One Gold Knot Read online

  With the decay of the final note, Wilson hurried to meet Hildy and escort her back to their table. His drive to protect her was strong, but the broken look on her face during the incident with her parents had him almost feral.

  Sully thanked Hildy, and Wilson gathered her close, planting a kiss the top of her head. "That was beautiful, love." He kept his arm around her as he guided her along. Before she could take her seat, he parked himself on his own and pulled her onto his lap. He was quick to wrap his arms around her and tuck her head beneath his chin. He breathed easy once he felt her body relax. "There you go, sweetheart, just rest." With a nod of reassurance to Sully, Wilson hugged Hildy a little tighter and rocked her back and forth as she sobbed. "Let it out, love, I've got you, and I'll keep you safe."

  Sully headed towards Wilson and Hildy as soon as he finished introducing the next performance. "Is she okay, Wil?"

  "She will be. Right now she needs a cuddle and good cry."

  "Agreed. Should I make other arrangements for getting home?"

  "Nope, I'm a firm believer in leave with the one ya brung. That said, I think we'll be in charge of making sure Hildy gets home safely."

  Hildy pulled her head back from Wilson's body. "I am perfectly capable of getting myself home safely, thank you very much."

  Sully reached out and stroked her hair. "Nobody is saying otherwise, sweetheart, but it's been a difficult, emotional day, and unfortunately, it's likely to get worse before it gets better. I need you to trust me when I tell you it will get much, much better, but for now, let us support you, okay?"

  With a long sigh, Hildy gave in. "Okay. I'm too wrung out to argue."

  "Promise?"

  "I promise."

  "Good girl. Wil, I have to go up there and do more official stuff..."

  "No worries, I've got her back. One thing, though. Can you give Mac a heads-up on the situation? I don't want Hildy to be alone anywhere, and I can't be with her if she needs the facilities."

  "No need, she caught that little encounter with the cum infested pus bubbles and was all set to kick some ass. Your way was likely more elegant, but hers is always worth the price of admission."

  "I'll die a happy man if I get through the rest of my life without feeling the sharp-side of her tongue."

  "Good luck with that. Oops, that's my cue. Gotta go. Hildy, remember, Wilson is here to lean on, and you promised."

  Hildy nodded and buried herself in Wilson's arms. He kissed the top of her head before resting his cheek there.

  Wilson opened the front passenger door of his car. "In you get, Hildy. Sully can sit in the back."

  "I don't mind taking the back seat. Sully's injured, so he should get the front."

  "Not a chance, I had to put up with him in the front the whole way here. He's notorious for back-seat driving, so he may as well be appropriately located."

  "I thought you liked me, Wilson," Sully complained.

  "I do like you, but given the choice between a hot woman and you sitting next me, you're going to lose every single time."

  Hildy's face flushed and she dropped her gaze to the ground.

  "Now look what you did," Sully accused.

  "It's fine, Sully, really. Stop fussing. One minute you act like Wilson is the best thing that could possibly happen to me, and the next you're behaving like he's an axe-murderer."

  "You know me, I'm not happy unless I'm fussing."

  "Well, yeah, but stop it." Hildy demanded.

  "Get in the car. I hurt, and I want to go home."

  "Oh god." Wilson turned to Hildy. "Do you mind if we drop Sully off first? I'd like to get home before dawn."

  Hildy chuckled. "Nope, I'm all for self-preservation, and this will minimise how much complaining we both have to endure."

  "Seriously? You too, Hildy?"

  "Oh, suck it up, you big baby," Wilson ordered. "It's been almost six weeks since you broke those ribs. If you can't handle a ride in the car, how do you expect to be ready to play in time for all the Valentine's gigs?"

  "I'll manage just fine as long as you don't add to the damage now."

  "Oh for fuck's sake. Get in the back and be quiet or we'll visit every pot-hole and speed bump in the city before I drop you right back here and you can get a cab home." Wilson lifted his eyebrows. "Still want to bitch about my driving?"

  Sully clamped his lips shut and slid into the back of the car.

