miss Hagen. Let’s get you upstairs and see if we can’t feed that never-ending appetite of yours.”
Something deep within me tingled at the hint of things to come. I dusted off the sand from my lounger.
Rory easily picked it up and tucked it under his arm, reaching out his empty hand for mine.
This was right. I knew it in my heart. Being with Rory was where I was supposed to be, and damn the rest of the world. But visions of Axel’s sinister face surfaced and I remembered how much damage he could cause us.
I’d yet to secure a deal for him. Sponsors alike seemed standoffish, hesitant to come anywhere close to him until the rumors about his sexual assaults were cleared. To date, no one had stepped forward to either charge or acquit him. I tried to assure potential sponsors that the allegations were vicious rumors, but part of me felt guilty and sick to my stomach trying to explain away Axel’s crimes.
“Hey.” Rory squeezed my hand. “Where’d you go?”
I laughed at his question, knowing it had become his way of bringing me back when my thoughts drifted to the negative. “Nowhere.” I smiled.
“Well, in that case, let me take you somewhere.”
The promise in his voice was unmistakable and my mouth watered thinking about what he had in store for me.
As we walked into the house, he nodded toward the stairs. “Go take a shower.”
His words were commanding but tender, and I was lost in anticipation.
“You’re not coming with me?” I pouted like a child.
“I’ll be up in a minute.” His playful wink and mischievous smile said it all.
God, I loved this man. I was so thankful he’d talked me into coming out to spend a few days with him at his house before we hit the road for his next competition in Miami.
Our new plan was perfect. I was supposed to meet with Humberto and his manager in Miami anyway, so I thought to kill two birds with one stone and be with Rory too. But Axel’s threat kept creeping into my mind and my stomach cringed as I thought about the power he had to ruin my future with Rory. I had to work my ass off and find a commercial deal for him, otherwise my fantasy world with Rory would be over sooner than I wanted.
“Go!” He slapped my butt hard.
“Ow!” I rubbed my backside.
“There’ll be more where that came from if you don’t get your sweet little ass up to my room and shower.”
“All right already. I’m going.” The predatory gleam in his blue eyes sent chills up and down my spine. I raced up the stairs in lightning speed.
I showered in record time and waited on his bed, wrapped in a plush robe, high on anticipation, dreaming of what lay ahead. I knew it was something kinky and I couldn’t wait. Would he tie me up? Would I tie him up? All types of illicit images ran through my head.
“It will be even better than what you’re imagining, I can promise you that.”
His deep voice ripped through my thoughts. I turned and stared at the delicious man leaning against the doorframe. He stood in pajama pants that hung off his hips, naked from the waist up. God, he was beautiful.
One hand held up a tray, but I couldn’t see what was in the containers that lay on top of it. He stalked into the bedroom and set the tray down on the dresser before making his way over to the bed.
“Off.”
I jumped off the bed at his deep growl.
He ripped off the pillows, comforter, and top sheet. “Robe off. Face up on the bed,” he commanded.
I stood still, afraid to move.
“Now!”
Oh, God! This is gonna be good. I was already dripping with anticipation.
I ripped off the robe and threw it to the floor next to the comforter and sheet. Crawling up on the bed, I stretched out on my back, unsure of what position I should be in. Arms above my head? Out to the sides? Legs closed or spread apart? My heart was beating so fast and loud, I could barely hear the familiar clinking noise of the straps being hooked to the railing below the bed.
“Arms,” he commanded.
I’d done this enough to know what he wanted. I stretched my arms toward the edge of the bed. I watched as he took one wrist and cuffed it in a leather restraint, tugging to make sure it was secure. These were new, and rougher than the material he’d used before. Every cell in my body was on fire.
He walked to the other side of the bed and secured my other arm. “These are different,” he explained in a gentler tone. “They’ll pinch a little more. If it hurts too much, you have to tell me. Okay?”
I nodded, not wanting to stop anything he was doing.
