Captured Secret (The Captured Series) (21 page)

I start getting dressed because he is obviously announcing to me who’s at the door. She replies, “Darling, I was appliance shopping and I thought that we could go for a bite before I go back to my side of town. Were you getting out of the shower?”

I hear him say, “No, Stella washed a bunch of towels and I was taking these to my bathroom.”

I hear her heels clicking on the wood floor heading my way. Thank God, I had enough time to get my clothes back on or I would have just had to shut and lock the door in her face. I grab the stack of towels and wait for the precise moment to place them on the rack so she can see we were folding towels and not about to have some mind-blowing sex. “Stella, dear.”

I place them on the shelf and turn with a bright smile. “Mrs. Caulder, so nice to see you again.” She allows me out of the bathroom and Ty is standing behind her mouthing sorry to me. “What brings you here? Ty didn’t tell me he was expecting you.” I lean on one hip to give the swollen flesh between my legs some relief.

“I haven’t seen Ty much recently. He seems to have his time occupied elsewhere, so I thought I would drop in and take him to dinner. I also did not know that Zoey was your roommate, dear. You didn’t tell me that at our first meeting. She told me you two have been best friends for quite some time. What a lovely young lady she is.”

“Yes, ma’am, we have known each other our whole lives it feels like. I grew up with her and her family. When my mom left, I practically lived with them for the support. She’s my best friend, and yes, we are roommates.”

“Well, when she and Pierce move in together, I do hope you keep your relationship close. Don’t let it falter over a man.” She looks over to Ty, and I look confused, yet wipe the surprise off my face quickly.

“I didn’t know that they were moving in together?” I look at Ty now. “Is she moving in with him or is he moving into the condo?”

“I don’t know. I think they are trying to figure it out now.” Ty’s voice is a little embarrassed.

I can’t help the sarcasm, “Well, I am glad you told me, Mrs. Caulder, or I would not have known.”

“Stella, they just started discussing it. They just mentioned it at lunch yesterday and Nan pulled it out of me,” Ty says, very matter of fact.

“You seem to know more than me sometimes.” I feel like this is information I should know.

“Your job is demanding. Ours…well…not so much. We’ve been going to lunch, and we seem to have more time on our hands than you.”

Linda jumps back in, “You should really get back into the nursing program, dear. That way you won’t be working so many crazy hours. Zoey told me that you work many, many hours in a week. I don’t know how you do it.”

I love people that come from money. Does she really think that I don’t think about that solution on a daily basis? I would love to ask her, ‘and exactly who is going to pay my bills?’ She wouldn’t get it if I asked her. I’m sure money is so readily available that she thinks it’s that way for all of us. Instead, I reply, “I have thought about it. I do hate all the hours, and I still don’t make what Zoey does. But in reality, nursing school is equivalent to a full time job. I would have to be able to pay my bills and live. I don’t know if I could manage school full time and a full time job. My only other option would be to move back in with my dad.”

She rubs my upper arm. “Dear, you should do whatever is necessary to get where you want to be.” Her eyes shoot over to Ty. “Well, anything necessary, as long as you are not hurting someone in the process or using someone to get to where you need to be.”

“Nan, Stella wouldn’t do that to anyone! She works hard for everything she has. She wouldn’t use anyone.” Ty looks at her with disbelief that she said something like that to me.

“I’m not so sure you can judge people very well, my boy. Lacey did what she had to do to get a college education, and you are the one that got hurt.”

“For fuck’s sake, between you and Pierce, you both just won’t let that one go. Do you both bring her up all the time…to remind me? I remember dammit. I don’t need it shoved in my face constantly.”

“Watch your mouth, grandson of mine! You do not realize how hard those times were for us! Watching you hurt is not high on my list of good things, dear boy.”

