Two Hard

by Amy Brent

  “Oh yes dear, though he is typically just on the arm of some fluffy piece of work. Rarely does he say or do anything in regards to the event.” She waved down the waiter tapping on her glass for a refill.

  “I didn’t realize that.” Dahlia sipped her water lightly.

  “I assumed he would have told you about it for the article, but then who knows with that one. I do know he has been almost painfully happy lately, though I had thought it was because of you. I hate to bring it up, but what happened there? Did he break your heart or simply disappear altogether?”

  She almost choked. “I ah... I am not sure I know what you mean?”

  “Well, I know you two had a “thing” for a moment. Now that he is back with that awful Rebecca Livingston, I knew something was wrong. I know you said you wanted to tell me something I assumed it was about that.”

  Dahlia felt the floor move, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. It was obvious to her now why they never talked about plans or status, he had gone back to his world, simply visiting hers to fulfill some need they had found in the other. She managed to skirt the question and get through lunch, though her countenance gave confirmation to Judy’s ideas that things had indeed, gone badly between them. Part of her wanted to call him, or confront him, but it would do no good to be told exactly what she already knew.

  As she got home, she packed a bag, dropping off her finished article as she made her way out of town and to her mothers. What she needed was a little break from everything. Maybe there she could tell her mother about the baby she was carrying, and together they could start preparing for it. She had hoped to tell Landon, but it was obvious she didn’t fit into his plan.

  Once home, she and her mother laughed and talked her mother was over the moon about the baby, and as she settled into get some sleep, she felt at peace about her future, though her heart was still broken.

  Landon

  “You told her what?” He paced the floor, his mind racing over what Dahlia must be feeling right now.

  “In all fairness son, how was I supposed to know you had some agreement with Livingston. I just knew she was telling the world you were back in her life.”

  “I love her mother.” He whispered it, his heart hurting.

  “How could you love that selfish...”

  “Dahlia mother, not Rebecca for goodness sakes.” He searched frantically for his keys.

  “Oh well, now that is good news, son.” She fairly clapped her hands together.

  “Not really mother, not if she thinks I have just been coming over to see her almost every night and yet the whole time I’ve been back with Rebecca.”

  Judy thought over his words, and over her conversation with Dahlia earlier that day. “Oh yes, I see what you mean. What are you going to do, dear?”

  “I’m going after her, of course mother. I will need you to take my place at the gala, Braden knows the drill, but you will need to stand in for me, tell them I’m sick or something.” He kissed her on the cheek quickly.

  “Ok son I can do that, you go get our girl” She almost cheered it to him as he shut the door and moved into the night and into his car. And then something told him, he should ride his bike again!

  And there he was…on his bike, racing as hard as he could…once again…for Dahlia!

  She wasn’t home, but then he had a feeling she wouldn’t be. The problem was he had no idea where to find her. He was about to leave when the cat neighbor opened the door to peer out.

  “Hello there, do you happen to know where Dahlia is?” He asked her quietly.

  “I know you you’re the boyfriend she is always talking about.” The old lady moved out into the landing holding one of what could only be, many cats.

  “Yes, I am her boyfriend. She left before me, and I am not sure where she went. I have to find her soon, it’s very important.” It wasn’t completely a lie.

  “Oh well then, she went to her mother’s I bet. She took a bag with her and she rarely goes any place else. Want me to get the address for you, dear.” She gave him a smile, batting her eyes at him and he smiled back at her.

  “I would very much appreciate that my dear.” He did his best to be as charming as possible.

  She returned with a scrap of paper and an address scribbled on it. He took it from her, planting a kiss right on her mouth. He smiled as she lit up and blushed.

  “You are a life saver.” He ran back to his Harley Davidson and set off for her mothers.

  Dahlia

  There really was no place like being at home. She sat up, letting a few tears slip down her face. She should have known better than to fall for some pompous playboy anyway. She knew she would have to tell him sooner or later, but not until she healed and got stronger. No, when she faced him again, it would be on her own terms. She heard the rap on the door as she poured herself some water.

  She frowned. Her mother was already in bed. She opened the door and came face to face with him. As always he was almost painfully beautiful to look at only this time, he wore his tux, for the gala no doubt.

  “What do you want Landon, and how the hell did you find me?” She was angry and she felt it burning through her. Did he just come to rub her face in it?

  He ran a hand through his dark hair. “I came here to find you, why would you run off like that Dahlia, you had me scared half to death? Then the cat lady next door came out and told me to come look for you here.”

  “Don’t you have some gala to attend with your girlfriend Landon, what did you come here for, to make me feel worse?” She heard her voice break and she hated herself for the fresh tears that came with it. She stomped out of the house onto the porch. The last thing she needed to do was wake up her mother.

  “Yes, I was going to the gala tonight. I had something planned, because of you…” He trailed off. “Don’t do that Dahlia, don’t cry baby please.” He pulled her to him, and for a moment she let him comfort her, finally she pulled away slowly.

  “You should have told me about Rebecca Landon. We may have just been a good time for you, but I still had a right to know you two had gotten back together.” She wiped furiously at her face.

