A/N: There will be lemons going forward. You have been warned. There will also be copious amounts of plot convenience… if you hadn't noticed that already! Cheers!
xoxo
Chapter 8: Eye of the Tiger
Rebecca was slowly pulled into awakening as the sun creeped in through her halfway-closed blinds and ghosted over her eyes. She stirred slowly. The first thing she noticed was that she was warm. That made her smile softly to herself as she was, once more, entwined within Trent's arms. The second thing she noticed was that she was naked... no, wait. She still had her panties on. That made her chuckle softly.
The memories of the previous day came rushing back then, and her smile turned positively wicked as she turned and snuggled closer to the half-naked man at her side. Lunch had been great. Time spent with Trent, even in public, was amazing. He had made her laugh more than once, and the easy way they had together was so freeing. They had taken a walk afterwards for a while, just talking and window shopping.
Yesterday had been wonderful, and also painful. He finally felt comfortable letting his guard down after his big revelation yesterday, but if he was being honest, walking round and window shopping had not quite been what he had thought they would be doing, although that was probably for the best. It wouldn't have been nice of him to ask her to help relieve the tension he had built up fantasizing about her ex. So he had done what he always did when he didn't want to feel an emotion, and pushed it to the back of his mind so he could focus on the present.
Once at home, Rebecca was pretty sure they had made out as soon as they walked through the door. Trent was such a gentleman in all ways, and though she had to start it, once she had... that man really was a tiger!
She had kissed him—feeling her own kind of tension, he assumed— and he hadn't been able to resist melting into the moment. He had just barely had the presence of mind to keep his hands above her waist and keep his touch gentle enough not to hurt or annoy her. Their making out had been intense, in a way he heard most people experienced as teenagers. Now he himself was lying in bed wearing novelty HIM heartogram boxer briefs and a smile.
Nuzzling Trent gently, Rebecca rained soft kisses down his neck as she hugged him close. "Good morning Trenty Bear..." Her words were soft as she watched him wake. Gods! He really was gorgeous! She felt her heart stutter just lying there, wrapped up in his embrace.
He blinked awake at her kisses and turned his smile on her, enjoying how the sun filtering through her window caressed her soft brown hair and gently kissed her pale skin.
"Good morning, Rebekitty," he murmured into her hair, giving her a little squeeze.
Rebecca let out a soft giggle and snuggled closer to him as he squeezed her gently. That feeling of safety and love flared up within her again as she tilted her head up a bit to meet his eyes. This was a way to wake up, though she was curious about something. Yesterday, their make-out session had been intense and passionate, yet it seemed to her that Trent still held back a bit. Maybe she should ask him about it?
"How did you sleep?" she asked gently, as she ran her fingertips lightly over the bare expanse of his chest, soaking up the love and affection she could feel coming off him in waves.
His dreams hadn't kept him awake, but they had certainly kept him up. Being the gentleman he was, though, he didn't feel overly compelled to share that, so he gave a light shrug.
"Yesterday was amazing..." Rebecca flushed as she tried to figure out a way to broach the topic she was most curious about. "You are so... passionate, loving, and gentle," she complimented him, because she did love those things about him. "Yet... it seemed like you held back a bit and I was curious as... to... why?" She draped an arm over his shoulder as she snuggled closer.
His fond smile grew as he felt her nestle closer to him. "Did you not want me to hold back?" he asked, his voice thick with the lust he had been trying to keep in check for roughly 18 hours. He watched her with an intensity that lent a slightly manic quality to his otherwise tender smile.
She blinked up at him, tilting her head before she answered. "No... I didn't want you to." She could feel the blush already creeping up her cheeks. "I sort of thought that me kissing you, and starting... that... would be a big hint." She could tell he was still holding something back, for his energy had shifted again, and the way he looked at her was almost predatory. It excited her beyond belief!
"Rebecca," he husked, "if you want me to fuck you until we nearly faint, all you need to do is ask." It was the first time he had used such rough language ever, but if she insisted on being bold and setting the caged tiger free... But he still had limits to what he would initiate. He wasn't about to spoil the mood by bringing up his mother or his lawyer, but both had drilled into him the importance of consent practically every time he had mentioned Rebecca to them.
He allowed himself to be so bold as to stroke her hip, playing with her panty line, teasing her. "Under the circumstances yesterday, it would have been brash of me to act on my baser instincts," he all but growled into her ear.
Hearing such words flow from his mouth, Rebecca gulped softly as she felt her heart speed up to an almost frantic pace. It was all she could do to nod before she took a deep, steadying breath to calm herself down. Damn! He hadn't even really touched her yet and she was already wet as fuck! This was a whole new side to Trent, and she wanted it! Wanted him!
She shivered at his gentle caress and licked her lips, as her mouth had suddenly gone dry. Everywhere tingled in anticipation as she closed her eyes at his growled voice and nuzzled her cheek lightly against his. "Never be afraid to be yourself with me, Trent," she managed to gasp out, nearly a whisper, as she purred back at him in return. "I want you..." Her voice dropped an octave as she felt something flare within her as if in answer to his shift in energy. "I want you to fuck me till we both pass out... I want all of you…."
