Lucia Jordan's Four Series Collection: Chosen, Whipped, Lick, Risk (38 page)

He leaned forward and gave her a sweet kiss. “Yes, but I think we need to clean up first,” he said with a chuckle.

Her eyes opened wide and she couldn’t hide the laughter that bubble from her lips when she saw how his stubbly face was smeared with her red lipstick. She could only imagine what she looked like.

She quickly hurried into the bathroom and cleaned the evidence of their love making from between her thighs. Then, after looking into the mirror, she exploded with another round of laughter.

Her lipstick was speared across her face and the pins that were holding her hair in place had been pushed up, rearranging her hair into a comical coiffure on top of her head. Her cheeks glowed with the after-effects of their lovemaking.

“How much time do we have?” she called from the bathroom.

“We have about twenty minutes before we have to be at the restaurant.”

“You might want to let him know we’re going to be late,” she called as she set to the task of fixing and pulling herself back together. She hated being late, but she would do it all over again if it meant she would get to experience that again.

***

As it happened, they were only ten minutes late, and, as it happened, the manager was running a few minutes late himself. They both arrived around the same time.

“George, this is Lacey Carson. She’s the one we’ve been talking about,” Trevor said as he helped Lacey into a chair. The restaurant was crowded but they were secured at the far back, assuring them the privacy they required.

Lacey extended her hand and the man took it in a firm shake. He was tall and imposing. She had him pegged at six foot six, at the very least. While he showed signs of age around his eyes, he was fairly attractive. His eyes were deep brown, warm and inviting. His head was shaved bald but he had a black mustache and a goatee that was sprinkled with just enough silver to be attractive. He wore a silver suit with a black shirt and silver tie. Over all, she was already impressed with him.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” George said as he shook her hand.

“Finally?” she asked as she looked back to Trevor.

George nodded as he and Trevor both took their seats. He took a sip of his water. “Yes, Trevor has been speaking highly of you since the first day you guys met.”

She looked at Trevor for an explanation but the only one she got was a sheepish smile.

“So I had to fly out here to see what all the fuss was about.”

Lackey’s eyes grew wide. “You flew out here just to see me?”

George nodded.

“But I thought Trevor had papers to sign and that you were coming out here anyway.”

Trevor and George both chuckled, causing Lacey to frown as if she’d missed the joke. It was Trevor who offered the explanation. “My papers have been sorted out and signed for months now. I needed you to meet George officially though.”

“Officially? Officially for what?”

The waitress chose that moment to come and take their order. Lacey wanted to snap at the woman and tell her to go away, but she bit her tongue. The process seemed to take forever. She ordered an apple martini and the men ordered imported beer. When the waitress was finally gone Lacey turned her attention back to the men.

“You were saying?” she said sweetly.

“Oh right. Well, Trevor tells me that you are both a physical therapist and massage therapist. Is that right?”

She nodded. “Yes, sir. I hold certificates in both fields.”

“Do you have much experience with athletes? Aside from this knuckle head?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve worked with a few minor league players and a couple of football players. Honestly the human body is made the same way. Most injuries that happen in one sport happen in the rest of them. It’s all about how the injury is handled as well as the recovery.”

“Trevor’s recovery has been very impressive.”

She blushed. “It’s not because of me, sir. Sure, I helped, but he’s mostly been under the care of Amar up in Jacksonville.”

“This Amar is good, right?”

She nodded. The waitress returned with their drinks. She took a sip to sooth the sudden dryness that her throat had taken. The girl lingered as she placed Trevor’s beer in front of him, leaning in just a little too much. She brushed the back of his hand with her massive chest and Lacey frowned. The girl was blatantly rubbing all over him. Jealousy colored her cheeks.

Trevor looked at Lacey and smiled apologetically.

She just rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to George. “He’s actually one of the best in Florida. I did my clinicals in his office.”

“Which would explain why you are the best. You were trained by the best so you became the best.”

She flushed. “I appreciate the compliments, but what is this about?”

“Well,” George said as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “It seems that a spot on our team has come open for a physical therapist. Our previous one was fired for leaking club business to the press. I have come to offer you the job.”

Lacey nearly sputtered in her drink. “You’re offering me a job with the Las Angeles Dodgers?” she gasped.

