by Bella Andre
“Because. I’m…You’re…”
“We’re, isn’t that what you mean?” There was no denying the sparks between them. “Whether I buy you a gift or not doesn’t diminish the strength of our connection.”
He stepped closer, and she made a little whimpering sound.
“Trent,” she whispered, before clearing her throat and adding in a stronger voice, “we have to go. I promised Tami I’d go look at her work.”
It took every ounce of self-control to nod and move away from her rather than pull her into his arms. But when he couldn’t shift more than an inch away, he realized she had hooked her finger into the pocket of his jeans, keeping him close.
The look in her eyes when she realized it, too, told him that she’d surprised herself with the move as much as she’d surprised him.
But despite his desire to press his body to hers and kiss her until neither of them could remember anything but how good they made each other feel, he was determined not to go too fast, or he’d be taking a chance of messing things up again with Reese.
He wrapped his hand around hers and unhooked her finger from his waistband, then kissed her palm. “Shall we?”
Her lips parted, as if he were asking her if she wanted to go into the bedroom—and the heat in her eyes told him she was considering it.
Sweet Lord, trying to keep his hands off of her so that they could talk was shaping up to be one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his life. “Leave, I mean. To see your friend.”
“Yes.” She shook her head as if she were clearing her thoughts. “We should leave before we end up replaying history.” She walked into the cozy living room, where she grabbed her purse and a book off of a coffee table made from driftwood and glass. “Do you mind if we stop by Bay’s Edge on the way? I promised to drop off a book for a friend.”
“Sure,” he answered, wondering who her friend was. He’d heard that she worked with the residents of the care facility and knew they all had to be just as much in love with her as he was.
Everything in her house told of the creative and interesting woman Reese was, from the Tibetan peace flags that hung over the fireplace to the double Papasan chair beside the soft couch and the passionate, emotional paintings she’d hung on the walls. He saw her in every one of them. He could so easily imagine how it would have been if they’d lived here together. Reese would have walked barefoot through the cottage in the mornings, sunk into the Papasan chair, then patted it and asked him to join her. And he would have appreciated every single second with her in his arms.
Could that fantasy ever become a reality?
Hands in pockets, he reminded himself as he followed her out and checked the lock behind them. “There are certain parts of history that are worth replaying,” he said as he forgot his own reminder and draped an arm over her shoulder. When she stopped cold, he realized what he’d said and done.
“Everything feels so natural with you,” he admitted as she turned to face him on her front step. “Sometimes I forget that it’s been ten years.”
“I do, too,” she admitted. She was silent for a few moments, and he could see her weighing her thoughts before she finally admitted, “One minute I want to rip your clothes off, and the next I’m thinking about how long it’s been and how much has gone unsaid.”
He traced the edge of her jaw with his finger. “Reese.”
“And then you touch me like that and say my name like we’re in the bedroom and you’re about to… Ugh.” She threw her hands up in the air. “This is so hard.” She took one step away and spun around, eyes narrow with warning. “And don’t make a sexy comment about that either.”
Trent held his hands up in surrender even as he stepped closer and lowered his cheek to hers to whisper, “Just because something’s hard and just because it makes both of us nervous doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it, Reese. Worth absolutely everything.”
Chapter Twelve
THIS WAS THE exact moment Reese had both feared and desperately wanted since the very second she’d bumped into Trent a few days ago.
Her heart thundered in her chest as she fisted her hand in his black button-down shirt—the one that set off his smoldering blue eyes. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, which he knew drove her crazy. Damn him. She’d always loved to run her fingers through the smattering of hair on his chest. Trent was all man, and right here, right now, with his cheek pressed to hers and his warm breath whispering across her skin, she wanted him more than she ever had.
He drew back far enough to gaze into her eyes but remained close enough for her to see the starburst of gray surrounding his pupils, fusing with the blue that had gone nearly black with desire. She leaned in as he curled his fingers around the nape of her neck, and she couldn’t stop herself from brushing her lips lightly against his.
It was almost like a taunt of the way their lips used to crash together in a collision of hot passion and greed. Feeling his body pressed to hers, their hearts dancing to a frantic rhythm, made her body react like the past ten years had never existed. In that instant Reese knew she was in serious trouble. And when he slid his hand to the curve of her back she heard herself moan.
She had no business burying her fingers in his hair, but she was holding on to only a shred of rational thought, and it was fraying fast. He groaned, a needy, guttural sound that sent her brain firing again. She pushed from his arms, and swallowed hard against the desire to forget right from wrong and kiss him, because this wasn’t just some guy. This was Trent. But not the lawyer who gave up everything they had to climb his corporate ladder.
The mouth that had just brushed over hers, the hands that had caressed her, and the eyes that were staring back at her were those of the man she’d met a decade ago—and that was enough to scare her back to reality, because she knew he’d left that Trent behind ages ago.
“What was that?”
“Us,” he instantly replied. “Inescapable, unbreakable us.”
