The Boyfriend List (4 page)

“You two look like you’re getting to know each other. Getting friendly,” Owen crooned. “Don’t they, honey?”

Jenna’s eyes narrowed to slits, and she trained them on Owen. “
Friendly
?”

“Yeah,” his friend said in all his smug glory. “Were you holding her hand, Nate? It makes me all misty seeing you grow up.”

“Jesus. Did you just say ‘misty’?” Nate didn’t need this. Wedding day or not, Owen needed to mind his own business.

Slapping his arm, Kim snapped at her loving groom. “Don’t be a jerk.”

“What! That’s not something you see every day.”

Jenna was looking away and turning different shades of pink. He didn’t know if she was embarrassed, but he really wanted to kick the crap out of Owen. Even if he did love him like a brother.

“It’s nice, Owen,” Jenna said. Her voice was barely there, soft and sweet and driving him a little crazy. “After all, he is my date today. Do you have a problem with that?”

Owen looked her in the eye and raised an eyebrow. “Not at all. He’s a lucky man, but if he’s not a gentleman, let me know. I’ll kick his ass. It’s the least I can do for your brother.”

He winked and grabbed Kim’s hand, dragging her off. Unfortunately, Nate could see he’d left Jenna with yet another reminder of her brother. Owen meant well. He’d been Tom Albanese’s commanding officer when the marine sergeant was killed by an IED in Afghanistan. Jenna looked away again, and Nate reached out, letting his fingers graze across the soft skin of her face. “Hey. He didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I know. It’s just . . .”

“What?”

“For the record, I think Tom would like you. He wouldn’t want to kick your ass.”

“Thank you.” He couldn’t get a higher compliment. “Come on,” he coaxed, “you were going to introduce me to your folks.”

She nodded and, without any hesitancy, took his hand.

***

Who would think that a couch at a reception venue would be so comfy?

Not Jenna. But the large, over-stuffed sofa in the sitting room of the old castle was absolutely decadent. Jenna was so tired. She was emotionally spent, her feet hurt, and the plush velvet surrounded her like a warm embrace. The wedding was technically over, however the party was still going on in the pub down the hall, where there were pool tables and oversized chairs, but Jenna needed time to herself to process the events of the day.

“There you are!” Joey Torres could have been Kim’s twin. The two were exactly the same person born a year apart. “Decided to escape the craziness for a while?” Joey plopped into a big armchair adjacent to the sofa. “Oh.” She moaned settling herself into the cushions and tucking her legs underneath her. “This is comfortable. I could live in this chair if someone would bring me wine and chocolate every few hours.”

“I felt the same way about the couch.” Kim curled into the corner and started pulling pins out of her hair. “They’re still going strong?”

“The kitchen just sent out trays of sandwiches. No one is going to bed anytime soon.”

Glancing over her shoulder through the French doors that led to the patio terrace, Jenna caught sight of Owen with Jason, Josh, Kevin, and Nate. There was such ease there, such familiarity. She remembered that they’d all known each other for years.

“Each one is more gorgeous than the other,” Joey said. “Mother Nature’s best work right there.”

No kidding. The five of them had gathered with what appeared to be a bottle of scotch and cigars. They were toasting their friend. For all the ribbing and teasing they did with one another, these guys were genuinely happy for Owen. It was nice. It was real.

“How was your ‘date’ with Nate today?”

Jenna looked back pointedly at Joey, who was grinning like a cat with cream.

“He’s handsome, smart, and sweet. I had a very nice day.”

“Who are we talking about?” Meg Campbell joined them, setting down a tray of pastries on the coffee table before joining Jenna on the sofa. “Is it Naaate?” She drew his name out like a schoolgirl. “You like each other.”

Jenna didn’t plan on liking anyone at the moment, but if she had someone in mind, Nate would certainly do nicely. Very nicely indeed. “He’s a good guy and he was a fun wedding date.”

Atta girl. Be diplomatic. LIE.

Meg raised her cannoli like a weapon. “I call bullshit!”

Caroline came in with Harper, and Kim followed with her gown hiked up to her knees, curious about Meg’s declaration. “What’s bullshit?”

