Buried Alive

by Brown, Stacey Marie

  I leaned my head back on the sofa, my dick still throbbing, telling me to get up and go find Hannah. No. I had let a woman rule me before. I would not let another girl, or my dick, do it again.

  Yeah, I was screwed.

  Over the next three days, Shaun and Graham kept me so booked with training and PR I could barely function. I woke before sunrise and didn’t get back to the cabin until after ten. I’d shower, shove down the dinner left for me, and crash.

  I wondered if it was Hannah who delivered it, or if she got someone else to do it. I had tried calling and texting her a handful of times over the past couple of days, with no response. She clearly didn’t want to see or talk to me.

  “Rhys?” Shaun’s irritated voice broke into my reprieve. We had been watching the day’s training video to see where I could tighten up or go bigger. About the third time through, my mind had drifted off, my focus and energy hitting a wall, longing for the overstuffed sofa to envelop me.

  “Rhys!” Shaun barked from the chair across from me.

  “What?” I exclaimed. My arms went out. “Stop yelling at me.”

  “Well, if you answered me the first time…”

  “Jesus, you sound like my mother.” I rose from the couch and sauntered into the kitchen, yanking the fridge open. My gaze landed on the six-pack of beer. Actually, he didn’t sound like my mother. My mother never paid enough attention to get “motherly” with me.

  “You shouldn’t drink while training. You know that.” Shaun twisted the chair to frown at me. “You have a huge competition coming up in two weeks.”

  “No kidding.” I swiped the beer from the carton and popped the top off, taking a long pull. I had enough of people telling me what to do. He’d been on my case since he returned early, mumbling something about not going to his daughter’s house for Christmas.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Shaun got out of the chair, stomping over to the island. Irritation creased his whole face so he looked years older.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that, son. I’ve known you too long to buy your crap.” Shaun placed his palms on the counter, his expression softening. “Talk to me.”

  Son. I was no one’s son. Not really. My parents would have preferred if they stopped with Jonah, and Shaun only took me in because he was paid to.

  “You’re not my therapist or my mother or father. I don’t have to say shit to you.” I slammed my beer down, rage bursting up my throat and down my limbs. It was always there. Waiting.

  Shaun jerked back as though I punched him, his lids narrowed. Guilt dampened my fury, and I turned away from him. I stared out the kitchen window instead, at the lights from the hotel flickering in the night.

  Shaun cleared his throat, taking in a slow inhale. “I may not be blood, but you are my son, Rhys. I couldn’t love you more.”

  I squeezed my lids together, knowing he meant it.

  “I can’t replace your parents, though I tried. And I can’t take away the pain I know they caused you over the years. All I can do is be here for you. Let you know you are not alone.”

  Shit. Emotion clogged my throat, locking my muscles in place. If I moved or breathed, I would break.

  “And there’s no one else who will say this to your face.” He paused. “You’ve been a huge jackass for the last three days.”

  A chuckle escaped from my mouth. I shook my head, loving how easily Shaun could bring me back from the brink.

  “It’s that girl, isn’t it?”

  “What?” My head snapped back to peer at him. “What girl?”

  Shaun’s eyes tapered, his head tilting to the side, staring at me like “you’ve got to be kidding me.”

  I twisted around, leaning into the sink. “There’s no girl.”

  “Do I look stupid to you?”

  “That’s rhetorical, right?”

  “You certainly aggravate me like a real son.” Shaun sighed, scouring his forehead. “I’m not blind, Rhys. I see the way you are when she’s around. At first I thought she’d be a distraction, but I saw you two on Christmas Day, the two of you snowboarding together.”

  “What? You saw us? How did you see us?” I folded my arms. “You never told me why you came back early. What happened?”

  “My daughter called at the last minute while I was sitting in the airport. She said they were going to her in-laws’ place instead.”