  “We aren’t back together Dahlia, that’s something my lovely mother assumed because she knew I was taking Rebecca to the gala. I promised to escort her there, and I planned to honor that request, but not because we are together.”

  “I see.” She managed to get the words out, doing her best to stomp out the tiny flame of hope rising in her chest.

  “No, I don’t think you do see.” He spun her around to face him. “I am in love with you Dahlia, until tonight I don’t even know if I knew how much. I thought you were gone for good or something and all I could think about was finding you.”

  “Really?” She felt his mouth on hers in a kiss, one full of love and tenderness.

  “Don’t ever leave me again Dahlia. You inspired me to do something new, to change business. I donated to the gala tonight in your honor. Not only that, but I’ve revamped the business in helping people keep the businesses they can’t afford, letting them run it, even if I own it. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. But that’s not all, come outside with me.”

  She moved to follow him out the front door to see a bike.

  “Come ride with me Dahlia, it’s been so long, since Jackson…” He trailed off. “I want to show you another part of me, a part of why I am who I am.

  “We love you Landon.” She whispered it, waiting, hesitating only a moment.

  He frowned, watching her until she cupped her stomach lovingly. “Seriously, Dahlia… I mean are you sure?”

  “I am sure. From the first time we were together.”

  He howled loudly, his mouth finding hers once more. “I love you Dahlia.”

  She moved towards the bike.

  “Whoa whoa, no… no way, I’m not taking any chances of hurting the baby.” He put his hands on his hips watching as she ignored him.

  “Come on daddy, lets ride, this baby needs
to get a feel for how life will be with you. I’ll be careful.”

  He frowned but he helped her climb on with him. As they moved she felt his body move with the bike. All of the tension seemed to escape him as she clung to him, feeling the air on her face. Life was good, very good indeed.

  SEXY SECOND CHANCE SECRET BABY BOOK 1

  THE PERFECT MATCH

  CHAPTER ONE

  The ocean breeze was strong as Mallory Linden walked out of her editing class and looked around the skies to see clouds gathering above. She sighed and tugged the teal hat that covered her thick honey colored hair down a bit before she took a step forward and gripped her messenger bag closer to her body. The Spring season could be so touch and go here on the Monterey peninsula and she winced as another breeze tore through the air and she found herself losing her balance as she yelped loudly. “Shit!” She was waiting to hit the ground when she realized that someone was holding onto her tightly before she looked up with wide blue eyes. “Oh my…thank you so much. Let me get my balance here.” Mallory knew that she wasn’t a light girl and it didn’t bother her at all, though she didn’t need a guy holding onto her for too long.

  What a guy he was. Despite him being dressed in thick workout pants, Mallory could see how muscular his legs were along with the worried look in his eyes that were the color of a deep green forest. His arms were tense and strong and he helped her up even as she struggled. “Are you alright?” There was an accent to his soft voice as she stared at him and nodded slowly. “That could have been a bad fall. I’m glad that I was here.”

  “I…yeah. Me too.” She blushed furiously and stood up to see that he was a good six inches taller than her five foot seven frame, at least. “Thank you.” She gave him a nervous look and licked her full lips. “Do you go here?”

  “Yeah, I’m a senior here and I’m helping a friend coach the rugby team. My major is sports medicine though I’d rather play than assist other guys.” He gave her a charming crooked smile and watched as she lifted her head and took a deep breath. “I’m Declan Meadows. Most of my friends here call me Deck.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That’s the polite name for me. I’ll spare you of the others.”

  “I’m Mallory. Mallory Linden. I’m a sophomore. You don’t play? You only coach?” She asked him curiously as he seemed to narrow his eyes.

  “I do but the assistant coach has a personal emergency. I’m just coaching until they figure out what to do, though I’ll step in if we’re down a man or two.” He shook his head. “I do love it here but even if I didn’t make it in America, there’s always home to play in.”

  “Home? Your accent…is it English?” Mallory asked him as the trees blew violently around them. She looked up and frowned as he glanced around. “I’m sorry. If you have to go or anything, I don’t want to hold you up.”

  “It’s not that at all. A bit chilly out is all. Do you have any classes coming up?” He seemed to study her face closely as she shook her head. “Something to drink then?”

  “I’ll buy since you saved my life today.” Mallory smiled he shook his head and cracked another smile.

  “It’s nothing at all, lass. My car is over here if that suits you.” Declan told her as he gestured forward to the huge parking lot with one large hand. They headed over as she pressed her lips together. “Yes, I am from England. I was born there but my Dad is originally from Ireland. I think my accent is a mix myself.” She raised an eyebrow when he unlocked the door of an immaculate black sports car that Mallory didn’t know the name of, though she knew enough to know that it was very expensive. Declan opened the door for her after hitting something on his key chain and she slid in as she took another look at him.

  Clearly, he was a rich kid but he said he was a student. Family money maybe that belonged to a guy that still wanted to do something, that had a skill. Either way, it made her beat up SUV look like a complete piece of shit.

