Trenton watched Jennifer, wanting more than anything to drag her from the room and straight to his bed. He normally just took whatever he wanted, when he wanted it, but his family would skin him alive if he tried to drag her from the room and it wasn't worth the fight, so he dealt with his frustration and even found himself having a good time as the evening progressed.
He'd been away from his cousins and siblings for a long time, and it felt good to be in their presence. He found himself laughing and giving as good as he got, but no matter who he was speaking to, or where he was, he knew where Jennifer was. He found he didn't even do it consciously, he just sought her out.
The night flew by for Jennifer and before she knew it, she found herself yawning and reluctantly deciding she should get Molly home. Her niece had a wonderful time, but now it was time for bed. She found Joseph and Katherine, thanked them for a wonderful evening and then found Molly sleeping on the floor with a bunch of other children.
She smiled down at her tiny body, lying there with her friends. The Anderson family had been so great for her vulnerable niece.
"Let me carry her for you," she heard Trenton say, causing her to jump. She hadn't realized he'd followed her into the family room.
"I'd appreciate that. She may be small, but in her sleep she can get pretty heavy," she accepted. He easily bent down and scooped Molly into his arms, as if she weighed nothing at all. The sight of Molly's head lying against his masculine chest brought tears to her eyes. Her poor niece had lost both her mother and father and so deserved to have parents to love her. She'd do anything to give her niece all the love she deserved.
Jennifer walked outside with Trenton, enjoying the cool evening air touching her heated face. She realized she'd drank one too many glasses of champagne throughout the night and the breeze felt good. She also forgot she'd been picked up for the party and didn't have her car.
"I'm going to call a cab," she told Trenton, who didn't slow down. "Where are you going?" she asked, as she trudged along after him.
"I'll give you a ride home," he told her.
"That's not necessary, I can get a cab," she tried again, not sure she could handle the ride home with him. Her hormones were all over the place and she was at an all-time low in resistance levels.
"Deal with it," he stated and then he was buckling Molly in the backseat. Her niece was so exhausted she didn't budge an inch with all the movement. He opened the passenger door and manhandled Jennifer into the seat. She sat there pouting but unable to move, considering her niece was in the back.
He drove them through the deserted streets and it seemed like the drive took twice as long with the nervous tension filling up the car. She sighed her relief as they pulled up to her apartment. She immediately scrambled out of the car, planning on retrieving Molly and rushing inside. Trenton had other plans, though, and beat her to Molly's door.
"I have her," was all he said, so she sulked up to her front door and was mad when it took her shaking fingers three tries before she was able to get the door unlocked. "Where is her room?" he asked. She pointed down the short hallway and then headed to her kitchen. Waking up in the morning with a hangover wasn't an option, so she started a strong pot of coffee brewing and waited at the counter.
"She didn't budge when I laid her down," Trenton said, startling her. She hadn't heard him come back to the kitchen. "I could use a cup of coffee," he prodded her, since she didn't seem willing to offer him one.
"Okay, but I'm really tired, so … " she let her words trail off at his look. It seemed he didn't like being booted out of her house. He accepted the cup, leaning on the counter, only a few feet away from her. Her entire body was aware of his presence in the room. They hadn't been alone since that day in his office and she felt the sensations rushing through her, needing his touch in ways that angered her.
"Invite me to stay," he whispered to her seductively, leaving her trembling.
"That's not a good idea," she said, gripping the counter in her efforts to not reach out for him.
"Our entire relationship hasn't been a good idea," he told her and swiftly moved toward her, his intentions clear in his beautiful eyes. She tried to sidestep him, but it was useless in the small space.
He took her into his arms and her already weak resolve to not sleep with him again, evaporated as his lips touched hers. She ached for him in a way she never thought possible, and every time she was in his arms was a relief. What difference would one more night make?
Trenton couldn't even think straight as he pulled her close. He lost all thoughts but to find her bed and take her. He found that no matter how many times he loved her, it was never enough. He didn't think it ever would be. He lifted her up and carried her the short distance to her tiny bedroom.