Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (27 page)

Mila started pacing. “Trent was in that picture with me. Maybe Logan, or one of the reporters recognized him, or maybe someone had pointed out Trent was a fireman. They could be trying to follow him to me.”

Mila nodded. “Probably why he wants you there first. Are you going to be okay in Trent’s house without him?”

“He shouldn’t be long. If the press finds me this time, they find me. I’m tired of running. I just don’t want Trent to resent me when he realizes how much attention will follow me.”

“Stop being so pessimistic. He’s not going to give up so easily.”

“I really hope not. I’m going to get my stuff and head over there.”

Mila handed her the key. “Don’t let anyone drive a wedge between you two.”

“I won’t. Let’s hope he doesn’t. I know what this kind of attention can do to a relationship.” Before Mila could say anything, Ella was running home to gather her things.

* * * *

From the shadows, he watched Ella leave one house and enter the one next door. He crept closer, but the curtains were shut. He managed to climb to the second floor and crept along the wall to the nearest window.

Through the split between curtains, he watched as Ella stepped into her room, stripping out of her clothes and tossed them in the hamper. He peered in, watching his beautiful dream go to the vanity table and fill her hand with lotion she quickly rubbed into her skin.

He wished he could step through the window and take over, caressing her body. Might take time because the scarring dampened his sense of touch. But like anything in life, he could learn what she liked.

Her hands curled over her breasts and a seductive smile crossed her lips. Then she reached for the phone she’d placed on her table. Her face lit up. Rage shot through him. Probably the man with her in the restaurant.

Surely he could figure a way to destroy that relationship. Ella went to her dresser and dressed in clean clothes, then packed an overnight bag.

He slid back and leaned against the wall. She was too happy, maybe even in love. She would soon forget this other man. He needed her to love him.

Chapter 33

Two different news crews followed Trent to the Thai Restaurant, then home. He started to doubt the intelligence of having Ella meet him at his house, but it was better than going to hers. And there was no way he wanted her to be alone.

Then they had the problem that her hiding might make the press more insistent about her identity. He honestly didn’t know how she lived with these people hounding her every move in Hollywood.

Thankfully, when he reached his driveway, every curtain was shut tight. He pulled into the garage and made sure the door was shut before grabbing the backpack full of take-out containers.

Ella sat at the counter in a pair of cut-off shorts and a tank top. All he could think about was taking her to the lake and skinny dipping. And right now, that was the last thing he should be doing.

“Hey, how was your day?” he asked.

“Better, now that you’re here.”

His smile dimmed as he set the food on the table. “So, here’s what happened. There was a fire in the dumpster behind your place. We’re pretty sure your stalker started the blaze, but it was contained.”

Ella sat perfectly still, the color draining from her face. “How?” she finally whispered.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and approached her. “While I was putting out the fire, one of the guys with the press snapped my picture. Isandro tried to get him to stop. Marissa couldn’t legally take the camera because the guy wasn’t breaking the law. But, he did give us the pictures of the asshole who started the fire, as he was doing it. I’m willing to bet he’s the one who called 911.”

“And he’s still likely to create a story with your picture anyway. Which is why you sent me here before you.” She rubbed at the scar on her wrist. “How many followed you?”

“Two vans. Don’t you want to see the pictures?”

“I should,” she answered, but her tone was full of defeat.

“If you can confirm the man is the same one who held you captive, they can find him. Plus, he’s here in town, so it should be easier to catch him.”

“Yeah… and dangerous. He totaled my car. Had me tied up for two days.” She looked away and closed her eyes. “I need to see, but I don’t want him to be here anywhere near me.”

“Hey, the police are watching for him already. They know who to look for. Arson is bad enough to hold him. Abduction will ensure he stays behind bars.”

Ella nodded. “Show me.”

He brought up the picture and held it out for her.

“Yeah, that’s him.” She slid off the stool and walked out of the kitchen, hugging herself.

