Trusting You (Second Chances #2)(6)

Visibly relaxing, he put his arm around my waist like it belonged there and closed the space between us. “Well, in that case that’s even better. You’re kind of young to have already been married and divorced. What happened?”

I couldn’t stop from snorting in disgust. “What didn’t happen is the thing. He was a typical, male and once someone new wanted to open her legs for him he pounced.”

“So he cheated on you?” Brett responded, gritting his teeth.

I nodded. “Yes, he did. Which is why I need to stay away from men like you.” I didn’t mean to say that so rudely, but I couldn’t help it. There was no way I could trust the man in front of me … no way.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, agitation clear in his tone. Glaring down at me, he responded, “Not all men cheat, Melissa. You can’t always think every man is going to be a douche bag like your ex. That would be like me thinking that every female that looks as pretty as you are whores. It just doesn’t work that way. When I met you and took you to my condo, I knew there was something about you that was different … something real. I had never been able to talk to someone the way I did with you. We might not have made the most rational choices that night, but it was something I don’t regret at all.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly closed it. He had a point and I wasn’t about to tell him he was right, so I kept quiet. He lowered his head again and brushed his lips against my ear. “You don’t have to trust me, and I understand you have issues with it considering what happened to you. But know this … ever since that night three months ago I’ve wanted to find you. Now that you’re here, I’m taking it as a sign. You can’t tell me you don’t feel that pull when I’m around.”

I did feel the pull; it was strong, and it was tugging on my insides at that very moment. Breathless, I muttered honestly, “I do, but it doesn’t mean anything. We don’t even know each other. How can you say these things to me?”

He nipped my ear with his teeth. “I say them because I can. I remember everything you told me that night about you, even when you assumed I wasn’t listening. So you see, I know more about you than you think. I listened to … every … single … word.” He paused and wrapped one of my curls around his finger. “Go find Korinne and let her introduce you to her people. I’m sure she’s waiting on you. I will find you before this party is over.” With those last words, he growled low in my ear as he smelled me, taking in a deep breath. As soon as he walked away, I shivered and wrapped my arms around my waist.

What the hell am I getting myself into?





Three


When I started to explain to Korinne how I met Brett, she gasped and interrupted me, “You met him how?”

Sheepishly, I shrugged my shoulders and looked away. “At a bar,” I answered quietly.

She laughed and put her arms around my shoulders. “And then you went to his place and had sex. Geez, Melissa, that’s crazy. No wonder he was looking at you like that. It must’ve been a good night. How long ago was this?”

“It was about three months ago now,” I confessed. “And it was only the one night. I haven’t seen him since until today.”

“Seen who?” Galen asked. Korinne’s husband came up behind her and engulfed her in his arms, kissing her on the cheek.

“Brett,” she answered, smiling mischievously at me. “It appears my match making skills weren’t needed this time. Melissa already met the man I wanted her to meet.”

Galen’s eyes lit up and he beamed. I could tell he and Korinne were happy, and for once I found myself envious of her. They had the type of relationship I wanted: one of love, respect, and honesty. Galen was handsome with his ash blond hair and eyes almost the same gray as Brett’s, but his smile was nowhere near as enchanting. Why do these men have to have such amazing eyes?

“Brett’s a good man,” Galen acknowledged. “I hired him to take over the West Coast accounts. I think he’d be a good one for you. You should give him a chance.”

Half-heartedly, I huffed and tried to appear unfazed, but my insides were blazing warm with just the mention of his name. Yep, I was in trouble. “I’ll think about it,” I ended up saying.

“Okay, ladies,” he said. “I need to make more rounds around the room, so have fun. Don’t get too wild and crazy.” Chuckling, he kissed Korinne’s cheek and winked at me before leaving us to ourselves. Korinne’s gaze followed him as he made his way around the room.

“You’re a lucky woman, Kori,” I said softly, meaning every single word.

Beaming, she turned to me and nodded. “Yes I am. Your time will come, though. Everyone deserves a second chance at love, and I know it will find its way to you.”

I hope so.

I still needed to think about what I was going to do when Brett found me at the end of the night. He said he would, and I had no doubt about that. As if my thoughts summoned him, and even though I couldn’t see him, I could feel his penetrating gaze on me. He was watching me and I knew it.

Korinne must’ve sensed my unease because she gave my hand a squeeze. Her beautiful green eyes gazed at me with nothing except love and concern. Softly, she murmured in my ear, “Mel, I know you’re scared of getting hurt, but you have to let it go. Your ex was a complete ass and not all men are like that. Trust me on this, you need to let it go and move on.”