Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee - Brenda Jackson [37]
Dana let go of his hand and sat back, hoping she’d said something to make him feel better. She could tell he was worried but a part of her believed Sarah Westmoreland would come through this just fine.
“How did your parents meet?” she decided to ask, wanting him to dwell on happier memories.
She watched the corners of his lips turn up into a smile. “My mother and Aunt Evelyn were best friends growing up in Birmingham, Alabama. When they graduated from high school, Aunt Evelyn came to Atlanta to visit her aunt. During her first week here she went on a church outing and met Uncle John. She wrote back to my mom telling her she had fallen in love and asking her to come to Atlanta to be her maid of honor. She’d only known her new groom a little more than a week!”
Jared gave her a lopsided grin. “My mother, being the levelheaded person that she is, caught a bus that same day and arrived in town to talk some sense into Aunt Evelyn. She didn’t think love at first sight was possible.”
Dana chuckled. She could just imagine his mother doing that. “What happened next?”
Jared smiled. “She got to town, met John’s twin brother, James, and fell for him just as hard as Aunt Evelyn had fallen for my uncle. My parents got married within a couple of weeks of my aunt and uncle’s wedding.”
A smile softened Dana’s lips. “That’s a beautiful love story.”
Jared shrugged as he took a sip of his drink. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” It had been a long time since he had thought about how his parents had gotten together. They had met and fallen in love immediately. They hadn’t thought about any of the ups and downs they would face. They had simply loved each other and had wanted to be together. To them that was all that had mattered.
Sighing deeply, Jared glanced down at his watch. “Are you ready to leave? Tonight is a nice night to walk around the park. Would you like to do that?”
“I’d love to.” Dana met his gaze, suddenly understanding his need to get away for a few days and making a quick decision. “I’d love your company this weekend if you’re serious about going with me to Brunswick.”
He smiled warmly. “I am.”
She returned his smile. “Good.”
Over an hour later Jared returned to Dana’s home and walked her to the door. She turned and looked at him.
“I enjoyed being with you tonight, Dana,” he said, taking her hands in his.
Jared’s words, spoken in a soft husky voice, immediately reclaimed Dana’s attention. And his touch sent all kinds of sensations escalating through her body. “I enjoyed being with you tonight, as well,” she said honestly. “Would you like to come in for something to drink?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s late and I’d better go.”
Dana let out the breath she’d been holding. A part of her was glad he had turned down her invitation but then another part was disappointed. She wanted to be alone with him. She wanted him to kiss her again. And more.
She gazed up at him. “Then I guess we need to say good night.”
He gently tugged on her hand, pulling her from the shaft of light shining down on them from the porch light to a darkened area of the porch. She saw the kiss coming, wanted it and moaned with pleasure the moment their mouths touched. Intense heat, overwhelming pleasure shot through her as his tongue masterfully mated with hers. She could only stand there and grip his solid shoulders for support as he took her to another world, feasting on her lips as if they were a meal he had to savor.
When he finally released her mouth she had to rest her head on his chest while she caught her breath. Jared Westmoreland could incite passion with a mere touch, a kiss, a look. And she had felt his solid hard erection pressing against her, through the material of her skirt. He was as aroused and as she was.
“Go into the house, Dana,” he whispered against her lips after slowly releasing her. He took a step back.
She swallowed. His voice