Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (15 page)

“Don’t let go.” His lips sealed over hers. She clung tighter as he pressed her into the cushions. Trent kissed across her jaw as his hands caressed and explored.

“I won’t,” she promised.

“Good, because I’m not.” Trent sucked her lobe, and she thought she heard him purr.

Chapter 17

The knock on her door made her jump.

“Shit, that’s probably Mila.” Trent climbed from the couch and grabbed his clothes, heading for the bathroom.

She immediately missed the connection. With a sigh, she pulled her clothes on and opened the door.

Mila’s mouth fell open as she stared.

One of Kyle’s brows arched. “Glad you’ve calmed down, Ella. Tell Trent hi, and you have a good night. I’m going to head home. See you in a few, Mila.” Kyle turned and walked down the driveway.

Mila grabbed Ella’s arm and pulled her outside with an arched brow. “You told him?”

“Everything. He didn’t react the way I expected.”

“How did he react?”

“He proved he cared, and that he was rightfully worried. Trent didn’t get all star struck or shut down when I told him the truth. He doesn’t look at me any differently, which is a relief.” She sucked in a breath and let it out. “Though he may have tried to fuck the memory, of every last actor I’ve worked with, out of my head.”

Mila’s brow arched. “How many of them have you been with?”

“Only one co-star and that was the first one. I dated other actors, a couple of musicians, but I avoided the men I worked with after Jackson. Not that it should matter.”

“Can’t say I blame you.” She shook her head. “You know your curtains are open. Anyone could have seen you like we did. Now I have to wash that memory from my mind.”

“I really hadn’t thought about it until you brought it up. I’ll be more careful. But please tell me you weren’t watching.”

“No, pretty sure we got here after you finished.” Mila smirked. “I just wanted to make sure you two were okay.”

“Yeah. Look, can we do a lunch date tomorrow? I’ll tell you everything then.”

Mila grinned. “Sure. But now you’ve opened up to him don’t lose the connection by shutting him down.”

“I won’t. He’s the first man I feel I have a real chance with. Now, I plan to go inside, and maybe close some curtains.”

Smiling, Mila hugged her. “I’m glad you’re all right. And you really did worry me. Please don’t do that to us again. Especially to me.”

“I won’t.”

Ella went back inside. Before she took two steps, Trent pulled her into his arms. He nodded to the curtains. “I closed them. Should have thought about that, but I needed you too damned bad to give them a single thought.”

“Thanks.”

“And yeah, I wanted to eradicate your memory of every man who came before me.”

Ella shook her head. “Did you stand there listening to everything?”

He ducked his gaze with a coy smile. “Couldn’t help it. Wanted to make sure I was forgiven.”

“You are, but I think I need to work harder to make you forget every woman you’ve been with too.”

“What women?” he teased.

A smirk lifted her lips. “Don’t. I know I’m not the first.”

“No, but you’re the only one who matters.”

“Hope so.”

“Tell me I can stay the night. I don’t want you out of my sight.”

She backed out of his arms. “First, why is it you want to stay? What do you think I’m hiding? Or do you think I’m going to run off again?”

“Someone was following you earlier. I want to make sure you’re safe. Can only do that if I’m here with you.”

“That’s the only reason?”

He skated his hands under her shirt, and up her sides. “That and I wasn’t done with you yet, but I do need to run home for more condoms.”

She couldn’t help smiling. “I could come back there.”

He snorted. “Don’t want me in your room, making sure your sheets smell like me?”

She grinned. “Oh, we have plenty of time for that, but I wasn’t going to make you walk back over before putting my hands back on you.”

“Oh, well, in that case, grab what you need.”

She shrugged down at her clothes. “I wasn’t in these long. I can put them on again tomorrow.”

He laughed. “Then let’s go.”

Nodding at his jeans, which weren’t even fastened, and lack of a shirt, her brow arched. “Might want to grab your shirt.”

He fastened his pants, stepped into the bathroom and came back fully dressed. “So, why is it a woman as famous as you, who could have any man anywhere, wants me?”

