CHAPTER 7
Edie and I had spent the day getting Preston's nursery ready. We had added a potty chair in my bathroom. I was going to see if she was ready to start toilet training. My father was equally excited about her coming to stay with us.
I had gone shopping to get more clothes for her since it seemed as if she grew in leaps and bounds. I had not seen her for three and a half weeks. I had bought more puzzles and storybooks for her because she loved to be read to and we would make a game of putting the puzzles together each taking turns.
When I heard the bell ring downstairs, I flew down the steps as Margo the new head of staff answered the door.
Trey was standing there with Preston in his arms. She had her thumb in her mouth looking incredibly sweet in her new winter coat with her knit cap and matching mittens.
"Mamma," she squealed seeing me at the bottom of the staircase.
She leaned away from Trey holding her arms out to me. I was right there to take her into my arms, holding her close.
"My sweet baby," I breathed cuddling her to me.
She immediately wanted to nurse, tugging at my sweater with her hands. She had not nursed in months. How strange was that that she would still remember?
"No honey," I said. "You're a big girl now. You drink from a cup."
"Num-num," she whined squirming unhappily in my arms.
I looked at Trey and caught his look of disapproval. Oh I guess now I was a piece of shit mom because I couldn't breastfeed on a whim. He was the one that had wanted her weaned as I recalled.
"Let's go get a cracker and some juice," I offered to appease her.
"Cacker," she repeated happily.
I took her off to the kitchen while my father came out to greet Trey. Once there I got her coat, mittens and hat off and sat her in the high chair. I got a graham cracker out and a juice box from the fridge.
"Have you been a good girl for Aunt Gina?" I asked.
She smiled up at me showing her dimple.
"Uh huh," she said, nodding her head up and down chewing on her cracker.
I could tell that Preston was deep in thought about something. She looked so adorable. Gina had pulled her silky dark hair up into a high ponytail and then braided it. It was getting so long. She had a ribbon intertwined with the braid. I appreciated how well she had cared for my baby girl.
"Baabby," she babbled.
I wasn't sure if she was referring to Reese or the one that used to be in my tummy. I presumed it was Reese.
"Baby Reese is your cousin," I said.
She was watching me now not really understanding my comment. She finally smiled at me as she drooled cracker crumbs from her mouth.
"Uh huh," she answered nodding her head once again.
Her vocabulary was rather limited but I enjoyed our conversation nonetheless.
Our little mother-daughter chat was interrupted when my father came into the kitchen totally delighted to see his grand-daughter.
He lifted her from her high chair commenting on how big she had gotten. She put her chubby little arms around his broad shoulders as he carried out to the living room where her huge crate of toys resided.
“Tylar,” he said quietly to me, “I had Margo prepare the guest suite for Trey. It makes no sense to banish him to a hotel.”
“Dad, that is fine,” I answered, “I suggested the same thing to Trey myself.”
“Good,” he replied, “I’m glad that we are on the same page.”
He went off to play with Preston while I went upstairs to see about Trey. It would be totally strange to have him here in a separate room. I passed Margo in the hallway and she pointed out which room was his.
I knocked softly on his door.
“Come in.”
Trey was sitting on the bed with his I-Pad. He was probably checking his emails. He looked over at me expectantly.
“Trey I just wanted to thank you for bringing Preston to me.”
“I believe a child of her age needs more time with her mother. I know that she has missed you. Gina said that she was incredibly fussy while she had her.”
“I need to call Gina. It seems I’ve been remiss in keeping in touch with her as well. How is Reese?”
“He is fine. Mom called earlier today. She is going to come down to visit her grandson next week. I guess that Nigel and Tess's baby is due in a few weeks."
“I bet she is excited to have all of these grandchildren to fuss over now,” I commented smiling at him. "So what did you tell her about our situation?"
Trey pulled me over to where he sat on the bed so that I was next to him. I felt my heart flutter with his nearness. I knew that I still loved Trey with all my heart. I just didn’t like him at the moment.
"I told her the truth," he said. "She is understandably furious with me. It doesn't have to mar the relationship that you two have. I hope that it won't."
He had his arm around me pulling me closer to him. I didn’t turn my head to face him. I was afraid to be that close to him.
He ran his fingers through my dark shiny locks. He lifted my hair away from my neck. I felt his warm breath on my skin sending shivers up through me.
