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

by Sherri Hayes

  Trent placed a firm kiss to her lower back and stood. He shucked his shorts and underwear, then rejoined her on the bed. Slipping a hand between her legs, he made sure she was ready for him.

  Abby spread her legs, giving him unguarded access to her. She arched her back, wordlessly telling him with her body what she wanted.

  He positioned himself between her legs and held onto her hips as he eased inside her. Making love to Abby was the single best thing Trent had ever experienced in his life. There was something about being with her that made him feel as if everything in his world made sense.

  There’d always been something about her that had drawn him in. At first, it was how comfortable he felt around her. Then, as he grew and became aware of her as a woman, it became much more. Finally being with her, no walls between them, made things feel more potent than ever. This was how it was meant to be between them.

  Trent enveloped her in his arms as they both came down from their climaxes. He held her close, tucking her head beneath his chin. “I want to ask you something.”

  She nuzzled closer.

  “How would you feel about moving in with me?”

  She lay there as their breathing returned to normal, not saying anything, but he knew she’d heard him.

  “Are you serious?”

  He lifted her chin so she could look at him. “I want you to marry me, too, but I figured this would be a good first step.”

  Her eyes went wide as she stared back at him. He didn’t know if it was panic or shock. Either way, he wouldn’t take it back. He wanted her with him. Always.

  ***

  Abby was speechless. She opened and closed her mouth several times. He had to be joking. They’d been seeing each other for what, two weeks? It wasn’t more than a month ago when he walked up to her in front of the Collinses’ corporate office.

  It was too soon. Couples didn’t start dating and then two weeks later move in together. It hadn’t been long enough. Had it?

  Her head was spinning. Not only did he want her to move in with him, he wanted to marry her, too.

  Trent looked at her as though what he’d proposed was the most natural thing in the world. There was no question, no second-guessing. He knew what he wanted. It had always been that way with him.

  She needed to think logically about this because he was waiting for an answer, but it was way too easy to let fear grip her. It felt as if someone had taken hold of her chest and begun to squeeze.

  “Breathe, baby,” Trent whispered.

  Abby tried to follow his instructions. She took a ragged breath in and let it out slowly.

  How would his brother and the rest of his family feel if they got married? Yes, Chris had said he was okay with Abby and Trent dating, but dating and marriage were two different things. Ever since that night in Fort Lauderdale with Chris, she’d played it safe. Could she take a chance with Trent? Should she?

  She regulated her breathing and the vise grip on her chest eased. Was it the thought of moving in with Trent, of marrying him that was causing her to panic, or was it her fear of what others might think? When she’d gone to New York, it was the thought of him supporting her that had given her peace. She loved him. Not like a teenager who was young and naive and didn’t understand life, but as a woman who knew heartache and pain and wanted someone to share her life with—someone who would stand by her no matter what. “I don’t know what to say. Can I think about it?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “Of course.”

  “Thank you.” Abby sighed and rested her head on his chest.

  Trent ran his fingers through her hair and down her back, making her tingle in all the right places. “Take all the time you need. I didn’t ask to freak you out, it’s just that I know what I want. I let you go once before because I was too scared to say anything. I won’t do that again.”

  She understood that. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you. I hope you know that.”

  His chest vibrated under her cheek. “Considering what we just did . . .”

  Abby playfully shoved at his chest, which only made him laugh harder.

  He rolled them both over until she was lying beneath him. “The offer stands. Both offers.”

  Abby swallowed.

  “I feel you tensing again.”

  It wasn’t as if she could deny it. “I’m just not sure we’re ready. We’ve only been dating for two weeks.”

  “So we’ll take our time. As much time as you need. I won’t push,” he said, skimming his fingers down the side of her face. They’d made love not fifteen minutes ago and she could already feel the need for him building once more.

  She glanced up at him with a doubtful look on her face.

  He chuckled. “Okay, I won’t push much.”

  “I guess that’s all I can ask.”

  They lay there for several minutes, enjoying the feel of each other’s bodies. With every brush of his fingers, the heat between her legs increased. It was getting harder and harder to think.

  Deciding she could ponder the future of their relationship later, Abby tilted her head up and pulled his mouth down to hers. His lips met hers with an eagerness that only fueled the fire within her. She wrapped one arm around his neck and snaked the other between them. His flesh grew in her hand as she made her intentions clear.

  Trent didn’t hesitate to go with the flow. He pumped his hips into her hand and plunged his tongue into her mouth.

  Things escalated quickly after that. He moved her hand out of the way and guided himself home. Abby’s eyes rolled back into her head and she let the sensations take over. Until she could figure things out, this would have to be enough.

  The sound of his alarm woke her the next morning. She groaned and snuggled herself closer to his warmth. “What time is it?”

  Trent chuckled. He kissed the side of her head, and started to get up. “Five thirty. Go back to sleep.”

  She heard his feet hit the floor and rolled over to see his naked form barely outlined by moonlight coming through the window. “Why are you up so early?”

  He padded over to his dresser and dug out a clean pair of boxers. “I need to get in early this morning.”