She held his hands. “You make me feel alive and free, and you don’t look at me any differently than you did before you learned the truth.”

“You’re so much more down to earth than I’d expect. I know, assumptions are often wrong.”

“You make me feel something real.”

“I do?” He slid closer. “Besides really good when I touch you?”

Blushing, her eyes lowered. “You don’t need to make me forget anyone. You blot out the entire world.”

“That’s a relief.” He lifted her chin. “You’ve been around a lot of men most women fantasize about—done scenes where other women would trade places with you in a heartbeat. And you make it look good. Shit, I trust you when you say you weren’t with them, but I want you to only think of me when we’re together.”

“Were you thinking about anyone else?”

He shook his head, a smirk on his lips. “No, just wanted to be the best you ever had.”

“Then please stop. You don’t have to prove yourself. I’m not interested in what you think I want because all I want is you.”

He brought her close and took a slow kiss. Then he asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to bring anything?”

She shook her head. “Don’t imagine we’ll need any clothes the rest of the night.”

He pulled her outside with him, and she locked up before he scooped her over his shoulder. “Trent,” she squealed. “Put me down.”

Trent squeezed her ass, holding her in place. “I like carrying you.”

“This wasn’t what I had in mind when I was thinking about taking a ride.”

“Oh, I like you sassy.” He dashed across the street and dragged her down his body until she found her feet. She caught his face and planted a kiss on his lips.

Groaning, he pulled away. “Best get inside.” He opened his door, and in they went. “Are you hungry?” Trent asked.

“Famished.”

“Let me fix you something, then we can have fun burning off the calories.”

She grinned. “Dazzle me with your skills.”

He shrugged. “You sure a star like you wants what this blue collar guy can make?”

Her smile faded. “Think about the time you’ve known me. Have you ever seen me resemble a spoiled diva? Do I act like I have expensive taste?”

“Sorry,” he murmured, closing the distance. “I won’t tease you about it. Besides, if you want to keep the secret, my smartass attitude won’t help with that.”

“Thank you.”

He caressed her cheek and lifted her chin to focus her eyes on his. “Honestly, Ella, I don’t think of you any differently than I did before. You’re still the beautiful woman I can’t keep off my mind. However, the glasses were a good disguise. You may want to remember them next time you go out.”

“I will. I was still shaken from my long trip home.”

“You’re going to have to explain that a little better. I trust you, but I was already worried before you told me about being followed. The way you shied away from anything to do with your past made me wonder what happened to you. Now that I know, you can’t expect me not to worry.”

“I’ll tell you everything, as long as you promise not to overreact.”

A wicked smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Will you tell me what you want me to do to you?”

“That may be a bit more difficult, but I’ll try.”

“Why?” he breathed, pressing his body against hers.

She couldn’t think to save her life. “Why what?”

“Why more difficult?” He breathed the words against her lips but pulled back when she leaned up to kiss him.

A desperate moan escaped. “Can’t think with you touching me.”

His mouth closed over hers and she ran her hands up under his shirt, marveling at every ridge of muscle and smooth skin. She couldn’t get enough of his taste, but he still stepped back.

“I’m cooking before you distract me completely. We’re going to need our energy.”

Ella took a seat at the kitchen island as Trent opened the refrigerator. “What are you planning to cook?”

“Have anything against lemon garlic chicken and vegetables?”

“Mmm, sounds good. Wow me with your culinary skills.”

Chapter 18

Focusing on preparing their meal, Trent attempted to push his racing thoughts from his head. He wanted to brand himself into her memory. Didn’t matter whether she cared about who came before, he couldn’t help the insecurity edging in. She’d dated movie stars, rock stars, and models… the kind of men most women talked about all the time. And here he was, a fireman in a little town with nothing to offer.

Shit, he’d gotten to know her over a few weeks. Raven Star wasn’t anything he expected. She was just Ella Cross. Beautiful, sensual, twisting his heart to knots with worry when she disappeared. Now sitting in his kitchen after opening up and letting him in.

