Nights Embrace (Others of Seattle) (4 page)

“Yeah,
and that’s a full time job.” Sorcha answered with a laugh. Her eyes cut up to her man with a salacious smirk. “At least he’s good for a few things.” She gave Roxy a wink.

Roxy knew she
’d get along with this these two. Plus, she had a feeling she would never tire of listening to Trevor and his friends.

Sorcha pulled Joey toward the
same door she used moments before. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps we’ll run into you again? We’ve got to grab a bite to eat.”

Roxy waved and they were gone. She turned to Trevor.
“I like your friends.”

“And me?” he practically purred.

She wound up lost in his green eyes. “And you.”

He closed the distance
. His hand came up to caress her face. “What do you want to do now?” he whispered.

Her eyes landed on his mouth
. All she could imagine was his taste. “Kiss me,” she breathed.

He didn
’t hesitate. His lips descended, gently grazing over hers, sending a burning shiver down her spine.

His free hand
curled around her waist, drawing her body firmly against his. Her mouth parted and his tongue delved in, sweeping passion through her like a wildfire.

The world fell away,
leaving only Trevor and the heat of his desire. Her fingers threaded into his thick, silky hair. He took his time, his kiss was slow and deep.

Warm, almost
burning fingers trailed across her lower back where her sweater had ridden up. She moaned into his mouth as he pulled her even tighter against him. Hard muscle met soft curves in sensual melding.

She was lost to him and never wanted to be found.

“What the hell are you doing?” Jordan screeched, shattering the spell.

Roxy came crashing back to reality as she
twisted away from Trevor, to stare at Jordan in shock and anger.

“You pass on me for
him?” Jordan shifted his venomous glare to Trevor, raking over him in disgust. “God, Rox. You love me, or don’t you remember?”

She laughed bitterly.
“I haven’t loved you in a long time, Jordan. You killed that love when you took me for granted. So fuck you. I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Turning on her heel, she started for the door, ready to run and hide
. She needed to wrap her head around the twisting emotions churning through her.

Someone wrapped their hand around her wrist and spun her around.
Opening her hand, she slapped Jordan hard across the face as she met his glacial stare.

“Don’t you dare walk away
from me,” Jordan seethed.

Roxy
tore her arm away and took a step back. “Watch me.” Without waiting for either man to make another argument, she pushed through the door and ran down the stairs, crossed the street, and ducked into an alley.

Both Trevor and Jordan
screamed her name, but she was done. She didn’t want to play. Jordan was the reason she was alone, and preferred it that way.

Why can’t anything go right? Just once? Why does Jordan always have to fuck it all up?

Wrapping her arms around herself, she leaned heavily against the wall behind a dumpster and tried to fight back her tears. Neither man deserved any real emotion. She didn’t know Trevor, and nothing good could come of letting him in. And Jordan had burned her too many times.

Trevor came around the corner before she could
hide. The concern on his face tore her apart. She wanted to run, but she wanted to stay, curl into his embrace and let him take it all away.

“Roxana,”
he said tenderly as he closed the distance. “Are you okay?” He swept her hair from her face, hooking it behind her ear before his fingers softly trailed down her cheek.

His warmth chased away the chill Jordan left
behind. Trevor moved closer, staring deep into her eyes. She wanted to turn away, but she couldn’t. There was so much emotion on his face.

Roxy shook her head, trying to
pull her defenses around her while putting on a strong offense. “No. Of course I’m not. Look, you don’t have to stay. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to put up with me or the drama. I told you, I’m a mess.” She tore her eyes away and waited for him to take her invitation to leave.

His fingertips were warm against her face as he brought her gaze back to his.
“Roxy, I’m not walking away. There’s a connection between us. Tell me you feel it too.”

He was right, but she was terrified.
The only other connection she had ever felt unraveled around her regardless of how much she fought to keep Jordan.

Trevor lay his forehead against hers, and whispered,
“Tell me I’m not crazy, that you feel this too.”

“I do,” the words tumbled from her mouth.

“Thank god. I’m not walking away because one arsehole can’t let go.”

She didn
’t have a clue what to say. Then she heard Jordan on the street.

