Chapter 22
The super-sweet combination of butter, chocolate, and maple syrup floods my mouth with the first bite. I made myself chocolate chip waffles after sleeping through the night. Sunlight streams happily into my small kitchen, matching my sugar-induced mood.
I texted Trevor earlier and asked him to come help me at Ruby Raines today if he gets out of work. I’m going to forgive him for last night and chalk it up to my annoyance with Neal’s display of testosterone.
Contentment makes me sigh as I push my breakfast plate out of the way and grab my phone to text Neal a reply to his news about my boxes being in the shop. “Great. I’ll be in to put things together today. I should have help. Thanks.”
I dress in old jeans, a pretty bra with straps I don’t mind showing under my tank top, and a worn hoodie. The cotton of my sweatshirt is fraying at the cuffs, and it’s light on my skin. While it seems like too little clothing now, I’m sure I’ll be sweating today as I heave heavy metal racks and displays around the store.
Trevor texts me before I worry I’ll have to find someone else, and I smile at his words. “Back in the locker room after not getting a lesson and ready for you to order me around. Where and when?”
“My shop, half hour. <3”
A quick brush of my teeth and I’m out the door. The blue sky and bright sun are deceiving. Cold wind bites into the skin on my face as I make my way to my car. Even so, my happiness isn’t dampened as I drive to Breck.
Ice and snow crackle under the tires as I pull into my parking spot next to Neal’s car. That man seriously works all the time. Braving the wind tunnel of the courtyard alley, I decide to take a shortcut through Rhinestone Cowgirl’s side door. Christian is in his office when I enter, and I poke my head in.
“Hey, miss me?”
“Ruby! Yes, I do.” His chair squeaks as he stands.
“I’m putting displays and racks together today. I promise to come bug you on a regular basis.”
“Good. I’ll walk over with you.” He follows me as I unzip my coat and head toward the large opening between our stores. The renovation is done, except for the floor, and it’s beautiful. Designed to look like an archway, it entices one into my fairy-like woodland space.
I flip on the light switch, and Christian says, “Whoa. Those lights are so cool.”
I glance up at the shadows that reach across the ceiling and down onto the walls like a tree canopy. “I know, I think they’re my favorite thing.”
“So, carpet gets installed next week, right?”
“Yup, Monday I think. Did Neal tell you we’re thinking about opening early?” I drop my backpack behind the counter with a thump.
“He did. A week from tomorrow, right?” Christian picks up two fluorescent green knives that were resting on the pile of boxes and hands one to me.
I nod as I wrap my hand around the smooth metal. “I’m so nervous but excited at the same time.”
“I bet.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders, and says, “I’m so proud of you. This place is beautiful and very you.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you and Nika.”
He points to the boxes. “Open all of these?”
“Uh-huh.” I slice into the largest one as he yanks a box off the pile next to it. The floor shakes as he lets it drop.
“You could have done this on your own, but I like to think we helped you realize it was possible.” Tape pops as he punctures it and slides his knife down a seam to open the package.
“You did. I never would have tried again so soon if you hadn’t encouraged me and brought Neal into the picture.”
Christian’s eyes twinkle as he teases me. “Neal pushed his way into your picture. Look out, because that guy has plans for you.”
I roll my eyes, but my stomach flutters a bit as a few unwelcome sexual ideas pop into my head. Rapping on the front door captures my attention, and I get up to find Trevor on the other side. “Come on in, I’m just getting started.”
Christian has finished emptying the box he opened, and shiny silver metal rack parts wrapped in plastic are piled up next to it. He stands as Trevor and I walk to him.
“Christian, this is Trevor. He’s an instructor on Peak 8 and here to help me today.”
Christian nods, and his eyes widen the slightest bit when Trevor slips an arm around my shoulders and says, “Hey.”
I step out of Trevor’s embrace and refuse to acknowledge his need to lay claim to me in front of every guy we meet. I walk toward the box I was working on. Christian says, “You probably want to put one together before emptying more so you don’t get parts mixed up.”
