Trusting You (7 page)

With the slam of a door, Brett entered the room and my heart broke for him.

If Brett knew what his grandmother and I were talking about he never let on that he knew. Two weeks had passed and things had slowly turned into a routine for me and him. The first week together we barely saw each other with him working all those long hours, but he made sure to call me every day to let me know he was thinking about me. I spent most of my time with my schoolwork, concentrating on lesson plans, and doing everything possible to avoid my ex-husband.

It was getting to the point that his incessant texting was becoming a problem. I knew Brett needed to know what was going on, but I kept praying that Daniel would get the picture and give up on me. Soon it would come down to him showing up at my house and that was something that could
not
happen.

The second week Brett and I had been inseparable. To make up for time lost, he had stayed at my place every single night for the past week. Hence, the reason I just stepped out of the shower a happy woman.

On the counter, beside my make-up bag, sat a steaming cup of coffee. Brett was leaning in the doorway—dressed impeccably in a gray suit that matched his eyes—and stared at me over the rim of his cup.

“You’re spoiling me, firecracker. I’m starting to like being able to see you every morning,” he admitted, a smile stretching across his face.

Sidling up to him, I kissed him gently on the lips and could taste the French vanilla coffee that he made us every single morning. “I’m starting to like it, too,” I said, taking my own cup and drinking a sip. He’d already added in the sugar and cream to it as well, and from the grin on his face he knew I noticed it. 

“I think you’re starting to spoil me, too,” I countered. “A girl could get used to this kind of treatment.” Not only were we waking up together every morning, but we were also enjoying every night together. Brett and I have had more sex in the past two weeks than my ex and I had the whole time we were married, which honestly wasn’t that long; a little less than two years.

Brett gazed up and down my body and I could see that it made him happy … literally. He groaned and ran his hands over my wet breasts. “If I didn’t have to go into work early, I would lick all this water off of you and fuck you till you couldn’t walk.” He grabbed my towel and began drying off my body, starting with my arms and working down to my legs. I jumped when his fingers slipped inside me and just as quickly pulled out.

“Sorry about that. I couldn’t help myself,” he teased sarcastically.

“Mmhmm …” I mumbled. “Somehow I don’t believe that.”

When he got done drying me off and fondling me, he glanced at his watch and sighed. “All right, baby, my time is up. I’ll call you during lunch today, okay?”

I smiled. “Okay.”

He kissed me quickly, making sure to part my lips with his tongue so he could get a taste of me before he left. “I hope you have a good day, firecracker. And don’t let those high school boys drool over you today. I saw what you have picked out to wear.”

Rolling my eyes, I pushed him out of the bathroom. “It’s just a skirt, Brett. I’m not an old school marm and into the sweater vests. Maybe when I’m older, but definitely not right now.”

He grinned and shook his head. “All I know is that if I was in your class, I’d have the biggest hard on watching you every day in the front of the class. You’re one hot fucking teacher.” He winked, kissed me again quickly, and marched out of the bedroom and into the hall.

“Have a good day and be safe going to work,” I hollered out, hoping he heard me.

“Will do, babe,” he shouted back before the sound of him opening and closing the front door echoed from downstairs. I could hear the rumble of his Jeep start up and taper off after a few minutes. It was time to get ready for another day of work.

“Ms. Ashford, do we need to know
all
of this for the test next week?” Kacey asked, holding up the study questions I just passed out.

I smiled. “Yes, Kacey, you do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have put it on there. As long as you know how to answer those questions you’ll ace the test. I promise.”

The whole class groaned as they glanced over the pages, and it took all I had not to laugh. I remembered being their age and doing the same thing, but I always cracked open the books and made straight A’s. That was how I became valedictorian and student council president.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, I saw that we had about ten minutes before my guest speaker was to arrive to talk to the class. His name was George Hastings and he was an author and college professor from Duke University who also happened to be a good friend of my parents. I thought my students would be enlightened by his expertise in the Biology field, but by their bored expressions I was starting to rethink that anything could get them interested.

I only had a few minutes left, so I was trying to get all of my students quizzes graded. That way I wouldn’t have to take them home and do them. Once I started on the last quiz a knock sounded on my classroom door.

