Finding Our Forever

by Brenda Novak

  “We can try.”

  “As far as I’m concerned that’ll be a frustrating exercise in futility,” he said. “I’m already going crazy.”

  She hated that she’d started something and was refusing to finish it. That didn’t seem quite fair. Maybe she needed to let this play out. She’d never gotten involved in a relationship that was more physical than anything else. That meant the attraction might be explosive at first, but would eventually burn itself out, didn’t it?

  If so, she was worried about nothing.

  “To be honest, so am I,” she admitted. “So...where can we go?”

  “You mean later? What’s wrong with my place?”

  “I mean now,” she told him.

  He pulled back to look at her. “Are you serious?”

  She could already taste his kiss, had committed every detail about him to memory. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Absolutely not,” he replied. “Make your way out back. There’s a side patio where smokers go that should be fairly deserted. I’ll be there in a few.”

  Since they didn’t want to be caught together, this was a risky endeavor. That she was willing to take such a gamble surprised Cora. It wasn’t like her. But nothing she’d done with Elijah so far had been like her and, in this instance, the need for privacy couldn’t outweigh the urgency to feel him inside her. After battling that desire for a whole week, she was more than ready to surrender.

  * * *

  When Eli returned to the table, Darci looked up at him in surprise. “Where’s Cora?”

  “She went to the bathroom.”

  “Again?”

  He shrugged as if he hadn’t asked for details, and, as soon as she was distracted by something Dallas said, he nudged Gavin. “Why don’t you ask Darci to dance?” he murmured.

  Gavin seemed startled by this atypical request, but Eli had spoken low and used a tone that suggested he not question it, and Gavin didn’t.

  As soon as Gavin and Darci walked away, Eli leaned close to Dallas. “I’m going out back,” he said. “Keep Darci occupied, will ya?”

  “Keep her occupied?” Dallas repeated.

  “Make sure she doesn’t go looking for Cora.”

  Dallas sat up straight. “What are you two going to be doing?”

  When Eli didn’t answer, his brother swore under his breath. “No way! I’ve been flirting with her all night, with zero results. You dance with her once, and she goes outside with you?”

  “It’s not like that,” he said.

  “Then what’s it like?”

  Eli lifted his beer. “None of your business. Just take care of Darci, okay?”

  “Sure. What are brothers for?” he replied. “But isn’t Cora your new art teacher? Is that okay? Because I’ll step in for you if it isn’t,” he joked.

  “Like hell you will,” Eli grumbled and tossed back what was left in his glass before making his way to the door leading to the patio and the parking lot beyond.

  Cora was waiting for him near the vine-covered trellis. Two guys were smoking on the far side of the patio, but they were so deep in conversation they weren’t paying any attention. Taking Cora’s hand, he quietly led her to the back of the building, which faced nothing except a wide expanse of farmland.

  “On second thought, maybe this is a little reckless,” she said as he pressed her up against the building.

  It had taken him long enough to join her that she’d grown nervous. He could tell. “Apparently, you need a little recklessness in your life.”

  “Because...”

  He kissed his way up her neck. “It’s exciting.”

  “Being reckless is a good way to get burned.”

  Threading his fingers through hers, he held her hands above her head. “Like I said, we’re in it now.”

  “And if someone comes out?”

  “They won’t.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I told my brothers to see to it.”

  Her eyes widened. “You did what?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry about Darci.”

  “But...what must your brothers think?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me!” she said. “I’m embarrassed!”

  “I’m sorry. It was either that or risk having Darci come looking for you. I figured that would be more embarrassing, and I knew I could trust my brothers to make sure that didn’t happen.”

  He was afraid she was going to leave. He held his breath as she stared up at him, and bit back a curse when she pulled away. But after taking a few steps, she turned back and grabbed him by the shirtfront, pulling him up against her again. “This is crazy. Look at us! We’re behind a bar. And somehow that’s not enough to stop me. What you told your brothers isn’t enough to stop me, either. Because I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.”

  He let his breath go in relief. “Hallelujah. Then I suggest you relax,” he said and slid his hand up her skirt.

  * * *

  Cora told herself that she should care more about the fact that Dallas and Gavin knew what was going on—and that Darci could easily figure it out. But the kiss Elijah gave her was so achingly sweet that the last thing she wanted to do was walk away. This was a new side of him, one she hadn’t seen before.

  “I love the way you touch me.” She’d anticipated coming together in the same heady rush they’d experienced before. They’d both felt the same chemistry on the dance floor. But tonight Eli was taking his time.

  “Then you needed this reminder. Maybe it means you won’t ignore me this week.”

  “You could’ve called me,” she said as his mouth found her earlobe.

  “I was getting signals that precluded that.”

  “I don’t remember sending any signals.”

  “You wouldn’t even look at me.”

  “Because I knew where it would lead.”

  “To this.”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  She sighed as he kissed her again. “It doesn’t feel like one right now.”

  His fingers hooked the thin fabric of her thong and began sliding it down her legs. “Why hold back? Like I told you before, I’ll give you whatever you ask for.”

