Paint You Wings

Twenty-four

The lighter comes to life and sets fire to the cigarette between my teeth. I blow out the smoke and start walking. I don't know where I'm headed, but surely Richard will find me. After all, he did say he was always watching.

My phone buzzes from my back pocket. I take it out. Aaron's face flashes across the screen.

I ignore it and put it back in my pocket. Surely he'll get the hint I'm with Maya.

My phone rings again. This time it's unknown.

"Hey," I purr. If I'm going to get into Richard's head, I better play along.

"Has anyone ever told you how hot you look in blue?"

I laugh suggestively. "Trust me, this shirt looks way better on the floor."

I hear him inhale sharply. "Look, Belle, I get it. Earlier was just a show so Aaron wouldn't get suspicious, but he's not here now. Meet me at my hotel room. Turn right at the next corner and keep walking. You'll see it. Ask for me." The lines goes dead and I take a long drag of my cigarette.

I take the next right and walk into the hotels. I ask for Richard. I'm given a room key. I stare at the women, confused for a second. They just hand over room keys?

"He's expecting you. Left that here. Room forty-two." She winks and walks into a back room. I lick my lips and walk down the hall.

"42" is big on the door. I put the piece of plastic in the door and push on the handle. The door glides open.

My feet move without command. The door is shutting behind me, and I'm slipping my shoes off. I bite my lip and continue to walk into the hotel room. Richard is lying stomach down on a bed in basketball shorts and a white t-shirt. I hold my breath and sit on the bed. Richard groans and rolls over. His green eyes pierce into my soul.

"Hey, sexy." He whispers huskily. He sits up and scoots closer. I bite my lip and breathe in his strong cologne. "Boyfriend know you're here?"

I blink slowly before shaking my head. Richard smirks and scoots even closer. Our lips almost touching. His gaze lowers to my lips, and then without a word, I'm pinned to the bed and his lips are on my neck. I close my eyes and bite my lip remorsefully. My phone buzzes in my back pocket. Richard takes my wrists and pins them above my head. My stomach churns. My cuts. He's going to see them.

As he lifts his mouth from my neck, his eyes focus on my face. He frowns and I already know where his gaze travels to. I curse as Richard rolls off me.

"What the fuck is on your arm?" His voice is mixed with horror and disgust.

I sit up and run a hand through my hair.

He stands off the bed and pace. "I... um... can you leave?"

My eyes widen involuntarily, but I do as he says and get off the bed. My hands on the door handle when I feel his presence behind me.

I turn around to see his green eyes full of an unreadable emotion. He opens his mouth, but my phone buzzing cuts him off. He blinks quickly and walks away.

I pull my phone out and walk out of the building.

What was I thinking? "Hello?" I croak into my phone.

"Hey," Aaron's voice makes my heart rate increase. I swallow hard.

"Hi," I try to sound as fine as possible as I walk back to Maya's.

"How's girls night going?"

I laugh and pull a cigarette out with my teeth. "I took a walk instead."