The Rules We Break (The Alphaletes Book 4), page 16
“Alright, Dr. Caldwell, thank you very much, but I think I’ve had enough of your half-baked psycho analysis.”
“I’m just saying, if you and Trevor wanted to give things a try past the little fuck buddy thing you guys have going on, I think you two would actually be really great for each other.”
I scoff at her words before grabbing a handful of dresses and stomping off toward the dressing room. She’s ridiculous. Trevor and I are like gasoline and fire. Sure we can burn hot and heavy for a little bit, right before we burn the world around us to the ground. We would be so destructive together, a disaster in the making. He would never be able to give himself to me the way he needs because he will always love someone else, and I would never be able to give myself to him because I’m petrified to fall in love ever again. As history proves, I don’t have a great picker.
A knock comes from the door before Erica pushes inside. Jesus, does this woman have no personal boundaries?
“Try this one,” she says as she practically shoves a dress into my chest.
I look down at it and don’t hate it right off the bat, which is more than I can say for all the other dresses that Erica has picked out.
Holding the dress up, I nod softly before pushing her out of the room. She laughs as she goes.
“You’re welcomeeee!” she sings.
It doesn’t take long to slip into it, but I can barely move in this room because the skirt is so big.
“I said I didn’t want poofy—” I complain as I step out to the mirror-surrounded showroom floor area.
Erica is looking at me with an excited gleam as my words trail off.
For a moment, I’m speechless. Holy fucking shit. This dress is next level.
The skirt is poofy but not in a bridal circus dress way. It’s just a lot of material that fans out to compliment the A-line dress with a thigh-high slit on my left side that is sure to give Trevor’s mom a heart attack. The sweetheart neckline has sharper lines than your classic circular shape with a nice deep slit for the cleavage. It’s accompanied by a single flat-laid cap sleeve that brings your eyes up to the collarbone. It’s practically ethereal, in a dark angel kind of way. I fucking love it.
I glance down at the price tag, my eyes practically bugging out of my head when I see the zeros continue. For a single dress? They are joking, right? For a moment, I kinda feel bad, but then I glance over to my purse where I know Trevor’s shiny black credit card is, and I feel a little better. He’s an asshole more days than not, and he’s dragging me to this thing. He owes me. Besides, our hate sex is some of the best.
“You look amazing!” Erica gushes. “Please tell me you’re getting that one!”
I nod as I look at myself in the mirror. “Definitely. Let me change and pay for this, and then let’s get some food. Lunch is on Trevor.”
After Erica and I got lunch, we went our separate ways and headed back home. When I got to Trevor’s house, he wasn’t there. So I took my ridiculously expensive dress and decided to start getting ready for this evening. I would never identify myself as a girly girl but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to get dolled up every once in a while.
After my body is shaved and lotioned, and my hair and makeup are finished, I look in the mirror. I decided to go with some big barrel curls pushed over one shoulder as opposed to my typical pin-straight hair. I don’t think I’ve worn this much makeup in years, and honestly, I only had the bare essentials until Erica and I stopped at the store earlier today.
I paired the dress with a deep red lip and a pair of black stilettos that I also bought at the dress shop. I wonder how pissed Trevor will be when he sees his credit card bill.
When I’m done, I decide to go downstairs and grab a snack. God knows you pay an obscene amount per plate at things like this and walk away with a fifty-cent piece serving of food. The clicking of my heels echoes through the house, and when I get to the bottom of the stairs I see Trevor walking toward me in a crisp black tux. I’ve seen him in suits for gameday and press conferences, but there is something about a tux that just hits differently.
His broad shoulders take up every inch of the suit without making it look too tight. Obviously it’s tailored to him perfectly, and the material looks like a dream. His hair is styled perfectly, taming the little bit of wildness his hair can take on and instead, presenting him as the put-together golden boy he is, or at least the persona that he tries to display.
I watch as his bright blue eyes round slightly, his mouth just barely separating as he looks at me.
“Sage,” he says in a whisper, almost like a prayer against his lips.
The sound sends a trail of goose bumps across my skin and causes my heart to stall just for a moment.
“You clean up pretty well,” I say, doing my best to ignore the emotion building inside me.
“You look…” he trails off for a moment, shaking his head as his eyes bounce from mine to my lips.
“Exquisite,” he breathes out, so many emotions playing heavily in his eyes.
I feel my pulse begin to thunder, practically hearing the loud thump of my heartbeat.
“You like?” I say with a soft smile, doing my best to come across teasingly, but it sounds more breathy than anything.
I do a turn, and Trevor instantly grabs my hand, lifting it above my head as he guides the spin, slowing down the pace like he’s memorizing everything in this moment. When I make it full circle, I notice that I’m closer to him than before. His hand is still gripping mine as he lowers it to rest between our chests. His other hand reaches out and finds the thigh slit in the dress, brushing against the exposed skin in slow, methodical circles. There is no sexual intent behind his touch, no ulterior motive. It’s like he’s touching me just to feel my skin against his, and I don’t really know what to do with that kind of information.
“I love,” he says softly, my brain stalling for a moment before I realize he’s responding to my previous question of whether he liked it.
