Page 34

34

TASHA

“ T hank you all for coming to our annual charity gala,” my father spoke through the microphone from his spot on the makeshift stage.

Everyone was seated at their tables as my parents finally got the gala started. After my father’s speech, hopefully they’d get on with the items people bid on so Trevor and I could leave. It was like we’d already been there for a hundred years.

A gentle squeeze on my knee had me looking over at Trevor. He sent me a soft smile that had my insides melting. I swear, every time I looked at him, I fell even more in love. How could I not when he was sitting next to me, looking like a Greek god in that suit?

While my father was busy talking on stage, I was busy staring at my boyfriend. From the moment I met Trevor, I knew he was incredibly attractive. I’d have been blind not to notice how good-looking he was—there was a reason he was named one of the hottest hockey players. But getting to know him on a deeper level, he became even more irresistible .

No one else saw the sides that I did. Saw the caring, affectionate, goofy guy who I fell head over heels for. Trevor was the guy that would be there for someone he loved no matter what. Just like tonight.

“What?” Trevor whispered, catching my eyes.

“Just looking.” My chin was propped up on my palm as I stared at him, completely unashamed. He was mine to look at as long as I wanted.

The corner of his lip curled up as he ran his fingertips up and down my bare thigh. I heard nothing of my father’s speech but it didn’t matter. It was always the same one, the same people he thanked for coming. I was just here to look pretty and be silent.

For the next ten minutes, we sat there listening to the boring ass speech. The only thing keeping my attention was Trevor’s fingers on my leg. He wasn’t touching me in any sexual way but just a simple touch from him was enough to spread heat through my body.

“Now, onto the lucky bidders of the night!” my father announced, taking a step back so my mother could take the microphone.

“Bid on anything tonight?” Trevor leaned in to whisper, his breath fanning against my neck.

“Maybe.” I sent him a teasing grin. I wasn’t sure I’d win, but I didn’t bid for the prize. I just wanted the money to go somewhere needed.

My mother started listing off the items and the highest bidders, polite claps echoed around the ballroom. Some of the bids were close to one hundred thousand dollars. To most people in attendance that was pocket change. Something they could write off at the end of the year.

“Now the trip to Ireland,” my mother spoke with fake enthusiasm. “The money for this prize will be given to the Toronto’s Women Clinic . The highest bid went to…” Her ey ebrows seemed to scrunch before reading off the name. “My daughter, Tasha Davis.”

I froze in my seat. I wasn’t expecting to be the highest bidder. I typically bid just low enough that someone else would’ve wanted to bid higher than me. When it came to people’s egos, they always wanted to be the top bidder. I had always been outbid before.

Everyone around me clapped, even my own parents who looked at me with weird expressions. Beside me, Trevor also clapped, sending me a wide smile. Awkwardly, I smiled and dipped my head.

“So you did bid on something.” Trevor smirked once my mother started talking again.

“I wasn’t expecting to win,” I muttered. I was more than happy to fly under the radar when it came to donating. I didn’t want the recognition.

“It’s really sweet of you to donate, though,” Trevor said softly. I met his gaze as he gently squeezed my thigh. “I’m proud of you.”

His words made my chest tighten. Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead. Closing my eyes, I leaned into him.

“Thank you,” I whispered so softly I wasn’t sure he even heard me.

“I do hope you plan on taking me to Ireland with you.”

“I was thinking of taking my other boyfriend. Sorry.”

“Other boyfriend, huh?” Trevor pulled back, raising an eyebrow.

“Yep. He’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

“More handsome than me?”

I tilted my head to the side as I looked him over. “I mean….” The hand on my knee squeezed, making me jerk forward with a gasp. He leaned forward so his mouth was right next to my ear .

“Does he make you scream like I can?” Those fingers started moving up my leg, teasing ever so slightly.

“I… I…” All thoughts flew from my mind as his breath tickled my neck and his fingers neared the high slit on my dress. He was inches away from the lacey thong I was wearing.

“Does he make your pussy wet just by touching you?”

Trevor’s fingers teased the skin on my thighs, goosebumps following in their wake. This was the last place he should be teasing me. Our table was right near the front, surrounded by people my parents knew. Thank God our table was empty, just the two of us sitting there. If anyone were to look closely, they would notice his hand was up higher on my thigh than socially acceptable.

But the thought of Trevor touching me here just made my thong wetter. The dirty thoughts swirling in my head were not helping one bit. Damn Trevor for turning me on so easily.

