by E. L. Todd
“That’s great.” I gave her a look of excitement. “Don’t stress out about it. This is a big accomplishment.”
“And big accomplishments require big work.”
“You’ll be fine. I’m always here to help.”
“I know.” She still looked uneasy.
I came around the desk then lifted her from the chair. I turned her around then lay her on the desk.
Trinity released a quiet scream. “What are you doing?”
“Calming you down.” I lifted up her dress and pulled her thong down. Then I pressed my face into the area between her legs and kissed the area. My lips parted hers and I used my tongue to please her the way she liked.
Within seconds, her fingers moved to my hair and she fisted the strands. Moans escaped her lips and she melted into a puddle on the desk. Her breathing became deep and heavy, and her hands moved to my shoulders as she held on tightly.
I moved against her clitoris hard and fast, making her dig her nails into my skin. The deeper her nails went, the harder I went. I pushed her to the edge until she fell off the cliff. Then she released restrained moans like she was trying not to scream. “Slade…”
My spine shivered when I heard my name on her lips. I gave her a few tender kisses before I pulled away and licked the moisture from my lips. Trinity had a distinct taste and I loved it. I memorized her smell a long time ago, and if you blindfolded me I’d be able to pick it out in a crowded room. “Now chill out.” I pulled her thong up her legs then adjusted her dress.
She lay there for a few moments, recovering from the high. “You’re really good at that…”
“Maybe you just taste good.” I lifted her up and brought her to the edge of the desk. “Guess who’s marrying Skye and Cayson?”
The pleasure disappeared from her face, and confusion replaced it. “Who?”
I grinned from ear-to-ear. “Me.”
Her eyes narrowed on my face. “You are?”
“Yep. And I’m wearing multi-colored robes. It’s going to be so sick.”
“When was this decided?”
“Earlier today,” I answered. “So, I’m the best man and the minister.”
“That doesn’t make you a minister.”
“Hey, I’m a very godly person.”
She released a sarcastic snort. “You’re the most ungodly person I know. You’ve fucked all of Manhattan and you’re covered in sleeves.”
“But I haven’t raped, stolen, or killed anybody.”
She rolled her eyes. “I still can’t believe they want you to marry them.”
“It’s not that surprising. I’m totally awesome.”
“Well, at least it will be entertaining…”
“And won’t it be a turn on to sleep with the minister?” I gave her a smug look.
“No…that’s never been a fantasy of mine.”
“Now it will be.” I kissed her neck below her ear. “Ready to go home?”
“I think so,” she said with a sigh. “I have work to do but not enough time.”
“It can wait until tomorrow. After five o’ clock you’re mine.”
Chapter Thirteen
Beatrice
I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered if I was dressed appropriately. I wore denim shorts and a pink t-shirt. My hair was pulled in a ponytail through my Yankees hat. It definitely wasn’t something I would normally wear. Did it look like I was trying too hard to fit in?
A knock on the door announced that I ran out of time. I pulled my running shoes on and tightened the laces before I answered the door. Jared stood on the other side wearing gray running shorts and a black t-shirt. The fabric fit nicely against his chest. The outline of his pectoral muscles was nice. His fair skin contrasted against his dark brown hair, and his blue eyes stood out like sapphires.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I lost my train of thought for a moment. I shoved my keys and phone into my pocket.
He looked me up and down. “If I didn’t know you, I would say you were a down-to-earth, sporty chick.”
“Why can’t you say that now that you know me?”
“Because you aren’t.” He stepped into the hallway and waited for me to join him.
I didn’t bother arguing and walked out with him. We left the building then headed up the sidewalk toward the park. Jared kept his distance from me and didn’t sneak glances at me. I was used to people casting stares my way. But Jared didn’t do that.
“How was your week?” he asked.
“Okay.” I kept looking forward as we walked.
“That’s all you’re giving me? Try again.”
“It was long. I’m learning a lot about wine and I’m realizing that running the business isn’t as easy as it seems. My brother is there to show me around but he can’t hold my hand all day long.” I turned to him. “Is that better?”
“Much. Now ask me about my week.”
“Why are you bossing me around?”
“I’m teaching you how to loosen up. Now ask me.”
“I know basic manners,” I said defensively.
“Really?” he asked. “I didn’t pick up on that.”
I wanted to argue but I let it go. “How was your week?”
“Good. We had a live band play the other night and it brought in a lot of business.”
“Is running a bar stressful?”
“Not really. I have a few bouncers that keep everything calm.”
We reached the field and joined the other guys. They all looked Jared’s age.
“Guys, this is Beatrice. Beatrice, these are the guys.” Jared introduced us one by one.
“Where do you find all these pretty girls?” Mark blurted as he shook my hand.
I immediately tensed at his words.
“She’s just my friend,” Jared said.
Mark stepped closer to me. “Well, I have plenty of friends and I’m not looking for more.” His eyes moved down to my body.
Jared came to my side and his shoulder touched mine. “She’s off limits. If anyone hits on her I’ll beat them with a bat.”
