Maybe Baby Lite

by ANDREA SMITH

  There was a tap on my shoulder. I turned, looking up into Tristan’s emerald green eyes. He was almost as exquisite as Trey. “May I have a dance before you become my sister-in-law and it’s hands-off?” He gave me a mischievous grin, holding his hand out. As we danced, he leaned down, whispering in my ear, “Don’t worry about the skinny bitch.” His warm breath made me shiver, his hand rubbed my back gently to offer moral support, I presumed. “She knows better than to say one wrong word to you, trust me.”

  I saw Caroline standing with Nigel and another woman. “Who’s that standing with them?” I asked.

  “That’s Tess, Caroline’s protégé,” he said flatly.

  “I thought as much,” I replied. “Is her husband here?” I scanned the groups of people lingering nearby. I couldn’t locate any man who fit the physical form of a jockey.

  Tristan scoffed, “They’re separated. Seems Tess has found someone else to her liking now.”

  My heart sank. I knew it, she wanted Trey back. That explained her call for legal advice and the strict confidentiality Trey so adamantly protected. I suddenly felt sick and defeated. If he still had feelings for her, then I didn’t know Trey half as well as I thought I did. I lowered my lashes just enough to appear as if my eyes were closed, then assessed my competition. Tess was petite with a waif-like, fragile appearance. Her large brown eyes seemed to dominate her facial features. She looked like someone who'd lost too much weight, and not on purpose. Her hair was darker than mine and cut bluntly, falling just above her shoulders.

  As I continued my lash-camouflaged perusal, I saw Trey join the group. He'd traded the champagne for liquor. Probably Jack Daniel’s, I thought wryly. He was genuinely sulking, and I took satisfaction in that fact. Tess stood next to him, her hand brushing his arm as he bent down to listen to what she was saying. He watched as Tristan and I danced, a frown line creasing his forehead. He took a final swig of his drink and approached us on the dance floor.

  “May I cut in?” his voice was steely.

  “Of course,” Tristan acquiesced, stepping aside.

  Trey was still angry and his touch wasn't as gentle as Tristan’s had been. I looked at Tristan and saw an expression of amusement pass quickly over his face. Tristan knew that Trey was jealous and he enjoyed it.

  “Enjoying yourself, Tylar?” Trey asked with forced congeniality, moving me away from Caroline’s steady glare.

  “I was,” I replied, making no secret of my discontent.

  He squeezed me to him tightly, making me squirm. “I think my brother was very appreciative of the view you provided him in that low-cut dress,” he hissed. I could smell the whisky on his breath. He stared at me, his eyes boldly raking the swell of my breasts. I turned my head to the side and spotted Caroline once again in my direct line of vision. Tristan had joined them and was talking to Tess. Nigel wasn't taking his eyes off of them. What strange dynamics between these people, I thought.

  Trey’s lips brushed my neck, slowly planting warm kisses. I tingled at his touch. Deep within my belly a seed of desire grew. I was determined not to give in to it. I pulled back from him, spinning around and exiting the dance floor. I passed a waiter with a tray of champagne-filled flutes and grabbed one. I tossed it back, loving the bubbly taste. I set the empty flute aside, making my way back to the foyer. Trey was suddenly at my side, grabbing my arm and spinning me around to face him.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” His sapphire eyes flashed. I tried to jerk free of him but he would not release his hold.

  “One glass of champagne isn’t harmful,” I hissed, not about to let him intimidate me. “It looks like you’re into your Jack pretty heavy tonight,” I snapped. “Plan on knocking someone else up?”

  I hadn’t seen Tristan approach us from behind. “Trey,” he said calmly, “why don’t you take a moment to collect yourself.”

  “Why don’t you keep your fucking eyes and hands off Tylar,” he said abruptly, glaring at Tristan.

  Oh great, another family scene underway. How dysfunctional was this family?

  “Well, well, what have we here?” Caroline slurred in her shrill voice. The full glass of wine in her hand sloshed over the side as she swayed on her feet. “It looks like Tylar wants a second Sinclair in her bed tonight. Are you absolutely sure that the bastard you're carrying is even Trey’s?” she leered, taking a gulp of the wine.

