“I’m not sure I have those.” He smiled at her. “If I can, I will help you of course.”
“Yay!” Amy Leigh threw her arms around his neck and knocked him back onto the couch. Her plush body covering his. “Thank you. You’re my hero.” He ignored the strange pang in his chest at her gratitude for something so small.
They kissed for a few minutes, then her head rested on his chest.
Trent slid his hand down her back. “Do you have a name in mind for this venture of yours yet?”
“I’m considering ‘Party All The Time,’ but it’s too long.”
“How about ‘Party Crashers’?” He chuckled.
“No, I like ‘Party Pooper’ better,” Amy Leigh retorted.
They continued throwing ridiculous names back and forth until their voices became groggy with sleep, neither wanting to admit the night was at a close.
“Come on, party girl, let’s get you to bed,” Trent told her as he pulled her from the couch.
“My room is over there.” Amy Leigh mumbled and attempted to head the opposite way when they got down the hall.
“No way are you sleeping that far from me.”
Chapter Nine
Massive Spanish moss-draped trees framed the driveway to his parent’s stately home. The house spoke of generations belonging to the elite of Charleston. From the wrap around porches on all three floors, to the flourishing ferns hanging from black iron baskets, it was beautiful. The manicured side garden included a small fountain with a fat boy holding some sort of bowl that spilled water. The trickling sound would have been soothing, if not for the thundering of Amy Leigh’s heartbeat and the lack of air when she attempted to swallow through the dread and humidity. Trepidation filled every part of her body and Amy Leigh attempted another deep breath in a futile attempt to keep from shaking.
Warmth from Trent’s hand on the small of her back, which was meant to either reassure her, or keep her from turning tail and running back to his car helped only a bit. “You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. “Everything will be fine.” Ah, so it was to keep her from running then.
As soon as they stepped foot onto the broad porch, the huge front doors swung open. Amy Leigh expected a maid or a butler, but instead a curvy woman dressed in pink Capri pants and a pink and green sleeveless blouse stepped out. Her white sandals clacked on the wooden board. She clasped her hand in front of her chest and smiled broadly. “Finally you’re here. I’ve been pacing so much your father went to the TV room and closed the door.”
The woman held her face up to Trent’s kiss on her cheek and then looked to Amy Leigh. She recognized the woman’s golden hazel eyes. They were just like Trent’s. “Hello, Amy Leigh, I’m Hillary Mulherin. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
When Trent’s mother hugged her, Amy Leigh’s eyes welled up and she wanted to melt into the pretty lady and confess the truth. She blinked to ensure dry eyes when his mother pulled away.
Hillary Mulherin smiled brightly. “You certainly are beautiful.”
“Th—thank you.” Amy Leigh smiled feeling better. “You’re sweet. I just love the house, it’s breathtaking.”
“Thank you, dear. Oh goodness, please come in. I didn’t mean to keep you out here. I was just so excited to meet you.”
Hillary Mulherin commandeered Amy Leigh’s arm and pulled her along as Trent followed behind with their overnight bags. Amy Leigh looked over her shoulder and he winked at her. They had bopped like bunnies for two nights and still her heart quickened at his crooked smile. As if reading her mind, his eyes shot down to her butt and she stumbled forward.
“You have to be careful,” Mrs. Mulherin told her. “These floors are over a hundred years old. They are not as smooth as you’re probably used to.”
Amy Leigh grinned at Trent’s mother. “The floors in my cottage are old pine. I buffed and refinished them myself. They’re pretty much uneven too, but nowhere as smooth as these.” She looked down at the floors. “Your floors are amazing.”
“Really?” The older woman studied the floors with pride. “I did the same thing to these, much to my husband’s annoyance. I wanted to do it myself. It was hard work but well worth it.”
“You did all this?” Amy Leigh asked her with genuine awe. “No way.”
“Mother, Amy Leigh, these bags are pretty heavy,” Trent interrupted. “As much as I hate to interrupt your floor talk, can you tell me which room we’re to stay in, Mother?”
