“We had a deal, I’m a man of my word, I expect that your dad is too.”
“I never agreed to that stupid deal! I’m twenty-one years old I can make my own decisions, my dad had no right! I get it, you’re stupid rich and have an obscene amount of money, but you can’t just go around, buying people,” I rant.
“Anyone and anything can be bought, Hayley, for the right price.”
I shake my head. “Not me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” He smirks. “I’m not forcing you to stay here, I’m not going to tie you up or lock you in a cage, you’re free to leave whenever you like, but… leave, and the money is no longer on the table, deal’s off.”
“So I have no choice.”
“Of course you do, everyone has a choice. Stay with me and you can pay off your debts, or walk out that door, and have nothing, it’s your choice.”
“You’re a real asshole, anyone ever tell you that?”
“I’ve been told once or twice,” he chuckles.
“You think all of this is a game, you think that because you’re rich, it gives you some God-given right to play with people’s lives. I bet you’ve never had to work a day in your life. You grew up with money, security, without the fear or worry of not being able to afford to pay the bills...” I inhale sharply. “I'll stay, purely to keep up my dad’s end of the deal, but don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
He stares out of the huge window overlooking Manhattan, his arms folded across his chest. I wait for him to speak, but he simply stands there in silence, either ignoring me or contemplating what I’ve said.
“Go take a shower, you’re soaking wet and freezing... you can take my bed, I’ll take the sofa,” he offers.
“What a gentleman,” I say sarcastically.
He turns to face me, a faint smile touches his lips. “Go take a shower, I’ll order up some food.”
“I’m not hungr-” My stomach let’s out a loud growl that fills the room.
He cocks an eyebrow and smirks. “Like I said, I’ll order some food. En suite is just through there.” He motions with his head towards the bedroom.
I nod and turn on my heel, but I come to a stop, turning back to Kyle. “I, um, left my jacket in the casino on one of the chairs, it has my phone in it.”
“I’ll send someone to go and get it.”
“Thanks,” I say before disappearing into the bedroom leading to the adjoining bathroom.
I turn on the shower and strip out of my cold, damp clothes and step under the hot water, letting it wash away the feeling of their hands on my body. I look down, finding bruises covering my arms from where they held me. Tears sting my eyes.
“Hayley?” I hear from outside the bathroom door. “I’ve left a bathrobe on the bed for you. Figured you’d want to change into something clean and dry. Food’s ready too, it’s waiting on the bed, along with your jacket.”
“Okay.”
A good ten minutes later, I get out of the shower, wrap a towel around my body and use another for my hair. I glance up into the mirror above the sink, my eyes zero in on the deep red finger marks on my neck, I trace them with my fingers, and I wince.
I slowly open the bathroom door, checking that the coast is clear and that he’s gone before scurrying across the bedroom and retrieving the bathrobe. Once I've changed into the fluffy white robe, I head for the food that is waiting for me on the bed.
Spaghetti Bolognese. It smells divine. I eat slowly, savouring the taste.
When I'm done, I remove the towel from my damp hair, running my fingers through it to loosen the tangles. I leave the bedroom with the empty plate and tray and place it on the dining table.
“Hope you enjoyed it.” I jump at his voice, to find Kyle sat on the couch, his laptop propped open on his lap.
“Yes. Thank you.”
He looks up from his computer and his gaze lands on me, his eyes trailing from my feet, up my body and landing on my face. It is then that I remember I am dressed only in a bathrobe that falls mid-thigh. Tingles spread through my body.
Why does my body react to him of all people?
I shouldn’t feel this way. Why can’t I stop my body from wanting him at the same time my mind is telling me that I hate him?
“Good.”
“I’m going to go to bed, goodnight Kyle,” I say awkwardly.
“Goodnight.”
I begin to head back into the bedroom when the sound of his voice stops me.
“How do you know my name?”
“What?”
“I’ve never told you my name.”
Shit. My cheeks flush, I just pray that he can’t see it from where he’s sitting. “I... um... I kind of.... Googled you.”
His mouth ticks up into an amused grin, his face softening as if I’ve taken him by surprise. “Find anything interesting?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
He chuckles and a beautiful smile stretches across his face. “Goodnight, Hayley.”
I smile shyly before heading back into the bedroom and close the door behind me.
I crawl into the huge bed and snuggle under the crisp white covers. It takes seconds for sleep to welcome me.
Chapter 9
Hayley
“No! Stop!” The sound of shouting jolts me awake. What the hell was that?
I listen out, waiting for another sound. It doesn’t come. I must have been dreaming.
I sit up, rub my eyes, and let out a yawn. I look at my phone, it’s 3:15 in the morning, I have at least twenty new text messages, six missed calls from my dad, four from Aaron, and three from Gwen. I’ll deal with them in the morning.
I flop back down against the pillow as sleep tries to pull me back.
“Stop! Let her go!”
I shoot bolt upright. Is that Kyle?
I
