The Second Time Around (15 page)

Jabarie glanced over at her then back at the water. “Now what?”

She had to bite down on her lower lip to keep a sob from moving to her throat. “We can't go back. What happened between us we have to leave in the past.”

“How can you say that?” Swinging on the seat, he ripped out the words impatiently. “We just spent a fabulous weekend together. Those feelings are still there. I know it, and so do you.”

How could she get him to understand she couldn't go through that type of pain a second time? What he wanted was now five years too late. Leaning her head back, she looked into his eyes. “Why didn't you fight for us then?”

He appeared surprised by her question because it took him a few moments before he finally answered. “Because I thought that was what you wanted.”

She fixed him with an icy glare. “So, if you loved me as much as you say you do, even after all this time, then why did you let me go? No phone calls. Letters. Nothing.” She was getting angry again just thinking about it. “Do you know how that made me feel? Your lawyer throwing a prenup in my lap. Even then I didn't want to believe it because I knew the man that I loved wouldn't do something underhanded like that. So I went looking for you, so that my fiancé could tell me it was all a mistake. I arrive at your apartment and find you in the arms of another woman. My heart broke in two as I slowly crept out the door and back to my car. When I returned home feeling hurt and rejected Aunt Nellie handed me an envelope your mother had been more than willing to drop off and inside I found the check. I was so hurt I took that money and left that night. At first I wanted to rip it up, but then I decided that in some way I had earned it for all the humiliation and for having no choice but to leave and pick up the pieces somewhere else. There was no way I could stay in Sheraton Beach after that.” She was actually trembling now.

“But it was a mistake. I never offered you that money. My father had even sent Anika over to distract me.” Anger pulsed at his jaw.

She nodded and said calmly, “I never knew your father and Anika were that close.” As soon as he prepared to speak, she held up her hand and continued. “Even knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less. It's just too late for us.” A hot tear rolled down her cheek.

“It'll never be over between us.” Jabarie pulled her over to his lap and held her in his arms and as soon as she lowered her cheek against his chest, the tears flowed freely. He rocked her in his arms and whispered encouraging words as deep sobs raked her insides. The last thing she'd ever wanted was for him to see her break down this way. Only she couldn't hold back any longer. She cried for every year they had lost together because of two people who never thought she was good enough.

“I'll always love you,” he whispered as he pressed his lips to her forehead. When her head tipped back and her lips parted, he knew she wanted the kiss as much as he did.

Need raced through him and settled below his belt. He loved this woman and there was no way he was letting her go a second time. He slid his arms tightly around her then swooped down and pressed his lips to hers. When she moaned, he deepened the kiss, taking possession of her mouth. Brenna tasted delicious, and familiar and even with a lifetime he would never get enough.

She leaned forward, her soft curves burning where they touched, arousing him. He thought about her naked, lying beneath him. He slipped his tongue inside, taking total possession of her sweet intoxicating mouth, and felt the rapid beat of her heart keeping pace with his own.

Brenna returned each stroke with one of her own. Her tongue slipping into his mouth raised his level of desire. He slid his hand across her breast and grazed his thumb across her nipple, feeling the hardened bud. He slid his hand beneath her shirt and cupped her bare breast.

She trembled and caught his wrist with one hand and pushed him away with the other, abruptly ending the kiss. He stared down at her; heat blazed in her eyes and he tried to reach for her again. Shaking her head, she rose from his lap and moved over to the railing.

“I need some time to think,” she said softly.

His gaze lingered on her until he nodded. “It's not over. I'll see you tomorrow,” he said then rose in one fluid motion and walked back into the house.

T
he following afternoon Jabarie drove down to Main Street and parked in front of Lori's Florist & Gift Shop. Now that he knew the reason behind their breakup, he was on a mission, and that was showing Brenna that he still loved her.

With a phone call he could have easily ordered her flowers from the hotel florist and had them delivered, or asked his secretary Donna to do it. But that wouldn't have the right reaction that he needed. He needed everyone in town to know that he still loved Brenna, and the best way to get the word around their little town was to shop on Main Street.

Jabarie stepped through the door and the bell overhead rung, announcing his presence. Lori, a short, round middle-aged woman with large friendly brown eyes immediately stuck her head out from behind the door behind the counter. When she realized who was standing in her office, her eyes grew wide with surprise.

“Good afternoon, Jabarie. I haven't seen you in my store in ages.”

He gave her a warm smile, knowing it was just a matter of seconds before the questions started rolling off her tongue. “Hello, Lori. I haven't had a reason to buy flowers.”

“That's a shame. A fine man like yourself should have women knocking at his door,” she replied while the cocoa brown woman ran a hand across her short, curly afro.

He chuckled. “I'm only interested in one woman.”

Lori gave him a long questioning gaze then walked across the shop toward him. “Really? Anyone I know?”

