The Second Time Around (16 page)

“Aunt Nellie,” she said as she took a sip.

“Yes dear?”

“Jabarie had mentioned that you were thinking about selling the store.”

She heaved a heavy sigh. “Yes, child, I am.”

Turning slightly, Brenna's eyes came up to study her face. “Why is this the first time I've heard about it?”

“I didn't want you to worry about it.”

Brenna blew out a breath, and shook her ponytail. “Aunt Nellie. You could never worry me. We're family.”

“I know. I was planning to tell you as soon as I was certain.”

“Why do you want to sell?”

“I'm just tired and ready to live a little before I get too old.”

“Aunt Nellie, you're far from old.”

Reaching over, she patted her hand affectionately. “Thanks, baby, but I'm ready to travel and see the world and I just think that maybe it's time for me to sell the store and live life to the fullest.”

“You can't sell! I love that store.”

“Well, what do you suggest I do, because it can't run itself?”

Brenna paused, tilted her head to the side and studied her expression. “I want to buy it.”

Aunt Nellie brought the glass to her lips. “And how do you manage to run the store all the way in Dallas?”

She didn't have a clue, but right now that didn't matter. All that did was that she loved that store. “I'll find a way.”

“You know this would be so much easier if you'd just come back home. Your partner can run the store in Dallas and you can run the one here.”

Brenna pursed her lips. Her aunt was baiting her again and this time she was using the bookstore to do it.

“I'll figure it out. Until I do, don't sell.”

“Well, you've got less than a year because on my fifty-sixth birthday I am buying myself a one-way ticket around the world.”

She chuckled. “Aunt Nellie, you've never flown a day in your life.”

“Humph! Who said anything about flying? I'm traveling Amtrak.”

Long after her aunt called it a night, she sat out on the deck thinking about what she had said. It would be so much easier if she just moved back. Her partner was more than capable of running the store in Dallas, while she could manage the store here. But moving back wasn't even an option.

She dragged her legs up against her chest and rested her chin on her knees. She had so much to think about. But a few months would give her plenty of time to work out a plan. In the meantime all she had to do was survive the next couple of days. While at the bookstore she had gone online and booked her ticket back to Dallas for Sunday evening. Sunday night she would be back in her own bed.

Brenna heard movement in the grass. She rose off the seat and glanced over near the bushes.

“Who's there?” she called then heard a hearty chuckle before Jabarie came around to the side of the deck.

“Very funny,” she replied with a frown.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said and moved up the stairs.

“I wasn't scared.”

“Yeah, right.”

Brenna leaned back in the chair and tried to ignore the masculine presence beside her. “What are you doing out here tonight?”

“I told you I was coming to see you.”

A man of his word
. She should have expected as much.

Jabarie moved over and took a seat on the bench beside her. “I've been thinking about you all day.”

“Really.”

“Yep. Thought I'd come by and convince you to take a swing with me in your aunt's hammock.”

Her face flushed. He was trying to recreate the past. Quickly, she shook her head. “I don't think so.”

“Don't think. Just feel.”

He rose and moved down two steps before he realized she wasn't following. Swinging around, he held out his hand. “Come on, Bren.”

She paused for a moment then rose from her seat and placed her hand in his. As soon as she touched him, Jabarie swung her into his arms, despite her protest, and carried her over to the other side of the yard where a hammock was hanging. As soon as he reached it, he cradled her in his arms while he slid comfortably on the ropes. “There,” he said releasing his grip. “Now, isn't this nice?”

“Yes,” she admitted. Brenna slid over some and turned slightly on her side so she could look him in the face. “I haven't had a chance to come out here since I've come back.”

“Now you have.” Jabarie closed his eyes and it gave her a chance to admire the contours of his face. The sun was low and darkness had fallen upon Sheraton Beach, but she could see enough that even if she hadn't already had his face embedded in her mind, she would have thought him handsome. Reaching up she couldn't help smoothing her finger across his thick bushy eyebrows. He stared down at her.

“I actually started having them plucked.” He had such a silly smirk on his face she didn't know if he was joking or telling the truth.

“No, seriously. Can't you tell my brow is no longer connected? Bianca's been coming over once a month with the trimmers.”

“Good for her,” Brenna replied as the hammock swung lightly from side to side.

“She's ready to hand over the job to my woman.”

Her heart stalled momentarily. “Do you have a woman?”

He drew an arm around her and pulled her close. “Yes, she's just too stubborn to admit it.”

