by Black, T. E.
"I want it at the zoo! But Mommy won't tell me where she's having it!" Abby scowls.
I don't miss the soon-to-be-six-year-old attitude in her voice. She's used to getting what she wants, and if she doesn't get her way this time, she’ll throw the temper tantrum from hell.
"I'll send Trent an invite, sweetie. Go get ready for bed. I'll be there in a minute."
Abby eyes me carefully, no doubt planning to stick her ear to my bedroom door after she closes it. She thinks I'm going to tell Trent where her party is when she leaves. Little does she know—I still have to figure it out myself.
"Sorry about her. She's been trying to get it out of me for days now."
I blow out a long breath, taking the phone off speaker.
"Are you having it at the zoo? Just let me know what time and I'll be there. I got a great idea for a present," he voices.
"Um ... I'd love to have it there, but I can't exactly ...” I let my voice trail off before I finish.
I don't want Trent knowing my problems. They're not his to bear. I'm the one who needs to figure it out. I plan to do it myself. I can do this.
"Can't exactly what?" Trent questions.
Screw it.
I spill the beans. It's not as if it will matter anyway. What's the difference if he knows I'm having money troubles? Whether he knows or not, the problems will still be there at the end of the day.
"I can't afford it. All right?" I snap, a little too harsh.
I'm not mad at him, yet that's how it sounds. I'm embarrassed. Trent is filthy rich in my eyes. I see how much he pulls in at the shop each day, and I know he does well for himself in the process.
"Look, don't feel sorry for me. I mean it. I don't want anyone's pity, Trent."
I hear him grinning through the phone. I know it sounds insane, but I can full-on hear his smile. The kind of smile he gives me when he's up to no good. I hate his damn smile.
"I’d never. I'll take care of everything. Don't worry ya sexy little ass, kitten."
I'm about to scream into the phone, telling him he better not take care of anything when I'm interrupted by the line going dead.
Oh God, no. Please no.
I hit redial, but he sends my call to voicemail.
Fuck.
THE NEW FILING system is going to kill me. I thought it would be easy—just scan the forms and poof—done. Yeah. It doesn't quite work when you have fifty cabinets full of customer's information. This is going to take years.
I adjust my glasses on my nose, happy I leave them here at the shop. I don't need glasses exactly, but they make it easier to see the tiny print on the computer.
I grab the next folder, pulling out the release forms, and setting them on the scanner. Of course, it loses power.
"What the fuck?" I whisper-yell.
Smack.
I look toward the noise, seeing another damn box of paper on my desk.
No more paperwork, please! I’m going to die surrounded by paperwork!
Trent stands in front me with a dumb grin on his face. His smile blinds me like white lights of a mental institution. That's where I think I need to go—a nut house. I'm ten shades of crazy for ever thinking this system was a good idea.
"That better not be paperwork, Trent!" I voice, pulling my glasses off.
Trent's smile is beyond megawatt now. It's platinum. Diamonds don’t have a damn thing on him.
He spins around, heading off to his station before I can even ask him another question.
"It's not paperwork and ya welcome. Now, take a break and fill that shit out. I want the entire box done before ya shift is over."
I shoot him a hard glare, putting my glasses back on so I can apparently fill out a box of paperwork for him before I'm done for the day.
Why did I choose to want an asshole?
I pull the box down onto my desk, opening it, and pulling out what seems to not be paperwork at all. Taking out one of the envelopes, I examine what lies inside.
I freeze.
Heart stops.
Mouth goes dry.
You have to be fucking kidding me!
HIM – “Wicked Game”
“WHAT’S GOT YOU all fucking smiles today? Normally, you’re miserable as fuck,” Gunner comments.
He hasn't caught on to the fact I've been watching Shay for the past five minutes. I’ve been studying every facial expression she makes while looking through the invitations.
I knew I had to rent the zoo for Abby's birthday when I talked to her last night. I'd never pass up an opportunity to make Abby smile. She wanted the zoo, so I made it happen.
