TRENT STARED AT Izzy across their sea-view table at the Oceanside and fell a little deeper. It had been a week since their visit with Maya at the hospital, and the connection between them had grown stronger every day. She was sexy, funny, clever and ambitious...and the combination turned him on more than he thought possible. Yet now, as she inched toward trusting him and allowing him to see inside her heart and mind, deeper layers slowly revealed themselves, making him want her more than ever to become someone permanent in his life.
Sure, he’d known for years how attracted he was to her, but now the atmosphere between them was tangible...to the other residents of the Cove too, if the suggestive comments they’d received from a handful of their peer group was anything to go by.
“Stop staring at me.” Izzy picked up her wine and brought it to her lips, her happy gaze on his. “I don’t even want to know what you’re thinking, because whatever it is, I’m sure it isn’t suitable for public conversation.”
He smiled and lifted his eyebrows. “Shall we skip the meal and head home, then? Eating’s overrated anyway.”
“A girl needs to eat if she plans on using her energy reserves.”
Her blue eyes shone like Bristol glass under the candlelight. The quip on Trent’s tongue vanished when her stockinged toes ran up and under the hem of his jeans to tease his calf.
She grinned. “Don’t you agree?”
He picked up his wineglass and drank deep, his gaze on hers. “You’re a bad, bad girl, Izzy Cooper.” He lowered his glass. “But I like it.”
She laughed and, regrettably, pulled her foot away. “You need to behave. We can’t spend every evening in bed.”
“Why not?”
“Because...because...” Her cheeks flushed. “Stop looking at me like that. Just because, okay?” She narrowed her eyes. “Eat and stop talking.”
Smiling, Trent picked up his knife and fork. He loved teasing her, loved being with her and, most of all, wondered how the hell he’d lived all those months without making love to her. He cut into his steak and speared some potato. “So, did you have coffee with Helen today?”
“I did.” Her voice quieted. “We went to Marian’s.”
Trent looked up, bothered by the caution in her tone. “And?”
She put down her knife and fork and lifted her glass. “And I’m not sure our conversation changed anything. I’m still just as scared for you.” She took a mouthful of wine, her gaze sad. “For us.”
“Will and Helen have been married a long time, Iz. Together even longer. It might be that Helen’s just grown used to the job, that’s all.”
“You’re wrong.” She returned her glass to the table and shifted forward in her seat, her beautiful eyes wide with worry. “She says the longer she’s with him, the more she worries. When they were single, the fact that Will was a firefighter excited Helen. Then they got married and she slowly grew used to starting to look at the clock every five minutes from just before the end of his shift until she heard his key in the front door.” She closed her eyes. “And now that they have a baby...”
Trent fought his unease. Was he kidding himself that the job ever got easier for a firefighter’s loved ones? Was he lying to Izzy for his own selfish desires? He put down his cutlery and took her hands. “Listen to me. You’re right. Helen’s right. My job’s dangerous and I’m wrong to keep telling you not to worry about what might happen, but I know we’ve got a chance at some real happiness here. Aren’t you willing to give us a try despite what might or might not happen?”
“It’s fire, Trent.” She slipped her hands from his and drew them into her lap, her eyes blazing with frustration. “Ignoring its dangers isn’t normal to me in any shape or form. Mum and dad taught Robbie and me to live life as we wanted, to embrace our dreams and passions, not let outside influences hold us back.” She shook her head. “But now, with Robbie gone, fire is my nemesis. The one thing that continues to burn deep inside me. This isn’t the same as me being with you without knowledge of what devastating loss fire can cause.”
Fear of her retreating again engulfed him. He wanted to be with her so damn much. “But you’re here tonight despite speaking with Helen. There must be something you see in us that you want.”
A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “It’s not what I see. It’s who I see. You. You’re a pain in the ass with your sexy smile, gorgeous green eyes and body like iron.”
Trent grinned, relief pumping through him like lifesaving oxygen. “Well, thank God for that.”
Trent’s mind turned to the idea he’d had earlier. An idea that could well send Izzy running for the hills, but something that felt important and clear in his growing feelings for her. He leaned forward. “I have an idea that will get us out of bed for a few days.”
