“Thank you, Jason.”
He pulls away and says, “Don’t forget, a dinner date, or just dinner is still on the table if you get time, okay?”
“Yep, thank you.”
“I hope I’ll talk to you soon, Stella.” He turns to Ty. “Hey, man. I have a girl who is a friend. She’s is in the biz as well, so she will definitely be contacting you. She’s way ahead of me and if it’s me or her, she’s the one that is going to hit it big.” Ty thanks him and Jason lays a very nice kiss on my cheek and runs his fingertips down my arm as he leaves. Zoey gushes!
Thank God, for Pierce. He doesn’t allow Zoey to squeal and be all happy yet about Jason hugging, kissing me, and asking me out. “Shit, Ty. You should be proud, my man. That was awesome, and all this is going to generate business for you.”
“Yeah, dude, I know. I am pumped. The music business would rock, or really, any commercial work would make me happy. I mean, I like the family stuff, and weddings are great money, but I really hope that it opens some doors, you know? I worked my ass off on that. It can only advance my career and get my name out there. Before you know it, the dream of a gallery on the first floor can come to life.”
“You could have that now, Bro. All you have to do is tell Nan, and it’s yours.”
“I want to do it by myself dude, you know that.”
They decide that we are all going to get some dinner before heading over to Carson’s house. That’s the first time I have heard of this friend of Pierce and Jaxon’s. Apparently, he invites a bunch of friends and coworkers over for the UFC fights. I didn’t realize I was invited. Zoey and Pierce pull me into a third wheel hug and tell me I am welcome anywhere.
I need to go home to change into something casual. The loving couple is heading to Pierce’s and plan on swinging by to pick me up for dinner and the party. Pierce doesn’t want to ride with Ty. He informs Zoey and me that Ty has no problem snatching up a female at Carson’s get togethers. It’s hard to keep my eyes off Ty and not shoot him a dirty look for something he hasn’t even done yet. I remind myself that Pierce isn’t trying to be hurtful. We are not public, so I really don’t get to give Ty a what for.
I grab my bag, tell Ty bye, and walk out with Zoey talking about clothes. I want to hug him bye. I want to kiss him bye. I want to tell him, just for the short amount of time that we will be apart that I will miss him. No dice.
I’m happy when I see Zoey in jeans and realize my charcoal grey, cap sleeve, scoop neck tee which I coupled with an identical white shirt underneath and super low cut jeans with some black embellished flip flops, matches everyone else that I’m dining with. I feel gross and bloated, so I made sure that my hair was cute and my makeup looked good.
We pick the Wing House for some relaxed dining. The service is crazy fast, due to they are scheduled to get the fight tonight. Ty whispers in my ear that I look sexy when our dinner companions aren’t looking. I’m sitting next to him and if you didn’t know us, you would think we were out on a double date. Pierce tells Zoey and me, “Ladies, watch out for Carson. He thinks he’s a male model because they featured him in a fire fighter calendar. He’s positive he is the best looking guy in any room, and every woman that lays eyes on him can’t wait to get her panties off.”
“Well, I couldn’t be more happy to be off limits,” Zoey giggles.
I ask, “Can we all tell Carson that you guys just welcomed me into your bed as a new lover?” Everyone laughs and Zoey of course is on board.
Pierce says, “None of that matters. He is convinced a relationship cannot and will not stop a woman from giving into his good looks.”
Ty and my phone ding simultaneously. It’s Jason, thanking us both for a job well done. I can’t hide my smile that he is so thoughtful. And it begins…
“You are fucking crazy, girl. That boy, no offense, Pierce, is smoking hot. Get your fucking eyes checked, Stella. What are you waiting for? God, I love you, but shit! It’s so obvious how much he likes you. I mean how many times does the boy have to ask you out before you accept?”
I don’t want to do this in front of the guys, but Zoey is not going to let this go. In her defense, she has no clue that the man I’ve fallen in love with has his hand on my knee under the table. “Yeah, he’s super nice, but like I told him, Zoey, I’m just too busy. I work constantly, and when I’m not, I like hanging with you guys.”
