You Have My Heart

by E. L. Todd

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” He clapped me on the back. “This is the guy I want to live with.”

  I wasn’t going to sit around and let my heartbreak ruin my life. Skye taught me a valuable lesson I should have learned long ago. I’d been living my life the wrong way. I’d been the perfect gentleman, being selfless and putting others before myself. I was sick of getting hurt and letting people walk all over me. I was fucking sick of it.

  My old ways were in the past. People are innately evil and distrusting. They pursued their own interests even at the cost of other’s happiness. Skye used me and shattered me without a second thought. I was tired of getting the butt end of the stick. I was sick of being hurt. Those days were over.

  I was a new man.

  Chapter Twelve

  Slade

  I sat in the booth and anxiously waited for Trinity to show up. She’d been gone for four days, and I missed her like crazy. Sometimes it frightened me how attached I was to her. Without her, I couldn’t be happy. She was constantly in my thoughts.

  Finally, she opened the door and stepped through. She wore an olive green blouse that shined. It showed her bare shoulders, which were perfectly sculpted and toned. Black jeans were tight on her body and she wore black stilettos. Her blonde hair was curled and it framed her face perfectly. Her green eyes lightened when they landed on me.

  Damn, she was a knockout.

  I stood up then walked toward her.

  She smiled as she came closer, giving me a look that made my knees weak no matter how many times she gave it to me.

  When I reached her, my hands moved around her petite waist and pulled her into my chest. Her breasts pushed against me, reminding me how perky and prominent they were. Her head automatically moved to my shoulder and she rested it there while she returned the embrace.

  I held her in the middle of Mega Shake, not caring if anyone saw or judged our public display of affection. My hand moved up her back until I reached the area between her shoulder blades. I missed her warm body in my arms. Her familiar scent washed over me, putting me at ease.

  “Missed me?” she whispered. Her voice contained her smile.

  “What gave me away?”

  “Everything.”

  I pressed my lips to her hair, loving the feel of her soft strands. Any guy who saw Trinity got hard, and I loved the fact she was mine. Only I got to enjoy her. Only I got to talk to her. Only I got to have her. “Missed me?”

  “Not really.”

  I rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see me. “Liar.”

  “It was a nice break.”

  “You’re so full of it.”

  “Or am I?” She pulled away and gave me a playful look.

  I pressed my forehead to hers and looked down at her lips. My hands moved to her hips, and I wanted her so desperately that taking her in the middle of the diner sounded tempting. “You better have missed me. If not, I’ll have to do a better job of giving you a reason to.”

  “That sounds nice.”

  I smirked, loving the way she flirted with me. My hand moved to her neck and I felt the soft skin. Then I gripped her aggressively but didn’t squeeze too tightly. My lips moved to hers and I caressed them, missing their softness and warmth. I restrained myself from sticking my tongue down her throat and doing all the things I wanted. Instead, I gave her a gentle kiss that told her just how much I missed her. It made my words redundant.

  When I pulled away, she had a glazed look in her eyes. She seemed dizzy, like she might fall over. She blinked several times. “What were you saying?”

  I smirked then grabbed her hand. “Nothing important.” I led her to the table then sat beside her. “You want the usual?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Chocolate or vanilla milkshake?”

  “Both.”

  “You got it, baby.” I patted her thigh then headed to the register. After I ordered the food, I returned to the table carrying the trays. I sat across from her so I could stare at her pretty face. I contemplated how I’d take her later. I wanted to be inside her so badly I was going crazy.

  She ate her burger then met my look. “Why do you keep staring at me?”

  “I missed you.”

  She ate a few fries without dropping her gaze. “You’re thinking about sex, aren’t you?”

  I shrugged. “What else do I think about?”

  She smirked then sipped her shake. “How do you want me?”

  “We shouldn’t talk about this right now.” I ate half my burger in a single bite.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ll have to fuck you right here on the table.”

  “I’m calling your bluff.” She gave me a mischievous look before she pulled out her phone. She hit a few buttons then put it down.

  I wondered what she was up to. Then my phone vibrated in my pocket. “What did you send me?”

  She shrugged. “You won’t know until you check.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her before I checked the message. She attached a picture—a naughty one. She stood in her bra and matching thong. She was blowing the camera a kiss, and the angle showed every curve and the swell of her gorgeous rack. My cock hardened the second I looked at it. I put the phone down then growled. “Such a bitch…”

  She smiled then flipped her hair over one shoulder. “I know.”

  I continued to eat my food and tried not to think about that picture. The image was ingrained in my mind permanently. I had to adjust myself in my jeans because my hard-on was seriously uncomfortable.

  “What did you do while I was gone?” she asked.

  “Worked as my dad’s bitch at the shop.”

  “He hasn’t let you do anything else?” she asked sadly.

  “Nope. I clean equipment, stock supplies, clean more equipment, and run the register every now and then—annoying.”

  She shrugged. “He’ll give you more responsibilities as you go along.”

