The Boyfriend List (6 page)

Never needing a reason to make a point, Harper rose and grabbed her daughter. To say she stormed off would be an understatement. But she slammed the door for good measure, just in case they didn’t notice she was mad.

“Whoa,” Nate said. “You’re in the doghouse.”

“For now. In two minutes she’ll be out here with snacks, or needing me to open a pickle jar or something. She’s not mad. If she were, I’d know it. Trust me.”

“Meg’s the same way. She feigns offense, gives me a piece of her mind, and I wonder how badly I screwed up. But then an hour later, she’s curled up next to me like a kitten. I go with it. If she’s really angry, then we talk. A lot.”

Nate had so much to learn. He’d had his share of relationships, but none of them ever felt like this. Like his entire life was about to change. The women he dated were nice, intelligent, and attractive. The sex was good, but he always felt like it was a show, that he wasn’t ever seeing the truth.

The last woman he dated, Piper Lansing, was everything he should have wanted in a wife. They got on very well. She was gorgeous, went to the right schools, lunched at the right clubs, and knew all the right people. She had a perfectly acceptable job at a small gallery in Greenwich Village, and her summer weekends were spent in the Hamptons or at the Cape.

Her parents knew his parents, there was chatter about a ring, and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that their wedding would be the talk of the season.

On the surface, Piper was the perfect choice. But he didn’t know her. Everything was about appearances, about playing a part. She never lost her temper, never laughed so hard it hurt, and never did something just for the fun of it. In short, Piper never lost control. Ever. And Nate had been bored to death.

He shocked everyone when he broke it off. And rather than facing the fallout, he boarded a private jet with Jason and Josh to gamble and play some golf in Monte Carlo.

It was the coward’s way out and he got shit from his family when he got back, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to make that kind of mistake with his life. Only a few days later, he’d met Jenna.

She was loud and fun, irreverent in many ways. He liked being around her, because whatever she was made of, the energy that surrounded her drew him in.

From what he’d heard, Piper was seriously pissed he’d broken it off, but she wasn’t hurt. She wasn’t heartbroken. Within six months, she was engaged to a very nice banker who was as perfect and boring as she was. The wedding was coming up in two weeks.

He’d been invited, obviously so she could show him she didn’t need him. He was tempted to ask Jenna to come with him, so Piper could see why they wouldn’t have worked.

“You have it bad, my friend.” Kevin slapped him on the back.

“Why do you say that?” Nate had no poker face, which was why all the negotiations at Reliance were left to Owen and Jason. He had absolutely no guile.

“You haven’t heard a shittin’ thing we’ve said, have you?”

“Not really, no.”

Jason rolled his eyes, and Nate knew he was in for it. “Where do you want to go for dinner after golf?”

“I don’t care,” Kevin replied. “As long as there’s red meat.”

“Does anyone know Jenna’s story?” Nate asked. “Why is she gun-shy with men?”

“Is she?” Kevin wondered. “Because she didn’t look shy when she was kissing you.”

“Ah, good.” Josh Campbell had arrived to round out their golf foursome and smiled as he grabbed a beer from the cooler. “I didn’t miss the chat. How is our boy doing with his pretty lady?”

“She’s scared to death of something. She told me I could do better.”

Jason sat back in his chair. “Really? That’s weird. She’s great—funny, smart. All the girls love her.”

“Yeah, me, too. I’m not playing, here. I want her. Forever.”

Kevin shook his head. “Yeah, that’s the way it happens. No warning.
Boom
. And they own you.”

“I was thinking of asking her to go with me to Piper’s wedding.”

“What?” Harper came out of the house with Anna following close behind. “Are you insane? Forget asking her, why are
you
going to that wedding?”

“I was invited? I don’t know. Our families have been friends for years.”

“You don’t even like her. For God’s sake! You took her out to dinner, broke it off with her, and boarded a jet to the Riviera!”

“I know. I was there.” He didn’t need a recap of his breakup with Piper. He caught shit for it for weeks.

“She was ripping mad, Nate. She thought you were taking her out to dinner to propose.”

Jason was laughing at this point. Leave it to his oldest friend to find the humor in the situation. Too bad Nate didn’t see it. “I never said anything about an engagement, a wedding, nothing. I never told her I loved her . . .”

