[Gabrielle's POV]My eyes stay locked on the ground as I'm carried off stage and through the crowd. Many thoughts race while I try to make sense of what is happening, but only one thought sticks out amongst the rest…Why was he here?This single thought repeats again and again as too many damn emotions flare. Since our run-in at the reunion, he has been everywhere. Was he following me? Was it fate bringing us together again, like it did back then? I didn't know, and honestly, I didn't want to find out.“Let me go!” I hiss, finally snapping out of my head. “Put me down! Now!”“No!” Trent growls, shoving his way past the men who try to stop him. “Not until we are out of this place!”“This place is my work!” I argue. “And you're going to get me fired!”As the words leave my mouth, fear flares at the thought of losing a job that brings in so much. I couldn't risk it! Not now! Not when I was so close to...“Good!” Trent snaps before I can fall into the darkest recesses of my mind, where al
[Gabrielle’s POV]When was it that I truly started to fall for Trent? Was it the day he found me under that tree and offered me his hand? Or was it after he shamelessly forced his friendship on me? To me, it felt like I fell in love with him every single time, and no matter how hard I tried to not let myself get swept up in his whirlwind, I just couldn't help it. There was just something about him that I couldn't resist.I didn't know how or why, but he was there anytime I needed him. I guess you could say that I never stood a chance when it came to him. He most certainly made sure of that.“You're first love,” Gregory repeats, his voice cold as ice. “So he is the one.”The one. I knew what it was he was getting at, but I didn't want to admit it. If I spoke the words aloud, then all those fucking unpleasant feelings from back then would come crashing into me like waves, dragging me into the sea of despair that I fought so hard to get out of.“Whether you say it or not, I can tell that
[Trent’s POV]I stand outside of the club, nursing a bruised ego and a bruised cheek. Why was I even still here when I knew that I wasn't wanted? Probably because I refused to just give up.Sighing, I look toward the door as patrons slowly trickle out one by one. Not much longer now. Soon, Gabby would be emerging. It was getting late, and it was clear that the club was closing, so I just had to wait a little longer, and then...Then what? What the hell did I even plan on doing? Chances were, the minute she saw me, she would slam that damned wall into place once more. When Rachelle said that she built up a shell of ice around herself, she wasn’t kidding.Letting out a frustrated breath, I consider leaving and coming up with a different game plan, but before I can fully settle on defeat, I see her emerge from the club and then head toward the street so that she can hail a cab.For a moment, I just stand in place, watching her as she moves, taking her in as if I were starved for her very
[Gabrielle's POV]I'm stunned. I was not only stunned, but so fucking close to falling off the haphazardly balanced blade that I had been standing on since Trent appeared in my life once more. I was so close to hoping that it was terrifying, and if I didn't get myself together, I was going to fall.“Don't just say things so easily.” I whisper, my determination growing.“What was that?” Trent asks, his face contorting in confusion. “I didn't quite...”“I said,” I repeat, slamming my heeled foot on his again. “Don't just say shit like that so easily!”I didn't know what game Trent was trying to play, but I wasn't going to be a victim to his charms again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.“Whatever it is that you think you're doing, you can stop.” I continue, fixing my narrowed gaze on his. “You may have fooled me in the past with your act, but it won't happen again. Please do us both a favor and stay away from me. Anyway, I have a boyfriend, and he is a thousand ti
[Trent’s POV]I sit at a table in the back of a small cafe, sipping coffee, while keeping my gaze fixed on the door to the place until the one that I’m waiting for enters. For a moment, she doesn’t move as she pulls her sunglasses off and slowly looks around until her eyes come to rest on me.Nodding, I motion toward the empty seat in front of me and then wait as she comes to join me.“Thanks for coming.” I announce while she gets comfortable. “Sorry for calling so randomly.”“Yeah,” she responds, eyeing me. “Once you tell me what exactly it is that you want with me, you can explain to me how you got my number.”“That…” I begin, but stop as a slight wave of embarrassment rushes through me.How the hell could I explain the phone number thing? I guess I could say that I got it from a friend of a friend, but then wouldn’t she want to know who? I couldn’t possibly tell her that I could get any number or any information; honestly, I could get my hands on anything I wanted if I just made th
[Trent's POV]I stare at the brightly lit house in front of me, taking it in. Inside was the woman I yearned for for so many years. She was this close yet so damn far away, and it was frustrating.After finishing brunch with Rachelle, I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out a good way to approach Gabby about her current situation. I already knew she wasn't going to make helping her easy, but I refused to take no for an answer.I was certain that once her father got the right amount of money that he wanted, he wouldn't bother her anymore, so that was my ultimate goal.Feeling my nerves beginning to grow, I start to head up the cobblestone walkway that is lined by rose bushes and then up onto the simple wooden front porch. When I reach the door, I peek through the frosted glass window to see a single shadow moving about inside and feel my heart squeeze. Sucking in a breath, I ring the doorbell and then step back to wait until the door opens and Gabby comes into view.Just like
