All I Want Is Forever (9 page)

“My, my. We came prepared.” Talia grabbed the cooler with soft drinks.

“I didn't want my city pal to suffer too much.” He grinned at her. “Guess what else? Biodegradable wet wipes.”

“My prince!” Talia said, then burst into laughter.

“I'm going to make sure you're comfy and well fed. This way.” He led her to a clearing.

Talia spread the blanket on the grass. Then they sat down and unpacked their lunch. They teased and laughed as they ate. Derrick felt as though they'd slipped back in time, yet it was so much better. Now
they were adults having a relaxing day out, not kids escaping from bleak daily lives. Still, even on this sunny, early-fall day, dark clouds waited in the distance. He thought of Monette's case file in the locked drawer of his desk back at the office. Something in his expression must have changed. Talia wiped her hands after finishing a piece of chicken and tapped his knee.

“You've got something on your mind, Mr. D,” she said. “Pass me a bottle of Barq's and talk it out.”

He debated for ten seconds before deciding not to spoil the day. “I'm glad you're home.”

“It's not all bad,” Talia admitted. She drew her knees up and hugged them. “It's like…I built up an image of home as full of misery. I didn't remember the beauty of this place, the bayous and swamps.”

“Especially when you're with someone special,” he said. He moved over and put his arms around her.

“I never really thanked you, Derrick.” Talia molded against his body with ease.

“For what?” Derrick tingled at the feel of her soft hair against his cheek. She smelled like fresh lavender and soap.

“I hurt you when I left to attend prep school and then college. I'm sorry.”

“I could see what being in Rougon was doing to you, baby girl. I understood.” Still, Derrick would not lie and say he was happy that she'd left.

She sighed. “And here I am.”

“Safe.” Derrick hugged her closer. He would do whatever it took to keep it that way.

Talia looked into his eyes. “I want to believe you, Derrick.”

“I'm going to make sure you're safe, baby girl.”

Hunger and fire ate at him until he felt dazed. He could only see her face and hear the whisper-soft sound of her breathing. Talia was the most beautiful
woman in the world to him. In that moment she was the only woman in the world. Thick eyelashes framed her lovely brown eyes. Her full sensuous lips parted, inviting him to taste, and he accepted. Derrick moaned when she allowed his tongue to taste hers. She said his name softly, and all restraint was blown away.

Derrick caressed her breasts, enjoying the full round shape of them through the cotton fabric. They kissed each other harder and with urgency. Slowly they eased down onto the blanket until he was on top of her. With one hand he unbuttoned her blouse. The other hand rubbed the silky, warm skin on her thighs. She tilted her head back as she managed to pull the top off her shoulders. Derrick moaned again and kissed the exposed smooth mounds above the pink lace bra. Talia opened the front hook. In seconds she was topless.

He ached all over to be inside her. But he didn't want them to regret making love later. That would be more painful than not satisfying the overwhelming need that gripped him. With every bit of strength he could muster, he held back before touching her.

“I'm sure, Talia. Are you?”

She stroked his face with one hand. “Yes,” she murmured.

For a long time he held her, overcome with joy. He wanted to melt into her velvety brown skin. Derrick closed his eyes and buried his face against her breast. Cuddling was soon not enough. The hunger pushed him on. Slowly he licked each firm chocolate peak. In a fever they managed to undress each other. He didn't remember how and didn't care. All that mattered was that she lay naked beneath him.

Talia gently closed one hand around his erection. She kissed his face and neck. Her fingers teased the taut skin until Derrick cried out in pleasure.

“Let me inside you now!” he pleaded.

She let out a low throaty laugh. “I want to play with you a little longer.”

“You're trying to kill me, woman,” he groaned when her fingers tightened then eased, tightened then eased.

“Not a big strong man like you, baby.”

Talia nibbled his earlobe. Then she traced a line of fire down his chest with her tongue. Derrick gasped when she licked his nipples and squeezed his buttocks with her free hand. Derrick tenderly pried her legs apart and entered her slowly. Penetrating her felt like sinking into a tight, hot, satin glove. He lay still, shuddering at the powerful shock to his body and soul. Both arms wrapped around him, Talia rocked her hips slowly while whispering to him.

He answered, though his words didn't make sense. All he knew was that he needed to feel her more if that was possible. His rhythm matched hers as they moved against each other. Though he tried, he couldn't speak. All he could do was cry out again and again as he dug his fingers into her thighs. After only a few more seconds of the delicious torture, Derrick thrust inside her again and again. Out of control. He couldn't stop. From a far-off place he heard his own voice shouting her name and a stream of words that were disconnected. With one sharp plunge he came. Seconds later Talia screamed as she ground her pelvis against him. Impossibly his pleasure spiked higher. They moaned together, moved slower, until they lay in each other's arms, breathless. A breeze brushed their sweaty bodies.

