He fucking loved her newfound confidence. Her newfound confidence? Oh hell. It was so much more than that. He was falling in love with her.
When she lowered herself back down, he cradled her even tighter. The closer he edged to losing her, the more determined he became to hang on.
Shelby grasped her purse strap tighter as she and Trevor walked side by side down the sidewalk toward David’s law offices. Even though she studied Trevor, she couldn’t read his reaction behind his mirrored sunglasses. The only thing she saw was the reflection of her own wide-eyed curiosity.
This morning, they’d awakened early and had hot sex before showering together and dressing and deciding to eat breakfast in New Orleans. Their time together had relaxed, a continuation of the intimacy from the night before.
On the drive into one of the less affluent parts of city, he’d asked further questions about the types of cases David accepted. She’d been honest, that he took so many that he couldn’t adequately represent everyone. He had a team of volunteers, but their resources were limited also. “I don’t really know what drives him. But it’s as if he has something he wants—maybe needs—to make up for.”
Without saying a word, Trevor nodded.
There was still part of her that didn’t believe he was doing this. Yet she was thrilled he was doing this…partly for her.
“This is it,” she said, not that he hadn’t noticed the dilapidated overhead sign with its rusted chain. At one time, the lettering had been proud, his name etched next to an image of a pair of balanced scales. Now, the name of his practice was chipped and faded from years of relentless storms and neglect. He had much more important places to spend the small amount of money he brought in.
Trevor reached for the doorknob and had to twist it twice to get it to release.
Still, he said nothing. Betrayed nothing.
Inside, there was a small waiting room with several nearby offices, the windows and doors covered by blinds with broken slats. Overhead fans circulated oppressively hot air. Phones rang in the distance, and several children squabbled at the play area in the far corner.
Trevor removed his aviator glasses and tucked them inside his sport coat. Even though it was the middle of summer, he still dressed professionally. Not so much that he looked out of place, but enough to show respect for what he was doing and how serious he was about it.
“I’ll let David know we’re here.”
Trevor nodded while she pulled out her cell phone.
Instead of taking a seat, he wandered around, looking at the items on the walls. There were a few framed pictures of New Orleans and the Mississippi. Those had been purchased at local thrift stores. But there were other things that mattered to David. His clients’ bill of rights—what each person could expect to receive. A listening ear. To speak with someone who knew the law. Adequate representation or a referral to someone who could provide that. In another frame, there was a note that thanked people for waiting if necessary and promising they, too, would receive the same kind of attention as everyone else. There was also a framed picture that Trevor studied more closely. It was of David receiving a community service award. In it, he was smiling bigger than she’d seen before or since.
Her phone chimed with an incoming message. After receiving it, she walked over to join Trevor. “David is finishing up. Shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.”
Just then, his office door opened, and a youngster, maybe around three, barreled out, screaming as he ran.
“Christopher!” his mother called, making a mad dash after him but hampered by the baby in her arms.
Trevor stepped into action, blocking the youngster’s path, scooping him from the floor. “Hey, guy.” His voice was kind, inquiring. “What’s up?”
The boy froze, mouth open.
“You’re off somewhere in a hurry.”
The harried mother, followed by David, stopped near them. “I’m sorry.” She glanced around the waiting room at everyone staring. She was flushed, and Shelby knew it was probably as much from the embarrassment as it was from whatever brought her to the law offices in the first place.
Christopher was still staring at Trevor.
Shelby tipped her head to the side, looking at the man she’d woken up next to, the one who’d satisfied her on so many levels, and she wondered how little she knew about him.
“He has some…” The mother sighed. “Problems.”
“Behaving like most little boys I know, aren’t you, big guy?” Then he looked at the mother with the full force of his attention and devastating smile. “Can I walk you to your vehicle?”
“I don’t…” She blushed. “I take the bus.”
“Let me call you a ride.”
“No.” The woman frantically shook her head and looked back at David. “I can’t. No.”
“I’ll handle it,” Shelby said, pulling out her phone to open a car service app. Most of the firm’s clients didn’t have their own transportation. No doubt Christopher’s mother had a lot of pride, and maybe she also was afraid she’d be expected to pay for the car.
“No. No, please.”
“It’s okay.” David patted the mother’s shoulder.
“But—”
“Turns out I have a coupon for a free trip, tip included.” Shelby told the white lie with a smile. “I just need your address.”
The woman frowned, as if guessing the truth. “Really?” Just then, the baby started to make soft whimpers. “It’s her feeding time.”
“You’ve got your hands full.” Shelby kept her voice as soothing as possible. “Let us do this for you.”
“Accept the help,” David urged the woman. “This once.”
She bounced the baby and reluctantly gave Shelby her address. “Thank you. For everything.”
Trevor pulled back a little to look at the child. “Are you going to be good for your mom?”
The boy nodded.
His ease with Christopher revealed an entirely new side of Trevor. She hadn’t spent a lot of time thinking about having children, but watching Trevor with the young boy rocked an unfamiliar pang of maternal instinct through her.
