Chapter 21
The rest of the day had been wonderful. Damn near magical, which is what really scared me. I didn't believe in magic or fairy tales. Today had been amazing and that was what made me so uncomfortable.
I sighed in my chair and sank as far into the plush leather seat on his jet as I could.
"What are you thinking about?" Trent prodded as he buckled himself in for takeoff.
I shook my head. "Nothing important. Hey Trent, I was thinking, this is different from the one we took back from Vegas isn't it?"
Trent nodded. "This is a four seater, and my personal jet. The one we took from Vegas was my family's jet and comfortably seats twelve."
"Oh," I nodded. Holy crap! How much money did his family have?
"Did you have a good time?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I actually did."
"You sound like you're surprised."
"That's because I am."
Trent chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself despite yourself then."
"Thanks Trent."
I heard the engine roar to life and closed my eyes. I squeezed the arm rests and bit my lip and braced for takeoff.
Trent's hand covered mine and he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. I opened my eyes and looked over at him. "Why does flying scare you?"
"Really?" I asked as the plane started moving and I closed my eyes again.
"Really."
I whimpered as the force pressed me back in the seat as we ascended. I heard something click then Trent was kissing me again. My eyes opened for a moment then I let them close back and just enjoyed the sensation.
"Better?" he asked as he pulled away, that boyish grin across his face.
"Shut up," I laughed and shook my head.
"Come on," Trent let me unbuckle myself then led me to the leather couch. "Let's watch a movie."
Trent grabbed a remote and pressed a button. A TV lowered out of a cabinet and I watched in awe. It was like a sci-fi movie and I had to stifle a giggle at the absurd thought. Technology like this existed, I just wasn't privy to it.
"What's so funny?"
I shook my head. "Nothing,"
"Nothing doesn't put that beautiful smile on your face. Tell me."
I shook my head feeling my cheeks flush. "Never mind."
Trent raised an eyebrow but didn't press it. "So what movie do you want to watch?"
I shrugged. "I'm not big on movies. You pick."
"What kind of movie do you want to watch?"
I shrugged again. "I don't know. Something not depressing?"
"Any favorite actors?"
I shrugged. "Not really. Like I said, not a big movie person. I don't even have a TV."
"I'll find something good." Trent put a disk in and sat back down. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him before I could protest. "Just stay like this for a while," he whispered to me as he pressed play.
I got bored with the movie and the events of the day were weighing on me. I don't know when exactly I fell asleep but I woke up with my head was in Trent's lap. He was absently playing with my hair as he watched the movie. I saw the last fifteen minutes before the credits started to roll.
Trent glanced down and smiled. "Welcome back,"
"Hey,"
"So what did you think of the twenty minutes you got to see?" Trent teased.
"Shut up," I slowly sat up and Trent helped me up. Suddenly, he was a hairsbreadth away from me. He was leaning in when the pilot came on.
"We're about begin our decent. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts Mr. and Mrs. Ralston."
Trent looked up and sighed. "Come on, Mrs. Ralston,"
"Shut up," I rolled my eyes as Trent grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.
"Can I help you with your seat belt?" Trent offered the suggestion clear.
"I'm fine thanks,"
We landed and once the door was open, I was about to walk down the stairs when Trent scooped me up in his arms. I squealed and my arms went around his neck. Trent chuckled and his laugh reverberated in his chest.
"Put me down!"
"Sure," Trent nodded as he made his way down the stairs. "Once we get to the car."
"Trent!" I protested squirming in his arms, trying to get free.
"Stop that before we both fall," Trent teased as he shifted me in his arms.
"Put me down damn it!" Trent tossed me and my arms squeezed tighter around his neck as he caught me. His open laughter earned him a scowl. "You are a jerk."
"It's only a bit of fun." Trent set me down by his already running car. He opened my door for me. "Come on, let's get you home."
The drive home was peaceful and I fell asleep again. I woke up being gently lifted. "Hmm?"
"We're home, sweetheart," Trent whispered, cradling me against his chest.
"I can walk,"
"You're sleepy, let's just get you in bed," I was too tired to protest. I let Trent carry me up to my apartment and stretched.
"I need a shower."
"Can I join you?" Trent teased.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "No." I grabbed an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants. "I'm getting a shower."