“Why did you change your hair to look like Amber’s?” he whispered against my neck softly.
“Don’t you like the look?” I asked.
“You are much more beautiful than she could ever be. Don’t you know that?”
His lips brushed the back of my neck; he started planting soft kisses on my skin. His lips were warm and soft; all I could think about was the memory of watching Trey’s lips and mouth thoroughly kissing Amber’s that day. The memory caused a wave of nausea to run through me.
I jumped up from him quickly.
Trey reached for me to pull me back to him.
"Tylar for Chrissake, I'm your-"
Just then Trey's cell phone rang with a pre-set tune. It was Carrie Underwood blaring out the song, "Before He Cheats."
"What the hell?" he asked looking down at his Blackberry genuinely puzzled.
"Hello?" he answered frowning.
"Why are you calling me about that?"
There was a short pause while whoever was on the other end of the phone apparently explained why the call was made. "No - the Motion in Limine was filed the day before yesterday. If you can't locate the file-stamped copies they are on Pacer by now to access. Tonya can get e-copies for you."
Another pause. I was freaking curious by this time.
"I can't really talk now. This can all wait until I am back on Monday."
Trey ended the phone call. I had to know who it was though I suspected that I already knew.
"Your girlfriend, Amber?"
"My colleague, Amber," he retorted obviously annoyed.
"By the way - I really like the personal ring tone you set up for her. 'Before he cheats'? Really Trey?"
"Hey," he snapped grabbing me once again.
"I don't even know that fucking song. She must have programmed it to my phone."
"Really? And when would she have had the opportunity to do that?"
"Tylar for the love of Jesus, I don't know!"
He was exasperated by the line of questioning. So what? I would damn well like to know when she would have had access to his Blackberry.
As if reading my mind he had given it some thought.
"Hell - I lose that damn phone on a daily basis. It was likely just a prank."
"If that is true," I countered, "How would she have known your password in order to download the tune?"
"Everyone knows my password - including you Tylar!"
"Do you mean to tell me that you have NEVER changed it from 1-2-3-4?"
"I have too much to remember already. I use that same password for everything provided it doesn't require an alpha-numeric combination. Then I use A-B-1-2-3-4. Everyone in the office is aware of it. I guess I'm the joke of the firm with passwords but I don’t have time for that shit."
It almost amused me that as intelligent and orderly as Trey was he couldn't manage multiple passwords. That was neither here nor there. The bitch had intentionally downloaded that ring tone for his phone. She knew he was here with me. How? Were they still sharing personal info with each other?
“I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable Trey. I have to get down to the stables to help Danny with the thoroughbreds.”
I made a hasty retreat from his room
Once I got out to the stables I busied myself with the normal daily chores of caring for the horses to wear myself out. It was how I coped these days. It was how I was able to fall into my bed exhausted every night so that I could sleep.
Danny came out of the tack room as I was brushing Saratoga Sam. We had gotten to be pretty good friends the past week or so. I had shared with him some of the details relative to my situation with Trey.
"Hey didn't hear you come in," he remarked. "How are things going with your hubby being here?"
I shrugged and continued brushing.
"It's no big deal," I answered. "I'm thrilled that Preston is here now. It's not like anything has changed between Trey and me. He is sleeping in the guest quarters."
"Wanna bet he tries to sneak into your quarters tonight?" he teased.
I looked up at him. He was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort at the thought. I wondered if Trey had planned on something like that. Perhaps I would simply lock my door.
"You're going to lock your bedroom door aren't you?" he asked getting his shit-eating grin on.
"Maybe," I said smiling. "Hey guess what? I was talking to Trey earlier and his Blackberry goes off with one of those musical downloads. It was Carrie Underwood's song 'Before he Cheats' of all things."
"No shit?"
"Guess who the call was from?"
"Amber of course, right? How the hell did he explain that?"
"Said he didn't have a clue how it was downloaded. He does misplace his phone a lot," I remarked now brushing the underbelly of the horse.
"Yeah right," Danny snorted, "You know he's doing her don't you?"
"He says that he isn't but he doesn't need my permission if he wants to," I shrugged. I was bored with the direction the conversation was taking.
"Can we talk about something else Danny?"
"Sure. Want to go dancing tonight?"
I removed the bridle from the horse and lightly slapped his bottom to get him to go into his stall. I hung his bridle on the hook outside the stall as I closed the gate. I turned to face Danny.
