Bonded Love Page 16

  “And if not?”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Then I get to talk you into buying it.”

  “Not when it’s out of my budget, so why would I want to try it on?” Though as she said the words, Trinity longed to feel the fabric against her skin. It was velvety soft and, even on the cheap plastic hanger, it flowed like a waterfall. That doesn’t mean it will look good on me. “I’m not buying it even if it’s beautiful.” Nope. There wasn’t any need to spend an outrageous amount on something as frivolous as a gown. Trinity stepped into one of the small changing rooms while she continued to argue with herself over the practicality of an article of clothing that would likely just rot away from lack of use. That was right before she looked at her reflection.

  “Oh my God,” Kelly gasped. She walked around her, looking her up and down and making appreciative sounds. “Girl, you have no right to look that fucking hot with clothes on.”

  Trinity felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I’m not that hot.” She turned sideways in the full-length mirror while she checked herself out from all angles. She had to admit, she loved how the fabric clung to her curves before falling away in soft folds that touched the floor. When she wore stilettos, it would be the perfect length. She needn’t worry about that little detail because it was going back on the rack. Besides, she wasn’t sure about the open back. She’d had to remove her bra and pull down her panties a bit though the band was still peeking above the deep sweeping cut. Even without underwear, the fabric would come just above the top of her crack and she didn’t know if she could be daring enough to pull off the look while knowing she wore nothing underneath.

  “Are you kidding me?” Kelly smoothed a hand down the unadorned sleeve. “You go pay for this right now. Don’t even bother to put your clothes back on. You should live in this from now on.”

  Trinity giggled. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was killing it in the damn thing, and just as happy she’d made a point of getting to the gym a few times the last couple of weeks. Her stomach was flat except for the slight rise below her navel, and the material fell away from her body at the flare of her hips, concealing any flaws. Her cleavage rose just enough above the pooling fabric at the scoop neck to entice, and she was grateful her breasts were still high and firm. Now she wished she had a date for the fundraiser. Smokey eyes filled with desire flashed in front of her, causing her to shiver. She headed back to the dressing room.

  “Hey. What are you doing?” Kelly’s voice held a bit of panic.

  She smiled over her shoulder. “I’m changing. Then I’m going to take this extravagance to the register.”

  Kelly fist pumped. “Yes!”

  “Can you look for a silver clutch to match those stilettos I have? I’ll be right out.”

  * * *

  Buyer’s remorse is real. Trinity had taken on the mantra for the last hour. Between the gown, wrap, clutch, imitation earrings, and matching necklace that Kelly insisted she had to have to “complete the look,” she’d spent just over five hundred and seventy-five dollars. She couldn’t think about it anymore. If she did, she’d take it all back. That wasn’t what she wanted to do and she refused to give in to the inner voice that was turning into a huge pain in the ass. It’s not like she bought herself things on a regular basis, evidenced by the new purchase being the first addition to her closet in more than a year.

  Needing a distraction while Kelly went for pizza, she picked up her phone and scrolled through her Facebook page. She laughed at a cat antics video and snorted at a GIF one of her online friends had posted. Then she got the bright idea to see if Blaze had a page. How many people could there be with her name? It was worth a try. She typed in Blaze and clicked on the little magnifying glass. The results included a pizza business, a media station, and a carpenter. After reading the short description, she clicked on the carpenter link and Blaze’s enigmatic smile and androgynous likeness filled her screen. Trinity held her breath, the fluttering, topsy-turvy feeling in her stomach hitting her like it always did when she looked at Blaze.

  The page on her screen wasn’t a personal profile. Instead, it boasted Blaze Carter as a master carpenter who crafted commissioned works, custom cabinets, and special requests. It didn’t state her age or where she lived, but she already knew those. Her cover photo showed her beautiful log home in the background. She flicked back to Blaze’s image, and their night together came roaring back in a rush so strong, so vivid, Trinity felt the pulse between her legs. Damn. She didn’t want her body to betray her. Even while she tried to find reasons not to, she considered what excuse she could use for calling. Hi, Blaze. I need some work done on my body and since you’re a master…Good Lord, could she be any more pathetic?

