by Marie Wathen
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Morgan
(Graduation Party, present time)
“Rogers, it is imperative that you get us to Toxic quickly. I’ll cover any tickets you get for speeding but you will be speeding. Now go!” My irrational heartbeat is a growing concern for me. I can’t understand one damn emotion I’m feeling at the current moment, but I just can’t focus on that shit now. Later, I just think about it all later. “Faster for fucks sake Rogers!” I snap again at the elderly driver.
“Hey, I want to fucking get there in one piece if you don’t mind Morgan.” Ian calls from the backseat. “Fast is good, but alive is better. Just get us there in one piece so we can make sure she’s alive,” Ian soothes. The man is making me fucking crazy. This is his sister and he’s fine with us driving at normal speeds. I don’t think he understands the seriousness in the situation. If Waverly is alone with the Tyle subject and he gets aggressive she won’t be able to fight him off. Thinking of him harming her makes my fist squeeze tightly and I’m fucking angrier than hell now.
“Shut the fuck up Ian, Morgan is right. This is our baby sister. I don’t give a shit what the damn law says, get us there now!” Jack states agreeing with me. He leans forward and pats the driver on his shoulder. “You can understand how protective we are when it comes to our baby sister. I apology for being so damn harsh but I’ll kill that fucker if something happens to her.”
Suddenly, I remember leaving the party and Breesan before getting a chance to apologize. I hope she’ll give me the opportunity to explain. I know it is fucked up that I kissed her, but I really do feel something for her.
Could it be love? When I first met her, I was immediately attracted. Tristan telling me Marcus wants her invokes an irrational response in me, making me want her even more. Most of the time, I don’t give a second glance to the type of women he dates. Breesan is different from his normal girlfriend. I can’t deny that our dynamic is unlike anything I’ve shared with another woman. She’s fun and being with her is so easy.
She is a contradiction in many ways. As much as I like her confidence, I see that she hides vulnerability behind it. I don’t get where her vulnerability comes from, but I can appreciate that it’s made her a strong woman. She will never do something because someone else expects her to do it. Unlike me
I know she has feelings for me but defining them now is nearly impossible. That fucking kiss; why did I do it? Watching her walk away from me answered some of the questions I’d been stewing over. She’s a great girl but I think friendship is all that we have. No, there is definitely something more. I love her. Not the kind of love where I give her my whole heart, but she absolutely has a piece of it, a very important piece. I hope she doesn’t hate me now.
Now the bullshit with marrying Elise is thrust upon me. My parents expect me to marry her and I will. My role in this family suddenly carries a grotesque responsibility. She’s not the same woman I met last summer. Or maybe she was and I was just blinded by her being Marcus’. I can’t love her, but that’s not what they’re requiring. Hell they don’t even give a damn about each other. Fuck, I never saw this shit coming, but it’s not possible for me to turn my back on family obligations by refusing to marry. Hurting my mother and disappointing my father is not an option for me. Sam and Marcus have done that too much already. Dammit
Waverly. Until this morning, the way our relationship was is all that I’ve ever wanted. It’s always just been casual, comfortable, and fun with her. Dammit, everything about her is absolutely amazing. When she smiles at me with those dark lashes lowered, and eyes smoldering my mind goes fucking crazy.
What the hell am I thinking? Do I want more with Waverly?
Arguing since the moment we left my house, the brothers are making me go insane with their bullshit. Maybe their concern for her is making me question everything now.
Arriving at Club Toxic, I notice a motorcycle parked next to Waverly’s car in the parking lot. Rushing out of the car, I head straight for the entrance chasing behind Jack who begins pounding his fists on the metal frame of the glass door. He gutturally yells her name repeatedly with no response. After a few seconds, he is cussing and I begin to panic. Thinking about shattering the glass or ramming the damn car through it seems like a fucking genius idea. Thankful one of us is not a dumb ass, I hear Ian yelling our names from the side of the building. Slapping Jack on the back, I nod toward Ian and we jog around the side, quickly rushing inside.