“Well, none of us are fucking you, so I can’t see any reason that you would pick us over him! I can tell, that you like him. He doesn’t hide the fact that he likes you, so what gives?”
“When exactly would you like me to have a relationship, Friend?” I don’t know what else to say to throw the hound dog off the scent. Ugh, this woman is relentless.
“Make time, Friend. I’m sure you can find one night. And if you can’t,” she turns to Ty, “I’m sure your part time boss would let you off. Right, Ty?”
“Uh, yeah, just give me some notice.”
“Okay!” I say too loudly. “Give it a rest. I’ll try and find time.” I shoot her a ‘fucking stop’ look, and thank goodness, she reads it loud and clear.
Carson is exactly as I thought he would be. Attractive, but his arrogance makes someone who is hot, not so hot. I would never date, have sex with, or outside of this get together, want anything to do with him. He’s a show boater and is overpowering. The instant we meet, he has those fuck me eyes blazing my way. I just want to get one of his fire hoses and douse them out. Never, big boy…not while I’m breathing. The pre-fights are on and most of us are here for the main event. We all are mingling, drinking and talking. Carson is showing special attention my way. He has ladies that are most certainly there for him and only him, but I seem to be in his sights. I enjoy meeting Pierce and Jaxon’s friends, and I know a couple of the women because they work with Zoey at the hospital.
Jaxon challenges Zoey and me to a game of beer pong, and of course, total jackass has to be his partner. Zoey and I get lucky, and then the streak comes to an end, and we end up drinking our fair share of beer. I try to keep my eyes off the tall, dirty blonde that can’t seem to keep personal space between herself and Ty. His eyes continue to find mine every couple minutes. I feel like he’s reassuring me that he is not interested. I beam inside at all the progress we have made. Honestly, I cannot wait for this fight to be over so I can finally be where I want to be and that is under him, in front of him, or wherever he wants me, as long as we have sex.
Finally, it hits me, Carson really isn’t attracted to me. He just can’t believe that I’m not drooling all over him like all the other girls at this party. We go inside and pre-lims are almost over. Zoey and I pee while everyone settles in the living room. When we return, the living room is packed. Zoey goes over to the couch and sits on Pierce’s lap. They start kissing, and I turn to see where I can plant my ass for this fight. Ty gives me a sexy, small smile and motions me over. He’s in a recliner and pulls me to sit with him. I am happy when he opens his legs and pulls me between them.
The fight is awesome, but is over fast as the ground and pound knocked one of the fighters out. I love that sport. We all freak out that our guy won or lost. Mine won, so I’m a happy girl. Back to the bathroom I head, because I broke the God forsaken seal on my bladder. Carson is leaning on the wall as I come out, and he gives me a tour…of his bedroom. It’s huge and I act interested in all his awards and his graduation class picture and blah, blah, blah. I tell him I need another drink and excuse myself to the kitchen. Ty is shaking his head yes repeatedly to Zoey as I walk in on their conversation. I hear her say, “Just try, Ty. You are a good friend to her. You’re together all the time. Tell her what Jason said. Make her go. She needs him. I want to see her happy, Ty. Not lonely. I know you aren’t a love guy. But I’m in love with your best friend and I just want Stella to feel that too.”
He shakes his head yes the whole time. I grab two beers and act as if I didn’t hear a word of their conversation. I giggle and ask them to keep Carson away from me, and
how I realize it’s not me he wants, he just wants me to want him. Pierce comes in and whisks Zoey away for another game of beer pong. I ask Ty to walk outside with me as I hand him the other beer. We step out and walk over to his Escalade. It’s quiet outside, and no one from the house can see us over here. Ty leans against the door and I let it fly. “Can you tell her to drop the Jason thing? When she gets something in her head she just can’t let it go.”
“Yeah, she wants me to encourage you to go out with him. Just once.” He seems a bit standoffish.
I lean into him and say, “If I want to date him I will, but tonight, you promised me sex remember?”
