Urban Climber 2 (7 page)

“I’m engaged. Don’t you see this ring? That’s his promise to me and my promise to him.” Ash puts his hand on my heart, and I flinch. I can’t stop it from racing—I can’t stop myself from reacting to his touch. I look up, my eyes locking with his. “Ash, please,” I whimper. “I want you to forget about what we did. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“So what were you thinking?”

“I was thinking of myself … of the lust I felt for you. Not of the future.”

He shakes his head, his hand still resting on my heart. “I’m hearing a whole other story.”

“So what are you saying, Ash? What do you want me to do?”

His thumb trails down and over my cheekbone. “I’m saying that I’ve fallen in love with you, Laura. And what you do with that is completely up to you.”

I don’t know how I got back to Mel’s that afternoon. I cried the entire way home. I could hardly see where I was going, but I kept driving. Without a plan, without music, without my yellow daisy car to keep me safe.

Laura Hemsworth in a Lexus. How is that even possible? Laura Hemsworth with a ring so big that women glare at me in the lights, like, fully give me death stares. I’m lining up to be the next trophy wife of the century. And I’m not even excited. Not even a little. Trapped? Sure. Confused? You betcha. But excited? I don’t even know what that feels like anymore.

Shit. Now the phone in his car is ringing, but I don’t know how to pick up. My car didn’t even have a CD player in it, let alone Bluetooth, sensors, Wi-Fi, and leather seats that automatically heat up if it’s cold out. In my submarine, it was a great day if I could get the driver’s window to roll up and stay up. Thinking about it, it’s a wonder it wasn’t stolen. Then again, I guess no one wants an old, clapped-out bomb. Especially one covered in daisies.

“Hello?” I sob, pressing every button on the dash. “Who’s there? Hello? How do I pick up this stupid phone?”

“You have, darling. Calm down. It’s me,” he laughs.

“Oh,” I sigh. “Hey, Hugo.”

“What happened? Are you okay? Jesus. Please tell me you haven’t crashed the car. Do you know how much it’s worth?”

“I’m okay, Hugo,” I sniff, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “No, I haven’t been in a crash. The car is fine.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“I had a tough day, that’s all.”

“Did you go to class?”

“Yes, I couldn’t miss any more lectures. It was freaking me out too much.”

“But what about your face?”

“I covered it.”

“I told you not to go out until you had healed completely. Do you know how your face makes me look?”

“Don’t worry; hardly anyone noticed.”

“So someone did?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“You saw him again, didn’t you?”

“Hugo, he’s in my class. What do you expect me to do?”

“Don’t talk to him. You hear me? I don’t want you going near the guy.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Today was the first time I’ve seen him since …”

“Since when? Since you fucked him?”

“Please, Hugo. Don’t get upset. I made a mistake, just as you did. There’s no need to get worked up about it.”

“You’re right, doll. That was wrong, and I know I shouldn’t have done what I did to you. The way I reacted was unforgivable. But the thought of losing you turns my head into a spin. My wires get all into a jumble—do you understand what I mean?”

I frown, picturing my monkey. “Yes, I know what you mean.”

“Anyway, you’ll be pleased to hear I’ve made an appointment to see the psychologist.”

“Who?”

“Dr. Melnick.”

“My Dr. Melnick?”

“Well, she helped you, didn’t she? I thought she could help me too.”

“I didn’t think you were going to go through with it.”

“After the way I reacted, it’s very clear that I need to see someone. I’m serious about our relationship, and I’m very serious about you. I’ll do all I can to be a better man.”

“Thank you,” I sniffle, my eyes filling with tears. “Thank you, baby.”

“And I called the bank; everything is sorted. You don’t have to worry about a thing. Your parents will be looked after.”

“Oh, Hugo,” I whisper. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Do you forgive me?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you were here, baby.”

“Same,” I sniff. “I don’t even know why I wanted to come back now.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Oh well, Mel has just been distant ever since I got back, and I came here to get away from you, so now that we’re back together, what’s the point of me being here?”

“You tell me.” He laughs. “You know I wanted you to come back with me. And so do your parents. They miss you dreadfully.”

“It’s just I hate moving, Hugo.”

“Yeah, I know. You’ve done enough of that to last you a lifetime. I get it. But if you change your mind, you just call me, and I’ll send the jet for you.”

“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that. It’s not worth the money.”

“Money?” He laughs. “Who cares about money? I do care about my dick though, and it’s got a permanent ache at the moment.”

“But you haven’t—”

“Fucked anyone? No. And I’ve been counting the days since I did. It’s killing me, I hope you realize. We may have to take up other ways to keep me satisfied.”

“Huh?”

