Taking Chances (6 page)

“Tyler I want so badly to be with you, and I have no doubt that you want to be with me. It’s just that I know it sounds so cliché but we come from two different places.” Slowly coming out of her daze Jenna cuddled into Tyler’s arms.

“Your mother has a very intimidating presence. Your father looked friendly though.” Rubbing her cheek on his chest she sighs with contentment.

“My mom is a pussycat and dad is just a people person he always has been. Everyone says I am my dad’s son and Bryan is my moms.” He laughed and went on. “You will get to see that as soon as she realizes I mean it when I say I want to be with you. They are going to join us
at the café tomorrow night.
You will get to see that despite the front they put up they really are nice people.”

“Stay with me Tyler, don’t go anywhere.”
Looking in his eyes he can see her need for him and smiles.

“I’m not going anywhere you go on up I’ll
take Oscar for a walk.” Getting up he walks to the front door and grabs the
dog’s
leash. “Come on
little man lets go walking.”

Oscar followed Tyler happily out the door and down the street. That made Jenna so happy because he was always a good judge of character. She made her way upstairs to her bedroom. Pulling back the covers and changing into her oversized tee shirt and little
pair of shorts. She snuggled down in the bed pulling up her plush down comforter. Her mind was still racing a mile a minute and she just laid there trying to take nice calming breathes. A few minutes later she heard the downstairs door open and then the
telltale sounds of Oscar’s
tags jingling and his claws on the stairs. Smiling as he came barging into the bedroom and curled himself up in his bed under the window. Tyler walked in the room and she smiled at him from under the covers.

“Well aren’t you just a vision
of comfort.” Walking over he sat on the bed next to her and took off his sneakers. Tyler touched her cheek and smiled
weakly at her.

She watched as he undressed leaving on only his tee shirt and boxer briefs. My god was he good looking.
There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, he was ripped.

Tyler turned off the light and climbed into bed behind her. Covering them both he pulled her back against him with his arm securely around her waist.

“Sleep
well Jenna.” Kissing her neck he
just laid there holding her securely. He didn’t allow himself to fall asleep until he heard the slow even breathing that indicated she had finally fallen asleep. Sleeping with Jenna in his arms just felt so right, he swore this would be the new normal for both of them.

Chapter eight

Jenna woke up well rested and feeling good. She couldn’t remember the last time she slept so well, especially after having a panic attack.
Looking up she saw him lying
there so peaceful and at ease. The feel of his strong arms
lying
easily around her was amazing. She eased out
of bed careful not to wake him. Taking a moment to look at him she then walked out of the room and down to the kitchen.
She
started a pot of coffee and made her way back upstairs. Upon entering her room it took all of her control to not laugh.
Oscar had jumped up on the bed and taken her spot, cuddled up next to Tyler with his little head on the crook of Ty's arm.

“Oscar shhhh
stay.” She whispered to the animal as she entered the room. She took a seat in the overstuffed chair she liked to read in and grabbed her sketch pad and pencil.

She started to sketch the handsome man and adorable little dog in her bed.
Drawing every line of his handsome face and well defined body under his clothes.
The dog just laid there comfortably used to being the subject of Jenna’s art.
She sat there for who knows how long and watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as he slept peacefully. He had a small scar by his right eye it was cute. She was going to have to ask him where he got it, probably doing something amazing and crazy. She smiled to herself, she had spent most of her life scared and she knew she would always have anxiety and fears. But for the first time she could picture herself trying new things. She wanted to see what made Tyler smile like he did in all those pictures in his home office. That smile was infectious it was like
he just conquered the world.

“So how close are you to being done because I could really use a cup of coffee right now.” The deep sensual voice shocked her out the almost hypnotized state she has a
tendency to get into when she is drawing.

“How
long have you been awake? And sure you can get up I just have a few finishing touches but
I’m
pretty much done.” She
told Tyler with a huge smile on her face.

The minute Tyler started to move Oscar made his displeasure known with a small little growl. “Well you may be fine with me moving but this little guy certainly thinks I should stay as his pillow.” Picking up the small dog and looking in his furry little face Tyler
laughed.

“What kind of dog is he anyway?”
Holding the little ball of fluff close and scratching his ears.

“I’m not sure I just found him at the shelter when he was six months old or so and I just fell in love.” Jenna looked adoringly at the two men in her life.

“Well little man what’s say you and I go take
a walk and get some bagels for breakfast while the artist finishes her masterpiece.” Putting the dog down
he
ran to the front door barking happily.

“I think he is a fan of the idea.
I mean you did say his two favorite words all in once sentence walk and eat.
” Laughing, he
pulled his pants on then his shoes. He walked over and le
aned down and gave Jenna a quick kiss on the forehead
before heading out the door. “
We will be back in a few minutes.”

Jenna heard the front door open and close and immediately told her smart phone to call Sara.

“Hey Jen how are you doing.
Ty was pretty upset when he came over last night
looking for
your apartment key.” Sara queried with a touch of worry in her voice.

“I’m fine in fact I’ve never been better. He came in here and was so gentle and so tender. I slept in his arms and I was never more at ease. Oh my god Sara is it possible I think I’m falling in love with this guy?” Jenna grabbed a towel and a multi colored maxi dress to put on after she took a quick shower.