“Oh goodness, sorry, son.” His mother chuckled and pointed to a wide stairwell. “Your old room, the green room, is prepared for you.”
The rooms were named. Amy Leigh swallowed and watched Trent go up the stairs. “Want me to help you, honey?”
He shook his head and continued up. Both women looked after him. Finally Amy Leigh looked to her temporary mother-in-law. “I hear there’s a big party planned for your birthday tomorrow night. Is there anything I can do to help? I plan parties for a living.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t resigned. You don’t have to work any longer, you know.” The deep voice startled Amy Leigh who turned to an older version of Trent. Trevor Mulherin’s disapproving gaze met hers and the shakes returned.
Mrs. Mulherin moved to his side and looked up at him, seeming to send him a silent message. “Amy Leigh this is my husband, Trevor. Honey?”
The last thing he looked like was a “honey.” His sharp eyes bore into hers, no doubt as an attempt to intimidate. If he only knew he had nothing on her stalker ex, who could stare down a pissed off boar. Amy Leigh maintained eye contact until her right eye began to twitch. Damn contacts.
“Nice to meet you, Amy Leigh. Welcome to the family.” Trevor Mulherin held out his hand, it was a cold as his demeanor.
Her hand was engulfed in his larger one as he squeezed it. Amy Leigh could only smile at him. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Mulherin.”
He did not ask her to refer to him by his first name so she supposed “Dad” was out of the question.
They moved to a room that she figured to be some sort of conversation space and sat. A woman walked in with a tray of tall glasses filled with lemonade and placed them on a center table. She spoke in quiet tones to Mrs. Mulherin. Amy Leigh watched with interest because she’d never seen a housekeeper and mistress interact before. She chewed on her bottom lip. Thank goodness she would not stay married to Trent. There was no way she could ever be so refined.
“Are you taking notes for when you set up household?” Trent’s father’s comment was like ice water poured over her. Thankfully, Trent entering the room saved her from making a snappy retort.
He locked gazes with his father and an entire conversation without speaking transpired between them. She didn’t even attempt to interpret. Trent sat next to her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. The solidity of his strong body secured her like an anchor. There was nothing she wanted more than to lean into him, close her eyes, and wake up back in his condo.
The conversation remained superficial. Mostly Hillary Mulherin asked questions about Amy Leigh’s life in Sweetgum, which made conversing easy since Amy Leigh was proud of her small hometown. The entire time Trent’s father who she now dubbed Ice-Cold-Papa, remained aloof only answering when directly asked a question with a “yes,” “perhaps,” or “no.” More often it was “no.”
After Mr. Mulherin excused himself to see about business dealings, she and Trent went with his mother to the back of the house. A pool surrounded by lush plants and trees gave the impression of a resort. Muted tan umbrellas shaded matching lounge chairs on one side. On the other were several tall tables with shades of their own, which were framed with four chairs apiece. Soft music drifted through the air from unseen speakers. The only things missing were waiters in crisp white uniforms and a Tiki hut.
Trent invited her to sit at a table and Mrs. Mulherin excused herself stating she had a quick phone call to make. Trent reached for Amy Leigh’s hand and brought it to his lips. Hi
s hazel eyes brighter in the sunlight met hers. “You’re doing great.”
It was still early afternoon, too early to escape to the bedroom pretending to be sleepy. Amy Leigh looked toward where his mother had disappeared. “I’m already exhausted, Trent, and we just got here.” When he frowned and nodded she quickly added, “Your mother is amazing and this house is beautiful. I am just overwhelmed I suppose.”
Trent stood and pulled her to stand. “Come here.” His arms wrapped around her and she fell against his chest. “You’re an amazing woman.” He pulled her face up. “Just a couple days. You can do that for me can’t you?”
