Chapter 6 - In Storms

Trina looked toward the castle like structure of Wyndemere as she struggled with how to approach it. It was a mistake to come there in the first place. However, the launch had taken off just as soft sprinkles of rain had begun to caress her skin.

Would she knock then demand that Spencer tell her the truth? She turned back toward the water wondering if the launch would come back.

"It will come back. I will just wait." Trina muttered to herself.

After several moments of waiting Trina realized that the rain had come down harder and lightening streaked from the clouds in a loud boom that startled her out of her thoughts. She was soaked.

"Come." She heard but ignored his voice. "Trina, you will catch cold. Come on." She turned to face him; he was standing with a large umbrella.

"How did you know…?" He pursed his lips knowing that she had disdain for his privilege.

"Your staff?" She said softly and he nodded.

"Just until I dry off and the launch returns." He nodded again knowing full well that the launch would be out of service in the storm. He hooked his arm around her tiny waist, drawing her closer so that she would be covered by the umbrella. He felt her shiver under his embrace. He cleared his throat to gain control over his emotions. As they headed toward the main house they did not speak, there was tension in the air. Enough to deter the sharpest knife.

Finally, the couple had made it to Wyndemere. "If you can get me a towel. I don't want to get your floors wet."

"Don't worry about—" He paused. "Yes, a towel. I will get you something dry to wear."

"I thought you took the deal?" He frowned.

"No, I report tomorrow." She shivered. "Right the towel and clothes."

It was the way his eyes lingered on hers before traveling the length of her body then back up that let Trina know that she was in danger. She was in danger of unraveling and in a small way, she didn't mind. She wanted to know what it would be like to allow herself to become completely unraveled.

"Ok..." Was all that she could muster. She couldn't even manage anger when he smirked at that. He walked away to get her something to wear.

Spencer returned with one of his shirts and a towel. "Since you are so short, I figured my shirt would be like a big dress on you." She scowled at him.

"I am not short—"

"Snack sized?" She huffed at that.

"Spencer." He laughed then put his hands up in defeat.

"Okay, petite. You are petite. Considering, my shirt will fit like a dress. Best I could do." She nods.

"Turn around." She demands, to her surprise he obeys without protest.

"Why did you come?" She asked.

"Trina I'm trying very hard not to be inappropriate." He resisted the urge to look over his shoulder.

"Try harder." He smirked.

"Fine but that is a conversation that should be had facing each other." He shuffled on his feet she wasn't sure what it was that he wanted to say but he seemed nervous which in turn made her nervous. She wrapped her arms around her small frame. Wyndemere was a bit chilly. He turned to face her.

"I will start the fireplace. I would suggest that we go to the room leading to the parapet but that is where father and Esme had their dalliance." Trina frowned.

"Isn't there something your family can do?." He frowned with a sardonic nod.

"Uncle Victor has done what he can. He cannot change the outcome. I am going to Pentonville." He regretted the words when she hung her head.

"We could just leave." She looked at him. "We could just pin it on Esme." He shook his head.

"I am flattered that you would go on the run with me but what happens when we get back? I will have evaded the sentence that I face for escaping minimal security. Ninety days could turn into years." She paced in frustration.

"UGH! I know that you are right." He looked at her, contemplatively.

"Why did you come here?" She looked at him not sure how to say what she needed to.

"Do you have tea or hot cocoa?" He rubbed his lips together, she was stalling.

"I have both, which do you prefer?" She smiled,

"Cocoa but only if we make it." He cut his eyes at her but smiled.

"Come on them. I will show you how to make it without sugary powder packets." She rolled her eyes.

"What do you use, syrup?" He laughed.

"You are going to find out." He grinned as he took her hand leading her to the kitchen.

"Do you know where everything is?" Trina leaned against the counter while he gathered ingredients.

"I've been on my own most of my life with the exception of stepmothers, nannies and my grandmother who taught me a lot. I was a curious kid." Trina smiles.

"Precocious I net?" He nodded.

