The Colonel's Baby Page 6

  “Are you alright?”

  I blinked, looking over at him. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  “You sure? You seem suddenly nervous.” He turned to look at me. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

  “Nothing.”

  Trenton looked over at me, giving me his full attention. “If we are going to be together, you’re going to have to trust me. I don’t know what you’ve been through and I wish that you’d tell me. But I’m it going to hurt you or do anything you aren’t ready for or wish to do. I promise.”

  I nodded slowly. “I know. I’m sorry Trenton.”

  He reached over and took my hand in his. “Do you want me to take you home?”

  At first I didn’t answer. Did I want him to take me home? Back to the safety of my parents’ house. Back where no one would force me to do things.

  But then I looked up at him. He was watching me, his blue eyes concerned. I somehow knew that if I asked him to, he’d take me home. And yet, I wasn’t ready to leave him. I wanted to spend more time with him, alone. With no one else around so that I could explore these new feelings growing inside me. And in order to do that, I realized that I would have to tell him the things that even my own parents didn’t know. Only one person knew the things that kept me from loving someone and allowing them to love me. But she wasn’t here. Only the man I was coming to care about very much. And I didn’t want to lose him.

  “I-” I began but broke off.

  Trenton watched me. “I’m listening,” he said softly. “You can tell me whatever you want to. I won’t judge you. I swear.”

  I drew a deep breath. Please don’t let me be making a mistake. Let him be the one. “About a year and a half ago,” I began haltingly. “I’d gone out with this guy. It was a blind date. He’d wanted to go to this club downtown. I agreed and met him there. We danced and were having fun I guess. But I noticed that he kept watching me in a kind of creepy way. He kept commenting on how cute I looked and how I was turning him on. I made the mistake of telling him that I liked him too. I did. Like him that is. But it was our first date so I wasn’t planning on sleeping with him or anything.”

  I broke off and Trenton stayed quiet, waiting for me to continue with my story. His gaze never wavered from mine.

  I continued. “We met up with a friend of his and his date at the club. The other guy’s date was already tipsy and giggling. I saw him touching her in a sexual manner more than once. But she was so out of it that she didn’t bother to stop him. That set off warning flags in my mind and I told him I wanted to leave. He blew me off, saying that she was a heavy drinker and that they’d been dating for a long while and it was okay. I should have gone with my gut and left right then. But I didn’t.”

  I broke off again and Trenton reached for my hand. “Go on,” he urged me softly. “I’m listening. And you’ll feel better if you get it off your chest.”

  “We wound up going back to his place.”

  “Who?”

  “Me and him. His friend and the girl. I found out later that the guys were roommates. He convinced me that we would finish the party there. I shouldn’t have gone. I should have just left from the club.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Don’t beat yourself up over should haves, darlin’,” he murmured. “No one is judging you. Tell me the rest.”

  “He and his friend went to make us some drinks. The girl and I were in the living room and she was telling me about s0me modeling gig her boyfriend was going to get her into. She told me that he would be able to get me in as well since I was pretty. When they came back in, he handed me the glass. I noticed there was a cloudy fizz in the drink. I asked him about it and he played it off saying it was the fizz from the carbonated water he’d put in it.” I paused, seeing the scene play out in my mind just as clear as if it were actually happening.

  “The girl was drinking hers and I’d noticed that her glass had the same bubbly appearance as mine had. But she didn’t seem to notice. I figured if she were drinking it, then it was probably okay. After all, she didn’t appear to be affected by anything but the alcohol. So I drank some of it. After a few minutes, I started feeling funny. Real sleepy and high. I wouldn’t drink any more of it. When he wasn’t looking, I poured it in a plant. But it was too late. I felt so sleepy that it was a struggle to keep my eyes open. Suddenly, I noticed that it was real quiet in the apartment. His friend and the girl were gone. Now that I think about it, I think they may have gone into his bedroom. But how they left without me seeing them or noticing was beyond me. I thought that I’d said that I was ready to go but maybe I didn’t say anything. He took me into his bedroom and we started kissing.” I broke off again, peering at Trenton. It was kind of embarrassing to be telling him about things I’d done with another man.

