Long-Lost Mom

“Well, no,” Kristen said slowly. “But I’m beginning to see some of your reluctance to tell him the truth.”

“Yeah.”

For a minute they sat in silence.

“Well, if you wait until he falls in love with you-” Kristen leaped to her feet again “-he won’t be able to resist when you tell him.”

“Oh, sure, like that’s going to happen.”

“I bet he’s halfway there,” Kristen said. “Quite frankly you have nothing left to lose.”

Wasn’t that the truth.

“Are you feeling okay?”

Jenna realized she’d been holding the side of her face again, where the worst of the damage had been done in her accident. It ached sometimes, as it did now, although the doctor had told her it was because, when she felt tense, she tightened her muscles too much.

The office door opened behind them just as Kristen asked, “Any lingering pain?”

Jenna didn’t have to turn to see the newcomer, didn’t have to see to know why her entire body was suddenly tingling with anticipation. And panic. How was she going to explain this? And why hadn’t she told him the truth? Why was she still hiding?

Stone let the door shut quietly behind him. In his slow but sure way he took in the entire setting-and Kristen. His face hardened, although he remained polite. Dipping his head, he still managed to greet Jenna with a solid warmth that seeped into her very nervous bones.

“Cindy,” he said quietly, only his eyes reflecting the fact that he’d recently made love to her until she didn’t know her name.

“S-Stone,” she said rising. “Hello. I’m just-”

But he turned to Kristen, who smiled wobbily and said, “Hello, Stone. It’s been a while.”

His expression gave away none of the thoughts Jenna knew had to be racing through his head. “Certainly has.”

“How’s Sara?”

“Ever thought about calling and asking her yourself?”

“I’ve wanted to,” Kristen said softly, her face creased in regret. “I’m sorry I haven’t.”

“Don’t be.”

“I’ve also wanted to apologize. For… the court case back then. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Not many of us were.”

So unrelenting. So stiff. Jenna hadn’t heard him sound so cold before. So utterly uncaring. It was unlike him, but God, could she blame the man? Jenna knew Kristen. had only been trying to do what was best for Sara, but when she remembered all Stone had faced in those early months, she wanted to cry.

He made no move to lighten the tension, which had become so thick she could hardly breathe. In the awkward silence she threw Kristen a panicked look. How would she explain?

Kristen. saved the day, or tried to. “Well, I should get going. Please let me know if something comes up. I can be available to take an assignment on an hour’s notice.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt business,” Stone said, folding his long lean body into a chair. “I can wait.”

He thought Kristen was looking for a job, Jenna realized with relief. Well, what else could he think? He could never in his wildest dreams guess the truth. “It might be a while,” she said, not exactly eager to face what had to be done. What should have already been done.

“Never mind, it’s okay.” Kristen nearly ran to the door. “We can finish another time. Thank you,” she said to Jenna, giving her a look Jenna had no trouble reading.

Tell him!

Don’t you dare leave! Jenna silently begged in response.

“Take care,” Kristen said.

Stone looked surprised at Jenna’s outburst. “No! I need your resume, remember?” Jenna jumped up, desperate to delay the inevitable.

“I won’t forget. Goodbye, Stone.” Kristen hesitated. “I hope to see you again. Will you tell Sara you saw me?”

Jenna’s heart stopped. Stone’s gaze was shuttered. “Why would I do that?”

“So that maybe you could tell her I asked about her. That I send my-” She stumbled over her words when Stone didn’t make a move to encourage her. “So you can tell her I said hello.”

He stared at her. “I’ll tell her.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes bright as she left

Stone rose and came toward Jenna. He stopped so close his thighs brushed hers. “Why are you so tense?” He lifted her chin so he could meet her eyes. “I wish you wouldn’t hide from me.”

“Hide?” She laughed nervously, pulling away to sit at the chair behind her desk. “I’m right here.”

“You know what I mean.” With slow grace he closed the space between them. He leaned forward, his big hands on the arms of her chair, surrounding her, crowding her in the nicest of ways. One hand lifted and his fingers brushed her jaw gently. Tenderly. Lowering his head, his mouth replaced his fingers, and she felt him kiss the puckered skin of her scars so lightly, with such gut-wrenching care, tears welled.

“What did Kristen mean,” Stone murmured against her skin, “when she asked you about lingering pain?”

“Did you stop by for pleasure or business?”

“I asked first. Are you hurting from this?” As his mouth hovered close, his fingers spread wide over the side of her face, his thumb brushing over her lips as if he wanted to feel her answer, as well as hear it.

“I…can’t think when you touch me,” she said against those warm fingers.

“So don’t think.” His body brushed closer, then closer, so she could feel the heat of him sink into her skin.

His name drifted in a sigh off her lips.

Her name drifted off his and he bent to kiss her.

The door to the office swung open to reveal a shocked Kristen.

“I’m back,” she said too brightly, waving an envelope. “And I’ve got my resume.” She shot Jenna a glance that spoke volumes. “Stone, I think someone is just pulling up to your office.”

When Stone moved to the window to peek out, Kristen glared at Jenna and mouthed, Stop kissing and start telling!

Stone turned back, strode over to Jenna and, disregarding Kristen’s fascinated stare, kissed her just long enough to have her eyes crossing with want. “I came to talk to you about hiring a clerk for my office, but we can do that later. I’ll see you soon,” he promised quietly.

As he strode out, Jenna fell limply into a chair, thankful down to her curling toes she didn’t have to answer.

Kristen grinned. “Got any brain cells left?”

“Not many.” Jenna fanned herself, feeling ridiculously juvenile to be so bowled over by a kiss. “What are you doing? Why did you come back?” She tossed the empty envelope aside. “You don’t have a resume.”

“I’m making sure you don’t make another mistake. I stepped aside too many times in our lives, and yes, I realize we’re old enough to take care of ourselves now, but I thought I’d save you, anyway.” She pointed. “Now listen up, little sister. No more hanky-panky until you tell him. You’ll just make it worse.”

“Do you think I plan such things?” Jenna asked incredulously.

“Hmm. No, I can see how you lose yourself. He’s incredible. Just don’t forget, you have a strategy. Make him fall in love with you. Love. Not lust, though…” She glanced out the window at the retreating Stone, whose long amazing legs, strong defined arms and taut backside all moved with the easy grace of a man very much in charge of himself and his emotions. “I can definitely see where the lust comes from.”

Like starstruck giggly teens, they crowded the window, watching Stone walk away. God, he was something, Jenna a thought. A well-honed machine, all those muscles and well put together bones running smoothly.

“He did grow up fine, didn’t he?” Kristen asked a bit breathlessly.

“Yeah.” And the knowledge didn’t ease the ache of unfilled desire pounding through her. Not one little bit.

Make him fall in love with you.

Kristen’s words haunted Jenna as she tried to work the next day, for she had no idea how to accomplish this.