Seeds of Yesterday Read online

Page 5


  Trina stilled. She had almost forgotten the question she’d raged at him during sex, the question of why he had let her go.

  “You deserved better than me and my family, Trina.”

  Her blue eyes rounded. Indescribable emotions wrenched her heart.

  Daniel’s smile was genuine and more than a little sad. “I’ve always known that.”

  * * * * *

  46

  Seeds of Yesterday

  Pounding rain and crackling thunder caused Daniel to rouse from slumber. His eyes drifted open, slowly adjusting to the darkness. A beam of moonlight spilled in the hotel room, illuminating Trina’s profile. He stilled.

  She was awake—awake and watching him.

  Arousal immediately engulfed him, his cock stiff and standing upright. Precum dripped from the head, a gnawing desire to be inside the woman he’d loved his entire life gripping him.

  Would she ever forgive him? Could she ever forgive him?

  “Daniel,” Trina whispered, her blue eyes drugged with passion.

  “Yes?”

  “There’s something I’ve always wanted to say to you, but I…”

  Every muscle in his body clenched with anticipation of what Trina was trying to say. He longed to force a confession out of her, but realized that this wasn’t the time or place.

  It was too soon. Too many warring emotions were reflected in her gaze.

  “It’s all right,” he assured her. He lifted a hand to her face, his fingertips brushing back an unruly curl. “You don’t have to say anything, Trina. Not until you’re ready.”

  Her smile was soft. “Thank you,” she said gently.

  Daniel feared she wanted him to leave. The hesitation in her eyes spoke volumes.

  He thought to spare her the unsavory task of asking him to go by doing the gentlemanly thing and departing without her prompting. But then her small hands were gripping his cock by the root and squeezing it, and Daniel knew he couldn’t tear himself away from the bed they shared if his life depended on it.

  Daniel sucked in a breath as he watched his cock disappear between Trina’s full, sexy lips. His fingers threaded into her hair, pulling it back so he could watch.

  47

  Jaid Black

  She sucked on him hard, a barely audible moan purring in the back of her throat.

  She took his cock in all the way to the back of her throat, forcing a hiss of approval out of him.

  “Trina,” he ground out, his jaw clenching hotly. “Faster, baby.” His breathing grew heavy, the need to come already tantalizingly close. “Suck me off fast.”

  She did as he wanted, her head bobbing up and down in hard, deep sucks. He groaned as her mouth fucked his cock, the sight of her lips enveloping him over and over, again and again, driving him crazy.

  “I’m coming,” Daniel said hoarsely, unable to stave off his orgasm. “Oh shit—I’m—

  Trina.”

  Daniel growled as he exploded, hot cum shooting out of his cock and into the depths of her throat. His muscles tensed and his jugular bulged as she kept sucking on him and sucking on him, treating his cock like a lollipop.

  “Trina,” Daniel panted, every nerve in his body on fire. “Baby…thank you, sweetheart.”

  Her lips released his cock with a popping sound. She gripped his semi-erect penis by the head, her tongue darting out to lick up the last droplets of his cum.

  A sexier woman had never lived. Nobody could ever hope to compare.

  Within moments she crawled on top of him, wanting him inside her. At thirty-four it typically took Daniel some time between orgasms to get hard again. But this was Trina. Apparently his heart wasn’t the only part of him that recognized who she was.

  “Daniel,” she whispered, kissing his eyes, his nose, his cheeks. “Make love to me.”

  It was his pleasure. A pleasure he wished could go on forever.

  48

  Seeds of Yesterday

  Chapter Six

  “This is the last call for flight 7 to London, England. All remaining passengers must board at this time…”

  Trina took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Smiling resignedly, she gave the Cleveland airport a final glance, knowing in her heart of hearts she’d never see it again.

  She had waited until the last possible second to board, both the girl she had been and the woman she now was hoping that Daniel would come to say goodbye.

  Apparently that wasn’t meant to be. And really, was there ever such a thing as goodbye when talking about a woman’s first love?

  No. There wasn’t. She might not ever lay eyes on Daniel Hunter again, but he would be with her in Cambridge forever.

  Trina took her seat in the first-class cabin, reclining the chair all the way back so she could get some rest. She spent the next seven hours tossing and turning instead, memories of her last night with Daniel playing and replaying in her mind.

  They had made love five times. Each time had been better, more special, more bonding, than the last. She had been too confused to say much when it was time for her to leave him, other than wishing him well and thanking him for another glorious night.

  She had almost told him how she felt about him, but for some reason the words wouldn’t come out. Trina promised herself it was for the best, that professing a lifelong love would have only served to convolute already murky waters.

  Daniel’s life and law firm were in Ohio. Trina’s life and work were in England.