  Hildy sniggered. "Thanks, Wilson. I am SO making a special note of this. I don't think I've ever seen anyone shut Sully up so effectively without a ball-gag."

  "Ball-gag? Tell me it's true and there is photographic evidence." Wilson glanced up at the rear-view mirror for Sully's reaction. Nothing. Damn him and that inscrutable face of his. He turned his head for a quick look at Hildy and not only knew she told the truth, but whip poker with her would be oodles of fun. "Well, is there?"

  "No comment," Hildy said as she turned her face towards the passenger side window.

  Wilson snuck another quick glance in the rear-view mirror, and was sure he saw a flash of relief in Sully's eyes. Interesting. This would be worth pursuing.

  The ride to Sully's place was quiet and uneventful, but once Sully was safely indoors, that changed. Wilson drove a few blocks and parked the car. He turned to Hildy, and with a penetrating stare, he began his interrogation.

  "You had to know I wouldn't let this one go, so I suggest you give in gracefully and tell me all there is to know about Sully wearing a ball-gag."

  "I have nothing to tell you."

  Wilson's eyes flashed. "That's complete bullshit. Let's get one thing straight, right now. You do not lie to me. Ever. Not even little tiny white ones meant to avoid hurt feelings. Are we clear?"

  "You're in no position to make demands of me. In addition, Mr. Hypocrite, you sit there and tell me never to lie to you, but your implication of a relationship to keep Martha and Georg off my back sure smells like a lie to me."

  "True, it was certainly a lie by implication, but I lied to a pair of bullies with whom I have no obligation of trust so I could protect a woman with whom I am interested in exploring a trusting relationship."

  "Look, while I appreciate what you did to protect me, our implied relationship ended the moment we left the Squeaky Wheel. Now, if you don't mind, I'm tired and I'd like to go home."

  "Regardless of whether we're romantically involved or not, we now have a relationship of a sort, and I will accept nothing less than the truth from you."

  "Our relationship, whatever it may be, ends the moment I get out of this car, which will be here and now if we're not moving in the next ten seconds."

  "Hold on..."

  "Eight...seven..."

  Wilson started the car and eased onto the road. "Can we at least talk whilst I'm driving?"

  "No. I just want to get home. It's been a long, tedious day."

  "Okay, quiet it is."

  Wilson briefly considered taking the long way to Hildy's house in case she might be tempted to engage in some conversation, but if he were to have any chance with her, he needed to play it completely straight. Even in the silence, the ten minutes it took to get Hildy home sped by too quickly and left Wilson wanting more.

  "Thanks for the ride."

  "You're welcome, sweetheart." Wilson got out of the car along with Hildy.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Making sure you get home safely. Just go with it and let me be the gentleman my mother thinks she raised."

  Hildy rolled her eyes and sped up the path to her house, Wilson keeping pace beside her. Once Hildy had the door open, Wilson placed his hands on her upper arms and gently turned her towards him. "Since our relationship is about to turn into a pumpkin, may I please have one last kiss?"

  "Good grief, Wilson, will you give it up already?"

  "I'm persistent. It's one of my many redeeming qualities."

  "Oh, what the hell. One kiss."

  Wilson gathered Hildy into his arms. He touched his lips to her forehead, he
r nose, and finally to her lips before trailing his tongue along the seam of her mouth. She opened to him and he deepened the kiss, tangling his tongue with hers in between teasing sucks and nips. When Wilson finally eased way from Hildy, he studied her face and smiled. She was just as affected. "What time shall I pick you up in the morning to get your car?"

  "You don't need to do that. I can manage on my own."

  "I won't leave you stranded for tomorrow. So, what time would you like me to pick you up in the morning?"

  Hildy huffed. "Can you be here by eight-fifteen? I have a student at nine."

  "I'll be here. Goodnight, sweetheart. Now, go inside and lock the door. I'm not moving from this spot until you do."

  "You are awfully bossy."

  "It comes with the territory. You'll get used to it."

  "Cocky much?"

  "Go."