“We must have lost our minds. Some fishermen might have walked right up on us.” She kissed his shoulders as she spoke.

“Too bad.” Derrick pressed his face against her breast. “I couldn't have stopped if they'd set the grass on fire.”

“I think we did.” Talia let out a husky laugh.

He raised his head to glance around them. They were indeed alone, blissfully isolated in their own world. Derrick rested his head against her body again with a sigh of happiness. “Yeah, we sure did. Let's do it again soon.”

Talia laughed and hugged him tightly. They lay together for a few moments more before she spoke. “Derrick?”

“Yes, baby.” He snuggled against her.

“I'm hungry again,” she murmured in a sexy voice.

“What? You ate half a chicken,” Derrick teased. “Ow!” he yelled, when she slapped his bottom.

“Get up and feed me, man!”

Derrick raised himself on one elbow. “Look here, woman—”

He broke off when he gazed at her lying next to him. Her lovely honey almond skin shimmered in the rich fall sunlight.

“Well?” Talia stretched like a sleek cat. A sly smile tugged at her mouth.

The little devil knew exactly what effect she had on him! “Your wish is my command.”

They dressed and washed up, using the moist towelettes. Derrick discovered he was even hungrier than Talia. As they finished the last of the chicken and French loaf, he wiped his mouth with a paper napkin.

“It doesn't get much better than this.” Derrick shook his head. “Yes, indeed.”

Talia laughed out loud. “You found a way to combine all your favorite sports in one afternoon.”

“I like to multitask just like you fast-lane city folk.” He grinned at her.

“Cut the simple country boy act, Derrick Guillory. You're no hick.” Talia poked a finger into his chest as she spoke.

“Thank you, ma'am.”

She smiled then sat silent for a few seconds. “What next?”

“I don't know, Talia,” he admitted. “Having you back in my life is all that matters at this moment. I can't see into the next few weeks if you decide to leave.”

“Derrick, I have decided,” she said. Talia looked away from his gaze.

“Then I want to make the most of what we have right now. I won't ask for more than you're willing to give.”

“I don't think it's fair to you,” she replied quietly.

Derrick reached out and touched a stray tendril of her thick hair. “I know what's coming, and I'm willing to deal with it.”

She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “I'm loving what we have right now, too.”

They pushed aside thoughts of “what if” by silent mutual agreement. Nonetheless, the file on his desk stayed at the back of his mind.

Monette walked into the visiting room of the prison. She wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a white T-shirt with the letters
LCIW
stenciled on it in black. She sat down and smiled at him. James Rand clasped his hands together on top of the table between them. He waited until the female security guard closed the door on her way out.

“What haven't you told me, Monette?” he said before she could speak.

Monette didn't lose the easy, charming smile. She tilted her head to one side and brushed back her hair, the gesture of a woman who knew men found her attractive. Despite her age and being in prison, she was still pretty. Her black hair, peppered with strands of gray, was pulled back into a single thick ponytail. Only a few lines were etched at the corners of expressive eyes the color of black coffee. Yet the smooth pecan brown skin showed signs of a hard life. She paid particular attention to her appearance for a male visitor. This morning had been no different. A friendly male guard had allowed her to put on makeup. So she'd assessed her flaws and assets the way she'd done for years. It was survival.

“What are you talkin' about, Professor?” Monette put on her best guileless expression.

“The visitors' log is public information. If you're talking to the press, I should know.”

“It's normal for reporters to show up here around parole board time. You know, sniffing out those ‘Whatever happened to' stories. Nothing but filler for a slow news week.” Monette lounged back in her chair.

“You're good. That's what got you in here,” Jim said, his tone sharp as a needle.

Monette's large brown eyes narrowed. “Now look, just because you're helping me out is no reason to come in here insulting me. I—”

“No, you look.” Jim leaned forward. “Now is not the time to pull a fast one. Not with me.”

Monette smoothly switched gears. With a soft sigh, her tough cynical expression melted away. “I'm sorry, Jim. Being locked up in here gets to me.”

“I can do the best job for you if we're honest with each other. Two-way street, Monette.” Jim stared at her. “I've told you we've got a big job getting you released.”

“Yeah, I figured as much.” Her pink-polished fingertips clicked against the cheap laminated tabletop as she tapped it. “Every damn body in here is whinin' they didn't do it. Well, some of us ain't lyin', Jim.”

“I know, Monette.” Jim softened his tone. “I understand your frustration.”

“You're a nice guy, Jim. I ain't attackin' you or nothin'. But you got no idea what it's like.” Monette clenched one hand into a fist. They sat in silence, and after five minutes she relaxed it.

“Being convicted for smuggling cocaine when you didn't do it is a nightmare.” Jim placed his hand over hers.

Monette cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “You
didn't come to listen to a lot of cryin' the blues. Let's talk about my case.”

