“Yes, you do.”
I was burning to ask more questions, to find out more about Harrison. Ryder seemed to know a lot about the man. But if I kept asking he would be suspicious, so I decided to bide my time. Every time I met with Jade or Ryder, I’d fish a little more.
I wasn’t the most patient person, but when something—or rather, someone—intrigued me like Harrison did, I made a point of finding out as much as I could.
A female voice in the background called Ryder’s name. “Jade’s calling me. We’re just on our way out with Max and Rebecca. I’ll call you in a few days to make arrangements to catch up soon, okay?”
“Sure. I’d love that.” I wish I’d gone to New York too. It would have distracted my thoughts from the broody cop who was filling my mind lately. And I was eager to meet Maxwell.
“Eva? If Summers tries to contact with you . . . just don’t do anything stupid, yeah?”
What I found most amusing was how Ryder didn’t want me to get mixed up with Harrison. He thought Summers was as bad for me as what Ryder was supposed to be for Jade.
Interesting. Very interesting.
But Ryder had nothing to worry about. Harrison was staying away.
Chapter Twenty — Harrison
After all this time, ten years later, I still woke in the middle of the night screaming, with cold sweats and a thundering heart.
It was always the same nightmare: me shouting to Amy to watch out, her eyes wide as she placed her hands protectively over her stomach before her knees folded under her and she sank to the ground. Then the dream morphed and I was holding a crying baby, but before I could do anything, an eerie silence fell and the baby went quiet. It was that silence, so thick it could be cut with a knife, that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I'd get no sleep once woken by the nightmare, so when it happened I'd have a shower to clear my mind and then head down to the closest bar where it didn’t matter what time it was, they’d be open for pathetic fuckers like me who couldn’t stand to be alone. I was never disappointed. There were always women hanging around, too disillusioned with life to go home to an empty bed.
Sometimes I’d just fuck them in the unisex bathroom. I'd want to get it over quickly and head back home for another shower. Other times I’d need a body to stick around for a few hours, so we’d get a room at the closest motel and fuck like rabbits until the sun came up and I passed out from sheer exhaustion.
For the first few years, I'd hold her tightly afterwards, trying to find comfort in the warmth of her body. But I never did, shivering as my cock lay limp between us.
I needed a double—to drink and to screw. One chick wasn’t going to take my mind off everything that was rattling through my brain. I threw back the scotch I’d ordered and surveyed the room.
Two women sitting across from me on low sofas smiled knowingly as their greedy gazes scanned my body. I was in shape, because I worked out like a fucking demon every day, burning off the stress and anger and every emotion in between. It didn’t matter how busy my schedule was, I always found time to do some form of exercise. Sometimes it was the only thing that kept me sane.
I smiled lazily at them, checking out their assets. Blondie had big tits—I could bury my face in there and forget the world for a while.
The brunette glanced at me from under her lashes as she shifted in her seat, spreading her legs so that I could see she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Lust spread through my veins like wildfire. Yes, tonight I’d found my happiness—even if only for a few hours while I pounded into their willing flesh. I already knew they were a package deal, and I couldn’t wait to have my cock sucked while I ate some pussy.
“Ladies,” I drawled as I sauntered over to their table, “what a lovely surprise.” I plunked my ass down next to the pantiless brunette.
“I'm guessing it's our lucky night, big boy. See, I told you, Trisha; the best ones crawl out after midnight.” She winked at her friend as she leaned over and placed her hand on my cock. “You have something in mind?” she asked, licking her lips.
“Sure do,” I said, letting her stroke over the tight fabric of my jeans as I leaned back, my hands behind my head. These chicks were good. Tonight was going to be fun.
“Go get us a bottle of champagne to go. No, make it two,” I said to Blondie. She grinned as she took the cash from me and made her way to the bar counter.
“And your name is?” I asked as I slid my hand up the chick’s thigh and found her bald pussy. She opened her legs wider and gasped as I pressed two fingers inside. I didn’t waste time; I went straight for gold. Besides, I had to check the merchandise before I made the exchange. So far, so good; she was wet and tight and ready.