The Second Chance Hero (14 page)

“I would have brought you the whole flower shop if I could, but no bloom compares with the bloom on your cheeks.”

The delivery was flawless, but the twinkle in his eyes told her she was being played. “Another cheesy line?”

“I’ve got a million of ’em.”

Kim groaned, but loved their running joke. She loved that they had something that was theirs, even if it was something so silly.

He took the flowers from her and laid them on the counter as he turned Kim to face him. Owen’s hands, which were roughened from a year in the desert, gently cradled her face. She didn’t resist. Didn’t hesitate covering his hands with hers. When they first met, she thought her reaction to him was lust, but looking into the deep blue of his eyes, seeing the emotion there, her heart told another story when it cracked open and let him in. It was too soon, she knew it, but there was no stopping what they’d started. It might be a mistake, but it was a risk Kim was willing to take.

Owen dipped his head and finally their kiss sealed what they’d been heading toward. She’d only known him a couple of weeks, but it felt so much longer—like forever. Like he understood all she’d gone through, and he gave her exactly what she needed.

His lips gently teased hers, coaxing her deeper and deeper into him. When she slid her hands up his chest, grabbing the lapels of his jacket, and then pulled him down, pulled him in, everything exploded like a sunburst. She felt the muscles of his shoulders bunch, his fingers threaded through her hair, holding her steady, so he could make the kiss count.

He left her mouth and nipped along her jaw and neck, and Kim let his name go on a breath. For that moment, that place in time, he totally owned her, but she could feel in his touch, in the way he held her, there was a desperation, and her hold on him was just as strong, maybe stronger. He was a big man—controlled, commanding, powerful—but for the first time, Kim saw the power was in her hands.

“Owen?” She took his face in her hands and held him, gazing into his eyes. “What is it?”

“I need you like I need air.” His hands settled on her waist. “I don’t think you understand what you mean to me.”

“I do,” she whispered before kissing his brow, his cheek, his lips. The stubble on his cheek was rough as she ran her hand over his face. “Let me get the flowers in water. We should go. I think . . . I think we both have to get a hold on what’s happening between us.”

Owen rested his forehead against hers and breathed out, taking her hands in his. When he tilted his head back, a grin ticked at the corner of his mouth. “You’re right. I don’t know what got into me.”

“It’s me too. You do
something
to me, and I don’t understand it.”

“Maybe it’s lust.”

“I thought about that, but I don’t think this is just about sex. Do you?”

“No . . .” He smiled, mischief twinkling in his eyes. “But we could find out.”

Kim giggled and hugged him close, loving how she felt when his arms closed around her. “Later. Promise.”

“But not with your family sitting on the deck with Harper, pretending
not
to be your family.”

She laughed. “I told them you’d figure it out. Harper’s like,
‘Nah, he won’t.’
But I knew you would.”

Owen kissed her forehead and let go of Kim long enough so she could settle her bouquet in water and fix her hair and lipstick. “You knew I’d spot your family?”

“I did. Harper totally underestimated you.”

“She often does. Who’s on the deck?”

“My mom, my sister Joey, and my sister Olivia.”

“Ah. Are they checking me out?”

“Of course. I’m sure Olivia will give her stamp of approval. Joey is more cautious.”

“I guess you field all types when you have a big family. Was it fun? All those siblings?”

“Tons. It’s also insanity in a bottle.”

He laughed, deep and full. Perching himself on a barstool near the kitchen island, he pulled her between his legs and kissed her forehead. Kim’s heart smiled.

“We have to go so there’s enough time for me to meet your mother and still make our reservation.”

Had she heard him right? “You want to meet my mom?”

“Of course I do. And your sisters.”

Now her heart was singing. Talk about doing everything right. “Oh, okay.”

“Is it a problem?”

How could she tell him it was one more thing that set him apart from every other guy? He knew, instinctively, that her family was important. “No.” She kissed him. “No problem at all. You really are perfect.” Another kiss. “Let me freshen up and we can go.”

He gave her butt a gentle smack and Kim loved the affection and familiarity that went with something like that. Looking in her mirror, she made sure she didn’t have sex hair and that her makeup didn’t look like she’d just had a wicked make-out session. Then again, what the hell?

***

He left the cottage holding Kim’s hand, feeling settled, content. The past few weeks had him thinking he might have been crazy, but he kept going back to how he felt when he was with her. The stress of the day, the stress of the last year, melted away, and Owen couldn’t discount that any more than he could ignore the series of events that brought them together. He didn’t lose control of his feelings like this, he didn’t jump into relationships with both feet, yet he couldn’t help feeling that with Kim he was right where he was supposed to be, that he knew she was the one the minute he laid eyes on her a year ago. They walked up the path and he smiled when he saw Kevin shooting him warning glances while Harper tried to look casual with Kim’s family. Kim had told him about how they’d come over for a fashion intervention and then Harper invited them to stay and spy.

