Shutting and locking the door behind Trent, Teal headed toward the bedroom and plucked up her phone. Walking back out to the living room, she checked her notifications, noting that Katie had called twice, as well as Katie’s father. She sighed and checked the voicemail from Jan-Erik. It was of course about the temp’s unsatisfactory job in her stead, but what was Teal supposed to do? She had mentioned that using a temp instead of allowing her new assistant to stand in for her was a bad idea, and he hadn't listened.
She listened to the next voicemail from Katie about beta reading her latest novel and beamed when she mentioned she’d FedEx the manuscript to her, since Teal hated reading on her laptop or kindle. She replied with a text, letting her know she’d start as soon as it came in the mail.
Standing in the middle of Trent’s living room, Teal looked around. Yesterday, after the tryst in his car, they’d come home, ordered a pizza, and spent the rest of the day and night screwing like two kids who’d just discovered what an orgasm was. She moved around the room, taking in the furniture and the photos on the wall.
Before, when she and Trent had spoken on the phone, she’d voiced her concerns about moving into his home. Instead of letting Trent in on her real fears, she’d foolishly mentioned her fear of living in a hot as hell state, being unable to get the promotions she’d been vying for, and even something as simple as her fear of moving into his bachelor-style home.
True, she’d imagined a threadbare couch, a pool table in the middle of the living room, and empty bottles of beer littering the ground. But she’d been a fool to think that, because Trent didn’t come across that way at all.
Teal moved to the couch that was no doubt new. She sat down and leaned into the buttery soft leather, pulling her feet up underneath her to relax. First, she felt like a bitch for making Trent feel as if he needed to buy all new furniture to please her. He’d explained that his home would be inviting to her, and now she wondered what his home had looked like before he’d changed it to impress her. It hadn't been necessary, but once again, it was hard to explain to a man that you were afraid the spark of lust that ignited into love would soon fizzle.
Yes, she loved him, and he loved her, but loving Trent was not the problem. He made it easy, while she made it hard. It was in her nature, but she’d recently learned to tone down her crazy a few levels. Though Trent said he loved every aspect about her, from her hot-tempered attitude to her unreasonably long-winded monologues, Teal felt as if she needed to temper her attitude.
Perhaps she felt this way because society had taught her that strong women—no, strong black women—were nothing but angry women with chips on their shoulders. Just maybe, at one point, she did have a chip on her shoulder . . . and yes, she believed she’d been passed up for a job solely because of the color of her skin, but Teal had moved past that. In time, and with Trent’s help, Teal had realized that society’s image of beauty and success didn’t have to match her own, nor were they the same as most others.
Now what held her back was Trent’s words when speaking about Harper back at the cabin. He’d said when he was young he was fool enough to think love would fix it all. He was right to have been worried about that because here Teal sat, in his home, worrying about the same thing.
Would it be enough? Would her feelings for him be enough to convince her to quit her job and allow him to support her long enough to find something adequate for her financial needs? She still had bills, a loan to pay off, and she’d been working on putting herself in the position to purchase her dream home.
Teal sighed and laid back onto the sofa. Maybe she was thinking too hard. Though many men and women came together and merged their financial and social lives on a day-to-day basis, it was all new to her. With Paul, their common goals and stressful work life had led to a semi-satisfying relationship.
Her phone rang. The name of the man taking residence in her mind popped up and she picked up on the second ring. “Checking in on me?” she answered. Greeted with body shop background noise, she sat back, waiting for a reply.
“I didn’t get to have you this morning, and I figured you’d want to keep us current on our morning calls.”
Teal shot up in her seat. “If I am not mistaken, you are asking me to get dirty with you over the phone, while you are in a shop with all your greasy-ass buddies in the background?” She had missed her morning orgasm . . . maybe having one would clear her racing mind.
Trent chuckled. “I wish. I’m just calling to remind you of our date tonight.”
“Yes, I remember.” His excitement about it the night before had been contagious. “We still on for seven?” Teal hoped work wouldn’t keep him. While she felt more than comfortable in his home, she could find herself easily slipping back into her fears.
