Stolen Memories: A Novella

by Alyson Reynolds

  Stolen Memories

  Copyright © 2016 by Alyson Reynolds.

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  For information contact :

  www.authoralysonreynolds.com

  Book and Cover design by Alyson Reynolds

  ISBN: 123456789

  First Edition: August 2016

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  cONTENTS

  Stolen Memories

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Ashlie,

  Thank you. For everything. There are no words for our friendship. Hashtags and all.

  I flung open the doors to the church and dashed down the steps like my entire body was on fire. What the fuck was I doing? I didn’t want to get married, and I sure as hell didn’t want to be a pawn in my father’s games. The huge white dress that had seemed perfect only days ago was suffocating me. My breath caught in my throat and I fought to keep from passing out in front of this horrible, ostentatious cathedral. Looking across the street I saw him waiting for me.

  Hunter Abbott leaned against his Audi Roadster, sexy as hell in his suit and aviator sunglasses, and of course he was staring directly at me. I was kind of hard to miss in the big fairytale wedding dress, but damn if his gaze didn’t burn my skin. He nodded once, and I crossed the street and ran over to his car, climbing into the passenger seat as he started the engine.

  “I thought you might not show.”

  “My mother wouldn’t leave. I almost had to push her down and run for it.”

  “How long do we have before they find out you’re gone?”

  I winced. “Only a few minutes.”

  Hunter shot me a weary look and rubbed his hand down his face in frustration. “Then we need to get the hell out of here. Why do you always wait until the last possible second, Megan?”

  Ignoring his question, I tugged at the bodice of my dress. It wasn’t intentional, but I had a flair for the dramatic.

  “I want to take off this monstrosity as soon as I can. It's hard to freaking breath.” My fingers picked at the rough tulle and I wiggled in my seat as the built-in corset dug into my ribs, effectively cutting off my air supply. As much as I wanted to rip it to shreds, I refrained from doing any further damage. It wasn't the poor dress’s fault that I was an idiot.

  “You might have to wait until we reach the plane. We can’t risk getting pulled over and missing our flight time.” I groaned, and his husky laughter filled the car. “But by all means, climb on back and strip down. It’ll be fun to try to explain to the officer why I have a half-naked woman in my backseat, and I really want to see you talk your way out of that one.”

  “Did you decide where we’re going?” I asked, trying to distract him. That sexy smirk was back, and I wanted to smack it off of his face. He might be my best friend, but the man was annoying as hell.

  “How does Savannah sound?”

  “What the fuck is in Georgia?”

  “Not your soon-to-be ex-fiancé, or your dad.”

  “Fine. I guess it doesn’t matter where we go as long as I get the hell out of here. They're going to be livid when they find out I’m gone.”

  Hunter pulled into a private entrance at the airport. He parked and handed his keys over to a waiting employee. I felt rushed as he ushered me along to the tarmac to his jet. I hated the odd looks I was getting from his employees, but I could deal. A little embarrassment would be well worth getting away from all the drama.

  “Megan, are you coming?” He asked, holding a hand out. I hadn’t realized that I’d stopped walking. He pushed his sunglasses up on his head as he looked back at me, concern flashing in his emerald eyes.

  “Yeah, sorry. I got lost in my head for a second.”

  “It's fine, we just need to hurry.”

  A shiver ran up my spine as I thought about what would happen if we were caught. The idea of any of my father’s henchmen getting ahold of Hunter made me sick to my stomach. I needed to get the hell out of dodge as fast as possible. Hunter was my savior, and I would do anything I could to thank him for helping me.

  I picked clothes from the bag Hunter had grabbed from my apartment earlier and changed quickly in the small bathroom. The person staring back at me from the mirror looked both terrified and exhilarated. My body melted into the comfortable leather club chair as soon as I sat down for takeoff. Now that I was away from the two people that scared me most in the world I could relax a little. Hunter glanced over at me.

  “Are you ready to tell me why I got the SOS text now? You know I would do anything for you, but I flew in from New York last night and I’m flying right back out today. I’m fucking exhausted, not to mention I pissed off some potential investors by bailing on them.”

  I winced and took a deep breath. “I heard my dad talking on the phone yesterday.”

  “And?” he prompted. The man had never been patient in his life and that wasn’t changing now. Maybe that’s why he was so successful. Damn it, Megan. Focus.

  “It was bad, Hunter. He’s basically selling me to Michael. They are pushing through some huge ass merger after I marry him, but only if I go through with it. Michael is a con artist of the worst variety. When I confronted my dad, he threatened to cut off my trust fund and kick me out of my apartment if I didn’t follow through with this sham of a wedding.” He also had a few other choice words, but Hunter didn’t need to hear that we discussed my intact virginity. Or that our conversation was disgusting and a testament to how sick my father was.

  “Fuck, Megan. I know I’ve been traveling a lot lately, but how did I miss all of this?”

