Caught Looking (Hot-Lanta Series) (12 page)

Chapter 10

Molly woke up with an incredibly sore back. Sex on the bar in their apartment proved to be not as easy as she thought. She definitely threw her back out in the middle of her orgasm, which surprisingly heightened the sensations that rolled through her body. What she needed was a nice long hot shower. Luke was out on base doing his PT, physical training so she would not get mauled in the shower, not that she was complaining. She could not get enough of that man. 

When she was in college
, both her parents died in an awful car accident. Molly lost all reason to live and take care of herself. She got into some drugs and became a wild child. Jane was the main reason nothing serious happened to Molly. Jane always made sure Molly was taken care of and stepped in as her family. Michael and Jane both treated her like family. 

When Luke came along he changed her life. She
finally had something and someone to live for. He became her family, family that she had been missing for years and desperately craved. Jane and Michael acted like family and loved her but she was searching for that unconditional love you get when you find your soul mate. Luke gave her light to the black and dreary life she was living. Luke meant more to her than anything in the world and she could not wait to say her “I do’s”.

Molly had a meeting with Jane today to go over wedding details. She really just wanted something small. She had a big personality but with her parents no longer around and being an only child she didn’t want to have a big wedding. It only reminded her
that she really didn’t have any family. Her only family was Luke, Jane, Albert and Michael. She just wanted something small maybe at the river or in Savannah on the beach. She was actually more interested in the honeymoon and all the naughty things she had planned for her fiancé rather than the actual wedding.

Molly took a shower, got dressed and headed out to meet Jane. When she got to Jane’s office she noticed Jane wa
s twirling around the room, filing documents, singing to music on her computer and being in an all-around chipper mood. 

“What gives lady
? You’re singing, dancing and smiling. What did you do with my depressed best friend?” Molly asked.

“Hello to you too Molly.
Nothing I just happen to have a date with Brady Matthews tonight and I’m looking forward to it.”

“For fucking real?”
Molly exclaimed. “Oh Jane this makes me so happy, finally you are getting out there.” 

M
olly was so proud of her friend. Jane really deserved to date a good guy like Brady. Molly questioned Michael the other night on the phone about Brady. Molly had to make sure he was a good egg before she really started encouraging Jane to date him. Michael had nothing but great things to say about Brady so that was a step in the right direction. Michael said Brady was the most well-respected guy on the team and he was a great match for their sensitive friend, Jane.

“We’
re going to a movie in the park tonight and Brady is bringing food so we can have a picnic. I am scared as hell and I don’t know what he sees in me, but I’m going to go for it.” 

Molly let out a squeal of excitement.
“He sees one fine piece of ass and an incredibly sweet and hard working girl, you deserve him. Just remember that. You better call me when you get a chance and tell me everything!”

“Oh I will.”
Replied Jane. “Now let’s start planning this wedding. Hey, I was thinking about hiring an assistant to help me out. I’m starting to get more business and can afford some help. What do you think?”

“Oh Jane,
I think that is great. Wow, I’m so proud of you. You have come so far.”

“Thanks Molly, I really am so excited with the way everything
has been going with my business. I hate to admit it but Brady hiring me for that fundraiser gave me a lot of exposure and since then I have been getting two or three calls a day!”

“Well just tack that on to another reason to like the guy, next to stud muffin and Greek god!”

Jane just shook her head at her friend. They spent the rest of the afternoon looking up different locations in Savannah where they could have a small beach wedding. They picked beige, whites and off whites as the colors. Molly really liked the clean crisp look it offered. Jane teased Molly about having a seashell wedding. Molly just made a gagging reflex with her finger in her mouth and vetoed that idea right away. She wanted simple, classic with a flair of vintage in the mix. It was going to be beautiful and everything both her and Luke wanted which was mainly to be married. She could not wait.

                                                                      *** 

Jane had such a great afternoon with Molly. Her wedding was going to be so romantic, just like Molly and Luke. Jane understood Molly’s reasoning for keeping the wedding small and intimate and didn’t blame her. If Jane ever got married she would want the same thing since it would be the complete opposite of what George and his mom were planning. Ok, no more thoughts about George, she chastised herself. She had to focus on Brady now. She would be damned if she had another crying episode like she did last time she was around Brady.   

