Essentialism (Bridgette & Troy's Story) (4 page)

I wake to a knock on my door.
Jesus, it’s way too early to be awake.
I’m in bed and faintly remember Cara helping me in here. “Go away,” I moan into my pillow. The door opens and speaking into my pillow I say, “Cara, you better have a damn good excuse for waking me up.” She doesn’t respond, but turns the light on. “Cara,” I snap, pulling the covers over my head.

She sits on the bed and takes the covers, gently pulling them off of my face. I look over at her with one eye opened and gasp when I see Troy sitting there.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

I shake my head, completely mortified. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you.”

“You snuck in here?”

“No, Cara let me in. How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. I’m cold and tired.”

“I’m sorry, but you did drink
a lot.
I brought you a Starbucks. Maybe that will help?” I smile at him and can’t help the shiver that courses through my body. “You’re adorable in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, and he lies down next to me. We’re facing each other; he’s on top of the covers while I’m huddled underneath. Taking his right arm, he pulls me to him. I nuzzle myself against his chest and close my eyes, knowing deep down this is so wrong.
I shouldn’t be doing this, I shouldn’t be doing this, I shouldn’t be doing this.
I repeat the words in my head, but the truth is he comforts me. He doesn’t push me to do anything more. I know he came here with good intentions. He really just wanted to check on me and make sure I was okay. I’ve never met a guy like him. Hell, I never even knew they existed.

He takes his fingers and runs them through my hair while we lay in silence and he lets me just be. Radiating heat disburses off of his body and engulfs me, lulling me to drift back to sleep.

…
My dreams are consumed with him and we are doing bad things – very bad things. I’m locked in a basement, tied to a bed and blindfolded. Everything is dark and it’s a bit scary until I feel his lips on my forehead and then slowly he moves them to mine and the rest of the way down my body.

Once he reaches my breasts, he attacks them, growling while he does so. My body moves and bows beneath him. He pulls up hard on a nipple before he lays down on me. His naked, hot body is pressed onto mine, his pulse is hard moving through his groin.

Sliding the blindfold up, he looks into my eyes. Like always, he mesmerizes me. Giving me a cocky smirk, his mouth consumes mine, taking full control. I pull on the rope wanting to touch him – but I can’t.

He looks at me and says, “You know the rules, Bridge. Behave or I’ll spank you.”

“But I want to touch you.”

“Not yet; let me indulge in you first.”

Closing my eyes I lean my head back. Troy pulls himself up off of me and lets his mouth take over, kissing everywhere. He takes particular time with each of my ankles, kissing the sides before moving his way up.

Once he has drenched both of my legs from top to bottom, he pulls my body down, giving no slack on the restraints, and spreads my legs wide. “Jesus, you’re beautiful.”

I smile at him, watching his eyes roam every bit of my naked body. Gently, he nudges his cock against my awaiting pussy, teasing and tantalizing me, taking a great amount of pleasure in doing so. I whimper waiting for him to fill me…

Gasping awake I’m short of breath and look next to me.
Dammit, he’s gone.
On my nightstand sits the Starbucks and a pink Hello Kitty Band-Aid.
Shit, how long did I sleep for?
Feeling bad for falling asleep, I text him.

You left me…

You needed to rest. Trust me I could’ve stayed and watched you all day. You’re breathtaking while you sleep.

I’m sitting at the table waiting for Lex, and I can’t help but anxiously tap my fingers. We’re meeting for lunch and she said she has a surprise for me. I’m not the biggest fan of surprises. I push away the anxiety and enjoy the view from the table. It overlooks the interstate and all of the cars bustling by, with the Rocky Mountains in the background.

“Hey, doll,” Alexa says, pulling me away from my thoughts.

Promptly I stand and hug her, holding her tightly against me. “Hi. You look amazing, have you lost weight?” I ask.

We separate and both take our seats. “Yeah, about ten pounds. Vince and I have been doing hot yoga. It’s a killer workout. You should come with us sometime.”

I chuckle at her comment and glance at my phone noticing David is calling. I ignore it. “Well, if it promises I’ll look as good as you, sign me up.”

“Whatever,” she says. “You’re gorgeous, Bridgette. You always have been and always will be.”

“Thanks, sweets. So you have to tell me, what’s the surprise? It’s killing me.”

The waiter comes by interrupting us and takes her drink order. I can’t help but get lost in his hands, thinking of Troy’s holding mine.

“Uhhh…earth to Bridgette. Did you hear me?”

“Hear what?” I ask.

“I said if you think he’s cute, you should get his number. Aren’t things with David kind of rocky anyways?”

Propping my elbows on the table I rest my chin in my hands. “I don’t know what’s going on with him.”

“Care to tell me what’s going on with Troy then?” she asks, with one eyebrow raised.

“Damn Cara. If she weren’t pregnant I would punch her. She’s the worst at blabbing everyone’s business.”

Alexa grins and says, “Calm down, it wasn’t Cara who told me anything. It was Vince. Troy told Abel and Abel told Vince.”

“Oh God, what did he say?”

“Well, for starters that you got drunk the other night at the station and Troy had to give you a piggyback ride to the car and buckle you in. Then I know there was some early morning cuddling, and that’s about all. So spill the beans – what’s going on with you two?”

“Jesus, hearing you say it out loud makes it sound so much worse. I mean, since I have a boyfriend and all.”

“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to. You know I won’t judge you.”

“I know. David’s just changed, not to mention that he’s practically ignored me since I moved. Then I met Troy – it’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s so real and funny and genuine. He gets me and lets me be myself, not who he wants me to be. With David, I always feel like I’m putting on a persona of someone I’m not. With Troy, it’s not like that at all.”

