The Second Chance Hero (9 page)

“Mother of God, save me,” she prayed in exasperation.

At least she said something. She’d barely spoken to him since he’d talked to her like she was a dumb jarhead, and if nothing else, he had to repair their working relationship because she was too important to the company to lose. She just had to keep his personal life out of the discussion. Somehow he had to get her to understand he had his reasons.

When he’d been there the other day, Kim told him the back deck was her favorite spot on a nice day, and he could see why. There were mature trees, lots of open space. It was peaceful, which he found so interesting considering Harper’s kinetic personality. It must have had some calming effect, because that’s when he saw his badass director of operations singing to her little girl, who was bouncing in that little saucer-like thing. He guessed it was fun. For babies.

Harper turned and grimaced when she saw him, and then quickly moved to get the baby out of the contraption she was in. Yeah, that wasn’t happening. Harper was bolting into the house.

“Oh, no,” he said, blocking her way. “You’re going to let me apologize.”

“Do I have to salute you when you do?”

“No. I guess I deserve that.”

“You bet your ass you do. I think what pisses me off most is that you think you’re the only one who cares about Kim. You’re not. I’ve known her longer than you, she’s my friend—she’s like family, for God’s sake—and I thought I was doing something nice for you. Giving you a chance to get to know her.”

“And now?”

“Now? Now you’re just an asshole who doesn’t deserve the time of day.”

“Right.” He sat in a chair near the outdoor fireplace and crossed his legs. Lord knew he had this coming. On the topic of Kim, he knew he was right, and he wasn’t going to budge—he had to take it slow—but he shouldn’t have treated Harper the way he did. He should have been more understanding. Instead, he got his back up and turned into Asshole Number One. She was going and going, railing at him about every one of his personality defects, including a few she’d made up, and Owen let her. He deserved this and more.

Owen bent down and made his finger crawl over the tray in front of the baby. God, she was cute. Harper glared at him while he talked to the baby. Yeah, that got him in hot water.

“Are you listening to me? You start this conversation, but now you pretend like I’m not here?”

He nodded at Harper. “You’re right. Carry on. I’m listening.”

“Carry on? Fuck you and your carry on. I’m not one of your soldiers, Owen.”

“Marines. And you shouldn’t curse in front of your daughter.”

She sputtered at his warning about Anna. It was funny, but she was still pissed.

“
Marines
. Whatever. Don’t command me.”

“Harper, I’m sorry. I know you only want to help, but you have to understand my need to keep some distance.” Or not, after what transpired in her kitchen.

“Maybe . . .” She tapped her heel up and down on the deck, frustrated, angry. “Maybe I could . . . try.”

“I was an ass, like you said—”

“I said a lot more than that.”

“You did. Please, let’s put this aside? I’m really sorry.”

She hesitated and plopped next to him on the nearby sofa. “I’m still pissed.”

“Understood.”

“I’m not going to make it easy on you.” She was scowling but he could see the twinkle in her eye.

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

It was so dumb. Kim had known Jenna Albanese since the two of them were five years old. They’d walked into kindergarten hand in hand, had told each other every secret, had discovered boys together, and when it was time, Jenna put Kim, who had been in love with Tom forever, right in her brother’s path. Kim felt sick about the way their relationship had crumbled over the past year, but in truth, it shouldn’t have surprised her. Her life was a mess.

So, inviting her oldest friend to meet her at Starbucks so they could talk shouldn’t have been a big deal, but it was. It was a really big deal and the first step to Kim getting her life back.

Making Tom’s family responsible for everything she was feeling wasn’t fair and she’d known it for a long time, but it was a safe place to hide out while she got up the nerve to face her problems. She’d lashed out a little over a week ago at the cemetery and it took her a while to realize she was blaming the wrong people. The only person to blame was Tom. And since he was gone, she had to find a way to let the anger go. She’d started by making an effort with her own mother, calling her several times since their conversation over Memorial Day weekend. Talking to Jenna was the next step and could only lead to something good, so Kim reached out.

Now she was early, sitting at a table outside Starbucks and watching the people go by. She loved the dynamic between families and couples. Mothers with their children, young people, old people. Everyone had a story. She’d spent some time on Memorial Day talking to Caroline Rossi-Campbell, one of Kevin’s sisters, about her romance novels, and she said her stories came from real life. Just looking around, Kim could see that material was everywhere.

“You look like you’re hatching a devious plan.”

That voice was a like a gentle caress, much like the kiss he left on her cheek the other day. Warm, soft, deep. Kim heard herself sigh, long and low, before looking up into Owen’s smiling face.

“What’s that line from that movie?
I’ll have what she’s having
?”

Realizing she might have looked orgasmic there for a second, Kim’s face heated and her hand shot out, slapping his arm in response. Owen laughed, full and strong, sinking into the seat opposite hers.

“That wasn’t nice,” she said.

“It looked very nice. I’m not kidding—what are you drinking?”

“Just a mocha.” She didn’t want to tell him it wasn’t the sweet drink that elicited the response but a very sexy Major whose voice sounded like a long hot night.

