Completely Captivated Read online

  “That’s right, boys,” Patti chimed in. “Jared is finally going to put things right with Christa. And it is well past time, if you ask me.”

  “Well, that may be a little hard to do now,” Jennifer piped in. All heads jerked to her. Patti looked shocked, and Jared looked a little panicked.

  “Why is that, Jen?” Patti asked.

  “I went into her café yesterday, and Allie told me that Christa was on a date—an all-day date. She’s seeing some guy that came into her café, and she apparently really likes him,” Jen explained.

  Patti and Jared continued to stare at Jen like she was an alien who’d just crash-landed in their living room.

  “What? Why are you both staring at me like that?” Jen demanded. Being the baby of the family, she’d always endured the brunt of the bullying from her older brothers. Especially when it came to dating, guys calling her, going to her high school proms, or anything else that was even remotely interesting and involved the opposite sex.

  “Who is he?” Jared asked.

  “I don’t know—some guy who came into her café is all I know. Allie said they really hit it off, and she’s never seen Christa this interested in a guy before,” Jen answered. “Maybe you should ask Allie out instead.”

  Jared pretended he didn’t hear that last part. He wasn’t interested in Allie—he wanted Christa. He looked at his mom and could instantly read her thoughts because they mirrored his own. I waited too long… I’m too late.

  “You know Allie very well?” Jared asked, suddenly realizing Jen had called her by name.

  “Yes, I have a couple of classes with her at UCSF,” Jen responded absently. Then, as if it suddenly hit her, she added, “Oh, no, you don’t! I’m not getting involved in whatever scheme you are planning for Christa. She’s my friend, and so is Allie.”

  Jared grabbed his chest and put on his best “hurt” face before he said, “I can’t believe you’d think I would plan and scheme against Christa!”

  “Yeah, whatever, big brother. I grew up with the three of you,” she said as she gestured at her three brothers. “I know damn well what you’re all capable of doing!” Jen responded with a laugh.

  For all the torture her older brothers had put her through in her life, she knew they loved her and would do anything for her. And she loved them back with all her heart.

  The three men eyed her suspiciously for a moment, then slowly closed in on Jen. “That sounds like an insult to me. What do you think, Josh?” Jessie spoke with a crazy half grin and a completely wicked look in his eyes while he approached from her right.

  “Oh, most definitely, Jessie. That was definitely an insult about growing up with the awesome Miller brothers,” Josh agreed, moving toward her left.

  “You’d think she’d know better after being under our guidance for the last twenty-one years,” Jared chimed in, walking directly toward her. Her gaze darted nervously between her three brothers. They were all crazy-eyed, and she watched them with a guarded stance.

  They always found the most humiliating way of making her succumb to their requests. When she was eight, her parents had instructed the older boys to babysit her while they went out. Her brothers decided she was possessed and needed to be baptized to exorcise the demons. They proceeded to try to baptize her head in the toilet while holding her upside down by her ankles and trying to stuff her head into the toilet bowl water. When she got free, she chased the three of them around the yard with a baseball bat for an hour.

  Being grown now didn’t change the relationship between them very much. They would still try to baptize her in the commode water, and she would still beat the shit out of them with a baseball bat for even attempting.

  But there was also a lot of love in their family, and they could always count on each other. If Jared pushed this, Jen knew she would be pitted between her brother and her friends. There was no easy way out.

  “I have my Louisville Slugger, and I know how to use it.” Jen warned them with her sternest expression, but she still looked around for a way out.

  “Boys, leave her alone,” the older, gruff male voice called out. Even grown, Ethan’s voice stilled the brothers’ movements. “Jared, you’re a man now, son. No games. Get the woman on your own and quit trying to use your little sister to get dates for you.”

  Jen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her daddy. He winked at her and smiled when the boys weren’t looking. “Don’t let them push you around, baby girl,” he said with a kiss on her cheek.