“Just your friend, my ass,” Mark mumbled.
I crossed my arms over my chest and remained closed off.
Jared leaned toward my ear. “They’re harmless but if anyone bothers you let me know.”
“Okay,” I said immediately.
He put his arm around my shoulders. “Do you know how to play?”
All I could think about was his hand touching me. I stepped away. “Yes.”
He dropped his hand and gave me an irritated look. “You’re ice-cold, you know that?”
“I just don’t want to be touched. It’s not unreasonable.”
“Touching is sign of friendship, you know.” He didn’t reach for me again. “You need to loosen up and start trusting people. Being cut off from everyone you meet is no way to live.”
“It’s because of assholes like you that make women like me distrustful.”
Sadness moved into his eyes and his shoulders fell. “I’m a different person now. Please don’t throw that in my face. It’s very hurtful.” He walked away and headed to home plate.
I watched him go and felt terrible inside. My words wounded him and I realized how cold I was being. It was so difficult for me to open up to anyone. Anytime I did, they left. Mom left me years ago. When I finally accepted my father into my life, he passed away. And then Conrad…I lost him. My natural defense mechanism was to push people away. Jared was right. It was no way to live.
I approached him with my arms by my sides.
He purposely didn’t look at me.
“I’m sorry.”
Jared turned my way, a slight look of surprise in his eyes.
“I…I shouldn’t have said that. It was mean. I’m sorry.”
His coldness evaporated. “Thank you.”
“Can we start over? Your friend just put me in an off mood…”
“You were off the moment you opened the door,” he said. “You hate bein
g out of your comfort zone. I get that. But I’m going to force you to be out of your comfort zone.”
I stared into his crystal blue eyes.
“Now, ready to play some ball?”
“Sure.” A natural smile crept across my lips.
***
Jared and I were on the same team, and we won by a landslide. I knew how to play but that didn’t mean I was very good. It took a few swings before I finally hit the ball. But when my bat collide with the ball it flew far into the outfield and I got a home run.
Jared was a good ball player and he was a fast runner. He managed to steal a few bases when the pitcher was distracted. The guys hated Jared for being so good and said he wasn’t allowed to play anymore.
When the sun had set and dusk approached, the game ended.
“Good game.” Jared high-fived all of them before he walked away with me by his side. “You know, you aren’t bad.”
“I told you I knew how to play.”
“Yeah, but you’re a fast runner. I was surprised.”
“Girls can run fast too.”
“I’m not saying they can’t—I’m saying you can’t.” He ran his fingers through his hair like he was trying to fix it. “Want to get pizza and beer?”
“That has heartburn written all over it.”
“But it’s so worth it.”
I remembered what he said about staying out of my comfort zone. “Sure.”
“Awesome.”
We headed to a pizza joint then took our seats.
“You like combination, right?”
He remembered? “Yeah.”
Jared put the order in then sipped his beer. The TV was on in the corner so he watched it.
It was nice not to be stared at. Jared treated me like I was a friend and nothing more. That kind of friendship was what I was looking for. After losing Conrad I wasn’t ready for anything romantic. And after losing both of my parents I didn’t want to be close to anyone ever again. What was the point if they always disappeared?
He eyed my glass of water. “No beer?”
“It’s not smart to drink alcohol after exercising.”
“Do I look like I care about being smart?” he asked.
I knew the question was rhetorical so I didn’t answer.
“I’m ordering you a beer.” He waved the waitress over.
“But I don’t like beer.”
“Give it another chance.” The waitress approached him and he ordered something on tap. A moment later, she slid the glass in front of me.
I looked down at the foam.
“Come on,” he said. “Don’t be a pussy.”
“Me not liking beer makes me a pussy?” I asked incredulously. “If you didn’t like grapes would that make you a pussy?”
“No. Actually, I love grapes. Now drink up.”
I took a sip and flavored the taste. “It’s strong.”
He chuckled. “It’s not even dark beer.”
“It’s still…” I smacked my lips together. “Tastes funny.”
“You need an acquired taste for beer. Take a few more sips.”
“Why do you want me to like beer so much?” I asked.
“Because you’re my friend. And if you want to be my friend you have to like beer. It’s a rule.”
“Did Lexie like beer?”
“She did. But she was my wife—not my friend.”
“You have to be friends before anything more happens,” I said. “So, she had to be one at some point.”
“I guess,” he said with a shrug.
“How did you guys meet?”
He pressed his lips together while he considered the question. “At a party. I spotted her across the room and thought she was cute. Then I turned on the charm. The rest is history.”
“Did you cheat on her before you were married?”
Jared looked down like he was uncomfortable. “No.”
“Then why did you start after you were married?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I guess I didn’t like having my freedom taken away. But I was just a selfish jackass who only cared about himself. I wish I never married her.”
That was a strong thing to say.
“I wish we never met.” He looked away like he was reliving a distant memory. “She would be so much better off if I’d never been in her life. Lexie is a sweetheart and deserves the best—not a piece of shit like me.”