“Come here often?” he asked, his smile wide.

Kim burst out laughing. God, it felt good. She couldn’t remember the last time she laughed like that. “Are you going to try your bad line again?”

“I’ve been practicing. I have more.”

“Oh, no,” she said with a chuckle.

“Are you religious?” he asked, taking her hand. “Because you are the answer to all my prayers.”

“Oh, God . . .” She snorted.

“Did that one work?” he asked hopefully. “You said
God
.”

“No!”

“Okay. Another one.” He leaned into her and wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m not a photographer, but I can picture you and me together.” He offered his cheesiest wink. Kim was laughing so hard her stomach hurt. Mostly it was the delivery. He cornballed it up with every line, each one going more over the top.

“You should have been an actor,” Kim said.

“I want to be your socks,” he moaned, clutching his chest.

“My socks?”
What the hell?

“Your socks, beautiful lady, so I can be with you every step of the way.”

The laughter that broke from her chest was so pure and true, Kim collapsed onto the table. Her belly trembled, she gasped for air, her sides hurt. Owen was laughing along with her and they were drawing looks from everyone passing by, but she didn’t care. It was perfect. This was such simple fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed like this. Just laughed.

The wheezing, the gasping for air, finally subsided, only for her to break into giggles again. But then she looked at Owen, who was happy and smiling, and the sheer beauty of the man forced the breath from her chest in a whoosh. BAM. Just like that.

It was true. Sitting there in jeans and a button-down, his blue eyes sparkling with life, his ruddy skin flushed and his smile wide and bright, Owen Kent was breathtaking. And he’d given her one of the happiest moments in the past year just by making her laugh. There was something very sexy about that.

“You are a lunatic,” she said.

“Yes, but you loved it.”

“I did. Thank you. I needed a laugh.”

“Anytime.” He sipped his coffee and locked his eyes on her. “So what does bring you here today?”

“I’m meeting a friend for coffee.”

“Ah. A date, maybe? Should I be jealous?”

“Uh.” Kim bit on her lip, loving that he might care enough to be jealous. As it was, she was still regretting telling him no for dinner. Over the past week, especially since the close encounter at Harper’s, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. “No date. She’s my oldest girlfriend.”

“Yes, she is, and I do consider this a date because she’s been blowing me off for the last year, so it’s a very big deal. Jenna Albanese.” Jenna stuck out her hand.

The color that had brightened Owen’s face just a second ago drained as he shook Jenna’s hand and stood. “A pleasure. I’m Owen. Ladies,” he said. “I’ll leave you to your reunion. Kim.” He winked at her. “See you around.”

He walked away, and although Kim was happy to see Jenna, she was really sorry for Owen to leave. Until she got to watch him go and was able to admire everything about the man, from his broad shoulders to his trim waist to the way his jeans hung on his hips to his very, very fine ass. “Damn,” she whispered.

“Damn is right, sista.” Jenna was watching with her, just like old times. “Who was that hunka’ burnin’ love?”

“He’s a friend of Harper’s, the woman I work for.”

Kim turned and Jenna gathered her into a hug. “It’s about time you called me.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been having a tough time lately.”

“I got that at the cemetery. I wish you’d talked to me. You know you can tell me anything. No judgment.”

“I know, but I don’t want to put you in the middle with your family. Things are hard enough already.”

“You are so stupid about this stuff. Let me get a coffee and I’ll be right back.”

Jenna trotted off and that left Kim with a few minutes to think. She thought about her friend and she thought about Owen. Her side still ached a little from the laughs they shared and she had to admit, he was getting harder and harder to resist. Almost to the point of distraction. She’d vowed he wouldn’t get to her, but in a few short days, he’d started to break down the wall she’d built around her heart.

And it was crazy. It was too fast. He was too much, but everything about him felt right. From the bickering to the laughs to the wicked chemistry. She liked him. And she kind of wished she’d let him ask her out.

She zoned out, remembering the dream she had starring her, Owen, and her bed. It was vivid, beautifully so, and she held on to every detail, because even in her dreams, he made her feel cherished.

It was crazy. She was obsessing and he’d probably let the idea that she was a total basket case settle in and was looking at her like a project. A fixer-upper.

He was a god. Rich, confident, and in total command.

Kim was a hot mess.

“You look upset. We haven’t even talked.”

“I’m thinking. I think way too much lately.”

“Well, stop it!” Jenna took a seat adjacent to Kim and put her giant frozen drink on the table. It was full of caffeine, chocolate, whipped cream, and calories, and Jenna didn’t care. It’s something she always envied about her friend . . . her ability to stop thinking and just enjoy life.

And if she worried about the calories, it didn’t show. Jenna Albanese was one of those women who was completely happy with how she looked. Her straight jet-black hair hit her shoulders in a neat blunt cut. Her skin was olive-toned and flawless, and she had curves to spare. She didn’t have to wear a lot of makeup because her bright green eyes were surrounded by inky dark lashes.

Jenna was a natural beauty, inside and out—there was nothing overt or flashy about her. Men loved her easy-going manner, and women couldn’t find fault because she was so damned nice.

