Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (22 page)

“Why is that?”

“She’s too nice. I can count the number of times she said anything unflattering about anyone on one hand. And she’s always kept me grounded.”

He nodded. “Though she warned you about me.”

Ella tipped her head side to side. “Not exactly. She cautioned me about your past, then encouraged me to at least see where things went.”

A chuckle bubbled up. “I need to thank her.”

“Me too.” She captured his hand and smiled. “I might have pushed you away harder if it weren’t for her.”

He almost admitted he would have chased harder if she had, but that probably would have backfired with her past. The way they’d come together worked out so much better.

Chapter 27

Ella sat curled in the passenger seat, facing Trent. He stole a glance her direction.

“You coming back to my place tonight?” Ella trailed her fingers over his thigh. A nice long bath with Trent sounded like the perfect end to a long day, and a great way to start the night.

His sexy grin appeared. “I can’t stop thinking about you naked, wet, and covered in bubbles.”

“I’ll put music on, dim the lights, and start the bath. I can’t do candle’s but…” She closed her eyes, trying to fend off memories.

“Don’t need candles. Besides, I plan to be too busy focusing on you to remember blowing them out.” He captured her hand and brought her fingers to his mouth. “Don’t forget the chocolate.” He wrapped his lips around her fingertips and curled his tongue over her flesh, sucking gently.

She pressed her thighs together against the building desire. “Drive faster,” she moaned.

His chuckle danced from his mouth and he didn’t even try to contain the grin as he pulled her fingers away and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Fast as I dare.” He trailed his fingers up her palm to entwine them with hers while tossing her a seductive smile.

She couldn’t remember ever feeling so desired. Snuggling closer, she caressed his thigh and covered his hard length, squeezing gently.

Trent eased her hand away, trying to soften the gesture with a warning smirk. “Patience. We’re almost home.”

She pouted and pushed back in her seat.

“Don’t be like that,” he groaned. “I’m tempted to pull over and forget the bath and everything else.” Luckily, he pulled into her driveway and she raced to the door.

His hands wrapped around her waist as she shoved the key into the deadbolt. “Slow down, Ella. We have all night,” he purred against her ear.

“Need you,” she answered, throwing the door open and stepping inside.

The slamming door made her jump as she dropped her purse on the side table. Then the lock clicked as she dealt with the alarm. Trent pulled her back against his chest. His lips grazed her ear. “Start that bath. I’ll be right up.”

“Why not come with me?”

“I’m forcing myself to learn some patience. Otherwise, I’m bending you over the nearest surface until Mila and Kyle figure out what we’re doing.”

Her breath caught, but she forced herself to speak. “What’s the difference between that happening now, and in a few minutes when you join me?”

“Go.”

When she leaned closer, she sucked his bottom lip between hers. “We can always bathe after.”

“Uh-uh, go.” He kissed her and she opened, brushing her tongue against his.

When she tried to turn, his hand locked on her hip. “Trust me,” he whispered.

“Hurry, or I’ll start without you.” She stepped away and he released her. Ella instantly missed his touch. One exaggerated step at a time, she started up the stairs, reaching back to unzip the dress.

His muttered curse sent a thrill down her spine. He wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. So why was he waiting?

“Ella, don’t take long,” he called as she reached the top landing.

Turning, she slid the dress down her shoulders and let it fall around her ankles, revealing the fact she wore nothing beneath. “You’re the one stalling.”

“Not stalling. Preparing. You like surprises, don’t you?”

“Sometimes.” She realized it was useless debating with him and gave up as she kicked off her shoes and went to the bathroom to start the water. Two minutes later, her hair was piled on top her head in a messy bun and bubbles were floating on the steaming water.

It sounded as if Trent was moving furniture. She couldn’t imagine why. She slipped into the tub and lay back, grabbing the loofah sponge. All the bath stuff he’d given her smelled wonderful. She rubbed the soap into the sponge, creating a lather.

