“Don’t say such horrible things about yourself,” he whispered, tracing his fingers over his lips. “I don’t know who has planted these lies in your head,” he tapped my forehead, “but they’re wrong.”
“No one had to tell me anything,” I whispered with a frown. “I can see my own darkness.”
“Row…”
I knew he didn’t know what to say to me, and that was perfectly okay. I didn’t need to hear him try to convince me that I was good. He didn’t know what I had done, so in his eyes I was good. Eventually, I’d have to tell him—he deserved to know—and then he’d see how bad I was. I couldn’t hide the evil residing in my heart forever.
I pushed his shoulders, rolling him onto his back, so that I was on top.
“Take your pictures.” I took his chin in my hands, pressing my lips to his, sealing us together.
Because soon, those pictures will be all you’ll have left of me.
“And this is Times Square,” Trenton said, like as if I hadn’t already figured that out. I twirled around, my jaw hanging open in awe.
The lights, the sounds, the people…none of it was like home. It was easy for me to believe that Trent and I were in a whole new world. One where only the two of us existed.
Somebody bumped into me, propelling me into Trent. He wrapped his arms around me to keep me from falling on the sidewalk.
“Well, that was rude,” I glared at the retreating back of the man that had pushed me.
“That’s New York City,” Trent laughed. “Get used to it.”
He didn’t release me, if anything he tightened his hold. The air was cold and there was a slight wind. I was thankful for my heavy black coat, yellow scarf, and hat. Trent was dressed similarly, only his scarf and hat were red.
“Let’s get a picture,” he pleaded with me.
At this point, I was used to Trenton and his pictures, so I obliged.
He positioned me in front of the jumbotron and stood beside me. He held his arm out with the camera. “Smile,” he warned me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave the camera the biggest, cheesiest smile I could muster. Then I kissed his cheek. In the last photo he took, he kissed me squarely on the mouth, his tongue finding its way past my lips. I took his face in my hands, the scruff on his cheeks rubbing against the soft cotton of my mittens. He nipped my bottom lip and I couldn’t help but giggle.
He kissed the end of my nose, his breathing unsteady. “I know I wanted to show you the city, but I’m beginning to think leaving the penthouse was a really bad idea.”
“How about this,” I grasped the collar of his coat, “take me to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, then we can go back there and take a really long shower…together.”
“That’s a really good idea,” he grinned. “I wish I would’ve thought of it.”
“Come on,” I took his hand. “The sooner we get a taxi, the sooner we see the tree, and the sooner we see the tree…” I trailed off, letting him finish my thought.
“The sooner I can have you wet and pinned against the shower wall,” he winked. “I do love showers.”
“And cameras,” I muttered.
He laughed. “Pictures are worth a thousand words, but those…something tells me they’re worth a million.”
A taxi finally stopped and I slid inside. Trent told the man where we wanted to go and I stifled my cough. The taxi reeked of cigarette smoke.
I crinkled my nose in displeasure at the nasty smell. I’d never understood the appeal to smoking. I mean, who wants to suck on a death stick? Obviously our cab driver.
He dropped us off and Trent handed him cash. “Thanks,” Trent called and the cabby simply grunted in response.
“Such a lovely fellow,” I joked. “I think he wants to be your new best friend.”
Trent’s arm wound around my waist. “Hardly.”
The crowd around the tree was thick, but not as bad as Times Square had been. I didn’t think we’d be able to get very close to the tree, but I was okay with that. It was lit up with multi colored lights and the ornaments were huge. I wondered just how tall the thing was. I had to crane my neck back to see the top of it.
“Excuse me,” Trent said, stopping a man passing by. “Would you mind getting a picture of me and my girlfriend?”
My heart stilled.
Girlfriend.
Trent had called me his girlfriend.
We had never defined what we were, but obviously Trent had his own idea, and I liked the sound of him calling me his ‘girlfriend’ a bit too much. I should’ve told him I wasn’t okay with him calling me that, but it would’ve been a lie. I did want to be his girlfriend. In fact, I wanted to be even more than that. But I knew it would never last, so I didn’t see the point in defining what we were to each other.
The guy seemed pissed that Trent had stopped him, but agreed. Trent handed him the camera and brought me close against his side.
The guy held the camera up and I smiled.
“Thanks,” Trent nodded, taking the camera from him.
Without a word the man left.
“Can I see it?” I asked, pointing at the camera.
Trent nodded, handing it over.
On the screen was the picture with the tree sparkling behind us. I smiled at the camera, but Trent was smiling down at me like…like I was his whole world. It was a beautiful picture, one that I wished I could imprint in my mind so I could look back on it years from now and remember how he’d felt.
I handed the camera back, swallowing down the sudden lump that had taken up residence in my throat.
“Are you ready to go?” Trent asked. “Or do you want to stay a little while longer?”
We’d already been gone from the penthouse for a while, I was chilled, and while the tree was pretty I didn’t see the sense in staring at it any longer.
“I’m ready to head back,” I answered, wiggling my chilled fingers. The black mittens did little to warm them, so I shoved them in the depths of my coat’s pockets.
