Chapter 17

17

ELECTRA

E ven though the job itself wasn't very exciting, it was wonderful to have Trey introduce me as his girlfriend to his friend Nathan. I also liked helping him out, since Trey assisted me so much with the recording.

Once we're back out in the driveway, standing between my car and his van, he slips an arm around me. "Dinner?"

"Sounds great."

His lips meet mine in a soft, sensuous kiss. "We can go to my place if you like, and I can attempt to make you something. Or we could go out. You know…in public."

It takes me a moment to read his expression. "You're saying you want to make this all official?"

"Yeah, I do. But only when you're ready. It's your decision whether or not to go public with us, same as with your music."

Nodding, my mind spins. I desperately want this to be real. And to most people, a relationship becomes real when you tell your friends and family. He's already told his father, and this friend.

It's my turn.

Dad's right. Even though she drives me beyond bonkers sometimes, Mom can't be the last to know important information like this. "I'd love to have dinner anywhere you like. But first, I need to make a quick call."

"Sure."

I grab my phone. Just a few days ago, I'd have dreaded a conversation like this. The potential for drama. Mom's unknown reaction. Trey has made me feel so much steadier that now I'm not worried, just curious.

"Jones residence." Mom always uses what I call her 'glamor voice' to answer the landline at the house. As if it might be the president of the United States calling.

"Hey, Mom. Just wanted to let you know I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm going out with Trey Harrison."

"Okay, honey." There's a slight pause, and I might hear Dad's voice in the background. "Wait – the electrician's son we ran into yesterday? The young man who fixed the studio?"

"Yes. We're dating now, and he's amazing. In fact, there's a slight chance I won't be home tonight at all, so don't worry, okay?"

There's a long pause. Either she's upset and is about to pitch a fit, or she's trying to think of a way to spin this to create publicity.

No matter which it is, I have Trey at my side, and everything's going to work out for us. Stepping closer to Trey, I hold the phone out so that he can hear her end of the conversation too. It'll save me from having to relay the conversation afterward.

There's a shuffling noise, as if Mom is covering the receiver. Then she whispers, "Electra, are you still on the pill?"

Trey's eyebrows fly up, and he presses his lips together to stifle a laugh.

"Yes."

A loud sigh of relief. "Okay. And this guy is sweet with you? You know a man is only worth your time if he's sweet with his woman."

My hand presses to Trey's chest and I smile into his eyes. "He's very sweet. He really listens to me." I take a deep breath. "And… We're not hiding this, but I also don't want you alerting the media, okay? We're private people and want to keep this relatively quiet."

"Will he come with you to the awards show next month? It would be so lovely to have you there with a date, sweetheart."

Trey is already nodding enthusiastically, making me grin. "We'll discuss that next week."

"Okay then, honey. Have a good night." She pauses. "Bring him by for dinner here soon so we can get to know him?"

"Yes."

"All right. Goodnight."

My new boyfriend's eyes glow as he slips a thick arm around me while I drop my phone into my purse. "That means a lot to me, baby. That we don't have to sneak around."

"Well, you mean a lot to me." I walk my fingertips around the neck of his t-shirt. "What if we picked up food publicly, then went to your place to eat privately?"

He sticks out his bottom lip, grumbling. "Well, okay. But that means I'll have you all to myself and I can snuggle you. That's going to distract me from my eating."

He laughs, then gives my butt a tap. "Follow the van. We'll pick up fancy sandwiches from the place near the café on Main Street. The owner knows me, so at least I'm showing you off to one person."

When we get to the sandwich shop, Trey makes a big show of wrapping his arm around me and giving the owner a large wink. It's so cute how excited he is to be seen with me. I've never felt that before, and it's the most amazing feeling in the world. With my parents and their circle, everybody wants to be seen and photographed themselves, and if I'm there in the shot too it's an added bonus. Trey sees me for me, and me alone.