  Abby propped herself up on her elbows. “Why?”

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said.” He walked back to the bed and sat down.

  With the fog of sleep, her brain wasn’t computing what he was trying to say.

  Her confusion must have shown on her face, so he explained. “What you said about Trinity’s boyfriend. I think you might be right. I wanted to pull some other tapes and talk to her when she comes in.”

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea? I mean, shouldn’t you just tell the detective and let him handle it?”

  Trent shook his head. “I doubt he’d bat an eye, let alone look into it based on a gut feeling.”

  “You have video.”

  “From three years ago.” He stood and headed toward the bathroom.

  She lay there for a few minutes before she gave up on any notion of going back to sleep. Throwing off the covers, she headed into the bathroom to join Trent for his morning shower. If they both had to be wide awake before dawn, they might as well have a little fun.

  An hour later, Abby stood alone in Trent’s kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee. He’d given her a long kiss goodbye before he left for work at six twenty-five—a little later than he’d planned, thanks to their shower activities. It felt very domesticated and Abby had to admit that she could get used to it. Maybe living together wouldn’t be so bad.

  Not wanting to think too hard about it until she’d had a few more cups of coffee, Abby finished cleaning up their breakfast and gathered her things. She’d brought clean clothes with her, but all her work clothes were still at her apartment. At least her stop at her place would be quick. All she had to do was change, put her hair up, and slap on a little makeup.

  As it turned out, it took her a little longer at her apartment than she planned.


  Abby had several messages on her voice mail. She’d been so focused on getting to Trent and then going to see Max’s father that she hadn’t thought to check it.

  One of the messages was from Marilyn Daniels. She wanted to meet Abby for lunch. There were a few from Max, but since she’d seen him the day before she wasn’t worried about most of them. The last one from him, however, was from early this morning. He wasn’t going to be coming in to work today. His father’s condition hadn’t improved and he didn’t want to leave his mother alone.

  She’d call Max back once she got to the office and make sure to take care of anything on his schedule that needed to be rearranged. The message from Marilyn was a different story. Abby knew she couldn’t avoid her forever, so before she could lose her nerve she picked up her phone and dialed.

  “Hello?” Marilyn’s voice came through the phone loud and clear. It was obvious she’d been up for a while.

  Abby tried to steady her nerves. “Hi. It’s Abby. I hope you don’t mind me calling so early.”

  “Of course not. I’m glad you called. I was a little worried when you didn’t return my message. But then I thought maybe you were with Trent.” At least she didn’t sound upset with the idea of Abby being with her son.

  “I was. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think to check my voice mail when I stopped home yesterday.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Abby heard some movement in the background. “I was hoping maybe you’d be free for lunch today.”

  “Sure.” It wasn’t as if Abby could refuse her. Without Marilyn and Mike, her childhood would have been much different. If the woman wanted to yell at Abby for what she’d done, she would take it and not complain. “What time?”

  “Whatever time works for you. One of the joys of being retired. My schedule is an open book.” Marilyn laughed.

  “All right. How about one o’clock?” With Max out for the day, she didn’t need to worry with scheduling her lunch around his.

  “That sounds perfect.”

  They decided to meet at a restaurant about a mile from Abby’s office. Marilyn beat her there and had reserved a table for them. Abby sat across from the woman who had been her second mother and prayed Marilyn could find it in her heart to forgive her.

  “You look happy,” Marilyn said once they were alone.

  Abby blushed. “I am.”

  The server came to take their order, saving her from having to say anything else. She decided to keep it simple and went with the lasagna and a salad. Considering the workout she’d been getting lately, Abby wasn’t all that concerned with the calories or the carbs. She had no doubt they’d burn them off later.

  Alone again with Marilyn, Abby felt her anxiety begin to creep up once more. She knew she had to say something. “I know you know about Kaylee and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything back then. I know it’s not an excuse, but I was scared and I didn’t know what to do.”

  She looked up expecting to find judgment in the older woman’s eyes, but instead she saw understanding. “I know. Chris called me last night and told me about your trip. It meant a lot to him that you gave her his name.”

  Abby cleared her throat, not wanting to tear up in the middle of the restaurant.

  Marilyn reached across the table and covered Abby’s hand with her own. “Don’t let what happened years ago with Chris come between you and Trent. I want my boys to be happy.”

  Abby didn’t know what to say. She’d expected Marilyn to at least give her a stern warning. Instead, it sounded as if she was getting the woman’s blessing.

  After squeezing Abby’s hand, Marilyn released it and picked up her napkin. “We didn’t get to talk much when you were at the house. Tell me all about your time in New York. What’s your life like there? It has to be quite different living in the big city.”

  As she started telling Marilyn about her job in New York with Max, her anxiety began to ease. Abby had missed this. She’d missed Marilyn and all the Daniels family. Could they really accept her now, even after everything? If Marilyn’s reaction was anything to go by, then, yes, they could.

  By the time they hugged goodbye in the parking lot a little after four, Abby was feeling much better about her future—and more specifically, her future with Trent.

