Meant To Be (24 page)

“Oh, Sam.” She wasn’t sure what to do to comfort her. “Do you want to go buy a test?”

She shook her head. “I will, I swear but I just want to wait a few days. Maybe by then ‘Aunt Rose’ will make her faithful appearance, and I’ll have nothing to worry about.”

“Well, have you told Caleb?”

“No, I’m afraid he’ll be angry, although, half of it is his own damn fault. It takes two to tango.”

Jenna laughed at her cheesy answer
.
God, Sam was starting to sound like her mother. “Why don’t you take the next couple of days to think about it, talk to Caleb too? You shouldn’t be going through this alone, and I’ll be here for you, of course.”

Jenna laughed at her next thought. “On the bright side,” she teased. “If you are… at least it’ll take the pressure off of me. You know Jayden has been bugging me for a brother or sister, or at least he did when Tyler was around. Now he could just borrow yours.”

Sam laughed with her. “God, Jenna, I swear if I ever have a kid, I hope he’s as great as yours.”

“Impossible. Jayden is a one of a kind.”

“Now isn’t that the truth.”

The night mellowed out after that. Sam looked a lot better and finally started having a good time. Sam talked about Caleb a lot, and she drilled Jenna about Brady. She’d wanted details, but Jenna was good. She wasn’t one to kiss and tell, no matter how good it was.

That night it felt like their roles had reversed a little. For such a long time Jenna was a mess and Sam was always there to help her through. Sam needed her, and it was nice being the one needed, instead of being the one in need.

Jenna just hoped it all worked out for her and wondered how Caleb would cope with it.

* * * *

It was late when Brady got back, just like he said. She looked as if she’d just woken up and smiled at him as if seeing him again had been the best occurrence of the day.

“Hi.” She began to rise to get closer.

He smiled back, lifting her in his arms. “Hey, yerself.”

He threw her back onto the mattress enjoying the view. Her wide smile was breathtakingly beautiful, and without further thought, he joined her. His lips captured her lovely mouth, needing to feel it against his. He’d been thinking about her all night, and it was driving him insane to be away. He was addicted, just had to taste her, and it scared him shitless to need her that way.

Working at the pub, Brady had always gotten a fair amount of action. Hell, it was one of the reasons he enjoyed his job so much. Since meeting Jenna things had changed. He couldn’t get her out of his head. Tonight he’d gone in, and, of course, he’d gotten hit on several times. He always did, but he found himself comparing them to Jenna. Most of them were beautiful but artificial. Fake boobs, fake hair extensions, fake finger nails, too much makeup, not enough makeup and the list went on. None of them seemed to have Jenna’s natural beauty or her charm.

They probably might if he actually got to know some of them, but he didn’t want to. He was ruined for everyone else, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be yet. Christ, Jenna was only visiting, and he seriously needed to get a grip.

He groaned with so many things going on in his head. Why the hell did he have to make things so complicated? He’d always been a chick magnet, and he would be again, damn it. He just needed to enjoy Jenna while he had her, and when she left, it would go back as it was. The life of a bachelor was good. He liked no strings attached sex and being responsible for only himself. Beside’s she had a kid to go back to so it’s not like she could stay even if he wanted her to.

His kiss became more eager with need. Wanting the frustration of his thoughts to come out somehow, and hell, it was mostly because he needed her right then. But, as she slid her hands down his body to work his pants off, he changed his mind, calling a stop to it temporarily.

“Is there something wrong?”

“No, love, it’s late, and we should get going. Pack a bag we’re goin’ to my place.”

* * * *

They were in his car, almost there when Jenna couldn’t take the quiet anymore. He looked like he had a lot on his mind and needed a distraction. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anythin’.”

“Does Caleb ever say anything to you about Sam?”

She caught him off guard, and he looked skeptical when he asked, “Why?”

“Is that a hard question for you? I’m asking because I’m curious. I think Sam’s developing feelings for him, and I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“I see,” he mumbled. “Caleb’s a lucky man.” He looked at her quickly and smiled.

“And is she a lucky girl?” She should have dropped it. Honestly, she wanted to know this for herself.

He laughed. “Ye know despite what ye may think, we don’t compare notes on the women we’re with. But if I had to take a guess, I’d say that she was. They do spend an awful lot of time together.”

Did Brady want her like she wanted him?
She should probably just come right out and ask him. “What about me? Would you say that I was a lucky girl?”

He sighed. “Well, what do ye think?”

“I don’t know. I hope that I am.”

“Look, Jenna, I think ye’r great, but do we need ta put a label on it? Ye’r mine while ye’r here. I’ve already said so. Seriously, love, why don’t we just enjoy what we have while it lasts?”

“Yours, huh? Just forget it.” She rolled her eyes. Obviously, she’d hit a sore spot. Brady clearly wasn’t into discussing his feelings, and she obviously misread the connection that she felt. Or, maybe it was all one sided.