That was all he needed to hear. Within a split second, he had her on her back and was straddling her, holding her arms down, kissing her mouth with the full force of the fire that had been raging inside him since yesterday. She didn't even have time to yelp, and he was on her, over her, everywhere! His strong hold kept her still as she gasped and whimpered at his rough but bliss-filled attentions.
He kissed down her neck and gave her a sharp, almost savage, nip. Then he released her arms and kissed his way down her body, between her breasts, down her ribs and stomach, until he came to that soft cotton barrier. He smirked wolfishly at her as he kissed over the fabric of her panties, teasing her relentlessly. He knew where to press his lips and tongue to get the most reaction, and he enjoyed this, enjoyed making her squeal for him.
She thought she would faint at the passion, the force and hunger behind his kisses! She was left breathless as he burned a trail of fire down her body with his lips, moans he pulled from her as she writhed under him. She gripped the bedsheets under her to keep from squirming too much, but every kiss, every nip, every look was exquisite torture. She had never felt anything like this before; she felt as if she was drowning! She would have sold her soul to the Devil right at that instant, just for the way Trent looked at her. It had her calling out his name softly as he teased and pleasured her.
At the sound of his own name, Trent growled hungrily and just about ripped her panties off with his teeth! Once they were out of his way, he nestled his face in and tasted her, massaging her lips with his thumbs as he licked around her most sensitive area. She was nectar, she was elixir, she was Amortentia.
Her heart stopped! She was dead! She had literally felt her heart stop at Trent's actions! But no... there was breath after all as she gasped deeply, her eyes flying wide as he all but buried himself between her legs. Loud moans turned to cries of ecstasy as her legs tightened and her insides clenched. Her entire body was shaken by the force, the power of the climax that was slowly starting to build within her!
When he felt her body start to shake, he slid three fingers inside her, reveling in the way her muscles automatically clenched, the way everything down here seemed to tighten with the combined attentions of his hand and his tongue.
Her hips arched up as if to meet his touch and she gritted her teeth as her eyes faded closed to just enjoy the sensations! She couldn't hold... much longer... she was gonna...! She screamed out his name for all the world to hear as she came for the first time. The sensations sent her flying into the clouds of pure, unadulterated bliss! The thought that this would not be the first time almost made her come again as she shivered, whimpered, and gasped for breath. Her fists all but dug into the bedsheets beneath her as if it was the only thing keeping her grounded in the moment. DAMN! FUCK! WHAT THE HELL! SOOOO GOOD!
Trent pulled back with a chuckle of pride as he heard her screams of pleasure and felt her gushing over his hand. He pulled his fingers out and lapped up her cream delightedly, then slid his boxer briefs off smoothly and moved his body up, kissing and biting her while she lay shivering.
"Do you have a condom?" he purred when he reached her ear.
"What?" She was so dazed; it didn't register what he was asking at first and it took her a moment to think about the answer. "No..." She was a shivering, quivering mess as she looked up at him, her pupils blown wide in bliss. "We don't need one..."
He nodded—he had to ask, but if she didn't want to use one, that was fine with him.
She reached up and caressed his face, as her hand moved from his cheek to thread through his soft, dark hair, pulling slightly as she pulled him down and crushed her lips to his once more. That hunger, that fire flared back up within her now that she could breathe. He closed his eyes in bliss as she stroked his face; he returned the hunger and fire in her kiss.
Pulling back, she hooked her legs with his and, using his body weight against him, rolled so that she was now on top. "My turn..." Her voice was a seductive growl as she kissed just under his ear. An inquisitive little "mrrr" escaped him as she flipped their positions.
Her lips left kisses upon his face, light as a feather, down his neck where she nuzzled into him, inhaling his sweet scent before she bit him. Her hands trailed his form slowly, digging her nails in lightly at his hips as her lips trailed from his neck to his chest, leaving little love nips as she went against his soft skin. Sliding down his body slowly, she settled between his legs and looked up at him with a devilishly wicked smile as she nipped the sensitive skin of his thighs, one right after the other. Drinking him in, she shivered in delight as she watched him.
"God, YES!" he cried out, feeling her teeth sink into his sensitive flesh. "Rebecca..." he gasped out, instinctively running his fingers through her hair.
His reactions inflamed her, made her bold. For to please him, she was starting to realize, pleased her, greatly! Every spot she found upon him that gained her a moan, groan, or reaction, she remembered and tortured mercilessly before moving onto the next spot. Hearing him call out her name made her wetter then she had ever imagined, and by the time she had settled between his legs, she was shivering in delight.
It wasn't long until Trent was panting in pleasure, his body rocking up against her touch needily. His fortitude was incomparable, but this woman, more than simply having a magic touch, was magic to him. He gazed down at her wondrously and stroked her hair again. He liked being at her mercy like this.
"Please," he whispered, an invitation from a hapless, lovestruck fool.
