Authors: Jennifer Labelle
Meeting Sarah was interesting. She was a lovely woman, tiny, at a whole four feet eleven inches tall. She was slim with shoulder length salt and pepper hair, beautiful green eyes, and completely worshipped by the men in her life.
Brady was the youngest of three and a momma’s boy. Having one of those herself, Jenna admired him for it. His two older sisters were both married and living abroad. They all seemed to be very close, and it made Jenna proud to be a part of it, even if only for a short time.
They had just finished eating when Sarah asked, “So where are ye from?”
“Staten Island.”
“
Interestin’, I can’t say that I’ve ever been—”
Charles interrupted. “So tell me, Jenna, have ye ever considered movin’?”
“Da,” Brady snapped, giving his father the evil eye. “T’is no time to play cupid.”
Jenna tried not to smile at the obvious setup. Ignoring Brady, she answered for herself. “It’s a little complicated, but I’ve honestly never really thought about it before. Staten Island has been my home for the last six years.”
“But t’is not a no.”
Jenna laughed while Brady groaned his embarrassment.
“
So tell me ’bout the complications, my dear.” Sarah patted Jenna on the arm and ignored Brady’s next protest. She was having a blast watching Brady squirm, and they were all innocent enough questions.
“Well, I have a five year old son. It would be complicated mostly because of him, and my parents are not that far away if I need them.”
“And the boy’s father?” she questioned, hushing Brady again for her answer.
Another innocent question, but it was an embarrassing one. Jenna’s face flushed, unprepared for such personal questions. “It didn’t work out between us,” she whispered. “We’re divorced. If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to use the ladies’ room.”
She needed a minute to pull herself together. She didn’t wait for their answer before leaving the table. Their house was huge, so it took her a few minutes to find the restroom. She’d just finished splashing her face with cold water when she heard a tapping at the door.
“
Jenna, love, it’s Sarah. May I join ye in the jacks for a moment?”
As soon as the door opened, Sarah pushed her way in to embrace Jenna. “I’m sorry, dear. I had no idea. Please understand I only asked ye because I had to know for my son’s sake that there was no one else in yer life. I think Brady loves ye, and I don’t want to see my boy hurt.”
Jenna stiffened going over what she just said.
I think Brady loves ye
, played over in her head, and it took her a minute to register. “No, I’m sorry. I should have been more prepared. You’re his mother, and I understand the need to look after him. Tyler, my ex-husband, was a good man at one time, but he decided that I wasn’t enough anymore and found someone else to share his life with. Unfortunately, he started the relationship with her while we were still married and neglected to tell me about her until I caught them red handed. It’s time to move on now, and being with Brady has shown me that I can.”
“Of course ye can, love.”
Jenna smiled and hugged Sarah again. “Thank you for checking in on me. You’re very understanding, and that means so much. Believe me I can understand having the best intentions when it comes to a son, and I admire that closeness that you obviously share.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Sarah laughed. “And I’m glad that all can be forgiven, but we better get back, my dear, or my poor son will soon die of a heart attack waitin’. He was not very impressed when I came after ye myself. He’s worried that I’d upset ye.”
Jenna nodded then stopped. “Wait, just one more thing.”
“Well, come on then, out with it.”
“He loves me?”
Sarah laughed loudly for such a small woman, making Jenna laugh with her. “Aye, my dear, I believe he does, and I believe ye love him too.”
* * * *
“So what did she say? Are ye all right?” They were halfway back to his house, and he stopped to give her another hug.
“I’m fine, Brady, really.” She stepped back and held his hand. “She mostly came to see if I was okay. She was concerned that she’d upset me, like you are. We both agreed that having a son is a blessing.” Okay, that hadn’t actually been said out loud, but it was there through the mutual understanding they’d shared. Sarah loved Brady in the same way Jenna adored Jayden.
She cupped his face. “And she told me she thought you loved me.”
“What?”
They were in the house by then, and she could tell he was shocked and embarrassed. He obviously wasn’t expecting one of his parents to declare his love.
“Feck!” He began to pace back and forth, raking his fingers through his hair. “If I loved ye, I could damn well tell ye myself, when I was ready. Bloody meddlin’ parents need to shut their holes,” he muttered.
“So then you don’t?” Jenna questioned, raising a brow. She was curious now that she’d brought it up. Her feelings for Brady were only beginning to surface, although she was just beginning to admit them to herself. But love?
“I don’t know,” he sighed. “I care about ye a lot, and it scares the shite outta me cause I’ve never cared like this before. I’m confused, but when I figure it out, I’ll be sure to let ye know.” He shrugged. “Christ, I hope that’s enough for ye right now. I’m not ready to let ye go yet.”
“Well, at least you’re honest.” She was still not sure about her feelings, so how could she expect anything more from him. He cared, and that’s what mattered.
“So we’re okay then?”
