Almost Forever (17 page)

Justin sat up when he heard the door open. Silhouetted in the light from the hallway, the graceful curves of Lori's body were clearly outlined. Her diaphanous gown hid nothing from his hungry gaze. Her golden hair billowed around her, disturbed by the breeze from his ceiling fan, and she paused in the doorway as if waiting for him to speak.

His body, which had already been aching to fuck her, rejoiced. His dick sprang to full mast, even as his brain tried to think of all the reasons this shouldn't happen. She was lonely. She'd buried her husband hours ago. She was confused. She just wanted to be with someone…anyone. All good and logical reasons to tell her to go back to her own bed.

But hell, he'd spent his life being good and logical. Tonight he needed her. Not any other woman…her. Even Eagle Scouts and Texas Rangers deserved a little happiness, and Lori made him happy.

He reached for the covers and flung them back, leaving an open space in his bed. “I was hoping you'd come,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

“And I was hoping you'd let me in.” She glided across the room and sank down on the bed. “I brought these,” she said, holding up a handful of condoms.

“Good, we're going to need them.” He pulled her closer and leaned over her, eager to taste her lips. She returned his kiss with a fervor and intensity that matched his own. He pushed her gown up, and she shifted so he could pull it off over her head. With his open palm he caressed her bare skin, moving over her abdomen, across her belly, and down between her legs until he found the hot, wet core of her femininity. As soon as his finger slid inside her, she arched against his hand. He left her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck and across her chest until his lips closed around one pert nipple. She tasted delicious, just like she smelled, and he wanted to devour her. He suckled first one, then the other, teasing, licking, and loving the way her nipples responded to his devotion.

Her fingers stroked his back, the nails digging in every time he lifted his head, as if she were encouraging him to keep going. She writhed beneath him as he continued to stroke the walls of her vagina until she could wait no longer. He felt her hand reach for his penis, caressing it in long, sensuous strokes, quickly pushing him past the playing stage.

He moved so he could reach over her to the nightstand, where she had dropped the condoms. He grabbed one and used both hands to tear the package open and slide it on. She watched through half-closed eyes, her body ripe and ready for him to carry her to ecstasy.

Justin centered himself over her. She promptly wrapped her long legs around him, lifting and opening herself up for him. His penis needed no further encouragement and pushed inside her slowly, allowing her to adjust to his size. He was sure he had never had an erection so hard and huge, and he didn't want to hurt her. But even though she was tight, she shifted to help him slide in more easily.

As he felt himself buried as deep as he could go, he hoped he would be able to hold on long enough to give her pleasure. His mouth crushed back down on hers, and his hand cupped her breast as he started moving in and out in the ageless rhythm of love. He felt her body stiffen beneath him, and her head rolled back as her body arched against him. She exhaled a scream of absolute abandon as the muscles of her vagina constricted in a violent orgasm.

Her passionate reaction was all he needed to let himself go. He plunged in and felt his hot liquid rush out. He heard another scream, more masculine this time, and he vaguely knew it was him. No Fourth of July fireworks show had been more explosive. No orgasm had been so spectacular. Justin felt suspended in midair while all thoughts melted away as the sensations rippled through him in waves of pure pleasure.

He collapsed on top of her, his breathing raspy and his heart racing. He shifted enough so that he wasn't crushing her, but he couldn't summon the energy to actually move away. Nor did he want to. In fact, he never wanted to let her go. But he couldn't share that with her. He feared, more than anything in his life, the possibility of never being able to hold her like this again. He nuzzled against her neck and felt her pulse throbbing as fast as his own. Again he silently vowed to find the person who was truly responsible for Mark's death and to protect her and her daughter, no matter what.

“Do you know the real reason my boss took me off your case?” he murmured.

“No, why?”

“Because he could tell that I had broken a cardinal rule of law enforcement. We're not supposed to get personally involved, but I couldn't keep from caring about you.”

She leaned back so she could look into his eyes. “Really? This isn't just a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am?”

He drew back even farther. “Do you think I do this kind of thing often?”

“I guess…I don't know,” she answered haltingly.

He was shocked by her lack of confidence. What had that monster done to make this beautiful, sensual woman doubt her attractiveness? “Trust me. I have never slept with anyone even remotely involved with a case. I have always been able to keep my emotions out of it. But with you it was different from that first moment you smiled at me.” He realized he was dangerously close to saying something aloud that he was not quite ready to admit.

Holy cow! He had fallen in love with this woman. He wanted more than anything in the world to see that smile and to hear her laughter and to make wild, crazy love to her for the rest of his life.