Hearing him beg her emboldened her further as she gently took his now rock-hard cock into her warm hands, stroking him slowly. She took time to enjoy him, to freeze this moment in her mind. Leaning down, she blew a soft, warm breath against the tip of him and chuckled softly at his reaction. Holding him gently, she tongued his cock from the base to the tip with the flat of her tongue, just to enjoy his reaction as she tasted him for the first time. She teased him in this way for a while, licking at him as she watched him slowly come undone, before she took him wholly into her warm mouth and sucked, using her hand to still stroke him. He was so sweet, just like she thought he would be.
By this point, Trent had lost all semblance of composure. He was putty in her hands, breathless, melting…. He would do anything for her... he would—
"I would kill for you," he breathed, rapturously, completely unaware he had said that aloud. "God, I just love you so much!" He was deliriously happy, he had never felt like this, no one had ever done this for him before.
She loved that it was her who made Trent feel this way. It made her feel powerful to have this handsome, strong, formidable man squirming under her and calling out for her. Damn! This was such a heady feeling. She found she craved his reactions, so much so that when he cried out that he would kill for her, and that he loved her, she didn't shy away but instead purred around him before lifting her head to look at him.
God, he was dizzy... in the best way. This was pure and perfect, torture and bliss.
"Would you really, Trent?" Her voice was a soft, wicked purr as she still stroked him, having found a rhythm that kept him on the edge, but only just, and didn't hurt her jaw too much, either. "How so? Tell me..." She was encouraging him to let those feelings out, to fully unleash the tiger, and strangely, she wasn't frightened or repulsed by it. She knew deep down that he wouldn't really do it. But the idea of him being so protective of her in that way, or just because it was the way he loved her so deeply, made her so fucking excited. "I love you too... with every beat of my heart," she whispered as she went back upon him, her hand moving slightly faster against him as she took him as far as she could and twirled her tongue around him, trying to elicit a response and purring in her throat at how amazing this all felt, with him.
"If anyone tried to take you away from me, I'd slice them from navel to nose, and slit their throat for good measure, if I— mmh! Ah, the things you do! — If I was feeling merciful. And if not... it would be something like this. A slow burn, and then—" He clenched her hair in his fist and pushed her head down as he thrust up, losing control for a moment.
When he realized what he'd just done, he released her hair and tried to scramble back, horrified. "I..."
His words strangely pleased her, but his actions took her by complete surprise for only a second. She relaxed her throat when she realized what was happening, and the second Trent moved away, realizing what he had done, Rebecca moved with him, sliding up his body to cover him with hers. She would not let this moment be ruined by a simple slip. "It's ok, Love... You didn't hurt me," she said softly, placing kisses across his face as if to entice him back to her. "Don't stop, Trent... please."
He nodded his acknowledgement. "I'd do that," he whispered, "until the unfortunate wretch choked to death. Perhaps I'd tie them to a chair and waterboard them first."
She hovered over him, practically asking him to take control of her with her kisses, her soft touches as she caressed his cheek and his body, tempting him back to her. "Please... I want you. Please make me yours, Trent... I love you..."
His brain was shutting off; he was all instinct now as he reacted to her signals. He had her on all fours in a second and plunged into her depths, then sat back on his heels and pulled her into his lap so she was riding him. He pulled her hands behind her back and tied them with the sleeves of his discarded turtleneck, then grabbed the sides of her throat with his other hand and pulled her head back, choking her slightly. "Is this what you want, lover?" he asked, an edge to his voice.
Rebecca felt the shift change a second before Trent moved, and let out a loud growling moan as he shoved his way inside her after practically throwing her onto her knees before him!
"DEAR GODS!" she shouted as he pulled her up, her knees on either side of his, her body suddenly burning with desire and wanton pleasure.
She had never felt anything like this AT all, ever, and it made her deliriously happy in an odd way. Feeling her hands being tied behind her made her heart leap, for now everything was in his control. The feeling of his hand around her neck, squeezing just enough to let her feel the power within him, made her wetter, had her insides clench around him as they moved together. "Yes... ohhhh... Gods! TRENT, YES!" She shivered at the sound of his voice, noting the fact that she trusted him lent to her pleasure being heightened tenfold.
"What's your safe word, babygirl? Just in case we need it?" he all but growled into her ear.
"Red!" she gasped out, tilting her head back enough to meet his eyes. "Safe word is Red!" She shuddered atop him and moaned again at the sound of his voice.
"Good girl," he purred, "now ride." He bounced her up for emphasis.
Bracing herself on her knees and toes, trying to get better purchase, she did as commanded. Using her muscles and following Trent's actions, she rode him till her calves burned, till she gasped for air. It was all so wonderful and frightening, loving and delicious, that she felt the faint trembling of a release within her again, making her pant softly and moan again. "Trent... Please... Baby..."
