Playing with Fire

by Amy O'Neill

  Trent reached out and took her hand. This time she didn’t pull away. “I’m glad you got to say goodbye.”

  “Me too. From that day on I quietly put things in motion and waited until I had things together.”

  “What things?”

  Noelle shrugged. “Things. When momma died I got what little she’d saved and everything she owned. I got a storage unit and hid the money away. Lenny had a routine, and I knew when and for how long he’d be passed out drunk. During those times I’d do odd jobs for some of the neighbor ladies. Sewing, cleaning, babysitting.”

  “And he never knew it?”

  She couldn’t help the half-laugh, half-snort she let out. “He was oblivious. Most of the time he was too wasted to remember what he was doing. He lived with an almost constant buzz.”

  Trent nodded and asked, “Do you think he may have reached out to the neighbors when you left and they would tell him what you were doing?”

  She thought about it a minute and shrugged. “I don’t really know. I mean, he thought he kept me secluded enough that people wouldn’t talk to me, but maybe he got worried enough that he’d give them some story.”

  “Worried that something may have happened to you?”

  She laughed outright at that, but there was little humor in the sound. “No, worried I’d get far enough away to tell someone what he really did behind closed doors. Around where we lived he had immunity to do what he wanted, but people weren’t stupid, they’d heard he had a temper just like his daddy.”

  He arched his eyebrow with a questioning look. “His daddy?”

  Noelle nodded. “Yeah, he’s the sheriff.”

  Trent swore again. “That would explain the immunity. “

  “Yep. And on the occasions when it was bad enough where I ended up in the hospital, his daddy made sure that even when the nurses and doctors reported it, the report got so lost in red tape it never went far.”

  “I hate men who abuse women, but I really hate men who abuse power so they can do it. How did you finally get away?”

  “Two weeks ago I ended up in the emergency room when Lenny threw me across the room and I hit my head on the counter. It knocked me out and after almost an hour his momma finally talked him into taking me to get looked at. He’d already given me a black eye, but hitting my head gave me a concussion.”

  Trent clenched his teeth again and she could nearly see the anger radiate from him. “And nobody did anything to help, did they?”

  She shook her head. “Lenny told them I tripped and hit my head. He made it sound like I was clumsy. In my heart I was ready to leave a long time ago, but I think hitting my head knocked out any remaining hope because the next morning, as soon as he left, I took off.”

  “That explains the bruises I noticed on you that first night. I could tell they were several days old.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, those were from him. LuAnn was working the night I got admitted and we hatched a plan to get me out of town. She is the one that got the U-Haul for me and helped me load up so quick. She truly was a lifesaver.”

  “What made you choose California?”

  Noelle shrugged. “It’s where I ran outta money. I figured with as many people as there are here I would be able to get lost in the crowd.”

  Trent laughed and Noelle glared at him. “What is so funny?”

  He motioned toward her, “You thinking you could fit into a crowd. Honey, you stand out in so many ways.”

  Noelle crossed her arms in front of her and gave a humph. “That isn’t very nice.”

  He held up his hands. “No, I mean it in a good way. You’re naturally beautiful without a bunch of make-up or spray tan. You have that hair I can spot from two blocks away and a smile that stops me in my tracks. If you have that effect on me I’d hate to think how a crowd would respond to you.”

  She shook her head. “Only you could find a chance to hit on a woman during a serious conversation.”

  He reached out and cupped her cheek with his hand. “But it made you smile so it’s worth it. I mean it, too.”

  She blushed. The look he gave her made her brain go blank and she had to shake her head. “Anyway, that’s my story. I didn’t do nuthin’ wrong.”

  Trent nodded. “I know. Fitzer asked me yesterday why I was so damn happy and then started asking questions about you that got my wheels turning. I knew the U-Haul came from Batesville; I put that and your name into the computer system.”

  “And?”

  “And luckily there aren’t too many Noelles in Batesville. But when your name did come up it was a Missing Person Bulletin.”

  “What did it say?”

  “That your mother reported you missing and your purse and identification were found in the house.”

  Noelle nodded. “That’s why you asked me about my momma?”

  “Yeah, as soon as I saw that I knew something wasn’t right. You mentioned before you were trying to get away from something, I wanted to make sure before I called and told them where to find you.”

  Noelle froze and her eyes widened. “You called them?”

  Trent shook his head and used his hand to soothe her, gently caressing her arm. “No, I told you before that you can tell me anything and it will be safe with me. The only way I’ll call is if you say it’s okay. I can tell them you are fine and wish to not be contacted.”

  She shook her head vehemently. “Absolutely not. They’ll track me down. Lenny’s made the comment several times the only way I would ever get away from him is if I was dead.”

  Trent stared at her. “Why didn’t you say that sooner? He can’t threaten you like that. There are things we can legally do to stop him.”

  She shook her head again. “No there isn’t. His daddy would make sure nuthin’ comes of it. They’d say I was lying and then make my life even more miserable.”

  “So what, you’re gonna do nothing?”