As much as he wanted that, he couldn't admit it to her. There was too much turmoil in her life right now, and she might misinterpret her own feelings of gratitude as love. The time wasn't right. It might never be right. All he could do now was protect her from as much pain as he could and be there when she needed him.

He felt her hand stroking his stomach, gradually inching its way down to his crotch, and he added one more thing to the list of things he wanted to do with her. She stripped off the used condom, tied it, and tossed it in the wastebasket. She rolled over on top of him and slid down his body, leaving a trail of kisses down his chest. She followed the valley between the muscles of his abdomen, then moved lower until she encountered his penis, which had completely recovered and jutted upward in expectation.

Her gaze met his and held it as she slowly lowered her open mouth over his shaft. His breath caught in his throat as he waited for her to make contact. As her warm lips closed around him, he gasped. The stroke of her tongue sent his blood racing even faster. She wrapped her hand around the base of his penis, stroking at the same pace as her head was lifting and falling, pulling and sucking.

“Oh, God,” he groaned, aching for release but wanting to hang on to the amazing sensation of his cock in her mouth. Then she squeezed at the same time her tongue circled his swollen tip and he couldn't hold back. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. It took her only a few seconds to put a fresh condom on him before he lifted her up so that his tip was nudging into her vagina. She slid down, impaling herself, and rode him while he bucked beneath her. One last upward thrust and he could hold back no longer. The orgasm was so intense his mind went blank. He was vaguely aware of Lori watching him, and it somehow made the moment even sexier.

When coherent thoughts returned, he realized he'd jumped the gun and left Lori unsatisfied. He rolled her over onto her back. “It's your turn,” he growled. “And I owe you a big one after that.”

With his fingers he teased the feminine bud between her legs while his mouth nibbled her tender nipples. He rubbed slow circles, knowing he was winding her tighter and tighter, like a well-oiled clock. Except he knew that sooner or later she was going to explode.

She writhed, her muscles tightening around his finger as it plunged inside her. Her cry was primal and free, and he held her against him until she eventually relaxed in his arms.

They lay there quietly, exhausted but completely satiated. He had almost fallen asleep when she stirred and pulled away. He tightened his grip, unwilling to let her go.

“I've got to go to the restroom,” she said.

“Are you coming back?”

Insecurity flashed across her face. “Do you want me to?”

He was surprised by how much he did. “Yes, I do. I'll keep your place warm.”

Her smile was radiant. “I'll be right back.” She slipped her nightgown back on and went down the hall.

Justin took advantage of her absence to clean up in the guest bathroom, and he was indeed back in bed by the time she returned. She hesitated for a second, but when he pulled back the sheet to reveal that he was still totally naked, she pulled her gown off and slid into bed next to him.

He cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly. “You've worn me out.”

“I haven't had sex in almost nine years,” she replied. “And you are so good at it.”

“I'm better with you,” he admitted.

That declaration must have satisfied her, because she curled up against him with her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and nestled his chin on top of her head. Within minutes, they were both asleep.

Lori woke first. She had no idea what time it was, but the sun rays sneaking through the cracks in the draperies told her it was morning. She knew she should get up, but it felt so good…so right lying close to Justin that she didn't want to break the spell. She didn't move, savoring the steady thud of his heartbeat beneath her ear and the delicious masculine scent that filled her nostrils.

She knew she shouldn't have let this happen. Not because she had any regrets about having sex with him. They were both single, consenting adults, and neither of them were spring chickens. It wasn't because she was sorry for anything they had done. Her only qualm was that she knew this wouldn't last forever. And Lori desperately wanted a forever love.

Hopefully, he would find Mark's killer and keep her out of prison. But realistically, he would go on another case and back to his real world. This short period of time where she could see him every day would be over soon. In spite of its being wonderful, their night of passion would probably be their last. She knew that even if she eventually met someone and remarried, she would remember this moment and cherish it for the rest of her life. It might have been just a diversion for him, but for her it had been a significant emotional event.

She didn't want it to end, but she knew their lives didn't mesh. Soon he would be leaving, and all she could do was guard her heart so it didn't get broken. Lori hoped it wasn't already too late.

Justin stirred and stretched. One of his legs was flung over hers, and as he moved, she felt his partially erect penis rub against her. She was still lying on his arm, but his free hand somehow managed to find her breast.

“Hmm,” he hummed. She felt the vibration beneath her cheek and noticed his heart rate was increasing in proportion to the swell of his erection. “Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice husky and incredibly sexy.

