Chapter Eight

TRINITY

At some point, I must have drifted off. I woke to the softest sensation—Stephen’s hands moving slowly up and down my body, warm breath brushing over my skin. His lips pressed gentle kisses to my eyelids, then down the bridge of my nose.

A soft moan escaped me as I stirred.

His hand reached up, brushing the hair from my face. He leaned in, his voice a low whisper, teasing and dangerous.

“Baby, if you keep moaning like that, I won’t be held responsible for what I do. My pants are getting ~very~ tight.”

To emphasize his point, he pushed his hips against me, and I felt him—hard and heavy—pressing into my side.

I stretched with a slow, lazy purr, turning into him, nuzzling closer, rubbing against his length with deliberate friction.

“Mmm,” I moaned, “God, my body feels ~so~ good right now.”

“Fuck,” he hissed. “What are you doing to me?”

Stephen launched forward, capturing my mouth with his in a kiss that stole my breath. His arms wrapped around me as our bodies ground against each other, friction building, tension rising. Between the soft moans slipping from my throat and the low curses rumbling in his, I felt completely lost in him again.

My hand trailed down his body, gliding over the sculpted lines of his abs, until I found the hard ridge pressing beneath his trousers. I cupped him, stroking along his length through the fabric. He let out a guttural groan, his hips bucking up into my touch.

“Ahhh fuck,” he gritted. “Your hands feel so fucking good on me.”

He reached down and placed his hand over mine, guiding my movements. Still wrapped around his cock, our joined hands moved together in a slow, steady rhythm as he pumped his hips into the friction.

Breath catching in my throat, I buried my face into the crook of his neck, letting my desire vibrate against his skin as we stroked him together.

His breathing became heavier, his grunts more ragged. “God, baby. You’re killing me.”

Then he paused, his voice a reluctant groan of restraint. “As much as I want to do ~so~ much more than this … if we don’t get you dressed in a minute, I can’t promise I won’t break someone’s neck if they catch even a glimpse of you like this.”

Pouting, I pulled my hand away and rested it on his chest, fingers trailing up toward his shoulders, then wrapping around his arms.

I looked up at him, wide-eyed and flushed.

“Don’t give me that look, doll.” He smirked, then captured my lips in another hard kiss, nipping at my bottom lip before pulling back. “You’ll have ~plenty~ of chances to please daddy.”

He gave my ass a firm smack, followed by a possessive squeeze and one last kiss. Then his voice dropped lower, firmer. “Come on, up you get. Let’s get you dressed. I don’t like sharing—especially what’s mine.”

I froze.

~Mine.~

He felt it. My stillness. My internal shift. As if he could sense every thought running through me, he leaned down, lips at my ear.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I said I don’t enjoy sharing what’s mine. And make no mistake—you are mine, Trinity. Turn around, baby.”

Heart racing, I turned. Stephen helped me back into my dress, zipping it up with care. As he smoothed the fabric over my back, he pressed a kiss to my neck.

Then I remembered. “Stephen … my thong. I’ve got no underwear on.”

He didn’t even pause. “I think you’re confused. I specifically remember telling you—that was my thong now.”

I blinked, mouth parting in disbelief. “Wait—seriously?”

Stephen turned me to face him, one brow raised in amusement.

“Close your mouth, Trinity. You’ll catch flies.”

Shaking my head, I laughed, unsure if he was joking or dead serious.

“Babe … you can’t be serious. You want me to walk out of here without panties?”

“Yes, I’m serious. Yes, I’m keeping my thong. And yes—you’re going to walk out of here with me, and no one will be any the wiser.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he leaned in, kissed me, and ran his hand up my inner thigh until he reached my bare, still-sensitive core. His palm cupped me possessively.

“Mmm … my beautiful pussy,” he purred, rubbing slowly. “I love the way this feels. And every time I look at that tiny thong … I’ll be reminded of the first time she purred for me.”

My knees nearly buckled. I leaned into him, weak and breathless.

~This man … He~ knew exactly what to say to make me feel desired, claimed, ~owned~—and somehow, I loved every damn second of it.

Double-checking that we had everything, Stephen reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine. His palm was warm and grounding as he led me toward the exit of the dome. But just before we reached the doors, I stopped, tugging him back.

He turned, eyes questioning. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, stepping closer. “I just... I wanted to thank you. For all of this.”

