by Cat Schield
“I can’t wait to see it.”
Trent guided her through a set of French doors that let out onto a wide, covered terrace. In addition to the guesthouse, his backyard hosted a large pool with a swim-up bar and a pool house, an outdoor movie screen and a putting green. Savannah put on the brakes as soon as she stepped outside.
“Is that a slide?” She pointed out the towering water slide that spiraled from the second-floor terrace to the pool. “I’m not sure this is going to work out for Dylan and me.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a big boy playground.” And from the way she was looking at him, he was the big boy.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Don’t you think having your sister-in-law and her infant son living in your guesthouse will cramp your style?”
“I’m not planning on throwing any wild parties while you’re here, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”
She sighed and gave him her full attention. “We’ll stay just a couple days. Long enough for me to get my feet back under me and to find a place we can rent for a little while.”
“Stay as long as you want,” Trent said and meant every word. “Now that that’s settled, are you ready to see the guesthouse?”
Six
Shaded by the palm trees that dotted the landscape, Savannah sat beside Trent’s pool with her feet dangling in the lukewarm water. No breeze stirred the air and sweat trickled down her skin. She was ready for the break in the heat the forecasters promised for later in the week. Apparently in the weeks leading up to Halloween, the highs in Las Vegas dropped from upper nineties to low eighties.
Beside her on the terra-cotta tile sat a plate with half a tuna sandwich and a glass of iced tea. Nearby, Dylan slept peacefully in a portable crib and Murphy snored happily on a shaded lounge chair. They’d been living in Trent’s guesthouse for four days. With his backyard as gorgeously landscaped as any five-star resort, Savannah felt as if she was on vacation, not in the midst of a personal crisis.
She felt safe for the first time since she’d found out that Rafe was sick. Already her guards were coming down. Which troubled her because she hadn’t only been motivated by fear of what Siggy might try next when she let Trent talk her into returning to Las Vegas. She’d also been swept up in a giddy euphoria that he’d cared enough to worry about her. In short, Savannah’s reasons for coming to Las Vegas were more about what might happen with Trent than what had happened with Siggy.
Today she would stop procrastinating and corner Trent about what was going on with the label. She knew he and his friend had been digging into the company’s files, and she needed to know what they’d found. But given the way he’d avoided answering her inquiries so far, she worried that what they’d found was really bad.
Just then, Trent came out onto the patio from the main house. Over the past few days, Savannah had noticed more and more that if she thought hard enough about Trent, he either appeared or called. In the old days she might have thought this meant they were in sync. These days she chalked it up to her infringement on his bachelor lifestyle.
“You look happy,” he said, keeping his voice low as he approached. Today he wore a pair of khaki pants and a white polo that brought out his tan. His blue eyes flicked toward Dylan’s crib. “I think Vegas agrees with you.”
“I think what agrees with me is feeling safe for the first time since Rafe died and I found out how bad our financial situation really was.”
“It’s going to be okay.”
She studied his features and felt reassured by his sincerity. “Can you tell me what you found out about the business?”
“It’s as you expected. The financials are not in good shape. They haven’t been paying their artists everything they’re owed. One or two probably won’t sign another contract.”
“What can we do?”
“West Coast Records has several strong artists. But there are too many who’ve done nothing. It’s not their fault. They weren’t well managed. A few of them could be kept on, provided their next albums are better produced.”
“But who’s going to do that? I don’t know anything about the music side of things. I might be able to run the business side with help, but when it comes right down to it, the label needs someone like you who can do both.”
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not going to happen. My father will never allow me to take over the company.”
“Not even if you can save it from going under?”
“From the correspondence between him, Gerry and Rafe, Siggy doesn’t believe the company is in trouble.”
“How is that possible? Surely even if Rafe kept how bad it was from him, Gerry would have told Siggy the truth.”
“And been the one to shatter the old man’s vision of his perfect firstborn son?”
Savannah heard the bitterness in Trent’s voice. No matter what he said to the contrary, it still stung that his father showed him so little respect.
“Besides,” Trent continued, “Gerry has had his own agenda these past couple of years.”
Not liking the sound of that, Savannah asked, “What sort of agenda?”
“Some of the company’s troubles stem from Gerry’s embezzling.”
“Embezzling?” Savannah shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing.
“Apparently he’s been stealing money from the company for years. He’s been in the perfect position to steal and hide it. I’m sure as years went on and he wasn’t caught he grew bolder. And when he was passed over for CEO in favor of Rafe, he probably figured he’d get whatever he could and get out.”
“What do we do? Do we call the police?”
“Unfortunately Gerry is a lot cleverer than my father ever gave him credit for. Not only did he steal money, he made it look as if Rafe took it. Only by digging into Gerry’s finances was Logan able to find out that Gerry’s spending outpaced his salary and bonuses.”
Savannah’s hopes plummeted. Nothing they’d found helped her situation. The company was likely on the verge of bankruptcy and so was she.
“Come on,” Trent said, stripping off his shirt as he headed toward the pool house. “Let’s go for a swim.”