  Except his heart. He’d made that clear. But, considering the situation, did it really matter? She was only here for the year. And once he found out she was Aiyana’s daughter—if she ever decided to tell him—she couldn’t imagine he’d be pleased that she’d allowed them to get so intimate without disclosing her true identity.

  “Great. Then give me this,” she said and undid his pants.

  Chapter Ten

  Cora had never had sex outside of a bar or any other public place. She’d heard of other women doing things like that, but she’d never dreamed she’d be one of them. It was humbling to learn she could be that girl, but...what’d changed? What’d made her do such a thing?

  It was Eli. He had such a profound effect on her. That animal magnetism, the immediacy of what they’d done, had been potent. She’d been so aroused, so sensitive to his every touch that she’d been able to climax when he did, making the fifteen minutes they spent outside quite an experience. She’d never forget him holding her up against the building, the moon full overhead as he drove into her, the only sound she could hear above the music filtering out of the building that of their own labored breathing—and then her groan at the end, which he’d quickly smothered with another kiss.

  She was having a torrid affair—with her boss. Her ex-boyfriend would be shocked. Her parents would be shocked. Heck, she was shocked. She and Eli hadn’t even used a condom. They hadn’t had one, hadn’t come prepared because they hadn’t expected anything to happen. They’d been force
d to use the withdrawal method.

  “Where’ve you been?” Darci asked once Cora had righted her skirt, smoothed down her hair and returned to the table.

  Cora hoped it was too dark to see the blush heating her cheeks. “It’s so hot in here.” She slid over as Eli joined them. He’d purposely let her go in first so that they wouldn’t come back at the same time. “I stepped out for some fresh air, and there were a couple of guys outside, smoking. We got into a conversation.”

  “Oh. You were gone so long I was about to come looking for you.” She lifted her glass to catch the attention of the waitress.

  Fortunately, Darci didn’t seem suspicious, but Dallas wasn’t about to let Cora off quite that easily. “Wasn’t it every bit as hot outside?” he asked with a grin that left little question he was messing with her.

  Eli shot his brother a warning glance, but there was nothing he could do or say in front of Darci, who turned to look at her in expectation of her response.

  “It was...a little warm,” Cora said, but the waitress Darci had called over appeared. As soon as Darci turned to speak with her, Cora leaned closer to Dallas. “Actually, after it was all over, I could’ve used a cigarette myself!”

  Dallas burst out laughing and slapped his older brother on the back. “Damn, I like her. She’s definitely hooking up with the wrong Turner.”

  “What’d you say?” Darci asked as the waitress left. “Something Turner?”

  Dallas clinked his glass against Cora’s. “Not Turner, learner. I said Cora’s a fast learner.”

  Darci blinked in apparent confusion. “What’d you learn?” she asked Cora but Eli dragged Cora onto the dance floor to save her from answering.

  * * *

  Cora was fairly certain she’d never had more fun. On some level, she knew she was screwing up her life. She was so taken with Eli, too taken for it to be safe. But she could hardly feel bad about what she was doing when she was still in the middle of it. She, Darci and the Turner boys talked, laughed and danced until the bar closed. Then Eli drove them all home, since he’d had much less to drink—barely two beers. Although Cora wasn’t much of a drinker herself, she’d been feeling more carefree than usual. After her stint outside with Eli, she’d quit holding back and simply cut loose. If she was going to regret this night, she figured she might as well go all the way.

  Eli dropped Darci and Gavin off first, since they both lived in town. Cora would have to reclaim her SUV in the morning, but she was so happy and tired when she got home that she wasn’t worried about that or anything else.

  After Eli pulled into her driveway, he walked her to the door. Dallas was probably watching from the truck as he kissed her, but she didn’t care about that any more than anything else tonight—and just to prove it, she pulled Eli back and kissed him a second time before letting him go. “You are so hot!” she said.

  “And you are so drunk,” he responded with a laugh.

  “I’m not drunk. I mean...not that drunk.”

  “Yeah, you are.”

  “I’ll never forget tonight.”

  A thoughtful expression claimed his face as his gaze moved over her. “Neither will I,” he said. “But you’d better go inside if you don’t want your neighbors peering out to see what you’re up to.”

  She let him go, but once she was inside, she twirled around the living room, reliving the evening before falling onto her bed. “What a night,” she said aloud. She thought Eli might come back after he took Dallas to Aiyana’s. She wanted him to. But if he tried to knock, she didn’t hear it. She fell asleep before she could even take off her clothes, and when she woke up, it was late morning.

  Reluctant to roll out of bed, she checked her phone—and found she’d missed several calls since she’d paid any attention to that sort of thing last, which was before she’d gone to the bar. Her brother. Her mother. Jill. She’d even missed a call from Aiyana.

  Expecting a nasty headache to hit as soon as she sat up, she moved gingerly at first, but she wasn’t as hungover as she’d thought she might be. She deserved worse.

  With a yawn, she shoved her hair out of her face and put her phone on speaker so she could listen to her messages with minimum effort while sitting on the bed.