  Being the baby and the only girl, she’d always been treated a little differently. But she was also “Daddy’s girl,” and the boys had always been jealous of his protection of her.

  “Thanks, Daddy.” She laughed and kissed his cheek. “I didn’t know how I was going to get out of that.”

  Ethan walked off, and Jared approached Jen nonchalantly. “Don’t think you’re off the hook, little sister,” he muttered under his breath as he lifted his glass to his lips.

  Jen smiled at Jared and whispered back, “I am off the hook, big brother. You’re on your own.”

  “You still have a thing for Rory, don’t you?” Jared asked calmly, knowing damn well she did and that Rory was her one and only weakness. Rory also happened to be one of Jared’s best friends.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stated defiantly.

  “Oh, I think you do, little sis. In fact, I know you do. What if I had a talk with him? Let him know that you’ve carried a secret flame for him for the last several years? How would that be?” he asked coolly.

  “You wouldn’t,” she said, but her voice lacked conviction. In fact, she knew he would. She mused to herself, “Why did I have to have brothers?”

  Jared didn’t respond verbally. He simply tilted his head and gave her a devilish grin that told her she should know better.

  Resigned to the fact that she had no other choice, she conceded. “I won’t help you hurt her, Jared. If Christa is happy with someone else, she deserves to be happy with no interference from us.”

  Jared flinched at that statement. He wanted Christa to be happy. Of course he did—she deserved so much more than she’d been given. But he also wanted her to be happy with him. Though he’d never told her, he just always assumed she’d be there waiting for him when he returned home. He hadn’t considered any other scenario when it came to Christa. Now he was being forced to envision her with another man. That scenario just didn’t sit well with him.

  “I just need a chance with her, Jen. I should’ve done so many things differently with her, but at the time, I thought I was doing her a favor. I didn’t want to ask her to wait for me. To just…take a few visits now and then when I came home on breaks. I don’t want to be too late.”

  Jared’s explanation somewhat made sense to her, even though she, along with the rest of her family, had stressed how wrong he was on a regular basis. But his voice was filled with disappointment that spilled over into his expression. Right or wrong, he was her brother, and she loved him.

  Jen sighed deeply as she thought about what he’d just shared with her and what it would require of her. “I will do what I can to help you, Jared. But don’t ask me to betray my friend. That’s not fair for you to expect me to do that.”

  Jared nodded in agreement and pulled Jen to him for a hug. “I was just kidding about telling Rory. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  “Yes, you would,” she replied into his chest, and she couldn’t hold in the laugh when she felt his chuckle rumble through his chest.

  He kissed her on top of her head and let her go. “I start my new job tomorrow, and I already know I’ll be swamped. Can you see what you can find out for me?”

  “Yeah, okay. I’ll try to get the scoop,” Jen replied. “I need to get going. I have a full day tomorrow myself. It’s good to have you back home, Jared.”

  * * *

  “Christa, I need caffeine! Stat!” Jen called as she walked into The Sweet Spot. Christa was behind the counter and
quickly looked up when she heard someone yelling like a lunatic. Seeing her long-time friend coming through the door warmed her heart, and the crazy-woman thought instantly made sense.

  “Jen! It’s been too long! Where have you been, girl?” Christa called back to her while she started making Jen’s favorite drink—a white chocolate mocha with an extra shot of espresso.

  “At work. They’re trying to kill me.” Jen laughed, acknowledging her penchant for theatrics.

  “Jen, you work in the pediatric department of the hospital. I seriously doubt the little kids are trying to kill you,” Christa snickered.

  “Never underestimate them, Christa. They’re devious and cunning. And…cute,” Jen argued, making Christa laugh loudly.

  Christa took a seat with Jen as she set her coffee in front of her. “Mmm, that is so good.”

  “So, what brings you in today? I haven’t seen you in a long time. Visits from two Millers in the same week…maybe I should go buy lottery tickets.” Christa smiled warmly, genuinely glad to see Jen, and Jen felt her stomach roil in response.

