Free Tonight and Forever by Brenda Jackson Page A

parents are college professors at Texas Southern. My youngest sister, Christy, will be sixteen next month. She claims being the youngest in the family isn’t much fun with three overprotective older brothers. My other sisters, Kattie and Traci, are both married. Neither of my brothers is married. Dex is only eighteen months younger than me. He was married for a short while, but things didn’t work out. He works for a major oil company in Australia. We’re expecting him back in the States any day, and I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t seen him in almost two years. My brother Clayton is three years younger than me, and is an attorney in Houston. He’s flying in for the cookout, so you’ll get to meet him then.”
    Lorren’s eyes sparkled with admiration for the obvious warmth and affection Justin felt for his family. “Any nieces or nephews?”
    Justin grinned. “Not enough according to my parents. Kattie and Traci both have two kids each, all boys. My parents are anxiously awaiting their first granddaughter. Since Kattie and Traci claim they’re not having any more kids, my parents aren’t too pleased with the marital status of me and my brothers.”
    Lorren smiled as Justin finished off the last of the gumbo soup she’d served with a tossed salad. She removed their dishes from the table to the sink. “Go on into the living room. I’ll bring dessert right out.”
    She came into the living room a few minutes later, carrying a tray with cut slices of apple pie which she placed on the coffee table.
    A big smile covered Justin’s face as he tasted the pie. “This is delicious. Is it homemade?”
    Lorren grinned. “Thanks, and yes, I made it myself. Everyone who lived with Mama Nora left with a degree in baking.”
    A while later Lorren gathered their dishes and took them into the kitchen. When she returned she switched on the tape player sitting on a nearby table. The soft melodic sound of Luther Vandross filled the air.
    “Dinner was great, Lorren.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Come here.” Justin’s voice was husky as he patted the spot next to him on the sofa.
    As much as she hated doing so, especially when she was enjoying his company, the time had come to send Justin running for cover. Taking a deep breath, she joined him on the sofa. “Would you care for some more wine, Justin?”
    “No, this is fine.” He spread his arms out along the back of the sofa, then slipped his hand to the nape of Lorren’s neck.
    She turned toward him slightly, clearing her throat. “Did you have a busy day?”
    He rubbed his finger against her cheek. “No busier than most.”
    “Oh,” she replied as she watched him drink his wine, thinking how sensuous his mouth was. She couldn’t help remembering the feel of that mouth on hers. How he had run his tongue over her lips. How his tongue had parted her mouth and slipped inside to… Good grief! What’s wrong with me? she shifted frantically in her seat. She felt Justin’s hand move from her cheek to her shoulder. His fingers traced a heated path down her arm.
    Lorren bolted from her seat.
    “Justin, there’s something I’d like to give you.”
    Confusion appeared on Justin’s face when he watched her lift the sofa pillow she’d been sitting on and pull out an envelope, dropping the pillow back in place.
    “Here.”
    Justin eyed the envelope she held out to him. His gaze returned to her, bewilderment evident in his features. “What is it?”
    “Read it and see.”
    Justin stood and, taking the envelope from Lorren’s hand, opened it. A legal-looking document was inside. He pulled it out and glanced at it, then looked back at her. “A preaffair agreement?”
    “Yes, it’s the latest thing. Isn’t that neat? It spells out all my requirements.”
    “What requirements?”
    “The requirements you have to agree to before I’d consider having an affair with you.”
    Justin stared at her in disbelief, then back at the paper he held in his hand. A shudder slithered