The Land of Rabbits (Long Shot Love Duet #1) (5 page)

You can’t save everyone.

Learn to be happy when people around you aren’t.

My mom’s voice follows me to the ground floor.

Stay out of trouble by minding your own business.

Attend to yourself before you attend to others.

I sneak through the indoor dining room and open the back door with caution, making sure Roxanne’s not around before stepping outside. The fire has died down and the sole light that remains is coming from the glowing embers in the pit. Quinn’s body merges with the still water, a vague shape in the black night, one that doesn’t move until he hears me at the bar.

I open a beer and drop my towel and hoodie on a chair next to the pool, within earshot of a faint “wow.” The water’s warm and feels great after such a long day. I take a tranquil walk down the steps, drinking while wading toward the deep end.

“Nice night for a swim,” he says, following close behind.

The pool’s kidney-shaped, surrounded on one side by potted plants and a stone waterfall. It’s been turned off for the night, but its elevation offers a small amount of privacy from any onlookers inside the retreat. I stay next to it, placing my beer on the ledge above my head.

Quinn glides closer, finishing his beer with a final chug. He stops in front of me, putting his bottle next to mine.

“The moon just made a beautiful appearance through the clouds,” he says with a smile, our lips inches apart. “My night’s much brighter now.”

I keep him at a safe distance with a hand fixed on his rock-hard chest. “What the fuck just happened down here?”

“You heard?” His smile fades.

“I’m sure everyone did.”

He looks up at the building and shrugs. “Considering what’s happening in those rooms, I doubt it.”

“What was Roxanne talking about? Does this happen all the time? The threats and getting pushed around?”

He shakes his head. “Tyler’s just protective of her. He got worked up when I told her to fuck off earlier, but the guy’s a hypocrite. He tells her off more than me... and I could beat the shit out of him if I wanted to, he’s just not worth my time.”

My hands slide down his abs as he tries to move closer.

“Why did you come out?” he asks.

“I’m curious.”

“Enticed?”

“No, repulsed. I hate witnessing people being bullied... and she threatened you. Take you back, where? What did she mean by that? Is she your mom?”

He ducks underwater, resurfacing a moment later. His nose and chin dripping and his hair slicked back. “You’re much more interesting than my fucked up life.”

I release my arms and he moves in. Our noses touch and I’m confined with his hands to either side of my head.

“Striking baby blues that are full of sorrow.” His fingers lightly graze my cheek. “Breathtaking beauty and a sensational body weighed down by gloom... you’re so fucking tempting, a mix of cute melancholy and sexy mystery. I can’t be any more forward that I’m interested... and you’ve caught the Quinn bug or you wouldn’t be down here.” His rounded Cupid’s bow upper lip rests against my ear... teasing... begging. “So tell me more... more about you. I’m not giving up my life story without getting info in return. Question for question. Honest answers.” He raises his head over the edge of the pool and inspects the door, checking to see if anyone’s around.

“Fine, me first. Is Roxanne your mom?”

“Nope.”

“Thank God.” I exhale. “Is she crazy?”

“Yes... Do you have a collection of guys?” he asks.

“What? Like boyfriends? Is that a question?” His mouth lowers below the surface with a boyish nod, and my answer, “no, none,” gives him a thrill. “Tell me what she meant when she said she’d take you back home.”

“That’s not... I’m not allowed to tell anyone where I’m from.”

“Why?”

“Rules of Afterglow. We belong to Roxanne. She calls us her boys and cares for us while we’re here.”

“That sounds fucking weird. Just tell me.”

“Can’t.” He starts to move away and I pull him back. His knees hit the concrete wall, imprisoning my legs while his hands are once again next to my head. He’s closer now, his cold beer breath seeping into my mouth. “I can’t wait to kiss you,” he whispers.

“What’s your last name?” I whisper back, his mouth sweeping mine.

“Names are left behind when we work here. We’re given character names.”

“You’re not answering my questions.”

“You’re not asking questions I can answer.”

I force him back, turning before I lose control. Fuck, I want to kiss him too. He’s magnetic, his face wet and wearing only boxers. I grab my beer and take a gulp to calm my nerves. He has to tell me more before we kiss.

“What are you so afraid of?”

“Is Quinn your real name or not?” My voice sounds timid.

