Chapter 36
Trinity
I scooped up a load of towels and tossed them into the washer before I dropped in a pod.
I was glad to be back. Travel always sucked out all of my energy, but I still had a buzz beneath my skin.
A buzz that hadn’t left since this morning.
Since Preston’s mouth had been on me. Taking me places I’d never experienced.
I wanted to return the favor, and initially, I felt embarrassed when he said no, but the more I thought about it, the more I understood.
He didn’t want me to think this was just sex.
I got the message loud and clear. But now, I just wanted him. All of him.
Footsteps echoed behind me, and I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I lifted a small towel from the clean batch I had dropped on the counter.
The warm cotton slid through my fingers as the footsteps grew closer.
My skin felt hot, the memory of Preston’s tongue and the way I fell apart for him. The way I felt cherished.
When his presence was finally within reach, his chest to my back, I sighed, relieved that we had another stolen moment. Just us. I casually leaned back, resting my back to his front as if I’d been waiting all day to feel his arms. Because I had.
I was fearful to admit it, but I was beginning to like Preston Rusk more than I intended. My feelings were evolving and there was nothing I could do to stop it. It was like free-falling out of an airplane. It was exciting, terrifying, and totally out of my control.
A pair of hands landed on my hips, and when they squeezed, I frowned.
The scent of an unfamiliar cologne breezed through the air, and suddenly, the touch felt off.
I knew how big Preston’s hands were. The way they molded to my shape so perfectly.
How they made my skin pebble with a single brush.
My stomach dropped as I spun around, taking an unbalanced step back that had me bumping into the counter.
Panic spread through my limbs as I met the arrogant smirk of Jagger Ross. He lifted a brow, his eyes filled with curiosity.
“What’s wrong, Trinity?” He mused.
I cleared my throat. “Sorry…”
“You expecting someone else?” he asked.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I shook my head, the towel still held steady in my hand. I wanted to bury my face in it and scream.
Before I could respond, a voice came from the open door. “Is there a problem here?”
My eyes drifted over Jagger’s shoulder, catching on Preston’s hard glare at the back of Jagger’s head.
The cocky football player turned, glancing over at Preston. Silence hung in the air as my fingers twisted in the fabric of the clean towel.
“Not at all, Coach.” He glanced back at me, an expression in his gaze that filled me with dread.
“I was just heading out.” With lazy strides, he waltzed past Preston, who was now crossing his arms, blocking half of the doorway.
Jagger slid past him, holding his stare before he smiled. “You two have a good night.”
A knock sounded at my door, and even though I knew Landry was on the other side, I still jolted. Since the run-in with Jagger last night, I’d been on edge. He was a snake in the grass. Someone I definitely didn’t trust, and I just had this feeling that he knew what was happening between us.
Preston spent three hours in my living room last night assuring me everything was fine.
That I was paranoid and I needed to breathe.
His long kisses and strong arms helped a little, and the fact he buried his head between my legs again for three life-changing orgasms did relieve some of the tension, but I still made him go home at the end of the night.
He wasn’t thrilled, but he didn’t push, and I pretended like it didn’t crush me to sleep alone.
So much for not falling for an athlete, Trinity.
Landry called this morning, informing me that our “girls bonding” time was overdue and she’d be at my house at 6 p.m. sharp after she worked her shift at Laces Out.
I needed a distraction, and to be honest, her crazy antics were the perfect one.
Preston was over at Wesley’s this evening for the coaches’ monthly cookout, which I obviously couldn’t attend even if I wanted to.
My father would be there, and I was sure Preston bringing along his student as a plus-one would be frowned upon by the majority.
Harboring all of the vibes I collected this morning from my successful trip to the grocery store, I ripped open the front door. My smile dropped immediately and those vibes were officially tarnished.
Landry was grinning, a wine bottle in one hand and a cheesecake in the other. “Look who I found out here!”
My eyes narrowed on the person behind her.
My mother.