  As difficult as it was to lose Daniel for a second time, she would never regret last night. Being with him, hearing him profess to having loved her when she thought her love had been unrequited…

  49

  Jaid Black

  The moments they spent together had been, in their own way, healing. They had torn her apart and put her back together again. This time for the better.

  Her sleep was restless, her thoughts occupied. She was surprised to hear the pilot announce the plane’s imminent arrival into Gatwick Airport. She stretched and yawned, blurry-eyed from lack of REM sleep.

  Trina repositioned her seat until she sat straight up, deciding she was too exhausted to return to Cambridge today. She’d sleep over at her sister Sarah’s London flat and get back to the reality of work the following day.

  The flight attendant handed her a coupon given only to first-class passengers. It allowed her to get through Customs faster, usually one-tenth of the time it took the riders in coach. Heart heavy and energy depleted, Trina was especially happy for that little perk today.

  She walked as if in a daze, carryon luggage in tow. The trek from the gate to the Customs area seemed to go on forever, every step heavier than the last.

  She missed Daniel already. If she had thought getting over him was tough the first time, moving on might well be impossible this time.

  “Welcome back to England,” a Customs and Immigration agent with a Cockney accent greeted her. He stamped her British passport.

  Trina smiled. “Thank you. May I ask what time it is?”

  He pointed to a clock behind him. “Half past nine, miss.”

  She thanked him again and continued her stroll, this time to baggage claim.

  Hoisting her luggage up onto a trolley, she walked the last stretch down a short corridor that led to where families and chauffeurs waited to retrieve passengers. Tons of people stood there, waiting to greet their loved ones and paying fares.

  The image of a tall, brooding man snagged Trina’s peripheral vision. He reminded her of Daniel. She supposed any tall, heavily muscled man in his mid-thirties would remind her of him for a while.

  50

  Seeds of Yesterday

  She sighed, telling herself to get a grip on reality. She pushed her cart past the swell of the throng, muscles aching in protest. A little bit more of a walk and she’d be outside, breathing in the fresh English air as she waited in a taxi queue.

  “Trina.”

  She came to an immediate halt. The hair at the nape of her neck stirred.<
br />
  Could it be…?

  No. It couldn’t be.

  “Trina.”

  Her pulse took off, accelerating at a rapid pace. She’d know that voice anywhere. It had haunted her for years.

  She turned around slowly, blue eyes rounded, afraid she’d imagined his voice. And then she saw him, Daniel Hunter, and an alligator smile enveloped her face.

  He was here. He had come after her.

  “Daniel,” she breathed out, her voice shaky. “What are you doing here?”

  He answered Trina with a kiss, a numbing, possessive kiss that made her tingle with giddy joy from head to toe. They held each other for a long moment, embracing as if they meant to never again let go.

  Maybe this time they wouldn’t. Maybe this time the world of dreams had become reality.

  “You didn’t really think I’d let you get away from me twice, did you?” Daniel rasped against her ear, hugging her tightly. “Sorry, baby, but you’re mine now. I’m never letting go again. Never.”

  “I love you so much,” Trina at last admitted out loud. Her voice caught just a little.

  “I’ve always loved you, Daniel.”

  Their gazes met and held. Daniel rubbed her back, pulling her as close as humanly possible.

  51

  Jaid Black

  “I’ve always loved you, Trina.” His smile came slowly, contentment and happiness sparking in the dark eyes that somehow no longer seemed unfathomable. “And I always will.”

  52

  Seeds of Yesterday

  Diary Entry

  It’s amazing how fast time flies. I used to record my thoughts in this journal every day, but life got busy and, well, before I knew what had happened, I’d forgotten about you altogether.

  Sorry about that, my dear electronic friend.

  It’s been six years since my last entry. Lots of changes have occurred in my life since the last time I typed out my thoughts to you.

  Marriage to Daniel, two children—

  Oh and Dad got remarried, too! We’re still waiting on Sarah, but I think my sister is a confirmed bachelorette.

  Anyway, getting back to Daniel…

  He took an earlier flight out, making him able to greet me that day at Gatwick airport. We were engaged within the hour and married just a few weeks later. Some people might call that spontaneous, but nothing had ever felt more right to us.

  Daniel didn’t want to return to the States any more than I did, so we carved out a new life in London together. I ended up resigning from Cambridge so I could concentrate on my plays fulltime. London seemed the logical choice.

  My career has never been better and I’ve even started writing a few movie scripts.

  The first one comes out next year. I’m not sure if I’ll write any more of those, though—it depends on how true to form the director stays.