  “Go on,” he prompted me.

  “We started kissing,” I repeated. “Then he started trying to remove my clothes. I told him that I wasn’t ready for that because we’d just met. He ignored me and continued to pull at my clothes. He began touching me, kissing me hard before biting my breasts. He moved lower and I tried to fight him. I guess he got mad that whatever he’d put in my drink wasn’t working. He grabbed my legs and shoved them apart. He kept telling me to be still and enjoy it but I wouldn’t. I pushed at him, trying to claw his eyes. I didn’t want that-”

  I didn’t realize that I was squeezing Trenton’s hand until he squeezed back. “Did he rape you, woman?” he asked softly.

  I shook my head. “I managed to grab something, I don’t know what, off the night table and bash him over the head with it. I paused long enough to make sure that he was still breathing, then I ran away. I got to a grocery store and took a cab home. Since that night, I don’t do blind dates. Or I double with Tracy and her date.”

  “And you never told anyone? The police?”

  “No. I told Tracy. She wanted me to call the police and make a report. But I was scared. He didn’t succeed with raping me and I was afraid that they’d come for me for bashing his head open. I saw him once several months ago. He seemed fine, back to his usual flirting and stuff. But I don’t think he saw me.”

  Trenton nodded. “That’s why you didn’t want me to buy you a drink and you asked for bottled water?”

  I nodded.

  “Did you really think I would put something in your drink?”

  I shrugged.

  “I wouldn’t have done that to you. When I make love to you, I want you fully awake and participating.”

  I offered him a small smile. “You still want to go out with me?”

  “Of course. Why not? I told you that I wouldn’t judge you. I’m glad you told me and didn’t just walk away or keep me at a distance.” He watched me for a moment. “Why did you tell me when you didn’t tell anyone else? Especially your parents?” He held up a hand. “I’m glad you told me, don’t get me wrong. Just why didn’t you tell them?”

  I sighed. “Because they have this view of me that I’m their perfect little girl. That I don’t do anything wrong. They would probably have a heart attack if they knew I’d put myself in that situation.”

  “But it wasn’t your fault,” Trenton protested.

  “They won’t see it that way.” I paused for a moment, not looking at him. “I guess I told you because, well, I guess I feel different with you. I feel good, like I’m good. And I like spending time with you.” I toyed with his fingers. “And I guess I don’t want any secrets between us. And maybe, maybe you can help me get over this.”

  He watched me, not speaking for a moment. I wondered if I’d made a mistake in trusting him. Then he said, “I like you. A lot. And I like spending time with you too. I won’t tell anyone what you told me tonight. Rest easy on that. You can count on me to be whatever you need me to be. We’ll go slowly. No worries.” He stood. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

  I glanced at my watch. Damn it was late. I looked up at him. “What about the kiss you promised me?”

  Trenton lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t want you to fe
el obligated to-”

  “I want to,” I murmured. Before he could refuse me, I slipped my arms around his neck and kissed him. Without hesitation, his lips parted, allowing the entrance of my tongue. It was by far the best kiss I’d ever experienced. He held very still and let me kiss him. When I pulled back, he smiled.

  “You can have me at your feet if I let you, woman,” he whispered.

  “Is that a good thing?”

  “A very good thing. Let me take you home before you wind up staying the night.”

  I grinned. That might not be such a bad thing. But he was right. If I didn’t come home, my parents would have the police out in full force looking for me. “Yes sir, Colonel,” I teased him. “Let’s go.”

  Even as I went to sleep, I was still smiling.

