Rush of Innocence (Rush Series #1)

by LR Potter

  “James and Marlena Franklin,” she replied.

  She felt him tense behind her. “Retired Judge Franklin?”

  “Yes,” she responded, puzzled at his sudden withdrawal. “Do you know him?”

  With a last kiss against her head, he untangled himself from her. “I know of him, but don’t personally know him. He was a sitting judge when my father was in the DA’s office.”

  She shivered at the loss of not only his body heat, but his emotional connection. She slid to the edge of the bed and grabbed his shirt once again. With her back to him, she slipped it on and began buttoning it. “My father and Uncle Jim have been good friends for as long as I can remember. He and his wife really helped my father when my mother was killed. I don’t know how he’d have made it without them.”

  “That’s what friends are for, right?” he said in a tone she didn’t understand.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  He slipped on the cotton pants he’d worn earlier. He moved to her and planted a hard kiss against her head. “Nothing,” he said dismissively. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her to her feet. With his good humor put firmly back in place, he said, “Have you ever been skinny-dipping?” When she shook her head, confused at the change in conversation, he continued, “I happen to have a heated swimming pool. I think this would be a perfect opportunity to expand your education,” he said with a devilish grin.

  ***

  She made it home on Sunday with barely enough time to shower and change. As the hot water pounded down on her, she closed her eyes as visions of her last shower flooded her mind. Flashes of Rush’s long, tapered, tanned fingers sliding silkily over her skin with the aid of bodywash. The feel of his hard, chiseled body pressed up against hers as the water pounded around them. The way the steam had surrounded them, encompassed them, made them seem even more isolated from the world – another layer of protection from anything which would pull them apart.

  She panted against the intense longing she felt building in her body just at the thought of him. It frightened her how fast and hard she’d fallen for him. She wasn’t sure what his feelings were about her – or really about anything. While she knew he wanted her, beyond that, she just didn’t know. There were times when she felt so connected to him, and then just as quickly, the connection would be severed.

  Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. Rush Drayton was an extremely handsome man, as well as an extremely wealthy and powerful man. The fact he knew how to make a woman’s body sing, only intensified his desirability to woman. What chance did she have in keeping a man like that? He could have any woman he wanted, so why would he settle for her in the long run?

  She lifted trembling hands to her face. She knew the time would come when he would lose interest in her and move on to the next willing and probably more experienced woman. She didn’t want to think about that time, but its distinct inevitability pressed down upon her. Quickly, she finished her shower and dressed for brunch.

  Her father steadfastly ignored her. She could feel his irk waft off him in waves. He pasted a smile on his face, however, when the doorbell rang, alerting them to the presence of their guests. Appearance above all else, was her father’s motto.

  While in his late sixties, James Franklin was still an attractive man. His Italian heritage on his mother’s side ensured his hair remained the same dark color it’d always been, with the exception of a little graying at his temples. He was a big wall of a man who smiled easily. He’d wrapped his mammoth arms around Trinity and swung her around as easy as he would a ragdoll.

  “There’s my girl,” he said with a grin, as he placed her back on her feet. “And as pretty as ever.”

  Trinity gave a mock curtsey. “Why thank you, kind sir,” she said in an exaggerated southern drawl.

  As big and boisterous as Jim Franklin was, his wife Marlena, on the other hand, was his exact opposite. She was petite and soft-spoken. Trinity had always thought they were the perfect match for each other.

  Ms. Gibbons had laid out a small feast on the side table and they all filled their plates and returned to the table. Trinity sat quietly and listened to the others as they caught up on current events in their lives.

  She was placing a strawberry in her mouth when Marlena asked her, “So, Trinity, are you seeing anyone special?”

  Trinity hazarded a quick glance at her father before responding. “Well, I have been seeing one man. Rush Drayton.”

  The quick turn of James’s head caught her attention. He glanced quickly between her and her father.

  “What?” she asked him.

  “I’m just surprised. That’s all,” James Franklin replied.

  “Is there something wrong with my dating him?”

  “Wrong… no, not wrong. But he’s kind of known as a womanizer, isn’t he?” James asked.

  “I’ve already tried to warn her about how ruthless he can be. But, of course, what do I know? I’m only her father,” Arthur Grace said from the other end of the table.

  “I think you could do so much better than Rush Drayton,” James said in disapproving tones.

  Anger simmered through her body and she hated having to defend herself yet again. “Well, according to the information you’ve just given me, it won’t be a problem for much longer, will it?” she said snidely. “So you all can just relax. Thank you for a lovely brunch. It was good seeing you, but I have some things to take care of. If you’ll excuse me.”

  Without another word, she rose quickly from her seat and headed upstairs.

  ***

  The next day, she returned from lunch to find a huge bouquet of a variety of flowers in a riotous array of colors on her desk. Her stomach fell at the revolting sight. She moved to them cautiously and with hands that shook, she removed the card.

  The flowers you received last week should have come from me. Please forgive my thoughtlessness. I’ll try to do better in the future. Thanks for an amazing weekend! Rush

  The receipt of the flowers and his words at a time when she was beginning to doubt him, made her eyes mist and her lips tremble. She sank with weak knees into her chair. I’ll try to do better in the future. Was it possible they might actually have a future someday? Her chest tightened in fear of hoping for that very thing.