George slowly nodded his head. “I am.”

“But what about my career here?”

“Well, this is what I propose. You fly out to LA when Trevor comes out. You can stay in a house that we own until you can find one of your own. You would do a check of all my guys and make sure they are game ready, give them massage therapy as well as picking up on their physical therapy regimens. You will attend all the games, both home and away. You will be on call on days that they practice.”

Lacey listened, her eyes wide as he continued.

“Also, you will have a vehicle provided to you, a monthly living allowance as well as a substantial pay increase from your currently salary.”

“I don’t know…” She hesitated as she slid a glance to Trevor then back to George. She picked up her glass of water and, at that exact moment, George decided to inform her of how much of a pay increase she would be getting. Lacey was so shocked by the number she sputtered, causing water to go up her nose. This resulted in a violent coughing fit that drew the attention of other guests in the restaurant.

“That’s a lot of money,” she gasped as Trevor gently patted her on the back, trying to help her catch her breath.

“That’s how serious we are about having you with us,” George said. Lacey studied his face and could see no signs of deceit. He was being sincere.

“What if I’m not a good fit for your club?” She hesitated. This was a dream job, she just couldn’t figure out why it was being handed to her. Sure, she was sleeping with one of the hottest men in baseball, but surely there were others out there more qualified than she was.

Trevor’s hand reached out and covered hers. Gently he gave it a reassuring squeeze. George looked at their hands and smiled widely. “Somehow, I don’t think you are going to have a problem.”

Her head was spinning by the time their meals arrived. They chatted casually and gave her time to think. In all honesty she didn’t have anything holding her in Miami. If anything, she had more reason to leave, knowing deep down that Robert was searching for her. At least by the time he found her here she would be long gone.

Finally, dinner was over and she’d become comfortable with George. He was actually a great guy. They laughed and had a good time. After dessert she placed her napkin on her plate and looked at George.

“When would you need to know my answer?” she asked.

He chuckled. “Well, you see, that is a bit tricky because since Trevor will be flying out next Thursday. That gives me a little less than a week to get things situated and prepared for your arrival. I would need to know by tomorrow evening if at all possible.”

Lacey chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully and slowly she nodded. “Okay, I’ll have my answer for you by tomorrow afternoon.”

George smiled widely. “That’s excellent.”

The check came and George graciously took it and paid for their meeting. They said their goodbyes and Trevor helped Lacey into the back of the limo.

Once settled in, she snuggled into his side, resting her head on his chest.

“What’s this?” she asked as she laced her fingers through his.

He lifted their hands and brushed them against his lips. “I don’t have any idea but I kind of like it,” he said softly.

“Is this weird? I mean, things between us? We moved so fast and now we’re talking about me packing up and moving my entire life to the West Coast.”

“I don’t really know. It does feel a little weird, like when is the too-good-to-be-true part going to be over? When is the other shoe going to drop?”

“I know what you mean.” She frowned as she thought about her past. They still didn’t know so much about each other. Would he still feel the same about her when he found out her secrets? Her stomach clenched at the thought of his reaction. “Do you have any deep dark secrets?” she heard herself ask. It was out of her mouth before she could even think to stop it. Why in the hell would she ask him that?

“No. I don’t. There are no skeletons hiding in my closet. You can ask me anything you want to and I will answer honestly and truthfully.”

“When did you lose your virginity?” she spouted playfully.

He kissed the top of her head and laughed. “I was eighteen when I had sex for the first time.”

This answer caused her to shift and look up at him. She must have had a look on her face of utter perplexity because he laughed again. “What?”

“I—I just didn’t see you as the type to wait so long.”

“I think I should be insulted by that little remark,” he said playfully.

“Well, you’re just so…charismatic and charming, not to mention hot. I can’t help but to think you had it easy in school.”

“On the contrary. I was kind of a geek in school. I was scared as hell to talk to women.”

“No you weren’t!”

He nodded. “I was.”

He hugged her close and the feeling of his arms around her gave her a sense of comfort and safeness that she’d never felt before. She waited for him to ask what her deepest darkest secret was, but he never did.

They pulled to a stop in front of her apartment and she climbed out. He slid out behind her and followed her to the double doors.

