A Week for Love to Bloom

by Wolfe, Scarlet

  “Yes ma’am, and you must be Mrs. um, I mean, Ms. Evans?”

  “Oh, it’s a Ms. alright. Ever since Lauren’s father ran out on us last year with his Internet girlfriend,” she said, scowling. Justin heard the bitterness in her voice.

  “I’m very sorry to hear that ma’am.”

  He saw her pleasant demeanor return. “Please call me Claire, and I appreciate that, but I’m doing well. Honestly, Lauren’s had to bear the brunt of it since we were left to run the business. She’s still outside, but you’ll have to look for her. I’m off to church, so you two have a fun evening.”

  Anxiety washed over him from the thought of being alone with Lauren.

  Keep your damn mouth, hands, and body away from her.

  As he walked to the greenhouses, the news about her father made him furious. Justin couldn’t stand imagining the pain she must’ve felt, and now he knew the cause of her trust issues.

  He peeked in a few of the greenhouses before he found Lauren with her back to him at the opposite end of one. He approached her quietly, admiring her ass in tight jeans. He took a deep breath as he fought the urge to wrap his arms around her from behind. The abiding force pushing him to Lauren was overwhelming and baffling to him. Watching her work made him realize the pressure he felt to succeed paled in comparison to the pressure she was under.

  “Hi, Lauren.”

  She jumped and spun around with the garden hose, spraying Justin’s body.

  “Jesus, you startled me,” she said as she lowered the hose.

  There was water dripping from Justin’s hair and face, and his clothes were speckled from the unexpected shower. Lauren started snickering.

  “You find this funny do you?” Justin tried to shake the water from his head.

  “No, not at all,” she said, covering her mouth. Justin saw that she was holding in her laughter. He grabbed the hose out of her hand and turned it on her.

  “Justin, stop!” Lauren turned and ran toward the other end of the greenhouse.

  “That’s what you get, young lady,” he said as he dropped the hose and chased after her.

  Lauren’s wet boots touched the grass at the end of the greenhouse and went out from under her. She hit the ground, landing flat on her back.

  He quickly squatted down in front of her. “Lauren, are you OK?”

  She placed her hands on her stomach and started laughing uncontrollably. “In all my life I’ve never had as much fun as I have with you, Justin.”

  “You scared the shit out—”

  Lauren grabbed each side of his t-shirt near his shoulders and pulled him down on top of her, plunging her tongue into his mouth.

  He reluctantly kissed her back, but after a few seconds he pulled away from her. “We need to sit up and talk,” he said. Her kiss sent the sparks of lust ricocheting through his body.

  “You’re right, sorry. I did intend for us to just talk tonight, but you’re too adorable,” she said, trying to sit up.

  Justin entwined his fingers between hers and brought her hand up to kiss. “You’re too sweet, Lauren.”

  “Justin, I don’t want to stop seeing you. You shouldn’t have apologized for anything. I haven’t made this easy for you. I’ve flirted excessively since we met, and I realized this morning that I gave you mixed signals when it came to being physical with me. I wasn’t trying to be a tease. I’ve never felt this kind of attraction to anyone before, so I didn’t know how to handle it.

  “I believe you’re a good guy, and I don’t want to have a guard up anymore. I can already tell the price my heart is going to pay when you leave, but you’re worth it. I’m not ready to go all the way yet, but I’m open to some ... exploration,” she said.

  Lauren’s seductive words sent lust rushing through his veins.

  Exploration. Fuck, I’ll do some exploring with you, just after I take you home and tie you to my bed.

  Justin closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He exhaled slowly as he tried to rid some of his dark desire.

  “Shit, Lauren. I can’t comprehend how you can be so damn sweet, and so damn hot at the same time. I’d love to do some exploring as you call it, but you’re going to have to exhibit some restraint until you’re ready to go further. I mean, it’s nearly impossible to stop with you, and it’s killing me, so take it easy on me.”

  “That’s fair, so are we good?”

  Justin laughed and shook his head. “Yes, Lauren, we’re all good.”

  “You shake your head at me a lot. Am I that amusing?”

  “You just surprise me every day. Sweet and feisty all wrapped into one. I just never know what to expect.”

  “Well, right now I want you to kiss me, dammit.”

  “You’re leading me down a path of trouble with your seductiveness, woman, but I’ll happily follow you.”

  Justin cupped her face and kissed her before they fell back onto the grass. He straddled her and leaned over, holding himself up with his hands. He gazed down at her, feeling the electric current running between them once again.

  Gently he lay on top of her, running his fingers through her hair and exploring her delectable, sweet mouth. Sensuously. Methodically. It was as if he was memorizing every inch of it with his tongue. After a long make out session. Justin stood and helped Lauren up, pulling her into a tight embrace before he smacked her bottom. “Go change, and I’ll take you to get something to eat.”

  “OK, bossy man.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Justin awoke on Wednesday to Lauren’s image. He realized he’d seen her every day since she picked him up on Friday night. As unhealthy as it sounded he loved every minute of it and was racking his brain as to how he could weasel seeing her that day—and indefinitely.

  I have to attend a closer university.

