Fresh Cut Romance

by Dee Dawning

  15

  Sister Laurel & the Atheist

  Fresh Cut Romance

  A very Romantic Erotic Romance Novel

  by

  Dee Dawning

  Copyright © 2013 Dee Dawning

  Dedicated to hopeless romantics, of any persuasion, around the world

  Chapter One – They Meet

  "When I saw you, I fell in love. And you smiled because you knew."

  ~Arrigo Boito~

  The first time I saw him, was early morning in Java Joint. I couldn't keep my eyes off him—he, with his searing good looks and devilish smile. I should have left. I should have picked up my latte, my book and made a beeline for the entry door, never to lay eyes on him again. However, I not only didn't, I couldn't. The man had me under his spell.

  Standing patiently in line, waiting to place his order, he possessed the appearance of an angel. Or at least what I imagined an angel would look like. His long, but stylish shock of wavy light brown hair, framed strong cheekbones, straight Roman nose and pouty lips. Long and lean, his athletic frame was dressed casually in designer jeans, a long sleeved cobalt blue shirt, and buff topsiders.

  He scanned the room, as most people do while waiting in a queue. Caught off guard, when his piercing blue eyes met mine, I flinched. I felt a tinge of embarrassment and cozy warmth enveloped me. Was it from being caught ogling him, or the lusty approving manner in which those mesmerizing silver-blue eyes appraised me?

  This is wrong. Forcing myself to shift my gaze, I picked up my drink and sipped the last of it. Back to my book, my eyes scanned the words, but their meaning failed to penetrate my mind. The man demolished my concentration.

  A furtive glance in his direction revealed his continued interest. My Goodness he's pointing at me. And then he caught me staring at him. My eyes immediately returned to my book. I must not to look up again. Heat engulfed me, perspiration, formed on my brow and other unmentionable places. This is too embarrassing. I picked up the coaster and began to fan myself. I thought to stand up, but my legs wouldn't respond. My breathing increased as if the vision of him had reduced the available oxygen. What's wrong with me?

  I couldn't believe the turmoil that raged through me. The urge to look up, to see what he was doing overpowered me, but I wouldn't. I can't let him see me watching him. I must be strong. I belong to Him.

  "Hi."

  Reflexively, my eyes sought the source of the voice. My stomach did a flip and my mouth dropped open. It was him. He smiled. "Hope you don't mind. I noticed you were almost out so I bought another café latte for you." His melodic, masculine voice made my heart jump a beat while his closeness increased my pulse rate and made it hard for me to breathe.

  He set the drink down in front of me.

  "A Bible. Are you religious?"

  Through my dry throat, I tried to speak, yet was speechless. I nodded.

  "Well, I'm not." He plopped down in the chair next to me.

  The nerve of him!

  He tilted his head and cast an endearing smile. "Perhaps, I should stick around and show you the error of your ways."

  That focused me. My nervousness vanished. "Are you not a believer?"

  "No, ma'am. I'm afraid not. My parents are, but to their chagrin, I refused to buy into their Christian mumbo jumbo."

  I was both offended and fascinated. I didn't remember ever meeting a blatant, admitted atheist. "Mumbo jumbo, indeed. Perhaps, I should stick around to show you the error of your ways."

  He threw back his head and laughed.

  I laughed too.

  "I think I'd like that." He offered his hand. "My name is Julian Peters."

  He obviously expected my name in return. Did I want to show him salvation through God? I am supposed to save those who need saving, but this one—an avowed non-theist—would be a challenge. I took his hand. It was warm. Or, due to nervousness, was mine cold in comparison?

  "Laurel Adams, but I should warn you. I believe in God with all my heart."

  With his hand still warming mine, he answered, "You are much too pretty to be wrapped up in God." His gaze shifted to my breasts, across my modest, loose fitting, gray sweater and continued downward to my black skirt, "And your clothes should complement, rather than hide your lovely figure."

  Heat surged through me at the mention of my body. My sexuality was something I'd always had trouble dealing with.