Keeping my face glued to the test in front of me, I called out to one of my students, “Jacob, do you mind opening the door for Mr. Hastings, please?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him get up and amble over to the door.

My pen flew across the page in front of me, but when I heard the voice of my guest speaker greet the class my hand froze on the page and I sucked in a sharp breath. Quickly, I lifted my head and my gaze instantly collided with the man before me.
What was he doing here?

“Good morning, Ms. Ashford. Are you ready for me to begin my speech?” he asked.

My students, especially the girls, were all anxiously awaiting his next words like love sick puppies. Standing up from my desk, I quickly announced to the class, “Everyone, if you’ll excuse me I’ll be right back.” Taking Brett by the arm, I guided him out of my room and into the hall, shutting the door behind me.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered. “Did you sign in at the front desk?”

Brett chuckled. “Of course I did. I said I was here to see you and they said they thought I couldn’t make it. I didn’t know what the hell they were talking about, but apparently, your speaker isn’t coming and the office neglected to tell you. I said that I was his replacement and they let me right on through.”

“Hmm …” I grumbled. “I can’t believe they let you back here without asking you more questions.”

“It must be the suit. The ladies can’t resist me,” he joked. “So how about it?”

I furrowed my brows and asked, “So how about what exactly?”

“You had a speaker planned for today right?”

“Yes … and your point?”

He opened his arms and winked at me. “Well, here I am,” Brett insisted. “I’ll be your speaker for the day. What are you teaching them right now?”

It just so happened that the branch of Biology I was skimming over could very easily be something Brett knew a lot about. “I am going over a little bit of environmental biology this week,” I informed him.

His eyes lit up. “Well, it just so happens that I had to study that at Columbia.” Grabbing me by the hand, he pulled me to the door. “Come on, this should be fun.”

I snickered. “Yeah, I can’t wait.”

The whole time Brett spoke, the class was enamored by him, given the exception of a few of the guys who didn’t like the reaction the girls were giving Brett. I wasn’t shocked to see that he was an amazing speaker and very charismatic. He had a vast knowledge of environmental biology and he even went into detail about his times at Columbia and what it took to study architecture. When the class was over, a couple of the guys in my class pulled Brett aside and asked him numerous questions on how they could pursue a career in architecture as well.

I was amazed at the level of influence he had over my students.
Maybe I should have him speak again,
I thought to myself. When all of the students left the classroom, I took a seat back at my desk while Brett leaned against it.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I inquired, “Honestly, what made you come by today? It couldn’t be that you missed me considering that you saw me just a few short hours ago.”

He beamed. “Well … of course I miss you when I’m not with you, but I actually have some good news.”

“What is it?” I asked excitedly, perking up.

He took my hands in his and pulled me up against his body. “I just landed a
huge
account today and I couldn’t wait to tell you. This is going to be big, Melissa.”

Squealing, I jumped in his arms and wrapped my arms tight around his neck. “Oh, Brett, that’s awesome news, but aren’t you doing West Coast accounts?”

He nodded. “Yeah, it’ll be out in California.”

My face fell just a tiny bit and I tried to hide it. If he had a big account in California I knew what that was going to mean; he was going to be spending a lot of time out there. Instead of raining on his parade I did my best to appear cheerful.

“We should celebrate,” I told him. “Tonight will be all about you. What do you say to that?”
And I
will
make it a good night for his sake.

With a devilish grin, Brett said, “I say yes, baby. I look forward to it.”

Before going home, I stopped by the store and grabbed everything I’d need to make dinner. I told Brett the night was going to be for him and I meant it, even though deep down I knew that his job was going to be taking him away from me for a while.

After preparing our celebration feast, I sat down to enjoy a glass of wine. Brett usually arrived at my house by six every evening so I had a little time to spare. When my phone rang beside me, I should’ve known to look at the screen before answering, but I didn’t.
Big mistake.

“Hello,” I answered, taking a sip of my wine.

“It’s about damn time you answer my calls,” Daniel scolded. “Why do you keep ignoring me?”