I’m instantly pissed. Pissed that this woman sounds like she is insinuating that I want to use her ‘boy’! On the other hand, her no filter ass is giving me insight into Ty, and that’s priceless. He looks like he’s on the verge of losing it on her. I try to save him. “Mrs. Caulder, I do thank you for the advice. Now that I know Zoey is possibly moving, I may pursue what it would take to get back into the nursing program. Meeting Ty and Pierce has shown me that I need to make better decisions. They are successful and have time to themselves, where I am constantly working, and again, they still make more money than I do. I do appreciate the encouragement. On the other hand, I do hope you are not insinuating that I have any intentions of using Ty. I am an independent woman and am in no way looking for a quick fix. Ty is not interested in me other than on a friendship/assistant basis, so please, rest assure that my intentions are good.”

She looks horrified. “Oh, dear heavens! If that is what you heard me say, I do apologize. I absolutely believe that there is no ulterior motive with you, dear. I would know if my grandson was interested in you. I’m very sorry if I made you sound like a user like Lacey. She was not pleasant and sometimes I cannot help myself to remind him. I didn’t mean for you to think I was categorizing you with the likes of her.” I’m glad she doesn’t feel I am anything like Lacey. I’m sad that she can see her grandson is not interested in me.

My emotions can suffer no more, “Excuse me, please, or I’ll be late for my appointment.” I glance back at Ty who looks like he may drive his truck off a bridge. However, in hindsight, he is the one all closed up, and that I cannot change.

My appointment gives me too much time to think. I feel like the roller coaster ride needs to stop. I want off. One day, I will get the information out of Ty on this Lacey slut. My body is angry that we were going to have sex without clothes and damn that woman for interrupting!

J
AXON
STANDS
NEXT
TO
THE
Escalade as I pull into Ty’s. I’m careful getting out of my car as not to flash my lace panties under this short skirt. I took Ty’s advice and did dress like the night we had sex for the first time. The outfit is almost the same, except I stole this denim mini skirt from Zoey along with the loose back shirt that hangs off my right shoulder. My feet are going to kill me when I take off the heels I’m rocking tonight. I’ll have some relief when I get back. I packed tennis shoes and restocked my workout bag with another pair of khaki shorts and a simple dark blue V-neck tee. After getting sick at Ty’s, I learned I need a change of clothes packed in my car so I don’t have to run around in my tight work out duds. I dream of the tennis shoes…and the night’s just beginning.

Ty’s eyes light up looking at my skirt and legs. Thank God Jaxon didn’t get a glimpse of his excited look.
“Hey, you, sorry you had to drive over…I know it was a last minute change in plans.”

“Yeah, no worries. Where is Zoey and Pierce?”

“We, uh, will pick them up. They didn’t come over.” His answer is sketchy, but I don’t question why I had to drive over and they didn’t.
Whatever.

Zoey has a tasty drink made when we pick them up. We share it and shoot the shit on the ride over. I sit in the second row and get to look at Ty’s profile while Zoey talks my ear off. My body is demanding that I go straddle him and push him inside of me. Thank God, I have a logical brain, considering we are going 70mph. It’s been many, many days, and today was just the tease I did not need.

The little town we pull into is just that, little. We all pile out of the Escalade and head into the club. This place looks small from the outside, but once you walk in, it is crazy big. The music is almost deafening. We follow Ty to the back through a small hallway. Jason appears walking out of a wooden door. “You guys found it! Come on in. They put us in this warm up room to wait and enjoy some drinks.”

We walk in, and Jason’s band is lounging on a couch and sipping some mixed drinks. Rounds of introductions go around. Jason picks up a phone and orders us all the drink of our choice. He comes my way and slides my hand into his. “I’m playing here tonight.”

“Yeah…that’s why we are here.” I look confused.

“Then how am I going to keep all the men in this bar off you while I’m entertaining? Don’t stray too far from your group. I don’t want to have to stop the set to come looking for you.” His tone is light and I can tell he is working at flattering me.

“I have three men to protect me. I think I will be fine.”

