The Second Time Around (3 page)

It's time to let go.

Opening her eyes, she stared up at the starlit sky. The salty air, the sandy shore, Sheraton Beach was home to her past. It had been easy pushing Jabarie to the corner of her mind while living in Dallas. The distance was a perfect barrier. But being back was something altogether different. Inside, a part of her was aching for him and what could have been if they had gotten married. But that time in her life was over and it was time for her to let go and move on. If nothing else, she needed to find closure so that when she left Sheraton Beach for good this time, she could finally get on with her life.

T
he following morning Brenna walked to work, glad for the opportunity to clear her head after a night of tossing and turning. Jabarie had invaded her dreams. Somehow she was going to have to find a way to close that chapter in her life before she returned to Dallas.

She arrived at the bookstore shortly after nine to find a pretty teenager waiting on the front steps. Since long before Brenna was even tall enough to reach the cash register, Aunt Nellie had offered part-time employment to students who had proved themselves academically during the school year.

“You must me Rachel,” she greeted with a wide friendly smile.

The blonde pushed her glasses up over her nose and nodded. “Yes, ma'am.”

Brenna frowned playfully as she stuck her key in the door. “We won't have any of that. I'm Brenna, and I'm so glad to see you. My aunt warned me we're in for a busy day.” On Fridays the store offered buy one get one half priced and according to Aunt Nellie, the promotion was quite a hit.

Just as she promised, the bookstore was extremely busy. While Rachel handled story-time hour, and the dozen or so children that came to listen, Brenna assisted their customers and worked the register. By lunchtime she was hungry and exhausted. Where in the world did all these people come from she wondered. Not that she was complaining, but she never dreamed so many people read during their summer vacation. By two o'clock people were still coming through the door and Rachel, who had an appointment with her orthodontist, had already gone for the day. Brenna was trying to explain to a woman that half price was offered on the book of the lesser price when she spotted a tall handsome man moving toward her. Her heart raced. Jabarie was wearing an expensive navy blue suit including tie and wing-tip shoes. He had no business looking that good. No business at all, she thought as he moved closer. She released the breath she had been holding and watched as he headed in her direction. Desire rolled though her body. She hadn't felt like this in years and hated him for that. Hated him because she still wanted him.

“Looks like you could use some help,” Jabarie said as he moved around behind the counter.

The deep sensual tone of his voice vibrated through her body and settled down low. She caught his scent. His presence pulsed around her. Suddenly, panic gripped her. She shook her head. “I'm fine, really.”

“No, you're not,” he mumbled under his breath.

Glancing at the people standing and waiting patiently in line, she inhaled deeply and had no choice but to agree to his help. While she finished ringing up customers, she watched as Jabarie slipped out of his jacket and moved to help the next person in line.

For the next half hour she worked the counter while he assisted customers throughout the store. As soon as the last customer left through the door, Brenna moved over to the nearest chair and flopped down on the seat.

Jabarie leaned against the counter. “Looks like you've had a long day.”

She gave a tired laugh. “Yes, I have.” She gazed up at him towering over her and couldn't resist a smile. “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem. Have you eaten yet?” he asked following a long pause.

Brenna pushed a wayward curl away from her face and shook her head just as the bell over the door jingled. With a groan, she slowly rose from the chair.

Pushing away from the counter, Jabarie replied, “Help your customer while I go up the street and grab you something to eat.”

She was too hungry to argue.

Jabarie walked to the end of the block to Clarence's Chicken and Fish House. As he strolled through the door, the smell of fish floated to his nose. The lunch rush was over but there were still plenty of patrons filling the wooden tables. He moved up to the register and spotted Old Man Clarence behind the counter.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't Master Beaumont,” he greeted with a hearty chuckle that jiggled his round belly.

“Hello, Clarence,” he returned with a scowled. Since Beaumont Manor was on top of a hill, looking down on the small town, rumor had it that his family were descendants of royalty. There was no truth to the rumors but for decades no one seemed to care. The Beaumonts were prominent and important members of the community. Although the hotel was responsible for creating an abundance of jobs and for keeping food on so many tables in Sheraton Beach, Jabarie had always felt uncomfortable by the way so many people treated him.

“What can I do for you?”

After quickly glancing at the menu on the wall, Jabarie replied, “I'll take two of your fish specials.”

Clarence's eyes lit up. “Two? One wouldn't be for a particular beauty who just recently returned to our small town, would it?”

Jabarie didn't even know why he was surprised. Word definitely had gotten around fast.

At his silence Clarence continued. “The reason I asked is because Ms. Brenna doesn't like catfish fillets. She only eats the nuggets.”

Jabarie raked a hand across his face. How could he have forgotten? She preferred not having to deal with bones. He gave the sixty-year-old man a sheepish grin and said, “Then you better make one catfish nuggets.”

Clarence winked. “Coming right up.”

While he waited, Jabarie strolled over to the window and felt his cell phone vibrate at his hip. Glancing down at his hip, he noticed it was his brother Jace calling, probably to remind him of his five-o'clock meeting. As the hotel's general manager, his days were usually bombarded with meetings. Not in the mood to discuss business, he ignored the call and allowed it to go into voicemail.

Staring over at the bookstore, Jabarie asked himself after several seconds, what in the world was he doing spending the afternoon helping Brenna? After everything she had done why in the world was he having anything at all to do with her? That was something he was unable to answer except to say he had done nothing but think of her since seeing her standing in the window yesterday. She dominated his thoughts, haunted his dream last night, until he couldn't even draw a breath without smelling her feminine scent. This morning he had awakened with a hard-on and the burning need to see her. A part of him still found it hard to believe that she was back in Sheraton Beach and thought maybe it had just been a dream. He had hurried out of his twelve o'clock meeting just so he could drive down onto Main Street. As soon as he had stepped into the bookstore his heart hammered against his chest, and when he saw the look of panic on her face he had rushed to her aid just as he always had. For as long as he could remember, he'd had this strong need to protect her.