  Without overthinking it, Abby made a left turn out of the restaurant parking lot instead of a right. She had a sudden urge to see him and she didn’t want to wait until later tonight. Even though moving in with him was a huge step, it was what she wanted. She wasn’t going to let fear keep her from what she wanted anymore.

  Chapter 24

  Even though Trent had gotten to work almost an hour later than he’d planned, he still had enough time to pull the footage he wanted. He’d heard Joss and Kevin come in a little before eight, and Trinity peeked her head in about eight thirty, asking if he needed anything. He assured her he was good and went back to what he’d been doing.

  He’d only met Trinity’s boyfriend once, and he hadn’t been impressed. Billy, if Trent remembered his name correctly, struck him as arrogant and completely self-centered. His cocky attitude had left a bad taste in Trent’s mouth, but he had to assume the man had some redeeming qualities if Trinity was dating him.

  Trinity strolled in two hours later with two steaming cups of coffee. She held out one for him.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” She sat down in the chair across from him and stretched her legs out in front of her. “What has you concentrating so hard in here, Boss?”

  He took a sip of the coffee she’d brought him. Trinity took better care of him than he deserved. Things between them had been strained since the robbery and Trent knew it was entirely his fault. “Just a lot on my mind.”

  “Still seeing Abby?” she asked.

  Trent grinned despite the serious conversation that was looming. “I am.”

  Trinity tilted her head to the side. “Wow. I’ve never seen you this way about a woman before. So it’s serious?”

  He couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from his face. “I told her I want to marry her.”

  Trinity almost choked on her coffee. “But you’ve only been dating for like . . . two weeks.”

  “It’s not like she’s a stranger. We grew up together.”

  “Still,” she said, “I mean, that was years ago, right? Shouldn’t you wait a while and see how things go? Billy and I have been dating for five years.”

  It wasn’t a great segue to what he wanted to talk to her about, but it would do.

  “How are things with you two, anyway?” He was going for casual, but he had no idea if he pulled it off.

  She glanced down into her coffee for a long moment. “We’re good.”

  “That sounded convincing,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

  Trinity ran her index finger around the rim of the paper cup she was holding. “Can I ask you something?”

  Trent opened his mouth to answer in the affirmative, but she spoke again before he could get anything out.

  “Do you get jealous of the people Abby works with? The guys, I mean?” Her eyes were pleading, as if she was hoping he’d say yes.

  “Sometimes.” Trent tried to keep it vague. He didn’t want to go into his feelings about Max and Abby’s friendship. Besides, he was trying to move past that.

  Trinity placed her cup on the edge of his desk and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “But why? Do you not trust her? Has she given you any reason to think she’s been or would be unfaithful to you?”

  Trent raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking about me and Abby or you and Billy?”

  She opened her mouth, hesitated, and then said, “Billy thinks you and I are having an affair.”

  It took a couple of seconds for Trent to figure out how best to respond to that. “Why would he think that?”

  “I don’t know.” Trinity ran a hand through her hair in frustration. “I’m sorry. It’s not your problem. I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

&nb
sp; “It’s fine.” In fact, it was more than fine. He’d been around his big brother, Paul, enough to know that every criminal had a motive. Jealousy was as good as any. And if Billy viewed Trent as a personal threat to his relationship, it wasn’t out of the question that he’d target Trent’s business.

  “No, it’s not. I just . . . I don’t know who else I can talk to.” She sighed. “Things will be good for a while. Great, even. Then I don’t know what happens. I’ll come home and he’ll be sitting at the kitchen table with this look on his face. The next thing I know, we’re screaming at each other.”

  He recalled they’d had a big fight three years ago, hence the make-out session he’d caught on tape. It might be the connection he’d been looking for. “Did you have a fight like that recently?”

  “Yeah.” She slumped back in her chair, defeated.

  “When, exactly?” It wasn’t the most sympathetic response, but he needed to know.

  “It was a few weeks ago.” She paused. “Things are good again, so I know I shouldn’t complain. But it keeps happening over and over again. I tell myself that couples fight. It’s normal. But then I think, is it really?”

  “Couples do fight.” Trent got up from behind his desk and went to stand in front of Trinity. “But if it’s a trust issue . . .”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  There was a level of desperation in her voice, which made what he was about to say that much harder. “Trinity, this most recent fight you had, was it a big one?”

  “Yeah. Probably the biggest we’ve had. He called me a lying whore and stormed out of the house.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

  He fought the instinct to comfort her. “When was that, exactly?”

  She blinked, clearly confused by his question.

  Trent hated being the bad guy, but he figured it would be better coming from him than from Detective Travers. “Was it before or after the break-in?”

  “It was the night before.” She stiffened as she caught up to his train of thought. “No. Billy wouldn’t do that. He—”

  “I’m not saying he did, but, Trinity, someone broke in and stole a lot of equipment and supplies. Someone who knew how to avoid being seen by the security camera.” He knelt down in front of her and softened his tone. “I have a hard time believing that one of my employees would steal from me, which is what Detective Travers believes.”