“Well, I guess you didn’t look in the mirror before you left to see how irresistible you look.” Ty comes up and the tension is rolling off of him. I know he heard our conversation. I don’t say anything to diffuse him. The door opens before I can answer, and an older waitress comes in with drinks. I feel like a shrimp with these two men towering over me. Ty just effing does it for me with his mannerisms, face, body, and intelligence. Jason seems a bit more immature, yet I never will deny he is a hottie. The waitress hands out our drinks, and we settle in to talk with the band. I find a trashcan to spit out my gum and realize all the seats are taken. Zoey is parked on Pierce’s lap. My first instinct is to go and sit on Ty’s, but I know that is a no-no. Jason grabs the back of my skirt and pulls me on his lap. My drink sloshes on my hand.

“Sorry. Here, wipe that on my jeans.” He takes my hand and gets the sticky drink off. “Turn to the side a little, Stella. I want to see your pretty face while you sit on my lap.” I turn, and tuck my hand to make sure no one can see up my skirt. My phone is cutting into my ass, so I reach back and pull it out. Zoey asks a million questions and I very much enjoy sipping my very strong drink. The problem is it starts to send tingling sensations between my thighs and I work very hard not to eye-fuck Ty. The waitress brings another round as Jason enjoys Zoey’s questioning and runs his fingertips up and down my shin. It’s light and tickles. My phone dings in my hand. The text is from Ty. I slide my finger on the face of the phone and turn it a bit so it’s for my eyes only.

Ty: I HATE THAT SHIT. HE’S SO FUCKING AGGRESSIVE WITH YOU.

I look up and he has his face schooled but his eyes are flaming with anger.

Me: You were my first choice, but that’s a no-no. Mustn’t do that in front of others :0(.

I can see he gets it and his look is none-too-happy. I just shrug. What he can’t see is I’m sitting on Jason as still as a statue. I’m not comfortable like I would be with him.

Zoey delivers my other drink. Jason pulls my hair off my right shoulder and whispers, “Feel free to stay until the set is over. I’ll drive you back to Orlando.”

I brush that comment off with, “You and how many other girls are going back with us? I can imagine that you pick up half the bar at one of these gigs.”

“But my eyes are only on you.” A big guy enters to tell them they are up. Jason places his hand on my neck and pulls me to him. My cheek and his lips collide. “Wish me luck, Gorgeous.” I smile and do just that. We all stand and follow the band out. When we enter the big part of the bar, I realize I left my phone.

“Shit, I left my phone. Grab a spot and I’ll catch up with you all, okay?”

Ty responds quickly, “I’ll go with you. We’ll get a round of drinks on the way back.” Everyone agrees and I head toward the room. I’m gonna hurry. I don’t need any alone time so he can give me shit about Jason being aggressive. I walk in and look to where my phone slid off my lap when I stood. The door shuts with a thud, and I hear it click and lock. A bit panicked, I turn and see Ty as he stands in front of the door with hooded eyes shooting straight at me.

“What…what are you doing?” I ask, worried that he wants what I think he wants. The problem is, someone could come in at any time. Well, use a key and come in anytime.

His voice is pure sex. “Finishing what we started today. My dick is throbbing in these jeans. My plan was to have you come to my place and park. Then we would take the loving couple home. Jax is meeting a woman here and is leaving with her. As for you, I planned to spend the night taking you over and over.”

My breath is heaving in and out of my chest at his words. “You haven’t touched me all week, except for today. What brought this on?”

He’s on me cheetah fast, yanking up my tiny skirt and pulling at my panties until they slide down both legs and over the heels. He pushes my panties in his pocket and gently spins me around and places my hands on a desk near my phone. “Stella, this is going to be quick, I fucking need you so bad. You said it…it’s been a fucking week. I’ve tried…I told you. I don’t want to get attached to you, but I’m out of my head to have you. That teeny little skirt is not helping.” I feel the same and push my ass back against him to give him the green light. He unbuttons his jeans, unzips his zipper, and pulls them down where I can feel him hard against my ass.