“Sunshine.” He prompted me to say something, but when the tips of his fingers dipped between my thighs, almost touching my thong, I lost my train of thought. “Uh-huh, that’s what I thought.”

He withdrew his fingers, bringing his hand back to my knee. With a smirk on his face, he turned back to the stage, leaving me sitting there severely turned on. He was such a fucking tease. I both hated and loved it.

Calming myself down, I tried to pay attention but it didn't help that all I could think about was getting Trevor back home and showing him just how much I missed him. Almost like Trevor could tell what I was thinking, he squeezed my thigh and whispered under his breath.

“Later, baby.”

Later was too long. But I sighed, knowing nothing could happen while we were here. We just had to make it through a few more hours.

About twenty minutes later, everyone who bid was announced as my parents thanked everyone for coming again. There would be dinner and more talking before Trevor and I could leave. As my parents walked off the stage and headed back to our table, I straightened my posture.

After they met Trevor, I’d done my best to avoid them. They had yet to bring up the arranged marriage, and I just knew they were waiting for the right time to do so. No doubt bringing it up in front of Trevor and being absolute assholes about it.

“Didn’t know you placed a bid, Tasha,” my father said the moment he sat down. I couldn’t stop the slice of pain at the fact they never noticed my bidding before. That’s how little they noticed me.

“I bid every year,” I said, forcing myself to meet my parents’ gaze.

“Hmm,” was all my father said in response.

The catering staff came out then, placing plates in front of us. My parents didn’t skimp on anything, especially the food. Like what Josie told Mila, the catering at the gala was top-notch. One year they hired a Michelin Star chef.

“So, Trevor,” my mother spoke after a few minutes of silence. The way she said his name had my head snapping my gaze in her direction. I didn’t like the way she was looking at him, like she was about to interrogate him. “What was your childhood like?”

I narrowed my eyes at her question. What the hell was she getting at?

“It was a bit rough, but I don’t let the past define me,” Trevor answered. This time, it was me putting my hand on his thigh and squeezing softly .

“Your parents had drug problems, didn’t they?” My mother said it so casually as she took a bite of her food.

“Mom!” I hissed. How the hell did she even know that? But also, no matter where she pulled that information from, it also wasn’t in her place to ask.

“What? A mother can’t ask her daughter's boyfriend about his life?”

“You can’t ask something so personal!” I was beyond appalled.

“It’s okay.” Trevor placed his hand on mine. “Yes, they did.” He met my mother's gaze head-on. The look on his face dared my mother to say more on the subject. Something in my stomach told me this was going to go south. My mother hated being challenged. It brought out her lawyer side. A side that never lost if she could help it.

“And you supply their drug habit?”

“No, I do not,” Trevor replied through clenched teeth. “My parents are no longer in my life.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

I glared at my mother. “What are you trying to accomplish?” I spoke before Trevor could. I could feel the tension radiating off him as Trevor sat beside me. His shoulders were tensed, back stiff as a board.

“I’m not trying to accomplish anything. I just find it interesting that a man who grew up penniless with drug addicts as parents is suddenly dating my daughter, who is here at our gala where very influential people are in attendance.”

Did she think Trevor is some lowlife who’s trying to worm his way into my life and their money? My mother definitely saw Trevor as nothing more than a pest. Unsuitable. My vision went red. My hands left Trevor’s leg to grab the side of the table.

“Are you implying Trevor is using me to get your money?” I spat .

“Why else would he be here with you?” Her words were a blow to my stomach. I looked over at my father to see his reaction, but he just sat there stoned-faced waiting for my response.

Neither of them could even fathom that Trevor wanted to be with me because he loved me, not because he wanted my money or my status. They believed that was the only reason he was here. That I was only useful because of who my parents were.

“You can’t possibly believe that he’s here just because he loves me?” My voice came out higher pitched as I tried to hide the hurt at what they were implying.

“Honey, be reasonable.” The condescending tone she had was enough to send me over the edge.

“Trevor has more money than you two combined,” I hissed. I watched as my father glanced over at something, his attention focused elsewhere. Like he couldn’t be bothered.

“Hon, look, they’re finally here.” My mouth snapped shut as my mother also stood up, plastering on a fake smile while looking at someone off to the side of us. Our conversation was discarded. Like it was a simple conversation about the weather that could easily be brushed aside.

It took everything inside of me not to stand up and tell them exactly how I felt. To yell at them, regardless of who was watching. To ask why they treated me the way they did. All of that was at the tip of my tongue but as soon as the three people my parents were waiting for came into view, I froze.