God, this was amazing. She was amazing. He knew she had a lot more casual experience than he did— he hadn't even so much as touched himself for the entire two years since she'd taken his virginity— and he was savoring every moment of this: every tightening; every sigh, scream, and moan. He had let his hand drift down from her throat to caress her considerable breasts, enjoying the soft weight of each of them in his hand. He liked the sounds she made as he thumbed and lightly pinched her nipples.
When he felt her body's telltale trembling, he pressed her down, so her chest was against the mattress. He kneaded her hips in his hands teasingly for a moment before he began really moving in her, reveling as she engulfed him.
Just as she was about to find release, Trent changed up the game again! Now finding herself flat against the mattress, except for her hips, which he still held in his rough but careful hands, she cried out in both frustration and bliss as he began to move within her in earnest. The things he had done to her, no one had ever done before. The places he touched still tingled and burned with the sensations that he was already making her feel. She couldn't breathe! She couldn't see! All was starlight and fire!
He pressed his chest against her back, reached with one hand, and slid his fingers between her nether lips, stroking one just under and one just above her most tender area while he was buried deep inside her. She could do nothing but take it! Take it and feel!
"TRENT!" she screamed as her release came hard, hot, and heavy for the second time, taking her by complete surprise! She was reeling as tears of unadulterated joy escaped her eyes; she buried her face into the blankets, her body almost completely, deliciously numb from sensory overload!
Hearing his name burst forth from her sweet throat sent Trent over the edge too; he liked murder fantasies, but he LOVED bringing pleasure to the only woman he had ever cared for romantically. Something burst through him, pleasure spiking and sparkling through every nerve and muscle in his body. He was on fire, he was dying, this was heaven, pure heaven, and Rebecca was Goddess—! He cried out, not knowing what he was saying, words didn't exist, only sensation!
Feeling Trent let go broke something inside of Rebecca. She swore she had left her body as she came unexpectedly all over again! Her words were babbles of nonsense as she had buried her face into the blankets, only turning her head enough to be able to breathe. She saw fireworks, stars, behind her eyes! Her entire body tingled in the most wonderful way, and she outwardly shivered in delight as she lay there, Trent's weight a comforting presence that slowly brought her back to reality.
He peeled himself off her, panting as he caught his breath. She groaned, as her body felt so empty suddenly, and she rolled just enough to rest against the pillows, her heart still racing.
He went to his blazer and pulled his monogrammed handkerchief out of the inside breast pocket, then gently but thoroughly cleaned her up with the soft and light fabric. She bit her lip as it was still very sensitive down there.
"That was... even better than I remember," Trent gasped.
"It was amazing, Trent. YOU are amazing!" she muttered softly, casting him a loving smile. "I love you, so, so much..." She sat up and winced a bit as her arms had gone numb. "But... ummm... can you untie me please, Love?" She snickered softly.
"Oh! Of course, I'm so sorry!" Trent sprang into action, quickly releasing her wrists. Rebecca let out a soft sigh as he released her and shook her hands a moment to get feeling back into them until he took her hands and gently massaged her wrists and arms. That felt good.
"I love you too," Trent said, "and I'm so, so glad we were able to get to this point. You've brought hope and light back into my life, and now we can enjoy our lives, together." He lay down and cuddled against her. "Being your boyfriend is even better than I imagined it would be."
She melted as she curled up and cuddled into him. " I never knew things with someone who really loved you could be this amazing." She tilted her head back and met his eyes. "You make me so happy. Every day with you is like a gift and I hope we grow old together, for I never, ever want to let you go."
He soaked up her words and the emotions that prompted them. These weren't mere love kernels— this was pure and true and substantial.
"You were right, you know. Before. Love kernels aren't real. This, what we have between us now, is real. I've never been happier."
"It is real, for the things you make me feel cannot possibly exist if we didn't love or trust each other. And I do... I trust you with my life, Trent." So saying, she gently nuzzled him, rubbing her nose against his. This was so nice!
"I trust you with my life, too. Always have, always will," he said, grinning and wrinkling his nose happily as they rubbed noses.
Basking in the moment and the tenderness of his love, Rebecca all but blushed when her stomach made a noise, signaling that she had yet to eat today.
Hearing her stomach growl, Trent rose again. "I'll make us breakfast. What are you in the mood for?"
She smiled languidly at him. "Scrambled eggs with cheese sound good to you, babe?" she asked, seeking his opinion on what they should have for breakfast.
He nodded with a little "Mhm," and got up to fulfill her request. Eggs and cheese were a breakfast he had grown up with. He went off to the kitchen, donned his All Things Considered apron, and set about preparing their repast. He also set the table, and set out orange juice, apple juice, and milk in the center of the table so that they could have their pick of what they wanted to drink.
Rebecca sighed a deep contented sigh and flopped back over onto the bed for a few moments. She giggled to herself as she thought about what had just happened between them and smiled. Sliding off the bed, she donned a purple robe, tied it closed, and followed the delightful smells coming from the kitchen.
The food smelled delicious, but not as delicious as Trent looked, wearing nothing but his apron. She had no idea what it was about him, but she couldn't take her eyes off him. Such sinfully delightful things passed her mind as she took a seat, staring at Trent and not caring that staring was considered rude... just... DAMN!