  “I actually came the other day, but you were off on some hot date. Who’s the lucky guy?” Jen asked, leaning in and whispering secretively.

  “Actually, he’s someone I met here in my shop. He came in every day over the past month for coffee and to have breakfast with me. We really hit it off,” Christa explained, her shyness bleeding through her tone and revealing she was clearly holding back. The intrigue only made Jen more curious about Christa’s new mystery man.

  “And? Come on—you know how my brothers tortured me all my life. I know torture tactics!”

  “Okay, we spent the whole day together Saturday. He left a little after midnight and then came back yesterday morning to pick me up. We spent the whole day together again, and he left late last night.” Christa was now beaming. Her smile and excitement were contagious.

  Jen was genuinely happy for her friend and a little sad for her brother. Her brother who had waited too long to make a move and took for granted that Christa would just wait around for him for however long he decided to take.

  “So, tell me about him. What’s his name? What does he do? What does he look like? Is he good in bed?”

  Christa choked on her coffee at the last question. “Um, well, I don’t know about the last question, Jen. But his name is Aaron Rivers. He’s an agent—he pairs up models and ad companies, completes the sale, signs the contracts, and whatever else agents do. He’s so handsome, Jen. He is just…drop-dead gorgeous. He has black hair, and he’s tall and muscular. He has one of those sexy, eternal five-o’clock shadows and the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I still can’t believe he’s interested in me, of all people.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be? You’re gorgeous, Christa. He’s probably saying he can’t believe you’re interested in him.”

  Christa smiled down into her coffee mug. “Jen, I’m really falling for him. I know it’s way too soon to even think about that. I mean, it’s only been a few weeks since I first met him, but I just can’t help it.”

  “That’s great, really, it is. But maybe you should take it a little slower? A little safer?” Jen suggested.

  “You know, I thought about that myself. That was my first inclination. But I decided I’ve played it safe my whole life. I’ve had a few boyfriends but nothing too serious—nothing long term. I’ve done what was expected of me and worked hard for everything I’ve been blessed with. I really want to let go of the reins I’ve held on to so tightly and just have fun now.” Christa began getting more animated, more lively, the more they talked. “I want to live a little, take a few chances, and see where it goes. If I get hurt, I get hurt. What’s the worst that can happen? We eventually split up? Maybe. But at least I took the chance to live while I’m young.”

  “I’ve never seen you like this, Christa. He’s really good for you,” Jen said thoughtfully. She watched Christa’s face, as she was far off somewhere, reliving a past moment. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  Christa jerked up. Her spine suddenly made of unbending steel, her face serious, and her voice hushed. “Why do you say that? It’s too soon to be in love.”

  “No, Christa,” Jen said, shaking her head slightly. “It’s never too early to be in love. You know when it’s real. It’s your mind that tries to fight it, tries to hide the feelings behind logic and reason. It’s your mind that tries to tell you you’re wrong. But the heart—the heart knows what it wants.”

  Christa stared at Jen, dumbfounded, for several seconds. “Oh. My. God. Jen.” She leaned back in her chair, dropped her head and stared at her hands for a moment. She had to gather her thoughts. Could Jen be right? Isn’t it too soon?

  “You’re right, Jen,” Christa said, feeling better having said it aloud instead of turning it over and over in her mind. Saying the words made it more real—but less of the untamable monster she’d created in her mind. “I think you’re right. I think I’m already in love with him. At least, with how he makes me feel. How he treats me. The way he finds time to spend with me, call me, or text me.” Her smile crept across her face, raising her cheeks and lighting her eyes as she looked at her friend.

  Jen decided to test the waters. “You know, I always thought you and Jared would end up together,” she said wistfully. “Then you and I would be sisters.”

  Christa laughed at the thought. “Yeah, right, Jen! Jared and I were only ever just friends. Anyway, he never saw me as anything but a little kid. Then he went off to college, and I barely heard from him the whole seven plus years he was away. It’s good to have him home, though. I have missed him.”