  “What is your major, Mallory?” The way her name sounded with his slight accent gave her the shivers and she looked over at him as he pulled out of the parking lot. De clan was the picture of confident as he leaned back in his seat and drove, with his dark hair in waves around his shoulders as she watched him pull it out of the bun that it had been in. So few men could pull that off to begin with but she couldn’t decide if she liked it better up or down.

  “Film. I’m studying all of the aspects of it to see where I want to end up.” She responded after a moment and a look from him, followed by a nod.

  “I would think you’d want to be in the movies, not behind the camera.” He delivered the compliment with a careless ease that almost made her believe him as her thighs heated up along with her face and neck.

  “I think I’m more of the behind the scenes kind of girl. I just love when an idea forms in my head. The movie starts playing out almost too fast for me to jot down.” Mallory admitted, feeling the fire inside of her that sparked up whenever she talked about her passion in life.

  “I feel that way when I play too. It’s like a high that you can’t get enough of, isn’t it?” De clan mused out loud as she nodded before glancing at her at a stoplight. “I was thinking of a pub for some fish and chips. Does that sound good?”

  “Perfect.” Mallory responded, mesmerized by the way his cheekbones sloped down his face to his full lips. He was a big guy and muscular to boot but his face was gorgeous and he was making her move away from the business type that she’d seemed to date since school started. They drove into the better part of Carmel and he parked effortlessly on the curb and smiled at her before he opened his door and walked around.

  “It’s a perfect time for a late lunch.” De clan told her as he pulled her door open and leaned in to help her out.

  “I agree.” She was captivated by the way that he looked at her as she took his hand to get out of the low vehicle. Heat slid up her arm as they made contact and forced her eyes to his as she took a slow breath.

  Declan was everything that Mallory should stay away from but she found herself stepping closer to him as he closed the door behind her.

  CHAPTER TWO

  They were seated immediately once he walked up to the hostess stand, set apart from the rest of the tables in a cozy corner by a fireplace. He joked back and forth with the waitress as she took Mallory’s order of coffee and his tea, apparently being a regular. Mallory didn’t miss the look the pretty brunette gave her when Declan wasn’t looking but she let it pass as she leaned back against the chair. This wasn’t a date and it was nothing to even worry about yet. The look her gave her as he leaned closer suggested otherwise and she dragged her tongue across her lip as he watched her closely. “How long have you played rugby?” Her voice was soft as she tried to keep it from shaking.

  “Since I was a boy. I’ve always loved sports but rugby was it for me as far as any type of future. I’m a center and I love the fast pace of the game.” She could see herself in his face when he talked about it, the passion making his eyed shimmer as he seemed to lose himself in the thought. “I came two years ago to come to school here since my best mate Rory ended up moving here with his family years ago. I’d already lived here for a few years and played but he talked me into joining him and I got to be good friends with coach, so I’m helping out.” The faraway look crossed his eyes again as Declan sipped the water in front of him. “He lost his family recently…a break in at their home. I don’t even know of he’ll be back anytime soon.”

  “The Pebble Beach one a couple of weeks back? I heard about that but I had no clue that it was part of our staff. That’s so sad.” Mallory told him as he nodded, remembering reading that a woman and her five-year-old twins were murdered in the incident.

  “A man loses that and he’ll never be the same. That’s everything. Not that I was ever close with either of my parents. They worked in the family investment company back home and liked the money more than they liked being a family. I lived with my grandparents most of the time, though he was head of the company.” De clan
told her as she frowned, taking back any bitter thoughts that she might have had earlier about him. All of the pretty cars in the world couldn’t replace a family, though Mallory lived with her best friend’s parents while they were both going to school. Hers had died when she was thirteen and after being moved around to uninterested family members, Mallory ended up with Rayna’s parents. They loved her and took care of her as good as they did their own kids.

  “I live with my best friend and her family. I lost my own parents years ago and they offered while I went to school. The other family members didn’t want a kid around.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Mallory.” Declan pushed his hair back with one hand with a tense look on his face.

  “Do you live with anybody here?” She asked him, wanting to hear that he had someone there so she wouldn’t be any further tempted to lose herself in his world.

  “No. I have a small place near the beach but I live there alone. Rory has a girlfriend who he lives with so I decided to just stay on my own.” Declan replied as she felt her willpower breaking apart within her body.

  The girl brought their food to the table, barely looking at Mallory as she placed a platter of fish and chips on front of her that De clan had insisted that she order. She leaned down to place his just in front of him, practically shoving her big breasts in his face. Mallory sipped her coffee as she observed the way he leaned back away from her and cleared his throat as he glanced at her with a dark look in his eyes. “Thanks, Brittany. That’ll do it.” His tone was polite but cold as the waitress stepped back and stared at him for a moment before glancing at Mallory with a dismissive look before she stomped away from the table. “Fucking hell. I’m sorry about that. I made a mistake with her when I first met her and she won’t let it go. I’ve never brought a girl in here before and I didn’t think she’d lay it on so thick.” De clan looked down at the plate for a moment before he took a bottle from the table to shake over the fish before he added some fresh lemon juice.