  He and Jonathan were the third generation of males in his family to attend the same university, and he was fully aware that it wouldn’t go over good with his family if he changed colleges. Justin thought about the possibility of a future in Masonville. He couldn’t fathom how a woman did that to him in less than a week. It was interfering with his only concrete plan, and he didn’t care. He felt the urge to call her.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  “Hi, handsome. How are you this morning?”

  “I’m better now. How are you?”

  Lauren sighed. “Busy already.”

  “I wanted to tell you that I had a great time in your yard.” Justin chuckled.

  “So did I, but you’re wearing me out. I usually crash most nights after work. It’s caught up with me today, and I’m not productive.”

  “Sorry, I have a lot of free time on my hands right now. My buddies on the rig would never let me live it down if they’d seen my behavior over the last week. If I didn’t want to devour every mouth-watering inch of your gorgeous body, every time I see you, I’d be questioning my own manhood at this point.”

  “I have to admit, it’s a first for me, having a man pursue me to this degree, but I’ve felt your manhood pressed against me, so I don’t think you have to turn in your man card just yet.”

  “Lauren, stop. That was pretty clever, but I can’t picture being pressed up against you right now, restraint, remember?”

  She giggled. “Sorry, I can’t help myself.”

  “Then I get to use that excuse next time things go too far,” he said with mild irritation.

  “I guess I have a bad girl side I didn’t know about until you came along.”

  “Lauren, I mean it. Stop, before I come over there and put a ‘closed’ sign on the gate. I didn’t know I had this dark side of me until you came along.”

  “I wouldn’t call it a dark side.”

  “You would if you knew the things I’d like to do to you.”

  “If you only knew the things I fantasize about you doing to me.”

  “You asked for it now. I’m coming over there.”

  “No, wait. I really want to see you tonight, but I’m exhausted. I promise I’ll make u
p for the sexual harassment this weekend.”

  Justin let out a groan of frustration into the phone.

  “You’ve definitely sexually harassed me during this phone call, but I believe it’s worth it if you want to make it up to me. You get some rest, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I have to go take a cold shower.”

  ***

  Lauren smelled the savory scent of her mother’s chicken and dumplings.

  “Is Justin coming over again?” Claire asked as she stood at the stove.

  “No, I told him I needed tonight to myself. You and I have barely chatted this week, and I need to rest my feet.” Lauren was sitting at the table, trying to wrestle one of her boot strings out of a knot. “That means I’m not moving from the couch for a few hours, but I need to ask you some questions about the finances first.”

  Claire had her back to Lauren at the stove. She froze, holding her spoon still in a pot. “I’d really like for you to discuss that with your father.”

  “Mom, I know you never handled the financial side of the business before he left, but neither did I. I’m starting to feel as if you two are trying to avoid discussing this with me. I don’t see how we made enough income to get us through the off-seasons. We barely had enough this past winter. Once I pay everything, there isn’t much left, so I will likely have to get a part-time job in November to cover us while the nursery is closed.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. I really wouldn’t understand any of it. You know I’ve never done anything in my life other than work in that nursery. Please make your father deal with it,” Claire said as she walked over and handed Lauren her plate.

  Lauren let out a lengthy sigh. “Grandpa and Grandma ran this place until five years ago. Since they died, I’ve slowly taken over their role. Dad just walked away, and you are here expecting me to be the parent. Maybe it wasn’t your intention, but it happened.

  “That first month after he left, I held you each night while you cried. I didn’t know if you would recover. Well, there are days I feel I’m going to crack. I’m twenty-one, but I feel as if I’m forty from the responsibility that was dumped on me. Please, if there’s any help the two of you can give me, I need it desperately. I usually feel sorry for Dad, but days like this, when I’m utterly overwhelmed, I hate him.”

  “I’m sorry, Lauren. I never meant for things to get this bad.”

  Lauren saw the unsettled and sad expression on her mother’s face, but she didn’t feel like she owed her an apology. She was tired of carrying the burden alone.

  She and Claire watched television after supper. It wasn’t the pleasant evening she hoped for. After the brutal honesty she dished out to her mother, their evening was awkward and somber.

  After a couple of hours, Lauren realized she hadn’t paid attention to the television programs. She could only think about her time with Justin and his charming smile. She felt as if he took up permanent residence in her mind, and her heart warmed from the thought of being wrapped inside his protective arms.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lauren called Justin on Thursday morning.

  He answered his phone when it rang. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “My name already pops up on your phone. I’m flattered. They’re calling for rain tomorrow, so we’ll probably be packed today, but I wanted to tell you I’m thinking about you.”

  “Same here. I think my family is aggravated with my preoccupied mind.”

  “You told your family about me?”

  “Jonathan knows, but I haven’t told my parents yet. I really hope I get the opportunity to introduce you to them soon. Did you get to relax with your mom last night?”

  “Not exactly, but thinking of your smile made it better. I’ll try to call you tonight. Have a good day, Justin.”

  After hanging up with Lauren, he suspected he was going to go another day without seeing her. Right then he thought of a way to change that.

  ***

  In the afternoon, Lauren was making assorted flower arrangements in hanging pots when Justin came walking into the greenhouse.

