by S Kline
He pulls into the parking lot of a high-rise hotel and shifts the car into park. I look up at the large expanse of modern architecture in front of us. It’s gorgeous, the setting sun shining over the large expanse of windows. “Let’s rest up tonight. I’ll take you to your meeting tomorrow, and then I’ll handle what I came here for.”
I bow my head in acknowledgment and watch as he climbs out. His long, lean body walks around the front of the car to my door. This is going to be harder than I thought. How had I thought I could handle a week alone with him? Marcus. Every time I started to get carried away by desire, I would just have to remember that Marcus would never look at me the same way. I would no longer be his best friend Kaci. I would be one of Troy’s whores. I don’t think I could ever handle that.
I step out as Troy pulls the door open for me, ignoring his outstretched hand I walk ahead of him. Being away from the beach has me shivering as the cooler air sweeps over my skin. I hadn’t even thought about what the temperature difference might be, and grimace at the thought of the many t-shirts I’d packed in my bag. I guess bringing the one sweatshirt was a good idea.
We walk inside, and I wait patiently in the Grecian-style themed lobby as Troy flirts with the woman behind the concierge desk. Long dark hair angles over her narrow jaw, her smile lighting up as Troy speaks with her. She is really pretty, and her eyes slant slightly in an exotic way that makes her even more breathtaking.
I unsuccessfully try to convince myself that the deep pull in my gut isn’t because of the way Troy is no longer paying attention to me. Coming here was a ridiculously stupid idea, and when the woman giggles seductively at something Troy says I have to swallow back the unreasonable hurt that ricochets in my chest.
I say nothing as Troy approaches me, smiling in his always charming way with his eyes lit up in devilish delight. When he takes in my tense jaw and pursed lips he stills, his smile drops from his lips and is replaced with a concerned frown. He starts to say something, but I move quickly over to the bank of elevators. I board as soon as the mirrored doors open on a quiet swish, and wait for him to climb in after me.
His face is screwed up in confusion, and his blue gaze roams over my face. I remain indifferent and ignore him until he presses the number fifty-two on the key-pad. I can see in the reflection of the doors that he wants to say something, his lips parting before closing again on a quiet exhale, but he doesn’t. The elevator ride is filled with nothing besides the sound of our even breaths, and the intoxicating, warm scent that is purely Troy.
I step off quickly and then realize I’m not sure which room is ours so I have to stop and wait. I catch Troy’s smirk as he steps around me. I follow behind him until he stops outside of a heavy dark-farmed wooden door. He slides a key card into the lock, and pushes the door open.
I take in the massive hotel suit before me and gasp a little when I see the view of the city lights twinkling in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls are a pale blue, and contrast nicely with the view outside. The furniture is a mixture of white and light colored wood, modern furniture mixed with a classical feel.
I walk into the bedrooms and sigh in relief, two beds, thank God! I don’t think I could have handled laying down next to Troy all night. I can only imagine what those dreams would have entailed.
The beds are set in the middle of the room and are only separated only by a twisted, black nightstand. Cream colored duvets layer the mattress, looking plush and feminine. At least ten pillows rest at the top of the bed and I childishly want to hide beneath them and disappear.
I go completely still as heat washes over my spine. Troy steps up behind me. He isn’t touching me, but his body radiates warmth in the most delicious way, covering me completely in his masculinity. For my own sanity I need to put some distance between us.
I run over and jump up onto the far bed that I’m claiming as mine. The smile that lights up Troy’s face as he watches me make my knees go weak, and my heart skip a beat. Thankfully I’m not standing, because that look could easily have me falling to the floor at his feet. My eyes drop the fly off his jeans at the thought of being on my knees before him, but I blink away quickly, admiring a black and white painting of the ocean hanging against the wall instead.
“I’m going to order up some dinner.” His stomach growls loudly as he speaks making me laugh and him smirk boyishly.
I bob my head and hope the dim lighting will keep my heated skin from his view. “I’ll just have a burger and fries.”
