by Toni Aleo
Holy mother of God, she was kissing Jensen Monroe.
And she didn’t like it.
She loved it.
Already wanted more.
Pulling away, he looked in her eyes, heat and all kinds of naughty things swirling deep inside of his. “Might want to answer that,” he whispered, and her eyes widened.
“Answer what?”
“Ms. Lemiere? Wren?”
“Shit,” she muttered as she detangled herself from the man who had just kissed her fucking socks off. When the fuck did Jensen find some game? Or kiss like that? What the hell? “Hey, sorry!” she yelled, running her hand down her face as she reached for her phone.
“Your next appointment is here.”
“Yes, tell him I’ll be five minutes.”
“Of course.”
Slamming the phone down with more force than she intended, she turned to find Jensen standing beside her, a little smirk on his face as she leaned into the desk, her hands bracing her in an effort to keep her from turning into complete goo. “So.”
“So.”
“I guess I’ll make an appointment down at the courthouse.”
She blinked. “Huh?”
“Oh, you still don’t know if you want to do this?”
She swallowed hard because, damn it, she did. She wanted to do this so badly, even though it scared her more than she cared for it to. It was the kiss! It had clouded her thoughts, but before she could think more about that, she said, “No, I do.”
“Good. So I’ll make the appointment.”
His eyes were so dark. Full of something she had never seen before. He usually had kind eyes, but at that moment, he had sexy, naughty eyes. “Wow, Vaughn’s cockiness is rubbing off, huh?”
He reached out, cupping her face as he took a step toward her. “Guess so.”
Leaning in, he pressed his lips softly to the side of her mouth. “I’ll call your parents and Wells.”
She blinked. “Why?”
“Because it’s my place.”
“You don’t have to. I can do it.”
“I want to,” he insisted, and she could tell it was a fight she wouldn’t win.
She nodded. “Okay.”
“How about dinner tonight? Talk things through?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Pick the place.”
“Okay.”
“Text me?”
“Okay.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
When he kissed her once more, this time on her lips, her eyes drifted shut as she leaned into him. She wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t been kissed in six months or if it was because Jensen was just a fucking amazing kisser, but there was no way she was saying no to that. Along with everything else? Yeah, she had no choice. She was in this.
She just hoped he was right and no one would get hurt.
Pulling back, he squeezed her hand and then started for the door. She watched as he reached it, turning to send her one last smile and then a wink before he left. Falling into her seat, she exhaled hard as she shook her head.
“Well, kiddo, that just happened.”
Looking toward the computer, she went to shut it down since her next client liked to sit by her desk. But before she could, she saw there was a new addition to the pro column.
I will kiss you like that anytime you want, and even in the times you’re too stubborn to admit you want it.
I happened to know I’m a better kisser, by the way.
Stop fighting it. Give in.
Let me be your first kiss—and your last.
Love,
Jensen
Leaning into her hand, she shook her head as her heart went insane in her chest.
She was fucked.
“So, she said yes?”
Jensen’s lips curved as he looked down at his cell phone lying in the middle of the coffee table. He had three people to call. His mom, Wren’s dad, and Wells. Instead, he sat in the living room of Vaughn and Brie’s new house with his heart in his throat. He wasn’t having second thoughts, not even a little bit, but he hated lying. It wasn’t his thing, and he was about to lie to everyone.
For her.
“Yeah.”
“So you’re going to call everyone.”
“Yeah.”
“And I get to watch?”
“Yeah. I need your support and Tricksie’s,” he said as the pup licked his chin, snuggling in his lap. “I’m sort of freaking out.”
“Okay, let me pop some popcorn and get a beer first.” Vaughn was up before Jensen could stop him.
“Dude, I’m freaking out.”
“Okay, well, I can get popcorn and deal with that. What’s up? Talk to me.”
Jensen leaned back in the couch as he cuddled with Tricksie. “What if everyone hates me?”
“Then you’re fucked.”
“Vaughn!”
“What? Is she worth it?”
“Yes,” he said without reluctance. “But what if she tries to end it?”
“Oh, you know she will.”
“How do I stop that?”
“Who knows? You’re the one doing this. Not me.”
Setting his best friend with a look, Jensen shook his head. “You are absolutely no help at all.”
“I know. It’s a personality flaw.”
“You have a lot of those.”
“I do,” he agreed, leaning on the bar in his kitchen. “But I think if she sees how to be loved right, she might not try to end it. You’re charming. Charm her pants off.”
Charm her pants off. Wow, okay. While, yes, he did very much want to get her naked and in his arms, it was more than that. He wanted her heart. He wanted it all. Closing his eyes, he could feel his lips still buzzing, and he could still taste her. Lord. Her kisses were better than he thought they’d be. He’d always known they had chemistry, he just did, but when their lips touched, it was like a cannon going off inside of him. It felt right. Perfect. She was a perfect hot mess he couldn’t help but want.
