Playing Passion's Game (16 page)

“Where’s your lady, Trent? I expected her to be here, you know, still in those tight shorts of hers.” Elton’s breath whooshed out of his lungs at the weight of the heavy bag Monica pushed into his arms.

“Juliet’s not here. She got called into work last night.” She pushed him in the direction she needed him to go.

Elton followed her lead, but his eyes never left Trent’s face. “Bummer, dude,” he said.

Trent agreed. “Totally.”

As soon as Elton had deposited the bag Monica shooed him away. “Go play with your friend. You’re standing in the way of my creativity.” She kissed him on his cheek, then pushed him toward the slabs where Trent stood.

Trent eyed Elton warily. She knew he couldn’t keep quiet for long.

“So did you show her your game room?” he whispered comically from the side of his mouth.

“Yes.”

“And?”

Trent shrugged. “And it wasn’t as big a deal as I thought it would be. She was really cool about it.”

Elton edged closer to her. “Cool as in frosty?”

“No, cool as in she didn’t judge or make sarcastic comments.” Trent stared at her boots for a minute, replaying the night in her mind. “She was wonderful, Elt.”

“That’s good, right?”

“That’s better than good.”

The inflection in her tone must have given something away because Elton’s eyes narrowed and he looked her over. “You’re mighty mellow this morning.” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “You got laid last night!”

Trent cringed at his words. She tugged sharply at his beard, making his head snap forward. “Will you hush? No, I did not get laid.”
Not exactly
.

Elton rescued his facial hair from Trent’s grasp and rubbed at his chin. “Did
she
?” he asked slyly and Trent turned red. “Oh my God, you did it. You fuc—” Elton didn’t get any further because Trent slapped her hand over his mouth to shut him up.

“Will you keep your voice down?” She tossed a swift look in Monica’s direction in case she could hear Elton’s crude remarks. Elton mumbled something from behind Trent’s hand, and with a resigned sigh she removed it.

“You had sex with the fair Juliet,” he said excitedly. “Way to go, Trent!”

Trent understood his excitement and pleasure for her. It had been a
long
time. “Yes, and then she left.”

Elton made a show of gathering up his beard. “A first for you. You’re usually out of there before the last ‘Oh, Trent’ has been uttered.” He mimicked a breathy female voice calling her name and even Trent had to grin despite herself.

“Stop that,” she grumbled weakly, recognizing the truth in his teasing.

“Fuck and flee, that was usually your modus operandi,” Elton said.

Trent shivered as she remembered Juliet coming in her lap. “Well, this time I had no intention of going anywhere. Instead, she did.”

Elton bent his knees a little to rest his head on her shoulder in commiseration. “So, even though you didn’t get to spend longer than you usually would with a woman, how was it for you?”

Trent closed her eyes and let the memory loose. “As damn near perfect as I could ever have imagined.” The burning need to be with Juliet again suffused her soul.

“Sweet,” was Elton’s simple reply. “How about I take you for a drink while Monica works her magic on the soil? That way we won’t make her nervous with our whispering and you can give me more details.”

“Details?” Suspicious, Trent eyed Elton’s innocent face.

“Yes, Trent dear, details.” He cupped his hands against his chest and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“I am not divulging anything concerning vital statistics with you, you letch!”

“Come on, you know you’re dying to share.” Elton danced back from Trent’s glare. “You’ve seen them up close and personal by now, I’m sure. Just how big are—”

Trent took a threatening step forward and hissed at him under her breath. “If you dare mention Juliet’s breasts one more time in my earshot, it won’t be just your beard I’ll make a grab for.”

Elton winced and backed off, hands held up in surrender. “Never could get you to share anything too intimate.”

“And I’m not going to start now either, so quit asking.”

“This one’s special, eh?” Elton asked softly, switching from friend to his big-brother persona in an instant.

“I think so,” Trent replied then added with more conviction, “No, I know so.”

Slapping her on the shoulder, Elton cheered softly. “Glad to hear it. You can buy the first round, because I never thought I’d see the day you’d find someone to settle down with.”

“Who said I was ready to settle down?”

“Trent, you’re so damn sweet on this woman already. Tell me you haven’t thought of forever.”

Trent stayed silent so long that Elton hugged her to him. “Thought so,” he said. “About time too. She’ll be lucky to have you.”

“She hasn’t had me yet,” Trent muttered into Elton’s chest.

