Page 7 of Not A Whisper

Yeah, that’s what I thought I heard. But now I’m even more confused than before. Frowning, I let go of his wrist to cross my arms over my chest.

“You are? Why would you want to do that? We’re just a bunch of old people.”

I’m teasing him but real anxiety blossoms in my gut. It’s not that I don’t want to hang out with Trip. I’m thrilled to have him here. But my earlier concerns about inviting him, and the others, return. How would I even introduce Trip? Or explain how we met? And would our dynamics together work with my friends around or would I find myself in a seriously uncomfortable position?

One of Trip’s eyebrows raises as he studies me. “Shouldn’t I finally meet some of your friends?”

“I’ve never asked that you meet or hang out with my friends.”

“You hang out with mine,” he points out with a smirk.

Point well made. Still…

“Yeah, well, it turns out I’m seeing them too. I don’t know ifthat counts.” I roll my eyes, my mouth twitching upward in amusement. “What happened to not being seen together by Garry’s people?”

“I’ve decided that I’m done with Garry. He can fuck off.” Trip’s brows slam together. “I’m going to do what I want, whenever I want. And what I want is you, so get used to me being around more, dollface. Now, are you gonna let me change or what?”

I can’t stop the way my heart swells. He wants to be around more? How can I find fault in that? “Alright, hurry up.”

Trip turns and heads for the shower. He stops right when he gets to the bathroom door to look back at me.

“I told you to change. Get to it.”

Looking down, I check to make sure I’m not spilling out of the tight little black dress. It’s definitely not something I would normally wear, I prefer modesty most of the time, but I was feeling bold tonight and I didn’t want the dress to go to waste.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

He glares at me. “Nothing is wrong with the damn dress except the fact that you look too fucking good in it.”

“Oh.” I beam at him. “Thanks, it was a purchase I made while slightly inebriated. I’m glad it looks ok since there’s a no return policy.”

I swear, the only person who can roll their eyes harder than me has to be Trip. I can practically see the back of his eyeballs as they roll.

“Then I guess we’ll have to call it a loss.” He nudges his head toward my bedroom door. “Find something quick. I won’t be long.”

“I can wear whatever I want, Trip.”

Trip sighs loudly before he turns his whole body to face me. “You can wear whateverIwant you to wear, dollface. If youwant to go out, I’ll take you, but I’mnotgoing to jail tonightso go change.”

“What does this dress and jail?—”

“If anyone, and I meananyone,fucking looks at you while you’re in this dress, I might kill them,” he snaps. “Find something else to wear.”

Irritation flares up in my gut. My hands land on my hips as I glare at him. “Make me.”

I know I’ve messed up the moment I utter both words. Why would I challengeTrip, of all people? I know what he’s capable of. The things he’s done to me in the past to get me to comply have been terrifying.

Hot. But stillterrifying.

He shakes his head slowly, a dark chuckle slipping past his lips. When he starts toward me, my heart leaps up into my throat.

A hard, unamused half-smile curls one side of his mouth upward. “Oh, dollface, you’re going to regret saying that.”

Three

Don’t show fear, don’t cower, I coach myself. Drawing myself up to my full height, I hold his darkening gaze as he approaches.

“I don’t believe that.” I lift my chin in defiance. “You’ve grown soft. Now turn around and go take a shower.”

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