Chapter 27

Twenty-Seven

Regan

M y phone chimed for the hundredth time, and like all the times before it, I opened the text and shut it, not ready to read whatever Rook had to say. It had been two days since I walked into the garage, and while I wasn't nearly as mad about the situation after talking to Harper, I still wasn't sure what I would do about Rook.

Another minute passed before his name popped up again, calling this time.

"Will you please stop calling me?" I said through gritted teeth. "What is your problem?"

"You," he said, the word drawn out. "You're my problem. You keep being my problem."

The words were just slurred enough that I paused before ending the call. "Are you drunk?"

"A bit."

"And why are you calling me?"

"Because I want you to come here."

"Where?"

"Hellfire Bar."

"And if I don't?" I asked, already knowing he would have a plan if I didn't.

"I will go find my bike in the parking lot and come there because they want me out."

"You can't drive it drunk. And what the hell are you doing to get yourself kicked out of Hellfire?" I asked. The place was notorious for trouble, and I imagined it would take a lot to get thrown out.

"Can and will. And the owner is mad because I want him to pay his tab with me before I pay mine with him."

"If I come get you and take you home, will you stop calling?"

"If I remember not to."

"Fine. I'll be there in twenty minutes. Don't move."

I quickly changed into jeans and a hoodie, grabbed my keys, and pulled out of the garage, heading straight for Hellfire Bar. I knew the location of Hellfire Bar enough, but I had never been inside.

I walked in expecting a mess, but it was worse than I had been expecting. The music blared, people dancing in the center of the room, girls screaming and guys grabbing to drag them closer. The dark lights made it impossible to see everything clear enough, and it was starting to make me uneasy. I didn't like going to a place I didn't know well, and being here alone only made that worse. I scanned the crowd, not seeing Rook.

It took one more lap around the bar before I found him tucked away in a corner booth. He held up his head with a hand as he looked at the person across from him. I couldn't see who it was as I walked up behind the booth, the tall backs hiding them completely. He seemed a little bored, and I wondered if one of his friends had come out with him. I turned the corner, blood draining from my face as I saw a beautiful woman across from him.

She dressed up to get any man she wanted tonight, and it seemed obvious enough that she wanted Rook.

I stopped a few feet away, listening as Rook spoke, the words even more slurred than when I had talked to him on the phone. Three empty shot glasses sat in front of him, and I'm sure more were littered around the bar because of him.

"Like I said, I have a girl. I don't need a stranger to get my dick wet," he said, his dark hair falling over his forehead. "Didn't I tell you that already?"

I couldn't hide my snort of laughter. "You think I'm yours?" I asked, his attention snapping to me. "I thought that ended days ago."

"Regan," he said, pushing himself up and kissing me before I could stop him. Even drunk, I didn't mind it, but I was still a little mad, and that didn't need to change yet.

"Come on," I said. "I'm not in the mood to hang out here tonight, and our ride is out front."

"You still mad at me?" he asked, not giving me time to answer. "You should be. I'm using you, baby. It has nothing to do with Harper. I didn't even know Harper until she walked into your room."

"How are you using me, then?"

Rook grinned, ignoring my question and throwing an arm around my shoulder before looking back at the woman in the booth.

"Told you I had a girl." I tried not to laugh, the mocking tone almost sounding like he would stick out his tongue at her next.

"You do not," I said, walking him towards the door.

I realized his bike would be out there and stopped, grabbing his phone. I made him type in the password, which I memorized, and I quickly found his texts with Aiden.

Rook

It's Regan. He's drunk and I'm taking him home because he's getting kicked out of the bar. Can you come get his bike? I'm guessing it can't be left here.

Aiden

Well, fuck. Yeah, we'll be there in twenty. You can leave when you need.

Rook

Thanks.

Aiden

Need help with him? I heard you're not his biggest fan lately.

Rook

I got it. He might wake up with a black eye, but I've got it.

Aiden

Give him two.

He doesn't get drunk much, so I'd like to say go easy on him, but he doesn't exactly deserve it. Maybe don't kill him?

