Bittersweet (4 page)

Sam showed up an hour later to apologize again, and Jenna did the same.

***

She didn’t see Brady as soon as she would have liked. The next day she and Sam were inseparable. They went out for lunch and took a walk to find somewhere to picnic. They talked, laughed, and cried.

They’d spent the whole day out in the open. Almost everywhere they looked they were surrounded by fields and fields of grass and beautiful landscape. It was peaceful, gorgeous, and serene—heaven on earth—and for the first time in a long time, Jenna’s mind was free of worry, and damn, it felt good for once. That night she was able to sleep.

She dreamed of good things for a change, mainly Brady, but someone disturbed her slumber by pounding on the door.

“What the hell?”

Frustrated at being taken away from the really hot dream, she yanked open the door to find out who the hell it was. The light in the hallway was blinding and she had to squint to see. “Good Lord, get in here,” she mumbled. “Who knew that light was so bright.”

Brady laughed. “But now I can’t see anything.” She turned on the bedside lamp. “Much better. Now I can actually see ye.”

“Brady, it’s late. Is everything all right?”

“Yes,” he whispered and sat on the bed. He pulled her over so that she stood in front of him. He moved his hands up her thighs, and she was so close to him that she could feel his breath hot on her stomach. His lips parted, and she began to breathe harder. God, if he kept it up, she wouldn’t take long to reach her peak.

“Brady, you’re driving me crazy.” She was breathless, and damn, she wanted him to make her come, needed it. It had been way too long, and it just wasn’t as good when she pleasured herself.

He chuckled and looked up. “I’m glad, love. I’ve wanted ye for a while. It’s nice to know the feelin’s mutual. Nice shirt by the way,” he said and moved his hands up under the hem to get inside it. He stopped at the line of her underwear and stood with her so she was flush against him, his hard body to her soft curves. “I can’t stop thinkin’ about ye. I just can’t stop thinkin’ about the kisses we shared and the way ye smell. All flowery yet so unique. I bet ye taste just as sweet. I can’t wait to taste ye, Jenna. Yer drivin’ me crazy too, love.”

He leaned in and took a deep breath against the column of her throat, and it made her shiver. It felt like a slow, torturous seduction, and she couldn’t take much more. She took initiative and lifted the shirt above her head, then dropped it to the floor, leaving her in nothing but a pair of tiny panties. “Now it’s your turn,” she said and began to work on getting his pants undone.

He fisted his shirt above his head and took over getting naked to join her, then moved them back to the bed when he was done. Laying her down, he crouched above her and paid special attention to her breasts. He licked and suckled one while tweaking the other with his fingers, making her moan and arch for more of his touch. After paying equal attention to each, she began to squirm.

“Tell me what ye want me to do to ye, love. Let me hear what ye need.”

“You, I need to have you inside of me.” She was desperate and aching for him.

He smiled and eagerly rolled the condom on before he lifted her up to be on top. “Ye can control everythin’ this way, and I still have easy access to all yer best parts.” He cupped her breasts and watched as she slowly rose up and down to get used to him while he filled her. She wanted to take her time. It felt too good to rush, and he was big. Gradually she picked up her pace, and she was finally able to take him to the root. He moaned, looking strained, as though he was fighting hard to hold back. He let go of one breast and trailed his hand down her stomach to where they were joined. She was so hot and wet, and incredibly greedy for anything he was willing to share with her, so she leaned back a little to give him better access.

“Come for me, Jenna. I’m so close, darlin’. Come for me.”              

She hissed an appreciative sound and moaned as her orgasm built. Her body writhed, and she pounded down on him harder and harder, then it hit. She cried out and screamed his name as her pussy pulsed her incredible release around his cock. She milked him, and as his climax hit, he thrust up hard while holding her hips in place.

“Jenna,” he moaned, and she could feel the heat of his seed as he filled the condom inside her.

Chapter Five

“Mornin’.”

“Hmm, and what a good morning it is.” She leaned over to give him a quick peck and snuggled closer. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”

“I can certainly think of a few things.” He chuckled and rolled her over so that she was underneath him. He began at her throat and trailed kisses downward, passing between her breasts as he tasted every bit of her with his tongue. She moaned and arched her hips, but he took his time. He sat up and lifted first one of her legs and then the other as he trailed more kisses from her ankle to her inner thigh, teasing her.

“Brady, please,” she moaned and writhed in anticipation.

His chuckle was smug with male satisfaction, and he moved his tongue in slow, deliberate circles to prolong her pleasure while he continued to savor her taste.

Damn, she was so close. She stroked her hands through his soft hair, positioning him to where she needed that delicious, wet tongue. It was a silent demand for her satisfaction, and he gave it. She moaned over and over and got louder as the climax hit her hard.

They made love and cuddled most of the morning, but as much as she would have loved to continue, she knew Brady had made other plans for the two of them.

***

“No peekin’, love.”

Jenna couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this giddy. Brady covered her eyes with his hands and led her through the lobby and outside.

