Chapter Four

TRINITY

As Stephen and I stood in the quiet of his office, still wrapped in the aftermath of that smouldering kiss, our eyes met and we exchanged a smile, both of us caught in the soft glow of something new and electric.

“That was…” I started, still breathless, “unforgettable.”

“Breathtaking,” he replied, brushing his lips softly against mine once more, “just like you.”

The way he looked at me made my heart flutter. No ulterior motives. No games. Just raw, open admiration.

“As much as I’d love to keep you all to myself,” he added with a grin, “I somehow don’t think your housemate and colleague would approve. Are you ready to head back out?”

Wow~.~ This man. Charming, sexy, powerful—and still a perfect gentleman. I was used to guys who only played the game long enough to get what they wanted. Stephen didn’t feel like a game at all.

“I could definitely use another drink after that kiss,” I teased, fanning my flushed cheeks with a smirk. “With plenty of ice to cool off.”

Stephen let out a low chuckle—warm, rich, and deeply masculine. If he hadn’t already melted my insides, that smile would’ve done the trick.

“Then let’s get you that drink, doll.” His voice dipped. “But before we do, may I ask you something?”

I nodded.

“Would you be free tomorrow night? I know it’s short notice, but I don’t want to wait another week and ~hope~ I run into you again. I’d like to take you out. Buy you dinner. Spend more time with you, properly. Would that be okay?”

God. This man.

“I would like that very much, Stephen. Yes—you can.”

His face lit up with a kind of boyish charm that was so disarming I forgot to breathe for a second.

“I’m so glad you said that.” He pulled me closer again, his fingers curling around my waist and bunching the fabric of my dress under his touch. Our lips met once more—hot, eager, and fleeting.

As I rested my hands against his chest, I smiled up at him. “Did you want to pass me your phone? We can swap numbers?”

We both reached for our phones, unlocking them and trading. I entered my contact, watching from the corner of my eye as Stephen typed quickly into mine. When I handed his phone back, I caught the devilish smile curling his lips.

He turned his screen toward me. My name had been changed to ~My Doll~.

I laughed, blushing uncontrollably, and looked away, only for his knuckles to graze gently against my cheek.

“That look,” he murmured, his voice a little rougher. “So sexy. So innocent. It does things to me.”

His eyes flicked down to my lips again. His restraint was wearing thin—I could feel it in the air.

“Shall we go,” he said, chuckling softly, “before the gentleman in me disappears completely? I’m giving serious thought to throwing you over my shoulder and taking you home right now.”

Still wrapped in the haze of desire, I grabbed my purse and made my way toward the door. As I passed him, I trailed my nails lightly down his chest and shot him a bold, wicked smile.

“What makes you think I wouldn’t let you?”

His groan was instant and unrestrained. The next second, I felt him behind me—hands gripping my ass as he lunged like a man possessed. His lips found my neck, warm and demanding, and I felt the delicious scrape of his teeth just beneath my ear.

“Don’t tempt me, doll. I’m hanging on by a thread here.”

I reached behind me, letting my fingertips brush the front of his pants—teasing, testing. I felt him—hard and unashamedly ready. Turning my head, I gave him a mischievous grin.

“It certainly ~feels~ like it.”

And with that, I opened the door and stepped out, leaning against the hallway wall with my breath still shallow, pulse racing. He followed seconds later, smirking and shaking his head as he locked the door behind him.

He extended his hand. “Shall we?”

Taking his hand, I let him lead me back through the bar and toward the booth. As we approached, I saw Luke and Matt still chatting comfortably with Mike, Chad, David, and Clint. But two fresh faces had joined the group—one of whom looked very comfortable beside Clint.

As we reached the table, Stephen ordered another round of drinks, then guided me back into the booth beside him. His hand slid naturally back onto my thigh, fingers resting there like it was where they belonged—and truthfully, I didn’t mind in the slightest.

Clint leaned over with a smile. “Trinity, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Mia,” he said, nodding to the striking brunette beside him, “and her friend Lily.”

Mia beamed and reached across Clint to shake my hand. “Hi! So nice to meet you.”

Lily, however, barely glanced up. Her tight smile didn’t reach her eyes. It was civil, but nothing more.

After the briefest of introductions, Mia nudged Clint to swap seats so she could sit beside me. “Much better,” she said, getting comfortable.

Her energy was instantly warm, and I relaxed a little more.

“So,” she asked, “how do you know everyone?”

I smiled, gesturing across the table. “Luke and Matt—we work together. Luke and I also live together. I met Stephen earlier this week and tonight, when we ran into each other, he invited us to join you all.”

I caught Stephen’s eye and gave him a warm smile. In response, his hand gripped my thigh just a little tighter before he turned back to continue his conversation with Luke.

Mia and I chatted easily, laughter flowing as effortlessly as the drinks. We were the same age and had a lot in common. She worked as a personal trainer, and she and Clint had been together for five years after meeting in college. They now lived together and, from what I could see, had the kind of connection that looked both passionate and stable.

She leaned in after a while, nudging me. “We should totally swap numbers. I’ve been dying for some real girl time. Love the boys, but sometimes you need someone who gets it, you know?”

“I definitely get it,” I said, laughing. “As much as I adore Luke, some days he’s more feminine than I am.”

We both cracked up and exchanged numbers immediately.

As we sipped our drinks and kept chatting, I couldn’t help noticing Lily’s cold distance. She hadn’t attempted to join the conversation once. She wasn’t rude—but the energy was frosty.

Mia followed my gaze and leaned in, lowering her voice. “Don’t mind Lily. She’s always had a thing for Stephen. He’s never been interested, and he’s made it clear, but … she’s not used to seeing him with someone else. She’ll come around, trust me.”

