Unmistakable: Razor's Edge - Book Two

by Andrea Hurtt

  At first, she just ground against him, letting the moisture between them build, then she settled into place and plunged herself down on him.

  They both gasped at the pleasure of being together again.

  She rode him, squeezing him with her thighs. Spending hours in the saddle on a horse had done her good.

  Nick bucked beneath her, but kept her rhythm.

  They took their time, the ecstasy building in both of them.

  Just when Hope couldn’t breathe anymore, her body exploded in spasms around him.

  He released himself into her.

  Hope collapsed on top of him, completely spent.

  This time, their love making meant so much more… She couldn’t put it to words, but maybe she loved him?

  Nick gently rubbed circles on her back as they both caught their breath. “So I’m guessing you missed me?” He smirked.

  They made eye contact and she arched an eyebrow. “Now, what made you think that?”

  He smiled and kissed her again. “I missed you too, baby.”

  Chapter 16

  “Since you showed me all the sights in L.A., I wanna show you Denver, and all the things that were important to me, growing up here.” Hope slipped on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, while Nick finished cleaning up from breakfast.

  “That sounds intriguing.”

  “I should warn you, it’s the things I found important, not what tourists think matter. Just so you know.” She slipped on her shoes.

  “Am I driving, or are you?”

  Hope flashed a devilish grin, and he dropped the keys to his rented Honda into her capable hands.

  They jumped in the car and headed north.

  “Damn, babe. Are we driving to Canada?” Nick teased after twenty minutes on the road.

  “This is Denver, Nick. It takes half an hour to go ten blocks. But look to your right, that’s the Grizzly Rose. Grace and I used to go line-dancing there on Sunday nights, before I was twenty-one. Our other favorite place, Cactus Moon, was torn down a few years after I became of age.”

  “Really? You used to line-dance?”

  Hope laughed. “Used to? Oh, honey. I still do. And it would make you hard to watch me move.” Her cheeks burned as soon as she closed her lips.

  Had she really just said that?

  “You’ll show me?”

  “Someday. Not today. I have too many other things to show you.”

  They sped along I-25 toward her former part of town.

  Hope kept watching his face, as he took in all the sights. She pointed to things as they passed by. “Over there is Water World, it’s our water park. It was pretty cool when I was a kid. No idea what it looks like now. And here, on the right, that Walmart, it used to be a huge shopping center, where Cactus Moon was.”

  He nodded and smiled, as she reminisced about the days gone.

  They finally turned off the highway, and Hope took a right turn. After two lights and a few more turns, she pulled into the parking lot of a community center.

  “Where are we?” Nick asked, wearing a mix of curiosity and confusion.

  “This is the NorthDen Community Center. Inside there’s a small theater that holds about 150 people. It’s where Grace and I met.”

  Without waiting for her to turn the engine off in the car, Nick jumped out and headed for the main entrance. He walked with a bit of swagger.

  She could sit there and enjoy the view, but she was learning, not to leave him to his own devices.

  Hope had just caught up with him, as he spoke with the lady at the front desk, who was eight shades of red.

  “I’m sorry, I really wish I could let you in, but…” She looked down at something in front of her, as if unable to keep her eyes on Nick. “They’re taking all the seats out right now. We are about to tear the place down.”

  “Tear it down? Why?” Hope blinked. There was the tale-tell burning of tears in her eyes.

  “They’re building a new rec center. This one is just so outdated.”

  Nick leaned closer to the woman. “All the more reason to let me in. I need to see the stage that helped launch a star.”

  She poked him in the side. Sure, she wanted to see the place again, but not at the cost of him lying.

  “What?” he asked, sparing her a glance.

  “I’m not a star.”

  “Not yet. But you could be.” Nick turned back to the lady. “Just a peek? Is there a side door we could go through? It doesn’t have to be the main entrance.”

  The woman picked up a small sign that read, “be right back” in bold letters, and set it on the counter. “All right. But we need to be quick.”

  He grabbed Hope’s hand, and they followed.

  It brought her back in time, to a place that’d given her confidence when she didn’t know she’d needed it. Also, a friend she’d do anything for.

  It’d been far too many years since she’d seen the small theater, but the memories came rushing back.

  They took the stairs that lead to the dressing rooms below the stage.

  It looked so different, yet so much the same.

  Hope went straight to the countertop where she and Grace had shared their bags of Reese’s Pieces while getting ready.

  She looked under the counter, and there, carved into the wood where no one would see, was their initials, along with “BFF.”

  Best friends forever.

  “What’re you looking at,” Nick asked, leaning down beside her.

  “The mark we left. But it, too, will be gone soon.” She straightened, and couldn’t help the tears from falling. “I didn’t realize what this place meant to me until now. I can’t believe it’s going away.”

  He held her, kissing the top of her head. “The building may be going, but your memories never will be. You didn’t even know it was being torn down until just now. Had she not told you, would you still be crying?”

  “Probably.”

