Page 88 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

Love, the very thing I had been running from five years ago when I left that stupid tent.

Now that I was ready to accept love, to let myself be free, I knew I had to end things.

Trent would think I was running again.

Maybe I was.

But I had to.

“I don’t know why you think no one could love you,” he whispered, taking my cheek in the palm of his hand and caressing my lips with the pad of his thumb.

I placed my hand over his. “My own mother doesn’t love me, if she can’t, why would anyone else?”

His eyes filled with sadness. “No one should ever feel unloved.”

I shrugged. “I did…I do.”

His eyes closed and pain flickered across his face. “That breaks my heart,” his blue eyes shimmered with tears. His arms caged me against the bookcase as he stared unwaveringly down at me. “I want you to know that you’re not unloved. I know your brother and sister must love you very much. You’ve been the only mother they’ve known and your heart is so good and pure how could they not?” He leaned his forehead against mine, his breath tickling my face as he spoke. “And I love you, Row. More than my next breath.”

I cracked a smile. “That’s really cheesy.”

He grinned. “That’s me, a giant cheese ball,” he chuckled. Pressing his lips tenderly to my forehead, my eyes closed, and he said, “I meant it, though.”

I grasped the soft fabric of his blue sweatshirt in my hands. “Don’t we have a party to get ready for?”

“Why, yes, yes we do.”

???

Hours later, I stood at the top of the grand staircase, grasping Trent’s elbow.

I had washed my hair, and styled it in an up-do. I had put on more makeup than usual, but nothing overly dramatic.

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nbsp; “Ready?” Trent asked, tilting his head to look down at me.

I nodded, wishing my heart would slow its frantic pace. I was beyond nervous. I was downright terrified. This was way out of my comfort zone, and knowing that tomorrow I’d have to sever all ties with Trenton left a sour taste in my mouth.

“Breathe,” Trent warned as we descended the steps and made our way to the ballroom. Yes, a legit ballroom. What kind of house has a ballroom? Apparently this one.

The doors were open and I gasped as I glimpsed my first sight of the expansive space. Everything seemed to shimmer and sparkle with the light from the chandeliers. There was a live band playing orchestra music in the corner, and many couples danced, while more sat at one of the numerous round tables occupying the space. Waiters came around with food and laughter filled the air.

My mouth fell open in shock.

This was straight out of a movie.

“Would you like to dance?” Trent asked.

I nodded.

He led me onto the dance floor, and gave me a little spin, before holding me in his arms. He easily led me, like a proper dancer, so I didn’t look like an incompetent fool.

“I didn’t know you could dance like this,” I commented.

He laughed, bashfully glancing at the ground for a moment and then met my gaze. “My parents made us learn when we were boys. It doesn’t keep Trace from dancing like a fool though,” he winked, nodding in his brother’s direction.

I looked where he indicated and couldn’t contain my laugh as I spotted Trace shaking his hips in a wild circle and his arms flailing above his head. Dean giggled as he mimed his father, and Olivia simply shook her head, obviously used to this behavior. Lily watched in horror, embarrassed by her oldest son’s actions. She finally waved her hand in dismissal and went to speak to someone.

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