The Billionaire's Marriage Proposal (Billionaire Bachelors Series - Book 4) (15 page)

She found no one was acting any differently toward her from how they’d been before the kiss so she started to relax, but she certainly avoided Trenton, though she felt his eyes on her no matter where she was. She’d certainly have words with him later about his high handed behavior but she wanted to enjoy herself at the Christmas party.

Trenton watched Jennifer, wanting more than anything to drag her from the room and straight to his bed. He normally just took whatever he wanted, when he wanted it, but his family would skin him alive if he tried to drag her from the room and it wasn’t worth the fight, so he dealt with his frustration and even found himself having a good time as the evening progressed.

He’d been away from his cousins and siblings for a long time, and it felt good to be in their presence. He found himself laughing and giving as good as he got, but no matter who he was speaking to, or where he was, he knew where Jennifer was. He found he didn’t even do it consciously, he just sought her out.

The night flew by for Jennifer and before she knew it, she found herself yawning and reluctantly deciding she should get Molly home. Her niece had a wonderful time, but now it was time for bed. She found Joseph and Katherine, thanked them for a wonderful evening and then found Molly sleeping on the floor with a bunch of other children.

She smiled down at her tiny body, lying there with her friends. The Anderson family had been so great for her vulnerable niece.

“Let me carry her for you,” she heard Trenton say, causing her to jump. She hadn’t realized he’d followed her into the family room.

“I’d appreciate that. She may be small, but in her sleep she can get pretty heavy,” she accepted. He easily bent down and scooped Molly into his arms, as if she weighed nothing at all. The sight of Molly’s head lying against his masculine chest brought tears to her eyes. Her poor niece had lost both her mother and father and so deserved to have parents to love her. She’d do anything to give her niece all the love she deserved.

Jennifer walked outside with Trenton, enjoying the cool evening air touching her heated face. She realized she’d drank one too many glasses of champagne throughout the night and the breeze felt good. She also forgot she’d been picked up for the party and didn’t have her car.

“I’m going to call a cab,” she told Trenton, who didn’t slow down. “Where are you going?” she asked, as she trudged along after him.

“I’ll give you a ride home,” he told her.

“That’s not necessary, I can get a cab,” she tried again, not sure she could handle the ride home with him. Her hormones were all over the place and she was at an all-time low in resistance levels.

“Deal with it,” he stated and then he was buckling Molly in the backseat. Her niece was so exhausted she didn’t budge an inch with all the movement. He opened the passenger door and manhandled Jennifer into the seat. She sat there pouting but unable to move, considering her niece was in the back.

He drove them through the deserted streets and it seemed like the drive took twice as long with the nervous tension filling up the car. She sighed her relief as they pulled up to her apartment. She immediately scrambled out of the car, planning on retrieving Molly and rushing inside. Trenton had other plans, though, and beat her to Molly’s door.

“I have her,” was all he said, so she sulked up to her front door and was mad when it took her shaking fingers three tries before she was able to get the door unlocked. “Where is her room?” he asked. She pointed down the short hallway and then headed to her kitchen. Waking up in the morning with a hangover wasn’t an option, so she started a strong pot of coffee brewing and waited at the counter.

“She didn’t budge when I laid her down,” Trenton said, startling her. She hadn’t heard him come back to the kitchen. “I could use a cup of coffee,” he prodded her, since she didn’t seem willing to offer him one.

“Okay, but I’m really tired, so…” she let her words trail off at his look. It seemed he didn’t like being booted out of her house. He accepted the cup, leaning on the counter, only a few feet away from her. Her entire body was aware of his presence in the room. They hadn’t been alone since that day in his office and she felt the sensations rushing through her, needing his touch in ways that angered her.

“Invite me to stay,” he whispered to her seductively, leaving her trembling.

“That’s not a good idea,” she said, gripping the counter in her efforts to not reach out for him.

“Our entire relationship hasn’t been a good idea,” he told her and swiftly moved toward her, his intentions clear in his beautiful eyes. She tried to sidestep him, but it was useless in the small space.

He took her into his arms and her already weak resolve to not sleep with him again, evaporated as his lips touched hers. She ached for him in a way she never thought possible, and every time she was in his arms was a relief. What difference would one more night make?

Trenton couldn’t even think straight as he pulled her close. He lost all thoughts but to find her bed and take her. He found that no matter how many times he loved her, it was never enough. He didn’t think it ever would be. He lifted her up and carried her the short distance to her tiny bedroom.

He was barely able to remove their clothing before he sunk himself deep into her inviting heat. Her moans of pleasure sent him over the edge and their first time that night went too quickly. He made it up to both of them over the next couple hours, making slow, sweet love to her half the night. She was amazed how long he could pleasure them both, and she was very satisfied.

Both Trenton and Jennifer fell into an exhausted sleep as the sun was just starting to rise in the sky. He knew at that point he couldn’t let her go. He figured it was going to take a lot of convincing on his part, but she was his woman and he refused to release her from his life.

Chapter Nine

Jennifer was woken by a knocking on her door. She groggily opened her eyes, relieved when she didn’t feel a pounding beneath her eyelids. She tried to move and found herself pinned to the bed. She turned her head and her night was quickly brought back. Trenton was staring at her with a satisfied smile on his lips.

“Good morning,” he murmured before kissing her softly, making her forget all about the knocking, until another insistent one pounded her door.

“Um, I have to answer the door,” she said, not good with morning after conversations, considering he was the only one she’d ever had one with. She jumped from the bed, self-conscious of her very naked state. She grabbed her bathrobe and secured it, before heading to her front door, aware she most likely looked a mess, even though it was some time in the afternoon. She felt horrible to have slept so long. The house was quiet, which meant her niece was still asleep as well. She wasn’t surprised, considering all the excitement of the night before, and how late she’d gotten to bed.