“The photo was nice and all, but it wasn’t enough. So I was thinking …”

I don’t like the sound of this. The photo was bad enough.

“When you get home, I want you to lock your bedroom door and call me on your laptop.”

“Why?”

“Oh, come on now, Laura. Don’t act so innocent. Just do what I ask. Do you understand?”

I’ve always found it hard to say no to him. He’s very persuasive. Very demanding. Very … authoritative in his wants and desires of me. This particular night, as it turns out, more so than ever.

***

“Hi, Hugo.”

“Turn on the camera.”

“Why? I look a mess. I didn’t bring my straightener, and I know you like it straight, so you’re not going to like what you see.”

“Turn it on. Trust me, I’m not going to be looking at your hair.”

I lean forward, fiddling with the settings on my computer.

“There you are, darling.” He smiles, resting his hands behind his head. “Still got the ring on, I see. That’s a nice change.”

I giggle, wiggling my fingers at him in the camera. “Yup, here it is.”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s kinda big.”

“Do you know exactly how big?”

I roll my eyes. “Big enough for every girl in town to give me the evil eye. Hope you’re happy.”

“Let them sulk. As long as the cocks in New York understand you’re my property, that’s all that matters.”

“Property? Is that how you think of me?”

“Why do you always want to pick a fight?”

“I don’t,” I pout. “Sorry.”

“Good, well, take a seat.”

“Why did you want to see me? Please tell me it’s nothing major. I don’t think I could deal with any more drama this week. What with Mel’s tantrums and ironing out our issues, I’m feeling pretty drained.”

“I don’t want to see you to chat.”

“Huh?”

“Come on, Laura, use your head. You know what I’m talking about. Is your bedroom door locked?”

“No.”

“Well, unless you want to invite Mel to join us, I suggest you lock it.”

“In your dreams,” I snort. “What’s so great about two girls hooking up anyway? I don’t get the fascination.”

He exhales. “Maybe in time, you will.”

“Doubt it.” I laugh, walking to the door and turning the lock.

“Now, put the computer on the floor and push the screen back so I can look up at you.”

“I’m not a stripper.”

“Aren’t you?”

“No,” I blush, “I’m not. And I don’t want you looking up my skirt.”

“Why? I’ve seen your panties before. Now put the laptop on the ground.”

“But, Hugo—”

“I called the bank, and they’ve sorted everything out.”

“Yes, you already told me. Thank you.”

“Well, then? Be a good girl.”

I guess this is the start of my repayment, and I’ve got a feeling the interest is going to be higher than any credit card I own. Way higher.

“Mmm. Your legs look nice. So do your tits.” He smiles, leaning back into the sofa. “Turn your back to me and bend over.”

“Don’t you want me to turn on some music or dance a little?”

“No.”

“So, what, you’re just going to order me around?”

“Yes. Turn your back to the camera so I can get a good look at your ass. Good girl, now lean forward.”

“Hugo,” I exhale, “I don’t feel comfortable doing this. We haven’t made love in months. Can’t we do it again when we’re together, rather than you perving at me through a screen?”

“No.”

“But—”

“If you don’t want me to have anyone else’s pussy, you’ve got to realize that I’m going to want yours … a lot.”

“How often?”

“How long is a ball of string? Maybe three times a day? Who knows?”

“Three times a day?” I squeak. “What are you, eighteen?”

“When I want it, I will send you a text message telling you, and then you will get into position, and I will phone you.”

“Oh, will you now?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you acting like this, Hugo? Can’t you just go back to being the nice guy I knew and loved?”

“Can’t you just go back to the little virgin I knew and loved? No. Now, if I’m to stay faithful to you, I’ll be doing things that may freak you out at first, but you’ll end up enjoying it, I’m quite sure.”

Nothing about this feels good. I don’t feel sexy. I don’t feel loved. I feel cheap. I feel watched. I feel used. “Hugo, maybe we should do this another time.”

“Turn back around and push up your skirt so I can see your panties.” He pauses, and I hear the sound of his fly being undone. “Red and lacy? That’s a bit risqué for you, isn’t it?”

I giggle. “Yeah, they’re new.”

“Did you buy them for him?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“Yes,” I mumble.

“And did he like them?”

“Please,” I whimper, tears filling my eyes. “Don’t do this.”

“Take off your top. Let me see your tits.”

“Hugo, please you’re making me feel like a …”

“Like a what? Like a slut?”

I pause, looking back at the camera as he pulls his dick out of his trousers. “Yeah.”

“If you’re feeling that way, maybe that’s because you are.”

“I’m not.” My voice catches in my throat. “I’m your fiancée, remember?”