“He didn’t propose,” Abbie whispered to herself.
Abbie closed her eyes and tried to force the memory to return. When flashes started forming, she knew she told Chad to fly to hell. She just couldn’t remember why.
“What the hell did he have planned?” Abbie whispered.
“What did who have planned?” Trunk’s voice caused her to open her eyes.
“I think my memory is coming back. Chad didn’t propose to me the night I was stabbed. I was pissed at him and ended things,” Abbie explained.
“What else do you remember?” Trunk asked.
“I remember someone wrapping their arm around my neck and then…” Abbie stopped.
The memory of the knife penetrating her skin and falling to the ground was hazy, but she remembered the pain. Abbie reached around, and touched the raised scar still healing on her side. It was sore, and she winced as her hand ran across it.
“I remember someone in dark clothes jumping in my car and speeding off.” Abbie swallowed hard. “He left me there to die.”
Tears started before she could stop them, and Trunk pulled her into his arms before the first sob escaped. Abbie clung to his shirt and allowed all the fear, sadness, and anger she’d held in for the last few weeks flow. Someone left her on the ground as if she was nothing but a piece of garbage. Plus, the man she thought cared about her hadn’t even come to her rescue.
Chad wasn’t even who he said he was. Abbie didn’t understand how he got everything he needed to set her up. He was the only person she could think of who would do something so vile.
Billie certainly wouldn’t do that to her, and something told her Tyler wouldn’t either. She’d had Sandy do a background check on the young man before she hired him.
Abbie sat up straight as more memories of what happened over the last few years started to flow. She pulled back from Trunk and stared into his eyes. He’d left her. He pushed her away and made her feel as if she’d been a nothing but a one-night fuck.
“Abs, what’s wrong?” Truck cupped her cheek.
“When ‘Love and Hate Collide,’” Abbie murmured.
“What?” Trunk looked confused.
“Def Leppard.” She smiled.
“You lost me, Abs.” Trunk chuckled.
“You hurt me so much, and I would listen to that song all the time because it was exactly how I felt. I hated that I loved you, and I loved to hate you. The song fit perfectly,” she whispered.
“I’m so sorry.” Truck’s agony was written all over his face.
“I know why you did it, but I’m starting to remember how much it hurt every time I saw you.” Abbie blew out a huge breath.
“I wish I could go back and change it, baby. I can’t, but I can tell you from here on out, I’ll do everything I can to show you how much I love you.” Trunk held her head with his large hands and pressed his lips against her forehead.
“Show me now,” Abbie whispered.
“Abs, as much as I want to, you’re still healing.” He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
“I want you to make love to me. Ben, please. I need you to show me.” Abbie laid her hands against his chest.
Trunk was quiet, and Abbie was beginning to think he wasn’t going to do anything. She wanted to be close to him and forget, even if it was for a short time. She’d spent so long dreaming of being in his arms again.
“Abs.” Trunk leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. “If you have any pain at all, you need to tell me.”
“I will,” she murmured against his lips.
“I mean it. One twinge, and we stop.” Trunk stared into her eyes.
“I promise,” Abbie gave him a soft smile. “But you have to make me a promise too.”
“What’s that?” Trunk asked.
“Don’t leave again.” She swallowed hard.
“Abs, I’m not going anywhere ever again.” Trunk took her hands in his and placed them over his heart. “You’re what keeps this beating, and if I let you go again, it would stop.”
“Ben, I love you. I have since the first time I saw you.” Abbie leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
Trunks arms slipped around her, and he deepened the kiss, taking her breath away. His kiss was slow and gentle as his hands lightly caressed her back. Her heart raced as his tongue slipped inside her mouth and swirled against hers.
When Abbie moaned, Trunk gently lowered her to the bed, never breaking the kiss. Abbie slipped her hand under the hem of his T-shirt and smoothed her hands against his firm abdominal muscles, causing them to flex under her touch.