Jabarie's gaze darted up and down the street but his eyes were zeroed in on the bookstore. Now that he'd seen her, he couldn't stay away and that was strange considering he was supposed to hate her for having chosen money over his love. For the last five years he tried to hate her, but couldn't. He found that a part of him had forgiven her for walking out on him with money he was certain his mother had been more than happy to give. The other part of him still loved her. He guessed everyone felt like that about their first love. However, for him, Brenna had been his only love.

Jabarie felt his body responding just thinking about her. He still wanted her. He could already taste her delicious mouth. Her thick honey-colored hair he longed to run his fingers through. He ached to touch her, to make love to her again. Desire tore through him, and Jabarie ran his hand over his face shaken by the depth of his need. It had been five years. Five long years, and in one day all the emotions and feelings he had felt then had come rushing back. He asked himself the same question he had asked himself so many times before, of all the women he had met, why Brenna?

Damn, he needed to stop thinking about her.
But I can't
, he thought as he reached up and loosened his collar. After everything they had been through, he knew it was ridiculous to still feel anything for her. Now that she was back, maybe if they spent enough time together whatever he thought he still felt for her would die. Maybe that was what they both needed to end what had started five years ago. Maybe during her visit they could both discover that it was really over between them. That there wasn't anything left to hold on to any longer.

Jabarie sighed deeply. One thing he knew for sure was that, no matter how short her visit may be, he planned to find a way to get her out of his system once and for all.

“I got your order ready.”

He reached into his pocket for his billfold and moved toward the register. As soon as Clarence noticed the money in his hand, he shook his head. “It's on the house. Tell Brenna I made it just the way she likes it.”

“I'll do that, thanks.” He reached for the Styrofoam containers and headed out the door. Halfway down the street, Jabarie slowed his step when he realized he was practically running.

As soon as he returned, Brenna moved to the small office to the side of the store and dove into the food while Jabarie covered the floor. As she chewed, she made a mental note to thank Mr. Clarence for remembering she loved her catfish nuggets smothered in hot sauce. She took another bite and groaned out loud. Nobody's catfish came close to his. It was no wonder he'd been in business for over thirty years. One of the things she had missed most about Sheraton Beach was the food.

With a heavy sigh, she reached for the orange soda and took a long swig then glanced through the glass wall at Jabarie behind the counter. He had finally loosened his tie. His wide shoulders strained against the fabric of his shirt. At six-two, he looked like a giant standing over a pair of giggling teenage girls who were obviously infatuated by his good looks. Brenna couldn't blame them. She'd been just as mesmerized at their age. Watching his mouth as he spoke she couldn't help wondering what it would be like to kiss him again. She remembered his lips being soft and gentle while his kisses used to have the power to make her toes curl. She blinked and dragged her eyes away from the glass. What in the world was she doing?
Have you forgotten he ripped your heart in two?
There was no way she was going to fall for him a second time.

Yet she couldn't take her eyes off of him. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she concluded how attracted she still was to him. Watching him excited her and sent heat flowing down between her thighs, and made her yearn to have him hold her in his arms again. She breathed quietly, stunned by the physical need that had been dormant for five years.

Hearing a light rap on the door she glanced up to find Jabarie staring down at her. Her heart did a somersault as he turned the knob and opened it.

“All quiet,” he said as he rested against the doorjamb.

She swung around in the chair and took a deep calming breath before speaking. The attraction between them was much too strong for her to ignore. “Thanks for everything. I owe you one.”

His dimples deepened. “Good. I'm going to hold you to that.”

“It's been a zoo today. My bookstore is twice this size and in a busy part of the city, but even when my partner's out I have never been this tired.”

He nodded knowingly. “The growth of Main Street has been very good for the economy around here. You might want to talk to your aunt about getting some more summer help. Those girls were just asking if there were any openings.”

She just bet they did. Probably thought they'd have the privilege of seeing Jabarie every day. Jealousy brewed in her little head, and for the life of her, Brenna couldn't understand why. Jabarie meant nothing to her.

She nodded and reached for the soda can. “I'll make sure to talk to her tonight.”

Jabarie nodded in agreement then glanced down at his watch. “Well, I guess I better head back to the hotel.”

“Oh, gosh, yes! You better hurry before someone tells the queen you've been mingling with the peasants,” she teased. And when he groaned, she laughed. Brenna knew how much he hated the wisecracks.

“I see you haven't lost your sense of humor,” he said when he stopped chuckling.

Crossing her legs, Brenna returned the smile. “No, I guess I haven't,” she said, even though she hadn't had a lot to laugh about lately.

There was a long silence before Jabarie finally pushed away from the door and said, “See you around.”

Brenna simply nodded and watched as he retrieved his jacket and headed out the door.

The rest of the evening was smooth sailing. With food in her stomach, she was able to handle just about anything. In between customers she finished working on the display in the front window, replacing the current books with several hot new releases. However, no matter what she was doing she still had time to think about Jabarie, and she found herself wondering why he was being so nice. She pondered the question until closing time and finally came up with one possible answer—guilt. He felt guilty about breaking her heart. Well, too bad, she scowled. There was no way she was going to willingly help ease his conscience. She was going to make him earn her forgiveness, although in her heart, Brenna knew she already had.

At seven o'clock, she punched in the security code then shut the door behind her and ran right smack into Jabarie. She staggered back a step or two before he caught her.