  Hell. I forgot I wasn’t the only one abandoned by their family. It was partly why Shaun and I worked so well together. Both of us were unwanted in some twisted way. Shaun’s daughter had never forgiven her dad for not being around much when she was growing up. For being a bad father.

  Funny, he had been the best of fathers to me.

  “She said to change my ticket for after the baby comes.” He rubbed his hands, his head down. His daughter was due any day with her second child.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked. And how could I be so self-centered, not seeing the sadness in his eyes when he arrived later that night?

  Shaun shrugged. “I tried to call, but you didn’t answer. When I looked for you, that’s when I saw you with her.”

  “But you didn’t return till later that night…”

  “I had dinner in the pub.”

  By himself. On Christmas. I was a dick.

  “I’ve never seen you do runs like that. And…” Shaun rolled back his shoulders. “I’ve never seen you look so happy, as if you finally found peace.”

  A stupid knot rolled back into my throat. I stared down at my feet.

  “As though I don’t know he isn’t on your shoulder with every mistake you make. But for one day I didn’t see him there. You were free.”

  Tension filled in the space, stirring my weight from foot to foot.

  Shaun cleared his throat. “As your coach, I need you to be on top of your game. As your friend, I’m telling you to go tell that girl you’re sorry for whatever asshole thing you did.”

  “Why do think it’s my fault?”

  “Because.” He motioned to me.

  “Fair enough.” I nodded.

  “I’m tired of your sullen mood.” Shaun waved to the door. “Now get going. I want to watch those housewives without you being judgmental all over me.”

  “You know the show is fake, right?” I shook my head, sauntering for the door. “Scripted crap.”

  “Judging, judging…” he mumbled, grabbing the rest of my beer off the counter and moving to the living room. Shaun always had a strange addiction to cheesy reality shows. Guess it made his family look less screwed up.

  Snatching my jacket, I stepped out into the night. Snow plummeted down, covering the path toward the lodge. I plowed through with my eyes set on the glinting lights of the lodge.

  The smell of a storm brewed like coffee, rushing up my veins, waking me up. Nothing calmed, exhilarated, and made me feel more at home than the smell and feel of snow. It was in my blood, in my very DNA.

  I reached the lodge, my nose flooding with pine and cinnamon scents of the holidays the moment I stepped in. After I tapped the loose powder off my boots I headed right for the dining room. I knew it was late, and there was a possibility she was gone already. She said she stayed with her friend, Siena. It’s all I had to go on.

  My gaze scoured the almost empty dining room. Only a few groups still sat around tables, nursing their last sips of after-dinner drinks, not ready to let the night go.

  A waitress passed, heading toward the kitchen, but my attention locked on one in the busser station, my feet moving before I could even think.

  “Hey.” I gripped the partition. “Siena, right?”

  The girl turned to me, a slow smile spreading over her face. “Hey, Colorado.”

  Siena tipped her hip into the counter, folding her arms; her dark sultry eyes moved over me. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, her dense curls looking as if they were trying to make a jailbreak. She was stunning. I wasn’t blind, but she held no interest for me, which was odd beca
use the sexual energy coming off her was exactly what I used to hunt for. A few weeks ago, I would have taken her home. No question. “Let me guess, you’re looking for my girl?”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “I might.” A grin spread over her olive skin, showing her perfect teeth in the dim light.

  I stared at her expectantly, my patience melting quicker than the snow on my boots. “Can you tell me?”

  “I can.” She stood up straight, her expression lined with mischief. “For a price.”

  “Seriously?” I rubbed at my scruff, looking to the ceiling. Most people had an angle, something they wanted. I had learned it early. Maybe that was why I was so drawn to Hannah. She was the first person who didn’t seem to want something from me. She seemed to want nothing to do with me. “What?”

  “It’s small, really.” She swished her hand. “I just want a meeting with your agent.”

  My brows furrowed. “Why?”

  “I want to model. Get the fuck out of here.”

  “He’s a sports agent.”

  “But I bet he knows other agents. He could recommend me. Introduce me to someone.”