  LOVING THE COLONEL

  TRENTON AND I SETTLED INTO our new relationship. I admit that I felt so much lighter after having told him the secrets that I’d been carrying around with me for so long. But another part of me waited for him to betray me. Since that night, I’d never let any man get so close to me. I usually broke things off when they started making noises about us sleeping together. So far, Trenton hadn’t pushed me, though he’d hinted around about wanting to. I wanted to as well. Lately, his kisses weren’t enough. But still I held back. Part of me still carried the memories and I was afraid of them coming back when we were in the heat of the moment and the mood would be ruined. He’d only take that but for so long.

  “You’re grinning a whole lot lately,” Tracy commented.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” She sidled up close to me. “You finally get some of the good Colonel Boone or what?”

  “Tracy!” I don’t know why I was shocked by her bold question. She never beat around the bush when it came to sex.

  “What? Well, have you?”

  “No. But you still shouldn’t ask someone that!”

  She waved a hand. “Girl please. You’ve known me for how long?” She didn’t give me a chance to answer. “You just have that syrupy sweet smile that signifies the getting of some.”

  I laughed. “No. Nothing like that. Sorry to disappoint you.” I sobered, lowering my voice. “I told him about, you know.”

  Her eyes widened. “Good for you. What did he say?”

  “He was really cool about the whole thing. He’s been great. Not pushing me or asking for things I’m not ready to give.”

  “Do you want to?”

  I nodded. “I do. But now I’m kind of worried about how to proceed. I mean, I wonder even when we’re kissing if he’s not thinking about it as I am.”

  Tracy shook her head. “I’m sure he’s not. Besides, he won’t hold it against you. He likes you. I can tell.”

  “Who likes you?” Marco said coming up behind us.

  I glanced at him over my shoulder. “No one.”

  “Are you still talking about that Colonel guy?”

  “So?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what you see in him.”

  “The same things women see in you, Marco,” I snapped. “Why don’t you try to get to know Trenton before you start putting him down, huh?”

  Tracy nodded. “He’s really a nice guy, Marco,” she said.

  “Then you date him,” Marco said.

  She was used to his blustering, having worked at the restaurant for a while and she merely grinned at him. “Can’t. I’m dating his friend.” She laughed as Marco stomped away. “He’s too funny,” she said, wiping her eyes.

  “He’s damn annoying is what he is,” I replied irritably. “He’s been riding me since that day Trenton and I had lunch here. Making snide remarks in front of our parents and stuff. Just anything to piss me off. I should punch him out.”

  Tracy laughed again and put her hand on my shoulder. “Easy there, killer. Retract those claws. He’s just trying to protect you. Be a good big brother, you know?” She picked up the tray to head over to a table. “You never know, boo. You might need his big brother skills one day.”

  Another sensation of deja’vu ran down my spine. Was someone up there trying to tell me something?

  ______

  I was waiting for Trenton to come pick me up for the concert we were going to. Marco was halfway hacked off with me because I’d asked Papa for another Saturday night off. He was still of the opinion that Trenton was the devil incarnate, and wouldn’t change his mind despite my efforts to convince him.

  He woofed loud enough that if got Papa’s attention. He was piddling around the house, doing his and that. I watched him for a moment.

  “Papa, aren’t you going to the restaurant tonight?”

  He shrugged. “Perché? Marco sta lì.” Why? Marco is there.

  “I know. But you’re always there on Saturdays.”

  He fixed me with one of his stern looks. “Sto aspettando.” I’m waiting.

  For what?

  “Voglio incontrare il tuo ragazzo.” I want to meet your boyfriend.

  Great. I wondered if Papa would forget his English too. “Well, he’ll be here soon. You’ll be nice, right?”

  He lifted a shoulder and I now knew where Marco got that from. “We will see.”

  Great.

  Trenton was right on time, another lesson of the military. I grinned to myself as I opened the door. I lifted my face for his kiss. But he merely brushed his lips across my cheek. I frowned up at him to see him looking at something over my shoulder. I knew without turning around that either my dad or both of them were standing there.

  I gestured for Trenton to come inside and turned to my parents.

  “Mama, Papà, this is Colonel Trenton Boone. Trenton, my father Marco Alessandro De Luca. And you remember my mom, Raffaella?”

