Sister Laurel & the Atheist Read online

  New Dawning International Bookfair

  by

  A Humorous Romance Novel

  by

  Dee Dawning

  Dedicated to hopeless romantics, of any persuasion, around the world.

  Sister Laurel & the Atheist

  Copyright © 2010 Dee Dawning

  Chapter One – They Meet

  "When I saw you, I fell in love. And you smiled because you knew."

  ~Arrigo Boito~

  W hen Laurel saw him, her heart beat so hard it felt like it might come through her chest. Long, wavy, brown hair, strong cheekbones, straight Roman nose and pouty lips that made her wicked mind want to kiss them. Her eyes refused to blink as if they might miss something. She struggled to catch her breath. Long and lean, his athletic frame was dressed casually in designer jeans, a long sleeved cobalt blue shirt, and blue topsiders, he possessed the appearance of a wingless angel. Or at least what she imagined an angel might look like.

  It was early morning in Java Joint, and for some reason, she couldn't pull her eyes from his searing good looks and devilish smile. She felt guilty being so attracted to him. She should have picked up her latte, her book and made a beeline for the exit, never to lay eyes on him again. However, she not only didn't, she couldn't. The man mesmerized her.

  Standing in line, waiting to place his order, he scanned the room. She flinched when his piercing gaze locked with hers. Cozy warmth from a tinge of embarrassment enveloped her. Drat, he caught me ogling him. Obviously, the lusty manner in which those mesmerizing silver-blue eyes appraised her threw her off kilter.?

  This is wrong. It was a chore to look away. She picked up her drink and sipped the last of it. Back to her book, she read the words, but their meaning failed to penetrate her mind. The man demolished her concentration.

  A furtive glance in his direction revealed his continued interest. My Goodness he's pointing at me. And then he caught her staring at him. Immediately, she averted her gaze, returning to her book and resolving not to look up again. Heat engulfed her, perspiration, formed on her brow and other unmentionable places. This was too embarrassing. She picked up the coaster and began to fan herself. She thought to stand up, but her legs wouldn't respond. Her breathing increased as if the vision of him had reduced the available oxygen. What's wrong with me?

  She couldn't believe the turmoil that raged through her. The urge to look up, to see what he was doing was overpowering, but she wouldn't. I can't let him see me watching him. I must be strong. I belong to Him.

  "Hi."

  Like a reflex, she looked up seeking the source of the voice. It was him and he smiled. "Hope you don't mind. I noticed you were almost out, so I bought you another café latte." His pure, melodic, masculine voice made her heart jump a beat while her pulse rate increased from his closeness.

  He set the drink down in front of her.

  "A Bible. Are you religious?"

  Through her dry throat, she tried to speak, yet was speechless. She nodded.

  "Well, I'm not." He plopped down in the chair next to her. The nerve of him!

  He tilted his head and cast an endearing lopsided smile. "Perhaps, I should stick around and show you the error of your ways."

  That focused her. Her nervousness vanished. "Are you not a believer?"

  "No, ma'am. I'm afraid not. My parents are, but to their chagrin, I refused to buy into their Christian mumbo jumbo."

  Laurel was both offended and fascinated. She didn't remember ever meeting an admitted atheist. "Mumbo jumbo, indeed. Perhaps, I should stick around to show you the error of your ways."

  He threw back his head and laughed.

  She laughed too.

  "I think I'd like that." He offered his hand. "My name's Julian Peters."

  He obviously expected her name in return. Did she want to show him salvation through God? She is supposed to save those who need saving, but this one—an avowed non-theist—would be a challenge. She took his hand. It was warm. Or, due to nervousness, was hers cold in comparison?

  "Laurel Adams, but I should warn you. I believe in God with all my heart."

  With his hand still warming hers, he answered, "You are much too pretty to be wrapped up in God." His gaze shifted to her breasts, across her modest, loose fitting, gray sweater and continued downward to her black skirt, "And your clothes should complement, rather than hide your lovely figure."

  Heat surged through her at the mention of her body. Her sexuality was something she'd always had trouble dealing with.

  "Now, Laurel, I'm sure your beliefs are strong. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. Can you do that?"

  "Of course, but what about you?"

  He laughed. "That may be more problematic. I've spent most of my teen and adult life rethinking the mental pabulum I was force-fed from childhood."

  She tensed at the satirical reference to her core belief.

  He must have noticed, because he then said, "However, if you can tell or show me something compelling, I will accept it. Shall we go?"

  She frowned, then glanced around. "Wha…where do you want to take me?"

  A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. Most likely, trying to hold back a smile, he said, "I won't go into where I want to take you."

  She warmed and blushed at his suggestive innuendo.

  He stood and pulled her to her feet. "Grab your latte and don't forget your Bible." He winked. "You're going to need it."

  She wanted to go. Really, she did. He was so interesting, dismissing God so cavalierly and God knew how attracted she was to him. Could it be a test from God, himself? To bring someone she finds as desirable as Julian into her life? But what if he's dangerous?

  She pulled her hand away. "Hold on. I don't know you. I met you ten minutes ago. I need to know where you wan…plan on taking me."

