Perfect for the Beach

by Lori Foster

  There was a flicker of something in Trey’s eyes. Jenna couldn’t pinpoint the emotion. The tension built as silence stretched between them. Once again, he had no answers for her.

  He finally said, “I know you blame me for the downfall of our marriage, and I’m willing to accept the lion’s share of the blame. But if we’re going to hash things out, let’s not sugarcoat anything here. You played a role in our breakup, too. Long before the day you walked out on me.”

  Jenna’s mouth fell open. “How can you say that?”

  “You took a sabbatical from your job.”

  “Because—” Jenna promptly shut her mouth as his words hit home. She had taken a leave of absence for one reason only—in case things hadn’t worked out with Trey.

  “You have no idea how insecure that made me feel. Like you were waiting for the first sign of trouble so you could head back to New York.”

  “I …” What could she say?

  “I knew I loved you, but your decision to ‘keep your options open’ made me realize I needed to guard my heart.”

  “I … I never thought about how that would make you feel.”

  “I know you didn’t. You also didn’t know that I’d spent much of my life guarding my heart. My father raised me because my mother didn’t want me, and for a long time that made it hard for me to trust. I wanted to know that the woman I was going to spend my life with wanted me with the same kind of passion that I had for her. If you didn’t want to be here …”

  Trey’s voice trailed off, and silence filled the air. After a moment he said, “Let’s take a walk on the beach.”

  “Now?”

  “You always liked to walk on the beach in the mornings. Now I know why. It’s a great place to think. A great place to talk.”

  He was already walking past her to the bedroom. Moments later, he reappeared wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “C’mon, sweetheart.”

  Trey took her hand and led her to the terrace. At the side of the patio enclosure was a door and steps that went down to the sand.

  There was something infinitely calming about the sound of waves lapping at the shore. Something peaceful about a seagull’s early morning call. Jenna stared out at the water, as far as the eye could see. She found solace there, something she didn’t find when she looked onto her tree-lined street back home in Buffalo. The sun and the sand were good for her soul, and Key West provided both.

  Jenna and Trey walked hand in hand for several minutes, neither saying a word. Jenna had thought they’d end up arguing in the house, that she would end up in tears and he would emotionally shut down. But neither of those things had happened.

  “That morning,” Trey suddenly said, “when you asked me about my ex-wife, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell you about her. It was that your question caught me completely off guard. I was stunned that you knew about Irene. And when you said your father had found out that piece of information about my past—that’s what sent me through the roof.”

  Jenna still remembered the shock of her father’s news. He had never approved of her sudden marriage, and had been determined to prove to her that Trey was no good. The day he called to tell her what he’d learned—that Trey had been married before but had kept that from her—he’d had an unmistakable “I told you so” smugness.

  Jenna had been angry with her father, and was certain he’d been lying. Making up a story so he could get her to return home. Surely if Trey had been married before, he would have told her that. Which was why, almost in jest, she had asked Trey that question the morning after an incredible night spent making love.

  Trey said, “I thought, ‘This woman doesn’t trust me at all if she has her father digging into my past.’ And that really hurt me, Jenna. More than I could deal with.”

  “I never asked him to investigate your past. In fact, I was angry when he told me what he’d done.” In hindsight, she should have shared that with Trey, made him understand her father had acted on his own. “My father was on some mission to prove that you were totally wrong for me because he couldn’t understand why I’d married you after knowing you such a short time.” Jenna paused. “When he announced that you had an ex-wife, he made the fact that you hadn’t told me sound sinister. And when you didn’t want to talk about it, just got angry because of my questions—”

  “You thought the worst about me.”

  “I didn’t know what to think. But I knew that I couldn’t live with secrets between us.”

  Trey nodded. “I know. And that’s not what I wanted, either. I always planned to tell you about Irene at some point. But before I could do that, you were gone.”

  Jenna had told herself that it didn’t matter, that she didn’t care. But now she wanted to know. “Why didn’t you tell me you were married before? Because I have to tell you, I couldn’t help thinking you were still in love with your ex. That that’s why you wouldn’t give me all of your heart.”

  “It’s nothing like that, Jenna. I’m not even sure I was in love with Irene. Not the way I’m in love with you.”

  Every time he said he loved her, her body had the same reaction. Her heart picked up speed and warmth tickled her stomach. But they were only words. Actions were what were important.

  “I married Irene about four years before I’d met you.”

  “Was she a customer?” Trey met a ton of women at the bar, the same way he’d met her.

  “No, she worked at the local grocery store. We dated for close to a year and then she got pregnant.”

  “You have a child?” Jenna asked, shocked.

  Trey shook his head. “She miscarried. It was right after we’d gotten married. I knew we weren’t head over heels in love, but we cared about each other. I thought we could make it work.

  “The problem was, after her miscarriage, it seemed like everything we had in common had been shot to hell. We fought like cats and dogs. It was the only way we communicated. I had my issues, and I guess she had hers. Somehow we hung on for two years before she told me she wanted a divorce. I let her go and moved on. That’s why I never mentioned Irene. Because our marriage had been a mistake and I didn’t want to dwell on the past.”