[Gabrielle’s POV]I watch Trent's retreating form as he makes his way toward his car, and when he climbs in, I'm almost certain that our eyes meet, but I don't dare to acknowledge it. It is only when he pulls out of the driveway and heads down the street that I finally tear my gaze away and turn to meet Gregory's accusatory one.“Why was he here?” He asks slowly, his jaw twitching with tension.“You heard him.” I respond. “He came to return Rachelle's wallet.” As I speak, I hold up the wallet as proof. “Since that's done, we should head inside.”Turning, I reach out and begin to open the door to lead Gregory inside, but am stopped by his hand flying past me, pushing it shut.“Gabby,” he says slowly, his voice cold. “Was that really all that was going on here?”For a moment, I don't speak as I realize just what Gregory is hinting at. He was making it very clear he didn't trust Trent or even me, for that matter, and it was really pissing me off.“What would you like me to say?” I ask, w
[Gabrielle’s POV]I sit in front of my mirror, applying foundation to the hickeys that line my chest. Sighing, I make a mental note to beat the shit out of Gregory later for leaving them there in the first place. If he thought I wasn’t aware of his intentions, he was wrong, but he knew damn well that it would piss my boss off here.Sighing, I examine my chest and my neck, making sure that there aren’t any more showing through my makeup before applying my lipstick. Once I’m finished, I swivel around and make my way backstage to wait for my time to shine.As I take my place, Johnny, the club’s manager, lets his eyes trail over me, stopping particularly long in the places that I had hickeys before.“What?” I ask, giving him a smirk. “Does this top make my breasts look big?”“Something like that,” he chuckles, licking his lips and making me fight a grimace. “I’m sure the clientele will go crazy over it.”Nodding, I tear my gaze away and wait until the girl who is dancing heads my way. Whe
[Gabrielle’s POV]I wait and watch as Trent processes what I’ve just told him. Even with the dim light casting shadows on his handsome face, I can see the desire that is beginning to form there.Dammit. How in the world was he able to remain strong up until this point, and why did his sticking to his word make me feel both loved and rejected? I hated these swirling emotions that I never would have had when we were younger.Back then, I knew that I was in fact his everything and that he only thought of me and no one else, but now he had a taste of another woman, and that scared the shit out of me.Maybe that was why I was willing to push his buttons like this, testing the waters, seeing if I could break his strong resolve, even if it only caused me to continue coming up empty.“Dammit, Gabby,” Trent hisses, his eyes flashing with lust. “We’re already this close; why do you have to continue to try to tempt me?”“Because I’m insecure.” I whisper, unable to stand it any longer. “I hate th
[Trent’s POV]After our first night of passion, I slowly come to find that Gabby is insatiable. Anytime I turned around, she was wanting to touch me, to kiss me, and to do other things to me that drove me so fucking crazy but also excited me just the same.Was this need to constantly be attacking me stemming from how much she missed me? Or how much she cared about me? I wasn’t so sure, but despite all of this, we never went all the way. However, we did do many things, many, many things, on almost every surface of my home, and by the time the day of departure for our vacation came, I was almost ready to just take her right then and there on the plane.I was certain that she was feeling the same way as me, as I found her gaze locked on a certain part of me more than a few times. That’s why, by the time we landed at our destination, I was strongly considering skipping all the things I planned and just keeping her trapped in the bed with me all day and night, but I manage to remain under
[Gabrielle’s POV]I let a smile play on my lips as I pull Trent’s belt out of the way and start to undo his pants. As I move, I can feel the bulge that is forming there and know that despite his insistence he was fine, he wasn’t doing well at all.“You can stop me any time.” I whisper, slowly slithering my body down his until I’m on my knees in front of him. “I won’t make you do something you don’t want to.”Growing quiet, I wait as he stares down at me, taking me in with so much hunger it makes my heart and my core squeeze.God. I just wanted to jump this man. I wanted to see more of his expressions, see that desire for me in his eyes more. I wanted to breathe him in until I had my fill, but I didn’t think that would ever be happening.“Is your silence the go ahead?” I giggle, hooking my fingers in his now-loose pants.For a moment, I don’t move while he just continues to stare at me, and when he lifts his hips, I know that he isn’t going to stop me, not this time.Smiling seductivel