His cups his jaw, running his long fingers over the stubble there, as his eyes shimmer in amusement. “We are in this fancy hotel and you want a burger and fries?” Blue eyes study me closely.
“Yes.” I let the word slide slowly from my lips, my brow rising in confusion. What’s wrong with a burger and fries? Should I have asked for a salad?
His smile grows bigger. “I’ll go place the order. You want anything to drink?”
I shake my head and slip my phone from my pocket as he walks out. I dial quickly and I’m not surprised when Marcus answers before I even hear the phone ring.
“Are you okay?” His words sound rushed and he is breathing hard.
I bet he was out running. He tends to go on long runs when he is stressed about something, and he made it pretty clear that he is stressed about my being alone with Troy.
“I’m fine, are you okay? You sound like you just ran a mile.”
He chuckles. “Probably because I did, some of us have to work to maintain our figures.” I hear some shuffling in the background and a door closing.
“Are you just getting home?” I can’t keep the curiosity from my tone, my gut telling me something isn’t right.
His hesitation before he responds doesn’t lessen the feeling. It only makes my stomach drop to my feet for some unknown reason. “Yeah, how was the trip?”
Diverting the conversation? “It was fine.” My voice is a little lilted, the way it gets when I’m on edge about something. “I slept for most of it.”
“You trusted that fucker enough to fall asleep within arm’s reach of him?” Marcus’s words are sharp, holding an edge of animosity I’ve never heard from him before. I know he doesn’t like Troy, but what exactly did he think was going to happen?
“He isn’t like that Marcus. He wouldn’t hurt me.” Marcus is really starting to irritate me with this ridiculous behavior, and it’s evident in my tone.
He sighs heavily again. “Sorry, boo. I’m just worried. I’m glad you’re okay, but I really need a shower.” Marcus’s voice is back to the warm staccato I’m so fond of.
I smile softly. “I’ll call you tomorrow then.”
“Sounds like a plan. Love you boo.”
“Love you too.”
He clicks off and I set my phone down on the mattress beside me just as a Troy raps his knuckles against the door frame. Was it just really good timing, or had he been eavesdropping?
“Time to eat.” His face is blank and I can’t get a read on what he’s thinking.
Going for humor to lighten the situation I widen my eyes at him. “How did you get it up here so fast?”
“I have my ways. Come on.” He tilts his head and turns to walk out.
What is his deal? I swear he has more mood swings then I have when I’m PMSing. I stand following behind him, inhaling his warmth, watching his muscles flex against his t-shirt with his movements.
I flick my gaze around, looking for anything to draw my attention away from the devastating man in front of me.
My gaze stops on the already laid out table. Plates topped with the most mouth-watering looking burgers rest on the tarnished wood. I sit down quickly, ready to see if it tastes as good as it looks.
“It looks delicious.” My stomach grumbles loudly as if to emphasize my words.
Troy laughs at me, finally relaxing from his mercurial mood swing. “Dig in.”
He takes the seat across from me. I let my gaze jump briefly to his before looking back at my plate as I
breathe in the salty smell of the fries, the heavenly scent of the delicious looking burger. My mouth is watering so intensely I’m ready for drool to start pooling from my lips. How had I not realized I was this hungry?
The burger is thick and juicy, topped with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. I lick my lips, my eyes zeroing in on the melted cheese. Troy’s roughened voice pulls my attention back to the present.
“Are you going to eat it or eye fuck it?” His voice sounds strained and I chance a look up to see his icy eyes are darker, clouded under heavy lids. The fierce look there makes me tingle, everywhere. This is unsafe territory.
I clear my throat and take my first bite. The juices dance over my tongue, my eyes squeeze tight, and I groan appreciatively. This burger has to be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
“Are you trying to fucking kill me?” Troy’s tone has dropped to a dangerously low octave that caresses my skin in an unfamiliar way that drives me crazy, but why is he so angry?
