Magnolia
By the time I finish work, take an everything shower—where I exfoliate, do a hair mask with avocado oil, extra moisturizer, and shave every inch of unwanted body hair—get dressed with my new black lingerie underneath, pack an overnight bag, and collect all my coffee ingredients, it’s after six before I get to Tripp’s place.
He’s freshly clean and looking even more delicious than usual.
“I’ve missed you.” He captures my lips before I even step inside.
“Mm...I’ve missed you more.” I lean into the kiss as he cups my cheeks and then I slide my hands around his waist. “I have a couple bags to bring in.”
“Stay here. I’ll grab ’em for you.” He pecks my lips once more before going out to my car, and I wait for him at the breakfast bar.
I watch as he effortlessly carries in my mini espresso maker from home, my bag of syrups, milk, and toppings, and then my overnight bag.
“I can’t believe you brought this all in with one trip.”
“I’m used to liftin’ two hay bales at a time for a solid hour. This was nothing.”
He flexes his biceps as if to prove his point, and I laugh at how confident he looks.
“Oh, would you mind grabbin’ my purse for me, please? It’s on the passenger seat.”
“Yep.” He kisses my temple as I stand and start organizing everything.
My espresso maker from home isn’t as precise as my expensive one in the trailer, but it’ll do for taste testing. I have three new flavor combos I want him to try and maybe a fourth if he still hasn’t stripped me down to nothing.
“Magnolia.”
Tripp’s deep drawl using my real name has an icy shiver running down my spine.
When I meet his eyes, they’re lethal as he holds up the rose and note from Travis I was supposed to take into my apartment last weekend.
The rose is withering from days without water, but all I can focus on is Tripp’s tense jaw and tight grip on the piece of paper.
“What is this?” He slams them down on the counter. “And what the fuck did he do to you that he’s apologizing?”
I flinch at how angry he sounds. Telling him about him coming into my trailer will get him even more fired up.
“What aren’t you tellin’ me?” he prompts when I stay silent. When I struggle to get out the words, he steps closer, grabs my hand, and then tilts my chin until our gazes meet. “Sunny, tell me. Please.”
Finally, I blow out a hesitant breath and nod.
“He’s been beggin’ me to take him back, and when I blocked his number, he showed up when I was closing.
When he wouldn’t leave, I kicked him in the balls, stepped on his wrist, and threatened him with my taser.
Then I might’ve said something along the lines of the Hollis boys digging me a six-foot hole and helpin’ me push his body inside. ”
“Jesus Christ,” he mutters with a breathy laugh. “When was this?”
“Last Tuesday when you got held up at The Lodge.”
“That motherfucker.” He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The last thing I want is for you to get in trouble again because of me. I didn’t want you to get involved because Travis is nothing to me and he’s not worth going to jail for.”
He cups my face and plucks my lower lip out from my teeth. “Stop worryin’ about me and feelin’ guilty about what happened last time. Even knowin’ I’d have to do a hundred hours of community service, I’d do it all over again if it meant keepin’ you safe and away from him.”
“He’s just lookin’ for trouble and if you give him a reason, he’ll fight you. I don’t wanna see you get hurt either. So it’s better if you stay away from him.”
He barks out a humorless laugh. “No, sweetheart. It’s better for him to stay away from me. And most importantly, away from my girlfriend. Perhaps he needs a reminder not to touch what’s mine...”
I groan at his implications. “See, this is exactly why I didn’t tell you.”
With a brow arched, he asks, “Have there been any other unwanted visits or letters since then?”
“No. I was only keepin’ the note in case of a restraining order, and I’d need proof for the sheriff.”
“Save everything.” He grabs my hands and holds them to his chest as he closes the gap between us. “If he does anything else, you need to tell me. Promise, Sunny.”
Reluctantly, I nod. “I just got pepper spray and kitty knuckles too. So you shouldn’t be too worried about me. I took care of him by myself.”
“But you shouldn’t have to nor do I want him around you. If he can’t get over you breakin’ up with him over two years ago, he’s unhinged at this point.”
My chest tightens at the words trapped in my throat. The ones where I confess we hooked up four weeks ago and that’s what prompted his obsession to get back together.
But the truth would only hurt him, especially seeing his reaction to Travis being near me. Tripp would want to kill him for real if he knew we’d slept together. And he’d most likely hate me for it, too.
“I can take care of myself,” I remind him. “But I don’t think he’s gonna bother me anymore, so there’s no need to worry.”
