Nathaniel and Trent first meet

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(Season 3)

 As Rebecca and Paula went to the bathroom, Nathaniel stepped out of his office. He strode up to Rebecca's new beau with a canned smile.

 "Hi," he greeted the other man, sizing him up. Even under that turtleneck, Nathaniel could tell he was built. "I'm Nathaniel Plimpton."

 "Trent Maddock." The man turned his dimpled smile on Nathaniel and shook his hand. His grip was firm, almost crushing.

 "Can I see you in my office?" Nathaniel asked.

 Trent nodded and followed him. As soon as they were in Nathaniel's office, Nathaniel dropped his own smile and looked Trent dead in the eye.

 "What do you have on her?" he asked bluntly.

 Trent looked puzzled, though his smile didn't waver. "Excuse me?"

 "I saw you mouthing along with her when she was speaking. I'm also pretty sure you dressed her up like that, because turtleneck dresses are not Rebecca's style."

 "I did buy her that dress," Trent confirmed. "Rebecca looks beautiful in everything. And aren't you broken up? You're seeing this girl, Mona, aren't you?"

 Nathaniel nodded with a frown. "Yes, I'm dating Mona. So I can't be concerned about my friend?"

 Trent tilted his head, assessing Nathaniel. That dimpled smile was gone now, and Nathaniel detected a cool, calculating look in Trent's green eyes.

 "Rebecca and I are in love," Trent insisted. "Your friendly concern is sweet, but unnecessary. I would never harm her. I've loved her since we were in college."

 Something about Trent didn't add up to Nathaniel. His doubt must have shown on his face, because Trent's eyes narrowed.

 "You look like you take yourself very seriously," he said. "Expensive suit. Framed photo of yourself on your wall. Our Rebecca is a fun-loving girl. She prefers a man with a playful side."

 Who was this man? Barging into Nathaniel's workplace and warning him off Rebecca?

 "Self-presentation is important to me," said Nathaniel. "I don't know if you've noticed, but this is a law firm. What about you? Turtlenecks aren't exactly common in Southern California, especially at this time of year."

 Trent shrugged and, before Nathaniel realized what was happening, removed his turtleneck. Underneath, he was practically poured into a tight-fitting white tank top. Nathaniel stared enviously at the other man's muscles as he felt something stir.

 Trent raised his eyebrows and glanced pointedly downwards. "That's why," he said, putting his top back on and tucking it in. "I don't like being ogled like a piece of meat."

 Nathaniel took a deep breath and folded his hands in front of himself. Trent gave off a weird vibe, but he was incredibly handsome and ripped as hell!

 "Personal question," he asked, "but does Rebecca know what you look like under that?"

 Trent beamed and nodded. "Yes," he said. "She took my virginity."

 "Back in college?" Nathaniel guessed.

 "No, a year ago."

 Nathaniel could hardly believe it. This gorgeous man had been a virgin up till a year ago?

 Reading the shock on Nathaniel's face, Trent smiled again, that adorable, disarming, dimpled smile. "I know, she was surprised too. She complimented me, and she let me make love to her again. She is so beautiful, Nathaniel." Trent's tone was wistful.

 Something still wasn't adding up. "So you guys hooked up, and …then she got engaged to Josh shortly after?"

 Trent nodded. "They got back together, then he left her at the altar—"

 "I remember, I was there."

 "Right. And then I was going to comfort her, but I got hit by a bus and was in the hospital for six months. But I'm back now."

 Nathaniel felt his eyes widen. This man was clearly devoted to Rebecca. Was that what had won her over? Was Trent the reason she had broken up with him yet again? But Nathaniel was devoted to her, too! He had offered to give up Mona for her. Then why…?

 "I— I'm clearly missing something," Nathaniel said. "Obviously, you and Rebecca didn't get together in college, because you said you were a virgin until last year, and let's face it, she's not exactly the celibate type."

 Trent shook his head. "No," he agreed.

 "So, you reconnected last year…? Did you fly out here for her, or did you just happen to live nearby? And what happened between you? I know Rebecca is complicated, but it sounds like she took your virginity and then kicked you out, and now all of a sudden you're back together? Right after she stopped seeing me?"

 For a moment, Trent looked extremely vulnerable and fragile, like he might burst into tears. "We moved to LA County around the same time," he said cautiously. "We sort of got together a couple years ago, but it didn't last long. Then we reconnected last year, and you're right, she didn't let me stay the night after…." He sniffled. "Last night, I came over, and talked her into giving me another chance. We stayed up all night playing Scrabble."

 "… Is that a euphemism?"

 Trent frowned at him. "Of course not."

 Nathaniel let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Well, it doesn't sound like she dumped me for you," he said. "I offered to dump Mona for her, and she pretty much ghosted me."

