Extreme Devotion

by Kay Manis

  That wasn’t a complete lie. I could sew. And I’d had the idea before. I knew people who knew people in the clothing industry. Of course, designing sexy lingerie and exotic dance outfits was a far cry and about a zillion miles away from the extreme sports industry, but still, it was a start.

  “Really?” Mr. Stedwick leaned forward. “That’s impressive.”

  I fought the urge to sag back and sigh. Thank God, I had him. Now, I had to set the hook.

  “The clothing market is very lucrative,” I said. “If I’m able to break into that industry, as I feel I can, it would be possible to secure not only Rory’s own brand, but Axel’s as well.”

  “That’s true.” Mr. Stedwick nodded. “Michael, you didn’t tell me any of this.”

  It was obvious from Mr. Stedwick’s tone, he wasn’t pleased with Michael. I didn’t want to get my boss in trouble, but it was his own fault for not warning me about this meeting. Had it been his idea to pull me off of Rory’s contract?

  Michael stared at me, a brow lifted. “I didn’t realize Hindley had been so industrious, sir.”

  I returned his glare, raising my brows, even though I knew it was a sign of insubordination.

  “Well, Hindley,” Mr. Stedwick said, “I don’t have to tell you how pleased I am with all your hard work. I am concerned however that you’re taking on too much. Axel and Humberto added onto Rory Gregor may burn you out before you even get a good start in this division.”

  I shook my head to the point of dizziness, biting back a smile. “I don’t think so, sir. I mean, taking care of Rory and Axel together will be like catering to one client. They’re in the same industry.”

  He remained silent and I felt the need to further justify why I could do this.

  “And Humberto’s season doesn’t start until August so that gives me plenty of time to come up with a game plan for him.”

  Mr. Stedwick’s eyes narrowed. He still wasn’t one hundred percent on board. Shit. What else could I offer?

  “Why don’t we give it until the X Games?” I said. “Rory’s commercial will air and we’ll have a clear winner in one of them. After that, we can decide who on our team best fits the needs of our clients.” That sounded fair.

  “When are the X Games?” Mr. Stedwick stared between us.

  “Six weeks, sir,” Michael answered, a little too quickly.

  How the hell did he know that?

  “All right, Hindley.” Mr. Stedwick pounded his desk. “I’ll give you six weeks. But if anything falls through the cracks, Mr. Gregor gets reassigned.”

  “Yes, sir. I understand completely.” I nearly saluted him I was so happy.

  “That will be all,” he said in a clipped tone.

  I pushed out of my chair and walked toward the door, thankful to get out with Rory still as my client.

  “You need to meet with Mr. Pretorius as soon as possible,” Mr. Stedwick said behind me. “His manager was insistent on sometime this week.”

  Oh, shit. I’d hoped to spend time with Rory somehow.

  I turned to face Mr. Stedwick. “They have another competition this weekend in Calgary. Why don’t I fly in a day early and meet with his team, then spend the weekend trying to make contacts with more industry leaders? For Axel and for Rory,” I added.

  “That sounds good.” He nodded once. “But I’d still like Michael or Luis to accompany you.”

  “Why?” The word was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

  “Two heads are always better than one,” Michael said behind me.

  My gut clenched and everything in me went on high alert. He knew something. Maybe not everything but he had an inkling. I tamped down my fear and anxiety and steadied my voice. “That sounds like a good plan, sir.”

  “I look forward to hearing the progress notes when you return from Canada.” Mr. Stedwick nodded to the door, dismissing us, and that was fine by me.

  As I reached his door I glanced over my shoulder. “Sir, I’d like to take Thursday off. I have some personal things I need to take care of before we leave for Canada.” What I wanted was very personal, and I bit my cheek to hide the smile threatening to emerge.

  “Why are you asking me, Ms. Hagen? I’m not your immediate boss?”

  Yeah, why was I? Because right now I was afraid of Michael and what he might know.

  “I didn’t want you to think I was slacking off, taking time off now that I have three clients.”