Jason leaned in. “Sad to say this buddy, but there are some women out there who are still looking at marriage as a way up the social ladder. It’s business.”

He knew that. In the very tight community in which he was raised, big money married big money. Nate just wanted to love someone and be loved back. He wanted a partner in life, not a business partner.

“We’re going to be late. Let’s go.” Jason might have been having fun at his expense, but the strong pat on the back from his friend told Nate he was with him and that whatever support he needed was there. No questions asked.

He should think I’m beautiful, even when I’m a mess.

—#17, Jenna’s Boyfriend List

Jenna, her sister Tina, and their mom carted boxes and bags from the car. The cottage was fully furnished, but naturally, Jenna wanted to add her own touches to the space. She wanted to make it her own. Additionally, there was a small storage shed behind the house that she could use, and it would be the perfect place for her paints and easels.

The cottage rendered her mother speechless. It wasn’t that Jenna’s family was poor. They weren’t. Her parents worked hard to make sure Jenna and her siblings had everything they needed, and what they wanted within reason. While they were solidly middle class, there wasn’t room for frills.

Education was the most important thing in her family, and her parents made sure that if someone wanted to go to school, it would happen. But the house, grounds, and cottage where Harper and Kevin Rossi lived was like the set of a movie. A whole new world, and very different from the one in which she was raised.

Perfectly groomed gardens filled the yard and old trees towered over the large gray Victorian home. Everything Jenna always dreamed about was here. The expansive wraparound porch, the kitchen with every appliance you could want, the yard with its playset . . . it was a perfect family home. That Harper and Kevin infused it with such love and humor made it special.

Jenna adored the cottage when Kim lived there, but making it hers was important. Harper hinted that she might need Jenna into the fall because her mother’s “gentleman caller” was talking about moving in together. He was a lovely man named Arthur, and Harper’s mama was smitten.

It was something to think about. If she could help Harper and still keep her teaching job, the situation would be ideal.

Pulling an item from a box, Jenna unwrapped a blue glass vase that she’d bought at a gallery in Manhattan just last week. It was her new favorite thing. The shape and color pleased Jenna’s critical eye and soothed her soul.

Her sister came out of the bedroom and plopped in a chair. “That walk-in closet is the size of my kitchen!”

Tina was a surgeon who practiced at one of the most prestigious hospitals in New York City. She sometimes worked strange hours so she terrorized her parents by moving closer to work. Granted, she worked and lived in one of the best areas of the city, but it didn’t make her mother feel any better.

Any time the birdies weren’t in the nest, Teresa Albanese didn’t like it.

“It’s nice here, and you’re not too far away.” Her mother was trying to be positive.

“Nope. Not at all. I’ll still be around, and you can come over anytime you want and play with the baby.” Jenna wanted to throw that out there. The offer was genuine, but not without benefits.

“I’d like that.” Teresa was itching for grandchildren, and Anna could take the sting out of the fact that none of her children were married. “So tell me about the man you’re seeing?”

“Yeah,” Tina said. “You’ve been pretty tight-lipped since the wedding. How is the billionaire?”

Just the mention of Nate’s money made Jenna cringe. “The last thing I’m interested in is the size of his wallet.”

“Oh, don’t be so sensitive,” her sister chided. “I know you’re not, and based on the way he was looking at you, I’m sure he doesn’t, either. He really likes you.”

“We’re getting to know each other. I like him, too.”

“Don’t go too fast, he’s not our people,” her mother jumped in. “But I have to agree with your sister, he did look very taken with you.”

“ ‘Our people’, Mom? Really?” Tina snapped, disgusted.

“The last time your sister went for one of these hotshot business types she left her family for years and came home broken,” her mother responded sharply. “I’m just reminding her not to do anything stupid.”

Well, now she knew how her mother felt. But the truth was, Mom had a point. Jenna was falling hard for Nate—even though it was a bad idea, even though she promised herself she wouldn’t.

“He’s coming over later.” Jenna spoke quietly, hoping they might miss what she said.

Tina jumped up and clapped. “Yay! A date! Are you going out? Or, uh, staying in?” She winked. Her sister the surgeon winked like a cheeseball. What was the world coming to?