When she’d packed for Vegas the first time, she hadn’t planned to be vacationing. “I don’t have a suit.”
The most she’d done in the last few days was to wade in the shallow end of the pool so that she could let Dylan frolic in the water. Given how hot the last few days had been, this hadn’t been satisfying, but she’d been reluctant to venture off the property and go shopping for herself.
“I keep all sorts of suits in the pool house,” Trent replied, disappearing into the building. Less than a minute later, he was back wearing swim trunks, his glorious chest and abs bare to the sun. “Try one of these.”
It did not surprise Savannah one bit that the bikinis Trent held up were on the tiny side. “I don’t suppose you have a one-piece in there somewhere.”
He shook his head. “The last thing you need is a one-piece. You have a gorgeous body. You should show it off.”
She’d had a gorgeous body. Now she carried a little extra weight on her hips and knew Trent liked his girls lean and fit. Almost as soon as the thought arrived, she dismissed it. What did it matter how Trent liked his women? She wasn’t one of them. With a heartfelt sigh, Savannah got to her feet and took the bikinis Trent held out.
“I know he’s sleeping, but could you keep an eye on Dylan while I change?”
After what had happened in LA, she was having a hard time letting Dylan out of her sight. If Trent had noticed her paranoia, he hadn’t said anything. Savannah knew she would have to eventually leave her son in someone else’s care, but for right now she was more comfortable keeping him close by.
Trent was peering at a sleeping Dylan when Savannah returned. In this unguarded moment Trent’s expression captivated her. With his features softened in wonder, he looked younger and happier. Even though he didn’t
realize Dylan was his son, he was growing attached to the boy. This made Savannah’s stomach tighten in an uncomfortable knot. Part of her wanted to tell Trent that he was Dylan’s father. But would he believe her? Or would he see this as a ploy to manipulate him?
Better that the secret remain hidden. Trent liked his bachelor lifestyle and his freedom. No reason to disrupt either. She appreciated his help with the company and wouldn’t burden him with the one thing he never wanted—a family.
“What?”
“Hmm?”
She came out of her thoughts and found him staring at her.
“You are looking at me funny. I’m not a complete idiot when it comes to kids, you know.”
“You’re not?” She retreated into friendly banter. “And where did you get all your experience?”
“For a couple months last year, I dated a woman who had two.”
“Two what?”
“Two children. Agnes and Theo. They were four and eight. Great kids.”
This news caused Savannah’s confidence to implode. After everything he’d said about not wanting a family, he’d dated a woman with children. It felt like betrayal, which was ridiculous. He could date anyone he pleased. It was no business of hers. After all, she’d married his brother.
“That’s nice.” The urge to run over, pick up her son and hug him close was almost painful in its intensity. Savannah recognized her need for comfort.
“She was great. The kids were great.”
“Sounds great.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me what happened?”
Savannah shook her head. “Are we going to swim or talk?”
Without waiting for his answer, she dived into the pool. The tepid water felt refreshing after the afternoon heat, and Savannah swam beneath the surface until her lungs burned. She rose, snatched a quick breath and dived again. Not until her fingers touched the pool’s far wall did she come up again. Sucking in huge gulps of air, she turned and pushed off to stroke back the way she’d come.
Damn Trent for making her feel jealous. She had no right to the emotion where he was concerned. Most of the women she pictured him with were young party girls. She’d never imagined him dating someone with baggage. In the back of her mind a distressed voice called, Why not me?
At some point during her frantic swim, Trent had entered the pool. He stood near the center, his expression unreadable as she approached. Savannah stopped several feet away and gazed toward the portable crib. Through the mesh sides, she could see Dylan sleeping peacefully.
“She didn’t mean anything to me.”
Savannah couldn’t believe Trent was continuing the conversation. “Really, it’s none of my business.”
“It was six months after you and I broke up. I wanted to see what dating a woman with kids was like.” Obviously, Trent was not going to let it go.
“And what was it like?”
“Not bad. Different. We didn’t really date. More like hung out. Right off the bat she told me she wasn’t interested in someone like me.”
“A party boy?”
“She wanted someone she could build a future with.”
Savannah knew what that was like. “But she dated you anyway.”
“She’d been divorced about a year and was looking to getting her feet wet in the dating pool.” Trent ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand up in all directions. “I met her at the club. We went out once and both of us knew right away it wasn’t going to work out.”
“But you kept seeing her.”
“There was no pressure.”
Savannah had tried to keep things free and easy while they’d dated, but she hadn’t always been successful. In her heart, she’d longed for a future with him. A life filled with children and happiness.
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not like you. You always have a reason for what you do.”
“I usually have a reason for what I do. Except when it comes to you.”
“Trent—”
Before she could finish whatever it was that she’d been about to say, his arms went around her and his lips found hers. Held tight against his strong body, Savannah gave herself to the powerful emotions surging through her. With her fingers buried in his hair, she hung on for dear life as he devoured her mouth. The water gave her buoyancy and she floated in a bubble of joy.