  Mr. Stedwick rose from his chair and walked around his desk, leaning on the chair I’d just vacated. “Hindley, I think we both know it behooves you to stay in my good graces.”

  What was he talking about?

  “Let’s say,” he tapped the edge of the chair, “I’d hate to see anything happen to your career, or your stepfather’s.”

  Shit.

  And there it was. A warning. Not a warning, a threat. If I fucked this up, not only would my ass be on the line, but so would Paul’s.

  “What are you saying, sir?”

  He tilted his head, eyes mocking.

  Every hair on my body stood at attention. I did not want to cross this man if I wanted a future working anywhere. Aston Stedwick was rich and powerful and had the potential to destroy not only me, but Paul and his company as well. If Mr. Stedwick pulled his investment, I knew others would too.

  I glanced over at Michael who stood expressionless. He understood Mr. Stedwick’s power as well, and he would never intervene on my behalf.

  “I’m saying that having you here at my law firm is an asset,” he said. “Don’t make it a liability.” Without another word, he turned and sauntered back to his desk.

  I quietly slipped from his office, knowing I’d been warned. And if I didn’t follow his directive, I could destroy everyone I loved.

  Chapter 16

  -HINDLEY-

  I stepped out of the cab into the cool Canadian air, sucking in a deep breath. Man, it was cold.

  “Baby, I’m so glad to see you,” Rory said, rushing out of the hotel toward me.

  I shook my head, nodding behind me.

  Rory stopped dead when he saw Michael step out behind me. He stared at Michael then at me, his brows furrowed in confusion.

  I hadn’t had a chance to tell Rory that Michael would be on this trip with me nor the circumstances surrounding Axel.

  “Later,” I mouthed. I glanced over my shoulder at Michael. “Hey, I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go lay down for a bit before our meeting.” I stared down at my watch then back up to Rory. “You have a skater’s meeting at five. Why don’t Michael and I meet you afterward for dinner?”

  He stared at Michael then at me. “Um, okay, sure. That sounds good.” He walked toward the back of the cab where the driver was unloading our luggage. “Why don’t I help you with your bags?”

  “That’s all right.” I shoved past him and picked up my things. “I’m going to check in.” I stared at him, hoping he could hear my silent question. Had he secured us adjoining rooms? It would make explaining this entire ordeal much easier.

  “Oh, um, I already checked you in,” he said, removing a key card from his back pocket.

  Thank God, for Skater Boy.

  He glanced behind me. “I’m sorry, Michael, I didn’t know you were going to be here or I would have checked you in too.”

  “That’s all right, Rory.”

  Michael and I hadn’t spoken again after our meeting with Mr. Stedwick, but it had been painfully clear he knew something was going on with Rory and me. I couldn’t give him any evidence on this trip. Rory and I had to be hyper-vigilant about all our interactions this weekend.

  “Why don’t we meet at the restaurant here in the hotel at seven?” I said.

  “Sounds good,” Rory said.

  Michael looked between the two of us as if we were wayward teens he was leaving alone for the weekend. He didn’t trust me. But after our meeting with Mr. Stedwick, I realized I didn’t trust him either anymore.

  “I’ll see you at dinner, Rory.
” I walked inside the hotel and toward the bank of elevators.

  “Hindley!” My name echoed across the lobby.

  I turned and my body stiffened.

  Axel Pretorius.

  Rory was going to flip his shit. I hadn’t yet told him about our new contract with Axel. I’d wanted to wait until we were face-to-face. Seeing Axel’s smug expression now though, I realized that might not have been such a smart strategy.

  My plans to take off Thursday and fly to California to be with Rory had been thwarted by Michael. He must have suspected something and called me in for an emergency meeting, claiming it was about Humberto. Since I hadn’t wanted to raise any red flags, I’d had no choice but to comply and cancel my trip to see Rory before the tournament.

  “I’m so glad you’ve taken me on as a client,” Axel said, his voice louder than necessary as he made his way toward me.