The thought made her uncomfortable. Maybe she should just take a cab back to the hotel and give him some space, but he had a point. She was on a vacation and leaving soon. There was no way what they had could work past that, and she should enjoy it while it lasted.

She opened the car door before he stopped, anxious to get her bag.

“Shite, Jenna, hold on.” She said nothing, waiting patiently beside the trunk. “What’s the matter now?”

“Nothing, Brady, everything is absolutely fine, just fine.”

“Ye’r mad?” he asked, then smiled because of her obvious annoyance. “Ye’r cute when ye’r angry.”

“It’s not funny, Brady. I should probably apologize before heading back. I hadn’t realized talking about your feelings was hard for you. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“What the hell are ye talkin’ ‘bout? I said ye were great, didn’t I? And who’s goin’ back?” He grabbed her bag from her hand and threw it in the house to make his point. “Ladies first.” He waited by the door, but she didn’t move.

“Look, I’ve ruined the night. Maybe I should just give you some space.”

“That’s feckin’ ridiculous, and you feckin’ know it,” he snapped. “Ye surprised me that’s all, and it’s hard for me to sort through right now, but I don’t want ye to leave.” He pulled her into his arms. “Please, love, it’s late. Will ye spend the night with me?”

She nodded, and he kissed her. His lips moved against hers, slow and sensual. His tongue nudged her lips apart, taking what he wanted until their tongues moved in synchronization and wet and with need.

“Ye’r a very lucky girl, love, very lucky.”

* * * *

“
Wow, what’s this for?” She leaned over to give him a kiss. “You’re spoiling me.”

He chuckled. “I just wanted to make sure I gave ye something to help ye with yer nerves.”

“And, why would I need help with my nerves?”
Uh oh, what was he up to?
She took the wine that he offered and swirled the glass around before taking a sip.

He looked at her carefully before answering. “My Ma’s quite jealous that you met my Da so she wants us over for supper.”

He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. Her pulse quickened with anxiety. Parents were a big deal. She’d already expressed that belief to him. Now not only would she be seeing his father again, but she’d be meeting his mother, and he acted like it was meant nothing.

“
Supper?” she squeaked, “With your mother.”

He took her wine glass from her to avoid spillage and placed it on the coffee table. “It’s ok, love, take a breath.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” she sulked.

“It’s no big deal, love. T’is only supper, and my Ma’s an angel. Ye’ll love her.”

She took a couple deep breaths to avoid a full on anxiety attack. “I’m sure I will,” she managed. “Um, when are we expected?”

“‘Bout an hour.”

“An hour, are you kidding me?” She jumped up heading to the shower. The very least she could do was make an effort to look her best. Thank God she had packed a dress.

He laughed as she scooted away. “Christ, I’m enjoyin’ yer nervousness. I never imagined ye to be so comical.”

“Ha, ha,” she mocked, closing the shower curtain behind her. “So tell me this then, Brady. Have you always brought the women in your life to your parent’s house for dinner? Because if so, I’m sure supper with your Mom isn’t going to be such a big deal.”

“Actually, no.”

“No?” That shocked her more. Was she the first? No, she couldn’t ask him that. “Well then, since it’s not a regular occurrence, I think I have a right to be nervous. I’m sure your parents are wonderful, but meeting parents is also a big deal. I’ve told you this before.”

“Look, Jenna, if ye’r this upset ‘bout it, I’ll just cancel.”

“Don’t you dare,” she snapped, peeking through the curtain. “You’ve already accepted, and I don’t want you to cancel. Parents are a big deal, yes, but they’re also important. You’re important, and I’d hate to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

He smiled, yanking the shower curtain open further to kiss her. “Did ye just say I was important?” He looked flattered. “I like the sound of that.”

“
Hey,” she shrieked and then laughed once he put her hand on his erection. “That will have to wait,” she teased with a mock pout. “I’m meeting your mother. You have to give a girl some time to look her best.”

He sighed looking down at his stiff cock. “Damn, I should have said no when she invited us. What am I to do now?”

Jenna shrugged, smiling at his sullen expression. He had a tent pole in his boxers that he needed to get rid of, and there was only one way that was going to happen. “All right then, come here, big boy.” She said giving in to his need for her.

* * * *

“
Ye’r beautiful when ye fidget,” he whispered, looking like he was enjoying the moment.

His parents must have seen them coming. As soon as they approached the door, Charles was there to greet them. She moved forward quickly to extend her hand. “Hello, Charles, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Likewise, my dear, I’m just glad that his ma’s naggin’ finally convinced him to bring ye.” He chuckled at Brady’s eye roll and proceeded to lead the way to meet with Sarah, Brady’s mother.

The back patio came into view, and Jenna could see his mother in the distance. She smiled at the sight of her and took notice of Brady staring. She winked to let him know that she was okay when he tugged on her hand to bring her to a complete stop.

“
What are you doing?”

“I have to say that I’m a little disappointed. I thought I’d get to enjoy yer comical side some more, but ye seem so comfortable now. Then again it’s still pretty funny to see my ma so nervous.”