It seemed like he hated himself.
“I really like Conrad. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would ever cause her pain. I hope they get married.”
The idea of Conrad getting married to anyone but me broke my heart. He used to talk about our big day like it was an absolute. But then I chased him away with my own stupidity. I never cheated on him but I hurt him just as much as Jared hurt Lexie. We were both terrible people. “We have a lot in common.”
“No wonder we get along so well.” He clanked his beer against mine then took a drink.
“What you did to Lexie was wrong but I think you should let it go. You keep beating yourself up over it.”
“I deserve far worse,” he said bitterly. “My own mother won’t even talk to me. I told her what I did and she can’t even look at me anymore. Every time I call she doesn’t answer. When I come to the house she doesn’t open the door.”
“You told her recently?”
“Yeah…”
“Then why did she think you got divorced?”
He shrugged. “We just couldn’t work it out. My mother loves Lexie like her own daughter. When she found out what I did, she gave me that look…like she hated me. I thought if I told my mom the truth Lexie would realize how sorry I really was. But…that backfired.”
“It was good to get it off your chest anyway.”
“I suppose.”
“Conrad told me she recently had a heart attack.”
“She did,” he said. “But she’s okay now. It was a big scare at the time but she pulled through. She needs to lay off the pies and cookies. She has bad cholesterol. But she’s a proud baker so getting her to eat more fruits and vegetables is like getting T-Rex to eat a pineapple—it’s just not possible.”
“I’m glad she’s okay.”
“Thank you. I am too.” He drank his beer and watched the TV in the corner. Then he turned his gaze back to me. “Conrad told me about your father. I’m sorry.”
He did? “Yeah…it’s been hard.” I automatically averted my gaze because I didn’t want to see him watch me.
“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m right here.”
“Thanks…” I took a sip of my beer just to have something to do.
“Were you close with him?”
“Not for many years. We didn’t even talk. But he recently pursued me and convinced me to give him another chance. The relationship was progressing well. For a moment, it seemed like we were really a family again. And then he died.” My voice broke at the end. “I wasted all those years being angry with him…and now I can never get them back.” I felt the moisture in my eyes but I blinked them back.
Jared stared at me for a few seconds before he moved to my side of the booth. His arm moved around my shoulders and he held me close. “It’ll be alright, B.”
“B?”
“Yeah, that’s your nickname.” He looked down into my face with eyes filled with concern. “Fortunately, I don’t know what it’s like to lose a parent. But I can imagine how difficult it is. Just know you aren’t alone.”
His comfort felt nice. Earlier he touched my shoulder and it made me flinch. But now it felt warm and inviting. I didn’t feel so alone in the world, like I had to bottle up everything inside. “Thanks for putting up with me…”
“Putting up with you?” he asked with a light laugh. “I admit you’re a little standoffish but you’re also pretty cool. And consider it my Good Samaritan donation. After all the shit I pulled I need to start doing nice things for other people.”
I smiled. “Maybe you should pick
up garbage at the park.”
He cringed. “I’m not that nice. You couldn’t pay me to do that.”
“Now look who’s stuck-up.”
He chuckled. “I guess I’m a little snooty. See? Now we have something else in common.”
I stared into his eyes and saw the sparkle deep within. When I first met Jared I thought he was a typical jerk just like everyone else. But now I was seeing a lot more to him, indefinite layers down to the bare foundation of his soul. “I guess we do.”
***
Jared walked me to my door. “Thanks for coming out today. You were pretty good—for a girl.”
“I was pretty good—period. I played better than your friend Mark.”
He rolled his eyes. “Because he couldn’t take his eyes off you. You distracted him.”
“Oh, don’t blame me for that.”
“Look at those beautiful legs.” He looked down. “It is your fault.”
“Knock it off,” I said as I unlocked the door. A light chuckle escaped my lips as I stepped inside the apartment.
Jared stayed in the hallway. “I’ll see you later. Let’s go bowling or something.”
I assumed he would come inside but now I wasn’t sure why I made that assumption. “Bowling?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve never played.”
“No, it’s just…do you have any other hobbies besides sports?”
He put his hands in his pockets as he considered my words. “Actually, no.”
I chuckled. “You’re very rounded.”
“Hey, at least I have hobbies. What do you do?”
“I like to read.”
“Yeah?” He seemed slightly surprised by that.
“Do I look illiterate?”
“No…I guess I expected you to sow or something.”
“Sow?” I asked in offense. “Do I look like a ninety year old woman to you?”
“You act like one.”
I smacked his arm. “Don’t be a jerk.”
He laughed as he rubbed his arm. “I’m just being honest.”
I set my keys and phone on the counter. “You want to come in?”
His eyes narrowed in confusion. “Me?”
“Is there anyone else here…?”
He looked around. “A ghost would have a better chance of getting an invitation than another human being.”
I rolled my eyes. “You act like I’m this old hermit lady.”
