That made the kids she had with her first husband the siblings and nieces and nephews of the kids she had with the second husband. At least I have no kids who will be siblings and cousins.
But there will be this very angry brother-in-law for me.
A very, very angry one!
Reed pulls up at some cool looking place and goes to the valet service. He looks over at me. “Ever try sushi?”
I shake my head. “Raw fish, right?” I know I’m making a face, because he starts laughing.
“Not all of it.”
Some guys open both of our doors and we get out. Reed has me scooped up next to him quickly and in we go to my first California culinary experience. “You sure about this, Reed? I’m a small-town girl you know.”
“I’m a small-town boy, if you will recall, Angel. And I like it, so I bet you will too.”
“Mr. Manning, hello,” a tiny Asian woman greets him. “Who do you have on your arm?”
“Shimota, let me introduce you to my fiancée, Jenna Foster. Soon to be Jenna Manning.”
Her eyes go wide. “Fiancée? Congratulations! You must use us as your caterer for the wedding. You must!” She claps her hands and kind of hops up and down a few times.
“Well, if you can impress the bride to be then we just might do that. We haven’t got that far into our plans yet. But a memorable experience tonight might put your place in the forefront of her mind,” Reed says, and she gives him a knowing nod.
“You two follow me to our VIP private dining area. It’s romantic and secluded. And allow me to get our chef to prepare you something memorable.” The little woman leads us through the crowded restaurant and back to a curtained off area.
When she pulls the black curtain back I can see a small square table and two chairs on one side of it. Soft music drowns out the noise of the other diners and the lights are low.
She lights a candle on the table. When she turns to us, she looks right at me. “May I say to you that Mr. Manning has been our valued customer and friend for years? And he even sold my husband and me a home for a very reasonable price. He’s well loved by our family, and I have never seen him this happy. He glows. I cannot wait to get to know you, Jenna. We will all be great friends.”
I give her a smile. “Thank you. I’m sure we will. Tell your chef I’m a newbie at this sushi stuff, so take it easy on me.”
Reed pulls out the chair for me. “Don’t tell him that. This woman will love whatever he makes. She’s never had anything like your chef makes yet and she’s timid about it. But she and I love almost everything the same. Let him do as he wants. I want to see what he comes up with for us on this special night.”
She bows and leaves as he sits next to me. I look at him, as we’re so close our shoulders are touching. “Kind of an alpha move there.”
His arm moves over my shoulders and he kisses the top of mine. “No reason to be afraid of food. And I am kind of alpha. How do you think I got to be where I am?”
I sit back and have to really think about things. In an effort to never repeat my mistakes, I think it’s important to be acutely aware of what I’m getting into.
Rod had me unable to trust other men not to take control of me. This is more than just another man. This is another Manning. His brother. Raised the same.
Though I never saw a thing in their parents’ marriage to think any kind of controlling behavior was bred into them, it is odd to have two alpha-male boys in one family.
So I ask what I honestly want to know, “Reed, do you think, because of what you’ve seen me do with your brother, that I’m still that weak young woman who you can push around like he did?”
The hurt in his eyes makes me feel instantly bad. But I stop that quickly. This is my well-being here.
“Jenna, no. I mean, I am who I am, but I’m not mean. I know what I want, and when I see someone who has no idea what they want then I do kind of jump in and lead them. Not in a bad way, though.” His hand moves over my cheek. “And if I get too pushy, let me know. I am a salesman, after all, and I can be pushy.”
“The real estate thing. Yeah. I get it. Helping people find what they want, even when they aren’t sure what it is they want,” I say with a smile.
He nods and presses his forehead to mine. “But I know you were led down a dark path, and I swear to you I’m not trying to lead you anywhere you don’t want to go. No bad things, Jenna. Only good. Trust me, Angel. I only want to be a good person in your life.”
“I should probably stop being so afraid and untrusting, huh?” My eyes hold his.