“Good girl.” He leaned down to kiss my nose. “Legs,” he commanded. “Spread them.”
Immediately, I obeyed. I couldn’t see them, but it felt like the same type of leather restraints at my ankles that were on my wrists.
He crawled up my naked body, his legs on either side of my hips, hands on the mattress next to my face, but his body made no contact with mine.
I felt empty and deprived.
“Same thing with your ankles. If it bites or hurts, let me know.”
I nodded again, a wanting smile spreading across my entire face.
“Someone’s excited.” He laughed. Just as soon as the words escaped him, he was gone.
Clinking near the dresser garnered my attention. It sounded like he was preparing something, but I knew better than to look. Instead, I lay still on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering at what point in our relationship had I relinquished control to this man. If someone would have told me three months ago that I’d be trussed up like a prisoner on some man’s bed, I would have laughed them off the face of the earth. Yet, here I was, spread eagle and loving every minute of it.
The bed dipped with his weight and I strained my neck to find him sitting between my legs, his body never making contact with mine. My insides were throbbing for his touch.
“You called me a tactile learner in the beginning, remember?”
Where’s he going with this? I wasn’t sure if I should be excited, or scared shitless.
“T-A-C-T-I-L-E.” He spelled the word in staccato as his lips curled up in a devious grin. “It’s become one of my favorite words, Miss Hagen.”
I swallowed hard, realizing I was in trouble. And I loved it.
“Do you know what the word tactile means?”
I shrugged my shoulders, unable to speak, wondering what he would do next.
“It means you use every sensory organ to learn.”
Sensory organ? Good Lord, he had me panting like a dog on a hot summer day and he hadn’t even touched me.
He stalked up my body until his face came within inches of mine. I realized he was gloriously naked, his hard-on dangerously close to my lady parts. I was burning with desire and he hadn’t even touched me yet.
“It occurred to me that as I’ve been learning how to read,” he said, “I’ve used every sensory organ at my disposal.” He leaned in closer and his hard-on grazed my stomach. His lips were just below my ear.
I inhaled his intoxicating aroma, a mixture of his spicy cologne and body wash. He’d showered as well.
“Perhaps you should do the same.” His breath blew across my neck.
My mouth went dry and my body heated with desire for this man.
Reaching behind him, he produced a silk mask. “I think it’s time I reciprocated.”
“For what?” I squeaked out.
“Oh, please, don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about blindfolding me?”
Goose bumps spread over my skin. What kind of revenge did he have planned?
“That’s right. Tit for tat.” He leaned down, lapping and sucking one of my nipples.
My body rocked up to meet his mouth, wanting more.
“Oh, not yet, baby.”
Knowing he would draw this out and tease me relentlessly, my body fell lax.
His mouth retreated as his large hand slid under my neck. “Up.”
I raised my head off the mattress and stared at his face for as long as possible, watching as his eyes burned with mischief.
Slowly, he slipped the silk mask over my head, securing the elastic strap behind my hair as he adjusted the cover over my eyes. “Can you see me?”
“No,” I panted.
“Good.” He placed a soft kiss on my lips.
Instinct and experience warned me that would be the last gentle act he would perform.
I listened intently, trying to figure out what he was going to do next, but it was futile. Instead, I relaxed back into the mattress as best I could and waited. I heard soft music envelope the room. It sounded like a symphony, something completely opposite to Rory’s personality.
“Do you like the music?”
I felt his warm breath against my stomach.
“Yes,” I moaned.
His lips caressed my abdomen.
I rocked and yanked on the straps.
“Careful, baby,” he admonished. “We haven’t even started yet.”
His voice was so deep, vibrating across my skin. I could sense the smile on his face even though he wasn’t visible through my mask. We were so attuned to one another. That’s why it was so easy to lay here, strapped down, completely naked and defenseless. I trusted him. I loved him.
“This is going to be intense,” he said. “I need you to tell me if anything hurts or if it gets to be too much, okay?”
I barely registered his words before something hot dripped on my skin. I was startled at the sensation.