  I saw Rory out of the corner of my eye. He’d been headed in the opposite direction but stopped dead in his tracks when he’d heard Axel’s declaration. I willed myself not to look at him.

  “Um, yes,” I said, smiling.

  “Why don’t we meet for drinks tonight to go over our game plan?” He put his hand on the small of my back and I felt Rory’s fury fill the lobby.

  Moving to skirt his touch, I wound away from him but he quickly caught up, following my movements like we were seasoned dancers.

  “I’ll have to get back with you,” I said, trying to pacify him. “I’m a little tired and want to get up to my room and rest for a bit.”

  “Here, let me help you with your bags.”

  Before I could say no, he had my luggage firmly in his hand.

  Against my better judgment, I stole a glance at Rory.

  His eyes were narrowed into tiny slits, his jaw clenched hard, every muscle in his body taught. If I didn’t get up to the room and pacify him soon, he was going to explode.

  The elevator doors opened, and Axel grabbed my hand and tugged me inside.

  I tried to pull away but he had me in a vise grip. This was a pissing match, and Axel was purposely trying to incite Rory. I couldn’t let it happen.

  “You’re hurting me,” I said quietly.

  “Oh, sorry.” Axel released my hand. He looked anything but sorry.

  This was bad, really bad. I’d had the same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, an instinctive warning once before in my life—the day Paul had met us in my apartment during college.

  As soon as the elevator doors opened, I wrestled my bags away from Axel and rushed down the hallway, leaving him without a word. Inserting the key card, I pushed the door to my room open and I tossed my luggage to the side before falling onto the bed with a sigh.

  I waited for Rory to emerge through our Magic Door, as he called it, but he never came. The burning in my stomach grew more intense.

  I rose and pushed on the handle to the connecting door, surprised to find it locked. Rory never locked the door. This was bad. Really bad.

  Shuffling back to the bed, I fell on top of the covers and curled into a tight ball, trying to make myself as small as I could so the world would swallow me up.

  His wet lips pressed against mine. I reached to push him off but my arms wouldn’t move.

  The sound of a zipper opening echoed through the room just before calloused hands rubbed against my underwear. I flinched but still couldn’t push him away. Why couldn’t I move?

  This was wrong. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out.

  Cold air brushed against my bare skin as he pulled down my jeans and underwear.

  Hot tears trailed down the sides of my face but I couldn’t wipe them away.

  I was paralyzed. Literally.

  The same rough hands pushed my legs apart and something hard entered me. I opened my mouth to scream for help, beg my mother, or Felicia, for anyone to make this stop. Again I heard nothing.

  The bed bounced and my stomach lurched. I turned my head, fearing I might vomit and choke to death. Where was I? What was happening to me?

  As he continued to shove inside me, something coarse scraped against my bare chest. It felt like sandpaper, scraping my skin with every move. I prayed my thin bra would be enough to protect me. I begged him to stop, pleaded, but my words were silent, only ringing in my own mind.

  Cool air wafted across my bare chest. He had removed my bra and was now placing slobbery kisses against my breast.

  The springs beneath me squeaked with every thrust of his hips. Tears fell heavy from my eyes and I couldn’t reach to wipe them away.

  I inhaled deep breaths but the stench of his body odor had my stomach churning, so instead I held my breath.

  His hands were all over me now, his calloused fingers grazing the soft skin of my neck, turning my head so he could touch and lick and kiss every inch of me. He groaned as he ripped through me. I felt my body tearing apart and my soul shattered as I realized there was nothing I could do except lie here.

  With eyes drilled shut, I willed myself to float away from this horrible place, from this monstrous person now bouncing atop me.

  I envisioned a tropical beach, a snow-capped mountain, anywhere but here with this wretched intruder.

  I jerked upright with a start, my heart pounding and my entire body drenched in sweat as I blinked to consciousness.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” A familiar voice broke through my nightmare.

  “Where am I?” I whispered.