He was right. It was why she’d had to leave all those years ago—one touch from Trent could make her forget everything. She’d known it then, and she knew it now as she fought the urge to seal her lips over his and melt back into his arms. She took a step on shaky legs and reached for the car to steady herself while she tried to regain her resolve not to end up beneath his amazing body.
Reese was restless on the drive to Bay’s Edge as she fought to make herself keep distance between them when she desperately wanted to be closer. Her body was still vibrating from their near kiss, and she had to silently remind herself again and again that this was a talking outing, not a making-out date.
Trent parked, then came around to open her door. He reached for her hand, and electricity shot up her arm and through her chest like fireworks. How was she supposed to navigate between her new, even more powerful feelings and the underlying worries of repeating the past?
She had to ask him, “How are we going to do this?”
“I don’t know, Reese. But I’m hoping we can figure it out together.”
A car honked, which yanked her back to the parking lot they were standing in. “We should go in to see Tilly. She’s one of my favorite people, and I know she’ll love this book.”
* * *
BETWEEN THE LUST running through his veins and the desire on Reese’s face, Trent was sure they’d both spontaneously combust. But he could see how important her friend was to her, so he forced himself to put his hand on the small of her back and lead her through the parking lot.
“Hi, Kathleen,” she said to the woman behind the reception desk. “Is it all right if I stop in and see Tilly? I brought her a book.”
“Sure, Reese. Hello, Trent.” Kathleen ran her eyes between the two of them, and her lips curved into a smile.
“Great to see you again, Kathleen. How’s Tom?” Trent had played baseball with Kathleen’s son when they were in high school.
“He’s doing just fine. I wish he’d visit more often, but you know how that goes. Everyone’s
so busy these days. I heard that you and Quinn and Derek all moved back to run the resort. Is that right?”
“Yes, and it’s good to be back. Please tell Tom I said hello.”
Trent instinctively reached for Reese’s hand as they headed down a wide hallway. “How often do you teach here now?”
“Once a week, at least,” she said as they came to the game room. “Don’t hold my hand in here. It’s hard for me to concentrate when you do.”
“You do realize that makes it even more tempting.”
She glared at him, but there was a hint of humor in her eyes. As he followed her into the game room, he fantasized about how fun it would be to watch her squirm with desire. But Trent knew he was getting ahead of himself. Just because she was still reeling from their almost kiss, just as he was, that did not give him permission to act like she was his, no matter how much he wished that she were.
“Reese!” A bald man waved from a table, where he was playing cards with two women and another man, who was sitting in a wheelchair.
A television played loudly on the left side of the room, across from a couch, where there were another two women sitting beside each other.
“Hi, Morris,” Reese said as she walked toward him. “Hi, Norma,” she said to a gray-haired woman who was watching them with inquisitive eyes. “Are you playing bridge?”
“Nope. Strip poker. Want to join us?” Morris winked at Trent.
Reese laughed. “Not tonight, but thanks for the invite.”
Trent noticed that two women sitting at the next table were watching them with interest, too.
“Reese, don’t you want to introduce us to your gentleman friend?” Norma asked.
“Of course.” Reese held Trent’s gaze for a beat too long, and he knew she was trying to figure out how to introduce him. “This is Trent Rockwell.” Not her ex-husband and not her almost-date for the night, either. Just his name. “Trent, this is Morris and Norma Rickenbacker.”
Trent held out a hand to shake Morris’s. “Nice to meet you both.” He took Norma’s hand between both of his and held it for a moment. “Does your granddaughter Katie own the florist shop in town?”
“Yes, she does,” Norma said. “You were in school together, weren’t you?”
After he said that he had been, the two women from across the room called out, “Reese?”
“Hi, ladies. How are you tonight?”
“We’re fine, but aren’t you going to introduce us, too? I’m Martha,” one of the women said to him.
“Hi, Martha.” Trent went to greet her as Reese asked where Tilly was.
“And I’m Carin,” the darker-haired woman said. “Are you two on a date?”
Before answering, Trent turned to see if Reese wanted to chime in, but she was crouched between Norma and Morris, talking with the couple.
“I sure hope so,” he finally answered. He answered several more questions about himself and then Martha interrupted.
“Reese is really sweet.”
“Yes, she is,” Trent agreed.
“And pretty, don’t you think?” Carin added.
“Gorgeous.” Clearly, these women were intent on a little matchmaking, which he was all for.
“Don’t forget smart.” Morris tapped his finger on his forehead. “Our Reese is a very bright woman.”
Trent turned to agree just as Reese rose to her feet and looked toward the entrance to the room.
“Tilly!” Reese went to greet a tall black woman who was pushing a walker into the room.
Tilly’s eyes lit up when she saw Reese. Reese embraced her, and Tilly closed her eyes while returning the hug. It was obvious how much both of them treasured their friendship.
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Reese,” Tilly said, eyeing Trent with questions in her eyes.
“I promised to bring you this book.” Reese walked with her over to an armchair by the television, and Tilly lowered herself into the chair.