I answer, “Good idea. You don’t have to help if you need to get back to work. I’m sure Trevor and I can figure it out.”
“I’m sure you can too, but let me do the first one with you and then I’ll go.”
We put the rack together, and I’m glad Christian stayed to help because he showed us the best order in which to assemble things. While I would have been happy to read the directions, guy code dictates we ignore them.
Christian starts to walk away, and he says, “Nika will be here at ten to bother you.” He winks at me, and I wonder if he’s thinking Trevor and I are planning on more than work. Part of me wants to cringe until I turn away from his retreating back and see Trevor’s tight butt bent over a box.
His muscles flex in response as I rub a hand over his bottom when I walk by, and he stands with a smirk on his face. “Got a new order for me?”
I grin. “Not yet, but give it time.”
I sit down on the floor, and plastic whooshes as I pull metal from it. I lay out the pieces next to each other as Trevor keeps adding to the pile. I say, “Skiing was fun yesterday. I’m going to do my best to schedule in a few mornings off this winter.”
“Can you make your day off be Wednesdays too? Then you can ski with us every week.”
Trevor sits on the other side of the pile to help as I say, “I’ll talk to the boss.”
“Yeah?” Trevor gets up on his knees and leans in to kiss me. Before he does, he says, “Let me see if I can help sway her.”
My hands hold his face, and his skin is smooth and warm under my fingers. Tempted to push him down on the floor and straddle his hips, I break away. “Sold.” I tease him. “Wait, what was it I just bought?”
“That you need to figure out how to spend all your spare time with me.”
Metal clangs as a piece slips out of my fingers on its way to the floor. “Oh, I think I can find a way.”
Trevor raises his eyebrows at my flustered state as I shrug. We spend the next few hours putting things together with occasional breaks to chat with Nika about how things are going. She treats Trevor like my boyfriend, and I have no doubt the girls clued her in. I’m grateful that she doesn’t ask questions, although I’m sure she’ll demand every detail later.
Stripped down to my tank top, my skin is damp with perspiration as we drag the last clothing rack to the back of the store and out of the way for the carpet installers. Stuck behind it, I’m about to slide out when Trevor squeezes in with me.
He grabs my hands, lifts them up above my head, and presses me against the wall with his hips. “I think it’s time to pay me for my time.”
Trevor places light kisses on my neck as he moves up toward my mouth. I shudder in response as lust courses through my body. He knows exactly what he’s doing. “Form of payment?” My words come out in a scratchy whisper.
“This. God I love the taste of you when you’re sweaty.”
I scrunch up my face. “That’s kind of gross.”
He murmurs against my skin, and he moves downward. “Not when I’m the reason you’re sweating.”
Oh. Oh! He lets go of my wrists, and my hands fall to his shoulders when he pulls my tank and part of my bra away from my skin to sneak his tongue across my nipple. Shock waves race right to my core, and I squirm against his hips.
He cups my breasts roughly over my shirt
, and I hang on tightly as my knees get weak.
Trevor’s mouth is at my ear, and he whispers, “Let me eat you here, behind these racks, where nobody can see.” One of his hands slips down my jeans, and I shift to let him have access.
Oh, God, I want his mouth on me so bad, but this could go wrong so quickly if someone walked in. Trevor’s fingers thrust into me, and I gasp at the intrusion that I know I should stop.
Hot breath tickles my ear as he continues to talk to me. “You’re so freaking wet and slippery. Let my tongue taste you, feel your sweet pussy twitch in my mouth.”
Holy shit, this dirty talk is working for me. I ride his fingers, and when he hits my G-spot, I let out a tiny moan.
“That’s it, baby. Let it happen, I’ve got you.”