"The Italian version is thick. We aren't going to start there. Cocoa powder, dark chocolate, heavy cream and milk. Oh! brown sugar and if you want a kick, I can add some cinnamon." Trina watched as he laid out the ingredients.

"How can I help?" She asked.

"Just sit your beautiful self down and enjoy this masterclass." Trina rolled her eyes.

"I'm a mess right now." He smiled looking her over.

"A beautiful mess. I don't see a mess, I see real. This is…" it was the most normal he had felt in a long time.

He chopped up the chocolate while the milk and cream were heating. He added the fry ingredients, whisked them all together before adding the chocolate and allowing it to melt and blend with the other ingredients. He poured them each a mug.

"'Marshmallows or marshmallow crème?" Trina put her finger to her chin.

"It's all you. I want to try it your way." She shrugged. He added a nice dollop of marshmallow crème to their mugs.

"I can be impatient at times so, I sometimes opt for this. More times than not." He held up his mug.

"Now the taste test!" She tasted it, an explosion of chocolate mixed with the marshmallow crème exploded on her tongue.

"Oh my God, Spencer!" He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She ignored him then went for another sip. He chuckled at how something so innocent could stoke desire in him but that's what she did just by being near him. He sipped his cocoa while looking at her over his mug.

"This is…the best hot cocoa I've ever had." He grinned.

"I know. See, you should trust me more." She sipped from her mug allowing the liquid to warm her from the inside out.

"I came because I wanted to. I don't know! You say one thing and then do something else. You confuse and infuriate me!" She blurted out in exasperation. He set his mug down then walked around the counter coming to stand in front of her.

"I didn't lie. I just couldn't do it. I'll just have to wait until I complete my sentence." She hugged herself.

"Why do you have to go at all?" She looks up at him. He couldn't tell her why. With the way his uncle pushed him to be quiet about his father's affair. The fact that he hadn't stepped in to claim responsibility made Spencer cautious. It wasn't a risk he was willing to take with so many unknowns regarding his uncle.

"You came back and weren't even gone long." He smiled at that. He took her hands in his.

"I broke the law and while it may seem unfair with both know that it isn't." She shook her head.

"The mob element in this town says otherwise. How is that fair?! You haven't killed anyone or or…"

"Trina… " he tilted her chin so that she could look up at him. She was rambling.

"I mean, Spring Ridge is at least the better option." She continued softly trying to ignore the electricity between them. The magnetic pull that drew them together whenever they were in the same room. A moth to a flame. Just as he was about to finish his question the power went out.

When the power didn't come back on after a few moments Spencer knew that the generator must have also gone out.

"The generator must have gone out. We'll have to find candles." Spencer pulled Trina to his side.

"You aren't afraid of the dark are you?" Trina jumped at the sudden rumble of thunder.

"No but I am intimidated by big dark, ancient castles." He laughed out loud.

"Wyndemere isn't… I guess it kind of is. There is a fireplace in the study. We can go there; it isn't so scary." He led the way.

Spencer had started the fire while Trina stayed close by. He thought it was cute how nervous she was. He laid a blanket down for them.

"Storms have always been calming to me." She watched the light from the fire frame his silhouette.

"I like the sounds of the rain but the thunder, not so much." She admitted as they stood there looking at each other.

"Are you going to tell me why you are really here?" There he was stepping toward her. After moment she found herself doing the same. He took her hands in his again. He recalled what happened earlier that night. Had she come to tell him to forget about their friendship because of her jealous boyfriend? Boyfriend, she was taken. He closed his eyes. He didn't understand how she could possibly be taken when every part of her was meant to be his.

But he was going to jail, and she was going back to college.

"Do you want me to leave?" She looked at him, he opened his eyes then.

"Of course, not but your party-"

"You weren't there…" her voice drifted off; he held her hand tighter urging her to continue. "Then I remembered that you said that you were leaving." He chewed on his lip.

