Page 20 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

“Ah,” he reached out, running the back of his fingers along my cheek, “but a person does a lot of changing in five years.”

“You might have changed, Trent,” I pulled my hair back so it wasn’t blowing in my face, “but so have I. I’m not the girl you remember from high school. She died a long time ago.”

Trent frowned, a wrinkle marring his forehead. “I don’t care who you were or who you’ve become. You’re still you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know who I am anymore, so how do you expect to ever know the real me?”

“I’ll find her,” he said triumphantly, “I always did like a challenge.”

“Don’t you see? I don’t want to be a challenge for you—something to conquer and brag about.” My eyes darted to the ground as I wrapped my arms around my body to protect from the searing wind.

“I never said I wanted to conquer you,” he shook his head. “How do you always manage to misconstrue what I say?”

I shrugged, kicking a pebble with the toe of my worn shoe. “It’s a talent.”

He stepped forward again, grabbing my wrist so I couldn’t get away. “I don’t care what you say, I know you feel whatever this is that we have. Don’t think for a minute that I haven’t noticed the way your breath falters when I get too close or how your eyes flash with desire. I definitely can’t forget the way you responded to me last night,” his voice lowered to a husky whisper that had desire filling my belly. “You can’t deny that you liked it when I kissed you.”

He was right. I couldn’t refute it. I had liked kissing him.

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again,” I countered.

“Why do you insist on denying what we have? Are you really that stubborn?” He narrowed his eyes. “I know you feel it,” he whispered, stepping so close to me that my nose was pressed against his chest and his warmth enveloped me like a cozy blanket. His hand found mine, entwining our fingers together. “Don’t fight it.”

I jerked back, wrenching my hand from his. Disgust coated my tongue like a sticky syrup. “I can’t do this, Trenton.”

“What is it exactly that you think you can’t do?” He pressed forward. He wasn’t going to let me escape. I wished Trace would rescue me, but he was occupied in looking my car over.

I swallowed thickly, my pulse jumping. “I don’t think you understand what I’ve been through,” my voice was hushed with shame. “I’m…incapable of loving. Not just you, but anyone. The only people I love is my little brother and sister. It’s like some fundamental piece of me is missing,” I spoke fiercely, getting heated. “I’m. Not. Whole.”

He took my face between his two large hands, staring down at me with a determined glint in his blue eyes. I swallowed thickly, my pulse fluttering in my throat. I thought for sure he was going to kiss me, but he didn’t. “Then let me make you whole.”

I was saved from answering by his brother calling us over. Thank goodness I hadn’t had to reply. I don’t know what I would’ve said, probably something not very nice.

“Bad news, it’s not the battery,” Trace frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Your starter’s gone out. It’s going to be about two-hundred dollars to have it fixed.”

Tears stung my eyes and I promptly closed my eyes so neither of the brothers could see how upset I was. I counted to ten, breathing deeply. When I had myself under control again I opened my eyes and said, “Tow it. It has to be fixed. I don’t have any other choice.”

“Row—”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, cutting Trent off. “It’s fine.”

He appeared skeptical, but didn’t say anything.

I went back inside the store while the brothers got my car hooked onto the back. I couldn’t help and I was freezing anyway.

When they had it hooked up I was forced to get in the truck with them. I sat in the middle, caged in, and I began to feel extremely claustrophobic. “Can you drop me off at the university?” I asked.

“Sure,” Trace shrugged. “Will you have a ride home?”

“Yeah.” I knew I could get either Tatum or Jude to drive me to work and pick me up.

“I’ll try to have this done tomorrow. I have everything I need to fix it, it’s just a matter of how much time I have,” he explained.

“If you could have it done today it would be so helpful. I always take my little brother and sister to school in the mornings, and we don’t have a spare car,” I rambled.

“It’ll be done today,” Trent assured me, leaning forward to eye his brother. “Today,” he repeated.

Trace didn’t say anything, he merely leaned his elbow against the window, and a small smile played on his lips. Clearly his brother amused him.

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