Hell, she would walk on burning coals for him at the moment. He was so damn great. The thought shook her. Not walking on burning coals, but how strongly she felt about him. No. No. No. She could not fall for him. This was temporary. A game.
His lips pressed against hers and she was struck by how familiar they were now. “It’s so strange.” She didn’t mean to mutter out loud. Damn.
“What’s strange?” Mrs. Mulherin asked looking at them with a wide smile.
Trent looked to Amy Leigh to answer, which made sense, but it still pissed her off that he didn’t think to cover for her. Amy Leigh took a deep breath and decided to be honest. “How familiar Trent feels to me. I mean we’ve not known each other very long and yet, it’s like...” He squeezed her hand and she smiled up at him. “Just ignore me, I’m being silly.”
“Oh, no. You’re just in love, honey. I see it. The way you are around each other is great. I’ve never seen Trent so infatuated.” Trent’s eyes widened and a soft blush covered his face. “And you, Amy Leigh, well you just glow when you look at him,” his mother said with a sigh. “True love.” Amy Leigh swallowed and wondered how she could keep from glowing.
“Trent, I need to speak to you,” Trevor Mulherin called from the doorway. The moment was broken. In this case it was a good thing.
Chapter Ten
“Did you know she changed the prenuptial agreement?” His father swirled the scotch in his glass and watched the amber liquid. “What do you make of it?”
Not the time for this. Trent considered telling his father they’d speak later, but his father was like a dog with a bone. He would not let go until it was gnawed to the marrow. “She told me it was ridiculous. If someone was married to me for a short period, then I shouldn’t pay them any amount.”
“It should make you wary. Although independent, she’s by no means well to do. Her party planning business brings barely fifty thousand a year, and she splits the profits with her mother and an aunt. Then...”
“You investigated her?” Trent stood and fisted his hands. “Dad, what the hell are you doing?”
“I’m looking out for you.” His father’s calm demeanor only infuriated him more.
“The fuck you are.”
“Trent.”
“No.” He stalked to the desk and leaned over meeting his father’s direct gaze. “If you can’t trust me and want my resignation from any interest in Mulherin Industries, I’ll give it to you. You can give it all to one of my cousins for all I care.”
“You care for her that much?”
“It’s not just that, Dad, I want to live my own life. Make my own mistakes. If Amy Leigh and I don’t work out, she gets nothing. If it’s a chance she’s willing to take, then so am I.”
“As long as the company is not at stake.” His father lifted the glass to his lips and stared at him.
Trent stormed from the room not wanting to hear another word.
The house was too big. The one person he needed right now was somewhere in the expanse and Trent could not find her. He rushed through the parlor, the pool area, and the kitchen before running up the stairs to the bedroom. Amy Leigh stood at the French doors looking over the back garden. She turned when he entered and seemed to read his body language. She opened her arms and waited until he crashed into her.
Their mouths met, and he took from her every bit of reassurance he needed. He was no fool. Most women only sought him because he was a millionaire’s son. Sure there were some more than attracted to him, but when tested, all of them failed. He wondered if Amy Leigh would also, once she understood if he remained with her, he would not have access to the family fortune. If she didn’t pass, his heart would break, but for now all he needed was her arms, her softness.
“Now will you tell me what’s wrong?” Amy Leigh pushed his hair away from his sweaty face. They’d made love. The act in itself setting him right again. “Did you have a fight with your dad? If so you need to apologize. This thing between us is not worth arguing over, Trent.” She kissed his face, his jaw, eyes, and even the tip of his nose. Her dark brown eyes were soft when meeting his. “Family is more important than anything, and if your dad is concerned, it’s because he loves you.”
“I think his concern is more for the company than for me.”
“I’m sure that’s only part of it. He cares for you. What a mess we’ve created, huh? In a couple weeks it will be over and we’ll be able to laugh about it.”
“Together?” She stiffened under him and he wished the words away. “Yeah, it will be funny then.”
She relaxed and sighed. “Yep.”