“Probably, but I do understand why it will take you some time to see me as the man I truly am. A man who has cared for you for many years. A man who has dreamt of having you in his life as a partner for many years. A man who, if he ever hurts you, it will be unintentional. I want you to let me know anytime I do hurt you in any way. Do you understand me?”
Rod used to end his sentences with that very question!
I look away as my mind races. Then a waitress comes in with some little teacups and a teapot. “Congratulations, you two! So happy to see Mr. Manning has found his soulmate and will be getting married! So happy!”
Reed clears his throat and smiles at the young Asian woman. “Leelee, this is Jenna.”
She bows as I turn to her. “Jenna, so nice to meet you.”
I give a little bow from my chair. “You too, Leelee.”
“I’ll be right back with your appetizer. Here’s a hint: it has lobster!” she says as she claps her hands and goes back out of the curtain.
I have to laugh. “She’s adorable!”
Reed takes me by the chin. “I want to hear you tell me you understand and will tell me if I hurt or upset you in any way, Jenna. I know you kept quiet when Rod did things to you that hurt you and I do not want a repeat of that. I want you to know you can talk to me about anything.”
“I do understand you, and I promise I won’t keep anything bottled up when I’m unhappy or hurt by you. And you do the same for me. K?”
He smiles and lifts the steaming cup to my mouth. “K.”
And I hope this is the start of a great relationship!
Chapter 18
REED
Back in Jerome and on the front porch of my parents’ house, I have Jenna’s left hand in mine and look at the ring on her beautiful finger.
We told her parents about us and our plans and, to my surprise, they were happy about it. They commented on how Jenna has never looked or acted better, and they had an idea there was a man involved in the change in their daughter.
I could see in their eyes a little worry over my brother, but they didn’t say anything. I think everyone knows there will be some kind of scene when he finds out. But there’s no reason not to have this relationship because of what might happen.
“Ready?” I ask her, as she looks nervous.
She nods then shakes her head. “Reed, I know your mom isn’t going to like this.”
I wrap my arms around her and sway back and forth with a gentle rocking motion. “She may be kind of shocked at first, but she loves you, Jenna.”
She rests her head on my chest for a moment, gathering courage then lifts it up and smiles at me. “Everything will be all right, I guess. But don’t just blurt it out like I did with my parents. They went all pale, and it took them a few minutes to digest it. Let’s go a little slower with your parents, okay?”
I slip the ring off her finger and put it into my pocket. She looks at her finger with a frown. Taking her chin, I make her look at me. “I’ll be putting it right back on when we tell them.”
She nods as I take her hand and take her into the house she’s only ever visited as my brother’s girlfriend. I know this has to be odd to her, and somewhat hard as well.
“We’re here,” I call out as we walk into the living room.
Mom comes running out of the kitchen and grabs Jenna up in her arms. “Jenna! I’m so glad you came!” She holds her back and looks her over.
“My goodness, sweetheart, I’ve never seen you look so good!”
Jenna blushes and says, “Thank you. You’re looking good too.” She touches Mom’s blonde hair. “You did something different with your hair.”
Mom palms her short, now blonde, curls. “I thought the silver was a bit much. So I dyed it back to the blonde I was before the silver invaded.”
“It looks great. You look years younger,” Jenna says.
Mom blushes and Dad walks into the living room. “Hey there, Jenna.”
“Hi, Jason. How have you been?” Jenna asks as she goes to him with her hand outstretched to shake his hand.
He looks at her hand and takes it, but pulls her in for a hug. She seems a little awkward at first, then she hugs him back. “I’ve been good, girl. And you look like you’ve been very good as well.”
Dad lets her go, and she steps back next to me. “I’ve been doing very good. Coming back home for the summer was such a good idea. And it seems Reed had the same idea.”
Mom smiles. “We’re so glad he decided to come for a nice long visit. Did you see the new cars in the driveway he bought for us?”