She raised her eyebrows. “And you want that why?”
He smiled. “It was you who said we can’t spend every evening between the sheets, remember?”
She picked up her fork and frowned. “Did I? I must have lost a piece of my brain for a moment.”
Trent took a long, steadying breath and then said what was on his mind before he lost his courage. “How about we go away for the weekend?”
“Where?” She put some pasta in her mouth and chewed, her beautiful eyes wide with interest.
He had no idea why, or how, the rash idea burst into his mind, but now that it was there, Trent knew it was a good one. “I want you to spend the weekend with me at my parents’.”
She coughed, put down her fork and reached for her water. Trent turned to his food and pretended the suggestion was no big deal. The truth was, he’d never brought any woman home to meet his parents. Ever. This was a deal of gargantuan proportions. He forced his gaze to Izzy’s. Judging by the terror in her gaze and the red blotches on her upper chest and throat, she entirely agreed with him about the magnitude of his suggestion.
She leaned forward, her hand splayed on the tablecloth. “They know about us?”
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Sure. I told them after we visited Maya. They’re really pleased about it too.”
“But they don’t know me like they knew Robbie. How can they know enough about me to be pleased?”
He gripped her fingers and stared into her eyes, willing her to believe just how wonderful a woman she was. “You make me happy. You make me want to enjoy more than just my work. That’s all they need to know. They have a great place near the beach.” He released her hand and took a mouthful of wine. “You’ll feel at home in no time.”
“Feel at home? Trent, this isn’t something to joke about. Meeting parents is...”
“Meeting parents is what?” He put down his glass as worry of what she was about to say gripped his chest. “Iz?”
She exhaled. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
Disappointment flooded through him, and Trent sat a little straighter in his seat. If she had to set the pace to feel comfortable, then he would concede to that. No problem. “Okay, no pressure. It was just an idea.”
The surrounding chatter and classical music coming from concealed speakers seemed to hitch up a notch. Every scrape of a chair across the terra-cotta floor tiles resounded louder than before, and each chink of a glass filtered to Trent’s ears on high frequency.
“Trent?”
He met her gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is too soon.”
“No, that’s not what I mean.” Her gaze softened. “I mean, I’m sorry for saying that. What I should’ve said is it sounds like a great idea. When do you want to go?”
“Are you sure?” Tentative hope rose in his chest.
“I am.” She smiled and relaxed her shoulders. “I’d love to meet your parents. You asking just took me by surprise, that’s all. Plus, I know for a fact that you don’t make a habit of taking the women you date home to meet your mum and dad.” Her gaze softened further. “And you look so heartbreakingly gorgeous when a girl says no to your plans. How am I supposed to resist?”
Laughing, he took her hand and pulled her forward. He kissed her and tightened his grip on her hand to prevent her from moving back in her seat. “It’s not very wise to mess with the emotions of a six-foot-two fireman, especially one as well built as I am, you know.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “No? What are you going to do? Tell me what’s what?”
This woman needed a lesson...one he’d give her the minute they got back to his apartment. “Absolutely.”
She grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
He released her and they sank back into their seats, the sexual tension between them humming across the table. How soon could they eat their meals and get back to his place?
He forked another slice of his steak. “You know something? It was what my dad said after I told him I was seeing you that made me see sense and come back to the Cove as quickly as I could.”
“What did he say?”
Her cautious gaze belied her nervousness, her returned unease that Trent wanted so desperately to vanquish. He had to stop running at full speed. Just because he was 100 percent certain Izzy was the woman for him, it was going to take longer for Izzy to believe the same.
He cleared his throat. “He knew pretty soon after I’d arrived that it wasn’t just Sam’s death I was running away from. Dad took one look at me and somehow knew I was running away from a person too. He’d already guessed that person was you.”
She frowned. “But how long ago did you tell him we were involved?”
“Apparently, he’s known for years how much I liked you, but never said anything to me or Mum. He said he chose to wait for the inevitable to happen.” Trent smiled, hoping to make her smile too. “He told me love is a gift and that I shouldn’t turn my back on it. Didn’t take me long to realize he was right, so I got back in my car and came home. To you.”
She picked up her wine before turning away from him to stare across the restaurant.