I washed my hair and all the salt from the ocean off of my skin and let the warm water sooth my muscles. I got out and put some product in my hair so it would be manageable in the morning and went to my room. Trent was lounging on my bed, his hands laced behind his head. "Feel better?"
I nodded. "Thanks for today, Trent,"
Trent smiled. "You're very welcome. Thanks for coming with me." Trent got up and stretched. "I'll go grab a shower now," Trent padded out as I lay down. It wasn't long before I was out. I don't know what exactly had me so tired, but I slept like a rock. I woke up with a pressure around my waist and a warm weight against my back. I shifted and the pressure around my waist tightened. I realized that Trent had pulled me against him in his sleep. I carefully disentangled myself and as I was getting up when Trent sat up. "Good morning, beautiful,"
"Morning,"
"You hungry?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"What do you want?"
"French toast."
Trent stretched and I got a great view of his shirtless chest. "Well then, I will have to get started on that." Trent got up and padded out.
I flopped back on the bed. How on earth could one person be as freaking perfect at Trent? And why on earth would he even want to hitch his wagon to mine? It still didn't make sense. I got up and got changed.
By the time I'd done my morning rituals, Trent had breakfast ready.
"I have to go to the aquarium."
"Okay, what do you need to do today?"
"I have some paperwork I need to send over to the FDA."
"Okay, what are you doing after?"
I shrugged as I fixed myself a plate.
"My brother is in town."
I looked up at this point. "Okay . . ." I waited for him to elaborate.
Trent chewed his next bite carefully and slowly before looking me in the eye. "It's a heads up and a warning."
"What?"
"My father is getting impatient. He won't wait much longer. If we don't go out there, he will come here. And if he does, it won't be pleasant."
"I don't know what to say."
"I didn't want you to be blindsided."
"What's your brother like?"
"He's the most civil in my family. He'll be the friendliest."
"That's reassuring." I grumbled.
"Nicholas is my younger brother, and he and his wife are good people. They are two of the most genuine people you have ever met. That being said, my brother can be very trusting, at the same time, he's very aware of things."
"What does that mean?"
"It means, he picks up things on quickly."
"Get to the point, Trent."
"He's been sent by my father. Dad isn't pleased that he hasn't gotten his way yet. We need to find a time to get out to see him. He'll be expecting an exact date when Nick gets back."
"If he doesn't?"
"Then my father will be the next person you meet. My father isn't exactly a friendly sort. There's a reason Ralston is the name in luxury hotels. My father built this company from the ground up. He didn't get there by being nice. He's cutthroat and ruthless."
"So I should be worried?"
Trent nodded. "Honestly, very. He's going to be hard on you, but I will do my best to shield you from him."
"What's he going to do?"
"He'll want to know your motives. He'll be expecting someone who is trying to manipulate me. While I haven't researched you, I'm almost certain every detail of your life is being delved into."
I looked up then and paled. "What do you mean every detail?"
"My father is looking for any dirt, anything he can hold against you."
"Why?"
"My father likes to be in control."
"So what do I have to do with that?"
"You're a risk. He expects everyone to be, well, as much of a business man as he is."
"So he's expecting me to be what exactly."
"Someone who is going to try to take more a ride. I almost wish you would," Trent winked.
"What?"
Trent chuckled then shook his head. "Never mind."
"I don't get it."
"I was making a joke."
I shook my head again before the meaning sank in. I felt my face flush and my eyes went wide. "Wait, what?"
Trent chuckled. "There we go. You got it. We will have to keep up appearances."
"Wait, run that by me again."
"We're married. They'll be expecting we're having sex." Trent chuckled.
My mouth fell open and my face felt like it was about a million degrees. "Um . . ."
Trent let out a throaty laugh as he reached across the table. His hand caressed my cheek before he hooked a finger on my chin and closed my mouth. "You'll catch flies doing that." He winked. "Relax, I'm very good at what I do."
"Trent, why exactly am I pretending to be your wife?"
"Because I need you to." Trent smiled as he took another bite.
"Why?"
"We've had this discussion."
"Yeah, no we haven't. You always dodge it."
