Body Shots (9 page)

“I've never lived on my own, to be honest. I went from living with my mother to living with Richard. So, having my own place to decorate and call my own will be a fun change.”

The excitement in her voice was clear, but what sort of guy had had Crystal all to herself and let her go? A dumbass for sure. “Richard? That's the guy you were with?”

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice sounding sad and faraway. “Two years.”

Did she still care about him? “Are you sorry it's over?”

She snorted. “God, no! Not at all. It wasn't what you'd call a fairy-tale romance.”

He suspected that there was a lot more to that answer. “I see. And are you going to invite me over to your new place?”

“Sure. I'm going to need help moving in. Mind if I use you for free labor?”

“Use me all you want, angel. I'm yours.”

She was silent a moment before she said, “Mac, I'm not sure what is happening here. With Trent and you, I mean. I'm way out of my depth.”

“We both care about you,” he answered, hoping she wasn't getting cold feet. “I mean, I know it's a bit unorthodox to be with two men, but I think we can make it work.”

“But I was with Trent the other day. And now I'm with you. This goes beyond unorthodox. It's downright crazy.”

He chuckled. “When you put it like that, it does sound crazy.” He pulled in to the parking lot of the restaurant and snagged a spot near the door. After he cut the engine, Mac turned toward Crystal and said, “Truth is, I've never been satisfied with the norm. It's overrated if you ask me.”

She smiled. “I suppose you have a point.”

He leaned close and kissed the tip of her nose. “I do. Now, how about some lasagna?”

“The way to my heart,” she replied in a shy, whispery voice. “Lead on.”

Mac knew a sense of predatory satisfaction when she dipped close and kissed him. That she was initiating the intimate contact went a long way toward easing the jealousy he'd experienced earlier. Once more he thought of her past relationship and knew there was more to that story that she wasn't sharing. He ached to learn everything about her, but Crystal needed time. He'd give it to her. Hell, Mac would give her the world with a bow wrapped neatly around it if he could.

7

A
n hour later, Crystal was back at Mollie's apartment, pouring a glass of iced tea. She was floating on a cloud, and each time she thought of her lunch with Mac she ended up grinning like a ninny. He was so sweet and loving, while Trent tended to challenge her. Together they made quite a pair.

The front door opened and Crystal called out, “Mollie?”

“Yeah, sorry I'm late,” Mollie replied as she walked into the kitchen and dropped her purse on the table. “Traffic downtown sucked.”

“No problem. There's still plenty of time to check out those two apartments,” Crystal replied, waving away Mollie's concern. “I was just getting something to drink. Want something?”

“Water would be great, thanks.” Mollie sat down at the table and pulled out her cell phone. As she stared at the screen, she said, “I need to take my car in to get it looked at. My brakes are grinding again.”

“That's the second time in the last several months. Not to mention the radiator you had fixed recently,” Crystal said, frowning. “Have you thought of trading it in for something newer?”

Mollie sighed and pushed a lock of her red hair behind her ear. “Yeah, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that.”

Crystal handed her a glass of water. “I understand, but it's still something to think about.” She couldn't really blame Mollie for wanting to hold on to the ‘69 silver Camaro. It had belonged to Alex. After he died Mollie had put quite a few of his things in storage, but the car was special. It'd been Alex's pride and joy. Mollie refused to trade up.

“Enough about my car. How was your day?” Mollie inquired as she reached across the table and grabbed a foil-wrapped piece of chocolate from a candy dish.

Crystal thought of meeting Mac. Both the sex and the lasagna had been amazing. She didn't think Mollie needed to know about the former, though. “I met Mac for lunch. A great little Italian place called Carmine's. Ever been there?”

“No, but a few ladies from the office have mentioned it. I've been meaning to go.”

“You should. Their lasagna tasted homemade.”

“I have a feeling it wasn't the lasagna that put that glow in your cheeks.”

“Maybe,” she hedged. God, she never could hold out on Mollie.

Mollie sat up straighter, and suddenly appeared entirely too alert. “And what about Trent?”

“What about him?”

“You had dinner with his parents the other night, right?”

“Well, we didn't quite make it to dinner,” she replied, feeling her cheeks heat. Unable to withstand Mollie's scrutiny, Crystal turned and started putting the clean dishes away from the drainer.

“Is that so?” Mollie asked, her voice filled with amusement. “So, does this mean that you're sampling the goods before you decide?”

Mollie's question caused Crystal to fumble and drop a cup. Thankfully the damn thing was plastic. She picked it up and placed it on the counter, then turned to her nosy friend. “I plead the Fifth.” She looked at the clock on the microwave and added, “Besides, we're late to meet with the manager of that first apartment we were going to check out.”

