Bittersweet (5 page)

They made love and cuddled the rest of the night. When she woke up the next morning, she was happier than she’d been in such a long time. They’d had an amazing time the day before, and she was still in Brady’s arms. He was so attentive and treated her as though she was the only one that mattered to him. Realizing she’d developed strong feelings for him was a scary thought.

It can’t be love
already, can it?
It was so soon. She felt a powerful connection to him, and being intimate had only ignited that spark a million times more. It was hard to explain, but she had never felt that type of chemistry before, not even with Tyler.

“Mornin’.”

She smiled and pulled away from her thoughts. Having feelings like these for a man again was scary enough, but even worse was not knowing if he felt the same way while knowing she had to leave him eventually. She didn’t want to think about it anymore.

“Good morning,” she greeted, pressing her naked body against his. She sucked on his bottom lip and smiled. “I think it’s time for more,” she murmured, then kissed him, preparing herself for whatever he was able to give her.

Chapter Six

Her memories of the next few days were purely physical. It was as though once they’d started, they just couldn’t help themselves no matter where they were. Her hotel room was no different.

“Brady, stop.” She was short of breath from laughing so hard. She tackled him, pinning his hands above his head on the mattress, and straddled him.

She’d noticed his focus settling on the rise and fall of her breasts as she tried to get her breath back, and it made her smile. They’d been messing around like children, chasing, teasing, and wrestling each other, all in fun, and she was exactly where she wanted to be.

“Ugh, I wish you didn’t have to go. I’m going to miss you,” she pouted, then smiled when he rolled on top to give her a kiss.

“Ye could come with me, ye know. I haven’t been to the boozer in a couple days. I’m bound to lose my job if I keep missin’.”

“I know, and I would come. It’s just that I haven’t seen Sam in a while. Caleb’s going with you, leaving her alone, and I feel guilty for neglecting her. Although my time with you has been wonderful, and I hope to have much more of this before I leave.”

“From now until ye have to go, ye can have ’em all, love, every moment.”

She nodded and snuggled closer. “Will I see you later?”

“It’ll be late, but if ye’ll have me, I’ll be back here as soon as I can.”

“I’ll be here.” She kissed him and was reluctant to let him go when all she wanted was to tie him up and have her way with him again and again. He closed the door quietly in front of her after he quickly changed, and the room already felt empty without him there, but she’d made a promise to herself. It was time to see Sam now, and she couldn’t wait to dish on how well her time with Brady was going.

Her friend was pretty quiet when she came to the door. Something was up, and it couldn’t be good.

“Are you okay?”

Sam didn’t answer. “No Brady tonight?” She flopped on the bed dramatically.

“Um, no, he’s at work, but you knew that because Caleb’s with him.”

“I think I’m starting to regret spending so much time with Caleb,” she whispered.

What the hell?
She wouldn’t even look Jenna in the eye. “Okay, Sam, spill it. None of this makes any sense. When I saw you a few days ago, you were on cloud nine and couldn’t get enough of him. What could have possibly changed in a matter of days? Has he hurt you?”

“Of course not,” she snapped. “I guess I just miss our girl time. I think I need some.”

“If you say so.” Jenna helped Sam up, forcing her to get out of bed, “that’s what I’m here for. You want to go see the guys at the pub, or would you rather do something else?”

“Something else.”

They wound up taking a night stroll, sticking close to the hotel. Sam was still unusually quiet, and it was starting to piss Jenna off that she wouldn’t open up, especially after how pushy Sam had been about getting her to talk in the past.

“Okay, Sam, this is ridiculous. Your silence is driving me insane, and you need to start talking.”

“Jenna, you’re the one that’s being ridiculous. Like I didn’t have enough to worry about, now I have to put up with your intrusion. I’m late. Are you happy now?”

She gasped. It was unlike Sam to snap or talk to her that way. “Late?”

“Yes, Jenna, late, as in my menstrual cycle. I’ve never been late before, and it’s scaring the crap out of me. The condom broke that first night with Caleb, and, well, the last person before him had been quite a while ago, so I wasn’t on the pill. I’m sure it’s a false alarm. Hell, I’m praying it is, but I’m still freaked out.”

“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.”

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.

“On the bright side,” she teased, “if you are…at least it’ll take the pressure off 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 smirked. “God, Jenna, I swear if I ever have a kid, I hope he’s as great as yours.”

“Impossible. Jayden is one of a kind.” She was having a proud momma moment.

“Now isn’t that the truth.”

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

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

She just hoped everything worked out for Sam and wondered how Caleb would cope with the news.

***

It was late when Brady got back, just as he’d 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 her day.

“Hi,” she said as she started to get up.

He smiled back and lifted her in his arms. “Hey yerself.” He threw her back onto the mattress and enjoyed his view. Her wide smile was breathtakingly beautiful, and without further thought, he joined her. He captured her lovely mouth with his lips, needing to kiss her. He’d been thinking about her all night, and being away was driving him insane. He was addicted, just had to taste her, and it scared him shitless to need her that way.

While 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. But since meeting Jenna things had changed. When he’d gone in earlier, he’d gotten hit on several times. He always did, but tonight he found himself comparing the women to Jenna. Most of them were beautiful but artificial: fake boobs, fake hair extensions, fake fingernails, too much makeup, not enough makeup, and the list went on. None of them seemed to have Jenna’s natural beauty or her charm.

Of course, first impressions could be deceiving, but he didn’t want to know any of them better. He was ruined for everyone else, and he wasn’t sure he was all right with that. Christ, Jenna was only visiting, and he seriously needed to get a grip.

So many things were going on in his head, and he groaned. 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, everything would go back to the way it used to be. The life of a bachelor was good. He liked no-strings-attached sex and being responsible for only himself. Besides, she had a kid to go back to, so she couldn’t stay even if he wanted her to, right?

His kiss became eager the more he thought about it. It was a way to release the frustration of his thoughts. He needed it to come out somehow, and hell, he was feeling this way 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 their intimacy 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 to his home when Jenna couldn’t take the quiet anymore. Brady looked as though 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’d 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, but she wanted to know.

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.”

Does he want me like I want him?
She should probably just come right out and ask him. “What about me? Would you say I was a lucky girl?”

He sighed. “Well, what do ye think?”

“I don’t know, but I hope 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? Okay, forget it.” She rolled her eyes. Obviously, she’d hit a sore spot. Brady clearly wasn’t into discussing his feelings, and she’d obviously misread the connection they had. 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. Then again, he had a point. She was on a vacation and leaving soon. There was no way what they had could work beyond that, and she should enjoy it while it lasted.

She opened the car door before he stopped and got out, anxious to get her bag back.

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

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

“Ye’r mad?” he asked, then he smiled when she crossed her arms and avoided looking directly at him in 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 the bag from her hand and walked to the door to make his point. “Ladies first.” He waited by the door after opening it, 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 what I’m feelin’ is 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. He nudged her lips apart, taking what he wanted until their tongues moved in synchronization and her need for him reached its peak.

“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’s he up to?
She took the wine 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 and not her, so she wants us over for supper.” He shrugged as though it wasn’t a big deal, and she couldn’t believe it. 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 as though it wasn’t a big deal. Was he crazy?

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

Her hands shook, and he took her wineglass from her to avoid spillage and placed it on the coffee table. “It’s okay, love, take a breath.”

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

“It’s nothin’ te worry yer pretty head about, love. ’Tis 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 out of bed as naked as the day she was born and quickly made her way to the bathroom to shower. The very least she could do was make an effort to look her best. Thank God she’d 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 parents’ house for dinner? Because if so, I’m sure supper with your mom isn’t going to be such a big thing.”