"I told you, I can't appear as some party boy who got drunk and married a stranger. We've had this discussion." Trent put the last bite of French toast in his mouth and stood up. He gave me a quick kiss as he grabbed both of our plates. "Now, I have a few things I need to get done anyway. Why don't you get ready and I'll drive you?"
I glared up at Trent. "You did it again!"
"Did what?"
"Dodged my question."
Trent sighed. "Mikaela, I just told you. You refuse to accept my answer." Trent put the dishes in the sink and sank back down in his chair. "You agreed to give this a shot. We can't even start to have a relationship if you won't trust me."
"How can I trust you when whatever this thing is that we have is all based off of lies and deceit?"
Trent looked pensive for a long moment. "Why are you so against relationships?"
"Because,"
"Because why?"
"Because, Trent, they never end well, and they always end." I snapped out as I stood up. I was about to brush past him when his arm shot out and wrapped around my waist. He pulled me onto his lap. I tried to get back up, but his grip tightened.
"What about your parents? They're still together."
"No they aren't."
Trent gave me a confused look and I let out an aggravated sigh. "Camille is my mother, but Tim isn't my father. My father is rotting in prison."
"I'm sorry," Trent gave me a sad look and I ignored it.
"It's whatever. I don't care what happens to him. Katie doesn't know about any of this. She doesn't know we're only half sisters and she doesn't need to know. Do I make myself clear?"
Trent nodded. "Why didn't you tell her?"
I sighed. "This is a really long story."
"I'm listening."
"I don't want to get into it."
Trent's lips sent shivers down my spine as he nuzzled the side of my neck. "Please?"
"Don't start that," I growled, my voice more breathy that it should have been. I shivered in his arms and tried to wriggled out of his grasp.
"Start what?" Trent whispered, his lips against the shell of my ear, his breath tickling me.
I leaned as far away from Trent as I could. I was mad at him, I didn't want him distracting me. "Quit it,"
Trent laid a gentle kiss on my shoulder. "Come on, let me in. Tell me what happened."
I sighed, feeling defeated, and slumped against him. "I can't do this."
"Can't do what?"
"Trent,"
"Mikaela, if I don't know this stuff, you can wager my father will. Let me help you."
"What do you mean?"
"My father is very . . . thorough. And if I don't know big things, like this, they're going to put you on the spot."
I shook my head. "I knew this was going to be a mistake."
"What's a mistake?"
"This. Us."
"Us? We haven't even tried us. How can you already think it's a mistake?"
"Trent, if things had been different, if we'd met under different circumstances,"
"But we didn't." Trent cut me off. "The facts are the facts."
"Why do you want this so bad?"
"Is it so crazy to think that maybe, just maybe, as I've gotten to know you I like what I've seen?"
I turned in his arms. I stared into his grey-green eyes and I couldn't believe the sincerity I was seeing in them. "Yes," I admitted. I had nothing to bring to whatever this was.
"Then you're a fool," Trent whispered as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"Let go of me."
Trent slowly removed his arms from my waist. I got up and retreated to my room feeling overwhelmed. I closed the door and leaned against it. I bit down on my knuckles as I felt my eyes sting with tears. I couldn't do this. I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't handle this emotional ping pong.
I heard the knock on the door a few minutes later. "Mikaela, you okay?"
"Fine," I offered as I sniffled.
"Open the door."
"I'm fine," I repeated.
"Open the door," Trent pressed. "Come on, Mikaela,"
"I said I'm fine."
"And I know you're not." Trent growled. "So open the door."
"Go away."
"Nope,"
"Leave me alone. Okay?"
"I already told you no."
I shook my head and got up. I didn't want to do this. I got changed quickly. All I needed to do was brush my teeth and put on my boots and I was good to go. I opened the door and Trent was waiting for me.
"You were crying," Trent stated it, like it was an obvious thing.
"No, I wasn't." I lied as I stubbornly rubbed my cheek. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Trent's arms were around me and he pulled me close. He kissed my forehead and rocked me for a moment. "Liar," he whispered, a ghost of a smile across his lips. "Now, before we go anywhere, we need to figure this out."
"I don't have time for this."
"Make time."
"I have other things to do,"
"You're stalling."
"If I am?"
"It doesn't seem like you."
"I can't do this. This fighting thing is exhausting."
"Who's fighting?"
