Justin shook his head. He didn’t have the time to disagree with her. He looked back down at the paper. Moments later his head shot up. “Your second requirement is that your name be added to my checking account?” he asked incredulously.
Lorren smiled. “Yeah. I thought that was a great idea. You wouldn’t believe just how stingy some men are. Any man I become involved with will have to make sure I never run out of money. I’m sure being a doctor pays well, so you won’t have a thing to worry about. Any money you make will be our money.”
When Justin spoke his tone was dry. “No kidding? And what about the money you make?”
Lorren chuckled. “Any money I make will be my money, of course.”
“Of course. How foolish of me to think otherwise.”
“What do you think of my final requirement? Of course it’s nothing you can do right away, but as long as you’ll agree to it, that will be fine.” Lorren took a deep breath. This one was a doozy.
“Let me make sure I understand this correctly,” Justin said moments later, his voice low and dangerously controlled. “You want a child…out of wedlock?”
“Yes. As I’ve told you before, I’ve no intentions of remarrying, but I do want to have a child before I’m thirty. I’ll have full custody; all you have to do is provide me with generous child support payments.”
Justin looked at her intently. “You aren’t serious about these requirements, are you?”
“Yes. I’m dead serious.”
“And you won’t agree to an affair until I’ve agreed to them?”
“That’s the bottom line, Justin.”
Lorren smiled sweetly. She could just imagine the thoughts tumbling through his mind. Her requirements were ludicrous. He would never agree to any of them. No man would. According to the magazine article, not too many men willingly turn over their prized autos to a woman. Very few of them parted easily with their hard-earned dollars, and what man wanted to pay through the nose for child support payments? Being caught in that sort of a trap was something they tried to avoid.
Justin watched a satisfied smile quirk the corners of Lorren’s lips. She was having her laugh, or so she thought. Now he would have his.
“Well, there’s nothing else for me to do, Lorren.”
Lorren’s smile widened. She watched as he fished in his pocket for his keys.
Her brow arched in confusion. He hadn’t driven over, he’d walked. What on earth did he need his keys for? As she continued watching, he took a key off the ring and placed it on the table.
“That’s the key to the Vette. I’ll use the spare I have at home.”
Lorren stared at him with openmouthed shock, totally speechless. She then watched him reach into his back pocket and pull out a checkbook that looked like it had seen better days.
“I’ll add your name to my account first thing in the morning, as soon as the bank opens. You can use these until new checks arrive.”
When in one swift motion he stripped his sweatshirt off over his head, Lorren found her voice. “What are you doing?”
Justin looked at her. A huge grin touched his mouth. “Getting ready to give you that baby you want before you’re thirty. I know you have a few years left before then, but practice makes perfect, you know.” He almost laughed out loud at her look of amazement.
Lorren’s heart jumped in her chest. What had she gotten herself into? Justin, bare-chested except for the medallion around his neck, and a sexy smile, took a step toward her.
She took a step back, rubbing her hands together. “It—it was a joke,” she managed to get out.
Justin smiled, taking another step forward, covering the distance between them. “What was a joke?” he asked in a deep, sexy voice. He stood before her appearing completely relaxed.
Lorren cleared her throat. “I got this stupid idea and it was supposed to work.” Justin didn’t comment, which struck Lorren as strange. He just continued looking at her. “You weren’t supposed to agree to my requirements,” she continued.
She tried not to focus her attention on his shoulders. They were broad and powerful. She suspected those shoulders would feel massive against the palms of her hands. She drew a very slow, very deep breath, trying to put a halt to where her thoughts were headed, praying they hadn’t shown on her face.
“And just what was I supposed to do, Lorren?”
She tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach produced by the deep, husky sound of his voice. She had gotten herself in enough trouble. “You were supposed to be scared off.”
Justin’s shoulders moved in a dismissive gesture. “I don’t scare easily.” He took another step forward, bringing him directly in front of her.
Lorren’s eyes fastened on the play of rippling muscles across his chest. Heat flared in the pit of her stomach. The look in his eyes was dangerous. The air surrounding them seemed to thicken. She lifted her chin. “I can see that.”
“But what I do, Lorren, is get even.”
She swallowed hard. “Get even? How?”
“A number of ways. But this way is just for you.” He leaned forward, his breath misted across her mouth. The touch of Justin’s lips was gentle. His tongue playfully massaged her lips, seeking entry.
“Open your mouth to me, Lorren.”
The plea whispered softly against her lips had a hypnotic effect, and, taking a deep, unsteady breath, her mouth formed the word “no,” but instead she did as he requested. His tender caresses destroyed her last thread of resistance. She surrendered completely to his masterful seduction and placed her arms around him.
His mouth, wet and hot, nibbled at hers with a hunger that was mind consuming. The burning sensation flooding through her was unbearable.
The kiss grew hotter, hungrier.
Lorren could feel every hard-muscled inch of Justin, including evidence of his desire for her. A powerful tremor swept through her body as she fought for control. The little bit she had took a nosedive when she felt his hand move underneath her top. She shuddered involuntarily at the multitude of emotions overwhelming her with his touch. Deep in the recesses of her mind she wanted to put a stop to what they were doing, but couldn’t find the strength to do so.
