by E. L. Todd
Ironically, my mom stared at herself in the mirror like she wasn’t happy with her appearance.
I stood up then came to her side. “You look beautiful, Mom.”
She looked at me in the reflection. “Really? You don’t think the gown is too much?”
“We’re at The Plaza. No, definitely not.”
She smoothed it out with her hands then took a deep breath. This thing is so tight around my stomach. I’m not sure how I’m going to eat.”
“Just don’t stuff your face,” I teased.
She chuckled. “I don’t know how to eat in any other way.”
“How are you not a cow?”
“Because I run every morning. Ugh, I hate running.”
I chuckled. “Well, it shows.”
“Thank you, dear.” She gave me a bright smile. “I appreciate you walking me down the aisle.”
“I’m honored I get to.”
She stared at herself in the mirror again then touched one earring.
“Mom?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes…but not in a bad way.”
“Why are you guys doing this?” I asked. “I know it’s your anniversary but…”
“Now that our kids are out of the house, we are starting our lives together again. It’s just…it’s a romantic time.”
I still didn’t understand but I stopped questioning it. I glanced at my watch. “We need to get going.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Skye walked inside. When she looked at Mom, she gasped. “You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, honey.” She moved away from the mirror, lifting her dress off the floor as she glided. “What are you up to, Skye? You should be with your father.”
“He sent me, actually.” She held out a black box. “He wanted me to give this to you.”
Her eyes softened as she slowly took it. “Even all these years later, your father still surprises me…” She opened the box and looked inside.
We stood there, waiting to see the contents.
My mom pulled out a white gold bracelet. A rectangular pendant was attached. On the surface were scribbled four names and a message.
The family we made together:
Sean, Scarlet, Skye, Roland.
Her eyes immediately watered as she held the bracelet. She stared at it for a long time, her eyes bubbling. Then she slipped it onto her wrist, still staring at it. “Sean…”
I didn’t understand what the big deal was. It was just a bracelet with our names engraved. But it obviously meant something to my mom. Sometimes I wondered if there was more to their relationship than they revealed to us.
She grabbed a tissue then checked her appearance in the mirror, stilling the moisture behind her eyes. “I’m ready now.”
Skye left and headed to the altar.
My mom took a deep breath then hooked her arm through mine. I looked down at her, seeing the joy that started to spread on her face as I guided her out.
Once we rounded the corner, the music started to play. It was the sound of a harp, a wordless song I didn’t recognize. I escorted her through the aisle as everyone stood for my mom. Hundreds of people were there, and most faces I didn’t even recognize.
My dad stared at my mom, his eyes vulnerable. He stared at her like he had a hundred times but this was different. As we came closer, I saw a coat of moisture behind his eyes. When he blinked, it disappeared. But I still caught the look. How they were still in love after all these years was a mystery to me.
When I reached my dad, he didn’t even look at me. He extended his hand and took my mom. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you for the bracelet.”
He nodded then faced the pastor with her.
The ceremony continued and they renewed their vows. It was shorter than a wedding and rings weren’t exchanged. My mom stared at my dad, her eyes moist but her smile evident. My dad stared at her the same way.
When he leaned in to kiss her, he whispered, “This is the family you were meant to have.” Then he cupped her face and kissed her.
I ignored my parents whenever they were affectionate like this. Instead, I looked at the crowd and watched a few people get teary-eyed. Trinity’s eyes were soft while she stared from the front row. Aunt Janice was dabbing her eyes. Even my uncle Ryan was choked up.
My parents finally broke apart.
My dad held her hand and turned her toward the aisle. “Now let’s spend the rest of our lives together—again.”
54
Trinity
The party was littered with waiters carrying champagne. Glass flutes were held in every hand, and everyone was dressed in their finest attire. Food perfectly displayed had been served at every table. Music played overhead and romance was in the air. The anniversary party was bigger than most weddings I’d been to. But the Prestons never did anything that wasn’t elaborate.
Slade was sitting next to me at the table. We happened to sit next to each other without even trying to make it happen. It was just how the seating arrangement worked out. Roland sat on the other side of Slade, and Skye and Cayson were on my left. We all recognized the tension in the atmosphere. Cayson didn’t speak and neither did Roland.
“My mom looks so beautiful,” Skye said.
“She does,” I agreed. “I get so sick of them being lovey-dovey, but they are really cute.”
“It gets on my nerves too but I’m happy for them,” Skye said. “And I’m grateful they are staying at The Plaza tonight.” She cringed.
“Ditto,” Roland said quietly.
“Party at your place?” Slade asked Skye.
“No,” she said immediately. “I don’t want to piss them off on their anniversary.”
“Lame,” he said. He grabbed his glass and took a large drink from it.
I was always aware of Slade at all times. Whenever he shifted his weight, I noticed. The scent of his cologne was imbedded into my skin. I could recognize it anywhere, any time. It was hard not to act on my feelings for him, just to hold his hand and be myself. It would be easier just to come clean to everyone, but I also knew it would be difficult. I wasn’t ready to deal with their opinions or their disapproval. Every time I thought about it, I remembered why Slade was a secret.