Trent groaned, as if he were standing up to stretch. “Yeah, I figure I’ll head out after I’ve finished payroll. Are you going to be okay until then?”
Teal said she’d be more than fine, and admitted she’d be taking a nap. “It’s exhausting business being lazy,” she joked.
Trent’s gruff laughter echoed over the line. “Get your beauty rest, and I’ll call you about thirty minutes before I head out that way.”
Teal stepped out of the truck in utter shock. Looking at her surroundings, it felt as if she’d stepped into the parking lot of a real live honky-tonk. He reached for her hand and pulled her into his waiting embrace. Leaning in, he pressed his lips to the curve of her neck. She released a moan that was ten percent whimper and ninety percent some sort of wordless begging.
He’d arrived home late from work, so he and Teal only had a few moments to get ready. Luckily, she’d started prepping an hour before Trent had arrived, and he only needed a shower and some clean clothes.
Trent’s chuckle vibrated through her skin, making its way to her center and washing away all the doubts she’d been feeling earlier. He nipped the tender spot between her neck and shoulder. “Make another noise like that, and I’m gonna hike that little black dress up and fuck you against the side of this truck.” He punctuated his words with a sharp nip on her neck.
Teal threw her head back and moaned, marveling at how this man could get her so worked up with her panties still on.
He pushed a leg between hers as a warning growl came from his lips. “I am not kidding you, sweetheart.” He was no doubt reading every naughty thought making their way through her mind. When she opened her eyes, Trent’s gaze bore into hers. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?” His tone was challenging her.
She was no hussy, but if her man wanted the truth, she would damn sure give it to him. She glanced around the graveled parking lot. The place was busy, but most the patrons had already found their way inside to listen to a rather loud and almost decent sounding country western band. The neon sign blared Freddy Mack’s in orange and blue, yet the placement of the ugly moniker allowed them to be shrouded in darkness around the side of the building.
She turned back to him and smirked. “First off, you owe me for threatening not to fly me here first class, so if anyone is getting off out here it’s me—not you.” She put a bit of bite in her words.
Trent rewarded her with a wolfish smile, showing every tooth in his mouth. “Yes, ma’am.” As quick as a coiled snake striking to attack its prey, Trent reached up Teal’s short dress and yanked down her panties.
She obligingly stepped out of them, and watched as he stuffed them in his back pocket. What the fuck was she doing? He’d turned her into a damned horn-dog, willing to spread her legs—no matter where they were.
Still, as Teal tried to find a reason to shame herself, she couldn’t. She desired Trent in ways she’d never desired a man before, and each time she was in need, Trent gave, and gave well. There was nothing she could ask for that he wouldn’t give, well, besides moving to Vermont. Other than that, Trent gave with everything he had.
A wave of guilt crashed over her as she realized Trent indeed had given his all, while fear still made her keep a piece o
f herself tightly locked away.
Pulling her from her thoughts, Trent shoved her legs apart with his knee, all while using his other hand to hold her steady. He lifted her slightly, then yanked her leg up and wrapped it around his waist. Teal’s breath caught. The sheer idea of Trent taking her here and now—out in the open—had her so wet, her clit throbbed in anticipation.
Teal lifted her hand to caress Trent’s cheek. “I can’t wait. Please.” She felt like a needy fool, but the second his hand disappeared between them, Teal found herself spreading wider to help accommodate his actions.
His big fingers found their way deep inside her. Teal released a noise she was sure came from some wild animal hiding in the woods surrounding them. She bucked harder than she expected, and her channel clenched so tight, the sensation bordered on pain. Her head flew back and landed with a thud on Trent’s truck. The pain quickly evaporated, as soon as the rough pad of his thumb grazed her clit. Electricity raced up her spine, causing her legs to buckle and nearly give way to the overwhelmingly delicious tingle building in her core.