“Roxana! Rox! Damn
it, where are you?” he bellowed, his voice coming closer.

She closed her eyes. Jordan was never going to give up.
For years she avoided men, to keep Jordan at bay. Every time a man showed her more than casual interest, he pulled this shit. Only this time was so much worse.

“You should go. I’m not worth the trouble,” she muttered.

Trevor gently took her shoulders, crouching as he took her down with him. He was eye to eye with her. “That’s not true. You’re stuck with me until you order me to leave you alone.”

“
You can’t be real. You have to have some flaw,” she whispered.

He nodded.
“Oh, Roxy, I have plenty. Believe me when I say it will never be my intention to hurt you. I don’t think I could stand knowing I caused you pain.”

His sincerity chased away the doubt. Something about
Trevor made her feel safe even though her instinct whispered predator. As much as she wanted to believe, she wasn’t sure she knew how after Jordan repeatedly trampled her heart.

Unable to resist a second longer, she leaned in
to brush her lips over his. His fingers tangled in her hair, gently pulling her head to the side as he kissed down her jaw and throat, to her collarbone.

Her hands landed on his rock solid chest and slowly trailed down his ribbed abdomen to his belt.

He broke the kiss with a ragged sigh. “Not here, and not like this, love. When we take that step, it has to be right.”

Roxy
groaned in protest. She leaned heavily against the wall and closed her eyes as he stood. He pulled her to her feet and she let out a frustrated breath.

“Now what?” she asked quietly.

“We’ll go get my car. You can show me around Seattle another day. For now, we’ll go wherever you think he won’t follow.”

Trevor held the cab’s door for Roxy as she climbed in. He scooted in beside her and gave the driver his address.

She turned to him with a suspicious frown. “That’s across the street from my brother
’s place.”

Now there’s a coincidence.
“Is it?”

She almost smiled as she turned to stare out the window.

Roxy wouldn’t look at him, though he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Trevor craved to hear the story of her past from her lips, hoping that would set his beast at ease. Walking away from Jordan after all the things he said was damn near impossible. Both Trevor, and his beast, wanted to tear Jordan to pieces, but Trevor knew that wasn’t the answer. The last thing he wanted to do was put more distance between them, and he had a feeling asking about her ex would do exactly that.

Sooner or later he would have to
know the details, but first he wanted her to trust him. For the moment, he let her sort her through her thoughts in silence. He prayed she wasn’t still in love with the arsehole who clearly hurt her every time he opened his mouth.

Trevor took another look at Roxy. His heart squeezed tight.
Her walls were thick, but she was breaking apart on the inside. He wanted to fill up that hole and take away her pain, but without the whole story, he was afraid of hurting her. The more he learned, the clearer the picture became. Her past left scars that had yet to heal.

So damned fast. She
’s going to think I’m crazy if I tell her I’m falling already.

The taxi pulled up to the curb outside his apartment. Roxy climbed out first. She stared down at the ground
while she waited.

“Hey, Rox
,” a deep voice called.

Trevor slipped the
taxi driver a twenty. “Keep the rest.” He stepped onto the curb to find her guitar player rushing over.

Roxy sighed.
“Hi, Mikey.”

Mikey?
He was a little taller than Trevor and built more like Joey who was solid muscle on muscle. His brown hair was buzzed short and his sparkling eyes looked a lot like Roxy’s.

Mikey caught up and eyed Trevor. His brow arched.
“That explains it all.” Curiosity danced in his narrowed eyes as they shifted to Roxy. His whole expression softened.

Trevor offered his hand. Mike took
it, squeezing tight. Trevor smiled back, returning a firm, but not crushing, grip. “Hi. I’m Trevor.”

“Mike,” he took his hand back
. A smile lifted his lips, and though he hid it, Trevor could sense her brother’s excitement and caution. “From Lunar Storm?” He gave Roxy a long look.

Roxy sighed.
“Yes, from Lunar Storm. Trevor, this is my big brother.”

Mike turned back to Trevor.
“You guys were great. Sorry we didn’t get to see more of the show.”

Trevor shrugged.
“No worries.”

