Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
RORY
Ididn’t particularly feel like it, but Skeeter insisted on ice cream and a walk around the lake. I’d picked at my fries and burger a little while sitting down, but my stomach had twisted too much as the emotional turmoil bubbled inside me.
My body felt numb as I walked, the simple ice cream with caramel syrup feeling like it was clogging my throat with every mouthful.
Had she walked around the lake with ice cream? Had she sat on the bench by the garden? Was she thinking of me, or was Max right and she didn’t care about me?
The thought almost made me choke on my ice cream, but if she wasn’t actually my mom, maybe she had left because she didn’t want me?
“We should stop,” I mumbled, hating the way the words tasted in my mouth.
“Stop what? Walking? We can sit, if you want,” Skeeter offered, but I shook my head.
“Looking. Max was right, she left me because she wanted to.”
His fingers dug into the back of my neck as he dragged me around to face him, glaring at me.
“When is that piece of shit ever right? I get it, you’re emotionally fried right now, but deal with it so we can get back to the goal of finding her.”
“She left—”
“If she didn’t give a shit about you, then why did she raise you as her own, huh? She wouldn’t have spent so much time being a good mom to you if she didn’t want to. You claim she never came home but the cops say she did. Don’t you want answers?”
“She’s not even my mom,” I snapped, his eyes narrowing.
“Family doesn’t have to be blood. It’s about loyalty and respect. That woman raised you, so she’s your mom. What if she’s out there being abused and hoping you’ll find her one day? Roll with the punches, Aurora.”
“Can’t I take some time to fucking process the fact that my life has more lies?”
“No such thing as time for that. Anything could happen while you’re having your pity party.
You’ve been hanging around those rich pricks too long in their cushy lifestyle if you’re going to get emotional about this.
You’re used to the hard hits, and a few months ago, you would’ve just punched someone and moved on.
” He was being an asshole, so I swung at him, but he caught my fist, his free hand grabbing my chin firmly.
“If you need to burn some energy, we can go back to the hotel. I’m being a prick right now because you need it.
Focus. That guy said she was coming back for you, remember?
The shit in your head right now is just Max talking.
Drop the princess attitude and remember you’re a Heights kid. ”
He wasn’t wrong, my temper simmering as I eyed him.
“Be honest with me. What do you think happened to her?”
He released his grip, taking my empty ice cream cup to drop in the trash alongside his.
“I think this isn’t as simple as her running. Someone has her.”
“What do we do then?”
A sigh left him, and his tattooed fingers threaded with mine as he held my hand to start walking again.
“We enjoy the hotel while we have it, then when we get home tomorrow, I’ll start hunting through my connections for the possibility of her being sold to someone. Hopefully, there’s a lead.”
My hand tightened in his, and I was grateful when he didn’t let go, continuing to hold my hand all the way back to the hotel.
The pep talk had been good, but I still felt like I wanted to punch something and cry at the same time, so when we got back to our room, I shoved Skeeter.
He chuckled, the sinister sound causing tingles to shoot through me.
“Baby girl, are you picking a fight with me? If you want a distraction, you just have to ask.”
“I need something,” I growled, raking a hand through my hair. “I’m not in the mood, but I’m angry and just—”
“Get naked and I’ll fuck you until you break, then I’ll fuck you some more until you’re fixed,” he said without hesitation, stepping closer when I didn’t move. “Now, Aurora.”
I started stripping, hoping he fucked me until I passed out so I could just sleep, but he seemed to have different plans.
I’d barely kicked my panties off before he steered me towards the bed, forcing me back down onto it as he pulled his shirt over his head. I loved Skeeter naked. He really was a work of art.
He stripped out of his pants and boxers next, crawling across the bed to me and leaning down to kiss me, my hand automatically slipping between us to wrap around his cock.
I’d barely touched it before he pulled back, kissing and biting down my body until he buried his tongue in my pussy, my hips lifting as I cursed.
My hand moved to his head, my fingers fisting his hair as I ground against his face.
“Skeet—” I didn’t know what I wanted, I just needed more.
“I know, baby girl,” he murmured, pushing two fingers inside me and nipping my clit lightly.
He devoured me, and I hoped my scream wasn’t heard from the lower levels as he got me off fast then kept tonguing me through it.
I yanked him up by the hair to kiss him, his cock pressing against my pussy and making me squirm.
