knew what she wanted and went after it, but was always there to be a friend to someone who needed one. That’s what I lost. My independence. I don’t make my own choices anymore, not even what shirt to wear or what kind of car to drive. The second the spotlight shined on me, everything changed.”
Skye finally felt good talking about it, but she knew many would kill for what she had. She was proud of what she’d accomplished, but she’d started off on her own and somewhere along the way she’d gotten lost in the blinding bright lights.
“What’s stopping you from taking back control?” Trent asked. It was a simple question, but the answer wasn’t so simple. Or was it?
10
Trent handed Skye the hot cider as he held on to her. She fit so perfectly in his arms that he never wanted to let her go. She’d been quiet since he’d asked about taking control over her life. She’d laid her head on his shoulder and he could practically hear the thoughts racing through her mind.
He didn’t push her to talk. Trent knew she needed this time to think things through. Instead, he handed her the cider and let her sip it, holding her as he slowly ran his hand up and down her arm. Trent’s own thoughts turned to Skye’s situation. He had talked to Aunt Gemma numerous times and there were never any stories of paparazzi or scandal. Of course, Aunt Gemma was an author, not an actress, and Uncle Cy would kill anyone who dared look at his wife the wrong way.
Trent’s mind kept going back to Lenny. He was the gatekeeper. He was the one who turned Trent away, the one who turned Mr. and Mrs. Jessamine away, and as Skye’s personal manager, he had his hand in every aspect of her life. Could it be as simple as firing Lenny?
“Thank you, Trent,” Skye said as she sat up. She leaned back so she could look at him as she spoke. Trent’s eyes dipped to her lips and then made their way back to her eyes. She was hurting and he felt bad for even thinking about how kissable she was. Memories from their night together flooded him, but he pushed back against them to stem the tide. He needed to focus on her needs, not his wants.
“For what?” Trent asked as he moved his arms around her waist and linked his fingers together.
“For reminding me that the power is within my reach. I just have to take hold of it. I can still get great roles without whoring myself out to the likes of Tony Ketron. There are tons of A-list celebrities who maintain a private life. It’s time for me to stop sitting back and acting the part of a trained circus animal. I’m going to talk to Karri in the morning and start taking back my life.”
Skye leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. He felt her warm lips and his whole body responded. Trent wondered if Skye felt that spark too when her hands came up to touch him. It was even better than their one night together. This connection they had ran deeper than he thought either of them could understand.
Skye rested one hand on his chest and he knew she felt his heartbeat as her fingers splayed out and pressed into his muscles. Her other hand slid behind his neck as she absently ran her fingers through his hair. Then she looked up at him in such an intense way that Trent felt as if she were trying to read his soul.
“I’m not running, Skye. Not ever again.”
“Good. I’d hate to chase you down and club you over the head. You’d be heavy to drag back home.” Skye deadpanned as Trent’s lips tilted up into a grin.
“You can drag me home any time you want. No concussion necessary.”
Skye shimmied off his lap and stood up. Trent looked up at her and he knew his life was about to change. They’d moved fast last time, but not this time. If this feeling of forever was true, then Trent was going to take his time doing it right. He’d been given a second chance and he wasn’t going to ruin it.
“Tired?” Trent asked as he picked up their now empty mugs.
Skye yawned in response and slapped her hand over her mouth. “That wasn’t very romantic,” she laughed afterward.
“Come on,” Trent said as he stood and took her hand