by Aria Cole
He grinned, and I smiled, feeling true exhaustion pull at my muscles for the first time in a long time. I was falling asleep, and maybe in love, with a man that I’d only just seen again for the first time in six years.
The soft sound of his breaths and the gentle movements of his chest lulled me to sleep, and before long, I found myself dreaming about dark-haired little boys and girls, little football players and cheerleaders, and a big, strong, strapping Trent to coach them.
Everything about this day had been a dream. For the first time in so long, I couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
FOUR
Chrissy
I woke up with a pit of dread in my stomach.
What had happened?
What had I done?
Why was my head pounding, and why was a beautiful Greek god sleeping naked next to me?
I groaned through the pillow over my head, thinking maybe staying in last night would have been the better option. How was I going to extract myself from this situation? What if he woke up with regrets? What if he’d had beer goggles on? What if everything he’d said last night was all in the throes of sex and nothing more?
My heart sank at that thought. I wanted more. But then, he had said he was a virgin. How could Trent McAvoy be a virgin? He was like a God. I’d assumed he’d lost his virginity in high school and then manwhored his way through life.
Was it possible that he’d had feelings for me as much as I did him?
I rolled out of bed, swiped a T-shirt from a chair, then padded down the hall to the kitchen.
Should I wake him? Let him sleep? I glanced at the clock. I had a little over an hour before I had to be in class. I’d have to wake him before then.
I absentmindedly made coffee and pushed a few slices of bread into the toaster as I worried over what to do.
“Thought I could take you out for breakfast,” Trent said, surprising me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and plopped a kiss right at the crevice of my neck, sending a delicious shiver running down my spine.
“I have to be at work in an hour. Is there anywhere you have to be today?” I asked lamely, searching for some bland sense of friendship. When he didn’t reply, I turned in his arms to catch a glimpse of him.
“I’ll be around all day. I could make you dinner when you get home. I have to meet with the team at six, but let’s say we have an early dinner and you can come along with me?” His radiant smile nearly cracked my heart in two.
“Me? You want me to come with you? I-I’m a little confused—”
“Sure, it’s just up the street. We can walk.” He smiled again before placing a kiss on my lips and turning to open a few cupboards.
My eyes narrowed in confusion. What was he doing? Invading my life? Moving himself in? Did he think he could just walk into my life and send me on a whirlwind?
“What time do you get home? I’ve got a few errands to run this morning. I was going to hit the farmer’s market and make Italian tonight. You in? I can have it ready when you walk in the door.”
“I—well—”A home-cooked Italian dinner cooked in my kitchen by one of the sexiest men I’d ever seen walk the earth? “Okay.”
I grinned, my anxiety melting away in favor of cautious happiness. I’d never been so doted on before. If this was Trent, I was all in. Plus the orgasms he’d given me last night, I hadn’t known such a perfect man could exist.
“I’m usually not home ’til four, but I can try to get home early and we can cook together?” I offered as I set two mugs on the counter.
“Sounds great. Now let me get a taste of that sweet pussy again before you run off to work all day.” The devilish smile was back, and his hands were pushing me up the kitchen counter, pinning me against the cool stone.
Forty-five minutes and two more orgasms later, along with some fantastic shower sex, I’d given him a key to my place and was hurrying out the door, almost late for work. This morning's extracurricular activities had been well worth it though.
I walked the few blocks to school, briefcase thrown over one shoulder, as I considered the series of events that had unfolded last night. He’d been so gentle, so giving, so loving, and I'd been so trusting. Logic had surely gone straight out the window, but what about emotion? It wasn’t as though he was a complete stranger—I’d grown up with him. It was only during the last six years that we’d been strangers.
And now he was back, apparently the new football coach. This town was so small that I would no doubt being seeing him again and often, perhaps even weekly at the school. I sighed. If this didn't work out, we would find ourselves in one helluva pickle. But a tiny thread of hope pulling at my heart. Maybe, just maybe, we could work. Maybe this was more for both of us. Maybe this was everything we’d been waiting for. Only time would tell.
I smiled as I stepped through the doors of the school. The quiet that resonated through the halls in the minutes before the bell rang and students descended always calmed me. I passed a few teachers as I headed down the hallway to my room, anxious to get on with my day and impart some wisdom on the little minds I taught. Then I would get to go home for Italian and more time with Trent, the unexpected stranger who had charmed his way into my heart in less than twenty-four hours.
FIVE
Trent
I sped through my errands before heading to the farmer’s market at the edge of town. Momma had asked me to pick her up some fresh tomatoes and strawberries if they looked good, which they did. I stuffed the ingredients for the Italian dinner I had planned into my bag before handing over cash.
I was so anxious to get home to Chrissy. The radiant smile that lit up her eyes when she laughed had undone my heart from the first moment I saw her.
Perched on that bar stool all alone, drinking a beer after dancing her ass off, she’d been a vision, so elegant and poised. I’d nearly lost my mind when I finally recognized her face.