He was watching me and waiting for an answer. He was handsome in a different way than Trey. He had a rakish charm and magnetism. Trey was more refined and charismatic.
"Danny," I said as if I was about to scold him. "I told you I am not dating. Period."
"Hey," he grinned, playfully grabbing me from behind and lifting me up in the air as if I was a sack of potatoes. "Who said anything about a date? I like my women with more meat on them anyway. I just thought you might like to get out once in awhile."
"Put me down," I laughed squirming around in his arms. "Put me down and I may consider it."
He gently set me down so that I was facing him. We were standing close - too close. I backed up a bit turning to open the gate on the next stall. I had to groom 'Runaround Sue.'
"So where is this place where they have music and dancing?"
"Not too far from here. It's a place called 'Jackass Flats'. It's a converted barn that has music on the weekends. They book some decent bands. They serve drinks and food. Hey - ask Trey to come with us if you want. I promise I have no ulterior motives Tylar."
I looked at his face and it was brimming with sincerity. Yeah, he could pull sincerity off pretty well. He reminded me of that character on the old 'Leave it to Beaver' shows I had watched as a kid on TV Land channel. Eddie Haskell - that was the guy. I smirked out loud.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Nothing, Eddie," I smirked.
He looked puzzled.
"What time are we leaving?" I asked.
He immediately grinned taking my question as confirmation that I was going. Hell, I had already decided to go when he had first asked me. He was right. I needed to get out every now and then and enjoy myself.
"How about I swing by the big house about 8:30 to pick you and hubby up? It's casual dress."
"The time works fine but I'll meet you out here. I'm not inviting Trey. Trust me Danny that would not be a good move on my part."
He nodded then took off down the gangway toward the door to the arena.
"See you then 'Little Bit," he called out. That was quickly becoming his pet name for me.
"Don't call me that!" I hollered after him. I heard his chuckle just before the door closed behind him.
I took a leisurely bubble bath when I got back to the house a little after five. Dinner was at 7:00. Edie had put Preston down for a nap. I heard her babbling in her crib as I was dressing after my bath.
I went into the adjoining nursery and watched as she was sitting up in her crib babbling to her stuffed animals in a language only she understood. Her voice was soft and melodic like Trey's I thought to myself. She spotted me as I got close to the crib.
She scrambled up to stand at the rail. She was wearing just a diaper and tee shirt. Her chubby little legs were so cute as she bounced up and down holding her arms up for me to lift her.
"Hey baby girl," I cooed to her, lifting her out of her crib.
She gurgled and smiled at me, her thumb finding her mouth as she sucked on it.
I got a clean diaper and the baby wipe dispenser taking her into my room to change her. Once she had her clean diaper on she rolled onto her stomach and crawled to the edge of the bed. She wanted down. I lifted her off the bed and she went scurrying back to the nursery to get some of her toys.
I went back to the bathroom and blew my hair dry. I applied some eye make-up. I was wearing a new pair of skinny jeans with a new pair of boots I had bought last week. I wore a black v-neck sweater. I looked at my reflection. The dark brown hair had to go. I was going to have it re-colored I decided. I certainly didn't want to pay tribute to that conniving bitch. What had I been thinking?
I dressed Preston in corduroy bibs and a long sleeved cotton tee shirt. Purple was definitely my girl's color. I brushed her baby hair out of the braid and it fell into soft waves. I put a couple of little baby barrettes in her hair.
"There sweetie. You look so pretty today."
Dinner was cordial. Most everyone's attention was focused on the baby. I felt grateful for that. I had a feeling of guilt about going out this evening to have some fun. I had to remind myself that Trey was here to spend time with Preston and not with me. We were separated for right now. My change in appearance from earlier had not gone unnoticed by Trey. I saw him studying me over the rim of his wine glass.
"Do you have plans this evening Tylar?" he asked point blank, cocking an eyebrow.
My father looked over at me from where he had been cutting up some cooked carrots for Preston.
"Nothing major planned," I replied, "Just going out for a bit with a friend."
(That was not a lie!)
Trey continued to gaze at me at me quizzically. I so knew that he wanted to know more. He had too much pride to dig any deeper. My father apparently did not.
"What friend?" Dad asked not taking his eyes off of Preston.
