Playing Passion's Game (21 page)

“Do you have the house alarm on?” she asked.

Her head still buzzing, Trent just nodded as she sat up, unable to stay lying down.

“There’s only you and me in the house, Trent.” Juliet began to walk back over toward her, hips swaying, drawing Trent’s eyes to her and her alone. “No one else is here. No one is going to disturb us. I’m going to make you mine like I have fantasized ever since you had me in your lap and dancing on your fingers.”

The room was full of white noise, and all Trent could focus on was Juliet. Her voice was all Trent could make out. She dominated the room and filled Trent’s heart. Trent couldn’t take her eyes off her. Juliet beckoned Trent farther down the bed, and Trent was stupidly relieved that Juliet wasn’t angry with her. She hadn’t been able to control her freezing up when she was on her back. That was why she never got herself in that situation with any other woman. She couldn’t allow herself to be put in such a vulnerable position again. Fear of reprisals smothered all other thoughts and feelings.

It had kept her alone for so long. But Juliet was no ordinary woman. Juliet beckoned her closer and Trent obeyed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed, feet on the floor, just staring at Juliet in wonder at the kindness that lit up her face and promised so much. Swallowing hard, Trent could only watch as Juliet came to stand between her legs. Hands brushed through Trent’s short hair and snagged softly at it.

“It’s just you and me, Trent.” She ran her fingers down Trent’s face and let a finger linger on Trent’s lips. Trent caught it gently between her teeth and licked at the tip. Before she could suck it in, Juliet swiftly pulled it away and wagged it in front of her. She trailed the same finger down Trent’s chest, tugging at her T-shirt until Trent took the hint and pulled it off. “Much better.” Juliet sighed, looking Trent over with delighted eyes. She pressed in closer between Trent’s knees and nudged them farther apart. “It’s just you and me. And you’re playing my game now.”

Trent’s eyebrows rose at Juliet’s choice of words. “Your game?” she asked huskily, captured by the intent blatantly shining in Juliet’s gaze.

“We’re playing passion’s game now.” Juliet sealed Trent’s mouth with a kiss.

Trent’s lips parted beneath Juliet’s as she kissed her softly, more than aware of the nervousness still causing Trent to tremble. Taking her time, Juliet seduced Trent with gentle kisses, her hands just skimming over her flesh. Juliet held back her desperate need to take Trent hard and fast, to devour her whole to quell some of the hunger she had for her.
Soon
, Juliet told herself and filled her palms with Trent’s firm breasts. She brushed her thumbs over deep red nipples and thrilled to hear Trent’s sharp intake of breath. Trent pushed herself closer as Juliet fondled her, loving the firmness of Trent’s smaller breasts compared to her own larger, softer ones. Trent’s eyes grew darker the harder she gripped her nipples.

“Ooh, you like it a bit rougher, eh?” Juliet tugged a little more, enough to make Trent moan and lean closer still. She grabbed for a hold on Juliet’s hips and held her tightly.

“You’re making me crazy doing that,” Trent said, rubbing her face over Juliet’s breasts. Juliet gave her one more tweak, then abruptly knelt before her and sucked a nipple into her mouth. Gasping out loud, Trent grabbed for Juliet and kept her in place, soft gasps erupting from her throat.

“How long has it been since you’ve been touched, Trent?” Juliet asked, looking up at her and keeping up her seduction by flicking Trent’s nipple with her fingertips.

“Long enough.” Trent shuddered and tried to pull Juliet to her. “It was always easier for me to just fuck and run when I did find someone.”

“Well, you’re not running tonight,” Juliet said in Trent’s ear, and a shiver ran through Trent’s body. She bit Trent’s earlobe, then ran her tongue over it to take away the sting.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Trent managed to say before Juliet pushed her back to rest on her elbows.

Juliet slipped her fingers under the waistband of Trent’s sleep shorts and pulled them down her legs and off. She explored Trent’s flat stomach and the muscles that were visible beneath the flesh. She barely scratched her nails down Trent’s stomach and got an instant reaction.

Trent jumped, groaned, and fell back on the bed. “Stop teasing,” she growled.

Licking her lips, Juliet ignored Trent’s comment and instead kissed her way down each ripple of flesh. Trent twisted beneath her, hands grasping for her, trying to pull her closer. Juliet rested her face on Trent’s hard stomach and rubbed her chin over the soft patch of dark hair at the top of Trent’s legs. Without preamble, Juliet pressed Trent’s legs wider, moved lower, and licked her with the flat of her tongue, taking in all of Trent’s sex. Trent’s lower lips were spread for her, leaving her open for anything Juliet wished. She first pressed light kisses to Trent’s large blood-red clitoris, which strained from under its hood. She then took it into her mouth and sucked hard.

