Surrounded By Knight

by A. N. Hennessy

  Holy whoreness, I’m turning into Addie!

  After several attempts to pull away, he finally let me go. I was completely out of breath, puffing for air. He was still laughing. “There, now you got my slutty funk all over you and are just as gross as me. Can’t complain now.”

  “Like hell I can’t. According to you I was gross before, so yeah, I can still complain.”

  Trevelin stopped laughing as he situated his tatted body back into the couch, regarding me with a slight tilt of his head. “I seriously didn’t mean it like that, Country,” he offered with seriousness. Rolling my eyes, I scooted back into the curve of the sectional, tucking my bare feet under my butt. “Can you forgive me?” he asked, effectively pouting with his full bottom lip.

  Please, don’t do that. It’s too freakin’ cute.

  That same insanely cute action was how he suckered me into agreeing that they could come to stay with us in the first place.

  Darn him.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” I mused as I turned back to the TV, trying not to let him see how much that puppy dog face actually affected me.

  “You always so snooty or are you just sexually frustrated?” My mouth unhinged as my head snapped back in his direction. There was a smug half grin on his lips and his eyes sparkled with mirth. “Because I can definitely fix that for ya.” Green-blue eyes dropped to my lips for a brief second before moving back up my face.

  That snappy jackass! I should kick him where it really hurts.

  “My sex life is absolutely none of your darn business, and I’m only snooty to overly tatted, overly conceited, arrogant pricks that are in famous rock bands.”

  Amusement shone openly as he contemplated my answer before saying, “That’s an extreme list.”

  “And you’re all the above on that list.”

  “Don’t hate me because I’m awesome.”

  “See?” I waved at him. “Overly conceited and extremely vain.”

  Trevelin went to make a remark, but was cut off when a massive body came hurdling over the back of the couch, plopping down between us.

  “What’s jerkin’ not squirtin’, peeps?” Reed jingled, throwing his feet up on the coffee table like Trevelin had done, but in a more unflattering fashion. I was seriously going to have to do some deep disinfecting after they leave. “What’s up, Kitten? Did I interrupt something?” He glanced from me to Trevelin with a sly grin.

  “Absolutely not!” I quickly answered, scrunching up my face to the abrupt sour taste that assaulted my taste buds.

  Reed’s pierced lip quirked as he slung his heavy, colorful arm over my shoulders. “You know, Kitten, I’ve been told that I have aphrodisiac-like qualities. So to a kitty like yourself, I bet I would be like your catnip.” He tugged on the stud in the center of his lip with his teeth as the corners of his mouth curled upward.

  I was fast to sling his arm off and scoot to the other side of the couch, furthest away from him, which only made him laugh with a rumble while he took the remote and started flipping through the channels.

  I wanted to say, “Please, y’all make yourselves at home,” to show my annoyance, but I didn’t want to provoke either of them even more. Trevelin seemed to share the same look I did. Apparently he must not have found his friend funny either. This was going to be one long weekend.

  Scoffing a frustrated laugh toward Reed while aching to say something because it was killing me to sit in silence after what he’d said. “Actually, you seem to have the direct opposite effect on me, butt-weed – I mean, Reed.” My harshness seemed to attract both of their attention, and Reed’s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his head. “I am no feline, but if I were,” I seethed, looking directly at him, “I would make sure to retch one ginormous hairball right in your darn face.” Take that, jerk!

  Standing up, I looked over at Trevelin. “Again, you call me gross? My name might not live up to your ‘Rock and Roll’ expectations,” I made sure to air quote the words, “like Ginger, Candy or some other stripper name, but at least I have morals and respect for myself unlike some, and I don’t fuck anything that walks. He is gross.” I pointed headily at Reed, who was watching me with the biggest satisfied look on his too cute of a face. “Keep your overly horny friend away from our goats.”

  With that said, I walked away, hearing them both guffaw as I climbed the stairs. I wanted to just get in bed and sleep the weekend away.