  Her mom: “Call me when you get a chance, honey. I found the cutest dress for your birthday, but it’s expensive so I’d like you to try it on before I buy it. When will you be coming home?”

  Cora smiled in affection. Her birthday wasn’t for six months, but her mother bought her stuff all year long.

  Her brother: “Just calling to see how my baby sister’s doing. I’ll be in New York for a few weeks trying to line up the financing for my next film, so don’t panic if you don’t hear from me. I’ll check in when I get back.”

  She hated that she’d missed his call. Ashton was always so busy these days.

  Jill: “So how’s Silver Springs? I was hoping to come visit you next weekend, like we talked about, but Todd’s grandmother will be celebrating her ninetieth birthday in Palm Springs, and he wants me to go with him. Give me a call so we can set another date.”

  She’d never told Jill that she’d slept with Eli. She’d decided it didn’t make sense to tell anyone since she wasn’t going to be with him again.

  So much for that...

  Aiyana: “Hi, Cora. Sorry for the late notice, but I was wondering if you’d be able to join the boys and me for dinner tomorrow. I’d love the opportunity to get to know you better.”

  Cora hungered for the opportunity to get to know her better, too. But by boys, did Aiyana mean Eli and possibly Gavin and Dallas? Or was she talking strictly about the two youngest Turners—the ones living at home?

  Cora sighed as she stared at her phone. She hesitated to put Eli in an awkward situation by showing up at his family dinner, but... Aiyana was the whole reason she’d come to Silver Springs. She wanted to accept the invitation.

  After mulling it over, she texted him. Your mother has invited me to dinner today. Will you be there?

  His response came almost right away. Yes.

  Is it okay if I accept?

  Why wouldn’t it be?

  Because she wouldn’t be attending in the capacity they thought—as merely a new teacher at the ranch. She was excited to see how Aiyana lived, felt Aiyana’s house and the items in it might reveal more about who her biological mother was and what her life had been like. At a minimum, she’d probably be treated to pictures of her grandparents and uncles, maybe even some of the places Aiyana had lived in the past.

  But Eli didn’t know that her interest extended beyond what she’d stated in her interview.

  I don’t want to intrude on your time with your family.

  You won’t be intruding.

  She thought he’d leave it at that, but he texted her again a few minutes later.

  When do you want to get your car?

  In an hour or so? I was about to take a shower.

  No problem. I can wait.

  She put her phone on the nightstand only to hear it signal another text.

  This was from Eli, too: Better yet, why don’t I join you?

  Aiyana must’ve said something to Doug Maggleby, even though she’d said she wouldn’t, because he’d been less intrusive the past week. Or maybe he was getting the hint. Regardless, Cora was relieved that Doug wasn’t there hoping to talk to her every time she walked out her front door, but she still didn’t want him to see Eli’s truck sitting outside. You can’t park in front. We’ll have to be more careful or people are going to get the wrong idea.

  You mean they might get the right idea.

  She couldn’t help laughing. Basically.

  Well, we can’t have that. I’ll walk over and slip in. No one will see me.

  Oh boy. She was about to sink even further into her “
torrid affair.” But there wasn’t a darn thing she could do about it. Even if she said no now, she knew she’d say yes later.

  I’ll leave the back door unlocked.

  * * *

  “Damn, I’m glad I hired you,” Eli joked as they dropped onto her bed after thirty minutes of the best shower sex she’d ever had. “But since we seem to make love in a vertical position more often than not, I’d better spend more time at the gym. My arms feel like they’re about to fall off.”

  She leaned on one elbow so she could smile down at him. “You didn’t seem to be struggling.”

  “Are you kidding? You weigh a ton.”

  The twinkle in his eye confirmed that he was teasing her. “You said you like my body! You said it was the hottest body you’ve ever seen.”

  “Heat of the moment,” he scoffed, but one finger traced her breast as if he’d meant every word.

  “Fine.” She knocked his hand away. “I guess I’ll have to find someone who’s more...appreciative of my physical appearance.”

  In a quick, easy motion, he rolled her onto her back, straddled her hips and pinned her arms above her head. “No way. You’re mine for the entire year, remember? And I plan to make the most of it.”

  He’d already proved that... “Do you think we’re really going to be able to pull this off?” she asked. “Without people finding out, I mean? Without it turning into a big deal that...that comes to the attention of your mother?”

  He bent his head to nuzzle her neck. “No doubt there will be talk.”

  “You’re not concerned?”

  Slowly, he kissed his way up to her mouth. “Not concerned enough to stay away.”

  “So what do you propose we do?”

  “Ignore it. As long as we’re both performing at our jobs, we shouldn’t have any problem.”

  “Maybe I should go on the pill...”

  He lifted his head at her abrupt change of subject. “Would you mind? I’m willing to be responsible for birth control, but I admit I’d love to be able to come inside you.”

  She hated the way her heart seemed to beat in double time as she gazed up at him. She was getting in too deep. He’d told her he wasn’t capable of opening up, of making her feel loved and validated.