“I think Mom got your meaning, Tina. You can stop winking at me.”

An uncomfortable chuckle from her mother let Jenna know her mother might not approve, but she wasn’t going to say anything else. Considering a year ago they were all still in the throes of mourning her brother, it was nice to know they could spend time together without Tom as the focus. Jenna didn’t love that she was the focus of all conversations, but at least her mother wasn’t dealing with the crushing grief that had consumed her since Tom’s death.

But in spite of what Mom thought, maybe it was Jenna’s turn. Maybe she should take a chance and see where it went with Nate. It didn’t mean she had to marry the guy.

But wasn’t that a lovely thought?

***

The best part of summer was the longer days. It always made Nate feel like he could accomplish more. Now, walking down the path toward Jenna’s cottage, he stopped thinking about everything that could go wrong between them and started thinking about everything that could go right.

If he played his cards right, Jenna could be the best thing that ever happened to him. He thought long and hard about what Harper said, and he decided against going to Piper’s wedding at all. It would be awkward, and, while he wished his ex well, he didn’t think she would really care if he was there or not. Bringing Jenna, however, would have stirred a pot that had no business being stirred.

Now he had to focus on making Jenna part of his life. And while he knew she had reservations, Nate admitted it was a step for him, too. He’d never been serious about anyone, had never met a woman that took him out at the knees the way Jenna had. The question now was if he could convince her to make the leap with him.

If
he could convince her, and that was the operative word . . .
If
.

As he approached the cottage, he heard something crash around the corner along with a few choice words from Jenna. He dropped his keys on a table and raced toward the sound. When he found her, he saw she was trying to untangle two big easels. “Damn, stupid things . . .”

Nate took hold of the larger of the two easels and helped her separate them. “Thank you,” she said while brushing her hands together. The look of her was perfect. She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, her hair was pulled up in a clip, and she wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup. He’d never seen anyone more beautiful.

“Do you need help with anything else?”

“No that’s the last of it. It’s nice I have a place to keep my paints and equipment.”

“Planning on painting?” He closed and latched the shed door for her.

Jenna motioned to the wide expanse of yard that sat right off the patio. It was filled with flowers of every color. “Are you kidding? I feel like I’m in Monet’s garden. It would be a crime not to paint here.”

Nate smiled and took her in as she pushed her hair back from her face. There was innocence there, but fire burned in her soul. He’d seen that over the course of the past year and when they were together at the wedding. This woman felt everything to her core. Every thrill, every defeat.

Love with Jenna would be messy, exciting—
life-changing
.

When she talked about art, her passion bubbled over. Her joy reached out and grabbed him, consumed him, and more than ever, Nate knew this was where he wanted to be, even if she was still uncertain. Closing the gap between them, he kissed her.

“Ugh, stop. I’m all dirty and sweaty. By the way, are you early?”

“No, I’m a little late.” His hands settled on her hips and he yanked her to him. “You look beautiful to me.”

“You’re crazy. I’m a mess.”

Taking advantage of her hair being pulled up, Nate didn’t back off and left a trail of kisses on her neck to just below her ear. She was sweaty and salty, and Jenna sighed. “Nope. Beautiful. Just like I said.”

“I have to shower.” Her voice was breathy, distant.

“I think I should join you. In case you need me to, you know, wash your back.”

There wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation. Jenna looked at him with those big brown eyes and led him into the house, taking the clip from her hair and letting it tumble in waves down her back. “So are you any good at this backwashing thing?”

“I’ve never done it before,” he said when they crossed into the bedroom. “But I’m a quick learner.”

Loosening his tie, then pulling it off, Jenna tossed it on the bed. “Maybe we’ll use that later.” Just hearing her soft, sexy words had him getting more and more worked up. Thinking about what they might do with that tie—there was a possibility Nate would be in a coma before the night was over.

Her lips landing at the center of his chest brought him from the fantasy in his head to the one right in front of him. And she most definitely was his fantasy. Sexy, smart, bold—he didn’t know if he could keep her interest, but he was damn well going to try.

Most of the buttons of his shirt were undone, his trousers were open, and he sucked in a breath when Jenna’s hands reached in and stroked him from base to tip.
Holy fucking hell.