“It's okay if you need to get it out,” Jim said quietly.

Monette gazed at him with affection. She'd seen that look before and used it more than once. Part of her had reformed. She didn't want to hurt one more good man trying to help her. The other part of her was very practical. Jim needed to concentrate on her case. He was falling and didn't even know it.

“I've got a social worker poking around my brain for that. You should hear the sob stories in those group therapy sessions.” Monette withdrew her hand from his. “Lotta poor-ass excuses for doin' what we wanted to at the time is what I say.” She lounged back in her chair again.

He gave one curt nod as if he understood. “Okay, then tell me about this reporter from the
Times-Picayune
.”

“AnnaLise Theroux? She's a real smart young woman.” Monette blinked hard as a hitch caught her heart unexpectedly. “Reminds me of…” Her voice trailed off.

“Who?”

Monette wore a slight smile and pushed away a memory. “Myself if I hadn't gone down the wrong road.”

“I know about AnnaLise Theroux. She's an award-winning investigative reporter. What I don't understand is why she's interested in your case.” Jim raised a dark eyebrow at Monette. “She usually goes after political corruption stories.”

“The DA's Office messed up on my case like I told you. She asked questions about that. Especially since the attorney general was the prosecutor back then.” Monette kept close to the truth. She didn't want Jim to know too much. He might be scared off.

“Winn Barron is sure to take an interest in being called incompetent or worse.” Jim rubbed his chin.

“Interest hell,” Monette retorted. “He's gonna be pissed.”

“Which is why we need to have all the facts in this thing. Barron has political aspirations.”

“He wants to run for governor,” Monette murmured.

Jim glanced at her sharply. “Yes, he does. How did you know that?”

Monette lifted a shoulder. “Hey, I've got nothing but time. I read the papers, and I can read between the lines. The guy is always schmoozing with party leaders and spouting off about state government.”

He nodded with a smile. “Very astute. I shouldn't forget that you don't miss much.”

“Damn right. Especially when it affects me getting out of this place.” Monette swept one hand around at the drab walls.

“But don't give Theroux another interview without checking with me first, okay?” Jim peered at her. “Promise me, Monette. You don't want to mess up your chance of getting paroled.”

“Yes, sir. I promise on my honor as a Girl Scout.” Monette grinned as she crossed her heart.

“You were never a Girl Scout,” Jim quipped, and opened his leather briefcase.

“I wanted to be, just as good,” she tossed back.

“Let's get down to business. I've reviewed the file on those witnesses. There were all kinds of holes in their testimony.”

“Sure, three drug dealers tryin' to stay out of prison. They cut a deal.” Monette gave a snort of contempt. “Some days I think I got what I deserved for hangin' out with scum. But then I was scum, too.”

“Stop that kind of talk,” Jim said tersely. “You've
done a lot of hard work to change in the last sixteen years.”

“I have,” she agreed. “But I can't lie to myself or you, Jim. I probably would have done the same thing to get a hit.”

“Which is how you're different. Those folks never changed. You have insight.” Jim sorted through the papers in an expanding folder.

“Yeah. So, did you find my old buddies?”

Jim frowned. “It's hard, Monette. Addicts don't exactly lead stable lives.”

“They could all be dead by now. Overdose, AIDS, or…murdered,” she said, almost whispering the last word.

“I've got a few leads. One has been in and out of treatment programs. Maybe she's just back in one. Her family has pretty much cut her loose, so they haven't been helpful.”

“Who is that?” Monette sat straight.

“Vicki Thompson. I've been able to track her movements using arrest records for the last seven years at least.” Jim held up one sheet of notes scribbled on yellow legal paper.

Monette's expression darkened with disappointment. “Vicki won't know too much. That poor white girl was mostly wasted out of her mind. No, we've got to find Andre or I'Eisha. They know the real deal.”

“Don't get discouraged. We're making progress. Just think of how far we've come in the last six months.”

“Yeah, you're right.” Monette smiled sadly then she brightened. “Hey, Vicki was crazy about Andre. She might know where he is. I think she even had his baby.”

“Excellent lead.” Jim wrote on another sheet of his pad. “The state may have gone after him for child sup
port.” He glanced up. “We're on our way, Monette. Just don't keep things from me,” he said.

“Got ya, Professor.”

Monette gazed at the dark hair as he bent his head. He talked and made notes at the same time. She had to make hard decisions to protect people she cared about. Still he'd have to know about Winn Barron eventually. Good timing was the key, she mused.

 

Mama Rose looked fit and happy. Her iron gray hair was brushed back neatly, with short curls framing her cocoa brown face. She wore a pink sweater over a white short-sleeved shell and a floral skirt. When Talia hugged her neck and kissed her forehead she caught the scent of gardenia perfume.

“Well, you seem to have blossomed in this, and I quote, ‘Godforsaken rathole.'” Talia grinned at her.