She was smashing the soft cooked carrots into her mouth faster than my father could continue slicing them.
"Dad," I moaned giving him the evil eye, "It's a friend okay?"
Now they were both watching me making me totally uncomfortable. It was if I was a teenager being grilled by both of them - one silently; the other one not so much.
"I certainly didn't mean to pry Tylar, though your behavior is rather surreptitious this evening." my father said. "It is Preston's first day here. I thought you would want to spend it with her."
I saw Trey give a silent smirk as he waited for me to reply.
"Dad I fully intend to bathe her and get her ready for bed. She'll be asleep when I leave. Besides that, this is really Trey's weekend with her. I will be with her all week long now, caring for her as a good and fit mother should."
"I didn't mean to imply that you weren't a good or fit mother Tylar," he responded with an edge of sternness creeping into his voice. "I was merely expressing my opinion I suppose."
"Your opinion is always welcome Dad. I will ensure that Preston is tucked in before I leave. Perhaps you and Trey can watch Sport Center or something since you both seem to be fans of the same channel."
I got up from the table, tossing my cloth napkin onto my half full plate. I was a bit ticked off that my father had taken me to task in his own subtle way about my going out for the evening. He had practically accused me of acting sneaky. The fact that he had done it in front of Trey had plainly pissed me off. I went over and lifted Preston from the high chair to take her up for her bath.
I turned with her in my arms as I was departing the dining room. They were both watching me as I knew they would be.
"By the way Dad, do I have a curfew?"
I left the room hearing my father mumble something inaudibly followed by Trey's chuckle.
Preston enjoyed her bath with the bath toys I kept in a basket in my bathroom for her. She played while I brushed my teeth and touched up my hair and make-up.
I proceeded to bathe her and wash her hair - something that she was not particularly fond of. I toweled her dry and put baby lotion on her skin. She loved that part of her daily ritual. I got her diapered and in her pajamas.
We sat in the rocker in her room and I read her three storybooks. She seemed to enjoy being read to immensely. I would point out the pictures to her and identify them: doggie, kitty cat, and monkey. I was trying to get her to say the words. I guess it was all about repetition. I decided I would continue to re-read these same three books to her and see if she would start trying to mimic the words.
I was rocking her now. I looked over at the clock. It was 8:30. She was dozing off. I placed her in her crib and placed her blanket on her. She rolled to her side and put her thumb in her mouth and drifted to sleep.
I turned her baby monitor on which had listening units in the family room, my dad's room, and Edie's room. I went and put the mobile one we had into Trey's room.
I threw my jacket on and went out the back door of the mansion towards the stables. Danny was waiting for me when I got there.
"You're late," he commented opening the door of his truck for me to climb in.
"Geez, sorry. I had to get my baby tucked in for the night."
Just as promised, Jackass Flats was just a couple of miles from my dad's estate. The parking lot was pretty much full when we got there. We could hear the band playing from the parking lot.
Danny and I sat at one of the two long bars inside.
"What'll you have Tylar?" he asked me.
"Hmm - I want a 'Grateful Dead," I replied wondering if the bartenders here were as astute as making them as the ones employed at Tristan's and Gina's club.
The bartender didn't bat an eye when Danny ordered my drink. Danny ordered a bourbon and water for himself. I looked around. The place had appeal. I liked the old barn siding that the owners had left in place. It gave it a rustic look. The dance floor was huge and the acoustics were pretty good.
We were sipping our first round when a couple of girls came up to Danny. They were both probably in their late twenties. They were made up to look like 'club girls' as Gina had often referred to those ladies that frequented the clubs on a regular basis 'trolling for meat' as she so eloquently had put it.
"Danny," the taller blond girl whined, immediately running her fingers through his hair and leaning into him.
"Why haven't you called me in a couple of weeks, babe?"
"Sorry Leanne," he said, "I've been really busy."
"Oh, I guess I can see that," she retorted giving me the once over still clinging to him.
"No," he explained, "Busy at work. This is my friend Tylar. She works with me at the stables."
I was so glad that he hadn't gone into detail about me being the daughter of the owner.
"Haven't seen you around before," she commented continuing to look me up and down. "Are you from around here?"
"No," I replied, "I'm from Atlanta most recently."
"Uh huh," she replied unimpressed.
"It's nice to meet you Leanne," I said offering her my hand.
