The Second Time Around (9 page)

She glanced in the direction of his eyes. “Sure, who doesn't,” she murmured then snorted rudely.

“Here's what I want to do. I'm going to cut in and rescue Brenna.”

“Oh, great, and I get to dance with the town drunk. Thanks a lot. I thought we were better than that.”

“We are, and I know you know how to handle yourself with someone like Tyrone.”

Looking over at her friend, Sheyna noticed the uneasiness in Brenna's eyes. “Okay, you're right. Brenna doesn't know when it's best just to kick a man in his nuts.”

“Ow!” Jabarie winced jokingly although in this case, it might not be a bad idea. Laughing, he spun them neatly into their path and tapped Tyrone on the shoulder. “I'm cutting in.”

Tyrone looked confused for a moment before Jabarie tugged Brenna from his arms and Sheyna led him away.

“Thanks, I owe you one,” Brenna said with a smile and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“No, you owe me two and I'm ready to collect.”

Shaking her head, her smile deepened. “Okay, you win. What do you want?”

Jabarie groaned inwardly. Didn't she know she should never ask a man that? “Dinner with me on my father's yacht this Sunday.”

Their eyes locked. He knew she was about to say no, but before she could, he kissed her, covering her mouth with his. The moment their lips touched he was tempted to swing her into his arms and carry her back to his condo. When he finally released her, Brenna gave a weary sigh.

“Okay, I'll have dinner, but only if we go angel shopping first.”

“Oh, boy.” He chuckled. Brenna would have him in every antique store on the coast. “You're still collecting cherubs?”

“Oh, yes. You should see my collection. I had to buy a second curio cabinet.”

His brow rose. “Then shouldn't that be a sign that it is time to stop?”

It was her turn to laugh. “Sorry, that's one habit I can't let go of.”

He wished he was a habit she had held on to. Jabarie pulled her tighter in his arms as they swayed to a new love ballad. There was a softness about Brenna that was so feminine that it screamed at ever vein in his body. It made his chest swell and excitement buzz through his blood. He knew better than to dance with a woman he wanted so badly, but he didn't want to be anywhere else. Jabarie lowered his head and his nose nuzzled the side of her neck. Her perfume was hypnotic and filled his every breath.

“I always loved dancing with you,” he breathed against her ear.

“So did I,” he heard her say.

He tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her closer. With his eyes closed, he listened to the words of the song.
My one and only love
. It couldn't have been more appropriate if he had written the lyrics himself. A part of him would always love the woman he was holding in his arms. Even though they could never go back to the way things were, he hoped that by the end of her trip the two of them could find closure and continue their mutual respect for each other. But even as he finished that thought, Jabarie didn't want to think about her leaving him and Sheraton Beach, not yet. Instead, he held her in his arms and looked forward to an evening on his yacht that was full of possibilities.

After another slow ballad, the music changed to a fast number and Brenna released him and tried to leave the dance floor, but Jabarie held on to her hand, refusing to let go.

“Dance this song with me.”

Nodding, she started to gyrate her hips.

Jabarie hadn't done this kind of bump and grind in years, but he wanted to see Brenna in action. As soon as he tried to imitate some of the new moves he'd seen the teenagers doing, Brenna threw her head back with laughter then relaxed and cut loose.

He wanted to stop dancing and watch her move. He missed her laughter and her dancing which she had always been good at. Her breasts jiggled with each step and he loved the way she wiggled her hips. Her body moved with the rhythm of the music. She was amazing. Watching her, all he could think about was touching her and taking her to fill the sharp need within him.

It's only a need, he reminded himself with an inward groan. Yet, his reaction to her wasn't helping any. But she was a challenge and he had never been one to back down. Now that she had agreed to dinner, it was only a matter of time before she was back his bed and by the time she left for Dallas he would have her out of his system. Finally the song ended. Smiling, he reached down for her hand. “Come on. Let me buy you a drink.”

Brenna followed Jabarie over to the bar where he ordered her another apple martini and a shot of cognac for himself.

Half of her yearned to agree to anything he wanted while the other half of her screamed a warning for her to stay away from him. When he'd asked her again to have dinner with him, Brenna started to say no, but she realized she didn't want to, and there was no point in denying herself a few hours of fun. His satisfaction was evident in his expression when he gave her a faint smile.