“No way, sister. You don't get off that easily.”

“Fine, then,” she bit out, knowing Mollie wasn't going to let it go. “Yes, I suppose you could say I'm sampling the goods.” She paused, then added, “There. Happy?” Crystal felt as if she could fry an egg on her face it was so damn hot from mortification.

“Well, those two sure are gorgeous,” Mollie replied in a dreamy voice. “So, what's the plan, exactly? Are you supposed to pick one or will there be a duel?”

Crystal rolled her eyes. “You're an idiot.”

Mollie laughed. “Maybe you should start upping your vitamins. I have a feeling you're going to need all the energy you can muster.”

Crystal shook her head and started out of the kitchen. “This conversation is over. Are you coming or not?”

Mollie stood and grabbed her purse. “All kidding aside, I'm glad you're getting yourself out there. You deserve to have some fun.”

Crystal looked back at her friend. “Thanks,” she replied. “It's completely warped to date them both, but just for once I don't care. Trent and Mac are both so different from Richard. They're kind and generous and I'm having fun. Does that sound awful?”

“Of course not,” Mollie said, her voice softening. “But I do want you to be careful. They seem pretty intense. I don't want you biting off more than you can chew.”

Crystal reached out and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. “I'll be fine, really,” Crystal said. “Besides, I have no intention of getting serious. I've been down the marriage road and it sucked, remember?”

Mollie nodded. “Yeah, and I'm glad that part of your life is over.”

“Me too,” she said. An image of Richard's condescending face sprang to her mind as he'd handed her the divorce papers. She shook away the awful memory. “Now, let's go apartment hunting.”

“Works for me,” Mollie said as she followed her out. “And maybe afterward you can take me to that Italian place. I've got a craving.”

“Great idea,” Crystal said, heading to her car. “I'm buying.”

“Okay, but I'm picking up the tab next time,” Mollie replied, as she got in the passenger side.

“Maybe next time we'll be having dinner at my place.” Crystal put the key in the ignition and turned.

“You know you don't have to move, right? I truly love having the company.”

Her heart swelled with warmth at Mollie's statement. “I know and I'll never be able to repay you for all that you've done for me. But I need to start the next chapter of my life. Does that make sense?”

“Of course. It's just . . . it's been nice having someone around.” Mollie shrugged. “It was hard getting used to the silence after Alex passed away. His laughter and that deep voice of his always filled the place. I still miss it.”

Crystal hadn't considered how difficult it must have been for Mollie to live alone after so many happy years of marriage. “Maybe it's time you did a little dating, too,” Crystal said, taking her eyes off the road for a brief moment to look at Mollie. “He wouldn't want you to be alone.”

“I date,” Mollie said, as she stared out the windshield.

“Not much,” Crystal said, hoping she wasn't putting her nose where it didn't belong. “And you don't usually go on a date with a guy more than twice.”

“Yeah, you're right.” Mollie sighed. “It's time I made some changes of my own, huh?”

Crystal chuckled. “We're quite a pair.”

“We might be a mess, but at least we have each other,” Mollie said.

“Damn straight,” Crystal agreed. No doubt, she never would've survived these last few months without Mollie by her side.

 

The next morning, Crystal woke feeling tired and sluggish. She thought that just maybe it had something to do with getting practically no sleep. After looking at the two apartments with Mollie and realizing that neither of them were within her budget, she'd taken Mollie out to eat as promised. Once they got back home, they'd stayed up late into the night talking about everything from men to politics. By the time she'd gotten to bed it'd been in the a.m. hours. But as soon as her head hit the pillow, she'd tossed and turned the rest of the night, thinking of Mac, then Trent, then Mac. Around and around. She'd had crazy, erotic dreams and woken sweaty and more tired than ever.

She showered and ate a toasted bagel with strawberry jam for breakfast, then decided it was way too nice outside to sit in the house and work on the computer. Instead, she slipped into her two-piece swimsuit and went out to the back patio to catch some sun for a few hours.

Crystal squirted some sunscreen on and rubbed it in before turning on her stomach on the lounger. Several minutes later, she checked the time on her cell phone and realized she'd been out longer than she'd intended. She turned over and adjusted her bikini top. She smoothed on more of the protective lotion, then lay back down and closed her eyes. Within minutes, Crystal felt a hand pressed against her belly. Startled, she opened her eyes and jerked upright. The face staring down at her belonged to her ex.
Please, God, tell me this is just a nightmare.