Trent raised his eyebrows and grinned his happy dimpled smile at her. "Do you like what you see?" he asked, gesturing to the table, where he had just set down their plates of food. He took off his apron, folded it neatly, and sat down across from her, naked as the day he was born.
Her smile turned playful as her cheeks flushed with warmth. "Always." She smirked playfully back at him as she picked up her fork to dig into the scrumptious-looking meal. He knew what he was doing, in both cooking and seduction. If she didn't know for a fact that she had been the one to take his virginity, she would have sworn he was experienced as she, in the way he flirted and charmed her. He was incorrigible, and she loved that about him.
The food was simply delicious, and she cleaned her plate. Then she sat back to enjoy her apple juice, sipping slowly. "That was really good, Babe. How did you learn to cook like that?" she praised him with a soft smile.
That's right, he had never told her. "Thank you," he began. "My mother taught me the basics of cooking when I was tall enough to reach the stove, and then I took a cooking elective in high school. I would have gone on to culinary school, but once my Cousin Trina got accepted into all the Ivies, my mom had me apply to Harvard. I actually applied right before the cutoff; I was lucky to get in."
She tilted her head at him, wondering and blurting out before she caught herself, "Is that something you wanted to do? Cause you are an amazing cook, Trent. I bet... know you'd have made a wonderful Chef." She smiled. "Everything you make, makes me want more." She smirked wickedly as she took a sip of her juice, not at all shy about eyeing him up still.
Trent smiled placidly. "I could have gone either way," he said. "But I'm glad I went to Harvard. Otherwise, I never would have met the love of my life." He reached across the table and gently took her hand, completely oblivious to the elevator eyes she was giving him.
She took Trent's hand, smiling to herself at the fact that he had initiated physical contact. She entwined their fingers together as she listened to him speak. "I'm glad you went to Harvard too, Trent. Took us a while, but we got here... and now I wouldn't want things to be any other way." She was surprised by her own admission, but her words were true. Their feelings for each other had morphed into something beautiful over the last month, and she was truly happy for the first time in a long time.
Her sweet words warmed him and felt even more like sustenance than the meal they had just had. "I'm glad you chose me," he said simply. He was glad she had chosen to be with him, after all; he was glad she had chosen him to fake out the guy she had liked back then; he was glad she had chosen to move in with him.
"So, what would you like to do today, my Love?" asked Rebecca. They pretty much had the entire day to spend together, as it was still fairly early. Having taken almost a week off work, Rebecca was completely free to enjoy it all with Trent.
"Hmm..." He had to think for a minute about what seemed interesting to him. He knew she had always wanted someone to take her to Raging Waters, but he wasn't quite ready for that yet. They both loved theatre and musicals and there was a Broadway in Los Angeles, where he had effectively banished Josh Chan. A wicked smirk spread across his face.
"Let's go see Broadway's Beauty and the Beast," he suggested sweetly.
She finished her drink and stood to clean up, leaning over to kiss him as she passed him. "Sounds like a plan to me... though... you might want to go get dressed, or we will never leave this house," she teased with a soft giggle. She went to clean up the dishes before returning to her room to find some clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower. She was actually excited to see where the day took them.
He had forgotten that he wasn't clothed. "Oh... Of course," he said. He stood and walked back to his room, wiped himself down with baby wipes, and pondered what to wear. For the first time in a long time, he felt comfortable without his 'protective armor'. Instead of his usual turtlenecks, he donned a simple light green polo, tucked into his jeans, and his usual belt and loafers. He liked the way his powerful arm muscles looked in short sleeves, he decided. He had stopped wearing polos years ago because he didn't like the way women would ogle him when he only had eyes for one woman, but she would be with him today.
After spraying on his custom clove-based cologne, he combed his slightly-mussed hair and was ready to go. He went back to the table and sat down until Rebecca was ready also.
xoxo
The shower was wonderful, and it helped ease some of the soreness out of her from their passionate lovemaking. While bathing, though, she had noticed a few small bruises along her neck, shoulders, and arms, and smirked at them. Marks of love, passion. She would wear them with pride. She only covered up the one on her neck that would show past her shirt with makeup and dressed in a blue free-flowing shirt and a pair of jeans. Brushing her hair till it shined, she smiled at her reflection and headed out to where Trent waited for her.
Time almost stopped as Rebecca entered the room. She was so beautiful. He loved when she wore that shade of blue that perfectly set off her skin and her eyes.
Upon seeing Trent, she froze for a moment. He wasn't wearing a turtleneck shirt, but a green polo that showed off his muscles in just the right way. He was a very well-put-together man and it showed. She had to take a few moments to control her racing hormones.
"You look very handsome, Trent," she complimented him, as she came to stand by his side. She had grabbed the keys to the car and her purse and was ready to go if he was.
