DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HOLLOWS BY KIM HARRISON!

Sorry it took me awhile to post this. I was just having a bit of trouble typing what I had in my mind. I hope y'all like it:)

RPOV

I stared at the bathroom door, as if I could see through it and at Trent. No, I whispered in my thoughts. Playing stupid, I said, "Oh, about the curse on Al and I?" I heard Trent grunt and begin speaking, but I pitched my voice higher than his, talking over him. "Uh, it was Dali who spelled us. He's an asshole, huh?" I babbled, taking steps away from the door. "He wants demons to be born and he thinks Al and I would make great parents. It's so stupid." I continued on, calling Dali an idiot and how it so-o-o wasn't his place in one breath. Trent kept trying to interrupt, but I would simply talk louder.

"Rachel!" Trent exlaimed, sounding as if he'd had enough. "Shut up!"

I shut up, my breath held. I felt like there was a massive bolder in my gut, weighing me down. "Rachel," he said gently, "I meant I needed to discuss u-" He stopped there. Exhaling, I went to press my ear against the door. It sounded as if the elf was taking deep breaths. He started again, almost whispering this time. "We need to talk of what had and could have happened before Quen walked in on us . . ."

Feeling light-headed, I gripped the counter for support. Oh, God. No, no, no, no, no! No! I did not want to do this. Wasn't he a guy? Aren't guys supposed to be the ones hiding themselves like cowards? I knew first-hand that that's what they do. Why couldn't Trent be like them? I blinked, feeling betrayed by the male gender and considered telling him that I was about to take a long bubble bath and that maybe we could talk later?

"Can you please come out, Rachel?" Trent asked. I looked to the grand mirror above the sink. In my reflection, I could see my face pale, the pink color on my lips standing out.

"Um, actually, Trent," I half-whispered, half-croaked, "I need to take a shower. I hate the stench of the ever-after. Besides, I wouldn't want to leave your place smelling like demons." I hoped he couldn't hear the lie when I spoke.

His sigh was muffled. "Rachel, now." His tone reminded me of the rare times he scolded his girls. Frustrated and firm. Somehow, his "daddy" voice scared me. I didn't want him mad at me, and thinking that I was going to regret it, I opened the door, my breath held.

Trent stood there, a worried slant to his eyebrows. Gulping as inaudibly as I could, I tucked a curl behind my ear. Trent took a breath to say something, but closed his mouth. I crossed my arms, and lifted my chin, trying for an air of nonchalance. My shaking hands probably gave me away though, and I made fists of them when he noticed. I became confused as his cheeks began turning red. Why is he blushing? His eyes rose quickly to mine, then back down to my legs. Oh, duh, I told myself, I'm not wearing pants.

Being too busy ogling my undies and legs, he didn't see my smirk. I knew that look on his face. After all, I've seen it many times on different men's faces. But the same exact expression, nevertheless. I leaned against the door frame, crossing my legs at the ankles. Trent eyes followed my movements. "Trent?" I questioned, and his attention jerked back up.

"Ah, why did you remove your jeans?" His eyes travelled over my curves once. His neck and ears getting a darker, more noticeable red.

Pleased that we have managed to steer clear of the dreadful conversation, I smiled playfully, saying, "Well, not for you, if that's what you were wondering."

"Of course not," he said, but the slight hesitation he took before he answered told me otherwise. "Had you really wanted to step into the shower then?"

I rolled my eyes at him. In all honesty, I wasn't all that comfortable talking to him about why I was in my undies before him, but it was better talking about this then the . . . other thing. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say the only reason Trent was so intent on this unimportant topic was because he was as reluctant as I was. Well, maybe not as much. "No," I said and when his focus sharpened on me, I quickly added, "Sometimes while I'm sleeping with jeans on, I tend to take them off subconsciously."

"Okay?" I didn't think he believed me.

"I'm serious," I muttered, looking down and seeing he wasn't wearing his shining shoes. He was wearing one of his expensive business suits. Maybe I should berate him for that, I thought bitterly. "I don't like wearing pants when I'm asleep."

Trent looked amused for a moment. "Ditto," he replied, and I smiled, meeting his eyes. He stepped closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Rachel, about what had happened in my hut," he began, and I nearly collapsed. Damn it! So close!

I shrugged off his hand. "Don't." I said, cursing myself when a faint tremble entered my voice. "I know what you're going to say, so just stop talking," I finished, cursing myself again when I began to sound like a hurt girlfriend.

His confusion looking charming on his beautiful face, Trent asked, "I beg your pardon?"

"I heard when Quen was scolding you, Trent." I went to his bed, then sat on his comfy mattress. "I know he doesn't approve when we get too friendly with each other."

"You heard?" He stammered.

I swallowed. "Why else do you think I visited Al? For kicks?"

"How much did you hear, Rachel?" Trent asked, running a hand through his hair.

Sighing, I said, "Enough." He waved his hand, as if saying, 'What else?' "Everything, Trent." I stared at his face, remembering his comment of me being a woman and him being a man. "Do you really think I'm beautiful?"

Trent choked on his spit, and I would have chuckled if it hadn't been for this stupid conversation he was forcing me to take part of. "You don't have to answer," I told him, putting a hand up. "I only said it so you'd know I heard all of it." I whispered, not looking at his face. Tears threatened to spill and I blinked several times. "We don't need to talk about anything, Trent. I understand completely. What happened in the spell hut isn't going to happen again." I saw Trent's feet coming closer to me and before I knew it, he was kneeling in front of me.