  “And hopefully a raise,” I said bitterly. “I don’t want to live with my parents anymore.” I had money saved but I didn’t want to use it for my rent when I didn’t know when I’d be making more money. And living with my parents wasn’t terrible because my mom did my laundry and cooked for me. But I couldn’t have Trinity whenever I wanted. I missed having my own place and sleeping with her. It’d been torture so far.

  “I kinda like living at home again. It’s nice to spend time with my family.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re annoying.”

  “Hey, not sleeping with you has been hard for me too. I’m just trying to be positive. We’ll have our own space eventually.”

  We’d been using Skye’s apartment to meet up and get it on. But Trinity flew to California to retrieve Skye so now that was out. “How’d it go out there?” She and I didn’t talk about Cayson and Skye often. It was a conflict of interest. Even though Skye was my cousin, I was pissed she hurt Cayson like that. He was my best friend and didn’t deserve that. Trinity was Skye’s best friend and seemed particularly sympathetic toward Skye. Every time we discussed them, we ended up fighting. For the sake of our relationship, we just didn’t talk about it.

  “It was okay.” Her voice fell in sadness. “She was a mess.”

  Good. I was glad she felt like shit. “Did she come back?”

  “Yeah.”

  I sighed. “Now we’ll have to find somewhere else to get down and dirty.”

  “Yeah…”

  She picked at her fries but didn’t eat them. “Have you talked to Cayson lately?”

  “I talk to him every day.”

  “How’s he doing?” she asked quietly.

  “How do you think?” I said bitterly.

  She let the conversation die. She nibbled on a fry and kept her gaze downturned. “I can’t believe they’re really over…”

  It was hard for me to swallow too. As soon as Cayson and Skye got together, I thought that was the end of their story. What would happen during the holidays? Would they eve
r be able to be in the same room together again? Was everything ruined? Did we have to pick sides? I knew what side I was on.

  Trinity studied my face and read my mind. “They’ll be friends again—in time.”

  “If Skye wasn’t my cousin, I wouldn’t talk to her again.”

  Trinity sighed. “Don’t be mean to her. I mean it.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “She cheated on my best friend. You think I’m just going to be okay with that?”

  “Look, it’s not our relationship. Let’s just stay out of it and get along. That’s what they both need. The last thing either one of them wants is a war.”

  Since I knew Cayson better than anyone, I knew he would agree. He wouldn’t want me to hate Skye or disown her. He wouldn’t want anyone else to be rude to her. “Fine.”

  “Thank you.”

  I finished my food and pushed it aside. “Should we keep the truth from the old people?”

  “Yes,” she said immediately. “If they ask what happened, just say you don’t know.”

  “You know my dad won’t buy that, right?”

  “Then tell him to mind his own business.” She took a few sips of her shake then abandoned it. She picked at her food like a bird, trying everything but ingesting very little.

  I rested my elbows on the table while I looked at her. Her face was perfect like a painting. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree whenever she was excited or happy. Her lips pressed together tightly when she was in thought. They were thick and full, kissable. She had a small nose but it blended into her face perfectly. “I’m going crazy…” I fisted my hair with one hand.

  “I know what you mean.”

  “I hate not sleeping with you. It’s torture.”

  She gave me a sad look. “It’s only for a little while longer.”

  “Just sleep with me at my parents’ place.”

  “Are you crazy?” she demanded. “I’m not doing that on a regular basis.”

  “Just sneak out in the morning before they wake up.”

  She gave me an incredulous look. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  I shrugged. “What?”

  “My dad. I can’t just sneak out in the middle of the night.”

  God, she was annoying. “You. Are. An. Adult.”

  “But he knows where I’m going and what I’m doing,” she hissed.

  “Your dad isn’t stupid. He doesn’t think you’re a blushing virgin. Who cares what he thinks? Just come and sleep with me!”

  “Why don’t you come to my place then?”

  My eyes widened. “Do you want me to die?”

  “Exactly. So don’t make me go to your place. I want your parents to like me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “They already do. You’re like a daughter to them.”

  “And I don’t want that to change,” she argued.

  “Sometimes I just want to slap you,” I threatened.

  Her eyes burned in fire. “You were so happy to see me and now you’re a dick again.”

  “Well, I’m horny. Satisfy me and I’ll be sweet again.”

  “You act like it’s a chore.”

  “It’s a responsibility.” I gave her a pointed stare. “You need to fulfill your duties.”

  “I’m this close to slapping you.” She leaned over the table, threatening me with her eyes.

  I gave her a cocky smirk. “You know I like it when you do that.”

  She rolled her eyes and leaned back.

  “I want sex. Give it to me.”

  “How?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “It’s called a motel.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not a whore.”

  I gripped my skull. “Never hit a woman…never hit a woman.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me.

  “You aren’t a whore. We love each other and shit.”

  “And shit?” she asked incredulously.

  “You know what I mean,” I blurted. “I’ll make love to you like I’ve never done before. Why does it matter if it’s a motel?”

