“Oh.”
“Yeah. I brought food. And flowers.”
Wren smiled. She couldn’t help it. He was just adorable. Standing there, arms full of food and flowers with a look of pure uncertainty on his face. He was nervous, which was understandable. So was she, but she knew he was doing this for her. Swallowing hard, she nodded as her heart pounded against her ribs, which woke up kiddo, and now he was kicking. But her son’s kicks were a little hard to pay attention to when Jensen’s eyes were locked with hers. They were such a demanding dark brown that struck her right in the middle of her soul.
Lord, he was pretty.
She had done so well her whole life, ignoring her feelings for him. Yeah, she was attracted to him, but she wasn’t going to fling herself on a guy who’d showed no interest in her until now. If that’s what he was even doing. She’d thought she was sure, but his terms to their agreement suggested that he was into her, which still blew her ever-loving mind.
“I can see that,” she somehow choked out. “Thank you, but—”
“I know you’ve only got like fifteen minutes, which is why I bought you like, seven dishes because I figured you could snack on them all day when you got time.”
“Oh, wow. That’s sweet.”
“Yeah,” he chuckled, his laughter a little laced with nerves as he laid everything down on her desk. “And I know you’re not really a flower chick, but I figured these would make you smile.” Looking up at her, he gestured toward the vase of marigolds.
Her heart almost came out of her chest at the sight of the beautiful gold flowers. “These are the ones I have outside my bedroom window at home.”
He nodded. “I know. I remember when that late winter storm hit that one time and killed them all. You cried for days since you loved them so much, so Dad had us out there replanting brand-new ones.”
She beamed, a little flabbergasted. “You remember that?”
“I remember everything.”
Her heart fluttered as she gazed at the side of his face. They really had known each other their whole lives. She shouldn’t be surprised, but she was. His cheeks were a little red, the hair on his face a little longer than she liked but it was the off-season, so it was expected. His shoulders looked so big in his tank, but all she could stare at was his lips.
Pursing them, he met her gaze. “You look beautiful today.”
She blushed. “Thanks, but—”
“Take the compliment, Wren.”
She snapped her lips shut and grinned. Her stupid heart was in a frenzy as he held her gaze hostage with his. “I wanted you to see what it was like to have me as your husband.”
Her grin grew. “Trying to buy me off with food and flowers? I think I’m supposed to buy you off.”
“You don’t have to,” he said with all seriousness, and her grin stalled.
“Well, then.”
He chuckled as he leaned on his arms, his gaze burning into hers. “It would be good.”
“Maybe, but it’s scary as fuck.”
“Of course it is. I’m asking something of you that you don’t think you want.”
“I don’t think. I know.”
“So you think.” She glared at his total dismissal of what she felt was a valid point, but he just smiled. “But it will be worth it.”
She blinked as her lips started to tremble, her heart in her throat. “I don’t want—”
“If you say you don’t want to hurt me, I’m taking the food back.”
Her eyes widened. “But I’m hungry.”
He smiled. “Then don’t.”
“Fine. I won’t.”
“Because you won’t.”
She eyed him uncertainly. “You don’t know that.”
“I do, and if that’s what’s holding you back, let it go. Because I trust you wouldn’t do that to me. We’ve been very honest with each other, and we’ll continue to do so. The great thing is that we were friends before this.”
She swallowed hard. His logic was sound, and she should just agree with him. It was what she needed, if maybe not what she wanted, but that was beside the point. She was running out of time, and he was offering her the world. She’d be stupid to turn it down. Even if it did scare her to the depths of her soul and made her want to run the other way.
“So you’re fine being the father of a baby that’s not yours, lying to my family and yours, mind you, and going into this with no guarantee that we’ll work.”
“Yes.”
“Just like that. No reservations?”
“None.”
“Jensen.”
“What? It’s you. I’d do anything for you.”
Her heart skipped as she tore her gaze away, shaking her head. “So you want this?”
“I do.”
She scoffed. He was crazy! “Out of all the women in the world, you want to do this with me?”