She leaned back and was about to answer when he greeted her with a kiss. That was all it took to ignite the fires that had burned so hotly before. But this time their lovemaking was slow and tender. It was as if both of them knew it might be the last time and they wanted to savor every moment. The kisses were sweeter, the caresses more lingering, and the orgasms more dynamic.

“I guess we'd better get going,” he said almost an hour later.

“I know.” And she did, but she didn't want this moment to end. However, Mackenzie was probably bouncing all around Ali's house, excited about the promise of spending time with the ponies. Lori untangled her legs from his and got out of bed. She grabbed her nightgown but didn't bother putting it on. It felt a little like a walk of shame down the hall to her bedroom. There probably wasn't a graceful way to leave a man's bed, especially when it was a man with whom there was no chance of permanence.

After her shower, she dressed in cutoff shorts and a tank top. She pulled her still-moist hair back into a ponytail and darkened her lashes with mascara. Then she went downstairs and started breakfast. She had just put the bacon on when Justin came down and joined her. She was busy and didn't turn around, but she felt him walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist.

“Need any help?” His words were practical, but the fact that he was nibbling her neck as he asked was very distracting.

“Did you sleep well?”

“It wasn't the sleep that was great about last night.” He rotated her until he could give her a proper good-morning kiss. “I left the extra condoms in the nightstand by my bed…just in case.”

“If you really want to help, grab some eggs out of the refrigerator.” She turned back to the stove to save the bacon before it burned.

They ate breakfast, chatting about everything except what was really on their minds. After they put the dishes in the dishwasher, Lori put on her cowboy boots and grabbed her hat and Kenzie's boots, and they left, carefully locking the door behind them.

Lori didn't know the way, so she handed over the keys to her truck to Justin. He looked breathtakingly handsome, as usual. She liked him in uniform and she was pretty crazy about him wearing absolutely nothing. But he was equally sexy dressed in a plain but blindingly white T-shirt, a pair of jeans, and boots. He would have fit on the cover of any magazine from
GQ
to
Western Horseman
. It took all her self-control not to get him to pull off the road so she could climb all over him.

But today was about Mackenzie, so Lori forced herself to behave.

Mackenzie was waiting in the front yard of Ali's house and ran to the truck, calling goodbye to Ali as she went. Lori leaned out the open window and waved at Ali's mom. The two women did everything they could to facilitate their daughters' friendship. Living in the country didn't provide many neighbors, so even if it took a few minutes to drive the kids back and forth, the moms traded off so the girls could play together. But Ali didn't share Mackenzie's love of horses, so she was satisfied not to take part in this special day.

“What happened to our truck?” Mackenzie asked as she stared at the burn scars covering most of the hood and part of the right fender.

“Almost got caught in a grass fire,” Lori answered, not willing to go into the details. That explanation satisfied her daughter, who was clearly distracted by her excitement about the ponies.

They traveled a few more miles before Justin turned into a long driveway. An old VW bus was parked in the middle of the pasture, more of an art installation than an abandoned vehicle. Grammy's house was a classic two-story farmhouse with a sprawling wrap-around porch. It was white but badly needed a fresh coat of paint. The eaves and porch rails were a beautiful shade of blue, and the shutters were a shocking purple. Clearly, this house belonged to someone who was artistic and eclectic and didn't give a damn what other people thought.

Off to the right were a huge red barn and a couple large pastures with two horses, two ponies, and a half dozen goats grazing on the lush knee-high grass.

“How far back does her property go?” Lori asked.

“On the other side of those trees,” Justin told her, indicating a thick forest of oaks, mesquites, and pines across the back of the property. “It's about forty acres all together. There's a cool creek running through the pasture where my brothers and I spent a lot of time, and a large pond that's full of bass and perch.

“Sounds like a great way to grow up.” Lori couldn't help but be a little envious. Her childhood had been spent moving from apartment to apartment, her only yard being the closest city park.

“Grammy's Sunday rule is no shoptalk. Otherwise we'd have bodies and blood all day long.”

“Guess me being here will break that rule.” Lori grimaced.

“Maybe…but she believes in you.”

“Why? She doesn't know me.”

“She knows me,” he assured her and squeezed her hand. “Blood matters with Grammy.”

They pulled into Grammy's drive and parked in the shade under the oak tree next to a shiny new black Ford pickup that Lori knew belonged to Nick because she had ridden in it the night he picked her up from jail. There was another car, a small Chevy, and behind the house she could see the hood of Justin's white Explorer. There were four adults on the front porch rocking in big wooden rockers and two young boys who Lori assumed were Nick's twin sons, playing a rowdy game of yard darts out in the middle of the yard, well away from the house and vehicles.