She wanted him. She wanted this.
The privacy offered by the lush landscaping around the pool eased Savannah’s doubts as Trent released the clasp holding her bikini top in place. She gasped as his lips drifted down her neck and settled over the wildly beating pulse in her throat. She wrapped her legs around his hips, feeling his erection hard against her stomach. His right hand came between them and settled over her breast while his other hand cupped her butt, lifting her partially out of the water.
She reveled in the sweep of his tongue over her nipple. It tightened into an aching peak as he laved it once more before pulling the hard bud into his mouth and sucking. She closed her eyes and let the delicious sensations wash over her. After the first time they’d made love, the passion she and Trent shared left Savannah convinced that they belonged together. But no matter how overpowering and all-consuming the connection was between them, Trent wasn’t about to settle down and give her the life she craved.
Over the heartbeat thundering in her ears, she heard the soft sounds Dylan made as he stirred to wakefulness. Her hands had worked their way down Trent’s torso to the waistband of his swim shorts. Desire clouded her mind, but Savannah’s maternal instincts were stronger. With a shudder she broke off their kiss and pushed against Trent’s shoulders.
“Dylan,” she gasped, shuddering as Trent’s fingertips grazed the edge of her bathing suit bottoms, tantalizing inches from where she ached. “He’s waking up. I need to get to him.”
Without a hint of reluctance or disappointment, Trent set her free. As she swam to the pool’s edge, she wasn’t sure whether to feel relief or regret that he was being so understanding. With conflicting emotions churning in her gut, Savannah quickly toweled off and went to check on her son.
Dylan was rubbing his eyes, but when she spoke his name, he looked up at her with a wide grin. Savannah’s heart melted. How lucky she was to have such a wonderful baby boy. Hearing Trent emerge from the pool, she glanced over her shoulder at him. If she couldn’t have the love of her life, at least she had his son.
“I’d better get back to the guesthouse so I can change him.”
“Savannah, about what just happened...”
“There’s no need to say anything.” Her heart contracted at his need to make excuses. “It’s always been like this between us.”
“And that’s it?”
“What more is there? Nothing else about our situation has changed. We’re the same people who broke up two years ago because I wanted a family and you didn’t.”
“I guess we are.” His neutral expression told her nothing. “It’s just always been easy to forget our differences when I’m kissing you.”
He was certainly right about that. And the more time she spent around him, the more likely they would be to indulge in their passion for each other. But there was no future in that. She needed to start thinking about where she was going and what she was going to do.
“Do you have some time this afternoon to start coming up with a plan for straightening out the company?”
“I have a couple of meetings at the club that should take me into early evening. How about we do a late dinner here?”
“Seven?”
“Sounds about right.”
Savannah wrapped herself in a dry towel and then picked up Dylan. She offered Trent a bright smile that hid her heavy heart. “I’ll see you then.”
* * *
As soon as Savannah disappeared in the direction of the guesthouse, Trent dived back into the pool. To burn off some of his sexual frustration, he swam hard for several laps
before levering himself out and flopping onto a nearby lounge chair. For the last four days he’d been tormented by Savannah’s proximity. Night was the worst. Knowing she slept mere steps from his big empty bed had summoned every memory of their time together. To keep himself from acting on his fantasies about her, he’d taken to spending long hours at the club and not returning home until the sky lightened toward dawn.
All of which had simply stoked his hunger, making him unable to keep his hands off her moments earlier. And now he’d agreed to a late dinner under the guise of talking business.
With a growl, Trent got to his feet and headed inside. She would expect him to have answers, and if he couldn’t provide any she might get frustrated enough to head back to LA and take Siggy on by herself. He needed to sort through their options. Just as important, he needed to chat with one of his partners in the club, Nate Tucker.
Trent showered and dressed in gray slacks and a bright blue shirt. His impulses pointed him toward the back of the house, where he might run into Savannah again. Cursing his weakness, Trent headed for his garage.
The gated community where he lived was a twenty-minute drive from the Cobalt. Negotiating the heavy Las Vegas traffic gave him plenty of time to ponder what had led up to that fantastic kiss in the pool. What had possessed him to tell Savannah about Karen? He wasn’t the type to dredge up past romances. And to belabor the fact that he’d dated a woman with children could only hurt Savannah.
Had he hoped to reiterate that he wasn’t a guy who wanted to be tied down with kids? An observer of the conversation might have wondered if Trent was trying to give the impression that he’d at least experimented with being a family guy.
When Trent got to Cobalt, instead of heading to his office at the club, he headed for the hotel’s executive offices. JT Stone, owner of the hotel, was a brilliant businessman and would have solid advice about how to deal with the failing record label. The two men had bonded over similar experiences growing up with difficult fathers and running family businesses. In JT’s case, he’d fought to regain control of the company that had been in the family for years and won. But in the end, he’d sold the family’s overleveraged hotel chain to his cousin in order to own Cobalt free and clear. That JT’s father had ended up in prison for fraud had been icing on the cake.