He was accustomed to beautiful, gorgeous women, but there was something intrinsically special about Dana Rollins. He hadn’t been this attracted to a woman since heaven knows when. Now it seemed he was making up for lost time.
“Sir, your order is ready.”
Jared turned and took the tray loaded with his food from the man behind the counter. “Thanks.” He then glanced back over at Dana Rollins and after making a quick decision, he crossed the room to where she sat.
She was so absorbed in her book that she didn’t notice him standing next to her. She was leaning forward with both her el bows on the table while holding the book in front of her, so that the neckline of her blouse gapped open enough for him to get a generous glimpse of her cleavage. He liked what he saw—firm, full breasts.
Knowing he couldn’t stand there and continue to ogle her, he cleared his throat. “Miss Rollins?”
She quickly glanced up and recognized him. He watched her shimmering bronze lips tilt into a smile guaranteed to turn him on. “Mr. Westmoreland, it’s good to see you again.”
Her dim pled smile made him acutely aware of just how beautiful she was. “It’s good seeing you again, too. It’s rather crowded in here and I saw you sitting alone and wondered if per haps I could join you?”
Her smile widened into a grin. “Yes, of course,” she said, placing her book down on the table, making sure not to lose her spot.
“Thanks,” he said, sliding into the seat across from her in the booth. “How have you been?”
Her lashes fluttered down ward before sweeping up with her gaze to meet his. “I’ve been fine and have done what you suggested and moved on.”
Jared nodded. “I’m glad to hear it, Miss Rollins.”
Her smile widened. “Please call me Dana.”
He chuckled. “Only if you call me Jared.”
After saying grace, he took a sip of his drink then proceeded to put ketch up on his fries. He glanced her way and smiled. “So what are you reading?”
She took a sip of her drink then picked up the book and held it up. “A book of poems by Maya Angelou. She’s a wonderful poet and I love reading her work. It can be so up lifting.”
He nodded. He had read several of her poems himself. Dana met his gaze. “Do you read a lot, Jared?”
He shrugged broad shoulders under an expensive suit. “The only pleasure reading I have time for these days is my cousin’s novels. He writes under the pen name Rock Mason.”
Her eyes lit up and showed her surprise. “You’re related to Rock Mason?”
Jared laughed. “Yes. His real name is Stone Westmoreland.”
Dana smiled. “Wow. I’ve read all of his books. He’s a gifted writer.”
Jared chuckled. “I’ll make sure I tell him you said that when I see him again. He and his wife, Madison, are in Texas visiting cousins we have there, but they’ll be back for our fathers’ birthdays next weekend.”
“Your fathers’ birthdays?”
He smiled. “Our fathers are fraternal twins and they turn sixty this year. Since their birthdays fall on Easter Sunday, our mothers are hosting one huge celebration.”
“Sounds like all of you will have a wonderful time.”
He chuckled. “We usually do when we all get together. The Westmoreland family is big. What about you? Are you from a large family?”
He watched sadness appear in her eyes. “I don’t have any family. I was an only child and my parents were killed five years ago in an au to accident en route to my college graduation.”
“I’m sorry.”
She met his gaze and saw the sincerity of his words. “Thank you. It was hard for me, but I got through it. Since my parents didn’t have any siblings, and their parents are de ceased, I don’t have a family.”
He watched as she caught her lower lip between her teeth as if to keep it from trembling with the remembered pain. “What are your plans for Easter Sunday?” he couldn’t help but ask.
“I don’t have any. I’ll go to a sunrise service at church and will probably spend the rest of the day at home relaxing and reading.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “What about dinner?”
She shrugged. “I’ll pull out a microwave dinner and enjoy the day that way.”
Jared tried shifting his attention back to his food but couldn’t fully concentrate on what he was eating. Because of his large family, he had grown up loving the holidays and even looked for ward to them, al though lately his mother’s interfering had tempered his anticipation.
An idea suddenly popped into Jared’s head. His mother was expecting him to bring some one to dinner so why not Dana? When his mother and his aunt Evelyn got together, the two women cooked up a storm. That had to be better than a microwave dinner. “How would you like to join me for Easter dinner at my parents’ home?” He could tell that his invitation surprised her.
“You’re inviting me to dinner at your parents’ place?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head, as if still not understanding. “But, why? We barely know each other.”
Jared knew he had to level with her. “It just so happens that you can help me out of a jam.” Dana lifted a brow. “What kind of jam?”
“My mother is obsessed. Lately, a number of my cousins have gotten married and since none of her six sons are rushing to follow suit, she’s taken it up on herself to prod us along. I’m the oldest so I’m feeling the heat more than the others. She expects me to set an example by bringing some one to dinner. And since I re call you owe me a favor, I figured now’s the time to collect.”
Dana blinked and then she re leased a deep sigh. Jared could tell she had forgotten about her promise. “But I’m sure there’re plenty of women you’ve dated who would love going to dinner with you at your parents’ home,” she implored.
