Accepting the pen, she smoothed out the papers, her eyes reading them one last time. Trent watched as she touched the pen to the signature line, then paused and glanced up at him one more time. When she signed her name across the line, he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
“This will be good for both of us.” Trent took back the papers. “Just think about the fun lunch breaks we can have together.” His tone of voice let her know that those lunch breaks wouldn’t involve any actual food. Once the agreement was safely back in his pocket, he moved toward her. “Maybe we should look at those designs before we get distracted with other activities, sweetheart.” He kissed her, just a gentle press of his lips against hers.
Addie’s entire face lit up with excitement. “I think you’ll love the designs for the bathrooms.” Standing, she tugged on his hand. “Let’s go sit in my office. My computer is in there.”
In her office, she nudged him toward the only chair in the room. “Sit. I’ll get another chair from the kitchen.”
“No need.” Trent dropped into the office chair and then pulled Addie into his lap. “Okay, let’s see what you came up with.”
Trent kissed her neck as she pulled up the files, more than content to spend the entire evening doing just that.
“This is my plan for the wife’s bathroom.”
Trent looked over her shoulder at the computer screen. In the pictures, the claw foot tub remained as did the separate room for the toilet, but that was all that looked the same. In what had been an empty wall, she’d added two windows that cast light into a custom- built shower stall large enough for two. The old pedestal sink had been replaced with an extra long vanity that blended with the built-in makeup table making it look like one solid piece. Blue gray granite topped the vanity. Two additional mirrors hung over the long vanity in addition to the one already over the makeup table. Wall lights were positioned on either side of the mirrors. A chandelier hung from the ceiling and all new tiles lined the floor.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“Is there anything you’d change?”
He assumed since she’d come up with the design, she must like it and he planned on it being her personal space someday soon. “Not a thing. Let’s see the other one.”
***
Opening her eyes, Addie lifted her head and looked at Trent. His eyes remained closed, his breathing even. Careful not to wake him, she lowered her head back to his chest, a small sigh of contentment escaping her. Long before tonight she’d suspected that she loved him but kept the knowledge locked away, afraid that if she slipped it would send him running for the woods. Never in a million years had she expected him to blurt it out. While a part of her would’ve liked it to happen in a more romantic way, it didn’t change the fact. Trent loved her. Joy bubbled up inside her. She’d already known he cared. Every one of his actions showed it. Love, though, she’d not anticipated, especially at this point in their relationship.
For a while she remained in bed cuddled up next to him, more content then she’d been in a long time. Outside she heard a car stop and a door slam. Not long afterward she heard a knock on her front door. With Trent looking so peaceful, she moved slowly, not wanting to wake him. Once free of his embrace, she grabbed her clothes from the floor. A quick peak out her bedroom window revealed a blue Ford she didn’t recognize parked behind Trent’s car.
Since Marcy Blake’s visit no other reporters had stopped by, but Trent had warned her more would likely follow. With that thought in mind, Addie peeked out the peephole drilled into her front door. Then with a squeal of joy, she pulled open the door. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe you’re here,” Addie half shouted, half cried when her brother, Rock, walked in. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Tears of happiness coursed down her face as she hugged him.
Rock wrapped his arms around her. “I wanted to surprise everyone.” He pulled back and kissed her cheek. “I stopped here first.”
Unable to contain her surprise and happiness, she hugged him one more time and kissed him back. When she pulled away, Rock’s eyes scanned her hair and face. “Whose car is that in the driveway?”
Heat climbed up the back of her neck. She could just imagine what her hair looked like, and with a car in the driveway her brother knew she wasn’t alone. “That’s—” Addie began, but before she could finish, Trent appeared at the top of the stairs wearing nothing but his suit pants.
“Why didn’t you wake me... ” Trent’s voice trailed off.
Embarrassment like she’d never known exploded inside her and her face burned as Trent came down the stairs half-naked as if he lived there.
“I guess I should’ve called first,” Rock said from next to her. “I’m Rock, Addie’s brother.” Rock extended his hand when Trent stopped in front of him.
Addie watched Trent shake her brother’s hand, still as cool as a cucumber. For a moment she wondered if he often greeted his girlfriend’s family members like this. “Trent Sherbrooke,” he said with no hint of embarrassment even though any idiot could figure out what they’d just been doing. “Your sister’s boyfriend.”
Rock held Trent’s gaze and Addie held her breath. Her brother had hated her last boyfriend though she never knew why; they’d only met once. She didn’t want that to be the case now. She might not see her brothers often, but they were an important part of her life. She valued their opinions. After a few seconds, Rock looked over at her again. “I saw pictures of you two together on the cover of some magazines at the PX. Not exactly the way a guy wants to learn about his sister’s new boyfriend.”
She could imagine how shocked she’d be if the tables were reversed. “Sorry. I meant to call you; I’ve just been busy.”
Rock shot a look in Trent’s direction then back at her. “I can see that,” Rock said, always one to give her a hard time.
