Eternal Love: (The Cursed Series, Book 4)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  “You wore this puffy pink dress.” He laughed again. “You were the prettiest girl there.”

  “Trent hasn’t asked me to marry him yet, but when he does, I’m going to say yes, and I want you to walk me down the aisle,” I blurted out suddenly.

  That made Dad stand still, and I took the brief reprieve to catch my breath and regain my balance. “You do?” he asked, sounding genuinely shocked.

  “Yes,” I said.

  I had planned to ask Uncle Dean, but deep down, I wanted my real dad by my side. Maybe they both could walk me down the aisle because I didn’t want to leave Uncle Dean out. He’d done so much for me, and he really was like a second father.

  “You tell me when, and I’ll be there. You have my word.” He once again began to move, but the song ended moments later. He hugged me, and without another word, he turned and walked away.

  I shook my head and went to go find Trent. I had no idea where he’d gone, but it wasn’t hard to find him. It was like my body instinctively knew where he was. He stood near the end of the bar, his gaze tracking my every step as I made my way toward him.

  “Everything all right?” He straightened, his expression concerned.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “You look… upset.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I think my dad’s drunk. He was just saying a lot of things I never expected. But it’s fine.” I slipped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. “I asked him to walk me down the aisle.”

  “What did he say?” Trent returned my embrace, his arms folding around me protectively.

  “Yes.” I glanced up at him. “Now, I just need someone to propose to me.”

  “Someone, huh?” Trent raised a brow, a teasing smirk pulling at his lips. “Just any old guy will do?”

  I laughed. “Well, there’s this one guy in particular I really want to ask me, but he hasn’t yet.”

  “Right.” Trent nodded. “Well, I’m positive he will. Eventually.”

  There had been so many perfect moments for him to propose. Why hadn’t he? What was he waiting for? He just said he was going to, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he was having second thoughts.

  I needed to calm down. Trent loved me. He wanted to spend eternity with me, and I had to remember that and stop doubting him. Doubting us.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN:

  A Kiss at Midnight

  THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS FLEW by in a flurry of small talk, dancing, and laughter. Mom and I used to spend every New Year’s Eve together—we’d make way too much food and sit up to watch the ball drop. It had always been fun, but I had to admit, this New Year’s Eve was the best one ever.

  I’d seen Simon a few more times, though neither of us made any effort to talk again. He’d been hanging out with a cute redhead who seemed to hang on his every word; Simon had that effect on girls.

  Trent did, too, but he hadn’t so much as looked at anyone but me tonight. I was happy Simon was moving on. He was too nice of a guy not to; he deserved happiness.

  “It’s almost midnight,” Trent whispered as he moved me across the dance floor.

  A moment later, the crowd began to countdown, their shouts loud and excited. I joined in, excitement building in my chest with each second that passed. Unified hollers of “Happy New Year” filled the room, and Trent’s lips landed on mine as balloons and confetti rained down from the ceiling.

  His tongue grazed my bottom lip, begging for entry, and I welcomed his kiss, locking my arms around his neck. He kissed me deeply and with so much passion I couldn’t form a coherent thought.

  The sounds of the party dulled to nothingness, the only noise audible to my ears was of my ragged breaths and rapid heartbeat. His hands coursed lower and flattened against my back before yanking me tighter.

  “Happy New Year, Chloe.” When he pulled back, his eyes were dark and ravenous with desire.

  So much for being able to catch my breath. The fact he wasn’t releasing me didn’t help, either; not that I was complaining. I loved being in his arms. That was my first New Year’s Eve kiss, and it was better than any of my fantasies.

  “There’s only two items left on your list now,” he said, his voice husky.

  “I know,” I said, still breathless, heart hammering.

  Biting me for pleasure and getting married were the final two things on my list. Both things could be done tonight if Trent wanted… well, he could propose, but the actual marriage part would have to wait. Still, the thought of a New Year’s proposal had excited adrenaline filling my veins.

