Page 101 of The Rented Bride

Chapter Twenty

Trent woke alone. Last night, making love to Cassie, and her falling asleep in his arms came back in a rush. He bolted upright and glanced at the clock. Eleven fifteen. No wonder she wasn’t in bed. She’d probably woken up starving. He was ravenous. After last night, their relationship had changed. Last night had been simple truth. They belonged together.

Trent jumped from bed, tugged on underwear and jeans, then pulled a T-shirt over his head. He combed his fingers through his hair as he headed downstairs in search of his wife. He checked the kitchen. If he knew Cassie, she’d be on her third cup of coffee. Not seeing her, he made his way to his office. The room was empty, so he dialed Meg’s number.

She picked up on the first ring. “Good morning, Trent.”

“Have you seen Cassie?”

“No, I haven’t. Is anything wrong?”

Was there? He didn’t think so. They’d spent an amazing night together, made love, shared their grief and comfort. That’s what two people who needed each other did.

“No, but if you see her will you let her know I’m looking for her?”

“Of course.”

He hung up and called Doris. “Doris, have you seen Cassie?”

“Yes, I was just on my way to see you. I had coffee with her. I thought she was all right, but now I think I misread her.”

“Why? What did she say?”

“Nothing to me, but I just spoke with Henry and he’s bringing the car around to take her the airport.”

“The airport? Have they left?”

“No. He said he told her it would take twenty minutes to have the car ready.”

Henry had never taken more than five minutes to get a car ready. “Tell Henry he’s getting a raise. Where is Cassie now?”

“Waiting at the courtyard entrance,” Doris replied.

“Tell Henry not to take her anywhere.” Trent slammed the phone down and raced from the office and down the stairs. He sped through the hallway and burst out into the foyer. Cassie spun to face him. Her eyes widened, then narrowed. Her lips thinned to a tight line. He’d seen this look before. This was the ball buster who took on fish wholesalers, iguanas and deliverymen.

She pointed a finger at him. “Come any closer, Trent Weston, and, I swear to God, I’ll flip you over my shoulder again.”

Trent took two steps closer. “I’m not going to let you walk away without talking to me. Didn’t last night mean anything to you?”

She lifted her chin. “The job is done. The terms of the contract were fulfilled, so I’m going home.”

“Finished your job? Last night had nothing to do with the contract and you know it!”

Her eyes hardened. “My extra effort put an extra ten grand in my pocket. I’m glad you were happy with my services. Consider last night a bonus. You got lucky.”

What the hell was she talking about? Then he realized. He’d had his attorney wire the money as per their contract, but with an extra ten thousand dollars. “You’ve got it all wrong, Cassie. How could you think I’d pay you for sex? I didn’t want to assume—I couldn’t assume—”

Cassie snorted. “Assume I’d be grateful to get a bonus for services rendered? I’d say you assumed a great deal.”

She pivoted and headed for the door. Trent seized her arm and whirled her around to face him. “Wait, I never meant—”

Swoosh. Cassie twisted, and Trent found himself face up on the floor, the air knocked from his lungs. He drew in a ragged breath.

She stood over him, eyes blazing.

The door burst open and Henry entered. A group of chattering voices followed.

Cassie’s brows furrowed. “Mom—Grandma Rosa—Dad, what are you doing here? Mia, Sophia?”