  She ran her fingertip over the photo. Blaze wore a dark tan shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal her bulging forearms as she leaned on her jean-clad leg. Her smile was sincere and alluring, just like in person. Blaze was as hot blooded as they came. And God have mercy, she’d had the pleasure of watching her buck and moan to prove it.

  “This better be the best damn pizza we’ve ever had.” Kelly’s abrupt entrance kicked her off the fantasy train and back to reality in a heartbeat. She tossed her phone down and jumped up like her ass was on fire.

  Kelly set the pizza on the table and looked at her like she had three heads. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”

  Trinity fought the urge to glance at her phone, knowing Blaze’s picture was still on the screen. “Nothing. I’m hungry is all.”

  Kelly tossed her jacket on the couch. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  Trinity bit her lip, refusing to give in. “Want a beer?” She stuck her head in the fridge. It was more an attempt to cool the heat in her ears, evidence she’d been caught red-handed doing something she probably shouldn’t have been doing. Which was insane. She was a grown woman. She could check out someone’s Facebook account if she wanted to. It didn’t mean anything. She was just curious. When she didn’t get an answer, she straightened to find Kelly watching her.

  “Spill it, Greene, or I’m going to grab your cell to see what you’ve been trying so hard to ignore.”

  After opening a bottle, she dropped onto a chair and waved her hand. “Fine. Go ahead.” She sighed.

  Kelly snatched her cell and raised her brows. “Ooh-la-la. She’s even more handsome in full light. It was kind of dark at the Zone.” Kelly zoomed in and out. “No wonder you were all flushed when I came in.”

  “I was not. It’s warm in here.” Kelly rolled her eyes. “Okay. Yes, I was…reminiscing.” God, this was embarrassing. She and Kelly had talked about dates and sex more times than she could count, but with Blaze it felt—disrespectful.

  Kelly took a swig and flipped open the pizza box before grabbing a slice loaded with toppings. She chewed and moaned, then flopped it on her plate. “Is that what you’re calling it now?”

  “What would you call it?” She didn’t really want to know, but she had to ask anyway. She snagged a piece for herself and took a small bite. It was really good.

  “A curl your toes fantasy, if she was involved.” Kelly tipped her chin.

  Trinity couldn’t agree more, but she wasn’t quite ready to admit that she could do with a lot more than a fantasy about Blaze. “I’m thinking about asking her to the fundraiser.” Holy hell. What made her decide to drop that nugget of info?

  “Wow.” Kelly choked on her drink. It all but shot out her nose.

  She was glad Kelly didn’t need the Heimlich maneuver. Last week she’d had to do the lifesaving technique in the cafeteria and the person had puked all over her arms. Nurse or not, puke freaked her out.

  “She must have been exceptional. You usually prefer to go stag and check out your options, but I can’t say I blame you for wanting her on your arm. The other women will be drooling and shooting envious looks at you the entire evening.”

  She should have been ashamed for thinking the same thing and hoping…knowing, they would make a striking couple. They�
�d both been treading lightly and taking things slow. Neither had mentioned the word dating, but the calls and texts and meals together had certainly felt that way. All of it scared the shit out of her. “I wish you were going.”

  “You know that’s not my thing. I hate having to play nice with complete jerks.”

  “They aren’t all jerks.” Trinity tried to picture the attendees the last time she’d gone. There had been several stuffed suits, and those were the ones who contributed the most, so she’d swallowed her sharp-tongued retorts and done just that—played nice. “Just a choice few.”

  Kelly emptied her bottle and burped unceremoniously. “A few too many for my liking.”

