Kept from You (Tear Asunder 4)

“We’re dating. Well, plan to. We talked about it. Going on a date. Probably for coffee or something.”

He gestured to my new cell sitting on the couch. “And the phone is from him, too?”

I nodded. “It’s a Compass rule. For safety.”

He flipped the pancakes again then placed them on the plates.

“I like him already.”

“You do?”

“Well, yeah. You shouldn’t be driving around in that car, and no chick should be without a cell phone. He just handed you those things. So, yeah, I like him.”

I put the mugs on the table and sat, my mind reeling.

Killian hadn’t given me any money, but he hadn’t needed to because he did it in a way so I couldn’t take a check and rip it up. I had to have a cell, club rule, and he dumped my car so I needed another one.

The job I’d fought for. He hadn’t wanted to give me that, but he did and more.

Shit.

We sat and ate banana pancakes, and Trevor let the subject of Killian go. We chatted about movies or rather debated as I liked old classics and he was into anything sci-fi.

After we finished the pancakes, my cell vibrated on the couch.

I ignored it because it was likely Killian calling back and I didn’t want to talk to him in front of Trevor.

Trevor had other ideas as he dove for the couch and snatched it up and pressed Accept.

“Trevor. No.”

He turned his back to me as he said, “Yeah?”

Scrambling from my chair, I grabbed his arm, but he merely walked away with me hanging off him like a puppy. “Trevor,” I growled beneath my breath.

“Yeah. She’s here. Who’s this?” Pause. “Yeah, I saw the name on the screen, but I’m asking anyway.” Another pause, longer this time. “Live across the hall.”

Oh, my God. I darted around Trevor and gave him my most doleful eyes while mouthing “please.”

“Nope, not her fuck buddy either. Savvy never brings guys home. I hear you asked her out.”

Oh, God. I slapped my hand on my forehead and slumped my shoulders.

“Don’t hurt her.” There was another pause before he said, “Yeah, she’s here.”

He passed me the phone, and I mouthed “asshole” to which Trevor winked then strolled back to the table to clear the plates.

Putting the phone to my ear, I plopped down on the couch. “Trevor is my neighbor.”

“He said,” Killian replied. “I assume the one who made you the fake ID?”

I didn’t say anything.

“Luke said you didn’t like the car.”

“He’s right.”

“It’s not a new car, Savvy. It’s been sitting in my garage. It needs to be used and you need a car. When you buy a car, I’ll take it back.”

“But I had a car.”

He sighed. “Can we not argue this anymore? Christ, your car didn’t even have airbags.”

Of course it didn’t. Airbags weren’t around when my car was built. “Do you give cars to all the girls you date?”

“No.” There was no hesitation. “And you’re the first girl I’ve dated.”

“Fake dated,” I corrected in a whisper so Trevor wouldn’t hear. There was no response. “I don’t want people to know you gave me a car. It looks… well, bad.”

Trevor snorted as he picked up the maple syrup off the table.

“The only people who will know are the ones you tell.”

“Killian—”

“Jesus, Savvy. I’m not asking for your soul here.” It sure as hell felt like it because Killian always had a part of me. “I’m making sure you’re safe, and it starts with a cell and a car.”

“Your safe is overwhelming,” I grumbled.

“Yes.”

I was surprised he admitted to that, but then I was discovering Killian had no qualms about telling me exactly what he thought. “Why are you calling?”

Trevor snorted. I guess that didn’t sound appropriate to a guy I was supposedly dating.

“Were you wet last night when I kissed you, orchid?”

Jesus. “That’s why you’re calling?” I felt the heat in my cheeks and that familiar ache between my legs.

“Answer the question.”

“No.”

“Bullshit. But I’ll let you have that until my fingers are inside you, then I’ll ask you again.”

I sharply inhaled. “That isn’t going to happen.” I lowered my voice. “It isn’t part of the arrangement.”

“Then you won’t have to worry about having to tell me the truth.”

“When did you get this way?”

“What way, orchid?”

Infuriating. Sexy. Dirty talking. Hot as hell. Panty melting. “I have to go.”

“I’ll pick you up at ten for our date. Dress casual.” Before I could respond, he was gone.

I pulled the phone from my ear and tossed it on the couch before turning for the kitchen. Trevor had his hands in the sink filled with sudsy water and was looking at me, laughing.

“What?” I picked up our mugs and brought them over to the sink then plopped them into the water.

“You’ll be fucking him by the end of the week. And, babe, I’m being generous. I think it will be by the end of the day because you have a history with him. Plus, I spoke to him, and he doesn’t seem like a guy who gives in if he wants something. And he wants you.”