Playing in Shadow Page 9

  “Zelda is kinda pretty,” Trent said.

  “A Ganondorf wouldn’t be bullied…well, not too much. Or how about Leon Kennedy instead?”

  “Jill Valentine.”

  “Marcus Fenix.”

  “There’s always Peach.”

  “And you can’t beat Mario.”

  Juliet half listened as Trent reeled off baby names for a girl while Elton countered with names for a boy. They’d been at it for five long minutes and Juliet had been impressed by their ability to rattle off the most bizarre names of characters from all forms of media. “I’ve told you both before, there’ll be no naming the baby after a character from a game.” She shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, trying to get in a better position that eased her aching back.

  Elton sighed then brightened. “Baelfire,” he announced.

  “Ariel.”

  Monica shook her head at them. “Guys, I’m guessing TV fairy tale characters are off the list too. Besides, everyone knows the Evil Queen in that show is the fairest of them all. Mighty sexy too in her low-cut regal gowns that I am just dying to re-create.”

  “I just don’t want to name my kid anything boring or regular. He or she is going to be amazing just like its mommy so I’m vetoing any old-fashioned name from our grandparents’ era. And no fucking reality TV names either.”

  At Juliet’s pointed cough, Trent sighed and reached into her jeans for her wallet. She took out a dollar bill and slipped it into a large jar with the label “Baby’s College Fund” stuck on that was set prominently on the coffee table. Between her and Elton, that night alone they’d added twenty dollars due to the “no swearing unnecessarily” rule that was now in play. Trent grinned over at Juliet in contrition. “I’m really liking the current name we’re calling the baby though.”

  Juliet huffed at her. “We are not calling the baby anything. That particular name is all your fault, and I am not calling my child that!” She ran a hand over her stomach protectively. “I knew you should have stayed at home on the last hospital visit.”

  Monica looked between Juliet and Trent, waiting for more. “Come on, spill. What’s the name? I know for a fact you two haven’t gone the cutesy route and haven’t been calling the fetus ‘peanut’ while it’s been growing.”

  Trent never broke her gaze from Juliet. “Newt,” she said with a smile.

  Juliet grumbled under her breath. “That damned video the nurse showed us has a lot to answer for.” She groaned as Trent ahem-ed and pointed to the jar. Juliet deliberately turned away to direct her attention to Monica, ignoring the so-called other adults in the room. “It was to prepare parents-to-be in case of a cesarean birth.”

  Monica looked puzzled, but Elton guffawed out loud. He began to dramatically writhe in pain, clutching at his chest. He then shoved his hand up his shirt, punching through the gap between buttons, pretending it was an alien complete with gnashing teeth.

  “Chest burster!” He and Trent burst into fits of laughter.

  Juliet sighed. “That’s pretty much what Trent did in class and nearly got us ejected from the screening room.” She had to smile as Trent and Elton were now in hysterics at Elton’s antics. “So, to Trent, the baby has been Newt ever since.”

  Monica frowned at Elton’s silliness. “Newt’s not exactly what I expect to be monogramming into the kid’s clothes when he or she goes to kindergarten.”

  “It’ll do for now until we can pick a name we both agree on,” Trent said, wiping at her eyes and grinning over at Juliet unrepentantly.

  “At least the middle name is sorted. Mom and Dad started a family tradition of always having Grandma’s maiden name as a second name. We just need to pick a first name that Trent doesn’t think is too normal and I don’t think is too outlandish.”

  “She even said no to Chun-Li,” Trent said mournfully.

  Hanging his head in commiseration, Elton finally removed his hand from inside his shirt. He picked up his beer bottle instead. “Bummer, dude.” He took a long drink. “Hey, how about Thor?”

  They both looked over at Juliet who gave them her patented look.

  “Guess not,” Elton muttered, cowering a little.

  “Newt it is then.” Trent winked at Juliet who just shook her head at her with an indulgent smile.