Quickening my pace down the long hallway, I yell back at them. “I’ll go up and ya’ll check the storage rooms and offices on the bottom. Yell when you find her.” Thinking only about saving Waverly, the urgency to find her pushes me at a rapid pace and I take the stair case two steps at a time. Rushing up the stairs, I scan the open area of the VIP bar then proceed to the back storage area behind the bar.
Shoving hard against the door with my shoulder it budges slightly, but the heaviness of it delays my entry and I push again. Opening it fully, with the dim lighting in the room, I can see a woman’s silhouette. Allowing my eyes to adjust in the darkness I can tell it’s not just a woman - it is a couple lying intimately on the sofa. Within three strides I am standing over the couple. Straddling him, she faces away from me but I would know those damn stars on her neck anywhere. Her top and bra is discarded and the douche bag is fully nude. Leaning over him, she kisses along his chest and moves lower while grinding her body on him. Hearing the guy’s satisfy groan at her pleasuring him with her mouth and hips, I growl angrily. Echoing in the nearly silent room causes her to jump. Squeezing her arms tightly around her chest in an effort to cover her breast, she turns facing me.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Waverly snaps.
Grabbing her violently, I pull her exposed body to me. The bastard lying under her shoves off the sofa, crosses the room, and grabs for his jeans. I shove her back to the sofa. Lunging at him in two strides, I’m on him. Striking the side of his head, it snaps back brutally. His body drops like dead weight. A feral growl releases from deep in my chest.
Hitting him once wasn’t enough, this time I plow my heel into his gut. Pissed off like a motherfucker now, I turn and face Waverly. Stalking back over, I snatch her discarded items off the floor and grab her roughly by the arm. Flailing her arms and digging in her heels as I drag her out of the room, she begins cussing me for everything I’m worth.
“Stop! Stop! Fucking stop now! Morgan! Shit.” Waverly’s screams turn to a whimper.
Dragging her to the bottom level of the club, we run into Jack. Clutching her arms around her still naked chest, I toss her clothes at her feet.
“Get dressed. Now!” I bellow.
“You bastard. Who the fuck do you think you are? I’m not your damn property Morgan Walker. You can’t just come here and do whatever the fuck you want.”
“No you’re not my property, but what the fuck Waverly? Will you just screw any dick that swings your way?”
“Walker, who do you think you are talking to her that way?” Jack interrupts.
Shooting him a vicious look, she screams at him now. “Stay the hell out of this Jack.” She turns back to me. “You have some nerve showing up here tonight. Oh mygod, if I want to screw my ex-boyfriend, or any man for that matter, then that’s what the fuck I’ll do. You don’t own me and you certainly don’t want me. You made that very clear this morning when you kicked me out of your bed. We’re over, you need to leave now.” Shoving her shirt over her head, she pushes past me and rounds the bar. Hastily filling a shot glass, she downs the amber liquid then turns back around.
“What part of “get the fuck out”, do you not understand?” Growling, she slams the glass on the bar.
Why can’t I leave her? Why do I want to comforter now? I can’t be with her. We should have never started this bullshit in the first damn place.
“Hey, I found T
yle.” Laughing from upstairs draws our attention. Standing there, Ian holds up the fucker I just punched. “Seems like he got knocked the fuck out.”
Seeing the son of a bitch reminds me of what she was about to do with him.
“You know what?” Walking away, I push violently against the front door and yell. “I’m done with this bullshit. You want to be a whore then be a fucking whore.”
“You son of a bitch!”
Running out the door behind me, she jumps on my back, slapping me hard several times on the head and neck.
“I hate you! I fucking hate you Morgan! I hate you! I hate you!” Screaming, she strikes me several more times.
Finally knocking her off my back, I spin around. She lands hard on her ass. Kicking gravel while scrambling to get up, she screams hoarsely.
“No!” I bark. I point at her, still on her knees, straining to get up. “Stay on your knees,” I grin venomously. “It’s where you fucking belong.”
Turning, I leave her crying on the ground. She lets out a loud screech as I reach the car.