“Really?” I whispered. “I mean … no offence to Clint, but Stephen doesn’t exactly strike me as someone who struggles for female attention.”

Mia giggled. “None taken, babe. And you’re right—he doesn’t. But he doesn’t give it out, either. He doesn’t fall for the usual types. He’s got class, and he’s focused. Honestly? It would take someone pretty damn special to keep him interested.”

She winked at me, and I flushed a little.

“Well,” I admitted, “I’ve definitely appreciated the attention. And I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. I’d like to get to know him better … really get to know him.”

“No way!” she whisper-shouted. “He asked you out?!”

I gave her a puzzled nod.

“Get out! Trinity, that’s huge. I may be jumping the gun here, but I love this for you. I’ve been dying to have another woman in the group. I love these guys, I do, but sometimes I just need someone who speaks my language. You feel me?”

“I definitely do.”

We both raised our glasses and took the last sip of our drinks, laughing together. I glanced over at Luke and saw him blinking slowly, head nodding slightly. The poor guy looked exhausted.

A quick glance at my phone confirmed it—2:00 a.m. No wonder I was starting to fade.

“As much as I’ve enjoyed tonight,” I said, turning to Stephen, “I think sleeping beauty over there is seconds away from drooling on your furniture.”

Stephen chuckled, his gaze following mine to Luke, who was now blinking one eye at a time.

He turned back to me, smiling—still that same calm, magnetic warmth.

“Can I get you a taxi or an Uber?” Stephen asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed to see you go … but the sooner tonight ends, the quicker tomorrow comes—and I get to take you out. Let me walk you out. Make sure you get a ride home safely.”

“I’d like that,” I replied softly, heart fluttering at his thoughtfulness.

I turned back toward the booth. “You kids ready to head home?”

Luke let out a groan and nodded dramatically. “I’m cooked. Matt, you crashing at ours?”

“Yeah,” Matt replied. “Can’t let you try to operate that Uber app in your state.”

With a few laughs and slurred farewells, we said our goodbyes. Handshakes were exchanged. Mia leaned in for a hug, whispering in my ear, “I’ll call you next week for that coffee—can’t wait.” And honestly? Neither could I.

Matt helped guide a swaying Luke through the bar while I followed closely behind, Stephen right beside me, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. His hand gently rubbed my lower back, grounding me, sending little pulses of heat through my skin with every stroke.

Outside, the city air was cool against my flushed cheeks. Stephen flagged down a taxi, and we watched as Matt wrestled Luke into the back seat, who was mid-rant about chicken nuggets.

Then Stephen stepped closer, hands snaking around my waist again as he pulled me flush against him. The glow of the streetlamps caught in his eyes, softening his otherwise sharp, smouldering features.

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” he said, voice husky and low, meant only for me.

I reached up, cupping his cheek, running my fingers over the coarse stubble along his jaw. Then, slipping my hand behind his neck, I guided his face down to mine.

Stephen leaned in willingly, our lips meeting in a kiss that sparked with the same fire as the first—only this time, slower. Deeper. He tilted his hips into me, the hardness of his body pressing against mine in a way that sent a ripple of heat through my core. His hands gripped tighter, unwilling to let go.

Too soon, we broke apart.

I smiled and stepped back toward the waiting taxi. “Thank you for a lovely night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Text me when you get in,” he whispered, almost sheepishly. He dug his hands into his pockets, like he didn’t trust himself not to pull me in for another kiss. “Just so I know you got home safe.”

“I will,” I promised, sliding into the back seat and giving him one last glance before the door shut.

As the taxi pulled away, I leaned back and let out a quiet sigh, watching him fade in the rearview mirror. The way he looked at me still lingered, like a warm imprint on my skin.

Once we got Luke’s very drunk ass into bed—a task that involved Matt removing one shoe and me pulling off the other—I turned to Matt with a tired smile. “Thanks for the help. Goodnight.”

“Night, Trin.”

I padded into the kitchen, grabbed a cold bottle of water, then finally made it into the sanctuary of my bedroom. Peeling off my heels, I collapsed backward onto the bed, my limbs finally relaxing for the first time that day.

A few minutes later, I remembered my promise. I grabbed my phone from my bag and quickly typed out a message to Stephen:

TRINITY

Just got home and getting ready for bed. Hope the rest of your night goes smoothly.

I hit send, smiling to myself, then set the phone down on the bathroom vanity as I headed in to get changed. I glimpsed my flushed face in the mirror—eyes glowing, lips still slightly swollen from Stephen’s kiss. I barely recognised the giddy woman smiling back.

As I brushed my teeth, my phone vibrated on the counter. I wiped my hands and glanced down.

STEPHEN

I’m glad you’re home safely. I’m still at the bar, finishing up a few things in the office. But all I can think about is how much I wish I were there with you instead. I can’t wait to see you again, doll.

My stomach fluttered. The sweet warmth in his message mixed with something undeniably darker, hungrier, underneath. The confidence, the restraint—it was ~delicious~.

And maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the way he made me feel, but before I could overthink it, I opened my camera. I snapped a teasing photo—playful, tasteful—and attached it to my reply:

TRINITY

Well, I hope this helps get you through the rest of your night. Goodnight, Stephen.

I walked back into the bedroom, cheeks warm, and plugged my phone into the charger before crawling under the covers. I had just reached to turn off my lamp when my phone lit up again.

STEPHEN

Mmm. Lord give me strength. The things I want to do to you. Get your rest, doll—because you’re going to need it when I see you.

I stared at the message, heart pounding, a grin tugging at my lips.

~Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.~