“Your B-F-F likes Nate.”

“Stop it, would you?” Jenna pleaded. “They’re right outside.”

Harper downed her scotch in one gulp and smiled. “So? Hey, Nate!” She yelled so loud he heard her through the closed doors. “Oh, look! Cookies!”

The sweet treats on the table were the last thing on Jenna’s mind as she watched Nate rise from where he was sitting and turn toward them. He’d taken off the jacket of his suit, rolled up the sleeves of the crisp white shirt, loosened his tie, and popped two buttons at his neck. He was rumpled and casual—gorgeous—as he stepped into the room full of women and smiled his sweet smile.
Damn.

“Do you like Jenna?” Harper blurted out, her mouth full of pastry.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor.
Uh-oh
. He was embarrassed. Fortunately, he was still smiling. Maybe.

“Oh, jeez. Back to middle school.” Jenna dropped her head onto the soft arm of the sofa. “You guys have got to stop this.”

“What?” Harper snapped. “I don’t believe in dancing around this kind of stuff.” She narrowed her eyes at Nate. “Well?”

“Harper!” More than anyone, Jenna appreciated strong friendships. Her friends and family had kept her going through the toughest times of her life, but Harper was crossing the line. “This is embarrassing.”

“I do like Jenna,” he said, quieting everyone in the room. “I had a nice time with her today. I’d like to take her out sometime.”

Her head popped up when his response finally hit her. She didn’t look at him, couldn’t, instead focusing on a large clock on the mantel. “You do?”

Heat spread up her back and the skin of her neck prickled in a good way. He was close, and it was confirmed when the cushion behind her sank a little and she felt his warm breath near her ear. He smelled like old scotch, expensive cigars and cologne. Like a man.

“Have dinner with me, Jenna.”

“Dinner?”

She faced him and dissolved. His perfect gold-green eyes held hers and promised to make wishes come true. There was no way Jenna could say no. She nodded.

“Great.” While his fingers grazed across one side of her jaw, he left a lingering kiss on the opposite cheek. “I’ll call you.”

“Oh. Okay.”

His lips turned up at the corners and then he said his good-byes. When he left the room and rejoined his friends on the terrace, Jenna’s ovaries wept.

“Holy shit.” Caroline looked back and forth between Jenna and Nate, who was back outside with the guys. “Was that our Nate? Does he have a hidden smolder switch?”

Meg laughed. “That’s our boy. I think Jenna flipped the switch.”

“Or she’d
like
to flip the switch,” Joey said with a wink.

“Oh, good grief . . .”

“Come on.” Joey took a sip of her wine before waving off Jenna’s objection. “I bet if you took out your list, you’d see he matches up pretty well.”

“List?” Harper perked up and grabbed another cookie from the tray. “What list?”

“It’s nothing. Something Kim found at her mom’s.”

“When we were twelve or thirteen, we made Boyfriend Lists,” Kim added. “All the things we wanted in the perfect guy. I found Jenna’s when I was packing some stuff in the attic at home.”

“That’s awesome,” Meg said. “I probably have something like that in one of my old diaries.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “All you have are books filled with things like ‘Jason and Meg, I heart Jason. Mrs. Jason Campbell.’ You were obsessed.”

“It was prophetic,” Meg said as her gaze settled on her very handsome husband.

“Obsessed,” Caroline stage whispered.

“And you weren’t?” Meg retorted. “You mooned over Josh for years!”

“It was fate.”

Kim took off her shoes and stood, shaking out the clouds of tulle in her skirt. “It’s all fate. Me and Owen? The way we met? I’m sorry, but we were meant to happen.”

If only it were that simple. She’d thought that Royce was her destiny. Edgy and smart, he offered her excitement and a life of her own.

Until he betrayed her.

“That list is fantasy. I was barely thirteen when I wrote it.”

“Do you have it?” Harper was curious. Now there would be no peace. “Hand it over.”