I open my eyes again, and the look on Troy’s face can only be described as predatory. What was his deal? I chew my food quickly to ask what his problem is, but he stands and storms past me into the bedroom, his food forgotten.
I watch his figure retreat into the darkness before he slams the door shut behind him. I have no idea what just happened, but I wish he had stayed. I feel more nervous knowing that I have somehow upset him. I don’t know how to handle this side of Troy. It isn’t something I understand or have seen in him before.
I look at my plate and grab a fry, dipping it in the warm cheese sauce on the side of my plate. I nibble at my food slowly, taking my time, really enjoying the flavors as I think to myself.
I thought food made men less grumpy? Maybe he is just worn out from the trip? Yeah, that had to be it. He’s just worn out and needs to rest up. Then he will return to the wild playboy that I’m used to. I rushed through the rest of my meal, savoring every delicious bite.
When I finish I put the metal cover back over my plate, and place it back on the cart. I cover Troy’s forgotten plate and place it on the counter. Maybe he will eat while I’m in bed. He really should eat. I push the cart gently into the hall to await room service.
I close the door and walk back into the bedroom. I am surprised to find it empty. The bathroom light is peeking through the crack at the bottom of the door so I guess that’s where Troy had gone to. Maybe the shower will relieve some of his tension and he will be calmer when he comes in.
I change quickly, barely removing one clothing item before replacing it with the next, until I am in cotton shorts and a tank. It’s what I usually wear to bed, but as I look down at myself I have to wonder if I should have brought something that covered a bit more. Maybe sleep pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt?
My head snaps up as the bathroom door swings open, and Troy steps out, his bare chest on display for my ravenous gaze. He is cut to perfection, my mouth waters as my eyes travel a path from his finely defined pecks to the V at his hips. His jeans are unbuttoned, and the soft denim molds to his lean thighs perfectly.
So I guess he wasn’t showering. What was he doing? I can’t tear my gaze away from him, my palms are sweaty, and my heart is thundering. He slowly unzips his jeans and pushes them down his muscular thighs. I can feel his gaze on me, watching me watch him, but he says nothing.
My tongue darts over my lips, trying to quell the craving to run it over his abs. After he slips his jeans off he tosses them across the room and stands up straight, wearing nothing more than a pair of black boxer briefs. At least I think they are black. I curse this room for being so dark, because I know his dick will be clearly visible otherwise in the tight fabric. But with the only light coming from the bathroom behind him I can see nothing.
I shake my head. Why would I want to see anything? I don’t want to see anything. What is wrong with me?
He reaches around, flicking the wall light off behind him, and I hear his heavy steps pad through the darkness right before his bed squeaks and his covers ruffle in the stillness.
I take a deep, shaky breath and crawl into bed. My hands are trembling with the desire to feel him under my palms. This isn’t like me, and I need to get a grip on this. If I keep being so fucking obvious he’ll have me on my back for sure.
Chill the fuck out Kaci! I toss and turn knowing he is so close to me, and yet so far away. Wondering if he is as desperate for my touch as I now am for his. I really doubt it. I force myself to shut him out of my mind, but all I can see is his devilish smirk until I am once again drifting into a fitful sleep.
Chapter Six
Troy
I didn’t sleep at all. My eyes are dry and scratchy, my body aches, and my mind has been running at a breakneck pace. Between those fucking sex noises that whisper softly from Kaci’s lips as she sleeps, and the impending work ahead I am a wreck.
I have shamelessly jerked off, twice, listening to Kaci sleep. I really am as disgusting as she’d earlier claimed, but she can’t expect to moan in her sleep like that, only feet away from me, and expect me to handle it well. I didn’t handle it well. I wanted nothing more than to crawl in that bed with her.
I inhale the smell of fresh linen as my gaze roams across the pale blue walls, the open terrace windows, the white curtains billowing with the breeze. I had opened the balcony doors after one of my many trips to the bathroom throughout the night. This weather just couldn’t make up its mind. It was warm now, but with winter approaching there would be random days that were cold enough to freeze your balls off.
