When he shut and locked the door, I could practically hear my heart hammering against my sternum. He set the ball cap and glasses on the small table by the door, then turned to face me. Not thinking about what I was doing, I reached up and ran my hand over his hair, smoothing down some of the strands that had been mussed from the hat. When I realized what I’d done, I pulled my hand back.
Neither of us moved for what felt like an eternity, but then Trent reached up and brushed his thumb along my cheek. He smiled down into my eyes, then took my hand and led me to the sofa. Although he didn’t say anything, I could see his intention. He hadn’t come back here for more conversation.
Part of me was happy about that because, in the short time we’d been together, my body had become accustomed to his touch. I was primed and eager to feel his hands on me. Ever since our kiss on New Year’s, I had tried to force him from my mind, attempted to distract myself, but it never worked, and the thought of being with another man always left me feeling cold, so I had finally given up. For so long, the only man I wanted to touch me was Trent and since I couldn’t have him, I’d opted to go without.
His eyes perused the room slowly and I felt a flicker of discomfiture. I hated the predicament I was in, but the fact that I was being proactive helped a little.
“When are you moving, sunshine?” His eyes slid back to my face.
I allowed my gaze to drop to the floor. “As soon as I can get everything packed. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve got water, tea, wine.” I glanced toward the kitchen. “Probably a couple of Bud Lights.”
“Tea is fine,” he said.
While I went into the kitchen, he watched me. I could feel his presence even across the fifteen or so feet that separated us. Giving myself a chance to relax, I took my time getting the glasses, depositing the ice, then pouring the tea. Once that was done, I had no more reason to stall.
I peered over at him. “Can I get you anything else? Maybe something for dessert?”
“No, thank you. You’re going to be my dessert. That’s all I need.”
My heart thumped double time at the words, and I briefly wondered if the man had taken a class on how to say the right things to a woman.
I carried the glasses over to him and he took one, freeing up one of my hands. He quickly placed his around mine. Trent’s thumb brushed over the back of my hand and I realized I had dropped my gaze to the floor again. Lifting my eyes, I met his gaze and my heart pretty much stopped.
It was in that moment that I knew I was in so much trouble.
Trent Ramsey was everything I’d ever wanted and everything I should’ve been running from.
Yet my feet were rooted in place.
Trent
I ENJOYED WATCHING CLARISSA.
The woman’s beauty had captivated me from the very beginning. Long auburn hair, light hazelnut eyes, lips that beckoned a man to kiss her. Clarissa’s fair skin was smooth and soft. Not even the small scar on her chin could detract from her loveliness.
I was fascinated by her. Had been for a while now. And here I was, less than a foot away, unable to stop staring.
In the beginning, I’d been confused about my obsession with her. Didn’t matter how much time passed, my infatuation never lessened. Ever since the night I watched her scene with Xander and Mercedes, I’d known I wanted this woman for myself.
For some reason, she was under my skin, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my head. I even knew that having her once would never be enough and that was likely a first for me. Although I had my fair share of available women, I’d long ago accepted that I wanted Clarissa with a fierceness I couldn’t deny.
That didn’t explain why I immediately thought about Troy, wondering what he was doing, wishing he was here with us. The things I could do to them…
I shook off the thought.
Troy needed time to process what was going on. He’d done far better than I’d ever thought he would for his first day experiencing this lifestyle, but he needed to wrap his head around what I was proposing and decide for himself if he was going to proceed.
Not to mention, this wasn’t about Troy. Not tonight, anyway. I’d waited all this time to have Clarissa to myself and I fully intended to jump on the opportunity.
While I hadn’t balked at teasing her in front of Troy, I was still anxious to have her alone, all to myself, to see how she reacted to me without outside stimuli.