  “It’s my own fault. I never should have trusted them. Apparently, Michael is an excellent actor. It was too good to be true and I would have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker if I hadn’t overheard my dad.” I sighed. “Are you sure you’re okay doing this? Once they find out I’m with you they’re going to try something.”

  “Honey, they won’t know what hit them if they fuck with me. Or you, for that matter.”

  The determined glint in his eyes comforted me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to his side. He kissed my forehead and I snuggled into his chest, finally calm for the first time in days.

  I fell asleep sometime as we crossed over the midland states. It was a long flight from California to Georgia. Fucking Georgia. Hunter thought he was hilarious. We used to vacation there as kids; our families went every summer and now he's trying to drag up those old memories by taking me back there.

  When I text him yesterday begging him to help me, he hadn’t hesitated. It killed me to ask for his help, but I knew I wouldn’t have escaped without him. My father had nearly made it impossible for even Hunter to rescue me. My darling father made sure I hadn’t been alone at any point until I tricked my mother into giving me a few seconds right before the wedding.

  My eyes opened slowly, and I blinked up several times. Hunter’s thoughtful g
aze met mine, and I blushed as I realized he’d been watching me sleep.

  “Hunt, that’s kinda creepy.”

  “No, it’s not.” He chuckled softly. “You were talking in your sleep.”

  “What did I say?” I asked, frowning.

  “You’re worried.” He pursed his lips, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.

  “Now you have to tell me.”

  “You’re afraid they are going to make you marry him when we go back. Or that they will find you and drag your ass to the nearest courthouse. You’re also concerned about what they'll do to me if they realize I helped you. What else aren’t you telling me, Megan?”

  I ducked my head. When I texted him, I didn't tell him how scared I actually was. Michael hadn’t ever been violent with me, but there were times I could tell he was holding back his temper. Three months. That’s all it took for me to believe I was in love with him. We’d had a whirlwind romance, or so I thought. Since I was so naïve, I ignored the fact that I was just a pawn in their fucking game.

  My dad had paid little attention to me and Cassie growing up until we were old enough to be of use to him. He’d already married off my sister to someone we barely knew, and now he was trying to do the same with me. If I hadn’t overheard him on the phone, I wouldn’t have known until it was too late.

  I was worried about what kind of situation Cassie was stuck in. When she got married, she pulled away from me and my mom, but I hadn’t ever questioned her happiness or safety. Until now. Everyone said their quick elopement was romantic and sweet, but warning bells were going off in my head.

  “Megan, don’t freak out, but I’m going to suggest something a little wild.”

  I raised an eyebrow. Right now everything in my life was crazy, and I didn’t know how much more insanity I could take. “We could get married, at least for a little while. No one could force you to marry this prick if you’re already married. Plus, I could protect you.”

  “You’re right, you are absolutely insane,” I said, laughing. “Hunt, you know I love you, but you don’t have to look after me. I just needed help getting out of Cali and coming up with a solid plan of how to deal with them. I can handle the rest.”

  I think.

  “Really Meg, think about it. Your dad can’t make you divorce me. So you couldn’t legally marry Michael. I can help you check on your mom and Cassie as soon as we get to Georgia. I’m fucking loaded and have more contacts in banking than they could ever hope for. We can make sure your dad doesn’t mess with your trust fund.” He wiggled his brows. “All good things. Plus, admit it, I’m sexy as hell and you’d be lucky to have me on your arm.”

  “What about your womanizing, love ’em and leave ’em ways? As your wife I couldn’t ignore the revolving door that is your bed.”

  He smirked. “For you, I’ll give up all that pussy. On one condition, though.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “You would have to sleep with me, of course.”

  “Of course,” I deadpanned.

  What the actual fuck?

  “Don’t deny it; you’ve been turned on since you climbed in the car with me.”

  He glanced down, and I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Quit being a perv. We got drunk and messed around once, Hunt. It happened almost two years ago. What makes you think that I still want you?”

  “It was a year ago, and if I checked your panties right now would they be wet?”

  Oh. My.

  My jaw dropped open, and he moved closer on the seat next to me lacing one hand in my hair. The other trailed up my thigh, bunching the fabric of my skirt into his fist. His mouth was inches from mine.

  “Your nipples are hard.” His lips nipped at the sensitive skin of my neck and a shiver ran up my spine.

  “And you are trying to get me all worked up.”

  “It doesn’t take much effort on my part when you’re already halfway there on your own.”

  “What do you get out of this deal if we actually go through with this?” I whispered.

  “What I’ve wanted for a long damn time, Megan: you in my bed and me inside you.”

  I was having a hard time wrapping my mind around what was coming out of his mouth. Sure there was a ton of sexual tension between us, but we had never admitted to or explored our attraction. Well, except for that one night. We didn’t technically sleep together, but we did a lot of heavy petting. If his phone hadn’t rung, it would have happened. Hunter watched me closely with a smug grin on his face. “You know I’m right. You want me just as bad as I want you. Why can’t you admit it?”

