Only Trick

He rests his hand on mine, giving it a circulation-seizing squeeze. “How would I know?”

“Did they figure out motive?” Tamsen asks.

Trick cuts me off just as I start to speak. “What do you think, Darby? What would motivate someone to assault your father? Any ideas?” He rests his arm on the back of my chair, fisting my hair just enough to make it taut—to make his point.

It’s amazing how the right words can have a more sobering effect than a strong cup of coffee. “How would I know?” I grin through clenched teeth.

“Well you two sure don’t know much.” Tamsen snickers, and it is laughable because we’re the only two aside from my father who know what really happened.

“That’s why we’re here, to escape all the crap that was interfering.” Trick’s words hold a finality to them as he releases his grip on my hair, but I don’t want him to release me. From the first time he grabbed my ponytail at the political dinner, my body has recognized that tug and its connection to a bundle of nerves between my legs. I start to giggle, covering my mouth with my hand as my skin flushes. My last three large gulps of wine have caught up with me, leaving a warm, tingling, and slightly numbing sensation hugging my body.

“What’s so funny?” Tamsen asks and starts to laugh too … just because.

I lean toward Trick’s ear and cup my hands around my mouth. “I just realized how much I love it when you pull my hair. It messes with my vagina … in a good way.” I giggle. “I even liked being tied up and I love it when you fuck me hard. Does that make me a naughty girl?”

I sit back in my chair and adjust the napkin on my lap. A smug smile steals my face as I glance up at Tamsen and Grady. The wide-eyed look of curiosity on their faces is priceless. I bet they’d love to know what I just whispered in Trick’s ear.

As if on cue, both of them erupt into a bellowing of laughter, Tamsen covering her face with her hands and Grady hugging his stomach as he leans forward, barely breathing.

Scrunching my nose, I look at Trick for insight into their odd behavior.

He grimaces while digging his teeth into his lower lip. “I think it’s time to cut you off.”

“Why?” I look at Grady and Tamsen again. They’re both wiping tears from their eyes. “What’s so funny?” I start to laugh too, because it must be something really good. Although I’m not sure how I missed it.

Grady cups his hands around his mouth and leans toward Tamsen, mimicking what I did to Trick. “You got in whisper position but you forgot to actually whisper.” He cracks up again, letting his forehead fall to Tamsen’s shoulder.

Turning, my face pulls into a tight, painful smile, looking for confirmation that I should crawl under the table and stay there until closing. Trick nods and I close my eyes, sinking down into my chair as the floor calls to me.

“The answer to your question, sweetie, is yes. That might make you a naughty girl.”

“Oh my God!” I cover my face before Grady finishes speaking. The room spins as embarrassment burns the surface of my skin.

“Check please!” Grady hollers to the waiter with an impish grin.

Chapter Thirty-Four

It’s childish, but necessary. I pretend to fall asleep as soon as Trick shuts the door to the car. I’m buzzed and relaxed but not tired … not yet. Right now I want to avoid any more embarrassment in front of Grady and Tamsen.

Trick carries me into the house. Tamsen offers, with a giggle and hiccup, to forego our girls’ slumber party until tomorrow night. Trick doesn’t respond, but I imagine the look on his face could kill on contact. He takes me upstairs and sets me down on our bed. The moment I hear the lock to our bedroom door click, my eyes open. They’re heavy drunk with alcohol and lust.

I. Need. Him.

Sitting up, our eyes meet. He shrugs off his shirt. My intoxicated gaze drags over every inch of his sculpted, ink-etched, sexy as hell body. His wild animal eyes feed my addiction. Holding my gaze with an unwavering dominance, he continues removing his clothes. Piercing glare, controlled moves, and the most incredible body seduce me. Only Trick can bring me to my knees … begging … without a single touch.

He sits on the bed, his back against the headboard. “Come.” One word, it vibrates over my skin sending chills up my spine and stealing a beat from my heart as something inside explodes. A million shards of desire ricochet to my very essence.

Standing, I step out of my heels and release the halter tie to my dress. He fucking eats me alive with his eyes as I slide down my panties. Crawling up the bed, I fall victim to his compelling gaze. It says the only thing that needs to be said … there will be no more words.