  "Now, Laurel, I'm sure your beliefs are strong. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. Can you do that?"

  "Of course, but what about you?"

  He laughed. "That may be more problematic. I've spent most of my teen and adult life rethinking the mental pabulum I was force-fed from childhood."

  I tensed at the satirical reference to my core belief.

  He must have noticed, because he then said, "However, if you can tell or show me something compelling, I will accept it. Shall we go?"

  My eyebrows dipped into a frown. I glanced around. "Wha…where do you want to take me?"

  A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. Most likely, trying to hold back a smile, he said, "I won't go into where I want to take you."

  Once again, I felt heat, this time from his suggestive innuendo.

  He stood and pulled me to my feet. "Grab your latte and don't forget your Bible." He winked. "You're going to need it."

  I wanted to go. Really, I did. He was so interesting, dismissing God so cavalierly and God knew how attracted I was to him. Could it be a test from God, himself? To bring someone I find as desirable as Julian into my life? But what if he's dangerous?

  I pulled my hand away. "Hold on. I don't know you. I met you ten minutes ago. I need to know where you wan…plan on taking me."

  He smiled so broadly, dimples formed in his cheeks. "Of course you do. I could be a rapist or worse a serial killer."

  He laughed at his attempt at a joke, which I didn't find the least bit humorous. He pulled out his wallet. "I plan to take you where I work."

  He removed and handed me a card. I read it.

  Assistant Antiquities Acquisition Director, Natural History Museum.

  "Triple A, that's me."

  This time, I smiled. I was just a little impressed. "You work at the Natural History Museum?"

  He gave a single nod.

  In my excitement, my hands involuntarily moved. "I love that place."

  "Shall we go then?"

  I answered demurely, "Maybe, but what does the museum have to do with disproving God?"

  "Nothing, but it debunks one of the tenets of the Bible—Creation."

  I gazed sternly at him. "The strict interpretation, yes, but I happen to agree with the less literal view. I'll tell you what. I haven't been there in awhile and I would love a tour from an expert. I'll meet you in the front lobby."

  "Don't you want to go with me?"

  Now, it was my turn to wink. "You could be an ax murderer."

  * * * *

  I could have danced. The breath of fresh air named Laurel was going to meet me. God she was hot, with her shoulder-length dark hair and large brown eyes. Gorgeous and smart, she didn't seem to realize how special she was. I had to laugh. I wasn't going to sit with her, but the growing problem in my pants forced my presumptive action. Thankfully, it worked out.

  The moment I first saw Laurel, I was interested. Trying to be inconspicuous, I'd watched her at first in the mirror behind the counter while she watched me. Fantastic, I'd thought, I have to meet this delectable tidbit. When the line had moved forward and she fell out of view, I chanced the occasional surreptitious glance. The few times we'd locked eyes, my stomach lurched, but I resisted looking away. The shy thing she was, she immediately averted her gaze and blushed.

  And now, I'm on my way to meet her at the museum. W
hat a stroke of luck. My first choice would have been to take her home, undress her and make love to her. You don't fuck a woman like that; you make slow, passionate, meaningful love to her. In time, Julian. In time. She wasn't the kind of woman that would just jump in bed. There was something pure and innocent about her. With a woman like that you take your time and woo. That kind of woman deserves a lifetime commitment. Whoa, Buddy. You're getting way ahead of yourself.

  I clicked the lock on my Porsche Cayenne SUV and hopped in. After taking 101 to 110, I jumped off at Exposition Blvd. I pulled in my designated space in the rear of the building and rushed into the huge edifice. By the time I reached the lobby I was out of breath and…she wasn't there. Could this be a brush off? I glanced around. She was nowhere visible. I rushed to the gift shop. No Laurel.

  I headed for the information booth, but after I arrived, I didn't know what to ask the attendant. While I was thinking of what to ask her, a fingertip pressed me between my shoulder blades. I swung around and there was a vision of splendor—Laurel smiled at me with her beatific countenance.

  I'm sure I shocked her and the attendant, but I was so happy to see her, I took her in my arms and kissed her. She didn't respond, but neither did she push me away.