Uncomfortable and a little disconcerted, she glanced away.
Surprising her, Trevor continued to hold Christopher until the driver arrived; then he went outside with the small family to help them into the vehicle.
“Didn’t know he had it in him,” David mused.
“He’s…” What was the right word? “Remarkable.”
David chatted with a man in the waiting area until Trevor arrived, still cool and composed, despite the full-on summer heat.
Together they walked to small conference room, a place where volunteers occasionally manned phone banks.
“Quite the operation,” Trevor mused.
“Not enough to meet the need.”
It didn’t escape her that David took a chair on one side of the table, leaving the position at the head available for Trevor.
Instead of accepting the unspoken invitation, Trevor sat next to her.
She wondered if it was possible to care for him any more than she already did.
“I’ve received the financials you sent over.”
David slid a finger inside his collar, but he didn’t apologize or look away.
“I’m interested in a five-year plan. Assuming we gave you a donation, what are the ways you could serve the community better?”
Shelby turned to look at Trevor. A donation? To her knowledge, that hadn’t been under discussion. Wasn’t David hoping for a loan?
David scowled, as if the question hit him unexpectedly too. “Hell, Lawton. I can’t see past tomorrow.”
“Let’s be honest, shall we?” Trevor asked. “With the shitty state of your checkbook, you’re not going to be able to pay back a loan, no matter how low the interest.”
“Lawton—”
“What you’re doing here is important work. No doubt there’s need. You’re doing too much pro bono and low-cost work
to restore the building. If it’s a loan you want, maybe we can consider moving you to a smaller location.”
David’s shoulders slumped. The exchange between the two men was as fraught with tension as the poker game at The Quarter had been, and her stomach tightened.
“There aren’t a lot of smaller places out here.”
“I know.” Trevor nodded. “I had a real estate professional check. So that would mean a different area of town.”
“Which wouldn’t be as accessible for his clients,” Shelby added.
“True.” David drummed his fingers on the tabletop.
“You own the building.” Trevor made a statement rather than asking a question, Shelby noted. Clearly he’d done his homework before showing up.
“I’ve got a mortgage on it.” David’s complexion was chalky. Until now, she didn’t know how bad things really wore for him. “And my credit is not good enough to refinance.”
“You’ve got a few options. I can find you private financing. We can also get Mason’s company in here to do some remodeling. Possibly at cost. You could also clean up the second floor, build it out, rent some of it to businesses. Maybe consider private residences.”
“Are you fucking saying you’re willing to help?”
“You’ve won some important cases. The work you do here matters. And perhaps we can set you up as an actual nonprofit and try to secure some donations. Fundraisers, that type of thing. You can work on the important cases. And if you wish to spearhead the vision, I’m good with that. But we can also hire someone, a cross between a CEO and CFO to guide the future.”
Shelby’s heart fluttered.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You’d better fucking start with yes; otherwise you’ve wasted a pile of my time.” Trevor stood.
David pushed back from the table so fast his chair shot across the floor. “Thank you.” He extended his hand, and Trevor shook it.
“I’ll be in touch. If you’ll excuse us?”
No one thought it was a question.
They were back in his truck and headed toward Lake Catherine when Shelby’s pulse returned to normal. “That was…” Oh Trevor.
He took his gaze from the road to momentarily glance in her direction. Once again, his expression was cloaked by the sunglasses.
“That was beyond anyone’s expectations.”
“Thanks to you.”
She shook her head. “I never asked you to do that.”
“No. But once I knew you were involved, I wanted to find out more. I didn’t think you’d offer your time and expertise unless it was worthwhile.” He stopped for a red light. “I was correct.”
For the rest of the drive, she went over the events again. It took a lot of self-discipline, but she managed to shove away the intrusive memories of Trevor interacting with Christopher and taking care of the small family.
Once they were back at his house and Bruno had adequately greeted them, Trevor preceded her up the stairs and inside.
He closed the door behind her then, whipped off his sunglasses. “Our time is limited, Shelby. I want you naked.”
Trevor—Master Trevor—her Dominant, was once again in control.
Even though she should be accustomed to being the center of his attention, the power and intent in his blue eyes made her fingers shake as she dropped her purse to the floor and swept her blouse up over her head.
“I have a few things in mind for tonight.”
“Oh? Do you?” She tried for breezy, but the tremble in voice betrayed her, and she sounded like a needy, uncertain submissive.
“But we have the afternoon first.”
“Did you have something in mind, Sir?”
“Inserting a plug up your ass, sexy Shelby.”
His words were naughty. Even a week ago, the consideration would have been unfathomable. But now, it was a tempting turn-on, and her insides tightened.
“What do you say to that?”
After last night’s experience, she was willing. “Yes.”
He smiled, a soft sensual approval that made her tummy flip-flop. Of course, it wasn’t just that. It was everything else also. The way he treated her friends and David. Then there was the stressed mother with the young kids. Trevor Lawton was so much more than she’d ever imagined.
