What Might Have Been: Daniels Brother #4 (Daniels Brothers)

by Sherri Hayes

  She nodded. “He wants . . . we’re going to New York this weekend. To see Kaylee’s grave.”

  “I know. Elizabeth told me.”

  Abby didn’t have a response for that, but her stomach rumbled loud enough for him to hear.

  “Did you eat dinner?”

  She shrugged. “I had a couple bites of pizza when Chris was here. But then, well, I lost my appetite.”

  “Is the pizza still here?” Trent asked.

  “I put it in the fridge.”

  He pushed himself up off the bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To warm you up some pizza. You need to eat,” he said.

  Abby shook her head. “I’m not—”

  He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, cutting off her protest. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

  Trent winked before leaving the room. He wasn’t used to all this drama. But in the deepest parts of his soul, he knew she was worth it. She always had been.

  ***

  Abby sat with her hands in her lap, playing with the small bear while she waited for Trent to come back. She hadn’t expected to see him tonight. The fact that he was here made her feel a hundred times better, which was crazy considering they were just friends.

  Okay, that wasn’t true, and she knew it. Trent meant more to her than that and considering the time they’d spent together lately, she was pretty sure he saw her as more as well. The kisses they’d shared the other night on her couch sure hadn’t felt all that friendly. They’d felt possessive and all-consuming.

  But that was before she’d come clean and admitted what had happened. Now she had no idea where that left them.

  A few minutes later, Trent reentered the room carrying a single plate piled high with pizza. He sat down in the same spot he’d occupied a few minutes before, and placed the plate in front of her. She looked at it, and then up at him. There must have been ten pieces of pizza on the plate. “There is no way I’m going to be able to eat all that.”

  He selected a piece and brought it to his mouth. “Half is for me.”

  Abby continued to stare at him while he chewed.

  “Eat,” he said before taking another bite. “And don’t try to tell me you’re not hungry. That pizza in your refrigerator looked as if it had barely been touched.”

  When she didn’t immediately start eating, he raised one eyebrow.

  Sighing, Abby picked up a piece and lifted it to her mouth. She took a bite, and was surprised to find that she was hungrier than she’d thought. Before she knew it, Abby was reaching for another piece.

  Trent smiled and grabbed another piece for himself.

  “Did you skip dinner, too?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I can always eat.”

  That was true from what she remembered. She had no idea how Marilyn had managed to keep food in the house with four teenage boys roaming around.

  Thinking about Marilyn brought her right back to thoughts of Kaylee.

  “Hey.”

  Abby looked up to find Trent appraising her. She grinned, but he wasn’t fooled.

  “Are you worried about going to New York alone with Chris? If you are, I can move some things around at work and go with you.”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s not that.”

  He patiently waited for her to go on.

  “Can we talk about something else? I’m tired of crying and it feels like that’s all I’ve been doing for the last two days.” This time she tried to put a little more effort behind her smile. “Tell me about work. Is everything okay? It didn’t sound like that phone call this morning was good news.”

  Trent hesitated for a moment. She figured he was probably trying to decide if he was going to follow her subject change. “Someone broke into the yard last night and stole a bunch of tools, mulch, gravel, and some irrigation hose.”

  “Oh, no. Trent, I’m so sorry.” She wiped her hands off with the napkin he’d provided and reached for his hand.

  “I’m insured, so everything that was stolen can be replaced,” he said.

  But there was something else in his tone that she didn’t understand. “Did something else happen?”

  “No.” He shook his head and sighed, which wasn’t like him at all. “The police think it was an inside job.”

  She gasped, her pizza completely forgotten. “Why?”

  “I have a security camera set up outside the gate. Whoever it was knew exactly where it was and they were able to disable it without it picking up anything but a blurry image of their arm.”

  “It couldn’t be someone else?” she asked.

  “It could, but the chances of them knowing exactly where it was and how to adjust it in order to avoid detection means they’re probably familiar with the yard. I don’t let many people back there that don’t work for me. There’s no need for them to be.” He shifted his weight and it moved him farther away from her. “The only exception is the delivery trucks. But that doesn’t make much sense either. Then again, neither does one of my employees stealing from me.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  He rested his hand on her knee and she felt heat zing up her leg. “I took inventory today. Found out everything that was missing. This way the cops and the insurance have what they need for their reports. I also put up some additional cameras in case whoever it was strikes again, but I’m not holding my breath.” Trent nodded toward the plate that still sat in her lap. “Are you finished?”

  She followed his gaze. There were still three pieces left, but Abby had eaten more than she thought she would. “Yeah.”

  He stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  After he left the room with the rest of the pizza, Abby decided it would probably be a good idea if she took the time to freshen up. When she walked into the bathroom and got a look at herself in the mirror, she cringed. Her eyes were bloodshot and there were streaks of makeup on her cheeks.

  Abby gave her face a good scrub, removing the rest of her makeup, and ran a brush through her hair. When she was done, she almost looked human again.