  “What happens if we end up hating each other after this? You aren't a picnic to live with. I remember how messy you are from college, and you’re kind of an asshole in the morning. If something goes wrong with this insane idea of yours, then I lose you forever.”

  “You won’t lose me. I’m too fucking stubborn for that.”

  My eyes narrowed. Throughout the years, I had seen him leave more women brokenhearted than I cared to think about, and I sure as hell didn’t want to be one of them. Our friendship meant too much. Cautiously, I said, “So we get married, we fuck, then what? How long do we keep it up?”

  “As long as it takes for them to leave you alone. I never planned on getting married anyway, so it’s not like it’s a hardship for me.”

  “Good to know,” I said sarcastically. “You’re also a man whore. I'm not sure you’ll be able to keep it in your pants, and I won’t be some girl who sits at home while her husband screws around on her, even if it is a fake marriage.”

  A brief look of hurt flashed across his face, but it was gone before I could fully decipher it. “It was just an idea, Meg. I don’t want your dad to force you into something. I can help you this way.”

  I turned to stare out the small window while I thought about his insane plan. Romance was even a consideration, but he wanted to keep me safe. It would be imperative I protect my heart in all this. And it wouldn’t be a hardship to sleep with him—the man was sexy as sin, one look could burn my panties off me—but could I really go through with marrying my best friend?

  “We haven’t talked much since the... incident and that’s my fault. I got all freaked out, and I’m sorry. My biggest concern about your idea is that I’ll get all weirded out again and do something stupid.”

  “Is weirded even a word?” he asked, laughing.

  “Be serious, Hunt!”

  I slapped at his arm and he grinned.

  “I am. Look, this will keep you safe. We don’t have to make it a big thing. Let’s get married on the beach, and when we go back to Cali we can decide how, or if, we tell everyone. We'll text your parents a picture of the marriage license so that the storm will pass before we head back. No big deal. Just tell them we fell in love and I couldn’t let you go through with marrying another man.”

  “No big deal, except we’ll be fucking married, Hunter.”

  “So we disappear and do what newlyweds do.” He shrugged and grinned at me.

  I tried to fight back my smile. “You’ve got this all figured out, huh?”

  “Pretty much. You know I’m really fucking smart.”

  I barked out a laugh because saying he was smart was the understatement of the century. Hunter was a Mensa-holding card member, certified genius. He’d started up a few .coms that made him a few million dollars before he even graduated from Brown. I’m sure by now he was well past the billionaire mark. Hunter Abbott was a self-made man and proud of it.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  “We’ll get married.”

  His hands slid up my thigh almost touching my panties. “Then we fuck?” His deep, husky voice filled my ears, and I could have come right then.

  I sucked in a breath and slowly nodded my head. I just hoped I knew what I was getting myself into.

  My soon to be husband had everything taken care of within minutes of us landing. We were on the beach saying our vows a few
hours later. The ceremony was quick and even though it was just supposed to be a formality, he made it sentimental. When he proposed this plan, I hadn’t realized he meant we would get married as soon as we got here, but we were going to the hotel as Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Abbott.

  I giggled as he picked me up to carry me over the threshold of our hotel room door. Hunter was being unusually sweet, and it was throwing me off. He was so different than the normal abrupt, brash man I talked to everyday.

  His mouth was on mine before the door even shut behind us, urgent and needy. My fingers gripped the lapels of his suit, and I clung to him. Pulling back, I gasped. “Now? You want to do this now?”

  “No time like the present,” he answered while unzipping my dress. I’m not sure how, but he convinced me to put that damn thing back on. His mouth seared my skin as he ran his tongue along my exposed back.

  He sat me down at the edge of the bed and pulled the fabric up around my waist, exposing my lace thong. Kneeling in front of me, his fingers singed me as they trailed up my thighs to my center. My back arched as he ran his nose along the seam of my panties.

  “This is mine.”

  I nodded. “All yours.”

  "I even have a piece of paper to prove it," he said with a wicked grin.

  He pulled my lace panties to the side and his mouth was on me, sucking at my clit and plunging his long fingers deep inside me. I clutched at the comforter as he worked me into frenzy. I desperately tugged my dress out of the way so I could watch him. The sight made me even hotter and drove me closer to my orgasm. When he glanced up at me and his hooded eyes met mine, I almost came right then.

  “Holy fuck, Hunter.”

  My fingers pulled at his hair, and he growled against me. A soft whimper filled the room. My whimper. I realized how desperate I was to have him inside me. I pushed him back from me, and he must have seen the desperation in my eyes because he leaned up and kissed me hard on the lips.

  I stood up next to the bed to let the dress fall down around my ankles. Hunter nipped at my collarbone, and I lost control, pushing his jacket off his arms. Buttons popped and flew across the room as I tried to get him naked as quickly as possible. He growled as I sucked on the spot behind his ear and slid my hands down the front of his pants.