“I did,” Jenna says as Mom grabs her hand and pulls her off to the kitchen.
Dad looks me up and down. “You look like the cat who ate the canary. Care to tell me what that look is about?”
I shake my head and put my hands in my pockets and play with her ring in the left one. “No reason. Just happy to see that girl back in this house.”
Dad claps me on the back and we start walking toward the kitchen. “She does look great, doesn’t she? Rod leaving was the best thing for her. I hate to say it, but just look at her now. She looks so happy.”
“And beautiful,” I add.
Dad nods. “She always was, but she has a glow about her now.”
I did that!
“Yes, she does.”
I see her helping Mom get the salad together and walk over to stand at the island I had put in when I had the kitchen remodeled. Mom’s yakking away about her new kitchen.
“Reed sent some remodeling company to us and we had this done and the master bath. Oh, you have to see it before you go. It has this bathtub that shoots water out of the sides and it’s amazing! Reed thought of it all. He’s a real sweetheart.”
“I know,” Jenna says and glances sideways at me. “He always has been.”
“He has,” Mom says as she chops up a tomato.
Jenna rips the lettuce leaves and puts them into the bowl. I take the carrot lying on the countertop, go find a vegetable peeler, and use it to add shredded carrot to the salad.
I lean in close to Jenna. “Just like old times, huh, Jenna? You, me, and Mom, all working in the kitchen.”
She holds her lips tight to keep a smile off them. “Just like old times, Reed, yes.”
Mom makes this sigh that tells me she’s thinking about Rod and his missing status. But surely she won’t say a word about him with Jenna here. I cross my fingers she won’t, anyway.
“So, Jenna,” Mom says as she turns to look at her. “What are your plans for the future, since you’ve finished with college?”
“I’m going to teach. Kindergarten is where I want to start.” Jenna finishes the salad with a toss of her long, slender fingers.
“Where?” Mom asks. “I mean, will you be looking to work here?”
Jenna shakes her head, sending her silky straight hair moving gently over her shoulders. From my position right behind her, I can smell the shampoo she used and it reminds me of the bath we took just before we left to come back here.
The urge to wrap my arms around her overcomes me and I just do it. Then I look at my mother. “Jenna’s going to come to Bel-Air to work.”
Mom’s eyes go really big. “When did you decide this?”
Jenna reaches back and gives my leg a little squeeze. I let her go as she tells my mother, “Reed is who paid for my college. It was a secret.”
“I see.” Mom looks at me. “You didn’t even want to tell me, Reed?”
I shake my head. “I never wanted you-know-who to find that out.”
She nods and looks away. “That would’ve been bad.” Then she looks back at me. “But where will Jenna stay in Bel-Air? That place looks expensive. It’ll cost her too much, Reed. It’s a bad idea. She can work right here. I can help her get a teaching job and she can stay with her family. At least here she can afford to eventually live on her own.”
“I don’t want to stay here, Sue. I want to go.” Jenna takes the salad bowl and takes it to the new dining room table I got them last year. “Nice table, Sue!”
“Another one of Reed’s gifts,” Mom says as the timer buzzes. “Oh! Lasagna’s ready!”
Dad takes his place at the head of the table and I take two bottles of red wine to it. I notice my mother has set the table with Jenna and me on opposite sides. Since the table seats six, and there are two chairs on each side, I move the place settings to one side so she and I can sit next to each other.
Mom puts the huge pan of lasagna down on the table where she previously placed a large trivet and takes her seat at the other end of the table, opposite my father.
I pull out the chair next to me and Jenna sits down. Mom does a quick glance. Then her nose wrinkles a little, and I think she’s beginning to see things a little more clearly.
“So, where will you be staying in Bel-Air, Jenna?” Mom asks.
Dad clears his throat. “Obviously with Reed.”
Mom looks at us. Her eyes dart back and forth. “He does have a nice place. I suppose that would be okay. Do you feel comfortable with that, dear?” she asks Jenna.