“Something tells me that won’t be long in coming. No pun intended.”

Trent prodded him lightly in his side and stepped back, struggling to hold back a smile at his blatant amusement at his own joke.

“What is he laughing at?” Monica asked, stopping her work and looking over at them both suspiciously.

Trent sighed and shook her head at Elton who was now wiping at his eyes.

“Same as usual,
me
.”

Trent hid herself away for the rest of the afternoon, leaving Monica working in the yard alone and in peace. Elton had long since wandered home after extracting a promise to see Monica later. Trent sat playing a game offline when her cell rang. Eyes still fixed on the screen, Trent didn’t bother to look at the caller ID when she answered it.

“What are you doing that’s keeping you from hearing me knock at your back door?”

“Juliet?” Trent paused the game, put down her controller, and rushed down the stairs. She flung open the back door and was met by the most beautiful smile. Juliet made a show of closing her cell phone.

“Hey you.” Juliet reached up for a kiss.

Trent groaned into her mouth, allowing Juliet’s tongue in to explore, holding on to her tight because she couldn’t ever get close enough.

“Don’t mind me preparing the soil all by myself over here while you two get down and dirty.”

Trent ignored Monica’s teasing voice, her attention fixed solely on Juliet and how much she wanted to do more than just kiss her. “Do you have to go back into work this weekend?” She checked her watch. It was well after four p.m.

“No, thank goodness. I had more than enough with last night bleeding into the morning.” She cradled Trent’s face gently. “Sorry I didn’t get to call you like I promised. Work was hectic, and by the time I got home it was way too early to wake you just so I could hear your voice.”

“I wouldn’t have minded.” Trent pressed a kiss into Juliet’s palm. “You’re here now.” She was delighted to see her. Trent hadn’t expected to after the night before. “Are you here to help Monica?”

Juliet spared a look over her shoulder. “No, actually I’m here to see if I can take you out to pick up some food and then take you to my place for a change.”

“You’re inviting me back to your place?”

“You’ve let me into your home, now let me return the favor.” Juliet turned to seek out Monica. “Hey, Monica, are you still seeing Elton tonight?”

“Straight after I’ve finished up here, so the apartment is all yours.”

Juliet turned back to Trent. “I haven’t been up long and I’m starving. For food,” she added, depositing a swift kiss on Trent’s curved lips. “And I want your company because last night ended all too abruptly.”

Trent tugged her inside. “Come sit a moment while I go save my game, then we can go wherever you want.”

“How does Nando’s sound? I’m in the mood for some peri peri chicken.”

Trent nodded and her stomach grumbled at the promise of food. “Sounds good to me. I only had a sandwich at lunchtime.” She guided Juliet to a chair, kissed her, and then raced back upstairs to close her console down and switch everything off. Once back in the kitchen, Trent slipped on her Nikes and reached for her wallet. She stuffed it into her jeans pocket. “I just need to set the house alarm and we’re good to go.”

Juliet waited at the back door while Trent keyed in the combination and the house beeped out its signal that the alarm was being armed. Trent locked the back door behind her and then followed Juliet as she shared a few words with Monica. She didn’t listen in to what they were saying. Instead Trent marveled at the transformation that Monica had worked from the wreck of her yard.

“What are you thinking?” Juliet nudged Trent gently, both women watching Trent’s preoccupation.

“I can see my neighbor’s house at the bottom of the yard. I can’t remember seeing that before. And I have a shed, and there’s dirt leveled out instead of tangled bushes, and…” Trent’s excitement was tangible. “I’m getting a yard!”

Monica snorted. “You’d better still be excited Tuesday when we take you to every nursery in Baydale.”

Juliet linked her arm through Trent’s. “I’m going to ask for Tuesday off too. Someone has to keep you two in check.”

“She won’t know an alchemilla from a zantedeschia,” Monica said, returning to her work.

Trent frowned. “She just made those up, didn’t she?” she said to Juliet.

“No, one’s a lady’s mantle and the other is an arum lily.”

Trent was impressed. “I guess you’re going to be well-versed in your new job when you cut ties with the banking fraternity.”

Juliet led Trent to her car. “You can’t help but get drawn in when Monica starts talking plants. And believe me, the past few months, it’s been our main topic of discussion.” Their footsteps crunched on the gravel of Trent’s driveway. Juliet reached for Trent’s hand. “I missed you today. But I could feel you everywhere on my body, like you’d burned a trail across my skin.”