 Trent looked confused. "You are a terrible boyfriend," he said. "Why would you date Mona if you're still not over Rebecca?"

 Nathaniel grimaced. "Ever heard of a palate cleanser? A distraction? I don't know, I've tried to love Mona. I'm just not there yet."

 Trent looked even more confused. Clearly, he had no idea what Nathaniel was talking about. Was it really possible for anyone their age to be this innocent? But was he innocent? It looked and sounded an awful lot like Trent had twisted Rebecca's arm to get her to go out with him.

 "She sends so many mixed signals," Nathaniel found himself saying. "Rebecca does. The other night, she texted me asking if I was home alone, and I went to look outside my door, and she was nowhere to be seen. She hasn't spoken to me since. Sometimes I wonder if she only wants me when she has an itch to scratch."

 Trent had nodded avidly as Nathaniel spoke. "Yes, exactly," he said, leaning forward. "She likes it when I cook and clean for her. She also clearly enjoys sex with me, but only on her terms. I asked her to sleep with me this morning and she looked at me like…." He swallowed. Obviously, her expression had not been a pleasant one.

 "Oof. Sorry," said Nathaniel sympathetically. He was surprised to find he meant it. "And I know what you mean. The first time I tried to tell her how I feel about her, she basically blew me off until I offered to take her to Rome on my private jet."

 Trent looked thoughtful. "Do you think if I offered to take her away on my plane, she'd…?" He trailed off, then grimaced and shook his head. "She's jealous of Mona, you know," he confided.

 "She told you that?" Nathaniel was surprised.

 "She didn't have to." Trent stepped closer to Nathaniel, tilting his head in that appraising way again. "I can see why," he said, looking deeply into Nathaniel's eyes. His gaze was hypnotic, magnetic. "You're good-looking, confident, you're clearly very dedicated to achieving your goals." He stepped closer still and began unbuttoning Nathaniel's shirt. "You also keep yourself fit," he noted. "Are you good in bed, too, Nathaniel?" he asked boldly, with the shamelessness of one who doesn't understand the concept of modesty.

 "I've had no complaints," said Nathaniel, feeling his cheeks heat. "But I'm not interested in being seduced in my office."

 Trent looked amused. "Not even by George?" he asked.

 Nathaniel blinked. How could Trent possibly know about that?

 "He's looking at us," Trent murmured, running a finger down the exposed part of Nathaniel's chest. "He looks jealous. Do Rebecca and Mona know?"

 Before Nathaniel could snap that it was none of Trent's business, George entered, glowering.

 "You have a client here to see you," he informed Nathaniel. As Nathaniel buttoned up his shirt and left, George turned his glare to Trent.

 "Are you cheating on Rebecca with my Nathaniel?" he asked sharply.

 Trent shook his head and held up his hands. "He's all yours. I just had a hypothesis, and I wanted to see if it was right."

 "… That's right," George said, his gaze softening but still cautious. "He's mine."

 Trent smiled at him. "This thing between him and Mona won't last long," he said. "Just do us a favor and keep him away from my girlfriend, won't you?" And he strode out of Nathaniel's office.

 

Later that week, Trent showed up at the café where Nathaniel was eating lunch.

 "I have a proposition for you," he said, with that charming, dimpled smile.

 "You want me to be your and Rebecca's man on the side?" Nathaniel asked sarcastically. Trent actually looked like he was considering it.

 "Sort of?" he said. "I wanted to know for myself whether or not she's over you."

 Nathaniel frowned as he ate his salad. "What exactly did you have in mind?" he asked.

 Trent grinned. "Last night, she kissed me! It was, in a word, amazing. But I know she never kisses me unless she wants something from me, so I checked my pockets later and found out she slipped me a tracker." His smile faded. "If we end up breaking up because she doesn't trust me, she'll probably go running back to you."

 Nathaniel blinked. "I'm with Mona," he reminded Trent. "And Rebecca told me she doesn't want to be in the middle of that anymore. I have been neglecting Mona, though."

 Trent tilted his head. "Why don't you make it clear that Mona is your priority?" he asked. "Then we'll see how Rebecca really feels about you, whether she chases after you or lets you go."

 It was tempting. But Nathaniel shook his head. "I don't think it'll work," he said.

 Trent cupped his cheek. "What if we did something more extreme?" he asked. He scooted his chair round the table so that he was sitting closer, still facing Nathaniel.

 Nathaniel suddenly felt very hot under the collar. "I… Wh-what?" he spluttered out, flustered.

 Trent leaned in, slowly, letting his eyes flutter closed. Just as their lips were about to connect, he whispered, "What if I pretend I'm about to kill you?"

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