Still sitting on his lap, she dialed the number from the letter. On the third ring a woman answered.
“The Mavers Ranch.”
“Hello, is that Mrs. Mavers?” she asked.
“Speaking.”
“Let me explain, Mrs. Mavers, my name is Mia Johansson and I’m a very good friend of your son Trent…” She paused and looked at him. “In fact I’m his girlfriend. He received a letter from you this morning.” A warm glow spread through her as Trent smiled back at her. She was the girlfriend of the sexiest man on earth. How wonderful was that.
“Hallelujah. God bless you, my darling. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day. Is he with you?”
“Yes, here he is.” Mia handed him the phone. She stood and kissed his cheek. Whatever happened between them, at least she had helped to reunite his family.
Trent took hold of her hand and pressed it to his lips. With their eyes connected, he held onto her until she moved out of reach. As she walked from the study, she just heard him clear his throat. “Hi, Mom, it’s Trent. It’s been a long time.” He listened for a few moments before laughing out loud. “Yeah, that’s right, Mom, she’s Swedish and very, very beautiful.”
* * * *
When Trent replaced the receiver, he felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The dark cloud that had always been hanging there had suddenly vanished.
He moved from the study into the main living area. The woman, who’d been the catalyst in his life, stood on the balcony, her hair blowing freely in the breeze.
Even though he’d only known her a few short days, he realized they connected on every level. Physically, mentally and spiritually. How could that have happened so quickly?
Trent walked outside and wrapped his arms possessively around her as she leaned against the chrome and glass railing. He breathed in deeply, drinking in her sweet feminine aroma. As he kissed her cheek, she turned into his embrace. Her azure blue dress fluttered noisily in the warm air currents.
When her pale blonde hair caressed over her face in stray wispy tendrils, he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He brushed the hair aside and kissed her lips. Mia seemed totally oblivious of her own beauty.
“Was everything all right, Trent?” she asked, with genuine concern.
“Everything’s just fine. Mom tells me Dad’s still as stubborn as the day he was born, just like his own father in fact, but now she knows I’m willing to let the past go, she’s going to convince him he should, too.”
“Oh, Trent, I’m so happy for you.”
He held up his hands. “Whoa now. My father is an entirely different story. He’s not an easy man to live with. He might never want to make up.”
Mia threw her arms around his neck. “You shouldn’t take no for an answer, Trent. I just know he’s very proud of his son. How could he possibly not be. It’s only pride holding him back.”
Trent nodded. “Who knows.”
“Then you should just turn up at his ranch. He won’t be able to ignore you then.”
Trent loved Mia’s enthusiasm, but he had to bring some sort of realism into their conversation. “Sometimes it can’t always end with a happy ending, Mia.”
Her lips pouted petulantly. “Then I will go and see him and tell him what a wonderful man you are. I know I could convince him to speak to his only son.”
He smiled and stroked a hand over her face. “I’ve no doubt you would give it your best.” He marveled that this woman filled him with such hope and optimism for the future. It literally bubbled from her. Like a pure mountain spring. A life force in itself.
“Mia, how about you come with me to St. Lucia? I’ve been planning to go for a while now. If we stay for a whole month, we can really get to know one another better. Then who knows.” He kissed her lips. “Maybe we could even drop in on the old buzzard.”
Her eyes opened wide, and she asked incredulously, “You want to take me to St. Lucia with you?”
“Uh-huh.” He nuzzled into her neck and pressed his hard cock into the v of her pussy. She purred in appreciation, and he whispered against her ear. “Just think about it. You and I alone together in a tropical paradise. We’d have barely any clothes on for one whole month. Doesn’t that sound like heaven?”
“Oh, yes, Trent.” She responded in a rush as he grabbed her cute butt and pulled her even harder against his erection.
“Does that mean that you’ll come with me?”
“You bet.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mia relaxed in the taxicab, enjoying the scenery. In a few minutes they’d arrive at Trent’s villa on St. Lucia. His holiday home lay in the hills above Castries, and as they wound their way there, he smiled at her. She felt so very different in the new designer clothes he’d bought her. The way Trent looked at her made her feel like a million dollars. Surely she would wake up soon and find it had all been a dream?