“It looks like you brought more than a book. Who is this handsome man?” Tilly coughed and pulled a tissue from the sleeve of her thick sweater.
“Are you getting a cold?” Reese’s eyes filled with concern.
“It’s nothing.” Tilly stuffed the tissue back into her sleeve. “Just a little cold.” Tilly had a very friendly face, and Trent could tell by the way she squeezed Reese’s hand that she didn’t want Reese to worry about her. “Hello there. I’m Tilly.”
“I’m Trent. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Very nice to meet you, too. It was kind of you to come by with Reese.”
“They’re on a date—at least he hopes they are,” Carin called from across the room. “Aren’t they cute together?”
Reese’s eyes widened as Carin added, “He’s very nice, too. He’s a Rockwell, and he’s just moved back to the island to help run the resort.”
“Carin used to work in human resources,” Tilly explained to them. “She can get information out of a stone.” She coughed again, and Reese crouched beside her chair.
“Would you like me to ask someone to get you cough medicine? Or would you like a glass of water?”
Tilly’s eyes warmed again. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I’ll be fine. It’s just a little cold. Go have fun tonight and thank you for the book.” She pressed her hand to the cover. Reese gave her another hug, and Tilly held her tightly again before pushing her back and saying, “Don’t you worry. I’m as tough as they come. A little cold isn’t enough to break me.”
When Trent leaned down to embrace Tilly, she whispered, “She’s a wonderful girl.”
He whispered back, “Yes, she is.”
Trent turned to find Carin and Martha standing with open arms, waiting for their hugs, too. By the time they left, Trent had hugged Morris and Norma, too, and Reese was shaking her head.
“Do you have to be so darn likable?” she said with an exasperated tone as they climbed back into the car. “Those poor women will be dreaming about you all night long.”
Trent fought the urge to lean across the console and take her in an intoxicating kiss as he said, “It’s not them I want to dream about me.”
Only you.
Chapter Thirteen
CROAKERS PARK WAS bustling with children giggling and running about, while friends sat chatting on benches and families walked through the flea market. Several tented booths created a horseshoe-shaped border around the grassy lawn where the children were playing.
“Do you remember the last time we went to a flea market together?” Trent asked after they’d gotten out of the car.
Of course she remembered. She’d never forgotten one second that they’d spent together. It was crazy that the sparks between them hadn’t faded one bit—if anything, they felt stronger after being apart for so long. But she couldn’t let herself forget how quickly he’d changed in New York. She shouldn’t be pulled right back into his arms without some sort of assurance that he’d really changed.
Unfortunately, knowing she shouldn’t and fighting her attraction to him were a world apart.
“We went behind the boulders,” she finally answered.
He reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “You were so sexy, Reese.”
“We almost got caught so many times.” She flushed with the memory of that afternoon. They’d been looking at arts and crafts, and every time Trent touched her, she wanted him more, needed him more. And then finally—finally—when neither could hold back another second, they’d stolen off to a secluded area of the park and made love behind a screen of boulders.
Now he gazed into her eyes and said, “I never could get close enough to you. In the months we were together, all I wanted was to love you more, to become part of you.”
She tore her eyes away, her throat thick with emotion. Painful emotion now, rather than the attraction that had been bubbling back up between them. “If that’s true, then you quickly lost your way.” And she still didn’t understand why he had let her go without even fighting for her al
l those years ago.
Her voice brought him back into focus. “I did lose my way. I didn’t know how to handle our relationship back then, but I’ve changed, Reese. And I promise I’m going to prove it to you.”
She wanted to believe him, but she’d given him unconditional love and trust before, and he’d been reckless with it. How could she trust him now?
She watched a young couple walk through the market carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers and holding hands. Why did it look so easy for everyone else? Then again, it had felt so easy for them at first, too, before they’d gone to New York.
Was it this island? Could their love survive only in this fairy-tale environment?
But even as the questions went around and around inside her head, she knew better than to try to figure out the last ten years in the next ten minutes. She needed to get their outing back on track, but now that talking had evened the score with almost making out, she wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore. Talking about the past was heartrending. Whereas almost making out was incredibly drugging and delicious.
“Maybe we shouldn’t make any promises today,” she said softly. “Maybe we could just browse and enjoy the day, okay?”
For a moment, she thought he might push his case again, but then his lips curved up into a smile and he said, “I already am enjoying the day, Reese. More than I’ve enjoyed anything in a very long time.”
There was nothing more beautiful than Trent Rockwell’s smile. And even though they’d been skirting the edge of some really difficult memories so far today, her heart suddenly felt like it was flying.
* * *
THE SUMMER TRENT had met Reese and everything had seemed so new and exciting, they’d often visited flea markets, galleries, and old bookstores. He’d just come out from under several grueling years of law school, and while he knew that just about anything would feel like a reprieve, what he felt when he was with Reese was miles beyond anything he’d ever experienced.
Now, just getting to hold her hand as they walked from one booth to the next, rocked him to the core. This was what he wanted—another chance at a life with Reese.