Trust Me (12 page)

“Lead the way, girl. Lead the way,” I respond.

I smile at Damien as I get out of my seat. He is giving me that sexy mischievous grin. He turns and faces the dance floor as I put a little extra oomph in my walk for him.

As Sam pulls me forward, I nervously tell her, “Oh, I hope I can still do this dance, Sam.”

“With the thousands of times we have done it, it’s like riding a horse. You never forget.” She laughs at her choice of words as we make it to the dance floor and line up beside each other. “I’m glad I got to meet him. He’s good for you, Allison. It’s like he is your missing half.”

“Thanks. It feels right.”

Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” starts playing, and we smile at each other. We start moving and shaking as we do our thing. I am glowing inside from having reclaimed this piece that was missing. We sashay, twirl, ride our cowboys, and crack our imaginary whips. When the song ends, we giggle and embrace as only best friends can.

Before we break away, she quickly whispers in my ear, “I’ve missed you, Allison. Don’t go away on me again. I thought I would never have the old you back.”

As we let go, we both have tears in our eyes.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m here for good, girl. Missed you, too.”

We smile and wipe our eyes as we begin to leave the dance floor. Sam is called over to the bar by one of her sorority sisters, and I continue to make my way back to Damien.

The dance floor is crowded with sweaty patrons. I’m just about to break free from the crowd when someone grabs my arm. Turning around, I see it’s Brad who is pulling me back farther into the throng of people.

“Allison, come dance with me. Now that I know you can move like that, you definitely owe me a dance for holding out on me all this time.”

I can tell he’s been drinking a bit, maybe a lot. He continues to drag me, causing me to nearly stumble, as I try to stand my ground.

“Brad, I need to get back to Damien. I’m danced out for the evening, and I’m about to leave.”

I try to disengage myself, but he strengthens his hold and keeps pulling me out onto the floor. It’s not a full-out struggle yet, but he’s being way too persistent and inappropriate.

“Take your fucking hands off of her, asshole.”

At Damien’s tone, Brad whips around and automatically lets go of me. With the sudden release, I stumble back into Damien’s front. He steadies me, moves me behind him, and angles his body in a protective stance. He is absolutely furious.
Shit, Brad has awakened a sleeping giant.

“You’ve crossed the line. Stay away from her, or you and I are going to have major problems. I don’t want you even looking in her direction. It would be in your best interest if you fully comprehend that Alli and I are a very serious couple.”

Not even waiting for a response, Damien turns to me and puts his hands on my bare shoulders. I think I hear Brad mumbling something, but I can’t be sure.

“Are you okay?” Damien asks me.

“Yes.” I cannot break away from his blue eyes as I continue nodding. I want this man so badly.

Seemingly satisfied that I am telling the truth, he asks, “Are you ready to leave?”

“Let me say bye to Sam first.”

The gawking entourage of people starts to break apart as Damien escorts me to my friend. The cowboy from earlier is hanging on Sam’s every word as she flirts shamelessly with him.

“Hey, girl, we are going to leave. Let me know when the ceremony is, so we can come.” I give her a hug good-bye.

“I will. You kids have fun.” She looks at me teasingly, and then she turns to Damien. “Great to meet the guy who finally got Allison to go all weak in the knees. Don’t worry about tonight. Brad was just being an asshole. He’s normally not like that. I have no idea what got into him.”

At the mention of Brad, Damien’s grip tightens on me. “Thanks, Sam. It was great meeting you, too. You are as wonderful a friend as Alli described. I’m going to take Alli for the evening and spend some time with her. Congrats again on your sorority.”

Sam gives me a knowing look.

I cross my fingers, hoping tonight will actually be the night I am truly with Damien.

As we head to the car, Damien is still radiating with tension. He opens the door to a dark pickup truck, and after I get seated, I notice the interior is a warm caramel color. He shuts my door with a little more force than necessary, and then he makes his way to the driver’s side.

Once we are safely enclosed in our space, I look over. “I had no idea Brad would be that way.”

He glances my way before he starts driving to our unknown destination.

“How long have you known him?” He sounds pissed.

“Maybe six months or so. I’m not sure. There’s nothing between Brad and me. Never has been, never will be.” I’m trying to remain calm.

“I know you’re not interested, but he is definitely going to be a problem. He wants you badly.”

Damien is wound up so tight from this incident with Brad. I just don’t get it.

Trying to placate the situation, I respond, “His ego was doing the talking. He’s with a different girl every week. He was just trying to irritate you.”

He glances over at me while he’s driving. “I disagree. I don’t want you near him if I’m not around.”

“Damien, don’t be unreasonable. He’s at a lot of events that Sam goes to. You can trust me, you know.”
Brad isn’t even worth arguing about.

His grip on the steering wheel tightens. “This is not a matter of trust, Alli. This is a matter of me protecting you. If he’s around and I’m not, I want you to call me. I don’t think you understand what I saw tonight. Every guy in that joint was watching your every move, and that was before you started dancing with Sam. After that…fuck, I don’t want to think about it, or I’ll turn around, and it won’t end pleasantly.” His voice is so cold.

I don’t understand. Is he mad about the dancing?
My head is starting to hurt from all this drama. “I’m not sure what you are talking about, but I really don’t get why you are being so distant right now. I don’t know what I did. I was there with you, and I only danced with Sam.”

He pulls off onto a dirt road and heads down a little way before parking the truck on the side of the road. I have no idea where we are.

He turns my way. The glow from the dashboard casts just enough light for me to see his face framed with his tousled black hair.
Holy hell, he is sexy.
I sure hope we can redeem what is left of this night. If it continues at this rate, it’s going to end with me still being a virgin. His jaw is set, and he’s pinning me in place with his gaze. My heart flutters with the tension.