Trent hailed cab and we headed back to the penthouse. He dropped us off at the front of the building and we entered that way. I hadn’t seen the lobby area yet, and I was stunned. Everything was so shiny and expensive looking. I didn’t want to know how much their penthouse must cost.
“You’ve got a little drool there,” Trent joked, wiping my lip for affect.
“This place is so amazing,” I gasped, turning around and around to take in everything.
“I like it here,” Trent shrugged. “The city vibe has always suited me, but I’d have a hard time leaving home. It’s nice to have this place to get away to, though.”
“How many other places do you have like this?” I questioned as we waited for an elevator.
“A few,” he answered vaguely.
“Something tells me it’s more than a few,” I laughed, stepping into the elevator.
He pulled out the key again, inserting it in the slot and twisting. “So maybe it is more than a few,” he shrugged casually. “I can’t tell you what they are, because I have to have something to keep you interested.”
“You know I don’t care about your money, Trent,” I said seriously, “or how many cars and houses you own. None of that matters to me.”
“I know,” he cupped my cheek, lowering his mouth to mine. “It’s one of the reasons why I—”
The elevator doors opened into the penthouse and I grabbed his hand, pulling him after me. “About that shower?” I smiled seductively, and what he had been about to say was forgotten.
There was a library in the penthouse. Every wall was covered with shelves filled with books of every genre. On one wall there was a window with a built-in bench seat covered in a fluffy white cushion and pillows. I had grabbed a blanket from the family room and I draped it over my legs as I looked out the window, brushing the wet strands of my hair.
Trent was making us dinner. I’d offered to help, but
he’d declined, telling me to relax.
Since I hadn’t gotten much of a tour yesterday, I had taken it upon myself to look around the penthouse. When I’d come across this room, I’d been delighted. I’d always found comfort in a library. It made me sad to know I wasn’t going to be working at the library anymore. I probably wouldn’t be welcome there to study either. It looked like I’d be stuck studying at the University’s library. I’d have to come up with something creative to tell Tatum as to why I was fired. She was my friend, but I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to tell her the truth.
Luckily, I’d gotten a few days of work in at Trace’s car shop before Trent and I left. It certainly wasn’t the library, but it was nice. He was easy to work for and he paid well, so I had nothing to complain about. The guys that worked for him in the shop could get a little rowdy, but he was quick to shut them down and order them back to work. For being so young, Trace was handling being a business owner very well.
I tapped my fingers on top of my knees and laid the hairbrush aside, letting the long damp strands hang down my back.
I was overcome by a sudden sadness, knowing that in a matter of days we’d have to return home and this bubble surrounding me would burst. Being here alone with Trent made it all too easy for me to hope for a future with him—a future that I knew could never be. I vowed that when we got back home I’d end things. I’d walk away before it got messy. When he dropped me off, I’d lie and tell him that this week with him had shown me that my interest wasn’t there. I’d lie, because it was easier. They always say the truth can set you free. In my case, the truth was my prison.
One day, when I was older and wiser, I would find him and explain to him why we would’ve never worked out.
It wasn’t that day yet though, and for now, I’d enjoy myself.
A patter on the open library door had me looking up. Trent stood in the doorway, his dark hair had dried from our shower and he was shirtless, just those same low hanging sweatpants on his hips.
“Why am I not surprised to find you here?” He grinned crookedly, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the door.
“I like this room,” I forced a smile, wrapping my arms around my knees. “It’s…peaceful. I find it so easy to seek comfort in books,” I murmured, looking around at the packed shelves, “the books…they can’t hurt me, not the way people can.”
Trent frowned at my words. “Rowan,” he whispered my name as he took a step into the room, “I know there’s a lot you’re not telling me.” He crouched in front of me, looking into my eyes. “I understand what it’s like not to want to talk about certain things, so I’ve respected your space, but I want you to know that I’m here anytime you need to talk to someone.”
“I know.”
There was so much that I did want to tell Trent, but I knew once I opened up I’d have to tell him everything, and I couldn’t tell him all my dirty secrets yet.
“Dinner’s ready,” he said, and I was thankful for the change of subject. I knew Trent was curious about the demons that haunted me, but he respected me enough not to force my secrets out of me. That right there showed me how much he cared for me—more than I wanted to believe he did.
“I’m not very hungry,” I muttered, laying my head on my knees.
“You need to eat,” he looked at me with worried eyes. “Are you getting sick?”
No, not unless you could grow sick from lies. “I feel fine,” I assured him. “Just tired.”
He frowned. “That’s my fault. I’m sorry.” He stood, holding out a hand for me. “Eat some dinner and go to bed. Please?”
I nodded, placing my hand in his outstretched palm. There was no reason to argue with him. He grabbed the blanket, draping it over his arm.
Out in the open living and kitchen area I saw that he had dimmed the lights and set the table. He’d even lit candles. It was beautiful.
He didn’t take me to the table though. He guided me to the couch and told me to sit. He draped the blanket over my lower half and pushed a button on a remote, which ignited a roaring fire. I hadn’t noticed the fireplace yesterday. It made the room seem cozy.