“Are ye ready?”

“I think so.”

“All right, darlin’, here ye go.” He slid his hands from her eyes and took a step back.

She had to blink a few times to take it all in and gasped. A horse and carriage stood waiting for them.

“I figured since ye had the tour in the air, it was time ye experienced one on the ground.”

This had to have been not only one of the most romantic, but one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her. He took her hand to lead the way, and she began to tear up.

“Why ye cryin’?” he asked with wide eyes, clearly startled by her reaction.

She knew getting emotional was probably the last thing he’d expected her to do, and then she watched as his expression turned from concern to confusion when she smiled at him. “Because you’re amazing, and this has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, Brady.”

“It’s no problem, love. Ye haven’t really traveled before, and I didn’t want ye to miss anythin’ while ye were here. Ye had me worried that I screwed it up for a minute.”

She smiled again and was left speechless that they were actually in front of a horse and carriage. The whole experience felt so surreal.

“Yer chariot awaits ye, my lady.”

Brady pointed out different landmarks and sights, and they talked and laughed the whole way. She saw the view from the ground this time, and every detail stood out. They saw government buildings, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Merrion Square, the Four Courts, the Mansion House, and plenty of churches. It was all so educational and so beautiful.

She’d been so wrapped up in him, she didn’t realize the tour was over until Brady helped her down. “Where are we?”

They stood in front of a small bungalow in the outskirts of town.

“This is where I live. I’d really like to get to know ye, Jenna, and I’m hopin’ ye’d like to get to know me better yerself, so I thought I’d show ye a few things.”

“Absolutely.” She was touched by his nervousness and completely flattered to be there.

The house was a great setup for a bachelor. The cozy living room had a fireplace at one end. The kitchen was a nice eat-in, with a lot of cabinets and enough space to fit a good-sized table. Two average-sized bedrooms and a small bathroom were upstairs.

He came out of the kitchen with a bottle of wine in hand, and Jenna stood directly in his path, admiring the view from the window. He moved up behind her and brushed the hair away from the nape of her neck. He trailed kisses up to her earlobe and whispered, “Would ye like to have a better look?”

“Hmm,” she mumbled and leaned into his embrace. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head; she loved how his lips felt on her. “At what?” She was easily distracted from other thoughts with him so near.

He chuckled and moved aside. “The yard, silly. I’ll get a blanket and meet ye out there.” He grabbed the bottle he’d put on the table and started for the linen closet.

Damn, what a fine ass he has.
She watched him step away until he was out of sight. Fanning herself, she headed outside to look around.

“Hey there.”

She jumped, not expecting the unfamiliar voice behind her and turned around to find the source. “Oh, hello.”

“Sorry, darlin’. I didn’t mean to scare ye.” The man laughed before bending down to pick a flower. He stood and gave her a once-over after handing it to her. “Peace offerin’. My name is Charles. Pleased to meet ye.” He was an older man with thick, white hair, a slim build, stunning blue eyes, and a charming smile.

“Jenna,” she said and extended her hand to shake his.

He held it. “So how long have ye known Brady?”

“Not very long at all.”

“I am in me wick,” he murmured. “Ye know he normally doesn’t bring his birds home. Ye must be somethin’ special.”

That made her smile. “You know Brady?” she asked. Whoever this charming man was, she certainly liked him, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something obvious. A familiarity, maybe?

He laughed again. “Aye, ye could say that.” He looked past her for a minute, smiled, then held her hand to his mouth. “It was a pleasure, sweet Jenna.” After kissing the back of her hand, he let it fall and headed in the other direction.

“We’re all set,” Brady announced.

What was it with men sneaking up on her today? Jenna had watched as Charles slowly made his way back to his house and hadn’t noticed Brady behind her.

“Great. I like your neighbor, by the way.”

Brady laughed. “That’s no neighbor. He’s nothin’ but a pain in me hole.” He said it loud enough that Charles laughed before he was out of sight.

She was appalled that he would say something like that about a man who seemed so sweet. “That isn’t very nice,” she whispered, and Brady laughed louder.

“Jenna, love, that’s no regular neighbor. That’s my da.”

“I’m kind of glad I didn’t know.” She blushed and then laughed. “Parents are a big deal, and it would have made me nervous.”

“No need to be, love. Now I’ve a throat on me, how ’bout some wine?”

As they sat out in the open, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a good time. It had been a while anyway, and she had no regrets coming to Ireland. In fact, she wanted to come back with Jayden sometime. He’d love it.

“Why the long face, love?”

“Sorry,” she whispered. “I was just thinking about Jayden, my son. I miss him.” Shrugging, she smiled at him shyly, and he gave her a curious look. She’d brought up her son a few times but hadn’t really said much about him.

“So then tell me ’bout him, love. What’s Jayden like?”