  Daniel gave up his law practice in Ohio and referred his clients to an attorney he trusted. He’s not licensed to practice in the U.K. and, truth be told, has no desire to return to that field. My husband found his happiness in raising our kids and managing our accounts. If someone would have told me six years ago that the brooding, gruff 53

  Jaid Black

  Daniel Hunter would find inner completion wiping butts and making dinner, I never would have believed them. It seems at odds with his commanding size and presence, yet suits him to a tee.

  I gave birth to our daughter, Amy, a year after Daniel and I got married. She’s five years old now, healthy and vibrant, her blonde hair and dimpled smile inherited from her namesake. Somehow it seemed right naming our daughter after her aunt. If it hadn’t been for the first Amy, after all, the second one never would have existed.

  Our son came next, a year and a half after his sister. Jackson has his father’s dark hair, my blue eyes and my sister Sarah’s penchant for hilarious drama. Everything is a Kodak moment to Jackson. I’m sure he’ll grow out of it, and if not, well, there’s always the situation comedies on the BBC.

  In case you’re wondering what happened to Daniel’s parents, you’ll be happy to know that they eventually came around. Gus was a piece of cake and behind our marriage from the get-go. Melissa was a bit—okay, a lot—more obstinate, but her ice slowly began to melt after Amy’s birth. By the time I had Jackson, we were not only mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but also good friends.

  It took me a long time to work up the nerve to ask Melissa why she’d disliked me so strongly for all of those years. The conversation had been a difficult one for her, but she eventually admitted that blaming me for her daughter’s downfall had been easier than looking in the mirror and blaming herself.

  Being a mother myself now, I can comprehend why Melissa felt the way she did.

  The issue she is still working through, and could be working through for some time to come, is in realizing that nobody was to blame for Amy’s drug addiction. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. Often there is no rhyme or reason to it.

  It’s almost three o’clock. Damn, how time flies. My husband will be home at any moment with the kids so I better close down shop for now.

  54

  Seeds of Yesterday

  I promise not to wait another six years to bring you up to speed, old friend. I can’t begin to imagine what life has in store for my family for the next six years, but with Daniel by my side I know it can only be good things.

  Yeats once wrote: How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true; But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you.

  That’s what Daniel has given me. The gift of knowing I am loved for who I am.

  In the end, isn’t that the only thing all of us really want?

  I’m happy. So very damn happy.

  And now it’s time to sign off. Goodnight, old friend.

  55

  About Jaid Black

  Jaid Black is the pseudonym for Ellora’s Cave’s owner and founder Tina M. Engler.

  She has been featured in every available news outlet, from the Washington Post and L.A.

  Times to Forbes magazine, Fox News, Time magazine and the Montel Show. Ms. Engler was officially recognized by Romantic Times Magazine with their first ever Trail Blazer award as the mastermind of erotic romance as you know and love it today, as well as for her contribution in the popularization of digital books. Writing as Jaid Black, her work has received numerous distinctions, including a nomination for the Henry Miller award for the best literary sex scene written in the English language.

  Jaid loves to hear from her fans. You can visit her on the web at

  www.jaidblack.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email the author directly or you can email us at [email protected] (when contacting Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and author).

  Also by Jaid Black

  Adam & Evil

  After the Storm (writing as Tia Isabella)

  Before The Fire

  Besieged

  Bossy And Clyde

  Breeding Ground

  Death Row: The Trilogy

  Fatman and Robyn

  God of Fire

  One Dark Night

  Season of the Witch

  Sins of the Father

  Sporked in Time

  Stalked

  Subjugated

  The Addiction

  The Beckoned

  The Hunger

  The Mastering

  The Obsession

  The Possession

  Tremors

  Vanished

  Warlord

  Trek Mi Q’an saga:

  1: The Empress’ New Clothes

  2: No Mercy

  3: Enslaved

  4: No Escape

  5: Naughty Nancy (in Strictly Taboo anthology from another publisher)

  6: No Fear

  7: Dementia

  8: Seized

  9: Devilish Dot in Manaconda

 
10: Never a Slave

  11: No Way Out: Kari

  Guide to Trek Mi Q’an

  Print books by Jaid Black

  After the Storm (writing as Tia Isabella)

  Breeding Ground

  Death Row: The Trilogy

  Dominated anthology

  Manaconda anthology

  Notorious anthology

  One Dark Night

  Sporked in Time

  The Best of Jaid Black anthology

  The Possession

  Trek Mi Q’an saga:

  1: The Empress’ New Clothes

  2: No Mercy

  3: Enslaved

  4 & 6: Conquest (No Escape & No Fear)

  7 & 10: Lost In Trek (Dementia & Never a Slave)

  8: Seized

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Seeds of Yesterday

  ISBN 9781419995361

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Seeds of Yesterday Copyright© 2005 Jaid Black

  Cover art by Kelly A. Martin

  Cover photography by tomertu, Galyna Andrushko

  Electronic book publication June 2016

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.