  “Because it’s where men go to have affairs and fuck prostitutes.”

  “And neither one of those things apply to us…”

  “I just don’t want to, okay?” She sighed and shook her head.

  I rubbed my temples because she was so annoying. Why did she have to be difficult? I missed her like crazy for the past few days. I just wanted some alone time with her, some privacy. She hadn’t slept in my arms all night in so long.

  Then I had an idea. “Let’s go to the shop.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  “My dad’s shop. Let’s go there.”

  “And do what?”

  I gave her an irritated look. “What we’ve been talking about for the past ten minutes.”

  “The shop doesn’t close until ten.”

  “But we can go in the back where the office is.”

  She gave me an incredulous look. “So, you want to take me to your dad’s work so you can screw me in the back while he runs his business?”

  “No, he leaves by four. He’s long gone.”

  “That’s still weird. The rest of his employees are there.”

  “So?” I demanded. “All the guys are cool. They won’t say anything.”

  “Your dad might find out some other way…”

  “And he wouldn’t care,” I said. “Have you met my dad? He’s the most laid back person in the world.”

  “But…if he found out, he would think I was a slut.” She fidgeted with her hands.

  “No offense, baby, but if you’re with me, I think that’s already implied.”

  She gave me the death stare.

  “Come on. Stop caring what other people think. The only people that matter in this relationship are you and I. Now let’s be together. I’m literally going through withdrawals.”

  “Me too…”

  “Then let’s go. I can’t get that image you sent me out of my mind.”

  “You want to see the real thing?” she asked with a smirk.

  “More than anything in this world,” I said desperately.

  ***

  I held Trinity’s hand while we walked inside. Customers were sitting in the lobby waiting for their turn to be inked. I headed to the counter with the hope no one noticed us slip through.

  “What brings you here?” Radio came out of the back with a clipboard in his hand. “Want to clean the toilets again?”

  “Go to hell.”

  He laughed. “You know I’m teasing you.” He turned to Trinity. “I don’t know what you’re doing with this guy. You’re way out of his league.”

  “Don’t check out my girlfriend,” I said seriously. It pissed me off when I saw men gawk at her, especially when I made it clear she was with me.

  Radio laughed loudly. “Adjust your underwear. I think it’s up your ass.”

  “Don’t you have something to do?” I snapped.

  He laughed it off. “Seriously, what are you doing here?”

  “I forgot something in the office…”

  His eyes darted from Trinity to me. “Right…”

  “Just don’t go in there, alright?”

  “You’re such a dog.” He laughed as he walked off.

  Trinity’s face reddened in embarrassment. “There goes my reputation.”

  “Don’t worry, people thought you were a slut before.”

  She opened her mouth to yell at me but I yanked her down the hallway before she could say anything.

  When we got into the office, I locked the door then immediately pulled my shirt off, excited to finally get inside Trinity. I kicked off my pants at lightning speed.

  “This is romantic…” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’ll show you romantic.” I gripped her hips then lifted her onto the desk. I moved between her legs then gripped her ass.

  Her arms moved around my neck and she pressed her face close to mine.

  I took a moment to stare at
her, to treasure her. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

  Her eyes softened. “I know that’s just a line but I’ll take it anyway.”

  “Actually, it wasn’t.” I sealed my mouth over hers and kissed her the way I wanted. My hand gripped her neck as I deepened the kiss, my lips on fire. When she breathed into my mouth, I moaned loudly.

  My hands moved over her body then I pulled her shirt off. “I’m so fucking happy right now.” I ripped her bra off then moved my mouth over her tit, kissing and sucking.

  She chuckled lightly while she fisted my hair. She let her head roll back, giving me more room to taste her everywhere. My tongue moved between her breasts and up her throat. Then I breathed into her ear. “Damn gorgeous…”

  I undid her jeans then pulled them off. She tried to kick off her heels but I stopped her.

  “Leave them on,” I whispered. I pressed my face to hers as I pulled her underwear down. My cock twitched as she was revealed. She was all mine. Mine alone.

  She grabbed my boxers and pulled them down, revealing my hard dick. “I can tell he missed me.”

  “We both did.” When I was naked, I pulled her body close to me and kissed her again, gripping the back of her hair and aggressively crushing my mouth to hers. My chest swelled in excitement, and when I thought about how good she would feel, I almost blew my load then and there.

  I ended our embrace then stared her down. “Do that thing I like.”

  She slapped me hard across the face. “Shut up and fuck me.”

  I clenched my jaw and growled.

  She slapped me again.

  I couldn’t hold back anymore. I needed her right then and there. I grabbed her hips and adjusted her on the desk. She lay on her back and held herself up on her elbows. She stared at me with desire in her eyes. She was just as anxious as I was.

  I slipped inside, feeling her warmth and smoothness. I froze because it felt so good. I couldn’t believe it. “Yes…”

  She reached for my hands and we interlocked our fingers together, holding onto each other.

  “I fucking love you.” I moved through her slickness. “Fuck, I love you.”