A Week for Love to Bloom

by Wolfe, Scarlet

  “How about dessert, Mom? I think Lauren has answered enough questions for one night. I don’t want to scare her off,” Justin said as he took hold of Lauren’s hand under the table.

  By the end of the night, Emily had to pull Jack off of Lauren. They all said goodbye and Justin walked Lauren out to the truck.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Jonathan went with Jeffrey into his home office. “What now, Dad? This is worse than I thought. Did you see the way he looks at her?”

  “We’re just conducting business as usual. She seems like a very nice girl, and I don’t like it any more than you do, but what are we supposed to do? Like I said before, I’m hoping it blows over.”

  “Dad, I don’t think there will be time. I think she’s being served papers within the next few weeks. I imagine we’ll know when it happens, and I just hope he can handle it with maturity.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Justin held Lauren’s hand on the way back to her house. “I told you there was nothing to worry about. They love you, and I think Jack would’ve gone home with you. Emily said he usually screams if anyone besides the family holds him.”

  “It went better than I expected, but I don’t think your dad and brother are too fond of me. I know they’re worried I’ll interfere with you returning to college.”

  “It has nothing to do with you. I could tell they were impressed by how you carried yourself at dinner and with conversation. You never fail to deliver Ms. Evans.” Justin squeezed her hand as they pulled into her driveway.

  “I wish there were more people to show you off to. Don’t get me wrong, you always look beautiful, but tonight you’re stunning.”

  “Thank you. You don’t look too shabby yourself, and did I mention you smell incredible?” Lauren leaned over and nuzzled her nose into his neck. “I have a confession to make. I wanted to spend the night with you tonight, but I thought it would be in poor taste to walk out of their home and into the guest house.”

  Justin’s heart fluttered and raced from her words. “They saw me leave, so please go in and get your stuff. When we go back, they’ll think I’m alone. I’ll bring you back here in the morning.”

  “OK, just give me a few minutes.”

  He grabbed her hand as she started to get out of the truck. “Um, Lauren, I’d love for you to leave that dress on. I’d like to remove it myself.” He gave her an alluring look as his nerve endings came alive.

  She gave him a bashful smile.

  ***

  Lauren stood by the bed as Justin turned on the lamp on the nightstand.

  “Oh, wait here. I have to get something out of the truck,” he said.

  Justin returned quickly carrying a small, white box with a pink, satin bow on top of it.

  “This is for you.” Justin stood in front of her smiling as he handed her the box.

  “What’s it for?”

  “It’s a gift because I love you. I meant to give it to you when I picked you up, but once I saw you I couldn’t think of anything else. Now open it.”

  She pulled the ribbon off, letting it fall to the floor. Lauren gasped when she opened the box and saw the diamond bracelet inside. It was lined all the way around with diamonds and encased in white gold.

  “I’ve never owned a piece of jewelry this nice. Justin, it’s beautiful, but you’re not working right now, so I can’t accept it.”

  “You’re keeping it. I wouldn’t have bought it if I couldn’t afford it. I lived with four dudes in a small apartment when I wasn’t on the rig, so I’d have money set aside for my future. You’re my future, and you deserve to have nice things. Now, let me put it on your wrist.”

  A single tear ran down Lauren’s cheek as Justin hooked the clasp. Lauren held out her arm to admire it. “I love it. It’s perfect, like you.”

  Justin turned a radio to soft music and sauntered toward her. Holding her face, he engulfed her mouth, sweeping and swirling his tongue until it entwined with hers. She returned his kiss as she glided her warm hands up and down his back. He let out a moan of pleasure, grabbing at the back of her head, massaging a handful of her glistening hair.

  “Have I ever told you how beautiful your hair is? It’s beyond sexy, and it has the most intoxicating smell, as does the rest of your body,” Justin whispered.

  “You’re the sexy one,” Lauren said, pulling his shirt over his head and kissing his neck as she ran her hands down his bare, contoured chest.

