Falling for the Enemy (Falling in Love) (11 page)

“I’ll see you soon,” Trey said, shaking hands with Dale.

She watched as his friend walked toward Trey’s house. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“He wants to stay at my place tonight. Do you think you’ve got a place for me to crash and for us both to talk?”

She nodded. Part of her expected to see her mother camped outside her house.
Climbing the steps, she unlocked the door and entered. The answering machine was blaring in the distance.

Leaving Trey to close the door she pressed the play button and started listening to the messages.

“Honey, I hope you’re having a brilliant time. You’ll love Martin once you get to know him. I’m sure of it.”

Closing her eyes, she rubbed at her temples. A headache was forming
, and she didn’t know if she wanted to listen to the rest of the messages.

“You don’t have to do this,” Trey said.

“I do.”

“June Armstrong, I’m disgusted and surprised at you. Storming out with another man is not acceptable
, not to mention what you said to Martin. The poor man is beside himself with grief. He really liked you and thought you could make a future together. You’ve got some serious explaining to do.”

There were another two messages.

“I’m stood outside, and you’re nowhere to be seen. Don’t forget I know where you work, June. I’ll be handling this in the morning.”

“June, honey, it’s your dad. Please, pick up. Your mother is worried
, and I really need to make sure you’re okay.”

Her father sounded upset but not angry.

Picking up the phone, she reached out to dial their number.

“What are you doing?” Trey asked.

“I need to let them know I’m okay.”

She pressed their number in and sat waiting. Her heart sped up as her father answered the phone.

“Hey, Daddy, it’s me.”

June heard him speak to her mother.

“I’m so glad you called me back. What’s going on?”

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “I can’t talk about it right now. Martin is not the guy for me
, and I’d appreciate it if you don’t throw your friends’ sons in my direction.”

“I didn’t
realize that was what we were doing.”

“I know, Dad. I love you. I really do
, but please, give me tonight and I’ll tell you everything soon.”

She listened to the talking
, and when they were finished, she put the phone down.

“What’s going on?”
Trey asked.

“They’re giving me tonight
, and in the morning they want the truth. What do I tell them?” She looked at him, hoping he had the answers.

“I can’t tell you
what to say to them.”

“What is going on between us, Trey?” she asked.

A couple of hours ago everything seemed simple, and now her simple little world was thrown up in the air.

She couldn’t think.

“I was hoping you’d tell me. We’re exclusive. I won’t share you with other men.”

“Are you trying to tell me we’re a couple?”

He stroked her head, pushing some strands behind her ear.

“We are.”

“You don’t even like me,” she said, remembering all the times he’d bullied her. Even her memories were arguing with her. She didn’t want to think about high school. The memories she once had were replaced by others of Trey.

“I more than like you, June. The past needs to be put to rest. I’m not letting you go
, and if you think I am, then you’re wrong. I can’t do it. I’m in this for a good long while,” he said.

It wasn’t a loving declaration
, but June didn’t know if she could handle a loving declaration at the moment.

“Can you just hold me?” she asked.

“What?”

“Take me to bed without the promise of sex and hold me. Tell me everything is going to be all right?”

He took her by the hand and did exactly that. It was the best night’s sleep she’d ever had.

Chapter Eleven

Dale had left by the time Trey got into his home early in the morning.
After everything that happened last night he was surprised June went into work, but at four in the morning her alarm went off. He couldn’t even persuade her to have some fun with him. There was a vacancy about her.

He knew she was worried about the interrogation she was going to get from her parents. Trey promised to support her in any way he could. There was no way he’d be backing down from this fight.

At eight, he opened the shop door, holding his cup of coffee while watching the busy shop across from him. He wasn’t as busy as the bakery, but he held his own. A lot of people travelled to him for his ink.

Sipping at the hot coffee he saw Lexie Armstrong enter the bakery.

A dark shadow fell over him, and Trey turned to see Elliot Armstrong staring at him.

“We need to have words,” he said.

Keeping the door open, he saw Martin stood near the bakery smirking at him. Trey saw the nastiness inside and knew June was right about him. He offered Elliot a coffee, which the older man declined.

“I’m not here to drink coffee.”

“What can I help you with if you’re not here for the coffee?” Trey asked.

Elliot stared at him, long and hard. Trey stared right back. He wasn’t afraid of June’s father. The only thing that scared him was what Elliot could do to his business.

“I like you, Trey. You’re a hard-working man, and I see what you’ve done with the place. Before I set you up in this building it was a wreck. A rundown piece of crap and you’ve built it into a fine working establishment. I hear good things.” He stopped to stare at several of the designs.

