On the Ropes 2: Insidious Obsession Read online

  Chapter Eleven

  She watched him through hooded eyes as he secured the scarf around her wrist and lifted it above her head. He looped the scarf through the slats on the headboard, then lifted her hand and secured her other wrist. “Okay?” he asked.

  She tested her bindings, and a giddy thrill raced through her at the realization that she was now at his mercy. On a nod she swallowed hard. His lips tipped up at the corners. “That’s my girl.” His words warmed her all the way to her soul.

  He took a step back and pulled his T-shirt up and off. Her heart sped up, beating faster as anticipation began to build. Next he stripped out of his jeans, taking his boxers with him. The pounding in her chest grew until she could hear it in her head.

  Aroused and ready, he climbed onto the bed and settled himself between her legs. “I love you, Amber.”

  “I love you, Cole,” she replied, her voice lost to now incessant pounding.

  “Amber?” She shook her head at the faraway voice suddenly calling to her, only to hear it again. “Amber, open up.”

  Amber opened her eyes and sighed at the loss of such a wonderful dream. The pounding came again, louder this time, and she realized some of it was real.

  She glanced at the clock, threw the covers off, and scrambled from the bed. Who in the world was pounding on her door at six o’clock in the morning? She paused only long enough to check the peephole. Seeing a mass of bright red hair through the tiny glass, she pulled back and frowned. Why was Brooklyn pounding on her door? She flipped the lock and pulled back the door. “Brooklyn?”

  “Amber, are you okay?” Brooklyn asked, her voice tinged in fear.

  “I’m fine. Why did you think something was wrong?”

  Brooklyn grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face the open door. For a moment Amber wondered if she was seeing things. No way was the word Slut spray painted in red on her hotel room door. She stared blankly at it while reality slowly sank in and her body began to shake. “Oh my God.”

  “Now do you understand why I thought something was wrong?”

  “W-why?” Amber asked. “Why would someone do this?”

  “I don’t know.” Brooklyn moved farther into the room and looked around. “Where’s Cole?”

  “H-he’s not here,” Amber replied as she stared at the dripping red paint.

  Brooklyn held out her arms. “What do you mean he’s not here? I thought you two were a couple?”

  “We are,” Amber said. She frowned as Brooklyn’s question distracted her. Were they a couple? “But that doesn’t mean we’re sleeping together.” At least not yet.

  “Well, if he’s not with you, where is he?” Brooklyn asked as she reached for the phone.

  Fifteen minutes later, wrapped in her robe, Amber sat on the edge of her bed ensconced in Cole’s arms. Logan held Lexi close, and Jason paced back and forth while the hotel manager spoke on his cell phone.

  “Okay,” the manager said as he hung up. “The police are on their way, and I’ve asked corporate to pull the last six hours of video feed for this floor.”

  Mark rushed through the open door, stopped, and stared at the paint. He frowned before he continued inside. “Amber, are you okay?”

  She nodded.

  “When did this happen?” He pointed to the door.

  “We’re not sure,” the manager replied. “I’ve contacted the police, and we’re pulling the video feed. I assure you, Mr. Lane, we’ll find out who did this.”

  “You do that,” Mark replied. “In the meantime I want Amber given a new room.”

  “She’s going to stay with me and Jason,” Cole added.

  Brooklyn shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  His arms tightened around Amber. “And why the hell not?”

  Brooklyn pointed to the door. “That’s why not. It’s obvious by that statement somebody already thinks you two are sleeping together. Hell, I thought that. Take her into the room you share with Jason and see how quickly the rumors fly.” She turned to face Mark. “She can stay with me. Fiona’s been bitching about the newbie getting a room by herself. Put Amber with me, and let Fiona room alone.”

  Mark nodded. “Agreed.” Cole opened his mouth to protest, only to have Mark silence him with a stern look. “We’ll arrange to have Brooklyn and Amber in a room next to you and Jason. That way you can keep an eye on her without making things worse.”

  “I’d still rather have her with me,” Cole grumbled.