“So maybe I was a bit melodramatic. Who wouldn't be? I was kidnapped out of my home—”

“Excuse me, you were rescued by emergency technicians after you foolishly failed to follow medical advice,” Talia corrected.

“Practically locked away—” Mama Rose pressed on.

“You couldn't move because you were so sick. And by the way, pickled pork cooked in your mustard greens isn't on your diet.”

“Karl must have squealed,” Mama Rose said with a scowl. “He didn't complain when he had his size thirteens parked under my dinner table.

“You know better.” Talia sat down and crossed her legs.

Mama Rose made a sharp hissing sound before she went on. “The point is, once I got over the initial shock I accepted my situation.”

“Boy, did you ever. Tai chi classes on Tuesday mornings, quilting club on Thursday afternoons, and lunch with the girls on Fridays.” Talia ticked off the activities on her fingers. “I haven't tried to keep up with the weekend.”

“Don't exaggerate. I go to church on Sunday as usual.” Mama Rose smoothed down the front of her sweater.

“Yes. I hear a certain gentleman from the assisted-living duplex has been your guest.” Talia pressed her lips together when Mama Rose's eyes widened.

“My Lord! You've got spies watching my every move!” You've got some nerve, missy. I'll bet it was my neighbor Ernestine.”

“I think it's cute,” Talia said.

“Cute my eye. Talking to me like I'm in my second childhood,” she grumbled.

“Okay, I'll stop teasing you.”

“You just love saying ‘I told you so.'”

“No, I'm thrilled that you're getting better every day and enjoying life again. That's the truth.” Talia felt tears forming in her eyes. “I love you, Mama.”

Mama Rose's petulant expression melted to a gentle maternal smile. “I love you, too, baby. I'm sorry for being such a grumpy old lady at first.”

“You were scared, and so was I.” Talia sniffed to keep from crying. “I need you to take good care of yourself,” she said quietly.

“Don't worry, sugar. I'm going to hang around until you give me that first grandbaby. Speaking of which, how is Derrick?”

Talia blushed. “I'm not having any crying little tyrants, thank you. And what does Derrick have to do with it anyway?”

Mama Rose looked smug. “I have my sources.
Ernestine tells me how often he's been at the house. ‘All hours' is the phrase I recall.” She arched an eyebrow at Talia.

“I can't believe her,” Talia burst out. “That cute little face under snow-white hair hides a sneak.”

“Ernestine is an equal opportunity gossip.” Mama Rose laughed. “Now tell me about this love affair.”

“Mama!”

“Oh please, Talia. Don't look so shocked. I know where babies come from, you know.” She threw back her head and laughed harder when Talia squirmed.

“We were talking about you,” Talia mumbled.

Mama Rose's laughter trailed off, and she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. She took a deep breath.

“It's not a crime to be happy. You were always too intense. I'm glad you let loose.”

“I'm not planning on anything permanent. No picket fence, no dog, no SUV, and definitely no kids.” Talia twisted a corner of her blue tunic blouse.

“Why not?” Mama Rose put her head to one side and studied her.

“Because for one thing I don't believe in fairy-tale domestic life. Second, I'm not mommy material.” Talia brushed back her hair. “I like working hard and being free to travel.”

“I see.”

“Derrick knows how I feel. In fact, he feels the same way,” Talia said. She heard the defensive note in her own voice.

“Does he?” Mama Rose pursed her lips.

“Don't give me the look,” Talia snapped.

“What look?”

“You know what look.” Talia lifted her nose in the air. “You happen to be wrong. I'm not running from the truth.”

“I didn't say—”

“You didn't have to,” Talia broke in.

“Oh, the
look
said it all?” Mama Rose wore the shadow of a wise smile.

“Okay, we care about each other. A lot,” Talia added, when Mama Rose didn't respond. “But we've got an understanding.”

“An understanding. I see.”

“Yes. I'm going back to D.C.” Talia avoided her gaze. “We can still see each other. Derrick travels there on business.”

“A few times a year will be enough?” Mama Rose lifted a shoulder. “Hmmm.”

“I've got my career to consider. Besides, I can't live in Rougon.” Talia jumped up and went to the window.

“I don't see why you'd have to live in Rougon. Louisiana is a big state.”

Talia fingered the lacy curtain that framed the window. She stared at the manicured lawn of the courtyard. Patio tables with wide umbrellas were scattered around the grass. More were on a covered paved terrace. Residents sat outside enjoying the day. The peaceful scene reminded her of what she wanted. Her life in Washington was hectic, but orderly. The only drama she had to deal with was on the Hill. That's the way she liked it. Talia wanted a simple, even dull, personal life. Dull was a welcome change from her childhood. Even her breakup with Jarrod had lacked drama. He'd simply accepted the distance between them and backed away.