  "Alright, I'm going, I'm going."

  Once he heard the deadbolt snick into place, Wilson returned to his car and headed home. He'd known she'd be at Erich's wake, but he hadn't been prepared for how intensely attracted he still was to her. He thought back to that afternoon when they were teenagers. He was pretty sure he'd been her first kiss. Damn, he'd wanted to be her first everything, but he never saw her again. He didn't need to be her first anymore, but he did want to be her only.

  Two

  Hildy opened the door to a far too cheery looking Wilson. “Seriously? It’s not even seven-thirty. Nobody has a right to look that happy this early in the morning. I’m sure we agreed you’d pick me up at eight-fifteen.”

  “While I am a trifle early, I do come bearing coffee and croissants.”

  She’d had a restless night and she wanted to stay irritated, but couldn’t. “Actually, I slept though my alarm. Now I get to start my day with both breakfast and caffeine. Thank you.”

  “Does this mean I’ve earned a good morning kiss?”

  “You are incorrigible.”

  “So my mother keeps telling me. I’m still waiting for my answer.”

  Hildy considered his request. His kisses tested her self-control to the limit, and last night she’d been on the verge of inviting him in. However, giving him quick peck on the lips should be okay. “Only if you let me drink my coffee in peace. I am not a morning person.”

  Wilson’s ability to give her the quiet she needed to prepare herself for the day ahead was a relief. The very few men she’d woken up with had been incapable. Oh, they’d be quiet for a minute or two when she asked them, but they couldn’t handle the silence. She wondered how long Wilson could hold out. He’d surprised her the previous evening when he’d complied with her request for a quiet journey home, but that was only ten minutes.

  Then she realised he wouldn’t ask about Sully and the ball-gags as long as he was being quiet. If she could keep this up until she got to her car, she’d be off the hook. No looking for ways to tell the truth without giving anything away. She picked off pieces of the croissant and slipped them into her mouth between sips of coffee. Then it hit her. He knew how she took it. Sully was such a blabbermouth. She finished her breakfast and drained her cup.

  “Right, I need to jump in the shower and throw some clothes on, then I’ll be ready to go.” Hildy leaned in and gave Wilson the kiss he’d earned. Damn, he made her tingle all over. She pulled away quickly, he was far too tempting.

  Wilson remained silent for the short journey back to the Squeaky Wheel. Hildy needed space. He could give her that, and it allowed him time to consider her other needs. His long conversation with Sully the previous night had given him a better idea of who Hildy was, but even Sully, who knew her best, was not privy to all that made her tick.

  “Thanks for the ride, I appreciate it.”

  “You’re most welcome. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

  “Yeah, maybe, but don’t count on it.”

  “Would you like to bet on it?”

  “Nope, the only luck I have is generally very bad. Now, I need to go or I’m going to be late.”

  “Alright, no betting. A kiss and hug goodbye?”

  “No hug. Just a quick kiss.” Hildy amended.

  “A quick kiss, then. “Wilson’s eyes never left hers as he took her face in his hands, and when their lips touched, he needed more. His instincts took over and he was lost. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to deepen the kiss, his tongue coaxing her to open for him.

  He knew he’d screwed up the moment he’d done it, but by then, it was too late. Hildy yanked back and scrambled out of the car. She poked her head back in. “Silly me, I thought you might be different, but you really are a hypocrite. You agree to one thing and do another, just like most everyone else I’ve ever met. I don’t ever want to see you again.” She slammed the door and stalked to her car.

  Wilson waited until she’d driven off before restarting his vehicle. He’d meant to return home, but instead, he ended up at Sully’s.

  He launched into his tale of woe the moment the door opened. “I fucked up, and now I need your help.”

  “You’d best come in, then.” Sully stepped aside and allowed Wilson to pass, then followed him into the kitchen. He poured them each a cup of coffee and joined Wil at the table. A long sip later, he asked, “What did you do?” Sully remained silent until Wil finished telling him of his morning encounter with Hildy.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck. Goddammit, Wil. You’re the epitome of patience, and never impulsive. I warned you last night to tread very, very carefully. She let you touch and hold her — something I’ve never seen her let anyone do besides Erich and me. I thought you might actually be someone with whom she could feel safe enough with to involve herself romantically.”

