Page 16 of Trust in Me
“I’ll walk you to your door,” Brax said. He extended his hand.
I took his hand to help me out of the truck. “I can do it myself, you know.”
Brax’s lips turned up in a half smile. “I know.”
He held my hand while I let myself in the main door and as we walked down the hallway. I paused at the door to my apartment.
“Um…goodnight?” What did one say to the guy who both infuriated you and had given you one of the best orgasms of your life?
“Goodnight, darlin’. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning to go get your car. Ten o’clock good for you?”
Ten o’clock was when I’d hoped to still be sleeping, but I wasn’t in a position to refuse a ride, and I needed my Jeep back. I nodded. I could set an alarm.
“Sleep tight, then, sweetheart. Lock the door behind you.”
I closed the door and clicked the lock into place. I leaned against the door and closed my eyes, letting myself relive the last few hours.
Brax’s voice was muffled through the door, but I made out a “good girl,” before the heavy footsteps retreated down the hall.
13
Brax
Iwasupwiththe sun as usual, even after the late night. Memories of Avery’s body, her gorgeous reactions to the flogging played in my mind as I ran my usual five-mile loop. The promise of seeing her again soon kept me going strong, finishing the route faster than I normally did.
Back home I showered and shaved my beard. The shadow of stubble would be back by afternoon. Left unchecked, I grew a full beard in a week. I splashed some aftershave on. I appraised myself in the mirror, making sure I looked good to go see my girl, before I remembered the crucial piece I’d forgotten last night.
She wasn’t my girl. I didn’t do relationships. I didn’t do permanent. One night, that was it.
I pushed the thoughts out of my head. I was just giving her a ride to her car. This wasn’t a relationship. This was fine. I towel dried my hair and pulled on a pair of jeans. I was on duty today at seven o’clock, but I’d change into my uniform at the station.
It was almost ten when I pulled the cruiser into the parking lot at Avery’s apartment building. I forced myself to walk slowly to kill some time. I wasn’t sure if Avery was a morning person like me, or if she was someone who cherished every last minute of sleep, but most people didn’t appreciate when a guest showed up too early.
It was 9:58 when I reached her door. Close enough. I knocked.
Silence.
I gave it a minute, then knocked again, louder. This time footsteps responded, and the door opened to reveal Avery, bleary-eyed and holding a steaming mug.
“Hi…um, you’re early.” Avery grasped the coffee mug in both hands. She was barefoot, wearing a pair of jeans and a worn grey t-shirt that read UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. Her hair was in a messy bun, pieces of hair sticking out.
“Am I? Ten o’clock, right?” I grinned, loving her morning look. She looked softer like this, more vulnerable, even more than when I’d had her naked and bound to the St. Andrew’s cross.
“Oh. Right.” She rubbed her hand across her eyes. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let me get my shoes.”
I leaned against the door frame as Avery placed the mug on the counter and walked deeper into the apartment, disappearing through a door that I assumed led to her bedroom.
It was ten minutes before she reappeared, wearing a new t-shirt and…were her lashes longer? I hid my grin. She’d been ready, huh? More like she’d still needed to get dressed and put on makeup. She didn’t need the makeup, in my opinion. Her fresh, makeup-free face was enough to bring a guy to his knees.
Avery glanced back at her coffee mug while she pulled her sneakers on next to the door.
I chuckled, not missing the wistful look. She was definitely not a morning person. “Put it in a travel mug, darlin’. No rush.”
Avery poured the coffee into a green travel mug. She added another pour of coffee from the carafe and splash of creamer before screwing the lid on and turning back to me. “Thanks, Sir. Um, Brax. I kind of need my coffee in the mornings.”
“Brax is fine outside the club. Or Officer Meadows.” I winked at her.
“Oh! Are you working?” She looked at me like she was just now realizing that I’d shown up in my full police uniform. “Oh, God. Of course you’re working. You’re in uniform. I’m an idiot.”
