by Bella King
“Have fun. Don’t do anything stupid,” Trent said as he opened the door to a large cabin overlooking the lake.
“Got it,” I said with a nod, and we stepped inside.
The cabin was full of people drinking, smoking, and playing card games. There were at least twenty-five people there, but probably more. It was glowing with life and laughter, something far removed from the gloomy interior of Bayside.
“You made it,” one of Trent’s thugs said as he approached us with open arms.
Trent gave him a powerful hug, the two men nearly beating each other’s backs with enthusiasm. “I brought the lady,” he said, motioning to me.
The man held out his tattooed hand, which I recognized as the one that had held my mouth shut when Trent stole and burned my money.
I shook his hand cautiously as his eyes danced over my body.
“She’s nice,” he said with a sly grin.
“And not yours,” Trent grumbled, shoving the man away from me. “Go play cards or something.”
The man rolled his eyes but sauntered off toward the card table, where some of the other gang members were playing poker and smoking thick cigars.
As Trent had said, there were other women here, but they looked like they could snap you in half if you looked at them the wrong way. They were beasts compared to me. I was like a lamb in the den of wolves, which made me cling closer to Trent.
“Have a drink,” Trent said, opening a small fridge that sat against the yellow wooden planks of the wall. He pulled out a cheap beer in a green can and handed it to me.
I took it, the cold stinging my hand. It was nearly frozen, just the way it should be. God, it had been too long since I was allowed to have a drink. My father was always fine with me drinking in the house, but since the trials and imprisonment, I had been too sober for my own liking. I needed to loosen up.
“Thanks,” I said, cracking open the can and savoring the angelic sound of the fizz as the smell of crisp beer wafted up to my nose.
“No problem,” he replied, grabbing one for himself and closing the fridge. “We try to keep the place stocked as best we can.”
I looked around at all the people enjoying themselves. “This really is something else. Aren’t you worried about getting caught?”
He shook his head. “No. Bayside authority ends where the walls do. They’d have to catch us sneaking out for us to be in danger of getting caught. Now,” he said, leaning against a couch by the wall, “If you try to cross the road and make a run for it, I can almost guarantee the cops will rain down on you like angry wasps.”
“Has anyone tried?” I asked, taking a sip of my golden beer.
Trent raised his shirt, displaying an impressive grid of defined abs, along with two scars next to his ribcage. “I tried and got tased right there. Non-lethal my ass. Those prongs just about punctured a lung.”
“You tried to escape? That’s wild,” I said, covering my mouth. “Did it hurt?” I asked, reaching out to touch his stomach.
“Not too bad,” he said, a hint of arrogance returning to his voice.
I ignored it as I brushed my fingers against his hot skin, feeling the two bumps where the prongs had penetrated his flesh. I let myself enjoy the softness of his skin as I lingered there for a second longer than I should have.
“I have more scars. Maybe I’ll show them to you later tonight,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“We’ll see,” I replied, leaving my response open-ended.
Trent let his shirt fall back down, covering his glorious abs. He tilted the tall can of beer to his lips and chugged the entire container in one go, letting a burp rip through the air immediately after.
“Charming,” I said as he brought his head down with a goofy smile.
“I knew you’d think so,” he replied, throwing the empty can across the room into a blue recycling bin.
Trent moved around the couch that he had been leaning on and fell back onto it, throwing his hands back over his head and stretching as he relaxed into the faded cushions. I joined him, plopping down beside him, close enough to where are legs could touch. I liked being close to him. He smelled nice.
Trent pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and pulled out a white stick with a little silver band near the end. He placed it in his mouth and held a lighter to it, puffing a few times before withdrawing it from his mouth. “You want one?” he asked, looking over at me.
I shook my head. I had never smoked before and didn’t plan to.
“I’m asking because you’re staring,” he said, taking a drag.
“I’m not staring,” I blurted, but I knew I had been. For some reason, I was fascinated by his movements.
“Sure,” he replied, taking another drag. He appeared to be enjoying it, leaning back with a satisfied smile on his face. I wondered if that’s what he looked like after sex.
Stop it, Samantha. That’s enough!
My mind barked a reminder not to get pulled into stupid fantasies about Trent. He was a gang leader and a bully. What good would come of getting close to him?
I had the urge to try a cigarette with so many people smoking around me, but I didn’t want a fresh one from Trent. I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it.
“Can I have a puff?” I asked, pointing to the slender white tube between Trent’s lips.
He pulled it from his mouth and held it out to me between his two fingers. I took it between my thumb and forefinger, holding it like a blunt to my lips as I took my first hit. I could feel the wetness of Trent’s lips on the paper as I placed it in my mouth. I sucked the smoke from it into my mouth, letting it sit there for a moment before I removed the cigarette from my lips and breathed the smoke into my lungs.
It felt uncomfortable and harsh in my virgin lungs, but I didn’t cough. I blew it out gracefully, handing the cigarette back to Trent.
“You like that?” he asked, taking the cigarette back and placing it between his soft lips.
I shrugged. “It’s not really my thing.”
“It wasn’t my thing either until I got locked up,” he said, staring off into space.