Conrad eyed Roland then Cayson. “Okay, this has gone on long enough. Roland said he was sorry and he meant it. He feels like shit and he’s told me that a million times.”
Cayson didn’t raise his voice. “Not now, Conrad.”
“Then when?” he snapped. “You’re really just going to hate Roland forever?”
“I don’t hate him,” Cayson said immediately.
“Stop talking about me in third person,” Roland said in a defeated voice.
“We’re here to celebrate and have a good time,” Cayson said calmly. “Forget about Roland and me.”
“It’s a little hard when it’s awkward for everyone,” Conrad hissed.
I agreed that this needed to be settled but Conrad wasn’t helping matters. “Conrad, let it go.”
“Shut up.” He said it without looking at me.
“Please drop it,” Cayson said politely.
Roland stared at Cayson. “I feel lower than dirt. I hate myself for what I did and I wish I could take it back. I’m sorry, man. I’ll apologize forever if that’s what it takes. But I don’t want to lose you as my friend.”
“You already did,” Cayson snapped. Now he was becoming hostile.
Skye stared at Cayson. “He said he was sorry. Now let it go.”
He turned his gaze on her and I could tell he wasn’t happy. Love wasn’t in his eyes like it usually was. “Butt. Out.”
She took a deep breath and clenched her jaw. “I don’t like this side of you. You’ve never been one to hold a grudge. Roland is apologizing to you but you continue to make him suffer. It’s like…you’re cold.”
“Cold?” Cayson snapped.
“Cold? We both know that if he wasn’t your brother, you would have absolutely no problem with my decision. I understand this is difficult for you, but like I said, I don’t expect you to choose sides. I’m not alienating you from him. But don’t sit there and tell me how I should feel or how I should act. I know you never liked Jasmine and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s a good person and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like garbage.”
“Then she shouldn’t act like garbage,” Skye snapped. “She shouldn’t sleep around. She shouldn’t be a slut.”
The table fell silent.
I flinched because the hostility levels just rose.
Everyone felt it.
Cayson stared at her and said nothing. But his eyes did all the talking.
Skye stared back, unflinching.
Man…this was going to be a long night.
Cayson rose from his chair so quickly he knocked it over. Then he stormed off, his anger obvious in every step he took.
Skye sighed loudly. “Whatever. He needs to let it go.”
I wanted to comfort my best friend but I didn’t know what to do. Cayson and Skye were both right in their opinions, but they were also wrong.
Roland stood up. “Let me try to fix it.”
“No,” Conrad and Slade said at the same time.
Roland slowly got back into his chair.
“The only person who should talk to him right now is me,” Slade said quietly. “I know him better than anyone. Believe me, just leave him alone right now. He needs space.”
Skye stood up. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Including you,” Slade said. “Sit.”
Skye sat back down.
“Give him some time,” Slade continued. “Otherwise, he’ll rip your head off and you’ll get nothing accomplished.”
Silence stretched around the table.
“I’m going to get a drink.” Skye left.
“I need a fountain of vodka.” Roland drifted away and Conrad went with him.
Silke, Thomas, and Theo drifted into the crowd and mingled with people they knew.
Slade stayed beside me.
“Maybe you should talk to him…”
“No. I know how pissed off he is. He doesn’t want to see me.”
“He wouldn’t…break up with Skye over this, right?”
“No,” he said immediately. “There’s nothing she could ever do to make him walk away. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t about to rip someone’s face off.” He turned toward me. “You look really beautiful tonight.”
My heart warmed at his words. I was wearing a purple strapless gown that flared out around my thighs. My hair was pulled back in a clip and earrings hung from my lobes. “Thank you.” Slade was wearing a suit with a silver tie, to match Aunt Scarlet’s dress. “You look handsome too.”
“Thanks.” He gave me a cocky wink.
The crowd was chattering and getting lost in the merriment. It felt like it was just Slade and I, no one else.
His hand moved to my thigh and it rested there, touching me gently.
“I wish I could dance with you.”
“I don’t care for dancing, but I would if you wanted to.”
There were a lot of things Slade wouldn’t do for anyone. But he would do them for me. “Maybe some other time.”
“Yeah…” He continued to stare at me, the longing in his eyes. “I really want you.” He swallowed the lump in his throat while he looked at me. “You look so pretty and your legs…are long.” His dark eyes met mine. “And I miss you.”
I knew what he meant. “There’s nowhere for us to go.”
“We’re at The Plaza. We could get a room.”
“That’s too obvious.”
“We could do it in the back alley by the emergency exit.”
“Near a dumpster?” I asked incredulously.
“It’s not much different than my apartment building.” Seriousness was in his eyes. “I want to be inside you so bad. It was all I could think about last night.”
“Did you touch yourself?” I whispered.
He seemed hesitant to answer my question. “Yes.”
“Did you think about me?”
He nodded.
That was hotter than I could ever explain. “Any other women?”