  Lowering his mouth, he brushed his lips across mine, and my eyes fluttered closed, but he didn’t kiss me. Instead, he positioned his mouth near my ear and whispered, “We should go back to our room. Maybe cross another item off your list.”

  I nodded, unable to speak. He took my hand, and we were silent as we rode the elevator up to the ninth floor. Trent opened the hotel room door, and I stepped inside.

  “My feet are killing me,” I complained as I hobbled toward the bed and sat. The second my weight was off my feet, I sighed, and then I wasted no time taking off my heels.

  Removing his tuxedo jacket, Trent tossed it over the back of the chair. He removed his tie, tossing that in the chair, too, and then he proceeded to roll the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows. His gaze never once left me, though, and heat spread through me.

  “I love when you look at me like that,” I said, slowly standing, and wincing only slightly; my feet didn’t hurt nearly as bad now that my shoes were off.

  “And how am I looking at you?” He smiled faintly, his gaze dark and heated.

  “Like you’re going to die if you can’t touch me.” I approached, my heartbeat erratic, and stopped in front of him.

  “Sounds about right.” His voice was as heated at his gaze, and when he reached for me, I didn’t hesitate to move closer.

  Gently, he turned me so my back was to him, and then his lips whispered across the nape of my neck. My eyelids fluttered closed, and I let my head fall forward, giving him complete, unfettered access.

  “I know the feeling,” I said softly.

  He continued to drag his lips across my neck, his kisses becoming firmer.

  “I know what it’s like to always want to be touching you,” I said.

  The feeling had only intensified when Ivy transferred the bond to him. And it became downright unbearable once he’d claimed me.

  He chuckled, the sound low and husky, and I trembled.

  “You have no idea what it’s like.” He clutched my zipper. “The constant longing.”

  He gave my zipper a small tug, and then ever so slowly, he pulled it down, the pad of his thumb trailing down my spine. His lips never left my neck, and I once again trembled from his touch.

  “The desire,” he said. “The need. Because that’s what this is, Chloe. It’s not a want. It’s a need, and it never goes away.”

  My breath hitched at the fierce determination in his tone. “I don’t want it to go away,” I said. I never wanted him to stop feeling this way about me, and I certainly never wanted to not feel this way about him, either.

  “Chloe?” Dad knocked on the door.

  Letting out a low growl, Trent zipped my dress, then answered the door. “Frank.”

  I smiled at how he was now on a first name basis with my father.

  “Is Chloe in there?” Dad asked. His words were mildly slurred. Not that I was too surprised by that; he’d drank quite a bit of champagne tonight.

  “Yeah, come in.” Trent came back over and stood behind me, his hands on my waist.

  “Hey, Dad. Everything all right?” I asked.

  Dad nodded. “Yeah, I know you’re leaving tomorrow, and I wanted a chance to talk to you before you left.”

  “Okay,” I said, drawing out the word. We’d talked more this past week than we had in years. What was left to say?

  “I’ll give you two some privacy.” Trent kissed my temple and then left, closing the door s
oftly behind him.

  Dad watched Trent go, and then he turned his attention back to me. “He reminds me so much of myself when I was a young man.”

  Yeah, that wasn’t weird. What girl wanted to date a younger version of their father? I waited, simultaneously hoping he did and didn’t explain himself.

  “I met your mother in college, you know.” Dad moved farther into the room. “Did she ever tell you how we met?”

  “No. She really didn’t talk about you after you left. I think it was too painful for her.”

  Dad frowned. “We’d been set up on a blind date by some mutual friends. Neither of us wanted to be there.” He walked around the room, almost like he was too nervous to stand still. “I took her to this really crappy diner. The food was awful, and I’m pretty sure we both ended up with food poisoning.” He laughed. “But your mother… She could make the best of any situation, and she made me laugh so much that night.”

  “That sounds like Mom.” I smiled.

  “God, I loved your mother.” There was a regret in his voice I’d never heard before. “Sarah was and always will be my one true love.”

