Open House

by TC Matson

  Trenton leisurely brings the ball and hands it to me. He shoves his hands in his pockets and cocks his head to the side running his tongue along his bottom lip. “Figured if we’re going to make things work, I need to win Lucas’ heart.”

  I roll my eyes and snicker. “You’ve had him won over.”

  “Thanks for letting me come over,” he says.

  “Where are you going?” I ask.

  He throws his thumb over his shoulder. “Dinner time is cue to leave.”

  “Your plate will get cold then.” I smile.

  His expression slacks and contentment clouds his view causing my heart to squeeze. I nod inside. “Go wash up.”

  Other than April, I haven’t had company since moving in, and as we sit around my tiny table, I’m highly aware of his presence. We both are unsure what to say or how to act. I’m a nervous fricking wreck, scared Lucas will pick up on the infatuation bouncing between us. I suspect he is too because he’s keeping a conversation with Lucas, oddly not about soccer, but about dinner and school.

  Once dinner is over, the guys disappear into the living room after I insist they not help me clean. It would be wrong to have company help, besides, he is here for Lucas and not me, right?

  I’m washing dishes when Trenton appears behind me. “Lucas went to take a shower.”

  I smile warmly at him. “He really likes you.” I set the last plate in the drainer and turn, drying off my hands and leaning against the counter. “You’re sneaky.”

  He spreads his hands. “What can I say? I needed to see you.”

  We share a stare—passionate, carnal, and flirty. Vibrations tickle my muscles, hyper aware of the effect he’s having on me. I’ve held my shit together all night and I’m viciously fighting to keep it together now.

  He takes a few quick steps and grabs me by the nape, crushing his mouth to mine. He groans when I part my lips, allowing his tongue to slip between them. I slide my hands up his chest as he snakes his up my back and pulls my body against his.

  “I fucking crave you,” he whispers.

  I hum my pleasure while he nips my jawline. Heavily, he drags his hand down my ribs, resting a hard grip on my hip. My mind collides with my body, diving into a lusty heat. And even though I’m frantic to feel him all over my body, my movements are slow. He traces my ear with his lips and goosebumps explode over my skin, sending a quiver down my spine. He releases a deep throaty chuckle before trailing his lips back to mine and savagely giving me a long drugging kiss. As our breaths fall into sync, a vicious urge of sexual desire surges into me. I press against him threading my fingers into his hair.

  There’s a distinctive creak at the end of the hallway within steps of rounding the corner to the kitchen that gives off a clear and specific warning of entrance. And this very sound has me ripping my mouth from his, lurching out from his arms, snatching a rag, and pretending to wipe down the counter.

  Trenton runs his hand through his hair and I nervously study Lucas to see if he caught us. My heart is drumming so hard that my ears are pulsing.

  “If you’re done with me, I’m going to head out.”

  I don’t know if I’m completely inundated with the fear of being bust, but I swear he added a hidden innuendo within his statement.

  “What? Yeah. That’s fine. Everything is done.” My nerves are all over the place.

  Scraping his teeth along his bottom lip, he shifts into the sexiest smile, and before he turns to Lucas, it dissolves. “I enjoyed this afternoon. We’ll have to do that again soon. Have a good night.” He pats him on the shoulder and starts out.

  “If I don’t ace the vocabulary test, can I blame you?”

  Trenton shakes his head. “You’ll do fine.”

  The door shuts, and I already miss him. Emptiness churns my stomach and I feel like I just lost an important piece of me.

  Yeah…I’m in serious trouble.

  Chapter 20

  Brian picks Lucas up right after school, granting some much needed “me” time. A long bath is definitely mandatory as I take advantage of the quiet house and hot water. When I lived with Brian, I never thought there was a difference between me verses a single mom, figuring I was always alone with no help. But boy was I dead wrong. With Brian surfacing here and there, it offered me a sense of having someone to help on a daily basis, even if he didn’t. But now living completely alone, I’m truly on my own and no matter how strong I am, between work and Lucas, I’m tiring out quicker and much easier.

