Page 38 of Loving Trent (Love in the Bootheel #5)

Twenty-Three

SHAWN

After coming back inside with the pizza, the first thing I notice is that the atmosphere has shifted. It isn’t filled with uncomfortable tension, but there is clearly tension in the air.

Tension not filled with lust.

Trent is quiet throughout dinner. In return, I’m also quiet.

All I can think is that maybe I pushed him too far earlier.

That I should have waited to touch him sexually.

He said I could touch him, and he seemed to enjoy it, but what if I triggered something from his past?

The version I got was condensed, given our time frame, but it was enough to know it had to have left scars.

The fact that Trent won’t meet my eyes pushes me closer to the edge.

Something happened after he came, and I don’t like it one bit.

Poor Harley tries to get both of us to talk, and we do.

We answer her questions and smile at her, but it’s not the same smile as earlier.

My stomach sours for good when Trent pushes away from the table after only eating two slices.

“I’m going to step out and make a call,” I say, leaving with my tail between my legs.

Stepping out to make a call wasn’t a total lie.

I’ve been turning over something and want to talk to Dad about it.

Maybe he can help me with whatever the hell is going on right now.

If I can bring myself to tell him about my sex life.

“Is everything okay?” Dad asks as soon as he picks up.

The thought of telling him anything that happened between me and Trent sours my stomach, so I chicken out.

“Has anyone thought about contacting Trent’s parents?

I’ve been thinking about how we could find out more about the process of getting someone sent to the camps.

I don’t want to bring it up with him, but?—”

“No one has said anything to me about it, but that’s not a bad thought.”

Pride grows in my chest that I might actually be able to help Trent get his closure, even if I fucked up whatever this was between us before it started. But as quickly as it grows, it deflates. “I don’t think Trent should be the one to do it or even know about it.”

“Shawn, I think he’s strong?—”

“I’m not saying he isn’t, but obviously he’s still dealing with everything that happened to him.

I think confronting his parents could do more damage than good right now.

I don’t want to push him too far before he’s ready.

” The rain has stopped, and the clouds have drifted away, leaving the night sky clear.

Stepping off the porch, I head toward Shawn’s truck, lean against it, and stare up at the twinkling stars.

Dad sighs, and I picture him running his hand over his face like he always does when thinking.

His fingers will twirl the end of his beard, which he always keeps in a braid.

“I’ll call Jackson and have him find out everything about them.

Maybe he can find something we can use to make them talk. Once I have the information, I’ll?—”

“I want to come with you to talk to them,” I say forcefully. I’m dying to confront the people who shoved little Trent away and never thought twice about his safety. Before Dad can say anything, I say, “I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Okay, Son, but we will do it my way.” Dad’s tone has taken on a hardness that he only uses when he means business.

“I know the drill.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Instead of heading back inside and trying to talk to Trent, I cross my ankles, lean my head against the window of the truck, and turn it so I’m looking at the house.

Through the windows, I see Trent putting the leftover pizza in the fridge.

My heart lurches at the thought that I hurt him earlier.

I pull up my contacts and call the only person who can help me figure out how to move forward.

The only person who has had to navigate this problem.

“What’s up, man?” Zak answers on the third ring.

“Don’t go into details because she’s my sister, but when you were first with Sammy after everything William did to her, how did you know you hadn’t pushed her too far?

” A lump forms in my throat at the thought of my little sister having something in common with Trent.

Neither one of them should ever have had someone touch them with the intent of hurting them sexually.

“I think this conversation would be better if Sammy were here. Hold on.” A door shuts, and I hear Zak whisper something. I assume he is telling Sammy what I’m asking about.

“Shawn, what’s going on? Why are you asking about that part of my life?” Sammy asks after a second.

“Did Dad tell you anything about Trent?” I don’t want to tell anyone his story without talking to him before, but I need some advice.

“Only that he was a friend,” Sammy answers.

“Well, let’s just say that someone hurt him like William did you, Sammy.” Again, that entity that awoke earlier is back pounding to be let out.

Her gasp is loud, and when she speaks again, her voice is thick with sadness or maybe understanding. “That’s awful.”

No one says anything for a few seconds, allowing her the grace to compose herself without judgment. Finally, she speaks again. “What are we doing about it?”

I smile because that’s just how this family rolls. It doesn’t matter if you’re a stranger. If we know you have been hurt, we will rally around you. “I’m sure they are handling it, Warrior,” Zak says.

“Good, but I want in on whatever it is,” Sammy demands, and I, for one, will not be the person who tells her no. “Now, back to your question. Do you like this guy?”

Looking back at the night sky, a star shoots across it.

Closing my eyes, I make a wish and answer Sammy.

“It makes no sense, but yeah, I do. He makes me feel…” I swallow, and a tear slides down my face.

“Safe. Something about him is pulling me in, and I can’t find a single ounce of will to resist him. ”

“Safe? Why do you feel unsafe? Because of what those assholes did to you?” Sammy asks, her voice once again thick.

“Not just them but…” I can’t bring myself to tell her about my exes and how, in the end, they all treated me like shit.

They all made me feel like something was wrong with me, but I haven’t once felt like that with Trent.