"We are,"
Trent shook his head. "This is a discussion. You just don't want to have this discussion."
I felt caged in and I hated it. What I hated even more was that he wasn't entirely wrong.
"Come here," Trent indicated the couch with his head. "Let's talk."
I sighed, feeling completely defeated. "Okay,"
Trent guided me over and sat opposite me. "Tell me about your dad."
"For the record, Tim is my dad. Even though he's not my father, he's been my dad in every way. I'm not his flesh and blood, but he is definitely my dad. Got it?"
Trent nodded, his eyes boring into mine. "What happened with your father then?"
I sighed. "I'll tell you the cliff notes version. My mother has always been beautiful, but she didn't really know it. My father was the first guy who ever paid attention to her like that, even if he was a few years older. She fell hard and fast. She got pregnant at fourteen and had me at fifteen. Biggest problem, my father was a drug dealer. He got my mom hooked on coke. He was on the stuff too. He had a short temper and was quick to blame everyone but himself. If I was crying too long he hit me and Mom. Mom tolerated it for a while. When I was about two, I accidentally destroyed about a grand of coke and almost died. My father lost his temper and my Gran got me taken away from them. Both he and my mom went to jail. Mom was underage, so she was in JD but my father, he's still serving his sentence. Gran took care of me after that. After a while, Gran got sick and eventually died, then Mom showed back up with a new husband and little baby. Mom took me back, and Tim cared for me like his own, almost better even. Mom and I never talked about the past. Every time I tried she would break down and cry and just tell me she was sorry and that she made a mistake. Nothing ever got solved. She just made herself feel better. Eventually, I just stopped asking."
"I'm so sorry,"
"Save it. I really don't want your sympathy or anyone else's."
"Mikaela, you are,"
"I said save it."
"Incredible." Trent finished looking up at me with some strange look on his face. I don't know what it was, it wasn't pity, and I couldn't place it. I didn't want to either.
I glared up at him. "Don't patronize me."
Trent shook his head. "I'm not. I think I'm beginning to understand you now. Everyone who was supposed to take care of you, protect you, they all let you down."
I stood up abruptly. "I need to get to the aquarium. I have to go,"
I was halfway to the door when Trent grabbed my wrist. "Don't run away."
"I'm not running."
Trent raised a skeptical eyebrow at me. "What do you call this?"
"Working."I growled. I felt utterly exposed. I didn't talk about this with anyone. I couldn't. And here I was basically spilling my soul to a near stranger.
Trent shook his head. "You're running and you know it."
"I have work to do."
"Go ahead. Hide behind work. We both know the truth."
I shook my head. "Just because you know a secret doesn't mean you know me."
"Let me grab my coat. I'll drive you."
"I can drive myself."
"My brother's in town. We need to keep up appearances. I'll drive you."
"I don't want you to drive me."
"Go put your boots on. I'm driving you."
I glanced at my keys and Trent noticed. We both lunged for my keys. Trent beat me and promptly dropped them down the front of his pants. "Then grab your keys," Trent crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, a confident smirk plastered on his face. "Either way, I win."
"You're an ass." I snarled at him. I felt my eyes well up and turned to put my boots on. I did not want him to see. He already had enough in his arsenal. I stomped to the bathroom under the pretense of wanting a hair tie. I jumped when I felt his arms encircle my waist.
"Don't be so mad at me." Trent whispered against my ear.
"Don't get so friendly." I snapped back, my voice colder than I intended.
"Are you mad that you told me or that I'm starting to see through you walls?" Trent asked as he nipped at my ear.
I shivered and tried to shrug out of his arms. "You want to drive, fine, drive your stupid car. I have work to do." I grumbled.
I heard Trent laugh as I stormed away from him. Trent got the door for me and locked it behind himself. I was livid.
"Are you going to pout the whole way to work?" Trent jabbed.
I crossed my arms and sank down as far as my seat would allow. "Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?"
Trent grinned. He reached over and put his hand on my knee and just laughed when I slapped it away. "Tonight is going to be fun."
"What do you expect to happen tonight?"
"My brother is in town. We're going to have dinner with him."
"Who says?"
"Remember our discussion earlier?"
"I don't want to lie to your brother all night."
"So don't."
"What else do you call this?"
