Trying to Forget-3

by: Susan

I figured I'd post here. I really need some feedback.
I sent the chapter to Freida but since she won't be updating for awhile I'll post my next few chapters here.

Susan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 3

Brenda carefully glanced around the upscale restaurant while taking a sip of her ice water. She barely paid attention to what Julia or her two friends were saying. She was bored out of her skull and wondered what had possessed her to come. She occasionally nodded and made a sympathetic sound to what Samantha, the redhead, was saying. Samantha's father was a wealthy business associate of Harlan's. She was sort of nice but she was always complaining about something. This time it was her manicurist. She struck her as shallow.
Brenda mentally kicked herself. Please, that's rude. Samantha is nice. You've been known to act like a spoiled brat too. No sign of the gorgeous blonde. Julia called the waiter over and Brenda took the opportunity to excuse herself. She made a beeline for the bathroom, glanced over her shoulder to make sure Julia wasn't watching and dashed for the exit. She started digging through her purse for her wallet when she bumped into something or rather someone. He instantly grabbed her shoulders to steady her and she grabbed his arm to keep from falling over. She looked up and was about to apologize for nearly running him over when she saw those aqua-marine eyes. It was HIM ! She silently prayed that he couldn't hear her heart going a mile a minute and managed to find her voice.

"We meet again." She said, with a small smile, a sparkle in her eye and a cute little flip of her free hand. Her other one still rested on his well toned and muscled arm. She couldn't bare to remove it yet and break contact.

He couldn't help but smile back.

"Must be fate."

"Must be." She repeated. Or Cupid she thought. Well, maybe Cupid won't mind if I help him along.

He couldn't think of anything to say, he couldn't believe his luck that he had found her again. His relief that he just didn't dream her up was vast. She looked even better than he had remembered. His aqua-marine eyes flickered with spreckles of blue. Maybe this day would turn out better than he had expected. He was glad he had accepted Thao's offer of lunch. He had run into this beautiful brunette beauty. She reluctantly removed her hand from his arm and straightened her black skirt which showed off her smooth tan legs.

"So why did fate bring you here ?" She asked when she glanced back up at him. He was watching her intently, as if she were a puzzle he was trying to solve.

"I'm meeting a friend for a lunch. And you ?"

"I was having lunch with friends. I was just about to leave."

Jax glanced at his Rolex watch.

"It's still early."

"I know. I was just getting restless."

"Something tells me when you find what you're looking for, you won't be so listless."

Something tells me I have found what I have been looking for. My entire life she thought silently.

"Maybe you'll even settle down and enjoy whatever it is that black tie events offer. Glamour, prestige, wealth, -"

"Boredom, stuffy people,..."

"I don't fall into the latter category." He assured her.

Believe me, I know you don't, she voiced her opinion silently to herself.

"I fall into the smart, talented, self-assured, strong, create your own destiny and knows what he wants and goes after it with everything heading."

She smiled at him flirtatiously.

"I think I can add a few more."

"By all means, go ahead." He said with a sexy tilt of his head. Too bad it only made her feel bolder in her attempts to get his attention.

"Insanely gorgeous, incredibly sexy, savvy..." God, she couldn't believe she had just said those things. She was about to admonish herself and go running for the hills when he smiled at her. She could have sworn she saw a faint blush creep into his cheeks. It was gone the next second.

"Thank you but I get the feeling that you'd be there with me every step of the way if that were the case."

Baby, I'd go anywhere with you.

"Think I can keep up with you, huh ?"

"I have no doubt you can." Jax looked pensive for a moment. He was trying to think of a way to keep her there. He didn't want to be out of her presence for a second. He said the first thing that came into his head.

"Listen, why don't you join my friend and I for lunch, if you don't have other plans that is."

Brenda's eyes strayed away from his for a split second. Her heart was screaming to say yes but she remembered Julia still inside. She gave him a smile that made his heart flip out in strange contortions. She seemed to hesitate.

"I don't want to intrude."

"You wouldn't be." He answered instantly.

God, he was sweet too. He must be the most perfect man on Earth.

"I'd love to but I really have to get going. I was just leaving when I ran into you. Maybe I'll see you around."

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and waved a goodbye before walking out of the lobby. He managed to hide his disappointment.

"Count on it Brenda." He whispered.

Andrew was watching the scene with amusement from outside. He had wondered why Brenda had accepted her sister's invitation whe she had shown no desire to earlier. He held the limo door open for her and she slid in easily after Jax had disappeared in the restaurant. He had dropped them off an hour ago and was there to pick them up. Right on time too. Brenda smiled at him happily and did a little dance in her seat.

"Something good happen today Miss Barrett ?"

"Better than good Andrew." She answered, bubbling over with excitement.

He nodded and moved over when he saw Julia coming. He closed the door after her. He chuckled as he got in the driver's seat. He knew Jax by reputation. He was wealthy, ruthless and one of the world's most sought after men. He managed to alude most women. Maybe the Jacks boy had met his match in young Ms. Barrett. He was willing to bet his life that she would give him a run for his money. He seemed llike a nice enough fellow.

Julia glanced over at Brenda while Andrew pulled away from the curb and drove off.

"You know, you shouldn't have disappeared like that. You could have at least said your goodbyes. It was really rude."

She bit her bottom lip and picked an imaginary piece of lint off her skirt.

"I'm sorry. I'll apologize next time. It was an emergency and I saw Andrew outside. I didn't feel like going back in."

Julia watched her inquisitively for a few minutes before shaking her head and concentrating on the scenery. Brenda saw her out of the corner of her eye and rolled her eyes. When they got home, Harlan was already there. He greeted Julia when she walked in the door and barely gave Brenda a second glance. She bit her lip and went upstairs to her room then shut the door while Harlan ushered Julia into his steady. Her mind quickly drifted to happier thoughts. She plopped down on her bed and clutched the pillow. Filled with Jax. Her eyes flew open.