Jenna takes in a deep breath. “Sue, we have something to tell you.”
I reach into my pocket and take out the ring as Jenna holds her hand up and I slide it back onto her finger. Then I take her hand, kiss the ring, and look at my mother, then my father. “Jenna and I are going to get married.”
Mom’s hands fly over her mouth as her eyes go saucer size. Dad reaches over and claps me on the back. “I knew you were out every night with some woman. Didn’t know it was our sweet Jenna here, but damn glad to hear this news. You two look great together. Don’t they, Sue?”
Mom nods. Then her hands leave her mouth. “You both glow, and I can see you have real feelings for one another.” Her eyes go a little shiny as I think she might be about to cry. “And it’s good to see you so happy, Jenna. And my baby boy looks very happy too. How could this not be right?”
“It is right. Nothing has ever felt more right,” I say as I hold Jenna’s hand in mine and wrap my other arm around her shoulders. “I’ve loved this young woman for years. And now we’re finally together, and I’m the happiest man in the world.”
Then my mother bursts into tears and stands up, gesturing for us to come to her. Jenna and I get up and go get into a group hug with Mom as she murmurs congratulations.
When she lets us go, I notice a few tears have escaped Jenna and brush them away, then kiss her pink cheek.
The rest of the dinner goes well with Mom and Dad asking a little about how this all happened. I do notice Mom getting a cloudy look about her at times that she then shakes off.
I suppose she’s thinking about Rod and how he will act when he finds out.
Jenna and I clean up so Mom and Dad can go take their nightly dip in the swimming pool, and I press my shoulder against hers as we wash the dishes. “That went well, don’t you think?” I ask.
“It did,” she says, then looks at me. “Do you really think we can get through this unscathed, Reed?”
Grabbing the dish towel and drying my hands, I wrap my arms around her. “I can handle my brother. I’m not saying there won’t be an uncomfortable scene, but I am saying I can handle it. Just keep on trusting me, Angel.”
Her smile tells me she does trust me. Then I lean down to press my lips to hers and the fire ignites. With a little moan, I let her sweet lips go. “Now that everyone knows what we’re doing, I’m r
enting us a room at the lodge in town.”
She leans against me. “Good. Sleeping last night without you was hell.”
“I felt the same way. I have to have you in my arms to be able to sleep.”
She looks up at me. “I don’t know how we’ve become so dependent on one another in such a short amount of time. It’s incredible.”
“It is. Everything about this is incredible. Our life together will be incredible, and that’s exciting. Don’t you think?” I kiss her forehead and rock with her in my arms.
A deep sigh fills the air, then she says, “This is too good to be true.”
I hold her back and give her a stern look. “No, it’s not. This is true, and if you didn’t have that bad past then you’d never question what we have. You have to know that’s true.”
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I think there’s a lot of bad in the world, and how we are together is so good, it’s just a little scary that something could happen to end it.”
“Nothing can happen to end what we have. Jenna, this is deep. This is years deep and you know that,” I say as I search her eyes.
“I know.” She looks around the kitchen as I hold her. “I remember the first time you touched me in this room. You put an apron over my head and your presence at my back set me on fire.”
“I remember that. I did it on purpose. It set me on fire too.” I kiss her with a long slow kiss. The way I yearned to all those years ago.
Her hand touches my cheek as our lips part. “Reed, I love you so much.”
“I will never get tired of hearing those words come out of your mouth. And I will never get tired of telling you that I love you too. You are my world now. My everything. I never want you to feel anything but happiness, my angel.”
“We should tell your parents goodbye and get that room. I can’t wait to be alone with you. Yesterday without you was torture. I want to feel your body next to mine,” she says as her fingers trail over my chest.
“I want to feel your body beneath mine.” I kiss her again, run my hands down to her ample ass, and take handfuls of it.
His Sweet Torment: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance Page 36