“Yeah. I haven’t become a character, yet. I’m just the rubdown guy.”

“Doesn’t that sound crazy to you? I mean, what are you doing here? What’s your life like?”

“Well, what’s
your
life like?”

I shut my mouth, caught in a trap. As usual, I don’t want to discuss my situation with anyone. I’m inquisitive as long as it’s one-sided.

“Seems like we have a lot in common. We’re both hiding something,” he says.

“I’m not hiding anything. I’m just not ready.”

“For what? A guy to like you?”

“No, for someone to disappear out of my life again.”

“Ahh.” He floats off with his hands above the water. “No worries about me leaving. I’ll stay at Afterglow for as long as I can stand it. You’ll always be able to find me here.”

His head lowers, vanishing under rippling waves. I eye his dark shape underwater, swimming closer, his hands slinking up my legs... caressing my hips... fondling my stomach as he breaks the surface with a grin.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi.” His hands cradle my back, guiding me away from the wall. “Put your arms around my neck. I’ll take you for a ride through the pool.”

“I still have questions.”

“I might not have any answers, but go ahead.”

“You said to Roxanne at dinner that you hope I don’t pay for the upgrade. Why?”

“Because then you’d be like all the rest.” He twirls me left and my legs wrap around his waist in a tight embrace as we continue our whispered conversation. “I don’t want you to pay for me, Adlyn.”

His legs bend when we get to the shallow end, keeping our bodies low in the water. Drawn to his beautiful eyes and the playful hands on my back... I can’t resist his lead... needing to explore more of the same.

I run my fingers over his abs then to his leg, discovering raised flesh—marks that must be scars.

“What happened?” I look down, unable to see in the darkness.

“Childhood wounds. Poor parenting by my dad... does it bother you or are you searching for the perfect guy?”

“No, just a guy who’ll be more open than you’ve been. I won’t kiss you until you tell me more.”

“Will you do other things?” he asks in a suggestive voice. “Because it doesn’t take much to get me hard. That hand on my leg did the trick.” He leans in, brushing his jaw down the side of my neck. In a hushed voice he says, “I’m not a prostitute. It’s been ages since I’ve been with a woman... keep touching me. I want you.”

“Quinn! Get your ass out of that goddamn pool, now!”

“Knock it off Roxanne, give me one fucking night. Just one.”

I pull away and dash out of the water, slipping my hoodie over my head as she struts over. Her face is in mine, her nostrils flaring over such innocent play. What the hell?

“You didn’t pay, dear. I told you once that my boys aren’t free. And this one can’t be touched until he’s tested.”

“Tested? What the hell?”

Quinn wraps a towel around his dripping body, exhibiting slumped shoulders as he plods toward us.

“Look, I paid to be here. The pool’s part of the package.”

“Quinn’s not.” She points to me, curling her mouth when she senses his presence. “Go downstairs,” she seethes. “Get in position. Either that, or you leave in the morning.”

“I... w-we were just—”

“Go!”

His expression dulls, lowering his head as he withdraws and follows her command. I’m unsure if the “sorry” spoken under his breath is directed toward her, or me.

“Listen.” Her hands are delicate on my shoulders and her tone’s now sweet—another drastic change—sinister and bizarre. “Have a wonderful night and come find me if you’d like a man, but don’t steal from me.”

“I wasn’t—”

Her finger covers my mouth, quieting any excuses. “Feel free to go back in the water if you’d like.” Her robe resembles a bird of prey, soaring then plummeting downward as she flies inside, going after him.

Damn her.

I march over to the bar for another beer and guzzle half of it down, annoyed by her intrusion. This place is messed up.
We belong to Roxanne,
he said.
Belong to her? What, like possessions? Prisoners? Captives? Is that it? Belong how?

I take out my cell, feeling drunk enough to bother Nadine.

“Hey, you okay?” she answers, sounding out of breath.

“No, we need to leave. The whole concept behind this place is absurd. And that woman Roxanne is fucking wicked. Not wicked good, wicked bad. I’m starting to freak out. Where the hell are we?”

She says “stop” to her fantasy man before responding. “Are you drunk?”

“I wish I were plastered, then I could sleep.”

“Oh, Addie.”

“I was swimming with Quinn and—”

“Yay! That’s great!”