  Noelle saw the exasperation in Trent’s face, but she was done justifying her reasons. “Yep. All I want is to move on and forget about that life. Why can’t we do that?”

  “You really think you won’t be looking over your shoulder the rest of your life?”

  She fell silent. Her main objective had always been to get away, she’d never thought about what would happen after that. “No.”

  She thought it over for a moment then asked, “Can I have a few days to think about it, about you calling to just say I’m fine?”

  She could tell he didn’t like the idea, but was relieved when Trent finally nodded. “Yeah. But I think it would be better to do it sooner rather than later.”

  Noelle nodded. “I know. Thank you for making the decision mine. If you were to do it without my okay I would be very hurt. For so long Lenny ran my life, but I’m the one who has the say now.”

  Trent caressed her cheek. “Fair enough.”

  The car got very quiet. Noelle turned her cheek into the warmth of his hand and delighted in the gentleness of his touch. She felt relief at finally telling him.

  After another moment Trent spoke. “I know I said I was going to take you to meet my friends, but I’m thinking maybe it would be better to just hang out by ourselves. Do you want to go get something to eat and watch a movie?”

  Noelle smiled at him. “That sounds perfect.”

  Trent gave her another smile and started the car. As she buckled up, Noelle realized that it didn’t matter what they did tonight, or any night. She was just happy to spend time with him. For the first time ever, she was totally relaxed in the company of a man.

  But it wasn’t just any man. Trent was quickly becoming the man who held her heart.

  Trent rested his chin on top of Noelle’s head as they cuddled on his couch watching a movie – it was heartwarming enough for her and had football for him so they were both happy.

  He liked the feel of her in his arms this way. It had taken some work, but she’d finally agreed to come back to his place and rent an on-demand movie. He’d promised to be on his best be
havior, and was surprised to find it was easier than he thought.

  Most of the movie he did his best to not ogle her, but he’d be content to sit and stare at her all day. After her admission earlier he saw her in a new light. He knew Noelle had a fierceness to her, but now he held an even deeper respect for her strength.

  It also opened his eyes to how his mother must feel. He’d been wrapped up in his anger at his father for so long that he hadn’t taken enough time to understand her point of view. Now he did, at least a little more.

  He stared blankly at the television as his mind raced with a million thoughts. The most predominant was fighting the urge to track down this Lenny schmuck and teach him a lesson. He knew Noelle wouldn’t want him to get in a fight, but something in him wanted to defend her honor.

  “Hey Trent?”

  Her voice broke through his thoughts. “Yeah …”

  “Do you think you can stop squeezing me so tight?”

  He looked down at where his arms were wrapped around her midsection. He loosened his grip, not realizing that while his brain was thinking of protecting her, his body was responding by hugging her tightly, like he did when he was a young boy with his favorite teddy bear.

  He dropped his hands. “Sorry.”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “It’s alright, I just like to breathe.”

  He laughed. “Yeah I could see how that would be a good thing.”

  Noelle turned more fully toward him. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “Nothing, just not wanting to let you go.”

  She squinted at him. “Smooth, real smooth.”

  He gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I try.”

  She laughed and the warmth in it did something funny to his heart again. If this is what love was, on one hand he kicked himself for waiting so long to feel it, but on the other hand was glad to have waited for someone like Noelle to come along.

  He couldn’t keep from running his fingers through her wild tresses and giving her another, longer kiss.

  When they finally came up for air, the movie credits were playing. Regretfully he said, “It’s probably time I took you home, huh?”

  She bit her lip and it took everything in him to not carry her straight to the bedroom. She finally nodded and the disappointment at having to say goodbye seemed to take the wind out of him.

  Trent cleared his throat. “Yeah, I figured as much. What do you have going on tomorrow night?”

  Noelle shook her head. “Nuthin’. Delphine has been trying to talk me into going with her to karaoke, but if you want to do something … I would rather be with you.”

  Trent shook his head. “Can you repeat that? Because the woman I met a week ago didn’t want anything to do with me!”

  Noelle laughed and playfully smacked him in the shoulder. “You might be growing on me.”

  “Might?”

  She shrugged and waved him off. “Yeah, might.

  He gave her another long kiss. When she moaned he deepened it. A moment later he pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. “What about now?”

  She pretended to yawn. “Eh, it was okay.”

  Trent threw his arms in the air and groaned. “What in the world…”

  He put his hands around her waist and lifted her so she was sitting on his lap. After taking her face in his hands, he kissed her like he had never kissed any other woman. Slowly, deliberately, he made love to her mouth.

  When he finally stopped, she let out a whimper. Her lips were plump and red from being thoroughly kissed. She moved slightly on his lap then froze. His arousal was obvious.

  To his surprise, she didn’t scurry off like he thought she would. Instead, she wet her lips with the tip of her tongue and wrapped her arms around his neck. Noelle repositioned herself she so was straddling him.

  He watched as she trepidatiously moved her hands down the sides of his neck, across his chest, and down his abdomen. He was amazed that his t-shirt didn’t burst into flames as his skin burned for her to really touch him. He marveled at how even a light touch felt as if he were being branded as hers.