The past year had taught Jenna a lot about Harper Poole Rossi, not the least of which was that if she put her mind to something she was going to get it. Fishing in her evening bag, Jenna pulled out the folded piece of paper for Harper’s examination. There wasn’t anything quite as humiliating as baring your thirteen-year-old soul.

Harper eased into the deep cushions and opened the paper, propping her feet on the coffee table. She looked over the list, her expression staying completely flat. “Well, this is our boy Nate to a tee.” She handed the list off to Meg. “Now, granted, I don’t know if he’s a good kisser or if he’s
good with his hands
, but it’s pretty much dead-on.”

“Come on,” Jenna spat out. “A man with all those qualities would be perfect.”

Harper glanced around the room. The paper was now in Caroline’s possession. “Well, ladies?” she asked.

Meg shrugged. “I love my husband, but Nate is pretty perfect.”

Caroline agreed. “Yup. He intimidates me a little. No flaws.”

“You cannot be serious.” This was nuts, Jenna thought. “No one is perfect.”

“I dunno.” Harper handed the list back once she’d had a chance to look at it again. “I think he might be, and he’s smitten with you.”

“No. No he’s not.”
He couldn’t be.

She couldn’t allow herself to think Nate was really interested beyond a date or two. She liked him, probably too much, and they’d had a good time together, but what did Harper say? He was
smitten
?

“Based on how he looks at you,” Kim began, “I think he could be very interested. And why shouldn’t he be?”

“I don’t know, because he’s a hotshot billionaire and I’m an art teacher?”

“Yes, you are,” Caroline said. “And I’m an engineer, Meg’s a teacher, and Kim is a nurse. Harper is a businesswoman and she married Mr. Baseball. Attraction doesn’t check your bank book and there’s no job requirement.”

“Yeah, well.” Jenna heard the bitterness spill into her voice. “I’ve dated the wealthy guy and it didn’t work out for me. In my case, I felt like I was selling my soul.”

Meg grabbed her hand. “It doesn’t have to be that way. He’s a good guy.”

“Jenna, he’s not the asshole who left you,” Kim added. “Give it a chance.”

Joey leaned in. “He’s looking at you now.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Jenna wondered what she was going to do about him. Perfect or not, her track record with men wasn’t good. He’d get bored or she’d be too unsophisticated. Or he’d find out all about her past. It wouldn’t last, and Jenna would be left alone again.

Kim arranged her curls and applied some lip gloss. “Okay, I’m done waiting for him to bond with his bros over this latest milestone. Time for me to take my husband to bed.”

“Atta girl,” Joey declared. The boys let out whoops and hollers when Kim dragged Owen from his chair. Not missing a beat, he scooped his bride into his arms, and carried her across the sitting room and into the elevator. There was absolutely no sign of the injury he sustained during his final tour in Afghanistan less than a year earlier.

Looking at her sister, Meg smiled. “Bed is a good idea. It’s late.”

Slowly but surely, the married couples went to their rooms and left Jenna and Joey nursing a bottle of wine while Nate stood on the terrace with his scotch.

With an exaggerated yawn, Joey stretched her arms over her head. “I’m tired.”

Knowing her friend was practically nocturnal and barely slept four hours a night, Jenna was suspicious.

“You’re tired? You’re never tired.”

Standing, Joey tugged at her dress and gathered her things. “This maid of honor gig is exhausting. I need to get sleep. Brunch in the morning and I’m not missing that.”

“Right. Brunch.”

Joey hugged her. “Now, go talk to Nate. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”

“Joey! I barely know him!”

“You’ve known him for almost a year. Friends with bennies.”

She sputtered an incoherent reply as Joey left the room with a wave.
Get lucky? What?

But then her eyes found his for a brief moment, and Jenna wondered if maybe that’s what she needed. Maybe some hot sex with a really hot guy would help her get over this fear of, well, everything. And she liked Nate; she did. She could definitely do worse.

The past five years had been one dark moment after another that started the second she met Royce. Her perfect life, her perfect man—everything she’d planned—was all a lie. Lately, she didn’t do anything without thinking it through. But, maybe she needed to stop thinking so much.

Screwing up her courage, Jenna checked her breath, fluffed her hair, and headed outside. She had a man to seduce.