When his arms tightened around her, prolonging the kiss, she melted into him. An indescribable sweetness flared in her belly, stripping away the last of her defenses. Releasing a soft moan, her tongue met his, stroke for stroke.
Without any control she slid her hands between them to rub his chest. The feel of his chest hair against her palms made her entire body tingle. Her hands brushed against the medallion. His body instantly stiffened. He pulled his mouth away.
Lorren was breathless. Confused. Why had he stopped kissing her? Before she had time to think about it, he leaned down to brush his lips against her cheek. Then his mouth was on hers again and all thoughts flooded from her mind.
Capturing her hands, he pulled them around him, coaxing her arms to wrap around his waist as she pulled herself closer to him.
Their kiss intensified. She could feel the pressure of his other hand in the curve of her back, drawing her closer to him, urging her more intimately into the fit of him. For the first time in her life, she knew how it felt to become insane with the need of someone.
Justin released her mouth. His voice was thick with desire. “Baby, let’s finish this in the bedroom.”
His words intruded like a blast of cold air, snapping Lorren back to reality. She jerked away from him and began straightening her clothes. She struggled to hide her confusion over what she’d felt—an upsurge of devouring yearning. It was an emotion too new to her. Disconcerted, she crossed her arms and pointedly looked away from him. What had gotten into her? Why had she let him kiss her like that, knowing nothing would come of it? Why on earth did she enjoy his kisses so much?
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Justin fighting for control. His breathing was deep and rapid. He would want answers, but she wouldn’t give him any. She couldn’t.
&nbs
p; “Lorren?”
Unlike earlier, he said her name in a voice with a cutting edge to it. If he was upset with her, that was too friggin’ bad. She could deal better with his anger than his disappointment. Never again would she see the look of total sexual letdown on the face of another man.
Still she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. How could she face him?
“Lorren, look at me!”
She flinched at the hardness of his command. No matter what, she wouldn’t look at him. “Please leave, Justin. Tonight was a mistake.”
Justin frowned. There was something about the tone of her words that cooled his anger. Her voice sounded tired and laced with hopelessness.
With a sense of purpose he didn’t understand, he walked over to her and took her into his arms. She tried pulling away, but he wouldn’t let her. She still refused to look at him. “What’s wrong, Lorren?”
“Nothing’s wrong. And no matter what you think, especially after tonight, I’m not easy, Justin.” The words were spoken barely above a whisper.
Justin lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. The depth of pain he saw confused him. The pallidness of her nutmeg skin disturbed him. He touched a finger gently to her swollen lips, sealing off any further words of protest. “I don’t think you’re easy, Lorren. In fact, I think you’re complicated as hell.”
Lorren pulled away from him.
This time Justin let her.
“Please leave, Justin. I want to be alone.”
He hesitated before speaking. “All right. If that’s what you want. I need to get my bag out of the spare bedroom.”
Minutes later he returned to find her standing by the door as if anxious for his departure. “Are you sure you’re okay, Lorren?”
She nodded. “You can have these back,” she said, handing him the key and his sweatshirt and checkbook, being careful not to touch him. “As I said, Justin, I did it as a joke.”
Justin reached out and took her hand. She tried pulling away, but he held on to her wrist. Their gazes held as his hand slipped from her wrist, and he threaded his fingers through hers. “Someone once told me years ago that no matter how painful your yesterdays were, there’s always tomorrow. I’m passing that same message on to you. Think about it.”
With those final words, he released her hand, squeezing it gently before letting go. Turning, he walked out into the warm Texas night.
Chapter 5
M oonlight sliced a thick silver path across the water, bathing the lush grasslands in a magical glow.
Emerging naked from the waters of the lake, Justin shivered in the cool, damp air. With a grimace, he pulled on his pants over his wet skin.
Gathering up the rest of his clothing, he started walking back to his house. He glanced toward the house where Lorren was probably sleeping and slowed his steps. His eyes didn’t blink for the longest time as he stared at the outline of the structure through the trees.
He stopped walking as thoughts of Lorren consumed his mind. There was no mistaking the woman had a problem. And it was deep enough to drive her to the point of pulling a stunt like the one she’d pulled tonight. What exactly had her ex-husband done to make her feel the need to protect herself so fiercely? What had he done to put that tone of hopelessness in her voice, that look of sadness in her eyes? He wondered if she’d ever really experienced a loving relationship at any point during her marriage.
The enormity of those questions propelled him forward toward his place, wondering where he could find some answers. Would Ms. Nora tell him if he asked? What about her friend, Syneda?
Unlocking his door he stepped inside, allowing his eyes to adjust to the room’s darkness. He closed the door behind him, then leaned against it. What was there about Lorren that made him even care enough to want to know?
That’s an easy question, man, his mind replied. The woman’s kisses have only whet your appetite. Her resistance has only increased your determination. And surprisingly, though it seems otherwise, it’s not all about sex. She’s the first woman who’s actually gotten next to you, really next to you, since Denise.
