Trent reached down with his other hand and squeezed hers to offer his comfort.Everything in the little picture was perfect, except that it wasn’t as it appeared.Her heart thought it was.It longed for this to be her life, for Trent and Maggie to be her family.But they weren’t.And they never would be.She wasn’t fit to be his wife.But was it wrong of her to want it?Was it wrong of her to pretend, for as long as they would allow her to stay here?
They gave her the strength to grow, and to overcome her past.Perhaps, if she pretended long enough, she could eventually have enough strength to survive losing them.
ChapterThirteen
Trent was looking forward to finally having a moment alone with Samantha.One thing after another had kept him away from her all day.But as soon as they stepped into her room, she spoke before he had a chance.
“How did you get those bruises?”she asked, pointing at his wrist.
“It’s nothing.”He shook his head.“What’s important right now is how you’re doing.You’ve been through something incredibly trying and emotional, and haven’t had a chance to talk it through yet.I want to know how you’re feeling about it all.”
She shook her head.“I don’t want to talk about him.Not yet, at least.What I want to talk about is those bruises that appeared on your wrist since yesterday, the cause of which seems to be a secret you wish to keep from me.”
Trent let out a long sigh.He wouldn’t lie to her.“They’re from your brother.”
She gasped and grabbed his hand, pulling up his sleeve.“Why would he do that?Did he do it on purpose?”
“Not in a manner of speaking, no.”It was simply the arm he’d yanked behind Trent’s back.His shoulder hurt more than the bruises.
She pursed her lips.“Why did he do this, Trent?”
“Because he’s a protective older brother, and he saw me kiss you.”
“Did he threaten you because of that?”She huffed, and her brows lowered into a scowl.
Trent choked on a laugh.“Threaten is not strong enough a word for what he did.But in the end, he came around.He trusts that I won’t hurt you.”
She looked down at the bruises for a long moment before meeting his gaze, but still she said nothing.Her confusion was so clear, as was her concern for him.
“It’s alright, Samantha.”
“It is not!I wish he was still here so I could give him a piece of my mind.”
Perhaps Allister had been right about her feelings for him.“May I kiss you again?”His heart fluttered as he waited for her answer.
She swallowed and simply stared up at him, until slowly, the corners of her mouth lifted in a small smile.
“Trent Gibson, you haven’t even asked me to dance.”
His laugh was nervous, and probably a bit disappointed.It was her kind way of rejecting him.But when he pushed aside his selfish arrogance, what was left was pride.It was a mark of just how far she’d come.How strong she’d grown.
“I don’t know how to dance, I’m afraid.”
Relief eased the stiffness in her shoulders and her smile grew.“Tomorrow, I’ll teach you.”
“I look forward to it.Will you be alright tonight?Would you like me to stay, in case you need help fighting villains in your dreams?”
She shook her head.“I think I’ve done enough fighting for one day, don’t you?”
Admiration filled him.“You were formidable.”
She threw her arms around his chest.“Thank you.”She squeezed him for a moment before stepping back.“Thank you for making it happen.Thank you for teaching me how to throw a punch.”Her lips twitched in a half smile, but tears welled in her eyes.“And most of all, thank you for being a soft place for me to land when it was over.”
“It was my honor.Goodnight, Samantha.”
She lifted up on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.“Goodnight.”
A haze descended over Trent as he left her room.What just happened?She had definitely rejected him when he’d asked if he could kiss her, but he didn’t feel like she was pulling away from him.What did it mean?