“God damn.” She let loose a breathy moan as he flexed his digits. Twisting her hands in his shirt, she used it to hold her steady. This man had her close to coming with only a few thrusts. “You didn’t even know if I was ready.”
Trent leaned forward, placing his lips so close to her ear, she could feel his warm breath as he spoke. “I know when my woman is ready, from the way your breasts move when your breath catches.” He used his thumb to rub light circles around her center, causing her to fall into a delirious haze. Her hips moved with those lazy little circles, stoking the fire building deep in her belly. “Don’t ever think I don’t know what you want, or what you need, when you need it.”
Teal lifted her head to kiss Trent, but he pulled away.
“No, baby. I get nothing, remember? You said it. But now I get to watch you come apart by my hands. Knowing that I make you feel this way, that I make you lose yourself out here, where anyone can see, is all I need.” He moved his fingers at a blinding speed, nearly causing Teal to scream.
Using his body to hold her against the truck, he took his free hand and held the nape of her neck, forcing her eyes to stay on his. Trent worked her body as if it were an instrument he’d mastered over his lifetime, easily pushing her closer and closer to that elusive cliff—the place she planned to throw herself from, if she could just get him to go deeper.
When he stopped thrusting and pushed in further, Teal knew she was in trouble. His fingers flexed over that spongy place so deep inside, even she had trouble finding it. Her knees buckled, but Trent was there to hold her up with his body. The pad of his thumb moved roughly over her clit, and Teal felt the first tremors of her orgasm.
She was sure the people at the bar could hear the moans as a dam broke inside of her. Pleasure so sharp and consuming, it ebbed just on the right side of pleasure and pain. Her back bowed off the truck, her body convulsing. The sensation grew so intense, Teal feared he’d break her body and her soul.
Finally, her knees stopped working all together. He caught her with his other arm, but refused to stop fucking her with his fingers. Euphoria stole Teal’s sight and hearing as she rode fast and hard, the wave of liquid pleasure pouring from her. Her body moved of its own accord, long after she felt Trent’s fingers leave her.
He cradled her against him, holding her up, as her useless feet refused to do so. Her heart thrummed and her breath sounded as if she would never recover. Teal kept her head rested against his chest, until a smacking sound made her open her eyes, only to see the very fingers Trent had buried in her, between his lips. The sight was so erotic, Teal’s body roared to life again.
Just as she was about to speak, plead for his cock, the doors to the bar opened and a loud roar of laughter pierced the night. Teal stood up and adjusted her clothes on trembling legs. Trent covered her body with his, as he reached past her into his truck. When he leaned back, he had what looked like a shirt.
He dropped to his knees and Teal’s clit throbbed at the thought of his mouth on her. She glanced around, looking for the people who exited the bar. When she spotted the couple, heat crept up her chest, and what was once pleasure, turned to waves of panic.
“Shit,” she whispered fiercely. “What are you doing?” She tried pushing him away, while keeping her eyes on the couple.
He grunted and pushed her hands away. “I’m cleaning you up.”
Teal stood stock-still as Trent wiped away the evidence of her arousal. He stood with a damned cocky smirk on his face. She chanced a glance down and gasped. Teal hadn't come so hard in a long time, and she supposed the mess she’d made was normal, but it didn’t stop her from being a bit self-conscious.
Obviously sensing her discomfort, Trent leaned in and kissed her. “And your ass had the nerve to question if I knew if you were ready or not. Look how hard you came. ” He took her hand, but Teal snatched it back as her cheeks heated. “Hey, no need to be embarrassed, baby.” Teal shot him a glare. “A lot of women come that way. It means I did a damned good job.” He showed his teeth in a big grin.
She playfully shoved at his chest. “You did wonderful, baby.” His wicked grin widened. “But, before we go in. Country music?” She glanced over to the bar in question. “I don’t listen to it.”
Trent crowded her space and leaned in. “It’s a part of my life. I like it, and I want to share it with you.” He looked down and tugged a curl between his fingers.
