Love's Trial

Love’s Trial

Jude Liebermann

Published by Lee Books

Leebooks.judesplace.com

PO Box 170515

Austin, TX 78717

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Jude Liebermann

Prologue

August 6

She covered her face with her hands. At the touch of his hand on her shoulder, she jerked herself out of his reach. She turned her back to him. The clock on the mantel was right in front of her, and she absently noticed that it was 11:26 p.m.

Please…just…get…out. She said each word slowly, trying to keep her voice steady. She clenched her eyes shut, as time seemed to stop. She listened for his departure. After what seemed like hours, but was closer to minutes, he finally walked over to the door. Stopping in the doorway, he looked outside into the night. Keeping his back toward her, he said one final thing.

I'm sorry. You may hate me now, but believe me when I tell you; I love you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. He took a few steps out; then he turned toward her. If by chance you want to talk to me, you know where I'll be. He then turned and quietly closed the door.

She was torn between wanting to run after him and wanting to throw something at him. She needed to be comforted now, needed him to comfort her; but she didn't want him to touch her. Her confused emotions didn't know what to do, so she just sat there and cried.

If only this hadn't happened. She hated him so much at that moment. She felt as if a part of her had been torn away. She bit down on her fist to keep from screaming. She didn't even feel the tears streaming down her face, as she collapsed to the floor. Their relationship had made a nosedive. What went wrong? She thought back to the first time she met him. Lying in a ball sobbing, her thoughts ran over the last two months.

Chapter one

June 4

Running the brush through her hair one last time, Krystal Ryan flung back her dark auburn hair; where it fell in cascading waves down her back. Looking into the mirror, she picked at her hair with her fingers, until she was satisfied with how it looked. As she sprayed her hair, Krystal glanced at the reflection of the woman sitting on her bed. Meghan Johnson, her best friend, stared at her with an amused look.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Come on, Krystal, you look fine. Can we go now? I was ready half an hour ago.

Krystal's wavy hair fell half way down her back. She had short fluffy bangs that tapered down the sides. They were curled back and framed her oval face. She had the much-coveted year round tan, a pug nose and full sensuous lips. The most intriguing things about Krystal were her eyes. They were a light gray with traces of blue.

Meghan surveyed her friend's appearance and couldn't control the jealousy she felt. Krystal wore a black leather mini skirt and black shirt over a white tank top. She wore a white leather belt over the black silky shirt. The two-inch heels of her black leather ankle boots added to her 5'7".

As Krystal rechecked her hair and makeup, Meghan glanced down at her own outfit. She wore a pair of skintight yellow and black leopard pants and a yellow tank top. She was five inches shorter than Krystal and had shoulder length blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She had light skin and a triangular shaped face, small nose and thin lips. In a contrasting way she too, like Krystal, was an attractive woman.

While Krystal had a curvaceous body, Meghan was slim, with hardly any bust or hips. Meghan remembered how popular she’d been in high school, when she first met Krystal. They had both been juniors and Krystal was a slow developer. Krystal went by her given name of Krystina back then, but Meghan thought it too formal and started calling her Krystal. She smirked at how it irritated Krystal at first.

As they got older, Krystal got taller and her figure filled out. She got used to the unusual nickname and soon found out that everyone else thought it was a nicer name. Meghan found to her horror that men were now not only attracted to Krystal, they found her new name sexy. Though Krystal chose not to see this. Sometimes, Meghan got sick of putting up with Krystal's pure and innocent act. She even tried to get rid of the nickname but everyone liked it better and chose not to discard it.

Meghan used Krystal's naiveté against her. Every time a man noticed Krystal, Meghan would make sure Krystal thought that he noticed her instead. Sometimes Meghan wondered why she even associated with Krystal anymore. She needed to be friends with someone who would make her look better, not worse. Meghan plastered a smile to her face and leaned back on Krystal's bed.

Krystal stepped away from her full-length mirror.

Okay, Meg, we can go now. She glanced at the clock. It's only 8:15 p.m. It's not like I've wasted the entire evening. She said jokingly.

Meghan stood. Well, if we're going to get any drinking done before we hit The Groove, we're gonna have to get started. How do I look?

Krystal was dreading that question. She did not like the outfit Meghan wore at all. She thought it made her look kind of cheap, but she didn't have the heart to tell her friend this. Meghan seemed to have gotten in the habit of wearing rather odd things of late. She seemed to love this particular ensemble, so who was she to tell her it looked bad? Men seemed to like how Meghan dressed. Krystal glanced from her friend’s punk hairstyle to her black high-heeled sandals.

