CHAPTER FIVE
TRINA
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The moment consciousness washes over me regret hits me like a ten-ton truck. Damn it. My plan backfired.
Nick was a gropy creep and I had to pull a move on him. Stupid Marshall decided to play soldier and protect me.
I snort.
I had it handled. You don’t grow up in the military and not get taught how to defend yourself.
Then, I got so drunk I ended up just dancing with the girls and ignoring all the men at Flame.
Liar, you couldn’t stop thinking about the feel of Marshall’s mouth on yours.
I touch my lips.
I sniff my dark hair and smell his scent lingering on me. Oh god.
No.
Oh...my...god.
I lift the covers and I’m wearing a T-shirt I don’t recall putting on and the panties from last night. His musky aftershave still lingers in the air. I close my eyes and groan as the memory of his wide shoulders looming over me as I arched my hips against his hard cock comes crashing around me.
You hussy.
Then I shoot up, gasping. I kissed the toy soldier. Like full on...
“Noooo.” I drop my face into my hands. Oh god, I begged Marshall to have sex with me. How could I have done that?
Damn you tequila...et al.
I must’ve had at least a dozen shots, I realize as a blur of lights and music comes flooding back, merged with the drive home in the limousine.
Marshall singing.
His eyes holding mine.
Alice climbing out and it just being him and me.
The way he straightened my dress and then didn’t make a single move to do anything inappropriate.
Like I wanted him to.
I was drunk. That’s my only excuse. It’s science. Booze plus a hot guy equals sex. I do not like him.
I hate you.
No, little wolf, I don’t think you do.
I flop back down and lay my hand over my eyes. I am never going to the BHS offices again. Or their parties. I’ll have to tell Savannah I am busy for her upcoming birthday. Marshall will be there, I know he will. I can’t face any more of his smirks and...
“Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.” One more memory finds its way to back to me.
Tell me when you’re ready to be fucked like the wild wolf pup you are, and I’ll make sure it’s a night you never forget.
My thighs clench as heat pools at my core.
I am not spreading my legs for that Green Beret if it’s the last thing I do. I refuse to even grab my vibrator and take off this craving.
I lift the covers and glance down at my pussy. “You can go without. Bad girl.”
Then I toss back the sheets and zombie-walk to the shower.
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“ARE YOU STILL hungover?” Alice asks as I toss the pain meds down my throat and chase with the green tea.
“Yes, Alice. I am. Didn’t you see me consume half a gallon of tequila?” I snap and wave out for another drink.
Where are the servers in this damn place?
My hands shake as I dig through my bag for my wallet. Then I huff and walk over to the counter.
“I need another green tea.” I grumble. “Black. Make it a double.”
The lady, dressed head-to-toe in black with a café logo on one breast, tilts her head at me. “Hungover?”
I nod impatiently.
“You need to hydrate. Let me make you a smoothie with coconut water and some protein.”
The fuck?
I need caffeine not some green sludge. Maybe an energy drink. Likely two servings of bacon and some eggs. She can take her hippy juice and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. Up Marshall’s behind.
“No thanks. Just the caffeine.”
“It’s your third.”
“Is there a limit?” I growl, glancing around for a sign wondering if I lost my mind along with an entire liver last night.
And my pride.
“No, but I’d say you’re dehydrated and...just trust me. I get a few hungover customers here on Saturday mornings. This concoction always works.” She smiles and appears to take pity on me. “It’s on the house. Just...stop snarling at my staff.”
Not pity then.
“Fine,” I say, glancing around wondering if I really have been snarling.
I may have.
“Thanks.” I bite the corner of my lip, feeling a little bad, then head back to the table where Briar has now arrived.
“Hey! Oh. You look like shit,” she says.
Nice.
Great friends I have.
“And you’re too short.” I respond because she didn’t drink anything, obviously, being pregnant, and is glowing. I poke my tongue out at her.
“You’re very heightist.” She crosses her arms. “And grumpy when you’re sick.”
I plonk down into the seat with a sigh. The movement vibrates through my body reminding me how sensitive I am today and cross my legs.
Then uncross them.
I should’ve rubbed one out this morning while thinking about Jason Momoa. Not...he who shall not be named.
“So, Marshall dropped you off home?” Briar asks.
“What?” My arm drops onto the table and bangs against the empty teacup. I jump to right it and it clatters more. “What? No.”
Alice and Briar stare at me strangely.
“He did. He was with you when you both dropped me off.” Alice takes a sip of her chai latte. “She was trashed, Briar. Probably doesn’t remember.”
I remember.
Enough.
“Oh. Yeah. He was there. I just meant, the driver dropped us off.”
Briar sips her decaf coffee, and the café owner delivers a tall glass of green juice. It has a stick of celery with leaves flowing over the top.
“This should do the trick.” She places it before me. “That and some more sleep.”
I stare at it and mutter thanks.
“What is it?” Alice leans in.
“A hangover cure, apparently.” My still-shaking hand lifts it and I take a sip. It’s creamy with a slight vanilla taste mixed with the usual grassy tones of a smoothie. I lick my upper lip and make a mumbled noise.
Then take another sip.
It’s actually nice.
I take another. Immediately I can feel the goodness filling my system and only slow down because my stomach feels delicate.
“Anyway, I didn’t mean that Marshall came inside your house.” Briar bites down onto ciabatta bread and crunches.
“No. Of course he didn’t. No one came anywhere.”
I close my eyes as the girls snicker at my abrupt response.
“I thought you were going to hook up with Nick Mariano.” Alice claims. “He seemed very keen.”
“He’s keen on almost everyone with a pulse who is smaller than a size two, Alice.” I roll my eyes, and she shrugs in agreement.
“Please do not go there,” Briar pleads.
I sip more of the green elixir, as I now call it—my energy is returning at light speed and my headache fading—and point my finger at her. “Despite popular belief, I do not sleep around.”
“That’s not what—”
“Nor am I interested in Marshall. So, let’s get that straight.” My finger points to Alice then back to Briar. “Okay? Not interested. Not sleeping with him. Not kissing him. He’s not coming in or near my fun house.”
Silence.
“Fun house being your...?”
“Vagina, Alice. My vagina.”
“Ma’am did you want another juice?” A young guy with a beet red face asks from beside me.
Crap.
Briar chuckles.
“No. Yes. Make it to go, please.”
I reach for my handbag and take out a handful of notes. I’m restless. Horny. Grumpy.
Maybe I’ll go for a run.
Or succumb to the burning need to fuck the one man I refuse to accept I’m attracted to. Just once.
I’m going to try really hard not to. Even if it would just be hate sex.
“I have to go. Please tell Savannah I can’t make her birthday party next weekend.” I kiss Briar on the cheek, then round the table and fluff up Alice’s hair and kiss her on the top of her head.
“Trina, my frizz is bad enough, stop doing that.” She grumbles as she always does, and I smile.
“Why?” Briar asks before I turn to leave.
“Something has come up.”
Something, as in a sexy soldier’s cock and I can’t be there when it happens again.
Or I’ll probably fall on the damn thing.