“She sounds like my kind of woman,” she teased, even though deep down inside she was relieved to discover he was joking.

“She's my kind of woman, as well,” he said, then lowered his lips and gave her a slow, drugging kiss. Afterwards, she rested her head on his chest. For a long time, it was silent except for the ocean raging onto the shore.

“Bren.”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

She remained silent, unsure of what to say. There was no way she was going to confess she loved him as well. If she did he would never leave her alone.

“Thank you,” she finally said.

“No, I should be thanking you for being the beautiful, compassionate woman that you are. I should be thanking you for giving me the privilege of being a part of your life. For allowing me to share your every breath. You are the very air I breathe. And without you in my life, I feel suffocated.”

Her heart fluttered. She didn't know what to make of his confession. She just lay there with her arm draped across his chest.

Jabarie shifted his weight. “If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”

To be your wife
. Brenna was stunned by her answer and for a moment she thought she had said it out loud. That used to be what she wanted more than anything, but not anymore, or so she thought. “I'm not sure.”

“Scared?”

“I'm not scared,” she protested and slugged him.

He chuckled. “I think you're scared, but no problem, keep denying your feelings.”

“What do you want?” she dared to ask.

“If I could have anything in the world, it would be you,” he said and her eyes flew open at the feel of his hand against her cheek. His eyes were soft.

“I spent so many nights dreaming about my life with you.”

“Tell me about your dreams.”

He covered her hand with his then laced his fingers with hers. “In my dream I never let you go. I call you several times a day to find out how you are. I let the whole world know you're mine, then in front of the entire town I ask you to be my wife and you accept. After we're married, I make love to you so often you get pregnant right away. For nine months, I watch your body change as you carry my child. When she's born I watch her suckle your breasts and I'm amazed at how beautiful she is with your hazel eyes and caramel skin. Then I hold you both in my arms and I thank God for my family.”

Jabarie lifted his head and looked down at her for the longest time, letting her see his pain and regret.

Her head was swimming and she didn't know what to say. She wanted those things so bad her stomach ached.

Jabarie kissed her fiercely. His lips crushed hers and became possessive. His arms were so tight she could hardly breathe but she didn't care, because she was holding him just as tightly.

Brenna wanted the evening to never end, to get totally lost in the moment. She wanted to stay here with him and pretend that nothing mattered beyond these stolen moments with Jabarie.

M
idway through the week, Brenna was in the office ordering books online with their distributor, although she was having a hard time focusing on her work. It was as if she had developed attention deficit disorder. No matter how many times she tried to focus on her orders, her brain refused to cooperate. All she could do was think about Jabarie. Since Tuesday, the roses had been rolling in so much the store was starting to look like a florist. For the last two nights Jabarie arrived at Aunt Nellie's shortly after eight to sit out on the deck together to watch the sunset. He was determined to break down her barriers but she was trying to stay strong no matter how hard it was becoming. Living in Sheraton Beach and running the bookstore was something she had always dreamed of and now she had the chance. She sighed. There was no way she could get her hopes up for something that would probably just break her heart in the end. There had to be another way.

She had finally finished the order when Sheyna came barging through the office. As soon as she saw her face, she knew it had something to do with Jace.

“I need your help,” she said then flopped down in the seat across from her.

Brenna was almost afraid to ask. “What? What's wrong?”

She raised her sunglasses onto her head and Brenna couldn't miss the anger raging in Sheyna's eyes. “I have arranged a company volleyball game for this evening and we're short a player.”

“And you want me to play?” she asked, toying with the edge of her desk.

“Yes.”

After a long pause, Brenna shook her head. “No way.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don't want to play volleyball,” she responded stubbornly.

“But I've got to kick Jace's butt.”

Brenna looked up sharply. Sheyna's voice had taken on a strange desperate tone. Turning on her chair, Brenna's eyes traveled to the computer screen for an e-mail that confirmed her orders. “This sounds like something personal between the two of you.”

“No. It's just everything I plan, Jace tries to sabotage,” Sheyna replied, clicking her tongue.

Brenna glanced over at her leggy friend. She had no idea the way her face lit up every time she mentioned Jace's name.

“Who else is playing?” she asked suspiciously.

Sheyna looked down at her hands. “Um, Bianca, you remember Chuck from accounting, and Jabarie,” she mumbled.

“Just what I thought.” As much as she wanted to help her there was no way she could spend the afternoon across the net from Jabarie. He was determined to wear her down, but she wasn't falling for it. For all she knew, this was another one of his plans.