Groaning, I sagged in my chair and downed my glass of wine. I was going to need it to handle him. “Daniel,” I said smoothly, trying to keep my temper in check. The last thing I wanted was to be pissed when Brett got here. “We’ve been over this before. I have no interest in getting hurt by you again. You screwed up and there’s no way you can take what you did back.”

“I said I was sorry, Mel. Please give me a second chance. I really need to tell you something and I don’t want to do it over the phone. Can I come over?”

A car door slammed outside, so I rushed over to one of the front windows. Brett was right on time and walking to the front door. “You can’t,” I blurted out quickly. “Look, Daniel, I’m seeing someone now and I’d really appreciate it if you left me alone and stopped calling me. I have to go.”

He screamed into the phone, “Melissa, wait!” I hung up the phone and turned it off. Daniel was a persistent man, and if he needed to see me he would make sure it happened. If it came down to that I was going to have to tell Brett what Daniel was trying to do.

Taking a deep, calming breath, I opened the door for Brett and was immediately swooped into his arms with his lips locked to mine. When he set me down, he removed his blue tie and unbuttoned his white dress shirt while closing his eyes and breathing in. “The house smells amazing, firecracker.”

“Thank you,” I remarked, taking his hand and leading him into the kitchen. I tried to put all thoughts of Daniel out of my mind and how his calling all the time could put a strain on mine and Brett’s relationship. But that was one of the last things on my mind at the moment. My main concern was all the traveling Brett was going to be doing soon.

As we sat down to eat our roasted chicken, potatoes, and salad, Brett watched me intently, studying me the whole time. “Melissa, what’s wrong? I can see that something’s wrong by the expression on your face. I might not have seen it much, but I can read it just as easily.”

Sighing, I shook my head and lowered my gaze.
What was I supposed to say? I’m scared that you’ll be spending ungodly amounts of time across the states from me?
Had I really become that needy?
No, it’s just that you’re falling hard for him.

“You can tell me,” Brett said softly. “I need you to open up to me and be honest. I want to know what’s going on.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, I decided to just come right out and say what was on my mind, even if it did sound selfish. I explained, “I’m afraid that when you do this job that you’ll be spending a majority of your time on the West Coast. I was just concerned about what it would do to us … to our relationship if you were away for a long period of time. I’ve never done the long distance thing before.”

Brett stared at me for the longest time before he burst out laughing. I sat there dumbfounded, wondering why he’d be laughing; I didn’t find anything about it funny. “I’m glad you find this so hilarious,” I snapped, getting up from the table. Brett got up too and tried to calm me down, but I pushed him away and headed straight for the bedroom, taking the whole bottle of wine with me.

“Hey, slow down,” Brett hollered, trying to catch up to me.

When I got to my room I wanted to slam the door in his face, but he caught up to me and grabbed my arm. “Hey, calm down, firecracker. I’m sorry I laughed, but you looked so cute when you were talking. That pouty look on your face did me in.”

Rolling my eyes, I took a big gulp from the bottle of wine in my hand. “I was being serious, Brett,” I said.

Taking the bottle from me, Brett set it on the dresser and took my face in his hands. “Well, if you wouldn’t have stormed off you could’ve let me explain. Yes, I’m going to be spending a lot of time in California, but I’ve been working on the schedule. I want you to come with me when I go.”

“What?” I remarked, wide-eyed. “How can I go with you? I have to work.”

Smiling, he bit his lip and shook his head. “Oh no, you won’t be. You see, I made it to where you could join me
if
you wanted to. The first time I have planned to go out there is for one week at Christmas. I figured since your parents probably wouldn’t be around that you wouldn’t mind spending it with me in our own little place out there. We could even get our own Christmas tree.”

Stunned and shocked, I sat there with my mouth wide open. He specifically made out his schedule so that I could join him. I was speechless. “What about when you start laying the groundwork? When will you be doing that?” I inquired.

He smiled again. “I have that all planned out for next spring. Since you have time off for spring break, I figured you could come with me then. Just think about the fun we could have out there. If you don’t want to go that’s fine, but I thought I would give you the option. I actually have to meet with my client next week for dinner and I thought maybe you’d like to join me there, too. My client said he wanted me to bring a date since he was bringing one.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered softly.