Looking up, she found him watching her, his eyes trained on hers as the heat gathered all throughout her. Swallowing hard, she watched as he nodded. “All the other women don’t matter.”
His statement was simple but meant so much. As she got lost in his eyes, she almost didn’t know how to respond, but something inside of her was going nuts. Call it her own insecurities, but she just couldn’t believe that. He was a great-looking guy, women loved him, and here he was in her office with food and flowers begging to help her. This was bold and completely out of his wheelhouse. He usually stood back, didn’t say much. But he was saying more than enough now, and it was hitting her right in her gut, leaving her breathless.
“Jensen—”
But his gaze was off to the side, at her computer. “Jesus, you’re still doing these pros and cons lists?”
Her stomach dropped. When she looked to where he was staring with his perfect vision, she saw her computer screen that held her list she had been working on before Tate had come in.
“Well, fuck,” she muttered, and he laughed as he started to move toward her computer at the same time she tried to reach for the mouse.
Knocking it out of her hand, he said, “You’re doing one on me? I gotta see this.”
“Jensen, no,” she groaned, trying to stop him, but he blocked her as he read the items out loud. “You’d block a pregnant woman?”
“Yes! I need to see this.”
“I can’t believe you,” she yelled, but she was laughing as he sat in her seat, with his arm across her chest, holding her back. He was so strong and manly, and he smelled like a woodsy lumberjack.
Yum.
“Let’s see here, I should take a picture and send it to Vaughn and Wells. They’d get a kick out of this.”
“Jensen Monroe, I’ll kill you.” He laughed as she pushed his arm down, crossing her arms over her belly. “I don’t like you right now.”
“Ha, this list is so pro heavy. I’m basically amazing.”
“Okay, Vaughn Johansson.”
He scoffed as he leaned back in the chair, looking up at her. “I love the con of falling in love with me, though. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“Says you.”
“Exactly, because that’s what you do when you marry someone and raise a baby with them.”
“I wanted a fake husband, remember?”
“Yeah, nothing fake about me, baby.”
She let out a harsh breath. “I’m about to add annoying to the list.”
He laughed as he shrugged. “We both know I’m not annoying.” She rolled her eyes at that, and he sent her a grin. “And we’ve kissed!”
Her face twisted. “When we were younger and it was a stupid dare. You basically just licked me.”
“I did not! It was meaningful.”
She sputtered with laughter. “It was maybe a second, and you poked your tongue on my lip and then backed away.”
“I did not!”
“You did. It was pathetic.”
“That’s rude.” She laughed, and he smiled. “I was like fifteen.”
“Yeah. But my first kiss was a dud, for sure.”
His grin grew as he gazed up at her. “I was your first kiss?”
“Yeah, and it was horrible.”
He gave her a dry look. “Shit, Wren, my ego.”
She giggled some more as he shook his head, leaning back in toward the computer again. He sat up then, reaching for the keyboard and mouse. Highlighting the fall in love with him bit, he moved that to the pro side, and he deleted the getting hurt part before he started to type away under the section he had just moved.
Would love me more than I could ever handle.
Her skin started to tingle as he hit enter and pushed the keyboard away before rolling back in the chair. She stepped out of his way, and he stood, his big, beautiful body right in front of her as he turned to look at her, his lips turning up in a little bit of a smirk. “Only one thing left.”
“Huh?”
Before she knew what was happening, he pushed her against the windows of her office, his knee coming between her legs to spread them for his body, forcing away every single breath she had inside of her. Taking her wrist, he lifted it above her head as his eyes burned into hers, while his other hand moved a strand of hair out of her eyes. “The kiss.”
She gasped. “The kiss?”
