by Kay Manis
“Yeah, you’re concerned,” I said mockingly.
She scooted over on the sofa so our legs were almost touching.
“I am, Hindley, I’m worried about you, you have to know that. I never, ever wanted this.” She pointed at my arms. “I didn’t have anything to do with those videos and I didn’t tell the media about Rory. I swear.”
She was desperate for me to believe her. And I did. I just wasn’t ready to admit that to her. Not yet.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness, Hindley. Well, I mean, I am. I want to beg for your forgiveness.” Her eyes were wide, bloodshot, and genuine. “I know it won’t come anytime soon. Hell, it may never come at all. But for the sake of our parents, I hope you’ll at least find a way to tolerate me.”
“Did you just call them our parents?”
She nodded. “My dad has been your father since day one. I’ve known that, he’s known that, and your mother has known that too. It was you who had to figure it out. And it was me who had to step back to make room for you.” She placed her hand on my knee.
I stared down, surprised her touch didn’t burn a hole in my leg.
“Don’t get me wrong,” she said, “this isn’t easy. I’m not asking for you to feel sorry for me. I started therapy shortly after I got back from Miami, and I’m starting to sort out all of these issues I have surrounding my relationship with my father. I regret hurting you and Rory more than anything. I’ve broken the circle of trust within our family, and for that I will always be sorry.”
“We were never a family, Geneva.”
“I know, and that was my fault, completely.”
“Well, I don’t know completely. You’re right. I never did let your dad into my life, not all the way. And I did push my mom away.”
“I love my father and your mother,” Geneva said. “They’re my parents and I hate that I’ve hurt them, and disappointed them in all of this. I haven’t just broken their trust, I’ve broken their family.” She choked on her own tears and gasped for her next breath.
I stared at her in disbelief. This was not the same woman I’d grown up with. Maybe she truly was remorseful.
“Whether or not you and I ever saw the four of us as a family, they did,” she said. “Or, at least they dreamed of it. My actions basically destroyed that dream for them. They don’t expect you to forgive me. Ever. I hope and pray that you will one day, but they believe it may never happen. They may never get the family they’ve longed for because of me and my actions.” She started sobbing again.
I couldn’t take seeing her suffer, hearing her own insecurities, watching and listening to the struggles she’d gone through with her own demons. I gently laid my hand on her back.
Her gaze snapped to mine as if I’d electrocuted her. Her eyes darted between mine, her face riddled with fear like a caged animal awaiting slaughter.
“What?” I asked.
“I, I…” she stuttered. “I just never expected you to accept me, in any form.”
“Look, Geneva, I’m not saying I’m magically over what happened. What you did was horrible and you have to know that.”
“I do.” She nodded, her face completely pained.
“But, you’re right. Our parents deserve to be happy and I don’t want what’s happened between us to make it hard on them. They’ve been through enough having to take care of the two of us.”
We both smiled and the mood shifted, ever so slightly.
“I’m not forgiving and forgetting,” I said. “Let’s say, you coming here, it’s a start.”
Her face lit up and her shoulders slumped as if a weight had been lifted.
A new Geneva I’d never seen before appeared before me. She looked lighter, brighter, even more beautiful, and for once, I wasn’t jealous. I felt like I’d contributed to her beauty and that made me happy.
“It’s not all your fault, Geneva. I’m no saint,” I said. “I haven’t made things between us easy either.”
“Hindley.” She scooted even closer. “None of this is your fault, not one piece. That’s not why I came here.”
“I know.” I removed my hand from her back.
“I wanted to give you some insight as to how I ended up here.” She waved her hand along her body again. “I mean, I don’t understand it all myself. How could I have been so cruel and evil, jeopardizing every relationship, even breaking the law?”
“How did you break the law?”
“The employee at the hotel, the one I gave the drugs to, the police in Miami are saying he’s only seventeen, but the guy isn’t talking to them. Apparently, he’s an undocumented worker so they can’t prove his age. And the hotel is protecting him. The police are considering charging me with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or a misdemeanor coercion of a minor if they can prove his age. I just don’t know yet. They still haven’t figured it all out. I’m definitely looking at some criminal charges though. And that’s okay, I deserve them. I fucked up. Bad.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Hindley, it’s nothing compared to what I did to you and to Rory. Seriously, if I could spend time in the Dade County Jail and be assured you and Rory, my parents, and Stan would forgive me when I got out, I’d plead guilty to every charge right now and start serving my time.”
I searched Geneva’s face, looking for some sign that she was kidding, but instead I saw that she was telling the truth, the absolute truth. It was amazing to see this side of her. “Geneva, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Hindley. I didn’t want this to be about me, I really didn’t.” She laughed. “I know, that’s a first, right?”
I joined in her laughter until she sobered.
“Stan’s left me, my father and your mother aren’t speaking to me, and I completely understand. I deserve it all. I wanted you to know I am sorry. I’m sorry for letting my hatred build up so much that I could do something so awful to you and Rory.” Tears welled up in her eyes again, but I could see she was working hard to keep them at bay. “I know today isn’t the day, but I truly hope that one day in the future you can forgive me. Or, maybe at the very least, stand to be in the same room as me so I can swing by for a few minutes at Christmas.” She laughed, but it was a nervous amusement.