Rook

Pretty sure you guys are the killers, not me.

Aiden

You'd be surprised by how easy it comes when they threaten something you care about. Don't rule it out. Text me if you need help.

A guy pushed past me, his shoulder knocking me over into Rook.

"Hey, what the fuck?" Rook yelled. "Watch where you're going." He went to pull away from me, but I grabbed on, yanking him hard towards the door.

"Get in the car, Rook," I yelled, pushing him out onto the sidewalk towards my car.

He listened, ducking into the passenger seat and waiting as I ran around to the driver's door. The second the door shut, he grabbed me again.

"My fucking girl," he mumbled before biting at my neck. He kissed and licked his way to my ear before moving his way back down. My stomach flipped, and I leaned back, giving him more access.

"Enough," I said, catching my breath as I pushed him back into his seat. He sat back with a huff, and I rolled my eyes before shifting the car into gear.

By the time I made it to the next block, he was leaning back over to me. He reached down, his hand sliding between my legs as I started towards the house. "I'm driving. You need to knock it off."

"You feel me up when I'm driving the bike. What's the difference?"

"The difference is that I don't know how you manage to keep the bike upright. I will not keep the car straight," I said through gritted teeth as he continued.

"You can do it, Rebel. Let me keep kissing you. I feel like it's been months since I had my lips on you."

"It's been days, Rook. It hasn't even been an entire week."

"I still think it's been too long."

It wasn't a far drive to my house, but I stopped, grabbing water and a coffee before sliding back behind the wheel and handing them both to him.

"Here. Start drinking those now so I can actually get you in the house."

Ten minutes later, I parked in the garage attached to my house and shut the car off. Rook perked up, already dragging himself out of the car and around to me. His hands hooked under my ass, lifting me up as he kissed me.

"I don't know how drunk you are exactly, but lifting me is not a great choice."

"Then get me to bed or I'm laying you out right here."

"I'm getting you to bed now because if I don't, I worry I won't be able to at all. Come on."

I helped him up the stairs to my room, his lips not leaving my neck the entire time, which didn't help my attempts to keep us both upright.

"I fucking missed you," he mumbled against me. "I've thought about you every fucking second for the last two days."

"You were stalking me, Rook. I don't think you gave yourself enough time to miss me."

"Watching you through windows and a hundred feet away is not the same as this." He turned to kiss me, pulling me to a stop. "I helped Harper because she is your friend and asked for help. That guy was fucking with her, and based on what we found, about to fuck with her more."

"I know, Rook, I'm not mad. You helped her. It was nice of you, actually. Harper explained it all that night."

"Then why the fuck haven't you responded to me?"

"I've just needed…time."

"Time for what?"

"To figure out what I'm supposed to do with you."

His eyes went clear for a second. "You can hate me, Rebel. Hate me for using you, for fucking you, for taking from you."

"Why? What have you done?"

The hazy, drunk smile took back over and he swayed into me. "I'm trying to ruin your life, and I'm going to succeed. Now punish me for it. Scar me for life, for going against you. Ruin me. Make me regret it. Make me stop ."

"Rook, what are you talking about? You're not ruining my life. I mean, the stuff with Harper was a bit eye-opening, but it didn't ruin my life. I'm not even that mad, just shocked."

"But you should hate me," he said again. He pulled off his shirt first, then fumbled with his jeans and shoes.

"Should I take you home, then?"

He looked around my room, taking it all in, before looking back at me. "I'm not home?"

"No, you are in my room."

He shrugged before falling back onto the bed. "This can be my home now."

"No, it can't. I can take you home," I said again, realizing that I didn't actually know where he lived. He went quiet. I felt pretty confident I wouldn't be able to get him upright again tonight.

I changed into shorts and a t-shirt before lying down next to him, not surprised when he reached out to drag me closer. His hand slid down me, slipping under the waistband of my shorts.

"You're drunk, Rook. We can't do that."

"Yes, we can," he growled. "Use me. You have full permission to use me for your pleasure. I barely deserve to be used like that. I don't even deserve to get off. Please, fuck me, hurt me."