"You look like a goddess," he murmured reverently, taking her hand and kissing it. They floated out together to the car, hand-in-hand.
xoxo
It didn't take them long to get to the theater, and Rebecca had to admit that she was very excited to be there. She loved the theater and had not had time in a long while to attend a show. Beauty and the Beast was her favorite childhood story, and she knew every part of it by heart.
After they got their tickets and walked inside, Rebecca took a moment to look around. It had been years since she had set foot in this particular place. The sights and scents all made her feel relaxed and expectant at the same time. It was a beautiful place, older than the buildings around it; it had a grace and décor that made one think they were going back in time.
Smiling up at Trent, she followed him to their seats, glancing about as they went. This had been a really good idea. An amazing show, with her indescribably wonderful boyfriend... what could be better?
The show was every bit as charming, funny, and heartwarming as Trent remembered from childhood. He cried softly during "If I Can't Love Her" and its reprise, and gripped tight to her hand during Beast's transformation into Prince Adam. In a strange way, he found this story both comforting and relatable.
It was exactly like she remembered it, and yet ten times more beautiful because she felt the emotions of each of the characters more passionately now. She actually felt tears fall when the Beast seemed to die before he transformed, for she cried at that part every time without fail. Her hand held tightly in Trent's as it ended, and the lights came back on. The performance had been brilliant and she had loved it immensely!
Afterwards, as they were walking out of the theater together discussing their impressions of the various characters and singing their own renditions of some of the songs without a care in the world, they bumped into Josh, pretty much exactly as Trent had envisioned.
Josh was stunned to see the two of them together, holding hands and singing, looking like they could be in a romantic movie of their own. He had forgotten, or maybe just wanted to forget, that they were together.
"Hey, Rebecca," he said awkwardly, ignoring Trent's presence. "Funny bumping into you here..."
Rebecca heard a familiar voice and actually pulled up short. Her back was to him, but she knew who it was as her energy switched to nearly hostile but still sickly sweet as she turned and gave Josh a look that said nothing and yet everything all at once.
"Josh?" Her voice held both slight bits of anger in it still and the attempt to be civil. Always civil in public...
"Yeah... funny... what are you doing here?" she asked as she moved closer to Trent's side. She wouldn't have pegged Josh for a theater type of person, yet she asked only to be nice as she really didn't care. She was still very mad at him!
Trent wrapped a possessive arm around Rebecca's waist as she moved closer to him, providing comfort and protection. He hid his disdain for the feckless man-child behind his usual placid smile.
"Um, I live just around the corner," Josh said, bitterness creeping into his would-be casual voice. "Remember? Your boyfriend saw to that?"
That civil rule of hers was about to be broken with the rage that suddenly flooded her at Josh's hurtful and careless words, but before Rebecca had time to even ponder her response, Trent cut in.
"We just saw Beauty and the Beast," he informed Josh, in a calm, cordial tone. "I've always found it so... inspiring. Belle and the prince learn to appreciate what they have, and they build a life together. Meanwhile, Gaston is attractive and popular, but his role as an interloper is 'tragically' cut short when he dies in the end. Well, that's all. I'll see you around, Josh."
Josh just stood there with a confused look on his face as he tried to process why Trent was telling him the plot of a story everyone their age had grown up with.
Trent's hidden threat nearly had Rebecca burst into hysterics at seeing the confused look on Josh's face. Yes, that was way better than anything she would have said out of spite, and it made her feel better as she schooled her face to neutral as she looked at her former friend. But inside, she was laughing her head off. She saw it! How could Josh NOT!?
Then Catherine, Trent's assistant who managed the house Josh was living in, walked up. "THERE you are," she said to Josh, her large, sea-foam green eyes narrowing. "What are you doing? We have to get your application turned in." She nodded to Trent deferentially, light brown hair gleaming in the sunlight. "Mr. Maddock, Ms. Bunch. Lovely to see you, as always." She turned back to Josh and hissed in his ear, "Be grateful he isn't charging you rent, now stop bothering the happy couple and let's GO."
Rebecca slipped her arm around Trent's waist in return, scooting ever closer to him as his assistant showed up and started ordering Josh around. Rebecca nodded politely to Catherine as she and Trent turned to walk away from the lovely scene playing out behind them. This was priceless.
Trent was mildly disappointed that Catherine and Josh hadn't gotten together like he had hoped, but on the other hand, he had never really bothered to find out what Catherine's standards were for men. He turned his attention back to Rebecca and kissed her cute little nose. "Are you okay?" he asked.
As they made their way to the car, Rebecca couldn't contain herself and her laughter burst out. She very nearly snorted at what had just happened. It was too funny!
"That was priceless. Thank you." She beamed up at him. "When I heard his voice, I thought I was gonna slug him and with his snide comments... it wouldn't have been pretty... so, thank you." She looked over at him with delight shimmering in her eyes. "Threatening him in that way... next time... draw him a map, because he didn't get it. At all!"
A wide grin broke across Trent's face, and he couldn't help but also laugh; Rebecca's feelings were infectious, whether from Trent's own 12-year habit of empathizing with her or if it was just the way she was. "Are you sure he can read a map?" he asked her in an undertone. He tried not to be too much of a snob since not everyone was blessed with brilliance, but Josh was dumber than a hand puppet.
