by Jewel E. Ann
“Out!” Trick grinds through clenched teeth as he releases my legs with quick hands.
An animal cut loose from a trap, I sprint upstairs not bothering to let him release my wrists. Collapsing on our bed, I bury my head in my pillow; emotions warring between screaming or crying. So I do both.
“Shh …” The side of the bed dips as gentle hands release my wrists. Trick pulls me up onto his lap, and I bury my face into his bare chest.
“I want a divorce.”
He kisses my hair and chuckles. “Never.”
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“I’m sorry. I share the blame.”
My head snaps back. “You share the blame?”
Trick’s lips twist to the side and he nods. “Had I not had your ankles tied so tight you would have been able to escape before they came in.”
“They?”
“Grady and Tamsen.”
“Tamsen was downstairs? She saw me like—ahh!” I pound my fists against his chest. “We are over … over … over … over …”
He hugs me tight, pinning my arms between us. “Tamsen’s a girl. You’re being modest for no good reason.”
I try to twist and wriggle out of his hold. “It’s not modesty, you idiot! They didn’t just see me naked, they saw me tied to the sofa. They saw my ass crack spread open. THEY SAW MY ASS CRACK SPREAD OPEN!”
He releases me from his grip with my final outburst and I stumble to a stand.
“But it was a beautiful ass crack, sweetie! Like a breathtaking eclipse!” Grady calls from downstairs.
“Oh my God!” I close my eyes and let my head fall into my hands.
“Get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“I hate you!”
“You love me.” He kisses the top of my head then walks out the door.”
“I hate you!” I call a little louder.
“You love me!”
Chapter Thirty-Three
This beats the sex in the supply closet humiliation tenfold. I throw on some clothes and walk to the top of the stairs then back to our bedroom a half dozen times, but I can’t make myself go downstairs. So I’m going to sit on our bed and wait for them to leave, whether it’s in an hour or a week.
“Darby?” Tamsen calls with a knock at the door. So much for avoidance.
“Come in.” The heat and flames of crimson saturate my skin.
“Trick asked me to come up here.”
I roll my eyes to the ceiling and sigh as she closes the door behind her. “You must think I’m nothing but a sex-crazed hussy after the supply closet incident and now this.”
She laughs. “Hardly. I think you love a man that’s been celibate for a long time and now he can’t get enough of … you.” Her smile, as always, feels comforting and genuine.
“He’s intense, that’s for sure.” As I say the words, I’m reminded that Jade said the same thing the first time Trick came into the ER.
Tamsen nods. “That’s a good word.” She sits next to me on the bed.
“How does a guy like Trick go so many years without being with a woman? I get that he somehow felt taken advantage of, but if he can’t remember the details then how has that feeling stuck so long?”
“Grady. He’s Trick’s constant reminder of where he’s been and why he never wants to go back.”
I scoot sideways so I’m looking at her. “Does Grady know more about Trick’s past than what he’s told him?”
Tamsen stares at me and it’s the same look Trick has given me so many times. The look that says a thousand emotions but only a few words will be spoken. “Yes.”
“I don’t understand. Why doesn’t he tell him?”
“He won’t know what to do with the information. It’s possible it could trigger his memory, but if it doesn’t then he’s left with knowledge of a man he might not recognize…” she narrows her eyes a fraction “…especially if his actions were questionable.”
“Questionable?”
Tamsen rests her hand on mine. “You’re happy. Trick is … like I’ve never seen him before. So maybe some things don’t matter.”
“Does this have something to do with him owning a gun?”
“Trick owns a gun because it makes him feel safe, not because he’s a wanted criminal.”
I sigh. “One moment I wish his memory would come back and the next … I just don’t know. But last night everything changed—” I close my eyes.
“What happened last night?”
I open them. Warmth radiates through my body and a bubbling grin takes over my face. “We got married.”