“Jenna I’m so happy for you. He is a great guy and he is
certainly proving himself to be good for you. Is he still there? What’s going on?” Now that Sara knew her friend was ok she couldn’t help but be happy and oh
so curious as to what was happening with her friends new found love.

“He took Oscar for a walk and to get some breakfast. I’m going to take a
quick shower and I will call you when he leaves. Bye Sara,
and thanks for giving him the key to get in.” Trading goodbyes with her friend Jenna hung up and took a quick shower.

~~~~~

Jenna was just coming downstairs when Tyler and Oscar came through the front door. Her hair was wet and her feet were bare. She was wearing a long, strapless, multicolored maxi dress and Tyler stopped in his tracks when he saw her.

“You are beautiful you know that?
What happened to the pink hair?
” He smiled at her as
she stepped off the bottom step
and into his arms. Oscar was circling the couple as they embraced.

“The pink is just little clips I add when I’m in the mood for something different, I have all different colors.” Leaning up and kissing him sweetly as he holds her.

“Is he protecting you from me?” Tyler asks looking down at the little angry ball of fur running around them and barking.

“Nothing so chivalrous, he just wants some of the food your holding.”
She whispered looking up at him, lost in his beautiful blue eyes
.

While the couple stood there holding each other Oscar kept jumping up and trying to get the bag of food Tyler
had. After several minutes of trying with no luck to get his breakfast he finally decided to let his owner and her knew friend know that he would not be ignored.

The loud bark followed by the saddest sounding howl ever to be heard from a dog made the couple laugh and they looked down at the poor dog.

“Well I guess we should feed him. I mean, I don’t want to be known as the man who withholds food from the poor dog from now on.” Holding Jenna at his side he guided her to the kitchen.

Jenna served the coffee while Tyler cut the bagels and put out the variety of cream cheeses he got.
Placing a mini bagel with egg and bacon on it in a bowl for his new friend.
“Here you go buddy eat up.” Scratching the dog’s ear and giving his attention back to Jenna.

“So tonight my family and I will be having dinner at the café and I really want you there. My father really wants to get to know you and my mom, brother and sister in law will get to know you and love you now that dad and I have put them in their place.” Taking a bite of the bagel he covered liberally with vegetable cream cheese he waited to see how she would reply to his invitation

“That sounds nice Tyler I’m going to call ahead and make sure they save the back table for us. It has the most privacy
and I would really like to make a good impression on your family.
Is there anything special they like?
” Sipping her coffee he could see the fear in her eyes but didn’t say anything.

“Listen. You don’t have to worry everything will be fine. Dad thinks your great already Bryan and my mom are just standoffish people give them time and they will come around.
Veronica is a really sweet girl and I do love her like a sister but she’s very quiet. But if you do want to hit a home run then my parents are fans of simple rustic French food. I really think they will like the whole menu there though.” Looking at her he sipped his coffee.

They finished their meal talking and laughing. When he was done she stood up and walked over and sat on his lap, she ran her fingers through his always perfectly tousled hair. Running her fingers over the stubble on his face and leaning in to kiss him so passionately it stole his breathe.

“Maybe tomorrow after dinner you can take me back to your place. I would love to sketch the view from your penthouse.” Smiling wickedly she winked and got to her feet.

Playfully swatting her behind, he smirked. “Anything you want princess.”

Noting the time he got up and headed to the door. Stopping to place a kiss on her soft pink lips then crouching down to rub Oscars belly as he lay on his back
in one of the many dog beds throughout the house. “I guess you better bring Oscar too, what do you say Oscar you going to come run around my place? There are so many new things for you to sniff and tons of comfy places for you to nap.” The dog didn’t even move which made Tyler laugh. “He certainly is a creature of comfort isn’t he?”

“I will
pick you up later. Bye Jenna
.” Winking he walked out and got in his shiny black sports car and drove away.

The minute his car was out of sight Jenna grabbed her cell and called Sara.

“Come over here now! I have dinner with the family tonight I need help!”

As soon as she hung up she called the café and talked to Peter the head chef to see what was on the menu today. After about fifteen minutes she worded out what would be served to them and asked him if he would have time to run next door to the pick out a wine to accompany the meal.

Chapter nine

Jenna stood looking at herself in her bedroom mirror. She had chosen to wear, with the help of Sara, her
long sleeve
sweater dress. It had horizontal blue and black stripes and she
added her black wedge booties to wear with it. Her hair was long and straight and just to add a touch of fun she put in just a few blue streaks in her hair. She put in the small diamond stud earrings that Aunt Emma told her were her grandmothers and checked her lip gloss.

The doorbell rang and Jenna took a deep calming
breathe and headed down stairs. Grabbing her purse she opened the door and smiled at Tyler.

“Do I look ok?”
She asked him nervously.

“Let me see.” Grabbing her hand he held it above her head and she did a little twirl. “Yup just as I expected, you look perfect.”

She closed the door and locked it. They
walked the two blocks to the café and arrived at the same time as his family. They got out of the car and everyone said their
hellos.

“Café Eclettico
, this place is absolutely charming Jenna.”
Julia Johnson kissed Jenna on the cheek and everyone walked inside. Jenna gave Tyler a bit of a shocked look.