The simple question was difficult to answer. When it came to her son there weren’t enough words to explain who he was or how much he meant. So how could she describe Jayden in just a few words? She gave it a try. “He’s a typical four-year-old. He’s amazing. Outgoing and carefree. He’s sweet and loving. He has a way about him that draws people in. He’s smart and unbelievably handsome, of course.” She laughed. “But he’s also a handful at times, very busy, and he gets into everything. A regular everyday pain in the butt sometimes, and he’s my greatest accomplishment, the best decision I’ve ever made, and he’s the love of my life.”

“He’s a lucky boy, and he’s sounds just grand.”

***

A half hour later, they packed up and headed inside. To Jenna’s embarrassment her stomach growled, letting her know it was time for dinner. Brady told her to put her feet up while he cooked, so she curled up in front of the fireplace and admired him from afar. Soon the delicious aromas reached her, making her mouth water and stomach grumble again.

“Is there anything I can help you with in there?”

“No, love, but thank ye.” He smiled, and her heart beat faster, just as it did every time he did that. With his piercing blue eyes that always made her hunger for just another look from him, he was a man who aimed to please, and she loved that about him. He not only cooked and cleaned but was considerate and dynamite in the sack. What more could a girl ask for?

He’d kept the meal simple with pasta and salad, and she insisted on helping him with the cleanup.

“The spaghetti was delicious, thank you.”

He smiled again, took the last plate from her to dry, and shook off the extra suds. Drips of water and soap suds flew through the air, getting her wet in the process, and he laughed at her shocked expression.

“Oh really,” she said, suddenly in the mood to play. She took the sprayer hose from the faucet, turned it on, and gave him a squirt with it. She laughed, and it was his turn to pause in shock.

She could tell by his expression that this meant war and made a run for it, laughing the whole way. She made it into the living room before he extended his arms to catch her, and he swooped her up as if she was feather-light.

“Got ye.”

They both laughed, but when she turned to face him, he became serious. She knew then that the games were over. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and pulled her toward him. As he slowly moved his face closer, his eyes sparkled and completely absorbed hers.

The kiss started out slow, and she wanted him to take his time with it. She held back a groan when he pulled his mouth away and yanked him tighter against her. Her adrenaline pumped faster, and warmth coursed through her body. There was no thinking twice about it; her desire for this man had consumed her.

She pushed him against the wall and kissed him hard, wanting him in that moment more than she’d ever wanted anything. She liked where this was going, liked being in control, needed it right then. She placed her hands on his chest and slowly moved them down his beautifully sculptured abs. “Stay,” she whispered and took a step back so he could watch as she unzipped her dress. It slowly slid to the floor, exposing her bare breasts and her sexy black thong. She kicked it out of the way, pulled his shirt off, and pressed herself against him again, flesh against flesh.

“You’re the first man I’ve wanted in a long time,” she confessed, no longer feeling as vulnerable as she once had. “My first since Tyler left me.”

“Jenna,” he moaned and flexed his hips forward. Her confession seemed to shock but flatter him. “I’m staking my claim, love. Do you hear? Ye’r mine now, as I am yers.”

She purred and rubbed her body flush to his to create friction against the heat of her core. Getting moister by the second, she lowered her head to lick and nip at his nipples and worked her way down his stomach toward the cock she ached for. She slowly tugged his zipper down.

“No underwear. What a pleasant surprise,” she said and gently pulled him out for her wet mouth to taste.

She angled him where she wanted, and he gasped and moaned when she circled his sensitive head with her tongue. She took him as far back as she could over and over, swirling her tongue up and down his thick shaft, and hearing his rapid breathing and moans of excitement turned her on even more. She felt powerful and sexy as hell to be able to bring him so much pleasure.

“Feck yesss,” he hissed. “Like that, oh, shite, Jenna…” He leaned back and closed his eyes, clearly enjoying the feel of her mouth on him.

She could tell he was close and cupped his balls while working him harder to take him over the edge. He placed his hands in her hair and flexed his hips faster and faster to fuck her mouth, so she relaxed her throat. His orgasm rushed through him, and he roared her name in delight as she sucked every last drop down her throat.

He took a minute to catch his breath before he swept her off her feet and into the bedroom. “It’s time to return the favor,” he murmured and dropped her in the middle of the bed. He playfully nipped her thong between his teeth and dragged it down her legs with his mouth to discard it. She moaned when he lowered his head, and he smiled against her glistening lips.

“Brady, please…”

She was breathless with need and lifted her hips as soon as his tongue made the first stroke. His slow, deliberate circles taunted her. As soon as she was close, he drew back and went lower. He slid his tongue through her folds, tasting, savoring, and then stroking in and out as he fucked her with it. She moaned again and then huffed as she reached out for him. She threaded her fingers through his thick, dark hair and gave it a little tug to guide him where she needed him most to end this sweet torture.

He chuckled before he obliged the silent demand, the tip of his tongue applying pressure against her clit with sure, confident strokes to take her over the edge. She massaged his scalp as she rocked her hips, then screamed his name as the powerful force of the orgasm took over.