Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (36 page)

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Authors: Brandy L Rivers

Tags: #hero, #addiction, #stalker, #celebrity, #firemen, #romantic suspense

BOOK: Falling Star (Combustible Book 2)

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She licked her lips and bit down on the bottom one. “I was worried about everything that happened. The doctor was standing there. And I knew the break-in, my assault, and Logan’s arrest was going to make the news, not just the tabloids. I needed to wait until you were sure you wanted everything that came from being with me, even the bad stuff.”

He skated his hand up her belly and ribs to cup one gorgeous breast. “Every part of you, Ella. How many times do I have to tell you, I’m not letting you go?”

“Just one more time.”

He rolled her onto her back, watching to make sure she didn’t wince in pain, but she didn’t. “I will never let you go, Ella. I don’t want to imagine life without you.”

“I can’t think about mine without you,” she whispered, blinking back tears.

He kissed her eyelids and slid into her depths before closing his mouth over hers. Trent broke the kiss once he filled her. “Love you, Ella.”

“Love you, too.”

* * * *

The country landscape whizzed by as Ella drove to Ryan’s ranch. She glanced over to find Trent watching her. “What?”

“Wanted to thank you for hiring Tina. And it seems Clarisse is doing well there too.”

She grinned. “They both are. And Tina wanted a way to prove to you she’s really through with drugs and alcohol.”

“I finally believe her. My sister had learned how to cope when she’s feeling down. She’s no longer turning to all of her old habits.” He rubbed his brow. “I still feel like hell anytime I think about that night, Ella.”

“Don’t. Just like Tina, you’re working through your own issues. And you haven’t done it since.”

He took her hand. “I never want to hurt you like I did.”

“You learned your lesson. Just like I learned mine about leaving without a word.” She shrugged. “But in the end, both those things pulled us closer together. So I can’t complain.”

“You have a point, although I could have done without Logan hurting you.”

“Did Isandro really drag him down the stairs?”

Trent snorted. “Yeah, then outside. If I hadn’t been so angry, I might have seen some humor in it. Thump. Thump. I wanted to do so much worse to him, but I needed to get you out of there.”

“My hero.” Her eyes sparkled as she glanced over. “So, Mila says you busted some asshole’s nose when he gave you shit about the video? What happened?”

He rubbed the back of his neck and stared out the windshield. “Mitch has since apologized for his bullshit. But it pissed me off when he called you a hot piece of ass and said something stupid about banging a star.”

She laughed. “He’s just jealous. He’ll never have a chance.”

Trent laughed, leaning over to nibble her ear. “Nope, because I’m keeping you all to myself.”

She turned the car down a nearly invisible street and stopped at a steel gate. “So, he’s all the way out in the middle of nowhere?”

Ella grinned. “Yeah. Ryan couldn’t care less if the world knew about him and Shannon, but Shannon doesn’t want it to affect Ryan’s career. So Shannon plays bodyguard, which he’s great at, and security guru, also great at—while Ryan does his acting. And for some reason, no one has ever suspected they’re together. In fact, I’m surprised they told you.”

Trent smirked. “He wanted to make it clear he’d never been interested in you. I don’t think anything short of his sexuality choice would have convinced me otherwise, especially with his protective attitude toward you.”

“He’s one of my closest friends. I’ve seen him go through hard times. Ryan’s been there for me through a lot. He’s just a good guy who doesn’t want to drag his significant other through the mud with him.”

“I doubt Shannon would care.”

She shook her head. “No, but he doesn’t want Ryan’s fans to be disappointed. And he trusted me, which is why I went to so many events with him. Most people speculated we were together anyway. That way, neither of us had to try very hard to convince the fans otherwise.”

The gate opened and Ella drove up to the ranch. Sam was leaning against his car when they climbed out. He hurried over to greet his sister. “How are you feeling? Why are you driving? Are you sure you aren’t hurting?”

Ella laughed, pushing him back slightly. “I’m fine. Trent has taken excellent care of me.”

Sam turned to Trent and gave him an awkward one-armed bro hug. “Thank you for—loving Ella. I’m glad you two worked out. I wasn’t sure how a small-town fireman was going to handle my little sister.”

“Very well… as it turns out.” Ella smirked.

Sam laughed and shook his head. “So don’t want to know. As long as you’re happy, that’s good enough for me.”

“We are,” Trent said, pulling Ella close.

“And how’s the shop doing?” Sam asked.

“Doing amazing, though I wish fewer celebrities would come by. That’s weird for the small town of Lakeridge, but everyone seems to be coping.”

“They are,” Trent offered.

