Page 53 of The Rented Bride

And saw Trent.

He lay on the floor, the blanket bunched under his back and a pillow tucked beneath his head. One arm lay across his face while the other rested on the flat plain of his stomach.

Cassie bit her lip. He didn’t look comfortable, but he did look beautiful. She couldn’t look last night when he was awake. Now, however, she could look all she wanted. Muscles defined the smooth angles of his chest. Dark hair circled his flat nipples, bisected his corded abdominals and disappeared into the waistband of his gray boxer briefs. The gray fabric confined the rigid length and thickness of his morning erection. God help her. What had she done to deserve this torture?

She slipped from the bed, grabbed slacks and a shirt from the closet, then carefully opened the dresser drawer, withdrew panties and a bra and turned. She was never going to get the image of Trent lying sprawled on the floor in nothing but those tight underwear out of her head—which meant she would get little sleep. Those legs and that—

“Are you getting a good enough look?”

Cassie jumped at the sound of Trent’s voice, then squeaked at sight of his open eyes. She whirled and raced for the bathroom. Cassie slammed the door shut and backed up several paces, half expecting the door to open. Silence followed. She stared at the door. How would she face him after he caught her staring at his nearly naked body? Oh, this was so bad.

Twenty minutes later, Cassie had showered and dressed and was desperate for coffee.

She opened the bathroom door and peeked into the bedroom. Trent’s blanket draped the foot of the bed, his pillow lay next to hers, but he was gone. She released a breath and found her way to the kitchen. The scent of fresh brewed coffee drew her to the counter. Teacups and saucers sat on the counter. She poured a cup and sipped. The hot brew flowed across her tongue. For a moment she felt like herself.

“Morning, Cassie.” Meg entered and poured herself coffee.

Cassie smiled. Was it a good morning? She couldn’t be sure yet. She would get some work done, let Maryanne know that she wouldn’t be back until Wednesday.

“I just spoke with Trent,” Meg said. “He’s in his office.”

“Thanks.” If she was lucky, he would stay there all day. She headed back to Trent’s bedroom.

By the time she’d returned to the room, the bed had been made and her satchel rested on the desk near the window. She went to the desk then paused and stared out the window. A fresh covering of powdered snow glistened like tiny jewels on the ground and pines. She could sit at this desk and work for hours without growing tired of the scene. Cassie placed her cup on the desk and set up her laptop, then went to work.

A soft knock sounded. She twisted and looked over her shoulder as the door opened.

Trent entered and strode to the desk. “Good morning.”

Embarrassment sent butterflies skittering across the insides of her tummy. To her relief, Trent didn’t act as if he’d caught her ogling him only an hour ago.

She smiled. “Hi.”

“What are you doing up here?”

“Getting some work done.”

Whiskers shadowed his jaw. “Did you have breakfast?”

She lifted her coffee cup. “This is my usual. How’s James?”

“Still sleeping. It’s a bit early for him, and he was up later last night than usual.”

“Is he all right? Did I tire him out too much last night? Darn it, I should have insisted he go to bed earlier.”

Trent chuckled. “I doubt anyone could have kept him in bed even with chains.” His expression softened. “I haven’t seen him that happy in too long.”

“I’m glad. He was telling some interesting stories.”

“Interesting stories?” Trent groaned. “Oh no, you don’t mean…”

Cassie nodded. “He was telling stories about you when you were younger.”

Trent leaned his backside on the edge of the desk and folded his arms over his chest. “Do I need to apologize for something?”

She laughed. “Not unless you intend to raid my panty drawer and hang panties on the trees in front of my window.”

“I was young when I did that,” he replied.