The Boyfriend List (19 page)

“Puppies.” She grinned. She’d always wanted a dog.

“Oh, puppies?” He grinned. “I can do that. Puppies.”

He cleared his throat and continued. “Funny could be a weak spot, because my humor tends to be a bit dry, but I’m able to laugh at myself.”

Jenna grinned. Her heart was so full, it was taking all she had not to jump in his arms.

“Now, the next two seem to go together, that I like to hold hands and that I’m romantic.” He took her hand in his, and the contact was magic. “I love holding hands, but we have to fit.” Looking at their joined hands, he seemed satisfied. “It seems we do.”

He glanced at the list again. “I am athletic. I love physical activity.”

Jenna felt herself blush and Nate winked.

“I think this is going well,” he said hopefully. “Do you have any questions for me?”

“No. Go on. I’m very impressed so far.”

He smiled, and Jenna’s heart kicked into overdrive. “I am honest and I do stand up for what I believe in. I will never lie, and you have to know I will be loyal to the end.”

He stood. “Now, the next one requires a demonstration.”

“What?” Jenna forgot what was next until Nate hauled her up and grasped her head between his warm, strong hands. “According to your list, I need to kiss like I know what I’m doing. Here goes.”

The touch of his lips was gentle at first, warm, soft, sweet. He moved ever so slightly from one side to the other, creating a little heat and friction, letting the sensation build. Teasing her mouth open, their tongues touched and the fire consumed them. The kiss went on like only the best kisses do, with gentle touches, caresses, and the promise of all it could be. His hands went into her hair, hers went to his face, and Jenna knew there was no one else for her.

“You do that very well. I don’t know that anyone will ever be able to . . .”

He stopped her. “No one had better try,” he ground out. “Jenna, I
do
think you’re beautiful, and there’s no time or place when you’re more or less, you just are. I will tell you all my secrets for the rest of my days.” He dropped his head, coming so close they almost bumped noses. “I’ve missed you so much, baby.”

There was nothing in this life more precious than the love she had for this man and the child she carried inside her. The two were connected, and in all her life, Jenna had never felt more loved, protected, and cherished. Nate was everything she’d ever wanted or needed, and there was no doubt she was the same for him. And it was something she would never take for granted.

“I think there’s only one final requirement we need to discuss,” she whispered.

He nodded and locked eyes with her. And that’s when she saw it. Everything that she wanted when she was thirteen years old was converging with the rest of her life. Her heart, her soul, all of it was right there.

“I love you, Jenna. I love you with every part of me. I love you now and forever. Come home. Let’s grow our family and give each other magic forever.”

Jenna’s entire life was right there. In her arms was the man who would make her whole, and allow her to see past all the trips and stumbles she’d made before.

“I love you, too, Nate. I love you and I missed you so much.”

He held her close, and Jenna melted into the strength of his arms. They stood there in the glass room, with the rain and the river at their backs, and Jenna understood that even though there would be gray days, the light was inside the two of them.

“So,” he said. “About the job . . .”

Cupping his face in her hands, Jenna kissed him, and then kissed him again for good measure. If she’d ever felt unsure about him, ever wondered if love could be forever, she had no doubt in that moment. She would never doubt it again. “You’re hired.”

Nine months later

The large walnut table in the Reliance conference room had seen a lot of deals and milestones over the past few years. It was one of the first pieces of furniture Nate, Jason, and Owen bought when they actually moved their fledgling company to office space in Manhattan.

It was the one thing they brought with them to the new campus on Long Island because they’d had good luck around the table. They’d celebrated, worried, brainstormed, and made a lot of memories.

Now Nate sat there for the last time as a partner. It was time for him to do what he loved. To do what his heritage, his blood, and his heart beckoned him to do.

He was taking over Kylemore.

He’d agonized over the change. Even after the blowup in the Hamptons that day, the decision was hard to make. The nights he sat up with Jenna when she couldn’t sleep, too uncomfortable with their baby growing inside her, he thought about the kind of life he wanted for his children. The truth was, he wanted the life he had, that Jenna had. One that centered on family, around hard work, and doing what you loved.

When his father informed him that he wanted to take his mother to the Hamptons property permanently because the pace was slower and she needed to recover without the hustle and bustle of so many people all the time, he’d asked Nate to take over.

Finally, Nate had made a choice and pulled the trigger.

Owen and Jason were surprised because they thought he’d changed his mind, but neither one fought him. Their friendship of twenty years wasn’t going anywhere, and they’d made peace, settling their differences. He guessed his friends knew this change was always in his mind, even when he wasn’t talking about it. It was Owen who asked him what took him so long.

He was there today with lawyers, with his friends, with Harper, who had made the ride interesting, with the man who was taking over his position and buying a stake in the company, and with his wife and baby boy.

He signed paper after paper, relinquishing control of something he’d help build from the ground up. He thought he’d be more emotional, but the truth of it was he’d outgrown his usefulness here. Sure, he could crunch the numbers, he could manage the finances, but Reliance was poised to get bigger than they ever imagined, and they needed someone who wanted to manage something of that scope, something that large and powerful.

