Instead of arguing with him—and part of her sure wanted to do that—she accepted his words at face value. She turned back toward Spike and settled in so she could spend just as much time as she wanted there.
* * * *
Sunny was beyond exhausted the next morning. That seemed her normal state these days. She’d slept in Garrison’s bed after getting back from the vet hospital, and while he didn’t crawl in when she’d lain down, and he was gone when she’d woken, she recalled his arm wrapped around her in the middle of the night. The memory was fuzzy, but she had a faded memory of curling against him, of snuggling into the warmth of his bare chest.
Something about saying her safe word the day before had ripped open a twisted wound she’d had and let it finally heal right.
She’d managed to tell him no in an absolute way and he’dlistened.He’d stopped immediately, just as he’d said he would. It helped soothe her fears, helped to quiet the memories of the times she’d used a safe word and had it ignored.
Even with that, though, she’d tried her best to keep her distance from the men once she’d woken. Despite the house not being huge, it wasn’t that hard to do so. The men seemed to work in shifts, with two being gone and one remaining there. They’d left her be for the most part, other than ensuring she ate. They seemed to be trying to make sure she had the ability to reach out if she chose but wouldn’t feel crowded. It had left her hiding in Garrison’s room the majority of the day.
And her company for today? The most confusing of the three men she’d become entangled with—Trent.
He was the funniest, the most-easy going in so many ways, but then she remembered the way his eyes had lit up when he’d dug his nails into her nipples—or worse, the way she’d responded—and she felt as though she shouldn’t trust him.
A knock on the door made her jump, but after pulling at her shirt again, she called for him to enter.
Sure enough, Trent opened the door, looking just as sinful as he always did. He was dressed casually, with jeans and a T-shirt, his hair pushed back but messy. His smirk alone promised things sheknewhe could deliver.
“Hey there. You done hiding? Because I’m hungry.”
The mention of food made her think back to the kitchen table, to how Garrison had made her come over and over again, and her cheeks heated at the memory.
“Oh, and to think I missed it,” Trent said as if he could read her mind. “You know, one time I’m going tolovehaving guests over and watching you turn that same shade of red when we all sit down at that table.”
Okay, so maybe he could guess her line of thought…
“I’m not hiding,” she said instead of talking about what he’d said.
“Sure, you are. Unfortunately for you, I’m in charge, so come on—we’ll eat in the back yard. We don’t have the view you do at your place, but it’ll work.”
Sunny considered arguing. She wanted to stay in the room, to not go anywhere or see anyone. Garrison’s lesson came back to her, the fact that shecouldspeak up. She could voice her opinion, even if it wasn’t something they’d like.
Her voice broke when she tried, cracking like a prepubescent boy, but she got the words out. “Why do I have to go outside?”
Trent didn’t look mad—in fact, his smile widened. “What do you know? Garrison’s lesson actually sank in. Well, honey, you’ve been in here alone for hours, which gave youmorethan enough time to sort out whatever is in your head. If it isn’t any better by now, it means you might need some help with it. You like the sky, and you need to eat, so I figured eating outside would relax you.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. “But I thought speaking up would mean you’d listen.”
“I did listen. Listening doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get what you want. It means I’ll hear you out, I’ll explain myself, and sometimes I’ll change my mind. This time, though? Nope. Come on.”
She walked past him, her bare feet against the tile floors, and he smacked her ass as she passed.
The yelp she released was embarrassing, but not as bad as the way her blood heated. Garrison had turned her inside out the day before, making her come so many times that she’d lost count, yet here she was getting ready again for Trent?
What the hell was wrong with her? She hadneverwanted sex in this way before.
Instead of voicing that, she stopped in the kitchen, ready to help put together a meal. When living with Tanner, he’d never done things for her. He’d expected her to serve him, for her to do all the work.
“Out.” Trent pointed to the back slider before picking up two already made plates and balancing them in his arms.
Sunny opened the back door, thankful to find a lovely view and a comfortable seating area. The fence was made of wood, which offered privacy, even though the neighbors were still a good distance away. The house didn’t face the sunset, but the mountain ranges in the distance and the Joshua trees that sat just outside the small patio made up for it.
When she sat, Trent took the spot just to the side of her and placed her food in her lap.
She peered down, then couldn’t stop her laugh.
It was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.