“You don’t have to walk me to my door,” she said playfully.

“I wasn’t following you anywhere,” he said as he leaned down and brushed her lips with his own, “I was hoping for an invitation to come in.”

“Well, by all means, Mr. Barns, why don’t you come in for a while?” She took him by the hand and led him up the stairs.

As she slipped her key in the door, it came open. “That’s weird,” she said with a frown. “I could have sworn I locked that when we left.”

There was a dark frown on Trevor’s face as he took her by the hand and pulled her behind him. Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw when they walked into her apartment.

Everything was destroyed. Lamps were shattered and lying on the floor. Her couch was shredded, stuffing exploding all over the room. Someone had completely trashed the place. Lacey felt herself sagging to the floor but Trevor’s arms were there to keep her from falling. A heavy feeling landed in the pit of her stomach.

“Who on earth did this?” he asked.

She knew, without a doubt, who had done this. She gulped in air and pulled herself to her feet. She hurried out to her patio to let the cool night air wash over her. In the distance she could see lightning flash over the ocean. A storm was blowing in. No, she thought. A storm was already here. Robert had found her.

“Lacey?” Trevor’s concerned voice appeared behind her. His hand was on her shoulder, gently coaxing her to turn around. “Baby, what is it?” he asked when he saw her tear streaked face.

She still couldn’t find her words.

“You know who did this, don’t you?”

She nodded and adverted her gaze, humility and shame crashing over her as strong as the waves slamming onto the beach below.

“Who?”

She took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze head on. “It was my husband.”

And like that, the air was sucked away from them both.

Risk Book 3

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as Lacey watched the cops comb through every inch of her apartment for any leads as to who might have done the crime. She didn’t need them to tell her who had done it. She knew who the responsible party was and it made her sick.

She sat in the hall directly across from her apartment, leaning against the wall with her legs pulled up to her chest. She folded her arms and rested them on top of her knees. She no longer cared if she ruined her brand new dress.  Her shoes were sitting beside her, long forgotten. The perfect evening had turned to shit and now she felt like she was going to be sick. Tears rained down her face, leaving black tracks of mascara in their wake. The look on Trevor’s face when she’d told him about Robert was still frozen in her mind. She hadn’t wanted to tell him like this, but she figured it was better to get it out in the open rather than to let him find out some other way.

Leaning forward, she rested her forehead on her folded arms. She’d already given her statement to the police, and now Trevor was doing the same. She stayed exactly how she was when she saw his shoes appear beside her.

“The police are done with me,” he said, kneeling down beside her and placing his hand lightly on her arm.

She looked up at him. “Oh,” she said forlornly. She tried to get a read on his emotions, but his face was a mask revealing nothing. His green eyes just looked at her evenly and a lock of blond hair had come free from the styling product he’d used and slipped across his forehead. More than anything, she just wanted to reach up and brush it away. She was about to do so when a large officer filled the doorway.

“Ms. Carson, is there anything else you can think of? Maybe something you missed?”

She shook her head. “No sir.”

“Well, we found another set of prints and we’ll run them through the database to see if they match your husband’s. We’re finished here but I suggest you stay somewhere else for a couple of days.”

She nodded. She hadn’t missed the fact that Trevor had stiffened when the officer had said
husband
.  “W-when will you know something?”

“It’s hard to say. If your husband has a record then it shouldn’t take more than twenty-four hours. But if he doesn’t, it could take considerably longer.”

She really wished they would quit saying husband. “He’s got a record,” she muttered.

“Excuse me?” the officer said.

Lacey wiped her nose with the back of her hand before looking back up at him. “I said he’s got a record. Assault and battery, reckless endangerment, drunk and disorderly, a handful of misdemeanors and a couple minor drug infractions.”

The officer looked down at her like she’d sprouted another head. “How in the hell is this man not in prison?” he grumbled as he jotted the new information down.

“We were in a small town. It’s all about who you know,” she said sourly.

“Apparently so.  Well, if you feel that you are in danger I can post a watch at the hotel you choose,” he said kindly.

“That won’t be necessary,” Trevor spoke up. Both the officer and Lacey looked at him curiously.

“Sir, I really think it best…”

“It won’t be necessary because she’s going to be staying with me until this issue is solved.”