Jane had just enough time to go home, take a quick shower to rinse her body off and get dressed before Brady arrived to pick her up. Jane picked out a pair of black skinny jeans, a dark floral silk blouse, cardigan
, and yellow flats. She kept her hair down because Brady seemed to like touching her hair and it felt damn good when he did it. She applied some light make up to help her eyes stand out a little more and sprayed some perfume all over her body. She was ready for her second official date with Brady Matthews, hopefully this one would be better than the last. Hopefully she had the strength to make it through the night, without crying. Just take one step at a time she kept telling herself. He seemed like a good guy and he seemed genuinely interested in her, it was going to be a great night.

Jane called Michael earlier in the day just to see what he had to say and get his opinion o
n Brady. Michael seemed slightly irritated at first. Most likely because Michael always had feelings for Jane and flaunting a new relationship in front of him must have twisted his panties in a bind but he answered honestly. He told Jane that Brady was a great guy and had nothing but the best of intentions of pursuing her. He re-affirmed that she was not just another notch in his headboard. That put Jane’s mind at ease at least for the time being.

Brady knocked on her door and she opened it to find
an oh so sexy man holding up a single rose with a huge smile on his face.

“Hey gorgeous, you look amazing but I c
an barely find you. You’re so short, you’re a little pip-squeak.” He said while looking down at her.

Jane laughed “You have only seen me in heels. I didn’t want to wear any tonight because I didn’t want to sink into the ground and ruin them. They are not cheap you know.”

“Oh I know and smart decision,” Brady said. “I might just have to put you in my pocket and carry you around.”

“I’
m not that short. 5’3” is a respectable height you know.”

“Yes
, but compared to my 6’3” it makes you a pip-squeak! Come on doll, let’s get going.”

Brady grabbed her hand and Jane practically melted. She really needed to stay strong and not fall for him so fast. Whoa, who said anything about falling for him? No she just had to make sure she reserved a little distance between them and did not get caught up in his smooth operator moves. She was just having fun tonight, one step at a time. 

“Hey Jane, what are you thinking about? You went silent on me.”

“Oh sorry, I was just thinking about Molly’s wedding.” She lied.  “She came to the office today
and we planned most of it, it’s going to be small and intimate. She doesn’t want to wait too long because she said her and Luke want to get straight to their honeymoon.”

Brady laughed, “Man they are like rabbits. Do they ever quit?”

“Not that I know of, I always hate calling her when Luke is home because she is known to talk on the phone while having sex at the same time.”

“Are you serious? That is amazing! They are quite the couple.”
Brady chuckled.

“Yes they are, so what’s the movie that’s
playing tonight?”

“It’s a surprise!”

Jane mulled that over, a surprise huh? He must have set something up, knowing him and his popularity the park would do anything for him. They drove in silence as Jane looked out her window taking in the beautiful city of Atlanta. She always was very fond of her home town. It was diverse, interesting and always had something new to offer. Jane focused in on where they were and noticed they passed the park she thought they were going to. 

“Hey
, did we just miss the turn for the park?” Jane asked.

“Nope, just sit back and relax babe, I got this handled.” Brady replied.

Yes, she liked it when he called her babe. It sent shivers down her spine. She leaned her head back against the headrest while at the same time Brady grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers together. Jane was in heaven, this guy was too much. He was so sweet and she swore she could see a six pack through his button up shirt. She might have to write the Braves strength and conditioning coach a personal thank you note for creating such a fine specimen.  

Brady turned onto Hank Aaron D
rive and Jane noticed they were at Turner Field. She gasped. Surely Brady did not mean a ball park, right? There was no way they were going to see a movie at Turner field. Did the Braves organization let their players do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted?

“Here we are.” Brady announced. 

A valet came and took the car after Brady pulled a picnic basket out of this trunk. He grabbed Jane’s hand and led her to the players’ entrance.

