Page 49 of The Right Garza
Tripp slings his arm around Maggie’s neck and pull her to him. “Don’t you worry about sweet Magnolia. I’ll takerealgood care of her.”
Trent grunts. “Have a good one brother.”
“Great fight, Tripp,” I manage to get out as Trent turns and pulls me along with him. “Be safe, Maggie! Call me!”
As I struggle to keep up with Trent’s long strides, his grip firm on me, it somehow doesn’t feel like I’m with an old friend anymore, but like I’m with myowner.
Ever had that feeling before? No? Me either.
Until now.
I feel…safe.
When we’re at last out of the building and in the parking lot, the kiss of fresh air against my skin makes me realize just how hot and overcrowded it was inside that dome. It’s a relief I didn’t know I needed.
Trent opens the door for me when we get to his jeep and I climb in.
“You good?” he asks me once he’s inside, firing up the engine.
His dark eyes are intense on me, so interested in my imminent reply. And all of sudden I’m self-conscious. Something I’ve neverbeen with him—oranyonefor that matter.
I can still feel the brush of his fingertips along my neck, the gentle squeeze of his hands at my hips. And a very bad, very dirty, very sinful part of me wants more of those touches.So much more.
Elbowing the absurd thought away, I clear my throat and focus on putting on my seatbelt. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good. I just didn’t realize I wanted to be out of that building until I was out, if that makes sense. Like, I was fine in there and all, but once I was out it felt like a relief.”
I’m babbling. Big time. And Lexi Flores doesn’t babble.
“Yeah,” he mumbles in a tone that conveys he understands exactly.
As he begins backing the jeep out of the parking lot, my purse chirps and vibrates with a text notification. I slide my phone out to check it.
Maggie: Sorry for ditching you! It’s just been a while since I’ve had any fun.
Lexi: By fun, do you mean sex?
Maggie: Well… Tripp is looking HOTTT so a one-night stand isn’t off the table *wink emoji*
Me:You wanna bone Tripp? Seriously? Come on. He’s…TRIPP!
Maggie: He’s no little hot head Tripp anymore. From where I’m standing, he’s alllll man. So. Much. Hotness. And I’m getting me some of that.
Me:Ugh. *eyeroll emoji*
Maggie: Lol. Get home safe. I’ll upload the fun to my IG stories.
“That your girl?” Trent asks.
I slip my phone back into my purse. “Uh huh.”
“If I know my brother, she’s not getting back to the house until late afternoon or night tomorrow. If you still got hang-ups with being at the house by yourself, I can take you to my place instead,” he tells me.
First he caresses my neck, and now he wants to take me to his house. Is he low-key trying to hook up with me? Were his touches earlier foreplay?
The only girl I ever saw him date growing up was Maggie, so I can’t attest to his seduction skills, but heisthe same man with over a dozen Tiffany’s in his phone. And if the text messages I saw in his phone are any indication…
I don’t know. Everything is all muddled right now, from the flutters in my belly to his soft, teasing touches and my desperate need for sleep. In this current state, there’s a high chance that if he tries to seduce me into his bed, I’ll let him.
Which is bad.Very bad.