When they stepped up onto the deck, all conversation stopped. Harper smiled, and turned on her affected Southern charm. “Hello there,” she drawled. She wasn’t really from the south, but her mother was, and that was enough to have Harper sounding like she was the reincarnation of Scarlett O’Hara. “Well, don’t y’all look nice,” she said. “Ready to leave?”

Kim nodded. “Yes, but Owen thought he should meet my family before we left.”

Harper leaned back and folded her arms. Kevin didn’t miss a beat. He pointed at his fiancée with the tongs he was using to turn the chicken and smirked. “I told you he’d get it.”

Owen extended his hand to her mom, not giving Harper the chance to comment. “Mrs. Torres, it’s a pleasure. I’m Owen Kent.”

“Mr. Kent.”

“Please call me Owen. Ladies,” he said to her sisters. “I knew you were all related because there’s no mistaking the resemblance.” He turned his attention back to Mom. “You have lovely daughters, ma’am.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Owen. Now that the weather is getting warmer, you’ll have to come home with Kim for a Sunday barbecue.”

“I’d love that.” He’d have to ask Kim what ‘Sunday barbecue’ involved. It sounded pretty official.

“Good. We’ll look forward to it.” Her mother stood and hugged Kim. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard her whisper “keeper” in Kim’s ear before she turned back to him. “I appreciate that you stopped to meet me. I really do. Thank you.”

He nodded before leading Kim off the deck, threading his fingers through hers. Once she settled into the passenger seat of the Aston Martin and he got into the driver’s seat, she lunged at him, wrapping him tightly in her arms. “What?”

“Thank you. You made her so happy. Thank you.”

“It wasn’t anything. Just trying to do the right thing, but I’m glad it made you happy.”

“I’ve known you for such a short time, but you think about me.
Like I matter
. Thank you.” She leaned over and gave him a peck on his cheek.

Of course she mattered, and she’d been mattering to him for longer than a couple of weeks. He released her hand and she sat back, buckling her seat belt. Her faith in him was comforting, but he couldn’t help feeling anxious. He’d do his best not to let her down—he just hoped she still felt that way when she found out what he was hiding.

Owen pulled into the parking lot of Grill, a very upscale steakhouse right on Huntington Harbor. Kim had been here in the past for drinks with friends, so she knew that it had atmosphere to spare. The main dining rooms faced the harbor and there were a series of outside decks that housed a bar, seating, and tables for outdoor dining.

He pulled forward and slipped the valet a couple of bills before he’d even parked the car. He pointed to a space right in front, telling the boy that he’d prefer his car to be parked right there.

“Worried about the car?”

“It’s worth it to me to tip the kid now to keep the car safe. I don’t do the rich guy thing often, but I do it with my car.”

“What happened to your Range Rover? I thought it was new?”

“It is. When I got home I splurged and bought both. I never do that. Jason has three houses and a friggin’ yacht. Nate has a house in the Hamptons that’s big enough to house a whole platoon, in addition to his condo.”

“It’s not an indictment. I’m just wondering.”

“No, I know.” He ran his hand through his hair. “The car is visible and flashy, that’s not me, but I love the damn thing.”

She couldn’t argue with him. Nothing about Owen was ostentatious. He worked hard, served his country. She guessed a car was something that made him happy. “So what kind of car is that?”

“It’s an Aston Martin.”

She just about went giddy. She’d heard of those cars.

“Like James Bond?”

Settling his hand on the small of her back as they walked into the restaurant, Owen smiled at her. “Yeah.”

Kim couldn’t resist teasing him. Especially when she could do it in a British accent. “Kent. Owen Kent.”

“Stop.” He laughed. “I don’t need you doing this to me, too.”

“But it’s so much fun!”

“Excuse me?” Kim and Owen turned to see a middle-aged man leaving the restaurant point at Owen’s car. Owen stopped and she could see him puff up a little. Such a guy.

“Yes?”

“Is that an Aston Martin Vanquish?”

Owen smiled like a kid showing off a new toy. “It is.”

The man turned to the valet standing next to him and cast a glance toward the shiny black vehicle. “That’s a quarter of a million dollar car.”

“No shit?” the valet said.

“No shit is one way to put it.”

The kid’s eyebrows shot up, and Kim wondered if hers did, too. A quarter of a million dollars? Glancing at Owen, the flush creeping up his neck told her he was embarrassed.

It didn’t take much, either. While it was obvious he loved the car, he wasn’t one to drop that amount at the drop of a hat. Talking about it, apparently, made him uncomfortable.

The man, who was in a silky black shirt and gray pants, folded his arms and gave Kim the same kind of once-over he’d given the car. “Hot car and a beautiful girl. Money sure does buy happiness.”