  I gasped at the sound of him saying her name. That was the first time I’d heard him use it. Every time we talked about her, he always referred to her as “your mother.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I love Larissa and Little Frank.” He dragged his hand over his head. “But seeing you with Trent… it reminds me of those early days with Sarah. The way I could never take my eyes off her. The way I could never stop smiling when I was with her. How we could never keep our hands to ourselves.” He shook his head, smiling as if lost in a distant, private memory.

  I blinked back tears. I’d never heard my father talk like this, but it was a side of him I wished I’d gotten to see more often.

  “You and Trent are the same way. Though, I’m not thrilled with how he’s always touching you.” Dad scowled. “You are still my little girl.”

  I half laughed, half cried and cupped my hand over my mouth.

  “But I see the way he looks at you, and it’s so clear to me how much he loves you. Not many men would face off with me like he did.” Dad put his hands on my shoulders and bent his knees so he was eye-level with me. “I know what he is, and while I’ve never wanted that life for you, if it’s what you want, you have my blessing.”

  “It is,” I said through my tears. “I love him, Dad. More than anything.”

  “Yeah, I know you do.” Dad hugged me, and I clung to him for several long moments. “Well, I’d better get back downstairs before Larissa starts to worry.” Dad released me. “Drive safe tomorrow, okay?”

  I nodded and wiped my face. “We will.”

  Dad opened the door, then turned back. “I’m proud of you, Chloe.” And then he left.

  I stood in the middle of the room, stunned, trying to process everything that just happened. My father was proud of me, and he’d given me his blessing to be with Trent. I knew that couldn’t have been easy for him, not when he knew what the eventual outcome would be.

  “Dad! Wait!” I rushed out of the room, desperate to tell him thank you and that I loved him, but when I got into the hallway, he was gone.

  Trent was at the opposite end of the hall, and my heart kickstarted at the sight of him. Until I realized he was holding Olivia Parker in his arms. My eyes widened, but when Olivia giggled and then kissed him, white hot rage poured through my veins. What was going on?

  As if finally realizing I was there, Trent glanced up, and our gazes collided. Shock followed by guilt followed by understanding flashed behind his eyes.

  “Chloe…” he said.

  I spun around and let myself into the room. Sliding my back down the door, I tucked my knees to my chest. Why was Trent holding Olivia? Why had he let her kiss him? Was all that stuff he’d said earlier just a load of crap? Sharp, ragged pain sliced through my heart.

  “Chloe.” Trent banged on the door. “I can explain. Please let me in.”

  “Go away,” I said between sobs.

  “I’m not going away,” he said, his words tight, and I could easily picture him standing out there, jaw clenched, eyes a stormy blue. “I’ll sit out here all night if I have to.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut in an effort to rid my mind of his face. Sobs wracked my body, and my emotions bounced from utter, heartbroken despair to seething jealousy that made me want to kill Olivia. Like, actually kill her. How dare she kiss Trent! How dare he let her. He hadn’t even tried to stop her.

  Trent was mine. My soulmate. No one should be kissing him but me, and he shouldn’t want to kiss anyone but me. Part of me wanted to get up, march into that hallway, and rip Olivia from his arms. Then I was going to punch Trent in the throat.

  Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to move. I didn’t really want to hurt Trent—or Olivia, really—I just wanted him back. I wanted him in my arms, telling me he loved me, that there was no one else but me.

  I had no idea how long I sat on the floor, crying, trying to make sense of my emotions, but I’d been there long enough for my legs to go numb. Muffled voices sounded in the hall, and then there was another knock on the door.

  “Go away, Trent,” I said.

  “It’s Simon.”

  I jerked my head up. What was Simon doing out there? Better yet, why was he knocking on my door with Trent standing out there? Trent didn’t like Simon, and I highly doubted Trent was okay with this. Unless Trent had left.

  I stood, wiped my face, took a deep breath, and then opened the door. Simon stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, looking as handsome as he had earlier. I was positive I looked like a train wreck, but I didn’t care.