"I am. Just later than I expected." She stepped back, not letting go of his hand. Her eyes searched his, she could see the fear and the sadness there.

"Why?" She asked.

"I don't believe that you've completely answered my question." He pulled her closer.

"I couldn't let you leave." He smiled softly at her.

"You couldn't let me." She inhaled a shaky breath.

"Because I… I didn't come to talk." He was taken by surprise when she reached up, stood on her tip toes and brought his lips to hers. Her lips moved against his softly, he welcomed the kiss, but it broke his resolve. If he couldn't say the words, he would show her in any way she would let him. He pulled her closer. Wrapping his arms around her waist leaving no space between them.

Spencer had long yearned to taste her lips, to feel her in his arms, to hold her. He'd find ways to touch her before things went…to hell. Holding her hand, mostly but it was something. Something to hold on to the growing closeness between them that became more. His heart raced in his chest. He could feel hers beating, the more he wanted to say the more heated the kisses became. He grabbed her by her ass and hoisted her up into his arms. Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Wait, wait, wait…Trina—" She silenced him with a kiss.

Trina knew what she was doing, what she had been running from. She knew that it wouldn't keep him there but there was something inside of her that needed him. That burned for him. There was something inside of her that belonged to him, no one else could touch it. It would always be theirs. Her mind was made.

"I don't want to stop Spencer. Unless…You don't want me. I mean, I am not…" Nerves began to kick in, he slid her down slowly before sliding her up again. She gasped then looked at him.

"You are everything. I just, there is no pressure, and I am—"

"I just need you, right now." The look in her eyes, the tingle lingering on his lips from her kiss, her legs wrapped around his waist. He was fighting a losing battle. He kissed her walking her to the blanket then slowly laying her on it.

Spencer gingerly undid the buttons on the shirt he had given to Trina to wear. He held her gaze and when she shivered, he froze.

"I'm okay, I promise." She was a little nervous to be laid out in front of him, the flow of the fire illuminating her skin.

"You're beautiful." He removed the shirt slowly and then onto his own. He did away with that quickly. He leaned over her, kissing her most sensitive places before coming up to kiss her lips again.

Every touch sent them whirling through planes, when one sought control it quickly vibrated away as they got lost in each other. They surrender to the moment. Expressing the words that they dared not to speak through touches and strokes.

They hold on tighter, it seemed impossible, but they allow themselves to fall into a free fall, holding onto each other. Catching each other as they plummet.

Spencer adorns her, handling her gently, tenderly, he took his time as though he wanted to imprint each moment in his mind. Savor each tough. She opened herself up to him and she fell apart for him, but he wasn't done, he pulled her in again, plummeting into something wondrous. Something she would want to hold on to, so she clings to him. She holds on to him as they reach yet another crescendo. She could feel the tears escape before she could stop them.

Spencer thumbed Trina's tears away through blurry eyes. "I'm… I'm not sad." She said softly.

"I know." He knew because he felt it. Overcome with emotion, he was bursting. What he couldn't say is part of him was sad. Sad because he had to leave her. Sadder because she had shown him everything, he wanted but couldn't have. Mainly, she had given it to him thinking that she was also losing him. How did things get so twisted and how the hell was he ever supposed to let her go knowing what he knew then? There was no denying it, Trina Robinson, the love of his life loved him too.

So, he carried her to a guest room, untarnished by his past, and he continued to show her and hold her through the night.

Trina woke early that morning. Spencer was draped around her, she loved that, but she had a million missed calls and text that she had ignored through the night. She had to leave. She groaned.

"If only I could trust you to not destroy my heart. How did we mess this up so epically?" Trina whispered.

Spencer was about to open his eyes and tell her to stay, to ignore her responsibilities but he listened instead. He knew he should stop her, but he couldn't. How could he convince her that she was safe with him? He couldn't but he also knew that he couldn't give up. He had three months to think about it.

A/N | I will be moving it to mature when we get to mature scenes. However, these scenes I wanted on the sweeter emotional side.