“Okay?” he asked.
I nodded, unable to speak. Hot liquid trailed from my belly button up to my chest, skimming between my breasts and falling over my neck. I flinched at the temperature. It was hot but bearable, barely.
“Open your mouth.”
I licked my dry lips before parting them as he’d instructed. All of a sudden, the hot liquid was rushing down my chin, spilling over my tongue. It was chocolate, hot chocolate syrup.
“Swallow,” he whispered.
As I let the liquid fall down my throat I tasted something so dark and decadent I knew immediately this was an expensive type of chocolate.
“Open.”
I did as he told me but instead of more chocolate syrup, small pellets of ice slipped over my tongue, almost choking me.
“Swallow,” he whispered again.
As I shut my mouth, the hot chocolate dripped across my lips. I tried to open my mouth again.
“Keep your mouth closed,” he commanded.
I puckered my lips to hold in the melting ice.
Suddenly his tongue was rubbing over my lips, licking and lapping up the syrup.
I wanted to open my mouth so badly, to taste him and devour him, but I knew better than to defy Rory Gregor.
He moaned against my lips, making every nerve ending in my body explode with desire.
His tongue trailed down my chin and caressed my neck, following the path of chocolate syrup he’d drizzled down the middle of my body. The sensation was thrilling, irresistible and almost agonizing.
I tried to pull my hands down to touch him, forgetting I was strapped down to the bed. The leather restraints pinched, chafing my skin.
His tongue continued its assault down my stomach to my belly button as he swirled around the sensitive area.
My hips bucked up, trying to press against him. Hot syrup dripped on my nipples and I flinched in surprise. “Oh.”
“Are you okay?” His words were genuine and sincere, much different than the commanding presence of before.
“Yes,” I whispered. I wanted his mouth back on me. Pain or no pain, I wouldn’t yell out again.
His tongue trailed back up my body, making his way to one nipple, sucking away the melted chocolate. As he continued to lap at my breast, something ice cold slipped over my other nipple.
I jerked on the cuffs, unable to free myself.
“Feel it, baby, absorb all the sensations,” he whispered against my skin.
The pleasure was so different from the hot syrup, but within seconds, the coolness of the ice felt just as sensual.
He moved his lips over to the cold and puckered nipple.
I thought I might come just from his assault on my breasts alone. Was that even possible? “Oh my God,” I panted, lost in the euphoria of it all.
“Patience.” He smiled against my skin. “Tactile. T-A-C-T-I-L-E. Remember?”
I was beginning to hate that word. Before I could debate my loathing of the word, my senses were assaulted by the smell of fruit—strawberries, bananas, even cantaloupes, maybe.
“Open.”
I opened my mouth and something cool with a rough exterior was placed inside.
“Bite,” he whispered, his voice sinfully delicious.
My teeth clamped down on the object. It was a strawberry. The juices ran down my chin.
“Open,” he said.
I obeyed and hot syrup filled my mouth, almost choking me.
“Close.”
I did as he demanded.
“Chew,” he blew in my ear.
God, it tasted so sweet and juicy, like no strawberry I’d ever eaten before in my life.
“Swallow.”
His voice become huskier with every instruction. The juncture of my thighs burned. My body quivered uncontrollably as my mind spiraled out of control, lost in his erotic taunting.
The mattress dipped as he straddled my hips, placing cold objects along the mid-line of my body, from my throat down past my belly button.
What was he doing?
Using my body as his canvas, he drizzled more chocolate, artistically swirling the hot liquid around the objects. His lips licked between my breasts. He was eating whatever it was laying on top of me. I was his human dish.
I wanted him so badly. I tugged at the restraints, unable to take the sensual assault.
He moved down to the next morsel, his lips stroking my skin, his tongue pushing the food around on my body before he sucked it in. “You taste so sweet, baby.” His breath caressed the heated skin of my abdomen.
