Trace + Olivia Series Boxed Set (121 page)

Trent had definitely been able to make me forget. After the table, we’d sunk to the floor and started the whole process over again.

Now, we lay spread out on the floor, still naked, and my body was wrapped around his. I never wanted to move, because once I did I’d have to return to my messed up life.

His lips pressed against my forehead. “I have something I want to ask you… and please, don’t get mad, hear me out.”

“Okay…” I ventured hesitantly. “Usually when someone says ‘don’t get mad’ it’s because you’re going to get mad.”

He swallowed thickly, looking up at the ceiling of the library. “Come to New York with me.”

I was not expecting
that
to come out of his mouth.

“Trent, you know—”

“I know, you have to look after your siblings. But can’t you find someone else for a week? We could go over Christmas,” he tucked my hair behind my ear, “and return in time to go to my family’s annual New Year’s Eve party, then I would reluctantly take you home,” he chuckled.

I bit my lip, chewing on it nervously. Since I’d been able to drive, I’d been taking the kid’s to our grandma’s and spending a few days to a week there for the holidays. That’s what I had been planning to do this year, but… I could always drop them off and go with Trent. I knew they’d be in good hands with her. I wouldn’t have to worry, and I could enjoy myself. I deserved to do something for myself, right?

“I… I need to think about it,” I whispered, tracing my finger along his chest and down his abs.

“Well,” he sighed, “thinking about it is certainly better than a flat out no.”

I really did want to do it—even though the thought of being alone with Trent for a full week scared me. I knew that winter break would end soon and he’d be gone for a while. His University was only two hours away, but when you have classes and homework, it could be hard to find time to visit. I certainly didn’t want to be one of those clingy girls begging him to come home every weekend. I would miss him though, and I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could.

“Why New York?” I asked, truly curious.

“We have a place in the city, and it’s spectacular this time of the year. Plus, I’d like to spend more time with you, and New York City seemed like a good place. We’re far enough away that you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about your brother and sister, but close enough to get back quickly if we need to.”

“You’ve really thought this through.” I glanced up at him as he twirled a lock of my hair around his finger.

He nodded with a grin. “I understand if you can’t… or even if you don’t want to.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to,” I sat up a bit to look at him, my hair falling forward to conceal my breasts. “I need to think about it though… okay?”

“Take your time, but if we’re going to do this, we leave in four days,” he held up four fingers like I couldn’t count.

My heart was already beating wildly at the thought of spending a whole week alone with Trenton. I wasn’t sure it was the best thing for us—at this point, I didn’t want to let myself get anymore… attached—but if I didn’t go, I’d always wonder what might have happened.

“I need to see if my grandparent’s are okay with keeping Tristan and Ivy that long. The three of us normally spend Christmas with them, and come home a few days before New Year’s,” my eyes studied the unique tattoo on his arm, “so they’d need to keep them longer than normal…”

“Don’t be worried about disappointing me,” he reached up, cupping my cheek.

“I want to go,” I assured him, putting my hand overtop his.

“If you can’t go, maybe… maybe you’d come over to my family’s place, and bring your siblings?” He suggested, biting on his lip, and giving me a look that didn’t have me thinking about what he just said.

I lowered my head and pressed my lips to his. His fingers tangled in my hair as he kissed me back.

“What was that for?” He asked, panting slightly.

“You looked so kissable that I couldn’t resist,” I admitted, looking down shyly. I wasn’t one to spout my feelings or to admit to such things.

“I like this side of you,” Trent remarked, watching me steadily.

“What side?” I questioned with a raised brow.

“The free one,” his thumb rubbed over my bottom lip. “You’re always so closed off, but lately you’ve been opening up more… laughing, smiling, being… free,” he repeated.

“I’ve been through a lot,” I whispered, shame causing me to look down at the carpeted floor.

“I know you have,” he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him, “and I hope one day, you’ll trust me enough to tell me everything. Until then, I won’t push you, but I will be here for you. I will
always
be here.”

I closed my eyes, wishing his words were true. I knew he meant them, in this moment at least, but if he knew the truth of what I had done he’d leave and never come back.

I finished cleaning up from breakfast and ran around trying to get ready. Before she left last night, Mary had offered me more hours today. More hours meant more money, and I needed all the money I could get.

I pulled on a red button down jacket to brighten up my black skirt and white top. I opened the door to the kids’ room and kissed them on top of their heads. “I have to go in to work, but I’ll be home early today. Be good.”

Tristan clung to my neck. “Don’t go, Row.”

“I have to,” I told him, unwinding his arms from their stranglehold. At Tristan’s age he couldn’t understand that I was doing this for him, for
them
, in the hopes of giving them a better life. I was doing the best I could, but most times it seemed like I wasn’t trying at all.

I kissed his small hand and ruffled his hair. “I’ll be home before you know it.”

His sad face made it hard to push myself out the door but I had to.

Outside, the cold air whipped around me, blowing my hair in my face. I pushed the strands away and got in my car, rubbing my hands together for warmth as I waited for heat to pour into the frigid vehicle.

I backed out of the driveway, wondering where my step-dad was. He was gone more and more lately, and I was sure yet another divorce was in my mom’s future.

I parked and hurried into the library, ready to be out of the cold.

I was headed to clock-in when Mary called out for me. “Yes?” I turned, searching for the older woman.

When I spotted her she crooked her finger, motioning me to her.

“Yeah?” I asked, when I stopped in front of her.

The way she was looking at me had me breaking out in a nervous sweat. “Honey, I have some bad news,” she patted my arm. It was obvious she didn’t want to continue to speak further, but had to. “We have to let you go.”

