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He hung up, putting the phone back on his nightstand.
Celia had frozen where she lay.
“You don’t have to go, but you’re more than welcome to if you want. Sunday is your free day, and my family is great.” Trenton ran a hand along her back to soothe her. “And my mom’s cooking is delicious.”
Celia rolled away from him and sat up, clutching the sheet against her. “I know I’m too skinny, but I’ve been eating.” She held out her free hand, staring at her delicate wrist. “I look awful in the light, don’t I? A skeleton. At least, that’s what Dan—”
Trenton cut off her words with a kiss, not wanting to hear the man’s name while he was in bed with her. When he pulled back, her expression had softened. “No more of that. It should be obvious that I find you desirable.” He reached out, stroking the side of her silky, small, and perfect breast that the sheet didn’t quite cover. “But perhaps I haven’t been clear enough.”
Her breath drew in, those dark eyes of hers shimmering with something only for him.
He cupped the back of her head, bringing her closer for a proper kiss. When she let out the soft moan that drove him crazy and leaned against him, the sheet fell down between them and those wonderful breasts pressed against his chest.
Trenton rolled her under him, accepting that he was going to be late to pick up his sister.
Chapter 25
Celiahadn’ttakenTrentonup on his offer to have lunch with his family. She was certain that they would be welcoming, sweet, and kind, just like Trenton. Bright and perfect, similar to his wife. The total opposite of her.
She knew the thoughts were her insecurities showing through. Just as she’d practically begged Trenton to prove to her that he wanted her. Celia’s body still hummed from her morning and night spent with him.
Sometimes she was truly pathetic.
Even that thought made her cringe. Which was a big part of why she hadn’t gone with him. She needed to go to the counseling session today.
The bus was empty on a Sunday afternoon. Not that it was ever very full. She sat by the window, watching the buildings pass by. The city was in an in-between state of familiar and new. Some buildings appeared to be the same as they had been when she’d passed them in the back seat of her father’s Honda. And then there were the new restaurants and shops that looked trendier than she ever remembered her hometown being.
The closest stop she’d found was a couple of blocks north of the community center. As she rounded the corner of the second block, she almost ran into the dark-haired newbie from the week before. Though Celia had attended a couple of sessions during the week, she hadn’t seen her since the previous Sunday. The woman was staring down the street, frozen in place.
Celia shifted to the side, bending to peer into the woman’s face. “Is everything okay?”
The woman blinked, as if waking from a dream. “Oh. It’s you.”
“Cece,” Celia said, holding out a hand.
She took it, her grip there and gone. “Jami.”
Celia nodded to indicate she’d heard the name, then glanced down the way the woman had been staring. “Were you looking at something?”
Jami shook her head.
Celia decided not to pry. That was the thing about a good group. They were there to make you feel less alone, but also to leave you alone when you needed it. She gestured to the building, which was set back from the street. “Are you going today?”
Jami hesitated, but then her lips pressed together. “Yes.”
When Celia started forward, the other woman followed. The path they were on led through an iron gate that had been open the other times she’d come. There was a neglected garden beyond it, with a few worn but clean benches scattered around, before the path led to the back entrance of the center. It always made sense for the centers to have a back entrance, but Celia had begun going that way out of convenience more than anything. It was closest to the bus stop. She wondered if the other woman used it for the same reason.
After they entered, Jami went to find a seat, bypassing the refreshment table. Celia didn’t blame her. The coffee really was terrible. She filled a Styrofoam cup anyway. A couple of the regulars recognized her and came over to offer their greetings. Celia couldn’t remember their names, only their situations. One was a middle-aged mother with a teenager that was often violent with her. The other was a sweet-tempered older woman with a husband with Alzheimer’s that had anger issues. While both of them had their hardships, Celia got the impression her story had shocked them. They meant well, but that didn’t always help the awkwardness.
She excused herself when it was polite and made her way over to the circle of chairs, taking the one next to Jami. It was comforting to fall into silence again.
Her mind drifted to waking up that morning in Trenton’s arms. She normally liked her space while she slept, but they’d been pressed together still. His sleepy smile in the early rays of the sun peeking through the curtains had made her feel so at peace.
“You look happier than last week,” Jami said.
Celia raised her head to find the other woman studying her. She wasn’t sure what to say. “That’s one part of what I’m feeling today.” She shrugged, fiddling with the cup. “I’m just never sure which of the many emotions will come out on top.”
Jami’s lips parted, as if she was going to say something, but the counselor had entered, clapping her hands together for attention.
