Love Me Forever by Ari Thatcher Page B

with you, too. As I recall, the waitress with the big boobs was gyrating on your other leg while I humped you like an obnoxious dog.”
    Matt burst out laughing and pulled Jen into a tight hug. “That’s what I love about you, woman. Your conceit is so overwhelming.”
    She slapped at his shoulder. “And you’ll say anything to get me in bed.”
    Toying with her hair, he watched the curl spring back when he tugged it straight. “Yeah, I was such a horn-dog. Got you drunk and hauled you out behind the barn the first night I saw you.”
    “Ha! I had to throw myself at your feet to get you to see me as anything more than a friend.” She bit her lower lip in an obvious attempt to keep from smiling.
    “See you? No way. The way you looked next to all the other girls—”
    “If you say anything about my glow-in-the-dark complexion, I’m heading back to my room now.” She planted a finger on his lips. “Alone.”
    Puckering, he kissed her finger, then ran his tongue along it and sucked the tip into his mouth. Her hiss of arousal made his groin tighten. The look of her, the taste of her, and the sounds she made, any one little thing could set him off. It amazed him he was capable of going through a day without making love to Jen every hour.
    In the fading light, he stroked his thumb across her cheek, the twilight emphasizing the contrasts in their complexion. “My porcelain doll.”
    “You called me that just before we made love the first time . ”
    “So smooth and perfect.”
    She turned away, ducking her head, but he reached up and kept her hair from providing her shield. He spoke gently, stroking her hair behind her ear. “Look at me, honey.”
    When she met his gaze, he continued. “You are perfect to me. I don’t care what ideas you’ve taken in your head. I know you’re not twenty anymore, but neither am I. I’m thirty-one. I’m not looking for a twenty - year - old. Any character that is on your face now tells me you’ve lived, you’ve experienced.”
    “Some days I look a lot more experienced than others.”
    “Every day you are that much more beautiful to me.”
    She studied him for a moment, nibbling her lower lip, then rose on her toes and kissed him. Her skin was cool against his, her breath hot on his face. Even as she initiated the contact, he felt she was holding back. Uncertain. When she tried to pull away he hugged her, then smoothed his palm down the back of her dress. He drew in a deep breath. “What did he do to you?”
    With a jerk, she stepped back. “Who? What are you talking about?”
    “I don’t know, but I’m guessing your husband. You were never the conceited type, but you had confidence.” He smiled in an effort to get her to relax. “Or did you forget to pack it for your trip?”
    Her wry grin answered him. “Maybe it got lost in the airport.”
    Turning away, she took a few steps toward the trees. “It dried up and blew away over the years. As he took over the decision making, scheduled all our activities, I guess I didn’t even notice I was losing my ability to decide.”
    Believing there was more to the story, he waited.
    “It really wasn’t awful. He wasn’t abusive. He provided for me. All that was required of me was to be present when he said to. You follow instructions long enough and you lose the ability to think for yourself.”
    She spun on her heels and returned to Matt. “But it’s coming back. I went back to school without asking permission, before I left him. I chose a job based on my needs, no one else’s. I bought a house. In another year or so I figure I’ll be fully back to the old me.”
    “A year. It’s a crime to think anyone can destroy another person like that. Anything I can do to help you, let me know. I tend to take the reins, it’s just who I am. I should ask what you want to do, instead of dragging you around.”
    Her eyes reflected the sunset as she gazed up at him, making it hard to tell what she was thinking. He had to wait,