“Yeah,” he said before his tongue came out, wetting his lips while he tipped her chin up. She held her breath as his lips moved at the speed of turtles down to hers, his eyes watching hers intently. Angling her chin up just slightly, she closed her eyes, and he came crashing in. When their lips touched, she swore it was like a huge wrecking ball knocking her out of this universe. His body pressed to hers, her stomach touching his groin as his hand moved from her wrist to take her hand in his, while her other hand grasped his bicep. Time stood still as their lips moved, and when his tongue glided along her bottom lip, she opened her mouth, letting him run his tongue ever so slowly along hers. Fire, that was all she felt. Almost like a good, long shot of brandy. He felt damn good. Tasted like a dream too. Her body was feverish. Between her legs, she was dripping wet, and she swore he could take her right there and she wouldn’t mind one damn bit.
Holy mother of God, she was kissing Jensen Monroe.
And she didn’t like it.
She loved it.
Already wanted more.
Pulling away, he looked in her eyes, heat and all kinds of naughty things swirling deep inside of his. “Might want to answer that,” he whispered, and her eyes widened.
“Answer what?”
“Ms. Lemiere? Wren?”
“Shit,” she muttered as she detangled herself from the man who had just kissed her fucking socks off. When the fuck did Jensen find some game? Or kiss like that? What the hell? “Hey, sorry!” she yelled, running her hand down her face as she reached for her phone.
“Your next appointment is here.”
“Yes, tell him I’ll be five minutes.”
“Of course.”
Slamming the phone down with more force than she intended, she turned to find Jensen standing beside her, a little smirk on his face as she leaned into the desk, her hands bracing her in an effort to keep her from turning into complete goo. “So.”
“So.”
“I guess I’ll make an appointment down at the courthouse.”
She blinked. “Huh?”
“Oh, you still don’t know if you want to do this?”
She swallowed hard because, damn it, she did. She wanted to do this so badly, even though it scared her more than she cared for it to. It was the kiss! It had clouded her thoughts, but before she could think more about that, she said, “No, I do.”
“Good. So I’ll make the appointment.”
His eyes were so dark. Full of something she had never seen before. He usually had kind eyes, but at that moment, he had sexy, naughty eyes. “Wow, Vaughn’s cockiness is rubbing off, huh?”
He reached out, cupping her face as he took a step toward her. “Guess so.”
Leaning in, he pressed his lips softly to the side of her mouth. “I’ll call your parents and Wells.”
She blinked. “Why?”
“Because it’s my place.”
“You don’t have to. I can do it.”
“I want to,” he insisted, and she could tell it was a fight she wouldn’t win.
She nodded. “Okay.”
“How about dinner tonight? Talk things through?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Pick the place.”
“Okay.”
“Text me?”
“Okay.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
When he kissed her once more, this time on her lips, her eyes drifted shut as she leaned into him. She wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t been kissed in six months or if it was because Jensen was just a fucking amazing kisser, but there was no way she was saying no to that. Along with everything else? Yeah, she had no choice. She was in this.
She just hoped he was right and no one would get hurt.
Pulling back, he squeezed her hand and then started for the door. She watched as he reached it, turning to send her one last smile and then a wink before he left. Falling into her seat, she exhaled hard as she shook her head.
“Well, kiddo, that just happened.”
Looking toward the computer, she went to shut it down since her next client liked to sit by her desk. But before she could, she saw there was a new addition to the pro column.
I will kiss you like that anytime you want, and even in the times you’re too stubborn to admit you want it.
I happened to know I’m a better kisser, by the way.
Stop fighting it. Give in.
Let me be your first kiss—and your last.
Love,
Jensen
Leaning into her hand, she shook her head as her heart went insane in her chest.
She was fucked.
* * *
“So, she said yes?”
Jensen’s lips curved as he looked down at his cell phone lying in the middle of the coffee table. He had three people to call. His mom, Wren’s dad, and Wells. Instead, he sat in the living room of Vaughn and Brie’s new house with his heart in his throat. He wasn’t having second thoughts, not even a little bit, but he hated lying. It wasn’t his thing, and he was about to lie to everyone.
For her.
“Yeah.”
“So you’re going to call everyone.”
“Yeah.”
“And I get to watch?”
