Chapter Nine
Trent tried to walk off his hard-on as he led Chloe back to the blanket. But he had a feeling this woman might keep him perpetually aroused for the rest of the evening.
She tugged gently at his hand as her steps slowed. “Wait a second.” She sifted through the bag on her shoulder.
Her face was flushed and he wanted to drag her to his truck and finish what they’d started. She smiled triumphantly—adorable—as she plucked a thin tube of lipstick from her purse. She lined her lips in shimmering burgundy with two practiced strokes, no mirror needed.
“That’s quite a trick.”
“I don’t like being without lipstick.”
Her mouth was swollen from their kissing and he imagined how sweet those soft, painted lips would feel kissing other parts of his body. Yeah, his hard-on wasn’t going away anytime soon.
She capped the lipstick and tossed it back in her bag. “Ready?” He loved the way her hand slid naturally back into his.
Pete and his sister sat in two camp chairs watching the stage while Brielle and Austin played on the blanket. His sister looked a little deep in her green cups.
“Hey!” Phoenix clumsily waved them over. Yeah, she was drunk. “We thought we lost you guys.”
“Taking the Irish role seriously, I see.”
“You bet. I’m thinking of getting one of those kilts for Pete.”
Trent looked at his brother-in-law. “I don’t know if you got the legs to pull that off.”
Pete rolled his eyes. “Trust me, I don’t.”
Trent laughed and pulled Chloe closer to his side. “We’re gonna head over to the stage.”
“We’ll probably stay here until your sister starts nodding off.”
“So, about five more minutes?” Trent teased. Phoenix had always been a lightweight.
“Hey, I’m in it for the long haul tonight!” his sister slurred.
“Well, if you aren’t here when we get back I’ll call you later. I assume Pete’s driving?”
“Definitely. Have fun you two. It was nice meeting you, Chloe.”
“Nice meeting you, too. Thanks for inviting us along today.”
After saying goodbye to his niece and nephew, Trent led Chloe closer to the amphitheater. Remembering what Tommy and Adam said, he snagged her a beer along the way. The band was great, straight from Dublin. He and Chloe hung close to the stage but out of the way of the younger dancers.
Holding Chloe to his front he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder as they swayed to the ethnic beat. She sipped her beer with a relaxed grin, taking it all in. The weight of her breasts fell comfortably on his forearm and he shut his eyes, memorizing the soft scent of her hair. Her body was perfectly shaped for his.
The set changed and another band took the stage. He silently reflected on the ride they shared so many years ago, how he almost sent her home to a hidden corner of hell. His gut clenched when he remembered that ethical argument he’d had with himself, ashamed he’d even considered returning her. Eternally grateful he’d done the right thing and not the monetary one, he tightened his arms around her.
She was nothing like her ex-husband claimed. Nor was she the woman he’d rescued six years ago. Perhaps it was the mystery of her, the secrets she kept, that made him want to know her better. Regardless, he was in.
As the concert ended she ran her hand over his. He wished they had more time, but it was getting late. “You about ready to go, doll?”
She looked briefly over her shoulder and then dropped her gaze and nodded, back to not looking him in the eye. He tried not to let it bother him.
When they reached the blanket, all traces of his sister and family were gone. Chloe let go of his hand to fold the quilt. He reached for the other end and helped her double the material into a manageable bundle. As the blanket shrank between them he stepped closer. When she reached for the corners, he stilled her hands.
There were those soft brown eyes he adored. Leaning in, he placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Her mouth trembled nervously but then curved into a shy smile.
Once inside his truck, he found himself stalling for more time. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes. Thank you so much for inviting us. It was such a nice day, like a little sneak peek at spring.”
“You like the warmer weather?”
“I don’t mind winter, but by March cabin fever usually sets in.”
“I like summer. Makes it easier to travel for work.”
Her brow creased. “Does your job require a lot of travel?”
He hesitated, not wanting to get into the details of what he did. “Sometimes. I work with Pete so I have to go up to their place a lot. They get harder winters. They're about two hours north of us.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize. Are they driving all the way back tonight?”
“Yeah, but it’s fine. Pete’s used to it.”