  He nodded. “It’s nice to see you again, ma’am,” he said, taking my mom’s hand and kissing her knuckles the way the Southern men used to do. Mama’s expression softened as she slowly pulled her hand back. I think Trenton’s charms worked on her because she smiled at him.

  “It’s nice to see you again too, Colonel,” she answered.

  I lifted an eyebrow. I see she’d found her English again.

  “Please, just call me Trenton.”

  She nodded and he turned to my father. Papa looked him up and down, as if debating whether or not to take his outstretched hand. Finally, he shook hands with Trenton.

  “Nice to meet you, sir,” Trenton said.

  Papa nodded. “Where do you go tonight?”

  “To a concert, Papa,” I answered as Trenton started to speak. “I told you about it, remember?”

  He gave me the look that had silenced me many times as a child. “I was asking him.”

  Trenton to his credit didn’t squirm under my father’s gaze as some of my other dates had. In fact, he took it in stride and answered my dad’s questions. By the time we were ready to leave, I think my father even smiled once or twice.

  I looked over at him as he drove towards the arena. “You’re pretty amazing.”

  “Oh? Why is that?”

  I shook my head. “My dad never likes any of my dates. Not that there have been all that many, but still.”

  Trenton smiled. “And you think he likes me?”

  I chuckled. “I wish I could say yes. But I don’t know. Papa is a hard man to read. Just when you think you have him figured out, he changes up on you.”

  He found a parking spot and came around to open my door. I slid my hand in his and he helped me out. I smiled up at him. “You’re going to spoil me,” I said softly.

  Trenton stepped closer to me, pinning me between the car and his big body. There was room enough for me to move away if I wanted to. But I didn’t. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him close. He braced his hands against the car on either side of me. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against mine. “A pretty lady like you deserves to be spoiled. And if you’ll let me, I’ll make you rotten.”

  I looked up at him through my lashes. “Then how abo
ut a kiss?” I asked shyly.

  “I can do that,” he whispered before his mouth closed over mine.

  I gasped against his lips and gave myself over to him. He was never rough with his kisses. Demanding yes. But he never pushed further than I wanted to go. He let me dictate the pace.

  But tonight, I wanted more. I wanted him to kiss me senseless. I wanted to feel his passion and give him mine. I slid my arms up around his neck and deepened the kiss. He groaned softly and accepted the sweep of my tongue into his mouth. His arms came around my waist and he pulled me against him. I could feel him pressing into me. But instead of making me wary like it usually did, the contact of our bodies set me on fire. I’d admitted to myself that I wanted him and wanted to be with him. Now I just needed to find the nerve to say it to him. Because I sure did love his kisses.

  Trenton pulled back first. “We’d better go inside,” he murmured. He hugged me close for a moment more. “I know we are taking things slow, but I have to say that it’s getting harder and harder to stop at just kissing you.”

  I looked up at him, knowing full well that I was probably making a mistake in opening myself to him this soon. But Tracy always told me that if I wanted something, I had to put myself out there even if it didn’t work. So here went nothing.

  “For me too,” I admitted in a whisper.

  Our eyes met and held. The air around us suddenly became so charged with sexual tension that it would surely shock us both if we touched it. Or each other.

  His blue eyes burned blue flames as he stared down at me. “We should go inside,” he said again. “These tickets are too expensive to waste. Especially when I know you really want to see the show.”

  I nodded. “Yes,” I agreed. But right then, I wanted him to put on a private concert for my eyes only. He smiled, somehow understanding what I wanted without me having to say it out loud.

  “Come on, darlin’,” he said, draping his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go rock so I can take you home.”

  All through the show, I was very aware of him so close to me. I felt each brush of his leg against mine as he shifted in the small stadium seats. Each bump of his elbow on the tiny arm rest. Every movement kept me on edge the entire show. I wondered if he were feeling as turned on as I was. But I wouldn’t ask him.