Something Wonderful (5 page)

Since I still had my arms crossed over my breasts, he suddenly took my blanket and covered them. That was very considerate of him, since most men I knew would be gawking at them. Especially since I’d been told I had a “nice set” that many women envied. I was also impressed at how calm he was and how he was willing to take care of me.

“Where are your medical supplies?” Matthew asked, slowly raking his hair back, causing his hard toned muscles to flex as he looked concerned.

I wish he wouldn’t do that again. He did it so appealingly. “In the kitchen. Top right cabinet over the sink,” I winced. Matthew headed to the kitchen. After the sound of few cabinets opening and closing, he came back with a small bag and some paper towels.

“This is going to hurt, just a little. I’m going to have to take out the glass.”

“Okay,” I nodded. Though the pain was bearable compared to the first initial stab, it was the sight of blood that got me all riled up. There was no way I could ever be a nurse or any profession that had to do with seeing blood.

After Matthew took the glass out, he cleaned my wound, wrapped a bandage over it, and left the room. I heard him back in the kitchen, so I assumed he was cleaning the mess for me. He wasn’t a big jerk after all. After I changed my top, I hobbled to the table where he set the dishes of eggs and coffee. “Thank you,” I said sincerely, getting lost in his hazel eyes.

Looking through his thick, long eyelashes, he winked at me, making my heart skip a beat. I had to stop allowing myself to feel these feelings. He was Max’s brother and he would be around a lot, so I would have to get used to his presence and try to be his friend.

“Becca, what do you do exactly? I mean I know you’re an agent, but I really don’t know what agents do,” he asked, giving me his full attention after he shoved a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

After swallowing the rich, sweet taste of my coffee, I explained. He asked me if he could read some of the query letters, and of course, I told him they were confidential. He gave me a frown that was too adorable, so I focused on his chest. Big mistake. Now I couldn’t stop staring at his pecs.

When he probed with more questions about what I looked for in query letters, I told him I liked romance novels and that I basically looked for potential book boyfriends.

“Book boyfriends?” He chuckled aloud. As I watched, his chest moved to the rhythm of his laugh. “Really?” He took his last bite and chugged his coffee.

“Yes, really.” I had already finished my plate since I was too nervous to talk.

“Is that like for people who can’t get one in real life?” He was totally amused by this notion.

“No, silly,” I giggled. “Readers read books to help them escape from the daily routine of life. Many of these romance books have a swoon-worthy, gorgeous guy with really nice abs and a six pack, who can deliver wild, hot sex.” Just the thought alone made me turn red and I froze when he gave me a heated look. Then his eyes concentrated on my lips, shifted to my breasts, then back up to my eyes. When I said ‘wild, hot sex,’ I just described him and what he could potentially do.

Gravitating toward me, his eyes locked lustfully on mine. His lips were just inches away as they parted to speak and I didn’t know how he got so close to me. “I would like to be your book boyfriend,” he said with the hottest sound that could sing out of his lustrous, lick-able mouth. The puff of his breath on my lips sizzled way down to my sex. He reached out to my face, his thumb sensually sliding, feather-light to touch my bottom lip with one long, slow stroke. As I watched his tongue glide over his bottom lip at the same time, I quivered beyond control.

Completely dumbfounded, I sat there staring at him and in my mind, I had already taken off my clothes for him. Blinking because that was all I could do, I wanted to say yes, but my pride and my head knew better and stopped me.

Suddenly, he broke his gaze and it felt like he had just dumped ice water over my head. “Is that what a book boyfriend would say and do?” he chuckled as he picked up our plates and took them to the kitchen.

What just happened? I was almost certain my face was deep red, because I felt it down to my toes. Was this how Jenna felt when she drank alcohol? Matthew came back and leaned against the wall by the television, looking so dreamy with his hands in his pocket. “I think you’ll be fine, but if it doesn’t start to heal or if the bleeding gets worse, you should ask Jenna to take you to the hospital. If she’s busy, then you can ask me.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” I said, thinking how sweet that he’d offered. “I’ll just be hopping around for couple of days. Thanks for the eggs and the coffee, and thanks for helping me. I’m not good with blood.” Though I wouldn’t have broken the glass if he weren’t here in the first place, so it was his fault, but I sure didn’t mind him carrying me.

His lips curled into an amused smile, flashing his white teeth. “I could see that,” he nodded. “Anyway, I’d better go. Max and Jenna are taking too long. They should have been back by now. Max had already set up the whole deal before they went to take a look.” He paused and a brow lifted. “Unless…they took a detour.”

Looking at my confused expression since I had no idea what he was talking about, he put on the suit jacket that was slung on the sofa and started to step toward the door. “If they stop by, can you tell them…never mind, I’ll just text Max.” Placing his hand on the doorknob, he turned to see me right behind him. “So, book boyfriend, huh?”

“What?”

“You like wild, hot sex?”

“What? No. I didn’t say me,” I stammered and laid a light punch on his arm.

He just chuckled at my effort. “Well I don’t need a book girlfriend, that’s for sure. See you around, Becca. Some of us actually have work to do, and don’t get to stare at blank screens. Oh, and don’t look at my ass while I walk out the door. You’ll turn me on.” After he winked, he left.

His words should have annoyed me, but instead, I was turned on; and guilty as charged because he was right, I was looking. He looked so damn hot in that suit that I would have to be a freak not to look. I wanted to peel it off him slowly and enjoy every inch of him. His last comment seriously gave me hot flashes. From the moment we met, he turned me on, but I would never feed into his ego. Oh, but what an arrogant, sexy, hot ass!