  Trinity wrapped the leftover pizza and tossed the box in the trash can by the back door while Kelly rinsed their empties and put them in the bin. The bottle deposit money went to the cat adoption center. She thought of Baxter and smiled. They did what they could, when they could. She picked up her cell and dropped onto the couch. Kelly staked out her spot and put her feet on the old coffee table. Neither had any intention of replacing it since it was the perfect height for lounging. She was about to swap her cell for the remote when it buzzed in her hand. The screen flashed the name of the one person she’d been thinking about incessantly for weeks. Blaze.

  “It’s her.” The words rushed out of her mouth.

  Kelly glanced over. “Her who?”

  She turned the screen so Kelly could see it. That got her attention.

  “Well, Christ. Answer the damn thing.”

  Right. Easy. “Hello?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “Trinity? It’s Blaze.”

  Like I wouldn’t know. “Hey. How are you?” To her credit, her tone was casual and her voice calmer than the rest of her body. Blaze’s voice was smooth and smoky, like aged whiskey.

  “I’m good.” Blaze hesitated. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “Nope. Just kicking back on the couch, watching TV.” She glanced at Kelly who was mouthing something about “boring.” She covered the mouthpiece. “Shut up.”

  “Trinity?”

  “I’m here.”

  “I won’t keep you. The reason I’m calling is to ask you out to a dinner party at DJ’s next Friday night.”

  She could hear her breathing over the phone. It reminded her of how hot Blaze’s breath had been on her neck and her brain shut down. For the next thirty seconds she couldn’t think until a throw pillow bounced off her head. “Ow.”

  “Uh…you okay?”

  “Just my roomie thinking she’s the social director tonight.” She stuck her tongue out at Kelly and threw it back.

  “I’m sorry. It was a silly idea. Don’t feel obligated.”

  Trinity sat up. Her heart was hammering a little too hard, too fast. She was having palpitations. That wasn’t good. “No. I mean, it’s not silly at all. I’m sorry, but I have to work a twelve-hour shift on Friday.”

  “Oh.”

  Blaze sounded as disappointed as she felt. She wasn’t too keen on anything that involved DJ, but a chance to spend time with Blaze was almost worth being annoyed. Maybe she could salvage the situation. “How do you feel about fundraisers?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “I have a fundraiser to attend on Saturday night for the Pride Center in Albany, and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me. I know it’s kind of last minute, but—”

  “I’d love to.”

  She felt her eyes get big. “You would?”

  “I’d be a fool not to go. I’ll have the most beautiful woman there on my arm.”

  Blaze’s tone had dropped into a deep, rich baritone that sent a bolt of live current through her, landing between her thighs. Her insides turned to jelly. “You don’t have to say that just to be nice.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You’re not nice?” Trinity felt an upward tug at the corner of her mouth. This back and forth is fun.

  “Ha, ha. Very funny.” She could hear Blaze’s smile in her voice. “I’m assuming this is a formal event.”

  Shit. Trinity hadn’t even considered Blaze might not have appropriate clothing for such an event. “Well, it is, but…”

  “Trinity, I have a tux or two that I can brush the dust from. No problem.”

  She let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. For a minute there I thought…” God. What was wrong with her? She didn’t normally have such a hard time with social etiquette.

  “That I was just some lesbian sex object who only wore tight jeans and button-downs?”

  “No!” Good grief. She panicked until she heard Blaze’s hearty laughter. “Damn you, Blaze,” she said before her own laughter kicked in.

  “Oh my, how unladylike.”

  “I’ll give you unladylike.” The words were out before she could censor them, and her mind went into instant recall mode, picturing some of the very unladylike things they’d done together.

  “Will you? I can’t wait.” Blaze’s sexy voice pulled her back. “What time shall I pick you up?”

  “I’ll pick you up. After all, I asked you.”

  “I know, but I really don’t mind. That way you can relax and have a couple of drinks.”

  Trinity chewed on her lip. She glanced at Kelly, having all but forgotten she was there. She stared at Trinity and, deciding to get away from her scrutiny, Trinity got up and went to the kitchen. “Only if you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Okay. How about six? That will give us plenty of time to get to Albany.”

  “Perfect. One more question, then I’ll let you get back to chilling.”

