Finding Forever

by Linda Oaks

  “I remember everything about you, Dev,” I said, handing him the mug.

  He rolled his eyes at me and grinned. I wanted to punch him in the throat. I wasn’t just feeding him full of shit. I actually meant it. I couldn’t win with him. “Now get over here and give me some sugar.” He ordered, but I was pissed. I’d tried sweet, and he ruined it.

  I cocked my hand on my hip looking back at him, fluttered my eyelashes, and pointed at his coffee mug. “Now Dev, you know that you don’t like sugar, sugar,” I drawled in an exaggerated southern accent.

  He threw back his head laughing. When he moved closer, crowding me in, I glared at him and watched as he set his mug down on the counter. Before I could utter a word, he had me wrapped up in his arms. My back pressed against the edge of the counter. His big body covered mine and made my thoughts scatter. His mouth hovered over mine, and I licked my lips anticipating his kiss. His intense stare held me captive, and I swallowed nervously.

  “Now darling,” he began, and warmth pooled low in the pit of my stomach. How did he do this to me? “Do you know what happens to little ladies with sassy mouths?” he asked, and my heart rate quickened.

  Before I could reply with one of my usual smartass comments, his mouth was on mine, hungrily devouring my will with each brush of his sensual lips and sweet tongue. My hands gripped his hips. I moaned into his mouth, pouring everything into that kiss. When I squirmed, he smiled against my lips and stepped away. What the hell?

  In a daze, I watched him pick up his mug from the counter. “Eight o’clock tonight,” he reminded me with a shit-eating grin and turned, walking for the door. That bastard! He was whistling as he made his way down the hall. Unconsciously, I touched my fingers to my lips. They were puffy and swollen. I could still taste the sweetness of his kiss. Well, sassy pants had officially been put properly into place by one little ole kiss.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THAT WAS WEIRD. THERE WAS a strange car parked in the driveway of my mom’s trailer; one I didn’t recognize. The front door stood ajar. I never even thought to call for back up as I hurried across the yard. My skin prickled as I slipped my tiny pink can of mace from my purse, cautiously pushing the front door all the way open.

  “There you are!” I heard a voice screech, and I jumped back aiming the can of mace in front of me and in the direction of the voice. “Don’t you dare spray me with that, Kara Lisette Thorn! I will tan your hide!” I heard Mavis yell as she frantically ducked back behind the door taking cover.

  My heart hammered in my chest. My hands felt clammy. It was a false alarm. Thank God it was only Mavis and not a burglar! She was lucky I hadn’t had a freaking heart attack. “You scared the shit out of me, Mavis!” I yelled, watching as she stepped out from behind the safety of the door, smoothing her straight hair back into its perfect round bob.

  She adjusted her red smock and glared back at me. “Well, you didn’t do wonders for me either,” she retorted huffily. “Your momma’s in a bad way.” She said, and my stomach dropped. Was mom sick? If something had happened to her while I’d been so busy chasing after Devon, I’d never forgive myself.

  “What’s wrong, Mavis?’ I asked, watching as she walked over to the coffee table to pick up a pack of cigarettes. She pulled a lighter from the pocket of her smock.

  “Step outside with me. I’m as jumpy as a cat. I got to go smoke,” she explained, walking past me without any further explanation. She lit up the cigarette, looking back through the doorway expectantly at me. “Well, come on,” she huffed, and I’d forgotten just how bossy Mavis could be at times.

  I stood outside beside her on the porch waiting, but she took her sweet-ass time taking a drag of nicotine instead of giving me an explanation. “Where’s my mom, Mavis?” I finally asked. Her car wasn’t in the drive, so I’d assumed she’d already left for work.

  “She’s out running after that man. If I had to chase after a man just to keep him, I’d stay single. Not me,” she muttered, shaking her head. Her face was filled with disgust. I let out a sigh of relief as I stared at her in confusion. What had happened between mom and Clyde?

  Mavis drew in another deep drag and exhaled through the side of her mouth, sending smoke right in my direction. I waved it aside while waiting for her to continue. “And?” I urged, tapping my foot anxiously. She acted as if we had all day here. “Spill your guts, Mavis.”