“Sammy, I’ve only known him for less than twenty-four hours.

How in the hell am I already feeling things for him? ”

“Oh, Bubba, feelings don’t know a time limit.”

“No, they don’t, and that’s okay. You’re not saying that you’re in love with him. You’re interested in him. That’s normal,” Zak says.

“Okay.” Another tear slides down, and I wipe it away. The sound of the front door opening pulls my attention, and I turn to see Trent walking towards me.

“Shawn, are you there?” Sammy asks, worry sliding into her tone.

Trent doesn’t stop until he’s right in front of me.

His eyes pierce into my soul, and I swear he can see everything.

I’m a big guy, but when he boxes me against the truck, I feel small and fragile.

His hand comes up and cups my cheek. His eyes darken when a tear falls over his finger. “Why are you standing outside crying?”

The gravelly, growly tone of his voice strikes me like a bolt of lightning, and my dick twitches.

“Oh my God. Is that him?” Sammy asks.

“I’m… I’m…” I stutter, unable to form a sentence because Trent is stepping forward, pressing me against the truck, and his weight is turning my brain into mush.

“Tell me, Shawn,” he demands, and God help me, I listen.

“I thought I screwed this up earlier. I’m afraid that I pushed you too far. That I triggered you when I?—”

Trent bends his head until we are eye to eye. “When you gripped my dick like you were going to die if you didn’t. When you gave me the very first orgasm that didn’t make me feel dirty. When you demanded I cum.”

“Holy fuck,” someone on the phone says, but please don’t ask me who because I can’t tell you.

“Yes.” That word is low and almost sounds like a moan as it falls from my mouth.

“Baby Boy, believe me, nothing you did pushed me too far. I was worried that I was pushing you too hard. I was worried that I was coming on too strong. I’ve never acted like this.

But I can’t help it. I want you so fucking bad that I fear I will perish if I don’t have you.

If you are worried, we can discuss what happened and if I have any limits.

” Trent shoves one hand into my hair, and the other goes up my shirt.

My skin ignites at the feel of his skin pressed against mine.

“But believe me when I tell you that not only did I enjoy everything that happened, but I want so much more with you.

“I want to be buried so deep inside you that you feel me for weeks after. I need you inside me like I need the fucking air around us. Your touch doesn’t remind me of anything she did to me.

The biggest reason is that I’ve waited for your touch since I was thirteen.

I would dream about it while I was there.

When she was touching me, I would disassociate.

In that space, it was you and me, Baby Boy.

” Trent tweaks my nipple, and my dick starts to leak.

“And that’s our cue to cut this phone call off.” The line goes dead, but once again, I don’t know who said that or ended the call.

Trent leans his forehead against mine, and I inhale deeply, wanting to suffocate on his intoxicating smell.

“I feel like I’m going insane. I’ve been pushed to the brink of breaking before, but that holds nothing on this.

There is a beast inside me that awoke the night of the fire, and it has claimed you.

I’ve fought it for months, only giving in a few times, but now that you are here… I don’t know if I can keep it at bay…”

He pauses to take a deep breath, and I pounce.

Literally and figuratively. My phone clatters to the ground as I throw my arms around Trent’s neck.

My lips land on his, and he wastes no time taking control of the kiss.

His tongue pushes past my lips, finding no resistance.

With all the other guys I’ve been with, I’ve always been the one to be in control, and I’m eating up the fact that he takes that from me.

My whole life, I’ve always been the one who had everything under control.

I never allowed myself to be a mess or hand over control, but now that’s all I want to do.

I want to be a mess because I know Trent will be there to hold me.

I want to no longer be in control, to feel the freedom of letting someone else carry my weight, if only for a little while.

I suck on his tongue and then pull back.

“Then we are the same. The same thing happened to me earlier. Something came to life inside me…” Trent’s hands tighten on my ass.

“Fuck, Baby. It’s absolutely insane how much I want you.

” My hands tighten in his hair, and a low moan falls from Trent’s parted lips.

The blackness of his pupils is consuming the brown, and a lust-fueled fire burns bright.

“I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, but that doesn’t matter to me. ”

A cocky grin grows, and Trent tilts his head to the side.

His hands tighten as he brings me even closer to him.

I moan and thrust my hips slightly, needing some relief.

“I’ve never dated before, but I think that is what people do, right?

They get to know the other person.” Trent’s breath skates over my wet lips.

A shiver of anticipation for what is going to happen next wrecks me.

Chuckling, my teeth nip his bottom lip. “Yes, they do. So…” I tense my arms, hoping it will give him a clue about what I’m about to do.

I bounce on my toes, and I’m in his arms a second later.

My legs wrap around him as my back presses against the truck.

This position is so much better because now I feel his dick pressing fully up against mine. “We’re?—”

“You’re mine, Shawn. I don’t care what label we put on it,” Trent says darkly. He attacks my neck, biting, sucking, and licking his way from my Adam’s apple up to my chin. I lean my head back to give him more room.

“Only if that means you’re mine,” I say breathlessly.

Trent nips my chin and demands, “Look at me, Baby Boy.” He waits until I lower my head, and our gazes collide. “I’ve always been yours.”