“Tell me about it.”

Once settled in the car, Juliet turned in her seat. “So did you put your extensive collection of DVDs to good use last night once I’d gone?”

Trent’s face burned at the implication. “No, I didn’t. I used my vast frustration to beat three clans who never knew what the hell hit them when I stepped online.”

Juliet stared at her for a long moment. “You played games instead?”

Trent couldn’t turn away. “I didn’t want to waste what you’d made me feel by watching someone else have sex and come alone. If you weren’t there to touch me, then the idea of jerking myself off just wasn’t going to satisfy me. If you’re going to set my soul on fire, I want you and only you to be the one to put it out.”

Juliet’s face softened. “I couldn’t stay away from you today. I should be spending all my free time I have on my proposal; my deadline is approaching. I just couldn’t keep away. I needed to see you. Especially after last night.”

“I’m glad you did. I missed you too today.”

With a heartfelt sigh, Juliet said softly, “So much for no strings.”

Trent could only look at her, marveling at how beautiful Juliet was bathed in the light from the afternoon sun. She’d never experienced such yearning for a woman, and her growing need was even more unsettling. But as Juliet smiled Trent’s heart tripped over a beat.
I am so lost and I really don’t care anymore. She’s kind, and I’ve never had that before in my life, not from a lover. She could kill me with kindness and I’d probably be a willing victim.

“You are so beautiful,” Trent said.

“And you are such a sweetheart.” Juliet started up her car, her eyes sparkling at Trent’s compliment.

“I say what I see, and I see the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on sitting beside me. And then I see, in my mind’s eye, how you were last night naked in my arms, and you make me ache so damn much to feel you like that again.” Trent took a deep breath and blew it out shakily. “This is all new to me.”

Juliet’s eyes shifted from the road. “But it feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Very good,” she said, her eyes closing as she replayed what she had done to Juliet the night before. “So good and it feels so right.”

“Why has no one snatched you up before now?” Juliet said, laying her hand on Trent’s thigh as they waited at a traffic light.

“I didn’t want them to.” With the words out of her mouth, Trent finally realized the truth in them. She caught sight of the restaurant and was silent while Juliet pulled into the parking lot and found a free space. As Juliet turned off the engine, Trent slipped out of her seat belt and reached out for her. “I didn’t want anyone. I was perfectly content being alone. And then I met you, and you turned my safe little world upside down and inside out.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Juliet said softly.

“I know, but I’m getting to like the view from this new perspective.” Trent got out of the car, then walked around to open Juliet’s door gallantly. “How about we go get takeout, then you can show me where you and Monica live when you’re not hanging out in my yard digging through to China?” She took Juliet’s hand. “And maybe you can divulge how bad this banking situation really is and advise me on whether I should go remove all my savings before the banks go belly up.”

Juliet put on her business face. “I cannot divulge company policy, but I think I can safely recommend that you keep your money in the banking institutions and not hidden instead under your mattress for safekeeping.” She paused. “At least for now.”

Trent was impressed by Juliet’s smart reply. “Well, if we’re not going to talk business, then we have to talk personal. You know, get to know each other by trading information.” Trent was pleased to note Juliet’s intrigued look.

“Information?”

Holding open the door to the restaurant for Juliet to pass through, Trent continued. “Twenty questions, everything from favorite color to favorite sexual position.” She caught the startled look on the maitre d’s face as he stood waiting to direct them to a table. She pretended he hadn’t overheard her last comment and gestured that they were headed to the counter for takeaway. He nodded swiftly and turned back to the other customers baying for his attention.

“He heard what you said.”

Nodding, Trent just headed for the counter. “Yes, and think how disappointed he is that we’re not taking a table so he could be ever so attentive to our needs in the hope of hearing you tell me how you like your loving best.”

Juliet leaned in close to Trent’s side to whisper. “But I haven’t tried everything with you yet, so I can’t possibly comment until then.”

Trent feared she’d swallow her own tongue at the look Juliet flashed her before nonchalantly giving her order to the girl behind the counter. Trent managed to name something off the menu, but her head was spinning with the possibilities Juliet had hinted at.
Can I finally let go with this woman? Will she be able to push through the defenses I’ve built up over the years? Can I let her take the control that I so desperately hold on to?

