Character belong to the amazing Kim Harrison!
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Chapter 7
Several minutes of silence had passed as Rachel and Trent thought about what they had remembered and where they should go next.
A thousand different thoughts were racing around Rachel head. She had loved Trent Kalamack. What if their fathers hadn't forced them to forget each other? What if they had dated as teenagers or adults? Would she be who she is now? Would she have married Trent and become a Trophy wife? Would they have broken up and hated each other? Would Trent kill people if she had been there to stop him? Would she have joined the IS and met Ivy and Jenks?
She leaned forward and massaged her forehead with her fingers. If she kept thinking at this furious pace she'd have a headache in no time.
Trent looked at her and his breath caught in his throat. Now all the pieces of their history had been put together, he wanted Rachel. He wanted that friendship they had had as children, as an adult. He wanted someone to confide in, someone he could tell his fears and dreams to, someone who would comfort and hold him. He wanted her in his life for as long as he lived.
"So what do you think we should do?" he asked. Oh for goodness sake, tell her you think we should be together. He felt his ears burning red with embarrassment as he ignored the voice in his head and tried to remain stoic. He wasn't sure he would be able to accept it if Rachel said she wanted nothing to do with him.
Rachel tilted her head as she observed Trent. Every time she thought she knew what he was thinking, he would act the opposite. She thought she had seen love and longing in his eyes and now he's back to Mr Stiff Blank Face. Her eyes drifted to his groin and the tight fit of his jeans. Trent looked more bulgy than normal, she noted, feeling a wash of heat and lust flow through her. She stifled a giggle and brought her eyes up to his face.
Trent watched Rachel looking at his crotch and smirked. He found her reaction amusing and relieved that she was still attracted to him.
Maybe we can start seeing each other again?
Although, now they were adults their relationship could involve more than simple kisses and handholding. Part of him wanted to skip straight to the physical part, rip all of her clothes off and take her there and then on the couch. It had been so long since he'd been with a woman. Ellasbeth had been as cold in bed as she was in person, their occasional lovemaking had been mechanical, scheduled and passionless.
"Sorry." Rachel blurted, blushing even more as she looked into Trent's glowing green eyes. They were alive and dancing with humour at her expense. As usual she'd let her hormones take over and rule her actions.
"It's ok, Morgan," Trent replied, his deep voice resonating through her. "I'm actually relieved to know you still find me somewhat attractive after everything we've been through". He nudged his knee against hers as he spoke and grinned playfully at her.
Ok, deep breath, don't throw yourself on top of the gorgeous, nice smelling Elf.
Rachel tried to think past her nerves and lust. "Attraction to you has never been a problem for me, but let's discuss this rationally. We were close friends as children. You were my first boyfriend, was I your first girlfriend?" Trent nodded. He loved it when she took control.
"You've got your job running your businesses. I'm work challenged since the shunning and that won't be fixed until the Witches meeting. We each have our own lives and friends." She paused and debated what to say next.
Biting her lip, Rachel inhaled. "Maybe we can take things slowly. What if we go on a couple of dates, just the two of us and see how that goes?"
Trent felt a surge of triumph and fought not to let her see exactly how giddy he was at her suggestion. "I think that would be excellent." He looked her straight in the eyes and smiled at her.
Rachel forgot what she was going to say as she looked at his smiling face. It wasn't one of his fake politician smiles, but a genuine one, that brightened his whole face making him look younger. She couldn't help but smile back and it felt like some huge weight had been lifted from her.
I don't know where this might go. But I think we owe it to ourselves to at least give it a shot.
Nodding, Rachel nudged him with her knee and gave him a sly grin. "Do you want to tell Jenks or shall I?" She leaned closer to him and inhaled his delicious cinnamon scent, resting her cheek lightly on his shoulder.
Trent paled at the thought. He felt a fascination for the pixies whenever he was around them, but refused to acknowledge that something so small could have any influence over him. He also had a rather irrational jealousy of Jenks because he was so close to Rachel and fiercely protective of her. Leaning his head to his side he softly rubbed his cheek against her forehead, feeling his heart beating faster at their close contact. He inhaled to answer her.