  What he said made sense. Weren’t there men in her past she wanted to forget she’d ever dated?

  “I met you about a year and a half after Irene. I wanted you, Jenna. My heart knew instantly that you were the one for me. But I guess … I guess I didn’t really know what it took to make a marriage work. I don’t think either of us did.”

  Jenna blew out a shaky breath as Trey’s words settled over her. He was right. She’d fallen hard for him when she met him, and in her heart wanted things to work. But there had been fear—fear that even though she’d never been happier in her life, she didn’t know him well enough to spend the rest of her life with him.

  “You’re right, Trey. I didn’t really know what it meant to be married. To be committed. I let my father’s negativity influence me, and I’m sorry about that.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Trey told her. “Not anymore. What does is that you know I still love you. I never stopped. And now that you’re back … I don’t want to let you go again. I’m ready for in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” He paused. “Are you?”

  “I …” Was she? She’d come here with such a clear plan. End her marriage officially and move on with her life. “I’d like some time to think.”

  “You’re gonna leave?”

  “Just for a little while. To clear my head.”

  “Will you come back?”

  “Yes.” Jenna stuck her fingers into the back pockets on her shorts and turned toward the house.

  “With that agreement you want me to sign?”

  Trey’s question made her halt. “Like I said, I have a lot to think about. Plus, I need to see Ruby.”

  Trey nodded as he strode toward her, but didn’t voice any disagreement.

  “Do you have my purse?”

  “It’s in the house.”

  �
��I guess I’ll catch a cab.”

  “You can take my car.” Jenna opened her mouth to protest, but Trey added, “I took the day off, remember? I’d hoped to spend it with you, but if not, I’ll do stuff around the house. Work out. Clean the toilets.” He grinned. “Whenever you’re ready, you can drive back here and have Ruby follow you in your rental car. Then we’ll deal with … whatever you want.”

  Jenna’s stomach dropped. Trey wasn’t fighting her. Was he letting her go again?

  And suddenly she was angry—angry with herself. Was she playing games with Trey, wanting him to beg her to stay? He’d already put his cards on the table. Now she needed to sort through her own feelings.

  Back in the house, Trey handed her his car keys. “Take your time,” he told her.

  “I’ll be back.”

  Chapter Six

  Trey couldn’t help smiling after Jenna left the house. He knew good and well that she’d be back. And a lot sooner than she expected.

  Taking time to think was classic Jenna. Even the day he’d proposed marriage, despite the excited gleam in her eyes when he’d gotten down on one knee, she’d told him that she had to “go think about it.” After a walk on the beach, she had returned in under an hour with a positive answer.

  This time would be no different. Trey was sure of it.

  Except that Jenna might be none too happy when she got back. Not if Ruby had lived up to her end of the bargain.

  Trey would make no apologies for doing what it took to save his marriage. He wasn’t going to stand back and watch Jenna leave his life like he did the first time. He had a feeling she was pushing him, seeing if her indecision would drive him to the breaking point. It wouldn’t. If she truly didn’t want to be with him, he would let her go—only after letting her know that she’d always have his heart.

  Jenna was a fireball of passion, and he knew she wouldn’t be happy when she learned that Ruby had left. But he’d be ready for Jenna and her possible wrath. Give her a homecoming she would remember always.

  Trey set about clearing the plates from the patio table. With the time it would take his wife to drive to the Sheraton hotel, park, head inside, and discover that Ruby wasn’t there, she’d be back in about … oh, twenty-two minutes.

  He washed the dishes by hand, then gathered up the candles and rose petals. At the eighteen-minute mark, he set the dining room table, complete with two tall glasses and a pitcher of orange juice. He’d keep the champagne in the fridge for now.

  In the kitchen, Trey turned on a burner and placed a skillet on the stove. He’d make scrambled eggs with pieces of turkey. Nice and easy, and it had always been a breakfast he and Jenna enjoyed.

  As he cracked the last of four eggs into a batter bowl, he glanced at the clock. Twenty minutes.

  He added the turkey to the bowl, some milk, and a dash of pepper. He was mixing it all together when he heard the door slam shut.

  One, two … right about now.

  “Ruby’s gone,” Jenna announced in disbelief. “I went to the hotel, and the little twit checked out!”

  “Little twit?” Trey raised an eyebrow. “I thought she was your friend.”

  “So did I, but clearly I was wrong. Damn her. She’s got my suitcase.” Jenna groaned. “The separation agreement.”

  “Actually … I have your suitcase. It’s in the trunk of my car.”

  Jenna dropped her purse on the counter and moved toward him, her eyes full of expectation. “And the separation agreement?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Trey!” Jenna slammed a hand on the counter. “Why are you doing this?”

  Maybe now wasn’t a good time to have a skillet of hot oil around. Trey moved it to a back burner.

  “Damn it, Trey.” Jenna’s fingers closed around his arm.

  “All right. So I pretty much coerced Ruby to hit the road.” He shrugged when Jenna’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. “I want you back, Jenna. Back in my life. Back as my wife, in the full sense of the word.”

  “What’d you promise her?”

  “A trip back here on my dime whenever she’s ready.”