“You look lost in thought.”

Juliet’s soft voice brought Trent back to the restaurant. “Just weighing the possibilities life is offering me.”

“You’re having an epiphany in the middle of Nando’s?”

“It’s a today’s special, comes with a side order of fries.”

“I love your sense of humor.”

“Glad to hear it.”
Because I’m falling in love with you
, Trent realized as she looked at Juliet’s face alight with laughter.
Completely head over heels, crazy out of my mind over you, and I wouldn’t change this feeling for the world, no matter how much it terrifies me.

*

Trent washed down her last mouthful of chicken with her beer and sat back contentedly. Her eyes traveled around the cozy living room Juliet and Monica shared.

“I expected more coffins,” she said, noticing that there weren’t many Goth knickknacks around the living space.

“Monica saves that for her bedroom and her clothing,” Juliet said as she pushed aside her own plate.

“She does make amazing dresses. Have you reached any further decisions about joining Monica in the landscaping business?”

“I’ve been checking into the courses and qualifications that I’d need. And I’ve already started to design the spreadsheets Monica will need for keeping a check on income and expenditures. We’ve been working out the fine print, but I think it’s safe to say I’d be balancing the books so that every penny is accounted for. If I make the move I’d be giving up too much for this to be a
hobby
job.”

“What happens next?”

“I need to see this presentation through. I’ve invested too much on it to just leave it. But I’m feeling the need to leave. I’m getting bored and frankly frustrated by all the politics that go along with rising through the ranks. I think I’ve done all I can do in this line of work that I’m capable of achieving or want to achieve, except maybe become a big boss in the city, and I really don’t want the responsibility that comes with that position.” Juliet stretched, affording Trent the sight of a strip of midriff that made Trent’s hands itch with the need to reach out and explore.

“So.” Trent was glad her voice didn’t sound as strained as it felt as she dragged her eyes away from the tantalizing skin. “Everything hinges on your presentation being done, and then you can start getting your hands dirty in a new job.”

“It’s a big step I’m thinking of taking. For a start it will be a huge drop in pay, but I need the change and the new challenge.”

Trent raised her beer bottle and toasted her. “To change and challenges.”

Juliet leaned back in her seat beside Trent, wriggling to get more comfortable. “You mentioned twenty questions, my dear Trent. How intimate can these questions be?”

Trent swallowed hard at the husky timbre of Juliet’s voice. “How intimate do you want them to be?”

Juliet’s hand roamed down Trent’s arm, raising the hair there, making Trent twitch. “I’ve already been naked writhing in your lap. I’d say that was pretty darn intimate already.”

“I remember every single fantastic second of it.” Trent’s body burned as that night replayed itself in her mind’s eye. Juliet bit her lip as if holding back her questions. “You can ask me anything.”

“I have just three questions, and I’m not sure if you’re ready to share the answers with me.”

Trent frowned at the seriousness of Juliet’s tone. Her chest started to tighten as an all-too-familiar fear started to steal away her breath. She had a feeling she knew what was coming. Trent surrendered. “Ask.”

“What happened to your family? What’s the real reason for all the security for your game room and home, and what’s the story behind your tattoo?” At this last question, Juliet ran her fingers along the skin of Trent’s arm, touching the artwork there.

Trent remained silent for a little too long as she tried to breathe around the sudden constriction in her chest. She was immediately light-headed and queasy. She was startled when Juliet put her hand to her face and kissed her softly on the forehead. “If you can’t tell me now, I understand, but I hope one day you can. I want to know you, Trent, all of you, and I can’t help but think that your being alone is a big part of you that you don’t reveal.” She traced the symbols on Trent’s arm again. “But it’s etched in you. This tattoo is more than just a favorite game. I’ve seen the symbols on your clothes, seen the game prominently placed in your room. There’s obviously more meaning to it.” Juliet stilled her touch. “Or am I just reading too much into it all?”

“The answers to your questions are all one and the same.” Trent ran her fingers over the bold tattoo on her arm. “This game was the only thing I managed to escape with,” she said finally. “Trust you not to just ask my favorite flavor of ice cream.” She held up a hand to silence Juliet’s apology then took a deep breath. “Years ago, my father smashed all my games and my console as punishment for my disappointing him. The Space Invaders cartridge was the only thing left intact when he had finished. Everything else was smashed beyond salvage.”