Tristan Wade was the perfect man for the job. The Brit’s business and finance background was, without question, exactly what the company needed. He was bold, brash, and smart. His attitude would piss off people all over the place, but he’d protect the company and grow it.

Nate was glad he was going to be a part of the company. They’d become friends through their love of horses and polo, and he knew he’d do right by people, because for all his attitude, Tris cared about people.

“This is the financial part,” one of the lawyers, he forgot which one, pushed a paper in front of him.

He was keeping a fifteen percent stake in the company and leaving with a billion-dollar cash buyout. A billion dollars.

Once the last paper was signed and the lawyers left the room, Nate set his eyes on Jason and Owen, who were on the other side of the big table. They looked shell-shocked. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought. Owen, the big bad marine, blinked hard. “We can tear up the papers right now if you want to change your mind.”

“Excuse me,” Tristan said. “I don’t know if that’s possible anymore, mates. I signed mine, too.”

Owen glared at him. “Sure it is. I’ll just shoot you.”

Nate had to give Tristan credit, he didn’t flinch. “Is he always like that?” Tris asked.

Nate grinned. “Not usually, but I’m not changing my mind. And I’ll be around while you transition into your new position. Once Owen gets to know you, he won’t shoot you.”

Jason stood and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the cooler on the credenza behind him in spite of the early hour. He filled five flutes with champagne and one with sparkling cider for the new mom.

When everyone had a drink, Jason raised his glass. “We are going to miss you around here, buddy. But you’re doing what makes you happy. We couldn’t wish more for you.”

“Thank you.” Nate took a sip of his drink and settled his free hand between Jenna’s shoulders. He had so much to be thankful for. “How’s he doing?”

William Nathaniel Bayard was just a month old. Every time Nate looked at his baby or his wife, he couldn’t believe how lucky he was.

“He’s a champ. He’ll sleep all day and be up all night.” Jenna beamed up at him and he pulled her close. He always wanted them close.

They stayed at the campus for an hour or so, packing up his office, saying good-bye to people in his department and showing off his son. Jenna and Harper were comparing baby notes since Harper and Kevin’s baby was only a few months older than Will—two little boys who would grow up together and who would probably be best friends.

One of Nate’s assistants carried a box out to his car and Nate strapped in the baby’s safety seat. He’d traded his GranTurismo for a Mercedes SUV. It was a lot more family-friendly.

Once he and Jenna were settled in the front seats, he leaned over and kissed her. He kissed her again and again, not knowing if he was ever going to be able to stop. She finally broke the kiss, and her hand came up to touch his cheek. Sweet, gentle, loving.

Perfect.

“Are you okay with this, really?” Jenna had been worried about the change since he’d decided. She never wanted him to feel that he didn’t have a choice, that leaving Reliance was something she expected of him.

“No regrets,” he said. “If I’ve learned anything in this past year is that you can’t live wondering what if.”

“Embrace possibilities,” she said.

“Yeah. Basically I’m choosing to live the magic, the dream. With you.”

It’s hard to believe I started this journey with the Forever Love Stories just shy of three years ago, and when I think I’ve thanked everyone, with each new book there’s someone else who has had a hand in the work becoming a finished product.

Thank you to my writing buddies, the #Fab4: Jennifer Gracen, Patty Blount, and Jolyse Barnett. I love that we’re on this journey together. To my plotting girls, and my wonderful chaptermates from CTRWA and LIRW, you guys make this ride fun.

Thank you to the team at InterMix, especially Jennifer Fisher, my lovely editor, who let me have fun with
The Boyfriend List
. My agent, Stephany Evans, is a constant support.

I am so fortunate to have a wonderful group of readers, and my street team, The Moonpies, are some of the nicest people in Romancelandia. Thank you, ladies, for being part of this crazy ride. To all of my readers, thank you for trusting me with your time. I love every letter, review, and comment you make about my books, and I am so very grateful to all of you for letting my stories be a part of your life. Thank you so much. Please do stay in touch and visit me at
jeanniemoon.com

Finally, my darling husband and wonderful children keep me going and support me no matter what. You guys are my best things. I love you.

Keep reading for a preview of Leah and Tristan’s story in

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU

The next Forever Love Story from Jeannie Moon

Available from InterMix in November 2015

Nothing hindered a quick getaway more than not being able to find your underwear.

Tiptoeing around the dimly lit bedroom, Leah Bayard was getting desperate. She looked all over the floor, under pieces of clothing, under the furniture. It had Leah wondering if she’d even made it to Tristan’s bedroom wearing her thong or if he’d pulled it off when they lunged at each other the minute they walked into his apartment.

No. His hands had worked their magic on her when she was shoved against the wall in his living room, but she had definitely been wearing her thong when he tossed her on his bed in a most wonderful caveman move. By then, her now missing thong was the only thing she
was
wearing.

The recklessness with which he pulled it off her didn’t seem to matter at the time, but now the temperature had dropped to just above freezing, and even though the wisp of black lace was probably the skimpiest thing she owned, it was better than going commando. Leah shivered at the thought, and with her hands on her hips, glanced around the room again. She’d found her bra lying on the coffee table, her dress in a puddle on the floor, and her shoes had dropped off when he’d thrown her over his shoulder . . . but where the hell was her thong?