He should kiss like he knows what he’s doing.

—#13, Jenna’s Boyfriend List

Drinking alone sucked.

But that’s what Nate was doing after all his friends got hauled off to bed by their wives. He was going to get nicely drunk while they were all getting laid. Such was the life of a carefree bachelor.

There were at least ten women who’d made it known they were available for a “drink” after the wedding. That he was with Jenna didn’t seem to matter, and that alone meant he wouldn’t be interested. Nate was old-fashioned that way. You didn’t ditch your date, but he guessed the women who’d offered were only thinking about one thing: his money. And if he’d learned anything, it was that money made people do stupid things.

Reliance was a big deal on Long Island, and as three homegrown billionaires, he, Owen, and Jason had achieved local celebrity status. Now he was the last eligible bachelor of the bunch and he was on a lot of radars.

It didn’t have anything to do with ego, that was his reality, and he hated it because the only one on his radar was Jenna.

At least she agreed to have dinner with him.

A creaking from behind him made him turn around, and like a vision, Jenna floated out onto the moonlit terrace. She taken her hair completely down and it slipped over her shoulders and down her back like dark silk. Her eyes sparkled as she walked toward him, but her face was set—serious—and he wondered if he still had a date with her after all.

“Hi,” she said so softly he barely heard.

“Hey. Everyone go to bed?”

“Yeah, I think they were ah . . . tired.”

He stifled a laugh and she joined in. “They aren’t sleeping.”

Smiling up at him, she shrugged. “I was trying to be polite.”

He watched her draw a breath and nibble on her lower lip. Everything in him went on alert because he understood Jenna was out here for a reason. He’d messed up. Might as well get it over with.

“I guess I owe you an apology,” he said.

“I’m sorry? You owe me . . . why?”

She was sweet to act confused, but Nate knew he’d embarrassed her even more than Harper had.

“I know I put you on the spot earlier with the dinner invitation. You were nice enough not to turn me down in front of everyone. Thank you for that.”

“I wasn’t being nice. I mean . . . that came out wrong.” She paused. “I said yes because I wanted to say yes.”

“You did?” He stepped toward her, hoping she wouldn’t back away. She didn’t; she stepped into him, placing one hand on his chest, right over his pounding heart.

“I was surprised, but saying no never crossed my mind.”

A lock of hair blew across her face and Nate pushed it back with the tips of his fingers, allowing himself the luxury of lingering there, of touching her, and when she turned her face a bit and pressed a kiss into the palm of his hand, Nate swallowed hard. Her name slipped off his lips and into the night air at the same time she lifted her chin, offering her mouth, her neck.

“Jenna,” he whispered again, this time letting his free hand slide into her hair, loving that he could finally touch her. He didn’t know when her arms slipped around his neck, but Nate leaned in and kissed her.

Time stopped. Everything stopped, because the woman in his arms was all that mattered. Nate didn’t do casual, and there was nothing casual about the way Jenna melted into him, the way her body trembled, and the way her mouth opened so he could taste her completely.

Their bodies were locked together and there was no doubt in his mind she could feel his raging erection. She didn’t seem to mind, as she ground into him, getting as close as she could.

“Christ,” he shot out, pulling his mouth away. “We’d better slow down.”

Rising on her toes, she trailed kisses across his throat. Nate felt her tongue flickering lightly on his skin and he thought he might go crazy from the lust she was inciting.

“No slowing down. I want you.”

“You . . . really?”

Her eyes were veiled and dark, full of desire and heat. Jenna wanted to seduce him, and he was happy to let her.

“I’d let you have me right here if I didn’t think we’d get in trouble.”

Holy shit.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he ground out. “I need you alone.”

“Your room or mine?”

He thought for a second and he knew some of the wedding party planned to get up early for a run. He wasn’t about to let them catch her in the hallway, but he needed the condoms he kept in his shaving kit. “I’ll come to you in five minutes. I just need to get something.”

Running her hands over his ass, she nipped at his chin. God, this woman was hot. And aggressive. Nate was done for and he didn’t care.