While they waited for the bartender to return with their drinks, Jabarie moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She found herself snuggling closer and leaning her waist against his body.

“Who's that guy Sheyna's dancing with?” he asked.

Her eyes darted across the dance floor until she spotted Sheyna grinding against the man with the receding hairline.

She lifted her shoulder. “Somebody in town on vacation. Believe me, she isn't the least bit interested.”

“Hmm. What's the deal with her and my brother?”

Brenna swung around in his arms and met his penetrating stare. “I was going to ask you that same question.”

He shrugged then leaned closer and stole a kiss that momentarily took her breath away. “I don't know, but whatever it is, I wish the two of them would hurry up and figure it out. Their constant bickering and disagreements are starting to wear on my nerves.”

She nodded. “I think they're fighting their attraction.”

“That's too bad. They might never find out what they're both missing.”

He gave her a long hard look and she noted the meaning behind his statement. Her eyes widened, the only indication that her heart had begun to pound wildly.

He pulled her even closer, burying his lips against her hair. “I don't want to waste another moment fighting what I feel for you.”

“I thought we were working on being friends,” she shot back.

Pulling back slightly, he stared at her, his gaze narrowing. “Didn't you tell me that too much has happened between us to be just friends?”

Briefly closing her eyes, Brenna smiled. Damn, she had said that. “I think it's a start.” Her gaze swung back meeting his and she didn't miss the gleam of determination in his dark eyes.

“I think we need to start by talking about what happened between us.”

Brenna shook her head. “How about we just enjoy our time together with no pressures or expectations, and I promise before I leave, we'll talk.”

He winked at her, smiling. “Ms. Gathers, I think you've got yourself a deal.”

“W
here do you want this box?”

Sheyna swung around and looked at the box labeled dishes that Brenna was carrying in her arms and pointed at the counter.

“Just set it there. When I get a chance I'll toss them in the dishwasher.”

“Okay.” Brenna slid the box onto the counter then retrieved two bottles of water from the refrigerator and handed one to her friend.

“Thanks,” she said then gave her a tired smile as she removed the cap and brought the bottle to her dry lips. “Remind me to never move again.” Sheyna groaned as she slumped back against the oak cabinet “This is hard work.”

“Well you don't have to worry about moving for a very long time. Your house is adorable!” Her eyes traveled around the spacious kitchen cabinets and counter space to die for. The three bedroom, two-story house was a first-time home buyer's dream.

“It is nice, isn't it?” she said, beaming with pride.

Brenna took another swallow then wiped her damp hand across her shorts. “Come on. We better not leave them alone for too long. They might decide to take another break.”

“When aren't they on a break.”

She gave her best friend a sympathetic look then turned on her heels and followed her back outside. Sheyna had hired a small local moving company to move her out of her apartment and into her new home. Thank goodness she packed her own stuff because as slow as they were, they would still be at the apartment. They were late getting there and every time she looked around one of them was taking a break. Paid by the hour, the movers were trying to milk Sheyna for everything they could get.

Stepping through the door, her eyes traveled over the white truck and her brow furrowed. Sure enough, they stepped outside and found all three leaning against the truck taking a cigarette break.

“Enough!” Sheyna exclaimed and stormed over to the truck. Within seconds, her tongue was wagging loud across the yard.

“Oh, brother.” Brenna groaned and started across the yard when she heard a vehicle. She turned around.

Jabarie!

Her heart did a backflip when he climbed out the passenger side of his brother's gray Escalade. She gave him a smile then shifted her gaze to the driver.

She had known Jace for as long as Jabarie and he had always treated her like a sister. Like his brother, he was also over six-feet tall with the same piercing sable eyes. His nose was straight and he had an attractive cleft in his nutty brown chin that was surrounded by a neatly barbered goatee. As soon as Jace noticed her, a smile softened his mouth, and she moved over to greet him with a big hug.

“Hey, Bren.” He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug then pulled back and planted a kiss to her cheek. “How have you been?”

“Good. How about you?”