Fuck, get it together, Sage.
“Should we go?” I ask, horribly transitioning topics as I do.
Trevor stares at me for another second or two before he blinks and nods.
“Yeah, yes. Let’s go,” he says as he walks over to the island where his phone and wallet are.
I grab my clutch I left down here earlier before reaching inside and handing him his credit card.
“What’s the damage?” he asks as he slips it back into his wallet.
I laugh in a way that I hope is as devious as I feel.
“You don’t want to know.”
His eyes scrape over me like a set of hot coals, a smirk spreading across his face as he gives me a quick wink.
“Worth it,” he says before smacking my ass and leading the way to the car.
Sage
When we get to the art museum where the gala is being held, Trevor can barely stop the car before the valet is rushing out to us. Trevor slips him a few bills before coming around to my side of the car and opening the door.
“Thanks,” I say with a small smile.
He nods as he rests his hand against my lower back and doesn’t move it as we walk up the front stairs and into the glass-walled building. When we step inside, the party is in full swing. There is what looks like a silent auction going on around the perimeter of the room and dozens and dozens of tables donned with white tablecloths as well as white centerpieces, chairs and décor scattered around the room.
My eyes skim over the various attendees who are either dancing, getting a drink from one of the bars, or schmoozing, all of whom are dressed in white. What. The. Fuck.
I look to find Trevor watching me with an amused smirk.
“Trevor, what the hell? Is this like a white-out party or something?”
“Something like that.”
“Well why the fuck did you tell me I could wear black?”
He shrugs. “Because you wanted to.”
“Yeah, but why did you wear black if you knew?”
His words pause for a moment as he looks at me with a soft look.
“I wanted us to be the same.”
I am still trying to process why the idiot didn’t just tell me that we should wear white when a snarling pair of assholes, a.k.a. Trevor’s parents, come up to us. His dad is the first to approach as he grabs Trevor’s arm and attempts to yank him toward him like a disobedient child.
“Are you serious? Do you think you’re funny? The invitation stated white attire only. Are you insolent or thick?”
“Both according to you,” Trevor says, easily pulling out of his father’s grip as he takes a half of a step closer to me, wrapping his arm loosely around my waist.
His dad’s jaw is clenching repeatedly, grinding his teeth together when his mother starts up.
“Honestly, Trevor. I’m so disappointed in you. I thought you were teasing when you said you were going to bring this…girl,” she says with a sneer as she spares me the sharpest of glances before continuing.
“And this is the exact reason her type doesn’t come to places like this. Honestly, a black whorish dress like this? Tell me, do you just enjoy the attention of being a cheap trollop, or are you purposefully trying to ruin my son’s life? Because I can tell you that you are doing famously well in both aspects at this moment.”
I’m about to make this self-absorbed twat feel two inches tall, but I’m not able to because Trevor steps, quite literally, between us, practically shielding me from his mother’s sight as he lowers his tone to an eerie sound.
“You will never speak to Sage that way again. She is my girlfriend, and she will be treated with the respect that title deserves. Any less from either of you, and I will cut ties and obtain restraining orders so fast, your heads will spin. Do you understand?”
“You can’t be serious, Trevor! I’m your mother!” she practically shouts, earning a few cursory glances from their peers and causing her husband to pinch her side in warning.
“I understand that, and I love you very much, but I won’t allow the woman that I choose to care for to be treated poorly just because you gave birth to me. I watched Grandmother Marilyn treat you horribly my entire life, and Dad never stepped in to defend you. I will not make that same mistake. If you will excuse us,” Trevor says before stepping to the side, reaching back for my hand and lacing our fingers together, before pulling me toward the dance floor.
We fall into a waltz almost immediately as the band plays on stage. There aren’t many people dancing at the moment, but it’s not like Trevor or I have ever cared about causing a scene. We don’t say anything, and we honestly don’t even look at each other as we both go through the motions seamlessly. I guess thanks are in order for those dance lessons I took when I was seven.
My mind is whirling with so many questions I don’t even know where to begin. It was surprising enough to have Trevor step in to defend me to begin with. I can’t tell you the last time anyone has ever done that for me. But he went farther than that. He didn’t just stand up for me. He tore his own mother to pieces for the disrespect, threatened to eradicate them from his life, for me. Oh, and can’t forget that other part.
“So, girlfriend?” I question, an amused lilt to my tone as Trevor’s stormy blue eyes snap down to mine.
His jaw is clenched in irritation, and his breathing is heavy.
“Yes,” he says tersely.
“I don’t remember being notified of this change in relationship status.”
“Now you have been,” he says, his eyes still on me.
I let out a dry laugh as I shake my head.
“Yeah, well, shouldn’t I get a say in this?”
His eyes narrow slightly as he looks into mine, like he’s searching for something before he shakes his head.
“No.”
“What? Why the hell not.”
His eyelids close for a moment as he lets out a huff of a breath before opening them again.
“Because you’re too scared to admit that you want this, and I’ve been too stupid trying to convince myself that I didn’t have to have you from the moment I first touched you. So, no, you don’t get a say. You are mine, and I am yours.”