  “Shut up, Caroline,” Trey replied harshly.

  She was unfazed by the directive and continued to stare at me, her eyes narrowing. Tristan took her elbow to lead her away. She twisted out of his grasp, coming toward me. Trey was immediately in front of me, shielding me. I didn’t need his protection. I scooted around him and met her haughty face with my own.

  “Listen to me you fucked-uppity bitch,” I stated firmly. “Everyone else may tolerate your drunken tirades and despicable comments, but I don’t roll that way. You keep your mouth shut around me and about me. Understand?”

  Her mouth fell open as my finger jabbed the air near her face. She swallowed nervously, backing up a step.

  “One more snide comment, one more dirty look sent my way, one more uninvited intrusion into my bedroom and I'll wipe the ground up with your skinny, useless ass, east coast style, got it?”

  She snorted at me, looking from face to face and finding no support from anyone. She turned and quickly fled the foyer.

  I turned back to Trey and Tristan who were regarding me with surprise. “I need some air. Tristan, would you please help me find my coat?”

  He nodded and walked toward the hallway.

  “I’ll go with you,” Trey offered.

  “No,” I snapped, “you’re drunk and acting like an asshole. I’m not happy about the secrets you’re keeping from me. I know that Tess is leaving her husband. If you’re having second thoughts about me, Trey, we’ll dissolve this engagement right now.”

  “What kind of man do you think I am?” he snarled.

  Tristan returned with my coat, helping me into it. Just then Tess appeared in the doorway by herself. She walked over to me, extending her hand.

  “Hello,” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Tess Flannery. You must be Tylar?”

  “Yes I am. I’m very pleased to meet you, Tess,” I lied, shaking her hand. She smiled weakly. Tess wasn't what I'd expected.

  “Tylar, would you excuse Trey just for a few moments? I really need to speak with him privately.”

  Trey looked from me to Tess, not sure what to do. I decided to make it easy for him.

  “Of course,” I replied smoothly. “He’s all yours. Tristan, will you walk with me, please?” Tristan escorted me outside where I dissolved into tears before I was off of the porch.

  CHAPTER 52

  Tristan put his arms around me, holding me to his chest. “Tylar, everything is going to be okay. You must know that.”

  “I don’t know anything, Tristan. All I know is that Trey is keeping secrets from me, Tess has left her husband, and Caroline is a nasty, hateful bitch,” I sobbed.

  “Things are not always as they appear,” he replied. “Well, except for Caroline. That’s pretty much a case of what you see is what you get.” His comment brought a smile to my tearful face. He pulled a cloth handkerchief from his pocket to dab my tears.

  “She wants him back, doesn’t she? Tess wants Trey back. Just tell me the truth.”

  “You’re wrong, Tylar. Even if that were true, I can promise you one thing: Trey would never take her back. He’s totally in love with you. I know my little brother and we’ve talked about this just today. He loves you and you only. Even when he was engaged to Tess, he was never as committed and in love with her like he is now with you.”

  “It’s just because of the baby,” I replied, blowing my nose on his starched handkerchief.

  “It’s not,” he stated firmly, “it’s you he adores.”

  “Then why’s she calling him? Why all the secrecy?”

  Tristan sighed heavily, taking my arm and
leading me down the drive away from the house. “Tylar,” he started, “can you please trust me on this? I promise you that the truth will be out very soon. It’s Christmas and, as much as our family and Tess’s family have a long history with one another, there are some skeletons that’ll be coming out of the closet very soon. Not today though. Today is about Christmas.”

  I looked up into his deep green eyes and I saw sincerity and honesty. I nodded.

  “Good,” he replied, smiling. He pulled me into a brotherly hug, wiping my tears with his thumb. From behind us, someone cleared his throat. Landon.

  “Merry Christmas, Tristan,” he nodded, smirking as he walked by toward the house. He glanced at me, his lip curled in contempt. “I see you’ve moved on, Ms. Preston. At least you’re keeping it in the family.”

  I started to angrily respond but Tristan shook his head, cautioning me to let it go. As soon as Landon went inside, Tristan turned back to me.

