Can't Get Enough of You

by Bette Ford

  Laura had invited Craig Owens. The two were friends and had met through work. Craig, a police detective, had investigated some of the rape cases that Laura had been assigned. Craig was nothing like the highly successful men Laura dated.

  Jenna found it interesting that Laura only dated men that met her financial requirements and also managed not to become emotionally involved with any of them. When challenged, she would laugh and insist she just hadn’t met the right millionaire.

  Both foster sisters liked Craig and believed he’d be great for Laura. Despite the intensity of his work, Craig was easygoing, refusing to take himself or life too seriously.

  An elaborate spread had been set up in the dining room, which was where Sherri Ann and Laura teamed up on Jenna. Having just popped a shrimp canapé into her mouth, Jenna blinked in surprise when Sherri Ann took her plate and Laura grabbed her elbow. They ignored her protests that she was hungry and pulled her into Laura’s lovely bedroom.

  With the door closed, Jenna looked from one to the other. Annoyed, she complained, “I’m hungry, why’d you take my plate?”

  “Forget about food. We have important things to discuss,” Sherri Ann said.

  Jenna asked, “Like what?”

  “Like you keeping secrets! Leah let slip you’ve been wearing an expensive ring on that gold chain. Well?” Laura demanded.

  “Are you engaged and forgot to tell us?” Sherri Ann asked, all business. Judging by the set of her mouth and her crossed arms, she was not backing down. She expected an answer.

  Throwing her hands up in a show of helplessness, Jenna confessed, “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think I had much to tell.” Hoping to buy time, she sat down on the padded bench at the foot of the bed and crossed her legs.

  “Did Scott propose?” Laura wanted to know.

  “Why keep it a secret?” Sherri Ann quizzed.

  Laura insisted, “Sherri Ann, will you hush and let her answer the question.”

  “Which one?” Jenna said impatiently. “I told you about the day Scott and I revisited many of the places we enjoyed while we were students.” She smiled, recalling.

  “The ring?” Laura prompted.

  Jenna ignored the interruption. “It was such a wonderful day. We were parked on the island when he told me he’d never stopped loving me. Then he asked me to marry him. I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t know what to say or even how I felt about it or him. He assured me that he didn’t expect an answer. He promised not to pressure me but wait for my answer. He asked me to wear the ring on a chain, close to my heart, until I decide.”

  “I want to see!” Sherri Ann insisted.

  Jenna pulled the ring hidden under her purple turtleneck sweater.

  Her foster sisters gasped and began talking excitedly.

  Laura gushed, “Wow!”

  “Simply stunning,” Sherri Ann marveled. “Well? What have you decided? Should we be congratulating you?”

  “See, that’s exactly why I didn’t tell you two. I knew you’d demand answers.” Jenna frowned, holding the ring tightly in a fist. “I wish I knew.”

  Laura said, “We all know that you’re still in love with the man. That’s been apparent for weeks. Why else would you have crawled back into bed with him?”

  “She’s right,” Sherri Ann said.

  “It would have helped if one of you told me,” Jenna snapped. “I didn’t realize how deep my feelings went until I blurted it on Saturday night while we were making love. I felt like such a fool.”

  When Laura and Sherri Ann started laughing, Jenna hissed, “It’s not funny.” But soon she joined in. Once they’d sobered, she confessed, “I don’t have a clue what I’m going to tell him when the time comes. Despite his promise, he expects me to say yes. I do love him, with all my heart. I just don’t know if I can trust him not to hurt me again. I’m scared.” She shook her head wearily. “I keep thinking that I’ll say or do the wrong thing and he’ll be gone again. He walked before.”

  Laura moved to sit on her right and Sherri Ann on her left, surrounding her with their loving support.

  Sherri Ann said, “You’re not going to lose him. He’s back and willing to give you the time you need to make the decision.”

  Laura insisted, “We’re forgetting what’s important here. You two are in love. That’s what matters. The problems can be worked out.”