She smiled sweetly. You look great. Krystal leaned over and picked up her purse. Okay, we're outa here.

Meghan smiled and followed her out of her apartment and to her car. That was one reason Meghan still hung around her. Krystal's job as an accountant made her one-year-old Camaro affordable. Krystal trusted her so much, that she even let Meghan drive it every once in a while. Tonight was one of those times. Meghan's own job, as a cashier for a drugstore, sure wouldn't pay for a sporty car. Although they both went to college, Krystal was the only one who had been able to get a real job.

Meghan let her bitterness fade as she drove along in Krystal's metallic blue Camaro.

When she drove into Max's parking lot, she swiftly pulled into a cramped stall. She turned her head to hide her devilish smile as she heard Krystal gasp. As they got out of the car, Meghan put the key into her purse and the two walked into Max's, which was a mixture of a bar, a dance club, and a strip joint. Krystal stayed away from the strippers. Seeing men take their clothes off wasn't something she was used to. She couldn't fight the blush that reddened her face every time she even looked at them.

She headed for the bar as Meghan walked over and sat at a table right next to the stage. The circular stage was actually only a few inches higher than the floor, with tables surrounding it. The stage was where the men stripped and it was also where everybody danced after the show was over. Krystal knew that was why Meghan was in a rush to leave her apartment. The last stripper ended at 9:30. Krystal always tried to take her time getting ready, so that they would miss it; but Meghan always rushed her.

After ordering two glasses of rum and cola, Krystal made her way to the table. She placed the drink in front of Meghan and sat at the opposite side of the table; away from the stage. While keeping her eyes glued to the strippers, Meghan mumbled her thanks. Glancing around the room, Krystal took a sip of her drink.

She’d just finished her first drink when it was announced that there was only one more act left. She only half heard that this was a newly hired stripper and tonight was his first time dancing at Max's. Her eyes widened slightly as she heard his dance name announced, French Kisser. Almost against her will, Krystal turned to look at him.

He was dressed like a cowboy, with a red neckerchief covering his face, and he wore a big white hat. As he slowly began taking off his clothes in time to the music, Krystal found that she couldn't take her eyes off him. When he got down to only his black G-string, she drew in a breath, as she looked at his body.

He had wide shoulders and a broad chest, with a thatch of dark blonde hair in the middle. His sculpted ribcage tapered to a narrow waist and hips. His powerful legs were long and lean, and his bronze skin glistened with perspiration. Her eyes slowly made their way back up his body and stopped at his face. She wished that he would take off the neckerchief. She wanted to see what he looked like. She absently noticed that the other women around the stage were going crazy over him. He danced his way over to one of the women and danced in front of her, as she slid a dollar into the front of his G-string. Krystal couldn't help but wish that it were her he was dancing to; although, she didn't want to stoop to waving a dollar above her head.

French Kisser weaved his way through the many women, stopping to dance seductively for any woman who dared to slip a dollar into his scant underwear. Krystal gulped as he stopped within reaching distance of her. Meghan went crazy as he leaned over to take the dollar she shoved into her cleavage. Krystal felt warm as his ribs brushed her shoulder. As he straightened, their eyes locked.

Krystal kept her eyes glued to his face, hoping that the neckerchief would slip, but he turned and made his way back to the stage. Once there he made a few last erotic dance moves. Then the music stopped, and he strutted off the stage and out of sight. Krystal was too stunned to applaud. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Meghan staring at her. She looked at her.

Krystal, I've never known you to watch any of the other strippers. What's so special about him? Yeah, he's got a great bod, but so do the others.

Nothing. She lied, I just thought I'd watch one to see what all the fuss is about. Krystal's face felt like it was on fire.

Uh huh, it's something all right. Don't tell me you have a crush on him. Well, you might as well forget it, Krystal. These guys don't date the customers.

Krystal was tempted to ask her how would she know that. What was wrong with them dating the customers?

I told you it's nothing. For Christ's sake, I didn't even see the man's face. She stood and walked back to the bar for another drink. She looked up as Meghan walked up beside her.

Looks ain't everything doll

Krystal ignored her, so Meghan changed the subject.

I can't wait until midnight. I hope The Groove is as much fun as I've heard it is.

Krystal nodded as she took another sip. The Groove opened its doors for the first time the previous weekend. Although Max's didn't close until 2:00 a.m., Krystal and Meghan would leave early and get to The Groove when it opened at midnight. Being an after hours bottle club, The Groove didn’t close until 5:00 a.m. Krystal had never stayed out so late before and wasn't sure she wanted to go, but Meghan talked her into it. She was happy enough just going to Max's every other Friday night. Especially now that French Kisser would be stripping there. She smiled at the thought.