“What?” I gasped, stumbling back. I
needed
this job. Without it, I was screwed. “Why?” I couldn’t understand. Was this some cruel joke? I was a hard worker and I never caused trouble.

“Honey,” her voice was hushed, “there was… something on the security tapes.”

I closed my eyes. This couldn’t be happening.

“We can’t have someone working here that would do something like that,” she looked at me sadly, not with disgust, which surprised me.

I nodded. “I understand.” I cringed at the fact that Mary, someone I respected, had seen me like that. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to look at her ever again.

I walked away from her and out the door, straight to my car. My posture was stiff and I was completely stunned that that had just happened. I couldn’t seem to process the fact that I had just gotten fired. I knew what Trent and I had done in the library was wrong, and I had to pay the consequences.

I leaned my head against the headrest.

Unlike most people, I was more upset over losing my job than I was about them having watched Trent and I have sex. Without a job, I was screwed. Simple as that.

I picked up my phone, my fingers clumsy with my anger.

“Hello?” Trent answered and he sounded half-asleep.

“I got fired,” I seethed. “I need that job, Trent! I don’t know what I’m going to do!”

“Whoa, slow down,” he sounded slightly more alert, “why’d you get fired?”

I frowned, staring up at the ceiling of my car. “They saw us, Trent… on the security tapes.”

“A library has cameras?” He asked in disbelief.

“Yeah,” I said slowly, angry with myself. “I have to have a job, Trent.” My head fell against the steering wheel, honking the horn.

“Did you just honk your car horn?” He chuckled.

“It was an accident,” I mumbled.

“So… they seriously have it on tape?” He cleared his throat. “Us having sex?”

“No, they fired me because I let a bunny loose around the library!” I was getting pissed now. “Of course they have it on tape!”

“Think they’d let me buy it?” His voice was serious.

“Trent!” I exclaimed.

“What? I didn’t say I was going to watch it,” he said, and there was rustling in the background. “But I’d hate for something like that to get out. I can tell you’re upset. Let me fix this.”

“I don’t care about the sex tape! All I care about is the fact that I’m jobless!”

Trent chuckled. “You are such an unusual woman. As for your ‘jobless’ problem, I think I have a solution for that.”

“You do?” For the first time since Mary had said they’d have to let me go, I could breathe again.

“Yeah,” he mumbled and there was more shuffling. “Meet me at Trace’s.”

“Uh… I don’t know where he lives.”

He laughed at that. “I meant at his shop.”

“Oh, okay. I’m pretty close,” I muttered, already backing out of the parking lot.

“Just wait in your car until I get there,” he told me.

“I can do that,” I breathed, relief flooding my body.

Wentworth Wheels was only about five minutes from the library. I parked on the street, instead of the lot. I didn’t want Trace coming out and asking me why I was there before Trent arrived.

I stayed alert, watching for Trent’s black car. When it pulled into the lot across the street, I got out of my car, braving the cold.

He was already out of his car and grinning as I jogged across the street. Thank God I’d worn flats today.

“I can’t believe the librarians watched us have sex,” he laughed with a smirk.

“Stop talking about it,” I gagged, “and don’t you dare say anything to your brother about this,” I pointed a warning finger at him.

“Trust me, I won’t,” he raised his hands in surrender. “I’d never hear the end of it from him. Come on,” Trent waved for me to follow him into the garage.

In my skirt and button down jacket, I felt extremely over dressed. Plus, my legs were cold.

“Trace?” Trent called out. “Where are you?”

Something metal clanged to the ground, and then we heard, “Over here,” coming from our right.

“What are you guys doing here?” Trace asked, sliding out from under a car and scaring me half to death.

“I have a solution to your problem,” Trent smirked, shoving his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels.

“What problem?” Trace slid out even further so he could sit up.

“The one where the phone’s always ringing and you have to stop working to answer it.” Trent’s grin widened further if that was even possible.

“And how have you solved it?” Trace pushed his dark hair out of his eyes before draping his arms over his knees.

“Rowan,” he pointed to me.

“Me?” I gasped.

“She needs a job. You need someone to answer phones and check inventory. It’s a win-win,” Trent shrugged. “Feel free to thank me and shower me with your affections.” He bowed dramatically.

“Why do you like this guy?” Trace looked up at me. “He’s really dumb.”

“Remember,” Trent leaned against the side of the car Trace was working on, “we both came from the same sperm and egg.”

“And that was unfortunate,” Trace jumped up and ruffled Trent’s hair, “I got all the good looks. Sucks for you.”

Trent shook his head. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to feel better.”

Ignoring his younger brother, Trace eyed me. “Can you handle answering the phone and setting up appointments, plus keep track of parts I need to order?” There was a challenge in his eyes, like he didn’t think I could really do it.

“That’s easy,” I said sassily. I was the kind of person who always rose to the challenge, and this was no exception.

Trace smiled crookedly. “Welcome to Wentworth Wheels,” he held out his hand for me to take. “Just don’t have sex in the office and we’re good.”

My eyes threatened to bug out of my head. How did he know? He was making a joke about Trent and I in the library, right?

“I’m kidding, Rowan. Relax,” he laughed easily, “have all the sex you want, as long as I don’t have to walk in on it. That’s happened one too many times with Avery and Luca, and let me tell you, that’s something no one wants to see.”

With that, Trace sat back down and slid under the car. “Can you start tomorrow?” He slid back out so just his head poked through from beneath the car.

“Absolutely.”

Then he was gone again.

Trent and I walked back outside. “What was with the sex comment?” I asked him. “Did you tell him what happened at the library?” I’d thought he’d said as we came in that he didn’t want Trace knowing, but he seemed to be aware of something to make that sort of remark.