One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1)

by Brower, Dawn

  “Are you happy?” Ren asked.

  “Blissfully so.”

  He leaned down and kissed her lightly. This was worth fighting for. She’d demolish anyone who tried to take it away from her. She’d already lost too much in her life to do anything less. She’d been her own worst enemy in the past, but she wouldn’t make that mistake ever again. These people were more important than she could ever explain with mere words. Yes, she’d put them at a distance at first. Now though, they were, and always would be, a priority for her. It’d taken her too long to come to that realization.

  “Me too,” he said. “If this is a dream, don’t ever wake me up.”

  “My dreams are never this good.” She laughed. “I promise nothing could ever be as perfect as our reality.”

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Heart’s Intent book two: An Unveiled Heart

  Chapter One

  A soft breeze fell over Matthew Price’s face. The constant beeping from a car horn could be heard in the distance. The distaste of bile rising in his throat was becoming equally hard to ignore. He clenched his fist and allowed his nails to bite into his palms. All of his senses worked as they should. He counted them off each day as a reminder he hadn’t lost everything. It was only his sight that continued to elude him. Dr. Sousa told him to be patient, and that his vision wouldn’t return overnight, but he’d been hopeful. It had been foolish and a complete waste of his time. He’d been released from the hospital a mere two weeks ago and he still couldn’t see more than a blur. He managed all right moving around the safety of his home, but anything else he was completely dependent on others. For someone who’d prided himself on his independence it’d brought him down to the lowest of levels. As far as he was concerned there was no reason to keep trying. What was the point? He was resigned to the circumstances life dealt him, at least he was trying to be. This was who he was. The blind man—a lawyer who couldn’t even read the law briefs he’d written. Research? It would be nearly impossible to complete now. What kind of lawyer—or man would he be without one of the most basic of human abilities?

  “Are you ready to go inside now Matt?”

  Claire Jackson—his babysitter, and the woman he desired beyond reason. At least until he had the misfortune of losing his capability to look at her. Hell who was he kidding? He still wanted her. It was doing something about it that baffled him. Like everything in his life after the accident, this was a change he hated. He couldn’t be the man she needed, and now she was something neither one of them anticipated she’d be. She was his constant companion. When she wasn’t at work she was with him, a continuous nag and voice of reason. Between her and the medical personal that came by weekly to check in on him he’d never been alone. He wanted the space to breathe. She was a constant reminder of all he believed he could no longer have.

  “Go away,” Matt barked. “Can’t you leave me alone for five minutes?”

  “You’ve been out here an hour now. It’s starting to get chilly.” Her voice was calm and soothing. “I can make you some lunch if you’re hungry.”

  Didn’t she understand? Of course she didn’t. How could she when he didn’t fully get it himself. There was no reason to do anything anymore. He had no purpose in life and he was struggling to find his place in the world. The car accident that blinded him had taken far more than his sight from him. It erased who he saw himself as. So what if it was chilly out and he’d been sitting in his backyard staring at nothing. It wasn’t as if he could actually see what was in front of him. It took the phrase staring blindly to a whole new level for him.

  “I don’t want food.” He clenched his fists. “I don’t want a damn thing except for you to leave.”

  There was a time he’d have loved having her in his home. An all too brief moment when he’d imagined her with him, loving her in every possible way. He’d been an idiot to ignore his feelings for her. Now he didn’t think he could have her the way he’d always wanted. His short-sightedness cost him a lot. The opportunity to be the man in Claire’s life was one of them. He’d thought he had time, sweet time, what a joke. If he could go back he’d make so many changes. She wouldn’t be his nursemaid, but his lover. How could he even begin to think he could be more than someone she’d have to take care of? Seduction? That was laughable. He’d grope her all right—but not in any romantic way. He’d latch on to her as his guide to make sure he didn’t walk into a wall or trip over his own feet. The helplessness he experienced every day didn’t make him feel suave or romantic.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” She sighed. “You need to realize that and accept it. Yelling at me isn’t going to achieve the results you’re hoping for.”

  What would? She was as unflappable as he remembered. He yelled at her every day, hell several times if he was being truthful, and she still came back. She remained calm and steady. The picture of her as he remembered her flashed through his mind, long golden blonde hair and warm brown eyes. She was so beautiful, caring, and independent. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. Claire was perfect, at least to him.

  “I don’t understand why you’re here. Find someone else to stay with me. I don’t want you around.”

  It was a lie, but maybe if he said it often enough she’d finally understand and leave. He couldn’t handle her being around him every day. Not when it seemed as if he’d never see properly again. This was what he needed to get through his ordeal. She had to go and fast. Someone else could do what she did every day. Claire deserved better than what he had to offer her.

  “I care about you. No one else, save Dani, would have your best interests at heart. She has her own problems and healing to do.” She lifted his hand in hers and rubbed it. “Be reasonable.”

  “Why?” He yanked his hand from hers. “As far as I can tell this is how I’m going to be for the rest of my life. I think I’m being perfectly rational.” He clenched his jaw tight. “Let’s quit pretending this is going to get better. I am blind. You’re the one not accepting things that aren’t going to change.”

  “Matt…I…” Clare’s voice broke apart as she spoke. “It’s only been a couple weeks. You can’t give up yet. Ren said it would take some time. Your body needs to heal and only time can give that to you.”

