by Julia Bright
He stared at the building. It wasn’t the best, and it could use some work, but it wasn’t condemned. In addition to Jen’s store, an electronics store, a nail salon, and a flower shop occupied the building. There were five open spots where stores could go. When he’d first visited Jen's store, there’d been two other tenants. Now he knew why those spots hadn’t been filled when they’d left. He should have seen it, but he’d been focused on Jen and hadn’t cared about tenants or fill percentage since the property wasn’t under his management. Now he wished he’d told her to watch for something like this.
There were benefits to using the bandage ripping off approach, and there were arguments against doing business that way. Telling Jen her lease would be terminated at the end of the month was the last thing he wanted to do. Not because he was afraid, but he didn't want to disappoint her. He'd want to stay with her and talk to her for a while afterwards, see if he could help her come up with a solution. He had work to do. No way did he need this complication in his life.
The manager at the electronics store shrugged and rolled his eyes. He didn’t care if the store was located here or in another building. The florist took the news well, but cursed a few times, not directed at him, just words flung out there because she was angry. The nail salon owner threw a bottle of polish at him. He ducked and ran out, making a mental note she had a temper.
When he stepped into Jen’s place, Mia greeted him. “Brent, it’s so good to see you. Jen is in the back, let me—”
“Actually, I’ll go back there.”
Mia narrowed her eyes and then nodded hesitantly. “Oh, well, okay, I guess.”
He stepped around the counter. It was the first time he’d been on this side. He shuddered, realizing it may very well be the last time he was welcome in her store. He wasn’t surprised to find the back area near spotless. Jen was wiping down a counter where she’d been preparing cookies if the scent from the ovens was any indication.
“Hey, Brent, what a surprise. I thought you were called into an early meeting.”
He nodded and his stomach turned. This sucked. Telling Jen her dream was being moved, maybe even destroyed, was the worst.
“Yes, I already had it.”
“How did it go? You seemed nervous when I left this morning.”
He swallowed and glanced around the kitchen. Jen had filled her shop with love. She had photos of cakes she’d made, happy couples celebrating their lives with wedding cakes she’d created, shots of her cookies and other times. Happy photos of people enjoying Sparkles and Sunshine, and here he was to ruin it.
“Hey, Brent, you look—I don’t know, off. What’s going on.”
He drew in a deep breath and shook his head. “I took on a new client.”
“Okay.” She wiped her hands on a towel and moved to stand in front of him. “And?”
“I manage properties. Sometimes, the owners aren’t great people. But I represent them because it’s my job.”
She narrowed her eyes and lifted her hand, placing it on his chest. “This doesn’t sound good.”
He stared into her eyes, knowing he would hurt her. She didn’t deserve this at all. He wished there was another way for this to resolve, but he knew there wasn’t. “The owner of this building is ending your lease early. You have until the end of the month to leave.”
Jen froze. Her eyes grew wide before her lips parted like she was going to say something, but nothing came out. She removed her hand from his chest and used it to clutch her neck. He could see the worry clouding her eyes. He took a step closer, and she waved him away.
“Please, I—”
Jen shook her head. “Don’t. I can’t deal with anything right now.”
“Please, just let me—”
“No. Do you know how long it took me to find this place?” Her voice rose, and she glanced at the door to the café and shook her head. “My customers know to come here.” She glanced around, worry filling her eyes. “The end of this month? Are you kidding me? I don’t have enough time. I need to work here in the shop and search for a place. It will take time—too much time. The rents in this city are too high. I can’t do it.”
“I can—”
She held up her hand and gave her head one short shake. “Just leave.”
His heart felt like it was being crushed. He didn’t want to lose her, but he had no idea how to keep her. “Jen?”
“I’m too upset, just go.”
Brent felt helpless. She wanted nothing to do with him. It wasn’t like he was doing this on purpose. He stepped out into the dining area of her bakery and caught Mia’s gaze. She lifted her brows, and he shrugged. He was failing, and he knew it. He took one step, and then another. Losing Jen would devastate him. He couldn’t walk away but he had no idea how to stop this train wreck. Before he made it out the door, his heart sped up. He wouldn't leave.
He squared his shoulders and turned back to the kitchen. Maybe it was a mistake to try to get her to change her mind on accepting his help, and maybe he should just keep walking, but what he and Jen had built was worth fighting for.
Worry filled him, and his hands were shaking as he pushed open the door. He wasn’t going to run out on Jen. She’d come to mean too much. Right now, she was too upset to realize he wanted to help. He’d brought bad news, but he could turn it around for her.
He found her on the floor, curled in a ball. She didn’t protest when he dropped beside her and pulled her onto his lap. It took her a few minutes to calm enough to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“Brent?” she said with a shaky voice.
“I’m not leaving you.”
Her lips quivered, and she nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m just so upset.” Her voice shook as she spoke.
“I understand. I brought bad news, but I'll help you find a place.”
“How?” Her voice broke on the one word and he felt terrible. He was crushing her dreams.