  “She called me crying. Her and Clyde had a huge fight this morning. It was something stupid about his socks. Shit, I don’t know. I told her she would be better off without his ass. That man is as stubborn as a mule, but no… your momma wouldn’t hear of it. I ordered her to stay put…” She said with a sigh. “…but did she listen to me?”

  I found myself shaking my head no even though an answer wasn’t expected. Mavis was on a roll. Why in the world were they fighting over socks? “When I got here, the door was standing wide open, so I let myself in and decided to wait, hoping she would come to her senses and turn around and come back.”

  Poor mom, those McGraw men were as stubborn as they come. My sympathies were with her. They were definitely a breed all their own. “Did you try calling her cell?”

  The look she gave me was one of disbelief. It was as if I’d asked her what planet she was from. “I’m not stupid, Kara. Of course, I tried to call her cell.”

  She huffed then pitched her cigarette out in to the front yard. Litterbug! I didn’t say a single word. Mavis could be as mean as a snake whenever she was riled. “When she comes in, tell her I was here. I’ve got to get to work. I’m already an hour late.”

  When she turned to leave and started down the steps, I called out her name. She paused and turned around. “Thank you, Mavis, for being such a good friend to my momma!” Her stern expression softened, and then she smiled at me while shaking her head. Without another word she headed for her car.

  It was a little after four when I heard the creak of front door opening. I lay stretched out across my bed texting Brandon. He’d sworn he had found Captain Morgan and was bringing him home to me. Devon would not be seeing the photo of the smoking hot stack of beefcake he’d sent to me. Hello Jamaica… but Devon was hotter!

  There were the sounds of footsteps echoing down the hall, and then mom suddenly appeared in the doorway. Her face was flushed, and she was all smiles. No evidence of any tears. It was as plain as the nose on my face that she and Clyde had already made up after their big fight. “How’s my baby girl?” she asked, her tone light and happy. She walked over to the bed, sitting down beside me.

  “Good,” I replied with a smile, feeling the soft slide of her hand stroking my hair. “I take it you and Clyde are good,” I asked, and she flushed wearing a secretive smile. Eww! I didn’t even want to think about what had caused that rosy blush on her cheeks. I didn’t care how old you were, children did not like to think about their parents having sex — ever.

  “Right as rain,” she said, laying her hand back into her lap and glancing around the room. “Did you buy a new dress?” she asked, her eyes spotting the tan bag hanging from my closet door. After the scare with Mavis, I’d gone shopping.

  “Yes, and there is something special in your room for bingo tonight. Devon is taking me out to dinner,” I said, unable to hide my excitement.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to spend time with you,” she said.

  “It’s alright, Mom. I understand,” I told her, smiling reassuringly. McGraw men were hard to resist.

  “Do you think we’d still have time to watch a movie?” she asked, her expression hopeful.

  My grin widened. We hadn’t watched a movie together in ages. “What did you have in mind?” I asked, already knowing the answer. It was our number one go to movie.

  She laughed. “Don’t act like you don’t know.” She teased. She stood there beside the bed smiling down at me. Whenever things went to shit or one of us had a really rough day, we always watched Hope Floats. It was our mommy and daughter ritual,
and I’d missed that special time we used to spend together.

  “I picked up the Ben and Jerry’s on the way home. Grab your movie and meet me in the living room. I’m going to call Clyde and see if he made it home okay.”

  She left my room, and I checked my phone to see if there were any new messages. There were none, so with a smile curving my lips, I grabbed the movie case from my dresser and hurried down the hall. After all, Ben and Jerry were waiting for me. It was just like old times.

  At seven thirty, there was knocking at the front door. “I’ll get it.” Mom called out, rushing past the bathroom and down the hall. Since the bathroom was warm, I’d left the door open and stood in front of the vanity applying the finishing touches to my make-up. Devon would be here soon, and I couldn’t wait to see him. The thought of spending time with him tonight left a silly smile plastered across my face. The rumble of Clyde’s burly voice echoed from down the hall. I should have known.

  Unzipping my clutch, I tucked the tube of Goddess Pink lipstick inside. After Devon saw me, I was positive I’d need another coat later. I looked hot. Smoking hot. He wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of me, and hopefully would fall to his knees and beg me to stay with him forever. If only, I thought with a sigh and headed down the hall toward the living room.