  Justin responded urgently, stripping off the rest of his clothing, releasing his throbbing, eager hard-on. He looked at her with an intense gaze.

  “Now I get to open my present,” he said as he took hold of the bow on her dress and pulled it loose. Holding it open, Justin admired the lacy white bra and panties taunting him, pleading for him to remove. His eyes were smoldering as they returned to hers from the hypnotic spell her irresistible body had placed him under.

  Lightly peeling the top of her dress off one shoulder, he laid kisses all along her collarbone. He saw the light trembling of her body as he dropped her dress. Her exposed and exquisite figure, standing in heels, held his gaze prisoner for several seconds before he fell to his knees in awe of her breathtaking body. Squeezing her bottom he buried his face into her front, skimming his tongue along the lace.

  Lauren grabbed the top of his hair, tugging and twisting it between her fingers as her head flew back. He fed her rapture with his fiery tongue and breath that lingered along the front of her panties.

  “I swear, Lauren, you’re my temptress made just for me to try and resist—a sinful pleasure. But it’s futile. I’m bound to your magnetic force.” He groaned and slowly stood as his hands traveled up the sides of her curvaceous body before he unhooked her bra.

  Justin slipped on a condom as he watched her kick off her heels and step out of her wet panties. He growled as he lowered her onto the bed. “I can’t get inside your irresistible body fast enough. Baby, you are so gorgeous.” Gently lying on top of her, he slid his thirsty tongue between her parted lips as he sank himself into her, again and again, savoring all of her depth while the wet warmth encased him.

  He took in her gaze, increasing his speed until he felt her body squeezing his molten flesh from her release. The waves of pulsating pleasure flooded his body until he came from the mind blowing ecstasy that seized him. He fell onto Lauren as air rushed in and out of their lungs.

  Justin lay next to her with his face snug in the crook of her neck as one leg hooked around hers. “I want to do that with you forever,” she said.

  “I feel the same, baby … I feel the same,” he said.

  ***

  The next morning, Justin awoke from the rays flickering in through the blinds. Part of his body was draped over Lauren’s nakedness on top of the sheets. The days were becoming warmer, and it was harder to chill the house, so he felt himself stuck to her. He smiled at the thought of them glued together.

  Quietly pulling himself off of her body, he enjoyed the view of her bare skin. Seeing her naked wearing only the diamond bracelet turned him on, so he put on his boxer briefs with the hope he’d be less tempted.

  Justin realized there was no way he could leave her for nine months when it had pained him to go three days without seeing her. He made the decision to attend a different university and keep the news to himself. If he waited long enough to tell her and his family, then they’d know it was too late to do anything about it, and there would be no battle.

  UT in Knoxville was a close enough drive to allow him to live in Masonville. Justin couldn’t believe he was trying to stay there until he looked down at Lauren. Although he loved her inner qualities the most, the fact that she was beautiful kept a constant flame burning inside him.

  He took mental photos of every mouthwatering feature, starting from her silky skin, to her long, lustrous hair. Working his way down, he longed for her succulent breasts to be in his mouth and her hourglass body to be underneath him. Seeing her stark naked on top of the sheets sleeping peac
efully, Justin was aware of how safe she felt with him, and it warmed his heart.

  “Wake up sleeping beauty.”

  Lauren opened her eyes and looked around. He saw her blush.

  “You know, we have seen each other naked before,” Justin said, smirking.

  “Yes, but if I know you, then you’ve been watching me.”

  “You would be correct, and I took a lot of photos.”

  “What?” Lauren sat straight up in the bed before she crawled under the sheet.

  “I’m joking. I only took mental pics, and let me tell you, I have a lot of them stored for future reference.”

  Lauren grabbed the pillow and shoved it on his face. He pushed her back down, straddling and tickling her waist.

  “Stop, Justin!” She cried out.