Tossing a serious look over my shoulder, I yell, “Fucking hate me Waverly.”
Climbing into the backseat, I order the driver to leave. He pulls out of the parking lot, leaving dust from the gravel lot billowing behind us.
That fucking whore. A deep rumble starts in my chest. I need to fucking hit something now. Slamming my fist into the headrest in front of me repeatedly, I chant with every strike.
“Fucking little bitch!”
Unsatisfied with my assault on the car, my anger rises and I all I can see is red.
“Take me to the fucking docks.” I bark out to the driver.
I’m not dealing with any more bullshit tonight. We pull up to my parent’s yacht with a few minutes. After telling the driver to leave, I walk down the long pier to the double-decker cruiser, Dolly. Unlocking the door, I latch it back behind me and quickly spot the liquor cabinet.
That is exactly what I need
Half an hour later, I’ve down three glasses of bourbon, but it is not calming my rage.
“Waverly.” Growling her name loudly, my hatred grows. A half bottle of whiskey in one hand and my tumbler in the other I stand on the deck of the vessel.
“Fuck!” Sloppily pouring another shot of bourbon, I down it quickly.
Hoping that drinking it faster will help dull the pain, I shoot another. The liquid burn feels good. I sigh. I knew better than to get mixed up with her the minute I laid eyes on her. There was something about her.
Maybe it was her innocence.
“Ha!” I snort. ”What a fucking joke! I’ll bet that’s not the only bullshit lie she told me. She probably said and did everything just to trick me.”
Tipping the tumbler of warming elixir again, I plop down on the deck seat. I take a slow sip this time. Blowing out all of my breath, I lay my head back against the thick padding on the back of the seat. I stare at the stars. Twinkling, happy, bright, stars, they piss me the fuck off.
“Fuck you stars!” I scream furiously, unable to stop my mind from flashing to a set of sexy stars tattooed on the back of the sexiest neck I’ve ever seen.
“She thinks it’s over? She’s never been more right about anything. Was she actually going to fuck that little douche bag?” Groaning maliciously, I laugh at the memory of knocking the son of a bitch out.
He has no idea that he is the first person I have ever hit out of anger. I don’t know what the fuck came over me. Seeing Waverly straddling a naked man made me snap. I would never hit another guy over a woman. They’re not worth it. Shaking my head, I feel the making of a terrible headache. I rise up slowly, making my way back inside.
Mygod Waverly.
Crossing over the threshold of the cabin, I hear female voices carrying across the water. A scream echoes loudly. Stumbling from the sound, I slam hard into the door jam but catch myself before falling on my face. I place my hand on the wall for balance. Shifting my weight properly, I right myself just in time to hear another voice, deeper tenor than the other. Sounds like another fucking lover’s triangle. Searching the pier in the dark, I see the fighting people making their way toward me. They stop at the yacht across from mine. I watch all three of them board the deck. The full moon light cast an eerie glow over their ship, the Catching A’rea.
Screeching relentlessly at the smaller woman, the taller one continually calls her a fuck up. Something about this whole scene sets my nerves on edge. I step back out on the deck to get a better look. The strobe from the lighthouse provides enough light for me to see. Scolding both women, the man pulls the smaller woman to him for a kiss. His actions appear to piss off the taller woman. Stomping away, she shrills. The man keeps holding the woman in a passionate embrace. Satisfied that the domestic entertainment is over, I go back inside the cabin.
After pouring one last glassful, I return the decanter to its home. I drink half of it while wandering to the back. Opening the bedroom door, I place my glass on the night side table and slip off my clothes. I slide deep under the cool cotton sheets. My cell phone rings and vibrates in my jean pocket, lying on the floor. My mind scans through important people that may be trying to get a hold of me. Mom, Barret, Marcus, and Elise.
“Fuck the lot of you,” I scream at the inanimate object.
My outburst is also a nod to the rest of the world with the same sentiment. I release myself from all fucking obligations. Family or otherwise I am done pleasing everyone all the fucking time. I will never be anyone’s bitch again. It’s time I do shit for me and damn the consequences.