“Just you.” Slade wouldn’t lie to me even if it hurt my feelings, so I never had to worry about that.
Now I was soaked. “Okay.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Dumpster?”
I nodded.
“I’ll go first and meet you back there. Wait five minutes.” He stood up then walked through the crowd. Then he was gone.
I stayed in my seat and tightened my thighs together. I couldn’t believe I was being reckless like this, but Slade made me that way. He made me crazy, he made me angry, but he also made me happier than I’d ever been.
When the five minutes was over, I moved through the ballroom and then the hallway. I found the emergency exit and noticed the lighter that was keeping the door ajar. Slade was obviously outside.
I peeked around and noticed no one was near. The bathrooms were nearby but no one would notice us—if we were quiet. I tiptoed through the door then returned the lighter to the crack.
Slade grabbed me then pinned me against the wall. A large dumpster blocked our view of the sidewalk where people passed. No one was around and there were no bums searching for a meal.
He grabbed my hands and held them against the concrete as he sealed his mouth against mine in a heated embrace. He started off gentle like always but his passion grew until he consumed me. He breathed hard while he sucked my bottom lip and his hands squeezed mine like he was struggling to control himself.
While my lips met his need, my hands moved to his waist then I unbuttoned his slacks and pulled them down slightly, letting his long and thick cock emerge. I stared at it for a second, forgetting how big it was. No sex with Slade was excruciating and now I realized how much I needed it.
He stared at my lips while his hands reached underneath my dress and yanked off my panties. When they were gone, he shoved them into his pocket. Then he took off his jacket and put it over me. He crushed his body against mine then lifted me, pinning me against the wall. His jacket protected my skin and dress from the cold and the dirt.
Slade adjusted me with one hand then directed his cock with the other. Once his tip touched me, it slid inside immediately. “Oh fuck.” He breathed hard while he stayed inside me.
He felt so good I couldn’t breathe. I missed this.
He held my ass while he started to move into me. He didn’t waste any time. He thrust into me hard against the wall like he hadn’t gotten laid in years. His length moved in and out of me so quickly I couldn’t grasp it. My nails dug into his clothes as I gripped him and tried to remain quiet. It was the best sensation in the world, feeling him move into me and moan with pleasure.
Slade looked into my eyes while he moved. “You feel so fucking good.”
I kept my arms around his neck and pressed my face to his, trying to grip him while he gave me the greatest pleasure I’ve ever felt in my life. “Slade…Slade.”
“Shh, baby.” He kept up the pace and started to sweat.
I bit my lip and tried to stay quiet. When he hit me in the right spot, I came undone. I was struggling to remain quiet so he sealed his lips over mine and silenced me with his kiss. My orgasm stretched for almost a full minute. I panted after it was over, recovering from the euphoria between my legs.
“I want to last longer but I can’t.” He made his final thrusts while he tensed then released inside me. He grunted while he filled me. When he was finished, he held me against the wall and caught his breath. “I forgot how good it is with you.”
“How could you?”
“I don’t know.” He kissed my forehead then lowered me to the ground. He stood back and caught his breath while he adjusted his pants and shirt.
In a daze, I took off his jacket and handed it ba
ck to him. Then I smoothed out my dress.
The door moved and the lighter hit the ground.
Someone was there.
“Trinity?” Skye came around the corner.
Oh my fucking god.
Slade looked at me with terror on his face.
I did the only thing that came to mind. I slapped him hard across the face. There was enough force to make him stagger back slightly. “How dare you take money out of my purse! You didn’t have permission and it’s mine!” I slapped him again.
Slade played along. “So what? You’re an annoying rich girl! You could have spared it.”
I hit him again. “Go to hell and rot there.”
“You’re a fucking bitch!”
“Fuck you!” I pushed him.
“Knock it off,” Skye yelled. “I have a crisis on my hands and you’re fighting over money?”
I walked to her and held the door open so it wouldn’t lock. “Sorry, what’s up?”
“I can’t find Cayson anywhere.”
I was so glad she bought our little show. “Did you call him?”
“His phone is off.”
Slade came over to us, rubbing his red cheek. “If he’s hiding, it means he doesn’t want to be found.”
“I need to fix this,” Skye said desperately.
“He’ll reveal himself when he’s ready,” Slade said.
“Slade.” Skye gave him a desperate look. “You’re the only person who knows where he would go. Now tell me.”
Slade seemed torn. “I really think you should leave him alone. Hunting him down when he’s pissed will accomplish nothing.”
“Slade,” she pressed. “I’m begging you.”
I had a feeling she wouldn’t have bought our story if she weren’t so distressed over Cayson. We were lucky.
He sighed. “Cayson doesn’t run to people when he’s upset. He runs to solitude.”
“Okay…” Skye clearly didn’t understand his meaning.
“He’s such a polite guy that I know he wouldn’t leave this party for any reason,” Slade said.
“Spit it out!” she yelled.
“My best guess is he probably got a room here and he’s cooling off in it.” Slade kept rubbing his cheek.
“Thank you.” She turned around and disappeared.