Justin turned the engine off and everyone climbed out of the truck. He waited until she reached him before taking her hand so they could walk forward together. The people on the porch looked curious, but their smiles were friendly and genuine. They were all drinking beer, except for Grammy, who had what looked and smelled like a joint between her fingers.

“Grammy, this is Lori and her daughter, Kenzie.” He turned to Lori. “This is my grandmother. Her real name is Susan, but we all call her Grammy.”

Lori smiled and nodded. “Pleased to meet you. Justin talks about you often.”

“I'm sure he does,” the old woman retorted with a twinkle in her eyes.

Justin continued with the introductions. “You've met Nick, and the pretty lady next to him is Jamie. She trains service dogs.”

“Aw, that sounds wonderful,” Lori said with interest.

“It is. I love working with the dogs,” Jamie told her. “I'm so glad you're here. Finally, someone to balance these guys out.”

“And the dude on the end is my other brother, Luke,” Justin said. “He works out of DC.”

“Nice to meet y'all,” Lori said, and they returned the greeting.

Mackenzie tugged on Lori's shirt. “Mommy, can I go see the ponies? Please?”

“My daughter is obsessed with horses. Is it okay if she goes out to see them?” Lori asked.

Grammy waved toward the pasture. “Go ahead. They're very gentle. Nick, get your boys to go with her so they can take some apples out there.”

Nick called his sons over and introduced them, then the three kids ran toward the pasture.

“Come on up and get something to drink,” Grammy said. “I've got plenty of rocking chairs.”

Lori held up a bag containing two bottles of wine. “I brought some of our wine for dinner.”

“If it needs to be chilled, go on inside and put it in the refrigerator,” Grammy said, never breaking rhythm.

“While you're there, would you bring me another beer?” Luke asked.

“Yeah, me too,” Nick called.

“Jamie?” Justin asked.

“Sure, why not?” Jamie answered.

“Come on, I'll give you a quick tour,” Justin said to Lori. They walked into a living room furnished with comfortable-looking overstuffed couches and chairs, an upright piano, and a large flat-screen TV. On the bookshelves were a wide variety of books, from Erica Jong to Kathleen Woodiwiss to the Bible. And in the middle of one shelf was a shiny gold Grammy statue.

“Is that real?” Lori asked, stepping closer to examine the impressive award.

Justin nodded. “It's for Song of the Year. She wrote a song that became a crossover hit and even sang backup on the record.”

“That's so cool. I've never actually seen one in person before.”

“Grammy's a pretty incredible woman. She was arrested for protesting in the 1960s and lived on a commune for a while. She had my dad when she was really young, but she brought him along on all her adventures. He had quite a few stories to tell too.” Justin's expression was melancholic.

“How old were you when your parents died?”

“I was in college. I had just been home for Thanksgiving and told them I was going to law school at UT. They were so excited that I'd be closer to home.”

“You're the oldest, right?”

“Yes. Nick is a year younger, and Luke is the baby by about five years.”

They continued through the dining room, where a huge antique table was partially set for dinner, then to the kitchen, which had a great view of both the backyard and the barn. Lori put the bottle of red wine on the counter and the bottle of white in the refrigerator. Justin grabbed a six-pack of cold beer before she shut the door.

“Grammy's bedroom is down the hall, and then there are three bedrooms upstairs. Maybe if you're good, I'll show you our old bedroom.” Justin wiggled his eyebrows, and Lori laughed.

“Let me guess…a twin bed, rock star posters on the walls, and old tennis shoes in the closet.”

“Close. Actually, there are three twin beds, because for some reason we all slept in the same room. Nick had some movie posters, but all of my posters were of Chuck Norris.”

“Ah,
Walker, Texas Ranger
. I should have known.” Lori smirked.

“And I don't know about the shoes. But there might be anything in the closets or under the beds.” Justin caught her hand and pulled her toward the stairs. “We can sneak up there and initiate my bed. It has never had a woman other than Grammy or my mom anywhere close to it.”

Lori dug in her heels. “Tempting, especially since it would be your bed's first time. There's something strangely hot about that. But I'm nervous enough about meeting your family. I can't imagine what they'd think about me if they knew what we were doing.”

He held the beer off to the side while he pulled her against him with his other hand and looked down at her upturned face. “They'd think that you are the sexiest woman in the world, and I couldn't resist you. And they'd be right.”

He closed the distance between their lips and kissed her so thoroughly her knees almost gave way.