“Yeah. I need your support and Tricksie’s,” he said as the pup licked his chin, snuggling in his lap. “I’m sort of freaking out.”
“Okay, let me pop some popcorn and get a beer first.” Vaughn was up before Jensen could stop him.
“Dude, I’m freaking out.”
“Okay, well, I can get popcorn and deal with that. What’s up? Talk to me.”
Jensen leaned back in the couch as he cuddled with Tricksie. “What if everyone hates me?”
“Then you’re fucked.”
“Vaughn!”
“What? Is she worth it?”
“Yes,” he said without reluctance. “But what if she tries to end it?”
“Oh, you know she will.”
“How do I stop that?”
“Who knows? You’re the one doing this. Not me.”
Setting his best friend with a look, Jensen shook his head. “You are absolutely no help at all.”
“I know. It’s a personality flaw.”
“You have a lot of those.”
“I do,” he agreed, leaning on the bar in his kitchen. “But I think if she sees how to be loved right, she might not try to end it. You’re charming. Charm her pants off.”
Charm her pants off. Wow, okay. While, yes, he did very much want to get her naked and in his arms, it was more than that. He wanted her heart. He wanted it all. Closing his eyes, he could feel his lips still buzzing, and he could still taste her. Lord. Her kisses were better than he thought they’d be. He’d always known they had chemistry, he just did, but when their lips touched, it was like a cannon going off inside of him. It felt right. Perfect. She was a perfect hot mess he couldn’t help but want.
The list… Man, he was still laughing about it. It was so in his favor, but she had still stalled. He got it. She was scared, so was he, but that was okay. They’d be okay. Together. He knew it. He knew it deep down. He just hoped she did too.
Letting his head fall back, he smiled as he looked around the bare house. Brie hadn’t had time to do anything with it, but she had apparently hired Lucy Paxton to come in and do the design. Which it needed. Even empty, the little ranch style house was gorgeous. It was obvious Brie had picked it because Vaughn would have picked some big ole mansion that neither of them needed. But this house was perfect for them. Big back patio with a huge yard, and the best thing about it was their backyard butted up against the back fence of NateWay2. Though, word was, Marl, the grounds keeper of NateWay, wouldn’t let Vaughn put an entrance in back there. Said he didn’t trust it. He was kind of crazy, but they all loved him dearly. Jensen thought it was funny that Marl had said no to Vaughn, the owner of the whole damn place.
When Jensen’s phone sounded with a text, he reached for it and saw it was the girl who starred in all his thoughts.
Wren: Smooth.
Jensen: ??
Wren: I just got done with my client, and this is the first time I could text you, but I saw your message. First and last kiss, huh? You have some closet game, I see.
He laughed as he shook his head.
Jensen: Maybe I’ve always had game, just had to wait for the moment I could use it on you.
Wren: You’ve had plenty of moments.
Jensen: Maybe, but now I’ve got the next six months to give you all of it.
Wren: I’m not sure if I should be scared or excited.
Jensen: Both.
Wren: Intriguing, Mr. Monroe.
Jensen: I thought so, soon-to-be Mrs. Monroe.
Wren: …
Wren: You sure?
Jensen: I am.
Wren: I’m a hot fucking mess.
Jensen: And you’ll be my hot mess.
Wren: Confession.
Jensen: Yeah?
Wren: That is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Jensen: And to think, I’m just getting started.
Wren: Crap, well, then I have another confession.
His heart stopped.
Jensen: You’re on a roll, so let me have it.
Wren: I’ve always associated love and all that crap with pain. So you’ll need to be patient.
Jensen: You won’t anymore, and don’t worry, love is patient.
Wren: Okay, I’m not touching that. So, dinner tonight? Tacos?
Jensen: Send me the address.
Wren: Okay.
Jensen: Have a good rest of your day.
Wren: Thanks. You too.
Jensen: I’m about to call your parents and brother.
Wren: Oh, thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure to block their numbers for the rest of the night.
Laughing, he set his phone down as Vaughn sat back down across from him. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“We’re flirting.”