  My water stills, ripples evening out and smoothing over as I unwind, picturing my tropical escape. The hammock sways as the warm breeze brushes against my skin. Above me, the fan-like fronds springing from the palm tree rustle gently adding an extra wave-like sound. I am alone, content with the melody of ocean water…

  Reluctantly, I get out and make a simple casserole for my rug rat to eat when he gets home. It’s in the oven, and I’m wrapped in a blanket, snuggling into the fluffy arm rest of my couch with my e-reader in hand. I’m three words in when the front door pushes open and Lucas strolls in. He places his book bag on the back of the dining room chair and goes straight for the fridge.

  “Dinner’s in the oven. Don’t eat,” I tell him.

  Brian is standing just outside the door with a perturbed expression. Before I can thank him, he grumbles, “We need to talk.”

  “All right. What’s up?”

  He glances behind me. “Somewhere else.”

  I point to the front porch and start out the door, but he doesn’t move causing me to squeeze between him and the wall.

  “Lucas told me about his teacher coming over.” He leaves it open-ended.

  “Okay?” I answer flatly.

  “What’s he doing over here?” he barks quietly.

  I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. “Did Lucas not tell you?”

  “He said they played soccer and ate dinner.”

  I nod. “There you have it.”

  His brows furrow and fire ignites in his yes. “Don’t be a smart ass.”

  Ah…Pissy Brian. “You asked me what he was doing here, but Lucas already told you. Sounds like you’re the one being a smart ass. Mr. B wanted to show Lucas a few tricks and play. I didn’t see any harm in it. Besides, Lucas already had his mind set on it. I cooked dinner as a way to say thank you.”

  His eyes settle in a harden glare, and I’m scared to death he can see the truth. “I don’t like him coming over here.”

  “Oh!” I feign giving a damn, placing my hand on my chest. “I’m so sorry you feel that way, but the last time I checked this was my house and I get to make the decisions.”

  “You’re on the defense. Is there something going on between you two?”

  “What?” I shake my head aggravated he has the audacity to actually give a damn. “No. Brian, there isn’t,” I lie.

  Relief cascades across his face and his nostrils widen as he takes a long deep breath. “I don’t want just anyone around Lucas.”

  “Last checked, I take damn good care of him,” I snap. “If you’re done, I’d like to go spend some time with my son.”

  I’ve got one foot in the door when…

  “Do you miss me?” he asks stopping me in my tracks.

  I look to the floor and then to him. “I miss what we had, not what we had become.”

  “You’re skirting around my question.”

  I tighten my lips. “Goodnight, Brian.”

  I shut the door. I miss when we were younger, not how we’ve evolved over the years. And nowadays, my mind rests with one man and he isn’t being a prick.

  “Dad sat in his recliner the whole time,” Lucas says with food in his mouth.

  Imagine that…

  Lucas doesn’t say anything else as he scarfs down his food shoveling in fork load after fork load. This is his way of hiding his disappointment and hurt. He doesn’t want to talk about it.

  The house is quiet. Lucas went to bed about an hour ago, and since, I’ve been curled under
the covers watching TV.

  Trenton: I want to see you.

  I smile at my text.

  Me: I’m free this weekend.

  Trenton: Before then.

  Me: You make me smile.

  Trenton: It’s my goal to make you smile.

  Me: You’re doing a pretty good job at it.

  I pray he can hear my how flirty that sounded in my head.

  Trenton: I left you something on the front porch.

  Trenton: Only go get it when Lucas is asleep.

  I eye the text before springing out of the bed and rushing down the hall. I gasp, holding back a yelp when I pull open the door to Trenton standing there.

  “What are you doing here?” I mutter.

  “Is Lucas asleep?”

  “Yes, but—”

  He pulls a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. “I needed to see you again.”

  I’m rendered speechless, blinking back the happiness trying to leak from my eyes.

