Brent was happy Melissa liked Jen. He had little doubt she would, but it was nice knowing they got along. His sister had decided to sublet her home for the year she’d be gone. Then she’d have a place to come home to once her tour in London was finished.

He hated games some women played. Jen wasn’t like that. She hadn’t once used anything to manipulate him. He didn't like that she’d been caught in Marci’s game playing. He wanted to tell Marci to leave him alone, but he felt that giving her any attention would just make her more persistent.

Jen’s stress levels were off the charts. With the new store being pieced together, decisions that had to be made, and maintaining her old place her life was chaotic. He helped as much as he could, but he still had work. He was two weeks out from his half-ironman, and Jen had one week left in her current store. They were racing the clock on the new place, and Jen worried she wouldn’t have any customers transfer to her new place. He understood why she was upset, now he just needed to help her succeed.

At noon, he took a break and stopped by her store. She was in the middle of a huge cupcake order and she looked a mess with green icing smeared on one cheek. He chuckled as he stood off to the side watching her move through the motions of decorating the cupcakes.

“I would help you, but I don’t think I could do what you’re doing. My little icing dollops would look terrible.”

She laughed and kept on moving. "I’m close to finishing this. I have a few more to do.”

It looked like she had about a hundred more to do. “Okay. So I have some good news.”

“What?” Jen moved to the next row of cupcakes to decorate.”

“I have a buddy who can get you the lights for half the cost.”

She paused in her decorating quest and looked up. “Oh wow, that’s amazing. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I think everything will come together.”

She nodded and went back to decorating. “I’m just nervous.”

“I totally understand.”

“Do you want to come to my place after you get off work?”

Her offer was too good to pass up. “Sure. I’m headed to the gym for a pre-race registration deal.”

“You can register this early?”

“Yes, it’s just all the information gathered and stuff. I’ll have to go in the day before and get my bib, but it will only take me a few minutes to do that.”

“Okay, stop by after you’re done. I’ll be home at about two, after I finish decorating this last batch.”

He moved closer to her, and she stood tall, rolling her shoulders. “I’ll rub your back tonight.”

She flashed a huge smile. “Sounds good.”

He brushed a quick kiss over her lips then stepped away. His gaze stayed on her as she bent to continue decorating the cupcakes. He grew hard just thinking of rubbing her shoulders later. Desire spiked, and he had to force himself to walk away.

“Later,” he said.

She gave him a quick smile before she turned back to her cupcakes. She was dedicated to her shop, and he admired that in her. The pride she took in her creations bled over into her life. She was an amazing woman. He was falling for her, hard, and he never wanted her to think he’d leave. Maybe he needed to take them to the next level, but with the race, her store, everything, it seemed premature.

When he stepped into the gym, he heard Dan’s voice and he headed over. “Hey, it’s Brent,” Dan called out.

“Hey, guys.”

“You ready?” Dan asked.

“Well, I do have a few more weeks.”

“Not long though.”

“You should be set to go. From here on out, it’s just about maintaining your strength and endurance. I think you can see in your planned workouts you’re tapering off.”

He nodded and pulled out his phone, checking on the plan Dan had sent. He read over the next few days of workouts and saw they were less stressing.

“Hey, bud, how’s it going?”

Brent smiled at the sound of Bruce’s voice. He turned and stuck out his hand, pulling Bruce in for a big hug. “Dude, how’ve you been?”

“Good. You got a moment to talk?” Bruce asked.

“Sure. Let me sign on the dotted line and fill out a few things then I have time.” He inked his information on the paperwork and waved to Dan before he took off.

Bruce drew him over to the couch in the corner of the gym’s café. His friend’s lips thinned, and his brows pinched together.

“Is everything okay?” Brent asked.

“I don’t know, you tell me.”

“What do you mean?” He had no clue what Bruce was alluding to. Worry filled him.

“Someone told me you’re dating a woman who is very abusive. Um, this person said she hits you and is trying to destroy your life.”

Brent threw back his head and laughed so hard he drew stares from all over the gym lobby. When he got a hold of himself he realized Bruce was serious about his worry.

“Wait, you’re not joking.” Brent wiped his hand over his face and shook his head. “Who told you this?”

“Um, she said not to tell.”

“Let me guess, that chick who is always trying to get my attention? She told you, is that right?”

Bruce nodded, and his brows knit together. “Yeah, she told me.”

“Okay, I’ll tell you right now she’s lying. Come with me. I want you to meet Jen.”

