As Kim’s scanned the two pages she realized both were filled with the single I LOVE YOU line. Her tears flowed freely. He loved her, she thought with joy. He really loved her.
“It wasn’t supposed to make you cry,” the deep, familiar male voice said.
Kim, almost afraid to look up for fear she was dreaming, lifted her head slowly.
“I love you, Kim,” Reggie said. “And I’m sorry it took me so long to realize you needed to hear me say the words.”
Kim’s heart was so full and she had so much to say, but she couldn’t voice her thoughts. All she could do was cry.
Reggie came around her desk and stooped down next to her. “I hope those are happy tears.”
She brushed at her tears and tried to stop her hiccups. She couldn’t think of the words to tell him how happy she was. Even though she hadn’t known it at the time, she’d waited all her life for him, her very own nice guy.
“I should have told you how I felt before now,” he said. “But I thought you knew.” He tilted her chin up and wiped at her tears with his fingers. The love I feel for you goes beyond anything I’ve felt for any woman. I need you, Kim, and I need to be needed by you. But I also love you very much. With you, I’ve learned the difference between love and need. There’s no comparison. Your love is everything to me. It gives me hope and it makes me happy. Do you believe me?”
Kim fell into his outstretched arms. “I love you so much, Reggie,” she said through her tears. “More than you’ll ever know.”
Reggie held Kim close to his heart, where he would always keep her. He had a surprise for her—a small, square box, but he’d wait until tonight to give it to her.
“It’s about time,” came Jim’s gruff voice from behind them.
Reggie couldn’t have agreed with him more.
~ ~ ~
Six months later, Kim, dressed in a sheer white négligée that had been a gift from her husband, stood on the balcony of the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel and watched the soothing waves of the Pacific. Tonight was the first night of her honeymoon and she couldn’t be happier.
Warm arms encircled her waist and warm breath blew against her neck. “What are you thinking, wife?” Reggie’s deep voice asked.
She folded her arms across his and relaxed in his arms. “I’m the happiest person in the world, husband.”
In reward, her husband turned her around to face him. “Impossible,” he said, rubbing his fingers across her now open lips. “I’m the happiest person in the world. Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Reggie’s words humbled her and she had to fight tears. “As much as I love you?”
“Good answer,” he said. He lowered his head to hers and her mouth automatically opened to receive his kiss. When she sagged against him, he pulled back and smiled, “Ready to go back to bed?”
She nodded and he turned and led her back to bed. “I wish everybody could be as happy as we are,” she said, thinking about Tam and Luther and Nate and Leslie. They’d all been in the wedding party and when she and Reggie had left the reception, they’d been standing next to each other.
“Oh, no.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her between his legs. “You’re not thinking about other people again, are you?”
When he looked at her the way he was looking at her now, she could barely think of anything. “What do you think will happen to them?” she asked.
“I don’t know, Kim,” he said, pulling her closer. “And at the moment, I don’t really care.”
She placed her hand on his head and lovingly caressed him. “I want them to be as happy as we are.”
He looked up at her and the passion in his eyes fired her passion. “And I want to make you happy,” he said, pushing back the folds of her négligée.
Kim gave herself to the moment, all thoughts of anything but him erased. Against all the odds, she’d found the Nicest Guy in America and she’d spend the rest of her life making sure he was also the happiest.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author Bio
Angela Benson is the award winning and bestselling author of fourteen novels, two novellas and a non-fiction writing book. Her most recent print work is Delilah’s Daughters (Avon, 2014). Her next print book, The Summer of Me, will be released by Avon in early 2015. Angela holds degrees from Spelman College, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. When she’s not writing, she can be found on the campus of The University of Alabama where she is an associate professor of educational technology. While you’re waiting for Angela’s next print title, be sure to check out her backlist recently released in eBook format. Join Angela on the web at http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBensonBooks or http://www.AngelaBenson.com.
Other Titles by Angela Benson
Sweet Passion Contemporary Romance Series
Friend and Lover
http://www.angelabenson.com/friendandlover.html
“. . . a sham engagement between two longtime attorney friends leads to the real thing just in time for New Year’s Eve in Angela D. Benson’s funny and engaging ‘Friend and Lover’.” —Library Journal
The Nicest Guy in America
http://www.angelabenson.com/thenicestguyinamerica.html
Angela Benson, a veteran romance writer, has earned her “stars and bars” with this sensational, subtle and sensual battle of the sexes. —Romantic Times Magazine Top Pick! 4.5/5 stars
The Way Home
http://www.angelabenson.com/thewayhome.html
“ . . . with THE WAY HOME, [Angela Benson] emerges as a writer of great depth, sensitivity, and unparalleled talent.” —Romantic Times Magazine Top Pick! 4.5/5 stars
Bands of Gold (coming August 2014)
http://www.angelabenson.com/bandsofgold.html
Christina’s ambition has taken her to the top of her profession, but new employee Jackson makes her wonder if she’s sacrificed too much for her success.