Vaughn’s brows went to his hairline. “Shit, I thought you weren’t gay.”
Rolling his eyes, Jensen sighed. “Not us, dork. Wren and me. We’re flirting.”
“Oh, good. I mean, you’re marrying her.”
“I know, but it’s nice. Hot.”
“And I just puked in my mouth.”
Laughing, Jensen shook his head. “I’m excited.”
Vaughn shot him a grin. “Good, you deserve that.”
They shared a long look before Jensen glanced away, nodding his head before he went to Wells’s number. “Wells first.”
“Good choice.”
But he didn’t hit the number. He was freaking out. Looking back up, he asked, “Where is Brie?”
Vaughn gave him an exasperated look. “Shopping with Lucy. Call him.”
Jensen paused. “What if he hates me?”
“Well, you should have thought about that before you basically did Wren against the wall to get her to say yes.”
“I didn’t do her against the wall.”
“I’m sure you didn’t just peck her lips. You’ve wanted to kiss that girl your whole life, ever since that poor excuse for a kiss when we were younger.”
“It wasn’t that bad!”
Laughing hard, Vaughn sputtered, “Her friends called you turtle tongue for, like, months.”
“Why didn’t I know this?”
Vaughn’s laughter subsided as he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. Call Wells.”
Well, shit. Okay. He wanted this.
Hitting Wells’s number, Jensen put him on speaker and held the phone out as he waited for his buddy to answer. He didn’t have to wait long. “Bro, hey! What’s up?”
“Hey, what are you up to?”
“Just lying around as Alex and his parents talk about wedding shit. Being lazy.”
“Oh, so you’re at his house?”
“No, they’re here. Why?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Oh. Well, let me go to my bedroom. Hold on.” Jensen chewed on his lip as Vaughn threw handfuls of popcorn into his mouth, a foolish grin on his face. He was such a dork. “Okay, what’s up? You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s, um, well, it’s about Wren.”
“What? Is she okay?” Wells panicked, as an older brother would.
“Yeah, no, don’t get upset,” Jensen said calmly, though he felt like he could puke at any moment. “Listen, um, something happened between her and me back in December. I never told anyone because we both agreed it was silly and just a drunken night of fun.”
Vaughn scoffed as he shook his head, which caused Jensen to throw a pillow at him. He glared back, but Jensen ignored him as Wells spoke. “Okay. So you’re saying you slept with my sister?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, and when you say you both agreed it was silly, it was really that she didn’t want anything more?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s such a dick. Okay. I mean, whatever, I’m sorry. But why are you telling me this now?”
“Um, she came over the other night and informed me that she’s pregnant.”
Vaughn leaned in, a grin on his face as Wells was silent while Jensen’s heart was going a million miles a second in his chest. “I’m sorry, what?”
“She’s six months pregnant…with my child.”
“You can’t have kids.”
Jensen closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. Man, the lies were adding up. “I thought so too, but apparently, I can.”
Closing his eyes, Jensen listened as Wells whispered, “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure she’s not lying? I mean, I love my sister, but she gets around and fucks with assholes who wouldn’t want a kid. You’re the only good guy she knows, and you’d be a damn good dad. Are you sure, man?”
“Yeah, I asked, and she wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Yeah, wow. Okay.”
“Um, so I want to ask her to marry me, but I want to make sure you’re okay with it first.”
Once again, Wells was silent as Jensen sat there having a mini panic attack. He hadn’t thought this was going to be so hard, but he was finding that he was completely wrong in that sense. This was harder than ever, and he hated it. Every second. But he had to do it. For her.
“Well, she’ll say yes because of the stupid inheritance. But, dude, I don’t know. I mean, she’ll probably blow you off when she gets the money.”
Jensen closed his eyes. “That’s a good possibility, but I want to try—for the baby.”
“Fuck, man, I’m gonna kill her. Jesus.”
Jensen cleared his throat. “You know I love her. I won’t hurt her.”
