Tonight and Forever (4 page)

“Thanks.” His gaze scanned her outfit. “I take it you’ve decided not to go swimming with me this morning,” he said, disappointed.

“Afraid so. I still have a lot of unpacking to do. I hope that doesn’t mean you won’t be feeding me after all.”

Justin laughed. “No, but it does mean you owe me a rain check.”

“I told you last night, I don’t give rain checks,” she said, smiling, and finding herself relaxing in his company in spite of her apprehensions.

Justin smiled. “Then I’ll be your first.” He gave her a teasing wink. “Come on, let’s eat.”

Lorren eagerly escaped to the table and sat down. Justin sat across from her and began spooning hefty servings of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes onto her plate.

“Thanks.” Lorren dug hungrily into the meal. “Justin, this is wonderful. I haven’t eaten food that tasted this good in a long time. You’re definitely full of surprises.”

Justin watched as she parted her lips and small white teeth bit down on a piece of crisp bacon. Slowly, she chewed the piece of meat, savoring the taste. A crumb clung to the corner of her mouth. A knot rose in his throat. He was tempted to sweep the crumb away with his tongue.

“Who taught you how to cook, Justin?”

Justin shifted in his chair as he experienced a tremor in his stomach—well, not quite in his stomach. Actually, it was a little lower. He took a calming breath before answering her. “I’m the oldest of six kids, so I was the one who had to learn everything. I enjoyed helping my mom in the kitchen as much as I enjoyed performing surgery on my sisters’ baby dolls.”

Lorren couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice. “You didn’t really do that to their dolls, did you?”

He chuckled. “Afraid so. It got so bad they would hide them from me. I tried convincing them I was just making the dolls better, but after a while, they didn’t buy it.” He laughed. “I grew out of it when my parents started using my allowance to buy new dolls.”

She smiled. “So you always knew you wanted to be a doctor?”

“Yes, I think so. I’ve always cared for people and wanted to help others. What about you? Did you always want to become a writer?”

“No,” she replied softly, remembering the first story she’d written at the age of nine. “After my parents’ death, the courts assigned Mama Nora and Papa Paul as my foster parents. At first it was quite an adjustment for me, and I wanted to be left alone. Mama Nora discovered I liked to read and gave me a lot of books to occupy my time. Soon I was writing my own stories. I would give them to her for safekeeping, not knowing of her plans to submit them to a publisher when I got older. She did, and in addition to becoming a published author, I received a four-year scholarship to attend college in California. I’ve been writing ever since. My books are specifically designed and written to commemorate our ethnic heritage, as well as to entertain and enlighten children.”

Justin nodded. He wondered how her parents had died, but didn’t want to ask her about it. He of all people knew how hard it was losing a loved one. In her case, she had lost two. But she’d still made something of her life. He was impressed. “That’s quite a success story.”

“You think so?” Lorren’s voice clearly reflected her surprise with Justin’s comment.

“Of course, don’t you?”

It had been a long time since she’d considered any part of her life as being successful. The guilt of a failed marriage had overshadowed any such thoughts. But now, hearing Justin’s words made a part of her feel good inside. “I guess I don’t think about it. Writing stories is something I enjoy doing.”

Justin knew he was probably about to tread on dangerous ground with his next question. “Did you meet your husband in California?”

Justin’s question brought back memories of the day she and Scott had met. It had been one morning in a small café across the street from the newspaper publisher where she worked. Having graduated from college only a few months earlier and landed her first job as an editorial assistant, she’d been experiencing her first real taste of independence.

The first things she’d noticed about Scott were how handsome, well dressed, and sophisticated he was. Three years older than her, he worked as a project consultant for a major television network. For their first date, he’d taken her to an elegant restaurant in LA. On all their other dates, he’d made her feel special and important…and loved.

Scott had pursued her for more than six months before finally accepting that she would not agree to sleep with him or any man before marriage. Not engaging in premarital sex was a decision she’d made years earlier because of the good Christian upbringing Mama Nora had given her. But that decision had been reinforced after seeing what Syneda had gone through.