He rolled over and pulled her up with him. “We better shower and get ready for dinner. The family will be here, including my sister.”
“Is she scary like your dad?”
“Not at all. She’ll try to make you her new best friend and want you to team up against me when she picks on me.”
“Oh, I like her already.” Amy Leigh squealed when he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom.
*****
Dinner was a whirlwind of new faces, great food, and a surreal atmosphere. Although Amy Leigh was used to social events, Trent’s mother was a pro. White lights twinkled in the flora surrounding the outdoor dining area. Soft music filled in when conversation lulled and the food was delicious. Trina, Trent’s sister toasted them and wished them happiness. Her bobbed golden-highlighted hair bounced as she spoke while raising a wine glass. Even Ice-Cold-Papa seemed to defrost a bit and lifted his glass when his daughter wished them a life of happiness.
Feeling guilty, Amy Leigh leaned over to tell Trent again he should apologize to his father, but he mistook her action and kissed her soundly in front of everyone. She sat back with her face on fire, which made his mother laugh and caused Trina’s handsome husband, Walker, to whistle loudly.
It was after one in the morning when they finally made their way to bed and Amy Leigh allowed Trent to undress her. His heated lips kissed a hot trail down her shoulders. When he kneeled in front of her, she held his shoulders and relaxed. He pulled her left leg over his shoulder with his greedy mouth finding his target. She bit down to keep from screaming when he suckled her clit into his mouth.
“Oh...God. Trent I don’t want to be noisy.” She moaned and pressed her lips together when he grabbed her ass and pulled her harder against his mouth. “Ahhh!” she cried out. Her legs trembled when release threatened. “Bed. Now.”
He ignored her. Trent’s tongue continued doing delicious circles until she came. Her right leg buckled, the only reason she didn’t fall was because he held her up.
When he stood and pulled her face to his, she tasted saltiness on his mouth. His gaze kept hers for a long time. “What is it about you? I want you more every day.”
Was it love or lust? Hell she didn’t know, but she had to keep a strong wall around her heart. Trent Mulherin was not for her. They were from different worlds. Thousands of worlds apart. Yes, there was amazing chemistry between them. Already she could not imagine the day he would not be in her life. But nonetheless it was best she kept from falling in love.
Her heart pounded in defiance and she told the fucker to shut up.
Chapter Eleven
This was it. The culmination of everything. The day of Hillary Mulherin’s fiftieth birthday party. Amy Leigh kept busy all day helping her temporary mother- and sist
er-in-law oversee the hired staff with all the preparations for the night’s festivities for over a hundred people.
Trent’s mother placed a hand on her upper arm. “I’m so glad you were here, you certainly made everything easier.” The compliment warmed Amy Leigh’s heart. Hillary Mulherin would make a wonderful permanent mother-in-law.
Then, it was starting. The music flowed from the back gardens through their bedroom window as Amy Leigh scrutinized her long off white dress in the full-length mirror. The strapless shimmering gown enhanced her tanned complexion. Her hair was pulled back into a soft ponytail that allowed her chandelier earrings to sparkle. Amy Leigh turned from side to side and was glad that although she was curvy, her stomach remained flat. Trent was still in the shower. She shivered thinking of the quick sex they’d just had prior to her rushing to get ready. The heat between them had not dulled even through all their time together. They’d not been able to keep their hands from each other. Well if anything, she’d have some great memories after it was over.
Other than the one slip-up the day before, he’d never spoken or referred to anytime past the present and she’d not pressed. It was a long one-night stand, nothing more.
The bathroom door opened and he walked out with a towel around his hips. She took in the washboard abs, well-formed pecs, and broad shoulders. Then on impulse grabbed her phone. “Don’t move.”
He stood still as she clicked several pictures. “I don’t want to forget this moment.” She studied the pictures on her phone then looked up at him. He was slipping on his boxers. “Look at me.” When he did she zoomed in on his face and took another. “There.”
Contemporary Nights Volume One Page 20