  Yeah Ren, the great Dr. Sousa, who acted as if he knew it all, but wasn’t any more infallible than anyone else was. His law partner, Daniella Brosen, loved the good doctor, had always loved him. They seemed to be rekindling their relationship and taking it in a different direction than the friendship they had in high school. Matt was happy for Dani, honestly, but he was irritatingly jealous of it. He’d wanted that with Claire. Now he didn’t think he’d ever have it with anyone ever. He hated who he was now and knew it wasn’t a good place to begin something as fragile as a relationship.

  “I don’t care what he had to say. What matters is what I want and know in this moment.” He turned toward where he thought she was and lifted his head. “I may or may not regain my sight. That isn’t the bottom line right now. You want to know what is? I’m sick of you being here in my house, invading my space, and ordering me around like I’m a child. I’m supposed to be your boss. So find someone to replace you. I want you gone by dinner.”

  It might turn out to be the worst decision he ever made, but he believed it was the only one he could make. His feelings for Claire made him second guess everything. One thing he was certain about though. She wouldn’t move on with her life if she was always taking care of him. She was wonderful, and he was far from it.

  “I don’t know what crawled up you and turned you into a raging prick, but you’re right I don’t have to deal with it.” Her voice sounded like it had an edge of steel behind it. Good for her; it was about time she stopped being the calm and comforting caregiver. Her hair whispered across his face with tiny tingles as she drew close. Her declaration shocked him more than anything. “If you want to battle me every step of the way counselor, game on, I’m willing to give as much as I get, but you should know—I p
lan on winning the war.”

  Holy hell she was sexy. He wanted to yank her into his lap and ravage her in every way possible, but that wouldn’t be conducive to his plan. She couldn’t see this as a challenge or she’d never back down. As much as he liked the idea of entering into a clash of wills with her it couldn’t be allowed.

  “We’re not at war.” He waved at her dismissively. “That would imply this mattered to me. You don’t, and never did.”

  A lie, but she couldn’t know the truth.

  “You can act like a repulsive jerk all you want, but I see you for who you are. The unveiled truth of what you have in your heart has always been visible to me. We all have inner demons we conceal from the world. There’s no hiding when you believe there is nothing worth keeping your walls up for.” She hammered her point home. “But make no mistake, I’m not your punching bag. As much as I care about you I can’t be the person you beat up on every day.”

  Pain shot through him at her words. He hated hurting her even when it was necessary. In the long run she’d thank him for it though. “I never asked you to be. Go and find something else to do with your time.”

  “I didn’t say I was leaving.”

  She had to be smiling. Her face was a blur, and fine details were lost to him, but he could almost make out the outline of her lips. Matt almost grinned back in response. Claire was a fighter and wouldn’t give up easily. It was one of the qualities he admired in her. She made a damn good legal assistant. He should have known she wouldn’t go because he’d ordered her to.

  “Then what was all that nonsense you were spouting?” He frowned. What new tactic was she about to unleash on him? “I thought you’d finally seen reason and was about to bow out before the real skirmish began. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did.”

  “So generous of you.” Claire snorted. “I’ll pass.”

  “So?”

  “So what?” she asked. “Oh you want to know what I have planned.” She laughed. It was so lovely to hear, his lips twitched in amusement. “And spoil the surprise? What kind of idiot do you take me for? You’re the best strategist I know. It would be moronic to give you a heads up.”

  Damn, he admired her. He’d hug her if she’d not see it as encouragement. “Not very sporting of you.”

  The cool breeze was doing nothing for his overheated skin. He had to get his hands on her. No, he couldn’t do what he wanted. Claire wasn’t meant to be mauled in desperation. If he ever was lucky enough to have her she was to be savored. She was the finest of women and should be treated accordingly.

  “Well I never said I’d be fair.” Her tone was light and filled with amusement. It left him with giddiness flowing through his veins. “You know the saying.”

  “No, I can’t say I do.” He waited on bated breath. The banter was so good he couldn’t get enough of her. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”

  She leaned in close and ran her hand across his thigh. He hardened to the brink of pain. If he reached up he could pull her into his lap and kiss her senseless. Matt wanted to, but refrained from acting on it. If she knew how much she affected him he’d never win this war they started. He’d be putty in her hands, and she’d be able to mold him as she pleased. He almost begged her to do it. One moment of insanity might be worth it for the lifetime of pleasurable memories.

  “All’s fair in love—and war.” Her hot breath caressed his ear. “And Matt, make no mistake this has nothing to do with merely one of those, and everything to do with both.”

  Without another word, she left him to think about her parting shot. What the hell had he managed to get himself into this time?

  Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.

  Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. There is nothing like a nice glass of wine and a good book to relax with at the end of the day.

  There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

  Visit her website at www.authordawnbrower.com for more information on upcoming releases.

  Books by Dawn Brower

  Broken Pearl

  Deadly Benevolence

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  Marsden Romances

  A Flawed Jewel

  A Crystal Angel

  A Treasured Lily

  A Sanguine Gem

  A Hidden Ruby

  A Discarded Pearl

  **

  Novak Springs Series

  Cowgirl Fever

  Dirty Proof

  Unbridled Pursuit

  Sensual Games

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  Linked Across Time Series

  Saved by My Blackguard

  Searching for My Rogue

  Coming soon

  Seduction of My Rake

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  Heart’s Intent Series

  One Heart to Give

  Coming soon

  An Unveiled Heart