Another flame of heat burned her face. “Why don’t you go in the kitchen? There are some leftovers from dinner. We’ll be there in a minute.”
Rock ruffled her hair. “If you want to get rid of me, just say so.” He started down the hall. “Mind if I make some coffee?”
“Whatever,” she called, happy her brother had complied. “I’m sorry, Trent. I didn’t know he was coming.”
“Don’t worry about it. It gives me a chance to meet more of your family.” He started to walk toward the kitchen, but before he got far, Addie grabbed his arm. “What’s the matter?”
“Shouldn’t you put a shirt on? This is my brother. He might know what we were doing, but I don’t necessarily want to remind him.”
“If it’ll make you feel better.” Trent walked back toward the stairs. “Should I put my tie back on, too?” he asked with humor.
Addie threw him a dirty look. “It’s a good thing I love you because you’re impossible.” She heard Trent laugh as she continued on into the kitchen where her brother sat snacking away on the leftovers he found in the refrigerator while a pot of coffee brewed.
“So that’s the famous Trent Sherbrooke,” Rock said before Addie even sat down. “Looks like those magazine headlines were right. You and Trent Sherbrooke have been having fun together.”
“Rock,” she said, a clear warning in her voice. She didn’t want her brother giving either of them a hard time tonight.
“What? I didn’t say anything.” He gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. “You two have been on the cover of magazines at least two or three times this week. And as long as you don’t mind that and you’re happy, then I am happy for you.” He speared a piece of chicken with his fork.
“I don’t love the media attention, but I am happy,” she admitted. For the most part she tried to not think about the attention that went along with dating Trent. “Where are you staying while you’re here?”
Her brother paused, his fork raised. “I was going to ask if I could stay here, but I get the impression you might not want me.”
“Of course you can stay here.”
Rock polished off the
food on his plate and returned to the refrigerator for dessert, pausing at the coffee pot on his way back to the table. “I don’t want to be in the way. I can stay with Mom and Dad.”
The rich aroma of coffee had Addie following her brother’s lead. “Mom will drive you crazy. Stay here.”
“Addie, why don’t you stay with me and let your brother have your place?” Trent said as he joined them in the kitchen, this time fully dressed including his shoes. “That way he has some privacy, and I have you. What do you think, Rock?”
Across from her, Rock studied Trent, neither man breaking eye contact. After what felt like a lifetime, her brother nodded and looked over at her. “I like the idea.”
She didn’t know what secret message had just passed between the two men and she didn’t intend to find out either. In fact, she rather liked the idea, too. It would allow her not only to see Trent every day, but also fall asleep and wake up with him every day as well. “The place is yours. How long are you here for anyway?”
Rock swallowed the food in his mouth. “About two weeks.” He raised his zeppola towards his mouth again. “Are you sure? Mom and Dad have the room.”
“Positive. You’d go nuts there and it’ll put me closer to my office.”
The question of where her brother would stay settled, Addie stood. “I’m going to go pack. I’ll be right back. Be nice while I’m gone, Rock.” She jabbed her brother in the arm as she walked by him. “You too, Trent.”
Chapter 13
Late Friday night Addie unlocked Trent’s apartment door. For almost a week now, she’d lived at his downtown apartment and everyday it became more and more natural to come back there after work. In fact, she didn’t want to think about going back to living without him when her brother vacated her place.
Before walking any further in, she kicked off her sneakers. Tonight had been her final shift at the bakery. When she’d given her two-week notice, her mom had insisted it wasn’t necessary. Despite her mom’s claims otherwise, she’d promised that she’d work her scheduled hours that week. After much bickering back and forth, her mom conceded.
After depositing her shoes in a hall closet, she continued on into the well-lit but empty living room. Other than the lights there was no sign of Trent anywhere, which wasn’t unusual. She learned he didn’t leave his belongings around. Like her, he kept things neat and well ordered. His lack of presence in the living room meant he was more than likely in one of two places: his home gym or his office. Judging by the time, she guessed the office. He mentioned catching up on some extra work before the weekend.
“How’s she feeling?” she heard Trent say as she approached the office, the door ajar. “Are you sure she’ll be up for visitors this weekend?”
Addie stood in the open door as Trent spoke on his phone. With his back to the door, he’d yet to notice her. From his tone of voice and relaxed posture she assumed he spoke to a friend about a non-urgent matter. “Will Uncle Warren be there?”
Not a friend, a family member, maybe a sibling or one of his cousins. He had three brothers and a sister plus eight or nine cousins just on his father’s side of the family, and they’d all at one time or another popped up in the media.
“That sucks, he must have been disappointed.” Trent turned away from the windows toward the office door. The minute his eyes landed on her, he smiled and waved her in. “Listen I have to go, but we’ll see you tomorrow. Congratulations again.” Trent tossed his phone down as he strode toward her, closing the gap between them. Without so much as even a hello, he pulled her against him and kissed her as if ten months had passed since they’d last seen each other rather than ten hours. “I’ve missed you,” he said when he pulled back, leaving her breathing ragged and her heart beating double time.
