The Killing Game(70)

“This is good,” he said after a moment, a touch of surprise in his voice.

“I know. I have skills now.” Jarrett smiled at her in that way that used to melt her heart. “Don’t say it,” she said.

“What? I’m just eating.”

“You were going to tell me how wonderful I am. I saw it on your face.”

“You’re an egotist.”

“Uh-uh. I just know you.” She’d heated up a second plate and the microwave dinged, but she didn’t jump to answer the call.

“Your food’s ready,” Jarrett observed, pointing his fork at the microwave.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Jarrett. I was stood up tonight and I’m pissed. So that’s why we’re here, because I feel low and you’re making me feel better. But you have to leave after you finish eating, and then I’m probably going straight to bed . . . alone.”

He bent his head to his meal and didn’t say anything until he was finished. Trini had lost her appetite completely. She just felt sad.

Jarrett had taken off his coat and put it on the back of one of her kitchen barstools, but now he swept it up and put it on. “Thank you,” he said seriously.

“You’re welcome.”

“If I came by again, would you see me, just as a friend?”

“I don’t think it works that way for us, but yes. I’ll give it a try.”

She walked him to the door and he hesitated, his hand on the knob. “I just miss hanging out with you,” he said.

Music to her ears . . . someone who actually liked her. But it wasn’t enough. Not the way she was feeling.

He stepped onto the landing outside her door. “Good night,” she told him.

“A kiss good-bye,” he said.

“No.” She half laughed. “Just go!”

He reluctantly moved to the stairs. “I’ll be back.”

She shook her head and closed the door. She returned to the microwave, wondering if she should try heating her enchiladas again, but she still didn’t have an appetite. God, Bobby. What you’ve done to me!

That was when she saw Jarrett’s wallet sitting on the couch. Swooping it up, she headed for her door. He wouldn’t have left it there on purpose, would he? Geez, Trini, you are an egotist!

She opened her door and stepped onto the landing and was inhaling to take a breath and yell after him when something slammed her against the wall and she damn near saw stars.

“Who the f*ck was that?” Bobby snarled.

She opened her eyes. “Bobby,” she said, filled with relief. “Ow. You hurt me.”

“Sorry.” His voice was terse. He pulled back from her and stood tensely, his hands tucked in the pockets of a black leather jacket that looked great on him. His body was so taut. You didn’t notice at first. He didn’t emphasize his physique, but the man was all rock-hard muscles under this nerd exterior. She loved it.

“I forgive you, but man, my head hurts. That was Jarrett Sellers. He’s the brother of my friend Andi, who you’re meeting tomorrow.”

“What was he doing here? He asked you to kiss him.”

“Actually, I was showing him to the door. We used to date, but it was a long time ago. I wanted to give him this.” She held out the wallet.

“He looked like he wanted to jump you.”

She smiled. It warmed her heart that he sounded a teensy bit jealous. Her gaze roamed over all of him and she saw he had an erection.

“Yeah, look what you did to me,” he said, his voice softening.

She suddenly wanted to stroke his cock and throw him down on the walkway by the stairs that led to her unit. She wanted the whole world to know he was hers. And if that meant getting arrested for making love in public, well, she’d happily go to jail. She knew it was crazy, but it was wonderful! She couldn’t get enough of him.

He seemed to sense she was about to hug him and swarm her body over his because he sidestepped. She was immediately hurt, but then he plucked the wallet from her, grabbed her hand, and said in a rough voice, “Let’s get inside before I freeze my nuts off.”

“It’s not that cold.” She turned back to the door, which had closed behind her. Suddenly he was behind her, pushing against her butt, one hand slipping to the front of her jeans and jamming down inside. “Bobby,” she whispered, half scandalized, half thrilled.

“Missed you,” he growled, rubbing between her legs. It was a little hard, a little painful, but she didn’t want to complain.

“God, I want to do it right here,” she said, reaching to unbutton her pants and give him better access. “Right on the landing.”

He laughed silently in her ear. “It is that cold. But you’re hot. I’m gonna f*ck you crazy.”

“I already am crazy. This is crazy.”

“Get in there.”

They practically fell through the door, and as soon as they crossed the threshold he tossed the wallet onto the console table, kicked the door shut, and pushed her toward the couch. His forcefulness stole her breath. Then he literally threw her on the couch and jumped on her, ripping at her clothes so hard that she protested faintly. She’d paid a lot for this blouse and he was ruining it.

“I’ll buy you a new one,” he said. “This one’s mine.”