  Mark nodded. “Understood, but I’m with Brooklyn on this. Considering the situation, I really think that would just make things worse right now.”

  “Excuse me.” A uniformed officer walked up. “Ms. Star, can I ask you some questions?”

  * * * *

  Three hours after finding graffiti on her door, Amber sat with Lexi and Brooklyn in catering and picked at her scrambled eggs. Lexi eyed her with some concern. “Eat, Amber. You can’t afford to be missing meals again.”

  Brooklyn nodded. “Cole let you off easy the first time. You really don’t want him hovering over you like a mother hen, do you?”

  Amber sighed. “No, but it’s hard to eat when my stomach is in knots.” She glanced between her friends. “I’m scared and pissed off at the same time. Seriously”—she dropped her fork onto her plate—“what in the hell did I do to deserve this?”

  “Nothing,” Brooklyn replied. “Except for possibly falling for one of the sexiest, most eligible bachelors to come through here in a while.”

  “I didn’t intend to fall for him.” Amber shrugged. “He’s just so…”

  “Sexy?” Brooklyn grinned.

  Amber returned her smile. “Actually I was going to say commanding.”

  Lexi nodded. “I know what you mean. After my last relationship I didn’t want to get hurt again, and I tried really hard not to fall for Logan, but he was just so overpowering.”

  “Luckily,” Brooklyn interrupted, “your plan failed miserably.”

  Lexi grinned.

  “Speaking of which,” Amber began, “you look awful happy for someone who was seriously pissed off at her fiancé last night.”

  Lexi’s grin widened. “Water under the bridge.”

  “Really?”

  Brooklyn leaned back in her chair and laughed. “Logan has ways of getting her to forgive him.”

  “That’s what I’m learning.” Amber leveled a look on her friend. “So is what Cole and Jason told me true?”

  Lexi’s smile turned mischievous. “That depends on what they told you.”

  “Are you really going to make me say it?” Amber asked, though by Lexi’s response, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

  Lexi cocked her head to the side and shot her a wry look. “Say what?”

  Amber couldn’t help but laugh. “You really are a brat, you know that?”

  Lexi giggled. “Thank you. I try. But to answer your burning question, yes, Logan and I are in a Dominant/submissive relationship.”

  Amber leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand. “Fascinating. You have such a strong personality. I’d never peg you for being subordinate to anyone.”

  “Me either.” Lexi shook her head. “Until I met Logan. He’s a man who not only knows what he wants in the bedroom, he also knows how to please a woman.” She lifted her good hand and fanned herself. “He has this way about him that usually makes me want to give him whatever he desires.”

  Amber sent Lexi a small nod as she thought about her relationship with Cole. Strange how she felt the same way about him that Lexi did about Logan.

  “Lucky bitch,” Brooklyn grumbled.

  “You say that now,” Lexi argued, “but I’d bet you’d feel differently the first time your ass was red and sore.”

  “I have a solution to that problem,” Brooklyn replied.

  Lexi quirked a brow. “What’s that?”

  “Stop provoking him.”

  “Now what fun would that be?” Lexi count
ered.

  Amber bit her lip as she tried to hide her grin. Jason was right. Lexi had a masochistic streak. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Shoot.” Lexi lifted her coffee for a drink.

  “Do you like being a submissive?”

  Lexi lowered her cup and leveled her gaze on Amber. “I never thought I would, but I really do. Logan respects me enough to allow me to be my own person and express myself, except when it comes to the bedroom. Then he’s in charge.”

  “What about situations like what happened last night?”

  Lexi smirked and set her coffee on the table. “We disagree, and we argue. Sometimes I win, and sometimes he does. Sometimes we agree to disagree. I’m not his slave, and he doesn’t make decisions for me. Last night was a spat that we eventually settled.”

  “But who won?”

  Lexi tilted her head and rolled her eyes skyward. “Let’s just say that on that one we agreed to disagree, but I will admit I did have to apologize for being disrespectful.”

  “He made you apologize?” Amber was amazed by the information her friend so freely shared.