  I blinked. I couldn’t deny Graham knew a lot of modeling agents. It had been a perk for both of us. “You’re serious?”

  The lightness fell off her face.

  “Of course I’m serious. You don’t think I’m pretty enough to model?” She put her hands on her hips, challenging me. “You wouldn’t want to jack off to my picture in a magazine?”

  A laugh erupted out of me. “Damn, you are direct.”

  “I am. And I’ll be even more direct with you. My girl is not to be fucked with. If it’s what you want, then bring that game to me.” She touched her chest, her gaze never drifting off mine. “She is not someone to play with. She’s been through too much.”

  “Why? What happened to her?”

  One eyebrow curved up, her arms folded around her middle, and her hip popped out. “You think I’m going to tell you? What kind of friend do you think I am?”

  My mouth parted, but no words came out.

  “I might shamelessly go after what I want. I’m okay using your ass. But not her. She’s family.”

  I got that. And it made me respect Siena for it. There was a line she wouldn’t cross. She was fierce to who she considered family.

  “Fine.” I nodded. “I’ll set you up with Graham.”

  “I have tomorrow off. Tell him to meet me at Big Horn’s for drinks.” The naughty smile was back on her lips. “Alcohol always helps a no turn into a yes.”

  Chuckling, I rubbed my temples. “You are trouble, Siena. I think Graham is going to love you.”

  A blinding grin engulfed her face.

  “She’s down in the basement doing inventory.” She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. “Go through the kitchen and take the door next to the walk-in fridge. Don’t let anyone see you.”

  “Thanks.” I turned around and moved toward the entrance to the kitchen.

  “Oh, and Colorado?” Siena’s voice paused my steps. I peered over my shoulder at her. “You made me lose my bet. You owe me fifty bucks.” With that she walked away, leaving me confused.

  Continuing my journey, I crept to the door, looking through the small window. A few guys were left, cleaning pots and scrubbing the grill down. I slipped in and hurried for the door Siena described, getting through without anyone noticing. Quietly, I shut the door behind me and descended the dimly lit stairs, the temperature cooling quite a few degrees from the heated upstairs and smelling dank and musty.

  Silently I crept down and spotted her at the far end of the room, her back to me. She was dressed in tight jeans, boots, and a black sweater, holding a clipboard, tapping at the wine bottles with her pen as she counted them. Her wavy hair was long, loose, and sexy. Her body slightly curved to the side, the shadowy light reflecting off the crown on her head creating the illusion it was lighter. She tucked a strand behind her ear, her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip.

  For a split second, an image flickered through my head, too fast for me to understand, sending a wave of déjà vu through me.

  Then as fast as it came it was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Hannah

  Normally I would consider inventory a punishment, but today I asked my dad if I could do it so I could hide away in the darkness. Alone.

  It was where I was most comfortable. Sometimes even with people I felt alone. Except with Rhys. But I knew those few days with him had been an illusion. A taste of something I never could have. He would be grateful I cut it off. He would move on to the next girl and forget about me.

  He could forget Hannah. He would hate Brennley.

  I moved to the wine bottles. The real inventory happened after the New Year, but my father always liked doing a quick one right after Christmas to be certain we had enough wine, champagne, and other alcohol for the big night.

  My pen moved over the sheet tallying the bottles when my entire body prickled, covering me in goosebumps. Heat coated my skin under my clothes.

  Dammit! I knew he was near. I didn’t even have to look. His existence was thicker than the air, curling around my body as it betrayed me, responding to his presence. It didn’t seem to care about right or wrong. It wanted. Craved.

  Squeezing my lashes together, I inhaled and tried to steady myself.

  “You disappeared.” His voice rumbled through the room, beelining straight between my thighs.

  No. Be strong.

  “I’ve been here the whole time.” I cleared my throat, my focus still on my clipboard.