  “She’s right.” Sherri Ann put her arm around Jenna’s shoulders and gave Jenna a quick squeeze with a brilliant smile. “This is good news. Congratulations, sister girl.”

  Laura kissed Jenna’s cheek. “Congratulations! Much love and happiness! And we’d better get out of here before my guests come looking for us and asking pointed questions. Scott’s no doubt waiting for his lovely, soon-to-be fiancée.”

  Scott approached Jenna the instant she returned to the living room. Resting an arm on her shoulders, he whispered close to her ear, “Everything okay?”

  “Perfect. Did you eat? I’m starving.”

  He smiled. “We’d better take care of that.”

  Even though Jenna enjoyed the party, she was relieved when Scott suggested they leave early, after they lit the Christmas tree.

  She giggled when she saw him cover a yawn. “I’m glad I’m not the only one worn out by the hectic week. There’s been too much to get done.”

  Unfortunately, her work wasn’t the reason she’d gotten little sleep. Night after night, she’d lain awake holding his ring and wondering if they could have a future.

  He grinned sheepishly. “It has been a struggle to get everything finished and turned in on time.”

  Laura only offered a token protest when they said their good-byes. During the drive back to her home, Jenna knew she didn’t want the evening to end. She smiled as she watched him walk around the car to open the passenger door. She took his hand, enjoying, rather than needing, his help. They walked hand and hand to her lit porch. Once inside, she called out her sister’s name. There was no response.

  “It looks as if we have the place to ourselves,” she smiled. After hanging their coats in the hall closet, she tugged him along with her into the living room. “You aren’t in a rush to leave, are you?”

  “I’m beat.” Scott stretched out his long legs, settling back against the sofa cushions. Covering another yawn, he said, “Sorry, but I can’t stay long. I don’t want to risk falling asleep on your couch.” He chuckled. “You wouldn’t be able to move me without a forklift.”

  Jenna snuggled up to him. “Don’t go,” she said, covering her yawn. “Excuse me. I want you to stay the night.”

  “That’s not a good idea,” he said wearily.

  “It’s a wonderful idea,” she said, closing lids too heavy to remain open. She had no idea how much time passed, but she stirred when she felt herself being lifted. “Scott? Where are you taking me?”

  “To bed. It’s late and there’s no point in us both losing sleep.”

  Looping an arm around his neck, she didn’t offer a single protest. When he put her down on the side of her bed, she couldn’t rouse herself enough to comment as he systematically helped her undress.

  “Where do you keep your T-shirts?”

  She nodded, pointing to the dresser’s top drawer. He returned with an oversized I love New York nightshirt. Stretching the neckband, he dropped it over her head and guided her hands into the soft cotton sleeves. He pulled back the flannel sheets and tucked her beneath the quilt. Jenna didn’t rest against the pillows.

  “You’re staying, aren’t you?” She pressed a kiss against his throat. “Please . . .”

  “You sure?” he quizzed.

  She patted the place beside her. “Yes, hurry.” There was no doubt about it. “I want to sleep in your arms.”

  There was no holding back his smile. Scott stripped down
and joined her, drawing her close to his side. A little later, relishing the sound of his deep, even breathing, Jenna heard her sister’s footsteps in the hallway and her bedroom door close. Content, she sighed deeply. For the first time since he’d proposed, Jenna was able to sleep soundly.

  Refreshed from a good night of rest, Jenna woke early. Scott was sleeping so peacefully that she didn’t have the heart to disturb him. Hungry, she recalled the wonderful pecan cinnamon rolls they used to pig out on on lazy Saturday mornings back in the day.

  On a whim, she decided to surprise him with the treat. The bakery was near their old upstairs flat close to campus. She quickly showered and dressed in a pair of comfortable black cords and a bright violet sweater. Dashing on a touch of makeup and taming her hair with her favorite hair butter, she ran a wide-tooth comb through her wavy curls. Jenna paused. She was momentarily captivated by the brilliant amethyst-and-diamond ring that hung from the fine gold chain. It was so beautiful.