His hands wrapped around my hips, lifting me up and on top of him as he rolled onto his back. He grabbed my wrists, bringing them to his throat.

"I need you," he said.

"Stop," I said, ripping my hands back. "You aren't in charge here, and if you want me to punish you for being a terrible person, that's not your decision."

His hands dropped, resting on the bed above his head. "Okay. You're in charge."

"You're going to give up the control, just like that?"

"To you? Yes. Only you. I would bow at your fucking feet, Regan. You always have the control."

He groaned and pushed his hips up, lifting me with him. I yelped, but quickly settled when I felt how hard he was already.

"Is that for me?"

"Yes," he said, his throat tight. "All for you."

"This cock belongs to me, doesn't it? That's what you were telling that girl at the bar, weren't you? That it belongs buried in me and no one else."

"Yes, so let me fucking bury it," he said through gritted teeth.

"I can't. You said you weren't good. You said you've used me. That you're going to ruin my life. Is that true?"

"It is," he groaned. He reached up, grabbing my hips and trying to pull me onto his cock, but I stopped him. "I'm taking everything from you."

"What if I tell you not to?"

For a second, he seemed to contemplate it, but his jaw tightened and his eyes closed. "I still might have to."

I reached over, pulling out the handcuffs Harper had given me as a joke. I had thought she was ridiculous even for a joke, but now I might have to thank her.

The pink fuzzy cuffs slipped around my headboard and then slapped around his wrist. They could barely count as metal, but they would work. His eyes flew open, fighting against them for a second before he smiled.

"So what now? Do I lie here and trust that you aren't going to kill me?"

"Yes."

"I don't love that."

"I do," I said, grinning as I leaned down to kiss him. He reached up to meet my lips but couldn't sit up all the way with the cuffs. "Are you sure you want this, Rook?"

"Like I've never wanted anything. It's all yours. Whatever you want. I'm fucking yours, Rebel. I shouldn't be, but I am." I repositioned him at my entrance, letting his cock move along me. He groaned, lifting his hips up. "Please, Rebel."

"Maybe I should use that toy you gave me and just make you watch."

He laughed, the sound clearer now than before, but I knew he was still a little buzzed. "I think I'm forever stuck between loving you taking control like a fucking queen, while also wanting to make your ass red for trying to tell me what to do."

"I'm mad at you still, so I do get to tell you what to do. Don't you dare come until I do, Rook."

I dropped down, taking him slow as my body stretched around him. His hands fumbled with the handcuffs, desperately trying to reach out to me.

I ran my hands down him, appreciating every scar, tattoo, and muscle. "I like this. All of this," I said, moving back up his stomach to his chest.

"You don't need to lie. I'll get you off either way."

"I wasn't lying. I like all of this."

He writhed under me, his hips bucking in a desperate attempt to take control. But I was the one in control, and I reveled in his submission. As I increased my pace, my hips rocking faster and harder, his breath began to come in short bursts.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he grunted, his voice rough with need.

His words only fueled my desire, making me move against him, teasing him with each slow, calculated thrust.

His breath came in ragged gasps, and the muscles in his thighs tensed as he lifted his hips to meet mine. I slowed my pace more, enjoying the way pleasure ripped through me every time I moved.

I pulled away before dropping down, taking every inch slowly. Then I picked up the pace again.

"Oh, fuck. Please. If you keep doing that, I'm going to come."

"You aren't allowed."

He nearly whimpered and pulled his hips down, trying to break away from me.

I dropped again, taking all of him again with a satisfied moan. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Trying not to come," he said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I didn't say you could pull away."

I lifted again, riding him faster now.

"Regan, please. I can't stop it if you keep going." He sounded like he was in agony, and I loved it.

The control, the freedom, and knowing that he would do everything he could to listen to me.

I leaned down, my breasts pressing against his chest. "You're not allowed to come, Rook," I said. "Not until I say so."

His arms ripped down, breaking the handcuffs as he rolled on top of me. He picked up my hips, slamming into me hard as he groaned.

