Bought for the Billionaire’s Bed(13)

The shopping expedition came about when he’d overheard her talking to herself in the elevator. Fear of losing her again had made him monitor her descent to the ground floor to fetch his mail. He really had no right to be so possessive and voyeuristic, but he just couldn’t help himself. The CCTV hadn’t been installed to spy on his girlfriends, but he couldn’t resist checking on her anyway. The relief had been palpable when she’d returned with the mail a few minutes later.

“Trent, did you say you came from Virginia?”

Mia’s question brought him out of his reverie. “Yes, Fairvale, it’s a small town in West Virginia. Why?”

“What’s it like? I mean it must be very different to New York.”

Trent breathed in. “Where I grew up the air is so clean and pure it cuts right into your lungs and smells so sweet. There’s nothing like it. The mountains stretch for as far as the eye can see, and the trees look wonderful, especially during the fall. It’s a million miles away from New York.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“It is.”

Trent recalled how spectacular the scenery around his father’s ranch had been. He thought of the letter that he’d received that morning. He recognized the handwriting, and knew it was from his mother. Why had she suddenly started writing to him after all these years? This was the third letter he’d received in as many weeks. He hadn’t wanted to know the contents, so he’d discarded it, just like he’d done with all the rest.

He glanced at Mia. Had she seen him do it and realized the implications? Suddenly he felt incredibly guilty. His mother had been blameless in the rift that had developed between himself and his father. They hadn’t spoken in years. Hadn’t she suffered enough already? Surely the time had come to put his feelings aside. Yet he resolutely held back from making the move that could bring reconciliation.

He rubbed a hand across his face. Goddamn it, he’d sure inherited that stubborn streak from his father.

“One day you must take me there.” Mia said, bringing him back from his inner reflection.

He smiled. Mia had such a gentle persona. She was a kindly soul. He guessed she would find it hard to understand how he felt. He voiced his misgivings to the woman he knew he was falling in love with. “Unfortunately, my parents and I are not on speaking terms. Sometimes, Mia, when bad things have been said, it is hard to forget, let alone forgive.”

Mia squeezed his hand. “What happened between you and your parents?”

“It was such a long time ago. I can barely remember myself.”

“I’m sure these things need closure, otherwise they will gnaw at you forever.”

At that precise moment he felt sure Mia was far older and wiser than he was. The situation between his parents, and in particular his father had always consumed him. He breathed out. “As an only child, my father had always expected me to take over the family ranch. It had been drilled into me ever since I was a kid.” He smiled at her. “I would have made an absolutely hopeless rancher. I was always far more interested in financial matters. Everyone knew it to be so. The ranch hands. Everyone. I made one mistake after another. It was the unhappiest time of my life. My father refused to face facts. He still expected me to become a rancher, just like himself, when I finished school. To cut a long story short, we had one hell of an argument, and I left. I can still remember his angry words, You’ll never amount to anything, as I walked out the door. His words have been behind everything I’ve done ever since. They spurred me on, and made me even more determined to prove him wrong. From that day on I’ve not spoken to either of my parents.”

Mia held his hand in hers. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how you must have felt. But at least you proved him wrong, Trent. That must fill you with immense satisfaction.”

He stroked a hand down her cheek. Just talking about his past had freed him from some of the bitterness. “I am proud of what I’ve achieved.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Thank you. I haven’t spoken of it with anyone before. I’ll have to watch out before I confess to everything.”

Mia giggled a light girlish giggle that filled him with hope and optimism for the future. He was so glad he’d met her. His life had been so meaningless before. It had been just a succession of endless parties and social gatherings. It was all very insignificant and trivial.

“Tell me about your mother. Did she agree with your father?”

“No, she wanted me to be happy in whatever life I chose. However, like most women of her generation, she had to go along with her husband.” He shrugged. “I’m sure she’s suffered the most.” Trent thought of the letter he’d tossed so casually away. “I had some correspondence from her only this morning. I threw it in the bin, Mia, unopened, perhaps I’ll fish it out and read it later.”

Mia beamed at him, a smile full of promise and hope. “Good. I’m glad.”

Trent realized he was glad, too. He missed the clean fresh air of his youth. “I hope one day soon I can go back there.”

“You will, Trent. I’m sure of it. I can tell Fairvale still has a special place in your heart.”

“It has.” He covered her hand with his, aware that his life had become far more meaningful since she’d entered it.

“That’s exactly how I feel about my country, Sweden. The bond can never be broken, no matter how many years and miles lie in between.”

“You sound a little homesick.”

“Just a little,” she replied rather wistfully.

With Mia in his life, he felt completely satisfied. The idea that she might want to return to Stockholm chilled Trent to his core and reminded him only too well that the happiness he felt may only be fleeting. He brushed the thoughts of her returning to Sweden aside as they made their way back, hand in hand, to his apartment. He had to make the most of every day now, and that meant having Mia in his life, twenty four seven.

A large assortment of designer bags from the boutique store was waiting for them with the concierge.

When they were in his private elevator, he turned to her. “Now, I hope you’re going to try all of these on for me. If there’s something you don’t like, we’ll send it back.”

Mia shook her head, and he could see her lips tremble as she fought for composure. “You’ve been so kind to me. I’m completely overwhelmed. I wouldn’t know where to start. They’re all beautiful.”

He put his arm around her shoulders as the elevator door opened to his apartment and guided her from it. He looked intently into her eyes. “I’d particularly like to see you in the blue Cabuchet dress.” He handed her a designer bag. “I think you will look lovely in this.” Aware now that Mia lacked the self-confidence that would come with age and experience, he stroked a hand down her face. “You’re so beautiful, Mia, you deserve the very best. I only want you to be happy.”

She walked away to change into the designer dress. Trent knew for the first time that he loved this woman more than life itself. He’d spent a fortune on her in the last couple of days, but money meant nothing to him. Her happiness meant everything.





Chapter Thirteen



Mia stared at her reflection for a long time. The dress Trent had given her to try on was simply stunning. The flowing, aqua blue creation exactly complimented the coloring of her eyes. What Mrs. DuBois lacked in tact, she certainly made up for in her choice of style. Needing the final stamp of approval she went in search of Trent.

A warm smile parted her lips when she found him in the study.

“Well, I needn’t ask if you like it,” he said, looking up from behind his desk as she entered the room. “I can see for myself. You look radiant. That dress was made for you. Happy?”

She nodded. “I feel like a different woman entirely. Just like when I wore the red Bellini. Thank you, Trent.” She walked over to him, and slid onto his lap. She kissed his lips. “I love it.”

Trent wound his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. He breathed deeply. “You don’t need a dress like this to make you look beautiful, but if you feel more confident, then it’s been worth it.”

Mia felt like a million dollars, as if all her birthdays and Christmases had come at once.

She noticed Trent idly touch a letter on his desk. An envelope lay torn beside it. She recognized it from that morning, and asked, “Is that your Mother’s letter?”

He nodded, and let out a long slow breath. “Yeah, she wants me to telephone home. I haven’t done it yet. It’s been such a long time since I’ve spoken to my parents.”

“That’s understandable, considering what happened between you and your father. You must ring though, Trent, it could be bad news. After all your parents are becoming quite elderly.”

“I know.” He sighed and rubbed a hand over his mouth, then pushed the letter aside. “Maybe I’ll telephone tomorrow.”

“I can dial the number for you now. That’s if you don’t mind.”

Mia wondered if she’d said too much when Trent stared intently at her. She breathed a sigh of relief when he handed her the receiver. “Be my guest.”