  He saw Lauren's eyes light up. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m starting to think you sleep in one of these greenhouses. I talked to Andrew on his lunch break. I remembered him mentioning that he took care of the grounds here. I told him I wanted to take over for a while.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary.” Lauren continued working. “I pay him, and I think he’s saving money for the wedding.”

  “Actually, he sounded relieved. He said he could use a break.”

  “Andrew said that?”

  “Yes, now let me do it. You can’t pay me, either. I want to help you out, and secondly I get to see you this way.”

  “OK, the tractor is near the barn, but do you know how to operate one?”

  “There you go again with the manhood shit. Really, Lauren? I didn’t grow up in the city. It’s not funny this time.”

  Lauren giggled. “I haven't seen you this aggravated with me since I tossed you out of my truck.”

  Without warning, Justin pulled her body to his and saw her eyes fill with uncertainty. “Woman, are you planning on making fun of me forever?”

  “Um, if you stick around ... forever.”

  Justin realized what he said and pulled her into a tight hug. His heart was racing.

  “I like the sound of that, and I’m not aggravated at you.” He pulled back and gazed down at her. The intensity in his eyes mimicked the intensity of his feelings for her. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me, Lauren. I don’t know how I could ever stay mad at you.” He took her face into his hands and kissed her softly.

  ***

  Lauren followed him out of the greenhouse, admiring him as he walked away. She found him sexy in jeans and work boots and stood gawking as she fantasized about how hot he must’ve looked tanned and sweating on the oilrig.

  “Are you admiring something, honey? Or should I say someone? I still can’t believe he’s a Garrison,” Claire said as she walked up, startling Lauren.

  “I like him because he doesn't act like it.”

  “You’ve been happy since you met him.”

  Lauren stood staring at Justin on the tractor. She brought to mind his “forever” comment and dreamed about the possibility of a future with him.

  After the nursery closed, Lauren took Justin some iced tea. “I see you’re almost finished. Would you want to hang out with me after?”

  “Of course.”

  “Cool, I’ll get us something to eat.”

  Lauren picked some blueberries for them to eat before she took their supper to the blanket she laid out. Justin sat next to her.

  “Thanks again for today, but you really don’t have to,” Lauren said.

  “I want to, and besides, I’m not getting the exercise I’m used to, so doing work around here will be good for me.”

  “True, and I’d hate to see these muscles go away or that lovely tan,” Lauren said, gliding her fingers down his sweat covered arm.

  “I noticed last Saturday that besides Andrew, you have some other help around here, and he looked protective of you. I have to admit, I realized I liked you because I didn’t like him.”

  “Oh, Brett. He works weekends. He’s had a crush on me for a long time, but he’s only an employee. He’s leaving for college, too. It appears most men want to leave Masonville after high school.”

  After eating, Justin stretched out on the blanket and lay his head on Lauren’s lap. She ran her fingers through his warm hair.

  “I’ll be glad when I finish school, so I’ll have a job again. I swear I’m a hard worker.”

  “Justin, I know you are, or you wouldn’t have lasted that long on that rig. You’re obviously smart. I’ve been intimidated by your intelligence. I don’t think you’re aware of how noticeable it is when you speak.” She ran her hand across his chest.

  He sat up immediately and turned around toward her. Leaning over, he gently kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Whe
n you’re extra sweet it just makes me want you more.”

  “Well, you kissing me in the sweetest ways make me want you more,” Lauren said as she pulled him down on top of her to make out. After a few minutes, he broke free of her lips.

  “You still owe me for the sexual harassment, and I’d like to collect as soon as possible. I think we’re due for some more exploring, so will you come see me at the guest house tomorrow night?”

  Lauren saw the riveting desire in his gaze and felt the warm pulsing sensation spreading throughout her body. She became lost in his hypnotic, deep wells of blue as a staring showdown began. Imagining the erotic things she would like him to do to her at his guest house made her oblivious to reality.

  “I want your hands and mouth all over me,” she said slowly. The sound of her voice snapped her out of her trance. She stared up at him. “Tell me I didn’t just say that aloud?”

  Justin chuckled. “Oh, I heard it, alright. Damn, Lauren that was hot. And I think this is the reddest I’ve seen your face. Now you have to come see me, so I can put my hands and mouth all over you.”

  She burned his playful, wide grin into her mind. It was a memory she had to hold onto. “I do owe you. I’d love to see you then, but are you going to be able to have restraint if you have me alone in a small space?”

  “It’ll be difficult, especially now that I know what you really want from me, but I’ll do my best. I better go home before it happens now. Baby, you have me very turned on. Call me if you get a minute at lunch tomorrow?”

  “I’ll make sure I get a minute.”

  ***

  Lauren was getting ready for bed when her phone rang. She assumed it was Justin and smiled.

  “Hey, it’s Ash. Andrew just told me that Justin was there today.”

  “Yes, and I have so much to tell you. We’ve seen each other all week,” Lauren said with enthusiasm.

  “Lauren, I have to come over right now.”

  “Gosh, Ashley, I think you can wait until tomorrow for the details.”

  “I have to tell you something—now. I’ll be right over.”