“I think it’s time you visited my home so you won’t be left in the lurch again. I’d love to fix dinner for you at my place,” he said, leaning down and caressing her lips with his. He looked for any reason to kiss her and didn’t mind performing for an audience. At least that’s what he tried to convince himself. But he knew he wasn’t performing, liking the feel of her mouth against his. He couldn’t wait to get her alone.
She gave a soft laugh as she gazed up at him. “Can you cook?”
He grinned. He was on a low simmer even now. “Yes. So what about this weekend?”
Her smile faltered. “I’ll be going away this weekend, to Brunswick. Saturday is my mother’s birthday and I want to put flowers on her grave.”
His gaze focused on her eyes and he saw that the sparkle had gone. He had also heard the sadness in her voice and knew going back to where her parents were buried would be hard on her. “My thoughts will be with you this weekend,” he said softly. He pulled her close against him. Moments later he asked, “What about dinner at my place the week after you return?”
She looked up at him and smiled. Knowing he would be thinking of her this weekend touched her. “I’d love to,” she said just as the music ended.
It was close to one in the morning when Jared returned Dana to her home. Although it was late she invited him in for coffee and, not surprisingly, he accepted. They had shared several slow dances, and each time she had been fully aware of his aroused state, and just as certain he had been aware of hers. At one point, he had guided her to a darkened area of the yard and had been seconds away from kissing her when Durango had cut in. She had seen the murderous look in Jared’s eyes, but his brother had merely laughed it off. But now she was home, he was here with her and they were alone.
As soon as the door closed behind him, he pulled her into his arms and she went willingly, wanting his kiss as much as he wanted to give it. The mating of their mouths seemed endless, his tongue was torture of the most brazen kind.
Lust ignited within Jared with the way Dana’s body seemed to dissolve into his, and at that moment he had to touch her, taste her, further stroke the heat building between them. He stroked his palms over her shoulders and upper arms, hearing the sound of her whimpering and moaning in his mouth. He continued to kiss her hungrily, greedily, needing her taste as much as he needed his next breath. And she clung to him, kissing him in return, sending him more over the edge than he already was.
Moments later he pulled back before he was tempted to sweep Dana into his arms, take her into the bedroom and make love to her all night long.
He met her gaze. Saw the heated look in her eyes and his entire body immediately reacted. Leaning forward he kissed the bare skin of her neck, liking the way it tasted, tempted to taste her all over. Beneath his tongue he felt her shiver, felt himself get harder and knew if he didn’t stop what he was doing, temptation would get the best of him.
But he didn’t want to stop. He wanted her with an intensity that almost took his breath away and had him working on minimum control and very little else.
With much effort he leaned away to look at her. He would give anything to take that dress off her body and get her naked. Then he would take his hands and cup her breasts and after driving her wild with his tongue on her nipples he would get on his knees and kiss a path all the way down her body until he reached—
“Jared?”
Her soft whisper interrupted his thoughts. “Yes?” he responded, his voice husky, thick with sexual need.
“I think you should leave now.”
He took a deep breath, losing his calm as he’d lost his control. He knew that asking him to leave was her way of letting him know that she wasn’t ready for the bedroom yet, and if they continued at this pace he would definitely take her there. He heard her words but still a part of him—that part that wanted her, needed her—felt inclined to push.
“You want me, Dana. I can see it in your eyes. I can hear it in your breathing. I can taste it in your kiss. Why deny what you want?”
She placed her fingers to his lips. “Yes, I want you, but I can’t become involved in a meaningless affair, Jared. As soon as your mother is given a clean bill of health you’ll be ready to break this fake engagement and walk away. Do you deny that?”
She stared at him, waiting for an answer, and he gave her the only one that he could give. “No, I don’t deny it.”
“Then Counselor, not giving in to my desires is the right thing,” she said, taking a step back away from him.
He frowned. “I can’t give you more, Dana,” he said, annoyed with the circumstances surrounding them.
“And I haven’t asked you to give me more, Jared. But then you shouldn’t expect me to give you more than I can, either.”
Exasperated, he rubbed a hand down his face. “Why make things complicated?” he asked, clearly frustrated.
“That’s the last thing I want. In fact I’m trying not to complicate things. If I thought for one minute that I could handle an affair with you then we would be in my bedroom right now, getting it on. But I can’t,” she said feeling just as frustrated as she knew he was.
Jared sighed and reached out and pulled her tensed body into his arms. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push, especially when I said that I wouldn’t. But I want you in a way that I shouldn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a woman as much as I want you.”
Jared was consumed by a need to do nothing but hold her. He didn’t know how long he could hang on with their pretense but knew he had to see it through. Somehow he needed to build an immunity against the wants and desires that overtook him whenever he was within ten feet of her.
Moments later, he pulled back and looked at her. “I’ll be out of town this week and won’t be returning until late Friday night. When are you leaving town?”
“Early Saturday morning. It’s about a seven-hour drive because I like to take the scenic route and spend the night on one of the Sea Islands.”
