Fire and Ice: Book One: Burned (The Fire and Ice Series 1) Page 10

  Once I'd gotten her comfortable again, I gave her a peck on the cheek, and jogged out of my house, careful not to trip in my heels. Luckily I was getting used to walking in the damn things. Unfortunately, they didn't hurt my feet any less over time. Tonight I donned a short, black leather skirt, a red lace top that was see through, and a black bra underneath. I wore fishnet stockings and knee-high boots. There was going to be a band tonight, so we should have a good crowd, and I needed all the money I could get. If Mom didn't start feeling better soon, I feared I might have to call in a nurse to watch over her while I'm at work. Things definitely weren't looking so bright in my future.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kellan

  I've pretty much been keeping to myself all day, doing mundane chores, and giving Jordan the silent treatment, other than a few necessary words here and there. He's not pushing back...he knows better.

  Hailey had been blowing up my phone, and I finally turned the damned thing off. I didn't need the headache. Just the thought of having to work alongside of her tonight had me seeing red after the shellacking I'd taken from Jim earlier. She'll probably get off Scott free, and yet if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be in this goddamn position right now. If it weren't for Hailey, my life would be a whole lot less complicated right now. Jesus, how can one woman get under my skin to the point she's nearly turned my world upside down in a matter of a couple of weeks?

  The band is beginning to drag their equipment into the bar, as I hear the familiar pull of the heavy metal back door, while two jovial voices come chiming from the hallway. Hailey and Georgia. I realize Hailey must have gotten a ride to work with Georgia, and try to bury my curious thoughts, bowing my head and looking around the bar for anything to busy myself with. I'm anxious and ramped up, my nerves on full alert.

  As I hear Hailey approach, rounding the bar, I can't help but lift my head slightly and peer at her from underneath my lashes. The look of trepidation in her eyes has me hyper aware of the all-consuming events of the past twenty hours. I look her up and down with incredulity marring my face, vexed that she would even fathom wearing the barely there, provocative get up...a sure fire way to end up in a situation exactly like last night's. I volley my eyes back and forth between Hailey and Georgia, and realize Georgia is dressed in her usual attire, leaving little to the imagination. I furrow my brow, squinting my eyes, as if I'm trying to solve a mystery...the mystery of why Hailey seemingly ends up on the receiving end of a bag of dicks, while Georgia gives a saccharine smile and sassy attitude, her patrons eating up her little act as if she were a hostess at a five star restaurant.

  The thought sickens me, and enrages me further as I glare at Hailey, narrowing my gaze on her, gritting out, "You. Outside. Now." She gives me a befuddled look, but decides not to argue as I turn my back on her, listening to her heels click sharply on the linoleum tiled floored.

  I swing the back door open with harsh force, not bothering to hold it open for Hailey, as I step into the cool night air, digging my smokes out of my pocket, and lighting one up before taking a long, soothing drag. I stare out into the street as I interlace my fingers behind my neck, desperately searching my mind for a way to rinse the brackish taste of the past couple of week's events out of my mouth. My nerves are fucking shot to hell and back, and I won't resign to the fact that I brought it on myself. If I have to pay, others will pay their share alongside me. An eye for an eye? Justice? Vengeance? Call it whatever the fuck you want to...it's how I survive.

  I barely register Hailey's footsteps crunching against the gravel before she asks, "Why did you drag me out here, Kellan?" in a slightly annoyed tone. Is she fucking serious right now? She's gonna give me attitude? I clench my teeth, seething, as I try to bite back my hateful thoughts. I can't...won't...stand for this shit.

  Letting my hands fall to my sides, I swiftly stride to her, point my finger in her face, and bark out, "You've got some nerve, Princess," as her jaw drops open. She remains silent, staring at me intently as I flick my butt out into the shale. "I didn't drag you anywhere, sweetheart...but you sure as hell didn't mind dragging me into your mess last night."

  Her eyes grew wide before she stammered out, "I...you...that wasn't my fault."