“Dude, I’m not worried about you hurting her. I’m worried she’s gonna fuck with you. Damn it. Are you sure? Like, really sure, dude?”
Jensen’s heart ached. Everyone around him, including Wren, thought she’d hurt him. But he was all in. Did that make him a masochist? Maybe it did. Clearing his throat, he said, “Yeah. I love her. I want to be there for her and my child.”
“Man. Well, yeah, bro. It’s about time she’s loved by a good guy, and you’d do right by her. Let’s just hope it sticks, and when she gets her money, she doesn’t run. You are one of the best guys I know, and it would be an honor to call you my brother-in-law.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call my sister.”
“She’s blocking your number.”
“Damn it, she’s too smart. I’ll email her.”
Jensen smiled. “Don’t be too hard on her. She’s been hiding this for a while.”
“Yeah, and I don’t like that.”
“I didn’t either.”
“Well, it’s in the past. Good luck with my dad.”
Jensen laughed. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”
“No, you won’t. Love ya, man.”
“You too.”
The line went dead, and Jensen looked up. “That went well…”
Vaughn shook his head. “He doesn’t believe anything. Wells knows Wren, knows you, and knows it’s a sham. He just won’t admit it.”
Jensen’s heart dropped. He’d thought so too, but he was hoping that Vaughn didn’t. “I was afraid of that.”
“Maybe you’ll have better luck with Winston?”
“Maybe.”
Realistically, he didn’t think he would. “I should have saved Wells for last.”
“Yeah, now that I’m thinking about it, probably.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“No problem, that’s what I’m here for. Call Winston.”
Jensen went to Winston’s number and hit call. His pseudofather answered on the fourth ring. “Jen, sorry, I was in the shop. How you doing, my boy?”
“Hey, Winston, good. What are you building?”
“Nothing, just hiding from the missus. She’s always telling me I need to go walking and shit. I’m retired. I wanna eat pie and act like I’m building something.”
Jensen laughed as he nodded. “Sounds like something you’d do.”
“Exactly. Why can’t she get that?” he laughed, a big gruff noise, and Jensen smiled. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call? Usually, you call Lanie, and I get the secondhand conversation.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She can talk to a rock. I hate talking, and I know you do, too.”
“I do.”
“Ha, so what’s up?”
“Um, well, Winston. I was, um—”
“Jesus, you nervous? Forget how to talk? Spit it out, boy.”
Jensen laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, um. I was calling to ask if I could marry Wren.”
Vaughn sat on the edge of his seat, taking a long pull of his beer while Jensen glared. It was a bad idea doing this with him here. “Wren? My baby?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You want to marry Wren? My daughter, Wren?”
“Yeah, Winston. Uh… I’ve known her my whole life. I’ve loved her for just as long, and I’d really like your blessing.”
“She’s pregnant, isn’t she?”
Jensen’s eyes widened as he looked at Vaughn, unsure what to say. But Vaughn just shrugged, shaking his head in horror. “Yes.”
“She put you up to this? She’s making you marry her so she doesn’t lose her inheritance?”
“No, sir. I asked her.”
“This girl. These kids are gonna put me in an early grave. One’s getting knocked up, and my boy is marrying another boy—with glittery doves.” Clearing his throat, Winston let out a long breath. “Shit, Jen. Yeah, I’d love to call you my son.”
He exhaled hard in relief. “Thank you, sir.”
“Good luck getting her to do it, though. That girl doesn’t want to be married, and I’m surprised she’s keeping the kid. She’s a hard one, my Wrenny is.”
Swallowing hard, Jensen nodded as he looked down at Tricksie.
The signs were right there, blinking brightly in his face, but Jensen just smiled.
“I love her. We’ll be fine.”
He just hoped he wouldn’t find himself in another situation like he’d been in with Ophelia.
But even with all the signs and everyone, even Wren, saying the same thing, he felt right. He knew what he was getting into, he knew the girl he loved, and he was going to do his best to change her mind.
He’d get his happy ending.
With Wren.
He deserved it.
He just needed her to see that she deserved it too.