  Trent did his best to sit still as she moved her hands over the mounds of his biceps and across his tanned forearms, then back up to his shoulders. Their breathing was all he could hear and everything else around them faded away.

  Noelle laced her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and gave it a gentle, teasing tug. She leaned forward and kissed him. He allowed her to set the tempo.

  Her confidence seemed to grow as time went on. Trent kept his hands at her waist, but used his thumbs to gently rub along her hips. When he hardened further, she snuggled down and let out a groan.

  “I know I should stop but this feels really good.”

  It took a moment for him to clear his throat. “It feels better than good. You are making it very hard to behave.”

  She nipped at his ear, her voice soft and sexy as silk on skin. “Oh, I can tell it’s hard alright.”

  Trent groaned and flexed his fingers on her waist to tighten what little grip be has left on his self-control. “You little minx.”

  He took a deep breath and lifted her up off his lap, only to lay her down next to him. “I think we better simmer down before it goes farther than I think either of us is ready for.”

  It took a moment, but she finally nodded in agreement. “You’re right.”

  “You know that’s the second time you’ve said that today and I like it.”

  Noelle batted at his arm. “Alright, deflate the ego already!”

  Trent brushed the hair off her cheek and gave her a light peck. “You really are bossy. You’re lucky I like you so much.”

  She blushed. Her reply was a whisper. “I like you too.”

  Before he could go all mushy he kissed her once more then got up and helped her to her feet. “We’d better get going. What do you think about meeting my friends tomorrow?”

  “I can’t wait. As long as we get some time alone again.”

  “Oh don’t worry about that. Alone time is mandatory now.”

  An hour later, after another mini make-out session in his car, Trent said goodbye to Noelle at her door. He whistled to himself as he walked back to his Corvette.

  His life had definitely taken an unexpected turn in the last ten days, but he intended to enjoy the journey as long as he could - and as long as Noelle was willing to take it with him.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Noelle tossed and turned in bed then stared at the alarm clock. She’d repeated the process more than a dozen times in the last hour.

  Could Trent really be right? Would it be as simple as calling into the Batesville PD and saying she was okay? Would it suffice? Or would Lenny track her down and hold up to his word?

  It would be just her luck that the one time Lenny actually followed through on something he said would be the time it involved threatening her life.

  And then there was Trent. She felt like she was rushing in, but just like a raft racing over the rapids, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. It was exhilarating and scary and challenging and satisfying all bundled into one sexy package of a man.

  But what if he wasn’t what he seemed either? Since the first time she’d seen Lenny in a baseball uniform, way back in ninth grade, she’d longed for him. When his gaze finally landed on her at a New Year’s Eve party, she hadn’t stopped herself then either. She’d raced headlong into his arms to live out all the fantasies she’d had of him over the years. But the reality turned into a nightmare faster than she could have said ‘3, 2, 1 … Happy New Year’.

  She didn’t truly think Trent would pull a Jekyll and Hyde on her, but she’d been wrong before. Sure Trent was charming, good looking, and a great kisser – Lord, she couldn’t leave those lips out - but she had to wonder what he would be like after the newness wore off.

  Noelle felt something deep inside her say he would be all he was and more if she just gave him time. Her heart, her mind, her body, wanted his touch so
much, wanted his attention.

  The alarm clock buzzed next to her, breaking up the vicious cycle of questioning. Noelle shut it off and threw back the covers. The hot shower felt good, but it made her think of other hot things – Trent’s kisses, Trent’s hands, and that smoldering look he seemed to have only for her.

  Noelle planted her hands against the wall and let the water cascade over her head and down her body. The stream caressed her curves and she imaged Trent in its place. For seeming so pompous, he was gentle with her, as if she were a rare gem. He made her feel precious.

  Something in that thought, something about a man making her feel so valuable, brought tears to her eyes. For so long Noelle had felt worthless. She had allowed Lenny to make her feel that way, but never again would she have to deal with him. From now on, She wouldn’t deal with any man who made her feel like less than she knew she was.

  Noelle felt a fire come to life in her, it had begun the moment she put the car in drive and left Arkansas and it had only grown since then. At first she didn’t know what to call it, it seemed so foreign to her, but now she knew it was confidence – self-confidence.

  She smiled and remembered an old gospel hymn her momma would sing to her about letting her lil’ light shine. This was her time to shine.

  That thought had her humming the tune all morning, to the point that Delphine started eyeballing her.

  “You know you’re gonna get that damn song stuck in my head.”

  Noelle smiled over her shoulder from where she was changing the bed sheets in Room 12. “I can’t help it. It seems fitting today.”

  Delphine laughed. “He must really be doing something to you.”

  Noelle thought about it for a moment and shook her head. “No. I mean, Trent is great and I love spending time with him, but being away from the life I left is really starting to pick my spirits up. I can’t remember a time when I was so happy.”

  Delphine smiled. “That is good to hear. I bet your momma is looking down on you with a grin bigger than yours to hear you say it.”