  "Well, it sure as hell wasn't mine, but I almost lost my goddamn job over it, and you're sitting pretty, aren't ya," I sneered, as I backed her against the building, caging her in.

  Her demeanor shifted as she became defensive, her voice rising as she said, "It's not like I wanted it to happen, Kellan."

  I tipped a smile in her direction, as I let my hand fall to her thigh, then languorously travel up the inside of her skirt, finding the hem of her panties, skimming them as her breath grew heavy. "Do you want this to happen," I whispered, my lips a fraction from her own. Quivering, she nodded. I dipped my fingers below her panty line, finding her sweet wet spot, as I toyed with her, barely skimming the outside. "Do you want this?" I repeated.

  "Mmm," she managed to reply.

  "You have to ask."

  "Ask what?" she breathed out.

  "You have to ask for it."

  "Please," she begged, "I want it...I need it, Kellan."

  I laid my face against hers and breathed into her ear, "Ooh, that's right, baby," before drawing back and tilting my head to the side, giving her a wry grin and a penetrating look. I continued, "You want it, and you know you do," as I withdrew my fingers, sliding her own wet juices along her lips as I said, "Suck." She greedily obliged. With her tongue ravishing my finger, I used my free hand to slide it from her waist to cup her breast, saying, "You see, darlin', when you dress like this, you're asking for it."

  She stilled, pulling her mouth away from my finger as she looked at me with astonishment. I sure as hell didn't expect the crack I received across my cheekbone; her second attempt was thwarted, and only fueled my lust filled rage. There wasn't a whole lot better than hate sex, and this was pretty damn close.

  I grabbed her arms to subdue her and shoved her against the building again, as she fought against me, heaving out, "You fucking asshole! I trusted you! I gave you everything...that's what you asked for!" I gave her a skeptical glare, before she continued, "That's what you said...last night. Don't be that guy, Kellan." She had it so twisted in her own mind, she wasn't thinking clearly.

  I stepped back, feeling more at ease that I wasn't about to be mauled, as I tried to recant our conversations. Yeah, I'd had a few too many, and I probably said some shit I should've kept to myself. But I know for a fact I didn't make any promises. I'd have to be black out shitfaced to do something that stupid. "Whoa, whoa," I threw up my hands, "I never said anything about wanting more than one night with you, did I?" She stood immobile staring at me as if she'd lost the ability to speak. I wanted to make this crystal clear to her. "So tell me, exactly what did you hear me say?"

  She bit her bottom lip as she looked at me hesitantly, before saying in a hushed tone, "I asked you what you wanted from me and you said everything. Then you said, 'You're mine tonight, just you and me', and then...well...Jesus, Kellan...I love you and you're tearing us apart!"

  Tears gathered in her eyes, but it didn't deter my frustration from welling up. "Hailey! There is no us. It was one night...don't you get that?"

  As I finished my sentence, the back door swung open, and Jordan appeared, stepping out of the bar into our space. With concern, he asked, "What the hell is going on out here? Hailey, are you ok?"

  I spouted out, "Jordan, mind your own fucking business."

  Without missing a beat, he retorted, "She is my fucking business."

  My eyes never left Hailey's, as I clenched my jaw, and tucked my hands into my pockets. Finally, I turned to head back inside, my shoulder bumping against Jordan's as I passed him. Just before the metal door clanged shut, I heard Hailey shout, "Kellan, wait!"

  ******

  Hailey

  I stared after Kellan, as the door slammed shut, my words falling on deaf ears, as my mind reeled. I thought back to last nigh
t, the whole of it all...I wasn't naive. Last night was every bit as real for him as it was for me. Kellan could lie to himself all he wanted to, but he couldn't lie to me. This wasn't about him losing his job, or the way I dress. This was about him wrestling with his own demons. I saw it in his eyes last night. I've seen it before, felt it in his touch, and heard it in his voice. He owns me; body, heart, and soul. His desire for me reverberates throughout my entire being. And I know he feels it, too.