She loved the fact that they could laugh together in this way, and Trent's reply to her nearly had her double over in hysterics. The man was quick, she'd give him that. "You know... I'm not really sure."
She leaned up damn near on tiptoe and kissed him tenderly. "So? What shall we do now? Ice cream?"
He kissed her back with equal tenderness. Feeling the love behind his kiss, she melted.
"I would love ice cream," he said. "There's a great place just down the way. We can walk there."
"Sounds perfect. Lead on, my handsome Lover." She giggled again and leaned into him gently as they walked.
Walking together like this, feeling her cuddled up against him, in public, in daylight—! He felt so free, so light, after years of living in darkness, sequestered by his own self-induced psychosis. He'd hardly had any intrusive thoughts since they had started truly dating, his fantasies about Nathaniel notwithstanding. It was easy to keep his promise not to play games or test their love, because she told him and showed him she loved him all the time.
As they walked to the ice cream shoppe, having Rebecca on his arm helped Trent ignore the envious and lustful gazes of those they passed. To be sexy, for any gender, was to be looked at like a piece of meat ripe for devouring, and they were both extremely sexy. But it was also clear that they were extremely together; no interloper dared approach, apart from that dumb bunny living in Trent's old house.
Arriving at the ice cream parlor, Rebecca took in the place and had to admit that it was very quaint and had a homey feeling to it. Trent ordered a vanilla cone for himself: simple, classic, decadent in the sense that kings of old would have killed and died for the chance to eat something like it.
"And for the lady?" the cashier asked.
She had just ordered her chocolate with peanut butter swirl cone, and they were settling in to enjoy their tasty treats, when she happened to look off to her right, and froze!
'Oh no!' her brain screamed as she saw both Paula and Nathaniel walking across the street and heading, it seemed, right for them. 'Please... just let them pass by. Oh, dear God, I will start praying and—FUCK!' Her thoughts ended the moment she heard Paula call out her name excitedly. Rebecca had only a moment to flick her eyes to Trent, slip her free hand into his, and squeeze gently as the two made their way inside the shop and over to them.
"Rebecca! So good to see you!" Paula called out as she drew closer and nodded to Trent. "Trent... Hello." She was trying to be civil. Trying.
Trent noticed the panic on Rebecca's face and had only just clocked the reason when Paula called Rebecca's name. He gave Rebecca's hand a supportive squeeze and focused on looking as nonchalant (and non-suggestive) as possible as he ate his ice cream cone. He nodded back to Paula. He appreciated that she was making the effort to be civil because that meant he could be, too.
"Gods, I have missed you, Girl. How's your vacation going?" Paula looked between the two and her smile brightened. Her eyes missed nothing, and she saw the slight touches of makeup on Rebecca's skin. So... they had been busy, huh? Now she wanted to hear everything, but later.
"Hey, Paula. Things are great, thanks. How are you?" Rebecca replied, flat-out ignoring Nathaniel. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh, we are coming from court. Something about land rights, I don't know, I was merely there to help the jurors with the paperwork." She noticed that Rebecca was ignoring Nathaniel and tried to play it off so they all would 'play nice' with each other in public... but that hadn't stopped Nathaniel before.
Nathaniel did not like being ignored. He wasn't used to it, for one thing, except from his parents. That kind of made him want Rebecca back even more. Surprisingly, that boyfriend of hers was following her lead and ignoring him completely. He looked ridiculous, Nathaniel thought jealously, like some sort of trophy. His eyes narrowed into slits as he watched his ex kissing her new man. Was it the lighting, or was she wearing more makeup than usual? She looked gaudy, like a courtesan, if he was going to be polite about it.
"Sounds fun. Trent and I just came from seeing Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. It was very good. I had a great time." Rebecca smiled over back at Trent and kissed his cheek before turning back to Paula. "You should go see it."
"I just might, if you suggest it." Paula nodded.
"Yes," Nathaniel cut into the women's conversation, "Sunil would probably love to go with you, Paula. Oh, sorry," he said carelessly, looking over at Trent. "You don't know who Sunil is. He's—"
"Paula's friend from law school, who now works at your office, yes. We met the night I helped Rebecca lift the collapsed ceiling in our bathroom," said Trent smoothly. They hadn't exactly introduced themselves, but they knew who each other were, and that amounted to the same in Trent's mind.
Rebecca noticed the energy shift in Trent right away as he sparred with Nathaniel effortlessly. She caught Paula's eye and nodded at her as she gave Trent's hand another squeeze, this time a little harder, as if to remind him where they were and to pull it back a bit.
Paula turned her attention back to the man at Rebecca's side. "Sounds like you had fun, too, Trent. I hope you are enjoying yourself and taking care of our girl here." She didn't mean it as a challenge, but she hadn't spent any time with Rebecca lately, and she missed her.
Trent smiled warmly at Paula. "Thank you," he said effusively. "We are enjoying ourselves and taking care of each other."