  *

  Bryce had agonized over what to wear but had finally decided on a pair of dark blue chinos and a sky blue shirt. She had gathered up her wallet on the way out and checked herself in the mirror one last time. She looked thinner than before. The shadows under her eyes still blatantly broadcast the fact she wasn’t sleeping. Critically, her eyes swept over the scar before she hid it under the cap. She smiled a little remembering Kayleigh’s fascination in its apparent “coolness” to the young girl. A badge of honor. Bryce didn’t feel there was much honor being the only survivor in a car she shouldn’t have been a passenger in anyway. She brushed aside the thought and fought not to let the morose thoughts spoil the ripple of anticipation that was thrumming through her body. For the first time in a long time, she actually felt alive.

  The bus journey was short, which suited Bryce fine because she was eager to get the night started. Scarlet had been very attentive over the lunch break they had shared together and had unashamedly called Bryce out on purposely dodging her the past week. Scarlet had known why too.

  “So I found you asleep. Big deal. All I could think of was how sweet you looked and how I wouldn’t mind being able to see that look on your face from the comfort of my own bed.”

  Bryce had been surprised by Scarlet’s bluntness and by how totally turned on she had become from Scarlet’s admission. Scarlet had just chuckled at her stunned silence.

  “I can be terribly forward. You’ll have to be prepared for that. I’m not one for sitting back on my heels when I see a good thing. I just have to grab it. Life’s too short.”

  Bryce had the feeling Scarlet was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Before the accident, Bryce would have matched her in confidence and wit. Now, she knew all too well how short life could be, but instead of it propelling her forward to embrace it she found herself wanting to just hide away from it all. She was stepping out of her comfort zone tonight. She was equal parts terrified and hopeful. Maybe now was the time to take a step back into the world she’d known.

  Chapter Nine

  The restaurant Scarlet had chosen was a popular Chinese one. It appeared busy with the evening trade, but the booths were set up to give the occupants an air of intimacy. Bryce walked in and looked around for Scarlet. Her heart felt like it was coming out of her chest. All of a sudden, she was terrified.

  Calm down for fuck’s sake. Having a heart attack on the first date is not a good way to start the evening.

  She saw a flash of familiar red as Scarlet stood up from her booth and waved Bryce over. Bryce nearly swallowed her tongue. Scarlet was stunning in a low-cut emerald green blouse and a long black skirt. Her hair was loose, hanging luxuriously over her shoulders. Bryce was filled with the urge to grab a handful of it and pull her close for a desperate kiss. An ornate hair clasp caught a swath of hair back from Scarlet’s face and added a touch of otherworldly that Scarlet favored. And wore so well, Bryce thought. She wet her lips, desperately aware that her throat had gone dry over the beauty before her. She brushed past the other patrons and hoped she looked cool and collected, when in reality, all she wanted to do was reach out and ravish Scarlet and taste those deep red lips. Ravish? Bryce wondered where that word had come from, but looking at how Scarlet stood out among all the rest, she felt ravishing would only be the start of what she’d like to do to her.

  She felt the world stutter in place when Scarlet leaned over and kissed her cheek in welcome.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, easing back down into her seat.

  Bryce sat with a less elegant thump. “You look beautiful,” she blurted, wondering where all her measured poise and charm had fled to. Scarlet’s smile lit a flame inside her chest.

&nbs
p; Scarlet leaned conspiratorially over the table, affording Bryce a flash of pale cleavage that made that flame ignite to a scorching heat. “Thank you. I decided to tone down the Goth look for you, just to show you I can dress reasonably normal.”

  “You didn’t have to do that. Don’t ever not be yourself. You do look stunning though.” She hid her hands under the table and gripped her knees. Anything to stop herself from reaching over the table to grasp on tight to Scarlet’s hands to try to anchor herself in this moment. “You must get your looks from your mother because as nice a guy as your dad is, I can’t think you got all that pretty from him.”

  Scarlet’s smile widened. “Well, aren’t you sweet? My mom was a redhead so I got my coloring from her. The stubborn jaw too, according to Grandma.”

  “I know you lost her when you were just a kid. I’m sorry about that.”

  “It was hard, but Dad and Grandma got me through it.”

  “Your grandma’s the old lady who lives next door to Trent and Juliet, right?”

