Cut Too Deep, page 32
“Mostly.” Miller averted his eyes. “But, sometimes no.”
“Do you have a clean bill of health?”
Miller looked directly at her now slightly affronted. “Yes, I get checked regularly.”
Hadley smirked. “Good, so do I.”
She enveloped him in her strong legs once again and traced her tongue along his jaw, stopping to kiss the skin behind his ear.
He wanted her, but one small detail remained. Miller wouldn’t take advantage of Hadley without clarifying. The last thing they needed to deal with was an accidental pregnancy, not that eventually Miller wouldn’t want children with her. In fact, he would like a houseful of them.
“A clean bill of health doesn’t prevent pregnancy, Love.”
Hadley sent him a wicked grin. “No, but an IUD does. Now if you’d be quiet, I’d like you to make love to me under this waterfall.”
She stared up at him and waited. Miller looked at her like he did that first time in the elevator, sending a jolt of raw pleasure through her. Hadley loved elevator Miller. He didn’t hesitate to cover her mouth with his and lift her on to him.
Amongst the sounds of nature in the clearing, echoed the passionate cries of a couple deeply in love.
Harold Duwatski rested on a bed in a cheap, grimy hotel, fighting to stay awake after drinking a fifth of discount whiskey. He spent the better part of the day plotting his revenge against the bitch that ruined his life.
His career was finished; his wife repulsed by him. Ironically, his wife had been the one to toss him out on his ass. Harold chose to believe Barbara threw him out so the police wouldn’t find him as an act of mercy.
He was running out of time. The Lorino family was searching for him. Harold couldn’t comprehend how a man of Miller Genetti’s status fell for a slut like Hadley Walker. It defied all social statutes. He was high-class, and Hadley—trash. If Miller hadn’t told him of their relationship himself, Harold wouldn’t have believed it. The visit Mr. Genetti paid him fueled his need for revenge. Hurting her would be the ultimate payback for the way Mr. Genetti humiliated him.
Hadley would be guarded, but Harold had a plan to penetrate her protection. He spent a good chunk of his savings to purchase her. She was his property, and only he would say when he was ready to give her up. When he was done with her, Miller Genetti wouldn’t touch her, no man would.
His revenge would be a matter of opportunity. He sold his car to a chop shop in Brownsville that belonged to a former ward of his, one that knew his place in the armpit of society, unlike this cunt that thought she deserved a better life. After paying for the room for a month, buying a carton of cigarettes and a case of whiskey, Harold had a few hundred bucks left. Enough to keep himself fed for a while. In the meantime, he would watch patiently and wait for her to slip up.
Harold heard garbled voices on the other side of the door and quickly turned off the table lamp. His skin itched, probably bed bugs from the smutty mattress. The voices trailed off as whomever it was passed his room. His torturous thoughts lulled him to sleep, the familiar fear emanating from Hadley in his mind, making him hard. He took care of himself and then his eyes closed.
The sun set behind the mountains. Amber rays shot toward the sky as darkness set in. Miller and Hadley nestled together on a lounger in front of the fire place on the back deck, enjoying the spectacular view.
Miller stroked her hair, the scent of her shampoo tickling his nose. The citrus fragrance as familiar to him as her body.
“This is perfect.”
“It is,” Hadley agreed. “I wish we could stay right here forever.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
Hadley laughed. “Right, my boss would love that. As would my biggest client. He’s very difficult, and if I don’t get back to managing his account soon, he’ll be very grumpy. I’d do anything to keep him happy.”
Miller rolled her beneath him. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and bit her gently, playfully.
“Your biggest client prefers you manage his account from this position.”
Hadley looked at him seriously. “Who said I was talking about you?”
“In that case, you’re fired,” Miller said, trying hard not to laugh, but his dimple gave him away. Her laughter could be heard for miles as Miller tickled her mercilessly before slowly removing her clothes. He made love to her under the dark, summer time sky, the only light from the stars, the fire place embers, and a few distant fire flies.
Miller’s voice filtered into the room, waking Hadley. She got up and listened from the bottom of the stairs.
“Mr. Schiller, I certainly understand the urgency to meet in person to discuss the terms, but I won’t be back until Wednesday… Yes, I’m very well aware of how long I was away… Again, tomorrow morning will not work for me.” Miller looked up to Hadley’s face, her hair a ruffled mess. She smiled, eyes still heavy from sleep. “Let me call you back.” He dropped the phone on the counter.
Hadley sauntered toward him, chewing her fingernails. Seeing her in his shirts always pleased him. He hauled her into his arms and set her on the counter, splitting her thighs with his body. His mind flashed back to the previous evening when they made love out back in the warm night air. Miller kissed her neck.
“If you need to work, we should head back.”
Miller lifted his head and stared at her. “Schiller is an arrogant jerk. I promised you a couple of days.”
“If we leave tonight, that’s two days. You won’t break your promise.”
He frowned. “I don’t like it.”
“Honestly, it’s fine. This was exactly what I needed, and I love that you did it for me, but I have a ton of work myself. Plus, I have some phone calls to make.”
“To whom?”