She inched away very slowly and ran her tongue over her very swollen lips. Jesus, he wanted to kiss her again. Suddenly the thought of doing her right there wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Bring a lot of condoms,” she whispered in his ear. “You’re going to need them.”

Good God.

Once Jenna had left him, Nate tried to get his head around what had just happened. He thought she was going to bow out of dinner with him, but now they were going to have sex? This was moving at light speed and he needed a minute to regroup.

Grabbing the unfinished bottle of scotch, Nate headed for his suite. He’d brush his teeth, pick up what he needed, and then head to her room.
Shit.
He hoped he could find her room. If he remembered correctly, she was right near his parents.
Fucking perfect.

He had to stop thinking so much. If he wanted this to go in his favor, tonight had to be all about Jenna. And Nate had to make it so she never wanted to be with anyone else ever again.

***

Jenna closed the door to her room and plopped in the armchair that was just inside the room. Holy crap. The man was lethal. Gorgeous, sexy, and could he kiss? Oh. My. God. Jenna could kiss him forever. If he made love like he kissed, she’d be ruined for life.

Realizing she needed to get out of her dress and get ready for him, Jenna pulled out her suitcase and looked at what she had to wear. Sexy lingerie was not on her packing list. All she had was a simple, sheer, white cotton lawn chemise that tied in a bow at the neck. It was an old-fashioned nightgown, but if she left the ribbon loose and let the gown drop off her shoulder, that could work.

Could she seduce a man wearing a granny nightgown? Jenna had no idea. She’d never tried.

Grabbing her only option, she headed into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and took off her dress and bra. Looking at herself in the mirror, Jenna wondered what Nate would do if she answered the door naked. It might be worth a try, but she didn’t know if she was that brave. Not yet. But maybe someday, if this happened again.

For the first time since she’d arrived at the castle, Jenna took the time to appreciate her surroundings. She was in a simple room, but there was nothing simple in any room in this magnificent building. The ornate fixtures and elaborate furnishings were a reminder of the hotel’s past as a grand home. Running a plush washcloth under warm water, Jenna washed up before spritzing on a little perfume and brushing her hair. Inspecting herself in the mirror, she let the gown drop over her head and adjusted the closure, so her breasts almost spilled out. If she had to say so herself, it was a pretty sexy look.

Subtle.

There was a slight tapping on the door, and Jenna took three deep breaths before leaving the bathroom. God, what had she done?

As of tonight, they were friends, and their lives shared some very important people. If one of them got hurt because they slept together, everything could be a mess. Grasping the handle, she opened the door and the minute she saw him, all doubt vanished.

He may have been the most gentle, kind man she’d ever met, but right then, leaning against the door frame, he looked more like a sexy bad-boy billionaire from her favorite prime-time drama. From his expensive formalwear to the scruff that graced his gorgeous face to the Cartier watch on his wrist, he was the total fantasy package.

She was in such trouble. And she didn’t care one bit.

The warmth in her core went to full burn when Nate stepped across the threshold and his eyes traveled up and down her body, lingering on the loose, draped neckline of the chemise.

“My God, Jenna. You’re beautiful.” He came to her, bumping the door closed with his foot, and let his hand run over her shoulder and down to her breast, where his fingers brought the chemise down enough that he could see and touch her very taut nipple. He didn’t hesitate and pulled the ribbon tie slowly, looking her in the eyes as he exposed her body even more. “So beautiful.”

She should have felt vulnerable, especially because everything was happening so fast, but she didn’t. There was trust between them, and Nate did nothing sudden or rough. He was taking his time with her, touching, teasing, and driving her mad with each bit of contact.

“Are you sure about this? I can go now, if you have any hesitation. I don’t want you to regret being with me.”

Reaching out, Jenna popped a stud off his dress shirt, then another, exposing his beautiful chest. She dropped a kiss onto his breastbone, and the groan that came from deep within Nate let her know she was doing something very right. “I love that you’re not manscaped, that you’ve left your chest hair alone. So sexy.”

He smiled, “And I love how soft you are. But, Jenna—”

“I’m not going to change my mind, Nate. I want you. I want us to be hot, sweaty, and screaming.”

