Authors: Jennifer Labelle
“What’s so funny?” he asked, taking one hand off of the wheel to brush his fingers against the side of her face.
“
Nothing, really.” She smiled up at him shyly. “Honestly, it’s just been awhile since I’ve been out. I’m not used to the attention.” She shrugged not knowing how else to explain. “But it’s nice to see that our friends are getting along.” Chuckling, she gestured towards the back.
He nodded and looked at her quickly again. “So I’m curious,” he said, “Ye never did give me an answer. Can I take ye out sometime?”
“I was curious if you would ask again.”
“Well, how ‘bout it? I just wish ye’d say yes already.”
“Yes already.” She giggled.
Looking at her from the corner of his eye, he smiled. “So is that yer answer?”
“
Absolutely,” she told him as the car came to a stop. “Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Definitely.” He nodded and then cleared his throat, his voice huskier when he spoke next. “Jenna,” he slowly moved closer to her, “I enjoyed yer company tonight.” One hand travelled to the small of her back, adjusting her closer to him while the other cupped the back of her head. His lips were close to her ear, his breath so warm that it made her nipples hard. “And I know we just met, but I have to kiss ye, darlin’.”
She just went for it. His lips took hers in a hot, open-mouthed kiss that left them both panting and wanting more. She leaned back to look at him as she said good night. Sam waited for her by the door. By the time they reached the elevator, she was still flustered thinking about it.
“
See, it’s not as hard as you thought, is it?” Sam asked.
“
Sam,” Jenna groaned. “Please, don’t rub it in. I’m enjoying the moment here. The last thing I want is to over think it and begin to get cold feet again. This is still new for me.”
“Okay, okay.” She laughed, surrendering. “It’s just nice to see you loosen up and have a good time.”
“And have I said thank you yet today?” she teased. “Because I’m so glad that we’re here.” Thinking about it made her teary-eyed. “I’m sorry.” she whispered, “They’re happy tears; I swear.”
“Aw, Jenna, just enjoy it, honey. I know I am. Hell, with those two tonight, it can only get better, considering we get to see them again.” Wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, she made Jenna laugh.
“
God help me, Sam, you are such a bad influence, but God knows I love ya like you’re family.”
“Aw, Jenna, I love you, too.”
* * * *
“Knock, knock.” Sam announced her arrival to Jenna’s room the next morning. “How’d you sleep?”
“
Great. I’m showered, dressed, and ready for whatever’s on the agenda today.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, because I’ve made plans with Caleb, and I believe Brady is coming to surprise you.”
“Brady. Coming here? Today?” Jenna had to let that sink in. Yes, she agreed to see him again, but she didn’t think it would be so soon. “Um, okay. I’ll see you later I guess. Just promise me that next time you do a deliberate setup like this, you’ll give me a little more warning. Not last minute like you’re doing now, or have been since we left the plane.” Jenna winked.
“You got it, toots. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Sam wrapped her arms around Jenna “On second thought,” she whispered, “get wild.”
Jenna shoved her aside with a chuckle. “Don’t you have to go and get ready? Go on, get out of here.”
Her date was certainly going to be a test. Had last night’s courage had been from the alcohol or was her confidence coming back? Finally ready to move on.
Twenty minutes later someone knocked on the door again. “What now? Is there anything else you failed to mention?”
“
Did I come at a bad time?” Brady asked.
“Not at all.” She could feel the heat flare to her face with embarrassment. “Sorry, I thought you were Sam. Just let me get my purse and I’ll be ready to go.”
He grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to lean in for a kiss. She was shier today and only gave him a quick peck. “Brady,” she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I like you, but I need to go slow right now. I hope you understand.”
His fingers traced slowly up and down her back in a comforting gesture. “It’s okay, love, I won’t bite unless ye ask.”
She looked up to laugh at the mischievous smile on his face. “Thank you.” she whispered. “I haven’t genuinely laughed in so long.”
“
Aw, now that’s a shame, love, and one I plan to remedy for as long as yer here.”
* * * *
“So where are you taking me?” she asked, admiring the scenery.
“You’ll see, um, it’s a good tourist spot.”
It didn’t take long to arrive, but time seemed to pass by quickly when she was in the presence of Brady.
“
Are ye ready for this?” he asked as he pulled up in front of a large open space.
“
Ready for what?” she asked. He helped her from the car and led the way until they were in front of a big helicopter. “Um, what’s that?”
“
It’s our ride. Come on, Jenna. I’ll help ye up.”
Bracing herself for anything, Jenna found the helicopter ride exhilarating and scary at the same time. Although the scenery was still breathtaking, it was so different from that angle being so high. He seemed pleased with Jenna’s amazement and answered questions whenever she had them. She’d never been on a helicopter ride before, and who knew that they gave tours on them? Obviously Brady did.
As they were about to land Jenna became nervous. The rush of it startled her as it descended to the ground, making her clutch onto him for dear life. Not that she minded, liking the feel of his muscles under her fingers. Her nervousness faded, replaced by disappointment that it was over so quickly, and she had to let him go. Her stomach growled then, embarrassing her as he helped her out.
