Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (10 page)

Before he knew it, she was out like a light.

Blaze looked at her. “She asleep?” he whispered.

Trent nodded, concerned. “She hasn’t been sleeping well. Let’s be quiet and let her get some good rest.”

“Maybe we can watch that movie while she sleeps?” Blaze asked hopefully.

“We’ll see, kiddo.” He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do about sleeping beauty who was curled against him.

Blaze whispered. “I still think she’s Raven.”

“You’re crazy, buddy,” he teased, then gently pulled her glasses off, hoping to make her more comfortable, and set them on the back of the couch.

Halfway through the movie, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He managed to pull it out without waking Ella.

He hadn’t expected to see the number that showed on the screen. The text read,
Mom’s bringing me by to pick up Blaze. Hope you don’t mind. I miss my boy.

Hope flared and he tried to tamp it back down. Too many times she came back ready to start a new life. A few weeks later, she’d start hanging out with her old friends, and it never took long to slip into old patterns after that.

Trent wanted to believe this time would be different, but he’d already started the mental countdown until it all fell apart again.

Managing a smile, he reached over Ella to touch Blaze’s shoulder.

Blaze turned toward him. “Hmm?”

“Your mom will be here in a few minutes.”

His face lit up. “Really? She’s on her way?”

He nodded. “Want to go home with her?”

“I do. I miss her.”

“Me too.” He prayed she wouldn’t break Blaze’s heart again.

Blaze turned to the screen, then up the stairs. “Pause it, please. I’ll get my things.”

“I should probably stop it. We can watch the rest another night. Promise.”

Blaze hopped off the sofa and ran to gather his clothes and toys.

Trent climbed over Ella and lifted her to lay her down against the back of the couch before covering her with a blanket. A smile spread across his entire face as she curled against the cushions.

Blaze clamored downstairs with his backpack over his shoulders.

“Hey, buddy, why don’t we sit on the porch and wait.”

Blaze looked over at Ella. “Yeah. She’s really tired.”

Trent nodded. “I’m going to let her sleep a while.”

“Come on.” Blaze grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. “We’ll be quieter out here.”

He crouched down to look into Blaze’s eyes. “Do me a favor. Don’t mention Ella looking like Raven Star again, okay? It makes her uncomfortable.”

Blaze frowned. “What if she really is her?”

Trent laughed. “That’s not possible. What would a big movie star be doing out here?”

Blaze shrugged. “Don’t know. Ask her.”

Trent dropped his head. “She’s not.”

His mother’s car pulled up in the driveway and Trent spotted Tina in the passenger seat. The car hadn’t come to a full stop before she flew out of the car and ran to Blaze, sweeping him into a hug.

Then she pulled Trent close with one arm. “Thank you for taking care of him as much as you have.”

“That’s what family does,” Trent answered.

“You’ve gone above and beyond anything I could have expected. I can’t repay you. I just hope you’ll forgive me for being away so long.”

“Forgiven. Just be his mom.” He hugged her tighter and kissed her head.

“I will. And thank you, big brother.” Blinking back tears, she carried Blaze back to the car. She turned back with hope in her eyes. “See you soon.”

“Bye, sis.”

Blaze turned to Trent and waved.

When the car was out of sight, he went back inside to check on his new friend. Ella jerked in her sleep, a ragged cry escaping her. He hurried to the couch and sat beside her. Trent reached out and rubbed his hand softly over her back.

She stilled, then rolled over curling around his waist as she settled back to sleep. He brushed his fingers through her soft caramel hair, pushing it away from her face. He smiled as she relaxed at his touch, hope blooming.

Once her breathing evened out, he stood and took his phone to the kitchen. There, he called Mila, hoping she wouldn’t blow a gasket.

“Everything okay?” Mila asked cautiously.

He had to grin at Mila’s protective nature. Ella was right—Mila was protective of her friends.

“Yeah, but she fell asleep. Then Tina picked up Blaze, so we’re alone. She’s tired… the nightmares keep her up. She fell asleep ten minutes into the movie. Think she’d be mad if I let her sleep for a while?”