  “Maybe you should ask him out,” Jen pressed.

  Jen laughed at the look of sheer terror on Christa’s face. “Um, I don’t think so, Jen,” Christa laughed nervously. “Besides, I’m not really one to date around. I like spending time with Aaron,” she finished with a shrug.

  “Sounds like he’s the one, Christa,” Jen replied with sincerity. She could see it in Christa’s face when she talked about Aaron. She was completely taken with him. Jen had picked up Jared’s protective nature over Christa after he left for college. She wanted to test Aaron and see if he was as enamored of Christa. “So, when do I get to meet him?”

  Christa glanced down at her watch. “If you can hang around, you’ll get to meet him in just a few minutes. He’ll be here any time now.” Christa beamed.

  The bell over the door drew her eyes up, and she saw the most gorgeous man standing in the doorway, looking for her. When his beautiful blue eyes found hers, she felt that same tingle in her stomach and tightening in her chest. He was really there for her.

  He strolled to her table and drew her up from her seat, into his arms. They wrapped around her, pulling her firmly against him as he lifted her feet off the floor and claimed the kiss he’d been waiting all day to enjoy.

  “Hello, beautiful. How was your day?” he murmured to her, keeping his lips against her cheek as he spoke.

  “Mmm…so much better now,” she purred back, melting into his arms and into the warmth of his body against hers.

  Aaron’s eyes met Jen’s, and he saw a mixture of emotions in them. She looked amused at their public display of affection, but there was something else there he couldn’t quite place. He gently put Christa’s feet back on the ground and looked at her face as he stroked her cheek with his hand.

  Christa took his hand in hers and turned to Jen. “Aaron, I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Jen Miller. Jen, this is Aaron Rivers.”

  Aaron and Jen shook hands, and each said hello before Christa continued. “Jen and I were just talking about you.”

  Aaron gave her an amused look and a sexy smirk. “Is that right? So that’s why my ears were burning.”

  “Yep, you caught me.” Christa laughed and wrapped her arm around Aaron’s waist.

  “I hope I have.” Aaron’s sexy voice probed as he lowered his head to kiss her again. “So, what were you
two saying about me?”

  “Hold that thought,” Christa interrupted, “Do you want a coffee? Jen, refill?”

  “Sure,” they both answered in unison.

  Jen took the opportunity to question Aaron as soon as Christa left the table.

  “She’s great, isn’t she?” Jen began.

  “She’s the best person I know,” Aaron answered truthfully.

  “Are you two serious?” Jen wasn’t one to mince words, and she didn’t have the luxury of time to pry information out of him.

  Aaron smiled knowingly as he leaned back in his chair to look Jen fully in the eye as he spoke. “I appreciate you looking out for her. But believe me, I’m very serious about her. I just hope she feels the same about me.”

  Breaking Hearts

  “You know, I think I know who you are.” Jen narrowed her eyes, recognition dawning on her. “I’ve seen you on TV and in magazines with models.” Her tone was just a notch away from accusatory, but her eyes sized him up thoroughly.

  Aaron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yes, I’m an agent for Rivers Forte, so I’m frequently seen with the models.”

  “No, that’s not it. These pictures were of you escorting them to red carpet events. You were in a tuxedo and everything. They were your dates,” she emphasized.

  “Yes, in the past, I have dated models. But that was a while back,” Aaron explained.

  “Don’t hurt her, Aaron,” Jen stated firmly. “She’s too good of a person to be strung along.”

  “I agree. And I won’t hurt her. Ever,” Aaron replied resolutely.

  Jen leaned in and lowered her voice menacingly. “That’s good. Because if you do, I will hunt you down, cut off your balls, and stuff and mount them for my new dining room centerpiece.”

  Christa arrived with the coffees just in time for them to avoid a further exchange of words, but the air was obviously thick with tension between Aaron and Jen.