All the fire inside of me died right then and there. My entire body froze and my mind went into lockdown. I barely felt Trevor touching my arm and whispering to me, too focused on the one person standing in front of me.

Standing there in a tailored suit, his blond hair neatly styled and his face clean-shaven, I watched as he smiled and shook my parents’ hands without a care in the world. I already knew what the color of those eyes would be when he finally turned to face me.

All the air left my body as I came face to face with the guy who assaulted me.

The ground fell out from under me. That night in the club it was dark, but I would never forget the face of the man who pulled me into a dark corner and touched me without my consent. The face of the person who gave me nightmares and made it so I didn’t feel comfortable alone out in public.

It was him.

“Victoria and Chaplin, this is my daughter Tasha. Tasha, this is Mr. and Mrs. Brown’s son, Daniel,” my father introduced the three. “We were telling you about them the other day.”

It took a second for his words to sink in, but when they did, I felt like I was going to throw up. Daniel Brown. Finally a name to the face that haunted me for the last year. But that wasn’t the part that made stomach acid slide up the back of my throat.

The guy who assaulted me was also the guy my parents wanted me to marry.

This couldn’t be happening. I stood up, the chair scraping harshly against the floor, but the ringing in my ears drowned out everything else. My vision tunneled as I watched Daniel step toward me. The smile on his face seemed easygoing. Like he had no clue it was me. Was I just a faceless girl to him in that club? Just some piece of meat to grab and fondle and then forget about? Was I one of the many?

All those thoughts made bile rise up in my throat. I didn’t think he remembered what he did to me. Yet there I was, still messed up and broken up about it.

As Daniel reached his hand out for me to shake, I took a step back. I didn’t make it far as my back crashed into something hard. Hands landed on my hips but all I could see in that moment was that night.

The hands on my hips were Daniel’s. The chest pressed against my back was his as he pushed me into the corner. I was vaguely aware of my body trembling and my head shaking.

Daniel looked at me, confused, as his hand hovered between us. I looked at it like it was going to attack me. It already had once.

“Sunshine,” a voice whispered in my ear. I shook my head again. “Tasha.” This time, it came out firmer. The hands on my waist gripped me tighter before turning me around.

Slowly, like I was stuck underwater, I moved my eyes up the dark suit to the face of the person holding me. My brain lagged behind and made it take longer for me to recognize Trevor.

“Sunshine.” The nickname met my ears, working through the fog surrounding me. Trevor brought his hands up and cradled my cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

From the anxious expression on his face, my reaction scared him.

“I… I…” I tried to form words, but nothing seemed to want to come out. Again, my head shook, trying to process everything.

Behind me, I could hear my parents saying something. Probably making up some excuse as to why I was freaking out, having no clue the real reason and probably not caring, either.

When Trevor squeezed my cheeks, I brought my attention back to him.

“Baby, I need you to tell me what’s wrong.” His green eyes went back and forth between mine, worry filling them. “Can you do that for me? ”

I nodded, trying to shut everything and everyone else out. It was just Trevor and me. Nothing was going to happen.

Remembering Daniel was standing behind me, I stepped closer to Trevor.

“I…” I wetted my lips as I tried again. “He did it.” The words came out so soft, but I knew Trevor heard me as his eyebrows curved down. I had to say the words before the courage left me.

“He’s the one who touched me.” I couldn’t stop my voice from coming out shaky and in a whimper. I never thought I’d see the guy again. Toronto was huge, so there was a good chance I’d never come face to face with my attacker again. Yet, here he was.

He was the son of the man who wanted to merge with my parents. The son they all wanted me to marry regardless of how I felt about the situation. I couldn’t even begin to process it all.

Of course my parents didn’t know about what happened. I couldn’t tell them. I did try. Once. Right before I went to the beach house in Florida. But as soon as I started to say something, my parents hung up for some work emergency. I knew then I couldn’t ever tell them. Wouldn’t ever tell them.

I never once imagined this would be happening.

Trevor’s eyes flashed, like a fire had just woken inside of him. I could feel the tension steadily building in his body, every muscle tightening with each passing second. His hands were still cupping my cheeks gently, but I could see the hurricane building inside of him.

I knew then that my words were about to set off a storm that couldn’t be contained. I was about to see a side of Trevor I’d never seen before.

“You did so good, baby.” His words were soft as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. I leaned into him, hands fisted in his shirt .