Syneda’s father never married her mother, and, knowing she was dying of breast cancer, Ms. Walters had written to the man who had fathered her child, asking that he come and get their ten-year-old daughter and provide a home for her. Syneda’s mom, who had never stopped loving the man, had died believing he would come. She had also convinced Syneda that the father she never knew would come for her, thus giving Syneda something to look forward to. Syneda’s father never came.

Even believing that Scott actually loved her had not been enough to change Lorren’s mind about sleeping with him before marriage. At first, he had continued to hound her about it, but on that issue she had stood her ground.

It was only after her marriage to Scott, which came exactly eight months to the day after they’d met, that Lorren discovered just how self-centered, overambitious, and controlling he was. After she had thoroughly disappointed him in bed on their wedding night, he’d been bent on making her life with him miserable.

But he would keep her anyway, he’d told her, and had further elaborated that he believed in time she could develop technique and finesse a little more to his liking. Besides, he’d added, even with her shortcomings in the bedroom, she had other things going for her—looks and a promising career.

It didn’t take her long to realize that he really didn’t need a wife, but a hostess for when he entertained his colleagues and associates. He’d told her countless times it was her duty as his wife to help advance his career.

The only reason she’d stayed with him those two years, aside from her deep belief in their commitment, was that she hadn’t wanted to be a failure by giving up on their marriage or on him.

In the end, all she’d gotten out of her marriage with Scott was the stripping away of her pride and confidence. That was the price she’d paid for loving him.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Lorren responded to Justin’s question. “Yes, I met my ex-husband there.” She quickly changed the subject, not wanting to talk to Justin about Scott.

“What brought you to a small town like Ennis? I would think this place is rather boring to someone from Houston.”

Taking the hint she didn’t want to discuss her ex-husband, Justin answered, “I’d lived in a big city all my life and wanted to try a small town.” He smiled. “Senator Malone and my father attended Morehouse together, and when Ms. Nora told him about Dr. Powers’s retirement, and that the town was in need of a general practitioner, he contacted me to see if I was interested.”

A wry smile curled up the corners of Lorren’s mouth. She could just imagine the single women’s reaction to the town’s new doctor. Especially one as handsome as Justin. Her smile faded when she remembered all the pain she’d endured after being taken in by a handsome face. She was determined not to get sucked into that kind of hurt and heartbreak again.

“I feel stuffed. Breakfast was really good. Thanks.” She stood and began clearing the table.

Justin picked up on the sudden change in her. She acted as if she was in a hurry for him to leave. For some reason, the amiable time between them had ended. “I’ll help with the dishes.”

She shook her head. “There’s no need. I’m probably one of the few women alive who enjoys doing dishes. When I lived with Mama Nora, I used to make money off the other kids when it was their week for kitchen duty.”

Justin grinned. “As much as I like cooking, I’ve never developed a fondness for washing dishes. And washing pots is really the pits.” He stood. “At least let me help you clear the table.”

The two of them removed the dishes from the table, then Justin took his leave. As they approached the front door, he asked, “Are you sure you won’t change your mind about going swimming?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Justin studied her face for a moment. “How about dinner tonight? I know of this swell restaurant in Dallas that serves wonderful seafood. Then afterward I can take you dancing. There’s this nice—”

“Justin, I won’t go out with you.” Lorren paused as she formulated her words. “It was fun sharing breakfast with you, but I don’t think we should overdo it.”

Justin rested against the closed door. “What do you mean?”

“We shouldn’t make it a habit, spending a lot of time together. The fewer personal things are between us, the better off we’ll both be. We’re like oil and water. We don’t mix. I’m a realist and you’re a dreamer.”

“Why? Because I believe in fate?”

“Yes, which means you probably believe there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You think every marriage should be like the one you had—made in heaven. I found out the hard way that’s not true. No one gets married expecting doom, but it happens to the best of us. Unfortunately, statistics have proved it happens to most. I believe true love and a happy marriage are things only shared by a select few.”