“Yes.” She took a step closer. “And you finally believe that I’m all right?” He nodded, and she moved closer yet again. “Good, because I want to show you how good I feel.” She stood in front of him. “Or better yet…” She brushed her lips across his. “We could show each other.”
Her kiss was sure. She tasted him easily, eagerly, her tongue sliding against his, their breath hot, and her excitement skyrocketed. The dampness between her legs increased with each passing moment.
Giving her a satisfied growl, he hiked up her skirt and lifted her onto the kitchen counter for easier access. Moving her underwear aside, his need seemed to become desperate and feral, wanting to take her hard and fast.
Jenna moaned with pleasure as Brady stroked her moist center. She arched her hips forward and nearly climaxed when he entered her. He wasn’t gentle as he pumped her hard and fast. Grazing the hollow of her throat, he took a bite as he rammed her as hard as he could. She gasped, panting for air, and then did something she never expected.
Acting on instincts and without thinking it through, she pressed her lips against his ear and whispered, “I love you.”
Chapter Twenty One
Her words backfired.
She’d been on such an emotional roller coaster lately. With her emotional breakdown at his parents earlier, hearing that he loved her, although he hadn’t admitted it, and with the way he was making love to her, it just sort of slipped out. He’d been so eager and insatiable, and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him, either, so it felt good to think that they shared the same need for each other. Damn, but why did she have to go and say the
L
word? What the hell was wrong with her? She felt like an idiot.
His whole body went tense as soon as she slipped out those three words. His only reply was a kiss, and she assumed it was meant to keep her occupied, so he wouldn’t have to answer. She loved him, said it, and knew he was pretty sure that she meant it. Christ, he should be happy, so why had it freaked him out? He clearly wasn’t ready to say it back, and didn’t want to hurt her.
Damn
.
He began to give it to her harder. Despite the minor disturbance of her words, and his lack of response, she was still slick with her honey, and he felt so good while he impaled her.
Here we go, oh yeah.
“
Jennaaa,” he moaned shuttering his release, and she wasn’t that far behind in joining him.
Without saying anything, he carried her upstairs to his bedroom. She clung to him, laying her head against his shoulder. In the awkward silence that followed, she could feel the heat in her cheeks.
“Are ye okay?” He laid her gently on his bed, bringing her chin up to look her in the eye.
She nodded but turned over. God, she hadn’t been this embarrassed in years. This was worse than walking in on Sam and Caleb. “I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.” She pulled the blanket up to cover herself more. Shit, she should probably just leave to save face, but couldn’t.
“Jenna, I…” He seemed like he was at a loss for words right then. Was he going to pretend like it didn’t happen, or would he finally face it?
She felt the mattress move as he joined her, cuddling close. “It’s okay, Brady. I’m fine.” She patted his hand and closed her eyes hoping sleep would soon consume her. She needed a break from her conscience and an escape from herself.
“
Are ye asleep yet?” he asked after a few minutes.
“No.” She laughed. “Sorry.”
He lifted up on his elbows to give her the full effect of his hypnotic glare. God, this man had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.
“What?” She couldn’t bear to have a staring contest so she pulled the blankets over her head. “I hate when you do that. You drive me insane when you get that intense look. What are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinkin’ ‘bout ye, actually.” He laughed. “Feck, I don’t know how to explain.”
“Then don’t, but please for the love of God, get that serious look off of your face. I mean I love that you look at me and that you want me around. What woman wouldn’t, but that look-- gah!” She threw the blanket off and cuddled up to him.
He laughed harder. “Do I make ye nervous, love?”
“Sometimes.”
“Am I makin’ ye nervous now?”
“Yes.”
“But ye love when I look at ye and bein’ here?” She nodded. “Ye sure do love a lot of
things, don’t ye?”
“Brady, I…I…” She was at a loss for words and wanted to cry. Even better, she wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear. “I guess I do,” she whispered, getting out of bed.
“Hey, where ye goin’?”
“Downstairs, I need to find my clothes.” She began to cry and had to get out of his sight to pull herself together.
Shit, shit, shit
, she just had to go and ruin everything with her stupid declaration. Why did she have to tell him that she loved him, why?
“Ugh, Jenna you’re an idiot.” she mumbled slapping her palm against her forehead.
“I disagree.”
She jumped not expecting him to have followed her down. She found her clothes and her overnight bag, still debating if she was going to go.
“Ye’r cryin’.” He looked appalled.
“I’m fine.”
“Jenna, please, love. I’m sorry if I hurt ye.”
“No, I’m sorry for ruining everything. I told you that I loved you, and you threw it back in my face.” She did the best Brady impression that she could. “Ye sure do love a lot of things, don’t ye.” Then she grimaced. “I think it might be best if I just go before we both say things we might regret.”
“Probably.” He nodded. “I really am sorry if I hurt ye.”
She grabbed her bag and headed towards the phone to tear a page from his phone book. She needed a cab, and she wasn’t about to wait for one there. “You just did.” she whispered.