"Yeah you too Tylar," she replied shaking my hand.
"This is my friend Georgia."
I turned my attention to Georgia who was really cuter than Leanne. She seemed a bit more refined even though she was made up every bit as much as Leanne.
"Hi Georgia," I said smiling, shaking her hand.
"Hi Tylar," she replied, "I hope you like it here in Baton Rouge. I'm originally from Augusta, Georgia. I knew that it takes some getting used to."
"Thanks," I replied, smiling. "I actually spent most of my life living around Louisville, Kentucky."
"Really?" she asked her eyes widening. "That's where my sister lives. She's married and her husband was transferred there with GE. I visit there occasionally. It's a great city."
"Well listen to you two," Leanne commented, "It's like your BFF's already. Danny let's dance and let these two catch up?"
Leanne grabbed Danny's arm and they were off to the dance floor. Kelly sat down on the bar stool that Danny had just vacated. She acted embarrassed by her friend Leanne's behavior.
"Do you want a drink Georgia? I'm buying," I offered. I could see that she was forever in the shadow of her friend Leanne. I couldn't figure out why.
"Ok thanks, I'd like an 'Adios Mother Fucker."
"Really?" I asked amused.
"Yeah," she laughed, "It's actually cheaper for me. All I need is two of those and I'm good to go."
Georgia was fun to talk to. It appeared that Leanne was going to dominate Danny for the evening.
We were each on our second drink when a third drink was placed in front of us. The bartender indicated it was from the two guys at the end of the bar. Both of us looked down and saw the two of them smiling and waving at us. They were both darling. Georgia looked over at me.
"Should we invite them to come and sit with us?"
"Oh Georgia," I replied, "That is totally up to you but I have to tell you that I am not on the market."
"You're not," she asked her brow furrowed in confusion. "But if you're not with Danny, I mean -"
"Look," I said, "It is really complicated. I’m married with a baby girl. My husband and I are separated after I caught him making out with one of his colleagues."
"No," she said horrified, "Really?"
"I'm afraid so. I'm staying with my dad down here. My baby girl is with me. I lost my other baby when I was seven months along. I'm just trying to heal."
"I totally sympathize with your situation Tylar," she said sincerely. "We'll just ignore these guys."
"No, no," I said, "Look invite them over. I can hold my own. Just because I have issues is no reason for an opportunity to slip by you."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes really," I replied.
Georgia smiled over at the two guys and waved them over. There weren't any empty bar stools but they seemed satisfied standing behind us. They must have discussed who wanted who when they ordered the drinks for us because each of them took their place behind our bar stools.
I took another drink of my drink and that old quote from a classic rock song reverberated in my head. Something about when you can't be with the one that you love then love the one you're with. I was game.
The guys introduced themselves as Leonard and Vincent. It appeared that Vincent was mine. He was tall with a semi-muscular build. As it turned out, he was a junior at LSU and was a starter on their football team.
(Oh My God - a college jock!)
"How old are you Vincent?" I asked.
"I will be twenty-two next April," he answered.
(Hmm . . . younger than me. Did that make me officially a 'cougar' where Vincent was concerned?) . As it turned out, his friend Leonard worked at LSU and was twenty-five. Just two years younger than Georgia. I guess we were both 'cougars' tonight.
We sipped our drinks totally engaged in our conversations with these two LSU guys. Even though I was not a native of Baton Rouge, I knew about the LSU Tigers. Trey watched college and pro football so I was familiar with the league. They were quite beloved, not just in Baton Rouge, but in the far south as well.
"What position do you play?" I asked him.
"I'm a defensive back," he replied.
I wasn't quite sure what that involved so I faked it.
"Really? That is so awesome," I replied. "I mean you put yourself right out there with all of the risk of that opposing offense."
"Yeah. You get that don't you?" he said beaming.
"We're playing 'Bama at home next weekend. I would love it if you were there. I can get tickets for you and your friend here," he offered, "I mean if you would like to see a live game."
"Oh my God, I would love it," I squealed delighted.
(Where the hell was all of this coming from? I didn't know squat about football. My expertise with the game was seeing it on the flat screen while walking past the living room while Trey was watching it. Or occasionally in the bedroom after sex and before I drifted off to sleep. That was it.)
"But I'd have to check with Georgia," I lied, "I'm not sure whether she works her normal shift next weekend."
