Page 38 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

“Because,” he said, his hands on his narrow hips, “if I didn’t stop, I never would, and I’m not prepared to go that far with you again just yet. We both need to be ready for that,” he said significantly, “and when it happens, because it will,” he voiced with the utmost confidence, “you’re going to be in my house and in my bed. Not pressed against a wall out in the open.”

My breath faltered as desire flooded my body. With a few words Trent had me imagining the two of us together once more. Something told me that the next time would be even better than the first. We were both older now and with our sexual chemistry…it would be explosive. Hell, we were already explosive without sex involved.

“I—” I didn’t know what to say.

He stepped forward again, cupping my cheek in one hand as one large thumb grazed my slightly swollen bottom lip. “Did my words scare you?”

“No,” I answered honestly and without hesitation.

“Good,” he grinned, lightly grazing his lips over mine. It was so quick that I wasn’t even sure it could be called a kiss. Regardless, the simple touch sent a shiver skating down my spine. Five years of avoiding Trenton had only made me crave him more. Now that I’d given into my desires there was no turning back. “As much as I’d like to stand here and kiss you all day,” his gaze flicked down to my lips, “we better get back to our date.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I forced my body away from the wall, which was currently the only thing holding me upright. “So…” I backed away, “are we only taking pictures on this date?”

Trent grinned crookedly. “That’s only part of it, dinner’s involved, and kissing. Definitely more kissing.”

I laughed, twirling around as he snapped pictures. “I thought kissing was dangerous for us?”

“Oh, it is. Luckily for you, I’m a man that can control himself. I won’t ravish you until we’re both ready to beg for it,” he said huskily, hiding his face behind the camera lens.

I swallowed thickly at his words, pleasure rolling through my body. I hated to admit it, but I didn’t think it would be long until I was begging him to devour me.

“Hey, let’s go over there,” Trent grabbed my arm and we jogged across the street. “Lean against here,” he pointed to a brick wall with intricate graffiti covering its surface. “Look down a bit…yeah, like that…cross your arms over your chest…perfect.” Suddenly, Trent had morphed from laid back to business mode. It was kind of cool seeing him in action like this. I hadn’t known he was interested in photography. Back in high school his hobbies included video games and more video games.

“When did you get into photography?” I inquired, turning my head at a different angle as he snapped away.

“Uh…” He seemed hesitant to answer. After taking a few more photos, he said, “After what happened with us…I needed something to distract my mind. Pathetic, I know,” he lowered the camera, giving me a glimpse of his vulnerable face. “You hurt me.”

Those three words were like a slap. I was only beginning to realize how much I had hurt him. When I left…I’d assumed he’d be like every other guy on the planet and would move on in a millisecond. Not Trent though. He was different.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered after a lengthy silence. “I was scared,” I admitted, nibbling on my bottom lip. “You don’t…you don’t understand how I feel about love.”

“It was a long time ago,” he shrugged his shoulders. “I’m over it. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

I felt like I did though, but I didn’t know how I could ever make Trent understand that I felt like there was no such thing as real love. He had a wonderful mom and loving grandparents—his dad had already passed away when I met him. Someone that had grown up surrounded by such warmth, couldn’t possibly understand why my heart was frozen—forever an icy tundra never to be conquered.

I simply nodded, taking the opening he gave me. Sometimes, it was better not to try to explain yourself. I’d only end up sounding like a crazy person.

“Anyway,” he lifted the camera once more and I adjusted my pose, leaning slightly forward as my long hair whipped around me, “photography became an escape for me. It allowed me to look at the world in a different light.”

“Is that what you’re studying at college?”

He nodded. “Photography and graphic design. I gue

ss neither Wentworth brother is going to take over the family business,” he lowered the camera so I couldn’t miss his wink. “I can’t imagine being chained to a desk all day. I think I’d shoot myself just to have something to do.”

“What will happen to the business then?” I asked. Trenton’s family had started an ammunition business a long time ago—the business had boomed and today the family was worth billions.

Trent shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll keep it, but hire a CEO or something. My mom’s running it now. When she’s ready to retire, we’ll figure something out,” he sighed. “For now, it’s not my problem.”

I frowned, a little bit surprised by the sharpness of his words. They were so un-Trent-like. Normally, he was the guy coming up with a solution, not the one shrugging it off with mutters of it not being his problem. I guessed that worry was so far down the road that he didn’t see the point in thinking about it, but…God, I thought too much.

“Tilt your head up a bit,” he directed, back to the task at hand. I did as he directed, my gaze sliding towards him. He looked down at the camera screen and a grin formed on his face. “Oh, that’s a good one.”

We moved on to another location—one where he had me sit on a crumbling half wall. I was afraid I might fall, but Trent assured me that if I started to tumble, he’d catch me.

I reclined back, letting my long hair blow around me in the light wind. I was getting cold, but I was having too much fun to tell him to stop. I’d thought this was silly at first, but it was actually pretty fun. For the first time in five years, I was enjoying myself.

I leaned back, closed my eyes, and let the sun’s rays fan across my face. A small smile lifted my lips as I reveled in an emotion I so rarely felt.

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