The list… Man, he was still laughing about it. It was so in his favor, but she had still stalled. He got it. She was scared, so was he, but that was okay. They’d be okay. Together. He knew it. He knew it deep down. He just hoped she did too.
Letting his head fall back, he smiled as he looked around the bare house. Brie hadn’t had time to do anything with it, but she had apparently hired Lucy Paxton to come in and do the design. Which it needed. Even empty, the little ranch style house was gorgeous. It was obvious Brie had picked it because Vaughn would have picked some big ole mansion that neither of them needed. But this house was perfect for them. Big back patio with a huge yard, and the best thing about it was their backyard butted up against the back fence of NateWay2. Though, word was, Marl, the grounds keeper of NateWay, wouldn’t let Vaughn put an entrance in back there. Said he didn’t trust it. He was kind of crazy, but they all loved him dearly. Jensen thought it was funny that Marl had said no to Vaughn, the owner of the whole damn place.
When Jensen’s phone sounded with a text, he reached for it and saw it was the girl who starred in all his thoughts.
Wren: Smooth.
Jensen: ??
Wren: I just got done with my client, and this is the first time I could text you, but I saw your message. First and last kiss, huh? You have some closet game, I see.
He laughed as he shook his head.
Jensen: Maybe I’ve always had game, just had to wait for the moment I could use it on you.
Wren: You’ve had plenty of moments.
Jensen: Maybe, but now I’ve got the next six months to give you all of it.
Wren: I’m not sure if I should be scared or excited.
Jensen: Both.
Wren: Intriguing, Mr. Monroe.
Jensen: I thought so, soon-to-be Mrs. Monroe.
Wren: …
Wren: You sure?
Jensen: I am.
Wren: I’m a hot fucking mess.
Jensen: And you’ll be m
y hot mess.
Wren: Confession.
Jensen: Yeah?
Wren: That is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Jensen: And to think, I’m just getting started.
Wren: Crap, well, then I have another confession.
His heart stopped.
Jensen: You’re on a roll, so let me have it.
Wren: I’ve always associated love and all that crap with pain. So you’ll need to be patient.
Jensen: You won’t anymore, and don’t worry, love is patient.
Wren: Okay, I’m not touching that. So, dinner tonight? Tacos?
Jensen: Send me the address.
Wren: Okay.
Jensen: Have a good rest of your day.
Wren: Thanks. You too.
Jensen: I’m about to call your parents and brother.
Wren: Oh, thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure to block their numbers for the rest of the night.
Laughing, he set his phone down as Vaughn sat back down across from him. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“We’re flirting.”
Vaughn’s brows went to his hairline. “Shit, I thought you weren’t gay.”
Rolling his eyes, Jensen sighed. “Not us, dork. Wren and me. We’re flirting.”
“Oh, good. I mean, you’re marrying her.”
“I know, but it’s nice. Hot.”
“And I just puked in my mouth.”
Laughing, Jensen shook his head. “I’m excited.”
Vaughn shot him a grin. “Good, you deserve that.”
They shared a long look before Jensen glanced away, nodding his head before he went to Wells’s number. “Wells first.”
“Good choice.”
But he didn’t hit the number. He was freaking out. Looking back up, he asked, “Where is Brie?”
Vaughn gave him an exasperated look. “Shopping with Lucy. Call him.”
Jensen paused. “What if he hates me?”
“Well, you should have thought about that before you basically did Wren against the wall to get her to say yes.”
“I didn’t do her against the wall.”
“I’m sure you didn’t just peck her lips. You’ve wanted to kiss that girl your whole life, ever since that poor excuse for a kiss when we were younger.”
“It wasn’t that bad!”
Laughing hard, Vaughn sputtered, “Her friends called you turtle tongue for, like, months.”
“Why didn’t I know this?”
Vaughn’s laughter subsided as he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. Call Wells.”
Well, shit. Okay. He wanted this.
Hitting Wells’s number, Jensen put him on speaker and held the phone out as he waited for his buddy to answer. He didn’t have to wait long. “Bro, hey! What’s up?”
“Hey, what are you up to?”
“Just lying around as Alex and his parents talk about wedding shit. Being lazy.”
“Oh, so you’re at his house?”
“No, they’re here. Why?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Oh. Well, let me go to my bedroom. Hold on.” Jensen chewed on his lip as Vaughn threw handfuls of popcorn into his mouth, a foolish grin on his face. He was such a dork. “Okay, what’s up? You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s, um, well, it’s about Wren.”
“What? Is she okay?” Wells panicked, as an older brother would.
“Yeah, no, don’t get upset,” Jensen said calmly, though he felt like he could puke at any moment. “Listen, um, something happened between her and me back in December. I never told anyone because we both agreed it was silly and just a drunken night of fun.”