  Boots, sounding heavy and sodden, stomped down the rest of the steps, traveling closer to me. “You ignored my calls and texts.” He was suddenly behind me, his voice thick in my ear. He didn’t touch me, but his energy rolled up my back like dense fog, wrapping around me.

  My throat went dry, my teeth sawing together.

  The power he had over me scared me. It hadn’t even hit me until later that night after I ran away from his cabin I hadn’t even thought about protection. Logic had simply fled in the face of my yearning to feel him inside.

  I had never done that.

  Since seventeen I had been on birth control and still had always used a condom. I was almost fanatical about it even with Matt, much to his dismay. But with Rhys, the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.

  This boy completely undid me.

  The fact it was him of all people who had woken my body after years of it being asleep in a tomb had to have the Fates laughing their asses off. They were cruel. My punishment, I guess.

  “Hannah?” His hand swept my hair to one side, his breath hot on my neck.

  “Don’t.” My knuckles turned white around the clipboard.

  “Don’t what?” A graze of his lips slid down the curve of my neck, weakening my knees. And my willpower. “You’re going have to be more specific.” He ripped the board from my hands, chucking it into the corner.

  “Leave me be,” I breathed, gripping the wine bottles. “Go back to Carrie.”

  A growl erupted from Rhys as he flipped me around, backing me into the rack, his hands gripping the bottles by my head. His dark eyes blazed with heat and anger as they moved over me, as if they were visually ripping the clothes from my body.

  Rage. Desire.

  The darkness he kept hidden inside wound around mine and grazed my insides like fingers, as though we both could sense each other’s likeness. And wanted more.

  “I don’t want Carrie.” He stepped even closer, snarling. “And I don’t want to leave you alone.”

  “Yeah, you do,” I whispered, breath frantic, my chest heaving.

  “Why?” He pressed into me, whisking my logic away.

  “Because.”

  “It’s going to have to be better than that.”

  “You’re much younger than me.” My reasoning was thin as parchment.

  “Seriously?” His nose swept up, his teeth grazing my ear. “I thi
nk having a younger guy in your bed is a perk. We can be incredibly vigorous and relentless in the pursuit of pleasure. Especially yours.”

  Air stuck in my throat, my muscles almost frozen with need.

  “Next?”

  My mind fluttered to try to come up with one he might buy. The real reason wouldn’t unlock from my soul. The thought of his desire turning to pure hate stabbed the back of my lids. I was saving him from the truth. And selfishly saving myself.

  “All out of excuses, Hannah?” He thrust his hips into me, letting me feel him. Hard and wanting. One hand dropped down, tugging on the top of my jeans.

  “Rhys.” My gaze flashed to him. “Stop.” There was no strength in it, curving his mouth into a knowing smile. He tugged on the zipper, opening the top part of my pants. His gaze pinned mine, waiting for me to really tell him to stop. The word sat on my tongue, but my mouth stayed shut, my attention fully on him.

  Fire radiated from his stare and off his touch as his fingers moved down, running over my underwear, where he could feel the evidence of my own need.

  “You want me to stop?” His thumb cupped around the elastic, curling in, rubbing in a circle. “Tell me.”

  My breath hitched, my back arching. “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?” His finger slipped under the fabric, sliding over me, my mouth parting in a groan, my hips already moving against him. “Say it.”

  “Don’t,” I breathed, gripping the bottles behind me. “Stop.”

  A noise came from his throat as he plunged a finger into me, his thumb rubbing my core. I gasped as he added another, my hips opening and bucking as he thrust again, moving and curling them as the friction intensified.

  “Oh god.” Blistering heat already seared my spine. The sound of him pumping his fingers in and out of me dampened my skin with sweat.

  “Fuck.” His eyes watched me, fervor burning through his gaze, his free hand moving under my sweater and bra, cupping my breast, flicking my nipple.

  I gasped for air as my limbs started to shake and my vision went blurry. I tried to reach for his jeans. “I want you.” I craved nothing more than to feel him inside, pounding me relentlessly into the wall.