Tough Enough

“I know. Not pretty.” White is anal, which is probably why he makes such a good producer. He’s a details man.

“We should be there shortly. Will you stay for a few minutes after I get there?” Her tone is hopeful.

“Meh. I’m really not in the mood to—”

“Katiiie!” I can almost hear Mona stomp her foot. “You’re never in the mood. Can’t you stay? Just for a little while? For me? Pleeease!”

I frown. This isn’t like Mona. Normally all she ever needs is White and she’s happy as a clam. Unless things aren’t going well. “Is something wrong?”

The long pause and her short response say it all. “It’s White.” Her voice is small and wounded, and I can hear the resignation in it.

I don’t have to ask what he’s done. It’s the only thing he ever does to hurt Mona. Unfortunately, he does it with disgusting regularity. “Who is it?”

“Peony,” she answers miserably, bringing to mind the mental image of a trashy, raven-haired beauty. She plays the resident freak on the show and she’s very convincing. Mainly, we suspect, because she’s such a freak in real life. Dark, brooding, daring. Admits to loving sadomasochism. Observes some pretty scary “personal pleasure rituals.” Thinks the devil talks to her. That kind of thing.

“Peony? Ewww. Why?”

“I know, right? White doesn’t even like brunettes. And she’s named after a stinky old flower. I just don’t . . . I can’t . . .” I hear the tremor in her voice and I know she’s about to lose it. Now is definitely not the time to tell her that peonies don’t stink. They actually smell quite good.

I hold back my sigh. My friend needs me. “Of course I’ll wait for you.”

Like a ray of sunshine breaking through thick, ominous clouds, I hear the pleasure and relief in her voice. She needs to be with someone who won’t hurt her. Someone like me. “Really? You will?”

“Really. I will.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“You’re the best, Kitty.”

When we hang up I turn back to Ro

Ro

An hour later, I’m two drinks in, Ro

Nope. Nothing.

“Excuse me for just a second,” I tell Ro

I get up and walk toward shore, sca

I turn back and slip into one of the cabanas for a little privacy as I tap Mona’s number into my phone. The way she answers, I can picture her with one finger stuffed in her other ear so she can hear me on the phone. “Don’t leave!” she says without preamble, practically screaming. “We’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

“It’s getting late. I need to get home.”

“It’s nowhere near late, Katie! Don’t you dare leave yet. I’m coming. I swear.”

“I’ll wait as long as I can, but if you’re not here in another thirty minutes, I’ll have to go.”

She huffs. “Fine. But give me thirty minutes. We aren’t that far away. We’ll be there shortly.”

“That’s what you said an hour ago.”

“Well, that’s what I thought an hour ago. Nautical . . . stuff isn’t exactly my area of expertise.”

“Okay, okay,” I say in frustration. “Thirty minutes.”

“See you soon.” And then the line goes dead.

I inhale deeply and turn to find my way back to Ro

“Sorry,” he slurs softly. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” I say, taking a step back, away from his crowding closeness.

Ro

What a crude thing to say, especially from Ro

A little thread of unease weaves its way down my spine. “Thanks. I think. Let’s go back out to the tent. Mona said they’ll be here in a couple of minutes.”

I start to walk around him, but he winds his fingers around my upper arm to stop me, pulling me against his side. “Sit and talk with me then. Just for a couple of minutes.”

Still gripping my arm, Ro

I plant my feet, resisting his guidance.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’ve had a lot to drink, Ro

He laughs, giving me a sharp tug that unbalances me. I careen forward, right into his arms, which he folds around me as we fall together back onto the makeshift bed.

I make a strangled squeaking sound, surprised by the sudden movement. Alarm flashes through me. I go from uneasy to distinctly uncomfortable with Ro

“I think we’ve flirted around this attraction long enough, Katie, don’t you?” he says, his voice gruff with intoxicated passion.

Before I can set him straight, Ro

My alarm increases tenfold when he wedges his hips between mine and starts to grind against me. He’s moaning against my throat, licking and kissing and crushing me with his weight. I feel breathless, but not in a good way. It’s as though the pressure of his thick chest is collapsing my lungs.

“Ro

“I know you want this as much as I do. You don’t have to pretend. I heard you on the phone. They won’t be here for a while. We’ve got enough time, sweet thing.”

As I struggle to bring up my chin and pull in gulps of fresh air, Ro

“You feel so good, Katie. I can’t wait one more minute.”

Ro

As if to prove his point, Ro

“God, I can’t wait to be inside you,” he mumbles as he rubs.

I don’t stop fighting. I can’t.

When I’ve managed to wiggle us toward the foot of the bed, a little closer to a possible escape, Ro