Sipping at his coffee, Trey waited for the claws to come out.

“June is my only daughter. She’s my only child. I’ll do everything for her.”

“With all due respect, what does this have to do with me?”

“I know you’ve got something to do with June walking out on her date with that fine looking man out there. You’re a clever man, Trey. You can figure out my concern.”

He frowned, staring at the main owner of his business. This was the man he paid the rent to and a small percentage of the profits from Get Inked.

“Do you think I’m trying to use your daughter?”

“You were her bully in high school. Lexie told me everything. Now I’m not leaving this shop until you tell me everything you’ve got planned for June,” Elliot said.

“Actually, Dad, you’re leaving now,” June said. Her voice cut across the tense atmosphere, and Trey was shocked to see her stood in his shop.

“Honey, you’re supposed to be working,” Elliot said, lightening his voice for June.

Tears were shining in June’s eyes. Trey wanted to go to her, but he didn’t feel now was the right time. This was between them, and he didn’t want to get involved.

“It’s my shop. I closed early. After what my mother has just said to me I’m not in the mood to bake. I’m not in the mood for anything.”

He saw she held the book he’d given her yesterday, the one with all of his designs inside.

“You think the only way I can get a man is if he has to want something from you in order for me to be with them?”

“June, I’m looking out for you.”

“No. If you were looking out for me you wouldn’t force me to go on dates with men I don’t like. If you were looking for me you’d accept the man in my life and leave it alone. You’re wrong about him, Dad. You and Mom are wrong about a lot of things.”

She clutched the folder to her chest like it was a lifeline.

“
I love you.”

“I love you as well
, but I don’t think Grandpa had much of a say in who you were seeing.” June stared down at the floor as silence settled in the room. “Just go, Dad.”

Elliot stared at his daughter looking lost.

“I’ll take care of her,” Trey said.

The older man glared at him, which Trey ignored. The only person he cared about impressing was
June.

Her father left the shop
, and June finally looked up at him.

“You’ve really closed the bakery?” he asked.

“Mom walked in as I was getting ready to do the next lot of breads and cupcakes. I lost all the inspiration and fun out of it.” She shrugged.

“What did your mom say?” he asked, taking a step toward her.

“You don’t want to know.” June lifted the book. “I can’t pick a design. They’re all beautiful. I was hoping you’d pick what you wanted to do and that you’d do it today?”

“I’d be honored to mark your skin.”

June nodded, tucking some hair behind her ear.

“Also, erm, I’ve organi
zed a hotel in Hawaii. We don’t have to leave the room, but I was wondering if you’d like to go away with me. Get away from all the chaos and the mess that is here.”

“Are you running away?” He held the folder close, staring at her.

“I wish I could run away from it all and never return. I’m not allowed to do that. I’m sticking around for good. I’m not going anywhere apart from away on a short, very short, vacation,” she said.

“Then, June Armstrong, I’d love to go away with you,” he said.

She smiled. It was her first real smile since he’d let her this morning.

“So, erm, what are you going to do?” she asked.

“About what?”

He couldn’t look away from her. She laughed. “About my ink. What are you going to do about my ink?”

Shaking his head, he opened the folder and pointed at a picture. He knew before he’d given her the book the tattoo he was going to do. Instead of just assuming that is the one she’d want, he’d given her the option of picking.

“I designed this one for you,” he said, pointing to the ink with the butterflies surrounded by the deep red roses.

“It’s beautiful.”

Locking the door, Trey pulled the blinds down, giving them both much needed privacy.

“Step this way,” he said, pointing through the door.

She did as he asked
, and he pushed the curtains closed on the glass and turned the light on for him to work.

“Are you okay with doing this?” she asked.

“I’m more than okay.”

“What does my father have to do with this building?”

He patted the chair and she sat down. “I’m going to need for you to turn onto your stomach, baby.”

She did as he asked
, and he worked her trousers down and her shirt up.

“Your father owns the building. He’s the reason I can do what I love. I pay the rent every month and some of the profit from what I do.”

“Are you worried I’m going to change all that?”

“No. I’m good at what I do. Elliot is a great guy. I’m sure he won’t make this personal.”

Trey hoped he was right about him. If not, he was well and truly fucked.

****

Staring down at the floor, June tried to think of something comforting to say. “I won’t let him ruin this for you.”

“June, stop worrying about everything. You’re a grown woman. It’s not like I messed with you underage or anything. We’re grown adults seeing where this thing between us goes.”