“Maybe,” he said offhandedly, even though he knew good and well she knew Brenna Gathers. Instead of appeasing her curiosity, he swung his eyes to the flower arrangement on the shelf in front of the store. “I need to send some flowers.”

“What would you like to send her?”

“Roses,” he said confidently as he turned around to face her again.

Lori walked over to the counter and retrieved a notepad and pen. “Good choice. Did you know that roses are a girl's best friend?”

“So I've heard,” he said with a saucy grin.

“What color?”

“Red.”

A knowing smile curled her full mouth. “Red means love.”

Jabarie buried a hand in his navy pleated slacks and rocked back on his heels. “Then that's what I want because I'm definitely in love with this woman.”

Propping a hand at her ample hip, Lori studied him for a long thoughtful moment before saying, “I see…” and purposely allowed her voice to trail about before suggesting, “How about I add a little baby's breath to the bouquet?”

“Sounds perfect,” he said then held up both hands, palms out. “But, I'm going to need ten dozen red roses.”

“T-ten…” Lori stuttered and she swayed slightly. “Wow! That many? This mystery woman must be very special.”

He tried not to chuckle. “Yes, she is. And my loving her won't be a mystery too much longer,” he added under his breath before moving around to a large glass display case and gazed inside at the assortment of colors. “In each bouquet can you add one single white rose?”

“Buying that many, I'll be glad to add them at no charge.” Lori offered as she scribbled quickly on the pad. “Any special note included?”

Jabarie nodded and Lori signaled for him to follow her over to a card display on the counter. He quickly selected one with a yacht on the front, thought it was quite appropriate. It took him less than a minute to write what was in his heart.
You are the air I breathe.

He put the card in Lori's outstretched hand. Immediately she glanced inside and read the inscription. “Wow!” She gave a whistle then peered at him over the tops of her glasses. “This woman is really special,” she said, obviously still fishing for information. “David used to send me poems all the time. Bless his soul. I still miss that man.”

He cupped her shoulder. “We all do.” David had been an honest plumber and member of the community for generations whom people had loved and respected for years. He and Lori had been married over thirty years when a massive heart attack had ended his life three years ago.

Jabarie nibbled on his lower lip. “Do you think I'm overdoing it with that many roses?”

Lori's eyes widened and got all bright and flashy before she shook her head. “Not if you're trying to get her attention and you'll definitely be doing that.”

His shoulders relaxed with relief. He definitely needed to make a statement.

Lori moved behind the counter and as soon as she rang up his order, he reached into his back pocket and removed his credit card and handed it to her. “Can you deliver them this afternoon?”

“No problem. Where do you want them delivered?” she asked as if she didn't already know.

He waited until she had handed him his card back before answering, “The Cornerstone Bookstore.”

She slapped a hand across her thigh. “Hot damn! About time you came to your senses. Does that mean you and Brenna are courting again?”

Jabarie chuckled. “Better late than never.”

“I agree,” Lori said and moved from behind the counter. “I'll make sure to have these flowers delivered by three o'clock today.”

“Thanks, Lori.”

“No problem.”

Jabarie waved then turned on his heels.

“Oh, and Jabarie?” she called after him.

He froze in his track but didn't bother to turn around.

“Make sure this time when you decide to tie the knot you tell Lady Beaumont that a local florist is just as good as the ones in the city.”

He chuckled. His mother did have a tendency to rub the local merchants the wrong way. Believing nothing was good enough unless it came for New York or any of the surrounding big cities. Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “I guarantee you, after I propose, I'll contact you right away.”

“You do that!”

Jabarie bid his goodbye then whistled as he strolled out of the shop. Things were starting to look up already.

Brenna was just finishing up story time hour for the little preschool kids when she spotted the florist van in front of the bookstore. She waved goodbye to one of the parents escorting their child out the door with a brand new book tucked under his arm as the delivery guy came through the door.

“Well, what do we have here?” Aunt Nellie's eyes danced with amusement. She came from behind the desk and walked toward him and didn't stop until she was standing next to a gorgeous bouquet.

The delivery guy looked down at his clipboard. “I have flowers for Brenna Gathers,” he announced then looked from one to the other.

Stunned, Brenna took the large vase from his hands. “Thank you. Let me go and get you a tip.”

Shaking his head, he started backing away. “No need ma'am. It's already been taken care of. I'll be right back.”

“Right back?”

He spun in his heels and headed out the door before she could ask what he meant. From the window she watched him reach inside and pull out two more bouquets of roses. She hurried over to the door and held it open for him.

“Thanks. Where would you like these?”

“Those are for me, too?” her voice cracked.

“Of course they are. I'll take them.” Aunt Nellie took them from his hands.

“I'll be right back,” he said and moved out to the van again.

