Page 8 of My Deepest Desire

He eyes me skeptically. “I’ve seen two volunteers coming and going around here all morning. From the looks of it, I’d say they were regulars.”

“Well, yeah, but those are two retired ladies who like to stay busy. Not a big hunk of man meat covered in tattoos,” I mutter, reorganizing the same pile of books for the third time.

Suddenly, my cheeks heat up and I pinch my lips together as Trey’s lips curl into an arrogant grin. “Hunk of man meat, huh? Is that what you think of me?”

I stifle a giggle behind my hand. My mind is a whirlwind of emotions after the past twenty-four hours. Yet the one thing that has kept me grounded is Trey. It scares me how easily we fell back into our familiar comfortability.

This is what I was expecting when he moved back to Cedar Point, which is why I was hurt and confused—I still am—when this wasn’t the reunion I received. We’ve both changed and grown up, but there are glimpses of the boy I used to know lurking beneath that rugged, chiseled exterior. He’s got his secrets, and I’ll be patient until he’s ready to share them with me. But I won’t wait forever. I’m done waiting for my Trey to come back to me.

The hours rush by in a blur, with a parade of women finding any excuse to make their way to the circulation desk. When it’s just me here, they hardly acknowledge my presence, but they can’t stay away from the town’s sexiest bachelor.

Maria comes in for the closing shift, but stops in her tracks when she sees who’s sitting next to me. Her mouth drops open and she stares at me, covertly pointing at Trey. Then she mouths, “Who is that?”while making lewd gestures.

The joys of employing a nineteen-year-old college student.

I indicate with a wave of my hand for her to join us. She’s practically skipping as she rushes over.

“Trey, this is Maria. She’ll be closing up tonight. She’s a student at Grant State.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and usher her forward.

He spins on his stool to face her and his full lips part into a suave smile. My employee and I both almost melt into puddles on the floor. “Nice to meet you.” Four simple words send the awestruck teen into a fit of girlish giggles. “Ready to go home,Mouse?” Something flickers in Trey’s eyes but I can’t quite decipher what it is.

Maria turns her head to look at me with a puzzled expression. “Mouse?”

I dismiss the question, but Trey answers for me. “It’s the nickname I gave her when we were kids. She’s always been so cute and petite.” His gaze shifts to mine and captivates me in an intense stare. “And she loves it when I chase her. Don’t you… Mouse?”

The room seems ten degrees hotter now and I need some fresh air.

I hurriedly gather my belongings and toss them into my bag. “Okay, so… looks like you’re all set.” I chuckle, sweat blooming along my spine. Trey takes the hint and shuts down his laptop before sliding it into his bag. “Don’t forget to set the alarm, and call if you need anything.”

“Sure thing, boss. This isn’t my first time closing up shop,” Maria teases me with an amused grin.

I tug on the sleeve of Trey’s t-shirt. “Let’s get out of her way. It’s stuffy back here.”

He stands to his full height and towers over me while I peer at him from beneath my lashes. “You alright, Mouse? Seem a little flustered.”

“Yes. Of course. I think I’m just hungry.”

A dangerous glint flickers in his eyes as he leans in closer. “Well, I guess I’ll have to feed you then.”

My heart stutters at the implication, and my brain struggles to process it. Before I can think too much, though, I grab his wrist and drag him behind me while he snickers.

“Good night, Maria,” I toss over a shoulder while marching to the entrance.

The night air hits my flushed face and I close my eyes, breathing in deeply. Trey is flirting with me and it’s throwing meoff balance. I shouldn’t forgive him so easily, but there’s always been an undeniable attraction between us, a chemistry I can’t ignore, no matter how hard I try.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t register when Trey stops and holds out a hand. “Keys.” The demand is firm and direct, but his tone isn’t harsh. That’s the intriguing thing about him—his presence is so domineering that people are eager to give him what he wants, myself included.

I fish my keys out of my purse and hand them over as we make our way to the back parking lot reserved for employees. When my SUV comes into view, I gasp and we both come to a screeching halt.

Why would someone do this?

5

TREY

“Thanks for the ride home, officer.” Maggie’s voice trembles as she closes her front door, weariness weighing heavy on her shoulders.

Officer Lawrence assured her that insurance should cover the damage, but seeing her car vandalized with the word “whore” keyed into the hood was too much.

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