Trunk was hard in all the right places, and she could compare his body to the carved statues she’d seen when she traveled to Greece. The difference was his package was a lot larger than those figures.
Trunk groaned as she dragged her nails gently down his chest and around to his back. His lips moved to her cheek, down her neck, and he slipped his large hand under her shirt. The warmth of it on her skin caused goosebumps to explode over her skin.
“Are you cold?” Trunk lifted his head with concern written all over his face.
“God, no.” Abbie sighed.
Trunk reached behind his head and yanked off his shirt. She always found it sexy when men did that, but Trunk made it look even more erotic. After he tossed it to the floor, he sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled Abbie up gently and maneuvered her until she stood between his legs.
“Are you okay?” He unhurriedly raised the hem of her shirt.
“Yes,” she breathed as his lips pressed against her abdomen.
His tongue circled her belly button as he leisurely pushed her shirt up and over her head. She’d removed her bra before she went to bed, so Trunk had a full view of her naked torso.
“Your breasts are fucking beautiful.” Trunk cupped them in his hands and kissed each one tenderly.
Abbie’s head dropped back, and a moan escaped as he kissed and sucked each of her sensitive nipples. With each flick of his tongue, she could feel the delicious ache between her legs increase.
Trunk ran his hands down her sides and slipped his thumbs inside the waistband of her pajama bottoms, gradually pulling them down over her hips as he teased and sucked on her breasts.
He took Abbie’s hands and kept her steady as she stepped out of her clothes, then pulled her close until she straddled his thighs, wearing just her panties. Trunk captured her lips and lay back with her on top of him.
His rock-hard erection pressed against her core, and she could feel it throb even through his jeans. She pressed her heat against him, causing a deep groan to emanate from his lips. Trunk gripped her by the waist and raised his hips to meet her.
“This would be so much better if your jeans weren’t in the way,” Abbie complained.
“It really would.” Trunk shot up, so he was sitting with her on his lap.
Abbie scrambled off his thighs, and Trunk quickly disposed of his jeans and boxers, freeing his engorged cock. Trunk reached for the waistband of her panties and yanked them down over her hips before he tugged her toward him.
“I want to taste you.” He moaned and ran his nose against the top of her sex. “You smell so damn tasty.”
Before Abbie could respond, his tongue slipped between her folds and flicked against her tender nub. Her legs trembled and she thrust her hips forward as he sucked and licked her pussy. When two of his fingers slipped inside her, he sucked her hard clit into his mouth, triggering a gasp of pleasure.
“Don’t… oh, don’t stop, Ben.” Abbie panted as she thrust against his fingers.
Within a few seconds, her body trembled when he took her over the edge. Trunk slammed his fingers into her and nipped her engorged nub, making her cry out in pleasure. Trunk drew out her orgasm until her legs buckled and then held her until she could catch her breath.
“That was fucking beautiful.” Trunk pulled her gently onto his lap and captured one of her nipples between his teeth.
“I want you insi
de me.” Abbie pressed her wet heat against his thick cock.
“Condom.” Trunk panted as his dick slipped between her folds.
“Drawer,” Abbie whispered in his ear.
Trunk fumbled in the drawer of the nightstand while Abbie sucked on his earlobe. When he pulled back from her, he ripped open the package, and she watched him slip the latex over his swollen head.
When he was covered, he gripped her gently around the waist and she shifted until she hovered above his cock. Abbie lowered onto his hard shaft, and as he slipped inside, he moaned. Abbie wrapped her arms around his neck, and she dropped down until she had all of him filling her.
“That’s it, baby,” Trunk urged.
Abbie sucked and licked her way down his neck and back to whisper into his ear. Trunk loved dirty talk. She’d discovered that the first time they were together. Anytime she would describe what she wanted to do, his eyes dilated, and he’d groan.
“You like me riding your cock, don’t you, Ben?” Abbie murmured into his ear.
“Fuck, yes,” Trunk growled.
“You like feeling my pussy slide over your dick,” Abbie continued.