“Hello, wife,” Richard said, as if they weren't divorced and he actually still had a right to call her that. “You should've waited on me. I would've massaged the lotion in real good—and in all the right places, too.”

“Richard, what are you doing here? Our time together is over. You can't just pop up here as if you have some kind of right to do so, and don't call me ‘wife.' I'm not your anything anymore.” She was angry that he'd had the audacity to come here unannounced and unwanted. She only hoped the little tremor of fear wasn't detectable.

“Aw, Crystal, don't be upset. I just wanted to see how you were. Of course, I can see you're just fine. Have you lost a few pounds? Whatever you're doing, it's definitely working for you,” he said, as he looked her up and down.

“The only thing I've done is get away from you.” When he started to protest, Crystal rode right over him. “I'm warning you, Richard, I want nothing more to do with you. Our marriage was a huge disaster. I've moved on. Leave me alone.” She swung her legs to the side of the lounger and stood. She needed distance between them, before he decided she should be punished for speaking to him in such a tone.

As Crystal started for the door, she heard another voice chime in, this one deeper and definitely pissed. “You heard the lady, Richard, get lost.”

She turned and saw Trent standing next to the patio, his legs spread wide and fists clenched at his sides. He looked very big and very angry. She was so relieved to see him that she could've hugged him.

“Just who the hell are you?” Richard asked, clearly too stupid to realize when he should cut and run.

Trent stepped closer to Richard. “I'm the guy who's going to rearrange your face if you don't leave right now. Crystal asked you nicely, but I won't.”

Richard puffed up his chest and pointed toward Trent. “Look, I don't know who you think you are, but I'm her husband so I'm not going anywhere.”

Trent's brow arched as he looked over at her. Crystal groaned. It was turning out to be a lousy day. “He's my
ex
-husband. Big emphasis on
ex
.” Crystal aimed the last part at Richard, hoping he would just make things easy by simply disappearing into a puff of smoke.

“Go inside and get dressed, Crystal. I'll handle your visitor.”

Trent clearly didn't want Richard anywhere near Crystal. Considering the way she shook like a weak little kitten, getting out of Dodge didn't seem like a bad idea. Besides, she was beginning to feel very much like chum in a churning water of sharks. As she turned back around and opened the back screen door, she heard Trent say, “You blew it with her, asshole. She doesn't belong to you anymore. She's mine now, and I don't allow other men to upset her. If I ever find you here again, you'll wish you were dead by the time I'm finished. Do we understand each other?”

The
she's mine
part sent butterflies to flight inside her stomach, but Crystal didn't wait to hear Richard's reply. She let the door close behind her and went upstairs to change into a pair of shorts and a shirt. On the way up the stairs, she thought she heard a car start up and pull away. Was it wrong to feel excitement at Trent's parting words, she wondered?
Mine
. She felt as if she should be upset by his domineering manner, but instead her heart was beating a million miles a second, and her blood was suddenly sizzling. Clearly, she wasn't much of a feminist.

When Crystal came back downstairs, she was wearing a pair of crisp white shorts and a red halter top. Trent groaned. The tiny shirt and shorts weren't any better than the bikini she had on a few minutes ago. At least now, they were alone. He could look his fill and not worry about anyone else doing the same. He decided it was time to get down to explanations. The little hellcat had been married? He felt unaccountably jealous over that thought.

She walked over to her refrigerator and got out a big pitcher of iced tea. Upon retrieving two glasses, she scooped some ice into them and began to pour out the cold liquid. Trent peered down at the table and was struck by how large and strong it appeared. He tested its strength with his hands and recognized that it was as sturdy as it looked. A devilishly kinky thought came to mind. Would the big wooden table hold the two of them? He looked back at Crystal, feeling his temperature rise as he imagined it. Crystal moved with an easy grace and she was such a natural tease, yet she had seemed to have no clue at all. God, Trent was such a goner.

 

Crystal knew Trent would be curious about Richard, but she didn't want to get into the mess of her marriage. She didn't understand it herself. Still, she knew without a doubt that if he started asking questions, she would end up telling him all the gory details, every nasty little bit that even Mollie wasn't privy to. She was just too lousy at lying, and she had a feeling Trent would see right through any fib she tried to pass off on him.

“Is this table made of oak?” She turned to see him staring at the thing.

Dumbstruck, she said, “Uh, I really don't know what it's made of. It's Mollie's.”

Trent moved until he stood directly in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “You're shaking still.”

“Sorry about that little scene,” she said, enjoying the feel of his hands on her way too much. “Thank you for helping me with Richard. He can be a very stubborn man.”