“I don’t know if that’s wise.”

“Come on, Bruce. Who do you trust, me or that woman trying to fuck with my life?”

Bruce shrugged then stood. “You, of course.”

They loaded into his car and he took off, wondering how screwed up Marci was. Why would she try to sabotage his life this way?

Before they stepped out of the car, Bruce put his hand on Brent’s arm. “I’m sorry I believed her for even one second.”

He shrugged. “It’s okay. I want you to meet Jen anyway because she’s important to me.”

Bruce sighed and then stepped out. When they opened the door, Jen was standing at the counter, and her face no longer had icing on it. His heart sped up and warmth filled him.

“Hey, what are you doing back here?”

“Hi Jen, this is Bruce. He’s one of my good friends who I’ve known for years.”

“Cool. Just a second.” She held up a finger and stepped into the kitchen. A few seconds later Michael came out then Jen. She headed over to them and stuck out her hand. “Hi, Bruce, I’m Jen.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jen. So you and Brent are together,” Bruce said.

“Yeah, we’ve been dating for a little while.”

“How did you two meet?”

“I kept coming into her shop until I worked up the nerve to ask her out.”

Bruce’s lips screwed up. “So you…um, how do I say this.”

Brent stilled and shook his head. “Don’t.”

“What?” Jen asked.

“So your little friend who tried to convince you I was cheating on you, she told Bruce you were abusive.”

Jen opened her mouth but said nothing. Then she blinked slowly before she shook her head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No, I’m not.” Anger filled Brent. He’d never wanted to hurt a woman, but he was very mad at Marci for trying to screw up his relationship.

“She’s a piece of work.” Jen rolled her eyes then shook her head. “I swear that woman has got to have a screw loose. Why would anyone do this to another? It’s not like she’s making a good impression with her manipulations.”

“No, she’s not,” Bruce said. “Honestly, before all this, I might have tried to date her, but not now. She’s just mean.”

“Dude, you can do so much better than her,” Brent said. “I don’t know of anyone like Jen, but I’m sure you can find someone close.”

Bruce looked at Jen then back to him. “You sure as heck are a lucky guy.”

Jen lifted a brow and then shook her head. “So, Bruce, why don’t you come to dinner with us.”

“Um, any other day I would, but I have to meet my brother. He flew in yesterday and wants to get together today.

“Okay, so maybe later,” Jen said.

Bruce shook his hand then Jen’s before heading to the door. Brent called out to him. “Hey, we took my car, you want a ride back?”

“No need. I’m good with walking. It’s not that far. I’ll catch you later.”

He shrugged then turned back to Jen. “Seriously, I had no idea she was this vindictive. I’ve never dated her, nothing.”

“Chalk it up to her being crazy. So, are you ready to go home?”

“I need to check on two properties and then I’ll be at your place.”

Jen lifted to her toes and brushed a kiss over his cheek. “I’ll see you at my place.”

He nodded and headed out. He needed to fix their living situation soon. Once her new store was up and running, he’d ask if she wanted to move in.

After checking on the properties, he dropped by his place and grabbed fresh clothes. He looked around, thinking his house would be big enough for them both. His kitchen was almost twice the size of hers, and he had the dining room he really never used. Having her live with him would be good for them both.

Once at Jen’s place, he tugged her into the bedroom and stripped off her clothes. She was the hottest woman he’d ever seen.

His lips devoured hers, taking them both higher. They'd stretched out beside each other, her leg thrown over his hips, so he could slide in. She was perfect and sweet. He needed to feel every bit of her. He moved closer and pressed in deeper.

“You’re the best. I can’t get enough of you,” Brent said.

“So good,” Jen breathed out in a grunt.

He chuckled as she panted, her eyes slammed closed, head thrown back. He made a sweeping gaze down her body as she adjusted. He couldn’t hold back. She was nearly too much to take. Her beauty was beyond measure. He wished he could stay like this forever.

The pulsing of her pussy around his cock felt amazing. Being with her was exciting and he couldn’t hold back. She took him to the edge so fast. He came hard, emptying his seed into the condom.

She leaned back and stared into his eyes. “I’m glad you are the type of man you are.”

“And I’m glad you’re a good person. I think we have something special.”

“Same here.”

After tossing the condom, he kissed her again. Soon, she’d have a permanent place in his life. No one, not even crazy people trying to hurt them, would ever disrupt their lives. He’d make sure Jen knew there would be no other women for him.