Ella almost called Trent to her but bit her lip and decided to give him a few more moments. Maybe she could start without him. Taking the loofah, she dragged the rough edge lightly across her skin, then circled a nipple in a pattern of bigger to smaller, from one tight tip to the other.

Sensation pulsed through her, ending at her clit. Needing more, she caressed down her body with her free hand and brushed her finger over the sensitive bead.

Close, so close, and he wasn’t even in the room. “Trent, need you.”

She barely heard his footsteps draw closer as she teased her nipple, and moaned when she pressed two fingers into her tight channel.

Finally, he stepped into the doorway. His voice was rough, “Come for me. I want to watch.”

Ella didn’t need further encouragement. Her eyes slid shut as she pushed a third finger in, pumping slowly while rubbing the heel of her thumb over her clit.

A desperate whimper escaped as a rhythm built faster, imagining his fingers replacing hers and his teeth scraping over her nipple. Her eyes popped open at the sound of his belt opening.

There he stood. Across the steamy room, already shirtless, pushing down his jeans and boxer-briefs. His thick cock sprang free and she couldn’t help licking her lips.

Trent wrapped his hand around his shaft and stroked. “Don’t even think it. I want to sink deep inside your body.”

“Then get in the tub,” she pleaded.

“First, come for me. Fall off the edge. Then I’ll make you come again.”

Nodding slowly, she focused on her clit, rubbing harder as she dropped the sponge and pinched her nipple. She let the cry escape as she rocketed over the edge, but she kept flicking her finger over her bead, drawing out the pleasure.

“Scoot forward, Ella,” Trent commanded.

She didn’t argue. Once she was seated in the center of the tub, Trent slid in behind her.

Ella started to turn until he pulled her back to recline against his chest. She relaxed against him, tempted to beg him to do something, anything, but curiosity about what he planned kept her silent.

“Beautiful,” he whispered in her ear, then pressed his lips against her pulse point. One hand caught her chin, pulling her head back on his shoulder as he sucked and kissed up the column of her throat while his other fingertips traced a path down her body.

* * * *

Trent was so damned hard, he ached. First, he wanted to worship her and wipe out any lingering memories from the counseling session. Finally, he wanted to show her what he felt because it was too soon for words.

He sucked her earlobe, causing her fingers to trail up his thighs while he slid two fingers into her depths.

“Need more,” she moaned, rocking her hips to push him deeper.

“Lean against the edge of the tub, your ass out of the water.” She didn’t hesitate to follow his direction.

Trent shifted behind her new position, sinking inside.

“So deep,” she gasped, dropping her head to rest on her hand.

His intention was to go slow until she was begging for more, but her walls tightened and he couldn’t resist thrusting faster. She pushed back, and he gripped the rim of the tub with one hand, wrapping his arm around her, to pull her back against his chest as he took her hard.

Ella turned her face, capturing just enough of his mouth as he pounded into her. She nipped at his lips, sucked at his tongue, seemingly desperate for more.

He squeezed her breast, pulling at her nipple, keeping their rhythm hard and fast. She fell forward, catching herself on the edge of the tub, crying out.

Trent thrust twice more, following her into release. Bending down, he kissed her shoulder blade.

“Mmm, Trent.”

He pulled her back with him, settling against the other side. “Worth the wait?”

“Mmhmm. Hope you’re planning to stay put. I’m not ready to move. Not sure the muscles remember how.”

He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. “Right here, for as long as you want.”

* * * *

After their fingers and toes had become pruny, Ella took one last kiss and climbed out of the tub, grabbing a towel. Trent pressed in behind her, taking charge of the towel and drying her body.

“Mmm, baths are better with you,” she murmured.

“A lot of things are better with you.”

She spun the towel away from him. “Hopefully everything.”

“I have no doubt. I told you, we’re an inferno.”

“So, what were you doing downstairs? Before joining me.”

“Setting up for the rest of the night.”

“That so?”

“Mmhmm, so come on down. We can eat chocolate and watch something.”

She froze, wondering what he’d done. One corner of his mouth tipped up and he kissed her nose.