Vaughn scoffed as he shook his head, which caused Jensen to throw a pillow at him. He glared back, but Jensen ignored him as Wells spoke. “Okay. So you’re saying you slept with my sister?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, and when you say you both agreed it was silly, it was really that she didn’t want anything more?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s such a dick. Okay. I mean, whatever, I’m sorry. But why are you telling me this now?”
“Um, she came over the other night and informed me that she’s pregnant.”
Vaughn leaned in, a grin on his face as Wells was silent while Jensen’s heart was going a million miles a second in his chest. “I’m sorry, what?”
“She’s six months pregnant…with my child.”
“You can’t have kids.”
Jensen closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. Man, the lies were adding up. “I thought so too, but apparently, I can.”
Closing his eyes, Jensen listened as Wells whispered, “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure she’s not lying? I mean, I love my sister, but she gets around and fucks with assholes who wouldn’t want a kid. You’re the only good guy she knows, and you’d be a damn good dad. Are you sure, man?”
“Yeah, I asked, and she wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Yeah, wow. Okay.”
“Um, so I want to ask her to marry me, but I want to make sure you’re okay with it first.”
Once again, Wells was silent as Jensen sat there having a mini panic attack. He hadn’t thought this was going to be so hard, but he was finding that he was completely wrong in that sense. This was harder than ever, and he hated it. Every second. But he had to do it. For her.
“Well, she’ll say yes because of the stupid inheritance. But, dude, I don’t know. I mean, she’ll probably blow you off when she gets the money.”
Jensen closed his eyes. “That’s a good possibility, but I want to try—for the baby.”
“Fuck, man, I’m gonna kill her. Jesus.”
Jensen cleared his throat. “You know I love her. I won’t hurt her.”
“Dude, I’m not worried about you hurting her. I’m worried she’s gonna fuck with you. Damn it. Are you sure? Like, really sure, dude?”
Jensen’s heart ached. Everyone around him, including Wren, thought she’d hurt him. But he was all in. Did that make him a masochist? Maybe it did. Clearing his throat, he said, “Yeah. I love her. I want to be there for her and my child.”
“Man. Well, yeah, bro. It’s about time she’s loved by a good guy, and you’d do right by her. Let’s just hope it sticks, and when she gets her money, she doesn’t run. You are one of the best guys I know, and it would be an honor to call you my brother-in-law.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call my sister.”
“She’s blocking your number.”
“Damn it, she’s too smart. I’ll email her.”
Jensen smiled. “Don’t be too hard on her. She’s been hiding this for a while.”
“Yeah, and I don’t like that.”
“I didn’t either.”
“Well, it’s in the past. Good luck with my dad.”
Jensen laughed. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”
“No, you won’t. Love ya, man.”
“You too.”
The line went dead, and Jensen looked up. “That went well…”
Vaughn shook his head. “He doesn’t believe anything. Wells knows Wren, knows you, and knows it’s a sham. He just won’t admit it.”
Jensen’s heart dropped. He’d thought so too, but he was hoping that Vaughn didn’t. “I was afraid of that.”
“Maybe you’ll have better luck with Winston?”
“Maybe.”
Realistically, he didn’t think he would. “I should have saved Wells for last.”
“Yeah, now that I’m thinking about it, probably.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“No problem, that’s what I’m here for. Call Winston.”
Jensen went to Winston’s number and hit call. His pseudofather answered on the fourth ring. “Jen, sorry, I was in the shop. How you doing, my boy?”
“Hey, Winston, good. What are you building?”
“Noth
ing, just hiding from the missus. She’s always telling me I need to go walking and shit. I’m retired. I wanna eat pie and act like I’m building something.”
Jensen laughed as he nodded. “Sounds like something you’d do.”
“Exactly. Why can’t she get that?” he laughed, a big gruff noise, and Jensen smiled. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call? Usually, you call Lanie, and I get the secondhand conversation.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She can talk to a rock. I hate talking, and I know you do, too.”
“I do.”
“Ha, so what’s up?”
“Um, well, Winston. I was, um—”
“Jesus, you nervous? Forget how to talk? Spit it out, boy.”
Jensen laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, um. I was calling to ask if I could marry Wren.”
Vaughn sat on the edge of his seat, taking a long pull of his beer while Jensen glared. It was a bad idea doing this with him here. “Wren? My baby?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You want to marry Wren? My daughter, Wren?”
“Yeah, Winston. Uh… I’ve known her my whole life. I’ve loved her for just as long, and I’d really like your blessing.”
“She’s pregnant, isn’t she?”
Jensen’s eyes widened as he looked at Vaughn, unsure what to say. But Vaughn just shrugged, shaking his head in horror. “Yes.”
“She put you up to this? She’s making you marry her so she doesn’t lose her inheritance?”
“No, sir. I asked her.”
“This girl. These kids are gonna put me in an early grave. One’s getting knocked up, and my boy is marrying another boy—with glittery doves.” Clearing his throat, Winston let out a long breath. “Shit, Jen. Yeah, I’d love to call you my son.”