“Looking for this, love?”

The deep voice that came from behind her filled the room with warm seduction. How did he do that? One word from Tristan Ward, and Leah was a puddle of goo. That was why she was trying to get away without waking him up. She was in a heap of trouble where Tristan was concerned. Since she’d first met him last summer, at the family July 4th barbeque, the man who was going to take her brother’s place at Reliance Software was never far from her thoughts.

His sultry good looks and easy smile made the normally unflappable Leah weak at the knees. When he touched her, whispered in her ear, laughed with her, she was lost in the moment, and Leah didn’t have time for lost moments.

That they’d had sex was another problem altogether. Not that the three orgasms he’d given her were a problem, but she didn’t want a relationship.

And the way he made her feel screamed relationship.

“Leah?” There was that voice again, his marvelous baritone enhanced by his cultured British accent.
Sweet Jesus.
And he was right behind her now, his warm breath caressing her neck. “Leaving, are you?”

“Uh, yes. I should go.” She still hadn’t turned around. When she did, her gaze would be captured by his deep chocolate brown eyes and that would pretty much put her right back under his spell. And probably back in his bed.

The bastard.

“I guess you need this, then?” Suddenly, her thong appeared in front of her face, held securely by Tristan’s fingers.

Perfect. Turning her face to his, the slow meltdown commenced as soon as they locked eyes. God, he was beautiful. His bone structure was defined, graceful . . . the word regal came to mind every time she took in his face.

Gah.
This was out of control. Time for her to go.

“I’ll take that,” she said, snatching the lingerie from his fingers. In a move Leah never would have called attractive, she pulled her panties on and adjusted them under her dress. Certain she looked ridiculous, tugging and wiggling so the thong was in the right position, Leah avoided making eye contact with Tristan again. It was bad enough he affected her so completely on the physical level, he got to her in other ways too.

He made her laugh. He made her think, challenged her, and at the same time kept her from getting lost in her own head.

Tristan made her forget about the bullshit at work, and the changes taking place with her family. With him, Leah could let all the problems go. He’d become a good friend and she wanted to keep it that way.

He didn’t take it easy on her either, didn’t let her take herself too seriously. Chances were he was laughing behind her back as she fought with her thong. Just the thought of it made Leah smile.

But the smile turned to a sigh, as she felt Tristan’s lips touch the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder. Heat curled through her, centering low in her belly. “Mmmm.”

The sound came out of her without consciousness or reason. It was betrayal, that’s what it was. Her need took over and self-control went right out the window.

“You smell so good, Leah. Like a garden after the rain. Come back to bed.”

He was so tempting. Too tempting. “I have to go.” It was all she could do to get the words out.

Grabbing her hand as she stood, Tris pulled her back into the bed. “Why? It’s six o’clock on a Sunday morning. No work to run off to. There’s no reason for you to be sneaking out.”

He threaded his fingers with hers and leveraged himself up, hovering over her. His chin was covered with a villainous scruff and his eyes were dark and playful. But it was the smile—his playful, mischievous grin got her every time.

“Are you going to tell me why you were ready to bolt?”

He wasn’t letting it go.

“I have to go to mass.”

“Mass? Suddenly devout, are we?”

Leah looked away because she’d so been caught. Much to her mother’s chagrin, aside from Christmas, Easter and a wedding here and there, Leah hadn’t set foot in a church in years.

Tris saw right through her. But hell, she was a lawyer, she could make this case. “Contrary to what you think, I’m not a heathen.”

“I never said you were a heathen. But I think after last night, you might need to do a little more than pray to absolve you. It’s possible one or two of those things might send us straight to hell.”

She laughed in spite of herself. He could be right about that. “I really should go. I didn’t plan on staying over.”

“I know,” he replied, dropping a soft kiss on her forehead. “I don’t think you planned on any of this.”

“No, I—” Stammering was not her thing, but how did she answer him? She was wickedly attracted to the man, which was the main reason she’d kept her distance. Leah wasn’t sentimental, but she was smart. She never made the same mistake twice. “I’d hoped to keep things friendly between us. Sex complicates things.”

Still holding her hands gently, she felt the heat from his naked body seep through her clothes. “It can,” he said as he nipped her chin. “But we’re adults. We can remain friends and keep the complications to a minimum.”

In theory, he was right. They were both professionals. Tristan was the new CFO of the tech company her brother and his two best friends took to the stratosphere, and she was a senior associate at one of the biggest law firms in New York City. They were smart, levelheaded. Focused. “So what are you saying? Friends with benefits?”

He raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Why not?”

Why not? It was a good question and while Leah was never one to sleep around, she’d gone too long without a physical relationship. Tris was the first man she’d been with in three years. And it was nice. She liked being with him. They got along well and the sex was great.

Really great. Like mind-blowing-fall-into-a-sex-coma great.

There was no reason they shouldn’t enjoy each other’s company. They were two hard-driving, career-minded professionals. The arrangement was perfect if she thought about it.

“Well, beautiful?” His voice was like a breeze on a hot summer night. Deep, rich and full of dirty promises. “What do you say?”

She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”