  Lexi nodded, and a small smile tipped her lips. “Naked and on my knees. I had to give him an oral apology, if you get what I mean. Still…” She shrugged. “Even that wasn’t really a punishment since I enjoyed it nearly as much as he did.”

  Amber’s stomach clenched at Lexi’s confession. The image her words conjured was sexy and arousing, and Amber couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to be Cole’s sub. Could she be that way with him if he asked? More so, was it something she really wanted?

  Brooklyn shook her head. “Why is it I’m the only one around here not getting any action?”

  “You’re not the only one,” Amber added.

  “At least you have the promise of sex on your horizon.” Brooklyn leaned back in her chair and tossed her napkin on the plate. “I’m trapped in a desert with no oasis in sight.”

  Amber arched her brow; Brooklyn had a good point. Cole had already made it clear he wanted Amber and had left the next move up to her. The question was, did she want to make it?

  Chapter Twelve

  Dressed in a black, shimmering sports bra and matching shorts, Amber stood behind the entrance and waited for her cue. She pulled at her ponytail, making sure it was tight, then checked her taped wrists. Her music, some girly pop thing they’d assigned to her, began to play, and her attention turned to Emma as she waited for her cue.

  “Ready?” Emma lifted a hand. “Okay.” She motioned Amber on.

  Amber emerged into the arena, and the crowd cheered. In the month she’d been here, she’d really begun to win over the fans. Hopefully, they’d still like her after tonight.

  She walked toward the ring, slapping hands with the fans along the way. Dressed in her typical two piece blue paisley ring gear, Scarlett waited for her inside the ring with Maverick and Reed Ryder lurking on the outside. The Ryders were another of the many three person teams management put together in their bid to offer something different than their competition. Only this was a singles match between Amber and Scarlett, which meant currently she was outnumbered. The urge to look up and scan the crowd nearly overpowered her. Cole and company were somewhere within the sea of people waiting for their cue. She just needed to keep her cool and stick to the script.

  Amber stepped into the ring, and Scarlett made some rude comments for those fans close enough to hear. Then the ref started the match. For several minutes the girls exchanged blows. Amber clotheslined Scarlett, only to have her opponent leg sweep her. Amber hopped to her feet, and Scarlett ran at her. She ducked, turned, and kicked Scarlett in the stomach on her return. Scarlett bent forward, giving Amber the perfect opportunity to hook her arm around the woman and perform a perfect bulldog finisher.

  She went for the cover, only to have Maverick grab her by the leg and pull her off. Playing her part, she turned and stared at Maverick with a look of shock on her face. Scarlett grabbed her by the hair, and Amber let out a scream. That was the cue.

  The Tribunal music began to play, and everyone froze as Cole and Jason appeared from one side of the stage and Logan on the other. With her broken arm Lexi had been ordered to steer clear of the ring. Much to Amber’s surprise, it appeared that for once her friend was actually listening. Of course, it was always possible that Logan had duct-taped her to a chair to ensure she followed orders.

  Trying to look sufficiently frightened at their appearance, Amber waited in the ring as the men raced down around the ring to attack Maverick and Reed. It didn’t take long for the men to make quick work of the Ryder brothers. Then they climbed up on the apron. Cole motioned to Amber.

  Once again playing her role, she looked apprehensive as she slowly walked toward the three men. Cole reached out, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her to them. He made exaggerated motions with his arms as he told her loudly to finish Scarlett.

  Jason and Logan both nodded their heads and motioned for Amber continue with the match. Amber glanced to her opponent and back. “Get her. Show her what revenge feels like,” Cole yelled.

  Amber turned and launched herself at Scarlett, taking her to the mat. She beat on her opponent, making it appear as if she was hitting Scarlett about the head and face.

  Finally she pulled back and stepped away from Scarlett, who didn’t move. Amber glanced at Cole, waiting for her cue. He climbed into the ring, followed by Logan and Jason. Cole moved in behind Amber, took her hand in his, and raised it above her head. “Long live The Tribunal,” he yelled to the crowd.