Lacey’s eyes snapped to Trevor, shocked that he was still willing to help her after her big revelation. He didn’t meet her gaze as she climbed to her feet.

“Are we finished here?” Trevor asked, though not unkindly.

“I believe we are, Mr. Barns. If we have any further questions we’ll defiantly be in touch.”

Trevor nodded once.

“Can I get some things out of my apartment?” she asked the man.

He nodded once and moved his bulk aside to allow her entrance. “Sure.”

Lacey squeezed passed him and Trevor was right behind her, following her steps into her bedroom, which was in the worst shape of any of the rooms in the house. Her bed was slashed to ribbons. All her dressers and bedside tables had been tossed, and everything had been pulled from her closets and thrown on the floor.

“He really did a number, didn’t he?” Trevor grumbled.

“Yeah. It’s my punishment,” she said softly as tears began to gather in her eyes.

“Your punishment? Punishment for what?”

“You don’t leave Robert,” she said gravely. She didn’t give Trevor a chance to respond as she busied herself with packing. She grabbed a bag from beneath her bed and pulled some clothes from the floor and tossed them in the bottom. She really didn’t know what she’d grabbed nor did she really care. She just stuffed random stuff in there. Quickly, she went into the bathroom and grabbed her toothbrush and a few other essential items.

When she came back into the room, Trevor was standing with his hands in his pocks. The tie at his neck had been loosened drastically and the top button unfastened. His eyes were tired and he refused to look at her.

“I think I’m good.”

He nodded once and held out his hand to her. Reluctantly she took it and she relaxed just a little when he gave her a reassuring squeeze. Together they made their way from the apartment. A few cops were questioning neighbors that were rubbernecking to see what was going on. Some of them recognized Trevor and nearly twisted their necks from their shoulders trying to catch a glimpse of him.

Once inside the limo, Lacey fidget anxiously. “Is this going to hurt your image?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Not hurt it, but I’m pretty sure the press is going to have a field day with it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing that can be done about it now. I’ll just talk to my manager and deal with it tomorrow.”  He stared out window, refusing to look at her. Once the limo had pulled away and they were safely inside, he released her hand.  His tone wasn’t harsh, but it wasn’t all together comforting.

“I can stay at a hotel,” she said quietly.

Trevor’s head whipped around angrily, causing her to shrink back against the seat. The muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched. The calm he’d had before had evaporated.

“Why in the hell didn’t you tell me? You’re fucking married?” he roared.

She flinched again, squeezing her eyes together tightly and trying to scoot away from him. Instinctively her hands went up to protect her face. When several seconds passed and nothing happened, she slowly lowered them. Trevor was staring at her, but the anger had evaporated. His eyes were wide.

“He beat you, didn’t he?”

She didn’t say anything as her heart beat rapidly, like a frightened rabbit.

“Is that why you refused to tell me anything about your past?”

Again she remained silent.

“Lacey,” he said softly as he reached for her hand. She flinched, it was too late, she’d been vaulted into the past and all the work she’d done to build herself up to feel safe had crumbled in front of her.

“Hey,” he crooned as he took her stiff form and pulled her into his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I would never, ever, lay a hand on you. EVER. Do you understand me?” Gently he stroked her hair. “I’m sorry I shouted.”

The flood gates opened and she sobbed brokenly into his shirt front. “I’m so sorry,” she wailed. She had promised herself she’d never cry in front of a man again. It gave them power and the loss of power was something she vowed she would never do again.

“Shhh, baby. It’s okay. We’ll get this all figured out, and then we’ll fly out to LA.”

Sniffing, she lifted her eyes and looked at him. “You still want me to go with you?! Even after everything…after…?”

“Is that what you’re worried about? That I would change my mind?”

“You haven’t heard the whole story yet,” she whispered.

He kissed her lightly on the forehead. It was a gesture so sweet and pure she wondered if she’d imagined it. “I’m a little aggravated that you didn’t tell me about him and that you were in danger.”

“I didn’t think he’d find me so soon.”

“How did he find you?”

“I’m not sure. He had my email address.”

“Then that is how he found you.”

“From my email?”

He nodded. “Yeah. All he had to do was track your IP address and it would have been easy.”

