Page 36 of Forbidden Virgin

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes. We’re experimenting and trying something new: we’ll be more hands-on before your release. I want to make sure inmates like you who have had good behavior during your stay have every chance you get to succeed after you’re released. So I’ll see you more often to give you the confidence you need to brave the world,” he said. She assumed inmates like you also meant without prior conviction and non-violent crimes.

“You talk like I’ve been tucked away in some post-apocalyptic underground. I can watch Modern Family in the TV room,” she said, and to water down the unplanned sarcasm in her voice, she smiled.

He cleared his throat, and his eyes flew to hers. He held her folder, but didn’t open it. She shifted in the chair, and wished the stomach sinking sensation would stop. Why did they need the extra sessions? Every time she sat in front of him a crazy lust overpowered her, leaving her two options: staying silent or acting on it. How much longer will I be able to keep this up?

For an endless minute, their gazes connected. She had no idea what exactly he said to her without words, but her unsexy panties melted in anticipation.

Finally, he opened her folder and said, “In over a year you’ve only received a couple of visits. What’s up with that? Do you have anyone to go back to?”

She blinked, and shook her head. “Why does it matter?”

“Inmates do better when they have a support system after they leave,” he said steadily.

“My family… I love my parents but I asked them not to come. I know it hurts them to see me here.” Besides, her elderly parents deserved better. That had been why she’d ended up at Leland to make sure nothing bad happened to Tina and Charles Singer. Her time at Leland meant they’d enjoy their retirement in good health and alive.

He ran his fingers through his short-textured hair and gave her a once over that lingered. Her heart throbbed at the base of her throat. Did she see a silver fleck in his eyes or was she imagining things?

“I understand.” He squared his shoulders, stretching the navy blue uniform. “How about a significant other?”

Did he need her to spell things out? She’d dealt with a lot of humiliation in the past year. Her body belonged to the state pretty much. She couldn’t do a third of the things she’d wanted to. Yet, his persistent personal questions stung her like a bee in the darkness. “I… you must know by my file what happened to me,” she said, producing the kind of neutral smile that usually worked when her bunkmates asked her about her opinion on shit she completely didn’t agree with.

“You confessed to dealing drugs and worked a plea deal for lesser time.”

If only it’d been that easy, but she’d learned nobody cared for the truth and in her case the truth hurt her. She’d chosen to take the guilt, because fuck it, she’d been the idiot who dated a guy with a rocky criminal past. She’d expected him to change but she’d been the one who changed. Prison had been her punishment, but not for the crime people believed she committed.

“There’s something different about you, Singer. You’re not an addict. You managed to stay out of and avoid any kind of fights. Lawrence said good things about you. I have been seeing you for three months, yet I can’t get through,” he said, leaning closer and if the desk didn’t separate them she’d be nervous. Very nervous.

She pushed down the lump of apprehension in her throat. “Does that mean anything? Does being reserved keep me from leaving in two months?” She hated how defensive she sounded.

He ran his fingers down his face, and sighed. “No. It keeps me from doing a better job.”

“I won’t tell. Not that my opinion means anything but if anyone asks I’ll say you’re wonderful.”

“I used to work at L.A. correctional facility. Trust me I’ve seen it all. What are you hiding?” he said, his voice lowering and sending chills down her spine.

God. Lawrence never asked these Freudian inquisitive questions. He filled out his paperwork and sent her on her way. Why did this man want to analyze her like she was some rich housewife whose husband died under suspicious conditions? “You make me uncomfortable.”

A flicker gleamed in his eyes like she sparked his interest. “Why?”

“Because you’re good looking,” she blurted out. He’d asked, didn’t he? And complimenting him would hardly get her in trouble. Her shoulders dropped with a measure of relief like she just shared a dirty secret she found impossible to keep. She had never told a soul about the crazy attraction she felt toward him.

He frowned and leaned in his chair, maybe unsure of what to make of her comment. “Good looking people always make you uncomfortable?”

“No. Just you,” she said, unable to hide her accusatory tone.

“Why?”

“Because if we weren’t in here, if we had met under different circumstances… I’d want to date you. Maybe even sleep with you. I’m not saying you’d date me, but I’d at least try. That thought doesn’t leave my head when you’re around which is why I have to watch every word so I won’t let it slip accidentally,” she said, and her hand flew to her lips. Shit. What had she done? Damn it, Mia. You started out so well.

Cold sweat slicked her palms. Unfiltered, brutally honest Mia didn’t belong at Leland. And honesty certainly wouldn’t do her any favors in a session with her appointed counselor.

Tension crackled in the air. She parted her lips but no sound came out. Should she apologize? I complimented him, how’s that breaking any laws? She drew in some air.

Trent watched her in silence for an instant that stretched into eternity. What if he sent her to the maximum-security unit as punishment? She’d never gone but had heard stories that place made suicide a viable alternative. “I think we’re done for today. Please sign here,” he said, giving her a pen and the piece of paper to confirm they’d had a session.

She scrambled her name and stood. He stood too. She sighed, how embarrassing. She clenched the pen, clicking the top. Anxiety thrummed in her veins and she dropped the paper when she motioned to give it to him. She quickly fell to her knees and grabbed it, and surged upright again. “Here,” she said.

“The pen.” He pointed at the pen she still clenched.

“Oh. Sure.” She loosened the grip on the pen, opened her palm so he’d get it and hopefully not notice her hand trembling. He placed his hand on hers to make the exchange, she expected him to move away, but he didn’t.

She swallowed. His eyes pinned her in place, as if she could escape from that sexy mysterious pair. She opened her mouth but hesitated, not trusting herself to speak. He made the slightest move, his finger making a pattern over her palm. The touch belted an erotic reaction through her, searing her insides and tightening her nipples so much they ached.

“Leave.” He hissed out, though the look in his eyes invited her to stay.

Mia surged to her feet, then willed her legs to move and strode out of the room. An inappropriate degree of hope rushed through her. This time, she didn’t suspect but felt deep in her soul he watched over her as she left.

She had the reassurance that right or wrong, Trent was attracted to her. And she couldn’t wait to find out what he’d do about it…

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