“I happen to disagree with that assessment,” Justin replied, his voice low and sexy. “Sounds like you have a case of divorcitis,” he said, smiling mischievously, daring her to smile with him. Reluctantly, she did.

Lorren wondered what there was about Justin that made just looking at him pleasurable, notwithstanding the ability to send her emotions into overdrive. “Divorcitis? Oh my gosh, Doctor. What’s that?” she asked teasingly, sounding like a frantic patient.

The soothing rays of the early morning sun came through the window and shone on Lorren’s face, giving it a velvety brown softness. Justin thought she looked even more beautiful than last night. He cleared his throat and spoke in a professional tone. “It’s a condition that plagues divorcees when, for whatever reason, they refuse to accept the fact there’s life after a divorce. They seem to equate a divorce decree with a death decree. And you, Lorren Jacobs, have the usual symptoms.”

Lorren decided not to tell him a death decree was not what she equated with her divorce. She’d considered her divorce a rebirth. “I gather a loss of appetite isn’t one of the symptoms,” she said, laughing at the ridiculousness of their conversation.

Justin grinned. “Nope, your appetite isn’t affected; however, at times your peace of mind is. Since I’ve diagnosed your condition, and free of charge I might add, I don’t want to waste any time before starting to treat you. Time is of the utmost importance when handling a condition like yours.”

“You don’t say, Doc?”

“Oh, I do say,” he assured her with a smooth smile. “To leave it untreated could be detrimental to your well-being. However, when given the proper attention, the prognosis is excellent. And with the right dosage of tender, loving care, you’ll be good as new in no time.”

Lorren’s laugh was soft. “Good as new? Really?”

Justin’s smile widened. “Yeah, really.”

“And just who’ll be giving me this TLC?”

“I will.”

“Ummm. To be on the safe side, maybe I should obtain a second opinion.”

He leaned toward her. “A second opinion in your case isn’t necessary. I’m the only one who can diagnose your condition. And more importantly, I’m the only one with a cure. I’ll start you off with a mild dosage,” he said, his mouth inches from hers, “and when I think you’re ready for something stronger, I’ll see that you get it.”

Lorren felt her heart skip a beat. Was Justin going to kiss her? Did she want him to? No! She had to keep her head on straight. But he had the most sensuous mouth. What would his lips feel like on hers?

She crushed the thought and stepped back. “I think we’ve played this game long enough, Justin. Weren’t you about to leave?”

Justin moved, closing the distance between them, He was so close, the tips of his shoes touched the tips of her flats. “I’ve changed my mind.”

His voice had deepened and thickened. “I want to do something I could barely refrain from doing last night.”

Justin’s lips brushed against hers as he spoke.

A wild shudder of pleasure touched Lorren’s body. Blood coursed through her veins like a raging river. Succumbing to curiosity and the attraction she had fought since first meeting him, her lips parted.

A groan rumbled in Justin’s throat as he closed his mouth over hers. He made sure his kiss was gentle, yet seductive. Her taste was sweet, hot, sensuous. He hungered for her and relentlessly explored her mouth, demanding a response and enticing her tongue to mate with his.

Not only was he kissing her, Lorren thought, but he was encouraging her to participate, something Scott never did. He’d said hugging, kissing, and caressing weren’t a necessary part of lovemaking.

Heat throbbed deep within Lorren as Justin’s thrusting tongue dueled with hers in a slow, sensual motion. She wound her arms around his neck and arched against him, quivering, as hot waves of desire consumed her. Sliding her hands over his rib cage, she felt the hardness of his muscled body through the material of his clothing.

This was better than anything she had ever experienced before. The times she and Scott had kissed had never excited her this way, so completely, so thoroughly.

Her senses pulsated with the strength, feel, and scent of Justin. These new sensations stirred passion, the likes of which she’d never known, to rage within her. Operating purely on instinct, her body leaned into him, intensifying the kiss as she slanted her mouth against his.

Lorren’s barrier of self-protectiveness should have had her turning from any intimate contact with a man. Instead, she automatically rose on tiptoe to follow Justin’s mouth when he unexpectedly pulled away.