I’m speechless, staring up at this gorgeous, infuriating, kind man absolutely flabbergasted. You can’t just say that you’re going to be with someone. Claim them as your girlfriend. Can you? No, fuck. Absolutely not. He can’t control me. He can’t force me into this. I won’t—
My inner monologue is short-lived when I feel Trevor’s soft lips come down to mine, crushing against me in a kiss that sends my stomach flipping and my pulse jackhammering. His arms wrap around me like two vines, not allowing a single inch of space between as his tongue comes out to mine, tangling around me as he deepens the kiss. When I try to take control of the kiss, he pulls away, resting his forehead against mine as he lets out a shuddered breath.
“Tell me you don’t feel it too, and I’ll take it all back. Tell me you don’t feel this, and I’ll let you go.”
His eyes are on me, practically begging. I’m not quite sure which outcome he is begging for, but all I know is that at this moment, I’m terrified. Terrified because I don’t want to think this over, because I don’t need to. I’m terrified because I shouldn’t trust anyone ever again. It’s too dangerous, but at this moment, I realize it’s already too late.
I lean forward enough to press my lips against his, sealing my fate and his as his hand comes up to cup the side of my face, his touch equally soft and strong. Like I’m a delicate flower that will break in his hand, but he’s too afraid to let me go. And I fucking bask in the intoxicating combination.
When Trevor pulls away, a wave of disappointment runs through me as he looks down at me, still cradling my face with perhaps the most gentle, genuine smile I’ve ever seen on him. I find myself smiling up at him too, just as some old bald guy gets on stage and makes an announcement. Oh, look. The old bald guy is Trevor’s dad.
We make our way to our seats, Trevor grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together, not letting go even when we are settled, and his mother is attempting to catch me on fire with her eyes. I give her a sweet smile before facing the front, watching as Trevor’s dad drones on and on. I don’t even know what this event is about, honestly. Is it a charity fundraiser? Is the company celebrating something? Are they just a bunch of rich assholes trying to flaunt their wealth in each other’s faces?
My gut tells me that’s the most likely reason.
The dinner is served shortly after, and the portion size is as big as the palm of my hand. I give Trevor an irritated look, and he only laughs before squeezing my hand and leaning to speak into my ear.
“We will grab more food later, k, baby?”
I try not to let him see the effect his words have on me. Not sure if it’s the promise of more food or him calling me baby that has my heart fluttering, but just because I like to fuck Trevor, and could maybe tolerate dating him, doesn’t mean I want him to know how easily he can turn me to mush if he wanted to.
I nod as he smiles and gives me a wink before continuing to eat what little is on his plate.
“So, Sarah. I don’t think we got the chance to be properly introduced. My son seems very taken with you, so I think it’s only proper that introductions are in order. I’m Shannon Michaels.”
I bite my tongue not to lash out for the obvious purposeful name misuse. I won’t let this woman rattle me for a minute, but ever the shining knight, Trevor rides in and cuts her down at the knees.
“It’s Sage, Mother. Don’t act like you forgot in the last thirty minutes or even from this morning. If you want her last name so you can run a thorough criminal and background check, just say so.”
She looks absolutely taken aback by his bluntness, and I can’t help but laugh. Fucking A, this protective Trevor? Yeah, I like this guy.
“Oh for sure.” I laugh. “Want my fingerprints too?” I offer, handing her the wine glass I’ve been drinking out of that has visible smudged fingerprints on it.
She looks down at the glass in disdain before turning her nose up.
“I just like to make sure that my son is in good hands. We don’t need what happened to Erica happening to him.”
“Yeah, I’ve been wondering about that. What the hell are you talking about? Sebastian is probably one of the nicest and most family-oriented guys on the team, hell, probably in the state. So why isn’t he good enough for Erica? She seems to think he is.”
Shannon looks down at me with disbelief.
“You know Erica?”
“I do,” I nod. “We are actually great friends.”
She scoffs. “And I had such high hopes for her. It seems she likes to associate herself with a certain type.”
I feel Trevor begin to fume beside me, but I squeeze his hand in warning to shut up as I lean across the table.
“Mhmm, and how long has it been since you’ve spoken to her?”
Shannon shifts slightly as she lays her hands in her lap.
“Well, it’s been a while.”
I nod. “Hmph, seems she definitely likes to associate herself with a type. I guess judgmental bitch doesn’t fall under that type.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, but the woman has met me twice now. She shouldn’t be surprised. I push away from the table, standing before pulling Trevor with me.
“I’m thirsty, let’s go get a drink.”
Trevor instantly stands, giving his mom a short nod of his head as we step away from the table and walk over to the closest bar. The bartender comes over to us expectantly as I smile at him.
“Two old fashioneds, please.”
I feel Trevor’s arms snake around my waist as his head dips down to my neck, speaking into my skin.
“First you’re telling off my mom, now you’re ordering me drinks. Did I forget to mention that I’m gonna be the guy in this relationship?”
A heat wave rushes through me at the feel of his lips on my skin, and I can’t wait to make him lick clean the mess he is currently making between my legs.