Jared nodded as he continued to smile. “Yes, but if I take any of them they might get the wrong impression and think that I’m actually interested in a serious relationship. Besides, my mother and aunt are good cooks. All you’ll have to do is show up with me, endure the likes of my family and join in with the birthday festivities. I understand it’s a lot to ask, but I’d really appreciate it if you’d come. It will definitely get Mom off my back.”
Jared watched as she nervously gnawed her bottom lip. He had presented the situation just as it was.
Dana met his gaze. She had felt that pull between them, that physical attraction, so to consider being in Jared’s company for any reason wasn’t a good idea. But, she did owe him a favor and she’d al ways been taught to keep her word. “And it’s just this one time?”
“Yes, just this one time,” he assured her. “But to pull this off, we’ll need a convincing story. I think it would be a good idea if I called you one day this week to discuss answers to the questions I have a feeling my family will ask.”
Dana frowned. “What kind of questions?”
Jared grinned. “Oh, the usual, like how long have we known each other? When and how we met? How serious are things between us? And there’s a strong chance my mother might get down right personal and want to know if you’ve moved in with me yet, whether you’re capable of producing babies and if so, how many you’re willing to have.”
Dana blinked, then laughed out loud. Jared thought it was a beautiful sound; and in all honesty, the deep rumble in her throat was a blatant turn-on.
“You aren’t serious, are you?” she asked, bringing her laughter under control.
He chuckled. “Unfortunately, I am. Just wait until you meet my mother for your self. Marrying off one of her sons seems to be her number-one priority.”
Dana raised an arched brow. “And marriage is something you have an aversion to?”
“Yes. I handle enough divorce cases to know that most marriages don’t last.”
He watched as she sat back in her chair with a thoughtful expression on her face. “So will you be my date that day?”
Dana considered Jared’s invitation. After a few mom
ents she nodded her agreement.
Jared smiled, pleased with the turn of events. “Thanks, Dana. I appreciate you helping me out of this jam. You don’t know how much it means to be able to get my mother off my back.”
Two
Dana glanced down at her watch. Jared was coming to pick her up at any moment and she was a nervous wreck.
They had talked on the phone earlier in the week to get pre pared for his family’s inquisition. Just hearing his voice had sent sensuous chills all through her body and reminded her that she was definitely a woman, something she had forgotten since her break up with Luther.
That reminder came with a mixture of empowerment and restraint. The last thing she needed was to test emotional waters that were best left uncharted. All she had to do was remember what had happened with Luther to know that, woman or not, the last thing she wanted was to become vulnerable to any man again.
Dana almost jumped when she heard the sound of her doorbell. She in haled deeply and reminded herself that she probably wouldn’t see Jared again after today so there was no reason for her to come unglued. She re leased a sigh of relief and opened the door.
Jared gazed at Dana and quickly pulled in a deep breath. If he thought that she was gorgeous before, today she had surpassed his memories. He’d al ways had a health y sex drive, but seeing her standing in the doorway with all that glorious hair spread over her shoulders and wearing a pair of jeans that hugged her curvy figure and a pretty knit top, had him wondering how he would get through the day.
“Hi, Jared, please come in.”
“Thanks. You look nice.”
She smiled and stepped back as he entered and closed the door behind him. “Thank you. I just need to grab my purse,” she said, walking off to ward a room he assumed was her bedroom.
He was glad for the extra time to pull himself together. The woman was sexy and feminine all rolled into one.
Trying to distract himself, he glanced around her living room. It was nicely decorated in bright colors and with up scale furnishings. He felt something rubbing against his leg and looked down and smiled. “Hey, where did you come from?” he asked, leaning down and picking up a beautiful black cat.
“I’m read y now,” Dana said, reentering the room. She smiled when she saw him holding her cat. “I see you’ve met Tom.”
Jared chuckled. “Oh, that’s his name?”
“Yes. I’ve had him for a couple of years, since he was a kit ten. Now he’s spoiled rot ten but great company.”
“He’s a hand some fellow,” Jared said as he continued to pet the animal.
“Shh, don’t say that too loud. He’s conceited enough al read y,” Dana whispered.
Jared smiled as he placed Tom back on the floor. When he straightened back to his full height he met Dana’s gaze. Desire shot all the way through him and with an effort he swallowed. “Ready?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m read y.”
“Welcome to our home, Dana. I’m so glad that Jared brought you.”
Dana suddenly found herself swept into strong arms as a woman who she figured to be Jared’s mother gave her a gigantic hug. She had expected a nice welcome but certainly not this out pouring of affection.
“Thanks for having me,” Dana said once the woman re leased her. She glanced up at Jared. Their gazes met and held. His expression was unreadable and she couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking.
Dana noticed a sudden thickness in her throat when she remembered how she’d felt when Jared had arrived at her place, exactly at noon. The only thing she could think was that even dressed in jeans and a pullover shirt he looked polished, suave, debonair and sensual.
“You two can give each other that dream y-eyed look later,” Sarah Westmoreland said, beaming. “Come on in, everyone is anxious to meet Dana.”
Jared shook his head, catching himself and regaining his concentration. The last thing he wanted was for his mother to get any ideas that Dana was more than just a dinner date. “I take it that we’re the last to arrive,” he said, placing his hand at the small of Dana’s back while his mother led them through the foyer.
