by Lindsey Hart
“Uhhhh news flash. I’m not thirty.” She carefully didn’t say anything about her virginity. No one needed to know that she’d lost it on her twenty-first birthday in the backseat of a car of a guy she’d dated for two days. She may have been a little drunk and he may have not known what the hell he was doing- not like she did either- but somehow, they got the job done. It wasn’t a good first-time experience.
She basically counted Trace as her first real sexual experience, since he provided her with the first orgasm, she hadn’t had to use her fingers to gift herself.
“I know. I just had to bug you a little. You’re going to your reunion tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Of course, she is,” Trace said, far too happily.
“Uh- great. You’re ancient, by the way. I can’t believe you’re having your ten-year reunion already.”
“You’re only two years younger than me, dick wad.” Like the mature adult she was, she stuck her tongue out at her brother, who waved her the bird in response.
“Okay, you two, let’s bring it on into the kitchen. I’ll have dinner ready. Maybe you can play a board game while you wait.” Her mom winked at her. “I know how much you enjoy that, Ash. I was sure to bring them all down out of the closet.”
“Oh god, mom!” Ash hissed. She glanced at Trace, but he grinned back.
“I already know you’re a huge dork, so no harm done,” he whispered under his breath after her mom turned to head back to the kitchen. Jason trailed behind her like a puppy begging for scraps. He probably was. He was always hungry, like he’d never really outgrown his teenage years of eating.
It took Ash a minute to realize that his hand was on fire. As in, it wasn’t just her crazy sexual energy fooling her. Sure her nipples were hard as pebbles and her panties were soaked, but that was just her body’s normal reaction to Trace.
She turned into him and swept her hand up to his forehead. “Oh my god! You’re burning up.” She sidestepped the kitchen and pulled Trace into the hallway out of earshot. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
Trace shrugged. “My niece may have been a little bit sick when I babysat her. My sister was going to stay home, but I told her to go out. It was a work thing and she’s been putting in so many hours to get that promotion. I couldn’t let her miss her big presentation and my brother in law was on the road for work. I said I didn’t mind.”
“She had a fever?”
“She might have puked a few times too.”
“Oh god. Oh no.” Ash backed away, twisting her hands for a minute before she realized how rude that looked. “I- I didn’t mean it like that.” She swept her hand back up to Trace’s forehead like it might have magically cooled off. It was still the temperature of a red-hot stovetop. “Shit. Okay, I think you’re really sick. You should have told me.”
Trace shook his head. “No way. I know how important this is to you.”
“No! We could have waited to come. God, I can’t believe you didn’t say a thing. I would never subject you to my family on a day when you’re feeling less than your best.” She was already whispering, but she lowered her voice further. “You need all your strength to face them and survive.”
Trace smiled. “Hey.” He took her hand in his and squeezed gently. “I’m okay. Just a few aches and pains. I have no appetite, but that’s not going to stop me from eating your mom’s amazing cooking.” He inhaled deeply. “Smells like heaven. It will probably fix me right up.”
“You poor thing. Seriously. You should have told me. You could have stayed home and rested.”
“No way. And don’t worry. Even if I was on death’s door, I’d drag my carcass to your reunion tomorrow. I have to witness first hand my goddess conquering the whole world.”
“You’re ridiculous, Mr. Nightshadow.” Ash stepped up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to Trace’s cheek. His skin was like fire under her lips. She pulled him into a tight hug and for a guy who was kind of still a stranger, it felt good. It felt… really good to be wrapped up in those strong arms. “Thank you for this. And for tomorrow. I- you’re so good to me. The best. I think that I have a new favorite villain.”
“I’m glad to be of service.” His deep, sexy tone echoed in her ear and she shivered. “Now,” he said after she pulled away. “I say we go play some rousing board game and I’ll of course get my ass kicked by you and your brother since you seem to have so much more experience being dorky than I do.”
“Asshole.” She punched him in the shoulder before she remembered what he said about being achy. Honestly, she didn’t know how on earth he found the strength and fortitude to come with her. When she was sick, she wanted to do nothing but curl into a ball and sleep until her body felt like it hadn’t been railroaded over. “Oh no! I’m sorry.”
He grinned and swiped the back of his hand over his forehead. “No harm done. Seriously, no offense, but you hit like a girl.” He bent and whispered in her ear again, his hot breath sending delicious shivers down her spine. “My favorite girl.”
Those words should not have sounded so dark and naughty, especially in her parent’s house when Trace wasn’t even well. “The bathroom is just right down the hall to the left. Do you want to splash some cold water on your face?”
“Why? Am I a hot mess?”
“Never. Although, hot yes. I could bring you a cold cloth…”
“Stop worrying.” He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. She shivered again as he traced his overtly warm lips against her knuckle. “Everything is going to be fine, my goddess. And I still want you to give me a few of those sexual favors later.”
“I think you should rest later.”
“I can sleep when I’m dead.”
“No way. I need you tomorrow. Seriously.” She pressed her lips together. “You can stay over tonight, if you want, but you have to get some rest. I want you to feel better, not worse. We can save the pleasure for tomorrow night, after we conquer the world- or at least Twin Falls, ten-year reunion. Who even has ten-year reunions?”