He draped an arm casually around her shoulders. “Which one?”
“Jekyll Island. It’s beautiful and close to Brunswick. My parents used to take me camping there each year.”
“When will you be back?”
“Probably late Sunday evening.”
Jared nodded. If she was leaving early Saturday morning that meant he wouldn’t see her again until she returned. He leaned down and gently kissed her once more. And now since they were alone, he nudged her body closer, liking the feel of his palms on her backside. He felt the tips of her breasts harden against his chest and reacted by pressing his erection low against her belly. The sensations spreading through him were relentless and fierce, and he plunged his tongue even deeper into her mouth, tasting her, devouring her, driving them both crazy with desire. “Miss me while I’m gone,” he whispered, when he finally released her mouth. He knew he had to leave. If he stayed one minute longer, he wouldn’t be able to control his actions. “Goodnight, Dana.”
He then opened the door, stepped out and closed it quietly behind him.
Dana sighed deeply and leaned back against the door, missing Jared already. She had to be realistic about her pretended engagement or else she would fall head over heels in love with him. And that was something she could not and would not let happen.
Two hours later Jared was in his bed wide awake, flat on his back and staring up at the ceiling. Maybe he was moving too fast with Dana and should slow down. He had a reputation for being an in-control kind of guy, but lately he’d been losing control whenever it came to her.
He wished there was some way he could close his mind and thoughts to wanting and desiring her so much but was finding it impossible. He never intended for their pretended engagement to lead to a brief affair. It was hard getting his mind back in focus, and nearly impossible to remember that their relationship wasn’t real.
Even his brothers and cousins had teased him relentlessly tonight about how hard he had fallen for her. And on top of that, his
father had taken him aside and asked if he was sure he could wait another year for a wedding.
Jeez. Was it blatantly obvious to everyone just how much he wanted her? And for a while tonight, while introducing her to neighbors and friends, he had actually considered Dana his.
His.
His heart slammed against his ribs at the thought of anything so foolish. He’d never considered a woman his because he didn’t want any woman to consider him hers. He was only interested in the physical side of a relationship and not the emotional. He had enough of emotional entanglements with the cases he handled.
Crossing the room to his dresser, he opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of swimming trunks. Removing his pajamas bottoms he eased the trunks over his still aroused body thinking that a swim in the pool might cool him off and help calm his mind.
It was almost dawn when Jared returned to his bedroom. His body was exhausted but his mind still swam with thoughts of Dana.
The next few days were busy for Dana. The buzz around the office about her engagement had settled down, however, word had quickly spread about the rock she was wearing on her finger. More than once, a curious co-worker had stopped by her office to get a look at it. Tara had been right. Jared certainly knew how to make a statement. It was just too bad the statement he was making was not true.
On Tuesday morning, she got an unexpected call from Jared’s mother.
“Mrs. Westmoreland, this is a pleasant surprise,” she said smiling, and meaning every word. The more she was around the older woman, the more she liked her, mainly because she reminded her a lot of her own mother—friendly, outgoing and devoted to her family.
“Dana, how are you dear? I was wondering if you could join me for lunch at Chase’s Place?”
Dana lifted an eyebrow as she checked her watch. “Sure. Would noon be fine?”
“It would be perfect. Do you know how to get there or do you need directions?”
Dana chuckled. “Yes, I know how to get there. It’s a favorite for a lot of my co-workers. I’ve even eaten there a couple of times myself. The food is fantastic.”
“Yes it is. Chase still uses some of the Westmoreland family’s secret recipes.”
A few hours later as Dana drove to Chase’s Place, she couldn’t help but think about Jared. He had left a message on her answering machine last night to let her know where he’d gone, which was definitely information a fiancée should know should anyone ask. He’d even left the number where he could be reached should she need him.
But she didn’t need him.
Unfortunately, she had to remind herself of that very thing pretty often these days. She shouldn’t make more of what was going on between them than there really was. Even he had admitted that when this sham was no longer needed he would walk away without a backwards glance.
So why don’t you just enjoy whatever moments you have with him? an inner voice screamed. Why does there have to be regrets after goodbyes? You may not want to fall in love with him but you’re halfway there already. Admit it.
A lump formed in Dana’s throat. She refused to admit anything. Hadn’t she learned a cruel lesson about depending on others for her happiness? First there was the loss of her parents and then Matt and Luther, two men who had walked into her life and then walked out…just like Jared intended to do.
She’d known the score going in so, unlike the others, when he did his disappearing act she would be ready.
Dana saw Jared’s mother sitting at a table the moment she entered the restaurant. She thought Sarah Westmoreland was a beautiful woman at fifty-seven with short black hair she wore in an Afro. She had dark brown eyes, dimples in both cheeks and a medium-size figure. Her smile was always gracious and sincere and Dana knew she wouldn’t just be a mother-in-law to her sons’ wives, she’d be like a second mother.