Jane stopped and whirled Brady around. “Brady
are you serious, are we really going into the stadium?” 

“Did you reall
y think I meant a regular park?” He asked with a scrunched nose. “You’re cute, Jane.” Brady said while nudging her chin.

“You know, you’
re going to start to run out of grand ideas and then you are going to have to settle into being a normal person like the rest of us,” Jane said.

“Yes, I know, but I will have you hooked on me by then so even the small
est things would impress you.”

Jane all but whispered. “The small
est of things impress me now.”

Brady smiled at her and guided her toward the entrance. When they got out to th
e field there were two lights that were turned on, granting them some light, which were not too bright so they didn’t feel like they were in spotlights and a blanket on the ground with a folding chair that looked like was made for two. Jane didn’t know what to say, everything was so romantic. It was all too much for her to process. Do not cry. Do not cry is all she kept saying to herself.

Brady helped her on
to the blanket and set the picnic basket down next to them. They both ate some sandwiches while they chatted about little factoids about the ball park. Brady seemed to really love the field and had a lot of little fun facts to share with her. It was endearing to see the passion in his eyes he had for his sport.

When they finished their meal
Brady’s face turned slightly more serious. He seemed to struggle with what he was about to say but finally cleared his throat and began. “Jane, I know you have been through a lot with your ex, and I just wanted to let you know that I know what it feels like, to be cheated on that is.”

Jane nearly choked on the wine she was drinking. Someone cheated on Brady Matthews? Who the hell would ever do something like that? This guy was perfect and he didn’t seem to live up to the womanizer profile all the gossip rags claimed him as. Jane re-gained her composure and asked, “Someone cheated on you?”

Brady nodded.
“Yes, Laney Johnson.”

Laney? H
oly crap! “Laney cheated on you? I thought reports said you came to a mutual understanding, some even said you were the one breaking her heart.”

Brady shook his head. “
Like I said earlier, you can’t always believe what those magazines say. Laney cheated on me. Since she is known as ‘America’s Sweetheart’ with a body to kill her publicists paid off a lot of people to make her look like an innocent victim. I never fought it because people will believe what they want to, why waste my time?”

              Jane didn’t know what to say. They both knew the horrible feeling of finding out the one person you thought loved you actually couldn’t give two shits about you. It was a horrible feeling and Brady was sharing his experience with her. An unspoken connection formed between them. They both had their hearts broken and they both had a mutual understanding of how it felt. Jane just squeezed Brady’s hand and they both knew when looking into each other’s eyes, they were sorry for the pain they each encountered in the past.

Once they finished eating, Brady opened up the folding chair made for two and grabbed a blanket. He sat down and nodded for her to come over. Jane had to concentrate on not running over to him and climbing in his lap.  

“Are we watching the movie on the mega-tron?” Jane asked as she started to saddle up next to him. He was warm and smelled delicious. If they just sat there and watched nothing she would have been fine with that. She just wanted to be close to him. To the man that understood her perfectly. 

“Yes we are, is that ok?”

“Uh, yea. What other girl can say they have done this? Not many I hope,” Jane teased while poking his side.

Brady laughed at her insinuation and said, “Believe me pip-
squeak, you are the only one I have ever done this for.”

Jane melted all over again
and settled in next to Brady. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.

He whispered in her ear, “The movie is about to begin, I brought chocolate covered raisins which I know you are a sucker for, thanks to Michael and there are some sodas in the cooler next to me if you get thirsty.” 

Jane didn’t even need to say anything, she just nuzzled even closer to Brady, grateful that such a great man had come into her life. He genuinely cared about her and wanted to make sure she was taken care of. She had never had a man care so deeply about her, even when George asked her to marry him. George never went as far as Brady had to make her happy even when he proposed. She thought about the pathetic proposal he gave her.

They were watching TV and he reached
over her, pulled a ring box from the couch cushion and just asked if she wanted to get married. She should have known then that he was not the man for her. Wait, no more thoughts of George, especially around Brady. 