  Clyde stood in the middle of the room with his arms wrapped around my mother. They were kissing. “Ahem.” I cleared my throat, but Clyde shifted my mom in his arms blocking her from my sight, and I found myself staring at his broad back. Really suspenders? I thought, snidely. He looked awfully fancy for only a few games of Bingo at the county hall.

  Seconds stretched into minutes, and then they finally parted. Mom stood with her cheecks pretty and pink and her eyes sparkling. Her new dress was the exact shade as the flush on her rosy cheeks. I guess at her age if a man could make you blush, he was a keeper… even if it was Clyde. He was staring back at me wearing a frown. “Don’t you need a jacket with that dress?”

  “Hush, Clyde,” Mom said, playfully swatting his arm. “She looks beautiful.”

  I smiled sweetly at him. Score one for Kara. For some insane reason, I liked to make Clyde squirm. “Well if you think that’s okay for her to walk around in…” he muttered, his gaze focused on my mom. “Her female parts are hanging out.” I heard him say.

  Female parts? I glanced down. Sure, the hemline was short, but my vajayjay was covered. Then it hit me. Duh! He meant my breasts. I checked on the girls. Everything was in place. Sure the v dipped and showed some cleavage, but this wasn’t the nineteen fifties. Clyde needed to get with the program. “Do you mean breasts, Clyde?” I asked, watching his face turn red.

  “Kara, you hush right now. Don’t tease Clyde. He’s watched you grow up.” My mom scolded.

  I would tease him if I wanted too. I owed Clyde. I was still holding a grudge at him for stiffing me with the bill for breakfast at Fred’s.

  “What time will my boy be here?” he asked, glancing down at his wristwatch.

  “Eight,” I replied, and he nodded looking expectantly at my mom. “We need to leave for bingo if we want to find a good place to park.”

  “Come here, baby,” Mom said, and I walked toward her. We met halfway, and she enveloped me in a hug. “You look gorgeous.” She whispered in my ear.

  “You do, too.” I replied, hugging her back.

  “Have fun tonight. Don’t expect me home. I plan on staying at Clyde’s.” I nodded in reply, inwardly cringing and glancing at Clyde.

  For some reason, he’d been acting suspiciously strange. Well, more stranger than usual, which wasn’t saying a whole lot for Clyde. I’d never seen him wearing anything other than jeans. Tonight, he’d gone all out with slacks and a button down shirt. His shoes even shined. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t plan on purposing to my momma tonight. Dear God, just don’t let him do it at Bingo!

  Mom pulled away and walked back to Clyde who stood patiently waiting. His hand slipped to the small of her waist. They actually made a really cute couple. “Goodbye, Clyde,” I said when they headed for the door. As Mom stepped outside on to the front porch, Clyde paused. He turned looking back at me.

  “You look beautiful, girl,” he stated gruffly, but before I could utter a reply he was pulling the door closed behind him. I stood there stunned and not sure if I’d heard him correctly. He’d actually paid me a compliment — that was the nicest thing Clyde had ever said to me. He just might win me over yet with all of his sweet talk.

  At 7:57, I heard someone in the driveway. My heart fluttered. He was here! I was so excited! Hurrying to the door, I peeked through the peephole and saw Devon cutting across the yard. I yanked open the door, silently cursing myself for appearing overly anxious. His eyes flickered in surprise and held mine as he made his way up the front porch steps. Good, I thought, I liked to keep him on his toes. Then, his expression shifted to one of desire. I knew exactly how he felt. My body had been humming from the first glance of him.

  Devon in faded jeans and a ratty T-shirt was a sight to behold, but give this man a pair of dark gray slacks and a white dress shirt… well, his beauty left me speechless. He stopped to stand in front of me. The top button on his shirt was left undone, hinting at the dark, crisp, chest hair that peeked through the v against the whiteness of the shirt; the tip edges of the red and orange tattooed flames caught my eye. Someone else might not have noticed, but I noticed everything about Devon. Shirtless, that tattoo spanned his right shoulder and ended along the thick curve of his neck.