  I took one of the longest, hottest showers ever. Soaking in the heat, I needed it to wash sexy images of Trevelin and nipple jewelry down the drain. After getting out, I put on my pajamas, brushed my teeth and got in bed where I could start on my new weekend resolution...practicing hibernation.

  ♪♫♪♫♪♫

  I had been lying in bed for hours listening to Addie snore and rehashing my exhausting day. I know I may have come off snooty to the rockers, but arrogant cocky guys like Trevelin and Reed got under my skin. I dealt with enough of them in high school. However, there was something more to Trevelin. At times he appeared sweet and almost innocent.

  I know, sounds crazy considering his bad-boy image, but there was an empty dispirited stain in those pale, clouds-of-paradise eyes of his. Maybe the cockiness was all a front to go along with his lifestyle. One thing was for sure, he was way out of his element here on the ranch.

  Addie snorted loudly in her sleep, causing me to jump. She sounded like a dying pig. How the hell was I supposed to sleep next to this?

  There went my hibernation plan.

  I had a king size bed for the love of all things tiny, but for some darn reason she had her leg thrown over mine with one of her arms hanging over her face. She slept like a man.

  I swear, if she scratches her crotch she’s getting pushed off the bed.

  I laughed at the thought, but when she moved her arm from her head and slung it over mine I decided I’d had enough. Springing out of the bed, I jerked up my pillow and removed a blanket from the closet. Whoever was sleeping on the couch was just going to have to park their rump in the floor. There was no way I was sleeping with Miss Snorts-a-lot.

  Upon entering the living room, I was happy to discover a vacant couch.

  Thank God.

  Two of the guys must have decided to be roommates. I wondered if they were having as hard of a time trying to sleep as I was. Making my spot on the big couch, I snuggled into my pillow, making myself comfortable. This wasn’t my ideal way of sleeping, considering I had my own room with my own large bed, but the couch was going to have to do until I could run Addie out. She was the worst sleeping partner...ever. I began to feel sorry for her future husband, if she were ever to snag one. Bless his unknown heart.

  Chapter Four

  Trevelin

  Her body radiated warmth like an electric blanket and it fit perfectly against mine as if we were made to connect precisely together, like two missing puzzle pieces. I don’t believe I’d ever slept so peacefully in my life.

  I came back inside last night from smoking a Newport to find a little piece of country asleep on the couch, which was where I was told I was going to be for the next few nights. Reed and Jace said I get the bed on the bus so they were taking the beds on our mini vacation. I didn’t argue with that because they deserved it.

  I wasn’t sure if her coming in here was a hint she was warming up to me and wanted me to level out her sexual frustration or simply a test, but either way I went with it and crawled in behind her. I was surprised when she mumbled something and pressed her tiny body back against my chest when I had placed my arm around her. I fell asleep holding her in my arms, and that’s how we slept all night.

  I had never held a woman while she slept. Never had the urge to, but something about this girl was temptingly innocent, and I wanted nothing more than to ignite the dynamite that was within.

  I’d awoken with her still snuggled against me. It felt amazing to just lay there and watch her as she took shallow, even breaths with her mouth hanging open while the morning sun painte
d a soft glow across her sleeping face. Even the glistening slobber trickling down her cheek was oddly adorable.

  Emotions that had died inside me a long time ago were starting to be revived. I was unsure what it was about her; maybe it was her openness and enmity toward me that was forcing me in or simply the innocence of her beauty. Whatever it was, it had me compelled and I fucking hated it.

  I didn’t want to think about her. I didn’t want these urges to touch her, but I couldn’t make them go away. So I laid there watching her sleep as the minutes ticked by. I wasn’t a late sleeper, and normally I’d be finished with working out by now, but watching this peaceful angel sleep soundly in my arms seemed to be more important at the moment.

  She suddenly stirred. Turning towards me, she brought up her arm and draped it over my neck. I smiled at how amazing it felt to be touched by her as I tried to contain the stuttering heat it sent to the growing bulge in my boxers.

  “You are so hot, Trevelin,” she mumbled.