Lying here for the past hour and my mind still won’t shut off. Plus, the rocking motion of the boat is too much. My eyes roll up and I feel nausea hit my stomach. Sliding out of the bed, I fall landing on my clothes pile.
“Fuck!” I groan loudly.
Sitting on my ass, I release a trail of cuss words. I scrub my face several hard rubs with the heel of my hands. Feeling tightness in my chest, I lift my hand placing it over my heart and rub deeply.
It’s early morning but still too dark. Unable to see shit in the dark I use my hands and crawl along the floor to the bathroom. Switching on the light, I go blind momentarily from the stark white wall color radiating the brightness of the ungodly megawatts of the light bulb. I groan but proceed to the toilet to take a piss. The nausea passes after running a wet cloth over my face. I stare at myself for a while.
“I don’t even know who the fuck I am. Or what the hell I want. All I know is what everybody else wants for me.”
Depressed, I make my way to the bed. Sliding back under the sheets, I quickly feel the pull of sleep. As my mind drifts, sorrow begins to consume my heart. Opening my eyes, I find my fist clutching tight against my chest, covering my heart. I tip my head back, looking toward the ceiling. I acknowledge the loss of my Waverly. Squeezing my eyes shut, I shift on my side and allow my mind the opportunity to peruse the ingrained memories one last time.
Over the past two years, I spent an obscene amount of time looking from her toes back up to her face. Studying every delicious inch of her, I learned every reaction she had to my touch, my mouth and my dick. It was a self-sacrificing act on my part but someone had to do it. Time and energy meant nothing while I lavished her. Those long, toned legs were the first things that drew me to her, after her ball-busting attitude of course. My mouth, nose and fingers have explored every ridge of her flat abs and smooth hips to the point of lunacy.
The memories have me licking my lips in savage desire. Her beautiful chest is the exact amount of breast I prefer. It is one of her favorite places for me to spend time too. Gliding her hands over every inch of my body, exploring and teasing, she drives me out of my fucking mind incredible. She never stopped until I was thoroughly satisfied every time. Her touch has the power to heal me, but her desire to please me is the most amazing part about her. She never demanded anything or expected shit from me.
My absolute favorite place on her body, besides her lips, is her ne
ck. Fuck! Her sexy, long neck and those mind numbing cascading stars own me. I’ve never been to a better place in my life; not physically or spiritually.
Placing my lips tenderly on those tattoos, I am rewarded with gooseflesh every time. Sliding my nose slowly up and down, I successfully extracted a groan every time. Whispering all of my damn hearts desires there, I am accepted with a silent embrace every time. In that embrace she got me. Waverly understands.
And then there were those fucking pouty lips. There aren’t enough vivid words to describe my obsession. I am factually obsessed with the feel of them on me, everywhere. Then there is the taste, a combination of the sweetest flavors known to man and their all mine…FUCK! She’s not mine. She never was.
I’m such a piece of shit.
“Waverly, I’m sorry,” I whimper remorsefully.
Chapter 24
Breesan
One second: loud music, dancing, laughing, fun, family, friends, love and everything.
Pop.
The next: screams, running, crying, fear, shots, blood, loss and nothing. Panicking, I watch the most important people in my life dancing on the stage right beside me drop off the back. I freeze.
Chaos
“Rhys!” Screaming, Marcus reaches for me. “Breesan move!”
Pop Pop
Suffocating with emotion, I can’t breathe in air. Desperately struggling, I am stuck still, surrounded by haunting screams.
Anna, Tristan, Wren, Bates, Rhys, Marcus
I have a choice: either stand here and remain a target or I move. Glancing down at the fear engraving Marcus perfect face, I choose to move. I quickly drop into his open arms. Throwing me easily over his shoulder, we run as more shots fire past us.
Pop Pop Pop, Tap Tap
Fleeing bodies jam into us. Stumbling and falling on the hard ground, Marcus grabs my hand, pulling me back to my feet.