“God, don’t stop, Abs.” Trunk panted against her breast.
Abbie tried to increase her speed, but he gently flipped her over and eased her onto her back. For a moment, he stayed that way as he looked into her eyes.
“Did I hurt you?” Trunk whispered.
“No.” Abbie touched his cheek.
“Promise?” Trunk turned his face and kissed her palm.
“Promise.” She lifted her hips, and he groaned.
Trunk thrust his hips forward, slowly at first, but when she began to tell him how hot she was and how much she wanted him to come for her, his thrusts became faster.
“That’s it, Ben. Fuck me, bury that cock inside me,” Abbie urged.
“Abs, I’m not going to last much longer. Please tell me your okay.” Trunk grunted as he thrust into her.
“Fuck me, baby.” Abbie grabbed his ass, and he pushed deep into her.
Abbie screamed his name, and seconds later, Trunk’s body shook above her. She dropped her arms to her sides as she tried to catch her breath. Trunk held himself above her as if he was afraid to put too much weight on top of her.
“Are you okay, Abs?” Trunk brushed his lips across hers.
“Ben, are you going to ask me that every single time we do this?” Abbie sighed.
“Until you’re healed.” Trunk smiled.
“That’s going to get on my last nerve,” Abbie warned.
“I’m sure it will.” Trunk chuckled as he gave her one quick kiss.
When he jumped up and made his way to the bathroom, Abbie rolled over on her side and sighed. She hadn’t felt so happy in a long time, but considering what loomed over her, she shouldn’t be so calm.
She spent a year with a man who lied to her about where he worked and who he was. Abbie couldn’t shake the feeling his lies connected to the person who left her for dead in a parking lot. She needed to get the truth out of that bastard.
Abbie sat up in the bed and snatched her phone off the nightstand. The first thing she would do was confront Chad or whoever the hell he was. Abbie didn’t care what everyone said. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind.
Abbie tapped Chad’s name and put the phone to her ear. She didn’t hear a ring. All she heard was a message saying the phone was out of service. Abbie tried the supposed office number she had for him, again the number was out of service.
“That sneaky fucker,” Abbie spat.
“What did I do?” Trunk chuckled as he returned.
“Not you. I tried to call Chad, or whoever he is.” Abbie grumbled as Trunk sat next to her.
“What did he say?” Trunk asked.
“Nothing, both numbers are out of service.” Abbie dropped her phone on the table next to the bed.
“Abs, don’t worry about him. The cops will get that piece of shit, and until they do, I’m going to be your personal shadow.” Trunk lowered her back on the bed.
“Well, I guess something good did come out of it.” Abbie smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Are you okay?” He ran his hand up and down her sides.
“Ben, I swear I’ll slap you if you ask me again.” Abbie narrowed her eyes and grabbed his head between her hands. “Stop worrying about me being in pain.”
“I’ll never stop worrying about you, Abs.” Trunk hugged her body to his. “I love you too much.”
“I love you too.” Abbie smiled.
“Our new theme song is now Van Halen’s, ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You,’ okay?” Trunk smirked.
“Well, if you can’t stop, I won’t complain.” Abbie rolled over on top of him.
They made love a second time, and Abbie happily snuggled in his arms. She ran her finger over one of the beautiful tattoos Trunk had inked on his body. On his chest, there was a phrase she’d heard before, but she couldn’t remember where.
“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” Abbie read. “Why does that sound familiar?”
“It’s from a poem by Dylan Thomas. He was a Welsh poet.” Trunk ran his hand up and down her back.
“I suck at poetry. What does it mean?” Abbie asked.
“Are you asking because you want to see if I know what it means?” Trunk chuckled.
“Maybe a little, but I do suck at poetry.” Abbie grinned.
“It means always fight to live. I don’t know if that’s the right meaning, but it’s what it means to me. When I was a kid, the woman who lived next door to me read that poem to me once, and it just kind of stuck. This was my first tattoo,” Trunk explained.