“Now don’t go getting sensible on me when we’ve come up with this great plan. If some dorkus didn’t plan it to strut her vain self in front of everyone, we never would have met.”
Ash froze. “You know, you have a point.” Geez. She really shouldn’t be a weepy, girly, melting mess inside at those words. She recovered quickly and flashed Trace a devious grin. “You might want to wash your hands. My brother is a bit of a man whore. Who knows what you contracted during that bro handshake.”
Trace laughed and the sound filled up the whole hallway. God, she’d miss that laugh. What the hell? No, no way. She couldn’t go there. Not when she still had an evening with her family to get through. She was not going to give in to the tears that suddenly threatened or do an evaluation as to why that thought made her body ache like she was the one who was sick.
“I’ve never had an STD before.”
“No?” She furrowed her brow suspiciously.
“No.” Trace held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. “Although, how bad can it really be?”
“No. No, no, no,” Ash giggled. She swatted at Trace one more time. “Go and wash up in the bathroom. Take your time. Feel better. Hell, take a cold shower if you need one. I’ll just tell my mom that she’ll need a strong dose of deodorizer before anyone can go in there again.”
“Did you just make a poop joke?” Trace scoffed in disbelief.
Ash burst out laughing. “Yeah, I guess I did. It’s this place. My brother is already a bad influence on me.”
She swore she could hear Trace’s laugh even after he’d walked away and shut the bathroom door. She stayed there, staring at the empty hall like a lovesick fool. Of course, he popped his head out of the bathroom and scared her half to death. Mostly she was just embarrassed to have been caught, still there, like some weird creepy statue.
“Maybe there’s hope for you yet,” he mouthed before he shut the door behind him.
CHA
PTER 12
Trace
Trace leaned back in his chair, absolutely stuffed.
Considering he came with no appetite, the food was amazing. He’d certainly eaten enough. Ash kept sending him looks, silently asking if he was going to make it out alive. He kept sending looks back, reassuring her that everything was going to be okay.
He’d somehow managed to survive getting his ass kicked at every single game he and Ash and Jason played before dinner. He didn’t mind. Losing was just fine by him, because it was even better to sit there and watch Ash giggle and smile and laugh. She came out of her shell with her brother. She was funnier, not so proper, not wound up so tight.
It made his chest hurt- in a good way, being there with Ash and her family. He’d never been invited, as a boyfriend, to a girl’s house to meet her parents. It never got that far. Most women weren’t interested in him as a person. They were interested in him as a dollar sign. Even before he made his money, the invites weren’t forthcoming. He’d been too young then, not interested in anything beyond a few dates and a good time. He’d never used anyone though. He made sure his girlfriends were on the same page. It was ironic, that later the tables were turned on him and he couldn’t find something or someone real, even when he wanted it.
While he’d agreed to the visit more for Ash to give her mother peace of mind and buy some time for herself, he was genuinely having a good time. It actually looked like Ash was too. They’d survived it together.
Ash giggled at something her brother said and Trace realized that her dad said something then all eyes were on him.
“Uh- sorry.” He shook his head. “I was zoned out.”
“Zoning out about taking my sister home later?” Jason shot him a menacing look.
Trace laughed. “No, not exactly. I mean, Ash is beautiful, but she deserves to be treated like a beautiful woman. I don’t always let my mind wander straight to sinful things, especially not at the dinner table.” He flashed what he hoped was a charming grin and her brother, who was obviously kidding just to get a rise out of his sister, stood down with a grin of his own. “I was actually thinking how nice it is that you all still sit at a table and have dinner together and play board games. I don’t know anyone else who does that. It’s nice, to be a part of your family. Thank you.”
Ash’s mom wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye and offered him a watery smile, because of course, she was the classic weepy mom wooed by the mysterious dark gentleman who offered some hope in the direction of her aging daughter’s dusty ovaries. Her dad stared at him like he might actually be an alien. Jason’s mouth dropped open.
“Now that we’re all melting on the inside,” Ash said, voice definitely off, “why don’t you get us some of that pie you’re so famous for, mom.”
Jason patted his stomach. “Right. I’ve been waiting all day for that peach pie.” He licked his lips and cast a sarcastic glance at his sister.
“Gross,” Ash mumbled. “Obviously my brother doesn’t follow your example. Who are you going to whore yourself out to tonight, Jay? Oh wait, let me guess. She’s probably not under forty.”
Jason put up his hand and made a rude gesture with his tongue and fingers. Ash flipped him the bird. Trace tried hard not to laugh. It was nice to see Ash like this. Having fun, her guard down. Even if she made out that she couldn’t stand going home to be questioned by her mother about her non-existent love life, she obviously felt safe there, welcome, and loved.
That was what he missed being a part of. He’d wanted that his whole life. His mom was always far too busy trying to support them growing up. He never knew his dad. It was just him and his sister, most times, trying to scrounge up enough food to eat. Then he got busy working and Amy got a job as well and they’d never really all been together for a meal. Not even lately. I can fix that. I can do something about it now…
“She’s not under forty. What’s wrong with having a good time with an older woman?”