  Realizing what I'd done—how forward I'd been—I jerked away.

  "I ah…excuse…I umm, don't know. Please forgive me. I was so worried when I—"

  Laurel began to laugh—a pretty, infectious laugh.

  I shrugged my shoulders and sighed.

  "Wow. You give a whole new meaning to the term personal tour. Do all the recipients of individual tours of the museum get such a warm greeting?"

  I must have blushed, because a flush of heat shot though me, as did she when I responded, "Only a beautiful angel such as you, sent to bedazzle me. But time's a wastin'. Where would you like to start?"

  In her first personal gesture, she snuck her arm inside the crook of mine and said, "I can't make up my mind. You pick."

  * * * *

  After two hours of touring Habitat Hall, Mammal Hall and a couple others, He took me to the café. I was too nervous to feel hungry, so I ordered only iced tea and dined on his handsome appearance. He ordered coffee with cream, a tidbit of info I stored in my memory bank, and a piece of chocolate cake, a la mode with two forks.

  I liked this man. Being with him made me happy. He was witty, self-effacing, cheerful, and totally charming, not to mention I found him irresistible. I could relax with him and open up. Something I had great difficulty doing, especially under my current circumstances.

  After managing to sock away half of his cake and ice cream, he asked the question I dreaded, but knew was inevitable. "You know what I do. Tell me what do you do?"

  Coward that I was, I told him only part of the truth, "I'm a nurse in training."

  An eyebrow rose. He was thinking, but he let me off the hook when he followed up, "Ahh, I would have guessed beauty queen or movie starlet."

  He kept talking about how beautiful I was. I'm not ugly, but I didn't get it. He was so accomplished and handsome, I didn't understand why he was even bothered with me.

  "Julian. I know I'm only average looking. Why all the flattery? I'm not going to go to bed with you."

  His mouth fell open. "Are you kidding me? Don't you know how attractive you are? I thought you dressed plain and simple to ward off all the predatory men that surely must be hitting on you. And yes, I'd like to make love to you, but not until I've earned it. Not until you ask me."

  "That won't happen. There are no men, no suitors. The occasional doctor may get friendly, but that's about it. I live a very secluded life." I should tell him. Why is it so difficult to tell him? Why?

  * * * *

  I was incredulous. "Don't you ever go out, have fun?"

  She shook her head. "It seems like I'm always too busy to do something fun."

  I stood and grasped her hand. I loved her hands, her long elegant fingers and nails. "C'mon, we can finish the tour later."

  Confusion materialized upon her lovely face. "What? Where do you want to go?"

  "I know we just met, but I think of you like a friend. Maybe more, but certainly a friend. Would you like to be my friend?"

  "Y-e-s."

  "Good, as your friend, I'm going to show you how stunning you are and after that I'm going to take you out and show you a fantastic time. Okay?"

  She seemed to ruminate upon what I'd said. What's she thinking behind those penetrating, warm, brown eyes?

  After what seemed like minutes, she answered, "Okay, but I won't go to anyplace wild."

  Chapter Two – Jessie

  "One kiss breaches the distance between friendship and love." ~Anonymous~

  Julian insisted I ride with him. His silver green Porsche SUV was a lot nicer than my older model Ford. I'd mistakenly thought they only made sports cars. Obviously not.

  I gazed out the window. It was a clear sunny day and I could barely make out the coastal mountains to the east—not unusual for Southern California. We were headed north up 101 when he told me he knew someone named Jessie who was a beautician and she was going to give me the works—whatever that meant?

  "Jessie's a girl?" I asked.

  His gaze shifted to me momentarily. "Jessica is more like a lady. She's thirty-six and my oldest sister. She has a beauty salon, spa and boutique in North Hollywood."

  "Oldest sister. How many sisters do you have?

  He rattled off, "Three, Jessica, Janet and Judy."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Wow, your family seems to have a 'J' thing.

  He snuck in a glance and chuckled. "You could say that. My mother and father are Juliet and John."

