Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Why not?” Jess said. “You know Aunt Cora says…”

  “I don’t care what Aunt Cora says,” James snapped. He took a deep breath and softened his tone. “I’m just. Not. Ready.” James sighed and handed the candy back to Mason. A voice came over the speaker. Time for the bridal party dance. James turned toward the dance floor and took a deep breath. If he wasn’t ready, then why was the thought of holding Marina in his arms making him hard as steel. Fucking hell.

  The dance finally ended. James stepped back from Marina and bolted toward the bar. With a fresh beer in hand, he turned around. Just in time to see Aaron, grab Marina’s hand. James clenched the bottle in his hand. It was surprising it didn’t break. Aaron pulled Marina into his arms and spun her toward the dance floor. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Aaron was trying to get under his skin. Nobody knew about his feelings for Marina. James wasn’t even sure how he felt.

  “She looks really hot tonight!” Nick leaned elbows on the bar next to James.

  “Didn’t you bring a date?” It was hard not to sound irritated. He didn’t like the way Nick was leering at Marina.

  “Yeah, but I’m not fucking blind.” Nick chuckled as the bartender passed him a bottle. “She seems to be getting a lot of attention in that dress.” Someone would have to be blind to not see how amazing Marina looked. The thought of any other man touching her made his body vibrate with anger. The black dress clung to her body, accentuating her full breasts and hips, without being overly revealing. She wasn’t thin like most women these days. Marina had curves that could bring any man to his knees. Aaron spun her around and dipped her. James clenched his fists.

  “Where’s A.J.’s date?” James growled after he slammed back a shot of Screech.

  “I don’t know, but I don’t think A.J. cares right now.” Nick chuckled and walked away. Beating his younger brothers within an inch of their lives seemed so good right now.

  The song ended and Marina headed straight to her little boy. Danny sat on the floor playing with Mason. Since Stephanie and John got together, the two little boys spent a lot of time together.

  James caught himself smiling when Mason hugged Marina. His son seemed to be as smitten with Marina as he was. She kissed Mason’s cheek and James melted. He was so fucking screwed.

  “You know she’s meant for you.” Aunt Cora was standing next to him. This was the last thing he needed. The family cupid putting more ideas in his head. Thoughts he knew weren’t going to come true anytime soon.

  “Hi, Aunt Cora.” James bent down and kissed her cheek.

  “Don’t ignore me, Jimmy.” Cora playfully slapped his arm. “I’m never wrong and you know it.” She pointed to John and Stephanie on the dance floor. “There’s your proof.” Then she pointed to his parents dancing next to the bride and groom. “And there’s more proof.” James rolled his eyes, but he didn’t know of one couple she’d been wrong about. She was the one who told him he was going to marry Sarah, but thinking back, Cora’s exact words were, “She’s meant for you, for now.”

  “Would you like to dance, Aunt Cora?” James held out his hand to her. She narrowed her eyes but took his hand and followed him to the dance floor. Maybe she was right. Was he really ready to move on? Was Marina ready?

  “You’re both ready!” Cora said as if reading his mind. “Just let it happen.”

  James O’Connor looked so God damn hot. Marina was trying so hard to keep her eyes off of him. Why couldn’t she just forget about him? He was a widower with a child, and she was divorced with a child. Plus, James seemed to be still mourning his wife. Stephanie mentioned he had not dated since his wife’s death. Marina mentally slapped herself. He certainly wasn’t going to start with a divorced single mother. She didn’t think she was ready either but fighting the growing attraction for him was getting more and more difficult.

  It was going to be worse. Stephanie seemed to be having a lot of family dinners lately. Well, at least dinners that were turning out to be Stephanie, John, James, Marina and the kids. For some strange reason, the rest of the family always seemed to be busy.

  It didn’t help that the O’Connor family had their own resident cupid. Cora was under the impression it was her job to get Marina and James together. She sighed when James kissed Cora’s cheek and walked off the dance floor. Could she really believe what Cora said? Were they really meant to be? Sure and the moon is made of green cheese. Get a grip!

  About the Author

  What does someone say to describe themselves? You could start with giving what others say about you. Scratch that. It doesn't really matter what others think about you. It matters what you think of yourself. So here we go.

  First of all, I'm a wife and mother. I'm also a grandmother. That alone would fulfil any woman's life and to be honest it does. But......

  I'm also a writer. Someone who loves to tell stories of love, suspense, heartache and of course happily ever after. For most of my life, I've written those stories for myself. A type of therapy, I suppose. I love the characters I create. They become part of who I am because there's part of me in them.

  So.... Now that you know this about me. I hope when you read my books, you fall in love with them.

  You should also know that I'm a Newfoundlander. What is that you ask? Well, we're a proud people who live on an island, off the east coast of Canada. Some people believe Canada ends with Nova Scotia. It doesn't. If you keep going east, there is a beautiful island full of amazing people and magnificent scenery. That is where my stories are set because let’s face it. The best stories always come from the places you know and love.

  If there is anything else you would like to know about me. Ask me!