  The employee took them on to the stage and let them stand in the middle. She kept a close eye to make sure they didn’t go where they shouldn’t, since there was a construction crew slowly demolishing the space.

  Hope watched as they carefully worked to remove the old theater seats. “Are they saving the seats for something?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes! Everything that can be salvaged is going to a new theater in downtown for underprivileged kids!”

  Her heart lifted. At least they weren’t going to the city dump. That would’ve been more than she could bear.

  Nick wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head again. “I know you have some pretty amazing memories of this place. And I don’t want the sadness you are feeling, seeing it coming apart, be what you hold on to. So…” He took a step back, holding her hands, took a deep breath, then sang.

  Honey, beg for your forgiveness

  Don’t leave, you’re the light in here

  Touch me here, I need you

  The late hour is making me tired

  Baby, Can you make me the man that you need, my love

  My past, it cannot be undone

  Pretending to be what I’m not

  Actor I was, Left you unaware

  So let me display the Designs of Love

  He finished, and the rec center employee squealed.

  “Oh! Designs of Love! That’s my favorite Razor’s Edge song! How did you know?”

  Hope looked into Nick’s blue eyes and they both let out a quiet laugh.

  He turned to look at the other woman, putting on all his charm. “It’s my way of saying thank you. It means a lot to me that you let us in here. We’ll get outta your hair now.”

  They retreated to the safety of the red Honda and burst into full laughter.

  “I thought that lady was gonna pass out. Does that happen to you often?” She started the car.

  “More than I’d like to admit. I just hope she doesn’t share what happened for a day or two. Let me get outta town and back to L.A. before the fans start hunting fo
r me in Denver.”

  Instead of finding humor in his comment, it tore at Hope’s heart.

  Was he looking forward to getting back to his normal life and away from her?

  She didn’t know when she’d see him again.

  She pushed her depressing thought to the back of her head, reminding herself to live in the moment.

  As short-lived as it might be.

  “What the hell is this place?” Nick asked when his girl pulled into the only empty parking spot in a full lot.

  He looked around the shopping complex. It looked like any other cheap shopping center, with a daycare, dollar store, and smoke shop.

  However, there was a huge, pink, Spanish-inspired building that had him confused.

  “It’s Casa Bonita,” Hope said, pure glee twinkling in her hazel eyes.

  “Yeah, I can see the name. But what is it?”

  “It's a restaurant. And a dive show. And so much more.”

  He laughed. “Like in the South Park episode?”

  “The what?” She frowned.

  They headed toward the entrance. “I should’ve guessed. You’re not a South Park fan?”

  She shook her head, and her cheeks flushed pink.

  “Yeah. Didn’t think so.” Nick took her hand and let him lead the way.

  Inside, they had to go down a corridor to reach the hostess. She took their orders, ‘all-you-can-eat platters’, and sent them on.

  “You mean we carry our own food?” He blinked. He’d never carried his own food to his table at a restaurant. Not to mention, the food didn’t look very appetizing, either.

  “Yup. And when we get to the top of the ramp, that’s where they decide where to seat you. We want to ask to be as close to the waterfall as possible.”

  Nick looked around. The place was just like the cartoon show. There was a mariachi band playing, and a huge waterfall.

  The place looked like it had to be the biggest restaurant he’d ever been into.

  The attendant took them to a table, right next to the waterfall, like they’d asked.

  Their waitress joined them soon and explained the use of the red flag, to raise it anytime they needed something.

  For a Monday night, the place was rather busy.

  Seemingly unashamed of her appetite, Hope devoured her chicken all-you-can-eat meal. She even went back for a second round of cheese enchiladas. “I know most people don’t like the food here, but I’m the exception. I love the chicken.”

  Nick picked at his beef enchilada. It tasted about as good as it looked. But he’d been all around the world and had eaten cuisine in every country.

  What did he expect from some weird, off-the-wall restaurant in the outskirts of Denver?

  The sopapillas, on the other hand, were delicious. He raised the flag three times for more, even though it wasn’t healthy.

  Nick had been eating a very low-carb diet for the past few years. He could have a treat once in a while, and he’d work it all off when he got back to L.A..

  He had six weeks of rehearsals ahead of him. Not to mention, a nine-month tour. A few sopapillas wouldn’t hurt.

  After they finished their meal, his petite beauty showed him around the restaurant.

  There were caverns, a palace themed room, a veranda room, and a theater. Even a cave that reminded him of a cheesy funhouse.

  Nick’s favorite thing about the night was the old fashion photo studio. They picked out some slip-on garments that made them look like a gunslinger and a saloon girl, and posed in front of a backdrop.

  In all his years of Razor’s Edge and being on the road, he’d never done something like that.

  It was ridiculous, and yet the funnest thing he’d done in a long time.

  Besides having Hope naked beneath him, of course.

  It was close to ten p.m. before they finally made their way back to the hotel.

  He’d thoroughly enjoyed the day, and getting to glimpse Hope’s past. It made him feel a bit closer to her.

  Hope’s driving gave him time to contemplate what Blaze had said about being in love after two weeks. It was clear the depth of their love, his buddy and Grace.