“What?” Tamsen squeals, eyes wide and glowing. She bounces up and down on the edge of the bed then pulls me in for an exuberant hug. “Oh my gosh! Grady said he proposed, but I had no idea it would happen so fast.” She pushes me back to arm’s length. “You’re not—” She grimaces.
I laugh and shake my head. “I’m not pregnant.”
Tamsen’s body melts. “Good … I mean not that you having a baby would be bad it’s just—”
“Stop. There’s no need, I get it.” I wave a dismissive hand.
Her smile surges back. “Trick got married.” She shakes her head. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d see the day. You, my dear, have worked some serious magic on his heart.”
I bite my lips together. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“It’s the best. Well, Grady might not think so, but he’ll get over it. He adores you.”
“He does?” I cock my head to the side.
“Of course. In spite of their twisted fake ‘partnership,’ Grady really does want Trick to find happiness, even if it throws a wrench into Grady’s immediate plans. And you, my dear, are definitely Trick’s happiness.”
I blink back a few tears. “I love him.”
Tamsen hugs me. “I know you do, and he loves you … probably more than you’ll ever know. I just hope that if his memory ever comes back you’ll remember the Trick downstairs is not the same man he was then.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. I don’t want to look back, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t scare me.
“I don’t even know what to say.” I sit back, showing a tight smile of guilt. “He asked me to marry him less than two weeks ago and then we just took off. I don’t have a job and neither does he. I mean … is this epically romantic, a real carpe diem moment, or catastrophically stupid?”
Tamsen laughs. “Epic … it’s undoubtedly epic.”
I squint one eye. “So what are you and Grady doing here? I’m glad you are, well … a phone call would have been nice.” I feel that crimson creeping up again at the thought of what they saw when they walked in the door.
“Yeah, I don’t think we’ll pull the surprise thing again.” She winks. “Grady flew back to Chicago to interview someone for Trick’s position. Then he came on out to New York. Grady feels like he’s Trick’s big brother and he worries about him. So after you two flew the coop, Grady thought the two of us should pop down to Mexico to make sure our ‘little brother’ is doing okay. We’ll only be here for a few days, and don’t worry we’re staying at a hotel—”
“Oh my gosh, no way. You’ll both stay here. We have a spare bed and a very comfy sofa.”
If they can shake the vision of my naked ass bent over it.
“You’re newlyweds, we wouldn’t dream—”
“I’m not taking no for an answer.” I stand. “Let’s go inform the gay guys.”
Tamsen giggles and stands. “I already love you, Darby. We’re going to be very good friends.”
I smile and head to the stairs before the emotions rack my body. I’m sure Tamsen has a million friends. With her kind demeanor and glowing smile, I don’t know how she couldn’t. What she doesn’t know is she’s my second official friend ever; and I’m just speechless.
*
The sound of Trick and Grady laughing about something as we walk downstairs swells my heart. I love the sound of Trick laughing. Mayb
e because he shares it with such reservation to a very small and exclusive few people.
“Darby!” Grady stands, arresting me with a breathtaking hug. “I want to hate you for taking my boy, but I just can’t.”
Tamsen walks past us with an I-told-you look.
“Please forgive us for the intrusion.”
I stiffen. “It’s fine. Just forget about it … as in really forget about it.”
Grady chuckles. “Forget … never, but my lips are officially sealed.” He releases me, kissing both cheeks.
Trick smirks, reclined on the sofa with one ankle resting on the opposing knee. “Wife.”
I squint my eyes and shake my head. We were minutes away from having the shortest marriage ever after this morning’s incidents. But one look and I’m his again … I always was.
“Husband.” I plop on his lap as he uncrosses his legs.
As if we’re the only two people in the room, his hands dive into my hair, pulling me in for a slow, deep kiss. It’s his reminder that while he may not own me, he will always possess me.
“Forgive me?” he whispers over my lips while releasing me.
“Eventually.” I grin.
We look over at two sets of eyes looking at us with such adoration it makes me want to freeze this moment, this feeling, in time forever.
“Damn!” Grady shakes his head. “I can’t believe we missed the wedding by a day.”