  He smiled so broadly, dimples formed in his cheeks. "Of course you do. I could be a rapist or worse a serial killer."

  He laughed at his attempt at a joke, which she didn't find the least bit humorous. He pulled out his wallet. "I plan to take you where I work."

  He removed and handed her a card. She read it. Assistant Antiquities Acquisition Director, Natural History Museum.

  "Triple A, that's me."

  This time she smiled. Laurel was just a little impressed. "You work at the Natural History Museum?"

  He gave a single nod.

  In her excitement, her hands involuntarily moved. "I love that place."

  "Shall we go then?"

  She answered demurely, "Maybe, but what does the museum have to do with disproving God?"

  "Nothing, but it debunks one of the tenets of the Bible—Creation."

  "The strict interpretation, yes, but I happen to agree with the less literal view. I'll tell you what. I haven't been there in awhile and I would love a tour from an expert. I'll meet you in the front lobby."

  "Don't you want to go with me?"

  Now, it was her turn to wink. "You could be an ax murderer."

  * * * *

  Julian could have danced. The breath of fresh air named Laurel was going to meet him. God she was hot, with her shoulder-length dark hair and large brown eyes. Gorgeous and smart, she didn't seem to realize how special she was. He had to laugh. He hadn't planned to sit with her, but the growing problem in his pants forced his presumptive action. Thankfully, it worked out.

  The moment he first saw Laurel, he was interested. Trying to be inconspicuous, he'd watched her at first in the mirror behind the counter while she watched him. Fantastic, he'd thought, I have to meet this delectable tidbit. When the line had moved forward and she fell out of view, he chanced the occasional surreptitious glance. The few times they'd locked eyes, his stomach lurched, b
ut he resisted looking away. The shy thing she was, she immediately averted her gaze and blushed.

  And now, he's on his way to meet her at the museum. What a stroke of luck. His first choice would have been to take her home, undress her and make love to her. You don't fuck a woman like that; you make slow, passionate, meaningful love to her. In time, Julian. In time. She wasn't the kind of woman that would just jump in bed. There was something pure and innocent about her. With a woman like that you move slowly and woo her. That kind of woman deserves a lifetime commitment.

  He clicked the lock on his Porsche Cayenne SUV and hopped in. After taking 101 to 110, he jumped off at Exposition Blvd. He pulled in his designated space in the rear of the building and rushed into the huge edifice. By the time he reached the lobby he was out of breath and…she wasn't there. In a panic, his eyes scanned the entire room. No Laurel. Could this be a brush off? He glanced around. She was nowhere visible. He rushed to the gift shop. No Laurel.

  He headed for the information booth, but after he arrived, he didn't know what to ask the attendant. While he was thinking of what to ask her, a fingertip pressed between his shoulder blades. He swung around and there was a vision of splendor—Laurel smiled at him with her beatific countenance.

  Julian was sure he shocked her and the attendant, but he was so happy, he took her in his arms and kissed her. She didn't respond, but neither did she push away.

  Realizing what he'd done—how forward he'd been—he jerked away.

  "I ah…excuse…I umm, don't know. Please forgive me…I was so…worried when I—"

  Laurel began to laugh, a pretty, infectious laugh.

  He shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

  "Wow. You give a whole new meaning to the term personal tour. Do all the recipients of individual tours of the museum get such a warm greeting?"

  He must have blushed, for he experienced a flush of heat, as did she when she responded, "Only a beautiful angel such as you, sent to bedazzle me. But time's a wastin'. Where would you like to start?"

  In her first personal gesture, she snuck her arm inside the crook of his and said, "I can't make up my mind. You pick."

  * * * *

  After two hours of touring Habitat Hall, Mammal Hall and a couple others, He took her to the café. She was too nervous to be hungry, so she ordered only iced tea and dined on his handsome appearance instead. He ordered coffee with cream, a tidbit of info she stored in her memory bank, and a piece of chocolate cake, a la mode with two forks.

  She liked this man. Being with him made her happy. He was witty, self-effacing, cheerful, and totally charming, not to mention she found him irresistible. She could relax with him and open up. Something she had great difficulty doing, especially under her current circumstances.

  After managing to sock away half of his cake and ice cream, he asked the question she dreaded, but knew was inevitable. "You know what I do. Tell me what do you do?"

  Coward that she was, she told him only part of the truth, "I'm a nurse in training."

  An eyebrow rose. He was thinking, but he let her off the hook when he followed up, "Ahh, I would have guessed beauty queen or movie starlet."

  He kept talking about how beautiful she was. She's not ugly, but she didn't get it. He was so accomplished and handsome, she didn't understand why he even bothered with her.

  "Julian. I know I'm only average looking. Why all the flattery? I'm not going to go to bed with you."

  His mouth fell open. "Are you kidding me? Don't you know how attractive you are? I thought you dressed plain and simple to ward off all the predatory men that surely must hit on you. And yes, I'd like to make love to you, but not until I've earned it. Not until you ask me."