I have a hard time staying quiet, and Trevor knows this, so he kisses me to muffle my cries. I convulse as he keeps me trapped against the wall and doesn’t let up with his stroking. Coming down I’m vulnerable, and when he starts to unbutton my jeans I’m going to let him until I hear a throat clear.
My eyes open in shock to Nika’s smirk. Thank God, it’s not Neal. Trevor releases my waistband and tugs my shirt down for me before he begins to remove himself from behind the rack.
Nika says, “Ah, you’re going to need to start using your office, it’s a lot more private.” She’s grinning as I try not to burn up to a crisp from the heat flushing my face.
“I’ll try to remember that.” I slither between the rack and the wall to follow Trevor.
He walks to the counter with a slight swagger and turns to grin at me as he lifts his water bottle to his mouth.
Nika says, “I just wanted to let you know Neal is talking to Christian and on his way over here.” She winks at me. “Good thing I did.”
Oh, shit. I’m a puddle right now, and Neal is the last person I want to see. “Yeah. Thanks.”
She glances over at Trevor, and he lifts his eyebrows to her before she walks away.
I glare at him. “You are so proud of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Very.” He lifts his fingers to his mouth and sucks on them. “Damn, baby. I’m going to need some of that.”
I have no idea who taught him to talk this way, and if I weren’t afraid of being jealous I’d have to thank her, because now I’m ready for another round. I shake my head at him, but I know he’s seen the smile that’s creeping onto my face before I look in the direction of Neal coming toward us.
Chapter 23
Neal is wearing dress slacks that fit perfectly and a white button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It’s an attractive look for him, and he could be walking down a runway with the way he comes toward me. He says, “I hear you’ve been busy today. Get everything done?”
Trevor answers from a spot Neal can’t see. “Depends on what everything is.”
I want to smack the smirk off his face but ignore him because Neal didn’t see. I say, “We did. Now we just need the carpet, and the shop will be ready for inventory.”
“Good.” Neal glances over at Trevor and then back to me. “I just got word that the silk should be at your house by five.”
“Really? It wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow.” My mind kicks into gear. “I’ve got to text everyone, we could get started tonight.”
I’m already rummaging for my phone in my backpack as Neal chuckles. My fingernails click on the glass screen as I text, and he says, “I thought you might react this way. Sorry, Trevor, guess your girl is about to disappear again.”
I look up quickly at Neal. What did he just say?
Trevor doesn’t seem fazed and replies, “That’s okay. I know where to find her.”
But Neal must have seen something on my face, because he squints at me in confusion as he says, “At home working like a fiend to get the job done.” He glances at Trevor as he says, “It’s admirable.”
I huff because I don’t have time for their sparring. I look down at Garret’s text.
“Just say when Boss.”
My thumbs pound in frustration. “Thanks, 5 please.”
I don’t bother to look at Trevor’s reaction because I’m sure he’d be pissed at just about anything Neal said. I say, “I’ve got to get going. Garret can sew tonight, and I’m sure I’ll hear back from the girls soon.”
I’ve grabbed my hoodie and am putting it on as I ask Trevor, “I’m parked in the back, walk out with me?”
Once my coat is zipped up I reach for my backpack but Trevor takes it. I say, “Bye, Neal, thanks.”
“Text me if you need anything, like food.” His eyes are crinkled in a grin, and I smile back because he gets me, and he knows I won’t come up for air until I’m done or the shop opens.
Trevor and I link arms as we walk to my car. I say, “Thank you so much for helping me today. I know it wasn’t fun, and I appreciate it.”
“No problem, but I didn’t exactly get my payment.”
“Yeah.” We’ve reached my car and I open my door before taking my backpack.
Trevor hands it to me, and I toss it over to my passenger seat. I turn to him and reach my hands around his neck. “Earlier, that was so hot.”
Trevor has his hands on my hips and leans against me so I’m pressed against the car. The cold metal seeps through my clothes. “Does talking dirty turn you on?”
“Uh-huh, I liked it.”
“So do I. You can speak that way to me, too.”