  Is she awake?

  Containing my hard-on was now fucking impossible. With those words it pushed against my boxers, brushing against her lower stomach. Morning wood was hard enough, but she managed to just make it painfully harder while the warmth of her body made it damn near unbearable.

  Her eyes were still closed, but her fingers flexed wildly in my hair at the nape of my neck. I began to return the favor, skimming my own fingers through her silky brown locks. A smile spread across her face meaning she must be enjoying it. I tested the waters further as I lightly ran them down her cheek and traced her luscious lips, taking mental snapshots along the way to scorch into memory.

  She was too fuckin’ beautiful.

  The magnetic pull to seal my lips to hers, and wanting to taste her was overwhelming. Never had I wanted to taste a woman’s lips as badly as I wanted to devour hers.

  I needed my ass kicked!

  Suddenly her blue eyes shot open only inches from mine. The smile that was gracing her desirable lips immediately vanished, replaced with panic. She must’ve felt my boner pressed against her abdomen because she leapt from the couch like it was on fire.

  Fuck me! I thought she was awake and enjoying me caressing her.

  I was hoping she would open her eyes and beg me to fuck her all over this damn couch.

  “What the heck are you doing, Trevelin?” The anger in her voice could have blown down a brick wall. I witnessed her eyes as they raked over my bare chest, and then wandered down to my happy friend situated inside my boxers who desperately wanted to get to know her better, before they frantically looked anywhere but there. His hopes were soon stomped to Hell.

  “I was sleeping.” I raised a brow in jest. “You’re the one who turned over and told me I was so hot and started tangling your fingers through my hair. Sorry, but where I’m from that’s usually a sign.”

  “Why are you on my couch?” She ignored what I said as her eyes nervously bounced in any direction other than mine.

  “Umm...this is where I was told to sleep,” I replied, confused. “I came in here last night and there you were.” She didn’t seem to like my answer; her brow creased in a deep but cute frown while biting down on her lip. “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy sleeping next to me. Admit it, you were having a wet dream about me,” I said playfully, pushing myself into a seated position.

  “Get over yourself! I absolutely was not.” The tremble in her delicate southern voice screamed liar.

  “Face it, Country, you find me sexy as hell and you want to touch all of this.” I rubbed my hands down my bare chest, slowly moving them lower. She watched for a brief second before she yanked up the pillow we were sleeping on and smacked me directly in the face with it. Rather than being upset, I laughed, knowing I’d either just pissed her off more or embarrassed the shit out of her. Both looks on her were sexy as fuck.

  “I’d like to touch you alright. With a darn cow zapper!” she lashed out, hitting me with the pillow again. I could be mistaken, but I swear I saw a smile leak across those luscious lips that I wanted to lick.

  “A kinky freak, are we? I’m not too keen about electricity being involved, babe, but I’m always willing to try new things. What else you got in mind?”

  “You are impossible. Put some darn clothes on, and did it not occur to you that the other half of the couch was vacant?” She gestured toward the other long side of the sectional. Sure, I had noticed, but I wanted to be as close to her as I could get. I seized that opportunity while it was available. It was too tempting not to.

  “You liked me sleeping next to you. You don’t have to lie, so quit denying it. You also like seeing me half-naked. Actually, I bet you wish I was completely hanging free right now,” I chuckled, holding up my arms to brace the impact from the brunt of the flying pillow. “I see the rest of the couch just fine, but I figured you came in here for a reason – me.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” she said with a look. “Addie is the worst person to sleep with. Between the dying pig noises she makes in her sleep and her arms and legs all over me, I thought I was going to suffocate her with her own pillow. So to spare her life I came in here. I assumed you had decided to sleep with one of the other guys.”

  I laughed at her description of Addie and for the fact that she actually thought I would sleep with Reed or Jace.

  Yeah fucking right!

