-HINDLEY-
My hand shook as I reached out and knocked on his hotel door. I could barely hear myself think over the pounding of my heart. What was I doing here? How would I explain myself?
Sweat rolled down my back, I was so nervous. This waiting was killing me. Lifting my hand to knock again, I pulled back when I heard the click of a lock. The door slowly opened.
He stood in the doorway, rumpled and half asleep.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “did I wake you?”
“Hindley?” His deep voice was thick with sleep as he peered out at me, eyes squinting.
“May I come in?”
“You have a key, gorgeous.” He laughed. “No need to knock.”
The sound of his laughter shook something deep in my core. This was why I was here. I needed him.
Rory swung the door open wide, revealing his gloriously naked chest and the detailed tattoo I’d grown to love.
I couldn’t remember seeing a more welcomed sight in all my life. Before the door closed, I threw myself at him, molding my body against his as tears spilled down my face.
“Hey.” He tried to push me back, to see me, but I held on. I never wanted to let my Skater Boy go. “Hindley, what’s wrong?”
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I clutched him tighter. My meeting with Axel had weakened my resolve and I needed his strength. I couldn’t lose him. I’d do whatever it took to keep him with me.
His hands slid up my arms and over my shoulders, cradling my cheeks before leaning me back. I finally met his gaze, not surprised to see worry etched across his face. “Baby, what’s wrong? What happened to you?”
I shook my head. I had no words. I couldn’t tell him. I needed him too much.
He placed feather-light kisses all over my face, his soft lips finally finding mine. Before I could deepen the kiss, he pulled away. “Have you been drinking?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Why?”
I couldn’t tell him everything, but I had to tell him something.
“I had a meeting with Axel.”
He pulled back further. “And you drank?”
“It was the only way I could stomach him, Rory.”
His eyes searched mine, and he clutched my shoulders. “Did that fucker touch you?”
What words did I have that could remotely begin to explain the situation? Yes, he hurt me. Not physically. And now he wanted me to go to his room and screw him senseless in about twenty minutes—which would destroy the one man I’d ever loved. There was only one answer I could give Rory.
“No, he didn’t hurt me.” Not yet.
“I’ll kill that motherfucker if he lays one goddamn finger on you, you know that, right?”
I nodded, silently laughing at the absurdity of it all. That’s exactly why I couldn’t tell him the truth. I drew in a heavy breath. “I just want to lay down with you. I’m so tired,” I sighed. At least that was the truth.
Without another word, he scooped me off my feet and walked across the vast suite, into the bedroom.
“How’d you rank up high enough to get a suite?” I asked.
“I have a good agent.” He smirked.
“Well, I’ll have to check her out.”
“No, I think you should leave that to me.”
His sexy smile made every erogenous zone tingle.
“Were you sleeping?” I asked.
“Yeah. Luis gave me some herbal shit to calm me down earlier. I don’t know what the fuck was in it, but the shit knocked me out cold.”
Luis was a vegetarian, a firm believer in the holistic approach to health. He never put anything in his body that wasn’t organic or natural. I could only imagine what he’d given Rory. It broke my heart to know I was the cause of his anxiety.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered against his neck.
“Why?” He gently laid me on top of the silky sheets.
They were cool against my skin and soothed my heated body. I knew I should respond but I was lost in him, his scent enveloping me, doing strange things to my best parts.
Rory Gregor was my drug.
His huge hands moved down my legs, gently removing my sandals as if I were a porcelain doll and he feared I might break. Lifting the covers, he quietly slid in beside me. He brushed my hair over my shoulder and pressed warm kisses against my neck.
I felt like a prized possession. His prized possession.
“Sleep, baby,” he whispered into my hair.
As with most of Rory’s commands, I willingly obeyed.
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Rory’s gentle voice echoed through my head as his soft lips scattered kisses across my face.
I knew I needed to get up but his bed felt like heaven. Reaching to stretch my hands over my head, I gave a huge yawn. I had no idea how long I’d been asleep but I felt like I could use another twelve hours, especially in this delicious bed.
“Come on, baby,” he rubbed my leg, “let’s eat some breakfast before you have to go.”
Breakfast?
“What if I don’t want to go?” I pouted. I lifted the covers and peered down at myself, surprised that I was still fully clothed.
Rory slid in beside me, his long lean body molding into mine.
He smelled so delicious, like expensive body wash, cologne, and toothpaste. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. So, I did.
He smoothed my hair back, brushing it with his hands as he gazed lovingly into my eyes. “Then don’t go. You never have to leave me, Hindley. I want you with me always.”
Unwelcome tears sprung to my eyes and my heart ripped apart as I realized what I had to do for him. No matter which path I took, he would be hurt, and may never forgive me.
He sat up, pulling me into his lap. “Okay, Hindley, you’re starting to scare me.”
Oh, shit. I needed to learn how to hide my emotions better.
“What’s going on with you?” he asked. “You tossed and turned all night.”
“I love you,” I whispered into his chest.
“I love you too, baby.” His large hands caressed my back. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“And hungry?”
As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. “Sounds like it.”
He gave me a quick peck on the lips and helped me stand. “Come on, I’ve got a tray of food in the living room. I need to feed you.”
I followed him out of his bedroom into the huge sitting area, still surprised that he’d scored such a luxurious suite. “I really do have to talk to your agent.” I giggled. “This hotel room is entirely too extravagant.”
“I hate it,” he said, his lip curled in disgust.
“Are you crazy? Why?” I couldn’t imagine anyone not falling in love with this beautiful suite, especially that bedroom. “That bed was amazing.”
“Yeah, the bed’s great, especially because you were in it.” He waggled his brows and I actually blushed.
I sat down and devoured a croissant with butter and strawberry jam. “So why don’t you like the suite?”
“Because it doesn’t have a Magic Door.”
I laughed at his revelation.
“God, I love your laugh,” he whispered against my neck, sending chills all over my body.
I was thankful to see the concern from earlier fade.
“Are you worried about the competition?” I asked, shifting his attention away from me.
“No.”
“Then why did you look like the weight of the world had been lifted off your shoulders?”
“Because anytime I hear you laugh, I know that everything will be okay. With you,” he paused, “with us.”
I lost my appetite, listening to his declaration, and set the roll back on my plate. I wish I shared his optimism.
“What time is it?”
He glanced at the wall behind me. “Seven fifteen.”
“What time do you have to be at the park?”
“Not until eight thirty. And you?”
“I’m supposed to meet Luis downstairs at eight.” I raised an eyebrow, hoping he’d understand my unspoken desire.
“Oh, Miss Hagen, I believe I owe you an orgasm, don’t I?”
“Why, yes, Mr. Gregor, I believe you do.” I tossed my napkin on the table.
“I think we may have time for two or three before you leave.”
My stomach did flips at the thought of what Rory could do with me in the next thirty minutes.
“You doubt me?” he asked.
Before I could answer, he lunged for me, flipping me over his shoulder and confidently strolling toward the bedroom.
The last thing I saw before he flipped me on the massive bed was the bedroom door slamming shut. I knew without a doubt we’d need the additional barricade to drown out my screams.
For the first time since I’d landed in Miami, a genuine smile spread across my face, all thanks to one man. My man. My Skater Boy.