“I hope that’s not what I’m doing.But is it working?”He touched her nipple lightly.She sighed, but not from pleasure this time.He lowered his hand to rest on her hip.“Is it time for the talk?”
She nodded.“I think so.Will you make it dark, and hold me in your arms underneath the blankets?”
“Of course I will.”
* * *
It was hard to be nervous when she was so thoroughly sated.She’d had no idea pleasure like that was even possible.Trent was spoiling her.He climbed into the bed, pulled her back against him, and tucked the blankets around them.How could she possibly say no to a lifetime of this?
“You’re not making this easy for me.”
“Good.”He pressed a kiss against the back of her head.
“I feel like you’re not taking it seriously enough.”
“Talk to me.Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Nothing has changed.I can’t give you children.”
“Putting aside whether or not that matters to me, how are you certain of that?Is it because you never became pregnant from…”
“The men I slept with.You can say it.Does it bother you that I’ve known other men?That I’ve been touched and used by so many?”
He squeezed her tight.“I hate it.But not for me.I hate that you had to suffer.I hate that you’ve been forced to endure so much.If you ever need to get it out, you can always talk to me about it.You can tell me about the things those men did to you.I’ll never ask it of you, but sometimes things need to be spoken to let them go.”
“I did fall pregnant.”She closed her eyes.“Norman always tracked my…” She struggled to talk about it.“He always tracked my monthlies, and one month, it never came.He summoned some kind of doctor.I was sedated, and when I came to, I was horribly ill, and bleeding heavily.”Tears streamed from her eyes, running over the bridge of her nose and onto the pillow.Trent held her and rocked her.She pushed her emotions back down and blew out a breath.“I’ve never bled again since then.”She hated this so much.“Of all the things he did to me, ruining my ability to be your wife, is by far the worst.”
“I wish, so desperately, that none of that had ever happened to you.Those men hurt you in ways I can’t begin to imagine.But what they didnotdo was take away your ability to be my wife.”He took hold of the hand she had fisted against her stomach, urging her to relax and open her fingers for him.“It’s not a decision I want you to make tonight.There’s no hurry, and there’s no obligation.But if you eventually decide it’s what you want, just tell me, and perhaps I can make a proper proposal.”
He breathed a quiet laugh next to her ear.“I have a confession.When Ash first asked if he could send you here, I was terrified of the prospect.I didn’t know anything… Idon’tknow anything about women.I was afraid of doing and being everything wrong.”
“And somehow, you ended up doing and being everything right, instead.You’ve been kind and caring.Understanding, accepting.You’ve been patient and strong and beautiful.”
“Beautiful?”He chuckled.“You are the one who’s beautiful.Inside and out.But despite that, in all the things I had been worried about with you coming here, it never crossed my mind that I might fall head over heels in love with you.But how could I not?I told you the truth about who I am and where I came from.I told you about the harm I’ve done and the mistakes I’ve made, and you… you didn’t look on me with scorn or derision.Instead, you told me I was worthy.”
Head over heels in love with her.Her heart fluttered.How was that even possible?He was so sweet.She turned over to face him.She could barely make out his outline through the darkness, but found his lips and pressed a kiss there.“You are worthy, Trent Gibson.”
A shout sounded from somewhere in the house, startling her.“What was that?”
“I think it’s probably Ash having a nightmare.I need to go and check on him.”
“Should I come with you?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go traipsing around naked.”She couldn’t see it, but somehow, she knew he winked at her.He gave her bottom one last squeeze and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.“Get some sleep.I’ll see you in the morning.”
ChapterNineteen
Trent buttoned his top as he hurried down the hall.Noises continued to issue from Ash’s room as he approached.He opened the door quietly and slipped inside.The curtains were open, and the moon provided enough light to see the layout of the room.Ash thrashed on the bed, mumbling and whimpering.It was heartbreaking to see his stalwart brother tormented by whatever was happening in his dreams.
“Ash,” he said quietly.He didn’t want to scare him, but there was no response.He stared down at him.What was he supposed to do?He repeated his name a little louder, but still nothing.
Finally, he pressed his hand against Ash’s chest.“Ash!”
With a gasp, Ash’s eyes flew open.He looked around, trying to orient himself.After a minute, he blew out a long breath.
“What did I say about climbing into bed with me?”
Trent laughed and shook his head.“Are you alright?”