  He felt the same way about Hope. He knew he loved her.

  Does she love me, too?

  She hasn’t said as much yet.

  There was still so much more he needed to know about her. Wanted to know. And the four letter word he needed from her was at the top of his mind.

  The time would come when Nick could say he knew everything about her. That time wasn’t now.

  He wasn’t looking forward to telling her he had to head back in the morning.

  Chapter 17

  They were barely out of the car when the bright lights of cellphone flashes and video cameras blinded them.

  Nick rushed around to Hope’s side, pulling her as close to his body as he could.

  All the while the paparazzi bombarded them with questions.

  “Nick, it is true your brother is being booked on assault charges?”

  “Hey, where’s Blaze? Heard he was locked up with some broad.”

  “Nick, who’s the new trollop?”

  “Is it true the upcoming joint tour is being canceled because of your family drama?”

  Normally, he’d take the time to answer a few questions, while continuing to walk to wherever his destination was.

  This time, he needed to hurry away from them.

  Hope tensed beside him, shrinking into his space.

  “No comment tonight. Thank you.” Nick pushed past the last few and into the hotel lobby.

  Unfortunately, one man followed. He must’ve thought he was being sneaky, keeping his cellphone down, but the camera was clearly pointed in their direction.

  This wasn’t Nick’s first time dealing with a guy like this.

  He pressed the second floor’s button, not their floor, then waited.

  The other man didn’t choose a floor.

  Hope wore a quizzical expression that her creased eyebrows.

  He couldn’t say anything, only nodded to acknowledge her confusion.

  The doors opened.

  “Have a nice night,” Nick said to the man, a bit forcefully. He grabbed Hope’s hand and rushed her out.

  Without a word, he headed down the hallway, toward the door to the stairwell. He stopped at a room, just a few doors from the stairs, and pretended to look for his room key, which was tucked away in his wallet.

  He needed time to make sure the man wasn’t following them.

  Luckily, the paparazzi had continued on in the elevator.

  Nick bolted for the stairwell, leading Hope to take the steps up to the last level.

  They were alone.

  He pulled the key out and rushed her into their room.

  The moment the door was closed, Hope burst into tears.

  Nick wrapped his arms around her and let her soak his shirt with her tears. Sure, he had sisters and had dealt with tears before, but this… What was he supposed to do?

  She didn’t have a reason to cry.

  At least, not any reasons he could think of.

  They’d had a marvelous day, visiting pieces of her life.

  What could she possibly be crying about?

  Should he ask?

  He held on tight, but walked her further into the room, trying to get to the box of tissues on the desk.

  When he could finally reach one, he stuck it between them.

  It took her a moment to realize it was there and she peeled herself off him.

  Nick wanted to hold her out by her shoulders and ask “what the hell is wrong with you?” but she spoke before he could form the words.

  “How do you live like that?”

  What?

  “I’m sorry,” he sputtered.

  “People, in your face like that! Does it happen often?” She wiped at her tears.

  “Um, yeah. Most days. You just get used to it.”

  Hope pushed away from him. “No.”

  He
waited a moment, frowning. He cocked his head to one side. “No? No, what?”

  “No, I won’t get used to it. This didn’t happen in L.A.. If I’d known…”

  “Damn it, Hope. What’re you saying?” Nick went to the fridge and pulled out a beer. He didn’t drink often, and he’d had a margarita with dinner. However, her drastic shift was getting to him.

  “Nothing.” She let out a huff and retreated to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

  Nick took a long pull on the beer.

  What the fuck was that about?

  He pulled his phone out and called Blaze. “Hey, how is Grace holding up?”

  “As well as can be expected. I think she’s looking forward to heading to L.A. tomorrow and starting new. She needs to put all this behind her. I’m glad management got on board and hooked us up with the company plane. I don’t think she could handle all the stares on a commercial flight. My beautiful woman does have a few visible marks. She’s brave. And stronger than most people I know. But she's been through a lot.”

  “Yeah, she has. And at the hands of my little brother. I don’t know if I can look her in the eye and not be overwhelmed with grief. Surely, there could’ve been somethi–”

  “Don’t go there, bro. You’ll tear yourself apart with the ‘what-ifs’. You’ve always been a great brother. Chuck just has issues. He always has. But never like this. No one could have seen this coming,” Blaze said.

  His best friend was right. Speaking of best friends, it wasn’t the right time to ask for help with Hope. He’d have to figure her out on his own.

  Wasn’t that what Nick had been thinking just hours ago?

  Getting to know her, all of her.

  That meant the bad, too.

  “What time is the flight?” he asked, needing a subject change.

  “Takeoff is at 2:30 p.m. So, I suggest we head to the airport around noon. What about Hope? Is she flying with us to L.A.? Or commercial back to… where does she live?”

  “Washington,” Nick heard Grace say in the background.

  “I...uh…don’t know. I’ll talk to her after she gets out of the bathroom. Guess I’m driving everyone to the airport tomorrow?”