My hands and feet jerked on the cuffs and my legs spasmed as my own liquid heat spilled over in a pre-orgasmic rush. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could take this. “Rory,” I pleaded.
He crawled closer to my face. “Yes, baby?”
I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t think, I was delirious with desire. It was excruciating pain mixed with mind-blowing pleasure that had me going crazy.
His lips pressed against mine, his tongue probing for entrance.
I opened my mouth, licking and sucking at him, as I lifted my hips off the mattress. I needed something, anything to rub against to relieve the ache between my legs.
“Oh, no, Miss Hagen. Not yet,” he admonished, moving off the bed.
Shit!
I was going to spontaneously combust if he didn’t touch me down there soon. I had to find something to distract myself.
I concentrated on the music. It was soft and melodic, floating through the room like a lullaby. My over-sensitized nerves subsided for a bit, but as I drew in a deep breath, my nose was overcome by the erotic scent of Rory himself, and I was pulsating with need again.
I yanked on the restraints so hard, I knew I’d have bruises for a week. How would I explain that at my next client meeting? Images of work invaded my mind, especially Axel and his threats.
“Come back to me, Hindley,” he murmured in my ear.
How could he tell I was gone when he couldn’t even see my eyes?
“I know you.” He rubbed his fingers along my nipples then squeezed both so hard I whimpered. As soon as he released them, I felt such exquisite pleasure I almost cried. How was that possible?
“Pleasure from pain,” he said, answering my silent question.
“Oh my God, Rory,” I panted.
“I know, baby.” His mouth worked its way down further.
I held my breath. As he neared the spot where I needed him most, his mouth retreated, replaced by something hard and cool.
“Rory,” I begged, not knowing how much more I could take.
He laughed, moving the object slowly back and forth, dipping it between my legs.
“Oh, God,” I moaned at the beautiful pressure. It was heaven, and hell. I needed more. I needed him.
He continued to tease me with the object, pulling it away just as I was on the cusp of release. “Feel it all, Hindley,” he whispered in my ear.
My breathing grew labored and I feared I might pass out. Something slid inside me but it wasn’t Rory. I tried to close my legs around the object but the straps held my legs in place, making it impossible to find the relief I so desperately needed.
A loud click echoed through the room and the object within me came to life, pulsating inside me. Oh, God, it was a vibrator. And it was inside me. I’d seen plenty in Regan’s shop, but I’d never used one.
The music grew louder, reaching a deep crescendo just as warm syrup dripped on my breasts. He rubbed something cold around my nipples before taking one in his mouth.
I pulled at the restraints, overcome with the sensations.
He slipped something against my lips. “Open,” he said.
I complied and he slid something soft and large inside.
“Bite,” he commanded.
I did, the taste exploding in my mouth. It was a banana covered in the chocolate syrup.
“Chew.”
I groaned, the intensity of the vibrator pushing me further to the edge almost too much to bear. I wanted to complain, tell him I couldn’t go on, but the banana kept me from speaking.
“Hold on to it, Hindley,” he whispered against my cheek. “Don’t come yet. Chew.”
I did as he asked, focusing on the taste, the smell, the feel of the fruit.
Something clicked and the vibrator’s speed increased. I bucked my hips.
“Swallow,” he said.
I did, panting with need.
“Now,” he whispered as he tugged the vibrator out then pushed it back in before rotating it several times.
The orgasm hit me so fast, with an intensity I’d never felt before. I cried out, my voice hoarse as my fingers curled and dug into my palms. My body hummed with pleasure as I pulled at my restraints.
Before I could catch my breath, the vibrator was jerked out of me and replaced with Rory.
“Oh, God,” I yelled, my body still convulsing from the climax.
“Again,” he said, thrusting into me.
I shook my head. There was no way I could come again. I was aching to the point of pain.
His body rocked into mine and I felt the pressure build again.
“Feel it,” he said. “Tactile.”
Heat spread across my skin as his voice sent chills up and down my spine. A sharp tingle started between my legs and quickly spread through my body.