“Christ!” Trent’s legs were shaking so much Juliet had to hold them still with her arms. Trent pushed her closer between her legs. “Suck me,” she said, all restraint gone. Juliet complied while slipping a finger into Trent’s warmth. Her fingers met with resistance. Trent was tight, and Juliet groaned at the pressure as she pushed in. Her groan in turn made Trent’s clitoris twitch in her mouth, and Trent let out a loud moan.

“You’re incredibly tight,” Juliet said, leaning back on her heels to watch her finger be welcomed inside Trent’s wet walls. Strong muscles contracted around Juliet’s finger and she moved deeper, adding another finger and pressing in harder, opening Trent up. “You okay?” Juliet asked, pressing in and out in rhythm to the lift of Trent’s hips. She barely caught Trent’s
yes
that hissed out of her.

“Do it,” Trent gasped, all semblance of control gone.

“Do what?” Juliet stood to look down over Trent’s length spread out before her, held up on her elbows. A sheen of sweat beaded her skin, her muscles tight and defined, nipples rock hard and straining. Juliet thought she had never seen anything so beautiful. She ran her hand up Trent’s chest, rolling her palm over Trent’s breasts roughly, catching her nipples between her fingers and pulling on them. Trent’s eyes were wide, drawn to Juliet’s.

“Fuck me,” Trent pleaded, clutching Juliet’s hand to her breast and closing her eyes to the passion. Juliet pumped into Trent quicker, her desire to bring Trent to orgasm a raging fire inside her. Trent’s face revealed its pleasure. Juliet loved how Trent’s mouth opened to gasp for each breath, her name escaping in whispers.

“Come for me, Trent.”

“I am,” Trent gritted out, writhing under Juliet’s touch.

Juliet straddled Trent’s leg and began to rub her own needy flesh against Trent’s muscled thigh. Trent clutched at Juliet’s hips to help her ride. All too soon Juliet’s own orgasm threatened.

“I’m coming,” Juliet cried as her hips pounded against Trent. She pushed her fingers in deep and curled her finger over the spot roughened for pleasure. Trent howled, her body spasming as she came with a loud shout. While Trent bucked beneath her, Juliet came from the pressure of Trent’s leg pounding her clitoris. She fell forward and was swiftly gathered up in Trent’s arms. Kisses were rained on her face and Trent nuzzled her, burrowing into her neck as if seeking shelter there.

“God, that was
amazing
.” Juliet eased her fingers carefully from inside Trent and brought them up to her lips. “You taste exactly as I thought, strong and spicy.”

Trent just held on to Juliet as if afraid to let her go. Juliet could feel the tremors still rolling through Trent’s body. Juliet looked down at Trent’s face and was shocked to see trails of tears on her cheeks. Juliet began to kiss them away, laying soft kisses all over Trent’s face.

“You all right?” Juliet whispered, waiting for Trent to open her eyes.

Trent just nodded against Juliet’s flesh. “I don’t remember ever coming so hard,” she said, finally looking at Juliet.

“You inspire me with your sexy body.”

Trent moistened her lips and let out a shaky sigh. “Looks like you got me on my back after all.”

Juliet realized that they were laid out on the bed, her body covering Trent, who was flat on her back holding Juliet tight. “You okay with that?” she asked softly, preparing to move, but Trent held her still.

“Yeah, at this precise moment I think I am,” Trent replied, sounding surprised. She took a deep breath. “God, you fuck like a dream!” Her wide, toothy grin made Juliet’s heart expand with pleasure. “It’s a good thing I didn’t know you were that good, otherwise I’d have blown off the game entirely and left my team high and dry.”

Juliet snuggled into Trent’s arms and laid her head on her chest, just in reach of Trent’s nipple, which she first breathed on, then touched with the tip of her tongue. It instantly hardened. Trent pressed a hard kiss to Juliet’s forehead as Juliet began to tease the firm nub of flesh.

“I take it you’re not tired?” Trent slipped a hand between them to capture Juliet’s breast and deliver some of the same teasing she was receiving.

“The milkman hasn’t delivered yet,” Juliet replied slyly and moved to close her teeth around Trent’s nipple.