“Can't complain. Although your friend is driving me crazy,” he added with a wink. His eyes then traveled over to Sheyna yelling at the man talking on his cell phone. He raised his curving eyebrows. “What's going on over there?”

Brenna gave a frustrated breath and glared across the grass. “Those are a bunch of lazy morons. We've been trying to get them to actually work all morning.”

Jace's body stiffened and his grip loosened. “Excuse me a minute.” He glanced over at his brother and signaled for him to follow.

Jabarie gave her a quick look then strolled across the lawn with determined strides to the trio that was doing nothing. Brenna followed and noticed that the one with the bald head, when he spotted them heading in their direction, startled then quickly jumped back onto the truck and got back to work. The other two continued to lean against the truck smirking as Sheyna pointed her finger in their faces.

“Excuse me,” Jace said as he drew near. “Do we have a problem?”

Sheyna swung around with her lips twisted. “What are you doing here?” she demanded to know.

“Came to rescue you,” he replied with a wink.

Defiantly, she planted her fist at her waist. “I don't need your he—”

Brenna yanked her over beside her, cutting off her words and gave her the eye to be quiet.

As soon as she was out of the way, Jace walked over to the owner of the truck and stared down at him. “Is there some reason why you're not working?”

“We're taking a break,” he mumbled without even bothering to look at him.

“They've been taking breaks all morning!” Sheyna screamed before Brenna clamped a hand over her mouth.

The tall lanky man, in his mid-thirties, scratched his head and came over and said apologetically, “Sorry Massah Beaumont. We's gonna get right back to work,” he said mocking his ancestors.

Jabarie's face was a mask of stone as he moved up into his face. “You're going to get back to work now, and when you're done you're going to give this lady a twenty-five percent discount, otherwise I will report you to the better business bureau.”

Red faced, the man stuttered and Brenna could tell he wanted to challenge him but thought better of it.

Jace walked over to the other, who looked barely out of high school, and bunched his brow when he noticed the smirk on his face. “Aren't you Charlotte's son?”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, and he shrugged his shoulders as if to say, so what. “Yeah? What about it?”

“Your mother came to my office just yesterday asking me about a job for you.” He paused dramatically and stroked his mustache. “I guess this is an example of the kind of work you do.”

Shaking his head, he sputtered. “Oh, no, I'm a hard worker. Just watch and see.” He then jumped onto the back of the truck and started carrying furniture into the house. The others followed.

Beneath her fingers, she could feel Sheyna's body relax and she glanced over and saw a silly smirk on Jace's face as she stared over at him. Brenna shook her head. She had it bad and didn't even know it.

Glancing over at his brother, she could understand why. The brothers were fine. While Jabarie watched the crew work, she took in his stance with his legs slightly parted and his arms folded across his massive chest. He was wearing a short sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans that hung low on his waist and looked sexy as hell. It wasn't the hot summer heat that traveled down between her legs.

Brenna jumped when she felt someone touch her arm.

“Girl, what are you thinking about?” Sheyna asked jokingly.

“I should be asking you the same thing.” Their laughter drew Jabarie's attention and as soon as he turned to her and their eyes locked, she stilled and could do nothing but stare.

A wave of longing rushed through her body. She had been celibate for far too long. That's all it was, she told herself. Lust. Plain and simple.

Sheyna gave her an encouraging shove. “Go over there and talk to him. You know you want to.”

Yes, she did and that was the problem. She needed to keep her distance from him but there it was, that magnetic pull again drawing her to him. On wobbly legs, Brenna moved over to him and was greeted by another warm smile.

“Hey,” she said unable to resist a grin of her own.

“Hey, yourself.”

Recovering quickly, she swallowed, hoping to relieve the dryness in her constricted throat. “Thanks for getting them back to work.” They were now unloading the truck the way movers should. “It's a shame that a person has to scream and holler and act like a damn fool just to get work done.”

“No problem.”

Her lips twitched with amusement. “I guess that means I owe you again.”

“It appears so.” Jabarie crooned softly, his handsome mouth curved into a wide grin.

Her lashes came down, concealing her inner-most feelings for him before she nodded and said, “Okay. I'll spend the night with you on your yacht,” she said then turned on her heels and moved into the house.