“Wow.” The word came out in a whoosh. But before she could consider changing her mind, a voice from the porch called out, “Where's our beer?”

Justin smiled ruefully. “I'll take a rain check.”

“I'll keep my raincoat handy.”

His blue eyes sparkled. “Better have several. I have a feeling it'll be a flood.”

They circled the staircase and went back out on the porch.

“Did you go to Dallas for the beer?” Nick asked as he pulled a can out of the plastic rings.

“Next beer run's on you,” Justin retorted. He leaned up against the porch rail.

Lori sat on an empty rocker, not really knowing what to say. She quickly found out she didn't have to make conversation. All she had to do was keep up.

Justin looked at Grammy. “How are those knees?”

“What's wrong with your knees?” Jamie asked, her voice filled with concern.

“That's her excuse for smoking pot,” Nick answered for his grandmother. “At least, that's what she told the
doctor
so she could get her
prescription
.” He emphasized the words with eye rolls.

Grammy just smiled and nodded. “It's preventive. It wouldn't be Sunday unless you boys were here and bugging me about my prescription like a bunch of little bitches. And yes, it helps, but I don't use my prescription anymore. I grow my own.”

All three boys slapped their hands on their ears with comical synchronization.

“Oh, God, Grammy,” Nick cried. “Don't say shit like that out loud.” Harley, who was lying at his feet, looked up and whined. “See, you're upsetting my drug dog.”

“Language!” Grammy warned, then leaned over and patted the German shepherd. “Harley knows that the badges come off at the gate.”

“Aren't you a DEA agent?” Lori asked, looking at Nick.

“Uh…yes,” he responded, then added with a wink, “Let me know if you see anyone smoking.”

Lori got the impression this was a major point of discussion, but clearly Grammy trumped the three law enforcement officers, because they all just shook their heads and relaxed.

Justin raised his can toward Luke. “Is our homeland secure today?”

“Depends on who's got a bug up their ass about something….Who knows?”

Grammy gave him a warning look.

Justin looked at the rental Chevy Volt. “Nice ride,” he said sarcastically.

“Budget cuts and tree huggers,” Luke answered. “They've clearly never driven in Texas.”

“You in town long?”

“About a month, then back to the Beltway.”

“Anything we should be worried about?” Jamie asked.

“Problems at the border. Just checking it out,” Luke answered succinctly. But everyone knew it must be a big deal for him to come down here for so long.

“Aren't you tired of that rat race yet?” Nick asked. “Working for all those hypocrites would drive me crazy.”

Luke shook it off. “It's nice being in the epicenter, but I do hate the politics.”

“Then DC is the perfect place,” Justin scoffed. “Hey, why don't we all go shooting next week? I need to get my hours in. We'll have a blast like the old days.”

Nick and Luke looked at each other with raised eyebrows. “During the week?” they asked in unison.

“Sure, why not?” Justin asked.

“Justin's on vacation,” Grammy told them, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “But he's still working to find the guy who killed Lori's husband.”

Nick and Jamie were up to speed, but Luke tried not to look confused.

“So, how's it going?” Nick asked Lori.

“Thanks for picking me up, by the way,” Lori told him. “I was too upset that night at the jail to thank you properly.”

Luke's eyebrows shot up as he realized how serious things were.

“No problem. I'm sure you'd do the same for me or Jamie,” Nick responded. He lifted his nose in the air like Harley and sniffed. “I don't smell anything cooking. I'm starving.”

Grammy waved her hand toward the side of the house. “You're upwind. Check out the backyard.”

That caused everyone to walk around the side of the house to check it out. Smoke billowed out of a vent pipe on top of what looked like two metal barrels welded together.

“Whose pet are we eating today?” Luke asked.

“It's turkey, and he wasn't a pet. In fact, he was wild. I shot him myself,” Grammy announced proudly.

Justin groaned. “I don't think it's turkey season yet.”

Grammy pierced him with a fierce look. “Are you a game warden now? He was in my garden, eating my vegetables. I shot him in self-defense.”

“I don't think…” Justin started to say, then threw up his hands in defeat. “Never mind.”

“A person should be able to do whatever she wants on her own property,” Grammy retorted. “And why do we always wait for Thanksgiving to eat turkey? It's healthy. We should eat it more often.”

There was a long moment of silence, as no one came up with a good argument for or against it.

“Justin, I hear you're being courted to run for lieutenant governor,” Nick finally spoke up, obviously trying to change the subject.

“Where'd you hear that?” Justin asked, then shook his head. “Never mind. I should have known it wouldn't stay secret long.”