I pull him down for a kiss, and while I want to get into it, I’m distracted, thinking my shipment might have arrived. I could be wasting precious time. When Trevor’s hands squeeze my butt, I stop.
“I’ve really got to go. I’m sorry.”
He groans. “You’re killing me, baby.”
“I know, but this is important to me.”
He twists a strand of my hair. “I know. It’s okay.”
I smile and lower myself into my car. He leans in, and says, “Text me when you want a break.” He winks and adds, “I’m always up for a snack.”
“You are so bad.”
He waggles his eyebrows at me. “And you love it.” He slams my door shut before I can respond.
I wave at him as I drive off. When I get home ten large boxes are by my door, and I’m glad Garret is coming to help because there’s no way I can drag them in by myself. Too anxious to wait, I slice one open with a key and bring a few bolts of fabric into my house as I enter. I prop the door open and continue the trips until the first box is empty.
Finally closing the door and taking off my coat, I check my phone for replies. While Lisa can’t make it tonight, Elaina can and said she’ll work until I kick her out. Knowing Garret is the same way we may very well work through the night.
Maybe I should contact Neal for supplies. As if he got a telepathic message, he texts me. “Tracking says it’s there. Need anything?”
“It is, and I hate to ask, but since you offered…”
Neal replies, “Food?”
“Yes, we’ll need dinner, and I’m not going to want to take a break to get it.”
“Got it. How many?”
“3”
I watch the gray dots dance as I wait for his reply. “I’ll be there around 8.”
“Thank you!”
I seriously have the best partner. The cutting table groans across the floor as I drag it out to make access easy. Laying a drop cloth under it, I stack the silks I retrieved and place one on top. I’ve barely finished cutting the first project before Garret arrives.
He enters with a box in his hands. “Tell me what to do, boss.”
“You’re doing it. Get all those boxes in here so we can get them unloaded and clean up before we get dirt on the silks.”
When we’ve sorted the fabric, Garret sits down to work on his first piece, and Elaina arrives. When she sees the piles, she says, “Oh my gosh! These are gorgeous. I can’t wait to get my hands on them.”
I give her a project. “Feel away.” She grins and takes it to her
favorite machine.
Because I can sew too, I decide to cut enough for a day’s worth of sewing and leave the rest for when there’s four of us working.
The music is loud, and I’m singing along with everyone else when I glance up to the movement that catches my eye. Neal has walked in, and he’s got two big bags in his arms. I stop work immediately to help him.
“Holy cow, how much food did you bring?” I grab one of the bags and look inside. The odor of fried yumminess wafts up to me.
“I wasn’t sure what everyone liked, and I figured you could use the leftovers tomorrow too.”
We set the bags down on the kitchen counter and I say, “Neal, you’re too good to us. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Garret and Elaina have both stopped working and join us as I lay plates out on my small table that fits four comfortably. Glasses clink as Elaina gets them out to pour water for everyone.
Besides fried food, there’s salad and a variety of sandwiches. Neal sits down next to me and asks, “So, how’s it going?”
Garret answers, “We’ve got a lot to do in the next week, but I think we can hit the ultimate goal.”
Neal asks, “Can I help?”
I answer, “You already are.”
“But I want to help with sewing. Surely there’s something I can do.” He’s placed his hand on my arm, and those deep blue eyes are intent. “If you don’t put me to work, I’m going to hang out and watch so I can understand how you create the product. It’s a good thing for me to know. You might as well give me something to do.”
Elaina says, “I’ll bet he could cut.” She focuses on Neal. “Cutting silk can be tricky, but it’s mostly concentration to keep it from slipping.”
Neal stands. “Show me.”
Garret says, “Go wash your hands or boss lady will hurt you, man.”
Neal grins as glances at me. “We can’t have that.”
I grab the plates on the table to clear them. “You’ve got that right. I pack a mean punch.”
Exposed: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 5) Page 11