“You did absolutely nothing wrong. You have no clue what you do to guys around you. I can see their faces, and I know what they are thinking. It drives me fucking mad, knowing some prick is waiting on the sidelines for me to get benched. I’m staying in the game, Alli. You are not getting rid of me.”

Wow, he thinks I am going to leave him for another guy.
I need to show him how bad I want him, so I take him completely by surprise. I cannot hide my anticipation as I hastily unbuckle my seatbelt, crawl over the truck’s middle console, and straddle Damien’s lap. Instinctively, his hands come to rest on my hips as he holds me in place.

Looking at him, I say, “I only want you, no one else.”

Immediately, Damien moves his hands to my back and pulls me to him, smashing our lips together, and it is a hungry, insatiable kiss. We are mad for each other. His hands undo my French twist, and my hair cascades around my shoulders. I try to unbutton his shirt, but I keep fumbling, which is causing me to get irritated. I yank hard, and his shirt rips open. Buttons fly around inside the truck, making little pinging noises as they hit the hard surfaces. He groans at my boldness as my fingers begin to caress his chest. It’s not even a
want
at this point but a
need
.

While we are kissing furiously, his hands begin to make their way down my neck until they reach the top of my sleeveless dress. He lowers it down, leaving my breasts exposed. I continue to explore the hard muscles of his chest as I grind myself against him.

One hand begins tweaking my nipple, and I arch back and break the kiss. Our breaths are hard and labored as we stare into each other’s eyes. His other hand moves down my waist and onto my leg, finding the bottom hem of my dress that has ridden up mid-thigh. His hand dips under it and starts making its way up the inside of my leg. Closing my eyes, I groan at the sensation and lean back onto the steering wheel, letting my body go.

Nuzzling into my breasts, he says, “Alli, I am going to make you come hard and fast, and then I’m taking you home and claiming you as mine.”

“Please, Damien, it’s throbbing.”

The need in my voice is evident as his hand reaches my sex, and by his murmur of approval, I know he likes what he’s found. He moves my panties to the side and slips one finger into my slick heat.

“Oh, baby, you are so wet.”

The feeling is incredible. I start to buck my hips into him, desperate for the friction. His thumb begins stroking my clit. Whatever he is doing causes a pressure to build inside me, like it did in my hotel room in Miami.

“Let go, baby.”

The purr in his voice induces my body to release and skyrocket to euphoria. At this moment, I am completely exposed, and I don’t care. I savor the feeling. Damien is lightly sucking and kissing my breasts as I come back down from my high.

“Was that good for you?”

“Mmhmm.” I slowly start to open my eyes and lazily smile at Damien. “I hope you live close by here.”

Pulling back, he severs the connection between us, allowing my thoughts to clear.

“We are at the back edge of my estate. Are you sure you are ready for this? Because we can take this slower.”

“Please.”

Damien has a satisfied grin as he hastily tugs the top of my dress back up. Whatever he did has me wanting more, and I lean up to suck and kiss on his neck. I need to feel him right now. I start roaming my hands down his chest in case he’s thinking about making me get into the passenger seat.

“Alli, you need…fuck.”

My hand makes it to his bulge, and I begin to stroke him through the fabric of his pants. I smile as I hear gravel being shot out from under the tires as he starts to drive, letting me stay where I am. The truck revs faster as I continue my assault.

My mouth moves up his neck to his ear as my top starts to slip down, and we are skin on skin, only intensifying my need.

He moans, “Oh fuck, you feel fantastic.”

My sex is starting to pulse again, worse than before, as I mash my body into his. I love the contact. In my urgent need, any reserved behavior I had has left me. His hands band together behind my back as the truck comes screeching to a halt. I look into his eyes, and they are on fire with desire as he rights my dress. This man is mine, and he wants me to be his. I need for him to take me. Anything less will not satiate my hunger.

He slides us out of the truck with my legs wrapped around his waist. My mouth finds his again as his hands hold on to my ass and he begins to walk. Our tongues battle each other frantically as if we only have seconds left with one another. He consumes me entirely. The sound of the front door opening and closing causes my anticipation to grow.
This is the night I will give myself to Damien.
He holds me tighter as he sprints up some stairs to a second floor. We enter another room as the door closes behind us. The kiss slows as he unwinds my legs and slides me down his body.

Putting a finger underneath my chin, he raises my head until our eyes lock. “We are going to enjoy each other and take it slow tonight. If it gets to be too much, we can stop this at any time. All you have to do is tell me to stop. I have condoms. I’ll be safe with you always, regardless of how worked up we are.”

I am teetering on a cliff, unaware of what I should do. I go with my gut. “Are you clean?”

His brows bunch in confusion. “What?”

“I assume you have been sexually active, and I am asking if you’re clean.” My face floods with embarrassment as I play with the hem of my dress.

Taking my shoulders, he responds, “Yes. I would never make love to you if I wasn’t. I have always used protection, no exception.”

I can tell he has no idea where I’m going with this. I take a deep breath.
Here we go.
“I’m on the pill, and if you’re clean, you don’t have to wear a condom.”

As he just stares at me, I begin to panic.

Have I committed a sex faux pas?
I probably sound naive and stupid. I need to get this back on track.
“I mean, you can still wear one. I didn’t mean to assume. I understand. It’s not a big deal,” I say, speaking faster and faster.

He is still staring at me, almost openmouthed. “Are you sure?”

My face flushes. “Yes, of course. I would never force you to go without a condom. I don’t want you to do something that would make you feel uncomfortable.”
Geez, I would never do that to anyone.

When he starts chuckling, mortification consumes me.
Oh, I should have gotten some pointers from Sam. Why didn’t I think to ask about some of this stuff?