  Suddenly pulled from my hazy thoughts, Jordan cuts in, saying, "Did he hurt you? You ok?" as he gently puts a finger to my chin, tipping my face.

  I roll my eyes, and reply, "Peachy."

  Jordan leans against the building, turning his hat backwards, and sliding his hand into his pocket. He gives me a sympathetic look before saying, "He can't give you what you need, Hailey. He'll destroy you." I stared at him in shock as he continued, "You think I'm blind? Do you honestly think because you spent one night with him, he's...what?...gonna up and reform? Become some altar boy? Give up whoring around and sweep you off your feet?"

  Tears began to gather in my eyes at his acidic words. I placed my hand over my mouth to quell my oncoming sobs. Jordan's eyes grew cold, and he turned to walk into the building, stopping just before he entered. Without turning around, he said, "You love him, don't you?" My silence must've spoken volumes. "In the end, he'll make you hate him." Jordan disappeared through the door, and I fell to the ground, my sobs now wracking my shoulders.

  ******

  Kellan

  I heard him before I saw him. Jordan...fuck. Just what I needed, someone else up my ass tonight. He rounded the corner, and we locked eyes, neither of us breaking the silence for a moment. Jordan finally gave in, gritting out, "What's enough for you, Kellan? Huh? When are you gonna be satisfied? When everyone around you is as miserable as you are?"

  "Shut the fuck up, Jordan." I bit out, throwing my rag on the bar and stepping towards him. He was pushing his luck, and sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

  He hung his head and let out a sad chuckle, before raising it to meet my eyes again. "You know what you are, Kellan?" he asked in a serious tone.

  "Enlighten me," I said dryly.

  "You're a sick, twisted fuck, that has nothing better to do than..."

  "Well, what do we have here," Georgia interrupted. I hadn't even seen her approach, which is actually surprising, given, well...it's Georgia. She leaned her chin on her folded hands, her elbows resting on the bar, playing the innocent bystander part to perfection, all the while, looking like she was a Pussycat Doll. I can't say the look didn't suit her, nor did her revelation last night turn me off. She simply didn't do it for me. "Looks like you fellas are leavin' me out of all the fun," she drawled.

  I gave her the skunk eye, saying, "Don't you have a lap to dance on?"

  Jordan jumped to her defense, of course. "Kellan, can you for once not be...you, you flaming prick!"

  I inched my way closer to him. "Call me a prick again, Jordan. Do it...please!" I said wild-eyed. I raised my hands in the air, as people began to stare at us, shouting, "Goddamn, Jordan! Please call me a prick. One. More. Time," gritting my teeth.

  Georgia stepped in between us, putting her hands on our chests, quietly saying to Jordan, "I got this." She turned to me, gave me a wry grin, and said, "Kellan, here's just jealous I get more pussy than he does, isn't that right, K?" K? First she insults my manhood, and then gives me the most ridiculous moniker I've ever heard of. Um...ok..."G". Hey...why don't we all start calling each other by our phone numbers...then nobody would ever know my fucking name!

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hailey

  After I gathered myself up off the ground, shaking the utter misery from my gut, as I realized Kellan had actually turned out to be the man everyone warned me about, including him, I straightened myself, and swiped the tears from my eyes, just in time to hear the back door open, as Georgia stepped through it, catching me at my most vulnerable state. She didn't have to say anything, her eyes showed a thousand sorrows, compassion and sympathy for me. Great...just what I need, a pity party. I'm sure her gift to me will be an "I told you so".

  To my surprise, Georgia gingerly stepped towards me, put her arms out, and pulled me in for a tight hug, patting me on the back, and laying her head on my shoulder, even though I stood stoically still. She began to rub circles on my back as she said, "Oh, Hailey, I'm so sorry." She pushed away from me, holding a tight grasp on my arms, continuing, "You want me to knee him in the balls?" How could she joke at a time like this? Maybe she wasn't joking, but the mention of Kellan brought on a fresh set of tears that began to stream down my face, as I furiously tried to rid myself of them.