“Isn't there some other employee you could ask?”

“No,” Sheyna said then leaned forward onto the desk. “Please, Brenna. You know you're the only real friend I have. Besides, can't nobody else play volleyball like you do.”

She had to force back a smile. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“Please, I'm begging you. I've got to squash Jace and I need you.”

She groaned. How could she tell her no? She knew Sheyna would be disappointed if she didn't play. The idea of beating the brothers was too appealing to pass up.

“Come on, it's going to be fun.”

“What time is the game?”

“Now,” she said, rising from her chair. “So go get dressed and hurry.”

Brenna smiled softly. “Isn't this just for fun?”

“No,” Sheyna said almost too quickly. “This is payback time.”

An hour later she found herself walking across the beach barefoot in the sand directly behind the hotel. Jace and Jabarie were already there with several other employees ready to play the battle of the sexes.

“Hey, Brenna!”

She glanced to her right to find Bianca trotting across the sand.

“Oh, my goodness! Look at you!” She embraced Bianca in a warm hug then pulled back and assessed her from head to toe. Shaking her head, Brenna couldn't believe how much the bucktoothed teenager had changed. Bianca had transformed into a stunning woman. Her glasses were gone and no one could miss her wide walnut eyes or the dimples on either sides of her cheeks. Her ponytail had been cut into a short sophisticated style that perfectly fit her round nutmeg-colored face. “How have you been?”

“I've seen better days. Ready to kick my brothers' butts?” she asked with a smirk.

“You better believe it.” Brenna's eyes traveled over to the volleyball net. As soon as Jabarie spotted her he closed the distance between them; her mouth dropped as she watched him move toward her in shorts and no shirt. His chest glistened beneath the sun while the muscles in his thighs flexed with each step. He was an awesome athlete and looked handsome as hell. He pulled her into the circle of his arms and held her against the warmth of his skin. Lowering her eyelids, Brenna took a deep breath, drawing in the masculine scent that was so much him.

“I guess you came so I could kick your butt.”

She pulled back and slugged him in the arm. “You can try.”

Jabarie rubbed his arm as if trying to get rid of the pain. “What do I get if I win?” he asked with a challenge in his eyes as if he already knew the outcome. There was no way she could back down.

Brenna laughed. “How about a popsicle?”

“How about dinner tonight?” he said, his thumb caressing her cheek.

She blew out a breath and shook back her hair. “Nope. Something else.”

“Why? You afraid of losing?”

“Nope.”

Jabarie tilted her chin then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Good. Then dinner it is.” He walked over and joined his team, making the wager official.

Jabarie knew the game was meant to be all in fun but with Brenna and Sheyna playing and with dinner as a high stake, the game had suddenly become quite competitive. He knew Jace, who was trying to prove something to Sheyna, had never been part of a team and not given it his total attention. He watched as Brenna hit the ball over the net and Jace sent it sailing back over to their side. The women were good, but they were better. He watched them play and found weaknesses he needed in order to win the game, which he found ironic, considering they were losing.

They could probably be winning if he was paying closer attention and not focusing on Brenna's legs. She'd always had the most gorgeous shapely legs and calves just like a dancer. You would have thought it was the first time he'd ever seen them when in fact he'd been dreaming about them wrapped around his waist for the last several nights. Watching her sent his desire into overdrive and between serves he watched her with the warm sand beneath her bare feet. And it wasn't helping that she was wearing a yellow midriff top and white shorts. As a result of playing under the hot sun, she was sweaty and her shirt clung to her like a second skin. Jabarie groaned inwardly. He wanted to run off with her, not huddle with Jace and discuss game strategy.

“Jabarie? Man, snap out of it.”

He blinked and spotted Jace standing beside him, holding the ball in his hand. It was their turn to serve.

“Yeah?” he said, hoping that his older brother hadn't realized what, or in this case, who had distracted him. He even had a serious hard-on and shifted a little to hide the evidence. It was time for him to concentrate on the game.

“Are you okay?” Jace asked, his expression serious.

The girls were huddled together, but it looked like they were looking over at them and laughing instead of discussing strategy. “Yeah, I'm fine.”

“Then pay attention.” As far as his brother was concerned, losing wasn't even an option.

“What's the score?” he asked off-handedly.

“Three, three,” he said.

“No problem. We've got this.” If he wanted to win and have dinner with Brenna tonight then it was time to forget about the woman huddled with his sister and Sheyna on the other side of the net.

