16

Jonathan knew that more than anything, he needed to assure Marilyn he wouldn’t rush her into anything. She was different from other women he’d known. And one day, she would be his wife.

“I don’t have any expectations, Marilyn. I just want to continue to get to know you...and want you to get to know me. We’ll see how things go from there.”

She nodded. “I guess I don’t need to tell you that I have old-fashioned ideas about certain things, Jonathan.”

“You’re talking about sex?” There was no need to beat around the bush. He knew what she was hinting at.

“Yes.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

She looked skeptical. “And what if I said I wanted to save myself for marriage?”

That didn’t bother him--he had every intention of becoming her husband. “That’s your prerogative.”

“You wouldn’t try and change my mind?”

He chuckled. “I’ll respect your decision, Marilyn, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try and change your mind.” He smiled. There. He was honest with her. “Will knowing that scare you away?”

She shook her head. “No. I appreciate your honesty.”

When he brought the car to a stop at a traffic light, he reached out and took her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I will always be honest with you, Marilyn.”

But he inwardly winced at the reminder that even now, he was keeping something from her--the strategy he’d used so they could be together. He would tell her everything, he promised himself, as soon as he was certain she’d fallen in love with him. He was sure, at that point, that she’d agree that the ends justified the means. She’d understand that he’d done what he had to do, in order to guarantee their future.

“I’d like to make a suggestion,” she said.

He glanced over at her. “Yes?”

“I’d like to take things slowly, if you don’t mind. I rather not go out on weekdays, since we both have busy schedules.”

“That’s fair. Any other ideas?” he asked her.

“No, none that I can think of.”

“When are Traci and Erika leaving?”

“After dinner. She has a long drive ahead of her and doesn’t want to be on the road late. What about Roman?”

“He’s leaving after dinner, as well. He has a court case in the morning.” There was no need to tell her that chasing after a woman had brought Roman to town in the first place. “Are you hungry?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

“Good. You’re going to like this place.”

* * * *

They had dinner at Smiley’s, a restaurant owned by a man who’d been one of Jonathan’s father’s oldest friends, Harrelson Smiley. Smiley’s had been the first place a Whispering Pines steak had been served years ago, and it was still a top choice on their menu today.

More than once, Jonathan glanced over at Roman, who seemed quite taken with Traci and her little girl. Traci was a beautiful woman, but as Roman’s best friend, Jonathan knew Roman had a policy of not getting involved with women who had a ready-made family. Jonathan decided to talk to Roman about his womanizing ways, the first time he got him alone. The last thing Jonathan needed was for his friend to see Traci as a prime target.

He liked Traci and could see why she and Marilyn were best friends. And it was obvious that she was a good mother. He’d never seen a better behaved three-year-old.

Dinner had been great and both Marilyn and Traci agreed that the Whispering Pines steaks had been delicious. The thought that he would be paying Marilyn a visit later that afternoon had Jonathan smiling all the way back to the car. He hadn’t realized his friend had said something until Roman leaned over and snapped a finger in his face. “What?”

Roman grinned. “I don’t have to ask why you’re in such a daze, Jon. It’s obvious Marilyn Bannister has blown your mind.”

Jonathan glanced over at Roman as he pulled the car out of the parking lot. “And what is your excuse with Traci?”

Roman’s grin vanished. “What do you mean?”

Jonathan frowned. “You know what I mean, Roman. Whatever plans you have for her, you need to forget them. She’s Marilyn’s best friend and she’s real protective of her.”

Roman didn’t say anything for a minute and then said, “Would you believe me if I said I like her.”

“Yes, I would believe you. However, I would question your motives.”

“In other words, you don’t think I mean her any good.”

“Knowing the way you are with women, what do you think I’d think?”

Roman looked down at his hands. “Traci is a great person and her little girl is adorable.”

“And?”

Roman shrugged. “And nothing.”

Jonathan decided to let it go. Roman was going home to Dallas and Traci was headed in the opposite direction, back to San Antonio. Chances were, their paths wouldn’t be crossing again anytime soon.

“Church service was pretty good, don’t you think,” he said to Roman.

“If you say so.” Roman sat up in his seat and turned to Jonathan. “So what’s the story with Traci and her little girl?”

Jonathan glanced over at him. “What do you mean?”

“Is there an ex-husband around?”

“No.”

“An ex-boyfriend?”

Jonathan released a deep breath. “There’s an ex-boyfriend, but I understand he’s not in the picture. Why? Are you interested?”

Roman shrugged. “I’m not. Just curious.”

Jonathan kept driving, hoping curiosity was all it was.

* * * *

“I’m glad you and Erika paid me a visit this weekend,” Marilyn said as Traci pulled her car out of the restaurant’s parking lot.

“I’m glad, too. It was a great weekend, made even better by the fact that I don’t have to go to work tomorrow. And I’m glad I got to meet Jonathan. I wished I’d had a camera to take a picture of every time you smiled during dinner. You’re happy. I can tell.”

Marilyn had to admit it, she was happy. “Well, it’s official, Traci. Jonathan and I have decided to start dating.”

“Yea!”

Marilyn laughed. “Glad you approve.”