“It wasn’t a wedding. It was a marriage ceremony.” I grin, batting my lashes at Trick.
“What?” Tamsen asks with confusion etched on her face.
“We met one of our neighbors yesterday morning, a young surfer. He was being friendly, neighborly, and that’s when Trick announced we were getting married … that day. Then he proceeded to plan the ‘ceremony’ with said neighbor right in front of me.”
“Way to claim your woman.” Grady winks at Trick.
“Way to be an ass.” Tamsen elbows Grady in the gut while scowling at Trick. “No wonder we weren’t invited or that neither of you are wearing rings. Let me guess … your neighbor looked at Darby like she’s the beautiful woman that she is and you couldn’t waste another day before claiming her … marking her like an animal.”
“I didn’t treat her like an animal.” Trick sighs with a slight shake of his head.
“Well, you did have her tied to the—”
“Grady!” both Trick and Tamsen yell.
Grady shrugs. “Well you did.”
“Are you drawing?” Tamsen asks. She’s taking the spotlight off me and visions of my tethered naked body.
“Not yet, but I’m going to start again. Darby swears my work is worth thousands of dollars, so I figure it’ll pay the rent.”
Grady laughs. “As I recall, you were paid quite well at your last job. You can’t possibly be hurting for money already.”
“No, but Darby insisted on furnishing the joint as soon as we moved in and that wasn’t cheap.”
My jaw unhinges, eyes bulging from my head. “I tried to pay for everything but you wouldn’t let me!”
A lip twitch. Ass!
My eyelids tighten to a squint. “You’re sadistic. You play me all the time. I’m in limbo between bruising your ego and stepping on your toes. Either I’m flaunting my money or taking advantage of you.”
“Did you have her sign a prenup?” Grady makes a serious face but I see wicked delight dancing in his eyes.
“Nope. My bad. She’s already threatened to divorce me and I’m sure she’ll take my Ducati and my computer with my video surveillance recordings.”
I borrow Tamsen’s move and shove my elbow into Trick’s gut. He feigns injury.
“Tamsen and I are having a slumber party tonight in my bedroom while you two boys flip for the sofa and spare bedroom.”
Tamsen stands and leans in for a fist bump. “Word, girlfriend.”
“Since when are we staying here?” Grady asks.
“Since Darby insisted we stay with them.”
“Mmm, mmm, mmm … Oh dear, Trick. I do believe you’ve already lost your pants in this relationship. Has it even been twenty-four hours?” Grady shakes his head.
I know what’s coming because there’s one part of Trick that is always predictable—his cocky side.
“Darby likes me best without my pants.”
Sometimes it’s not worth the fight. I shrug. “It’s true, I do.”
Grady and Tamsen fall into a fit of laughter, clearly not expecting my admission. I lean back and kiss Trick’s jaw and whisper in his ear. “I like you like a Greek statue—sculpted, naked, and hard.”
From my mouth to his cock, I feel him come to life under my butt as he grabs my hips and adjusts my position on him. If anyone’s keeping score, I think I just took the lead.
“So what about you, Darby, are you going to look for a job too?”
I frown at Grady. “Yes, but it won’t be in my chosen field. I’m not licensed to practice in Mexico.”
“Aren’t you going to miss your job?” Tamsen looks at me with a hint of sympathy.
I look at Trick and smile in spite of the concern lining his face. He, too, is waiting for my answer. “That’s the funny thing … I always imagined finding my purpose and I thought I had. Then my real purpose found me and being with him is all that matters. So I’ll find some job to feel like I’m making a contribution and to make my share of the rent of course.” I wink at Trick. “But for now, I’m just living in the moment … and it’s a pretty damn good one.”
My statement earns me another we’re-the-only-ones-in-the-room kiss.
“I fucking love you.”
“You’d better, because I moved to sunny Mexico with you and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a redhead with fair skin.”
“You must be adapting … I noticed you have a nice bikini tan line already—hipster-boyshorts, nice!” Grady grins.
