Tempting Tricks (Tempting Nights #2)

Chapter Eighteen

~Trick~

I call Cory at Temptations and ask her to arrange a car for me that evening from the service they use, and then I tell her I’m quitting. I’ve worked as an escort for over a year, and honestly, have enjoyed it, but know that what I’m feeling for Belle changes everything.

“I kind of thought it was obvious you wouldn’t be back when you had me put you on hold a month ago.”

“Really?” I’m surprised she would have assumed so easily that I wouldn’t return.

“This was a short-term solution for you, Trick. I knew you’d figure your shit out sooner or later and leave.”

I laugh. “I guess you knew before I did then.”

“I’ve been here a long time.” She chuckles. “I’m not going to say we aren’t going to miss you though. You’re one of our most popular requests for an escort. ”

“How’s Gabby doing?” I inquire. I referred her to Temptations and was curious how she had been with the clients.

“You didn’t hear?” she replies. “She was fired yesterday. We found out she was arrested several weeks ago for propositioning an undercover cop. You know we can’t have that associated with the business.”

“Fuck.” I run a hand down my face as I look up at the ceiling. That’s why she showed up at my place drunk last night. “I’ll call her.”

“She doesn’t belong here either.” Cory sighs. “So, it was probably a blessing in disguise.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I frown, feeling like shit now about the way I treated her the night before. “Okay, thanks for everything, Cory.”

I hit end on the brand new iPhone I purchased this morning as I stride out of my apartment, using the stairwell to go down one floor. I exit into the hallway, knock on the third door, and wait to see if anyone is home at Trey’s place. The door opens after a minute, Trey standing before me, hair tousled and exhausted looking.

“Fuck, you look like hammered shit.” I walk inside, not waiting to be invited, the door closing behind me.

“Come on in.” He yawns sarcastically. “Want a coffee? I didn’t get in ‘til after four this morning.”

I move to the kitchen. “I’ll make it.” I motion for him to sit. “Take a load off.”

“Who the fuck are you, and what have you done to my friend Trick?” he asks, brows raised in shock as he sits at the breakfast bar.

“Shut up.” I sneer at him. “I made coffee all the time when we lived together.” I shove a pod into the Keurig and place a mug under the dispenser, pressing the large cup brew button.

“Not this willingly.” He scratches his head, yawning again. “What’s going on?”

I pull the cup out and slide it in front of him, leaning over the counter, resting on my forearms. I know he likes it black. “Charlie home?”

He shakes his head. “Hospital.” He takes a sip of the coffee, eyes rolling to the back of his head as he hums appreciatively. “Working ‘til seven.”

“Should she still be working?” I ask, referring to her pregnancy.

“She’s not sick, asshole. She’s having a baby.”

“Yeah, I know, but she’s like, getting huge.” I lift my shoulders in defense. “It can’t be good for her to be on her feet all day.”

“She’s fine.” He gives me a crooked smile. “She’s got another seven weeks to go. She’ll know when it’s too much for her.”

“Okay.” I shrug. “So, you hear anything about what happened with Gabby?”

“Only a little.”

“Cory said she got arrested, and fired, for propositioning a cop.”

Trey chokes on the coffee he’s just inhaled, his eyes wide when he stops coughing. “What? I sure as hell didn’t hear that.”

I turn to the sink, tear a paper towel off the roll, then hand it to him. “What did you hear?”

“Charlotte said Gabby got in a fight with Cameron, made a scene at your place, and then cooled off here for a few hours before she put her in a taxi home.”

“Well, something sure as hell happened, but I guess we’ll have to wait until Charlie gets home to find out all the details.” I take the dirty paper towel and throw it away for him. “You working tonight, too?”

He shakes his head. “Nope, we’re both off. We’re ordering Chinese and going to Netflix and chill.”

“Can you do me a favor then?”

“Maybe,” he scoffs back, never knowing what to expect from me.

“Can you watch Kane tonight? I’m going out, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” I shake my head in disgust. “I can’t believe I’m asking you to fucking babysit.”

“Not if it’s so you can get a fresh beating down at that damn club,” he states, his eyes narrowing in anger.

“Fuck you,” I bite out. “I have a date.”

“A Temptations date, or a real date?”

“A date. I quit the agency this morning.”

His brow quirks up, his jaw dropping. “No fucking way.” He shakes his head. “I don’t believe it.” Then he shoots his gaze up to mine. “Is it the girl? The one Charlotte said you were getting cozy with at the ball?”

“Can you watch the dog or not?” I quip back.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll watch the dog.” He slides his cup over to me. “Make me another, will ya?”