"Well let me know Tylar," he said smiling at me. "I'd love for you to be there cheering me on in the stands."
The guys bought us a couple of more drinks and then we were out on the dance floor having a blast. We finally took a break to go to the 'ladies' room.
"Oh my God," Georgia giggled, "I am having such a good time!"
"I am too," I laughed. "My guy is a football jock for LSU."
"No shit," she said very impressed.
"My guy is the athletic director for male sports at LSU. How fucking awesome is that?"
"He is?" I asked, "That is totally awesome."
We were giggling like a couple of teenagers in high school.
"So," I said, putting fresh lipstick on and brushing my hair out, "What are the plans for you and Leonard this evening?"
"What?" she asked looking over at me. "I don't really do that kind of thing. That's more along Leanne's line. It's not me. But hey, I don't judge. If you and Vincent want to slip out to get cozy that's fine."
I was horrified with myself. Why had I presumed that Georgia was some easy lay when I knew in fact that I wasn't and she seemed so very much like me? I had offended her I could tell.
"Hey Georgia, I'm a little drunk and quite frankly, out of my element with the whole singles world because I never really experienced it. I am sorry if I offended you. I wasn't trying to make it sound like you are easy. You see, I don't have a point of reference on any of this. I'm totally out of my comfort zone. All I know is that I am having fun but I am not about to get physical with Vincent."
"Well me either with Leonard. We'll just stick together then."
"Sounds like a plan to me," I giggled.
We went back out and found Danny and Leanne at the bar where our new 'guys' were still standing waiting for us.
"There they are," Leonard announced as we got closer.
Just then the band started back up with their last set of the evening.
(Holy Shit! What time was it? I found the clock on the wall and saw that it was 12:30. The bar closed at 1:00 AM.)
The song they started was one very familiar to me. It was the same song that the band had done at the club the night of my 21st birthday. It was the one my OMD called, 'If You Leave.' It totally reminded me of Trey.
"Come on," Vincent said, taking my hand, "I want to dance with the prettiest girl in this club tonight."
He led me onto the dance floor and we danced to the song. I was surprised at how agile he was on the dance floor. He was a football player but yet he was graceful on the dance floor. I had read somewhere that some football players actually took ballet and jazz dance lessons so that they could be very agile and flexible at their sport.
I melted into his strong arms feeling safe and secure with my football player. He had been the perfect southern gentleman all evening. I hadn't shared my life story with him even though he had asked me about my life and interests. We were less than a year apart in age but yet I felt like I had lived far beyond his years. He was studying law at LSU - how totally bizarre was that?
The song finished and I looked for Georgia. She was over at the bar writing her number down for Leonard. I walked over to where she was; Vincent had his hand on the small of my back as we returned to the bar.
I looked around for Danny. He was nowhere to be found. Neither was Leanne.
"Where's Danny?" I asked Georgia.
"Oh he and Leanne just left."
"Well that's just freaking great," I said. "How in the hell am I supposed to get home?"
"I know," she said. "Leanne told me to take her car to get myself home and then forgot to give me her keys. Leonard is giving me a ride home. I'm sure that he will drop you as well, Tylar."
"There is no problem here," Vincent said, taking my arm. "I will see that Tylar gets home safe and sound."
Georgia looked at me concerned. She wanted to make sure that I was good with that. I was furious with Danny. He was going to get the better part of my wrath when I saw his sorry ass next. I supposed that it made no difference whether Leonard took me home or Vincent.
"Vincent if you are sure that it is no trouble. It's not that far from here."
"It's no problem Tylar," he answered sweetly, helping me on with my jacket. "I would be happy to see you home."
He grabbed his LSU jacket shrugging it on. He placed his hand on my elbow and guided me through the still crowded club.
"My car is right over there," he nodded. He drove a newer model Jeep.
Vincent opened the passenger side door helping me up into his jeep. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for ending up in this situation. I truly hoped that I didn't end up in a ditch somewhere along the way home with my throat slit. I should have phoned my dad to send a car but I was afraid that would seem too pretentious. What the hell would he think any way when he drove up the drive to my father's estate to drop me off? That had pretentious written all over it.
I just wanted to be an anonymous chick right now. I didn't want to be anyone's daughter; I didn't want to be anyone's wife. I simply wanted to be Tylar Sinclair of Baton Rouge.