Oh, that was a new one. She’d been called a lot of things, but no one ever insinuated she had a price tag. Part of her wanted to give the guy a piece of her mind, but Owen handled him perfectly.

“Yeah, the car I could buy. It’s a cool machine, but the lady here?” He took her hand and kissed it. “I’m just lucky on that one. Real lucky she’d have me.”

Well, if that didn’t just make her want to drag him right back home. The exchange didn’t last long after that. Any interest Owen had in talking to the man evaporated when he made the comment about money.

Owen had lots of money. But Kim was getting the sense he wasn’t all that comfortable with it.

They were escorted to an outdoor table with a gorgeous view of the water. It was warm for the middle of June, and she was happy they could enjoy the perfect weather. Boats dotted the harbor and bobbed up and down on the gentle ebb and flow of the tide. The sun was just sinking down, closing in on the horizon, and she had a date with a man who seemed too good to be true.

And that thought kept wiggling through her mind no matter how many times she told herself to just let it go.

“I’m sorry about that guy out there.”

“What? Why are you sorry?”

“I mean, I know what he meant, but to say something like that in front of you pissed me off.”

“That was pissed off? You were very smooth.” He had been, too. It seemed nothing ruffled Owen.

He grinned as he placed his napkin in his lap. “I have a bad temper. It takes me a long time to get there, but I’ve scared more than one person. Including a few hardass marines.”

The word hardass got her thinking. “How are things between you and Harper? It seems better.”

“It still gets a little dicey at work. Nate and Jason are very hands off and she pretty much ran the place. I respect Harper tremendously, but this is our business, and I think we need to be making the decisions.” He slumped back in his chair and fiddled with his fork. “They understand and are fine with me taking that role, but Harper still gets pissed.”

“You’ll win her over. Strike some kind of balance.”

“I’m not as close to Harper anymore. I’m trying, but she keeps her distance from me at the office.”

“That’s because you challenge her. I get the sense she’s gotten used to having things her way.” Kim took a sip of water. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask how it’s going with your vets.”

“Still having issues. It’s just not right. I need someone like you to work for me.”

Kim raised an eyebrow. What he just said, sparked an idea. “I’m happy to help Helen. What if I see if Harper can spare me for a couple of days and I can get Helen some names and numbers?”

“You’d do that?” He physically relaxed and looked so relieved. Kim felt a snap of pride. She loved that she could help him.

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

He nodded slowly, thinking about what she’d said. His gears were turning as he fiddled again with his fork. “Speaking of vets, there are some things you need to know about me before you decide to take this forward. We’ve been avoiding it, but we can’t anymore.”

Owen was suddenly so formal, and Kim didn’t know what was circling around his brain. Whatever it was, it was serious.

It was Kim’s turn to reply, but she didn’t have anything to say. Her heart was tripping against her ribs wondering what he was going to tell her. He was right, of course. They had to talk. He needed to know all her baggage, too—everything she brought to the relationship, including her trust issues. But at that moment, any doubts or worries Kim had melted away when she looked at Owen and saw the possibilities he represented. The intensity of what she was feeling could have overwhelmed her, but instead, Kim decided to put her worries on hold, trust that what was happening between her and Owen was strong enough to weather anything, and let the wave take her.

***

He wanted to talk to her about what happened that day in the hospital. She needed to know the truth, if for no other reason than to tell her he thought her fiancé was an asshole. Tom may have been a good marine, but he didn’t deserve her.

Owen didn’t think he deserved her, either, and he thought about taking the leap and telling her he loved her. It wasn’t a lie. In fact, it was the truest thing in his life. His worry was that Kim wasn’t ready to hear it. Especially when she found out the truth.

“I want you to know, being asked to get you at Starbucks that day was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Owen . . .”

“No, you don’t understand. My last tour was a nightmare. I lost half a dozen men under my command.”

She didn’t say anything but reached for him across the table. They linked hands and Owen hoped it would give him the strength to tell her what he’d been holding back, knowing he might lose her. “You know how it was. Everything was quiet, boring almost, and then all hell would break loose. There’d be mortars or someone would buy it on an IED. No warning and someone would be gone.”

He was describing what happened to Tom, and whether she realized he was doing it on purpose or not, she teared up.

“I watched too many men die,” she said quietly. “And I saw how it affected their commanders. Knowing you as I do, I can only imagine how hard it was. You don’t blame yourself, do you?”

He thought about that. Did he? “Not directly. But I feel responsible for everyone under my command. I’m not suffering from PTSD like a lot of guys. I don’t have flashbacks and nightmares, I’m not wired like that, but I think about the guys. About their families. I wonder why some make it, and others don’t.”

“There’s no reason, and I think that’s what makes it so hard. You’re methodical. And you’re a man. There’s nothing for you to wrap your head around.”

“I guess.”

“You can’t fix it. No matter how hard you try.”

“You seemed to have it figured out.”

