Chapter 13
Deuce
“So, tell me, Lauralyn. How did the two of you meet?”
All weekend Hemsworth’s been wrapped up in my girl.
I honestly think she’s singlehandedly sealed the deal for us.
He’s completely taken with her. But how can you not be.
She’s captivating. Pretty. Intelligent. And don’t even get me started on that little pussy.
I can’t seem to get enough of it. And if I weren’t trying to close this deal, I’d have her locked in my room fucking her around the clock.
“We met in high school,” she tells him.
“High school sweethearts?” He almost sounds disappointed.
“Not exactly.” She gives me a look, which I return with a wink.
“We weren’t even friends back in school.
” That’s putting it mildly. We were more like high school nemeses.
“But you grow up and realize how wrong you were about a person. How na?ve you were about yourself.” She smiles and the warmth spreads in my chest. “But I also think you take comfort in the familiarity. Knowing they were a part of your past in some way. That your memories are woven with theirs.”
It doesn’t feel like an act. Nothing about this weekend has felt like a transaction. It’s been real. Every conversation. Every moment. Every touch. It’s felt like something is growing between us. This…us… It doesn’t stop here. Not if I have any say in the matter.
“Torch,” I say, thankful for the interruption.
He has perfect timing. I’m guessing he’s here to collect Hemsworth’s daughter for the evening.
She actually joined us for dinner tonight.
She and her boyfriend. Whom I’ve learned Hemsworth is not a fan of.
Neither is Torch by the way he’s glaring at the guy.
“Do you have plans with our guests tonight?” I ask.
“I’ve got tickets to an exclusive attraction. It’s a surprise though. Are you two ready to head out?” He looks toward Evie.
“I’m a little tired.” She gives a fake yawn as if trying to find an excuse to head back to her room instead.
I am too. I’m ready to take my princess back upstairs and worship every inch of her.
“It’s only seven-thirty,” her boyfriend whines like a child. I can see why her father isn’t a fan of his. He’s nowhere near as mature as Evie and nowhere near as smart.
“Okay, fine. I’ll go.” She stands on a huff, looking annoyed. Torch, on the other hand, is enjoying the exchange.
“Aren’t you forgetting something, babe?” Her boyfriend nudges her in the side. He’s such a tool. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask your dad?”
“Oh, right.” The girl practically rolls her eyes. I’m not getting the impression she’s a fan of his either. “Caleb was wondering if he could fight in the fight next weekend. Would you be able to arrange it?”
I look to her boyfriend, then up at Torch who’s nearly towering over him, and I mentally shake my head. The guy clearly has a death wish.
“He’ll be up against Torch,” I state.
“I can take him.” Caleb huffs out a laugh as he looks toward his opponent. “That’s a piece of cake.”
The guy may be ripped with muscles like he spends every waking moment in the gym. A puffed-out chest, suitcase arms, veins supercharged with ‘roids. But Torch… He’s as lethal as they come. I’ve faced him down a few times, and had we not been friends, he could’ve ended my life.
“Wait. He’ll be fighting you?” Hemsworth’s daughter looks toward Torch, and my brother smirks.
“Yes, little one. It’s me he has to take down in that ring.”
Fat fucking chance.
“Oh.” Her throat swallows hard. “Maybe you shouldn’t do this, Caleb.”
“Come on.” The beefcake shakes his head. “You know how fucking strong I am.”
Strength is only fifty percent of it.
“It’s up to Torch,” I say. “He gets to choose his opponents.”
“Fine.” Torch turns toward the fool. “You can fight. But you have to agree to the stakes.” He leans in close to the guy, whispering something indecipherable to the rest of us, but Caleb’s eyes are round now. His stare is darting to his girlfriend Evie. I’m curious as to the deal he’s striking.
“Yeah, fine,” Caleb agrees. “I’m gonna kick your ass anyway.”
Those steroids have clearly gone to his head. No one in Vegas will ever bet against Torch. He’s known as The Exterminator for a reason.
“Shake on it,” Torch says, holding out his hand.
“What are the stakes?” Evie looks nervously at her boyfriend.
“Come. We have to get going or we’ll be late.” Torch ignores her question and waits for them to follow his lead. He’s going to owe me an explanation later. I’m more than curious as to what he wants with the girl.
“We should probably go, too.” Portia makes another attempt to rub up against Hemsworth. “It’s getting late.”
“I’d like to hear more about you in high school.” He turns his attention back to my princess.
“She was the prettiest,” I tell him. “And the smartest. Every boy in our grade had a crush on her.” Me included.
She looks surprised. I think she thought I had a different tale to tell.
We both were wrong about each other. I didn’t know anything about her or what she was living through.
I just assumed she was a princess living a charmed life in her castle.
But she was fighting her own demons like the rest of us.
“I’m getting tired,” Laur says, tucking in closer to my side. “Is it okay if we go upstairs now?”
My focus should be on Hemsworth and his wants, especially since tomorrow is the day he decides our fate, but I’m done sharing my girl with him.
“Yeah, baby.” I take her hand and stand, turning toward a disappointed Hemsworth. “We’ll meet in the morning to finalize everything. Hope you two have a good evening.”
I wrap my arm around Laur’s waist and lead her out. I’m ready for the silence. Ready to be curled around her body and breathing her in.
“You did good, princess.” I put my private key into the elevator. “But I’ll admit. I was getting jealous of the old guy.”
“Jealous? Why?”
I pull her in close, tucking her hair back behind her ear. “Because he had all of your attention.”
“I was only doing what I was paid to do. But the guy is old enough to be my dad. I’m thankful I got to spend my weekend with you instead of him.”
The reminder of our deal twists my gut. She’s merely doing what she’s paid to do. “What if I told you I don’t want this to be over, Laur? What if I don’t want to let you go?”
Her hands wrap around my neck. “Then don’t. You’re welcome to keep me if you like.”
I lean down and kiss her soft and sweet. My feelings for the girl have gone from one extreme to the other. From hate to love. From never wanting to see her face again to I can’t imagine not waking up to her messy hair and that pretty smile.
The elevator doors open and I lift her up, carrying her straight to our bed. I’m hoping I can convince her to move in with me.
“What would you say to packing some things up from your place and filling up some of my drawers?”
Her smile is so bright, beaming right into my chest.
“I’d say it’s going to cost you.” She winks.
“How much are we talking?” I know she’s just teasing, so I play along.
But I am going to deal with her financial issues.
My woman is no longer going to be shaking those tits to make a buck.
I don’t want her showing them to another man ever again.
She needs to focus on school—and me. I want her undivided attention whenever she’s not studying.
“Lots and lots of kisses.” She bites down on her smile. “I like your licks too. The way your tongue fucks into me.” I’m going to lick that little cunt right now, drill her hard. “And this.” She squeezes my dick through my pants. “I’m going to need it multiple times a day.”
Fuck. She’s going to make me come.
“Tell you what. You move in here permanently, and I’ll give you everything. Everything your heart desires.”
“My heart desires you.”
The words nearly make my heart stop, stealing my breath. I’m going to marry this girl. Lauralyn Paisley Prince is going to be my wife. The princess is going to be mine. Talk about a crazy twist to my story.
“My heart desires you too, baby. With a capital L.” It feels too soon to speak the truth, but I need her to know how deep things are going for me.
The tears in her eyes say it all. It’s a done deal. This girl is mine.