She sighed. “Sascha, for starters. She’s left me a couple of messages.”
“Does that mean you are taking her up on her offer?”
“It means I would like to discuss it further. If I do decide to audition, I’ll need to find studio time to practice, and that means seeing you less. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but the audition is only a month away and I need to prepare for it.”
“We’ll make time. Dancing for the ballet is your dream. I fully support you going for it.”
She smiled. “God, I love you.”
“I’m pretty loveable.”
Hadley shook her head. Most times, Miller was handsome in a rugged way, but when playful, he was simply adorable.
Her forehead wrinkled before she said, “I’m also going to call Valentina.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I think so. I didn’t give her a chance to speak. I’m not certain if I’ll ever forgive her, but I want to make my peace with every part of my past.”
“I can go with you.”
“Thank you, but I think I’d like to go alone.”
Miller smiled. “If I haven’t told you, you’re an incredible woman.”
“Don’t be proud of me, yet. Peace is still a long way off.”
“It’s your fight I’m proud of. You’re willingness to try is amazing.”
“Yeah, well as Dr. LeClair would say, it’s the healthy approach to resolving my problems.”
“Speaking of which, your appointment is Thursday. Would you like me to go?”
“I do. I know understanding all of this has been difficult for you and you’re angry. It will be good for us to talk about it.”
“Okay, then I’ll go. I hope you realize that I’m not angry with you. It’s him I want to murder.”
“I know, but I don’t want to see it eat away at you. He’ll get what he deserves.”
Miller went back to kissing her neck, which soon led to making love on the kitchen counter, and then the living room floor, and later in the shower under multiple streams of scalding hot water. Her trust in him grew every day, knowledge Miller treasured.
When they arrived home that evening, Hadley met Regina, Miller’s housekeeper. Miller worked in his study, leaving the two women to chat. Regina was kind and shared stories of her trip to Venezuela with Hadley while cooking dinner.
“You know, Miss Hadley, it’s nice to have a lady in the house.” Hadley assumed Regina meant to add ‘again’, since she knew Miller had plenty of ladies around before her, including a wife. “He’s been a lonely man.”
“How long have you been with him?”
Regina pursed her lips in thought.
“About seven years, but I watched him grow up. I worked for his granddaddy for a long time.”
“Did you know Theresa?”
Regina caught on to Hadley’s fishing, although it didn’t bother her.
“I did, but we didn’t talk like this. He never brought her here. This is his family home. He must love you.”
That puzzled Hadley.
“They didn’t live here when they were married?”
“No. They lived in a condo close to work for Mr. Genetti. Other than Nana Lorino, he doesn’t bring women here. Too much respect for Papa Lorino. He and his granddaddy have good memories here. This is how I know you are special to him.”
“He’s special to me, too.”
Regina smiled broadly at Hadley.
“And this I know, by the sparkle in your eyes.”
After dinner, Hadley helped clean up, though Regina insisted it wasn’t necessary. When Regina left for the evening, Hadley went to the living room and phoned Sascha. They spoke for almost an hour before Hadley agreed to go through with the audition. Sascha was thrilled and asked Hadley if she could train her. Hadley told her she would get back to her after she had the chance to give the matter some thought.
Her next phone call was to Valentina and significantly more emotional. She called from Miller’s cell phone and waited nervously for her grandmother to answer.
“Miller. Thank God you called. I’ve been watching the news. The guardian story is about Hadley, isn’t it? How is she?”
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, Hadley.” The line went silent. The faint sound of sniffling irritated Hadley. “I’m so sorry. More than you’ll ever know.”
“I appreciate that, Valentina, but I’m calling because I wasn’t fair to you the other day. I’d like to meet with you and listen to what you have to say.”
“I would like that very much. Would you come over for dinner on Wednesday? You can bring Miller.”
“I’ll be there, but I’ll come alone.”
Hadley ended the call and swapped phones. She sent Mac a text to tell him she was home and would see him at work.
Miller smiled when she entered the kitchen, a spoonful of Nutella halfway to his lips.
“You’re so busted.”
“What?” He shrugged. “I wanted dessert.”
Hadley approached him, and he held the spoon out for her.
Her lips closed around the metal, sucking off every drop of chocolate. Miller dipped his finger in the tub, coating his finger with the sweet chocolate butter. He set the jar on the counter and held his finger in the air.
“Hmm…where would I like to put this?”
Hadley tilted her head, exposing her neck.
“I like the way you think, Love.”
Miller applied the chocolate to her neck, dragging his finger to her collar bone. Her eyes glimmered with anticipation. He dipped his head, his tongue licking the chocolate clean from her neck.
He scooped her up in his arms and picked up the tub of Nutella.
“I simply must have more.”
Hadley giggled and rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her off to bed.
Hadley arrived at work and felt surprisingly happy to be back to her comfortable routine, although with a few modifications. Antonio and Armonno now served lobby duty, monitoring anyone who came in the building, in case Duwatski decided to show up at her place of employment.
Hard stares from her co-workers alerted Hadley’s nerves. Last she heard from Don, her name had not yet been disclosed to the press, yet they looked at her like they knew.