“Juliet!” Trent jolted under her as if touched by an electric current.

“You’ve got to love a butch who has sensitive nipples to play with.” Juliet barely had time to make her comment before she was flipped over on her back with a wild-looking Trent rearing above her.

“And I do so love the games you play.” Trent kissed her soundly.

Juliet was delighted as she witnessed the passion sparkle in Trent’s dark eyes. “Game on?” she asked, light-headed and almost giddy in her love for Trent.

“Oh, the game is definitely on,” Trent said, slipping down the bed purposefully. “Listen to you, using gamer speak.”

“I Googled it just for you.”

Trent’s amused sound made Juliet’s heart swell with pride that she had caused that happy look on her face.
My lover
,
in every sense of the word now
.

“I think we need to test out your trigger button, don’t you?” Trent moved lower still. “I bet you didn’t have time to Google that.”

Juliet’s delighted giggle turned into a squeal of pleasure when Trent’s tongue wrapped around her clitoris once more.

“You ready to play?” Trent asked from between her legs.

“I’m always ready where you’re concerned,” Juliet said, her heart pounding and her arousal burning through her as Trent took her once more.

Game on indeed.

Chapter
Twenty-one

Juliet loved being able to watch Trent sleep, her face unguarded and peaceful. Leaning up on an elbow, she unabashedly studied all she never got a chance to see when Trent was wide awake and vibrant. Her strong face, too handsome to ever be considered feminine, drew Juliet’s loving eyes.
You are so beautiful you make me want to weep
, she thought, moving her gaze down across Trent’s shoulders, down her arm marked by the stark tattoo. In the growing morning light Juliet was able to study the artwork that wrapped around Trent’s upper arm, the small alien shapes falling down in waves.
Only you could have that etched into your skin, my darling, and have it look so right
.

Trent’s hand twitched in her sleep and Juliet was drawn to the large palm with its long blunt fingers. Hands that could race across the buttons to beat an opponent in a death match yet be so gentle and tender when they touched Juliet’s skin. Carefully, Juliet pulled the sheet down to Trent’s hips. The sunlight streaming through a gap in the blinds lit Trent’s lean chest and firm breasts. Juliet held back from reaching out to touch. For now she was just observing because the minute Trent was awake, Juliet would probably be flat on her back with Trent roaming seductively over her. Trent turned as if hearing her thoughts, and the sheet fell away from the rest of her body, baring her completely to Juliet’s eyes. Juliet bit her lip to stop from reaching out and taking what she considered hers.

“What you looking at?”

Juliet peered down at a slowly waking Trent. “I’m looking at you and thinking how lucky I am you’re beside me, because you are way too sexy to go to waste.”

Trent’s slow smile made Juliet’s insides quiver. “You sure you want to garden today?” She edged closer to Juliet, who quickly put a hand to Trent’s chest to stop her from getting any nearer.

“I’m supposed to be helping Monica work on your yard. You hired us to do that, remember?”

Trent pressed against her hand. “But I have a much better place in mind for you.” She moved swiftly and Juliet was pinned beneath Trent’s long body.

“How’s it going to look to Monica, who is my boss on this project, if I beg off today because I’d rather stay in bed with my girlfriend?”

Trent kissed her then pulled back. “It would tell her that you have a whole other kind of bed in mind for this Saturday.”

Juliet tried to ease out from under Trent, but Trent trapped her, raining kisses on her face until Juliet broke into helpless laughter.

“What time is Monica, Gardening Goth, due to arrive?” Trent asked.

“In about an hour,” Juliet informed her, trying to dodge Trent’s lips. “So I need to get up and ready.”

Trent grabbed for her hand and pressed Juliet’s fingers between her legs, issuing a grunt as Juliet unerringly touched Trent’s waiting hardness. “I’m already up and ready.” She pulled her hand away but Juliet kept hers where it lay.

“It’ll have to be quick,” she said, enjoying the pleasure on Trent’s face as she slipped over and around the nub of flesh, making Trent’s hips rock and her breath catch.

“I’ll take a quick fuck before you run off to be with another woman.” Trent eye’s drifted closed as she concentrated on what Juliet was doing between her legs.

Juliet nudged Trent’s legs more open and lay back with Trent poised above her on all fours, pinning Juliet between her arms and legs but herself the captive to every stroke of Juliet’s fingers. Trent’s head fell forward and she blindly nuzzled Juliet’s breast before finding her nipple and sucking on it.