The lights went off,
the mega-tron came on and over the loud speakers the overture of her favorite musical came on; “Singing in the Rain.” She almost burst into tears right there. She propped herself up and stared at Brady. Her eyes were watering but she couldn’t help it. When she looked at Brady his eyes spoke of pride and satisfaction. He grinned with confidence.

Brady wiped a stray tear away and said “You can t
hank Michael for the suggestion. He was the one who let me know.”

Something overcame Jane and she lightly kissed Brady on the lips and pulled away. “Thank you Brady for caring to ask Michael.” 

No one had ever cared enough to find out her interests, no boy she ever dated for that matter. Brady was something special. He truly cared about her and wanted to make her happy. This was a night she was never going to forget.

                                                                      ***

Brady nearly shot out of his pants. Who knew some chocolate covered raisins and Gene Kelly would give him his first kiss from this incredible woman? She definitely took him by surprise when she leaned in and planted her soft, luscious lips on his and he only wished they stayed there longer but he knew she wasn’t doing it to spur him on, she did it out of pure joy and being grateful. Any kiss from her was better than nothing.

She snuggled so close to him,
he really had to manage himself from losing all control and wander his hands all over her. He had to keep reminding himself to take things slow. She was not ready for a full blown frontal attack from him, not yet at least.

He enjoyed the movie, his Grandma use
d to rave about it and he always knew it was a classic. He grew fonder of Jane because a classic movie gave her so much joy. There was that innocence again he strived for, he looked for from her.

The movie ended and Jane snuggled in even closer than Brady thought was possible, squeezed him and whispered a thank you into his chest.

“Anytime doll. Did you have a good time?”

“This has
been one of the best nights I’ve ever experienced, seriously thank you. You made me forget everything negative that happened to me in the past couple of years.”

Brady smiled down a
t Jane and said “Good I’m glad. Let me get you home, it’s getting chilly out here and I don’t want you catching a cold, being so small and everything.”

Jane playfully swatted his chest and stated
, “I’m not that short, you’re just the jolly green giant.”

“At least I’m
not a smurf” Brady retorted with a smile.

                                                                      ***

Brady walked Jane to her door. She so desperately wanted to invite him inside but their night was so classic, she felt her invitation might ruin the date. She also needed to take things slow for her own well-being. She did not want to rush into anything with Brady nor did she think her heart could handle rushing into a relationship. She was still finding herself and building her business, those were her main priorities.

They were holding hands when Jane turned to face Brady right outside her doorway.

“Brady, thank you so much for such a magical night. I know I sound like a girl when I say that, but I mean it. It was truly magical for me.”

“Thank you f
or asking me out, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect date. Next time I will make sure to pick a place without grass so you can wear those sexy as hell high heels so I don’t have to worry about stepping on you.”

Jane giggled. “So there is going to be a next time?”

“If I have anything to say about it, there will be.” Brady said moving closer to Jane.

“Perfect” Jane hummed.

             
                                                        ***

Brady tilted Jane’s chin up and he closed down on her mouth. He started off slowly, nibbling on her lips and when he could not take it any longer, he went in for the kill. He stuck his hand through her hair and pulled her even closer devouring her mouth inch by inch. She ran her hand up his chest, clenching his shirt at the collar and pulled him further down toward her. He felt like he could barely feel his legs he was trembling all over from her touch. He heard a low moan rumble in the back of her throat. If he did not leave now, he was going to tear her door open, throw her down on the floor and have his way with her.

B
rady pulled away regretfully, gasping for air he said, “I better get going. I really want to be a gentleman here and if I continue with what we are doing all of my credibility is going to be thrown out the window.”

Jane leaned her head against Brady’s chest and nodded. She looked at him with pure lust in her eyes. 

“Babe, please don’t look at me like that. You are seconds away from being dragged into your apartment and getting seduced.”

“Sorry, I will make this easy on you.” She pulled back and shook his hand. “Thank you for an amazing time, Brady. Have a great night.” 

Brady shook her hand and regretted the moment they let go. He missed her already and really just wanted to hold her for the rest of the night, but he was going to walk away and be the gentleman he was. She needed her space. Let her make the first move.