  I giggled. "Tell me how old are Janet and Judy?"

  Someone cut Julian off. He swerved, then honked his horn.

  The driver waved as if to say he was sorry. "Crazy friggen California driver.

  "Sorry about the language. All my sisters are thirty-six, seven years older than me."

  My confusion must have been obvious, because he continued, "They're identical triplets, each born thirty minutes apart. Jessie was first."

  I imputed, "And by the way you named them, Judy was last."

  His gaze shifted again and he flashed an effervescent smile. "Give that girl a kewpie doll."

  "That makes you five years older than me."

  He waggled his brows. "Correcto mundo, assuming you're twenty-four."

  I smiled. "What do they look like?"

  Julian turned into an alley, drove about a half block and pulled into a single row of parking spaces behind a two-story building. He turned to me and grinned mischievously. "They look like Jessie, whom you'll meet in about thirty seconds. Wait there."

  He jumped out of the SUV and rushed around to my side. As he had done at the museum, he opened the door for me. Grasping my hand, he helped me out. "Shall we?"

  Hand in hand, we went in the back entrance. I'd assumed she'd be fixing someone's hair or something, but Julian took me directly into a small, rather disorderly, office near the rear entrance.

  A spunky, somewhat overly made-up woman with bright red hair sat at a cluttered desk. She looked up, and her face lit up when she recognized Julian. "Baby brother, what a pleasant surprise." She rose, came around the desk and hugged him. Then she turned to me. "And who have we here?"

  "Jessie, this is my friend, Laurel Adams. Laurel, this is Jessica Ryan, my sister."

  I offered my hand, but Jessie would have none of that. She pulled me into a hearty embrace. She broke away. "Nice to meet you, Laurel."

  I smiled broadly. "The pleasure is all mine, Jessica."

  She winked. "Jessie please."

  Turning to Julian, she continued. "Now, what brings you here, Ju?"

  He hitched his head in my direction. "I'm taking Laurel out on the town tonight and I want you to work your magic on her."

  Jessie tucked her chin back and frowned in disbelief. "Magic? She's lovely. Doesn't look like any magic is needed. Just a com
b-out and a little makeup."

  Julian nodded. "I know, just do what you think is best. She's going to need something from the boutique, too."

  She rubbed her palms together. "Ooh, I know just the outfit. Laurel dear, let's get you started and I'll put together an ensemble for your approval. If you don't like it, we'll find something else; it won't hurt my feelings in the slightest. Is that all right?"

  I was overwhelmed and getting a little concerned, because money was in short supply. I nodded, but my worry must have shown on my face, because…

  She waved a hand. "And don't worry about cost. Julian and I will take care of it."

  She looked me up and down. "Pretty figure. I'd say size six dress, seven shoes. Is that about right?

  A little more relaxed, I smiled. "Perfect."

  She turned to her brother. "Now, Julian. Where are you taking this lovely lady?"

  "I thought I'd start with dinner then a play or dancing."

  Jessie raised a solo eyebrow. "You do have reservations?"

  Julian raised his head and closed his eyes. Opening them he said, "Christ, no. I can't take Laurel to just any old place."

  "It's okay little brother. Let me get Laurel started, while you call Janet and see what she can do."

  Jessie took my hand and led me out of her office and down the hall.

  "What does Janet do?" I asked.

  She snickered. "It's not what she does. It's who she's married to."

  We entered a large room, obviously the beauty parlor. "Laurel, this is Sarah," whispering so the other beauticians wouldn't hear, she continued, "She's my best hairdresser and maybe the best in Hollywood."

  Sarah was thirty-ish, average height, nice figure and pretty with platinum hair and friendly blue eyes. She grabbed a handful of my hair and let it run through her fingers. "Hi Laurel, love your hair. It'll be a pleasure to work on you."

  "Thank you, Sarah."

  "Okay. I'll leave you two for now. I'll be back in an hour to see how you're coming along."

  "Thanks for everything, Jessie."

  "Thanks aren't necessary. I'd do anything for Julian."