14

“It will only take me a minute,” Marilyn said, heading for the kitchen, and leaving Jonathan standing in her living room. She was going to tell him to make himself at home, but she didn’t want to sound too forward. She was still trying to get the hang of this dating thing.

A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a tray with a steeping pot of tea and two cups. He was sitting on the sofa and quickly stood to help her. “Thanks, Jonathan.”

He sat back down and she took the seat across from him, then poured herbal tea into each cup and handed him one. “Ahh, this is delicious,” he said, quickly taking a sip. “But I’m not going to claim it tastes better than Madaris tea.”

She lifted a brow. “Madaris tea?”

“Yes. Whispering Pines’ own special blend. It’s a secret tea recipe that’s been in my family for years.”

She smiled over the rim of her teacup. “A secret recipe?”

“Yes. In fact, its special ingredients of herbs and spices can only be shared with the men in my family, and then, only after they reach the age of thirty-five. That’s when they’re deemed trustworthy.”

“And the women were never deemed trustworthy?” she asked, wondering if what he was telling her was fact or fiction.

“I guess not. I think women are overly inclined to share. In any case, somebody in the family found out the hard way, so they came up with the rule. I don’t know the ingredients yet, but my older brothers do. One day, I’ll have one of them fix you a cup.”

Was he hinting that she might soon meet his family? “Thanks, I’d like that. My dad always liked this blend, but there’s nothing secret about it. He preferred it over coffee and taught me to make it just this way. I was the one who filled up his thermos for work. Mama had a tendency to reduce the amount of sugar he liked in it.”

Jonathan nodded. “I’m sure he missed you when you left for college. And now.”

“And I miss them. Both Mom and Dad, but especially Dad. I’m a bit of a daddy’s girl.”

He chuckled. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me? Do you go home a lot?”

She was pensive for a moment, before saying, “Not as much as I’d like.” Then because he was so easy to talk to, she added, “My dad hurt his back, while unloading supplies from his truck. He’s home for a while on disability.”

“I hope he’s okay.”

“He’s doing fine, although he’s as hard-headed as usual, according to Mom. The last I heard, he’ll be able to return to work after the holidays but will be limited to making local deliveries for a while.”

“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Jonathan said, after taking a sip of his tea.

“What?”

“Drive an eighteen-wheeler. When I was a kid, my family owned one to deliver the dairy products to various stores in Texas. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to become a driver. But by the time I did, the dairy had become a much smaller part of the Whispering Pines’ business.”

Marilyn nodded, finding what he was sharing with her pretty fascinating.

“What are your plans tomorrow, Marilyn?” Jonathan asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“I have church in the morning. And afterwards, I’m going to a fashion show with some of the ladies.”

He nodded. “What about next weekend?”

She’d enjoyed his company today, but wasn’t sure if she was ready for more. “Next Saturday is the day I volunteer my tutoring services at the church. All day,” she decided to add.

“Sounds like you’re going to be busy.”

She nodded.

He sat his cup aside. “It’s getting late and I don’t want to keep you up. You have a full day tomorrow,” he said standing. “Will you walk me to the door?”

The last time he’d been in her home, he’d kissed her, leaving her too dazed to walk him anywhere. “Of course.” Placing her cup aside, she stood as well.

When they reached her door, he smiled down at her. “I enjoyed spending time with you today. See, I’m not such a bad guy.”

“I never said you’re a bad guy, Jonathan.” Quite the contrary, in fact. Today she’d witnessed a new Jonathan, one whose strength, kindness and thoughtfulness seemed an innate part of him.

She thought back over the day. When they’d been at the restaurant, Loggie had pointed at an older couple, two of his regular customers, who were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Jonathan had paid for their meal. And at the movies, he’d constantly asked if there was anything she’d wanted or needed. Yes, Jonathan Madaris had taken good care of her today. And she’d had more fun with him than she’d had in years. He wasn’t bad, just overwhelming.

“Does that mean you’ll see me again?” he asked her.

She drew in a deep breath. “Yes. But I can’t next Saturday.”

He grinned, showing the dimple in one of his cheeks. “I know. You’re busy. All day.”

Did he not believe her? The thought that he might not sort of irritated her. “I will be busy, Jonathan.”

He touched her arm and immediately she felt a rush of heat spread through her. “I believe you, Marilyn. I’ll be busy, too. I’m leaving straight from work on Friday to head out to Whispering Pines. I promised my brothers I’d help them brand cattle this weekend.”

“Sounds like fun.”

He gave her a wry smile. “Not so much for the cattle, I’m sure.”

Marilyn couldn’t help but shake her head and return his smile. “Yes, I can imagine.” She drew in a deep breath. As much as she would hate to see him leave, she knew it was time for him to go. “Good night, Jonathan.”

She reached for the door at the same time he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She looked up at him and then wished she hadn’t. The look in those gorgeous dark eyes sent her pulse racing. He was going to kiss her. She knew it and heaven help her, she wanted him to.

Marilyn wasn’t sure what she should do, if anything. She hadn’t, the last time. He’d kissed her and although she hadn’t kissed him back, he’d still left a whopper of an impression on her. This time, though, she wanted to make an impression on him, or at least try. “I’m not good at kissing, Jonathan. Tell me what to do.”

A part of her thought she should feel ashamed for making such a request, but it was too late now. She held her breath when he brushed a kiss across her mouth and whispered, “Imitate me.”

Her lips parted on a breathless moan and he seized the moment to slide his tongue between them.

* * * *

This is what Jonathan had been waiting for all day--a chance to sample Marilyn’s delicious taste. To drink in the essence of her sensuous sweetness while feeling the wet heat of her mouth beneath his. She was imitating him, just as he’d suggested. The way her tongue was tentatively dueling with his caused bone-melting fire to spread through his blood. She was a quick learner. A low growl of approval vibrated deep in his throat.

Jonathan was certain Marilyn had no idea what she was doing to him. He was sure she hadn’t had a clue that he’d spent the whole day, as well as all of last week, thinking about kissing her. And now he had his chance, and he was taking it, consuming her mouth as if he wanted to devour her. He was thrilled that she was returning his kiss as if she felt the same way.

Knowing they needed to breathe, he broke off the kiss and drew in a deep breath. Then he glanced down at her. She looked like a woman who’d been thoroughly and possessively kissed. He smiled at the thought of that.

“Jonathan.”

She’d said his name on a breathless whisper and the sound sent another streak of desire surging through him. Slowing removing one hand from around her waist, he slid it to the nape of her neck and rubbed his open mouth against her throat. She smelled so darn good. Then he nipped lightly at her earlobe and began licking around her mouth, loving the sound of the moans she was making.

He wondered if she felt the invisible threads that were binding them together. It was a slow process, but it was happening nonetheless. His intentions today had been to show her how much fun they could have together, how well they communicated, how much they had in common.

Unable to help himself, he took her mouth again, kissing her possessively this time. Again, she imitated the movement of his mouth and tongue, nearly sending him over the edge. He dived deeper into her mouth, deeper than he intended to go, but at that moment, he felt erotically starved and she was giving him the sustenance he needed.

When he finally broke off the kiss again, he whispered, “I want to spend time with you, Marilyn, and I hope you’d like to spend more time with me. For us to move forward, it has to be your decision. Please don’t take too long to make it.”

And then he dropped his hands and took a step back. He stared at her for a minute longer than he intended, before opening the door to leave.