My heart swelled and I was close to crying, but I didn’t want to spoil the moment. Guiding him toward the bed and pushing him down on the edge, I decided to show him how much I wanted him and how much I appreciated his thoughtfulness. I knelt down between his legs and slowly ran my hands up his thighs and over his groin; his cock jerked in response.

“Say you’ll come with me,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

Slowly, I unbuckled his belt and the button to his pants. “Oh, I will definitely be coming with you … tonight especially.”

Groaning, he laid back on the bed when I pushed on his chest. I slid his pants down his legs and took his boxers with them. When he tried to unbutton his shirt, I smacked his hands away. “No, no, it’s all me tonight. Let me do it,” I commanded.

Straddling his waist, I was still wearing my skirt while his rock hardness was straining to get inside me; he was so close, but I held back. Brett was impatient and tried to take control, but my warning look made him stop. “You just won’t give in will you?” he chided.

I shook my head. “Nope, and the more time you waste the more time I could have my mouth over your cock sucking you dry.” It was bold, but it got him to halt and reconsider trying to take control.

“You just won with that statement. Carry on.” He laughed and stayed still, complying with all my demands.

When I had him gloriously naked and spread out on the bed, I turned on my iPod and scrolled it to the exact song I was looking for … “Sweet Cherry Pie”
by Warrant. Brett’s eyes bugged out of his sockets when he realized what I was getting ready to do. I had never done a strip tease before, but I’d been to a strip club a few times while in college. It couldn’t be that hard to do.

Swaying with the music, I slowly unbuttoned my blouse while staring at him with heat-filled eyes and biting my lip. His cock was perfectly erect and growing larger by the second. I ached to feel him inside me, but I had to finish out my dance even if it killed me. Brett’s chest moved up and down fast while his predatory gaze was glued to my body. When my shirt was completely undone, it revealed a pink and black lacy corset that I had put on specifically for him.

He groaned and ran his hands over his face. “Baby, you’re killing me. You look fucking hot right now. I swear I don’t know how long I’m going to last with you doing this to me.”

Turning my back on him, I slowly unzipped my skirt and glided it down my legs while bending over right in front of him, exposing my bare ass. I made sure to take off my underwear earlier so I’d be ready for when the time came. The song was almost over so I knew it was time for me to finish up. I climbed up on Brett’s lap and rocked my hips along his stiffness and gave him the best lap dance I knew I could do. He groaned the entire time and hissed when I would get too close to letting him enter me.

“Do you like this?” I whispered huskily in his ear.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he held me firmly on his lap. “I’d like it even better if I was inside you.”

“All in good time,” I teased, removing his hands from my hips. I pushed him back on the bed and slid down his body until I was between his legs with his full length erect and wet around the top where I had rubbed my desire on him. Taking my small hands, I wrapped them around his cock and milked him firmly yet gently.

Sighing, Brett laid his head down on the bed and ran his hands through his hair. Slowly, I lowered my mouth to the tip of his penis and circled it with my tongue. When I closed over his length and began sucking as hard as I could, I could tell he almost lost control.

“I won’t be able to last long if you keep doing that,” he ground out. “It feels too fucking good.”

“I know, that’s why I’m not stopping,” I breathed. “I want to taste you.”

Growling, he fisted his hands in my hair and flexed his hips to get himself farther down my throat. His cock grew harder and more rigid as he helped pump himself in my mouth.

“I’m gonna come, baby. Oh fuck, I’m gonna come hard.”

His words had my body almost reeling with my own orgasm even though he wasn’t touching me. Picking up my pace, I sucked even harder until I had the first taste of his warm, salty release flow down my throat. When his spasms ended, I licked the top of his swollen cock to swallow down the rest. Immediately, Brett grabbed me by the shoulders and flung me down on the bed.

“It’s my turn now,” he commanded, all raspy and breathless. He gazed down at my corset and shook his head. “But this has to go. I can’t make love to you without having the sweet taste of your nipples on my tongue.” The laces to the corset were actually in the front, so I took each individual one and slowly untied them while he waited and watched.