“I went to jail because I said I drugged her, so they thought she was innocent.” Travis shrugs and keeps going like this is a typical dinner conversation. I can’t interject, as I’m absolutely stunned into silence. “Don’t look so judgmental, dude. People might think you’re a pussy. None of its true, of course. Lee’s always up for anything. I didn’t have to drug her. I just didn’t want my sexy little breadwinner to be thrown in the pokey, too. I did what any good husband would do and took the fall for both of us.” Travis gives him a clap on the back. Ben is still speechless as I am, giving Travis time to keep his story going, although I’m not sure he can top that gem of a story.
“I just got out on good behavior. Lee mentioned she was going out to get some new dick since mine was on lockdown,” Travis laughs, leaning over and loudly whispering, “She has an insatiable sex drive.”
That finally makes me snap out of it.
“What are you doing?” I cry. My cheeks burning in embarrassment as poor Ben can only keep looking between us in disbelief. I can’t blame him. At this point, I don’t even know what to say to him.
“Calm down, sugar tits,” he says and where did he come up with this southern accent? “We’re all adults here. You can bring the new guy home. I normally don’t like sharing, but I did learn some new tricks in prison. Shit, I’m not ashamed to say you’re always fired up enough for two. I’m more than willing to try anything once—okay, maybe more like five or six times since, technically, I’ve already experimented. You know, being stuck with only men the last few months and all.”
Ben stands up so quickly the table scrapes against the tile and his chair falls backwards, crashing loudly. He throws money on the table for the food that hasn’t even come out yet. He leaves the restaurant without so much as a word and I’m left reeling.
I glare at up at Eugene… Shit, Travis, wondering if he’s certifiably insane. He just stares back at me, a cocky smile pulling at his lips.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Eugene?” I bark, ignoring all the patrons around us that are staring and enjoying the show—wanting to know what happens next.
“I told you my name is Travis,” he snarls, standing up.
“You’re insane!”
“I’m claiming my woman,” he counters, pushing his chair back before lifting me out of my seat. He throws me over his shoulder and begins walking out of the restaurant.
“Put me down or I’ll scream!” I cry.
“You are screaming, Lee. Go ahead and get louder though, baby. I don’t give a fuck,” he says, continuing to walk out onto the street. I beat on his back, but he ignores that, too.
He ignores everything until finally, my voice hoarse, I just hush. He lets out a shrill whistle and waves down a ride. Then, he bounces me around like a sack of potatoes and pushes me into the back seat of a taxi.
I sit stunned and quiet, not sure what in the hell is happening and afraid to ask.
Fourteen
Travis
As the taxi steadily takes us back to her place, Lee sits completely quiet, still possibly in shock. While I’m happy she’s no longer out with some other guy, I don’t like her silence.
“Look at me,” I demand, searching her face when she does as I ask. I try to figure out what’s going on in her mind. I know I made a pretty big scene, getting myself deep into character for that one. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, but now I wonder if I took it too far. My guilt is weighing heavy on me, and I just want her to know the truth, but I can’t take the chance at scaring her away. I’ve become too attached to her, her laugh and smile, something I want every day for now until…forever.
My feelings for her fill me while scaring the crap out of me. How did it get to this point? How did Lee steal my heart so completely? When I saw her that first day the attraction was instant. It was so powerful, I guess it could be considered pure lust. Now, it’s more than that. I crave her. I want her to be mine on every level imaginable.
“I need you to know that I was meeting with a woman about a new business I want to start. She’s an old friend and has agreed to help me set it all up,” I announce, awkwardly—not used to explaining myself—but then, no one has mattered until Lee. I stare intently at her so that she can see I’m telling the truth. Guilt nags at me, however, because I know I need to come clean about everything. I plan on it, but I don’t want to risk scaring her away. I need to smooth everything over with her and then admit it all. I’ll come clean when I know she’s in the mood to hear me out. I wait impatiently for her to talk to me.