“Trent,” Juliet moaned. “This is supposed to be a quickie.”

“It can be a quickie for both of us.” Trent slipped a hand between Juliet’s legs and strayed through her wetness. “You’re already getting wet for me. It won’t take either of us long.” She bucked as Juliet rubbed a little harder. “Especially if you keep doing that.”

Trent’s thumb begin to move around Juliet’s clitoris, rubbing around the hood, teasing her before brushing across the sensitive tip, shooting sparks down to her toes.

“Monica will know what we’ve been doing,” Juliet said, bowing her back to try to get more of her breast to Trent’s mouth.

“She’d be thinking we’ve done this even if we hadn’t, so don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not worried,” Juliet said as white-hot heat spread through her legs at Trent’s magic touch.

“No, you’re excited, aren’t you? Isn’t this how lovers should spend their Saturday morning?” Trent’s fingers grew faster as her whole body started to tense. “I’m going to come soon. You’re making me come pinching like that.”

Squeezing Trent’s clitoris gently, Juliet had the satisfaction of Trent falling apart above her. Hearing her name called out hoarsely by Trent was the most beautiful sound she’d ever known, and watching Trent come because of her hand was equally humbling. Juliet didn’t last long after witnessing Trent’s orgasm. Her whole body twitched and the explosion ripped through her body like a tidal wave. Trent collapsed beside her, drawing Juliet to her while they both rode out their pleasure. Finally Trent spoke.

“Okay,
now
you can go garden.”

“I can’t even feel my limbs, let alone get out of bed.” She slapped at Trent’s arm playfully.

“You don’t want to keep Monica waiting.” Trent lay back against the pillows, arms propped behind her head, lounging like a big lazy panther, satisfied and indolent.

“You’re not staying in bed while I’m working,” Juliet said, pushing at Trent to try to move her.

“I thought I’d rest after my morning
sex-
ercise, then get dressed and maybe play a little war with the boys, then take you girls out for lunch.”

Juliet sat up beside her, unable to stop from laying her hand on Trent’s chest, needing the feel of Trent’s flesh, not wanting to lose the connection. “Sounds like a brilliant Saturday plan to me.”

Trent hesitated and Juliet cocked an eyebrow at her. “I know you need to be in work early Monday, but I figured we could spend as much of the weekend as possible doing stuff together until you had to leave.”

“I just need to do my last-minute preparations, like ironing my best blouse. Truth be told, if I stayed here all weekend, I’d never turn up at work on Monday.”

Trent’s grin was wry. “Would that really be so bad?”

Leaning over to kiss her, Juliet thought again how much she loved the feel of Trent’s lips. “No, it would be all kinds of wonderful. But if I’m going to move on, I need to finish up there so I can walk away without any regrets.”

Trent nodded, then settled back down in the bed and waved Juliet away. “Go. Your gardening buddy will be here soon. You don’t want to keep her waiting. After all, she’s your boss and all. You want to make a good impression if you’re intending to work together.”

Juliet slipped over Trent to stand beside the bed, satisfied at the soft noise from Trent’s throat as she deliberately made sure her body had touched as much of Trent’s as possible. “So now you’re kicking me out of bed. You weren’t doing that a few minutes ago when you were hot and sweaty in my hands.”

Trent lunged after her, making Juliet hastily step back out of her grasp. “No no no, lover girl, you’ve had your quickie for this morning. Some of us have a job to go to.” Her chest tightened at the wicked glint in Trent’s eyes that threatened retribution of a sweet and passionate kind. Juliet was tempted beyond reason to just get back in bed and spend the day loving Trent. She lay there, still flushed and wet from their lovemaking. Juliet could hardly stand to turn away from the seductive picture Trent made. “You drive me wild, wanting you.”

“Good, because I feel exactly the same way where you are concerned, sweetheart. Now go before I beg you to stay.”

Juliet, her heart singing in delight at the sweet name Trent had called her, blinked deliberately knowing full well what it did to Trent when she gave her
that
look. “I like it when you beg.”

A pillow hit the door behind her as she swiftly ran from the room to the sound of Trent’s heartfelt groan.

*

Monica ended up joining Trent at the kitchen table having a bowl of cereal while Trent readied tea and toast for Juliet.

“And here I was worried I was running late,” Monica said, looking around the kitchen with an exacting eye. “Trent, you seriously need more color in here.”