“Hey, I approved before meeting him. Now that I’ve met him, and saw how much he adores you, I can’t help but be thrilled for you.”

“Adores me?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve got eyes, Marilyn. The man is smitten.”

“Umm,” Marilyn said, glancing over at her friend. “I think I could say the same thing about Jonathan’s friend, Roman. He seemed quite taken with you…and with Erika.” She glanced in the back seat and saw her goddaughter stretched out, sleeping. Evidently, the day’s activities had worn her out.

“You’re imagining things.”

Marilyn shook her head. “I don’t think so. When he rode with you to the restaurant, how was he?”

Traci shrugged. “He seems nice enough. He told me that he’s an attorney in Dallas and that he and Jonathan were roommates in college.”

Marilyn remembered what else Jonathan had told her about Roman--his way with women. “Yes, Jonathan mentioned that.”

“You know me, Marilyn. I don’t expect much when it comes to men. Erika and I are a package deal, and most men don’t want the responsibility of another man’s child. But for me, it’s not just about responsibility. It’s about love, as well. A man would have to accept and love Erika as if she was his own.”

Marilyn knew Traci had broken off more than one relationship, for that very reason. Traci was beautiful and guys were quick to ask her out. However, once they found out she had a child, their attitude changed.

“Well, I am happy you’re going to spend time with Jonathan. He won me over by arranging to have that woman take you back and forth to school. Only a person who truly cared for your well-being would have done such a thing.”

Marilyn would admit, that had won her over, as well. He was a nice guy--one she wanted to get to know better.

“Are you still coming home for Thanksgiving?” Traci asked, intruding into her thoughts.

She nodded. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”

“I know you’re going to be busy visiting everyone, but make sure you carve out a few hours for me and Erika.”

“Of course. We’ll nail down the details when we get closer to the date.”

“Sure thing.”

* * * *

Later that evening, Marilyn opened the door to Jonathan. The moment he entered her apartment, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It was something he’d been wanting to do all day. Sitting beside her in church hadn’t been easy. Holding her hand had helped, but it hadn’t cured the desire he’d felt sizzling through his body. When she’d agreed to date him, he’d been so excited, he’d had trouble eating his meal.

He took her mouth with all the hunger he’d built up since the last kiss. And like before, she imitated the movements of his tongue, his lips, his entire mouth. He was devouring her and she, in turn, was devouring him. A sexual charge rushed through him and he tried playing it down, remembering what she’d said about taking things slow. But he couldn’t help it. He’d gone two weeks without her taste, and he desperately wanted to make up for lost time.

Jonathan broke off the kiss and then pressed his forehead to hers, breathing in deeply, drawing her luscious scent in through his nostrils.

“Wow,” she said, licking her lips. “I liked that.”

Her words made him smile. “I liked it, too.” He took her hand and led her over to the sofa, where they both sat down. What he wanted to do was pull her onto his lap, but he didn’t think she was ready for something like that yet. He did drape his arms across the back of sofa and was pleased when she scooted a little closer to him. “Did Traci and Erika get off okay?” he asked her.

She smiled up at him. “Yes. She’ll call me when they arrive home so I won’t worry. What about Roman? Has he left to return to Dallas?”

“He’s on the road now.”

“He seemed quite taken with Traci.”

Jonathan nodded. He wasn’t surprised she’d noticed. “He thinks she’s a great person and that Erika is adorable.” He was telling her exactly what Roman had told him, nothing more and nothing less. Deciding to quickly change the subject, he asked, “What do you usually do on Sunday afternoons?”

“It depends. If I have a busy Saturday, I do laundry on Sunday evenings. Otherwise, it’s my time to unwind and watch television--Wild Kingdom, Wonderful World of Disney and then Bonanza.”

He chuckled. “That’s my Sunday night television line-up as well. Have you ever been to Disneyland?”

“No. Have you?”

“Yes. Twice,” he said.

“Lucky you.”

He decided not to say, lucky you too, because he intended to be the one to take her there one day. Maybe not Disneyland but their new theme parked that opened recently in Orlando, Disney World. There was a lot he wanted to show Marilyn Bannister--first and foremost, that he was husband material, a man worthy of being the father of all those kids she wanted to have. He would treat her like the queen she was, queen of his heart.

“I know we agreed not to go out during the week, Marilyn, but do you have a problem with me calling you?”

She shook her head. “No, I’d like to hear from you.”

“Good.”

“But just so you know, I’m not in the habit of calling guys, so don’t get offended if I don’t make the first move. I know girls do that sort of thing all the time, and they can become a nuisance. I saw how my brothers would handle such calls, and I promised myself I’d never become one of those women. Stuart Jr. and Roland would pretend they were glad the girl called, but they’d make faces the whole time, and say mean things about her afterward.”

It sounded like her brothers could be real jerks, Jonathan thought. “Trust me, I would welcome your call, Marilyn. At any time.”

He could tell by the look she was giving him that she wasn’t sure if she could believe him. But that wasn’t a problem. This was one of those cases he would move to his “show her” list. “Now to plan our next date. How would you like to go to a Stevie Wonder concert with me next Saturday?”

Her eyes brightened. “Oh, Jonathan, I’d love to.”

He smiled before leaning in to kiss her again.