Nathaniel scoffed and rolled his eyes, drawing Trent's attention— and his thoughts— back to him. Oh, Nathaniel, Trent thought to himself forgetting to keep the smile on his face, I've already threatened one of my princess's failed suitors in front of her today. Please don't force me to threaten you, too. We both know I'm the better catch by far, Stanford Boy. Although... your skin is like butter. I wonder, does it cut like butter too? Could I melt you into a cake and serve you at our wedding?
Unconsciously, Trent's enjoyment of his ice cream cone had become almost obscene, both to watch and hear. Nathaniel gave him that look people did when they were put-off by his behavior.
Keep looking at me, Stanford Boy, Trent thought. I'll carve out your eyes and pin them on my bedroom wall.
The ladies walked a few feet away from where Nathaniel and Trent seemed to be engaged in a stare-down.
"Soooo... what's with your boyfriend?" Paula asked softly, wanting all the deets.
"What do you mean?" Rebecca gave her friend an odd look, but she could guess what she was hinting at.
"Rebecca. Really? Come on, girl, I see the makeup. Has he been that good?"
Rebecca blushed and looked down at her shoulder, then back at her friend. Her smile was bright. "Paula, it's been the best time I have ever had. Trent is so understanding and giving and... passionate. I really am happy. I really, really am."
"Yeah... I agree about that passionate part." Paula had turned back to watch the boys: While Nathaniel seemed disgusted, Trent seemed in another world all his own as he ate his ice cream in a most seductive way, keeping eye contact with the other man. "What's up with that, though?"
Rebecca turned to look back at both men and blushed, biting her lip as she looked down to collect herself, then looked back at her friend. "That? Oh... that's nothing. Trent just really hates Nathaniel, and he... ummm..." She cleared her throat. "Wants to murder him, and gets off thinking about it," she finished in a rush.
"What!" Paula's eyes flew wide as she stepped closer to her friend, but unbeknownst to her, her voice carried. "Trent fantasizes about murdering Nathaniel and gets off on it and... you're... ok with this!"
Paula's exclamation broke Trent out of his reverie, and he hastened out of the shop, face flaming red. He ducked into the surf shop next door and hid among the boards.
"Paula... keep your voice down! But yes..." Rebecca hissed back. Too late; Nathaniel seemed to have heard. "It's kind of hot, actually. Where do you think these bruises came from?" She whispered that last part and giggled. It was all her friend could do but open-mouthed stare at her like she had lost her mind.
"I'm sorry, what the FUCK!?" Nathaniel demanded, striding over to the women and planting himself firmly in Rebecca's frame of vision. "WHAT did you just say?" he snarled.
Rebecca wasn't at all surprised by Nathaniel's outburst, but she was surprised that he got up close and personal in his rantings. That rage that seemed to simmer just under the surface, far as he was concerned, nearly exploded from her as she took a step closer to him, getting up all in his personal space.
"You heard me..." she said through clenched teeth. "The man I love gets off on the idea of murdering you, and we talk about it during sex," she hissed back at him, not wanting everyone in the store to hear their business. But she wasn't backing down this time. There was nothing wrong with fantasies, long as they didn't really happen, and Rebecca trusted and loved Trent enough to know that it never would.
"What's the matter, Nathaniel?" She dropped her voice even lower till it took on a slight growl. "Does the thought of us get you off? Hmmm? Why are you so concerned with what I do, or who I do it with?" She was all but calling Nathaniel out, and damn, did it feel good!
Nathaniel was clearly taken aback. This girl was insane, and so was Trent, for that matter! "I'm not," he said defiantly, "but him staring into my eyes giving an ice cream cone a blow job, with an erection, is weird as fuck, and then you two are over here talking about how he's so turned on because he's imagining murdering me? That is NOT okay."
"No. It's perfectly alright, Nathaniel. There is nothing wrong with fantasies long as you don't act upon them."
But she had seen it, that flare of anger in the man's eyes at her last words and knew, at least somewhat, she had hit home.
"Ohhhh... Poor Nathaniel. He can't have the person he wants so he has to content himself with thinking about her and the man she is with because that is all he will ever get of her." She took another step closer, rather loving this feeling of power over him, but she didn't see the intense rage burning in Nathaniel's eyes either.
"Trent... is SO much better than you will ever be... in every way..." The best way to anger a hurt, resentful man is to attack his pride, and it might have been the last thing she ever did...
"Have you forgotten that he did once threaten to kill me?" Nathaniel demanded. "And yet you still chose that— that PSYCHOPATH, over me!? And you have the gall—" He poked her chest, hard, eyes blazing— "to pretend he's somehow BETTER than me? Did you forget you pushed him off a roof thinking you were saving my life because he implied to you, he WAS going to kill me? Or did he just fuck the last brain cell right out of your pretty little head?" He had advanced on her as he ranted, and now she was pushed back against a wall, his hand slapping the brick behind her. The place was otherwise empty, and the staff were on their lunch break, so no one was around to intervene...