Shay is a damn good mom, but I know I don't pay her nearly enough to afford a birthday as extravagant as this. The zoo cost a fucking fortune although I couldn’t care less about the money. I have more than enough of it. If it makes the little girl who melted the ice from around my heart happy, then that's what I had to do.
"Live and learn, fucker. Any minute now, you'll see how to make shit happen. I'm one step closer than your ass will ever be to the sexy-ass woman over there." I nod my head toward Shay.
She stands, grasping the box so hard that if it were glass that shit would shatter into a million pieces. Her expression is a mixed signal. I have no idea how this will play out. One of two things can happen. She can walk over here and crush my balls with her high heels again, or she can thank me with a quickie. Either one works for me. I'll take whatever I can get.
Gunner picks his head up to watch how things go. I pray Shay doesn't decide now is a good time to teach me a lesson.
“What's in the box?" he questions.
I smile to myself, my gaze focused on the way Shay looks in those fucking skinny jeans. Lethal. My eyes travel down her body, and my mind replays what it feels like to have those long, toned legs wrapped around my waist. Fuck. I can’t wait for the moment again.
Two red high heels appear in front of me; I move my head so I'm looking right at her face. She's fucking beautiful. Hot, sexy, smokin', a solid ten—none of those can justify how damn breathtaking Shay Kirby really is.
"Do you like them?" I ask her, a cocky grin on my lips.
She leans down, her red-tipped fingers digging into the sides of the box. Damn, is she sexy as ever or what?
Her face closes in, pushing into my ear as if she's gonna tell me a sexy secret.
"Go fuck yourself, Trent Wallace," she murmurs with a snarl.
I pull away, putting distance between us. What the fuck? She smacks the box into my lap, all the invitations scattering on the tile floor.
Who the fuck does she think she is?
She storms out of the shop, once again coaxing me to follow her. This is our thing, I guess. She runs away, and I chase her crazy ass down. It's fucking Deja vu. But still, I get up from my chair and run after her. I call out her name, knowing she can damn well hear me—even if she's acting as if she can't.
"Shay! What the fuck is wrong with you?" I shout when she comes into my line of sight.
She digs through her black studded bag, determined to find her car keys.
Not again, kitten.
I cross the parking lot, not giving her the chance to get away from me. Once in front of her, I box her in with my arms from behind, placing a gentle bite on the nape of her neck. Her body tells me she needs it. It tells me she's been dying for more of it, too.
With a small breath, she pauses for a moment.
"Why don't ya like the invitations, babe?" I whisper into her ear.
My breath blows against the shell of it, no doubt making her panties wet.
She doesn't answer, but she's going to.
I remove one hand from the side of her car, placing feather-light touches down her body until I reach her hip. I give it a firm squeeze, and the noises coming from her need bubble from her.
"I asked ya a question, kitten. It's rude to leave me hangin' like this."
I know she hates charity, but I don't give a fuck. She can be mad all she wants. I wanted her to be
able to give Abby the best damn party she could have. I heard how excited Abby was on the phone last night when she mentioned the zoo. I also heard how heartbroken Shay was when she told me she couldn't afford it.
“How do you expect me to be okay with your charity? I told you I didn’t want any, Trent,” she snarls.
“Kitten, I didn’t do it to make ya feel like a charity case. I did it because I wanted to do something good for the first time in my life. I did it because you and Abby are important to me. I wanted to give ya something for once. I did it because I wanted to, not because I had to,” I tell the truth.
She blows out another breath before turning to face me. Her eyes lock with mine, and I can see why she wasn't answering. She's starving for me. Her pupils dilate, her cheeks flushing for a moment.
The next moment feels like a lifetime.
I hold Shay's gaze.
I hear the thud of her bag hitting the pavement.
Her hands fly to my face, gripping them with all of her might.
Her mouth almost bruises mine with its force.
I embrace it.
I embrace us at this moment.
The anger.
The heat.