  He leaned down and gave her a long, tender kiss. “I love you more every day.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  It was the 4th of July when the Garrisons’ hosted a party at their home. The outside of the house was decorated with patriotic flair and rows of tables were lined up in the backyard for their dinner. Lauren admired the landscaping and smiled when she saw how healthy the plants looked that they’d purchased from the nursery.

  Justin invited a few friends and insisted Lauren do the same so they could meet each other. Lauren quickly realized that she needed to keep her distance from his friends. They were eyeing her constantly in her red, strapless sundress, and she saw from Justin’s clenched jaw and tense frame that he wasn’t handling it well.

  Lauren was happy to see her mom getting along with the Garrisons and was envious of Justin’s large family as he introduced her to some of his cousins, aunts, and uncles.

  Jeffrey and Jonathan only spoke to her once the entire day. She spoke to Justin about it after, but he brushed it off, telling her they were probably busy visiting with friends and family. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something to it.

  ***

  Over the next several weeks, Justin became eager to start school. He went to the gym every day and helped Lauren out more on weekdays. She wouldn’t let him come around on the weekends when Brett was working. He thought he’d enjoy two months off work, but he was going crazy after having worked so long in California.

  Justin and Lauren were cuddled on his bed one night watching television. They were trying to squeeze in as much time as possible before Justin moved to Nashville in a little over a week, at least that’s what he’d led her to believe.

  He was starting to worry he drug his lie out too long, so he prayed Lauren would be so happy he wasn’t leaving that she’d forgive him. He couldn’t stand the thought of his family’s harassment, so he was delaying telling them as long as possible.

  “I’m going to miss being over here. I’m probably going to have to get a part time job this winter, but hopefully I’ll have some days off in a row, so I can visit you often. We’ll have to break in your new bed.” Lauren slowly ran her fingers down the middle of his chest to the top of his shorts.

  “I just want to enjoy the time I have with you. Let’s worry about that when the time comes,” Justin said as he rolled on top of her and thoroughly explored her mouth.

  “You can’t put your hand near my pants and expect me to behave,” he said, giving her a devilish grin. “I love you, Lauren.”

  “I love you, too. I was thinking today of all that has happened since I met you. You’re the first man I’ve ever slept in bed with and woke up to in the morning. You’re the first to buy me something other than a box of chocolates, to take me to meet parents, and to be in my bedroom. Of course, you already know you’re the first to fight over me and definitely the first to go on an exploration with me.”

  “I didn’t know about all those other things,” Justin said.

  “The list is longer. In less than two months you’ve opened my heart and mind to endless possibilities. I only want you in my future,” she said as she glided her fingers through his hair.

  “I feel the same way. I adore you, baby.” He captured her mouth with fervor as clothes came off until they became flesh against flesh, losing their control once again.

  ***

  Justin woke up before Lauren. He went out the back door and sat on the deck. Looking out at the property, he revisited all of his memories since meeting Lauren. It was hard for him to fathom that in less than two months he’d want to stay in Masonville, build on his property, propose to Lauren and want her to have his babies. Outward it seemed like a dream, but it had become a constant yearning in his heart. He knew what he wanted to do.

  Lauren walked up behind him on the deck and wrapped her arms tight around his shoulders. “What are you doing out here, babe?”

  “Just thinking about how special you are. Will you go on a date with me next Saturday? I want to do something special for you before I leave.”

  “Of course I will,” she said as she walked around his chair to stand in front of him. Justin gaped, and his heart pounded when he saw her in only his t-shirt.

  “Damn, Lauren, this is a look I haven’t seen before. Every time I think you couldn’t get any sexier you prove me wrong. How am I going to let you leave, woman?” he asked as he pulled her down onto his lap. Justin bought a ring that day.

  Chapter Thirty

  It was one day before their special date, and Justin’s impending move was weighing heavy on Lauren’s heart. She was watering plants around ten o’clock when she started feeling extremely dizzy. The heat index was very high, so she walked toward the house to get a drink of water. She saw a sheriff’s car pull into the driveway, so she headed his way instead. Lauren saw him hand her mother an envelope at the front entrance where Claire was working on a display.