Brenna's gaze traveled over to her aunt whose eyes were dancing with amusement.

“I think Jabarie is trying to show you how much he still loves you.”

Her stomach turned somersaults. It had been a long time since a man had bought her flowers; in fact if she thought long and hard, it hadn't been since Jabarie. It was something he had been doing since they were teenagers. She appreciated it then but now holding flowers caused a sob to lodge in her throat. He was so thoughtful and kind and that's what she had always loved most about him.

For the next five minutes she watched as the delivery guy brought in a total of ten huge bouquets.

“What are we going to do with all of these roses?” she asked her aunt after the florist van pulled away from in front of the store.

Aunt Nellie shrugged. “We can take them home. Or they'll look lovely around the store.”

Leaning forward, Brenna took a deep breath and inhaled the floral scent. A small smile turned her lips. “I think the store would be a good place for them.” Brenna paused as she reached for the card on top of the largest bouquet. “Although, I think I'm going to take this bouquet home with us.”

“I think that is a fabulous idea.”

“Yeah,” she said, too stunned to say more. Brenna removed the card from the envelope.
You are the air I breathe.
The words made her head spin and her heart race. Jabarie was determined to break down her barrier and make her love him again. What he didn't know was that she did love him. She had never stopped. However, what he'd never understand was that no matter how she felt there was no way she would ever allow herself to be that vulnerable again.

Hovering over her, Aunt Nellie smiled. “I think that says it all.”

Brenna frowned then tucked the small card into her hip pocket and released a short sigh of despair as she moved to arrange the bouquets. It was ironic but now she had Jabarie's love and knew that everything that had happened five years ago was one big misunderstanding. Had happened because his father had butted into their business, and now, even knowing that Jabarie still loved her and wanted her back in his life and was ready to start over, she wasn't interested. The reason was obvious.

She was afraid. Afraid of loving and being hurt again. There was no way she could go through that once more. Her entire life had revolved around him. Being his wife was all she had ever wanted. After she left, her priorities changed. She had gone on to start a new life and built her own world and now that she had, there was no way she was giving all that up for a man, no matter how much she loved him.

As soon as they had the bouquets arranged around the store it was business as usual. The students came in and they helped straighten the shelves. At five the bell rang over the door, and immediately she knew it was Jabarie.

As soon as she spotted him walking into the store, she lost whatever willpower she had. Being in the same room with him, sharing the same air, stirred feelings and emotions that she was trying so hard to fight. Right now the only thing she yearned for was a kiss. As he moved toward her, she fought the panic that singed her. He was so handsome and, damn, that man had a sexy walk. Beneath the black suit jacket his broad shoulders swayed from side to side.

“Hey you,” he greeted with a sensual smile on his lips.

“Hey.” She took a deep steadying breath, trying to get her traitorous body under control.

Jabarie's eyes swept around the room and finally back at her. “I see you got the roses.”

Nodding, she smiled at the dark eyes that stared down at her. “Thanks. They're beautiful.” Stones that made up the wall around her heart started chipping away.

He reached down and cradled her face between his hands. “You're more than welcome. I love you, Brenna, and plan to do whatever it takes to show you.”

Another stone fell as her heart hammered foolishly. “Oh, really?”

Nodding, Jabarie took her hand and led her to the office. “Have you had time to think?” he asked as soon as he closed the door behind them.

She gazed up at his beautiful dark eyes that searched her face, trying to reach into her thoughts. “Yes, and nothing has changed.”

“The hell it hasn't,” he murmured then tugged her to him and took her mouth. His kiss was slow, deep and thorough, leaving her body pounding hungrily. They were all the reasons why she had to fight him. He was everything she didn't need, while at the same time he was everything she needed.

Her lips parted for his probing tongue and she sank into the hunger, the taste, devouring him. She held him tighter, wanting to hold on to him and this moment forever. Jabarie deepened the kiss with one hand cupping the back of her head. The kiss was thorough and possessive. All he did was take and she allowed him to. As soon as a moan escaped her lips, Jabarie released her and pulled back.

“Like I said before, it's not over,” he said in a husky drawl then turned on his heels and walked out of the office, leaving her unable to breathe and barely able to stand. So she stumbled back into the chair.

Brenna stepped inside to fill her glass of lemonade. She carried the glasses over to the counter then reached inside the refrigerator. Tonight felt like old times. After dinner, she and Aunt Nellie sitting out on the deck watching the sun set over the ocean. As she refilled their glasses, she took a deep shaky breath. She was really going to miss it here. In cutoff jeans and bare feet, she moved back out onto the deck, and handed Nellie her glass.

“Thank you, dear,” she said with a warm smile.

“No problem.” Brenna lowered back onto the chair and propped her feet on the rail as she stared out at the sky that was a breathtaking combination of red, orange and purple.