“I never thought about it that way.”

“How did he get your address?”

She groaned. “My mother gave it to him.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “My mother always liked Robert. She thought we were good together.”

He frowned. “Your mother sounds like a piece of work.”

“Yeah. She really is. I don’t think my dad can stand her, honestly. I think he just stayed because of me and my sister. When we left, he just kind of checked out. He was furious with Mom when she took Robert’s side. He nearly killed him.”

“Why didn’t he?” Trevor asked sourly.

“I wouldn’t let him. Robert was my first love. My first everything. We were together since high school. I couldn’t bear the thought of being without him.”

“What did he do to you?”

Lacey sucked in a sharp breath and released it through her teeth, making a hissing noise. “A lot,” she answered softly.

“Have you ever told anyone?”

“Bits and pieces.”

“Well, I’m not going to force you, but I already know he beat you. I want you to know this though—I would never, ever lay a harmful finger on you. I was raised better than that and good Lord if my momma ever found out she’d grind me into hamburger meat and feed it to the hogs.”

Laughter bubbled from Lacey’s lips.

Trevor chuckled. “You think I’m playing! I’m being serious. That’s not to mention what my four sisters and big brother would do to me.”

“Good grief, four sisters?”

“Yeah. I am second to the youngest. My baby sister is about your age.”

She nodded. It made sense why he was so attuned to what she needed.

“Listen. I’m not going to ask you anything else but…” he tilted her chin up so their gazes would meet. “I need you to know that I will ask. It may not be tomorrow or next week, but I will. In order for this to work between us, you need to be able to trust me.”

“I do,” she answered softly.

He shook his head. “No, you don’t. You trust me when we have sex. I can see that in your eyes. I will tell you this though, had I known the first time what I know now, I would have taken a different approach. I would have never been so rough.” She saw a glimmer of regret in his eyes.

“Don’t you dare say that,” she said, sitting up with her face pulled down into a severe frown. “Don’t for a moment think I wasn’t in control of that. You may think me weak and afraid, perhaps in some ways I am, but I promise you, I make my own decisions now. I do trust you. I knew if I wanted to stop, you would have. A before you even think about it, I don’t want to stop what or how we’ve been having sex. The way you do it verses the way
he
did it is vastly different. With you, it is pleasurable and fun and with my consent. I had never come before. I’ve never had anyone care for me and show me that having sex was fun. Yes, violence has tainted my past when it comes to sex, but what we do is not violent, it is beautiful. The way he…” her voice trailed off.

“Shhh, don’t even finish that sentence.”

“The point is, I have worked for a long time to get myself back. For a long time I didn’t know who I was because it was always Robert and Lacey. I had to figure out who Lacey was. That’s why I left.”

“And you didn’t tell anyone where you went?”

“My dad knew. We’ve always been close. I used a burner phone when I called home and blocked my number. The night I left, I had already signed the divorce papers and left them for Robert to sign because I knew that if I handed them to him, I might not walk away this time.”

“And your mother wanted you back with him?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but there’s more than just the abuse. I can’t right now,” she said softly, adverting her gaze.

“Not tonight. Tonight, you’re going to sleep and know that you are safe. Protected.”

“Thank you,” she said snuggling into Trevor’s side. She yawned and felt the fingers of exhaustion reaching out for her. “How far to your place?” The gentle stroking of his hand against the back of her head was lulling her to sleep.

“I live out of town a ways. It’s a little bit of a drive. Just relax.”

Relax was the last thing she heard as she fell asleep in his arms.

Trevor listened as Lacey’s breathing grew slow and steady. He wanted to kick himself for raising his voice to her earlier. The minute he’d seen her reaction there was no denying what she’d been through. Which, now that he looked at it, explained a lot about her closed off personality.  When she’d told him that she was married, he felt as if she’d sucker punched him right in the gut. He’d thought that maybe she was cheating or something. Okay, so he wasn’t thinking too clearly but still, when a woman says they’re married, it never ends that well.

His arm tightened protectively around Lacey’s shoulders as his thoughts turned darker. There was no way in hell this asshole was going to get away with terrorizing her. He had to be careful because of his contract and code of conduct with the team, but a plan was already starting to form in his head.