  She wanted it to mean that he would always love and cherish her. That he would always be there for her. She wanted that future with Scott. She desperately wanted to believe she could put her well-being in his care for safekeeping and know that he would never walk away from their love. He’d had his choice of the most beautiful women in the world, yet he’d asked her to be his wife. It was something that she couldn’t dismiss.

  Impulsively, she decided not to tuck the ring inside her top but leave it where she could see it, a lovely reminder of what they meant to each other. After collecting a pair of ankle boots, her purse, and keys, Jenna tiptoed out and closed the door softly.

  As she put on her boots, she glanced at her sister’s door. She started forward to tell her where she was going, then stopped. Leah was a late sleeper. There was no need to wake her.

  On her way into the foyer, Jenna decided to make a stop at the market and pick up shrimp and crabmeat for a delicious seafood frittata to go with the rolls. Bundled in her down-filled parka, she jotted a note and left it propped on the table in the foyer. She smiled, imagining Scott’s and Leah’s faces when they woke to delicious smells filling the house.

  She hummed as she waited for the car to warm. She would have to stop at the gas station, since Leah had forgotten to fill the tank. It was a clear, cloudless day. In less than a week, Lincoln and his family would arrive for the holidays. Soon her dream of her family being united would finally come true. Jenna backed out of her drive knowing she had a great deal to be thankful for and even more to look forward to.

  Sleeping soundly, Scott didn’t immediately respond to the caressing hand on his chest, but the seductive lure of her nails teasing his flat nipple slowly roused him. Despite his mind being clouded with sleep, his body began to harden with desire.

  “Jenna . . . my sweet love.” He groaned groggily at the provocative feel of her breasts against him and the warmth of her lips at the base of his throat.

  He’d wanted to make love to her last night, but he’d been too tired to do anything about it. With his eyes closed, he wrapped an arm around her and dropped his head to kiss from her temple down her cheeks to her throat. As his mouth opened to cover hers, he inhaled.

  Suddenly, Scott realized that her scent wasn’t quite right and her mouth tasted like stale wine. Confused, but before his sleepy brain could sort it out, he heard a loud scream and the crash of china hitting the hardwood floor.

  Jenna, pleased with her culinary effort, used only one hand to balance the heavy tray braced against a hip as she opened her bedroom door. Her eyes widened as she realized that Scott was in her bed but he wasn’t alone. Leah was wrapped around him and they were kissing. Shocked, Jenna wasn’t conscious of making a sound or letting go of the tray.

  Her hands went up to cover her face while she stared in horrified disbelief. No! It couldn’t be true! Her sister couldn’t be in bed with her man!

  For an endless moment, no one said or did anything. Scott was the first to react. He swore heatedly as he roughly pushed Leah away from him, giving her a hard glare before turning his attention to Jenna.

  “Jenna, sweetheart! I don’t know what’s going on here, but it’s not what you think. You have to believe me!” he insisted. “I was asleep! I thought it was you in my arms,” he said, urgently swinging his feet down to the floor. The bed linens covered his nudity.

  Leah rushed to say, “I came in here, looking to borrow a dress. He asked me—”

  “Shut up! Both of you, just shut up!” Jenna yelled. Her hands were balled into taut fists on her hips. “I don’t want to hear a thing from either one of you.” She sent her twin a furious glare. “You have no business being in my room! Whether he invited you in here or not. None! Get out! ” Jenna raged, taking a threatening step forward.

  “It was a mistake!”

  “Get your things! I want you out of my house! Now!”

  Leah sent her twin an angry glare before she stamped out on bare feet, wearing nothing but a short gown. She slammed the door so hard that it rattled.

  When Scott opened his mouth to speak, Jenna shouted as she pointed her finger at him. “No, damn it! I’m not interested in anything you have to say. I want you out now!”

  On his feet, Scott began shoving his legs into his jeans. “You can’t mean it. You have to let me explain.”

  “I don’t have to do a blasted thing!” Shaking from the force of her emotions, she yelled, “I want you gone. Out of my house . . . out of my life for good! I should never have taken you back. It was a terrible mistake to give you another chance to hurt me.”