Mila was silent a long moment. Then she chuckled. “Where is she sleeping?”

His tone mocked offense. “The couch.” He gentled the next words. “Look, you know her best. I want to help, and I don’t know how. But if she’s sleeping peacefully, I don’t see the harm in letting her get a few hours of restful sleep before I send her home. Unless you tell me otherwise. You don’t even have to give me your reasons.”

“You’re asking my advice?” she asked, faking disbelief.

“Yeah. And before you start, I’m not pushing her. I just thought it might help to let her rest. I figure I can do something quiet, and wait for her to wake up, or send her home when it starts getting late.”

“Let her sleep. Just don’t let her stay all night… unless she chooses to. Give her the choice.”

“Come on, Mila. I’m not
that
big of an ass.”

“Never said you were. And hey, I’m on your side. She’ll open up sooner or later. I’m trying to help you get there.”

“Really?”

She let out a sigh. “You’re a good guy. She needs that in her life. Just don’t mess it up.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to go. Don’t want to wake her yet.”

“Good night, Trent.” Mila hung up.

As quietly as he could manage, he cleaned up the kitchen and poured an iced tea, before going back to the other end of the couch, and put his feet on the coffee table. Trent opened up whatever spy novel he’d grabbed from the bookstore earlier in the week.

Chapter 12

A thump and scuffling startled Trent awake, and he jerked up to see Ella scrambling away from the couch. He dropped the book and crawled to her.

“Ella, hey, I’m right here.”

“No, no, no!” she whispered, not looking at him, still scooting away as he gently caught her face. She tore loose, swinging her arm into his with bruising force. Then she shot to her feet and ran for the door.

She rushed outside into the pouring rain. He followed, gently capturing her arm as she came to a stop with a strangled sob. “Trent?”

He turned her to face him and looked into her eyes. “Hey, I’m right here, Ella. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He glanced at the sky. “Meant to wake you up before now.”

Her big eyes blinked, but her gaze didn’t waver as her face pinched into a grimace. “I hit you. I’m sorry.”

A smile pulled at his lips. “You were scared. You didn’t see me. It’s okay. No big deal.”

She shook her head. “Didn’t know where I was. I thought… I thought—shit, I don’t know.” She turned and started across the street.

He followed and caught her arm again. “Let me walk you home and make sure you’re okay.”

She shook her head, not bothering to look back. “No. Stay with Blaze.”

He frowned, tugging her toward him. He didn’t care for the way she pushed him away. “His mother came by. She picked him up before the first movie ended.”

She turned and met his gaze, sadness in her eyes. “I must have been really tired.”

He nodded. “Please, let me make sure you’re home safely.”

She tipped her head toward the door. “Better close your door first.”

“Better get your shoes first.”

Her gaze dropped. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“No more apologies.”

Sighing, she walked past him and grabbed her shoes. He followed her and slipped on a pair of flip-flops while she put her shoes on.

“Want an umbrella?”

Her eyes sparkled, but she shook her head. “I grew up in Seattle. I never use them.”

“Then I suppose I’ll brave the rain.” He winked.

Blushing, she lowered her head. “You really want to walk me across the street? You can watch from the porch.”

“Thought maybe I could come in, make sure your house was safe, no one was in there. If you’re freaked out about the asshole who took you, the least I can do is check everything for you.”

She lifted her eyes to him and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Hey, I want you to feel safe. Let me help.”

Before she slipped past, he threaded his fingers through hers and shut the door behind them.

By now, the rain came down harder. He glanced over at Ella, who stared at the downpour. Grinning and not giving her a chance to reject the idea, he swept her off her feet and ran across the street. She squealed, but then wrapped her arms around his neck. Her laughter filled the night.

His chest loosened as her fear evaporated. He stepped onto her porch, under the eaves and set her on her feet. Leaning in, he whispered against her ear. “Couldn’t help myself.”

A giggle escaped as she pressed close. “I don’t mind.”

Ella pulled her keys out and opened the door. He followed behind her and she turned back, her eyes raking over him. His t-shirt clung to him much like her thin one, and he licked his lips, trying to think of something to say or do to stop his wayward thoughts about stripping her down and warming her up.