I held onto his forearms as I rose onto my tiptoes. “No one’s ever made me feel this special before. No one’s ever gone to this much effort.”

Stephen leaned in, his forehead brushing mine as his arms wrapped around me. “You’re welcome, beautiful,” he whispered. “You deserve to be treated like a queen.”

I kissed him—slow and sincere—feeling the truth of his words settle into my chest.

“Now,” he said with a smirk, “let’s get you home and rested, doll.”

Hand in hand, we walked out through the silent corridors of the planetarium and returned to the entrance. Stephen stopped briefly to thank Eric again, who gave us a knowing nod before locking the doors behind us.

Outside, the night air was cooler now, tinged with the scent of lake breeze and dew. Stephen opened the car door for me and I slid inside, offering a grateful smile. He circled around and got behind the wheel, starting the engine.

As he reversed out of the lot, something caught the corner of my eye.

A flicker of movement. Just there—by the side of the building.

I turned, peering through the passenger window, and my heart skipped.

A man, dressed in dark clothing, standing partially obscured in shadow. His face was hard to make out, but his posture was stiff, alert—watching. And just as I locked eyes with him, he stepped around the back of the building and disappeared from view.

A cold ripple slid down my spine.

“Everything okay?” Stephen asked casually, shifting gears.

I forced a smile and looked away, trying to brush it off. “Yeah. Just thought I saw something, but... I’m sure it was nothing. It’s late. Probably just my tired eyes playing tricks.”

But even as I spoke the words, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching us. Not just me. Us~.~

I swallowed and turned my gaze back to the road, telling myself to let it go.

It’s fine. It’s nothing.

Still... the unease stayed with me like a shadow.

The drive back to my place was short, and as Stephen pulled up to the curb, I placed a hand on his arm.

“You really don’t have to walk me up. I know you’ve had a long night, too. I’m happy for you to just drop me here.”

Stephen turned to me, brows lifted. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t at least walk you to your door?”

My heart warmed again. I leaned over, stroked his cheek, and kissed him softly.

“Thank you, Stephen.”

He got out and came around to open my door. I took his hand, and we walked together to the front steps of my townhouse. When we reached the door, I turned to him slowly, my nerves buzzing under my skin.

A moment passed, charged and uncertain.

Barely above a whisper, I asked, “Did you... want to come in?”

Stephen exhaled heavily, his hand brushing along my cheek as he pulled me closer. “More than anything,” he murmured. “But I want to do this right with you.”

I nodded, understanding... and wanting him even more for it.

“Can you get Saturdays off?” he asked.

“I’m sure I could convince Luke to cover my opens for me. Why?”

Stephen’s eyes gleamed with something between excitement and intent. “Do it. I’m taking you away next weekend. No distractions. Just us. We’re doing this properly.”

I didn’t argue. I didn’t even hesitate.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Stephen looked momentarily surprised—like he expected more pushback. But when I smiled, he repeated it.

“Okay?”

“Yes,” I repeated.

He leaned in, cupped the back of my head, and pulled me into a kiss so passionate it left my legs trembling. Our mouths danced, tongues tangling in a fight neither of us wanted to win. When we finally broke apart, breathless, he pressed one last kiss to my temple.

“Sweet dreams, doll. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Stephen,” I replied, glowing. “Thank you again... for everything.”

I gave him one last kiss and stepped inside. As I closed the door behind me, I watched him return to his car, start the engine, and disappear down the street.

The house was dark—Luke was already asleep. I moved carefully, slipping off my heels and tiptoeing upstairs.

Once in my room, I undressed and changed into sleepwear, sinking beneath the sheets with a smile stretching across my face. I couldn’t believe tonight had been real. The man, the planetarium, the connection—it all felt like a dream.

Then my phone vibrated on the nightstand.

I reached for it, heart skipping when I saw his name.

STEPHEN

Sweet dreams, doll. I know I won’t get you out of mine tonight.

I grinned, cheeks flushing as I typed back quickly:

TRINITY

Good night, babe. I can’t wait for next weekend.

I plugged in my phone and turned off the light.

As I lay in the quiet dark, my mind spun with thoughts of Stephen—of kisses, whispered promises, and that man outside the planetarium.

But soon, the weight of the day took over, and I drifted into sleep … still smiling.

Still wondering what next weekend would bring.

And whether that shadow I’d seen… was really just a shadow at all.