Finding His Mrs. Right (Mending Hearts Series) (10 page)

Seeing her the next night had caught me by surprise, and so did the fact that I tugged her along to my charity event. I wasn’t the type of guy to do that, let alone kiss her in public. It was like I had been invaded by the body snatchers, and was letting a side of me
, that I long deemed dead, to show. I hadn’t done PDA since high school, and liked it that way. Besides, I refused to be the guy to display my random hookups when my baby sister would see it plastered everywhere.

No, I was the responsible, “Landon Brooks”, and that would be me to the end. Everyone, besides Tyler, knew the truth. No one needed to know the cracks beneath my surface.

Standing outside the limo, I clenched my fists for the third time in less than two minutes. My palms were sweaty, and I didn’t want to wipe them on my black slacks. I was in a full on suit this time, and wasn’t going to lie, I thought I went too over the top. Having a limo, and fancy restaurant lined up wasn’t my style, but then again, this had been my first date in
years
. I didn’t want Tessa to feel like she was just some easy lay for me.

As I stood there, all I could think of was me and Tyler’s conversation before I left…

“You’re really ready for all this?” Tyler asked as I fidgeted with my tie, trying to get it perfect, as I stared in the mirror.

“What, a date?” I asked raising an eyebrow, as I turned to him.

“Yes. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’ve finally decided to “date” again, but you two being together has already stirred up news around town.” Tyler responded, and I shrugged.

“I really like her.” I muttered.

“You like her? Or do you want to just get her into bed, again? He asked, curious.

“
What’s with the third degree?” I asked skeptical.

“Just wondering is all.” He shrugged.

“I took her to meet my mom.” I whispered, going over to grab my jacket.

I didn’t want to see his face when my words hit his ears, and set in.

“You did what?!” he shouted at me, and I cringed a little before turning around.

“We had lunch
, that’s all.” I shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal, but it was a big deal.

“I know you hate to hear it Landon, but—”
he started but I cut him off.

“We just finished arguing over this.
I don’t want to revisit the subject.”

Over the years, Tyler had been the one who always pushed me to
settle down. He wanted to see me happy, and I had been the one who wasn’t ready to open my heart. He knew about my “hookups”, but knew deep down somewhere I longed to be with one woman, but I had shoved that so far deep inside, I ‘d forgotten it.

Until now.

Tyler had dropped by and apologized to me for earlier, and I was glad because we never fought. It wasn’t in us to be mad at each other. He would always be my best friend, and he knew that. The front door to the Inn opened, and Tessa sauntered out. My world had stopped as I drank her in. She was mind blowing in her skintight, black, one shouldered dress. I envied the material clinging to her, as she slowly walked over to me. It was cold out, and she lacked a jacket, so I immediately removed mines, and held it out for her.

She smiled politely as I placed my jacket around her shoulders.

“You really need to get accustomed to our weather here.” I whispered in her ear.

“I don’t plan on staying longer than I have to.” Tessa shrugged as I opened the door for her, and her words hit me in the gut hard.

I hadn’t even thought about her leaving. Tessa wasn’t from Colorado Springs, and would be going home sooner than I knew it. I wouldn’t have infinite time to “woo” her. I wasn’t fond of letting her go, so I knew I had to make her mines.

We laughed the whole ride over to the restaurant, and the conversation didn’t stop there. Now, sitting across from her, I couldn’t seem to stop staring.

“You’re very interesting, Landon.” She smiled.

I loved the way she said my name, it rolled off her tongue perfectly. Besides,
other than my mom and Tyler, everyone else called me, Mr. Brooks. It made me sound old in my head, but it was a business thing. Tessa could call me anything she wanted to, and I wouldn’t care.

“In a good way I hope.” I replied, as I looked at my menu.

“Yeah, in a good way.” She chuckled, rolling her eyes.

“What was that about?” I asked, setting my menu down again.

We had been at this for about fifteen minutes, not being able to look at our menus. I’d never met a girl like, Tessa. She was smart, ambitious, funny, beautiful, and new. I mean—new to me. Every girl I’d encountered since being “loaded”, only wanted to be my trophy wife. I wasn’t into that sort of thing. I knew that if I was ever going to settle down, I wanted what Tyler and his wife, Amanda had. Sure they’d had bumps, and had to overcome a lot, but they did.

Tyler had been immature in high school, and cheated on Amanda, but she eventually forgave him. Since then, they had been perfect. There was no doubt in my mind that Tessa could give me that, and I was sure that I would
never
hurt her. The thought of not being with another woman was of course chilling, but not for the obvious reasons. It was the fact that I had to actually
feel
again. It had been easy to just hop in bed and have meaningless sex, but with Tessa, it was different.

I was scared. But being with her so far was easy.

“I just hate when people ask that. It’s like we’re having a great time, so obviously it’s in a good way.” She replied, glaring at me.

“Well excuse me for asking.” I replied, still smiling goofily.

“Alright, let’s cut the crap. I want to know something—personal about you.” She said leaning across the table.

Personal always scared me, but I was in this with both feet. There was no backing out now. Besides, I wanted to know more about her too, and if this was a way to break the ice, then so be it.

“I already introduced you to my mom. I’d say that’s pretty personal.” I dangled in my favor.

“Fine, my parents are still together and living happily in New Jersey.” She answered. “What about your dad?”

“He left my mom when I was a kid, leaving me to be the man of the house, and I helped raise my little sister.” I replied shifting in my seat.

“I’m an only child.” She replied.
“On to the next subject.”

“
Which is?” I asked.