His eyes stay glued to the ground. “When you went and got coffee, Jason wanted to know if you were interested. I told him you and I don’t talk about other dudes. He told me that he really likes you, Stella. He sings your praises and said, wouldn’t it be some shit if you photographed our wedding? I just said, yeah. He thinks if he can get you on one date, you’d see you two are meant to be together.”
“Well, first of all, I am not into Jason Day at the moment and we aren’t going to have a wedding for you to photograph. But, you are more than welcome to photograph the sex you and I are going to have tonight.” This mouth of mine surprises me sometimes, but I don’t want to hold back, and I don’t want to talk about Jason. I just want Ty to make Zoey drop the fucking subject. My hands slide up his shirt and I skirt them across the sexy, smooth skin of his taut stomach. “I’m into you. And today you did me, but you didn’t let me do you.” I grab his belt and pull him to me. The belt pulls open with ease and I breathe in his intoxicating scent on his neck. Today was not enough. Ty told me he wants to be inside of me tonight and I want that so bad myself, but I really want to get on my knees and do to him what he did to me. My open lips brush over his jaw. My tongue flicks out and I skim it down his thick neck. Oh, God, he tastes as divine as he smells.
“Stella…” Comes out of his mouth, as he tilts his head so I can have better access. My smile is wide, and I drag my lips and tongue back to his jaw, and back down. I pull his jeans button open and lift his shirt because that is exactly what I want to lick next. I lay my lips in between his nipples and my name is said a bit sterner and not as breathy. “Stop, Stella, Stop.”
“No, you said you were mine tonight. It’s my turn to do you. Now, let me,” I say against his skin. His body leans back against the SUV and I flick my tongue over his nipple and then pull it into my mouth. He moans as his chest heaves as he sucks air deep into his lungs from my touch. I pull at his flesh and tingle between my legs.
“I said stop!” He grabs my wrist and separates us. His eyes look angry and he pulls his shirt back down and tucks it in. I’m not sure what he is going to do with the hard on he’s rocking. “Just…stop…I’m not doing this here. Okay? Let’s go back inside.” He turns and heads for the house.
I’m shocked, no one is out here. No one can see us. I walk faster than him and make sure he hears, “God forbid anyone sees us together, right, asshole?”
I get no reply and get to a bathroom before the tears spill over. Not gonna happen. Not at a party, that’s for damn sure. I empty my bladder and continue to remind myself the eye leakage barely happens alone. It is most definitely not happening at someone else’s house. I try to think about what the hell just happened outside, but every time I do, my eyes want to drop water, so I just don’t. I walk out and find my peeps minus Ty.
Pierce and I are on a team for beer pong and the cold liquid goes down smooth. I don’t have to consume as much as I did with Zoey, so I head into the fridge for a bottle of beer for me, Zoey, Pierce and Jaxon. My stomach drops as I find the dirty blonde woman against Ty. She has a big smile on as she whispers something in his ear. They are close with her breasts pushed up against his chest. I back out and rake in a breath without them seeing me. My stomach turns and I feel instantly sick.
I flee. The cab takes about eight minutes to get to Carson’s. I text Zoey that I’m exhausted from the long week, and I need sleep. She asks me to text when I’m home. I do. I lay there almost numb, staring at my ceiling, going back over the night. Us laughing, us drinking, talking, and me being pulled into Ty’s lap. The fight and how we high fived and he let his mask down and gave me the eyes that tell me he cares for me. Then it all changed when he talked to Zoey. Then my chest constricts. He wasn’t interested in me. He told me to stop. Yet, God knows what blondie-locks was saying in his ear. He certainly wasn’t demanding her to stop as she was plastered to his front. It takes forever to fall asleep. I dream of the girl and Ty outside near the Escalade like we were… only he doesn’t stop her.
I’M TIRED, MAD, SAD, ANGRY, hurt and my uterus cramping occasionally is making this shit ass day even better. Ty’s Escalade is not in the parking lot when I pull up. I get out of my car and see his bike is parked inside of the first floor. Well, maybe he stayed out last night. That would just top this fucking day off. Holy hormones in full effect! I really need to tuck my devil horns in so I can get through this work day. It went downhill when I opened my eyes, remembered Ty is flipping the switch again, and that I am due to meet Emily this afternoon for a boudoir shoot. Just what my bloated ass needs.