“You’re soaked.”

Ah hell, I’m going there.
“Shouldn’t that be my line?” He moved closer, his eyes roaming down her body.

“You tend to have that effect on me,” she purred.

“Ella.” He shook his head, stalking toward her. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Is hoping you can chase away the chill such a bad thing?”

Wrapping his hands around her waist, he dipped his head to nibble at her plump lips. She threaded her fingers into his hair, urging him to deepen the kiss.

His hands skated up her sides, under her shirt, grazing her silken skin. She moaned against his lips.

Her phone rang, and she rocked back on her heels, her eyes slamming shut.

“I’ll check the house so you can get that.” Trent went through each room quickly, until her room. The simple furniture reminded him of a spa. Clean, elegant, and relaxing. Her lilac scent almost overtook him. He couldn’t remember ever thinking flowers smelled this good.

Shaking his head, he returned back downstairs to join Ella again.

* * * *

The phone rang again as Trent hurried up the stairs. Ella went to the kitchen to answer it. “Hey.”

Mila’s curiosity came across the line. “What was that about?”

Wincing, Ella leaned against the counter. She glanced at the clock and flinched. Already eleven. “What was what about?”

“Heard you scream. Kyle looked outside and saw Trent carrying you. Just making sure you’re okay.”

“Yeah. I didn’t make it through the first movie. Blaze went home. I woke up from a nightmare.” She looked up the stairs and smiled softly. “Trent calmed me down. Then startled me when he picked me up to carry me home.” A giggle escaped.

“He managed to take your mind off your fear?” Mila prompted. “You should really tell him the truth.”

“Not tonight. Soon. I need to get my head on straight first.”

“You kiss him again?”

“Other way around, at my invitation.” She rubbed her eyes and remembered her glasses. “Shit, my glasses are over there.”

Mila laughed. “You don’t need them.”

But Trent didn’t know that. One more lie to add to the pot.

He made extra noise coming downstairs and she closed her eyes. “Mila, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Tell Trent he’s safe, for now.”

“What?”

“He took care of you. Clearly helped you relax after the nightmare.” Mila singsonged before turning off the phone.

One big hand closed over her shoulder. Heat enveloped her as he lifted her gaze to his. “Everything’s clear. You’re safe.”

A thrill ran down her spine. “My hero.”

He ducked his head and looked up through his lashes. “My pleasure.”

“You’re working in a few hours, right?”

He nodded. “I am. But I’ll see you at Kyle’s on Sunday?”

“Maybe before then?” Ella asked. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Oh, yeah?” He wrapped a hand around her waist. “Not tonight?”

A lump rose in her throat. She knew he could take the news in a million different ways, and she fully expected the worst. “No. I’m tired. You have to work soon. It’s not an easy conversation.”

The fingers of his other hand caressed over her cheek. “I don’t know what you’re afraid of, but there’s nothing you can say or do that will deter me… unless maybe you’re hiding an extra appendage. Even then, I’m not so sure it would stop this feeling.”

“What feeling?” she whispered.

He shook his head. “Like I can’t get enough of your smile, your laugh, your taste.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Your scent, those breathless sighs. The way we combust every time we connect.”

“Trent…” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Not without telling him everything, but she needed to figure out how.

He brushed his lips over hers before taking two steps back. “I’m going before I push too far.”

“You aren’t. And I feel the same, which is why we should talk.”

He smiled sheepishly. “Good night, Ella. Sweet dreams.”

She hoped to God she dreamt of him instead of the man with the gunmetal gray eyes. “Kiss me good night?” she asked softly, following him to the door.

Trent smiled as he threaded his fingers into her hair and kissed her gently before backing down the steps. “I really do need to go before I can’t walk away.”

Ella almost begged him to come in and hold her all night. She knew she couldn’t resist him, which meant she just needed to suck it up and tell him everything.

“Dream of me,” she said softly.

“No problem. You’re all I dream of lately.” He turned and hurried across the street and waved once more before slipping inside. With a sigh, she locked her front door and slid to the floor wearing a goofy grin.