AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I ignore the sudden urge to shove him off his stool. “Maybe,” I concede and take a bite of my own food.
He laughs. “I bet it was different for you that night, wasn’t it? That’s why you’re allshook. You don’t think you’ll ever find that feeling again with anyone else, so you haven’t even been tempted to try. She’s ruined you for all other women, hasn’t she?”
I shake my head and avoid eye contact. “Look, it’s not that simple. I told you, Loren and I have history.”
“Go on.”
“We hadn’t slept together before, but …” He motions with his hand for me to continue, and I sigh. “We were each other’s first kiss. And there were a few close calls over the years, but she always shot me down when I tried to make a move. Nothing big happened until this.”
“That’s why you got so upset when Lo offered to help me, isn’t it? You weren’t just jealous—I was encroaching on your territory.” He leans over and nudges my shoulder.
“I’m a grown-ass man. It’s not like I’ve been harboring a crush since I was thirteen.”
“Of course not,” he placates me. “Because you’re Blake Bourgeois. You’ve pulled some of the hottest, most beautiful women from Baton Rouge to Camellia. There’s no way you’d let little, old Loren Reed bring you to your knees, right?”
I grunt in response.
No way, right?
“Although, it’d be okay if you did. No one would think less of you for falling for your pregnant fake girlfriend,” he continues. “Speaking of, I know you don’t want to talk about that night, but something’s not adding up. You’ve always preached about the importance of using protection, so how did Loren end up pregnant?”
I feel my face flushing again. “There, uh … there wasn’t exactly enough time for that. Not the first round, anyway.”
JD rolls his lips in, and his nostrils flare as he tries not to laugh.
“It was—I mean, I tried …” I don’t know how to save face without disrespecting Loren. And then I realize how much trouble I’m in because I care so damned much. “There was a lot of wine involved, and like, a fifteen-year buildup to that moment, all right?”
He’s chuckling out loud now. “You mean, you’ve been fantasizing about her for fifteen years? I thought she was barelytolerable?”
I growl as I rise to dump my plate and mug in the sink.
“But hey, if the chemistry has lasted this long, it’s probably worth betting on,” he adds.
“Says the guy who practically ran to the altar because of ‘chemistry,’” I grumble.
“Chemistry is a gift,” he says simply. “Listen, man. I know you still think I based my marriage on an infatuation, but I’m not crazy enough to believe in love at first sight. There’s a reason I felt such an intense and overwhelming pull toward Tenley.”
I turn and cross my arms as I lean back against the counter. “Well, yeah. She was fresh meat, and you hadn’t gotten laid in, what, a few years?”
He sighs before he continues. “Sure, but I’d also like to think the instant attraction was a nudge from the Holy Spirit. I may have come off as desperate, but the physical desire only made me determined to get to know her and more inclined to fall for her once I saw her other amazing qualities, like her intelligence, her sense of humor, our shared interests, and so on. Not to mention, making the ultimate commitment with someone seems a lot more appealing when you’re absolutely burning up for one another.”
I blink a few times and shake my head. “Are you trying to tell me that God used Tenley’s boobs to speak to your heart?”
I expect him to reprimand me for that one, but he just shrugs thoughtfully. “More or less. Don’t you think He accounted for biological urges when He designed us?”
I’m quiet for a while as I consider what he’s saying. I’m not exactly a theologian, and neither is my brother, but damn if this doesn’t sound like one of the wisest things he’s ever come up with.
“And you’re suggesting the same thing is happening to me?”
“Hell if I know, Blake. You’re the one who’s been staring at Loren,” he replies with a smirk. “Do any parts of her speak to your heart?”
I snort out a laugh. “All right, fine. Things felt different with Loren—verydifferent. But she obviously didn’t experience the same connection, or you and I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”
He huffs. “In case you’ve forgotten, Tenley didn’t find me so irresistible in the beginning. Our relationship didn’t just fall into my lap. I had to trust that God was leading me in the right direction, and it still took some assistance from you and her family and a lot of effort and patience on my part before she was even willing to give me a shot.”
“Right, right,” I say with a nod, humoring him. “But she can’t get enough of you now.”
He grins and flexes his arms, making me roll my eyes. “I could give you a few tips if you need them.”