Trent rushed to catch up with her. “We should talk to Marissa.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to go anywhere right now. If he followed you… if he sees you with me…”

“Ella, I won’t let anything happen to you. But, I don’t want to take you anywhere, and I don’t want Marissa to come here either… just in case. It’s better if I call and let you talk to her. Or you could call.”

* * * *

“I’ll call,” Ella answered. Her stomach knotted up. The thought of Logan anywhere near her scared the shit out of her. “Fix our plates, okay? I’ll be there in a minute.”

Maybe. Then again, she was stuck there now. With media right outside, and possibly her worst nightmare, she couldn’t leave without confirming she was hiding.

She leaned against the wall in defeat and dialed Marissa.

“This is Cortez.”

“Hi, this is Ella Cross. Trent showed me the pictures. That’s the man who held me captive.”

“After you gave me Logan’s name this morning, I started digging into his past. It wasn’t hard to find him. He goes by Logan Manchester now. His uncle took him in after the fire. Got him into a program to help with the burns. He studied computer science at UCLA. No criminal record, but that doesn’t mean much. I’m working on getting a warrant. Shouldn’t take much longer. But if he shows up, I need you to call 911 immediately.”

“Of course. I’m at Trent’s house. Is there anything I can do, besides hide out?”

“Nothing. Stay safe. We’ve increased the patrols. Someone will be nearby, watching. Try to relax. And tell Trent to calm down too. He wasn’t happy when I sent the pictures. He called seconds after I sent them, told me he was positive they were of your stalker.”

“It is. Those eyes… his hands. It’s him, without a doubt.”

“And everything I have, including his driver’s license, it’s the same boy who followed you around in high school. If you see him, you need to stay away from him and call.”

No shit!
Ella took a slow breath and attempted to calm down. “I will. Thank you for everything you’re doing. I truly appreciate it.”

“We’ll get him.”

“Good night.”

“You too.” She hung up and Ella walked back to the kitchen, looking at the food. Her appetite had died, but she was determined to eat something.

“Talk to me, Ella. Even if it’s not about Logan.”

“What do you want me to say, Trent? Marissa just told me this guy is actually Logan Poole. Goes by a different last name now. I was right, he hadn’t died, but the worst part, he’s been following me ever since high school and I didn’t even know.”

“You thought he was dead. How could you possibly know he wasn’t?”

“There were so many times my skin would crawl like it did anytime he watched me. I just assumed it was another creep. Maybe a slimeball reporter.”

“Tell me how to help. I’ll do anything,” he whispered, tearing down her walls. His touch, his kiss, she didn’t need words, she just needed Trent.

“Make me forget for a night. Take it all away, and make me forget what he did, what he wants.”

Trent closed the distance and drove his fingers into her hair before kissing her until she couldn’t catch her breath. When he finally broke free, he glanced at the food on table. “Let me guess, you aren’t hungry right now.”

She shook her head. “Food is the last thing on my mind.”

His hands slid down her body and curled over her ass. She hopped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist.

“You want to forget?” he asked firmly.

“Please.”

He carried her upstairs to his room and slowly let her down, sliding her body against his until her feet found the floor.

Her toes curled with the intensity of his stare. His voice was rough as his hands twisted in her shirt, lifting it over her head. “You can make me beg tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to give you enough memories to blot out anything bad that ever happened to you.”

His mouth closed over hers, stealing her breath again as he walked her back to the bed while opening her shorts and sliding them down her legs.

She grabbed the hem of his shirt, but he caught her hands, shaking his head. “Patience. You told me to make you forget. Let me.”

Ella nodded, her heart thumping. Surrendering to Trent was the only thing she trusted.

He stared into her soul and demanded, “Trust me.”

“I do,” she whispered.

He pulled his shirt off and pushed her down on the edge of the bed, taking her mouth in another kiss before tasting his way down her jaw and neck, to her collarbone where he swirled his tongue in the hollow.

A desperate moan escaped as he knelt before her, pushing her legs open. Only Trent could wipe away her fears, at least for a little while.