  At mid-afternoon, her office phone rang as she mixed pigments and dyes. “Trinity Grace,” she answered.

  “I’ve missed you today,” Rush murmured in his sinfully roguish voice.

  “I’ve missed you, too. I received your flowers. They’re beautiful. Thank you.” Her face hurt from smiling so big.

  “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “Let me check my schedule,” she teased, then laughed when he growled and swore. “I get off work at five-thirty.”

  “Spend the night with me,” he commanded.

  “Is that the only way I get dinner?”

  “Spend the night with me,” he commanded again.

  “I don’t…”

  “Just say yes. You know you want to,” he said.

  Fear had her hesitating. It was all too fast, too good. It couldn’t possibly last. Eventually, he would burn out on her and move on. Then she’d be left with trying to scrape back together the pieces of her life.

  “Can we start with dinner?” she asked haltingly.

  He sighed. “We can start with dinner as long as it ends with you in my bed.”

  “I like ending up in your bed,” she said breathlessly.

  He laughed, “I know you do. From your screams of ecstasy, I think my neighbors know it also.”

  “I don’t care if they know,” she replied boldly.

  “I’ll tell you a secret… I don’t either.”

  “I’ll see you tonight then?” she asked.

  “I’ll have Radcliff pick you up at five-thirty. We’ll have a nice dinner at home.”

  “Okay. I’ll be ready.”

  A little before five o’clock, Elena called her from the front gallery to let her know a package had
been delivered for her. Trinity was surprised the package hadn’t been delivered to the back bay where they were normally processed. With a quick glance at her watch, ever mindful of the time and wanting to be ready to leave at five-thirty, she moved swiftly to the front of the gallery. Setting on top of a display counter was a lime-green gift box wrapped with a bright red bow. The gift tag, simply read: To: Trinity. She gave a small smile to Elena and scrunched her eyebrows in confusion as who would send her a gift.

  Scoping up the box, she carried it quickly back to her office. She set the box on the center of her desk and grabbed the ends of the bow and pulled. Lifting the lid from the box, she peered down and laughter bubbled up and spilled from her lips. The hilarity of the box’s contents had her nearly doubled-over and her eyes watering. Nestled inside the box was an enormous assortment of toothbrushes in every shape, size, and color. I’ll buy you a thousand toothbrushes, he’d said when he’d begged her to stay over the previous weekend. There probably weren’t a thousand but there were several dozen. Her heart filled to overflowing at knowing he’d been thinking about her all day.

  While riding in the town car driven by Radcliff, Trinity called and left a message for her father, letting him know she wouldn’t be home. She knew leaving a message was the chicken’s way out, but she didn’t want her father’s irk to ruin what had been a wonderful day.

  When Rush opened the front door for her, she smiled and slipped her hands up and around his neck.

  Wrapping her in his strong embrace, he returned the smile and placed a gentle kiss against her lips. “How was your day, dear?” he asked with a grin.

  Sliding her hands down, she withdrew a packaged toothbrush and placed it in the front pocket of his shirt.

  With a pat of her hand against it, she smiled. “It was great… and getting better,” she said as she reached for his hand and led him towards the bedroom. “I know you said we’d have dinner first, but…”

  He growled as he swung her up and carried her the rest of the way to the room.

  They sat close together while eating the dinner left by his housekeeper.

  “I have a business dinner tomorrow night. I’d like you to come with me,” he said.

  “I’d love to.”

  He brushed a knuckle down her cheek. She loved the intimate feel of his tender caress. Dinners… gifts… gentle touches… this all felt normal… felt real. Her heart thudded in her chest, love obvious in her eyes.

  “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll not get through dinner,” he murmured.

  “I don’t care,” she said softly.

  “Woman, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” he growled.

  She laughed, feeling freer and happier than she’d ever felt in her entire life.

  The rest of the week passed in the same vein as Monday had. He called her everyday and usually sent her something small, either flowers or something that would bring a smile to her lips. While they were together every night, she drew the line at staying over every night. So, the routine was set of eating, making love, then him driving her home, before kissing her soundly on her doorsteps. It scared her at how utterly and completely happy she was. She felt like the fabled Grinch when his heart grew and grew. Her heart was full to overflowing. She struggled to keep the words contained within her lips. She didn’t want to scare him with making their relationship so serious this soon into it.

  On Friday, she packed a small duffle before heading off for work. She assumed she’d be spending the weekend with Rush and she wanted to be ready. At noon she received a bouquet of yellow roses with a note which simply read: Thinking of you… of us… of last night. She smiled as the memories chased around her mind: of the cool night and the warmth of the pool water… of being pressed up against the roughened walls of the pool as he’d stroked his amazing body into hers… of his continual words of want and need… of her begging and pleading with him to push her over the sexual cliff he’d held her suspended… of crying out when he’d finally flung her off that cliff. Oh, she had it bad for him. He made her so happy.