Jabarie waited until the storm door closed before he let out a deep breath. He almost didn't believe his ears. Brenna had agreed to spend the night with him.

Woohoo!

Finally, he was getting somewhere because he wasn't sure how much more he could have taken watching her standing in the center of the yard in khaki shorts that hugged her sweet round behind and showed off her long legs that sent his loins screaming. Did she just agree to sleep with him? He didn't want to get ahead of himself but that was what it had sounded like. Yes!

Anxious to join his brother in the house, Jabarie moved over to the truck and grabbed a large box and carried it into the house. He stepped into the Berber carpeted foyer directly into the living room and carried the box over to the corner where the movers were stacking all the others and lowered it to the floor. He rose and swung around to find Brenna staring up at him holding a plastic bottle of water in her hand.

“I thought maybe you'd like a bottle of water.”

He could use a whole lot more water than that. A cold shower would be good and not because he was sweating, either.

“You look hot,” she commented in a sensual tone that sent his libido racing.

“So do you,” he said. And as he unscrewed the top, his eyes traveled down to her breasts that strained against the tight midriff T-shirt. He brought the bottle to his lips and almost choked when he realized she wasn't wearing a bra. Two succulent nipples were visible through the thin material. He took a long drink, welcoming the chill before warmth spread through his body. He finished half the bottle while he tried to think of his next move.

“How's your aunt today?” he asked while being careful not to let his gaze rest where he wanted to and looked in her eyes instead.

“She's fine. Ms. Lucy is going to come over and hang out with her today,” she said and licked her lips.

Jabarie leaned closer and stared down at the moisture left on her smiling lips.

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked, and didn't even wait to see if she had any suggestions because he already had some of his own. Most of them he would save until they were alone on his yacht but there was one thing he wanted now and there was no way of resisting the urge. Angling his head, he touched his mouth to hers, increasing the pressure until she responded. The kiss was glorious and full of heat and hunger.

The sound of the door swinging open startled both of them. They jumped back like the time they'd been caught with their hands in her aunt's pie filling.

“Oops,” Sheyna said, skidding to stop. “My bad.”

Jabarie looked from her to Brenna's startled face and replied, “I think that will do for now.”

After Sheyna paid the movers and sent them away without a tip and at the twenty-five percent discounted rate that Jabarie had instructed, the four of them worked together to put her house into order. Jace paused long enough to pull out his cell phone and order a couple of pizzas. As soon as the food arrived, he tipped the delivery boy and called for the others to join him in the kitchen.

Brenna loaded the last glass into the dishwasher then turned the unit to a light wash. The dishes were already clean; she was just trying to remove the dust that had accumulated during the move. She then removed four plates from the drainer, dried them off with a paper towel and carried them over to the table. She moved over to the table just as the others came in and washed their hands at the sink one after the other and took a seat.

“I ordered one pepperoni and one sausage,” Jace informed as he reached for the first box.

Brenna's stomach growled. “Sounds good to me.”

Jabarie's eyes grew round and amusing. “I hear. Please, bro, feed this girl.”

She slugged Jabarie playfully in the arm then held out her plate so Jace could serve her up a slice.

“Thanks.” Quickly she brought the pizza to her mouth and took a bite. A moan escaped her lips. She didn't think pizza had ever tasted so good. While chewing, she gazed over and found Jabarie watching her. She enjoyed the warmth of his eye contact.

“I take it you like the pizza.”

Giggling, she nodded.

Sheyna reached for her glass. “Garamond's has been here for about a year now. They have some of the best pizzas on the coast.”

“It's really good.” She reached for one of the colas on the table and popped the can open. “What made the two of you decide to come and help out?” she asked between sips.

Jace finished chewing his food before answering. “Who didn't know miss motor mouth here was moving. She'd been complaining about this day for weeks.”

“I have not,” Sheyna objected with a frown.

“Oh, yes you have,” he replied in a challenging tone. “Woe is me? I have to move. I hate moving,” he said in a false soprano voice, trying to mock Sheyna's sultry tone.

“Now he's really lying,” she barked and tossed a sausage at his head.

The table erupted with laughter.

Brenna dabbed her mouth with the corner of her napkin. “He is right, Sheyna. You have been complaining.”