All I Want Is Forever Read Online Free PDF

expected to see her. Derrick shook his head. Not true. He’d known eventually they would meet if he kept going to visit Miss Rose. Talia would never have stayed away knowing her foster mother was ill. She hadn’t been happy to see him then either. Or was she? Maybe the warm spark in her beautiful brown eyes when she first saw him was all in his mind. In any event she kept her distance then just as she wanted to now. Not that he intended to rekindle a teenage flame.
    â€œI’m here,” Talia said over his shoulder.
    Derrick started at the soft, sensuous voice and turned quickly. Talia gazed up at him. Fire started atthe base of his spine when he looked into her eyes. The lovely girl was now a heart-stopping gorgeous woman of thirty. At five-foot-six, the top of her head just reached his chin. She wore dark red lipstick that made her mouth look succulent and delicious.
    Talia wore a lipstick red silk shirt tucked into a matching short skirt. The soft fabric draped her lush curves to perfection. A large printed scarf was draped over her right shoulder. Her thick dark bronze hair was swept up into a French twist. Derrick had a flash of slowly taking it loose until it draped her naked shoulders. Pure, simple lust seized him. He took a step close to her and brushed his mouth against hers. Talia gave a tiny gasp, but didn’t move away. She stared into his eyes as though looking for the answer to some critical question.
    Derrick blinked hard, unable to take his eyes from her. “You look fantastic.” He swept both hands out.
    â€œI-I’m a little late, sorry,” she murmured.
    â€œI hadn’t noticed.” Derrick lifted a hand to touch her hair. He stopped when Talia tilted her head away slightly.
    The headwaiter, ready and efficient, moved up with a smile. “Table for two?”
    She cleared her throat. “By the way, that’s not your shade. Let’s go to our table.”
    Derrick took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped lipstick from his mouth. “Right.”
    â€œNonsmoking,” Talia said to the headwaiter.
    Derrick watched her stroll with her head up, hips swaying. Men turned to look despite being with dates. Though obviously surprised by his kiss, she had quickly regained her poise. He burned in a way that told him he’d have trouble sleeping later. He was a fool stuck in an adolescent dream, he told himself.
    â€œIs this okay?” The thin man looked at Derrick expectantly. He gestured to a table set against the wall.
    â€œSure,” he managed to get out.
    They sat down and ordered drinks when their waitress arrived. Talia asked for merlot while he ordered a glass of Chinese beer. Once the woman was gone, they avoided looking at each other for several moments.
    â€œIt’s been a long time,” Talia said finally.
    â€œOver five years,” he replied.
    â€œYes.” Talia gave a slight nod.
    â€œAnd here we are.” Derrick glanced at her.
    She gazed at him steadily, both eyebrows raised. They were the same dark, communicative frames above her eyes. He recognized the expression from their childhood days. She was about to pounce.
    â€œNot by accident either.”
    â€œYour boss told you.” Derrick sat back as though to dodge her first jab.
    â€œDidn’t think I’d go back to the office I suppose.”
    â€œNo I—”
    â€œWhen were you planning to tell me? And I’m sure this has something to do with that bit of news you shared about Monette.” Talia stabbed a forefinger at him.
    â€œOnly indirectly.” Derrick broke off when the waitress arrived with their drinks.
    â€œReady to order?” The young woman smiled at them.
    Talia ordered chicken with broccoli and Derrick ordered Szechuan beef. The waitress darted off. Seconds later Talia scowled at him.
    â€œYou might try telling me the truth,” Talia snapped.
    â€œI’ve always been real with you, Talia.” Derrick squinted at