Ryan and Shannon hurried down the stairs to greet their guests. “Welcome to my home,” Ryan said. “How are you two doing?”

“Great. Better than I ever imagined. I can even handle the camera flashes again, as long as there aren’t too many. And sirens haven’t bothered me in quite a while.”

“The press will get bored. You aren’t giving them anything juicy to report.” Shannon smirked. “Though we might help sidetrack them if Jackson doesn’t manage something stupid before then.”

“Oh?”

Ryan grinned. “We’re announcing our engagement.”

“Seriously?” Ella hugged Ryan, then Shannon. “I’m so happy for you two.”

Shannon nodded, “He finally convinced me I shouldn’t care what anybody else thought about it. We’re taking a page from Trent and proving to everyone, including ourselves, that nothing will come between us.”

Sam grinned. “It’s about time. Come on, let’s go out back so Ella can sit down.”

“Oh my God, Sam, chill. I cracked a few ribs a month ago. I’m fine. I promise. But I am hungry.”

“Then let’s get this barbecue going,” Trent said.

Chapter 44

The following June…

Once the media gave up on getting a scoop about Raven Star, everything in Lakeridge settled down. Logan Poole, now Manchester, was in prison and would be there a long time. People were coming from all over the county to shop at Mon Armoire.

In fact, Trent couldn’t wait for Ella to get home. He checked his phone again and turned to Kyle. “What is taking them so long? I thought they were just stopping by the shop.”

He laughed. “Mila wanted to do her own special thing for Ella. You knew they were going to have a busy day.”

Blaze leaned against the counter next to Trent. “How much longer until they get here?”

Cherish laughed. “Mama and Ella are picking up Barb from the airport.”

Kyle smirked. “Barb hasn’t seen Ella in years. I’m sure they’re taking their time. Relax, Trent.”

Regardless, his nerves were getting the best of him and Trent sent a text to Mila,
You’re running late. I want my woman back!

Kyle looked over his shoulder. “Patience. Everything will be fine.”

Sam joined the guys. “So, no alcohol?”

Trent’s brow arched. “No. There are two people here who really shouldn’t be around it.”

Tina threw her arm around Trent with a grin. “I’m one of them. Though I haven’t been tempted in a long time.”

Finally, a car pulled up, and female voices drifted through the door.

“Hide!” Trent whispered, walking to the door. He took a glance back to make sure everyone was out of sight before throwing open the door.

“Happy birthday, Ella.”

Her smile lit up as she stepped inside. “Hey, baby.” She leaned up for a kiss. Then she turned to the tall blond standing next to her. “Trent, this is one of my oldest friends, Barb. Barb, this is my sexy hero.”

Trent pulled Ella closer with his left arm and reached around her to shake Barb’s hand with the other. They’d met at Kyle and Mila’s wedding, but he wasn’t going to mention that.

“Come in.” Mila, Barb, and Ella followed him inside.

A house full of people jumped out of every available hiding spot with a loud shout, “Surprise!”

The group included Trent’s firemen friends and their families, Trent’s family, Ella’s brother, Ryan, and Shannon, and other local people who had become friends with Ella.

Their guest of honor covered her mouth, happiness shining brightly as she looked around the room. “Wow, thank you so much.” She turned to face Trent and he dropped to his knee. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.

Trent presented Ella with a small jewelry box. “I can’t imagine my life without you, Ella Cross. Please, be my wife.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes. Of course. I’m never letting you go.”

Trent opened the box and took the ring, his hands shaking as he slid it on her finger. Ella stared down at the solitaire diamond in a platinum band. It wasn’t huge, but Trent already knew she didn’t wear much jewelry, and never anything flashy.

Blaze pushed through the crowd. With a grin, he said, “Now you’ll really be my aunt.”

Ella knelt to hug Blaze. “I already thought of you as my nephew, buddy.”

“I know.” He stepped back, next to Cherish and started singing
“Happy Birthday.” Trent helped Ella up and pulled her close. “I love you, Ella.”

“You’ve given me everything I always dreamt of and never thought I’d have.”

“I’ll always do that, Ella, as long as you’re mine.”

“I just want you.”

About Brandy L Rivers

Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today, bestselling author. Her two main series are Others of Edenton and Others of Seattle. She has also written a handful of contemporary stories.

An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home mother. Her secret lair, guarded by a pint-sized pound puppy who imagines himself a hellhound, contains a file full of manuscripts she plans to refine and publish with new creations she is constantly dreaming up.

Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, in addition to several other projects.

If you are interested in receiving emails about future book releases, please sign up for her email distribution list by visiting her website at:

http://www.brandylrivers.com

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Also by Brandy L Rivers

Others of Edenton