He pushed another button, which closed the large blackout curtains.
He blew out the candles and brought our plates of food and glasses of wine to the couch.
He raised his glass for a toast, so I mimicked.
“To us,” he smiled.
“To us,” I echoed.
To our demise, I thought.
“Trent, where are you taking me?” I groaned as he held onto my hand, running down the street. He grabbed a door, pulling me into a fancy upscale store.
“Shopping,” he grinned like a small boy, a little bit of his excitement rubbing off on me.
My mouth fell open as I got a look at the clothes.
“No,” I wrenched my hand from Trenton’s. “This place is too expensive, I don’t even want to look at anything for fun.”
“Rowan,” Trent said my name in a calming tone, “I want to buy you a dress.”
“A dress? Why do you want to buy me a dress?” I asked, my eyes shifting around me, taking in all the people dressed in fancy clothes. I didn’t belong here in my leggings and gray sweater. I looked like a hobo, and Trent wanted to buy me a dress? Was he crazy?
“Remember the New Year’s Eve party I mentioned?” When I nodded, he continued, “Well, it’s formal, so you need a dress.”
“I have a dress,” I mumbled, even though I so didn’t have a formal gown. I hadn’t even gone to prom.
“Rowan,” he warned, “I’m buying you a dress, a new dress, and you’re not going to say anything about it.”
“You’re so bossy,” I grumbled.
“It’s the only way I can get anything done with you,” he chuckled. “Now, please don’t make this difficult.”
I frowned. I didn’t want Trent spending his money on me, but I knew that determined glint in his eye all too well, and there was no way I was getting out of this.
“Fine,” I reluctantly agreed.
He grinned, pleased to have gotten his way. He didn’t take my hand, probably scared I’d slap it away, and nodded for me to follow him.
It was obvious Trent had been here many times before. He led me to the ladies section, or did they call it something else in fancy stores like this?
A woman greeted him and they shook hands. “Row, this is Sherri. Sherri, this is my girlfriend, Rowan, and she needs a dress for a party.”
Sherri shook my hand, her eyes starting at my feet and roaming up my body as she sized me up. “Hmm,” she grunted. I took it she didn’t think I was good enough for Trenton. That made two of us.
“What kind of party?” She asked Trent. Her voice was oddly nasal sounding, like she had a cold.
“A New Year’s Eve party. My family has one every year and it’s very formal.”
Sherri tapped her chin in thought.
She was a petite woman with fiery red hair that was in no way natural and aqua colored glasses. Her lips were plump and shimmered with a cherry red gloss. Her clothes were nice and probably cost more than what I paid for rent in six months, and she worked here.
“I think I have some things that might work.”
It didn’t escape my notice that she addressed Trent, not me, like I was nothing.
She turned briskly on her heel, flicking her hand over her shoulder for us to follow.
“I don’t think she likes me,” I muttered under my breath to Trent.
“I’m not sure she likes anyone,” he replied with a shrug.
“She likes you!” I exclaimed in a hushed whisper.
“I can’t help it that I’m so charming,” he winked, his eyes scanning the racks of clothing warily. “I know this was my idea, but I hope this doesn’t take long. Shopping is not my thing.”
“It’s not my thing either,” I assured him.
“Wait here,” Sherri pointed to a fancy couch that was covered in amethy
st colored velvet.
Trent and I took a seat while she went to pull some dresses.
I looked up, noticing an intricate crystal chandelier hanging above us. I wasn’t sure what store he’d dragged me into, and looking around at all the fancy finishing’s and clothing, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to know. My stomach was already churning at the thought of what this dress would cost, and I’d have to let him buy it. I certainly wasn’t spending the money in my savings account on a dress—that money was going to be used to get me and the kids away from my mom and step-dad.
Sherri returned with a rack of dresses. They were all in different styles and lengths, but most were shiny.
She crooked a finger at me and I stood to inspect the dresses she had pulled.
“Do you see any you like?” She asked, her voice full of false sweetness. Someone had woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
I reached for a long black evening dress that was strapless. It had jeweled detailing on the top and the bottom was plain. “I like this one,” I said.
“Alright then, try it on,” she led me down a hall and opened a door into a dressing room.
She closed the door so she was left in the small room with me. “Uh…” I eyed her warily. “I don’t need any help. I’m fine on my own.”
“Okay,” she nodded, leaving me to myself.
I stripped out of my clothes and shimmied into the black dress. Once it was on I decided I didn’t like it as much as I had on the hanger, but I knew Trent would want to see. So, I forced myself to leave behind the comfort of the dressing room and venture out to the waiting area.
Trent sat up straighter when he saw me.
“I don’t like it,” I declared quickly, “but I knew you’d want to see.” I turned, brushing my hair over my shoulder so he could see the dress at all angles.
“It’s pretty, but not you,” he commented.
“Try this one,” Sherri pulled a dress off the rack and handed it to me. She didn’t even look at it, maybe she knew what she’d pulled that well, or maybe she didn’t care to help me. Regardless, I really didn’t like the woman.
Tempting Rowan Page 19