He put his arms on either side me, his chest even with my knees. I couldn't help the warm tear that rolled down my cheek. "You are beautiful," he said, startling me. His hand went up to cup my cheek, his thumb smearing my tear to nothing, and forced me to meet his eyes. The green of them looked strangely vibrant, holding my gaze against my will. "If it weren't for Lucy, Rachel, I would have tried things out with us. I'd have taken you on a date anywhere of your choosing and kissed you after I'd walked you to your door." A heavy weight in my chest made it harder for me breath. I felt my entire world shaking, hearing what Trent had said. Why was he telling me this? To hurt me on what could have happened?

I pulled away from his hand caressing my face. "Trent," I complained. Was that my voice, all squeaky and frightened?

"Our next date, we would probably go to an inexpensive restaurant, seeing as my wealth doesn't really impress you much." He continued as if I hadn't spoken. "Maybe we would go dancing. You're a pretty good dancer."

"Who says we would have had a first date in the first place? What makes you think I would have agreed to go out with you?" I asked him, the coldness in my belly pulsing.

I'd thought that he would've taken offense to that, but he smiled knowingly. "You would have said yes, and you know it." His eyes were sad while his face held amusement. My chest hurt and I fought back the sobs that were building in my lungs. Smug at my lack of denial, he began speaking again. "Our third date . . . Where would you liked to have gone?"

I stared at him as he waited for me to answer. "Um, an amusement park? A movie?" I answered, not knowing why I was encouraging him.

"I'd much prefer an amusement park." He said, tilting his head and looking thoughtful. "Universal Studios, maybe? Or would you rather Six Flags?"

"Six Flags," I replied, smiling faintly. "I think the rides have more of a thrill to them."

Trent returned my grin, though his was much bigger, showing his white, perfect teeth. "Six Flags it is then. What of our fourth date?"

I thought for a moment, just staring into his eyes and wishing that a fourth date could be in our future. Gulping down the waterworks, I said, "What if we cooked our dinner and baked our own deserts?"

"That sounds fun. What would we have cooked and baked?"

"Spicy enchiladas and Spanish rice."

He chuckled. "Mexican food?"

"It's good."

"And for dessert?" he prompted, smiling warmly up at me, melting my insides and freezing my blood flow somehow.

I took a shaky breath, wondering how the hell this conversation could be both comforting and yet so heartbreaking. Maybe it's because I knew he wanted it as badly as I did. "Cookies?"

"Like the first time we kissed? In your kitchen?"

"Yes," I sighed blissfully, my mind playing the scenes out for me. I'd probably wipe frosting all over his face and then he'd chase me around the church until we ended up in my bedroom, or the couch. Or maybe we wouldn't even leave the kitchen? My face flamed up as I imagined us. Trent began blushing, but never took his eyes from mine. I had the slight suspicion that he was picturing us having sex, too.

"If only you didn't have to marry Ellasbeth," I said quietly, hating the tears that escaped my eyes. The feel of his lips kissing my knee sent a rush of goose bumps up my back and arms.

"If it wasn't for Lucy, I'd've said to hell with Ellasbeth." He rose from his crouch, bringing his face close to mine and pressing his lips to my own. I didn't know what to do, so I held myself still. After a brief second, he stood to his full height, saying, "I'm sorry. That was inappropriate."

He took a few steps back. I laughed nervously. "You think?" I got off the bed, looking behind me in search for my pants. Damn it, now I had to strip the bed to find them. Turning back to Trent, I added, "Don't worry about it. It's not like I didn't enjoy it."

Trent smiled at that. "Still." He held his hands up, as if not knowing what to do with them. "I'll, ah, leave you to shower now. Thanking you for speaking with me and not getting angry."

I looked down, then brought my gaze up to him. "Why would I be angry? It's not like you like it any better than I do." I wiped my tears away, leaving a cool smear across my cheeks. "For Lucy." I said sternly.

"For Lucy." He echoed, turning on his heel to walk out the door. Oh, God. It was freaking wide open! How did I not see that? I hoped Quen hadn't heard us.

"Wait," I breathed before I could change my mind. I walked to him, taking long strides as he faced me.

I took his questioning face in both my hands, forcing his mouth to mine. He jerked in surprise, but kissed me back, wrapping his arms around me. My heart sped up and the butterflies in my stomach were wrecking havoc. My mind was a mess of incomprehension. All I was capable of was to feel the sensation of his body pressed against mine and our lips moving together gently. I tasted coffee as I felt a slip of his tongue. I don't know how long we were kissing. A minute, or two? Our lips parted all too soon. I wanted to crush my mouth on his and devour him, but what would have been the point of the conversation?

"Sorry." I said, mimicking him. "That was inappropriate."

Trent smiled, kissing my forehead. "Yes." He agreed. "Yes, it was." His arms fell away and I stepped back, cold to my bones.

"Can you do me a favor, Trent?" I asked hesitantly.

"Anything," he immediately said.

I licked my lips. "Don't invite me to your wedding this time."

Pain flashed across his face. He nodded. "Okay." He went to the door, paused then turned back around, a small smile on his face. "You know, I would have liked to have the woman I love at my wedding. "And with that simple statement, he left, shutting the door behind him.

I stood there, my jaw hanging.

What?

Next chappie coming soon!