I roll my head over my pillow and gaze at Kaci sleeping peacefully across the room. Her perfect brown hair is lying silkily across her pillow, her chest rising and falling evenly with every breath. The deep hum in her throat stirs an emotion in me that I’m not familiar with, and that makes me uncomfortable. I rub absently at the tightness in my chest.
I really wish there had only been a one-bed room available. I know she would never let me touch her, but to have her making those little sounds in my ear as she sleeps would be like heaven, to feel the heat of her body, the softness of her skin… and I was hard again.
I move my head around between my shoulders as I sit up, lifting my arms above my head to feel the pull of my muscles as I stretch. The look on Kaci’s face last night when I’d stripped down to my boxers to climb into bed had been priceless. She could have said a hundred different things with those deep blue eyes, but all they were saying was that they wanted me.
I sigh tiredly, running my fingers through my hair. At least in my head that’s what they were saying. More than likely they were calling me disgusting again, and begging me to pull a shirt on. I glance down and admire my well-cut abs. Only Kaci could make me doubt what so many other women have admired most about me.
I stand and walk into the attached bathroom, again. I turn on the faucet and splash the cool water over my face. I glance up in the mirror, flinching back as it reflects tired eyes at me. For a brief second I freeze at the resemblance to my old man. Is that what my future will be like? My son visiting me in prison every week? I push those thoughts from my mind and flick off the water faucet. I run my wet hands through my hair, making it spike around my head.
Rumor has it that Neason Molony’s right-hand, Delvin Kennedy, had a shack buried in the hills on the south-side of Westin. Word also had it that Delvin Kennedy was responsible for my mother’s death. The notes I’d found at my dad’s cabin stated that Neason had no knowledge of the hit, but I don’t see how that could be possible.
It doesn’t even make sense. Why would his right-hand man go rouge, risk the wrath of the Molony Crime Family, the wrath of Fianna Fáil, just to shoot my mother? An innocent. If there were one thing I am positive of, it is my mother’s innocence. She may have married my father, immersed herself in this hell by association, but she hadn’t participated in any of it. That much I could say with certainty.
I take one last look in the mirror before stepping back into the bedroom of the suite. Kaci is
sitting up in bed with her head resting in her palms. Her clothes are rumpled, her top rising slightly to reveal the creamy skin of her side. My chest constricts with emotion.
She really is too beautiful. She always has been. Like an angel I can see but never touch. My phone belts out and both of our eyes snap to the table between the beds where it rests. I walk over and mumble a curse as Addie’s name flashes on the screen.
Kaci is too far away to have seen, but she stands and moves slowly to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I groan in frustration, wanting to go after Kaci, but knowing that I needed to answer this call. I also know Kaci probably went in there to get away from me and used my phone ringing as an excuse.
“Troy.” My words are clipped, cold even to my own ears.
“Where are you?” Addie’s words are distraught. I wonder if she can hear how desperate she sounds.
“Westin. What difference does it make to you?” I am really getting annoyed at whatever is happening here, whatever game she is playing.
What happened to the mellow girl I used to play video games with? I rub at my temples to relieve the headache that is settled there from her voice alone. Was pregnancy the cause for all of her behaviors? Did pregnancy make women this crazy?
“Don’t you think you should have told me?”
“Let’s get this straight now Ads. We are not together, okay? Not now, not ever. I don’t owe you any explanations.” I punctuate my words with a jab to the air that she can’t see, but that makes me feel better by the action alone.
Her strangled gasp is followed by a shuddered breath and a hiccupped sob. “Fine. I guess I’ll just find someone else then.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Unless it’s about the kid don’t call me again. I’ll talk to you when I get back.”
I hang up. I have nothing else to say, and childishly I want to get her back for doing it to me the last time we talked. What the hell is going on with her? She is so fucking moody. I grab my jeans and tug them back on roughly, leaving them unbuttoned.