Page 54 of Tripp

He opened his mouth to speak but quickly snapped it shut, his recent smile morphing into a vicious scowl. The faltering of his steps put me on alert. Tripp cursed under his breath, and as I perused the crowd I knew exactly why.

“What the hell isshedoing here?” I asked.

“I have no goddamn idea, but I’m about to find out.” We stalked toward the person in question—or I should say that Tripp stalked forward, dragging me behind me. His steps were rushed and I had to break out into a slight jog just to keep up with him.

“Arianna,” Tripp barked, startling not only her but the couple people standing close by. Lowering his voice so as not to call anyone else’s attention, he said, “What are you doing here?”

I’d told Tripp about the way Arianna had treated me at work, telling me that I wasn’t gonna hold his interest and that he would eventually choose her over me. I’d also revealed how she taunted me with their past escapades. I’d tried to play off her antics as juvenile and those of a jealous woman, but she’d managed to affect me. Tripp and I were still so new it was only logical I’d have my doubts.

Tripp shut down every insecurity I had where she was concerned, assuring me that he’d never touch her again, even if I weren’t in the picture.

“I was invited, of course,” she said sweetly, false bravado spewing forth as she put on airs she couldn’t quite pull off. Her outfit was inappropriate for such an event. If I’d thought my dress was borderline questionable because of the open back, my reservations halted at the sight of her short, red, skintight excuse for a dress. Sure, some of the others’ dresses were form-fitting, but they weren’t slutty. There was a time and a place for such clothing, and a baby’s baptism celebration wasn’t one. Her face was overdone with way too much makeup, and her hair was high and ratty. Tame everything down and she’d pass for attractive, but not like this.

“By who?” he asked. Her eyes flicked to mine, narrowing slightly before focusing back on the man standing next to me.

“Breck.”

“Of course,” Tripp mumbled before shouting for Breck, who was fast approaching with a beer in hand. He stopped next to Arianna and snaked his arm around her waist.

“What?”

“Why did you invite her here?”

“Because I could. What’s it to you?” Breck’s eyes shot to mine before a lascivious grin flashed across his face. “Oh I get it. You fucked her so now you don’t want anyone else to have her. Well, too bad.” Breck pulled Arianna close and she laughed, but her eyes never left Tripp.

“I don’t give a shit who you fuck.” I believed he was speaking to the both of them, but couldn’t be sure. “Just make sure you stay away from us, or else.” Tripp stopped speaking, turned around and guided me back toward the parking lot. I heard Breck and Arianna mumble something behind me, but again we were walking so fast I couldn’t make out any of it.

“Tripp, please slow down. I’m gonna break my neck in these heels.” I yanked on his arm for emphasis.

“Sorry.” He slowed but not by much. Once we were far enough away, he dropped my hand and leaned against the building Marek had entered not ten minutes prior. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, Reece. If I could change parts of my past I would.”

“Ditto,” I responded, leaning in to him so I could feel the heat of his body. Was I upset at the reminder that Tripp had been with Arianna? Of course. Did I believe he wanted nothing more to do with her? Wholeheartedly.

Tripp’s arms encased me, drawing me in so I could rest my head against his chest. The hasty thrum of his heartbeat told me he was upset. Over the next several minutes we remained silent, existing in the comfort the other provided. His fingers danced over my exposed skin, heat blossoming between my legs at his subtle touch.

“Reece,” he whispered, his fingers pressing harder on my back before lowering to cup my ass cheeks. Pulling back to look into his face, I saw a plethora of emotions cross his features. His green eyes darkened with remorse and apology, but a deepening lust existed just under the surface, overpowering his regret at the situation that had just occurred. “Can we escape inside so I can show you how sorry I am that you had to endure that?”

I knew it wasn’t his fault. He had no idea she was gonna be there, and I wanted more than anything to give him a reprieve from his guilt, if that was even the correct word to describe what he’d probably been feeling since the encounter. However, I knew it wasn’t the right time or place. The last thing I wanted was to be caught by his friends, especially since they didn’t know me. It was important these people viewed me as someone other than just the stripper Tripp hooked up with from the club.

Rising up on my toes, I pressed my lips to his. When he groaned into my mouth, I thought for sure I would’ve thrown all caution to the wind and taken him up on his delicious offer, but I restrained myself. Barely.

“This isn’t the place. But I promise that as soon as we get home I’ll let you apologize over and over again.”

He ignored me, instead pressing his lower half into mine. “Please. Don’t make me beg, baby,” he pleaded. “I’m so fuckin’ hard right now.” His warm breath fanned my face before his mouth descended over mine, the flick of his tongue enough to tempt me once again.

The roar of motorcycles interrupted our heated moment. Three bikes followed by an SUV soon entered the lot, gravel kicking up around their tires before they backed into the available parking spaces.

The engines kicked off and the men rested their feet on the ground on either side of their impressive machines as they removed their helmets.

“Yo,” one of the men yelled, laughing at something one of the others had said while approaching us. “I thought for sure you’d be the last to arrive.” He stopped a couple feet away, his smile wide and inviting. He appeared younger than the rest of them, probably somewhere in his early twenties. The way the sunlight hit his dark golden hair, it appeared as if he had natural highlights—an attribute any woman would kill for, me included. His amber eyes flicked from me to Tripp a few times before any introduction was made.

“I’m not the one who’s always late. That’s Ryder.”

“Stop callin’ me out,” a dark-haired man yelled from across the lot, continuing to talk to the others as if he hadn’t just had an outburst.

“You’re a close second,” the guy jested, his hand extended to me in the absence of introduction. “I’m Jagger,” he said, snagging my hand as soon as I raised my arm. He seemed pleasant.

“Reece. Nice to meet you,” I replied, relaxing in the acceptance of his friend.

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