"I call it my wife being stubborn."
"Trent what the hell do you expect from me? I can't do this. I'm not like you."
"Not like me? What does that mean?"
"We're too different Trent!" I shouted. "We're polar opposites. You were born with a silver spoon, I was a crack baby. You like to pick fights, I can't take altercations. You always get your way, I'm used to having to compromise. You can get along with everyone, people don't like me. You're charming, I'm awkward. Whatever you think you see in me, you're wrong. I can't do this." I was overwhelmed and felt the tears spill over.
Trent slammed the brakes and pulled over. "You want to play that game? Fine!" Trent growled. "So what if we're opposites. Your past doesn't define you. Do you really enjoy the prison you've boxed yourself into? You've painted yourself into a corner and you hide. I thought you were braver than that. But if you want to be a coward, fine! You hide behind your past, you hide behind your work, you hide behind any excuse you can find. You want to hide? Fine, I'll tell my brother you're sick. You go do whatever you need to do. But you look me in the eye and tell me you didn't feel a damn thing yesterday."
I looked up at him and saw the fury on his face. I took a few breaths and looked away.
"Because you felt the same thing I did." Trent whispered. "Will you quit trying to ruin everything good that happens here? You were trying yesterday. What the hell changed?" I crossed my arms and stared out the window. I flinched when Trent's hand went to my knee. "You enjoyed it when I kissed you. You let me hold you. You looked damn good in a bathing suit. What the hell has changed and has you running again?"
If I was honest, it was that I was changing. I was letting him in. I didn't trust him not to break me if he got all the way in, especially when he left. I was convinced that no matter what, he would leave. It was just a matter of time before he was gone just like everyone else.
I shook my head. "Never mind."
"No, I will mind." Trent growled. "What are you thinking right now? You've started to let me in. Why do you give me an inch then slam the damn door?"
I shook my head and glared out the window.
"Answer me!"
"I don't have an answer for you." I whispered.
"What the hell is going on in that head of yours?"
"Just take me to work." I sighed.
"No, not until I know what the hell the real problem is."
"Fine, I'll go to dinner with your brother. Just drop it, okay?"
"Great, but no, I won't drop it."
"What do you want?"
"You to be honest! Be honest with me! Be honest with yourself for Christ's sakes!"
"I can't," I was shocked at the traitorous sound that crossed my lips.
"Why not?" Trent prodded after a long moment.
"Trent, I can't. I just, I can't."
"Will you at least tell me why?"
I shook my head. "No. You wouldn't understand."
Trent's hand was on my knee again and the gesture startled me. "Try me." I shivered under the intensity of his gaze. Trent's grip tightened slightly and brought my back to reality.
I shook my head. "You're just going to be gone once you get your answers. Just tell me what I have to do tonight."
Trent sighed. "Just be the same you I got to see yesterday."
"I can try." I nodded.
"This conversation isn't over." Trent warned as he pulled back onto the road.
"It is for now." I quipped back.
Trent shook his head and went back to dodging traffic again. He came to an abrupt stop outside the aquarium. "I'll pick you up at five."
"What if I'm not finished by then?"
"Be finished by then." Trent warned. "Otherwise, I will come and get you." I rolled my eyes and started to get out. Before I was completely out, Trent's arms flew around me and pulled me in for a kiss. "And I'll do that in front of everyone." Trent winked as I stood there stunned. He drove off and I shook my head.
"He's still a punk." Rory spat out.
"Be nice," I warned.
I noticed an eyebrow shoot up. "How's paradise?"
"Don't give me this crap."
"You know you made the news yesterday."
"I what?"
"Yeah, you and lover boy. Some little reporter came in earlier trying to get some dirt on you."
"Oh . . ."
"Come on, the director wants to talk to you."
"Really?"
"Yep,"
I sighed. "Why do I have a feeling this is going to be bad?"
"Because, Mikki, it is." Rory laughed as he carelessly threw an arm over my shoulder. "I wanted to give you a heads up. He's waiting in your office."
I froze. "He's waiting in my office?"
"Yup."
"Oh crap, I am in trouble."
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Hello my darlings! What do you think? Does Mikaela piss any of you off as much as she does me? Anywho, let me know what you like, what you don't like. I love you all!