  “You’re in bed, in your hotel room, with me.”

  I turned and found Rory sitting next to me.

  “But,” I panted, “you were gone. I was alone. All alone.” I fought to keep my tears at bay.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” He scooped me into his arms and burrowed his face in my neck.

  Dark images flooded my mind and I pushed him away. “No,” I yelled, trying to escape.

  He held me firm to his body.

  “Let me go!” I screamed. “Let me go!”

  He released me and I shuffled across the bed, staring at him with wild eyes.

  “Baby, you had a nightmare,” he said. “It’s me. Rory. I love you. I won’t hurt you.” He crawled closer but I pushed him away, nearly falling off the bed. “Hindley. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you. I’ll protect you, I promise.”

  I heard his words, but they made no sense. My eyes darted around the surroundings. I was in a hotel room. Why was I in a hotel room? I blinked several times, staring at the man in front of me. His own eyes were wide, the beat of his heart visible at the base of his neck. He seemed just as petrified as I was.

  I focused on his eyes. They were a brilliant blue, like the sky on a cloudless, summer day.

  “Rory?” I asked quietly.

  “Yes, sweetheart,” he said.

  It was him. Rory. My safe haven. The one person who could quiet my nightmares when Donald Lee Westbank invaded my dreams.

  I bounded off the bed and flew into his arms, clinging to him like the life raft he’d become.

  “It’s all right, baby,” he said, rubbing his hand up and down my back.

  I reminded myself that Rory was good, he was safe, he wouldn’t hurt me. Well, not physically.

  He burrowed his face into my hair, inhaling deeply. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to remember anything except right now, being in Rory’s arms. I needed a connection with him, skin to skin. Leaning back, I tore off my shirt and fumbled with my bra.

  “Hindley, wait.” He covered my hands with his.

  “What?”

  “Is this a good idea? I mean, now?”

  I sat back and stared up at him. “You don’t want me?”

  He grasped my face between his hands. “Hindley, you know I will always want you, baby. Always. But I’m afraid.”

  “Why?”

  “You just had a nightmare, and I’m assuming it was a flashback. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation or cause you more harm.”

&
nbsp; “The only way you’ll harm me is by pushing me away.”

  His brows drew together, apprehension marring his beautiful face. He was deliberating, deciding whether touching me would do more harm than good. Slowly, he bent down, resting his forehead on mine, sighing deeply.

  I pulled my head from his hold. “Don’t, Rory.”

  “What?” His eyes shot wide and his hands dropped from my face as if he’d hurt me.

  “Don’t treat me like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know like what. I’m the same person. I want you. And I don’t want you to be gentle because you think I’m fragile or broken.”

  He stared at me, still a bit frightened. “Are you sure?”

  I smiled and nodded, surprised by my request. “Please,” I said softly. “Don’t let my past change how you feel about me.”

  “Hindley, that would never happen.”

  “Then don’t let it change how you treat me.”

  He sat silently, his body tense.

  My chest clenched in fear. Maybe he didn’t want me because I was a broken woman.

  His eyes grew darker and a slow grin spread across his face. He understood what I wanted. What I needed.

  Pulling my body against his, we fell onto the mattress, his hands reaching behind my back and unclasping my bra.

  I reached for the hem of his T-shirt and yanked it with such force that I whacked his jaw with my fist.

  We howled with laughter, and the tension in the room dissolved.

  “I fear your sexual desires may be the death of me, Miss Hagen.”

  “You wish,” I said, kissing his neck.

  “That would be a good way to go.” His lips skimmed over my body, planting kisses along my torso as he inched down to my still fastened jeans. “I believe these are in my way. Do you mind if I remove them?”

  My Skater Boy had returned.

  I dug my hands through his thick hair. “Not at all, Mr. Gregor. Do you need some help?”

  Without saying another word, he had my jeans unzipped and on the floor with lightning speed. He lifted up slightly and stared down at my underwear. “Well, hello Kitty,” he said, his breath wafting over my skin.