“Along with the bad, I also have good clients. I’ll search through my listings and find something that will work. I know occupancy rates, how businesses are doing for the most part, and we’ve done traffic studies. Trust me when I say I will find you a place for your business. It may mean you have a week of downtime, but Jen, I swear, I’m on your side.”
“Why?” Her body shook in his arms as she drew in a breath.
“Because I care about you. You may not have realized this yet, but it’s not just the sex. I mean the sex is great, but you mean something to me.”
“You’re too good for me.” She hiccupped over a sob.
“No, Jen, I’m not.”
Mia stepped into the kitchen and paused. Jen lifted her head and wiped away more tears. “Yes?”
“We kind of have a rush starting. A bus stopped outside.”
“Oh, let me…”
Brent helped her to standing and grabbed an apron. “I can put stuff on plates or pour coffee.” He washed his hands and dried them on a clean towel.
“But—”
He stopped Jen with a shake of his head. “Go clean up. I’ll stay until the rush dies down.”
Fresh tears sprang to Jen’s eyes. She nodded and turned away, walking to a small door at the back of the shop. Brent faced Mia and gave her a tight smile.
“I’ll do what I can. If I’m in the way, just tell me.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t hesitate to tell you to step aside. Let’s go out and I’ll show you where things are.”
They headed out front where he saw a line of people which had to be forty deep. The tour busses were being good to Jen by stopping here. How did they know to come here? Was Jen sharing profit or was this by happenstance. The people from the bus bought out all the cookies in the display and Jen had to heat more from the freezer. Near the end of the rush, they had no cookies at all, not even any stowed in the freezer. The muffins sold out along with the scones. Jen had no loaf cakes, or any other types of bread. She also sold all the English muffins with eggs and bacon. Only a few bagels were left, and thos
e she didn’t make in-house.
Before the bus took off, Brent headed outside and asked one of the customers how they’d heard of Jen’s shop.
“Oh, it was put on a Facebook group. We knew this would be a great place to stop and get a treat because another tour group broke down here a few weeks ago and recommended the place.
Brent nodded then an idea struck. “So, the man who owns this building is making all the tenants leave. Jen has to move. If I sent you the new address, would you put it in the group?”
“Why yes, of course. I had one of her anise cookies and it was to die for. Plus, you all were so nice, so sure, I’ll recommend this place and keep everyone updated about the address change.”
“Thank you.” Brent nodded and sighed in relief. Jen wouldn’t lose all her business, and he may have to find creative ways to help her advertise her move, but he had faith this would work.
Seven
Jen’s stomach was in knots. She hated the uncertainty. Spending four hours baking cookies, breads, muffins, and other treats didn’t calm her like usual. Instead her heart ached, her stomach twisted, and her head spun.
Brent had been nice, but anger sat heavy inside her chest. It wasn’t him she should be mad at, and no matter how much she tried to rationalize her feelings, she couldn’t shake the anger. It was illogical, but logic didn’t seem to matter at the moment. She was losing her store. She’d worked so hard to build her business in this city and she would have to start all over again. To top it off, the asshole who owned the building was kicking her out at the end of the month, not giving her time to find a storefront for her business.
Once home, she searched for the lease contract she’d signed. It took her an hour to find the clause responsible for ruining her business. The wording was obscure and may not really apply in the current situation, but the jerk was using it to empty the building. Jen knew without a doubt it would take thousands of dollars to fight the move and in the end, she may not win a legal battle. Depression seeped in, leaving her feeling hollow.
There was a knock on her door and she moved to open it. Brent stood in the hall, his brows raised. A small smile curved up his lips and her heart melted.
“Get in here,” she said as she held out her hand.
“I was worried you would be too mad to let me in.”
She shook her head and moved to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine. After taking a sip, she thought this day may require more than just wine. “I’m mad and unfortunately you’re the one who told me about having to move, so some of my anger is directed at you. Logically, I know I shouldn’t be mad at you, but logic isn’t stopping me from having a few minutes of misplaced anger.”
“I’m sorry. But I think you can make this work.”
“How in the world will it be okay?” She looked at Brent over the edge of the glass of wine. He was so freaking sexy, so amazing, and she shouldn’t be angry at him. He stepped closer and took her wine. Holding it for her as he tilted the glass to her lips. She drank, relaxing as Brent palmed her side with his other hand.
The gentle movements lulled her into a state of calm as he set the glass to the side. When he tugged her close and pressed his lips to hers, she opened. Putty in his hands, she didn’t balk when he picked her up and sat her on the counter. His fingers tugged at the drawstring on her sweats and then he lifted her as he removed her pants and underwear in one swift move. She gulped in a breath as his hands moved up her thighs.
“Right now, the only thing you need to worry about is how wet you are.”
She shook her head. “But—”
“No, trust me.”
She wanted to, desperately, but stress was eating at her. “I don’t know if I can let go.”
He leaned in and kissed her neck up to her ear. When his teeth sunk into her earlobe, she moaned and spread her legs wider. He stepped closer and his fingers grazed over her pussy before sliding into her.