“Is that what we’re doing? I mean, we didn’t get to discuss it last night.” She nibbled her lip, wishing she could find a switch in her brain that told her to stop speaking.

“I think it’s safe to say we’re not just fucking anymore, June. Your parents know about us
, and it will only be a matter of time before everyone else does.” He kissed her shoulder. “I don’t have a problem with everyone knowing. What about you?”

“
I’ve not got a problem. I guess I’m just a little afraid in case they say you’re using me for money or something.”

She yelped as he slapped her ass. “I’
m not using you, and I don’t ever want to hear of you thinking those words, do you understand me?”

“No need to get bossy.”

Her words earned her another slap.

June giggled as he cursed her. “Sorry, I can’t help it.”

“We’re together. We’re not going to let people get between us at all.”

Trey started working on her tattoo. She loved hearing the buzz of the needle and the feel of it against her skin. There was something addictive to the noise. The mirror across from her showed June his concentration. He was working hard to get her ink just right.

“You’re really good at this,” she said.

“I worked hard. I didn’t want a high education or to be some fancy lawyer. This is what I love to do.”

“You’re an artist.”

She
had gone to college and in the evenings trained as a baker. “Being in a stressful job is no fun.”

“Were your parents happy with your decision?” he asked.

“To become a baker? No, they hated it. They both felt I was destined for something more fun than baking. I love it though. I work through new recipes at night when I’m alone. The hours can suck sometimes, but it’s nice to take the day off. It’s only Saturday, and it’s always slow.”

“How did Molly take the news?”

“I’m paying her to have the day off. She deserves to have some fun with those kids.” Blowing her hair out of her eyes, she watched him change something and then went back working.

“Dale’s not going to let up on her,” he said.

“What?”

“Dale is going to be there for her whether Molly likes it or not. He loves those kids
, and I believe him when he tells me something.”

“I’m not judging anyone, Trey. It’s between the two of them.”

She was silent thinking about everything Molly must have gone through.

“You’re thinking too hard,” he said.

“I just wondered how she did it without completely freaking out. I couldn’t have done it. Two kids with no Dad in the question. It’s tough.”

He murmured in agreement. “She didn’t trust Dale’s reputation
, and he did some things to her that sucked. I don’t know what he did, but it must have been bad. I get it, and even he gets it. Times change, and people need to learn to move on.”

“Have you moved on?” she asked.

“From my high school days?”

She nodded.

“Yeah, I’ve moved on. I’m not the same person I was back then. I spent a lot of time angry at my parents and shit. It’s not who I am now.”

Falling silent again,
June listened to him work. The buzzing of the needle nearly made her fall asleep.

“I made a lot of mistake
s in high school. A lot I can’t take back. One of those mistakes was the way I treated you, June.”

Looking up at the mirror she saw him staring back at her.

“Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?” he asked.

This was it. He’d been her bully in high school
, but now he was her lover. Trey was opening up, asking for her forgiveness.

Taking a deep breath,
June nodded. “It’s all forgiven.”

She spoke the words and felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. His hand settled on her hip, holding her in place.

“I promise you, June, you won’t regret it.”

“I hope not.”

What was happening here?

“Finish my tattoo, stud,” she said,
blowing the hair out of her eyes.

He worked her tattoo for the next hour. Trey worked efficiently without a glitch. There was a point where she thought she’d fallen asleep.

Trey kissed her shoulder, waking her up. “It’s done, baby,” he said.

Opening her eyes, she rubbed the sleep from
them. “You’ve finished?”

“Yeah. I love it
, but I’m a little biased.”

Sitting up, she stared at him feeling a numbing in her back. “I’ll be close to you so I’ll deal with your aftercare. Come and look.”

He got her to stand in front of the mirror and held another mirror to her back. “I’m afraid that jeans, trousers, and skirts are out of the question. I suggest dresses. Nice, short dresses.”

She got her first look at the tattoo on her back and loved it.

“Trey, it’s gorgeous.”

“It’s one of my best,” he said.

“I love it.” Turning toward him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Is kissing out of the equation?”

Trey took hold of her hand and placed it between his thighs. She felt the hard, thick length of his arousal.

“Baby, I’m begging for you. Kissing, sex, fucking. It’s all allowed in my book.”

Laughing, June walked him backwards, unbuttoning her trousers and wriggling out of them. Next the shirt and bra came off. “Then how about sex in your inking chair?” she asked, pushing him down where she’d been lying moments before.

“I’ll have to sanitize everything,” he said, pushing his jeans down. His cock pushed up with the tip leaking pre-cum.