The passion.
The way my heart repeatedly thuds in my chest. I'm so damn fucked when it comes to her.
"Is that your heart or mine, kitten?" I question between breaths.
She pulls away for a split second, the smile on her face lighting up every feature she has. "I feel it too, Trent."
It's all I have to hear her say.
For the past six months, I've admired her from a bittersweet haze. I've noticed every inch of her, whether I knew it or not. I know this woman. I know everything about her, and I know I want her.
"That's good to know, sweetheart. Now, get your ass in the shop and into the back room. I'm gonna make ya feel a helluva lot more."
I'm quick on her heels while we sprint into the lobby area. My heart beat drums in an erratic motion while my dick hardens.
We approach the “employees only” marked door when Shay gazes at me over her exposed shoulder. Her eyes twinkle mercifully, the opposite colored irises catching the sunlight beaming in the shop windows.
Her red-tipped fingers grip the door handle, her body hesitating to open it. A small furrow of her brow appears while her cheeks redden.
“What's stoppin’ ya, babe?” I test.
She giggles, which is so unlike her. “Just making sure you were still interested,” she quips.
A low growl staggers from my throat as I push the door open. Shay stumbles inside, her heels clicking against the tile floor. I slam the door shut behind us, pressing her against it.
“Does it feel like I'm not interested, kitten?”
I grab her hand, placing it on my hardened cock through my jeans.
“Fuck, Trent,” she hisses.
My hand wraps in her long hair. I give it a sexual tug, her mouth gaping open in lust.
“Fuck!”
“Ya like that, Shay? Ya like being mine? My filthy kitten.”
She drops to her knees in front of me, my hand still wound in her mane.
The tips of her fingers trace the outline of my erection before she undoes my jeans. She pumps me with gentle strokes.
“Fucking hell, Shay.”
Looking up at me through thick eyelashes, she takes me in her mouth. It's fucking monumental. Her tongue swirls in unison with her hand as she works me into oblivion.
Tongue.
Teeth.
Pump.
Suck.
Repeat.
My chest heaves for air, the feeling of her too much to handle. With a hard thud, my forehead meets the door behind her.
“Fuck, kitten. Your mouth feels epic. Ya feel wicked fucking good.”
My dick bottoms out in her throat as she takes all of me. My hips buck, the movement hitting the spot in her throat on repeat. A moan sounds from below me, vibrating my cock.
I need to taste her. I need to eat that sweet pussy.
I pull away from her mouth, commanding, “Stand up, kitten. Take off ya jeans and panties but keep those fucking heels on.”
Shay does as she's told, slipping off her clothes. I drop to my knees in front of her, hooking one leg over my shoulder.
“Holy shit, Trent,” she moans.
My tongue traces along the outskirts of her pussy while my teeth nip at the tender skin. I bring up my hand, swiping a finger across her wetness. She's fucking soaked. She's so fucking ready.
She reaches between her legs, grasping my hand and urging me to fill her with my fingers. I snatch her hand as she attempts to pull away, inserting her own finger inside her tight pussy.
“Holy fuck, Trent!” she gasps.
I pump her finger in and out as my mouth latches onto her folds.
“Keep moving your finger, kitten,” I mumble.
My tongue licks, earning moans to my ears. Her hand pulls at my hair as I continue to eat her pussy with all I have.
I lick.
I suck.
I straight up devour her.
I insert my finger in her ass and her hips buck against my mouth.
“Oh God, Trent! I can't! I can't fucking take it!”
Her cries become frantic and desperate. I separate from her. Standing up, I spin her around in a swift motion. My lips trace the shell of her ear as I whisper, “Ya wanna be fucked, kitten?”
Our bodies cling to one another, the sweat beading.
“Yes. Fuck, Trent. Yes. I wanna be fucked.” Thank God I put a condom in my wallet.
I wrap my dick up in record time, and run a finger over her quivering pussy before slamming into her.
“Fuck!” we hiss out together.