His house is at the south end of the downtown area, on a quiet street filled with charming bungalows similar to his. As we eat at his dining room table, he taps my feet with his whenever I stare around his living room and kitchen. It's simple and comfortable, mostly earth tones with plenty of wood. I appreciate that there's a large shelf filled with a mishmash of books that actually look like he's read them, not styled as part of a photoshoot.

"Okay, just tell me. Do you like the place?"

I scowl, stroking an imaginary beard as I nod. "Great potential, yes. A few more plants, maybe, and a great big tea kettle, and this place will officially be cozy."

"Good. I'm sure you noticed it's only four blocks from your work."

"I did."

"So maybe at some point you might consider staying over here on a semi-regular basis?" He reaches out to skim his fingertips along the back of my neck. "No rush, of course. Just something to think about."

He pushes our plates aside, then stands up, scooping me under the shoulders to set me on the empty end of the dining room table. "I think it's pretty clear that I want to spend as much time as I can with you from here on in."

"I got that, yeah. Me too."

"Good. I know this has been too fast, by some people's standards. Lightning fast."

I laugh, sticking out my bottom lip. "Isn't that what brought us together, though? A bolt of lightning, kind of?"

He pulls gently at my lip, twisting it around. Then he kisses me gently. "Maybe I'll just have to kiss the hell out of you every single day so that this lower lip stays nice and swollen."

I squeal as he suddenly picks me up, carrying me to the bedroom. It's not large, with just a sturdy bed, low dresser, and several large prints of trees. "You wanted plants, so here you go." He drops me on the bed, then starts peeling my clothing off, starting with my shirt and bra.

"You think bribing me with a sandwich means you get to do whatever you want?" He chuckles, since I'm the one pulling off my leggings. Then I grip the bottom of his t-shirt, pulling it up over his head.

"I'm not going to bribe you with sandwiches, beautiful." He rips off his pants, then slips an arm under me, pulling us up across the bed so that we're on our sides, naked, facing each other. "But I am going to lock you down with a diamond ring as soon as it's socially acceptable."

I stare at him as my breath hitches. He's dead serious.

"Don't look so shocked. You know that I'm already in love with you, right?"

"I… I…" He stops me with a kiss. It starts out gentle, then becomes hot and hungry as our naked bodies press together.

"I kinda want to be cute and speak to you in song titles," he murmurs. "But I also want to be incredibly clear."

His warm brown eyes lock on mine and I realize with a flash we're in the exact same place. I need him. I want him. Every single thing about Trey makes me feel more alive.

"I love you, too."

My hand slowly wanders down his firm chest to grab his thick, hard shaft. "Am I supposed to tip the handyman now, like they do in naughty movies?"

He starts to laugh until I duck down, wrapping my lips around the thick head of his cock. Then it turns into a deep, guttural groan. "Damn, baby, that feels incredible."

I have no idea what I'm doing, but it sounds like he likes it. I run my hands up and down his length, swirling my tongue around the tip. The first drop of pre-come makes me gasp with its salty-sweet flavor. It's so primal, this naked exploration with the man I adore.

There's a song in there somewhere, but I don't have time to think about it right now. All of my focus is on Trey as I suck down a third of his length, pressing my lips against his flesh as I stroke the rest with my hands.

"Electra," he moans, fisting the back of my hair, encouraging me to move a bit faster. "Someday I'm going to beg you to do that until I come into your gorgeous mouth." His eyes blaze. "But today I need you on top of me. Right now."

Even though his commands are lighthearted, I desperately want to obey him. I settle over him, straddling his hips as I keep stroking his shaft. I'm already soaking wet as I drag the head through my folds. As I begin to sink down onto him, he grabs my ass firmly, guiding me down. His only focus is being gentle with me.

Trey truly cares for me. Loves me. And he sees me as a creative, sexual being.

Just as his thick, throbbing cock slides home inside me, my decision is made.

With Trey in my life, I'm ready to share my music with the world.