Roxy
informed him, “We’re taking off.” She sounded worn out. Again, Trevor wanted to ask, but held his tongue.

Concern clouded
Mike’s eyes as he gently tipped Roxy’s face up to read her expression. “What’s the matter? Was Jordan being his usual dickish-self?”

She crossed her arms under her chest.
“Yeah. Worse than usual. Look, I don’t have the energy to deal with him.”

“He
sent a text a little while ago. He’s pissed that you ditched him.”

Roxy
’s eyes narrowed and she threw her hands up. “How many times has he blown me off? How many days did I sit around waiting for him to show after he promised?”

“Too many to count,” Mike
agreed.

“Exactly. So why the fuck should I care if he’s pissed
the first time I do it? Especially with that shit he said last night.” Her stomach soured at the memory.

“
You’re right. I don’t blame you.” Mike scrubbed a hand over his face. “I know we should cut him loose, but he’s like family.”

“For you. For me, he’s a major pain in the ass,” she griped. “Look, I’m done playing games with him. He can deal with me bailing, or he can walk. If not,
I will. I’m not putting up with his shit anymore. I mean it. I’m sick to death of it.”

“I’ll talk to
Jordan. We aren’t a band without you but I truly hate the idea of giving up on my oldest friend.”

“Yeah, well
at least you still have your oldest friend. I lost mine a long time ago.” She closed her eyes. “You have a good day. I’m going to try to salvage mine.”

Mike
gently took her shoulder. “Can I ask what happened?”

“No
,” Roxy answered firmly.

Trevor looked at Roxy,
then back at Mike. He decided to take a risk. “I’m not really sure what Jordan was trying to do, other than to piss your sister off, but if he says one more hurtful thing to her, I will hurt him.”

Mike grinned
at Roxy. “I like him already.” He turned a steely stare to Trevor. “That doesn’t mean you get a free pass. If you fuck up with Rox, know that I will beat the shit out of you, whether or not I like you.”

Hell, if
I fuck up, I’ll fall at your feet and let you
. Hurting Roxy was the last thing Trevor ever wanted to do. “I would much rather see Roxy smile than do anything to hurt her.”

One corner of Mike
’s mouth tipped up. “Okay then, I’ll trust you. For now.”

* * * *

Trevor helped Roxy into the brand new black Land Cruiser, though she didn’t need it. She sat back in the leather seats.

He climbed in and started the
engine while she gave him directions to her favorite Italian restaurant on Alki Beach.

“Hey, Roxy?”

She looked over at him with a smile. “Yeah?”

“You sure
Jordan won’t find us out here?”

“
Oh, I promise you, he hates the beach. He hates the waterfront too.”

Trevor half laughed.
“Why does he hate the water?”

Roxy shrugged.
“He swears he has bad memories, but he never really explained.”

“Hmm.” He stared out the window, a curious expression on his gorgeous face.

“Ooh, there’s parking on the street. Right there.” She pointed and Trevor skillfully parallel parked.

He ran his knuckles down her cheek
. “Stay, please.” He hopped out before she could respond and jogged around the vehicle to open her door with a grin.

Before she could step down, his arm wrapped around her waist
and brought her close, sliding her body down his. Every nerve-ending came alive, tingling with desire stronger than any she had ever felt.

She could feel the heat in her cheeks.
“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Come on
.” His arm wound around her waist, pulling her close. She leaned into him, soaking in his warmth as they walked to the door. He swung it open, insisting she go first.

“How did I manage to find the last gentleman?” she teased. The little voice in the back of her mind chimed in with,
What if this is all a game?

He dipped his head.
“My mother raised me right?”

The hostess looked Trevor over with an appreciative smile
, but he never noticed because his eyes were locked on Roxy, even when she invited, “Right this way.”

Roxy and Trevor were seated at the window. He pulled
the seat out for Roxy, before sitting beside her.

She didn
’t even register what the hostess said as Trevor’s attention zeroed in on her. Her heart thumped in her chest at the intensity in his green eyes.

“What are you thinking?” he whispered
flirtatiously.

Her mouth went dry and she laughed nervously.
“I’m wondering if you have wife or girlfriend somewhere. Like back in Ireland or something.”