Being around Grady, I’m not sure how I ever believed Trick was gay. What guy can identify the correct bikini bottom name from a tan line? Then again, I hate even thinking such stereotypical thoughts. That’s Nana’s thing. I also hate that he’s actually seen my tan line.
“Grady, it’s okay to not speak every thought that pops in your head.” Tamsen pinches his lips together.
“We should grab an early dinner. What do you think?” I once again veer the conversation in a direction suitable for me.
“I’m in!” Tamsen hops up. “Let me go change out of my travel clothes.
“Ditto, sister.” Grady follows her upstairs with their suitcases.
I pivot my body so I’m facing Trick, straddling his lap. “You are in a shitload of trouble, mister.”
He sucks in my bottom lip and drags it through his teeth while gripping my hips. “You can take it out on me in bed later.”
“Tamsen’s sleeping with me, remember?”
Trick assaults my neck. “Like hell …” he mumbles against my skin.
*
“I can’t believe we’re going to the Hotel California for dinner.” Tamsen laughs as we ride in the backseat of my red Saab.
“We’re in Todos Santos, of course we’re going to the Hotel California. It’s historic and I’ve heard the chef at the restaurant is amazing!” Grady wipes clean his sunglasses and slips them on. “Did you know the hotel was founded by Mr. Wong, a Chinese immigrant? He wanted the locals to think he was Mexican so he changed his name to Don Antonio Tabasco. However, he was eventually called ‘El Chino,’ which means ‘The Chinese Man.’ He brought ice from La Paz to his restaurant making him the first and only place at the time that served cold beer.”
Tamsen rests her hand on my arm. “Grady is an encyclopedia of useless information.”
“Don’t be catty, little sis.”
Through the rear view mirror I see Trick holding tight to his smirk.
“So it wasn’t owned by the Eagles?” I wink at Tamsen.
Grady shakes his head and flips his wrist back at me. “No, of course not, silly girl. Did yo
u know there have been many firsthand accounts of spirits and ghosts in the courtyard of the hotel?”
Both Tamsen and I snicker.
“Let me repeat … useless information.”
Grady scowls at his sister, trying to hide his own grin.
Our early dinner guarantees us immediate seating and the next couple of hours fill with crazy laughter about Trick and Grady’s gay charade that has put them both in the worst situations over the years. Tamsen and I find ourselves giggling just to giggle by the time Grady orders a third bottle of wine. Trick watches me with a curious mix of amusement and caution as I down another glass of red wine. He’s the only sober one at our table.
“Darby, did they catch whoever assaulted your father?”
Grady’s words try to pull at my conscience, but it’s been drowned in wine. Yet, I still have plenty of snickering available. “I don’t think so.” I rest my hand on Trick’s leg. “What do you think, sweetie? Do you think they caught the guy that broke into a U.S. senator’s secured estate, disabled the security cameras, and assaulted him while he was still in his monogrammed Zimmerli pajamas.”
He rests his hand on mine, giving it a circulation-seizing squeeze. “How would I know?”
“Did they figure out motive?” Tamsen asks.
Trick cuts me off just as I start to speak. “What do you think, Darby? What would motivate someone to assault your father? Any ideas?” He rests his arm on the back of my chair, fisting my hair just enough to make it taut—to make his point.
It’s amazing how the right words can have a more sobering effect than a strong cup of coffee. “How would I know?” I grin through clenched teeth.
“Well you two sure don’t know much.” Tamsen snickers, and it is laughable because we’re the only two aside from my father who know what really happened.
“That’s why we’re here, to escape all the crap that was interfering.” Trick’s words hold a finality to them as he releases his grip on my hair, but I don’t want him to release me. From the first time he grabbed my ponytail at the political dinner, my body has recognized that tug and its connection to a bundle of nerves between my legs. I start to giggle, covering my mouth with my hand as my skin flushes. My last three large gulps of wine have caught up with me, leaving a warm, tingling, and slightly numbing sensation hugging my body.