  His eyes dipped, slowly taking in my appearance from head to toe. My breath caught. “That shade of pink is the exact same color as your…”

  My hand covered his mouth muffling the rest of his words before he could finish saying it out loud. His lips curved into a grin against my palm. My cheeks felt flushed, and feeling his warm breath against my skin made me want to whimper. “Please don’t say it,” I whispered, staring up at him with pleading eyes. I didn’t think I could take it. His icy eyes danced mischievously.

  He nodded in reply to my request. His fingers curled around my wrist. He gently drew my hand aside. Beneath his fingertips, my pulse hammered. “I was going to say lipstick, Kara.” He smirked. I rolled my eyes at him. Sure, he was. He pulled me closer. My thoughts scattered. His broad hands settled at my waist, his fingers clutching my hips. “You look tempting,” he murmured, and I found myself mesmerized by those words and as helpless as a moth trapped in a spider’s silken web.

  The air pulsed between us, charged by our attraction. Devon’s pupils dilated. The heat radiating from his skin made me want to snuggle in closer. Nervously, I swallowed, coming to my senses. No! We were more than sex! I chanted this to myself until my limbs finally obeyed my brain’s commands.

  Tempting, hmm?

  When I took a step back, his fingertips dragged along the fabric of my dress. A grin curved my lips. I smiled at him, fluttering my mascara coated lashes. “Just tempting, Dev?” I taunted, feeling more in control since I knew that he wanted me just as badly as I wanted him — but I didn’t want to only be wanted. I wanted to be needed too. “What about alluring? Stunning? Even breathtaking?”

  He grinned, shaking his head. His eyes briefly flickered from mine before once more focusing back on me. They burned with a keen intensity. He was on to me. “You think you’re so smart. You’re such a tease, babe.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest, pushing my breasts up and giving him my best pout while I waited for an answer. He sighed in defeat. “You’re all of the above and you know it, your highness.”

  “Just checking,” I said playfully, liking it a little too much when Devon gave in and bent to my will, which wasn’t often. “Where are you taking me?”

  His expression was smug as he regarded me with heated eyes. “To the couch or bed, if you don’t watch that sassy mouth,” he smoothly replied with a devastating grin, turning up the charm. My mouth opened and closed with no sound. Heat rose
to my cheeks at the images he’d painted in my mind simply with his words. “To the car,” he ordered, and I skirted past him stepping outside thankful for this option since I was starving.

  The coolness of the night air washed over my skin causing me to shiver. The sound of the door closing behind me had me turning around to face Devon. His hand reached for mine. His fingers slid between my own and secured me to him. “Your chariot awaits, Miss Thorn.”

  He led me down the steps like royalty while wearing a playful smile. I loved this side of Devon — his playfulness. Beneath the moonlight, the blushing petal pink of my dress softly shimmered and glistened. My skin prickled under the weight of Devon’s stare. “Captivating. Bewitching. Breathtaking,” he stated huskily. The rich, deep sound of his voice reminded me of decadent chocolate. It was enough to curl my tones.

  “It is,” I replied, looking up at the sky while I ordered myself to remain calm. I took a deep breath and waited for him to open my door.

  I smiled graciously, sliding into the seat as he stood there watching me. With the night sky as a backdrop over his broad shoulder and with him dressed so dashing, it was hard not to feel every inch of the princess in a fairytale.

  “I wasn’t talking about the stars, Kara,” Devon said, his lips curving into a rakish grin.

  For a moment, I was baffled. He shut my door and walked around the front of the car before his words finally registered. He’d meant me.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  DEVON SMILED AT THE WAITER, a slight man who appeared as if a puff of wind could blow him away. He set our main course before us, discretely excusing himself. My shoulders relaxed as I took the first sip of my second glass of wine while lightly skimming my fingertips across the smooth satiny tablecloth. It felt expensive. Tonight, Devon had definitely gone all out. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was trying to impress me.

  We’d ended up driving to Hurley. He’d made reservations at nine for us at Magnolia’s, a small, quaint restaurant located on the outer edge of Lake Bliss. As we’d strolled hand in hand along the dock to the restaurant’s main entrance, the view of the moon’s reflection had glowed along the surface of the lake, rippling slightly within the lulling sway of the water. It had been magical. The stars had glistened like tiny specks of diamonds piercing the inky velvet blackness with their light. This night was romantic, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant intimate. It was perfect.