I knew the thought of losing her relationship with our parents terrified her most of all. No one wanted to feel abandoned and alone, no matter how much of a bitch they were. “I appreciate you coming over, Geneva, I really do. I have to admit, it took some balls. But I’ve always known you’ve had them.”
We both laughed.
I straightened in the chair. “I’m not saying I won’t forgive you because I know I need to in order to process my own feelings and heal myself. I do know it will take me a while though. You have to understand.”
“I completely understand,” she said with such relief in her voice. “That’s more than I could have ever dreamt for, and so much more than I deserve. Thank you, Hindley.” In a surprising gesture, Geneva reached across and hugged me.
I stiffened. She’d never shown me physical endearments. But eventually, I softened and wrapped my arms around her. If she could make the effort, I could too. The road before us wouldn’t be easy, but it was a start.
“Well, I better go.” She released me and stood. “Thanks for letting me in.” She walked to the door, but before opening it, she called down the hallway. “I’m sorry, Rory. I hope one day you’ll allow me to say it face-to-face. Even though I never expect your forgiveness and I don’t deserve it, it is something I’ll always wish for.” She slipped through the door and gently closed it behind her.
I stood in silence, forgiveness already seeping into my heart. Two words raced through my mind—words that had both haunted and inspired me my entire life. Unconditional love. That’s what we all deserved.
Chapter 44
-RORY-
I walked into the living room, staring at the front door in bewilderment. “Well, blow my dick with a rubber hose. W
hat the fuck was that?”
“Geneva apologized.” Hindley shook her head, looking as if she were in a daze.
“You’re not seriously thinking of forgiving that bitch, are you?”
She remained quiet.
“Hindley.”
“Rory.”
“That bitch drugged me.”
“I know.” She moved closer, sliding her arms around my waist.
God, she felt good against my body. My dick sprung to life, but I chose to ignore it until we got this shit with Geneva straight. “I refuse to let anyone hurt you again.”
“You’re in for a very long life with me, Mr. Gregor.” She grinned. “Hurting people and being hurt can’t be prevented, I’m afraid.”
I ran my palms over her shiny mane of golden hair. “I’ll never hurt you again, Hindley,” I whispered, trying hard not to remember what all I’d put her through over the last month.
“Rory, we’ll both hurt each other. Maybe not intentionally.”
“I swear, Hindley, I won’t.” And I meant it.
“You’re hurting me right now,” she whispered.
I dropped my hands and stepped back. “Oh my God, is it your arm? I’m so sorry.”
“No.” She giggled. “Here.” She took my hands in hers and placed one on her breast and the other between her legs.
“Hindley!” I shrieked like a little girl, pulling away.
She laughed.
Her amusement made my heart swell. And my dick. This sexual predator blossoming inside of her was arousing, but I didn’t want to hurt her.
“I’m serious, Rory. I haven’t had sex with you in weeks and I’m aching for your touch.”
Oh, shit. Aching?
I’d slept next to her every night for a week since she’d come home from the hospital and every night, I’d had to take an ice-cold shower. Being within two inches of Hindley Hagen always made my dick rock hard, but I’d been holding back on doctor’s orders. Now, with her mocha eyes staring back at me, I couldn’t resist.
I cupped her face and drew her in for a gentle kiss before stepping back. Her eyes were still closed but her pouty lips parted in a smile. My dick nearly broke through my jeans just thinking about our earlier encounter.
“Rory,” she whispered.
I held my breath.
“Please,” she sighed, her eyes still closed.
I skimmed my hands across her collarbone and down toward her chest, watching for any sign this was too much. Seeing nothing but a pleasure-filled smile, I moved lower, massaging both nipples through her thin top. I twisted and tugged on them just the way she loved, and smiled at her light moans.
“Do you know what day it is, Hindley?” I breathed against her lips.
“No. What day is it?” She swayed, her face glowing with desire.
“I asked, do you know what day it is?”
“Uh uh,” she whimpered.
My hands roamed down her sides and my thumbs hooked into the elastic of her pajama bottoms. I knelt in front of her, sliding them down with me.
Her hands rested on my shoulders for balance as she raised each foot in turn to allow me to remove the pants completely.
I gently stroked one hand up the back of her thigh to cup her ass as I let the other trail over her Hello Kitty panties.
“Ah, Rory.” Her body convulsed as her nails dug into my shoulders.
There would be marks tomorrow, and I was totally okay with that.
“It’s Thursday, baby,” I whispered against her inner thigh. “T,” I said, tracing along the embroidered letter on her underwear with just enough pressure to drive her crazy. I kissed the soft material before pulling away. “H.” I continued with the same motion.
She panted with desire.
“U. R.” I breathed against her skin, tracing the letters as they moved dangerously close to the spot I knew would drive her insane. “S.” I licked the letter with my tongue.