Her hands moved around to his ass, and Jenna pushed down his pants and underwear, freeing him. He was so hard it hurt, and part of him wanted to throw her on the bed and do her until she screamed.

Jenna rid herself of her top and shorts, which left her in a thong and bra, and her body glistened with a light sheen of sweat. The desire swamped both of them, words were gone, all that was left were her hands, her mouth, her body, pressing against him, tasting him and pushing his control to the edge.

“I can’t keep my hands off you,” she whispered. “Whenever you’re close, I want to touch you.”

“I know. I went crazy the past three weeks. All I could think about was being with you.”

The hot, running water was starting to steam up the bathroom. The large marble shower stall was built with a bench on one side and beautiful lighting. The epitome of pure luxury. The rainforest shower head soaked Jenna’s hair and body the second she stepped in. Seeing her wet and dripping under the light was the best thing that had happened to him in a very long time.

She ran her hands over her hair, over her face, and down her body. Nate’s heart was pounding and his ability to reason was dissolving with every pass of her hands over her olive skin. Once their eyes locked, she licked her lips and Nate thought for sure he might die.

There was no time to think as she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him to the bench. When he sat, the cold marble was a stark contrast to the hot water, but nothing could have shocked him more than Jenna dropping to her knees.

Holy shit.

His brain cells were frying one at a time. He felt the blood pulsing through his body as she pushed his thighs apart, scooted closer, and then took him in her mouth. It was slow, torturous, as she took a little bit of him, releasing and then a little more. Watching her was almost as much of a turn-on as the feel of what she was doing. Finally, she took all of him and Nate couldn’t breathe.
“Christ, Jenna. Baby . . .”

His hand threaded through her wet hair, holding her, forcing himself to let her set the pace. It was so tempting to let her finish him off, but he wanted them to come together. They had all night to play dirty games, but he wanted to know she was feeling the same pleasure he was, to know he gave it to her. His body was raging, wanting to let go, but he fought it. Then she dragged her teeth gently up his shaft, and he snapped.

Grabbing her wrists and pulling her to her feet, Nate spun her around and pinned her hands to the wall. He entered her so quickly they both lost their breath. He had to steady himself so he didn’t come just from being inside her. Never in his life did he think she’d go down on him like that. It blew his damn mind, but now he could slow it down, take his time.

But damn if she wasn’t as wet on the inside as she was on the outside.

Then she ground her soft, round ass into his hips, allowing him to go deeper, and heat surged through him. He lost control, driving into her like a man possessed. Not caring about finesse or romance, Nate wanted release for both of them.

Jenna was sighing with pleasure, moaning, pressing back against him so he could go deeper. Go harder.

When Jenna cried out, he couldn’t tell if it was in pleasure or pain. It almost didn’t matter.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No. So good, Nate. So good.”

Still holding her wrists, he brought one of her arms down with his and wrapped it around her midsection, pulling her closer. They fit each other.

Her back and shoulders tensed, her legs shook against his as the orgasm overtook her. Letting out a cry that bounced around the room, she shuddered and convulsed in his arms. Nate thrust hard one last time and found his own release, just as intense as hers.

Jenna’s knees buckled and Nate steadied her before settling on the bench with her curled against him.

“Oh, my God,” she whimpered. “That was amazing. Did you learn those moves in accounting school?”

Holding her close, he reveled in the feel of her, warm, wet and naked in his arms. “Nah, I’m just a natural, I guess.”

“That’s quite a gift you have there.”

There was so much he wanted to say, but when she tilted her face toward his, the emotion stopped his heart in his chest. Smoothing the wet hair from her face, Nate dropped a kiss on her lips. “There’s something special between us, Jenna, and I’m not going to pretend it’s not there anymore. I want you, and I don’t just mean in bed.”

“Oh, Nate . . .”

“I know something has you spooked, but whatever happened or whoever did something to you, I’m not him. And I’m not giving up on us.”

Even at her most vulnerable at the wedding three weeks ago, when she was thinking about her brother, Jenna didn’t cry. Now Nate’s insides clenched as he saw tears well up in her eyes. These were tears that came from pain, from desperation.