A twinge of sadness passed through his
features but he shook his head. “Neither. I’m all yours.”

She half-laughed.
“I have a hard time believing there isn’t some major deal-breaking flaw lurking somewhere. With your mouthwatering good looks, your heated kisses, the tender way you touch me, and how you know exactly what to say, there has to be something seriously wrong with you. If not another woman, then what?”

He took her hand in both of his.
“I wish I was perfect, Roxy, but I’m not.” Once again, his sincerity pushed through the wall of doubts. “I don’t believe any of my flaws will hurt you, and I promise to tell you everything, soon. For now, I want to see that beautiful smile of yours. I’d like the pain in my past to stay there for a little longer.”

Considering
he wasn’t pushing for answers about Jordan, it was only fair to give him time. They could get into the deeper conversations later.

She gave him a warm smile.
“All right.”

* * * *

“Where the fuck is she?” Jordan raged at Mike. “Why did she run off with that fucking English cocksucker?”

Mike pushed him back, and Jordan fell onto the couch. Through clenched teeth, Mike explained,
“He’s Irish, and Roxy is not yours, dumbfuck. Remember, you’re the one who screwed up? She left your stupid ass. She’s better than you. So don’t give me that shit.”

“I need her. I’ve always needed her.” A tear trailed down his cheek and he wiped it away. “I love her.”

“If you loved her, you wouldn’t have fucked half of Seattle while you were with her,” Doug contributed from the kitchen.

“It only happened a few time
s. I didn’t mean for it to happen at all, but it did. I can’t take it back.”

“A few times?” Mike turned his head with a dark look. “It wasn’t a few times, Jordan. Even once would have been bad enough, but you did
it every night for months. You can’t blame Roxy for dumping your ass. She gave you plenty of chances and you blew every single fucking one.”

“I
tried, but I couldn’t stop.”

“Move on. Lord knows you’re fucking enough women you don’t need her.
You need to let her go, because she will leave the band if you don’t stop hounding her.”

His heart was breaking.
Deep down he knew everything Mike said was true. He didn’t know how to stop though.

Roxy
had given him everything, and it wasn’t enough. Somewhere along the way, he became dependent on sexual release. He turned to other women. Then he drank to kill the pain because he hated himself for cheating. When she left, he turned to heavier shit.

Thanks to Roxy talking some sense into him
, he was off the drugs, but he couldn’t stop the sex or drinking. He needed both to stay sane. The alcohol helped to dull the edge, while the sex simply helped him function. Without the release, he was a jittery fucked up mess and he hated himself worse.

“Don’t even start,” Mike warned. “She’s done, and I’m
nearly finished myself. Don’t make me choose my sister over you, because I will.”

“Me too,” warned Doug. “She deserves to be happy, and you proved
, time after time, that you are only capable of making her miserable.”

Jordan pulled at his hair as he sank further into the couch, wishing they weren
’t completely right.

* * * *

“I see you two are having a good day.” Skylar squealed, startling Roxy.

“Hey, didn’t see you there
.” Roxy gave Skylar a sheepish smile, and pushed her empty plate away. “What are you doing here?”

Skylar
shoved her hands in her pocket and shrugged. “Meeting Tyler for lunch.”

Trevor made a gesture toward the
chairs across from Roxy and him.

Sinking into the
indicated seat, Skylar said, “You two look nice and cozy. Explains why Jordan’s having a shit fit.”

“Let’s not go there,” Roxy pleaded.

“All right. You can tell me later.”

Roxy narrowed her eyes.
“Why did you choose this restaurant?”

“
It’s down the street from Tyler’s apartment, and we both love it here. And, I figured you might be hiding out from Jackass Jordan. I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“I’m good.” Roxy’s gaze slid to Trevor and smile crept onto her lips. “Trevor
has kept me distracted.”

“Good. Want to come to the movie with
us?” Skylar asked.

“No.
With my luck, Jordan would show up to ruin the fun. Maybe another time, or maybe I’ll have you two over for something soon.”

“Sounds good,” Tyler said
, joining the discussion as he stepped up to the table. “Hi, I’m Tyler.” He held his hand out to Trevor.