“You want my cock?” he asked between kisses, pulling back and getting to his feet before tugging me after him. I had no idea what he was doing until he pressed my chest against the cold window, his teeth biting into my neck from behind as he sank into me. “The view looks better when we’re fucking.”
I chuckled, arching my back and encouraging him deeper inside my pussy. “We’re probably lowering the property value.”
“You’re worth more than anyone in this place,” he promised, clasping the backs of my hands as he pressed my palms against the glass on either side of me.
“What if someone can see up here?”
“Then they have supernatural eyesight. Watching is usually my thing, but I see why he liked putting on a show.”
I didn’t dare ask who, knowing it was going to end the entire thing. Chances were high it was Hunter, and that would kill his mood fast if he realized what he’d said.
“You like putting on a show for the guys,” I panted, my body trembling.
“I like to prove to them that you’re not made of glass and I won’t break you.”
“They know I’m not made of glass. They fuck me like they hate me too sometimes, you know?”
He snarled, not liking the thought of someone else touching me right now when we were alone, and he spun me around, holding my throat as he lifted one of my legs to push back inside.
“You’re mine, Aurora. I might play along with their shit, but when we’re alone? They don’t exist,” he bit out, slamming into me again and again until I came so hard my leg gave out.
I whined as he pulled away from me, but interest hit me as he returned with his knife.
“Say it,” he said sharply, sliding inside me again and pressing the blade to the center of my chest.
I swallowed, the words tasting bitter as I answered and pushed thoughts of Slash from my mind, knowing what he wanted.
“I’m yours.”
A whimper left me as he dragged the blade down between my breasts, the sharp sting being exactly what I needed as he started grinding into me.
Thankfully, he held me up and followed a second later, both of us breathing heavily as he dropped the knife to the floor. He eyed the blood as it dripped down my body, his attention flicking to my eyes as his hand rested against my throat possessively.
“You’re awfully clingy for a guy that doesn’t date,” I joked between breaths, his fingers flexing on my throat as he toyed with my pulse with his thumb.
“You’re the one that didn’t want this conversation. Don’t open the door unless you want to talk about it,” he warned, pressing his forehead to mine. “Tonight you’re just mine, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered, holding his gaze as he studied me.
I almost blurted out that I was fucking his boss out of pure guilt, but I pushed it down. He wanted tonight to be just us, so I’d give him that.
“Let’s have a shower and call room service. I want food and whiskey,” he grinned as he finally pulled away, tilting his head for me to follow him into the bathroom.
Seeing Skeeter so relaxed among fancy shit was almost amusing. He figured out how to work the complicated shower, and he used way too much shampoo and conditioner, just because he could.
By the time we were both clean and wrapped in robes, we were ready to lay in bed with some TV and food. Skeeter ordered room service and drinks, giving me a moment to check my phone.
Lukas: How’s it going? Miss you Xx
I sighed, my fingers hesitating over the buttons. I wanted to tell him about what we’d found out, but it felt wrong to text it.
“Call him,” Skeeter said as he curled up next to me, reading the message.
“Tonight’s just us.”
“It’s important. Besides, I just didn’t want you thinking about them when I was balls deep in you,” he grumbled, pressing the call button so I couldn’t avoid it.
It rang twice before Lukas answered, his voice quiet. “Hey. You didn’t have to call if you’re busy.”
“We found out some things,” I said softly as I put it on speaker, unsure what to start with. “Mom’s boyfriend still lives here.”
“Really? That’s great,” he said enthusiastically.
“He had a lot to say.” I swallowed, emotion thick in my voice as I continued. “She’s not my mom, Luke.”
There was a pause before he replied. “What does that even mean? Of course she’s your mom.”
“She was Max’s mistress, apparently. My real mom died giving birth to me, so Marla raised me as her own.”
“He might be full of shit. Do you need me? I can get in the car and come to you right now,” he offered.
“I’m okay. We’re just hanging out at the hotel. Skeet’s ordered us room service.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Golden Starling. Skeet wants to live out his rich boy fantasy,” I said dryly, making the man in question scoff.
“Josie wanted you safe. This is safe.”
“I could’ve hired security for that cost,” I muttered, and Lukas chuckled.
“Take photos and show me. I bet it’s nice.”
“For twenty k, it better be,” I deadpanned. “Hang on, I’ll video call you.” I figured out how to make the damn thing work since I hadn’t had to use it before, then I tilted the camera at us. “Can you see us?”