She put her things away and sat down. Before Hadley could boot up her computer, Mac entered through her door.
“Don’t ever worry me like that again!”
Hadley heard him but was still distracted.
“Do you know why everyone’s starting at me?”
Mac waggled his eyebrows. “You’ve been ousted.”
Hadley felt like crawling under her desk and hiding until it was dark to escape. Her co-workers knew the truth about her.
“Oh, man. Not about the guardian. I’m sorry.” Mac went to her computer and entered something in google images. “Here.”
Hadley viewed the pictures of her and Miller during halftime at Meadowbrook. Some of them kissing made her blush. They looked happy. The tagline unidentified female, made her laugh.
“Has anyone said anything?”
“Nothing bad, except, Tosser. She doesn’t see what the G-man sees in you and is pretty sure that’s why you were promoted.”
“It was not!”
“Whoa. I know that. You’re talent speaks to that. Don’t let that cow get under your skin. She’s jealous." Hadley laughed. “As for the guardian, you want me to take him out for you?”
Hadley couldn’t judge if Mac was joking or not.
“No. I’ve already had to call off the Lorinos.”
“Seriously? Did they put a hit on him?”
Did they? Is that what they called it outside of movies?
“You’re very dramatic, my friend.” Mac showed off a proud smile. “They were inclined to deal with him for me, but I want the satisfaction of an arrest, to send a message. Let other people know they aren’t alone and they can speak out.”
“Empowering. Good for you, sista! I’m proud of you.”
It was the word she’d been searching for since she decided to turn Duwatski in, and she felt it, empowered. Hadley smiled.
“Thank you. Truthfully, it’s going to be hard. He’s going to make my life hell.”
“I think if you reach one other victim, it will all be worth it.”
“You know what, you’re right. It will.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m always right.”
Hadley rolled her eyes.
“Oh, yes, I forgot how incredibly smart you are.”
“You’re welcome. Are we doing lunch today?”
“Of course, but the babysitters have to come along, at least until he’s found.”
“Fine by me.”
Once Mac left her office, Hadley went back to admiring the photographs of her and Miller. She spent the next hour catching up on e-mails and looking over resumes for a secretary. Most of them had no graphic design experience, and she thought she should check with Paul to see if it was a requirement. Her mind needed a break. She left her desk and headed for the elevator.
Miller opened the door when Renee buzzed him. The minute Hadley reached him, she smiled and hugged and kissed him.
“Wow, did somebody miss me?”
She did miss him and loved that he was close by when she wanted to see him.
Hadley blushed when they sat on the couch, remembering how she’d pleaded with him to make love to her on it. The backs of Miller's fingers smoothed circles on her thigh.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Miller said, his voice low and seductive.
“You do?”
“I think it every time I look at this couch.”
In an instant, Hadley was on her back. Their lips crushed together. Miller hiked her skirt up. As he reached for her panties, the intercom spoke.
“Mr. Genetti, I’m sorry to interrupt. Miss Jensen is here to see you.”
Hadley went rigid.
“Fuck!” Miller stood up and went to the phone on his desk. “Tell her to wait a minute.”
Hadley sat up and glared at him. “What is she doing here? Did you know she was coming?”
“Of course not! And, I have no clue why she’s here. Last I heard, she moved on and was living in Saudi Arabia.”
“When did you hear this?”
“I received a letter about a week ago.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and she stood.
“You didn’t tell me.”
Hadley’s hurt expression put him on the defensive.
“I’ve been a little preoccupied, Love.”
“Don’t put not disclosing it on me. Did you write her back?”
“God, no!”
Shouting came from the other side of the door, and it bursts open. Renee shouted, “You can’t barge in there.” Seconds later, “I’m sorry, Mr. Genetti.”
Hadley spun toward the door. She faced a confident, beautiful woman with impeccable style. Theresa had sleek black hair that angled at the shoulders. She was tall, with tanned flawless skin. Hadley felt small and plain standing next to the woman with perfect makeup and long muscled legs. Theresa looked like a super model, exotic and powerful. Her eyes, palest blue, almost lavender, appraised Hadley from head to toe, pursing her lips.
“Who are you?” Theresa snarled.
Hadley didn’t care for her attitude. A possessive feeling stirred inside of her, stemming from insecurity no doubt.
“I’m Miller’s girlfriend.”
Hadley sounded confident in her mind, but when the words came out, she sounded like someone Theresa could easily squash with her pointy toed stilettos.
“Oh, well then.” Theresa waved a hand in her face. “Run along, and he won’t be calling you. Don’t take it personal.”
“Don’t speak to her that way!” Miller shouted, his tone a stern warning.
Theresa turned to face him, regarding him with intrigue.
“Don’t tell me this is who you’ve finally decided to move on with.” She gestured to Hadley, moving her outstretched hand up and down. “She’s a child and hardy sophisticated enough for you, darling.”
Hadley’s eyes began to water. She didn’t want to cry. Truth be told, she wanted to punch his wife in the face. She seriously considered it, but Miller spoke with authority.
“Shut your mouth, Theresa, or I won’t hesitate to have security throw you out of here!”
