Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(67)

"I'm so sorry!" I immediately start apologizing.

"It's okay, gorgeous."

"No, it's not. I know that was awkward for you. Just so you know as soon as Eric gets back, I'm going to let him have it."

"Your brother is an ass, Jess. But I know he's just trying to look out for you. If one of my sisters brought home a married man, I would have reacted the same way. Maybe a little more privately, but still the same. The last thing I want is for you to get into it with him again. I know he's your brother, but I'm not going to be able to listen to him calling you names. Please, let’s just try to have a quiet, uneventful day. I could really use one of those." He pulls me into a tight hug.

"I'm glad you came," I say into his chest.

"I'm glad I came too. I can only imagine how that whole conversation would have gone down without me there to clarify."

"No, I mean I'm glad you’re here spending the day with me and my family."

"Come here, babe." He tilts my head back and presses a long, deep kiss to my lips. There’s no tongue. Nothing to make it sexual. It's just pure heated emotion and by far the best kiss I've ever had.



"I LIKE him," my mom says as I walk back into the kitchen.

"I do too," I sigh.

"He's a good man, JJ."

"Oh mom, you don't even know him." I start rinsing the potatoes.

"Do you have doubts about him?"

"No...well, maybe a little. I can't wrap my mind around why he would stand by Sarah if he isn't still in love with her." I answer a little too honestly if I'm trying to get my mom to like him. I need some advice though. I feel things for Brett, and it scares me to know he may never return those feelings.

"Let me explain something to you. I didn't have the best luck with men, so I might be an old lady wearing rose-colored glasses. The way that man kissed you, even I felt it. Not all men are like that, sweetheart. Your father left me when I had no job and two small kids. It's been twenty-three years, and I've never even gotten as much as a phone call. But that man sitting in there has been through hell, and still won't let her be alone. He takes care of a woman even when she isn't his wife anymore. Now that is one you want to hold on to. One day, when he gets his head and heart together, he could be your husband. Who wouldn't want a man that loves so deeply?

“I don’t know. It’s just so hard for me to put myself out there. What if he doesn’t feel the same way about me?”

“I saw him with you tonight, Jesse. He cares about you. There is no doubt about that. Did you notice how as soon as Eric walked in, he slid up on you like the devil himself just walked through the door? Jesse, you're so guarded. Live a little. Put your heart out there and see what happens. Who knows, he might grab hold and never let go.”

“He also might walk away,” I interrupt.

“But if he does, you don't have to second guess yourself. You can honestly say you gave it a real chance. He would be lucky to have you sweetheart, and if he doesn't realize that, then walk away with your head held high knowing he isn't the only good man alive." God, I love my mom. She's right. I know Brett has issues about committing again, but from here on out, I'm moving this relationship forward. He can either get on board, or get off completely, but this train is moving.





Brett

Two Weeks Later...

"JESSE!" I hear Kara yell down the hall. "There is a fine-ass gentleman here to pick you up. He's wearing a fancy uniform and everything. You better get out here before I throw him down on the couch and hump his brains out."

How the hell Jesse and Kara ever became friends I will never know. Ying and Yang is my only explanation, and it seems to work for them.

Tonight is the police station’s Christmas ball. They always do this big formal affair at a nearby hotel. I've only been once since losing Sarah. It was horrible to watch all the happy couples, so I vowed to never go back. This year I felt like I actually had something to celebrate though. It's a huge step for me to ask Jesse to go with me tonight, but something between us has changed since Thanksgiving. I guess I finally broke through her shell.

Jesse has been a new woman over the last few weeks. She's been strong, confident, and insatiable. A far cry from the shy and nervous girl I've always known. Last week she threw me against the wall at the bowling alley and all but mounted me in the hallway leading to the arcade.

It's not just the sexual changes either, although those are my favorite. She got mad at me the other day when I forgot about a date. I had a bad day at work, and honestly I just wanted to crawl into bed with her and never leave. When I got to her place, she was all dressed up and I was in sweats expecting to head back to my place for an adult sleep over, hopefully of the dirty variety. I forgot completely that she bought us tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet.

Jesse from last month would have dismissed it as no big deal, thrown on PJ's and never said another word. However, this new attitude-filled Jesse read me the riot act, forced me to drive home and put on a suit, skip dinner, and f*ck her in the parking lot outside the theater. I wondered why she insisted on taking the Jeep. Apparently she had plans that required the extra space.

"Well hello there, officer." I hear from behind me as I wait trying to avoid eye contact with Kara. I spin on my heels and lay eyes on the most beautiful woman to ever put on a dress. She's wearing a short strapless black dress. It has some silver beading around the bottom that only draws your attention to her perfectly sculpted legs then down to her silver heels that give her a full four inches of height. Her hair is pulled back exposing her flawless chest and neck. She's stunning, and it causes my heart to stop and my mouth to go dry. I don't want to throw her into bed and have my way with her. I want to hide her from the millions of eyes that will no doubt be mentally undressing her tonight. Mainly, I want to lock her in a room and keep her all for myself.