  “Long live The Tribunal,” Logan and Jason repeated.

  “Say it,” Cole prompted, and Amber glanced from him to where Scarlett still lay. She looked up at her hand, then over to Logan and Jason. A slow grin claimed her features. “Long live The Tribunal,” she yelled. The crowd went wild, reminding her of why she’d chosen this sport. Everything she said and did meant something to the fans, and she loved the immediate response they gave, the passion they carried.

  She made her way out of the ring along with her new team. Cole wrapped an arm around her, and together they started toward the back. Logan and Jason followed close behind. Fans cheered and others booed; some even yelled at Amber not to do it. Their passion and energy poured over her as she walked from the ring. This was what she’d worked for all those years. This was everything she’d ever wanted. Finally she was living her dream, and it felt amazing.

  They reached the main walkway, crossed through to the employee entrance, then made their way down to the interior of the building. It only took a few minutes to reach their temporary locker room. Lexi stood in the open doorway, a smile on her face. Apparently Logan hadn’t duct-taped her to a chair after all. “That was awesome.”

  “Thank you.” Amber gave her a hug; then they moved into the locker room. The men followed.

  “Welcome to The Tribunal,” Logan said.

  “Yeah. It’s going to be great to have you as part of our crew. Not that you weren’t already,” Jason said and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Thank you.” Amber glowed. She turned her attention to Cole, who slowly walked toward her, a predatory look on his face. Immediately heat pooled low in her belly. She’d seen that look before, and God help her, but she loved it when he looked at her like that. It was as if she were the only thing in the world that mattered to him. That knowledge warmed her to her core.

  He closed the distance between them and cupped her face in his palms, then brushed a soft kiss across her lips.

  Her heart, still pounding hard from her match, skipped a beat, then sped up. She brought her hands to his arms, curling her fingers around his wrists. He nibbled on her bottom lip, then tugged on it before covering her mouth with his, deepening the kiss. A whimper tumbled from her as she yielded to him.

  Before she realized it, he’d pinned her between his big body and the wall. Her arousal skyrocketed, and her body heated in response. His touch was so gentle, so full of love, and so different tha
n anything she’d previously experienced.

  Soft chuckles filled the silence; then she heard the door close. It was just as well that the others had left, because she had no intention of asking him to stop. His hands slid down her body, and his fingers curled around her waist. Her skin instantly became hot beneath his touch, fueling her desire. She wanted him to touch her, to take her, to make her his. She wanted to feel all the wonderful things about sex and love she’d missed because of the demons of her past.

  “This outfit is so damn sexy,” he growled as his thumbs teased the waistband of her shorts as his lips traveled along the nape of her neck. “God, Amber. I want you so damn much.”

  Intent on granting him the permission he sought, she opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say anything, a loud knock infiltrated their moment. “Amber? Cole? Are you in here?” The door opened slowly, and Cole groaned against her ear before pulling back.

  Disappointment washed through her as Emma’s assistant, Jill, appeared. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mark sent me. He wants to see you guys right away.”

  “Thank you, Jill,” Amber replied. “We’ll be right there.”

  She waited for the door to close, then turned her attention back to Cole. He looked like a child who’d just lost his favorite toy. She shared that sentiment, but they couldn’t keep Mark waiting. “There will be a time and place,” she said and gave Cole a soft kiss. “When that happens, I promise, I’m yours.”

  * * * *

  With a protective arm wrapped around Amber’s waist, Cole walked the hall toward Mark’s office. This was twice in a week he’d needed to quash his arousal. If this trend continued, he’d have a perpetual case of blue balls. Of course with her now rooming with Brooklyn, finding private time to be together was more difficult than ever.

  They walked into Mark’s office where Logan, Lexi, Jason, and Brooklyn already waited. Cole slipped into the empty seat and pulled Amber down onto his lap and covered her hand with his.

  “I’m sorry to call you here on such short notice,” Mark began. “But I just received a phone call from the Richmond Police Department.”