by Jodie Becker
He’d dreamed of this for so long and held her to him as if she’d disappear like a phantom. Cupping the back of her neck, his fingers tangled in her hair. She filled his senses, her floral scent, the sound of soft desire in the way her breathing hitched. He put all he had into the kiss, all his love pouring out of him with every sweep of his hand along her back, every slide of his tongue against hers.
He wanted to imprint this one moment on her memory, to remind her what it felt like once upon a time to love him. To remember him in her heart. His cock ached, but he kept it from her, not wanting to take away from the pure gentleness of the moment.
After a time that both seemed to pass slowly and end all too soon, he pulled away. Her lips were swollen from his kiss, her eyelids at half-mast. He knew this was the point to walk away. He couldn’t ask her more than she was willing to give. Straightening, he took his first step back, the move excruciating but necessary. He’d exposed his heart yet again and the chill wind battered it.
Turning away, he started back down the street.
Bridget stood dumbfounded as Max walked away from her. Her heart raced in her ears and that last wall threatened to crumble. This was the Max she fell in love with. The man who gave and believed in the little gestures.
“Max.”
He paused, his profile given, his back to her as he refused to face her. She abandoned her car and closed the dozen or so steps that separated them. The wind whistled between them like a chasm. A dark lock of hair caressed his cheek. She wanted to finger it and remember how it felt in her hands.
The last few months she’d watched a change in Max. Although he always seemed happy there were moments where she caught his features turn solemn and an aura of despair settle over him.
With every smile and every touch he slowly won her over. The months watching him work with Bryce who still struggled with his rehabilitation highlighted what a loving soul Max truly was.
“Did you mean it?” she asked.
“Mean what?”
“In that letter you sent me. You said that you’d share with me and only me your body and soul. Do you mean it?”
He cupped her cheek, staring intently down at her. “I meant it then and I mean it now.”
Lashes fanned downward and she nodded once before she looked at him. Now was the time to decide. Could she take the leap of faith and let the man who’d once hurt her back into her life? Her heart ached and nerves prickled. Her mouth dry, she faltered. It all felt too soon.
She stepped away from him and he dipped his head, a flash of pain crossing his features before he smiled softly. He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. “So, I’ll be seeing you around?”
She nodded, words leaving her at the glimmer of love and misery in his eyes. Was it so hard to love someone who remained impossibly out of reach? Who was she punishing now? Herself or him?
“Come home with me.”
His breath stuttered. “Are you sure?”
Her heart thundered. “Sure enough to give us another chance.”
“God, I love you.” He captured her lips in a kiss that seared her right to her soul.
The End
About the Author
I believe in love and redemption. I really do. And that’s probably why I write romance. Sure, I tried my hand at epic fantasy and literary pieces, but you know, my passion remained with romance. My *virtual* bookshelf is overflowing with them. With so many sub-genres, I can go anywhere—and I do! So it’s no surprise that I find myself comfortable here.
I’ll write anything that tickles my fancy, from the sassy contemporary all the way to the dark urban fantasy. As long as there is romance, I’m a happy camper.
Jodie welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Jodie Becker
Dirty Beautiful
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