"Times up"
Trent winced at the sound of Ceri's voice and they unconsciously moved slightly away from each other. Ceri's entrance back into the room was only slightly ahead of Jenks, who zipped straight past her to hover in front of Rachel. Red and black fairy dust sifted onto her knees as Jenks dusted heavily but remained strangely silent. Ivy and Quen took up their previous positions next to Trent and Rachel.
"I made Jenks promise not to say a word until every one has left." explained Ivy. She grinned wide enough to show a flash of fang and gave a throaty chuckle.
Rachel's jaw dropped and she looked back to Jenks who was still hovering in front of her, fury was clearly etched in his face and body language.
"Well I think you made the right decision Rachel," Ceri said soothingly. "The two of you have lost a lot of time together and although I have some reservations about Trenton's previous actions, I wonder if he may have grown up to become a less ruthless man had you been in his life earlier to influence his decisions." Her eyebrows raised in silent accusation as she looked at Trent.
Quen stepped forward and placed his hand on Ceri's shoulder. "I also agree, the two of you have much to catch up on. I'm relieved you finally have a chance to do so." He looked down at Ceri and smiled. "Love is something you can forget to appreciate when you don't have it. Ceri probably needs her rest now, shall we head back to the compound?"
Ceri looked surprised for a split second as if she wasn't used to being asked for her opinion, before she nodded in agreeance. She shifted forward and took Rachel's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Blessings to you Rachel, may you find peace and happiness whatever you decide." Releasing her hand she shifted her gaze to Trent, her brow furrowing. "Trenton, I will release a wrath of the worst kind upon you should you harm Rachel in any way. Al and Newt will seem like amateurs in comparison to what I will unleash, regardless of how much smut it brings upon me."
Trent's eyebrows shot up at Ceri's threat. "Duly noted Ceridwen." His voice giving away only a hint of tension. "We'll show ourselves out Sa'han, shall we wait for you in the car?" Quen asked. Trent nodded as the couple left the living room and headed down the corridor, towards the front door of the church.
Ivy took a deep breath and directed a cold stare at Trent. "Ceri has to beat me to you if you hurt Rachel."
Rachel inhaled sharply, "Enough already" she barked. "Take it to the Turn, I'm more than capable of looking after myself. I don't need you and Ceri threatening Trent every two seconds." Her cheeks colouring red in anger. "I appreciate the concern from both of you but I don't need it.'
A strange gurgling sound came from Jenks as he shifted from hovering in front of Rachel to dart around the room. It looked like he was trying to burn off some of his fury before he exploded. Ivy smirked at the fairy, "I think Trent needs to leave before Jenks has a stroke."
Trent sighed, "All right I'll go." So much for having a little more time with Rachel.
He rose from the couch, regretful that he was being bundled out the door so quickly. He picked up his leather bound exercise book and passed it to Rachel.
"I've removed the spell from it, if you would like to have a look at what I wrote about us." He told her, "There's not much in there, I'd been reading through it for years before you came into my office pretending to be Francis. I could barely remember anything about you and I knew it was unlikely that you would remember much so I didn't approach you or mention it to you earlier."
Rachel licked her lips as she took the book from Trent. She had wondered what it was when he brought it with him, but having seen his memory it made sense now. She looked into his gorgeous eyes, they were hesitant, like he was wondering if she would change her mind at any moment. That was probably sensible as she was now having second thoughts about agreeing to date him.
Nodding, she stood up and moved close to him. Raising her free hand, she placed it lightly on his bicep and leaned forward to give Trent a soft kiss on the cheek. His cinnamon and grass scent washed over her almost making her swoon. Her heart fluttered as she pulled away from him.
As Trent watched Rachel, he had so many things he wanted to talk to her about and say to her. She was so beautiful, he wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her goodbye until they were breathless.
There will be plenty of time for that later.
He gave her one of his rare, real smiles before stepping back towards the hallway. "Good night Rachel, I'll call you to organise a time for our date." He said, taking one last look at her. Nodding to Ivy and ignoring Jenks, Trent headed up the hallway towards the front door. Taking one last inhale of the church and Rachel's delicious redwood scent, he opened the front door and stepped outside.
Just as he closed the door, he finally heard Jenks break his silence.
"Tink's a Disney whore's diaphragm, Rach…."
