Forrest Series by Jude Liebermann

Excerpt:

Forgotten but not Gone

Dakota leaned up against the wall as Justin talked to Jessie. He could tell that Justin was crazy about his sister, as he acted like he had a normal conversation. He even answered his own questions.
Dakota smiled from a joke Justin had just told, when the door opened and June walked in with two trays.
“Well, I guess you and your friend will have to share. Don’t have an extra dinner to spare.”
Dakota glanced at his watch and noted the time at already 4:00. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed, having been mesmerized watching Jessie. “It’s OK, we don’t mind sharing.”
June smiled at Dakota. “Great... Justin, do you want me to help?” She always asked the question and always received the same answer.
“No thanks, June. I can handle it.” Justin moved the table over to where Jessie sat, and Dakota placed the trays on the table.”
“Well, I gotta go down the hall and get the drinks. Will you be all right with her?”
Dakota glanced first at Justin and then at Jessie. “Yeah, man, we’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time.”
When the door closed behind him, Dakota glanced over at Jessie, who still sat in the same exact position she had been when they arrived. Dakota walked over to her and knelt in front of her.
“Jessie, you don’t know me, but I’ve known your brother for about two years. Justin just told me about you. I wish I could have prevented what happened. I really do.”
Jessie’s eyes were fixed on something over his right shoulder. Dakota reached out and caressed her cheek with his index finger. Her eyes slowly moved and focused on his face, the vacant look disappeared, and he could see his face reflected in her eyes. An instant later they went out of focus and again were fixed over his right shoulder. Had he just imagined that? No, she had looked at him. He frowned, wondering if it could have been just a reflex action. No need to tell Justin and get his hopes up if it had been nothing.
“You can hear me, can’t you, Jessie? Come back to your family. They need you...And for some strange reason, I think I need you, too.”

Excerpt:

Passion's Price (erotic)

"You look exhausted."
Camille sat bolt upright at the familiar sexy voice and looked up to meet the gaze of Tony Ferrell. In spite of herself she blushed. She picked up the chart she held in her lap and began fanning herself with it.
"It's been a nonstop day." She smiled behind the chart and looked down at her short skirt. Since she sat, it moved up even farther on her thighs. Her eyes widened slightly before looking back up at Tony.
"Yet you're still beautiful. I love your hair like that."
Camille fought the cringe. She couldn't possibly look good after working so many hours. If only he had come by at the beginning of her shift, when her hair still shined from all the brushing and her makeup had been freshly applied. She raised a hand to her hair and shook her head. "I doubt it looks the way it did this morning. It's been a bad hair day."
Tony chuckled. "Maybe you should look in a mirror. I love a woman with their hair a bit wild. Makes me think they just got out of bed." He licked his lower lip as his gaze went down her body before returning to her face.
She felt the quiver go through her stomach and settle between her legs, and she had to stifle the moan. Instead she cleared her throat and smoothed her skirt as she stood in front of him.
"Strange that I would see you both weekends I work. I hope a loved one isn't in too dire need of hospital care?" Camille asked, hoping to change the subject, and also hoping to get a bit more information on such a mysterious man.
Tony smiled, and she almost sighed. He was such a handsome man, that he nearly took her breath away. This time she remembered to let her gaze wander to his left hand. No ring, but she could tell there had been one there once. Camille wondered if he actually took his ring off to pick up women. She frowned at the thought and refocused on his face, mentally kicking herself as she realized he could read her expression.
He looked down at his left hand before holding it up. "I'm a widower in case you wondered," he said with a sexy grin. Her gaze moved to the fine white line around his ring finger and nodded.
"I'm sorry to hear that. How long has it been?"
Tony shook his head. "Many years, but I'm being rude. I never answered your question. I'm not here visiting anyone. I'm here for myself."
Camille's eyes widened in surprise. "Is there something wrong with you?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wanted to snatch them back. She had sounded desperate. "I mean I hope it's nothing serious."
He took a step closer and placed a hand on her arm. "I appreciate your concern, but it's not serious."
She looked down at his hand. Even though she had her white coat over her clothes, she could feel the heat of his skin. When she realized she was about to moan again, she stepped away from him and crossed her arms over the chart in front of her.
"Well, that's good news," she said quietly, trying to get her emotions under control. She didn't know what it was about the man, but she couldn't help but wonder what those hands would feel like on her bare flesh. The mental image made her suck in her breath. If she didn't get away from him soon, she would certainly embarrass herself. "I need to get back to work, Mr. Ferrell."
He stepped in her way but didn't touch her. "Didn't you want to know why I'm here?" He asked softly.
Not trusting herself to speak, she merely nodded.
"I'm trying to find a doctor. My old one retired, so I've been looking around for someone to replace him."
"Have you tried the yellow pages?" She asked dumbly.
Tony burst out laughing. "My dear sweet woman, a man like me does not use the yellow pages."
She chuckled in embarrassment, her face flooding with color. "No, of course you don't."
"What about you?" He asked.
"What about me?" She repeated.
"Are you for hire? I need a doctor willing to make house calls. I'll make it worth your time."
Camille sucked in her breath, again visualizing what he could do to her as compensation. Against her will she shook her head. "I live in San Diego."
"But you come up here for business. It wouldn't be any different with me, and I won't even take up as much of your time. Not to mention you'll get paid a hell of a lot more."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Let me think about it. I still have your card. Let me discuss it with my husband, and I'll get back to you."
Tony nodded. "You do that, doctor." He held out his hand. "Let's shake on it."
Camille stared at his hand and licked her dry lips. She feared touching him, but she took his hand and shook it, clenching her jaw to keep from moaning. He had such strong warm hands, and she had a flash of him kneading her breasts with those long fingers. She shook her head to clear the thought and took a step back, breaking contact with Tony. "I'll let you know. Good bye, Mr. Forrest."
She turned and had to control the desire to run as she slowly walked away from him.