“Your sisters are nice. Tommy and Adam seemed to get along well with Georgia and Amanda.”
Recalling his relief that the two closest men to her life were gay, he asked, “How long have Adam and Tommy been a couple?”
“Since before I knew them. I think they’re celebrating their ten-year anniversary this year, but they’ve only been married two. Thank you for making them feel welcome. Not everyone’s as accepting.”
“Makes no difference to me. With Georgia, we grew up knowing that different people have different tastes.”
“Did you always know she was gay?”
“Yes and no. She was always a little more into sports and stuff than my other sisters, but I guess it wasn’t until we all started dating that I realized she was more interested in my dates than any of the guys my sisters brought home.” He laughed. “We never had one of those made for TV coming out moments. She just showed up one Thanksgiving with a girl and introduced her as her girlfriend. Since then it’s been accepted.”
“How long has she been with Amanda?”
He thought for a minute. “I guess about four or five years.”
They were silent for a few miles. He enjoyed the way his cab filled with the now familiar scent of her hair. He wasn’t sure what would happen when they reached her house. He wanted to kiss her some more but also didn’t want to rush things.
When he pulled into her driveway behind her yellow car, he decided to play it safe. “Can I call you, Chloe? I’d like to take you out again.”
She lowered her gaze to her lap and her cheeks pinked in the soft glow of the porch light. Letting out an audible breath, she whispered, “I don’t understand this. Why?”
What did she mean why? “Because I like you.”
“But you’re…” She shrugged and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the rest of that thought. She shook her head. “And I’m … just me.”
He frowned. “Yes, you’re you and I would like to take you out again. Why’s that difficult to understand?”
She blinked a couple of times. When she looked at him, the reflection of light shone brightly in her eyes as if they were coated with tears. “Trenton, guys like you don’t date women like me. They only end up disappointed in the end.”
“What are you talking about, guys like me?”
“I mean… You’re… Look at you.”
A pinch of insecurity nipped at his chest. He thought she found him attractive. Maybe she was just being polite and having a hard time blowing him off. Sometimes he could come on a little strong.
“Is it this?” He touched the jagged scar crossing his jaw.
“What? No!” She shook her head, eyes wide. “It has nothing to do with your appearance. I mean it does, but not in a negative way. It’s just… I know what I am, Trenton. I’m not little. I’m not cute. I have freckles and difficult hair and I have no recollection of what a size twelve even feels like.”
His frown transcended to a scowl. “If I wanted a size twelve I’d date one, Chloe. I like my women with a little meat on their bones. And as far as being cute, I find you adorable.”
Her mouth pursed as her eyes narrowed with skepticism, so he went on.
“I think you’re sexy and charming. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly small myself. Tonight, when I had my arms around you, I kept thinking how great it felt to hold a woman who fit me so well. And as far as your freckles, I could spend days mapping them out with kisses, tasting each one.”
Her cheeks darkened and she smiled. She unbuckled her seatbelt and lunged at him, pulling his mouth to hers as she kissed him passionately. He laughed in surprise and wrapped his arms around her, relief tunneling through his veins.
Her fingers pulled at his shirt as she stretched across the seat. Tucking her feet under her body, she kneeled and deepened the kiss. He groaned and reached for her ass. God, he loved her ass. One kiss and his cock already pressed painfully against the zipper of his jeans. They either had to slow down or move somewhere more comfortable.
“Chloe…” The windows wore a coat of steam. “Chloe, baby, we need to slow down.”
As soon as the words left his mouth she stilled. Startled awareness flashed in her eyes and she tensed as if just realizing what she was doing. Lowering herself back onto the seat, she looked down and folded her hands in her lap.
Shit. That wasn’t what he wanted. He touched her cheek. “Hey.”
“I … I’m sorry.”
“Doll, there’s nothing to be sorry for. I was just going to suggest we either take it inside or slow down a bit.”
Although his words were meant to reassure her, he could tell she was embarrassed. She reached for the door. Keeping her gaze averted, she whispered, “Thank you for a wonderful day, Trenton. If you want to call me … I’ll answer.”
The door shut before he could respond. She was up her steps and inside her house within a few seconds. But she said she’d answer if he called. He smiled. Progress.