  He grasps my hand, pulls me out onto the front porch, and quietly shuts the door. His lusty eyes latch onto me as he takes my cheeks between his palms and kisses me. I liquefy in his hands being sedated by a feeling I can’t quite describe.

  He leans back. “I needed that worse.”

  I stand there lost in a blissful stupor before opening my eyes to his sweet smile. “I…um,” I mumble.

  He chuckles under his breath and reclaims my mouth. A frenzied heat blasts me and I drop the flowers, pulling him into me.

  “Can I come in?” he pants.

  “Lucas,” I remind him.

  “Then come with me to my truck.”

  I look to the road where his truck is parked and the back to the door.

  As if he’s reading my mind… “I want to hold you. Lie down with you in my arms and feel you against my body.”

  No way I can deny that. “Be quiet.”

  We tread silently past Lucas’ room and down the hall to mine. Although I know the boy can sleep through a hurricane, every noise seems to be amplified a thousand times, and it’s putting me on edge. I usher him into my room and close the door.

  “I feel like I’m a kid sneaking a boy into my room,” I giggle.

  He smirks with something incredibly lecherous behind it. In an instant, he’s against me, running his hands all over my body, missing every spot that’s begging for his attention. He lifts me by the ass and twists, placing my back against the wall. A moan slips from me as he pushes his jean-clad erection against me.

  He trails his mouth down my neck and slides his hand underneath the hem of my shirt, cupping my left breast. I drop my head against the wall with a soft moan as he kneads my ache.

  “Shhh…” he hushes me.

  He moves us to the bed, lays me down, and climbs up my body. Pulling up my shirt, he places the most delicate kisses across my stomach and brushes his tongue along my skin. I gasp and arch my back into him when he moves, sucking my nipple into his mouth. He runs his other hand up my arm and grips my hand, holding it beside me.

  Pleasure zips through me as he dips his fingers below my waistband and begins massaging my clit.

  He pushes a finger into me. “Damn…” he growls, nudging a hard kiss onto my clavicle.

  He’s ravishing my neck, teasing my nipples, and dragging his fingers in and out of me. I twist, propelling my hips into him as my body begs for more. My core pulses with arousal. A trickle of heat begins at the bottom of my feet and creeps in from every limb. I’m a writhing mess, thrusting hard against his hand.

  My orgasm shatters my every sense, jolting a loud vehement burst up my spine. Immediately, he covers my mouth with his, inhaling my moans. Using his whole body, he rocks into me, driving his fingers deeper and me further over the edge.

  As I finally slow, I open my eyes to a hypnotic gaze, drenched with fascination and appetite. His breaths are ragged as he removes his fingers and sits up, taking his shoes off. My euphoria slowly dwindles when he tugs the covers down underneath me and lays, pulling me into his body, covering us up.

  “Mmm…” he hums. “Go to sleep, Angel.”

  Do what?

  I try twisting toward him, but he squeezes me tighter, stopping me. “Don’t worry. I’ll let myself out…quietly,” he adds.

  “Was something not right?”

  “Per-fucking-fection,” he exhales.

  “Are you sure?” I ask, feeling small.

  He rolls me to face him and places his forehead to mine. “The first time I make love to you won’t be a quiet scene. I’ll make sure it’s my name that falls from those glamorous lips. Trust me, Angel. When the time is right, you’ll beg for me.”

  How the hell do you respond to that?

  He kisses my forehead. “Get some sleep.”

  I nuzzle against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart as it slowly lulls me spellbound, eliminating my worrisome thoughts. Here, in his arms, surrounded by the scent of his cologne, is a cozy place and I feel safe.

  I stretch, feeling unknotted. My bed is a stark contrast from when I fell asleep. Now, it’s empty and cold where he had heated it just hours before.

  My phone notification light blinks and I reach for it with a giddy grin.

  Trenton: The hardest thing was leaving you. Hope you sleep well.

  I blush at the text as flash backs slam behind my eyes and my core heats.

  Me: I slept splendidly thanks to you. What time did you leave?