  "That won't happen. There are no men, no suitors. The occasional doctor may get friendly, but that's about it. I live a very secluded life." I should tell him. Why is it so difficult to tell him? Why?

  * * * *

  He was incredulous. "Don't you ever go out, have fun?"

  She shook her head. "It seems like I'm always too busy to do something fun."

  He stood and grasped her hand. He loved her hands, her long elegant fingers and nails. "C'mon, we can finish the tour later."

  Confusion spread across her lovely face. "What? Where do you want to go now?"

  "I know we just met, but I think of you like a friend. Maybe more, but certainly a friend. Would you like to be my friend, too?"

  "Yes."

  "Good, as your friend, I'm going to show you how stunning you are and after that I'm going to take you out and show you a fantastic time. Okay?"

  She seemed to ruminate upon what he'd said. What's she thinking behind those penetrating, warm, brown eyes?

  After what seemed like minutes, she answered, "Okay, but I won't go to anyplace wild."

  Chapter Two – Jessie

  "One kiss breaches the distance between friendship and love." ~Anonymous~

  Julian insisted she ride with him. His silver green Porsche SUV was a lot nicer than her older model Ford. She'd mistakenly thought they only made sports cars. Obviously not.

  She gazed out the window. It was a clear sunny day and she could make out the coastal mountains to the east. We headed north up 101 when he told her he knew someone named Jessie who was a beautician and she was going to give her the works—whatever that meant?

  "Jessie's a girl?" She asked.

  His gaze shifted to her momentarily. "Jessica is more like a lady. She's thirty-six and my oldest sister. She has a beauty salon, spa and boutique in North Hollywood."

  "Oldest sister. How many sisters do you have?

  He rattled off, "Three, Jessica, Janet and Judy."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Wow, your family seems to have a 'J' thing.

  He snuck in a glance and chuckled. "You could say that. My mother and father are Juliet and John."

  She giggled. "Tell me how old are Janet and Judy?"

  Someone cut Julian off. He swerved, then honked his horn.

  The driver waved as if to say he was sorry. "Crazy friggen California driver.

  "Sorry about the language. All my sisters are thirty-six, seven years older than me."

  Her confusion must have been obvious, because he continued, "They're identical triplets, each born thirty minutes apart. Jessie was first."

  She imputed, "And by the way you named them, Judy was last."

  His gaze shifted again and he flashed an effervescent smile. "Give that girl a kewpie doll."

  "That makes you five years older than me."

  He waggled his brows. "Correcto mundo, assuming you're twenty-four."

  She smiled. "What do they look like?"

  Julian turned into an alley, drove about a half block and pulled into a single row of parking spaces behind a two-story building. He turned to her and grinned mischievously. "They look like Jessie, whom you'll meet in about thirty seconds. Wait there."

  He jumped out of the SUV and rushed around to her side. As he'd done at the museum, he opened the door for her. Grasping her hand, he helped her out. "Shall we?"

  Hand in hand, they went into the back entrance. Laurel assumed she'd be fixing someone's hair or something, but Julian took her directly into a small, rather disorderly, office near the rear entrance.

  A spunky, somewhat overly made-up woman with bright red hair sat at a cluttered desk. She looked up, and her face lit up when she recognized Julian. "Baby brother, what a pleasant surprise." She rose, came around the desk and hugged him. Then she turned to her. "And who have we here?"

  "Jessie, this is my friend, Laurel Adams. Laurel, this is Jessica Ryan, my sister."

  She offered her hand, but Jessie would have none of that. She pulled her into a hearty embrace. She broke away. "Nice to meet you, Laurel."

  Laurel smiled broadly. "The pleasure is all mine, Jessica."

  She winked. "Jessie please."

  Turning to Julian, she continued. "Now, what brings you here, Ju?"

  He hitched his head in her direction. "I'm
taking Laurel out on the town tonight and I want you to work your magic on her."

  Jessie hitched her chin inward and frowned in disbelief. "Magic? She's lovely. Doesn't look like any magic is needed. Just a comb-out and a little makeup."

  Julian nodded. "I know, just do what you think is best. She's going to need something from the boutique also."

  She rubbed her palms together. "Ooh, I know just the outfit. Laurel dear, let's get you started and I'll put together an ensemble for your approval. If you don't like it, we'll find something else, it won't hurt my feelings in the slightest. Is that all right?"

  Laurel was overwhelmed and getting a little concerned, because money was in short supply. She nodded, but her worry must have shown on her face, because…

  She waved a hand. "And don't worry about cost. Julian and I will take care of it."

  She looked her up and down. "Pretty figure. I'd say size six dress, seven shoes. Is that about right?"

  A little more relaxed, she smiled. "Perfect."

  She turned to her brother. "Now, Julian. Where are you taking this lovely lady?"

  "I thought I'd start with dinner then a play or dancing."

  Jessie raised a solo eyebrow. "You do have reservations?"

  Julian raised his head and closed his eyes. Opening them he said, "Christ, no. I can't take Laurel to just any old place."

  "It's okay little brother. Let me get Laurel started, while you call Janet and see what she can do."