Jace served the ball and the game began. Brenna dived for the ball and still managed to hit it over the net. It was intense, fast, and Brenna was playing hard and her expression serious. She had no intentions of losing.
Well, we'll have to see about that
. Two more serves would determine who won the game.

“Time out!” Sheyna called and walked to the center of the court and started talking too low for them to hear.

“Man, she's up to something. I just know it,” he heard Jace say in a highly agitated voice.

Didn't his brother realize his mind was not at all on the game? He stood and watched as Brenna's shorts clung to her sweet curvy behind. His fingers tightened with the urge to grab on and hold one bun in each hand.

“Look at them!” Jace cried. “They're up to something.”

“I'm looking.” Hell, he couldn't stop looking.

“Come on, this is serious.”

“I thought this was supposed to be fun and morale building for our staff?”

He glared across the net. “It was until Sheyna challenged me.”

“Challenged?” His brow rose with amusement. “What kind of challenge?”

Jace took a deep breath then said, “The loser has to come to the winner's house and clean their windows wearing an apron.” He looked almost too embarrassed to admit it.

Jabarie tossed his head back and laughed. “Well, then I guess we better win this,” he said at last. He didn't realize how important winning was to Jace. Now they both had to win this. “Relax, we got a good shot at winning.”

“Let's get this over with. Come on, girls,” Jace yelled. “Are you gonna huddle all day?”

“Not on your life!” Sheyna screamed back then returned to her spot near the net.

Jace moved in near the net and watched as Brenna set up the serve. As if she knew he was watching, her eyes shifted and she stared across at him for a long intense moment before finally saying, “You ready?”

He nodded.

She served and Jace raced for the ball and knocked it back over the net and Sheyna sent it sailing back. The game had gotten personal and the tone for the next several seconds was intense. They were winning this game because losing was not an option. He had a night planned that would end with Brenna lying in his bed.

Jabarie served the ball straight to Sheyna knowing she'd send it sailing back over the net, right at Jace. He sent it back to Brenna putting the fate of the game in her hands. If they lost, she couldn't blame it on him. Brenna jumped for the ball and tapped it hard enough to send over to him. Time seemed to move in slow motion as their eyes met. In them he read a strong desire to spend the evening lying in his arms. He leaped into the air and hit the ball and sent it sailing over Sheyna's head. Brenna dove for the ball and missed it.

There was total silence before the crowd started cheering. Grinning, Jace moved over and gave him a high-five. He and Jace ducked under the net to the other side where Sheyna's arms were folded across her chest angrily.

Jace stopped right in front of her and punched her playfully in the arm. “I'll be sure to pick up some glass cleaner on my way home tonight.”

“Very funny.”

Jabarie gave her a sympathetic smile then moved over to Brenna who was covered in sand and sweat. “Congratulations,” she said, her voice low.

“Thank you,” he replied. He tried to see if she was mad but couldn't read her. She tilted her head back to look at him. “We got lucky near the end,” he said wryly.

Shaking her head, Brenna disagreed. “No, it was skill. You've always been fantastic at volleyball.”

He groaned. “Don't say that too loud. I hate for my boys from college to find out I'm better at v-ball than football.”

She playfully slugged him in the shoulder then chuckled. “I don't think there is anything you're not good at.”

“I failed at us.”

Her laughter died and she gazed up at the serious expression on his face.

“I let you go when I should have continued to fight for us. And that is one mistake I intend on fixing no matter how long it takes.” His eyes were focused dead center on her mouth.

She tried to speak but he pressed a finger to her lips. He wasn't whispering, so it didn't matter who heard him. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

A shiver raced through her. “That was the deal we had.”

“No. I want you to have dinner with me because it's what you want, not because I won some silly bet,” he said, his gaze not leaving her lips.

She stared up at him for the longest time. “I want to have dinner,” she said and licked her lips. She was aware as he moved in ready to taste her, and she was more than ready to feel his hard body against hers.

He lowered his head and she tilted her head back and wrapped her arms around his waist then rose on her toes to meet him as he pressed his mouth to hers.

He surrounded her with his heat. He smelled like sweat and all man. Opening her mouth she invited him to explore. He thrust his tongue into her mouth with a skill that she appreciated. Leaning into him, she pressed her hardened nipples against his chest and felt the warmth against rock-hard flesh. Jabarie groaned deep in his throat and his hands that rested at her waist traveled down to her buttocks and held on.