She wanted a new life. Didn’t want anyone to think of her as an actress. He drew in a breath and relaxed. Ella wanted to be there with him, no one else.

“You’re too quiet,” Ella said.

“So talk to me. Tell me about the shop.”

Enthusiasm brightened her smile. “I finally figured out a name. Mon Armoire.”

“French?”

She shrugged. “Always loved the language.”

“You were amazing in
la Vie De La Reine.”

She blushed. “You watched my French movie?”

“Blaze wasn’t lying about my crush. I’ve watched everything you’ve been in. Never imagined I’d ever meet you.”

“And you didn’t believe I was Raven Star until today.” She sighed.

He shook his head. “No, and it doesn’t matter. I was already falling for you. Just one more thing I admire about you.”

“It’s something I don’t want to ever do again. Not in that capacity.”

Trent watched her for a moment. “Does that mean I can’t tell you how much I admire what you’ve done?”

“You can, as long as it doesn’t change how you think about me.”

“It doesn’t.” Trent turned back to check dinner. When he met her gaze, he changed the topic. “What made you decide to open a boutique?”

“I like fashion though I don’t always see the need to dress up. I wanted to do something that can help people feel better about themselves.”

“I never thought about it like that.”

Then she ripped his heart out. “I’m not like Mila, who teaches kids all day. Not like you and Kyle, who save lives. I can help people be happy with themselves. Not the same, but it doesn’t have to be.”

Trent turned around and leaned across the counter to take her hands. “That’s just as good as what we do. You don’t have to run into burning buildings or teach kids all day, to actively contribute to society.”

“Maybe. But it seems like everyone I know does something important. I never did.”

“You’ve inspired millions. Helped people dream big. Now you’re opening a shop for the sole purpose of bringing happiness to people. That’s just as important, so don’t cut yourself down.”

She shook her head and opened her mouth like she was about to argue.

“No more of that either. We need to talk about something better.” Trent turned back to the stove, then remembered something and returned to the counter. “I hear there’s a marathon in a neighboring town. It’s in six months. Maybe we could enter.”

She lit up. “You know running a marathon isn’t a simple run, right?”

He nodded. “It’s going to be hard work, but it will give me a good excuse to spend some extra time with you.”

“We’re going to have to do more running. When you aren’t too tired on the days you work, we’ll have to take up running at night.”

Spinning around in a half-turn, he grabbed a couple plates. “You’ll have to train me. I run, but I know it’s not the same.” He glanced back with a smirk. “You can whip my ass into shape.”

Her laugh danced and filled the room with excitement. He loved that sound.

“I’ll remember you said that when you start whining about being tired.”

“Make you a deal. Don’t wear me out to the point I can’t make love to you, and you can run me as hard as you want.” He winked and plated their food.

“Deal.”

He brought dinner to the small dining table and went back for the sweet tea from the fridge.

“You know, I’d planned to woo you, and take our relationship slower.” He sighed. “Between what you went through today, and worrying about you, I needed our connection.”

“Oh, we connected. I’ve never felt so close to someone,” she admitted. Before she could duck her gaze, he caught her chin and stole a kiss.

He groaned. “I’m never getting enough of the way you taste.”

She licked her lips. “I wanted to do more to you, but you overwhelmed me in the best way possible.”

“I’m sure you will, but I loved that deer-in-headlights look you got before you screamed my name.”

She looked away. “I’m sure many women have screamed your name.”

“Not as many as you’re thinking, and you’ve been with your share of men.”

She sighed. “Dating is hard when you’re always in the spotlight. Relationships don’t often survive the strain. And the media likes to speculate if they see you with anyone.”

“No spotlight here, and no reporters. Just you and me.”

“Thank God, I’m not done with you yet.”

* * * *

Before Trent could set his fork down, Ella took the dishes to the sink. He considered caging her in and ravishing her right there, but he wanted a chance to savor her.

Ella turned and found him inches away. A grin spread across her full lips. Taking a step forward, she unzipped his pants and leaned up to capture his lips.

“What happened to slowing things down?” Trent murmured as she broke away.