“Can we… I want…” I knew I wasn’t making any sense. “Can we go home?” I whispered.

“Of course.” He spoke against my forehead. “But I need to do one thing first, okay?”

I knew what he was about to do. What it would cause, yet I found myself nodding, completely understanding and supporting what was about to happen.

With another kiss to the forehead, Trevor let me go, gently moving me off to the side. My arms came around my middle as if I could hold in all the emotions running through my body. In front of me, Trevor rolled his neck and shoulders before stepping up to Daniel.

Trevor moving caught everyone’s attention. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and Daniel’s, all looked at Trevor, and their conversation halted.

“Hey, man. You’re Trevor Hall, right?” Daniel greeted as Trevor stopped inches from him.

Trevor didn’t say a single word. I could tell his silence unnerved Daniel as he went to take a step backward. Before he could, Trevor’s arm snapped out and hit him square in the cheek. The sound rang out across the ballroom as Daniel’s head whipped to the side.

Trevor gave him enough time to right himself and face him before he launched himself at Daniel.

With one hand gripping the front of Daniel’s suit, Trevor kept him upright as he punched him over and over again. Shouts erupted around us as my father and Daniel’s ran forward to help, trying to pry Trevor off of him. They didn’t realize Trevor was pure muscle. They also didn’t realize he knew how to fight.

Along with Mr. Brown and my father, a few security guards headed in our direction. The whole time I stood there watching silently, not moving an inch. Daniel’s mother, Victoria, was off to the side with my mother, hand pressed to her mouth. My own mother looked at the situation with wide eyes and a pale face. Yet, through it all, I said nothing.

Trevor landed one more punch on Daniel before stepping back. I could tell he was saying something, but I couldn’t hear it over the roaring in my ears. When Trevor glanced at me over his shoulder, I saw the wild look on his face.

Noticed the way he was breathing heavily, hands clenched at his sides, eyes blazing. He looked like an avenging god. My avenging god.

A couple of security guards went to grab Trevor, but he shrugged their hands off, glaring at them with such intensity they stepped back. Ignoring everyone else, he stalked toward me until his chest was inches from mine, hands coming back up to cup my cheeks.

“You okay?”

The intensity in his eyes had my blood igniting. His knuckles were cracked and bleeding, but he didn’t seem to care as he made sure I was okay.

At that moment, I was more than fine. The man in front of me just did what no one else ever had. He defended me. He protected me. He loved me.

“I’m okay.”

Trevor kissed my nose before stepping to the side.

“You attacked my son!” Mr. Brown yelled, coming at us. He halted when Trevor took a threatening step toward him.

“Your son,” Trevor spat, “deserves more than he got.”

“I will have you arrested!” Mr. Brown’s face turned an ugly shade of purple.

The idea of Trevor in handcuffs had me stepping forward, finally finding my voice. I glared at Mr. Brown as his son laid on the ground groaning, his mother kneeling next to him.

“ I should have your son arrested.” The voice that came out of my mouth didn’t belong to me. It came out cold and clear. I sounded like my mother at that moment. It was like seeing Trevor defend me ignited a fire in me. “Your son sexually assaulted me a year ago.”

I couldn’t believe I was saying this in front of everyone. In front of my parents.

“He touched me without my consent, and I’d be more than happy to throw his ass in jail.”

Feeling all my anger, hurt, and disgust well inside of me, I sneered at the pathetic people in front of me. My parents just stood there staring at me, like I hadn’t just said I was sexually assaulted. It was like the words didn’t even register in their heads.

“If you even think about going after my boyfriend, I won’t hesitate in making sure your son spends the rest of his life behind bars. I am my parent's daughter, after all.” The only thing my parents ever taught me was to hold my cards close to my chest until I needed to show them. None of them, my parents included, knew just what I’d do to protect Trevor.

Mr. Brown stayed silent, finally learning to shut his mouth, as he continued glaring at me but I felt nothing, the fire inside of me extinguishing with each passing second.

I wanted to go home. Wanted to leave this godforsaken gala. Like he could read my mind, Trevor wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me close.

Neither of us said another word as we turned to leave, the ballroom silent. I dared a glance over my shoulder at my parents one last time. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. Maybe some sort of remorse or shame. Something. But I should have known better because all I got in return were blank faces.

That was all it took. I knew with clarity that I was done.

Done trying to be the daughter they wanted. Done begging for their love and acceptance. Done being their daughter.

Feeling like my heart was being ripped into pieces, I held onto Trevor as we left.