"Get over it Brenda. He probably only noticed you because you nearly ran him over." She muttered. "He's probably not even like he is in your dreams."

Her eyes fluttered closed again. She immediately thought of better things. Of her handsome blonde prince who was going to whisk her away from her dreary loveless existence...

Suddenly, she was transported to a beautiful ballroom. It was just her and her blue-eyed prince. He looked even more irresistable and sexy in his tuxedo. Not a blonde hair out of place. She felt her knees weaken in response as she saw him walking closer. Closer. He smiled at her and took her hand gently in his. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. She let out the breathe she was holding and laughed a little.

"You're here. You're really here." She whispered.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else luv."

There was something in the way he said that made her dizzy with excitement of what the night would bring. Maybe it was his accent. Maybe it was how close he was. Maybe it was just the man.

As if by magic, candles appeared everywhere. Lighting a path to a table with dinner waiting and champagne chilling. He led her over and helped her into a chair. His eyes slowly roamed over the view if her leg that the slit in her long white sphagetti strap dress allowed. He opened the bottle of champagne and poured her a glass. He sat in his own seat across from her and made a toast.

"To us and what the future holds."

"To us."

Their glasses clinked. She took a sip of the cool liquid. She ran her tongue over her lips. She glanced up and saw Jax watching her. He stood up and walked over to her. He held out his hand to her. She took it without hesitation.

"Dance with me."

He led her away from the table and through the french glass doors to the balcony.

"There's no music." She protested. She didn't know if she could manage to be in his arms for an extended amount of time and not pass out. He snapped his fingers and like magic, she could hear the music.

"Anymore objections ?" He asked, pulling her into his strong arms.

She didn't think shre could respond coherently so she shook her head.

"Good."

She relaxed and leaned into his embrace. God, it felt so good. Pure heaven.

****Look at the sky
Tell me what do you see
Just close your eyes
And describe it to me
The heavens are sparkling
With starlight tonight
That's what I see
Through your eyes

He looked down at her in amazement, as if she wasn't there. A figment of his imagination. He gently put a hand on her face and cradled it. He lifted her chin to meet his face. He slowly leaned down.

I see the heavens
Each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat
Just go on for miles
And suddenly I know
My life is worth while
That's what I see
Through your eyes

Her train of thought quickly disappeared when she realized what he was going to do. She looked deeply into his beautiful blue eyes now hazy with desire. For her. She tilted her head to meet his waiting lips.

Here in the night
I see the sun
Here in the dark
Our two hearts are one
It's out of our hands
We can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise
Looking through your eyes

He almost grinned when he saw her look at him. It was a cute adorable expression. He blinked then she was the sexy desirable woman again.

I look at myself
And instead I see us
Whoever I am now
It feels like enough
And I see a girl
Who is learning to trust
That's who I see through your eyes

His lips finally met hers in an explosive combination like fireworks.
The fire they had created grew brighter and raged on. Her hands left tightened around his neck and she sought to deepen the kiss. Her mouth opened to allow entry of his tongue. He pulled her closer of that was possible.

And there are some things we don't know
Sometimes a heart just needs to go
And there is so much I'll remember
Underneath the open sky with you forever****

A small sigh escaped her and her smile grew as her dream got better and better. The incessant knocking at her door interrupted her wonderful daydream. She groaned and got up to answer it.

Back at the restaurant,

Thao was talking to, at least trying to talk to Jax who wasn't paying very much attention.

"So the Contessa..." He broke off and snapped his fingers in front of his friend. "Jax, have you not heard one word that I have been saying ?"

Jax finally snapped out of his Brenda-induced fog and remembered where he was.

"I'm sorry. You were saying ?"

"Maybe I should start from the beggining." Thao said.

"No, I heard what you said."

"Did you ?" Thao asked with a raised eyebrow. He decided to let it slide and find out what was troubling his friend.

"Where did you disappear to during the party last night anyway ?"

"I just went for a walk."

"Alone ?"

Jax hesitated before answering. He knew where this line of questioning was going to end.

"Yes."

Thao smiled knowingly.

"What is her name ?"

"What is whose name ?" He asked, slightly annoyed.

"Come on Jasper. I know you. Almost as well as Jerry. You were acting strange when you left the Barrett's last night, you are acting strange now and the waitress has been making eyes at you since you walked in and you still haven't noticed."

"Not well enough to call me by my given name." He shot back after taking a gulp of his brandy.

"What's the matter ? Afraid I'll steal her away from you with my good looks and charm ?" Thao teased.

Jax shook his head and laughed.

"Not on your life. I barely know her. There's just something about her."

"Her ?"

"Brenda. I met her last night. Brunette, beautiful, dark complexion, soulful brown eyes."

"I must be losing my touch. Here we were at the same place and I missed the most beautiful woman there. She must have been to have caught your eye and held it until now. Tell me about her my friend."

"There's not that much to tell. I told you I barely know her."

"When do I get to meet the fair Brenda ?"

"With any luck, soon." Very soon, he thought. He didn't tell Thao that he had met her while wandering through the stables. He might think him 2/3d's crazy. He thought himself crazy before a short while ago when he had seen her again. He had to see her again soon or she would haunt his thoughts day and night. Not that she didn't already. Maybe if he spent some time with her then the magic would wear off. He wouldn't find her so irresistable. He would discover that she wasn't the woman of his dreams or she might in the least disappear from them altogether.
Something told him that that would not be the case and she would continue to haunt him.

What do you think ?