  “Let it be,” he said gently. I nodded but it was difficult. I'd never been exposed to the type of treatment or hateful attitude displayed by Caroline and Landon. The thought crossed my mind as to just how perfect they would be together. Tristan and I continued our walk in the crisp December air. We talked about his life in California’s Napa Valley and about his winery. He said he actually missed the east coast and had considered selling the vineyard to Nigel and moving back to the area.

  “I know Trey would love that,” I commented. “It seems like you and he have more of a bond than he and Nigel. You both resemble each other so much.”

  “Yes,” he admitted, “but in looks only. Trey is much more of a stubborn hothead than I am, I’m afraid. But he also has a very compassionate streak that many people don’t recognize. I think that’s what’s making you feel insecure right now. His love and his commitment to you is genuine, you must believe it.”

  From the front of the house, a door slammed. Tristan and I looked over as Caroline emerged on the porch. Nigel followed close behind. She had no coat on. She staggered with a bottle of wine in her hand, periodically taking swigs from it.

  “Dear God,” Tristan murmured, “what now?”

  “Keep away from me you cheating son-of-a-bitch!” she screamed, swatting at him with her arms. “You didn’t think I’d find out? She was like a sister to me you bastard!”

  Landon joined Nigel on the porch, trying to coax Caroline back inside. Caroline turned on Landon, screaming at him. “You knew didn’t you?” she accused as she circled him, pointing her finger. “How could you betray me like that?” She upended the wine bottle on his head, dousing him with dark red wine. Landon spoke to her quietly.

  Tristan’s face turned ashen. “Oh shit,” he warned, “get ready for some skeletons. This is about to get ugly.”

  Tristan and I stood watching when I suddenly felt a hand touch my shoulder from behind. It was Trey, still agitated but slightly more sober after his conversation with Tess. I could tell he wasn't pleased with the attention Tristan was paying me.

  “Tristan, will you drive Tylar and me back to the manor? I’ve had too much to drink and Nigel is driving my car back.”

  Tristan nodded, still eyeing the scene on the front porch. By this time, both Nigel and Landon’s parents had joined the others, trying to neutralize the situation. Tristan reached in his pocket for the keys to Susan’s BMW and drove us to the manor. Trey instructed him to wait.

  Trey saw me to the door. "I want you to go up to our suite; I have some things to settle yet with my family and the Andrews'. I'm heading back with Tristan. I won't be long."

  Once inside I hurried up the steps to our bedroom, exhausted from the drama and the secrets. I undressed wondering what Trey had meant by things to settle. I was sure another argument was brewing. I pulled on one of his tee shirts and climbed numbly under the sheets. I fell against the pillow, disheartened. I wished we were back in our apartment in Atlanta. Our life seemed normal there, happy and content. I never dreamed normal families could be so dysfunctional.

  It was much later when I heard Trey come into the room. He climbed underneath the covers moving close to me. Maybe he was no longer angry. His hands slipped underneath the sheets and pulled me close to him. He'd no way of knowing that I was even awake but I didn’t think it mattered to him. He hooked his thumb inside the elastic waistband of my panties, pulling them down to my knees, slipping them lower over my feet and off. He pulled the covers back, grasping my tee shirt and pulling it up over my head. I was totally naked now but making no effort to encourage him. If he thought I was going to respond to his sexual foreplay after he’d had secret discussions with Tess he was wrong.

  Trey had me on my back. I felt his hands on my breasts, kneading and pulling enticingly on my nipples. My body defied me, as it unwillingly responded to his caresses and touch. His lips moved to mine, plying them open and his tongue explored my mouth with sweet urgency.

  “Trey, stop…don’t,” I murmured against his urgent lips. He paid me no heed as he continued his pursuit of pleasure down the column of my throat, licking and teasing my nipples to erection. I moved my hands down, tangling my fingers into his damp locks. I fisted his hair, tugging to pull him away. I didn’t want him to pleasure me; I didn’t want him to pleasure himself. He was oblivious to my denial.

  “Stop,” I demanded, “I don’t want this now. I need you to tell me what the hell is going on!” I tried to wriggle away from him, but his hands locked around mine in a vice-like grip, raising my arms up over my head, pinning each one down against the mattress.