He cupped her breasts and licked a trail across her skin, then flicked his tongue over her nipple before sucking firmly. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pressed tighter, needing more.

“Oh, Trent,” she gasped as he pressed two fingers inside her already slick folds. Her toes curled as he pumped slowly while laving at her sensitive bud, then paid the same attention to the other side before nibbling his way to her belly button. He trailed the tip of his tongue in circles around her navel, before dipping inside. Trent continued down, brushing his lips along the inside of her pelvis, driving her crazy.

Ella fell back on her elbows as he pulled her hips closer to him at the edge of the bed. She’d never been so turned on in her life. Ready to fall off the cliff, he ignored her moans and panting, determined to keep her teetering there until she couldn’t take anymore.

He pulled her open, still working her core with his fingers as he licked through her heat. Lifting her head, her eyes locked on his as his lips closed around her clit. He feasted, driving her to the brink of ecstasy, holding her there with the intensity of his gaze.

Her back arched as sharp pleasure radiated through her body. His thumb rubbed over her rear passage while he teased her with his tongue and pumped into her with his fingers. Sensation exploded as Ella’s body spasmed with the powerful release.

Trent kept going, drawing out every sensation. It was too much, and she tried to pull away, but he held her, slowing his assault, ending with a final long lick.

Her legs shook even as he rubbed them in even strokes. He stood, dropping his pants and boxer-briefs. She watched his hand slowly caress down his chest and abs, tantalizing her, before wrapping around his cock.

She licked her lips as she watched him pull a few slow strokes with strong hands. “Trent, please don’t make me wait.”

“No waiting,” Trent promised, then he rolled her onto her stomach, bending her over the bed. He pulled her hips up and slammed into her. She was so full, she couldn’t think. If it weren’t for his grip on her hips, she’d have collapsed on her still shaking legs.

“Fuck, Ella, I need you.”

“I’m yours.” The words burst through her, the meaning deeper than any she’d ever uttered.

He pounded into her hard, pulling to her end before thrusting deep. She gripped the comforter in an effort to hold on. He wrapped a hand partially around her thigh and pulled her leg onto the bed. Trent was so deep, they could have melded, become one.

“I’m close,” Ella cried.

Trent’s finger grazed over her clit and she came undone as he called her name as if he’d claimed her. Even if he hadn’t figured it out, it was fact. He was all she wanted—all she needed.

Words danced on the tip of her tongue as he leaned over her, kissing her spine. She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall as she choked back her admission.

With everything going on, she didn’t want to jump ahead of him. He could say the press wouldn’t affect how he felt, but he didn’t know how bad it would get.

He climbed up on the bed, pulling her with him and into his arms. “Ella…” Trent stared into her eyes, his hand caressing up her side and across her back to hold her close.

His caring eyes held hers with such deep emotion. She couldn’t find her voice through the lump forming in her throat. Everything that had been building between them had solidified into the one thing she’d stopped hoping she’d ever find.

* * * *

A smile played over Ella’s lips as her head tipped to the side in wonder. However, the fear in her eyes twisted Trent’s heart to shreds. She watched him for a long moment. Then her mouth opened, only to close again. Fear kept her silent but Trent sensed their connection deep in his soul.

From the moment he’d laid eyes on her, he’d been captivated. She wasn’t like anyone else. She’d been flustered, skittish even, but she hadn’t backed down and didn’t run. No, she stood her ground and fought through the fear floating close to the surface.

He’d seen her break down, watched her rise through the drowning terror, and resurface to conquer her fears. So much courage even when she saw herself as weak.

Her leg curled over his hip as he relished the green-blue pools staring back at him, searching for something.

He didn’t blame Ella for being afraid. She needed to understand he wasn’t going anywhere. Nothing would come between them. He didn’t care about the rest of the damned world.

“I love you, Ella.”

She blinked slowly, her head tipping in wonder as if she didn’t understand what he’d said.