Trent studied her profile. “Iz?”
When she turned, tears shone in her eyes. “Your dad sounds like a good man.” She smiled. “It’s no surprise his son turned out to be such a great guy too.”
Trent smiled and lowered his shoulders. “He is, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to build a life as good, honest and well meaning as he has. He and Mum will love you, Iz. They’ll be happy for us.”
Her chest rose as she inhaled a shaky breath. “We can go this weekend if you like.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Great.” Trent winked and nodded to her plate. “Now eat up so we can get out of here. I don’t think I can wait much longer to get you home and in my bed where you belong.”
She laughed and returned to her food.
Trent stared at her bowed head. She might have agreed to visit his parents, but her uncertainty showed in the stiffness of her shoulders and the blush at her cheeks. He didn’t need to ask Izzy to know what she thought. He knew her well enough to know that mentioning his parents had only served to remind her of the absence of her own.
He pushed his fork into some potato as determination to show Izzy that family didn’t always equate to those a person was joined to by blood. One way or another, he would show her that love, comfort and trust were sometimes found in the most unlikely people, in the most unlikely of places. She was an amazing woman. One whom any man would be lucky to have on his arm and anyone would be lucky to have in their life.
The biggest challenge would be getting Izzy to realize how special she was when everyone she ever loved had left her...some in the most horrible, life-altering way.
* * *
IZZY SLIPPED THE straps of her silk camisole over her shoulders and stared down at Trent as he lay on his back beneath her. His green gaze shone dark with desire and his jaw was clenched tight as he hungrily watched her discard her final piece of clothing.
Sweet liberation whispered through her and she embraced it willingly. She loved Trent...maybe from the first day she saw him. And now—finally—they were together.
Smiling softly, she reached toward her bedside cabinet and picked up the foil-packed condom. She ripped it open, holding his gaze as she smoothed the protection onto him with purposely slow precision, her body tingling with anticipation and arousal. His obvious lust for her, his love, turned her on more than he could ever imagine.
Her surrender scared the hell out of her, but she would not deny or fight it anymore. Wasted time was behind them and determination to enjoy the months and, hopefully, years ahead with this kind, strong and sensitive man who’d waited so patiently for her was paramount in her heart and soul. Now that she’d relinquished her defenses, all that remained was her prayer that Trent would stay with her. Always.
Leaning over him, she inhaled the spicy scent of his aftershave as she pressed her lips to his neck, higher to his stubbled jaw and slowly across his chin to claim his mouth. A sigh escaped her lips as he gently gripped her bottom, holding her still against him as she tried to shimmy a little closer to her goal. Their tongues tangled and their lips crushed as heat and want grew.
Their love singed every part of her, its power as uplifting as it was frightening.
“I need you inside me.” She whispered into his mouth. “Now.”
“Patience.”
She quivered. He slid his hand between her legs, his fingers moving achingly lower until they reached her core. He teased her until Izzy was forced to draw back from his kiss and bite her lips together to stop from crying out in frustration. The man knew exactly how to touch and torment.
“Trent, please.” She dropped her mouth open as he continued to rub and caress her, her orgasm inching so very, very close. “I want you so much.”
Just when she thought she would tip over the edge, he moved both his hands to her waist and glided her forward. She gratefully rose to her knees and, with her gaze on his, guided him inside. She savored every ounce of the love that glistened so beautifully in his eyes.
She smiled softly and moved slowly, searching for his rhythm and hers until they joined in perfect, unbelievable unison as they had done every single time they made love.
His jaw tightened. “I love you, Iz. So much.”
“I love you too.”
Their gazes locked and their teeth clenched as they sought the blessed climax that hovered so pleasurably out of reach.
“Come for me, Iz. Let me see you.”
His words edged her closer, his eyes growing darker with every forward motion. Then she was there. Izzy flung her head back as her orgasm burst through her core and spread through her body, swelling her heart with the profound and passionate love she had for Trent and everything he was.
His hands gripped her waist as he groaned and his pleasure shuddered through her body. She opened her eyes and tried to catch her breath.
He squeezed his eyes shut, his jaw tight, before collapsing against the pillows. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open and he exhaled. “What did I do to deserve you?”