  She ambled back into the bedroom to find Trent already sitting on the edge of her bed. He looked up when she walked in, but she couldn’t read his mood. Unsure of what to do, she sat down beside him.

  “Do you want to watch a movie or something?” she asked.

  “We can, if that’s what you want. I’m not picky.”

  He raised his eyebrows in a suggestive way, making her giggle.

  “I love to hear you laugh.” He cupped the side of her face, stroking her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

  When she stared into his eyes, the mood became serious again. “Where does this leave us?”

  “All I know is that I’m exactly where I want to be right now.” Trent didn’t stop touching her and it was doing crazy things to her insides.

  She closed her eyes, hoping that would allow her to focus, but it did the exact opposite. Without her sight, her other senses took over. She could feel the heat of his hand and of his leg as it pressed against hers. The scent of him, a mixture of his soap and sweat, swirled around her, drawing her in.

  Without conscious thought, she skimmed her fingers up the length of his chest until she could feel the stubble on his neck and chin. She continued higher, to outline his lips and jaw. He kept still as she explored. The only indication that he wasn’t completely unaffected was his breathing.

  “Abby?”

  There was something in his voice that made her open her eyes. It was only then that she realized she’d closed the distance between them. His lips were only an inch away. The desire to feel his mouth on her again was almost unbearable.

  She looked up at him, needing confirmation that he felt it, too. The uncertainty she saw in his eyes had her pulling away.

  Trent stopped her by framing her face with both his hands. He grazed his lips against hers and held her gaze. “I know how emotional these last few days have been for you. I don’t want you rushing
into anything you’re not sure about.”

  He was worried that things were happening too fast for her?

  “I know you’re attracted to me.”

  Trent snorted. “I’m not denying that. But I’ve waited seventeen years for you. I can wait a little longer.”

  Abby looked into his eyes, hoping to convey all she was feeling in that moment. “What if I don’t want to wait?”

  He released a shaky breath. “I’m trying to do the right thing here. Give you the space and time—”

  She pressed her lips against his, and he groaned before kissing her back. It was one of those kisses that set off all her nerve endings at once.

  He eased them down onto the mattress, cradling her in his arms. She threaded her fingers in his hair, needing to be closer.

  So much in her world was spinning out of control, but Trent had been her lifeline. Even back in high school when Chris had told her he wanted to break up—that he didn’t think with him going off to college that they should still see each other—Trent had been the one she’d wanted to go to. She didn’t. She couldn’t, of course. Instead she’d holed up in her room and cried until her dad had gotten home from work.

  Trent had always been her rock. He’d always been the friend she could turn to when all else failed. Now, however, she needed—she wanted—more from him. She wanted to forget what was going on for a while and relish the feel of his strong arms around her. Strong arms that had always been there to protect her whenever she’d asked.

  “If you’re not absolutely sure, Abby, all you have to do is say the word. We can go into the living room and turn on a movie or—”

  She shook her head, hooked her leg around his waist, and rocked her hips against his erection.

  He hissed and dug his fingers into her backside.

  Abby pressed her forehead against his, meeting his gaze. “I want you to do me a favor, okay?”

  “Anything.”

  “Stop asking me if I want you to stop, all right?”

  Trent grinned. “I think I can do that. Anything else?”

  “I want you to make me forget my own name. Think you can do that?” She rocked her hips again.

  He took hold of the back of her neck with one hand and kissed her hard. “Deal.”

  Chapter 15

  Trent sucked in a ragged breath as he pressed the lower half of his body against her. For years he’d imagined what it would be like to make love to her, and now it was happening.

  He ran his right hand down the length of her torso, feeling every curve, then back up to cradle her breast in his hand. She fit perfectly in his palm, and his heart soared when she tilted her head back and moaned when he brushed his thumb over her nipple.

  “I love hearing you make that sound,” he whispered.

  Abby looked up at him with pure desire. “We’re both wearing way too many clothes.”

  He chuckled, pushed her shirt up, and pulled the cup of her bra out of the way, giving him better access to her breast. Then he took her nipple between his lips.

  She arched her back and reached for him. Her nails dug into his scalp as she held him to her chest as if she was afraid he’d stop. He had no intention of stopping. He loved the feel of her hands in his hair, the feel of her softness on his tongue.

  When she made that noise again, the one he loved, the space in his shorts decreased a little more. It was becoming painful, but he wasn’t going to rush. Abby was worth the discomfort.

  Eventually, her shirt began to annoy him. He wanted full access to her beautiful breasts and her soft skin. The fabric was hampering his efforts, which was unacceptable.

  He released her nipple and pushed up off the bed.

  She furrowed her brow. “Where are you going?”

  In answer, he lifted his shirt over his head and tossed it to the side.

  It took her only a second to get with the program. She removed her shirt and unhooked her bra, leaving her breasts bare.

  He was so focused on her chest that he didn’t realize what she was doing until she hooked her fingers into the belt loops on his shorts. She tugged him toward her and went to work on the button.

