Page 13 of Seducing His Mate
“The man is crazy over you. The morning he came to the house with the story, we couldn’t believe our ears or our eyes.”
Jenna shifted on her stool. “He told you about me?”
“Yes. It was odd to see Trent humbled. He talked about the club, showed us the documents you served him, and told us how he wanted to help you. It’s obvious he cares. I’ve never seen him this way.”
Her eyebrows arched even as she slumped on the stool, licking melted chocolate from her bottom lip. After swallowing a drink of water, she faced her only friend. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have nothing, not even this relic of a restaurant. It feels wrong to rely on Trent for so much. I don’t want to do that to him. He deserves better.”
“Wow. I’ve heard it all now. Only the woman who loved him would say he deserved better. Trent is an asshole.”
“He is not!”
Diana pressed her lips together then tilted her face. “Or defend him.”
Jenna jerked as if she’d been struck then bit off a large chunk of chocolate chip muffin. While forcing it down her throat, she considered Diana’s assessment. She glanced at her new friend, her only friend in this town, then propped her chin in her palm on the bar. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I hated him not three days ago.”
“There’s a thin line between love and hate.”
“That statement couldn’t be any truer,” Jenna huffed.
“What are you doing in here anyway?”
“I don’t know. I guess I wanted to pay my family’s restaurant one last visit.”
“Planning to leave?” Diana asked. “I couldn’t blame you, but I urge you to reconsider. The King men can be overbearing, bossy, and stubborn, but they also have big hearts. When I arrived here, I had nothing. Lucas helped me pick up the pieces of my life. It just so happened we were mates. Don’t let pride get in the way of happiness.”
“Pride. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Maybe it is my pride when I thought I didn’t have any left.”
“Accept his help.”
A deep sigh fell from Jenna’s lips.
“If for no other reason, do it because they’re so easy on the eyes, fantastic in the bedroom, and filthy rich. Well, I can only speak for Lucas as far as the bedroom. Plus, I enjoy watching Trent squirm.”
Jenna almost choked on her muffin. “Little blunt?”
Diana winked at her. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“I’d be lying.”
“Lying about what?” A deep voice spoke from behind them.
Both women gasped and whipped around to find Lucas and Trent King with their arms crossed over their chests and feet spread shoulder width apart. Imposing and large, they dominated the room.
Diana grinned at Lucas, and Jenna swore sparks jumped between the pair. When her gaze landed squarely on Trent, leaning against the door frame, she wanted to run and jump in his arms, but held herself back. The naughty smile on his too handsome face caused her to squirm in her seat. Flashes of their playful romp in his bed, from earlier in the day, sent the blood humming in her veins. A dark eyebrow arched above those piercing eyes and her heartbeat accelerated.
Jenna slid off her stool, trying to remain calm and cool. She couldn’t leave him no matter how bad she wanted to, and she knew that now with certainty. “Something I can help you with, Mr. King?”
Chapter 16
The bear inside lifted its shaggy head in the presence of Jenna. She could tunnel beneath his skin like no other, but he loved it. The calm and collected sprite before him thought he didn’t notice the way her heartbeat raced or her pulse pounded, but he did.
He pushed off the door frame and moved until he stood before her, forcing her to tilt her head to meet his gaze. “I spoke to the lawyer.”
“And?”