“What are you going to do when you get out?” I asked.
“Go to college,” he answered.
I wasn’t expecting that response. He didn’t seem like he enjoyed education very much, but then again, it was impossible to enjoy the education we were getting at Bayside. It just wasn’t very good.
“Anywhere in particular?”
“Bayside University,” Trent said with a straight face.
“Oh god, I would die,” I said, laughing at the thought of four more years of this.
“Me too. I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t really know where yet. Are you planning to go?” he asked.
“Yeah. I don’t know what else I would do,” I said. “My father doesn’t get out of jail for a long time.”
“Oh?” Trent asked, leaning in.
I realized I had just given away more information than I should have. I was letting things slip because I was getting too comfortable.
I waved a hand and took a sip of my beer. “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine, though.”
“What is your father in for?” Trent asked, unwilling to give up such a juicy lead.
“Nothing,” I snapped.
He chuckled. “You don’t usually go to jail for nothing.”
I took another drink, considering whether it would hurt if I actually told this man the truth. He might even have more respect for me after the fact. I wasn’t sure, but I was tired of trying to jump through hoops just to avoid talking to him about my past.
“My father is in jail because of me,” I admitted, washing down my shame with another sip of my beer. “Or maybe, I’m in jail because of him. It’s hard to say.”
Trent was all over this. He leaned in so far that his straight nose nearly touched my lap. His blue eyes were opened wide in anticipation of my story.
I laughed. “Jesus, you look like you�
�re on crack. Chill out.”
He leaned back. “Sorry,” he said, taking a puff of his cigarette.
“As I was saying, I got caught on a drug bust during a delivery, and both my father and I got convicted for it.”
“How did he end up in jail if you got time at Bayside? It couldn’t have been that bad,” Trent said, his eyebrow furrowed in thought.
“I didn’t know I was moving drugs. My father did. Plus, he’s a mafia boss,” I explained.
“Hold up. Your dad is part of the mafia?” Trent said, his voice a mix of amusement and excitement.
I nodded. “He was big into it, and I’m pretty sure he’s still involved.”
I noticed an edge of worry on Trent’s face as I said that. He was probably trying to figure out how much trouble he was in after bullying the daughter of a mafia boss. He was lucky I didn’t have a way to contact my father yet.
“What about your mother?” Trent asked.
“Dead. Cancer is a bitch,” I said.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” he said, sounding genuine.
“It’s fine. It was a few years ago, and I’ve had plenty of time to get over it. It makes me think about my own life and how short it can be.”
“True that. I’m living every day like my last,” he said.
“They might be your last if I let my father know that you burned the money he gave me,” I said, gauging his reaction.
Trent laughed nervously. “I can get that back to you if you want.”
There it was. Trent wasn’t the bad boy he made himself out to be when he was faced with a genuine threat. He wasn’t all that dangerous. I felt myself grow more confident at his fear, although I probably shouldn’t have been.
“I’d like the money back, but I’d also like you to stop being such an asshole to me,” I said.
“That’ll be tough,” he replied, a cocky smirk running across his face again.
I raised an eyebrow and took another sip of my beer.
“You know what I mean, Samantha. You’re the rich girl. You don’t understand this kind of lifestyle,” he said, waving a hand around the room at the grungy people playing poker, drinking, and smoking.
“I understand enough to know it’s not for me. That’s right,” I said, placing the half-finished can of beer on the floor at my feet.
“You want to go outside for some fresh air?” Trent asked suddenly, springing up from the couch with a tiny cigarette butt still between his fingers.
It was starting to get stuffy in this room full of smoke and chatter. Fresh air would be nice right about now, and my lungs would thank me for it. I nodded. “Let’s go.”
“After you,” he said, gesturing toward the door.
Chapter 13
“You’re a bit of a daddy’s girl, aren’t you?” Trent asked as we walked down the slope next to the cabin toward the lake.
I laughed. “I guess so.”
His gaze was hot on me. I could feel it even though I wasn’t looking back at him. He was after something, and I knew where this would go if I wasn’t careful. Trent was probably used to getting what he wanted, but so was I. The problem was, he seemed to know what he wanted, and I still wasn’t sure. One thing was for sure, though. Things sure did get lonely here at Bayside.
“The Killers said it’s nice to have you around,” Trent said as we got to the lake.
“Your stupid gang is creepy. Admit it,” I said, looking at him. “You’re the one who likes me.”
The sun was already falling behind the trees, and the rain had stopped. The air smelled like fresh grass and soil. I felt alive out by the lake, finally in a place where I didn’t fear the constant spying by the school and students alike.
Trent shrugged. “I don’t hate you.”
What a lame answer. I knew he was into me. Why else would he invite me out here with him? I cleared my throat. “Are you going to kiss me, or did you just bring me out here to stare at the water.”
Trent looked surprised for a moment but quickly regained his cool composure. He waved a finger at me. “Don’t think I’m that easy.”
I groaned. “I’m the one who’s supposed to say that,” I argued.
“I don’t know if I trust you enough for that,” he said, sounding honest this time.