Placing her hands on her hips, Teal gave him a blast from the past. “Oh, I vaguely remember an event months ago, when I was jamming to my boy Usher, and the brute who was sitting behind me, reached over me and turned it off.” She shoved a finger in his chest. “And I am still waiting on my apology for that.”
His eyes dropped to the ground before meeting hers again. “Please come in with me?” He pushed away and held a hand out for her. Gone was the lust he’d showed just moments before. He’d ignored her tirade, hadn't given her anything close to an I’m sorry, but instead offered her his hand.
She sighed and laced her fingers between his, squeezing his hand tight. “Fine, but if I hear that Boot Scootin’ Boogie song, I’m fucking leaving.”
He chuckled as he pushed the truck door shut and led her to the entrance.
Teal skidded to a halt. “Wait.” Trent slowed and turned back to her. “Give me back my panties.” Holding her hand out, she realized there was no place for her to go, besides back to the car, to put them back on.
Trent shoved his hand in his back pocket. “No.” Shoving the panties deeper into his pocket, he grabbed Teal’s hand and pulled her to the door. Just as the door opened and sound blasted out, she could here Trent whisper, “Four down, ten to go.” Followed by his deviant laughter.
What in the hell did her man have in store for her, and why did it consist of holding undergarments for ransom?
The country music changed to an up tempo beat as they found a table. Teal had never liked music with a twang. As a matter of fact, Teal had learned early in life that any music with twang made her head hurt. So she was pleasantly surprised to find that this country music was not what she’d assumed it to be, and a few times, Teal found herself swaying to a soothing beat.
The waitress brought over a beer for Trent and Teal’s glass of red wine, and now they sat cuddled up at the table, laughing and talking about Trent’s comment as they walked in the bar.
He took a long gulp from his beer bottle. “I’ve decided, as long as you are with me, you don’t need any panties.” He sat back with an imperious smirk on his mug.
Teal placed her wine glass down and rolled her eyes. “So, let me get this straight. You’d prefer easy access to what you claim is rightfully yours, and you plan to—”
Trent held up a finger. “Are you denying that it’s mine?” His gaze met hers, holding it, daring her to say anything other than yes.
She eyed his sexy smile and soft, long blond hair. She ached to have those strands t
hreaded in her fists tonight as she pushed that cocky grin down over her core. “Um, after how hard I came out there, do you even dare to think I don’t know who this pussy belongs to?” She waved off his laughter and continued. “So, you want to be able to get to it whenever you want, is what you’re saying.”
Trent flexed his chest. “Absolutely.”
She scoffed. “And you counted the panties in my suitcase?”
With a swig a beer he nodded. “Yup.” His voice held not an ounce of contrition.
“And each day, you’ve hidden a pair or two somewhere in your home, in hopes I’ll run out and stop wearing them before I leave?”
Trent leaned over the table and spoke so low, she could barely hear his words. “Yes, ma’am.” That southern charm and sexy accent had Teal wondering why she’d never given country music a fair chance. “And I hope to rip a few pairs off you, too.”
He’d told her before, that he’d wanted to lick and fuck her in places no man had ever gone before, so she was used to Trent’s naughty suggestions. What she wasn’t used to was flying commando.
Shaking her head and laughing she said, “No, I am going to have to stop you right—” Teal was unable to finish her sentence, as her chair was knocked sideways, ramming her stomach into the table and stealing her breath. The jolt caused her to hold on to the table for dear life.
Trent shoved to his feet and strode past her. She felt his soothing hand on her back as she pushed back from the table. An ache started in her stomach. Rubbing the sore spot, she turned to tell Trent that she was okay, only to see three, large men facing off with him.
She made to stand, but ended up falling back into her seat as a cramp hit her stomach. “Damn, are there wild apes running through the place?”
A grunt sounded behind her before a stranger spoke. “That’s the same shit I was wondering when I saw you up in here.” A litany of laughter sounded from the man and his friends. Meanwhile, Trent stood stock-still, staring bloody murder at the group.
Indelible: Beneath His Ink (Teal and Trent Book 2) Page 6