Page 36 of Unexpected Love

“I don’t think I have, but that sounds great.”

He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I know it might be presumptuous, but I brought an overnight bag. I’m going to get it, okay?”

I smile at him. “Yes, of course.” He gets up and runs outside to grab it. While he’s outside, his phone chirps. My eyes drift toward it and see a text alert from someone named Shaya. Ugh, why did I look? It’s not my business. He said he wasn’t going to sleep with anyone while whatever this is was happening, and I need to trust that and him.

Joe steps back in with his bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m going to stick this in your bedroom.”

While he does that, my mind keeps going back to his phone and this Shaya girl. Who is she?…No, I’m not going to be that girl. He’s not Trevor.

Trevor Phillips had been the love of my life, or so I thought. We were together for five years, and I thought he was the one until I learned that I wasn’t his only girlfriend and one was pregnant. I swear it turned into an episode of Maury.

A smile touches my lips when I remember the way he showed up at the apartment we’d shared to get his stuff. Trevor had called me a slut, and my pops punched him right in the face. Last I heard, he’s still single, has two kids by two different women, and pays a ton in child support.

Then there was the Teddy debacle, but when I look back, that was more of a rebound, and it was the catalyst that had me seeking Joe out.

Yes, both of those guys have given me a little bit of trust issues, and it’s made me a little more selective. Joe isn’t the usual type I’d go for. He’s charismatic and gorgeous, and women look at him like he’s a meal. I know his reputation, but can I trust that he’ll be faithful with me?

“What time do you have to be at your gig tonight?” He sits back down, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“I have to be there at eight thirty, and I go on at nine. We should probably go to dinner at six or so—unless that’s too early, of course.”

“Not at all.” He picks up his phone. I watch as he pulls up Shaya’s text and then deletes it.

“Everything okay?” What am I doing? I cringe and wish I kept silent.

He looks at me, giving me a smile. “Yeah, just an old hookup checking in.” Joe turns fully toward me. “I meant what I said. While this—whatever this is—is going on, there won’t be anyone else.

“Before you, there have been other women…I won’t lie, and I’m not ashamed. I’ve never lied to any of them. They all knew I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I’ve also never treated any of them poorly. If that’s going to be a problem, tell me now and we can end things. If it’s not, then let’s get ready to go out to a fantastic dinner, and then I can watch you play later.”

“Thank you for that. I appreciate your honesty. I dated a guy for five years—actually, we lived together, and he had this whole secret life and even had a baby on the way while we were together. It’s made me slightly paranoid. You’ll have to bear with me.” Joe grabs a strand of my hair and pulls me to him.

Our lips meet in a slow, sensual glide. Our tongues meet and duel—I moan as he deepens the kiss. Pushing up onto my knees, I lean into him, gripping his shirt in my fists. I feel one of his hands slide into my hair, grabbing it at the base of my skull. I whimper from the bite of pain as he gives it a jerk and nips at my bottom lip.

Joe might be only twenty-four, but he’s got the bedroom skills of a much older, more experienced man. He pulls away first, and I really want to pout. “I wasn’t done with you yet,” I murmur against his lips.

“I know, but if we don’t stop, we won’t make dinner and you won’t make your show. Why don’t you get ready? I just need to change my clothes.”

He’s right, and I do need to get ready. I’ve already showered, so I just have to do my hair and makeup and then get dressed. “Okay, you can get ready in my room. I’ll be in the bathroom.” I kiss him before getting up and heading into the bathroom.

It doesn’t take long for me to do my face. I give my eyelids a smoky look that makes the blue pop and add a little color to my cheeks to give them a dewy look. I decide to use a popping red on my lips.

My ebony locks hang in smooth waves down my back. The front is twisted and pinned back from my face, showing off the diamond stud earrings my grandma bought me for my thirtieth birthday. They go with the matching solitaire that hangs around my neck.

The dress I chose for tonight is hanging on the back of the door. It’s a royal blue capped sleeve midi dress that hits me right below my knees. It hugs my curves and makes me feel so sexy. I slip it on and smooth my hands over the material. After dabbing my face with a little powder, I stick it and my lipstick in my little bag.

After dabbing some perfume on, I open the bathroom door. I move across the hall to my bedroom and grab my black stiletto pumps, slipping them on before heading into the living room. Joe is standing in front of the TV, and it gives me a second to admire his sexy backside, which looks spectacular in his black dress pants. He turns as I walk farther into the room, and the look on his face makes my pussy tingle.

His eyes rake over my body, and it does an involuntary shiver. He stalks toward me, and I automatically back up until I’m against the wall. Grabbing my wrists, he pulls my arms up over my head then shackles them with one hand. My breath leaves me in little pants as his other hand wraps around my throat.

Can he see my pulse pounding in my neck? Can he feel it? His heated gaze holds mine as his hand slides from my neck to my breasts. A gasp slips past my lips as his thumb grazes my nipple. “You are so fucking beautiful.” His hand begins moving again, slowly down my stomach until he reaches the hem of my dress.

Joe leans forward until our lips are almost touching. I moan as I feel him lift my dress, his hand sliding up my bare thigh. His touch is firm, demanding. He reaches the apex of my thighs, and a sexy growl comes from his lips. It’s because he’s discovering I’m not wearing any panties.

Thank God I just got waxed last week. His fingers slide through my slick folds, and I moan. I think he’s going to kiss me, but instead of touching my lips, he touches my chin and then my neck.

I want to touch him so bad, but he won’t let go of me. My breasts feel heavy, my pussy aches to be filled, and I want his lips on mine. He works one finger inside me. My head hits the wall with a thunk, but I don’t care.

Meow…Meow. Ragnar and Lagertha had been lounging in my room on my bed all day, and now they’ve decided to come out and visit. Joe pulls away from me, and we both look down. Both cats have gotten in between us and are staring at us. I start to laugh, and Joe joins in as we stare at these little monsters.

---