  Jenna snorted.

  “Ruby seems to think you’re still in love with me.”

  “Ruby is a sentimental nut.”

  Trey winced at the insult. “Wow.”

  “You know what I mean. When she gets it in her head that she’s right about something, there’s no stopping her. God only knows why she’s certain we’re soul mates.”

  “What if she’s right?”

  Jenna didn’t answer. She glanced away.

  “Do you still love me?” Trey tilted Jenna’s chin upward, forcing her to meet his eyes. “If you can tell me that you no longer love me, then I’ll let you walk through that door. No, I’ll do one better. I’ll call up a lawyer myself. I’ve been doing some research ever since I received those papers from you. I know that for you to get a divorce in New York, we have to be legally separated for a year. But Florida is a no-fault state. I’m a resident here and can file right away.”

  Jenna’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Trey. Here he was, finally offering her what she wanted—so why didn’t she feel happy?

  “Jenna?”

  “I … I see.”

  “You don’t want me to do that?”

  She covered her face with her hands. “No,” she answered softly, so softly she wasn’t sure he heard her.

  But he must have, because he looped his arms around her. Sighing softly, Jenna allowed herself to collapse against him. How long had it been since she’d had a soft place to fall?

  “I’m afraid,” she confessed.

  “That I’ll hurt you?”

  “I love you so much, I couldn’t stand it if we broke up a second time.”

  “Come here.” Trey took Jenna by the hand and led her to the table. He sat on a chair and pulled her onto his lap. “You wanted some space, so I let you go, but I didn’t get to finish telling you everything. I know you think I never contacted you when you left, but that’s not true. I did call. I guess it was your father who answered. He told me in no uncertain terms never to call again because you wanted nothing to do with me.”

  “He never told me you called.”

  “Surprise, surprise. And before you say anything, I know—I could have called again. I wanted to. But I’m human. I had an ego, and you were crushing it. And while you were gone I accepted the fact that we had acted on our lust and gotten married too soon. I told myself that it never would have worked between us, but that didn’t help me to stop thinking about you every day. And no matter how much I worked, I couldn’t forget you. Not the way work helped me forget Irene.”

  “I can’t believe you’re actually taking time off now. I thought that bar was your life.”

  “No.” He softly stroked Jenna’s face. “You’re my life.”

  His words stole her breath. All this time, she’d been running from him, but the truth was, she wanted this man. Wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone. No one had ever made her as happy as he had during the brief time they’d been together.

  She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m glad I’m here, Trey. I’m glad we’re talking. We haven’t really talked like this before.”

  “Just between the sheets?”

  “Mmm-hmm. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, but to make a marriage work, we need more than great sex. We need to be able to communicate.”

  Trey rested his chin on the top of her head. “You know what I’m happy about?”

  “What?”

  “That you sent me that separation agreement,” Trey answered.

  Jenna pulled her head back to look up at him. “You’re happy about that?”

  “You bet. If you hadn’t sent it, I wouldn’t have been able to force your hand and get you down here. Because I knew that sending those papers back with a nice little note would get you down here and quick. You’re stubborn that way.”

  “Trey, I’m almost thirty. My biological clock is ticki
ng. I needed some direction in my life … if it wasn’t going to be with you.”

  “It will be with me. And I’m going to give you babies, sweetheart. Lots of them. Or at least I’ll die trying.”

  Jenna bit her bottom lip. “Will you, now?”

  “You have my word.”

  “Mmmm.” Call her a fool, but she was getting turned on. “Sounds like you really want me to stay.” “You’re damn right I do.”

  Jenna felt Trey’s growing erection against her bottom. “And I suppose you’d like to do some of that baby-making-trying now?”

  “There’s no time like the present.”

  Jenna laughed, genuinely happy for the first time since heading back here. “You have an appetite like no one I’ve ever known.”

  “Hey, I need to keep up with you. Hopefully you won’t trade me in for a younger model in two years. I will be thirty-five then.”

  “Not a chance.” Jenna framed his face and kissed him. “I love you, Trey. More than I could ever love anybody.”

  He squeezed her tight. “God, I love you.”

  A beat passed, then Jenna said, “What do you say we get to that baby-making-trying part?”

  Desire flashed in Trey’s eyes as he rose from the chair, lifting Jenna as he did. Then he slung her over his shoulder.

  “Trey!” she protested, even as she giggled. “Trey, put me down!”

  “No can do,” he said. “You had a request. I’m here to fill it.”

  “Oooh, I like the sound of that.”

  “You’re gonna like what I do to you even more.”

  “Am I now?”

  “You bet.”

  And she did.

  MURPHY’S LAW

  Morgan Leigh

  Chapter One

  Kat Murphy felt the spark of interest as she gazed at the fine specimen of a man that had just walked down to the shoreline of the beach where she lay tanning, trying to forget her troubles. The sun was high in the sky, and her shades did little to darken her vision enough to take in the details of the man, but what she could see, her rarely used erogenous zones responded to, much as she despised herself for noticing at all. What was the matter with her? She’d come down here to forget about men. Especially ones who were attractive and totally oblivious to the things going on around them.