The waiter brings her drink and as I look at him, Troy’s face flashes before my eyes. I can’t help but smile and know no one compares to Troy with looks. My phone rings again; it’s David and I decline his call. Christ, I just want to have lunch with my sister. I’m not about to drop what I’m doing because he decides to finally call me.

“Thank you,” Alexa says to the waiter.

“What can I get you ladies?”

We both order and he looks back at me as he walks off. “Well, you just poured your heart out, and if I heard you right, it sounds like it’s pulling you towards Troy.”

“Yeah, I think it is. I guess I have some soul-searching to do. Anyways, can we not talk about my love life anymore? I
need
you to tell me about the surprise.”

“I guess that’s the reason we’re having lunch. So I know you’ve been looking for a job and have applied just about everywhere. Well, I brought an idea up to Vince a while ago. I told him we need an office manager. He agreed and then it dawned on me, with your degree and all, you’d be great for the job.”

“Are you serious?” I ask excitedly.

“Yes. So he talked to Liam and C.J. and they agreed to interview you. And this stays between you and me. Vince said they are all onboard, if the meeting goes well.”

“Lex, that’s amazing.”

“Well, you deserve it. Think of how cool it would be if we worked together?”

“Oh my God, it would be the best. So when can I meet with them?”

“Tomorrow at 9:00am.”

“That’s perfect. I can’t wait.”

I finish my lunch with a perma-grin on my face. This is what I’ve been waiting for. All I have to do is knock their socks off. Alexa was kind enough to help get me this far, now it’s all me.

I spend the rest of our lunch grilling my sister, asking any and all questions I can think of, about the firm. I really wanna be prepared. As I leave the restaurant, I decide to call David back, since he called me four times, and never left a message. I want to know what’s so urgent. He doesn’t answer either so I leave him a voicemail. On the drive, I think about my clothing options for the morning and decide to swing by the mall. My work attire is lacking. I know in order to knock ‘em dead in my interview, I’m going to need the right clothes to get the job done.

I make quick work of my time at Macy’s and once I’ve settled on the perfect outfit, I check out and take the escalator down to the exit. On my way out I stop at the perfume counter, smelling each delicious fragrance until I reach my favorite – Juicy Couture. As I spray a few squirts on my wrist and neck, I indulge in the scent and wish I had enough money to buy this for myself. However, I stay optimistic and know after I land this job, I will. Turning away from the counter I run smack dab into Troy. “Oomph,” I yelp as I hit his hard body.

He laughs at me. “Sorry, I thought you knew I was behind you.”

“No! I didn’t know you were there. Were you watching me?”

“Maybe.”

“Okay, now that’s just creepy. Did you follow me here too?”

“As much as I wish I did, I didn’t. I got lucky. I’m here with my mom and sister. What about you, what brings you here?”

“You’re not going to believe it. My sister got me an interview tomorrow at the law firm where she works. You know how hard I’ve been looking for a job.”

He hugs me tight and says, “Congrats, Bridge. I’m so happy for you. You’re going to do awesome.”

“Thanks,” I say as we separate.

His phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. “Do you mind if I grab this really quick?”

“No, of course not. Go ahead.”

He smiles as he answers and I try not to listen, but honestly I can’t take my eyes off him.
God, he’s tall.
My eyes scan down his body. He’s wearing dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and some bright purple Nikes. I love his style; I can tell he’s confident and doesn’t care what others think.

“Sorry,” he says. “That was my mom, I have to meet her and my sister for lunch. I’m really glad I ran into you though.”

“Me too.”

“When can I see you again?”

My phone rings saving me from answering his question. “I gotta take this,” I say answering it.

“Good luck tomorrow,” he whispers and kisses my forehead, before walking away.

“Who was that?” David questions.

“I’m at the mall; it was the cashier. What’s up?”

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day,” David says with urgency in his tone.

“I know and I called you back. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I had a tournament pop up in Denver tonight and wanted to see if we could meet up.”

“It depends what time it is. I have a really important job interview tomorrow morning and I want to get to bed early.”

“That’s fine. I’m cool getting to bed with you as well.”

“David,” I snap.

“What?” he laughs.

“I don’t know, how about we have dinner and catch up before we jump back in bed? I’ve barely talked to you lately.”

“Okay, okay. But my tournament starts at six and you know how long those things can go, I might not have time for dinner.”

“Whatever, just call me when you’re done.”

“I will.”

We hang up and I honestly can’t believe his brazenness. He truly has some balls, suggesting that we sleep together considering we have barely spoken in the last few weeks. I’m not going to let him get in my head or take over my thoughts. I have to focus on this interview. Getting in my car, I call Cara in hopes she will be home tonight so I can pick her brain for some interviewing tips. Lex gave me a lot of info on the firm, but I’ve never had a
real
interview.

Unfortunately, I get her voicemail and ramble on about the day’s events. It’s not long ‘til I’m home. I park my car and head inside with my new clothes. Hanging them on my closet door I admire my new purchases. They are
so
perfect. I decide to try the whole outfit on again to make sure the shoes will look as good as I’ve imagined. I search my closet for my Mary Janes. I can’t find them so I pull out two other pairs of heels. One is a black, patent leather pair and the other is a red, pointed toe pair. I put one on each foot and look in the mirror.

I try and decide which pair looks best, but the doorbell interrupts me. Pulling the shoes off I make my way into the living room. When I open the door, I’m shocked – it’s Troy.

“Wow, you look amazing,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Thanks. Come in,” I say and move out of his way. He steps in and I notice the small Macy’s bag in his hand.

“Is this what you’re wearing to your interview tomorrow?”

“Yeah, do you think it looks okay?”

“Uh, yeah. I would say it looks more than okay. I would hire you based solely on the outfit.”