Abbie smiled. Nobody would ever take Trunk as a lover of poetry, but it seemed he was, or at least, he liked one specific poem. Her favorite was the star he had below his navel and the two flaming skulls on each hip. For some reason, she found them so sexy.
Abbie ran her finger around the edge of the star and giggled when he squirmed under the light touch. He grabbed her hand and linked his fingers with her.
“Is this payback for teasing you?” Trunk chuckled.
This is payback.
Abbie jolted up in the bed and gasped as the voice echoed in her head as clear as she’d heard it that night. The words her attacker whispered in her ear. Then he thrust the knife into her body.
“Abs, what’s wrong?” Trunk sat up.
It took a moment for her to be able to speak because she was struggling to control her breathing. Trunk held her until she calmed enough to tell him what had her so freaked.
“My attack, it wasn’t random. It was revenge,” Abbie whispered.
Chapter 17
Trunk didn’t sleep much during the night, and neither had Abbie. The memory of her assailant’s words kept her waking with nightmares, and Trunk held her until she calmed. She wouldn’t let him call James or Keith in the middle of the night and made him promise to wait until a decent hour.
Abbie sat at the kitchen table, holding the cup of specialty coffee she usually enjoyed every morning. It was the only coffee she seemed to like, and since she lived alone, it was easier for her to use the Keurig pods, although, she hadn’t even taken a sip since he made it.
Trunk paced the kitchen as they waited for James’ arrival. Keith sent someone to Abbie’s office to check on Billie and Tyler and decided Trunk was definitely too close to the situation, so Hulk was on the way to Abbie’s for extra security.
“Ben, for fuck’s sake, will you sit down? You’re making me dizzy with your pacing,” Abbie complained.
“Who would want revenge on you, Abs?” Trunk leaned over the table.
“How the hell would I know? I don’t work for the mob,” she snapped sarcastically.
“Did you take a house away from another agent?” Trunk sat in the chair across from her.
“I would never do that and stop playing cop. James will be here as soon as he can
.” Abbie pushed her cup back, rested her elbows on the table, and folded her hands under her chin. “I wouldn’t undercut another agent. I have too much integrity to do something like that.”
“I’m sorry to push you. I hate to think someone wants to hurt you.” Trunk took her hands and held them between his.
“You know the night I ended things with Chad, I was pissed because he bragged about a sale. One that he ripped out from under me. He said when we got married, I wouldn’t have to work,” Abbie’s memory seemed to be returning.
“Fucking dick.” Trunk shook his head.
“Yes, he is,” Abbie agreed.
Trunk brought her fingers up to his lips and kissed them. His stomach knotted when he thought about how close she came to death. There was no way he would have survived if she hadn’t made it.
“Did you ever feel as if there’s something you need to remember, but you can’t? I know a lot of my memory has returned, but there’s still something I can’t put my finger on.” Abbie was frustrated.
“It will come to you when you’re ready,” Trunk assured her.
“I want to go back to work.” Abbie sighed.
“I don’t like the idea of that,” Trunk replied.
“It’s a good thing it’s not your choice now, isn’t it?” Abbie pulled her hands from his and reached for her cup.
“Stubborn woman,” Trunk grumbled.
Abbie lifted the mug to her lips and stopped. Her eyes widened, as she lowered it back to the table. Her eyes flicked back and forth as if she was reading something.
“Did Billie leave the files here from the fake sales she found?” Abbie jumped to her feet.
“I think they may be in your study. I put everything in there when everyone left yesterday,” Trunk replied.
Trunk followed Abbie as she hurried to her den in the back of the house. She practically ran to her desk and frantically shuffled through a bunch of papers piled on top. The more she searched, the more frustrated she seemed.
“What are you looking for, Abs?” Trunk asked as she opened and closed the drawers in her desk.
“I had a bunch of folders for potential clients. I just can’t get my brain to remember where I had them.” Abbie dropped into her office chair and pressed her fingers against her temples.
Risky Vengeance Page 13