  Trenton: Not long after you fell asleep. Locked the door behind me.

  Me: I really liked my surprise visit.

  Trenton: Expect more. I’m far from done with you.

  I’m walking on air as I pad down the hallway to start my coffee. I round the corner and am greeted by the flowers he brought me last night, placed in a tall glass with water, centered at my table. My soul contracts with an emotion I haven’t felt in a long while.

  “Coffee. I need it,” Lucas says sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

  I laugh. “It’ll stunt your growth.”

  “It’ll give me energy,” he retorts.

  “You’re almost eleven. You don’t need any more energy than you already have.” I grab the orange juice from the fridge and pour it into a coffee mug. “Here. Here’s your coffee.”

  His eyes flick to me.

  “Don’t you still have an imagination? Pretend it’s coffee.” I nod toward the cup.

  “It’s cold,” he says blankly.

  “Want me to warm it up? It’ll taste horrible, but I will.”

  He stops me from grabbing the cup. “You might make a good villain after all.”

  I grin, proud of my accomplishment.

  “We’ll have to work on your horrible laugh.” He bounces his finger to me.

  I ruffle his hair. “Hurry up so you don’t miss the bus.” I leave my sweet, sleepy boy at the island as I head for the shower.

  Chapter 21

  I’m at my desk when I hear the distinctive clicking of heels before the owner of them appears and approaches my desk. “Will you update these employee files?”

  I smile up to April. “Sure. Got a minute?”

  I’m busting at my seams to tell her about my surprise visit last night.

  She frowns. “I wish. Elizabeth has me today…alllllll day today,” she drags out. “Is it really important or can it wait for coffee this afternoon?”

  “It can wait,” I reply.

  “If you feel like kidnapping me, I’m good with that too,” she snorts and I laugh.

  She strolls back out of my office with a natural catwalk, abundant with sway. I’ve asked her before if she’s ever been a model, and although she says no, I wonder if in her previous life she was. I’m not clumsy, but I know if I tried to walk like this, my feet would get tangled together.

  The day isn’t too long since my work pile extended a bit. I was able to stay focused allowing time to slip away. Before I know it, four o’clock comes and I’m out of the office in a flash, just in time to receive a call from
Brian asking if he could get Lucas for a few hours this afternoon. Of course, I won’t argue. It’s sad it takes us splitting up for him to spend more time with his son.

  I wait in the driveway for the bus to drop off Lucas and shuffle him into the car, rushing to get him to Brian’s. Thankfully, he doesn’t come out when I pull into his driveway.

  April informed me earlier she would be a few minutes late “thanks to Elizabeth,” so I order her a caramel latte and grab a table. I don’t have to wait long before she comes strutting in looking exhausted under her smile.

  “Today belongs to the devil,” she groans sitting across from me.

  “I’ve heard Elizabeth is a bore.”

  She rolls her eyes. “A passive aggressive bore. Be glad you don’t have to deal with her. So what’s the occasion? What brings us to our gossip corner?”

  I rub my lips together before speaking, lowering my voice so it doesn’t travel to eavesdropping suspects. “Say a man you really like goes out of his way to…um…” I pause hoping she understands, but she looks dumbfounded. I sigh. “What if a guy gets you off but doesn’t have sex with you? What do you think that suggests?”

  Gah…I feel the embarrassing heat on my cheeks.

  Her eyes brighten and she slides to the end of her chair. “Do I know this particular guy?”

  I cock a brow. “That’s irrelevant.”

  Commence a knowing grin. “I’d say he’s respecting you in a very teasing way.”

  I stare at her without blinking.

  “Maybe he feels you’re not quite ready to move to the next level?” She shrugs. “What if he’s a romantic and wants everything to be right for the first time? Maybe he’s waiting to make sure you’re ready?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  She takes a sip of her coffee. “Sounds like you had a pretty interesting night.”

  I bite my lip. “I did.”

  “Just so we’re on the same page, this guy was Trenton, right?”