“Again,” he repeated.
One last thrust of his hips and my body was pushed over the edge. Every muscle burned and contracted, pleasure flooding through my veins. I opened my mouth to cry out but Rory fastened his over mine, his tongue thrusting, pushing my orgasm even higher as he pulsated inside me.
Completely spent, I collapsed back into the mattress.
Rory lifted his body from mine as he slipped the blindfold off my face.
I blinked several times, unable to open my eyes.
“Are you in there?” Rory whispered.
“Umm hmm,” I moaned.
“Tactile,” he whispered against my neck.
“Umm hmm.”
“T-A-C-T-I-L-E.”
Finding the strength to move again, I turned my head toward his voice, blinking my eyes open as I tried to focus on his beautiful face. “Umm hm,” I repeated.
“Is that all you can say?”
“Umm hmm.” I giggled.
“Let’s get you out of these.”
“Okay,” I sighed, having no idea what he was talking about. I closed my eyes, still lost in the tingling sparks racing through my body.
“Come on.” He scooped me up, tucking me into his warm, hard body.
“Where?” I asked. I rotated my wrists and ankles freely. He’d unhooked me.
“Hot tub. Outside.” He opened the sliding door.
A cool breeze rushed over my exposed skin, waking me from my lust-filled haze. “But we’re naked.”
Without saying a word, he gently sunk down into the deliciously warm water.
At that moment, I didn’t care whether I was dressed or as bare as the day I was born.
Rory nestled me between his legs, his hard-on resting against my backside.
“Don’t worry,” he answered my silent worry. “I only want to rub your muscles. I know you’re sore. I was pretty relentless with you. I’m sorry.” His fingers wrapped around my shoulders, rubbing deep into my muscles. His touch was heaven.
I sunk back into his chest with a heavy sigh.
The sun was setting, blanketing the sky with a kaleidoscope of blues, magentas, and oranges, their reflective colors dancing across the ocean. I’d never felt more peaceful in all my life. I belonged here.
“Live with me,” he whispered.
“What?” I twisted around to face him, afraid he’d heard my thoughts.
“After X Games. Move here. Live with me.”
“Are you serious?” I searched his eyes but found no trace of humor.
“Very serious. California’s beautiful. You’ll love it here.”
“Rory, I can’t just up and leave my life.”
“Why not?”
“You’re on the road like forty weeks out of the year.”
“You can come with me.” His trance-like smile was drawing me in. “We’ll come back here when we’re not traveling.”
“What about my job?”
“Quit.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m very serious,” he said. “I love you.” His blue eyes shined in the light of the last rays of the setting sun. “I want you with me. Always.”
Always? What was he talking about? Was he asking me to marry him?
“Rory, we’ve known each other like, a hot minute?”
“So?”
I turned around, pressing my back against his chest, drawing in a deep breath, willing away my pending anxiety attack. We hadn’t even gone public yet and he already wanted me to move in with him.
“Let’s enjoy tonight, okay?” I whispered, letting my head fall back on his shoulder.
He kissed my temple as he continued to massage my shoulders and wrists. “I love you, Hindley,” he whispered in my ear.
I trembled when his breath danced across my skin. “I know,” I replied. “Just give me tonight, okay?”
His strong hands moved down to my hips, twisting me around to face him.
Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist, straddling his body, shackling his shoulders with my arms. This was my favorite place to be in the world, wrapped around my Skater Boy.
His eyes were a sky-blue tonight, brighter and livelier than I’d ever seen them before. He was happy, that was clear.
“You’re mine, Hindley.”
“I am.” I pulled myself toward him so our bodies were molded into one. I felt his heartbeat strum against my chest.
Axel’s vicious face popped into my mind again. He held the key that could possibly destroy my life with Rory before it even began. I couldn’t let that happen. I squeezed Rory’s neck even tighter. All I wanted more than anything in the world was to be with Rory, and there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make that happen.
“I am yours,” I repeated in his ear, more for myself than for him. “Always.”