“Me? Hardly. I’ve just gotten good at faking it.”

Owen reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You never have to fake it with me. Never.”

He sensed by the way she smiled, by the tears pricking at her eyes, she already knew this and there was no greater gift.

He took her hand and left a gentle kiss on her palm. Her face flushed to that perfect shade of pink that told him he’d hit the desire switch. It hadn’t been intentional, but it certainly wasn’t anything new to either of them. He wanted her so bad it hurt. Pretty much all the time.

Based on the way she was looking at him, she felt the same way.

“Kim? Is that you, honey?” The voice, which was sharp and nasal, cut through the din of the restaurant.

“Oh, no,” she whispered.

Owen turned in the direction of the voice, and approaching them were a chubby woman and man, both with unnaturally dark hair. Turning back, he saw Kim in a flat stare. Her eyes were locked, focused straight ahead. The color had left her face. There was no movement. Nothing.

He couldn’t hear what she muttered when she pinched her eyes shut, but by the time the couple got to their table, she’d managed to compose herself.

“It is you! Oh, darling, it’s so good to see you. How are you doing? We heard you had a breakdown.”

What a bitch
, he thought as Kim stood and allowed the older couple to kiss her cheeks. Owen rose as well and positioned himself right next to her. He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but she wasn’t dealing with this alone.

“Zia Bunny, Zio Marco, good to see you both.”

“What are you doing here?” Bunny asked as she looked Owen up and down.

Kim laid her hand on Owen’s bicep. “This is Owen Kent. We’re having dinner.” She glanced up at him, and for a split second he saw terror in her eyes. These two people had his girl seriously spooked. “Owen, Bunny and Marco Albanese.”

Marco shook his hand. “Her fiancé’s aunt and uncle. We’ve known Kimmy since she was a teenager.”

Zia Bunny leaned in, her face solemn. “This isn’t a date, is it? I mean, Tommy hasn’t even been dead a year.”

Owen let his hand drift up and down over her back, hopefully letting her know he was right there if she needed him. But Kim didn’t hesitate. She went all in.

“Yes, it is, actually. Our first date.” Owen grinned. Technically it was their first date. “I met Owen a couple of weeks ago and we hit it off.”

Marco leaned in, and Owen didn’t like his posture. What the hell? It was aggressive, hostile, threatening. “You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady,” the uncle snarled. “Your man died for his country. Show some respect.”

Respect? Granted, Tom Albanese didn’t deserve to die, but he’d be hard-pressed to use the word respect when talking about him, especially inside a relationship. But what was burning his ass was the way these people thought they could talk to Kim. It was like she was wearing a tag that said “Property of the Albanese Family.”

“Have you no heart? Think of what his family is going through. Couldn’t you at least wait a year?” Bunny’s voice was getting louder and louder, and Kim was shrinking into him. Kim had nerves of steel and didn’t back away from anything. And as far as having a heart, no one he knew had a bigger or more sensitive one than Kim.

They were shaming her for moving on with her life.

Not while Owen was there. Not while she was with him. No one was going to talk to her like that. “That’s enough.” Owen said quietly, pulling her into him. “Sir, I think you and your wife should move along.”

“Who are you to tell us to move along? How dare you?” Bunny put on an offended air that only a woman of her age could pull off. “And you, Kim. I guess we were wrong about the type of woman you are. Your fiancé just DIED and you’re playing the slut.” The restaurant had gone quiet and Owen saw Kim look away. The old man was just about to open his mouth again when Owen put up a hand to stop him. It was that or hit him.

“Don’t say another word. If you do, if you hurt her any more than you already have, I will make you sorry for it.”

“Why? She is a whore. She didn’t deserve Tommy.”

Owen pressed Kim into him, keeping one arm securely around her. His jaw was tight, his anger raging, there was nothing holding him back. He snapped. He didn’t yell, Owen rarely raised his voice, but he leaned forward and watched Marco recoil, which was good considering Owen could have done the old man real harm. “Tom Albanese was a good marine, and took care of his buddies, but if anyone was undeserving, it was him. He didn’t deserve this woman. He didn’t know how to be faithful. Now you’re going to take your wife and get out of here before I throw you off the fucking dock. And I won’t be sorry.”

Marco, who was easily thirty years older than Owen and a full head shorter, stepped back at the threat. Owen should have felt guilty threatening a man of that age, but when it came to protecting those he loved, nothing else mattered.

Owen considered himself a mild-mannered guy. He was slow to anger, didn’t succumb to things like road rage or getting angry at store clerks or food service workers. No, as a rule, he was pretty laid back. Most of the time.

But his reaction wasn’t about someone cutting him off on the expressway. This was about Kim, and as he’d discovered last year, when he held her in that hospital, he was hardwired to protect this woman.

He hoped she understood that because he’d just blurted out the information he was going to break to her gently.