The power of it made me hungry for more, and I reached up, my hand wrapping around his throat. "You don't come until I do."

"Fuck, baby, please," he begged, still not stopping the thrust of his hips.

"Make me come, and then you get to," I said, smiling as his head dropped onto my shoulder.

He lifted me back up again with a low growl. He thrust into me harder, each stroke sending a jolt of pleasure through my entire body. His cock filled me completely, and then he reached down, finding my sensitive clit and moving circles around it.

My body tightened before I finally found release. My nails dug into his back as I held onto him, losing my breath as stars burst in my eyes. I arched up, taking more, as his pace quickened again.

"Come on," he said, lifting me off the bed. "I have a horrible fucking hangover already ready to kill me and just had the best sex of my life. I need to clean up and lie down."

I laughed, sliding my arms around his neck as he carried me to the shower. He turned on the water, letting it warm up before stepping inside, still holding me. The water washed over us as he set me down.

"Thank you for coming to get me," he said. "I don't know that I've ever had to call a woman to rescue me, but I might have to do it more often." He smiled as he kissed me before spending the next few minutes cleaning us up.

Soon, he was carrying me back to bed, and I wasn't sure if I had ever felt so content.

The morning light streamed in as I stayed in bed, Rook sleeping next to me. I grabbed my tablet and continued working on one of my drawings while he slept. It felt nice to do what I always did, but with the comfort of not being alone.

An hour went by before he rolled over, groaning as he lifted his head with bleary eyes.

"Regan?"

"Yes?"

"Oh, thank fuck," he said, dropping his head again.

"I'm going to assume you remember nothing?"

"I remember all of it, but I was pretty worried you were a ‘not going to forgive me' type of pissed, so I thought I might have just imagined it was you."

"You thought you went home with another girl and just pictured her as me?"

"It was a concern, yes."

"Why?"

He rolled over, throwing an arm over me and snuggling into my side. "Wouldn't want to go home with anyone else," he mumbled.

"Again, why?"

"Do you think I wouldn't be loyal?"

"You wouldn't have to be, since I wasn't talking to you."

"It's not really something I'm interested in," he said, rolling over to look at me. He glanced at the tablet in my hand. His eyebrow cocked, and he grabbed for it before I could stop him.

This one was a pile of skulls, built up into the shape of a tree trunk where the tree bloomed from. Branches crawled across the screen until bright pink flowers burst from them.

"You make very dark drawings for a girl who loves bright shit so much. Very morbid. I love it," he said, sounding genuine.

"You do?"

"One hundred percent love it and would get that tattooed on me."

"You wouldn't."

"I would," he said, glancing at it again. "I will."

"Don't even think about it," I said, turning it back to face me.

"I don't need to think about it. I've already decided. What time is it?"

"Around eight. I texted Aiden that you might be a little late."

He groaned as he rolled over, looking up at the ceiling. "I take a night off and I waste half of it out at a bar rather than here in bed with you. How stupid."

"I wouldn't say it was all wasted out of this bed. We spent a good bit of time here."

He grinned, rolling us until I was under him. "That's very true. If I leave to go to work, can I come back tonight?"

"Or I could come to your place?"

His face fell and lips pursed. "You can't. Not now, at least."

"Why not?" My stomach tightened, the anxiety from everything he hid making me panic.

"Not for any of the terrible reasons you are thinking. You just can't right now. Maybe in a week or two." His fingers brushed my hair back, but it wasn't as soothing as I hoped.

"Oh," I said, pushing away. "Got it."

"Don't. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with some problems we are having there."

"But I can come over soon?"

"Yes, you can. I have to get to the shop today, though, then some…jobs later tonight, so I'll be here late."

"Alright. You know how to get in. I might be asleep."

"Yes, I do know how to break in," he said with a grin. "Text me, Rebel. I'll see you later."

The bedroom door closed behind him, and I sighed, leaning back against the pillows. I still had plenty of questions, but I knew I had already forgiven Rook. Forgiven or not, I already knew being with him would only make my life more complicated from now on.