  “Jenna . . .”

  “I said no!” Gesturing wildly, Jenna touched the engagement ring he’d placed on the fine chain around her neck. She grabbed it, yanking until the chain broke, then flung it at him. She hissed, “Get out and take this with you. I don’t want to see it or you ever again!”

  She turned her back to him, waiting for the sound of his retreating footsteps. It wasn’t until he slammed her front door that she could breathe easily. Jenna couldn’t bear to look at the bed or the mess on the floor.

  She was hurting. How she hurt. Yet she didn’t dare give in to the agony raging inside her. Instead she went into her office and sank into the chair behind the desk, to wait for her sister. She fought back tears, determined not to give in to the incredible anguish ravishing her heart. She had to wait until she was alone to give in to the crushing weight of their betrayal and her keen disappointment. First things first: she still had to get Leah out of her house.

  When her twin appeared on the threshold of the room, Leah hesitated. Jenna motioned for her to come into the room, noting that though Leah’s chin was up, she avoided eye contact.

  “Jenna, I know it looked bad, but you have to let me ex . . .” Leah stopped when Jenna raised her palm for silence.

  “I’ve told you, I’m not interested in anything you have to say. It’s over. And I want you gone from my sight. Although I’d like you gone for good, I can’t do that, especially not with Lincoln and his family arriving next week.”

  Unlocking her desk drawer, Jenna quickly wrote out a check. After tearing it off, she placed it on top of the desk. “That should be enough for you to stay in a motel. When Lincoln comes, you can stay here only as long as he and his family are here. The minute he leaves, I expect you to do the same. We may be twins, but as far as I’m concerned, we’re no longer sisters.”

  “You brought me here and now you’re just going to leave me—”

  “Not another word! You crawled in bed with my man! That means I don’t have to listen to any excuse you can come up with. There is no justification for what I walked in on. Don’t you get it? I no longer care about anything you have to say or what you do. Hand over my house key.”

  Jenna didn’t so much as glance Leah’s way as she tossed down the key, snatched up the check, and hurried out of the room. Jenna lifted her le
gs until she could wrap her arms around them. She leaned forward, resting her chin on upraised knees. Unshed tears burned her eyes, but she held them back.

  She waited until she heard the sound of a taxi’s horn blaring outside, then Leah slamming the front door behind her. Finally, Jenna was able to let go of the tight hold she’d kept on her emotions. Anguish-filled sobs tore at her. She was bombarded with despair, grief, and an excruciating sense of disappointment.

  It was hours later before she was able to call her foster sisters, confessing that she needed them.

  Despite the mess she had left on her bedroom floor, Jenna couldn’t deal with it. She simply didn’t care. She remained curled in a pain-filled ball. She couldn’t make her way past the despair and the heaviness in her heart.

  She thought she’d gotten rid of the worst of it, but when she tried to explain what happened, she realized she’d been wrong. Huddled on the sofa between Sherri Ann and Laura, Jenna felt her tears return full force. It wasn’t until she finished speaking that the tears slowed to a trickle.

  “It’s going to be alright, honey. Even though it doesn’t seem like it now, you will get through this.” Sherri Ann squeezed her hand.

  Laura nodded. “She’s right. It won’t be easy, but one day you’ll look back on all this and wonder why you shed a single tear over either of those two losers. They certainly don’t deserve you. They’re the ones who will be left without you in their lives. It’s their loss.”

  Jenna appreciated her best friends’ love and support. Even though her foster sisters did their utmost to console her, they all knew words couldn’t erase the horror of finding her twin sister in bed with the man she loved.

  “It could be worse,” Sherri Ann put in. “At least you know that Scott was asleep and thought he was with you, not Leah.”

  Laura demanded, “And how does she know that? Because Scott said so? He’s a man, Sherri Ann! When their male thingy takes over, who knows who’s calling the shots. Besides, he’s not a complete fool. He wasn’t about to admit he lost control and for that moment didn’t care which twin he had in bed with him.”