  “Sure.” Her heart was doing that little trip-hammer thing again.

  “What color are you wearing?” Blaze asked.

  “Emerald green.” She briefly thought about giving her more details, but she wanted Blaze to be surprised when she picked her up.

  “That will be a fabulous color with your hair. See you then.”

  “Good night, Blaze.” She disconnected, suddenly feeling like a schoolgirl on a first date. Only this schoolgirl was having deliciously naughty thoughts about her date. I’m not going to sleep with her. It’s just a date. She grabbed a couple of beers and sauntered back into the living room.

  Kelly hit the mute button on the remote and patted the space next to her. “Tell me all about Steamy Hunk and your upcoming date.” Kelly took the offered bottle, all the while smiling as if she were the one who’d made plans.

  “She asked me to go to a dinner party on Friday, but I’ve got a long shift scheduled.” Trinity could probably get someone to cover for her since the long shifts paid better and were in high demand. But she didn’t intend to start making herself available just because Blaze asked. That was how you sidetracked your career.

  “I would have auctioned it off to the highest bidder.” Kelly fanned herself with a magazine and laughed.

  “Besides, it was at DJ’s.”

  “Oh.” Kelly was quiet for a bit. “So, you asked her to the fundraiser?”

  All she could do was nod, still in disbelief that she’d had the courage to ask and even more amazed by Blaze accepting.

  Kelly tossed the magazine down and shook her head. “Man, oh man, if I didn’t think I’d come off as a total geek I’d hang around and take pictures.”

  Trinity lobbed the pillow that had landed in her face earlier. “It’s not our high school prom.” Even though it kinda feels like it. She tried to imagine what Blaze had been thinking throughout their conversation. Her gallant offer to drive was touching. She liked the thought of Blaze coming to pick her up, making her feel special. In return, she wanted to look her absolute best. Brushing a strand of hair out of her face, Trinity sat up quickly, nearly spilling her beer.

  “Jesus, you’re jumpy tonight. Now what?” Kelly asked.

  “I have to do something with my hair.” It was long, thick, and wavy. She usually wore it down or pulled back in a loose ponytail, but that wouldn’t due for this o
ccasion, especially since she wanted to show off the cut of the dress.

  “I know exactly how you should wear it.” Kelly took her hand and led her to the big bathroom.

  It was the one they shared, because it was located between their bedrooms and had a double sink. There was a second guest bathroom that was smaller, with a counter that would never hold all their necessities. After she rummaged in the drawer for items, she motioned for her to sit backward on the toilet seat.

  “It won’t be perfect. You’re going to need to make an appointment at the salon, but it will give you an idea of what I’m thinking.” She proceeded to brush and tug, pin and primp, standing back several times to look at her work. “There,” she said. “It’s a little rough because, well…I’m not a stylist, but it’s close.”

  Trinity stood transfixed by her reflection. Her mass of curls was swept up at the back in a neat, yet slightly messy do. Several slender tendrils of hair framed her face, softening the severity of an otherwise formal style. She imagined herself in the gown, but she couldn’t quite picture it. She looked at Kelly.

  “Help me put on the rest?”

  Kelly’s expression showed her excitement and they headed for Trinity’s closet. After she had the gown on, along with the jewelry she’d bought to go with the outfit, they returned to the mirror, and she gasped. The woman staring back at her was beautiful.

  “It’s perfect.”

  Kelly came up behind her and held her shoulders. “You’re perfect. And you’re going to make Blaze weak-kneed when she sees you.” Kelly tucked a loose strand just so and stood back with her hands on her hips. “Damn. I hate that I’m going to miss seeing her seeing you.”

  Trinity didn’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her she was glad it would be a moment just between the two of them. Somehow, she knew it would be special. And intimate. Something only lovers should share. Wow. One time didn’t make them lovers, but after Saturday night, maybe that would change. Her anticipation morphed into trepidation.

  “Help me out of this.” She pushed past Kelly and beelined for her closet.