“In that case, finish undressing; then walk up the stairs and wait for me on the bathroom floor, on your hands and knees, your ass in the air.”
All week, he’d been patient in helping her get past her apprehensions, so much so that she now she was sometimes confident. This request, though, pushed her again. Having him slip a finger inside her while she was in the throes of ecstasy was different than waiting in a compromising position.
Like the implacable Dominant he was, he spread his legs apart and folded his arms. She’d agreed to his demand. And unless she changed her mind and safe worded out, he would be implacable. “Yes, Sir.” Aware of him taking in every part of her, she finished undressing then walked toward the stairs.
“I’ll give you a two-minute head start.”
It was tempting to dash up the stairs to escape his scrutiny, but she took her time. At the top, though, she dashed for the bathroom.
With seconds to spare, she lowered herself into the position he’d ordered. She was tempted to face the door but guessed that wasn’t what he would prefer. His strong footsteps echoed off the steps when she finally stopped dithering and raised her rear.
Then… There was silence.
It took all of willpower not to glance over her shoulder but to wait on her Dominant.
“Sometimes I think you couldn’t be any sexier, and then I’m proven wrong. You’re a beautiful woman, Shelby. A stunning sub.”
She expelled the breath burning in her chest. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Stay where you are.”
Was this a special form of his torture?
He didn’t leave her for long, and when he returned, he crouched behind her. “Lower your forehead to the floor so you can reach back and spread your buttocks for me.”
This shouldn’t be so difficult. After all, she’d already given her ass to him. Shelby shook her head to stop the thought. She hadn’t given it; he’d taken it. Offering it was far more unnerving.
“Shelby?”
“Yes…” she murmured. “Sir.” Even though her balance was a little uncertain, she did as he said.
“Beautiful.” He placed a finger against her.
His touch was firm and wet, and she surmised he’d used a fair amount of lube. Fortunately.
“Your hole is so tight.”
Last night, he’d been licking her, playing with her pussy when he’d entered her tightest hole. But now, there was no distraction.
“Now, my good sub, bear down against me.”
She screwed her eyes up tight against her innate embarrassment.
He smacked her right flank smartly.
With a yelp, she wiggled her ass, having no choice but to give him what he demanded.
“Very good. We’re going to do this for a while.”
Once he passed her initial resistance, she began to relax. He slid his finger in and out, deeper and deeper with each stroke.
Something cool and wet splashed onto her. More lube, no doubt. He was nothing if not a thoughtful lover.
When she was stretched and filled with the lubricant, he pulled out. She pressed her lips together to fight back an instinctive protest. She’d actually liked it.
“The plug is slim, no bigger than my finger. Latex, so it has a little give to it. You’ll have no problem with it.”
Easy for him to say.
“Give me more of your ass, Shelby.”
With her eyes closed, she arched her back even farther, sticking her butt scandalously high in the air.
“Jesus,” he whispered.
Every time she pushed past her comfort zone, his verbal reward was worth it. This time, he kissed the small of her back. He made it so easy for her to take r
isks she’d never been able to before.
“I’ll go slow. Stay with me. You may be tempted to pull away, and if that happens, move back toward me. It’ll go faster that way.”
The plug was nothing like his finger. It was more rigid, and it went it, it flared out, forcing her hole farther out. She breathed harder and dug her fingernails into her palms. “Ugh!”
Even though he’d been clear in his instructions, she fought to escape, but her relentless Dominant captured her, inserted his forearm beneath her hip bones, and pulled her back toward him. Simultaneously he pressed deep in a single, forcible motion.
“Fuck. No! I can’t do this.”
“You’re there.” He stroked her spine. “You already did.”
She stopped struggling. The plug snuggled in, and her anus closed around the slim stem. Now that it was inserted, she barely felt it. “It’s in?”
“It is, indeed.” He stood to wash his hands; then he used a washcloth to wipe the excess lube from her before helping her to stand. “It looks beautiful, by the way.” He turned her to face him. “I like having you stuffed full for me.”
She flexed her buttocks several times, adjusting to the sensation inside her.
He was quiet, obviously waiting for her to say something.
“It’s not awful.”
“Good. Now part your ass cheeks and go sit on the side of the bathtub.”
Shelby gasped. “Are you…? You can’t be serious.”
“Deadly.”
That set to his mouth, she recognized as pure determination. His will would prevail.
Filled with embarrassment, she did as he said. Because she was spread, the base of the plug was against the metal, forcing the plug a bit deeper. She moaned, and this time, it was from pleasure.
“Now, get dressed. We’ll go somewhere fun for a late lunch.” He turned to leave the bathroom but stopped in the doorway and looked back. “When we arrive at the restaurant, remember to part your ass in exactly this same way when you are seated.”
With a happy whistle, he left, long before she could express her stunned outrage.
Chapter Ten
Shelby turned on the cold water in the bathroom of her office building. The past six hours had been some of the most grueling of her career.
His to Love (Titans Quarter Book 2) Page 15