I gave him directions to the house along the winding county roads. He asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I worked with horses, which was true. He seemed fascinated by it, asking me questions about dressage and the thoroughbreds I had mentioned.
He let out a low whistle when we pulled up into the long curving driveway of my father's estate.
"Wow," he said, "Very impressive."
"The bunkhouse for the hands is around back I directed him."
(Still not a lie!)
He pulled up in the parking area next to the stables as I instructed.
"Thanks for the lift home Vincent," I said cordially. "It was really nice meeting you."
"Tylar," he said hesitantly, "I don't want to be too forward but would it be okay for me to give you a call sometime? I really enjoyed this evening."
"Oh Vincent," I replied, "I had a great time too. My life is a little complicated right now. It's hard to explain."
"I understand," he sighed. "Can't blame a guy for trying I guess."
He pulled a pen and a pocket notebook out of his glove box and scribbled something on the paper.
"Here," he said, "This is my cell number. If you ever want to talk or maybe grab something to eat one evening will you please give me a call? I'd really like to see you again."
"Sure," I said smiling taking the piece of paper from him and stuffing it into my purse. He opened his door to get out so that he could help me from the jeep. As I turned and jumped out, his arms caught me in an embrace.
He hugged me gently stroking my hair. He didn't try anything further.
"Good night Tylar," he said softly. "I'll watch to make sure that you get in alright."
I turned from him and went inside the stables, climbing the steps to the upstairs loft on the side where Danny's apartment was. I expected Danny would not be back anytime soon since he had gone off with skanky Leanne.
I sat there for several minutes in order to give Vincent time to drive away. I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the country. It was quiet and pleasant. It gave a person the opportunity to think and to reflect. It was a very healing atmosphere.
Right now it was Trey that filled my mind. Part of me wanted him in my bed tonight. I wanted him to make love to me as if the past several weeks had not happened. I closed my eyes remembering his touch and his kisses. Then the memory of him kissing Amber was there in crystal clear imagery. His arms wrapped around her; his lips on hers; his tongue in her mouth. His dick getting hard for her.
I needed to get away from that memory. I jumped up and
started down the hallway towards the stairs when I heard the door to the stables open.
(Holy Shit! Did Vincent come back to see if I would succumb to his advances?)
I quietly seated myself in the corner of the hallway in the loft and curled up as tightly as I could out of sight.
I buried my head into my knees. I was actually afraid though I didn't know why. I heard footsteps on the wooden staircase.
(Should I scream and hope for the best? Am I simply too paranoid?)
The footsteps stopped as whomever it was reached the hallway. I was balled up in the corner as small as I could possibly get.
"Tylar?"
(Oh thank God - it was Danny.)
"Tylar for God's sake are you all right?"
He was at my side in a second, scooping me up into his strong arms with a look of total panic on his face. This was not the usual impassive and complacent Danny.
He held me tightly as he kicked open the door to his loft apartment taking me inside. He settled me on his sofa and quickly turned a lamp on so that he could look at me to see why I would have balled myself up in a corner like a frightened animal. How could I possibly explain that to him?
"Sweetie," he breathed with a sigh of relief, "Did someone hurt you?"
"Yes," I said my voice quivering; the image of Trey and Amber was still vivid to me, "But not tonight."
He was gently stroking my hair back off of my face.
"I don't understand," he said softly. "Are you okay or not?"
"Not," I replied, the tears flooding out of my eyes.
He pulled me onto his lap smoothing my hair back and talking to me gently. He was trying to figure out what had happened. He asked me whose ass he needed to kick. There was no way that I could explain what had happened to me or how I was feeling. I didn't understand it myself.
"Why did you leave me there without a ride home?"
"I just gave Leanne a ride home. I went back to the bar but you were gone."
"I thought you left with Leanne."
"Leanne and I are not together Tylar. She asked for a ride home because she was too drunk. I dropped her off, went back by the bar and didn't see you so I came home," he replied softly, brushing a soft kiss against my cheek.
"Do you think for one moment that I would have anything to do with a chick like that?"
"I don't know how guys think Danny," I answered truthfully. "That is why I'm just so totally clueless."
"Aww sweetie - you're not clueless. You're a sweet, sweet innocent and it's totally sexy."
"It is?" I asked in my clueless tone.
"It is," he said, kissing my lips softly.