“That’s it, open for me,” Brent whispered against her mouth.
She hooked her feet behind his thighs and wrapped her hands around his back. Brent was something solid she could hold on to. Life seemed out of control, but Brent made everything better.
His fingers slid out and up to her clit, making her wet all over. She moaned as Brent toyed with her, taking her higher. She needed to feel him inside of her, but he was moving slow, grazing her clit then sliding his fingers back into her before brushing over her bundle of nerves again.
“Please,” she whimpered.
“Please what?”
“I need--”
Brent circled her clit with his fingers, causing her to moan. “I’ll get you there.”
Jen rested her forehead on Brent’s shoulder as he continued to stroke his fingers into her then up to her clit, making her wetter than ever. She felt like she would come unglued in a good way. Brent had taken the stress and dissolved it. She didn’t want to think of anything other than Brent’s touch.
She was ready to come when Brent tugged at the button on his pants. He unzipped quickly and rolled on a condom before drawing her close so he could slide in.
“I want to feel you pulse around me. Come for me, lover.”
Her breath hitched as he filled her, his hips pressing up against her thighs. She tilted her hips, adjusting just a little so he went even deeper. Brent pulled out an inch then slammed back in, his cock grazing over her sensitive bud. He’d worked his magic again. She held on tight, riding the edge of her orgasm. She was so close, and yet not quite there. Then Brent adjusted, his cock hitting just the right spot, and she came hard, clutching him close as her body pulsed around him.
He held onto her, delivering sweet kisses as she rode out her orgasm. She reveled in the feel of his lips on her neck.
Once she was almost finished, Brent moved, his hips rocked in as he ground against her. She clung to him, her fingers twisting in the material of his shirt.
Need made her desperate, and she pulled him closer, but he still had his shirt on and she needed to feel his muscles under her hands. She tugged at the buttons on his shirt ripping a few off in the process. He grunted and pulled her closer. She pressed up against his chest as he rocked into her.
When he pulled out and tugged her off the counter she yelped. He spun her to face the place she’d just been sitting and reached around, teasing her opening.
“I won't walk away from you. You can be mad, but know this, darling, I’m here to stay.” He slid in fast and hard before pulling almost all the way out. He had his hand on her back, the other hand in her hair as he thrust in. He rode her hard and fast, bringing her close to the edge before reaching around to find her clit. His fingers worked magic, and she came again as he pumped in fast, his grunts escalating.
She thought she would melt when he stilled and held her tight, grinding hard against her. He grunted as he came, his body shaking against hers.
They’d had some exciting sex before, but this had been visceral. He’d given more than he’d taken, and she felt like nothing outside these four walls really mattered. As long as she had Brent, her life would be good.
He pulled out and held her with her back plastered against his chest, his lips on her neck just below her ear. Warmth filled her. This man had changed everything for her. His sweet caresses, his loving kisses, all of it made her feel like she was cherished.
“I swear, Jen, I'll help you figure out what to do next. No way will I walk away. Somehow, I'll find a place for you to lease.”
She shook her head, but he grasped her tighter.
“This is what I do. Let me help. It will work. We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry.”
She sighed and turned in his arms, her fingers resting on his chin. “Do you really think I’ll be able to find another place?”
His lips turned up in a crooked smile. “Yes, mainly because I’ve already found four places which are a good fit for your store.”
“What?” Her heart sped up, and she opened her mouth to say something more than shut it.
“Let’s eat dinner then I can drive you by the storefronts if you like.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Of course. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
He kissed her long and hard before he leaned back and stared into her eyes. “I wanted to feel you first.”
She chuckled and shook her head. Her heart raced as she thought about his words. “You really want me, don’t you?”
“Oh, Jen, so much.” He slid his lips over hers in a gentle kiss. “I want you so very much.”
She sighed and leaned against him, listening to his heart beat. Attraction was strange. Seriously, she’d started off the month ready to give up on guys all together and suddenly she’d found this sweet, sexy guy who was amazing and beautiful. He rocked her world and left her satisfied. There may have been a few bumps along the way, but what they had was good.
Eight
Jen chewed on her fingernails as they drove around the city. Brent showed her the first store, but it was terrible. She couldn’t imagine having her store at this intersection. The second location was even worse. But the third place showed promise. She’d have to do a lot of work. When they stopped at the fourth storefront, she thought it wasn’t too bad. She and Brent sat outside the fourth location next to a grocery store.
“That store is probably too much competition.”
“Let’s go in and buy a package of cookies and a cake.”
“Why?” Betrayal made her heart twist.
“Let’s assess the competition.”
“What if they’re better than me?”
“Impossible.”
Brent’s praise made her feel better, but she wasn’t sure if he was just telling her she was good, or if he really meant it. They entered the store, and she glanced around, worried someone would confront her. But why would they? They had no clue why she was here or who she was. For some strange reason when she picked up the cake, she looked around, praying no one who bought cakes at her bakery noticed what she was doing.