Chapter 8 Eberly
EBERLY
After snuggling under the blanket on Trevino’s sofa, I rested my head against the cushion and closed my eyes. I told myself I should be freaking out, but I wasn’t. Being with Trevino always calmed me. Now, even more.
The only thing that made me the least bit anxious was how turned on I was. So much so I repeatedly squeezed my legs together.
I’d hated it when Tiernan told me what to do as if he was the boss of me, but with Trevino, it felt different.
Maybe it was because he said he’d listen if there was something that made me feel uncomfortable.
Or maybe it was just the way he’d always treated me respectfully, even when he told me how he wanted me to address him.
Dampness flooded between my legs when I thought about the look on his face when I called him sir. I’d never felt so wanted, so desired, or so sexy.
As much as that was all I wanted to think about, there were other things that needed my attention. I’d left my cell phone in the kitchen, but the ringer was on, so if my dad did call, I’d hear it. I prayed he would soon, so I could stop worrying so much.
I also had to address the imminent foreclosure the bank threatened. “Ugh,” I groaned.
“Eberly?”
I looked up and took the cup of coffee Trevino held out for me. “Sorry, and thank you.”
He sat beside me. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Where my dad has disappeared to, obviously, but how in the world are we about to lose our house? I don’t understand.”
He got up and lit the fireplace, then returned to the sofa. “I’ll tell you as much as I know.”
I turned to face him after shifting the blanket so it covered both of us. “I’d appreciate it.”
“A few months ago, your father merged your winery, which basically means he sold it, to the Wine Consortium.”
“He did what?”
Rather than repeat himself, he continued. “Shortly after he did, the consortium went public. My guess is he received shares in exchange for the winery, its inventory, and the vineyard property.”
“So why are we about to lose our house?”
“Based on what Brix told me yesterday, the shares, which originally traded around ten dollars, are now worth one percent of that.”
I put my head in my hands. “I can’t believe this.” Something occurred to me, and I looked over at him. “Is this why you covered my auction bid?”
“In part.”
“You didn’t need to do that. I have my own money.”
“Can your father access it?”
“He cannot. In fact, that’s what I heard him arguing with someone about yesterday. He told whoever he was talking to that he had no control over ‘her’ money. I assume now he was talking about mine.” My eyes opened wide. “Wait. He couldn’t have sold the winery.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I own fifty-one percent. How could he have sold it without me knowing about it?”
“He couldn’t have. Or…” Trevino’s brow furrowed.
“What?”
“There are ways he could’ve done it fraudulently.”
Fraudulently? God, this kept getting worse. As much as I didn’t want to believe my dad would do something like this, how else would he have been able to sell it? “I’m going to be sick.”
“Err, do you—”
“Sorry, not literally.”
Trevino snuggled me close, and I rested my head on his shoulder. Being in his arms felt so good. If the shit swirling around my life would go away, I’d be happy.
“There was one other thing Brix said that I need to tell you.”
“Oh my God. What else has my dad done?”
“It’s about your former fiancé. My brother said he might’ve had something to do with your dad merging with the consortium.”
I wriggled from his arms and sat up straight. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Do you think it’s possible he could’ve been involved?”
I rested against the sofa and took a deep breath. “Given everything else you’ve told me, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Trevino held out his arms. “Come back here.”
“Gladly.” I nestled against him and buried my face in his chest. “I’m sorry about this.”
He leaned away, put his finger on my chin, and raised my head. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“All this drama. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to take me home right now and never see me again.” From the corner of my eye, I saw his hand flex at the same time his expression darkened.
“Do you really believe I’d do that?”
“No. I mean…I don’t know what I mean.”
“Given everything we’re talking about, I’m going to allow you one more warning. But, Eberly, the next time you disparage yourself that way, there will be consequences.”
I shuddered when, instead of fear, desire made my heart pound. “What kind of consequences?”
His eyes scrunched. “I’ll punish you.”
“How?” I whispered.
“I haven’t decided yet, but I guarantee you won’t like it as much as you’re thinking you will right now.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“This.” Trevino moved the blanket and brushed my nipple with his hand. “Your breath quickening and the way your eyes look. And if I put my hand between your legs, your pussy would be wet for me. Am I right, Eberly?”
“I’m not sure. You should—”
Before I could say another word, his hand cupped my bareness and he dragged one finger through my folds.
“Drenched.”
“Trevino, God, please,” I begged. I wasn’t even sure what for, only that I needed something more.
“Is that the way you ask?”
I trembled under his touch. “Please, sir?”
“Good girl.” He thrust one finger inside me, and I cried out. When he pressed another against my clit, I whimpered. “Should I let you come?” he asked, adding a second finger.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tell me why.”
“I need it. No one has ever—”
His fingertips curled inside me, his thumb swirled my bundle of nerves, and pleasure like none I knew existed coursed through every part of my body.
I clung to him as wave after wave of pure ecstasy radiated from between my legs.
He stilled, then slowly increased the rhythm of his thrusts, deepening the pressure.
“Give me one more,” he demanded. “Now, Eberly.”
“Oh, God,” I groaned.
“Not God. Whose hand is bringing you such pleasure?” His fingers curled again, pressing hard against my flesh. “Say my name.”
“Trevino,” I cried.
“Again.”
“Trevino.” His name came out like a prayer the second time I said it.
“Don’t ever forget that I am the man responsible for your orgasms. No one but me.”
“No one but you, sir.”
He shuddered, removed his hand from my pussy, and brought it to my neck. He licked his fingers, then thrust his tongue into my mouth. “Taste yourself and know that’s what I do to you.”
For the third time in my life, someone other than me had made me come. All it had taken was Trevino’s kiss.
He held me close and stroked my hair. “Thank you for the gift of your pleasure, my beautiful dove.”
I wanted to thank him instead. Tell him I hadn’t given him anything; I’d only received. But I couldn’t speak. I held onto him as my body returned to earth. A tear leaked from my eye, and he caught it with his lips.
“One day soon, your tears will be my gifts too.”
If he as much as touched my pussy, I knew I’d come again.
I heard a cell phone ringing, but it wasn’t mine.
“Dammit,” Trevino muttered, easing me out of his arms. “I should get that.”
“Okay,” I leaned against the pillow he’d propped next to me and closed my eyes.
“Hey, Sheriff.”
I bolted upright, then held my breath, waiting for Trevino to speak again. When he walked toward me, his eyes were riveted to mine.
“Yeah, send it over, and we’ll take a look.”
“What?” I asked when he ended the call and sat beside me.
“He said there’s footage from your security camera of the guy he thinks was at your gate last night.”
I gasped. “Who was it?”
“Vader’s hoping you’ll know.”
Trevino’s phone pinged, and he swiped the screen. When an image of a man appeared in the grainy video, both of us gasped.