“Don’t worry, Ella. No Raven Star movies. Not until you’re ready to give me a chance to prove I’m not going to act differently with you next to me.”

“Did you bring one?” she asked softly.

“The first
Midnight Daughter
.”

She winced. “Can I ask why?”

“The second is my favorite, but I figured we could start at the beginning when you’re ready.”

“Not because you think I had something with Ryan?”

He shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I trust you when you say things were never like that between you two.”

A small smile formed on her lips. “All right. We can watch it.”

He paused, watching her for a moment. “Are you going to enjoy watching your movie?”

She nodded. “I never accepted a part I wasn’t interested in playing. Watching my movies isn’t the problem. It’s men’s reactions. Sometimes even female friends, though that’s not as bad.”

“Why would women care?”

She sighed. “Because a lot of women want my co-stars.”

His lips quirked. “I’m in no rush to watch it. I recently watched the whole series. So you choose what you want to watch. I have several movies downstairs.”

She wanted to prove she could do it, and also allow him to show her he wouldn’t be the same as every man she’d been with. “All right.”

Trent reached into the basket and helped her into the silk robe. She hadn’t noticed the matching silk panties that went with it. “Now don’t expect me to keep my hands to myself.”

She grinned. “What are you wearing?”

He held up a single finger. “Why don’t you go down and pick a movie? You’ll see when I get there.”

Ella left him to go downstairs, shaking her head on the way. She put her movie in the machine and made herself comfortable on the pile of pillows and blankets.

Trent had created a movie den. He dropped down beside her and opened the box of chocolates, holding out a dark chocolate one for her. She opened her mouth and savored the piece, then hit
play
on the remote. His silk pajama-clad legs tangled with hers and she had to grin.

He turned to her with a smile as the title screen came up. “You didn’t have to pick this one.”

“I trust you.”

“Well, I do get the real thing, which is far superior to the movies.” He leaned in and took a kiss before offering another chocolate.

She let the morsel melt on her lips and groaned deep in her throat. “Are these from the chocolate shop on Main?”

“They are.” He sighed. “And before anyone can tell you, I did date the owner for a while. It ended amicably.”

“All spark, no flame?” she teased.

Trent laughed softly. “Yeah. We’re friends still. Not that I hang out with her.”

“Trent, stop. I trust you. I just wanted to know so I could get more if the mood strikes. Now let’s watch this movie.”

Chapter 28

For the first time in a long time, Trent wanted to call in and play hooky. But Ella had convinced him to go because she had work to do too. After the night they’d shared, he wanted to keep her in bed the rest of the day.

Trent walked into the firehouse. Before he had a chance to stow his gear, Kyle pulled him aside. Gavin followed. Both looked concerned.

Kyle said, barely above a whisper, “We might have a problem.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Trent asked.

Gavin ran a hand through his hair. “My sister is a fucking moron. She posted a picture of Ella last night. The damned thing is blowing up.”

Trent’s head whipped toward Gavin. “What do you mean?”

Gavin held up his phone, showing an Instablast picture of Trent and Ella. Her glasses were in place, her fingers dragging through her hair, and a smile on her lips. She did resemble a character she’d played in a romantic comedy. He’d seen the movie a dozen times with his sister, never admitting he wanted to watch Raven Star.

The caption said,
OMG, she looks just like Raven Star. Could it be? #WheresRavenStar #IsRavenHiding #SmallTownRaven

Trent took a slow breath. “Call her, have her take it down.”

“First, what the hell is going on. I mean, Ella does look like Raven Star, but she’s so down to earth. Who the hell would believe she’s a movie star?”

Trent looked to Kyle for help.

“He’s not going to say a word. You know him as well as I do. His sister might be dumb as a rock, but Gavin wants to help.”

Gavin’s mouth fell open. “Wait, she’s really Raven?”

Nodding, Trent looked around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “This needs to stay quiet. She retired from acting and just wants a fresh start. Not to mention the asshole stalking her doesn’t know where she is. Can you get your sister to take it down? Maybe tell her she has a stalker, and tell her she’s not a famous movie star?”