His hands go from static at his sides to resting one on my lower back and the other cupping the back of my head. I’m not certain, but as my car’s pulled up I think I feel his lips press to the top of my head.
*
I surrender to my heavy eyes within seconds of leaving my father’s. Every bump, twist, and turn on our way back to Lincoln Park goes unnoticed by my warm, numb body.
“We’re here,” a soothing voice whispers in my ear.
“Mmm …” I smile, peeling my leaden eyelids open. “Say that again.”
Trick unfastens my seat belt. “Why?”
“Because I like the sound of your voice.” I giggle. “Is that weird?”
“Yes.” Trick scoops me up and carries me inside. I yelp as he plops me on my bed. “You’re right … You are not a gentleman.”
“Can you manage on your own now?” He shoves his hands in his pockets, looking down at me.
Sighing a sleepy yawn, I let my eyes close again. “You could take off my boots.”
He unzips them then pulls them off, peeling my socks off too. “Good?”
“My jeans too.” I rub my eyes.
After a few moments, I fight to open my eyes again. An intense stare, that’s all I get. I fumble with my button and zipper. “What’s your deal? You don’t have to like my body, but you also don’t have to be frightened or disgusted by it.”
He wets his lips, eyes moving down my body. “I’m not disgusted by your body.” He shoos my hands away and takes off my pants. “Now are you good?”
“Will you stay?”
“What?”
I roll toward him, grabbing his hand. “Just stay and hold me. Please.”
He looks at the ceiling, shaking his head. “You’re needy.”
I giggle, tugging on his hand. “Only when I drink, and you’re the one who got me drunk so you owe me.”
“Fine,” he grumbles, removing his shirt and pants then slipping under the sheets.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he wads up my throw blanket and wedges it between us from our waists down.
“Protecting myself.”
“From what? Me?” I chuckle. “You think I’m going to molest you during the night?”
Lying on his back, he rests his arms at his sides like a cadaver. “You might.”
I lift his arm and hug his chest with my nose nuzzled into his neck. His body goes rigid for a moment then melts back into a semi-relaxed state. I sigh against his neck. “Night, BFF.”
Chapter Eight
She’s breaking me down. I need to stay strong. She doesn’t know me, I don’t know me. Grady will take care of me. I can’t complicate things, and she’s the ultimate complication.
Chapter Nine
Over the next three weeks I spend every non-working moment with Trick. One piece at a time, he’s been shedding his emotional armor. He’s my friend, a real friend. It feels like we’ve known each other for much longer than a few weeks.
My giddiness to see him has me counting down the minutes until my shift is over—I’ve never done that before. I’ve been avoiding Steven to the point that he has to suspect I’m cheating on him, if you can call it that. We’ve never labeled our relationship. My dad’s campaign has been my excuse for my busyness, but after the election I’m going to have to figure out if Steven and I ever had a relationship, and if so if it’s worth trying to salvage.
Trick left for California two days ago to attend a new salon opening with Grady. He invited me to go with him, but I had to work and I knew he needed some private time with Grady. He says he’ll stop by to see me on his way home, but he has a late flight so I’m not counting on it. However, I don’t set the alarm and he knows my entry code … just in case.
I watch the late night show, the late late night show, and half of the who-the-hell-is-awake-at-this-time show before my body and mind fall victim to sleep.
“God, I missed you.” It takes me a moment to figure out that the deep, vibrating voice is not in my head. “I need my Darby fix.” I roll over and blink open my eyes to see him sitting on the edge of my bed. He brushes my hair away from my face.
“You’re back,” I whisper and grin so big he cannot refuse me the same grin in return. I sit up and throw my arms around his neck, pulling him down onto the pillow with me so we’re face to face. “I missed you too. How was LA?”
“Insane. You should have come with me.”
I nuzzle into his neck. “I’m not sure Grady would have loved you bringing a tagalong when he’s not seen you in months.”
He rests his palm on the back of my head and strokes my hair. “You haven’t met Grady yet, and when you do I’m certain he will love you.”