He takes my mouth and delivers the most delicious harsh kiss I’ve ever experienced. Tongue lapping at mine, strong hold on my cheeks, moaning between breaths. My fingers dig into his hips as I cling to his body, desperate for more.
After breaking our kiss, he leans his forehead against mine.
“I’ll always worry when it comes to you, Sunny.
Even though I’ve witnessed you makin’ grown men cry—hell, women too—but that doesn’t mean I want you dealin’ with assholes on your own.
We’re a team now. If someone’s giving you shit, I wanna know about it. Got it?”
Grinning, my heart flutters at him calling us a team. I’ve never depended on anyone else except Noah, and even then, I don’t like her being involved in anything regarding Travis drama. I’d rather forget he exists.
“Okay, deal.” I wrap my arms around his neck and slide my fingers into his hair. “As long as that goes both ways and I get to know if any chicks are after you.”
“With you on my mind every second of every day, I don’t even pay attention to anyone else to know if they are. You never have to worry about that, baby.” He grips my chin and pulls my lips to his. “But in the event I get a stalker, you and your kitty knuckles will be the first to know.”
A laugh bubbles out of me at his smart-ass comment. “Don’t underestimate the knuckles until you see how much pain they can cause.” Then I lower my hand to his groin and palm the outline of his cock. “Especially here.”
His eyes widen and he shakes his head, grabbing my wrist. “I don’t trust you with sharp objects near my junk.”
I snicker. “Good, then you know to be scared of me and my weapons.”
“Cute.” He lowers his hand to my ass and gives it a little smack. “Now, didn’t you promise me a lingerie strip show?”
“Ha! After you taste test my drinks. Then if you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a personal viewing.”
Tripp buries his face in my neck and growls in my ear, pressing his erection into my stomach. “Then you better make it fast.”
I’m seconds away from saying screw it and tearing off his clothes before he backs away, then sits at the breakfast bar.
I stare at how sexy he looks in his plain T-shirt and backward baseball cap.
It’s basic, nothing special, but he wears it like a professional country boy model.
And I’m tempted as hell to climb into his lap.
“What’s the first one?” he asks, knocking me out of my trance.
“Um...well, it’s a traditional peppermint mocha, but in mine, I put a pump of vanilla syrup for added sweetness and top it with whipped cream, dark chocolate drizzle, and candy cane pieces.”
He grins. “Sounds pretty good.”
“I hope so.”
He updates me about Landen while I set up my espresso machine. I feel terrible for what he’s going through, and I’ve tried reaching out, but he’s not wanted to talk. Watching him cry over Sydney was one of the saddest moments I’ve ever witnessed him go through.
After I steam the milk, I grab one of his mugs and line it with the dark chocolate. Then I pour the hot milk over the syrups and espresso and stir it up real good. Once it’s mixed, I swirl the whipped cream on top, add the drizzle, and sprinkle the peppermint pieces until it looks perfect.
“That’s quite the presentation,” he muses when I set it in front of him.
“Hopefully, it tastes as good as it looks,” I say, prompting him to try it. “Oh, wait, let me take a picture. I’m tryin’ to grow my social media pages.”
I snap a few without him in the photo and then steal a couple as he holds it up.
“Am I good to try it now?”
“Yep, dig in.”
As he takes a drink, I snap a few more.
I chuckle when he lowers the mug. “The whipped cream on your nose is what’s really gonna sell it.”
“Such a little smart-ass.” He smirks, wiping off his face.
Laughing, I dip my finger into the cup, swipe more whipped cream, and then smear it over his mouth. “Here, let me get that for ya.”
I lean in and brush my tongue over his lips, tasting the mix of him and the sweetness of the coffee. He moans as our mouths fuse together in a heated kiss.
When I pull back, he yanks me between his thighs and cups my ass.
“Mm...better be careful or you’re gonna get addicted,” I taunt, wrapping my arms around him as he kisses my neck.
“You’ve already infected my veins and you consume all my thoughts, Sunny. Addicted would be an understatement.”
As much as I planned on teasing him and slowly revealing the lacy black lingerie I’m wearing underneath my clothes, I’m not sure I can wait much longer. His hands and mouth on my body have my skin on fire, and the more he touches me, the more I want to rip off his clothes.
“I think I’m owed a piece of clothing,” he muses, flirting his fingers along the hem of my sweater. “And I’m choosing this.”
Raising my arms, he slides it up and off. His gaze goes to my chest, and he licks his lips.