She smiled. “I’m feeling pretty lucky myself, you know.”
He shook his head. “You’ve got to be the sexiest woman in the whole damn world.”
Joy and satisfaction swept through her and Izzy grinned before shifting away to fall to the bed beside him. “Well, if I am, it’s you who makes me that way.” She blew out a breath and flung her arm heavily across his chest. “Never in my life has sex been this...hot, good, amazing.”
He turned his head and kissed her. “We belong together, Iz. Always.”
Her heart stuttered at the undisguised love in his eyes, and she lifted her hand to glide her fingers over his cheek to his jaw. “Thank God you waited for me to see that.”
His somber gaze brightened as if she’d handed him all the money in the world. They kissed again before she laid her head on his chest. But even with his steady heartbeat in her ear, her smile slowly dissolved as thoughts of the trip to his parents’ place tiptoed back into her mind. As much as she wanted to go, she couldn’t quash the fear the visit evoked.
She had not seen her parents since Robbie’s funeral six months before. They’d exchanged emails, the odd phone call, but they hadn’t come home. Not even for a single day.
She’d spoken to them by telephone after Sam’s funeral, wanting to hear their voices even if she couldn’t see their faces. She’d even swallowed her misplaced pride and asked them to consider coming home for a visit. Her mum had promised to get back to her soon with a date.
That had been days ago and still her phone remained ominously silent.
Tears burned and Izzy closed her eyes.
Hadn’t they sensed how desperately she wanted to make up for her cold treatment of them in the past?
“What are you thinking about, Iz?”
She opened her eyes and swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “Mum and Dad.”
“Something wrong?”
Shifting onto her side, she stared into Trent’s concerned gaze and forced a soft smile. “It’s nothing. I just miss them sometimes, that all.”
He frowned. “It’s because I asked you to meet my parents, isn’t it? If you’ve changed your mind, it’s okay. I understand. I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready for.”
“I want to meet them. Honestly.” She ran her nails over the hardened muscles of his pecs. “It’s not that it’s your parents. It’s just that they’re parents, period. You’d think by now meeting other families, seeing into their lives and how different they are from mine wouldn’t bother me.” She met his gaze. “But it does, and I can’t lie about how much Mum and Dad’s continuous absence often hurts too.”
He cupped his hand to her jaw, his thumb gently sweeping back and forth across her cheek. “My parents are fantastic, Iz. You’ll be in their company for five minutes and feel comfortable, I promise. I really hope when we leave them, you won’t come away looking at what you don’t have, but come back to the Cove feeling as though you’ve gained something. They’ll look after you like they look after me. I guarantee it.”
She looked at his chest as shame washed over her. “Maybe I shouldn’t linger in my own wants when both our parents have lost a child. My mum and dad might not be here, but at least they’re alive.” She forced her gaze to his. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey.” He kissed her firmly on the mouth. “Don’t be sorry for your feelings. I’ll never judge what you feel, because that’s what makes you who you are. And for the record, I’ve yet to find a single aspect of you I don’t like. Our parents lost Aimee and Robbie and day by day they’re learning to live with their memories. That’s all they can do. My parents keep Aimee alive in their hearts through loving and helping others. Maybe your parents do the same with Robbie in a different way. All I know for sure is Aimee was a caring, loving girl. She wouldn’t have wanted Mum and Dad to be unhappy and she wouldn’t have wanted me to be unhappy. You come home with me and you’ll get that. You really will.”
She stared into his eyes and a little more of her reservation and fear dissolved. “I love you, Trent.”
He grinned, his eyes shining as he winked. “I love you too. Everything’s going to be great. I promise. We’ll leave for Kingsley tomorrow night so Mum will have a chance to make up the spare room.” He grimaced. “I’ll be in my old room. Guaranteed. Mum and Dad are all for free will, but they won’t think it proper or right for us to sleep together under their roof. Their principles are just another reason why I love them.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Then we’d better make up for our enforced nocturnal separation now, hadn’t we?”
“Absolutely.”
She screeched as he leaned over and pinned her beneath him, her body instantly responding with desire and glorious anticipation for round two...or was it three?