For All Time (coming September 2014)
http://www.angelabenson.com/foralltime.html
"FOR ALL TIME will touch every woman's heart with its pathos and passion as Ms. Benson takes a heartrending look at the stark realities of marriage after the honeymoon is over." – 4 stars –Romantic Times Magazine
Between the Lines (coming October 2014)
http://www.angelabenson.com/betweenthelines.html
"BETWEEN THE LINES is author Angela Benson's latest romantic confection, with the heady flavor of an Amaretto Liqueur and the rich sensuality of smooth, sweet cream!" – 4 stars –Romantic Times Magazine
Genesis House Inspirational Romance & Family Drama Series
Awakening Mercy, Book 1, Genesis House Series
http://www.angelabenson.com/awakeningmercy.html
“Ms. Benson paints a fine picture of the trials of a couple who must rely on their faith to make a go of a relationship in this 4-1/2 star read. She is just as compelling a writer in Christian romance as she is in contemporary.” —Affaire de Coeur Magazine
Abiding Hope, Book 2, Genesis House Series
http://www.angelabenson.com/abidinghope.html
“Christy Award nominee, Benson, continues the momentum she established in Awakening Mercy as she explores the lives of Shay and Marvin Taylor, the founders of Genesis House. . . Benson is a leading author of African American romances and Christian fiction, and her insight into God’s impact on our lives make her work a requirement for growing collections.” —The Library Journal
The Amen Sisters, Book 3, Genesis House Series
http://www.angelabenson.com/theamensisters.html
“Christy Award nominee, Benson, continues the momentum she established in Awakening Mercy as she explores the lives of Shay and Marvin Taylor, the founders of Genesis House. . . Benson is a leading author of African American romances and Christian fiction, and her insight into God’s impact on our lives make her work a requirement for growing collections.” —The Library Journal
Enduring Love, Book 4 (coming November 2014)
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tp://www.angelabenson.com/enduringlove.html
When she left, she took his heart with her. Now he wants to get it—and her—back.
Single Title Inspirational Family Drama
The Summer of Me (coming January 2015)
http://www.angelabenson.com/summerofme.html
The nationally bestselling author of Delilah’s Daughters and The Amen Sisters returns with a moving story about a single mother who discovers the woman she can be in one unforgettable summer.
Delilah’s Daughters
http://www.angelabenson.com/delilahsdaughters.html
"...instead of Samson’s secret, it’s Delilah’s that threatens to destroy the spiritual foundation she and her late husband, Rocky, build for their three daughters...Delilah’s Daughters is a captivating story from the beginning to the breathtaking end." 4.5 stars (out of 5 ) — Romantic Times Magazine
Sins of the Father
http://www.angelabenson.com/sinsofthefather.html
Sins of the Father is a powerful story of revenge, betrayal, and forgiveness. Benson uses three-dimensional characters to prove that regret, shame and hatred can give way to acceptance, forgiveness and love. The storyline will surprise you while the outcome will increase your faith in God. If you love reading about real life issues, this is a book that will keep you glued to the pages. –Real Page Turners
Up Pops the Devil
http://www.angelabenson.com/uppopsthedevil.html
"Angela Benson writes a commanding and enthralling story on the power of salvation and how temptation works to unravel it. . .Benson’s writing is fluid and demonstrates her ability to incorporate biblical principle in everyday living." – RAWSISTAZ Reviews
Showers of Blessings, a novella in A Million Blessings
http://www.angelabenson.com/amillionblessings.html
Assistant pastor Ronnie has a shameful secret: he's a compulsive gambler. And just when it seems he's run out of luck, he finds salvation in a miraculous win. But nothing can keep Ronnie from recklessly betting his family's future. His only way out is through renewed faith–and a desperate act of redemption.
Nonfiction
Telling Your Tale: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook
Telling Your Tale Workbook: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook
http://www.angelabenson.com/tellingyourtale.html
“[Benson’s] writing advice is constructive and sincere; writers would be well-advised to follow her advice and practice their craft by completing the exercises in the book.” —WritersWrite.com on Telling The Tale (first edition)
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