“Mrs. Westmoreland,” Dana said as she approached the table.
“Dana, it’s good seeing you again,” the older woman said, standing and giving her a huge hug. From the first, Dana had decided that Jared’s mother was a warm, loving person. And there was so much excitement in the older woman’s voice on seeing her that no one would think they had just seen each other on Saturday, which was only three days ago.
“And it’s good seeing you, as well,” Dana responded, thinking she could get used to all the love and affection the woman generated.
Once they took their seats Mrs. Westmoreland smiled and said, “How are things going at work? Jared mentioned you’re a landscape architect. That sounds like a real interesting profession.”
Dana smiled. “It is. My parents owned a nursery so I got interested in trees, plants and shrubs fairly early in life.” She paused while the waitress gave them glasses of water and their menus. Then she continued. “A lot of people don’t understand the involvement of a landscape architect whenever a building is constructed. My job is to make sure the outside area is not only functional but also beautiful and compatible with the natural environment. “
Sarah Westmoreland nodded. A sad look then appeared in her eyes. “Jared told me about your parents’ passing. That must have been devastating for you.”
Dana nodded. “Yes, it was. I was the only child and was very close to my parents. Their deaths left me without any family.”
Sarah smiled warmly as she reached out and covered Dana’s hand. “Well, all that’s changed. Like I told you the other night, the Westmorelands are your family now and I want you to feel like a part of us.”
“Thanks.” Dana felt a deep lump in her throat. She hated deceiving Jared’s family, although she knew it was being done for a good reason. Dana looked down to study her menu. There was no way she could look at Mrs. Westmoreland right now.
“So, dear, have your heard from Jared since he’s been gone?”
Dana glanced up. At least her answer wouldn’t be a total lie. There was no reason Mrs. Westmoreland needed to know that, although Jared had called, she hadn’t actually spoken with him. “Yes, he called last night.”
“I’m sure that he’s missing you.”
Dana smiled. She doubted Jared was missing her but she definitely was missing him, although she didn’t want to. She spent her days trying not to think about him, but found herself doing it anyway.
Dana took another sip of her water and decided to shift the topic off her and Jared. “So, how have you been?” she asked the older woman.
Sarah smiled. “I’m fine. I’m sure Jared told you that I had breast cancer a few years ago and that recently the doctor found another lump. But there’s a chance it’s nothing more than fatty tissue. I’m having it removed in two weeks and then we’ll know the results. Whatever it is, I’ll deal with it. I’d be the first to admit chemo and radiation were hard on me, but if I have to go through them again, then I will. I’m a fighter, Dana. My family gives me a lot to fight for. And I’m looking forward to the day when I become a grandmother,” she said excitedly. “Jared told me that the two of you wanted children.”
Dana inwardly thought that that was a lot for Jared to have said, considering they had never discussed children, not that they really planned on having any together.
At that moment the waitress walked up to take their orders and Dana was grateful for her timely arrival. A pretended engagement was bad enough. The last thing she needed to think about was having Jared’s baby.
Six
O n Wednesday evening after feeding Tom, Dana curled up in her favorite chair to read and relax. It had been a hectic day. One of her clients had been difficult, upset that the city’s ordinances would keep him from constructing a huge man-made waterfall on the property where he planned to erect his company’s building.
Not wanting to think about the problems that had plagued her that day any longer, she switched her thoughts to the lunch she’d shared with Jared’s mother yesterday. Afterward she felt a special bond toward the woman that she shouldn’t feel and didn’t deserve. She wondered what his family would think when they ended their engagement
, which just might be two weeks from now if his mother’s test indicated her lump was benign.
She glanced up from her book when she heard the sound of the doorbell. It was barely six o’clock and she wasn’t expecting anyone. Cybil and Ben had decided to take the week off to visit his brother in Tennessee.
The moment she glanced out of the peephole, her heart stopped. It was Jared. She hadn’t expected him back until late Friday. Taking a deep breath she slowly opened the door. “Jared, you’re back.”
He leaned in the doorway, and they stared at each other for a moment before he said, “Yes, I finished up earlier than expected but I haven’t made it home yet. I thought I would drop by here first.”
Dana was curious why he would come by her place before going home. The only thing she could think of was that maybe he’d heard about her having lunch with his mother and wanted an update. But then he could have called her to get that information. She cocked her head and looked at him. He stood in front of her door with such a strong, manly presence, she barely found her voice to say, “Come on in.”
Jared sighed deeply as soon as he walked into Dana’s home and the door closed behind him. Her expression had indicated that she was surprised that he had come straight from the airport. Hell, he was surprised himself. He had missed her like crazy and the only thing he could think of was that when the plane landed he had to see her.
He looked at her, thinking that the late-afternoon sun that shone through the living-room window seemed to make Dana all aglow. He could only stand there and stare at her, thinking just how beautiful she looked while wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt that said I’m Yours. Boy did he wish. Every fiber in his body stirred at the thought.
Jared s Counterfeit Fiancée Page 7