Jennifer opened the door to the disapproving look of her niece’s social worker. She wondered what the woman was doing there.

“Hello, Ms. Ellis, did I forget about an appointment?” she asked, a lot more conscious of her own ragged appearance. The woman looked her up from head to toe and by the look in her eyes, didn’t approve.

“I have some news to share with you that couldn’t wait. May I come in?” the sour woman stated and pushed her way forward. Jennifer found her rude and annoying but couldn’t let her temper get the better of her. The woman was the difference of her having her niece permanently or not, so she’d play nice.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” she offered.

“That would be great, thank you,” she said. Jennifer quickly made a pot and placed a cup in front of the woman and then joined her at the table. She pulled out a bunch of paperwork from her file and a cold sweat broke out on Jennifer’s skin. This didn’t seem to be a happy visit.

“As you know, your custody of Molly has been temporary until we determined if this would be the best environment for her,” the woman began and by her tone of voice, she seemed to be saying she indeed didn’t think it was a good environment.

“We’ve had interviews with Molly and then you, of course, and have come to the conclusion Molly would be much better off in a more traditional family setting. She had two very loving parents and we don’t think moving into a single parent household is what’s best for her,” the woman said in the same cool tones. It took a few moments for Jennifer to realize what she was saying, but when it hit, she felt all the color drain from her face. The woman was telling her they were going to take Molly from her care.

“I don’t understand. Molly is doing great with me. I have her in school and I have a great job, so providing for her isn’t a problem. I’m her aunt and I don’t think living with strangers would be good for her,” Jennifer pled.

“We do try and have children with relatives if that’s what’s best for them, but with your long work hours and single status, this isn’t an ideal living environment,” the woman said, looking around the tiny room and finding it wanting.

Trenton picked that moment to walk into the room, looking sexy as sin in his clothes from the night before. He certainly didn’t look bedraggled like her. He looked like the confident businessman he was. He stepped over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup and then joined them at the table. Even the snooty social worker seemed a bit flushed in his presence, as the man seemed to have that effect on all women, no matter their age.

“Good afternoon. I’m Trenton Anderson,” he said, while sticking out his hand. The woman actually blushed as she took his hand and Jennifer sat there in shock.

“Hello, I’m Betsy,” she replied and Jennifer’s mouth dropped open. She didn’t even know the woman had a first name, let alone been allowed to hear it. She sent Trenton a glare and he actually had the nerve to wink at her. She’d have words for him later, since her temper was starting to rise. She hated the power he held, when she herself, felt so hopeless.

“That’s a beautiful name, I’m sorry to interrupt but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,” he told her, causing the woman to blush, again.

“That’s perfectly okay, Mr. Anderson,” she said. Jennifer had the feeling if she were the one to interrupt she wouldn’t have gotten such a pleasant response.

“You won’t have to worry about Jennifer’s single status any further, as she’s my fiancé. We’re getting married at the end of this week. My father has always wanted a Christmas wedding,” he told the woman. She looked at him dreamily, while Jennifer stared in shock. She couldn’t believe he’d lie to the social worker. It wasn’t like she wouldn’t figure out the truth when a wedding didn’t occur.

“Well, Jennifer, why didn’t you tell me,” she turned to Jennifer in admonishment. Jennifer couldn’t speak.

“Things have happened so quickly and I know she was planning on calling you right away, as a matter of fact, we’d like to invite you to the wedding since you’ve been such an asset in Molly’s life,” he said smoothly, taking Jennifer’s hand in his and bringing it to his lips, where he gently kissed her palm, sending a tingling sensation all the way down to her toes.

“That sounds just lovely, Mr. Anderson, and will you be living in a more suitable place for the child?” she asked, completely ignoring Jennifer.

“Yes, Molly will have a nice house to run free in, with a playground, of course, as all children need,” he answered. Jennifer could feel bile in her throat, as the lies kept growing. She didn’t know how she was going to get out of all this. She certainly knew she was going to strangle Trenton as soon as Ms. Ellis left.

“Sounds perfect. We’ll put a hold on this transfer and give you the time to get things done,” she said, as she stood up, once again shaking Trenton’s hand and then walking out the front door. She hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye to Jennifer. Once she knew the coast was clear, she turned toward Trenton with murder in her eyes.

“How dare you lie to her, you pompous, self-serving, arrogant man? When this wedding doesn’t take place, she’ll think I’m a liar, as well as incompetent, and they will take Molly from me for sure,” she yelled, as she stalked closer to him. She’d never in her life wanted to physically hurt someone, but at that moment she wanted to hit him repeatedly.

Trenton watched Jennifer and felt his body spring to life. Her anger was an impressive thing to watch and he found himself wanting her so badly he hurt all over. He smiled, which caused her eyes to spark, and her face to redden. He was fascinated with her reaction and found himself wanting to push her buttons even further.

She came toward him with her hand raised. He didn’t know if she planned on slugging him, or scratching his eyes out, but he didn’t give her time to do either. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with so much heat, he didn’t know how they both didn’t combust.

She struggled with him for a few moments and then her anger quickly turned to passion and they were both clawing all over each other. He lifted her onto the counter and was getting ready to part her robe and sink deep inside her when he heard a noise behind him. He could barely turn his head in his passion filled haze but was grateful he did because Molly was standing in the doorway, with her sleepy eyes on them.

Jennifer hadn’t yet spotted her and was still clinging to him, needing him to finish what he’d started. He backed away from her and she whimpered, feeling cold and empty without him pressed against her. It took a moment, but she finally looked over and spotted her niece and then her face heated with embarrassment. She prayed her innocent niece hadn’t seen too much. She quickly checked both her clothing and Trenton’s, and was relieved to find everything was perfectly covered.