  “Yes, and she’s very excited that she gets to be an honorary grandma to their child. She’s knitting a baby blanket for them as a gift.” Scarlet gave Bryce a relieved look. “Took the pressure off me and her not so subtle hinting that she needed a great-grandchild to bounce on her knee. I owe Trent big time for that.”

  “They’re a great couple.”

  “They’re the couple to aspire to,” Scarlet said. “To be taken into their circle of friends is great. I love spending time with them and Monica and the rest of Trent’s extended family.” She leaned forward again. “Though Kayleigh wears me out. That kid is wound tighter than the Energizer Bunny.”

  “Trent does seem to be the only one to calm her down.”

  “Kayleigh was pretty much an only child for so long because of Juliet being so much older. Now she’s got friends of all ages to play with and she’s in her element.”

  “You’d think she was Trent’s sister.”

  Scarlet laughed. “Juliet has said the same. When Kayleigh made Juliet take her to get her hair cut short, Juliet knew her sister was growing up. But she has said when Kayleigh wants her first tattoo Trent has to deal with the fallout from her parents!”

  “Trent has tattoos?”

  “She’s got a gorgeous one dedicated to Juliet on her arm. And some Space Invaders on the other. Do you have any, Bryce?”

  “Hell no. I’m not that fond of needles, but the stint in the hospital cured me of that phobia fast.”

  “You should get one. They’re great reminders of things that have touched our lives.”

  Bryce grimaced and her hand stopped halfway to her face. “I think I have enough reminders.” She lifted her head and saw Scarlet’s eyes full of sympathy and something else.

  “All the real heroes get scars when they battle,” she said simply.

  “And Harry Potter.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t get Kayleigh started on that love of hers?”

  “Apparently, my scar is cool.” Bryce couldn’t see it herself, but the acceptance from a stranger was still curiously heartwarming.

  Scarlet’s gaze never wavered from Bryce’s face. “It’s more than cool, it’s you. You can take your cap off, Bryce. I’d like to see those pretty blue eyes of yours tonight.”

  Anything Bryce could have possibly thought to answer with was interrupted by a waiter hovering to hand them their menus and take their drink order. Bryce noticed that Scarlet paid more attention to her than she did to her ordering. The feeling of acceptance from Scarlet stoked that flame inside all the higher. Once the waiter had left, Bryce took her cap off.

  *

  Trent padded into the bedroom intent on a very early night cuddling with a tired Juliet and maybe a quick go on her PS Vita with Killzone Mercenary once Juliet had fallen asleep. She was surprised to find Juliet spread out on her side, naked, and patting Trent’s side of the bed invitingly. All thoughts of her game disappeared.

  “I thought you were tired.” Trent carefully got in beside her. Her hand went to the baby bump, smoothing a path across the tight skin.

  “I am, but not that tired. I want you.”

  Never one to say no to anything Juliet wanted, Trent eased closer. “How do you want me?” she whispered as she stroked Juliet’s hair back behind an ear.

  “Sitting back against the headboard so I can be sat in your lap. Is that okay?”

  Trent loved how considerate Juliet always was of her anxiety of being placed on her back in their lovemaking. The terror of that position had eased considerably with Juliet’s patience and love, but Trent appreciated that Juliet still asked. Besides, there was an added bonus now when Juliet took that position. She helped Juliet up to straddle her hips. The weight of Juliet’s stomach rested on Trent’s flat belly, and she sucked in the gasp she always experienced when Juliet was in this position. Unable to stop herself, Trent ran her hands lovingly around the bump, delighting in the heaviness and the heat pressed against herself. For a moment, it felt like she and Juliet shared the baby between them, the roundness of what they had created fused to Trent’s skin too. She loved it; it made her feel closer to the baby and to Juliet.

  “Can you feel how much the baby has grown in the last month? My stomach feels huge.” Juliet leaned in more, pressing into Trent’s grasp.

  “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. And you’re also seriously fucking sexy like this. I could spend all day just looking at you and touching you.” Trent leaned forward to kiss Juliet’s lips. “You’re both amazing. I still can’t believe sometimes that you are both mine.”