“Really? DO you think I’m going to break your little heart or something?” I teased.
“Maybe. It wouldn’t be the first time,” he said quietly.
“Hey,” I said, lowering my voice. “I’m not the bad guy. That’s you, remember?”
He chuckled, looking me up and down. “You are pretty, but you’re also trouble. Don’t you think your father would have my head if I fucked around with you?”
I shook my head. “I’m an adult, Trent. I run my own life.”
“That’s a good attitude to have,” he replied. “I’m just a careful guy, you know?”
“You should be, but you can relax around me,” I insisted.
He gave me a doubting look, but moved closer, his shoulder bumping against mine. I turned to face him, and he did the same, looking down at me with a blank expression. I was dying to know what was going on in his head, but I was afraid to ask. What if he said something stupid? I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
Trent’s eyes danced over my face, dipping deep into my eyes first before exploring my cheeks and my lips. Once his eyes met my lips, I felt a jolt like when he had touched me. Except for this time, he wasn’t touching me. I was inches away from him, but I felt such strong energy radiating from his body. It was making me nervous and excited at the same time.
“You’re different from a lot of the other girl at Bayside,” Trent said, his eyes glued to my lips like he wanted a taste of them.
“Is that a bad thing?” I asked, parting my lips and letting the bottom one hang as I spoke.
“It could be,” he replied in a whisper.
“For whom?” I asked, leaning forward a half-inch.
His eyes crinkled at the sides as a smile formed on his lips. “Always so proper,” he said.
“I was taught to be,” I said.
Trent leaned in closer so that he was speaking into my mouth. “I’ll make you bad.”
His words sent chills through my entire body. I could only imagine all the things that he could do to me. I was innocent on the inside, and for that reason alone, I knew that he would crush every part of me to make me his own.
Never in my life did I think that I would even want to be with a man like Trent. He was so far from what I was used to, but that was also part of the appeal. He was exotic, raw, new, and I was curious to find out what he would be like. What would it feel like to have a man that large of muscular overpowering me and using me like he owned me? Was that even something I wanted?
Too late. He was coming in quickly after the sultry words he had spoken.
I closed my eyes, leaving my fate up to him. I shouldn’t have done that. I should have told him to go away, to leave me alone, but I didn’t. I took the gamble.
Trent’s hot lips met mine with surprising softness, pressing into my flesh deep as he poured the passion from his soul into mine. I felt a rush of energy and emotions. I hadn’t known what I wanted before he made a move, but now, with his lips on mine, I knew what I needed. I had to have him, whatever the cost.
I felt like I was spinning. My eyes were shut so tight that I saw stars. I must have looked ridiculous, but I felt like all the planets had aligned to bring me this, and I didn’t give a fuck what any thought. This was my moment.
Trent’s tongue pushed into my mouth as he ran a hand up my neck, feeling along the delicate muscles and cartilage. He came to a stop at the top of my neck, wrapping his fingers around my throat firmly, but not in a way that would cause me discomfort. His tongue tasted the inside of my mouth, and I melted into it, allowing him to explore in whatever way that he wished.
I wasn’t a sandcastle, slowly succumbing to the water lapping at my feet. I was a tower of cards collapsing in on itself, surrenderi
ng to the outside forces. As Trent claimed my mouth with a firm hand to hold me in place, I felt the need for more growing deep within me.
My eyes popped open as he pressed a hand between my legs. I hadn’t been expecting that, but then again, I hadn’t expected any of this. There was another significant jolt as the warmth of his hand leaked through my jeans and made me frightfully aware of how aroused I was for him. I was concerned that he would be able to feel it.
“Relax,” he purred deep into my mouth as he began rubbing his hands against the denim of my jeans.
How could I relax when he was feeling on me like this? My heart was drumming a primal rhythm beneath my sternum as the rubbing continued. My body begged me to give in, but I was still reluctant to go all the way. We were outside. Anyone could see us.
Another hand clamped down on my ass, pushing my hips toward him. He pressed his body against mine, his powerful grip not allowing for an inch of space between us. I was pressed so tightly onto his hot body that I felt like I could melt right into him and become one person.
A tingling feeling moved up from my feet to my groin, growing stronger by the second. With every movement of Trent’s body on mine, I was getting more desperate for his touch.
“Take this off,” he demanded, pulling at the leather of my jacket.
“It’s cold,” I said, but I didn’t feel very cold now that I was with him.
“You’re not cold,” he said, tugging at it.
I complied, pulling my jacket off from the back and letting it fall behind me onto the moist grass. The cool air felt good against my skin, but I pressed closer to his body to keep from getting cold.
Trent removed his hand from between my legs and let go of my ass so that he could use his hands to undress me. He pulled my shirt over my head, revealing the simple black bra I had on underneath. “Beautiful,” he muttered as he gazed at my pale breasts pushed up against the dark fabric.
I felt shy under his intense gaze, but I also enjoyed it. I didn’t know how to respond, so I didn’t. I let him admire my body as I stood, somewhat awkwardly, in front of him.
“The bra. Take it off,” he said, waving a finger at the two cups that held my breasts.