I wouldn’t have thought I could mistake her for the world—the memory of her wide smile and dark-rimmed eyes had stayed with me for years—but she’d changed, developed into a woman. Her hair had always been wild and thick, but she’d grown it out. Now the dark locks reached halfway down her back and curled lightly at the ends. The glasses she’d worn all through high school, while sexy as hell, were absent, and I found it easier to get lost in the dark depths of her eyes.
And watching her dance… she’d captivated me. She’d danced with abandon, clearly only in it for herself as she felt the music running through her veins.
I was so anxious to get home to her and spend time in her life, in her world, in her body. She was perfect, everything I’d ever dreamed she could be.
On the night I’d almost kissed her, after the homecoming game, she had team colors painted across her sweet face. It’d taken everything in me to not press my lips to hers then. She’d scurried off before I could do it, but truth be told, I probably didn’t have it in me then. It’d taken me years to mature to her level, to be worthy of her. She’d had such a wise and beautiful soul even back then.
But now, everything was different. I was back, and I was determined to get my girl. There was nothing standing between us anymore, and even if something did, I’d move hell and high water to make her mine.
I stepped out of the farmer’s market into the bright sunlight, two large bouquets of spring flowers in my hands—one for Chrissy and one for Mom. She’d raised me right, taught me how to be a gentleman, and I had every intention of doting on Chrissy just as I did all the women in my family. Having three sisters had a way of doing that to a guy.
I strolled down Main Street and ducked into my parents’ house to drop off the goods for my mom.
She greeted me at the door with two sloppy kisses, one on each cheek.
“Mom, I was just here yesterday. I don’t need that kind of greeting every time you see me now that I live in town.”
“I know, I just missed you so much, Trent baby. Six years is too long.” She patted my cheek.
Her Itali
an accent warmed my insides like the summer sun. I’d missed her too.
“Well, I’m home for good now.” I smiled and passed her the flowers. “For the most important woman in my life.”
Her smile broadened.
“Oh, such a sweet boy.” She placed another sloppy kiss on my cheek before wrapping me in a one-armed hug. “Let’s hope I’m not the most important woman in your life for too much longer though, yeah?” She winked before turning away and heading into the kitchen. “Have you seen Chrissy yet?”
The sing-song tone of her voice made me smile. Momma had been matchmaking me and Chrissy since we were eight and running around the ball field together.
“Ran into her last night.” I scratched at the back of my head, trying not to reveal the pure joy coursing through my veins.
“Oh?” She turned, her interest suddenly sparked. “I told you she’d good for you. She’s a really looker now, yeah?” Her eyes gleamed, her easy-going nature visible in every laugh line on her face.
“She was always pretty, Mom,” I said, pulling a chair out at the table and making myself at home.
“Yeah, yeah, you always had eyes for her, even I could see it, but now she’s a real beauty, yes?” She busied herself slicing a tomato I’d brought her.
My lips turned at her gentle meddling. “She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” My thoughts returned to last night. She’d looked so stunning laid out on that bench, I could have discovered her body for hours without even taking off my clothes. She meant that much. She was everything. Fuck, I’d waited to lose my virginity to her. Though maybe being a virgin at my age was silly, no one else had ever felt right. I’d dated here and there, but Chrissy was always on my mind.
“You had a good time with her last night?” My sweet, Italian mother turned and arched an eyebrow as if she could read my damn mind.
I felt crimson creep up my cheeks. “Momma, please.”
“Ohhh.” Her smile widened farther than I knew possible. “Maybe we’ll have some babies in the family soon?” Her eyes twinkled.
I would be her favorite forever if I was the first to give her her much-wished-for first grandchild.
“Mom, seriously?”
I stood, secretly loving the hard time she gave me about Chrissy. I thought Momma loved her more than I did. Since last night, I could not stop thinking about putting babies in her. The idea of Chrissy’s stomach large from carrying my child... nothing would make me happier.
“No, no, when it’s right, you know. I guarantee you, if you treated her last night like the good boy I raised you to be, she already knows.” Her eyes swept over my face critically. “You treat her good?”
“Mom, yeah, of course. I treated her like a queen. She was perfect. I was just happy to see her again.” I smiled, remembering the feel of her hair beneath my fingers, the soft silk of her skin, the way she tasted on my lips…
Momma caught my chin, forcing my eyes to meet hers. She assessed me for a minute before grinning. “Ah, I see it in your eyes. You love her. It won’t be long. I’ll get my grandbabies.” She turned away as if pleased with herself.
“I have to make her love me first,” I grumped and leaned against the counter.
“Nonsense. I teach you how to make a good meal, and she’ll love you forever. Now get over here and help your momma cut up some tomato. You’ve only got a few hours to get this recipe right before she gets out from school.”
“How did you know I was making her dinner tonight?”
She grinned, shaking her head. “I know my son. You're just like your momma. You like to take care of people. Once she sees that, she’s yours.” Her eyes shone with happiness and actually went miles at comforting my nerves.
Maybe this night meant more than I thought. According to Momma, this night was the start of everything.
I headed home from my parents’ house almost two hours later with a piping hot jar of fresh marinara sauce. Leave it to Momma to send me home with home-cooked food. I whistled, checking my watch. I had just about thirty minutes before Chrissy would be home from school. Then I could show her, and tell her, just what she meant to me.