“Quade isn’t here but he called to say that he’s on his way.”
Jared nodded. His brother Quade was involved in security activities for the Secret Service and of ten missed family gatherings because of it. But it wasn’t from lack of trying to be present. Like all Westmorelands, Quade enjoyed family get-togethers.
Jared could hear voices coming from the living room and took another look at Dana. He had intended it to be a quick look but even in the day light, the soft glow from the crystal chandelier over head seemed to enhance her beauty. There was something about the shape of her mouth—he wondered how it would feel under his when he…
“My goodness, Jared, will you stop staring at Dana like that!” his mother scolded in a chuckling voice.
Damn. He hadn’t realized he’d been staring again. He kept for getting just how observant his mother was; her eyes missed nothing. His mother was smiling and for the first time he wondered if per haps he had made a mistake in inviting Dana. If his mother noticed his attention to her, he could just imagine what the other family members would think. That meant he had to keep his cool and not appear so taken with her.
“It’s about time you got here.”
Jared’s head jerked around and he frowned. His brother Durango, the man who thought all women were made for his pleasure unless they had another man’s stamp on them, was talking to Jared, but looking at Dana.
“Durango,” Jared acknowledged when his brother came to join them.
Durango nodded but his gaze went straight back to Dana. “And who is this beautiful creature?” he asked smoothly, as a smile touched both corners of his mouth.
“This is Jared’s girl. And she’s off-limits to you, so be have,” Sarah Westmoreland spoke up.
Jared’s girl. Jared rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the heat al read y.
“Are you sure that you don’t want any more birthday cake, Dana?”
Dana smiled at Sarah. “Thanks for asking but I don’t think I can eat a single thing more. All the food was wonderful, Mrs. Westmoreland.”
Dana was completely over whelmed when Jared had escorted her into the living room and introduced her to his family. The house had been decorated with birthday streamers and balloons from corner to corner. It didn’t take long to see that the Westmorelands weren’t just a clan but a whole whop ping village. The love and warmth between them was easy to see and feel.
There were Jared’s male cousins, Dare, Thorn, Stone, Chase, Storm, Clint and Cole. They all favored each other and it was easy to tell they were kin. There were few women in the Westmoreland family: Jared’s cousin Delaney who was married to a Middle East sheikh, a tall, dark, handsome man; his cousin Casey who lived in Texas and was sister to Clint and Cole, as well as Shelly, Tara, Madison and Jayla, the wives of Dare, Thorn, Stone and Storm. She also met Jared’s uncle Corey and his wife, Abby.
She had never seen so many relatives gathered in one place before, and for a moment a part of her had felt a tinge of jealousy that some people had such a huge family while others had none. But that bout of jealousy soon dissolved when she saw just how friendly and down-to-earth everyone was. At first they had been curious because Jared had never brought a woman to any family function before, but eventually they began to treat her like one of the family, with out hesitation, but with a few questions that she felt she effectively answered to satisfy their curiosity. When Jared’s brother Quade arrived, all of the attention had momentarily shifted off her, but now it was back on her again.
Jayla was pregnant with twins and the women invited Dana to join them on a shop ping trip they had planned for next weekend to help select items for the babies’ nursery. Since Dana knew Jared intended for this to be the last time she socialized with his family, she declined, coming up with an excuse about all the errands she had to do Saturday morning, but had thanked them for the invitation.
She glanced over to where Jared stood talking to his brothers and cousins and her heart thumped an unsteady beat just watching him. As if he felt her looking at him, he cocked his head in her direction and their gazes connected. Goose bumps skittered along her arms and she expelled a long, silent breath before breaking eye con tact with him.
Needing to distract herself, she glanced out of the window. Jared’s parents’ home sat on three acres of land and the huge, two-story, Southern style structure was simply stunning. A huge window provided a view of a lake. It was late afternoon and getting dark, which was a stark indication that Easter was almost over.
“I need to talk to you privately for a moment,” Jared whispered softly in her ear.
She sucked in a sharp breath. She hadn’t heard him approach and the warmth of his breath touched her neck and the faint spicy aroma of his aftershave made her skin tingle.
She wondered what he had to talk to her about and knew his family wondered, as well, when he took her hand and guided her into the kitchen, closing the door behind them.
He leaned against the kitchen counter and for a moment they stared at each other, not saying anything. Then he cleared his throat. “I should have given you this earlier at your apartment when I picked you up but I for got.” Jared knew he could have waited until he returned her home, but for some reason he wanted to get her alone, even if only for a few minutes. “Luther Cord sent a special delivery to me on Friday with instructions that I give you this. After arriving in California he evidently had a change of heart and decided he wanted you to keep it.”
Dana raised a curious brow as she watched Jared reach into his pocket to pull out a small white box. She immediately knew what it was. “My engagement ring?” she asked, startled.
Jared saw the surprised, but pleased look on her face and couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, it’s for you,” he said, handing the small box to her.
“I knew it! I just knew she was the one!”
Claimed for Destiny Page 2