  “All yours, especially for the diaper changes.” Juliet grinned down at her and tugged Trent back for another kiss, rougher this time, growing in urgency. She growled against Trent’s mouth. “But this bump does stop me from just lying properly on you and taking you like I want to.”

  Trent shivered at the promise laden words. “We can work around that. We always do.” She reached up to cup Juliet’s face, rubbing her thumbs against cheeks made fuller with pregnancy. “You really are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” She traced a fingertip across Juliet’s smiling lips, lingering to accept the soft kiss given. Trent’s eyes drank in the devoted expression that shone from Juliet’s eyes. Trent had never dared hope to see such a look meant just for her.

  “You’re just excited because these got even bigger once my belly did.” Juliet took Trent’s hands and cupped them under her breasts.

  Trent grinned. Juliet had never been small in the breast department, and now she was noticeably larger. Mindful of how sensitive and sore Juliet’s breasts could now be, Trent rolled a thumb over a darkened nipple gently. Juliet drew in a shaky breath and Trent stilled, worried she’d caused more pain than pleasure.

  “So good,” Juliet crooned, encouraging Trent further in her ministrations.

  Trent leaned forward and slowly swirled her tongue over and around the hardening nipple, sucking it into her mouth then releasing it with an audible pop. Juliet bucked in her lap, and her excitement smeared across Trent’s abdomen. Juliet began rocking in place. Trent desperately wanted to guide her hips into a firmer rhythm but was torn between seeking out the source of the wetness or caressing all of Juliet’s body that she could reach.

  “You’re teasing me,” Juliet said, holding Trent’s hands together on her chest.

  “I can’t touch you enough, you’re so fucking gorgeous.” She squeezed a nipple between her fingertips, watching as it stiffened and reddened. “God, this never grows old.”

  “Even though I’m unable to lie on my back for long now?”

  Trent pulled Juliet as close as she could to reassure her. “You’ll be flat on your back soon enough after the baby is born,” she whispered wickedly and laughed at Juliet’s huff of indignation. “Besides, this bump has definitely made us more creative.”

  “Oh, honey, you had no problems in that area before you got me pregnant.” Juliet shifted again on Trent’s lap, rubbing herself harder ag
ainst Trent’s belly. “I need you,” she said, lifting up a little so that Trent could slip a hand between their bodies. Trent was greeted by a heated sex that was soaked with Juliet’s desire.

  “God, you’re dripping, Jule.” She trailed her fingers across Juliet’s labia, gathering up the moisture and spreading it all around her exposed clit. Trent smiled at Juliet’s moan as she rubbed around the hardened bud and then gathered more moisture from the source. Juliet’s hips jerked at Trent’s questing fingers.

  “In me now,” she ordered, grasping at Trent’s shoulders and angling her hips forward.

  “In good time,” Trent said, spreading kisses all over Juliet’s breasts. She smiled against Juliet’s heated flesh as Juliet tugged on Trent’s hair impatiently.

  “No, now. I need you in me. Your tongue is driving me crazy, and if you don’t move those fingers where I—” She let out a breathy groan when Trent complied, easing two fingers inside her.

  “Who knew pregnant ladies could be so demanding?” Trent teased her. She sucked on a nipple harshly, making Juliet squeal. “I love it.” Trent felt Juliet’s walls tighten around her fingers, holding her captive where Juliet needed her the most. Trent’s other hand was against Juliet’s back, holding her steady as Trent began pumping inside. Trent knew how Juliet’s center of balance had changed with the added weight on her front. It was just another excuse to hold her close.

  “Can you feel me?” Juliet asked, eyes closed, her head flung back and her long hair cascading down her spine.

  Trent could feel everything—the tightening of Juliet’s warm walls; the slick, hot wetness that sucked her fingers in deeper; the sweet scent of Juliet’s arousal surrounding them and flooding Trent’s senses.

  Juliet steadied herself by holding on to Trent’s breasts. Much smaller than Juliet’s, they still served their purpose as Juliet tightened her grip. Her fingers chafed across Trent’s nipples and only served to drive Trent to push into Juliet faster, dragging gasps from Juliet’s throat.