  Trent stood a few feet behind Simon, his expression tormented.

  “What do you want, Simon?” I asked. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders.

  “You know Trent and I aren’t mates.” Simon tossed a dirty glance over his shoulder at Trent. “But he didn’t do anything wrong.”

  I laughed bitterly. Simon was defending Trent? Was this really happening? Tonight couldn’t possibly get any stranger.

  “I know what I saw,” I snapped, refusing to let him try to tell me any different.

  “Livi is drunk,” Simon said. “And I’m pretty sure someone slipped something into her drink.”

  My eyes widened.

  “I was bringing her to her room, but she’d left her purse with her keycard downstairs. So, when we got off the elevator, and I saw Trent—”

  “He asked me to watch her so he could run down to get her purse,” Trent interrupted.

  My gaze darted from Simon to Trent and back again. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that they were working together to convince me to forgive Trent.

  “I didn’t want to leave her alone,” Simon said. “And she was in no condition to keep walking, so I dumped her on Trent.”

  I crossed my arms and glared at Trent. “Then why did she kiss you? And why didn’t you stop her?”

  “She called me Greg and then kissed me. Right before she passed out. It happened before I realized it,” Trent said, sighing with exhaustion.

  “Greg’s her newest bloke,” Simon explained. “The wanker stood her up tonight.” He shrugged. “So, now you know. Whatever you decide to do next is up to you.” Simon stepped forward like he wanted to hug me but then thought better of it. “It was good seeing you again, Chloe.” With a small smile, he walked away.

  Trent cautiously approached, stopping on the other side of the threshold. “Can I please come in now?” He sounded so broken, which caused a fresh wave of tears over my cheeks.

  Nodding, I stepped aside so he could enter, and all the mixed emotions came flooding back. The rage and jealousy and heartache and possessiveness. “I wanted to kill her,” I said.

  “What? Who? Olivia?”

  I scowled at the sound of her name on his lips. “Yes. Olivia,” I bit out. “Seeing her in your arms… I wanted to kill her. And I thought about killing you, too. But then
all I wanted to do was hug you and tell you how much I loved you, because I couldn’t stand the thought of not having you in my life.”

  “I’m sorry.” Trent pulled me into his arms and cradled my head against his chest.

  My emotions weren’t anywhere near as intense as his—not yet, anyway—and I could barely stand it sometimes.

  “When I claimed you, we become connected. All you want is me, to love me and protect me and make me happy. And that’s all I want for you, too. So, when anyone interferes with that…” He stroked my hair. “It causes a very visceral reaction. I had hoped you’d never have to experience this.”

  “How do you do it?” I whispered. “How do you live with these feelings? Mine aren’t even heightened, and I can barely handle them. What’s going to happen when I change and they’re worse?”

  “I’m still learning how to deal with them.” He hugged me tighter. “I struggle with them every single day, but I know that you love me.” Trent took my face in his hands and caressed my cheeks with his thumbs. “I trust in you, Chloe. In us. In the knowledge that what we have is real and strong and that nothing can come between us.”

  Now I felt like an even bigger jerk for reacting the way I had, but in my defense, the emotions had hit me so hard and so unexpectedly I was powerless to stop them. Between the bond and Trent claiming me, my reactions made sense, I supposed, but that didn’t make them any less terrifying.

  “What happens if I react like this after I change, and I end up killing someone in a fit of jealous rage?” I asked. I had a new respect for what he dealt with and how he hadn’t murdered his own brother after finding out he’d bitten me, or when he’d caught us kissing.

  “I won’t let that happen,” he said.

  “I really don’t deserve you.” I attempted to hang my head, but Trent firmed his hold, refusing to let me look away.

  “You deserve so much better than me, Chloe, but I’m too selfish to let you go again.” He grazed his thumb over my lips, and I closed my eyes. “What we have, it’s forever.”

  “For eternity,” I corrected with a small smile and opened my eyes.

  “My love for you goes far beyond an eternity,” he whispered and then kissed me.