  “I wouldn’t sleep with one of them if my life depended on it. Especially Reed.” She laughed lightly as she walked toward the kitchen. I got up and followed. “So...you couldn’t go to sleep with Addie but you appeared to enjoy sleeping next to me quite well. I heard no complaints. As a matter of fact, I heard mumbling and words like ‘you are so hot, Trevelin.’ I have no problem with being your sleeping buddy for the rest of the weekend,” I said, leaning against the doorjamb in the kitchen with my arms crossed over my chest, watching her make a pot of coffee with her back toward me.

  “I’ll pass. Sleeping with Addie isn’t that bad.” She didn’t turn to face me or explain the dream I clearly know she was having about me. I could tell she was totally lying again. “Please put your clothes on,” she huffed in irritation when she turned around.

  “Why would I do that? Then you wouldn’t have anything good to look at.”

  Sighing with an eye roll, she pushed past me, heading for the stairs. “You’re too much, Hollywood,” she stated plainly, taking each step one by one.

  “You have no idea,” I chortled. “Where’re you going?”

  “Away from you.”

  “I effect you that much, huh?” Turning around when she reached the top of the stairs, and with a creeping smile, she shot me the middle finger before disappearing.

  God help me, I could get used to being around this girl every day.

  My head needs to be checked. I never think like that, and if Reed knew it he would call me a pussy.

  Going back into the living room, I retrieved my bag I had packed from the bus and put on my running gear. Running was one thing I did to clear my head and to stay in shape, allowing my performances on stage to be more energetic and entertaining. My smoking wasn’t something that helped, but hey, some habits were just too hard to kick.

  Bryson hounded me about it all the time, but when you grow up in some of the living conditions I had, smoking and sex were the best stress relievers to help you get by. I could have done a lot worse. Fuck knows it was offered to me every five damn seconds.

  Just as I finished tying my sneakers, I heard the backdoor slam shut. Hoping it was Country, I leapt from the couch and headed for the door. To my joy I found her jogging down the drive, heading for a pasture. Her chestnut hair was piled high in a tight ponytail and she wore a yellow running suit that hugged her round ass perfectly.

  Catching the sway of a cord to her iPod, I knew if I followed her for a minute she wouldn’t notice. After climbing a wooden fence, she made her way to a makeshift path. This was either her morning routine or she was seriously trying to stay away from me.
r />   Fat chance.

  I wasn’t about to stay away from her. I cursed myself and squashed that thought no sooner than it had hijacked my mind.

  I needed to stay away from her. That would be the smart thing to do. She’s not the kind of girl I envisioned enjoying my lifestyle. From what I had gathered, she was a spoiled country princess that was used to getting her way.

  Complete opposite from my childhood.

  Knowing I should turn around and head back to the house and try to get someone to come save us from the depths of Oklahoma, I couldn’t. My feet wouldn’t let me, and my eyes wouldn’t pry themselves away from the figure jogging ahead of me either.

  Giving in, I continued to follow her, watching her ass bounce to her steady strides. I could hear her lightly singing along to the song she was listening to and my ears strained, desperately wishing she would sing louder. I wondered if she had a mesmerizing singing voice that went along with that sultry southern accent. She kept quiet though, and I continued to enjoy my view and the soft singing as the cool air teased her ponytail.

  The weather today wasn’t as nice as it was yesterday. Low bulky clouds had formed in the sky and the wind was extremely colder, as if winter had settled in overnight. I hadn’t brought a coat but one wasn’t needed. Moving at my pace while watching Country was enough to keep my blood flowing with warmth.

  She peacefully jogged toward a large pond nestled behind a thicket of trees in a trance, oblivious that she was being followed. In an instant she stumbled on a fallen branch. I had stayed far enough back that I would remain unnoticed, but not so far that I couldn’t lunge out and catch her before she hit the ground. And I did just that.

  No sooner than I had grabbed her, her head quickly whipped to the side to see who had caught her. To be nice I offered a wicked smile to say, ‘you’re welcome’.

  Ripping her ear-buds out of her ears and narrowing her eyes at me, she sighed dramatically. “Seriously? Are you following me now?”