What He Wants (Second Chances #1.5)(19)

However, Brett countered it and said, “Yes.”

Korinne’s eyebrows raised and she grinned mischievously. “Well, in that case I’ll go ahead and tell you that this is the guy I’ve wanted you to meet for the past couple of months. Luckily, since you two already know each other, it shouldn’t be awkward.”

My face blushed bright crimson and I could see out of the corner of my eye that Brett was trying to hide his smirk. Korinne, looking straight at me and oblivious to my heated stare, continued, “Okay, well you two have fun, and when you get the chance I want to introduce you to some other people as well.” She kissed my cheek and gazed down at my dress. “You look amazing by the way. That color suits you … it matches your eyes.” She winked and glanced quickly at Brett, then back to me, before turning on her heel and ambling over to her husband.

Brett placed his hand on the small of my back and lowered his head toward my ear. “She’s right. You do look amazing. You didn’t tell me that she wanted to introduce you to someone here.”

I sighed, relishing in the feel of his hand on my body. “How was I supposed to know it was you she wanted me to meet? She’s trying to play matchmaker. It’s what she’s been trying to do with me for the past couple of months.”

Incredulously, Brett gazed down at me in disbelief. “I find it hard to believe that you’d have problems finding a date.”

Amused, I remarked, “No, I don’t have problems with finding dates.” He lifted his brow at that, so I rolled my eyes and continued, “Anyway, Kori and I grew up together and were best friends in school. She’s always been the matchmaker, it’s what she does. I’ve always trusted her judgment. I just wish she was around when I got married.”

Brett’s eyes went wide and he lowered his hand from my back so he could cross his arms over his chest. “You’re married? How long have you been married?”

Exasperated, I laughed and said, “I’m not married anymore. Do you think I would’ve had a one night stand with you if I was married? I’ve been divorced for a year now.”

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?





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.”