Her hands undid his belt and unclasped his trousers. Once his shirt was free, she was able to ease her hand in to touch his erection. The man was impressive, as was the oath he uttered when her finger circled the head of his penis. He wasn’t overly large, but thick, and Jenna wanted to see him.

Nate, however, had other ideas. Nudging the sheer cotton down her body, the gown dropped to the floor, leaving Jenna standing naked in the middle of the room. “Hot, sweaty, and screaming, is that it?”

“Uh-huh.” He was circling her now, trailing his hands over her, front to back, up and down. He took up position behind her, exploring every inch of her body with his hands.

“Well, I could take it very slow and see where that leads us, but you aren’t shy about sex, are you?”

“Nope.” Her breath shuddered when his hand slipped between her legs and feather touched over her most sensitive spot. “I love sex, but I don’t go to bed with just anyone. Which is why it’s been a long time for me.”

“How long?”

“Over two years.”

He swept her hair to one side and left a soft kiss right where her neck curved into her shoulder.

“Then this is a celebration, isn’t it?”

That elicited a giggle. “I never thought of it that way, but okay. I think there’s champagne in the mini bar.”

“Later.” Turning her in his arms, Nate walked her backward to the bed. When she bumped the mattress, he lifted her onto the edge and knelt down.

“What are you doing?”

“It seems to me,” he said as he grazed his scruff along the inside of her thigh, “that if it’s been two years, I have my work cut out for me. Now lean back and let me have some fun.”

Along with his beard, Nate’s lips nipped at the skin of her inner thigh. Jenna thought this very well could send her into a coma. “Oh, God.”

“Hang in there, beautiful. I haven’t even gotten started.”

His mouth closed over her center, and she felt his tongue dip into her folds. The sensation rocketed through her. Every nerve ending fired, producing such pleasure and exquisite pain, Jenna cried out and jerked away.

It didn’t stop him, thank God; he set his hands behind her knees and pulled her back. “Stay still. You’re messing up my rhythm.”

Well, she wouldn’t want to do that.

His thumbs caressed her, moved over the sensitive knot, then his mouth was there again and soon, everything was pulsing, clenching. Jenna felt her body arch, her muscles seized, forcing her higher, as a cry escaped, something primal, before she relaxed into the downy comforter that covered the bed. All the while, Nate watched her, his flashing eyes stayed on her face, and his devilish smile told her this was going to be one hell of a night.

***

Watching her come was perfection. He’d never seen a woman unravel like that when she orgasmed and he had every intention of making sure it happened again and again.

He was still dressed—his shirt was wide open and his pants were undone—but he was more concerned with the trembling woman on the bed. Man, she was responsive. He needed to be inside her, that was all he could think about at that moment.

Taking a condom from his pocket, he tossed it on the nightstand, then settled himself over her, planting his hands on either side of her shoulders. Her face was bliss, with her eyes half closed and a tiny smile on her lips. He kissed that gorgeous mouth and then he did it again.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

Jenna was still catching her breath. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ll let you know when my heart stops racing. Oh, my God.”

A quick kiss turned into a lot more. Damn, if she wasn’t as jacked up as he was. Her hands moved up and down his body, stroked him, and Nate almost lost it. “Honey, let me get undressed.”

“That’s a good idea.”

It didn’t take long for him to shed what he had on, but he stood back for a second, watching her tug at the covers and crawl into the big bed. Jenna had a gorgeous body to go along with that giant heart of hers. Everything was round and soft, a delicious combination of curves and creamy skin, and Nate found himself desperate to bury himself in her.

He climbed on the bed and grabbed her hand. “Come here.” Pulling her into his lap, Nate kissed her gently, acutely aware of the fact she was still in a bit of a stupor. “Are you sure you’re all right? Need a nap?”

“No, just give me a second.” She turned her face into his neck and nuzzled. “You smell so good.”

“Glad you like it.”

“I like you.”

Tucking a finger under her chin, Nate tilted her face toward his. “You’re very special, Jenna. I’m not taking our time together lightly.”