I turned the corner and came up the sidewalk to her house to find a guy standing on her doorstep, phone to his ear. I narrowed my eyes, wondering if she was expecting a guest that she hadn’t told me about, until I got a little closer and the shock of blond hair and icy eyes cut to me.
“Trent fucking McAvoy, how long’s it been?” Chad Wallace came down the stairs.
“Six years,” I said blankly, remembering every asshole move this guy had played on me back in high school. I’d hated him then, and by the arrogant look on his cocky face, it seemed he hadn’t changed much since I’d been gone. I was anxious to get him out of my sight. He was putting off all the wrong vibes, like a too-good-for-everyone asshole. “Can I help you, man?”
“Lookin’ for Chrissy,” he replied before his eyes trailed down to the brown paper bag in my arms.
“She’s not home yet. Something I can do for you?” I tilted my head.
“Uh, unless you’re five foot six and stacked, no, I’m fine, buddy.” Chad’s voice turned cold.
“Actually, if you got something to say to Chrissy, you can say it to me too.” I placed the bag on the step of the front porch. “Now let me ask you one more time—is there something I can help you with?”
“What the fuck do you mean, man? Chrissy’s my girl. We’ve been together for over a year, so what the fuck are you doing here at her house with this shit?” He kicked the bag over, and the vegetables rolled out.
“Listen here, you whiny motherfucker.” I crossed the space between us in a flash. “I know you treated her like shit—I can see it written all over her face and yours. Now I suggest you get the fuck outta here before she gets home and I have to pummel you into the fucking cement.” I clenched my fist, feeling rage pulse through my blood with every beat of my heart.
Chad’s eyes narrowed as his head tilted to one side. His arm angled back and his right hand balled into a tight fist.
“Don’t you even fucking think about it.” When he swung, I caught his fist and cinched it so tightly his hand trembled before I backed him against the side of her house.
“Trent, man, what the fuck? Bros before hoes. No pussy is worth that kinda trouble,” Chad spat as he laughed like a little cocksucker. “’Specially not that one.” His grin told me he’d thrown down the gauntlet with that last comment.
“Don’t you ever say that about my woman,” I seethed and pressed a hand into his neck. “If I ever see you even so much as look at her, I’ll castrate you with a butter knife and feed your balls to your dog, you got me?”
His eyes widened from fear and a lack of oxygen as I pressed at his windpipe. He managed to nod though.
“Good. Now get the fuck out of here.” I let him go and gave him a final shove just as Chrissy turned around the corner.
The smile on her face fell instantly when she saw us.
SIX
Chrissy
“What’s going on?” I shrieked as shock froze any other thought in my brain. “Chad, what are you doing here? What happened to your neck?” I approached them, trying to determine what exactly had happened in the moments before I’d gotten home.
“This fucking asshole choked me!” He stumbled a minute as he rubbed at his throat. “I think you should call the police.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised but only because Trent had gotten physical. I was one hundred percent sure Chad deserved it. He ran his mouth to everyone he met. Actually, looking at him next to the broad-chested, tall, and masculine Trent, I wasn’t even sure what I’d seen in Chad at all.
“Don’t be a bitch, Chad. I’m sure you deserved it.” I rolled my eyes then turned to see Trent watching us closely.
“What? Chrissy, come on—”
“Time to leave.” Trent stepped up behind me then, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.
I arched an e
yebrow at Chad, waiting for him to leave. “Bye, Chad. I hope everything works out with Katrina.” I smiled sweetly as Trent squeezed my shoulder.
As Chad crawled into the cab of his truck and started the engine, he cast one last glance out of his window with a shake of the head.
“What’d you ever see in him? That guy’s a fucker,” Trent said.
“He wasn’t you. I think that’s what I liked.” I spun and wrapped my arms around Trent’s waist, pressing up on my toes to plant a kiss on his beautiful lips. “He was nothing like you at all, and that made it easier.”
I smiled as his hands wrapped around my waist and his tongue tangled with mine, right there on the front step for everyone to see.
The nerd and the high school quarterback making out like teenagers. It was the best kiss of my life.
I pulled away a moment later, looking beyond him at the bag of vegetables strewn across my sidewalk. “So… does this mean there’s no home-cooked meal for me tonight?” I quirked one eyebrow at him.
His grin split across his face as his hands curled into my hair and pulled my head back to his. “Still a little smartass.” He placed a kiss on my lips. “But it just so happens I love smartasses.” With a cocky grin, his hand squeezed one of my ass cheeks. “Get inside. I’d rather have you for dinner anyway.” He finished with a swift smack that sent me squealing up the porch steps.
We ran right by the bag of food on the porch. We had more important things to indulge in, like each other.
Later that night, after we’d dined on Trent’s mom’s sauce with spaghetti and French bread, we ran to the quick meeting with Trent’s football team, then we ducked home before sundown. We were now wrapped up in one blanket, cuddled together on the swing of my front porch, rocking slightly and talking as the wind rustled the spring leaves. It’d been a long day but such a great one.