Justin was grateful the door supported his back as the realization hit him full force. He ran a hand over his unshaven chin. The last thing he needed in his life was any complications.
He laughed. Think again, bro. Lorren Jacobs is clearly a complication.
There was a lot about her he didn’t know, a lot he didn’t understand. But then there was something he did know, and that was that whatever problems she’d had in the past, the last thing she needed was a man who’d allow her to wallow in self-pity; a man who’d easily give up on her and her cynical facade. What she needed was someone willing to explore the woman hidden underneath her hard shell—no matter what roadblocks she tried putting in his way. She needed a man capable of giving her tender, loving care.
Point-blank, she needed him.
Everyone was entitled to experience a loving relationship at least once in a lifetime. Even one with no strings attached. As far as he was concerned, Lorren’s time had come.
After a sleepless night, Lorren got out of bed early to start writing. She hoped it would erase Justin from her mind. How could she have been so stupid to think she could stand a chance against him?
Hours later she sat at her personal computer in deep concentration, keying her thoughts into it. She was having fun writing about Mukasas, her newest Kente Kid. Her agent was presently negotiating a deal with a major toy manufacturer, who was interested in transforming her ethnic book characters into cute, cuddly, and culturally rich toys. Lorren felt very excited about the project that would introduce her “kids” into even more households. She was so involved in working on her story that the ringing of the telephone startled her.
“Yes?”
“Good morning.”
The husky, sensuous sound of Justin Madaris’s voice filtered through the telephone lines. Lorren’s stomach twisted in knots. Had he called to gloat about last night?
“What do you want, Justin?”
Justin clenched his hands into fists inside his pockets. He wondered if her mouth was swollen from his kisses of last night. Thinking about it made his blood race. He took a deep steadying breath. “Tsk, Ms. Jacobs. You were a lot more neighborly yesterday.”
Lorren glanced at the computer monitor before her. The characters seemed to darken before her eyes. She knew it wasn’t the monitor, but her mood. “So I’m fickle. Sue me.”
“I’d rather make love to you,” Justin replied, his voice low, deep, and sexy.
Lorren was glad she was sitting down. Sensational shivers streaked through her body. She’d recognized desire in his eyes before, but until now, he’d only hinted at wanting her. She had never expected him to actually say the words, and his doing so now had her gasping for air. “Don’t say that,” she whispered through jagged breaths, her words soft.
“Why not? It’s the truth, and we both know it. Don’t you think it’s time we began being honest with each other?”
Lorren closed her eyes, trying not to conjure up visions of them last night, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing. He’d desired her last night—she might be a novice in some things, but that much she was sure of. However, would his desire have slowed to a fizzle once he’d gotten her in the bedroom? She didn’t know and wouldn’t give herself a chance to find out.
“Why’re you calling, Justin?” she asked curtly. “Don’t you have patients to see, examinations to perform, sinusitis or arthritis to cure?”
“The reason I’m calling is to find out what time you want me to pick you up tonight.”
Lorren’s brow lifted. “Pick me up? For what?”
“The movies. Have you forgotten our date?”
Lorren groaned inwardly. She’d only agreed to go out with him because she thought her plans to get him out of her life were a sure thing.
“And don’t try getting out of it, Lorren. You said you’d go with me, and I took you at your word. Besides, if nothing else
, you have to admit we do enjoy each other’s company.”
Lorren sighed. His words held the truth. She’d had more fun with him yesterday than she’d had in a long time. Her ability to laugh seemed to blossom around him. And if she was completely honest with herself, she’d have to admit she couldn’t really blame him for the fact she had made a complete fool of herself with the stunt she’d pulled.
She stared pensively into space. She hadn’t been to a movie in years, which in itself was unusual for someone who lived in Los Angeles. Besides, one thing Mama Nora had always taught them was to face any problems head-on, no matter how big or small. And with Scott, she’d done just the opposite. Now she was making the same mistake with Justin. Instead of standing up to him, she’d been retreating.
It was obvious he had no intentions of leaving her alone, and she refused to spend the rest of her days living in Ennis avoiding him. He was a problem she would have to deal with directly. Pretty soon he would tire of pursuing her. Then, like all the others, he’d leave her alone and move on to some other viable conquest.
“How about it, Lorren? Are you still going?”
Silence hung in the air. “Yes, I’m still going.”
“Is seven o’clock okay?”
Lorren took a deep breath. “Yes, seven o’clock is fine. I’ll be ready.”
“Why are we here, Justin?”
“I thought it was a lovely night to park awhile. Don’t you like the view?”
“I’d rather go home.” Lorren sighed. Up to now the evening had gone the way she had hoped. Justin had arrived at precisely seven, dressed in a pair of snug-fitting jeans and a white cotton shirt. And, as usual, he looked devastatingly sexy.
She’d worn a denim wrap skirt and a loose white pullover shirt. A pair of flat slingbacks adorned her feet. A necklace of graduated bone-colored wooden disks graced her neck with coordinating earrings for her ears. Justin had taken one look at her and his mouth had fallen open. The expression on his chestnut face had been purely comical.
Tonight and Forever Page 7