At the back of her mind, a nagging question kept surfacing. Had Trent bought her body and soul? He’d spent an awful lot of money on her in the past few days. Maybe she was allowing herself to be used? Mia dismissed such thoughts as quickly as they came. She adored Trent, and he seemed to like her. Surely he hadn’t spent over twenty thousand dollars just to have her in his bed, when he could have any woman he chose? Anyway, why shouldn’t he want to spend time with her? He was constantly telling her how attractive he found her.
He pulled her into his arms, and she forgot all her worries as she rested her head against his shoulder. She breathed in his delicious, masculine scent, a heady mixture of expensive cologne combined with his own unique aroma. It made her feel safe and very protected. “Happy?” he asked as their driver turned onto a dusty track that rose higher into the hills.
“Never more so, Trent. I can’t believe how green it is. It’s so lush.”
“Compared to New York, it’s quite a contrast.”
“Trent.” She placed a hand over her mouth in excitement. “Is that your villa?” She pointed up the hillside with its colorful banana plantations. The low-level classic building of glass and brilliant white walls, boasted deep verandahs and wide, shady terraces. It was beautiful. Palm trees swayed in the warm breeze, and Trent opened the taxicab window, letting the scent of the tropical countryside enter the air-conditioned interior.
“Yes, I bought it a few years ago. To tell you the truth, I haven’t visited as often as I’d have liked.”
“Why ever not? A place as beautiful as this should be enjoyed.” Dappled light caressed them as they continued along a tree-lined drive, which opened up into a circular, cobbled courtyard. At its center was an ornate fountain, and water sprayed from it in perfect arcs, sparkling in the sunlight.
He stroked a hand into her hair. “Jump out, and I’ll show you around.” He cupped her chin and stole a kiss, lingering as he stared into her eyes. “But be warned. Once we get to the bedroom, we won’t be leaving for a long time.”
Mia’s heart rate soared. The promise of sex with Trent made her stomach spasm deliciously in anticipation. Every time he made love to her, she experienced new levels of sensuality, and she wondered what magic he would create for her this time.
When the cab driver finally left them alone, Trent took her hand in his and started to show her around. “Now, Mia, I want you to feel totally at home. If there’s anything you want, just ask.”
An assortment of sun loungers surrounded a large s-shaped swimming pool, which sparkled like a jewel amongst the lush greenery of the tropical paradise.
“I can’t believe you haven’t been here for two years, Trent.”
“Me, neither. I can work just as efficiently here as in New York.”
“Then why don’t you?”
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Perhaps I will. Come, I’ll show you the interior.”
Inside the villa was cool, and the sound of their footsteps echoed on the marble tiled floors. Modern furniture of chrome and sumptuous chocolate leather vied for attention with some traditional antique pieces. It was an eclectic mix that soothed the senses with its decadence. The kitchen had black granite counters and a large double-fronted refrigerator, which Trent proceeded to open. He pulled out a large bottle of Dom Perignon and held it up. “Chilled to perfection, just the way I like it.” He grinned at her and then took hold of her hand as he guided her to what she knew would be the bedroom.
The master bedroom had two large French doors that opened out onto the verandah outside. Through the windows, Mia could see several large terracotta pots with masses of bright pink blooms. A set of wooden patio furniture looked inviting with views down onto the bay below. When the ocean breeze stirred the gossamer curtains, Mia thought it was the most romantic setting she’d ever experienced.
“This is just wonderful.”
The cork burst with a loud pop as Trent expertly opened the champagne. He poured two glasses and then handed one to her.
“What are we celebrating, Trent?”
“Being with each other for four long, glorious weeks. What could be more perfect?”
* * * *
Two weeks later
Mia stretched out on the lounger as she lay by the pool. The last fortnight had been simply bliss. She and Trent were getting to know each other really well. Every day she loved him a little bit more. She studied him surreptitiously over the magazine she was reading.