“Oh, God, Rory,” she whimpered. “You’re killing me.”
“D-A-Y,” I ended quickly before gently kissing the familiar face of the Hello Kitty character sitting in the center of the panties. “That spells Thursday, Hindley.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck how you spell Thursday, just get your face down in my hello kitty before I pass out.”
My head fell back as I bellowed with laughter. That was the funniest thing I’d ever heard in my life, and coming from a woman as rich and refined as Hindley Hagen made it even more hilarious. God, she was so sexually charged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. So was I.
“Are you sure?” I chuckled.
“Rory!” she shouted, pounding my shoulder with her fist.
“Ow!” I cried out in real pain.
She grabbed the sides of my head and tilted it up so I had no choice but to stare at her. Her hair fell forward, framing her angelic face. Her cheeks were flushed with desire, and her eyes were glazed over with longing and need.
It was all over. If I didn’t take care of her, and soon, she might kill me. But I waited patiently, allowing her to take control this time.
She sat on the arm of the couch, tugging my hips until they nestled into the crook of her spread thighs.
My dick was throbbing. I wanted to take her so bad, but this was about Hindley. I sank down to my knees and spread her legs even further apart. As I positioned my mouth directly in front of her hello kitty, I blew warm air over her exposed flesh.
Her body wobbled and she nearly rolled off the sofa.
“Hold on to me, baby,” I whispered.
Her fingers slid into my hair as she gently massaged my head.
Fuck! I was supposed to be bringing her pleasure, taking care of her needs. Instead, her gentle caress was about to make me shoot off a load in my damn pants.
I curled one finger around her panties and tugged them to the side, exposing the most delicious part of her body. My tongue ran across her once, twice, three times, applying the perfect pressure. Before I could stroke her a fourth, she cried out in release, her body quivering from her climax. I’d wanted it to last longer, but obviously she was more pent up with desire than I’d realized.
Wanting to draw out her release, I remained in position, my hands and mouth constantly in motion as her orgasm rolled on. She’d been craving this for weeks, and honestly, so had I. But I’d denied her, much to my own pain and suffering. For once, someone else’s needs had been above my own. I’d been more concerned about Hindley’s recovery than my need to be inside her.
When she finally stilled, I dragged her into my arms, satisfied with my efforts as her body went limp. She was completely wasted and worn out. “Thursday.” I smiled against her ear.
“Thursday.” She giggled. “The best day of the week.”
Her light laughter was my undoing.
I scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. Her drooping eyes and limp body warned me she was ready for sleep, not sex. Shit. Now I’d have to spend the next two hours in a freezing shower. Again.
She sat up, her face within inches of my mid-section. Her hand rubbed against the bulging denim.
Stars exploded in the back of my head.
She slowly undid the button and slid down the zipper.
I wanted her lips around me, but I needed to be inside of her more. Gently taking her wrists in my hand, I pulled them away from my pants.
Her dark brown eyes peered up at me, her thick lashes fanning out over her lids.
God, she was beautiful.
Her brow creased and her delicious lips curled down in a frown.
“Not like this,” I said. “I have to be inside of you right now. I need to show you how much I love you.”
A wanton smile spread across her face. She understood this wasn’t about sex. It was about my need to become part of her.
She pushed back onto the bed, making room for me as she slid off her panties. “Thursday.” She giggled, throwing them at me.
“Oh, you’re bad, Miss Hag
en.”
“You made me bad, Mr. Gregor.”
“That I did. And now I plan to take full advantage of you.”
“Promise?” She laughed.
I worked double time to rid myself of my clothes, jumping on top of her, wedging my knees between her thighs. She was still soaking wet from earlier and I knew no matter how hard I tried, this wasn’t going to last long.
“Do we need a condom?” I asked. A month had passed since I’d made love to her, and in that time, I had no idea what she’d done. My mind filled with horrific images of her having sex with other men, them touching her and fondling her.
“Come back to me,” she whispered, tapping my temple.
I shook my head, focusing on the sex goddess lying underneath me, a place she was born to be. “I’m here.” I laughed.
“No condom, baby,” she answered.
Shit, this was gonna be over before it even started. Skin on skin with Hindley would be like heaven.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I nestled between her legs, my dick rubbing against her.
“Why?”
“This isn’t going to take long,” I confessed, hoping she’d understand.
“That’s okay. You’ve got the rest of your life to make it up to me.”
Before she said another word, I slid inside her, trying to control my own desire.
She cupped my ass, pulling me in deeper. “More, Rory,” she pleaded.
I thrust in deeper as our bodies took one another to an unworldly place of unconditional love that shook me to my core. It was the place where the lost boy inside me hid.
Our bodies rocked against one another in perfect rhythm, pushing us higher to release.
“I love you, Rory,” she shouted as we came together.
“I love you, baby,” I whispered into her neck.
Blinking back tears, I was overtaken by emotions that I’d held inside for years. No matter what happened to either of us, I vowed to never let Hindley go. I was hers, she was mine, and I would love her, unconditionally, for the rest of our lives.