“Dammit, Shay! Tell me you want me!”
“I want you, Trent! I fucking need you! Please don't stop!”
I thrust into her, skin slapping off skin. Her muscles contract around my cock, and I moan out.
“That's it, kitten! Let go all over my cock! Don't fight it. Let go, Shay,” I chant.
Shay screams, her knees shaking as her orgasm washes over us. I'm on the verge of collapsing when I finally let go myself. I unload inside of her without a second thought.
Heavy breathing fills the empty airways of the room. My face presses against her tattooed back, both of us coming down from the high.
“I loved the invitations, Trent. Thank you,” Shay murmurs.
I smile against her, my heart swelling with her approval.
“You're welcome, babe.”
“WHAT ARE YOU and Abby up to tonight?" I lean over Shay's desk.
"Uh, not sure. Abby has school in the morning, so usually, I put her to bed early. Why?" She eyes me cautiously.
I have to laugh at her regard of my question. She knows me too damn well.
"Ya chicks wanna go somewhere with me after work? I have a couple of appointments left and then we can head out. That's if ya wanna," I offer.
She looks at me as if I might bite her when she's not paying attention. She’s weighing her trust for me. She'll get over it. I won’t give her a reason not to trust me. I want this. This is new for me too.
"And where are you taking Abby and me?"
I give her sly grin, pushing off the desk and heading back to my station to set up for my next appointment.
"It's a surprise. Just be ready by seven. I'll pick you two lovely ladies up!" I call over my shoulder.
SEVEN O’CLOCK COMES too damn quick. I got so fucking lost in tattooing that I haven't had a chance to be nervous about taking Shay and Abby out tonight. I wouldn't say we're going out exactly, but tonight will be the decision maker. Tonight, I'll find out if Shay really wants this to happen between us. I know I damn well do.
I follow her directions, stepping into the elevator where I search for her apartment number.
301.
I can do this.
I take a deep breath, raising my hand to knock. Waiting patiently, I put my hands in my
pockets. I knew I wouldn't be this damn nervous if I took a couple of bumps before I left the house, but I felt wrong doing it. I couldn't will myself to drive a child or Shay around when I was high. God forbid if something ever happened to them while I was strung out … I'd never forgive myself.
"Trent!" Abby squeals.
She runs into me, tackling my legs and catching me off guard. We crash to the carpeted floor in the hallway and both laugh hysterically. She crawls up me so she's practically sitting on my chest.
"You're crazy, kiddo,” I joke.
We both lie in the hallway, the door to Shay's apartment wide open. Abby smiles one of her little grins at me, and I have to smile back. This kid is fucking adorable.
"Abby. Let Trent up from the floor, please," Shay sounds out from the doorway.
I hear the laugh in her voice, even though she's trying to be a mother right now. She can't deny this isn't the cutest thing she's ever seen.
I'm still surprised Abby is taking to me this way. The way Gunner used to talk about her, I thought she was as shy as they came. I don't see it being likely with her. She's taken to me with open arms and an open mind.
Abby climbs off me as I pick myself up off the floor. I fix myself, righting my shirt and my backward hat. My eyes travel to Shay, who stands with a smile on her face.
"You know I didn't expect her to fall for your charm too." Shay laughs.
"Well, what can I say? I have a way with women, sweetheart. Like mother, like daughter," I tease, which earns me an eye roll.
"You're really charming until you open your mouth." She smirks, and I smirk back.
This is how I like her and me—easygoing and playful. Life is too short for everything to be serious all the damn time. Every now and then, you gotta have a little fun.
I close the distance between us, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her to me. Her breathing increases as she anticipates my next move, but I don't give a damn. I go in for the kill. I smash my lips to hers, reveling in the taste of her lips. I know her mind is telling her this is wrong, but her body tells me this is what she needs. She needs me, us, together.
"Better?" I whisper against her lips, pulling away an inch.
She laughs, placing both of her hands on my chest to playfully shove at me.