I liked his touch. It was warm and sensitive and dangerous. That was a new feeling to me and I liked it. I raised my face to his and found his lips with mine. We kissed warmly and passionately. It was different than with Trey but not at all un-pleasurable. On the contrary, it was new territory for me.
Danny pulled me to him and our kiss grew in passion and in longing. He lifted me from his couch and carried me into his bedroom. He switched the light switch on that illuminated his bedside lamp. His room was neat and orderly. Everything was clean and in its place.
(What the fuck am I doing?)
I said nothing as Danny gently placed me on his bed. His blue eyes were smoldering as he slowly and methodically undressed himself in front of me. He was muscular and sexy. He was wearing only his boxers as he reclined on the bed next to me and gently pulled my sweater up over my head.
(I need to leave. I totally need to jump up and run like hell out of here!)
But I didn't leave. I stayed. I let Danny undress me slowly and provocatively. He murmured softly to me how beautiful and sexy I was; he kissed my lips, my neck and lowered his mouth to my breasts suckling them gently, his tongue tracing circular patterns around the nipples.
(God this felt so good. . .)
His lips lowered still as his expert hands had managed to remove my jeans. He hooked his thumbs into my silk thong pulling it down and away from me. His lips traced a pattern downward from my navel ring to my sex. He made sweet sensual love to me down there. I shivered with excitement as his tongue expertly worked magic.
I felt him rise up pulling his boxers off.
"Danny," I said, my voice husky, "Do you have a condom?"
"Yeah 'Little Bit,' not to worry."
He reached over to his nightstand drawer expertly opening it and removed a condom. I kept my eyes squeezed shut. I wasn't ready to see another man's penis apart from Trey's. I needed to do this if only because I didn't know another man's touch aside from Trey's. I needed a point of reference. Perhaps it would tell me what I needed to know about myself.
I heard Danny ripping open the foil packet. I knew that he was removing the condom; I knew approximately how long it would take to roll it onto his manhood and poise himself above me before he guided it into my sex.
Now was the time to stop him if I was going to. I was frantic to do the right thing. I realized that the right thing was to let this play out. Right or wrong, I needed to know another man's touch. I needed to know if what Trey and I had, or what I perceived Trey and I as having was something over and beyond a simple physical attraction.
I continued to squeeze my eyes shut; I was tensed up.
"Hey baby," he said to me, "It's all good. I want to make love to you alright?"
"No - fuck me Danny," I rasped, "Fuck me now."
I felt him guide his manhood into me gently.
"Oh baby, you are tight. God you are so sweet," he whispered to me. "You feel so good."
He started moving inside of me slowly and methodically. His hips gyrated in a circular motion, slow and steady. My body started warming to his touch. This did feel good. This was another man inside of my body and it did feel good.
I started moving in rhythm with him. My hips gyrated with his in perfect rhythm. His lips were on mine, kissing me with urgency. I heard him moan with pleasure as his thrusting increased.
I suddenly realized that I was not feeling that same pleasure; he wasn't hitting my sweet spot. I knew that I didn't want him to anyway. It was meant for another. This didn't feel right at all. I couldn't stand the thought of another man being inside of me.
(Oh God! How fucked up is this??)
I pushed against his chest with my fists.
"Stop," I cried out. "I can't do this!"
"What?"
He had stopped his movements inside of me. He was staring down at me in total confusion. He pulled out of me and sat back on his haunches. I could hear his heavy breathing. I squeezed my eyes shut not wanting to make eye contact with him.
"What the hell Tylar?"
"I'm sorry! I am so sorry Danny. I just can’t do this!"
I pulled myself up, quickly putting my clothes back on. I gathered my jacket and purse and ran from his apartment. I nearly stumbled down the whole flight of stairs in the stables as I raced to get the hell out of there.
I quickly made my way back up to the house fishing around in my purse for the key. I let myself in quietly through the back door. The house alarm wasn't set probably because my father was never sure if I would remember the code.
I removed my boots carrying them so as not to make a lot of noise as I tip-toed across the tiled and hardwood floors. I climbed the carpeted steps to the second floor and rounded the corner of the hallway to my room. I quietly opened the door and shut it softly behind me, leaning against it.
The room was lit by the lamp on my bedside table. I saw movement from the corner of my room and jumped as I heard his voice.
"Did you have a nice evening, Tylar?"