“Relationships are a good place to start.” She insisted, and I knew that was coming. I knew she wasn’t going to like the answers.

“Alright, why don’t you have someone waiting for you at home?” I asked blunt.

“
Heavy” she said, with a smile. “But I already told you why.”

“If you dodge my questions, I’ll dodge yours.” I smiled back.

“So, through every guy you screen, you never met anyone you liked?” I pushed.

“Honestly, I never thought about it.” She shrugged, and I didn’t believe her. Maybe she was just being overly professional.

“So, tell me why you really haven’t dated.” Tessa responded.

“I never found a person who
peaked my interest, beyond the bedroom.” I said curt, but she narrowed her eyes at me.

“Be straight with me. You bedded those girls because you could, not because you were looking for intimacy.” She pushed.

“True.” I shrugged.

“What
has you so closed off?” Tessa probed.

“Okay, my last real relationship was in high school.” I answered.

“That was ten years ago; and I thought I was bad.” She smiled. “Do you get lonely?”

“Are you two ready to order yet?” the waitress asked walking back over to us. This had been her third attempt to take our order
, and again we weren’t ready. Looking at each other, we both snickered and sent her away.

“To answer your question, yes, sometimes I do get lonely.” I mumbled.

I could feel her glare on me, but I ignored it, and looked at my menu again. This restaurant was overly fancy, and I felt a bit out of place. I preferred being in a family joint, where I knew the cook. Not that I didn’t know the cook here. Adrian Blanc was a great cook, but tonight I wasn’t in the mood for his overpriced lobster.

“Then you should find someone.” I heard Tessa mutter.

“I think I have.” I smiled, looking at her, and she blushed. I loved seeing her turn red for me.

“Tell me about this ex of yours.” She replied, changing the subject.
Glancing up, I saw red fabric approaching us, looking past Tessa, I paled.

“She’s standing right behind you.” I said, breathless.

Ten

“That’s not funny.” Tessa shrugged.

With every bone in my body, I wish
ed I had been only joking. But my ex, Jocelyn Ellis, was sauntering over to me, with a devious smile. Her dark eyes were cloaked in dark makeup, and her boobs were spilling out of her tight, red, short dress. Her hair was blonde, and it was apparent that she dyed it over the years. I wasn’t going to lie, she looked good, and she was heading straight for me.

“I’m not kidding.” I muttered as she walked past Tessa, and I stood.

“Landon Brooks,” Jocelyn smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck. I just stood stunned, with both arms at my sides.

“You look good.” she said, finally letting me go and glaring at me.

“Thanks.” I whispered, looking down at Tessa.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. I just—I had to see if it was you.”
Jocelyn said, before turning to look at Tessa.

“My name’s Jocelyn.” She said, smiling
fakely at Tessa. “Me and Landon—”

“Used to date, I know.” Tessa snapped.

“So, you do talk about me.” Jocelyn replied, grabbing my collar.

“Actually, he’s never mentioned you until just now. Must not have been that memorable.” Tessa shrugged and I smiled.

It was nice to see she wasn’t intimidated. Grabbing Jocelyn’s hands, I removed them, and stepped back a bit.

“I didn’t know you were back in town.” I chimed in.

“My father’s sick, I had to come back. We should have dinner and
really
catch up.” Jocelyn insisted. “It’s been a
long
time, Landon.”

“I’ll see if I have time.” I replied as coolly as I could, but in reality, I was sweating. My heart was pounding and I was at a loss of words.

“That’s right, you’re a big time business guy here.” She smiled coyly, but I could see through her crap.

“That’s right,
Landon is very successful, and always fighting skanks off. I doubt he’ll have time to pencil you in.” Tessa chimed in.

“Are you calling me a skank?!” Jocelyn snapped.

“That depends on how long you’re going to throw yourself at my boyfriend.” Tessa snapped, and I couldn’t help but smile. That was a stamp on the fact that she liked me. I mean I knew she did, but her standoffish exterior kind of threw me off a little.

“Boyfriend?”
Jocelyn sneered.

“Sweetie, this place blows. There are too many bottom feeders here. Why don’t we get out of here and get a burger?” Tessa said, glaring at me seductively.

“I’d love that.” I smiled.

Jocelyn huffed as she took the hint. Turning back to me, she took my hand and scribbled her number on it.

“Call me sometime. We can talk about old times.” She winked, before kissing me on the cheek, and leaving her red lipstick behind. She’d caught me by surprise. Sauntering off, Tessa stood up, before grabbing my arm.

“There are definitely some unresolved feelings there.” She chuckled
, cleaning the lipstick off my face, as we walked through the restaurant.

“What do you mean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well obviously she wants to sleep with you, and you still love her.” Tessa insisted as we got outside to the cold air.

“Wait, what? You couldn’t be any more wrong.” I pointed out.

Had she known me and Jocelyn’s history, those words would’ve never left her mouth.

“Is that why you were blushing, Mr. Brooks?” Tessa smiled as we headed for the valet.

“I wasn’t blushing. I don’t blush, especially not for her.” I snapped as I saw my limo.

“
Guess what lover boy, you were blushing.” She pointed out as the limo pulled up, and I tipped the valet as he opened our door.

Tessa climbed in, and I got a nice glance of her perfect round ass. It made me want
to do things that I couldn’t say out loud. If Tessa gave me the chance, I would make her scream my name over and over, until she climaxed with ecstasy. And then I’d do it again. Climbing in behind her, I slid over to her, as close as I could. To my surprise, she didn’t pull away.

“
So where’s a good place to eat?” Tessa asked, looking over to me.

“Depends on the food you want.” I chimed in.