Trent spooned a mouthful of cornflakes into her mouth, preventing her from having to answer straight away. She just nodded at her and hoped that would satisfy Monica’s curiosity. She’d invited her in. She’d known Monica was going to make some comment or another on the fact that Trent’s kitchen looked unused.

“I mean, I applaud the minimalist look you’ve created here, but really, could it be any more white?” Monica got up to wash out her bowl, nudging Trent out of the way with her hip as she crowded near her. “Your kitchen quite frankly makes Elton’s look like it’s positively bustling with culinary knickknacks.”

“I have a microwave,” Trent said, pointing to one piece of equipment in the room that actually showed use.

“And you probably have the same six pizzas that Elton shoves in his.”

Trent was never more grateful to see Juliet descend the stairs and take Monica’s attention away.

“Your tea and toast are going cold,” Monica said.

Juliet brushed past Monica, leaned up to kiss Trent, and then sat at the table. “Thank you, Trent.” She began eating. Trent was grateful for the look of contentment on Juliet’s face as she tasted the buttered toast. She noticed Monica staring at her with an indulgent look. Trent tried to ignore her.

“You’ve got a nice house, Trent,” Monica said when she slipped out the back door following after Juliet. “It will make a nice home one day.”

Trent stopped in her tracks and considered Monica’s bald words. She realized it wasn’t really a home, it was where she came back to from work, played her games, and slept. It was hers, but she’d never really treated it as such, occupied only in keeping her precious possessions safe, keeping herself safe locked inside a house alarmed to keep people out and old memories at bay. She’d hidden away, secured her borders and existed, but never truly lived. Work and playing her games had become her whole existence, and she’d remained untouched in her safe little world she’d created for herself. Until Juliet. Juliet had slipped right in past all her defenses and claimed her place beside Trent.

I know I love her. I just need to find the right time to tell her
. Trent leaned against the back door while Juliet removed plants from their trays and prepared holes for them to be transplanted.
Now isn’t the time. Not with the presentation looming so big in her mind. But soon, I need to tell her soon so she knows how I feel before I blurt it out when we make love. I don’t want bed to be the place I tell her first. I need to say it because I don’t think I can be without her now.

Juliet looked up and caught Trent’s eyes on her and smiled. Trent grinned back and settled down on the back doorstep, content to just sit there and watch Juliet and Monica work away in her yard. She lifted her face to the sky, closed her eyes against the sun and let its warmth seep through her skin. Juliet’s voice rang clear and Trent opened her eyes to find her stretched out over something, reaching toward Monica, the movement separating her shirt from her shorts and exposing her belly. Trent’s mouth went dry. It took all her strength not to go drag Juliet out of the yard and back into the house to explore that patch of skin further. She stood quickly.

“Where you going?” Monica asked.

“To shoot someone.”

Monica blinked at her, startled. “Sorry I asked.”

*

Trent padded around her house inexplicably and uncharacter-istically at a loose end. Juliet had only been gone an hour, but already Trent was aimless and moping. She wandered past her game room but barely gave it a second thought as she slipped inside the spare room directly opposite. Trent had claimed the two larger bedrooms for her own use. This room, however, had remained empty. It overlooked the backyard, and from her vantage point Trent could look down at the progress being made. She leaned on the windowsill and peered through the open blinds. She was pleased with the transformation she could see below.

“Beautiful.” Her eyes followed the pathway through the flowers that led to a small area Monica had designed for a gazebo, the focal point to the yard and a place to sit in and contemplate, she’d told Trent. Trent wasn’t sure what Monica expected her to contemplate out there, but she’d seen Juliet’s pleasure at the design so had agreed readily. She wandered back to her bedroom, the bed made and not revealing any of the passion and pleasure that had gone on in it the night before. Trent picked up a pillow and breathed in the scent left there by Juliet’s perfume. With a decision made, Trent threw down the pillow and reached for her cell phone. She pressed on a quick-dial key.

“Elton? Does your cousin Rick still have that van of his?” She smiled at his answer. “Think he’d let us borrow it for the evening? There’d be a six-pack of beer in it for his trouble.” She punched the air at hearing exactly what she wanted. “What? Oh, I knew he’d be over at yours today. He usually mooches a sandwich off you every other Sunday. He’s very reliable.” She checked her watch. “Can you come pick me up, then? The mall is still open and I need you to help me spend some of my savings. I have two things in mind that this house needs. I’m buying myself a future, Elton. I think I’m long overdue.”