“
Ye hungry, love?” he asked with a quirk of his lips.
“
Starved.”
“
Good, I like a woman that likes to eat. I’m hungry too. Come on, I know a great spot.”
They grabbed lunch on the go and took a leisurely stroll hand in hand. Walking down a trail, they engaged in small talk to get to know each other better.
“
So tell me about yerself.” He looked intrigued, as if he wanted to find out as much as he could.
“Hmm, let’s see. I’m twenty-nine and an only child. Both my parents are still living and have been married the last thirty years. I currently live in Staten Island, New York, but I was born in Canada.”
“What else?” he persisted.
“What else? What is it that you want to know?”
“Anything and everything ye’d like to share. How about ye tell me about the most exotic place ye’ve ever been to, where ye’ve traveled? Now that would be interestin’.”
“
Well, when it comes to traveling, it’s simple because I’ve never travelled before this.”
“
Really?” he asked, then laughed.
Jenna played along. “Pathetic, huh? Honestly, Brady, being a wife and a mother, I didn’t have the time.” The words slipped out before she could take them back. The laughter died quickly, and Brady looked upset.
“
Ye’r married?” He was clearly not happy with the thought. “Ye’r here with me, and ye’r married and have a child. I can’t believe Sam wouldn’t tell me. Please, tell me this is some kinda joke. Cause if it is, it’s not very funny.”
Playtime was over. The atmosphere became extremely serious, and Jenna began to cry. “No, it’s not funny,” she whispered, trying to hold back a sob. “The truth is I am pathetic. I was married, Brady,
was
being the important word you missed. My husband betrayed me, when he cheated with his co-worker, going as far as to have relations with her in our home. I was completely disgusted when I caught them. I still am. I’m divorced, Brady, and I’m trying to move on. I need to for myself, and I want to for my son. It’s been hard, and I struggled for a while, but now I’m comfortable and my life is where I want it to be. Above all else, the most important thing in my life, my whole life, is my son.”
It was the first time she brought up her child, and she wasn’t sure what to expect. She missed Jayden so much it hurt to think about him.
“
Shite, Jenna, I’m so sorry, darlin’.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into the embrace. “But come on, love, ye’r far from pathetic, and he’s clearly a gobshite for strayin’.”
It was nice to have things understood. Felt good to get it out in the open, but it made her feel vulnerable. Here he knew pretty much everything that went on in her life for the last couple of years, and although she barely knew him, there was just something about him that made her feel so comfortable. Like she’d known him for years, instead of days. “I’m surprised Sam never mentioned anything.”
“
Why would she?” He looked curious.
“
Well, you’re cousins right?”
“
Uh huh.”
“
Well I just figured that since you were family, you kept in touch. Sam showed me a ton of pictures from her last trip, and spoke of you on occasion. I just figured that she may have mentioned me. She seemed pretty determined for us to meet.”
“
She did, did she?” He laughed, “I’m afraid she only mentioned ye right before ye arrived, and she didn’t do ye justice at all.”
“
Really?”
He smiled, “Really.” He stroked his thumb across her chin. “Yer much more beautiful than I imagined, love, and aren’t I a lucky fella to have ye to myself.”
“Are you?” She smiled, cocking a brow. “You know, I’m still waiting.”
“For what, love?”
“Well, I just figured that after hearing my story any sane man would be running for the hills. I have baggage and a child, and you don’t seem to mind at all.”
He laughed louder than ever. “Yer baggage isn’t all that scary, love, and I think kids are grand. But then again, maybe I’m just crazy.”
He was so sweet and understanding, he left her speechless for a moment. “Brady,” she whispered breathlessly. “I’m going to have to kiss you.”
That’s all it took. A slow, naughty grin crossed his mouth, and there was no telling him twice. She stroked the side of his face and nipped his bottom lip before tracing her tongue over it to soothe the sting.
The moment their lips touched a fire exploded within her. Sliding her tongue along his, she just barely resisted the urge to tear off his shirt.
Before things got out of hand, Brady pulled away. Acting like a smartass, he scooped her up, threw her over his shoulder and began to walk up the path again. Jenna laughed the whole time.
“
There, mission accomplished. I love to make a bird laugh.”
“I agree, not to mention throwing me over your shoulder gives you a good view of my ass.” She laughed again, feeling so much lighter after sharing her burdens with him, and she could feel every defined and perfectly sculpted muscle on his chest and abs as he took his time putting her down.
“Not really.” he said, taking her hand to twirl her around. “I actually have a better view like this. It takes care of all angles that way.”
She blushed, and he laughed again. “Jenna, love, ye’r one of a kind.”
Chapter Eighteen
It was dark by the time Jenna got back to the hotel, but she was too full of adrenaline to go back to her room. The date was amazing, and being with him just seemed so much easier now that all her baggage was out in the open. Her shoulders felt a hundred times lighter, so she decided to go see Sam for some good old-fashioned girl talk.