I scowl. “Sure, boss.”

“So, you going to tell me her name?”

I knew I’d get the fifth degree as soon as I admitted I have a date with someone. I just expected it to be from Charlie, not him. I make myself busy preparing another coffee for him, keeping silent while I do, letting him wonder. When it’s done, I slide it back in front of him. “I’ll bring the puppy down around six.”

I walk around the counter and toward the exit.

“You’re seriously not going to tell me anything?” He huffs. “You’re an asshole.”

I stop, grinning at him. “Yep.” I flip him the finger and keep walking. “Her name’s Annabelle Murphy, she’s a doctor, and yes, she’s legal.” I stroll through the door, slamming it behind me before he can ask me anything else.

A t exactly seven o’clock, I knock on Belle’s door, dressed in a dark gray Tom Ford suit, a white dress shirt, and carrying a bouquet of red roses. When the door swings wide, I let out a long whistle, riveted by the vision that stands before me. I told her to put on a nice dress and some make-up, but she’s outdone my wildest fantasy.

She’s wearing a stunning bandage style dress, sleeveless with a deep V-neck, exposing the soft, silky skin of her cleavage. The skirt falls to just above her knee, but the last six inches is fringed, showing off a teasing amount of leg when she moves. The silver color of the material highlights the blue of her eyes, which sparkle as she looks back at me.

“Wow.” I step up to her, kissing her cheek, my nostrils flaring at her scent. It’s musky with undertones of citrus and vanilla, and I want to nuzzle my nose against her neck to inhale again, but I step back and hand her the flowers. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks flush as they rise up in an adorable smile before she buries her nose in the fresh blooms. “These smell divine.” She lifts her face, beaming, and takes a step back. “Come in.”

I enter, sweeping my gaze around the room, my cock twitching at the memory of her sucking my cock right where I’m standing. I adjust my jacket over my waist and follow her into the small kitchen. She sets the flowers on the counter and opens a cabinet, standing up on her tip-toes for a vase. I reach up behind her, grabbing it easily, and lower it to the counter for her, making sure to inhale deeply as I do, savoring her perfume. “You smell amazing.”

She spins around, her body almost flush with mine, her eyes locking with mine. “It’s Burberry.”

“It’s all I ever want to smell on you again.” I respond huskily, leaning into her hair, smooth and sleek down her back instead of the usual waves she has, nipping lightly against her ear.

“Patrick,” she moans. “We’re not going to go anywhere if you don’t stop that.”

I grumble and step away, knowing she’s correct.

“Do you want a drink, or do we have to get to the club straight away?” She fills the vase with water, moving to unwrap the flowers from their packaging.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I crumble up the paper as she arranges the flowers. “We’re not going to the club tonight though.”

Her fingers still on the stems, and she glances up at me. Is it wrong that I’m thrilled to see disappointment on her face? “We’re not?”

I shake my head, taking one of her hands in mine, and raise it to my lips, kissing her knuckles. “We’re not. ”

“Then what?” she wonders aloud.

“I’m taking you to dinner. I think a real date is in order before I completely debase and ruin you for all other men.”

Her brow arches high. “You think that’s what you’re going to do to me?”

I lean down, tugging her against my body, and make sure she feels how I react whenever I’m near her. A small gasp escapes her lips. “I hope, when I’m done with you, you’ll never look at another man again.”

Her head tilts slowly up until her eyes lock with mine, her tongue sweeping across her lips. I flick my tongue out and caress it against hers, crushing my mouth to hers, claiming her the only way I can for now. When I break away, she’s panting, her nipples peaked beneath her dress.

It takes all my willpower not to throw her up on the counter. But I walk away instead, pulling her behind me toward the door. “I have a car waiting. Do you have a jacket I can help you with?”

She nods, still dazed from our passionate exchange, and points to the couch. I walk over, stopping when I notice there’s a gray ball of fluff curled up on her jacket. “Um, Belle?” I motion to the cat, unsure what to do.

“Nyla!” she exclaims, walking over, her tongue clucking in disapproval. “Get off my jacket, you little fur ball.” She lifts it off her jacket, shooing the cat when it strikes a clawed paw at her. She glances over at me. “Meet Nyla, my territorial roommate.”

I chuckle. “Hey, at least your coat’s in one piece.” I shake my head. “You don’t even want to know what Kane did to my two-hundred-dollar running shoes. ”

“Get a pet, they said,” she mocks. “It will be fun, they said.”

We both laugh, and I help her into her jacket. After opening the door for her, I lead her to the waiting car, more excited to spend time with someone than I can ever remember.