C
HRISTMAS WAS JUST AROUND
the corner and I still hadn’t gotten anything for Max. I was supposed to go visit my parents, but Max was adamant that I shouldn’t fly, so I persuaded my parents to come to Los Angeles. I was actually glad Max convinced me to ask them to come. Since Becky wasn’t traveling to her parents, it would mean we would get to celebrate together with Nicole and Kate, too.

It had been a while since the four of us went out to dinner, so we agreed to meet tonight. It was the first night Max wouldn’t be at my apartment. I’m sure Becky would be happy about that. Not that she minded him coming over, but it would give us time to catch up and hang out.

“So…he leased a 740 Beemer for you?” Nicole exclaimed, twirling her straw. “That is so sweet. Those cost a fortune.”

“I wouldn’t have protested, but knowing Jenna, I’m sure she did. Didn’t ya?” Kate asked.

“Of course I did, but somehow Max always gets his way. I mean, not always, but with things like this. He said it makes him happy,” I explained, looking at my menu. I was so full of excitement and nervousness about my new car, I was sure my stomach didn’t have room for food.

“Don’t worry and don’t feel guilty. It’s leased, anyway. Make him happy,” Becky said sharply.

We all looked at her, giving her the “what’s up with you” look.

“What?” Becky snapped. “Why are you all looking at me like that? I’m just saying....”

Becky had no idea how harsh her tone sounded. Something was definitely wrong.

“Are you okay?” Nicole asked.

“I’m fine…fine. Just a little stressed. I’m behind with my work,” she said and hid behind her menu.

Something was bothering Becky for sure, but I couldn’t tell what it was. She usually confided in me, but I hadn’t been available much lately, and for that, I felt awful. I made a mental note to ask her later.

“Enjoy it while it lasts, honey, cause when you get married, it will be different.” Kate paused. “Take the advice from a married woman, nothing stays forever. Things change, especially once you have a child.”

“Like what?” Nicole inquired, breaking her eyes away from the menu.

We all leaned in closer with curiosity. “Well for one thing, Keith used to take care of me; he was always so attentive. Once the long dating relationship was over and we got married, I felt like I was the one taking care of him. Not only do I have a daughter, I’ve apparently gained a son, too.”

“Have you spoken to him about it?” Nicole asked. “You already know Craig and I had a long talk and everything is better now. Men are what I would call non-intuitive. You have to tell them everything; spell it out. They don’t understand. They are not the same species.”

Kate looked flustered. Instead of responding, she continued. “I mean, is it so difficult to wash the damn dishes while I feed Kristen, change her diaper, and bathe her?” she huffed. “He just sits on his ass and watches television. His dirty socks are all over our bedroom and he leaves the newspaper on the couch. Do you know how much dirt and ink a newspaper leaves on a couch? I know he’s had a long day at work, but it takes two people to raise a child, not just one. Sometimes I feel like I’m a single mom. I love Kristen, but I need a break too. Just because I don’t work doesn’t mean I’m not keeping up with my share of the responsibilities.”

Kate’s voice softened toward the end and her expression changed from being intense to relaxed. I guess she just needed to let off some steam. We all looked at her, but we couldn’t give her any good advice, since none of us had been through it.

Nicole draped her arms around Kate. “Just talk to him. He doesn’t know how you feel.”

“I so needed to be here with you guys. I need my girlfriend therapy. I love my life right now, even with these small problems, but sometimes I miss our college life,” Kate continued.

“I know what you mean,” Becky seconded, apparently thinking about those years too. “No responsibilities, no work…just going with the flow, living one day at a time, and definitely, all the parties.”

“I hear ya,” Nicole agreed. “But we’ve gotta move forward.”

Our waitress came to take our order, interrupting the conversation.

“What do I feel like tonight?” Kate mumbled under her breath.

“I’m not that hungry. Let’s do family style,” I suggested.

“Sure,” they all said in accord.

We placed our order and the waitress left.

T
HE RIDE TO OUR
apartment was quiet. I was too busy concentrating on driving, while Becky had focused her attention outside the window. Feeling the tension in the air, I wasn’t sure how to start the conversation. When we stepped into the apartment, I didn’t want Becky to go straight to her room, so I asked her if she’d like some tea. Accepting my offer, Becky sat at the dining table while I prepared the drinks.

Placing the hot mug in front of her, I sat in the opposite chair, and saw beautiful red roses in a vase with a big red bow tied around it. I loved how they filled the room with their sweet scent. “Are these yours?” I asked.

“Oh, I completely forgot.” Becky ran her fingers through her hair, looking tired “They were delivered this afternoon. They’re for you.”

“For me?” I questioned. Only one person would send red roses to me, but they didn’t look like the roses he usually sent; these were much smaller. Still smiling, I opened the envelope and began to read the card.

Jenna,

I’ve made a huge mistake.

Please give me another chance.

Think about it.

Miss you,

Luke

“What’s wrong Jenna,” Becky asked quickly. She must have seen the disturbed look on my face when I crumbled up the note.

Matching her eyes, I sat on the cushion and mumbled unhappily, “They’re from Luke.”

Becky had the most disgusted expression on her face. “Now he sends you flowers? He should’ve treated you better when you were together. Just tell him to get lost! You’re not thinking of giving him another chance, are you?”