He slipped his hand under her T-shirt, his hands skimming up her rib cage as he kissed the pulse pounding in her neck. “I’ve thought about this all day,” he whispered, his fingers undoing her bra.
Addie moaned when his hands took possession of her breast, his thumbs flicking back and forth across her nipples. “I missed you, too.” She let her own hands slide up under his shirt and then up his back.
Trent pulled away from her neck, but his hands continued to tease. “That’s it? You only missed me?” He sounded annoyed, but she knew it was only an act. “I couldn’t think of anything but getting you naked and all you can say is you missed me? I guess I’ll have to try harder from now on to pleasure you.” With no other warning, he pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it over his shoulder.
“Okay, I really missed you.”
“So that’s how it’s going to be tonight,” he said with a wicked grin. Before she offered up any kind of answer, he unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them and her underwear down in one movement. Then he picked her up and deposited her on the edge of his desk. Spreading her legs wide, he stepped between them, his T-shirt rubbing against her nipples, which missed his earlier caress. “The next time we’re apart I want you to think about tonight.”
Without another word, he kissed her, his tongue sliding into her mouth as he drew her closer to him, his erection pressing against her. As he kissed her, his arms kept her locked against him. Then just like that he pulled away and switched his attention from her lips to her neck. As if he had all the time in the world, he worked his way down her body. When he took her left nipple in his mouth she sighed. When he switched to her other side and lavished that nipple with the same attention, she closed her eyes. Once he’d driven her a little mad, he began to pull away, but she dug her fingers into his hair in an effort to keep him there.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come back to here,” he whispered and started trail of kisses downward.
“You better,” she answered as he placed a kiss on the lower half of her rib cage.
Each kiss added to the explosive current that raced through her. At any minute Addie expected to explode into a million tiny pieces and die a happy woman. At least until his lips passed her navel and kept on moving south. In an instant some of the fog in her brain cleared and her eyes flew open. Addie placed her hands on either side of his head in a weak effort to stop him.
Trent looked up at her, but his hands remained on her thighs. “Do you really want me to stop?” He trailed one hand up her thigh and over her, stopping just where his lips had been a moment ago. On cue Addie moaned as another level of desire took hold. Unable to do much more than shake her head no, she watched him smile before he returned his lips to the same spot his hand had been and kissed her.
Just when she reached the final breaking point, he pulled away. With swift movements, he tossed his own shirt in one direction and kicked his jeans to the side.
“I love you,” he said as he slid inside, joining them together.
Her mind on overload, she could do little more than hold on for the ride as incredible pleasure and love flowed through her body.
“I might never be able to work in here again,” Trent said a little while later. After their lovemaking on the edge of his desk, he’d carried her over to his chair and sat down with her on his lap. “You might need to turn one of those guest rooms into a new office for me because every time I come in here, I’ll be distracted now.”
“And whose fault is that?” she asked kissing his cheek.
Trent looked at her, one eyebrow raised. “I didn’t hear you complaining a little while ago.”
Addie ran a hand down his bare chest. “I’m not complaining now either, just making a statement.”
“I’m glad you’re home,” he said, changing the topic of the conversation.
You’re home; wow, she liked the sound of that. “Me, too. Who were you talking to when I walked in?”
Trent kept one arm locked around her waist while his other moved up and down her thigh. “Dylan. Callie had the baby yesterday morning.”
With no further explanation she knew which cousin he referred to. Callie Talbot, previously Callie Taylor, had made all the headlines when the world learne
d her father was Warren Sherbrooke a few years earlier. The media had yet another field day when she married Warren’s stepson Dylan Talbot, the current CEO of Sherbrooke Enterprises.
“I read somewhere she was due in October.”
“The baby didn’t get that memo,” Trent joked. “I think Dylan said the baby was three weeks early.”
“Did they have a boy or a girl?” She’d never met the couple, but it was a typical question.
“A boy. They named him James Warren Talbot. They invited us to their place in Connecticut for the weekend.”
Addie ran the name through her head. “I like that name. It’s has a nice ring to it.” She guessed the middle name was in honor of Callie’s father and wondered if James was another family name. “Us? Don’t you mean you?”
“Nope. I don’t want to go all weekend without you unless absolutely necessary.”
Meeting the newest member of the family struck her as a close family affair. “Are you sure they won’t mind?”
“Dylan specifically told me to invite you. He and Callie want to meet you. Besides, I want you to meet them, too. Dylan’s a close friend. I’ve known him all my life. And you’ll love Callie. Everyone does.”
Addie rested her head on Trent’s shoulder, tired from her long day. “Okay, when do we leave?”
The hand he’d used to caress her arm switched to her hair as he began to unbraid it. “In the morning after we get up. There’s no rush. We’ll come home Sunday night.”
Closing her eyes, she smiled at his words. “I like when you say that.”
Redeeming The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 5) Page 15