Kim had really missed her.

“Now, tell me about the guy.”
No, no, no.
She couldn’t have zeroed in on Kim’s interest in Owen already. She met him for a split second. Which was probably long enough for Jenna.

“What guy?” Well, she had to try. It was pointless to hide it, but she had to try.

“What guy? Seriously? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Do-Me-Right-Now. You looked like you wanted to eat that man for dinner.”

“No.” Kim started twisting her napkin. “I don’t know why you’d think that. I barely know him.”

“
Oookay
. You keep telling yourself that.” She took a long pull on the straw in her frozen drink. “So, how is your job? I want to meet the baby and see your place. Do you love it?”

“It’s been good to separate myself from things, so yeah. Harper is great to me and I love the cottage where I live.”

“You were in the city for a while, weren’t you?”

“Yup. I was an Upper West Side nanny, now I’m a Gold Coast nanny.”

“Well, aren’t you the hot commodity?” Jenna laughed, and Kim raised her coffee cup.

“It’s good to be wanted. I like the routine.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Jenna, who was an art teacher, lived and breathed her work, much the way Kim had when she was a nurse. “I know everyone thinks you should be throwing on your scrubs again, but take your time. Especially if staying in Nannyland puts you in contact with guys like that. Holy. Shit.” Jenna fanned herself. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me about him?”

Kim leaned back in her chair. “There’s not a lot to tell. I like him, but I’ve also probably blown my chance. He asked me out and I said no.”

“Here I always thought you were a bright child . . .”

“That’s not funny.”

Jenna raised an eyebrow. “Why would you say no to him? Even if it was just for sex, you should have said yes.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say.”

“Why? You mean to tell me you don’t need to get laid? You totally need to get laid.”

Kim had to agree, she did, but the last person she expected to hear it from was Tom’s sister. And just the suggestion brought all kinds of hot and sweaty thoughts about Owen right to her head. There was no doubt in her mind, the man would be excellent in bed.

But right on schedule there was a flash of fear, of doubt, and then there was the stinking disloyalty she felt toward Tom and his family, even though she shouldn’t. Kim pushed the desire down, pushed thoughts of Owen out of her head. For about ten seconds.

“I vote we get pizza and go to your place.”

Jenna was keeping things light and casual, but Kim brought all that to a screeching halt.

“Does your family hate me?”

So much for light and casual. There was nothing but quiet and Jenna was never quiet. Kim could see she was formulating a response that was honest but wouldn’t hurt Kim. “They don’t hate you. Not at all. My mother is angry, though. She thinks you’re hiding something. Are you?”

“Hiding something?” Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. This was bad. The way Jenna was looking at her, she thought her mother was right. “You know, pizza is a good idea. And you can help me with something. I’m thinking of buying a new car and there’s a dealer nearby with specials for the military.”

“Not going to answer that question?”

“Nope.”

“I’ll get it out of you later. Let’s go car shopping.”

***

Owen was actually a little worried when he heard Anna had a bad ear infection. The child had him completely wrapped around her little finger. Kevin was still on a long road trip and he knew Harper must have been going a little stir-crazy. With her mother out of town, and Kim obviously out for the day, Owen decided to stop by. He’d been trying to mend fences with her since the blowup the week before, and sure enough, when she answered the door looking like she’d lost her mind, he was glad he’d made the trip over.

He took the cranky baby, who was now distracted by someone new, and that allowed Harper to shower. It was all she needed to restore her sanity.

Sitting on the deck with the baby now napping, Owen sipped a beer and was happy they seemed to have restored some balance to their relationship.

“Are the road trips tough?”

“This is a long one, and my mom is on a cruise, and Kim is seeing her childhood BFF, so it was kind of the perfect storm. Usually I handle it, but I was a sloppy mess on the phone with Kevin right before you got here. Is that why you came over?”

“Nope. This is just Uncle Owen being awesome.”

A low rumble from the front of the house caught his attention. Someone with a muscle car just pulled up to Harper’s house. His testosterone would know that sound anywhere. “You expecting someone?”

“Just Kim. She went out with her friend, like I said.”

“I know. I saw her at the mall.”

Owen made the walk around the house and stopped dead to see Kim and her friend Jenna ogling a shiny new Mustang. It was low slung, bright red, and mean looking. He also saw the letters “GT.” Yeah, this was a badass car.

“This isn’t usually what girls bring back from shopping trips.”

“No?” Jenna cocked her head. “Maybe you know the wrong girls.”

He motioned with his hand toward Kim, who was now sitting in the car pressing buttons. “It seems I know the right one now.”

That brought a grin out of Jenna Albanese. “She’s the best person I know. Life dealt her some shitty cards.”

“I know. We’ve talked a little.”

“She told me.” That piqued Owen’s curiosity. It seemed her fiancé’s sister didn’t hate the idea of him. Good to know. Maybe he had an ally.

“Owen? What are you doing here?” Kim had finally looked up from the dashboard.

“I came by to talk to Harper, but it seems now I’m here to get a ride in your new car. Wow.” He leaned in the window and surveyed the interior. “This is a hot beast.”