After dancing and socializing for a while, Meghan looked at her watch to see that it was nearing 11:30 p.m. She rushed over to Krystal.

Krystal, we better leave, if we plan to get to The Groove when it opens.

Krystal was glad for the excuse to look away from the guy who was boring her to tears. He had just walked up and sat next to her. He then proceeded to tell her his life's story, or so it seemed. She glanced toward Meghan with a smile of relief.

Yeah, you're right. She glanced back at Jack or Zach. She couldn't remember which. Well, I gotta go. Unable to be rude to him, she continued, Maybe I'll see you up here sometime.

She almost winced at his hopeful smile.

He was about to answer, when Meghan broke in.

We hardly ever come up here. We're visiting for a couple months. We might come back up here before we leave.

Krystal had to restrain a smile, as he frowned his disappointment. She said bye to him and then followed Meghan out the door. As they walked to the Camaro, Krystal watched as her friend sauntered over to the driver's side, unlocked the door and got in. Krystal walked to the passenger door and got in. Meghan started talking as soon as Krystal closed the door.

As Meghan rattled on, Krystal glanced out the window. A man running caught her attention, and she focused on him racing across the parking lot.

He stopped at a motorcycle and got on. Krystal looked him up and down with admiration. He wore a pair of snug acid-washed jeans, and a black leather jacket. His dark blonde hair was lightly feathered and fell just below his shoulder blades. Krystal normally would have thought his hair too long, but on him it looked good. She caught a glimpse of his face before he put on his helmet, and she drew in a breath. He was gorgeous. His face was well defined, his nose straight and his lips thin. Krystal wished she could see his eyes. She imagined them to be blue but felt the need to know for sure. She fought the urge to get out of her car and walk over to him. Instead, she watched as he started up the cycle and took off.

As she watched him drive away, Krystal became aware that Meghan was still talking. She tore her eyes away from the departing figure and glanced toward Meghan, who was touching up her makeup and hair in the rearview mirror.

You know, Krystal, maybe we can find you a guy at The Groove. You need a man in your life. And don't worry, I'll help you find one...

Krystal groaned inwardly. The kind of guys Meghan liked was definitely not Krystal's type. Meghan's last boyfriend wore ripped shirts and jeans. Not because they were old, but because that's the way he liked them. Krystal couldn't be sure, but it looked as if he had worn eyeliner. To top that off, he also had a purple Mohawk.

Meghan readjusted the mirror and then started the car. She pulled out of the stall and headed downtown. Meghan continued, uninterrupted.

...If The Groove is as crowded tonight as it was last weekend, it will be like a meat market. We'll have our pick. She giggled at her own jibe.

Krystal finally spoke. Well, I hope this place is as fun as you say it will be. I just hope I can stay awake.

Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't fall asleep...Oh, yeah, I have to stop somewhere and get some cigarettes. Meghan spotted a gas station and pulled over. Krystal waited in the car as Meghan went in to buy the cigarettes. Although Krystal didn't smoke and didn't really like cigarettes, she got in the habit of smoking when she was with Meghan. She remembered how her mother always said that Meghan was a bad influence on her. Her mother had never liked Meghan. She smiled as she saw Meghan flirt with the cashier, who was selling her the cigarettes.

Speaking of bad influences. Krystal said aloud. She suddenly remembered that they forgot to get the bottle of Rum. As soon as Meghan got back in the car, Krystal turned to her.

We can't forget to get the rum.

Oh, yeah, if we plan on you having any fun, we better get you good and drunk.

Funny, Meghan.

Well, it's true...Okay, we'll find a liquor store that's close to The Groove.

Sounds good, let's go.

After Meghan parked next to The Groove, she and Krystal got out of the car. Krystal held the unopened bottle of rum in her hands. It was a couple minutes past midnight, and Meghan was impatient to get inside.

When they walked around to the front of the building, Krystal rolled her eyes at the long line waiting to get in. As they walked to the end of the line, guys whistled and catcalled to them. The two guys in front of them turned toward them.

Hi, ladies, you're looking lovely tonight. They looked both women over; then settled their gazes on Krystal. Meghan noticed this and was determined to get their attention on her.

Why, thank you. You guys look pretty sexy, too.

They looked back at her, and she gave them a seductive look. When they decided that Krystal wasn't going to pay them any attention, they moved closer to Meghan.

Mmm, you gonna save me a dance, gorgeous?

The other one joined in.

That is, after you have danced with me?

Krystal looked at both men. They were good looking and clean cut, but they were practically eye level