  “Impatient?” he asked with a smirk.

  She lowered the zipper without missing a beat. “Very.”

  With a quick tug, she had both his shorts and underwear on the floor, leaving him standing there in nothing but his shoes and socks. He swiftly kicked them off.

  “Better?”

  “Yes.” She licked her lips and leaned forward, taking him into her mouth.

  He fisted his hands in her hair, not sure if he wanted to keep her there or push her away. It felt amazing and knowing it was Abby made it even more so. He only hoped he wouldn’t embarrass himself. All that fantasizing he’d done during his teenage years paled in comparison to the feel of her lips . . . her tongue.

  Trent felt himself getting close and had to push her away. She peered up at him with a look he’d only dreamt about. It had his pulse pounding and his breath caught in his throat as the emotion of the moment overtook him. He wanted her more than he ever had before. This time he wasn’t pining after his brother’s girl. This time, she was all his.

  He bent down and covered her mouth with his once more as he lowered her to the bed. “Now you’re the one wearing too many clothes.”

  Abby grinned as he reached between them and began working her pants over her hips and down her legs. He skimmed his fingers up her legs and over the slight swell of her belly, memorizing every curve and dip.

  She kissed and touched, exploring him with the same urgency he felt. Everything he gave her she gave right back with equal intensity. The sensations were overwhelming. His need to join with her was unlike anything he’d ever felt with another woman.

  When she cupped his ass and ground her hips against him, he dropped his face into her neck and groaned. “This is going to be over before it starts if you keep that up.”

  She giggled into his hair. “I think you can handle it.”

  He snorted and repositioned their bodies so he was nestled between her legs, his erection pressing against her clit.

  Her nails dug into his backside.

  “Do you like that?”

  “Yes.” She moved her hips again. “I want you inside me.”

  “Not yet,” he whispered in her ear before taking it between his teeth.

  Trent began a rocking motion that gave her some friction while he ran his hands over her body. As his fingers were getting to know every inch of her, he licked and sucked on her neck, relishing the sounds she was making—the way her body responded to him. It was a high he never wanted to come down from.

  “Please,” she begged. “Please, Trent. I need you.”

  He raised his head to gaze into her eyes. What she was feeling was right there, staring back at him. She needed this as much as he did.

  “I have a condom in my wallet.” He gave her a swift peck and began to pull away.

  Abby placed a hand on his bicep, halting his movement. “I don’t want anything between us.”

  He shook his head. “Abby . . .”

  “I’m on the pill and I haven’t been with anyone else for a while.” She ran her fingers down the side of his face, adding to her plea.

  Trent had never had sex without a condom before and he got tested every year during his annual physical. That part didn’t worry him. He only wanted to be sure it was what Abby wanted.

  Her gaze never wavered as she stared up at him.

  “Okay.”

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  He laughed and rested his weight against her once more. “Somehow I think it’s me who should be thanking you.”

  It was good to see her smile again. She’d been too sad these last couple of days.

  Trent kissed her long and slow, letting her feel all the passion he had restrained inside him. She seemed to sense he needed this and followed his lead.

  When they finally broke apart, her chest was moving up and do
wn rapidly. Her nipples sent little sparks of electricity through his system every time they brushed against him.

  He secured his arm beneath her and moved them a little farther up on the bed. Not that he couldn’t work with their current position, but it would be a lot more comfortable if they didn’t have to worry about their legs falling off the edge of the mattress.

  Once she was where he wanted her, Trent reached between them and positioned himself at her entrance. He held her gaze, allowing her to stop him if she’d changed her mind about him going bareback. She hadn’t. Abby lifted her hips to meet him as he slipped inside her for the first time.

  He closed his eyes, trying not to lose all control and start pounding into her like a madman.

  “You okay?” she asked, caressing the side of his face.

  When he met her gaze, he saw the worry in her eyes. He realized he’d been still for too long and gave her a gentle kiss. “I’m much better than okay.”

  “Me, too.”

  He pressed his forehead against hers and grinned. “You ready?”

  Abby answered by bringing his mouth back down to hers. It was all the encouragement he needed. Trent started to move and she tilted her hips up to meet him. With every thrust, he sank deeper into her. For years, he’d loved her. Now he was finally getting a chance to express that love in the most basic and real way he could. More than anything, he wanted to make it good for her.

  Running his hand down her side, he skimmed the outside of her leg until he reached her knee. He hitched it higher on his back, allowing him to go deeper still. The new position caused Abby to lose her rhythm. She threw her head back and dug her fingers into his shoulders. The bite of her nails only spurred him on.

  “Trent?” she gasped.

  “Yeah, baby? Tell me what you need.” He lowered his head and went to work on her neck.

  Abby arched her back and turned her head to give him better access. He scraped his teeth along her delicate skin and heard her suck in a breath.

  “I’m going to make sure you never forget this night,” he whispered. “Never forget how it feels to have me inside you, loving you like I’ve wanted to for so long.”