  “I’m just the messenger, ma’am. You’ll have to open it to see what it’s about,” the sheriff said before he left.

  “Mom, what is that?”

  “I don’t know, he just said he was here to serve me papers.”

  “Let me read them.” She took the envelope from her mother and opened it. She was trying to make sense of all the words coming off of the pages. Court—Lien—Judgment—Evans Garden and Nursery—Baker’s First Bank—Represented by Garrison Law Office. She couldn’t decipher any of it. She understood the language but couldn’t make it fit with anything in their world.

  “Mom, I need a drink of water. Can we go inside and look at this closer? I’m sure it’s some sort of misunderstanding.”

  Claire followed her inside and got her something cold to drink. “Honey, you’re very pale. Let me get a cold wash cloth for you.”

  Lauren read the papers over and over again. It stated their property was being auctioned for not repaying a loan in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars to Baker’s First, the other bank in town. Lauren couldn’t recall her family ever having dealings with that bank. No matter how many times she read it, it didn’t make sense.

  She called her father, but he didn’t answer. Seeing Garrison Law was adding to her confusion. She was certain it was wrong because she’d seen Jeffrey and Jonathan several times, and they didn’t say a word. She started to call Justin but remembered he was at the gym.

  “Mom, do you know what this could be about?”

  “Lauren, I do have an idea, but I feel it’s very unfair that I’m the one having to tell you when your father is to blame.”

  “What did you all do? Tell me!”

  “A few years ago your father got me to agree to mortgage the property so we could get money to catch us up on some things. It was close to winter, and the nursery was struggling.

  “Your father swore to me we could make the monthly payments. I was under the impression he was still making them. He asked when we separated if I’d give him some time to secure a loan for what was still owed on it.

  “He said he’d use the money from the new loan to pay off the balance on the one through Baker’s First. We would then finalize the divorce and put the property in just my name or yours and mine together. I�
��m sorry, Lauren. I thought he was handling it, and we haven’t received any mail stating otherwise, have we?”

  “No, we haven’t. I can’t believe you kept something like this from me. I’m the one managing the finances. Mom, you know this is my life, and I wouldn’t know what else to do if I lost it.” Lauren was struggling not to scream at her mother or burst into tears.

  “I’m sorry, Lauren. Your father insisted we keep it a secret. He said he’d get it paid off, and you’d never know.”

  Lauren went into auto pilot mode. She couldn’t allow herself to feel. She needed answers. “I need to go over to Garrisons Law office. I want to go there first since they’re claiming to represent the bank. You need to stay here and cover things. I’ll be back.”

  She pulled into the parking lot and took a deep breath. Dreading having to go in, Lauren reminded herself that she wanted answers fast, and this would be the easiest way. She noticed the smell of leather when she entered the building. There was an older lady in a dress suit that sat behind a desk.

  “Good morning, can I help you?” she asked warmly.

  “Yes, I need to speak to either Mr. Garrison or his son.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No, I don’t, but it’s important. I know them personally. Well, I think I do. My name is Lauren Evans.”

  “I’ll let them know you’re here,” the lady said, looking puzzled.

  Lauren waited fifteen minutes. She was feeling awful physically, and now her nerves were making her shake. She looked up when she heard a door open.

  “Lauren, would you like to come back into my office?” Jeffrey asked.

  “Thank you.” Lauren followed him down the hallway. They passed by Jonathan’s office, and Lauren noticed he was on the phone.

  “Please, Ms. Evans, have a seat.”

  She admired the intricate woodwork on the cabinets and the massive desk. The smell of leather was stronger than in the lobby, and she couldn’t miss all the college certificates on the wall. The name Vanderbilt caught her eye. She felt intimidated seeing Jeffrey in a suit.