  Georgia ran her thumbs under my eyes, catching my smeared make-up, as I finally began to settle down, huffing out, "No...I just...I thought he was different."

  She raised a skeptical brow, asking, "Different? How did you think he was different?"

  I shrugged, replying, "I dunno...when he was with me, he acted...differently, ya know. It was as if we were in a chamber, watching the world from the inside out; just the two of us. He made me believe I was the only girl in the room, and everything, everybody else just faded away when he was near me. He did that."

  Georgia shook her head in disbelief. "Honey, you fell for his charm. I'm sure you're not the only one." I widened my eyes, panic setting in at the thought of him being with other women, night after night, while he was fawning over me. She quickly recovered, trying to put me at ease, "Hey...that's not what I meant. I mean I'm sure he's done this before...with other women. You can't tell me the thought hasn't crossed your mind, Hailey." She gave me a questioning look. I simply nodded my assent. "Well, there ya go. You know in your heart he's a player. You were warned by how many people? You can't tell me you haven't seen him flirt with customers." She was right...on all accounts. I had just wiped those things from my mind when he was near. All along, Kellan had been holding all the cards. He always had an ace up his sleeve, and apparently I was the queen of fools.

  ******

  Kellan

  Jord ended up walking away like a little bitch after Georgia got in between us. He was fucking lucky I didn't deck him anyways for the shit he said to me. The only thing that stopped me was the warning I'd received earlier from Jim. Chambers is the last place I want be stuck for the rest of my life, so the sooner I can make enough cash to blow this town the better. Jordan is the least of my worries. Friends aren't very high on my list of priorities. In fact, I'm not sure I'd call him one at this point. I've got so many people up my ass, I'm surprised I'm not brushing my teeth with hemorrhoid cream.

  For the second time tonight, I hear the clicking of heels, as the girls approach the bar. I quickly make myself scarce, heading into the kitchen, and setting off to do menial chores. In my haste, I forget the bar is halfway full, and have to go chase down Jordan to look after it for me. I don't see him about the central bar, so I head into pool room, finding him cozied up with Hailey, comforting her, no doubt. Goddamnit! What a shit show. I'm still semi hard thinking of our earlier interlude, and Jordan's consoling her, while I watch from the fucking sidelines. Story of my life.

  I can't make out what they're saying, but the visual is enough to drive me mad. I'm seething inside at the sight of him touching her. He's got his hand on her shoulder, a concerned look upon his face, and all of a sudden, he flashes his good ole boy smile, and Hailey gives him a small smile, giggling, as she playfully smacks him on the chest. What the fuck?

  My temper gets the better of me, and I decide to interrupt their little play date. Briskly walking towards them, I stop just inches from both of them, grinding out, "Don't you two have shit to do?" I swing my stinging gaze to Hailey, adding, "I know you do, Princess. You've got an ass to shake tonight."

  "Get lost, Kellan," Jordan retorts.

  "How 'bout you go fuck yourself, Jordan," I spew. He sighs and rubs the back of his neck, a sign he's resigned himself to giving up for the night.
"I need you to watch the bar...I have a shit ton of stuff to do in the kitchen," I say, pivoting to return to my tasks before adding, "Some of us aren't here to get our rocks off all night."

  "You sure are good at talking the talk, Kellan," Hailey throws her two cents in. I stop dead in my tracks, turning my head to peer at her with distain.

  "Don't bother, Hailey...there are plenty of good guys that would kill to be with you," Jordan says with emphasis.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" I ask caustically.

  "I'm saying she's too good for you," Jordan states without hesitation.

  Taken aback, my jaw went slack, and I was speechless for a moment. He had some fucking nerve. "Are you for real, right now? I can have any woman I want," I boasted, digging out my phone from my pocket, as I continued, "One phone call, anytime, day or night."