  “You're mine, Tylar,” he demanded. I could smell the whisky on his breath. I realized then the depth of his anger. A small spark of fear trickled through me. Was this going to be a punishment screw? What was my crime?

  “What’s this about, Trey?” I begged, as his teeth tugged at my earlobe.

  “Hush,” he ordered as he straddled me, still pinning my arms above me. His knee spread my thighs apart. In the semi-darkness I could see that he held his erect cock as he hovered above me.

  “This is a refresher course. You need to learn that you’re mine. I wasn’t happy with the attention you paid my brother tonight. It appears that our relationship is in dire need of ‘fuckification,’ would you agree?”

  Oh wow. First things first…

  I nodded silently; Trey could see my hesitant consent. He leaned over and switched on the bedside lamp. “My love is given freely, Tylar. I’ve surrendered my heart to you; I haven’t, however, relinquished my masculinity in the process. I won’t tolerate your dismissive treatment. Do you understand?” His eyes bore into mine. He expected an answer. I swallowed nervously.

  “Yes,” I answered, nodding.

  “Good,” he replied. His eyes regarded me coolly. “Shall I resume the lesson?”

  I nodded, my arms still pinned above me, my wrists starting to numb under his grasp. He loosened his grip, drawing his arms back so that my hands were free. He rolled me onto my stomach and positioned two of the bed pillows under me so that my behind was raised to him. I felt his nearness as he straddled the backs of my thighs, his erection brushing my backside. I felt him caress my skin and then suddenly I felt the stinging slap of his hand across my butt.

  Ow!

  The sting was followed by yet another harsh smack. Tears stung my eyes but it wasn't completely without pleasure that I cried. Something deep in my core felt gratified each time Trey delivered a firm crack of his palm to my now stinging ass. I wanted him to take charge, to punish me.

  What was that about?

  Trey decided I’d had enough and he massaged my reddening skin. He brushed his lips across my backside. Reaching an arm under me, he lifted me from my stomach to my elbows, drawing my butt upward toward him. He placed his hands on my hips, spreading my legs wider with his thigh. He demanded full access to my body. He pressed two fingers inside of me; I moaned as he moved them in a circular motion. He flexed them in and out rhythmically. The feeling was exquisite. I swiveled my hips in response to h
is fingers and when he pulled them out I whined in displeasure. Was he still punishing me?

  Suddenly from behind Trey buried his full girth into me with one deliberate thrust. I cried out with pleasure at the fulfillment. He steadily drove his cock in and out of me with precision. I lifted my hips to him. Trey groaned from behind me and his cadence increased.

  “This is mine, Tylar,” he rasped. His fingers dug into my hips as he eased out of me then slammed back inside. I cried out, loving the pleasure and pain he delivered. He stopped.

  “Don’t stop!” I begged.

  Trey moaned low in his throat as he buried his erection back inside of me. He repeated this over and over with slowness and deliberation. This treatment was punishing yet pleasurable, and I rolled my hips, pressing back against him with all the force that I could muster. His hands took charge of my hips, as he raised and lowered them to meet his thrusts at will. My need for him was overwhelming. Something had changed over the past several days interrupting our connection. I wanted–needed–it back.

  I moaned as my sensitive area deep inside swelled with pleasure and the need for release.

  “That’s it baby,” he cajoled, “I want you to give it to me now.” My climax exploded around him. I gasped at the intensity of it as it swirled wave after wave of pleasure throughout me. My body convulsed in pure sexual gratification that only Trey could provide. He groaned in satisfaction as his erection throbbed inside of me, emptying his orgasm within. He gave one final shudder, pulling my ass into his groin and moaning deep, completely satiated, rubbing my cheeks with his palms.

  Trey collapsed beside me, pulling me up against him. He stroked my hair, pressing soft kisses all over my face, neck, and lips. He was tender and loving and his eyes searched mine for affirmation of some sort. I was confused; what had just happened?

  “Were you really mad at me just now or was that just some fantasy played out?”

  He smiled down at me, revealing his sexy dimple. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “A little bit of both,” he stated, propelling himself up and off the bed. I watched as he swaggered over to his closet, totally naked and gloriously beautiful. I wondered how such a magnificent man could have insecurities about anything.