“Is she paying for it? You into Sugar Mamas now?” Ash shot back.
Their poor father leaned back, eyes flicking back and forth between his children, like he wasn’t sure what to say or do. He settled for remaining silent, which was probably the wisest decision.
“No, she’s not paying for it. Sugaring isn’t my thing. I just happen to enjoy all women of all ages. Is there something wrong with that?”
“I don’t know. I just wish mom would tell you to stop sticking your dick in everything instead of always pestering me to give her grandchildren.”
“We have the opposite problem. What can I say.” Jason shrugged and tucked his hands behind his head. He leaned back, all smiles.
Ash shot him a scathing look. “God. You’re the worst.” She turned to Trace. “Even as a teenager, Jason was always out of control. The ladies always loved him. He lost his virginity to- what? A thirty-year-old woman and you were like eighteen? Barely?”
“Okay, I think that’s enough, you two. You’re going to scar our guest for life and he’ll never come back.” Ash’s father finally interjected. Red faced, he cast a stern look at both his children.
Jason held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, it’s not my fault that I was born handsome.”
“You could have some self-control.”
“You should try letting go sometime.”
“What do you call him?” Ash pointed at Trace, who wondered if it was possible to sink under the table and disappear. He forced a smile of his own.
“She has a point.” He wasn’t going to be ungentlemanly and elaborate on that. Especially not with Ash’s brother. Even though she was sitting right beside him, temptation incarnate. He forced himself not to really look at her and not to get turned on. She was wearing a longer green tunic with black leggings and it hugged her body while not even being all that tight. It didn’t need to be tight. She’d done her makeup and put her hair up in a sexy messy bun on top of her head.
Annnddddd just like that, he now had a raging hard on he had to cover up under the table.
Of course, Ash’s mother came back into the room right at that moment, baring a huge pie in one hand and a stack of plates in the other.
“Right on,” Jason fist pumped the air. “You’re the best, mom.”
Ash’s dad looked relieved and Ash shot her brother one more evil look before helping her mom pass out plates. She grabbed the pile of forks off the table and doled those out as well.
A huge piece of pie was set in front of him and even though he was achy and cold and hot on and off and was probably still overly sweaty, he dug in. He wouldn’t mind repeating this. Ash’s mom was a great cook. And her pie was heaven.
Okay, that sounded wrong.
The pie she made was amazing.
Okay, that also could be wrong, given that she’d made Ash and Ash was…
Trace gave himself a mental shake and got his mind off Ash’s amazing- everything. Which was good, because suddenly all eyes were on him again. He looked up, aware that he’d been caught, yet again, not paying attention.
“I’m sorry. I was lost in this. It’s amazing. All my senses were tuned into savoring every single bite.”
Ash’s mom flushed with pleasure.
Ash shot him a private smirk. If only she knew he wasn’t trying to put on a show. If he wasn’t already sweltering, he might have flushed. And there went his man card…
“Jason said that you should hone your board game skills for a rematch,” Ash filled him in. “He’s implying that you’re obviously not as big of a nerd as I am.”
“That’s exactly what was implied,” Jason confirmed. He turned to Trace as he lifted his plate and literally licked it clean. Yeah, the pie really was that good. “What do you do anyway? I mean, for a job?”
Trace tried not to squirm, though he literally felt a bead of sweat trace its way down his back. Probably just the whole fever thing he had going on. He really hoped he was going to get through the night without having to answer too many personal questions, especially
the work one. He’d thought about it ahead of time, thought about lying, but decided he didn’t exactly have to. It wasn’t like the entire world knew who he was.
“I- manage a nutrition store. Supplements and protein powders and that kind of a thing.”
“Sounds boring.” Jason grinned. “I mean, you like working out, so I guess that’s probably not that lame for you.”
“Jason, come on,” Ash protested.
“I wasn’t trying to be mean,” Jason insisted. “Honest, Ash. I was just saying, I mean, the guy is all solid rock. He probably runs every morning and then goes to work and then works out on his lunch break and then goes back to work, stays late like a good employee and goes home and eats five chicken breasts and finish up by working out again in his home gym.”
“Uh… right. That’s exactly how my day goes,” Trace laughed. “Hit it right on the mark.”
Ash and her parents joined in, though it probably wasn’t a good idea to encourage Jason. Of course, it wasn’t. Because he leaned forward, obviously pleased as a pig in mud with himself and directed his question to his sister. “How did you guys meet anyway? You seem like you’re complete opposites?”
“Oh- well- that’s a funny story…” Ash stammered.
Trace took her hand, wrapped his fingers in hers, and picked up right where she left off. “We actually met online. Your sister liked my profile name. She said it sounded like a good comic book villain name, so she messaged me.”
Jason snorted. “Are you sure that’s all she liked? Not that Ash has had many boyfriends, but you’re definitely way too hot for her.”
Trace stiffened, ready to defend Ash’s hotness and sexiness AND elaborate on ALL the details, even right in front of her parents, but she laughed. She released his hand and rolled her eyes.