  “I have no excuse. That rocket clearly exploded before lift-off, so now I need to fix this for both of us.”

  “I don’t know, Wil. Your fuck-up pretty much squandered my credibility. I told her she could trust you and you made a liar out of me.” Sully closed his eyes and tapped his chin with his forefinger. “Give me a few days to see what I can do. In the meantime, stay away from her and don’t come over here without calling first.”

  He was so ridiculously desperate, he’d have agreed to perform their next concert wearing nothing but a cock-ring. “Okay.”

  “Good boy.”

  “That’s hilarious coming from a Dom whose mouth is, apparently, no stranger to a ball-gag.”

  Sully’s expression gave nothing away. “Pure speculation on your part.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think so.”

  “Whatever. Now, fuck off, I’ve got to go slip into my superhero persona. I have relationships to rescue.”

  Wilson snorted. “Superhero! Dream on, Sully.”

  “I still owe Mac two favours to be named later. If I pull this off, they become your responsibility.”

  “Deal. Keep me updated. It’s going to kill me sitting at home wondering what’s going on.”

  “Yes, yes. Now, piss off, I have plans to make.”

  Wilson got up to leave and paused. “I’m sorry I fucked up, Sully. If nothing else, I hope you can salvage your relationship with Hildy.”

  “She and I have been friends her whole life, I doubt she’ll ditch my ass over this. However, she will probably make me suffer for a bit, and that’s okay, I’ll take it out on you.” Wilson nodded and left.

  Hildy stared at the ringing phone. She was tempted to let it go to voice-mail, but she knew he’d just keep calling until she answered.

  “Hello, Sully, you rat-bastard. You’re lucky I bothered to answer.” She flopped onto the sofa and put her feet up on the coffee table.

  “Well, I’m glad you did. I have some business that requires your attention. Can you swing by tonight?”

  “Can’t we do it over the phone?”

  “No, there’s paperwork and signatures involved. Besides, I can start atoning for my sins by providing you with a yummy supper.”

  “Pizza from Cheeses Crust?”

  “Is there anywhere else?”
/>   “Just you and me?”

  “If by just you and me, you mean no Wilson, then yes, just us. I made him promise to stay away. Good enough?”

  “I can live with that.”

  “Thank you. Can we talk about what happened today?”

  Hildy groaned. “Do we have to?”

  “No, but I feel responsible. I shouldn’t have trusted anyone else with your safety.”

  Sometimes, he really was an over-protective dolt. “You buffoon, safety wasn’t the issue. Trust was the issue, and while Wilson had managed to earn a little, he pissed it away in the space of a heartbeat.”

  “And he knew it the very moment he did it. With most people, I wouldn’t bother advocating a second chance, but I’ve known him a very long time. I have seen him at both his strongest, and his most vulnerable. This is the first time I’ve known him to be impulsive. That tells me that there’s something about you that short-circuited his rigid self-control.”

  And there he was, back to meddlesome. “Stop right there, Sully. I wasn’t interested in him before he proved himself a hypocrite, so why would I open myself up to him now?”

  “I’m not suggesting you marry the guy, or even date him. Just give him a chance to show you he’s a pretty good guy who sometimes makes mistakes, but will always do everything he can to fix them.”

  “To be honest, Sully, I wasn’t going to ever see him again regardless of whether he fucked-up or not. I’ll admit to a bit of an interesting spark. But I’m smart enough to know it is nothing more than an emotional reaction to grief combined with the knight in shining armour routine he pulled when my parents showed up. Sleep took care of that.”

  “Okay, I won’t push for you to socialise with him, but will you let him get his trustworthiness back to zero?”

  “He did save my ass this morning. You told him to show up with breakfast and coffee, didn’t you?” Hildy wondered why Sully was pushing this so hard.