  Her father, on the other hand, made her so miserable. She was met with his stony silence every morning over the breakfast table. She’d been surprised this morning when he’d actually spoken to her. Of course, it was to only to tell her he had plans for the evening and would be home late. She sighed deeply. She was within days of being twenty-three and her father still wanted to treat her like she was sixteen. She refused to be manipulated by his coldness. In the past, she would have folded long ago to his demands. She’d always sought his approval and did whatever it took to obtain it… not that she ever actually received it. It was like a carrot dangled in front of a horse – always just out of reach.

  Rush called in the middle of the afternoon. “Hi, baby,” he crooned into the phone.

  She’d smiled into the phone. “My office is filled to overflowing with flowers. The smell is amazing. Thank you for them.”

  “You’re welcome. After last night, it was the least I could do. How is your back? It was pretty scraped up last night. I’m sorry,” he murmured huskily in a tone which led her to believe he might have been sorry for her scrapes, but would do it again.

  “I’m not sorry,” she replied.

  “I want you right now,” he said huskily.

  “What would you do if you had me?”

  His voice dropped into a raspy whisper. “I’d strip you naked and throw you over my desk and…”

  She interrupted him, her body flushed with the image. “Okay, okay. Just hold that thought until after work.”

  He exhaled deeply. “That’s why I’m calling. I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to see you tonight. I have a meeting I can’t get out of.”

  “I could come over after your meeting.” She hated the almost begging quality of her voice, but her body was bristling with the need he created in her.

  “I… think it’d be better if we make plans for tomorrow. I don’t know how long the meeting will take. How about I pick you up around two tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.

  She hated the insecurity that rose at his words. Was he tiring of her already? Her chest burned at the possibility. She fought to rein in those feelings, not wanting him to know of them.

  “Tomorrow afternoon is fine,” she said in mock assurance.

  “Good. I’ll pick you up. Oh, and bring a change of clothes as you will be staying,” he said.

  “Why? Will I be wearing clothes?” she said in invitation.

  “Woman! You’re torturing me here.” He sighed deeply. “Until tomorrow then,” he said before clicking off the phone.

  Well damn! She’d gotten used to being with him and hated the thought of not doing so, even for one night. At least she would have the house to herself and not have to deal with her father’s icy silence all evening.

  Seeing as how her plans with Rush had never materialized and her father wasn’t going to be home, Trinity placed a quick call to Sundra, hoping she’d be available to catch a bite. Sundra promised to meet her downtown after work. Trinity felt a little guilty as she’d been ignoring her friend lately in lieu of spending time with Rush.

  She worked until six before packing up her supplies and heading out. She roamed around the brightly lit streets of Savannah while she waited for Sundra.

  She was standing outside the agreed upon small Italian restaurant when she spotted her friend coming down the sidewalk - her red hair a beacon which drew all eyes to her. She hugged her tight.

  “I’ve missed you!” Trinity exclaimed.

  “Well, if I was dating the Greek God, I wouldn’t call me either,” Sundra said on a laugh.

  They walked into the restaurant and quickly ordered drinks.

  “So, dish,” Sundra said once they’d received their wine and had placed their food order with the waiter.

  Trinity raised her eyes to the ceiling and giggled. “Oh, he’s just… well utterly amazing!”

  “How’s the sex,” Sundra asked with a grin.

>   Trinity blushed. “Well, that’s… utterly amazing as well.”

  Sundra laughed. “I had no doubt it would be. Why is it you’ve found yourself alone on a Friday night?”

  “He had a meeting.”

  “Humm,” Sundra answered noncommittally.

  “What?”

  “A business meeting on a Friday night?” she asked.

  Trinity stomach clenched at the thought of what else could have kept him from her. “Do you think it could be someone else?”

  “I don’t know. He is kind of known as quite the ladies’ man,” Sundra replied.

  “My father and Uncle Jim both said the same thing. How would I ever know for sure,” Trinity asked.

  Sundra shook her head. “You know him better than me. Just pay attention and look for the signs. It may be nothing.”

  The joy of the week was diminished as Sundra’s words twirled through her mind. Could he be with someone else? Was that why he was so distant sometimes? She struggled to eat the food she’d ordered.

  When they’d finished eating, Trinity begged off the movie and instead called for a taxi and headed home. The house was dark as she’d expected it to be when she got there. She was a little surprised to find the entry light off, but maybe Ms. Gibbons had forgotten when she’d departed. She flipped it on when she entered so her father could see when he got home. The light flooded the entry, but left the rest of the house in shadows.

  She mounted the stairs and headed up to her bedroom. She found it odd that her bedroom door was closed. Usually, Ms. Gibbons left it opened after it’d been cleaned. Trinity turned the handle and pushed the door open. Before she had a chance to slide her hand up the wall to flip the light switch, someone dressed in dark clothing came flying at her. She immediately threw up her hands in defense. Panic flooded her. It was almost a replay of what had happened in her office. The person ran straight towards her, knocking her to the floor. The air was forced from her lungs at the impact of both the body and the floor. Before she could rise, she heard the pounding of feet as they lumbered down the staircase and then the slamming of the front door.