05

"You could have just looked for me," she said. She glanced at him, and Trent didn't take his eyes off her. He kept his gaze unwavering.

"You're right. I should have. Life moved on... I got married and tried to start a family. It didn't quite work out the way I planned." He seemed to shudder and lifted his glass for a long gulp of wine.

Gwen bit her lip. "I heard about your wife.

I'm so sorry for her loss."

"Thanks. It means a lot coming from you."

Her eyes met openly and understandingly. From that moment on, it seemed more natural to talk, talk about work and how they built their careers. It was as if now that the fog of the initial burning desire had lifted, they could both face the reality of the situation. And they realized that the facts were what they were, and that they needed to get over that high school situation.

Over the course of dinner, they agreed to work and keep things professional. Gwen felt ready to do just that.

"Do you think we can make things work?" Trent asked as he filled her glass with wine. After the meal was served, he had dismissed the waiters, and Gwen had her full attention. She had to admit, it got her butterflies in her stomach all over again.

"I'll do my part to make sure of that," she said without hesitation. "It's all about the kids. I'd like to prove that I'm more than just a school administrator, and that I can improve every student's learning system, regardless of their station in life."

"I completely agree. Giving children an equal opportunity to learn, no matter where they come from. I understand how a good education improves not only the students, but the entire community. Training the workforce of the future and making the world a better place — I'm glad we can work together to try to move this forward."

Gwen shook her head quickly, excitedly. Trent was saying all the things she wanted to hear. There were so many celebrities who did philanthropy and who were leading the way in funding education campaigns. She hoped that Trent's idea of using this for his PR would inspire others to do the same. She definitely wouldn't say no to more benefactors, that was for sure. Actors, professional athletes, and business leaders like Trent or other great foundations could enlist with one another to fund the countless outstanding school projects, not just at their private school, but at others in the district and beyond.

Gwen's foray into education had been more of a calling than just a career interest. With the combination of a few years of teaching experience, as well as a master's degree under her belt, Gwen built a background that prepared her for the role she was grateful to be able to play. She continued to grow her list of contacts in the projects she had in progress and now she wanted to go further.

It almost looked like she was trying to make up for something, to prove herself. But mostly, she was doing it for her eight-year-old son, Jonah. She needed to prove to him that it is possible to achieve what you set out to do, no matter the difficulty.

Looking at Trent, Gwen managed a smile and was grateful that he had, so far, kept Jonah out of the conversation. Both avoided talking about their son, but Gwen should have known it was too much to count on, that Trent would let things happen freely.

They were back in the limousine after the most delicious dinner Gwen had ever tasted. She drank most of the fabulous wine, and then a glass of champagne in the limousine. The music was softer and more relaxing now, although its effect was less calming this time and actually somewhat sensual. The drums and guitar mingled with the piano notes, and she noticed her own eyes following Trent over the rim of her champagne flute.

"Jonah must be asleep by now," Trent murmured thoughtfully, and Gwen nearly spit her last sip of champagne back into her glass. Trent turned an impassive gaze on Gwen. "If I looked at him, just for a moment, I'm sure he wouldn't even notice. It's okay, isn't it?"

Gwen dropped the cup with trembling fingers. "No, it wouldn't be okay. Why would you ask me that?"

"Ah, I don't know—maybe a father who wants to look again at his own son?" Trent's friendly air from before was now more that of an intrepid commander. "I need to see him. If you can't let me hold him or even talk to him, I at least want a minute near him, even if he doesn't know I was there. Just thinking I might have passed." by him on the street without even knowing..." He shook his head angrily and turned to look out the window, his fist clenched on the leather between them.

Gwen didn't know why, but she reached out and placed her hand over his. It was so simple to touch him, offer comfort like he used to when they were younger. Trent had grown up with parents who had been too distracted by their own lives to pay much attention to him, and he'd always told Gwen that with her, he always found what he was lacking.

Thinking of him losing his wife and having to be alone again, something stirred inside her. She squeezed his hand and whispered, "You really don't blame me, do you?

I mean, with the choice I made thanks to your parents?

I just couldn't give up my baby."

Gwen sighed deeply. All those years ago, Trent's parents had taken the decision out of his hands. Now, however, she could say no to Trent's request and that would be tantamount to preventing Trent from seeing his son.

"I'm in no position to blame anyone, not you and not even my parents. They all had their reasons. But I can't give up on him either," Trent said, his jaw set, but he didn't remove his hand from under her hand. from Gwen.

She bit her bottom lip in dismay. "I need to think about this. I know that, if you want, there's not much I can do to keep them apart.

But I still wish I had the chance to sort everything out in my mind first."

"More time," murmured Trent thoughtfully. "Well, I think it's been eight years. Why rush it and then ruin the chance to work things out with my son? The last thing I want is to get off on the wrong foot with him."

Gwen almost cringed with gratitude. She was glad that Trent was choosing to give her space instead of forcing her to give in. She was just drawing a relieved sigh, when in the next moment Trent leaned over and caressed her cheek.

Perhaps she had hesitated a little too long. Or something flashed in her eyes and signaled her capitulation. Trent's lips moved to hover just a breath away from her, and Gwen sucked in an expectant breath. His eyes, which looked more like precious stones, moved to her lips, which due to nervous bites gave the impression of more volume and attractiveness. She heard his deep, low moan. "You are the only woman capable of making me lose all control."

His fingers moved from her cheek to encircle her throat, his hand encircling her slender neck, hard and soft. Gwen felt overwhelmed and calmed at the same time. Eyes closed, Trent bent his face to the side of hers and dropped gentle kisses from the corner of her lips to the velvety, full center, with a rough snarl.