“No. We were in the pool and Roxanne took him away, like she owns him. I can’t even talk to the guy.”

“Well, you didn’t pay.”

“What? Are you serious?” With a stealthy step, I slip through the back door. “I just want to talk to him.”

“You can buy Quinn anytime you’d like, just tell the person at the desk to charge him to the room.”

“Jesus. Forget it, enjoy your night.” I hang up, peeved by her lack of concern. Guess I’m on my own.

There’re at least thirty suites in this building—fifteen down and fifteen up, plus the ground floor dining and lobby areas, both of which are dark and empty. I wonder where he is.

My step is light on the wood floors, trying to be quiet as I listen outside of each room on the main floor, hearing muffled conversations in some, thumping beds in others, and catching one guy in the throws of a vulgar orgasm.

“Swallow me. Take it down your throat. Eat it. Eat it, cum freak. Make a bad-boy-cock-cowboy’s big-horse-dick happy.”

God, it sounds like a bad porno. I can’t imagine being turned on by those words... I wonder if he’s using props, though.

I walk back to the vacant lobby, hearing a phone in the room behind the desk. After checking all the doors in the area, only to find a laundry room and a broom closet, no basement, I circle back to the front.

“You’ve vanished, Quinn,” I whisper. “She told you to go downstairs, so I’m guessing you’re on this level... except there’s no sign of you or Roxanne.” I stare at the desk, looking at the key cards, hearing the phone ring a second time while finishing my beer.

“You need somethin’?” Sean walks in with a towel around his waist and Nadine at his side.

“Addie, you wanna swim with us?” she asks, flush and cheerful. Post orgasm face, for sure. “Or did you pay for Quinn?”

I hesitate, studying his large hand gripping her shoulder, his smile genuine, not like Tyler’s revolting demeanor. “How long have you been here?” I ask him.

“Six months.”

“Where’d you live before?”

“Can’t discuss that.” He cocks his head. “Rules of—”

“Afterglow... rules of Afterglow, I know.”

“You waiting for Quinn?” she asks.

“Umm, yes. I’m waiting.” This is a long shot, but here goes nothing... “I’m supposed to meet him downstairs, only I can’t find the room.”

“You don’t look the type,” he says, giving me the once-over. “You into the whole pain before pleasure scene? Need to suffer before the massage?”

“Well... well, I thought pain first then a tender touch would be good. Do you know where I’m supposed to go?”

“Follow me.”

The three of us move to the dining room where he points to a door.

“If you’re supposed to meet him downstairs, go through there. Into the kitchen and toward the back.”

“I’m so glad you’re doing this,” she says. “Wait ‘til I tell Jess.”

“No, please don’t mention it to her. She’ll never stop bugging me for details. Brian, too. His teasing can be worse than hers. Besides, it’s not what you think. I just wanna talk to him. He’s charming and offbeat, plus I’m worried about—”

“Fine. Just make sure you spoil yourself. Live it up for the rest of the night.”

“Come on, girl, let’s swim.”

They step outside, Nadine pulling off his towel and baring his ass.

I walk through the kitchen, the smell of grease heavy in the air. A door leading downstairs is open a crack and Roxanne’s beast of a voice ascends upward.

“This is insulting. Who the fuck do you think you are?”

I stop partway down the narrow wooden steps when I hear a
smack
.

“There’s pain in your eyes, but no words are coming from that back-talking mouth of yours. You want to apologize, do it now!”

Smack.

“Fuck! Alright... Jesus. I’m sorry.”

“Say it again.”

The basement floor’s cold. My body trembles and my breaths are shallow as I prowl past several closed doors to a lit room. Her abusive words resound through the concrete underground, closing in on me.

I can’t believe I’m fucking doing this.

The beer might be affecting my judgment, but I want to see what’s going on. It sounds like he’s really being hurt and that’s not okay with me... never okay. No one should suffer.

“
I’m
first. How dare you treat me this way. I’m sick of it, Quinn.”
Smack.
“Sick of it, sick of it. I’m not even driving you back, you can walk from here.”

“It was a mistake.”

I poke my head around the doorframe, observing him on his knees—his chin held in her hand while she grips a piece of rubber garden hose in the other.

“Get down.”

“No, I’ve had enough.”

His shoulder is hit with the hose once, twice, until he’s down on all fours.