[Gabrielle’s POV]I sit in Trent’s lap, listening to the sound of his strong heartbeat as the silence of the room around us settles in. We’ve been sitting here just like this for a while, probably because Trent is waiting for me to make the first move to show that I’m okay.After having our night out ruined by Katie, our group split ways, each going to their respective homes so that Rachelle and I could rest and recuperate from what happened to us. And even though I was thankful to be in the safety of the home that Trent and I shared, I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not anything was being done to Katie after what she did.Deciding that wasn’t what was important right now, I curl in closer to Trent and close my eyes.“Are you sure you’re okay?”How many times now has Trent asked me this very question? For most of the ride home, he asked me, and although I insisted I was fine, he wouldn’t drop it, which was both endearing and a little frustrating.“I am.” I say quietly, lifting my
[Katie’s POV]I stare in disbelief as Trent glares at me. How could he look at me so hatefully? This was all that bitches fault!“Trent!” I repeat, reaching out in an attempt to touch him only to be stopped by a look of warning.“I said I’d deal with you later.” He repeats slowly while pulling the bitch closer against him. “So, I suggest you come up with a damn good story.”Finished speaking, he turns and begins to move while I’m left standing in place with the two that not only failed to complete the mission they were given but would also incriminate me if they were to be taken away and questioned.Knowing that I couldn’t possibly let that happen, I pull my phone out of my pocket and immediately dial Oscar, knowing that he will help me deal with this.“Hello, beautiful.” He chuckles the minute he picks up. “Tell me, are you the one responsible for the trouble I’m suffering?”“And if I am?” I challenge.“You’ll have to repay me for my bailing you out.” He says slowly, and I don’t miss
[Trent’s POV]“Do you think they’re taking a bit?”Hanson’s question rings out around us, filling the silence that has fallen in the room we sit together in. He was right; it had been a bit since the women went to the bathroom.“Maybe Gabby was worse off than we thought.” I mutter, panic growing. “I’m going to go check on her.”Maybe I was being a bit overprotective or just worrying for absolutely nothing, but I just couldn’t stop myself when it came to her.“Whipped.”The word is quiet, as is the chuckle that comes with it, but I don’t give two shits. He could call me what he wanted, and I would happily accept it.“Probably,” I admit, getting up and heading toward the exit. “I’ll be back.”Not waiting for a response, I head out into the hall and then toward the bathroom, where Gabby, Rachelle, and Katie should be. And when I reach, I don’t think twice before I’m heading in. However, I’m met with an empty space and empty stalls except for a single one.“Gabby.” I call, heading toward
[Katie’s POV]I stand outside of the room, listening as everyone present mocks me. It pisses me off, and I have the right mind to go in there and scold them, but in the end that would only make me look more like the villain. I needed to remain composed and in control so that Trent didn’t see me acting like a bitch again; one time was more than enough. That’s why I put a smile on my face now and then head inside, drawing all eyes to me.“Drink’s are here.” I announce moving forward. “Here you are.”Keeping my perfect smile in place, I move around, handing out drinks, making sure that the right ones went to the right people. And when I reach Gabrielle, I’m certain that she gets the one just for her before moving onto her friend; if I remember correctly, everyone called her Rachelle.“Here you are, Rachelle, right?”“That’s right.” She smiles, taking her drink. “And this man beside me is my boyfriend Hanson.”“It’s a pleasure,” I say, handing him a drink and then taking the final and hav
[Gabrielle’s POV]I walk into the club with Trent at my side, his hand wrapped tightly around me, holding me against himself as if to show the world that I was his. I have to admit, I like it. I like the stares that follow us and the looks of jealousy from the women who are clearly upset that such a powerful man is no longer single.However, along with these looks, there are looks of disgust and even questioning, which I’m certain is from the rumor that Trent and Katie were engaged. I was certain those with these looks were thinking of me as a home wrecker, as the other woman, but as long as I knew the truth, I didn’t care.“They’re over there,” Trent murmurs, leaning in so close that his breath tickles my ear.Nodding, I look in the direction his gaze is in and find Rachelle and Hanson together playing some pool. They look so lovely together, with Rachelle holding the stick and Hanson attempting to guide her. It is easy to see the love between them even from here. Was that the way I
[Gabrielle’s POV]“Are you sure you’re up for this?”I eye Trent as he works to straighten the tie around his neck. A week has already passed since he was released from the hospital, and since his most recent scans were looking pretty normal, the doctor released him from bedrest. Of course, the minute that happened, Rachelle insisted that we go out to celebrate.“What?” He asks, lifting his gaze to mine. “Would you rather we stay here and...”“Not yet,” I sigh, though I wouldn’t be too opposed to getting to know Trent’s body on an intimate level, especially while he stood in front of me in a form-fitting suit, complete with wrist cuffs, a super expensive watch, and his messy hair slicked back. God, the man didn’t look like a snack; he looked like a whole damn meal.Trying to ignore the naughty thoughts racing through my mind, I move forward and grab Trent’s tie, then after a quick adjustment, I step back.“Perfect,” I grin, taking him in while pulling out my phone.“What are you doing