I pull out my phone to text Ty before heading up. Maybe I missed the fucking memo that we weren’t working today. There is a text from Emily that she is sooooooo excited for today. Well, that ends my idea of cancelling on her. The other is from Ty.
Ty: I got up early. Meeting my appointment early at the park. Text me when you get this.
I’m heading back to my car when a little red sports car pulls up. The woman from Carson’s party, the one that begged for Ty’s attention, and finally got it, gets out and seems surprised to see me standing near the elevator. “Uh, is Ty home?”
“No. He’s at a shoot,” She looks uncomfortable and fidgets with her hair. “Did you want me to tell him you came by?”
She doesn’t meet my eyes. “Uh, are you his girlfriend?”
I repeat what I hate. “Uh, no, I’m his assistant.”
“Oh, good! Well, I left my little wallet here last night and was hoping to get it. I wouldn’t be pushy, but it has my debit card in it.”
My stomach wants to lurch into my throat, but I keep it at bay. Tears prickle my face, but I will not allow them to well up, not in front of her. Hell, not in front of anyone. I swallow the lump and try to speak. I show her my phone and finally my voice works. “I have a key. I could call him to see if I can go in and get it.”
“If you can, just let me in and I’ll get it. I know exactly where I left it.”
Oh hell no! Let me repeat myself. Obviously she is slow. “Well, I wouldn’t be comfortable letting you in without Ty home, unless you want to call him and ask him yourself.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that.” She heads back to her car and looks like she’s got one up on me.
This is the Stella I like. “So let me ask you. Last night you thought we were together, yet you didn’t hold anything back?”
“Listen, honey, obviously you aren’t with him. I mean, you’re pretty enough. If you can’t see in that sexy man what I can, that’s your problem. So no, I held nothing back.” She fiddles in her purse and looks at a card or a piece of paper. I really don’t know. She finally gets the phone to her ear and I stand there and wait. I’m assuming he doesn’t answer so she tries him again, and again, and again. This is humorous, and that is welcomed. “He must be with a customer. If you’re not comfortable with me going in, can you run in and get it. It’s in the bathroom by the studio. It’s a little Vera Bradley wallet.”
I instantly turn and throw over my shoulder, “I’ll get it and be right back down. I have to meet him soon, so I have to get out of here.”
She says okay and I jump in the elevator. It immediately starts moving and I feel like I can’t breathe. I try to take a deep breath, but that never is accomplished and it makes me panic more. Small amounts of air are squeezing into my lungs. The doors open to the second floor
and I almost fall out to get fresh air. It doesn’t work, so I am just grateful for the short shallow breaths. Did he fuck her the same way that he fucked me the first time?
Oh. My. God. I can’t believe I thought I was special! It’s, like, my fucking brain got sucked out of my fucking head for the past month or so! I’m losing my damn mind! Thank heavens that I am hearing my thoughts again. It allows my mind to start working and the panic to leave my body. I stand up after involuntarily leaning against the wall, holding my stomach. I pick up my phone and dial Ty. He answers on the second ring yet doesn’t get a word out because I speak first. I thought I was ready to make this call. I thought I had it together but it comes out breathy and shaky. “I left my phone in my purse and just got your text about five minutes ago outside your flat. I was coming to meet you when the dirty blonde from Carson’s party rolled up in her little sports car. You should have seen her. She was scared to death that I was your girlfriend, but don’t worry, Ty. I reassured her that was absolutely not the case. Unfortunately, she left her wallet here from last night. She tells me it’s in the studio bathroom, so I’m calling because she just wants to run in your place and get it. That’s fine, right? She called you, but she said you were with a customer and didn’t answer. It’s funny how quickly she knows so much about you. So I should go ahead and let her run in? I told her I have the key. I’ll just open the door and leave her here. Not really sure if y’all have some unfinished business from last night.”
“No, Stella.” His voice is low and soft. He takes a deep breath. “Please…can you just get it for her?”
Captured Secret (The Captured Series) Page 25